Mary E. Wilkins Freeman - Giles Corey, Yeoman
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Mary E. Wilkins Freeman >> Giles Corey, Yeoman
_Hathorne._ It is dreadful, dreadful, that an innocent maid should
be so tormented by acts which her guileless fancy could never
compass!
_Parris._ Verily, malignity hath ever cowardice in conjunction with
it. Satan loveth best to afflict those who can make no defence, and
fastens his talons first in the lambs.
_Enter_ Widow Hutchins _with the embroidered cape._
_Hutchins._ Here, your worships, is the cape.
_Hathorne_ (_examines it_). I have seen women folk wear its like on
the Sabbath day. I can see naught unwonted about it.
_Parris._ It looketh like any cape.
_Hutchins._ I fear it be not like any cape. Had your worships seen
my poor child writhe under it, and I myself, when I would try it on,
bent down to my knees as under a ton weight, your worships would not
think it like any cape.
_Parris._ I suspect there be verily evil work in the cape, and a
witch's bodkin hath pierced these cunning eyelets. It goeth so fast
now that erelong every guileless, senseless thing in our houses,
down to the tinder-box and the candle-stick, will find hinges and
turn into a gate, whereby witchcraft can enter. You say, Widow
Hutchins, that Olive Corey gave this cape to your daughter?
_Hutchins._ That did she. Yesterday evening Ann went down to Goody
Corey's house for a little chat; she and Olive have been gossips
ever since they were children, though lately there hath been
somewhat of bitterness betwixt them.
_Parris._ How mean you?
_Hutchins._ I have laid it upon my mind ere now to tell you, being
much wrought up concerning it, and thinking that you might give me
somewhat of spiritual consolation and advice. It was in this wise.
Paul Bayley, who, they say, goeth every Sabbath night to Goody
Corey's house and sitteth up until unseemly hours with Olive, looked
once with a favorable eye upon my daughter Ann. Had your worships
seen him, as I saw him one day in the meeting-house, look at Ann
when she wore her green paduasoy, you had not doubted. Youths look
not thus upon maidens unless they be inclined toward them. But this
hussy Olive Corey did come between Paul and my Ann, and that not of
her own merits. There is nobody in Salem Village who would say that
Olive Corey's looks be aught in comparison with my Ann's, but I trow
Goody Corey hath arts which make amends for lack of beauty. I trow
all ill-favored folk might be fair would they have such arts used
upon them.
_Hathorne._ What mean you by that saying?
_Hutchins._ I mean Goody Corey hath devilish arts whereby she
giveth her daughter a beauty beyond her own looks, wherewith she may
entice young men.
_Hathorne._ You say that this cape caused your daughter torment?
_Hutchins._ Your worships, it lay on her neck like a fire-brand,
and she thought she should die ere she cast it off.
_Hathorne._ Widow Hutchins, will you now put on the cape?
_Hutchins._ Oh, your worship, I dare not put it on! I fear it will
be the death of me if I do.
_Hathorne._ Minister Parris, wilt thou put on the cape?
_Parris._ Good Master Hathorne, it would ill behoove a minister of
the gospel to put himself in jeopardy when so many be depending upon
him to lead them in this dreadful conflict with the powers of
darkness. But do thou put on the mantle the while I go to prayer to
avert any ill that may come of it.
_Hathorne._ Nay, I will make no such jest of my office of
magistrate as to put this woman's gear on my shoulders. I doubt if
there be aught in it. Prithee, Widow Hutchins, when did this torment
first come upon the young woman?
_Hutchins._ Your worship, she went, as I have said, to Goody
Corey's yester-evening to have a little chat with her gossip, Olive,
and Paul Bayley came in also, and some of them did talk strangely
about this witchcraft, Olive and Goody Corey nodding and winking,
and making light of it. And then when Ann said she must be home,
Paul rose quickly and made as though he would go with her, but Goody
Corey would not let him, and herself went with Ann. And she did
practise her devilish arts upon my poor child all the way home, and
when my poor child got on the door-stone she burst open the door,
and came in as though all the witches were after her, and she hath
not been herself since. She hath ever since been grievously
tormented, being set upon now by Goody Corey, and now by Olive,
being choked and twisted about until I thought she would die, and so
I fear she will, unless they be speedily put in chains. It seemeth
flesh and blood cannot endure it. Mercy Lewis is just come in, and
she saw Goody Corey and Olive upon her when she opened the door.
