Thisunpremeditatedbuffooneryansweredthepurposeprobablybetterthanthesetspeechwouldhavedone。TheQueenlaughedheartily，andswore（inherturn）thathehadmadethebestspeechshehadheardthatday。Lambourne，whoinstantlysawhisjesthadsavedhisbones，jumpedonshore，gavehisdolphinakick，anddeclaredhewouldnevermeddlewithfishagain，exceptatdinner。
AtthesametimethattheQueenwasabouttoentertheCastle，thatmemorabledischargeoffireworksbywaterandlandtookplace，whichMasterLaneham，formerlyintroducedtothereader，hasstrainedallhiseloquencetodescribe。
\"Such，\"saystheClerkoftheCouncil—chamberdoor\"wastheblazeofburningdarts，thegleamsofstarscoruscant，thestreamsandhailoffierysparks，lightningsofwildfire，andflight—shotofthunderbolts，withcontinuance，terror，andvehemency，thattheheavensthundered，thewaterssurged，andtheearthshook;andformypart，hardyasIam，itmademeveryvengeablyafraid。\"
[SeeLaneham\'sAccountoftheQueen\'sEntertainmentatKillingworthCastle，in1575，averydivertingtract，writtenbyasgreatacoxcombaseverblottedpaper。[SeeNote6]Theoriginalisextremelyrare，butithasbeentwicereprinted;onceinMr。Nichols\'sverycuriousandinterestingcollectionoftheProgressesandPublicProcessionsofQueenElizabeth，vol。i。andmorelatelyinabeautifulantiquarianpublication，termedKENILWORTHILLUSTRATED，printedatChiswick，forMeridewofCoventryandRadcliffeofBirmingham。ItcontainsreprintsofLaneham\'sLetter，Gascoigne\'sPrinceIyProgress，andotherscarcepieces，annotatedwithaccuracyandability。Theauthortakesthelibertytorefertothisworkashisauthorityfortheaccountofthefestivities。
Iamindebtedforacuriousground—planoftheCastleofKenilworth，asitexistedinQueenElizabeth\'stime，tothevoluntarykindnessofRichardBadnallEsq。ofOlivebank，nearLiverpool。Fromhisobligingcommunication，IlearnthattheoriginalsketchwasfoundamongthemanuscriptsofthecelebratedJ。J。Rousseau，whenheleftEngland。ThesewereentrustedbythephilosophertothecareofhisfriendMr。Davenport，andpassedfromhislegateeintothepossessionofMr。Badnall。]
CHAPTERXXXI。
Nay，thisismatterforthemonthofMarch，Whenharesaremaddest。Eitherspeakinreason，Givingcoldargumentthewallofpassion，OrIbreakupthecourt。BEAUMONTANDFLETCHER。
ItisbynomeansourpurposetodetailminutelyalltheprincelyfestivitiesofKenilworth，afterthefashionofMasterRobertLaneham，whomwequotedintheconclusionofthelastchapter。
Itissufficienttosaythatunderdischargeofthesplendidfireworks，whichwehaveborrowedLaneham\'seloquencetodescribe，theQueenenteredthebase—courtofKenilworth，throughMortimer\'sTower，andmovingonthroughpageantsofheathengodsandheroesofantiquity，whoofferedgiftsandcomplimentsonthebendedknee，atlengthfoundherwaytotheGreatHalloftheCastle，gorgeouslyhungforherreceptionwiththerichestsilkentapestry，mistywithperfumes，andsoundingtostrainsofsoftanddeliciousmusic。Fromthehighly—carvedoakenroofhungasuperbchandelierofgiltbronze，formedlikeaspreadeagle，whoseoutstretchedwingssupportedthreemaleandthreefemalefigures，graspingapairofbranchesineachhand。TheHallwasthusilluminatedbytwenty—fourtorchesofwax。Attheupperendofthesplendidapartmentwasastatecanopy，overshadowingaroyalthrone，andbesideitwasadoor，whichopenedtoalongsuiteofapartments，decoratedwiththeutmostmagnificencefortheQueenandherladies，wheneveritshouldbeherpleasuretobeprivate。
