Series 3 > Mary Queen of Scots and the Babington plot

xxxvi MARY STUART AND THE BABINGTON PLOT
not put himself in danger without certainty of a reward (both
standing for his life) as long as he serveth well: and now also
presently, for, as he sayeth, he is in debt almost two hundred
crowns here. Because it is an extraordinary reward, I thought
good to advertise you, that her Majesty’s pleasure may be
known; as also what he shall trust to have, while he doth
service to deserve it. . . .
‘ The man is a great papist, and you may be sure that it is
either spite or gain or both, that maketh him to do it. I
leave all things to your honour’s judgment. But in my
judgment two hundred crowns were well ventured to get
such an service, for I think that he will be able and willing to
discover matter of importance.
‘ Although there be no trust to a knave, that will deceive them
that trust him ; yet such as he is must be entertained. For
if there were no knaves, honest men should hardly come by
the truth of any enterprise against them.’1
The last sentence is a good example of the political
morality of Walsingham and his subordinates. ‘ Knaves
must be entertained that honest men may come by the
truth ! ’ Elizabeth’s parsimony seems to have saved her
on this occasion from having directly encouraged Bruce’s
knavery. But the only reason for thinking so, is because
we find him a year later still offering to sacrifice his honour
for English gold, and Stafford still urging the advantage
of employing him.
(2) Robert Pooley, or Poley, was a much worse sort of
intriguer. He was in Walsingham’s confidence at the
same time that he was hailed as ‘ Sweet Robin ’ by Bab-
ington and his friends. When the plot was approaching
maturity it was his r61e to keep the plotters within the
reach of Walsingham’s arm until everything was ready
for their destruction.
On this occasion he came direct from England to the
1 Stafford to Walsingham. R.O., Foreign, Elizabeth, France, xiii.
25 January 1585.