lowing her to be still the queen's equal in rank and dignity,
self-defence was permitted by a law of nature which could never
be abrogated: and every one, still more a queen, had sufficient
jurisdiction over an enemy, who, by open violence, and still more, who,
by secret treachery, threatened the utmost danger against her life; that
the general combination of the Catholics to exterminate the Protestants
was no longer a secret; and as the sole resource of the latter
persecuted sect lay in Elizabeth, so the chief hope which the former
entertained of final success consisted in the person and in the title
of the queen of Scots; that this very circumstance brought matters to
extremity between these princesses; and rendering the life of one the
death of the other, pointed out to Elizabeth the path which either
regard to self-preservation, or to the happiness of her people, should
direct her to pursue: and that necessity, more powerful than policy,
thus demanded of the queen that resolution which equity would authorize,
and which duty prescribed.[**]

* Digges, p. 276. Strype, vol. ii. p. 48, 135, 136, 139.

** Camden, p. 533.

{1587.} When Elizabeth thought that as many importunities had been
used, and as much delay interposed, as decency required, she at last
determined to carry the sentence into execution: but even in this final
resolution she could not proceed without displaying a new scene of
duplicity and artifice. In order to alarm the vulgar, rumors were
previously dispersed, that the Spanish fleet was arrived in Milford
Haven; that the Scots had made an irruption into England; that the duke
of Guise was landed in Sussex with a strong army; that the queen of
Scots was escaped from prison, and had raised an army; that the northern
counties had begun an insurrection; that there was a new conspiracy on
foot to assassinate the queen, and set the city of London on fire; nay,
that the queen was actually assassinated.[*] An attempt of this nature
was even imputed to L'Aubespine, the French ambassador; and that
minister was obliged to leave the kingdom. The queen, affecting to be
in terror and perplexity, was observed to sit much alone, pensive and
silent; and sometimes to mutter to herself half sentences, importing the
difficulty and distress to which she was reduced.[**]

* Camden, p. 533.

** Camden, p. 534.

She at last called Davison, a man of parts, but easy to be imposed on,
and who had lately