176 THE CECILS
reason, for faithful ministers to conceal sometime both thought and action from princes, when they are persuaded it is for their own greater service, as albeit I did observe the temperature of your mind (in all your courses) to be such as gave me great hopes that you would do always like yourself, yet I was still jealous, lest some such cause- less despair of the Queen's just intentions might be wrought into you, as might make you (though happily not dissolve the main bond of honour and amity) plunge your- self unawares into some such actions, as might engage all honest men, out of present duty, to oppose themselves so far against you, as they would stand in doubt hereafter what you would do, in the future, towards those which should so lately have offended you. Wherein I will only for the present lay down this position, which I know I can justly maintain. That it is and will be, in no man's power on earth, so much as your own, to be faber for tunae tuae."
He further counsels James as to his future conduct towards the Queen, " to whose sex and quality nothing is so improper as either needless expostulations or overmuch curiosity in her own actions."
In a later letter Cecil prophesies that " when that day (so grievous to us) shall happen, which is the tribute of all mortal creatures, your ship shall be steered into the right harbour, without cross of wave or tide that shall be able to turn over a cock-boat." This prediction was fulfilled. Elizabeth died in the early morning of March 24th, 1603. Within three hours, the Council had met and agreed to the proclamation of James's accession, which Cecil had drawn up in readiness. " At ten o'clock the ceremony of proclamation
�� �
