’Truthisstrangerthanfiction。’Atriteremark。Weallsayitagainandagain：buthowfewofusbelieveit！Howfewofus，whenwereadthehistoryofheroicaltimesandheroicalmen，takethestorysimplyasitstands！Onthecontrary，wetrytoexplainitaway;toproveitallnottohavebeensoverywonderful;toimputeaccident，circumstance，meanandcommonplacemotives;tolowereverystorydowntothelevelofourownlittleness，orwhatwe（unjustlytoourselvesandtotheGodwhoisnearusall）choosetoconsiderourlevel;torationaliseawayallthewonders，tillwemakethematlastimpossible，andgiveupcaringtobelievethem;andprovetoourownmelancholysatisfactionthatAlexanderconqueredtheworldwithapin，inhissleep，byaccident。
Andyetinthismood，asinmost，thereisasortofleft-handedtruthinvolved。Theseheroesarenotsofarremovedfromusafterall。Theyweremenoflikepassionswithourselves，withthesamefleshaboutthem，thesamespiritwithinthem，thesameworldoutside，thesamedevilbeneath，thesameGodabove。Theyandtheirdeedswerenotsoverywonderful。Everychildwhoisbornintotheworldisjustaswonderful，and，foraughtweknow，might，’mutatismutandis，dojustaswonderfuldeeds。Ifaccidentandcircumstancehelpedthem，thesamemayhelpus：havehelpedus，ifwewilllookbackdownouryears，farmorethanwehavemadeuseof。
Theyweremen，certainly，verymuchofourownlevel：butmaywenotputthatlevelsomewhattoolow？Theywerecertainlynotwhatweare;foriftheyhadbeen，theywouldhavedonenomorethanwe：butisnotaman’sreallevelnotwhatheis，butwhathecanbe，andthereforeoughttobe？Nodoubttheywerecompactofgoodandevil，justaswe：butsowasDavid，nomanmore;thoughamoreheroicalpersonage（saveOne）appearsnotinallhumanrecordsbutmaynotthesecretoftheirsuccesshavebeenthat，onthewhole（thoughtheyfounditasorebattle），theyrefusedtheevilandchosethegood？
Itistrue，again，thattheirgreatdeedsmaybemoreorlessexplained，attributedtolaws，rationalised：butisexplainingalwaysexplainingaway？Isittodegradeathingtoattributeittoalaw？Anddoyoudoanythingmoreby’rationalising’men’sdeedsthanprovethattheywererationalmen;menwhosawcertainfixedlaws，andobeyedthem，andsucceededthereby，accordingtotheBaconianapophthegm，thatnatureisconqueredbyobeyingher？
Butwhatlaws？
Tothatquestion，perhaps，theeleventhchapteroftheEpistletotheHebrewswillgivethebestanswer，whereitsays，thatbyfaithweredoneallthetrulygreatdeeds，andbyfaithlivedallthetrulygreatmenwhohaveeverappearedonearth。
Thereare，ofcourse，higherandlowerdegreesofthisfaith;itsobjectisonemoreorlessworthy：butitisinallcasesthebeliefincertainunseeneternalfacts，bykeepingtruetowhichamanmustinthelongrunsucceed。Must;becauseheismoreorlessinharmonywithheaven，andearth，andtheMakerthereof，andhasthereforefightingonhissideagreatportionoftheuniverse;perhapsthewhole;forashewhobreaksonecommandmentofthelawisguiltyofthewhole，becausehedeniesthefountofalllaw，sohewhowithhiswholesoulkeepsonecommandmentofitislikelytobeinharmonywiththewhole，becausehetestifiesofthefountofalllaw。
Ishalldevoteafewpagestothestoryofanoldhero，ofamanoflikepassionswithourselves;ofonewhohadthemostintenseandawfulsenseoftheunseenlaws，andsucceededmightilythereby;ofonewhohadhardstruggleswithafleshandbloodwhichmadehimattimesforgetthoselaws，andfailedmightilythereby;ofonewhomGodsolovedthatHecausedeachslightestsin，aswithDavid，tobringitsownpunishmentwithit，thatwhilethefleshwasdeliveredovertoSatan，themanhimselfmightbesavedintheDayoftheLord;ofone，finally，ofwhomninehundredandninety-ninemenoutofathousandmaysay，’Ihavedoneworsedeedsthanhe：butIhaveneverdoneasgoodones。’
Inapoorfarm-houseamongthepleasantvalleysofSouthDevon，amongthewhiteapple-orchardsandtherichwater-meadows，andtheredfallowsandredkine，intheyearofgrace1552，aboywasborn，asbeautifulasday，andchristenedWalterRaleigh。Hisfatherwasagentlemanofancientblood：fewolderintheland：but，impoverished，hehadsettleddownuponthewreckofhisestate，inthatpoorfarm-house。Norecordofhimnowremains;buthemusthavebeenamanworthknowingandworthloving，orhewouldnothavewonthewifehedid。ShewasaChampernoun，proudestofNormansquires，andcouldprobablyboastofhavinginherveinsthebloodofCourtneys，EmperorsofByzant。ShehadbeenthewifeofthefamousknightSirOthoGilbert，andladyofComptonCastle，andhadbornehimthreebravesons，John，Humphrey，andAdrian;allthreedestinedtowinknighthoodalsoinduetime，andthetwolatteralreadygivingpromises，whichtheywellfulfilled，ofbecomingmostremarkablemenoftheirtime。AndyetthefairChampernoun，atherhusband’sdeath，hadchosentowedMr。Raleigh，andsharelifewithhiminthelittlefarm-houseatHayes。Shemusthavebeenagrandwoman，ifthelawholdstruethatgreatmenalwayshavegreatmothers;anespeciallygrandwoman，indeed;forfewcanboastofhavingbornetotwodifferenthusbandssuchsonsasshebore。Norecord，asfarasweknow，remainsofher;norofherboy’searlyyears。Onecanimaginethem，nevertheless。
Justasheawakestoconsciousness，theSmithfieldfiresareextinguished。Hecanrecollect，perhaps，hearingoftheburningoftheExetermartyrs：andhedoesnotforgetit;nooneforgotordaredforgetitinthosedays。Heisbroughtupinthesimpleandmanly，yethigh-bredwaysofEnglishgentlemeninthetimesof’anoldcourtieroftheQueen’s。’Histwoelderhalf-brothersalso，livingsomethirtymilesaway，inthequaintandgloomytowersofComptonCastle，amidtheapple-orchardsofTorbay，aremenasnobleaseverformedayounglad’staste。HumphreyandAdrianGilbert，whoafterwards，bothofthem，risetoknighthood，are——whataretheynot？——soldiers，scholars，Christians，discoverersand’planters’offoreignlands，geographers，alchemists，miners，Platonicalphilosophers;many-sided，high-mindedmen，notwithoutfantasticenthusiasm;livingheroiclives，anddestined，oneofthem，todieaheroicdeath。FromthemRaleigh’sfancyhasbeenfired，andhisappetiteforlearningquickened，whileheisyetadaringboy，fishinginthegraytrout-brooks，orgoingupwithhisfathertotheDartmoorhillstohuntthedeerwithhoundandhorn，amidthewoodedgorgesofHolne，oroverthedrearydownsofHartlandWarren，andthecloud-captthicketsofCator’sBeam，andlookingdownfromthenceuponthefarbluesouthernsea，wonderingwhenheshallsailthereon，tofighttheSpaniard，anddiscover，likeColumbus，somefairy-landofgoldandgems。
