hypocrisy as there is more danger that they should be unrevealed or unbelieved, than that being brought to clear light they should provoke an imitation in any of that which is so odious and foul.

And this, Sir, you may believe, that as I have had good means to inform myself to the full of that which passed in this matter, and the truth of all the particulars, as well those which were opened at the arraignment of Edward Squire, one of the offenders, as those which were reserved, so I have set down this narration rather abridged of some circumstances than anyways amplified or enlarged.

This Squire dwelt in Greenwich divers years, and took upon him the practice of a scrivener, yet rather as a help to maintain himself for a time than that he bare a mind to settle in that trade. He obtained also before his going to sea for some two years' space an employment about the Queen's stable, by way of deputation to one Kaies, a purveyor of those provisions. But being of a wit above his vocation, disliked with that condition of life, and put himself into action by sea, in the last voyage of Sir Francis Drake made into the Indies; in which voyage it was his hap that the Francis (a small bark wherein he went) was scattered from the fleet about Guadaloupe, and taken by five Spanish frigates. And so was Squire brought prisoner into Spain, where soon after he was set at liberty.

Not long after his enlargement he became known to Richard Walpoole, an English fugitive, and by order a Jesuit, a man of principal credit there, and a kind of vicar-general to Parsons in his absence. This Walpoole, carrying a waking and waiting eye upon those of our nation, to discover and single out fit instruments for the greatest treasons, observed this Squire; found him a man of more than ordinary sense and capacity for his quality and education; found him a man that had passed his middle age, well advised and yet resolved enough, and not apprehensive at all of dangers (for I do affirm this unto you, that never man answered upon his trial for life and death with less perturbation, nay scarcely with any alteration, as if he understood not his peril and calamity, and yet as sensible for speech as insensible for passion). But besides the disposition and temper of the man, Walpoole discerned in him two conditions of special advantage: the one, that coming into Spain a prisoner and not a fugitive, his return into England would be subject to less suspicion; the other,

that he understood Squire had formerly had some attendance about the Queen's stable, which he straight caught hold of as an opportunity.

Yet nevertheless, the better to prepare him and work him to his purpose; and the better also to give colour (when Squire should return into England) that he was a man that had suffered in Spain for his conscience; subtilly he compassed that, upon a quarrel picked, Squire was put into the Inquisition. By this means when he had got his heart into his hands, mollified by distress, and become secure of him that he was a fixed and resolved Papist, after probation and preparation sufficient, he began to open himself unto him; and first for introduction fell into the ordinary burden or song of that kind of people touching the tyrannies and persecutions exercised here in England against Catholics; though, Sir, you know very well the distinction and moderation of the proceedings here in ecclesiastical causes, with what lenity and gentleness it hath been carried, except where it was mixed with matter of state; for else I would gladly learn what should make the difference in the temper of the laws in the first year of the Queen and in 23 or 27, but that at the one time they were Papists in conscience and at the other they were grown Papists in faction; or what should make the difference at this day in law between a Queen Mary Priest and a Seminary Priest; save that the one is a Priest of superstition and the other is a Priest of sedition. But to the purpose: After the Jesuit had discoursed his pleasure of the miseries of Catholics here in England, and of the slanders of the government, and upon how few persons' lives the state here did stand; and Squire on the other side (who wanted no wit to perceive which way he was led) had first made some signification, and after some more serious and vehement protestation of his mind and devotion to do service to the cause; when the wicked friar saw that he was gotten into the true circle, he began to charm; and yet not having the power to fall upon the highest point first, without a gradation or bridge, It were no doubt (saith he) an act very meritorious to kill the Earl of Essex; but unum necessarium, one thing is necessary. And having kept him in suspense awhile, brake with him plainly and told him that he would put a service into his hands that he might execute and accomplish without any evident peril of his life,1

1 See Squire's confession, in his own hand, 19th Oct. 1598.-ED.

because it was to be done what time the Queen herself should not be in presence (which I think he spake as having heard that which is very true, of some conspirators that having undertaken and vowed her Majesty's destruction, have nevertheless at the very instant of the access and opportunity been stricken with astonishment and had no power to execute their malice): nay further, he said that he should not need to fear in the doing thereof to be seen or observed by any persons of care or judgment, but such as might be easily conversed withal without suspicion. And it was the impoisonment of the pommel of the Queen's saddle at such time as she should ride abroad; her Majesty being like to rest her hand thereupon for a good time together, and not unlike for her hand to come often about her face, mouth, and nostrils and this by reason of his former acquaintance and service about the stable, he thought he might easily perform and safely; and yet he said, if imminent death should ensue thereupon he might not account of it, as being assured that he should exchange his present state with the state of a glorious saint in heaven. Unto which accursed proposition after that Squire had assented, then did the friar use all diligence to confirm and bind him to resolution and performance. And to that end at sundry confessions took his vow and promise to be constant; causing him to receive the sacrament upon it; renewed his devilish persuasions, varying them in all forms to besiege his mind and cogitations, that he might find no way to get out of this wicked purpose; telling him, that he stood now in the state of damnation if he did not his uttermost endeavour to perform his vow. And bid him remember how that sin did seldom obtain pardon, and if he did but once make doubt of the lawfulness or merit of the act it was enough to cast him headlong down into hell. And if he did cast any difficulties or terrors, he wished him to consider what did it avail a man to win the whole world and to leese his own soul. So as now Squire must not descend into himself, he must make no objections, cast no doubts; but the eyes of his understanding blinded and sealed up, he must only contemplate upon these vows and adjurations. And for a conclusion and final benediction of this most execrable plot, Squire kneeling before Walpoole at confession, he lifted him up, hugged him about the neck with his left arm (such were Squire's own words) and crossing him with the other hand, after some words mumbled in Latin, said dis

