THE FIRST LETTERS OF COMPLEMENT.
SIR,
I Take ſuch delight in rendring you my ſervice, that I remaine alwayes the firſt ſatisfied though I acquit my ſelfe And that which makes mee ſo carefull in ſeeking Occaſions, is, that you ſhould not reproach me to have omitted any. Yet in this Sir I doe not implor
•
your beleife, deſiring ſo to let you ſee by Effects, rather then Words, that I am without Complement,
Sir
Your moſt humble ſervant.
Another upon the ſame Subject.
SIR,
I Defie you to accuſe me of neglect in the performance of my Duty, the paſſion which I have to your Service being ſo violent, that it nouriſheth in mee a continuall Care of ſeeking Opportunities to make it knowne. To the furtherance of which, this Letter offerd it ſelfe moſt happily, having charge to aſſure you from my part, that of all the ſervants which your Merits have acquired you, I am
Sir
The moſt humble and moſt faithfull.
SIR,
I Am by ſo many obligations Yours, that the onely want of Occaſions to give Teſtimony of it, breeds all my Diſcontents. Eſteeming my ſelfe unfortunate in nothing ſo much, as that the Paſſion which carries me to your Service, prooves as unprofitable as extreame. Which forceth me to have recourſe to Intreaties, beſeeching you to honour me with your Commands, that (other meanes failing) my obedience may oblige you to believe that I am
Sir
Your moſt humble ſervant.
Another upon the ſame.
SIR,
I Muſt diſcharge my heart in telling you that I honour you more then all the reſt of the World. Tis true your deſert impoſed the neceſſity upon me, but it did not give me the inclination: though I beſeech you to beleeve that I was very willing in the conſtraint, having ſuffer'd no other violence, then what my Reaſon and Iudgement offer'd mee. You ſhall have daily new proofes by the Continuation of my Duty, and by the Quality which I beare
Sir
of Your moſt humble ſervant.
Another upon the ſame ſubiect.
SIR,
IF you expect nothing but Complements from me, you ſhall never receive any, I am a Sworne enemy of Courtſhip and Civility towards perſons whom I honour extreamely, as I doe you. It ſufficing mee that I performe my Duty in their behalfe, and that I take care to do it with a good Grace. This is the Study in
which I practice my ſelfe, and I beſeech you thinke that I will not looſe the leaſt occaſion to witneſſe it to you, becauſe I finde my ſelfe much intereſſed in the Reſolution which I have taken, to be all my life
Sir
Your moſt humble ſervant.
Another upon the ſame.
SIR,
THough I have told you a thouſand times by word of Mouth that I am your Servant, yet my Pen ſhall once aga
•
ne aſſure you of the ſam
•
, expecting till you oblige me, to more Eminent proofes; which I conjure you do to, & (if you be pleaſed) to prevent the occaſion by ſome Command, that may ſatisfie my Impatience, to make you know and confeſſe at the ſame time, that you may have more powerfull, and more conſiderable Servants, but never
Sir
A more humble, or more faithfull.
Anſwers to the Letters of Complement.
SIR,
I Never made doubt of your Civility and Courteſie, but of my owne good fortune, in meeting with the meanes to require them. Yet I intreat you to believe, that hereafter I will imploy all my cares to witneſſe unto you my good affection, and if Ill meanes render them unprofitable, I will dye for my owne ſatisfaction,
Sir
Your very humble Servant.
Another Anſwer.
SIR,
I Eſteeme to much the Honour of your Remembrance, not to deſire the continuation, and withall to beſeech you for ſome Employment, wherein I may witneſſe the Paſſion which I have to your ſervice. For which I will importune you hereafter, deſiring by deeds
rather then words to let you ſee, that I am extreamely,
Sir
Your moſt affectionate ſervant.
Another Anſwer.
SIR,
THough this in ſome ſort requite the favour of your remembrance, yet I cannot ceaſe to be indebted to you, when I conſider, that your courteſie prevented my reſpects; But I beſeech you imagine, that for the Time to come, I will bee ſo carefull to diſingage my ſelfe, that you ſhall have greater cauſe to complaine of my importunity, then my ſilence: which I have reſolved never to keepe, when your Intereſts oblige me to the contrary, as making Publike Profeſſion to appeare in all places
Sir
Your moſt humble ſervant.
Another Anſwer.
SIR,
I Will be ſo preſumptuous (ſince you deſire it) as to beleeve you love me; but upon condition,
that you will likewiſe acknowledge the Paſſion, which I have to ſerve you. For as it onely makes mee merit the honour of your Friendſhip, ſo I ſhall be very glad, that you would everlaſtingly conſerve the Remembrance of it. Continue then in loving mee as much as you pleaſe, and likewiſe eſteeme infallibly that I am, more then all the world beſides,
Sir
Your moſt humble Servant.
Another Anſwer.
SIR,
THough I give you very humble thanks for the Honour of your Remembrance, yet I ſhall alwayes remaine Indebted to you, as making more account of the leaſt of your favours, then all the reſpects I am able to render you. Continue onely in obliging mee of that faſhion (though I be intirely yours already) and beleeve (if you pleaſe) that I ſhall never bee capable of other reſentment, then which ſhall witneſſe the quality that I beare
Sir
of Your moſt humble ſervant.
Another Anſwer.
SIR,
I Am not ſo unfortunate as I thought I was, ſince I hold ſome place ſtill in your Memory. Yet the Griefe which I have, not to deſerve this honour, has reduced my thoughts, to ſuch a Moderation, that I am in doubt whether I ſhould complaine or rejoyce I r
•
maines in you onely to allay the diſcontent of my Minde, by giving mee ſome Employment in your ſervice, which may witneſſe the Paſſion I have to maintaine the Quality
Sir
of Your very humble Servant.
Letters to complaine of a Long Silence.
SIR,
THe Friendſhip and Service which heretofore I vowed you, force me at this preſent, to demand the Reaſon of your Silence. I doe not doubt but
alledge a ſufficient excuſe to authorize it, yet I beſeech you thinke, that how lawfull ſoever it bee, I ſhall never leave off Complaining: you may pretend the want of Occaſions, or the ſudden Accident of ſome Sickneſſe, (which never moleſted you except in thought) whereby to Iuſtifie your ſelfe againſt my Reproaches. But all this is not able to ſatisfie mee, confeſſe your fault; aske forgiveneſſe, and you goe a nearer way to work, that's the onely way to conſerve eternally,
Sir
Your very humble ſervant.
Another upon the ſame.
SIR,
I Shall breake with you at laſt, if you breake not ſilence, imagining that you love me but a little, ſince you have forgot me altogether. I beſeech you deale more familiarly with me, if my friendſhip be any way conſiderable, or you eſteeme mee worthy of yours. In the Humour I am now, I thinke you can no ſooner blot me out of your Memory, then I can raze you out of my heart, without retaining any thing (by my good will) but the Quality only,
Sir
of Your moſt humble ſervant.
Another Anſwer.
SIR,
IF you have taken an oath to write no more to me, at leaſt ſend mee the letters backe againe which I addreſſed to you, that I may ſtill have the honour to receive ſomething from your part. Silence is a ſworne enemy of Friendſhip, which is the reaſon that mine reproaches you at this preſent, being not able to indure, that after ſo many proteſtations never to forget me, you ſhould looſe even the Memory of having made them. You may change your Humour when you pleaſe, if you deſire to renew the obligations
Sir
of Your moſt humble Servant,
Another.
SIR,
IF I did not honour you extreamely, I could eaſily revenge my ſelfe of your forgetfulneſſe, by my ſilence; but the eſteeme which I make of your deſerts, together with an inclination which carries me to your ſervice, oblige
me to aſſure you ſtill, that though you ſhould forget me, even to my name, I would never change the Reſolution which I have taken, to be all my life
Sir
Your moſt humble ſervant, M.
Another.
SIR,
I Can endure no longer that you ſhould forget a Perſon who honours you ſo extreamly as I doe. Theſe three Months of your ſilence I have kept my minde in the continuall fetters of grief, that I ſhould looſe the honour of your Remembrance; I beſeech you doe me Juſtice, and let not all the World complaine with me, of the little eſteeme you make
Sir
of Your moſt humble Servant.
Another.
SIR,
DOe if you pleaſe, write no more to mee, your merit conſtraines mee to uſe you in another faſhion. I can never weary
my ſelfe, in executing your Commands, and leſſe in acquitting my ſelfe when Occaſions are offer'd, yet I doe not deſire that you ſhould eſteeme your ſelfe obliged to mee, for I ſatisfie my ſelfe alwayes the firſt, following my inclination after I have honoured your vertue, becauſe equally both the one and the other force me to carry, to my Grave, the Quality
Sir
of Your moſt humble Servant.
Anſwers to the Letter Complai
ning of Silence.
SIR,
YOu oblige mee with ſuch a good Grace, in Complaining of mee, that I am conſtrained to give you thankes inſtead of reproaches. 'Tis not becauſe I want lawfull excuſes to authorize my Silence. But the Intereſt which you take in it, makes mee to condemne it, aſſuring you, that hereafter you ſhall accuſe me of Importunity rather then neglect. 'Tis the Proteſtation
Sir
of Your moſt humble ſervant.
Another Anſwer.
SIR,
IT is not needfull to excuſe my ſilence, ſince I ſtill indure the Paine of it; by reaſon of a Sickneſſe, which moleſts me continually. But though your Reproaches proceed from your Affection, yet I aſſure you they Intereſſe mine extreamely, being you doubt of the continuance of it. I beſeech you thinke, that I am not of an humour to forget thoſe whom I honour as I doe you, and that except I bee againe reduced to the extremity I was in before, I ſhall alwayes acquit my ſelfe of that which I owe you, In Quality
Sir
of Your moſt humble ſervant.
Another Anſwer.
SIR,
IF our reciprocall friendſhip could not bee conſerved but by letters, my hand ſhould bee alwayes upon the Paper, to give you
continually ſome new aſſurance or other; But knowing that ſhe ſubſiſts of herſelfe, through her own ſolidity, I contemne all the Paintings of Civility and Complement. How little knowledge ſoever you have of your owne Deſert, or my Humour, you may eaſily know without being a Prophet the deare eſteeme I make of you, and being knowledge has truth for her object, you are forced to beleeve that I am really
Sir
Your moſt humble ſervant.
Another Anſwer.
SIR,
YOur Complaints and Reproaches, are too agreeable to me, that I am forced to give you thanks, knowing they proceed from an exceſſe of affection, and zeale. 'Tis true I have beene ſilent too long, but I pray you beleeve, that the Misfortune which Impoſed it upon me, hath given mee ſuch a Pennance, that I deſerve Pardon, though it were the moſt enormious crime of the World. I will not now make a particular recitall of all the Accidents which have befallen me, for feare you ſhould Iudge me as Importune in that, as in the other you eſteem'd mee negligent: It
ſufficeth me to put you in minde, that I am alwayes, what I alwayes was,
Sir
Your moſt humble Servant.
Another Anſwer.
SIR.
YOU are too Iuſt to Condemne mee without hearing me ſpeake. Tis true I have beene ſomewhat too long in acquitting, by the ordinary Commerce of Letters the debt which I owe you, but the Miſchance of the Priſon where I am ſtill, can tell you, that though my hands bee free, yet their liberty is altogether unprofitable to ſerve them in that which you deſire. Content your ſelfe then (if you pleaſe) with the ſervices I am able to render you, that is, in good will and thought: without accounting this for one, ſince tis both by hazard & an exceſſe of good Fortune, that I acquit my ſelfe of it. And beleeve aſſuredly, that into what extremity of adverſe fortune ſoever I am reduced, I will alwayes conſerve the paſſion I have to your Service, as being without Fiction
Sir
Your moſt humble ſervant.
Another Anſwer.
SIR,
I Would I were leſt handed, that I might acquit my ſelfe of the Service I owe you, being unfortunately lame of the right hand: which has obliged me to make uſe of a ſtrange Penne, to excuſe my ſilence, and to aſſure you, that though I ſerve my ſelfe of another mans endeavour in writing this Letter, yet 'tis my ſoule that conceived it, and my heart that gave the Dictamen, being very glad to witneſſe unto you the Truth of my thoughts, touching the Reſolution which I have taken to make my ſelfe remarqued in all places
Sir
Your moſt humble ſervant.
Letters of Thanksgiving.
SIR,
SInce it is your pleaſure to adde dayly to the obligations of thoſe who are moſt intirely yours; I am reſolved to let you take your courſe, and buſy my thoughts onely in ſeeking occaſions to revenge my ſelfe. And if my misfortune in this Purſuit continually render my cares unprofitable, yet for your ſatisfaction I ſhall alwayes have a good Will, and Paſſion to doe you Service, which I ſhall heartily offer you up being
Sir
Your moſt humble ſervant.
Another upon the ſame.
SIR,
I Doe not intend that theſe thanks which I give you for the favour wherewith you were pleaſed to honour me, ſhould paſſe in
your opinion for an Acknowledgement: I revenge my ſelfe onely of your Civility, expecting to meet with an occaſion, wherein I may witneſſe with Services rather then Words, that I am unfaignedly in heart, and ſoule
Sir
Your very humble ſervant.
Another upon the ſame.
