Proctor (as he takes out several papers). I am no lawyer, so I’ll—
Danforth. The pure in heart need no lawyers. Proceed as you will.
Proctor (handing Danforth a paper). Will you read this first, sir? It’s a sort of testament. The people signing it declare their good opinion of Rebecca, and my wife, and Martha Corey. (Danforth looks down at the paper.)
Parris (to enlist Danforth’s sarcasm). Their good opinion! (But Danforth goes on reading, and Proctor is heartened.)
Proctor. These are all landholding farmers, members of the church. (delicately, trying to point out a paragraph) If you’ll notice, sir—they’ve known the women many years and never saw no sign they had dealings with the Devil.
(Parris nervously moves over and reads over Danforth’s shoulder.)
Danforth (glancing down a long list). How many names are here?
Francis. Ninety-one, Your Excellency.
Parris (sweating). These people should be summoned. (Danforth looks up at him questioningly.) For questioning.
Francis (trembling with anger). Mr. Danforth, I gave them all my word no harm would come to them for signing this.
Parris. This is a clear attack upon the court!
Hale (to Parris, trying to contain himself). Is every defense an attack upon the court? Can no one—?
Parris. All innocent and Christian people are happy for the courts in Salem! These people are gloomy for it. (to Danforth directly) And I think you will want to know, from each and every one of them, what discontents them with you!
Hathorne. I think they ought to be examined, sir.
Danforth. It is not necessarily an attack, I think. Yet—
Francis. These are all covenanted Christians, sir.
Danforth. Then I am sure they may have nothing to fear. (hands Cheever the paper) Mr. Cheever, have warrants drawn for all of these—arrest for examination. (to Proctor) Now, Mister, what other information do you have for us? (Francis is still standing, horrified.) You may sit, Mr. Nurse.
Francis. I have brought trouble on these people; I have—
Danforth. No, old man, you have not hurt these people if they are of good conscience. But you must understand, sir, that a person is either with this court or he must be counted against it, there be no road between. This is a sharp time, now, a precise time—we live no longer in the dusky afternoon when evil mixed itself with good and befuddled the world. Now, by God’s grace, the shining sun is up, and them that fear not light will surely praise it. I hope you will be one of those. (Mary Warren suddenly sobs.) She’s not hearty, I see.
Identify an example of dramatic irony in the section above and explain its effect on the audience in two to three sentences.