peremptory
orders, still to proceed upon the question, Elizabeth thought proper, by
a message, to revoke them, and to allow the house liberty of debate.[*]
They were so mollified by this gracious condescension, that they
thenceforth conducted the matter with more calmness and temper, and they
even voted her a supply, to be levied at three payments, of a subsidy
and a fifteenth, without annexing any condition to it.

{1567.} The queen soon after dissolved the parliament, and told them,
with some sharpness in the conclusion, that their proceedings had
contained much dissimulation and artifice; that, under the plausible
pretences of marriage and succession, many of them covered very
malevolent intentions towards her; but that, however, she reaped this
advantage from the attempts of these men, that she could now distinguish
her friends from her enemies. "But do you think," added she, "that I am
unmindful of your future security, or will be negligent in settling the
succession? That is the chief object of my concern; as I know myself to
be liable to mortality. Or do you apprehend that I meant to encroach on
your liberties? No: it was never my meaning; I only intended to stop
you before you approached the precipice. All things have their time; and
though you maybe blessed with a sovereign more wise or more learned than
I, yet I assure you that no one will ever rule over you who shall be
more careful of your safety. And therefore, henceforward, whether I
live to see the like assembly or no, or whoever holds the reins of
government, let me warn you to beware of provoking your sovereign's
patience, so far as you have done mine. But I shall now conclude, that,
notwithstanding the disgusts I have received, (for I mean not to part
with you in anger), the greater part of you may assure themselves that
they go home in their prince's good graces."[**]

Elizabeth carried further her dignity on this occasion. She had received
the subsidy without any condition; but as it was believed that the
commons had given her that gratuity with a view of engaging her to yield
to their requests, she thought proper, on her refusal, voluntarily
to remit the third payment; and she said, that money in her subjects'
purses was as good to her as in her own exchequer.[***]

* D'Ewes, p. 130.

** D'Ewes, p. 116, 117.

*** J Camden, p. 400.

But though the queen was able to elude, for the present, the
applications of parliament, the frie