_Hathorne._ This evil work must be stopped at all hazards, and this
monstrous brood of witches gotten out of the land.
_Parris._ Yea, verily, although we have to reach under the covenant
for them. [_Screams._
_Hutchins._ Oh, your worships, my poor child will have no peace
until they be chained in prison.
_Hathorne._ They shall be chained in prison before the sun sets. I
will at once go forth and issue warrants for the arrest of Martha
Corey and her daughter. [_More violent screams and loud voices
overhead._
_Parris._ Would it not be well, good Master Hathorne, for us to see
the afflicted maid before we depart?
_Hutchins._ Oh, I pray you, sirs, come up stairs to my poor child's
chamber and see yourselves in what grievous torment she lies. She
hath often called for Minister Parris, saying they dared not so
afflict her were he there.
_Hathorne._ It would perchance be as well. Lead the way, if you
will, Widow Hutchins. [_Exeunt. Screams continue._
_Enter_ Nancy Fox _and_ Phoebe Morse _stealthily from other door._
Phoebe _carries her rag doll._
_Nancy._ Massy sakes, hear them screeches!
_Phoebe_ (_clinging to_ Nancy). Oh, Nancy, won't they catch us too!
I'm afraid!
_Nancy._ They can't touch us; we're witches too.
_Phoebe._ Massy sakes! I forgot we were witches.
_Nancy._ Hear that, will ye? Ain't she a-ketchin' it?
_Phoebe._ Nancy, do you suppose it's the pin I stuck in my doll
makes Ann screech that way?
_Nancy._ Most likely 'tis. Stick in another, and see if she
screeches louder.
_Phoebe._ No, I won't. I'll pull the pin out; 'twas this one in my
doll's arm. (_Pulls out pin and flings it on the floor._) I won't
have Ann hurt so bad as that if Olive did give her the cape. Why
don't she stop screeching now, Nancy? Oh, Nancy, somebody's coming!
I hear somebody at the door. Crawl under the bed--quick! quick!
[Phoebe _gets down and begins to crawl under the bed._ Nancy _tries
to imitate her, but cannot bend herself._
_Nancy._ Oh, massy! I've got a crick in my back, and I can't double
up. What shall I do? (_Tries to bend._) I can't; no, I can't! 'Tis
like a hot poker. Massy! what 'll I do?
_Phoebe._ You've got to, Nancy. Quick! the latch is lifting. Quick!
quick! I'll push you. No; I'll pull you. Here!
[_Pulls_ Nancy _down upon the floor, and rolls her under the bed;
gets under herself just as the door is pushed open._
_Enter_ Giles Corey _in great excitement._
_Giles_ (_running across the room, and listening at the door leading
to the chamber stairs_). Devil take them! why don't they put an end
to it? Why do they let the poor lass be set upon this way?
Screeching so you can hear her all over Salem Village! There! hear
that, will ye? Out upon them! Widow Hutchins! Widow Hutchins! Can't
you give her some physic? Sha'n't I come up there with my musket?
Why don't they find out who is so tormenting her and chain her up in
prison? 'Tis some witch or other. Oh, I'd hang her; I'd tie the rope
myself. Poor lass! poor lass! [_The door is pushed open, and_ Giles
_starts back._
_Enter_ John Hathorne, Minister Parris, _and_ Widow Hutchins.
_Giles._ Good-day, Widow Hutchins. Shall I go up there with my
musket?
_Parris._ I trow there be too many of thy household up there now.
_Giles._ I'd lay about me till I hit some of 'em. I'll warrant I
would. Oh, the poor lass! hear that!
_Parris._ She is a grievous case.
_Giles._ I heard the screeches out in the wood, and I ran in
thinking I might do somewhat. I would Martha were here. I'll be
bound she'd laugh and scoff at it no longer!
_Hathorne._ Laugh and scoff, say you?
_Giles._ That she doth. Martha acts as if the devil were in her
about it. She doth nothing but laugh at and make light of the
afflicted children, and saith there be no witches. She would not
even believe 'twas aught out of the common when our ox and cat were
took strangely. If she were herself a witch she could be no more
stiff-necked.
