Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 11.djvu/209

 1581.] VOYAGE OF SIR FRANCIS DRAKE. 193 bigny had brought the Jesuits into Scotland, and Mor- ton being gone the English party was broken to pieces , to every one but the Queen herself it appeared more than likely that France would be irrecoverably affronted ; and that, using Scotland as a base to operate from, the united Catholic powers would invade England before another year had passed over their heads. ' A doom predestined ' could alone explain to Walsinff- 1 September. ham the infatuation of his mistress. * There is no one thing/ he sadly wrote to Burghley, ' that does so assuredly prognosticate that some unavoidable mischief is to grow out of Scotland against her Ma- jesty, as that her Highness of late has no power to put anything in execution that tends to the prevention thereof. Such as do love her Majesty can but lament it, and pray to God to open her eyes to see and do what may be most for her salvation. . . I see her Majesty not disposed to redeem her peril otherwise than neces- sity shall lead her ; who is one of the most dangerous pilots that can take helm in hand, for where necessity rules, election and consent can take no place.' 1 ' What may move her hereafter,' replied Burghley, no less mournfully, ' I know not ; but I see it common to great and small not to think of adversity in time of prosperity, and so adversity comes with double peril.' * Once more the faithful Walsingham, ' beknaved ' as he was whenever her pleasure was crossed, attempted to ' Walsingham to Burghley, Au- gust 20 : MdS. France. September 2 Buvghley to Walsingham, September: DIGGES. 13 : DIGGES VOL. xi 13