Elizabeth 1 reviewed her
troops at Tilbury-(1588).
'My loving people,' she
said, we have been persuaded by some that are careful of our
safety to take head 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 am I come amongst you, as you
see,
AT THIS TIME
-to lay down my life for my
God
AND FOR MY KINGDOM
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 women;
BUT I HAVE A HEART OF A
KING
and of a
KING of ENGLAND
too, and I think foul scorn
that Parma or Spain,
or any
PRINCE of EUROPE
SHOULD DARE TO INVADE
THE BORDERS OF MY REALM.'