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Back The Darker Face of the Earth
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
LOUIS My blood?
AUGUSTUS

When I think of you forcing

your wretched seed into my mother,

I want to rip you—
LOUIS

Me, your father?

You think I’m your father?
AUGUSTUS I heard it from your own lips.
LOUIS (Bursts into laughter.)

Of course! Of course!

The stars said it all:

who is born into violence

shall live to fulfill it.

Who shuns violence

will die by the sword.
AUGUSTUS (Pulls LOUIS from the chair, knife at his throat.)

What happened to my mother?

What did you do to her?
LOUIS (In a crafty voice.)

I haven’t touched her since.

Ask Amalia—

she runs this plantation.

She knows your mother better than anyone!
AUGUSTUS

Amalia? Of course!

Missy wanted the bastard child dead.

Now I understand: It’s an old story.
LOUIS You understand nothing.

A sudden shout outside; the revolt has begun. Both men freeze, listening.

AUGUSTUS It’s time!

Stabs LOUIS as the sounds of the revolt grow.

LOUIS You were there . . . all along . . .
AUGUSTUS (Letting LOUIS’s body drop.)

So, Amalia—and to think

I tried to bargain for your life!
SLAVES Freedom! Freedom! Selah! Selah!

AUGUSTUS heads for AMALIA’s room; lights come up on AMALIA, who has stepped into the hall.