Elizabeth (1998)

Geoffrey Rush: Sir Francis Walsingham

Photos 

Quotes 

• Sir Francis Walsingham : There is so little beauty in this world, and so much suffering. Do you suppose that is what God had in mind? That is to say if there is a god at all. Perhaps there is nothing in this universe but ourselves. And our thoughts.

• Norfolk : So cut off my head, and make me a martyr. The people will always remember it.

  Walsingham : No... they will forget.

• [speaking to a priest he is having tortured] 

  Sir Francis Walsingham : Tell me, what is God to you? Has he abandoned you? Is he such a worldly god that he must play at politics in the filth of conspiracy? Is he not divine? Tell me the truth, as if you were face to face with him now. I'm a patient man, Father.

• Sir Francis Walsingham : Madam, if I may. A prince should never flinch from being blamed for acts of ruthlessness which are necessary for safeguarding the state and their own person. You must take these things so much to heart that you do not fear to strike. Even the very nearest that you have if they be implicated.

• Sir Francis Walsingham : All Norfolk need do is sign this paper and treason will have been committed.

  Elizabeth : Then let him sign it, and let it all be done.

• Walsingham : You were the most powerful man in England. And you could have been greater still, but you had not the courage to be loyal, only the conviction of your own vanity.

• Walsingham : All men need something greater than themselves to look up to and worship. They must be able to touch the divine here on earth.

• Sir Francis Walsingham : [referring to Elizabeth]  Her Majesty rules with the heart... not with the head.

  Mary of Guise : [smiles]  Hm, I understand. It is hard for a woman to forget her heart.

• Sir Francis Walsingham : Your Grace is arrested. You must go with these men to the Tower.

  Norfolk : I must do nothing by your orders. I am Norfolk!

  Sir Francis Walsingham : You were Norfolk.

  Sir Francis Walsingham : [shows him his own signature on the treasonous letter from Rome] 

  Sir Francis Walsingham : The dead have no titles.

• [on the Virgin Mary] 

  Elizabeth : She had such power over men's hearts. They died for her.

  Sir Francis Walsingham : They have found nothing to replace her.

• Sir Francis Walsingham : [how a wise man would change allegiance]  There are but two choices: he would get into bed with either Spain or France.

  Mary of Guise : [laughs, then smiles wickedly]  And... whose bed would you prefer?

• Bishop Gardiner : [Walsingham comes down the stairs into the holding area where the Catholic bishops are being held]  Walsingham! I would know by what authority you have kept us locked up here!

  Sir Francis Walsingham : Your Graces must forgive me, but you are now free to go.

  Bishop Gardiner : I am sure this infernal work has not saved your bastard queen.

  Sir Francis Walsingham : Her Majesty has won the argument.

  Bishop Gardiner : By what count?

  Sir Francis Walsingham : By five, Your Grace.

  [Looks up at the six bishops standing behind Gardiner] 

  Sir Francis Walsingham : Five.

  [turns to leave] 

  Bishop Gardiner : You will be damned for this! And I pray God your wretched soul will burn in hell!

• Sir Francis Walsingham : Look out there. There is a whole world waiting for you. Innocence is the most precious thing you possess. Lose that and you lose your soul.