SIR,
I Confeſſe you have obliged mee with a very good Grace, and ſo perfectly, that I ſhall remaine indebted to you all my life. I would to God ſome Occaſion would offer it ſelfe, which I might imploy in your Service, thereby to witneſſe, that as your favours have beene extreame, I will attempt all extreamities to revenge my ſelfe. Thoſe are no diſcourſes of Complement, my heart dictates to my Penne, all that my Penne writes to you, with aſſurance that I will not long unprofitably beare the Quality
Sir
of Your very humble ſervant.
Another.
SIR,
I Know not in what Tearmes, to give you Thanks, for the Favours which your Generous diſpoſition has beene pleaſed to be ſtow upon mee. I am ſo unfortunate an Orator, that I am out of all hope to acquit my ſelfe, that way. It ſufficeth me, to put you in minde of the Paſſion which I have to your Service, perſwading my ſelfe, that the remembrance it will excitate in you ſhall ſupplicate for the default of my Capacity, and that Conſidering the Ardor of my Zeale, rather then the beauty of my Diſcourſe, you will content your ſelfe with my Disability, and that I aſſure you once againe, how perfectly I am,
Sir
Your very humble ſervant.
Another upon the ſame.
SIR,
IF I had beene more happy or more powerfull, I had already requited your favours inſtead of giving you thanks; but being unfortunate as I am, and in ſuch a degree of
Impotency, I have nothing left but words, to ſend you, as an acknowledgement of your Deeds. Tis true, they are words moſt infallibly true, aſſuring you from my heart rather then my mouth, that I will carry to my Grave, the Quality
Sir
of Your moſt humble ſervant.
Another.
SIR,
IF you expect Thanks worthy your favours, you ſhall never receive any of me. I am farre more fit to publiſh them, then requite them in the leaſt reſpect, if the good deſire I have to diſingage my ſelfe, doe not paſſe for ſatisfaction: which is all that I can offer you in the ſtate I finde my ſelfe at this preſent, beſeeching you to beleeve, that if I were not oppreſſed with an extreame Misfortune, my Care and Paines ſhould ſoone witneſſe the Occaſion which is offered me, to give Teſtimony how much I am
Sir
Your moſt humble ſervant, M.
Anſwers to the Letters of Thanksgiving.
SIR,
YOur thankes have bought my ſervice at ſo deare a rate, that the ſatisfaction which before I received is utterly now taken from me. Keep your
•
omplements then for ſome other, and remember to uſe more familiarly,
Sir
The moſt humble of all your ſervants.
Another Anſwer.
SIR,
THere is farre more Honour, then Content in ſerving you, ſince by ſuch ready acknowledgements, you haſten the ſatisfaction. The exceſſe of your Nobleneſſe, undoes me, not being able to endure thanks for the performance of my duty, and therefore ſince my indeavours in your behalfe can bee ſtiled no other, I beſeech you to vary
your Tearmes, and to Conſider me alwayes in the Quality I am
Sir
of Your moſt humble ſervant,
Another Anſwer.
SIR,
I Complaine much of the Exceſſe of your Civility and Courtſhip, ſince our Reciprocall friendſhip is therein greatly Intereſſed. you give me Thanks for the ſervice which you deſired of mee, as though I were not obliged to it of Neceſſity. Leave off that ill Cuſtome if you Pleaſe, and know that the Language of Complements is unknowne to true friends, whereof I am one, and which is more,
Sir
Your moſt humble Servant.
Another Anſwer.
SIR,
YOur Complements have put me into a very ill humour; I cannot write to you, but in Choller, ſince you uſe mee as a ſtranger, like as app
•
ares by the ſuperfluity of your Ceremonies and unprofitable Thanks. It ſeemes you have wholly forgot the abſolute power that your Merit has obtain'd over me, which cauſes mee once againe to put you in minde, that you will be ſooner weary in Commanding, then I in executing, as being unreſervedly,
Sir
Your moſt humble ſervant.
Another Anſwer.
SIR,
I Send you backe your Thanks, to the End that you may make uſe of them, when you entertaine ſome perſon leſſe endeared to your ſervice then I am. One would thinke by reading your complements, that you Cog with me to gaine my Friendſhip. I pray Remember Sir, that I have wholly dedicated it to your
deſert, and therefore, you are obliged hereafter to treat mee with leſſe Civility, and more freedome, if you account mee into the number of your Servants, I being,
Sir
One of your moſt humble, and moſt faithfull
Another Anſwer.
SIR,
YOur thanks have made mee reſolve to doe that piece of Service over againe, Imagining that ſomething was omitted, ſince you goe about to put mee in minde of it, by your unneceſſary Acknowledgment. Sir you know that kinde of affectation is alwayes ill received in the familiar Commerce, of a true friendſhip, which I ſhall alwayes profeſſe in your behalfe, and likewiſe that I am,
Sir
Your moſt humble Servant.
Letters of Intreaty.
SIR,
THe Report of your generous Diſpoſition gives me the boldneſſe, to implore your favour in the diſpatch of a buſineſſe, whoſe ſucceſſe depends abſolutely on your Authority. Tis true I have not the Honour to bee knowne by you, but that being a particular Mi
•
fortune of Mine, I deſire it may not ſerve as a pretence to the Refuſall of my Demand: Aſſuring you, that I ſhall indeavour to make knowne by re-all ſervice, rather then name,
Sir
Your moſt humble Servant, M.
Another upon the ſame.
SIR,
I Could wiſh your Command had prevented my Intreaties, that my obſervance might have merited of you the diſpatch
of a buſineſſe which preſents it ſelfe. But being the occaſion to Importune you, was offer'd, when I ſought one to doe you ſervice, I will force my ſelfe to beleeve that my good will may oblige you, not to refuſe this courteſie
Sir
to Your moſt humble ſervant.
Another upon the ſame.
SIR,
MY vowed Service and Friendſhip, give mee the freedome to Implore your favour, in behalfe of the Bearer of theſe Preſents, I ſerve my ſelfe very boldly of the Power you have given me to imploy your Indeavors in all ſorts of encounters, but upon Condition that you will doe the ſame in all occaſions that may offer themſelves, wherein I may witneſſe how much I am,
Sir
Your moſt humble ſervant. M.
Another.
SIR,
IF you make as great Account of my Intreaty, as I doe of your commands, you will eaſily accord unto me this, which is, to ſuſtaine with your Authority, a buſineſſe of Mine now in agitation, that it may bee determined to my advantage. I doe not doubt of your Power, and leſſe of your Nobleneſſe, which forces me to beleeve that you will comply with this Occaſion offerd you, to oblige extreamely,
Sir
Your moſt humble ſervant. M.
Another.
SIR,
IF you complaine of my Importunity, accuſe your owne freeneſſe, for if you had beene leſſe Generous, I had bin leſſe bold. But being I know by Experience in what a high degree Civility & Courteſie predominate in you, I am conſtrain'd to think, that my intreaty will not be inacceptable, which is, that you would
bee pleaſed to mollifie with your Eloquence, that harſh conceipt that Maſter N. has of mee. In this incounter you will oblige us both together, ſince giving him to underſtand my Innocence, hee will eaſily give place to reaſon. This favour in particular I hope from your Goodneſſe, as you on the contrary may expect all ſorts of Service from my Duty: In Quality
Sir
of Your moſt humble ſervant. M
Another.
SIR,
THough I bee the moſt unprofitable of all your friends, yet I ſhall never faile to prove my ſelfe one of the moſt paſſionate to your Service. The violence whereof cauſes me at this Preſent, to intreate you to oblige me in ſuch, or ſuch an Encounter. All that I can ſay to you for the firſt acknowledgement is, that I ſhall conſerve Eternally the Memory of this favour, and if I be not able to meet with an Occaſion to revenge my ſelfe,
that I ſhall carry the Sorrow of it into my Grave, together with the Quality
Sir
of Your moſt humble ſervant. M.
Anſwers to the Letters of Intreaty.
SIR,
I Have done all that you deſired of me, but with ſo much ſatisfaction, and ſo little Paines, that I beſeech you prepare ſome new commands, whereby the paſſion I have to ſerve you, may not be left unprofitable, and you ſhall ſee by my obſervance, that I have no greater Pleaſure in the World, then to make my ſelfe remarqued in all places,
Sir
Your moſt humble ſervant.
Another Anſwer.
SIR,
I Have many thankes to returne you for the happy imployment you gave mee in your ſervice; I thinke all things fell out according to your deſire, which gave mee ample occaſion to rejoyce, as participating in all things that concerne your particular. I beſeech you doe me the favour, that I may never have occaſion to doubt of it, ſince I profeſſe my ſelfe as much as any man in the World,
Sir
Your moſt humble ſervant. M.
Another Anſwer.
SIR,
I Could wiſh you had every day occaſion to command my ſervice, that I might continually have the Good fortune to produce new proofes of my obedience. I performed happily the laſt Commands wherewith you were pleaſed to honour mee, which gives me cauſe to believe that you will not long let me reſt unprofitable, without giving me ſome other ſort of imployment, wherein I may finde
more ſatisfaction, as prooving it more painefull. This I beſeech you to doe, in quality
Sir
of Your moſt humble Servant, M.
Another Anſwer.
SIR,
I Finde ſo much facility in the execution of the Command, which you impoſed upon mee, that I am aſhamed to reckon it in the number of ſervices which I deſire to render you: It being an Encounter of ſo little Importance, for my ſatisfaction and your Intereſt, that I beſeech you give me ſome other Imployment, wherein I may witneſſe according to your Merit and my Affection how unfaignedly I am
Sir
Your moſt humble Servant. M.
Another Anſwer.
SIR,
I Aske you pardon for the long time that I have ſpent in the executing your Commands, not that I have beene negligent in employing my Cares, and Diligence, but becauſe the ſucceſſe conſiſting in a Strangers power, I could no ſooner give you the Effects: yet let not the miſhap of this delay, hinder you hereafter in uſing my Endeavours, ſince I am without reſerve
Sir
Your moſt humble ſervant.
Another Anſwer.
SIR,
WHen you deſire any ſervice of me, I beſeech you conſider whether it be in my power or no, to the end that being unable to execute your Commands (as I am at this Preſent) I incurre not the hazard of your reproach. You may Expect new proofe (when you pleaſe) of the Paſſion which I have to ſerve you, ſince I no way deſire to beare in vaine the Quality
Sir
of Your moſt humble Servant. M.
Other Anſwers of Excuſe to the Letters of Intreaty.
SIR,
I Am more ſorry then your ſelfe, that I am not able to effect your Commands: The duty which you expect, does not abſolutely depend of mee, ſo that to render it worthily, I am to implore the favour of an other Man, who profeſſeth to incline totally to the adverſe party. Doe not thinke that I make theſe excuſes to avoid the occaſion, which preſented it ſelfe for your ſervice, but beleeve I beſeech you, that in all other Encounters, I will Comport my ſelfe with ſo much paſſion, that you ſhall be forced to confeſſe I am unfaignedly,
Sir
Your moſt humble ſervant, M.
Another Anſwer.
SIR,
IF you knew in what diſorder my Misfortune cauſes me to write, (ſince I am not able to ſatisfie your deſire) you would have pitty on my Affliction, being it wholly proceeds from my Griefe, that the Power to doe you ſervice is taken from mee. I ſpeake this from my heart, and ſoule, and being the friendſhip I promiſed you taught mee the Language, I will conſtraine my ſelfe to beleeve, that it is Eloquent enough to perſwade you, that the only want of ability, deprives mee at this Preſent, of the Honour and Contentment, to witneſſe unto you how much I am
Sir
Your moſt humble ſervant. M.
Congratulatory Letters to a friend, of ſome Good Fortune happened to Him.
SIR,
IF you knew how exceſſively joyfull I was at the Newes of your good fortune, you would make a doubt whether your owne reſentment might be equalled to mine or no: truly Sir there could nothing be added to it, and beſides it proceeds wholly from the friendſhip that long agoe I vowed to your good nature, which is not vulgar, ſince it has your deſert for the Object. I could ſay more if the Exceſſe of my Gladneſſe would give me the freedome, wherefore for the Preſent I muſt ſuffice my ſelfe, that you remaine aſſured, how the Contentment which I take can be equalled by nothing but the paſſion which I have to your ſervice, as being
Sir
Your very humble ſervant.
Another.
SIR,
THe newes of your Promotion into that Charg, which you wiſh'd for ſo long, have added ſuch Contentment and Satisfaction to my thoughts, that I am able to expreſſe but one part of the Ioy which raignes in me. I trouble not my ſelfe, to perſwade you to it by a long diſcourſe; your owne merit and our reciprocall Friendſhip, (ſupplying the defect of my Eloquence) will give a farre better Teſtimony then my pen is able, which has in charge at this preſent onely to put you in minde, that I am alwayes according to my wont
Sir
Your moſt humble Servant.
Another upon the ſame.
SIR,
THe part which I alwayes tooke in your Intereſts, ſhall witneſſe unto you at this Preſent, the exceſſe of my joy which I conceived at the newes of your Good Fortune: & though I be not one of the firſt to congratulate it with you, yet I am one of the moſt
ſenſible, in the common Contentment which poſſeſſeth the World. The diligence, or delay of a Poſt can advance, or diminiſh no mans duty in this kinde of encounter, ſince nothing but Zeale, and Affection are conſiderable, which gives mee great confidence at this Preſent, as being more then any man in the world,
Sir
Your moſt humble Servant.
Another.
