THE COPIE OF A LETTER TO THE RIGHT HOnourable the Earle of LEYCESTER, Lieutenant generall of all her Maiesties forces in the vnited Prouinces of the lowe Countreys, written before, but deliuered at his returne from thence:
With a report of certeine petitions and declarations made to the QVEENES Maiestie at two seuerall times, from all the Lordes and Commons lately assembled in Parliament.
And her Maiesties answeres thereunto by her selfe deliuered, though not expressed by the reporter with such grace and life, as the same were vttered by her Maiestie.
¶ Imprinted at London by Christopher Barker, Printer to the Queenes most excellent Maiestie. 1586.
TO THE RIGHT HOnourable the Earle of Leicester, &c.
ALbeit with earnest desire of my hart (right honourable my very good Lord) I haue alwayes endeuoured to do your Lordship some acceptable seruice, for the honour you first vouchsafed me from beyond my cradel, and after confirmed with the fauourable opinion wherewith you haue alwayes countenaunced me euer since, euen thus farre onward on my daies, which also together with my yeres hath increased faster then mine abilitie to performe, being crossed in nothing more deepely, then when I was letted by the ouermuch tendring of me by my parents, to attend your Lordship in your late voyage and honourable expedition into the Lowe Countries: yet haue I bene euer since most studious to obserue and apprehende some good occasion, or fitte oportunitie, to testifie the duetifull reuerence I beare to your Lordship: wherein if hitherto I haue beene slacke in performance during your absence, it hath proceeded of the care I had, not to entertaine your Lordship with matter either friuolous or vulgar: though thinges of that nature might best become my condition, and well agree with my vnderstanding.
In which cogitation it came to my minde, that the report of the speaches deliuered by the Queenes most excellent [Page 2]Maiestie in a late and weightie cause dealt in this Parliament, in answere to the petitions presented to hir Maiestie the 12 & 24. of Nouember at Richmond by the Lord Chauncelour and Speaker, respectiuely, in the name and behalfe of both Estates, accompanied with diuers of either sort, would doubtlesse bee a thing to your L. most gratefull, as one euer pleased iustly to admire the rare perfections of her mind, and approoued Iudgement, wherewith, according to your Estate & place, deseruedly, your L. hath beene vsually acquainted: as also worthie of eternal monument and euerlasting memorie, for as much as on the sodaine they were deliuered by her selfe, for answere of a matter propounded, debated, resolued, and digested, with great labour and premeditation, of the greatest, grauest, wisest, and most choise persons of the whole Realme. Whereof although I haue but slēderly purtraied the lineaments, without expressing to life the external ornaments of her Royall speach, accompanied with all Princely and gracefull accomplementes: yet doubt I not but your Lordship will easily finde her inward vertues, whereof it is impossible for mee to make the least adumbration.
And because in the dayly expectation of your Lordships returne, I rested vncertaine how these might come safely to your Lordships hands: I did therefore aduise to haue this my letter with the included copies to be ready to attend your first arriuall, in gratulation of the safetie thereof, which hath bene long desired. Wherein, as I striue to performe a particular duetie to your Lordship, so trust I you will haue that honourable consideration, that in the communication thereof with others, there growe not any preiudice to me for my presumption, in aduenturing to be a reporter of that, which in the deliuerie wrought so great astonishment to all the hearers, as it exceeded the fulnes of euery mans expectation: and therefore, without some fauourable construction of mine [Page 3]attempt, I might incurre great blame by my slender maner of report, so to haue blemished the excellencie of her Maiesties speaches, whereof I humbly beseech your Lordship to haue fauourable regard. Thus referring them to your Lordships disposition, and my selfe to your fauourable protection, I humbly take my leaue. 25. Nouemb. 1586.
THE BRIEFE OF THE Lorde CHANCELLERS first speach, at the time when he deliuered her most excellent MAIESTIE a petition in writing, for, and in the name of the Lordes and Commons: Which speaches were of more length then here are by me collected: but sure I am, the substance thereof is here truely expressed.
