Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 7.djvu/197

 1 564. ] THE E MB ASS Y OF DE SILVA. 177 both to forbear our money and to have Lad at this time no friendship by his means in the conclusion of the peace/ l The peace itself came not an hour too soon. Scarcely was it signed than news arrived from Italy that the Sacred College had repented of their first honest answer to the English Catholics who had asked leave to attend the established services. It had been decided in secret council to permit Catholics in disguise to hold benefices in England, to take the oaths of allegiance, and to serve Holy Church in the camp of the enemy. ' Remission of sin to them and their heirs with annuities, honours, and promotions/ was offered 'to any cook, brewer, baker, vintner, physician, grocer, surgeon, or other who would make away with the Queen ; ' the curse of God and his vicar was threatened against all those 'who would not promote and assist by money or otherwise the pretences of the Queen of Scots to the English crown ; ' 2 the Court of Rome, once illustrious as the citadel of the saints, was given over to Jesuitism and the devil ; and the Papal fanatics in England began to weave their endless web of conspiracy aiming amidst a thousand variations at the heart of Queen Elizabeth. The ruffle with France sunk speedily into May. calm. The ratifications were promptly ex- changed. Lord Hunsdon went to France, taking with 1 Elizabeth to Sir T. Smith, May 2 : French MSS. Rolls House 2 Report of E. Dennum, April 13, 1564 : STRYPE'S Annals of Eliza- beth^ vol. i., part 2, p. 54. VOL. VII. 12