第15章

类别:其他 作者:佚名字数:22414更新时间:18/12/13 13:56:00
Mary\'sbrother,theEARLOFMURRAY,andheadoftheProtestantpartyinScotland,hadopposedthismarriage,partlyonreligiousgrounds,andpartlyperhapsfrompersonaldislikeoftheverycontemptiblebridegroom.Whenithadtakenplace,throughMary\'sgainingovertoitthemorepowerfulofthelordsabouther,shebanishedMurrayforhispains;and,whenheandsomeothernoblesroseinarmstosupportthereformedreligion,sheherself,withinamonthofherweddingday,rodeagainsttheminarmourwithloadedpistolsinhersaddle.DrivenoutofScotland,theypresentedthemselvesbeforeElizabeth-whocalledthemtraitorsinpublic,andassistedtheminprivate,accordingtohercraftynature. Maryhadbeenmarriedbutalittlewhile,whenshebegantohateherhusband,who,inhisturn,begantohatethatDavidRizzio,withwhomhehadleaguedtogainherfavour,andwhomhenowbelievedtobeherlover.HehatedRizziotothatextent,thathemadeacompactwithLORDRUTHVENandthreeotherlordstogetridofhimbymurder.ThiswickedagreementtheymadeinsolemnsecrecyuponthefirstofMarch,fifteenhundredandsixty-six,andonthenightofSaturdaytheninth,theconspiratorswerebroughtbyDarnleyupaprivatestaircase,darkandsteep,intoarangeofroomswheretheyknewthatMarywassittingatsupperwithhersister,LadyArgyle,andthisdoomedman.Whentheywentintotheroom,DarnleytooktheQueenroundthewaist,andLordRuthven,whohadrisenfromabedofsicknesstodothismurder,camein,gauntandghastly,leaningontwomen.RizzioranbehindtheQueenforshelterandprotection.\'Lethimcomeoutoftheroom,\'saidRuthven.\'Heshallnotleavetheroom,\'repliedtheQueen;\'Ireadhisdangerinyourface,anditismywillthatheremainhere.\' Theythensetuponhim,struggledwithhim,overturnedthetable,draggedhimout,andkilledhimwithfifty-sixstabs.WhentheQueenheardthathewasdead,shesaid,\'Nomoretears.Iwillthinknowofrevenge!\' Withinadayortwo,shegainedherhusbandover,andprevailedonthetallidiottoabandontheconspiratorsandflywithhertoDunbar.There,heissuedaproclamation,audaciouslyandfalselydenyingthathehadanyknowledgeofthelatebloodybusiness;andtheretheywerejoinedbytheEARLBOTHWELLandsomeothernobles. Withtheirhelp,theyraisedeightthousandmen;returnedtoEdinburgh,anddrovetheassassinsintoEngland.Marysoonafterwardsgavebirthtoason-stillthinkingofrevenge. Thatsheshouldhavehadagreaterscornforherhusbandafterhislatecowardiceandtreacherythanshehadhadbefore,wasnaturalenough.ThereislittledoubtthatshenowbegantoloveBothwellinstead,andtoplanwithhimmeansofgettingridofDarnley. BothwellhadsuchpoweroverherthatheinducedhereventopardontheassassinsofRizzio.ThearrangementsfortheChristeningoftheyoungPrincewereentrustedtohim,andhewasoneofthemostimportantpeopleattheceremony,wherethechildwasnamedJAMES: Elizabethbeinghisgodmother,thoughnotpresentontheoccasion. Aweekafterwards,Darnley,whohadleftMaryandgonetohisfather\'shouseatGlasgow,beingtakenillwiththesmall-pox,shesentherownphysiciantoattendhim.Butthereisreasontoapprehendthatthiswasmerelyashowandapretence,andthatsheknewwhatwasdoing,whenBothwellwithinanothermonthproposedtooneofthelateconspiratorsagainstRizzio,tomurderDarnley,\'forthatitwastheQueen\'smindthatheshouldbetakenaway.\' ItiscertainthatonthatverydayshewrotetoherambassadorinFrance,complainingofhim,andyetwentimmediatelytoGlasgow,feigningtobeveryanxiousabouthim,andtolovehimverymuch. Ifshewantedtogethiminherpower,shesucceededtoherheart\'scontent;forsheinducedhimtogobackwithhertoEdinburgh,andtooccupy,insteadofthepalace,alonehouseoutsidethecitycalledtheKirkofField.Here,helivedforaboutaweek.OneSundaynight,sheremainedwithhimuntilteno\'clock,andthenlefthim,togotoHolyroodtobepresentatanentertainmentgivenincelebrationofthemarriageofoneofherfavouriteservants. Attwoo\'clockinthemorningthecitywasshakenbyagreatexplosion,andtheKirkofFieldwasblowntoatoms. Darnley\'sbodywasfoundnextdaylyingunderatreeatsomedistance.Howitcamethere,undisfiguredandunscorchedbygunpowder,andhowthiscrimecametobesoclumsilyandstrangelycommitted,itisimpossibletodiscover.ThedeceitfulcharacterofMary,andthedeceitfulcharacterofElizabeth,haverenderedalmosteverypartoftheirjointhistoryuncertainandobscure. But,IfearthatMarywasunquestionablyapartytoherhusband\'smurder,andthatthiswastherevengeshehadthreatened.TheScotchpeopleuniversallybelievedit.VoicescriedoutinthestreetsofEdinburghinthedeadofthenight,forjusticeonthemurderess.PlacardswerepostedbyunknownhandsinthepublicplacesdenouncingBothwellasthemurderer,andtheQueenashisaccomplice;and,whenheafterwardsmarriedher(thoughhimselfalreadymarried),previouslymakingashowoftakingherprisonerbyforce,theindignationofthepeopleknewnobounds.ThewomenparticularlyaredescribedashavingbeenquitefranticagainsttheQueen,andtohavehootedandcriedafterherinthestreetswithterrificvehemence. Suchguiltyunionsseldomprosper.Thishusbandandwifehadlivedtogetherbutamonth,whentheywereseparatedforeverbythesuccessesofabandofScotchnobleswhoassociatedagainstthemfortheprotectionoftheyoungPrince:whomBothwellhadvainlyendeavouredtolayholdof,andwhomhewouldcertainlyhavemurdered,iftheEARLOFMAR,inwhosehandstheboywas,hadnotbeenfirmlyandhonourablyfaithfultohistrust.Beforethisangrypower,Bothwellfledabroad,wherehedied,aprisonerandmad,ninemiserableyearsafterwards.Marybeingfoundbytheassociatedlordstodeceivethemateveryturn,wassentaprisonertoLochlevenCastle;which,asitstoodinthemidstofalake,couldonlybeapproachedbyboat.Here,oneLORDLINDSAY,whowassomuchofabrutethatthenobleswouldhavedonebetteriftheyhadchosenameregentlemanfortheirmessenger,madehersignherabdication,andappointMurray,RegentofScotland.Here,too,Murraysawherinasorrowingandhumbledstate. ShehadbetterhaveremainedinthecastleofLochleven,dullprisonasitwas,withtheripplingofthelakeagainstit,andthemovingshadowsofthewaterontheroomwalls;butshecouldnotrestthere,andmorethanoncetriedtoescape.Thefirsttimeshehadnearlysucceeded,dressedintheclothesofherownwasher- woman,but,puttingupherhandtopreventoneoftheboatmenfromliftingherveil,themensuspectedher,seeinghowwhiteitwas,androwedherbackagain.Ashorttimeafterwards