cometh to Westminster stairs my Lord of Effex and his

little troup.

Heavy bottoms laden with fea-coal were creeping up the river rafts piled with bales, barrels, and what not, were tacking and tugging along the wharfs; light skiffs shot briskly to and fro, and there lay moored to their landings, the brilliantly painted and gaudy-awned barges of the nobles.

At either fide of the water, where were the accustomed ferries, large boats, fome deep and maffy for the conveyance of horfes and other animals, others more conveniently fitted for passengers, were taking in or disburdening themfelves of their several freights. Even at this early hour, all was activity and bustle on this the greatest thoro'fare of great London.

None noticed the impatient Earl waiting the fluggish barge! Effex was the more urgent as he drew nigh the journey's end. Scarcely did he turn his eyes towards his houfe as he paffed through Charing. A wife always dear, now needing all his fondness-prattling children that could innocently folace all his cares: a mother, a sister, were within those walls, yet he hurried past! Be there

feelings ftronger in the heart than love? Is there a spot more happy than your home? Oh, vanity! Oh, ambition! Oh, pride and jealoufy! Fie, fie! "God give them peace," faid he; as, when half-way across the stream he saw the open casements of Effex-house, and the new wakened sun fluttering a good-morrow against the window panes. "God give them peace!" But other thoughts quickly difpelled the fofter motions. Upon the shore of Lambheith they leaped forth. Their horfes were not there. Impetuously they took fuch as they found. "Upon her Grace's fervice!" was the word.

"Good-morrow to Sir Thomas Gerard!"

"Good day, my good Lord! We not expected you fo foon. The Londoners, I promise ye, will not forgive this private entry of their honoured Earl,"

"They are right worshipful, Sir Thomas: and I thank you and them most friendly."

"Laft evening at the Globe, i' the new History of King Henry the Fifth, the Poet in his Chorus fpake of your Lordship most respectfully."

"How?" faid Effex, hastily mounting, scarcely hearken

ing.

Speaking of Harry coming back from Agincourt,"

quoth he (as I remember),

"As by a lower, but by loving likelihood,

Were now the General of our Gracious Empress

(As in good time he may), from Ireland coming,
Bringing rebellion broached on his fword,
How many would the peaceful city quit

To welcome him!”

"Gentle Master Shakspeare!"

"Her Highness is at Nonfuch. Is fhe advised of your return, my Lord?"

"I bring that news myself, Sir Thomas."

"Then, good my Lord—and, by your leave-I shall ride on, and bid my Lord Grey de Wilton let your Lordship pass."

"Nay, nay! 'tis no boot!"

"But the Lord Grey is not your friend, dear Earl: I pray you fuffer me to stay him: 'tis not fit he bring intelligence of your return, her Highness not apprised yet."

"I care not for him-I! nor for his pack! So I have her Grace's countenance, have at 'em!"

Yet Sir Thomas Gerard rode on to parley, learning from one the fecrefy of my Lord's repair.

"Marry, dear Lord," faith St. Lawrence, "I'd not be splashed with their Court holy water; but draw warm blood with cold fteel-I!"

""Twould be an Irish remedy, Sir Kit, and ill-received, I promise you"

"My Lord, the Lord Grey declines to let your Lordship pafs."

"You did not ask him in my

favour?"

"No, my good Lord! I faid your Lordship was behind, if he would speak with you."

"And he would not, the churl?"

"No!" quoth he, "I have business at the Court-and fo fpurred on the faster."

"Let me prick after, dear my Lord, I'll put him from his fpurring, and roll his rowels i' the dirt!"

"No, no! good Kit-Stay! Stay!"

“I faith I'll thrust through the Secretary, or whomsoever i' the Court, fo your Excellency will."

"Nay, nay, thou honourable Knight; put up thy fword in faltire! Let's leave fuch practices to Ralegh and the like. I stand upon mine integrity, my truth, and loyalty; when these shall fail me, perifh all!"

'Twas still two hours from noon when they reached the palace. Effex paused not even to change his clothes, wash or arrange his perfon. Travel-stained and heated as he was, the stir within him urged an immediate vifit to the Queen. Difregarding, therefore, every form of that most formal Court, he passed unheeding guards, yeomen, archers, exons, ushers. In the prefence chamber there were already fome hungry courtiers. He noticed not their hurried falutation. Entering the Privy Chamber, there were her Grace's women and fome ladies of the wardrobe he faw not their amazement-heard not their call. The bedroom opens to his own hand. No voice now bids stand.

Elizabeth had newly rifen. Her night-gown was loosely wrapped about her; nor ruff nor tire were there to conceal the royal neck, or leave to fancy what art was wont to hide. Her feet were naked, too; her hair still loose, and tangled over her face and breaft. 'Twas too foon and too late for her Grace's vifitors. The women of the body stood aghaft, the royal linen in their hands. At a signal from her Majefty they withdrew. It was the business of a moment. Effex threw himself upon his knees: he seized