Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 7.djvu/162

 1 42 REIGN OF ELIZABETH. JCH. 42 ceding summer were given over to their enemy bound hand and foot. Yet Elizabeth was weary of the expense, and sick of efforts which Were profitless as the cultiva- tion of a quicksand. True it was that she was placing half Ireland in the hands of an adulterous, murdering scoundrel ; but the Irish liked to have it so, and she forced herself to hope that he would restrain himself for the future within bounds of decency. Shan therefore with his galloglasse returned in glory, his purse lined with money, and honour wreathed about his brows. On reappearing in Tyrone he summoned the northern chiefs about him ; he told them that ' he had not gone to England to lose but to win ; ' they must submit to his rule henceforth or they should feel his power The O'Donnells, in vain reliance on the past promises of the Deputy, dared to refuse allegiance to him. With- out condescending to the form of consulting the Govern- ment at Dublin, he called his men to arms and marched into Tyrconnell, killing, robbing, and burning in the old style, through farm and castle. The Earl of Sussex, not knowing how to act, could but fall back on treachery. Shan was bound by his engagement to take the oath of allegiance in Dublin. The Lord Deputy desired him to present himself at the first opportunity. The safe-conduct which accompanied the request was ingeniously worded ; and enclosing a copy of it to Elizabeth, Sussex inquired whether in the event of Shan's coming to him he might not twist