"Indeed, 'tis a very pretty piece of conjuration," said Lady Blanche Somerset, opening her large blue eyes in a seeming astonishment; and all the rest, though they did in no way understand the matter, did rival each other in ready praise of Sir Walter Raleigh-except my Lord Bumble, who kept aloof, as if he had not yet recovered from his fright and surprise.

Sir Walter having put away the things he was using, placed his hand on his heart, and kneeling on one knee before her majesty, as she presented him the purse, said humbly, "I pray your majesty to pardon me, that the deep gratitude of my heart at this moment, at receiving such munificent and generous conduct from my sovereign, hath taken from my poor tongue all adequate expression. What Paris must have felt when he first beheld the beauteous Helen, I experience at witnessing such graces of behavior-with the like of which was no princess ever blessed-therefore, if I make not too bold, I would implore your majesty, out of your right royal and princely disposition, and most admirable wisdom, to frame, in my behalf, such excuse for my silence as your majesty may think appropriate."

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Rise, Sir Walter Raleigh," said the queen, graciously raising him from the ground; for, in truth, though waxing old, she did find exceeding delight in having such handsome gallants at her feet. "The wager was honorably won-therefore our bestowing it doth call for no gratitude. We are now disposed for a stroll through yonder pleasant walks, and require thy attendance." So saying, she led the way, with a becoming stateliness, through the glass doors, and stepped out into the garden, closely followed by her captain of the guard-the rest staying behind, as they had not been invited. After some little time passed in the queen's garden, her majesty proceeded through divers passages, and through the new gallery in the palace, till she reached St. James's Park.

"Hath Master Edmund Spenser, our poet laureate, of whom thou hast so oft spoke to us so fair, been well cared for, since at thy request we granted him an

"I believe that my Lord Burghley never did anything for him, or paid him his salary, please your majesty," replied Sir Walter. "But I marvel not at that, seeing that my lord treasurer hath not seemed in any great degree affected toward the inestimable sweet delights of poetry and philosophy; and yet one would naturally suppose, that serving a mistress who hath so perfect a knowledge and so exquisite a taste in those divine enjoyments-the very Minerva of our thrice fortunate English land-he would have imbibed sufficient inclination toward them as to foster such as possess them most-for the true glorification of his illustrious sovereign, and to the great advancement of his own honor."

"Ah, my Lord Burghley is certainly somewhat deficient in such matters; nevertheless he is an excellent statesman and a faithful servant," observed the queen. "We will, however, not allow Master Spenser to think himself unesteemed of us, for we remember well he did read to us divers passages from a poem called The Fairy Queen,' of which we entertain a very favorable consideration."

"Your majesty playeth ever the part of the true judge of merit, and its most liberal patroness," exclaimed Raleigh, "and happy are those poetic spirits who were born to flourish under such excellent auspices. Surely they might aptly be addressed in the wards of Lucan to his Pharsalia,

Vos quoque, qui fortes animos belloque peremptos Laudibus in longum, vates, diffunditis ævum, Plurima securi fudistis carmina Bardi.

It has been left for your majesty's right glorious reign to produce two such unrivalled geniuses as Master Edmund Spenser and Master William Shakspearethe one as an epic poet, who writeth to advance the admiration of that which is chivalrous and noble, hath no peer; the other as an inventor of plays-the which in this country he may justly be said to be the originator-for judgment, wit, imagination, and knowledge of human nature, standeth above all in these realms. Master Spenser hath fellowship with such noble spirits as Homer and Virgil, and Master Shakspeare deserveth to stand on equal terms with Sophocles and Menander."

"We take great delight in the productions of this Shakspeare as exhibited at the playhouse," replied her majesty, "and

do intend this afternoon to partake of the same amusement."

It is an entertainment worthy of your majesty's enjoyment," responded Sir Walter, "for I take it that players are a sort of looking-glasses, who show humanity under all its fashions, as it is made to appear by the dramatist, to whom these fashions are familiar; and they who essay to know the world, its conduct and apparelling, will find no more direct way than the playhouse, where Master Shakspeare and some few who travel in his footsteps are in' requisition. Nor are your majesty's players undeserving of laudable mention; for, without tuition or previous example, they have raised the art, from, little better than absolute vagrancy, to a profession honorable with the court, and in good esteem with the people."

"Ah-there is one Burbage, is there not, of notable excellence in this art?" inquired the queen. "We have marked him oft. He that playeth the crookbacked king."

"The same, please your majesty," said Raleigh, "which showeth your majesty's exquisite discrimination, for he beareth away the palm from them all; being of an exceeding ingenious nature, and of a very happy facility in taking upon himself the characters of others; which he showeth not only when appearing as Richard the Third, though it be a most superlative piece of acting, as your majesty hath justly conceived, but in divers other parts in which he hath exhibited a similar excellence."

They walked on for some two or three minutes without saying ever a word. "Rememberest thou those lines of Virgil," asked her majesty, "beginning:

Fortunate senex! hic inter flumina nota
Et fontes sacros"?

sojourner therein might be wooed to repose.

