I have said

This is an adulteress--I have said with whom:

More, she's a traitor, and Camillo is

A federary with her, and one that knows

What she should shame to know herself.

--WINTER'S TALE.

They were no sooner in the Earl's cabinet than, taking his tablets from

his pocket, he began to write, speaking partly to Varney, and partly

to himself--"There are many of them close bounden to me, and especially

those in good estate and high office--many who, if they look back

towards my benefits, or forward towards the perils which may

befall themselves, will not, I think, be disposed to see me stagger

unsupported. Let me see--Knollis is sure, and through his means Guernsey

and Jersey. Horsey commands in the Isle of Wight. My brother-in-law,

Huntingdon, and Pembroke, have authority in Wales. Through Bedford I

lead the Puritans, with their interest, so powerful in all the boroughs.

My brother of Warwick is equal, well-nigh, to myself, in wealth,

followers, and dependencies. Sir Owen Hopton is at my devotion; he

commands the Tower of London, and the national treasure deposited there.

My father and grand-father needed never to have stooped their heads to

the block had they thus forecast their enterprises.--Why look you so

sad, Varney? I tell thee, a tree so deep-rooted is not so easily to be

torn up by the tempest."

"Alas! my lord," said Varney, with well-acted passion, and then resumed

the same look of despondency which Leicester had before noted.

"Alas!" repeated Leicester; "and wherefore alas, Sir Richard? Doth your

new spirit of chivalry supply no more vigorous ejaculation when a noble

struggle is impending? Or, if ALAS means thou wilt flinch from the

conflict, thou mayest leave the Castle, or go join mine enemies,

whichever thou thinkest best."

"Not so, my lord," answered his confidant; "Varney will be found

fighting or dying by your side. Forgive me, if, in love to you, I see

more fully than your noble heart permits you to do, the inextricable

difficulties with which you are surrounded. You are strong, my lord,

and powerful; yet, let me say it without offence, you are so only by

the reflected light of the Queen's favour. While you are Elizabeth's

favourite, you are all, save in name, like an actual sovereign. But let

her call back the honours she has bestowed, and the prophet's gourd did

not wither more suddenly. Declare against the Queen, and I do not say

that in the wide nation, or in this province alone, you would find

yourself instantly deserted and outnumbered; but I will say, that even

in this very Castle, and in the midst of your vassals, kinsmen, and

dependants, you would be a captive, nay, a sentenced captive, should she

please to say the word. Think upon Norfolk, my lord--upon the powerful

Northumberland--the splendid Westmoreland;--think on all who have made

head against this sage Princess. They are dead, captive, or fugitive.

This is not like other thrones, which can be overturned by a combination

of powerful nobles; the broad foundations which support it are in the

extended love and affections of the people. You might share it with

Elizabeth if you would; but neither yours, nor any other power, foreign

or domestic, will avail to overthrow, or even to shake it."




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