OF QUEEN ELIZABETH. 155 



the restraint of the vexation of informers and pro 

 moters : nay, a course taken by her own direction 

 for the repealing of all heavy and snared laws, if it 

 had not been crossed by those to whom the benefit 

 should have redounded. There shall you find, no 

 new taxes, impositions, nor devices ; but the benevo 

 lence of the subject freely offered by assent of parli 

 ament, according to the ancient rates, and with 

 great moderation in assessment ; and not so only, 

 but some new forms of contribution offered likewise 

 by the subject in parliament ; and the demonstration 

 of their devotion only accepted, but the thing never 

 put in ure. There shall you find loans, but honour 

 ably answered and paid, as it were the contract of a 

 private man. To conclude, there shall you find 

 moneys levied upon failts of lands, alienation, though 

 not of the ancient patrimony, yet of the rich and 

 commodious purchases and perquisites of the crown 

 only, because she will not be grievous and burthen- 

 some to the people. This treasure, so innocently 

 levied, so honourably gathered and raised, with 

 such tenderness to the subject, without any baseness 

 or dryness at all, how hath it been expended and 

 employed ? Where be the wasteful buildings, and 

 the exorbitant and prodigal donatives, the sump 

 tuous dissipations in pleasures, and vain ostentations 

 which we find have exhausted the coffers of so many 

 kings ? It is the honour of her house, the royal re 

 munerating of her servants, the preservation of her 

 people and state, the protection of her suppliants and 

 allies, the encounter, breaking, and defeating the 



