a mantle of black silk shot with silver
threads. Instead of a chain she had an oblong collar of gold and jewels.
Her air was stately, and as she passed along in great state and
magnificence, she bowed graciously first to one side and then to the
other. Wherever she turned her face the people fell upon their knees,
crying,--"God save the queen, Elizabeth!" To which she replied,--"I thank
you, my good people."

At the foot of the terrace she alighted from her chariot, and, escorted
by Lord Stafford, ascended the steps and approached the place where
Francis stood. The girl gazed at her earnestly, mentally contrasting her
with Mary of Scotland.

Elizabeth was very stately though her stature was not great; her face,
oblong, fair but wrinkled; her eyes small, yet black and pleasant; her
nose a little hooked; her lips narrow and compressed; her teeth black as
were most of the ladies' teeth at that period from the excessive use of
sugar. She wore a wig of false red hair; and upon her head sat a small
crown of gold reported to be made of some of the celebrated Lunebourg
table. When she reached the terrace two cannons were shot off; the one
filled with a sweet powder; the other with sweet water, odoriferous and
pleasant; the firing being imitated by a crash of instruments. When the
noise of these had died away Francis stepped forward, and began timidly,
gaining self-possession as she proceeded:

"Oh Excellent Queen! true adamant of hearts,
Out of that sacred garland ever grew
Garlands of virtues, beauties, and perfections,
That crowns your crown, and dims your fortune's beams,
Welcome, and thrice welcome!

"O lady, that doth ennoble the title you possess, with the honor of your
worthiness, rather crowning the great crown that derives fame from having
so excellent an owner, than you receiving to yourself any ornament
therefrom; vouchsafe with patient attention to hear the words which I, by
commandment, am here to deliver unto you. Disdain not to smile upon our
feeble efforts to entertain you, yet do I dare warrant myself so far upon
the show of rare beauty, as that malice cannot fall from so fair a mind.
Welcome! This hall and all it contains are yours. Do with them as you
list, fair queen, but oh, disdain not to breathe your favor upon us.
Welcome and thrice welcome to these portals! Loving hearts greet you,
and declare you queen of them as well as of Love and Beauty."

Elizabeth list