\"Nay，antherebefools，mylord，\"repliedLaneham，withmuchglee，\"IwarrantIwillmakesportamongthem，fornogreyhoundlovestocoteahareasItoturnandcourseafool。ButIhaveanothersingularfavourtobeseechofyourhonour。\"
\"Speakit，andletmego，\"saidtheEarl;\"IthinktheQueencomesforthinstantly。\"
\"Myverygoodlord，Iwouldfainbringabed—fellowwithme。\"
\"How，youirreverentrascal！\"saidLeicester。
\"Nay，mylord，mymeaningiswithinthecanons，\"answeredhisunblushing，orratherhisever—blushingpetitioner。\"Ihaveawifeascuriousashergrandmotherwhoatetheapple。Now，takeherwithmeImaynot，herHighness\'sordersbeingsostrictagainsttheofficersbringingwiththemtheirwivesinaprogress，andsolumberingthecourtwithwomankind。ButwhatI
wouldcraveofyourlordshipistofindroomforherinsomemummery，orprettypageant，indisguise，asitwere;sothat，notbeingknownformywife，theremaybenooffence。\"
\"Thefoulfiendseizeyeboth！\"saidLeicester，stungintouncontrollablepassionbytherecollectionswhichthisspeechexcited——\"whystopyoumewithsuchfollies？\"
Theterrifiedclerkofthechamber—door，astonishedattheburstofresentmenthehadsounconsciouslyproduced，droppedhisstaffofofficefromhishand，andgazedontheincensedEarlwithafoolishfaceofwonderandterror，whichinstantlyrecalledLeicestertohimself。
\"Imeantbuttotryifthouhadsttheaudacitywhichbefitsthineoffice，\"saidhehastily。\"CometoKenilworth，andbringthedevilwiththee，ifthouwilt。\"
\"Mywife，sir，hathplayedthedevilerenow，inaMystery，inQueenMary\'stime;butmeshallwantatrifleforproperties。\"
\"Hereisacrownforthee，\"saidtheEarl，——\"makemeridofthee——thegreatbellrings。\"
MasterRobertLanehamstaredamomentattheagitationwhichhehadexcited，andthensaidtohimself，ashestoopedtopickuphisstaffofoffice，\"ThenobleEarlrunswildhumoursto—day。
Buttheywhogivecrownsexpectuswittyfellowstowinkattheirunsettledstarts;and，bymyfaith，iftheypaidnotformercy，wewouldfingerthemtightly！\"[SeeNote6。RobertLaneham。]
Leicestermovedhastilyon，neglectingthecourtesieshehadhithertodispensedsoliberally，andhurryingthroughthecourtlycrowd，untilhepausedinasmallwithdrawing—room，intowhichheplungedtodrawamoment\'sbreathunobserved，andinseclusion。
\"WhatamInow，\"hesaidtohimself，\"thatamthusjadedbythewordsofamean，weather—beaten，goose—brainedgull！Conscience，thouartabloodhound，whosegrowlwakesusreadilyatthepaltrystirofaratormouseasatthestepofalion。CanInotquitmyself，byoneboldstroke，ofastatesoirksome，sounhonoured？
WhatifIkneeltoElizabeth，and，owningthewhole，throwmyselfonhermercy？\"
Ashepursuedthistrainofthought，thedooroftheapartmentopened，andVarneyrushedin。
\"ThankGod，mylord，thatIhavefoundyou！\"washisexclamation。
\"Thankthedevil，whoseagentthouart，\"wastheEarl\'sreply。
\"Thankwhomyouwill，mylord，\"repliedVarney;\"buthastentothewater—side。TheQueenisonboard，andasksforyou。\"
\"Go，sayIamtakensuddenlyill，\"repliedLeicester;\"for，byHeaven，mybraincansustainthisnolonger！\"
\"Imaywellsayso，\"saidVarney，withbitternessofexpression，\"foryourplace，ay，andmine，who，asyourmasterofthehorse，wastohaveattendedyourlordship，isalreadyfilledupintheQueen\'sbarge。Thenewminion，WalterRaleigh，andouroldacquaintanceTressilianwerecalledfortofillourplacesjustasIhastenedawaytoseekyou。\"
\"Thouartadevil，Varney，\"saidLeicesterhastily;\"butthouhastthemasteryforthepresent——Ifollowthee。\"
Varneyrepliednot，butledthewayoutofthepalace，andtowardstheriver，whilehismasterfollowedhim，asifmechanically;until，lookingback，hesaidinatonewhichsavouredoffamiliarityatleast，ifnotofauthority，\"Howisthis，mylord？Yourcloakhangsononeside——yourhoseareunbraced——permitme——\"
