_WE have been persuaded by some that are careful of our Safety, to take heed how we commit ourselves to armed Multitudes; but I assure you, I do not desire to live to distrust my faithful and loving People. Let Tyrants fear; I have always so behaved myself, that under_ GOD _I have placed my chiefest Strength and Safeguard in the loyal Hearts and Good-Will of my Subjects; and therefore I am come amongst you, as you see at this time, not for my Recreation and Disport, but being resolved, in the Midst and Heat of the Battle, to live or die amongst you all; to lay down for my_ GOD, _and for my Kingdom, and for my People, my Honour and my Blood, even in the Dust. 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; and think foul Scorn that_ Parma _or_ Spain, _or any Prince of_ Europe, _should dare to invade the Borders of my Realm; to which, rather than any Dishonour shall grow by me, I myself will take up Arms, I myself will be your General, Judge, and Rewarder of every one of your Virtues in the Field. I know already for your Forwardness, you have deserved Rewards and Crowns; and we do assure you, in the Word of a Prince, they shall be duly paid you. In the mean time, my Lieutenant-General shall be in my stead, than whom never Prince commanded a more noble or worthy Subject; not doubting but by your Obedience to my General, by your Concord in the Camp, and your Valour in the Field, we shall shortly have a famous Victory over those Enemies of my_ GOD, _of my Kingdoms, and of my People_. [111]It is scarce to be conceived what a Spirit of Bravery this great Queen’s Presence and noble Behaviour infus’d into the Officers and Soldiers: [112]They saluted her with Cries, with Shouts, with all Tokens of Love, of Obedience, and of Readiness to fight for her; they praised her stately Person and princely Behaviour, prayed for her Life and Happiness, and cursed all her Enemies, both Traitors and Papists, with earnest Desire to venture their Lives for her Safety: [113]One who was an Eye Witness relates moreover, that “the whole Armie in every Quarter, did devoutely, at certaine Times, sing in her hearing, in a very tunable manner, divers Psalmes put into Forme of Prayers in Praise of Almighty GOD, which she greatly commended, and with very earnest Speech thanked GOD with them[114].”