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ACT IV: SCENE I
SCENE I: The Green in front of the village Meeting-house.
[An excited crowd gathering. Enter JOHN GLOYD.]
A FARMER.
Who will be tried to-day?
SECOND FARMER
I do not know.
Here is John Gloyd. Ask him; he knows.
FARMER.
John Gloyd,
Whose turn is it to-day?
GLOYD.
It's Goodwife Corey's.
FARMER.
Giles Corey's wife?
GLOYD.
The same. She is not mine.
It will go hard with her with all her praying.
The hypocrite! She's always on her knees;
But she prays to the Devil when she prays.
Let us go in.
[A trumpet blows.]
FARMER.
Here come the Magistrates.
SECOND FARMER.
Who's the tall man in front?
GLOYD.
Oh, that is HATHORNE,
A Justice of the Court, and a Quarter-master
In the Three County Troop. He'll sift the matter.
That's Corwin with him; and the man in black
Is Cotton Mather, Minister of Boston.
[Enter HATHORNE and other Magistrates on horseback, followed by
the Sheriff, constables, and attendants on foot. The Magistrates
dismount, and enter the Meeting-house, with the rest.]
FARMER.
The Meeting-house is full. I never saw
So great a crowd before.
GLOYD.
No matter. Come.
We shall find room enough by elbowing
Our way among them. Put your shoulder to it.
FARMER.
There were not half so many at the trial
Of Goodwife Bishop.
GLOYD.
Keep close after me.
I'll find a place for you. They'll want me there.
I am a friend of Corey's, as you know,
And he can't do without me just at present.
[Exeunt.]
Content of ACT IV SCENE I [Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's play/drama: Giles Corey of the Salem Farms]
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