VOL. II.

I

tinctly to him in English, God bless thee and give thee strength, my son: be of good courage: I pawn my soul for thine, and thou shalt have my prayers dead and alive. And upon this embracement and enchantment this desperate wretch and this blasphemous exorcist parted for that time.

Then doth he give him full instructions for the disposing of this poison; showing him that he should receive it in a double bladder, and when it should be used he was to prick the bladder full of holes upon the upper part, and so to carry it within the palm of his hand with a thick glove for the safeguard of his hand and in the instant when it was to be applied he should turn it in his hand the upside down, and so press it hard upon the pommel of the saddle: telling him further of the nature of it, that it would lie and tarry long where it was laid; and that it would not be checked by the air. And lastly upon his coming away delivered him the confection itself, in such a bladder as was before described.2

This was the true manner of the subornation of Edward Squire by Richard Walpoole, as it was confessed by the same Squire almost in the same words, as well for the persuasions as for the instructions. Which confession I do affirm unto you upon knowledge was delivered without torture or show of torture, and was soundly and sensibly uttered with all circumstances of a credible narration, for that part which concerneth the manner of the empoisonment: and for that part which concerneth the manner of the persuasion, was set down by an advised declaration under his own hand, and the same as far as hitherto we have gone was maintained and confirmed, and in no point retracted or disavowed either at his trial or at his death.

It seems also that Walpoole in some of his conferences did insist upon the empoisonment of the Earl of Essex; the rather to defeat the voyage by sea, then expected, (for these things

1 See examination of Edward Squire, 19th Oct., 1598.-ED.

2 See Squire's third examination, 24th Oct., 1598. "He now confesseth that he received the confection of poison at the hands of Walpoole the Jesuit: which composition was to the quantity of a garden bean, and knoweth not whether there was any opium or mercury in it, nor what was in it, neither did Walpoole ever tell him whereof it was compounded. And saith that he received it in a double bladder enwrapped about with many parchments and papers." The paper is signed by Squire, and by Coke as examiner. In his first and second examinations he had stated the ingredients of the confection, and that he had bought them in London and made it up himself.-ED.

See examination, 23rd Oct.-ED.

passed about May, 1597); so as Squire conceived it there could be no one thing more acceptable in the second degree.

Now after that Squire had received both poisons, as well the spiritual poison of wicked resolution as the material within the bladders; and that Walpoole had interlaced some promise to him of rewards and comforts besides those of the other world; and had schooled him for secrecy, which he made to be parcel of his vow; there rested only his dispatch for England. Whereunto to give an apt colour, it was devised that there should be a permutation treated by the means of a Chanon in Civil1 of two Spanish prisoners here taken at Cales, friends of the said Chanon, for Squire and Rowles, now prisoner in the Tower, who came over with him, whereby it might be carried far off from suspicion that Squire did not return as a man employed, but upon that private occasion. According to which project he was sent away conveniently moneyed, that he might be the better in heart, and yet not so abundantly as might make him love his life too well, and to go away with his fare quietly; though indeed there were more money stirring, but not in that hand.

And being arrived here in England about a fortnight before the Earl's setting forth toward the Islands, he did address himself to a counsellor of estate here; both to show himself, to the end to avoid suspicion, and with pretence also of some advertisements, to the end to win the better opinion and trust: and finding his coming well conceived of according to his desire, he did craftily and subtilly devise with himself, that if he could find any opportunity to execute his purpose before the Earl went (supposing that the poison could not work but in space of time), it would be more security for him to be absent and in the voyage, lest percase, some suspicious tokens of poison appearing, somewhat might fall out (upon such diligent inquisition as in such a case were like to be made) to be discovered against him; and therefore made his means to go with the Earl in his ship, and obtained his suit. So as now making his reckoning to have his peril upon his back, he did but watch his time.

And it pleased God for the manifestation of his glory that the Sunday se'nnight next after Squire's coming home out of Spain, he understood that the horses were made ready for her Majesty's

1 Canon in Seville, I presume.-ED.

2 Carleton's copy has prisoners: a misprint, probably.-ED.