royal blazon or coat of arms HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE DIEV ET MON DROIT THE COPY OF A LETTER TO THE RIGHT HOnourable the Earl of LEYCESTER, Lieutenant general of all her majesties forces in the united Provinces of the low Countries, written before, but delivered at his return from thence: With a report of certain petitions and declarations made to the Queen's Majesty at two several times, from all the Lords and Commons lately assembled in Parliament. And her majesties answers thereunto by herself delivered, though not expressed by the reporter with such grace and life, as the same were uttered by her Majesty. ¶ Imprinted at London by Christopher Barker, Printer to the Queen's most excellent Majesty. 1586. TO THE RIGHT HOnourable the Earl of Leicester, etc. ALbeit with earnest desire of my heart (right honourable my very good Lord) I have always endeavoured to do your Lordship some acceptable service, for the honour you first vouchsafed me from beyond my cradle, and after confirmed with the favourable opinion wherewith you have always countenanced me ever since, even thus far onward on my days, which also together with my years hath increased faster than mine ability to perform, being crossed in nothing more deeply, then when I was letted by the overmuch tendering of me by my parents, to attend your Lordship in your late voyage and honourable expedition into the Low Countries: yet have I been ever since most studious to observe and apprehend some good occasion, or fit opportunity, to testify the dutiful reverence I bear to your Lordship: wherein if hitherto I have been slack in performance during your absence, it hath proceeded of the care I had, not to entertain your Lordship with matter either frivolous or vulgar: though things of that nature might best become my condition, and well agree with my understanding. In which cogitation it came to my mind, that the report of the speeches delivered by the Queen's most excellent Majesty in a late and weighty cause dealt in this Parliament, in answer to the petitions presented to her Majesty the 12 & 24. of November at Richmond by the Lord chancellor and Speaker, respectively, in the name and behalf of both Estates, accompanied with divers of either sort, would doubtless be a thing to your L. most grateful, as one ever pleased justly to admire the rare perfections of her mind, and approved judgement, wherewith, according to your Estate & place, deservedly, your L. hath been usually acquainted: as also worthy of eternal monument and everlasting memory, for as much as on the sudden they were delivered by herself, for answer of a matter propounded, debated, resolved, and digested, with great labour and premeditation, of the greatest, gravest, wisest, and most choice persons of the whole Realm. Whereof although I have but slenderly portrayed the lineaments, without expressing to life the external ornaments of her Royal speech, accompanied with all Princely and graceful accomplementes: yet doubt I not but your Lordship will easily find her inward virtues, whereof it is impossible for me to make the least adumbration. And because in the daily expectation of your Lordship's return, I rested uncertain how these might come safely to your Lordship's hands: I did therefore advise to have this my letter with the included copies to be ready to attend your first arrival, in gratulation of the safety thereof, which hath been long desired. Wherein, as I strive to perform a particular duty to your Lordship, so trust I you will have that honourable consideration, that in the communication thereof with others, there grow not any prejudice to me for my presumption, in adventuring to be a reporter of that, which in the delivery wrought so great astonishment to all the hearers, as it exceeded the fullness of every man's expectation: and therefore, without some favourable construction of mine attempt, I might incur great blame by my slender manner of report, so to have blemished the excellency of her majesties speeches, whereof I humbly beseech your Lordship to have favourable regard. Thus referring them to your Lordship's disposition, and myself to your favourable protection, I humbly take my leave. 25. novemb. 1586. Your Lordship's most humbly in all duty to command. R. C. THE BRIEF OF THE Lord chancellor's first speech, at the time when he delivered her most excellent MAJESTY a petition in writing, for, and in the name of the Lords and Commons: Which speeches were of more length than here are by me collected: but sure I am, the substance thereof is here truly expressed. THat the Lords and Commons having of long time to their intolerable grief, found, by how many practices the Scottish Queen had compassed the destruction of her highness most Royal person (in whose safety next under God they acknowledged their chief felicity to consist) thereby not only to bereave them of the sincere and true Religion in this Realm professed and established, but to bring back again this noble Realm into the thraldom of Romish tyranny, and to overthrow the happy estate thereof: wherein, although her Highness of her abundant gracious natural clemency & Princely magnanimity, hath