SIR,
DOe not admire that I am one of the laſt, who congratulate with you, your good fortune: the joy which I conceived was ſo extreame, that it could afford mee no ſooner the Liberty to acquit my ſelfe. I know, the moſt o
•
your friends have prevented me, but being their ſatisfaction is ſmall, I doe not wonder if their diligence be the greater. As for my part my idleneſſe increaſeth my Merit, ſince the ſtay and Protraction proceeded only from the exceſſe of the Gladneſſe
Sir
of Your moſt humble ſervant.
Another.
SIR,
SInce you doubt not the Friendſhip which I have promiſed you, you will eaſily beleeve, that I was extreame ſenſible of the Good fortune which happen'd you of late, but I muſt tell you, that as your merit made mee foreſee it in you long before it came, ſo I was not much aſtoniſhed at the firſt recitall. I wiſh you daily the like, or greater advancements, being unable to acquit my ſelfe otherwiſe then by prayers of the great debt I owe you. Yet how unfortunate or unprofitable ſoever I be, doe not ceaſe to continue me in the Number
Sir
of Your moſt obedient and faithfull ſervants, M.
Another.
SIR,
YOu muſt imagine if you pleaſe, the reſentment which the Newes of your Good Fortune imprinted in me, ſince I am not able to expreſſe it as it is in it ſelfe. But if in this you have neede of any ſuccour, your Memory
may aſſiſt you by putting you in Minde, of the Paſſion which I have for your Service; 'tis that onely which cauſed the exceſſe of my Ioy, and to which you can adde nothing, but by honouring me with your Commands, ſince by that meanes my Obedience may give mee, the perfect Contentment of being able to teſtifie unto you how much I am
Sir
Your moſt humble ſervant, and moſt faithfull.
Anſwers to the Letters of Congratulation.
SIR,
I Alwayes beleeved you were ſo Generous, as to take part in whatſoever ſhould concerne me, having begun ſo ſtrict a Commerce of Reciprocall Friendſhip. And I perſwade my ſelfe likewiſe, that you make no doubt of the Paſſion which I have to doe you ſervice (by which Meanes onely I am able to Merit the Effects of your Nobleneſſe.) Whereof you may bee as Confident, as of the moſt aſſured thing in the World, ſince I am in heart, and ſoule,
Sir
Your moſt humble ſervant, M.
Another Anſwer.
SIR,
SInce you take part in the good fortune which has befalne me, you muſt alſo participate in the advantage of the new Credit which it has brought mee into. This I advertiſe you of, to the End that you let not any occaſion ſlip, wherein you may procure new proofes of my Paſſion, nor forget this advice which I give you; ſince I ſhall dye of Impatience, if I expect long, the opportunity to witneſſe unto you, how deepely I am
Sir
Your Servant, and Friend, M.
Another Anſwer.
SIR,
I Am not to thank you for theſe new proofes of your Nobleneſſe which you have ſhown in my behalfe, becauſe they are actions ſo proper to your Nature, that without them you could not poſſibly live. I muſt give you praiſes then, inſtead of thanks, and account my ſelfe happy, that I ſerve as an object, to your vertuous
Inclinations, whereof I ſhould become Envious, but that they do not admit any hopes of Imitation: and therefore I reſerve admiration only to contemplate them, in Quality
Sir,
of Your moſt humble Servant. M.
Another.
SIR,
THe new aſſurances wch you have given me of your friendſhip in bearing part of my good fortune, have yeilded me much more ſatisfaction then my advancement it ſelf, as preferring the Happineſſe of your Affection before my owne particular; you have touched me ſo ſenſibly, in mingling my intereſts with your own, that I ſhall never looſe the Remembrance of ſo great a favour: wiſhing that ſome occaſion would offer it ſelfe whereby I might in ſome part merit it by the reality of my Service, ſince I am, and will be, all my life,
Sir,
Your very humble ſervant. M.
Another Anſwer.
SIR,
YOu ſeeme to take pleaſure in nothing elſe, but in giving me dayly new proofs of your friendſhip, as if I were able to conceive any doubt of it at all. I know that you could not be ſo noble as you are, except you tooke part in the Content which I receive, for the happy ſucceſſe, of my affaire. And beſides making Profeſſion to love mee, in that height as I honour you, I know there was neceſſity for your ſatisfaction, and that you ſhould bee extreamely ſenſible of the good fortune,
Sir
of Your moſt humble Servant, M.
Another Anſwer.
SIR,
I Began not to day to bee indebted to you for the free Teſtimonies of your friendſhip, having given me ſo many proofes, that the diſability to revenge my ſelfe, has made me aſhamed of the Remembrance. But ſince
you partake of the joy which I receive for the gaining of my ſuit, I conjure you to ſerve your ſelfe without exception, of all the Advantages which I have got, if you would really have me beleeve, that you account me of the number of your beſt friends as well
Sir
as of Your moſt humble and moſt faithfull ſervants.
Congratulatory Letters to a Perſon of Eminent Quality.
MY LORD,
THough I bee one of the laſt in Congratulating with your Lordſhip the New governement which the king has beſtowed upon you; yet I can aſſure your Lordſhip, that no Man forewent mee in witneſſing the Reſentment of ſo publike a Ioy. And as this duty which I render you is valuable according to the greatneſſe of my Zeale, and not of my Diligence, ſo I thought that though it came ſomething late, it would not be leſſe Conſiderable.
If I had had no other object but your Lordſhips good Fortune, I had prevented in this actiō, all that have now got the ſtart of me; but taking nothing into my Conſideration, except your Deſert & my Inclination to your ſervice, I gave way to my own deſires rather then Cuſtome, which is to make my ſelfe remarked every where in effect, rather than appearance,
My Lord,
Your moſt humble ſervant. M.
Another.
My Lord,
I Could not be ſilent in the Acclamations of ſuch an univerſall Gladneſſe, being forced to ioyne my voice, to other Mens, in Publiſhing our Commune Contentment touching the Mareschalſhip of France, wherewith the King has beene graciouſly pleaſed to honour you; This Action of Iuſtice is ſo highly approved by every Perſon, that your Enemies are conſtrained to condemne themſelves to an everlaſting ſilence, being not able to open their Mouthes, but to their owne Confuſion. Live then happily with this part of Good fortune which your merit firſt made you aſpire to, and believe aſſuredly, that in the whole traine of your Excellencies ſervants, there ſhall be very few able to imitate me, in the reſolution which I have taken, to carry to my grave, the Quality
MY LORD,
of Your moſt humble & moſt obedient Servant. M.
Letters to a Perſon of Note, acknowledging ſome notable favour received.
My Lord,
I Doe not render you this duty as thanks, for the favours which your Goodneſſe has beene pleaſed to heape upon me, ſince their exceſſe force me to a ſilence, as taking from me all meanes to revenge my ſelfe. It ſufficeth me you beleeve, that I will ſooner looſe my ſelfe, then the remembrance of your bounty. I know your Lordſhip ſatisfied your ſelfe firſt, every time you obliged me; but being I cannot doe ſo, what advantage ſoever I take, without rendring you ſome ſervice of conſideration, I humbly beſeech your Lordſhip to grant mee the Liberty to Importune you at all times to honour me with your Commands, to the End that by the Innocncy of my obſervance, you may be conſtraind to know, that if you bee extreamely generous, I am no leſſe ſenſible, nor no leſſe,
My Lord,
Your moſt humble and moſt faithfull Servant. M.
Another.
MY LORD,
IF you expect thanks worthy of the Favours wherewith you have beene pleaſed to honour mee, I humbly beſeech your Lordſhip to afford mee the tearmes that I may repeat them after you for your ſatisfaction. I confeſſe boldly my incapacity to expreſſe unto your Lordſhip the reſentment which your obligations cauſe in mee, as well as my diſability in meeting with occaſions to acquit my ſelfe. But being Generous actions carry their owne recompenſe along with them, all that I can doe, is to put your Lordſhip continually in minde of your Nobleneſſe, and to publiſh it in all Corners of the World, together with the Quality
My Lord,
of Your moſt humble and moſt obedient ſervant.
Letters to aske Pardon for a Fault Committed.
SIR,
IF the confeſſion of my fault, can merit any Grace, I will expect it from your Bounty, not my Intention, becauſe it is Innocent. Tis true I have loſt your good Affection by reaſon of the Paſſage laſt night, but ſince I was ſurprized by an extremitie of Anger, (which would not ſuffer mee to conſider where I was) I leave the Iudgement of my weakneſſe to you, having wholly condemned it my ſelfe. You know that our firſt motions are ſo ſoveraigne in their violence, that in contempt of reaſon they will undergoe no lawes but their owne; who ſhould obtaine of you to conſider that in the fault which I have committed, there was more contributed by nature, then my own free will; ſo that I knew not how to avoid it, I know at leaſt how to repent my ſelfe, of which I aſſure you moſt faithfully to the end, that my moſt humble intreaties for your pardon and
favour, may bee made more acceptable, and the rather becauſe they proceed,
Sir,
from Your moſt humble ſervant. M.
Another.
SIR,
I Have too great an opinion of your Piety to make doubt of the Pardon which I crave, for my fault committed laſt night, 'tis not that I feare the Innocence of my Intention is not able to juſtifie me, but becauſe I would ſet my Minde in quiet, as I have already my Cōſcience. This act of acknowledgement ſhould ſerve you for a ſatisfaction, as it does me for a Pennance: putting you in minde of the Paſſion which alwayes heretofore I have had to doe you ſervice, and of the Profeſſion which I have made, to beare in all places, the Quality,
Sir,
of Your moſt humble and moſt obedient Servant. M.
Letters Reproaching a friend for the Coldneſſe of his Affection.
SIR,
IF I made not an extream account of your friendſhip, I would not have complain'd of your ſilence, nor that Coldneſſe which you ſhewed at our laſt meeting. I ſpeake not this, becauſe I would force your Love: but I ſhould bee very glad you would acknowledge the Affection which I have vowed you, whereby you might bee obliged to doe me juſtice in honoring me with the like, yet I leave you the liberty to doe as you pleaſe, againſt my will, I ſay againſt my will, becauſe I have taken Oath, to live and dye
Sir
Your moſt humble Servant, M.
Another.
SIR,
I Am conſtrain'd to put you in minde of thoſe proteſtations of friendſhip which once you made mee, being I perceive that yours growes already weary of her wonted Conſtancy. You ſeeme to have forgot at the ſame time, both the eſteeme which I make of your Deſert, and the Paſſion which I have to your ſervice. Sir you may change your humour when you pleaſe, if you would have me beleeve you are not fickle in your Promiſes, and that you know the Art to Conſerve eternally, thoſe that Endeare themſelves the moſt to you, as I doe, In Quality
Sir
of Your moſt humble ſervant,
Letters to complaine of Backe
biting Speeches.
SIR,
TIs told mee that you maintain'd a Certaine diſcourſe to my diſadvantage, I beſeech you out of Charity repent your ſelfe in time, if you would not have mee conſtraine you to a more rigorous Pennance, I underſtand not Ieſting, if I begin it not my ſelfe, wherefore correct your Pleadings, or I will cauſe you to looſe both your ſuit and charges. I give you this faire warning that you may have leſſe cauſe to complaine hereafter, and when I ſhall perceive you in as humble a ſubmiſſion as I expect, Ile then take it into my conſideration whether I ought to be for the time to come, as hitherto I have beene
Sir
Your moſt humble ſervant. M.
Another upon the ſame.
SIR,
I Underſtand that when you have nothing elſe to doe, you take upon you to backbite, a Perſon very neare allied unto mee. 'Tis the worſt trade and moſt dangerous that you can imploy your ſelfe in: but if your wine bee the cauſe of theſe extravagancies, I adviſe you to mingle it with water aſſoone as you can, otherwiſe I ſhall bee conſtrain'd to force you to ſuch a long ſilence, that no man ſhall ever heare you ſpeake hereafter. 'Tis the Charitable adviſe, if you follow it,
Sir
of Your ſervant, M.
Anſwers to the Letters of Complaint.
SIR,
I Doe not write this letter to give you ſatisfaction, but to comply with my owne Humour, in the Innocence I have alwayes lived; you are too blame to make thoſe falſe reporters, my Iudges, from whoſe ſentence I appeale as from an abuſe, yet you may beleeve what you pleaſe, being you are unwilling to explicate your ſelfe any further. And if you be not ſatisfied with the Aſſurance I give, that I never dream'd of offending you, I leave you to faire Paper and Inke, wherby you may ſignifie unto me your minde, and Intention, whether good or bad I care not. It ſufficeth me, that you call to remembrance the Name and Quality which I once bore
Sir
of Your moſt humble ſervant. M.
Another Anſwer.
SIR,
THoſe that told you I abuſed your kinſwoman abuſe me, I know (without any Mans Intimation) the reſpect I owe to that ſex: and what ſubject ſoever ſhe had given me, my reaſon ſhould alwayes have forced me to hold my Peace. As for the reſt, know that wine never made me ſpeake, and if you be ſo fooliſh as to beleeve it, I know a way to puniſh your folly, I tell you what I meane to doe, that you may have no pretence to ſay I ſurprize you unawares, at our next meeting, where I have good hope to make you feele how worthily I can Chaſtize, thoſe that will not bee contented with reaſon, 'Tis the reſolution
Sir
of Your ſervant as much as you pleaſe. M.
