deed; what will become of me?

_Enter EARL PERCY._

EARL PERCY. Your orders, sir.

LORD BOSTON. Haste, my good Percy, immediately take command of the
brigade of reinforcement, and fly to the assistance of poor Smith!--Lose
no time, lest they be all cut off, and the Rebels improve their
advantage, and be upon us; and God knows what quarter they'll
give.--Haste, my noble Earl!--Speedily!--Speedily!--Where's my guard?

EARL PERCY. I'm gone, sir.

[_Exeunt PERCY and OFFICERS--drums beating to arms._

LORD BOSTON. What means this flutt'ring round my heart? this unusual
chilness? Is it fear? No, it cannot be, it must proceed from my great
anxiety, my perturbation of mind for the fate of my countrymen. A
drowsiness hangs o'er my eyelids;--fain would I repose myself a short
time;--but I must not;--I must wait;--I'll to the top of yon
eminence,--there I shall be safer. Here I cannot stay;--there I may
behold something favourable to calm this tumult in my breast.--But,
alas! I fear--Guards, attend me.

[_Exeunt LORD BOSTON and GUARDS._

SCENE V. _LORD BOSTON and GUARDS on a hill in Boston, that overlooks
Charlestown._

LORD BOSTON. Clouds of dust and smoke intercept my sight; I cannot see;
I hear the noise of cannon--Percy's cannon--Grant him success!

OFFICER OF GUARD. Methinks, sir, I see British colours waving.

LORD BOSTON. Some ray of hope.--Have they got so near?--Captain, keep a
good lookout; tell me every thing you see. My eyes are wondrous dim.

OFFICER. The two brigades have join'd--Now Admiral Tombstone bellows his
lower tier on the Provincials. How does your Excellency?

LORD BOSTON. Right;--more hope still.--I'm bravely to what I was. Which
way do our forces tend?

OFFICER. I can distinguish nothing for a certainty now; such smoke and
dust!

LORD BOSTON. God grant Percy courage!

OFFICER. His ancestors were brave, sir.

LORD BOSTON. Aye, that's no rule--no rule, Captain; so were mine.--A
heavy firing now.--The Rebels must be very numerous--

OFFICER. They're like caterpillars; as numerous as the locusts of Egypt.

LORD BOSTON. Look out, Captain, God help you, look out.

OFFICER. I do, sir.

LORD BOSTON. What do you see now? Hark! what dreadful noise!

ONE OF THE GUARD. [_Aside._] How damn'd afraid he is.

ANOTHER OF THE GUARD. [_Aside._] He's one of your chimney corner
Generals--an old granny.

OFFICER. If I mistake not, our troops