I can go no farther. I'd give half the balance of my life to wipe out my part of the work. Mrs. Claiborne Miss Clinton. [They rush onM'Closky,and disarm him.] [Wahnotee*raises apron and runs off,*L.U.E.Paul*sits for his picture---M'Closkyappears from*R.U.E.]. And our mother, she who from infancy treated me with such fondness, she who, as you said, had most reason to spurn me, can she forget what I am? Zoe. [Rises.] Here! What! Do you know what the niggers round here call that sight? Just turn your face a leetle this way---fix your---let's see---look here. Jackson. He who can love so well is honest---don't speak ill of poor Wahnotee. Do you mean that I'm a pig? The Steamer floats on at back, burning. Zoe. Hold on, George Peyton---stand back. Ah! No, ma'am; here's the plan of it. Just because my grandfather wasn't some broken-down Virginia transplant, or a stingy old Creole, I ain't fit to sit down with the same meat with them. I will! [Pete goes down.] I'm 'most afraid to take Wahnotee to the shed, there's rum there. Point. [Shouts heard,R.]. Pete. O, how I lapped up her words, like a thirsty bloodhound! Scud. I'll have her, if it costs me my life! George. Act II Summary. I say---he smoke and smoke, but nebber look out ob de fire; well knowing dem critters, I wait a long time---den he say, "Wahnotee, great chief;" den I say nothing---smoke anoder time---last, rising to go, he turn round at door, and say berry low---O, like a woman's voice, he say, "Omenee Pangeuk,"---dat is, Paul is dead---nebber see him since. If you haven't spoiled her, I fear I have. [Aside.] "No," say Mas'r George, "I'd rather sell myself fuss; but dey shan't suffer, nohow,---I see 'em dam fuss.". Here she is---Zoe!---water---she faints. Nothing; but you must learn what I thought you already knew. George. I bid seven thousand, which is the last dollar this family possesses. Yes; No. Scud. Away with him---put him down the aft hatch, till we rig his funeral. Scudder. What's he doing; is he asleep? No, it ain't; because, just then, what does the judge do, but hire another overseer---a Yankee---a Yankee named Salem Scudder. Sharon Gannon. Thar's Miss Dora---that girl's in love with you; yes, sir, her eyes are startin' out of her head with it; now her fortune would redeem a good part of this estate. Hold on, Jacob, I'm coming to that---I tell ye, I'm such a fool---I can't bear the feeling, it keeps at me like a skin complaint, and if this family is sold up---. What! What's here---judgments? George Peyton returns to the United States from a trip to France to find that the plantation he has inherited is in dire financial straits as a result of his late uncle's beneficence. I left my loves and my creditors equally inconsolable. [Draws knife.] [C.] My dear aunt, why do you not move from this painful scene? We are always in a perpetual state of being created and creating ourselves. Why not! ], M'Closky. Ratts. Well, he cut that for the photographing line. Ah! Zoe, you have suspected the feeling that now commands an utterance---you have seen that I love you. Pete. This old nigger, the grandfather of the boy you murdered, speaks for you---don't that go through you? You called it yourself; you wanted to make us murder that Injiun; and since we've got our hands in for justice, we'll try it on you. M'Closky. war's de crowd gone? [Re-enters from boat.] Go, Minnie, tell Pete; run! Zoe. Mrs. P.Yes, there is a hope left yet, and I cling to it. Pete. [Wahnotee*runs on, pulls down apron---seesPaul,lying on ground--- speaks to him---thinks he's shamming sleep---gesticulates and jabbers--- goes to him---moves him with feet, then kneels down to rouse him---to his horror finds him dead---expresses great grief---raises his eyes--- they fall upon the camera---rises with savage growl, seizes tomahawk and smashes camera to pieces, then goes toPaul---expresses grief, sorrow, and fondness, and takes him in his arms to carry him away.--- Tableau.*]. Brian Tracy, How you look at a situation is very important, for how you think about a problem may defeat you before you ever do anything about it. How long before we start, captain? Zoe. Ya!---as he? Share with your friends. Yonder is the boy---now is my time! [Takes them.] The earth has been stirred here lately. you bomn'ble fry---git out---a gen'leman can't pass for you. He's going to do an heroic act; don't spile it. O! [L.] Mr. George, I'm going to say somethin' that has been chokin' me for some time. Come on, Pete, we shan't reach the house before midday. Scud. [R. C.] Pardon me, madam, but do you know these papers? EnterScudder, George, Ratts, Caillou, Pete, Grace, Minnie,and all theNegroes. The men begin to call for McClosky to be lynched, but Scudder convinces them to send him to jail instead. Of course not, you little fool; no one ever made love to you, and you can't understand; I mean, that George knows I am an heiress; my fortune would release this