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her safety" in forming this connection, obscure and humble as it was; for all matrimony had now become offensive to the match-marring Queen. After the death of her husband, Lady Mary Grey was consigned to the care of Sir Thomas Gresham, the eminent merchant, where she remained for three years, and was then liberated, through the kind intercession of Sir Thomas, who wrote to Lord Burleigh on her behalf.

Elizabeth was remarkably fond of proverbs and quaint aphorisms; and although throughout her epistolary correspondence this marked trait in her character is evident, it is nowhere so fully displayed as in the subjoined pedantic letter, in which she prescribes to Sir Henry Sidney, the Governor of Ireland, the part he is to take on the occasion of the fierce feud between the Irish Earls of Desmond and Ormond :

"HARRY, "If our partial slender managing of the contentious quarrel between the two Irish Earls did not make the way to cause these lines to pass my hand, this gibberish should hardly have cumbered your eyes; hut warned by my former fault, and dreading worser hap to come, I rede you take good heed that the good subjects lost state be so revenged, that I hear not the rest be won to a right byeway to breed more traitor's stocks, and so the goal is gone. Make some difference between tried, just, and false friends. Let the good service of well-deservers be never rewarded with loss. Let their thanks be such as may encourage more strivers for the like. Suffer not that Desmond's denying deeds far wide from promised works, make you trust to other pledge than either himself or John for gage: he hath so well performed his English vows, that I warn you to trust him no longer that you see one of them. Prometheus let me be; Epimetheus hath beeh mine too long. I pray God your old strange sheep, late (as you say) returned into the fold, wore not her woolly garment upon her wolvy back. You know a kingdom knows no kindred; si violandum jus regnandi causa. A strength

to harm is perilous in the hand of an ambitious head. Where might is mixed with wit, there is too good an accord in a government. Essays be oft dangerous; especially when the cup-bearer hath received such a preservative as, what might soever betide the drinker's draught, the carrier takes no bane thereby.

"Believe not, though they swear, that they can be full sound whose parents sought the rule that they full fain would have. I warrant you they will never be accused of bastardy; you were to blame to lay it to their charge; they will trace the steps that others have passed before. If I had not espied, though very late, legerdemain used in these cases, I had never played my part. No, if I did not see the balances held awry, I had never myself come into the weigh-house. I hope I shall have so good a customer in you, that all other officers shall do their duty among you. If aught have been amiss at home, I will patch, though I cannot whole it. Let us not, nor no more do you, consult so long as till advice come too late to the givers; where then shall we wish the deeds while all was spent in words? A fool too late bewares when all the peril is passed. If we still advise, we shall never do; thus are we still knitting a knot never tied; yea, and if our loom be framed with rotten hurdles, when our web is well nigh done, our work is to begin anew. God send the weaver true 'prentices again, and let them be denizens, I pray you, if they be not citizens; and such, too, as your ancientest aldermen, that now dwell in your official place, have had best cause to commend their good behaviour.

"Let this memorial be only committed to Vulcan's base keeping, with out any longer abode than the reading thereof; yea, and with no mention made thereof to any other wight. I charge you as I may command you. Seem not to have had but the secretary's letter from me.

"Your loving Mistress,
"ELIZABETH, R."

In June, 1566, Mary, Queen of Scots, was safely delivered of a son. Sir James Melville was immediately dispatched

with the news to Elizabeth; and, in bis "Memoirs," we have the following graphic sketch of his mission:-" By twelve of the clock I took horse, and was that night at Berwick. The fourth day after, I was at London, and did first meet with my brother Robert (then ambassador to England), who that same night sent and informed Secretary Cecil of my arrival, and of the birth of the Prince, desiring him to keep it quiet till my coming to court to announce it myself unto her Majesty, who was residing for the time at Greenwich, where she was in great mirth, dancing after supper. But so soon as the Secretary Cecil whispered in her ear the news of the Prince's birth, all her mirth was laid aside for that night; all present marvelling whence proceeded such a change, for the Queen did sit down, putting her hand under her cheek, and bursting out to some of her ladies, that the Queen of Scots was mother of a fair son, while she was but a barren stock!

