Cran.

Let me speak, sir,

For heaven now bids me; and the words I utter Let none think flattery, for they'll find 'em truth.

This royal infant-heaven still move about her!

19

Though in her cradle, yet now promises
Upon this land a thousand thousand blessings,
Which time shall bring to ripeness: she shall
be-

But few now living can behold that goodness-
A pattern to all princes living with her,

And all that shall succeed: Saba was never
More covetous of wisdom and fair virtue
Than this soul shall be: all princely graces,

pure

29

That mold up such a mighty piece as this is,
With all the virtues that attend the good,
Shall still be doubled on her: truth shall nurse
her,
Holy and heavenly thoughts still counsel her:
She shall be loved and fear'd: her own shall
bless her;

Her foes shake like a field of beaten corn,
And hang their heads with sorrow. Good
grows with her:

In her days every man shall eat in safety,
Under his own vine, what he plants, and sing
The merry songs of peace to all his neighbors:
God shall be truly known; and those about her
From her shall read the perfect ways of honor,
And by those claim their greatness, not by blood.

27. "piece"; creation,-"mighty" in virtue of her destiny.-C. H. H.

Nor shall this peace sleep with her; but, as when
The bird of wonder dies, the maiden phoenix, 41
Her ashes new create another heir

As great in admiration as herself,

So shall she leave her blessedness to oneWhen heaven shall call her from this cloud of darkness

Who from the sacred ashes of her honor

Shall star-like rise, as great in fame as she was,
And so stand fix'd. Peace, plenty, love, truth,
terror,

That were the servants to this chosen infant,
Shall then be his, and like a vine grow to him:
Wherever the bright sun of heaven shall shine,
His honor and the greatness of his name

52

Shall be, and make new nations: he shall flourish,
And, like a mountain cedar, reach his branches
To all the plains about him. Our children's
children

Shall see this, and bless heaven.

King.
Thou speakest wonders.
Cran. She shall be, to the happiness of England,
An aged princess; many days shall see her,
And yet no day without a deed to crown it. 59
Would I had known no more! but she must die;
She must; the saints must have her; yet a virgin,

41. "maiden"; i. e. mateless.-C. H. H.

53. "new nations"; on a picture of King James, which formerly belonged to Bacon, and is now in the possession of Lord Grimston, he is styled imperii Atlantici conditor. In 1612 there was a lottery for the plantation of Virginia. The lines probably allude to the settlement of that colony.-H. N. H.

61. "yet a virgin"; we here follow a suggestion of Mr. Dyce, in so pointing the passage as to make Cranmer express regret at his

A most unspotted lily shall she pass

To the ground, and all the world shall mourn her.

King. O lord archbishop,

Thou hast made me now a man! never, before
This happy child, did I get any thing.

This oracle of comfort has so pleased me,

That when I am in heaven I shall desire
To see what this child does, and praise my
Maker.

69

I thank ye all. To you, my good lord mayor,
And your good brethren, I am much beholding;
I have received much honor by your presence,
And ye shall find me thankful. Lead the way,

lords:

Ye must all see the queen, and she must thank

ye;

She will be sick else. This day, no man think Has business at his house; for all shall stay: This little one shall make it holiday.. [Exeunt. foreknowledge that Elizabeth was to die childless, not that she was to die; which latter is the meaning given by the usual pointing, thus: "Would I had known no more! but she must die,

She must, the saints must have her; yet a virgin,

A most unspotted lily shall she pass," &c.-H. N. H.

71. “And your good brethren"; Thirlby's conjecture, adopted by Theobald; Ff. read "and you good brethren.”—I. G.

66

76. “has”; i. e. he has; Ff., ""Has.”—I. G.

THE EPILOGUE

"Tis ten to one this play can never please All that are here: some come to take their ease, And sleep an act or two; but those, we fear, We have frighted with our trumpets; so, 'tis clear,

They'll say 'tis naught: others, to hear the city
Abused extremely, and to cry "That's witty!'
Which we have not done neither; that, I fear,
All the expected good we 're like to hear
For this play at this time, is only in
The merciful construction of good women;
For such a one we show'd 'em: if they smile,
And say 'twill do, I know, within a while
All the best men are ours; for 'tis ill hap,
If they hold when their ladies bid 'em clap.

10

GLOSSARY

By ISRAEL GOLLANCZ, M.A.