THat the Lordes and Commons hauing of long time to their intollerable griefe, found, by howe many practises the Scottish Queene had compassed the destruction of her Highnes most Royall person (in whose safetie next vnder God they acknowledged their chiefe felicitie to consist) thereby not onely to bereaue them of the sincere and true Religion in this Realme professed and established, but to bring backe againe this noble Realme into the thraldome of Romish tyrannie, and to ouerthrowe the happie estate thereof: wherein, although her Highnesse of her abundant gratious naturall clemencie & Princely magnanimitie, hath either lightly passed them ouer, or with no small indulgence tolerated, notwithstanding the often and earnest instances of her Nobilitie and Commons in [Page 5]sudry Parliaments heretofore: and further hath protected her from the violent pursuite of her owne people: she yet, as a person obdurate in malice (as it appeares,) continued her former practises, as had bene lately manifested by certaine wicked conspiracies plotted by one Anthonie Babington, and diuers desperate persons, that had combined and confederated themselues by vowe and oth in a most horrible enterprise, by murther to take away the life of her Maiestie: wherein the Scottish Q. did not only aduise them, but also direct, comfort, and abbette thē, with perswasion, counsel, promise of reward, & earnest obtestation. Whereupon, her Maiestie at the earnest request of such as tendered the safetie of her royall person and the quiet of the Realme, did direct Commission vnder the great Seale to sundrie Lords and others of her Maiesties priuie Counsel, and a great nomber of Lordes of Parliament, of the greatest and most ancient degree, assisted with some of the principall Iudges of the Realme, to heare, examine and determine the same, according to a Statute in that behalfe made in the xxvij. yeere of her reigne. Who, to the nomber of 36. hauing attended the execution of the said Commission, and diuers daies and times heard the allegations against the said Scottish Queene in her owne presence and hearing, (she being permitted to say what shee woulde in her owne excuse,) did with one assent, finde her culpable both in priuitie and consent to the saide crimes obiected, and also in compassing the Queenes Maiesties death. Which sentence, by her owne directions vpon the hearing of the prooues and processe in Parliament, was iudged to haue beene most honourable and iust, and [Page 6]thereupon they all beseech hir Maiesty, that forasmuch as the said Queene of Scots, was the very ground and onely subiect, whereupon such daungerous practises and complots had bene founded, against hir Maiesties most Royall person and the Estate of this Realme for these many yeeres, to the ouerthrowe of sundrie of the Nobilitie of the land, and danger of Christian religion, and that they coulde see no hope of her desisting, and her adherents, hut that still her Maiesties safetie must bee hazarded, and stand to the euent of the like miraculous discoueries:
Therefore, as most humble and instant suppliants, they did vpon their knees at her most gratious feete, beseech and request in most earnest maner, that aswell for the continuance of Gods Religion, the quiet of this kingdome, preseruation of her person, and defence of them and their posterities, it woulde please hir Highnesse to take order, that the saide sentence might be published, and such further direction giuen, as was requisite in this so weightie a cause, according to the purport and intent of the said Statute. Wherin, if her Maiestie (pursuing her wonted clemencie) should nowe be remisse, besides the imminent danger to hir person, she might by the stay thereof, procure the heauie displeasure of Almightie God, as by sundry seuere examples of his Iustice in the sacred Scriptures, doth appeare. And so he deliuered, to her Maiesties owne handes, the petition in writing, which he said, had bene with great deliberation assented vnto, by all the whole Parliament.
A SHORT EXTRACT OF such reasons, as were deliuered in speach by Master Sergeant Puckering, Speaker of the Lower House, before the Queenes most excellent Maiestie in her Presence Chamber at Richmond, the xii. of Nouember 1586. in the xxviii. yeere of her Reigne, containing diuers apparant and imminent dangers, that may grow to her Maiesties most Royal person, and to her Realme from the Scottish Queene and her Adherents, if remedie be not prouided.
¶ First, touching the danger of her Maiesties person.
1 BOth this Scottish Queene and her fauourers, doe thinke her to haue right, not to succeed but to enioy your Crowne in possession: and therefore as she is a most impacient competitor, so will shee not spare any meanes whatsoeuer, that may bereaue vs of your Maiestie, the onely impediment that she enioyeth not her desire.
2 Shee is obdurate in malice against your royall person, notwithstanding you haue shewed her all fauour and mercie, as well inpreseruing her kingdome, as sauing her life, and saluing her honour. And therefore there is no place for mercie, since there is no hope that shee will desist from most wicked attempts: the rather for that her malice appeareth such, that shee maketh (as it were) her testament of the same, to be executed after her death, and appoynteth her executors to performe it.
3 Shee boldly and openly professed it lawfull for her to mooue inuasion vpon you. And therefore, as of inuasion victorie may ensue, and of victorie, the death of the vanquished: so did shee thereby not obscurely bewraie, that shee thought it lawfull for her to destroie your sacred person.
4 Shee thinkes it not onely lawfull, but honourable also and meritorious to take your life from you, as being alreadie depriued of your Crowne by the excommunication of the holie father. And therefore it is like shee will (as hitherto she hath done) continually seeke it by whatsoeuer meanes.
