"Ah!" "Dost listen, Dick?" "With all my ears, excellent Will." "I do assure thee-she is a most-delicious creature." "Out on thee, thou aggravating-tantalizing-abominable caitiff!" cried Master Burbage, impatiently; for Master Shakspeare had said the preceding sentence so slowly, and with so much emphasis on the last words; and the sentence was so different from what he had expected, that he seemed terribly put out at it. "I do forswear thy acquaintance from this. Nay I will not remain another moment in thy villanous neighbourhood;" and whilst Master Shakspeare and the beautiful Joanna were laughing heartily, Master Burbage made all haste to get out of the house. CHAPTER X. I am as I am, and so will I be; But how that I am none knoweth truly : SIR THOMAS WYATT. Fraud showed in comely clothes a lovely look, And so sweet speech, a man might her have took Hid under long, large garments that she wore, 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 instant 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 va~ lour 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 of the West India 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 lettersthe which, though they were in some degree kind, he liked not, for they appeared unto him scarce kind enough; but though this gave him no little uneasiness, he doubted not when he returned, to find her everything he wished. Nothing could exceed the respect and admiration he felt for Sir Walter Raleigh, for he was of that disposition to be most sensible of Sir Walter's friendliness towards him; and his own intelligence which, for his years, was great indeed, enabled him the more correctly to appreciate the other's singular fine genius in all things. One evening, as they were homeward bound, they were together in Sir Walter's cabin, which was pleasantly fitted up with all manner of charts, some few books on choice subjects, and divers instruments necessary for the voyage. Master Francis sat writing at a table that was made fast to the flooring, and which was lighted by a lamp that swung from above; and his patron walked up and down the room with folded arms and grave aspect, occasionally stopping to dictate something to his secretary which the latter presently put to paper. This had continued for some two hours or more, when Sir Walter stopped in his walk, and the other thinking that he was about to say something of moment, leaning his left arm on the table and holding his pen in readiness, in an attitude of profound attention did look up into his patron's face; but Sir Walter, at that time, thought of no other thing than the pale and pensive countenance of the youth before him, for the light from the lamp falling on it as he sat in that position, gave to him an appearance so delicate that it clean put all other subjects out of his head. "So you know not your parentage?" said he at last, in a very friendly tone of voice. Master Francis was taken by surprise as it were at this, as he looked for other sort of speech from him; and his features presently were clouded with a sudden melancholy. “Aught more than I have told you, honourable sir, know I not," he replied. "Tis a strange history," observed the other. "In truth it is," said his secretary very dejectedly. "I have taxed my memory more than once," continued Sir Walter, "to see if among all mine acquaintances there was one whose name would answer to the initials you have on the miniature, but with small profit. Certain it is, that when I was seeking to advance the Protestant cause on the plains of Flanders under that experienced soldier, Sir John Norris, in my company there was one Holdfast, whose christian name, methinks, was Francis." "Ha!" exclaimed the youth, earnestly. "Perchance it was my father." "I doubt it, Master Francis," said Sir Walter, kindly to him. "He was but an indifferent fellow-a mere adventurer, and a sorry character, by all accounts. It was said of him he had left England to avoid a marriage with some person of poor origin, whom he had undone, and whose relations were like to make a stir upon the busi ness.' "'Tis he!" cried his secretary, in very woeful fashion; for his heart was cast down, and his aspiring thoughts utterly discomfited. "Nay, I doubt it hugely," replied his patron. "This Holdfast was of so contrary a disposition to yourself. He was given to many dishonourable practices-a hanger-on of prodigal youth, whom he fleeced at play; and a doer of any mean thing by which he might get present profit. I held him in exceeding dislike, and was well pleased, upon proof being shewn that he had cheated a companion at the dice, that we got rid of him." "Know you what became of him?" enquired the youth, anxiously. "I did hear he had turned Puritan," answered Raleigh, "yet I cannot say whether upon sufficient authority." Master Francis was now in most comfortless case, for he did remember that his uncle, in his passions, of thad called him "base-born," and the like; which made him apt to believe that he was the fruit of some low intrigue; whereof the thought, to one of his sensitive nature, was scarce to be endured. Seeing that his intelligence had been taken in such sorrowful part, Sir Walter did presently go up to the youth, and laying his hand, in a friendly manner, on the other's shoulder, said, kindly to him : "Be of better heart, Master Francis. If matters turn out so untoward as that your birth should be of such indifferent sort, mind it not, I pray you. Of your fortunes I will take good heed. But there exists no proof you are of such descent; and the evidence is not circumstantial enough for me to place much reliance on it.' "I think it be but too true, honourable sir," replied his secretary. "For mine uncle". "What of your uncle, Master Francis?" enquired his patron, seeing that the other hesitated to say more. "In his anger, hath often called me by such vile terms as". "Fear nothing," said Sir Walter, encouragingly, "'Tis a friend who listens." "Indeed I cannot say it," exclaimed the youth, shaking his head, and looking as if it was too repugnant to his feelings to be named. "Well, well, as you list," answered Raleigh, raising himself up; for he had been leaning over him, and seemed to understand and appreciate his feelings; "but whatever it be, regard it not; for a bad man-which, from what you have said, I take your kinsman to be, will say anything in his passion. It is a certain truth that, in these times, good birth is ever your best recommendation; but let not this affect you, even if it be your mishap to want it; which, till I have better warrant for it, will I never believe. It sounds fine, doubtless, to claim kin with a long line of honourable ancestry; but men that have no other merit than this be like unto a growing crop of our new vegetable, the potato-all that is good of them be underground. How much better is it to be yourself the getter of your own greatness. If you continue to shew that commendable nature I have perceived in you, you shall not lack opportunity for honourable advancement, let your birth be what it may therefore I would have you think no more of it, but the rather apply yourself to get perfect in such qualifications, as seem the most likely to stand you in good service at a fitting time." Saying which, Sir Walter Raleigh made for the door; and left the cabin. But Master Francis did think more of it: and the more he thought, the more he seemed inclined to think. His ambition had had a shock, from the which he was not like to recover speedily; for a notion had got fixed in him, that of all things, ill birth was the most disgraceful seeing the odium in which it was generally held); and he could not endure it should be said of him, that he was the misbegotten child of a paltry cheater. His pride was humbled mightily; yet did it rise up against such dishonour the more it was cast down at it. It seemed as if he would not be held in such poor esteem of the world, however degraded he felt in his own opinion. He tried to think Holdfast and he could be of no sort of relationship; yet, in spite of himself a conviction was forced upon him that the contrary was the truth; and the fear he had now was, that it should be talked of. In the mean time the enemies of Sir Walter Raleigh slackened not in their endeavours to ruin him with the queen. It may appear to some passing strange that one who, besides being of most notable excellence, sought to do no man ill, should have enemies: but it was in consequence of his towering so much above them in all commendable things, that he was misliked of so many. And as they who longed to ruffle it at court above all others, thought they had no chance of it while he was in favour, to whom they stood in such poor comparison, they strove all they could to bring him down, that they might advance themselves upon his ruin. First of these was Sir Robert Cecil, whose ambitious aims would stop at no impediments that craft could overcome; and he was so skilful in his cunning as to be suspected of none; for he seemed to make all around him his tools, to do what he would; and keeping in obscurity himself, escaped free from |