Excuse for seldome writing, with protestation of sincere af­fection and readie seruice.

SIR, The continuall emploiment of my affaires will not per­mit me to write oft­ner vnto you: How­beit you may be assu­red, [Page] whensoeuer you haue occasion to vse my seruice, they shall not so o­uer-ruls me. For my affection to you is no lesse then your vertue, and the many offices of kindnes which here­tofore you haue done me, do require. Neither is this affection of mine pla­ced in the outward complement of words, but in the interiour of my heart, where, though it seeme to lie hid and concealed, yet shall it be sure to shew it selfe at al times when any point appertaining either to your profit or honour shall come in questi­on. And this your experience shall vndoubtedly make good vpon euerie occasion wherein I may be so much fauoured of fortune as to be made apt for your vse. In the meane time I remaine,

Recommendation of a woorthy person, to the acquaintance and assistance of some speciall friend.

SIr: My purpose is not by any long or artificiall letter, to violate the lawes of our ancient and perfect friendship, nor offer wrong to your curtesie and singular iudgement in the commendation of this friend M. P. who being a Gentleman of sorte, and of such parts, that all that know him are induced not only to loue, but to honour him, it shall suffice mee to say he is my friend, and worthy to be yours, the rest you will finde in him your selfe, beeing well assured that hauing once knowne him, his ac­quaintance will bee very déere vnto you. He comes to towne about cer­taine of his affaires, wherein he shall haue néede of your counsell and fa­uor: and I cannot doubt, that either you will neglect the goodnes of your owne disposition, or his merit, not so [Page] much for that I entreat it, as because your vertue perswades it, and his re­quires it. I shall be very glad to vn­derstand that hee may finde you a li­berall dispenser of these offices, and you him a thankfull and woorthy re­ceiuer of them. And I thinke not but you will as much acknowledge vnto me the notice I haue giuen you of such a gentleman, together with the meanes to do him pleasure, as he the entrance I haue made him into the possession of your friendship. Loue one another then (as I know you will) and in your loue reserue mée such place as I hope I deserue, and doe very much desire.

A prettie preuention of excuse for seldome writing: con­cluding with friendly complement.

COsen, it imports not so much (as some say) that friends which [Page] haue alwaies made exchange of euery good office of loue, should be tyed to a continuall entercourse of letters. For report that takes account of al things carries from one to another newes e­nough of both. And for proofe of it, I am perswaded that ere it be long, you will vnderstand by it of all that I doe, as by the same meane I am oftentimes acquainted with your courses: so that it is as good as a wri­ting to vs with letters, wherein we may take no lesse pleasure, then the eye doth in picture: forasmuch as rumor is nothing else but an open letter where euery man may reade what him list. Wherefore neuer go about to excuse your selfe vnto mee of that, whereof for my part I neuer meane to excuse my selfe vnto you: but con­tinue me in your memorie with this opinion, that you haue as much pow­er ouer mée and my best meanes, as ouer any of your owne: neither is it with bare offers, or the common sa­crifices of a good will, that I desire [Page] you should be satisfied: for I am of the religion that makes a nullitie of faith without workes, and therefore bee assured to finde mee much better then my word in all your occasions: to the experience whereof I referre you, and my selfe to be

To importune the Intercession of one friend toward another, for dispatch in a money matter, or other case of importance.

SIr, I may iustly vaunt, that I carrie a minde more apt to giue then to take. But God be thanked and my fortune, I haue often times cause to aske, but very seldome pow­er to doe a pleasure. And I reioice more when I haue meanes to grati­fie my friend, then I grieue when I am to importune them. It may bée [Page] now you may thinke this is some preamble of necessitie. I am conten­ted you should take it so. M. Treasu­rer, though my pension hath béene due a month and more, saith he can­not pay me without an expresse com­mandement from my Lo. and that also he hath no mony. Now I that haue more occasions vpon my backe then crownes in my purse, doe ap­peale from this excuse, and making you the Iudge of it, doe earnestly pray, nay coniure you, by that cour­tesie which yet hath neuer failed mée in my néed, not to suffer sentence to passe against me: but as a fauour al­together deriued from the goodnesse of your disposition, let my occasions through your interposure, finde such supply as their present extremity re­quire. And at any hand, I beséech you, so deale, that the Treasurer may not say he hath no money: for that would prooue a feauer to him, and a plague to me: against the which hoping to receiue a preseruatiue in [Page] your returne héereunto I leaue you to the composing of it, and my selfe

A curteous offer, and kind accep­tance of friendly Offices.

WIth more Honour, and by a more worthy person, you might haue presented your letters vnto my Lord: but not by any that with more affection and desire would vndertake the office then my selfe. And that not onely for your satisfacti­on (the which yet I especially regard) but also for mine owne content, it be­ing greatly to my reputation that a Gentleman of such worth and estéem as your selfe, should make choice of me for so good an employment. I ve­ry much thanke M. C. for giuing your memory that addresse, and mée [Page] the meanes to doe you seruice, if that may be caled seruice which redounds to my credit. Thursdaie next my Lord will be vpon returne, and then with the best commodity I will per­forme what it hath pleased you to command, and of all accordingly ad­uertise you. In euerie other occasion for your seruice, I humbly beseech you not to spare mee, to the end that by the way of your commandement, I may get out of these bonds wherin I stand so obliged vnto you, as well for diuers other fauours, as especial­lie for this you presentlie doe me.

An earnest expostulation of an­swer to letters long omitted.

SIr, I wrote twice vnto you by a young man of this place, and it is so long agoe that I am almost out of hope of answer: neuerthelesse if he be not dead by the way, which God for­bid, or that you bee in health, as I [Page] much desire, and stil retaine the same opinion of mee my friendship de­serues, let me entreat you to rid me of this feare, which is much increased by the comming of this messenger, without letters from you. For though I were not at home, you might not thinke me so far, or so con­cealed, but that your letters would haue found mee out. I wrote vnto you then at large of the greatnes of my businesse, and what resolution I had taken, I will not trouble you therefore with any repetition, but onely now desire you to consider that new friendship is not to be preferred to the surety of olde, which like olde wines are euery way better than new. For mine owne part, I loue you in the fame degrée with my selfe, and in such manner, that I desire no­thing more then to be acceptable vn­to you, I hope you are so enclined to­wards me: otherwise I should doubt that not finding me of ability to giue you any promise of profit, your frend­ship [Page] is therefore decayed: which would proue an incongruity of dis­cretion▪ and offence of iudgement. But not fearing that euer you will fall into any such error, I commit you to a returne, and my selfe to an expectation of your answere.

A complement of Wants with vehement solicitation of a friend to get in debts by faire means (if it may bee) or by foule rather then faile.

GOOD Nephew, I know I should very much wrong your loue in recommending my affaires vnto you, but necessity which cannot brooke delay, compels me vnto it. I am altogether without money, and many things are wanting in my house: now iudge whether I haue not reason to presse you: with some [Page] importunity for the getting in of such as are there owing mee. Those good debtors of mine, especially the party you wot of, are like dul [...]ades, that will not stir a foot without spurring. Wherefore, seeing that both my oc­casions, and the slacknes of their na­ture require it, I pray you egge them forward, and if the spurre will not serue, lay them on and spare not, you must remember that the end of this moneth will be the end of your pow­er, and my hopes. For if you with all the loue you beare me, together with the meanes & desire you haue to doe me pleasure, cannot bring these busi­nesses to any good passe, what should I expect from those whom héereaf­ter I must employ that shall haue lit­tle ability and happily lesse will. The gentleman you mentioned in your last, I haue not yet séene, neither doe I thinke his sight wil bring me more commoditity then pleasure, conside­ring hee is a fellow that promiseth mountaines, but neuer performs a­ny [Page] thing: and introth I know not what to say to him, for I finde such a distanes betwéene his words and works, that now I begin to hope ne­uer to hope on him more. I wil trou­ble you no farther but onely to put M. G. in minde of my suite, to the end his promises may bring foorth ef­fects like themselues; and so very timelie I commit you to God.

A short quarrell of vnkindnes for not writing: concluded in a vow of perpetuall Amitie.

SIr, it a long possession with you were turnd into custom, I should accuse you: for suffering one of your folkes to come hither with empty hands. But the trueth is, though I am sorry for that I haue receiued no letters from you, yet am I not so sorry for that default, as in that it is [Page] a certaine signe vnto mee that as yet you haue not thought vpon your re­turne because wee neuer receiue let­ter from you, but when you are vpon the point of your comming hither. Howsoeuer, be assured that neither your letters nor the want of them shall giue any encrease or diminuti­on to that tespect and loue I beare you, hauing alwaies made this a firme determination with my selfe, to be still the same I euer haue béene and am vnto you, I meane your

A thankfull acknowledgement of kindnesses receiued: and well entertaining of a seruant recom­mended.

GOOD Cosen, not being able in better manner to answer the [Page] greatnes of the obligation, wherin I stand engaged vnto you for the good remembrance it pleaseth you al­waies to haue of me, I must entreat you to rest contented with an infini­tie of thankes I presently send you, vntill such time as occasion shall sur­nish mée with meanes to make you a more worthy satisfaction. I am very sorry my fortunes are worse then competent, and that for diuerse reasons, among the which I account it not the least that I cannot make prouision correspondent to the merit of the young man you recommended vnto me. I know not what his en­tertainement hath béene otherwhere, neuerthelesse if he be as you say, I will straine my selfe in cutting off some lesse considerable charge to giue him his demand. But before we pro­céede any farther, I would willingly haue him send mee an essay of his hand, to the end that he being sure of his wages, and I of the qualitie of his seruice, both of vs may remaine [Page] satisfied, for touching the rest I wholy referre me to your iudgment: so with all affection I commend mée vnto you.

A gratefull acknowledgement of kind Offices towards ones Sonne, with request to continue the same.

SIr, I am to giue you many thanks for the fauours it hath pleased you to shew my sonne. This is not the first kindenesse I haue recetued from you and yours, neither was my gal­lant worthy of it, considering his fault. But you haue béene vnto him as a Psacos in the middest of a darke­nesse to saue him from the Ship­wracke, which without you, he had assuredly suffered. I know not what will be the issue of it, pray God your prognostication may proue true. I [Page] haue entreated. M. P. to ioine with you, and supply my want of presence in exhortations. I haue also desired. M. F. to take him into his house, and I hope he will not denie mée. The form of his voyage hath much disple­sed me: it may be God will turn it all to the best. But to tell you, what I think, nothing surely can be truer thē that which Tertullian saith to his wife. That the pleasure which wee take in our children is full of anguish: neither is it without cause that Saint Ierome hath discoursed very much in one of his epistles, without any cer­taine resolution taken thereupon, whether of the two were most expe­dient, either to marry or not to mar­ry. For my part I beléeue this que­stion may be concluded by that sen­tence of Martiall. For doubtlesse hée that hath no children takes not so much pleasure as he that hath: but withall hee endures not that trouble and vexation of mind the other doth.

A briefe recommendation of a Friend.

