Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 9.djvu/295

 1 5 70.] EXCOMMUNICA TION OF ELTZABE TH. 281 reign in Europe would sit down under such a provo- cation, and she would count herself unworthy of realm, crown, and name of Queen if she endured it.' La Mothe replied that the King of France could not desert his sister-in-law ; Elizabeth might name her own conditions, and his master would undertake that they should be observed ; but if she continued to palter, he would be forced, however unwillingly, to interfere, and would hold himself acquitted before God and the world for any consequences which might follow. ' It was easy to speak of conditions/ the Queen an- swered, 'but she must have better security than words for their fulfilment. The Bishop of Ross had said that the abdication of Lochleven went for nothing. Francis I. had disowned the engagements with which he had bound himself in Spain ; and even Maitland had been heard to say that promises given under restraint were nothing. 1 The Earl of Westmoreland, notwithstanding the harrying of the Borders, was still the guest of the Hamiltons.' Bacon caught the opportunity, while the indignation at the Bishop's book was fresh, to urge her to strike another blow in Scotland, and show France that she was not to be frightened by La Mothe's threats. Lennox had gone down to Berwick, and couriers followed him with orders to Sussex again to set his troops in motion. The words which Maitland was j eidem.' Depeches de La Mothe Fenelon, May 8, 1570. Compare said to have used were ' Qua? in vinculis aguntur rata non habebo MSS. MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS, May, et frangetlti fidera, fides frangatur 1570, Rolls House.