Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 10.djvu/616

 595 REIGN OF ELIZABETH. [en. 62. respond to his zeal. He lost hope at once of doing good, and was eloquent in his disapproval to Walsing- ham. ' The wrong end is begun at,' he said. ' Rebel- lion and disobedience to the Prince's word are chiefly regarded, and reformation sought of God's cause is made a second or nothing at all. I have received many challenges and instructions for the civil and politic government and caretaking to the husbandry of worldly treasure, where there is one article that concerns the looking to God's dear service, seeing his Church fed with true food, and repressing of superstition and idolatry. Nay, rather have I not been watch-worded that I should not be too eyeful therein. And I confess my sin. I have followed man too much in it, and this is the cause that neither the chief ean hearken to that that concerns both honour and safety most, nor you that persuade the truth can be believed ; nor I that desire the right can be satisfied. Baal's prophets and coun- cillors shall prevail. I see it is so. I see it is just. I see it past help. I rest despaired.' 1 The cause of Lord Grey's despondency is the one ray of light which falls on the records of this horrid time. Elizabeth's government, fierce as it was, did not quite sink to the level of the Catholic con- tinental tyrannies. Human creatures of all ages and both sexes were massacred in thousands, but the blood that was shed was not allowed to besmirch a name which in such connection is better left unwritten. Ormond, Grey to Walsingham, April 24 : MSS. Ireland.