AMAJORPALATII
Theprincipalnoteofherreignwillbe,thatsheruledmuchbyfactionandparties,whichsheherselfbothmade,upheld,andweakened,asherowngreatjudgmentadvised;forIdodissentfromthecommonandreceivedopinion,thatmyLordofLeicesterwasABSOLUTEandALONEinherGRACE;and,thoughIcomesomewhatshortoftheknowledgeofthesetimes,yet,thatImaynoterrorshootatrandom,Iknowitfromassuredintelligencethatitwasnotso;forproofwhereof,amongstmany(thatcouldpresent),Iwillbothrelateastory,andthereinaknowntruth,anditwasthus:Bowyer,theGentlemanoftheBlackRod,beingchargedbyherexpresscommandtolookpreciselytoalladmissionsinthePrivyChamber,onedaystayedaverygaycaptain(andafollowerofmyLordofLeicester)
fromentrance,forthathewasneitherwellknown,noraswornservantoftheQueen;atwhichrepulse,thegentleman(bearinghighonmylord’sfavour)toldhimthathemight,perchance,procurehimadischarge。Leicestercomingtothecontestation,saidpublicly,whichwasnoneofhiswontedspeeches,thathewasaknave,andshouldnotlongcontinueinhisoffice;andsoturningabouttogototheQueen,Bowyer,whowasaboldgentlemanandwell-beloved,steppedbeforehim,andfellatHerMajesty’sfeet,relatesthestory,andhumblycravesHerGrace’spleasure,andinsuchamannerasifhehaddemandedwhethermyLordofLeicesterwasKing,orHerMajestyQueen:whereuntoshereplied(withherwontedoath,GOD’S-
DEATH)"Mylord,Ihavewishedyouwell,butmyfavourisnotsolockedupforyouthatothersshallnotparticipatethereof;forI
havemanyservantsuntowhomIhave,andwill,atmypleasure,bequeathmyfavour,andlikewiseresumethesame;andifyouthinktorulehere,Iwilltakeacoursetoseeyouforthcoming;{23}I
willhaveherebutoneMISTRESS,andnoMASTER;andlookthatnoillhappentohim,lestitbeseverelyrequiredatyourhands:"whichsoquailedmyLordofLeicester,thathisfainthumilitywas,longafter,oneofhisbestvirtues。
Moreover,theEarlofSussex,thenLordChamberlain,washisprofessedantagonisttohisdyingday;andformyLordHunsdown,andSirThomasSackville,afterLordTreasurer,whowereallcontemporaries,hewaswonttosayofthem,thattheywereofthetribeofDan,andwereNOLIMETANGERE,implyingthattheywerenottobecontestedwith,fortheywere,indeed,oftheQueen’snighkindred。
Fromwhence,andinmanymoreinstances,Iconcludethatshewasabsoluteandsovereignmistressofhergraces,andthatallthosetowhomshedistributedherfavourswerenevermorethantenants-at-
will,andstoodonnobettertermsthanherprincelypleasure,andtheirgoodbehaviour。
AndthisalsoIpresentasaknownobservation,thatshewas,thoughverycapableofcounsel,absoluteenoughinherownresolution;
whichwaseverapparenteventoherlast,andinthatofherstillaversiontograntTyrone{24}theleastdropofhermercy,thoughearnestlyandfrequentlyadvisedthereunto,yea,wroughtonlybyherwholeCouncilofState,withverymanyreasons;and,asthestateofherkingdomthenstood,Imayspeakitwithassurance,necessitatedarguments。
Ifwelookintoherinclination,asitwasdisposedtomagnificenceorfrugality,weshallfindinthemmanynotableconsiderations;forallherdispensationsweresopoisedasthoughDiscretionandJusticehadbothdecreedtostandatthebeam,andseethemweighedoutindueproportion,thematurityofherpacesandjudgmentsmeetinginaconcurrence;andthatinsuchanagethatseldomlapsethtoexcess。
Toconsiderthemapart,wehavenotmanyprecedentsofherLIBERALITY,noranylargedonativestoPARTICULARmen,myLordofEssex’sbookofPARKSexcepted,whichwasaprincelygift;andsomemoreofalessersizetomyLordofLeicester,Hatton,andothers。
Herrewardschieflyconsistedingrantsandleasesofoffices,andplacesofjudicature;butforreadymoney,andingreatsums,shewasverysparing;which,wemaypartlyconceive,wasavirtueratherdrawnoutofnecessitythanhernature;forshehadmanylayings-
out,andasherwarswerelasting,sotheirchargeincreasedtothelastperiod。AndIamofopinionwithSirWalterRaleigh,thatthosemanybravemenofhertimes,andofthemilitia,tastedlittlemoreofherbountythaninhergraceandgoodwordwiththeirdueentertainment;forsheeverpaidhersoldierswell,whichwasthehonourofhertimes,andmorethanhergreatadversaryofSpaincouldperform;sothatwhenwecometotheconsiderationofherFRUGALITY,theobservationwillbelittlemorethanthatherBOUNTY
anditweresowoventogether,thattheonewas{25}stainedbyanhonourablewayofsparing。
TheIrishactionwemaycallamalady,andaconsumptionofhertimes,foritaccompaniedhertoherend;anditwasofsoprofuseandvastanexpense,thatitdrewnearuntoadistemperatureofState,andofpassioninherself;for,towardsherlast,shegrewsomewhathardtoplease,herarmiesbeingaccustomedtoprosperity,andtheIrishprosecutionnotansweringherexpectation,andherwontedsuccess;foritwasagoodwhileanunthriftyandinauspiciouswar,whichdidmuchdisturbandmisleadherjudgment;
andthemoreforthatitwasaprecedenttakenoutofherownpattern。
ForastheQueen,bywayofdivision,had,athercomingtothecrown,supportedtherevoltedStatesofHolland,sodidtheKingofSpainturnthetrickuponherself,towardshergoingout,bycherishingtheIrishrebellion;whereitfallsintoconsideration,whatthestateofthiskingdomandthecrownrevenueswerethenabletoendureandembrace。
IfwelookintotheestablishmentsofthosetimeswiththebestoftheIrisharmy,countingthedefeatofBlackwater,withalltheprecedentexpenses,asitstoodfrommyLordofEssex’sundertakingofthesurrenderofKingsale,andtheGeneralMountjoy,andsomewhatafter,weshallfindthehorseandfoottroopswere,forthreeorfouryearstogether,muchabouttwentythousand,besidesthenavalcharge,whichwasadependantofthesamewar;inthattheQueenwasthenforcedtokeepincontinualpayastrongfleetatseatoattendtheSpanishcoastsandparts,bothtoalarmtheSpaniards,andtointercepttheforcesdesignedfortheIrishassistance;sothatthechargeofthatwaralonedidcosttheQueenthreehundredthousandpoundsperannumatleast,whichwasnotthemoietyofherotherdisbursementsandexpenses;which,withoutthepublicaids,thestateoftheroyalreceiptscouldnothavemuchlongerendured;
which,outofherownfrequentlettersandcomplaintstotheDeputyMountjoyforcashieringofthatlistassoonashecould,mightbecollected,fortheQueenwasthendrivenintoastrait。
