426 REIGN OF ELIZABETH. [CH. 45 As however it had been Mary Stuart's first success after her marriage with Darnley which had driven Eliza- beth towards a sacrifice which she abhorred; so Rizzio's murder, the return of Murray and his friends, and the recovered vitality of the Protestants in Scotland, gave her again a respite. As Mary Stuart's power to hurt her grew fainter, the Archduke once more ceased to appear indispensable ; and when Leicester came back to the Court Sackville's mission was again put off. Again the Queen began to nourish convulsive hopes that she could marry her favourite after all. Again Cecil had to interfere with a table of damning contrasts between the respective merits of the Austrian Prince and the English Earl ; l and again, when remonstrance seemed may so proceed therein as may bring but contentation to berself and com- fort to all that be hers. Surely there can be nothing that shall so well settle her in good estate as that way I mean her marriage when- soever it shall please God to put her in mind to like and to conclude. I know her Majesty hath heard enough thereof, and I wish to God she did hear that more that here abroad is wished and prayed for. Good will it doth move in many, and truly it may easily appear necessity doth re- qjuire of all. We hear ourselves methinks it is good sometimes that some that be there should be abroad, for that is sooner believed that is seen than heard; and in hope, Mr Secretary, that her Majesty will now earnestly intend that which she hath of long time not yet minded, and delay no longer her time, which can- not be won again for any gift, I will leave that with trust of happiest success, for that God hath left it the only means to redeem us in this world.' Leicester to Cecil, Febru- ary 20, 1566 : Domestic MSS., Eliza- beth, vol. xxxix., Rolls House. much also when we be there, but 1 DE MATRIMONIO REGINJE ANGLUE CUM EXTERO PRINCIPE. April, 1566. Reasons to move the Queen to accept Reasons against the Earl of Charles. his birth. 'Besides his person t ' She shall not diminish the Leicester [. ' Nothinjr is increased by mar-
