Coll. HENRY MARTEN's Familiar LETTERS. TO HIS LADY OF DELIGHT.

ALSO Her kinde Returnes.

WITH His Rivall R. Pettingalls Heroicall EPISTLES.

Published by Edm: Gayton, according to the Original Papers under their own hands: With an Answer to that Letter, intituled, A Copy of H. Marten's Letter in justification of the Murther of the late King Charles.

OXFORD, Printed for RICHARD DAVIS, 1663.

TO THE Delicate and male-contented Lady, MARY WARD, alias MARTEN.

Madam,

THese following Letters, by their indorse­ments and subscriptions, being yours, to none more properl [...] ought they to be de­dicated, then your own self [...], to whom the origi­nals were first sent. Sparrows are for Lesbia, and these Epistles, most of them salacious, ought to flutter to the breasts of such a Lady, who knew how to chirp to the Bird, or Martin that presented them. In what condition you were, when these were surpriz'd, I am not willing to relate, onely I shall tell you of a Verse which your Dearest may translate:

Currendum est pede nudo
Ne nummi pereant, aut pyga, aut denique fama,
Deprendi miserum est Fabio vel judice vin [...]am.

Really, Madam, had you bin a wife, these Familia­rities might very well becom you, but being (quod dicere nolo) it does too much shew, that lawful beds [Page] are not so highly courted as these: the use where­of will cost a grand Repentance. The Collonel can tell how expensive that sport hath been; who from an estate of 3 or 4000 l. per ann. is brought to Twelve-pennie exigencies. I do abhor to up­braid, or insult upon unfortunate misery; I would you were as tender of your selves, as I shall be; and I could wish that you would send these Letters which I send to you, to your two best Be­loveds, Dick and Hall, with a Palinodia, or Re­cantation, and say, Mary is not Mary now, but shall stand upon a Ward, or Guard, which you will, of future Chastity. Which is the humble re­quest of

Madam, Votre tres humble Serviture, De Speciosa Villa.

TO THE Ingenious and enamour'd Collonel, Collonel HENRY MARTEN.

SIR,

THese Letters of Yours to Yours, had not seene the world, if you your self had not given just occa­sion for the incivilitie. There was a time (I would it had never been) when you voted and principally caused the Sacred Letters of your Soveraign, and his Queen (the Cabi­net as it was stiled) to be made publick. There was a time (would it had never bin) when at Longworth you tore in pie­ces, with your own hands, the Kings Commission of Array. Pretty devices these (Collonel;) but now you see the times of retaliation are come: I am very glad they are come, that such rebellious and inhumane persons may be in their kinde requited. I know your genius of old, being of long acquaintance, ever since you liv'd in Aldersgate-street, under the tuition of the then call'd Blew-nos'd Romanist your Father, who was the best Civilian in our Horizon, and a Sin-swinger, as they [...]er­med him: yet you, Collonel, were not under his verge, though you then deserved his censure as much as you doe now: How could it be otherwise expected, but that that vast estate (for he had but 40 l. per ann. of his own) should be expended, dissipated (as Mr.Noy said in another case) in such cases as you found out. This last, I could have wish'd Casus omissus, but you thought otherwise, and return'd the [Page] streames to the Sea, that is, your ebb of expences reflux'd to the Sins and Venerie from whence their Flood was. Pious use's money was spent in impious, and the Commutation fee spent upon Community. Let these Letters stand a charge for ever against you, higher then that for your life, and testifie what a Reformer you and your fellow-Governours of this Nation were like to be; who, if they were all so well decy­phered, I believe we should finde them as true as your self to the Smock, or your Page Dick, Pettingall. Blessed Refor­mers! Noll and Hall, or Hall and Noll, Ingeniosi nequam, Madam Lambert, and Mary Ward, and Old Nick take you, if you were not Ad perdendam Rempublicam & Regem maxime idonei.

Well Sir, you are now in the Tower, keep there, and if you can recant, repent; and now your nose is out of date, die however like a Roman. Forsake Mall and Presb. and all the Witchcrafts of your life, and from a Martin-mar-King, and mar-Prelate, turne a true S. Martin, that is, a Convert: which is the wish,

Sir, Of Yours, De Speciosâ Villâ,

To the high Inamoretto of the Lady MARY MARTEN.

