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 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 of a weak, 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 meantime, 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.
No comments:
Post a Comment