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441 [LAYCOCK, John.] The Fall of British Tyranny; or,
American Liberty Triumphant. THE FIRST CAMPAIGN.
A Tragi-Comedy of Five Acts, as lately planned at the
Royal Theatrum Pandemonium at St. James's. The
principal place of action in America. 8vo, boards.
.


THE
F ALL
OF
BRITISH TYRANNY:
OR
AMERICAN LIBER TY
R Y
TRIUMPHAN T.
THE FIRST CAMPAIGN.
A TRAGI-COMEDY OF FIVE ACTS,
AS LATELY PLANNED
AT THE ROYAL THEATRUM PAN DEMONIUM,
AT ST. JAMES's.
THE PRINCIPAL PLACE OF ACTION IN AMERICA,
PUBLISH'D ACCORDING TO ACT OF PARLIAMENT.
Quis furor ô cives ! quæ tanta licentia ferri?
LUCAN. lib. 1. ver. 8.
What blind, detefted madneſs could afford
Such horrid licence to the murd'ring ſword ?
Rowe.
PHILADELPHIA:
PRINTED BY STYNER AND CIST, IN SECOND-STREET,
NEAR ARCH-STREET. MDCCLXXVI.

ITALIA
KOT
STORE
TS
L

THE DEDICATION.
To Lord Boston, and the Remnant of the Actors,
Merry Andrews, and ſtrolling Players, in Boſton,
Lord KIDNAPPER, and the reſt of the Pirates and
Buccaneers, and the innumerable and never-end-
ing Clan of Macs and Donalds upon Donalds,
in America.
MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN,
UNDERSTANDING you are vaſtly fond of
plays and farces, and frequently exhibit them for your
own amuſement, and the laudable purpoſe of ridiculing
your maſters (the Yankees, as you call 'em) it was ex-
peeted you would have been polite enough to have favoured
the world, or America at leaſt, (at whoſe expence you
aet them) with ſome of your play-bills, or with a ſample
of your compoſition.
Iſhall however not copy your churliſhneſs, but dedicate
the following Tragi-Comedy to your patronage, and for
your future entertainment; and as the moſt of you
have already aɛted your particular parts of it, both
comic and tragic, in reality at Lexington, Bunker's-hill,
the Great-Bridge, &c. &c. &c. to the very great
applauſe of yourſelves, tho' not of the whole houfe, no
doubt you will preſerve the marks, or memory of it, as long
as you live, as it is wrote in capital American characters
and letters of blood on your poſteriors: And however ſome
Wbigs may cenſure you for your affected mirth (as they
term

[ 17
term it, in the deplorable ſituation you are now in, like bogs
in a pen, and in want of elbow room) yet I can by no,
means agree with them, but think it a proof of true heroiſm
and philoſophy, to endeavour to make the beſt of a bad
bargain, and laugh at yourſelves, to prevent others from
laughing at you; and tho you are deprived of the uſe of
your teeth, it is no reaſon you ſhould be bereaved of the
uſe of your tongues, your eyes, your ears, and your riſible
faculties and powers. That would be cruel indeed! after
the glorious and fatiguing campaign you have made, and
the many ſignal viktories obtained over whole berds of
cattle and ſwine, routing flocks of ſheep, lambs and geeſes
ſtorming ben-rooſts, and taking them priſoners, and thereby
raiſing the glory of Old England to a pitch ſhe never knew
before. And ye Macs, and ye Donalds upon Donalds, go on
and may our gallows-bills and liberty poles be honour'd and
adorn’d with ſome of your beads : Why ſhould Tyburn and
Temple-bar make a monopoly of fo valuable a commodity ?
Wiſhing you abundance of entertainment in the re-acting
this Tragi-Comedy, and of which I ſhould be proud to take
you, tho' I have reaſon to think you would
not of choice let me come within three hundred yards of
your ſtage, leſt I ſhould rob you of your laurels, receive
the clap of the whole houſe, and paſs for a ſecond Garrick
among you, as you know I always act with applauſe, Speak
bold---point blank---off hand---and without a prompter.
I am, My Lords and Gentlemen Buffoons,
Your always ready humble ſervant,
DICK RIFLE.
THE
>
a part with

[v]
THЕ РRЕFACE.
1
SI
,
9
60
OLOMON ſaid, “ Oppreſſion makes a wiſe
man mad:” but what would he have ſaid, had
he lived in theſe days, and ſeen the oppreſſion of
the people of Boſton, and the diſtreſſed ſituation of
the inhabitants of Charlestown, Falmouth, Stonning-
ton, Briſtol, Norfolk, &c. Would he not have
ſaid, “The tongue of the ſucking child cleaveth
$6 to the roof of his mouth for thirſt; the young
56 children aſk for bread, but no man breaketh it un-
" to them?” “They that did feed delicately, periſh
,
" in the ſtreets; they that were brought up in ſcar-
let, embrace the dung.” What would he have ſaid
of rejected petitions, diſregarded fupplications, and
contemned remonftrances?
Would he not have ſaid,
$ From hardneſs of heart, good Lord, deliver us?"
What would he have ſaid of a freeborn people
butchered---their towns deſolated, and become an
heap of aſhes---their inhabitants become beggars,
wanderers and vagabonds---by the cruel orders of
an unrelenting tyrant, wallowing in luxury, and
wantonly waſting the people's wealth, to oppreſs
them the more? Would he not have ſaid, it was
oppreſſion and ingratitude in the higheſt degree, ex-
ceeding the oppreſſion of the children of Iſrael?
and, like Moſes, have cried out, let the people go?
Would he not have wondered at our patience and
long-ſuffering, and have ſaid, 'Tis time to change
our maſter !--- Tis time to part !---And had he been
an American born, would he not have fhewed his
wiſdom by adopting the language of independency?
Happy then for America in theſe fluctuating times,
ſhe is not without her Solomons, who ſee the ne-
ceſfity of heark’ning to reaſon, and liſtening to the
voice of COMMON SENSE.

[ vi
THE GODDESS OF LIBERTY.
!
Be
hands be pure.
AIL! * Patriots, hail! by me inſpired be!
Speak boldly, think and act for Liberty,
United fons, America's choice band,
Ye Patriots firm, ye fav’ours of the land.
Hail! Patriots, hail! riſe with the riſing ſun,
Nor quit your labour, till the work be done.
Ye early riſers in your country's cauſe,
Shine forth at noon, for Liberty and Laws.
Build a ſtrong tow'r, whoſe fabric
may
endure
Firm as a rock, from tyranny ſecure.
Yet would you build my fabric to endure,
your
hearts warm---but let your
Never to ſhine, yourſelves, your country fell;
But think you nobly, while in place act well.
Let no ſelf-ferver general truft betray,
No picque, no party, bar the public way.
Front an arm'd world, with union on your ſide
No foe ſhall fhake you---if no friends divide.
At night repoſe, and ſweetly take your reft ;
None ſleeps ſo ſound as thoſe by conſcience bleſt.
May martyr'd patriots whiſper in your ear,
To tread the paths of virtue without fear;
May pleaſing viſions charm your patriot eyes ;
While Freedom's ſons ſhall hail you bleft and wiſe.
Hail ! my laſt hope, ſhe cries, inſpired by me,
Wiſh, write, talk, fight, and die---for LIBERTY.
THE
The Congreſs

[ VII ]
PROLOGUE,
THE
0
ſpoken by Mr. PETER BUCKSTAIL.
Mb
SINCE 'tis the faſhion, preface, prologue next,
,
Elſe what's a play ? ---like ſermon without text!
Since 'tis the faſhion then, I'll not oppoſe ;
For what's a man if he's without a noſe ?
The curtain's up---the muſick’s now begun,
What is't ?---Why murder, fire, and ſword, and gun.
What ſcené ? ---Why blood !---What act ? --- Fight and be free!
to
Or be ye flaves---and give up liberty!
'
Bleft Continent, while groaning nations round
Bend to the ſervile yoke, ignobly bound,
May ye be free---nor ever be oppreff
By murd’ring tyrants, but a land of reſt!
What ſay ye to’t? what ſays the audience ?
Methinks I hear ſome whiſper COMMON Sense. Det
Hark! what ſay them Tories ? ---Silence---let 'em ſpeak,
Poor ſouls! dumb---they hav’n't ſpoke a word this week;
Dumb let 'em be, at full end of their tethers,
'Twill ſave the expence of tar and of feathers :
Since old Pluto's lurch'd 'em, and wears he does not know
If more theſe Tory puppy curs will bark or no.
Now ring the bell---Come forth, ye actors, come,
The Tragedy's begun, beat, beat the drum,
Let's all advance, equipt like volunteers,
Oppoſe the foe, and baniſh all our fears.
We will be free---or bravely we will die,
And leave to Tories tyrants legacy,
And all our ſhare of its dependency.
Dramatis

[ vIII ]
Dramatis Perſonæ.
Lord Paramount,
Mr. Bute,
Lord Mocklaw,
Mr. MANSFIELD,
Lord Hypocrite,
Mr. DARTMOUTH,
Lord Poltron,
Mr. SANDWICH,
Lord Cat ſpaw,
Mr. NORTH,
Lord Wiſdom,
Mr. CHATHAM,
Lord Religion,
Biſhop of St. ASAPH,
Lord Juſtice,
Mr. CAMDEN,
Lord Patriot,
Mr. WILKES,
Bold Iriſhman,
Mr. BURKE,
Judas,
Mr. HUTCHINSON,
Charley,
Mr. JENKINSON,
Brazen,
Mr. WEDDERBURNE,
Colonel,
Mr. BARRE,
Lord Boſton,
COMM Mr. GAGE,
Admiral Tombſtone,
Mr. GRAVES,
Elbow Room,*
Mr. Howe,
Mr. Caper,
Mr. BURGOYNES
Lord Kidnapper,
Mr. DUNMORE.
General Waſhington,
General Lee,
General Putnam,
Officers, Soldiers, Sailors, Cias
tizens, Negroes, &c. &c. &c.
THE
* It ſeems to be generally thought, that the expreſſion of Elbow
Room is to be attributed to General Howe, and not to General
Burgoyne.

THE FALL OF
BRITISH TYRANNY, &c.
M
A C T I. SCENE 1.
To At St. JAMES's.
Wom
OR
Lord Paramount ſolus, ſtrutting about.
AN Y long years have rolled delightfully on,
whilft I have been balking in the ſun-fhine of
grandeur and power, whilit I have imperceptibly
(tho' not unfufpected) guided the chariot of ſtate, and
greaſed with the nation's gold the imperial wheels.
'Tis I that move the mighty engine of royalty, and
with the tincture of my ſomniferous opiate (or, in the
language of a courtier) by the virtue of my ſecret in-
fluence, I have lulled the axletree to ſleep, and brought on
a pleaſing inſenſibility.
Let their champion, Lord Wiſdom, groan, he is now
become feeble and impotent, a meer cripple in politics
their Lord Patriot's ſquint has loſt its baſiliſk effect: and
the bold Iriſhman inay bellow the Keenew till he's hoarſe,
he's no more when compar'd to me than an Iriſh ſalmon to
a Scotch herring : I care not a bawbee for them all. I'll
reign in Britain, I'll be king of their counſels, and chief
among the princes.
Oh! ambition, thou darling of my ſoul ! ſtop not 'till
I riſe ſuperior to all ſuperlative, 'till I mount triumphantly
the pinnacle of glory, or at leaſt open
the
way
for one of
my own family and name to enter without oppoſition.
A
The

2
The Fall of Britiſh Tyranny: Or,
The work is now cut out, and muſt be finiſh'd, I have
ventur’d too far to recede, my honour's at ſtake, my im-
portance, nay my life depends upon it!
Laſt night's three hours cloſeting has effectually done
the buſineſs; then I ſpoke my mind in ſuch terms as to
make a laſting impreſſion, never to be eradicated---all---all
was given up to me, and now ſince I hold the reins of
go-
vernment, ſince I am poffeffed of fupreme power, every
thing ſhall be fubfervient to my royal will and pleaſure.
SCENE II.
Enter Mocklaw.
I am your Lordſhip's moſt obedient humble ſervant.
Paramount. Be feated, ---I ſent for you to have a
ſmall conference with you---and to let you know, your
advice reſpecting certain points of law, I have found ſuc-
ceeded to admiration ; even beyond my moſt fanguine ex-
pectations.
Mocklaw. I am heartily glad of it, altho' the advice
I
gave your
Lordſhip, I cannot fay, was law; yet, your
Lordſhip can eafily paſs it as ſuch by a royal proclamation:
and ſhould it ever be diſputed, I have quirks and quibbles
enough at your ſervice, with Mr. Brazen and Mr. At-
torney-General's affiſtance, to render it fo doubtful, ob-
ſcure and ambiguous, as to puzzle Lord Juſtice, perplex
Dunning, and confound Glynn.
Paramount. Can
you
ſhow me
an inſtance of
a royal proclamation paſſing for a law ? or adviſe me how
to make it ſuch, if you can, I ſhall make it well worth
Mocklaw. My Lord, as you have now got a parliament
exactly to your mind, ev'ry thing you propoſe will be
granted: but in order that you may ſee precedents are not
wanting---there is a ſtatute in the reign of Henry the 8th
that expreſsly ſhows the then parliament paſſed a law that
the king's proclamation ſhould be the law of the land---
Paramount. Are you ſure of that?
Mocklaw. My Lord, here it is---this is real law: Luce
meridiana clariora When we find any thing of this kind,
ready
a
your ſtudy.

American Liberty triumphant,
3
part with
ready made to our hands, it's a treaſure we ſhould never
[Paramount reads.
Paramount. I ſee it plain! this, this alone is worth
a ton of gold---Now, by St. Andrew! I'll ſtrike a ſtroke
that ſhall ſurpriſe all Europe, and make the boldeſt of the
adverſe party turn pale and tremble---Scotch politics,
Scotch intrigues, Scotch influence, and Scotch impudence
(as they have termed it) they ſhall ſee ere long ſhine with
unheard of fplendour, and the name of Lord Paramount
the mighty, fhall blaze in the annals of the world with far
greater luſtre (as a conſumate politician) than the name of
Alexander the Great, as an hero!
Mocklaw. That day I much wiſh for ---but, with your
Lordſhip's permiſſion, I would juſt mention, that ſecrecy
and diffimulation are the ſoul of enterpriſe ; your Lordſhip
hath many enemies, who watch ev'ry movement of ſtate
with a jealous and wary eye,
Paramount. I know it, but the futile attempts of my
timid adverſaries have hitherto proved abortive---ſo far
I have borne down all oppofition, and thoſe (even ſome of
the greateſt of them) who not long ſince were my moſt
open, as well as ſecret enemies, I now behold with the
moſt princely pleaſure, the earlieſt to attend, to con-
gratulate me on my birth-day, tho' uninvited, bow down,
and make the moſt ſubmiſſive congees. Have you not ſeen
this, Mocklaw? and how I keep them in expectation of
ſomething, by now and then beſtowing part of a gracious
ſmile amongít a dozen of them?
Mocklaw. I have, my Lord, and no doubt they inter-
pret that as a fayourable omen ;---however, policy, my
Lord, would dictate that to you, if there were no other
confideration.
Paramount. True, and yet they are curſedly miſtaken---
and now, Mocklaw, as I have ever found you to be well
diſpos'd towards me, and the cauſe I eſpouſe, and as I truſt
you continue fatisfy'd with my former bounty, and my
promife now of granting you a penfion for life, with liberty
to retire, I ſhall make you my confident, and diſcloſe to
you a ſecret no man except myſelf yet knows, which
I expect you have ſo much honour to let it remain
a ſecret
A 2

4
The Fall of Britiſh Tyranny: Or,
a ſecret to all the world (I mean as to the main point
I have in view).
Apm
Mocklaw. Depend upon it, my Lord, I am fincerely
devoted to your Lordſhip, command me, I care not what
it is, I'll ſcrew, twiſt and ſtrain the law as tight as a drum-
head, to ſerve you.
Paramount. I ſhall at this time but juſt give you a hint
of the plan I've drawn up in my own mind. You muſt
have perceived in me a ſecret hankering for majeſty for
ſome time paſt, notwithſtanding my age ;---but as I have
conſidered the great diſlike the nation in general have, as
to my perſon, I'll wave my own pretenſions, and bend my
power and aſſiduity to it in favour of one, the nearest
a kin to me, you know who I mean, and a particular
friend of yours, provided I continue to be dictator, as at
preſent; and further, I intend America fhall ſubmit.---
What think you of it ſo far?
W
Mocklaw. A day I've long wilh'd to ſee! but you
ſtagger me, my Lord, not as to my honour, fecrecy, or
reſolution to ſerve you, but as to the accompliſhment of
ſuch grand deſigns.
Paramount. Tis true, I have undertaken a mighty
taſk, a taſk that would have perplexed the Council of
Nice, and ſtagger'd even Julius Cefar.---but---
Mocklaw. You have need, my Lord, of all your wif-
dom, fortitude and power, when you conſider with whom
you have to contend---Let me ſee---Lord Wiſdom---Lord
Religion---Lord Juſtice---Lord Patriot---the bold Iriſh-
man, &c. &c. &c. and the wiſdom of the United Colonies
of America in Congreſs to cope with; as individuals they are
trifling, but in league combined may become potent enemies.
Paramount. Granted---But are
you
fo little of a law-
yer as not to know the virtue of a certain ſpecific I'm
poſſeſs’d of, that will accompliſh any thing, even to
performing miracles? Don't you know there's ſuch fweet
muſic in the ſhaking of the treaſury keys, that they will
inſtantly lock the moſt babbling patriot's tongue ? trans-
forin a Tory into a Whig, and a Whig into a Tory? make
a ſuperannuated old miſer dance, and an old Cynic philo-
ſopher ſmile. How many thouſand times has your tongue
danc'd
a

