English literature -- England -- Lancashire; Legends -- England -- Lancashire
The operation of the heavenly influences was, in these days, a doctrine
that obtained almost universal credit; and it would have been looked
upon as a daring piece of presumption to baffle the prophetic
signification of the stars.
On that same night, being the eve of St Bartholomew, they were
married:--thus adding one more to the numerous instances on record,
where a belief in the prediction has been the means of its
accomplishment.
The remainder of Kate's history, and how she crossed the sea,
accompanied by her husband, into the wilds of Bohemia, living there for
a space; and how she afterwards returned into her own land, will be set
forth at some more fitting opportunity.
THE EARL OF TYRONE.
"Still the fairest are his fuell,
When his days are to be cruell;
Lovers' hearts are all his food,
And his baths their warmest blood;
Nought but wounds his hands doth season,
And he hates none like to reason."
_A Hue and Cry after Cupid_.--Ben Jonson.
The dark and romantic history of the Earl of Tyrone would of itself
occupy a larger space than these volumes afford. The following episode,
connected with his concealment in the neighbourhood of Rochdale, the
author does not presume to bring forward as a fact. Yet there are good
reasons for supposing that it formed an important era in his life, and
was followed very soon after by the Queen's pardon. The importance of
this measure may be conceived, when by some Elizabeth's depression, and
the profound melancholy she exhibited in her latter hours, were
attributed to this source. It is said that she repented of having
pronounced his forgiveness; that having always resolved to bring him to
condign punishment, she could receive no satisfaction from his
submission; while the advantages of her high estate, and all the glories
of a prosperous reign, were unable to alleviate her disappointment.
The following is a brief sketch of his life, extracted from
generally-received authorities.
Hugh O'Neale was nephew to Shan O'Neale, or the Great O'Neale, as he was
more commonly called, well known for his eminent courage, a virtue much
esteemed by the half-civilised hordes whom he commanded. He was created
Earl of Tyrone by the Queen; but disliking this servitude, and wishful
to liberate his country from the English yoke, he entered into a
correspondence with Spain; procured from thence a supply of arms and
ammunition; and having united many of the Irish chiefs in a dependence
upon himself, he began to be regarded as a formidable enemy.
[Illustration: TYRONE'S BED, NEAR ROCHDALE.
_Drawn by G. Pickering. Engraved by Edw^d Finden._]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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