"The next morning was appointed for me to get audience; at which time my brother and I went by water to Greenwich, and were met by some friends, who told us how sorrowful her Majesty was at my news; but that she had been advised to show a glad and cheerful countenance: which she did in her best apparel, saying that the joyful news of the Queen, her sister's delivery of a fair son, which I had sent her by Secretary Cecil, had recovered her out of a heavy sickness, which she had lain under for fifteen days. Therefore, she welcomed me with a merry face, and thanked me for hastening to give her that welcome intelligence. The next day, she sent me her letter, with the present of a rich

chain."

Elizabeth accepted, with a good grace, the office of sponsor to the young Prince of Scotland; sending thither, as her proxies, the Earl of Bedford, a son of Lord Hunsdon, and several knights and gentlemen. These met with a cordial reception from Mary, who was now at open variance with her husband. The present sent by Elizabeth, as the royal godmother, consisted of a rich font of pure gold, of the value of upwards of one

thousand pounds; in return for which, rings, rich chains of diamond and pearl, and other precious jewels, were bountifully bestowed on the proxies of Elizabeth.

The delicate subject of a successor to the throne was again revived in the House of Commons, in defiance of the opposition of the court party, who reiterated "that the Queen was moved to marriage, and inclined to prosecute the same.' A motion was carried, and a committee appointed to confer with the lords on the subject. The Queen then required a deputation from both houses to wait upon her, which having been agreed to, the lord keeper explained their sentiments, in a long speech, to which her Majesty was pleased, in her usual indirect way, to reply: "As to my marriage, a silent thought might serve. I thought it had been so desired that no other tree's blossom should have been minded, or ever any hope of fruit had been denied them. But if any doubted that I am by word or determination never bent to tread in that kind of life, I desire them to put aside that sort of heresy; for their belief is indeed mistaken. And although I might think it best for a private woman, yet I strive with myself to think it not meet for a Princess. As to the succession, I desire them not to think that they had needed this desire, if I had seen a time so fit, and it was so ripe as to be declared. That for their comfort, I had good record in that place that other means than they mentioned had been thought of for their good, as much as for my own surety; which, if they could have been conveniently executed, it had not been now deferred or over-slipped. That I hope to die in quiet, with Nune Dimittis, which could not be without I see some glimpse of their following surety after my graved bones."

These vague and unmeaning sentences tended little to the satisfaction of the House of Commons; and a motion was made and carried, to persevere in the remonstrance against the Queen's delaying her marriage any longer. At this bold step her Majesty was so enraged, that she communicated, through Sir Francis Knolles, her positive com

mand to the house, to proceed no further in this business, satisfying themselves with the promise of marriage which she had made on the solemn word of a queen. But Paul Wentworth, a sturdy, independent member of the Commons, would not tamely submit to this prohibition; and he again moved the house on the question, whether the late command of her Majesty was not a breach of its privileges? The Queen hereupon issued an injunction, that there should be no debates on this point; but the tone of resistance was so loud in the Commons against this her arbitrary interference, that she found it expedient, a few days after, to rescind both orders, insisting, however, on the condition, that the delicate subject should not at this time be further debated.

the heads of the University, not in Latin, but in Greek! In Warton's History of English Poetry, we find the following particulars of this celebrated visit.

"In the magnificent hall of Christchurch, the Queen was entertained with a Latin comedy, entitled Marcus Geminus, the Latin tragedy of Progne, and an English comedy on the story of Palamon and Arcite; all acted by students of the University. When the last play was over, the Queen summoned into her presence the poet (Richard Edwards), whom she loaded with thanks and compliments; and at the same time turning to her lords, she remarked, that Palamon was so justly drawn as a lover, that the author must have been in love himself; that Arcite was a right martial knight, having a swart and manly countenance, yet with the aspect of a Venus clad in armour; that the lovely Emilia was a virgin of uncorrupted purity and unblemished simplicity; and that though she sung so sweetly, and gathered flowers alone in the garden, her deportment was chaste and maidenly. The part of Emilia, the only female part in the play, was acted by a boy of fourteen, whose performance so captivated her Majesty, that she made him a present of a purse of gold. During the performance, a cry of hounds, belonging to Theseus, was counterfeited without, in the great square of the college. The young students not in the secret, thought it a real chase, and were seized with a sudden transport to join the hunters; at which the Queen cried out from her box, 'Oh, excellent! these boys, in very troth, are ready to leap out of the windows to follow the hounds!'"

