the earl himself had been well glad of. And now doth Tyrone dare us
old commanders with his presence and protection." &c.[134]
[Note 134: Nugae.]
* * * * *
"_Sir John Harrington to Mr. Robert Markham_, 1606.
"My good cousin,
"Herewith you will have my journal, with our history during our march
against the Irish rebels. I did not intend any eyes should have seen
this discourse but my own children's; yet alas! it happened otherwise;
for the queen did so ask, and I may say, demand my account, that I could
not withhold showing it; and I, even now, almost tremble to rehearse her
highness' displeasure hereat. She swore by God's son, we were all idle
knaves, and the lord deputy worse, for wasting our time and her commands
in such-wise as my journal doth write of.
"I could have told her highness of such difficulties, straits, and
annoyance, as did not appear therein to her eyes, nor, I found, could be
brought to her ear; for her choler did outrun all reason, though I did
meet it at a second hand. For what show she gave at first to my lord
deputy at his return, was far more grievous, as will appear in good
time.
"I marvel to think what strange humors do conspire to patch up the
natures of some minds. The elements do seem to strive which shall
conquer and rise above the other. In good sooth our late queen did
infold them all together. I bless her memory for all her goodness to me
and my family; and now will I show you what strange temperament she did
sometimes put forth. Her mind was oftimes like the gentle air that
cometh from the westerly point in a summer's morn; 'twas sweet and
refreshing to all around her. Her speech did win all affections, and her
subjects did try to show all love to her commands; for she would say,
her state did require her to command what she knew her people would
willingly do from their own love to her. Herein did she show her wisdom
fully; for who did choose to lose her confidence; or who would withhold
a show of love and obedience, when their sovereign said it was their own
choice, and not her compulsion? Surely she did play well her tables to
gain obedience thus without constraint; again could she put forth such
alterations, when obedience was lacking, as left no doubtings whose
daughter she was. I say this was plain on the lord deputy's coming home,
when I did come into her presence. She chafed much, walked fastly to and
fro, looked with discomposure in
|