Letters to Iuſtifie ones ſelfe of a Reproach.
SIR,
I Wonder greatly at the injuſtice you have done mee, being otherwiſe ſo reaſonable as you are: you have condemned me upon the firſt report of my Enemies, without obſerving any other Formality then what your paſſion ſuggeſted. I muſt tell you, you appeare ſomething too violent in this Encounter, and the more, becauſe you never ſeem'd to make doubt of the paſſion I had to ſerve you; I complaine then with reaſon, becauſe your Reproaches are without reaſon, and beſeech you take the Paines hereafter to ponder the informations which ſhall be made you of a buſineſſe ſo Important as this, and particularly when it touches the Intereſt
Sir
of Your moſt humble ſervant, M.
Another.
SIR,
I Doe ſo highly approve of your Iudgement, that I begin to queſtion my Innocence, ſince it has declared her culpable: yet I muſt aſſure you, with your Permiſſion, that my Thoughts did never contribute any thing to the fault whereof you accuſe me, and likewiſe condemne mee, without hearing me ſpeake. But though my misfortune were alwayes ſuch that you ſhould never incline to doe mee reaſon, yet my conſcience ſhould alwayes, that I may reſt in Quiet, and peaceably poſſeſſe the Quality
Sir
of Your moſt humble ſervant. M.
Congratulatory Letters to a new Married Man.
SIR,
I Reioyce extreamely at the Happy election you have made of a wife, ſince I participate with Civility in the ſatisfaction which you receive: being glad that you have now divided the power which you had acquired over my affections, as honouring at this Preſent your deare halfe, with the ſame reſpects that heretofore I rendred to you onely. I will perſwade my ſelfe, you will make no doubt of it, no more then of the Paſſion I have to your Service, In Quality
Sir
of Your moſt humble Servant, M.
Another upon the ſame.
SIR,
DOe not expect that I ſhould formally congratulate with you the good-fortune of your Marriage, ſince I intereſſe my ſelfe in all your contentments. It ſufficeth me to put you in minde, that your good and ill fortune, ſhall be the ſole cauſe of all my joyes and diſcontents, as fully reſolved to follow, your Reſentments, in Quality
Sir
of Your moſt humble ſervant. M.
Anſwers to the Letters of Congratulation.
SIR,
I Alwayes beleev'd that you loved me ſo much as to participate in my Contentments, they are effects of your good nature and nobleneſſe, to which I am extreamely Obliged. But I can aſſure you, that in the Election I have made of a Wife, you have obtained a new ſervant, ſince ſhe partakes already in the Paſſion, which I have to ſerve you, being
Sir
Your moſt humble Servant, M.
Another Anſwer.
SIR,
I Know you are ſo Generous that you Intereſſe your ſelfe in all things which concerne mee, but I am aſhamed of receiving daily new proofes, ſince I cannot Encounter with a fit Occaſion to revenge my ſelfe. All that I can ſay then is, that I ſhall have the ſame reſentment in all affaires, which ſhall touch your Particular, as being by Inclination as well as reaſon,
Sir
Your moſt humble ſervant. M.
Letters of Proteſtation of Friendſhip.
SIR,
THough I have made a vow to bee your moſt perfect honourer all my life, and not to remit one poynt of the Paſſion which I have to doe you Service, yet I ſhall never Content my ſelfe, except ſome occaſion be offered very ſuddenly, whereby theſe Words may be changed into effects. 'Tis the onely Good Fortune which I expect with Impatience, being not a little grieved that I beare in vaine the Quality
Sir
of Your very humble ſervant.
Another.
SIR,
DOe not wonder if I importune you ſo often with my Letters, I have no greater pleaſure in the World then to aſſure you of the eſteeme I make of your friendſhip, and the eternity of minde. 'Tis true, theſe are but words, but being they are dictated by my heart, I am ſatisfied in acquitting my ſelfe of that which I owe you. If occaſions to doe you ſer
•
ic
•
would offer themſelves as often as they doe, to write to you, I would give Teſtimony by my actions, rather then my Diſcourſe, that I was never in Complement
Sir
Your moſt humble ſervant.
Another.
SIR,
SInce my ill fortune deprives mee of occaſions to ſerve you, I muſt for my owne ſatisfaction witneſſe unto you the Paſſion which predominates in me. I know your Deſert and Condition have acquired you ſervants without number, but I can aſſure you with as
much oſtentation, as Reaſon, that Ioyne them all together, I am
Sir
The moſt humble and moſt obedient.
Another.
SIR,
THe inclination which I have to eſteeme you more then all the World, will not ſuffer mee to let any opportunity ſlip▪ without giving you new aſſurances of this Truth. Not that I ceaſe to bee in a continuall impatiency, of expecting occaſions to give you more effectuall proofes, but becauſe they being not dependant of my will, I ſatisfie my ſelfe, in letting you know that ſhee ſhall never force to other thing, then to make open profeſſion of the Quality
Sir
of Your moſt humble ſervant.
Anſwers to the Letters Protesting Friendſhip.
SIR,
BE as frequent as you pleaſe in giving me new aſſurances of your friendſhip, all the proofes that you can have of mine, cannot render it more perfect then it is: being I can aſſure you, that if my indeavours could take effect, or my vowes accompliſhment, you ſhould not long account mee in the number of your unprofitable ſervants, though
Sir
of Your moſt obedient, and moſt faithfull.
Another Anſwer.
SIR,
I Will never refuſe the Honour which you doe me in profeſſing to love me extreamely, but ſince I have no merit to oblige you thereunto I dare not publiſh my good fortune, iuſtly fearing to bee deprived of it every Moment. Not becauſe I beleeve you will proove fickle, but reaſonable, and that therefore your Reaſon may oblige you, to make me loſe this good fortune, which mine onely and your Courteſie acquired me. But whatſoever happen I ſhall never be other
Sir
Then your moſt humble and moſt obedient ſervant
Another Anſwer.
SIR,
THough I never made doubt of your friendſhip, yet I make ſuch eſteeme thereof, that you advance me to a new degree of Honour and delight, every time you take the Paines to give mee freſh aſſurances of it by your letters. 'Tis true, in this you doe but
aſſure mine, yet howſoever, the commerce of this kind of entertainment is ſo delightful, that if I did not apprehend I might be importune, I ſhould write unto you by every opportunity that preſented it ſelfe, being 'tis the onely conſolation which I have in your abſence, to put you in minde, that I will be eternally
Sir
Your moſt humble ſervant. M.
Another Anſwer.
SIR,
FOR all you love me and eſteeme me never ſo much, you are ſtill indebted to me, ſince my object is your deſert: what proofes ſoever you give me of your friendſhip, they are not able to diminiſh the price of mine, being in a height of Perfection not to be valued. But if my misfortune nouriſh you in a continuall doubt, I will produce my advantage when you produce your aſſurances: Deſiring nothing ſo much as to witneſſe unto you by effects rather then words, that I am
Sir
Your moſt humble ſervant.
Letters to a Friend in favour of another.
SIR,
THe bearer of this Letter, a Gentleman, and one of my very good friends, deſiring that I would intreate you, (as I doe moſt humbly,) to oblige him in a buſineſſe whoſe ſucceſſe depends wholly in your favour, I knew not how to refuſe his merit and condition ſo poore a Demand: wherefore you ſhall oblige me extreamely, if you will be pleaſed to imploy ſome part of your credit therein, without any other Conſideration, but only that you were Requeſted
Sir
by one of Your moſt humble, and moſt obedient ſervants, M.
Another.
SIR,
YOur Deſert, and Condition, have made you ſo Conſiderable and Neceſſary, that your friends are alwayes ſubject to importune you: and amongſt the reſt I at this Preſent, in favour of the Gentleman who beares this Letter: beſeeching you, to ſupport him with your credit, in a buſineſſe of which hee will informe you. I ſhall account his obligations, into the Number of mine, and Teſtifie to you in my owne Particular, the Reſentment which I ſhall conceive in Quality
Sir
Of Your moſt humble and moſt obedient ſervant. M.
Anſwers to the Letters of Favour.
SIR,
THis Gentleman in whoſe behalfe you tooke the Paines to write unto mee, will tell you by word of mouth, how faithfully I have ſerved you, in obliging him. If you judge mee able to render you any other ſervice, wherein I may finde more ſatisfaction, as prooving it more difficult, it ſtands upon nothing, but your ſelfe, to give mee the Employment, being very glad to witneſſe unto you at all times how much I am
Sir
Your ſervant.
Another Anſwer.
SIR,
I Eſteeme my ſelfe happy to have met with this little occaſion, to doe you ſervice by making your friends buſineſſe (wherof you writ unto mee) bee determined to his advantage. I imployed in it equally, both my Care and induſtry, not looſing one moment of time, to the end that I might thereby witneſſe, in what eſteeme I have the honour of your Commands. You may give mee new ones when you pleaſe: if you deſire new proofes of the Obedience
Sir
of Your moſt humble, and moſt faithfull ſervant, M.
Letters complaining of the Abſence of a Friend.
SIR,
THough true friendſhip bee in the Proofe of abſence, yet yours is of ſo long continuance, that I imagine you purpoſe to caſt me off, ſince you ſeeme to retire your affection thus by little and little. I ſpeake confidently, becauſe I feare extreamely, and you ought to pardon thi
•
boldneſſe and feare, ſince they proceed equally from the good inclination I have to your Service, and the great eſteeme I make of your Friendſhip. Returne then quickly, if you will free from ſorrow and diſquiet,
Sir
The moſt humble of all your ſervants and the moſt faithfull.
Another.
SIR,
I Can endure your abſence no longer: you muſt of neceſſity ſhew your ſelfe oftner then you doe to your friend, for your owne honour, and my ſatisfaction: I ſay for your Honour, becauſe it is thereby in Queſtion, ſince you keepe your ſelfe ſo long retired in a place, of which even the Gazette never makes mention. You muſt not give ſo much way to your humour, and inclination, that they intereſſe with them the Contentment, of all that love you. For my owne part, I am reſolved to goe ſeeke you, if you returne not very ſoone, to which I adjure you, by all the Charmes of the Paſſion which I have to your ſervice, as being
Sir
Your moſt humble Servant, M.
Anſwers to the Letters which com
plain of Abſence.
SIR,
YOu chide me with ſuch a good grace, that I could wiſh to ſee you oftner in that humor, ſince it obliges me to beleeve that I am not altogether indifferent to you. 'Tis true, my abſence hath been ſomething long, but being my preſence is unprofitable to my friends, by the diſability I am in to ſerve them, I make the leſſe account of my abſence from the Court; Yet the only means to occaſion my return, will be, if you teſtifie unto me that I can be uſefull to you when I am there; which ſhall precipitate my haſte, being in a firme reſolution to render you all manner of Service, in quality
Sir,
of Your moſt humble and obedient ſervant, M.
Another Anſwer.
SIR,
MY pride will become inſufferable, if you intereſſe your ſelfe often in the delay of my return. I wonder you can find me wanting at the Court where you have admirers without number; but if I could be perſwaded that my abſence did occaſion your diſquiet, or that my preſence could be neceſſary for your ſervice, you ſhould not be able to detain me from the Town, whither your Commands ſhall ſoon call me when you are pleaſed to expect proofes of my obedience, as being
Sir,
Your moſt humble ſervant, M.
Letters to cleare our ſelfes of a falſe report.
SIR,
I Need not much eloquence to perſwade my innocency touching the report which was made to you of late, ſince I will oblige my ſelfe to
make them confeſſe the truth publickly that have been too ſhameleſſe to maintain the contrary in private. 'Tis a malice ſo ill contrived, (though black as Hell) that I am perſwaded it will deceive it ſelfe. For what appearance is there, that having received an infinity of favour from your goodneſſe, I ſhould ſo irreverently contemne a thouſand other noble qualities that elevate your eſteem above the common? I beſeech you beleeve that I ſhall be their admirers all my life, and a continuall flaile to the broachers of this Impoſture. I have no reſpect of perſons when my Honor is queſtioned; I beare a ſword to defend it with the hazard of my life, which I eſteem far leſſe. But if this cannot give you ſatisfaction, let me know the name of the reporter, and I will make you ſport in laying open the particulars of his knavery, and the ſincerity of my innocency, which ſhall give you ſufficient never to make doubt of the paſſion I have to ſerve you, as being
Sir,
Your moſt humble and obedient ſervant.
An other.
SIR,
IT is an eaſie matter for any Man to accuſe me, but I defie all the World together, to convince me in the leaſt reſpect. Tis true, I could not ſpeak in that Company, but ſome muſt heare me; but, be pleaſed to ſhew me my adverſary, and Ile engage my ſelf to make him ſigne me an acquittance of my innocency with his owne blood. I boaſt of nothing that I will not doe; for let me but know the broachers of that impoſture: and I will eaſily let you know their malice, which ſhall force you to beleeve (as I moſt humbly intreat you) that I will ſooner looſe my life than the honour and ſtile of being
Sir,
Your moſt humble and moſt obedient ſervant, M.
An other.
SIR,
I Will not juſtifie my ſelfe with words, of the aſperſion laid upon me, deſiring by effects to let you ſee my innocency as clear,
as the malice of thoſe that would have blemiſhed it, black and pernicious. I beſeech you think that I ſhall never be able to forget the reſpect I owe you; and if any have the boldneſſe to accuſe me of it, my Sword ſhall impoſe them a moſt rigorous pennance, ſince I profer to be alwayes what I alwayes was
Sir,
Your moſt humble Servant, M.
