Politics & government > Life of Sir Walter Raleigh

236 from Elizabeth’s last parliament
have delivered him and the money to the king. Mr
Attorney, you said, ‘ this never came out of Cobham’s
quiver—he is a simple man.’ Is he so simple ? No ; he
hath a disposition of his own, he will not easily be guided
by others ; but when he has once taken head in a matter
he is not easily drawn from it; he is no babe. But it
is strange for me to devise with Cobham, that he should
go to Spain, to persuade the king to disburse so much
money, he being a man of no love nor following in Eng¬
land, and I having resigned my room of chiefest command,
the wardenship of the Stanneries. Moreover, I was not
so hare of sense hut I saw, that if ever this state was
strong and able to defend itself it was now : I knew the
kingdom of Scotland united, whence we were wont to
fear all our troubles ; Ireland quieted, where our forces
were wont to he divided ; Denmark assured, which be¬
fore was suspected; the Low Countries, our nearest
neighbours, at peace with us. I knew that, having lost
a lady whom time had surprised, we had now an active
king, a lawful successor, who would himself be present
in all his affairs. I was not such a madman as to make
myself, in this time, a Robin Hood, a Wat Tyler, or a
Jack Cade. I knew also the state of Spain well; his
weakness, and poorness, and humbleness at this time.
I knew that he was discouraged and dishonoured. I
knew that six times we had repulsed his forces,—thrice
in Ireland, and thrice at sea,—once at Cadiz, on his own
coast. Thrice had I served against him myself at sea,
wherein, for my country’s sake, I had expended of my
own property £4000. I knew the King of Spain to be
the proudest prince in Christendom ; but now that he
came creeping to the king, my master, for peace. I
knew, whereas before he had in his port six or seven
score sail of ships, he hath now but six or seven. I knew,
of twenty-five millions he had from his Indies he hath
scarce one left. I knew him to be so poor that the
Jesuits, his imps, who were wont to have such large al¬
lowance, were fain to beg at the church-doors. Then,
was it ever read or heard that any prince should disburse