WILLIAM, LORD BURGHLEY 71
efforts, however, Whitgift and the Bishops had their way, and the condemned men were hanged a week later.
On the other hand, the Jesuits and seminarists renewed their activity and their plots against the Queen and the constitution, and they in their turn were met by severe methods of repression. To these intriguers, who were repudiated by the secular priests and the Catholic laity in England, Burghley showed no mercy, but, as he says in a letter written in reply to, and quoted by, the spy Standen, only those who professed themselves by obedience to the Pope to be no subjects to the Queen were punished by death. It was the political, not the religious offence, which to him was intolerable.
In spite of his increasing years and failing health, Burghley continued to attend to the business of the State to the end. His letters to his son during the last four years of his life tell a tale of un- impaired devotion to the Queen and the country, and are full of pathetic humour. In December, 1595, he writes that he is ready to attend the Council, but must presume to keep his chamber, " not as a potentate, but as an impotent aged man." But, he adds, " if the Queen will not mislike to have so bold a person to lodge in her house, I will come as I am (in body, not half a man, but in mind, passable)/' He is obliged to sign his letter with a stamp " for want of a right hand." He is fond of making little jokes about his health : "I am but as a monoculus, by reason
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