Bess

Veiled from the world the Queen did keep A 'bastard' girl who cost her sleep Though tethered down and kept from sight Still she shone forth as purest light A brazen heart (to match her hair) Beat in the breast of 'maiden fair' She fuelled her lusts for life with love Of country, and of God above She sought no spouse to guide, for she Was wise enough for her country As fire and ferver burned within Ne'er a fool charmed his way in Her sister, on her ravaged throne Felt only fire for her betrothed Yet failed to birth a princely son And ruled and died in fear, undone And thus, Bess ruled as Princes do Absolute, and mightily too And whether truth, or rumour stark Purity did become her mark For she who held her own did learn By passion, one could easily burn And thus she led, her heart beholden To England; and their reign was golden