(In the distance can be heard the song of the neighbours coming up the hill.)
Chorus (off)
Now! Now! ...
(Peter rises, goes quickly to the street door, and looks out.)
Peter
There's an odd procession here.
Parson and Swallow coming near.
(Suddenly he turns on the boy, who doesn't move.)
Wait! You've been talking.
You and that b**** were gossiping.
What lies have you been telling?
The Borough's climbing up the road.
To get me. Me! O I'm not scared
I'll send them off with a flea in their ear.
I'll show them. Grimes ahoy!
Chorus (off)
...Or are shouted in the wind
Sweeping furious through the land.
Peter
You sit there watching me
And you're the cause of everything
Your eyes, like his are watching me
With an idiot's drooling gaze.
Will you move
Or must I make you dance?
(The boy jumps up and begins dragging nets and other tackle through the cliff door.)
Chorus (off)
Now confronted by the fact.
Bring the branding iron and knife:
What's done now is done for life.
Peter
Step boldly. For here's the way we go to sea
Down the cliff to find that shoal
That's boiling in the sea.
Careful, or you'll break your neck
Down the cliff-side to the deck.
(Rope in hand he drives the boy towards the cliff door.)
Chorus (off)
Now the liars shiver, for
Now if they've cheated we shall know:
We shall strike and strike to kill
At the slander or the sin.
Peter
I'll pitch the stuff down. Come on!
(He pitches ropes and nets.)
Now
Shut your eyes and down you go.
Chorus (off)
Now! Now! ...
(Peter rises, goes quickly to the street door, and looks out.)
Peter
There's an odd procession here.
Parson and Swallow coming near.
(Suddenly he turns on the boy, who doesn't move.)
Wait! You've been talking.
You and that b**** were gossiping.
What lies have you been telling?
The Borough's climbing up the road.
To get me. Me! O I'm not scared
I'll send them off with a flea in their ear.
I'll show them. Grimes ahoy!
Chorus (off)
...Or are shouted in the wind
Sweeping furious through the land.
Peter
You sit there watching me
And you're the cause of everything
Your eyes, like his are watching me
With an idiot's drooling gaze.
Will you move
Or must I make you dance?
(The boy jumps up and begins dragging nets and other tackle through the cliff door.)
Chorus (off)
Now confronted by the fact.
Bring the branding iron and knife:
What's done now is done for life.
Peter
Step boldly. For here's the way we go to sea
Down the cliff to find that shoal
That's boiling in the sea.
Careful, or you'll break your neck
Down the cliff-side to the deck.
(Rope in hand he drives the boy towards the cliff door.)
Chorus (off)
Now the liars shiver, for
Now if they've cheated we shall know:
We shall strike and strike to kill
At the slander or the sin.
Peter
I'll pitch the stuff down. Come on!
(He pitches ropes and nets.)
Now
Shut your eyes and down you go.