Source:
The girlhood of Queen Elizabeth, a narrative in letters, Frank Arthur Mumby, 1909
Above: Elizabeth as princess, formerly attributed to William Scrots.
Above: King Edward VI of England, painted by William Scrots.
The letter:
O King, most serene and illustrious, the reason that you have not, for so long a time, seen any letters from me is, not that I am destitute of matter, of which I have abundance, if it be nothing more than to thank you for your numberless favours, and to show some token of my gratitude, but because the pain in my head precluded all modes of writing to your Majesty. Truly, I am both ashamed and grieved that I must so often make excuses of this kind; however, I choose rather to express the true cause of my negligence, although it be to my prejudice, than to invent a falsity, which is contrary to my nature and disposition. Since then this the true cause is now, by the blessing of the great and good God, removed, and I am somewhat restored in health, I think I ought now to resume my long interrupted duty of writing, in order that your Majesty may be assured of one thing — that, although I have omitted to write, I have never remitted in my love and bounden respect towards you. For, such is the power of true and unfeigned love, that it binds together those separated even by the longest distances; I, then, who, from your tender infancy, have ever been your fondest sister — how can I do other than follow you with heart, thought, and even dumb words, I mean, with my letters? Thus, although absent from you in the one part of myself, namely, in body; yet I may prove to your Majesty that I ever am and have been present to you in that other part — the mind. And, since it is in mind that true love consists, which, like a god (as it were), is not necessarily confined by the restraints of space, I hope, nay, I am sure, that by no interval of space or time can I be excluded from your good-will to me.
With regard to myself, I can truly affirm, that your absence has increased rather than lessened my love for you. For such is the nature of mankind that the blessings which are before their eyes they do not sufficiently value; but those more distant, they seem to covet more eagerly. If your Majesty hold this opinion, you will be persuaded that, neither interruption of letter-writing, nor intervention of space, can prove an obstacle to keep me from showing to you due regard and reverence.
May the Lord Jesus, who rules all by His own divine will, preserve your Majesty to us for many years, with increase of virtue. Ashridge, 26th of July. Your Majesty's most lowly servant and sister, ELIZABETH.
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