‘Sicelides Musae Paulo majora Canamus.’

THe Pen of a Balzaac, or a Cleaveland, will be scarce lofty enough to write of thee, Dick Pet­tingall, who from a Page art exalted to be Secretary and Courtly servant to thy own Mistress: Thou didst do her more then eye-service, Dick, where ere she pi [...]kt thee up. 'Twas to be feared the many How-doe-you's and Good-morrows sent by thy love-smitten Ma­ster, would instruct thee sometime or other to speak a word for thy self. To hold the door deserves now and then admittance into the Conclave: what hinders, but that a pimp (in defectu) may be a Coadju [...]or? Like Master like man, is a very good Proverb, and Moll is as good in the dark as my Lady, and Dick as Hall. With what a battery of language dost thou storme that Castle, which surrendred at a parley of Harry Martens: Thy great Guns play'd night and day, before the sweet Rendition. Curst theif! what Qualmes she put thee in, before thou hadst made use of Astolphos storie, thy self, poore Lad, wert Orlando Furioso! but at last, what can hold out for ever?

[Page]
Casta est quam nemo rogavit.

Importunity is as prevalent as Gold; but Dick, learn these verses against the courting of your next Lady (if Madam Mary may not be totally yours now.)

Pulveris aurati pluvia sit sparsa papyris,
Rescribet Danae solicitata veni.
Sprinkle your amorous lines with golden dust,
And courted Danae sayes, my Dick, we must.

What store of this golden powder hath beene strewd upon her let the lost Manours of that exhausted Collonel speak, whose Father did disinherit him in leaving him so vast a Fortune, as the Poet sings,

Exhaeredavit te Philomuse Pater.
The Estate that's left an unthrist Son,
Is but a disinherison.

For there are more calamities to an estate, then there are stormes and tempests, as you may read in Plautus, where a Glycerium, a Philocomasium, a girl in En­glish are found Calamitas bonorum Hamaxagogae, foras Gerones, one girle, Dick, is Waggoner, and Teams to draw a grand fortune into a small center; such as Dick at present I leave thee in, till thy soul awake, and thou see the danger of the pit thou hast so long laid wallow in. Accept of this good counsel, which is bestowed gratis, from

Sir, Yours, De Speciosa Villa.

Coll: Henry Martins FAMILIAR EPISTLES To his Lady of Pleasure; also his Politick and Oeconomical Letters, &c.

LETTER I. A Gopy of H. Martins Letter in justification of the Murther of the Late King CHARLES.

Sir

MY person being hitherto by Gods providence preserved from our old enraged and new em­powred enemies, yet knowing that Divine Vengeance is not so to be escaped, if guilt lies in my bosome, I thought, that of that lei­sure I now have, I might well employ some time in arraign­ing my selfe at the bar of my own conscience, and finde, if [Page 2] I could, how I came to deserve (from men I mean) the ri­gours I undergo in the losse of that reputation and estate I left behind me, bendes the manifest inconveniencies and difficulties I carry with me for the ietching out a pursued life in a strange land.

Upon serious consultation (it seems to me) the Royal party could contrive no one sacrifice so proper to appease the ghost of their often foiled cause, both in point of revenge & interest, as the persons who had the boldness to make an example of their Ring-leader.

The report of the crimes charged upon me overtakes me wheresoever I go, though the reporters know not how nearly some of their auditors are concerned therein, and it runs to this effect▪ extended or extenuated according to the severall affections of the relater.

1. That I with divers others about 11 or 12 years past, did sit in judgement upon the late King, and signed a War­rant for his Execution, accordingly he was put to death, and I thereby became guilty of Treason and Murther.

2. That I with some others did flie for the same.

Thereupon calling a Court at home, and to the best of my understanding having acted Pyramus and Thisbe, the Lion and the Moon-shine (with lesse partiality perhaps one way, then would have appeared the other in the Votes on your side the water) I stood clearly acquitted upon the whole matter, yet could I not satisfie my self with keep­ing this Verdict in my pocket, which (for ought I knew) might be serviceable for my Countrey, if by your meanes, and according to your discretion communicated; for though I doubt not but my fellow Commissioners now in question with you, upon that account are as well read as my selfe in the same truths I shall declare, yet considering they are to fence for their lives with Masters in the Art, and their Masters too, it will probably behoove them neither to con­fess, nor to exasperate.