SIr, I should rather merit reproch then reputation, to recommend vnto you the affaires of M. G. the present bearer. For to his knowledge your bounty is such, that it exten­deth euen to those you neuer sawe. I leaue you then to imagin what assu­rance hee may haue of it that hath known you so long, and that by his own vertues sufficiently commends himselfe, and that is also commended vnto you by one of your most affectio­nate frends. Touching the request he shall offer for my cause, I will not presse you much in it, beeing assured you wil not do your selfe that wrong to deny me: for considering that by our ancient friendship we two are but as one, the refusall you should make me would but shew the little regard you carry vnto your selfe. And so very kindly for this time I take my leaue.

An acknowledgement of curte­sies vndeserued.

I Receiue no letter from M. I. that is not accompanied with an ex­presse and singular mention of the many good Offices you continually doe for me, which altogether procéeds from the goodnes of your owne dispo­sition without any merit at all of mine, and I were worthy to be ran­ked in the number of the most in­gratefull that euer were, if at the least I did not acknowledge it by letters, vntill such time as I may méet with some happy occasion to deserue it bet­ter: wherein I writ to employ my selfe with so good a will and affection that you shall neuer repent any plea­sure you haue done vnto him, that desires nothing more then to appeare how much he is

A mild taxation for not writing, and for some seeming negli­gence in prosecuting of a businesse.

SIr, your slacknes rather deserueth blame then excuse in my behalfe, and I am glad you are fallen into the same error whereof you haue so often accused me. Your letters at all times would be very welcome, but much more now being so desirous to vn­derstand what successe hath followed my kinsmans businesse, which not long since with such care I recom­mended vnto you. I cannot doubt that you haue forgotten him, the matter concerning him so much, and hee a man so vnworthy and vnfit to suffer a neglect: besides I haue many times heard you say that an iniury in that kind is a cause iust and sufficient enough to dissolue all friendship. But to come againe to my first quarrell, I know if you should be called in que­stion [Page] before the God of respect, for all your eloquence you would be condē ­nedeither for a negligent or an incon­siderate friend. Neuerthelesse séeing you haue had no good opportunity to write, I pardon this silence, and as one that holds you deare, will con­tent my selfe with your best leisure, and conueniencie. I make no questi­on but that you and the rest of our friends there looke for some great in­telligence at my hands, but I am not able to satisfie you with the least oc­currence of note. For matters of the state lye so déep buried in the graue of secrecy, that no man can come to haue a sight of them but with the eye of reason, which iudgeth wel enough of that which should bee, but not of that which shall be. Wherefore you must be therewith contented vntill the rest shall come to light. And so I pray you continue me in your fauor, whereunto with all affection I very humbly commend my selfe.

A witty excuse for long intermis­sion of writing.

SIr, I could fetch some color of ex­cuse for this long intermission of writing, from the many affaires wherein I am continually conuer­sant: but it would be neither worthy your acceptance, nor my affection. For there is no employment either of body or minde, that should inter­rupt any office appertaining to your pleasure, or the satisfaction of my du­tie. Wherefore leauing this excuse which would bee more honest then iust, I will séeke to cléere my selfe with the plaine truth, and fréely tell you that I haue not written all this while because I had nothing to write and that I thought letters were nei­ther necessary for my occasion, nor your contentment. If I had séen that to substantiate our auncient friend­ship there had héene neede of such tri­uiall complements. I should haue [Page] thought it had beene grounded on a lesse firme and weaker foundation then it is That vertuous and honest disposition which euen from our youth and first acquaintance I al­waies found in you, hath knit our af­fections so fast together, that not the strength of any enemy, enuie, or o­ther worldly accidents whatsoeuer shall euer bée able to vndoe it. Wher­fore I should much wrong your iudgement, in beléeuing that you can be so carried away with the vulgar, as to thinke that frequency of letters is precisely required for the fortifica­tion of a friendship. I shall neuer be perswaded that any such heresie can take hold on you, or that you more e­stéeme of verball ceremony, then of action and the true entent of an ho­nest will. For my part, I haue still béene more a friend of deeds, then of words, which most commonly little pleasure and lesse profit, whereas the other beget them both. My slacknes in writing shall be recompenced with [Page] a desire and endeuour to doe you ser­uice in euery occasion whereunto my poore but ablest meanes may extend: whereof because I perswaded my selfe you make no doubt, I will héere with my humble and kindest com­mendations giue end to the present.

A due acknowledgement of true friendship, which (especial­ly) in aduersity is more apparent then in prosperity.

SIr, by your letters I perceiue you haue the same opinion of my loue, I alwaies desired. I am glad I haue not bene deceiued in the iudgement of your wisdome and good will. And since that true and perfect friendship consists not in words or fair promises but in effects & vertuous executions: I must needs confesse that I haue found you of little speech and super­fluous [Page] apparance in my behalfe so long as fortune fauoured me; but as­soon as my troubles and occasions be­gan but to knocke at the gate of your assistance, you haue euer well expres­sed the goodnes of your generous dis­position: and I may truly say I ne­uer met with any, or very few such like. Wherfore be assured, that I wil serue, respect, and loue you, as long as I haue breath to doe it, and that too as farre from ingratitude as may bée. I know many that bragge and talke of fauours which they neuer did mée: whereas you haue dealt li­berally with mée, and neuer spoke of it. They are indebted to mee then for that which they charge mée with, but I neuer receiued: and I vnto you for many pleasures done mee, which yet you neuer put to account. I will adde nothing héereunto, but that if I could send you my heart in stead of this paper, you should sée the integritie of my meaning. I haue spoken with the party you wot of, [Page] and my reasons, together with your authoritie, haue so preuailed, that your desire shall be accomplished. If in any other thing I may serue you, giue as much boldnesse to your com­mandements, as you haue alwaies found in my intreaties: so shall I be confirmed in that perswasion I haue that you esteeme of me as indéede I am,

A thankfull acknowledgement to one that hath well reported of vs when occasion hath beene offered.

SIr, I should be too too ingratefull if I should not giue you a thou­sand thankes for the honest mention [Page] you were pleased to make of mee in the company you wot of. Only take héede that to a purpose you giue not caution for him that may chance to faile you. It is not the first fauour you haue done mee, nor the last I hope to receiue from you. If there be that in me you speake of, be assu­red it is for to doe you very humble seruice: wherein I will employ my selfe vpon all occasions with as good a will as now I pray vnto God to giue you your desires.

A sad and serious complaint of a friends vnkindnesse and ingratitude.

GOod friend, it is no matter of difficultie for those that are in health to giue much counsell and ma­ny receits to the sicke. If my dispo­sition could haue receiued comfort from the discréet and honest letters of a friend, I had found it in yours, [Page] which are furnished with all sort of kindnesse and accomplished courte­sie. But like vnto him that thinkes he is mounted on Sedanus horse, my obstinate despaire sets so sure a watch on my thoughts, that it will suffer nothing to enter into them but vexa­tion and miserie. I am sorry your medecine cannot worke that in mee which your vertue deserues, able in troth to draw any other out of the griefe of calamitie. But leaue mée I pray yée as I am. For there is no­thing can content mee so long as I know that my dissembling friend hath violated al the lawes of honesty and reason, and vtterly abolished out of his memorie that loue and respect I euer bare him. It grieues mee ex­céedingly that my minde is not as well able to resist the assaults of mis­fortune, as his was to execute on me all kinde of ingratitude: to the end that in this affaire I might as easily haue borne his wrongs, as héereto­fore I haue faithfully acquited my [Page] selfe in so many commandements hée hath laid vpon me. Deare friend, if your loue extend so farre as I cannot doubt but it doth, suffer mée to be as I am a most infortunate man, and rest you with your faire and kinde bedfellow in all happinesse, which I will alwaies pray may be more and more increased, and continued long vpon you.

Recommendation of a poore man to the fauour and fur­therance of some wor­thie friend.

SIr, I know I cannot please you better, then to present you with meanes to imploy those abilities of your good and liberall disposition on some such person as shall haue occasi­on to vse them. A qualitie no doubt aboue all others worthy, honest, and acceptable to God. Wherefore I [Page] that of this affection both in others and mine own particular, haue made such good experience, doe especially labour, being so faithfull a seruant and friend vnto you as I am, to sa­tisfie you therein; hoping withall by this meane to bee able to cléere some part of those many obligations wher­in I stand so farre ingaged vnto you. The bearer héereof is a poore man that is going to London about cer­taine affaires, whereof you shall bee aduertised by him at large: hee shall haue very much néede of your coun­sell and countenance. A beséech you Sir, impart vnto him of those your fauours, wherein you are so rich and abundant, that you cannot depart with so many as there will bée many more remaining behinde. And in re­gard of merit, you are to hope for more in the behalfe of this man, then of any other that euer you succoured, by reason his pouertie and want of meanes wil neuer suffer him so much as to thinke of requitall. Héerein fol­low [Page] but your owne worthy inclinati­on: and reioice with your selfe at the excellencie of knowledge that is ioi­ned in you to this, that you haue nei­ther péere nor superiour in courtesie. Whereunto I very humbly com­mend my selfe, and you to that pow­er from whom I will daily wish you all prosperitie.

An earnest protestation of sin­cere affection: with some touch of vnkindnesse taken for too light beleefe of sini­ster reports.

GOod Sir, I would my heart lay as open to the view of your eie, as the colour of a rose doth tho­row the cléerest crystall. For then behalding in it how much I trulie loue and respect you, and how much beyond all others I desire your profit and honour; I know you could not [Page] but thinke it a shame to fall into any the least suspition or doubt of my friendship. If you would haue mea­sured your thoughts by mine, you should haue séene that I loue you be­cause you loue me, and that I respect you because I am indebted to your vertue. I cannot chuse but thinke it strange that a man of such know­ledge, wisedome, and great experi­ence in all things, should so easilie slide into error. You should rather haue giuen credit to so many proofes you haue made of my faith and affe­ction, then to the malice and enuie of men. And to speake somewhat fréely vnto you: if you be perswaded that that is true, which you tell mee you haue heard, you doe your selfe much wrong; for it would argue great weaknesse in you, to giue eare to any such thing: it being as vicious to be­léeue euerie thing, as to beléeue no­thing: for to be ouer-easie of beléefe, and not to beléeue at all, are cousins in vice by secret philosophie. Well, [Page] howsoeuer it be, I will alwaies loue you as much as you shall desire to bée loued of me, and as long as your ver­tues haue any being, whereupon I haue grounded that worthy affection I beare you. Wherefore I pray you esteeme of me not only as of a friend, but as of an especiall and singular friend, for so I desire to appeare, and so you shall be sure to finde me assoone as any fit occasion shall offer mée the meanes to make it good.

A pleasant complement, discour­sing of the contempt of the Court, and content of a retired life.