either lightly passed them over, or with no small indulgence tolerated, notwithstanding the often and earnest instances of her Nobility and Commons in sudry Parliaments heretofore: and further hath protected her from the violent pursuit of her own people: she yet, as a person obdurate in malice (as it appears,) continued her former practices, as had been lately manifested by certain wicked conspiracies plotted by one Anthony Babington, and divers desperate persons, that had combined and confederated themselves by vow and oath in a most horrible enterprise, by murder to take away the life of her Majesty: wherein the Scottish Q. did not only advise them, but also direct, comfort, and abbette them, with persuasion, counsel, promise of reward, & earnest obtestation. Whereupon, her Majesty at the earnest request of such as tendered the safety of her royal person and the quiet of the Realm, did direct Commission under the great Seal to sundry Lords and others of her majesties privy Counsel, and a great number of Lords of Parliament, of the greatest and most ancient degree, assisted with some of the principal judges of the Realm, to hear, examine and determine the same, according to a Statute in that behalf made in the xxvij. year of her reign. Who, to the number of 36. having attended the execution of the said Commission, and divers days and times heard the allegations against the said Scottish Queen in her own presence and hearing, (she being permitted to say what she would in her own excuse,) did with one assent, find her culpable both in privity and consent to the said crimes objected, and also in compassing the Queen's majesties death. Which sentence, by her own directions upon the hearing of the proves and process in Parliament, was judged to have been most honourable and just, and thereupon they all beseech her Majesty, that forasmuch as the said Queen of Scots, was the very ground and only subject, whereupon such dangerous practices and complots had been founded, against her majesties most Royal person and the Estate of this Realm for these many years, to the overthrow of sundry of the Nobility of the land, and danger of Christian religion, and that they could see no hope of her desisting, and her adherents, but that still her majesties safety must be hazarded, and stand to the event of the like miraculous discoveries: Therefore, as most humble and instant suppliants, they did upon their knees at her most gracious feet, beseech and request in most earnest manner, that aswell for the continuance of God's Religion, the quiet of this kingdom, preservation of her person, and defence of them and their posterities, it would please her Highness to take order, that the said sentence might be published, and such further direction given, as was requisite in this so weighty a cause, according to the purport and intent of the said Statute. Wherein, if her Majesty (pursuing her wont clemency) should now be remiss, besides the imminent danger to her person, she might by the stay thereof, procure the heavy displeasure of Almighty God, as by sundry severe examples of his justice in the sacred Scriptures, doth appear. And so he delivered, to her majesties own hands, the petition in writing, which he said, had been with great deliberation assented unto, by all the whole Parliament. A SHORT EXTRACT OF such reasons, as were delivered in speech by Master Sergeant Puckering, Speaker of the Lower House, before the Queen's most excellent Majesty in her Presence Chamber at Richmond, the xii. of November 1586. in the xxviii. year of her Reign, containing divers apparent and imminent dangers, that may grow to her majesties most Royal person, and to her Realm from the Scottish Queen and her Adherents, if remedy be not provided. ¶ First, touching the danger of her majesties person. 1 BOth this Scottish Queen and her favourers, do think her to have right, not to succeed but to enjoy your Crown in possession: and therefore as she is a most impatient competitor, so will she not spare any means whatsoever, that may bereave us of your Majesty, the only impediment that she enjoyeth not her desire. 2 She is obdurate in malice against your royal person, notwithstanding you have showed her all favour and mercy, as well inpreseruing her kingdom, as saving her life, and salving her honour. And therefore there is no place for mercy, since there is no hope that she will desist from most wicked attempts: the rather for that her malice appeareth such, that she maketh (as it were) her testament of the same, to be executed after her death, and appointeth her executors to perform it. 3 She boldly and openly professed it lawful for her to move invasion upon you. And therefore, as of invasion victory may ensue, and of victory, the death of the vanquished: so did she thereby not obscurely bewray, that she thought it lawful for her to destroy your sacred person. 4 She thinks it not only lawful, but honourable also and meritorious to take your life from you, as being already deprived of your Crown by the excommunication of the holy father. And therefore it is like she will (as hitherto she hath done) continually seek it by whatsoever means. 