In the segment "Meal Ticket", Harrison begins the show with the poem Ozymandias, by Shelley; he then proceeds to quote from Genesis chapter 4 (the story of Cain and Abel), Sonnet 30 by William Shakespeare, Sonnet 29 also by Shakespeare, then ends with the Gettysburg Address, by Abraham Lincoln. When they are collecting contributions from the audience, Harrison is repeating Prospero's speech from "The Tempest", act 4 scene 1 which is also spoken at the end of a performance.
For precious friends hid in death's dateless night,
为了那些长埋在夜台的亲朋,
And weep afresh love's long since cancell'd woe,
哀悼着许多音容俱渺的美艳,
And moan the expense of many a vanish'd sight:
痛哭那情爱久已勾消的哀痛:
Then can I grieve at grievances foregone,
于是我为过去的惆怅而惆怅,
And heavily from woe to woe tell o'er
并且一一细算,从痛苦到痛苦,
The sad account of fore-bemoaned moan,
那许多呜咽过的呜咽的旧账,
Which I new pay as if not paid before.
仿佛还未付过,现在又来偿付。
But if the while I think on thee, dear friend,
但是只要那刻我想起你,挚友,
All losses are restored and sorrows end.
损失全收回,悲哀也化为乌有。
——sonnet 30
When in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes 遭人白眼,命运把我羞辱-
I all alone beweep my outcast state, 只身向隅,为被弃而哀哭,
And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries, 冲聩聩苍天,我徒然惨呼,
And look upon myself, and curse my fate, 反躬自顾,我将厄运咒诅。
Wishing me like to one more rich in hope, 但愿我如某君前程煌煌,
Featur'd like him, like him with friends possess'd, 喜其交际宽广,容颜厮像;
Desiring this man's art, and that man's scope, 机巧者、通达者,我都向往,
With what I most enjoy contented least; -最为欣赏的,希望最渺茫;
Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising, 但这么想,几将自身看轻,
Haply I think on thee,—and then my state, 我陡然想到你,宛若百灵-
Like to the lark at break of day arising 从晦暗的大地冲破黎明,
From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven's gate; 高唱着圣歌在天府门庭。
For thy sweet love remember'd such wealth brings 念及你的柔情富可敌国-
That then I scorn to change my state with kings. 那君王之位算得了什么!
——sonnet 29
4:8该隐与他兄弟亚伯说话、二人正在田间、该隐起来打他兄弟亚伯、把他杀了。
4:9耶和华对该隐说、你兄弟亚伯在哪里.他说、我不知道、我岂是看守我兄弟的吗。
——圣经 创世纪 第四章
and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.