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So spoke Elizabeth; whose nicety of scent was one of the
characteristics of her organization; as appeared long afterwards
when she expelled Essex from her presence; on a charge against
his boots similar to that which she now expressed against those
of Tressilian
But Tressilian had by this time collected himself; astonished as
he had at first been by the audacity of the falsehood so feasibly
supported; and placed in array against the evidence of his own
eyes。 He rushed forward; kneeled down; and caught the Queen by
the skirt of her robe。 〃As you are Christian woman;〃 he said;
〃madam; as you are crowned Queen; to do equal justice among your
subjectsas you hope yourself to have fair hearing (which God
grant you) at that last bar at which we must all plead; grant me
one small request! Decide not this matter so hastily。 Give me
but twenty…four hours' interval; and I will; at the end of that
brief space; produce evidence which will show to demonstration
that these certificates; which state this unhappy lady to be now
ill at ease in Oxfordshire; are false as hell!〃
〃Let go my train; sir!〃 said Elizabeth; who was startled at his
vehemence; though she had too much of the lion in her to fear;
〃the fellow must be distraught。 That witty knave; my godson
Harrington; must have him into his rhymes of Orlando Furioso!
And yet; by this light; there is something strange in the
vehemence of his demand。Speak; Tressilian; what wilt thou do
if; at the end of these four…and…twenty hours; thou canst not
confute a fact so solemnly proved as this lady's illness?〃
〃I will lay down my head on the block;〃 answered Tressilian。
〃Pshaw!〃 replied the Queen; 〃God's light! thou speakest like a
fool。 What head falls in England but by just sentence of English
law? I ask thee; manif thou hast sense to understand mewilt
thou; if thou shalt fail in this improbable attempt of thine;
render me a good and sufficient reason why thou dost undertake
it?〃
Tressilian paused; and again hesitated; because he felt convinced
that if; within the interval demanded; Amy should become
reconciled to her husband; he would in that case do her the worst
of offices by again ripping up the whole circumstances before
Elizabeth; and showing how that wise and jealous princess had
been imposed upon by false testimonials。 The consciousness of
this dilemma renewed his extreme embarrassment of look; voice;
and manner; he hesitated; looked down; and on the Queen repeating
her question with a stern voice and flashing eye; he admitted
with faltering words; 〃That it might behe could not positively
that is; in certain eventsexplain the reasons and grounds on
which he acted。〃
〃Now; by the soul of King Henry;〃 said the Queen; 〃this is either
moonstruck madness or very knavery!Seest thou; Raleigh; thy
friend is far too Pindaric for this presence。 Have him away; and
make us quit of him; or it shall be the worse for him; for his
flights are too unbridled for any place but Parnassus; or Saint
Luke's Hospital。 But come back instantly thyself; when he is
placed under fitting restraint。We wish we had seen the beauty
which could make such havoc in a wise man's brain。〃
Tressilian was again endeavouring to address the Queen; when
Raleigh; in obedience to the orders he had received; interfered;
and with Blount's assistance; half led; half forced him out of
the presence…chamber; where he himself indeed began to think his
appearance did his cause more harm than good。
When they had attained the antechamber; Raleigh entreated Blount
to see Tressilian safely conducted into the apartments allotted
to the Earl of Sussex's followers; and; if necessary; recommended
that a guard should be mounted on him。
〃This extravagant passion;〃 he said; 〃and; as it would seem; the
news of the lady's illness; has utterly wrecked his excellent
judgment。 But it will pass away if he be kept quiet。 Only let
him break forth again at no rate; for he is already far in her
Highness's displeasure; and should she be again provoked; she
will find for him a worse place of confinement; and sterner
keepers。〃
〃I judged as much as that he was mad;〃 said Nicholas Blount;
looking down upon his own crimson stockings and yellow roses;
〃whenever I saw him wearing yonder damned boots; which stunk so
in her nostrils。 I will but see him stowed; and be back with you
presently。 But; Walter; did the Queen ask who I was?methought
she glanced an eye at me。〃
〃Twentytwenty eye…glances she sent! and I told her allhow
