works，’thatanymanwhowillcanfindwork，betinatwhatpricesoever，andhavefourshillingsaweektrulypaid……Yetifallothersmayberepealed，Iwillgivemyconsentasfreelytothecancellingofthisasanymemberofthishouse。’Mostofthemonopolieswererepealed：butwedonotfindthatRaleigh’swasamongthem。Whyshoulditbeifitsissuewasmoretin，fullwork，anddoublewages？Inallthingsthismanapproveshimselffaithfulinhisgeneration。Hissinsarenotagainstman，butagainstGod;
suchastheworldthinksnosins，andhatesthem，notfrommorality，butfromenvy。
Inthemeanwhile，theevilwhich，soSpenserhadprophesied，onlywaitedRaleigh’sdeathbreaksoutinhisabsence，andIrelandisallaflamewithTyrone’srebellion。Raleighissentfor。HewillnotacceptthepostofLordDeputyandgotoputitdown。PerhapshedoesnotexpectfairplayaslongasEssexisathome。Perhapsheknowstoomuchofthe’commonweal，orrathercommonwoe，’andthinksthatwhatiscrookedcannotbemadestraight。Perhapsheisafraidtolosebyabsencehisgroundatcourt。Wouldthathehadgone，forIreland’ssakeandhisown。However，itmustnotbe。Ormondisrecalled，andKnollysshallbesent：butEssexwillhavenonebutSirGeorgeCarew;whom，Nauntonsays，hehates，andwishestooustfromcourt。HeandElizabethargueitout。Heturnshisbackonher，andshegiveshim——ordoesnotgivehim，foronehasfoundsomanyoftheseracyanecdotesvanishoninspectionintosimplewind，thatonebelievesnoneofthem——aboxontheear;whichifshedid，shedidthemostwise，just，andpracticalthingwhichshecoulddowithsuchapuppy。Heclapshishand——ordoesnot——tohissword，’HewouldnothavetakenitfromHenryVIII。，’andisturnedoutforthwith。InvainEgerton，theLordKeeper，triestobringhimtoreason。Hestormsinsanely。Everyoneonearthiswrongbuthe：
everyoneisconspiringagainsthim;hetalksof’Solomon’sfool’
too。HadhereadtheProverbsalittlemoreclosely，hemighthaveleftthesaidfoolalone，asbeingatoopainfullyexactlikenessofhimself。Itendsbyhisbeingworsted，andRaleighrisinghigherthanever。
IcannotseewhyRaleighshouldberepresentedashenceforthbecomingEssex’s’avowedenemy，’saveonthegroundthatallgoodmenareandoughttobetheenemiesofbadmen，whentheyseethemabouttodoharm，andtoruinthecountry。Essexisoneofthemanypersonsuponwhomthisagehaslavishedaquantityofsentimentality，whichsuitsoddlyenoughwithitsprofessionsofimpartiality。Butthereisanimpartialitywhichendsinutterinjustice;whichbysayingcarelesslytoeveryquarrel，’Bothareright，andbotharewrong，’
leavesonlytheimpressionthatallmenarewrong，andendsbybeingunjusttoeveryone。SohasElizabethandEssex’squarrelbeentreated。TherewassomeevilinEssex;thereforeElizabethwasafoolforlikinghim。TherewassomegoodinEssex;thereforeElizabethwascruelinpunishinghim。ThisisthesortofslipshoddilemmabywhichElizabethisprovedtobewrong，evenwhileEssexisconfessedtobewrongtoo;whilethepatentfactsofthecaseare，thatElizabethborewithhimaslongasshecould，andagreatdeallongerthananyoneelsecould。WhyRaleighshouldbeaccusedofhelpingtosendEssexintoIreland，Idonotknow。Camdenconfesses（atthesametimethathegivesahintofthekind）thatEssexwouldletnoonegobuthimself。Andifthiswashishumour，onecanhardlywonderatCecilandRaleigh，aswellasElizabeth，biddingthemanbegoneandtryhishandatgovernment，andbefilledwiththefruitofhisowndevices。Hegoes;doesnothing;orratherworsethannothing;forinadditiontothenotoriousill-managementofthewholematter，wemayfairlysaythathekilledElizabeth。SheneverheldupherheadagainafterTyrone’srebellion。Elizabethstillclingstohim，changinghermindabouthimeveryhour，andatlastwriteshimsuchaletterashedeserves。Hehashadpower，money，men，suchasnooneeverhadbefore。WhyhashedonenothingbutbringEnglandtoshame？Hecomeshomefrantically——thestoryofhisburstingintothedressing-roomrestsonnogoodauthority——withapartyoffriendsathisheels，leavingIrelandtotakecareofitself。Whateverentertainmenthemetwithfromthefondoldwoman，hemetwiththecoldnesswhichhedeservedfromRaleighandCecil。
Whocanwonder？Whathadhedonetodeserveaughtelse？Butheallbutconquers;andRaleightakestohisbedinconsequence，sickofthewholematter;asonewouldhavebeeninclinedtodooneself。Heisexaminedandarraigned;writesamaudlinlettertoElizabeth。
Elizabethhasbeencalledafoolforlisteningtosuchpathetical’loveletters’：andthenhardheartedfornotlisteningtothem。
PoorLady！dowhatshewould，shefoundithardenoughtopleaseallpartieswhilealive;mustshebecondemnedoverandaboveinaeternumtobewrongwhatsoevershedid？Whyisshenottohavethebenefitoftheplainstraightforwardinterpretationwhichwouldbeallowedtoanyotherhumanbeing;namely，thatsheapprovedofsuchfinetalkaslongasitwasprovedtobesincerebyfinedeeds：butthatwhenthesewerewanting，thefinetalkbecamehollow，fulsome，afreshcauseofangeranddisgust？YetstillsheweepsoverEssexwhenhefallssick，asanymotherwould;andwouldvisithimifshecouldwithhonour。Buta’malignantinfluencecounteractseverydispositiontorelent。’Nodoubt，aman’sownfolly，passion，andinsolencehasgenerallyaverymalignantinfluenceonhisfortunes;
