I shall dispose myself to enjoy God's favour, and shall do nothing to deserve her disfavour.

And if I be suffered to be a stranger to her affairs, I shall have a quieter life." Leicester, after the first burst of his anger was over, was willing to return to the Provinces.

He protested that he had a greater affection for the Netherland people--not for the governing powers--even than he felt for the people of England.--"There is nothing sticks in my stomach," he said, "but the good-will of that poor afflicted people, for whom, I take God to record, I could be content to lose any limb I have to do them good." But he was crippled with debt, and the Queen resolutely refused to lend him a few thousand pounds, without which he could not stir.
Walsingham in vain did battle with her parsimony, representing how urgently and vividly the necessity of his return had been depicted by all her ministers in both countries, and how much it imported to her own safety and service.

But she was obdurate.

"She would rather," he said bitterly to Leicester, "hazard the increase of confusion there--which may put the whole country in peril--than supply your want.