"Indeed, it is a marvellous refreshing landscape, and your majesty doth show that inimitable appreciation of its excel lence, which hath delighted me so oft when discoursing upon other of the ancient writers, either Greek or Latin."

"There is another picture, which ma keth a fine contrast to the foregoing," said her majesty, who did mightily delight to show her learning, of which she was very bountifully gifted; and more especially took great pleasure in receiving the praises of so fine a scholar as her captain of the guard: "it is given in Theocritus his Idyls, and commenceth:

ἔν τε βαθείαις,

Αδείας σχίνοιο χαμευνίσιν ἐκλίνθημες, Εν τε νεοτμάτοισι γεγαθότες οιναρέοισι. and so goeth on at considerable length." "I remember me," replied Sir Walter, where the poet describeth the luxurious indolence of reclining on the soft branches of the vine and the lentisk; while above, the foliage of poplars and elms spreads a most grateful shade, and the murmuring stream flowing below gives coolness to the air; shrill grasshoppers are chiruping pleasantly in the green sward; the sweet honey-sucking bees are humming amid the fragrant blossoms; Philomel, pouring out her melancholy song, concealed in the grove; and the turtle-dove, cooing dulcetly, doth add a softer music to the tuneful pipe of the small birds; as, to charm the eye equally with the ear, the luscious fruits of summer and autumn are heaped all about, showing piles of rosy-cheeked apples and pears, and the branches of the velvet plum, overloaded, bending to the ground. In truth, 'tis a most enticing picture; and the reference to it is another instance of your majesty's unrivalled familiarity with the treasures of classic song, and of that miraculous fine taste which preferreth what is most admirable, that giveth me such frequent cause of infinite wonder and delight."

The queen did look exceeding pleased at this discourse, fanning herself all the time very prettily as she walked along, and regarding the noble form and handsome attire of the speaker with an eye of favor; till coming to a place where, beneath the shade of a wide-spreading beech, just where the walk, screened on the side by a thick fence of hawthorn, took a sudden turn that shut them out from view, a commodious seat placed, and her majesty did rest herself

was

thereon. She then, more at leisure, did scan the rich habiliments of the gallant Sir Walter Raleigh, as he stood before her, which seemed to give her ample satisfaction, though she said never a word; he gazing upon her all the while with a wonderful show of respectful admiration, as much as to say, that if his tongue dared speak his thoughts, his heart would make them right eloquent.

"What sayest thou concerning the voyage thou wert speaking of?" at last she inquired in her most gracious tone. Starting suddenly, as if recovering from a trance, he replied, "I humbly pray your majesty's pardon; for indeed 'tis a most notable truth, that none but the eagle can gaze on the sun without being dazzled."

Her majesty did infinitely relish such conceits; and her eyes twinkled with an evident pleasure as she observed her at tendant suddenly let fall his looks to the ground, as if the gazing upon her were too much for his humanity.

"But of the voyage I will speak," continued he. 66 May it be known to your majesty, that there are certain of my former companions in arms, with other valiant gentlemen, who are desirous of serving your majesty, and of giving free scope to their courageous spirits by doing damage against the Spaniard, have clubbed with me divers large sums of money, for the purpose of procuring a sufficiency of well-appointed ships for an expedition against Panama, combined with an intention of intercepting the Plate fleet, the riches whereof is almost incredible. They have funds enough for thirteen ships-of-war, of the which, in consideration that I have sunk the whole of my private fortune in the scheme, and that they do-doubtless without proper judgment-acknowledge me to be the properest man among them for seamanship, acquaintance with the Spaniards, and knowledge of the art of war, seek me for to be their admiral, which, if it be the good pleasure of your majesty, whose poor soldier I am, I am in no wise unwilling to be: but to make the consequence we seek the more sure, I would humbly pray of your majesty such assistance in men, money, and ships, as would put all thought of misadventure out of the question, the granting of the which, I feel assured, would tend greatly to the complete crippling of your most notorious enemies, the addition of abundance of glory to your reign, and the vast enrichment of your exchequer."

"Thou speakest us fair, Sir Walter Raleigh," said the queen, who had paid very strict attention to what he had advanced; but however partial she might be upon occasion, she was rarely to be drawn away from a consideration of her own advantage. "Thou speakest us fair; and were we not as well acquainted with thee as we are, having recollection of services done by thee against the boasted armada, which, by God's good help, we utterly discomfited, and at other times against those empty praters and wretched villains the Spaniards-and remembering also thy skill in discovering strange lands, do put some confidence in thy assertions; nevertheless, it is necessary we be informed what share of the spoil shall be ours in case we afford such assistance as thou requirest ?"

Sir Walter, in no way disconcerted at this, as he knew her majesty's disposition, answered, with a very becoming humility: "Far be it from me to endeavor to make a bargain with my sovereign; but your majesty's condescension is so great, and your liberality I have experienced in so bountiful a measure, I am emboldened to say, that according to the amount of the service rendered shall your majesty partake of the treasures gained."