[Page 3]1. My self far enough from both those cares, am content to acknowledge the bare matter of fact, that is, I did with others, about such a time sit in judgement upon such a per­son, and signed a Warrant for his execution, whereupon I believe he was after executed.

2. Could I have foreseen how dearly publick freedome must be bought, and how hardly it can be kept, I would have used onely my passive valour against all the late Kings oppressions, rather then voted, as I did, any War at all, though a defensive one: for you must understand that this act, whether its name be Treason and Murther, or Reason and Justice, its Parent was a Civil War.

3. Had I suspected that the Axe which took off the late Kings head, should have been made a stirrop for our first false General, I should sooner have consented to my owne death then his.

4. I am satisfied in my conscience that the said King thought in his conscience he died unjustly; wherein (if it were not presumption too high for me) I should blame the Parliament for having alwayes forborn to declare unto him his subjection to the Law, nay for having upon the matter so behaved themselves towards him, as might encourage him to think himself unaccountable to man for whatsoever he should do.

5. I believe it was irregularly done of the Parliament, both in the Earl of Straffords case and in this, to order the triall of any particular person, their proper business having been antiently Legis lature and aeris dature: at that time the whole Parliaments work, and the Supreme Magistrates was devolved into one house. Whereunto neverthelesse no juridicative power ought to belong, though there be here and there presidents of it in former times.

6. My opinion is, that the way of triall by Commissio­ners without a Jury was yet more irregular, for he ought not to have been put into a worse condition then the mea­nest [Page 4] Englishman, who m [...]y [...]laime to be tried in a knowne Judicatory before swo [...]n Judges, and by a Jury of twelve men, all agreeing▪ if it be for his life, by two Inquests up­on o [...]th one after another. Although in this case it could not have [...]ome to the petty Jury, because the King refused to plead.

In all this I take no Murther to my self, no [...] Treason, as being sure I had no murtherous nor treasonable intent about me in [...]h [...]t I did.

Murther it is eithe [...] so by st [...]ture, when I kill a man suddenly, without being provoked by him I shall be sup­posed to bear malice in my heart towards mankind in gene­rall: when I kill a m [...]n, though in an accidental fray, if with such a kind of weapon as be [...]rayes a bloody mind: when I kill a legal Offi [...]er in the execution of his office: when I kill him whom I intend but to wound or m [...]ime, or when I kill one thinking to h [...]ve killed or hurt another; in like manner advising, assisting, abetting and concealing mur­ther, is the crime advised, assisted, abetted, or concealed.

Murther at the Common Law I commit, when I kill or cause to be killed o [...] hurt, so as he die thereof within a year, any m [...]n, woman, or child, upon malice prepensed, which I shall be understood to bear him, though I had no former grudge to his person, if by hi [...] de [...]th I projected any advan­tage to my self, or to [...]ny other who employed me therein, or with whom I combined; therefore I cannot apprehend how my case should f [...]ll into any one of these qualifications; and yet I confesse, did I appear to have killed a man, or cau­sed to be killed, and could say no mo [...]e in my own justifica­tion then the negatives of what I h [...]ve now enumerated, it would hardly serve my turn; my plea therefore is, That I judged the late King. *

LETTER II. My last and onely Love, though I were sure to live an hundred years longer, and thou not half so many hours.