Forbeforethisboy’smind，asbeforeallintenseEnglishmindsofthatday，rise，fromthefirst，threefixedideas，whichyetarebutone——thePope，theSpaniard，andAmerica。
Thetwofirstaretheswornandinternecineenemies（whethertheypretendaformalpeaceornot）ofLawandFreedom，BibleandQueen，andallthatmakesanEnglishman’slifedeartohim。AretheynottheincarnationsofAntichrist？TheirMolochsacrificesflamethroughalllands。Theearthgroansbecauseofthem，andrefusestocoverthebloodofherslain。AndAmericaisthenewworldofboundlesswonderandbeauty，wealthandfertility，towhichthesetwoevilpowersarrogateanexclusiveanddivineright;andGodhasdelivereditintotheirhands;andtheyhavedoneevilthereinwithalltheirmight，tillthestoryoftheirgreedandcrueltyringsthroughallearthandheaven。IsthisthewillofGod？Willhenotavengeforthesethings，assurelyasheistheLordwhoexecutethjusticeandjudgmentintheearth？
Thesearetheyoungboy’sthoughts。Thesewerehisthoughtsforsixty-sixeventfulyears。Inwhatsoeverelsehewavered，heneverwaveredinthatcreed。Helearntitinhisboyhood，whileheread’Fox’sMartyrs’besidehismother’sknee。Helearntitasalad，whenhesawhisneighboursHawkinsandDrakechangedbySpanishtyrannyandtreacheryfrompeacefulmerchantmenintofiercescourgesofGod。Helearntitscholastically，fromfathersanddivines，asanOxfordscholar，indayswhenOxfordwasaProtestantindeed，inwhomtherewasnoguile。Helearntitwhenhewentover，atseventeenyearsold，withhisgallantkinsmanHenryChampernoun，andhisbandofahundredgentlemenvolunteers，tofleshhismaidenswordinbehalfofthepersecutedFrenchProtestants。HelearntitashelistenedtotheshrieksoftheSanBartholomew;helearntitashewatchedthedragonnades，thetortures，themassacresoftheNetherlands，andfoughtmanfullyunderNorrisinbehalfofthosevictimsof’thePopeandSpain。’HepreacheditinfarstrongerandwiserwordsthanIcanexpressitforhim，inthatnobletractof1591，onSirRichardGrenville’sdeathattheAzores——aTyrtaeantrumpet-blastsuchashasseldomrunginhumanears;hediscusseditlikeacoolstatesmaninhispamphletof1596，on’AWarwithSpain。’
Hesacrificedforitthelasthopesofhisoldage，thewreckofhisfortunes，hisjustrecoveredliberty;andhediedwiththeoldGod’sbattle-cryuponhislips，whenitawokenoresponsefromtheheartsofacoward，profligate，andunbelievinggeneration。Thisisthebackground，thekeynoteoftheman’swholelife。Ifwelosetherecollectionofit，andcontentourselvesbyslurringitoverinthelastpagesofhisbiographywithsomehalf-sneerabouthisputting，liketherestofElizabeth’soldadmirals，’theSpaniard，thePope，andtheDevil’inthesamecategory，thenweshallunderstandverylittleaboutRaleigh;though，ofcourse，weshallsaveourselvesthetroubleofpronouncingastowhethertheSpaniardandthePopewerereallyinthesamecategoryasthedevil;or，indeed，whichmightbeequallypuzzlingtoagoodmanyhistoriansofthelastcenturyandahalf，whethertherebeanydevilatall。
ThebookswhichIhavechosentoheadthisreviewareallofthemmoreorlessgood，withoneexception，andthatisBishopGoodman’sMemoirs，onwhichmuchstresshasbeenlatelylaid，asthrowinglightonvariouspassagesofRaleigh，Essex，Cecil，andJames’slives。
Havingreaditcarefully，Imustsayplainly，thatIthinkthebookanaltogetherfoolish，pedantic，anduntrustworthybook，withoutanypowerofinsightorgleamofreason;withouteventhecaretobeself-consistent;havingbutoneobject，thewhitewashingofJames，andofeverynoblelordwhomthebishophaseverknown：butinwhitewashingeach，thepooroldflunkeysobespattersalltherestofhispets，thatwhentheworkisdone，thewholepartylook，ifpossible，ratherdirtierthanbefore。AndsoIleaveBishopGoodman。
Mr。FraserTytler’sbookiswellknown;anditisonthewholeagoodone;becausehereallylovesandadmiresthemanofwhomhewrites：
butheissometimescarelessastoauthorities，andtoooftenmakesthewishfathertothethought。Moreover，hehastheusualsentimentaboutMaryQueenofScots，andtheusualscandalaboutElizabeth，whichissimplyanathema;andwhichpreventshisreallyseeingthetimeinwhichRaleighlived，andtheelementinwhichhemoved。Thissortoftalkishappilydyingoutjustnow;butnoonecanapproachthehistoryoftheElizabethanage（perhapsofanyage）withoutfindingthattruthisallbutburiedundermountainsofdirtandchaff——anAugaeanstable，which，perhaps，willneverbesweptclean。
YetIhaveseen，withgreatdelight，severalattemptstowardremovalofthesaidsuperstratumofdirtandchafffromtheElizabethanhistories，inseveralarticles，allevidentlyfromthesamepen（andthatone，moreperfectlymasterofEnglishprosethananymanliving），inthe’WestminsterReview’and’Fraser’sMagazine。’{2}
SirRobertSchomburgk’seditionoftheGuianaVoyagecontainsanexcellentLifeofRaleigh，perhapsthebestyetwritten;ofwhichI
onlycomplain，whenitgivesintothestock-chargesagainstRaleigh，asitwereatsecond-hand，andjustbecausetheyarestock-charges，andwhen，too，theillustriouseditor（unabletoconcealhisadmirationofadiscovererinmanypointssolikehimself）takesallthroughanapologetictoneof’Pleasedon’tlaughatme。Idaresayitisveryfoolish;butIcan’thelplovingtheman。’
Mr。Napier’slittlebookisareprintoftwo’EdinburghReview’
articlesonBaconandRaleigh。Thefirst，alearnedstatementoffactsinanswertosomeunwisdomofa’Quarterly’reviewer（possiblyanOxfordAristotelian;for’wethinkwedoknowthatsweetRomanhand’）。Itisclear，accurate，convincing，complete。Thereisnomoretobesaidaboutthematter，savethatfactsarestubbornthings。
ThearticleonRaleighisveryvaluable;first，becauseMr。Napierhashadaccesstomanydocumentsunknowntoformerbiographers;andnext，becauseheclearsRaleighcompletelyfromtheoldimputationofdeceitabouttheGuianamine，aswellasofotherminorcharges。
