The Magna Carta

A certain German one said, Dutch tough England. And a certain Frenchman said, A nation of shopkeepers. And an Italian added. In England there are sixty different religions, and only one source. And finally an Englishman.

This fortress built by nature for herself against infection and the hand of war. This happy breed of men. This little world, this precious stone, set in the silver sea. which serves it in the office of a wall or as a moat defensive to a house against the envy of less happy lands.

This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England. There you have it, soldier, from the states, four views of England. What will you have, soldier? Well, I take a beer, but in England, the beer is warm.

They like it that way. They drive to the left. An English custom? They're coffee. Yes? Well, it ain't coffee. I admire your restraint. Of course, R-T isn't T. Oh, granted, I'll tell you another thing.

Confidentially, this place is lousy with tradition. I see like Westminster Abbey. That's a ticket. Or the Tower of London. Uh-huh. Or Magna Carta. Mmm. I don't know about that. Better leave Magna Carta alone. I see.

You're a scholar. Ah, plumbers helper. Sure, that's what I was. Did you ever hear the plumbers code? Well, Section 26 is the magna-cotta of the plumbing business. Let me say it to you. You're not now, soldier.

I'm going to tell you something of the first magna-cotta. Is that so? Ain't you gonna wear fancy clothes? Not even a ruffle. Oh, will you tell it like in the moon pictures? Gadsooks and fursuits and stuff like that?

Not if I want to get paid, I won't. Just sit back and listen, soldier. For no matter your name and accent or where your father was born, in a sense England is your ancestral home. This is your tongue and this your habit and your beginning.