Wearenaturallypronetoapplaudthetimesbehindus,andtovilifythepresent;fortheconcurrentofherfamecarriesittothisday,howloyallyandvictoriouslyshelivedanddied,withoutthegrudgeandgrievanceofherpeople;yetthetruthmayappearwithoutdetractionfromthehonourofsogreataprincess。Itismanifestsheleftmoredebtsunpaid,takenuponcreditofherprivy-seals,thanherprogenitorsdid,orcouldhavetakenup,thatwereahundredyearsbeforeher;whichwasnoinferiorpieceofState,tolaytheburthenonthathouse{26}whichwasbestabletobearitatadeadlift,whenneitherherreceiptscouldyieldherreliefatthepinch,northeurgencyofheraffairsendurethedelaysofParliamentaryassistance。Andforsuchaidsitislikewiseapparentthatshereceivedmore,andthatwiththeloveofherpeople,thananytwoofherpredecessorsthattookmost;whichwasafortunestrainedoutofthesubjects,throughtheplausibilityofhercomportment,and(asIwouldsay,withoutoffence)theprodigaldistributionofhergracetoallsortsofsubjects;forIbelievenoprinceliving,thatwassotenderofhonour,andsoexactlystoodforthepreservationofsovereignty,wassogreatacourtierofthepeople,yea,oftheCommons,andthatstoopedanddeclinedlowinpresentingherpersontothepublicview,asshepassedinherprogressandperambulations,andinherejaculationsofherprayersonthepeople。
And,truly,thoughmuchmaybewritteninpraiseofherprovidenceandgoodhusbandry,inthatshecould,uponallgoodoccasions,abatehermagnanimity,andtherewithcomplywiththeParliament,andsoalwayscomeoffbothwithhonourandprofit;yetmustweascribesomepartofthecommendationtothewisdomofthetimes,andthechoiceofParliament-men;forIsaid{27}notthattheywereatanytimegiventoanyviolentorpertinaciousdispute,theelectionsbeingmadeofgraveanddiscreetpersons,notfactiousandambitiousoffame;suchascamenottotheHousewithamalevolentspiritofcontention,butwithapreparationtoconsultonthepublicgood,andrathertocomplythantocontestwithMajesty:neitherdareI
find{28}thattheHousewasweakenedandpesteredthroughtheadmissionoftoomanyYOUNGHEADS,asithathbeenofLATTERtimes;
whichremembersmeoftheRecorderMartin’sspeechaboutthetruthofourlateSovereignLordKingJames,{29}whentherewereaccountstakenofFORTYgentlemennotaboveTWENTY,andsomenotexceedingSIXTEENyearsofage;whichmadehimtosay,"thatitwastheancientcustomforoldmentomakelawsforyoungones,buttherehesawthecasealtered,andtherewerechildreninthegreatcouncilofthekingdom,whichcametoinvadeandinvertnature,andtoenactlawstogoverntheirfathers。"Such{30}wereintheHousealways,{31}andtookthecommoncauseintoconsideration;andtheysaytheQueenhadmanytimesjustcause,andneedenough,tousetheirassistance:neitherdoIrememberthattheHousedidevercapitulate,orprefertheirprivatetothepublicandtheQueen’snecessities,butwaitedtheirtimes,and,inthefirstplace,gavetheirsupply,andaccordingtotheexigenceofheraffairs;yetfailednotatthelasttoattainwhattheydesired,sothattheQueenandherParliamentshadeverthegoodfortunetodepartinlove,andonreciprocalterms,whichareconsiderationsthathavenotbeensoexactlyobservedinourLASTassemblies。AndIwouldtoGodtheyhadbeen;for,consideringthegreatdebtsleftontheKing,{32}andtowhatincumbrancestheHouseitselfhadthendrawnhim,HisMajestywasnotwellused,thoughIlaynottheblameonthewholesuffrageoftheHouse,wherehehadmanygoodfriends;forIdareavouchit,hadtheHousebeenfreedofhalfadozenpopularanddiscontentedpersons(suchas,withthefellowthatburntthetempleofEphesus,wouldbetalkedof,thoughfordoingmischief),I
amconfidenttheKinghadobtainedthatwhich,inreason,andathisfirstoccasion,heoughttohavereceivedfreely,andwithoutcondition。Butpardonthisdigression,whichishereremembered,notinthewayofaggravation,butintruezealofthepublicgood,andpresentedINCAVEAToffuturetimes:forIamnotignoranthowthegeniusandspiritofthekingdomnowmovestomakeHisMajestyamendsonanyoccasion;andhowdesirousthesubjectistoexpiatethatoffenceatanyrate,mayitpleaseHisMajestytomakeatrialofhissubjects’affections;andatwhatpricetheyvaluenowhisgoodnessandmagnanimity。
Buttoourpurpose:theQueenwasnottolearnthat,asthestrengthofthekingdomconsistedinthemultitudeofhersubjects,sothesecurityofherpersonconsistedandrestedintheloveandfidelityofherpeople,whichshepoliticallyaffected(asithathbeenthought)somewhatbeneaththeheightofhernaturalspiritandmagnanimity。
Moreover,itwillbeatruenoteofherprovidence,thatshewouldalwayslistentoherprofit:forshewouldnotrefusetheinformationofmeanestpersonages,whichproposedimprovement;andhadlearnedthephilosophyof(HOCAGERE)tolookuntoherownwork:
ofwhichthereisanotableexampleofoneCarmarthen,anunderofficeroftheCustomHouse,who,observinghistime,presentedherwithapaper,showinghowshewasabusedintheunder-rentingoftheCustoms,andtherewithhumblydesiredHerMajestytoconcealhim,forthatitdidconcerntwoorthreeofhergreatcounsellors,{33}
whomCustomerSmithhadbribedwithtwothousandpoundsaman,sotolosetheQueentwentythousandpoundsperannum;whichbeingmadeknowntotheLords,theygavestrictorderthatCarmarthenshouldnothaveaccesstotheback-stairs;but,atlast,HerMajestysmellingthecraft,andmissingCarmarthen,shesentforhimback,andencouragedhimtostandtohisinformation;whichthepoormandidsohandsomelythat,withinthespaceoftenyears,hewasbroughttodoublehisrent,orleavetheCustomtonewfarmers。Sothatwemaytakethisalsoinconsideration,thattherewereoftheQueen’sCouncilwhichwerenotinthecatalogueofsaints。
Now,aswehavetakenaviewofsomeparticularmotivesofhertimes,hernature,andnecessities,itisnotwithoutthetexttogiveashorttouchoftheHELPSandADVANTAGESofherreign,whichwereNOTwithout{34}paroles;forshehadneitherhusband,brother,sister,norchildrentoprovidefor,who,astheyaredependantsontheCrown,sodotheynecessarilydrawlivelihoodfromthence,andoftentimesexhaustanddrawdeep,especiallywhenthereisanamplefraternityroyal,andoftheprincesoftheblood,asitwasinthetimeofEdwardIII。andHenryIV。ForwhentheCrowncannot,thepublicoughttogivehonourableallowance;fortheyarethehonourandhopesofthekingdom;andthepublic,whichenjoysthem,haththelikeinterestwiththefatherwhichbegatthem;andourcommonlaw,whichistheinheritanceofthekingdom,dideverofoldprovideaidsforthePRIMOGENITUS{35}andtheeldestdaughter;forthatthemultiplicityofcourts,andthegreatchargeswhichnecessarilyfollowaking,aqueen,aprince,androyalissue,wasathingwhichwasnotINRERUMNATURA{36}duringthespaceofforty-
