But (to digrefs upon this topic, having left the woeful lady) 'tis na'th'less much in vogue now-a-days this Pastoral style. It seems the only stream of Poetry needs must flow from Hæmony through Arcadia! 'Twould be a more fresh and divine flood, one may vouch, coming from the Heart; and being coloured naturally by the pigments amidst which we dwell. If, too, it were drawn to fome purpose of glory beyond the lascivious fighings of imaginary folk, who are no types at all of our higher being-fancy fick only, and earthly lovelorn-'twould come nearer home, furely. Master Spencer, we shall be told, is a Poet indeed. But you shall anfwer, Doth he raise you much above yourself? or doth he not fo mystify you that you know not who, what, or where you be eh? You understand? What, pray, is Helicon to you, or you to Helicon? Will the plaints of Melpomene, with her swollen eyes, move you to pity-foothe your forrows-quiet your longings-bring your heart nearer to your fellow, or your foul into a closer converse with itself and its God? Fellows, crowned with 'gyrlonds,' 'pyping on oten reeds ;' and ye, ye amorous nymphs, avaunt! You must yet look about you, fir, for a poet (though Sidney had hopes of this one, and fo hath Ralegh), no mean judge, himself a poet: and Effex loves him for his tendernefs and modefty (as all elfe do). You must yet look about you, fir, for a Poet-a Poet, that is, who "fhall ascend the highest heaven of invention," and yet condefcend to fing of men as they be! One who shall not merely bear the impress of his own time and country; but fhall be for all people and for every age. "Look where the holy Legate comes apace, K. JOHN, act v. fc. II. HE blaft of the Trumpet against the monftrous Regiment of Women," hath founded long and loudly. And thofe who followed Master Knox, affuming to speak words put into their mouth by the Spirit of Peace, have, as much as in them lay, abfolved their countrymen from their allegiance. Forgetting, belike, that the Apoftle bade the young Converts to obey even heathen powers as of God's placing in authority, they follow the Pope's leading, as ye fhall fee. One had called his fovereign lady "Jezabel :" putting forth as ruling' her who was then imprifoned, and ever fince hath lingered there now these eighteen years, who from care and severity was infirm, and fcarcely able to move. God keep all Christian princes from fuch painful preachers! This Trumpet, then, hath blown a blast which heralds on the most awful catastrophe and dread fin of our time. 'Twould be well, fome fay, to let that pass and be forgotten! Ay! fay you fo? What then is truth? What then shall be the use of History-of the Chronicles of past time for our guidance, if we shall gloss over its facts, hiding or making monftrous fuch and fuch things as our prejudices or our paffions chuse? "This," quoth Sir Thomas, "is the very error of our days! Why, fir, will you go on crying, Peace, peace! when there is no peace!' 'Twill not do, nevertheless; for, look! how can you know the Coin fhould you fee but the fair effigy of the Sovereign ? Muft you not also needs turn to the reverse to see whether it be stamped for a groat or a tester? and 'twill matter little which it be counted fhould not her Grace's face be there. And how, pray, will you tell if your goblet be of filver or only laten washed, if you fpy not at the infide and the underpart of it?" Now, 'tis as impoffible—and more fo—to know of our Queen whether the be (fpeaking in a figure) pure filver or base laten deceptiously whitened; whether she be a base counterfeit coin, or have a true impreffion of Royalty, unless you will inquire how and why this foul deed took place. You must fee in this glass, my Lord Treasurer, his true character; you fhall teft by this affay the carat of Mafter Secretary, and fome others; and you will, moreover, judge for yourself how far Sir Walter Ralegh and my young Lord of Effex be feverally (for they have little converfe and lefs love together) juftified in the defire they both at this moment cherish of ruling this great kingdom, instead of Burghley, Walfingham, Leicester, and their fort, but upon very different course of policy. 'Tis put to you, fir, as a man of honour and candour; for pofterity will affuredly put her Grace Queen Elizabeth and her Council at the bar; and you, Sir, are now fummoned on the Coroner's jury, for the dead body of the Queen of Scots lieth at Fotheringay, this eighth day of February, 1587. Notwithstanding Effex's remonftrance ere he went abroad, no fooner had he reached Holland than Mary had been removed to Chartley. ""Twas no place for any prifon," quoth Sir Thomas, when he heard of it, " still lefs VOL. II. E |