General Gage, the last royal governor of Massachusetts, arrived in Boston May, 1774, and remained until October, 1775, when he was succeeded by Major General Howe. The siege of Boston began with the arrival of Washington before the city, early in July, 1775, and continued until Howe was forced to evacuate the city, the following March. Gage's incompetency was admitted even by his own countrymen. He was narrow-minded, and prejudiced, and unable to estimate justly the forces that were against him. His only argument was force and dictatorial interference.
[72] This and the following line not in edition of 1775.
[73] To fight for Britons against Englishmen.—Ed. 1775.
In such damn'd service to harass my brain.—Ed. 1786.
[74] Four lines of the original edition omitted:
"North take advice, thy lucky genius show,
Dismiss a legate to the world below,
Sir Belzebub, for aid like thine we sue,
Send up the damned and let them help me too."
A life like mine is of such mighty worth,
I'll wrong my king if I should sally forth.
[76] This and the following line is not in edition of 1775.
[77] Some trophy of my tedious victory.—Ed. 1775.