5 That shee is greedie of your Maiesties death, and preferreth it before her owne life and safetie: for in her direction to one of her late Complices, she aduised (vnder couert termes) that whatsoeuer should become of her, that tragicall execution should be performed vpon you.
The danger of the overthrow of the true Religion.1 IT most perillous to spare her, that cōtinually hath sought the ouerthrow and suppression of true Religion, infected with Poperie from her tender youth, and being after that a Confederate in that Holy league when she came to age, and euer since a professed enemie against the trueth.
2 She resteth wholly vpon Popish hopes to deliuer and aduance her, and is thereby so deuoted to that profession, that aswell for satisfaction of others, as for feeding of her owne humor, she will supplant the Gospell, where, and whensoeuer she may: which euill is so much the greater, and the more to be auoyded, as that it slayeth [Page 9]the very soule, and will spread it selfe not onely ouer England and Scotland, but also into those partes beyond the Seas, where the Gospell of God is mainteined, the which cannot but be exceedingly weakened, by the defection of this noble Ilande.
The perill of the state of the Realme.1 AS the Lydians saide, Vnum Regem agnoscunt Lydi, duos autem tolerare non possunt: So wee say, Vnicam Reginam Elizabetham agnoscunt Angli, duas autem tolerare non possunt.
2 As she hath already by her allurements brought to destruction moe Noble men and their houses, together with a greater multitude of the Commons of this Realme, during her being here, then she should haue bin able to doe, if she had bene in possession of her owne Crowne, and armed in the fielde against vs: so will she still be continuall cause of the like spoyle, to the greater losse & perill of this Estate: And therefore this Realme neither can, nor may endure her.
3 Againe, she is the onely hope of all discontented subiects, she is the foundation whereon all the euill disposed do builde, she is the roote from whence all rebellions and trecheries do spring: And therefore whilest this hope lasteth, this foundation standeth, and this roote liueth, they will reteine heart, and set on foote whatsoeuer their deuises against the Realme, which otherwise will fall away, die and come to nothing.
4 Mercie now in this case towards her, would in the ende proue crueltie against vs all, Nam est quaedam crudelis misericordia, and therefore to spare her, is to spill vs.
5 Besides this, it will exceedingly grieue and in a manner deadly wound the hearts of all the good Subiects of your land, if they shall see a conspiracie so horrible not condingly punished.
6 Thousands of your Maiesties most liege and louing Subiectes, of all sorts and degrees, that in a tender zeale of your Maiesties safetie, haue most willingly both by open subscription and solemne vowe, entred into a firme and loyall association, and haue thereby protested to pursue vnto the death, by all forcible and possible meanes, such as she is by iust sentence nowe found to be: can neither discharge their loue, nor well saue their othes, if your Maiestie shall keepe her aliue: of which burden your Maiesties Subiects are most desirous to bee relieued, as the same may be, if iustice be done.
7 Lastly, your Maiesties most louing & dutiful commons doubt not, but that as your Maiestie is duely exercised in reading the Booke of God, so it will please you to call to your princely remembrance, how fearefull the examples of Gods vengeance bee, that are there to bee founde against King Saul for sparing King Agag, and against King Achab for sauing the life of Benadad: both which were by the iust iudgement of God depriued of their kingdoms, for sparing those wicked Princes, whome God had deliuered into their handes, of purpose to be slaine by them, as by the ministers of his eternal and diuine Iustice: Wherein full wisely Salomon proceeded to punishment, when hee tooke the life of his owne naturall and elder brother Adonias, for the only intention of a marriage, that gaue suspition of treason against him.
Herein we your Maiesties most louing and obedient subiects, earnestly depend vpon your princely resolution, which we assure our selues shall be to God most acceptable, and to vs no other, then the state of your Regall authoritie may afford vs, and the approoued arguments of your tender care for our safetie vnder your charge, dooth promise to our expectation
A REPORT OF HER MAiesties most gratious answere, deliuered by her selfe verbally, to the first petitions of the Lords and Commons, being the Estates of Parliament, in her Chamber of Presence at Richmond, the xij. day of Nouember 1586. at the full almost of xxviij. yeeres of her Reigne: Whereof the Reporter requireth of all that were hearers, a fauourable interpretation of his intent, because he findeth that he can not expresse the same answerable to the originall, which the learned call Prototypon.