"How many ships dost require?" asked the queen.

"As many as your majesty can generously assist us with," replied Sir Walter.

"If we allow thee half a dozen, properly equipped and provided for with all the munitions of war, we shall expect to share one half of the spoil."

"Your majesty's generosity_exceeds my expectations," exclaimed Raleigh; though, if the truth be told, he did feel a little put out at the unfairness of the bargain.

"Then, if those conditions be accepted, we do appoint thee admiral of the fleet," continued the queen, "and will see that thou hast proper warrant for it, with power to officer thine own ships as it pleaseth thee-reserving to ourself the right of appointing a vice-admiral, to officer our ships as we think proper."

Never had servant so bounteous a mistress!" cried Sir Walter, as he knelt at the feet of the queen, seemingly in a transport of gratitude. "In truth, if I am not allowed to pour out the overflowings of my most grateful spirit, I must be dumb ever after. Oh, where shall the most passionate lover that ever sought to

do noble deeds in honor of her whom he served, find such absolute cause for the impelling of his valor as that which moveth me? Had Arthur and all his right famous Knights of the Round Table lived in these more fortunate days, to have beheld the peerless Elizabeth, what chivalrous doings would have been enacted, that are lost to the world! But then how much have I reason to congratulate myself that I, who am nothing except in the eyes of the divine Parthenia, whom it is my happiness to serve the very sovereign of beauty and queen of my heart's best affections, should not only live in the time which her existence hath made glorious, but should be allowed to breathe in her presence and bask in the imperial sunshine of her eyes-nay, honor never to be too highly prized," continued he with more vehemence, taking her hand, as he observed that the stateliness of the queen was sinking before the vanity of the woman, "that out of her exceeding condescension and wonderful goodness, she sometimes enricheth my soul with her most moving smiles, and vouchsafest me the supreme happiness of pressing my lips upon her ivory hand."

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Nay, Sir Walter, thou wilt devour it sure!" exclaimed the queen, coyly attempting to withdraw her hand, which he then impressed with a hundred eager caresses: but she was too well pleased with the action, and too much delighted in seeing so noble a gentleman at her feet, to use any great degree of force, and the hand continued to be caressed as passionately as at first.

"Oh, might I but be allowed to ask one favor-one sweet-one precious favor!" said Raleigh, gazing in her face with as much apparent rapture as if she had been a young and blooming Hebe, instead of much nearer resembling a superannuated Diana of some sixty years or so. The queen kept her peace, look ing very bashful, not knowing but some thing might be required of her it would be scarcely proper for her virgin modesty to grant; when Sir Walter continued "When I am doing furious battle with the enemy, I know of nothing which would so much strengthen my resolution, and afford me consolation in all the delays I may meet with in my scarcely endurable absence from my absolute and incomparable Angelica, as a lock of that golden hair, which to me seemeth brighter than are the beams of Phoebus topping the eastern hills: deign, then, to satisfy your majesty's humble and truly devoted

slave, and pardon the deep yet most respectful adoration that doth seek so invaluable a gift."

"In very truth, Sir Walter, if thou seekest only so simple a thing of us, we see no harm in its disposal," replied her majesty very graciously. "Therefore set thy mind at ease. Thou shalt have it by a trusty messenger before thou leavest our shores."

“Ah!" exclaimed he with a passionate look, as he pressed the hand he held to his heart-"your majesty's unexampled goodness hath already made my poor heart bankrupt in thanks."

"Hush!” cried the queen, suddenly snatching away her hand and putting her finger to her lip. "Who are these that dare to intrude upon our privacy?"

Just at that moment footsteps were heard approaching along the walk on the other side of the fence, and voices of two persons in conversation were distinguished. They spoke low, but the words 99.66 Raleigh,' Elizabeth," and "intrigue," were distinctly audible.

"Now, by God's wounds, we'll not suffer this!" exclaimed the queen, starting up with a face crimsoned with rage. "Arrest them, Sir Walter Raleigh, whoever they be."

'Let me entreat of your majesty"What, are we not obeyed ?" cried the queen quickly, interrupting him, and casting on him a look of terrible menace when she observed that he hesitated to obey her command.

"On the knees of my heart, let a faithful servant"

"Away, traitor!" fiercely exclaimed her majesty to her kneeling favorite, as she brushed by him; and with haughty steps strode toward the turning in the walk which would give her a view of the spot whence the sounds had proceeded: but behold! when she had there arrived, no person was visible-at which she marvelled greatly. She looked among the trees, but could see nothing; and much chafed thereat, returned to where she had left Sir Walter, as it may be said with considerable show of truth, trembling in his shoes at the imminent peril of his situation; but he knew the character of his mistress thoroughly, and his alarm soon giving way, set him upon putting forward a stroke of policy which should reawaken all the influence he had lost; so that when her majesty came back to the place she had left, sweeping along, frowning majestically, and with a mind filled with thoughts of inflicting the most complete