American Liberty triumphant,
5
a
danc'd at Weſtminſter Hall to the found of ſuch mufic?
Mocklaw. Enchanting founds, powerful magic, there's
no withſtanding the charms of ſuch muſic, their potency
and influence are irreſiſtable---that is a point of law I can
by no means give up, of more force than all the acts of
parliament ſince the days of king Alfred.
Paramount. I'm glad you acknowledge that---Now
then for a line of politics---I propoſe to begin firſt by tax-
ing America, as a blind---that will create an eternal ani-
mofity between us, and by ſending over continually ſhips
and troops, this will of courſe produce a civil war---
weaken Britain by leaving her coaſts defenceleſs, and im-
poveriſh America; ſo that we need not fear any thing
from that quarter. Then the united fleets of France and
Spain with troops to appear in the channel, and make
a deſcent, while my kinſman with thirty thouſand men
lands in Scotland, marches to London, and joins the
others: What then can prevent the ſcheme from having
the wiſh'd for effect? This is the main point, which keep
to yourſelf,
Mocklaw. If it has failed heretofore, 'tis impoſſible it
Thould fail now; nothing within the reach of human wiſ-
dom was ever planned fo judiciouſly; had Solomon been
alive, and a politician, I would have ſworn your Lordſhip
had conſulted him.---But I would beg leave to hint to
your Lordſhip the oppofition to be apprehended from
the militia of England, and the German forces that may
be ſent for according to treaty.
Paramount. As to the militia, they are half of
them my friends, witneſs Lancaſter, Mancheſter, Liver-
pool, &c. &c. &c. the other half ſcarce ever fired a gun
in their lives, eſpecially thoſe of London; and I ſhall take
care by making the keys a little to have ſuch officers ap-
pointed over them, who are well known to be in
my
tereft. As to the German forces, I have nothing to ap-
prehend from them; the parliament can ſoon paſs an act
againſt the introduction of foreign troops, except the
French or Spaniards, who can't be called foreign, they are
our friends and neareſt neighbours. Have you any thing
further to object againſt the probability of this plan?
Mocklaw.
in-

6
The Fall of Britiſh Tyranny: Or,
a
Mocklaw. Nothing, my Lord, but the people of Ire-
land, who muſt be cajoled or humbugg'd.
Paramount. As to that, let me alone, I ſhall grant the
Roman Catholics, who are by far the moſt numerous, the
free exerciſe of their religion, with the liberty of bearing
arms, ſo long unjuſtly deprived of, and diſarm in due time
all the Proteſtants in their turn.
Mocklaw. That will be a noble ſtroke, the more I con-
ſider it, the more I'm ſurpris'd at your Lordſhip's profound
wiſdom and forefight: I think ſucceſs is certain.
Paramount. Then this is the favourable criſis to at-
tempt it; ’tis not the thought of a day, a month, or a year.
Have you any more objections ?
Mocklaw. I have one more, my
Lord--
Paramount. Well, pray let's hear it; theſe lawyers will
be heard.
Mocklaw. The Biſhops and Clergy are a powerful,
numerous body; it would be neceſſary, my Lord, to gain
them over, or keep them filent---A religious war is the
worſt of wars.
Paramount. You are very right, I have 'em faft
enough---Mammon will work powerfully on them--- The
keys---the keys---His Grace my Lord of Suffolk is managing
this buſineſs for me, and feeding them with the hopes of
being all created Arch-biſhops here, and each to have
a dioceſe, and Biſhops of their own appointment in
America; not a city or town there but muſt be provided
with a Biſhop: There let religion erect her holy altars, by
which means their revenues will be augmented beyond
that of a Cardinal. All this we muſt make 'em believe.
Mocklaw. True, my Lord, what is a Biſhop without
faith? This is the grandeſt ſtroke of religious circumven-
tion that ever was ſtruck.---I've done, my Lord.
Paramount. Very well, you'll not fail to meet the
privy council here this evening; in the mean time you'll
go and ſearch the ſtatutes for other precedents to ſtrengthen
the cauſe; and remember I have enjoin’d you to ſecrecy.
Mocklaw. Depend upon it, my Lord, I cannot prove
ungrateful to your Lordſhip, nor ſuch an enemy to myſelf.
[Exit Mocklaw
SCENE

American Liberty triumphant.
7.
SCENE III.
а
Lord Paramount ſolus.
This Mocklaw is a curſed knowing dog, and I believe
the father of Brazen; how readily he found an old act of
parliament to my purpoſe, as ſoon as I told him I would
make it worth his ſtudy; and the thoughts of a penſion
will make him ſearch his old worm-eaten ſtatute books
from the reign of king Arthur down to this preſent time;
how he raiſes objections too to make me think his mind is
ever bent on ſtudy to ſerve me. The ſhaking of the
treaſury keys is a fine bait. [Rings the bell.] Charters,
magna chartas, bill of rights, acts of aſſembly, refolves of
congreſſes, trials by juries (and acts of parliament too)
when they make againſt us, muſt all be annihilated;
a ſuſpending power I approve of, and of royal proclama-
I
tions.
[Enter Charley
I wait your Lordſhip's 'orders.
Paramount. Write a number of cards, and ſee that the
Lords of the privy council, and Mr. Judas, be ſummoned
to give their attendance this evening at fix o'clock, at my
Pandemonium.
Charley. I'm gone, my Lord. [Exit Charley.
Paramount folus.
How do we ſhow our authority ? how do we maintain
the royal prerogative ? keep in awe the knowing ones of
the oppoſite party, and blind the eyes of the ignorant mul-
titude in Britain? Why, by ſpirited meaſures, by an ac-
cumulation of power, of deception, and the ſhaking of the
keys, we may hope to ſucceed, ſhould that fail, I'll en-
force them with the pointed bayonet; the Americans from
one end to the other ſhall ſubmit, in ſpight of all oppofi-
tion ; I'll liſten to no overtures of reconciliation from any
petty ſelf-conſtituted congreſs, they fhall ſubmit implicitly
to ſuch terms as I of my royal indulgence pleaſe to grant.
I'll ſhow them the impudence and weakneſs of their re-
folves, and the ſtrength of mine; I will never foften; my
inflexibility ſhall ſtand firm, and convince them the ſecond
Pharoah is at leaſt equal to the firſt. I am unalterably de-
termined at every hazard and at the riſque of every con-
ſequence

8
The Fall of Britiſ Tyranny : Or,
ſequence to compel the colonies to abfolutè fubmiffion. I'll
draw in treaſure from every quarter, and, Solomon-like,
wallow in riches; and Scotland, my dear Scotland, ſhall
be the paradiſe of the world. Rejoice in the name of Para-
mount, and the ſound of a bawbee ſhall be no more heard
in the land of my nativity.---
a
SCENE
IV.
Enter Charley in haſte.
My Lord, the notices are all ſerved.
Paramount. It's very well, Charley.
.
Charley. My Lord, be pleaſed to turn your eyes, and
look out of the window, and ſee the Lord Mayor, Alder-
men, Common Council and Liverymen going to St. James's
with the addreſs.
Paramount. Where? Sure enough---Curſe their im-
pudence; how that ſquinting ſcoundrel ſwells with im-
portance---Mind, Charley, how fond he is of bowing to
the gaping multitude, and ev'ry upſtart he ſees at a
window---I hope he'll not turn his blear eyes
t'wards
me---I want none of his bows, not I---Stand before me,
Charley---
Charley. I will, my Lord, and if he looks this way, I'll
give him ſuch a deviliſh grin as beſt ſuits ſuch fellows as
him, and make him remember it as long as he lives.
Paramount. Do fo, Charley; I hate the dog mortally,
I religiouſly hate him, and hope ere long to have fatis-
faction for his infolence and the freedoms he has taken
with me and my connexions; I ſhall never forget the
many ſcandalous verſes, lampoons and paſquinades he made
Charley. Indeed he has uſed your Lordſhip too ill ever
to be forgotten or forgiven.
Paramount. Damn him, I never intend to do either---
See again how he bows---there again---how the mob
throw up their hats, ſplit their throats; how they huzza
too; they make a mere god of the fellow; how they
idolize him---Ignorant brutes !
Charley.
upon us.

American Liberty triumphant.
9
Charley. A ſcoundrel ; he has climb'd up the ſtilts of
preferment ſtrangely, my Lord.
Paramount. Strangely, indeed; but it's our own faults.
Charley. He has had better luck than honeſter folks ;
I'm ſurpris'd to think he has ever roſe to the honour of
preſenting a remonftrance, or rather, that he could ever
have the impudence to think of remonſtrating.
Paramount. Aye, Charley, you ſee how unaccountably
things turn out; his audacity is unparalelled---a Newgate
dog
Charley. My Lord, I believe the fellow was never
known to bluſh ; and indeed it's an obſervation I made
ſome time ago, and I believe a juſt one, without an ex-
ception, that thoſe who ſquint never bluſh.
Paramount. You muſt be miſtaken, Charley.
,
Charley. No, my Lord, it's a fact, I had an uncle
fquinted exactly like him, who was guilty of many ſcan-
dalous things, and yet all the pariſh, with the parſon at
their head, could not make him bluſh, ſo that at laſt he be-
came a bye-word---Here comes old ſhame-the-devil; this
dog is the very ſpawn of him.
Paramount. Hoot, mon, ye give your uncle a ſhocking
character.
Charley. I only mention it, my Lord, for the fimila-
rity's fake.
Paramount. For the ſpawn of him, and the ſimilarity's
.
fake, I'm apt to think you've been abuſing your own couſin
all this while.
Charley. God forbid, my Lord, I ſhould be any how
,
allied to him.
Paramount. I fancy, Charley, if the truth was known,
your uncle did not mention you in his will, and forgot to
leave you the manfion-houſe and farm at Gallows-hill.
Am I right, Charley?
Charley. You're right, my Lord, upon my honour---but---
Paramount. I thought fo---Well, never mind---Ha,
ha, ha, who are thoſe two fat fellows there, that go in
ſuch ſtate?
Charley. I ſuppoſe them to be a couple of Livery Tal-
low-chandlers, my Lord, by their big bellies.
B
Paramount.

10
The Fall of Britiſ Tyranny: Or,
Paramount. Ha, ha,---what work the guards would
make amongſt them---but they muſt not be called yet.---
And who are thoſe other two behind 'em !
Charley. This is Mr. Hone, and the other Mr. Strap,
a couple of the Corporation Barbers, forſooth.
Paramount. Ha, ha, ha, I thought they had been
a couple of Dukes ;---and that one --who is he with the
monſtrous whig ?
Charley. That is Mr. Alderman Pipeſhank, in New-
gate-ſtreet.
Paramount. A parcel of Newgate dogs altogether---
Well it is a good deal of ſatisfaction to me to think how
this fellow will be received at St. James's; he'll not return
back ſo pleas'd as he ſeems to be now, I warrant you---
I have taken care he ſhall meet with a d----d cold recep-
tion there; he will have to make his appearance before
Lord Froſty face, Lord Scarecrow, Lord Sneerwell, Lord
Firebrand, Lord Mawmouth, Lord Waggonjaws, Lord
Gripe, Lord Braſs, Lord Surly and Lord Tribulation, as
hard-fac'd fellows as himſelf; and the beauty of it is, not
one of them loves him a whit more than I do.
Charley. That will be rare diverſion for them that are
preſent; he'll look then, my Lord, like Sampſon making
Sport for the Philiſtines.
Paramount. Aye, but I wilh he was as blind too, as
Sampſon was.---Well Charley, we have been diſpos’d to
be a little merry with this ridiculous parade, this high life
below ſtairs. 'I wiſh you had begun your deſcription
a little ſooner, before they were all gone; the looks of
theſe wiſeacres affords us ſome mirth, tho' we deſpiſe them
and their politics, and it's not unlikely it may end in
blood---Be it fo, I'm prepar'd for the worſt.
Charley. Rather ſo, my Lord, than ſubmit to fuch
raſcals.
Paramount. I'll give up my life firſt for a ſacrifice.
[Exit Charley.
a
SCENE

American Liberty triumphant.
II
SCENE V.
Enter Mocklaw, Poltron, Hypocrite, Catſpaw, Brazen,
Judas. (All ſeated.)
Paramount. My Lords and Gentlemen, it ſeems oppo-
ſition to our meaſures are making haſty ftrides; the diſcon-
tented faction, the ſupporters and encouragers of rebellion,
and whoſe hearts are tainted therewith, feem bent, if pof-
fible, on the deſtruction of Britain, and their own aggrandife-
ment. Are not the daily papers filled with treaſonable re-
folves of American congreſſes and committees, extracts of
letters, and other infamous pieces and ſcurrilous pamph-
lets, circulating with unuſual induſtry throughout the
kingdom, by the enemies of Britain, thereby poiſoning
the minds of our liege ſubjects with their deteſtable te-
nets? ---And did you not this day ſee the proceſſion, and
that vile miſcreant Lord Patriot at their head, going to
St. James's with their remonſtrance, in ſuch ſtate and pa-
rade as manifeſtly tended to provoke, challenge and defy
majeſty itſelf, and the powers of government ? and yet
nothing done to ſtop their pernicious effects.---Surely, my
Lords and Gentlemen, you muſt
agree
with
me,
that it is
now become highly expedient that an immediate ſtop
ſhould be put to ſuch unwarrantable and dangerous pro-
ceedings, by the moſt vigorous and coercive meaſures.
Mocklaw. I entirely agree with your Lordſhip, and
was ever firmly of opinion, that licentiouſneſs of every
kind, (particularly that of the Preſs) is dangerous to the
ſtate; the rabble ſhould be kept in awe by examples of
ſeverity, and a proper reſpect ſhould be enforced to ſupe-
riors. I have ſufficiently ſhewn my diſlike to the freedom
of the Preſs, by the examples I have frequently made (tho"
too favourable) of ſeveral Printers, and others, who had
greatly treſpaſſed, and if they ſtill perſiſt, other meaſures
ſhould be taken with them, which the laws will point out;
and as to Lord Patriot, he's a fellow that has been out-
law'd, ſcandal-proof, little to be got by meddling with
him ; I would adviſe to let him alone for the preſent, and
humble America firſt.
B 2
Mr. Brazen.

12
The Fall of Britiſh Tyranny: Or,
Mr. Brazen. I am very clear in it, pleaſe your Lord-
ſhip; there are numbers of men in this country who are
ever ſtudying how to perplex and entangle the ſtate, con-
ſtantly thwarting government, in ev'ry laudable under-
taking; this clamorous faction muſt be curbed, muſt be ſub-
dued and cruſh'd---our thunder muſt go forth, America muſt
be conquered. I am for blood and fire to cruſh the riſing
glories of America---They boaſt of her ſtrength; ſhe muſt
be conquered, if half of Germany is called to our affiſtance.
Mr. Poltron. I entirely agree with you, Mr. Brazen;
my advice is, that Lord Boſton and Admiral Tombſtone
be immediately deſpatch'd to Boſton, with two or three
regiments (tho one would be more than ſufficient) and
a few ſhips to ſhut up their ports, diſannul their charter,
ſtop their trade, and the pufillanimous beggars, thoſe
ſcoundrel raſcals, whoſe predominant paſſion is fear, would
immediately give up, on the firſt landing of the regulars,
and fly before 'em like a hare before the hounds; that this
would be the caſe, I pawn my honour to your Lordſhips,
nay I'll facrifice
my Tife: My Lords, I have moreover the
teftimony of General Amherſt and Colonel Grant to back
my aſſertion; beſides, here's Mr. Judas, let him ſpeak.
Lord Hypocrite. If this is the ſame Colonel Grant that
was at Fort Duqueſne, the fame that ran away from the
French and Indians, the ſame that was reſcued by Colonel
Waſhington, I have no idea of his honour or teſtimony.
Lord Poltron. He's a Gentleman, my Lord Hypocrite,
of undoubted veracity.
Lord Hypocrite. You might as well have faid courage
too, I have exceptions againſt both; and as to General
Amherſt's affertion that he could drive all America with
five thouſand men, he muſt have been joking, as he is quite
of a diff'rent opinion now.
Lord Cat ſpaw. What is your opinion of your country-
men, Mr. Judas, with reſpect to their courage ?
Judas. The ſame that I have ever told you, my
Lord;
as to true courage they have none, I know 'em well---they
have a plenty of a kind of enthuſiaſtic zeal, which they
ſubſtitute in the room of it; I am very certain they would
never face the regulars, tho' with the advantage of ten to one,
Lord
a

American Liberty triumphant.
13
Lord Hypocrite. All this, and a great deal more, would
never convince me of the general cowardice of the Ame-
ricans---but of the cowardice of Grant I've been long con-
vinced, by numbers of letters formerly from America---
I'm for doing the buſineſs effectually, don't let us be too
fanguine, truſt to ſtories told by every fycophant, and hurry
heels over head to be laugh'd at; the Americans are bold,
ſtubborn and four; it will require foreign aſſiſtance to
fubdue 'em.
Lord Catſpaw. Theſe ſour Americans, ignorant brutes,
unbroke and wild, muſt be tamed; they'll ſoon be humble
if puniſh'd; but if diſregarded, grow fierce.---Barbarous na-
tions muſt be held by fear, rein'd and ſpurr'd hard, chain'd
to the oar, and bow'd to due controul, 'till they look grim
with blood; let's firſt humble America, and bring them
under our feet; the olive-branch has been held out, and
they have rejected it; it now becomes us to uſe the iron
rod to break their diſobedience; and ſhould we lack it,
foreign affiſtance is at hand,
Lord Hypocrite. All this I grant, but I'm for ſending
a force ſufficient to cruſh 'em at once, and not with too
much precipitation; I am firſt for giving it a colour of
impartiality, forbearance and religion.---Lay it before par-
liament; we have then law on our ſide, and endeavour to
gain over fome or all of the Methodiſt Teachers, and in
particular my very good friend Mr. Weſley, their Bifhop,
and the worthy Mr. Clapum, which taſk I would under-
take; it will then have the fanction of religion, make it leſs
ſuſpected, and give it a better grace.
Lord Catſpaw. I ſhould chooſe it to be done by conſent
of parliament; we ſtand then on firmer ground; there's no
doubt they'll grant ev'ry thing your Lordſhip propoſes
upon my motion : but to tell the truth, I'd rather be in
Purgatory ſo long, than to run the gantlet of the Bold
Mocklaw. Aye, aye, don't part with the law while it's
in our favour, or we can have it by aſking for---and as to
the Bold Iriſhman, don't be brow-beaten, you muſt ſum-
mon all your braſs, and put on a rugged highwayman’s
face
Iriſhman's tongue.

