languidly hold down her
head, and become first a prey to a vile Pretender, and then be subject
to the ravagers of Europe. I love the Americans, because they love
liberty. Liberty flourishes in the wilds of America. I honour the plant,
I revere the tree, and would cherish its branches. Let us, my friends,
join hands with them, follow their example, and endeavour to support
expiring liberty in Britain; whilst I have a tongue to speak, I will
support her wherever found; while I have crutches to crawl with, I will
try to find her out, and with the voice of an archangel will demand for
a sacrifice to the nation those miscreants who have wickedly and
wantonly been the ruin of their country. O Liberty! O my Country!

LORD RELIGION. O Religion! O Virtue! whither art thou fleeing? O thou
Defender of the Faith? O ye mighty Lords and Commons! O ye deluded
Bishops, ye learned props of our unerring church, who preach up
vengeance, force and fire, instead of peace! be wise in time, lest the
Americans be driven to work out their own salvation without fear or
trembling.

[_Exeunt._

SCENE II.

LORD PATRIOT, BOLD IRISHMAN, COLONEL.

BOLD IRISHMAN.

That Brazen Lawyer,[7] that Lord Chancellor, that wou'd be, held forth
surprisingly last night, he beat the drum in your ears, brother soldier.

COLONEL. I think he did; he beat a Tatoo for us all.

LORD PATRIOT. No politicians, but lawyer politicians, it seems will go
down; if we believe him, we must all turn lawyers now, and prate away
the liberties of the nation.

COLONEL. Aye, first we must learn to rail at the clamourous faction,
disappointed politicians--ever restless--ever plotting--constantly
thwarting government, in laudable and blameable purposes.--Inconsiderable
party--inconsistent in their own politics--hostile to all government,
soured by disappointment, and urged by want--proceeding to unjustifiable
lengths--and then sound the magnanimity of a British senate, animated by
the sacred fire caught from a high-spirited people--

BOLD IRISHMAN. And the devil knows what beside--Magnanimity and sacred
fire, indeed!--Very magnanimous sounds, but pompous nothings! Why did he
not tell us where was the magnanimity of the British senate at the time
of the dispute about Falkland's Island? What sort of fire animated them
then?--Where was the high spirit of the people?--Strange sort of fire,
and strange sort of spirit, t