but to die cannot attain to), is proof that we have perpetual

life as a race, whofe grown virtues fhall ever flourish.

Now to return to the matter. You should have seen the idle and falfe pedigree Doleman's book fet forth for the Infanta! How almost all our Kings were contumeliously traduced as wrongful poffeffors; and all in England of the blood-royal as either illegitimate or uncapable of the Crown!

From princeffes who had died childlefs: from younger daughters' pofterities: from females where had been male heirs: To wit, through Alan Fergaut, Earl of Brittany, through Alphonfo IX., King of Castile, through the Dukes of Parma and Braganza, paffing over all thofe our noble and gentle men of better lineage: her claim was fetched! Against the testimony of G. Gemeticenfis, Pope Innocent the Third (in Matthew Parys), and Abbat Robert; against Rodrigo Archbishop of Toledo, and against Froiffart; and in contempt of the authority of that Council of Trent, which they so seem to affect, did they thrust forth their paltry pretenfions that they might curry favour with the Spaniard: as willing to delude their compatriots, to make way for tumults and feditions at home, and war abroad, and to fet up ladders for ambitious men to climb unto their own downfall!

And Effex was well content in that he could fhew the Queen how manifeftly in error were the forged titles of the Infanta. He well knew her Grace (having as yet no issue) was very tetchy in the matter of the fucceffion. This would quiet her. 'Twas her Majefty's wifh, he faid, to leave it in abeyance till fuch time as she should be refolved. Sir Thomas fmiled.

'Tis much, forfooth, when we be in the grave who fhall fit in our empty chair-wear our old cloak and hat— cajol our orphan dog with the worn-out end of our whilolm crutch! But let that fcoff pafs. Her Grace hath the care of these realms, and not you!

Effex was content: for now was the Queen certain my Lord had no share in that vile, lying, and unnatural book, having with so much ingenuity proved its worthlessness even to that end for which it was put forth.

Her Grace was not told how all the people about her Court used to write to the Scots King touching his hereditary claim; or you may be sure the Stuart line should by Act of Parliament be excluded from the golden rigol.

Now the infection of these studies be foon caught, especially in one of generous blood. And Effex, whom

fome had prompted to that conceit, must needs hear, fince the true lineage be ftill at home-as Clarencieux and the Knight affirmed-how stands his own reversionary pretension. "To what?" faith Sir Thomas.

"No one," quoth my Lord, colouring to the eye, "will queftion her Grace's ".

"Poffeffion?" faith Sir Thomas, grandly.

"But only," refumeth my Lord, "just on the ground that her Highness should depart childless, who "—

The Knight held himself very stately, faying

"Her Grace, dear my Lord, fhall take no exception to your descent. Your blood, through the noble Bourchiers, is from Thomas of Woodstock, the fixth son of the Great Edward. There be yet many of the elder lines.”

"How?" faid Effex, "I thought all was spilled-but that was mixed with Harry Tudor's in Elizabeth of York." "Nay!" faid Sir Thomas Cheney.

"Counsellors are not commonly fo united, but that one counfellor keepeth Sentinel over another; fo that if any do Counfel out of faction or private ends, it cometh commonly to the King's Ear." BACON, ESSAY XX.

"There is a kind of Followers likewife, which are dangerous, being indeed Efpialls; which enquire the fecrets of the House, and bear Tales of them to others. Yet fuch men, many times, are in great favour."-IB. XLVIII.

HE Knight and his fon returned to Chenies.

pier now. Oh, the recountings of what small

Robin had effected! How he had affayed to pull himself towards one bright metal Ordinary on a particular fhield; how he had crowed and clapped his tiny hands, feeing a pretty blue and white Gonfanon waved; how he had

VOL. II.

T

fondled the beaver of a certain helmet! Then did Sir

Thomas tell how he had put an end to the Infanta's cafe; grounding the Council, who had his advice, in the iniquitous mystery of that spurious Pedigree! Think of all he and William found to fay on that wonderful History of the Contention, fo livelily enacted before them in the little O or circle of the Theatre! What a fweet Poet was Master Shakspeare, whom they hoped to fee as a visitor on his way to Stratford! 'Twas very strange, quoth Mistress Helen, how the Earl of Effex should so give his leifure away from his poor wife. William fighed, and then kissed her. Dame Elizabeth faid plainly 'twas a wicked woman that enticed the filly youth. Sir Thomas fhook his head.

So they spake. And among fuch quiet thoughts and innocent imaginings how happily they lived!

Effex, as you have heard, was for a while content ; the ridiculous queftion of the Genealogies being laid bye. But he had plunged headlong into a fea of troubles, in which there was no haven of reft; and there were those who would not pour oil on those waters, but rather blow them to raging. You know what Becons be lighted for the toffed mariner? As yet all was unfathomed, unsur