"It is difficult to say whether the gifts of nature or of fortune are most to be admired in that illustrious lady. The praise which Aristotle gives wholly centres in her—beauty, stature, prudence, and industry. She has just passed her sixteenth birthday, and shows such dignity and gentleness as are wonderful at her age and in her rank. Her study of true religion and learning is most energetic. Her mind has no womanly weakness, her perseverance is equal to that of a man, and her memory long keeps what it quickly picks up. She talks French and Italian as well as English: she has often talked to me readily and well in Latin, and moderately so in Greek. When she writes Greek and Latin, nothing is more beautiful than her hand-writing. She is as much delighted with music as she is skilful in the art. In adornment she is elegant rather than showy, and by her contempt of gold and head-dresses, she reminds one of Hippolyte rather than of Phsedra."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Poets from EnglandTranslators from EnglandAnglicans from the United KingdomWomen from EnglandMonarchs from England
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
Roger Ascham to Sturm (4 April 1550), quoted in The Whole Works of Roger Ascham, now first Collected and Revised, with a Life of the Author, Vol. I. Part I (1765), p. lxiii
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Elizabeth_I_of_England
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
Elizabeth I of England
136 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by Elizabeth I of England →
Related Quotes
"'Twas God the Word that spake it, He took the Bread and brake it: And what that Word did make it, That I believe and …"
"Much suspected by me, Nothing proved can be, Quoth Elizabeth prisoner."
"This is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes."
"I am already bound unto an husband, which is the kingdom of England... for every one of you, and as many as are Engli…"
"Our realm and subjects have been long wanderers, walking astray, whilst they were under the tuition of Romish pastors…"
"And whereas you would frighten us, by telling how emperors, kings, and princes have owned the bishop of Rome's author…"
"But to grant them churches, wherein they might celebrate mass, and have congregations and public assemblies, she coul…"
"[I] would rather be a beggar and single than a queen and married."
"Like as no one thing, in the government and charge committed unto us by the favourable goodness of Almighty God, doth…"
"Master Tyrwhit and others have told me that there goeth rumors abroad which be greatly both against mine honor and ho…"