WithhisgeneralopinionofRaleigh’slastandfatalGuianavoyage，I
havethemisfortunetodifferfromhimtotocoelo，onthestrengthoftheverydocumentswhichhequotes。ButMr。Napierisalwayscareful，alwaystemperate，andalwaysjust，exceptwherehe，asI
think，doesnotenterintothefeelingsofthemanwhomheisanalysing。Letreadersbuythebook（itwilltellthemahundredthingstheydonotknow）andbejudgebetweenMr。Napierandme。
Inthemeanwhile，onecannothelpwatchingwithasmilehowgoodoldTime’sscrubbing-brush，whichclearsawaypaintandwhitewashfromchurchpillars，doesthesamebysuchcharactersasRaleigh’s。Aftereachfreshexamination，somefreshcountinthehundred-headedindictmentbreaksdown。Thetruthis，thataspeoplebegintobelievemoreinnobleness，andtogirduptheirloinstothedoingofnobledeeds，theydiscovermorenoblenessinothers。Raleigh’scharacterwasinitslowestnadirinthedaysofVoltaireandHume。
Whatshametohim？Forsoweremoresacredcharactersthanhis。
Shallthedisciplebeabovehismaster？especiallywhenthatdisciplewasbuttooinconsistent，andgaveoccasiontotheuncircumcisedtoblaspheme？ButCayley，afterafewyears，refutestriumphantlyHume’ssillyslanders。Heisastupidwriter：buthehassenseenough，beingpatient，honest，andloving，todothat。
Mr。FraserTytlershovelsawayalittlemoreofthedirt-heap;Mr。
Napierclearshim（forwhichweowehimmanythanks），bysimplestatementoffacts，fromthechargeofhavingdesertedandneglectedhisVirginiacolonists;HumboldtandSchomburgkclearhimfromthechargeofhavingliedaboutGuiana;andsoon;eachsuccessivewritergivingingenerallyonmeresthearsaytothegeneralcomplaintagainsthim，eitherfromfearofrunningcountertobignames，orfrommerelaziness，andyetabsolvinghimfromthatparticularchargeofwhichhisownknowledgeenableshimtojudge。InthetrustthatI
maybeabletoclearhimfromafewmorecharges，Iwritethesepages，premisingthatIdonotprofesstohaveaccesstoanynewandreconditedocuments。Imerelytakethebroadfactsofthestoryfromdocumentsopentoall;andcommentonthemaseverymanshouldwishhisownlifetobecommentedon。
ButIdosoonamethodwhichIcannotgiveup;andthatistheBiblemethod。IsayboldlythathistorianshavehithertofailedinunderstandingnotonlyRaleighandElizabeth，butnine-tenthsofthepersonsandfactsinhisday，becausetheywillnotjudgethembythecanonswhichtheBiblelaysdown——bywhichImeannotonlytheNewTestamentbuttheOld，which，asEnglishChurchmensay，andScotchPresbyterianshaveerenowtestifiedwithsacredblood，is’notcontrarytotheNew。’
Mr。NapierhasapassageaboutRaleighforwhichIamsorry，comingasitdoesfromacountrymanofJohnKnox。’Society，itwouldseem，wasyetinastateinwhichsuchamancouldseriouslyplead，thatthemadnesshefeignedwasjustified’（hislastwordisunfair，forRaleighonlyhopesthatitisnosin）’bytheexampleofDavid，KingofIsrael。’WhatashockingstateofsocietywhenmenactuallybelievedtheirBibles，nottoolittle，buttoomuch。Formypart，I
thinkthatifpoordearRaleighhadconsideredtheexampleofDavidalittlemoreclosely，heneedneverhavefeignedmadnessatall;andthathiserrorlayquiteinanoppositedirectionfromlookingontheBibleheroes，Davidespecially，astoosuremodels。Atallevents，letustryRaleighbytheveryscripturalstandardwhichhehimselflaysdown，notmerelyinthiscaseunwisely，butinhis’HistoryoftheWorld’morewiselythananyhistorianwhomIhaveeverread;andsay，’JudgedastheBibletaughtourPuritanforefatherstojudgeeveryman，thecharacterisintelligibleenough;tragic，butnobleandtriumphant：judgedasmenhavebeenjudgedinhistoryforthelasthundredyears，byhardlyanycanonsavethoseoftheprivatejudgment，whichphilosophiccant，maudlinsentimentality，orfearofpublicopinion，mayhappentohaveforged，themanisaphenomenon，onlylessconfused，abnormal，suspiciousthanhisbiographers’
notionsabouthim。’AgainIsay，Ihavenotsolvedtheproblem：butitwillbeenoughifImakesomethinkitbothsolubleandworthsolving。Letuslookround，then，andseeintowhatsortofacountry，intowhatsortofaworld，theyoungadventurerisgoingforth，atseventeenyearsofage，toseekhisfortune。
Bornin1552，hisyounglifehassprungupandgrownwiththeyounglifeofEngland。Theearliestfact，perhaps，whichhecanrecollectistheflashofjoyoneveryfacewhichproclaimsthatMaryTudorisdead，andElizabethreignsatlast。Ashegrows，theyoungmanseesallthehopeandadorationoftheEnglishpeoplecentreinthatwondrousmaid，andhisowncentreinherlikewise。Hehadbeenbasehadhebeenotherwise。ShecomestothethronewithsuchaprestigeasneversovereigncamesincethedayswhenIsaiahsanghispaeanoveryoungHezekiah’saccession。Young，learned，witty，beautiful（aswithsuchafatherandmothershecouldnothelpbeing），withanexpressionofcountenanceremarkable（Ispeakofthoseearlydays）
ratherforitstendernessandintellectualdepththanitsstrength，shecomesforwardasthechampionoftheReformedFaith，theinterpretressofthewillandconscienceofthepeopleofEngland——
herselfpersecutedallbuttothedeath，andpurifiedbyaffliction，likegoldtriedinthefire。Shegathersroundher，onebyone，youngmenofpromise，andtrainsthemherselftotheirwork。Andtheyfulfilit，andserveher，andgrowgray-headedinherservice，workingasfaithfully，asrighteously，aspatriotically，asmeneverworkedonearth。Theyareher’favourites’;becausetheyaremenwhodeservefavour;menwhocountnottheirownlivesdeartothemselvesforthesakeofthequeenandofthatcommonwealwhichtheirheartsandreasonstellthemisonewithher。Theyarestillmen，though;
