Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 9.djvu/509

157I-J THE RIDOLFi CONSPIRACY. 49$ The Spanish ambassador chuckled over the dismay with which the news of his failure was received. * My Lord Burghley's burlesques/ l he said, ' had gone off so well hitherto that he despised danger and thought that he had taken a bond of fortune. He with his friends had made a jest of our endurance. His conscience stings him now, but his malice is inveterate. He is given over to reprobate courses and cannot turn to any good. His Majesty is wise and will provide against their tricks, though to see through them he requires more eyes than Argus. I will do my part to make him respected, as the great Prince which he is, both by friends and enemies : but we must dissemble and be as Proteus, and hide our purposes, and they shall pay for their iniquities at last as they deserve. The audacity of Burghley in sending Cobham with such a message was indeed marvellous ; but knowing them as I do, I am surprised at nothing. We must provide in time. If this French marriage or league, or both together, come about, they can do us harm in the Provinces, but as certainly we can make a revolution in England ; and I have no fear, if we are only prompt enough and do not allow this French business to consolidate itself. It need seem no work of ours, but merely a rebellion in which we may be called in to assist ; and before the summer is over we can transfer to their own island the mischief which they tried to work in Flanders/ 2 1 The pun is Don Guerau's. 'Y como a Milord Burghley todas las burlas hasta aqui le han salido bien,' &c. Don Guerau to Cayas, July 12 : MSS. Simancas. 2 Don Guerau to Cayas, July 12