This Above All Page #9

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a flower to analyze it.

If I said it was Shakespeare and thatched

roofs and the countryside, he'd laugh.

If I said it was speakers in Hyde Park,

free to say what they wish...

and polite bobbies

at the corners...

and those cliffs over there, and Drake

alive in memory, he'd laugh again.

If I said England was the New Forest

deep in ferns and holly trees-

If I said it was May blossoms rich in spring

and bluebells like a Godsent carpet-

the rain and the shine

and the green of our blessed land-

If I said it was the larks

that will sing here tomorrow...

high in the sun,

tomorrow and forever...

or the shout of a newsboy at the corner,

the sound of a taxi horn...

or the age and dignity

of our cities-

If I said it was all those things, he'd laugh

because words have said it so often before.

If I said it was all those things, he'd laugh

because words have said it so often before.

If I tried to say it was all the things

that make the pride and joy...

and gentle gladness

of our people...

I'd use words badly and shame the things

themselves by doing so.

I couldn't tell him if he won't see

beyond the emptiness of words.

But I could make him see.

England! It's- It's Monty and the boys

coming up the road from Douai.

It's you, Clive,

helping the weaker men into the boats...

instead of getting in themselves.

Whatever this man is, blood and bone,

mind and heart and spirit...

England made him, every part of him.

Even if he doesn't understand

the other things, he would understand that.

When he says the word "England,"

it must be for him as it is for me-

like music that's rich

beyond the power of music.

Those are the things,

and he must go back and fight for them...

because that's England too-

knowing that we'll never be beaten,

knowing that we won't give in!

We won't! We just won't!

I'm sorry, Clive. It's- It's just something

I feel so terribly strongly about.

Oh, I'm sorry, mum.

Excuse me. I thought you was gone too.

Gone too?

Clive!

Clive!

"... and I would no more attempt

to destroy what you believe...

"than I would tell a child

that Father Christmas did not exist.

"Where I'm going,

I don't know, and I don't care.

"I'm tired. I want to say

how decent you were.

"I wish I'd been more decent to you.

"Good-bye, and our coming

from the darkness...

"into the light ofknowing each

other was very, very sweet.

Shall we meet again after

all this is over? I hope so. "

Yes?

Have you heard anything

from Briggs?

Sorry, sir.

But I'm still hoping.

Thank you, Corporal.

Yes, go ahead.

It's up to you now. Yes.

All right. Thank you.

Take this down, will you?

Clive Briggs, Private, 226567-

- Where are you making for, chum?

- Next town.

Well, I turn off

before Petersfield...

but I can take you as far

as the Bluebridge Crossroads.

- Come on. Hop in.

- Thanks.

- What's that?

- A military barrier.

They got the wind up-

all these parachuting spy scares.

Better get your card out.

- Where are you for, mate?

- Guildford.

Identity cards, please. Here,

who was that? Hey, where're you going?

Hey, come back herel

Corporall

Corporal of the guard!

Turn out the guard! This way!

- Who was that?

- Don't ask me. I picked him up on the road.

Spoke quite decent English too.

Come on. This way. Over here.

Here, now. What's this? Hey, you!

Wake upl

What are you doing here?

I'm talking to you!

What're you doing here?

I was just sleeping here.

I'm on a walking trip.

Where's your haversack?

You can go on a walking trip

without a haversack.

No, you don't!

There's a spy scare around here.

We got it from

the soldiers last night.

- You better come along and explain yourself.

- Don't be silly.

Here, you.

What're you trying to do?

- Yes?

- I'm sorry to trouble you. I've had a slight accident.

I don't think it's much,

but it doesn't stop bleeding.

I wonder if you'd be kind enough

to bind it up for me.

- All right. Come in.

- Thank you.

It's silly. I had a fall

from my motorbike. Tire burst.

- Sit down. I'll be with you in a minute.

- Thank you.

You really ought to have it stitched.

They'd have done it

much better at the hospital.

Yes, I know.

But I hadn't time to find the hospital.

- I'm in rather a hurry.

- Where'd you say you left your motorcycle?

At a garage.

They're putting it right.

- On the Midhurst Road?

- Yes.

This is going to hurt a little.

Mum! Mum! Did you

see them go by, Mum?

- Did I see who go by?

- The police.

There's been a fight, Mum. A spy!

Who told you that?

They telephoned from Dunston,

and Mr. Robinson told the teacher.

They found a spy in Mr. Bristow's barn.

They had an awful fight,

and he got away.

Go and get your lunch, Jackie.

Oh, yes, Mum.

- You, um, hadn't time to find the hospital?

- No.

It's on the Midhurst Road,

half a mile from here.

You must've gone right past it.

You couldn't have missed it.

- Y-Yes, but-but I-

- I'm sorry.

I'll have to telephone the police.

I know what you're thinking.

But will you believe me

when I tell you that I'm not a spy?

Honestly, I'm not.

I was sleeping in a barn.

A man tried to stop me from leaving.

And I had to fight him.

That's all.

Will you give me just 10 minutes?

Then you can do whatever you like.

You must have this dressed again.

- It really needs a stitch.

- Will you give me 10 minutes?

There. That's the best I can do.

Now, you'd better go.

I, uh, wish I could thank you.

I've used your bandages and everything.

That's all right. It's my duty.

- And it's your duty to tell the police?

- Yes.

- Well, good-bye and thank you again.

- Good-bye.

Bed number seven. First floor.

- How much?

- Tenpence.

- One night, please.

- Bath?

- No.

- Identity card please.

- Here you are.

- Bed number 10.

- First floor.

- Righto.

Bed for one night

please, and bath.

- Identity card please.

- I'm afraid I lost it.

You know the law.

Have you reported it to the police?

Yes, but I haven't got

my new one yet.

- Well, they must've given you something.

- Never mind. Don't trouble.

#Take us there on the road

The road we love to roam #

#And we'll never ever

worry any more #

# Where the pipers play

and the kilties sway #

#A- marching through the glen #

#Take us where the heather

blooms forevermore #

#When we march, march along

the road that leads to home #

# Then we'll never ever

worry any more #

#There's a road

that leads us homeward #

# To the land

where we were bred #

#It's a road we're proud to say

that only British feet can tread #

# Let us march down the road

our fathers marched before #

#And we'll never

ever worry any more #

# When we march-##

Well, maybe they haven't got the uniforms,

but they have got the spirit.

Look. There's Harry Gates,

the poacher marching with Sir George.

Ah, poachers is the men

for the home guard, sir.

They know this country- every inch.

- Well, I must be getting along.

- How's business these days, Sergeant?

Not so good, sir.

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