464 THE FELICITIES OF QUEEN ELIZABETH. 



ters and consumption of a civil war. Howsoever she 

 persisted to perform the part of a wise and loving 

 confederate. 



There is another cause also for which we may 

 justly admire this peace so constantly pursued and 

 maintained by the queen. And that is, that it did 

 not proceed from any bent or inclination of those 

 times ; but from the prudency of her government 

 and discreet carriage of things. For whereas she 

 herself was not without manifest danger from an ill 

 affected party at home for the cause of religion, and 

 that the strength and forces of this kingdom were 

 in the place of a bulwark to all Europe against the 

 then dreadful and overflowing ambition and power 

 of the King of Spain, she might have apprehended 

 just cause of a war ; but as she was still ready with 

 her counsel, so she was not behind hand with her 

 forces. And this we are taught by an event the 

 most memorable of any in our time, if we look upon 

 the felicity thereof. For when as the Spanish navy 

 (set forth with such wonderful preparations in all 

 kinds, the terror and amazement of all Europe, 

 carried on with almost assurance of victory) came 

 braving upon our seas ; it took not so much as one 

 poor cock-boat of ours, nor fired any one village, 

 nor landed one man upon English ground ; but was 

 utterly defeated, and after a shameful flight and 

 many shipwrecks quite dispersed, so as the peace 

 of this kingdom was never more firm and solid. 

 Neither was her felicity less in escaping treacherous 

 attempts at home, than in subduing and defeating 