_Parris._ Doth she go out after nightfall?
_Giles._ That she doth, in spite of all I can say. She hath no fear
that an honest gospel woman should have in these times. She went out
last night, and I was so angered that I charged her with galloping a
broomstick home.
_Hathorne._ Did she deny it?
_Giles._ She laughed as she is wont to do. She even made a jest
on't, when I could not when I would go to prayer, and the words
stayed beyond my wits. I would she could be here now, and hear this!
_Parris._ Perchance she doth.
_Giles._ I'll warrant she'd lose somewhat of her stiff-neckedness.
Hear that! Can't ye chain up the witch that's tormenting the poor
lass! Is't Goody Osborn?
_Hathorne._ The witch will be chained and in prison before
nightfall. Come, Minister Parris, we can do no good by abiding
longer here. Methinks we have sufficient testimony.
_Parris._ Verily the devil hath played into our hands. [_They turn
to leave._
_Hutchins._ Oh, your worships, ye will use good speed for the sake
of my poor child.
_Giles._ Ay, be speedy about it. Put the baggage in prison as soon
as may be, and load her down well with irons.
_Hathorne._ I will strive to obey your commands well, Goodman
Corey. Good-day, Widow Hutchins; your daughter shall soon find
relief.
_Parris._ Good-day, Widow Hutchins, and be of good cheer.
[_Exeunt_ Hathorne _and_ Parris, _while_ Widow Hutchins
_courtesies._
_Giles._ Well, I must even be going too. I have my cattle to water.
I but bolted in when I heard the poor lass screech, thinking I might
do somewhat. But good Master Hathorne will see to it. Hear that! Do
ye go up to her, widow, and mix her up a bowl of yarb tea, till they
put the trollop in prison. I'm off to water my cattle, then devil
take me if I don't give the sheriffs a hand if they need it. Goody
Osborn's house is nigh mine. Good-day, widow. [_Exit_ Giles.
_Hutchins_ (_laughing_). Give the sheriffs a hand, will he?
Perchance he will, but I doubt me if 'tis not a fisted one. He sets
his life by Goody Corey, however he rate her. (_A scream from above
of_ "Mother! Mother!") Yes, Ann, I'm coming, I'm coming! [_Exit._
_Phoebe_ (_crawls out from under the bed_). Now, Nancy, we've got a
chance to run. Come out, quick! Oh, if Uncle Corey had caught us
here!
_Nancy._ I can't get out. Oh! oh! The rheumatiz stiffened me so I
couldn't double up, and now it has stiffened me so I can't undouble.
No, 'tis not rheumatiz, 'tis Goody Bishop has bewitched me. I can't
get out.
_Phoebe._ You must, Nancy, or some body 'll come and catch us.
Here, I'll pull you out.
[_Tugs at_ Nancy's _arms, and drags her out, groaning._
_Nancy._ Here I am out, but I can't undouble. I'll have to go home
on all-fours like a cat. Oh! oh!
_Phoebe._ Give me your hands and I'll pull you up. Think you 'tis
witchcraft, Nancy?
_Nancy._ I know 'tis. 'Tis Goody Bishop in her fine silk hood
afflicts me. Oh, massy!
_Phoebe._ There, you are up, Nancy.
_Nancy._ I ain't half undoubled.
_Phoebe._ You can walk so, can't you, Nancy? Oh, come, quick! I
think I hear somebody on the stairs. (_Catches up her doll and
seizes_ Nancy's _hand._) Quick! quick!
_Nancy._ I tell ye I can't go quick; I ain't undoubled enough.
Devil take Goody Bishop!
[_Exit, hobbling and bent almost double,_ Phoebe _urging her along.
Curtain falls._
Act III.
_The Meeting-house in Salem Village. Enter_ People of Salem Village
_and take seats. The_ Afflicted Girls, _among whom are_ Ann Hutchins
_and_ Mercy Lewis, _occupy the front seats._ Nancy Fox _and_
Phoebe. _Enter the magistrates_ John Hathorne _and_ Jonathan Corwin
_with_ Minister Parris, _escorted by the_ Marshal, Aids, _and four_
Constables. _They place themselves at a long table in front of the
pulpit._
_Hathorne_ (_rising_). We are now prepared to enter upon the
examination. We invoke the blessing of God upon our proceedings, and
call upon the Marshal to produce the bodies of the accused.