\"Thouartafool，Varney，aswellasaknave，\"saidLeicester，shakinghimoff，andrejectinghisofficiousassistance。\"Wearebestthus，sir;whenwerequireyoutoorderourperson，itiswell，butnowwewantyounot。\"
Sosaying，theEarlresumedatoncehisairofcommand，andwithithisself—possession——shookhisdressintoyetwilderdisorder——passedbeforeVarneywiththeairofasuperiorandmaster，andinhisturnledthewaytotheriver—side。
TheQueen\'sbargewasontheverypointofputtingoff，theseatallottedtoLeicesterinthestern，andthattohismasterofthehorseonthebowoftheboat，beingalreadyfilledup。ButonLeicester\'sapproachtherewasapause，asifthebargemenanticipatedsomealterationintheircompany。Theangryspotwas，however，ontheQueen\'scheek，as，inthatcoldtonewithwhichsuperiorsendeavourtoveiltheirinternalagitation，whilespeakingtothosebeforewhomitwouldbederogationtoexpressit，shepronouncedthechillingwords，\"Wehavewaited，myLordofLeicester。\"
\"Madam，andmostgraciousPrincess，\"saidLeicester，\"you，whocanpardonsomanyweaknesseswhichyourownheartneverknows，canbestbestowyourcommiserationontheagitationsofthebosom，which，foramoment，affectbothheadandlimbs。Icametoyourpresenceadoubtingandanaccusedsubject;yourgoodnesspenetratedthecloudsofdefamation，andrestoredmetomyhonour，and，whatisyetdearer，toyourfavour——isitwonderful，thoughformeitismostunhappy，thatmymasterofthehorseshouldhavefoundmeinastatewhichscarcepermittedmetomaketheexertionnecessarytofollowhimtothisplace，whenoneglanceofyourHighness，although，alas！anangryone，hashadpowertodothatformeinwhichEsculapiusmighthavefailed？\"
\"Howisthis？\"saidElizabethhastily，lookingatVarney;\"hathyourlordbeenill？\"
\"Somethingofafaintingfit，\"answeredtheready—wittedVarney，\"asyourGracemayobservefromhispresentcondition。Mylord\'shastewouldnotpermitmeleisureeventobringhisdressintoorder。\"
\"Itmattersnot，\"saidElizabeth，asshegazedonthenoblefaceandformofLeicester，towhicheventhestrangemixtureofpassionsbywhichhehadbeensolatelyagitatedgaveadditionalinterest;\"makeroomformynoblelord。Yourplace，MasterVarney，hasbeenfilledup;youmustfindaseatinanotherbarge。\"
Varneybowed，andwithdrew。
\"Andyou，too，ouryoungSquireoftheCloak，\"addedshe，lookingatRaleigh，\"must，forthetime，gotothebargeofourladiesofhonour。AsforTressilian，hehathalreadysufferedtoomuchbythecapriceofwomenthatIshouldaggrievehimbymychangeofplan，sofarasheisconcerned。\"
Leicesterseatedhimselfinhisplaceinthebarge，andclosetotheSovereign。Raleighrosetoretire，andTressilianwouldhavebeensoill—timedinhiscourtesyastooffertorelinquishhisownplacetohisfriend，hadnottheacuteglanceofRaleighhimself，whoseemednoinhisnativeelement，madehimsensiblethatsoreadyadisclamationoftheroyalfavourmightbemisinterpreted。Hesatsilent，therefore，whilstRaleigh，withaprofoundbow，andalookofthedeepesthumiliation，wasabouttoquithisplace。
Anoblecourtier，thegallantLordWilloughby，read，ashethought，somethingintheQueen\'sfacewhichseemedtopityRaleigh\'srealorassumedsemblanceofmortification。
\"Itisnotforusoldcourtiers，\"hesaid，\"tohidethesunshinefromtheyoungones。Iwill，withherMajesty\'sleave，relinquishforanhourthatwhichhersubjectsholddearest，thedelightofherHighness\'spresence，andmortifymyselfbywalkinginstarlight，whileIforsakeforabriefseasonthegloryofDiana\'sownbeams。Iwilltakeplaceintheboatwhichtheladiesoccupy，andpermitthisyoungcavalierhishourofpromisedfelicity。\"
TheQueenreplied，withanexpressionbetwixtmirthandearnest，\"Ifyouaresowillingtoleaveus，mylord，wecannothelpthemortification。But，underfavour，wedonottrustyou——oldandexperiencedasyoumaydeemyourself——withthecareofouryoungladiesofhonour。Yourvenerableage，mylord，\"shecontinued，smiling，\"maybebetterassortedwiththatofmyLordTreasurer，whofollowsinthethirdboat，andbywhoseexperienceevenmyLordWilloughby\'smaybeimproved。\"
LordWilloughbyhidhisdisappointmentunderasmile——laughed，wasconfused，bowed，andlefttheQueen\'sbargetogoonboardmyLordBurleigh\'s。Leicester，whoendeavouredtodiverthisthoughtsfromallinternalreflection，byfixingthemonwhatwaspassingaround，watchedthiscircumstanceamongothers。Butwhentheboatputofffromtheshore——whenthemusicsoundedfromabargewhichaccompaniedthem——whentheshoutsofthepopulacewereheardfromtheshore，andallremindedhimofthesituationinwhichhewasplaced，heabstractedhisthoughtsandfeelingsbyastrongeffortfromeverythingbutthenecessityofmaintaininghimselfinthefavourofhispatroness，andexertedhistalentsofpleasingcaptivationwithsuchsuccess，thattheQueen，alternatelydelightedwithhisconversation，andalarmedforhishealth，atlengthimposedatemporarysilenceonhim，withplayfulyetanxiouscare，lesthisflowofspiritsshouldexhausthim。
\"Mylords，\"shesaid，\"havingpassedforatimeouredictofsilenceuponourgoodLeicester，wewillcallyoutocounselonagamesomematter，morefittedtobenowtreatedof，amidstmirthandmusic，thaninthegravityofourordinarydeliberations。
Whichofyou，mylords，\"saidshe，smiling，\"knowaughtofapetitionfromOrsonPinnit，thekeeper，ashequalifieshimself，ofourroyalbears？Whostandsgodfathertohisrequest？\"
\"Marry，withYourGrace\'sgoodpermission，thatdoI，\"saidtheEarlofSussex。\"OrsonPinnitwasastoutsoldierbeforehewassomangledbytheskenesoftheIrishclanMacDonough;andI
trustyourGracewillbe，asyoualwayshavebeen，goodmistresstoyourgoodandtrustyservants。\"
\"Surely，\"saidtheQueen，\"itisourpurposetobeso，andinespecialtoourpoorsoldiersandsailors，whohazardtheirlivesforlittlepay。Wewouldgive，\"shesaid，withhereyessparkling，\"yonderroyalpalaceofourstobeanhospitalfortheiruse，ratherthantheyshouldcalltheirmistressungrateful。Butthisisnotthequestion，\"shesaid，hervoice，whichhadbeenawakenedbyherpatrioticfeelings，oncemoresubsidingintothetoneofgayandeasyconversation;\"forthisOrsonPinnit\'srequestgoessomethingfurther。Hecomplainsthat，amidsttheextremedelightwithwhichmenhaunttheplay—
houses，andinespecialtheireagerdesireforseeingtheexhibitionsofoneWillShakespeare（whomIthink，mylords，wehaveallheardsomethingof），themanlyamusementofbear—baitingisfallingintocomparativeneglect，sincemenwillratherthrongtoseetheseroguishplayerskilleachotherinjest，thantoseeourroyaldogsandbearsworryeachotherinbloodyearnest。——
Whatsayyoutothis，myLordofSussex？\"
\"Why，truly，graciousmadam，\"saidSussex，\"youmustexpectlittlefromanoldsoldierlikemeinfavourofbattlesinsport，whentheyarecomparedwithbattlesinearnest;andyet，bymyfaith，IwishWillShakespearenoharm。Heisastoutmanatquarter—staff，andsinglefalchion，though，asIamtold，ahaltingfellow;andhestood，theysay，atoughfightwiththerangersofoldSirThomasLucyofCharlecot，whenhebrokehisdeer—parkandkissedhiskeeper\'sdaughter。\"
\"Icryyoumercy，myLordofSussex，\"saidQueenElizabeth，interruptinghim;\"thatmatterwasheardincouncil，andwewillnothavethisfellow\'soffenceexaggerated——therewasnokissinginthematter，andthedefendanthathputthedenialonrecord。
