O—h!
This cancer did begin to gnaw my breast
When Hester first put on The Scarlet Letter
And never since hath once abated.

Voices. O, wonderful! wonderful! He faints! Help! Help!

[top]

Hester. Arthur! Arthur! one word for me! Only one!

Dimsdell. I must say more.

[Falls.

Hester. Forgive him, Father! O, God, have mercy now;
Give him but breath to speak to me!
Arthur! Arthur!

Dimsdell. Hester, my Hester, forgive—

[Dies.

Hester. Farewell, farewell—dead, dead!
Nay, you shall not take him from me!
My breast shall be his pillow; and, that he may
Rest easy, I here cast off your Scarlet Letter.