Sabina by Severino Montano (Complete

Script)
Characters:
Sabina - a young farm girl
Mamerto - their grandfather
Rustica - their grandmother
Cleta - Sabina's aunt
Ariston - Cleta's husband
Ursula - their young daughter, Sabina's cousin
Antero - Sabina's older brother
Mr. George Price - an American

Place:
Kawakan - a small farm village near the sea coast, to the far north of Luzon.

Time:
The present, April evening. Ten o'clock.

Scene:
The living room of a rather prosperous-looking but old farmhouse in a Kawakan, a small
farm village not far from the sea.
It is a bamboo house with sloping bamboo rafters, sturdy teakwood post and shiny
handsome floors. A spacious platform upstage center. To the right of the platform and above it
is a door leading into Sabina's room. On the right wall is a big window with mother-of-pearl
shellpanes facing the altar table. Below this window is the main door leading to the entrance
porch. On the left wall is the door to the kitchen. Another window, a small one, is above the
altar platform, center. The windows are luxuriant with ferns and air plants, gleaming under the
April moonlight.
The room is almost bare of furniture, for the villagers are used to sitting on these shiny
floors. But a bamboo couch, a heavily carved teakwood chair, a camphor chest, a cupboard and
a cane easy chair are placed about the room.
An old-fashioned oil lamp hangs from the sloping ceiling. Another lamp, a very new one
of the “Aladdin” variety, stands conspicuously on the cupboard. This lamp, however, is not
lighted.
A novena is going on as the curtain rises. The mourners, led by Rustica, and old woman
who is apart from the rest, are kneeling on the platform facing the altar table which is lighted
with several candles. The mourners are Antero, son of the house; Cleta, his aunt; Ariston,
Cleta’s husband; and Mamerto, grandfather of the household. The prayers are said in an
emotional litany like monotone, and more or less chanted. The cry of a turtle is heard faintly
coming from the sea. It is about ten o’clock at night; but for prayers and the voice of the turtle,
the late April evening is still.
(first scene)
OLD WOMAN: Death is loneliness! Death is sadness!
MOURNERS: God have mercy upon us!
OLD WOMAN: We pray, O Lord, for the soul of our departed sister, Maria!
MOURNERS: My God! My God! Let Thou not forsake her! In the kingdom of Thy golden city,
in the realm of life eternal, receive Maria into Thy care!
OLD WOMAN: Dark is the mist that covers us, and weak indeed is the clay house! Look upon
us, O God, who are living!
MOURNERS: God have mercy upon us!
OLD WOMAN: We also pray, O God, for Maria’s living and only daughter, Sabina! She is but a
frail jar against the mighty tides! Spare her, O Lord, from evil!

The old man rises and turns coldly towards the big window.

MOURNERS: (Casting quick glances at the Old Man, their prayers becoming faster): My God!
Let Thou not forsake her from the rages of sin and the scorching heat of hell-fire, deliver Sabina,
O Lord, from evil!
OLD WOMAN: Amen! (She makes the sign of the cross.)

Crossing themselves too and rising briefly, the mourners look questioningly at the old
man.

