“I stand now in somewhat better terms than I did,” said he; “I was not in case till of late to deal roundly with them as I have now done.  I have established a chamber of finances, against some of their wills, whereby I doubt not to procure great benefit to increase our ability for payments hereafter.  The people I find still best devoted to her Majesty, though of late many lewd practices have been used to withdraw their good wills.  But it will not be; they still pray God that her Majesty may be their sovereign.  She should then see what a contribution they will all bring forth.  But to the States they will never return, which will breed some great mischief, there is such mislike of the States universally.  I would your Lordship had seen the case I had lived in among them these four months, especially after her Majesty’s mislike was found.  You would then marvel to see how I have waded, as I have done, through no small obstacles, without help, counsel, or assistance.”

Thus the part which he felt at last called upon to enact was that of an aristocratic demagogue, in perpetual conflict with the burgher-representative body.

It is now necessary to lift a corner of the curtain, by which some international—­or rather interpalatial—­intrigues were concealed, as much as possible, even from the piercing eyes of Walsingham.  The Secretary was, however, quite aware—­despite the pains taken to deceive him—­of the nature of the plots and of the somewhat ignoble character of the actors concerned in them.

     ETEXT editor’s bookmarks: 

     A hard bargain when both parties are losers
     Condemned first and inquired upon after
     Disordered, and unknit state needs no shaking, but propping
     Upper and lower millstones of royal wrath and loyal subserviency
     Uttering of my choler doth little ease my grief or help my case

HISTORY OF THE UNITED NETHERLANDS

From the Death of William the Silent to the Twelve Year’s Truce—­1609

By John Lothrop Motley

History of the United Netherlands, Volume 46, 1586

CHAPTER VIII.

Forlorn Condition of Flanders—­Parma’s secret Negotiations with the Queen—­Grafigni and Bodman—­Their Dealings with English Counsellors —­Duplicity of Farnese—­Secret Offers of the English Peace-Party—­ Letters and Intrigues of De Loo—­Drake’s Victories and their Effect —­Parma’s Perplexity and Anxiety—­He is relieved by the News from England—­Queen’s secret Letters to Parma—­His Letters and Instructions to Bodman—­Bodman’s secret Transactions at Greenwich—­ Walsingham detects and exposes the Plot—­The Intriguers baffled—­ Queen’s Letter to Parma and his to the King—­Unlucky Results of the Peace—­Intrigues—­Unhandsome Treatment of Leicester—­Indignation of the Earl and Walsingham—­Secret Letter of Parma