Sir John. Of their Stupidity rather. I am bound to forgive an Enemy, but know of no Injunction human or divine, that enjoins me to trust that Enemy a second Time, and put the Snake in my Bosom.
Broad. Sir John, you shall never have Cause for making the Application here. If I can’t serve with Honour, I am a free Agent, and shall make use of the Freedom I was born to. I will fling up my P—— the Moment I find I can’t keep it consistent with my Duty to my Country.
Over. There spoke the Genius of old England.
Blunt. Like that noble Patriot, who flung up not long since, that he might not share in the Guilt and Odium of the Company he kept.
Broad. And that noble Patriot is heartily with us in the present Change. I hope you will think that his Presence should be enough to keep us all in Countenance.
Sir John. There is not a Man alive has a better Opinion of that great Man than myself; but shou’d he tell me of Times and Seasons for redressing Grievances, I should alter my Opinion of him, and think him infected by the Air of the C—t. But that Patriot Englishman is uncapable of so great Baseness and Folly. He knows that War Time is the properest for enquiring into the Misconduct of the War; and I hope for that Reason, he and all his Friends will encourage an Inquiry into the Miscarriage at Carthagena, and into the more dishonourable Misconduct last Year at the Hieres. I hope likewise he and you will promote a strict Inspection into the Management of our Land War.
Blunt. You mean the H—n War. I am sure we are no otherwise concerned in it, than to have the Honour of defraying its Expence.
Sir John. Be our Concern what it will, it ought to have been managed with some Decency, if not with Vigour and Prudence. But ever since the Commencement, it has been carried on ingloriously for the Nation, and scandalously for those who had the Conduct of it. And should such wrong-headed or corrupt Agents go unpunish’d or unexamin’d at least, it will be setting such an Example of national Lenity, as may prove fatal in the Day of Necessity.
Blunt. National Lenity! Ah, Sir John, you were wont to call Things by their right Names—— What shall we call the Lenity shewn to the late Arch-delinquent?
Over. The Duce! what would the Man have; was not there a S—t C—ee appointed?