,herfascinatingmannersenlistedinhercauseaboyintheCastle,calledthelittleDOUGLAS,who,whilethefamilywereatsupper,stolethekeysofthegreatgate,wentsoftlyoutwiththeQueen,lockedthegateontheoutside,androwedherawayacrossthelake,sinkingthekeysastheywentalong.OntheoppositeshoreshewasmetbyanotherDouglas,andsomefewlords;and,soaccompanied,rodeawayonhorsebacktoHamilton,wheretheyraisedthreethousandmen. Here,sheissuedaproclamationdeclaringthattheabdicationshehadsignedinherprisonwasillegal,andrequiringtheRegenttoyieldtohislawfulQueen.Beingasteadysoldier,andinnowaydiscomposedalthoughhewaswithoutanarmy,Murraypretendedtotreatwithher,untilhehadcollectedaforceabouthalfequaltoherown,andthenhegaveherbattle.Inonequarterofanhourhecutdownallherhopes.Shehadanotherwearyrideonhorse-backofsixtylongScotchmiles,andtookshelteratDundrennanAbbey,whenceshefledforsafetytoElizabeth\'sdominions. MaryQueenofScotscametoEngland-toherownruin,thetroubleofthekingdom,andthemiseryanddeathofmany-intheyearonethousandfivehundredandsixty-eight.Howsheleftitandtheworld,nineteenyearsafterwards,wehavenowtosee. SECONDPART WHENMaryQueenofScotsarrivedinEngland,withoutmoneyandevenwithoutanyotherclothesthanthoseshewore,shewrotetoElizabeth,representingherselfasaninnocentandinjuredpieceofRoyalty,andentreatingherassistancetoobligeherScottishsubjectstotakeherbackagainandobeyher.But,ashercharacterwasalreadyknowninEnglandtobeaverydifferentonefromwhatshemadeitouttobe,shewastoldinanswerthatshemustfirstclearherself.Madeuneasybythiscondition,Mary,ratherthanstayinEngland,wouldhavegonetoSpain,ortoFrance,orwouldevenhavegonebacktoScotland.But,asherdoingeitherwouldhavebeenlikelytotroubleEnglandafresh,itwasdecidedthatsheshouldbedetainedhere.ShefirstcametoCarlisle,and,afterthat,wasmovedaboutfromcastletocastle,aswasconsiderednecessary;butEnglandsheneverleftagain. Aftertryingveryhardtogetridofthenecessityofclearingherself,Mary,advisedbyLORDHERRIES,herbestfriendinEngland,agreedtoanswerthechargesagainsther,iftheScottishnoblemenwhomadethemwouldattendtomaintainthembeforesuchEnglishnoblemenasElizabethmightappointforthatpurpose.Accordingly,suchanassembly,underthenameofaconference,met,firstatYork,andafterwardsatHamptonCourt.InitspresenceLordLennox,Darnley\'sfather,openlychargedMarywiththemurderofhisson;andwhateverMary\'sfriendsmaynowsayorwriteinherbehalf,thereisnodoubtthat,whenherbrotherMurrayproducedagainstheracasketcontainingcertainguiltylettersandverseswhichhestatedtohavepassedbetweenherandBothwell,shewithdrewfromtheinquiry.Consequently,itistobesupposedthatshewasthenconsideredguiltybythosewhohadthebestopportunitiesofjudgingofthetruth,andthatthefeelingwhichafterwardsaroseinherbehalfwasaverygenerousbutnotaveryreasonableone. However,theDUKEOFNORFOLK,anhonourablebutratherweaknobleman,partlybecauseMarywascaptivating,partlybecausehewasambitious,partlybecausehewasover-persuadedbyartfulplottersagainstElizabeth,conceivedastrongideathathewouldliketomarrytheQueenofScots-thoughhewasalittlefrightened,too,bythelettersinthecasket.ThisideabeingsecretlyencouragedbysomeofthenoblemenofElizabeth\'scourt,andevenbythefavouriteEarlofLeicester(becauseitwasobjectedtobyotherfavouriteswhowerehisrivals),Maryexpressedherapprovalofit,andtheKingofFranceandtheKingofSpainaresupposedtohavedonethesame.Itwasnotsoquietlyplanned,though,butthatitcametoElizabeth\'sears,whowarnedtheDuke\'tobecarefulwhatsortofpillowhewasgoingtolayhisheadupon.\'Hemadeahumblereplyatthetime;butturnedsulkysoonafterwards,and,beingconsidereddangerous,wassenttotheTower. Thus,fromthemomentofMary\'scomingtoEnglandshebegantobethecentreofplotsandmiseries. AriseoftheCatholicsinthenorthwasthenextofthese,anditwasonlycheckedbymanyexecutionsandmuchbloodshed.ItwasfollowedbyagreatconspiracyofthePopeandsomeoftheCatholicsovereignsofEuropetodeposeElizabeth,placeMaryonthethrone,andrestoretheunreformedreligion.ItisalmostimpossibletodoubtthatMaryknewandapprovedofthis;andthePopehimselfwassohotinthematterthatheissuedabull,inwhichheopenlycalledElizabeththe\'pretendedQueen\'ofEngland,excommunicatedher,andexcommunicatedallhersubjectswhoshouldcontinuetoobeyher.AcopyofthismiserablepapergotintoLondon,andwasfoundonemorningpubliclypostedontheBishopofLondon\'sgate. Agreathueandcrybeingraised,anothercopywasfoundinthechamberofastudentofLincoln\'sInn,whoconfessed,beingputupontherack,thathehadreceiveditfromoneJOHNFELTON,arichgentlemanwholivedacrosstheThames,nearSouthwark.ThisJohnFelton,beingputupontheracktoo,confessedthathehadpostedtheplacardontheBishop\'sgate.Forthisoffencehewas,withinfourdays,takentoSt.Paul\'sChurchyard,andtherehangedandquartered.AstothePope\'sbull,thepeoplebythereformationhavingthrownoffthePope,didnotcaremuch,youmaysuppose,forthePope\'sthrowingoffthem.Itwasameredirtypieceofpaper,andnothalfsopowerfulasastreetballad. OntheverydaywhenFeltonwasbroughttohistrial,thepoorDukeofNorfolkwasreleased.ItwouldhavebeenwellforhimifhehadkeptawayfromtheTowerevermore,andfromthesnaresthathadtakenhimthere.But,evenwhilehewasinthatdismalplacehecorrespondedwithMary,andassoonashewasoutofit,hebegantoplotagain.BeingdiscoveredincorrespondencewiththePope,withaviewtoarisinginEnglandwhichshouldforceElizabethtoconsenttohismarriagewithMaryandtorepealthelawsagainsttheCatholics,hewasre-committedtotheTowerandbroughttotrial.HewasfoundguiltybytheunanimousverdictoftheLordswhotriedhim,andwassentencedtotheblock. Itisverydifficulttomakeout,atthisdistanceoftime,andbetweenoppositeaccounts,whetherElizabethreallywasahumanewoman,ordesiredtoappearso,orwasfearfulofsheddingthebloodofpeopleofgreatnamewhowerepopularinthecountry. TwiceshecommandedandcountermandedtheexecutionofthisDuke,anditdidnottakeplaceuntilfivemonthsafterhistrial.ThescaffoldwaserectedonTowerHill,andtherehediedlikeabraveman.Herefusedtohavehiseyesbandaged,sayingthathewasnotatallafraidofdeath;andheadmittedthejusticeofhissentence,andwasmuchregrettedbythepeople. AlthoughMaryhadshrunkatthemostimportanttimefromdisprovingherguilt,shewasverycarefulnevertodoanythingthatwouldadmitit.AllsuchproposalsasweremadetoherbyElizabethforherrelease,requiredthatadmissioninsomeformorother,andthereforecametonothing.Moreover,bothwomenbeingartfulandtreacherous,andneitherevertrustingtheother,itwasnotlikelythattheycouldevermakeanagreement.So,theParliament,aggravatedbywhatthePopehaddone,madenewandstronglawsagainstthespreadingoftheCatholicreligioninEngland,anddeclaredittreasoninanyonetosaythattheQueenandhersuccessorswerenotthelawfulsovereignsofEngland.Itwouldhavedonemorethanthis,butforElizabeth\'smoderation. SincetheReformation,therehadcometobethreegreatsectsofreligiouspeople-orpeoplewhocalledthemselvesso-inEngland; thatistosay,thosewhobelongedtotheReformedChurch,thosewhobelongedtotheUnreformedChurch,andthosewhowerecalledthePuritans,becausetheysaidthattheywantedtohaveeverythingverypureandplaininalltheChurchservice.Theselastwereforthemostpartanuncomfortablepeople,whothoughtithighlymeritorioustodressinahideousmanner,talkthroughtheirnoses,andopposeallharmlessenjoyments.Buttheywerepowerfultoo,andverymuchinearnest,andtheywereoneandallthedeterminedenemiesoftheQueenofScots.TheProtestantfeelinginEnglandwasfurtherstrengthenedbythetremendouscrueltiestowhichProtestantswereexposedinFranceandintheNetherlands.Scoresofthousandsofthemwereputtodeathinthosecountrieswitheverycrueltythatcanbeimagined,andatlast,intheautumnoftheyearonethousandfivehundredandseventy-two,oneofthegreatestbarbaritiesevercommittedintheworldtookplaceatParis. Itiscalledinhistory,THEMASSACREOFSAINTBARTHOLOMEW,becauseittookplaceonSaintBartholomew\'sEve.ThedayfellonSaturdaythetwenty-thirdofAugust.OnthatdayallthegreatleadersoftheProtestants(whoweretherecalledHUGUENOTS)wereassembledtogether,forthepurpose,aswasrepresentedtothem,ofdoinghonourtothemarriageoftheirchief,theyoungKingofNavarre,withthesisterofCHARLESTHENINTH:amiserableyoungKingwhothenoccupiedtheFrenchthrone.ThisdullcreaturewasmadetobelievebyhismotherandotherfierceCatholicsabouthimthattheHuguenotsmeanttotakehislife;andhewaspersuadedtogivesecretordersthat,onthetollingofagreatbell,theyshouldbefallenuponbyanoverpoweringforceofarmedmen,andslaughteredwherevertheycouldbefound.Whentheappointedhourwascloseathand,thestupidwretch,tremblingfromheadtofoot,wastakenintoabalconybyhismothertoseetheatrociousworkbegun.Themomentthebelltolled,themurderersbrokeforth.Duringallthatnightandthetwonextdays,theybrokeintothehouses,firedthehouses,shotandstabbedtheProtestants,men,women,andchildren,andflungtheirbodiesintothestreets.Theywereshotatinthestreetsastheypassedalong,andtheirbloodrandownthegutters. UpwardsoftenthousandProtestantswerekilledinParisalone;inallFrancefourorfivetimesthatnumber.ToreturnthankstoHeavenforthesediabolicalmurders,thePopeandhistrainactuallywentinpublicprocessionatRome,andasifthiswerenotshameenoughforthem,theyhadamedalstrucktocommemoratetheevent.But,howevercomfortablethewholesalemurdersweretothesehighauthorities,theyhadnotthatsoothingeffectuponthedoll-King.Iamhappytostatethatheneverknewamoment\'speaceafterwards;thathewascontinuallycryingoutthathesawtheHuguenotscoveredwithbloodandwoundsfallingdeadbeforehim; andthathediedwithinayear,shriekingandyellingandravingtothatdegree,thatifallthePopeswhohadeverlivedhadbeenrolledintoone,theywouldnothaveaffordedHisguiltyMajestytheslightestconsolation. WhentheterriblenewsofthemassacrearrivedinEngland,itmadeapowerfulimpressionindeeduponthepeople.IftheybegantorunalittlewildagainsttheCatholicsataboutthistime,thisfearfulreasonforit,comingsosoonafterthedaysofbloodyQueenMary,mustberememberedintheirexcuse.TheCourtwasnotquitesohonestasthepeople-butperhapsitsometimesisnot. ItreceivedtheFrenchambassador,withallthelordsandladiesdressedindeepmourning,andkeepingaprofoundsilence. Nevertheless,aproposalofmarriagewhichhehadmadetoElizabethonlytwodaysbeforetheeveofSaintBartholomew,onbehalfoftheDukeofAlen噊n,theFrenchKing\'sbrother,aboyofseventeen,stillwenton;whileontheotherhand,inherusualcraftyway,theQueensecretlysuppliedtheHuguenotswithmoneyandweapons. ImustsaythatforaQueenwhomadeallthosefinespeeches,ofwhichIhaveconfessedmyselftoberathertired,aboutlivinganddyingaMaidenQueen,Elizabethwas\'going\'tobemarriedprettyoften.BesidesalwayshavingsomeEnglishfavouriteorotherwhomshebyturnsencouragedandsworeatandknockedabout-forthemaidenQueenwasveryfreewithherfists-sheheldthisFrenchDukeoffandonthroughseveralyears.WhenheatlastcameovertoEngland,themarriagearticleswereactuallydrawnup,anditwassettledthattheweddingshouldtakeplaceinsixweeks.TheQueenwasthensobentuponit,thatsheprosecutedapoorPuritannamedSTUBBS,andapoorbooksellernamedPAGE,forwritingandpublishingapamphletagainstit.Theirrighthandswerechoppedoffforthiscrime;andpoorStubbs-moreloyalthanIshouldhavebeenmyselfunderthecircumstances-immediatelypulledoffhishatwithhislefthand,andcried,\'GodsavetheQueen!\'Stubbswascruellytreated;forthemarriagenevertookplaceafterall,thoughtheQueenpledgedherselftotheDukewitharingfromherownfinger.Hewentaway,nobetterthanhecame,whenthecourtshiphadlastedsometenyearsaltogether;andhediedacoupleofyearsafterwards,mournedbyElizabeth,whoappearstohavebeenreallyfondofhim.Itisnotmuchtohercredit,forhewasabadenoughmemberofabadfamily. ToreturntotheCatholics.Therearosetwoordersofpriests,whowereverybusyinEngland,andwhoweremuchdreaded.TheseweretheJESUITS(whowereeverywhereinallsortsofdisguises),andtheSEMINARYPRIESTS.Thepeoplehadagreathorrorofthefirst,becausetheywereknowntohavetaughtthatmurderwaslawfulifitweredonewithanobjectofwhichtheyapproved;andtheyhadagreathorrorofthesecond,becausetheycametoteachtheoldreligion,andtobethesuccessorsof\'QueenMary\'spriests,\'asthoseyetlingeringinEnglandwerecalled,whentheyshoulddieout.Theseverestlawsweremadeagainstthem,andweremostunmercifullyexecuted.Thosewhoshelteredthemintheirhousesoftensufferedheavilyforwhatwasanactofhumanity;andtherack,thatcrueltorturewhichtoremen\'slimbsasunder,wasconstantlykeptgoing.Whattheseunhappymenconfessed,orwhatwaseverconfessedbyanyoneunderthatagony,mustalwaysbereceivedwithgreatdoubt,asitiscertainthatpeoplehavefrequentlyownedtothemostabsurdandimpossiblecrimestoescapesuchdreadfulsuffering.ButIcannotdoubtittohavebeenprovedbypapers,thatthereweremanyplots,bothamongtheJesuits,andwithFrance,andwithScotland,andwithSpain,forthedestructionofQueenElizabeth,fortheplacingofMaryonthethrone,andfortherevivaloftheoldreligion. IftheEnglishpeopleweretooreadytobelieveinplots,therewere,asIhavesaid,goodreasonsforit.WhenthemassacreofSaintBartholomewwasyetfreshintheirrecollection,agreatProtestantDutchhero,thePRINCEOFORANGE,wasshotbyanassassin,whoconfessedthathehadbeenkeptandtrainedforthepurposeinacollegeofJesuits.TheDutch,inthissurpriseanddistress,offeredtomakeElizabeththeirsovereign,butshedeclinedthehonour,andsentthemasmallarmyinstead,underthecommandoftheEarlofLeicester,who,althoughacapitalCourtfavourite,wasnotmuchofageneral.HedidsolittleinHolland,thathiscampaigntherewouldprobablyhavebeenforgotten,butforitsoccasioningthedeathofoneofthebestwriters,thebestknights,andthebestgentlemen,ofthatoranyage.ThiswasSIR PHILIPSIDNEY,whowaswoundedbyamusketballinthethighashemountedafreshhorse,afterhavinghadhisownkilledunderhim. Hehadtoridebackwounded,alongdistance,andwasveryfaintwithfatigueandlossofblood,whensomewater,forwhichhehadeagerlyasked,washandedtohim.Buthewassogoodandgentleeventhen,thatseeingapoorbadlywoundedcommonsoldierlyingontheground,lookingatthewaterwithlongingeyes,hesaid,\'Thynecessityisgreaterthanmine,\'andgaveituptohim.Thistouchingactionofanobleheartisperhapsaswellknownasanyincidentinhistory-isasfamousfarandwideastheblood- stainedTowerofLondon,withitsaxe,andblock,andmurdersoutofnumber.Sodelightfulisanactoftruehumanity,andsogladaremankindtorememberit. Athome,intelligenceofplotsbegantothickeneveryday.I supposethepeopleneverdidliveundersuchcontinualterrorsasthosebywhichtheywerepossessednow,ofCatholicrisings,andburnings,andpoisonings,andIdon\'tknowwhat.Still,wemustalwaysrememberthattheylivednearandclosetoawfulrealitiesofthatkind,andthatwiththeirexperienceitwasnotdifficulttobelieveinanyenormity.Thegovernmenthadthesamefear,anddidnottakethebestmeansofdiscoveringthetruth-for,besidestorturingthesuspected,itemployedpaidspies,whowillalwaysliefortheirownprofit.Itevenmadesomeoftheconspiraciesitbroughttolight,bysendingfalseletterstodisaffectedpeople,invitingthemtojoininpretendedplots,whichtheytooreadilydid. But,onegreatrealplotwasatlengthdiscovered,anditendedthecareerofMary,QueenofScots.AseminarypriestnamedBALLARD,andaSpanishsoldiernamedSAVAGE,setonandencouragedbycertainFrenchpriests,impartedadesigntooneANTONYBABINGTON- agentlemanoffortuneinDerbyshire,whohadbeenforsometimeasecretagentofMary\'s-formurderingtheQueen.BabingtonthenconfidedtheschemetosomeotherCatholicgentlemenwhowerehisfriends,andtheyjoinedinitheartily.Theywerevain,weak- headedyoungmen,ridiculouslyconfident,andpreposterouslyproudoftheirplan;fortheygotagimcrackpaintingmade,ofthesixchoicespiritswhoweretomurderElizabeth,withBabingtoninanattitudeforthecentrefigure.Twooftheirnumber,however,oneofwhomwasapriest,keptElizabeth\'swisestminister,SIRFRANCIS WALSINGHAM,acquaintedwiththewholeprojectfromthefirst.Theconspiratorswerecompletelydeceivedtothefinalpoint,whenBabingtongaveSavage,becausehewasshabby,aringfromhisfinger,andsomemoneyfromhispurse,wherewithtobuyhimselfnewclothesinwhichtokilltheQueen.Walsingham,havingthenfullevidenceagainstthewholeband,andtwolettersofMary\'sbesides,resolvedtoseizethem.Suspectingsomethingwrong,theystoleoutofthecity,onebyone,andhidthemselvesinSt.John\'sWood,andotherplaceswhichreallywerehidingplacesthen;buttheywerealltaken,andallexecuted.Whentheywereseized,agentlemanwassentfromCourttoinformMaryofthefact,andofherbeinginvolvedinthediscovery.Herfriendshavecomplainedthatshewaskeptinveryhardandseverecustody.Itdoesnotappearverylikely,forshewasgoingoutahuntingthatverymorning. QueenElizabethhadbeenwarnedlongago,byoneinFrancewhohadgoodinformationofwhatwassecretlydoing,thatinholdingMaryalive,sheheld\'thewolfwhowoulddevourher.\'TheBishopofLondonhad,morelately,giventheQueen\'sfavouriteministertheadviceinwriting,\'forthwithtocutofftheScottishQueen\'shead.\'Thequestionnowwas,whattodowithher?TheEarlofLeicesterwrotealittlenotehomefromHolland,recommendingthatsheshouldbequietlypoisoned;thatnoblefavouritehavingaccustomedhismind,itispossible,toremediesofthatnature. Hisblackadvice,however,wasdisregarded,andshewasbroughttotrialatFotheringayCastleinNorthamptonshire,beforeatribunalofforty,composedofbothreligions.There,andintheStarChamberatWestminster,thetriallastedafortnight.Shedefendedherselfwithgreatability,butcouldonlydenytheconfessionsthathadbeenmadebyBabingtonandothers;couldonlycallherownletters,producedagainstherbyherownsecretaries,forgeries; and,inshort,couldonlydenyeverything.Shewasfoundguilty,anddeclaredtohaveincurredthepenaltyofdeath.TheParliamentmet,approvedthesentence,andprayedtheQueentohaveitexecuted.TheQueenrepliedthatsherequestedthemtoconsiderwhethernomeanscouldbefoundofsavingMary\'slifewithoutendangeringherown.TheParliamentrejoined,No;andthecitizensilluminatedtheirhousesandlightedbonfires,intokenoftheirjoythatalltheseplotsandtroublesweretobeendedbythedeathoftheQueenofScots. She,feelingsurethathertimewasnowcome,wrotealettertotheQueenofEngland,makingthreeentreaties;first,thatshemightbeburiedinFrance;secondly,thatshemightnotbeexecutedinsecret,butbeforeherservantsandsomeothers;thirdly,thatafterherdeath,herservantsshouldnotbemolested,butshouldbesufferedtogohomewiththelegaciessheleftthem.Itwasanaffectingletter,andElizabethshedtearsoverit,butsentnoanswer.ThencameaspecialambassadorfromFrance,andanotherfromScotland,tointercedeforMary\'slife;andthenthenationbegantoclamour,moreandmore,forherdeath. WhattherealfeelingsorintentionsofElizabethwere,canneverbeknownnow;butIstronglysuspectherofonlywishingonethingmorethanMary\'sdeath,andthatwastokeepfreeoftheblameofit.OnthefirstofFebruary,onethousandfivehundredandeighty-seven,LordBurleighhavingdrawnoutthewarrantfortheexecution,theQueensenttothesecretaryDAVISONtobringittoher,thatshemightsignit:whichshedid.Nextday,whenDavisontoldheritwassealed,sheangrilyaskedhimwhysuchhastewasnecessary?Nextdaybutone,shejokedaboutit,andsworealittle.Again,nextdaybutone,sheseemedtocomplainthatitwasnotyetdone,butstillshewouldnotbeplainwiththoseabouther.So,ontheseventh,theEarlsofKentandShrewsbury,withtheSheriffofNorthamptonshire,camewiththewarranttoFotheringay,totelltheQueenofScotstopreparefordeath. Whenthosemessengersofillomenweregone,Marymadeafrugalsupper,dranktoherservants,readoverherwill,wenttobed,sleptforsomehours,andthenaroseandpassedtheremainderofthenightsayingprayers.Inthemorningshedressedherselfinherbestclothes;and,ateighto\'clockwhenthesheriffcameforhertoherchapel,tookleaveofherservantswhowerethereassembledprayingwithher,andwentdown-stairs,carryingaBibleinonehandandacrucifixintheother.Twoofherwomenandfourofhermenwereallowedtobepresentinthehall;wherealowscaffold,onlytwofeetfromtheground,waserectedandcoveredwithblack;andwheretheexecutionerfromtheTower,andhisassistant,stood,dressedinblackvelvet.Thehallwasfullofpeople.Whilethesentencewasbeingreadshesatuponastool; and,whenitwasfinished,sheagaindeniedherguilt,asshehaddonebefore.TheEarlofKentandtheDeanofPeterborough,intheirProtestantzeal,madesomeveryunnecessaryspeechestoher; towhichsherepliedthatshediedintheCatholicreligion,andtheyneednottroublethemselvesaboutthatmatter.Whenherheadandneckwereuncoveredbytheexecutioners,shesaidthatshehadnotbeenusedtobeundressedbysuchhands,orbeforesomuchcompany.Finally,oneofherwomenfastenedaclothoverherface,andshelaidherneckupontheblock,andrepeatedmorethanonceinLatin,\'Intothyhands,OLord,Icommendmyspirit!\'Somesayherheadwasstruckoffintwoblows,somesayinthree.Howeverthatbe,whenitwasheldup,streamingwithblood,therealhairbeneaththefalsehairshehadlongwornwasseentobeasgreyasthatofawomanofseventy,thoughshewasatthattimeonlyinherforty-sixthyear.Allherbeautywasgone. Butshewasbeautifulenoughtoherlittledog,whocoweredunderherdress,frightened,whenshewentuponthescaffold,andwholaydownbesideherheadlessbodywhenallherearthlysorrowswereover. THIRDPART ONitsbeingformallymadeknowntoElizabeththatthesentencehadbeenexecutedontheQueenofScots,sheshowedtheutmostgriefandrage,droveherfavouritesfromherwithviolentindignation,andsentDavisontotheTower;fromwhichplacehewasonlyreleasedintheendbypayinganimmensefinewhichcompletelyruinedhim.Elizabethnotonlyover-actedherpartinmakingthesepretences,butmostbaselyreducedtopovertyoneofherfaithfulservantsfornootherfaultthanobeyinghercommands. James,KingofScotland,Mary\'sson,madeashowlikewiseofbeingveryangryontheoccasion;buthewasapensionerofEnglandtotheamountoffivethousandpoundsayear,andhehadknownverylittleofhismother,andhepossiblyregardedherasthemurdererofhisfather,andhesoontookitquietly. Philip,KingofSpain,however,threatenedtodogreaterthingsthaneverhadbeendoneyet,tosetuptheCatholicreligionandpunishProtestantEngland.Elizabeth,hearingthatheandthePrinceofParmaweremakinggreatpreparationsforthispurpose,inordertobebeforehandwiththemsentoutADMIRALDRAKE(afamousnavigator,whohadsailedabouttheworld,andhadalreadybroughtgreatplunderfromSpain)totheportofCadiz,whereheburntahundredvesselsfullofstores.ThisgreatlossobligedtheSpaniardstoputofftheinvasionforayear;butitwasnonethelessformidableforthat,amountingtoonehundredandthirtyships,nineteenthousandsoldiers,eightthousandsailors,twothousandslaves,andbetweentwoandthreethousandgreatguns. Englandwasnotidleinmakingreadytoresistthisgreatforce. Allthemenbetweensixteenyearsoldandsixty,weretrainedanddrilled;thenationalfleetofships(innumberonlythirty-fouratfirst)wasenlargedbypubliccontributionsandbyprivateships,fittedoutbynoblemen;thecityofLondon,ofitsownaccord,furnisheddoublethenumberofshipsandmenthatitwasrequiredtoprovide;and,ifeverthenationalspiritwasupinEngland,itwasupallthroughthecountrytoresisttheSpaniards.SomeoftheQueen\'sadviserswereforseizingtheprincipalEnglishCatholics,andputtingthemtodeath;buttheQueen-who,toherhonour,usedtosay,thatshewouldneverbelieveanyillofhersubjects,whichaparentwouldnotbelieveofherownchildren- rejectedtheadvice,andonlyconfinedafewofthosewhowerethemostsuspected,inthefensinLincolnshire.ThegreatbodyofCatholicsdeservedthisconfidence;fortheybehavedmostloyally,nobly,andbravely. So,withallEnglandfiringuplikeonestrong,angryman,andwithbothsidesoftheThamesfortified,andwiththesoldiersunderarms,andwiththesailorsintheirships,thecountrywaitedforthecomingoftheproudSpanishfleet,whichwascalledTHE INVINCIBLEARMADA.TheQueenherself,ridinginarmouronawhitehorse,andtheEarlofEssexandtheEarlofLeicesterholdingherbridalrein,madeabravespeechtothetroopsatTilburyFortoppositeGravesend,whichwasreceivedwithsuchenthusiasmasisseldomknown.ThencametheSpanishArmadaintotheEnglishChannel,sailingalongintheformofahalfmoon,ofsuchgreatsizethatitwassevenmilesbroad.ButtheEnglishwerequicklyuponit,andwoethentoalltheSpanishshipsthatdroppedalittleoutofthehalfmoon,fortheEnglishtooktheminstantly! AnditsoonappearedthatthegreatArmadawasanythingbutinvincible,foronasummernight,boldDrakesenteightblazingfire-shipsrightintothemidstofit.InterribleconsternationtheSpaniardstriedtogetouttosea,andsobecamedispersed;theEnglishpursuedthematagreatadvantage;astormcameon,anddrovetheSpaniardsamongrocksandshoals;andtheswiftendoftheInvinciblefleetwas,thatitlostthirtygreatshipsandtenthousandmen,and,defeatedanddisgraced,sailedhomeagain. BeingafraidtogobytheEnglishChannel,itsailedallroundScotlandandIreland;someoftheshipsgettingcastawayonthelattercoastinbadweather,theIrish,whowereakindofsavages,plunderedthosevesselsandkilledtheircrews.SoendedthisgreatattempttoinvadeandconquerEngland.AndIthinkitwillbealongtimebeforeanyotherinvinciblefleetcomingtoEnglandwiththesameobject,willfaremuchbetterthantheSpanishArmada. ThoughtheSpanishkinghadhadthisbittertasteofEnglishbravery,hewassolittlethewiserforit,asstilltoentertainhisolddesigns,andeventoconceivetheabsurdideaofplacinghisdaughterontheEnglishthrone.ButtheEarlofEssex,SIR