TheEarlofLeicesterhavinghandedtheQueenuptoherthrone，andseatedherthere，kneltdownbeforeher，andkissingthehandwhichsheheldout，withanairinwhichromanticandrespectfulgallantrywashappilymingledwiththeairofloyaldevotion，hethankedher，intermsofthedeepestgratitude，forthehighesthonourwhichasovereigncouldrendertoasubject。Sohandsomedidhelookwhenkneelingbeforeher，thatElizabethwastemptedtoprolongthescenealittlelongerthantherewas，strictlyspeaking，necessityfor;anderesheraisedhim，shepassedherhandoverhishead，sonearasalmosttotouchhislong，curled，andperfumedhair，andwithamovementoffondnessthatseemedtointimateshewould，ifshedared，havemadethemotionaslightcaress。
[Tojustifywhatmaybeconsideredasahigh—colouredpicture，theauthorquotestheoriginalofthecourtlyandshrewdSirJamesMelville，beingthenQueenMary\'senvoyatthecourtofLondon。
\"Iwasrequired，\"saysSirJames，\"tostaytillIhadseenhimmadeEarleofLeicester，andBaronofDenbigh，withgreatsolemnity;herself（Elizabeth）helpingtoputonhisceremonial，hesittingonhiskneesbeforeher，keepingagreatgravityandadiscreetbehaviour;butshecouldnotrefrainfromputtingherhandtohisnecktokittle（i。e。，tickle）him，smilingly，theFrenchAmbassadorandIstandingbesideher。\"——MELVILLE\'S
MEMOIRS，BANNATYNEEDITION，p。120。]
Sheatlengthraisedhim，andstandingbesidethethrone，heexplainedtoherthevariouspreparationswhichhadbeenmadeforheramusementandaccommodation，allofwhichreceivedherpromptandgraciousapprobation。TheEarlthenprayedherMajestyforpermissionthathehimself，andthenobleswhohadbeeninattendanceuponherduringthejourney，mightretireforafewminutes，andputthemselvesintoaguisemorefittingfordutifulattendance，duringwhichspacethosegentlemenofworship（pointingtoVarney，Blount，Tressilian，andothers），whohadalreadyputthemselvesintofreshattire，wouldhavethehonourofkeepingherpresence—chamber。
\"Beitso，mylord，\"answeredtheQueen;\"youcouldmanageatheatrewell，whocanthuscommandadoublesetofactors。Forourselves，wewillreceiveyourcourtesiesthiseveningbutclownishly，sinceitisnotourpurposetochangeourridingattire，beingineffectsomethingfatiguedwithajourneywhichtheconcourseofourgoodpeoplehathrenderedslow，thoughthelovetheyhaveshownourpersonhath，atthesametime，madeitdelightful。\"
Leicester，havingreceivedthispermission，retiredaccordingly，andwasfollowedbythosenobleswhohadattendedtheQueentoKenilworthinperson。Thegentlemenwhohadprecededthem，andwere，ofcourse，dressedforthesolemnity，remainedinattendance。Butbeingmostofthemofratherinferiorrank，theyremainedatanawfuldistancefromthethronewhichElizabethoccupied。TheQueen\'ssharpeyesoondistinguishedRaleighamongstthem，withoneortwootherswhowerepersonallyknowntoher，andsheinstantlymadethemasigntoapproach，andaccostedthemverygraciously。Raleigh，inparticular，theadventureofwhosecloak，aswellastheincidentoftheverses，remainedonhermind，wasverygraciouslyreceived;andtohimshemostfrequentlyappliedforinformationconcerningthenamesandrankofthosewhowereinpresence。Thesehecommunicatedconcisely，andnotwithoutsometraitsofhumoroussatire，bywhichElizabethseemedmuchamused。\"Andwhoisyonderclownishfellow？\"shesaid，lookingatTressilian，whosesoileddressonthisoccasiongreatlyobscuredhisgoodmien。
\"Apoet，ifitpleaseyourGrace，\"repliedRaleigh。
