the queen; the subject,
as containing the deposition of a lawful prince, was in itself
unpalatable; but what gave the work in her jealous eyes a peculiar and
sinister meaning was an expression addressed to the earl which may be
thus rendered: "You are great both in present judgement and future
expectation."

Hayward was detained a considerable time in prison; and the queen, from
an idle suspicion that the piece was in fact the production of some more
dangerous character, declared that she would have him racked to
discover the secret. "Nay, Madam," answered Francis Bacon, "he is a
Doctor; never rack his person, but rack his style. Let him have pen, ink
and paper, and help of books, and be enjoined to continue the story
where it breaketh off; and I will undertake, by collating the styles, to
judge whether he were the author or no." And thus her mind was diverted
from this atrocious purpose!

Measures had now been carried too far against the earl to admit of his
speedy restoration to favor, whatever might be the secret sentiments of
her majesty in his behalf; and her conduct respecting him preserved a
vacillating and undecided character which marks the miserable perplexity
of her mind, no longer enlightened by the clear and dispassionate
judgement of Burleigh.

On one occasion she spoke of the earl with such favor as greatly
troubled the opposite party. Soon after, on his sending to her his
patents of master of the horse and master of the ordnance, she
immediately returned them to him; and at the same time his lady had
leave to visit him. Two days after, the queen ordered a consultation of
eight physicians upon his case, who gave little hope of his life, but
earnestly recommended that his mind should be quieted; on which, unable
longer to conceal her feelings, she sent Dr. James to him with some
broth and the message, that he should comfort himself, and that if she
might consistently with her honor she would visit him; and it was noted
that she had tears in her eyes as she spoke. But it was soon after
hinted to her, that though divines watched by the bed of the earl and
publicly prayed for him in their pulpits, some of them "with speeches
tending to sedition," his life was in no real danger. On this, she
refused his sisters, his son, and his mother-in-law permission to visit
him, and ceased to make inquiries after his health, which was in no long
time restored. A rich new year's gift, which was sent "as it were in a
cl