| J. C. Squire, ed. A Book of Women’s Verse. 1921. | | | | On Her Enemies | | By Queen Elizabeth (1533–1603) |
| | | THE DOUBT of future foes, exiles my present joy, | |
| And wit me warnes to shun such snares as threaten mine annoy. | |
| For falshood now doth flow, and subject faith doth ebbe, | |
| Which would not be, if reason rul’d or wisdome wev’d the webbe. | |
| But clowdes of tois untried, do cloake aspiring mindes, | 5 |
| Which turne to raigne of late repent, by course of changed windes. | |
| The toppe of hope supposed, the roote of ruth will be, | |
| And frutelesse all their graffed guiles, as shortly ye shall see. | |
| Then dazeld eyes with pride, which great ambition blinds, | |
| Shal be unseeld by worthy wights, whose forsight falshood finds, | 10 |
| The daughter of debate, that eke discord doth sowe | |
| Shall reap no gaine where former rule hath taught still peace to growe. | |
| No forreine banisht wight shall ancre in this port, | |
| Our realme it brookes no strangers force, let them elsewhere resort. | |
| Our rusty sword with rest, shall first his edge employ, | 15 |
| To polle their toppes that seeke such change and gape for joye. | | | | |
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