Wachiturros

Speech to the Troops at Tilbury 1

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 fearof 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 chiefeststrength 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 midstand 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 weakand 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 myrealm; 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 knowalready, 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 general2 shall be in mystead, 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 havea famous victory over those enemies of my God, of my kingdom, and of my people.

Notes:
1. Delivered by Elizabeth to the land forces assembled at Tilbury as recorded by Leonel Sharp, Englishcourtier and royal chaplin.
(Essex) to repel the anticipated invasion of the Spanish Armada, 1588.
2. Robert Dudley, earl of Leicester; he was the queen's favorite,
once rumored to be her lover.