313
Act II, Scene 4: In the town square of Richwood Station, Kentucky; the next morning, at dawn. (At dawn, a group of local citizens—including the town authorities; Caroline and George; as well as some slaves from nearby plantations—processes somberly into the town square at Richwood Station. Great sorrow fills the air, for they are accompanying Margaret Garner to her execution. All are sobered by the imminence of death. Seemingly, the only person not in the crowded plaza is Edward Gaines.) (Cilla is standing at the base of an executioner’s scaffold.)
Moderato (in the manner of a procession) = 72 Cilla:
Mar
(The hangman brings forth the condemned prisoner. Margaret’s hands, bandaged from the burns she received from the hot coals, have not yet been tied up in preparation for execution.)
g’ret
Mar
g’ret
Mar
(Margaret is led up the scaffold steps. When she reaches the top of the platform, the hangman places a noose around her neck and positions her on the gallows’ trap door. Scattered about are a number of ropes, which will be used to secure her limbs tightly.)
6 C. g’ret
11
Dear
God
no
more.
Subito agitato = 108
Timp. gliss.
(Edward Gaines runs in, excitedly waving a document.)