Roger. Swear, woman, swear!
[top] 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 shield 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 carcass.
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.]
Bronson. They say the Reverend Master Dimsdell hath
Recovered from his fainting fit, and will,
[top] God willing, preach to us this afternoon.
Langdon. Aye, that he will.