第17章

"Nay，antherebefools，mylord，"repliedLaneham，withmuchglee，"IwarrantIwillmakesportamongthem，fornogreyhoundlovestocoteahareasItoturnandcourseafool。ButIhaveanothersingularfavourtobeseechofyourhonour。"

"Speakit，andletmego，"saidtheEarl;"IthinktheQueencomesforthinstantly。"

"Myverygoodlord，Iwouldfainbringabed—fellowwithme。"

"How，youirreverentrascal！"saidLeicester。

"Nay，mylord，mymeaningiswithinthecanons，"answeredhisunblushing，orratherhisever—blushingpetitioner。"Ihaveawifeascuriousashergrandmotherwhoatetheapple。Now，takeherwithmeImaynot，herHighness\'sordersbeingsostrictagainsttheofficersbringingwiththemtheirwivesinaprogress，andsolumberingthecourtwithwomankind。ButwhatI

wouldcraveofyourlordshipistofindroomforherinsomemummery，orprettypageant，indisguise，asitwere;sothat，notbeingknownformywife，theremaybenooffence。"

"Thefoulfiendseizeyeboth！"saidLeicester，stungintouncontrollablepassionbytherecollectionswhichthisspeechexcited——"whystopyoumewithsuchfollies？"

Theterrifiedclerkofthechamber—door，astonishedattheburstofresentmenthehadsounconsciouslyproduced，droppedhisstaffofofficefromhishand，andgazedontheincensedEarlwithafoolishfaceofwonderandterror，whichinstantlyrecalledLeicestertohimself。

"Imeantbuttotryifthouhadsttheaudacitywhichbefitsthineoffice，"saidhehastily。"CometoKenilworth，andbringthedevilwiththee，ifthouwilt。"

"Mywife，sir，hathplayedthedevilerenow，inaMystery，inQueenMary\'stime;butmeshallwantatrifleforproperties。"

"Hereisacrownforthee，"saidtheEarl，——"makemeridofthee——thegreatbellrings。"

MasterRobertLanehamstaredamomentattheagitationwhichhehadexcited，andthensaidtohimself，ashestoopedtopickuphisstaffofoffice，"ThenobleEarlrunswildhumoursto—day。

Buttheywhogivecrownsexpectuswittyfellowstowinkattheirunsettledstarts;and，bymyfaith，iftheypaidnotformercy，wewouldfingerthemtightly！"[SeeNote6。RobertLaneham。]

Leicestermovedhastilyon，neglectingthecourtesieshehadhithertodispensedsoliberally，andhurryingthroughthecourtlycrowd，untilhepausedinasmallwithdrawing—room，intowhichheplungedtodrawamoment\'sbreathunobserved，andinseclusion。

"WhatamInow，"hesaidtohimself，"thatamthusjadedbythewordsofamean，weather—beaten，goose—brainedgull！Conscience，thouartabloodhound，whosegrowlwakesusreadilyatthepaltrystirofaratormouseasatthestepofalion。CanInotquitmyself，byoneboldstroke，ofastatesoirksome，sounhonoured？

WhatifIkneeltoElizabeth，and，owningthewhole，throwmyselfonhermercy？"

Ashepursuedthistrainofthought，thedooroftheapartmentopened，andVarneyrushedin。

"ThankGod，mylord，thatIhavefoundyou！"washisexclamation。

"Thankthedevil，whoseagentthouart，"wastheEarl\'sreply。

"Thankwhomyouwill，mylord，"repliedVarney;"buthastentothewater—side。TheQueenisonboard，andasksforyou。"

"Go，sayIamtakensuddenlyill，"repliedLeicester;"for，byHeaven，mybraincansustainthisnolonger！"

"Imaywellsayso，"saidVarney，withbitternessofexpression，"foryourplace，ay，andmine，who，asyourmasterofthehorse，wastohaveattendedyourlordship，isalreadyfilledupintheQueen\'sbarge。Thenewminion，WalterRaleigh，andouroldacquaintanceTressilianwerecalledfortofillourplacesjustasIhastenedawaytoseekyou。"

"Thouartadevil，Varney，"saidLeicesterhastily;"butthouhastthemasteryforthepresent——Ifollowthee。"