5 That she is greedy of your majesties death, and preferreth it before her own life and safety: for in her direction to one of her late Complices, she advised (under covert terms) that whatsoever should become of her, that tragical execution should be performed upon you. The danger of the overthrow of the true Religion. 1 IT most perilous to spare her, that continually hath sought the overthrow and suppression of true Religion, infected with Popery from her tender youth, and being after that a Confederate in that Holy league when she came to age, and ever since a professed enemy against the truth. 2 She resteth wholly upon Popish hopes to deliver and advance her, and is thereby so devoted to that profession, that aswell for satisfaction of others, as for feeding of her own humour, she will supplant the Gospel, where, and whensoever she may: which evil is so much the greater, and the more to be avoided, as that it slayeth the very soul, and will spread itself not only over England and Scotland, but also into those parts beyond the Seas, where the Gospel of God is maintained, the which cannot but be exceedingly weakened, by the defection of this noble Island. The peril of the state of the Realm. 1 AS the Lydians said, unum Regem agnoscunt Lydi, duos autem tolerare non possunt: So we say, unicam Reginam Elizabetham agnoscunt Angli, duas autem tolerare non possunt. 2 As she hath already by her allurements brought to destruction more Noble men and their houses, together with a greater multitude of the Commons of this Realm, during her being here, than she should have been able to do, if she had been in possession of her own Crown, and armed in the field against us: so will she still be continual cause of the like spoil, to the greater loss & peril of this Estate: And therefore this Realm neither can, nor may endure her. 3 Again, she is the only hope of all discontented subjects, she is the foundation whereon all the evil disposed do build, she is the root from whence all rebellions and treacheries do spring: And therefore whilst this hope lasteth, this foundation standeth, and this root liveth, they will retain heart, and set on foot whatsoever their devices against the Realm, which otherwise will fall away, die and come to nothing. 4 Mercy now in this case towards her, would in the end prove cruelty against us all, Nam est quaedam crudelis misericordia, and therefore to spare her, is to spill us. 5 Besides this, it will exceedingly grieve and in a manner deadly wound the hearts of all the good Subjects of your land, if they shall see a conspiracy so horrible not condingly punished. 6 Thousands of your majesties most liege and loving Subjects, of all sorts and degrees, that in a tender zeal of your majesties safety, have most willingly both by open subscription and solemn vow, entered into a firm and loyal association, and have thereby protested to pursue unto the death, by all forcible and possible means, such as she is by just sentence now found to be: can neither discharge their love, nor well save their oaths, if your Majesty shall keep her alive: of which burden your majesties Subjects are most desirous to be relieved, as the same may be, if justice be done. 7 Lastly, your majesties most loving & dutiful commons doubt not, but that as your Majesty is duly exercised in reading the Book of God, so it will please you to call to your princely remembrance, how fearful the examples of God's vengeance be, that are there to be found against King Saul for sparing King Agag, and against King Achab for saving the life of Benadad: both which were by the just judgement of God deprived of their kingdoms, for sparing those wicked Princes, whom God had delivered into their hands, of purpose to be slain by them, as by the ministers of his eternal and divine justice: Wherein full wisely Solomon proceeded to punishment, when he took the life of his own natural and elder brother Adonias, for the only intention of a marriage, that gave suspicion of treason against him. Herein we your majesties most loving and obedient subjects, earnestly depend upon your princely resolution, which we assure ourselves shall be to God most acceptable, and to us no other, than the state of your Regal authority may afford us, and the approved arguments of your tender care for our safety under your charge, doth promise to our expectation A REPORT OF HER majesties most gracious answer, delivered by herself verbally, to the first petitions of the Lords and Commons, being the Estates of Parliament, in her Chamber of Presence at Richmond, the xii. day of November 1586. at the full almost of xxviij. years of her Reign: Whereof the Reporter requireth of all that were hearers, a favourable interpretation of his intent, because he findeth that he can not express the same answerable to the original, which the learned call Prototypon. THE bottomless graces and immeasurable benefits bestowed upon me by the Almighty, are, and have been such, as I must not only acknowledge them, but admire them, accounting them as well miracles as benefits, not so much in respect of his divine Majesty, with whom nothing is more common then to do things rare and singular: as in regard of our weakness, who can not