The Scarlet Stigma Part 16

Ho! all ye people of the Commonwealth, Behold the man for whom you oft have sought, The man who should have borne The Scarlet Letter; For I am he.

If that the last words of one sinful man May warn a mult.i.tude from sin, who knows But that his errors tend toward good at last.

Let me not think my suffering in vain, Or that my crime confessed will lead on others Unto their downfall.

Behold me as I am--O, what a pang [_He clutches his breast from now on._ Was that--a hypocritical adulterer.

Oh!--aye, a base, a low adulterer!

O, G.o.d, prolong my breath for this confession!-- I wronged this woman who did fondly love me, I did neglect her in my cowardice, I shunned the public scorn.-- O, but a little while!--I stood not with her; I was a coward; and did deny my child.

Delay! Delay!

Now I avow my crime, I do confess it, [_Kneels_] And here I beg you friends, as I have begged My G.o.d, forgive me. Oh, I must be brief-- If any think that while I walked these streets In seeming honor I lacked my punishment, Look here.-- [_Tearing shirt open and disclosing stigma._ 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!

_Hester._ Arthur! Arthur! one word for me! Only one!

_Dimsdell._ I must say more. [_Falls._

_Hester._ Forgive him, Father! O, G.o.d, 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.

_Governor._ Captain, command your men to bear the body.

_A solemn march._

_THE END._