Queen Mary intended to match herself with Philip, King of Spain; the news thereof of being spread amongst the people, was by them ill-resented, as dreading to be under the yoke of a stranger; but all to no purpose, for soon afterwards they were married, to the mortification of the English. By the “Lioness” is meant Queen Mary, who having reigned five years and some odd months, died of a dropsy. The “pontifical priest” signifies Cardinal Pole, who expired within a few hours after the death of Queen Mary. This prelate was of princely extraction, his mother, Margret, being daughter to George Duke of Clarence; when he was young, he was brought up together with Queen Mary, and being a zealous Catholic, during King Edward’s reign, suffered a voluntary exile for the same; when the marriage between Prince Philip and Queen Mary was made up, he returned into England, and was made Archbishop of Canterbury, but was more moderate than some of his fellow bishops, having a favourable inclination towards the Protestants. “The Lion fierce being dead and gone, A maiden Queen shall reign anon. The Papal power shall bear no sway, Rome’s creed shall hence be swept away. The western monarch’s wooden horses Shall be destroyed by the Drake’s forces. More wonders yet! a widowed Queen In England shall be headless seen. The Harp shall give a better sound. An Earl without a head be found. Soon after shall the English Rose Unto a male her place dispose.” These lines being a prophecy of the most remarkable actions during the reign of Queen Elizabeth, are to be interpreted after this manner: Queen Mary is here meant, not so much for the cruelty done by her, as by the bishops and priests under her; in respect to the blood that was shed, and the persecutions then suffered, she is here termed a fierce “Lion;” after whom is said, “A maiden Queen to reign anon,” meant by Queen Elizabeth, one who was the mirror of her age and sex, who for above forty years managed the affairs of this kingdom; having, when she began, few friends that durst help, and leaving no foes when she died that could hurt her; acting her part so well whilst here she reigned, that history can scarce afford us one prince to be matched to her fame in all considerable particulars. Soon after the queen coming to the crown, a Parliament began at Westminster, wherein the laws of King Henry VIII. against the see of “Rome” were renewed, and those of King Edward VI. in favour of the Protestants revived, and the laws by Queen Mary made against them, repealed. Uniformity of prayer and administration of sacrament were enacted, and the queen acknowledged to be the only and supreme governor of her kingdom. The people in each place beating down superstitious pictures and images, which misguided zeal had set up.