\"Imighthaveguessedthatfromhiscarelessgarb，\"saidElizabeth。\"Ihaveknownsomepoetssothoughtlessastothrowtheircloaksintogutters。\"
\"Itmusthavebeenwhenthesundazzledboththeireyesandtheirjudgment，\"answeredRaleigh。
Elizabethsmiled，andproceeded，\"Iaskedthatslovenlyfellow\'sname，andyouonlytoldmehisprofession。\"
\"Tressilianishisname，\"saidRaleigh，withinternalreluctance，forheforesawnothingfavourabletohisfriendfromthemannerinwhichshetooknoticeofhim。
\"Tressilian！\"answeredElizabeth。\"Oh，theMenelausofourromance。Why，hehasdressedhimselfinaguisethatwillgofartoexculpatehisfairandfalseHelen。AndwhereisFarnham，orwhateverhisnameis——myLordofLeicester\'sman，Imean——theParisofthisDevonshiretale？\"
WithstillgreaterreluctanceRaleighnamedandpointedouttoherVarney，forwhomthetailorhaddoneallthatartcouldperforminmakinghisexterioragreeable;andwho，ifhehadnotgrace，hadasortoftactandhabitualknowledgeofbreeding，whichcameinplaceofit。
TheQueenturnedhereyesfromtheonetotheother。\"Idoubt，\"
shesaid，\"thissamepoeticalMasterTressilian，whoistoolearned，Iwarrantme，torememberwhosepresencehewastoappearin，maybeoneofthoseofwhomGeoffreyChaucersayswittily，thewisestclerksarenotthewisestmen。IrememberthatVarneyisasmooth—tonguedvarlet。Idoubtthisfairrunawayhathhadreasonsforbreakingherfaith。\"
TothisRaleighdurstmakenoanswer，awarehowlittleheshouldbenefitTressilianbycontradictingtheQueen\'ssentiments，andnotatallcertain，onthewhole，whetherthebestthingthatcouldbefallhimwouldnotbethatsheshouldputanendatoncebyherauthoritytothisaffair，uponwhichitseemedtohimTressilian\'sthoughtswerefixedwithunavailinganddistressingpertinacity。Asthesereflectionspassedthroughhisactivebrain，thelowerdoorofthehallopened，andLeicester，accompaniedbyseveralofhiskinsmen，andofthenobleswhohadembracedhisfaction，re—enteredtheCastleHall。
ThefavouriteEarlwasnowapparelledallinwhite，hisshoesbeingofwhitevelvet;hisunder—stocks（orstockings）ofknitsilk;hisupperstocksofwhitevelvet，linedwithclothofsilver，whichwasshownattheslashedpartofthemiddlethigh;
hisdoubletofclothofsilver，theclosejerkinofwhitevelvet，embroideredwithsilverandseed—pearl，hisgirdleandthescabbardofhisswordofwhitevelvetwithgoldenbuckles;hisponiardandswordhiltedandmountedwithgold;andoverallarich，looserobeofwhitesatin，withaborderofgoldenembroideryafootinbreadth。ThecollaroftheGarter，andtheazuregarteritselfaroundhisknee，completedtheappointmentsoftheEarlofLeicester;whichweresowellmatchedbyhisfairstature，gracefulgesture，fineproportionofbody，andhandsomecountenance，thatatthatmomenthewasadmittedbyallwhosawhimasthegoodliestpersonwhomtheyhadeverlookedupon。
Sussexandtheothernobleswerealsorichlyattired，butinpointofsplendourandgracefulnessofmienLeicesterfarexceededthemall。
Elizabethreceivedhimwithgreatcomplacency。\"Wehaveonepieceofroyaljustice，\"shesaid，\"toattendto。Itisapieceofjustice，too，whichinterestsusasawoman，aswellasinthecharacterofmotherandguardianoftheEnglishpeople。\"
AninvoluntaryshuddercameoverLeicesterashebowedlow，expressiveofhisreadinesstoreceiveherroyalcommands;andasimilarcoldfitcameoverVarney，whoseeyes（seldomduringthateveningremovedfromhispatron）instantlyperceivedfromthechangeinhislooks，slightasthatwas，ofwhattheQueenwasspeaking。ButLeicesterhadwroughthisresolutionuptothepointwhich，inhiscrookedpolicy，hejudgednecessary;andwhenElizabethadded，\"itisofthematterofVarneyandTressilianwespeak——istheladyhere，mylord？\"hisanswerwasready——