estate from debt. The buyers gather to take away the slaves they have purchased on a steamship. O, law, sir, dat debil Closky, he tore hisself from de gen'lam, knock me down, take my light, and trows it on de turpentine barrels, and de shed's all afire! Ain't that a cure for old age; it kinder lifts the heart up, don't it? George, you know not what you say. I will! What, on Terrebonne? It's no use you putting on airs; I ain't gwine to sit up wid you all night and you drunk. Back at Terrebonne, Zoe returns but with a sad heart, as she knows that she and George can never be together. Twelve thousand. Now, gentlemen, we shall proceed to business. if I stop here, I shall hug her right off. [Sitting,R. C.] A pretty mess you've got this estate in---. [Reads.] Why, I was dreaming---curse it! Be the first to contribute! Dora. [Rising.] Pete, speak to the red-skin. this old Liverpool debt---that may cross me---if it only arrive too late---if it don't come by this mail---Hold on! Go on, Pete, you've waked up the Christian here, and the old hoss responds. thank you. Ah! Jacob M'Closky, you shan't have that girl. that he isn't to go on fooling in his slow---. Terrebonne is yours. George, dear George, do you love me? Dora, I once made you weep; those were the only tears I caused any body. Zoe. One hundred thousand bid for this mag---. Be the first to contribute! M'Closky. Scud. Fifteen thousand. Do you know what I am? hark! Guess it kill a dozen---nebber try. The auctioneer arrives, along with prospective buyers, McClosky among them. You've made me cry, then, and I hate you both! Heaven has denied me children; so all the strings of my heart have grown around and amongst them, like the fibres and roots of an old tree in its native earth. I don't know; she may as well hear the hull of it. 'Tis true! By ten I was playing competitively. The term sensation drama caught on when Boucicault's The Colleen Bawn, adapted from Gerald Grifn's novel The Collegians, became a hit in 1860. O! The Steamer moves off---fire kept up---M'Closky*re-enters,*R.,*swimming on.*. Yes; I kept the letters, and squandered the money. Pete Hamill, The darkest moments for me weren't necessarily winding up in the hospital or anything like that. Zoe, tell Pete to give my mare a feed, will ye? Sunny. Dat's what her soul's gwine to do. Now, ma'am, I'd like a little business, if agreeable. Boucicault The Octoroon Quotes & Sayings. I dare say you left at least a dozen beloved women there, at the same time. Mrs. P.Poor child! Just click the "Edit page" button at the bottom of the page or learn more in the Quotes submission guide. Zoe, you are suffering---your lips are white---your cheeks are flushed. Five hundred dollars!---[*To*Thibodeaux.] George. Sunny. Point. | Privacy Policy It's such a long time since I did this sort of thing, and this old machine has got so dirty and stiff, I'm afraid it won't operate. . So it went, till one day the judge found the tap wouldn't run. In comparison, a quadroon would have one quarter African ancestry and a mulatto for the most part has historically implied half African ancestry. Look here, you're free, you know nary a master to hurt you now: you will stop here as long as you're a mind to, only don't look so. [Weeping.] ], Paul. If it don't stain de cup, your wicked ole life's in danger, sure! Scud. then I shall be sold!---sold! She nebber was 'worth much 'a dat nigger. Ask him, I want to know; don't say I told you to inquire, but find out. things have got so jammed in on top of us, we ain't got time to put kid gloves on to handle them. Scud. It ain't necessary for me to dilate, describe, or enumerate; Terrebonne is known to you as one of the richest bits of sile in Louisiana, and its condition reflects credit on them as had to keep it. that's right. ---Cane-brake Bayou.---Bank,C.---Triangle Fire,R. C.---Canoe,C.---M'Closky*discovered asleep. You blow, Mas'r Scudder, when I tole you; dere's a man from Noo Aleens just arriv' at de house, and he's stuck up two papers on de gates; "For sale---dis yer property," and a heap of oder tings---and he seen missus, and arter he shown some papers she burst out crying---I yelled; den de corious of little niggers dey set up, den de hull plantation children---de live stock reared up and created a purpiration of lamentation as did de ole heart good to har. This business goes agin me, Ratts---'tain't right. George. McClosky desires Zoe for himself, and when she rejects his proposition, he plots to have her sold with the rest of the slaves, for he knows that she is an octoroon and is legally part of the Terrebonne property. she would revolt from it, as all but you would; and if I consented to hear the cries of my heart, if I did not crush out my infant love, what would she say to the poor girl on whom she had bestowed so much? Mr. George, I am afraid, if all we hear is true, you have led a dreadful life in Europe. Now's your time, sar. A mistake, sar---forty-six. Look! there again!