thou wert a brave soldier; and a But for God's sake; get off
Tressilian!〃
〃I willI will;〃 said Blount; 〃but methinks this court…haunting
is no such bad pastime; after all。 We shall rise by it; Walter;
my brave lad。 Thou saidst I was a good soldier; and a what
besides; dearest Walter?〃
〃An all unutterable…codshead。 For God's sake; begone!〃
Tressilian; without further resistance or expostulation followed;
or rather suffered himself to be conducted by Blount to Raleigh's
lodging; where he was formally installed into a small truckle…bed
placed in a wardrobe; and designed for a domestic。 He saw but
too plainly that no remonstrances would avail to procure the help
or sympathy of his friends; until the lapse of the time for which
he had pledged himself to remain inactive should enable him
either to explain the whole circumstances to them; or remove from
him every pretext or desire of further interference with the
fortunes of Amy; by her having found means to place herself in a
state of reconciliation with her husband。
With great difficulty; and only by the most patient and mild
remonstrances with Blount; he escaped the disgrace and
mortification of having two of Sussex's stoutest yeomen quartered
in his apartment。 At last; however; when Nicholas had seen him
fairly deposited in his truckle…bed; and had bestowed one or two
hearty kicks; and as hearty curses; on the boots; which; in his
lately acquired spirit of foppery; he considered as a strong
symptom; if not the cause; of his friend's malady; he contented
himself with the modified measure of locking the door on the
unfortunate Tressilian; whose gallant and disinterested efforts
to save a female who had treated him with ingratitude thus
terminated for the present in the displeasure of his Sovereign
and the conviction of his friends that he was little better than
a madman。
CHAPTER XXXII。
The wisest Sovereigns err like private men;
And royal hand has sometimes laid the sword
Of chivalry upon a worthless shoulder;
Which better had been branded by the hangman。
What then?Kings do their best; and they and we
Must answer for the intent; and not the event。 OLD PLAY。
〃It is a melancholy matter;〃 said the Queen; when Tressilian was
withdrawn; 〃to see a wise and learned man's wit thus pitifully
unsettled。 Yet this public display of his imperfection of brain
plainly shows us that his supposed injury and accusation were
fruitless; and therefore; my Lord of Leicester; we remember your
suit formerly made to us in behalf of your faithful servant
Varney; whose good gifts and fidelity; as they are useful to you;
ought to have due reward from us; knowing well that your
lordship; and all you have; are so earnestly devoted to our
service。 And we render Varney the honour more especially that we
are a guest; and; we fear; a chargeable and troublesome one;
under your lordship's roof; and also for the satisfaction of the
good old Knight of Devon; Sir Hugh Robsart; whose daughter he
hath married; and we trust the especial mark of grace which we
are about to confer may reconcile him to his son…in…law。Your
sword; my Lord of Leicester。〃
The Earl unbuckled his sword; and taking it by the point;
presented on bended knee the hilt to Elizabeth。
She took it slowly drew it from the scabbard; and while the
ladies who stood around turned away their eyes with real or
affected shuddering; she noted with a curious eye the high polish
and rich; damasked ornaments upon the glittering blade。
〃Had I been a man;〃 she said; 〃methinks none of my ancestors
would have loved a good sword better。 As it is with me; I like
to look on one; and could; like the Fairy of whom I have read in
some Italian rhymeswere my godson Harrington here; he could
tell me the passageeven trim my hair; and arrange my head…gear;
in such a steel mirror as this is。Richard Varney; come forth;
and kneel down。 In the name of God and Saint George; we dub thee
knight! Be Faithful; Brave; and Fortunate。 Arise; Sir Richard
Varney。〃
'The incident alluded to occurs in the poem of Orlando Innamorato
of Boiardo; libro ii。 canto 4; stanza 25。
〃Non era per ventura;〃 etc。
It may be rendered thus:
As then; perchance; unguarded was the tower;
So enter'd free Anglante's dauntless knight。
No monster and no giant guard the bower
In whose recess reclined the fairy light;
Robed in a loose cymar of lily white;
And on her lap a sword of breadth and might;
In whose broad blade; as in a mirror bright;
Like maid that trims her for a festal night;
The fairy deck'd her hair; and placed her coronet aright。
Elizabeth's attachment to the Italian s