e, dear.

Poe. Tell her all, aunt. (Mrs. Clemm is silent. Poe takes
Virginia's hand)

Poe. Virginia, you who have the face of a houri, the form of a
sylph, and the heart of an angel, will you be my wife?

Mrs. C. Edgar!

Poe. My gentle one, can I not teach you to love me?

Vir. Teach me? Ah, I love you now, Edgar!

Mrs. C. Virginia!

Vir. I do! I do, mama! And oh, what happiness beyond my
dream--to be--his wife!

(Poe embraces her gently and draws her toward the garden,
right. They go out slowly. Mrs. Clemm turns toward the
cottage, weeping. At the step she hesitates, looks toward
the garden, and slowly goes after them, murmuring
distractedly)

Zu. (Who has observed the scene with growing horror) Fo' de
Lawd, fo' de Lawd, bless dem two babies! O, de signs am
all wrong! Miss Babylam' came back when she done start
away! An' Freddy bird hop right on my ol' wool dis
mawnin', kase why, he want tell me sumpin gwine happen to
Babylam'. An', oh, dis po' ol' niggah is kilt, kase dis is
de day Miss Babylam's fadder done die! De missus she go
'bout cryin' dis mawnin, an' I allus 'member she do dat
dis bery day! Wha' make Mars Nelson come fo' Babylam'? O,
fo de Lawd, fo de Lawd! (Tat and Bony stare at their
mother in terror as she proceeds) I see de black hawk what
flies outen de dead swamp! Ooo! I see knives a drippin'
an' guns a poppin'! Oooooooo! I see de coffin, de
coffin--an' it's all dark night, an' de rain comin' down
de chimney--an' de wind--de wind--it say "Ooooooooooo!"
(Bends her knees and body, and stares moaning. Tat and
Bony cling to her skirts. She turns on them with a scream,
at which they tumble to the ground) Wha' yo' doin' heah,
yo' black no 'count niggahs?

(Enter from the gate the old minister, Doctor Barlow)

Doctor B.
Good morning, Mum Zurie. You seem to be agitated. Can
I help you?

Zu. Lawd, no! beg yo' pahdon, sah! I's jes so mighty tickled!
Dese heah two niggahs so comicky like! Lawd, no, I wasn't
alligated at all, beg yo' pahdon, sah!

Doctor B.
I'm glad to hear it, Zurie. Is your mistress at home?

Zu. Yes, sah. Dey all