[Born 1533. Died 1603. Aged 70.]
A mighty sovereign, and the last of our absolute monarchs. Her rule,
despotic, but grand, and wholly in the interests of her country. A true
Englishwoman, ambitious of England’s glory, and capable of inspiring her
servants by her example, with unbounded zeal, patriotism, and heroism.
As a woman, the picture less fascinating. Too selfish to be amiable, she
was vain, imperious, violent. She had favourites, but none whom she
would raise to the throne, for she hugged power with a passionate
embrace, which no generous sentiment could unfasten, and no tender
consideration induce her to divide. She stood above law, and she knew
it. A man sharing her throne might have been less fortunate. Her
successor proved so; and the son of that successor, trying the perilous
ascent, lost his head in the attempt. Wondrous was the reign of
Elizabeth in its effects upon the civilisation of the world. It produced
Bacon in philosophy, Shakspeare and Spenser in poetry, Gresham in
commerce. Drake and Raleigh also belong to this time. It was the era of
the re-establishment of Protestantism, and of the rescue, on the sea, of
spiritual liberty from the threatened onslaught of Spain. Undoubtedly
Elizabeth was surrounded by great men, but her masculine spirit sat at
the helm, and directed, for nearly fifty years, the course of the State
vessel. Her vigilance was sleepless, her ability unbounded, her sagacity
penetrating and quick; yet she had a love of finery that was frivolous,
and to the last laboured under the impression that she was beautiful.
The spirit of maritime discovery was now alive in England, and commerce
flourished. When dying, Elizabeth was asked by Cecil who should succeed
her. She answered, “No rascal. My seat has been the seat of kings. Who
should succeed me but a king?”
[From the Effigy.]