Catherine the Great vs Elizabeth I: should a queen marry or reign alone?

I took a throne, took lovers, and took Crimea besides - a woman need not starve her appetites to feed her empire.

And I kept my hand unpromised, madam, for the moment I gave it away, half my council would rule in my bed.

You called yourself married to England, yet I married my ambitions to armies - which of us truly expanded her house?

I died with my realm whole and my crown my own; you seized yours over your husband's cold body - I never needed a coup to keep what was mine.