se I would not bear the scorn,
The petty taunts, the contumelious looks,
That ever greet the cuckold husband.

_Hester._ Then will I take the oath.

_Roger._ Swear by the book, and also by the babe,
Never to breathe my rightful name;
Never to claim me as thy husband;
Never to leave this place.

_Hester._ Wherefore not leave the place?

_Roger._ Swear, woman, swear!
Never to leave this place, until I bid thee.

_Hester._ I swear to all these things.

_Roger._ Swear once again; never to tell thy paramour
Thy husband lives and walks these streets.

_Hester._ I swear to keep thy counsel as I have kept
His and mine own.

_Roger._ Remember then, from this time on, my name
Is Chillingworth, no longer Prynne, for that
I will not bear. [_Going_] Hester, farewell.
Yet ere I go, Hester, behold my mind:
I love thee still; but with a chastened heart
Made wise by sorrow. Day after day, as thou
Dost wend thy way about this mazy world,
My care will shield thee and thy little babe.
Do not repulse it. I have no hope that thou
Wilt think of me without revulsion;
Then hate me if thou must; but spare the thought
That ever thou didst take my hateful kisses,
Or clasp those soft warm arms about my thin,
Cold carcass.
Do not despise thy beauties that I once
Did own them. Forget it, Hester, for such a marriage
Was my infamy, and I it was
Who sinned against thy youth. Farewell! [_Exit._

SCENE II.--_A Churchyard. A bell ringing for service. Groups of
people standing about. Persons cross stage and enter church door on
extreme L._

_Bronson._ They say the Reverend Master Dimsdell hath
Recovered from his fainting fit, and will,
God willing, preach to us this afternoon.

_Langdon._ Aye, that he will.

_Arnold._ But hath he come?

_Ward._ Not yet;
He's late, but, whether here or elsewhere,
He's always doing good.

_Bronson._ A kindly man!
His feet do tread th' o'ergrown path that leads
Unto the poor man's door.

_Langdon._ Aye, that they do!
And, in the darkened hour of mortal grief,
His presence like a lamp gives light and hope.

_Arnold._ His charity exceeds all human bounds,
And, though he's blameless in himself, knows how
To pardon others.

_Ward._ Aye, that he doth! Didst note
His plea for Hester Prynne up