ough a
private profit to some of my ancient servants, who have deserved well;
but that my grants shall be made grievances to my people, and
oppressions to be privileged under colour of our patents, our princely
dignity shall not suffer it.

When I heard it, I could give no rest unto my {6} thoughts until I had
reformed it, and those varlets, lewd persons, abusers of my bounty,
shall know I will not suffer it. And, Mr Speaker, tell the House from
me, I take it exceeding grateful that the knowledge of these things is
come unto me from them. And though amongst them the principal members
are such as are not touched in private, and therefore need not speak
from any feeling of the grief, yet we have heard that other gentlemen
also of the House, who stand as free, have spoken freely in it; which
gives us to know that no respects or interests have moved them, other
than the minds they bear to suffer no diminution of our honour and our
subjects' love unto us. The zeal of which affection tending to ease my
people and knit their hearts unto us, I embrace with a princely care
far above all earthly treasures. I esteem my people's love, more than
which I desire not to merit: and God, that gave me here to sit, and
placed me over you, knows that I never respected myself, but as your
good was conserved in me; yet what dangers, what practices, what perils
I have passed, some, if not all of you, know; but none of these things
do move me, or ever made me fear, but it's God that hath delivered me.

And in my governing this land, I have ever set the last judgment day
before mine eyes, and so to rule as I shall be judged and answer before
a higher Judge, to whose judgment seat I do appeal; in that thought was
never cherished in my heart that tended not to my people's good.

And if my princely bounty have been abused, and my grants turned to the
hurt of my people contrary to {7} my will and meaning, or if any in
authority under me have neglected, or have converted what I have
committed unto them, I hope God will not lay their culps to my charge.

To be a king, and wear a crown, is a thing more glorious to them that
see it than it's pleasant to them that bear it: for myself, I never was
so much enticed with the glorious name of a king, or the royal
authority of a queen, as delighted that God hath made me his instrument
to maintain his truth and glory, and to defend this kingdom from
dishonour, damage, tyranny, and oppression. But should