In the first scene of ‘anatomy theater’ the prostitute Sarah Osborne confesses to killing her husband and two children, and then is hanged. Scenes 2 through 12 take place in a dissection theater, where she is anatomized in front of an audience of curious onlookers. Although it is of course fine to stage all twelve scenes on the same stage it is also possible to stage scene 1 in a different location, and then move the audience into the theater for the rest of the opera.
To stage scene 1 separately the musicians in scene 1 should memorize their music. The percussionist should play a military-type drum that can be worn. From measures 171 to 203 the percussionist needs to play 4 notes on the glockenspiel — a glockenspiel can be held by a helper, or the percussionist can mount the 4 glockenspiel bars on the drum. In the score after scene 1 there is an optional drum interlude, which may be used after scene 1 to help lead the audience into the dissection theater. It should also be memorized.
Roles
SARAH OSBORNE (convicted murderess, later corpse) mezzo soprano
JOSHUA CROUCH (caretaker of the dissection theater) baritone
BARON PEEL (anatomist and moral lecturer) bass
AMBROSE STRANG (the anatomist’s young assistant) tenor
Instrumentation
Flute/Piccolo
Clarinet in Bb/Bass Clarinet in Bb
Trumpet in C
Piano/Accordion
Percussion Field drum (military drum with strap)
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Glockenspiel
Triangle
Vibraphone
3 tom toms
Large concert bass drum
Suspended cymbal
Violin
Viola
Violoncello
Double Bass
Scene 1: The Confession of Sarah Osborne
(The prisoner SARAH OSBORNE, with a noose around her neck, and accompanied by a hangman, whose face is hidden under a hood.)
SARAH OSBORNE
I, Sarah Osborne, having slaughtered my husband and two children, and wishing to make known the motives which led me to this deed do come before you, on bended knees to confess. Neighbors and good Christians, open your ears to the dreadful misfortune that hath befallen me, and hearing my words let pity move your hearts. I shall now recount how I resolved to commit this crime, what my thoughts were, and what was my intention. I shall also tell what went on in my mind after doing this deed, and detail the miserable life I led.
At the age of fifteen, I began my career of wickedness by improper connection with my mother’s husband, he not being my natural father. He was a wanton rascal, often drunken, and in this state did overpower me. I took to bedding him to avoid beatings.
Soon I too began to frequently find myself in the condition of intoxication, to which shameful vice I attribute my wretched slide into degenerate life. I confess that I have been very wild and ungrateful. After my cruel mother closed her door to me, I was forced to make my way on the streets.
Having become addicted to drink, living in open as a harlot, associating with abandoned characters, I became a person most hardened.
(spoken)
My love for him turned to contempt and I did meditate the most dreadful revenge on the monster, and made the horrid resolution of murdering him. I did devise to make him drunken, although he always treated me abusively when in this state. As he drank I added laudanum to his gin and soon he was overcome. I ki(lled)……. extinguished him by suffocation, once drunken I placed myself on his body and did hold a pillow over his mouth and nose. The deed done I looked up, only to spy my babes watching with wide eyes. I comforted them, put them back to bed and smothered each in turn.
(sung)
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At this low time I did meet John Sadler, who did wed me and pimp for me. Now I see him as the cause of my overthrow, but when we met he seemed the only kind person I had encountered in my wretched life. With him I trifled away the hours, the days, the months and years.
We had two children.
Even while walking the streets I became warmer and softer, while John became colder and harder. The more tender I, the more cruel he became. He took to beating me, beating me, and sent me with more haste to the streets. This way I was cheated of my life.
That is the explanation of the crime. I await the fate which is destined for me. I doubt not that when the thread of life shall be cut, my soul will be received into that Glory which no tongue can express. The Lord hath wrought great works and been merciful, but if my Lord and Savior should be so cruel to me as men and women have been, I had better burn in the flames of Hell.
Farewell to all present.
(The prisoner SARAH OSBORNE is hanged by the neck until dead. The hangman removes his hood and reveals himself to be the caretaker JOSHUA CROUCH.)
