“In the meantime, Sire, we offer our constant prayers to Heaven, that your Majesty may reign, as Kings only can reign, in and by the hearts of a loyal, dutiful, and free people.” To this remonstrance the king’s answer was:-- “I should have been wanting to the public as well as to myself, if I had not expressed my dissatisfaction at the late Address. My sentiments on that subject continue the same; and I should ill deserve to be considered as the father of my people, if I could suffer myself to be prevailed upon to make such an use of my prerogative as I cannot but think inconsistent with the interest and dangerous to the constitution of the kingdom.” After His Majesty had been pleased to make the foregoing answer, the lord mayor requested leave to reply, which, being granted, Beckford made the dignified and noble response which is a matter of history:-- (“If worth allures thee, think how Beckford shone Who dar’d to utter Truths before the throne.”) “Most Gracious Sovereign--Will your Majesty be pleased so far to condescend as to permit the Mayor of your loyal City of London to declare in your Royal presence, on behalf of his fellow-citizens, how much the bare apprehension of your Majesty’s displeasure would at all times affect their minds. The declaration of that displeasure has already filled them with inexpressible anxiety, and with the deepest affliction. “Permit me, Sire, to assure your Majesty that your Majesty has not in all your dominions any subjects more faithful, more dutiful, or more affectionate to your Majesty’s person and family, or more ready to sacrifice their lives and fortunes in the maintenance of the true honour and dignity of your Crown. “We do, therefore, with the greatest humility and submission, most earnestly supplicate your Majesty, that you will not dismiss us from your presence without expressing a more favourable opinion of your faithful citizens, and without some comfort, without some prospect at least of redress. “Permit me, Sire, further to observe, that whoever has already dared, or shall hereafter endeavour by false insinuations and suggestions, to alienate your Majesty’s affections from your loyal subjects in general and from the city of London in particular, and to withdraw your confidence in and regard for your people, is an enemy to your Majesty’s person and family, a violator of the public peace, and a betrayer of our happy Constitution, as it was established at the glorious revolution of 1688.” At the conclusion of these expressions of enlightenment for the royal mind, the lord mayor waited more than a minute for a reply of “some more favourable opinion,” but none was given.