Butwhatsayyoutohispresentpractice，mylord，onthestage？
forthereliesthepoint，andnotinanywaystouchinghisformererrors，inbreakingparks，ortheotherfolliesyouspeakof。\"
\"Why，truly，madam，\"repliedSussex，\"asIsaidbefore，Iwishthegamesomemadfellownoinjury。Someofhiswhoresonpoetry（IcraveyourGrace\'spardonforsuchaphrase）hasrunginmineearsasifthelinessoundedtobootandsaddle。Butthenitisallfrothandfolly——nosubstanceorseriousnessinit，asyourGracehasalreadywelltouched。Whatarehalfadozenknaves，withrustyfoilsandtatteredtargets，makingbutameremockeryofastoutfight，tocomparetotheroyalgameofbear—baiting，whichhathbeengracedbyyourHighness\'scountenance，andthatofyourroyalpredecessors，inthisyourprincelykingdom，famousformatchlessmastiffsandboldbearwardsoverallChristendom？
Greatlyisittobedoubtedthattheraceofbothwilldecay，ifmenshouldthrongtohearthelungsofanidleplayerbelchforthnonsensicalbombast，insteadofbestowingtheirpenceinencouragingthebravestimageofwarthatcanbeshowninpeace，andthatisthesportsoftheBear—garden。Thereyoumayseethebearlyingatguard，withhisred，pinkyeyeswatchingtheonsetofthemastiff，likeawilycaptainwhomaintainshisdefencethatanassailantmaybetemptedtoventurewithinhisdanger。
AndthencomesSirMastiff，likeaworthychampion，infullcareeratthethroatofhisadversary;andthenshallSirBruinteachhimtherewardforthosewho，intheirover—courage，neglectthepoliciesofwar，and，catchinghiminhisarms，strainhimtohisbreastlikealustywrestler，untilribafterribcrackliketheshotofapistolet。Andthenanothermastiff;
asbold，butwithbetteraimandsounderjudgment，catchesSirBruinbythenetherlip，andhangsfast，whilehetossesabouthisbloodandslaver，andtriesinvaintoshakeSirTalbotfromhishold。Andthen——\"
\"Nay，bymyhonour，mylord，\"saidtheQueen，laughing，\"youhavedescribedthewholesoadmirablythat，hadweneverseenabear—
baiting，aswehavebeheldmany，andhope，withHeaven\'sallowance，toseemanymore，yourwordsweresufficienttoputthewholeBear—gardenbeforeoureyes。——Butcome，whospeaksnextinthiscase？——MyLordofLeicester，whatsayyou？\"
\"AmIthentoconsidermyselfasunmuzzled，pleaseyourGrace？\"
repliedLeicester。
\"Surely，mylord——thatis，ifyoufeelheartyenoughtotakepartinourgame，\"answeredElizabeth;\"andyet，whenIthinkofyourcognizanceofthebearandraggedstaff，methinkswehadbetterhearsomelesspartialorator。\"
\"Nay，onmyword，graciousPrincess，\"saidtheEarl，\"thoughmybrotherAmbroseofWarwickandIdocarrytheancientcognizanceyourHighnessdeignstoremember，Ineverthelessdesirenothingbutfairplayonallsides;or，astheysay，\'fightdog，fightbear。\'Andinbehalfoftheplayers，Imustneedssaythattheyarewittyknaves，whoserantsandjestskeepthemindsofthecommonsfrombusyingthemselveswithstateaffairs，andlisteningtotraitorousspeeches，idlerumours，anddisloyalinsinuations。
WhenmenareagapetoseehowMarlow，Shakespeare，andotherplayartificersworkouttheirfancifulplots，astheycallthem，themindofthespectatorsiswithdrawnfromtheconductoftheirrulers。\"
\"Wewouldnothavethemindofoursubjectswithdrawnfromtheconsiderationofourownconduct，mylord，\"answeredElizabeth;
\"becausethemorecloselyitisexamined，thetruemotivesbywhichweareguidedwillappearthemoremanifest。\"