sufficiently set forth his wonderful worker and graces, which to me have been so many, so diversely folded and embroidered one upon another, as in no sort I am able to express them. And although there liveth not any, that may more justly acknowledge themselves infinitely bound unto God than I, whose life he hath miraculously preserved at sundry times (beyond my merit) from a multitude of perils and dangers: yet is not that the cause, for which I count myself the deeplyest bound to give him my humblest thanks, or to yield him greatest recognition: but this which I shall tell you hereafter, which will deserve the name of wonder, if rare things and seldom seen be worthy of account: Even this it is, that as I came to the Crown with the willing hearts of my subjects, so do I now after xxviij. years Reign, perceive in you no diminution of good wills, which if happily I should want, well might I breathe, but never think I lived. And now, albeit I find my life hath been full dangerously sought, & death contrived by such as no desert procured: yet am I therein so clear from malice (which hath the property to make men glad at the falls and faults of their foes, and make them seem to do for other causes, when rancour is the ground) as I protest it is and hath been my grievous thought, that one, not different in sex, of like Estate, & my near kin, should fall into so great a crime: yea, I had so little purpose to pursue her with any colour of malice, that as it is not unknown to some of my Lords here, (for now I will play the blab) I secretly wrote her a letter upon the discovery of sundry Treasons, that if she would confess them, and privately acknowledge them by her letters to myself, she never should need be called for them into so public question. Neither did I it of mind to cirumvent her: for than I Knew as much as she could confess, and so did I write. And if even yet, now that the matter is made but to apparent, I thought she truly would repent (as perhaps she would easily appear in outward show to do) and that for her, none other would take the matter upon them, or that we were but as two milk maids with pails upon our arms, or that there were no more dependency upon us, but mine own life were only in danger, & not the whole Estate of your Religion and well doings, I protest (wherein you may believe me, for though I may have many vices, I hope I have not accustomed my tongue to be an instrument of untruth) I would most willingly pardon and remit this offence. Or if by my death, other nations and Kingdoms might truly say, that this Realm had attained an everprosperous & flourishing estate: I would (I assure you) not desire to live, but gladly give my life, to the end my death might procure you a better Prince. And for your sakes it is, that I desire to live, to keep you from a worse. For as for me, I assure you, I find no great cause I should be fond to live: I take no such pleasure in it, that I should much wish it, nor conceive such terror in death, that I should greatly fear it: and yet I say not, but if the stroke were coming, perchance flesh and blood would be moved with it, and seek to shun it. I have had good experience and trial of this world: I know what it is to be a subject, what to be a Sovereign: what to have good neighbours, and sometime meet evil willers. I have found treason in trust, seen great benefits little regarded, & in stead of gratefulness, courses of purpose to cross. These former remembrances, present feeling, and future expectation of evils, I say, have made me think, An evil, is much the better, the less while it endureth: and so, them happiest, that are soon hence: & taught me to bear with a better mind these treasons, then is common to my sex: yea, with a better heart perhaps, then is in some men. Which I hope you will not merely impute to my simplicity or want of understanding, but rather, that I thus conceived, that had their purposes taken effect, I should not have found the blow, before I had felt it: and, though my peril should have been great, my pain should have been but small & short: wherein, as I would be loath to die so bloody a death, so doubt I not, but God would have given me grace to be prepared for such an event, chance when it shall, which I refer to his good pleasure. And now, as touching their treasons and conspiracies, together with the contriver of them, I will not so prejudicate myself and this my Realm, as to say or think, that I might not, without the last Statute, by the ancient laws of this land, have proceeded against her, which was not made particularly to prejudice her: though perhaps it might then be suspected, in respect of the disposition of such as depend that way. It was so far from being intended to entrap her, that it was rather an admonition to warn the danger thereof: but sith it is made, and in the force of a Law, I thought good, in that which might concern her, to proceed according thereunto, rather than by course of common Law: wherein, if you the judges have not deceived me, or that the books you brought me were not false (which God forbidden) I might as justly have tried her, by the ancient Laws of the land. But you Lawyers are so nice in sifting