This makes me that I do
not so much rejoice that God hath made me to be a Queen, as to be a
Queen over so thankful a people. Therefore I have cause to wish
nothing more than to content the subject and that is a duty which I
owe. Neither do I desire to live longer days than I may see your
prosperity and that is my only desire. And as I am that person still
yet, under God, hath delivered you and so I trust by the almighty
power of God that I shall be his instrument to preserve you from
every peril, dishonour, shame, tyranny and oppression, partly by
means of your intended helps which we take very acceptably because
it manifesteth the largeness of your good loves and loyalties unto
your sovereign.
Of myself I must say this: I never was any greedy, scraping grasper,
nor a strait fast-holding Prince, nor yet a waster. My heart was
never set on any worldly goods. What you bestow on me, I will not
hoard it up, but receive it to bestow on you again. Therefore render
unto them I beseech you Mr Speaker, such thanks as you imagine my
heart yieldeth, but my tongue cannot express. Mr Speaker, I would
wish you and the rest to stand up for I shall yet trouble you with
longer speech. Mr Speaker, you give me thanks but I doubt me I have
greater cause to give you thanks, than you me, and I charge you to
thank them of the Lower House from me. For had I not received a
knowledge from you, I might have fallen into the lapse of an error,
only for lack of true information.
Since I was Queen, yet did I never put my pen to any grant, but that
upon pretext and semblance made unto me, it was both good and
beneficial to the subject in general though a private profit to some
of my ancient servants, who had deserved well at my hands. But the
contrary being found by experience, I am exceedingly beholden to
such subjects as would move the same at first. And I am not so
simple to suppose but that there be some of the Lower House whom
these grievances never touched. I think they spake out of zeal to
their countries and not out of spleen or malevolent affection as
being parties grieved. That my grants should be grievous to my
people and oppressions to be privileged under colour of our patents,
our kingly dignity shall not suffer it. Yea, when I heard it, I
could give no rest unto my thoughts until I had reformed it. Shall
they, think you, escape unpunished that have oppressed you, and have
been respectless of their duty and regardless our honour? No, I
assure you, Mr Speaker, were it not more for conscience' sake than
for any glory or increase of love that I desire, these errors,
troubles, vexations and oppressions done by these varlets and lewd
persons not worthy of the name of subjects should not escape without
condign punishment. But I perceive they dealt with me like
physicians who, ministering a drug, make it more acceptable by
giving it a good aromatical savour, or when they give pills do gild
them all over.
I have ever used to set the Last Judgement Day before mine eyes and
so to rule as I shall be judged to answer before a higher judge, and
now if my kingly bounties have been abused and my grants turned to
the hurt of my people contrary to my will and meaning, and if any in
authority under me have neglected or perverted what I have committed
to them, I hope God will not lay their culps and offences in my
charge. I know the title of a King is a glorious title, but assure
yourself that the shining glory of princely authority hath not so
dazzled the eyes of our understanding, but that we well know and
remember that we also are to yield an account of our actions before
the great judge. To be a king and wear a crown is a thing more
glorious to them that see it than it is pleasant to them that bear
it. For myself I was never so much enticed with the glorious name of
a King or royal authority of a Queen as delighted that God hath made
me his instrument to maintain his truth and glory and to defend his
kingdom as I said from peril, dishonour, tyranny and oppression.
There will never Queen sit in my seat with more zeal to my country,
care to my subjects and that will sooner with willingness venture
her life for your good and safety than myself. For it is my desire
to live nor reign no longer than my life and reign shall be for your
good. And though you have had, and may have, many princes more
mighty and wise sitting in this seat, yet you never had nor shall
have, any that will be more careful and loving.
'For I, oh Lord, what am I, whom practices and perils past should
not fear? Or what can I do? That I should speak for any glory, God
forbid.' And turning to the Speaker and her councillors she said,
'And I pray to you Mr Comptroller, Mr Secretary and you of my
Council, that before these gentlemen go into their countries, you
bring them all to kiss my hand.' |