oud no man knew how," but thought to come from the earl, was left for
some time in the hands of sir William Knolles, as neither accepted nor
refused, but finally rejected with disdain on some new accession of
anger. Yet the letters of lady Rich in his behalf were read, and her
many presents received, as well as one from the countess of Leicester.

Lady Essex was now restrained for a time from making her daily visits to
her husband, and the queen declared her intention of bringing him before
the Star-chamber; but on his writing a very submissive letter, which was
delivered by the secretary, the design was dropped; and the secretary,
who had been earnest in his intercession with her majesty to spare this
infliction, gained in consequence much credit with the public. About the
middle of March the earl was suffered to remove, under the
superintendance of a keeper, to his own house; for which he returned
thanks to her majesty in very grateful terms, saying that "this further
degree of her goodness sounded in his ears as if she had said, 'Die not,
Essex; for though I punish thine offence, and humble thee for thy good,
yet will I one day be served again by thee.' And my prostrate soul," he
adds, "makes this answer, 'I hope for that blessed day.'" Two months
afterwards, however, perceiving no immediate prospect of his return to
favor or to liberty, he addressed her in a more expostulating style,
thus:

* * * * *

"Before all letters written with this hand be banished, or he that sends
this enjoin himself eternal silence, be pleased, I humbly beseech your
majesty, to read over these few lines. At sundry times and by several
messengers, I received these words as your majesty's own; that you meant
to correct, but not to ruin. Since which time, when I languished in four
months sickness; forfeited almost all that I was able to engage; felt
the very pangs of death upon me; and saw that poor reputation,
whatsoever it was, that I had hitherto enjoyed, not suffered to die with
me, but buried and I alive; I yet kissed your majesty's fair correcting
hand, and was confident in your royal words. For I said unto myself,
Between my ruin and my sovereign's favor there is no mean: and if she
bestow favor again, she gives with it all things that in this world I
either need or desire. But now, the length of troubles, and the
continuance, or rather the increase, of your majesty's indignation, hath
made all men so a