Page:A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country (1804).djvu/357

Rh of the crimes her rebellious subjects alledged against her, she could not be admitted into her presence; and led her on by insidious pretences to submit her ease to the decision of the laws, favouring her enemies, till the injuries heaped upon the unhappy queen rendered it unsafe to act more generously towards her: her life really began to be dangerous to Elizabeth, and it was therefore sacrificed at the block, in contradiction to every principle of generous hospitality and justice.

Yet while the eye turns disgusted from the ungenerous policy and dissimulation of Elizabeth, it sees, with admiration, her undaunted courage and conduct at the apprehended attacks by sea and land of her enemy, Philip of Spain, who made such preparations for the overthrow of England as Europe had never before witnessed. Seconded by the chearful alacrity of her subjects, the inadequate preparations her country could at that time afford against his immense force was diligently prepared. She engaged the aid or connivance of all the protestant states and towns, and the liberal spirit of toleration which regulated her behaviour to her catholic subjects, made them also forget religious prejudices, and join heartily in defence of their country.

When the Invincible Armada was upon the seas, and in daily expectation of landing, she went to her camp at Tilbury, rode through all the squadrons of her army, and addressed them in a patriotic oration, in which she declared the confidence she placed in her people, that she was ready to live or die with them, and raised their emulation by the display of her own fortitude.

The entire discomfiture and destruction of these immense preparations, filled the English with joy, and made their sovereign still more dear to them. The power and riches of Spain, which by this blow suffered great