I beseech your Majesty to remember that to the King of Spain the government of his Lordship is no greater matter than if he were but your lieutenant-general there; but the voyage of Sir Francis is of much greater offence than all." Queen (interrupting).--"I can very well answer for Sir Francis.

Moreover, if need be, the gentleman careth not if I should disavow him." Shirley.--"Even so standeth my Lord, if your disavowing of him may also stand with your Highness's favour towards him.

Nevertheless; should this bruit of your mislike of his Lordship's authority there come unto the ears of those people; being a nation both sudden and suspicious, and having been heretofore used to stratagem--I fear it may work some strange notion in them, considering that, at this time, there is an increase of taxation raised upon them, the bestowing whereof perchance they know not of.

His Lordship's giving; up of the government may leave them altogether without government, and in worse case than they were ever in before.

For now the authority of the States is dissolved, and his Lordship's government is the only thing that holdeth them together.