Varneyrepliednot，butledthewayoutofthepalace，andtowardstheriver，whilehismasterfollowedhim，asifmechanically;until，lookingback，hesaidinatonewhichsavouredoffamiliarityatleast，ifnotofauthority，"Howisthis，mylord？Yourcloakhangsononeside——yourhoseareunbraced——permitme——"

"Thouartafool，Varney，aswellasaknave，"saidLeicester，shakinghimoff，andrejectinghisofficiousassistance。"Wearebestthus，sir;whenwerequireyoutoorderourperson，itiswell，butnowwewantyounot。"

Sosaying，theEarlresumedatoncehisairofcommand，andwithithisself—possession——shookhisdressintoyetwilderdisorder——passedbeforeVarneywiththeairofasuperiorandmaster，andinhisturnledthewaytotheriver—side。

TheQueen\'sbargewasontheverypointofputtingoff，theseatallottedtoLeicesterinthestern，andthattohismasterofthehorseonthebowoftheboat，beingalreadyfilledup。ButonLeicester\'sapproachtherewasapause，asifthebargemenanticipatedsomealterationintheircompany。Theangryspotwas，however，ontheQueen\'scheek，as，inthatcoldtonewithwhichsuperiorsendeavourtoveiltheirinternalagitation，whilespeakingtothosebeforewhomitwouldbederogationtoexpressit，shepronouncedthechillingwords，"Wehavewaited，myLordofLeicester。"

"Madam，andmostgraciousPrincess，"saidLeicester，"you，whocanpardonsomanyweaknesseswhichyourownheartneverknows，canbestbestowyourcommiserationontheagitationsofthebosom，which，foramoment，affectbothheadandlimbs。Icametoyourpresenceadoubtingandanaccusedsubject;yourgoodnesspenetratedthecloudsofdefamation，andrestoredmetomyhonour，and，whatisyetdearer，toyourfavour——isitwonderful，thoughformeitismostunhappy，thatmymasterofthehorseshouldhavefoundmeinastatewhichscarcepermittedmetomaketheexertionnecessarytofollowhimtothisplace，whenoneglanceofyourHighness，although，alas！anangryone，hashadpowertodothatformeinwhichEsculapiusmighthavefailed？"

"Howisthis？"saidElizabethhastily，lookingatVarney;"hathyourlordbeenill？"

"Somethingofafaintingfit，"answeredtheready—wittedVarney，"asyourGracemayobservefromhispresentcondition。Mylord\'shastewouldnotpermitmeleisureeventobringhisdressintoorder。"

"Itmattersnot，"saidElizabeth，asshegazedonthenoblefaceandformofLeicester，towhicheventhestrangemixtureofpassionsbywhichhehadbeensolatelyagitatedgaveadditionalinterest;"makeroomformynoblelord。Yourplace，MasterVarney，hasbeenfilledup;youmustfindaseatinanotherbarge。"

Varneybowed，andwithdrew。

"Andyou，too，ouryoungSquireoftheCloak，"addedshe，lookingatRaleigh，"must，forthetime，gotothebargeofourladiesofhonour。AsforTressilian，hehathalreadysufferedtoomuchbythecapriceofwomenthatIshouldaggrievehimbymychangeofplan，sofarasheisconcerned。"

Leicesterseatedhimselfinhisplaceinthebarge，andclosetotheSovereign。Raleighrosetoretire，andTressilianwouldhavebeensoill—timedinhiscourtesyastooffertorelinquishhisownplacetohisfriend，hadnottheacuteglanceofRaleighhimself，whoseemednoinhisnativeelement，madehimsensiblethatsoreadyadisclamationoftheroyalfavourmightbemisinterpreted。Hesatsilent，therefore，whilstRaleigh，withaprofoundbow，andalookofthedeepesthumiliation，wasabouttoquithisplace。

Anoblecourtier，thegallantLordWilloughby，read，ashethought，somethingintheQueen\'sfacewhichseemedtopityRaleigh\'srealorassumedsemblanceofmortification。

"Itisnotforusoldcourtiers，"hesaid，"tohidethesunshinefromtheyoungones。Iwill，withherMajesty\'sleave，relinquishforanhourthatwhichhersubjectsholddearest，thedelightofherHighness\'spresence，andmortifymyselfbywalkinginstarlight，whileIforsakeforabriefseasonthegloryofDiana\'sownbeams。Iwilltakeplaceintheboatwhichtheladiesoccupy，andpermitthisyoungcavalierhishourofpromisedfelicity。"

