i66 REIGN OF ELIZABETH. [CH. 64. seriously thought of it. Instead of men and money she sent only reiterated demands for the payment of her old debts, with a schedule of the interest which had accumulated since they first became due. 1 The States in consequence persisted in their application to Henry and Catherine. On the 29th of September St Aldegonde presented Alencon with an offer of the crown of the Low Countries, and Alencon paused over his answer till he could see whether the fear of his acceptance would overcome Elizabeth's objection to matrimony. When on the back of the already existing uncer- tainties Drake returned with his prize, war with Spain seemed all but inevitable. The Queen was in sore trouble, for marriage appeared now the only alternative left. The brown, blotched face of the Frog Prince had not become more agreeable to her in his absence ; it was pleasanter far to listen to the innocent homage of the faithful Hatton. 2 1 Holland Correspondence, Au- gust, 1580 April, 1581 : MS.
- Hatton's letters to Elizabeth are
like the caresses of an affectionate spaniel. One of these came to soothe her in the middle of her perplexity. It is addressed to the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty, and prefaced with four triangles of unknown cabalistic meaning. 'I most humbly,' it runs, ' with all dutiful reverence, beseech your sacred Majesty to pardon my presumption in writing to your Highness. Your kingly benefits, together with your most rare regard of your simple and poor slave, hath put this passion into me to imagine that for so exceeding and infinite parts of unspeakable goodness I can use no other means of thankfulness than by bowing the knees of my own heart with all hu- mility to look upon your singular grace with love and faith perdurable. I should sin, most gracious Sovereign, against the Holy Ghost most damn- ably if towards your Highness I should be found unthankful. Afford me the favour therefore, most dear Lady, that your clear and most fair eyes may order and register these my duties which I beseech our God
