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Back The Darker Face of the Earth Save as PDF
Chapters (27)
  1. Front Cover
  2. Half-Title Page
  3. Title Page
  4. Copyright Page
  5. Acknowledgments
  6. Dedication
  7. Cast
  8. Prologue
  9. Act One
  10. Scene 2
  11. Scene 3
  12. Scene 4
  13. Scene 5
  14. Scene 6
  15. Scene 7
  16. Scene 8
  17. Act Two
  18. Scene 2
  19. Scene 3
  20. Scene 4
  21. Scene 5
  22. Scene 6
  23. Scene 7
  24. Scene 8
  25. An Interview with Rita Dove
  26. Biographical Note
  27. Back Cover

Some SLAVES take up their chant again. AUGUSTUS walks upstage and stands looking into the distance. Although they are curious, the other SLAVES let him be. Only DIANA stares after him.

PHEBE Come on, Scipio, give us a story.
SCIPIO

You always wanting a story!

How many stories you think I got?
PHEBE I think you grow them in your sleep.
SCIPIO Well, I ain’t got a story this time.
PHEBE Aw, Scipio! You dog!
SCIPIO But I got a song:

Accompanies himself on a handmade string instrument while his friends clap, pat their bodies, etc.

The possum said, don’t hurt me,

I’m harmless if you please!

The nigger said, I’m harmless, too,

And got down on his knees.

The possum cocked his little head

And contemplated long;

You’re running just like me, he said

And joined into the song.

Old Mr. Coon just happened by

Where the two sang merrily;

I don’t trust you, cried Mr. Coon,

Why, you just as black as me!

You’re just as black as me, Coon said,

but your tail ain’t quite so long!

Then Mr. Coon ran in the woods

And wouldn’t join their song.

Laughter. DIANA walks over to AUGUSTUS.

DIANA What you looking at?
AUGUSTUS Just looking.
DIANA Ain’t nothing out there but the swamp.
AUGUSTUS Do you know what’s beyond that swamp?
DIANA What?
AUGUSTUS The world.
PHEBE (To SCIPIO.)
Is that all?
SCIPIO No, there’s more:

Singing.

The nigger wrapped his fingers

Around the possum’s throat.

The possum didn’t have the time

To sing another note.

That night the nigger had himself

A pot of possum stew.

That harmless meat is just the thing

To warm your innards through!
DIANA

What did you mean by

the sun and the moon?
AUGUSTUS Beg pardon?
DIANA

The sun and the moon—you asked

my name and then you said you had

the sun and the moon all in one day.
AUGUSTUS You’re a curious one, aren’t you?
DIANA Uh-huh.
AUGUSTUS

Well—a long time ago there were

gods to look after the earth and the sky.

Phoebus was the god of the sun;

your friend’s name is Phebe.

And your name stood for the moon.

People wrote poems to Diana,

goddess of the moon.
DIANA What’s poems?
AUGUSTUS A poem is . . .

Looking over at SCIPIO.

. . . a song without music.

Looks off towards the swamp.