"to monarchise and
kill with looks," or who could feel a pang at parting with the bauble
of a crown; and when the wise world cried out in their surprise, and
strained their fancies for the cause of conduct which seemed so
strange to them, they forgot that princes who reign to labour, grow
weary like the peasant of the burden of daily toil.

Many influences combined to induce Charles to delay no longer in
putting his resolution in effect.

The Cortes were growing impatient at the prolonged absence both of
himself and Philip, and the presence of the emperor, although in
retirement, would give pleasure to the Spanish people. His health was
so shattered, that each winter had been long expected to be his last;
and although he would not flinch from work as long as he was required
at his post, there was nothing to detain Philip any more in England,
unless, or until, the succession could be placed on another footing.
To continue there the husband of a childless queen, with authority
limited to a form, and with no recognised interest beyond the term of
his wife's life, was no becoming position for the heir of the throne
of Spain, of Naples, the Indies, and the Low Countries.

Philip was therefore now going. He concealed his intention till it was
betrayed by the departure of one Spanish nobleman after another. The
queen became nervous and agitated, and at last he was forced to avow
part of the truth. He told her that his father wanted to see him, but
that his absence would not be extended beyond a fortnight or three
weeks; she should go with him to Dover, and, if she desired, she could
wait there for his return.[484] Her consent was obtained by the mild
deceit, and it was considered afterwards that the journey to Dover
might be too much for her, and the parting might take place at
Greenwich.

[Footnote 484: Noailles, vol. v. pp. 77-82.]

{p.219} On the 3rd of August, the king and queen removed for a few
days from Hampton Court to Oatlands; on the way Mary received
consolation from a poor man who met her on crutches, and was cured of
his lameness by looking on her.[485]

[Footnote 485: Machyn's _Diary_.]

On the 26th, the royal party came down the river in their barge,
attended by the legate; they dined at Westminster on their way to
Greenwich, and as rumour had said that Mary was dead, she was carried
through the city in an open litter, with the king and the cardinal at
her side. To