THE bottomlesse graces and immeasurable benefits bestowed vpon me by the Almightie, are, and haue bene such, as I must not onely acknowledge them, but admire them, accounting them as well miracles as benefites, not so much in respect of his diuine Maiestie, with whome nothing is more common then to doe things rare and singular: as in regard of our weakenesse, who can not sufficiently set foorth his wonderfull worker and graces, which to mee haue bene so many, so diuersely folded and imbroydered one vpon another, as in no sorte I am able to expresse them.
And although there liueth not any, that may more iustly acknovvledge them selues infinitely bounde vnto God then I, whose life he hath miraculously preserued at sundry times (beyonde my merite) from a multitude of perils and dangers: [Page 13]yet is not that the cause, for which I count my selfe the deeplyest bounde to giue him my humblest thankes, or to yeelde him greatest recognition: but this which I shall tell you hereafter, which will deserue the name of wonder, if rare things and seeldom seene be worthie of accompt: Euen this it is, that as I came to the Crowne with the willing hearts of my subiects, so doe I now after xxviij. yeres Reigne, perceiue in you no diminution of good willes, which if happily I should want, well might I breath, but neuer thinke I liued.
And now, albeit I finde my life hath bene full dangerously sought, & death contriued by such as no desert procured: yet am I therein so cleare from malice (which hath the property to make men glad at the falles and faultes of their foes, and make them seeme to doe for other causes, when rancor is the ground) as I protest it is and hath bene my grieuous thought, that one, not different in sexe, of like Estate, & my neere kin, shoulde fall into so great a crime: yea, I had so litle purpose to pursue her with any colour of malice, that as it is not vnknowen to some of my Lordes here, (for nowe I will play the blabbe) I secretly wrote her a letter vpon the discouery of sundry Treasons, that if she woulde confesse them, and priuately acknowledge them by her letters to my selfe, shee neuer shoulde neede be called for them into so publike question. Neither did I it of minde to circumuent her: for then [Page 14]I Knew as much as she could confesse, and so did I write. And if euen yet, nowe that the matter is made but to apparāt, I thought she truely would repent (as perhappes she would easily appeare in outwarde shewe to doe) and that for her, none other would take the matter vpon them, or that we were but as tvvo milke maides vvith pailes vpon our armes, or that there vvere no more dependancie vpon vs, but mine ovvne life vvere onely in danger, & not the vvhole Estate of your Religion and vvell doings, I protest (vvherein you may beleeue me, for though I may haue many vices, I hope I haue not accustomed my tongue to be an instrument of vntrueth) I would most vvillingly pardon and remit this offence.
Or if by my death, other nations and Kingdomes might truely say, that this Realme had attained an euerprosperous & florishing estate: I vvould (I assure you) not desire to liue, but gladly giue my life, to the ende my death might procure you a better Prince.
And for your sakes it is, that I desire to liue, to keepe you from a vvorse. For as for me, I assure you, I finde no great cause I should be fonde to liue: I take no such pleasure in it, that I shoulde much vvish it, nor cōceaue such terror in death, that I should greatly feare it: and yet I say not, but if the stroke vvere cōming, perchance flesh and blood vvould be moued vvith it, and seeke to shunne it.
I haue had good experience and tryall of this [Page 15]vvorld: I know what it is to be a subiect, what to be a Soueraigne: vvhat to haue good neighbors, and sometime meete euill willers. I haue founde treason in trust, seene great benefits litle regarded, & in stead of gratefulnes, courses of purpose to crosse.
These former remembrances, present feeling, and future expectation of euils, I say, haue made me thinke, An euill, is much the better, the lesse while it endureth: and so, them happiest, that are soonest hence: & taught me to beare with a better minde these treasons, then is common to my sexe: yea, with a better heart perhaps, then is in some mē. Which I hope you wil not meerly impute to my simplicitie or want of vnderstāding, but rather, that I thus conceiued, that had their purposes taken effect, I should not haue found the blow, before I had felt it: and, though my perill should haue bene great, my paine shoulde haue bene but smal & short: wherein, as I would be loth to dye so bloody a death, so doubt I not, but God would haue giuen me grace to be prepared for such an euent, chance when it shall, which I referre to his good pleasure.
And now, as touching their treasons and conspiracies, together with the contriuer of them, I will not so preiudicate my selfe and this my Realme, as to say or thinke, that I might not, without the last Statute, by the ancient lawes of this land, haue proceeded against her, which was not made particularly to preiudice her: though [Page 16]perhaps it might then be suspected, in respect of the disposition of such as depend that way.
It was so farre from being intended to intrap her, that it was rather an admonition to warne the danger thereof: but sith it is made, and in the force of a Lawe, I thought good, in that which might concerne her, to proceede according thereunto, rather then by course of common Law: wherein, if you the Iudges haue not deceiued me, or that the books you brought me were not false (which God forbid) I might as iustly haue tried her, by the ancient Lawes of the land.