Anſwers to the Letter of Juſti
fication.
SIR,
TIs true, I was told you abuſed mee behind my back; but ſince I never gave you cauſe, and on the other ſide your diſcretion being ſufficiently knowne to me, I was not ſo much as tempted to give credit to it; you needed not then have juſtified your ſelfe of a fault whereof I eſteem'd you alwayes innocent. The reputation you bear in all places of the World, may ſeem as a judge to condemne your accuſers;
wherefore you may ſleep in quiet, ſince I account my ſelfe diſintereſſed, and place me in the number
Sir,
of Your moſt humble, and moſt affectionate ſervants.
Another Anſwer.
SIR,
BEfore I can declare you guilty, you muſt confeſſe your ſelf faulty with your own mouth; for the teſtimonies of all the World, cannot convince the good opinion I have of your integrity. Men may calumniate your reputation as much as they pleaſe, but I ſhall alwayes hold your accuſers to be in the fault, ſince it is impoſſible I ſhould loſe the eſteem which I conceive of your deſert, being
Sir,
Your moſt humble ſervant.
Letters to a ſick Friend.
SIR,
THe news of your ſickneſſe hath bred ſuch a change in my health, that I may juſtly count my ſelfe in the number of thoſe that are not well. Take courage then, if you will give it me; you know the intent I have in all things concerning your particular. In a word, if you leave not your bed very ſuddenly, I ſhall be conſtrained to take it. Theſe are the Proteſtations
Sir,
of Your very humble ſervant, M.
Another.
SIR,
I Will not tell you how extreamely ſenſible the ſorrowfull news of your ſickneſſe was to me; only I muſt put you in mind that your diſeaſe cannot chuſe but be
very contagious, having infected one hither. I could wiſh, for your ſervice and my contentment, that I were neare you; but my miſfortune is ſuch, that it ties me to certain affaires in this Town, which by no meanes I am able to abandon. Yet all theſe obſtacles ſhall not hinder me from acquitting my ſelfe of my duty, if you eſteem me uſefull to render you any manner of ſervice, of which I give you moſt faithfull aſſurance, as proteſting to be all my life,
Sir,
Your moſt humble ſervant, M.
Anſwers to the Letters written to a ſick Friend.
SIR,
IF I had ſooner recovered my health, I had ſooner returned you thanks for the reſentment you wittneſſed to have of my ſicknes: but being it kept me very long, I was conſtrained to delay my acknowledgement till this very preſent: though 'tis not from this encounter onely that I know how ſenſible you are of al things concerning your Friends, which makes you have them without
number; but I can aſſure you, that put them all together, I am
Sir,
The moſt obedient and moſt faithfull.
An other Anſwer.
SIR,
AS ſoon as ever I was able to hold a pen, I ſerved my ſelf of the opportunity to render you thanks, for the conſolation which you gave me, in the delightfull entertainment of your letters. Yet, I pray you Sir, deprive me not of this contentment, if you would not have me ſick againe. For I can aſſure you, tis a very great ſatiſfaction to me to ſee my ſelfe honoured with the favour of your remembrance, in Quality
Sir,
of Your moſt humble ſervant, M.
Letters to demand the protection of a ſtrange Prince.
SIR,
THough I have not the honour to be knowne to your Highneſſe, yet the eſteem that al the World makes of your Royall vertues, gave me the boldneſſe moſt humbly to beſeech your Majeſtie to grant me protection within the Lands of your Obedience. I am not guilty of any crime that ſhould make me bluſh; and if I have violated the Lawes of my owne Prince, it was but to obey the Law which Honour had impoſed upon me before. This makes me expect from your Highnes bounty, al manner of aſſiſtance, ſince onely the profeſſion of Souldier made me quit my owne Country. Your Highneſſe will augment by this action the number of your Creatures, ſince thereby I ſhall vow my ſelfe to live and dye in quality
of Your Highneſſe Moſt humble ſervant, M.
Another.
SIR,
THe Bruit of your Highneſſe renowne occaſion'd my entrance into the Lands of your Obedience, not knowing where to find a more aſſured harbour in the World. I hope your Highneſſe will not violate for me alone, the Lawes which your wiſedome has already made in favour of diſtreſſed and guilty perſons; and though I be no otherwiſe than the right of Honour dos permit, yet I moſt humbly implore your Majeſties protection as extreamly conducing to my repoſe and quiet. For my birth and condition, I thought it not neceſſary to reveale them, till your Highneſſe command oblige me to it, being ſufficient to give you aſſurance, that I have committed no crime whereof all men that make profeſſion of Honour, may not be juſtly accuſed and convicted together; But I will be all my life
Your Highneſſe Moſt humble, moſt obedient, and moſt obliged ſervant, M.
Letters witnesſing unto a Friend the con
tentment we receive in ſerving him.
SIR,
I Should expreſſe but one part of my Contentment, though I ſhould ſay in doing you ſervice I receive all the ſatiſfaction the World is able to afford; for your merit is ſo conſiderable, that there is no divertiſment like the continuall action of executing your commands. Doe not think that I complement, but beleeve infallibly that my heart, mouth, and pen, conſpire together every time I give you aſſurance, as I doe now, that I am more than all the World.
Sir,
Your moſt humble ſervant.
An other.
SIR,
YOu are ſo generous that you know by experience what contentment men receive in doing their friends ſervice;
for my owne particular, I think nothing can be added to mine, ſuch a ſenſible feeling I have of it every time you are pleaſed to honour me with your commands. I pray you then be not ſo ſparing, ſince it is my whole delight, and ſince I ſhall importune you for nothing elſe, in the reſolution I have taken, to beare beyond my grave, the Quality
Sir,
of Your moſt humble and moſt obedient ſervant.
Another.
SIR,
I Never eſteem'd my ſelfe happy till the day wherein you were pleaſed to give mee an employment for your ſervice, as being the only thing in the world I aſpir'd to with moſt paſſion. I would you were alwayes in th' humour to honour me with your commands, as I am alwayes to obey them, which you ſhall doe me a great favour to beleeve, and beſides
that I am unfeignedly and without reſervation
Sir,
Your moſt humble and moſt faithfull ſervant.
Anſwers to the precedent Letters.
SIR,
EVery time you are pleaſed to give me ſure teſtimonies of your friendſhip, I find my ſelfe moſt powerfully touched by my ordinary impatience, of incountring with ſome opportunity to revenge my ſelfe; but ſince you are extreamly reaſonable, I will force my ſelfe to beleeve, that you conſider rather the price of my zeale, than the misfortune of my diſability, ſo that making no doubt of the paſſion I beare to your ſervice, you will place mee alwayes in the rank
Sir,
of Your moſt obedient and moſt faithfull ſervants, M.
An other Anſwer.
SIR,
I Know 'tis your ordinary delight to oblige all the World, without expecting as much as thanks; but I beſeech you beleeve that I am too honeſtly envious of your nobleneſſe, that every time you are pleaſed to give me new proofes thereof, I live in all the tortures of the World, till I have encountred with the means of requiting it. And finding my ſelfe in that caſe at this preſent, I am forced to repreſent unto you my diſquiet, that I may not be accuſed of ingratitude, and leſſe of negligence, in ſeeking occaſions to teſtifie unto you how perfectly I am
Sir,
Your moſt humble and obliged ſervant, M.
An other Anſwer.
SIR,
'TIs not enough to oblige continually your friends; friendſhip commands that you ſhould ſerve your ſelfe of
them, in all kind of encounters; to which I conjure you, if you deſire I ſhould beleeve that you love me extreamely. I will never importune you with other things, in the grief I remain, to beare unprofitably, the Quality
Sir,
of Your moſt humble and obedient ſervant.
Another Anſwer.
SIR,
IT would be very hard for me to expreſſe how ſtrictly I am yours; for what proofes ſoever my obedience were able to give you, they could reſent but one part of the paſſion which I have to your ſervice, as being, inimitably
Sir,
Your moſt humble and faithfull ſervant.
An other Anſwer.
SIR,
I Am reſolved to beſeech you would be pleaſed to honour mee continually with your commands, ſince you are pleaſed to produce continually new proofes of your
friendſhip. Theſe ſhall be all the intreaties I will make you, to the end that my obedience may ſerve me for an occaſion, in ſerving you according to the paſſion which raignes in me. And to witneſſe unto you, that there be few in the World can vaunt with reaſon, that they are to that height as I am
Sir,
Your moſt humble and moſt obedient ſervant.
Another Anſwer.
SIR,
IT would be very hard for mee to reckon up the obligations which I have to you; You are too noble in all reſpects, (and eſpecially when it ſtands upon the intereſts of your friends) that it is ſufficiently ſeene you take great pleaſure in having no equall. Yet I muſt tell you freely, that I am one of your Enviers, as well as of your Admirers, being Jealous of the continuall Generoſity you exerciſe in my behalfe, not leaving mee ſo much leaſure as to ruminate upon the means of acknowledgement. 'Tis my turne now to let you know, I am not inſenſible, and that if you be extreamly well skill'd in the
Art of obliging all the World, I am not altogether ignorant of the Art of acquitting my ſelfe. I beſeech you beleeve it, and that I am without Complement
Sir,
Your moſt humble ſervant, M.
Another Anſwer.
SIR,
I Begin to grow weary of your favours; the diſability in which I find my ſelfe, will not ſuffer me to receive any new one, for feare I ſhould be conſtrain'd in the End to paſſe for Ungratefull. Wherefore except I encounter with ſome favourable occaſion, wherin I may witneſſe the Paſſion which I have to ſerve you, I will never adde any thing to this number of obligations. This is my Humor, my Reſolution being to profeſſe my ſelfe all my Life
Sir,
Your moſt humble ſervant, M.
THE SECOND PART OF The Secretarie in Faſhion.
A Letter Conſolatory to a
Father upon the Death of his Sonne.
SIR,
THE ſorrowfull newes of your Sonnes Death, touched mee very feelingly, and the more, becauſe I had the honour of his acquaintance, and particular knowledge of his Deſerts. The love which you have ſuſtain'd, is very great I confeſſe; but you muſt likewiſe confeſſe that unavoydable evils, are to be endured with conſtancy. I ſpeak not this to condemne your Sighes and Teares, for I doe willingly approve of them, yea, even in exceſſe: but to let you know, that after you have ſatisfied your humour, you muſt a little give place to reaſon, being you ſhall receive as much glory in drying vp your Teares, as you did once pleaſure in ſhedding them. I know your Sonne
was the onely Comfort which remained to you in this World, and that his preſence meerly did make you live contented even amongſt the peeviſhneſſes of old age. But all this induceth mee to beleeve that God deprived you of him, for no other Reaſon, but onely to comfort you hereafter in himſelfe, as being the onely Good which is ſubject to no Change. He calls himſelfe a Jealous God; wonder not then if he be Jealous of the unmeaſureable love you bore to your Childe. And if his Providence hath found a meanes to oblige you, in robbing you of an object which poſſeſt all your affections together, you on the other ſide are obliged this Day to make him the object of your Thankſgiving, and not of your Complaints. This is that which I expect at the hands of your Magnanimity, and ſoundneſſe of Judgement; the weakeneſſe of mine, detaining mee from paſſing further, being aſſured that you are able your ſelfe to be your own Comforter. It ſufficeth me that I acquit my ſelfe of my Duty, in witneſſing to you the griefe I conceive for your Misfortune, and the continuall care I ſhall have to blaze my ſelfe whereſoever I come,
Sir,
Your moſt humble ſervant.
The Anſwer.
SIR,
I Am obliged to you, for the charitable counſell you were pleaſed to give me upon the Death of my Sonne: But ſuffer me to tell you (after my humble thanks) that my affliction is of ſuch a Nature, that Death only is able to give me ſatisfaction, ſo that I find my ſelfe conſtrained to go ſeek my remedy in my Grave; and yet I doe not murmure againſt the providence of God; though I muſt aſſure you that without a particular Grace, and ſenſible miracle, I ſhall faint under the burden of my misfortune. Yet I beſeech you Sir, doe not deprive mee of the Comfor of your Letters, knowing I cannot enjoy the Happineſſe of your Company: And above all things, remember me in your Prayers, ſince I expect no ſuccour but from Heaven. I am ever
Sir,
Your moſt humble ſervant.
Another Anſwer.
SIR,
YOur deare Letter concerning the death of my Sonne, had much allayd my Greife, if my affliction had been capable of any Comfort; Yet I eſteeme my ſelf extreamly obliged to you for the part you ſeem to take in my Misfortune, in which you teſtifie that you are equally both of a Generous Diſpoſition, and a Good Friend. Sir, the ſorrow which oppreſſeth me, has left mee nothing but ſighes and teares to offer you up in acknowledgement, it ſufficeing mee (ſince it is true) that you beleeve I am and will be everlaſtingly
Sir,
Your very humble ſervant.
Letters Conſolatory to a Sonne, upon the Death of his Father.