OLD WOMAN: What made you rise just now, Mamerto? Is it the crying of the black turtle that
worries you, she that’s grieving deeply by the river’s mouth?
OLD MAN: No Rustica! I’m getting tired hearing you pray for Sabina every night. Isn’t it
enough that we mourn for the dead?
OLD WOMAN: It’s also a blessed thing to pray for the living, Mamerto!
CLETA: Indeed, it’s our duty to look after Sabina! I passed by the village store this
evening, and the women are laughing. “How’s Mr. George?” they asked me. “Is it true your
Aunt Maria died because of Mr. George?”
OLD MAN: Your Aunt Maria didn’t die of any such thing, Cleta!
CLETA: Didn’t she? Aunt Maria herself left heavy the day Sabina was fool enough to go
out with Mr. George!
URSULA: The doctor said it was her weak heart she died of, Mother, not Mr. George!
CLETA: Keep quiet!
OLD WOMAN: Maria’s heart was heavy that day, God save her soul! I fear her spirit will come
back if Sabina’s not careful this evening. Mamerto, what are we to do with Sabina?
OLD MAN: Nothing, Rustica! It would be wiser if we leave Sabina alone!
OLD WOMAN: Wiser? Once there was a strange sailor who came roaming round this village; a
clean chap he looked like. But soon one of the young girls bore him a child. The sailor left, and
the poor girl died of sadness!
OLD MAN: Mr. George is not a sailor, Rustica!
OLD WOMAN: He is a man, nonetheless, Mamerto!
(second scene)
CLETA: Do you know what the women in the market are saying? This is the night Mr.
George is coming back!
ARISTON: It’s gossip such as yours that brings the devil, Cleta! Stop it!
CLETA: Surely, it’s no gossip, Ariston!
ARISTON: Well, what if he is coming back?
CLETA: Sabina will want to light that lamp again in this house, instead of the candles.
ARISTON: What lamp?
CLETA: (Indicating the lamp on top of cupboard) That new lamp there, brought by Mr.
George the day Aunt Maria died!
ARISTON: And what’s so terrible about lighting that lamp?
CLETA: The village will be noisy with gossip in the morning.
ARISTON: Don’t be foolish!
OLD WOMAN: Where is Sabina?
URSULA: I’ll look into her room, Grandma.
CLETA: Stay in the corner there, and be quiet. You are too young to meddle in such
things! (Peeping into Sabina’s room and turning away quickly, shocked.) Oh! Oh!
ARISTON: What is the matter?
CLETA: Why, she’s taking off her mourning this very minute!
OLD WOMAN: What is it you say?
CLETA: Indeed she is! She is throwing off her black dress and she’s slipping on a
shameful one!
URSULA: Mother, I don’t like my black dress.
CLETA: Close your sinful mouth!
OLD WOMAN: It’s a bad enough for her not to come to prayers these nine nights, and now for
her to cast off mourning so soon!
CLETA: The neighbors will pass any minute now, and they’ll see her in that shameful
dress! Hide that lamp, Antero! And we’d better close the windows.

She closes a window, while Antero closes another. Ursula peeps through the door
behind the camphor chest.

URSULA: Grandma! Grandma!

