Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 10.djvu/97

 I572-] THE DUKE OF NORFOLK. 77 done his best to help her, but she would not ; ' l and Walsingham, who had talked the matter over with the Queen-mother, impressed on Burghley, who was already of the same opinion, that ' the life of that devilish wo- man ' was the great obstacle to the permanence of the alliance. If she were once dead, all questions about the English succession, the disposal of her person, and the government of Scotland would be at an end. Eliza- beth's want of resolution in punishing the Duke of Nor- folk, and her disregard of her own safety, left it possible that she might still be murdered, and that the Queen of Scots might succeed. ' That doubt taken away, the King would be content to yield to anything which Elizabeth might desire/ 2 But Walsingham said and he reported the words as the opinion of Coligny ' Unless her Majesty did proceed roundly in cutting off inward diseases at home, the outward medicine of treaties would stand her in no stead;' and Sir Thomas Smith more plainly : ' If her Majesty deceive herself, arid with irresolution make all princes to understand that there is no certainty in her Majesty nor her council, but dal- liance and farding off of time, her Majesty shall first discredit her ministers, which is not much, but next and by them discredit herself, to be counted as uncertain, irre- solute, uiiconstant, and for no prince to trust unto but as to a courtier who hath words at will and true deeds none/ 3 April. 1 Sir T. Smith to Burghley, March 22 : DIGGES. 2 Walsingham to Burghley, April 4: DIGGES. 3 Walsingham to Burghley, April 22 ; Sir Thomas Smith to Burghley, April 22 : DIGGES.