SIR,
THad ſooner condoled with you the loſſe of your Father, if I had ſooner judged you capable of Conſolation. I thought it fit to afford you ſome
time, to pay (with the abundance of your Teares) the debt you owed to Nature; but now having ſatisfied your ſelfe, by the publike Teſtimony which you have given of your Sorrow, I come amongſt others, to acquit my ſelfe of my obligation, and to perſwade you to patience, aſſuring you that I am very ſenſible of the exceſſe of your Affliction. I know you have practiſed that vertue in a thouſand Encounters of Misfortune, which have made you able to give leſſons to all the reſt of the World; So that all I am to doe, is to put you in mind, that both you and I make all the haſte poſſible after him whoſe abſence we deplore with too much Lamentation; and that without a particular Favour of God Almighty, we ſhall be even at his heeles, before we be worthily prepared for ſo great a Voyage. This I made bold to remember you of, and likewiſe that I am, as much as ever
Sir,
Your moſt humble ſervant, M.
Another Letter.
TIs not to Comfort you of the loſſe which you have ſuſtained, that I put Pen to Paper, but rather to give Teſtimony
of the Reſentment which I feele, knowing the Ability of your judgement, and weakneſſe of my owne. It ſufficeth mee to repreſent unto you, that in the Neceſſity of dying or being born, Nature does oblige every man to goe the Way that is Marked out for him; Tis no matter how long and ſtrong ſome men be, they all meet together at the Grave, and being arived there, none makes account of the Time which they imployed in going that Voyage. For our owne particulars, let us conſider how many yeares we have already ſpent ſince we began it; and in this very Moment that you read this, we may propoſe to our ſelves the End of it, by the Imagination of a hidden death. As for your Father, he dyed but for himſelfe, and has perhaps left you a while to play his Part here in this World, which ought in my opinion to leave you more Envy than Sorrow, knowing that he has already caſt Anchor in that haven whether you tend with might and maine. I would ſay more, if I made no conſcience to detaine your Eyes too long upon this Paper; you muſt give them yet a little time to ſleepe, ſince your Griefe is juſt; in which I take a large Part, in Quality
Sir,
of Your moſt humble ſervant.
Another Letter.
SIR,
I Am too much your Servant, to remaine Dumbe, and Inſenſible, at the ſorrowfull report of your Fathers death. Theſe lines in acquitting me of what I owe you, wil teſtifie unto you the Part I take in your affliction. I think it will be hard for you to comfort your ſelfe after ſuch a Loſſe; but ſince God does never Afflict us above our force, let the force of your judgement work your Conſolation. The moſt ſweet conſideration you can have, is that you were witneſſe of the laſt actions which your Father did, before his retreat, out of this World; which having either few or no examples, may be a ſufficient cauſe of your Quiet, every time you conſider their importance. Live honeſtly as he did, and dye in the ſame Manner; you are in the right way to the Place whither he is gone: and if he have anticipated you ſome few dayes, thoſe will ſeeme but a Moment, when you are arived at the End. Solace your ſelfe then in his abſence, ſince the innocency wherein you live, is an Infallible Aſſurance to you that you ſhall ſee him very ſuddenly. I will give you like undoubted Teſtimony of the
Paſſion which I have to your Service, whenſoever you pleaſe to honour mee with your Commands, as being
Sir,
Your moſt humble ſervant.
Anſwers to the Letters of Conſo
lation.
SIR,
I Doe not excuſe the Long time that I have ſtaid in returning you thanks for the part which you did mee the Honour to take in my affliction; becauſe the Griefe is ſtill ſo ſenſible to mee, that I cannot imploy my Spirit without Violence, in any other thoughts but thoſe of my Miſfortune: Not that I remaine not entirely Reſigned to the Wil of God, and fully Reſolved to Patience: but yet all this cannot hinder my Sorrow from Enjoying an abſolute Poſſeſſion of mee: and for an Encreaſe of Miſchiefe, my griefe-ſick Humour does render it ſo agreeable, that I have not ſo much Liberty as to Complaine, though it devour me by Little and Little. Yet I ceaſe not to
be extreamly obliged to you, for your Pious and Charitable Counſells, which you were pleaſed to give mee, aſſureing you that I will take my ordinary Leſſons of Comfort out of them. Notwithſtanding, I muſt tell you with my ancient freedom, that as my Affliction comes from above, 'tis from thence onely that I expect a Remedy. How good a Phyſitian ſoever Time be, I deſire nothing of you but Prayers, intermingled with Commands; to the end that my obedience may make mee worthy the good opinion you have
Sir,
of Your moſt humble ſervant.
Another Anſwer.
SIR,
I Muſt confeſſe your Charitable letter did much comfort the loſſe which I lately ſuſtained; and the more, becauſe it gave Teſtimony of your feeling in my Affliction. In ſuch accidents as theſe, I never find more Conſolation, than to ſee my ſelfe lamented by my Friends; amongſt whom ſince you poſſeſſe the firſt rank, I leave to your owne conſideration whether your Letter were agreeable
to me, or no: Yet for all that, I cannot ceaſe my Teares, my Sorrow increaſing upon mee daily more and more, through the Remembrance of the Miſfortune which was the cauſe of it. And truly after this Loſſe, I cannot apprehend any other; which might ſerve me for a very effectuall admoniſhment, if I were Capable of receiving any. I would ſay more, if my Teares did not blot out my Writing: Wherefore in briefe, I doe deſire of you, that you would be pleaſed to Conſerve me the Honour of your Remembrance, and adde not the Loſſe of your Friendſhip to this which I already ſuſtaine; ſince I am with Paſſion
Sir,
Your moſt humble and moſt obliged ſervant.
Letters Conſolatory to a Husband upon the Death of his Wife.
SIR,
I Know not in what Tearmes to begin to comfort you, your Loſſe appearing to mee ſo great, by reaſon of the exceſſe of your Affliction,
and my Reſentment, that I am farre more diſpoſed to accompany your teares, than able any way to ſolace your Miſery. You know Misfortune has taught mee by Experience to value a Diſcontent of that Nature, having heretofore ſhed teares for the ſame ſubject. So that repreſenting to my ſelfe that which I have ſuffered in a like Incounter, I muſt needs tell you, you are not to expect your Remedy from any Place but Heaven. Though I deny not but Time may worke much upon that kind of Malady; yet the Terme is ſo long, that the little remainder of Quiet, which is left after the Purge of our diſcontent, ſtays not ſo long as to give us an abſolute and full Poſſeſſion of it. Wherefore be aſſured, that God will not abandon you, if you adore his Providence with ſubmiſſion; a Meanes to which, is, if you Conſider that you are continually in Election to ſee your Wife againe, and ſooner too than perhaps you imagine. Pardon mee Sir, for my freedome of ſpeech; I cannot flatter you, being to that Point, as I am,
Sir,
Your moſt humble ſervant.
Another.
SIR,
THough I be not able to Comfort you in your Wifes death, yet it is ſufficient for my ſatisfaction, that I witnes unto you the great part which I take in your Affliction: onely I will put you in Minde, that in Sorrowfull Accidents, Patience is the cheif Remedy, after our Reſignation to the Will of God. Our teares and Complaints are in vaine, ſince they doe but provoke Heaven, in ſtead of appeaſing it. When you eſpouſed that vertuous Lady, the Notary who paſſed the Contract of your Marriage, forgot not to inſert this Clauſe, that the ſurvivor ſhould enjoy the rights of Widdowſhip. What reaſon have you then, to lament a Death which you foreſaw ſo long ſince, as if you had been aſſured, when you tooke her, ſhee had not been ſubject to it? She prevented you in an Inevitable Action; and perhaps it will not be much; Ten yeares more or leſſe, are but an inſtant to that of Death; For which I would wiſh you prepare your ſelfe; what leaſure ſoever you have, I can aſſure you you will have very little ſpare time. But I muſt not incurre the Fault from which I promiſed to exempt my ſelfe. I aske you
Pardon, ſince my Crime is occaſioned by my Zeale, as being
Sir,
Your moſt humble ſervant.
Another.
SIR,
THe Friendſhip and ſervice I vowed to you long agoe, have made mee ſo ſenſible of the ſorrowfull Newes of your Wifes death, that I ſtand in need of the Conſolation which all the World does adminiſter to you. Expect not then any Comfort from mee, being afflicted as I am. All that I can ſay to you, is, that your Wife dying in that innocency, in which ſhee alwayes lived, has left you in my Opinion a greater cauſe of Envy, than of Sorrow. Wherefore, I would not have you Dreame of any thing ſo much, as of following her; and ſince you are every houre haſtening to your end, change the Nature of your teares, lamenting more that ſhe has left you behind her, than that ſhe is gone before you. This is all the Counſell I can give you, together with a new aſſurance that I will live and dye
Sir,
Your moſt humble ſervant.
Anſwers to the Precedent Letters.
SIR,
THE Griefe which I conceived for the loſſe of my Wife, would not permit mee ſooner to render you thanks, for the pious reſentment you witneſſe in her behalfe. I always thought you would participate in my Misfortunes, becauſe you did mee the Honour to love mee: And the rather becauſe I knew you were intereſſed in my Sorrow, as having loſt a moſt humble Servant. Yet I remaine indebted to you for the Charitable care which you took in comforting mee, though it were in vaine, ſince I cannot ſo ſoone quit the memory of a Loſſe ſo important to my repoſe. Men may tell me as much as they pleaſe, that my Miſery is without reliefe; 'tis becauſe of that that I am void of Comfort. To cure it, is a work of the Hand of God; and all that Time and my Friends are able to contribute, does but ſerve to diſpoſe the matter, which the Almighty muſt informe when he pleaſeth. Yet Sir, though my Misfortunes be in their Flood, they have not drowned the reſpectfull
obſervance I alwayes uſed in your behalfe, as having made a vow to coffin up with my ſelfe the Quality
Sir,
of Your moſt faithfull ſervant.
Another Anſwer.
SIR,
I Could heartily wiſh, that the Sorrow I conceive for my Wifes death, were capable of Conſolation, that ſo I might make uſe of the Charitable precepts you were pleaſed to give me, for which I render you moſt humble thanks: But truly Sir, my Affliction is ſo great, that if God doe not ſoone play the Phyſitian, I can expect remedy from nothing but death. So that how conſtantly ſoever I beare my Misfortune, the very Sorrow wherewith it is accompanied, will thruſt me by little and little into my Grave. Not that I have not wholly reſigned my ſelfe to the will of God, but becauſe being not able to make this Reſignation in all points abſolute, the remainder of my Liberty ſerves to no other end but to torment me: Make your
Prayers to Heaven for me, that it would pleaſe to conduct mee ſuddenly into that haven of Quiet where you now are: I expect of your devotion, this favour from the Divine goodneſſe, as you ohght to expect all manner of ſervice from the friendſhip I have vowed to you, as being with Paſſion
Sir,
Your moſt humble ſervant.
Another Anſwer.
SIR,
I Can thank you for nothing but your good will which you witneſſed to me, in thoſe wholeſome counſels you were pleaſed to give me touching the Loſſe which I have lately ſuſtain'd; For how powerfull ſoever your reaſons be, they can never leſſen my ſorrow, and much leſſe be able to heale it. Thoſe that ſee my Misfortune, conſider it but as an accident that arrives every day, and which torments at the ſame time an infinite number of Husbands: but if they could penetrate into the bottome of my Soule, that they might know the juſt cauſe of my continual lamentations, the wiſeſt of them would be conſtraind to approve the Eternity of my complaints,
ſince they would know thereby how hopeleſſe they are of cure. 'Tis true there is nothing elſe now able to give me ſatisfaction, which makes me find ſome kind of Comfort in the ſhortning of my dayes, ſince I ſolace my ſelfe in my departure, knowing it tends to the accompliſhment of my Griefe. Youle tell me perhaps I ſpeak not like a Chriſtian; I am one howſoever; but the Affliction to which I have abandond my ſelfe, will not ſuffer me to enjoy any other Light, than that which ſhows the way to my Grave. I returne to the obligation wherein I am bound to you for the Honour of your Remembrance and charitable admonitions, and to witneſſe unto you the Reſentment they have left in me in Quality
Sir,
of Your moſt humble ſervant.
Another Anſwer.
SIR,
I Confeſſe the Admonitions which you uſed in the laſt letter wherewith you were pleaſed to honour mee, touching the loſſe
which I have ſuſtained of late, by the Death of my Wife, were ſo Ponderous, that I could not chuſe but receive thereby great Conſolation. 'Tis needfull (as you ſay very well) that our firſt leſſon of Conſtancy, ſhould be the reſignation of our wils to God: and that al the Study which we are to imploy therein, ſhould be but to perfect that Action. I acknowledge it very willingly; the experience which I have learn'd, will ſuffer mee to make no further doubt. For God laid the Affliction upon me, and he himſelfe is my Comforter. His Juſtice puniſhed me, but his Goodneſſe has made me find ſo much ſweetnes in my Miſery, that in ſtead of Complaints, I am bound to render him Everlaſting Thankſgiving. Howſoever, continue me the Favour of your good Counſels, with the Honour of your Friendſhip, and beleeve if you pleaſe, that I will be all my life,
Sir,
Your moſt humble and moſt obedient ſervant.
Conſolatory Letters to a Lady or Gentlewo
man upon her Husbands Death.
