236. Roger Ascham's wanting their anchors, were many of them cast ashore on the west of Ireland, where they had all their throates cutt by the kernes; and some of them on Scotland, where they were no better used; and the rest (with much adoe) gott into Spaine againe. Thus did God blesse us, and gave victory over this invincible navy; the sea calmed, and all our shippes came to the Downes on Friday in safety. On Saturday my lord of Cumberland and myselfe came on shore, and took post horse and found the queene in her army at Tilbury campe, where I fell sick of a burning fever and was carried in a litter to London. V. PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF ELIZABETH The following passages bear witness to Elizabeth's proficiency in the languages and to her intellectual interests generally. The specimens of her handwriting that have come down to us, however, hardly justify her teacher's praise. The first extract is from Roger Ascham, who had once been Elizabeth's teacher; the second, from a learned physician of the period. It is your shame (I speak to you all, you yong Jentlemen of England) that one Mayde (i.e. the Queen) should goe testimony to Elizabeth's beyond you all in excellency of learning and knowledge of learning divers tonges. Pointe forth six of the best geven Jentlemen of this Court, and all they togither shew not so much good will, spend not so much tyme, bestow not so many houres, dayly, orderly, and constantly, for the increase of learning and knowledg, as doth the Queene's Majestie herselfe. Yea, I beleeve, that beside her perfit redines in Latin, Italian, French and Spanish, she readeth here now at Winsdore more Greeke every daye, then some Prebendarie of this Church doth read Latin in a whole weeke. And that which is most prayse worthy of all, within the walles of her privy chamber, she hath obtained that excellency of learning, to understand, speake and write both witely with head, and fayre with hand, as scarse one or two rare wittes in both the Universyties have in many yeares reached unto. Amongest all the benefites that God hath blessed mee withall, next the knowledge of Christes true Religion, I count this the greatest, that it pleased God to call mee to be one poore Minister in setting forward these excellent giftes of learning in this most excellent Prince. Whose onely example, if the rest of our nobilitie would folowe, then might England bee, for learning and wisdome in nobilitie, a spectacle to all the world beside. William As for your knowledge in the Latin tonge, xviij yeares ago 237. Dedicaor more I had in the duke of Somersettes house (beynge his tion of Dr. Physition at that tyme) a good tryal thereof, when it pleased Turner's your grace to speake Latin unto me; for I have both in Eng- Herbal land, lowe and highe Germanye, and other places of my longe traveil and pelgrimage, never spake with any noble or gentle woman that spake so wel and so much congrue, fyne, and pure Latin, as your grace did unto me so long ago. Sence whiche tyme howe muche and wounderfullye ye have proceded in the knowledge of the Latin tonge, and also profited in the Greke, Frenche, and Italian tonges and others also, and in all partes of Philosophie and good learninge, not onlye your owne faythfull subiectes, beynge far from all suspicion of flattery bear witnes; but also strangers, men of great learninge in their bokes set out in the Latin tonge, geve honorable testimonye. The 17th of November, the anniversary of the day of Elizabeth's accession, became during the latter part of her reign a regular festival, celebrated with constantly increasing enthusiasm. The following verses, first published in 1578, were composed as a form of prayer to be used on that day. Lorde, keepe Elizabeth our Queene, Defend her in her right; Shewe forth thyselfe as thou hast beene, 238. A form of prayer to be used on the queen's festival day 239. A speech Lorde turn thy hande against all those Mayntaine her scepter as thine owne, In England let her raigne : Indue her, Lorde, with vertues store, Rule thou her royall Rod; And shewe thyselfe her God. In trueth upright, Lorde guide her still, To say and do what thou doest will, Her counsell, Lorde, vouchsafe to guide, In godlines for to abide, As it becommeth thine. To seeke the glorie of thy name, Their countries wealth procure, And that they may perfourme the same, The following speech was made by Elizabeth at Til- We have been perswaded 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 live or die amongst you all, to lay down for my God and for my kingdoms and for 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 should 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. queen after . I know already for your forwardness you have deserved A promise rewards and crowns; and we do assure you on the word of which the a prince, they shall be duly paid you. In the meantime my wards forgot lieutenant general shall be in my stead, than whom never prince anded 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 kingdoms, and of my people. Occasionally one gets glimpses of the other side of Elizabeth's character, her ungratefulness and peevishness toward her faithful and devoted ministers, her coarseness and ill temper, as in the following letter. May it please your Lordship to understande, that yesterday 240. Sir yn the afternoone, I stoode by her Majestie, as she was att Robert Carey to his father, cards chamber. She cawlde me too her, and Lord Hunsyn the presens asked me, when you ment too go too Barwyke? I towlde hyr, don, Warden that you determynde to begyn your journey presently after of the Whytsontyd. She grew yntoo a grate rage, begynnynge with "Gods Wonds," that she wolde sett you by the feete, and sende another yn your place, if you dalyed with her thus; for Marches 241. Anec she wolde nott be thus dalyed with all. I towlde her, that with as much possyble speed as myght be, you wolde departe; and that your lyyng att London thys fortnyght was too no other ende but to make provysion for your jorney. She anseryd me, that you have byn goynge from Crystmas too Ester, and from Ester to Whytsonday; but if you differde the tyme any longer, she wolde appoynt some uther yn your place; and thys message she commandyd me to sende you. Your L'ps humble and obedyent Sunne, R. CAREY. The same characteristics are shown in the following anecdotes told by the Spanish ambassador. When the queen heard this she turned to Secretary Walsingdotes of the ham who was present, and said a few words to him . . . after which she threw a slipper at Walsingham and hit him in the face, queen Walsingham, in conversation lately with the queen, had much to say of the good parts and understanding of Alençon, whose only fault, he said, was his ugly face. She replied “Well, you knave, why have you so often spoken ill of hi around like a weathercock." VI. THE CLOSE OF ELIZABETH'S REIGN You veer It is of course impossible, as it is unnecessary, to include any extended examples of the abundant literature of this period. The following letter, however, from Sir Henry Sidney, an official in the service of the queen, to his son, then a boy at college, who afterwards became the celebrated Sir Philip Sidney, may be given as an example not only of the literary style but of the highest personal ideals of the time. Son Philip: I have received two letters from you, the one written in Latin, the other in French, which I take in good part, and will you to exercise that practice of learning often, for it will stand |