412 HISTORY OF KING HENRY VH. 



were ever extreme, curious, and articulate : and in 

 them more articles touching inquisition, than touch 

 ing negotiation : requiring likewise from his ambas 

 sadors an answer, in particular distinct articles 

 respectively to his questions. 



As for his secret spials, which he did employ 

 both at home and abroad, by them to discover what 

 practices and conspiracies were against him, surely 

 his case required it : he had such moles perpetually 

 working and casting to undermine him. Neither 

 can it be reprehended : for if spials be lawful 

 against lawful enemies, much more against conspi 

 rators and traitors. But indeed to give them 

 credence by oaths or curses, that cannot be well 

 maintained : for those are too holy vestments for a 

 disguise. Yet surely there was this further good 

 in his employing of these flies and familiars ; that 

 as the use of them was cause that many conspiracies 

 were revealed, so the fame and suspicion of them 

 kept, no doubt, many conspiracies from being at 

 tempted. 



Towards his queen he was nothing uxorious, 

 nor scarce indulgent : but companiable and respec 

 tive, and without jealousy. Towards his children 

 he was full of paternal affection, careful of their 

 education, aspiring to their high advancement, 

 regular to see that they should not want of any due 

 honour and respect, but not greatly willing to cast 

 any popular lustre upon them. 



To his council he did refer much, and sat oft in 

 person : knowing it to be the way to assist his 



