Elizabeth: The Golden Age Quotes
A mature Queen Elizabeth endures multiple crises late in her reign including court intrigues, an assassination plot, the Spanish Armada, and romantic disappointments.
Queen Elizabeth I: Go back to your rathole! Tell Philip I fear neither him, nor his priests, nor his armies. Tell him if he wants to shake his little fist at us, we're ready to give him such a bite he'll wish he'd kept his hands in his pockets!
Don Guerau De Spes: You see a leaf fall, and you think you know which way the wind blows. Well, there is a wind coming, Madame, that will sweep away your pride.
[turns to leave with his ministers]
Queen Elizabeth I: I, too, can command the wind, sir! I have a hurricane in me that will strip Spain bare if you dare to try me!
Don Guerau De Spes: You see a leaf fall, and you think you know which way the wind blows. Well, there is a wind coming, Madame, that will sweep away your pride.
[turns to leave with his ministers]
Queen Elizabeth I: I, too, can command the wind, sir! I have a hurricane in me that will strip Spain bare if you dare to try me!
Queen Elizabeth I: Please, just give me hope.
Dr. John Dee: The forces that shape our world are greater than all of us, Majesty. How can I promise that they'll conspire in your favor even though you are the Queen? But this much I know. When the storm breaks, each man acts in accordance with his own nature. Some are dumb with terror. Some flee. Some hide. And some spread their wings like eagles and soar on the wind.
Queen Elizabeth I: You are a wise man, Dr. Dee.
Dr. John Dee: And you, Madame, are a very great lady.
Dr. John Dee: The forces that shape our world are greater than all of us, Majesty. How can I promise that they'll conspire in your favor even though you are the Queen? But this much I know. When the storm breaks, each man acts in accordance with his own nature. Some are dumb with terror. Some flee. Some hide. And some spread their wings like eagles and soar on the wind.
Queen Elizabeth I: You are a wise man, Dr. Dee.
Dr. John Dee: And you, Madame, are a very great lady.
Sir Francis Walsingham: Forgive me, Your Majesty, I have failed you.
Queen Elizabeth I: How have you failed me? What am I to forgive you for?
Sir Francis Walsingham: Phillip of Spain is a God-fearing man who cannot declare war without a just cause. I intercepted every letter Mary Stuart secretly dispatched, but failed to see Spain knew I was reading them. They waited for her to write the words that in my eyes would confirm her treason.
Sir Francis Walsingham: [ashamed] Forgive me. I am trapped in my own web.
Queen Elizabeth I: And I ordered Mary's execution. I murdered God's anointed Queen. And now God's most dutiful son makes Holy War to punish me.
Queen Elizabeth I: How have you failed me? What am I to forgive you for?
Sir Francis Walsingham: Phillip of Spain is a God-fearing man who cannot declare war without a just cause. I intercepted every letter Mary Stuart secretly dispatched, but failed to see Spain knew I was reading them. They waited for her to write the words that in my eyes would confirm her treason.
Sir Francis Walsingham: [ashamed] Forgive me. I am trapped in my own web.
Queen Elizabeth I: And I ordered Mary's execution. I murdered God's anointed Queen. And now God's most dutiful son makes Holy War to punish me.
Queen Elizabeth I: How many Catholics are there in England, sir?
Cabinet Minister #1: [snorting] Immense numbers, Majesty.
Cabinet Minister #2: Half the nation cling to the old superstitions.
Queen Elizabeth I: What would you have me do? Hang half the people in England, or just imprison them?
Cabinet Minister #2: We must act, Majesty! Our inaction is perceived as weakness!
Queen Elizabeth I: If my people break the law, they shall be punished. Until that day, they shall be protected.
Cabinet Minister #1: Majesty, we have proven reason to fear every Catholic in the...
Queen Elizabeth I: [cutting in] Fear creates fear. I am not ignorant of the dangers, sir. But I will not punish my people for their beliefs. Only for their deeds. I am assured that the people of England love their Queen. My constant endeavor is to earn that love.
Cabinet Minister #1: [snorting] Immense numbers, Majesty.
Cabinet Minister #2: Half the nation cling to the old superstitions.
Queen Elizabeth I: What would you have me do? Hang half the people in England, or just imprison them?