TheQueenreplied，withanexpressionbetwixtmirthandearnest，"Ifyouaresowillingtoleaveus，mylord，wecannothelpthemortification。But，underfavour，wedonottrustyou——oldandexperiencedasyoumaydeemyourself——withthecareofouryoungladiesofhonour。Yourvenerableage，mylord，"shecontinued，smiling，"maybebetterassortedwiththatofmyLordTreasurer，whofollowsinthethirdboat，andbywhoseexperienceevenmyLordWilloughby\'smaybeimproved。"

LordWilloughbyhidhisdisappointmentunderasmile——laughed，wasconfused，bowed，andlefttheQueen\'sbargetogoonboardmyLordBurleigh\'s。Leicester，whoendeavouredtodiverthisthoughtsfromallinternalreflection，byfixingthemonwhatwaspassingaround，watchedthiscircumstanceamongothers。Butwhentheboatputofffromtheshore——whenthemusicsoundedfromabargewhichaccompaniedthem——whentheshoutsofthepopulacewereheardfromtheshore，andallremindedhimofthesituationinwhichhewasplaced，heabstractedhisthoughtsandfeelingsbyastrongeffortfromeverythingbutthenecessityofmaintaininghimselfinthefavourofhispatroness，andexertedhistalentsofpleasingcaptivationwithsuchsuccess，thattheQueen，alternatelydelightedwithhisconversation，andalarmedforhishealth，atlengthimposedatemporarysilenceonhim，withplayfulyetanxiouscare，lesthisflowofspiritsshouldexhausthim。

"Mylords，"shesaid，"havingpassedforatimeouredictofsilenceuponourgoodLeicester，wewillcallyoutocounselonagamesomematter，morefittedtobenowtreatedof，amidstmirthandmusic，thaninthegravityofourordinarydeliberations。

Whichofyou，mylords，"saidshe，smiling，"knowaughtofapetitionfromOrsonPinnit，thekeeper，ashequalifieshimself，ofourroyalbears？Whostandsgodfathertohisrequest？"

"Marry，withYourGrace\'sgoodpermission，thatdoI，"saidtheEarlofSussex。"OrsonPinnitwasastoutsoldierbeforehewassomangledbytheskenesoftheIrishclanMacDonough;andI

trustyourGracewillbe，asyoualwayshavebeen，goodmistresstoyourgoodandtrustyservants。"

"Surely，"saidtheQueen，"itisourpurposetobeso，andinespecialtoourpoorsoldiersandsailors，whohazardtheirlivesforlittlepay。Wewouldgive，"shesaid，withhereyessparkling，"yonderroyalpalaceofourstobeanhospitalfortheiruse，ratherthantheyshouldcalltheirmistressungrateful。Butthisisnotthequestion，"shesaid，hervoice，whichhadbeenawakenedbyherpatrioticfeelings，oncemoresubsidingintothetoneofgayandeasyconversation;"forthisOrsonPinnit\'srequestgoessomethingfurther。Hecomplainsthat，amidsttheextremedelightwithwhichmenhaunttheplay—

houses，andinespecialtheireagerdesireforseeingtheexhibitionsofoneWillShakespeare（whomIthink，mylords，wehaveallheardsomethingof），themanlyamusementofbear—baitingisfallingintocomparativeneglect，sincemenwillratherthrongtoseetheseroguishplayerskilleachotherinjest，thantoseeourroyaldogsandbearsworryeachotherinbloodyearnest。——

Whatsayyoutothis，myLordofSussex？"

"Why，truly，graciousmadam，"saidSussex，"youmustexpectlittlefromanoldsoldierlikemeinfavourofbattlesinsport，whentheyarecomparedwithbattlesinearnest;andyet，bymyfaith，IwishWillShakespearenoharm。Heisastoutmanatquarter—staff，andsinglefalchion，though，asIamtold，ahaltingfellow;andhestood，theysay，atoughfightwiththerangersofoldSirThomasLucyofCharlecot，whenhebrokehisdeer—parkandkissedhiskeeper\'sdaughter。"

"Icryyoumercy，myLordofSussex，"saidQueenElizabeth，interruptinghim;"thatmatterwasheardincouncil，andwewillnothavethisfellow\'soffenceexaggerated——therewasnokissinginthematter，andthedefendanthathputthedenialonrecord。