and scanning every word and letter, that many times you stand more upon form then matter, upon syllables than sense of the Law. For in the strictness and exact following of common form, she must have been indicted in Stafford Shire, have holden up her hand at the Bar, and been tried by a jury: A proper course forsooth, to deal in that manner with one of her Estate. I thought it better therefore, for avoiding of these and more absurdities, to commit the cause to the inquisition of a good number of the greatest and most noble personages of this Realm, of the judges and others of good account, whose sentence I must approve: And all little enough: For we Princes, I tell you, are set on stages, in the sight and view of all the world duly observed: The eyes of many behold our actions: A spot is soon spied in our garments: A blemish quickly noted in our doings. It behoveth us therefore, to be careful that our proceed be just and honourable. But I must tell you one thing more, that in this last Act of Parliament you have brought me to a narrow strait, that I must give direction for her death, which cannot be to me but a most grievous and irksome burden. And lest 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 amongst many some may be evil: yet hath it not been the doubt of any such danger or occasion that kept me from thence, but only the great grief to hear this cause spoken of, especially, that such a one of State and kin, should need so open a declaration, & that this nation should be so spotted with blots of disloyalty. Wherein the less is my grief, for that I hope the better part is mine, and those of the worse not much to be accounted of, for that in seeking my destruction, they might have spoiled their own souls. And even now could I tell you, that which would make you sorry. It is a secret, and yet I will tell it you, although it is known, I have the property to keep counsel, but too well oftentimes to mine own peril. It is not long since mine eyes did see it written, that an oath was taken within few days, either to kill me or to be hanged themselves: & that to be performed ere one month were ended. Hereby I see your danger in me, and neither can nor will be so unthankful or careless of your consciences, as not provide for your safety. I am not unmindful of your oath made in the association, manifesting your great goodwills & affections taken and entered into, upon good conscience, & true knowledge of the guilt, for safety of my person, & conservation of my life: done (I protest to God) before I heard it, or ever thought of such a matter, until a great number of hands with many Obligations were showed me, at Hampton Court, signed and subscribed with the names and seals of the greatest of this land: which as I do acknowledge as a perfect argument of your true hearts, and great zeal to my safety: so shall my bond be stronger tied to greater care for all your good. But for as much as this matter is rare, weighty, and of great consequence, I think you do not look for any present Resolution: the rather, for that, as it is not my manner, in matters of far less moment, to give speedy answer without due consideration: so in this of such importance, I think it very requisite with earnest Prayer to beseech his divine Majesty, so to illuminate my understanding, and inspire me with his grace, as I may do and determine that, which shall serve to the establishment of his Church, preservation of your estates, and prosperity of this common wealth under my charge. Wherein (for that I know delay is dangerous) you shall have with all conveniency our Resolution delivered by our message. And what ever any Prince may merit of their Subjects, for their approved testimony of their unfeigned sincerity, either by governing justly, void of all partiality, or sufferance of any injuries done (even to the poorest) that do I assuredly promise inviolably to perform, for requital of your so many deserts. ❧ The occasions of the second access. This Answer thus made by her Majesty, the Lords and Commons were dismissed. And then her Highness some few days after, upon deliberation had of this Petition, being (as it appeared) of her merciful disposition of nature, and her Princely magnanimity, in some conflict with herself what to do in a cause so weighty and important to her and the Realm, sent by the Lord chancellor (as I heard) and by the mouth of an Honourable person, and a right worthy member of the lower house, this message to both houses: moving 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 far disagreeing from her own natural inclination. Whereupon, the Lords and Commons in either houses assembled, had sundry consultations, both in their several houses generally, and by private Committees deputed specially, and after conference had betwixt the said Committees, it was resolved with unanimity of consent amongst them in the lower house, and by universal concord in the upper house, (the question there propounded to every one of the Lords) that there could be found no other sound and assured mean, in the depth of their understanding, for the continuance of the Christian religion, quiet of the Realm, and safety of her majesties most