JOSHUA CROUCH
(spoken)
Justice is delivered! My fine fellow citizens, don’t you feel safer now? Won’t you sleep better knowing there is one less evil beating heart in the world? And how exciting, yes. The snap of her neck under the gravitas of her actions. How thrilling! Thank you. Thank you all, citizens, for participating in this public execution of the law.
Now, for those of you who are still concerned about what the future may hold for Sarah Osborne, fear not. Both her body and her soul are on their way to a peaceful rest. I’m jesting, of course. For as the Good Book tells us the soul of this murderess of innocents is on a speedy descent to Hell, to burn in sulfurous and tormenting flames, for all eternity.
As for the body, it has been decreed it shall be subject to an anatomy demonstration, in my own personal theater. I am, your humble servant, Joshua Crouch. Distinguished gentlemen shall be there, my fine fellow citizens, some of them among us even now, in which case, gentlemen, have your money ready. For the rest of you, yes, you, the ruffians, the low prostitutes, thieves, vagabonds, and of course, women, leave the shadow of the gallows now. Return to your mischief, educated I hope by what has transpired in this place. For the grisly expression of the law is not so much to avenge past crime as it is to prevent its recurrence.
And now, for those of you that have money, distinguished gentlemen all, I beg your patience. The body shall be readied before it gets cold. But first, indulge me in a poem:
For what you are about to see You chose to pay my heavy fee And however you value morality I remind you, not one of you did cry out for her mercy. Not one.
Thank you.
And now, as promised, the anatomy lesson will begin.
Scene 2: Good Morrow and Welcome
(We are now in the operating theater. We see the outline of the body of SARAH OSBORNE under a sheet or shroud.)
JOSHUA CROUCH
Good Morrow and welcome to you young gentlemen. Gentlemen. Welcome young masters. Come in, and quickly be seated, gentlemen. So many fresh faces, so many new monsters, gentlemen. From the looks of this crowd one would guess that the city is populated with nothing but future surgeons, physicians, dentists, barbers, artists, sculptors. Or should I just say rascals and charlatans?
I can’t say I care who you are just as long as you have paid. Gentlemen. Gentlemen.
But today is a special day. Today is a special day. La la la la la la la la la la.
No doubt you’ve marked the dear and extra cost of entrance to the dissection theater. We have a corpse, a fresh corpse, for anatomizing. Not two hours ago this heart was beating. It’s still warm, on the inside I’d wager. But the best thing of all is it’s legal, direct from the gallows. Hanged by the neck and brought by the sheriff. Still has its teeth (for now at least). And..... it’s a woman. Gentlemen.
She looks like an angel, so lovely and so pure. But in life it was not so. Her heart is darker than the blackest dye.
(spoken)
Now, gentlemen, my fine, young honest gentlemen. I assure you this woman was guilty of the most heinous of crimes, that of being poor and desperate. But when all is said we must admit her greatest crime was that of being born woman. From the day she was born we men lorded over her. We put her to work, we put her in her place, we put her to death.
And no matter, for we are not done with her yet. (laughs)
For tonight gentlemen, we have with us an eminent visiting scholar — Baron Peel. He is a distinguished anatomist of both talent and experience. They say he performed a vivisection on the family dog as a boy of eleven. They say, he is so practiced that two out of three graves in his home province lie empty. They say that he dissected his own father, sister and stillborn child. Post mortem, of course.
Gentlemen — Dr. Peel. (claps)
(BARON PEEL enters, slowly and pompously.)
Scene 3: Man Seeks to Know
BARON PEEL
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Man seeks to know the truth, about himself, how all his parts make up his whole. Inside a man you can see the kind of life that he led. An upright man who’s strong and steady, who works hard, who remembers the Lord who gave him his life — the humors in such a man run clear and pure. The organs in such a man show not a sign of corruption.
This woman here did not lead an upright existence. She cared for no one. She thought of no one’s pleasure but her own. When we shall cut this woman open we will see that inside her are all of the signs of a wasted life. Her punishment is to reveal to science the good that she can only show us with her death.
