Martha. Never

Have you signed it,Or touched it?

No; I never saw it.

Did you not scourge her with an iron rod?

No, I did not. If any Evil SpiritHas taken my shape to do these evil deeds,I cannot help it. I am innocent.

Did you not say the Magistrates were blind?That you would open their eyes?

MARTHA (with a scornful laugh).Yes, I said that;If you call me a sorceress, you are blind!If you accuse the innocent, you are blind!Can the innocent be guilty?

Did you notOn one occasion hide your husband's saddleTo hinder him from coming to the sessions?

I thought it was a folly in a farmerTo waste his time pursuing such illusions.

What was the bird that this young woman sawJust now upon your hand?

I know no bird.

Have you not dealt with a Familiar Spirit?

No, never, never!

What then was the BookYou showed to this young woman, and besought herTo write in it?

Where should I have a book?I showed her none, nor have none.

The next SabbathIs the Communion Day, but Martha CoreyWill not be there!

Ah, you are all against me.What can I do or say?

You can confess.

No, I cannot, for I am innocent.

We have the proof of many witnessesThat you are guilty.

Give me leave to speak.Will you condemn me on such evidence,--You who have known me for so many years?Will you condemn me in this house of God,Where I so long have worshipped with you all?Where I have eaten the bread and drunk the wineSo many times at our Lord's Table with you?Bear witness, you that hear me; you all knowThat I have led a blameless life among you,That never any whisper of suspicionWas breathed against me till this accusation.And shall this count for nothing? Will you takeMy life away from me, because this girl,Who is distraught, and not in her right mind,Accuses me of things I blush to name?

What! is it not enough? Would you hear more?Giles Corey!

I am here.

Come forward, then.

Is it not true, that on a certain nightYou were impeded strangely in your prayers?That something hindered you? and that you leftThis woman here, your wife, kneeling aloneUpon the hearth?

Yes; I cannot deny it.

Did you not say the Devil hindered you?

I think I said some words to that effect.

Is it not true, that fourteen head of cattle,To you belonging, broke from their enclosureAnd leaped into the river, and were drowned?

It is most true.

And did you not then sayThat they were overlooked?

So much I said.I see; they're drawing round me closer, closer,A net I cannot break, cannot escape from! (Aside).

Who did these things?

I do not know who did them.

Then I will tell you. It is some one near you;You see her now; this woman, your own wife.

I call the heavens to witness, it is false!She never harmed me, never hindered meIn anything but what I should not do.And I bear witness in the sight of heaven,And in God's house here, that I never knew herAs otherwise than patient, brave, and true,Faithful, forgiving, full of charity,A virtuous and industrious and good wife!

Tut, tut, man; do not rant so in your speech;You are a witness, not an advocate!Here, Sheriff, take this woman back to prison.

O Giles, this day you've sworn away my life!

Go, go and join the Witches at the door.Do you not hear the drum? Do you not see them?Go quick. They're waiting for you. You are late.

The dream! the dream! the dream!

What does he say?Giles Corey, go not hence. You are yourselfAccused of Witchcraft and of SorceryBy many witnesses. Say, are you guilty?

I know my death is foreordained by you,Mine and my wife's. Therefore I will not answer.

Do you refuse to plead?--'T were better for youTo make confession, or to plead Not Guilty.--Do you not hear me?--Answer, are you guilty?Do you not know a heavier doom awaits you,If you refuse to plead, than if found guilty?Where is John Gloyd?

GLOYD (coming forward).Here am I.

Tell the CourtHave you not seen the supernatural powerOf this old man? Have you not seen him doStrange feats of strength?

I've seen him lead the field,On a hot day, in mowing, and againstUs younger men; and I have wrestled with him.He threw me like a feather. I have seen himLift up a barrel with his single hands,Which two strong men could hardly lift together,And, holding it above his head, drink from it.

That is enough; we need not question further.What answer do you make to this, Giles Corey?

See there! See there!

What is it? I see nothing.

Look! Look! It is the ghost of Robert Goodell,Whom fifteen years ago this man did murderBy stamping on his body! In his shroudHe comes here to bear witness to the crime!

Ghosts of the dead and voices of the livingBear witness to your guilt, and you must die!It might have been an easier death. Your doomWill be on your own head, and not on ours.Twice more will you be questioned of these things;Twice more have room to plead or to confess.If you are contumacious to the Court,And if, when questioned, you refuse to answer,Then by the Statute you will be condemnedTo the peine forte et dure! To have your bodyPressed by great weights until you shall be dead!And may the Lord have mercy on your soul!