1566.] DEATH OF a NEIL. 555 The danger to the State could hardly be exaggerated. M'Guyre had come into Dublin, with his last cottage in ashes, and his last cow driven over the hills into Shan's country ; Argyle, with the whole disposable force of the Western Isles, was expected in person in Ulster in the summer. Elizabeth's irritation had been unable to wait till she had received Knowles's letters. She made herself a judge of Sidney's projects ; she listened to Sussex who told her that they were wild and impossible. Whether Sussex was right or Sidney was right, she was called upon to spend money ; and while she knew that she - would have to do it, she continued to delay and make difficulties, and to vex Sidney with her letters. His temper boiled over again.
- I testify to God, to her Highness, and to
you/ he wrote on the 3rd of June to Cecil, 1 that all the charge is lost that she is at with this man- ner of proceeding. O'Neil will be tyrant of all Ireland if he be not speedily withstood. He hath, as I hear, won the rest of O'Donnell's castles; he hath confederated with the Scots ; he is now in M'Guyre's country. All this summer he will spend in Connaught ; next winter in the English Pale. It may please the Queen to appoint some order for Munster for it will be a mad Munster in haste else. I will give you all my land in Rutlandshire to get me leave to go into Hungary, and think myself bound to you while I live. I trust there to do my country some honour : here I do neither good to the Queen, to the country, nor myself. I take- my
