The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex Page #6

...to cut each other's throats.

Well, they may.

I'll put an end to it.

Not another man goes to Ireland.

And let Philip of Spain use it as a base?

He's not forgotten Cdiz, remember.

And whoever holds Ireland

points a dagger at the heart of England.

I suppose you're right,

but I'm sick of this bloodshed.

My policy has always been peace...

...and this war was forced upon me.

And Ireland...

Get a physician.

- Give him the best of food and lodging.

- Yes, Your Majesty.

One moment.

What of Sir Peter Finchley?

- Is he dead too?

- Yes, Your Majesty. He was struck down.

My thanks to you.

Take good care of him.

His nose crinkles when he laughs...

...and his eyes blue, like cornflowers.

And when he looked at her...

Oh, Bacon...

...I'm only a woman.

Must I carry the weight,

the agony of the world...

...alone?

- Not any longer, Your Majesty.

If you form a new army,

you'll need a leader.

- Who?

- Essex.

If you demand his return now,

he can no longer refuse.

- 'Tis his duty.

- What?

And send him to death

and ruin in Ireland?

Then make him master

of the ordnance.

In that capacity, he'll remain in London

and available for consultation.

Go to him.

Tell him I have need of him.

Your Majesty.

Bacon...

...as you leave the chamber...

...bid Mistress Margaret Radcliffe

come to me.

My pleasure, Your Majesty.

Poor child.

Poor child.

Her Majesty does not beg you, my lord.

She commands you to return.

What? She commands me?

She insults me in front of the court

and now she commands me?

To the devil with her.

If you lose your head now,

you'll lose it in earnest later on.

You're talking of your queen.

My queen?

The great-granddaughter

of a Welsh pantryman.

To the devil with her. I'll stay here.

Your answer will please

those around the queen.

- Why? What do you mean?

- Haven't you heard?

Cecil, laden with honors.

Coke, appointed attorney general.

And Raleigh, working himself

into favor.

Every day, he grows nearer to her

in counsel, closer in her affection.

Raleigh, that toad.

She's bought him new silver armor,

whose magnificence outshines the sun.

He grows closer to her in affection,

you say?

For lack of someone dearer.

She loves you.

- But, being a woman, she has her pride.

- Her pride.

Look, there's no mystery

to handling women.

They're like this lady here. You starve

them a little to make them keen.

Starve them too long,

they turn and rend you.

- I'll look to myself.

- Better look to England.

- Baganold's been defeated in Ireland.

- What's that?

- Baganold defeated?

- Killed, and his army destroyed.

That is the reason Her Majesty

commands you to return. She needs you.

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