Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 7.djvu/106

 86 REIGN OF ELIZABETH. [en. 41. foolishness. 'If she tried that way she would come to no good/ For both their own sakes and for the sake of both the countries she implored the Queen of Scots to avoid a, course which might "' become a perpetual reproof to both of them through all posterity/ If she married the Archduke, England must and would accept that act as a declaration of hostility. If she would take advice which she might assure herself was well meant towards her, she would marry some one to whom no suspicion could be attached. Her title should then be examined, and should receive the fullest support which she herself could give it ( her own natural inclination being most given to further her sister's interest and to impeach what should seem to the contrary.' As to the person an English nobleman would best please the English nation ; and measuring the attractive- ness of the offer by her self-sacrifice in making it, Eliza- beth said that ' she could be content to give her one whom perchance it could be hardly thought she could agree unto.' But she would not bind the Queen of Scots to this choice or to that ; England required only that she should not marry any one * of such greatness as suspicion might be gathered that he might intend trouble to the realm ; ' she might take a husband where I she pleased ' so as he was not. sought to change the Vgolicy ' of the English nation, which it was certain ' that they would in no wise bear.' l What right, it has been asked impatiently, had Eliza- 1 Instructions to Randolph, August 20: Cotton. MSS., CALTG. B. 10. Matter committed to Thomas Randolph, August, 1563 : Scotch MSS. Holla House.