YOur man passing this way, came to enquire of my health, there­withall to acquaint you at his re­turne: which in that regard hee pre­sumes will be the more acceptable, by reason of the loue it pleaseth you [Page] to beare me. Wherefore you shall vnderstand that God bee thanked I am very well, and not onely I, to whom it is naturall to be well in all places, but euen a very rogue would thinke himselfe halfe an Emperour, liuing as I doe, so quieilie, and so well retired from the slauerie wherin I continued but too long. I neuer was in Paradise (as farre as I re­member) so that I cannot iustly say what the life of the blessed is; but sure I am, to starue héere for hunger is an happinesse to the seruice of a Court: and mee thinkes a Peasant with vs is in farre better state then a great man there. When I lie in my bed, and consider a poore seruant al­most dead for cold, and fainting with heat, and sée gréene wood to warme him, and dead drinke to refresh him, and if he hap to be sicke, little meanes to accommodate him; I sée him a­broad in raine, haile and snow, and when he comes in nothing to comfort him; Lord (thinke I) what a blessed [Page] case am I in, that am as frée from these inconueniences, as hee is al­waies subiect to them. As there is no miserie to that of a poore Courtier that is wearie and cannot sit, hun­grie and cannot eate, a-thirst, and cannot drinke, and sléepie, and yet must watch; so I am perswaded there is no happinesse to mine, that eat when I haue an appetite, rest when I am wearie, and goe to bed when I am sléepie: so that the houres that I tell of the clocke, are but so many houres of my pleasure. There­fore neuer enquire more how I doe, for bee assured I lacke nothing to make vp a full and absolute content­ment, but your companie, which I hope (at leastwise if you be a gentle­man of your word) I shall not bee long without. In the expectation whereof I will leaue my selfe, and you to the tuition of the Almightie.

Recommendation of an extraor­dinarie man to the worthie friendship of some ho­norable person.

HOnorable Sir, I acknowledge much vnto fortune for offering me occasion at one time to satisfie both Sir Thomas M. and your selfe some part of those many obligations wherein I confesse my selfe to haue béene a long time indebted vnto you, and by the way of continuing friend­ship betwixt you, alike in goodnesse of nature, excellencie of spirit, and all other qualities worthie your noble dispositions: so that hee which might behold the face of your hearts, could hardly discerne the one from the o­ther. By experiences and the com­mon [Page] opinion of the world, hée is am­plie possest of your vertues. And if you haue not yet heard the publike voice of renowne that goes about proclaiming his worth, may you bée pleased to giue credit vnto my pen, which may iustly say, that a more valiant, wise, vertuous, or noble gentleman, liues not this day vpon the earth. Embrace one another then at my intreatie, and with the bands of courteous offices so straitly tie your affections together, that like the Gordian knot, no worldly acci­dent may be of power to dissolue it. I assure my selfe you wil doe it with a maruellous satisfaction of each o­ther. But yet I beséech you, let it not be done in such manner, but that like an humble and faithfull seruant as I am vnto you both, I may find a place in the middest of your vertuous friendship.

Recommendation of one friend to anothers fauour and assistance.

SIr, if you will haue me lesse im­portunate and troublesome vnto you, I would wish you to become lesse courteous towards mée. For out of your fauour I picke many oc­casions to giue you trouble. Besides I know not how to refuse my friends, vnlesse I should shew my selfe neglectful of them, which would prooue a very great wrong to my na­ture. M. P. for his worthy qualities capable of your loue, is going to the Court about some affaires, in the dis­patch whereof hee shall haue much néed of counsell and fauour. And not knowing any one more liberall of them then your selfe, hee hath verie earnestly intreated mee to write somewhat more then ordinarie vnto you in his commendation. Now I that am naturally inclined to plea­sure [Page] euerie man, especially those vn to whom nothing ought to bee deni­ed, haue willingly vndertaken this charge, as well to gratifie him, as to doe you seruice in furnishing you with meanes to winne the heart of a gentleman of that value he is of. I cannot doubt but that you will exer­cise your accustomed goodnesse vpon him, either in regard of my intreatie, or his vertue, which is such, that as soone as it shall be knowen vnto you, there will be no more néed of my let­ters. Wherefore I will not goe a­bout by any further Art to wrong your iudgement, being well assured you will find that your credit shall be emploied, and my request satisfied for a very ver­tuous gentle­man.

A promise of our best indeuour in the education of a Childe; not­withstanding some doubts of his capacity and inclination.

SIr, the loue that I beare you, procéeding from your merit and my obligation, might assure you: that whatsoeuer I can doe for your sonne shall bee performed with all affection and good will. For the force of your entreaties cannot bee of more power in that regard then my desire: onely it grieues me that the field of his vn­derstanding is not so proper to re­ceiue, as I am ready to sow in it the seede of my little experience, to the end that with his profit, and my plea­sure you might sée the fruit of my la­bors. He seemes to mée to bee borne more apt for any other exercise, than that ciuility, neuerthelesse more to satisfie your fancy then my iudge­ment, [Page] I will alwaies keepe him neere about me: and be assured that if the trauell or diligence of the husband­man can mend and better a barren ground, I will not be defectiue in his behalfe. For you shall vnderstand that of all my trauell and paines, there is no fruit more deare or plea­sing to me, than that which proceeds from the graine I haue sowen. The pleasure which the labourer fooles, when with his owne hand he plucks the fruit hanging on the trée which he himselfe hath planted, is very great. How much greater then ought the contentment of that man to be, who hauing endued a tender youth with good manners, gathers the fruit of vextue, comming of it. For my part I will do all that shall be possible and necessary, so that if things fall not out answerable to your expectation and my desire, you may impute the fault rather to the matter, than the worke­manship.

A second reproofe or rather the doubling of a friendly Ad­monition.

SIr, in the letter which not long since you receiued from mee, and which as I am giuen to vnderstand you receiued in euill part, I came rather drawne by a desire of your good, and the loue that I beare you, then perswaded by mine owne will to execute the office of reprehension vpon you: and as the good Phisition that not to hurt but to heale his pati­ent comes much against his mind to the vyolent remedies of fire or knife, so did I carry my selfe towards you, that if my correction could haue pro­ued pleasing and profitable vnto you, I should haue bene glad that by my means you had recouered your helth, or that therein fayling, I might at leastwise haue satisfied mine owne conscience and the duty of our frind­ship. As from a friend then that tru­ly [Page] affects you, and not as from a malicious enemy receiue the exhorta­tion I made you. For otherwise you shew that a flatterer is more accepta­ble vnto you, then a friend. And I that aboue all others abhor that qua­lity, and that had rather be an open e­nemy, then a hollow friend will soo­ner leaue to loue you, then dissemble with you, and rather offend you with a plaine trueth, then please you with a deceitfull lye. But pardon mee I pray you, for speaking thus fréely, and consider that your disease stood in need of a sharpe, and strong purge, which I wish may work that effect in you the case re­quires.

A briefe discourse concerning the progression (or rather the suc­cession) and vicissitude of Learning; sometimes flourishing in one Climate, sometimes in another.

SIr, whereas you desire a frée deli­uery of my mind vpon the matter propounded in your last, I must néeds tell you I am not any way of your opinion to thinke that the tem­perature of the Clymate can make men either more or lesse learned, as if there were certaine countries more affected to good letters then others. I wil not deny, but that euery nation hath certaine vertues and vices, which are transmitted from one to a­nother, as it were by an hereditarie and successiue right: nor haue I séene [Page] any Countrey anciently taxed for a vice, which is not still continuing in the posterity, although it haue béene repeopled with new Colonies. But touching so much as appertaines to Sciences the discourse is farre other­wise, as may be gathered by very o­cular examples: was there euer grea­ter personages in all kind of know­ledge & learning than in Greece, and was there euer so much barbarism in the world, as that which is presently in it: Look but vpon Affricke, in what opinion of doctrine had it euer béene in? Neuerthelesse a little after the aduancement and progresse of our Christian Religion, there was no country, on the earth that produced greater Doctors of the Church than it, witnesse Tertullian, Optatius, La­ctantius, Saint Cyprian and Saint Augustine. After the same manner in the time of the Romane commonwealth, no nation was euer more e­stranged from good letters than Ger­many, which both at this instant, and [Page] for sixe or seuen score yéers past hath béene séene to flourish in all kinde of studies. And I may say for it is true that as Monarch yes, so learning and sciences change their habitation, ac­cording to the diuersity of seasons. Which is the reason why at first they flourished among the Chaldeans then in Aegypt, from thence they took their course into Greece, and lastly vnto Rome. Afterwards we hauing béene possessed for many hundreth yeares, together with a continuall barbarisme they came at length to so­iourne part in Italy and Germany, and part in France and England, whereas yet they make their abode. And all this by a certaine reuolution of things, which is the cause that in some ages we sée armes to prosper in a countrey, and then againe letters. Thus hauing briefly shewed you that euery Nation is capable of Arts and Sciences, according to the di­uersitie of occurrences, I will leaue you to a consideraion of my reasons, [Page] and my selfe very ready to bee com­manded by you, vpon all occasi­ons.

An excellent and extraordinary letter of Commendation.

SIr, in that I know you to bée an enemy of complement, I will write as plainely as may be, to the end my meaning may the better ap­peare vnto you, which peraduenture couered with the vaile of Arte would be the harder for you to conceiue. This Gentleman, M. V. is a friend of mine, and desiring to be receiued into the number of your seruants, he hath entreated mee to become the meanes of it. Wherupon comparing his merit with your iudgement, and [Page] perswading my selfe that with one office I may satisfie two debts, one of duty to you, the other of affection to him. I am very well coutented to vn­dertake it. Now because I know that in the election of friends, you & I are as it were of one taste, I assure my selfe you will iudge him worthy your friendship and my commendation. I will not speake of what you are to do for him: for you shall no sooner know him, but you will thinke you should do more for him than he will require. Howsoeuer, vntill he haue obtained that which he desireth, I meane so to oppresse you with intreaties, that my importunitie shall beget his satis­faction: and I hope you will not take it in euill part, forasmuch as you know, that a man is only to intreat for himselfe, but for his friend hée is both to intreat and importune. When for mine owne particular I shall haue occasion of that fauour, which so many times héeretofore hath obliged me vnto you, it shall be [Page] then that I will vse that madestie, which the loue I iustly beare so wor­thie a friend as M. V. doth make mee now to forget: although I will neuer forget to commend you and all your affaires vnto him in whose hand is all prosperity to giue.

A gratefull acceptation of a friendly gift, with modest refusall of things, exceeding either the giuers meanes, or the receiuers merit.