andsomeofthemhavetheirgrudgingsandenvyingsagainsteachother：shekeepsthebalanceevenbetweenthem，onthewhole，skilfully，gently，justly，inspiteofweaknessesandprejudices，withoutwhichshehadbeenmorethanhuman。Somehavetheirconceitedhopesofmarryingher，becominghermasters。Sherebukesandpardons。’OutofthedustItookyou，sir！goanddoyourduty，humblyandrationally，henceforth，orintothedustItrampleyouagain！’Andtheyreconsiderthemselves，andobey。Butmany，ormostofthem，arenewmen，countrygentlemen，andyoungersons。Shewillfollowherfather’splan，ofkeepingdowntheovergrownfeudalprinces，who，thoughbroughtlowbythewarsoftheRoses，arestillstrongenoughtothroweverythingintoconfusionbyresistingatoncetheCrownandCommons。Proudnoblesreplybyrebellion，comedownsouthwardswithignorantPopishhenchmenattheirbacks;willrestorePopery，marrytheQueenofScots，makethemiddleclassandthemajoritysubmittothefeudallordsandtheminority。Elizabeth，withher’aristocracyofgenius，’istoostrongforthem：thepeople’sheartiswithher，andnotwithdukes。Eachmineonlyblowsupitsdiggers;andtherearemanydryeyesattheirruin。Herpeopleaskhertomarry。Sheanswersgently，proudly，eloquently：
’Sheismarried——thepeopleofEnglandisherhusband。Shehasvowedit。’Andyetthereisatoneofsadnessinthatgreatspeech。Herwoman’sheartyearnsafterlove，afterchildren;afterastrongbosomonwhichtoreposethatwearyhead。Morethanoncesheisreadytogiveway。Butsheknowsthatitmustnotbe。Shehasherreward。
’Whosoevergivesuphusbandorchildformysakeandthegospel’s，shallreceivethembackahundredfoldinthispresentlife，’asElizabethdoes。Herrewardisanadorationfromhighandlow，whichistousnowinexplicable，impossible，overstrained，whichwasnotsothen。
Forthewholenationisinamoodofexaltation;Englandisfairyland;thetimesarethelastdays——strange，terrible，andglorious。AthomeareJesuitsplotting;dark，crooked-pathed，goingupanddowninallmannerofdisguises，doingthedevil’sworkifmeneverdidit;tryingtosowdiscordbetweenmanandman，classandclass;puttingoutbooksfulloffilthycalumnies，declaringthequeenillegitimate，excommunicate，ausurper;Englishlawnull，andallstateappointmentsvoid，byvirtueofacertain’Bull’;andcallingonthesubjectstorebellionandassassination，evenonthebedchamber——womantodotoher’asJudithdidtoHolofernes。’Sheanswersbycalmcontempt。NowandthenBurleighandWalsinghamcatchsomeoftherogues，andtheymeettheirdeserts;butsheforthemostpartletsthemhavetheirway。Godisonherside，andshewillnotfearwhatmancandotoher。
Abroad，theskyisdarkandwild，andyetfulloffantasticsplendour。Spainstandsstrongandawful，arisingworld-tyranny，withitsdark-souledCortezesandPizarros，Alvas，DonJohns，andParmas，menwhosepathislikethelavastream;whogoforthslayingandtoslay，inthenameoftheirgods，likethoseoldAssyrianconquerorsonthewallsofNineveh，withtutelarygeniiflyingabovetheirheads，mingledwiththeeagleswhotrailtheentrailsoftheslain。Byconquest，intermarriage，orintrigue，shehasmadeallthesouthernnationshervassalsorhertools;closetoourownshores，theNetherlandsarestrugglingvainlyfortheirliberties;abroad，theWesternIslands，andthewholetradeofAfricaandIndia，willinafewyearsbehers。AndalreadythePope，whose’mostCatholic’andfaithfulservantsheis，hasrepaidherservicesinthecauseofdarknessbythegiftofthewholeNewWorld——agiftwhichshehasclaimedbycrueltiesandmassacresunexampledsincethedaysofTimourandZinghisKhan。Thereshespreadsandspreads，asDrakefoundherpictureintheGovernmentHouseatSt。Domingo，thehorseleapingthroughtheglobe，andunderneath，Nonsufficitorbis。Whoshallwithstandher，armedassheiswiththethree-edgedswordofAntichrist——superstition，strength，andgold？
Englishmerchantmen，longingforsomeshareintherichesoftheNewWorld，goouttotradeinGuinea，intheAzores，inNewSpain：andareansweredbyshotandsteel。’Bothpolicyandreligion，’asFraySimonsays，fiftyyearsafterwards，’forbidChristianstotradewithheretics！’’Lutherandevils，andenemiesofGod，’aretheanswertheygetinwords：indeeds，whenevertheyhaveasuperiorforcetheymaybeallowedtoland，andtowatertheirships，eventotrade，underexorbitantrestrictions：butgenerallythisismerelyatrapforthem。Forcesarehurriedup;andtheEnglishareattackedtreacherously，inspiteofsolemncompacts;for’Nofaithneedbekeptwithheretics。’Andwoetothemifanybetakenprisoners，evenwrecked。Thegalleys，andtherack，andthestakearetheircertaindoom;fortheInquisitionclaimsthebodiesandsoulsofhereticsallovertheworld，andthinksitsintoloseitsown。AfewyearsofsuchwrongraisequestionsinthesturdyEnglishheart。WhatrighthavetheseSpaniardstotheNewWorld？ThePope’sgift？Why，hegaveitbythesameauthoritybywhichheclaimsthewholeworld。
TheformulausedwhenanIndianvillageissackedis，thatGodgavethewholeworldtoSt。Peter，andthathehasgivenittohissuccessors，andtheytheIndiestotheKingofSpain。ToacknowledgethatliewouldbetoacknowledgetheverypowerbywhichthePopeclaimsarighttodeposeQueenElizabeth，andgiveherdominionstowhomsoeverhewill。Aficoforbulls！
Bypossession，then？ThatmayholdforMexico，Peru，NewGrenada，Paraguay，whichhavebeencolonised;thoughtheyweregainedbymeanswhichmakeeveryoneconcernedinconqueringthemworthyofthegallows;andtherightisonlythatofthethieftothepurse，whoseownerhehasmurdered。Butasfortherest——WhytheSpaniardhasnotcolonised，evenexplored，one-fifthoftheNewWorld，notevenone-
fifthofthecoast。Istheexistenceofafewpettyfactories，oftenhundredsofmilesapart，atafewriver-mouthstogivethemaclaimtothewholeintermediatecoast，muchlesstothevastunknowntractsinside？Wewilltrythat。Iftheyappealtothesword，sobeit。
Themenaretreacherousrobbers;wewillindemnifyourselvesforourlosses，andGoddefendtheright。
SoarguedtheEnglish;andsosprungupthatstrangewarofreprisals，inwhich，foreighteenyears，itwasheldthattherewasnopeacebetweenEnglandandSpainbeyondtheline，i。e。，beyondtheparalleloflongitudewherethePope’sgiftofthewesternworldwassaidtobegin;and，asthequarrelthickenedandneared，extendedtotheAzores，Canaries，andcoastsofAfrica，whereEnglishandSpaniardsflewateachotherassoonasseen，mutuallyandbycommonconsent，asnaturalenemies，eachinvokingGodinthebattlewithAntichrist。