WALTERRALEIGH,SIRTHOMASHOWARD,andsomeotherdistinguishedleaders,puttoseafromPlymouth,enteredtheportofCadizoncemore,obtainedacompletevictoryovertheshippingassembledthere,andgotpossessionofthetown.InobediencetotheQueen\'sexpressinstructions,theybehavedwithgreathumanity;andtheprincipallossoftheSpaniardswasavastsumofmoneywhichtheyhadtopayforransom.Thiswasoneofmanygallantachievementsonthesea,effectedinthisreign.SirWalterRaleighhimself,aftermarryingamaidofhonourandgivingoffencetotheMaidenQueenthereby,hadalreadysailedtoSouthAmericainsearchofgold. TheEarlofLeicesterwasnowdead,andsowasSirThomasWalsingham,whomLordBurleighwassoontofollow.TheprincipalfavouritewastheEARLOFESSEX,aspiritedandhandsomeman,afavouritewiththepeopletooaswellaswiththeQueen,andpossessedofmanyadmirablequalities.ItwasmuchdebatedatCourtwhetherthereshouldbepeacewithSpainorno,andhewasveryurgentforwar.HealsotriedhardtohavehisownwayintheappointmentofadeputytogoverninIreland.Oneday,whilethisquestionwasindispute,hehastilytookoffence,andturnedhisbackupontheQueen;asagentlereminderofwhichimpropriety,theQueengavehimatremendousboxontheear,andtoldhimtogotothedevil.Hewenthomeinstead,anddidnotreappearatCourtforhalfayearorso,whenheandtheQueenwerereconciled,thoughnever(assomesuppose)thoroughly. FromthistimethefateoftheEarlofEssexandthatoftheQueenseemedtobeblendedtogether.TheIrishwerestillperpetuallyquarrellingandfightingamongthemselves,andhewentovertoIrelandasLordLieutenant,tothegreatjoyofhisenemies(SirWalterRaleighamongtherest),whoweregladtohavesodangerousarivalfaroff.Notbeingbyanymeanssuccessfulthere,andknowingthathisenemieswouldtakeadvantageofthatcircumstancetoinjurehimwiththeQueen,hecamehomeagain,thoughagainstherorders.TheQueenbeingtakenbysurprisewhenheappearedbeforeher,gavehimherhandtokiss,andhewasoverjoyed- thoughitwasnotaverylovelyhandbythistime-butinthecourseofthesamedaysheorderedhimtoconfinehimselftohisroom,andtwoorthreedaysafterwardshadhimtakenintocustody. Withthesamesortofcaprice-andascapriciousanoldwomanshenowwas,aseverworeacrownoraheadeither-shesenthimbrothfromherowntableonhisfallingillfromanxiety,andcriedabouthim. Hewasamanwhocouldfindcomfortandoccupationinhisbooks,andhedidsoforatime;nottheleasthappytime,Idaresay,ofhislife.Butithappenedunfortunatelyforhim,thatheheldamonopolyinsweetwines:whichmeansthatnobodycouldsellthemwithoutpurchasinghispermission.Thisright,whichwasonlyforaterm,expiring,heappliedtohaveitrenewed.TheQueenrefused,withtheratherstrongobservation-butsheDIDmakestrongobservations-thatanunrulybeastmustbestintedinhisfood.Uponthis,theangryEarl,whohadbeenalreadydeprivedofmanyoffices,thoughthimselfindangerofcompleteruin,andturnedagainsttheQueen,whomhecalledavainoldwomanwhohadgrownascrookedinhermindasshehadinherfigure.TheseuncomplimentaryexpressionstheladiesoftheCourtimmediatelysnappedupandcarriedtotheQueen,whomtheydidnotputinabettertempter,youmaybelieve.ThesameCourtladies,whentheyhadbeautifuldarkhairoftheirown,usedtowearfalseredhair,tobeliketheQueen.Sotheywerenotveryhigh-spiritedladies,howeverhighinrank. TheworstobjectoftheEarlofEssex,andsomefriendsofhiswhousedtomeetatLORDSOUTHAMPTON\'Shouse,wastoobtainpossessionoftheQueen,andobligeherbyforcetodismissherministersandchangeherfavourites.OnSaturdaytheseventhofFebruary,onethousandsixhundredandone,thecouncilsuspectingthis,summonedtheEarltocomebeforethem.He,pretendingtobeill,declined; itwasthensettledamonghisfriends,thatasthenextdaywouldbeSunday,whenmanyofthecitizensusuallyassembledattheCrossbySt.Paul\'sCathedral,heshouldmakeoneboldefforttoinducethemtoriseandfollowhimtothePalace. So,ontheSundaymorning,heandasmallbodyofadherentsstartedoutofhishouse-EssexHousebytheStrand,withstepstotheriver-havingfirstshutupinit,asprisoners,somemembersofthecouncilwhocametoexaminehim-andhurriedintotheCitywiththeEarlattheirheadcryingout\'FortheQueen!FortheQueen!Aplotislaidformylife!\'Nooneheededthem,however,andwhentheycametoSt.Paul\'stherewerenocitizensthere.InthemeantimetheprisonersatEssexHousehadbeenreleasedbyoneoftheEarl\'sownfriends;hehadbeenpromptlyproclaimedatraitorintheCityitself;andthestreetswerebarricadedwithcartsandguardedbysoldiers.TheEarlgotbacktohishousebywater,withdifficulty,andafteranattempttodefendhishouseagainstthetroopsandcannonbywhichitwassoonsurrounded,gavehimselfupthatnight.Hewasbroughttotrialonthenineteenth,andfoundguilty;onthetwenty-fifth,hewasexecutedonTowerHill,wherehedied,atthirty-fouryearsold,bothcourageouslyandpenitently.Hisstep-fathersufferedwithhim.Hisenemy,SirWalterRaleigh,stoodnearthescaffoldallthetime-butnotsonearitasweshallseehimstand,beforewefinishhishistory. Inthiscase,asinthecasesoftheDukeofNorfolkandMaryQueenofScots,theQueenhadcommanded,andcountermanded,andagaincommanded,theexecution.Itisprobablethatthedeathofheryoungandgallantfavouriteintheprimeofhisgoodqualities,wasneveroffhermindafterwards,butsheheldout,thesamevain,obstinateandcapriciouswoman,foranotheryear.ThenshedancedbeforeherCourtonastateoccasion-andcut,Ishouldthink,amightyridiculousfigure,doingsoinanimmenseruff,stomacherandwig,atseventyyearsold.Foranotheryearstill,sheheldout,but,withoutanymoredancing,andasamoody,sorrowful,brokencreature.Atlast,onthetenthofMarch,onethousandsixhundredandthree,havingbeenillofaverybadcold,andmadeworsebythedeathoftheCountessofNottinghamwhowasherintimatefriend,shefellintoastuporandwassupposedtobedead.Sherecoveredherconsciousness,however,andthennothingwouldinducehertogotobed;forshesaidthatsheknewthatifshedid,sheshouldnevergetupagain.Thereshelayfortendays,oncushionsonthefloor,withoutanyfood,untiltheLordAdmiralgotherintobedatlast,partlybypersuasionsandpartlybymainforce.Whentheyaskedherwhoshouldsucceedher,sherepliedthatherseathadbeentheseatofKings,andthatshewouldhaveforhersuccessor,\'Norascal\'sson,butaKing\'s.