An orchestral prelude anticipates the music of the ensuing scene. Essex, attended by Cuffe, is listening to the proceedings within. Cheers of the crowd offstage and reports of Cuffe who is standing at an opening, inform us of what is happening at the tournament. Lord Mountjoy accepts a challenge. Both champions salute the Queen preparatory to tilting. Mountjoy is acclaimed by the crowd, and Essex does not conceal his jealousy. His anger grows when Mountjoy unhorses his opponent and is given a golden favour by the Queen. The enthusiastic crowd turns to her, and we hear a hymn of devotion the melody of which is to become an important feature of the opera:

“Green leaves are we,

Red rose our golden Queen.

O crownèd rose

Among the leaves so green.”