HATHORNE. 
When you shall read the testimony given
Before the Court in all the other cases,
I am persuaded you will find the proof
No less conclusive than it was in this. 
Come, then, with me, and I will tax your patience
With reading of the documents so far
As may convince you that these sorcerers
Are lawfully convicted and attainted. 
Like doubting Thomas, you shall lay your hand
Upon these wounds, and you will doubt no more. 
                             {Exeunt.

SCENE III. —­ A room in COREY’s house.  MARTHA and two Deacons of the church.

MARTHA. 
Be seated.  I am glad to see you here. 
I know what you are come for.  You are come
To question me, and learn from my own lips
If I have any dealings with the Devil;
In short, if I’m a Witch.

DEACON (sitting down). 
                   Such is our purpose. 
How could you know beforehand why we came?

MARTHA. 
’T was only a surmise.

DEACON. 
                  We came to ask you,
You being with us in church covenant,
What part you have, if any, in these matters.

MARTHA. 
And I make answer, No part whatsoever. 
I am a farmer’s wife, a working woman;
You see my spinning-wheel, you see my loom,
You know the duties of a farmer’s wife,
And are not ignorant that my life among you
Has been without reproach until this day. 
Is it not true?

DEACON. 
         So much we’re bound to own,
And say it frankly, and without reserve.

MARTHA. 
I’ve heard the idle tales that are abroad;
I’ve heard it whispered that I am a Witch;
I cannot help it.  I do not believe
In any Witchcraft.  It is a delusion.

DEACON. 
How can you say that it is a delusion,
When all our learned and good men believe it,—­
Our Ministers and worshipful Magistrates?

MARTHA. 
Their eyes are blinded and see not the truth. 
Perhaps one day they will be open to it.

DEACON. 
You answer boldly.  The Afflicted Children
Say you appeared to them.

MARTHA. 
                     And did they say
What clothes I came in?

DEACON. 
               No, they could not tell. 
They said that you foresaw our visit here,
And blinded them, so that they could not see
The clothes you wore.

MARTHA. 
             The cunning, crafty girls! 
I say to you, in all sincerity,
I never have appeared to anyone
In my own person.  If the Devil takes
My shape to hurt these children, or afflict them,
I am not guilty of it.  And I say
It’s all a mere delusion of the senses.

DEACON. 
I greatly fear that you will find too late
It is not so.

MARTHA (rising). 
             They do accuse me falsely. 
It is delusion, or it is deceit. 
There is a story in the ancient Scriptures
Which I much wonder comes not to your minds. 
Let me repeat it to you.