Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 7.djvu/503

 1567.] THE MURDER OF DARNLEY. 483 can take money or other things or do as she will at her own pleasure without order ; but quietly to suffer her subjects to enjoy their own without wrongful oppression ; whereas other princes by their liberty do take as pleaseth them/ ' Your Majesty/ he went on turning to Elizabeth, orderly has called this Parliament, which perceived cer- tain wants and thereunto have put their helping hands, and for help of evil manners good laws are brought forth.' Then going to the sorest of all sore and wounding subjects, he concluded, ' we give hearty thanks to God for that your Highness has signified your pleasure of your inclination to marriage, which afore you were not given unto ; which is done for our safeguard, that when God shall call you you may leave of your own body to succeed you. Therefore God grant us that you will shortly embrace the holy state of matrimony when and with whom God shall appoint and shall best like your Majesty.' Elizabeth's humour, none the happiest at the com- mencement, was not improved by this fresh chafing of her galled side. She had come prepared to lecture others, not to listen to a homily. She beckoned Bacon to her and spoke a few words to him. He then rose and said that the general parts of the Speaker's address her Majesty liked well, and therefore he need not touch on them ; on the latter and more particular expressions used in it a few words were necessary.
 * has not attempted to make laws contrary to order, but