Pacific Overtures

Bowler Hat

Pacific Overtures


KAYAMA 
(picking up a derby) 
It's called a bowler hat. 
I have no wife. 
The swallow flying through the sky 
Is not as swift as I 
Am, flying through my life. 
You pour the milk before the tea. 
The Dutch ambassador is no fool. 
I must remember that. 

I wear a bowler hat. 
They send me wine. 
The house is far too grand. 
I've bought a new umbrella stand. 
Today I visited the church beside the shrine. 
I'm learning English from a book. 
Most exciting. 
It's called a bowler hat. 

(bringing out a watch) 
It's called a pocket watch. 
I have a wife. 
No eagle flies against the sky 
As eagerly as I 
Have flown against my life. 
One smokes American cigars. 
The Dutch ambassador was most rude. 
I will remember that. 

I wind my pocket watch. 
We serve white wine. 
The house is far too small. 
I killed a spider on the wall. 
One of the servants thought it was a lucky sign. 
I read Spinoza every day. 
Formidable. 
Where is my bowler hat? 

(putting a monocle to his eye) 
It's called a monocle. 
I've left my wife. 
No bird exploring in the sky 
Explores as well as I 
The corners of my life. 
One must keep moving with the times. 
The Dutch ambassador is a fool. 
He wears a bowler hat. 

(putting on a pair of glasses) 
They call them spectacles. 
I drink much wine. 
I have a house up in the hills 
I've hired British architects to redesign. 
One must accomodate the times 
As one lives them. 
One must remember that. 

(holding up a tailcoat) 
It's called a cutaway …