IntosuchaworldasthisgoesforthyoungRaleigh，hisheartfullofchivalrousworshipforEngland’stutelarygenius，hisbrainaflamewiththetruemiraclesofthenew-foundHesperides，fullofvaguehopes，vastimaginations，andconsciousnessofenormouspower。Andyetheisnowaywarddreamer，unfitforthiswork-dayworld。Withaveinofsong’mostlofty，insolent，andpassionate，’indeedunabletoseeaughtwithoutapoeticglowoverthewhole，heiseminentlypractical，contentedtobeginatthebeginningthathemayendattheend;onewhocould’toilterribly，’’whoalwayslabouredatthematterinhandasifhewerebornonlyforthat。’Accordingly，hesetstoworkfaithfullyandstoutly，tolearnhistradeofsoldiering，andlearnsitinsilenceandobscurity。Heshares（itseems）intheretreatatMoncontour，andisbyatthedeathofConde，andtoilsonforfiveyears，marchingandskirmishing，smokingtheenemyoutofmountain-cavesinLanguedoc，andallthewildworkofwar。DuringtheSanBartholomewmassacrewehearnothingofhim;
perhapshetookrefugewithSidneyandothersinWalsingham’shouse。
Norecordsoftheseyearsremain，saveafewscatteredreminiscencesinhisworks，whichmarktheshrewd，observanteyeofthefuturestatesman。
Whenhereturnedweknownot。Wetracehim，in1576，bysomeversesprefixedtoGascoigne’ssatire，the’SteeleGlass，’solid，stately，epigrammatic，’byWalterRawleyoftheMiddleTemple。’Thestyleishis;spellingofnamesmattersnoughtindaysinwhichamanwouldspellhisownnamethreedifferentwaysinonedocument。
Gascoigne，likeRaleigh，knewLordGreyofWilton，andmostmenabouttowntoo;andhadbeenasoldierabroad，likeRaleigh，probablywithhim。ItseemstohavebeenthefashionforyoungidlerstolodgeamongtheTemplars;indeed，towardtheendofthecentury，theyhadtobeclearedout，ascrowdingthewigsandgownstoomuch;andperhapsprovingnoisyneighbours，asRaleighmayhavedone。Tothisperiodmaybereferred，probably，hisJusticedoneonMr。CharlesChester（BenJonson’sCarloBuffone），’aperpetualtalker，andmadeanoiselikeadruminaroom;soonetime，atatavern，Raleighbeatshimandsealsuphismouth，hisupperandnetherbeard，withhardwax。’ForthereisagreatlaughinRaleigh’sheart，agenialcontemptofasses;andonethatwillmakehimenemieshereafter：
perhapsshortenhisdays。
Onehearsofhimnext，butonlybyreport，intheNetherlandsunderNorris，wherethenucleusoftheEnglishline（especiallyofitsmusquetry）wastraining。ForDonJohnofAustriaintendsnotonlytocrushthelibertiesandcreedsoftheFlemings，butafterwardstomarrytheQueenofScots，andconquerEngland：andElizabeth，unwillinglyandslowly，forshecannotstomachrebels，hassentmenandmoneytotheStatestostopDonJohnintime;whichthevaliantEnglishandScotchdoonLammasday，1578，andthatinafashiontillthenunseeninwar。Forcominguplateandpanting，and’beingmoresensibleofalittleheatofthesunthanofanycoldfearofdeath，’
theythrowofftheirarmourandclothes，and，intheirshirts（notover-clean，onefears），giveDonJohn’srashnesssucharebuff，thattwomonthsmoreseethatwildmeteor，withlosthopesandtarnishedfame，liedownandvanishbelowthestormyhorizon。Inthesedays，probably，itisthatheknewColonelBingham，asoldieroffortune，ofa’fancyhighandwild，toodesultoryandover-voluble，’whohad，amonghishundredandoneschemes，onefortheplantationofAmericaaspoorSirThomasStukely（whomRaleighmusthaveknownwell），uncleofthetraitorLewis，hadforthepeoplingofFlorida。
Raleighreturns。Tenyearshashebeenlearninghissoldier’stradeinsilence。Hewilltakealessoninseamanshipnext。Thecourtmaycomeintime：forbynowthepoorsquire’syoungersonmusthavediscovered——perhapseventoofully——thatheisnotasothermenare;
thathecanspeak，andwatch，anddare，andendure，asnonearoundhimcando。However，thereare’goodadventurestoward，’asthe’Morted’Arthur’wouldsay;andhewilloffwithhishalf-brotherHumphreyGilberttocarryouthispatentforplantingMetaIncognita——
’TheUnknownGoal，’asQueenElizabethhasnamedit——whichwillprovetobetootrulyandfatallyunknown。InalatitudesouthofEngland，andwithanItaliansummer，whocanguessthatthewinterwilloutfreezeRussiaitself？Themerchant-seaman，likethestatesman，hadyetmanyathingtolearn。Insteadofsmilingatourforefathers’ignorance，letushonourthemenwhoboughtknowledgeforustheirchildrenatthepriceoflivesnoblerthanourown。
SoRaleighgoesonhisvoyagewithHumphreyGilbert，tocarryoutthepatentfordiscoveringandplantinginMetaIncognita;butthevoyageprospersnot。A’smartbrushwiththeSpaniards’sendsthemhomeagain，withthelossofMorgan，theirbestcaptain，and’atallship’;andMetaIncognitaisforgottenforawhile;butnottheSpaniards。WhoarethesewhoforbidallEnglish，byvirtueofthePope’sbull，tocrosstheAtlantic？Thatmustbesettledhereafter;
andRaleigh，everbusy，isofftoIrelandtocommandacompanyinthat’commonweal，orrathercommonwoe’，ashecallsitinalettertoLeicester。Twoyearsandmorepasshere;andalltherecordsofhimwhichremainareofamanvaliant，daring，andyetprudentbeyondhisfellows。Hehateshiswork，andisnotontoogoodtermswithsternandsour，butbraveandfaithfulLordGrey;butLordGreyisLeicester’sfriend，andRaleighworkspatientlyunderhim，likeasensibleman，justbecauseheisLeicester’sfriend。Somemoderngentlemanofnote——Iforgetwho，anddonotcaretorecollect——saysthatRaleigh’s’prudenceneverboreanyproportiontohisgenius。’
Thenextbiographerweopenaccuseshimofbeingtoocalculating，cunning，timeserving;andsoforth。Perhapsbotharetrue。Theman’swasacharacterverylikelytofallalternatelyintoeithersin——doubtlessdidsoahundredtimes。Perhapsbotharefalse。Theman’scharacterwas，onoccasion，certaintoriseabovebothfaults。
Wehaveevidencethathedidsohiswholelifelong。
HeistiredofIrelandatlast：nothinggoesrightthere：-Whenhasit？Nothingistobedonethere。Thatwhichiscrookedcannotbemadestraight，andthatwhichiswantingcannotbenumbered。HecomestoLondonandtocourt。Buthow？ByspreadinghiscloakoveramuddyplaceforQueenElizabethtostepon？Itisverylikelytobeatruestory;butbiographershaveslurredoverafewfactsintheirhurrytocarryouttheirtheoryof’favourites，’andtoprovethatElizabethtookupRaleighonthesamegroundsthataboarding-