fouryears,{37}butwornoutofmemory,andwithouttheconsiderationofthepresenttimes,insomuchastheaidsgiventothelateandRightNoblePrinceHenry,andtohissister,theLadyElizabeth,whichwereatfirstgenerallyreceivedasimpositionsforknighthood,thoughanancientlaw,fellalsointotheimputationofataxofnobility,forthatitlaylongcoveredintheembersofdivisionbetweentheHousesofYorkandLancaster,andforgottenorconnivedatbythesucceedingprinces:sothatthestrangenessoftheobservation,andthedifferenceofthoselatterreigns,isthattheQueentookupmuchBEYONDthepoweroflaw,whichfellnotintothemurmurofpeople;andhersuccessorstooknothingbutbywarrantofthelaw,whichneverthelesswasreceived,THROUGHDISUSE,tobeinjurioustothelibertyofthekingdom。
NowbeforeIcometoanymentionofherfavourites,forhithertoI
havedeliveredbutsomeobliviouspassages,therebytoprepareandsmoothawayfortherestthatfollows:
ItisnecessarythatItouchonthereligiousnessoftheother’sreign,Imeanthebodyofhersister’s{38}CouncilofState,whichsheretainedentirely,neitherremovingnordiscontentingany,althoughsheknewthemaversetoherreligion,and,inhersister’stime,perversetoherperson,andprivytoallhertroublesandimprisonments。
Aprudencewhichwasincompatibletohersister’snature,forshebothdissipatedandpresentedthemajorpartofherbrother’sCouncil;butthiswillbeofcertain,thathowcompliableandobsequioussoevershefoundthem,yetforagoodspaceshemadelittleuseoftheircounsels,morethanintheordinarycourseoftheBoard,forshehadadormanttableinherownprivybreast;yetshekeptthemtogetherandintheirplaces,withoutanysuddenchange;sothatwemaysayofthemthattheywerethenoftheCourt,notoftheCouncil;forwhilstsheAMAZED{39}thembyakindofpromissivedisputationconcerningthepointscontrovertedbybothChurches,shedidsetdownherowngests,withouttheirprivity,andmadealltheirprogressions,gradations;butforthatthetenentsofhersecrets,withtheintentsofherestablishments,werepitchedbeforeitwasknownwheretheCourtwouldsitdown。
NeitherdoIfindthatanyofhersister’sCouncilofStatewereeitherrepugnanttoherreligion,oropposedherdoings;Englefeild,MasteroftheWards,excepted,whowithdrewhimselffromtheBoard,andshortlyafteroutofherdominions;sopliableandobedienttheyweretochangewiththetimesandtheirprince;andofthemwillfallarelationofrecreation。Paulet,MarquisofWinchester,andLordTreasurer,hadservedthenfourprinces,inasvariousandchangeabletimesandseasons,thatImaywellsaynotimenoragehathyieldedthelikeprecedent。Thisman,beingnotedtogrowhighinherfavour(ashisplaceandexperiencerequired),wasquestionedbyanintimatefriendofhis,howhehadstoodupforthirtyyearstogether,amidstthechangeandruinsofsomanyChancellorsandgreatpersonages。"Why,"quoththemarquis,"ORTUSSUMESALICE,NONEXQUERCU,"I。E。,"Iammadeofpliablewillow,notofthestubbornoak。"And,truly,itseemstheoldmanhadtaughtthemall,especiallyWilliam,EarlofPembroke,fortheytwowerealwaysoftheKing’sreligion,andalwayszealousprofessors:oftheseitissaidthatbeingbothyoungerbrothers,yetofnoblehouses,theyspentwhatwasleftthem,andcameontrusttotheCourt,where,uponthebarestockoftheirwits,theybegantotrafficforthemselves,andprosperedsowellthattheygot,spent,andleftmorethananysubjectsfromtheNormanConquesttotheirowntimes;
whereuponithathbeenprettilyspokenthattheylivedinatimeofdissolution。
Toconclude,then,ofalltheformerreign,itissaidthatthosetwolivedanddiedchieflyinhergraceandfavour:bytheletterwrittenuponhisson’smarriagewiththeLadyCatherineGrey,hehadlikeutterlytohavelosthimself;butattheinstantofconsummation,asapprehendingtheunsafetyanddangerofintermarriagewiththebloodroyal,hefellattheQueen’sfeet,wherehebothacknowledgedhispresumption,andprojectedthecauseandthedivorcetogether:soquickhewasathiswork,thatinthetimeofrepudiationofthesaidLadyGrey,heclappedupamarriageforhisson,theLordHerbert,withMarySidney,daughtertoSirHenrySidney,thenLordDeputyorIreland,theblowfallingonEdward,thelateEarlofHertford,who,tohiscost,tookupthedivorcedlady,ofwhomtheLordBeauchampwasborn,andWilliam,nowEarlofHertford,isdescended。
Icomenowtopresentthemtoherownelection,whichwereeitheradmittedtohersecretsofState,ortakenintohergraceandfavour;ofwhom,inorder,Icraveleavetogiveuntoposterityacautiousdescription,withashortcharacterordraughtofthepersonsthemselves(for,withoutoffencetoothers,Iwouldbetruetomyself),theirmemoriesandmerits,distinguishingthoseofMILITIAE{40}fromtheTOGATI;{41}andofboththeseshehadasmany,andthoseasableministers,ashadanyofherprogenitors。
LEICESTER
ItwillbeoutofdoubtthatmyLordofLeicesterwasoneofthefirstwhomshemadeMasteroftheHorse;hewastheyoungestsonthenlivingoftheDukeofNorthumberland,beheadedPRIMOMARIAE,{42}andhisfatherwasthatDudleywhichourhistoriescouplewithEmpson,andbothbemuchinfamedforthecaterpillarsofthecommonwealthduringthereignofHenryVII。,who,beingofanobleextract,wasexecutedthefirstyearofHenryVIII。,butnottherebysoextinctbutthatheleftaplentifulestate,andsuchasonwho,asthevulgarspeaksit,wouldlivewithoutateat。For,outoftheashesofhisfather’sinfamy,herosetobeaduke,andashighassubjectioncouldpermitorsovereigntyendure。Andthoughhecouldnotfindoutanyappellationtoassumethecrowninhisownperson,yetheprojected,andverynearlyeffectedit,forhissonGilbert,byintermarriagewiththeLadyJaneGrey,andso,bythatway,tobringitintohisloins。Observationswhich,thoughtheyliebeyondus,andseemimpertinenttothetext,yetaretheynotmuchextravagant,fortheymustleadusandshowushowtheafter-
passageswerebroughtabout,withthedependencesonthelineofacollateralworkmanship;andsurelyitmayamazeawell-settledjudgmenttolookbackintothesetimesandtoconsiderhowthedukecouldattaintosuchapitchofgreatness,hisfatherdyinginignominy,andatthegallows,hisestateconfiscatedforpillingandpollingthepeople。
But,whenwebetterthinkuponit,wefindthathewasgivenupbutasasacrificetopleasethepeople,notforanyoffencecommittedagainstthepersonoftheKing;sothatuponthematterhewasamartyroftheprerogative,andtheKinginhonourcoulddonolessthangivebacktohissontheprivilegeofhisblood,withtheacquiringofhisfather’sprofession,forhewasalawyer,andoftheKing’sCouncilatLaw,beforehecametobeEXINTERIORIBUS