Butwhatsayyoutohispresentpractice，mylord，onthestage？

forthereliesthepoint，andnotinanywaystouchinghisformererrors，inbreakingparks，ortheotherfolliesyouspeakof。"

"Why，truly，madam，"repliedSussex，"asIsaidbefore，Iwishthegamesomemadfellownoinjury。Someofhiswhoresonpoetry（IcraveyourGrace\'spardonforsuchaphrase）hasrunginmineearsasifthelinessoundedtobootandsaddle。Butthenitisallfrothandfolly——nosubstanceorseriousnessinit，asyourGracehasalreadywelltouched。Whatarehalfadozenknaves，withrustyfoilsandtatteredtargets，makingbutameremockeryofastoutfight，tocomparetotheroyalgameofbear—baiting，whichhathbeengracedbyyourHighness\'scountenance，andthatofyourroyalpredecessors，inthisyourprincelykingdom，famousformatchlessmastiffsandboldbearwardsoverallChristendom？

Greatlyisittobedoubtedthattheraceofbothwilldecay，ifmenshouldthrongtohearthelungsofanidleplayerbelchforthnonsensicalbombast，insteadofbestowingtheirpenceinencouragingthebravestimageofwarthatcanbeshowninpeace，andthatisthesportsoftheBear—garden。Thereyoumayseethebearlyingatguard，withhisred，pinkyeyeswatchingtheonsetofthemastiff，likeawilycaptainwhomaintainshisdefencethatanassailantmaybetemptedtoventurewithinhisdanger。

AndthencomesSirMastiff，likeaworthychampion，infullcareeratthethroatofhisadversary;andthenshallSirBruinteachhimtherewardforthosewho，intheirover—courage，neglectthepoliciesofwar，and，catchinghiminhisarms，strainhimtohisbreastlikealustywrestler，untilribafterribcrackliketheshotofapistolet。Andthenanothermastiff;

asbold，butwithbetteraimandsounderjudgment，catchesSirBruinbythenetherlip，andhangsfast，whilehetossesabouthisbloodandslaver，andtriesinvaintoshakeSirTalbotfromhishold。Andthen——"

"Nay，bymyhonour，mylord，"saidtheQueen，laughing，"youhavedescribedthewholesoadmirablythat，hadweneverseenabear—

baiting，aswehavebeheldmany，andhope，withHeaven\'sallowance，toseemanymore，yourwordsweresufficienttoputthewholeBear—gardenbeforeoureyes。——Butcome，whospeaksnextinthiscase？——MyLordofLeicester，whatsayyou？"

"AmIthentoconsidermyselfasunmuzzled，pleaseyourGrace？"

repliedLeicester。

"Surely，mylord——thatis，ifyoufeelheartyenoughtotakepartinourgame，"answeredElizabeth;"andyet，whenIthinkofyourcognizanceofthebearandraggedstaff，methinkswehadbetterhearsomelesspartialorator。"

"Nay，onmyword，graciousPrincess，"saidtheEarl，"thoughmybrotherAmbroseofWarwickandIdocarrytheancientcognizanceyourHighnessdeignstoremember，Ineverthelessdesirenothingbutfairplayonallsides;or，astheysay，\'fightdog，fightbear。\'Andinbehalfoftheplayers，Imustneedssaythattheyarewittyknaves，whoserantsandjestskeepthemindsofthecommonsfrombusyingthemselveswithstateaffairs，andlisteningtotraitorousspeeches，idlerumours，anddisloyalinsinuations。

WhenmenareagapetoseehowMarlow，Shakespeare，andotherplayartificersworkouttheirfancifulplots，astheycallthem，themindofthespectatorsiswithdrawnfromtheconductoftheirrulers。"

"Wewouldnothavethemindofoursubjectswithdrawnfromtheconsiderationofourownconduct，mylord，"answeredElizabeth;

"becausethemorecloselyitisexamined，thetruemotivesbywhichweareguidedwillappearthemoremanifest。"