schoolmissmighthavedone。NotthatIdenythecloakstorytobeaveryprettystory;perhapsitjustifies，takenalone，Elizabeth’sfondnessforhim。Theremayhavebeenself-interestinit;wearebound，as’menoftheworld，’toimputethedirtiestmotivethatwecanfind;buthowmanyself-interestedmendoweknowwhowouldhavehadquicknessanddaringtodosuchathing？Menwhoarethinkingaboutthemselvesarenotgenerallyeithersoquick-witted，orsoinclinedtothrowawayagoodcloak，whenbymuchscrapingandsavingtheyhavegotone。Inevermetacunning，selfish，ambitiousmanwhowouldhavedonesuchathing。Thereadermay;butevenifhehas，wemustaskhim，forQueenElizabeth’ssake，toconsiderthatthisyoungQuixoteisthecloserelationofthreeofthefinestpublicmenthenliving，Champernoun，Gilbert，andCarew。ThatheisafriendofSidney，apetofLeicester;thathehasleftbehindhimatOxford，andbroughtwithhimfromIreland，thereputationofbeingararaavis，anewstarinthefirmament;thathehadbeenasoldierinherMajesty’sservice（andinoneinwhichshehasapeculiarprivateinterest）fortwelveyears;thathehasheldhercommissionasoneofthetriumvirateforgoverningMunster，andhasbeenthecommanderofthegarrisonatCork;andthatitispossiblethatshemayhaveheardsomethingofhimbeforehethrewhiscloakunderherfeet，especiallyastherehasbeensomecontroversy（whichwehaveinvaintriedtofathom）betweenhimandLordGreyaboutthatterribleSmerwickslaughter;oftheresultsofwhichweknowlittle，butthatRaleigh，beingcalledinquestionaboutitinLondon，madesuchgoodplaywithhistongue，thathisreputationasanoratorandamanoftalentwasfixedonceandforever。
WithinthetwelvemonthsheissentonsomesecretdiplomaticmissionabouttheAnjoumarriage;heisinfactnowinstalledinhisplaceas’afavourite。’Andwhynot？Ifamanisfoundtobewiseandwitty，readyanduseful，abletodowhatsoeverheisputto，whyisasovereign，whohaseyestoseetheman’sworthandcouragetouseit，tobeaccusedofIknownotwhat，becausethesaidmanhappenstobegood-looking？
Nowcomestheturning-pointofRaleigh’slife。Whatdoesheintendtobe？Soldier，statesman，scholar，orsea-adventurer？Hetakesthemostnatural，yetnotthewisestcourse。Hewilltryandbeallfouratonce。Hehasintellectforit;byworldlywisdomhemayhavemoneyforitalso。Evennowhehascontrived（noonecantellwhence）tobuildagoodbarkoftwohundredtons，andsendheroutwithHumphreyGilbertonhissecondandfatalvoyage。LuckilyforRaleighshedesertsandcomeshome，whilenotyetoutoftheChannel，orshesurelyhadgonethewayoftherestofGilbert’ssquadron。
Raleigh，ofcourse，losesmoneybythefailure，aswellasthehopeswhichhehadgroundedonhisbrother’sTransatlanticviceroyalty。
Andabitterpangitmusthavebeentohimtofindhimselfbereftofthatpureandheroiccounsellorjustathisenteringintolife。Butwiththesameelasticitywhichsenthimtothegrave，heisbusywithinsixmonthsinafreshexpedition。IfMetaIncognitabenotworthplanting，theremustbe，soRaleighthinks，avastextentofcoastbetweenitandFlorida，whichismoregenialinclimate，perhapsmorerichinproduce;andhesendsPhilipAmadasandArthurBarlowtolookforthesame，andnotinvain。
OntheseVirginiandiscoveriesIshallsaybutlittle。Thosewhowishtoenjoythemshouldreadtheminalltheirnaivefreshnessintheoriginals;andtheywillsubscribetoS。T。Coleridge’sdictum，thatnoonenowadayscanwritetravelsaswellastheoldworthieswhofigureinHakluytandPurchas。
Buttoreturntothequestion——Whatdoesthismanintendtobe？A
discovererandcolonist;avindicatorofsomepartatleastofAmericafromSpanishclaims？Perhapsnotaltogether：elsehewouldhavegonehimselftoVirginia，atleastthesecondvoyage，insteadofsendingothers。Buthere，itseems，isthefatal，andyetpardonablemistake，whichhauntsthemanthroughout。Hetriestobetoomanymenatonce。Fatal：because，thoughheleaveshistraceonmorethingsthanonemaniswonttodo，he，strictlyspeaking，conquersnothing，bringsnothingtoaconsummation。Virginia，Guiana，the’HistoryoftheWorld，’hisowncareerasastatesman——asdictator（forhemighthavebeendictatorhadhechosen）——allareleftunfinished。Andyetmostpardonable;forifamanfeelsthathecandomanydifferentthings，howhardtoteachhimselfthathemustnotdothemall！Howhardtosaytohimself，’Imustcutofftherighthand，andpluckouttherighteye。Imustbelessthanmyself，inorderreallytobeanything。Imustconcentratemypowersononesubject，andthatperhapsbynomeansthemostseeminglynobleoruseful，stilllessthemostpleasant，andforegosomanybranchesofactivityinwhichImightbesodistinguished，souseful。’Thisisahardlesson。Raleightookjustsixty-sixyearslearningit;andhadtocarrytheresultofhisexperiencetotheothersideofthedarkriver，fortherewasnotimelefttouseitonthisside。Somereadersmayhavelearntthelessonalready。Ifso，happyandblessedarethey。ButletthemnotthereforeexaltthemselvesaboveWalterRaleigh;forthatlessonis，ofcourse，soonestlearntbythemanwhocanexcelinfewthings，laterbyhimwhocanexcelinmany，andlatestofallbyhimwho，likeRaleigh，canexcelinall。
FewdetailsremainconcerningtheearliercourtdaysofRaleigh。Herisesrapidly，aswehaveseen。HehasanestategivenhiminIreland，nearhisfriendSpenser，wherehetriestodowellandwisely，colonising，tilling，andplantingit：butlikehisVirginiaexpeditions，principallyatsecondhand。Forhehasswallowed（thereisnodenyingit）thepaintedbait。Hewilldiscover，hewillcolonise，hewilldoallmannerofbeautifulthings，atsecondhand：
buthehimselfwillbeacourtier。Itisverytempting。Whowouldnot，attheageofthirty，havewishedtohavebeenoneofthatchosenbandofgeniusesandheroeswhomElizabethhadgatheredroundher？Whowouldnot，attheageofthirty，havegivenhispoundoffleshtobecaptainofherguard，andtogowithherwhithersoevershewent？Itisnotmerelytheintensegratificationtocarnalvanity——whichifanymandeniesorscoffsat，alwaysmarkhimdownasespeciallyguilty——whichistobeconsidered;butthereal，actualhonour，inthemindofonewholookedonElizabethasthemostpreciousandgloriousbeingwhichtheearthhadseenforcenturies。