But you Lawyers are so nice in sifting and skanning euery woorde and letter, that many times you stand more vpon forme then matter, vpon sillables then sence of the Lawe. For in the strictnes and exact folowing of common forme, shee must haue beene indited in Stafford Shire, haue holden vp her hand at the Barre, and bene tried by a Iurie: A proper course forsooth, to deale in that manner with one of her Estate. I thought it better therfore, for auoiding of these and more absurdities, to commit the cause to the inquisition of a good nomber of the greatest and most noble personages of this Realme, of the Iudges and others of good accompt, whose sentence I must approoue: And all litle enough: For we Princes, I tel you, are set on stages, in the sight and viewe of all the world duely obserued: The eies of many beholde our actions: A spot is soone spied in our garments: A blemish quickely noted in our doings. It behooueth vs therefore, [Page 17]to be carefull that our proceedings bee iust and honourable.
But I must tell you one thing more, that in this last Acte of Parliament you haue brought me to a narowe straight, that I must giue direction for her death, which cannot be to mee but a most grieuous and irkesome burthen. And least you might mistake mine absence from this Parliament (which I had almost forgotten) although there be no cause why I should willingly come amongst multitudes, for that amongest many some may be euil: yet hath it not bene the doubt of any such daunger or occasion that kept me from thence, but onely the great griefe to heare this cause spoken of, especially, that such a one of State and kin, should neede so open a declaration, & that this nation should be so spotted with blots of disloialtie. Wherein the lesse is my grief, for that I hope the better part is mine, and those of the worse not much to be accompted of, for that in seeking my destruction, they might haue spoiled their owne soules.
And euen nowe coulde I tell you, that which woulde make you sorie. It is a secrete, and yet I will tell it you, although it is knowen, I haue the propertie to keepe counsell, but too well oftentimes to mine owne perill. It is not long since mine eyes did see it written, that an othe was taken within fewe daies, either to kill mee or to be hanged themselues: & that to be performed ere one moneth were ended. Hereby I see your danger [Page 18]in me, and neither can nor wil be so vnthankfull or carelesse of your consciences, as not prouide for your safetie.
I am not vnmindeful of your oth made in the association, manifesting your great goodwils & affectiōs taken and entred into, vpon good conscience, & true knowledge of the guilt, for safety of my person, & conseruation of my life: done (I protest to God) before I heard it, or euer thought of such a matter, vntil a great nomber of handes with many Obligations were shewed mee, at Hampton Court, signed and subscribed with the names and seales of the greatest of this lande: which as I doe acknowledge as a perfect argument of your true heartes, and great zeale to my safetie: so shall my bonde be stronger tied to greater care for all your good.
But for as much as this matter is rare, waightie, and of great consequence, I thinke you doe not looke for any present Resolution: the rather, for that, as it is not my manner, in matters of far lesse moment, to giue speedy answer without due consideration: so in this of such importance, I thinke it verie requisite with earnest Prayer to beseech his diuine Maiestie, so to illuminate my vnderstanding, and inspire me with his grace, as I may doe and determine that, which shall serue to the establishment of his Church, preseruation of your estates, and prosperitie of this commō wealth vnder my charge. Wherein (for that I knowe delaie is dangerous) you shal haue with [Page 19]all conueniencie our Resolution deliuered by our message. And what euer any Prince may merite of their Subiects, for their approoued testimonie of their vnfained sinceritie, eyther by gouerning iustly, voide of all partialitie, or sufferance of any iniuries done (euen to the poorest) that doe I assuredly promise inuiolablie to performe, for requitall of your so many desertes.
❧ The occasions of the second accesse.
This Answere thus made by her Maiestie, the Lords and Commons were dismissed. And then her Highnesse some fewe dayes after, vpon deliberation had of this Petition, being (as it appeared) of her mercifull disposition of nature, and her Princely magnanimitie, in some conflict with her selfe what to doe in a cause so weightie and important to her and the Realme, sent by the Lorde Chauncelour (as I heard) and by the mouth of an Honorable person, and a right worthy member of the lower house, this message to both houses: mouing and earnestly charging them, to enter into a further consideration, whether there might not be some other way of remedy, then that they had already required, so farre disagreeing from her owne naturall inclination. Whereupon, the Lords and Commons in either houses assembled, had sundry consultations, both in their seuerall houses generally, and by priuate Committees deputed specially, and after conference had betwixt the sayd Committees, it was resolued with vnanimitie of consent amongst them in the lower house, and by vniuersall concorde in the vpper house, (the question there propounded to euery one of the Lords) that there could be found no other sound and assured meane, in the depth of their vnderstanding, for the continuance of the Christian religion, quiet of the Realme, and safetie of her Maiesties most Royall person, then that which was conteined in their former petition. The reasons whereof, were summarily these that followe: which are more shortly reported, then they were vttered.
