Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 11.djvu/239

 1582.] VOYAGE OF SIR FRANCIS DRAKE. 223 must receive an instrument from the French King bind- ing him to go to war with Spain at his own cost. They answered that she had used the same words to them before ; they had helieved her, and had been blamed for their credulity. She replied that these were not words but oaths, which she had sworn as a Queen and a Chris- tian. She called God to witness that she was speaking truth. Then, as if the blame for past miscarriages had rested not with her but with France, she pretended that if, after so long a negotiation, the instrument was not sent, she must suppose she was trifled with. Unless Alencon was her husband, neither the King nor he should have a foot in the Low Countries while she had a man left to fight, or a shilling to spend. ' You think I want friends/ she said ; ' you fancy that if your King abandon me, I am lost. At this moment the King of Spain is courting my friendship at my feet, swearing that he will stand by me against every prince in Chris- tendom, if I will leave France and renew my league with the House of Burgundy. Say to your master that if there is more delay and the marriage is again postponed, I will not be cheated with words ; I will accord with the King of Spain.' l The King of Spain being at Elizabeth's feet was a somewhat bold figure of speech. It was true that he was anxious for the English alliance. It was true that he was willing to forget the Queen's excommunica- tion and the persecution of the Jesuits ; but he intended Mendoza to Philip, May 4, 1582.