[Ravensfort] FWD: [Authentic_SCA] Elizabethan Resolve

[jacinth]

When I read this, I thought it was particularly fitting enough to share.
Enjoy.

-Jacinth-

---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
From: "Jeanne Harney" <jeanne at parrotfantasy.com>
Reply-To: Authentic_SCA at yahoogroups.com
Date: Mon, 17 Sep 2001 03:01:30 -0500

Many of the Renaissance Faires who play Elizabethan had their "Queen
Elizabeth" deliver this speech which is known as the "Tilsbury Speech"
this weekend.  Elizabeth I herself spoke this in 1588...and it's quite inspiring.

Jeanne

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 at this time, not as for my recreation
or sport, 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
kingdom, and for my people, my honor and my blood, even the dust. I
know I have but the body of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the
heart 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 realms: to which, rather than any dishonor 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.  I know
already, by your forwardness, that you have deserved rewards and
crowns; and we do assure you, on the word of a prince, they shall be
duly paid you.  In the mean my lieutenant general shall be in my stead,
than whom never prince commanded a more noble and worthy subject; not
doubting by your obedience to my general, by your concord in the camp,
and by your valor in the field, we shall shortly have a famous victory
over the enemies of my God, of my kingdom, and of my people.

Elizabeth I of England - 1588