Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 10.djvu/74

 $4 REIGN OF ELIZABETH. (011.57. danger thereof. This carelessness cannot come of herself, and therefore is the more to be feared ; for naturally there is none but if they knew of any that determines and conspires their death, but they will seek all the ways and means they can to prevent the same in such sort as they may sleep without fear ; and thus, what is it for her Majesty, who knows the malice of her enemies to be so great, as there shall be no practice left unsought for nor unexecuted ; and yet, as I fear, she is made to believe she is in no peril. God grant, that if any do so persuade her, they be not such as would rejoice at her fall. The world knows her to be wise, and surely there cannot be a greater point of wis- dom than for any to be careful of their own estate, and especially the preservation of their own life. How much more needful is it for her Majesty to take heed, upon whose life depends a whole commonwealth, the utter ruin of the whole country, and the utter subversion of religion. And if by her negligence or womanish pity these things happen, what she hath to answer for to God she herself knows. God forbid that any should advise her to be bloody, if her surety may be without blood ; but if matters fall out so that she cannot be sure without it, better for some members to be cut off than the whole body to perish. My Lord, I know you to be wise and careful of her estate. Let not the fear of offending others cause you to suffer her to run headlong into her own destruction. Let her remember the wise and politic government of all her predecessors, and of all the princes of the world, which is to spare none which