On proroguing Parliament, Elizabeth acquainted both houses with her extreme displeasure at their interference regarding a successor; a subject which she always chose to regard as belonging exclusively to her prerogative, and that though they might, perhaps, have after her one more learned or wiser, yet, she assured them, none could be more careful over them. And, therefore, she bade them henceforth beware how they proved the patience of their Prince, as they had now done that of their Queen. Notwithstanding, she did not mean to make a Lent at Christmas, the most part of them, therefore, might assure themselves, that they departed high in her grace and favour. The Commons had offered her an extraordinary subsidy, on condition of her naming her successor, which she refused. Even of the ordinary supplies she remitted one fourth, smilingly remarking, "It is as well for me The Vice-Chancellor was Dr. Lawto have money in the coffers of my sub-rence Humphreys. He had lately been jects, as in my own!" It was in this distinguished for his strenuous opposiway she trifled with the feelings of the tion to the Queen's injunctions, respecting the habits and ceremonies of the In the Autumn of 1566, the Queen University. When he came forth in consented to honour with her presence procession to meet her Majesty, on this the University of Oxford, of which her auspicious visit, the Queen could not favourite, Dudley, now Earl of Leicester, refrain saying, with a gracious smile, as was elected chancellor. She was received she extended to him her hand to kiss-with the same ceremonies as at Cam-"That loose gown, doctor, becomes you bridge. Learned addresses and exhibi- mighty well; I wonder your notions of tions awaited her, and she harangued things should be so narrow!"

nation!

The husband of the unfortunate Mary, Queen of Scots, perished by a violent death, on the ninth of February, 1567. Elizabeth displayed on this tragical occasion the utmost moderation and kindness. She announced to the Countess of Lennox, the mother of Darnley, whom she had arbitrarily imprisoned in the Tower, the frightful catastrophe which had closed the history of her ill-fated son.. The liberation of the Countess immediately followed; and the Earl, her husband, soon after gratified Elizabeth in her desire of interfering with her advice and assistance, by procuring her aid to obtain an extension of the time allowed him to bring forward his proofs against Bothwell, whom he had publicly

accused of the assassination of her son. In the Burleigh Papers there is a curious letter from Secretary Cecil to Sir Henry Norris, ambassador in France, in which

the following allusion is made to this subject:

"I have stayed your son from going hence now these two days, upon the Queen's command, for that she would have him to know as much of the truth of the circumstances of the murder

of the King of Scots as might be; and hitherto the same is hard to come by, otherwise than general rumours. The Queen's Majesty sent yesterday my Lady Howard and my wife to the Lady Lennox, in the Tower, to open this matter unto her; she could not, by any means, be kept from such passions of mind as the horribleness of the fact did inspire. And this last night were with the said lady, the Dean of Westminster and Dr. Huick; and I hope her Majesty will show some compassion for the said lady, whom any humane nature must needs pity."

CHAPTER VII.

Interesting letters from the Earl of Sussex to Elizabeth-Mary, Queen of Scots, escapes from Lochleven Castle into England Elizabeth detains her in captivity, and frustrates her proposed marriage with Norfolk-Papal Bull against Elizabeth-The Queen's visit to the Royal Exchange-Death of Throgmorton-Trial and execution of Norfolk-Sonnet by Elizabeth-Leicester's connection with Lady Sheffield Another royal favourite-Lord Burleigh-Elizabeth and Lady Shrewsbury-Death of the Marshal of Ireland-Remarkable letter of Elizabeth respecting Leicester-The Duke of Anjou's proposal of marriage-Leicester's marriage -Rage of Elizabeth-Quarrel between Leicester and the French Envoy-A shot fired at the Queen.

