Satan haranguing his troops after their defeat (BM 1868,0808.5200)

A sequel to BMSat 6383 by the same artist. Fox (right) stands addressing his downcast followers; he rests his right foot on a stone inscribed 'To reign is worth Ambition e'en in Hell'; his right hand is extended, in his left he holds the staff of Liberty, surmounted by its cap inscribed 'Libertas', the word scored through. Behind him and falling into an abyss is a crown inscribed 'Paper Crown'. By Fox's head are the words:

'What tho' the Field be lost all is not Lost
th' Unconquerable Will & Study of Revenge
Vide Milton Parse lost Book Ist'

The foremost of the forces of Satan is Burke (cf. BMSat 6361) who stands dejectedly, supporting himself on the staff of a reversed flag inscribed 'Moleck the Sublime & Beautifull'. He wears a Jesuit's biretta (cf. BMSat 6026). Behind him, seated awkwardly on a rock, is North resting on the staff of a reversed flag inscribed 'Mammon'. On his forehead is the letter 'N' and encircling his arm is (incorrectly) a baron's coronet reversed. Between and behind North and Burke appear the heads of Sheridan and Keppel. Sheridan is in profile, his eye is closed, he wears a turban inscribed 'School for Scandal', beneath which appears an animal's ear (cf. BMSat 6281). Keppel's hat is inscribed '27 July', the accustomed gibe at the Battle of Ushant, see BMSat 5992, &c. Portland stands behind North covering his face with his arms; he wears a ducal coronet and holds a standard (not reversed) inscribed 'Belial'. Behind Portland kneels a man in Highland dress; he is probably Loughborough. Behind are other forms and faces, slightly indicated but expressive of despair. Clouds of smoke form a background. Across them is inscribed 'Hell of Disappointment'. Two small black creatures with barbed tongues fly upwards. c. March 1784

Etching