Monologue

Bishop Hardbrooke Monologue from The Americans

From The Americans by Edwin Davies Schoonmaker

male · philosophical · 1:53 min

Harry, We've come to see if something can't be done To end this controversy and bring peace, An honorable peace to all concerned. A permanent state of strife is far from pleasant. There's nothing sadder in the life of man Than to see towns disrupted, classes arrayed Against each other, to say nothing, Harry, Of this far dearer tie that's straining here, That pains us all far more than we can tell. We've often had these troubles in the Church, Mostly in the past, of course, men differing Upon some point of doctrine or government. And my experience is that at the bottom There's something that at first was overlooked, Then, in the strife that followed, overwhelmed. There's common ground, there must be in these things. Look at the world; we pass along the street. We don't confront each other and block the way. Each yields a bit and so we all pass on. And in relationships it must be the same. We're one, my brother. (RALPH ARDSLEY: Like our fingers here.) And when we're not, when interests seem to clash, It's just as sure as Death or anything Some law of God is being tampered with. And so we thought we'd come---- (RALPH ARDSLEY: And now's the time.) For, as you know, in town the feeling's growing That there's a sword impending over us Which the least breath will bring down on our heads.

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