Cabinet Minister #2: We must act, Majesty! Our inaction is perceived as weakness!
Queen Elizabeth I: If my people break the law, they shall be punished. Until that day, they shall be protected.
Cabinet Minister #1: Majesty, we have proven reason to fear every Catholic in the...
Queen Elizabeth I: [cutting in] Fear creates fear. I am not ignorant of the dangers, sir. But I will not punish my people for their beliefs. Only for their deeds. I am assured that the people of England love their Queen. My constant endeavor is to earn that love.
Sir Christopher Hatton: Be warned by the atrocities in France! God-fearing Christians murdered by Papist cut-throats inflamed by hatred of the truth!
Lord Howard: We know the Catholics take their orders from Spain. The Spanish speak openly of Mary Stuart as Queen of England in waiting.
Queen Elizabeth I: [sharply] Mary Stuart is a Queen cast out by her own ungrateful nation.
Sir Christopher Hatton: With respect, Majesty: a Catholic Queen. Your loyal Protestant supporters don't understand why Mary Stuart lives under our protection at our expense. Very considerable expense.
Queen Elizabeth I: Mary Stuart is my cousin. She is our guest. And she is under our control.
Lord Howard: But while she lives, Majesty, she is a beacon that draws our enemies' eyes and hopes.
Queen Elizabeth I: [speculating] While she lives?
Sir Christopher Hatton: She is the poison at the heart of England. The poison must be cut out.
Queen Elizabeth I: You'd have me make a martyr of her. What is her crime?
Lord Howard: We know the Catholics take their orders from Spain. The Spanish speak openly of Mary Stuart as Queen of England in waiting.
Queen Elizabeth I: [sharply] Mary Stuart is a Queen cast out by her own ungrateful nation.
Sir Christopher Hatton: With respect, Majesty: a Catholic Queen. Your loyal Protestant supporters don't understand why Mary Stuart lives under our protection at our expense. Very considerable expense.
Queen Elizabeth I: Mary Stuart is my cousin. She is our guest. And she is under our control.
Lord Howard: But while she lives, Majesty, she is a beacon that draws our enemies' eyes and hopes.
Queen Elizabeth I: [speculating] While she lives?
Sir Christopher Hatton: She is the poison at the heart of England. The poison must be cut out.
Queen Elizabeth I: You'd have me make a martyr of her. What is her crime?
Queen Elizabeth I: Are you here to tell me I must murder a Queen?
Sir Walter Raleigh: I would never presume to tell my Queen what to do. Only you know where your duty lies.
Queen Elizabeth I: Was it my father's duty to murder my mother? She was a Queen, for a time. Oh, I would be loath to die such so bloody a death.
Sir Walter Raleigh: Since when were you so afraid?
Queen Elizabeth I: I'm always afraid.
Sir Walter Raleigh: Kill a Queen and all Queens are mortal. We mortals have many weaknesses: we feel too much, hurt too much, all too soon we die, but we do have the chance of love.
Queen Elizabeth I: Do we? I have given England my life. Must she also have my soul?
Sir Walter Raleigh: I would never presume to tell my Queen what to do. Only you know where your duty lies.
Queen Elizabeth I: Was it my father's duty to murder my mother? She was a Queen, for a time. Oh, I would be loath to die such so bloody a death.
Sir Walter Raleigh: Since when were you so afraid?
Queen Elizabeth I: I'm always afraid.
Sir Walter Raleigh: Kill a Queen and all Queens are mortal. We mortals have many weaknesses: we feel too much, hurt too much, all too soon we die, but we do have the chance of love.
Queen Elizabeth I: Do we? I have given England my life. Must she also have my soul?
Sir Walter Raleigh: You like your ladies to jump at your command?
Queen Elizabeth I: Do you think that way? To tell you the truth, I'm very very tired of always being in control.
Sir Walter Raleigh: Nonsense!
Queen Elizabeth I: What?
Sir Walter Raleigh: You eat and drink control.
Queen Elizabeth I: Is that so?
Queen Elizabeth I: Do you think that way? To tell you the truth, I'm very very tired of always being in control.
Sir Walter Raleigh: Nonsense!
Queen Elizabeth I: What?
Sir Walter Raleigh: You eat and drink control.
