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MAJOR MOLINEUX
ROBIN
All our important people drift
sooner or later to my ferry landing,
and stand here begging for the moon.
You'll see your cousin. You're well-placed.
I know it. My kinsman's a big man here.
He told me he would make my fortune;
I'll be a partner in his firm,
either here or in London.
FERRYMAN
ROBIN
Settle
for London, that's your
city,
Boy.
Majors are still sterling silver acroSS
the waters. All OUr English born
suddenly seem in love with London.
Your cousin's house here
is
up for sale.
He cares for England.
Rule Britannia,
that's the tune he taught me. I'm
surprised he's leaving.
FERRYMAN
He's surprised!
He seemed to belong here once. He wished
to teach us
Rule Britannia,
but
we couldn't get it through our heads.
He gave us this to keep us singing.
497
(The
FERRYMAN
holds up a boiled lobster.)
ROBIN
You're joking, it's a lobster.
FERRYMAN
No.
Look, it's horny, boiled and red,
It is the Major's spitting image.
(On the other side of the stage,
Two
BRITISH REDCOATS
are seen
marching slowly in step with shouldered muskets.
Rule Britannia
played faintly.)
FERRYMAN
(Pointing to
SOLDIERS)
Here are the Major's chicken lobsters.