Elizabeth

Damiatrix Joined: 21 Aug 2006 Posts: 589

Tonight, I was drawn to Queen Elizabeth. I found this poem, authored by her hand, and connected to it immediately.~~Maia

ON MONSIEUR'S DEPARTURE
by Elizabeth I, Queen of England

I grieve and dare not show my discontent,
I love and yet am forced to seem to hate,
I do, yet dare not say I ever meant,
I seem stark mute but inwardly do prate.
I am and not, I freeze and yet am burned,
Since from myself another self I turned.
My care is like my shadow in the sun,
Follows me flying, flies when I pursue it,
Stands and lies by me, doth what I have done.
His too familiar care doth make me rue it.
No means I find to rid him from my breast,
Till by the end of things it be supprest.
Some gentler passion slide into my mind,
For I am soft and made of melting snow;
Or be more cruel, love, and so be kind.
Let me or float or sink, be high or low.
Or let me live with some more sweet content,
Or die and so forget what love ere meant.

Retrieved from http://tudorhistory.org/poetry/elizabeth.html

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Alliance Member Joined: 27 Nov 2006 Posts: 29

Wow i had no idea she was a prisoner..i have no insight on history Embarassed

She certainly liked to write by the looks of things.

Guest

She was a prisoner of her times, of her station, and chose duty to her nation over love. She gave up herself for her country not in a single act of heroisn but in a conscious and deliberate way that she lived her life.
She could never have acknowledged a lover without jeopardising her country. There were no politically suitable husband she could have taken, either foreign or domestic, without fomenting tremendous civil unrest.
For her time, she was very well educated in comparison to many men and most females. Without veriying by internet, I would expect she spoke at least english and french plus latin and some italian.
They call her the Virgin Queen. Whether that is true, who really knows but she is a beloved individual who served her country well in a time of great peril.

Alliance Member Joined: 27 Nov 2006 Posts: 29

A Truly remarkable person.

Damiatrix Joined: 21 Aug 2006 Posts: 589

What I found truly remarkable about Elizabeth, and something that I can connect with, is her feelings for Lord Dudley. Even though she could not marry him, ever, for whatever reasons (i.e. country, he was married, etc) it seems that she remained in love with him throughout her life. I've read that she said his name on her deathbed and that there was a mysterious letter addressed to him. It just goes to show that even the heart of a queen can not be chained, bound, or directed. Love simply goes where it wills and there is no containing it--hang societal rules.~~Maia

Alliance Member Joined: 27 Nov 2006 Posts: 29

Love is a strong feeling...perhaps stronger than i mighty sword.