Philippa Gregory Quotes

“Yes, Your Grace," I correct her. "I am My Lady, the King's Mother, now, and you shall curtsey to me, as low as to a queen of royal blood. This was my destiny: to put my son on the throne of England, and those who laughed at my visions and doubted my vocation will call me My Lady, the King's Mother, and I shall sign myself Margaret Regina: Margaret R.”
― Philippa Gregory, The Red Queen

“I don't know how much we will rise," I say stoutly. "And I have no fear of falling.
He looks at me. "You are ambitious to rise?"
"We are all on fortune's wheel," I say. "Without a doubt we will rise. We may fall. But still I have no fear of it.”
― Philippa Gregory, The Lady of the Rivers

“I can’t sleep,” he says so quietly that only I can hear. “I can’t sleep. I can’t sleep. I can’t sleep.”
“Nor I.”
“You neither?”
“No.”
“Truly?”
“Yes.”
He sighs a deep sigh, as if he is relieved. “Is this love then?”
“I suppose so.”
“I can’t eat.”
“No.”
“I can’t think of anything but you. I can’t go on another moment like this; I can’t ride out into battle like this. I am as foolish as a boy. I am mad for you, like a boy. I cannot be without you; I will not be
without you. Whatever it costs me.”
I can feel my color rising like heat in my cheeks, and for the first time in days I can feel myself smile. “I can’t think of anything but you,” I whisper. “Nothing. I thought I was sick.”
The ring like a crown is heavy in my pocket, my headdress is pulling at my hair; but I stand without awareness, seeing nothing but him, feeling nothing but his warm breath on my cheek and scenting
the smell of his horse, the leather of his saddle, and the smell of him: spices, rosewater, sweat.
“I am mad for you,” he says.
I feel my smile turn up my lips as I look into his face at last. “And I for you,” I say quietly. “Truly.”
― Philippa Gregory

“I am a queen" she observes. "It is natural that men are going to gather round me, hoping for a smile.”
― Philippa Gregory, The Lady of the Rivers

“Dželat mi prilazi i kaže: "Spustite glavu na panj i raširite ruke kad budete spremni, gospo."
Poslušno spuštam ruke na panj i nespretno kleknem na travu. Osećam njen miris pod kolenima. Osećam bol u leđima i čujem krik galebova i nečiji plač. A onda odjednom, baš kad se spremim da spustim čelo na hrapavu površinu panja i raširim ruke da dam znak krvniku da može da udari, odjednom me preplavljuje talas radosti i žudnje za životom, i kažem: "Ne."
Prekasno je, dželat je već zamahnuo sekirom iznad glave, vež je spušta, ali ja kažem: "Ne" i ustajem, pridržavajući se za panj da se osovim na noge.
Osetim strahovit udarac na potiljku, ali gotovo nikakav bol. Silina udarca obara me na zemlju i ja ponavljam "Ne", i odjednom me obuzima buntovnički zanos. Ne pristajem na volju ludaka Henrija Tjudora, ne spuštam krotko glavu na panj i nikada to neću uraditi. Boriću se za svoj život i vičem "Ne!", pokušavajući da ustanem i "Ne", kad osetim novi udarac, "Ne" dok pužem po travi, a krv mi lipti iz rane na vratu i glavi i zaslepljuje me, ali ne guši moju radost u borbi za život iako mi on izmiče, i svedočenju, do poslednje g časa, o zlu koje Henri Tjudor nanosi meni i mojima. "Ne!", vičem. "Ne! Ne! Ne”
― Philippa Gregory, The King's Curse

“Um trovador descrever-me-ia como condenada desde que nasci, uma princesa formosa nascida sob uma estrela negra. Não importa. As pessoas inventam sempre histórias sobre as princesas. Vem com a coroa. Temos de encarar as coisas com o máximo de leveza que pudermos. Se uma rapariga nasce bonita e princesa, como eu tenho sido toda a vida, terá apoiantes que serão piores que inimigos. Durante a maior parte da minha vida tenho sido admirada por loucos e odiada por pessoas de bom senso, e todos eles inventam histórias sobre mim nas quais ou uma uma santa ou uma prostituta. Mas estou acima desses julgamentos, sou uma rainha.”
― Philippa Gregory