Royal person, then that which was contained in their former petition. The reasons whereof, were summarily these that follow: which are more shortly reported, than they were uttered. A BRIEF REPORT OF the second access the 24. of November 1586. and of the answer made in the name of the Lords of Parliament, to a message sent from her MAJESTY by the L. chancellor after her first answer. THE Lord chancellor accompanied with above five or six and twenty Lords of Parliament, came before her Highness in her Chamber of presence, to deliver the resolution of all the Lords of Parliament, concerning a message which he had not long before delivered from her Majesty, for further consultation, whether any other means could be thought of, or found out by any of them, how the Scottish Queen's life might be spared, and yet her majesties person saved out of peril, and the state of the Realm preserved in quiet, declared, that according to that he had received in commandment from her Majesty, he had imparted the same to the Lords assembled in the upper house, whom he found by their general silence much amazed at the propounding thereof, considering the same had been before in deliberation amongst them, and resolved upon, & as appeared by their former petition exhibited to her Highness, wherein they had expressed the same resolution. Notwithstanding, for her majesties further satisfaction, they had entered into a new consultation, and for that purpose selected a great number of the choicest persons of that higher house of Parliament, to confer thereof, either privately or together with the lower house: which also was done accordingly at several 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 means for the preservation of her majesties life, & continuance of God's Religion, & quiet of this State, then by the full execution of the sentence according to their former petition, instantly pressing her Majesty with many arguments & reasons tending thereto, all which, though by distance from his Lordship I could not well conceive, yet this I did remember precisely & especially was one, that as it were injustice to deny execution of Law, at the suit of any one particular, and the meanest of her people: so much more, not to yield to the earnest instance and humble prayers of all her faithful and loving subjects. And so concluded, with earnest petition for her majesties resolute determination and answer, for a present and speedy direction by proclamation, and otherwise also, according to the form of the statute. A summary REPORT of the second speech, uttered by the Speaker of the Lower House, by direction of all the Commons. THat if her Majesty should be safe without taking away the life of the Scottish Queen, the same were most likely and probably to grow, by one of these means following. 1 First, that happily she might be reclaimed and become A repentant convert, agnizing her majesties great mercy and favours in remitting her heinous offence, and by her loyalty hereafter, perform the fruits of such conversion. 2 Or else, by a more Straight guard be so kept, as there should be no fear of the like attempts hereafter. 3 Or, that good assurance might be given by Oath, Bonds or Hostages, as cautions for her good and loyal demeanour from henceforth. 4 Or lastly, by Banishment, the realm might be voided of her person, and thereby the perils further removed, that grow to her Majesty by her presence. The moments whereof being duly pondered, did yet appear so light in all their judgements, that they durst not advise any security to rest in any, no not in all of them. For touching her conversion, it was considered, that if piety or duty could have restrained her from such heinous attempts, there was cause abundantly ministered to her on majesties behalf, when she not only protected her against the violence of her own subjects, who pursued her to death by justice, but covered her honour, when the same by public fame was touched, & by very heinous and capital crimes objected and proved against her before certain Commissary delegates assigned to examine the same, more than blemished, & spared her life, when for her former conspiracies & confederacies with the Northern Rebels, her highness was with great instance pressed by both the houses in the xiiii. year of her majesties reign, to do like justice upon her, as now is desired, and as her treasonable practices then, had most justly deserved. And where the penalty of this Act sufficiently notified unto her, should have terrified her from so wicked attempts, she hath nevertheless insisted in her former practices, as a person obdurate in malice against her Majesty, and irrecoverable: so as there was no probable hope of any conversion, but rather great doubt and fear of relapse and recidivation, forasmuch as she stood obstinately in the denial of matter most evidently proved, and now most justly sentenced against her, and was not entered into the first part of repentance, The recognition of her offence, and so much the farther off from the true fruits that should accompany the same. As for a surer guard, and more straight imprisonment, it was resolved, that there was no security therein, nor yet in the other