In the mean time, let no poetical scribe work your Lordship by any device to doubt that I am a hollow or cold servant to the action." It was now agreed that letters should be drawn, up authorizing Leicester to continue in the office which he held, until the state-council should devise some modification in his commission.

As it seemed, however, very improbable that the board would devise anything of the kind, Burghley expressed the belief that the country was like to continue in the Earl's government without any change whatever.

The Lord Treasurer was also of opinion that the Queen's letters to Leicester would convey as much comfort as he had received discomfort; although he admitted that there was a great difference: The former letters he knew had deeply wounded his heart, while the new ones could not suddenly sink so low as the wound.
The despatch to the States-General was benignant, elaborate, slightly diffuse.

The Queen's letter to 'sweet Robin' was caressing, but argumentative.
"It is always thought," said she, "in the opinion of the world, a hard bargain when both parties are losers, and so doth fall out in the case between us two.

You, as we hear, are greatly grieved in respect of the great displeasure you find we have conceived against you.