_Eger_. Then, sir, I must frankly tell you, that you work against my nature; you would connect me with men I despise, and press me into measures I abhor; would make me a devoted slave to selfish leaders, who have no friendship but in faction--no merit but in corruption--nor interest in any measure, but their own;--and to such men I cannot submit; for know, sir, that the malignant ferment which the venal ambition of the times provokes in the heads and hearts of other men, I detest. _Sir Per_. What are you about, sir? malignant ferment! and venal ambition! Sir, every man should be ambitious to serve his country--and every man should be rewarded for it: and pray, sir, would nai you wish to serve your country? Answer me that.--I say, would nai you wish to serve your country? _Eger_. Only shew me how I can serve my country, and my life is hers. Were I qualified to lead her armies, to steer her fleets, and deal her honest vengeance on her insulting foes;--or could my eloquence pull down a state leviathan, mighty by the plunder of his country--black with the treasons of her disgrace, and send his infamy down to a free posterity, as a monumental terror to corrupt ambition, I would be foremost in such service, and act it with the unremitting ardour of a Roman spirit. _Sir Per_. Vary weel, sir! vary weel! the fellow is beside himself! _Eger_. But to be a common barker at envied power--to beat the drum of faction, and sound the trumpet of insidious patriotism, only to displace a rival,--or to be a servile voter in proud corruption's filthy train,--to market out my voice, my reason, and my trust, to the party-broker, who best can promise, or pay for prostitution; these, sir, are services my nature abhors,--for they are such a malady to every kind of virtue, as must in time destroy the fairest constitution that ever wisdom framed, or virtuous liberty fought for. _Sir Per_. Why, are you mad, sir? you have certainly been bit by some mad whig or other: but now, sir, after aw this foul-mouthed frenzy, and patriotic vulgar intemperance, suppose we were to ask you a plain question or twa: Pray, what single instance can you, or any man, give of the political vice or corruption of these days, that has nai been practised in the greatest states, and in the most virtuous times? I challenge you to give me a single instance. _Eger_. Your pardon, sir--it is a subject I wish to decline: you know, sir, we never can agree about it. _Sir Per_. Sir, I insist upon an answer. _Eger_. I beg you will excuse me, sir. _Sir Per_. I will not excuse you, sir. I insist. _Eger_. Then, sir, in obedience, and with your patience, I will answer your question. _Sir Per_. Ay! ay! I will be patient, never fear: come, let us have it, let us have it.