And all that shall succeed: Saba was never
More covetous of wisdom and fair virtue

Than this pure soul shall be: all princely graces,
That mould up such a mighty piece as this is,
With all the virtues that attend the good,

Shall still be doubled on her: truth shall nurse her,
Holy and heavenly thoughts still counsel her:

She shall be loved and fear'd: her own shall bless her;
Her foes shake like a field of beaten corn,
And hang their heads with sorrow.

her:

Good grows with

In her days every man shall eat in safety,
Under his own vine, what he plants, and sing
The merry songs of peace to all his neighbours:
God shall be truly known; and those about her
From her shall read the perfect ways of honour,
And by those claim their greatness, not by blood.
Nor shall this peace sleep with her; but, as when

23 Saba] The Queen of Sheba, who came to hear the wisdom of Solomon. "Sheba " figures as Saba" in the Vulgate. Sabaeans for the people of Sheba is retained in the Authorised Version. The form "Saba" is common in Elizabethan poetry.

27 piece] model or pattern, with the meaning of supreme excellence. 33-34 In her days . . . plants] Cf. Micah, IV, 4: "But they shall sit every man under his vine . . . and none shall make them afraid." 37 ways] the Fourth Folio correction of way, the reading of the earlier Folios, which the employment of those in the next line renders impossible. For the expression, cf. III, ii, 436, supra, “the ways of glory."

39-55 Nor shall this peace ... wonders] These seventeen lines, which pass from the praise of Elizabeth to that of James I, were possibly interpolated after the piece was first completed. They abound in

31

The bird of wonder dies, the maiden phoenix,
Her ashes new create another heir

As great in admiration as herself,

So shall she leave her blessedness to one

When heaven shall call her from this cloud of darkness
Who from the sacred ashes of her honour

Shall star-like rise, as great in fame as she was,
And so stand fix'd. Peace, plenty, love, truth, terror,
That were the servants to this chosen infant,
Shall then be his, and like a vine grow to him.
Wherever the bright sun of heaven shall shine,
His honour and the greatness of his name
Shall be, and make new nations: he shall flourish,
And, like a mountain cedar, reach his branches

obsequious compliments to the reigning sovereign and have very little relevance to the context. Cf. Cranmer's speech (lines 56-62), which continues the reference to Queen Elizabeth.

40 the maiden phoenix] the phoenix which has no mate. The phoenix, according to the familiar classical myth, was consumed by fire at certain intervals, and was recreated from its own ashes. Cf. Tempest, III, iii, 21–24.

42 As great in admiration] As greatly to be admired. "Admiration " connotes in Elizabethan English both wonder and veneration. 52 make new nations] A possible reference to the contemporary colonisation of Virginia, which was first placed on a permanent basis by the promulgation, in 1607, of a royal charter which formally placed a large tract of North America under English dominion. A contemporary portrait of James I, now in the possession of the Earl of Verulam, entitles James "imperii Atlantici conditor." 53 reach his branches] a possible reference to the extension of James I's family connections through the marriage in 1613 of his eldest daughter Elizabeth with the Elector Palatine.

40

50

To all the plains about him. Our children's children
Shall see this, and bless heaven.

KING.
Thou speakest wonders.
CRAN. She shall be, to the happiness of England,
An aged princess; many days shall see her,
And yet no day without a deed to crown it.
Would I had known no more! but she must die;
She must; the saints must have her; yet a virgin,
A most unspotted lily shall she pass

To the ground, and all the world shall mourn her.
KING. O lord archbishop,

Thou hast made me now a man! never, before
This happy child, did I get any thing.
This oracle of comfort has so pleased me,
That when I am in heaven I shall desire

To see what this child does, and praise my Maker.
I thank ye all. To you, my good lord mayor,
And your good brethren, I am much beholding;
I have received much honour by your presence,
And ye shall find me thankful. Lead the way, lords:
Ye must all see the queen, and she must thank ye;
She will be sick else. This day, no man think
Has business at his house; for all shall stay:
This little one shall make it holiday.

[Exeunt.

56 She shall be] Cranmer continues the eulogy of Queen Elizabeth, which was interrupted at line 39.

65 did I get any thing] did I beget any offspring of credit to me. The style here is feeble.

70 your good brethren] the aldermen. The Folios read you good brethren, which has been judged to be too a familiar form of address in the mouth of the king. Theobald substituted your for you.

60

70

THE EPILOGUE

"T is ten to one this play can never please
All that are here: some come to take their ease,
And sleep an act or two; but those, we fear,
We have frighted with our trumpets; so, 't is clear,
They'll say 't is naught: others, to hear the city
Abused extremely, and to cry "That's witty!"
Which we have not done neither; that, I fear,
All the expected good we're like to hear
For this play at this time, is only in
The merciful construction of good women;
For such a one we show'd 'em: if they smile,
And say 't will do, I know, within a while
All the best men are ours; for 't is ill hap,
If they hold when their ladies bid 'em clap.

11 such a one we show'd 'em] such (a good woman) we presented in Queen Katharine.

14 hold] refrain.

10