"God's death! my lord." such was her emphatic phrase, "what means this?

We have thought well of you, and brought you near to our person; but it

was not that you might hide the sun from our other faithful subjects.

Who gave you license to contradict our orders, or control our officers?

I will have in this court, ay, and in this realm, but one mistress, and

no master. Look to it that Master Bowyer sustains no harm for his duty

to me faithfully discharged; for, as I am Christian woman and crowned

Queen, I will hold you dearly answerable.--Go, Bowyer, you have done the

part of an honest man and a true subject. We will brook no mayor of the

palace here."

Bowyer kissed the hand which she extended towards him, and withdrew

to his post! astonished at the success of his own audacity. A smile

of triumph pervaded the faction of Sussex; that of Leicester seemed

proportionally dismayed, and the favourite himself, assuming an

aspect of the deepest humility, did not even attempt a word in his own

esculpation.

He acted wisely; for it was the policy of Elizabeth to humble, not to

disgrace him, and it was prudent to suffer her, without opposition or

reply, to glory in the exertion of her authority. The dignity of

the Queen was gratified, and the woman began soon to feel for the

mortification which she had imposed on her favourite. Her keen eye also

observed the secret looks of congratulation exchanged amongst those who

favoured Sussex, and it was no part of her policy to give either party a

decisive triumph.

"What I say to my Lord of Leicester," she said, after a moment's pause,

"I say also to you, my Lord of Sussex. You also must needs ruffle in the

court of England, at the head of a faction of your own?"

"My followers, gracious Princess," said Sussex, "have indeed ruffled in

your cause in Ireland, in Scotland, and against yonder rebellious Earls

in the north. I am ignorant that--"

"Do you bandy looks and words with me, my lord?" said the Queen,

interrupting him; "methinks you might learn of my Lord of Leicester the

modesty to be silent, at least, under our censure. I say, my lord, that

my grandfather and my father, in their wisdom, debarred the nobles of

this civilized land from travelling with such disorderly retinues; and

think you, that because I wear a coif, their sceptre has in my hand been

changed into a distaff? I tell you, no king in Christendom will less

brook his court to be cumbered, his people oppressed, and his kingdom's

peace disturbed, by the arrogance of overgrown power, than she who now

speaks with you.--My Lord of Leicester, and you, my Lord of Sussex, I

command you both to be friends with each other; or by the crown I wear,

you shall find an enemy who will be too strong for both of you!"




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