\"Graciousmadam，sheisnot。\"
Elizabethbentherbrewsandcompressedherlips。\"Ourorderswerestrictandpositive，mylord，\"washeranswer——
\"Andshouldhavebeenobeyed，goodmyliege，\"repliedLeicester，\"hadtheybeenexpressedintheformofthelightestwish。But——Varney，stepforward——thisgentlemanwillinformyourGraceofthecausewhythelady\"（hecouldnotforcehisrebellioustonguetoutterthewords——HISWIFE）\"cannotattendonyourroyalpresence。\"
Varneyadvanced，andpleadedwithreadiness，whatindeedhefirmlybelieved，theabsoluteincapacityoftheparty（forneitherdidhedare，inLeicester\'spresence，termherhiswife）
towaitonherGrace。
\"Here，\"saidhe，\"areattestationsfromamostlearnedphysician，whoseskillandhonourarewellknowntomygoodLordofLeicester，andfromanhonestanddevoutProtestant，amanofcreditandsubstance，oneAnthonyFoster，thegentlemaninwhosehousesheisatpresentbestowed，thatshenowlaboursunderanillnesswhichaltogetherunfitsherforsuchajourneyasbetwixtthisCastleandtheneighbourhoodofOxford。\"
\"Thisaltersthematter，\"saidtheQueen，takingthecertificatesinherhand，andglancingattheircontents。——\"LetTressiliancomeforward。——MasterTressilian，wehavemuchsympathyforyoursituation，theratherthatyouseemtohavesetyourheartdeeplyonthisAmyRobsart，orVarney。Ourpower，thankstoGod，andthewillingobedienceofalovingpeople，isworthmuch，buttherearesomethingswhichitcannotcompass。Wecannot，forexample，commandtheaffectionsofagiddyyounggirl，ormakeherlovesenseandlearningbetterthanacourtier\'sfinedoublet;andwecannotcontrolsickness，withwhichitseemsthisladyisafflicted，whomaynot，byreasonofsuchinfirmity，attendourcourthere，aswehadrequiredhertodo。Herearethetestimonialsofthephysicianwhohathherunderhischarge，andthegentlemaninwhosehousesheresides，sosettingforth。\"
\"UnderyourMajesty\'sfavour，\"saidTressilianhastily，andinhisalarmfortheconsequenceoftheimpositionpractisedontheQueenforgettinginpartatleasthisownpromisetoAmy，\"thesecertificatesspeaknotthetruth。\"
\"How，sir！\"saidtheQueen——\"impeachmyLordofLeicester\'sveracity！Butyoushallhaveafairhearing。Inourpresencethemeanestofoursubjectsshallbeheardagainsttheproudest，andtheleastknownagainstthemostfavoured;thereforeyoushallbeheardfairly，butbewareyouspeaknotwithoutawarrant！Takethesecertificatesinyourownhand，lookatthemcarefully，andsaymanfullyifyouimpugnthetruthofthem，anduponwhatevidence。\"
AstheQueenspoke，hispromiseandallitsconsequencesrushedonthemindoftheunfortunateTressilian，andwhileitcontrolledhisnaturalinclinationtopronouncethatafalsehoodwhichheknewfromtheevidenceofhissensestobeuntrue，gaveanindecisionandirresolutiontohisappearanceandutterancewhichmadestronglyagainsthiminthemindofElizabeth，aswellasofallwhobeheldhim。Heturnedthepapersoverandover，asifhehadbeenanidiot，incapableofcomprehendingtheircontents。TheQueen\'simpatiencebegantobecomevisible。\"Youareascholar，sir，\"shesaid，\"andofsomenote，asIhaveheard;yetyouseemwondrousslowinreadingtexthand。Howsayyou，arethesecertificatestrueorno？\"
