Here comes the Marshal.
MERRY (within).
Make room for the Marshal.
KEMPTHORN.
How pompous and imposing he appears!
His great buff doublet bellying like a mainsail, And all his streamers fluttering in the wind.
What holds he in his hand?
COLE.
A proclamation.
Enter the MARSHAL, with a proclamation; and MERRY, with a halberd.They are preceded by a drummer, and followed by the hangman, with an armful of books, and a crowd of people, among whom are UPSALL and JOHN ENDICOTT.A pile is made of the books.
MERRY.
Silence, the drum! Good citizens, attend To the new laws enacted by the Court.
MARSHAL (reads).
"Whereas a cursed sect of Heretics Has lately risen, commonly called Quakers, Who take upon themselves to be commissioned Immediately of God, and furthermore Infallibly assisted by the Spirit To write and utter blasphemous opinions, Despising Government and the order of God In Church and Commonwealth, and speaking evil Of Dignities, reproaching and reviling The Magistrates and Ministers, and seeking To turn the people from their faith, and thus Gain proselytes to their pernicious ways;--This Court, considering the premises, And to prevent like mischief as is wrought By their means in our land, doth hereby order, That whatsoever master or commander Of any ship, bark, pink, or catch shall bring To any roadstead, harbor, creek, or cove Within this Jurisdiction any Quakers, Or other blasphemous Heretics, shall pay Unto the Treasurer of the Commonwealth One hundred pounds, and for default thereof Be put in prison, and continue there Till the said sum be satisfied and paid."COLE.
Now, Simon Kempthorn, what say you to that?
KEMPTHORN.
I pray you, Cole, lend me a hundred pounds!
MARSHAL (reads).
"If any one within this Jurisdiction Shall henceforth entertain, or shall conceal Quakers or other blasphemous Heretics, Knowing them so to be, every such person Shall forfeit to the country forty shillings For each hour's entertainment or concealment, And shall be sent to prison, as aforesaid, Until the forfeiture be wholly paid!"Murmurs in the crowd.
KEMPTHORN.
Now, Goodman Cole, I think your turn has come!
COLE.
Knowing them so to be!
KEMPTHORN.
At forty shillings The hour, your fine will be some forty pounds!
COLE.
Knowing them so to be! That is the law.
MARSHAL (reads).
"And it is further ordered and enacted, If any Quaker or Quakers shall presume To come henceforth into this Jurisdiction, Every male Quaker for the first offence Shall have one ear cut off; and shall be kept At labor in the Workhouse, till such time As he be sent away at his own charge.
And for the repetition of the offence Shall have his other ear cut off, and then Be branded in the palm of his right hand.
And every woman Quaker shall be whipt Severely in three towns; and every Quaker, Or he or she, that shall for a third time Herein again offend, shall have their tongues Bored through with a hot iron, and shall be Sentenced to Banishment on pain of Death."Loud murmurs.The voice of CHRISTISON in the crowd.
O patience of the Lord! How long, how long, Ere thou avenge the blood of Thine Elect?
MERRY.
Silence, there, silence! Do not break the peace!
MARSHAL (reads).
"Every inhabitant of this Jurisdiction Who shall defend the horrible opinions Of Quakers, by denying due respect To equals and superiors, and withdrawing From Church Assemblies, and thereby approving The abusive and destructive practices Of this accursed sect, in opposition To all the orthodox received opinions Of godly men shall be forthwith commit ted Unto close prison for one month; and then Refusing to retract and to reform The opinions as aforesaid, he shall be Sentenced to Banishment on pain of Death.
By the Court.Edward Rawson, Secretary."Now, hangman, do your duty.Burn those books.
Loud murmurs in the crowd.The pile of books is lighted.
UPSALL.
I testify against these cruel laws!
Forerunners are they of some judgment on us;And, in the love and tenderness I bear Unto this town and people, I beseech you, O Magistrates, take heed, lest ye be found As fighters against God!
JOHN ENDICOTT (taking UPSALL'S hand).
Upsall, I thank you For speaking words such as some younger man, I, or another, should have said before you.
Such laws as these are cruel and oppressive;A blot on this fair town, and a disgrace To any Christian people.
MERRY (aside, listening behind them).
Here's sedition!
I never thought that any good would come Of this young popinjay, with his long hair And his great boots, fit only for the Russians Or barbarous Indians, as his father says!
THE VOICE.
Woe to the bloody town! And rightfully Men call it the Lost Town! The blood of Abel Cries from the ground, and at the final judgment The Lord will say, "Cain, Cain! Where is thy brother?"MERRY.
Silence there in the crowd!
UPSALL (aside).
'T is Christison!
THE VOICE.
O foolish people, ye that think to burn And to consume the truth of God, I tell you That every flame is a loud tongue of fire To publish it abroad to all the world Louder than tongues of men!
KEMPTHORN (springing to his feet).
Well said, my hearty!
There's a brave fellow! There's a man of pluck!
A man who's not afraid to say his say, Though a whole town's against him.Rain, rain, rain, Bones of St.Botolph, and put out this fire!
The drum beats.Exeunt all but MERRY, KEMPTHORN, and COLE.
MERRY.
And now that matter's ended, Goodman Cole, Fetch me a mug of ale, your strongest ale.
KEMPTHORN (sitting down).
And me another mug of flip; and put Two gills of brandy in it.
[Exit COLE.
MERRY.
No; no more.
Not a drop more, I say.You've had enough.
KEMPTHORN.
And who are you, sir?
MERRY.
I'm a Tithing-man, And Merry is my name.
KEMPTHORN.
A merry name!
I like it; and I'll drink your merry health Till all is blue.
MERRY.
And then you will be clapped Into the stocks, with the red letter DHung round about your neck for drunkenness.
You're a free-drinker,--yes, and a free-thinker!
KEMPTHORN.
And you are Andrew Merry, or Merry Andrew.
MERRY.
My name is Walter Merry, and not Andrew.
KEMPTHORN.