A hundred thousand, hastening up from every shire, were seen;
And as they came they leapt and danced and sang, with cheerfull face,
As nimble runners gird their loins, with joy to run a race.
At Tilbury Fort Elizabeth reviewed the bright array:
O long did loyal English hearts recall that famous day!
And long shall grateful Englishmen, that know her faults no less,
Revere the gallant memory of England’s Good Queen Bess;
For, riding on her war-horse white, the serried ranks between,
A noble sight it was to see Old England’s Virgin Queen!
A helmet crowned her golden hair, and they that saw it tell