Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 10.djvu/625

1582.] THE DESMOND REBELLION. 605 the great affection they generally bear to the Popish religion which agreeth with their humour, that having committed murder, incest, thefts, with all other execra- ble offences, by hearing a mass, confessing themselves to the priest, or obtaining the Pope's pardon, they per- suade themselves they are forgiven ; and hearing mass on Sunday, or holy day, they think all the week after they may do what heinous offence soever, and it is dis- pensed withal. They also much hate our nation, partly through the general mislike or disdain one nation hath to be governed by another ; partly that we are contrary to them in religion ; and lastly they seek to have the government among themselves/ 1 They wished ' to have the government among themselves.' That was the only part of Wallop's explanation which admitted of being acted upon. It might be possible to revert to the old practice, when one or other of the great Irish nobles ruled as Yiceroy, and Ireland was administered by Irishmen as a dependency of the Crown. Grey was recalled at his own request. The sword of justice was left as before to two of the council, Archbishop Loftus the chancellor, and Sir H. Wallop. But this arrangement could be only tem- porary, and the difficulty returned of finding some one to undertake a post which entailed nothing but failure and disgrace. Success seemed impossible to an English- man. Should Ormond be tried then ? The allegiance of the House of Butler had been tested for centuries, and Sir H. Wallop to Burghley, June 10, 1582.