Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 11.djvu/161

 1580.] YOYAGE OF SIR FRANCIS DRAKE. 145 merit. For her own sake I felt assured that she would make an example of such men, considering how foul and pernicious their example had been, and the grave incon veniences which would arise if they were tolerated. The Queen herself, I said, had received far different treat- ment from your Majesty. You had given her life and crown, and as yet no Spanish sword had been drawn against her, 1 although I myself had many a time en- countered English in the field who were fighting by the side of the Flanders rebels. In Spain her subjects had nothing but kindness from your Majesty, entirely out of consideration for herself. ' She did not dispute the truth of my allegations. She said she valued your friendship much. She trusted that she would never lose it ; and then again for three hours she laboured to extract from me the destination of your Majesty's fleet. ' I studiously encouraged her uneasiness. In preg-' nant and ambiguous language, I told her that she must not be surprised if I could give her no information. Your Majesty had the infidel at your door as a constant enemy. Your provinces were in rebellion, and many others had done you an ill turn. Your resources were so great that you could either concentrate your force or divide it upon more enterprises than one. It was im- possible to say therefore what your intentions might be. ' Finding she could extract nothing from me by 1 Julian, who came with Fitz- I only in a subordinate capacity. The maurice to Ireland, was an Italian. There were Spaniards with him, Imt second detachment had not yet ar- rived. 10