Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 9.djvu/72

$8 kEtGtf OF ELIZABETH. [011.52. herself willing to unite with England and to separate from France. To the fifth, which concerned her marriage, she re- turned the following remarkable answer : ' My fortune/ she said, ' has been so evil in the pro- gress of my life, and specially in my marriages, as hardly I can be brought to have any mind to like of an husband but rather by a simple and solitary life to give testimony by my continent behaviour to all those who might put doubt therein. The troubles passed have so weakened the state of my body, as I cannot think any certainty of my continuance ; and thus nei- ther shall I receive thereby after so many storms any felicity, nor should I leave him that I should marry in so good estate as he now is. Nevertheless, being re- solved of certain doubts which occur to me from the trust I have in the Queen my good sister, and her no- bility's friendship towards me, as also from the goodwill I perceive my Lord of Norfolk bears towards me, hear- ing him so well reported abroad, I will wholly follow their counsel, not doubting but as I trust them herein, being in the greatest matter that can appertain to my- self, they will have consideration of my causes as of her that wholly committeth herself into their hands. Though not to boast myself, yet because they might somewhat the better think of my true meaning to the Queen my good' sister, as also of my good affection to those of the nobility and the realm to which I count not myself a stranger, I assure you that if either men or money to have reduced my rebels to their due obedience