In his youth, part whereof he spent before he came to reside at court, he was a very fine gentleman, and the best horseman and tilter of the times, which were then the manlike and noble recreations of the court, and such as took up the applause of men, as well as the praise and commendation of ladies; and when years had abated those exercises of honour, he grew then to be a faithful and profound counsellor; and as I have placed him last, so was he the last liver of all her servants of her favour, and had the honour to see his renowned mistress, and all of them, laid in the places of their rests; and for himself, after a life of very noble and remarkable reputation, and in a peaceable old age, a fate that Imake the last, and none of my slightest observations, which befell not many of the rest, for they expired like unto a light blown out with the snuff stinking, not commendably extinguished, and with an offence to the standers-by. And thus I have delivered up my poor essay, or little draft of this great princess and her times, with the servants of her state and favour. I cannot say I have finished it, for I know how defective and imperfect it is, as limned only in the original nature, not without the active blessings, and so left it as a task fitter for remoter times, and the sallies of some bolder pencil to correct that which is amiss, and draw the rest up to life, than for me to have endeavoured it. I took it in consideration, how I might have dashed into it much of the stain of pollution, and thereby have defaced that little which is done; for Iprofess I have taken care to master my pen, that I might not err ANIMO, {69} or of set purpose discolour each or any of the parts thereof, otherwise than in concealment. Haply there are some who will not approve of this modesty, but will censure it for pusillanimity, and, with the cunning artist, attempt to draw their line further out at length, and upon this of mine, which way (with somewhat more ease) it may be effected; for that the frame is ready made to their hands, and then haply I could draw one in the midst of theirs, but that modesty in me forbids the defacements in men departed, their posterity yet remaining, enjoying the merit of their virtues, and do still live in their honour. And I had rather incur the censure of abruption, than to be conscious and taken in the manner, sinning by eruption, or trampling on the graves of persons at rest, which living we durst not look in the face, nor make our addresses unto them, otherwise than with due regard to their honours, and reverence to their virtues.
LORD HERBERT.
The accomplished, the brave, and romantic Lord Herbert of Cherbury was born in this reign, and laid the foundation of that admirable learning of which he was afterwards a complete master.
Footnotes:
{1} His name was Sir Thomas Falconer.
{2} This is not true, for her legitimacy was with good reason contested.
{3} This is a mistake; her epitaph says stipendia constituit tribus hoc coenobio monachis et doctori grammatices apud Wynbourne.
{4} Sir Giles Dawbney; he was not Earl of Bridgewater, not a Lord.
{5} This romantic inscription probably alluded to Philip II., who wooed the Queen after her sister's death; and to the destruction of his Armada.
{6} This probably alluded to the woollen manufacture; Stow mentions his riding through the Cloth Fair on the Eve of St. Bartholomew.
{7} The collar of SS.
{8} He probably means rushes.
{9} Her father had been treated with the same deference. It is mentioned by Foxe in his "Acts and Monuments," that when the Lord Chancellor went to apprehend Queen Catherine Parr, he spoke to the King on his knees. King James I. suffered his courtiers to omit it.
{10} Lord Treasurer Burleigh died August 4, 1598.
{11} She was the daughter, sister, and aunt, of Sir William, Henry, and Sir Philip Sidney.
{12} This was a strange blunder to be made so near the time, about so remarkable a person, unless he concluded that whoever displeased Henry VIII. was of course put to death.
{13} This is a mistake; it was the surcoat of Edward IV., enriched with rubies, and was preserved here till the civil war.
{14} This is confounded with the Round Tower.
{15} It is not clear what the author means by hypocaustis; I have translated it bathing-rooms; it might mean only chambers with stoves.
{16} The original is optici; it is impossible to guess what colour he meant.
{17} Here are several mistakes.
{18} This is another most inaccurate account: the murderers of Becket were Tracy, Morville, Britton, and Fitzurse.
{19} Queen Mary.
{20} Viz., Popish.
{21} "This is the work of the Lord, and it is wonderful in our sight."{22} "I have chosen God for my help."
{23} i.e. "I will confine you."
{24} The Irish rebel.
{25} al. not.
{26} al. horse.
{27} al. find {28} al. say.
{29} The First.
{30} Fathers.
{31} During Queen Elizabeth's reign.
{32} Charles I.
{33} Burleigh, Leicester, and Walsingham.
{34} al. were without.
{35} The eldest son.
{36} Existing.
{37} In which she ruled.
{38} Mary.
{39} al. amused.
{40} Camp.
{41} Council.
{42} In the first year of Queen Mary.
{43} Of his Privy Council.
{44} Of his Privy Council.
{45} al. humours.
{46} Of which you have an account hereafter in this small pamphlet.
{47} In a future state.
{48} The art of poisoning.
{49} Martial state.
{50} Leicester's.
{51} al. supported by.
{52} An estate.
{53} Elizabeth's.
{54} Counsellors.
{55} Because notwithstanding many dissented from the Reformed Establishment in many points of doctrine, and still acknowledged the Pope's infallibility and supremacy, yet they looked not upon these doctrines and discipline to be fundamentals, or without which they could not be saved; and, therefore, continued to assemble and baptise and communicate for the space of ten years in the Reformed Church of England.
{56} The Pope.
{57} Beginning.
{58} Poland.
{59} Gondomar, the Spanish Ambassador, amused King James I. with much dissimulation.
{60} The traitor, of whom hereafter in this collection.
{61} had {62} Instability.
{63} James I.
{64} He dishonourably cut off this good servant's head, and seized upon his estate.
{65} al. blew.
{66} As related before, in the account of Secretary William Cecil.
{67} Horatio.
{68} Elizabeth's.
{69} Willingly.
End
