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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

Early evening, shortly before sunset: PHEBE and AUGUSTUS come from the shadows. In the background the SLAVES go about evening chores while singing, a mixture of militant spirituals and African chants, with whispered phrases such as “Rise up!” or “Mean to be free!” occasionally audible.

AUGUSTUS Everything’s ready.
PHEBE Yes.
AUGUSTUS We’ve been careful.
PHEBE Oh, yes.
AUGUSTUS (Pacing.)
Any day now. Any time!
PHEBE

It’s been three days, Augustus—

three days since you heard the call

and didn’t answer.
AUGUSTUS

Tonight’s new moon; skies are clear.

Destiny calls!
PHEBE Are you sure it’s not just your destiny?
AUGUSTUS What do you mean?
PHEBE

Every time you talk about

victory and vengeance,

it’s as if you’re saying

my victory, my vengeance.

As if you didn’t care about

anyone’s pain but yours.
AUGUSTUS Are you with us, or against us?
PHEBE

Ain’t nothing wrong with feelings,

Augustus—just where they lead you.

Now when it comes to hating,

you and Miss Amalia are a lot alike.

AUGUSTUS whirls, but she stands her ground.

She used to be different—high-minded,

but always ready to laugh.

When she married Massa Louis

she began to sour.

Seemed like disappointment killed her.

Hesitates, then hurries through.

And now you’ve brought her back to life.

No wonder you’re mixed up!
AUGUSTUS Why are you telling me this?
PHEBE

Because I care what happens to you

more than revolution or freedom.

Those may be traitor’s words, but

I don’t care. ’Cause maybe—

maybe if you hadn’t let hate

take over your life, you might have

had some love left over for me.

She runs off. AUGUSTUS slowly sits down, as if a new and treacherous path had opened before him. BENJAMIN and HENRY enter unseen. AUGUSTUS buries his face in his hands.

BENJAMIN (Whispering.)

There he is. Don’t look

so fearful now, does he?

Makes a bird call.

AUGUSTUS Who’s there?

He leaps to his feet; the CONSPIRATORS approach.

BENJAMIN May Fate be with you.
AUGUSTUS You’ve brought news?
BENJAMIN Most of the news is old, brother.
AUGUSTUS

It couldn’t be helped;

I was under constant guard.
BENJAMIN

Constant guard? Constant companionship

would be closer to the truth.
AUGUSTUS Talk straight!
BENJAMIN

Straight as a bullet, brother.

You sent word that you were “being watched”—

naturally, we sent someone to see about

your difficulties. What a surprise

to find out who your guard was

and how tenderly

she watched over you!
AUGUSTUS Missy needed a buck—what of it?
BENJAMIN Sound mighty proud, buck.
AUGUSTUS

Just the facts, brother, just the facts.

Should I knock her hand away

to prove my loyalty to the cause?

Why not charm her instead?
BENJAMIN That never used to be your style.
AUGUSTUS I’ve never been so close to freedom.
BENJAMIN

All the more reason to see

you don’t spoil it.

Looks skyward.