I. Frost's Selected Quotations

Monarchs ought to put to death the authors and instigators of war, as their sworn enemies and as dangers to their states.

For me it will be enough that a marble stone should declare that a queen having reigned such a time, lived and died a virgin.

I know I have the body but of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England, too.

Here lands as true a subject, being prisoner, as ever landed at these stairs. Before Thee, O God, I speak it, having none other friend but Thee alone."

Much suspected by me, Nothing proved can be.

I will be as good unto ye as ever a Queen was unto her people. No will in me can lack, neither do I trust shall there lack any power. And persuade yourselves that for the safety and quietness of you all I will not spare if need be to spend my blood.

I do consider a multitude doth make rather discord and confusion than good counsel.

I shall desire you all, my lords, (chiefly you of the nobility, everyone in his degree and power) to be assistant to me that I, with my ruling, and you with your service, may make a good account to Almighty God and leave some comfort to our posterity on earth.

I have already joined myself in marriage to a husband, namely the kingdom of England.

Better beggar woman and single than Queen and married.

We princes are set as it were upon stages in the sight and view of the world.

Young heads take example of the ancient.

My Lords, do whatever you wish. As for me, I shall do no otherwise than pleases me.

I will never be by violence constrained to do anything.

It is monstrous that the feet should direct the head.

A strength to harm is perilous in the hand of an ambitious head.

With your head and my purse I could do anything.

Unbridled persons whose mouths were never snaffled by the rider, did rashly ride.

I will have here but one mistress and no master.

You are like my little dog; when people see you, they know I am nearby.

What availeth wit when it fails the owner at greatest need?

Anger makes dull men witty, but it keeps them poor.

There is no marvel in a woman learning to speak, but there would be in teaching her to hold her tongue.

I know I am but mortal and so therewhilst prepare myself for death, whensoever it shall please God to send it.

If I should say the sweetest speech with the eloquentest tongue that ever was in man, I were not able to express that restless care which I have ever bent to govern for the greatest wealth.

I have had good experience and trial of this world...I know what it is to be a subject, what to be a sovereign, what to have good neighbours, and sometimes meet evil willers. I have found treason in trust, seen great benefits little regarded.

What will my enemies not say, that for the safety of her life a maiden queen could be content to spill the blood even of her own kinswoman?

Brass shines as fair to the ignorant as gold to the goldsmiths.

I thank God I am endued with such qualities that if I were turned out of the Realm in my petticoat I were able to live in any place in Christendom

You lawyers are so nice and precise in shifting and scanning every word and letter that many times you stand more upon form than matter, upon syllables than the sense of the law.

Would to God each had his own and were at peace.

He that will forget God, will also forget his benefactors.

My mortal foe can wish me no greater loss than England's hate. Neither should death be less welcome unto me than such a mishap betide me.

Those who touch the sceptres of princes deserve no pity.

My mind was never to invade my neighbours.

All my possessions for a moment of time

To be a King and wear a crown is a thing more pleasant to them that see it, than it is pleasant to them that bear it.

I were content to hear matters argued and debated pro and contra as all princes must that will understand what is right, yet I look ever as it were upon a plain tablet wherein is written neither partility or prejudice.

There is no jewel, be it of never so rich a price, which I set before this jewel; I mean your love.

Though God hath raised me high, yet this I account the glory of my reign, that I have reigned with your loves.

I have ever used to set the last Judgement Day before mine eyes, and so to rule as I shall be judged to answer before a higher judge.

You may have many a wiser prince sitting in this seat, but you never have had, or shall have, any who loves you better.

It is not my desire to live or to reign longer than my life and reign shall be for your good.