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CHAPTER X.

I am as I am, and so will I be;
But how that I am none knoweth truly:
Be it ill, be it well, be I bond, be I free,
I am as I am, and so will I be.

SIR THOMAS WYATT.

Fraud showed in comely clothes a lovely look,
An humble cast of eye, a sober pace;

And so sweet speech, a man might her have took
For him that said, "Hail, Mary, full of grace!"
But all the rest deformedly did look;

As full of filthiness and foul disgrace;
Hid under long, large garments that she wore,
Under the which a poisoned knife she bore.

SIR JOHN HARRINGTON.

SIR WALTER RALEIGH did find exceeding difficulty in the setting out upon his expedition, for Queen Elizabeth, in no way prodigal of her means where there might be doubt of advantage to her, readily enough listened to the misgivings of Lord Burghley, who was famous for keeping a tight hold upon the treasury; and the six goodly ships she had promised, dwindled to two. She delayed his starting from time to time, upon some insufficient pretext; and even seemed inclined, from things that his enemies gave out to his disadvantage, the in

stant he had left the court, to take from him the command and give it to another; but such a proceeding his associates in the adventure would not hear of, as she knew. At last he sailed with a fleet of fifteen sail, whereof two-the Garland and the Foresight-under the command of Sir John Burgh, were those of her majesty's providing; and the rest, with the provision of all things necessary, had been furnished by himself, Sir John Hawkins, and others his good friends-the captains, soldiers, and sailors therein being men of notable resolution, and of sufficient experience in such matters; but contrary winds obliging him to put back, and these continuing to blow for a long time, he was forced to keep harbour till he could proceed with better hope of success.

In the mean time there were not wanting those who made the opposition of the elements assume the appearance of culpable neglect in Sir Walter Raleigh, in consequence of which he had barely put to sea again when he was overtaken by Sir Martin Frobisher in a pinnace of my lord admiral's, called the Disdain, bringing her majesty's letters of recal, with a command to leave his charge in the hands of her officers. This, it may well be believed, he liked not to do-seeing that he had been in so much trouble and expense (amounting to a third of the whole cost) for the originating and fitting

out of the expedition, and was in a manner constrained not to abandon the interests of his fellow adventurers, who had put all their trust in his valour and skilfulness; so, fancying he could well excuse himself on his return, he would in no case relinquish his command: but held on his course. Speaking with a vessel from the Azores, he learned that Philip of Spain, getting notice of his expedition, had sent express orders to all the ports in the West Indian islands, and in Terra Firma, to lay no treasure aboard that year: therefore there could be small hope of getting the Plate fleet: but he turned not back till he met with a dreadful storm athwart Cape Finisterre that sunk some of his boats and pinnaces. Then giving such orders as he thought necessary for their future conduct, he put about ship; still in hope, but exceeding vexed.

It may well be believed that his beautiful young wife liked not his venturing himself on a voyage at that time, and parted not with him without infinite regret, and some fears of the issue; for Dame Elizabeth was in continual dread that the marriage would be discovered of the queen, whose temper she had much experience of; and doubted not that when she came to know of it, she would be wrath, beyond all hope of forgiveness, against her husband. Therefore went she in constant alarm.

Never loved woman more devotedly than she loved Sir Walter Raleigh; and as she could scarcely be brought to allow him to peril his fortunes for her safety-so entire and unselfish was her regard for him-she could do nothing but blame her own affectionateness for having brought him into such a strait. Her chiefest care was to deny her own marriage, which, she knew not how, had got bruited about; and she made Sir Walter promise, not only to deny it were he questioned, but by those attentions she knew the queen most liked, to put all thought of it out of her majesty's head. Her father and the merry Alice sought all occasion to second her endeavours, seeing that it was of so much moment to her peace of mind; but all their cares, and all her cousin's pleasant talk, removed not from her the conviction that she had been the ruin of him whose happiness she would have died to secure.

As for Master Francis-never youth went on so prosperously. Sir Walter seeing that he was apt and well disposed, every day took a greater liking to him. He would have him taught under his own eye all gentlemanly accomplishments, in the which he made such rapid progress as delighted him amazingly; and would frequently discourse to him of such matters as he thought the most likely to be of service hereafter. Such a change

took place in the scrivener's nephew, that he looked in no way the same person. He dressed in style, with a goodly feather in his hat, and a handsome rapier at his side; and having mingled continually with gallant knights and gentlemen, some of his shyness began to wear off. In truth, he was as handsome a youth as any of them, though still exceeding fair and delicate; the only sign of man in his appearance being a slight moustache on his upper lip the which, had Gib the call-boy seen, might somewhat have shaken his conviction of Master Francis's fitness to "do the women."

The duties of Sir Walter Raleigh's secretary consisted in most part of writing letters, keeping a journal of the voyage, and putting down, at his patron's dictation, remarks on such subjects as he was disposed to treat of. Of this employment the young secretary never tired, it was so agreeable to his humour; and so well did he quit himself, that he soon gained Sir Walter's entire confidence. That he thought much of his miserly uncle is not to be expected, but the mercer's daughter was a frequent subject of his reflections; and his last interview with her oft gave to his memory exceeding satisfaction. He had written to her since several times, and had received from her a few letters the which, though they were in some degree kind, he liked not, for they appeared unto

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