III. that I have almost forgotten many things which may be BOOK said for roboration of her right, which I can shortly reduce to my remembrance, being at Edinburgh where my notes are: so that if you be not by this satisfied, upon knowledg from you of any other objection, I hope to satisfy you unto all things may be said against her. In the mean time I pray you so counsel the queen, your sovereign, as some effectual reparation may follow without delay, of the many and sundry traverses and disfavourings committed against the queen, my sovereign: as the publishing of so many exemplifications of king Henry's supposed will, the secret embracing of John Halles books, the books printed and not avowed the last summer, one of the which my mistress hath sent by Henry Killigrew to the queen your sovereign; the disputes and proceedings of Lincoln's-Inn, where the case was ruled against the queen my sovereign; the speeches of sundry in this last session of parliament, tending all to my sovereign's derision, and nothing said to the contrary by any man, but the matter shut up with silence, most to her prejudice; and by so much the more as every man is gone home settled and confirmed in his error. And lastly, the queen, your sovereign's resolution to defend now by proclamations, all books and writings containing any discussion of titles when the whole realm hath engendred by these fond proceedings, and other favoured practises, a settled opinion against my sovereigns, to the advancement of my lady Katherine's title. I might also speak of another book lately printed and set abroad in this last session, containing many untruths and weak reasons, which Mr. Wailing desired might be answer'd before the defence were made by proclamation. I trust you will so hold hand to the reformation of all these things, as the queen, my sovereign, may have effectually occasion to esteem you her friend; which doing, you shall never offend the queen your mistress, your country, nor conscience, but be a favourer of the truth against errors, and yet deserve well of a princess, who hath a good heart to recognize any good turn, when it is done her, and may hereafter have means to do you pleasure. For my BOOK particular, as I have always honoured you as my father, so do I still remain of the same mind, as one, whom in all things not touching the state, you may direct, as your son Thomas Cecil, and with my hearty commendations to you, and my lady, both, I take my leave. From Strivling, the 14th of January, 1566. AN APPENDIX. THOSE who intend to write romances, or plays, do commonly take their plot from some true piece of history; in which they fasten such characters to persons and things, and mix such circumstances and secret passages, with those public transactions and changes, that are in other histories; as may more artificially raise those passions and affections in their readers' minds, which they intend to move, than could possibly be done, if the whole story were a mere fiction and contrivance: and tho' all men know those tender passages to flow only from the invention and fancy of the poet; yet, by I know not what charm, the greatest part that read or hear their poems, are softened and sensibly touched. Some such design Sanders seems to have had in his book, which he very wisely kept up as long as he lived: he intended to represent the reformation in the foulest shape that was possible, to defame queen Elizabeth, to stain her blood, and thereby to bring her title to the crown in question; and to magnify the authority of the see of Rome, and celebrate monastic orders, with all the praises and high characters he could devise: and therefore, after he had writ several books on these subjects, without any considerable success, they being all rather filled with foul calumnies and detracting malice, than good arguments, or strong sense, he resolved to try his skill another way; so he intended to tell a doleful tale, which should raise a detestation of heresy, an ill opinion of the queen, cast a stain on her blood, and disparage her title, and advance the honour of the papacy. A tragedy was fitter for these ends, since it left the deepest im |