Tobeappreciatedbyher;tobelovedbyher;toserveher;toguardher;whatcouldmandesiremoreonearth？
Beside，hebecomesamemberofParliamentnow;LordWardenoftheStannaries;businesswhichofcoursekeepshiminEngland，businesswhichheperforms，ashedoesallthings，wiselyandwell。SuchagenerationasthisoughtreallytorespectRaleighalittlemore，ifitbeonlyforhisexcellenceintheirownespecialsphere——thatofbusiness。Raleighisathoroughmanofbusiness。Hecan’toilterribly，’andwhatismore，toiltothepurpose。Inalltheeverydayaffairsoflife，heremainswithoutablot;adiligent，methodical，prudentman，who，thoughheplaysforgreatstakes，venturesandloseshiswholefortuneagainandagain，yetneverseemstoomitthe’doingthedutywhichliesnearesthim’;nevergetsintomeanmoneyscrapes;neverneglectstenantsorduty;nevergiveswayforoneinstantto’theeccentricitiesofgenius。’
Ifhehaddoneso，besurethatweshouldhaveheardofit。Fornomancanbecomewhathehasbecomewithoutmakingmanyanenemy;andhehashisenemiesalready。Onwhichstatementnaturallyoccursthequestion——why？Animportantquestiontoo;becauseseveralofhislaterbiographersseemtohaverunningintheirmindssomesuchtrainofthoughtasthis——Raleighmusthavebeenabadfellow，orhewouldnothavehadsomanyenemies;andbecausehewasabadfellow，thereisanapriorireasonthatchargesagainsthimaretrue。Whetherthisbearguinginacircleornot，itisworthsearchingoutthebeginningofthisenmity，andthereputedcausesofit。Inafteryearsitwillbebecauseheis’damnableproud，’becausehehatedEssex，andsoforth：ofwhichintheirplaces。Butwhatistheearliestcountagainsthim？Naunton，whohatedRaleigh，andwasmoreoverarogue，hasnoreasontogive，butthat’theQueentookhimforakindoforacle，whichmuchnettledthemall;yea，thosehereliedonbegantotakethishissuddenfavourforanalarm;tobesensibleoftheirownsupplantation，andtoprojecthis;whichshortlymadehimtosing，"Fortunemyfoe。"’
Now，bethistrueornot，andwedonotputmuchfaithinit，itgivesnoreasonfortheearlydislikeofRaleigh，savethesomewhatunsatisfactoryonewhichCainwouldhavegivenforhisdislikeofAbel。Moreover，thereexistsaletterofEssex’s，writtenasthoroughlyintheCainspiritasanyweeverread;andwewonderthat，afterreadingthatletter，mencanfindcouragetorepeattheoldsentimentalismaboutthe’nobleandunfortunate’Earl。HishatredofRaleigh——which，asweshallseehereafter，Raleighnotonlybearspatiently，butrequiteswithgooddeedsaslongashecan——
springs，byhisownconfession，simplyfromenvyanddisappointedvanity。ThespoiltboyinsultsQueenElizabethaboutherlikingforthe’knaveRaleigh。’She，’takingholdofoneworddisdain，’tellsEssexthat’therewasnosuchcausewhyIshouldthusdisdainhim。’
Onwhich，saysEssex，’asnearasIcouldIdiddescribeuntoherwhathehadbeen，andwhathewas;andthenIdidlethersee，whetherIhadcometodisdainhiscompetitionoflove，orwhetherI
couldhavecomforttogivemyselfovertotheserviceofamistressthatwasinaweofsuchaman。IspakeforgriefandcholerasmuchagainsthimasIcould：andIthinkhestandingatthedoormightverywellheartheworstthatIspokeofhim。Intheend，Isawshewasresolvedtodefendhim，andtocrossme。’Whereuponfollowsa’scene，’thenaughtyboyragingandstamping，tillheinsultstheQueen，andcallsRaleigh’awretch’;whereonpoorElizabeth，wholovedthecoxcombforhisfather’ssake，’turnedherawaytomyLadyWarwick，’andEssexgoesgrumblingforth。
Raleigh’snextfewyearsarebrilliantandbusyones;andgladly，didspacepermit，wouldIgivedetailsofthosebrilliantadventureswhichmakethispartofhislifethatofatrueknight-errant。Buttheyaremereepisodesinthehistory;andwemustpassthemquicklyby，onlysayingthattheycorroborateinallthingsouroriginalnotionoftheman——just，humane，wise，greatlydaringandenduringgreatly;andfilledwiththeonefixedidea，whichhasgrownwithhisgrowthandstrengthenedwithhisstrength，thedestructionoftheSpanishpower，andcolonisationofAmericabyEnglish。HisbrotherHumphreymakesasecondattempttocoloniseNewfoundland，andperishesasheroicallyashehadlived。Raleigh，undauntedbyhisownlossintheadventureandhisbrother’sfailure，sendsoutafleetofhisowntodiscovertothesouthward，andfindsVirginia。
Onemightspendpagesonthisbeautifulepisode;onthesimpledescriptionsofthefairnewlandwhichthesea-kingsbringhome;ontheprofound（forthosetimesatleast）knowledgewhichpromptedRaleightomaketheattemptinthatparticulardirectionwhichhadasyetescapedthenoticeoftheSpaniards;onthequietpatiencewithwhich，undauntedbytheill-successofthefirstcolonists，hesendsoutfleetafterfleet，tokeeptheholdwhichhehadoncegained;
till，unableanylongertosupportthehugeexpense，hemakesoverhispatentfordiscoverytoacompanyofmerchants，whofareformanyyearsasillasRaleighhimselfdid：butonethingonehasarighttosay，thattothisoneman，undertheprovidenceofAlmightyGod，dothewholeoftheUnitedStatesofAmericaowetheirexistence。
Theworkwasdouble。Thecolony，howeversmall，hadtobekeptinpossessionatallhazards;andhedidit。Butthatwasnotenough。
SpainmustbepreventedfromextendingheroperationsnorthwardfromFlorida;shemustbecrippledalongthewholeeastcoastofAmerica。
AndRaleighdidthattoo。Wefindhimforyearstocomeapart-
adventurerinalmosteveryattackontheSpaniards：wefindhimpreachingwaragainstthemontheseverygrounds，andsettingotherstopreachitalso。GoodoldHariot（Raleigh’smathematicaltutor，whomhesenttoVirginia）re-echoeshispupil’strumpet-blast。
Hooker，inhisepistlededicatoryofhisIrishHistory，strikesthesamenote，andarightnobleoneitis。’TheseSpaniardsaretryingtobuildupaworld-tyrannybyrapineandcruelty。You，sir，callonustodelivertheearthfromthem，bydoingjustlyandlovingmercy;
andwewillobeyyou！’istheanswerwhichRaleighreceives，asfarasIcanfind，fromeverynobler-naturedEnglishman。