CONSILIIS,{43}where,besidesthelickingofhisownfingers,hegottheKingamassofriches,andthatnotwithhazard,butwiththelossofhislifeandfame,fortheKing’sfather’ssake。
Certainitisthathissonwasleftrichinpurseandbrain,whicharegoodfoundations,andfueltoambition;and,itmaybesupposed,hewasonalloccasionswellheardoftheKingasapersonofmarkandcompassioninhiseye,butIfindnotthathedidputupforadvancementduringHenryVIII。’stime,althoughavastaspirerandaprovidentstayer。
ItseemshethoughttheKing’sreignwasmuchgiventothefalling-
sickness,butespyinghistimefitting,andthesovereigntyinthehandsofapupilprince,hethenthoughthemightaswellputup,foritwasthebest;forhavingthepossessionofblood,andofpurse,withahead-pieceofavastextent,hesoongottohonour,andnosoonertherebuthebegantosideitwiththebest,evenwiththeProtector,{44}and,inconclusion,gothisandhisbrother’sheads;stillaspiringtillheexpiredinthelossofhisown,sothatposteritymay,byreadingofthefatherandgrandfather,makejudgmentoftheson;forweshallfindthatthisRobert,whoseoriginalwehavenowtracedthebettertopresenthim,wasinheritortothegeniusandcraftofhisfather,andAmbroseoftheestate,ofwhomhereafterweshallmakesomeshortmention。
WetookhimnowashewasadmittedintotheCourtandtheQueen’sfavours,andherehewasnottoseektoplayhispartwellanddexterously;buthisplaywaschieflyatthefore-game,notthathewasalearneratthelatter,buthelovednottheafter-wit,forthereportis(andIthinknotunjustly)thathewasseldombehind-handwithhisgamesters,andthattheyalwayswentwiththeloss。
Hewasaverygoodlyperson,tall,andsingularlywell-featured,andallhisyouthwell-favoured,ofasweetaspect,buthigh-foreheaded,which(asIshouldtakeit)wasofnodiscommendation;buttowardshislatter,andwhichwitholdmenwasbutamiddleage,hegrewhigh-coloured,sothattheQueenhadmuchofherfather,for,expectingsomeofherkindred,andsomefewthathadhandsomewitsincrookedbodies,shealwaystookpersonageinthewayofelection,forthepeoplehathittothisday,KINGHENRYLOVEDAMAN。
Beingthusinhergrace,shecalledtomindthesufferingsofHIS
ancestors,bothinherfather’sandsister’sreigns,andrestoredhisandhisbrother’sblood,creatingAmbrose,theelder,EarlofWarwick,andhimselfEarlofLeicester;and,ashewasEXPRIMITIS,or,OFHERFIRSTCHOICE,soherestednotthere,butlongenjoyedherfavour,andtherewithwhathelisted,tilltimeandemulation,thecompanionsofgreatness,resolvedofhisperiod,andtocolourhimathissettinginacloud(atConebury)notbysoviolentadeath,orbythefatalsentenceofajudicature,asthatofhisfatherandgrandfatherwas,but,asissupposed,bythatpoisonwhichhehadpreparedforothers,whereintheyreporthimarareartist。Iamnotboundtogivecredittoallvulgarrelations,orthelibelsofhistime,whicharecommonlyforcedandfalsifiedsuitabletothewordsandhonours{45}ofmeninpassionanddiscontent;butwhatblindsmetothinkhimnogoodman,amongstotherthingsofknowntruth,isthatofmyLordofEssex’s{46}
deathinIrelandandthemarriageofhislady,whichIforbeartopressinregardheislongsincedead,andothersarelivingwhomitmayconcern。
Totakehimintheobservationofhislettersandwritings,whichshouldbestsethimoff,forsuchashavefallenintomyhands,I
neveryetsawastyleorphrasemoreseeminglyreligiousandfullerofthestrainsofdevotion;and,weretheynotsincere,Idoubtmuchofhiswell-being,{47}and,Ifear,hewastoowellseenintheaphorismsandprinciplesofNicholastheFlorentine,andinthereaches{48}ofCesareBorgia。
AndheretoIhaveonlytouchedhiminhiscourtships。Iconcludehiminhislance;{49}hewassentGovernorbytheQueentotherevoltedStatesofHolland,wherewereadnotofhiswonders,fortheysayhehadmoreofMercurythanhehadofMars,andthathisdevicemighthavebeen,withoutprejudicetothegreatCaesar,VENI,VIDI,REDIVI。
RADCLIFFE,EarlofSussex。
His{50}co-rivalwasThomasRadcliffe,EarlofSussex,whoinhisconstellationwashisdirectopposite,forindeedhewasoneoftheQueen’smartialists,anddidherverygoodserviceinIreland,atherfirstaccession,tillsherecalledhimtotheCourt,whomshemadeLordChamberlain;butheplayednothisgamewiththatcunninganddexterityastheEarlofLeicesterdid,whowasmuchthefairercourtier,thoughSussexwasthoughtmuchthehonesterman,andfarthebettersoldier,buthelaytooopenonhisguard;hewasagodlygentleman,andofabraveandnoblenature,trueandconstanttohisfriendsandservants;hewasalsoofaveryancientandnoblelineage,honouredthroughmanydescents,throughthetitleofFitzwalters。Moreover,therewassuchanantipathyinhisnaturetothatofLeicester,that,beingtogetherinCourt,andbothinhighemployments,theygrewtoadirectfrowardness,andwereincontinualopposition,theonesettingthewatch,theothertheguard,eachontheother’sactionsandmotions;formyLordofSussexwasofsogreatspirit,which,backedwiththeQueen’sspecialfavourandsupport,{51}byagreatandancientinheritance,couldnotbrooktheother’sempire,insomuchastheQueenuponsundryoccasionshadsomewhattodotoappeaseandatonethem,untildeathpartedthecompetition,andlefttheplacetoLeicester,whowasnotlongalonewithouthisrivalingraceandcommand;and,toconcludethisfavourite,itisconfidentlyaffirmedthat,lyinginhislastsickness,hegavethisCAVEATtohisfriends:-
"Iamnowpassingintoanotherworld,andImustleaveyoutoyourfortunesandtheQueen’sgraceandgoodness;butbewareofgipsy"
(meaningLeicester),"forhewillbetoohardforyouall;youknownotthebeastsowellasIdo。"
SECRETARYWILLIAMCECIL。
Icomenowtothenext,whichwasSecretaryWilliamCecil,foronthedeathoftheoldMarquisofWinchesterhecameupinhisroom:
apersonofamostsubtleandactivespirit。
Hestoodnotbythewayofconstellation,butwaswhollyattentivetotheserviceofhismistress,andhisdexterity,experience,andmeritthereinchallengedaroomintheQueen’sfavourwhicheclipsedtheother’sover-seeminggreatness,andmadeitappearthattherewereotherssteeredandstoodatthehelmbesideshimself,andmorestarsinthefirmamentofgracethanUrsaMajor。
Hewasborn,astheysay,inLincolnshire,but,assomeaveruponknowledge,ofayoungerbrotheroftheCecilsofHertfordshire,afamilyofmyownknowledge,thoughnowprivate,yetofnomeanantiquity,who,beingexposed,andsenttotheCity,aspoorgentlemenusedtodotheirsons,becametobearichmanonLondonBridge,andpurchased{52}inLincolnshire,wherethismanwasborn。