\"Madam，\"saidTressilian，withobviousembarrassmentandhesitation，anxioustoavoidadmittingevidencewhichhemightafterwardshavereasontoconfute，yetequallydesiroustokeephiswordtoAmy，andtogiveher，ashehadpromised，spacetopleadherowncauseinherownway——\"Madam——Madam，yourGracecallsonmetoadmitevidencewhichoughttobeprovedvalidbythosewhofoundtheirdefenceuponthem。\"
\"Why，Tressilian，thouartcriticalaswellaspoetical，\"saidtheQueen，bendingonhimabrowofdispleasure;\"methinksthesewritings，beingproducedinthepresenceofthenobleEarltowhomthisCastlepertains，andhishonourbeingappealedtoastheguaranteeoftheirauthenticity，mightbeevidenceenoughforthee。Butsincethoulistesttobesoformal——Varney，orrathermyLordofLeicester，fortheaffairbecomesyours\"（thesewords，thoughspokenatrandom，thrilledthroughtheEarl\'smarrowandbones），\"whatevidencehaveyouastouchingthesecertificates？\"
Varneyhastenedtoreply，preventingLeicester——\"SopleaseyourMajesty，myyoungLordofOxford，whoishereinpresence，knowsMasterAnthonyFoster\'shandandhischaracter。\"
TheEarlofOxford，ayoungunthrift，whomFosterhadmorethanonceaccommodatedwithloansonusuriousinterest，acknowledged，onthisappeal，thatheknewhimasawealthyandindependentfranklin，supposedtobeworthmuchmoney，andverifiedthecertificateproducedtobehishandwriting。
\"AndwhospeakstotheDoctor\'scertificate？\"saidtheQueen。
\"Alasco，methinks，ishisname。\"
Masters，herMajesty\'sphysician（notthelesswillinglythatherememberedhisrepulsefromSayesCourt，andthoughtthathispresenttestimonymightgratifyLeicester，andmortifytheEarlofSussexandhisfaction），acknowledgedhehadmorethanonceconsultedwithDoctorAlasco，andspokeofhimasamanofextraordinarylearningandhiddenacquirements，thoughnotaltogetherintheregularcourseofpractice。TheEarlofHuntingdon，LordLeicester\'sbrother—in—law，andtheoldCountessofRutland，nextsanghispraises，andbothrememberedthethin，beautifulItalianhandinwhichhewaswonttowritehisreceipts，andwhichcorrespondedtothecertificateproducedashis。
\"Andnow，Itrust，MasterTressilian，thismatterisended，\"saidtheQueen。\"WewilldosomethingerethenightisoldertoreconcileoldSirHughRobsarttothematch。Youhavedoneyourdutysomethingmorethanboldly;butwewerenowomanhadwenotcompassionforthewoundswhichtruelovedeals，soweforgiveyouraudacity，andyouruncleansedbootswithal，whichhavewell—
nighoverpoweredmyLordofLeicester\'sperfumes。\"
SospokeElizabeth，whosenicetyofscentwasoneofthecharacteristicsofherorganization，asappearedlongafterwardswhensheexpelledEssexfromherpresence，onachargeagainsthisbootssimilartothatwhichshenowexpressedagainstthoseofTressilianButTressilianhadbythistimecollectedhimself，astonishedashehadatfirstbeenbytheaudacityofthefalsehoodsofeasiblysupported，andplacedinarrayagainsttheevidenceofhisowneyes。Herushedforward，kneeleddown，andcaughttheQueenbytheskirtofherrobe。\"AsyouareChristianwoman，\"hesaid，\"madam，asyouarecrownedQueen，todoequaljusticeamongyoursubjects——asyouhopeyourselftohavefairhearing（whichGodgrantyou）atthatlastbaratwhichwemustallplead，grantmeonesmallrequest！Decidenotthismattersohastily。Givemebuttwenty—fourhours\'interval，andIwill，attheendofthatbriefspace，produceevidencewhichwillshowtodemonstrationthatthesecertificates，whichstatethisunhappyladytobenowillateaseinOxfordshire，arefalseashell！\"