The corpse is a she — a right proper murderess. It is not often that we get a young and healthy female in here. A child is six shillings for the first foot and nine pence for each inch for all it measures more in length. But for such a fresh quality female, I seen the price go as high as twenty.
But this body I tell you is so fresh and lovely that I would not dare to leave it alone with you, gentlemen.
(The shroud is removed, revealing the body of SARAH OSBORNE)
(spoken)
Mr. Strang!
(PEEL’s assistant AMBROSE STRANG enters, carrying a tray of surgical instruments.)
Scene 4: Presently I Shall Reveal
BARON PEEL, and AMBROSE STRANG
Presently I shall reveal and explicate the instruments
necessary for our demonstration.
Presently I shall reveal. (Presently he shall reveal.)
Revealing the array instruments and appliances for an anatomy is rather different from doing so before a surgery, in that we can and have no fear that our subject will suddenly jump off the table and bolt off, as so often happens in the operation theater.
BARON PEEL, AMBROSE STRANG, and JOSHUA CROUCH
And
Presently I shall reveal Presently he shall He shall reveal Presently
Scene 5: The instruments / Where is Evil?
BARON PEEL, AMBROSE STRANG, and JOSHUA CROUCH
The instruments commonly required for a practical anatomy are fifteen in number. The instruments are fifteen in number.
The knife, the scissors, the hook, the needle, the blowpipe, the probe, the bellows, the elevator, bone saws, chisels and mallet, bone nippers, a whetstone, and various sponges.
These instruments are required.
BARON PEEL
The knife is the paragon of instruments. The knife is a key.
The knife is the key to the temple of the Lord our god. The knife is the key. It is the knife that makes our art possible. It is the knife that opens the body. Penetrates the flesh. That serves the eye. It is the knife.
ness than with force.
BARON PEEL
Where is evil?
Where is evil?
It is with you
It is in you
In your body
In your face and features
In your blood
In your bones and sinews
You can’t hide it
You can’t stop it
There. There it is. There it is.
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(STRANG starts to move the knife into the cadaver, and time appears to stop)
Scene 6: Cut (instrumental)
Scene 7: Gentlemen, We Have Before Us
BARON PEEL
Gentlemen, we have before us a fresh and exemplary body. This façade of flesh, this empty jewel box, this discarded husk, has been vacated by the evil soul that dwelled therein, which doubtlessly is on a speedy descent to the torture chambers of Hell. Evil must have left its spoor somewhere, and detection of treachery is the purpose of this demonstration. This woman’s depravity not evident on her figure must be conspicuous beneath her skin. Satan always leaves a footprint.
Mr. Strang’s first incision has cut from the diaphragm to the pubis, thus revealing the intestines. The intestines hold no significance for our demonstration, they are merely the conduit for filth. Rather, it is the stomach where we shall first apply our gaze.
BARON PEEL, AMBROSE STRANG, and JOSHUA CROUCH
The knife must be an extension of the anatomist. It must embody his hand and will.
The knife must feel with the sensitivity of his fingertips and see with the acumen of his attentive eye.
As in love, it is sweeter to penetrate the flesh with tenderness than with force.
As in love, it is sweeter to penetrate the flesh with tenderness than with force.
As in love, it is sweeter to penetrate the flesh with tender-
Each part of the animal is unique unto itself and ruled by its own distinctive organization, which corresponds to the realms of heaven and earth. Thus the microcosm and the macrocosm are united. Within the body of a vital being nothing is still or inert. If attentive, we can perceive life’s flow within us.
Nowhere is this more manifest than in the pouch-like receptacle called the stomach. The stomach is of the fiery realm of Vulcan – the heat beneath earth’s mantle.
The stomach speaks – it is the realm of all our appetites; lets us know when we need food, tells us the hour of the day, it acknowledges the presence of evil by indignation causing us to vomit poison in the face of illness and trauma.
It pulverizes ingested food like a mill and ferments juice like a brewer’s vat. Like a wine press the stomach squeezes out precious fluid, cooks it in heat and sends energy to the heart and limbs. While the dregs are conveyed down. The meat is stripped of power and turned to excrement.
On many a hanged man’s stomach I have discovered cankerous ulcers, open drooling sores and raw wounds, which doth bespeak foul deeds and desperate conduct with the certainty of confession.
Mr. Strang, do you have the stomach?
AMBROSE STRANG (spoken)
I have it, honorable Doctor. The stomach has been extracted.
BARON PEEL (spoken)
Mr. Strang, would you kindly examine the organ’s exterior and then bisect it and scrutinize its interior countenance.
(STRANG slices through the stomach, which spills a filthy liquid with chunks in it over the floors. There is the sound of gas escaping. He winces.)
AMBROSE STRANG (spoken)
While the gas and fluid are most detestable – it is normal. The color, texture and surface betray no scarring, disfigurement or grotesque appearance. It is normal. I estimate the weight to be eight ounces. It is a perfect stomach.
BARON PEEL
Gentlemen, to discover nothing at all may be the more telling than to have found something of import. I assure you evil is within this viscera. We can conclude that evil doth not dwell within the stomach of this criminal. Therefore we shall turn to a more probable organ. The spleen. The insidious part within us all which doth produce black bile and thus is naturally the house of melancholy, of moodiness, wrath and gloom.
AMBROSE STRANG (spoken)
Sir, I have had a most intimate interrogation of the spleen and find it without malady of any kind.
BARON PEEL
Fear not, gentlemen of high moral worth, Our quest is far from over. All aspects of the human body interrelate, and illness of the whole is a manifestation of dysfunction in the part.
The body has four fluids known as the humors, and no less. The blood which is hot and wet is produced in our beating hearts, yellow bile, dry and hot, and made in the liver, cold wet phlegm housed in the brain and the black bile of the spleen, correspond to the elements Fire, Air, Earth and Water for the body is made as ‘world in miniature,’ in each part we discover the whole. The blood is fire, it enlivens the spirit. Let us once more breach the fortifications of this body to bring forth the chest’s riches.
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Gentlemen of honorable ambition –Its function is to produce and regulate black bile, the darkest of all the humors. Why should the body require production of fluid so caustic and pernicious?
For the sake of regulation and balance. The body itself is a system –each part does complement all others in equilibrium.
We must be on guard against bodily excesses. These can be remedied by purgings or bleedings. A person is a system of perfect regulation. But what about an unhealthy soul? Is there sign of evil here?
Squeeze it, Strang, and tell us what you find.
Remove the murderess’ heart for a thorough examination. Hold it up so all may see it. The heart is the chief mansion of the soul, the origin of our moral behavior. The first living aspect of man and the last to die.
Strang – hold it up!
(STRANG removes the heart, holds it up, and time stops.)
Scene 8: Clearly / Some Very Strange Light
AMBROSE STRANG
Clearly there is evil here
But not in this unblemished heart
In each of us there are two parts The body and the soul If this body be without defect We must look for evil in the soul I fear we are cutting in the wrong place For evil look to the soul
(STRANG examines the heart, weighs it, measures it, cuts it open, etc., during which time SARAH OSBORNE appears to revive, unnoticed by anyone.)
Scene 9: My Heart
SARAH OSBORNE
My heart. My heart.
This was the heart that loved my children This was the heart that in my youth was open That was betrayed and broken.
How can you know the love that was within it by looking at it cleaved asunder?
(SARAH OSBORNE, still unnoticed, recedes again back into oblivion.)
AMBROSE STRANG (spoken)
The heart in my hand weighs 271 grams, no less. It is firm and utterly unblemished and without corruption. It is a pump, most exquisite.
BARON PEEL (spoken)
NO!
Each part has a function, true, but each function has a meaning. A body is a divine text and as anatomists are charged with its reading. We must elucidate the working of the Creator, or as in this case we must unmask the mischief of the Deceiver. Science and faith are in accord in our grander view of creation.
