Trinity Journal of Literary Translation
Prologue
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169
trans. Nicholas Johnson
Westminster Palace. Chamber of the English House of Lords. The prologue can be played
in simple fashion in front of the curtain. In the middle the woolsack, on which the LORD CHANCELLOR sits. Right and left, chairs for LORD BYRON and LORD CASTLEREAGH. In the first row of the gallery, the OTHER LORDS. The actor playing JIMMY can perform
in LORD BYRON’S costume, while the actor playing URE is in the costume of LORD CASTLEREAGH.
LORD CHANCELLOR
A Government Bill: To sentence to death those who destroy the machines. The bill
was adopted by a large majority at first reading. We take up the second and third readings today. The house recognizes Lord Byron. LORD BYRON
You all know, my Lords, the deeds of the destroyers. The workingmen have joined forces
To wield violence and instigate rebellion. Who taught them how to do this?
Who undermined the welfare of the land? — The politics of the great men!
The politics of the robber wars!
The politics of great heroes told of in your books, The politics that cursed all living souls!— How can you wonder, my Lords,
When in these times of embezzlement and extortion, Theft and greed, what a gross mold begins to flower Watered by our higher classes?
The masses in their monstrous misery
Forget their civic duty, and then we call them guilty. But if we compare their guilt with what we do
Day after day in Parliament — what is the difference? The higher-ranking wrongdoers have the means To slip through the loopholes in the laws.
The worker alone atones for our trespasses That take away his daily bread.