SIr, I haue receiued your letters aswell furnished with good aduise and counsell, as with good will and affection, and I am not a little glad we both iumpe so well together in o­pinion, that you are perswaded that that which is for your profit and ser­uice, will be also for my commoditie and good. If by many other waies I [Page] had not made experience of your friendship this would bee an approo­ued argument vnto me of it. Now I shall goe with a far better will séeing my selfe carried by your direction. I humbly thanke you, for the present it hath pleased you to send me, wor­thy indeed the greatnes of your mind but not my desert: for there is no particular gaine shall make mee dis­semble that which I am bound to tell you, and that is, how you are to take care not to extend your liberali­ty beyond the limit of your meanes, and that in séeking to supply your friends, you do not wrong your selfe. Weigh but your fortunes with my merit, and you will find that so great a gift doth neither belong to your a­bility nor my condition. I would not haue you so bountifull vnto mee, as that therby you should want means, to be so vnto others of more vertue & worth, for so I should shew my selfe more a friend of mine owne profit, then your reputation. What could [Page] you offer to one that indeed were worthy, if you thinke this but a tri­fle for me, that am of so little valew. Wee should so giue as wee may al­waies haue wherewithall to giue, and so well manage the gates of libe­rality, that they may neither be open nor shut to any. With all thankful­fulnesse I accept of your gelding, which comes verie fit for the iourney I haue in hand: but the mony I haue returned back again to the fountaine of your bounty, that there may not lacke water for those that deserue it better then I, and that (it may be) are more athirst. If you come not hither before my departure, I will be with you assoone as conuenientlie I may, to acknowledge some part of those manie fauours I continually receiue at your hands. In the meane time I wish your fortunes answerable to your free and generous disposition.

An earnest disswasiue from a cru­ell and couetous course of life.

SIr, the affection that I beare you is the onelie cause to make mee so desirous of your good as presently I am. Reputation (me thinks) is one of the principall and chiefest happi­nesses we enioy in this world and as easie to get, as hard to keepe. With these few lines then I purpose to doe rather the office of a friend then of a flatterer, and no whit to disguise the truth vnto you, desiring you as from a true and honest friend to take this aduertisement, which shall bring you if not much commodity, at least wise much honor and credit, and I doubt not if you haue that iudgement yet remaining, which I haue promised to my selfe out of the ability of your spirit, but you will acknowledge that euerie pettie honour is to bee prefer­red to the greatest profit. It apper­taines [Page] to the office, not of a meane creature, but of a cruell and inexora­ble man, to follow that profession you doe, by séeking the death of men, and conuerting into their ruine that elo­quence which nature for the good of the liuing hath so liberally imparted vnto you, and I know it cannot bée done without great offence vnto God. Who though hée bee very iu­stice it selfe, yet as singular and vn­speakeable mercy, he enclines more to pittie and pardon, then to paine and punishment. And how can you without offence of his diuine maiesty so often call into iudgement, the life (it may be) of the innocent. Retire your selfe from this course, and ap­plying your wit (the gift of God and nature) to a better vse, make more account of reputation then wealth, which indéed is the onely motiue that carries you thereunto. For if you please, you cannot want many other good meanes both for the one and the other. I am constrained euen out of [Page] friendship, hearing the bad and in fa­mous report that goes of you euerie where, & that too accompanied with the danger of your life, to write thus plainely vnto you. I should bée very glad if it could draw you from so de­testable a practise, and restore you your wonted reputation. Otherwise I pronounce you vnworthy of our friendship, & desire the world should know that I loued you no longer then I saw you walking in the way of vertue. And so I bid you farewell.

An expostulation of vnkind mis­conceipts and iealousies in friendship.

SIr, Your wisdome well known of al, and approued vnto many, with the experience I haue made of it, would neuer haue suffered me to be­léeue that which was often deliuered vnto me by the letters of my friends, [Page] had I not vnderstood as much by the last I receiued from you, more fraught with choller then reason. I cannot imagine how a man of such knowledge, and more iudgement, brought vp in Court, and continual­lie employed in affairs, should be car­ried to an opinion of me, so far from truth, and the bent of my dispositi­on, which hath euer béene most desi­rous to make good vnto the world in what estéem I haue alwaies held the friendship of so worthy a gentleman as your selfe. You may be perswaded then I neuer committed any thing against you, which might any way offend the reputation of an honest and vertuous man, and thereof I wish no better testimony then mine owne thoughts. Of all actions some be voluntary, and some necessarie. If my will shen haue neuer drawne me to offend you, nor any necessity how great soeuer it were, would euer per­mit me to wring our ancient friend­ship, would you haue me giue credit [Page] to the perfidious and wicked impres­sions of men, or (by your fauour) to some light and inconsiderate suspiti­on that possesseth you, rather then to mine owne conscience. Nay sir, be as­sured I am your friend, and that I deserue you should be mine yet more then you are, desiring you that héer­in you will neither doe iniurie to the integritie of my nature, nor your owne discretion, vnlesse that (weary of me, and oppressed with my vnser­uiceablenesse and inutilities) you will make this an occasion to cleere your hands of me, which at all times would appeare most vnworthy your iudgement and my desert.

Consolation for the death of a Brother or other friend.

GOod Sir, I feare this Letter will worke effects contrarie to my desire, and in stead of drying vp [Page] your teares, raise vp new stormes of heauinesse in vs both, vpon discourse of your brothers so vnexpected and much to be lamented death, I haue put off the doing of this office vntill now, as well in regard of the great­nesse of mine owne sorrow, which would not suffer me to write, as also in that I attended a conuenient time when as the extremitie of yours should be so qualified, that it might giue way to that little comfort I de­sire to minister vnto you. But how should I offer you comfort, when as I haue as much or more neede of it then your selfe? For if he were your brother, he was my very deare and singular friend: if hee were kinde to you, he was much more to mee: for his affection to you was deriued from nature and bloud, but to mee out of election and will. He alwaies em­braced you with an extraordinarie re­spect, because hee was thereunto bound: but vpon me he conferred all offices of loue and liberalitie which I [Page] neuer deserued. Let vs then with one consent lament our infinite losse, and not only ours, but euerie mans that delighted in vertue and honour. Poore gentleman! when hee was in greatest expectation of gathering the fruit which his vertues had promised him, like a fresh and new blowen rose, euen in the entrance to his best daies, to bee cut off by the vnluckie hand of vntimely death! Howbeit, this is no little comfort, that hee de­parted this world with the hope hee had giuen his friends of his vertues, with the fruit whereof he was a deb­tor to his parents, with the honour he expected from his Countrie, and with the good he had promised al good men, leauing nothing behinde him but sorrow and teares, and a desire alwaies to bewaile him, alwaies to wish for him. He that loued him not, neuer knew him: he that knew him, and was not sorrie for him, had nei­ther sense nor humanitie. But what doe I meane to be carried away thus [Page] by griefe from my purposed end? Let vs leaue all sorrow, and rather enuious of his selicitie, then mooued with his losse, let vs reioice at his fortune. He hath paid the debt which he ought vnto nature, and the sooner it was, the better, was his hap. For happier is he that by an impetuous, but prosperous gale is speedily dri­uen into the desired port, then he that arriues there with a long and tedi­ous calme. And be that knew this life was but lent him of nature, li­ued so, as hee was not vnwilling to die; if hee may be said to die, that is gone out of darknesse into light, that leaues paine for pleasure, and puts off mortalitie to become immortall. Wherein could the fauour of God appeare vnto him more, then in ta­king him out of the troubles and ca­lamities of this wicked world, before hee should know the dangers of times, the sorrowes of age, and the many mischiefes that continually at­tend on this miserable life of ours? [Page] And well was it foreséene of his na­ture, that féeling it selfe cloied with the false and transitorie pleasures of the earth, for to bee possessed of the true and euerlasting idies of heauen, made him leaue vs, euen then when in the very prime and flourish of his yéeres he had attained to as much ho­nour and fame, as man with long trauell as bodie and minde could in al his life time acquire. But why, Sir, doe I take all this paines to finde out meanes of consolation for you, that with much more eloquence and vn­derstanding is better able to comfort me, and that with more courage and constancie knowes how to beare this brunt of fortune? I will therefore cease to be a further trouble either to you or my selfe, and with this com­fortable assurance end, that as reioi­cing in his glorie he is now assuredly liuing in heauen, so shall the memo­rie of his vertues haue an eternall be­ing in the spéech of men.

A complement ful of acknow­ledgement of courte­sies receiued.

SIr, with many fauours, as conti­nually you do, you may augment my obligation; but you cannot adde any thing to the loue I beare you, or the desire I haue to do you seruice: for neither the one nor the other can be greater. And would the time could accommodate me as wel with means to satisfie these debts, as it giues you occasion to increase them. I am in­debted to you in much, and my abili­tie is very small; but it shalbe better; if like a rich and liberall Creditour, you will bee contented to take kinde words and the good affection of an honest heart in paiment of your cour­tesies. I haue receiued M. G. his Letter, which you sent mee, vnto whom (if you please) returne the in­closed answer: with that one office you shall gratifie two friends, and of [Page] them two if it were possible, make me alwaies more readie than I am,

A graue intercession to a father for a sonne that hath offended: with friendly testimonie of his hopefull to­wardnesse.

SIr, the friendship which hath béen betwixt vs from our youth, com­mands mee to write the present, for to aduertise you how your sonne R. doth euery day more and more ap­plie himselfe to the course you desire of his studies. I would not beleeue that which my boies reported of him, but sounded him my selfe vpon the sudden in his lesson. And if the hun­ters [Page] saying bee true, that the Deare is knowen by his tract, I will pro­mise you as much contentment from him as you wish. Wherfore I would counsell you (forgetting matters past) heereafter to embrace his acti­ons, like a louing father. All that I labour in, is to become caution to you both: to you, that hee shall be so good a sonne, that as in age, so in well doing hee shall goe before the rest of his brothers and sisters: to him, that hence forward you shall fauour him, not only as your eldest, but as your best beloued. It is no small victorie for you, to haue subdued and redu­ced him according to your desire, to studie, after he had for a time follow­ed armes, whereunto he séemed to be naturally inclined: neither was it a lesse victorie for him to haue subdued himselfe for to obey you. And in truth you reape no little commoditie by his fault, in that now you know how good a sonne you haue. Such as in the holy Scripture were sin­ners, [Page] and afterwards truly repented them, were no lesse estéemed of God, nay many times more than those which had not sinned at all. I will not stand vpon any application, but commending both it and my selfe vnto you, very kindly take my leaue.

A short complement vpon receit of some new courtesie.

SIr, I haue receiued the Grey­hound you sent me, wherewithall I am as much pleased, as hee was kindly deriued: although I must confesse, that in receiuing him I was somewhat ashamed, by reason I thought this new courtesie did vp­braid me with my not acknowledg­ing as yet in action, how much I am your seruant in will. But howsoe­uer, I thanke you very kindly for him, and with such affection, as hee [Page] that amongst your friends most desi­reth to appeare how readie hee is al­waies to vndergoe your commande­ments, and commend your liberali­tie as much as all your other ver­tues are aboue all your like generally commended. And so for this time I humbly take my leaue.

Excuse for too rare writing: vr­ging withall the prosecution of some businesse: and vpon oc­casion of the death of a friend, the election of another in his stead.