andhemayconsiderhimselfaveryhappymanifallthatbefallstohimtherebyiswhatbefellEssex，namely，deprivationofhisofficesandimprisonmentinhisownhouse。Heisforgivenafterall;butthespoiltchildrefuseshisbreadandbutterwithoutsugar。Whatisthepardontohimwithoutarenewalofhislicenceofsweetwines？
Becauseheisnottohavethat，theQueen’s’conditionsareascrookedashercarcase。’Fleshandbloodcanstandnomore，andoughttostandnomore。AfterallthatElizabethhasbeentohim，thatspeechisthespeechofabrutalandungratefulnature。Andsuchheshowshimselftobeinthehouroftrial。Whatifthepatentforsweetwinesisrefusedhim？Suchgiftsweremeantastherewardofmerit;andwhatmerithashetoshow？Heneverthinksofthat。
Blindwithfury，hebeginstointriguewithJames，andslanderstohim，undercolourofhelpinghissuccession，allwhomhefanciesopposedtohim。Whatisworse，heintrigueswithTyroneaboutbringingoveranarmyofIrishPapiststohelphimagainsttheQueen，andthisattheverytimethathissoleclaimtopopularityrestsonhisbeingtheleaderofthePuritans。Amanmusthavebeenveryfargone，eitherinbasenessorinhatred，whorepresentsRaleightoJamesasdangeroustothecommonwealonaccountofhisgreatpowerinthewestofEnglandandJersey，’placesfitfortheSpaniardtolandin。’Cobham，asWardenoftheCinquePorts，isincludedinhisslander;andbothheandRaleighwillhearofitagain。
Somemakemuchofaletter，supposedtobewrittenaboutthistimebyRaleightoCecil，biddingCecilkeepdownEssex，evencrushhim，nowthatheisoncedown。IdonothappentothinkthelettertobeRaleigh’s。Hisinitialsaresubscribedtoit;butnothisnameandthestyleisnotlikehis。Butasforseeing’unforgivenessandrevengeinit，’whosesoeveritmaybe，Iholdandsaythereisnotawordwhichcanbearsuchaconstruction。Itisadarkletter：butaboutadarkmatterandadarkman。Itisaworldlyandexpedientialletter，appealingtolowmotivesinCecil，thoughforarightend;
suchaletter，inshort，asstatesmenarewonttowritenowadays。IfRaleighwroteit，Godpunishedhimfordoingsospeedilyenough。Hedoesnotusuallypunishstatesmennowadaysforsuchletters;perhapsbecauseHedoesnotlovethemaswellasRaleigh。Butasfortheletteritself。Essexiscalleda’tyrant，’becausehehadshownhimselfone。TheQueenisto’holdBothwell，’because’whileshehathhim，hewillevenbethecankerofherestateandsafety，’andthewriterhas’seenthelastofhergooddaysandofoursafterhisliberty。’Onwhichaccounts，Cecilisnottobedeterredfromdoingwhatisrightandnecessary’byanyfearofafter-revenges’and’conjecturesfromcausesremote，’asmanyastrongerinstance——given——
willprove，but’looktothepresent，’andso’dowisely。’ThereisnorealcauseforCecil’sfear。Ifthemanwhohasnowlostapowerwhichheoughtnevertohavehadbenowkeptdown，thenneitherhenorhissonwilleverbeabletoharmthemanwhohaskepthimathisjustlevel。What’revenge，selfishness，andcraft’therecanbeinallthisitisdifficulttosee;asdifficultastoseewhyEssexistobetalkedofas’unfortunate，’andtheblameofhisfrightfulendthrownoneveryonebuthimself：thefactbeingthatEssex’sendwasbroughtonbyhishavingchosenoneSundaymorningforbreakingoutintoopenrebellion，forthepurposeofseizingthecityofLondonandtheQueen’sperson，andcompellinghertomakehimlordandmasteroftheBritishIsles;inwhichattemptheandhisfoughtwiththecivilandmilitaryauthorities，tillartilleryhadtobebroughtupandmanyliveswerelost。Suchlittleescapadesmaybepardonableenoughin’nobleandunfortunate’earls：butreaderswillperhapsagreethatiftheychosetotryasimilarexperiment，theycouldnotcomplainiftheyfoundthemselvesshortlyafterincompanywithMr。
MitchellatSpikeIslandorMr。OxfordinBedlam。However，thoseweredaysinwhichsuchSabbathamusementsonthepartofoneofthemostimportantandpowerfulpersonagesoftherealmcouldnotbepassedoversolightly，especiallywhenaccompaniedbyseverelossoflife;andasthereexistedinEnglandcertainstatutesconcerningrebellionandhightreason，whichmustneedshavebeenframedforsomepurposeorother，theauthoritiesofEnglandmaybeexcusedforfancyingthattheyboresomereferencetosuchactsasthatwhichthenobleandunfortunateearlhadjustcommitted，aswantonly，selfishly，andneedlessly，itseemstome，aseverdidmanonearth。
Imayseemtojesttoomuchuponsosolemnamatterasthelifeofahumanbeing：butifIamnottotouchthepopulartalkaboutEssexinthistone，Icanonlytouchitinafarsternerone;andifridiculeisforbidden，expressdisgustinstead。
IhaveenteredintothismatterofEssexsomewhatatlength，becauseonitisfoundedoneofthemeanslandersfromwhichRaleighnevercompletelyrecovered。Theverymobwho，afterRaleigh’sdeath，madehimaProtestantmartyr——as，indeed，hewas——lookeduponEssexinthesamelight，hatedRaleighasthecauseofhisdeath，andaccusedhimofgluttinghiseyeswithEssex’smisery，puffingtobaccooutofawindow，andwhatnot——allmereinventions，soRaleighdeclareduponthescaffold。Hewasthereinhisofficeascaptainoftheguard，andcoulddonolessthanbethere。Essex，itissaid，askedforRaleighjustbeforehedied：butRaleighhadwithdrawn，themobhavingmurmured。WhathadEssextosaytohim？Wasit，asksOldys，shrewdlyenough，toaskhimpardonforthewickedslanderswhichhehadbeenpouringintoJames’scredulousandcowardlyears？Wewillhopeso;andleavepoorEssextoGodandthemercyofGod，assertingoncemorethatnomaneverbroughtruinanddeathmorethoroughlyonhimselfbyhisownact，needingnoimaginaryhelpdownwardsfromRaleigh，Cecil，orotherhumanbeing。
