176 LETTERS FROM THE RESUSCITATIO. 



ment, as when I have done all I can I shall still be behind 

 hand. This suit only I make, that your lordships will 

 neither have too great an expectation of our actions, nor 

 too little, lest all we do seeni either nothing, or to be done 

 by chance. I know we must be tied to do more than shall 

 be for her majesty s service, nor no less ; in which straight 

 way, though it be hard for so weak a man as myself lo walk 

 upright, yet the example of our raw soldiers may comfort an 

 insufficient general ; for they, till they grow perfect in all 

 their orders and motions, are so afraid to be out, and with 

 such a continual heedfulness, observe both themselves and 

 those that are near them, that they do keep almost as good 

 order at the first as ever after. I am sure I am as distrust 

 ful of myself as they, and because I have more sense of 

 duty, I shall be more industrious. For sea-service the judg 

 ment of my honourable companion shall be my compass ; 

 and for land, his assent, and the advice of those her majesty 

 hath named as counsellors at war shall be my warranties. 

 It will be honour to her majesty, and a great assurance to 

 her state, if we either bring home wealth or give the king 

 of Spain a blow by sea. But to have made a continual 

 diversion, and to have left, as it were, a thorn sticking in his 

 foot, had been a work worthy of such a queen and of such a 

 preparation. For then her majesty should have heard no 

 more of his intentions for Ireland, and attempts upon the 

 coast of France, or his drawing of ships or galleys into these 

 narrow seas, but should at once have delivered all Christen 

 dom from his fearful usurpation. Wherein as she had been 

 great in fame for such a general preservation, so she had 

 been as great in power in making all the enemies of Spain 

 in Christendom to depend upon her. She should be head 

 of the party ; she only might be said to make the wars with 

 Spain because she made them to purpose, and they all but 

 as her assistants and dependents. And lastly, as the end of 

 the wars is peace, so she might have had peace when she 



