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 among 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 among you all, to lay down for my God, for my
kingdom, and for my people, my honor 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 it
foul scorn that Parma, of Spain, or any prince of Europe, should dare to
invade the borders of my realm, to which, rather than any dishonor 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 the word of a prince, they shall be duly paid you.
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
valor in the field we shall shortly have a famous victory over those
enemies of my God, of my kingdom, and of my people.
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