From the recording philoSophia
This song is a compilation of 3 poems written by Queen Elizabeth I (1533-1603, reigned 1558-death) and I’m honestly unsure of the timeline of them though it seems from the poems’ saying of future foes it would put the 4th excerpt which is from her appearance to her troops in the field of defense against the Spanish invasion, who had the most formidable navy in the world, before this battle. Look up some articles of the players of the time, it’s a very fascinating story. Author Edmund Spenser wrote an epic tale about knights, magic, etc called The Faerie Qveene and dedicated it to her. I’ve read parts and plan on reading the whole thing. A lot of fascinating things happened during her time.. Shakespeare, John Dee’s originating of 007, continuation of the Protestant reformation, successful defense against the infamous Spanish armada, colonization of America (the state of Virginia is named after her and it was explored by Walter Raleigh, who Raleigh North Carolina is named after, a member of her court). There’s a painting of her while young with a phrase that says “No rainbow without the light” in Latin, and features some interesting symbolism on her dress. This paragraph is the tip of the iceberg for the Welsh and Norman French, Tudor dynasty. My ancestor William Cecil was her Secretary of State, and I’m descended from many interesting people of this scene and further back, including other royalty. But it was a complex time and royalty varied in their origins and intentions etc. I’ve got some pretty diverse genetics to even more complexify
Lyrics
Oh fortune
Thy wresting wavering state hath frought with cares my troubled wit
Whose witness this present prison late could bare where once Joy’s loan quit
Thou caused the guilty to be loosed from bands where innocents were enclosed and caused the guiltless to be reserved and freed those that death had well deserved
But all herein can be nothing wrought so God send to my foes all they have thought
The doubt of future foes exiles my present joy and wit me warns to shun such snares as threaten mine annoy
For falsehood now doth flow and subjects’ faith doth ebb, which should not be if reason ruled or wisdom weaved the web
But clouds of joys untried do cloak aspiring minds which turn to rain of late repent by changed course of winds
The top of hope supposed, the root upreared shall be, and fruitless all their grafted guile as shortly ye shall see
Their dazzled eyes with pride which great ambition blinds shall be unsealed by worthy wights whose foresight falsehood finds
The daughter of debate that discord ever doth sow shall reap no gain where foreign rule still peace hath taught to know
No foreign banished wight shall anchor in this port
Our realm brooks not seditious sects, let them elsewhere resort
My rusty sword through rest shall first his edge employ to poll their tops that seek such change or gape for future joy
Never think you fortune can bare the sway where virtue’s force can cause her to obey
(Tilsbury Speech)
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 and 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 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 valour in the field, we shall shortly have a famous victory over these enemies of my God, of my kingdom, and of my people