Though God Hath Raised Me High, Yet

My Loving People, We Have Been Persuaded By Some That Are Careful Of Our Safety, To Take Heed How We Commit Ourself To Armed Multitudes For Fear Of Treachery; But I Assure You, I Do Not Desire To Live To Distrust My Faithful And Loving People. 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 Foul Scorn That Parma Or Spain, Or Any Prince Of Europe Should Dare To Invade The Borders Of My Realm.

I Have Never Been Able To Be So Allured By The Prospect Of Advantages Or So Terrified By Misfortunes, Swayed By Honours Or Fettered By Affection, Nay Not Even So Smitten By The Fear Of Death, As To Enter Upon Marriage.

For, What Is A Family Without A Steward, A Ship Without A Pilot, A Flock Without A Shepherd, A Body Without A Head, The Same, I Think, Is A Kingdom Without The Health And Safety Of A Good Monarch.

I Would Gladly Chastise Those Who Represent Things As Different From What They Are. Those Who Steal Property Or Make Counterfeit Money Are Punished, And Those Ought To Be Still More Severely Dealt With Who Steal Away Or Falsify The Good Name Of A Prince.

We Princes Are Set As It Were Upon Stages, In The Sight And View Of All The World. The Least Spot Is Soon Spied In Our Garments, A Blemish Quickly Noticed In Our Doings.