ure greater designs, they have
already produced effects apparently to the advantage of the common
cause, and have obliged the French to desist from their pursuit of the
queen of Hungary, and rather to inquire how they shall return home
than how they shall proceed to farther conquests.

In condemnation of these measures, my lords, it has indeed been urged,
that a moderate conduct is always eligible; and that nothing but ruin
and confusion can be expected from precipitation and temerity.
Moderation, my lords, is a very captivating sound; but I hope it will
have now no influence on this assembly; because on this occasion it
cannot properly be employed. I have always been taught, that
moderation is only useful in forming determinations or designs, but
that when once conviction is attained, zeal is to take place; and when
a design is planned, it ought to be executed with vigour.

The question is not now, my lords, whether we shall support the queen
of Hungary, but in what manner she shall be supported; and, therefore,
it cannot be doubted, but that such support should be granted her as
may be effectual; and I believe it will not be thought, that we can
assist her without exerting an uncommon degree of vigour, and showing,
that we consider ourselves as engaged in a cause which cannot be
abandoned without disgrace and ruin.

If the noble lord had, before he entered upon his encomium on
moderation, considered what effects could be promised from his
favourite virtue, he would have had no inclination to display his
eloquence upon it. By moderation, my lords, uninterrupted moderation
of more than twenty years, have we become the scorn of mankind, and
exposed ourselves to the insults of almost every nation in the world.
By moderation have we betrayed our allies, and suffered our friendship
to lose all its value; by moderation have we given up commerce to the
rapacity of an enemy, formidable only for his perseverance, and
suffered our merchants to be ruined, and our sailors to be enslaved.
By moderation have we permitted the French to grasp again at general
dominion, to overrun Germany with their armies, and to endanger again
the liberties of mankind; and by continuing, for a very few years, the
same laudable moderation, we shall probably encourage them to shut up
our ships in our harbour, and demand a tribute for the use of the
Channel.

I need not observe to your lordships, that all the great actions that
have, in all ages, b