HE murder of Darnley had procured Elizabeth some respite from the importunities of Parliament, relative to the succession; but it was necessary to take some active steps to redeem her promise respecting her marriage. Accordingly, the Earl of Sussex was despatched to Vienna, to congratulate the Emperor Maximilian on his coronation, and at the same time to treat with his brother, the Archduke Charles, respecting his long-agitated marriage

with the Queen. The following interesting letters were the result of his mission:

"Vienna, October, 1567.

"His Highness is in person taller surely a good deal than my lord marquis; his hair and beard of a light auburn; his face well proportioned, amiable, and of a good complexion; without show of redness or over-paleness; his countenance and speech cheerful, very courteous, and not without some state; his body well shaped, without deformity of blemish; his hands very good and fair; his legs clean, well proportioned, and of sufficient bigness

[graphic]

for his stature; his feet as good as may be.

"So, as upon my duty to your Majesty, find not one deformity, misshape, nor any thing to be noted worthy disliking in his whole person; but contrariwise, I find his whole shape to be good, worthy commendation and liking in all respects, and such as rarely to be found in such a Prince. His Highness, besides his natural language of Dutch, speaketh very well Spanish and Italian, and, as I hear, Latin. His dealings with me are very wise; his conversations such as much contenteth me; and none returneth discontented from his company. He is greatly beloved here of all men; the chiefest gallants of these parts are his men, and follow his court; the most of them have travelled other countries, speak many languages, and behave themselves properly; and truly we cannot be so glad to have him come to us, as they will be sad to have him go from them. He is reported to be wise, liberal, valiant, and of great courage; which, in the last wars, he well shewed in defending his country from the Turks with his own force alone, and giving them divers overthrows when they attempted any thing against his rules; and he is universally (which I most weigh) noted to be of such virtue as he was never spotted or touched with any noteable vice or crime, which is much in a Prince of his years, endowed with such qualities. He delighteth much in hunting, riding, hawking, exercise of feats of arms, and hearing of music, whereof he hath good practice. He hath some understanding in astronomy and cosmography, and taketh pleasure in clocks that set forth the course of the planets.

"He hath for his portion the countries of Styria, Carinthia, Friola, Trieste, and Istria and hath the government of what is left in Crotia; wherein he may ride without entering into any other man's territories, near three hundred miles.

On the twenty-sixth of October, he again writes to her Majesty :

"Since the despatch of my other letters, upon the resolution of the Emperor and the Archduke, I took occasion

to go to the latter; meaning to sound him to the bottom in all causes, and to find whether such matter as he had uttered to me before, proceeded from him, bona fide, or were but words of form.

"His Highness answered: Count, I have heard by the Emperor of the order of your dealing with him, and I have had dealings with you myself; wherewith he and I rest very well contented: but truly, never rested more contented of any thing than I do of this dealing, wherein, besides your duty to her that hath trusted you, you show what you are yourself, for the which I honour you as you are worthy.'—Pardon me, I beseech your Majesty, in writing the words he spake of himself, for they serve to indicate his natural disposition and inclination :-' And although I have always had a good hope of the Queen's honourable dealing in this manner, yet I have heard so much of her not meaning to marry, as might give me cause to suspect the worst; but understanding by the Emperor your manner of dealing with him-perceiving as I do presently by your words, I think myself bound (wherewith he doffed his cap) to honour, love, and serve her Majesty while I live; and will firmly credit what you on her Majesty's behalf have said; and, therefore, so I might hope her Majesty would bear with me for my conscience.* I know not that thing in the world that I would refuse to do at her command. And surely I have from the beginning of this matter settled my heart upon her, and never thought of any other wife, if she would think me worthy to be her husband; and therefore be bold to inform her Majesty truly herein, for I will not fail in my part of anything, as I trust sufficient appeareth to you by what I have heretofore said.'

"In such like talk, to this effect," proceeds Sussex, "his Highness spent almost two hours with me, which I have thought my duty to acquaint your Majesty; and hereupon I gather, that reputation ruleth him much for the present in this case of religion; and that if God couple you together in liking, you shall have of him a true husband, *The Archduke Charles was a Catholic.

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