The acceptance of the supernatural in the body is something more than the result of an act of deliberate reason. It is an act of faith, which owes its origins to a supernatural gift of God, by which the will accepts what is revealed in the heart. Before us is the heart of a soul twisted and most foul, yet its aspect is one of health and strength and betrays not the virulent temperament of a murderess of children. Where is this evil lodged?
Scene 10: Gentlemen, We Have Yet Failed
BARON PEEL
Gentlemen, we have yet failed to reveal the canker of evil within this mortal vessel, but fear not, we shall ascertain it yet. One lair remains which may harbor the spoor of malignancy – the uterus. I have anatomized many females and have established that it is an organ much influenced by the moon and seasons. Thus for our last demonstration we will turn our gaze to this dark part which so deeply influences the female countenance.
BARON PEEL
This certainly is the body’s least governable organ, filled with animal vitality –
JOSHUA CROUCH (spoken)
Animal vitality
BARON PEEL
the very seat of hysteria. The womb, like any animal, possesses an appetite most rapacious. Indeed, you can hear it rumble and growl as it roams about the body. The uterus is the fertile field in which man’s seed doth grow. We all share our origin therein, however, we must recall this organ is ruled by hot blood. What do you find Strang? Is it unwholesome?
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JOSHUA CROUCH (spoken)
The female countenance
BARON PEEL
It seems only right and true to seek the blush of evil here, since it was woman who introduced evil unto the world.
JOSHUA CROUCH (spoken)
Evil unto the world
AMBROSE STRANG (spoken)
It is an object of wonder, yet not unnatural in any aspect. See, Gentlemen, the walls of the uterine chamber are half an inch thick and quite firm in consistence. They are composed of non-striped muscle mingled with fibers which can stretch. They are lined with a membrane of a mucous film. There is nothing abnormal herein.
BARON PEEL (spoken)
My fine Gentlemen, do not despair that our dissection has come to an end and we have as yet failed to find the elusive mark of the devil. Be not disheartened for we have gained much knowledge. We know now where evil is not, and at the break of day we shall renew our distinguished hunt, if not in this subject then in some other. One should not lose sight that necropsy is the foundation of our knowledge of the nature of man. Thus all criminals who are subject to being anatomized after death do in some way advance the greater social cause. Imagine Gentlemen if we good citizens of science were allowed to investigate murderers and thieves before they were hanged. Imagine how noble their contribution would be.
Scene 11: Where is Evil (Reprise)
BARON PEEL
Where is evil? Where is evil?
It is with you
It is in you
In your body
In your face and features
In your blood
In your bones and sinews
You can’t hide it
You can’t stop it
Where is evil?
Where is evil?
It is within you
It is inside you
You can see it
You can touch it with your hand
You can squeeze it
Between your fingers
There. There it is. There it is.
Where is evil?
Where is evil?
Look around you
Look beside you
It is hiding
In the person next to you
It is waiting
Waiting for you
You can’t stop it
It will find you
There. There it is. There it is.
AMBROSE STRANG
Where is evil?
Where is it?
It is with you It is inside you
Find the defect
Find the part that’s broken or grotesque
Within the minds of evildoers
Where is evil?
Where is it?
It is within you It is inside you
To seek wisdom
SARAH OSBORNE
Where is evil? Where is evil?
You looked inside me And failed to see The hunger that was Felt therein
Take my eyes
Take my
Take my lips
Take my
Take my hands
Take my
Take my heart
Where is evil? Where is evil?
Let us search inside us all
Let us try to see The evil that ferments within us And is practiced by our own hands
JOSHUA CROUCH
Where is evil? Where is evil?
It is within you It is inside you
You can see it
You can touch it with your hand
You can squeeze it
Between your fingers
Where is evil? Where is evil?
Look around you
Look beside you
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It is hiding
In the person next to you It is waiting
Waiting for you
We must dissect the source of evil
Where is evil?