HewassenttoCambridge,andthentotheInnsofCourt,andsocametoservetheDukeofSomersetinthetimeofhisProtectorshipasSecretary,andhavingapregnancytohighinclinations,hecamebydegreestoahigherconversationwiththechiefestaffairsofStateandCouncils;but,onthefalloftheduke,hestoodsomeyearsinumbrageandwithoutemployment,tilltheStatefoundtheyneededhisabilities;andalthoughwefindnotthathewastakenintoanyplaceduringMary’sreign,unless(assomesay)towardsthelast,yettheCouncilseveraltimesmadeuseofhim,andintheQueen’s{53}
entrancehewasadmittedSecretaryofState;afterwardshewasmadeMasteroftheCourtofWards,thenLordTreasurer,forhewasapersonofmostexcellentabilities;and,indeed,theQueenbegantoneedandseekoutmenofbothguards,andsoIconcludetorankthis{54}greatinstrumentamongsttheTOGATI,forhehadnottodowiththesword,morethanasthegreatpaymasterandcontriverofthewarwhichshortlyfollowed,whereinheaccomplishedmuch,throughhistheoreticalknowledgeathomeandhisintelligenceabroad,byunlockingofthecounselsoftheQueen’senemies。
Wemustnowtakeit,andthatoftruth,intoobservationthat,untilthetenthofherreign,thetimeswerecalmandserene,thoughsometimesovercast,asthemostglorioussun-risingissubjecttoshadowingsanddroppings,forthecloudsofSpain,andthevapoursoftheHolyLeague,begantodisperseandthreatenherfelicity。
Moreover,shewasthentoprovideforsomeintestinestrangers,whichbegantogatherintheheartofherkingdom,allwhichhadrelationandcorrespondency,eachonetotheother,todethroneherandtodisturbthepublictranquillity,andtherewithal,asaprincipalmark,theEstablishedreligion,forthenameofRecusantthenbeganfirsttobeknowntotheworld;untilthentheCatholicswerenomorethanChurch-Papists,{55}butnow,commandedbythePope’sexpressCatholicChurch,theirmother,theyseparatethemselves;soitseemsthePopehadthenhisaimstotakeatruenumberofhischildren;buttheQueenhadthegreateradvantage,forshelikewisetooktaleofheroppositesubjects,theirstrengthandhowmanytheywere,thathadgiventheirnamestoBaal,who{56}
thenbythehandsofsomeofhisproselytesfixedhisbullsonthegatesofSt。Paul’s,whichdischargedhersubjectsofallfidelityandreceivedfaith,andso,undertheveilofthenextsuccessor,toreplanttheCatholicreligion。SothattheQueenhadthenanewtaskandworkinhandthatmightwellawakeherbestprovidence,andrequiredamusterofnewarms,aswellascourtshipsandcounsels,forthetimethenbegantogrowquickandactive,fitterforstrongermotionsthanthemofthecarpetandmeasure;anditwillbeatruenoteofhermagnanimitythatshelovedasoldier,andhadapropensityinhernaturetoregardandalwaystogracethem,whichtheCourt,takingitintotheirconsideration,tookitasaninvitingtowinhonour,togetherwithHerMajesty’sfavour,byexposingthemselvestothewars,especiallywhentheQueenandtheaffairsofthekingdomstoodinsomenecessityofthesoldiers,forwehavemanyinstancesofthesalliesofthenobilityandgentry;
yea,andoftheCourtandherprivyfavourites,thathadanytouchortinctureofMarsintheirinclinations,tostealawaywithoutlicenceandtheQueen’sprivity,whichhadliketocostsomeofthemdear,sopredominantweretheirthoughtsandhopesofhonourgrowninthem,aswemaytrulyobserveintheexpositionofSirPhilipSidney,myLordofEssexandMountjoy,anddiversothers,whoseabsence,andthemanneroftheireruptions,wasverydistastefuluntoher,whereofIcanhereuntoaddatrueandnoimpertinentstory,andthatofthelast:Mountjoy,who,havingtwiceorthricestoleawayintoBrittany,where,underSitJohnNorris,hehadthenacompany,withouttheQueen’sleaveandprivity,shesentamessageuntohimwithastrictchargetothegeneraltoseehimsenthome。
WhenhecameintotheQueen’spresence,shefellintoakindrailing,demandingofhimhowhedurstgooverwithoutherleave。
"Servemeso,"quothshe,"oncemore,andIwilllayyoufastenoughforrunning;youwillneverleavetillyouareknockedonthehead,asthatinconsideratefellowSidneywas;youshallgowhenIsend。
Inthemeantime,seethatyoulodgeintheCourt"(whichwasthenatWhitehall),"whereyoumayfollowyourbook,read,anddiscourseofthewars。"Buttoourpurpose。Itfellouthappilytothose,and,asImaysay,tothesetimes,thattheQueenduringthecalmtimeofherreignwasnotidle,norrockedasleepwithsecurity,forshehadbeenveryprovidentinthereparationandaugmentationofhershippingandammunition,andIknownotwhetherbyaforesightofpolicy,oranyinstinct,itcameabout,orwhetheritwasanactofhercompassion,butitismostcertainshesentnosmalltroopstotherevoltedStatesofHolland,beforeshehadreceivedanyaffrontfromtheKingofSpain,thatmightdeservetotendtoabreachofhostility,whichthePapistsmaintaintothisdaywastheprovocationtotheafter-wars;but,omittingwhatmightbesaidtothispoint,theseNetherlandwarsweretheQueen’sseminariesornurseryofverymanybravesoldiers,andsolikewisewerethecivilwarsofFrance,whithershesentfiveseveralarmies。
TheyweretheFrenchscholarsthatinuredtheyouthandgentryofthekingdom,anditwasamilitia,wheretheyweredailyinacquaintancewiththedisciplineoftheSpaniards,whowerethenturnedtheQueen’sinveterateenemies。
AndthushaveItakeninobservationherDIESHALCYONII——I。E。,theseyearsofherswhichweremoresereneandquietthanthosethatfollowed,which,thoughtheywerenotlesspropitious,asbeingtouchedmorewiththepointsofhonourandvictory,yetweretheytroubledandloadedever,bothwithdomesticandforeignmachinations;and,asitisalreadyquoted,theyweresuchasawakenedherspiritsandmadehercastabouthertodefendratherbyoffending,andbywayofprovisiontopreventallinvasions,thantoexpectthem,whichwasapieceofthecunningofthetimes;andwiththisIhavenotedthecausesandPRINCIPIUM{57}ofthewarsfollowing,andlikewisepointstotheseed-plotsfromwhenceshetookupthesebravemenandplantsofhonourwhoactedonthetheatreofMars,andonwhomshedispersedtheraysofhergrace;
whowerepersons,intheirkindsofcare,virtuous,andsuchasmight,outoftheirmerit,pretendinteresttoherfavours,ofwhichrankthenumberwillequal,ifnotexceed,thatofhergown-men,inrecountofwhomIwillproceedwithSirPhilipSidney。
SIRPHILIPSIDNEY。
