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- Queen Elizabeth I
- My loving people,
- We have been persuaded by some that are careful of our safety to take heed how we commit ourselves 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 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 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 on a word of a prince, they shall be duly paid.
- 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 these enemies of my God, of my kingdom, and of my people.
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