Nothing of good was hoped for from France.

"For my part," said Lord Admiral Howard, "I have made of the French King, the Scottish King, and the King of Spain, a trinity that I mean never to trust to be saved by, and I would that others were of my opinion." The noble sailor, on whom so much responsibility rested, yet who was so trammelled and thwarted by the timid and parsimonious policy of Elizabeth and of Burghley, chafed and shook his chains like a captive.

"Since England was England," he exclaimed, "there was never such a stratagem and mask to deceive her as this treaty of peace.

I pray God that we do not curse for this a long grey beard with a white head witless, that will make all the world think us heartless.

You know whom I mean." And it certainly was not difficult to understand the allusion to the pondering Lord-Treasurer.