HewasthesonofSirHenrySidney,LordDeputyofIreland,andPresidentofWales,apersonofgreatparts,andofnomeangracewiththeQueen;hismotherwassistertomyLordofLeicester,fromwhencewemayconjecturehowthefatherstoodupinthesphereofhonourandemployments,sothathisdescentwasapparentlynobleonbothsides;andforhiseducation,itwassuchastravelandtheUniversitycouldaffordnonebetter,andhistutorsinfuse;for,afteranincredibleproficiencyinallthespheresoflearning,helefttheacademicalforthatoftheCourt,whitherhecamebyhisuncle’sinvitation,famedafterbynoblereportsofhisaccomplishments,which,togetherwiththestateofhisperson,framedbyanaturalpropensitytoarms,soonattractedthegoodopinionsofallmen,andwassohighlypraisedintheesteemoftheQueen,thatshethoughttheCourtdeficientwithouthim;andwhereas,throughthefameofhisdesert,hewasinelectionforthekingdomofPole,{58}sherefusedtofurtherhispreferment,itwasnotoutofemulationofadvancement,butoutoffeartolosethejewelofhertime。HemarriedthedaughterandsoleheirofSirFrancesWalsingham,theSecretaryofState,aladydestinedtothebedofhonour,who,afterhisdeplorabledeathatZutphen,intheLowCountries,wherehewasatthetimeofhisuncleLeicester’sbeingthere,wasremarriedtotheLordofEssex,and,sincehisdeath,tomyLordofSt。Albans,allpersonsofthesword,andotherwiseofgreathonourandvirtue。
Theyhaveaveryquaintconceitofhim,thatMarsandMercuryfellatvariancewhoseservantheshouldbe;andthereisanepigrammatistthatsaiththatArtandNaturehadspenttheirexcellencesinhisfashioning,and,fearingtheycouldnotendwhattheyhadbegun,theybestowedhimupfortime,andNaturestoodmuteandamazedtobeholdherownmark;butthesearetheparticularsofpoets。
Certainitishewasanobleandmatchlessgentleman,anditmaybesaidjustlyofhim,withoutthesehyperbolesoffaction,asitwasofCatoUticensis,thatheseemedtobebornonlytothatwhichhewentabout,VIRSATILISINGENII,asPlutarchsaithit;buttospeakmoreofhimweretomakethemless。
WALSINGHAM。
SirFrancisWalsingham,aswehavesaid,hadthehonourtobeSirPhilipSidney’sfather-in-law;hewasagentlemanatfirst,ofagoodhouse,andofabettereducation,andfromtheUniversitytravelledfortherestofhislearning。Doubtlesshewastheonlylinguistofhistimes,howtousehisowntongue,wherebyhecametobeemployedinthechiefestaffairsofState。
HewassentAmbassadortoFrance,andstayedthereLEGARlongintheheatofthecivilwars,andatthesametimethatMonsieurwashereasuitortotheQueen;and,ifIbenotmistaken,heplayedtheverysamepartthereassinceGondomardidhere。{59}AthisreturnhewastakenprincipalSecretary,andforoneofthegreatenginesofState,andofthetimes,highinhismistress’s(theQueen’s)
favour,andawatchfulservantoverthesafetyofhismistress。
Theynotehimtohavecertaincourtesiesandsecretwaysofintelligenceabovetherest;butImustconfessIamtoseekwhereforehesufferedParry{60}toplaysolongashedid,hangonthehook,beforehehoistedhimup;andIhavebeenalittlecuriousinthesearchthereof,thoughIhavenottodowiththeARCANA
REGALIAIMPERII,fortoknowitissometimesaburden;andI
rememberitwasOvid’scriminanterrorthathesawtoomuch,butI
hopethesearecollaterals,andofnodanger。
ButthatParry,havinganintenttokilltheQueen,madethewayofhisaccessbybetrayingofothers,andinimpeachingofthepriestsofhisowncorrespondency,andtherebyhadaccesstoconferwiththeQueen,asoftentimesprivateandfamiliardiscoursewithWalsingham,willnotbethequeryofthemystery,fortheSecretarymighthavehadanendofafurtherdiscoveryandmaturityofthetreason;butthat,aftertheQueenknewParry’sintent,whyshewouldthenadmithimtoprivatediscourse,andWalsinghamtosufferhim,consideringtheconditionsofallthedesigns,andtopermithimtogowhereandwhitherhelisted,andonlyunderthesecrecyofadarksentinelsetoverhim,wasapieceofreachandhazardbeyondmyapprehension。I
mustagainprofessthatIhavereadmanyofhisletters,fortheyarecommonlysenttomyLordofLeicesterandofBurleighoutofFrance,containingmanyfinepassagesandsecrets,yet,ifImighthavebeenbeholdingtohiscyphers,theywouldhavetoldprettytalesofthetimes;butImustnowclosehimup,andrankhimamongsttheTOGATI,yetchiefofthosethatlaidthefoundationsoftheFrenchandDutchwars,whichwasanotherpieceofhisfinenessofthetimes,withoneobservationmore,thathewasoneofthegreatestalwaysoftheAustrianembracements,forbothhimselfandStaffordthatprecededhimmightwellhavebeencomparedtohimintheGospelthatsowedhistaresinthenight;sodidtheytheirseedsindivisioninthedark;andasitisalikelyreportthattheyfatheronhimathisreturn,theQueenspeakingtohimwithsomesensibilityoftheSpanishdesignsonFrance:"Madam,"heanswered,"Ibeseechyoubecontent,andfearnot;theSpaniardhathagreatappetiteandanexcellentdigestion,butIhavefittedhimwithaboneforthesetwentyyearsthatyourMajestyshouldhavenocausetodoubthim,providedthat,ifthefirechancetoslakewhichIhavekindled,youwillberuledbyme,andcastinsomeofyourfuel,whichwillrevivetheflame。"
WILLOUGHBY。
MyLordWilloughbywasoneoftheQueen’sfirstswordsmen;hewasoftheancientextractoftheBartewes,butmoreennobledbyhismother,whowasDuchessofSuffolk。HewasagreatmasteroftheartMILITARY,andwassentgeneralintoFrance,andcommandedthesecondarmyoffivetheQueenhadsentthither,inaidoftheFrench。Ihavehearditspokenthat,hadhenotslightedtheCourt,butappliedhimselftotheQueen,hemighthaveenjoyedaplentifulportionofhergrace;anditwashissaying,anditdidhimnogood,thathewasnoneoftheREPTILIA,intimatingthathecouldnotcreepontheground,andthattheCourtwasnothiselement;for,indeed,ashewasagreatsoldier,sohewasofasuitablemagnanimity,andcouldnotbrooktheobsequiousnessandassiduityoftheCourt;andashewasthensomewhatdescendingfromyouth,happilyhehadanANIMAMREVERTENDI,oradesiretomakeasaferetreat。
BACON。
AndnowIcometoanotheroftheTOGATI,SirNicholasBacon,anarch-pieceofwitandofwisdom。Hewasagentleman,andamanoflaw,andofagreatknowledgetherein,whereby,togetherwithhisafter-partoflearninganddexterity,hewaspromotedtobeKeeperoftheGreatSeal,andbeingofkintotheTreasurerBurleigh,and{61}alsothehelpofhishandtobringhimtotheQueen’sgreatfavour,forhewasabundantlyfacetious,whichtookmuchwiththeQueen,whenitsuitedwiththeseason,ashewaswellabletojudgeofthetimes;hehadaveryquaintsaying,andheuseditoftentogoodpurpose,"thathelovedthejestwell,butnotthelossofhisfriend;"andthat,thoughheknewthat"VERUSQUISQUESUAEFORTUNAE
