II. Be that as it may: your Ensigncy will not be very long coming, if you get it at the fall of Buonaparte.
I. I would give up all my hopes to see him fall; for in taking the crown, he betrayed the cause that raised him to glory.
II. Then I suppose you say, he sold liberty for a crown?
I. Precisely. Look at Cromwell, Sir; the man, like David, after God’s own heart—he reigned without a crown. Look at the Roman republic, Sir—that was sold for a crown. Look to America—no crowns there.
II. If you have such objections to crowns, why wish to fight for them?
I. Indeed, Sir, I am now only—a—talking as it were—a—on public matters. I am as loyal as any man.
II. ’Pon my honour, if opinions upon such subjects were often canvassed in the army, even by men of half your age, they would stand but a poor chance of promotion.
I. Half my age:—how old do you think I am?
II. About fifty-two.
I. What!—Oh, you joke.