, as
they have already in England plenty, and then they
may the more easier destroy the others when she is
rid out of the way.

2. I speak not this, as some men would take it, to
move dissension; for that were the best way for the
Spaniards to come to their prey. Such a time they
look for, and such a time they say some nobleman
hath promised to provide for them.

3. God is my witness that my heart will not suffer
me for very shame to declare such vile reports as I
have heard them speak against the queen, and yet
her Grace taketh them for her faithful friends. The
Spaniards say, that if they obtain not the crown,
they may curse the time that ever the king was
married to a wife so unmeet for him by natural
course of years; but and if that may be brought to
pass that was meant in marriage-making, they shall
keep old rich robes for high festival days.

"Alas, for pity! Ye be yet in such good estate that
ye may, without loss of any man's life, keep the
crown and realm quietly. If ye will hear a fool's
counsel, keep still the crown to the right
succession in your hands, and give it to no foreign
princes. Peradventure her Grace thinketh the king
will keep her the more company and love her the
better, if she give him the crown. Ye will crown
him to make him chaste contrary to his nature. They
have a saying--'The baker's daughter is better in
her gown than Queen Mary without the crown.' They
say, 'Old wives must be cherished for their young
fair gifts.' 'Old wives,' they say, 'for fair words
will give all that they have.' But how be they used
afterwards? Doth the queen think the king will
remain in England with giving him the realm? The
council of Spain purposeth to establish other
matters; to appoint in England a viceroy with a
great a