io8 REIGN OF ELIZABETH. [en. 57 Prince's army was untouched, and the Admiral would soon be in the field. But it was ill timed, it added to Charles's difficulties, and shook the fortitude of the Queen-mother. The fierce blood of the Paris Catholics was simmering. ' Such of the religion/ Walsingham wrote, on the 26th of July, to Burghley, ' such of the religion as before slept in security, awake to see their danger, and to conclude that, unless their enterprise in the Low Countries have good success, their cause grows desperate. They have of late sent to the King, who is absent from home, to show him, that if the Prince of Orange quail^ it shall not lie in him to maintain them in his protection by virtue of his edict. They desire him therefore to resolve upon something, offering to employ therein their lives, lands, and goods. Consider- ing the earnest help which the Pope is giving to the other side, they see, thab unless her Majesty and the Princes of Germany in like sort join with this Crown, there is no doubt what shall be the event. As you tender God's glory and her Majesty's safety, see if you can induce her, upon overtures first to be made by the King in their behalf, to join ivith him in yielding assistance. If God had not raised up the Prince of Orange to have entertained Spain, the fire would have kindled before this in our own home. To assist the Prince is to assist ourselves. For God's sake let us declare ourselves openly. The Catholic Powers show their courage and zeal. England will only act underhand, without heart or spirit. No enterprise accompanied by fear can suc- ceed ; for there is no greater enemy to good counsel