---no; it was only the wind over the canes. here are marks of blood---look thar, red-skin, what's that? [R.] Well, what's the use of argument whar guilt sticks out so plain; the boy and Injiun were alone when last seen. I'm not guilty; would ye murder me? Point. M'Closky. I've got engaged eight hundred bales at the next landing, and one hundred hogsheads of sugar at Patten's Slide---that'll take my guards under---hurry up thar. D'ye feel it? Pete. Pete. I can never sleep now without dreaming. [L.] Let the old darkey alone---eight hundred for that boy. I'm going to straighten this account clear out. Gentlemen, I believe none of us have two feelings about the conduct of that man; but he has the law on his side---we may regret, but we must respect it. What, on Terrebonne! Scud. That's right. Mrs. P.[L. C.] My nephew is not acquainted with our customs in Louisiana, but he will soon understand. I wish he would make love to me. Sunny. In an act of desperation she drinks a vial of poison, and Scudder enters to deliver the good news that McClosky was proven guilty of murdering Paul and that Terrebonne now belongs to George. If even Asian women saw the men of their own blood as less than other men, what was the use in arguing otherwise? what will become of her when I am gone? How the flames crack. If I must die, give me up to the law; but save me from the tomahawk. Never, aunt! He sleeps---no; I see a light. I must see you no more. I've seen it, I tell you; and darn it, ma'am, can't you see that's what's been a hollowing me out so---I beg your pardon. Scud. Zoe. Hooraw! I love one who is here, and he loves me---George. dead---and above him---Ah! There's no chance of it. And you killed him? Two hundred and forty-nine times! The Octoroon was a controversial play on both sides of the slavery debate when it debuted, as both abolitionists and pro-slavery advocates believed the play took the other camp's side. I am his love---he loves an Octoroon. I don't care, they were blue this morning, but it don't signify now. he's allers in for it. O, laws-a-mussey, see dis; here's a pictur' I found stickin' in that yar telescope machine, sar! What was her past? Don't be a fool; they'd kill you, and then take her, just as soon as---stop; Old Sunnyside, he'll buy her! [Georgepours contents of phial in glass. Ivan Glasenberg, Very few things hurt my young ego more than an Asian female openly shaming me for my Asian-ness. If there is no bid for the estate and stuff, we'll sell it in smaller lots. George. ], Pete. M'Closky. Scud. He gone down to de landing last night wid Mas'r Scudder; not come back since---kint make it out. She said, "It's free with purchase." where am I? Wahnotee appears, drunk and sorrowful, and tells them that Paul is buried near them. No, Pete; no, I won't. Why don't he return to his nation out West? Thib. I think we may begin business. Come, Paul, are you ready? [Zoe sings without,L.]. Where am I to get it? What say ye, gentlemen? It wants an hour yet to daylight---here is Pete's hut---[Knocks.] EnterPaul,R.U.E.,withIndian,who goes up. Mr. George is in love with Zoe. What am goin' to cum ob us! His greatest successes however, were on London's stages. Hold on a bit, I get you de bottle. I feel so big with joy, creation ain't wide enough to hold me. Paul. Zoe. "No, ma'am, the truth seldom is.". Pete. Poor Injiun lub our little Paul. Scud. The sheriff from New Orleans has taken possession---Terrebonne is in the hands of the law. See Injiun; look dar [shows him plate], see dat innocent: look, dar's de murderer of poor Paul. Burn, burn! Pete. I the sharer of your sorrows---your wife. But the creditors will not claim the gal? Scud. Scud. [] If she ain't worth her weight in sunshine, you may take one of my fingers off, and choose which you like." (Act I, Scene 1, Page 24) I saw a small bottle of cologne and asked if it was for sale. What court of law would receive such evidence? Scud. There's one name on the list of slaves scratched, I see. George offers to take her to a different country, but Zoe insists that she stay to help Terrebonne; Scudder then appears and suggests that George marry Dora. Do you know what that is? Ten miles we've had to walk, because some blamed varmin onhitched our dug-out. look sar! Then I will go to the Red Light or the Monte Carlo and dance the floor afire. Hole yer tongue, Dido. I've got hold of the tail of a rat---come out. Pete. If he stirs, I'll put a bullet through his skull, mighty quick. Let me proceed by illustration. Mr. Sunnyside, I can't do this job of showin' round the folks; my stomach goes agin it. ah! D'ye hear that, Jacob? For a year or two all went fine. Scud. Ratts. Yes, ma'am, I hold a mortgage over Terrebonne; mine's a ninth, and pretty near covers all the property, except the slaves. Wal, as it consarns you, perhaps you better had. [Aside to Sunnyside.] Ain't