Answer:
The given excerpt is a quote by Hale from Act II of <em>The Crucible</em> by Arthur Miller.
Explanation:
The whole of Salem are embroiled in the case of witchcraft where a number of young girls were found "traffick[ing] with spirits in the forest". And by Act II, most of the 'wrongly accused' were already in jail, awaiting trial and even execution.
Reverend Hale is a expert demonologist called by Rev. Parris to help deal with the witchcraft trials in Salem. Abigail and the other girls were the first accused but then the focus shifted to Proctor and his wife Elizabeth. Once the case unravels, the truth about Proctor's affair with Abigail emerged, thus providing an obvious reason for Elizabeth to hate and accuse Abigail, though it is safe to say that Abigail is the one dealing in the black arts instead of Elizabeth or for that matter, anyone of the accused.
Rev. Hale's statement that "we must look to cause proportionate" shows he is giving into the pressure of the people, thereby going along with the hanging of Elizabeth. He tells Proctor that eve though there might be some injustice in the whole system, the proceedings must still go for it is the right thing to do. He then pleads with him to go along with it and help in getting rid of the evil in the village, putting the security and safety of the village first and foremost.
