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ELIZABETH I ADDRESSING TROOPS AT
TILBURY 1588
Spanish Armada Speech
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Elizabeth I.
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Elizabeth's Spanish Armada Speech.
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Spanish Armada.
It follows the full text transcript of
Elizabeth I's Spanish Armada speech, delivered
at Tilbury, Essex, England - 1588.
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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 do 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 or die amongst
you all - to lay down for my God, and for my
kingdoms, and for my people, my honor 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 dishonor should 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. For
the meantime, my Lieutenant General Leicester
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 these enemies of my God, of my kingdom and
of my people.
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