William Shakespeare, Henry VIII (1613), Act 5, Scene 4

This royal infant—heaven still move about her— Though in her cradle, yet now promises Upon this land a thousand thousand blessings, Which time shall bring to ripeness: she shall be... A pattern to all princes living with her, And all that shall succeed... She shall be loved and feared. Her own shall bless her; Her foes shake like a field of beaten corn, And hang their heads with sorrow... In her days every man shall eat in safety Under his own vine, what he plants, and sing The merry songs of peace to all his neighbours... She shall be, to the happiness of England, An aged princess. Many days shall see her, And yet no day without a deed to crown it. Would I had known no more. But she must die— She must, the saints must have her—yet a virgin, A most unspotted lily shall she pass To th' ground, and all the world shall mourn her.

— William Shakespeare on Elizabeth I of England

What It Means

This is a placeholder explanation generated by the low-overhead model. It interprets "This royal infant—heaven still move about her— Though in her cradle, yet now promises Upon this land a thousand thousand blessings, Which time shall bring to ripeness: she shall be... A pattern to all princes living with her, And all that shall succeed... She shall be loved and feared. Her own shall bless her; Her foes shake like a field of beaten corn, And hang their heads with sorrow... In her days every man shall eat in safety Under his own vine, what he plants, and sing The merry songs of peace to all his neighbours... She shall be, to the happiness of England, An aged princess. Many days shall see her, And yet no day without a deed to crown it. Would I had known no more. But she must die— She must, the saints must have her—yet a virgin, A most unspotted lily shall she pass To th' ground, and all the world shall mourn her." in the context of "William Shakespeare, Henry VIII (1613), Act 5, Scene 4" to mean that wisdom is timeless.

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Source: Wikiquote: "Elizabeth I of England" (Quotes about Elizabeth I) The 'What it means' explanation text was generated by Google Gemini Flash (accessed February 05, 2026). https://gemini.google.com/app
William Shakespeare

About William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare (26 April 1564 (baptised) – 23 April 1616) was an English poet, playwright, and actor, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist.