OF QUEEN ELIZABETH. 151 



sacraments, and the same was revealed unto her, 

 (and yet the nature of the affairs required further 

 ripening before the apprehension of any of the par 

 ties,) was content to put herself into the guard of 

 the divine providence, and her own prudence, to 

 have some of the conspirators in her eyes, to suffer 

 them to approach to her person, to take a petition of 

 the hand that was conjured for her death ; and that 

 with such majesty of countenance, such mildness and 

 serenity of gesture, such art and impression of words, 

 as had been sufficient to have represt and bound the 

 hand of a conspirator, if he had not been discovered. 

 Lastly, see a queen, that when her realm was to have 

 been invaded by an army, the preparation whereof 

 was like the travel of an elephant, the provisions 

 were infinite, the setting forth whereof was the ter 

 ror and wonder of Europe ; it was not seen that her 

 chear, her fashion, her ordinary manner was any 

 thing altered : not a cloud of that storm did appear 

 in that countenance wherein peace doth ever shine ; 

 but with excellent assurance, and advised security, 

 she inspired her council, animated her nobility, re 

 doubled the courage of her people, still having this 

 noble apprehension, not only that she would commu 

 nicate her fortune with them, but that it was she 

 that would protect them, and not they her : which 

 she testified by no less demonstration than her pre 

 sence in camp. Therefore, that magnanimity that 

 neither feareth greatness of alteration, nor the views 

 of conspirators, nor the power of enemy, is more 

 than heroical. 