MADAM,
I Had no ſooner heard the ſorrowfull newes of your Husbands death, but I put Pen to paper, to witneſſe unto you at the ſame time, both the Sorrow which I conceive, and the Reſolution which I have taken to die in your Ladyſhips ſervice. If I thought my ſelfe able to comfort you, I would do my endeavour moſt freely; but the Remembrance of your Vertue forbids mee, ſince it alone is ſufficient to give you the Leſſons, which it made you practice heretofore, in other encounters of Misfortune. Tis true, this is more penetrating than all the reſt; therefore your Conſtancy ſhould employ all her Endeavours to ſurmount your Griefe: and ſince Grace onely can give us the greateſt part of our force, you have more (in my opinion) to hope for than to feare, in this Combate. What if Heaven be provoked againſt us; it never afrights us with the noyſe of his Thunder, but it rejoyceth us very ſuddenly with the cleare ſhining light of his Sunnes beames. But if you be preſſed with impatience
in this Surpriſall of Sorrow, dry up your teares, ceaſe the continuation of your Sighs, you ſhall find the Soveraigne Remedy of all your Ills, in the practice of theſe actions. Mine ſhall be alwaies directed to your Honour and Service, as being from my heart rather than Mouth,
Madam,
Your moſt humble ſervant, M.
Another.
MADAM,
I Find in my ſelfe a greater diſpoſition to lament with you the loſſe which you have ſuſtained, than I judge my ſelfe able to give you comfort. For if you be deprived of a Husband whom you loved intirely, I am robbed of a Friend for whom I would have adventured a thouſand Lives. Truly Madam, I am ſo wholly taken up in my own Sighes, and teares, that I cannot think of yours, but in ſome intermediating Houres, be they never ſo extreame. So that in ſtead of giving you Comfort, I am more like to perſwade you to render your Complaints Everlaſting. You may ſeek an other Husband to a faire purpoſe,
the World is too narrow to find his Equall. And for my ſelfe, I may truly ſay, the mould of my old Friend being broken, I ſhould ſpend my Travaile in vaine, if I went about to parallell him amongſt my new ones. Let us then ſolace our ſelves in our affliction Madam, ſince it is extreame: the Extremity of it will ſoone teach us the way to our Graves where wee ſhall find a Remedy for our ills. If it be lawfull to love perfectly, no man wil hinder us to lament without ceaſe, ſince continuall tears are the Teſtimonies of a Perfect Love. In the caſe I am in at this preſent, I am able to give you no other advice; yet if God give you the Grace to deſpiſe my Counſell, I ſhall never reproach you for it, but rather beſeech you that you would make your Prayers to God, for my like happineſſe, and to beleeve that if I be extreamly afflicted, I am no leſſe
Madam,
Your moſt humble ſervant.
Another.
MADAM,
HAving given you a thouſand Teſtimonies of the particular eſteem I made of your Husband, I hope you will
not now doubt of the Reſentment which remaines to mee for his Loſſe. Theſe lines notwithſtanding ſhal give you a new aſſurance of it, and likewiſe of the good will I have to doe you ſervice. If I were capable of giving Conſolation, I would begin with my ſelfe, being ſenſibly touched with the ſame affliction which torments you. But I leave that care to your Judgment and Vertue, conſidering that the ſtrength of the one will ſupply my weakneſſe, and the precepts of the other will exceed all the Counſell and advice I can impart to you. Beſides knowing you to be wholly reſigned to the Will of God, that Reſignation will be the ſoveraigne remedy of your diſtreſſe. The Heavens doe alwayes afford us Comfort for the ills they ſend us; but they expect ſubmiſſion, to make us worthy of that favour which I hope you are already in ſtate to obtaine, it being the only Meanes to live at Quiet in the middle of Diſtreſſes; For my part, I will alwayes intereſſe my ſelfe in yours, as being with Paſſion the ſame I alwayes was,
Madam,
Your moſt humble and moſt obedient ſervant.
Anſwers to the precedent Letters.
SIR,
I Beleeve the Loſſe I ſuſtained in the death of my late Husband, does touch you very ſenſibly, ſince in your own particular you are robbed of a moſt real friend, and faithfull Servant: but for as my own intereſt, my Affliction is ſo great, that if God do not comfort mee very ſuddenly, I ſhall die very ſuddenly of Griefe. You may judge by the ſtate I am in at this preſent, what Comfort I can expect from my Miſery; for, as my Fortune and Happineſſe are equally buried in my Husbands Grave, except he revive, I ſhall never be able to revive out of the Grave of Sadneſſe, and Diſcontent. All that I have reſolved in this extremity, is, to reſigne my ſelfe totally to the Will of God; and ſince your Prayers may be favourable to me in that behalf, I beſeech you for their continuation, for which I ſhall be indebted to you all my life, and in Quality
Sir,
of Your moſt humble ſervant.
Another Anſwer.
SIR,
THrough my Teares, I read the Comfortable Letter which you did me the Honour to write unto me, touching the Death of my late Husband; and the little ſpace which I employed in drying them up, gave me time to render you thanks. I reſolved to have writ more at large, when I took Pen in hand; but the ſorrow which I endure, will ſcarce give mee liberty to aſſure you that I am
Sir,
Your moſt humble ſervant.
A Letter from a Widdow, certifying a friend of her Husbands Death.
SIR,
THis Sorrowfull Letter ſhall inculcate nothing but death into your memory, aſſuring you that you have loſt a moſt reall admirer, and faithfull ſervant, in the
Perſon of my Husband. Pardon me if I ſay no more; the Pen fals out of my Hand, and my teares blot out my writing. I am the moſt afflicted Woman in the World,
Sir,
and Your moſt humble ſervant.
A Letter from a Husband to his Wife, com
forting her upon the Death of their Son.
WIFE,
IT is with an extreame Sorrow that I am conſtrain'd to trouble your Quiet at this preſent with newes which at the firſt view wil be able to beare you into your Accuſtomed extremity, if it be not ſupported by the Reſignation of your will to God. But knowing that you are alwayes diſpoſed to undergoe the Lawes of his Providence, I take the boldneſſe to let you know that that very Providence of God, has ſounded a retreat out of this World, to our eldeſt ſonne. This Accident, how new and ſtrange ſoever it ſeeme, muſt not ſoe ſtrictly ſeize upon you, that you murmur againſt the
Author. You muſt reſiſt the attempts of Sorrow by my example; and after you have ſhed ſome Teares, which the Quality of Mother will conſtraine you to, you muſt adore (in drying them up) the Omnipotency of him that gave the blow; To the end that he redouble not his Wrath, in depriving us of the Comfort which as yet remaines with us. Doe not think that I am inſenſible at this Misfortune; it touched me to the Quick; and the more, becauſe I am conſtrained to partake it with you. But ſince God has ordaind us to this Affliction, we ought to witneſſe by the Moderation of our Complaints, that there is no exceſſe in his Chaſtiſment. I leave the thought of all theſe Conſiderations to your ſelf, with aſſurance that I remaine,
Deare Wife,
Your moſt faithfull Husband.
LOVE LETTERS upon all ſorts of Subjects.
And Firſt of Preſentation of Service.
MADAM,
THE inclination which I have to eſteeme you more than all the reſt of the World, obliged mee at this Preſent, to offer your Ladyſhip my moſt humble Service: And to aſſure you, that if you be pleaſed therewith, I ſhall never change the Reſolution, to be all my life
Madam,
Your moſt humble and moſt obedient ſervant.
Another.
MADAM,
I Should not take the Liberty to let you know how extreamly I honour you, if the Abſolute power of your Beauty did not force me to it. Which relating unto you the violence it uſeth in my behalfe, will eaſily (I hope) obtaine Pardon for my Preſumption. My deſire in this is no other but onely to know whether you be pleaſed I ſhould Everlaſtingly beare the Quality
Madam,
of Your moſt humble and moſt obedient ſervant, M.
Another.
MADAM,
I Could no longer conceale the Reſolution which I have taken, to ſerve you all my life, and beare the Character of your love eternally, if my Service and Love bee agreeable to you. You may ſignifie it to me, when you pleaſe, that I may have the Honor,
and Satisfaction to beare in Publick every where the Quality
Madam,
of Your moſt humble and moſt obedient ſervant, M.
Another.
MADAM,
I Muſt of neceſſity for my owne Quiet declare the deſire which I have, to love, and ſerve you, if you Judge mee worthy ſo great an honour. Your merit obliged mee, and my Inclination conſtrained mee to it. I expect only to know your will, that I may perfect my determination of profeſſing publickly the ſtile
Madam,
of Your moſt obedient ſervant.
Anſwers to the Precedent Letters.
SIR,
I Am much obliged to you for the good will you witneſſe in my behalfe: but I have no other Liberty left mee, except to give you thanks, as I doe very humbly: aſſuring you that I will conſerve your Remembrance for an acknowledgement, in Quality
Sir,
of Your moſt humble ſervant.
Another Anſwer.
SIR,
I Have nothing but thanks to offer up to you for the Honour you were pleaſed to doe mee in your laſt Letters. And though they be ordinary effects of your Civility, rather then Proofes of your love, yet I cannot chuſe but be extreamly obliged
to you, which I beſeech you beleeve, and likewiſe that I am
Sir,
Your moſt humble ſervant.
Another Anſwer.
SIR,
I Doe not excuſe my ſelfe of not anſwering your laſt letter, becauſe my Wil does ſo abſolutely depend of my Parents inclination, that you are to learne of them, that which you deſire to know of mee. Yet your good will ſhall oblige mee to be in acknowledgement, all my life,
Sir,
Your moſt humble ſervant.
Another Anſwer.
SIR,
YOu know that in the ſtate I am, I muſt neither accept nor refuſe the Offers which you make me, contenting my ſelfe to witneſſe unto you the Reſentment
which they left in mee, with aſſurance that I honour ſo much the Merit of your Miſtreſſe that I ſhall alwayes preferre it before the Condition
Sir,
of Your moſt humble ſervant,
Letters to demand an Anſwer.
MADAM,
YOur Silence nouriſheth a Continuall doubt in mee, whether my Service be acceptable or noe. You may Reſolve me when you pleaſe by ſome ſhort Anſwer, if you Judge me worthy the favour and Quality
Madam,
of Your moſt humble, and moſt obedient ſervant.
Another.
MADAM,
IF you knew with what impatience I expect the favour of your Reply, I aſſure my ſelfe your Charity would oblige you, to ſet my Mind at Quiet; But as that is an Honour, which I muſt expect from your Goodneſſe, rather than the Paſſion I have to your Service (not knowing whether it be agreeable to you or no) I muſt have recourſe to prayers, beſeeching you very humbly to vouchſafe an Anſwer, which may authorize the Quality, I beare▪
Madam,
of Your moſt humble and moſt obedient ſervant.
Another.
MADAM,
THe Reſolution I have taken to ſerve you all my life, does too far intereſſe my Repoſe, not to deſire your Pleaſure in that reſpect, I hope for this favour from your Goodneſſe, as you ought to expect
from my duty, all manner of obſervance; being deſirous to live and die, if you bee pleaſed,
Madam,
Your moſt humble, and moſt obedient ſervant.
Another.
MADAM,
THis Letter is ſo Curious to learn newes of her former Companion, that ſhee would needs be gone in that Purſuit, almoſt againſt my wil. Let me know then if you pleaſe whether the firſt was acceptable or no, to the end that either I may continue you my ſervice, or ceaſe to be further importune. Theſe are the moſt humble prayers
Madam,
of Your moſt obedient ſervant, M.
Anſwers to the Precedent Letters.
SIR,
I Took the Liberty to write unto you, but not to reſolve you in your requeſt. You know the Quality of Daughter does ſo ſubject mee, that I cannot violate the Reſpect I owe unto my Parents; yet I confeſſe my ſelfe much indebted to your good Nature, being
Sir,
Your moſt humble ſervant.
Another Anſwer.
SIR,
I Was reſolved to keep ſilence, not knowing what anſwer to give you; but ſince you require a letter, this ſhall tell you, that I have no other Reſolution than to honour you as your Merit does oblige me: And that in requitall of your Civility, I ſhall make my ſelfe accounted in all places
Sir,
Your moſt humble ſervant.
Another Anſwer.
SIR,
I Send you this Letter, becauſe you deſire it, but it is only to aſſure you of the ſmall ability I have to ſatisfie your requeſt: You know you are to adreſſe your ſelfe to others then to me. Yet I beſeech you beleeve that I eſteem my ſelfe much Honoured in the teſtimony of your Affection, being
Sir,
Your moſt humble ſervant.
Another Anſwer.
SIR,
I Am obliged to you for two letters, but I muſt tell you for anſwer, that you are to expect no more from me, having no other liberty, but this only which I take to aſſure you of it. I ſpeak not this becauſe I reject the Honour you are pleaſed to doe mee, but becauſe being extreamly ſenſible as I am, the Quality of Daughter affords me no more power, to publiſh the ſtile.
Sir,
of Your moſt humble ſervant.
Letters upon the abſence of ones Miſtreſſe.
MADAM,
HAving given you ſuch abſolute proofs of Love, as I have done, I hope you will make no doubt of the griefe which your Abſence cauſeth in mee: You can ſcarce beleeve the one, without giveing credit to the other; and this is the thing which gives me ſome kind of Comfort in my Affliction. If I durſt preſume to ſupplicate for your Returne, I would doe it with as much earneſtneſſe, as a Sick man would implore the preſence of his Phyſitian; ſince I can aſſure you, yours is as neceſſary for my repoſe, having vowed to live and die
Madam,
Your moſt humble and moſt obedient ſervant, M.