[_Exeunt_ Marshal _and_ Constables. Afflicted Girls _twist about and
groan. Great excitement among the people._
_Enter_ Marshal _and_ Constables _leading_ Martha _and_ Olive Corey
_in chains._ Giles _follows. The prisoners are placed facing the
assembly, with the_ Constables _holding their hands._ Giles _stands
near. The_ Afflicted Girls _make a great clamor._
_Ann._ Oh, they are tormenting! They will be the death of me! I
will not! I will not!
_Giles._ Hush your noise, will ye, Ann Hutchins!
_Parris._ Peace, Goodman Corey!
_Hathorne._ Martha Corey, you are now in the hands of authority.
Tell me now why you hurt these persons.
_Martha._ I do not. I pray your worships give me leave to go to
prayer.
_Hathorne._ We have not sent for you to go to prayer, but to
confess that you are a witch.
_Martha._ I am no witch. I am a gospel woman. There is no such
thing as a witch. Shall I confess that I am what doth not exist? It
were not only a lie, but a fool's lie.
_Mercy._ There is a black man whispering in her ears.
_Hathorne._ What saith the black man to you, goodwife?
_Martha._ I pray your worships to ask the maid. Perchance, since
she sees him, she can also hear what he saith better than I.
_Hathorne._ Why do you not tell how the devil comes in your shape
and hurts these maids?
_Martha._ How can I tell how? I was never acquaint with the ways of
the devil. I leave it to those wise maids who are so well acquaint
to tell how. Perchance he hath whispered it in their ears.
_Afflicted Girls._ Oh, there is a yellow bird! There is a yellow
bird perched on her head!
_Hathorne._ What say you to that, Goodwife Corey?
_Martha._ What can I say to such folly?
_Hathorne._ Constables, let go the hands of Martha Corey.
[_The_ Constables _let go her hands, and immediately there is a
great outcry from the_ Afflicted Girls.
_Afflicted Girls._ She pinches us! Hold her hands! Hold her hands
again! Oh! oh!
_Ann._ She is upon me again! She digs her fingers into my throat!
Hold her hands! Hold her hands! She will be the death of me!
_Giles._ Devil take ye, ye lying trollop! 'Tis a pity somebody had
not been the death of ye before this happened!
_Hathorne._ Constables, hold the hands of the accused.
[Constables _obey, and at once the afflicted are quiet._
_Hathorne._ Goodwife Corey, what do you say to this?
_Martha._ I see with whom we have to do. May the Lord have mercy
upon us!
_Hathorne._ What say you to the charges that your husband, Giles
Corey, hath many a time brought against you in the presence of
witnesses--that you hindered him when he would go to prayer, causing
the words to go from him strangely; that you were out after
nightfall, and did ride home on a broomstick; and that you scoffed
at these maids and their affliction, as if you were a witch
yourself?
_Giles._ I said not so! Martha, I said it not so!
_Hathorne._ What say you to your husband's charge that you did
afflict his ox and cat, causing his ox to fall in the yard, and the
cat to be strangely sick?
_Giles._ Devil take the ox and the cat! I said not that she did
afflict them.
_Hathorne._ Peace, Goodman Corey; you are now in court.
_Martha._ I say, if a gospel woman is to be hung as a witch for
every stumbling ox and sick cat, 'tis setting a high value upon oxen
and cats.
_Giles._ I would mine had all been knocked in the head, lass, and
me too!
_Hathorne._ Peace! Ann Hutchins, what saw you when Goodwife Corey
went home with you through the wood?
_Ann._ Hold fast her hands, I pray, or she will kill me. The trees
were so full of yellow birds that it sounded as if a mighty wind
passed over them, and the birds lit on Goody Corey's head. And black
beasts ran alongside through the bushes, which did break and
crackle, and they were at Goody Corey and me to go to the witch
dance on the hill. And they said to bring Olive Corey and Paul
Bayley. And Goody Corey told them how she and Olive would presently
come, but not Paul, for he never would sign the book, not even
though Olive trapped him by the arts they had taught her. And Goody
Corey showed me the book then, and besought me to sign, and go with
her to the dance. And when I would not, she and Olive also afflicted
me so grievously that I thought I could not live, and have done so
ever since.
