Politics & government > Life of Sir Walter Raleigh

198 from raleigh’s restoration to favour
Cecil, a master in the management of intrigue. In the
mean time, there appeared nothing but cordiality between
them; and whilst the secretary silently worked the
meshes of the net in which his dangerous opponent was
to meet his destruction, he permitted him to enjoy the
sunshine of the court, and to rise daily in the graces of
his royal mistress. These remarks, however, have led
us slightly to anticipate the course of events ; and we
now resume our story.
During Essex’s confinement, Sir Walter, having failed
in his desire of being appointed one of the commissioners
for settling the treaty of Boulogne between England,
Spain, and the Archduke Albert, retired for some months
to his residence at Sherborne. Accompanied by his fa¬
mily and the son of Secretary Cecil, a youth of great
hopes, he there followed at leisure the tranquil studies
and pursuits in which he so much delighted. Books,
poetry, planting, gardening, and other rural amusements
or occupations, filled up the hours borrowed from am¬
bition ; and it was probably at this time that some of
those beautiful verses were written, of which the date
is not certainly known. One of these, entitled the
Country’s Recreations, may challenge comparison with
either Carew or Suckling :
“ Quivering fears, heart-tearing cares.
Anxious sighs, untimely tears.
Fly, fly to courts.
Fly to fond worldlings’ sports ;
Where strain’d sardonic smiles are glosing still.
And Grief is forced to laugh against her will;
Where mirth’s but mummery,
And sorrows only real be!
“ Fly from our country pastimes, fly,
Sad troop of human misery !
Come, serene looks,
Clear as the crystal brooks,
Or the pure azured heaven that smiles to see
The rich attendance of our poverty.
Peace and a secure mind,
Which all men seek, we only find.
“ Abused mortals! did you know
Where joy, heart’s-ease, and comforts grow.