48
their petition; I will draw out what I suppose it might have been; and let me be pardoned, if the actions are too much anglicized.
To our sovereign Lord, the King, a Petition from the oppressed People of Denmark.
Sire!
WE have been dreaming that we were a free nation: and when the voice of truth has half-awakened us, we have scared her away with the angry impatience of slumber, and again resigned ourselves to the pleasing delusion. But, sire! we are now awake! we perceive that we are not free, and we are conscious likewise, that from our ignorance or depravity we are incapable of true freedom. The sole objects of the present petition are, that you would make our chains less heavy, and prevent our manners from becoming more depraved: and in order to this, that you would be graciously pleased to assume to yourself the forms of that absolute power, the realities of which you have long possessed. Even in that house, which in our old laws is supposed to be the organ of the people; a large majority of the members hold their seats by their own right, or by the nomination of private patrons. The remainder are elected indeed; butthe