A BRIEFE REPORT OF the second accesse the 24. of Nouember 1586. and of the answere made in the name of the Lords of Parliament, to a message sent from hir MAIESTIE by the L. Chauncelour after hir first answere.
THE Lord Chauncelour accompanied with aboue fiue or sixe and twentie Lords of Parliament, came before her Highnes in her Chamber of presence, to deliuer the resolutiō of all the Lords of Parliament, concerning a message which he had not long before deliuered from her Maiestie, for further cōsultation, whether any other meanes could be thought of, or found out by any of thē, how the Scottish Queenes life might be spared, and yet her Maiesties person saued out of perill, and the state of the Realme preserued in quiet, declared, that according to that he had receiued in commandement from her Maiestie, he had imparted the same to the Lordes assembled in the vpper house, whome he found by their generall silence much amazed at the propounding thereof, considering the same had bene before in deliberation amongst them, and resolued vpon, & as appeared by their former petition exhibited to her Highnesse, wherein they had expressed the same resolution. Notwithstanding, for her Maiesties further satisfaction, they had entred into a newe consultation, and for that purpose selected a great nomber of the choysest persons of that higher house of Parliament, to conferre thereof, either priuatly or together with the lower [Page 22]house: which also was done accordingly at seueral times. At all which conferences it was concluded by them all, and so afterwards by the whole assembly of both houses, that there could be no other assured meanes for the preseruation of her Maiesties life, & continuance of Gods Religion, & quiet of this State, then by the full execution of the sentence according to their former petition, instantly pressing her Maiestie with many arguments & reasons tending thereto, all which, though by distance from his Lordship I could not wel conceiue, yet this I did remember precisely & especially was one, that as it were iniustice to denie execution of Law, at the suit of any one particular, and the meanest of her people: so much more, not to yeelde to the earnest instance and humble prayers of all her faithful and louing subiects. And so concluded, with earnest petition for her Maiesties resolute determination and answere, for a present and speedy direction by proclamation, and otherwise also, according to the forme of the statute.
A SVMMARIE REPORT of the second speech, vttered by the Speaker of the Lower House, by direction of all the Commons.
THat if her Maiestie should be safe without taking away the life of the Scottish Queene, the same were most likelie and probably to grow, by one of these meanes following.
- 1 First, that happily she might be reclaimed and become A repentant conuert, agnising her Maiesties great mercie and fauours in remitting her heynous offence, and by her loyaltie hereafter, performe the fruites of such conuersion.
- 2 Or els, by a more Strayght guard be so kept, as there shoulde be no feare of the like attempts hereafter.
- 3 Or, that good assurance might be giuen by Othe, Bonds or Hostages, as cautions for her good and loyal demeanour from henceforth.
- 4 Or lastly, by Banishment, the realme might be voyded of her person, and thereby the perils further remoued, that growe to her Maiestie by her presence.
The moments whereof being duely pondered, did yet appeare so light in all their iudgements, that they durst not aduise any securitie to rest in any, no not in all of them.
For touching her cōuersion, it was considered, that if pietie or duetie could haue restreined her frō such heynous [Page 24]attempts, there was cause abundantly ministred to her on Maiesties behalfe, when she not onely protected her against the violēce of her own subiects, who pursued her to death by Iustice, but couered her honor, when the same by publique fame was touched, & by very heynous and capitall crymes obiected and proued against her before certeine Commissarie delegates assigned to examine the same, more then blemished, & spared her lyfe, when for her former conspiracies & confederacies with the Northren Rebelles, her highnesse was with great instance pressed by both the houses in the xiiii. yeere of her Maiesties reigne, to do like iustice vppon her, as nowe is desired, and as her treasonable practises then, had most iustly deserued.
And where the penaltie of this Acte sufficiently notified vnto her, should haue terrified her from so wicked attempts, she hath neuerthelesse insisted in her former practises, as a person obdurate in malice against her Maiestie, and irrecouerable: so as there was no probable hope of any conuersion, but rather great doubt and feare of relaps and recidiuation, forasmuch as she stood obstinately in the deniall of matter most euidently prooued, and now most iustly sentenced against her, and was not entred into the first part of repentance, The recognition of her offence, and so much the farther off from the true fruites that should accompany the same.
