OCKLAW. True, my Lord, what is a Bishop without faith? This is the
grandest stroke of religious circumvention that ever was struck.--I've
done, my Lord.

PARAMOUNT. Very well, you'll not fail to meet the privy council here
this evening; in the mean time you'll go and search the statutes for
other precedents to strengthen the cause; and remember I have enjoin'd
you to secrecy.

MOCKLAW. Depend upon it, my Lord, I cannot prove ungrateful to your
Lordship, nor such an enemy to myself.

[_Exit MOCKLAW._

SCENE III. LORD PARAMOUNT [_solus_].

This Mocklaw is a cursed knowing dog, and I believe the father of
Brazen; how readily he found an old act of parliament to my purpose, as
soon as I told him I would make it worth his study; and the thoughts of
a pension will make him search his old worm-eaten statute books from the
reign of King Arthur down to this present time; how he raises objections
too to make me think his mind is ever bent on study to serve me. The
shaking of the treasury keys is a fine bait. [_Rings the bell._]
Charters, magna chartas, bill of rights, acts of assembly, resolves of
congresses, trials by juries (and acts of parliament too) when they make
against us, must all be annihilated; a suspending power I approve of,
and of royal proclamations.

[_Enter CHARLEY._

CHARLEY. I wait your Lordship's orders.

PARAMOUNT. Write a number of cards, and see that the Lords of the privy
council, and Mr. Judas, be summoned to give their attendance this
evening at six o'clock, at my Pandemonium.

CHARLEY. I'm gone, my Lord.

[_Exit CHARLEY._

PARAMOUNT [_solus_].

How do we shew our authority? how do we maintain the royal prerogative?
keep in awe the knowing ones of the opposite party, and blind the eyes
of the ignorant multitude in Britain? Why, by spirited measures, by an
accumulation of power, of deception, and the shaking of the keys, we
may hope to succeed, should that fail, I'll enforce them with the
pointed bayonet; the Americans from one end to the other shall submit,
in spite of all opposition; I'll listen to no overtures of
reconciliation from any petty self-constituted congress, they shall
submit implicitly to such terms as I of my royal indulgence please to
grant. I'll shew them the impudence and weakness of their resolves, and
the stre