\"Ihaveheard，however，madam，\"saidtheDeanofSt。Asaph\'s，aneminentPuritan，\"thattheseplayersarewont，intheirplays，notonlytointroduceprofaneandlewdexpressions，tendingtofostersinandharlotry;buteventobellowoutsuchreflectionsongovernment，itsoriginanditsobject，astendtorenderthesubjectdiscontented，andshakethesolidfoundationsofcivilsociety。Anditseemstobe，underyourGrace\'sfavour，farlessthansafetopermitthesenaughtyfoul—mouthedknavestoridiculethegodlyfortheirdecentgravity，and，inblasphemingheavenandslanderingitsearthlyrulers，tosetatdefiancethelawsbothofGodandman。\"
\"Ifwecouldthinkthisweretrue，mylord，\"saidElizabeth，\"weshouldgivesharpcorrectionforsuchoffences。Butitisillarguingagainsttheuseofanythingfromitsabuse。AndtouchingthisShakespeare，wethinkthereisthatinhisplaysthatisworthtwentyBear—gardens;andthatthisnewundertakingofhisChronicles，ashecallsthem，mayentertain，withhonestmirth，mingledwithusefulinstruction，notonlyoursubjects，buteventhegenerationwhichmaysucceedtous。\"
\"YourMajesty\'sreignwillneednosuchfeebleaidtomakeitrememberedtothelatestposterity，\"saidLeicester。\"Andyet，inhisway，ShakespearehathsotouchedsomeincidentsofyourMajesty\'shappygovernmentasmaycountervailwhathasbeenspokenbyhisreverencetheDeanofSt。Asaph\'s。Therearesomelines，forexample——Iwouldmynephew，PhilipSidney，werehere;
theyarescarceeveroutofhismouth——theyarespokeninamadtaleoffairies，love—charms，andIwotnotwhatbesides;butbeautifultheyare，howevershorttheymayandmustfallofthesubjecttowhichtheybearaboldrelation——andPhilipmurmursthem，Ithink，eveninhisdreams。\"
\"Youtantalizeus，mylord，\"saidtheQueen——\"MasterPhilipSidneyis，weknow，aminionoftheMuses，andwearepleaseditshouldbeso。Valournevershinestomoreadvantagethanwhenunitedwiththetruetasteandloveofletters。Butsurelytherearesomeothersamongouryoungcourtierswhocanrecollectwhatyourlordshiphasforgottenamidweightieraffairs。——MasterTressilian，youaredescribedtomeasaworshipperofMinerva——
rememberyouaughtoftheselines？\"
Tressilian\'sheartwastooheavy，hisprospectsinlifetoofatallyblighted，toprofitbytheopportunitywhichtheQueenthusofferedtohimofattractingherattention;buthedeterminedtotransfertheadvantagetohismoreambitiousyoungfriend，andexcusinghimselfonthescoreofwantofrecollection，headdedthathebelievedthebeautifulversesofwhichmyLordofLeicesterhadspokenwereintheremembranceofMasterWalterRaleigh。
AtthecommandoftheQueen，thatcavalierrepeated，withaccentandmannerwhichevenaddedtotheirexquisitedelicacyoftactandbeautyofdescription，thecelebratedvisionofOberon:——
\"ThatverytimeIsaw（butthoucouldstnot），Flyingbetweenthecoldmoonandtheearth，Cupid，allarm\'d:acertainaimhetookAtafairvestal，thronedbythewest;
Andloos\'dhislove—shaftsmartlyfromhisbow，Asitshouldpierceahundredthousandhearts:
ButImightseeyoungCupid\'sfieryshaftQuench\'dinthechastebeamsofthewaterymoon;
Andtheimperialvot\'resspassedon，Inmaidenmeditation，fancyfree。\"
ThevoiceofRaleigh，asherepeatedthelastlines，becamealittletremulous，asifdiffidenthowtheSovereigntowhomthehomagewasaddressedmightreceiveit，exquisiteasitwas。Ifthisdiffidencewasaffected，itwasgoodpolicy;butifreal，therewaslittleoccasionforit。TheverseswerenotprobablynewtotheQueen，forwhenwaseversuchelegantflatterylonginreachingtheroyaleartowhichitwasaddressed？ButtheywerenotthelesswelcomewhenrepeatedbysuchaspeakerasRaleigh。
Alikedelightedwiththematter，themanner，andthegracefulformandanimatedcountenanceofthegallantyoungreciter，Elizabethkepttimetoeverycadencewithlookandwithfinger。
Whenthespeakerhadceased，shemurmuredoverthelastlinesasifscarceconsciousthatshewasoverheard，andassheutteredthewords，\"Inmaidenmeditation，fancyfree，\"shedroppedintotheThamesthesupplicationofOrsonPinnit，keeperoftheroyalbears，tofindmorefavourableacceptanceatSheerness，orwhereverthetidemightwaftit。
