Extract from Queen Elizabeth I's speech to her last parliament, known as the ‘Golden Speech’ - 30th November 1601

VVEE perceiue your comming is to present thankes vnto Vs; Know I accept them with no lesse ioy then your loues can haue desire to offer such a Present, and doe more esteeme it then any Treasure of Riches, for those Wee know how to prize, but Loyaltie, Loue, and Thankes, I account them invaluable, and though God hath raysed Mee high, yet this I- account the glorie of my Crowne, that I haue reigned with your Loues. This makes that I doe not so much reioyce that God hath made Mee to bee a Queene, as to bee a Queene ouer so thankfull a People, and to bee the meane vnder God to conserue you in safety, and preserue you from danger, yea to bee the Instrument to deliuer you from dishounour, from shame, and from infamie; to keepe you from out of seruitude, and from slaverie vnder our Enemies; and cruell tyranny, and vilde oppression intended against Vs: for the better withstanding whereof, Wee take very acceptably your intended helpes, and chiefely in that it manifesteth your loues and largenesse of heart to your Soveraigne. Of My selfe I must say this, I neuer was any greedy scraping grasper, nor a strict fast holding Prince, nor yet a waster.- My heart was neuer set vpon any worldly goods, but onely for my Subiects good. What you doe bestow on Me, I will not hoard vp, but receiue it to bestow on you againe; yea Mine owne Properties I account yours to bee expended for your good, and your eyes shall see the bestowing of it for your wellfare.

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Thus Mr. Speaker, I commend mee to your loyall Loues, and yours to my best care and your further Councels, & I pray you Mr. Controullor, & Mr. Secretary, and you of my councell, that before these Gentlemen depart into their Countreys you bring them all to kisse my Hand.

FINIS.