THIS royal throne of kings, this sceptered isle,
This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars,

This other Eden, demi-paradise,

This fortress built by Nature for herself
Against infection and the hand of war,
This happy breed of men, this little world,
This precious stone set in the silver sea,
Which serves it in the office of a wall,
Or as a moat defensive to a house,
Against the envy of less happier lands,

This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England,
This land of such dear souls, this dear dear land,
England, bound in with the triumphant sea,

Whose rocky shore beats back the envious siege
Of watery Neptune.

Richard 11.

LONDON: PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED,

STAMFORD STREET AND CHARING Cross.

BODLEIAN

+8.6 190

LIBRARY

PREFATORY NOTE

In a work such as this, going over so extended a ground, it would be impossible for the editor to mention all the sources of information to which she is indebted. But she wishes to record here how very much the book owes to the suggestions, judgment, and taste of Mr. Laurie Magnus, M.A., and her appreciation of his valuable assistance during its preparation.

She has also to thank Lady Betty Balfour and Messrs. Longmans & Co., for kindly permitting her to use a passage from "The History of Lord Lytton's Indian Administration, 1876-1880;" Mr. R. Bosworth Smith and Messrs. Smith, Elder & Co., for a similar favour in regard to "The Life of Lord Lawrence;" and Mr. John Murray for the free use of several of his copyright books.