"Ihaveheard，however，madam，"saidtheDeanofSt。Asaph\'s，aneminentPuritan，"thattheseplayersarewont，intheirplays，notonlytointroduceprofaneandlewdexpressions，tendingtofostersinandharlotry;buteventobellowoutsuchreflectionsongovernment，itsoriginanditsobject，astendtorenderthesubjectdiscontented，andshakethesolidfoundationsofcivilsociety。Anditseemstobe，underyourGrace\'sfavour，farlessthansafetopermitthesenaughtyfoul—mouthedknavestoridiculethegodlyfortheirdecentgravity，and，inblasphemingheavenandslanderingitsearthlyrulers，tosetatdefiancethelawsbothofGodandman。"

"Ifwecouldthinkthisweretrue，mylord，"saidElizabeth，"weshouldgivesharpcorrectionforsuchoffences。Butitisillarguingagainsttheuseofanythingfromitsabuse。AndtouchingthisShakespeare，wethinkthereisthatinhisplaysthatisworthtwentyBear—gardens;andthatthisnewundertakingofhisChronicles，ashecallsthem，mayentertain，withhonestmirth，mingledwithusefulinstruction，notonlyoursubjects，buteventhegenerationwhichmaysucceedtous。"

"YourMajesty\'sreignwillneednosuchfeebleaidtomakeitrememberedtothelatestposterity，"saidLeicester。"Andyet，inhisway，ShakespearehathsotouchedsomeincidentsofyourMajesty\'shappygovernmentasmaycountervailwhathasbeenspokenbyhisreverencetheDeanofSt。Asaph\'s。Therearesomelines，forexample——Iwouldmynephew，PhilipSidney，werehere;

theyarescarceeveroutofhismouth——theyarespokeninamadtaleoffairies，love—charms，andIwotnotwhatbesides;butbeautifultheyare，howevershorttheymayandmustfallofthesubjecttowhichtheybearaboldrelation——andPhilipmurmursthem，Ithink，eveninhisdreams。"

"Youtantalizeus，mylord，"saidtheQueen——"MasterPhilipSidneyis，weknow，aminionoftheMuses，andwearepleaseditshouldbeso。Valournevershinestomoreadvantagethanwhenunitedwiththetruetasteandloveofletters。Butsurelytherearesomeothersamongouryoungcourtierswhocanrecollectwhatyourlordshiphasforgottenamidweightieraffairs。——MasterTressilian，youaredescribedtomeasaworshipperofMinerva——

rememberyouaughtoftheselines？"

Tressilian\'sheartwastooheavy，hisprospectsinlifetoofatallyblighted，toprofitbytheopportunitywhichtheQueenthusofferedtohimofattractingherattention;buthedeterminedtotransfertheadvantagetohismoreambitiousyoungfriend，andexcusinghimselfonthescoreofwantofrecollection，headdedthathebelievedthebeautifulversesofwhichmyLordofLeicesterhadspokenwereintheremembranceofMasterWalterRaleigh。

AtthecommandoftheQueen，thatcavalierrepeated，withaccentandmannerwhichevenaddedtotheirexquisitedelicacyoftactandbeautyofdescription，thecelebratedvisionofOberon:——

"ThatverytimeIsaw（butthoucouldstnot），Flyingbetweenthecoldmoonandtheearth，Cupid，allarm\'d:acertainaimhetookAtafairvestal，thronedbythewest;

Andloos\'dhislove—shaftsmartlyfromhisbow，Asitshouldpierceahundredthousandhearts:

ButImightseeyoungCupid\'sfieryshaftQuench\'dinthechastebeamsofthewaterymoon;

Andtheimperialvot\'resspassedon，Inmaidenmeditation，fancyfree。"

ThevoiceofRaleigh，asherepeatedthelastlines，becamealittletremulous，asifdiffidenthowtheSovereigntowhomthehomagewasaddressedmightreceiveit，exquisiteasitwas。Ifthisdiffidencewasaffected，itwasgoodpolicy;butifreal，therewaslittleoccasionforit。TheverseswerenotprobablynewtotheQueen，forwhenwaseversuchelegantflatterylonginreachingtheroyaleartowhichitwasaddressed？ButtheywerenotthelesswelcomewhenrepeatedbysuchaspeakerasRaleigh。

Alikedelightedwiththematter，themanner，andthegracefulformandanimatedcountenanceofthegallantyoungreciter，Elizabethkepttimetoeverycadencewithlookandwithfinger。

