What! is it not enough? Would you hear more? Giles Corey! COREY I am here. HATHORNE Come forward, then. COREY _ascends the platform_. Is it not true, that on a certain night You were impeded strangely in your prayers? That something hindered you? and that you left This woman here, your wife, kneeling alone Upon the hearth? COREY Yes; I cannot deny it. HATHORNE Did you not say the Devil hindered you? COREY I think I said some words to that effect. HATHORNE Is it not true, that fourteen head of cattle, To you belonging, broke from their enclosure And leaped into the river, and were drowned? COREY It is most true. HATHORNE And did you not then say That they were overlooked? COREY So much I said. I see; they're drawing round me closer, closer, A net I cannot break, cannot escape from! (_Aside._) HATHORNE Who did these things? COREY I do not know who did them. HATHORNE Then I will tell you. It is some one near you; You see her now; this woman, your own wife. COREY I call the heavens to witness, it is false! She never harmed me, never hindered me In 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 her As otherwise than patient, brave, and true, Faithful, forgiving, full of charity, A virtuous and industrious and good wife! HATHORNE 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. MARTHA O Giles, this day you've sworn away my life! MARY 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! [_Exit_ MARTHA; COREY _following_. COREY The dream! the dream! the dream! HATHORNE What does he say? Giles Corey, go not hence. You are yourself Accused of Witchcraft and of Sorcery By many witnesses. Say, are you guilty? COREY I know my death is foreordained by you,-- Mine and my wife's. Therefore I will not answer. _During the rest of the scene he remains silent._ HATHORNE Do you refuse to plead?--'Twere better for you To 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. HATHORNE Tell the Court; Have you not seen the supernatural power Of this old man? Have you not seen him do Strange feats of strength? GLOYD