asked Miss Joliffe . `` Because in after-years , '' answered her grandfather , `` he laid down the wisest head in England upon the block for the principles of liberty . '' `` Will not Your Excellency order out the guard ? '' whispered Lord Percy , who , with other British officers , had now assembled round the general . `` There may be a plot under this mummery . '' `` Tush ! we have nothing to fear , '' carelessly replied Sir William Howe . `` There can be no worse treason in the matter than a jest , and that somewhat of the dullest . Even were it a sharp and bitter one , our best policy would be to laugh it off . See ! here come more of these gentry . '' Another group of characters had now partly descended the staircase . The first was a venerable and white-bearded patriarch who cautiously felt his way downward with a staff . Treading hastily behind him , and stretching forth his gauntleted hand as if to grasp the old man 's shoulder , came a tall soldier-like figure equipped with a plumed cap of steel , a bright breastplate and a long sword , which rattled against the stairs . Next was seen a stout man dressed in rich and courtly attire , but not of courtly demeanor ; his gait had the swinging motion of a seaman 's walk , and , chancing to stumble on the staircase , he suddenly grew wrathful and was heard to mutter an oath . He was followed by a noble-looking personage in a curled wig such as are represented in the portraits of Queen Anne 's time and earlier , and the breast of his coat was decorated with an embroidered star . While advancing to the door he bowed to the right hand and to the left in a very gracious and insinuating style , but as he crossed the threshold , unlike the early Puritan governors , he seemed to wring his hands with sorrow . `` Prithee , play the part of a chorus , good Dr. Byles , '' said Sir William Howe . `` What worthies are these ? '' `` If it please Your Excellency , they lived somewhat before my day , '' answered the doctor ; `` but doubtless our friend the colonel has been hand and glove with them . ''
`` Their living faces I never looked upon , '' said Colonel XXXXX , gravely ; `` although I have spoken face to face with many rulers of this land , and shall greet yet another with an old man 's blessing ere I die .
British England Joliffe Percy Prithee first left mummery right worthies