As for a surer guard, and more strait imprisonment, it was resolued, that there was no security therein, nor yet in the other two meanes propoūded of bonds and hostages: for asmuch as the same meanes that shoulde bee practised to take her Maiesties life away [Page 25](which God forbid) would aptly serue both for the deliuery of her person, & release of the bonds & hostages that should be giuen for cautions in that behalfe: which being vnhappily atchieued, and to our irreparable losse, who shoulde sue the bonds, or deteine the hostages? or being deteined, what proportion was there in bonds or hostages whatsoeuer, to counteruaile the value of so precious and inestimable a Iewel, as her Maiestie is to this Realme, and to vs all?
But she will solemnly vowe and take an othe, that she will not attempt any thing to the hurt of her Maiesties person: Shee hath already sundry times falsified her worde, her writing and her othe, and holdeth it for an article of religion, That faith is not to be holden with heretikes, of which sort shee accompteth your Maiestie, and all the professors of the Gospel to be: And therefore haue we litle reason to trust her in that, wherof shee maketh so small a conscience.
As for banishment, that were a step à malo in peius to set her at libertie: a thing so greatly desired and thirsted for by her adherents, and by some Princes her Allies, who sought her enlargement chiefly, to make her a head to be set vp against her Maiesty, in time of inuasiō.
To the which were added some fewe reasons, collected out of her owne letters & the confession of Babington, her instrument and chiefe conspiratour: by which appeared, howe her owne conscience bewrayed what might iustly fal vpon her, in case any of her intended desseignements came to light: that shee might haply bee shut vp in some more close and straite prison, as the Towre of London, if there befell her no worse thing: and in that [Page 26]she directed Babington, in case he failed in the action of her deliuery, that he should neuerthelesse proceede in the residue, which was the death of her Maiestie: who also confessed, that vpon assurance of her Maiesties death, or the arriuall of strangers, he intended to proclaime of Q. of Scots, and made no doubt of the desired successe: and therefore, her Maiesties death being so earnestly sought, for aduancement of this competitor, her Highnes could not remaine in quietnes or securitie, if the Scottish Queene should longer continue her life.
THE SECOND ANSVVERE made by the Queenes Maiestie, deliuered by her owne mouth, to the second speeche, vttered in the names of the Lords & Commons of the Parliament.
FVL grieuous is the way, whose going on and end, breede comber for the hire of a laborious iourney.
I haue striued more this day then euer in my life, whether I shoulde speake, or vse silence. If I speake and not complaine, I shal dissemble: if I holde my peace, your labour taken were full vayne. For mee to make my mone, were strange and rare: for I suppose you shal finde fewe, that for their owne particular, will comber you with such a care. Yet such I protest hath bene my greedy desire and hungrie will, that of your consultation might haue fallen out some other meanes to woorke my safetie ioyned with your assurance, (then that for which you are become such earnest sutors) as I protest, I must needes vse complaint, though not of you, but vnto you, and of the cause: for that I do perceiue by your aduises, prayers, and desires, there falleth out this accident, that Onely my Iniuerers bane, must be my lifes suertie.
But if any there liue so wicked of nature, to suppose, that I prolonged this time onely, proforma, to the intent to make a shew of clemencie, thereby to set my prayses to be wyer drawers to lengthen them the more: they doe me so great a [Page 28]wrong, as they can hardly recompence. Or if any person there be, that thinke or imagine, that the least vayneglorious thought hath drawen mee further herein, they doe me as open iniurie as euer was done to any liuing creature, as he that is the maker of all thoughtes, knoweth best to be true. Or if there bee any, that thinke, that the Lords appoynted in Commission durst do no other, as fearing thereby to displease, or els to be suspected to be of a contrary opinion to my safetie, they doe but heape vpon me iniurious conceites. For either those put in trust by me to supplie my place, haue not haue signified vnto you all, that my desire was, that euery one should do according to his conscience, & in the course of his proceedings should enioy both freedome of voyce & libertie of opinion: & what they would not onely declare, they might priuately to my selfe haue reuealed. It was of a willing minde & great desire I had, that some other means might be found out, wherein I should haue taken more comfort, then in any other thing vnder the Sunne. And since nowe it is resolued, that my suretie can not bee established without a Princesse ende, I haue iust cause to complaine, that I, who haue in my time pardoned so many Rebels, winked at so many treasons, and either not produced them, or altogether slipt them ouer with silence, shoulde nowe be forced to this proceeding, against such a persō. I haue besides, during [Page 29]my reigne, seene and heard many opprobrious bookes and Pamphlets against me, my Realme and State, accusing me to be a Tyrant: I thanke them for their almes: I beleeue, therein their meaning was to tell me newes, and newes it is to me in deede: I would it were as strange to heare of their impietie. What will they not now say, when it shalbe spread. That for the safety of her life, a Mayden Queene could be content to spill the blood, euen of her owne kinsewoman? I may therfore ful wel complaine, that any man should thinke mee giuen to crueltie, whereof I am so guiltlesse and innocent, as I should slaunder God, if I should say he gaue me so vile a minde: yea, I protest, I am so farre from it, that for mine owne life I would not touche her: neither hath my care bene so much bent howe to prolong mine, as how to preserue both, which I am right sory is made so hard, yea, so impossible.
