Page:The Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets, Volume 3.djvu/130

126 Of this regulated loyalty he has transmitted to posterity a sufficient proof, in the letter which he wrote to his father about a month before the prince of Orange landed. "Mar, near Doncaster, Oct. 6, 1688.

"To the honourable Mr. Barnard Granville, at the earl of Bathe's, St. James's.

"SIR, "Your having no prospect of obtaining a commission for me, can no way alter or cool my desire at this important juncture to venture my life, in some manner or other, for my King and my Country.

"I cannot bear living under the reproach of lying obscure and idle in a country retirement, where every man who has the least sense of honour should be preparing for the field.

"You may remember, Sir, with that reluctance I submitted to your commands upon Monmouth's rebellion, when no importunity could prevail with you to permit me to leave the Academy: I was too young to be hazarded; but, give me leave to say, it is glorious at any age to die for one's "country,