Page:The Psychology of Shakespeare.pdf/54

Rh which Pope Pius had "let fly at her Majestie" was "in very deed of no effect, seeing God hath blessed her with so great and miraculous a vertue." He proceeds:

"This mention of Queen Elizabeth (there is a magnetic vertue in stories for one to attract another,) minds me of a passage in the beginning of her reign. Making her progresse into Gloucestershire, people affected with this disease did in such uncivil crowds press in upon her; insomuch that her Majestie, between anger, grief, and compassion, did let fall words to this effect: Alasse, poor people, I cannot—I cannot cure you; it is God alone that can doe it. Which some people interpreted (contrary to her intent and practice, continuing such cures to the day of her death,) an utter renouncing and disclaiming of any instrumentall efficacy in herself. Whereas she only removed her subjects eyes from gazing on her to look up to Heaven. For men's minds naturally are so dull and heavy, that instead of traveling with their thanks to God, the cause of all cures, they lazily take up their lodging more than half-way this side, mistaking the dealer for the Giver of their recovery."

An explanation more ingenious than ingenuous; for Fuller must have noticed that the Queen disclaimed even the power of dealing the cure.