in such wise, to the no small discomfiture
of all about her, more especially our sweet lady Arundel, that _Venus
plus quam venusta_."

[Note 141: Changed in countenance.]

* * * * *

In the month of October 1601, the wants of her treasury compelled the
queen to call a parliament. Her procession to the house had something
gloomy and ominous; the people, still resenting the death of their
favorite, whom they never could be taught to regard as a traitor to his
sovereign, refused to gratify her ears as formerly with those
affectionate acclamations on which this wise and gracious princess had
ever placed so high a value. The house of commons however, in
consideration of her extraordinary expenses in the Irish wars, granted a
supply large beyond example. Having thus deserved well of her majesty,
they ventured to revive the topic of monopolies, the crying grievance of
the age, against which the former parliament had petitioned her, but
without effect. It was universally allowed, that the granting of
exclusive privileges to trade in certain articles was a prerogative
inherent in the crown; and though the practice so lavishly adopted by
Elizabeth of providing in this manner for her courtiers without expense
to herself, had rendered the evil almost intolerable, the ministerial
members insisted strongly that no right existed in the house to frame a
bill for its redress. It was maintained by them, that the dispensing
power possessed by the queen would enable her to set at nought any
statute which could be made in this matter;--in short, that she was an
absolute prince; and consequently that the mode of petition, of which
the last parliament had proved the inefficacy, was the only course of
proceeding open to them. Other members, in whose bosoms some sparks of
liberty had now been kindled, supported the bill which had been offered
to the house: the event was, that in the midst of the debate the queen
sent for the speaker, to inform him that she would voluntarily cancel
some of the patents which had excited most discontent.

This concession, though extorted doubtless by necessity, was yet made
with so good a grace, that her faithful commons were filled with
admiration and gratitude. One member pronounced the message "a gospel of
glad tidings;" others employed phrases of adulation equally profane;--a
committee was appointed to return their acknowledgements to her majesty,
who kneeled for some time a