第15章
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.