AS for news, it cannot be worth the gaping after (any more then the weather) the worst will come soone e­nough; the best is like to be welcome whensoever it comes. I confess what I hear is not very good, but (just like wea­ther again) it may rain two or three dayes in a weeke, and that in summer, and it may hold up a fortnight together, and th [...]t in the midst of winter. The Skill is, not in being weather-wise, but weather-proof. In one thing, the storms I mean, are contrary to those the clouds [...]our upon us: for in th [...]t case it is best to keep all our clothes about us, and hou­ses over our heads; in my case, to throw off all we can, and snugg like a [...]naile within our own selves, that is, our mindes, which no body but we can touch. I could s [...]uff my whole sheet of paper with this discourse, but that I have a bigger providing for thee. Besides, I hope to talk it out with thee very shortly: and but for the we [...]ther, in earnest, I believe my keeper would have fetched thee to me by this time. My Dear, it is indeed a very great blessing that you have all your healths, as I have mine, I thank God. Me­thinks, when I have that, and meet an enemy (of what kind soever) I am able to keep him at swords point; when I want that, he is got within me, and it requires a huge strength of heart to keep one's ground, when both sides are set u [...]on at once: I like the goo [...] use thou makest of your being little better then prisoners; sure thou art a piece of a Philoso­pher. That [...]ord should not deceive me quite, yet no fa­stening upon any thing that may miscarry. Loder w [...]s ye­sterday with me, and instead of satisfying what I pressed him to, told me, that until he saw the end of th [...] next Term he knew not w [...]ether he should be undone or no by med­ling with my estate; they bear him down at Court that all [Page 7] is juggling betwixt him and me: and lest they should take the advantage of the weekly allowance I receive from his Cousin Stanton, I must receive it henceforth from my Sister Edmonds, to whom he will pay it. Do not let this trouble my sweet Soul neither, for thou and I have leaned upon many a broken reed ere now, and afterwards sighted upon a founder staff. Hitherto was written yesterday: This morn­ing my son is gotten in to me, and I will presse hard for thee by hook or by crook: yet this newes I must tell thee that he brought me from my brother Stonhouse, that (contrary to what I had heard) nothing at all has been done in the house against us since one single motion on munday was seven­night, seconded by no body. Betty is not come yet, though provided for. I thank thee for my Ale, it was very good. All happinesse to my sweet soul this fine day, and ever and ever.

Thine for such a time. H. M.

LETTER 3.

My Dearest,

THough I have nothing to enclose in my paper, but the same heart which was thine before, yet I must be wri­ting, because thou wilt have it so; and besides, if ever thou hadst need of a mans heart, it is now. Dick was here to day I thank him, but did not tell me the worst. I will try all the wayes I can above ground to help thee, if an officer come that thou thinkest is one indeed, thou must give him thy right name; thou maist [...]ell him thy other too, and bid him set down both, for thou art known and called by both. The poor wench that carries this I believe loves thee, which makes me almost troubled that I have not a penny to give her. Munday is neer, till then, and afterwards, and for e­ver, God keep thee, and my soul,

Thy H. Martin.

LETTER 4.

My sweet soul,

WHether I have any thing to send thee or no, I must be scribling to thee. perhaps I am as well pleased in the doing of it, as thou in the receiving. First, I give thee an account of my self, and as to that I am very well (I thank God) though my Doctor (whose name would foule this pa­per too) hath beene with me (off and on) ever since mid­night. Next, I am to have an account how my Deare does, and my brats, though I can scarce believe a word thou say­est, when thou tellest me they are all well; therefore the bearers eyes are sure to be examined at [...]his return. Lastly, it is not much amiss to let thee see, for thy comfort, that one who has never a penny in his purse may be able to send his Love something that may be reasonable good, and get a porter to carry it. The roots come from Colchester, and the water with a little sugar tasts not ill (methinks) God be with my poor heart, and all the little pieces thereof.

Thine everlastingly. Henry Martin.

Countrey Robin went away yesterday as [...]ise as he came, but I wrote by him my service to our Friend.

LETTER 5.

My poor sweet dear heart and soul,

HOw dost thou do? I would have seen thee whipt be­fore I had told thee the other days news, if it had not been to prevent a worse inconvenience: neither can I yet come to the speech of the Gentleman Porter, whereby I might understand the bottom of that businesse. Well, in spight of 'um all, thou and I will see one another if we can, and (if we cannot) love one another better then any of them is able to love himself. I have set another friend of mine to work about lodgings for thee, and I have provided this for Mr. Pettingale to lose his labour with, if thou and he think sit, and have wherewithall. Here are a few pennies and a bottle of good Claret I believe. Blessing upon all my pret­ty brats, and upon their no [...]n mother, and see if it can miss her,

H. Marten.

LETTER 6.

