Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 18.djvu/272

258 could devise, and under the keen edge of the drapier's wit; the only revenge in which I indulged myself was, by a steady love for my country, and by manifest acts of affection thereto, to be a silent reproach to the foul tongues of my enemies.

Permit then, sir, permit me in peace to take his great example; and no longer give way to the power of my enemies, by continuing to oppress me. They have already gained their cause by you: but I must say, it was not the sword of Ajax, but the armour of Achilles which he put on, that won the day.

The cause for which you undertook my ruin was the cause of my country: it was a good cause, and you shall ever find me of that side. You have carried it, and I know you will no longer be my enemy. But alas! as long as your works subsist, wherever they be read, even unto the end of time must I be branded as a villain? It is a hard sensencesentence [sic]; and yet, unless the spear of Achilles, the same instrument which gave the wound, administer the remedy, it must be so.

In short, sir, you must be a man of honour, it is not possible that honour should be wanting, where all the distinguishing characteristicks of it are found: I cannot doubt it; and therefore I will let you fully into a secret, which accident has given you a part of; and I am sure you will keep it.

The source of all my misfortunes was the vote of the house of commons; but I have laboured however, as I always shall, to serve my country, and make myself agreeable to them: and, though the misfortune of a bad publick character deprived me of the private conversation of my countrymen, which is