THE DYNASTS ACT i SPIRIT IRONIC 'Tis enough to make every little dog in England run to mixen to hear this Pitt sung so strenuously ! Til be the third of the incarnate, on the chance of hearing the tnne played the other way. SPIRIT SINISTER And I the fourth. There's sure to be something in my line toward, where politicians are gathered together f The four Phantoms enter the Gallery of the House in the disguise of ordinary strangers. SHERIDAN (rising) The Bill I would have leave to introduce Is framed, sir, to snuff out last Session's Act, By party-scribes intituled a Provision For England's Proper Guard; but elsewhere known As Mr, Pitt's new Patent Parish Pill. (Laughter.) The ministerial countenances, I mark, Congeal to dazed surprise at my straight motion— Why, passes sane conjecture. It may be That, with a haughty and unwavering faith In their own battering-rams of argument, They deemed our buoyance whelmed, and sapped, and sunk To hope's sheer bottom, whence a miracle Was all could friend and float us; or, maybe, They are amazed at our damned disrespect In making mockery of an English Law Sprung sacred from the King's own Premier's brain! —I hear them snort; but let them wince at will, My duty must be done; shall be done quickly By citing some few facts. An Act for our defence! It weakens, not defends ; and oversea Swoln France's despot and his myrmidons This moment know it, and can scoff thereat. 28