[83] _Sacrifices_, says PLUTARCH, _without chorusses and without music, we have known: but for poetry, without fable and without fiction, we know of no such thing_. Θυσίας μὲν ἀχόρους καὶ ἀναύλους ἴσμεν· οὐκ ἴσμεν δὲ ἄμυθον οὐδὲ ἀψευδῆ ϖοίησιν. De aud. poët. vol. i. p. 16.
[84] This will be admitted, if a calculation said to have been made by themselves of their number at that time may be relied on—“They make reasoning (saith Sir EDWIN SANDYS in his _Speculum Europæ_, written in 1699) forty hundred sure catholics in _England_, with four hundred _English Roman_ priests to maintain that militia,” p. 157.
[85] Mr. CAMDEN owns that the _Irish_ rebellion, which in the end became so dangerous, had been “encouraged by a slighting of it, and a gripple-handedness of _England_.” [_Hist. of_ ELIZ. B. iv.]—To the same purpose another eminent writer of that time—“Before the transmitting of the last great army, the forces sent over by Q. ELIZABETH were NOT of sufficient power to break and subdue all the _Irishry_.” At last, however, “The extreme peril of losing the kingdom; the dishonour and danger that might thereby grow to the crown of _England_; together with a just disdain conceived by that great-minded queen, that so wicked and ungrateful a rebel should prevail against her, who had ever been victorious against all her enemies; did move and almost ENFORCE her to send over that mighty army.” [Sir. J. DAVIES, _Discovery of the State of Ireland_, p. 97. _Lond._ 1613.]
[86] Sir ROBERT NAUNTON tells us, “The queen was never profuse in delivering out of her treasure; but paid her servants part in money, and the rest with GRACE; which, as the case stood, was then taken for good payment.” [FRAGM. REG. p. 89.] And NAT. BACON to the same purpose. “A wise man, that was an eye-witness of HER actions, and those that succeeded to her, many times hath said, That a courtier might make a better meal of one good LOOK from her, than of a gift from some other.” [DISC. P. ii. p. 266. _Lond._ 1651.]
[87] This _reverence of authority_, one of the characteristics of that time, and which Mr. ADDISON presently accounts for, a great writer celebrates in these words—“It was an ingenuous uninquisitive time, when all the passions and affections of the people were lapped up in such an innocent and humble obedience, that there was never the least contestation nor capitulation with the queen, nor (though she very frequently consulted with her subjects) _any further reasons urged of her actions than_ HER OWN WILL.” See a tract intitled THE DISPARITY, in Sir H. WOTTON’S Remains, p. 46, supposed to have been written by the earl of CLARENDON.