Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 9.djvu/188

 *74 REIGN OF ELIZABETH. [.' was glad of the coming of the letters, because I looked long for them, and secondly, because I hoped for better news than I have therein found, and especially in yours, which hath so appalled me as I am almost senseless, considering the time, the necessity her Majesty hath of assured friends, the needfulness of good and sound counsel, and the small care it seems she hath of either. Either she is bewitched, or else this practice of her destruction which was meant should have taken place perforce and by arms, being burst out before the time, being partly discovered and a little overthrown, is meant to be performed by practice and policy. For what nearer way can there be to achieve to this purpose than to discredit her faithfullest councillors, and to absent her most assured friends from her, whereby they may work all things at their will ? I will condemn none, but God send her Majesty to have trusty friends about her and to follow good counsel ; for although the upper skin of this wound be partly healed, the wound festers, and if it burst out again I fear me it will be past cure. It grieves me to see that her Majesty cannot be induced to think well of those that serve her best/ Considering that as yet not a single blow had been struck in the rebellion, and that the active violence had been confined to the bloodless capture of Barn castle, the work of vengeance which the council of York were unwillingly compelled to execute had been beyond ex- ample cruel. Though the leaders had escaped, many gentlemen had been taken in the closeness of the pursuit,