Abbie Cornish credited as playing...
Bess Throckmorton
- Queen Elizabeth I: [speaking about Walter Raleigh] He interests me. Talk to him.
- Elizabeth Throckmorton: Him, my Lady?
- Queen Elizabeth I: [smiling] Him.
- Queen Elizabeth I: What kind of man would you want?
- Elizabeth Throckmorton: An honest man - with friendly eyes.
- Queen Elizabeth I: I want good legs and sweet breath. So, you can kiss him without choking.
- Queen Elizabeth I: [whilst taking a bath] Is it true, that I've never known the pleasure of being liked for myself?
- Elizabeth Throckmorton: I hope you believe I like you for yourself, my Lady.
- Queen Elizabeth I: Is anyone ever liked simply for themselves? I doubt it. Are you? Men like you - because you're pretty - and because you have the ear of the Queen.
- Elizabeth Throckmorton: No doubt.
- Queen Elizabeth I: Him too. He likes you because he wants my favor. You do realize that?
- Elizabeth Throckmorton: Yes, my Lady.
- Queen Elizabeth I: And the other thing too. Always. But, then, all men want that.
- Queen Elizabeth I: [during a briefing with Walsingham and Bess] We shall have to look out a husband for you soon, Bess.
- Elizabeth Throckmorton: Not too soon, my lady.
- Sir Francis Walsingham: There are husbands to be had.
- Queen Elizabeth I: [to Bess] Don't you want to be married?
- Elizabeth Throckmorton: I'll want the marriage if I want the man.
- Sir Francis Walsingham: Austria. France.
- Queen Elizabeth I: Turkey. Turkey has a Sultan and China has an Emperor.
- Sir Francis Walsingham: I confine myself to the possible.
- Queen Elizabeth I: That's where you and I differ, Walsingham. I find the impossible *far* more interesting.
- Walter Raleigh: How am I to win the Queen's favor?
- Elizabeth Throckmorton: Why should I tell you that?
- Walter Raleigh: I've little enough to offer, but whatever I have to give, ask and it's yours.
- Elizabeth Throckmorton: Say what you mean to say as plainly as possible. All men flatter the Queen in hope of advancement. Pay her the compliment of truth.
- Walter Raleigh: It is something, after all, to take a blank on the map and build there a shining city.
- Elizabeth Throckmorton: Which you will, no doubt, name after yourself.
- Walter Raleigh: No doubt.
- Queen Elizabeth I: I suspect him of being a professional charmer. Am I right?
- Elizabeth Throckmorton: He is certainly charming, my lady.
- Queen Elizabeth I: Well, there are duller professions. You like him, don't you?
- Elizabeth Throckmorton: He's a man that lives in a world far beyond the court. It's refreshing.
- Queen Elizabeth I: Well, we shall let him come again.
- Queen Elizabeth I: More lines on my face. Where do they come from?
- Elizabeth Throckmorton: Smile lines, my lady.
- Queen Elizabeth I: Smile lines? When do I ever smile?
- [smiles]
- Queen Elizabeth I: Now, you have smile lines, too.