Another.
MADAM,
IF you knew, how ſenſible I were of your Abſence, you would ſcarce be able to defend your ſelfe againſt the attempts of Pittie, how cruell ſoever you were by Nature. I ſuffer a Torment whoſe report only would force my Enemies to compaſſion, and yet can hardly beleeve that you regard it, being farre from imagining you are touched by it, in the leaſt reſpect. But ſince you were borne into the World for no other end, than to be admired, and I to endure all manner of miſerie, I muſt expect no Remedy but from Patience, and the Conſideration of the Quality which I beare
Madam,
of Your moſt humble and moſt obedient ſervant, M.
Another to the ſame Purpoſe.
MADAM,
I Have led ſo ſorrowfull a Life, ſince the Day of your Departure, that if I ſhould recount it to the moſt inſenſible ſoules of
the World, 'tis credible they would be moved to Compaſſion. Yet I doe not deſire to ſtirre up that Paſſion in you, ſufficing my ſelfe that you take notice of it, to the End that you make no doubt of my Love, and leſſe of my Conſtancy. I muſt tell you then, that having loſt both my appetite and repoſe, I paſſe over whole daies without eating, and whole Nights without ſleep. I may ſeeke Contentment to a faire Purpoſe in the Converſation of my Friends, but I can find it only in Solitude, where my thoughts as ingenious as your ſelfe to increaſe my Affliction, repreſent nothing to mee but your Cruelty. Judge now if I be not one of the moſt wretched Lovers in the World. Yet my Conſolation is in this, that I ſuffer all theſe Afflictions for the moſt worthy Subject living, and for whom I would looſe a Thouſand Lives, as being
Madam,
Your moſt humble ſervant, and moſt faithfull Lover.
Another
MADAM,
IF my Life be conſiderable to you, returne very quickly, that I may be cured of a mortall ſickneſſe, which has ſurprized
me by reaſon of your Abſence. You ought to bee carefull in conſerving mee, in the Paſſion which I have to your Service, knowing there be few in the World can give ſo good a Teſtimony of your worth, to which long agoe I dedicated my ſelfe
Madam,
A Moſt humble and obedient ſervant.
Anſwers to the Precedent Letters.
SIR,
LOves diſeaſes are ſo eaſie to cure, that I never ſpend my Charity upon ſuch perſons. If you be ſurprized with that kind of Malady, my Abſence (whereof you complaine) will ſoone afford you a Remedy: but if that ſhould not prove as I expect, then (to your owne advantage) the truth of your Affection wil appear by the continuance of your Conſtancy, which ſhall render me, as far as Liberty permits
Sir,
Your moſt humble ſervant.
Another Anſwer.
SIR,
YOu know I am not accuſtomed to credit, the Complaints of Lovers, becauſe they dye ſo often in word and Appearance, that the report of their Afflictions does now paſſe for a Fable. This I give you aſſurance of, and likewiſe that I am,
Sir,
Your moſt humble ſervant.
Another Anſwer.
SIR,
I Beleeve you ſuffer leſſe paine, than you have taken to deſcribe, that which you ſay my Abſence produceth in you. My beauty I am ſure, cannot cauſe either affliction or ſorrow in any Man. So that if you continue your Complaints, I ſhall bee forced to begin my Reproaches; Ceaſe then your diſcourſe of Sorrows, and Griefs, and Sighes, and Lamentations, 'tis a Language that Moleſts
mee extreamly, and which makes mee ſpeak thus freely to you, in Quality
Sir,
of Your moſt humble ſervant.
Other more obliging Anſwers to the Precedent Letters.
SIR,
I Am ſenſible of the affliction, which my abſence cauſeth in you, but as it is unavoidable in the Condition I am in, you muſt of neceſſity reſolve to be patient, ſince it is the only Remedy of your Ill. Doe not undertake a Journey to ſee me, but expect ſome occaſion or other, which will ſoone offer it ſelfe. Comfort your thoughts with this hope, and the rather becauſe I will partake in the Sweetneſſe of it. What need you feare? know you not, that if you love me extreamly, I will revenge my ſelf with the ſame weapon? and if you be conſtant I wil looſe my life rather than my Reſolution to dye
Sir,
Your moſt humble and moſt faithfull ſervant.
Another Anſwer.
SIR,
IF I had the power to comfort you with my Preſence, you ſhould ſoone ſee mee where my Letter is now. But being under the Subjection of a Father and Mother, who give mee not ſo much as the Liberty to write to you, all that I can doe is to ſteale it, to comfort you with the Hopes of my Returne. Beleeve mee Sir, I wiſh for it with Paſſion, ſince I am to that Point
Sir,
Your moſt humble ſervant.
Letters proteſting Love and Fidelity.
MADAM,
I Am conſtrain'd to tell you, that of all the Perſons in the World you are ſhe only whom I affect moſt entirely; Theſe are no Diſcourſes of Complement, my Soule expreſſing all her thoughts with the ſame Innocence that my Mind conceived them, having no other object but your deſert only. If you make doubt of this truth,
ſerve your ſelfe of that abſolute power which you have acquired over mee, to oblige my Endeavours to all manner of proofes. My Honour, and Life, are both at your diſpoſure; I will hazard the one and other, when you pleaſe, either for your Service, or Contentment; ſince it intereſſeth my Quiet, that I be eternally
Madam,
Your moſt humble and moſt obedient, and moſt faithfull ſervant.
Another.
MADAM,
THough I ſhould ſay that you are the only object of my Reſpect, and Affection, I ſhould repreſent but one part of the Eſteeme which I make of your deſert: for I find you raigning ſo abſolutely in my Soule, that I have no liberty left mee, but only to publiſh in al places where I come, that I am
Madam,
Your moſt humble, moſt obedient and moſt faithfull ſervant, and ſubject, M.
Anſwers to the Precedent Letters.
SIR,
THe Lovers of this Age, are ſo accuſtomed to divulge their Conſtancy and Affection in all places, that they are as far from perſwading the beleefe of it to others, as they are from the true feeling themſelves. What paines you take in ſeeking to give me aſſurance that you love me! I am ſo farre from giving credit to the leaſt ſyllable of thoſe diſcourſes made to my Advantage, that it is a great trouble to mee to heare them, being fully ſatisfied if you love mee in that height that I honour you, ſince I am
Sir,
Your moſt humble ſervant.
Another Anſwer.
SIR,
YOu are too eloquent to be Amorus; a Paſſion ſo extreame as that which you feigne in my behalfe, could never bee
able to expreſſe it ſelf, but in feeble tearmes. Which forces me to a beleife that you imployed more time in Compoſing that pretty Letter, than ever you did in the Sufferings of Love. But howſoever, your deceit is not ſo unpleaſing to me that I ceaſe to be obliged to your care in turning it to my Advantage, which I ſhall alwayes receive, when you are pleaſed to reckon me in the Number
Sir,
of Your moſt humble ſervants.
Letters Complaining of a Neglect.
MADAM,
I Am Conſtrained to ſay that I am moſt unfortunate, ſince three years ſervice could never obtaine of you to grant they were pleaſing or agreeable. Truly, though that recompence (as proceeding from you) be of an infinite value; yet me thinks the effects of ſo many dutifull regards, might have merited ſome ſmall acknowledgment of your Civility. But ſince I have already learned my leſſon of Love, I
am ſufficiently inſtructed in ſuffering: feeding my thoughts with the Comfort of this Conſideration, that 'tis You are my Miſtreſſe, and I
Madam,
Your moſt humble and moſt obedient ſervant.
Another upon the Same.
MADAM,
I Should never have conceived, that ſince you are publickly honoured by all the World, and perfectly by mee, you would have recompenced my Reſpects with Contempt, and my Love with Hatred. 'Tis true, the Slavery wherein I am tied, forbids me to demand a reaſon for what you doe. Yet my Priſon allowes me this Liberty, to tell you that you are too rigorous to be ſo beautifull: and that except you change this ſevere Humour, wherewith you tyrannize over mee, you will run the hazard to loſe
Madam,
The moſt humble, and moſt obedient of all your ſervants.
Anſwers to the Precedent Letters.
SIR,
I Wonder you ſhould Complaine of my Neglect, having alwayes had Eſteeme for your Deſert. 'Tis true, my auſtere Humour has oftentimes given you ſubject to greive; but, I beſeech you think I was never guilty, but in appearance only, of that which you accuſe me, being alwayes inclined to nouriſh a good opinion of your Merit, in Quality
Sir,
of Your moſt humble ſervant.
Another Anſwer.
SIR,
YOu have no pretence to divulge mee the moſt cruell and diſdainfull Woman alive: for when you maintaine
ſuch diſcourſes, thoſe that know my diſpoſition, will eaſily know you are in Anger; otherwiſe neither could they excuſe your humour, nor I your misbeleife. If my actions had merited the proofe of your Study, you would have had a better opinion of my inclination, ſince the firſt time that I have had the Honour to practice you; but ſuch is my misfortune, that all my Endeavours are not able to nouriſh in you a good Conceit
Sir,
of Your moſt humble ſervant.
Letters Complaining of Inconſtancy.
MADAM,
I Never thought that after ſo many proteſtations of Fidelity, you would have loſt even the remembrance of having made them. Hereafter, Frailty ſhal not be eſteem'd an adjunct of Humanity, ſince in
yours you are moſt inhumane, having thereby expoſed to the utmoſt perill one of your moſt faithfull Admirers. But live contented in your new Conqueſt, and know that of all the Servants whom your Fickleneſſe ſhall acquire you, you will never find any that will equall my Affection, or be to that point that I have been
Madam,
Your moſt humble, and moſt obedient ſervant.
Another.
MADAM,
I Muſt let you know that your Inconſtancy has provoked in mee more Pitty, then it has procured me ill, being willing to loſe the Poſſeſſion of that to day, which I could not maintaine till to morrow. I ſay Pitty, becauſe I have ſome reſpect to your Honour, which is more intereſſed in that Action than my Contentment. I pray God this Lightneſſe may give you as much Satiſfaction, as it cauſed you blame, in the Eye
of the World. I ſhall alwayes be glad of any good Fortune that ſhall happen you, as making profeſſion to be ſtill
Madam,
Your moſt humble, and moſt obedient ſervant.
Anſwers to theſe kind of Letters.
SIR,
I Shall receive Praiſe rather than Reproach, from all that know the Reaſon of my Change; for I was obliged to it in ſo many reſpects, that the leaſt of them, will ſufficiently accuſe you, for having condemned mee. I will give you an account of this Action when you pleaſe, and when you are truly informed how things paſſed, I will have no other Judge but your ſelf, what intereſt, ſoever you pretend to have in the Suit. 'Tis from the Part
Sir,
of Your moſt humble ſervant.
Another.
SIR,
IF you knew with what violence I was conſtrain'd to this Mutation, I make no doubt but you would eſteeme me far more worthy Praiſe, than Reproach. Imagine the power of a Tyrannicall Father towards his Daughter under his obedience: Shee may weep her fill, he bathes himſelfe with joy in her teares; her Sorrowes, and Lamentations doe but increaſe his fury. This is the caſe I am in at this preſent. I leave to your ſelfe to Conſider what I am able to doe againſt ſo ſtrong an Enemy. The only conſideration which remaines to mee, is, that if I have loſt the Quality of your Miſtreſſe, yet I will conſerve everlaſtingly
Sir,
That of Your moſt humble ſervant.
A Letter to demand the Picture of ones Miſtreſſe.
MADAM,
I Hope you will grant mee this humble intreaty, which is, to give me your Picture, knowing I value the Originall more than all other things in the World; That beautifull Subſtance, whoſe Features, and Graces you animate with ſo much ſweetneſſe, appeared in my ſight ſo adorable, that I long extreamly after the Shadow. You may give Comfort to this impatience of mine when you pleaſe, by granting mee the expectation of that favour: Which I will place in the Rank of the greateſt Felicities which ever can happen me, ſince it gives mee the nobleſt meanes of Teſtifying the Reſentment which I have, in Quality
Madam,
of Your moſt obedient ſervant.
An Anſwer to this Letter.
SIR,
YOur intreaty is ſo obliging, that I am forced to grant it, being glad you ſhould have often before your Eyes the Image of her that honours you extreamly. You will doe mee a favour to beleeve it, and likewiſe that I am
Sir,
Your moſt humble ſervant.
A Letter to demand a Miſtres her Haire.
MADAM,
I Hope you will not wonder, if having enjoyed ſo ſweet a Servitude, I ſeek after new chaines, by demanding a Bracelet of your Haire. To tell you how highly I ſhall eſteem this favour, I muſt have recourſe either to your Merit, or my owne Love for expreſſion, and being you have perfect knowledge of them both, I leave the Conſideration to your ſelfe, together with
that of the Paſſion which I have to your Service, as being more than Ever
Madam,
Your moſt humble and moſt obedient ſervant.
A Favourable Anſwer to this Letter.
SIR,
YOur Merit is of ſo powerfull a perſwaſion that I am forced to grant you your requeſt: I will not oblige you to ſilence, knowing that your Diſcretion has already prevented my Deſires. 'Tis ſufficient to put you in mind, that as theſe favours are not Vulgar, ſo they require a ſecrecy of Faith in the Receivers. I hope you will keep it Inviolably, while you Remember that I am
Sir,
Your moſt humble ſervant.