Queen Bess And Sir David

And so it was that the Queen was to bed –

High of fever and stomach pains as well;

No food could she keep down once she was fed –

With pain of joints her limbs began to swell;

The symptoms were harsh indeed and painful –

Linda tended to her friend but helped not;

Summoned they a doctor who was skilful –

But did he make a difference – not a jot;

There waited in the wings a man most torn –

Sir David loved the Queen but could not say;

He loved his King and he himself would scorn –

Would he have been of noble birth but nay –

He was Lord Chancellor – a simple man –

But nonetheless a man was he with need;

If there could be a way – a master-plan –

He would seize it and from torment be freed;

Bess was gravely ill with life in balance –

David racked with guilt would oft sit with her;

Assured she was asleep and there was chance --

He would hold her hand as did another;

King Al did openly have fights with Bess –

Indeed one could assume no love was there;

But wrong that would have been and one must stress –

That Al did love her deeply and did care;

'Twas on the fourteenth day the fever left –

And slowly the Queen recovered her health;

Now no contact with the queen – Dave – bereft –

Did monitor her progress so with stealth;

Came one night – summoned by the Queen was he –

Alone with her he bowed his head with grace;

She thanked him for she could easily see

The worry and the love upon his face;

There was a pause – a silence – then she said:

'You've been so kind and watched me like your own –

So I am told that once was I near dead;

And then would there be one upon the throne';

Taking his hand she gently placed a kiss –

''Tis all between the two of us my friend';

And so it ended but did promise this:

Future times may bring a happier end.