Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 10.djvu/50

 REIGN OF ELIZABETH. [CH. 57, pointinent, began to talk of Scotland and the noblemen in the Tower and Burghley and Burghley 's policy. Burghley, he said, ' held the helm and did all in all ; ' and then with a glance at his guest exclaimed, 'Men must all die, and a noble death is better than a shame- ful life. Oh for some man of spirit who would kill that wretch and cut him in pieces ! * l The fire was thus lighted, and Borghesi, as January. JVf ather left the house, threw fresh fuel upon it. ' It was a fine thing to die sword in hand/ he said; ' and if Burghley was taken away, all would go well.' Mather asked him if he thought it could be done : Borghesi said that a resolute man could do it with ease. ' Then/ cried Mather, ' I will do some service to the common cause, or it shall cost me my life/ 2 He went home to his companion swelling with hope and pride, and together they sat into the night talking of ' how good it was to have a name and die famous/ They reminded ono another of Poltrot and Bothwellhaugh and of the mean men who governed England, while sparks of metal like themselves were passed by without employment. Re- gicide in some aspects presented the most temptation. ' The Queen's Beefs ' were poor creatures, whom a hand^ ful of determined men could easily dispatch, and the rest of the household were ' perfumed minions such as 1 The ambassador said, Perche un huomo ha da morire, e meglio prender una honorata morte che vivere una vituperiosa vita. Bisogna eke qualche huonio di spirito am- mazza e taglia in pezzi,' adjoining thereto an injurious word, 'poltrono.' Confession of Mather, January 8 - M.SS. Hatfield. 2 Ibid.
 * To kill a Sovereign would make their fame immortal/