Possibly too late submission -- Queen Elizabeth's contributions - Weeklong-l

24 May 2010

These two pieces have always struck me as somehow belonging together, like
two points through which one can draw the straight line of a character.

--Mike

Elizabeth's speech to the troops at Tilbury:

My loving people,
     We have been persuaded by some that are careful of our safety, to take
heed how we commit our selves 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 have always so behaved myself that, under God, I
have placed my chiefest strength and safeguard 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 and die amongst you all; to lay down
for my God, and for my kingdom, and my people, my honour and my blood, even
in the dust. I know I have the body but of a weak and feeble woman; but I
have the heart and stomach of a king, and of 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; to 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
mean time, 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.

Elizabeth's sonnet: On Monsieur's Departure

I grieve and dare not show my discontent,
I love and yet am forced to seem to hate,
I do, yet dare not say I ever meant,
I seem stark mute but inwardly do prate.
    I am and not, I freeze and yet am burned,
    Since from myself another self I turned.

My care is like my shadow in the sun,
Follows me flying, flies when I pursue it,
Stands and lies by me, doth what I have done.
His too familiar care doth make me rue it.
    No means I find to rid him from my breast,
    Till by the end of things it be supprest.

Some gentler passion slide into my mind,
For I am soft and made of melting snow;
Or be more cruel, love, and so be kind.
Let me or float or sink, be high or low.
    Or let me live with some more sweet content,
    Or die and so forget what love ere meant.