By The Bard of Avon
April 26 2002

Stratford on Avon, England, 2002. Playwright and Saints fanatic, Bill Shakespeare looks forward to Saturday. The scene is set. Twickenham, England on a glorious April afternoon. The eve of the battle. Sitting around are various fellows of good worth, discussing the forthcoming events of the day. Enter stage left a man dressed similarly to the host around. This man too is adorned in the Gold, Black & Green but an aura and stubble sets him apart.

This man is the legendary Captain Budge of the Scots.

He clears his throat and steps into the middle of gathering. All around is hushed as he makes his speech.

"This day is called the Powergen Cup Final:
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tiptoe when the day is named,
And rouse him at the name of Twickenham.
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
And say 'To-morrow is Powergen Day:'
Then will he strip up his shirt and show his belly.
And say 'This I filled most grossly on Powergen Day.'
Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot,
But he'll remember with advantages
What feats he did that day: then shall our names.
Familiar in his mouth as household words
Larry the Kick, Jorgy and Wally,
Ben and Bruiser, Archie and Hurricane,
Be in their flowing cups freshly remember'd.
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Powergen Day shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remember'd;
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that drinks his Guinness with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in Northampton now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhood's cheap whiles any speaks
That they were there when the Saints won the Powergen Cup."

The host, inspired by their Captains words, leave in single file down the long tunnel to their destiny.



Bill ye bouy!
Stratford On Avon