_Hathorne._ What say you to this, Goodwife Corey?
_Martha._ I pray your worship believe not what she doth charge
against my daughter.
_Corwin._ Mercy Lewis, do you say that you have seen both of the
accused afflicting Ann Hutchins?
_Mercy._ Yes, your worship, many a time have I seen them pressing
her to sign the book, and afflicting when she would not.
_Corwin._ How looked the book?
_Mercy._ 'Twas black, your worship, with blood-red clasps.
_Corwin._ Read you the names in it?
_Mercy._ I strove to, your worship, but I got not through the C's;
there were too many of them.
_Hathorne._ Let the serving-woman, Nancy Fox, come hither.
[Nancy Fox _makes her way to the front._
_Hathorne._ Nancy, I have heard that your mistress afflicts you.
_Nancy._ That she doth.
_Hathorne._ In what manner?
_Nancy._ She sendeth me to bed at first candlelight as though I
were a babe; she maketh me to wear a woollen petticoat in
winter-time, though I was not brought up to't; and she will never
let me drink more than one mug of cider at a sitting, and I nigh
eighty, and needing on't to warm my bones.
_Corwin._ Hath she ever afflicted you? Your replies be not to the
point, woman.
_Nancy._ Your worship, she hath never had any respect for my
understanding, and that hath greatly afflicted me.
_Hathorne._ Hath she ever shown you a book to sign?
_Nancy._ Verily she hath; and when I would not, hath afflicted me
with sore pains in all my bones, so I cried out, on getting up, when
I had set awhile.
_Hathorne._ Hath your mistress a familiar?
_Nancy._ Hey?
_Hathorne._ Have you ever seen any strange thing with her?
_Nancy._ She hath a yellow bird which sits on her cap when she
churns.
_Hathorne._ What else have you seen with her?
_Nancy._ A thing like a cat, only it went on two legs. It clawed up
the chimbly, and the soot fell down, and Goody Corey set me to
sweeping on't up on the Lord's day.
_Giles._ Out upon ye, ye lying old jade!
_Hathorne._ Silence! Nancy, you may go to your place. Phoebe Morse,
come hither.
[Phoebe Morse _approaches with her apron over her face, sobbing. She
has her doll under her arm._
_Hathorne._ Cease weeping, child. Tell me how your aunt Corey
treats you. Hath she ever taught you otherwise than you have learned
in your catechism?
_Phoebe_ (_weeping_). I don't know. Oh, Aunt Corey, I didn't mean
to! I took the pins out of my doll, I did. Don't whip me for it.
_Hathorne._ What doll? What mean you, child?
_Phoebe._ I don't know. I didn't stick them in so very deep, Aunt
Corey! Don't let them hang me for it!
_Hathorne._ Did your aunt Corey teach you to stick pins into your
doll to torment folk?
_Phoebe_ (_sobbing convulsively_). I don't know! I don't know! Oh,
Aunt Corey, don't let them hang me! Olive, you won't let them! Oh!
oh!
_Corwin._ Methinks 'twere as well to make an end of this.
_Hathorne._ There seemeth to me important substance under this
froth of tears. (_To_ Phoebe.) Give me thy doll, child.
_Phoebe_ (_clutching the doll_). Oh, my doll! my doll! Oh, Aunt
Corey, don't let them have my doll!
_Martha._ Peace, dear child! Thou must not begrudge it. Their
worships be in sore distress just now to play with dolls.
_Parris._ Give his worship the doll, child. Hast thou not been
taught to respect them in authority?
[Phoebe _gives the doll to_ Hathorne, _whimpering._ Hathorne,
Corwin, _and_ Parris _put their heads together over it._
_Hathorne_ (_holding up the doll_). There be verily many pins in
this image. Goodwife Corey, what know you of this?
_Martha._ Your worship, such a weighty matter is beyond my poor
knowledge.
_Hathorne._ Know you whence the child got this image?
_Martha._ Yes, your worship. I myself made it out of a piece of an
old homespun blanket for the child to play with. I stuffed it with
lamb's wool, and sewed some green ravellings on its head for hair. I
made it a coat out of my copperas-colored petticoat, and colored its
lips and cheeks with pokeberries.
_Hathorne._ Did you teach the child to stick in these pins
wherewith to torment folk?
