Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 7.djvu/555

 1565.] DEATH OF a NEIL. . 535 before him four thousand head of cattle. Instead of the ' intended four presidencies in Ireland, there would soon be only one ; and Shan O'Neil did not mean to rest till he had revived the throne of his ancestors, and reigned once more in ' Tara's halls.' ' Excuse me for writing; plainly what I /. October. think/ said Lord Clanrickard to Sir William Fitzwilliam. ' I assure you it is an ill likelihood to- ward that the realm if it be not speedily looked unto will be at a hazard to come as far out of her Majesty's hands as ever it was out of the hands of any of her pre- decessors. Look betimes to these things, or they will grow to a worse end.' l The evil news reached England at the crisis of the convulsion which had followed the Darnley marriage. The Protestants in Scotland had risen in rebellion, rely- ing on Elizabeth's promises ; and Argyle, exasperated at her desertion of Murray, was swearing that he would leave his kinsmen unrevenged, and would become Shan's ally and friend. Mary Stuart was shaking her sword upon the Border at the head of 20,000 men ; and Eli- zabeth, distracted between the shame of leaving her en- gagements unredeemed or bringing the Irish and Span- iards upon her head, was in no humour -to encounter fresh troubles. Shan's words were as smooth as ever; his expedition to Connaught was represented as having been undertaken in the English interest. On his return he sent ' a petition ' to have ' his title and rule ' deter- Clanrickard to Fitzwilliam, Oct. 11 : Irish MSS. Rolls House.