and the
light which they reflect on the behaviour and sentiments of Elizabeth in
this matter. "I had speech with her majesty yesternight after my
departure from you, and I did find that the success of my speech
(although I hoped for good) yet did much overrun my expectation.... I
made her majesty see what, in your health, in your fortune, in your
reputation in the world, you had suffered since the time that it was her
pleasure to commit you; I told her how many friends and well-wishers the
world did afford you, and how, for the most part, throughout the whole
realm her best subjects did wish that she would do herself the honor to
repair for you and restore to you that state which she had overthrown;
your humble suffering of these harms and reverend regard to her majesty,
must needs move a princess so noble and so just, to do you right; and
more I had said, if my gift of speech had been any way comparable to my
love. Her majesty, seeing her judgement opened by the story of her own
actions, showed a very feeling compassion of you, she gave you many
praises, and among the rest, that she seemed to please herself in was,
that you were a man of her own choice. In truth she was so well pleased
with those things that she spake and heard of you, that I dare (if of
things future there be any assurance) promise to myself that your peace
will be made to your content and the desire of your friends, I mean in
her favor and your own fortune, to a better estate than, or at least the
same you had, which with all my power I will employ myself to effect."
&c.

That these sanguine hopes were soon checked, appears by the following
passage of a subsequent letter. "I have, as I could, taken my
opportunity since I saw you to perform as much as I promised you; and
though in all I have been able to effect nothing, yet even now I have
had better leisure to solicit the queen than in this stormy time I did
hope for. My beginning was, as being amongst others entreated to move
her in your behalf; my course was, to lay open your sufferings and your
patience; in them you had felt poverty, restraint and disgrace, and yet
you showed nothing but faith and humility; faith, as being never wearied
nor discouraged to do her service, humbleness, as content to forget all
the burdens that had been laid upon you, and to serve her majesty with
as frank and willing a heart as they that have received greatest grace
from her. To this I received no answer but in gene