Note 241 — Chapter VIII · 1578-1584

“The two Jesuit fathers who spoke to you about the Scotch affair must have been very zealous, but their having carried the matter so far as they did and communicating it to so many people may make it difficult to keep secret. In order that it may be kept as quiet as possible, you will detain the priest if he has not already started to come hither. You can tell him, as if on your own account, that in order to keep the affair quiet nothing more should be done till you hear from me. You may reply to the Duke of Lennox to the same effect, dealing with the matter in a way which will not lead them to think that you are throwing difficulties in the way for the purpose of refusing the aid they ask for, but only in order that it may all be managed on such solid foundations as to ensure success, for which we should all strive, as it is so greatly in the interests of God and the public welfare.”—Philip to Tassis, 11th June, 1582, Spanish Calendar, vol. iii. Philip’s message to Guise through Tassis, in September, is in the same tone: “You will tell him I would gladly have helped in the submission of Scotland, and still would do so if I saw really good grounds for anticipating success and a willingness on the part of the Pope to contribute such money as the case demands, as he has promised me several times. You may dexterously hint at coolness in that quarter, so that he may see that the affair is not falling through by any fault of mine.”—Ibid. To those who know Philip’s style this represents a determination to desist from participation.