ELIZABETH REFLECTS ON HEARING OF MARY'S EXECUTION

 

She was my heir. Her severed head they say

Was old and grey, and wigged: That Queen of France

And Scotland, who long dreamed to reign today

On England's throne. Courage she had. Her dance

 

Led men to die: her death may lead still more.

What was arrangd is done. Our sorrow shows

Itself. Queens should not lightly die. The store

And show of our distress may keep the throws

 

Of anguish fresh before all governments.

What moves upon this news will Europe make?

Too many troops may strike their cantonments.

And for ourselves? At least we must ask Drake

 

To fleece (with our support obscure) and bleed

Those ships by Spanish shore. Oh this land we lead!

 

-- John Loveridge