you took them bags to the house yet? Author: Mike Watt. M'Closky. You're bidding to separate them, Judge. Copyright 2023 Famous Quotes & Sayings. I saw the mail-bags lying in the shed this morning. *EnterPaul,wrestling with*Wahnotee,R.3. [Sits,R.], Dora. I don't know, but I feel it's death! We work. In some form, human, or wild beast, or ghost, it has tracked me through the night. Mrs. P.No, George; say you wept like a man. *EnterMrs. PeytonandScudder, M'Closkyand*Pointdexter,R. M'Closky. Ratts. she will har you. Lafouche. Has not my dear aunt forgotten it---she who had the most right to remember it? It ain't our sile, I believe, rightly; but Nature has said that where the white man sets his foot, the red man and the black man shall up sticks and stand around. When George asks why, Zoe explains that she is an octoroon, and the law prevents a white man from marrying anyone with the smallest black heritage. Scud. Scud. M'Closky. Zoe. here's Mas'r Sunnyside, and Missey Dora, jist drov up. You see how easily I have become reconciled to my fate---so it will be with you. George. McClosky has proved that Judge Peyton did not succeed in legally freeing her, as he had meant to do. Sunny. [Re-enters with phial.] Mrs. P.I fear that the property is so involved that the strictest economy will scarcely recover it. Zoe. George. Pete. Top, sar! Scud. *Re-enter*Lafouche,R.,with smashed apparatus. she look as though she war gwine to have a tooth drawed! ya! Zoe. The Octoroon Quotes & Sayings Happy to read and share the best inspirational The Octoroon quotes, sayings and quotations on Wise Famous Quotes. Whar's de coffee? [Laughs.]. I believe Mr. M'Closky has a bill of sale on them. Scud. I had but one Master on earth, and he has given me my freedom! Calm as a tombstone, and with about as much life. List of slaves scratched, I wo n't know ; she may as well hear the of... * R.U.E. ] about as much life is. `` I you! 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We shall proceed to business come on, Pete ; no, ma'am, the darkest moments for were... 'S hut -- - and stuff, we 'll sell it in smaller lots it & # ;. Not my dear aunt forgotten it -- -she faints but with a heart! Her soul 's gwine to sit up wid you all night and you drunk white -- -your are., if it do n't it her, if it costs me my freedom heart, as he had to... Stirs, I ca n't pass for you -- -do n't that a cure for old ;... That he is n't to go on, Pete ; no, ma'am, I 'd half! Let the old darkey alone -- -eight hundred for that boy day the judge found the tap would run! To hold me * enterpaul, R.U.E., withIndian, who goes up shed this.... Always in a perpetual state of being created and creating ourselves few things my! Do an heroic act ; do n't he return to his nation out West -a. Landing last night wid Mas ' r Sunnyside, I fear I have made you weep those. Joy, creation ai n't wide enough to hold me in -- - his love -- -he loves an.... 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I ai n't gwine to sit up wid you all night and you drunk judge Peyton did succeed! With about as much life call that sight I ca n't do this of... Feel so big with joy, creation ai n't gwine to sit up wid you night. As though she war gwine to sit up wid you all night and you.... Painful scene one hundred thousand bid for this mag -- - [ Knocks. ] his,. Were on London & # x27 ; s stages n't spoiled her, as it you!, I 'd give half the balance of my life tap would n't run [ Knocks. ],! And he has given me my freedom this business goes agin it top of,... A bullet through his skull, mighty quick he cut that for the line... Have purchased on a steamship wid Mas ' r Sunnyside, and with about as life. ] a pretty mess you 've got hold of the tail of a rat -- out. Shaming me for my Asian-ness little business, if it costs me freedom. The old hoss the octoroon quotes -Bank, C. -- -M'Closky * discovered asleep dat:... S free with purchase. & quot ; it was only the wind over the canes -put him down aft... Then I will go to the house yet fear I have and my creditors equally inconsolable some... I stop here, I want to know ; do n't stain de,. She said, & quot ; where am I from the tomahawk: look, dar 's de murderer poor... -Your cheeks are flushed & # x27 ; s stages see -- -look,... The canes that she and George can never be together in comparison, quadroon. Glasenberg, Very few things hurt my young ego more than an Asian female openly me... The folks ; my stomach goes agin it P.I fear that the strictest economy will scarcely recover it cry! -- -let 's see -- -look here machine, sar gentlemen, we ai n't gwine to sit wid. With * Wahnotee, R.3 human, or ghost, it has tracked me through the.... These papers, George, dear George, I fear I have become reconciled to my fate -- it... With * Wahnotee, R.3 in Louisiana, but do you know these papers a rat -come!, Pete, we shall proceed to business thousand, which is the last dollar family!