Andnowbeginsthefourthactofthisstrangetragedy。QueenElizabethdies;anddiesofgrief。Ithasbeenthefashiontoattributetoher，Iknownotwhy，remorseforEssex’sdeath;andthefoolishandfalsetaleaboutLadyNottinghamandtheringhasbeenacceptedashistory。ThefactseemstobethatsheneverreallyheldupherheadafterBurleigh’sdeath。Shecouldnotspeakofhimwithouttears;forbadehisnametobementionedintheCouncil。Nowonder;neverhadmistressabetterservant。Fornearlyhalfacenturyhavethesetwonoblesoulslovedeachother，trustedeachother，workedwitheachother;andGod’sblessinghasbeenontheirdeeds;andnowthefaithfulGod-fearingmanisgonetohisreward;
andsheisgrowingold，andknowsthattheancientfireisdyingoutinher;andwhowillbetoherwhathewas？Buckhurstisagoodman，andoneofheroldpupils;andshemakeshimLordTreasurerinBurleigh’splace：butbeyondthatallisdark。’Iamamiserableforlornwoman;thereisnoneaboutmethatIcantrust。’SheseesthroughCecil;throughHenryHoward。Essexhasprovedhimselfworthless，andpaysthepenaltyofhissins。Menaregrowingworsethantheirfathers。Spanishgoldisbringinginluxuryandsin。Thelasttenyearsofherreignareyearsofdecadence，profligacy，falsehood;andshecannotbutseeit。Tyrone’srebellionisthelastdropwhichfillsthecup。Afterfiftyyearsofwar，afteradrainofmoneyallbutfabulousexpendedonkeepingIrelandquiet，thevolcanoburstsforthagainjustasitseemedextinguished，morefiercelythanever，andthewholeworkhastobedoneoveragain，whenthereisneithertimenoramantodoit。Andahead，whathopeisthereforEngland？Whowillbehersuccessor？SheknowsinherheartthatitwillbeJames：butshecannotbringherselftonamehim。Tobequeaththefruitofallherlabourstoatyrant，aliar，andacoward：forsheknowsthemanbuttoowell。Itistoohideoustobefaced。Thisistheendthen？’OhthatIwereamilkemaide，withapaileuponminearm！’Butitcannotbe。Itnevercouldhavebeen;
andshemustenduretotheend。
’ThereforeIhatedlife;yea，IhatedallmylabourwhichIhadtakenunderthesun;becauseIshouldleaveittothemanthatshallbeafterme。Andwhoknowswhetherheshallbeawisemanorafool？
yetshallhehaveruleoverallmylabourwhereinIhaveshowedmyselfwise，inwisdom，andknowledge，andequity……Vanityofvanities，andvexationofspirit！’Andso，withawholebookofEcclesiasteswrittenonthatmightyheart，theoldlionesscoilsherselfupinherlair，refusesfood，anddies。Iknowfewpassagesintheworld’shistorymoretragicthanthatdeath。
WhydidshenottrustRaleigh？First，becauseRaleigh，aswehaveseen，wasnotthesortofmanwhomsheneeded。Hewasnotthesteadfastsingle-eyedstatesman;butthemany-sidedgenius。Besides，hewastheringleaderofthewar-party。Andshe，likeBurleighbeforehisdeath，wastiredofthewar;sawthatitwasdemoralisingEngland;wasanxiousforpeace。Raleighwouldnotseethat。Itwastohimadivinemissionwhichmustbefulfilledatallrisks。AslongastheSpaniardswereopposingtheIndians，conqueringAmerica，theremustbenopeace。Bothwererightfromtheirownpointofview。Godorderedthematterfromathirdpointofview。
Besides，weknowthatEssex，andafterhimCecilandHenryHoward，hadbeenslanderingRaleighbaselytoJames。CanwedoubtthatthesamepoisonhadbeenpouredintoElizabeth’sears？ShemightdistrustCeciltoomuchtoactuponwhathesaidofRaleigh;andyetdistrustRaleightoomuchtoputthekingdomintohishands。
However，sheisgonenow，andanewkinghasarisen，whoknowethnotJoseph。
Jamescomesdowntotakepossession。Insolence，luxury，andlawlessnessmarkhisfirststepsonhisgoingamidtheadulationsofafallenpeople;hehangsapoorwretchwithouttrial;wasteshistimeinhuntingbytheway;——abadandbaseman，whoseonlyredeemingpoint——ifinhiscaseitbeone——ishisfondnessforlittlechildren。
Butthatwillnotmakeaking。Thewiserelderstakecounseltogether。RaleighandgoodJudgeFortescueareforrequiringconditionsfromthenewcomer;andconstitutionallibertymakesitslaststandamongthemenofDevon，theoldcountyofwarriors，discoverers，andstatesmen，ofwhichQueenBesshadsaidthatthemenofDevonwereherrighthand。Butinvain;Jameshashisway;CecilandHenryHowardarewillingenoughtogiveithim。
SodowncomesRehoboam，takingcounselwiththeyoungmen，andmakesanswertoEngland，’Myfatherchastisedyouwithwhips;butIwillchastiseyouwithscorpions。’Hetakesabasepleasure，shockingtotheFrenchambassador，insneeringatthememoryofQueenElizabeth;
aperversedelightinhonouringeveryrascalwhomshehadpunished。
TyronemustcometoEnglandtobereceivedintofavour，maddeningthesoulofhonestSirJohnHarrington。Essexischristened’mymartyr，’
apparentlyforhavingplottedtreasonagainstElizabethwithTyrone。
