UNT. Aye, but I wish he was as blind too, as Sampson was.--Well
Charley, we have been dispos'd to be a little merry with this ridiculous
parade, this high life below stairs. I wish you had begun your
description a little sooner, before they were all gone; the looks of
these wiseacres afford us some mirth, tho' we despise them and their
politics, and it's not unlikely it may end in blood--Be it so, I'm
prepar'd for the worst.

CHARLEY. Rather so, my Lord, than submit to such rascals.

PARAMOUNT. I'll give up my life first for a sacrifice.

[_Exit CHARLEY._

SCENE V.

_Enter MOCKLAW, POLTRON, HYPOCRITE, CATSPAW, BRAZEN, JUDAS._ [_All
seated._]

PARAMOUNT. My Lords and Gentlemen, it seems opposition to our measures
are making hasty strides; the discontented faction, the supporters and
encouragers of rebellion, and whole hearts are tainted therewith, seem
bent, if possible, on the destruction of Britain, and their own
aggrandisement. Are not the daily papers filled with treasonable
resolves of American congresses and committees, extracts of letters,
and other infamous pieces and scurrilous pamphlets, circulating with
unusual industry throughout the kingdom, by the enemies of Britain,
thereby poisoning the minds of our liege subjects with their detestable
tenets?--And did you not this day see the procession, and that vile
miscreant Lord Patriot at their head, going to St. James's with their
remonstrance, in such state and parade as manifestly tended to provoke,
challenge and defy majesty itself, and the powers of government? and yet
nothing done to stop their pernicious effects.--Surely, my Lords and
Gentlemen, you must agree with me, that it is now become highly
expedient that an immediate stop should be put to such unwarrantable and
dangerous proceedings, by the most vigorous and coercive measures.

MOCKLAW. I entirely agree with your Lordship, and was ever firmly of
opinion, that licentiousness of every kind (particularly that of the
Press) is dangerous to the state; the rabble should be kept in awe by
examples of severity, and a proper respect should be enforced to
superiors. I have sufficiently shewn my dislike to the freedom of the
Press, by the examples I have frequently made (tho' too favourable) of
several Printers, and others, who had greatly trespassed, and if they
still persist, other measures should be taken with them, which the laws
will point out;