\"Letgomytrain，sir！\"saidElizabeth，whowasstartledathisvehemence，thoughshehadtoomuchofthelioninhertofear;
\"thefellowmustbedistraught。Thatwittyknave，mygodsonHarrington，musthavehimintohisrhymesofOrlandoFurioso！
Andyet，bythislight，thereissomethingstrangeinthevehemenceofhisdemand。——Speak，Tressilian，whatwiltthoudoif，attheendofthesefour—and—twentyhours，thoucanstnotconfuteafactsosolemnlyprovedasthislady\'sillness？\"
\"Iwilllaydownmyheadontheblock，\"answeredTressilian。
\"Pshaw！\"repliedtheQueen，\"God\'slight！thouspeakestlikeafool。WhatheadfallsinEnglandbutbyjustsentenceofEnglishlaw？Iaskthee，man——ifthouhastsensetounderstandme——wiltthou，ifthoushaltfailinthisimprobableattemptofthine，rendermeagoodandsufficientreasonwhythoudostundertakeit？\"
Tressilianpaused，andagainhesitated;becausehefeltconvincedthatif，withintheintervaldemanded，Amyshouldbecomereconciledtoherhusband，hewouldinthatcasedohertheworstofofficesbyagainrippingupthewholecircumstancesbeforeElizabeth，andshowinghowthatwiseandjealousprincesshadbeenimposeduponbyfalsetestimonials。Theconsciousnessofthisdilemmarenewedhisextremeembarrassmentoflook，voice，andmanner;hehesitated，lookeddown，andontheQueenrepeatingherquestionwithasternvoiceandflashingeye，headmittedwithfalteringwords，\"Thatitmightbe——hecouldnotpositively——thatis，incertainevents——explainthereasonsandgroundsonwhichheacted。\"
\"Now，bythesoulofKingHenry，\"saidtheQueen，\"thisiseithermoonstruckmadnessorveryknavery！——Seestthou，Raleigh，thyfriendisfartooPindaricforthispresence。Havehimaway，andmakeusquitofhim，oritshallbetheworseforhim;forhisflightsaretoounbridledforanyplacebutParnassus，orSaintLuke\'sHospital。Butcomebackinstantlythyself，whenheisplacedunderfittingrestraint。——Wewishwehadseenthebeautywhichcouldmakesuchhavocinawiseman\'sbrain。\"
TressilianwasagainendeavouringtoaddresstheQueen，whenRaleigh，inobediencetotheordershehadreceived，interfered，andwithBlount\'sassistance，halfled，halfforcedhimoutofthepresence—chamber，wherehehimselfindeedbegantothinkhisappearancedidhiscausemoreharmthangood。
Whentheyhadattainedtheantechamber，RaleighentreatedBlounttoseeTressiliansafelyconductedintotheapartmentsallottedtotheEarlofSussex\'sfollowers，and，ifnecessary，recommendedthataguardshouldbemountedonhim。
\"Thisextravagantpassion，\"hesaid，\"and，asitwouldseem，thenewsofthelady\'sillness，hasutterlywreckedhisexcellentjudgment。Butitwillpassawayifhebekeptquiet。Onlylethimbreakforthagainatnorate;forheisalreadyfarinherHighness\'sdispleasure，andshouldshebeagainprovoked，shewillfindforhimaworseplaceofconfinement，andsternerkeepers。\"
\"Ijudgedasmuchasthathewasmad，\"saidNicholasBlount，lookingdownuponhisowncrimsonstockingsandyellowroses，\"wheneverIsawhimwearingyonderdamnedboots，whichstunksoinhernostrils。Iwillbutseehimstowed，andbebackwithyoupresently。But，Walter，didtheQueenaskwhoIwas？——methoughtsheglancedaneyeatme。\"
\"Twenty——twentyeye—glancesshesent！andItoldherall——howthouwertabravesoldier，anda——ButforGod\'ssake，getoffTressilian！\"
\"Iwill——Iwill，\"saidBlount;\"butmethinksthiscourt—hauntingisnosuchbadpastime，afterall。Weshallrisebyit，Walter，mybravelad。ThousaidstIwasagoodsoldier，anda——whatbesides，dearestWalter？\"