FABER,"wasatrueandgoodprinciple,yetthemostinnumberwerethosethatnumberedthemselves,butIwillneverforgivethatmanthatlosethhimselftoberidofhisjests。
Hewasfathertothatrefinedwitwhichsincehathactedadisastrouspartonthepublicstage,andoflatesatinhisfather’sroomasLordChancellor;thosethatlivedinhisage,andfromwhenceIhavetakenthislittlemodelofhim,givehimalivelycharacter,andtheydecipherhimtobeanotherSolon,andtheSimonofthosetimes,suchaoneasOEdipuswasindissolvingofriddles;
doubtlesshewasanableinstrument,asitwashiscommendationthathisheadwasthemallet,foritwasaverygreatone,andthereinkeptawedge,thatenteredallknottypiecesthatcometothetable。
AndnowagainImustfallbacktosmoothandplaneawaytotherestthatisbehind,butnotfrommypurpose。Therehavebeen,aboutthistime,tworivalsintheQueen’sfavour,oldSirFrancisKnowles,ComptrolleroftheHouse,andSirHenryNorris,whomshehadcalledupatParliamenttositwiththePeersinthehigherHouse,as,HenryNorrisofRycot,whohadmarriedthedaughterandheiroftheoldHenryWilliamsofTayne,anobleperson,andtowhom,inheradversity,theQueenhadbeencommittedtohissafecustody,andfromhimhadreceivedmorethanordinaryobservances;
now,suchwasthegoodnessoftheQueen’snature,thatsheneitherforgotthegoodturnsreceivedfromtheLordWilliams,neitherwassheunmindfulofthisLordNorris,whosefather,inherfather’stime,andinthebusinessofherbrother,diedinanoblecause,andinthejustificationofherinnocency。
NORRIS。
MyLordNorrishad,bythislady,anaptissue,whichtheQueenhighlyrespected,forhehadsixsons,andallmartialandbravemen:thefirstwasWilliam,theeldest,andfathertothelateEarlofBerkshire,SirJohn(vulgarlycalledGeneralNorris),SirEdward,SirThomas,SirHenry,andMaximilian,menofhaughtycourage,andofgreatexperienceintheconductofmilitaryaffairs;and,tospeakinthecharacteroftheirmerit,theywerepersonsofsuchrenownandworthasfuturetimesmust,ofduty,owethemthedebtofanhonourablememory。
KNOWLES。
SirFrancisKnowleswassomewhatnearintheQueen’saffinity,andhadlikewisenoincompetentissue;forhehadalsoWilliam,hiseldestson,andsinceEarlofBanbury,SirThomas,SirRobert,andSirFrancis,ifIbenotalittlemistakenintheirnamesandmarshalling;andtherewasalsotheLadyLettice,asisterofthose,whowasfirstCountessofEssex,andafterofLeicester;andthosewerealsobravemenintheirtimesandplaces,buttheywereoftheCourtandcarpet,andnotbythegeniusofthecamp。
Betweenthesetwofamiliestherewas,asitfallethoutamongstgreatonesandcompetitorsoffavour,nogreatcorrespondency;andthereweresomeseeds,eitherofemulationordistrust,castbetweenthem;which,hadtheynotbeendisjoinedintheresidenceoftheirpersons,asthatwasthefortuneoftheiremployments,theonesideattendingtheCourt,andtheotherthePavilion,surelytheywouldhavebrokenoutintosomekindofhostility,or,atleast,theywouldentwineandwrestleoneintheother,liketreescircledwithivy;fortherewasatimewhen,boththesefraternitiesbeingmetatCourt,therepassedachallengebetweenthematcertainexercises,theQueenandtheoldmenbeingspectators,whichendedinaflatquarrelamongstthemall。ForIampersuaded,thoughIoughtnottojudge,thatthereweresomerelicsofthisfeignedthatwerelongafterthecausesoftheonefamily’salmostutterextirpation,andtheother’simprosperity;foritwasaknowntruththatsolongasmyLordofLeicesterlived,whowasthemainpillarontheoneside,forhavingmarriedthesister,theothersidetooknodeeprootintheCourt,thoughotherwisetheymadetheirwaystohonourbytheirswords。Andthatwhichisofmorenote,consideringmyLordofLeicester’suseofmenofwar,beingshortlyaftersentGovernortotherevoltedStates,andnosoldierhimself,isthathemadenomoreaccountofSirJohnNorris,asoldier,thendeservedlyfamous,andtrainedfromapageunderthedisciplineofthegreatestcaptaininChristendom,theAdmiralCastilliau,andofcommandintheFrenchandDutchWarsalmosttwentyyears。AnditisoffurtherobservationthatmyLordofEssex,afterLeicester’sdecease,thoughaddictedtoarmsandhonouredbythegeneralinthePortugalexpedition,whetheroutofinstigation,asithathbeenthought,oroutofambitionandjealousy,eclipsedbythefameandsplendourofthisgreatcommander,neverlovedhiminsincerity。
Moreover,andcertainitis,henotonlycrushed,anduponalloccasionsquelledtheyouthofthisgreatmanandhisfamousbrethren,buttherewithdrewonhisownfatalend,byundertakingtheIrishactioninatimewhenhelefttheCourtemptyoffriends,andfull-fraughtwithhisprofessedenemies。ButIforbeartoextendmyselfinanyfurtherrelationuponthissubject,ashavinglostsomenotesoftruthinthesetwonobles,whichIwouldpresent;
andtherewithtouchedsomewhat,whichIwouldnot,iftheequityofthenarrationwouldhavepermittedanyomission。
PERROT。
SirJohnPerrotwasagoodlygentleman,andofthesword;andhewasofaveryancientdescent,asanheirtomanysubtractsofgentry,especiallyfromGuydeBrainofLawhorn;sowasheofaveryvastestate,andcamenottoCourtforwantandtotheseadvancements。
Hehadtheendowmentsofcarriageandheightofspirit,hadhealightedonthealloyandtemperofdiscretion;thedefectwhereof,withanativefreedomandboldnessofspeech,drewhimontoacloudedsitting,andlaidhimopentothespleenandadvantageofhisenemies,ofwhomSirChristopherHattonwasprofessed。Hewasyetawisemanandabravecourtier,butroughandparticipatingmoreofactivethansedentarymotions,asbeinginhisinstillationdestinedforarms。Thereisaqueryofsomedenotations,howhecametoreceivethefoil,andthatinthecatastrophe?forhewasstrengthenedwithhonourablealliancesandtheprimefriendshipinCourtofmyLordsofLeicesterandBurleigh,bothhiscontemporariesandfamiliars;butthattheremightbe(astheadagehathit)
falsityinfriendship:andwemayrestsatisfiedthatthereisnodisputeagainstfate,andtheyquithimforapersonthatlovedtostandtoomuchaloneonhislegs,oftoooftenregressanddiscontinuancefromtheQueen’spresence,afaultwhichisincompatiblewiththewaysofCourtandfavour。HewassentLord-
