THE FIRST COPY OF MY DISCOURSE TOUCHING 

 THE SAFETY OF THE QUEEN S PERSON. 



THESE be the principal remedies, I could think of, for ex- 

 tirping the principal cause of those conspiracies, by the 

 breaking the nest of those fugitive traitors, and the filling 

 them full of terror, despair, jealousy, and revolt. And it- 

 is true, I thought of some other remedies, which, because 

 in mine own conceit I did not so well allow, I therefore do 

 forbear to express. And so likewise I have thought, and 

 thought again, of the means to stop and divert as well the 

 attempts of violence, as poison, in the performance and 

 execution. But not knowing how my travel may be ac 

 cepted, being the unwarranted wishes of a private man, I 

 leave ; humbly praying her majesty s pardon, if in the zeal 

 of my simplicity I have roved at things above my aim. 



THE FIRST FRAGMENTS OF A DISCOURSE 



TOUCHING INTELLIGENCE AND THE SAFETY 



OF THE QUEEN S PERSON. 



THE first remedy, in my poor opinion, is that against which, 

 as I conceive, least exception can be taken, as a thing, 

 without controversy, honourable and politic ; and that Ts 

 reputation of good intelligence. I say not only good intel 

 ligence, but the reputation and fame thereof. For I see, 

 that where booths are set for watching thievish places, 

 there is no more robbing : and though, no doubt, the watch 

 men many times are asleep or away ; yet that is more than 

 the thief knoweth ; so as the empty booth is strength and 

 safeguard enough. So likewise, if there be sown an opinion 

 abroad, that her majesty hath much secret intelligence, and 

 that all is full of spies and false brethren; the fugitives 

 will grow into such a mutual jealousy and suspicion one of 

 another, as they will not have the confidence to conspire 

 together, not knowing whom to trust, and thinking all 

 practice bootless, as that which is assured to be discovered. 

 And to this purpose, to speak reverently, as becometh me, 

 as I do not doubt but those honourable counsellors, to whom 

 it doth appertain, do carefully and sufficiently provide and 

 take order, that her majesty receive good intelligence; so 

 yet, under correction, methinks it is not done with that 



VOL. XIII. i 