_Martha._ It availeth me naught to say no, your worship.
_Mercy_ (_screams_). Oh, a sharp pain shoot through me when I look
at the image! 'Tis through my arms! Oh!
_Hathorne_ (_examining the doll_). There is a pin in the arms.
_Ann._ I feel sharp pains, like pins, in my face; oh, 'tis
dreadful!
_Hathorne_ (_examining the doll_). There are pins in the face.
_Phoebe_ (_sobbing_). No, no! Those are the pins I stuck in for Aunt
Corey. Don't let them hang me, Aunt Corey.
_Parris._ That is sufficient. She has confessed.
_Hathorne._ Yes, methinks the child hath confessed whether she
would or no. Goodwife Corey, Phoebe hath now plainly said that she
did stick these pins in this image for you. What have you to say?
_Martha_ (_courtesying_). Your worship, the matter is beyond my poor
speech.
[Hathorne _tosses the doll on the table,_ Phoebe _watching
anxiously._
_Hathorne._ Go to your place, child.
_Phoebe._ I want my doll.
_Parris._ Go to thy place as his worship bids thee, and think on
the precepts in thy catechism. [Phoebe _returns sobbing._
_Afflicted Girls._ Oh, Goody Corey turns her eyes upon us! Bid her
turn her eyes away!
_Ann._ Oh, I see a black cat sitting on Goody Corey's shoulder, and
his eyes are like coals. Now, now, he looks at me when Goody Corey
does! Look away! look away! Oh, I am blind! I am blind! Sparks are
coming into my eyes from Goody Corey's. Make her turn her eyes away,
your worships; make her turn her eyes away!
_Hathorne._ Goody Corey, fix your eyes upon the floor, and look not
at these poor children whom you so afflict.
_Martha._ May the Lord open the eyes of the magistrates and
ministers, and give them sight to discover the guilty!
_Parris._ Why do you not confess that you are a witch?
_Martha_ (_with sudden fervor_). I am no witch. There is no such
thing as a witch. Oh, ye worshipful magistrates, ye ministers and
good people of Salem Village, I pray ye hear me speak for a moment's
space. Listen not to this testimony of distracted children, this
raving of a poor lovesick, jealous maid, who should be treated
softly, but not let to do this mischief. Ye, being in your fair wits
and well acquaint with your own knowledge, must know, as I know,
that there be no witches. Wherefore would God let Satan after such
wise into a company of His elect? Hath He not guard over His own
precinct? Can He not keep it from the power of the Adversary as well
as we from the savages? Why keep ye the scouts out in the fields if
the Lord God hath so forsaken us? Call in the scouts! If we believe
in witches, we believe not only great wickedness, but great folly of
the Lord God. Think ye in good faith that I verily stand here with a
black cat on my shoulder and a yellow bird on my head? Why do ye not
see them as well as these maids? I would that ye might if they be
there. Black cat, yellow bird, if ye be upon my shoulder and my
head, as these maids say, I command ye to appear to these
magistrates! Otherwise, if I have signed the book, as these maids
say, I swear unto ye that I will cross out my name, and will serve
none but the God Almighty. Most worshipful magistrates, see ye the
black cat? See ye any yellow bird? Why are ye not afflicted as well
as these maids, when I turn my eyes upon ye? I pray you to consider
that. I am no saint; I wot well that I have but poorly done the will
of the Lord who made me, but I am a gospel woman and keep to the
faith according to my poor measure. Can I be a gospel woman and a
witch too? I have never that I know of done aught of harm whether to
man or beast. I have spared not myself nor minded mine own
infirmities in tasks for them that belonged to me, nor for any
neighbor that had need. I say not this to set myself up, but to
prove to you that I can be no witch, and my daughter can be no
witch. Have I not watched nights without number with the sick? Have
I not washed and dressed new-born babes? Have I not helped to make
the dead ready for burial, and sat by them until the cock crew? Have
I ever held back when there was need of me? But I say not this to
set myself up. Have I not been in the meeting-house every Lord's
day? Have I ever stayed away from the sacrament? Have I not gone in
sober apparel, nor wasted my husband's substance? Have I not been
diligent in my household, and spun and wove great store of linen?
Are not my floors scoured, my brasses bright, and my cheese-room
well filled? Look at me! Can I be a witch?