what is his duty," the latter rejoined; and indeed he had his nerves so well under control that "he took his accustomed doze of three or four minutes between the conclusion of the play and the commencement of the farce, precisely as he would have done on any other night."[273] "I am going to bed with a confidence that I shall sleep soundly," he said later in the evening, "and my prayer is that the poor unhappy person, who aimed at my life, may rest as quietly as I shall." It was _à propos_ of this attempt that Sheridan at once composed an additional verse for the Royal Anthem, which was sung at the conclusion of the performance. "From every latent foe, From the assassin's blow, God save the King! O'er him Thine arm extend; For Britain's sake defend Our father, Prince, and friend; God save the King!" [272] _The Jerningham Letters._ [273] Wraxall: _Historical Memoirs of My Own Times_. In spite of these attacks, which had no political significance, for the perpetrators, Margaret Nicholson and James Hatfield, were mad, the King would have no guards except on state occasions, and when remonstrated with by a member of his Court, "I very well know that any man who chooses to sacrifice his own life may, whenever he pleases take away mine, riding out, as I do continually, with a single equerry or footman," he said calmly. "I only hope that whoever may attempt it will not do it in a barbarous or brutal manner."[274] [274] Wraxall: _Historical Memoirs of My Own Times_. A king who could face death without a tremor was not to be frightened by any demagogue. "Though entirely confiding in your attachment to my person, as well as in your hatred of every lawless proceeding," he wrote to Lord North on April 25, "yet I think it highly proper to apprise you that the exclusion of Mr. Wilkes appears to be very essential, and must be effected."[275] [275] _Correspondence of George III with Lord North._