Page:A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country (1804).djvu/358

344 diminution, was still farther lowered by successful naval attacks; and England gained the importance which that kingdom lost.

After the death of the earl of Leicester, Elizabeth had much distinguished the earl of Essex, a brave and learned, but impetuous young man, whose mistakes and mal-administration in Ireland, occasioned her displeasure, and whose passions afterwards hurried him into a rebellion. The queen could not suffer herself to sign his sentence, till persuaded that he disdained all application to her mercy, and even then did it with reluctance and sorrow. Public affairs soon occupied again her active mind; nor till she found that she had been cruelly deceived in this respect, did the memory of Essex seem to cast a cloud over her happiness:—but the countess of Nottingham, to whom he had delivered a ring once received from the hands of Elizabeth, as a token of high favour and promised protection against his enemies, confessed on her death-bed, that he had besought her to deliver it to the queen, and implore her pardon; but that her husband, who was his bitter enemy, had persuaded her to keep it.

Elizabeth, though constant to her friends, and grateful for every manifestation of attachment, by her willingness to overlook injuries which her susceptibility and pride made her feel most keenly, had often fully shewn how little she experienced the comfort of sincere and consistent regard. This appeal to her kindness, though from one who had forfeited all claims, struck her with horror and remorse. "God may forgive you," cried she, in the agony of her soul, "but I never can." This blow was very deeply felt; and the discovery she at that time made, that her confidential servants, in expectation of her death, were corresponding with her successor,