DeputyintoIreland,asitwasthenapprehended,forakindofhaughtinessandrepugnancyinCouncil;or,asothershavethought,thefittestpersonthentobridletheinsolencesoftheIrish;andprobableitisthatboth,consideringtheswaythathewouldhaveattheBoard,beingheadintheQueen’sfavour,concurred,anddidalikeconspirehisremoveandruin。ButintoIrelandhewent,wherehedidtheQueenverygreatandmanyservices,ifthesurplusageofthemeasuredidnotabatethevalueofthemerit,asafter-timefoundtobenoparadoxtosavetheQueen’spurse,butbothherselfandmyLordTreasurerBurleighevertookforgoodservice;heimposedontheIrishthechargeforbearingtheirownarms,whichbothgavethemthepossessionandtaughtthemtheuseofweapons;
whichprovidedintheendtoamostfatalwork,bothintheprofusionofbloodandtreasure。
Butathisreturn,anduponsomeaccountsenthomebefore,touchingthestateofthatkingdom,theQueenpouredoutassiduoustestimoniesofhergracetowardshim,till,byhisretreattohisCastleofCary,whichhewasthenbuilding,andoutofadesiretobeincommandathomeashehadbeenabroad,togetherwiththehatredandpracticeofHatton,theninhighfavour,whomhehad,notlongbefore,bitterlytauntedforhisdancing,hewasaccusedforhightreason,andforhighwords,andaforgedletter,andcondemned;thoughtheQueen,onthenewsofhiscondemnation,swore,byherwontedoath,thatthejurywereallknaves:andtheydelivereditwithassurancethat,onhisreturntothetownafterhistrial,hesaid,withoathsandwithfury,totheLieutenant,SirOwenHopton,"What!willtheQueensufferherbrothertobeofferedupasasacrificetotheenvyofmyflatteringadversaries?"WhichbeingmadeknowntotheQueen,andsomewhatenforced,sherefusedtosignit,andsworeheshouldnotdie,forhewasanhonestandfaithfulman。Andsurely,thoughnotaltogethertosetourrestandfaithupontraditionandoldreports,asthatSirThomasPerrot,hisfather,wasagentlemanofthePrivyChamber,andintheCourtmarriedtoaladyofgreathonour,whicharepresumptionsinsomeimplications;but,ifwegoalittlefurtherandcomparehispictures,hisqualities,gesture,andvoice,withthatoftheKing,whichmemoryretainsyetamongstus,theywillpleadstronglythathewasasurreptitiouschildofthebloodroyal。
CertainitisthathelivednotlongintheTower;andthatafterhisdecease,SirThomasPerrot,hisson,thenofnomeanesteemwiththeQueen,havingbeforemarriedmyLordofEssex’ssister,sinceCountessofNorthumberland,hadrestitutionofhisland;thoughafterhisdeathalso(whichimmediatelyfollowed)theCrownresumedtheestate,andtookadvantageoftheformerattainder;and,tosaythetruth,thepriest’sforgedletterwas,athisarraignment,thoughtbutasafictionofenvy,andwassoonafterexplodedbythepriest’sownconfession。ButthatwhichmostexasperatedtheQueenandgaveadvantagetohisenemieswas,asSirWalterRaleightakesintoobservation,wordsofdisdain,fortheQueen,bysharpandreprehensiveletters,hadnettledhim;andthereupon,sendingothersofapprobation,commendinghisservice,andintimatinganinvasionfromSpain;whichwasnosoonerproposedbuthesaidpublicly,inthegreatchamberatDublin:——"Lo,nowsheisreadyto**herselfforfearoftheSpaniards:Iamagainoneofherwhiteboys,"whicharesubjecttoavariousconstruction,andtendedtosomedisreputationofhisSovereign,andsuchasmayserveforinstructiontopersonsinplaceofhonourandcommand,tobewareoftheviolencesofNature,andespeciallytheexorbitanceofthetongue。AndsoIconcludehimwiththisdoubleobservation:theone,oftheinnocencyofhisintentions,exemptandclearfromtheguiltoftreasonanddisloyalty,thereforeofthegreatnessofhisheart;forathisarraignmenthewassolittledejectedwithwhatmightbealleged,thatratherhegrewtroubledwithcholer,and,inakindofexasperation,hedespisedhisjury,thoughoftheOrderofKnighthood,andoftheespecialgentry,claimingtheprivilegeoftrialbythepeersandbaronageoftherealm,soprevalentwasthatofhisnativegeniusandhaughtinessofspiritwhichaccompaniedhimtothelast,andtill,withoutanydiminutionofchangetherein,itbrokeinpiecesthecordsofhismagnanimity;forhediedsuddenlyintheTower,andwhenitwasthoughttheQueendidintendhisenlargement,withtherestitutionofhispossessions,whichwerethenverygreat,andcomparabletomostofthenobility。
HATTON。
SirChristopherHattoncametotheCourtashisopposite;SirJohnPerrotwaswonttosay,bythegalliard,forhecamethitherasaprivategentlemanoftheInnsofCourt,inamasque:and,forhisactivityandperson,whichwastallandproportionable,takenintoherfavour。HewasfirstmadeVice-Chamberlain,and,shortlyafter,advancedtotheplaceofLordChancellor。Agentlemanthat,besidesthegracesofhispersonanddancing,hadalsotheendowmentofastrongandsubtlecapacity,andthatcouldsoonlearnthedisciplineandgarb,bothofthetimesandCourt;andthetruthis,hehadalargeproportionofgiftsandendowments,buttoomuchoftheseasonofenvy;andhewasamerevegetableoftheCourtthatsprungupatnightandsunkagainathisnoon。
"Flosnonmentorum,sedsexfuitillavirorum。"
EFFINGHAM。
MyLordofEffingham,thoughacourtierbetimes,yetIfindnotthatthesunshineofhisfavourbrokeoutuponhimuntilshetookhimintotheshipandmadehimHighAdmiralofEngland。Forhisextract,itmightsufficethathewasthesonofaHoward,andofaDukeofNorfolk。
And,forhisperson,asgoodlyagentlemanasthetimeshadany,ifNaturehadnotbeenmoreintentivetocompletehisperson,thanFortunetomakehimrich;for,thetimesconsidered,whichwerethenactive,andalongtimeafterlucrative,hediednotwealthy;yetthehonesterman,thoughitseemstheQueen’spurposewastorendertheoccasionofhisadvancement,andtomakehimcapableofmorehonour。AthisreturnfromtheCadizvoyageandaction,sheconferredituponhim,creatinghimEarlofNottingham,tothegreatdiscontentofhiscolleague,myLordofEssex,whothengrewexcessiveintheappetiteofherfavour,andthetruthis,soexorbitantinthelimitationofthesovereignaspect,thatitmuchalienatedtheQueen’sgracefromhim,anddrewotherstogetherwiththeAdmiraltoacombination,toconspirehisruin;andthough,asI
havehearditfromthatparty(ImeantheoldAdmiral’sfaction)
thatitlaynotinhisproperpowertohurtmyLordEssex,yethehadmorefellows,andsuchaswerewellskilledinthesettingofthetrain;butIleavethistothoseofanotherage;itisoutofdoubtthattheAdmiralwasagood,honest,andbraveman,andafaithfulservanttohismistress;andsuchaoneastheQueen,outofherownprincelyjudgment,knewtobeafitinstrumentinherservice,forshewasaproficientinthereadingofmenaswellasbooks;andassundryexpeditions,asthataforementioned,and’88,dobetterexpresshisworthandmanifesttheQueen’strust,andtheopinionshehadofhisfidelityandconduct。
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