Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 7.djvu/504

 484 REIGN OF ELIZABETH. [011.45. ' Politic orders/ he said, * be the rules of all good acts, and touching them that you have made to the over- throwing of good laws ' (your Bill of Religion, with which you meant to tyrannize over conscience), ' these deserve reproof as well as the others deserve praise. In which like cause you err in bringing her Majesty's pre- rogative into question, and for that thing wherein she meant not to hurt any of your liberties. Her Majesty's nature however is mild ; she will not be austere ; and therefore though at this time she suffer you all to de- part quietly into your counties for your amendment, yet as it is needful she hopeth the offenders will hereafter use themselves well/ The Acts of the session were then read out and re- ceived the royal assent ; all seemed over, and it was by this time dusk ; when Elizabeth herself in the uncertain light rose from the throne, stood forward in her robes, and spoke. 1 My Lords and other Commons of this assembly : although the Lord Keeper hath according to order very well answered in my name, yet as a periphrasis I have a few words further to speak unto you, notwithstanding I have not been used nor love to do it in such open assem- blies. Yet now, not to the end to amend his talk, but remembering that commonly princes' own words are better printed in the hearers' memory than those spoken by her command, I mean to say thus much unto you. ' I have in this assembly found such dissimulation where I always professed plainness, that I marvel thereat ; yea two faces under one hood, and the body rotten,