Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 2.djvu/390

 386 LUCAS. how often, and in what terms, I have testified my disin terested love and loyalty to his majesty, and my zealous and inviolable attachment to his royal house; that I have always looked upon him as not only politically but actually free from blemish or imperfection; that I know his heart overflows with pure love and benevolence for a l l his sub jects, and that I have myself sensibly shared his royal clemency, i n rescuing me from the oppressive hand o f that detestable hoary tyrant, a long parliament, with a wicked ministry, and certain iniquitous rulers o f this city. His royal touch healed the wounds and bruises given my country through my sides. You know my words, my writings, the tenor o f my whole life and conduct, proclaim my invariable gratitude, affection, and duty. And when I forget the deliverer o f my country, l e t my right hand forget i t s function, and my tongue cleave t o the roof o f my mouth. I n his royal goodness I repose the most boundless confidence.” His unremitted and faithful atten tion t o his parliamentary duties, with the discouraging prospect o f failing i n every exertion, a t length forced from him a confession that he was weary o f his task, because h e laboured incessantly i n vain. “I have,” said he, i n a n address t o his constituents, “quitted a comfort able settlement i n a free country, t o embark i n your ser vice. I have attended constantly, closely, strictly t o my duty. I have broke my health, impaired my fortune, hurt my family, and lost a n object dearer t o me than life, b y engaging with unwearied care and painful assiduity, i n this painful, perilous, thankless service. All this might b e tolerable, i f I could find myself useful t o you o r my country. But the only benefit that I can see, results t o those, whom I cannot look upon a s friends t o my country, bands o f placemen and pensioners, whose merit i s en hanced, and whose number has been generally increased i n proportion t o the opposition given t o the measures o f ministers. I dare not neglect, much less desert my station, but I wish b y any lawful o r honourable means for my dis missal.” -