*14
The Fall of Britiſh Tyranny: Or,
face like his; I expect fome work of that kind too, but the
devil himſelf fhan't brow-beat me.
Paramount. I am glad to find, my Lords and Gentle-
men, you all ſee the neceſſity of ſending over troops
and ſhips ; I intend my Lord Catſpaw ſhall lay it before
parliainent, and am very certain they'll pafs any acts I can
defire. I thank you, Lord Hypocrite, for your kind offer,
.
,
and accept of it; my Lord of Suffolk is negociating the
fame buſineſs with the reſt of my Lords the Biſhops, and
will fucceed; ſo that it will carry the appearance of law,
of religion, and will be ſufficiently grac'd; I'll warrant
you no one ſhall have cauſe to complain of its wanting
grace. And now, my Lords and Gentlemen, as it's fo late,
and we have gone through all the buſineſs at this time pro-
poſed, you are at your liberty to withdraw. [Exeunt
Paramount folus.
The fate of England and America is now fixed, irre-
vocably fixed; the ſtorin is ready to burſt; the low'ring
clouds portend their fate my glory, their fall my triumph---
But I muſt haſte to be gone, the ceremonies await my pre-
fence; deeds of darkneſs muſt be done by night, and, like
the filent mole's work, under ground:
Now ruſhing forth in ſober twilight gray,
Like prowling wolf, who ranges for his prey.
[Exit.
of my
ACT II. SCENE I.
Lord Wiſdom, Lord Religion, Lord Juſtice.
Lord Wiſdom. I musholament, my Lords, the prefent
where e'er I turn mine eyes, to Europe, Aſia, Africa, or
America, the proſpect appears the fame---Look up to the
throne, and behold
your king, if I
may now call him by that
ſoft title---Where is the wiſdom, the juſtice, the religion,
that once adorn'd that throne, and ſhed their benign influence
of their bright rays thro' the four quarters of the globe?
Alas! they're flown!
Mark his forlorn looks---his countenance dejected,
a fullen

American Liberty triumphant.
15
a
a fullen greatneſs fixed on his brow, as if it veil'd in blood
ſome awful purpoſe, his eyes Aaming and fanguinary; how
I bewail you, for your predeceſſor's fake ! Long, long have
I been an old, and I truſt a faithful, ſervant in the family--
Can I then reſtrain one tear ? No, 'tis impoſſible! View
that arch-dragon, that old fiend, Paramount, that rebel in
grain, whiſpering in his ear. View his wretched miniſters
hovering round him, to accompliſh their accurſed purpoſe,
and accelerate his deſtruction. View the whole herd of
adminiſtration (I know 'em well) and tell me if the world
can furniſh a viler ſet of miſcreants? View both houſes of
parliament, and count the number of Tyrants, Jacobites,
Tories, Placemen, Penſioners, Sycophants and Panders.
View the conſtitution, is ſhe not difrob’d and diſmantled ?
is ſhe not become like a virgin deflower'd ? View our fleets
and armies commanded by bloody murdering butchers !
View Britain herſelf as a ſheep without a ſhepherd! And
laſtly view America, for her virtue bleeding and for her li-
berty weltering in her blood !
Lord Religion. Such hath, and ever will be the fate of
kings, who only liſten to the voice of pleaſure, thrown in
their way by the firens of adminiſtration, which never fail
to ſwallow them up like quickſand---like a ſerpent, who
charms and faſcinates, bewitches and enchants with his
eye
the unwary bird; witneſs the fatal cataſtrophe of Reho-
boam, who rejected the counſel of the wiſe and experienced,
and gave up all to the advice and guidance of young, un-
ſkilful and wicked counſellors. Had he liſten'd to you,
my Lord, had he followed your advice, all, all would have
gone well--- Under your auſpicious adminiſtration Britain
flouriſhed, but ever ſince has been on the decline, and pa-
triotiſm, like religion, ſcarcely now more than a ſounding
braſs or a tinkling cymbal.
Lord Wiſdom. My counſel has been rejected---my con-
ciliatory plan thrown under the table, and treated with
contempt; the experience of gray hairs called the ſuper-
annuated notions of old age---my bodily infirmities---my
tottering frame---my crazy carcaſe, worn out in the ſervice
of my country, and even my very crutches, have been
made the ſubject of their ridicule.
Lord

16
The Fall of Britiſh Tyranny: Or,
Lord Fuſtice. Gratitude, like religion and patriotiſm,
are about taking their flight, and the law of the land ftands
on tiptoe; the conſtitution, that admirable fabric, that
work of ages, the envy of the world, is deflower'd indeed, ,
and made to commit a rape upon her own body, by the
avaricious frowns of her own father, who is bound to
protect her, not to deſtroy---Her pillars are thrown down,
her capitals broke, her pedeſtals demoliſh'd, and her foun-
dation nearly deſtroy'd.---Lord Paramount and his wretched
adviſer Mocklaw baffles all our efforts.---The ſtatutes of
the land ſuperſeded by royal proclamations and diſpenſing
powers, &c. &c. the bloody knife to be held to the throats
of the Americans, and force them to ſubmit to ſlav'ry.---
Adminiſtration have commenced bloody tyrants, and thoſe
that ſhould protect the ſubject, are become their execu-
tioners ; yet will I diſpute with them inch by inch, while
there's a ſtatute book left in the land. Come forth, thou
grand deceiver ! I challenge thee to come forth!
Lord Wiſdom. Our friends muſt beftir themſelves once
more, perhaps we may yet turn the ſcale. ---If the voice of
religion, wiſdom and juſtice ſhould fail, let us found the
trumpet of liberty and patriotiſm, that will conquer them
in America, I know, let us try to ſtorm them here with
the united whole, and if by a baſe majority they ſtill carry
their point, we can nevertheleſs wall our hands and be
clean.
Lord Religion. From the pulpit, in the houſe of God,
have I ſpoken aloud, I have lifted up my voice like a trum-
pet, Oh! Britain, how art thou fallen! Hear now, O houſe
of Britain, is it a ſmall thing for you
will you weary your God alfo? In the houſe of Lords
have I borne my teſtimony: Hear now, Oye Princes, and
I will yet declare in Britain, and ſhew forth in America,
I will not ceafe 'till I bring about (if poſible) unity, peace
and concord.
Lord Wiſdom. Much to be wiſhed for; but alas ! I fear
it's now too late; I foreſee the tendency and conſequence
of thoſe diabolical meaſures that have been purſued with
unrelenting fury. Britain will ruin her trade, waſte her
wealth, her ſtrength, her credit and her importance in the
ſcale
to
Weary man, but

American Liberty triumphant.
17
ſcale of Europe. When a Britiſh king proves ungrateful
and haughty, and ſtrives to be independent of his people,
(who are his ſole ſupport) the people will in their turn
likewiſe ſtrive to be independent of him and his myrmidons,
and will be free; they will erect the anfractuous ſtandard
of independency, and thouſands and tens of thouſands will
flock to it, and folace themſelves under its ſhade.---They
have often been told of this, but affected to deſpiſe it'; they
know not America's ſtrength, they are ignorant of it; fed
by the flatt’ry of every fycophant tale, imagine themſelves
almighty, and able to ſubdue the whole world. America
will be loſt to Britain forever, and will prove her downfall.
America is wife, and will ſhake off the galling yoke before
it be rivetted on them; they will be drove to it, and who
can blame them? Who can blame a galley-ſlave for making
his eſcape? -----Britain will miſcarry in her vile projects,
her knight errand, her Don Quixotte ſchemes in America :
America will refilt; they are not eaſily to be fubdued ; (nay
'tis impoſſible) Britain will find it a harder taſk than to con-
quer France and Spain united, and will coſt 'em more blood
and treaſure than a twice ſeven years war with thoſe European
powers; they will ſtand out 'till Britons are tired. Britain
will invite her with kind promiſes and open arms; America
will reject them; America will triumph, rejoice and flouriſh,
and become the glory of the earth; Britain will languidly
hold down her head, and become firſt a prey to a vile Pre-
tender, and then be ſubject to the ravagers of Europe.
I love the Americans, becauſe they love liberty. Liberty
flouriſhes in the wilds of America. I honour the plant,
I revere the tree, and would cheriſh its branches. Let us,
my friends, join hands with them, follow their example,
and endeavour to ſupport expiring liberty in Britain ; whilſt
I have a tongue to ſpeak, I will ſupport her wherever found;
while I have crutches to crawl with, I will try to find her
out, and with the voice of an arch-angel will demand for
a facrifice to the nation thoſe miſcreants who have wickedly
and wantonly been the ruin of their country. Oh, Liberty!
Oh, my Country!
Lord Religion. Oh, Religion ! Oh, Virtue! whither
art thou fleeing? Oh, thou Defender of the Faith? Oh, ye
C
mighty
a

18
The Fall of Britiſh Tyranny: Or,
mighty Lords and Commons ! Oh, ye deluded Biſhops, ye
learned props of our unerring church, who preach up
vengeance, force and fire, inſtead of peace ! be wiſe in time,
left the Americans be driven to work out their own falva-
tion without fear or trembling.
[Exeunt.
SCENE II.
Lord Patriot, Bold Iriſhman, Colonel.
Bold Iriſhman. That Brazen Lawyer *, that Lord
Chancellor, that wou'd be held forth ſurpriſingly laſt
night, he beat the drum in your ears, brother ſoldier.
Colonel. I think he did ; he beat a Tatoo for us all.
Lord Patriot. No politicians but lawyer politicians, it
ſeems, will go down; if we believe him, we muſt all turn
lawyers now, and prate away the liberties of the nation.
Colonel. Aye, firſt we muſt learn to rail at the clamorous
faction, diſappointed politicians---ever reſtleſs---ever plot-
ting---conſtantly thwarting government, in laudable and
blameable purpoſes.---Inconſiderable party---inconſiſtent in
their own politics---hoſtile to all government, ſoured by
diſappointment, and urged by want---proceeding to un-
juſtifiable lengths---and then found the magnanimity of a
Britiſh ſenate, animated by the ſacred fire caught from
a high-ſpirited people---
Bold Iriſhman. And the devil knows what beſide---
Magnanimity and ſacred fire, indeed !---Very magnanimous
ſounds, but pompous nothings! Why did he not tell us
where was the magnanimity of the Britiſh fenate at the
time of the diſpute about Falkland's Iſland ? What ſort of
fire animated them then ? ---Where was the high ſpirit of
the people ?---Strange ſort of fire, and ſtrange fort of
ſpirit, to give up to our inveterate enemies, the Spaniards,
our property unaſked for, and cut our beſt friends and
brethren, the Americans, throats, for defending theirs
againſt lawleſs tyranny; their 'ſacred fire became then
all fume, and the ſtrength of their boaſted ſpirits eva-
porated into inviſible effluvium ; the giant then funk fure
enough ſpontaneouſly into a dwarf; and now, it ſeems, the
dwarf having been feeding upon ſmoaky fire and evaporated
ſpirits,
* See Wedderburne's Speech.

American Liberty triumphant,
19
ſpirits, is endeavouring to ſwell himſelf into a giant again,
like the frog in the fable, 'till he burſts himſelf in ſilent
thunder---But let the mighty Philiſtine, the Goliath Para-
mount, and his oracle Mocklaw, with their thunder bel-
lowed from the brazen mortar-piece of a turn-coat lawyer,
have a care of the little American David !
Lord Patriot, Aye, indeed! America will prove a ſe-
cond Sampſon to 'em; they may put out his eyes for
a while, but he'll pull their houſe down about their ears for
all that. Mr. Brazen ſeein'd ſurpris’d at the thought of
relinquiſhing America, and bawld out with the yocifera-
tion of an old miſer that had been robb’d--- Relinquiſh
America ! relinquiſh America! forbid it heavens! But let
him and his maſters take great care, or America will ſave
'em the trouble, and relinquiſh Britain.
Colonel. Or I'm much miſtaken, Brazen ſays, eſtabliſh
firſt your fuperiority, and then talk of negotiating.
Lord Patriot. That doctrine fuits 'em beſt; juſt like
a cowardly pickpocket, or a bloody highwayman, knock
a man down firſt, and then tell him ſtand and deliver.
Colonel. A juſt compariſon, and excellent fimile, by my
foul! But I'm ſurpris’d he did not include the Clergy
among the number of profeſſions unfit (as he ſaid) to be
politicians.
Bold Iriſhman. Did you ever know a lawyer to be con-
cerned with religion, unleſs he got a fee by it? he'll take
care and ſteer clear of that; if it don't come in his way,
he'll never break his neck over a church bible, I warrant
you---Mammon is his god---Judge Jeffereys is his prieſt---
Star-chamber doctrine is his creed---fire, fames and faggot,
blood, murder, halters and thund'ring cannon are the cere-
monies of his church---and lies, miſrepreſentations, deceit,
hypocriſy and diffimulation are the articles of his religion.
Lord Patriot. You make him a monſter, indeed.
Bold Iriſhman, Not half ſo bad as he is, my Lord; he's
following cloſe to the heels of that profound fage, that
oracle, Mocklaw, his tụtor: I can compare the whole herd
of them to nothing elſe but to the fwine we read of running
headlong down the hill, Paramount their devil, Mocklaw
the evil ſpirit, and Brazen their driver,
Colonel
C 2

20
The Fall of Britiſh Tyranny: Or,
a
Colonel. And thus they'll drive liberty from out the
land; but when a brave people, like the Americans, from
their infancy us’d to liberty (not as a gift, but who in-
herit it as a birth-right, but not as a meſs of pottage, to be
bought by, or ſold to, ev'ry hungry glutton of a miniſter)
find attempts made to reduce them to ſlavery, they generally
take ſome deſperate ſucceſsful meaſure for their deliverance,
I ſhould not be at all ſurpris'd to hear of independency pro-
claim'd throughout their land, of Britain's armies beat,
their flests burnt, funk, or otherwiſe deſtroy'd. The fame
principle which Mr. Brazen ſpeaks of, that inſpires Britiſh
ſoldiers to fight, namely the ferment of youthful blood, the
high ſpirit of the people, a love of glory, and a ſenſe of
national honour, will inſpire the Americans to withſtand
them; to which I may add, liberty and property.---But
what is national honour ? Why, national pride.---What
is national glory? Why, national nonſenſe, when put in
competition with liberty and property,
Lord Patriot, Of Britain I fear liberty has taken its
farewell, the aſpiring wings of tyranny hath long hovered
over, and the over-lhadowing influence of bribery hath
ecclips'd its rays and dark’ned its luftre; the huge Para-
mount, that temporal deity, that golden calf, finds fervile
wretches enough fo baſe as to bow down, worſhip and
adore his gilded horns ;---let 'em e'en if they will :---But
as for me, tho' I ſhould ſtand alone, I would ſpurn the
brute, were he forty-five * times greater than he is; I'll
adminiſter, ere long, ſuch an emetic to him, as ſhall make
the monſter diſgorge the forty millions yet unaccounted
for, and never ſhall it be ſaid, that Patriot ever feared or
truckled to him, or kept a filent tongue when it ſhould
ſpeak.
Bold Iriſhman, There I'll fhake hands with you, and
my tongue ſhall echo in their ears, make their arched
ci ing ſpeak, the treaſury bench crack, and the great chair
of their great ſpeaker tremble, and never will I ceaſe laſh-
ing them, while lafhing is good, or hope remains; and
when the voice of poor liberty can no longer be heard in
Britain or Hibernia, let's give Caledonia a kick with our
hcels,
* Alluding to North-Briton, Number forty-five,

American Liberty triumphant,
21
heels, and away with the goddeſs to the American fhore,
crown her, and defy the grim king of tyranny, at his peril,
to ſet his foot there.---Here let him ftay, and wallow in
fackcloth and aſhes, like a beaſt as he is, and, Nebucad-
nezzar-like, eat graſs and thiſtles,
[Exeunt,
See Paramount, upon his awful throne,
Striving to make each freeman's purſe his own!
While Lords and Commons moſt as one agree,
To grace his head with crown of tyranny.
They ſpurn the laws,---force conſtitution locks,
To ſeize each ſubject's coffer, cheſt and box;
Send juſtice packing, as tho too pure unmix'd,
And hug the tyrant, as if by law he's fix'd.
ACT III.
SCENE I.
In BOSTON
Selectman, Citizen.
Sele&tman.
А"
T length, it ſeems, the bloody flag is
hung out, the miniſtry and parlia-
ment, ever ſtudious in miſchief, and bent on our deſtruction,
have ordered troops and ſhips of war to ſhut our ports, and
ſtarve us into ſubmiffion.
Citizen. And compel us to be flaves; I have heard ſo.
It is a faſhionable way to requite us for our loyalty, for
the preſent we made them of Louiſburg, for our protection
at Duqueſne, for the affiftance we gave them at Quebec,
Martinico, Guadaloupe and the Havannah. Blaft their
councils, fpurn their ingratitude ! Soul of Pepperel !
whither art thou fled ?
Selectman. They ſeem to be guided by ſome ſecret de-
mon; this ſtopping our ports and depriving us of all trade
is cruel, calculated to ſtarve and beggar thouſands of fa-
milies, more ſpiteful than politic, more to their own diſ-
advantage than ours: But we can reſolve to do without
trade ; it will be the means of baniſhing luxury, which
has

22
The Fall of Britiſh Tyranny: Or,
us?
has ting'd the fimplicity and ſpotleſs innocence of our once
happy afylum.
Citizen. We thank heaven, we have the neceſſaries of
life in abundance, even to an exuberant plenty; and how
oft have our hoſpitable tables fed numbers of thoſe ungrate-
ful monſters, who would now, if they could, fam
Selectman. No doubt, as we abound in thoſe temporal
bleſſings, it has tempted them to pick our pockets by vio-
lence, in hopes of treaſures more to their minds.
Citizen. In that theſe thirſters after gold and human
blood will be diſappointed, No Perus or Mexicos here
they 'll find; but the demon you ſpeak of, tho' he acts in
fecret is notoriouſly known. Lord Paramount is that de-
mon, that bird of prey, that miniſterial cormorant, that
waits to devour, and who firſt thought to diſturb the re-
poſe of America; a wretch, no friend to mankind, who
acts thro' envy and avarice, like fatan, who 'ſcap'd from
hell to diſturb the regions of paradiſe; after ranſacking
Britain and Hibernia for gold, the growth of hell, to feed
his luxury, now waits to rifle the bowels of America.
SeleEtman. May he prove more unſucceſsful than ſatan ;
blind politics, rank infatuation, madneſs deteſtable, the
concomitants of arbitrary power! They can never think to
fucceed; but ſhould they conquer, they'll find that he
who overcometh by force and blood, háth overcome but
half his foe. Capt. Preſton's maffacre is too recent in our
memories; and if a few troops dar'd to commit ſuch helliſh
unprovok'd barbarities, what may we not expect from le-
gions arm’d with vengeance, whoſe leaders harbour prin-
ciples repugnant to freedom, and poffefs’d with more than
diabolical notions ? Surely our friends will oppoſe them
with all the power heaven has given them.
Citizen. Nothing more certain ; each citizen and each
individual inhabitant of America are bound by the ties of
nature; the laws of God and man juſtify ſuch a procedure;
paflive obedience for paſſive flaves, and non-reſiſtance for
ſervile wretches who know not, neither deſerve, the ſweets
of liberty. As for me and my houſe, thank God, ſuch
deteſtable doctrine never did, nor ever ſhall, enter over my
threſhold.
Selectman.
a

American Liberty triumphant.
23
a
SeleEtman. Would all America were ſo zealous as you.---
The appointment of a general Continental Congreſs was
a judicious meaſure, and will prove the ſalvation of this
new world, where counſel mature, wiſdom and ſtrength
united; it will prove a barrier, a bulwark, againſt the en-
croachments of arbitrary power.
Citizen. I much approve of the choice of a congreſs;
America is young, ſhe will be to it like a tender nurſing
mother, ſhe will give it the paps of virtue to fuck, cheriſh
it with the milk of liberty, and fatten it on the cream of
patriotiſm ; fhe will train it up in its youth, and teach it
to fhun the poiſon of Britiſh voluptuouſneſs, and inſtruct
it to keep better company. Let us, my friend, fupport
her all in our power, and ſet on foot an immediate aſſocia-
tion; they will form an intrenchment, too ſtrong for
miniſterial tyranny to o'erleap.
Selectman. I am determined fo to do, it may prevent
the farther effufion of blood.
row, Sir.
SCENE II.
Enter a miniſter.
My friends, I yet will hail you good morrow, tho"
I know not how long we may be indulg'd that liberty to
each other ; doleful tidings I have to tell.
Sele&tman. With ſorrow we have heard it, good mor-
Miniſter. Wou'd to God 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.
Sele&tman. We have heard too much, of the troops and
fhips coming over, we fuppofe 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 breaſts, as time will not be able to exterminate---
Citizen. Pray let us hear it, I'm all on fire.
Sele&tman.

24
The Fall of Britiſh Tyranny : Or,
Sele&tman. I'm impatient to know it, welcome or une
welcome.
Miniſter. Such as it is, take it; your charter is an-
nihilated ; you are all, all declared rebels ; your eſtates are
to be confiſcated ; your patriinony 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 God, converted perhaps into nunneries, inqui-
ſitions, barracks and common jails, where you will periſh
with want and famine, or ſuffer an ignominious death;
your wives, children, deareft relations and friends forever
feparated 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 noble reſolution ! Pofterity 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 hofts, he is your ſtrong tower,
he is your helper and defence, he will guide and ftrengthen
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 le-
thargy and fupineneſs, 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 faft---
ye
know not the day nor the hour.---May the ruler of all
fend us liberty and life ---Adieu ! my friends.
.
[Exeunt.
SCENE

American Liberty triumphant.
25
SCENE III. In a ſtreet in BOSTON.
Frequent town-meetings and conſultations amongſt the inha-
bitants ;---Lord Boſton arrives with the forces and ſhips ;---
lands and fortifies Boſton, &c.
Whig, Tory.
How
Whig. I have ſaid and done all that man could ſay or
do.---Tis wrong, I infift 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 foldiers from being inactive, which may prejudice
their health,
1 Whig. I wiſh it may prove ſo, I would very gladly
confeſs your fuperior knowledge in military manceuvres ;
but till then, ſuffer me to tell you, it's a Itroke the moſt
fatal to us,---no leſs, Sir, but to cut off the coinmunica-
tion 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. Damn 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 peti-
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 truſt-
ing to the fucceſs of petitions, waiting twelve months for
no anſwer at all. Our aſſemblies have petitioned often,
and as often in vain; 'twould be a miracle in theſe days to
D
hear
a

26
The Fall of Britiſh Tyranny: Or,
hear of an American petition being granted; their omni-
potencies, their demi-godſhips (as they think themſelves) no
doubt think it too great a favour done us to throw our pe-
titions 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
fo, if they could, I know, but there's a good deal to be
faid 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
fits 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 fay, Sir---
Whig. I furely do---try me, Sir---
Tory. Excuſe me, Sir, I am not of your mind, I would
avoid every thing that has the appearance of raihneſs.--
Great-Britain's power, Sir---
Whig. Great-Britain's power, Sir, is too much magni-
fied, 'twill foon grow weak, by endeavouring to make flaves
of American freemen; we are not Africans yet, neither
bond-flaves. ----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 Nily 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.

American Liberty triumphant.
27
a
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 connexions and artful behaviour all ſuſpect you,
Tory. Can you give me a proof?
Whig. Not a point blank proof, as to my own know-
ledge; you're ſo much of a Jeſuit, you have put it out of
my power ;---but ſtrong circumſtances by information,
ſuch as amount to a proof in the preſent caſe, Sir, I can
furniſh you with .
Tory. Sir, you may be miſtaken.
Whig. 'Tis not poſſible, my informant knows you
too well.
Tory. Who is your informant, Sir ?
Whig. A gentleman, Sir; and if you'll give yourſelf
the trouble to walk with me, I'll ſoon produce him.
Tory. Another time; I cannot ſtay now ;---’tis dinner-
time.
Whig. That's the time to find him.
Tory. I cannot ſtay now.
Whig. We'll call at your houſe then.
Tory. I dine abroad, Sir.
Whig. Be gone, you
ſcoundrel ! I'll watch your waters;
'tis time to clear the land of ſuch infernal vermin.
[Exeunt both different ways.
SCENE IV. In Boston, while the Regulars
were flying from LEXINGTON.
Lord Boſton, ſurrounded by his guards and a few officerse
Lord Boſton. If Colonel Smith ſucceeds in his embaſſy,
and I think there's no doubt of it, I ſhall have the pleaſure
this ev'ning, I expect, of having my friends Hancock and
Adams's good company; I'll make each of them a preſent
of a pair of handſome iron ruffles, and Major Provoſt ſhall
provide
D2

28
The Fall of Britiſh Tyranny: Or,
ment.
provide a ſuitable entertainment for them in his apart-
Officer. Sure they'll not be ſo unpolite as to refuſe
your Excellency's kind invitation.
Lord Boſton. Shou'd they, Colonel Smith and Major
Pitcairn have my orders to make uſe of all their rhetoric
and the perſuaſive eloquence of Britiſh thunder.
Enters a meſſenger in haſte.
I bring your Excellency unwelcome tidings---
Lord Boſton. For heaven's fake! from what quarter ?
Meſſenger. From Lexington plains.
Lord Boſton. 'Tis impoſſible!
Meſſenger. Too true, Sir.
Lord Boſton. Say---what is it? Speak what you know.
Meſſenger. Colonel Smith is defeated, and fáſt retreat-
ing.
Lord Boſton. Good God !---What does he fay? Mercy
on me!
Meſſenger. They're flying before the enemy.
Lord Boſton. Britons turn their backs before the Re-
bels !---The Rebels put Britons to fight?---Said you
not fo ?
Meſſenger. They are routed, Sir ;---they are flying
this inſtant ;---the Provincials are numerous, and hourly
gaining ſtrength ;---they have nearly ſurrounded our
troops. A reinforcement, Sir---a timely fuccour may ſave
the ſhatter'd remnant. Speedily! ſpeedily, Sir! or they're
irretrievably loft!
Lord Boſton. Good God! What does he ſay? Can it
be poffible?
Meſſenger. Loſe no time, Sir.
Lord Boſton. What can I do?---O dear!
Officer. Draw off a detachment---form a brigade; pre-
pare part of the train; ſend for Lord Percy; let the drums
beat to arms.
Lord Boſton. Aye do, Captain ; you know how, better
than I. (Éxit Officer) Did the Rebels dare to fire on the
king's troops ? Had they the courage? Guards, keep round
Meſſenger.
mie.

American Liberty triumphant.
29
Meſſenger. They're like lions; they have killed many
of our braveſt officers and men; and if not checked in-
ſtantly, will totally furround them, and make the whole
priſoners. This is no time to parley, Sir.
Lord Boſton. No, indeed; what will become of me?
Enter Earl Percy
Earl Percy. Your orders, Sir.
Lord Boſton. Haſte, my good Percy, immediately take
command of the brigade of reinforcement, and fly to
the affiſtance of poor Smith !---Loſe no time, left they be
all cut off, and the Rebels improve their advantage, and be
upon us; and God knows what quarter they 'Il give ---
Hafte, my noble Earl !---Speedily !---Speedily !---Where's
my guard
Earl Percy. I'am gone, Sir.
.
[Exeunt Percy and officers---drums beating to arms.
Lord Boſton. What means this futt'ring round my
heart? this unuſual chilneſs? Is it fear? No, it cannot
be, it muſt proceed from my great anxiety, my perturba-
tion of mind for the fate of my countrymen. A drowſineſs
hangs o'er my eyelids ;---fain would I repoſe myſelf
a ſhort time ;---but I muſt not ;---I muſt wait ;---I'll to
the top of yon eminence, ---there I ſhall be ſafer. Here
I cannot ſtay ;---there I may behold ſomething favourable
to calm this tumult in my breaſt. ---But, alas ! I fear---
Guards, attend me. [Exeunt Lord Bolton and guards.
SCENE V. Lord Boſton and guards on a hill
in Boston, that overlooks CHARLESTOWN.
Lord Boſton. Clouds of duſt and ſmoak intercept my
fight; I cannot ſee; I hear the noiſe of cannon---Percy's
cannon---Grant him ſucceſs!
Officer of guard. Methinks, Sir, I ſee Britiſh colours
waving.
Lord Boſton. Some ray of hope.---Have they got ſo
near ? ---Captain, keep a good look out; tell me every
thing you ſee. My eyes are wondrous dim.
Officer. The two brigades have join'd---Now Admiral
Tombſtone

30
The Fall of Britiſh Tyranny: Or,
was.
Tombſtone bellows his lower tier on the Provincials.
How does your Excellency?
Lord Boſton. Right ;---more hope ſtill.---I'm bravely
to what I
Which
way do our forces tend?
Officer. I can diſtinguiſh nothing for a certainty now;
ſuch ſmoak and duſt!
Lord Boſton. God grant Percy courage !
Officer. His anceſtors were brave, Sir.
Lord Boſton. Aye, that's no rule---no rule, Captain ;
ſo were mine.---A heavy firing now.---The Rebels muſt
be
very
numerous---
Officer. They're like caterpillars; as numerous as the
Jocuits of Egypt.
Lord Bofion. Look out, Captain, God help you, look out.
Officer. I do, Sir.
Lord Boſton. What do you ſee now? Hark! what
dreadful noiſe !
One of the guard. (afide) How damn'd afraid he is.
Another of the guard. (afide) He's one of your chimney
corner Generals---an old granny.
Officer. If I miſtake not, our troops are faſt retreating ;
their fire ſlackens; the noiſe increaſes.
Lord Boſton. Oh, Captain, don't ſay fo!
Officer. 'Tis true, Sir, they're running---the enemy
fhout victory.
Lord Boſton. Upon your honour ? ---fay---
Officer. Upon my honour, Sir, they're flying t'wards
Charleſtown. Percy's beat ;---I'm afraid he's loſt his ar-
tillery.
Lord Boſton. Then 'tis all over---the day is loft---what
more can we do?
Oficer. We may, with the few troops left in Boſton,
yet afford them ſome ſuccour, and cover their retreat acroſs
the water ; 'tis impoſſible to do more.
Lord Boſton. Go inſtantly; I'll wait your return. Try
your utmoſt to prevent the Rebels from croſſing. Succeſs
attend you, my dear Captain, God proſper you! [Exit
Officer] Alas! alas ! my glory's gone; my honour's
ſtain’d. My dear guards, don't leave me, and you ſhall
have plenty of porter and four-crout.
SCENE

American Liberty triumphant.
31
SCENE VI. Roger and Dick, two ſhepherds
near LEXINGTON, after the defeat and fight of
the Regulars.
Roger. Whilft early looking, Dick, ere the fun was ſeen
to tinge the brow of the mountain, for my flock of ſheep, nor
dreaming of approaching evil, ſuddenly mine eyes beheld
from
yon
hill a cloud of duſt ariſe at a ſmall diſtance; the
intermediate ſpace were thick ſet with laurels, willows, ever-
greens, and buſhes of various kinds, the growth of wild
nature, and which hid the danger from my eyes, thinking
perchance my flock had thither ſtray'd ; 1 defcended, and
i
ſtraight onward went; but, Dick, judge you my thoughts
at ſuch a diſappointment: Inſtead of my innocent flock of
fheep, I found myſelf almoſt encircled by a herd of ravenous
Britiſh wolves.
Dick. Dangerous muſt have been your ſituation, Ro-
ger, whatever were your thoughts,
Roger. I ſoon diſcovered my miſtake; finding a hoſtile
appearance, I inſtantly turn'd myſelf about, and fled to
alarm the ſhepherds,
Dick. Did they purfue you?
Roger. They did; but having the ſtart, and being ac-
quainted with the bye-ways, I preſently got clear of their
voracious jaws.
Dick. A lucky eſcape, indeed, Roger; and what rout
did they take after that?
Roger. Onwards, t'wards Lexington, devouring geeſe,
cattle and fwine, with fury and rage, which, no doubt, was
increaſed by their diſappointment; and what may appear
ſtrange to you, Dick, ( tho' no more ſtrange than true) is,
they ſeem'd to be poſſeffed of a kind of brutiſh muſic,
growling ſomething like our favourite tune Yankee Doodle,
(perhaps in ridicule) 'till it were almoſt thread bare, ſeem-
ing vaſtly pleaſed (monkey-like) with their mimickry, as
tho' it provoked us much.
Dick. Nature, Roger, has furniſh'd ſome brute animals
with voices, or, more properly ſpeaking, with organs of
ſound that nearly reſemble the human. I have heard of
crocodiles weeping like a child, to decoy the unwary
traveller,

32
The Fall of Britiſh Tyranny: Or,
traveller, who is no ſooner within their reach, but they ſeize
and devour inſtantly.
Roger. Very true, Dick, I have read of the fame; and
theſe wolves, being of the canine breed, and having the
properties of blood-hounds, no doubt are poffefs d' of
a more acute ſenſe of ſmelling, more reaſon, inſtinct, fax
gacity, or what ſhall I call it ? than all other brutes. It
might have been a piece of cunning of theirs, peculiar to
them, to make themſelves paſs for ſhepherds, and decoy our
flocks; for, as you know, Dick, all' our ſhepherds both
play and fing Yankee Doodle, our ſheep and lambs are as
well acquainted with that tune as ourſelves, and always
make up to us whene'er they hear the ſound.
Dick. Yes, Roger; and now you put me in mind of it
I'll tell you of ſomething ſurpriſing in my turn : I have an
old ram and an old ewe, that, whenever they fing Yankee
Doodle together, a ſkilful muſician can ſcarcely diſtinguiſh
it from the baſs and tenor of an organ.
Roger. Surpriſing indeed, Dick, nor do I in the leaft
doubt it; and why not, as well as Balaam's afs, ſpeak? and
I might add, many other affes, now-a-days; and yet, how
might that muſic be improved by a judicious diſpoſition of
its various parts, by the addition of a proper number of
ſheep and young lambs; 'twould then likewiſe reſemble the
counter, counter tenor, treble, and fineſt pipes of an organ,
and might be truly called nature's organ; methinks, Dick,
I could forever fit and hear fuch muſic,
Where all the parts in complication roll,
And with its charming muſic feaſt the ſoul!
Dick. Delightful, indeed ; I'll attempt it with what
little ſkill I have in muſic; we may then defy theſe wolves
to imitate it, and thereby ſave our flocks: I am well con-
vinced, Roger, theſe wolves intended it rather as a decoy
than by way of ridicule, becauſe they live by cunning and
deception ; befides, they could never mean to ridicule
a piece of mufic, a tune, of which ſuch brutes cannot be
fuppoſed to be judges, and, which is allowed by the beſt
maſters of muſic to be a compoſition of the moſt fublime
kind, and would have done honour to a Handel or a Cor-
rellius. Well, go on, Roger, I long to hear the whole.
Roger.

American Liberty triumphant.
33
Roger. When they came to Lexington, where a flock
of our innocent ſheep and young lambs, as uſual, were
feeding and ſporting on the plain, theſe dogs of violence
and rapine with haughty ftride advanc'd, and berated them
in a new and unheard of language to us.
Dick. I ſuppoſe learn'd at their own fam'd univerſities---
Roger. No doubt; they had teachers among them---
Two old wolves their leaders, not unlike in features to
Smith and Pitcairn, as ſtriving to outvie each other in the
very dregs of brutal eloquence, and more than Billings-
gate jargon, howld in their ears ſuch a peal of new-
fangled execrations, and hell-invented oratory, 'till that
day unheard in New-England, as ſtruck the whole flock
with horror, and made them for a while ſtand aghaft, as
tho' all the wolves in the foreſt had broke looſe upon
them.
Dick. Oh ſhocking !---Roger, go on.
Roger. Not content with this, their murdering leaders,
with premeditated malice, keen appetite, and without provo-
cation, gave the howl for the onſet, when inſtantly the whole
herd, as if the devil had entered into them, ran violently
down the hill, and fixed their talons and jaws upon them,
and as quick as lightening eight innocent young lambs fell
a ſacrifice to their fury, and victims to their rapacity; the
very houſes of our God were no longer a ſanctuary; many
they tore to pieces, and ſome at the very foot of the altar;
others were dragged out as in a wanton gameſome mood.
Dick. Barbarity inexpreſible! more than ſavage cruelty !
I hope you'll make their maſter pay for 'em; there is a law
of this province, Roger, which obliges the owner of ſuch
dogs to pay for the miſchief they do.
Roger. I know it, Dick; he ſhall pay, never fear, and
that handſomely too; he has paid part of it already.
Dick. Who is their maſter, Roger?
Roger. One Lord Paramount; they call him a free-
booter ; a fellow who pretends to be proprietor of all Ame-
rica, and ſays he has a deed for it, and chief ranger of all
the flocks, and pretends to have a patent for it; has been
a long time in the practice of killing and ſtealing ſheep in
England and Ireland, and had like to have been hang’d.
E
for
a

34
The Fall of Britiſh Tyranny: Or,
for it there, but was reprieved by the means of his friend
GEORGE--I forgot his other name--not Grenville--not
George the Second--but another George.
Dick. It's no matter, he'll be hang'd yet; he has fent
his dogs to a wrong place, and lugg'd the wrong fow by
the ear; he ſhould have ſent them to Newfoundland, or
Kamptſchatka, there's no fheep there--But never mind, go
on, Roger.
Roger. Nor was their voracious appetites ſatiated there;
they ruſh'd into the town of Concord, and proceeded to
devour every thing that lay in their way; and thoſe brute
devils, like Sampſon's foxes, (and as tho' they were men)
thrice attempted with firebrands to deſtroy our corn, our
town-houſe and habitations.
Dick. Heavens! Could not all this provoke you?
Roger. It did ; rage prompted us at length, and found
us arms 'gainſt ſuch helliſh miſchief to oppoſe.
Dick. Oh, would I had been there!
Roger. Our numbers increaſing, and arm’d with re-
venge, we in our turn play'd the man ; they, unus'd to
wounds, with hideous yelling ſoon betook themſelves to
a precipitate and confuſed flight, nor did we give o'er the
chaſe, 'till Phæbus grew drowſy, bad us defift, and wiſhed
us a good night.
Dick. Of ſome part of their haſty retreat I was a joy-
ful ſpectator, I ſaw their tongues lolling out of their mouths,
and heard them pant like hunted wolves indeed.
Roger. Did you not hear how their mirth was turn'd
into mourning ? their fury into aſtoniſhment ? how ſoon
they quitted their howling Yankee Doodle, and chang’d their
notes to bellowing ? how nimbly (yet againſt their will)
they betook themſelves to dancing ?' And he was then the
braveſt dog that beat time the ſwifteft, and footed Yankee
Doodle the nimbleſt.
Dick. Well pleaſed, Roger, was I with the chace, and
glorious ſport it was: I oft perceiv'd them tumbling o'er
each other heels over head; nor did one dare ſtay to help
his brother--but, with bloody breech, made the beſt of his
way--nor ever ſtopped 'till they were got ſafe within their
lurking-holes
Roger.

American Liberty triumphanf.
35
Roger. From whence they have not the courage to peep
out, unleſs four to one, except (like a ſkunk) forc'd by
famine.
Dick. May this be the fate of all thoſe prowling ſheep-
ftealers; it behooves the ſhepherds to double the watch, to
take uncommon precaution and care of their tender flocks,
more eſpecially as this is like to be an uncommon ſevere
winter, by the appearance of wolves fo early in the
ſeaſon---but, hark !---Roger, methinks I hear the found of
melody warbling thro' the grove---Let's ſit a while, and
partake of it unſeen.
Roger. With all my heart.---Moft delightful harmony !
This is the Firſt of May; our ſhepherds and nymphs are
celebrating our glorious St. Tammany's day; we'll
hear the ſong out, and then join in the frolick, and chorus
it o'er and o'er again---This day ſhall be devoted to joy
and feſtivity.
S O N G.
[Tune. The hounds are all out, &c.]
I.
04 F St. George, or St. Bute, let the poet Laureat fing,
Of Pharaoh or Pluto of old,
While he rhimes forth their praiſe, in falſe, flattering lays,
I'll fing of St. Tamm’ny the bold, my brave boys.
2.
Let Hibernia's fons boaſt, make Patrick their toaſt;
And Scots Andrew's fame ſpread abroad.
Potatoes and oats, and Welch leeks for Welch goats,
Was never St. Tammany's food, my brave boys.
3.
In freedom's bright cauſe, Tamm'ny pled with applauſe,
And reaſon'd moſt juftly from nature ;
For this, this was his ſong, all, all the day long :
Liberty's the right of each creature, brave boys.
4.
Whilſt under an oak his great parliament ſat,
His throne was the crotch of the tree ;
E 2
With

36
The Fall of Britiſh Tyranny: Or,
With Solomon's look, without ſtatutes or book,
He wiſely fent forth his decree, my brave boys.
5.
His ſubjects ſtood round, not the leaſt noiſe or ſound,
Whilf freedom blaz’d full in each face :
So plain were the laws, and each pleaded his cauſe;
That might BUTE, North and MANSFIELD diſgrace,
[my brave boys.
6.
No duties, nor ſtamps, their bleft liberty cramps,
A king, tho' no tyrant, was he;
He did ofi'times declare, nay ſometimes wou'd ſwear,
The leaſt of his ſubjects were free, my brave boys.
7
He, as king of the woods, of the rivers and floods,
Had a right all beaſis to controul;
Yet, content with a few, to give nature her due :
So gen'rous was Tammany's ſoul! my brave boys.
8.
In the morn he aroſe, and a-hunting he goes,
Bold Nimrod bis ſecond was he.
For his breakfaſt be'd take a large venifon ſtake,
And deſpis’d your flip-flops and tea, my brave boys.
9.
While all in a row, with ſquaw, dog and bow,
Vermilion adorning his face,
With feathery head he rang’d the woods wide :
St. George ſure had never ſuch grace, my brave boys ?
His jetty black hair, ſuch as Buckſkin faints wear,
Perfumed with bear's greaſe well ſmear'd,
Which illum'd the ſaints face, and ran down apace,
Like the oil from Aaron's old beard, my brave boys.
II.
The ſtrong nervous deer, with amazing career,
In ſwiftneſs he'd fairly run down;
And, like Sampſon, wou'd tear wolf, lion or bear.
Ne'er was ſuch a faint as our own, my brave boys.
When he'd run down a ſtag, he behind him wou'd lag :
For, ſo noble a foul had he?
He'd
IO.
12.

American Liberty triumphant.
37
He'd flop, tho' he loft it, tradition reports it,
To give him freſh chance to get free, my brave boys.
13.
With a mighty ſtrong arm, and a maſculine bow,
His arrow he drew to the head,
And as ſure as he ſhot, it was ever his lot,
His prey it fell inſtantly dead, my brave boys.
14.
His table he ſpread where the veniſon bled,
Be thankful, he uſed to ſay ;
He'd laugh and he'd ſing, tho' a faint and a king,
Arid ſumptuouſly dine on his prey, my brave boys.
15.
Then over the hills, o'er the mountains and rills
He'd caper, ſuch was his delight ;
And ne'er in his days, Indian hiſtory ſays,
Did lack a good fupper at night, my brave boys.
16.
On an old ſtump he ſat, without cap or hat.
When ſupper was ready to eat,
Snap, his dog, be ſtood by, and caſt a ſheep's eye
For ven ſon, the king of all meat, my brave boys.
17.
Like Iſaac of old, and both caſt in one mould,
Tho' a wigwam was Tamm'ny's cottage,
He lov'd ſav'ry meat, ſuch that patriarch eat,
Of ven’ſon and ſquirrel made pottage, brave boys.
18.
When fourſcore years old, as I've oft’times been told,
To doubt it, ſure, would not be right,
With a pipe in his jaw, he'd buſs his old ſquaw,
And get a young faint ev'ry night, my brave boys.
19.
As old age came on, he grew blind, deaf and dumb,
Tho' his ſport, 'twere hard to keep from it,
Quite tired of life, bid adieu to his wife,
And blaz'd like the tail of a comet, brave boys.
What
country on earth, then, did ever give birth
To ſuch a magnanimous ſaint ?
His
20.

38
The Fall of Britiſh Tyranny: Or,
His acts far excel all that hiſtory tell,
And language too feeble to paint, my brave boys.
Now, to finiſh my ſong, a full flowing bowl
I'll quaff, and
ſing all the long day,
And with punch and wine paint my cheeks for my ſaint,
And hail ev'ry Firſt of ſweet May, my brave boys.
21.
Dick. What a ſeraphic voice! how it enlivens my
foul! Come away, away, Roger, the moments are pre-
cious.
[Exeunt Dick and Roger.
SCENE VII. In a chamber, near BOSTON,
the morning after the battle of Bunker's Hill.
Clarifa. How lovely is this new-born day !--The fun
riſes with uncommon radiance after the moſt gloomy night
my
wearied eyes ever knew.--The voice of ſlumber was
not heard--the angel of ſleep was fled--and the awful
whiſpers of folemnity and filence prevented my eye-lids
froin clofing.--No wonder--the terrors and ideas of yeſter-
day--ſuch a ſcene of war--of tumult--hurry and hubbub -
of horror and deſtruction--the direful noiſe of conflict--the
diſmal hiſſing of iron ſhot in vollies flying--ſuch bellowing
of mortars--fuch thund'ring of cannon--fuch roaring of
mufquetry--and fuch claſhing of ſwords and bayonets--
ſuch cries of the wounded--and ſuch ſtreams of blood--
ſuch a noiſe and cruſh of houſes, ſteeples, and whole ſtreets
of deſolate Charleſtown falling--pillars of fire, and the
convulſed vortex of fiery flakes, rolling in flaming wreaths
in the air, in dreadful combuſtion, ſeemed as tho' the ele-
ments and whole earth were envelop'd in one general,
eternal conflagration and total ruin, and intermingled with
black ſmoke, afcending, on the wings of mourning, up to
heaven, ſeemed piteouſly to implore the almighty interpofi-
tion to put a ſtop to ſuch devaſtation, left the whole earth
ſhould be unpeopled in the unnatural conflict--Too, too
much for female heroiſm to dwell upon--But what are all
thoſe to the terrors that filled my affrighted imagination
the

American Liberty triumphant.
39
for me
the laſt night?--Dreams--fancies--evil bodings--ſhadows,
phantoms and ghaſtly vifions continually hovering around
my pillow, goading and harrowing my ſoul with the moſt
terrific appearances, not imaginary, but real--Am I awake--
Where are the Britiſh murderers ? --where's
my
huſband ?--
my
ſon ?--my
brother ? --Something more than human tells
me all is not well: If they are among the flain, 'tis im-
poſſible.--I--Oh! (She cries.)
Enter a neighbour, a ſpectator of the battle.
Madam, grieve not ſo much.
Clariſa. Am I wont to grieve without a cauſe? Wou'd
to God I did ;---mock me not---What voice is that? me-
thinks I know it--ſome angel ſent to comfort me? --welcome
then. (She turns about) 8, my neighbour, is it you? My
friend, I have need of comfort. Haſt thou
any ---
fay---will you not ſpeak ? Where's my huſband ?---my
ſon ?---my brother ? Haſt thou ſeen them ſince the battle?
Oh! bring me not unwelcome tidings. (Cries.)
Neighbour. (Afide. What ſhall I ſay?) Madam, I be-
held them yeſterday from an eminence.
Clariſſa. Upon that very eminence was 1. What then?--
Neighbour. I ſaw the brave man Warren, your ſon and
brother
Clariſſa. What? Oye gods !---Speak on friend---ſtop---
what ſaw ye?
Neighbour. In the midſt of the tempeft of war---
Clariſſa. Where are they now ?--That I ſaw too--What
is all this?
Neighbour. Madam, hear me--
Clariffa. Then fay on--yet--O, his looks !--I fear!
Neighbour. When General Putnam bid the vanguard open
their front to the--
Clariſſa. Oh, trifle not with me--dear Neighbour !--where
ſhall I find them ?--ſay--
Neighbour. (Aſide. Heavens! muſt I tell her!) Madam,
be patient--right and left, that all may ſee who hate us,
we are prepard for them--
Clariſſa. What then ?--Can
you
find 'em ?--
Neighbour. I ſaw Warren and the other two heroes firm,
as

40
The Fall of Britiſ Tyranny : Or,
as Roxbury ſtand the ſhock of the enemy's fierceſt attacks;
and twice put to flight their boaſted phalanx.--
Clarila. All that I faw, and more; fay--wou'd they not
come to me, were they well?--
Neighbour. Madam, hear me--
Clariſa. O! he will not ſpeak.
Neighbour. The enemy return'd to the charge, and
ſtumbling o'er the dead and wounded bodies of their friends,
Warren received them with indiſſoluble firmneſs, and not
withſtanding their battalious aſpect, in the midſt of the
battle, tho' ſurrounded with foes on ev'ry ſide--
Clariſſa. O, my neighbour !--
Neighbour. Madam--his nervous arm, like a giant re-
freſh'd with wine, hurl'd deſtruction where'er he came,
breathing heroic ardour to advent'rous deeds, and long time
in even ſcale the battle hung, 'till at laſt death turn'd pale
and affrighted at the carnage--they ran--
Clarifa. Who ran?
Neighbour. The enemy, Madam, gave way--
Clariſſa. Warren never ran--yet--oh! I wou'd he had ---
I fear-- (Cries)
Neighbour. I ſay not fo, Madam.
Clariſſa. What ſay ye then ? he was no coward, neigh-
bour--
Neighbour. Brave to the laſt. (Aſide. I forgot myſelf.)
Clariſſa. What ſaid you? O heavens! brave to the laſt !
thoſe words--why do you keep me thus ?--cruel--
Neighbour. (Aſide. She will know it.) I ſay, Madam, by
ſome miſtaken orders on our ſide, the enemy rallied and re-
turn'd to the charge with freſh numbers, and your huſband,
ſon and brother--Madam--
Clariſa. Stop !--O ye powers !--What ?--ſay no more--
yet let me hear--keep me not thus--tell me, I charge thee--
Neighbour. (Aſide. I can hold no longer, ſhe muſt know it)
Forgive me, Madam---I ſaw them fall---and Michael, the
arch-angel, who vanquiſh'd ſatan, is not more immortal
than they.-- (Aſide. Who can relate ſuch woes without a
tear?)
Clariſſa. Oh! I've heard enough---too--too much (Cries)
yet---if thou haſt worſe to tell ---ſay on---nought worſe can
be---

American Liberty triumphant.
41
be --Oye gods !---cruel---cruel---thrice cruel ---cou'd ye
not leave me one---($he faints, and is caught by her friend,
and placed in a chair, he rings the bell, the family come in, and
endeavour to bring her too)
Neighbour. With ſurpriſing fortitude ſhe heard the me-
lancholy relation, until I came to the laſt cloſe---fhe then
gave me a mournful look, lifted up her eyes, and immediately
funk motionleſs into my arms.
Woman. Poor foul !---no wonder---how I fympathize
with her in her diſtreſs---my tender boſom can ſcarcely
bear the fight! A dreadful loſs! a moſt ſhocking ſcene it
was, that brothers ſhould with brothers war, and in inteftine
fierce oppoſition meet, to ſeek the blood of each other, like
dogs for a bare bone, who fo oft in generous friendſhip and
commerce join'd, in feſtivals of love and joy unanimous as
the ſons of one kind and indulgent father, and ſeparately
would freely in a good cauſe ſpend their blood and ſacrifice
their lives for him.
Neighbour. A terrible black day it was, and ever will
be remembered by New-England, when that vile Briton,
(unworthy the name of a Briton) Lord Boſton, (curſe the
name!) whoſe horrid murders ftain American ſoil with
blood; periſh his name ! a fratricide ! 'twas he who fir’d
Charleſtown, and ſpread deſolation, fire, fames and ſmoke
in ev'ry corner---he was the wretch, that waſter of the
world, that licens'd robber, that blood-ſtain'd inſulter of
a free people, who bears the name of Lord Boſton, but
from henceforth ſhall be called Cain, that pillag'd the
ruins, and dragg'd and murder'd the infant, the aged and
infirm---(But look, ſhe recovers.)
Clariſſa. O ye angels ! ye cherubims and ſeraphims!
waft their ſouls to bliſs, bathe their wounds with angelic
balfam, and crown them with immortality. A faithful,
loving and beloved huſband, a promiſing and filial fon,
a tender and affectionate brother : Alas! what a loſs ! ---
Whom have I now to comfort me? ---What have I left,
but the voice of lamentation : (She weeps ) Ill-fated bul-
lets -- theſe tears ſhall ſuſtain me---yes, ye dear friends!
how gladly wou'd I follow you ---but alas ! I muſt ſtill en-
dure tribulation and inquietudes, from which you are now
exempt; I cannot ceaſe to weep, ye brave men, I will
F
mourn
a

42
The Fall of Britiſh Tyranny: Or,
mourn your fall--- weep on---flow, mine eyes, and waſh
away
their blood, 'till the fountain of ſorrow is dried
up---
but, oh! it never---never will--- my ſympathetic foul ſhall
dwell on your boſoms, and floods of tears ſhall water your
graves ; and ſince all other comfort is deny'd me, deprive
me not of the only conſolation left me of meditating on your
virtues and dear memories, who fell in defence of liberty and
your country---ye brave men---ye more than friends---ye
martyrs to liberty !--- This, this is all I aſk, 'till forrow
overwhelms me---I breathe my laſt; and ye yourſelves, your
own bright ſpirits, come and waft me to your peaceful abode,
where the voice of lamentation is not heard, neither ſhall
we know any more what it is to ſeparate.
Eager the patriot meets his deſperate foe
With full intent to give the fatal blow;
The cauſe he fights for animates him high,
His wife, his children and his liberty:
For theſe he conquers, or more bravely dies,
And yields himſelf a willing ſacrifice. [Exeunt.
ACT IV. SCENE I.
Near Norfolk, in Virginia, on board a man of war,
Lord Kidnapper in the ſtate-room, a boat appears
rowing towards the fhip.
Sailor, Boatſwain.
Sailor.
OATSWAIN!
BI
Boatſwain Holla.
Sailor. Damn my eyes, Mr. Boatſwain, but here's a black
flag of truce coming on board.
Boatſwain. Sure enough---where are they from?
Sailor. From hell, I ſuppoſe---for they're as black as fo
many
devils.
Boatſwain. Very well--- no matter---they're recruits for
the Kidnapper.
Sailor. We ſhall be all of a colour by and by---damn me--
Boatſwain. I'll go and inform his Lordſhip and his pair
of doxies of it, I ſuppoſe by this time they have trim'd their
fails, and he's done heaving the loge (Exit Boatſwain,
SCENE

American Liberty triumphant.
43
SCENE II. Near the ſtate-room.
my
US.
Boatſwain. Where's his Lordſhip?
Servant. He's in the ſtate-room.
Boatſwain. It's time for him to turn out, tell him I want
to ſpeak to him.
Servant. I dare not do it, Boatſwain; it's more than my
life is worth.
Boatſwain. Damn your fqueamiſh ſtomach, go directly,
or I'll go myſelf.
Servant. For God's fake! Boatſwain---
Boatſwain. Damn your eyes, you pimping ſon of a bitch,
go this inſtant, or I'll ſtick
knife in your gammons.
Servant. O Lord ! Boatſwain. (Servant goes.)
.
Boatſwain (ſolus). What the devil---keep a pimp guard
here, better ſtation the ſon of a bitch at the maſt head, to
keep a look out there, leſt Admiral Hopkins be upon
Enter Kidnapper.
What's your will, Boatſwain.
Boatſwain. I beg your Lordſhip’s pardon, (Afide. But you:
can foon fetch up Leeway, and ſpread the water fail again)
pleaſe your honour, here's a boat full of fine recruits along
fide for
you.
Kidnapper. Recruits, Boatſwain ? you mean foldiers
from Auguſtine, I imagine ; what reg'mentals have they on?
Boatſwain. Mourning, pleaſe your honour, and as black
as our tarpawling
Kidnapper. Ha, ha, well, well, take 'em on board, Boat.
ſwain, I'll be on deck preſently.
Boatſwain. With ſubmiſſion to your honour, d'ye fee
(ſcratching his head) I think we have gallows-looking dogs
enough on board already--- the ſcrapings of Newgate, and the
refuſe of Tyburn, and when the wind blows aft, damn'en,
they ſtink like polecats---but d'ye ſee, as your honour pleaſes,
with fubmiffion, if it's Lord Paramount's orders, why it
muſt be ſo, I ſuppoſe---but I've done my duty, d’ye fee---
Kidnapper. Ha, ha, the work muſt be done, Boatſwain,
no matter by whom.
Boatſwain. Why, aye, that's true, pleaſe your honour,
any port in a ſtorm ---if a man is to be hang’d, or have his
throat
a
a
F 2

44
The Fall of Britiſh Tyranny: Or,
throat cut, d’ye ſee--- who are ſo fit to do it as his own ſlaves?
eſpecially as they're to have their freedoms for it; nobody
can blame 'em, nor your honour neither, for you get them
for half price, or nothing at all, d'ye ſee me, and that will
help to leſſen poor Owld England's taxes, and when you
have done with 'em here, and they get their brains knock'd
out, d’ye ſee, your honour can ſell them in the Weſt Indies,
and that will be ſomething in your honour's pocket, d'ye
ſee---well, ev'ry man to his trade ---but, damn my impudence
for all, I ſee your honour knows all about it---d'ye fee.
[Exit Boatſwain.
S C Ε Ν Ε ΙΙΙ.
Lord Kidnapper returns to his ſtate-room, the Boatſwain comes
on deck and pipes.
All hands ahoi--hand a rope, ſome of you Tories, for-
ward there, for his worſhip’s reg’ment of black guards ta
come aboard.
Enter Negroes.
Boatſwain. Your humble ſervant, Gentlemen, I ſuppoſe
you want to ſee Lord Kidnapper ? ---Clear the gangway
there of them Tyburn tulips. Pleaſe to walk aft, brother
ſoldiers, that's the fitteſt birth for you, the Kidnapper's in
the ſtate room, he'll hoiſt his ſheet-anchor preſently, he'll
be up in a jiffin---as ſoon as he has made faſt the end of his
ſmall repe athwart Jenny Bluegarter and Kate Common's
ſtern pofts.
Firſt Sailor. Damn my eyes, but I ſuppoſe, meſsinate, we
muſt bundle out of our hammocks this cold weather, to
make room for theſe black regulars to ſtow in, tumble upon
deck, and chooſe a ſoft birth among the ſnow?
Second Sailor. Blaſt 'em, if they come within a cable's
length of my hammock, I'll kick 'em to hell through one
of the gun ports.
Boatſwain. Come, come, brothers, don't be angry, I fup-
poſe we ſhall ſoon be in a warmer latitude---the Kidnapper
feems as fond of theſe black regulars(as you call’em Jack)as he
is of the brace of whores below; but as they come in ſo damn'd
flow, I'll put him in the humour of ſending part of the fleet
this winter to the coaſt of Guinea, and beat up for volun-
teers, there he'll get recruits enough for a hogſhead or two
of

American Liberty triumphant.
45
a
of New England rum, and a few old pipe-fhanks, and ſave
poor Owld-England the trouble and expence of clothing
them in the bargain.
Firſt Sailor. Aye, Boatſwain, any voyage, ſo it's a warın
one-- if it's to hell itſelf -- for I'm ſure the devil muſt be
better off than we, if we are to ſtay here this winter.
Second Sailor, Any voyage, ſo it's to the ſouthward,
rather than ſtay here at lazy anchor---no fire, nothing to
eat or drink, but fuck our froſty fifts like bears, unleſs we
turn ſheep-ſtealers again, and get our brains knock'd out.
Eigh, maſter cook, you're a gentleman now nothing to do -
grown fo proud, you wont ſpeak to poor folks, I ſuppoſe ?
Cook. The devil may cook for 'em for me---if I had any
thing to cook -- a parcel of frozen half-ſtarv'd dogs. I ſhould
never be able to keep 'em out of the cook room, or their
noſes out of the fluſh-tub,
Boatſwain. Damn your old ſinoaky jaws, you're better
off than any man aboard, your trouble will be nothing, -- for I
ſuppoſe they'll be diſburſted in different meſſes among the To-
ries, and it's only putting on the big pot, cockey. Ha, ha, ha.
Cook. What fignifies, Mr. Boatſwain, the big pot or the
little pot, if there's nothing to cook ? no fire, coal or wood
to cook with? Blaſt my eyes, Mr. Boatſwain, if I diſgreaſe
myſelf ſo much, I have had the honour, damn me (tho' I ſay
it that ſhou’dn't ſay it) to be chief cook of a ſeventy-four
gun ſhip, on board of which was Lord Abel-Marl and Ad.
miral Poke-Cock,
Boatſwain. Damn the lyars ---old finge-the-devil---you
chief cook of a ſeventy-four gun fhip, eigh? you the devil,
?
you're as proud as hell, for all you look as old as Matheg’lum,
hand a pair of ſilk ſtockings for our cook here, d'ye ſee---
lalh a handſpike athwart his arſe, get a ladle full of fluſh
and a handful of brimſtone for his hair, and ſtep one of you
Tories there for the devil's barber, to come and ſhave and
dreſs him. Ha, ha, ha.
Cook. No, Mr. Boatſwain, it's not pride---but look'e
(as I ſaid before) I'll not difgreaſe my ſtation, I'll throw
up my commiſſion, before I'll ſtand cook for a parcel of
ſcape gallows, convi&t Tory dogs and run-away Negroes.
Boatſwain. What's that you ſay ? Take care, old froſty
face-- What? do you accuſe his worſhip of turning kid-
napper,

46
The Fall of Britiſh Tyranny: Or,
a
napper, and harbouring run away Negroes ? ---Softly, or
you'll be taken up for a Whig, and get a handſome coat of
fluſh and hogs feathers for a chriſtmaſs-box, cockey: Throw
up your commiſſion, eigh? throw up the pot-halliards, you
mean, old piſs-to-windward ? Ha, ha, ha.
Cook. I tell you, Mr. Boatſwain--I--
Boatſwain. Come, come, give us a chaw of tobacco,
Cook--blaft your eyes, don't take any pride in what I ſay--
I'm only joking, d’ye ſee--
Cook. Well, but Mr. Boatſwain--
Boatſwain. Come, avaſt, belay the lanyards of your jaws,
and let's have no more of it, d'ye ſee. (Boatſwain pipes.)
Make faſt that boat along ſide there.
[Exeunt ev'ry man to his station.
SCENE IV. Lord Kidnapper comes up on
the quarter deck.
Well, my brave blacks, are you come to lift?
Cudio. Éas, maffa Lord, you preazee.
Kidnapper. How many are there of you?
Cudjo. Twenty-two, mafia.
Kidnapper. Very well, did you all run away from your
maſters?
Cudjo. Eas, maſſa Lord, eb’ry one, me too.
Kidnapper. That's clever; they have no right to make
you ſlaves, I wiſh all the Negroes wou'd do the ſame, I'll
inake 'em free--what
part
did
you
come from?
Cudjo. Diffe brack man, difle one, diffe one, difſe one,
diffe one, come from Hamton, diſſe one, diſſe one, diſſe one,
come from Nawfok, me come from Nawfok too.
Kidnapper. Very well, what was your maſter's name?
Cudjo. Me mafſa name Cunney Tomſee.
Kidnapper. Colonel Thompſon--eigh?
Cudjo. Eas, mafra, Cunney Tomfee.
Kidnapper. Well then I'll make you a major---and
what's
Cudjo. Me mafla cawra me Cudjo.
Kidnapper. Cudjo?a-very good -- was you ever chriſtened,
Cudjo?
Cudjo.
your name?

American Liberty triumphant.
а
Cudjo. No, maffa, me no criffen.
Kidnapper. Well then I'll chriſten you--you ſhall be
called major Cudjo Thompfon, and if you behave well,
I'll ſoon make you a greater man than your maſter, and if
I find the reſt of you behave well, I'll make you all officers,
and after you have ſerv'd Lord Paramount a while, you ſhall
have money in your pockets, good cloaths on your backs,
and be as free as them white men there. (Pointing forward
to a parcel of Tories.)
Cudjo. Tankee, maffa, gaw breffe, maffa Kidnap.
Sailor. ( Afide. What a damn’d big mouth that Cudjo has--
as large as our main hatch-way--
Cook. (Aſide.) Aye, he's come to a wrong place to make
a good uſe of it--it might ſtand ſome little chance at a Lord
Mayor's feaft.--
Kidnapper. Now go forward, give 'em fomething to eat
and drink there. (Afide. Poor devils, they look half ſtarved
and naked like ourſelves.)
Cook. (Aſide.) I don't know where the devil they'll get
it; the fight of that fellow's mouth is enough to breed a fa-
mine on board, if there was not one already.
Sailor. Aye, he'd tumble plenty down his damn'd guts
and ſwallow it, like Jones ſwallow'd the whale.
Kidnapper. To-morrow you ſhall have guns like them
white
men --Can
you
ſhoot ſome of them rebels aſhore,
Major Cudjo?
Cudjo. Eas, maſſa, me try.
Kidnapper. Wou'd you ſhoot your old maſter, the Colo-
nel, if you could ſee him?
Cudjo. Eas, maſſa, you terra me, me ſhoot him down
dead.
Kidnapper. That's a brave fellow--damn 'em --down with
them all--fhoot all the damn'd rebels.
Serjeant. (Aſide) Brave fellows indeed !
Kidnapper. Serjeant !
Serjeant. I wait your Lordſhip's commands.
Kidnapper. Serjeant, to morrow begin to teach thoſe black
recruits the exerciſe, and when they have learn'd fufciently
well to load and fire, then incorporate them among the re-
gulars and the other Whites on board; we ſhall in a few
days have ſome work for 'em, I expect--be as expeditious
as

4.8
The Fall of Britiſs Tyranny: Or,
as poſſible. (Afide to him) Set a guard over them every night,
and take their arms from them, for who knows but they
may cut our throats.
Serjeant. Very true, My Lord, I ſhall take particular care.
[Exit Kidnapper, Serjeant and Negroes walk forward.
S CE NE V.
Serjeant. Damn 'em, I'd rather ſee half their weight in
beef.
Boatſwain. Aye, curſe their ſtomachs, or mutton either ;
then our Cook wou'dn't be ſo damn'd lazy as he is, ftrut-
ting about the deck like a nobleman, receiving Paramount's
pay for nothing
Serjeant. Walk faſter, damn your black heads. I ſuppoſe,
Boatſwain, when this hell-cat reg'ment's compleat, they'll
be reviewed in Hyde park?--
Boatſwain. Aye, blaſt my eyes, and our Chaplain with
his dirty black gown, or our Cook, ſhall be their general,
and review 'em, for he talks of throwing up his pot-halliards
commiſſion, in hopes of it.
Serjeant. Ha, ha, ha.--
Cook. I'd ſee the devil have 'em firft.--
[Exeunt Serjeant, &C.
SCENE VI. In the cabbin.
Lord Kidnapper, Captain Squires, Chaplain.
Kidnapper. Theſe blacks are no ſmall acquiſition, them
and the Tories we have on board, will ſtrengthen us vaftly;
the thoughts of emancipation will make 'em brave, and the
encouragement given them by my proclamation, will greatly
intimidate the rebels--internal enemies are worſe than open
foes.--
Chaplain. Very true, My Lord; David prayed that he
might be preſerved from ſecret enemies.
Kidnapper. Aye, fo I've heard, but I look upon this to
be a grand manæuvre in politics; this is making dog eat
dog--thief catch thief--the ſervant againſt his maſter--rebel
againſt rebel--what think you of that, parfon?
Chaplain.

American Liberty triumphant.
4.9
Chaplain. A houſe divided thus againſt itſelf cannot
ſtand, according to fcripture--My Lord, your obſervation
is truly ſcriptural.
Kidnapper. Scripture? poh, poh--I've nothing to do with
ſcripture--I mean politically, parfon.
Chaplain. I know it very well; ſure, My Lord, I under-
ſtand you perfectly.
Kidnapper. Faith that's all I care for; if we can ſtand
our ground this winter, and burn all their towns that are
acceſſible to our ſhips, and Colonel Connolly ſucceeds in
his plan, there's not the leaſt doubt but we ſhall have ſup-
plies from England very early in the ſpring, which I have
wrote for; then, in conjunction with Connolly, we ſhall be
able to make a deſcent where we pleaſe, and drive the rebels
like hogs into a pen.
Chaplain. And then gather them (as the ſcriptures ſay)
as a hen gathereth her chickens.
Kidnapper. True, Mr. Scripture,
Captain Squires. Very good, but you muſt take care of
the hawks.
Kidnapper. What do you mean by the hawks, Captain ?
Captain Squires. I mean the ſhirt-men, the rifle-men,
My Lord.
Kidnapper. Aye, damn'em, hawks indeed ; they are curſed
dogs ; a man is never ſafe where they are, but I'll take care
to be out of their reach, let others take their chance, for I
ſee they have no reſpect to perſons--I ſuppoſe they wou'd
Thoot at me, if I were within their reach.
Chaplain. Undoubtedly, they would be more fond of you
than of a wild turkey; a parcel of ignorant unmannerly raſcals,
they pay no more reſpect to a Lord than they wou'd to a
devil.
Kidnapper. The ſcoundrels are grown fo damn'd impudent
too, that one can ſcarcely get a roafting pig now-a-days,
but I'll be even with ſome of 'em by and by.
Chaplain. I hope we fhall get ſomething good for our
Chriſtmaſs dinner--ſo much abftinence and involuntary mor-
tification, cannot be good for the ſoul--a war in the body
corporal is of more dangerous conſequence than a civil war
to the ſtate, or hereſy and ſchiſm to the church.
Kidnapper. Very true, parfon--very true--- now I like
G
your

50
The Fall of Britiſh Tyranny: Or,
а
your doctrine--a full belly is better than an empty ſermon;
preach that doctrine ;--ſtick to that text, and you'll not
fail of making converts.
Chaplain. The wiſeft of men faid, there is nothing bet-
ter, than that a man ſhould enjoy that which he hath, name-
ly, eat, drink, and be merry, if he can.
Kidnapper. You're very right-- Solomon was no fool, they
ſay---(he ſings)
Give me a charming laſs, Twangdillo cries,
I know no pleaſure, but love's fweet joys.
Chaplain. (Sings.) Give me the bottle, ſays the red face fot,
For a whore I'd not give fix-pence, not a groat.
Yet two is better than one, my Lord, for the ſcriptures fur-
ther ſay, if one be alone, how can there be heat ?
you
ſeem
to be converted to that belief, for you have a brace of them,
as the Boatſwain ſays,
Kidnapper. Ha, ha. It's a pity but you were a biſhop,
you have the ſcriptures fo pat--now I'll go and take a ſhort
nap, meanwhile; Captain, if any thing new happens, pray
order
my
fervant to wake ine.
Captain Squires. I will, My Lord.
[Exit Kidnapper.
Chaplain. And you and I'll crack a bottle, Captain; (bring
a bottle, boy!) tis bad enough to periſh by famine, but
ten thouſand times worſe to be choak'd for want of moiſture.
His Lordſhip and two more makes three; and you and I
and the bottle make three more, and a three-fold cord is
not eaſily broken; fo we're even with him.
Captain Squires. With all my heart.--Boy, bear a hand!
Tom. Coming, Sir.
Chaplain. Tom, Tom !--nake hafte, you ſcoundrel !--
fetch two bottles. I think we can manage
it.
Enter Tom with the bottles.
Chaplain. That's right, Tom.--Now bring the glaſſes,
and ſhut the door after you,
[Exit Tom.
SCENE

American Liberty triumphant.
51
SCENE VII. In BOSTON. A council of war after
the battle of BUNKER'S HILL.
Lord Boſton, Admiral Tombſtone, Elbow Room, Mr. Caper,
General Clinton, Lul Percy.
Lord Bofton. I fully expected, with the help of the laſt
reinforcement you brought me over, and the advice and af-
fiſtance of three accompliſh'd and experienc'd Generals, I
ſhould have been able to have ſubdued the rebels, and gain'd
immortal laurels to myſelf--have return'd to Old England
like a Roman Conſul, with a ſcore or two of the rebel Ge-
nerals, Colonels and Majors, to have grac'd my triumph.
Elbow Room. You have been vaſtly diſappointed, Sir--
you muſt not look for laurels (unleſs wild ones) nor expect
triumphs (unleſs ſham ones) from your own victories or
conqueſts in America,
Lord Boſton. And yet not more diſappointed than you,
Sir--witneſs your thraſonical ſpeeches on your firſt land-
ing, provided you had but elbow room--and Mr. Caper too
to bring over Monſieur Rigadoon, the dancing-maſter, and
Signior Roſin, the fiddler forſooth; he thought, no doubt,
to have country danc'd the rebels out of their liberty with
ſome of his new cuts--with his ſoft muſic to have faſcinated
their wives and daughters, and with ſome of 'em, no doubt,
to have taken the tour of America, with his reg’ment of
fine fleek prancing horfes, that have been feeding this fix
months on codfiſh tails; he thought to have grown fat with
feaſting, dancing, and drinking tea with the Ladies, inſtead
of being the ſkeleton he now appears to be--not to mention
any thing of his letter, wherein he laments Tom's abſence;
for *“ had Tom been with him (he ſays) he wou'd have
been out of danger, and quite ſecure from the enemy's ſhot."
Percy. I think, Gentlemen, we're even with you now;
you have had your mirth and frolick with us, for dancing
Yankee Doodle, as you called it, from Lexington.--I find
you have had a feverer dance, a brave ſweat at Bunker's
Hill, and have been obliged to pay the fiddler in the bargain.
Clinton. However, Gentlemen, I approve (at proper ſea-
ſons)
* See Burgoyne's letter.

52
The Fall of Britiſh Tyranny : Or,
а
ſons) of a little joking, yet I can by no means think (as
we have had ſuch bad ſucceſs with our crackers) that this is
a proper
time to throw your ſquibs.
Lord Boſton. I grant you, Sir, this is a very improper
time for joking; for my part, I was only ſpeaking as to my
own thoughts, when Mr. Elbow Room made remarks,
which he might as well have ſpared.
Elbow Room. I took you, Sir, as meaning a reflection up-
on us for our late great loſs, and particularly to myſelf, for.
expreffing fome furpriſe on our firſt landing, that you ſhould
ſuffer a parcel of ignorant peaſants to drive you before 'em
like ſheep from Lexington; and I muſt own I was a little
chagrin'd at your feeming ſo unconcern'd at ſuch an affair
as this, (which had nearly prov'd our ruin) by your innu-
endoes and ironical talk of accompliſh'd Generals, Roman
Conſuls and triumphs.
Lord Boſton. My mentioning accompliſh'd Generals,
ſurely, Sir, was rather a compliment to you,
Elbow Room. When irony paſs current for compli-
ments, and we take it fo, I fhall have no objection to it.
Mr. Caper. The affair of Lexington, My Lord Boſton,
at which you were ſo much affrighted (if I am rightly in-
form’d) was becauſe you then ſtood on your own bottom,
this of Bunker's Hill you ſeem fecretly to rejoice at, only
becauſe you have three accompliſh'd and experienc'd Ge-
nerals to ſhare the diſgrace with you, beſides the brave Ad-
miral Tombſtone--you talk of dancing and fiddling, and
yet you do neither, as I fee.
Lord Boſton. And pray, Sir, what did you do with the
commiffion, the poſt, the Duke of Grafton gave you, in
lieu of your loffes at Preſton election, and the expences of
your trial at the king's bench for a riot, which had emptied
your pockets ?--Why you fold it--you fold it, Sir--to raiſe
caſh to gamble with.--
Admiral Tombſtone. Damn it, don't let us kick
up
duft
among ourſelves, to be laugh'd at fore and aft--this is a hell
of a council of war--though I believe it will turn out one
а
before we've done--a ſcolding and quarrelling like a parcel
of damn'd butter whores--I never heard two whores yet
ſcold and quarrel, bụt they got to fighting at Iaft.
Clinton. Pray, Gentlemen, drop this diſcourſe, confider
the
а.

American Liberty triumphant,
53
the honour of England is at ſtake, and our own ſafety de-
pends upon this day's conſultation.
Lord Boſton. "Tís not for argument fake--but the dignity
of my ſtation requires others ſhould give up firſt.
Elbow Room. Sir, I have done, left you ſhould alſo accufe
me of obſtructing the proceedings of the council of war.
Mr. Caper. For the ſame reaſon I drop it now.
Lord Boſton. Well, Gentlemen, what are we met here
for?
Admiral Tombſtone. Who the devil fhou'd know, if you
don't ?--damn it, didn't you ſend for us?
Lord Boſton. Our late great loſs of men has tore up the
foundation of our plan, and render'd all further attempts
impracticable--'twill be a long time ere we can expect any
more reinforcements--and if they ſhould arrive, I'm doubt-
ful of their ſucceſs.
Clinton. The provincials are vaſtly ſtrong, and ſeem no
novices in the art of war ; 'tis true we gain'd the hill at
laft, but of what advantage is it to us!--none--the loſs of
1400 as brave men as Britain can boaſt of, is a melancholy
conſideration, and muſt make our moſt ſanguinary friends
in England abate of their vigour.
Elbow Room. I never faw or read of any battle equal to
it--never was more martial courage diſplay'd, and the pro-
vincials, to do the dogs juſtice, fought like heroes, fought
indeed more like devils than men; ſuch carnage and de-
ſtrucțion not exceeded by Blenheim, Minden, Fontenoy,
Ramillies, Dettingen, the battle of the Boyne, and the late
affair of the Spaniards and Algerines--a mere cock-fight to
it--no laurels there.
Mr. Caper. No, nor triumphs neither--I regret in par-
ticular the number of brave Officers that fell that day, many
of whom were of the firſt families in England.
Admiral Tombſtone. Aye, a damnd affair indeed--many
powder'd beaus--petit maitres--fops--fribbles --ſkip jacks--
macaronies--jack puddings -- noblemen's baſtards and whores
fons fell that day--and my poor marines ſtood no more
chance with 'em than a cat in hell without claws.
Lord Boſton. It can't be help'd, Admiral; what is to be
done next?
Admiral

54
The Fall of Britiſh Tyranny: Or,
Admiral Tombſtone. Done? --- why, what the devil have
you done ?-- nothing yet, but eat Paramount's beef, and ſteal
a few Yankee ſheep--and that, it ſeems, is now become a
damn'd louſy, beggarly trade too, for you hav'n't left your-
felves a mouthful to eat.
a
(Aſide)
“ Bold at the council board,
« But cautious in the field, he funn'd the fword.”
Lord Boſton. But what can we do, Admiral ?
Admiral Tombſtone. Do? --why fuck your paws--that's
all you're like to get. (Afide.) But avait, I muſt bowſe
taught there, or we ſhall get to logger heads foon, we're
ſuch damn'd fighting fellows.
Lord Boſton. We muſt act on the defenſive this winter,
'till reinforcements arrive.
Admiral Tombſtone. Defenſive ? aye, aye--if we can de
fend our bellies from hunger, and prevent a mutiny and
civil war among the ſmall guts there this winter, we ſhall
make a glorious campaign of it indeed--it will read well in
the American Chronicles,
Lord Boſton. I expect to be recalled this winter, when
I ſhall lay the caſe before Lord Paramount, and let him
know your deplorable ſituation.
Admiral Tombſtone. Aye, do--and lay it behind him
too; you've got the weather-gage of us this tack, meſs-
mate; but I wiſh you a good voyage for all--and don't
forget to tell him, the poor worms are ſtarving too, having
nothing to eat, but half ſtarv'd dead ſoldiers and the ſhips
bottoms. Afide.) A cunning old fox, he's gnaw'd his
way handſomely out of the Boſton cage--but he'll never be
a WOLF, for all that.
Mr. Caper. I ſhall deſire to be recalled too--I've not
been us'd to ſuch fare--and not the leaſt diverſion or enter-
tainment of fort going forward here--I neither can nor
will put up with it.
Admiral Tombſtone. I think we're all a parcel of damn'd
boobies for coming three thouſand miles upon a wild gooſe
chaſe--to periſh with cold--ffarve with hunger--get our
brains knock'd out, or be hang'd for ſheep-ſtealing and rob-
bing hen-roofts.
Lord
any

American Liberty triumphant.
55
a
Lord Boſton. I think, Admiral, you're always grum-
bling--never ſatisfied.
Admiral Tombſtone. Satisfied ? I ſee no appearance of
it--we have been here theſe twelve hours, ſcolding upon
empty ſtomachs--you may call it a council of war, (and ſo
it is indeed, a war with the guts) or what you
will--but
I call it a council of famine.
Lord Boſton. As it's ſo late, Gentlemen, we'll adjourn
the council of war 'till to-morrow at nine o'clock--I hope
you'll all attend, and come to a concluſion.
Admiral Tombſtone. And I hope you'll then conclude
to favour us with one of them fine turkeys you're keeping
for
your ſea ſtore, (aſide. or that fine, fat, black pig you or
ſome of your guard ſtole out of the poor Negroe's pen) as it's
near Chriſtmaſs, and you're going to make your exit--you
know the old cuſtom among the ſailors--pave your way
firſt--let us have one good dinner before we part, and leave
us half a dozen pipes of Mr. Hancock's wine to drink your
a
health, and a good voyage, and don't let us part with dry
lips.
Such fooliſh councils, with no wiſdom fraught,
Muſi end in wordy words, and come to nought;
Juſt like St. James's, where they blufter, ſcold,
They nothing know--yet they deſpiſe being told.
[Exeunt.
ACT V. SCENE I.
At MONTREAL.
General Preſcot, Officer.
General Prefeot. S feldom comes alone-- The rebels;
O it misfortune
after the taking of Ticonderoga and Chamblee, as I juſt
now learn by a Savage, marched immediately to beſiege St.
John's, and are now before that place, cloſely inveſting it,
and no doubt intend paying us a viſit foon.
Officer. Say you ſo? then 'tis time to look about us.
Gen. Preſcot. They'll find us prepard, I'll warrant 'em,
to

56
The Fall of Britiſh Tyranny : Or,
to give 'em ſuch a reception as they little dream of--a par-
cel of Yankee dogs.
Officer. Their ſucceſs, no doubt, has elated them, and
given 'em hopes of conquering all Canada ſoon, if that's
their intent.
Gen. Preſcot. No doubt it is--but I'll check their career
a little.---
Enter Scouting Officer, with Colonel Allen, and other priſoners.
Scouting Officer. Sir, I make bold to preſent you with
a few priſoners--they are a ſcouting detachment from the
army beſieging St. John's.
Gen. Preſcot. Priſoners ? Rebels, I ſuppoſe, and ſcarcely
worth hanging
Colonel Allen. Sir, you ſuppoſe wrong---you mean
ſcarcely worth your while to attempt.
Gen. Preſcot. Pray who are you, Sir ?
Col. Allen. A man, Sir, and who had the honour, 'till
now, to command thoſe brave
men, whom
you
call rebels.
Gen. Preſcot. What is your name? if I may be ſo bold?
Col. Allen. Allen,
Gen. Preſcot. Allen?
Col. Allen. Yes, Allen.
Gen. Preſcot. Are you that Allen, that Colonel Allen
(as they call him) that dar'd to take Ticonderoga?
Col. Allen. The fame--the very man,
Gen. Preſcot. Then rebels you are, and as ſuch I ſhall
treat you, for daring to oppoſe Lord Paramount's troops,
and the laws of the land.
Col. Allen. Priſoners we are, 'tis true--but we deſpiſe
the name of a rebel--With more propriety that name is
applicable to your maſter--'tis he who attempts to deſtroy
the laws of the land, not us--we mean to ſupport them,
and defend our property againſt Paramount's and parlia-
mentary tyranny.
Gen. Preſcot. To anſwer you, were a poorneſs of ſpirit
I deſpiſe; when Rebels dare accuſe, power that replies,
forgets to puniſh; I am not to argue that point with you:
And let me tell you, Sir, whoever you are, it now ill be-
comes you thus to talk--You're my priſoner--your life is
in

American Liberty triumphant.
57
a
Why do
you
in my hands, and you ſhall fuffer immediately--Guards!
take them away.
Col. Allen. Cruel inſult !--pardon theſe brave men !--
what they have done has been by my orders--I am the
only guilty perfon (if guilt there be) let me alone fuffer
for them all Copening his breaſt] Here! take your revenge--
heſitate ?--Will you not ſtrike a breaſt that
ne'er will finch from your pointed bayonet?
Gen. Preſcot. Provoke me not--Remember you're my
priſoners.
Col. Allen. Our ſouls are free !---Strike, cowards,
ftrike !--I ſcorn to beg my life.
Gen. Preſcot. Guards ! away with them--I'll reſerve
you for a more ignominious death--your fate is fix'd--
away
with them.
Col. Allen. (Going off) Be glutted, ye thirfters after hu-
man blood--Come, ſee me ſuffer - mark my eye, and ſcorn
me, if my expiring foul confeffes fear-Come, fee and be
taught virtue, and to die as a patriot for the wrongs of my
country
[Exeunt priſoners and guards.
SCENE II. A dungeon.
Col. Allen. What! ye infernal monſters! murder us
in the dark ?- What place is this ?- Who reigns king of
theſe gloomy manſions ?--You might favour us at leaſt
with one fpark of light-- Ye cannot ſee to do your buſineſs
here,
Officer. 'Tis our orders.
Col. Allen. Ye dear, ye brave, wretched friends!.-now
wou'd I die for
ye
ſhare a death I wou'd gladly ex-
cufe you from Tis not death I fear--this is cnly bodily
death--but to die noteleſs in the filent dark, is to die
ſcorn'd, and ſhame our fuff'ring country--we fall undig-
nify'd by villains hands--a facrifice to Britain's outcaſt
blood-hounds - This, this ſhakes the foul ... Come then, ye
murderers, ſince it muſt be fo- do your buſineſs ſpeedily--
Farewell, my friends! to die with
you
is
nobleſt
claim, fince to die for you was a choice deny'd --What are
ye about? -Stand off, ye wretches !
H
all-
- ye
a
now my
Officer.

58
The Fall of Britiſh Tyranny: Or,
Officer. I am order'd to lay you in irons (they ſeize him)
you muſt ſubmit.
Col. Allen. What, do you mean to torture us to death
with chains, racks and gibbets ? rather deſpatch us imme-
diately --Ye executioners, ye inquiſitors, does this cruelty
proceed from the lenity I ſhewed to the priſoners I took ? ..
Did it offend you that I treated them with friendſhip, ge-
neroſity, honour and humanity ? -- If it did, our fuff'rings
will redound more to our honour, and our fall be the
more glorious--But remember, this fall will prove your
own one day--Wretches ! I fear you not, do your
worſt;
and while I here lay fuff’ring and chain'd on my back to
the damp floor, I'll yet pray
for
Officer. Excuſe us, we have only obey'd our orders.
Col. Allen. Then I forgive you ;
but
pray
execute them.
Oh! my loft friends! 'tis liberty, not breath,
Gives the brave life. Shun ſav'ry more than death.
He who ſpurns fear, and dares diſdain to be,
Mocks chains and wrongs--and is forever free;
While the baſe coward, never ſafe, tho' low,
Creeps but to-ſuff'rings, and lives on for woe!
[Exeunt guards.
your converſion.
SCENE III. In the camp at CAMBRIDGE.
General Waſhington, General Lee, General Putnam.
General Waſhington. Our accounts from the North-
ward, fo far, are very favourable; Ticonderoga, Chamblee,
St. John's and Montreal our troops are already in poffeffion
of---and Colonel Arnold, having penetrated Canada, after
fuffring much thro' cold, fatigue, and want of proviſions,
is now before Quebec, and General Montgomery, I under-
ſtand, is in full march to join him ; ſee theſe letters [they
read]
Gen. Lee. The brave, the intrepid Arnold, with his
handful of fearleſs troops, have dar'd beyond the ſtrength
of mortals-- Their courage ſmild at doubts, and reſolutely
march'd on, clarab'ring (to all but themſelves) inſurmount-
able precipices, whoſe tops, covered with ice and ſnow, lay
hid in the clouds, and dragging baggage, proviſions, am-
munition and artillery along with them, by main ſtrength,
in

American Liberty triumphant.
59
in the dead of winter, over ſuch ſtupendous and amazing
heights, feems almoſt incredible, unparallelled in hiſtory!--
Tis true,
Hannibal's march over the Alps comes the neareſt
to it - it was a ſurpriſing undertaking, but when compar'd
to this, appears but as a party of pleaſure, an agreeable
walk, a fabbath day's journey.
Gen. Putnam. Poſterity will ſtand amazed, and be
aſtoniſh'd at the heroes of this new world, that the ſpirit of
patriotiſm ſhould blaze to ſuch a heigth, and eclipſe all
others, fhould outbraye fatigue, danger, pain, peril, famine,
and even death itſelf, to ſerve their country; that they
ſhould march, at this inclement ſeaſon, thro' long and
dreary deſerts, thro' the remoteſt wilds, covered with
fwamps and ſtanding lakes, beſet with trees, buſhes and
briars, impervious to the chearing rays of the ſun, where
are no traces or veſtiges of human footſteps, wild, untrod-
den paths, that ſtrike terror into the fierceſt of the brute
creation.
No bird of ſong to chear the gloomy defert !
No animals of gentle love's enliven!
Gen. Lee. Let Britons do the like--no--they dare not
attempt it-- let 'em call forth the Hanoverian, the Heſſian, the
hardy Ruffian, or, if they will, the wild Coffacks and Kal-
mucks of Tartary, and they would tremble at the thought!
And who but Americans dare undertake it? The wond'ring
moon and ſtars ſtood aloof, and turn'd pale at the fight!
Gen. Waſhington. I rejoice to hear the Canadians re-
ceived them kindly, after their fatigue furniſh'd them
with the neceſſaries of life, and otherways treated them
very humanely--And the favages, whoſe hair ſtood an end,
and look'd and liſten'd with horror and aſtoniſhment at the
relation of the fatigues and perils they underwent, com-
miſerated them, and afforded all the ſuccour in their power.
Gen. Lee. The friendſhip of the Canadians and ſavages,
or even their neutrality alone, are favourable circumſtances
that cannot fail to hearten our men; and the junction of
General Montgomery will inſpire 'em with freſh ardour.
Gen. Putnam. Heavens proſper 'em!
Enter Officer and Expreſs.
Officer. Sir, here's an expreſs.
Expreſs. I have letters to your Excellency,
Gen.
H 2.

60 The Fall of Britiſh Tyranny: Or,
Gen. Waſhington. From whence ?
Expreſs. From Canada, Sir.
Gen. Waſhington. From the army?
Expreſs. From the head-quarters, Sir.
Gen. Waſhington. I hope matters go well there.--Had
General Montgomery join'd Colonel Arnold when you
left it?
Expreſs. He had, Sir--theſe letters are from both thoſe
gentlemen. [gives him the letters]
Gen. Waſhington. Very well. You may now withdraw
and refreſh yourſelf, unleſs you've further to ſay--I'll dif-
patch you ſhortly.
Expreſs. Nothing further, Sir.
[Exeunt Officer and Expreſs.
a
SCENE III.
Gen. Waſhington. [Opens and reads the letters to General
Lee and Putnam] I am well pleaſed with their contents--
all but the behaviour of the haughty Carleton--to fire upon
a flag of truce, hitherto unprecedented, even amongſt Sa-
vages or Algerines--his cruelty to the priſoners is coward-
ly, and perſonal ill treatment of General Montgomery is
unbecoming a General--a foldier--and beneath a Gentle-
man--and leaves an indelible mark of brutality--I hope Ge-
neral Montgomery, however, will not follow his example.
General Lee. I hope ſo too, Sir--if it can be avoided ;
it's a diſgrace to the ſoldier, and a ſcandal to the Gentle-
man--fo long as I've been a ſoldier, my experience has not
furniſh'd me with a like inſtance.
Gen. Putnam. I ſee no reaſon why he ſhou’dn't be paid
in his own coin.--If a man bruiſes my heel, I'll break his
head--I cannot ſee the reaſon or propriety of bearing with
their inſults--does he not know it's in our power to reta-
liate fourfold ?
Gen. Lee. Let's be good natur’d, General--let us ſee a
little more of it firſt--
Gen. Putnam. I think we have ſeen enough of it already
for this twelve-months paſt. Methinks the behaviour of
Lord Boſton, the ill treatment of poor Allen, to be thrown
into a loath fome dungeon like a murderer, be loaded with
irons,
a

American Liberty triumphant.
61
a
irons, and tranſported like a convict, would ſufficiently rouſe
us to a juſt retaliation--that imperious red coat, Carleton,
ſhould be taught good manners--I hope to ſee him ere long
in our College at Cambridge--
Gen. Lee. I doubt; he'll be too cunning, and play
truant--he has no notion of learning American manners;
ev'ry dog must have his day (as the faying is); it may be
our time by and by--the event of war is uncertain--
Gen. Putnam. Very true, Sir; but don't let us be laugh'd
at forever.
Enters an Officer in haſte.
Sir, A Meſſenger this moment from Quebec, waits to
be adınitted.
Gen. Waſhington. Let him enter. [Exit Officer
Enters Meſſenger.
Gen. Waſhington. What news bring you ?
Meſſenger. I am ſorry, Sir, to be the bearer of an un-
pleaſing tale--
Gen. Waſhington. Bad news have you?--have you letters ?
Meſſenger. None, Sir--I came off at a moment's warn-
ing--my meſſage is verbal.
Gen. Waſhington. Then relate what you know.
Meſſenger. After the arrival and junction of General
Montgomery's troops with Colonel Arnold's, Carleton was
fummoned to ſurrender ; he diſdaining any anſwer, fir'd on
the flag of truce--
Gen. Waſhington. That we have heard--go on.
Melenger. The General finding no breach could be ef-
fected in any reaſonable time, their walls being vaſtly ſtrong,
and his cannon rather light, determined to attempt it by
ſtorm--The enemy were apprized of it--however he paſſed
the firſt barrier, and was attempting the ſecond, where he
was unfortunately killed, with ſeveral other brave Officers--
Gen. Waſhington. Is General Montgomery killed ?
Meſſenger. He is certainly, Sir.
Gen. Waſhington. I am ſorry for it--a brave man--I could
wiſh him a better fate!--
Gen. Lee. I lament the lofs of him--a reſolute ſoldier--
Gen. Putnam. Pity ſuch bravery ſhould prove unſucceſs-
ful,

62
The Fall of Britiſh Tyranny. Or,
a
ful, ſuch merit unrewarded ;--but the irreverſible decree of
Providence !--who can gainfay?--we may lament the loſs
of a friend, but 'tis irreligious to murmur at pre-ordination.
What happ'ned afterwards?
Meſſenger. The Officer next in command, finding their
attacks at that time unfuccefsful, retired in good order.
Gen. Waſhington. What became of Colonel Arnold ?
Mesſenger. Colonel Arnold, at the head of about three
hundred and fifty brave troops, and Captain Lamb's com-
pany of artillery, having in the mean time paſſed through
St. Rocques, attacked a battery, and carried it, tho' well
defended, with the loſs of ſome men--
Gen. Putnam. I hope they proved more ſucceſsful.
Gen. Lee. Aye, let us hear.
Meſſenger. The Colonel about this time received a wound
in his leg, and was obliged to crawl as well as he cou'd to
the hoſpital, thro' the fire of the enemy, and within fifty
yards of the walls, but, thro' Providence, eſcap'd any fur-
ther damage.--
Gen. Putnam. Aye, providential indeed!
Gen. Waſhington. Is he dangeroufly wounded?
Meſſenger. I am told not, Sir.
Gen. Waſhington. I am glad of it.--What follow'd ?
Meſſenger. His brave troops puſhed on to the ſecond bar-
rier, and took poffeffion of it.
Gen. Waſhington. Very good--proceed.
Meſſenger. A party of the enemy then fallying out from
the palace-gate, attacked them in the rear, whom they fought
with incredible bravery for three hours, and deeds of eternal
fame were done; but being ſurrounded on all fides, and
overpowered by numbers, were at laft obliged to ſubmit them-
felves as prifoners of war.
Gen. Putnam, Heav'ns! could any thing prove more
unlucky ? ſuch brave fellows deſerve better treatment than
they'll get (I'm afraid) from the inhuman Carleton.
Gen. Lee. Such is the fortune of war, and the viciſſitudes
attending a military life; to-day conquerors, to-morrow
priſoners.
Gen. Waſhington. He dares not treat them ill--only as
priſoners. Did you learn how thoſe brave . fellows were
treated?
Meſſenger.

American Liberty triumphant.
63
Meſſenger. It was currently reported in the camp they
were treated
very
humanely.
Gen. Waſhington. A change for the better.
Gen. Putnam. Produc'd by fear, no doubt from Gene-
ral Montgomery's letter--but no matter from what cauſe.
Gen. Lee. How far did the remainder of the army
retire ?
Meſſenger. About two miles from the city, where they
are poſted very advantageouſly, continuing the blockade,
and waiting for reinforcements.
Gen. Lee. Did the enemy fhew any peculiar marks
of diſtinction to the corpfe of General Montgomery?
Meſſenger. He was interred in Quebec, with ev'ry por.
fible mark of diſtinction.
Gen. Waſhington. What day did the affair happen on?
Meſſenger. On the laſt day of the year.
Gen. Waſhington. A remarkable day! When was the
General interred?
Meſſenger. The ſecond of January.
Gen. Lee. What number of men in the whole attack
was killed I did
you
learn ?
Meſſenger. About fixty killed and wounded.
Gen. Waſhington. Have you any thing further to com
munieate ?
Meſſenger. Nothing, Sir, but to inform you they are
all in good fpirits, and defire reinforcements and heavy ar-
tillery may be ſent them as ſoon as poſible.
Gen. Waſhington. That be our buſineſs---with all
deſpatch. You may for the preſent withdraw. Serjeant !
Enters Serjeant.
Serjeant. I wait your orders, Sir.
Gen. Waſhington. See that the Meſſenger and his horſe
want for nothing.
Serjeant. I hall, Sir. [Exeunt Serjeant and Meſenger.
SCENE IV.
Gen. Waſhington. I'll deſpatch an expreſs to the Con-
greſs. This repulfe, if I miſtake not, (or victory, as Carle-
ton may call it) will ſtand 'em but in little ſtead --'twill be
only

64
The Fall of Britiſh Tyranny. Or,
only a temporary reprieve--we'll reinforce our friends, let
the conſequence be what it may--Quebec muſt fall, and the
lofty ſtrong walls and brazen gates (the field of cowards)
muſt tumble by an artificial earthquake ; ſhould they con-
tinue in their obſtinacy, we'll arm our friends with miſfive
thunders in their hands, and ſtream death on them ſwifter
than the winds.
Gen. Lee. I lament the loſs of the valiant Montgomery
and his brave officers and ſoldiers (at this time more eſpe-
cially) 'tis the fortune of war, 'tis unavoidable; yet, I
doubt not, out of their afhes will arife new heroes.
Gen. Putnam. Who can die a more glorious, a more
honourable death than in their country's cauſe ?--let it re-
double our ardour, and kindle a noble emulation in our
breafts--let each American be determined to conquer or
die in a righteous cauſe.
Gen. Waſhington. I have drawn my ſword, and never
will I ſheathe it, 'till America is free, or I'm no more.
Gen. Lee. Peace is deſpaired of, and who can think of
ſubmiſſion ? The laſt petition from the Congreſs, like the
former, has been difregarded; they prayed but for liberty,
peace and ſafety, and their omnipotent authoritative ſupreme-
ſhips will grant them neither: War, then, war open and
underſtood, muſt be reſolved on; this, this will humble their
pride, will bring their tyrant nofes to the ground, teach 'em
humility, and force them to hearken to reaſon when 'tis too
late. My noble General, I join you [drawing his ſword]
I'll away with the ſcabbard, and ſheathe my ſword in the
boſom of tyranny.
Gen. Putnain. Have you not read the ſpeech, where
frowning revenge and ſounds of awful dread for diſgrace at
Lexington and loſs at Bunker's-hill echo forth? Not
ſmiling peace, or pity, tame his fullen foul; but, Pharoah-
like, on the wings of tyranny he rides and forfeits happi.
neſs to feaſt revenge, 'till the waters of the red ſea of blood
deluge the tyrant, with his mixed hoſt of vile cut-throats,
murderers, and bloody butchers.
Gen. Waſhington. Yet, finding they cannot conquer us,
gladly would they make it up by a voluntary free will of-
fering of a million of money in bribes, rather than be
obliged to reliſh the thoughts of facrificing their curſed
a
pride

American Liberty triumphant.
65
pride and falſe honour, they ſending over to amuſe us (to
put us off our guard) a ſcore or two of commiſſioners with
ham negotiations in great ſtate, to endeavour to effect, by
bribery, deception and chicanery, what they cannot ac-
compliſh by force. Periſh fuch wretches !--deteſted be
their ſchemes !-- Periſh ſách monſters !--a reproach to hu-
man underſtanding--their vaunted boaſts and threats will
vaniſh like ſmoke,
and be no more than like ſnow falling on
the moiſt ground, melt in filence, and waſte away--Blaſted,
forever blafted be the hand of the villainous traitor that re-
ceives their gold upon ſuch terms--may he become leprous,
like Naaman, the Syrian, yea, rather like Gehazi, the fer-
vant of Eliſha, that it may ſtick to him for ever.
Gen. Putnam. I join you both, and ſwear by all the
heroes of New England, that this arm, tho' fourſcore and
four [ drawing his ſword] ſtill nervous and ftrong, ſhall
wield this ſword to the laſt in the ſupport of liberty and my
country, revenge the inſult offer'd to the immortal Mont-
gomery,
and brutal treatment of the brave Allen.
Oh, liberty! thou fun-fhine of the heart !
Thou ſmile of nature, and thou ſoul of art!
Without thy aid no human hope cou'd grow,
And all we cou'd enjoy were turn'd to woe.
[Exenni.
THE
EPILOGUE.
lo
Spoken by Mr. FREEMAN.
SINCE tyrants reign, and luft and lux’ry rule 5
Since kings turn Nero's--ſtateſmen play the fool;
Since parli' ment in curſed league combine,
To ſport with rights that's ſacred and divine ;
Deſtroying towns with direful conflagration,
And murder ſubjects without provocation !
Theſe are but part of evils we could name,
Not to their glory, but eternal ſhame,
I
Petitions

66 The Fall of Britiſh Tyranny, &c.
Petitions--waſte paper--great Pharaoh cries,
Nor care a ruſh for your remonſtrances.
Each Jacobite, and ev'ry pimping Tory,
Waits
for your wealth, to raiſe his future glory :
Or penſions ſure, muſt ev'ry raſcal have,
Who ſirove his might, to make FREEMAN a ſlave.
Since this the caſe, to whom for ſuccour cry?
To God, our ſwords, and ſons of liberty !
Caſt off the idol god ! --kings are but vain!
Let juſtice rule, and independence reign.
Are ye not men? Pray who made men, but God?
Yet men make kings--to tremble at their nod!
What nonſenſe this--let's wrong with right oppoſe,
Since nought will do, but found, impartial blows.
Let's act in earneſt, not with vain pretence,
Adopt the language of ſound COMMON SENSE,
And with one voice proclaim INDEPENDENCE.
Convince your foes you will defend your right,
That blows and knocks is all they will get by't.
Let tyrants ſee that you are well prepard,
By proclamations, ſword, nor ſpeeches ſcar'd;
That liberty freeborn breathe in each foul!
One god-like union animate the whole !
END of the FIRST CAMPAIGN.
ale
published




c. beackock, John

1776
Ze.

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