Sir John. I fear that was Part of the Plan; and if so, we are undone, unless we are saved by the Virtue and Steadiness of those whom the People have confided in all along, and rais’d at last.
Broad. You need not fear them.
Sir John. I would not willingly suspect Men, who owe more to their Constituents, than those they have all along opposed. On a Supposition that these had purchas’d, no matter how infamously, they assum’d a Sort of Right to reimburse themselves at the Expence of the Venders. But you Patriots have no such colourable Claim for disserving those who spontaneously chose you their Attornies with no private Views in the World, or any Views but such as tend to the Good of the Community in general.
Over. Gad, my dear Broady, you ought to be doubly cursed, nay doubly d—n’d, should you not earnestly and truly serve those that had gratuitously vested you with ample Power over their Persons, Lands, Goods, Chattels, Wives and Bairns.
Rose. And Hounds and Hunters; ha, ha!
Blunt. And Tythes and Dues, my laughing Vicar—Is the Liberty of a free People a fit Subject for Laughter? Is not our All at Stake at this critical Juncture? Should those who have been always our reputed Friends, join with those who were always deem’d our Enemies, what shall become of us? What shall we do?
Over. I’ll tell you; unite, and join against both.
Sir John. I should not wonder if a general Union against all secret and open Enemies would be the Consequence of any signal Misconduct or Defection in those lately ingrafted. For after such repeated Experience as the People have had of the Power of C—— Infection, it may be expected they would go greater Lengths than might be agreeable to the Authors of their Despair. ’tis dangerous to push a sensible People too far.
Over. Pshaw! brag not too much of your Sensibility, I beseech you, after such Provocations as you have had since the Septennial Y——e has been upon your Necks. Gad! they are as tame as my Chesnut after a Morning’s Chase.
Sir John. They are observant of the Laws, and I hope they will always continue so.