Elizabeth I Page #13

---

is none other

than this poor

self of mine

and you have loved me

as men will love women...

blindly, without

counting the cost,

not thinking

what they do...

so you're mine,

poor boy.

You're all mine.

Rise.

You may go to Ireland

on our behalf.

I ever loved you, Robin.

Take this ring

as a testament to it.

Thank you, gentlemen.

Secretary...

is there no news

from Ireland?

But little, ma'am.

The Earl is there

near six months.

Yes, we know that.

And?

- He has upwards of 16,000 men.

- Yes?

He has...

What?

He has knighted

many of his followers.

Oh, God in heaven!

And yet

he seems unwilling

to engage the Earl

of Tyrone, ma'am.

What does he

think to do?

Why does he not move

into Ulster now?

And we have

so commanded him.

We have heard that there is

sickness amongst his soldiers

and we do fear for him,

but why does he not

shake and sway

the branches

of resistance now?

We think

the Earl of Tyrone

may expect a force from Spain,

Your Majesty.

What are Essex's

intentions?

What's his army for,

pygmy?

Is he...

I ask this

with fear in my heart...

is he still loyal to us?

There is no way

of knowing, ma'am.

- Let me pass.

- My lord!

- Let me pass!

- What is this noise?

I will see her.

Where is the Queen?

Your Majesty.

Hold still, Your Majesty.

- Where is the Queen?

- My cap.

Bess! Bess!

Robin...

What's the matter?

Why are you...

I rode all night to be here.

They would not let me pass.

What has happened?

Is anyone with you?

- I knew you were angry with me.

- No.

- No one is angry with you.

- Tyrone is no fool, ma'am.

My men rode after him,

but they would not fight.

Shh, shh.

You must rest.

They came at night

and they killed men in their sleep.

You're with me now.

You're with me.

Shh shh shh.

Sit. Sit.

Rest.

I made a truce, ma'am.

I made a truce

with the Earl of Tyrone.

Oh, you poor boy.

Well, you must

tell me everything,

but first

you must rest.

How can I rest when you are

the victim of false counsel?

Bess, Cecil works against me.

I swear it, Bess,

and you listen to him.

He works against us.

He writes to King James

of Scotland...

I have it

on good authority...

securing himself

with your successor.

Don't think

about the Secretary.

Don't think about

the little pygmy.

- You understand, don't you?

- Yes.

- You understand I had no choice?

- Yes, I understand.

Shh. Shh.

You must sleep.

Sleep and then

we'll talk.

Sleep.

Do you love me?

Of course.

- Dorothy, see to the Earl.

- Yes, Your Majesty.

Let me help you

with these, sir.

Your Majesty,

do you want...?

- Ma'am.

- The Earl has deserted his command.

He seeks our approval.

He has concluded some sort

of truce with Tyrone

on his own initiative.

- How many men has he?

- Only a handful.

Sir, are you sure the army

- is still in Ireland?

- As far as I know, ma'am.

That he should

do this to me

by whom he had

so many favors.

When he is awake and dressed,

call him to our presence.

May I withdraw when he comes to you,

ma'am, with your permission?

No, you do not

have my permission.

You can stay and watch

your little friend.

Time to find out who is with us

and who is against us.

Cecil.

Thank you, again,

my dear.

Whispering to your

mistress, pygmy?

The world will think

you are sharing secrets.

I did not

expect so many

to be present

at our meeting, Bess.

Sometimes it is

advisable

to have witnesses

to conversations, my lord.

- Why so cold, ma'am?

- The charges against the Earl of Essex

are as follows:
That he has been

contemptuously disobedient

to Her Majesty's instructions

by returning to England;

- that on several...

- Stay a moment, sir.

Is this a trial?

Have... have I done

something

to offend Your Majesty?

You have come unannounced

into my chamber.

You have returned from your commission

with no victories gained

and no peace imposed

upon the territories in Ireland.

You have had

private conversation

with the notorious

traitor Tyrone

whose submission or death are

the only things we require of him.

You have made free

with our person.

You have thought to touch

the scepter of a prince,

which is a thing

not commendable in you.

I have come here only

seeking your help and support

in return for the great services

I have offered you.

Take him under guard

to Essex House.

The Earl is

to be confined there

- until our pleasure dictates otherwise.

- Guards.

Bess. Bess.

Bess, Bess, Bess,

You said that you loved me!

I ever loved you well

and ever did you service,

but I no longer recognize

the thing I loved!

Love alters

when it alterations finds.

- You said you could never...

- I said, I said.

I said more

than I should, perhaps.

But government

of the tongue

is not a science you ever

learned well, my lord.

I am amazed to see you

in this company, Francis.

The way to great office

is by a winding stair.

Get him out of my sight!

And now what are we to do

with the Earl of Essex, eh?

What is heaven's name

are we to do with him now?

Is the army loyal to us?

Mountjoy, the Earl's man,

has the army,

even if he is

still in Ireland.

But the Earl still has

powerful friends here.

Unfortunately for him,

they no longer include

you and me. Eh, pygmy?

So...

we may proceed

to trial?

No. No, for the moment

we do nothing.

We wait.

We must be seen

to treat him well.

Relax the guard on him...

how loyal is he?

Very well.

Oh, my dear

Frances!

Are you in mourning

for your husband's reputation?

I wear your

colors, ma'am.

You were always

a good girl, Frances.

As I love him, Your Majesty,

I wish him to love you.

So...

- How does the Earl?

- Not well, Your Majesty.

Oh, we are sorry

to hear that.

I do believe that,

ma'am.

- He should have company.

- He should.

Tell me, has he heard

from Mountjoy from Ireland?

Letters passed

between them,

but my lord has not heard

from Ireland of late.

Oh, that's a shame.

But perhaps it's not good

for him to be in touch

with those with military

responsibilities.

I am sure he means to be

a loyal servant to Your Majesty.

Oh yes, I'm sure.

Has he heard from King James of late?

From Scotland?

You can tell me,

Frances.

We know he had dealings

with him from before.

If we are to prevent him being

a danger to himself,

we must know

these things.

You know, I speak out of love

for him, Frances.

The Earl carries a black bag

around his neck.

He never

takes it off.

I believe they are

letters from Scotland.

Scotland!

Letters from Scotland, I knew it!

- The man's a traitor.

- Ma'am.

Mountjoy will not move

the Irish army to assist him,

so he waits for

the King of Scotland.

Well, he's going to wait a long time

for that young man.

What are

Your Majesty's wishes?

To force him

into action.

Since he is not ready,

unreadiness is all.

He's fool enough.

Send someone

to the Earl of Essex.

Tell him we require him

at Council.

Would you wish me

to go, ma'am?

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes