Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-05-10
MISC CELLAN Y ,
Little SOsanOnd and Queen Bess.
AN INCIDENT OF ELIZABETH's JOURNEY TO

hftRtc kSOSStFApAO SA4o SASSAi 1SSSS'
AN INCIDENT OF ELIzABETH's JOURNEY To
KENILwoRTu CASTLE.
II was the evening of the day set for
Queen Elizabeth's visit TO Kenllworth.-
Great multitudes of people had been for
many hours assembled on the walls, in the
chase and park, and gardens, to witness
the splendid sight. But her majesty had
been detained till twilight at Warwick, to
receive the homage of her subjects. and
now it was announced that the grand en-
trance would be made by torch light. At
length the great bell of the castle toIled
and single rocket shot up into the air
Then ell held their breath and listened.-
At first they could only hear dull sea-
like sound in the direction of Warwick
Castle-but it came nearer and grew loud
er, till they could distinguish the tramp of
horses, music and shouting, and the clang
of armor.
When the Queen entered the roy chase,
hundreds of great rockets were sent bla-
zing and Kissing into the sky, and such a
mighty shout was set up by The multitude
that it was almost wonder it didn't joste
the stars out of their places. Yet they did
not seem at all disturbed by the tumult
but stayed quietly IN their orbits, land wink
ed at one another as though making fun of
the earth's fireworks. The whole music Of
the castle burst forth-then there was a
round Of artillery and a tremendous dis
charge of blunderbuSseS. The Procession
moved slow and stately from the gate OF
the park, Illuminated by two hundred great
wax torches, borne by armed horsemen.
The queen, who was young at that time,
and though not handsome, was noble and
grand loolling-came mounted on beauti-
ful milk-white horse, which she managed
very finely, for she was an admirable rider
She was dressed IN the richest silks, velvet
and lace-and from head to foot she seem
ed almost blazing with costly Jewels. Be-
side the queen rode the Earl Of Leicester,
on Jet black steed, one of the handsom-
est in the world, with tfappings Of velvet
and gold, and silver bits. The earl was
gorgeously dressed, and glttered all over
with gold and gems. He sat his horse so
elegantly, and was so proud in his bearing,
that he might have been mistaken for a
king, had he not rode bare-headed like the
rest of the courtiers. Alter the queen and
the earl, followed train of noblemen and
ladies, guards, pages, knights, gentlemen
and soldiers-a long and splendid caval-
cade. On either side stood line OF peo-
pie, closely packed together-all bowing
and shouting their loyal welcomes. As
the queen was approaching the outer tow
err she checked her horse, to speak to one
Of her ladies, when suddenly there broke,
or rather slld through the line OF soldiers,
a little girl, who flung herselfa at her majes-
y: feet and grasped her robe, crying
GA boon great queen, boon %
A rude soldier strobe forward and lifted
his broad sword over the head of the child
when, quick as . flash, boy scarcely
larger than the GIRL leaped out of the
crowd and snatched the sword from the
soldiers hand, saying boldly
"Thou art a cowardly kuave !"
The man turned upon him in rage, caught
back the sword, and might have killed HIM
with 1t, had rot the queen cried
"Hold, villain BY my faith, think
the lad is right Wouldst butched babes
like these? Then art thou one of Kiug
Herod's men, and not ours. Stand baci, p'
Then turning her eyes on the little girl,
who stood trembling at her side, she look
ed Ut her a moment in silent SURPRISE
And well she might, for the child was as
beautiful as en- angel. She could scarcely
have been more than ten years of age-sEe
was very fair and delicate, with tender,
appealing face, and voice sweet but
mourntul, ike the sound of wind-harp-
She had large dark eyes, with long, heavy
lashes. but her eyebrows we're shade