Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 11.djvu/212

 K)6 REIGN OF ELIZABETH. [CH. 64. of Elizabeth to share its cost. It fared the worse with Don Antonio. The King disclaimed the ships which had gone to Terceira, and left them to be dealt with as pirates by the Marquis of Santa Cruz, who had gone in search of them. Elizabeth came to a final resolution to detain the squadron at Plymouth. Don Antonio applied again for leave to sail. She said she could not offend her good brother the King of Spain. He asked for 3O,ooo/., which it appears she had promised to lend him upon his jewels. She replied that she could not furnish him with means to make war upon her ally. He re- quested that his jewels should be restored to him. She said he must repay first the instalment which had been advanced on their security. He flung away in desper- ation. He cursed the day when he came to England. He offered his unlucky ships for sale again, and demand- ed his passports to begone. Leicester's intercession at last prevailed so far, that four out of the ten which had been equipped were allowed to go, the jewels being left as a pledge that Don Antonio should do no injury to any sovereign with whom Elizabeth was at peace. Twelve thousand pounds were advanced to him by the London merchants, from which his debt to the Queen was deducted ; and a vague hope was held out to him. that the rest of his fleet might eventually follow. An order, some months later, went to Plymouth for their release. A council warrant followed to detain them. At length in the usual fashion the responsibility was cast on Don Antonio's friends. The order for the de- tention was outwardly sustained, while Walsinghani, in