ve termed it), they shall see ere long shine with
unheard of splendour, and the name of Lord Paramount the mighty, shall
blaze in the annals of the world with far greater lustre (as a
consummate politician) than the name of Alexander the Great, as an hero!

MOCKLAW. That day I much wish for,--but, with your Lordship's
permission, I would just mention, that secrecy and dissimulation are the
soul of enterprise; your Lordship hath many enemies, who watch ev'ry
movement of state with a jealous and wary eye.

PARAMOUNT. I know it, but the futile attempts of my timid adversaries
have hitherto proved abortive--so far I have borne down all opposition,
and those (even some of the greatest of them) who not long since were my
most open, as well as secret enemies, I now behold with the most
princely pleasure, the earliest to attend, to congratulate me on my
birthday, tho' uninvited, bow down, and make the most submissive
congees. Have you not seen this, Mocklaw? and how I keep them in
expectation of something, by now and then bestowing part of a gracious
smile amongst a dozen of them?

MOCKLAW. I have, my Lord, and no doubt they interpret that as a
favourable omen;--however, policy, my Lord, would dictate that to you,
if there were no other consideration.

PARAMOUNT. True, and yet they are cursedly mistaken--and now, Mocklaw,
as I have ever found you to be well dispos'd towards me, and the cause I
espouse, and as I trust you continue satisfy'd with my former bounty,
and my promise now of granting you a pension for life, with liberty to
retire, I shall make you my confident, and disclose to you a secret no
man except myself yet knows, which I expect you have so much honour to
let it remain a secret to all the world (I mean as to the main point I
have in view).

MOCKLAW. Depend upon it, my Lord, I am sincerely devoted to your
Lordship, command me, I care not what it is, I'll screw, twist and
strain the law as tight as a drumhead, to serve you.

PARAMOUNT. I shall at this time but just give you a hint of the plan
I've drawn up in my own mind. You must have perceived in me a secret
hankering for majesty for some time past, notwithstanding my age;--but
as I have considered the great dislike the nation in general have, as to
my person, I'll wave my own pretensions, and bend my power and assiduity
to it in favour of one, the nearest a kin to me, you know who I mean,
and a particular friend of yours, provided I continue to be dictato