Itwasanimmenseconception：agloriousone：itstoodoutsoclear：therewasnomistakeaboutitsbeingtheabsolutelyright，wise，patrioticthing;andsofeasible，too，ifRaleighcouldbutfind’sixcentshommesquisavaientmourir。’Butthatwasjustwhathecouldnotfind。Hecoulddrawroundhim，anddid，bythespiritualmagnetismofhisgenius，manyanoblesoul;buthecouldnotorganisethem，asheseemstohavetriedtodo，intoacoherentbody。TheEnglishspiritofindependentaction，neverstrongerthaninthatage，andmostwiselyencouraged，forotherreasons，bygoodQueenBess，wastoostrongforhim。Hispupilswill’fightontheirownhook’likesomanyYankeerangers：quarrelwitheachother：
grumbleathim。Forthetruthis，hedemandsofthemtoohighastandardofthoughtandpurpose。Heisoftenawholeheavenabovetheminthehugenessofhisimagination，thenoblenessofhismotive;
andDonQuixotecanoftenfindnobettersquirethanSanchoPanza。
EvengloriousSirRichardGrenvilemakesamistake：burnsanIndianvillagebecausetheystealasilvercup;throwsbackthecolonisationofVirginiatenyearswithhisover-strictnotionsofdisciplineandretributivejustice;andRaleighrequiteshimforhisoffencebyembalminghim，hisvalourandhisdeath，notinimmortalverse，butinimmortalprose。The’TrueRelationoftheFightattheAzores’
givesthekeynoteofRaleigh’sheart。Ifreaderswillnottakethatasthetextonwhichhiswholelifeisacommentarytheymayknowagreatdealabouthim，buthimtheywillneverknow。
Thegamebecomesfiercerandfiercer。BlowandcounterblowbetweentheSpanishking，forthewholeWest-Indiancommercewasagovernmentjob，andthemerchantnoblesofEngland。AtlasttheGreatArmadacomes，andtheGreatArmadagoesagain。Venit，vidit，fugit，asthemedalssaidofit。AndtoWalterRaleigh’scounsel，bythetestimonyofallcontemporaries，themightyvictoryistobeprincipallyattributed。Whereallmendidheroically，itwereinvidioustobestowonhimaloneacrown，obpatriamservatam。Buthenceforth，Elizabethknowswellthatshehasnotbeenmistakeninherchoice;
andRaleighisbetterlovedthanever，heapedwithfreshwealthandhonours。Andwhodeservesthembetter？
TheimmensevalueofhisservicesinthedefenceofEnglandshouldexcusehimfromthecomplaintwhichonehasbeenofteninclinedtobringagainsthim，——Why，insteadofsendingothersWestwardHo，didbenotgohimself？Surelyhecouldhavereconciledthejarringinstrumentswithwhichhewasworking。Hecouldhaveorganisedsuchabodyofmenasperhapsneverwentoutbeforeorsinceonthesameerrand。HecouldhavedoneallthatCortezdid，andmore;anddoneitmorejustlyandmercifully。
True。Andhereseems（asfaraslittlefolkdarejudgegreatfolk）
tohavebeenRaleigh’smistake。Heistoowideforrealsuccess。Hehastoomanyplans;heisfondoftoomanypursuits。Themanwhosucceedsisgenerallythenarrowmall;themanofoneidea，whoworksatnothingbutthat;seeseverythingonlythroughthelightofthat;
sacrificeseverythingtothat：thefanatic，inshort。Byfanatics，whethermilitary，commercial，orreligious，andnotby’liberal-
mindedmen’atall，hastheworld’sworkbeendoneinallages。Amidthemoderncants，oneofthemostmistakenisthecantaboutthe’missionofgenius，’the’missionofthepoet。’Poets，wehearinsomequarters，aretheanointedkingsofmankind——atleast，sothelittlepoetssing，eachtohislittlefiddle。Thereisnogreatermistake。Itisthepractical，prosaicalfanaticwhodoesthework;
andthepoet，ifhetriestodoit，iscertaintoputdownhisspadeeveryfiveminutes，tolookattheprospect，andpickflowers，andmoraliseondeadasses，tillheendsaNeronmalgrelui-meme，fiddlingmelodiouslywhileRomeisburning。AndperhapsthisisthesecretofRaleigh’sfailure。Heisafanatic，nodoubt，atrueknight-errant：butheistoomuchofapoetwithal。Thesenseofbeautyenthralshimateverystep。Gloriana’sfairycourt，withitschivalriesanditseuphuisms，itsmasquesanditstourneys，andhethemostcharmingpersonageinit，aretoocharmingforhim——astheywouldhavebeenforus，reader：andhecannotgivethemupandgoabouttheonework。Hejustifieshisdouble-mindednesstohimself，nodoubt，ashedoestotheworld，byworkingwisely，indefatigably，andbravely：butstillhehasputhistrustinprinces，andinthechildrenofmen。Hissin，asfaraswecansee，isnotagainstman，butagainstGod;onewhichwedonotnowadayscallasin，butaweakness。Beitso。Godpunishedhimforit，swiftlyandsharply;
whichIholdtobeasuresignthatGodalsoforgavehimforit。
Sohestaysathome，spends，soonerorlater，40，000poundsonVirginia，writescharmingcourt-poetrywithOxford，Buckhurst，andPaget，bringsoverSpenserfromIrelandandintroducesColinClouttoGloriana，wholoves——aswhowouldnothaveloved？——thatmostbeautifuloffacesandofsouls;helpspoorpuritanUdalloutofhisscrapeasfarashecan;begsforCaptainSpring，begsformanymore，whosenamesareonlyknownbybeingconnectedwithsomegooddeedofhis。’When，SirWalter，’asksQueenBess，’willyouceasetobeabeggar？’’WhenyourMajestyceasestobeabenefactor。’Perhapsitisinthesedaysthathesetuphis’officeofaddress’——somesortofagencyfordiscoveringandrelievingthewantsofworthymen。Soallseemstogowell。IfhehaslostinVirginia，hehasgainedbySpanishprizes;hiswine-patentisbringinghiminalargerevenue，andtheheavenssmileonhim。Thousayest，’Iamrichandincreasedingoods，andhaveneedofnothing;andknowestnotthatthouartpoorandmiserableandblindandnaked。’Thoushaltlearnit，then，andpaydearlyforthylesson。
For，inthemeanwhile，Raleighfallsintoaverygreatsin，forwhich，asusualwithhiselect，Godinflictsswiftandinstantpunishment;onwhich，asusual，biographerstalkmuchunwisdom。HeseducesMissThrogmorton，oneofthemaidsofhonour。Elizabethisverywroth;andhadshenotgoodreasontobewroth？Isiteitherfairorreasonabletotalkofher’demandingamonopolyoflove，’and’beingincensedatthetemerityofherfavourite，inpresumingtofallinloveandmarrywithoutherconsent？’Awaywithsuchcant。
Theplainfactsare：thatamannearlyfortyyearsoldabuseshiswonderfulgiftsofbodyandmind，toruinagirlnearlytwentyyearsyoungerthanhimself。Whatwonderifavirtuouswoman——andQueenElizabethwasvirtuous——thoughtitabasedeed，andpunisheditaccordingly？Thereisnomoretobediscoveredinthematter，savebythevulturinenosewhichsmellscarrionineveryrose-bed。