University of Virginia Library

9. IX.
A GOOD WIFE.

I went to Holland, expecting to return to England
at once. I remained there from October until the
month of February, 1643.

The queen had said to me, “I wish your assistance
here, Mr. Cecil. Remain, therefore; but do not fear:
you shall soon see England again.”

As her majesty thus spoke, sitting in an apartment
of the palace of the Princes of Orange, at the Hague,
her face glowed with animation, and her eyes were full
of courage.

---

148

“You are a friend of the royal cause, sir, and a
gentleman of discretion, too,” her majesty was pleased
to add, smiling. “I shall therefore take you into our
confidence and inform you of our good fortune. See
this paper: we have the promise of these round sums
from the worthy burghers here.”

She held out a paper to me, and I perused its contents.
Rotterdam engaged to lend forty thousand
guilders, and the bank at the same city the sum of
twenty-five thousand more. The bank at Amsterdam
promised eight hundred and forty-five thousand more.
Merchants at the Hague, one hundred and sixty-six
thousand more. Another merchant's house offered two
hundred and thirteen thousand two hundred, on the
security of the queen's pearls. Six rubies were accepted
in pawn for forty thousand more. From the paper, in
a word, I learned how successful her majesty had been.
She had the promise of, and afterwards did actually
receive, from these various sources, more than two
millions of pounds sterling.

I raised my eyes from the paper, and fixed them
upon the animated face of the queen.

“The worthy burgomasters of this good country
have not surrendered without a desperate resistance,”
her majesty added, laughing. “They exhibited at
first little favor towards me, and, indeed, scant respect
for my person. They entered my presence with their
heads covered; threw themselves unbidden into chairs
before me; stared at me in the manner of persons
viewing some strange wild animal; and, when I spoke
of money, more than once turned their backs and
marched from the room.”

---

149

“'Tis not possible!” I said. “And could your
majesty endure such treatment?”

“Without a word, Mr. Cecil. The worthy burghers
could not repulse me. I responded to all their discourtesy
with the sweetest smiles. I would not see the
beavers remaining on their heads; I had chairs brought
them, and begged they would be seated. Never was
bankrupt merchant more polite to those who could assist
him. And I have triumphed despite everything;
despite Sir Walter Strickland, the parliament's agent
here, a brother of Sir William, of the enemy's side in
England. I have triumphed, and shall soon set out for
England with an armament. His majesty's need is sore
there, and my assistance will not arrive too soon. The
gentlemen of the parliament seem inspired with a veritable
fury against us. I say us, since 'tis my pride to
have secured at least one-half their enmity! They exhaust
every effort, I am told. Plate, jewels, even the
thimbles and bodkins of the worthy burghers' wives,
pour into the treasury at Guildhall, to support the
`good cause.' Why then should not I, in my turn,
give my jewels? The good dames of London rush to
the assistance of Mr. Pym and Mr. Cromwell and
the leaders of the `godly.' A poor `malignant' wife,
then, may be pardoned for essaying to aid her husband!”

So spoke the queen. Whatever her faults, she was
assuredly a brave and devoted wife. Throughout all
those stormy times this fealty to her husband shines
clearly. At Newark, once, when the ladies petitioned
that she would not march till Nottingham was taken,
she replied,—

---

150

“Ladies, affairs of this nature are not in our sphere.
I am commanded by the king to make all the haste to
him that I can. You will receive this advantage, at
least, by my answer, though I cannot grant your petition:
you may learn, by my example, to obey your
husbands!”

I see a charming French wit in that reply, and good
sense too, I think. I finish the sentence with trepidation,
knowing some fair dames who repudiate such
humility. 'Tis taught in the holy volume, but is going
out of fashion.

So I remained at the Hague until February, 1643,
before which time her majesty had not perfected her
arrangements for returning to England.

I shall say little of that time: the days followed and
resembled each other too. A flat country, and a flat
life there; or 'twould have been flat, the life I led,
but for the presence of a person who was very dear to
me. With one scene, in which this person bore part,
I will pass from Holland. I would omit even this,
willingly; but 'tis impossible.