Elizabeth told Essex 1
That she could not forgive
The clemency of Deity
However－might survive－
That secondary succor 5
We trust that she partook
When suing－like her Essex
For a reprieving Look－
That she could not forgive
The clemency of Deity
However－might survive－
That secondary succor 5
We trust that she partook
When suing－like her Essex
For a reprieving Look－
(F.1336/J.1321)
[1, 2] Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex (1565–1601) was executed for treason, two years before Queen Elizabeth's death.
[3, 4] Essex had no mercy from the Queen, but might have mercy from deity.
[5] secondary succor:: deity's mercy is second to human's; human's mercy is greater than deity's.
[6–8] she, sueing, reprieving:: the Queen was suing forgiveness from Essex, not from deity.