SIr, you may perceiue by my for­mer, that although I am your debter for many Letters, yet am I nothing behinde to you in good will: and the more my slacknes is in that, the more is my readinesse to serue you in great matters. I am to desire [Page] you to second the request I haue made vnto M. H. your vnkle and my very good friend concerning the busi­nesse wherof I haue now written to him▪ which is verie easie for him, and without meanes impossible for mée to effect. The death of M. P. your kinsman very much troubled mee at the first, but I consider that with glo­rie and reputation hee hath satisfied God, his Prince, and the debt which he ought vnto nature. And no doubt but hee is now at peace in heauen, whereas we amidst the troubles and corruptions of the world, are conti­nually tossed with the tribulations of this miserable life. And séeing it hath pleased God to take from mee so good and faithfull a friend, I beséech you to accept of the election I make of you in his stead, with such a minde and affection to serue and honour you, as I haue alwaies carried to­wards him. May you bee pleased then to receiue me into this degrée, and though my qualities deserue it [Page] not, at leastwise it appertaines to the innated courtesie of your disposi­tion. I assure my selfe that the Let­ters héere inclosed shall finde such ad­dresse as their directions require, and that you will be pleased (if the gentle­men be in towne) to returne their an­swers. I will say no more, but only intreat you to loue me, and to write often vnto me, to the end that the gaine I make of you, may giue mee lesse sense of the losse I haue made of so deare a friend: and so very kindly I bid you farewell.

Thankful acceptance of a friend­lie counsell, aduising to follow (or serue) some greate man: whence ariseth an obseruation of the cold recompence of ser­uices in these daies in com­parison of times past.

SIr, you were not out of reason when like a friend for to comfort me in my troubles, or rather indéed to possesse mee with that care which euery man ought to haue of the time to come. You told me I should doe well to put my selfe into the seruice of some great personage, where you were perswaded I should be well en­tertained, and that the sooner it were the better it would be, nothing be­ing more precious than time. Your [Page] counsell séemes to mee without all question no lesse vertuous and wise, than worthy of our friendship; and I am fully resolued to follow it. But the feare of not attaining that pro­pounded end, is as it were a very crosse to my resolution. For the ma­lice of the time is such, that one is more deceiued in the recompence of seruices, than in any other practises whatsoeuer. Great men thinke that others inferiour to them in fortunes were expresly made for their onely and particular respect, neuer conside­ring that if they would put that fan­tasticall opinion out of their heads, they should with much more con­tentment be better serued. M. Cras­sus, hauing many seruants, was al­waies very carefull of them, and with all gentlenesse vsed them no worse than his owne children. One of the chiefest satisfactions that fol­lowed Iulius Caesar in his end, was, that hee had well acknowledged the merit of his seruants. But the hu­mor [Page] of these ancient vertues is now to séeke, and to serue with losse and preiudice is become euen a matter of necessitie. Let not the spurre of your affection then post mee on so fast to a seruice, that I repent me but too late of my more haste than good spéede. Neuerthelesse, because it is against my nature to bee idle, I will doe as God shall put in my minde, hoping to meet with the fortune of some good Crassus; and to that effect let mée bée remembred in your praiers, as your prosperity shal dai­lie finde a place for it in mine.

Vpon submission of a runnagate and vnruly sonne, the kinde fa­ther (vnder hand) commends him to the seruice of a worthy friend, vnder whose shelter necessitie had alreadie driuen him.

SIr, hauing alwaies honoured and respected you among other my worthy friends, not onely for your vertues, but for a certaine kinde of I know not what obligation of na­ture which inuites me thereunto, I perswade my selfe that you also haue some instinct and naturall inclinati­on of good will towards me. Where­upon I am drawen with the more boldnesse to offer you a request I ve­ry much desire to obtaine. I am a [Page] father; when I say father, you may withall imagine the tyrannie which nature exerciseth ouer mee in fauour of my children. It hath pleased God to giue me fiue sonnes, of the which I had destined the third to the seruice of the Court: but as it commonly failes out, that fathers purpose cour­ses for their children, and they dispose of them contrary to their mindes, so it happened that he whom I spake of stole out of England without my knowledge, about thrée moneths a­goe, and crossing into France, came at length to Paris, where his meanes failing him, he hath bethought him­selfe, and begins to represent the pa­rable of the prodigall childe vnto his father, which I am very well conten­ted to accomplish. Hee hath craued pardon of me by Letters, and by the same meane interposed the authority of a kinsman of mine one M. M. a gentleman of quality, who hath béen these two yéeres abroad in trauell. I vnderstand hee hath done his dutie [Page] vnto you, and that you haue kindly entertained him, vpon knowledge that hee was my sonne. Now since his fortune hath carried him thither, I shall humbly entreat so much fauor of you, as to take him into your ser­uice, with no other priuiledge then as one of the meanest in your house. So doing, you shall get two seruants at once, the one there with you in Paris, and the other to receiue your commandements in England. If you can be pleased to satisfie me herein, I wish hee should thinke it were done not at any instance of mine, but only out of your gentlenes, séeing him re­duced to that extremity which in my iudgement he is in, whatsoeuer shew hee makes. I hope if you vouchsafe to doe him this honor, being in such a schoole, his debausche will turn to his good. But howsoeuer my entreaties run they shal be alwaies limited with that saying of Cicero. Quod commodo tuo facere possis. I make no question but there are others that presse you [Page] with such suites, but none that haue so much desire to doe you all seruice as my selfe.

Excuse for not comming to con­gratulate a friends returne: with protestation and comparison of affection with the forwardest.

SIr, it would haue béene a point of my duty to haue come in person for to haue welcommed you home. But séeing my affaires will not per­mit it, I haue sent the present to sup­ply that office, and to let you vnder­stand, that albeit there bée many which for their vertuous qualities do better deserue your loue, yet in re­gard [Page] of my affection, and the continu­all desire I haue to serue and honour you, there is none more worthy of it than my selfe. And though you are to hope for more riches of spirit and for­tune from them, than from the po­uerty of my vnderstanding & estate: yet are you not to prefer their friend­ship vnto mine. For if they outreach mée in merit, I will go beyond them in good will, and if the abilities of their mind bée more, the sincerity of their heart shall bée lesse. But héerein you are to imitate the liberall, who with a frank and gentle will imparts of his fauours to euery necessity; not as a vsurer to make profit of them, but onely out of a kind and generous disposition; So it is then you should bee affected towards mée, without a­ny expectation of other aduantage by it, than my seruice, and you are to doe it the rather, in that you feel your selfe so noble, rich, and vertuous, that whatsoeuer you can desire or wish for in another, is aboundantly in [Page] your owne possession, and you haue as little néede of fortaine vertnes, as the sea hath of the water of little ri­uers. Héereupon I will leaue to be a further trouble vnto you, but not to assure you, that I desire to liue no longer than I shall desire

Thankfull acknowledgement of kindnesse vnto ones Sonne.

SIr, the fauours you haue latelie done me are of such effect and me­rit, that I shall neuer be at quiet till I haue made some requitall of them. I am ashamed you should be so trou­bled with this sonne of mine, whom I haue charged to obey you in all things as my selfe, and I pray you doe so much as haue an eye vpon him as if you were his Father. I thanke you very kindly for the apparell you haue made him, and the money you [Page] haue paied for him: you may accom­modate him with the rest of it as you shall thinke good. For, for my part, I giue you all power ouer him, séeing you are pleased to take the trouble vpon you, and so wishing but to méet with some good occasion to acknow­ledge how much I am beholding vn­to you, I commit you to God.

A priuate taxation of the publike ingratitude of great persons toward such as haue best deserued of them.

SIr, Wheras you think it strange that I write no oftner vnto the Lady you wot of: I haue alwaies told you, and now tell you again that which I was wont to say of great Lords, at such time as they de­serued it at my hands, that I remem­ber their greatnesse and reputation [Page] no longer, than they are mindfull of my necessities. Hée that makes no reckoning of me, teaches me to neg­lect him, & he that looks vpon me with respect, giues me occasion and desire to serue him: so that I alwaies goe as others goe, and no otherwise. You may alledge the many commodities of their fauour and countenance, and I may answer that it were an idle thing for me to trouble my head with a matter I am not sensible of. Do vt des, facio vt facias; saies the loue of Lawers: but hauing done so many seruices, and neuer receiued so much as a taste of liberality, is the compo­sition of a water able to quench the fire of an hundred Aetnaes, much more to discourage mée, that other­wise am most readie by all offices of courtesie to kéepe the good will of such as please to honor me with the friend­ship, of which number, to you, as to one of the most especial, with all affe­ction I commend mee, and bid you farewell.

Excuse for not saluting a friend passing by vs: endeuouring (by the way) to wipe away his imputation of pride and of forget­fulnesse.

SIr, you told my Cosen that either I was growne proud, or had for­gotten you, because I passed along by you the other day, and did not speake. Now this I perceiue was the cause why you came not along with the rest of the company to honour mée with your presence. But you shall vnderstand that when I met you, I was so farre out of patience with the ingratitude of a wicked friend, which was newly parted from me, that I continued a whole wéeke together without the remembrance not onely of you, but my selfe: which together with the knowledge you are to haue of my naturall humors, may suffici­ently [Page] excuse me to either of your opi­nions. Besides, I could not forget a Gentleman well deriued, happily married, liuing with all modesty of his owne, a friend to euery man, not medling nor making with any, one that is contented with his estate, loues vertue and the vertuous, pas­seth away his time with choice of good companie, is perfect in mind and me­mory, but of body (to my great griefe) somwhat weak and indisposed. Now iudge, Sir, whether I remember you or no, and be no longer perswa­ded that either I am proud, or for­getful of you: whose many courtesies haue bound me to be alwaies.

A sad commemoration of some worthy friend deceased.

SIr, the griefe of my kinsmans death hath gotten so much inte­rest in my apprehension that the comfort I was wont to giue vnto o­thers, is not able now to doe my selfe any seruice. Reason disswades mee from sorrow, and sense prouokes mée to teares: my power is small, the frailty of the flesh great. I desire to obey vnto the one, the other I can­not resist: so that in the sedition of so many contrati [...]ties, I neither vnder­stand nor sée any thing may content mée. In regard of him I haue no cause to complaine: he lead the life of a good man, and died the death of the righteous: for as the Romane Ora­tor saith, It is hard to liue well and [Page] dye ill. But for my part I haue as­much reason to lament as his ver­tues were without number and end. Howbeit if for mine owne particular I should grieus, wheras for his I am much to reioyce, I shal be thought ra­ther enuious of his good, then a friend of his happines. I assure my selfe also that you take no pleasure in the death of so curteons and worthy a Gntleman, nor in the losse you haue made of one, that for your owne good parts and my sake, loued you as a friend, and respected you as vertuous But not to bée a cause either of more trouble to you, or heauinesse to my selfe, I will cease to speake fur­ther of him, and commen­ding you to God ve­ry kindly take my leaue.

A gratefull acknowledgement of an especiall fauour from any great man.

