" My loving people, we have been persuaded by some that are careful of our safety to take heed how we commit ourself to armed multitudes for fear of treachery; but I assure you, I do not desire to live to distrust my faithful and loving people.
Let tyrants fear. I hare always so behaved myself that, under God, I have placed my chiefest strength and safe guard in the loyal hearts and good will of my subjects, and therefore I am come amongst you, as you see, at this time, not for my recreation and disport, but being resolved, in the midst and heat of the battle, to live or die amongst you all, to lay down my life for my God and for my kingdom and for my people, my honour, and my blood, even in the dust.
I know I have the body of a weak and feeble woman, but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and a king of England too, and think foul scorn that Parma or Spain, or any prince of Europe should dare to invade the borders of my realm; the which, rather than any dishonour shall grow by me, I myself will take up arms, I myself will be your general, judge, and rewarder of every one of your virtues in the field. I know, already for your forwardness, you have deserved rewards and crowns; and we do assure you, in the word of a prince, they shall be duly paid you.
In the meantime my lieutenant-general shall be in my stead, than whom never prince commanded a more noble or worthy subject, not doubting but by your obedience to my general, by your concord in the camp, and your valour in the field, we shall shortly have a famous victory over those enemies of my God, of my kingdom, and of my people."
Quotes
"I have already joined myself in marriage to a husband, namely the kingdom of England."
Elizabeth to Parliament)
"Would to God each had his own and were at peace."
(Elizabeth on European power struggles and war)
"I will be as good unto ye as ever a Queen was unto her people. No will in me can lack, neither do I trust shall there lack any power. And persuade yourselves that for the safety and quietness of you all I will not spare if need be to spend my blood. "
(Elizabeth to the Lord Mayor and people of London on the eve of her Coronation)
"There is only one Christ, Jesus, one faith. All else is a dispute over trifles. "
(Elizabeth's response to the Catholic/Protestant divide)
"Unbridled persons whose mouths were never snaffled by the rider, did rashly ride."
(Elizabeth to Parliament, 1566, reasserting her authority)
"If I should say the sweetest speech with the eloquentest tongue that ever was in man, I were not able to express that restless care which I have ever bent to govern for the greatest wealth."
(Elizabeth to Parliament, 1576)
"What will my enemies not say, that for the safety of her life a maiden queen could be content to spill the blood even of her own kinswoman?"
(Elizabeth to another Parliamentary Delegation (1586), begging her to proceed with the execution of Mary, Queen of Scots)
|