ARISTON: What is it now?
URSULA: She’s combing her hair before the looking glass!
OLD WOMAN: It’s a bad omen to look into the glass, Cleta. This will be a night of evil! Tell her
to cover the glass.
CLETA: Quiet! She’s coming now! Oh, my God the Lamp! Hide the lamp, Antero!
Antero takes the lamp but she grabs it from him and hides it behind the camphor
chest.
OLD WOMAN: Sabina is undone tonight! She’s undone, Mamerto!
SABINA: (Cheerfully but simply) Good evening to you all. (Kissing the old man’s hand in
reverence) Your blessing, Grandpa! I’m glad to see you, Grandpa! Isn’t dark enough for prayers
in this house without closing the windows?
CLETA: (Pointedly) The prayers are over Sabina!
ANTERO: Sabina, are you deaf? Don’t you touch the windows! It’s Granma’s wish!
(Silence, Sabina leaves the windows alone)
SABINA: I’m sorry, Grandma! I only wanted to let in the light of the moon. (Sabina looks
about for the lamp.)
CLETA: And what is it you are looking for now?
There is another silence as she continues looking around.
SABINA: The new lamp that was brought from the city… Oh, here it is!
CLETA: On such a night, it’s more fitting to light the candles!
ANTERO: Drop the lamp, Sabina!
OLD MAN: You can’t blame a girl for wanting things brighter in a dark house, son!
Sabina looks for a match.
CLETA: And is it tonight Mr. George is returning again to the village?
Sabina is silent.
ANTERO: Why don’t you answer us? (Another silence)
CLETA: We are talking to you, Sabina!
SABINA: (Coldly) And what if he’s returning tonight, Aunt Cleta?
OLD WOMAN: Leave that lamp alone, child. It’s wisdom to be careful. The wings of the moth
get badly burned, Sabina, if it leaps into the flame.
SABINA: What are the moth’s wings compared to a woman’s happiness, Grandma?
OLD WOMAN: It’s a pity if you won’t listen to the wisdom of ripened years, and you merely a
slip of a young girl of tender mind!
SABINA: I’m tired of sadness in this dark house, Grandma! Let’s light this lamp, and
smile with the brightness of it.
CLETA: Light it yourself. We don’t ask a part!
OLD WOMAN: If you don’t listen to us, you’ll be lonely, my child. You will be alone even before
the moon has waned and both of you have sunk deeper into the sea! What good is there when
you’ll be sorry forever? Think, my child!
SABINA: It’s your years won’t to stand the brightness of the lamp, Grandma, for your
life’s nearly broken! I’ll light the lamp!
CLETA: It’s useless to waste breath over a stubborn girl who won’t listen! Good
heavens, she’s lighting the lamp, Antero!
ANTERO: (Jumping toward her sister) For God’s sake, will you listen or not?
ARISTON: (Holding Antero back) Antero! Take it easy!
ANTERO: (Insistently) What has happened, we are asking you!
OLD MAN: You have no need to raise a hand against your sister, son!
ANTERO: My only sister! God, what a shame!
SABINA: (Resentfully) I’ve no call but to be happy, Antero!
ANTERO: Happy? It’s your doings that drove Mother to her grave.
OLD WOMAN: (Kindly) Sabina, what is it that has happened between you and Mr. George?
CLETA: Whatever it was, the whole village is jeering and laughing!
ANTERO: (Insistently) What has happened, we are asking you!
SABINA: (Breaking down helplessly) Stop it, all of you! Stop it! You’ll drive me crazy with
your wailings.
ANTERO: For God sake, will you listen or not?
SABINA: No! No, I won’t listen! You can’t destroy my little share of happiness now. You
can’t kill the love I bear for him. Maybe death’s between us this evening, but who was ever
happy in this house before he came? Nothing! So get out and go your own way from this house!
Get out! Leave me alone! Leave me alone!
ANTERO: (Shocked) Do you realize what are you saying?
CLETA: Since it’s your wish, we shall go. Come, Ursula! But whatever happens to you
from now on, don’t ever call upon us! Are you coming, Ariston?
ARISTON: Don’t be so hard on the poor girl, Cleta!
CLETA: Don’t come if you don’t want to! You can stay! You’d best be coming along,
Grandma! It’s easy to see we are not wanted in this house anymore!
She goes dragging Ursula with her. Ariston follows them. The Old woman rises
slowly.
ANTERO: For God’s sake, Sabina, think of what you’re doing!
OLD WOMAN: Perhaps you better walk me home, Antero.
ANTERO: Sabina, you’re a heartless fool!
OLD WOMAN: Come, the cool night will calm your anger, son! (The turtle is heard again.) Tell
me, isn’t that the sobbing of the black turtle, weeping sadly by the river’s mouth? (Silence)
Well, good night, and may God bless you, Sabina!

They go, Sabina is left alone with the Old Man. She rushes to him and
cries.

SABINA: Oh Grandpa! Grandpa!

OLD MAN: Don’t cry.
SABINA: Am I wrong, Grandpa? Am I very much mistaken?
OLD MAN: Outside love, nothing lives, Sabina! That’s what a wise man said long ago.
Surely, whatever the heart feels richly must be right! And hearts, I’m saying to you, haven’t
changed very much since then.
SABINA: I’m trying to build me a nest, trying to weave threads of laughter through it,
but my wings are tied with sorrow. It’s for that my poor heart will be crying forever.
OLD MAN: Well, don’t cry!
SABINA: But it seems they’d name my cry!... Oh, I mustn’t cry Grandpa.
OLD MAN: There, that’s better!
SABINA: I mustn’t cry, for Mr. George is coming back tonight. Mr. George is coming
back! And for him my heart is singing! God would be unkind to me if He didn’t bring back Mr.
George.
OLD MAN: Mr. George promised you that?
SABINA: Many times, Grandpa! But sometimes there’s fear in my heart, for before he
came I never knew what it was to be happy.
OLD MAN: Are you happy now?
SABINA: Yes, again and again he has told me! A month ago, he told me. I well remember
that day! We went out to the sand hill by the sea. He felt happy, he said, every time we were
together. He said that at the foot of the hill by the sea.
OLD MAN: Yes?
SABINA: (Confidingly, Softly) We were there still when the twilight was coming... he
lying happily on the warm sand, and me very happy beside him! We stayed on, for the sky in
the west was like a rainbow, and the hill to the east was dark with the full moon rising slowly
behind it! It was beautiful, Grandpa!...
OLD MAN: (Answering her reverie with his) Yes, child. What else can be more beautiful
than that?
SABINA: Then I haven’t done wrong? People like me haven’t done wrong?
OLD MAN: (Very Kindly) When you’re happy at last?... No, AVIN!
Surely, its wrong to know happiness, when the glorious beginnings come! Or if it is,
perhaps love itself is a mistake, and maybe... Man couldn’t be forgiven.
SABINA: But the people... they’re so selfish, Grandpa!
OLD MAN: Yes, indeed, men can be funny sometimes.
SABINA: And miserly with their loves, Grandpa!
OLD MAN: Yes, my child, there shouldn’t be any selfishness in a heart that loves to the
end!
The closing of the front gate is heard. Sabina is startled.
SABINA: That must be Antero now! Listen, Grandpa, he’s locking the front gate!
OLD MAN: Antero shouldn’t matter at all! (She opens the big window and looks out)
SABINA: Oh, he has locked the gate Grandpa! What am I to do? He will keep on
tormenting me!
OLD MAN: Look to your heart, for it is your own best counsel! It’s the best safest way to
be happy! (Rising) Good night, my child!
He starts for the main door, but turns and walks back to the door.
SABINA: They say it’s ill omen to go by the back door at night!
OLD MAN: I don’t believe in omens!... Well, goodnight again!