MY Lord I haue receiued the commendations you were ple­ased to send mee by my brother C. than the which there is no fauour I could more desire. Henceforward I shall begin to think better of my selfe séeing so noble and honourable a per­son hath thought mee worthy of a place in his remembrance: which in­truth was more requisite for a con­tinuance of your goodnesse, then for any merit at all of mine. Howsoeuer I giue your Lordship as humble thanks for it as possibly I may, albe­it I am perswaded that neither with words nor effects I shall euer bée able [Page] to satisfy so great an obligatiou. This fauor hath cleared mee of some doubt I was in, for that I receiued no an­swere to the letter I wrote not long since, in congratulation of your Lord­ships so deserued aduancements, to­gether with an humble presentation of my seruices: but now I perceiue the cause of it procéeded either from the fault of your Secretary, or the negligence of the post being alwaies well assured that no greatnes what­soeuer could elate your mind more then it would be deiected by any ad­uersity the worst of time could bring. I haue nothing to adde hereunto but an humble entreaty, that as you were pleased to remember mee with your commendations, so you would vouchsafe to honour mee with your commandements, thereby to giue ac­tion to the desire I alwaies haue of appearing vnto the world how much I am.

A short and sweet consolation in the death of Friends.

SIr, as soone as I vnderstood of the death of M. G. I began to thinke of you, and how many times I had sayd to my selfe, séeing you alwaies in company together, like the signe of Gemini, behold an example of true and perfect friendship. But since it hath pleased heauen to diuide you: I would wish you to beare it with pati­ence, and be comforted. For wée are not to grieue at who goes first or last in the way which euery man is to take by a necessity of nature. The world is a residence lent vs by the good pleasure of God, & [...] that conti­nues least in it, is the longer liuing in happinesse. For death doth deter­mine in life, so soone as a righteous spirit doth leaue that prison, wherein all the miseries imagination can reach vnto are inclosed. What is [Page] there to be séene héere vpon earth, but enuy, iniustice, ambition, strife, but good manners corrupted into barba­rous conditions, children & gréefe, to rich, a care to poore parents, and a de­sire for to haue vnto those that haue none? What is there to bée séene but peace engendring war, war shedding bloud, soueraignty a pray to suspiti­on, subiection the slaue of misery and despaire, pouerty despised, riches de­tracted, youth puffed vp with rage and insolency, and age oppressed with infirmity and diseases? wherfore the best is not to be at al, or not to be long in the way, prouided that it all pro­céed from the good will of God, whom I humbly beséech to giue you that comfort and content I alwaies wish you.

A modest complement extenua­ting our owne desert in any fa­uour done our friend, acknowledging all to be but dutie.

SIr, I sée no reason why by your letters you should thanke mée for the pleasures you say you haue recei­ued of me, vnlesse it be to encourage me that haue béen but slack that way héeretofore to doe better héereafter. To say the truth, it procéeds from no merit of mine, but from a courtesie that was born with you, and will ac­company you to your graue. For, for my part I doe not thinke one can bée beholding to a man for doing his du­ty. If you please then you shall not put these thanks vnto account, but turne them into commandements: vpon him that will alwaies most gladly employ himselfe for you and [Page] yours induced thereunto both by the friendship that hath euer béene be­twixt vs, and a thousand other parti­cularities, the recitall wherof would but wast time and paper. And wher­as you write that you feare you are troublesome vnto mee, considering the greatnesse of my affairs: the grea­test trouble I can haue, is when I shall not be troubled for you, if at any time you haue occasion to vse mee, as shall be approoued to your ex­perience in all matters where the least of my abilities may doe you seruice.

A gentle and easie submission to some new direction or al­teration of our com­mission.

MY honourable Lord, your last of the fourth of Iulie came not before this morning to my hands, whereby I vnderstand the change of your minde concerning my voyage into France: and although for mine owne particular I could haue wish­ed it otherwise, yet reason perswades me to be contented, assuring my selfe that this reuocation is deriued from some better resolution. Wherefore I had rather my desires should want their end, than your pleasure, that your L. may alwaies know I hold [Page] more of modesty and discretion, than of appetite and will, and that mine owne satisfactions are nothing to the respect of your greatnes and seruice. Assoone as I receiued your dispatch, I began to negotiate about the other matter, and by the next your Lord­ship shall vnderstand what may bée done. In the meane time and euer I remaine

Recommendation of a forward sonne to the fauour and enter­tainment of some famous Captaine in the warres.

SIr, albeit it were reason that your not knowing me should frée you from the trouble of my Letters, yet [Page] since it hath pleased Sir William I. to recommend my sonne vnto you, I thought I should haue wronged my dutie, if I had not accompanied him with the present. I haue desti­ned him to the warres, and hée hath béene about some thrée yéeres abroad in trauell, during which time hée hath giuen himselfe vnto diuers no­ble exercises well be fitting his pro­fession. At his returne I thought if hee could receiue so much honour as to be fauoured by you, hee might fa­cilitate a way for the time to come, which euery good and valiant minde is to propound vnto it selfe. And be­cause I know that you are the exam­ple of vertue, not onely in the subiect of Armes, but in euery other, I be­séech you to respect him as the sonne of a father, that excéedingly desires to find a place in the number of your humble and most deuoted seruants.

A Complement most officious and affectionate to a Lady concerning some seri­ous affaires of hers.

MAdam, I had rather effects should testifie the desire I haue to doe you seruice, than the courtesie of that good gentleman M. B. for so should I both serue you and satisfie my selfe, whereas by the other nei­ther of vs reapes any commoditie at all. You are no way beholding to me for solliciting my Lord of N. or put­ting Sir George L. in minde of your affaires. For to the one you haue no néed of recommendation, nor to the [Page] other of remembrance. The former (according to his noble inclination) much respects you, and desires your honour and profit as much as his owne: and the other, as well to gra­tifie my said Lord, as for his particu­lar obligation to your Ladiship, wish­eth for nothing more than occasion to doe you pleasure. It is not therefore in so small a matter as that I desire to obey you, but in things of such dif­ficultie, as may shew how I am e­uen couetous of receiuing your com­mandements.

I will say no more at this time, but wish my praiers could obtaine you such fortunes as your vertues deserue, and then I am sure you should be no lesse than Empresse of the world. Only as I was making vp the present, this inclosed paper came to my hands, which I haue sent you as a thing I know you would very faine sée. After you haue read it, I must intreat, for some rea­sons, it may be committed to the cu­stodie [Page] of the fire: and so in all dutie and affection I kisse your hand.

A pleasant Ironie, in commen­dation of Law, and the commodity of Law Suites.

GOod brother, I would neuer haue thought that a suit in law could haue brought so many blessings with it as it doth. Are you slothfull and lazie? make no doubt but you shall finde matter enough to kéepe you from idlenesse: you néed no bet­ter [Page] a raiser of you vp in a morning than a suit. Are you proud and dis­dainfull? I warrant you shall haue sufficient cause to court not onely the Iudges, but your Counsell and At­turney, nay by my faith their very Clerke. If of a dull and heauie dis­position, you shall méet with store of inuention how to kéepe you out of your enemies danger. If shamefast, necessitie will teach you rather to bée impudent than otherwise. If coue­tous, no helpe for it in the world like this: for there is no commoditie in the land beares such a price as the law doth. A man is to passe thorow so many hands, and euery finger ketcheth somewhat. Besides for the desire wee haue to obtaine our ends, we neuer thinke what it will cost vs, till we come to the bottome of our purses. I am sure I haue made deare experience of all this. And they are great blessings I must néeds say, but God kéepe you from them. Well I haue iested enough, it is time for me [Page] now to tell you in good earnest that I thinke there is no passion more ea­ger, or that fils our heads so full of proclamations as this doth. I will not except the three torments of our spirit, loue, ambition, and auarice: for in this there is a mixture of the two last, accompanied with a desire of reuenge, which produceth very maruellous effects in vs. The Ita­lian saith, that no man knowes what pleasure it is to bee re­uenged, but he that hath receiued the in­iurie.

A prettie controuersie com­pounded in a wittie complement.

SIr, I know not whether I should excuse the slacknesse of my pen, or accuse your negligence. For my part, the trouble of my continuall emploiment, well knowen both to you and euery man, may iustly cléere me of this fault: but the leasure and good commoditie you alwaies haue to write, cannot free you from blame. Neuerthelesse, not to cast away our money in suits, which you know are euerlasting, full of hazard, and sub­iect to the inconstancie, ambition, and wickednesse of the most part of the Lawyers of these times, I am contented to stand to the iudgement of your owne conscience; or if you will, like good Merchants that haue cléered accounts, let vs make gene­rall releases, so that neither shall re­maine debtor to the other. But if [Page] you will néeds goe to Law, I am a­gréed: for hauing reason for my At­turney, and truth for counsell in my cause, if by the power of bribes you corrupt not the Iudges, I doubt not but to haue a verdict of my side. Now of these two waies I leaue the best to your election: assuring you, that albeit you haue ouercome mee with offices of courtesie, yet haue you not gone beyond mee either in loue or iudgement, to know that I owe more to your good will than euer I shall be able to furnish. But if an ho­nest minde alone could serue for pai­ment of so many obligations, make account I should easily satisfie grea­ter debts than these. Whereupon I inuoke the grace of time that may bring me some such opportunitie, as may thorowly approoue the sinceritie of my heart to your experience. In the meane space let mee intreat you to giue mee occasion to doe you ser­uice: for I cannot receiue a comman­dement from any friend vnto whom [Page] I more desire to obey than your selfe, with the assurance whereof I will héere conclude, and commit you to God.

A briefe answer to a bitter Complaint vpon a false ground.

SIr, I am sorrie for the wrong you doe your selfe in complaining of mée without cause. I thought we should haue séene you héere in the Countrie ere this, and it gréeues me you came not, as well in regard I haue lost the occasion to giue you the entertainment of my house, as that I might haue fréed you from this passion of profit which so detaines you from discerning the truth. But since I cannot doe it in person, you are to vnderstand by this paper, that I haue nothing to doe now in the Office where you are assigned the [Page] paiment of your pension. I haue past it ouer vnto another who can giue you satisfaction if hée will. Where­fore you haue no reason to say you will plaine of mée, seeing I haue done nothing but that I should. If this will not content you, within se­uen or eight daies at the farthest, I shall bée at London, where we may meet, and conferre more at large of matters. In the meane time commending me vnto you, I commit you to God.

An earnest and elegant intreaty, importuning the assistance of some friend in any matter of importance, and that with expe­dition.

