The Scarlet Stigma Part 5

_Dimsdell._ We wrong her nature when we seek to know That which her heart doth teach her to conceal; Yet at your bidding will I plead with her.

_Goes over to pillory._

Hester, look down upon me; let thine ear Receive my meaning with the sound I make; Behold in me the body of the Council, Not me alone; and hear my words as though The general voice, speaking in concert true, Did intone them.

For it were vain presumption to expect That, what the Governor could not extract, My words alone could move thee to disclose.

_Roger._ A modest gentleman, truly!

_Dimsdell._ Upon thy sin I dwell not; the penalty Which thou dost suffer preaches repentance; And in thy nature there is naught to lead thee Twice astray.

There's not an eye that now doth look upon thee But pities thee, and doubt thou not, if he Who wronged thee is present here, his heart is wrung With bitterest remorse. Wilt speak his name?

_Hester._ I will not.

_Dimsdell._ I do command thee by the Commonwealth, I do entreat thee for thy reputation, I do implore thee for thy soul's salvation, Give up his name.

_Hester._ I would not breathe his name to anyone; Nay, not to him who was my husband, though The sea should cast him up to question me.

_Roger._ Woman, who did seduce thee?

_Hester._ I keep my vow.

_Dimsdell._ Hester, deceive thyself no more; look down Upon me once again. Believe me, Hester, No pain the world could now inflict would harm Thy recreant lover. To see thee here set up The target of a thousand curious eyes, Thy beauties blistered in the noonday sun, Thy gentle breast seared with yon scarlet letter, Would burn that image on his soul. Have mercy, Hester, forgive his cowardice, do thou Act for him; p.r.o.nounce his name and let him die To satisfy his crime.

_Hester._ I will not drag him down with me.

_Roger._ Oh! glorious generosity misplaced!

_Dimsdell._ Your generosity hath led you once Astray; do not allow it now to aid Him in hypocrisy. For, Hester, you, Who know his weaknesses and aspirations, His station in his calling, his place in life Among us, will be a party to deception If now you hide his name.

_Hester._ I answer to my G.o.d. No man shall know That which is only known to me and him.

But speak thou on his crime!

_Dimsdell._ Ho! all ye people of the commonwealth!

Behold!--let him confess!--O, Hester! speak!-- I see--no more-- [_Dimsdell falls._

_Throng, confused and amazed, closes around Dimsdell.

Cries of horror and apprehension._

_Governor._ Look to our brother Dimsdell. He faints; The heat hath overcome him.

_Roger._ I am a doctor. Make room!

The falling sickness. Give us breathing s.p.a.ce!

_Governor._ Hester, thou art discharged. Let all go home! [_Exeunt._

ACT II.

SCENE I.--_Interior of Hester's home. Furniture Dutch-English, comfortable and handsome. Windows draped in scarlet-fringed curtains with scarlet cross-cords, simulating the letter "A." Rich needle work in the hangings and other accessories. A cradle L., near it a table with a quarto Bible. HESTER discovered bending over cradle, then sits R.C. and takes up a piece of embroidery (the letter "A" in scarlet on a dark background)._

_Hester._ G.o.d bless the little darling, how she sleeps!

Had I but thought that all my heart would beat Within the tender compa.s.s of her arms, I had not prayed she might not be. But now, Although unasked she came, unasked she brought A wealth of love and blessing to my soul.

[_Sits and embroiders._]

Thus Providence, although it pierce the heart, Works into it some glorious design; Which on this under side of life is blurred, Thread over thread in infinite confusion.

Or, if we are not made of firmest texture, The work pulls through, or tears an ugly rent, Or gathers up our woof in meshy tangles.

This is a world of worn and fretted ends, Knit in a maze of fearful intricacy, Wherein we see no meaning. Nor can we know The hidden shuttles of Eternity, That weave the endless web of living, loving, And begetting, whereby a filament Of earth takes on the likeness of an angel.

The primal burden of our race-existence, Mankind's perpetual perpetuation, Weighs on weak womanhood; we bear the race And all its natural ills, yet still our fellows, Who proudly call themselves our lords and masters, Do heap upon us petty wrongs, and load Us down with their oppressions. I cannot tell What rich reward my suffering may bring, But bide the piercing, like this patient cloth, In hope the needle carries golden thread.

_Enter a_ Maid-Servant.

What is it?

_Servant._ Madam, a gentleman would speak with you.

_Hester._ Bid him enter. [_Exit Servant._ Methought I heard my husband's dreaded voice Speak to me on the pillory. What If he lives, or hath arisen from the dead To reckon with me now? Well, let him come; For this strong heart outcast from sympathy Hath turned back on itself in double strength; And all the puny woman of my mind, Burned in the furnace of my s.e.x's scorn, Plunged in the icy vat of love's neglect, Hath tempered hard. I fear him not.

_Enter ROGER PRYNNE, shaved, and dressed as a doctor of medicine._

Roger himself!

_Roger._ Thou didst provide snug quarters, Hester, against my coming. Aye, and hast furnished them better than I bade thee.

_Hester._ The cost was small; my needle and my energy--

_Roger._ Have done the work; yea, and supplied the cradle also. Ah!

'tis a brave piece of work; very beautiful and delicate; the l.u.s.ty offspring of l.u.s.tful parents. Somewhat costly, I should think, and asked some pains. Methinks, thou hadst some help with that; or was it thy needle or thy energy which wrought this dainty bit?

_Hester._ Touch not the child; 'tis mine, thou hast no part in it.

_Roger._ Too true. But calm thyself. I have not harmed the brat, nor did I touch it. [_Looking around._] I like thy taste, Hester. A handsome house to hold a handsome woman.

_Hester._ The house is thine; let me and my babe depart.

_Roger._ Nay, keep the house, 'twill shelter you; I do not need it.

_Hester._ I will not have it.

_Roger._ Will not, Madam Hester, is a strong word to use to your wedded lord and master. I say you shall; yea, and, furthermore, here is provision for the child and thee.

[_Throwing purse upon the table._]

_Hester._ Take up thy purse. I who have done thee wrong will not henceforth eat thy bread.