expecting her majesty's coming; when, upon a sudden, she
resolved not to go, and so sent word. My lord of Essex that had kept his
chamber all the day before, in his nightgown went up to the queen the
privy way; but all would not prevail, and as yet my lady Leicester hath
not seen the queen. It had been better not moved, for my lord of Essex,
by importuning the queen in these unpleasing matters, loses the
opportunity he might take to do good unto his ancient friends." But on
March 2d he adds; "My lady Leicester was at court, kissed the queen's
hand and her breast, and did embrace her, and the queen kissed her. My
lord of Essex is in exceeding favor here. Lady Leicester departed from
court exceedingly contented, but being desirous again to come to kiss
the queen's hand, it was denied, and, as I heard, some wonted unkind
words given out against her."

This extraordinary height of royal favor was not merely the precursor,
but, by the arrogant presumption with which it inspired him, a principal
cause of Essex's decline, which was now fast approaching. Confident in
the affections of Elizabeth, he suffered himself to forget that she was
still his queen and still a Tudor; he often neglected the attentions
which would have gratified her; on any occasional cause of ill humour he
would drop slighting expressions respecting her age and person which, if
they reached her ear, could never be forgiven; on one memorable instance
he treated her with indignity openly and in her presence. A dispute had
arisen between them in presence of the admiral, the secretary, and the
clerk of the signet, respecting the choice of a commander for Ireland;
the queen resolving to send sir William Knolles, the uncle of Essex,
while he vehemently supported sir George Carew, because this person,
who was haughty and boastful, had given him some offence; and he wanted
to remove him out of his way. Unable either by argument or persuasion to
prevail over the resolute will of her majesty, the favorite at last
forgot himself so far as to turn his back upon her with a laugh of
contempt; an outrage which she revenged after her own manner, by boxing
his ears and bidding him "Go and be hanged." This retort so inflamed the
blood of Essex that he clapped his hand on his sword, and while the lord
admiral hastened to throw himself between them, he swore that not from
Henry VIII. himself would he have endured such an indignity, and foaming
with rage he rushed out of the pa