Danforth, Judge Hathorne, Hopkins, and Cheever enter the cell. Danforth wants to know where Parris and Hale are. Danforth sends for Parris and he enters. Danforth asks Parris why Hale has been going around with him to the prisoners. Parris says that Hale is trying to get some of the prisoners to confess and save their lives. Parris is worried that if Danforth goes through with the executions, there will be a riot in Salem, for some of the people convicted (like Rebecca Nurse and John Proctor) are highly regarded among the people of the town. Parris tells Danforth that his niece, Abigail, has vanished with Mercy Lewis and that he thinks Abby stole thirty-one pounds from him. He thinks that they are now somewhere off on a ship, in order to get away from Salem. Parris is worried that his own life may be in danger. He begs for the executions to be delayed until they can examine the people further, but Danforth says, "'There will be no postponement'." Act 4, Scene 2, pg. 118
Reverend Hale enters. Hale asks Danforth to pardon the convicted people, but Danforth refuses because twelve have already been hanged for the same crime. Danforth asks about Proctor. He wants to know if he has confessed. He tells Herrick to bring Elizabeth to him, and then to bring Proctor. Danforth thinks that Elizabeth, now with child, may soften Proctor a bit.
Hale tries to convince Danforth of the idiocy that is going on. Hale says that Salem is in complete turmoil, and to continue on with the hangings is ludicrous and certainly not God's will.
Elizabeth enters. She is worn out and dirty from sitting in a cell. Hale tells her that John is sentenced to hang that morning, but Hale wants to try and save his life. He asks Elizabeth to plead with John to confess. He says that life is too precious. "'It is mistaken law that leads you to sacrifice. Life, woman, life is God's most precious gift; no principle, however glorious, may justify the taking of it. . . .it may well be God damns a liar less than he that throws his life away for pride.'" Act 4, Scene 2, pg. 122 Elizabeth hesitantly agrees to talk to John.