My poor sweet Dear,

WOuld I could do thee halfe so much good as thou dost me in letting me know how thou dost, though it be far otherwise then I would have thee. Tom Pe [...]ton told me indeed that thou took'st a vomit last Sunday, but wert pretty well upon it. I am afraid I can guesse too right at the greatest part of thy disease, or at least, the ground of it, which is melancholy and thoughtfulness for things, which I can apply no remedy to, so much as by discourse, other­wise then this way, and th [...]t thou shalt not faile of, so long as I can reach pen, and ink, and paper. I confesse I am glad when thou dost furnish me with messengers, partly to save the charge of a porter, and chiefly to understand how it is with thee and my children. Last week I wrote a letter into Berkshire to a friend (as I thought) for some matters, but got not so much as an answer again. I did the same week set another instrument on work, but have yet no account of it. Major Wildmans imprisonment was unlucky to me, and Mr. Loders restraint and my daughters some way or other though we shall be assisted, because I have beene on bare boord a thousand times in my life, and yet still found a twig or something to hold me up. But I am resolved that the next 30. l. which comes shall be the Lievten [...]nts; lesser summes may do the rest of thy body service; But that must cure thy heart, which dwells here with

My Soul, thy true H. Marten.

LETTER 7.

My dear Love,

NOt so much to send thee thy Oranges and thy Peares that thou left'st behind thee; nor any thing else to keep them company, nor to give thee an account how pitti­fully Sarah cryes now she is with her father, nor to know from thee how thou didst speed at Mr. Stantons with my note; do I dispatch this bearer to thee, as to learn how my two brats do, that are now in thy armes, especially the lit­tle one, who wants the others heart, and yet had as good a one of her own, that thou gavest her twice already: if she mend, I need not wish thee joy, but in case she doe not, I must put thee in mind, that every thing thou hast, except thy mind (that is thy self) is loose about thee, as well thy Smock, and whatsoever is neerest thee, as thy uppermost Garments, and those that thou wert plundered off above seven years ago. I do not forget thy Cordial, as soon as I have any opportunity of sending to the place. For this time I bid thee good morrow with all my heart, that is, with all thy self, and rest (though but outwardly, till I hear from thee.)

My Souls own, H. Marten.

LETTER 8.

My own Heart,

I Know not what hast this Letter will make to thee: but I thought to have sent up little Ierrie, whom riding hath made so sore, that I cannot find in my heart to make trot till tomorrow; then he must and will be with thee, I hope, by Wednesday night. I was fain to lie at Abington Saturday nigh [...]; yet I s [...]ick to [...]he note thou hast by thee of going [...] tomorro [...]. The worst is I can send thee no money, in regard Major Wildman is gone again into Sussex. Lemster I presume will do it, if thou canst make any shift in the mean time. I hope thou hast gotten little Peggies things from Brainford, though I was glad to write a ticker to Mrs. Parish for the loan of 40 s. to fetch them off. M. Ingram hath given me very good satisfaction concerning his wives words, which I would relate to thee at large, but that I believe thou knowest all already by a Letter he sent me up on Thursday. Nan Stone, contrary to my expectation, did come downe with the Carrier appointed. Our Girles (especially Iinnie) are but coursely used by their mother; yet being only words, they must endure it for ought I know; the rather for that (if they list) they may neglect and despise her as much as their Sister Nan does. Remember me to all my friends ac­cording to their severall capacities: but be very careful, my Dear, of her lame brother, of my couple of biddies, and of my study-doore key. I am, and so am like to be a great while,

My sweet Soul, Thy own, H. Martin.

LETTER 9.

My Dear soul,

IS it not long enough in all conscience since thou and I saw one another? methinks it is a pretty while since thou hadst a letter from me. But Tom Peyton's coming one day, and Iob Wards the next, made a reasonable shift to stay my stomack. The latter of 'um (I thank him) drunk thee up a bottle of good Sack; there is never a drop left nei­ther. But thou dost not grudge it him at parting; and I hope now he is off hand. Prethee charge Tillie to tell me truly how my poor brat do [...]s. Thou must send me to morrow thy 40 s. Ambassador to be imployed in another money businesse, perhaps he has a luckier hand then Dick; and in the mean time one of them should goe to the inner Temple Cloyster,, about the middle whereof is a doore in­to a little Court, and also by the doore a Stationers shop; where I would have it enquired, how a body may find Mr. Chute, a young Gentleman, whose father was a good Lawyer, and had chambers in that Court: if they are not able to inform, it is likely one may learn at my L.P-'s lodgings. The enclosed I send thee (not for thy opinion in the answering, for I have answered it already, and told him I knew thy minde as well as if I were in thy belly, but) to shew thee that the honest fellow will not forget us quite. The truth is, the weather and wayes too are very tolerab [...]e yet, and it is a huge while to maintain a family in Hockney lodgings till the Spring. I have not sent Sir Iohn any message yet by the Gentleman Potter concerning thy quartering with me (as I intended) because his onely child is now sick again, and has been almost a week, so as, till that be over (as they say he is upon recovery) there is no coming neer him for any favour. Let me know all thy mind by Tom, either in writing [Page 14] or word of mouth, (for sure writing is too much toil for thee in this case) and thou shalt hear again from

