KENILWORTH - Penn State University

Sir Walter Scottmen of the guard, the tallest and most handsome men whomEngland could produce, guarded with their halberds the passagefrom the palace-gate to the river side, and all seemed inreadiness for the Queen’s coming forth, although the day wasyet so early.“By my faith, this bodes us no good,” said Blount; “it mustbe some perilous cause puts her Grace in motion thusuntimeously, By my counsel, we were best put back again,and tell the Earl what we have seen.”“Tell the Earl what we have seen!” said Walter; “why whathave we seen but a boat, and men with scarlet jerkins, andhalberds in their hands? Let us do his errand, and tell himwhat the Queen says in reply.”So saying, he caused the boat to be pulled towards a landing-placeat some distance from the principal one, which itwould not, at that moment, have been thought respectful toapproach, and jumped on shore, followed, though with reluctance,by his cautious and timid companions. As they approachedthe gate of the palace, one of the sergeant porterstold them they could not at present enter, as her Majesty wasin the act of coming forth. The gentlemen used the name ofthe Earl of Sussex; but it proved no charm to subdue theofficer, who alleged, in reply, that it was as much as his postwas worth to disobey in the least tittle the commands whichhe had received.“Nay, I told you as much before,” said Blount; “do, I prayyou, my dear Walter, let us take boat and return.”“Not till I see the Queen come forth,” returned the youthcomposedly.“Thou art mad, stark mad, by the Mass!” answered Blount.“And thou,” said Walter, “art turned coward of the sudden.I have seen thee face half a score of shag-headed Irish kerns tothy own share of them; and now thou wouldst blink and goback to shun the frown of a fair lady!”At this moment the gates opened, and ushers began to issueforth in array, preceded and flanked by the band of GentlemenPensioners. After this, amid a crowd of lords and ladies,yet so disposed around her that she could see and be seen onall sides, came Elizabeth herself, then in the prime of womanhood,and in the full glow of what in a Sovereign was calledbeauty, and who would in the lowest rank of life have beentruly judged a noble figure, joined to a striking and com-173