\"Anallunutterable—codshead。ForGod\'ssake，begone！\"
Tressilian，withoutfurtherresistanceorexpostulationfollowed，orrathersufferedhimselftobeconductedbyBlounttoRaleigh\'slodging，wherehewasformallyinstalledintoasmalltruckle—bedplacedinawardrobe，anddesignedforadomestic。Hesawbuttooplainlythatnoremonstranceswouldavailtoprocurethehelporsympathyofhisfriends，untilthelapseofthetimeforwhichhehadpledgedhimselftoremaininactiveshouldenablehimeithertoexplainthewholecircumstancestothem，orremovefromhimeverypretextordesireoffurtherinterferencewiththefortunesofAmy，byherhavingfoundmeanstoplaceherselfinastateofreconciliationwithherhusband。
Withgreatdifficulty，andonlybythemostpatientandmildremonstranceswithBlount，heescapedthedisgraceandmortificationofhavingtwoofSussex\'sstoutestyeomenquarteredinhisapartment。Atlast，however，whenNicholashadseenhimfairlydepositedinhistruckle—bed，andhadbestowedoneortwoheartykicks，andasheartycurses，ontheboots，which，inhislatelyacquiredspiritoffoppery，heconsideredasastrongsymptom，ifnotthecause，ofhisfriend\'smalady，hecontentedhimselfwiththemodifiedmeasureoflockingthedoorontheunfortunateTressilian，whosegallantanddisinterestedeffortstosaveafemalewhohadtreatedhimwithingratitudethusterminatedforthepresentinthedispleasureofhisSovereignandtheconvictionofhisfriendsthathewaslittlebetterthanamadman。
CHAPTERXXXII。
ThewisestSovereignserrlikeprivatemen，AndroyalhandhassometimeslaidtheswordOfchivalryuponaworthlessshoulder，Whichbetterhadbeenbrandedbythehangman。
Whatthen？——Kingsdotheirbest;andtheyandweMustanswerfortheintent，andnottheevent。OLDPLAY。
\"Itisamelancholymatter，\"saidtheQueen，whenTressilianwaswithdrawn，\"toseeawiseandlearnedman\'switthuspitifullyunsettled。Yetthispublicdisplayofhisimperfectionofbrainplainlyshowsusthathissupposedinjuryandaccusationwerefruitless;andtherefore，myLordofLeicester，werememberyoursuitformerlymadetousinbehalfofyourfaithfulservantVarney，whosegoodgiftsandfidelity，astheyareusefultoyou，oughttohaveduerewardfromus，knowingwellthatyourlordship，andallyouhave，aresoearnestlydevotedtoourservice。AndwerenderVarneythehonourmoreespeciallythatweareaguest，and，wefear，achargeableandtroublesomeone，underyourlordship\'sroof;andalsoforthesatisfactionofthegoodoldKnightofDevon，SirHughRobsart，whosedaughterhehathmarried，andwetrusttheespecialmarkofgracewhichweareabouttoconfermayreconcilehimtohisson—in—law。——Yoursword，myLordofLeicester。\"
TheEarlunbuckledhissword，andtakingitbythepoint，presentedonbendedkneethehilttoElizabeth。
Shetookitslowlydrewitfromthescabbard，andwhiletheladieswhostoodaroundturnedawaytheireyeswithrealoraffectedshuddering，shenotedwithacuriouseyethehighpolishandrich，damaskedornamentsupontheglitteringblade。
\"HadIbeenaman，\"shesaid，\"methinksnoneofmyancestorswouldhavelovedagoodswordbetter。Asitiswithme，Iliketolookonone，andcould，liketheFairyofwhomIhavereadinsomeItalianrhymes——weremygodsonHarringtonhere，hecouldtellmethepassage——eventrimmyhair，andarrangemyhead—gear，insuchasteelmirrorasthisis。——RichardVarney，comeforth，andkneeldown。InthenameofGodandSaintGeorge，wedubtheeknight！BeFaithful，Brave，andFortunate。Arise，SirRichardVarney。\"