Where is it?
It’s not around you
It’s not beside you
Let us search inside us all
Let us try to see
The evil that ferments within us
And is practiced by our own hands
You can’t stop it It will find you
Scene 12: Too Bad The Doctor
JOSHUA CROUCH
Too bad the doctor didn’t find anything peculiar in this woman. Don’t think that will stop him from looking for it.
Do you? Gentlemen?
But we all knows it – cutting up criminals is just a way to
punish them beyond the grave. Not that I give a damn, gentlemen.
I know why most of you are still here. You want further inspection of them parts that have been removed – and those that haven’t yet been removed. You ripe crop of ghouls.
As usual you can meet me by the back gate, gentlemen. Let’s have ourselves a little auction, under the moonlight. And have your money ready, gentlemen.
My love for him turned to contempt and I did meditate the most dreadful revenge on the monster, and made the horrid resolution of murdering him. I did devise to make him drunken, although he always treated me abusively when in this state. As he drank I added laudanum to his gin and soon he was overcome. I ki(lled)… extinguished him by suffocation, once drunken I placed myself on his body and did hold a pillow over his mouth and nose. The deed done I looked up, only to spy my babes watching with wide eyes. I comforted them, put them back to bed and smothered each in turn.
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repeat music under spoken text, cutting off, ad lib, sometime after SARAH says ‘I ki(lled)...’
That p almost penitent istheexpla - na - tion - ofthecrime
Iawait - thefatewhichisdestinedfor
bereceived - into - thatGlory - whichnotonguecanexpress -
(The prisoner SARAH OSBORNE is hanged by the neck until dead. The hangman removes his hood and reveals himself to be the caretaker JOSHUA CROUCH.)
JOSHUA CROUCH
(spoken):
Justice is delivered! My fine fellow citizens, don’t you feel safer now? Won’t you sleep better knowing there is one less evil beating heart in the world? And how exciting, yes. The snap of her neck under the gravitas of her actions. How thrilling! Thank you. Thank you all, citizens, for participating in this public execution of the law.
Now, for those of you who are still concerned about what the future may hold for Sarah Osborne, fear not. Both her body and her soul are on their way to a peaceful rest. I’m jesting, of course. For as the Good Book tells us the soul of this murderess of innocents is on a speedy descent to Hell, to burn in sulfurous and tormenting flames, for all eternity.
As for the body, it has been decreed it shall be subject to an anatomy demonstration, in my own personal theater. I am, your humble servant, Joshua Crouch. Distinguished gentlemen shall be there, my fine fellow citizens, some of them among us even now, in which case, gentlemen, have your money ready. For the rest of you, yes, you, the ruffians, the low prostitutes, thieves, vagabonds, and of course, women, leave the shadow of the gallows now. Return to your mischief, educated I hope by what has transpired in this place. For the grisly expression of the law is not so much to avenge past crime as it is to prevent its recurrence.
And now, for those of you that have money, distinguished gentlemen all, I beg your patience. The body shall be readied before it gets cold. But first, indulge me in a poem:
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For what you are about to see You chose to pay my heavy fee And however you value morality I remind you, not one of you did cry out for her mercy. Not one.
Thank you. And now, as promised, the anatomy lesson will begin.
1a. drum interlude (optional*)
*) If scene 1 and the rest of the opera are staged in separate locations this music can be used to accompany the audience as it moves from one space to the other. See note on staging in the preface. If this music is used it should be memorized. It can be repeated or trimmed as needed, as dictated by the spaces involved.
We are now in the operating theater. We see the outline of the body of SARAH
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CROUCH (spoken):
Now, gentlemen, my fine, young honest gentlemen. I assure you this woman was guilty of the most heinous of crimes, that of being poor and desperate. But when all is said we must admit her greatest crime was that of being born woman. From the day she was born we men lorded over her. We put her to work, we put her in her place, we put her to death.
