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THE LIFE AND DEATH OP, ETC. 305 |
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THE LIFE AND DEATH OF FAMOUS THO. STUKELY, AN ENGLISH GALLANT IN THE TIME OF QUEENE ELIZABETH, WHO ENDED HIS DAYES IN A BAT-TAILE OF KINGS IN BARBAKIE.
Thomas Stuckley, says Fuller, " was a younger ' brother, of an ancient, wealthy, and worshipful family, nigh Ilfracombe in this county [Devon], being one of good parts; but valued the less by others, because overprized by himself. Having prodigally mis-spent his patrimony, he entered on several projects (the issue general of all decayed estates) ; and first pitched on the peopling of Florida, then newly found out, in the West Indies. So confident his ambition, that he blushed not to tell Queen Elizabeth, 'that he preferred rather to be sovereign of a mole-hill, than the highest subject to the greatest king in Christendom ;' adding, moreover, ' that he was assured he should be a prince before his death.' ' I hope,' said Queen Elizabeth, ' I shall hear from you, when you are stated in your principality.' ' I will write unto you,' quoth Stuckley. ' In what language ?' said the Queen. He returned, ' In the style of princes : To our dear sister.'
" His fair project of Florida being blasted for lack of money to pursue it, he went over into Ireland, where he was frustrated of the preferment he expected, and met such physic that turned his fever into frenzy; for hereafter resolving treacherously to
VOL. VII. 20 |
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