two means propounded of bonds and hostages: for as much as the same means that should be practised to take her majesties life away (which God forbidden) would aptly serve both for the delivery of her person, & release of the bonds & hostages that should be given for cautions in that behalf: which being unhappily achieved, and to our irreparable loss, who should sue the bonds, or detain the hostages? or being detained, what proportion was there in bonds or hostages whatsoever, to countervail the value of so precious and inestimable a jewel, as her Majesty is to this Realm, and to us all? But she will solemnly vow and take an oath, that she will not attempt any thing to the hurt of her majesties person: She hath already sundry times falsified her word, her writing and her oath, and holdeth it for an article of religion, That faith is not to be holden with heretics, of which sort she accounteth your Majesty, and all the professors of the Gospel to be: And therefore have we little reason to trust her in that, whereof she maketh so small a conscience. As for banishment, that were a step à malo in peius to set her at liberty: a thing so greatly desired and thirsted for by her adherents, and by some Princes her Allies, who sought her enlargement chief, to make her a head to be set up against her Majesty, in time of invasion. To the which were added some few reasons, collected out of her own letters & the confession of Babington, her instrument and chief conspirator: by which appeared, how her own conscience bewrayed what might justly fall upon her, in case any of her intended desseignements came to light: that she might haply be shut up in some more close and strait prison, as the Tower of London, if there befell her no worse thing: and in that she directed Babington, in case he failed in the action of her delivery, that he should nevertheless proceed in the residue, which was the death of her Majesty: who also confessed, that upon assurance of her majesties death, or the arrival of strangers, he intended to proclaim of Q. of Scots, and made no doubt of the desired success: and therefore, her majesties death being so earnestly sought, for advancement of this competitor, her Highness could not remain in quietness or security, if the Scottish Queen should longer continue her life. THE SECOND ANSWER made by the Queen's Majesty, delivered by her own mouth, to the second speech, uttered in the names of the Lords & Commons of the Parliament. FULL grievous is the way, whose going on and end, breed cumber for the hire of a laborious journey. I have strived more this day then ever in my life, whether I should speak, or use silence. If I speak and not complain, I shall dissemble: if I hold my peace, your labour taken were full vain. For me to make my moan, were strange and rare: for I suppose you shall find few, that for their own particular, will cumber you with such a care. Yet such I protest hath been my greedy desire and hungry will, that of your consultation might have fallen out some other means to work my safety joined with your assurance, (then that for which you are become such earnest suitors) as I protest, I must needs use complaint, though not of you, but unto you, and of the cause: for that I do perceive by your advises, prayers, and desires, there falleth out this accident, that Only my Iniverers bane, must be my life's surety. But if any there live so wicked of nature, to suppose, that I prolonged this time only, proforma, to the intent to make a show of clemency, thereby to set my praises to be wire drawers to lengthen them the more: they do me so great a wrong, as they can hardly recompense. Or if any person there be, that think or imagine, that the least vainglorious thought hath drawn me further herein, they do me as open injury as ever was done to any living creature, as he that is the maker of all thoughts, knoweth best to be true. Or if there be any, that think, that the Lords appointed in Commission durst do no other, as fearing thereby to displease, or else to be suspected to be of a contrary opinion to my safety, they do but heap upon me injurious conceits. For either those put in trust by me to supply my place, have not have signified unto you all, that my desire was, that every one should do according to his conscience, & in the course of his proceed should enjoy both freedom of voice & liberty of opinion: & what they would not only declare, they might privately to myself have revealed. It was of a willing mind & great desire I had, that some other means might be found out, wherein I should have taken more comfort, then in any other thing under the Sun. And since now it is resolved, that my surety can not be established without a Princess end, I have just cause to complain, that I, who have in my time pardoned so many Rebels, winked at so many treasons, and either not produced them, or altogether slipped them over with silence, should now be forced to this proceeding, against such a person. I have beside, during my reign, seen and heard many opprobrious books and Pamphlets against me, my Realm and State, accusing me to be a Tyrant: I thank them for their alms: I believe, therein their meaning was to tell