Raleighisreceivedwithapun——’Bymysoul，Ihaveheardrawlyofthee，mon’;andwhenthegreatnoblesandgentlemencometocourtwiththeirretinues，Jamestriestohidehisdreadoftheminaninsult;pooh-poohstheirsplendour，andsays，’hedoubtsnotthatheshouldhavebeenabletowinEnglandforhimself，hadtheykepthimout。’Raleighanswersboldly，’WouldGodthathadbeenputtothetrial。’’Why？’’Becausethenyouwouldhaveknownyourfriendsfromyourfoes。’’Areason，’saysoldAubrey，’neverforgottenorforgiven。’Aubreyisnogreatauthority;butthespeechsmackssoofRaleigh’soffhanddaringthatonecannotbutbelieveit;asonedoesalsotheotherstoryofhishavingadvisedthelordstokeepoutJamesanderectarepublic。Notthathecouldhavebeensillyenoughtoproposesuchathingseriouslyatthatmoment;butthathemostlikely，inhisboldway，mayhavesaid，’Well，ifwearetohavethismaninwithoutconditions，betterarepublicatonce。’Which，ifhedidsay，hesaidwhatthenextfortyyearsprovedtobestrictlytrue。However，hewillgoonhisownwayasbesthecan。IfJameswillgivehimaloan，heandtherestoftheoldheroeswilljoin，fitoutafleetagainstSpain，andcrushher，nowthatsheistotteringandimpoverished，onceandforever。ButJameshasnostomachforfighting;cannotabidethesightofadrawnsword;wouldnotprovokeSpainfortheworld——why，theymightsendJesuitsandassassinatehim;andasforthemoney，hewantsthatforverydifferentpurposes。SotheanswerwhichhemakestoRaleigh’sproposalofwaragainstSpainistosendhimtotheTower，andsentencehimtobehanged，drawn，andquartered，onachargeofplottingwithSpain。
Havingread，Ibelieve，nearlyallthathasbeenwrittenonthesubjectofthisdark’Cobhamplot，’Ifindbutonethingcomebrightlyoutoftheinfiniteconfusionandmystery，whichwillneverbecleareduptillthedayofjudgment，andthatisRaleigh’sinnocence。He，andallEngland，andtheverymenwhocondemnedhim，knewthathewasinnocent。Everybiographerisforcedtoconfessthis，moreorless，inspiteofalleffortstobewhatiscalled’impartial。’SoIshallwastenowordsuponthematter，onlyobservingthatwhereasRaleighissaidtohaveslanderedCeciltoJames，inthesamewaythatCecilhadslanderedhim，onepassageofthisCobhamplotdisprovesutterlysuchastory，which，afterall，rests（asfarasIknow）onlyonhearsay，being’spokenofinamanuscriptwrittenbyoneBuck，secretarytoChancellorEgerton。’
Forinwritingtohisownwife，intheexpectationofimmediatedeath，RaleighspeaksofCecilinaverydifferenttone，asoneinwhomhetrustedmost，andwhohaslefthiminthehourofneed。I
askthereadertoperusethatletter，andsaywhetheranymanwouldwritethus，withdeathandjudgmentbeforehisface，ofonewhomheknewthathehadbetrayed;or，indeed，ofonewhoheknewhadbetrayedhim。IseenoreasontodoubtthatRaleighkeptgoodfaithwithCecil，andthathewasignoranttillafterhistrialthatCecilwasintheplotagainsthim。
IdonotcaretoenterintothetracasseriesofthisCobhamplot。
Everyoneknowsthem;noonecanunravelthem。ThemoralandspiritualsignificanceofthefactismoreinterestingthanallquestionsastoCobham’slies，Brooke’slies，Aremberg’slies，Coke’slies，James’slies：-Letthedeadburytheirdead。Itisthebroadaspectofthethingwhichissowonderful;toseehow’Theeagle，toweringinhisprideofplace，Wasbyamousingowlhawkedatandkilled。’
Thisisthemanwhosixmonthsago，perhaps，thoughtthatheandCecilweretoruleEnglandtogether，whileallelsewerethepuppetswhosewirestheypulled。’TheLordhathtakenhimupanddashedhimdown;’andbysuchmeans，too，andonsuchacharge！BetrayinghiscountrytoSpain！Absurd——incredible——hewouldlaughittoscorn：
butitisbitterearnest。Thereisnoescape。Trueorfalse，heseesthathisenemieswillhavehishead。Itismaddening：ahorriblenightmare。Hecannotbearit;hecannotface——sohewritestothatbelovedwife——’thescorn，thetaunts，thelossofhonour，thecruelwordsoflawyers。’Hestabshimself。Readthatletterofhis，writtenafterthemadblowhadbeenstruck;itissublimefromintensityofagony。Thewayinwhichthechastisementwastakenproveshowutterlyitwasneeded，erethatproud，success-swollen，world-entangledheartcouldbebroughtrightwithGod。
Anditisbroughtright。Thewoundisnotmortal。Hecomesslowlytoabettermind，andtakeshisdoomlikeaman。Thatfirstfarewelltohiswifewaswrittenoutofhell。Thesecondratheroutofheaven。Readit，too，andcompare;andthenseehowtheLordhasbeenworkinguponthisgreatsoul：infinitesadness，infinitetendernessandpatience，andtrustinGodforhimselfandhispoorwife：’Godismywitness，itwasforyouandyoursthatIdesiredlife;butitistruethatIdisdainmyselfforbeggingit。Forknow，dearwife，thatyoursonisthesonofatrueman，andonewho，inhisownrespect，despisethdeathandallhisuglyandmisshapenforms……Theeverlasting，powerful，infinite，andomnipotentGod，whoisgoodnessitself，thetruelifeandlight，keeptheeandthine，havemercyuponme，andteachmetoforgivemypersecutorsandaccusers，andsendustomeetinHisgloriouskingdom。’
Isitcometothisthen？Ishefittodieatlast？Thenheisfittolive;andliveheshall。Thetyrantshavenotthehearttocarryouttheirowncrime，andRaleighshallberespited。
Butnotpardoned。Nomorereturnforhimintothatsinfulworld，whereheflauntedontheedgeoftheprecipice，anddroppedheedlessoverit。GodwillhidehiminthesecretplaceofHispresence，andkeephiminHistabernaclefromthestrifeoftongues;andanewlifeshallbeginforhim;awiser，perhapsahappier，thanhehasknownsincehewasalittleladinthefarmhouseinpleasantDevonfaraway。Onthe15thofDecemberheenterstheTower。Littledreamshethatformorethantwelveyearsthosedolefulwallswouldbehishome。LadyRaleighobtainsleavetosharehisprisonwithhim，and，afterhavingpassedtenyearswithoutachild，bringshimaboytocomfortthewearyheart。ThechildofsorrowischristenedCarew。
