HISTORY OF GREAT BRITAIN. 425 



of a kingdom), and to be thoroughly secured of former 

 apprehensions ; as a man that awaketh out of a fear 

 ful dream. But so it was, that not only the con 

 sent, but the applause and joy was infinite, and not 

 to be expressed, throughout the realm of England 

 upon this succession : whereof the consent, no doubt, 

 may be truly ascribed to the clearness of the right ; 

 but the general joy, alacrity, and gratulation, were 

 the effects of differing causes. For Queen Elizabeth, 

 although she had the use of many both virtues and 

 demonstrations, that might draw and knit unto her 

 the hearts of her people; yet nevertheless carrying a 

 hand restrained in gift, and strained in points of pre 

 rogative, could not answer the votes either of servants 

 or subjects to a full contentment; especially in her 

 latter days, when the continuance of her reign, which 

 extended to five and forty years, might discover in 

 people their natural desire and inclination towards 

 change : so that a new court and a new reign were 

 not to many unwelcome. Many were glad, and es 

 pecially those of settled estate and fortune, that the 

 fears and uncertainties were overblown, and that the 

 dye was cast. Others, that had made their way with 

 the king, or offered their service in the time of the 

 former Queen, thought now the time was come for 

 which they had prepared : and generally all such as 

 had any dependence upon the late Earl of Essex, 

 who had mingled the service of his own ends with 

 the popular pretence of advancing the king s title, 

 made account their cause was amended. Again, 

 such as might misdoubt they had given the king any 