Queen Elizabeth I: Is that so?
Queen Elizabeth I: [to her army, lined up in front of her at Tilbury] My loving people. We see the sails of the enemy approaching. We hear the Spanish guns over the water. Soon now, we will meet them face-to-face. I am resolved, in the midst and heat of the battle, to live or die amongst you all. While we stand together no invader shall pass. Let them come with the armies of Hell; they will not pass! And when this day of battle is ended, we meet again in heaven or on the field of victory.
Queen Elizabeth I: I suspect him of being a professional charmer. Am I right?
Elizabeth Throckmorton: He is certainly charming, my lady.
Queen Elizabeth I: Well, there are duller professions. You like him, don't you?
Elizabeth Throckmorton: He's a man that lives in a world far beyond the court. It's refreshing.
Queen Elizabeth I: Well, we shall let him come again.
Elizabeth Throckmorton: He is certainly charming, my lady.
Queen Elizabeth I: Well, there are duller professions. You like him, don't you?
Elizabeth Throckmorton: He's a man that lives in a world far beyond the court. It's refreshing.
Queen Elizabeth I: Well, we shall let him come again.
Sir Walter Raleigh: How am I to win the Queen's favor?
Elizabeth Throckmorton: Why should I tell you that?
Sir Walter Raleigh: I've little enough to offer, but whatever I have to give, ask and it's yours.
Elizabeth Throckmorton: Say what you mean to say as plainly as possible. All men flatter the Queen in hope of advancement. Pay her the compliment of truth.
Elizabeth Throckmorton: Why should I tell you that?
Sir Walter Raleigh: I've little enough to offer, but whatever I have to give, ask and it's yours.
Elizabeth Throckmorton: Say what you mean to say as plainly as possible. All men flatter the Queen in hope of advancement. Pay her the compliment of truth.
Queen Elizabeth I: I like you, Mr. Raleigh.
Sir Walter Raleigh: [as she walks away] And I like you.
Queen Elizabeth I: [turning back] You know, of course, that when I like a man, I reward him.
Sir Walter Raleigh: I have heard that.
Queen Elizabeth I: And what have you to say about it?
Sir Walter Raleigh: Reward my mission, majesty, not me.
Queen Elizabeth I: Is the mission not the man?
Sir Walter Raleigh: Then you leave me free to like you in return.
Sir Walter Raleigh: [as she walks away] And I like you.
Queen Elizabeth I: [turning back] You know, of course, that when I like a man, I reward him.
Sir Walter Raleigh: I have heard that.
Queen Elizabeth I: And what have you to say about it?
Sir Walter Raleigh: Reward my mission, majesty, not me.
Queen Elizabeth I: Is the mission not the man?
Sir Walter Raleigh: Then you leave me free to like you in return.
Queen Elizabeth I: [during a briefing with Walsingham and Bess] We shall have to look out a husband for you soon, Bess.
Elizabeth Throckmorton: Not too soon, my lady.
Sir Francis Walsingham: There are husbands to be had.
Queen Elizabeth I: [to Bess] Don't you want to be married?
Elizabeth Throckmorton: I'll want the marriage if I want the man.
Elizabeth Throckmorton: Not too soon, my lady.
Sir Francis Walsingham: There are husbands to be had.
Queen Elizabeth I: [to Bess] Don't you want to be married?
Elizabeth Throckmorton: I'll want the marriage if I want the man.
Don Guerau De Spes: Excuse me, Your Majesty. The air has become stale. I am sensitive to the smell of an open sewer.
[He stares at Raleigh and leaves]
Queen Elizabeth I: [to Raleigh] I cannot accept the fruits of piracy, Mr. Raleigh.
Sir Walter Raleigh: Philip of Spain is no friend of England, Majesty. The more gold I take from him, the safer you will be.
Queen Elizabeth I: Queen Elizabeth I: Well well - a political pirate.
[He stares at Raleigh and leaves]
Queen Elizabeth I: [to Raleigh] I cannot accept the fruits of piracy, Mr. Raleigh.
Sir Walter Raleigh: Philip of Spain is no friend of England, Majesty. The more gold I take from him, the safer you will be.
Queen Elizabeth I: Queen Elizabeth I: Well well - a political pirate.
