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MAJOR MOLINEUX
ROBIN
Look at the Colonel,
his whole face is red as blood!
MAN WITH MASK
Major Molineux is coming.
CLERGYMAN
Are you sure we're strong enough?
MAN WITH MASK
CROWD
ROBIN
Every British soldier in Boston
is killed or captured.
Don't tread on me!
Don't tread on me! Don't tread on me!
What can I do to help my kinsman?
CLERGYMAN
Swap your flag and save your soul.
ROBIN
I want to save my kinsman, Father.
CLERGYMAN
No, no, Son, do as I do. Here, hold
this flag a moment, while I speak.
579
(The
CLERGYMAN
hands
ROBIN
his Rattlesnake flag, tosses away the
whirligig, breaks his clay pipe, then takes a chair and stands on it while
he addresses the crowd with both hands raised. Throughout the crowd
scene,
ROBIN
stands unconsciously holding the flag and suffering.)
How long, how long now, Men of Boston!
You've faced the furious tyrant's trident,
you've borne the blandishments of Sodom.
The Day of Judgement is at hand,
now we'll strip the scarlet whore,
King George shall swim in scarlet blood,
Now Nebuchadnezzar shall eat grass.
How long! How long! 0 Men of Boston,
behave like men, if you are men!
( The people cheer and take the
CLERGYMAN
on their shoulders.)
You've drawn the sword, Boys, throwaway
the scabbard!