Cran. [Kneeling] And to your royal grace, and the good queen.[895][896]
My noble partners and myself thus pray:[896] 5
All comfort, joy, in this most gracious lady,[897]
Heaven ever laid up to make parents happy,[898]
May hourly fall upon ye!
King. Thank you, good lord archbishop:[899]
What is her name?
Cran. Elizabeth.
King. Stand up, lord.
[The King kisses the child.
With this kiss take my blessing: God protect thee![900] 10
Into whose hand I give thy life.
Cran. Amen.
King. My noble gossips, ye have been too prodigal:[901]
I thank ye heartily; so shall this lady,
When she has so much English.
Cran. Let me speak, sir,
For heaven now bids me; and the words I utter 15
Let none think flattery, for they'll find 'em truth.
This royal infant—heaven still move about her!—
Though in her cradle, yet now promises
Upon this land a thousand thousand blessings,
Which time shall bring to ripeness: she shall be— 20
But few now living can behold that goodness—[902]
A pattern to all princes living with her
And all that shall succeed: Saba was never[903]
More covetous of wisdom and fair virtue
Than this pure soul shall be: all princely graces,[904] 25
That mould up such a mighty piece as this is,[905]
With all the virtues that attend the good,
Shall still be doubled on her: truth shall nurse her,
Holy and heavenly thoughts still counsel her:
She shall be loved and fear'd: her own shall bless her; 30
Her foes shake like a field of beaten corn,[906]
And hang their heads with sorrow. Good grows with her:[907]
In her days every man shall eat in safety,
Under his own vine, what he plants, and sing
The merry songs of peace to all his neighbours: 35
God shall be truly known; and those about her
From her shall read the perfect ways of honour,[908][909]
And by those claim their greatness, not by blood.[909]
Nor shall this peace sleep with her; but, as when[910]
The bird of wonder dies, the maiden phœnix,[910] 40
Her ashes new create another heir[910]
As great in admiration as herself,[910]
So shall she leave her blessedness to one—[910]
When heaven shall call her from this cloud of darkness—[910]
Who from the sacred ashes of her honour[910] 45
Shall star-like rise, as great in fame as she was,[910]
And so stand fix'd. Peace, plenty, love, truth, terror,[910]
That were the servants to this chosen infant,[910]
Shall then be his and like a vine grow to him:[910]
Wherever the bright sun of heaven shall shine,[910] 50
His honour and the greatness of his name[910]
Shall be, and make new nations: he shall flourish,[910]
And, like a mountain cedar, reach his branches[910]
To all the plains about him. Our children's children[910][911]
Shall see this, and bless heaven.[910]
King. Thou speakest wonders. 55