Paine stands full face, looking to the left and smiling. He holds out his right arm, holding a pen and a long scroll; in his left hand is a dagger. On his back is a large bundle of weapons, shackles, and instruments of torture. He smiles slyly, his face is blotched with drink. He is neatly and plainly dressed; from his button-hole hangs an exciseman's ink-bottle, inscribed 'gall'. His head is irradiated, with words inscribed between the rays: 'cruelty', 'equality madness', 'anarchy murder', 'treason', 'rebellion', 'perjury', 'atheism', 'misery', 'famine', 'national & private ruin', 'ingratitude idleness', 'treachery', 'injustice'. His scroll is inscribed: 'rights of man [see bmsat 7867, &c] - common nonsense - equality of property &c. &c. ' he tramples on scrolls inscribed: 'loyalty', 'magna charta', 'national prosperity', 'religion', 'protection property', 'obedience to the laws', 'morality', 'happiness', 'industry', 'personal security', 'inheritance', 'justice'. Beneath the title is etched: 'i am ready & willing to offer my services to any nation or people under heaven who are desirous of liberty & equality vide paines letter to the convention. ' 26 december 1792. Hand-coloured etching. Date: 1792. Dimensions: Height: 378.000 mm; Width: 293 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Thomas Paine. Collection: British Museum. Wha wants me (BM J,2.7)
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