The Fall of British Tyranny Part 6

MINISTER. Wou'd to G.o.d it may prove false, and that it may vanish like the dew of the morning.

CITIZEN. Beyond a doubt, sir, it's too true.

MINISTER. Perhaps, my friends, you have not heard all.

SELECTMAN. We have heard too much, of the troops and s.h.i.+ps coming over, we suppose you mean; we have not heard more, if more there be.

MINISTER. Then worse I have to tell, tidings which will raise the blood of the patriot, and put your virtue to the proof, will kindle such an ardent love of liberty in your b.r.e.a.s.t.s, as time will not be able to exterminate--

CITIZEN. Pray, let us hear it, I'm all on fire.

SELECTMAN. I'm impatient to know it, welcome or unwelcome.

MINISTER. Such as it is, take it; your charter is annihilated; you are all, all declared rebels; your estates are to be confiscated; your patrimony to be given to those who never labour'd for it; popery to be established in the room of the true catholic faith; the Old South, and other houses of our G.o.d, converted perhaps into nunneries, inquisitions, barracks and common jails, where you will perish with want and famine, or suffer an ignominious death; your wives, children, dearest relations and friends forever separated from you in this world, without the prospect of receiving any comfort or consolation from them, or the least hope of affording any to them.

SELECTMAN. Perish the thought!

CITIZEN. I've heard enough!--To arms! my dear friends, to arms! and death or freedom be our motto!

MINISTER. A n.o.ble resolution! Posterity will crown the urn of the patriot who consecrates his talents to virtue and freedom; his name shall not be forgot; his reputation shall bloom with unfading verdure, while the name of the tyrant, like his vile body, shall moulder in the dust. Put your trust in the Lord of hosts, he is your strong tower, he is your helper and defense, he will guide and strengthen the arm of flesh, and scatter your enemies like chaff.

SELECTMAN. Let us not hesitate.

CITIZEN. Not a single moment;--'tis like to prove a mortal strife, a never-ending contest.

MINISTER. Delays may be dangerous.--Go and awake your brethren that sleep;--rouse them up from their lethargy and supineness, and join, with confidence, temporal with spiritual weapons. Perhaps they be now landing, and this moment, this very moment, may be the last of your liberty. Prepare yourselves--be ready--stand fast--ye know not the day nor the hour. May the Ruler of all send us liberty and life. Adieu! my friends.

[_Exeunt._

SCENE III. _In a street in Boston._

_Frequent town-meetings and consultations amongst the inhabitants;--LORD BOSTON arrives with the forces and s.h.i.+ps;--lands and fortifies Boston._

_WHIG and TORY._

WHIG. I have said and done all that man could say or do.--'Tis wrong, I insist upon it, and time will show it, to suffer them to take possession of Castle William and fortify Boston Neck.

TORY. I cannot see, good sir, of what advantage it will be to them;--they've only a mind, I suppose, to keep their soldiers from being inactive, which may prejudice their health.

WHIG. I wish it may prove so, I would very gladly confess your superior knowledge in military manoeuvres; but till then, suffer me to tell you, it's a stroke the most fatal to us,--no less, sir, but to cut off the communication between the town and country, making prisoners of us all by degrees, and give 'em an opportunity of making excursions, and in a short time subdue us without resistance.

TORY. I think your fears are groundless.

WHIG. Sir, my reason is not to be trifled with. Do you not see or hear ev'ry day of insults and provocations to the peaceable inhabitants? This is only a prelude. Can men of spirit bear forever with such usage? I know not what business they have here at all.

TORY. I suppose they're come to protect us.

WHIG. d.a.m.n such protectors, such cut-throat villains; protect us? from what? from whom?--

TORY. Nay, sir, I know not their business;--let us yet bear with them till we know the success of the pet.i.tion from the Congress;--if unfavourable, then it will be our time.

WHIG. Then, I fear, it will be too late; all that time we lose, and they gain ground; I have no notion of trusting to the success of pet.i.tions, waiting twelve months for no answer at all. Our a.s.semblies have pet.i.tioned often, and as often in vain; 't would be a miracle in these days to hear of an American pet.i.tion being granted; their omnipotences, their demi-G.o.ds.h.i.+ps (as they think themselves) no doubt think it too great a favour done us to throw our pet.i.tions under their table, much less vouchsafe to read them.

TORY. You go too far;--the power of King, Lords and Commons is uncontroulable.

WHIG. With respect to tyrannising they would make it so, if they could, I know, but there's a good deal to be said and done first; we have more than half the bargain to make.

TORY. Sure you would not go to dispute by arms with Great-Britain.

WHIG. Sure I would not suffer you to pick my pocket, sir.

TORY. If I did, the law is open for you--

WHIG. I have but a poor opinion of law, when the devil sits judge.

TORY. What would you do then, sir, if I was to pick your pocket?

WHIG. Break your head, sir--

TORY. Sure you don't mean as you say, sir--

WHIG. I surely do--try me, sir--

TORY. Excuse me, sir, I am not of your mind, I would avoid every thing that has the appearance of rashness.--Great-Britain's power, sir--

WHIG. Great-Britain's power, sir, is too much magnified, 't will soon grow weak, by endeavouring to make slaves of American freemen; we are not Africans yet, neither bond-slaves.--You would avoid and discourage every thing that has the appearance of patriotism, you mean.--

TORY. Who? me, sir?

WHIG. Yes, you, sir;--you go slyly pimping, spying and sneaking about, cajoling the ignorant, and insinuating bugbear notions of Great-Britain's mighty power into weak people's ears, that we may tamely give all up, and you be rewarded, perhaps, with the office of judge of the admiralty, or continental hangman, for ought I know.

TORY. Who? me, sir?

WHIG. Aye, you, sir;--and let me tell you, sir, you've been long suspected--

TORY. Of what, sir?

WHIG. For a rank Tory, sir.

TORY. What mean you, sir?

WHIG. I repeat it again--suspected to be an enemy to your country.

TORY. By whom, sir? Can you show me an instance?

WHIG. From your present discourse I suspect you--and from your connections and artful behaviour all suspect you.

TORY. Can you give me a proof?