Sadly, Sabina watches him go out slowly by the back door. After a while, she
picks up a little cheerfulness again. Antero enters frozenly from the front door. There is a brief
moment of cold silence between them.

SABINA: (Cheerfully) Is there great need for us to be locking the gate, Antero?
ANTERO: (Sternly) The curfew has rung!
SABINA: Even so, let’s not close the front gate for just this evening. The night itself is
bright enough with the full moon, the streets are looking like day.
ANTERO: Are you so set on waiting?
SABINA: Don’t begin that all over again. Antero! Would you have me growing old, like a
sour old maid?
ANTERO: That’s not the trouble!
SABINA: It is! You should be well pleased I’m happy at last, after doing my goodly share
of hard work these long years since Father Died! Haven’t I helped to make things go on this
farm, sharing gladly with the planting and the harvesting? Am I to be married to the soil
forever, with no happiness coming?
ANTERO: If you should fall into disgrace, what are we to do, your own kin, who’ll bear
the brunt of your chosen shame forever?
SABINA: Shame? Is it a shame to be happy?
ANTERO: Can’t you appreciate what it is to have a name?
SABINA: What care I, if I myself am not happy a little?
ANTERO: Are you saying you won’t listen at all?
SABINA: I love him so, Antero! I love him!
ANTERO: All right, but you know nothing about him whatsoever. It’s only three months
you’ve known him!
SABINA: I don’t care about that!
ANTERO: It’s your duty to care!
SABINA: Mr. George loves me! I know he does! My heart tells me he does!
ANTERO: I don’t care what your wild heart tells you! What I care about is your own good
self, do you hear me?
SABINA: He’s good to me Antero! Mr. George Is a good man. He’s a fine man. And I tell
you he loves me!
ANTERO: I warn you he’ll leave you like thunder!
SABINA: No, no, he won’t. He won’t!
ANTERO: Oh yes he will! I know enough of these sleek and tired and world-wise
merchant men from the city! I’ve seen it happen!
SABINA: (DREAMILY) Mr. George and I will be married someday… soon, Antero! He’ll
build me a fine house in the city, and surely I’ll bring him forth a good child into that house, and
many more if I am able!
ANTERNO: Get married to him then, if you can! But if you don’t I’ll show both of you
where to enjoy your pleasures.
SABINA: You will not! You dare not! Oh, let’s not quarrel! Come, you had better go and
open the gate quickly for he will be here now any minute. I’ll light the lamp, Antero!
ANTERNO: You stay away from the lamp!
SABINA: (Quietly) It’s my own lamp. Surely, I’ll light it!
ANTERNO: Give me that lamp!
SABINA: Let go the lamp, Anterno! Please let it go! You’ll break the lamp.
ANTERNO: I don’t care! It’s this devil of a lamp itself giving you such foolish notions about
love.
SABINA: Give me the lamp! It’s my lamp!
ANTERNO: (Wrestling, he seizes the lamp and smashes it against the floor.) There goes
your devil of a lamp! You fool!

