s not their worst
faults. But she was earnest with me to declare which of them I judged
fairest? I said, she was the fairest queen in England, and mine in
Scotland. Yet she appeared earnest. I answered, they were both the
fairest ladies in their countries; that her majesty was whiter, but my
queen was very lovely. She enquired, which of them was of highest
stature? I said, my queen. Then, saith she, she is too high, for I
myself am neither too high nor too low. Then she asked, what exercises
she used? I answered, that when I received my dispatch, the queen was
lately come from the Highland hunting. That when her more serious
affairs permitted, she was taken up with reading of histories: that
sometimes she recreated herself in playing upon the lute and virginals.
She asked if she played well? I said reasonably, for a queen."

"That same day after dinner, my lord of Hunsdon drew me up to a quiet
gallery that I might hear some music, but he said he durst not avow it,
where I might hear the queen play upon the virginals. After I had
harkened awhile, I took by the tapestry that hung before the door of the
chamber, and seeing her back was toward the door, I ventured within the
chamber, and stood a pretty space hearing her play excellently well; but
she left off immediately, so soon as she turned about and saw me. She
appeared to be surprised to see me, and came forward, seeming to strike
me with her hand, alleging that she used not to play before men, but
when she was solitary, to shun melancholy. She asked how I came there? I
answered, as I was walking with my lord of Hunsdon, as we passed by the
chamber door, I heard such melody as ravished me, whereby I was drawn in
ere I knew how, excusing my fault of homeliness as being brought up in
the court of France, where such freedom was allowed; declaring myself
willing to endure what kind of punishment her majesty should be pleased
to inflict upon me, for so great an offence. Then she sat down low upon
a cushion, and I upon my knees by her, but with her own hand she gave me
a cushion to lay under my knee, which at first I refused, but she
compelled me to take it. She then called for my lady Strafford out of
the next chamber, for the queen was alone. She enquired whether my queen
or she played best? In that I found myself obliged to give her the
praise. She said my French was very good, and asked if I could speak
Italian, which she spoke reasonably well. I told her majesty I had no