me wound is seen that Sir Launcelot gave him in
battle. Then it was told to King Arthur that Sir Mordred had pight a
new field upon Barendown. And on the morrow the king rode thither to
him, and there was a great battle between them, and much people were
slain on both parts. But at the last King Arthur's party stood best,
and Sir Mordred and his party fled into Canterbury.

(_Morte Darthur_.)

ELIZABETH, QUEEN OF ENGLAND

1533-1603

THE QUEEN'S SPEECH TO HER LAST PARLIAMENT, NOVEMBER 30, 1601

Mr Speaker,--We perceive your coming is to present thanks unto us.
Know I accept them with no less joy than your loves can desire to offer
such a present, and do more esteem it than any treasure or riches; for
those we know how to prize, but loyalty, love, and thanks, I account
them invaluable; and though God hath raised me high, yet this I account
the glory of my crown, that I have reigned with your loves. This makes
that I do not so much rejoice that God hath made me to be a queen, as
to be a queen over so thankful a people, and to be the means under God
to conserve you in safety, and {5} preserve you from danger, yea to be
the instrument to deliver you from dishonour, from shame and from
infamy, to keep you from out of servitude, and from slavery under our
enemies, and cruel tyranny, and vile oppression intended against us;
for the better withstanding whereof, we take very acceptable your
intended helps, and chiefly in that it manifesteth your loves and
largeness of hearts to your sovereign. Of myself I must say this, I
never was any greedy scraping grasper, nor a strict fasting-holding
prince, nor yet a waster; my heart was never set upon any worldly
goods, but only for my subjects' good. What you do bestow on me I will
not hoard up, but receive it to bestow on you again; yea, mine own
properties I account yours to be expended for your good, and your eyes
shall see the bestowing of it for your welfare.

Mr Speaker, I would wish you and the rest to stand up, for I fear I
shall yet trouble you with longer speech.

Mr Speaker, you give me thanks, but I am more to thank you, and I
charge you thank them of the Lower House from me; for had I not
received knowledge from you, I might a' fallen into the lapse of an
error, only for want of true information. Since I was queen, yet did I
never put my pen to any grant but upon pretext and semblance made me
that it was for the good and avail of my subjects generally, th