trouble and storms abroad, he had found a sweet calm CHAP. IV. at home. manners. Yet these happy expectations were blasted in a few Change of hours. When he went up again after dinner to see the the Queen's queen, her manner was entirely changed. Indeed, from the moment of his arrival, the secretary and his party, one of the chief of whom was Raleigh, looked coldly on him; and it may be suspected Cecil and Sir Walter had in the interval inflamed her mind against him. Raleigh, conduct of indeed, who avowed himself his enemy, on finding that Raleigh. Elizabeth showed some disposition to relent, either felt or affected so much chagrin that he took to his bed, which occasioned her majesty to send for him; but Cecil, more cautious and refined, pretended pity, whilst he really studied to exasperate the royal resentment. All things now hurried on the fate of Essex: He was Essex examined and arraigned before the council; confined to arraigned. his chamber; cut off from intercourse with his family and friends; and treated with a rigour for which it is difficult to account. One of the letters he at this time addressed to Elizabeth is striking; and it says little certainly for the heart that could resist it : 66 My dear, my gracious, and my admired Sovereign Letter to is semper eadem. It cannot be, but that she will hear the Queen the sighs and groans, and read the lamentations and humble petitions of the afflicted. Therefore, O paper, whensoever her eyes vouchsafe to behold thee, say, that death is the end of all worldly misery, but continual indignation makes misery perpetual; that present misery is never intolerable to them that are stayed by future hope, but affliction that is unseen is commanded to despair; that nature, youth, and physic, have had many strong encounters; but if my sovereign will forget me, I have nourished these contentions too long; for in this exile of mine eyes, if mine humble letters find not access, no death can be so speedy as it shall be welcome to me, your majesty's humblest vassal, "ESSEX."* * Birch's Memoirs of Queen Elizabeth, vol. ii. p. 436. |