And, as the common fort ftill remembered the misfortunes of Earl Walter, they faw in the profperity of the fon only a juft award. Whatever dafhed his fame or welfare was a wrong done to him—almost a flout to that Providence which had borne him in hand. No detraction of Court policy (you will fee) was able to abide this test. 'Twas fuch an abfolute sway Essex had got over people's hearts, that the Queen mifliked it as a divided rule which fhe never would abide. They might love those whom her Grace was pleased to countenance; honouring whom the approved. One taking it upon himself to remind her Highness of her former pleasure in that matter: "Should we be offended," faid fhe " (the cause best known to ourselves), let them look to it who would favour him! We are difpleafured!" Before Roan, at Lisbon, in Gades, either what Commander of our times, or what Chevalier spoken of in the Chronicles, hath proved himself fo capable, fo puissant, fo gentle? "If his birth gave fome pledges of this lofty bearing and true nobility" (as Sir Thomas infifted), "hath ke not himself fo redeemed thofe hostages that all men count him for a hero? Glories there be which they who have thrust on can pluck off. This is none fuch. Her Grace may recall her royal patents (though against all precedent); but the filver of my Lord's shield no fovereign can tarnish!” And the Knight was borne out, daily for when Essex rode a jauncing through the City, with a dominant rein pacing that mettlefome beaft, Comet to wit; ofttimes capping to the byestanders, waving his plume to the open cafement and fo forth; you would think the titles of a Court, or the fmiles of a still virgin Princefs, but poor acceffories to the Earl's true greatness. Now my Lord, who was as friendly with his Peers as he was free with the General, that he might not seem to chafe under the Queen's mistreatment, but rather to folace himself in a grateful leisure, hath refolved on great and folemn entertainments for this Christmas. So now the Clerk's desks have all been removed, and Holiday is come! A cloth awning has been stretched down to the water's edge. The weather shall not ruffle you coming up the steps from your barge. And the Strand wicket stands ajar. Enter an you chufe! You will be welcome! Against the cold winds of this tide, the doorways within are curtained, and hangings have been put up over windows |