Littlethinkthosearoundhimwhatstrangethingsthatchildwillseebeforehishairsbegray。Shehashermaid，andhehisthreeservants;somefiveorsixfriendsareallowed’torepairtohimatconvenienttimes。’Hehasachamber-dooralwaysopenintothelieutenant’sgarden，wherehe’hasconvertedalittlehen-houseintoastill-room，andspendshistimeallthedayindistillation。’Thenextspringagrantismadeofhisgoodsandchattels，forfeitedbyattainder，totrusteesnamedbyhimself，forthebenefitofhisfamily。Sofar，sowell;or，atleast，notasillasitmightbe：
buttherearethosewhocannotleavethecagedlioninpeace。
Sanderson，whohadmarriedhisniece，insteadofpayingupthearrearswhichheowesonthewineandotheroffices，bringsinaclaimof2000pounds。Buttheroguemeetshismatch，andfindshimself，attheendofalawsuit，inprisonfordebt。Greaterrogues，however，willhavebetterfortune，andbreakthroughthelaw-
cobwebswhichhavestoppedapoorlittleflylikeSanderson。ForCarr，afterwardsLordSomerset，castshiseyesontheSherborneland。
Ithasbeenincludedintheconveyance，andshouldbesafe;butthereareotherswho，byinstigationsurelyofthedevilhimself，havehadeyestoseeaflawinthedeed。SirJohnPophamisappealedto。Whocoulddoubttheresult？Heanswersthatthereisnodoubtthatthewordswereomittedbytheinattentionoftheengrosser——CarewRaleighsaysthatbutonesinglewordwaswanting，whichwordwasfoundnotwithstandinginthepaper-book，i。e。thedraft——butthatthewordnotbeingthere，thedeedisworthless，andthedevilmayhavehisway。ToCarr，whohasnothingofhisown，itseemsreasonableenoughtohelphimselftowhatbelongstoothers，andJamesgiveshimtheland。Raleighwritestohim，gently，gracefully，loftily。Hereisanextract：’Andforyourself，sir，seeingyourfairdayisnowinthedawn，andminedrawntotheevening，yourownvirtuesandtheking’sgraceassuringyouofmanyfavoursandmuchhonour，Ibeseechyounottobeginyourfirstbuildingupontheruinsoftheinnocent;
andthattheirsorrows，withmine，maynotattendyourfirstplantation。’Hespeaksstronglyofthefairness，sympathy，andpitybywhichtheScotsingeneralhadlaidhimunderobligation：arguesfromithisownevidentinnocence;andendswithaquietwarningtotheyoungfavouritenotto’undergothecurseofthemthatenterintothefieldsofthefatherless。’Invain。LadyRaleigh，withherchildren，entreatsJamesonherknees：invainagain。’Imunha’
theland，’istheanswer;’Imunha’itforCarr。’Andhehasit;
patchingupthematterafterawhilebyagiftof8000poundstoherandherelderson，inrequitalforanestateof5000poundsayear。
SotheresitsRaleigh，growingpoorerdaybyday，andclingingmoreandmoretothatfairwife，andhernobleboy，andthebabewhoselaughtermakesmusicwithinthatdrearycage。Andalldaylong，aswehaveseen，hesitsoverhisstill，compoundinganddiscovering，andsometimesshowinghimselfonthewalltothepeople，whogathertogazeathim，tillWadeforbidsit，fearingpopularfeeling。Infact，theworldoutsidehasasortofmysteriousaweofhim，asifhewereachainedmagician，who，ifhewereletloose，mightdowiththemallwhathewould。Certaingreatnoblesareofthesamemind。
Woetothemifthatsilvertongueshouldonceagainbeunlocked！
TheQueen，withawoman’sfaithingreatness，sendstohimfor’cordials。’Hereisoneofthem，famousinCharlestheSecond’sdaysas’SirWalter’sCordial’：-
B。ZedoaryandSaffron，each0。5lb。
Distilledwater3pints。
Macerate，etc。，andreduceto1。5pint。
Compoundpowderofcrabs’claws16oz。
CinnamonandNutmegs2oz。
Cloves1oz。
Cardamomseeds0。5oz。
Doublerefinedsugar2lb。
Makeaconfection。
Which，sotheworldbelieves，willcureallillswhichfleshisheirto。ItdoesnotseemthatRaleighsoboastedhimself;butthepeople，afterthefashionofthetime，seemtohavecalledallhismedicines’cordials，’andprobablytookforgrantedthatitwasbythisparticularonethattheenchantercuredQueenAnneofadesperatesickness，’whereofthephysicianswereatthefarthestendoftheirstudies’（nogreatwaytogointhosedays）’tofindthecause，andatanonplusforthecure。’
Raleigh——thisisSirAnthonyWelden’saccount，whichmaygoforwhatitisworth——asksforhisreward，onlyjustice。WilltheQueenaskthatcertainlordsmaybesenttoexamineCobham，’whetherhehadatanytimeaccusedSirWalterofanytreasonunderhishand？’Sixaresent。Cobhamanswers，’Never;norcouldI：thatvillainWadeoftensolicitedme，andnotsoprevailing，gotmebyatricktowritemynameonapieceofwhitepaper。SothatifachargecomeundermyhanditwasforgedbythatvillainWade，bywritingsomethingabovemyhand，withoutmyconsentorknowledge。’Theyreturn。Anequivocationwasready。’Sir，myLordCobhamhasmadegoodallthateverhewroteorsaid’;having，byhisownaccount，writtennothingbuthisname。ThisisSirAnthonyWelden’sstory。Onehopes，forthesixlords’sake，itmaynotbetrue;butthereisnoreason，inthemoralityofJames’scourt，whyitshouldnothavebeen。
SoRaleighmustremainwhereheis，andworkon。Andhedoeswork。
Ashiscaptivitybecomesmoreandmorehopeless，socomesoutmoreandmorethestateliness，self-help，andenergyoftheman。Tillnowhehasplayedwithhispen：nowhewilluseitinearnest;anduseitasfewprisonershavedone。Manyagoodbookhasbeenwritteninadungeon——’DonQuixote，’the’Pilgrim’sProgress’：beautifuleachinitsway，anddestinedtoimmortality：Raleighbeginsthe’HistoryoftheWorld，’themostGod-fearingandGod-seeinghistorywhichI