SIr, I will beginne with the say­ing of Plato and Marcus Cicero, because I perswade my selfe that the authoritie of such personages, and the efficacie of their words will bée of more power and estéeme with you than mine: although to incite you to any office of courtesie, whereunto a naturall addiction makes you for­ward enough of your selfe, I cannot thinke there is néede of more than a bare and simple intreatie. Man (say they) is not borne for himselfe alone, [Page] but for his Countrey, for his parents, for his friends, and for all other men. And euen as Nature, the vniuersall Mother of all things created, doth not produce so many kinds of beasts, herbes, trées, fruits, metals and stones for her selfe onely, but fréely imparts vnto vs of those her riches: so we that are to imitate her liberali­tie, must not bée sparing of those abi­lities and meanes which either for­tune or our owne vertue hath acqui­red vs for the good and reléefe of o­thers. This being so, I cannot doubt that you, in whom is such a concurrence of excellent parts, will bée wanting to the necessitie of my present affaire. And albeit the qua­litie of my deserts, the integritie of my heart, the respect of my seruices, and other points appertaining to the iudgement of liberalitie, cannot in­duce you thereunto, yet let the loue and obedience I haue euer born you, supplie all other defects. But that my Letter may not runne out all in­to [Page] preface, nor you be wearied with the long narration of a matter well enough knowen to you alreadie, I will referre the rest to the sufficiencie and trust of M. H. For séeing you vnderstand my occasion, I must hope you will bée pleased to take or­der for it, as with much facilitie and very commodiously you may. And because that obtaining this grace, if withall, expedition bée not made, it would bee as good as time lost: may it please you, hauing taken vpon you the one, to vndergoe the trou­ble of the other, which will bée of that import in my behalfe, that bée assured I shall bée your perpetuall debtor for it, notwithstanding any satisfaction in the world I can euer bée able to make. Sir Richard G. in the exercise of this fauour, as in all other generous actions, will not faile to second you, since I am so de­sirous to doe very humble seruice to you both, and to you especially, and that with all honour, respect, and as [Page] much affection, as I earnestly be­séech the Almightie to adde many yéeres of prosperitie to your present happinesse.

A kinde quarrell of vnkindnesse with a friend for leauing vs vnseene and vnsaluted hauing in a manner passed by our doore.

MY best friend your departure from M. contrary to my hope and your determination hath not so much displeased mee, for the mat­ter you know of, as in that you pas­sed along so close by mee, without taking possession of a house, and [Page] that, that depends on it, which is as much at your commandement as the very thoughts of your heart, but especially in that you let flip an oc­casion to experience how much I desire to acknowledge the many kindnesses I haue receiued from you: Howbeit séeing it was your pleasure so to doe, these letters shall make faith of my good will, farre rea­dier to any thing that concerns your reputation or profit, than to write. By this time I beleeue you haue heard from my Gentleman, who it may bee will shew himselfe so much my friend as to make me sue for my money, if it be so, I pray tell him I would not wish him to giue me occa­sion, that whereas now I talke to him inpriuate, I should complaine of him in publike. For there is no rea­son I should suffer preiudice by a­nothers ingratitude. I haue sent you héere inclosed the letter I haue writ­ten vnto him vnsealed, that you may read it and then make it vp, hoping [Page] notwithstanding that you haue so preuailed with him, as hee shall not néede to sée it. If you know any thing wherein I may serue you, I shall alwaies bee more willing to obey, then you to command. To the assu­rance whereof I leaue you, and my selfe to bée

Intercession for fauour and re­mission in the behalfe of one that hath offended, and is vnfeignedly sor­rie for his fault.

SIr, not being able (as I had well hoped) to obtaine any fauour of my Lord: for in the behalf of the poore fellow, I thought good to haue re­course vnto your intercession for him Hee is so penitent and fully resolued to become a new man, that this good purpose of amendment in him, toge­ther with the punishment of his in­durance, is worthy not onely of ex­cuse, but of pardon for his fault. If héerein you doe that which I could not, you shall bind me to a continuall endeuor to deserue it: and the time may come my Lord may thanke you for the meanes you shall giue him to exercise mercy and gentlenes, which [Page] should be conformable to the many o­ther noble qualities ouer in him.

I send you héere inclosed the latin verses, which by your commande­ment I haue apparelled in English, and that too I assure you with the best clothes in my shop: but if they be not fitting to the greatnes of their quality, I commend them to the Wardrobe of your most pretious ornaments, and you to the protection of the Almighty.

To importune a friend to prose­cute to perfection any busi­nesse already begun.

SIr, I finde so much difficulty in the officers about the payment of the money, it hath pleased my Lord to bestow on me, that if you had not béene the mediator of this liberality, I feare I should haue gone without. Wherefore I beséech you, as before you were the meanes for the grant of it, so now you would be the meanes for the payment of it: Which will bee the easier for you to doe, in that the former depended on the will of a­nother, and this of your owne. I cannot be beholding to you for the one without the other, for it will bée to no purpose if they be not ioyned to­gether. I humbly entreat you then to doe it, as you are bound both to the goodnes of your owne disposition still enclining to the ayd of your friends, [Page] and to me that haue alwaies desired to do you seruice, as also to the world vnto whom it is not vnknown how much I haue euer loued and respe­cted you. Let me not be deceiued in the hope I haue alwaies had of your fauor, especially in a matter that will be very preiudiciall to mee, and no way pleasing to my Lord. I will not presse you farther at this time, because I am perswaded that my en­treaties cannot be of more power with you, then your own iudgement which knows what is fit for you to doe, and necessary for mée to haue done: So that committing you to that readines of will I haue euer found you accompanied with in all my occasions, I rest,

A particular account of sun­drie businesses com­mitted to ones care.

SIr, may you bee pleased to take account of such commandements as you charged mee withall at my comming vp: of the which to begin with the money due from M. B. I haue receiued it in, and paid it ouer héere, according to your direction in that case, to be repaid you againe in the Countrey: for the other bonds that are in suit, your Atturney pro­miseth that faithfulnesse and care which both you expect and he in duty is to haue. M. R. is not yet in town for there is not any day but I am at his lodging to enquire after him: to [Page] morrow or next day hee is expected, and hee shall bee no sooner come but I will follow him very close for a dis­patch of that businesse. I know not well what to say to your suite with my Lord, euery day begets new dif­ficulties, and I doubt some secret opposition from the party you spake of when last you discoursed vnto mée of this matter, and heerein, M. P. my Lords Secretary iumps with me in opinion, if it be so, he saith nothing will preuaile but your presence, which if I shall find to bée néedfull I will so aduertise you by the next. Of those things which I am to buy for my mistrisse so many as the time and my other employments would per­mit me to prouide, I haue sent down now by this bearer, the rest God wil­ling shall come along with the carri­er. Héere is no newes at all stirring but such idle stuffe as I would bée loth by a deliuery of it to hold you from your serious and better em­ployment.

Wherefore very humbly recom­mending my duty to you, and my good mistresse, I cease to be a further trouble, and rest

A most Christian consolation of a friend in any crosse or affliction.

SIr, I cannot doubt but you are perswaded that the tribulations wherewithall we are afflicted in this life, doe not procéede from chance or fatall destiny, but from a speciall prouidence of God, without the which, not so much as an haire can fall from any of our heads, as the Prophet Amos doth insinuate, when hée saith, There is no euill in the City which I haue not sent. This also is manifested in Iob, whom Satan could not touch without per­mission first obtained for it. Affli­ctions are assured signes of election, so that if you obserue the whole course of the Scriptures, you shall finde that those whom God fauou­red most, he alwaies gaue to drinke [Page] of the cup of his passion: witnesse Abell, persecuted by Cain, Isaac by Ismael, Ioseph by his brethren, Da­uid by Absalom, and the children of Israell by Pharao. Out of a sensible consideration whereof Saint Paul said, If we had no other hope in Ie­sus Christ, but in this present life, wee might well say wee were the most miserable amongst men. But the worst that wee endure is no­thing in comparison of that which God himselfe endured: who though hee created all things was termed the sonne of a Carpenter, was per­secuted, was slandered, was saide to be a glutton, a drunkard, a lo­uer of Publicanes and sinners, a wicked seducer, and one that in the name of Béelzebub cast out De­uills. If wee consider what hee be­came for vs, wee shall sée him naked to cloth vs, a prisoner and in bonds to loose vs from the chaines of dark­nesse, and a sacrifice to purifie vs: Wee shall sée his side opened to [Page] shut vp hell for vs, wee shall sée those hands that made heauen and earth, pierced with sharpe nailes for the loue of vs, and his head crowned with pricking thornes to crowne vs with glory. From his sorrow comes our ioy, from his infirmity our strength, from his death and buriall, our life and re­surrection. Comfort your selfe then in the Lord, and with patience beare the Crosses which it hath pleased him to lay vpon you, for his arme is not shortned, but in his good time will either take you from these mise­ries, or these miseries from you. Now many vs there yet liuing in the world whom, oppressed with infinite cala­mities, euery way forsaken, and vt­terly boide of all hope of succour, he at length beheld with a merciful eye, and hath placed them in a farre bet­ter and more contented estate than e­uer they were in before. Wherefore trust in God, and say with that great and holy martyr Ignatius, Let [...]er, [Page] let hangmen, let beasts, and all the deuils in hell exercise their greatest fury on mee, so that I may enioy the Lord my God, whom in all my prayers I will heartily be­seech to giue you a speedy and happie issue out of all your troubles.

An earnest recommendation of a well qualified seruant, to some place worthy of his part.

SIr, as long as you shall bee ac­companied with a desire to oblige mee vnto you, by so many gentle offices of courtesie as continually you shew mée, I shall neuer want boldnesse to giue you occasion still to doe it: and the rather, because I know not any vnto whom I would more willingly be beholding then to so kinde and generous disposition as yours. The present bearer Philip A. is more then ordinarily affected [Page] to your seruice, and knowing the loue and respect I beare you, is per­swaded that my interposure will not bee a little auaileable in that be­halfe, so that hee hath very earnestly intreated mee out of my interest to make him a way to your fauour: and I haue vndertaken it, for that I make no question but it will turne to his no little good, and your greater commodity. For he is a ciuil, discréet, and very honest young man, he hath his latin tongue perfect, speakes Ita­lian, is pretily séene in the French, writes faire two or three hands, sings well, playes on the vyall, and indéed is euery way better qualified than I deliuer him, as will appeare to your iudgement, vpon the examination you shall make of his parts, to the which I will referre him, and wish he may no lesse excéede the hope I haue giuen you of him, than you the promise I haue made him of your goodnesse. If I haue as much power with you, as the world thinks, and is [Page] due to the greatnes and integrity of my affection, I doubt not but to hear ere it be long, that this commendati­on of mine is happily arriued at the port of his deseri: Howsoeuer, my en­treaty should presse you further, were I not assured that you will think you are not to be importuned for one that of himselfe is most worthy of regard and your entertainment. Wherefore to make an end of my sure and your trouble, I will héere giue ende to the present, and allwaies be most desirous to do you ser­uice.

An amorous complement vpon the first sight, or after some short parley.

SWéetest Mistresse F. assoone as it was my good happe to haue a sight of some part of those many graces and perfections, which euery able iudgement doth not only commend, but admire in you: I was not long in resoluing with my selfe whether I should serue and loue a creature so rare and worthie to be desired. But I was longer in discoursing on the difference there is betwéene your worth and my little value, with the small occasion you haue to regard mée, considering I haue not béene yet so fortunate as to méet with a­ny opportunitie that might furnish mée with meanes to testifie vnto you how much I am truly deuoted to your seruice. Neither could I so [Page] soone resolue whether I might pre­sume to discouer the hurt I receiued by the encounter of your beauties, and that affable patience which the o­ther day you were pleased to accom­modate vnto my rude and tedious discourse, whereas you deserued the entertainment of a farre more ac­complished spirit. Neuerthelesse, relying on the greatnesse and inte­gritie of my affection, and the good­nesse of your gentle disposition, I haue not feared in all humilitie to make an offer of that command and power which in so short a time you haue gotten ouer me, and which I very humbly beséech you to accept of: so shall you haue a seruant, that in all things will yéeld you as much o­bedience, as now with most zealous affection I kisse your faire and loue­lie hand.

