The Scarlet Stigma Part 7

_Roger._ And wouldst thou if thou couldst?

_Hester._ Aye, if I could; but yet these broken lives, Cracked by my fall, no putty will make whole.

_Roger._ Yet canst thou veil my ruin, and o'er me hang The drapery of silence. Dost consent?

_Hester._ Aye, but how?

_Roger._ But swear to me thou wilt conceal my name, Nor ever claim relations.h.i.+p with me, Until I bid thee.

_Hester._ Wherefore the vow?

_Roger._ Because I wish it; Perhaps, because I would not bear the scorn, The petty taunts, the contumelious looks, That ever greet the cuckold husband.

_Hester._ Then will I take the oath.

_Roger._ Swear by the book, and also by the babe, Never to breathe my rightful name; Never to claim me as thy husband; Never to leave this place.

_Hester._ Wherefore not leave the place?

_Roger._ Swear, woman, swear!

Never to leave this place, until I bid thee.

_Hester._ I swear to all these things.

_Roger._ Swear once again; never to tell thy paramour Thy husband lives and walks these streets.

_Hester._ I swear to keep thy counsel as I have kept His and mine own.

_Roger._ Remember then, from this time on, my name Is Chillingworth, no longer Prynne, for that I will not bear. [_Going_] Hester, farewell.

Yet ere I go, Hester, behold my mind: I love thee still; but with a chastened heart Made wise by sorrow. Day after day, as thou Dost wend thy way about this mazy world, My care will s.h.i.+eld thee and thy little babe.

Do not repulse it. I have no hope that thou Wilt think of me without revulsion; Then hate me if thou must; but spare the thought That ever thou didst take my hateful kisses, Or clasp those soft warm arms about my thin, Cold carca.s.s.

Do not despise thy beauties that I once Did own them. Forget it, Hester, for such a marriage Was my infamy, and I it was Who sinned against thy youth. Farewell! [_Exit._

SCENE II.--_A Churchyard. A bell ringing for service. Groups of people standing about. Persons cross stage and enter church door on extreme L._

_Bronson._ They say the Reverend Master Dimsdell hath Recovered from his fainting fit, and will, G.o.d willing, preach to us this afternoon.

_Langdon._ Aye, that he will.

_Arnold._ But hath he come?

_Ward._ Not yet; He's late, but, whether here or elsewhere, He's always doing good.

_Bronson._ A kindly man!

His feet do tread th' o'ergrown path that leads Unto the poor man's door.

_Langdon._ Aye, that they do!

And, in the darkened hour of mortal grief, His presence like a lamp gives light and hope.

_Arnold._ His charity exceeds all human bounds, And, though he's blameless in himself, knows how To pardon others.

_Ward._ Aye, that he doth! Didst note His plea for Hester Prynne upon her trial?

_Langdon._ Aye, that I did!

_Ward._ But know the goodness of it!

He was her constant friend up to the time Her wantonness declared itself, and then He left her lonely, as though that punishment Were all a man of mercy could inflict.

_Arnold._ He takes it much to heart that wanton vice Hath found a nest within his congregation.

_Langdon._ That grief is truly great with him; but yet He will not hear a word against her.--Look!

For here she comes.

How bravely doth she wear her scarlet letter!

_Enter HESTER PRYNNE alone; walks proudly, with slow steps, to porch and enters church; looking neither to the right nor to the left, but straight before her, with her head up. People turn to look at her, but no one speaks._

_First Woman._ The brazen thing!

_Second Woman._ Didst note the fas.h.i.+on of her badge of vice, And how she's turned it into ornament?

_Third Woman._ A handy woman with her needle.

_First Woman._ Let's in and stare her out of countenance.

[_Exeunt Women._

_Enter GOVERNOR BELLINGHAM and ROGER PRYNNE, called Doctor Chillingworth._

_Governor._ Now, as I told you, there hath lately come, But how I know not, a change in him so rare, It baffles cure.

_Roger._ I think you said he is A very studious man?

_Governor._ Aye, that he is.

Good evening, gentlemen.

_All._ Your wors.h.i.+p.

_Roger._ I pray you, tell me more.

_Governor._ Nay, use your eyes, For here he is.

_Enter REV. ARTHUR DIMSDELL. People uncover as he pa.s.ses. He salutes them gravely and generally._

Dimsdell, a word with you.

_Dimsdell._ Good evening, gentlemen.

_Governor._ Dimsdell, here is good Doctor Chillingworth, Who tended thee. I hope you gentlemen Will prize each other at your native worths.