The man: The woman’s husband, sir, says she never had no son. Time has broken her memory.
Goody Greene: Husband, you are afraid. You coward, who will not confess to the son of your own loins, lest you come to shame—now is Doll indeed undone....
Judge Lollimour: The woman is lunatic. See how she rolls her eyes.
Judge Bride: Could you have had a son of which your husband knew nothing—why did you never speak of him to your neighbours? How can we believe your fables? You are lunatic.
Goody Greene: God help me! God help me.... May God help Doll!
Judge Bride: Constable, throw out this ancient—let her learn to be a sager hag—and her husband after her.
A confusion and clamour of tongues rose from all parts of the courtroom. Some wished to say what they knew of the Greenes; others had stories to tell of lunacy, devils, etc. And there was laughing and crying among women, and children wailed and would be taken home. Judge Bride stood up in a noble wrath.
Judge Bride: Clear the court! Clear the court! What, shall Justice find her house in Bedlam? Constables, pick up and carry out—if they are too weak to walk—the Thumb twins, and you, madame, who are their mother, go with them. Every one shall now be turned out into the snow except those who are the witnesses and proper officers of the law, and the six that I shall name. Mr. Increase Mather, Mr. Seth Dinsmore, Dr. Zerubbabel Endicott, Mr. Zacharias Zelley, Mr. John Wilson, and you, sir, also, Colonel Place Peabody. Gentlemen, the case shall be continued in camera. I beg of you few, however, to stay to the end.
3
From Sundown to black Night the battle continues. The Witch is thrown to confusion. Justitia triumphans. Deus regnat.