\' Uponthis,thelordspresentstaredatoneanother,andtookthelibertyofaskingwhomshemeant;towhichshereplied,\'WhomshouldImean,butourcousinofScotland!\'Thiswasonthetwenty-thirdofMarch.Theyaskedheronceagainthatday,aftershewasspeechless,whethershewasstillinthesamemind?Shestruggledupinbed,andjoinedherhandsoverherheadintheformofacrown,astheonlyreplyshecouldmake.Atthreeo\'clocknextmorning,sheveryquietlydied,intheforty-fifthyearofherreign. Thatreignhadbeenagloriousone,andismadeforevermemorablebythedistinguishedmenwhoflourishedinit.Apartfromthegreatvoyagers,statesmen,andscholars,whomitproduced,thenamesofBACON,SPENSER,andSHAKESPEARE,willalwaysberememberedwithprideandvenerationbythecivilisedworld,andwillalwaysimpart(thoughwithnogreatreason,perhaps)someportionoftheirlustretothenameofElizabethherself.Itwasagreatreignfordiscovery,forcommerce,andforEnglishenterpriseandspiritingeneral.ItwasagreatreignfortheProtestantreligionandfortheReformationwhichmadeEnglandfree.TheQueenwasverypopular,andinherprogresses,orjourneysaboutherdominions,waseverywherereceivedwiththeliveliestjoy.Ithinkthetruthis,thatshewasnothalfsogoodasshehasbeenmadeout,andnothalfsobadasshehasbeenmadeout.Shehadherfinequalities,butshewascoarse,capricious,andtreacherous,andhadallthefaultsofanexcessivelyvainyoungwomanlongaftershewasanoldone.Onthewhole,shehadagreatdealtoomuchofherfatherinher,topleaseme. Manyimprovementsandluxurieswereintroducedinthecourseofthesefive-and-fortyyearsinthegeneralmannerofliving;butcock-fighting,bull-baiting,andbear-baiting,werestillthenationalamusements;andacoachwassorarelyseen,andwassuchanuglyandcumbersomeaffairwhenitwasseen,thateventheQueenherself,onmanyhighoccasions,rodeonhorsebackonapillionbehindtheLordChancellor. CHAPTERXXXII-ENGLANDUNDERJAMESTHEFIRST \'OURcousinofScotland\'wasugly,awkward,andshufflingbothinmindandperson.Histonguewasmuchtoolargeforhismouth,hislegsweremuchtooweakforhisbody,andhisdullgoggle-eyesstaredandrolledlikeanidiot\'s.Hewascunning,covetous,wasteful,idle,drunken,greedy,dirty,cowardly,agreatswearer,andthemostconceitedmanonearth.Hisfigure-whatiscommonlycalledricketyfromhisbirth-presentedamostridiculousappearance,dressedinthickpaddedclothes,asasafeguardagainstbeingstabbed(ofwhichhelivedincontinualfear),ofagrass- greencolourfromheadtofoot,withahunting-horndanglingathissideinsteadofasword,andhishatandfeatherstickingoveroneeye,orhangingonthebackofhishead,ashehappenedtotossiton.Heusedtolollonthenecksofhisfavouritecourtiers,andslobbertheirfaces,andkissandpinchtheircheeks;andthegreatestfavouriteheeverhad,usedtosignhimselfinhisletterstohisroyalmaster,HisMajesty\'s\'dogandslave,\'andusedtoaddresshismajestyas\'hisSowship.\'Hismajestywastheworstridereverseen,andthoughthimselfthebest.Hewasoneofthemostimpertinenttalkers(inthebroadestScotch)everheard,andboastedofbeingunanswerableinallmannerofargument.Hewrotesomeofthemostwearisometreatiseseverread-amongothers,abookuponwitchcraft,inwhichhewasadevoutbeliever-andthoughthimselfaprodigyofauthorship.Hethought,andwrote,andsaid,thatakinghadarighttomakeandunmakewhatlawshepleased,andoughttobeaccountabletonobodyonearth.Thisistheplain,truecharacterofthepersonagewhomthegreatestmenaboutthecourtpraisedandflatteredtothatdegree,thatIdoubtiftherebeanythingmuchmoreshamefulintheannalsofhumannature. HecametotheEnglishthronewithgreatease.Themiseriesofadisputedsuccessionhadbeenfeltsolong,andsodreadfully,thathewasproclaimedwithinafewhoursofElizabeth\'sdeath,andwasacceptedbythenation,evenwithoutbeingaskedtogiveanypledgethathewouldgovernwell,orthathewouldredresscryinggrievances.HetookamonthtocomefromEdinburghtoLondon;and,bywayofexercisinghisnewpower,hangedapickpocketonthejourneywithoutanytrial,andknightedeverybodyhecouldlayholdof.HemadetwohundredknightsbeforehegottohispalaceinLondon,andsevenhundredbeforehehadbeeninitthreemonths. Healsoshovelledsixty-twonewpeersintotheHouseofLords-andtherewasaprettylargesprinklingofScotchmenamongthem,youmaybelieve. HisSowship\'sprimeMinister,CECIL(forIcannotdobetterthancallhismajestywhathisfavouritecalledhim),wastheenemyofSirWalterRaleigh,andalsoofSirWalter\'spoliticalfriend,LORD COBHAM;andhisSowship\'sfirsttroublewasaplotoriginatedbythesetwo,andenteredintobysomeothers,withtheoldobjectofseizingtheKingandkeepinghiminimprisonmentuntilheshouldchangehisministers.TherewereCatholicpriestsintheplot,andtherewerePuritannoblementoo;for,althoughtheCatholicsandPuritanswerestronglyopposedtoeachother,theyunitedatthistimeagainsthisSowship,becausetheyknewthathehadadesignagainstboth,afterpretendingtobefriendlytoeach;thisdesignbeingtohaveonlyonehighandconvenientformoftheProtestantreligion,whicheverybodyshouldbeboundtobelongto,whethertheylikeditornot.Thisplotwasmixedupwithanother,whichmayormaynothavehadsomereferencetoplacingonthethrone,atsometime,theLADYARABELLASTUART;whosemisfortuneitwas,tobethedaughteroftheyoungerbrotherofhisSowship\'sfather,butwhowasquiteinnocentofanypartinthescheme.SirWalterRaleighwasaccusedontheconfessionofLordCobham-amiserablecreature,whosaidonethingatonetime,andanotherthingatanothertime,andcouldberelieduponinnothing.ThetrialofSirWalterRaleighlastedfromeightinthemorninguntilnearlymidnight;hedefendedhimselfwithsucheloquence,genius,andspiritagainstallaccusations,andagainsttheinsultsofCOKE,theAttorney-General-who,accordingtothecustomofthetime,foullyabusedhim-thatthosewhowenttheredetestingtheprisoner,cameawayadmiringhim,anddeclaringthatanythingsowonderfulandsocaptivatingwasneverheard.Hewasfoundguilty,nevertheless,andsentencedtodeath.Executionwasdeferred,andhewastakentotheTower.ThetwoCatholicpriests,lessfortunate,wereexecutedwiththeusualatrocity;andLordCobhamandtwootherswerepardonedonthescaffold.HisSowshipthoughtitwonderfullyknowinginhimtosurprisethepeoplebypardoningthesethreeattheveryblock;but,blundering,andbungling,asusual,hehadverynearlyoverreachedhimself.For,themessengeronhorsebackwhobroughtthepardon,camesolate,thathewaspushedtotheoutsideofthecrowd,andwasobligedtoshoutandroaroutwhathecamefor.ThemiserableCobhamdidnotgainmuchbybeingsparedthatday.Helived,bothasaprisonerandabeggar,utterlydespised,andmiserablypoor,forthirteenyears,andthendiedinanoldouthousebelongingtooneofhisformerservants. Thisplotgotridof,andSirWalterRaleighsafelyshutupintheTower,hisSowshipheldagreatdisputewiththePuritansontheirpresentingapetitiontohim,andhaditallhisownway-notsoverywonderful,ashewouldtalkcontinually,andwouldnothearanybodyelse-andfilledtheBishopswithadmiration.Itwascomfortablysettledthattherewastobeonlyoneformofreligion,andthatallmenweretothinkexactlyalike.But,althoughthiswasarrangedtwocenturiesandahalfago,andalthoughthearrangementwassupportedbymuchfiningandimprisonment,Idonotfindthatitisquitesuccessful,evenyet. HisSowship,havingthatuncommonlyhighopinionofhimselfasaking,hadaverylowopinionofParliamentasapowerthataudaciouslywantedtocontrolhim.WhenhecalledhisfirstParliamentafterhehadbeenkingayear,heaccordinglythoughthewouldtakeprettyhighgroundwiththem,andtoldthemthathecommandedthem\'asanabsoluteking.\'TheParliamentthoughtthosestrongwords,andsawthenecessityofupholdingtheirauthority. HisSowshiphadthreechildren:PrinceHenry,PrinceCharles,andthePrincessElizabeth.Itwouldhavebeenwellforoneofthese,andweshalltoosoonseewhich,ifhehadlearntalittlewisdomconcerningParliamentsfromhisfather\'sobstinacy. Now,thepeoplestilllabouringundertheirolddreadoftheCatholicreligion,thisParliamentrevivedandstrengthenedtheseverelawsagainstit.AndthissoangeredROBERTCATESBY,arestlessCatholicgentlemanofanoldfamily,thatheformedoneofthemostdesperateandterribledesignseverconceivedinthemindofman;nolessaschemethantheGunpowderPlot. Hisobjectwas,whentheKing,lords,andcommons,shouldbeassembledatthenextopeningofParliament,toblowthemup,oneandall,withagreatmineofgunpowder.ThefirstpersontowhomheconfidedthishorribleideawasTHOMASWINTER,aWorcestershiregentlemanwhohadservedinthearmyabroad,andhadbeensecretlyemployedinCatholicprojects.WhileWinterwasyetundecided,andwhenhehadgoneovertotheNetherlands,tolearnfromtheSpanishAmbassadortherewhethertherewasanyhopeofCatholicsbeingrelievedthroughtheintercessionoftheKingofSpainwithhisSowship,hefoundatOstendatall,dark,daringman,whomhehadknownwhentheywerebothsoldiersabroad,andwhosenamewasGUIDO- orGUY-FAWKES.Resolvedtojointheplot,heproposedittothisman,knowinghimtobethemanforanydesperatedeed,andtheytwocamebacktoEnglandtogether.Here,theyadmittedtwootherconspirators;THOMASPERCY,relatedtotheEarlofNorthumberland,andJOHNWRIGHT,hisbrother-in-law.AllthesemettogetherinasolitaryhouseintheopenfieldswhichwerethennearClement\'sInn,nowacloselyblocked-uppartofLondon;andwhentheyhadalltakenagreatoathofsecrecy,Catesbytoldtherestwhathisplanwas.Theythenwentup-stairsintoagarret,andreceivedtheSacramentfromFATHERGERARD,aJesuit,whoissaidnottohaveknownactuallyoftheGunpowderPlot,butwho,I think,musthavehadhissuspicionsthattherewassomethingdesperateafoot. PercywasaGentlemanPensioner,andashehadoccasionaldutiestoperformabouttheCourt,thenkeptatWhitehall,therewouldbenothingsuspiciousinhislivingatWestminster.So,havinglookedwellabouthim,andhavingfoundahousetolet,thebackofwhichjoinedtheParliamentHouse,hehireditofapersonnamedFERRIS,forthepurposeofunderminingthewall.Havinggotpossessionofthishouse,theconspiratorshiredanotherontheLambethsideoftheThames,whichtheyusedasastorehouseforwood,gunpowder,andothercombustiblematters.Theseweretoberemovedatnight(andafterwardswereremoved),bitbybit,tothehouseatWestminster;and,thattheremightbesometrustypersontokeepwatchovertheLambethstores,theyadmittedanotherconspirator,bynameROBERTKAY,averypoorCatholicgentleman. Allthesearrangementshadbeenmadesomemonths,anditwasadark,wintry,Decembernight,whentheconspirators,whohadbeeninthemeantimedispersedtoavoidobservation,metinthehouseatWestminster,andbegantodig.Theyhadlaidinagoodstockofeatables,toavoidgoinginandout,andtheyduganddugwithgreatardour.But,thewallbeingtremendouslythick,andtheworkverysevere,theytookintotheirplotCHRISTOPHERWRIGHT,ayoungerbrotherofJohnWright,thattheymighthaveanewpairofhandstohelp.AndChristopherWrightfelltolikeafreshman,andtheyduganddugbynightandbyday,andFawkesstoodsentinelallthetime.Andifanyman\'sheartseemedtofailhimatall,Fawkessaid,\'Gentlemen,wehaveabundanceofpowderandshothere,andthereisnofearofourbeingtakenalive,evenifdiscovered.\' ThesameFawkes,who,inthecapacityofsentinel,wasalwaysprowlingabout,soonpickeduptheintelligencethattheKinghadproroguedtheParliamentagain,fromtheseventhofFebruary,thedayfirstfixedupon,untilthethirdofOctober.Whentheconspiratorsknewthis,theyagreedtoseparateuntilaftertheChristmasholidays,andtotakenonoticeofeachotherinthemeanwhile,andnevertowriteletterstooneanotheronanyaccount.So,thehouseinWestminsterwasshutupagain,andI supposetheneighboursthoughtthatthosestrange-lookingmenwholivedtheresogloomily,andwentoutsoseldom,weregoneawaytohaveamerryChristmassomewhere. ItwasthebeginningofFebruary,sixteenhundredandfive,whenCatesbymethisfellow-conspiratorsagainatthisWestminsterhouse.Hehadnowadmittedthreemore;JOHNGRANT,aWarwickshiregentlemanofamelancholytemper,wholivedinadolefulhousenearStratford-upon-Avon,withafrowningwallallroundit,andadeepmoat;ROBERTWINTER,eldestbrotherofThomas;andCatesby\'sownservant,THOMASBATES,who,Catesbythought,hadhadsomesuspicionofwhathismasterwasabout.ThesethreehadallsufferedmoreorlessfortheirreligioninElizabeth\'stime.Andnow,theyallbegantodigagain,andtheyduganddugbynightandbyday. Theyfounditdismalworkalonethere,underground,withsuchafearfulsecretontheirminds,andsomanymurdersbeforethem.