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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

Places first a small blanket, then the baby inside, takes one last look, nearly breaking down.

I dreamed you before you came;

now I must remember you before you go.

Collects herself as she wraps the blanket around the baby and closes the lid.

DOCTOR Let’s get this over with.
LOUIS Go ahead. Doctor, I—I’ll wait here.

The DOCTOR enters the bedroom.

DOCTOR Ready?

AMALIA averts her head, thrusts the basket at him.

I wasn’t sure you had it in you,

but I’ll say one thing, Amalia Jennings—

you are your father’s daughter.

The DOCTOR exits with the basket. AMALIA buries her face in the pillows.

DOCTOR I best be on my way.
LOUIS

You have a hard ride ahead of you, Doctor.

Would you care for a bit of bourbon

to warm your way?
DOCTOR (Slightly surprised.)

Why yes, that would do nicely.

Just put it with my things.

As the DOCTOR turns to get his coat and hat, LOUIS slips the spurs in the sewing basket, under the blanket, then puts the flask into the DOCTOR’s bag.

LOUIS There, you’re all set—best medicine made by man!
DOCTOR It’s over, Louis. Nothing left but to forget.
LOUIS Have a pleasant journey, Doctor.
DOCTOR I will try.

Lights go out as the DOCTOR exits. The SLAVE WOMAN/NARRATOR steps forward. During the NARRATOR’s speech, the SLAVES go about their tasks, humming as the lights slowly warm to sunrise and the stage begins to transmogrify, simulating the passing of 20 years: a tree growing, the big house being enlarged, etc.

NARRATOR

Take a little seed,

put it in the ground;

the seed takes root,

sends its tendrils down

till the sapling shoots

its branches high—

roots piercing ground,

limbs touching the sky.

Now the mighty tree

is twenty years tall;

seed become king,

and the king takes all.

Act One

ACT ONE

SCENE 1

The cotton fields. DIANA, a slave girl, collapses. SCIPIO, a young slave working nearby, hesitates.