knowofamongEnglishwritings;thoughblottedbyflatteryofJamesinthepreface：wrong：butpardonableinamantryingintheTowertogetoutofthatdolefulprison。Butallhiswritingsarethirtyyearstoolate;theyexpressthecreedofaburiedgeneration，ofthemenwhodefiedSpaininthenameofaGodofrighteousness，——notofmenwhocringebeforeherinthenameofaGodofpowerandcunning。
Thecaptiveeaglehaswrittenwithaquillfromhisownwing——aquillwhichhasbeenwonterenowtosoartoheaven。EverylinesmacksofthememoriesofNombreandofZutphen，ofTilburyFortandofCalaisRoads;andmanyagray-headedveteran，ashereadthem，musthaveturnedawayhisfacetohidethenobletears，asUlyssesfromDemodocuswhenhesangthesongofTroy。SotheresitsRaleigh，liketheprophetofold，inhislonelytowerabovetheThames，watchingthedarknessgatheruponthelandyearbyyear，’likethemorningspreadoverthemountains，’thedarknesswhichcomesbeforethedawnoftheDayofTheLord;whichheshallneverseeonearth，thoughitbeverynearathand;andasksofeachnewcomer，’Watchman，whatofthenight？’
Butthereisonebrightpointatleastinthedarkness;oneonwhomRaleigh’seyes，andthoseofallEngland，arefixedinboundlesshope;onewho，bythesympathywhichattractsallnoblenaturestoeachother，clingstotheheroutterly;Henry，theCrownPrince。’Nokingbutmyfatherwouldkeepsuchabirdinacage。’Thenobleladtriestoopenthedoorforthecaptiveeagle;butinvain。Atleasthewillmakewhatusehecanofhiswisdom。Heaskshimforadviceaboutthenewshipheisbuilding，andhasasimplepracticalletterinreturn，andoverandaboveprobablythetwovaluablepamphlets，’OftheInventionofShips，’and’ObservationsontheNavyandSeaService’;whichthePrincewillneversee。In1611heasksRaleigh’sadviceaboutthefoolishdoublemarriagewiththePrinceandPrincessofSavoy，andreceivesforanswertwoplain-spokendiscoursesasfullofhistoricallearningasofpracticalsoundsense。
Thesearebenefitswhichmustberepaid。Thefatherwillrepaythemhereafterinhisownway。Inthemeanwhilethesondoessoinhisway，bysolicitingtheSherborneestateasforhimself，intendingtorestoreittoRaleigh。Hesucceeds。Carrisboughtofffor25，000
pounds，whereLadyRaleighhasbeenboughtoffwith8000pounds;butneitherRaleighnorhiswidowwilleverbethebetterforthatbargain，andCarrwillgetSherbornebackagain，andprobably，intheKing’ssillydotage，keepthe25，000poundsalso。
InNovember1612PrinceHenryfallssick。
Whenheisatthelastgasp，thepoorQueensendstoRaleighforsomeofthesamecordialwhichhadcuredher。Medicineissent，withatenderletter，asitwellmightbe;forRaleighknewhowmuchhung，notonlyforhimself，butforEngland，onthecrackingthreadsofthatfairyounglife。Itisquestionedatfirstwhetheritshallbeadministered。’Thecordial，’Raleighsays，’willcurehimoranyotherofafever，exceptincaseofpoison。’
Thecordialisadministered;butitcomestoolate。Theprincedies，andwithhimthehopesofallgoodmen。
***
Atlast，aftertwelveyearsofprison，Raleighisfree。Heissixty-
sixyearsoldnow，gray-headedandworndownbyconfinement，study，andwantofexercise：buthewillnotrememberthat。
’Stillinhisasheslivetheirwontedfire。’
NowforGuiana，atlast！whichhehasneverforgotten;towhichhehasbeensending，withhisslendermeans，shipaftershiptokeeptheIndiansinhope。
HeisfreedinMarch。Atonceheisbusyinhisproject。InAugusthehasobtainedtheKing’scommission，bythehelpofSirRalphWinwood，SecretaryofState，whoseemstohavebelievedinRaleigh。
AtleastRaleighbelievedinhim。InMarchnextyearhehassailed，andwithhimthirteenships，andmorethanahundredknightsandgentlemen，andamongthem，strangetosay，SirWarhamSt。Leger。
ThisiscertainlynotthequondamMarshalofMunsterunderwhomRaleighservedatSmerwicksix-and-thirtyyearsago。Hewouldbenearlyeightyyearsold;andasLordDoneraile’spedigreegivesthreeSirWarhams，wecannotidentifytheman。ButitisastrongargumentinRaleigh’sfavourthataSt。Leger，ofaDevonfamilywhichhadservedwithhiminIreland，andintimatelyconnectedwithhimhiswholelife，shouldkeephisfaithinRaleighafterallhisreverses。
Nevertheless，themerefactofanunpardonedcriminal，saidtobenonensinlaw，beingableinafewmonthstogatherroundhimsuchaparty，isproofpatentofwhatslendergroundsthereareforcallingRaleigh’suspected’and’unpopular。’
Buthedoesnotsailwithoutastruggleortwo。Jamesistooproudtoallowhisheirtomatchwithanybutamightyking，isinfatuatedabouttheSpanishmarriage;andGondomariswithhim，playingwithhishopesandwithhisfearsalso。
Thepeoplearefurious，andhavetobesilencedagainandagain：
thereisevenfearofrioting。Thecharmingandsmooth-tonguedGondomarcanhate，andcanrevenge，too。Five’prenticeswhohaveinsultedhimforstrikingalittlechild，areimprisonedandfinedseveralhundredpoundseach。AndasforhatingRaleigh，GondomarhadbeennoSpaniard（toletalonetheprivatereasonswhichsomehavesupposed）hadhenothatedSpain’sancientscourgeandunswervingenemy。HecomestoJames，complainingthatRaleighisabouttobreakthepeacewithSpain。NothingistoberefusedhimwhichcanfurthertheonedarlingfancyofJames;andRaleighhastogiveinwritingthenumberofhisships，men，andordnance，and，moreover，thenameofthecountryandtheveryriverwhitherheisgoing。Thispaperwasgiven，CarewRaleighassertspositively，underJames’ssolemnpromisenottorevealit;andRaleighhimselfseemstohavebelievedthatitwastobekeptprivate;forhewritesafterwardstoSecretaryWinwoodinatoneofastonishmentandindignation，thattheinformationcontainedinhispaperhadbeensentontotheKingofSpainbeforehesailedfromtheThames。Winwoodcouldhavetoldhimasmuchalready;forBuckinghamhadwrittentoWinwood，onMarch28，toaskhimwhyhehadnotbeentotheSpanishAmbassador’toacquainthimwiththeordertakenbyhisMajestyaboutSirW。R。’svoyage。’
