"And, before the Lord I speak it," said the Earl, "I am sure some of these good towns had been gone ere this, but for my money.

As for the States, I warrant you, they see day at a little hole.

God doth know what a forward and a joyful country here was within a month.

God send her Majesty to recover it so again, and to take care of it, on the condition she send me after Sir Francis Drake to the Indies, my service here being no more acceptable." Such was the aspect of affairs in the Provinces after the first explosion of the Queen's anger had become known.

Meanwhile the court-weather was very changeable in England, being sometimes serene, sometimes cloudy,--always treacherous.
Mr.Vavasour, sent by the Earl with despatches to her Majesty and the council, had met with a sufficiently benignant reception.