Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 18.djvu/271

Rh which his majesty was present; and if he was there, after a long and strenuous opposition, forced to tell his sentiments, forced, sir, to tell his sentiments, not in the manner represented to the worlds but in a manner the most cautious of giving room for a pretence to oppose the inclinations of our parliament ?

But, alas, the consequence! You, sir, the defender of Ireland, were soon engaged against me on that account; and that fatal genius of yours, in an instant, ruined my character; but, even ruinbearing as it was, I blessed it: the cause which you undertook was dear to me; and, though fame is the last thing which one would sacrifice even for his country, yet I parted with that with pleasure, while you thought it necessary for the publick good so to do. But now the end is served, dear sir, may not the man have his mare again ?

Plato, being told that certain persons aspersed his character, and represented him abroad as a very ill man; instead of expostulating with his enemies and returning reproach for reproach, concealed himself, saying, "No matter, my friends; the whole life of Plato shall give his accusers the lie."

Could I set before me a greater example? Under the general displeasure of my country, under all the censures which the restless malice of my enemies . XVIII.