And the laugh of the lady was merry and gay.

And all throughout Europe the fame of her spread,

Her frivolous tricks, and the foreigners said

It was only a princess, a slave to her pride,

True child of a mother a king had decried!—

So she thwarted and twisted the world to her whim

As he misunderstood her—she outwitted him!

Now one day it arose that King Philip of Spain,

Incensed at her folly, essayed yet again

To bring her to reason

Just at his own season.

So he sent his Ambassador, Spanish Mendoza,

To this slippery Queen, with a message sub rosa.

"Nay, by mine honour," she simpered. "How now,

Is it truce to my jest? 'Tis a pity I trow.

It were best to be merry!" She yawned very wide,

And the Spaniard furtively smiled at her side.

'Twas only a woman to flatter and kiss,

'Twould be easy to manage a creature like this!

Hard-headed and wise, sat the gaunt English Queen,

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