There is a tense speechless moment between them. Sabina picks up several

of the broken pieces and fingers them speechlessly. The turtle is heard again.

SABINA: I’ll open the gate.

ANTERO: You can’t! I won’t let you! You shan’t make a scene least of all. Think of the
neighbors! (He pulls her from the door)
SABINA: (Struggling from him) Let me go!
ANTERNO: Think of the scandal, you fool!
MR. GEORGE: (At the gate) Sa-bi-na! Open the gate! Sabina are you there?
Sabina rushes to the windows again.
SABINA: Yes, Mr. George, I’ve been waiting! (Then to Anterno, wildly) He’s coming
round the backyard through the garden. He is coming now. Can you hear me? Mr. George
himself is coming up!
Anterno slaps her fiercely, throwing her to the floor. She utters a stifled cry.
SABINA: It’s alright now. You can have the front gate to yourself! It doesn’t matter now!
He is here! He is coming himself!
ANTERNO: Go ahead, wallow in the mud with him, you reckless little fool! Go to the devil
with him if you want to. Only don’t you dare tell me afterwards what bitter fruit you’ve
gathered in the end!

There is another silence broken by the approaching steps of Mr. George. Antero goes
out through the front door. Sabina rises quickly and straightens herself up. Mr. George enters
cheerfully from the back door.
He is kind, cheerful, somewhat tired but romantic-looking, businessman of about thirty
years, prosperous and plump, but not too fleshy; good-looking in a stout American way and
bearing about him an earthly kind of simplicity. There is gentleness in his tired voice. In fact,
there is something romantic and alarmingly disarming about him. He wears a white linen suit,
white shoes, and a white tropical helmet. He carries a week-end bag with him.

MR. GEORGE: Well, well, how’s little Sabina this evening?

SABINA: (Running too him) Mr. George! Mr. George! I’ve been waiting!
MR. GEORGE: (Embracing her warmly) I sure feel grand to see you again, Sabina!
SABINA: I’m so glad you’re back, just as you promised me!
MR. GEORGE: Of course! Of course I was coming back! You’ve been crying Sabina! What is it?
SABINA: Nothing! Only I’ve been waiting! Now I’m so happy you’re back.
MR. GEORGE: Do you love me that much, really?
SABINA: Each night while you were away, I’ve been praying, Mr. George. Each night I
kept on thinking, wondering what you were doing and wishing all the time you’d hurry back
safe and happy!
MR.GEORGE: I thought about you an awful lot myself.
SABINA: I was afraid you wouldn’t return to Kawakan.
MR.GEORGE: I can’t forget Kawakan. It’s the place for me. I’ve kept my word, and I shall keep
it again. The month spent without you was terribly dull.
SABINA: You must rest now and be comfortable, Mr. George. Let me help you with your
things. You can change your clothes in my room if you wish to, and shall bring you bag inside.
Your bath has been ready ever since this morning.
MR.GEORGE: You are very thoughtful, Sabina. I like you, and I like this farm. (He takes off his
coat. Sabina takes it from him.) That’s a good girl. How restful it is here in Kawakan. I’ve been
longing to come back.
 He rolls his shirt sleeves up, unfastens his holster and hands it to Sabina together with
his bag and helmet. She takes them all into her room. He loosens his tie, then sits down and
relaxes, and begins stretching comfortably. Sabina returns with her dressing gown and a towel
and slippers.

