te seemed daily
to acquire an ascendant over the minister. Had he beer endowed with
caution and self-command equal to his shining qualities, he would have
so rivetted himself in the queen's confidence, that none of his enemies
had ever been able to impeach his credit: but his lofty spirit could ill
submit to that implicit deference which her temper required, and which
she had ever been accustomed to receive from all her subjects. Being
once engaged in a dispute with her about the choice of a governor for
Ireland, he was so heated in the argument, that he entirely forgot
the rules both of duty and civility, and turned his back upon her in a
contemptuous manner. Her anger, naturally prompt and violent, rose at
this provocation; and she instantly gave him a box on the ear, adding
a passionate expression suited to his impertinence. Instead of
recollecting himself, and making the submissions due to her sex and
station, he clapped his hand to his sword, and swore, that he would not
bear such usage, were it from Henry VIII. himself, and he immediately
withdrew from court. Egerton, the chancellor, who loved Essex, exhorted
him to repair his indiscretion by proper acknowledgments; and entreated
him not to give that triumph to his enemies, that affliction to his
friends, which must ensue from his supporting a contest with his
sovereign, and deserting the service of his country: but Essex was
deeply stung with the dishonor which he had received; and seemed to
think, that an insult which might be pardoned in a woman was become a
mortal affront when it came from his sovereign. "If the vilest of all
indignities," said he, "is done me, does religion enforce me to sue for
pardon? Doth God require it? Is it impiety not to do it? Why? Cannot
princes err? Cannot subjects receive wrong? Is an earthly power
infinite? Pardon me, my lord; I can never subscribe to these principles.
Let Solomon's fool laugh when he is stricken; let those that mean to
make their profit of princes, show no sense of princes' injuries: let
them acknowledge an infinite absoluteness on earth, that do not believe
an absolute infiniteness in heaven:" (alluding, probably, to the
character and conduct of Sir Walter Raleigh, who lay under the reproach
of impiety.) "As for me," continued he, "I have received wrong, I feel
it: my cause is good, I know it; and whatsoever happens, all the powers
on earth can never exert more strength and constancy in oppressing, than
I can sho