Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 9.djvu/303

 1570] EXCOMMUNICATION OF ELIZABETH. 289 In the pause which followed, Arundel struck in with affected moderation. 1 They were met/ he said, ' to consider certain dan- gers which threatened the realm, and neither from anger nor passion, nor from any love or hatred which they might feel for the Queen of Scots, should they mis- lead their mistress at such a crisis ; least of all should they quarrel among themselves, for the situation de- manded all the prudence and discretion which they pos- sessed. He thought for himself that to support by force the party in Scotland, who, for whatever cause, were in arms against their Sovereign, was neither wise, just, nor advantageous. The expense would be enormous, the difficulties far more considerable than those who re- commended that course appeared to imagine. It would offend a powerful party in England whom it was unsafe to irritate, and would lead in the end to a war with the Continental Powers, which England was in no condition to sustain. The French ambassador could not have spoken so peremptorily without commission, and to withdraw from any enterprise to preserve the peace of the world was neither dishonourable nor dangerous. Henry VIII. might possibly have persevered, but under Henry VIII. England was loyal and united, and even Henry himself did not venture upon a war with France without the Emperor for an ally. Now the whole situation was altered. The Catholic King was estranged. The English people were discontented and divided. Let her Majesty secure peace at home, let her deserve the friendship and confidence of other princes, and she would do what VOL. IX. 19