And no matter, for we are not done with her yet. (laughs)
For tonight gentlemen, we have with us an eminent visiting scholar - Baron Peel. He is a distinguished anatomist of both talent and experience. They say he performed a vivisection on the family dog as a boy of eleven. They say, he is so practiced that two out of three graves in his home province lie empty. They say that he dissected his own father, sister and stillborn child. Post mortem, of course.
Gentlemen - Dr. Peel. (claps)
(BARON PEEL enters, slowly and pompously.)
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(spoken): Mr. Strang!
(PEEL’s assistant AMBROSE STRANG enters, carrying a tray of surgical instruments.)
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very
ominous
—
hold
back all
notes
short,
separated
and
breathy
(
sponges - theseinstru - ments - arerequi - red - the
the
sponges - theseinstru - ments - arerequi - red -
sponges - theseinstru - ments - arerequi - red - the
sponges - theseinstru - ments - arerequi - red - the knife isthekey itisthe p spooky
STRANG starts to move the knife into the cadaver, and time appears to stop.
The music to this scene may be cut to accomodate the theatrical needs of the production. In the original production a film was shown here, which lasted this length.
very
restrained
and
terrifyingly
unemotional (q = 66)
(scrape brake drum throughout: slow and discontinuous)
Open - drooling - sores andrawwoundswhichdothbespeak - fouldeedsand
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STRANG slices through the stomach, which spills a filthy liquid with chunks in it over the floors. There is the sound of gas escaping. He winces.
SPOKEN:
I have it, honorable Doctor. The stomach has been extracted.
sim. sim. sim. sim.
SPOKEN:
Mr. Strang, would you kindly examine the organ's exterior and then bisect it and scrutinize its interior countenance.
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SPOKEN:
While the gas and fluid are most detestable — it is normal. The color, texture and surface betray no scarring, disfigurement or grotesque appearance. It is normal. I estimate the weight to be eight ounces. It is a perfect stomach.
tobringforththechest'sriches - Remove - themurder - ess's - heart fora
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STRANG examines the heart, weighs it, measures it, cuts it open, etc., during which time SARAH OSBORNE appears to revive, unnoticed by anyone.
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While PEEL and STRANG are busy looking at the entrails of the cadaver SARAH begins to sing. rhythmically
mechanical,
like
a
clock but
fragile,
intimate
and
very
tender (q = 72)
STRANG
SARAH OSBORNE, still unnoticed, recedes again back into oblivion.
The heart in my hand weighs 271 grams, no less. It is firm and utterly unblemished and without corruption. It is a pump, most exquisite. (spoken)
(spoken)
PEEL NO!
?
Each part has a function, true, but each function has a meaning A body is a divine text and as anatomists we are charged with its reading. We must elucidate the working of the Creator, or as in this case we must unmask the mischief of the Deceiver. Science and faith are in accord in our grander view of Creation.
The acceptance of the supernatural in the body is something more than the result of an act of deliberate reason. It is an act of faith which owes its origins to a supernatural gift of God, by which the will accepts what is revealed in the heart.
(sounding
perplexed)
Before us is the heart of a soul twisted and most foul, yet its aspect is one of health and strength and betrays not the virulent temperament of a murderess of children. Where is this evil lodged?
& & B ? &
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It is an object of wonder, yet not unnatural in any aspect. See, Gentlemen, the walls of the uterian chamber are half an inch thick and quite firm in consistence. They are composed of non-striped muscle mingled with fibers which can stretch. They are lined with a membrane of a mucous film. There is nothing abnormal herein.
(spoken)
My fine Gentlemen, do not despair that our dissection has come to an end and we have as yet failed to find the elusive mark of the devil. Be not disheartened for we have gained much knowledge. We know now where evil is not, and at the break of day we shall renew our distinguished hunt, if not in this subject then in some other. One should not lose sight that necropsy is the foundation of our knowledge of the nature of man. Thus all criminals who are subject to being anatomized after death do in some way advance the greater social cause. Imagine Gentlemen if we good citizens of science were allowed to investigate murderers and thieves before they were hanged. Imagine how noble their contribution would be.
