As one is an early specimen
of his manner of writing on philosophy, so this is a specimen of what
was equally characteristic of him--his political and historical writing.
It is, in form, necessarily a panegyric, as high-flown and adulatory as
such performances in those days were bound to be. But it is not only
flattery. It fixes with true discrimination on the points in Elizabeth's
character and reign which were really subjects of admiration and homage.
Thus of her unquailing spirit at the time of the Spanish invasion--
"Lastly, see a Queen, that when her realm was to have been invaded
by an army, the preparation whereof was like the travail of an
elephant, the provisions infinite, the setting forth whereof was
the terror and wonder of Europe; it was not seen that her cheer,
her fashion, her ordinary manner was anything altered; not a cloud
of that storm did appear in that countenance wherein peace doth
ever shine; but with excellent assurance and advised security she
inspired her council, animated her nobility, redoubled the courage
of her people; still having this noble apprehension, not only that
she would communicate her fortune with them, but that it was she
that would protect them, and not they her; which she testified by
no less demonstration than her presence in camp.
Pages:
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53