[TheincidentalludedtooccursinthepoemofOrlandoInnamoratoofBoiardo，libroii。canto4，stanza25。
\"Noneraperventura，\"etc。
Itmayberenderedthus:——
Asthen，perchance，unguardedwasthetower，Soenter\'dfreeAnglante\'sdauntlessknight。
NomonsterandnogiantguardthebowerInwhoserecessreclinedthefairylight，Robedinaloosecymaroflilywhite，Andonherlapaswordofbreadthandmight，Inwhosebroadblade，asinamirrorbright，Likemaidthattrimsherforafestalnight，Thefairydeck\'dherhair，andplacedhercoronetaright。
Elizabeth\'sattachmenttotheItalianschoolofpoetrywassingularlymanifestedonawell—knownoccasion。Hergodson，SirJohnHarrington，havingoffendedherdelicacybytranslatingsomeofthelicentiouspassagesoftheOrlandoFurioso，sheimposedonhim，asapenance，thetaskofrenderingtheWHOLEpoemintoEnglish。]
Varneyaroseandretired，makingadeepobeisancetotheSovereignwhohaddonehimsomuchhonour。
\"Thebucklingofthespur，andwhatotherritesremain，\"saidtheQueen，\"maybefinishedto—morrowinthechapel;forweintendSirRichardVarneyacompanioninhishonours。Andaswemustnotbepartialinconferringsuchdistinction，wemeanonthismattertoconferwithourcousinofSussex。\"
ThatnobleEarl，whosincehisarrivalatKenilworth，andindeedsincethecommencementofthisProgress，hadfoundhimselfinasubordinatesituationtoLeicester，wasnowwearingaheavycloudonhisbrow;acircumstancewhichhadnotescapedtheQueen，whohopedtoappeasehisdiscontent，andtofollowouthersystemofbalancingpolicybyamarkofpeculiarfavour，themoregratifyingasitwastenderedatamomentwhenhisrival\'striumphappearedtobecomplete。
AtthesummonsofQueenElizabeth，Sussexhastilyapproachedherperson;andbeingaskedonwhichofhisfollowers，beingagentlemanandofmerit，hewouldwishthehonourofknighthoodtobeconferred，heanswered，withmoresinceritythanpolicy，thathewouldhaveventuredtospeakforTressilian，towhomheconceivedheowedhisownlife，andwhowasadistinguishedsoldierandscholar，besidesamanofunstainedlineage，\"only，\"
hesaid，\"hefearedtheeventsofthatnight——\"Andthenhestopped。
\"Iamgladyourlordshipisthusconsiderate，\"saidElizabeth。
\"Theeventsofthisnightwouldmakeus，intheeyesofoursubjects，asmadasthispoorbrain—sickgentlemanhimself——forweascribehisconducttonomalice——shouldwechoosethismomenttodohimgrace。\"
\"Inthatcase，\"saidtheEarlofSussex，somewhatdiscountenanced，yourMajestywillallowmetonamemymasterofthehorse，MasterNicholasBlount，agentlemanoffairestateandancientname，whohasservedyourMajestybothinScotlandandIreland，andbroughtawaybloodymarksonhisperson，allhonourablytakenandrequited。\"
TheQueencouldnothelpshrugginghershouldersslightlyevenatthissecondsuggestion;andtheDuchessofRutland，whoreadintheQueen\'smannerthatshehadexpectedthatSussexwouldhavenamedRaleigh，andthuswouldhaveenabledhertogratifyherownwishwhileshehonouredhisrecommendation，onlywaitedtheQueen\'sassenttowhathehadproposed，andthensaidthatshehoped，sincethesetwohighnobleshadbeeneachpermittedtosuggestacandidateforthehonoursofchivalry，she，inbehalfoftheladiesinpresence，mighthaveasimilarindulgence。
\"Iwerenowomantorefuseyousuchaboon，\"saidtheQueen，smiling。
\"Then，\"pursuedtheDuchess，\"inthenameofthesefairladiespresent，IrequestyourMajestytoconfertherankofknighthoodonWalterRaleigh，whosebirth，deedsofarms，andpromptitudetoserveoursexwithswordorpen，deservesuchdistinctionfromusall。\"