Geoffrey Rush credited as playing...
Sir Francis Walsingham
- Sir Francis Walsingham: Forgive me, Your Majesty, I have failed you.
- Queen Elizabeth I: How have you failed me? What am I to forgive you for?
- Sir Francis Walsingham: Phillip of Spain is a God-fearing man who cannot declare war without a just cause. I intercepted every letter Mary Stuart secretly dispatched, but failed to see Spain knew I was reading them. They waited for her to write the words that in my eyes would confirm her treason.
- Sir Francis Walsingham: [ashamed] Forgive me. I am trapped in my own web.
- Queen Elizabeth I: And I ordered Mary's execution. I murdered God's anointed Queen. And now God's most dutiful son makes Holy War to punish me.
- Sir Francis Walsingham: I care for your safety. The threat to your person are real.
- Queen Elizabeth I: You know very well if I fall, you'll all come tumbling down after me.
- Sir Francis Walsingham: Mary Stuart must die!
- Queen Elizabeth I: MUST? Mary Stuart must die? Where is written? Who says so? Have I ordered it?
- Sir Francis Walsingham: Majesty, this is no time for mercy.
- Queen Elizabeth I: [shouting] Don't preach at me, old man!
- Queen Elizabeth I: How much longer do you think I can play this game, Francis?
- Sir Francis Walsingham: Virginity is an asset that holds its value well.
- Sir Francis Walsingham: If you were to produce an heir, there'd be no more talk of Mary, Queen of Scots.
- Queen Elizabeth I: I've heard it's customary to have a husband before producing an heir.
- Sir Francis Walsingham: Your bishops preaching God is showing his displeasure, because the Queen is still unmarried. Some, rudely suggesting, infertile.
- Queen Elizabeth I: Ha! What nonsense.
- Sir Francis Walsingham: Dangerous nonsense. Mary Stuart has a son.
- Queen Elizabeth I: Why does everyone torment me with Mary Stuart? It's not her fault she's next in line to the throne.
- Queen Elizabeth I: [slaps Sir Francis on the back of his head] Since when did we discuss private matters in public settings?
- Sir Francis Walsingham: I ask your Majesty's forgiveness.
- Queen Elizabeth I: Have my doctors confirm that the Queen is still fertile. People need to be reassured.
- 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.
- Sir Christopher Hatton: [the Archduke Charles of Austria's portrait is presented as a possible suitor] An Austrian alliance would keep France quiet.
- Sir Francis Walsingham: And put Philip on a leash.
- Queen Elizabeth I: I've become almost enthusiastic. Send for him.