is
original resolution of marching immediately against Tyrone, and
spending his first efforts in the suppression of a minor revolt in
Munster:--an attempt in which he encountered a resistance so much more
formidable than he had anticipated, and found himself so ill supported
by his troops, whom the nature of the service speedily disheartened,
that its results were by no means so brilliant as to strike terror into
Tyrone or the other insurgents. What was still worse, almost four months
were occupied in this service, and the forces returned sick, wearied,
and incredibly reduced in number by various accidents.

Learning that the queen was much displeased at this expedition into
Munster, Essex addressed a letter to the privy-council, in which, after
affirming that he had performed his part to the best of his abilities
and judgement, he thus proceeded: "But as I said, and ever must say, I
provided for this service a breastplate, and not a cuirass; that is, I
am armed on the breast, but not on the back. I armed myself with
confidence that rebels in so unjust a quarrel could not fight so well as
we could in a good. Howbeit if the rebels shall but once come to know
that I am wounded on the back, not slightly, but to the heart, as I fear
me they have too true and too apparent advertisement of this kind; then
what will be their pride and the state's hazard, your lordships in your
wisdoms may easily discern."

In a subsequent letter, the warmth of his friendship for Southampton
breaks out in the following eloquent and forcible appeal.--"But to leave
this, and come to that which I never looked I should have come to, I
mean your lordships' letter touching the displacing of the earl of
Southampton; your lordships say, that her majesty thinketh it strange,
and taketh it offensively, that I should appoint him general of the
horse, seeing not only her majesty denied it when I moved it, but gave
an express prohibition to any such choice. Surely, my lord, it shall be
far from me to contest with your lordships, much less with her majesty.
Howbeit, God and my own soul are my witnesses, that I had not in this
nomination any disobedient or irreverent thought; that I never moved her
majesty for the placing of any officer, my commission fully enabling me
to make free choice of all officers and commanders of the army. I
remember, that her majesty in her privy-chamber at Richmond, I only
being with her, showed a dislike of his having any office;