"The Doubt of Future Foes" by Queen Elizabeth I

The Doubt of Future Foes, Circa 1571

[Headed] Verses made by the queen's majesty


The doubt of future foes 

Exiles my present joy
And wit me warns to shun such snares 

As threatens mine annoy.

For falsehood now doth flow

And subjects’ faith doth ebb,
Which should not be if reason ruled 

Or wisdom weaved the web.

But clouds of joys untried 

Do cloak aspiring minds
Which turns to rage of late repent 

By changèd course of winds.

The top of hope supposed 

The root of rue shall be

And fruitless all their grafted guile, 

As shortly ye shall see.

Their dazzled eyes with pride, 

Which great ambition blinds,
Shall be unsealed by worthy wights 

Whose foresight falsehood finds.

The daughter of debate 

That discord aye doth sow
Shall reap no gain where former rule 

Still peace hath taught to know.

No foreign banished wight 

Shall anchor in this port:
Our realm brooks no seditious sects—

Let them elsewhere resort.

My rusty sword through rest 

Shall first his edge employ
To pull their tops who seek such change 

Or gape for future joy.
                    Vivat Regina


Source of the text - Elizabeth I: Collected Works, Edited by Leah S. Marcus, Janel Mueller, and Mary Beth Rose.  Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 2000, pages 133-134.


TJB: Royal rap. In lilting ballad verse, the queen says ‘protect ya neck’ to Mary Stuart & threatens to get medieval on her ass if Mary pops off.