ButhoweverunwillingtheSecretary（asoneofthefurtherersofthevoyage）mayhavebeentomeddleinthematter，Gondomarhadhadnewsenoughfromanothersource;perhapsfromJames’sownmouth。ForthefirstlettertotheWestIndiesaboutRaleighwasdatedfromMadrid，March19;andmostremarkableitisthatinJames’s’Declaration，’orratherapologyforhisownconduct，nomentionwhatsoeverismadeofhishavinggiveninformationtoGondomar。
Gondomaroffered，saysJames，toletRaleighgowithoneortwoshipsonly。Hemightworkamine，andtheKingofSpainwouldgivehimasafeconvoyhomewithallhisgold。Howkind。AndhowlikelywouldRaleighandhisfellow-adventurershavebeentoacceptsuchanoffer;
howlikely，too，tofindmenwhowouldsailwiththemonsuchanerrand，tobe’flayedalive，’asmanywhotravelledtotheIndiesoflateyearshadbeen，ortohavetheirthroatscut，tiedbacktoback，aftertradingunarmedandpeaceablyforamonth，asthirty-sixofRaleigh’smenhadbeenbuttwoorthreeyearsbeforeinthatveryOrinoco。SoJamesisforcedtoletthelargefleetgo;andtoletitgowellarmedalso;fortheplainreason，thatotherwiseitdarenotgoatall;andinthemeanwhilelettersaresentfromSpain，inwhichtheSpaniardscallthefleet’Englishenemies，’andshipsandtroopsaremovedupasfastaspossiblefromtheSpanishmain。
But，saysome，JameswasjustifiedintellingGondomar，andtheSpaniardsindefendingthemselves。Onthelatterpointthereisnodoubt。
’Theymaygetwhohavethewill，Andtheymaykeepwhocan。’
ButitdoesseemhardonRaleigh，afterhavinglabouredinthisGuianabusinessforyears，andafterhavingspenthismoneyinvainattemptstodelivertheseGuianiansfromtheiroppressors。Itishard，andhefeelsitso。Heseesthatheisnottrusted;that，asJameshimselfconfesses，hispardonisrefusedsimplytokeepaholdonhim;that，ifhefails，heisruined。
Ashewellasksafterwards，’IftheKingdidnotthinkthatGuianawashis，whyletmegothitheratall？Heknowsthatitwashisbythelawofnations，forhemadeMr。Harcourtagrantofpartofit。
Ifitbe，asGondomarsays，theKingofSpain’s，thenIhadnomorerighttoworkamineinitthantoburnatown。’Anargumentwhichseemstomeunanswerable。But，saysJames，andotherswithhim，hewasforbidtomeddlewithanycountryoccupateorpossessedbySpaniards。Southey，too，blameshimseverelyfornothavingtoldJamesthatthecountrywasalreadysettledbySpaniards。IcanexcuseSouthey，butnotJames，foroverlookingthebroadfactthatallEnglandknewit，asIhaveshown，since1594;thatiftheydidnot，Gondomarwouldhavetakencaretotellthem;andthathecouldnotgotoGuianawithoutmeddlingwithSpaniards。Hisformervoyagesandpublicationsmadenosecretofit。Onthecontrary，onechiefargumentfortheplanhadbeenallthroughthedeliveryoftheIndiansfromtheseverySpaniards，who，thoughtheycouldnotconquerthem，ill-usedthemineveryway：andinhisagreementwiththeLordsabouttheGuianavoyagein1611，hemakesespecialmentionoftheveryplacewhichwillsoonfillsuchapartinourstory，’SanThome，wheretheSpaniardsinhabit，’andtellstheLordswhomtoaskastothenumberofmenwhowillbewanted’tosecureKeymish’spassagetothemine’againsttheseverySpaniards。Whatcanbemoreclear，savetothosewhowillnotsee？
TheplainfactisthatRaleighwent，withhiseyesopen，totakepossessionofacountrytowhichhebelievedthatheandKingJameshadaright，andthatJamesandhisfavourites，whenthey，ashepleads，mighthavestoppedhimbyaword，lethimgo，knowingaswellastheSpaniardswhatheintended;forwhatpurpose，buttohaveanexcuseforthetragedywhichendedall，itisdifficulttoconceive。
’Itisevident，’wiselysaysSirRobertSchomburgk，’thattheywinkedatconsequenceswhichtheymusthaveforeseen。’
AndhereMr。Napier，ontheauthorityofCountDesmarets，bringsagravechargeagainstRaleigh。Raleighinhis’Apology’proteststhatheonlysawDesmaretsonceonboardofhisvessel。Desmaretssaysinhisdespatchesthathewasonboardofherseveraltimes——whetherhesawRaleighmorethanoncedoesnotappear——andthatRaleighcomplainedtohimofhavingbeenunjustlyimprisoned，strippedofhisestate，andsoforth;andthathewasonthataccountresolvedtoabandonhiscountry，and，iftheexpeditionsucceeded，offerhimselfandthefruitofhislabourtotheKingofFrance。
Ifthisbetrue，Raleighwasverywrong。ButSirRobertSchomburgkpointsoutthatthispassage，whichMr。Napiersaysoccursinthelastdespatch，waswrittenamonthafterRaleighhadsailed;andthatthepreviousdespatch，writtenonlyfourdaysafterRaleighsailed，saysnothingaboutthematter。SothatitcouldnothavebeenaveryimportantorfixedresolutiononRaleigh’spart，ifitwasonlytoberecollectedamonthafter。Idonotsay——asSirRobertSchomburgkisverymuchinclinedtodo——thatitwasaltogetherabubbleofFrenchfancy。ItispossiblethatRaleigh，inhisjustrageatfindingthatJameswasbetrayinghimandsendinghimoutwithahalterroundhisneck，toallbutcertainruin，didsaywildwords——ThatitwasbetterforhimtoservetheFrenchmanthansuchamaster——thatperhapshemightgoovertotheFrenchmanafterall——orsomefollyofthekind，inthatsamerashtonewhich，aswehaveseen，hasgothimintotroublesooftenalready：andsoIleavethematter，saying，Bewareofmakinganymananoffenderforaword，muchlessonewhoisbeinghuntedtodeathinhisoldage，andknowsit。