SABINA: I’ll place the things you’ll need for your bath here, Mr. George. Rest yourself
now, and I’ll get you some supper.
MR. GOERGE: (Holding her by the hand) Don’t bother, I’m not hungry! Let’s just sit here and
be quiet for a while, shall we, Sabina?
SABINA: Oh, but if you’re tired… Well, then…
MR. GEORGE: Tell me, Sabina, what makes you kind to me?
SABINA: The earth itself is kind when the sun is good, and you’ve been good, Mr.
George!
MR.GEORGE: (Thoughtfully) The women I know are kind, but you’re so much kinder! God
knows how much I’ve missed you.
SABINA: I’ve missed you too, Mr. George.
MR GEORGE: (Embracing her passionately) This whole month I’ve missed you! And I need
you, Sabina! I need you!
SABINA: (Softly) Mr. George?
Mr. GEORGE: Yes, My dearest?
SABINA: Will you always love me?
MR. GEORGE: Always! Forever and always!
SABINA: (After a while, timidly) Will you... let me keep that love?
MR. GEORGE: It’s all yours, sweet! I never knew what love meant until I met you, Sabina!
SABINA: And I never felt so happy before you came, Mr. George!
MR. GEORGE: I’ve never felt so happy myself. Oh, God, what I have missed.
SABINA: (Simply) It’s myself I offer gladly, Mr. George. All that you want of me, my life,
my love, my heart which says: I’ll love you always no matter what or where or when! That’s
how much I love you, Mr. George, for me you’re the bright sun, and I make a pledge to that sun
and promise to love you forever, even when the gods themselves have stopped turning night
into day!
MR.GEORGE: My little brown Sabina! Can’t it be like this always?
SABINA: Forever, Mr. George! Our love will last forever!
They kiss again.
MR. GEORGE: Now I know the traders are wrong! They say you Filipino women are no good as
sweethearts. What do they know about you? What do they know about love?
SABINA: Let’s just love and be contented.
MR. GEORGE: Black, brown, or white, we’re all the same and nothing matters much, save this
gift for loving. Sure, people are all the same, Sabina!
SABINA: Grandfather always tells me, outside love nothing lives. And I believe him, Mr.
George! Do people love much where you came from, Mr. George?
MR. GEORGE: Yes, they do!
SABINA: And are there some who are selfish too?
MR. GEORGE: There are rascals there too, and sometimes they win out in the end.
SABINA: Here, there are selfish misers too, Mr. George. And it’s they, too who win out
in the end.
MR. GEORGE: These Kawakan folks aren’t so bad!
SABINA: Mr. George, I wish to tell you a dream I’ve been dreaming! I want to come to
the city with you.
MR.GEORGE: Cities can be so tiring, Sabina! City folks can be so tiring.
SABINA: Is that true, Mr. George?
MR.GEORGE: Indeed, they do.
SABINA: Then I don’t want to tire you.
MR. GEORGE: We all have dreams! I, too, have a dream, and mine is here in Kawakan. Don’t
you like it here?
SABINA: (Resistantly) As long as you are happy, then nothing at all will matter.
MR. GEORGE: I’m happy here, Sabina! Come… don’t you think it’s time to go to sleep?
SABINA: Just as you wish, Mr. George. I’ll have your room ready in a minute.

She goes into her room, but she comes back quickly with a silver sewing box.

SABINA: Before we say goodnight, there’s something I want to show you.