An earnest protestation of perpetuall loue and loyaltie.

DEarest Mistrisse, whensoeuer you can enter into any doubt of my loialtie, thinke there is no truth remaining on the earth: for suspect­ing that, you call euen certaintie it selfe into question. I will alwaies bée more readie to consent vnto the hate of my selfe, than to the loue of any other beautie, which I know must bée as farre inferiour to the per­fection of yours, as yours is aboue all others worthie and admirable. I beseech you then to take this as­surance of your slaue, that all the power hée can euer haue ouer his life and being, is altogether consecrated [Page] to your seruice, and that heauen ne­uer established any thing more du­rable than his inclination to honour you with all the fidelitie and affection you can possibly desire: so that the worst of absence, fate, or misfortune, shall serue but for better proofe and experience of it: to the which in all humilitie I leaue you, and my selfe to be nothing when I am not

A sad extasie for the absence of your Mistrisse.

I Did alwaies thinke (worthie Mi­stresse) that amorous passions had their effects more approching to ex­tremes than any other, and that whatsoeuer proceeded from them could not bée imagined by discourse. The experience which now I so dearely make, fully assureth mée of it. I haue onely tasted the pleasure one receiues from the sight of a thing truly beloued, and thereby apprehend the perfection of content which the fruition yéelds. But I am at this instant so strangely tou­ched with griefe for the priuation [Page] both of the one and the other, that hée that feeles it not, is not able to conceiue it, and hée that feeles it is not able to expresse it. I disgest it then with as much patience, as plea­seth necessitie, but yet excéedingly honoured in that I suffer for so rare and worthie a subiect, and liue, or rather entertaine the wearinesse of my life, with so swéet a remem­brance, and with the representati­on of so faire and Idea as yours. Pro­uided also, that you chace not mine altogether from your eies, but let them sée the image of your slaue so replenished with fidelitie in his ser­uitude, that it shall sooner faile in Heauen than in him. And let not (I beséech you) your faire vnspot­ted soule, which alwaies hath pro­duced actions elonged and cléere from the imperfections of other base and common spirits, be subiected to the ordinarie effects of time and ab­sence; but rather liue contented with affecting him that will die a­doring [Page] you: vnto whom, as hither­to I haue, so will I euer be

A Loue-letter, or the summe of Louers Rhetorike, in two figures, viz. Flatterie and Faining.

IF either the excellencies of your beautie were lesse, or they lesse knowen to you than I know they [Page] are, I would not maruell (fairest of all faire) if the presumption of these lines should giue you cause of mar­uell. But where there is such an admirable concurrence of perfecti­ons as in your most accomplished selfe; I hold it impossible for any composition of mortalitie to be proofe against them: from whence I may well deriue an assurance, that you cannot thinke it strange, if I say, (as indeede I truly may) that not­withstanding any opposition which by the ablest seconding of reason I could make, I finde my selfe but flesh and bloud, too weake a temper to withstand the vnresistable as­saults of your preuailing eies, pre­uailing I may well terme them, that in a moment haue not onely depriued me of my libertie, leauing mee nothing frée saue the zeale of an vnfained deuotion to your seruice; but reduced my will, and euerie power of my soule vnder the subie­ction of such Lawes as shall please [Page] either your rigour or mercie to or­daine. Séeing then I can haue no other being but that which would be farre more wretched than wretch­ednesse it selfe, vnlesse you please to blesse it with the happinesse of your fauour, then let not the refu­sall of it (I beséech you) be the cause of his death, that cannot, nay that will not liue without it, but con­ferre such compassion and regard on my sufferings, as the gracious swéetnesse of your innated goodnesse doth promise, and as is due to the infinitenesse of my affection: which for faith and loyaltie shall alwaies bee incompatible of all comparison, and for constancie so vnmatched, that neither time nor fortune, which vnto all things vnder Heauen bring alteration and end, shall euer bée of power to shake it with the least motion of change, or determine it sooner than the latest instant of my breath. And this I vow with as much resolution, as I humbly pray [Page] you would vouchsafe to let mée vn­derstand how you please to dispose of your creature, who together with his life and fortunes is and eternally will be

Another of like Argument.

HAd I any power left mée (cru­ell Beautie) ouer my desires, I could bée contented to discourse alone with my selfe on the passion of my too wretched condition, with­out importuning so obdurate an hart as yours, that vnwilling to frée mée, taketh pleasure to entertaine mée in it: but since loue hath wholly re­duced them vnder his lawes, and the subiection of your commande­ments; pardon mée I beséech you, if constrained by them, I haue re­course to your pitie, as the onely meane I can hope for of deliue­rance from the torment of my pains. [Page] And were it not proper to the swéet­nesse of your disposition, yet you owe it vnto him that honoureth you more than all the world, that ado­reth you as the onely marke of di­uinitie which hée acknowledgeth héere below, that hath no life but by you, that desireth it not but for you, and to be so happie as to spend it in your seruice: whereunto I am so deuoted, that truth shall sooner faile in the ordinances of Heauen, than in this resolution of mine. Ac­cept this my deuotion then, and ru­ling it by what Lawes you please, draw out of it all the proofes which either my life or death are able to giue you. And let not crueltie, that hath some limit euen in those to whom it is naturall, bée the perpe­tuall staine of your faire vertues, nor permit mée to finde more grace in death than in you; who grie­ned with my miseries, may rather end them by the end of my life, than you by the grant of your fa­uour, [Page] which onely is of power to make mee the happiest, as without it I am now

Another not vnlike.

OF all other most cruell Mi­stresse, to my infinite griefe I finde, that no greater happinesse can arriue vnto wretched louers, than to meet with death whensoeuer they call for it. Upon the writing of my last vnto you, I did not thinke the Bearer at his returne should haue found mée aliue. And yet, alas! I liue still, but strangely grieued be­cause I cannot die, and that there is no hope of remedie for mee in any [Page] but in you, who it séemes taketh de­light to entertaine mée in torments. My teares wherewithall you sée this paper all beblubbered, and my passi­ons together, will not suffer mee to say any more, but onely once for all to put my selfe vpon your mer­cie, from the which if spéedily I re­ceiue not comfort, euer after it will come too late. And this I protest as farre from dissimulation as I am néere vnto mine end.

Another of the same.

GEntle Mistris I. If I did think the enemity of our parents had as much interest in your thoughts, as loue hath in mine, I would rather dye to giue you satisfaction, then liue to be hated of a gentle woman whom I affect and honour more then all the world. But assuring my selfe that so swéete and accomplished a beauty as yours, cannot bee accompanied with any such vnfriendly dispositi­on, as to wish ill vnto him, that farre beyond all reach of apprehension is vnfainedly deuoted to your seruice, I presume to entreate you to haue so much regard to your owne goodnes and the compassion of my endurings, as to grant mee the fauour of an ac­cesse, that so I may haue opportuni­ty [Page] to acquaint you: more at large with that, which I hope wil redound to your contentment, and my infinite good. And this mee thinks I should promise my selfe out of that more than ordinary respect and good coun­tenance which of late it hath pleased you to shew me, at least wise, if flat­tering my selfe, I do not wrongfully apply that to my particular aduan­tage, which is indifferently conferred on others by the curtesie of your gra­cious nature. Howsoeuer in all de­uotion I attend your resolution héer­unto: and no lesse hartily beséeching the Almighty to continue you in his grace, than I desire to liue and dye in yours, I commit you to this assu­rance, that I am no longer mine own but

Another, no lesse earnest, though perhaps lesse honest.

SO long as I was able by any strength of reason or other secon­ding whatsoeuer (fayrest mistresse R.) to make head against the vio­lence of those passions, which for a long time together haue very strang­ly afflicted me, I neuer offered more than by lookes, to discouer them vnto you, who only are the cause of them, and onely can giue them remedy. But now that I finde my ablest for­ces to be but a weake and vnprofita­ble resistance against the fury of my sufferings, which continually assault mee with such apprehensions of tor­ments, that all the paynes in the [Page] world put together, and compared with them are but light and tollera­ble, pardon mee, I humbly pray, if casting my selfe at the féete of your mercy, I presume with all the vows of my soule to employ such commise­ration of my case, as the present ex­tremity of it requires. If you looke vnto my deserts, I know them to bée most vnworthy of the least regard. It is not vpon them I must stand (for indéede what merit can stand before the eminence of your worth) but if you deigne to descend so low as the consideration of your seruant, looke I beséech you with a pittifull and re­warding eye vnto the integrity of my faith, the resolution of my con­stancy, the trueth of my affection, and the vnbounded zeale I leaue to the obedience of your commande­ment, these are they whereupon I build the hopes of your fauour, and that is it alone whereunto all my wi­shes runne, there is nothing to be de­sired I so much desire; in regard of it [Page] the whole empire of the world should be of a very vile and contemptible re­spect with me. Upon whom then can you better or more worthily conferre it, then on him that holds it in so high an estimation, and that by all the duties of an humble, loyall, and truly deuoted seruice will before all others whatsoeuer euer séeke to con­tinue you for his swéetest and grati­ous mistresse, as I hope and infinite­ly pray you would bee pleased to ap­peare vnto me in your returne héere­unto. Upon the expectation whereof I haue vtterly disclaimed all other being, to be

A seemely answer to such a Suitor.

SIr, if I carried as little respect to my husbands good, as it appeares you haue care of your owne safety, I might quickly take a course would prooue as preiudiciall to you, as the lewdnesse of your presumption de­serues. You very much mistake me if you take me to be any of those, vn­to whom it séems you make a com­mon practise of such addresses, for by the grace of God I wil alwaies beany thing sooner, than a subiect fitting for one of your filthy disposition. I mar­uell what should moue you to assaile me in this sort? hath my behauiour béene so light (for sure I am I neuer exchanged word with you in my life) or my lookes so wanton to incourage you vnto it? No, I defie you, and all [Page] the world in that regard, and I think if I should put it vpon your consci­ence, you must say my carriage hath euer béen such, as would rather mor­tifie then stirrs vp such wicked and vnlawfull affections. But what do I meane to contest thus with a man, that hath no other ends or considera­tion then the satisfaction of his bru­tish desires, and to that purpose would set vpon euen modesty and chastifie themselues were they to be séene vnder the forme of women. In a word then, since you perceius my inclination to be as farre from yours, as yours is from all vertue and good­nesse, I would wish you, if you loue your life, to desist from molesting mée any more in this kinde: other­wise be you well assured I will make you féele how dangerous it is to at­tempt the honour of such, as hold it in a farre more estéeme than their dearest liues.