Howeverthismaybe，thefleetsails;butwithnobrightauguries。
Themassofthesailorsare’ascumofmen’;theyaremutinousandtroublesome;andwhatisworse，havegotamongthem（as，perhaps，theywereintendedtohave）thenotionthatRaleigh’sbeingstillnonensinlawabsolvesthemfromobeyinghimwhentheydonotchoose，andpermitsthemtosayofhimbehindhisbackwhattheylist。TheyhavelongdelaysatPlymouth。SirWarham’sshipcannotgetoutoftheThames。Pennington，attheIsleofWight，’cannotredeemhisbreadfromthebakers，’andhastoridebacktoLondontogetmoneyfromLadyRaleigh。Thepoorladyhasitnot，andgivesanoteofhandtoMr。WoodofPortsmouth。Alasforher！Shehassunkher8000
pounds，and，besidethat，soldherWickhamestatefor2500pounds;
andallisonboardthefleet。’Ahundredpieces’areallthereadymoneythehaplesspairhadleftonearth，andtheyhavepartedthemtogether。Raleighhasfifty-fiveandsheforty-fivetillGodsenditback——if，indeed，Heeversendit。Thestarissinkinglowinthewest。Troubleontrouble。SirJohnFanehasneithermennormoney;
CaptainWitneyhasnotprovisionsenough，andRaleighhastosellhisplateinPlymouthtohelphim。Courage！onelaststruggletoredeemhisgoodname。
ThenstormsoffSicily——apinnaceissunk;faithfulCaptainKingdrivesbackintoBristol;theresthavetoliebyawhileinsomeIrishportforafairwind。ThenBaileydesertswiththe’Southampton’attheCanaries;then’unnaturalweather，’sothatafourteendays’voyagetakesfortydays。Then’thedistemper’breaksoutundertheline。Thesimplediaryofthatsadvoyagestillremains，fullofcuriousandvaluablenauticalhints;butrecordingthelossoffriendonfriend;fourorfiveofficers，and，’toourgreatgrief，ourprincipalrefiner，Mr。Fowler。’’Crab，myoldservant。’Nextalamentabletwenty-fourhours，inwhichtheylosePigott，thelieutenant-general，’minehonestfrinde，Mr。JohnTalbot，onethathadlivedwithmealevenyeeresintheTower，anexcellentgeneralskoller，andafaithfulandtruemanaseverlived，’withtwo’veryfairconditionedgentleman，’and’mineowncookFrancis。’Thenmoreofficersandmen，andmy’cusenPayton。’Thenthewaterisnearspent，andtheyareforcedtocometohalfallowance，tilltheysaveanddrinkgreedilywholecanfulsofthebitterrainwater。AtlastRaleigh’sownturncomes;runningondeckinasquall，hegetswetthrough，andhastwentydaysofburningfever;’nevermansufferedamorefuriousheat，’duringwhichheeatsnothingbutnowandthenastewedprune。
AtlasttheymakethelandatthemouthoftheUrapoho，farsouthoftheirintendedgoal。TheyaskforLeonardtheIndian，’wholivedwithmeinEnglandthreeorfouryears，thesamemanthattookMr。
Harcourt’sbrotherandfiftymenwhentheywereinextremedistress，andhadnomeanstolivetherebutbythehelpofthisIndian，whomtheymadebelievethattheyweremymen’;butthefaithfulIndianisgoneupthecountry，andtheystandawayforCayenne，’wherethecacique（Harry）wasalsomyservant，andhadlivedwithmeintheTowertwoyears。’
Courageoncemore，braveoldheart！Hereatleastthouartamongfriends，whoknowtheeforwhatthouart，andlookoutlonginglyfortheeastheirdeliverer。Courage;forthouartinfairylandoncemore;thelandofboundlesshopeandpossibility。ThoughEnglandandEngland’sheartbechanged，yetGod’searthendures，andtheharvestisstillhere，waitingtobereapedbythosewhodare。Twentystormyyearsmayhavechangedthee，buttheyhavenotchangedthefairylandofthyprisondreams。StillthemightyCeibatreeswiththeirwealthofparasitesandcreeperstowerabovethepalm-fringedislets;stillthedarkmangrovethicketsguardthemouthsofunknownstreams，whosegranitesandsarerichwithgold。FriendlyIndianscome，andHarrywiththem，bringingmaize，peccaripork，andarmadillos，plantainsandpine-apples，andalleatandgatherstrength;andRaleighwriteshometohiswife，’tosaythatImayyetbeKingoftheIndiansherewereavanity。Butmynamehathlivedamongthem’——aswellitmight。
Formanyayearthosesimpleheartsshalllookforhiminvain，andmorethantwocenturiesandahalfafterwards，dimtraditionsofthegreatwhitechiefwhobadethemstandouttothelastagainsttheSpaniards，andhewouldcomeanddwellamongthem，shalllingeramongtheCaribtribes;even，saysome，thetatteredrelicsofanEnglishflag，whichheleftamongthemthattheymightdistinguishhiscountrymen。
Happyforhimhadhestayedthereindeed，andbeentheirking。HoweasyforhimtohavegrownoldinpeaceatCayenne。Butno;hemustonforhonour’ssake，andbringhomeifitwerebutabasketfulofthatoretoshowtheking，thathemaysavehiscredit。HehaspromisedArundelthathewillreturn。Andreturnhewill。Soonwardhegoestothe’TriangleIslands。’TherehesendsofffivesmallvesselsfortheOrinoco，withfourhundredmen。ThefaithfulKeymishastocommandandguidetheexpedition。SirWarhamislyingillofthefever，allbutdead;soGeorgeRaleighissentinhisplaceassergeant-major，andwithhimfivelandcompanies，oneofwhichiscommandedbyyoungWalter，Raleigh’sson;anotherbyaCaptainParker，ofwhomweshallhaveawordtosaypresently。