Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 11.djvu/297

 1582.] THE JESUITS IN SCOTLAND. 281 the ruins of our house before it fall on our heads, and that this present husbandry shall be found like the huswifry of Calais. You see the towardness of the King, easy now to be carried into such courses as by her Majesty and council shall be found best. The Lords, with the King and all the religious, earnestly press the same. If the work be at this time stayed or fail, the building, I think, will never hereafter prosper, for our credit, broken so far, shall be unable to repair the breach ; and the loss of the good instruments to be now cast away will not suddenly be recovered. 'Because that I perceive my labours herein shall bring forth great discomfort to good men that in the end are like to be abandoned, and also more disgrace to myself, that have no power to perform the effects meet to be promised them that may work contentation and commodity to her Majesty, for .whom I am ready to lay down my life, therefore I see it high time to stay my further progress in these matters, and right humbly do pray you that I may be speedily called away to live at my charge in such poor estate as shall please God and her Majesty to appoint me. The thousand pounds I received for these purposes remain entirely with me, and ready to be returned or bestowed as shall please her Majesty to direct me. I beseech you procure me di- rections, that I may know what to do therewith, being loath to touch the same or hereafter persuade the open- ing of her Majesty's purse, but rather to choose for the present a heavy burden on my weak back, to answer all things for her Majesty's service in my charge.'