A Note of Preparation. 293 burnishing up their breast-plates, and back-pieces, and helms. Smiths were at work, hammering out old dents, riveting broken joints, fixing tonguelefs buckles; Tailors were stitching up doublets and hofen, putting in pads and ftuffings, left the hard steel should chafe the skin; Cobblers driving in heavy clouts or botching up old fhoes; Pedlars selling tags and points. There was, It was in vain 'Zekiel asked of the news. indeed, a reverend-looking man, ftanding on an inverted Tub in the court-yard, who seemed to be counselling those about him to flee from many things, but none were heeding him; and, even if he had spoken to the purpose, there was too much noife and bustle to admit of his exhortation being heard. Effex dismounted. The Earl was yet at court, and my Lady had attended with my Lord. He was not a little disconcerted. It was not a grand court-day, he knew, or the men-at-arms would not be here, their Lord at court. And how was it the Countess went with him? The Queen, whether jealous of her fair cousin, or piqued at Leicester's fecret marriage, had hitherto refused to receive the Lady Letice. He fought Dame Frances Sidney's closet. One at the door told her the Earl of Effex would fain fpeak with her. She rose to meet him, offering her hand frankly, fmiling friendly. Effex took her fair hand in his; and, bending his knee the while, faluted her cheek. They fat down and talked familiarly. They had been much together fince Sidney went abroad, both lodging in Leicester-house. They had learned to open their thoughts : to each other and the lady had often taken upon herself to chide the young lord, but fweetly-as a fifter-when he paffed the bounds of good rule. So Effex told her of his journey, and of Mistress Helen, how lovely she was. And Frances told him how fome evil tongues had been abufing her good uncle: and that one had dared to print (though not here, but in Flanders), under the title of "Leicester's Commonwealth," the most malignant falsehoods that could be imagined: fetting forth most plaufibly, and with the affectation of candour, how that all the ills under which the country fuffered had been due to him. And the fcurrilous author had not stinted to tell of the Earl's private doings and family affairs; accufing him grofsly of the deepest crimes. And the lady waxed eloquent in the matter; but Her Grace voucheth Leicester. 295 Effex remained very filent. "Her Grace," the continued, "is indignant, as fhe may be; and hath writ letters forbidding the people to read fuch inflaming and infamous pamphlets, and ordering the dispensers thereof to be punished. The Council state her Majesty testified in her confcience before God, that she knew in affured certainty the books and libels published against the Earl to be most fcandalous, and fuch as none but an incarnate devil himself (these were her own words) could dream to be true. And Philip, I promise you, will answer the vile fellow for I hear he hath already taken it in hand to write his uncle's life and history, clearing him, no doubt, of every imputa tion." "Haft heard from Philip lately?" Ay! laft month, by Silly Willy, whom he fent with letters to us all. He would give no licence for my coming to him at Utrecht; faying 'twas no place for any of the feminine gender, leaft for me and my little fuckling." "I heard he had a spacious house at Bergen-op-Zoom: belike her Grace would not leave him fo far from his charge at Flushing, eh ?” "So I think, dear heart! Elfe he would be as fain to have me with him, as the pain and travail would be wel come to me fo I could comfort him !” "He must be lonely there, Frances ?" "Sooth-footh-lonefome indeed! I am lonely here, even with my little one. God wots! I would have gone to him but my father stayed me entreatingly." : "Poor Philip! I fhould be glad to fee him now again; but, Frances, what's afoot now? Be there talk of wars ?" "Oh, know❜ft not! The Queen has at last refolved to fuccour the Netherlands. My uncle, to day, applies for the command. He faid the world should know the ills of the times came not from him: but the benefits. That he was as perfect an Englishman as the best: and they should fee it as time ferved. 'Tis rumoured her Grace cannot refufe him. You should have feen the beautiful toy of jeweller's work the Countefs, your mother, took with her to Court." "Was it fo admirable ?” "Out of all question! ingeniously defigned, exquifitely wrought: the materials gold, opal, diamonds. you!" Judge "Come the three corners of the world in Arms, K. JOHN, act v. fc. VII. UEEN ELIZABETH having embarked in a battle Ships to fpoil his Weft Indian Colonies; and having privately lent the Netherlanders, then fubject to Philip, money, arms, and, as fome fay, men; hath now promised an Army under her own Commander, who shall aid that people wholly to drive out all foreign Powers. She hath, befides (though very fecretly, and from time to time), granted material helps to certain French; they being more or lefs at variance with their King. You will, perhaps, |