Leicesterwasspurredtoemulationbythesuccessoftheyoungcourtier\'sexhibition，astheveteranracerisrousedwhenahigh—mettledcoltpasseshimontheway。Heturnedthediscourseonshows，banquets，pageants，andonthecharacterofthosebywhomthesegaysceneswerethenfrequented。Hemixedacuteobservationwithlightsatire，inthatjustproportionwhichwasfreealikefrommalignantslanderandinsipidpraise。Hemimickedwithreadyaccentthemannersoftheaffectedortheclownish，andmadehisowngracefultoneandmannerseemdoublysuchwhenheresumedit。Foreigncountries——theircustoms，theirmanners，therulesoftheircourts———thefashions，andeventhedressoftheirladies—wereequallyhistheme;andseldomdidheconcludewithoutconveyingsomecompliment，alwayscouchedindelicacy，andexpressedwithpropriety，totheVirginQueen，hercourt，andhergovernment。Thuspassedtheconversationduringthispleasurevoyage，secondedbytherestoftheattendantsupontheroyalperson，ingaydiscourse，variedbyremarksuponancientclassicsandmodernauthors，andenrichedbymaximsofdeeppolicyandsoundmorality，bythestatesmenandsageswhosataroundandmixedwisdomwiththelightertalkofafemalecourt。
WhentheyreturnedtothePalace，Elizabethaccepted，orratherselected，thearmofLeicestertosupportherfromthestairswheretheylandedtothegreatgate。Itevenseemedtohim（thoughthatmightarisefromtheflatteryofhisownimagination）thatduringthisshortpassagesheleanedonhimsomewhatmorethantheslippinessofthewaynecessarilydemanded。Certainlyheractionsandwordscombinedtoexpressadegreeoffavourwhich，eveninhisproudestdayhehadnottillthenattained。Hisrival，indeed，wasrepeatedlygracedbytheQueen\'snotice;butitwasinmannerthatseemedtoflowlessfromspontaneousinclinationthanasextortedbyasenseofhismerit。Andintheopinionofmanyexperiencedcourtiers，allthefavoursheshowedhimwasoverbalancedbyherwhisperingintheearoftheLadyDerbythat\"nowshesawsicknesswasabetteralchemistthanshebeforewottedof，seeingithadchangedmyLordofSussex\'scoppernoseintoagoldenone。\"
Thejesttranspired，andtheEarlofLeicesterenjoyedhistriumph，asonetowhomcourt—favourhadbeenboththeprimaryandtheultimatemotiveoflife，whileheforgot，intheintoxicationofthemoment，theperplexitiesanddangersofhisownsituation。Indeed，strangeasitmayappear，hethoughtlessatthatmomentoftheperilsarisingfromhissecretunion，thanofthemarksofgracewhichElizabethfromtimetotimeshowedtoyoungRaleigh。Theywereindeedtransient，buttheywereconferredononeaccomplishedinmindandbody，withgrace，gallantry，literature，andvalour。AnaccidentoccurredinthecourseoftheeveningwhichrivetedLeicester\'sattentiontothisobject。
ThenoblesandcourtierswhohadattendedtheQueenonherpleasureexpeditionwereinvited，withroyalhospitality，toasplendidbanquetinthehallofthePalace。Thetablewasnot，indeed，gracedbythepresenceoftheSovereign;for，agreeabletoherideaofwhatwasatoncemodestanddignified，theMaidenQueenonsuchoccasionswaswonttotakeinprivate，orwithoneortwofavouriteladies，herlightandtemperatemeal。Afteramoderateinterval，thecourtagainmetinthesplendidgardensofthePalace;anditwaswhilethusengagedthattheQueensuddenlyaskedalady，whowasneartoherbothinplaceandfavour，whathadbecomeoftheyoungSquireLack—Cloak。
TheLadyPagetanswered，\"ShehadseenMasterRaleighbuttwoorthreeminutessincestandingatthewindowofasmallpavilionorpleasure—house，whichlookedoutontheThames，andwritingontheglasswithadiamondring。\"
