University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

A room in Walpole's house. Pictures on the wall. A large table with books, papers, &c.
Walpole and Veasey seated.
WALPOLE.
And so Nithsdale's escaped! His wife's mantle and gown;
Well—ha, ha! let us hope he's now out of this town,
And in safer disguise than my lady's attire,
Gliding fast down the Thames—which he'll not set on fire.

VEASEY.
All your colleagues are furious.

WALPOLE.
Ah yes; if they catch him,
Not a hand from the crown of the martyr could snatch him!
Of a martyr so pitied the troublesome ghost
Would do more for his cause than the arms of a host.
These reports from our agents, in boro' and shire,
Show how slowly the sparks of red embers expire.
Ah! what thousands will hail in a general election
The wild turbulent signal for—

VEASEY.
Fresh insurrection.

WALPOLE
(gravely).
Worse than that;—Civil War!—at all risk, at all cost,
We must carry this bill, or the nation is lost.

VEASEY.
Will not Tory and Roundhead against it unite?

WALPOLE.
Every man has his price; I must bribe left and right.
So you've failed with Bellair—a fresh bait we must try.
As for Blount—

Enter Servant.
SERVANT.
Mr Blount.

WALPOLE.
Pray admit him. Good-bye.

(Exit Veasey).