Dimsdell. [Rallying himself] I will speak on.
Governor. My pious friend, wear not thy body out
To please our willing ears. Thou hast exceeded
Thy feeble strength already. Cease, man;
Demosthenes himself could not have stood
The strain which thou hast undergone. Prithee,—
Dimsdell. I thank you; reason not my wastefulness,
For, if you make me answer you, you cause
More waste. My taper's burnt already.
It flickers even now, and, ere I leave
This place, my light, my life will go.
Question me not,
For, now I have fulfilled my public function,
There hurries on a duty of a private kind
I must perform at once or not at all;
Too long delayed already.
[top] My friends, my life is flowing fast away,
I, that should be at full or on the turn,
Am near my lowest ebb.
This gnawing at my heart hath eaten through,
And now my soul releasing body bondage
Will take its flight—but where?
First Citizen. It goes to Heaven when it flies;
But go not now.
Dimsdell. Behold yon woman with The Scarlet Letter.
Citizens. Oh, shame upon her! Fie!
Dimsdell. Nay, shame on me; her sufferings have made
Her pure, but mine, beneath this lying robe,
Have eaten up my heart. Hypocrisy
Lie there [Taking off gown]. Now, while I do descend these steps
I leave my former life behind.
Descends and goes toward pillory.
Come, Hester, come!
Come take my hand, although it be unworthy.
Second Citizen. Is the man mad, my masters?