MR.GEORGE: Yes, dear, what is it?
SABINA: (As she takes out several embroidered handkerchiefs from the box) I’ve
worked them all myself, Mr. George, every night while you were away.
MR. GEORGE: (Taking the handkerchief) Sabina, they’re lovely! “To Mr. Georg.e” Well! Well!
SABINA: I’m glad you like them. They are for you, Mr. George. There’s a little thought I
wove into each letter, Mr. George!
MR.GEORGE: Darling, I cannot thank you! You’re the sweetest thing.
SABINA: I kept thinking about you and I will be married some day. And I’ll bring a child
into that house, and many more if I am able.
MR.GEORGE: Sweetheart
SABINA: There’s just one more thing I want to show you. (She shows him a baby’s lace
bonnet.) For the gift itself I’ll bring you into that house.
MR.GEORGE: (Trying not to show his confusion) Sabina! Do you mean… are you?
SABINA: Oh, I’m glad I’ve told you!
MR.GEORGE: That’s wonderful, darling! (Silence) Sabina, have you told anyone?
SABINA: I’ve told no one, Mr. George!
MR. GEORGE: Are you sure, Sabina?
SABINA: I’m very sure, Mr. George!
MR.GEORGE: Then don’t tell anyone… not yet… not for just a while yet… will you, dear?
SABINA: If you wish it, I shall tell no one!… Aren’t you happy, Mr. George?
MR. GEORGE: (Distractedly) Yes, yes, of course, my dearest!
SABINA: (Thoughtfully) I’m so glad you’re happy. And I am so happy we’re to be
married.
MR.GEORGE: Come close to me, darling, there’s something awful difficult I want to tell you.
We cannot get married.
SABINA: (Looking at him in consternation) What?... Why? You don’t mean what you’re
saying!
MR. GEORGE: I do. I’m already married, Sabina!
SABINA: (Stupefied) You’re telling me a lie!
MR.GEORGE: I’m telling you the honest truth, dear.
SABINA: Then, it’s…
MR.GEORGE: Yes, it’s true.
SABINA: (Brokenly) Oh!... Oh!... It’s true then? What Antero said is true then!... There’s
someone else?... Someone else between us!
MR.GEORGE: She can’t come between us! I promise you! Somehow, I’ve never known her,
my wife, I mean. She can’t make herself part of me as you have, Sabina! And I wanted so much
to keep your love.
SABINA: (Turning away defeatedly) You’ve cheated me! You’ve lied to me…
MR.GEORGE: I didn’t want to lose you, that’s why! Honest, I didn’t…
SABINA: You lied! You lied!... Oh, you’ve cheated me!
MR.GEORGE: Dearest, I couldn’t help it!
SABINA: (Softly, intensely) You’ll never know what it is to love!
MR.GEORGE: I never knew love until I met you!
SABINA: (Remorsefully) Oh, I can’t believe anything you say now! (She sobs bitterly, but
softly)
MR.GEORGE: Dearest, you must listen to me! You’ve got to believe me!
SABINA: The first time you said you loved me, I believed you then as I believe truly in a
god! And I came to you thinking there was nothing between us! But you’ve cheated me! You’ve
lied to me!
MR. GEORGE: Don’t say that! Nothing should matter between us. Let us go on being happy
together, just as we have been doing, Sabina!
SABINA: I can’t be happy now. There’s an emptiness lying between us now, a wide,
black, silent darkness! And no power on earth can brighten this darkness forever.
MR. GOERGE: You’ve got to listen to me. You must listen to me!
SABINA: I can only hear them laughing now! I can only hear the misers of love laughing
in the darkness!
MR. GEORGE: Others can’t come between our love!
SABINA: Perhaps they’re not misers after all! Yes I can hear them shouting! Outside
love, all is death!
MR. GEORGE: Sabina, for God’s sake, listen to me!
SABINA: (Moving away) No! No!... It’s all so strange! At first I believed you, and then
one day you lied, and I woke up and my belief in you died forever! I can’t even believe in myself
anymore!
MR GEORGE: What are you saying to me? Think only of our love! Think of our love!
SABINA: And what of me? What is to become of me? What shall I ever tell them now?
(She goes into him again in a frenzy of fear and helplessness.) Mr. George, help me!... Tell me
it’s all a lie. Tell me everything is not death! Tell me there’s a love better than life itself.
MR GEORGE: Yes, Sabina! Our love! Our love! Better than life itself! Oh, I love you still, you
must believe me!
SABINA: I’m scared of them, Mr. George! I’m afraid of the darkness!
MR GEORGE: I’m here, don’t be afraid!
SABINA: Yes, yes, I mustn’t be afraid, Mr. George! I mustn’t be afraid!...
MR. GEORGE: We’ll love each other always! Always!
SABINA: We’ll watch the darkness together!
MR. GEORGE: You must get a little rest now. You must sleep. You must have something to
quiet your nerves! Now! You’ll be all right tomorrow!
SABINA: Oh yes! Tomorrow! Tomorrow!... I’m happy for tomorrow, Mr. George! I’m not
scared now, Mr. George!
MR. GEORGE: That’s right, dear! I\ll get you something from the car to calm your nerves. (He
rises)
SABINA: I’m all right, if you promise to come back!
MR. GEORGE: I shan’t be a minute, Sabina!
SABINA: I shall be waiting, Mr. George! I shall be waiting forever!
MR GEORGE: That’s good! That’s the girl. (He goes)
She stares blankly into the darkness and keeps on mumbling.
SABINA: (In a monotone) Outside love, nothing lives!... Nothing lives… Tomorrow…
Tomorrow… Outside love… Grandpa, where are you? Mother… Mother… where are you?
(Footsteps are heard from the main door. She faces the door fearfully.) Mother, death lives…
death lives… It’s Mother!... It’s Mother…

But it is Antero who appears. She recoils fearfully from him,

SABINA: Oh, it’s only you, Antero. I thought it was Mother.