me news, and news it is to me in deed: I would it were as strange to hear of their impiety. What will they not now say, when it shallbe spread. That for the safety of her life, a Maiden Queen could be content to spill the blood, even of her own kinswoman? I may therefore full well complain, that any man should think me given to cruelty, whereof I am so guiltless and innocent, as I should slander God, if I should say he gave me so vile a mind: yea, I protest, I am so far from it, that for mine own life I would not touch her: neither hath my care been so much bend how to prolong mine, as how to preserve both, which I am right sorry is made so hard, yea, so impossible. I am not so void of judgement, as not to see mine own peril: nor yet so ignorant, as not to know it were in nature a foolish course, to cherish a sword to cut mine own throat: nor so careless, as not to weigh that my life daily is in hazard: but this I do consider, that many a man would put his life in danger for the safeguard of a King, I do not say that so will I: but I pray you think, that I have thought upon it. But sith so many have both written and spoken against me, I pray you give me leave to say somewhat for myself, and before you return to your countries, let you know, for what a one you have passed so careful thoughts. Wherein, as I think myself infinitely beholding unto you all, that seek to preserve my life by all the means you may: so I protest unto you, that there liveth no Prince, that ever shall be more mindful to requite so good deserts. And as I perceive you have kept your old wonts, in a general seeking of the lengthening of my days: so am I sure that I shall never requite it, unless I had as many lives as you all: but for ever I will acknowledge it, while there is any breath left me. Although I may not justify, but may justly condemn my sundry faults and sins to God: yet for my care in this government, let me acquaint you with my intents. When first I took the Sceptre, my title made me not forget the giver: and therefore began, as it became me, with such religion, as both I was borne in, bred in, & I trust shall die in. Although I was not so simple, as not to know what danger and peril so great an alteration might procure me: how many great Princes of the contrary opinion would attempt all they might against me: and generally, what enmity I should breed unto myself: which all I regarded not, knowing that he, for whose sake I did it, might, and would defend me. For which it is, that ever since I have been so dangerously prosecuted, as I rather marvel that I am, then muse that I should not be: if it were not Gods holy hand that continueth me, beyond all other expectation. Then entered I further into the school of experience, bethinking what it fitted a King to do: and there I saw, he scant was well furnished, if either he lacked justice, Temperance, Magnanimity, or judgement. As for the two latter, I will not boast, my sex doth not permit it: But for the two first, this dare I say, Among my subjects I never knew a difference of person, where right was one: Nor never to my knowledge preferred for favour, whom I thought not fit for worth: Nor bent my ears to credit a tale that first was told me: Nor was so rash, to corrupt my judgement with my censure, before I heard the cause. I will not say, but many reports might fortune be brought me by such as might hear the case, whose partiality might mar sometime the matter: For we Princes may not hear all ourselves. But this dare I boldly affirm, My verdict went ever with the truth of my knowledge. As full well wished Alcibiades his friend, that he should not give any answer, till he had recited the letters of the Alphabet: so have I not used over sudden resolutions, in matters that have touched me full near: you will say that with me, I think. And therefore, as touching your counsels and consultations, I conceive them to be wise, honest, and conscionable: so provident and careful for the safety of my life (which I wish no longer then may be for your good,) that though I never can yield you of recompense your due: yet shall I endeavour myself to give you cause, to think your good will not ill bestowed, & strive to make myself worthy for such subjects. And now for your petition, I shall pray you for this present, to content yourselves with an answer without answer: Your judgement I condemn not, neither do I mistake your reasons, but pray you to accept my thankfulness, excuse my doutefulnesse, and take is good part my answer answerless: wherein I attribute not so much to mine own iudtgement, but that I think many particular people may go before me, though by my degree I go before them. Therefore if I should say, I would not do what you request, it might peradventure be more than I thought: and to say I would do it, might perhaps breed peril of that you labour to preserve, being more than in your own wisdoms and discretions would seem convenient, circumstances of place and time being duly considered. royal blazon or coat of arms HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE DIEV ET MON DROIT Imprinted at London by Christopher Barker, Printer to the Queen's most excellent Majesty. 1586.