The Works of William Robertson, D. D...: To which is Prefixed an Account of His Life and Writings, Volume 3

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Page 66 - With regard to the queen's person, a circumstance not to be omitted in writing the history of a female reign, all contemporary authors agree in ascribing to Mary the utmost beauty of countenance, and elegance of shape, of which the human form is capable.
Page 60 - is not worthy the joys of heaven, which repines because the body must endure the stroke of the executioner ; and though I did not expect that the Queen of England would set the first example of violating the sacred person of a sovereign prince, I willingly submit to that which Providence has decreed to be my lot.
Page 65 - Formed with the qualities which we love, not with the talents that we admire, she was an agreeable woman rather than an illustrious queen. The vivacity of her spirit, not sufficiently tempered with sound judgment, and the warmth of her heart, which was not at all times under the restraint of discretion, betrayed her both into errors and into crimes. To say that she was always unfortunate will not account for that long and almost uninterrupted succession of calamities which befell her; we must likewise...
Page 66 - Mary's sufferings exceed, both in degree and in duration, those tragical distresses which fancy has feigned to excite sorrow and commiseration ; and while we survey them, we are apt altogether to forget her frailties, we think of her faults with less indignation, and approve of our tears, as if they were shed for a person who had attained much nearer to pure virtue.
Page 62 - ... long expected. Bear witness that I die constant in my religion, firm in my fidelity towards Scotland, and unchanged in my affection to France. Commend me to my son. Tell him I have done nothing injurious to his kingdom, to his honour, or to his rights ; and God forgive all those who have thirsted, without cause, for my blood.
Page 66 - She danced, she walked, and rode with equal grace. Her taste for music was just, and she both sung and played upon the lute with uncommon skill. Towards the end of her life, long confinement, and the coldness of the houses in which she had been imprisoned, brought on a rheumatism, which often deprived her of the use of her limbs. No man, says Brantome, ever beheld her person without admiration and love, or will read her history without sorrow.
Page 118 - Scotland, and by that action had discovered the treachery of his own heart ; that all Kings were the devil's children ; that Satan had now the guidance of the court ; that the queen of England was an atheist ; that the judges were miscreants and bribers ; the nobility godless and degenerate ; the privy counsellors cormorants and men of no religion ; and in his prayer for the queen he used these words, We must pray for her for fashion sake, but we have no cause, she will never do us good.
Page 61 - Early in the morning she retired into her closet, and employed a considerable time in devotion. At eight o'clock the high sheriff and his officers entered her chamber, and found her still kneeling at the altar. She immediately started up, and with a majestic mien, and a cotmtenance undismayed, and even cheerful, advanced towards the place of execution, leaning on two of Paulet's attendants.
Page 327 - Queen will not by any means be induced to lend her authority to prosecute the murder; nor will not consent by any persuasion to abandon the Lord Bothwell for her husband, but avoweth constantly that she will live and die with him...
Page 302 - I say more, she hath given over to him her whole will, to be ruled and guided as himself best liketh...

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