\"Thatring，\"saidtheQueen，\"wasasmalltokenIgavehimtomakeamendsforhisspoiledmantle。Come，Paget，letusseewhatusehehasmadeofit，forIcanseethroughhimalready。Heisamarvellouslysharp—wittedspirit。\"Theywenttothespot，withinsightofwhich，butatsomedistance，theyoungcavalierstilllingered，asthefowlerwatchesthenetwhichhehasset。
TheQueenapproachedthewindow，onwhichRaleighhadusedhergift，toinscribethefollowingline:——
\"FainwouldIclimb，butthatIfeartofall。\"
TheQueensmiled，readittwiceover，oncewithdeliberationtoLadyPaget，andonceagaintoherself。\"Itisaprettybeginning，\"shesaid，aftertheconsiderationofamomentortwo;
\"butmethinksthemusehathdesertedtheyoungwitattheveryoutsetofhistask。Itweregood—natured——wereitnot，LadyPaget？——tocompleteitforhim。Tryyourrhymingfaculties。\"
LadyPaget，prosaicfromhercradleupwardsaseveranyladyofthebedchamberbeforeorafterher，disclaimedallpossibilityofassistingtheyoungpoet。
\"Nay，then，wemustsacrificetotheMusesourselves，\"saidElizabeth。
\"Theincenseofnoonecanbemoreacceptable，\"saidLadyPaget;
\"andyourHighnesswillimposesuchobligationontheladiesofParnassus——\"
\"Hush，Paget，\"saidtheQueen，\"youspeaksacrilegeagainsttheimmortalNine——yet，virginsthemselves，theyshouldbeexorabletoaVirginQueen——andtherefore——letmeseehowrunshisverse——
\'FainwouldIclimb，butthatIfeartofall。\'
Mightnottheanswer（forfaultofabetter）runthus？——
\'Ifthymindfailthee，donotclimbatall。\'\"
Thedameofhonourutteredanexclamationofjoyandsurpriseatsohappyatermination;andcertainlyaworsehasbeenapplauded，evenwhencomingfromalessdistinguishedauthor。
TheQueen，thusencouraged，tookoffadiamondring，andsaying，\"Wewillgivethisgallantsomecauseofmarvelwhenhefindshiscoupletperfectedwithouthisowninterference，\"shewroteherownlinebeneaththatofRaleigh。
TheQueenleftthepavilion;butretiringslowly，andoftenlookingback，shecouldseetheyoungcavaliersteal，withtheflightofalapwing，towardstheplacewherehehadseenhermakeapause。\"Shestayedbuttoobserve，\"asshesaid，\"thathertrainhadtaken;\"andthen，laughingatthecircumstancewiththeLadyPaget，shetookthewayslowlytowardsthePalace。
Elizabeth，astheyreturned，cautionedhercompanionnottomentiontoanyonetheaidwhichshehadgiventotheyoungpoet，andLadyPagetpromisedscrupuloussecrecy。ItistobesupposedthatshemadeamentalreservationinfavourofLeicester，towhomherladyshiptransmittedwithoutdelayananecdotesolittlecalculatedtogivehimpleasure。
Raleigh，inthemeanwhile，stolebacktothewindow，andread，withafeelingofintoxication，theencouragementthusgivenhimbytheQueeninpersontofollowouthisambitiouscareer，andreturnedtoSussexandhisretinue，thenonthepointofembarkingtogouptheriver，hisheartbeatinghighwithgratifiedpride，andwithhopeoffuturedistinction。
ThereverenceduetothepersonoftheEarlpreventedanynoticebeingtakenofthereceptionhehadmetwithatcourt，untiltheyhadlanded，andthehouseholdwereassembledinthegreathallatSayesCourt;whilethatlord，exhaustedbyhislateillnessandthefatiguesoftheday，hadretiredtohischamber，demandingtheattendanceofWayland，hissuccessfulphysician。Wayland，however，wasnowheretobefound;andwhilesomeofthepartywere，withmilitaryimpatience，seekinghimandcursinghisabsence，therestflockedaroundRaleightocongratulatehimonhisprospectsofcourt—favour。
HehadthegoodtasteandjudgmenttoconcealthedecisivecircumstanceofthecouplettowhichElizabethhaddeignedtofindarhyme;butotherindicationshadtranspired，whichplainlyintimatedthathehadmadesomeprogressintheQueen\'sfavour。