Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1868-11-19
MISCELLANY.
THE QUEENS LOVE.
BY T. CHALMERS HARBAUGH.

BY T. CHAl.MthS hAhBANhus
Few. if any, readers of English history, have
doubted that Elizabeth, the maiden queen, p"
loved the chivalric Earl of Essex. Hers was
a wild, infatuated love, such as the GLORIOUS
Sorceress of the Nile" bore for Mark Anthony.
She, queen, upon whose head the crown of
England sat nobly, made love to one of her
courtiers-a favorite.
One night Elizabeth sat in her royal cham
Der, her head bowed upon the finely carved
table, and the folds of her gorgeous night dra-
perry hanging loosely around her. Alight rap
startled the queen from her reverie. She
raised her head, brushed back her silver-thread-
ed hair. and asked who wished admittauce at
such an hour.
"Annette," was the reply.
"Ah! my chambcrmaid !" said the queen,
as she opened the door, and buxom lass, with
bright eyes, rosy cheeks and raven tresses, en-
tered and courtesed most gracefully. "Thou
art welcome, good Annette" said Elizabeth ;
but methinks thou c2mest late"
"There is a man at the wicket, my lady,
replied the girl.
"Annette, MANI
Yes, my lady"
"'Tis an unreasonable hour for visit, but
did he state his business"
"IIe said he wished to see the queen"
"Knowest thou bis name. Annette7" and
the queen gazcd into her maids face rather
searchngly.
"Yes, my mistress; it is Essex"
"Then admit him at once"
"Into The reception room, mistrcss7'
"No, here"
Annette was dumbfounded for never before
had man entered the private chamber of her
queen.
Elizabeth looked at the wondering girl a
moment, when seeming to guess the cause fol-
her wonderment, said:
"Thou need'st not wonder, Annette, he
comes on business pertaining to the kingdom
Admit him"
The maid courtesied and withdrew.
The queen now dressed herself hastily, and
sat down to await her visitor.
Soon the door was pushed open, and hand
some, gallant Essex entered. He approached
the queen and graspcd her extended hands.
Annette now prudently withdrew, and Eng
lands mighty sovereign and her lover were
alone.
They talked for long time, and word;
which breathed of love were spoken. All
little thought Essex then, that the hand he was
covering with kisses would ere many months
sign his death warrant.
AS the tower clock tolled the hour Of mid
night. the courticr rose to depart. The queen
drew costly ring from her finger, and placed
it in his hand, saying; Noble Essex, ii
troubles of State envelope thee, return this
ring to the giver, and thou shalt not be forgot
ten"
The earl again raised her hands to his lips
and took his departure, Annette appearing to
conduct him to the street As the door closed
upon Fssex's stately form Elizabeth threw her
self upon the rich couch and sobbed aloud =
Z. Oh. what a love have for thee, noble Essex,
but l can never call thee mine; and while she
vet lay there sobbing, the lover earl was tra-
versing the moonFt street gazing upon the
ring, the queens talisman.
Reader is it not great to be the favorite Of
queen?
A different scene was not long afterward en-
acted in the same room. A dozen courtiers
stood around the same queen-Essex's lover
as she sat before table to afiix her royal sig
nature to document that lay before her. Her
ewes wandered uneasily over it, and her bosom
rose and fell with emotion. The document
before her was the death-warrant of Essex
He had been drawn into plot by some mobiles
and his own rashness, and now lay in prison
Why did she not sign the death-warrant
She thought of the ring she had given Essex
and every moment she expected to see the royal
talsman brought to her. The mobiles grew
impatient, aud one asked;
"Why does the queen not sign? p
That broke the stilness, aroused the queen
and with an unsteady hand she signed the
death-warraut; the deed was done, her lover
must die.
After the execution of Essex, the queen gre"
peevish and retiring, and was often heard Sob
bing in her apartments. The missing rlng was
amystery. She had dispatched trusty person
TO examine the body of Essex, but the rins
was not found thereon.
But at last it came to light. One day
messenger arrived in great haste to the palace
with the .idings that the Countess OF Noting
ham was dying, and desired to see the queen
The queen hastened to her, and as she ap'
nroacbed the death-couch, the Countess dre"
airing from her bosom and helditup. Thequser
sprang forward, tore the well-known baubit
e-o-, ,Le +-er,blinc hand and 10 loud voice