Yes, yes; I grasp your reasons, Mr. Pitt, And grant you audience gladly. More than that, Your visit to this shore is apt and timely, And if it do but yield you needful rest From fierce debate, and other strains of office Which you and I in common have to bear, 'Twill be well earned. The bathing is unmatched Elsewhere in Europe,--see its mark on me!-- The air like liquid life.--But of this matter: What argue these late movements seen abroad? What of the country now the session's past; What of the country, eh? and of the war? PITT The thoughts I have laid before your Majesty Would make for this, in sum:-- That Mr. Fox, Lord Grenville, and their friends, Be straightway asked to join. With Melville gone, With Sidmouth, and with Buckinghamshire too, The steerage of affairs has stood of late Somewhat provisional, as you, sir, know, With stop-gap functions thrust on offices Which common weal can tolerate but awhile. So, for the weighty reasons I have urged, I do repeat my most respectful hope To win your Majesty's ungrudged assent To what I have proposed. KING But nothing, sure, Has been more plain to all, dear Mr. Pitt, Than that your own proved energy and scope Is ample, without aid, to carry on Our just crusade against the Corsican. Why, then, go calling Fox and Grenville in? Such helps we need not. Pray you think upon't, And speak to me again.--We've had alarms Making us skip like crackers at our heels, That Bonaparte had landed close hereby. PITT Such rumours come as regularly as harvest. KING And now he has left Boulogne with all his host? Was it his object to invade at all, Or was his vast assemblage there a blind? PITT Undoubtedly he meant invasion, sir, Had fortune favoured. He may try it yet. And, as I said, could we but close with Fox--- KING But, but;--I ask, what is his object now? Lord Nelson's Captain--Hardy--whose old home Stands in a peaceful vale hard by us here-- Who came two weeks ago to see his friends, I talked to in this room a lengthy while. He says our navy still is in thick night As to the aims by sea of Bonaparte Now the Boulogne attempt has fizzled out, And what he schemes afloat with Spain combined. The “Victory” lay that fortnight at Spithead, And Nelson since has gone aboard and sailed; Yes, sailed again. The “Royal Sovereign” follows, And others her. Nelson was hailed and cheered To huskiness while leaving Southsea shore, Gentle and simple wildly thronging round. PITT Ay, sir. Young women hung upon his arm, And old ones blessed, and stroked him with their hands. KING Ah--you have heard, of course. God speed him, Pitt. PITT Amen, amen! KING