Dimsdell. Pardon me, I must in; I'm late already.
Exit Dimsdell—all follow except Governor Bellingham and Roger Prynne. Bell ceases.
Governor. How weak a hold we have on health! That man
Is but the standing ruin of his former self,
And yet, for beauty, comeliness and grace,
He still is model to the colony.
What do you think, can care restore him yet,
And give him to us as he used to be?
Roger. I cannot tell. I need more knowledge of him.
There are no marks of cureless malady—
A faint suggestion of overwatchfulness,
That oft points out the student—nothing more.
Hymn from church. (Tune: "Ein' feste Burg" or other ancient hymn used by the Puritans.)
Governor. The worship hath begun; but, ere we in,
A word about the wealth you left with me.
Roger. No more. Pray use it as your own, in trade,
Or howsoe'er you choose. The largest pearl
An Indian chief did give me; but sell it with
The rest, and with their worth provide for Hester.
She is the widow of mine ancient friend,
To whom I ever shall be much indebted,
And while I would not have her know me yet
As what I am—her husband's friend and hers—
As that might breed more grief in her, or wake
[top] An old one—yet I think it meet to care
For her and for her child.
Governor. Your goodness is
Your passport, Doctor. Come, let us in.—Nay,
After you; you are my guest.
[Exeunt.