the last of your
liberty. Prepare yourselves--be ready--stand fast--ye know not the day
nor the hour. May the Ruler of all send us liberty and life. Adieu! my
friends.

[_Exeunt._

SCENE III. _In a street in Boston._

_Frequent town-meetings and consultations amongst the
inhabitants;--LORD BOSTON arrives with the forces and ships;--lands
and fortifies Boston._

_WHIG and TORY._

WHIG. I have said and done all that man could say or do.--'Tis wrong, I
insist upon it, and time will show it, to suffer them to take possession
of Castle William and fortify Boston Neck.

TORY. I cannot see, good sir, of what advantage it will be to
them;--they've only a mind, I suppose, to keep their soldiers from being
inactive, which may prejudice their health.

WHIG. I wish it may prove so, I would very gladly confess your superior
knowledge in military manoeuvres; but till then, suffer me to tell you,
it's a stroke the most fatal to us,--no less, sir, but to cut off the
communication between the town and country, making prisoners of us all
by degrees, and give 'em an opportunity of making excursions, and in a
short time subdue us without resistance.

TORY. I think your fears are groundless.

WHIG. Sir, my reason is not to be trifled with. Do you not see or hear
ev'ry day of insults and provocations to the peaceable inhabitants? This
is only a prelude. Can men of spirit bear forever with such usage? I
know not what business they have here at all.

TORY. I suppose they're come to protect us.

WHIG. Damn such protectors, such cut-throat villains; protect us? from
what? from whom?--

TORY. Nay, sir, I know not their business;--let us yet bear with them
till we know the success of the petition from the Congress;--if
unfavourable, then it will be our time.

WHIG. Then, I fear, it will be too late; all that time we lose, and they
gain ground; I have no notion of trusting to the success of petitions,
waiting twelve months for no answer at all. Our assemblies have
petitioned often, and as often in vain; 't would be a miracle in these
days to hear of an American petition being granted; their omnipotences,
their demi-godships (as they think themselves) no doubt think it too
great a favour done us to throw our petitions under their table, much
less vouchsafe to read them.

TORY. You go too far;--the power of King, Lords and Commons is
uncontroulable.

WHIG. With re