I am not so voide of iudgement, as not to see mine owne perill: nor yet so ignorant, as not to knowe it were in nature a foolish course, to cherish a sworde to cutte mine owne throate: nor so carelesse, as not to weigh that my life dayly is in hazard: but this I do consider, that many a man would put his life in daunger for the safegarde of a King, I doe not say that so will I: but I pray you thinke, that I haue thought vpon it.
But sith so many haue both written and spoken against mee, I pray you giue me leaue to say somewhat for my selfe, and before you returne [Page 30]to your countries, let you know, for what a one you haue passed so careful thoughts. Wherin, as I thinke my selfe infinitely beholding vnto you al, that seeke to preserue my life by al the meanes you may: so I protest vnto you, that there liueth no Prince, that euer shall be more mindefull to requite so good desertes. And as I perceyue you haue kept your olde wonts, in a general seeking of the lengthning of my dayes: so am I sure that I shall neuer requite it, vnles I had as many liues as you all: but for euer I will acknowledge it, while there is any breath left mee. Although I may not iustifie, but may iustly condemne my sundry faults and sinnes to God: yet for my care in this gouernment, let me acquaynt you with my intents.
When first I tooke the Scepter, my title made me not forget the giuer: and therefore began, as it became me, with such religion, as both I was borne in, bred in, & I trust shal die in. Although I was not so simple, as not to know what danger and perill so great an alteration might procure me: howe many great Princes of the contrary opinion woulde attempt all they might against me: and generally, what enimitie I should breede vnto my selfe: which all I regarded not, knowing that he, for whose sake I did it, might, and would defend me. For which it is, that euer since I haue bene so daungerously prosecuted, as I rather maruaile that I am, then muse that I should not be: if it were not Gods holy hand that continueth [Page 31]me, beyond all other expectation.
Then entred I further into the schoole of experience, bethinking what it fitted a King to do: and there I saw, he scant was wel furnished, if either he lacked Iustice, Temperance, Magnanimitie, or Iudgement. As for the two latter, I wil not boaste, my sexe doeth not permit it: But for the two first, this dare I say, Amōgst my subiects I neuer knew a difference of person, where right was one: Nor neuer to my knowledge preferred for fauour, whome I thought not fit for worth: Nor bent my eares to credite a tale that first was tolde me: Nor was so rash, to corrupt my iudgement with my censure, before I heard the cause. I wil not say, but many reports might fortune be brought mee by such as might heare the case, whose partialitie might marre sometime the matter: For wee Princes may not heare all our selues. But this dare I boldly affirme, My verdit went euer with the trueth of my knowledge. As ful well wished Alcibiades his friende, that hee should not giue any answere, till he had recited the letters of the Alphabet: so haue I not vsed ouer sudden resolutions, in matters that haue touched me full neere: you wil say that with me, I thinke.
And therfore, as touching your counsels and consultations, I conceiue them to bee wise, honest, and conscionable: so prouident and careful for the safetie of my life (which I wish no longer then may be for your good,) that though I neuer [Page 32]can yeeld you of recompence your due: yet shall I endeuour my selfe to giue you cause, to thinke your good wil not ill bestowed, & striue to make my selfe worthy for such subiects.
And now for your petition, I shal pray you for this present, to content your selues with an answere without answere: Your iudgement I condēne not, neither do I mistake your reasons, but pray you to accept my thankfulnesse, excuse my doutefulnesse, and take is good part my answere answerelesse: wherein I attribute not so much to mine owne iudtgemēt, but that I thinke many particular persōs may go before me, though by my degree I go before them. Therefore if I should say, I would not doe what you request, it might peraduenture be more then I thought: and to say I would do it, might perhaps breed perill of that you labour to preserue, being more then in your owne wisdomes and discretions would seeme cōuenient, circumstances of place and time being duely considered.