OF ROBERT EARL OF ESSEX. 303 



et necis, et arbitrium belli et pacis,&quot; over the rebels 

 of Ireland, whereby he might entice and make them 

 his own, first by pardons and conditions, and after 

 by hopes to bring them in place where they should 

 serve for hope of better booties than cows, he should 

 be able to make that place of lieutenancy of Ireland 

 as a rise or step to ascend to his desired greatness in 

 England. 



And although many of these conceits were 

 windy, yet neither were they the less like to his ; 

 neither are they now only probable conjectures or 

 comments upon these his last treasons, but the very 

 preludes of actions almost immediately subsequent, 

 as shall be touched in due place. 



But first, it was strange with what appetite and 

 thirst he did affect and compass the government of 

 Ireland, which he did obtain. For although he 

 made some formal shews to put it from him ; yet in 

 this, as in most things else, his desires being too 

 strong for his dissimulations, he did so far pass the 

 bounds of decorum, as he did in effect name himself 

 to the queen by such description and such particu 

 larities as could not be applied to any other but 

 himself; neither did he so only, but farther, he was 

 still at hand to offer and urge vehemently and pe 

 remptorily exceptions to any other that was named. 

 Then after he once found that there was no man 

 but himself, who had other matters in his head, so 

 far in love with that charge, as to make any compe 

 tition or opposition to his pursuit, whereby he saw it 

 would fall upon him, and especially after himself 



