But
however the king and his ministers may settle the question of his
dignity and his rights, I thought it became me, by vigilance and
foresight, to take care of yours: I thought I ought rather to lighten
the ship in time than expose it to a total wreck. The conduct pursued
seemed to me without weight or judgment, and more fit for a member for
Banbury than a member for Bristol. I stood, therefore, silent with grief
and vexation, on that day of the signal shame and humiliation of this
degraded king and country. But it seems the pride of Ireland, in the day
of her power, was equal to ours, when we dreamt we were powerful too. I
have been abused there even for my silence, which was construed into a
desire of exciting discontent in England. But, thank God, my letter to
Bristol was in print, my sentiments on the policy of the measure were
known and determined, and such as no man could think me absurd enough to
contradict. When I am no longer a free agent, I am obliged in the crowd
to yield to necessity: it is surely enough that I silently submit to
power; it is enough that I do not foolishly affront the conqueror; it is
too hard to force me to sing his praises, whilst I am led in triumph
before him,--or to make the panegyric of our own minister, who would put
me neither in a condition to surrender with honor or to fight with the
smallest hope of victory.
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