Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1869-01-19
The Queen's Love.

Few, if any readers of English history have
doubted that Elizabeth, ''the maiden queen"
loved the chivalric Earl of Essex. Hers was
avid, infatuated love, such as the glorious
sorceress of the Nile" bore for Mark Anthony.
She, queen, upon whose brow the crown of
England sat nobly, made love to one of her
courtiers-a favorite. Bs,.g; ga9.s et
Der, her head bowed upon the richly carved
table, and the folds Of her gorgeous night dra~
perry hanging loosely around her. A light rap
started the queen from her reverie. She raised
her head, brushed back her silver threaded
hair, and asked who wished admittance at such
an hour. af fet7
Annette was the reply. s.
''Ah, my chambermaid ! said the queen, as
she opened the door, ard a buxom lass, with
bright eyes, rosy cheeks and raven tresses,. en-
tered and curtsied most gracefully.
Thou art welcome, good Annette, said Eiz
abeth, but methinks thou contest late.
There is man at the wicket, my lady, =
replied the girl .t,,,s sIt
Annette A man! s. ..e# aais5
"3Tis an unreasonable hour for visit but,
did he state his business?'
ssHe said he wished to see the queen.
"Knowest thou his name, Annette p and
the queen gazed into her maids face search
ingly. -
Eyes, my mistress it is Essex. y
''Then admit him at once. ag
| ''Into the reception room, mistress a
"No, here. eI.. 5.4a...,
Annette was dumbfounded, for never before
had q man entered the private chamber of her
queen. aa., co.,, e+s.,#
Elizabeth looked at the wondering girl mo-
ment, when, seeming to guess. the cause for
her WOuuermpnt. said.
"Thou needst not wonder, Annette. He
comes on business pertaining to the kingdom.
Admit him. ~
The maid curtsied and withdrew The queen
now dressed herself hastily, and sat down to
await her visitor. Soon the door was pushed
open, and handsome, gallant Essex entered
He approached the queen and grasped her exs
tended hands Annette now prudenty with
drew, and England mighty sovereign and her
lover were alone.
They talked for long time, anfwords which
breathed of love were spoken. All, little
thought Essex then that the hand he was COW
ering with kisses would, before many months,
sign his death warrant.
As the clock struck the hour of midnight,
the courtier rose to depart. The queen drew
a costly ring from her finger, and placed it in
his hand, saying,
s'Noble Essex if troubles of State envelope
thee, return this ring to the glver, and thou
shalt not be forgotten
The earl again raised her hand to his lips
and took his departure, Annette appearing to
conduct him to the street. AS the door closed
upon Essex's stately form, Elizabeth threw
herself upon the rich couch, and sobbed aloud,
'"Oh, what a love have for thee, noble Es>
sex but can never call thee mine. -
And while she yet lay there sobbing, the low
er earl was travelling the moonlit street, gazing
upon the ring, the queens talisman
Reader, is it not great to be the favorite of
queen? u oa,,
enacted in the same room. A dozen courtiers
stood around the same queen Essex's lover
as she sat before table to affix her royal sig>
nature to document that lay before her. Her
eyes wandered uneasily over it, and her bosom
rose and fell with emotion The document be
fore her was the death warrant OF Essex. He
had been drawn into plot by some mobiles and
his rashness, and was now lying In prison
Why did she not sign the death warrant? She
was thinking Of the ring she had given Essex,
and every moment she expected to see the roy
al talisman brought to her. The mobiles grew
impatient, and one asked:
"Why does the queen not sign r Fu
That broke the stiffness, aroused the queen,