Russell, Or, the Rye-House Plot; A Tragedy - Softcover

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1839 Excerpt: ... RUSSELL.--A TRAGEDY. ACT I. SCENE I.--A ROOM IN SHAFTSBURY'S HOUSE. Table with glasses and wine, round which arc sitting, Russell, Shaftsbury, tf/jeDuKEOF Monmouth, Lords Essex and Grey, and Mr. Ferguson. SHAFTSBURY. It seems then, my Lord Russell, that our plans Are all too hasty for your cautious judgment, Although the great disorders of the state (Those elements of discord) plainly show, No better moment could be fixed upon For our intended rising than the present. A discontented people, whose best rights Its rulers trample on beyond endurance; A parliament, at variance with the crown, And prompt to hail the prospect of a change; The ill-affected spirit that pervades All ranks and all religions in the realm; Where neither party is accounted safe From all the worst aggressions that can spring From the caprice of profligates in power, B Whom a weak monarch, governed by his women, Immersed in pleasure, cares not to controul; Whilst a most wanton, most unheard oppression, Rules in the north, with unrelenting sway, Goading the Scottish nation unto madness;--These are the motives, on the strength of which I now do urge you on to instant action. Now, that religious zeal and party spirit, Deep wrongs, that spur e'en mild men to revenge, And insult, with worst tyranny combined, Have made the nation ripe for a revolt, And long to meet the oppressor, face to face. The Lord Argyll, impatient to revenge His father's death, his own and country's wrongs, Will rise, with thirty thousand men, in Scotland; And of the standing army full one half Would join the Duke of Monmouth instantly. I have ten thousand brisk boys here in London, All armed, and ready at a moment's warning. Now, if Lord Russell would but raise his voice, The commons straight would answer to the call, A...