Note 604 — Chapter XI
Reading edition
“The invalid queen, in her moments of convalescence, soothed her cares and miseries at the embroidery frame. Many specimens of her needlework were extant in the reign of James I., and are thus celebrated by Taylor, the poet of the needle:—
“‘Mary here the sceptre sway’d; And though she were no queen of mighty power, Her memory will never be decay’d, Nor yet her works forgotten. In the Tower, In Windsor Castle, and in Hampton Court,— In that most pompous room called Paradise,— Whoever pleases thither to resort, May see some works of hers of wondrous price. Her greatness held it no disreputation To hold the needle in her royal hand, Which was a good example to our nation To banish idleness throughout the land. And thus this queen in wisdom thought it fit; The needle’s work pleased her, and she graced it.’
“According to Taylor, Mary finished the splendid and elaborate tapestry begun by her mother.”—Miss Strickland’s “Life of Mary Tudor,” v. p. 417.