Whenthespeakerhadceased，shemurmuredoverthelastlinesasifscarceconsciousthatshewasoverheard，andassheutteredthewords，"Inmaidenmeditation，fancyfree，"shedroppedintotheThamesthesupplicationofOrsonPinnit，keeperoftheroyalbears，tofindmorefavourableacceptanceatSheerness，orwhereverthetidemightwaftit。

Leicesterwasspurredtoemulationbythesuccessoftheyoungcourtier\'sexhibition，astheveteranracerisrousedwhenahigh—mettledcoltpasseshimontheway。Heturnedthediscourseonshows，banquets，pageants，andonthecharacterofthosebywhomthesegaysceneswerethenfrequented。Hemixedacuteobservationwithlightsatire，inthatjustproportionwhichwasfreealikefrommalignantslanderandinsipidpraise。Hemimickedwithreadyaccentthemannersoftheaffectedortheclownish，andmadehisowngracefultoneandmannerseemdoublysuchwhenheresumedit。Foreigncountries——theircustoms，theirmanners，therulesoftheircourts———thefashions，andeventhedressoftheirladies—wereequallyhistheme;andseldomdidheconcludewithoutconveyingsomecompliment，alwayscouchedindelicacy，andexpressedwithpropriety，totheVirginQueen，hercourt，andhergovernment。Thuspassedtheconversationduringthispleasurevoyage，secondedbytherestoftheattendantsupontheroyalperson，ingaydiscourse，variedbyremarksuponancientclassicsandmodernauthors，andenrichedbymaximsofdeeppolicyandsoundmorality，bythestatesmenandsageswhosataroundandmixedwisdomwiththelightertalkofafemalecourt。

WhentheyreturnedtothePalace，Elizabethaccepted，orratherselected，thearmofLeicestertosupportherfromthestairswheretheylandedtothegreatgate。Itevenseemedtohim（thoughthatmightarisefromtheflatteryofhisownimagination）thatduringthisshortpassagesheleanedonhimsomewhatmorethantheslippinessofthewaynecessarilydemanded。Certainlyheractionsandwordscombinedtoexpressadegreeoffavourwhich，eveninhisproudestdayhehadnottillthenattained。Hisrival，indeed，wasrepeatedlygracedbytheQueen\'snotice;butitwasinmannerthatseemedtoflowlessfromspontaneousinclinationthanasextortedbyasenseofhismerit。Andintheopinionofmanyexperiencedcourtiers，allthefavoursheshowedhimwasoverbalancedbyherwhisperingintheearoftheLadyDerbythat"nowshesawsicknesswasabetteralchemistthanshebeforewottedof，seeingithadchangedmyLordofSussex\'scoppernoseintoagoldenone。"

Thejesttranspired，andtheEarlofLeicesterenjoyedhistriumph，asonetowhomcourt—favourhadbeenboththeprimaryandtheultimatemotiveoflife，whileheforgot，intheintoxicationofthemoment，theperplexitiesanddangersofhisownsituation。Indeed，strangeasitmayappear，hethoughtlessatthatmomentoftheperilsarisingfromhissecretunion，thanofthemarksofgracewhichElizabethfromtimetotimeshowedtoyoungRaleigh。Theywereindeedtransient，buttheywereconferredononeaccomplishedinmindandbody，withgrace，gallantry，literature，andvalour。AnaccidentoccurredinthecourseoftheeveningwhichrivetedLeicester\'sattentiontothisobject。

ThenoblesandcourtierswhohadattendedtheQueenonherpleasureexpeditionwereinvited，withroyalhospitality，toasplendidbanquetinthehallofthePalace。Thetablewasnot，indeed，gracedbythepresenceoftheSovereign;for，agreeabletoherideaofwhatwasatoncemodestanddignified，theMaidenQueenonsuchoccasionswaswonttotakeinprivate，orwithoneortwofavouriteladies，herlightandtemperatemeal。Afteramoderateinterval，thecourtagainmetinthesplendidgardensofthePalace;anditwaswhilethusengagedthattheQueensuddenlyaskedalady，whowasneartoherbothinplaceandfavour，whathadbecomeoftheyoungSquireLack—Cloak。

TheLadyPagetanswered，"ShehadseenMasterRaleighbuttwoorthreeminutessincestandingatthewindowofasmallpavilionorpleasure—house，whichlookedoutontheThames，andwritingontheglasswithadiamondring。"

"Thatring，"saidtheQueen，"wasasmalltokenIgavehimtomakeamendsforhisspoiledmantle。Come，Paget，letusseewhatusehehasmadeofit，forIcanseethroughhimalready。Heisamarvellouslysharp—wittedspirit。"Theywenttothespot，withinsightofwhich，butatsomedistance，theyoungcavalierstilllingered，asthefowlerwatchesthenetwhichhehasset。

TheQueenapproachedthewindow，onwhichRaleighhadusedhergift，toinscribethefollowingline:——

"FainwouldIclimb，butthatIfeartofall。"

TheQueensmiled，readittwiceover，oncewithdeliberationtoLadyPaget，andonceagaintoherself。"Itisaprettybeginning，"shesaid，aftertheconsiderationofamomentortwo;

"butmethinksthemusehathdesertedtheyoungwitattheveryoutsetofhistask。Itweregood—natured——wereitnot，LadyPaget？——tocompleteitforhim。Tryyourrhymingfaculties。"

LadyPaget，prosaicfromhercradleupwardsaseveranyladyofthebedchamberbeforeorafterher，disclaimedallpossibilityofassistingtheyoungpoet。

"Nay，then，wemustsacrificetotheMusesourselves，"saidElizabeth。

"Theincenseofnoonecanbemoreacceptable，"saidLadyPaget;

"andyourHighnesswillimposesuchobligationontheladiesofParnassus——"

"Hush，Paget，"saidtheQueen，"youspeaksacrilegeagainsttheimmortalNine——yet，virginsthemselves，theyshouldbeexorabletoaVirginQueen——andtherefore——letmeseehowrunshisverse——

\'FainwouldIclimb，butthatIfeartofall。\'

Mightnottheanswer（forfaultofabetter）runthus？——

\'Ifthymindfailthee，donotclimbatall。\'"

Thedameofhonourutteredanexclamationofjoyandsurpriseatsohappyatermination;andcertainlyaworsehasbeenapplauded，evenwhencomingfromalessdistinguishedauthor。

TheQueen，thusencouraged，tookoffadiamondring，andsaying，"Wewillgivethisgallantsomecauseofmarvelwhenhefindshiscoupletperfectedwithouthisowninterference，"shewroteherownlinebeneaththatofRaleigh。

TheQueenleftthepavilion;butretiringslowly，andoftenlookingback，shecouldseetheyoungcavaliersteal，withtheflightofalapwing，towardstheplacewherehehadseenhermakeapause。"Shestayedbuttoobserve，"asshesaid，"thathertrainhadtaken;"andthen，laughingatthecircumstancewiththeLadyPaget，shetookthewayslowlytowardsthePalace。

Elizabeth，astheyreturned，cautionedhercompanionnottomentiontoanyonetheaidwhichshehadgiventotheyoungpoet，andLadyPagetpromisedscrupuloussecrecy。ItistobesupposedthatshemadeamentalreservationinfavourofLeicester，towhomherladyshiptransmittedwithoutdelayananecdotesolittlecalculatedtogivehimpleasure。

Raleigh，inthemeanwhile，stolebacktothewindow，andread，withafeelingofintoxication，theencouragementthusgivenhimbytheQueeninpersontofollowouthisambitiouscareer，andreturnedtoSussexandhisretinue，thenonthepointofembarkingtogouptheriver，hisheartbeatinghighwithgratifiedpride，andwithhopeoffuturedistinction。

ThereverenceduetothepersonoftheEarlpreventedanynoticebeingtakenofthereceptionhehadmetwithatcourt，untiltheyhadlanded，andthehouseholdwereassembledinthegreathallatSayesCourt;whilethatlord，exhaustedbyhislateillnessandthefatiguesoftheday，hadretiredtohischamber，demandingtheattendanceofWayland，hissuccessfulphysician。Wayland，however，wasnowheretobefound;andwhilesomeofthepartywere，withmilitaryimpatience，seekinghimandcursinghisabsence，therestflockedaroundRaleightocongratulatehimonhisprospectsofcourt—favour。

HehadthegoodtasteandjudgmenttoconcealthedecisivecircumstanceofthecouplettowhichElizabethhaddeignedtofindarhyme;butotherindicationshadtranspired，whichplainlyintimatedthathehadmadesomeprogressintheQueen\'sfavour。