ANTERO: (Coldly) A nice time for you to think of Mother! There’s no use now! I don’t
care if your conscience bothers you now!
SABINA: (Blankly) Yes! Antero, yes! (Antero starts for the kitchen door.) Antero, listen to
me! Don’t be angry with me!
ANTERO: Don’t you tell me anything! Get married if you can, quickly. The sooner you
leave this house, the better. Go to the city with him, if you can! I don’t care!
SABINA: (Holding on to him) No, no Antero!... I know now that I was wrong!... Listen to
me! (She clings to him.)
ANTERO: So it’s no, is it? (He pushes her abruptly away; she falls.) My God, don’t come
to me! Don’t talk to me! Don’t you dare tell any of us anything! (He goes to the kitchen leaving
her on the floor.)
SABINA: Antero, listen to me! Antero, come back! (She’s cries pitifully.) It’s all right
now! I was wrong, Antero! I only wanted to tell you that you were right. I was wrong. But
tomorrow… tomorrow… it will be alright tomorrow!

She rises and looks around slowly, then cries and runs to her bedroom. There is a short
silence. Then a gunshot is heard. A brief silence again. Antero comes in excitedly, looks around,
then rushes to the bedroom.

ANTERO: Sabina! Sabina, where are you?

MR. GEORGE: (Outside) Sabina!
ANTERO: (Coming out nervously) Mr. George!
Mr. George enters excitedly.
MR. GEORGE: I heard a shot, Antero! What is it?
Antero is too overcome to answer.
MR. GEORGE: For God’s Sake, where’s Sabina? (He rushes to the bedroom.) Sabina! Why?
Mr. George comes out carrying Sabina’s dying body.
MR. GEORGE: Call the doctor, quick, Antero!
ANTERO: There’s no doctor in this village!
He goes out. Mr. George places Sabina on the easy chair by the window.
SABINA: I’m not afraid any more, Mr. George!
MR. GEORGE: Don’t talk!
SABINA: Mr. George!
MR. GEORGE: Darling, forgive me.
SABINA: Will you think of me... always?
MR. GEORGE: I’ll always love you.
SABINA: (With an effort) Tell the traders... you knew of a dark woman... who was
faithful, Mr. George!
MR. GEORGE: Sabina, don’t leave me! Don’t leave me!
SABINA: I shall be waiting, Mr. George... on a sand hill by the sea… I shall be waiting
forever… (She dies.)
MR. GEORGE: (Sobbing) Sabina!... It’s all my fault!

The others, Antero, Cleta, Ariston, Rustica, Mamerto, Ursula, and the two neighbors,
come in hurriedly.

CLETA: What happened? (She suddenly realizes Sabina is dead and cries hysterically.)
Grandma! Grandma! She’s dead!

The others try to quiet her. The old woman approaches Sabina’s body and begins
mourning. The men place the bamboo couch in front of the altar, the women take a white
blanket from the room, and spread it on the couch.

OLD WOMAN: (Praying) It’s an evil night! It’s an evil night, Mr. George!

The men carry Sabina’s body and lay her gently on the couch. They cover half of her
body with another white blanket. The others begin praying and mourning over the body. Mr.
George comes away from the window and joined the mourners.

CLETA: (Calling out to Mr. George) Mr. George! Mr. George! Please leave our Sabina
alone!

The mourners look strangely at Mr. George but he goes to the head of the couch and
kneels sorrowfully by Sabina’s body.
OLD WOMAN: (Lamenting) It is evil night, Mamerto.
OLD MAN: Her death’s but her new life just begun, Rustica! Her life’s bigger than our
petty lives now! Ours will be the sadness now, ours will be the loneliness forever! And we
shan’t be happy till our selfish hearts have learned to love truly forever.
They start to pray again. A brilliant shaft of moonlight falls on Sabina’s body as the men
carry her out, praying as the go.

A bamboo flute is heard far away. Once more we hear the turtle crying.