Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 10.djvu/482

 462 REIGN OF ELIZABETH. [CH. 6l. tive policy, and some consistency in following it. The policy which ultimately triumphed was that of her council, which she was perpetually thwarting. If she was consistent, she was consistent only in mutability. There was to be one more violent gyration. On the 8th of August, she was repudiating her pro- mises, withholding her bonds obstinately, and in every way refusing to assist the States either against France or Spain. On the 9th, a courier was flying to Yar- mouth, carrying a message which was instantly to be despatched to Walsingham, that ' if they would break off their dealings with Monsieur, they should have a hundred thousand pounds upon the spot ; she would send Leicester to them immediately with twelve thou- sand men/ 1 The revolution of sentiment, as brief as it was complete, was occasioned by the news of the battle of Ry men ant. The patriots had hitherto been uniformly unsuccessful in the field. On the 1st of August, Don John had again attacked them at an ad- vantage, expecting a second Gemblours. The States troops broke as before, but Col. Norris with three thousand English stood his ground ; and after a fierce engagement, in which he had himself three horses killed under him, the Spaniards fell back, leaving a thousand dead upon the field. The courage of her subjects for a moment infected the Queen. 'Her Majesty became suddenly minded without all scruple to offer aid. So long as the Spaniards were victors, 1 Burghley to Cobharn and Wai- I "Walsingham, August 9 : MSS. oingham, August 9 j Wilson to