My sweet Love, Thy own, H.M.

LETTER 10.

My Deare,

FOr all I sent thee a double Letter yesterday by Iob, and got never a one from thee to day by thy man, yet thou shalt have another now; together with a leg of mutton, two loaves, a peck of flower (though not of 18 d. the bushel) and four bottles of Will. Parkers Lemon Ale. He brought me a fine Nosegay, and Strowings, and some Lettice that he was fain to borrow, and scarce worth taking up; however I like his coming, to save the charges of a Porter, which I finde considerable, though he be a very honest fellow. Therefore let Stephen come again on Thursday morning, and no farther then the Butchers, who can better come to me then he. Buss Baconhog for me, the rest I must buss my self, when I can catch them. My service to our true friend, and good mor­row,

My sweet Soul, Thy own H. Marten.

LETTER 11.

My Heart,

IT was late this morning ere I received thy yesterdayes basket (and Letter, the sweetest flower in the parcel) so as I should not have sent thee an answer till to morrow in the company of some vitch, but that I longed to vent a little of my newes. I have gotten, not Dick Peters himself, but a man of his, with instructions to stay here so long as I will have him, and wait upon whom I bid him. Dick does re­serve that farme for thee, and would have come up, but that in order to his journey he hastened his wife out of Derbi­shire, while she was too greene, into that place, where she has taken cold enough to make a new lying in of it, that he knowes not whether she will live or die. Therefore, though I wish our true friend well again, for his own sake chiefly, yet I confess I wish't very much for thine. I believe the other matter is very neer ripe too, I mean, halfe of it, so far as I could drive it. More of that on Monday. At last Mr Loder is come to town, & I think will let me see him to morrow. My Keeper and I are contriving how I may see somebodie else; but I will not tell thee who that is, because thou hast a shrewd guesse of thy owne. I have sent thee two Tower loaves of two sorts, and every pennie of money I have. 'Twil mend, and so will

Thy own Henry Marten.

LETTER 12.

My own Heart,

I Have spoken, and am fairly promised a Regiment, but of Foot. M— will not be in town till to morrow seven-night, or tuesday next at soonest. My Lady L— made very much of me, and asked kindly for thee: she goes not away till the next week toward the end of it. I told her when thou art to be Churched, and that thou would'st visit her so soon as ever thou com'st abroad. But she means to prevent thee; so as I must send thee some goodnesse to morrow for her. This roguy money does not come accord­ing to promise; it will sure. In the mean while I am though

Thy poor, thy true, H. Marten.

LETTER 13.

Sirrah,

TIs no wonder if I love thee dearly now, for I heare say thou gottest money the other day. This day little Ba­con-hog is one week elder then she was; and to morrow night I intend to visit Moppet. Mean while (Hussie) doe you make much of my Peggy. For I hope by to morrow se­ven-night to fetch them up mother and all: and then I warrant thee if I busse pretty Lucie Parker, thou wilt be yellow of

My Heart, Thy owne, H. Marten.

LETTER 14.

My sweet soul,

BEsides seeing thee (which is good at any time) and be­ing kept touch withall according to promise (which honest people love dearly) I have a bushel of talk for thee to entertain thee with, so as I doubt thou wilt not have time to eat a bit with me, yet I shall look for thee about dinner time, and get some fish for my self and those that come with thee. And me thinks it should be a fine day to bring me as many of my Brats as are in a condition for health, and hang clothes.

Here is a note inclosed which will help thee to some money for the purpose we designed it, from which I would not have thee divert it by any means, Good mor­row to my Heart till anon.

Thy H. M. now and anon too.

Prethee go over to 'um (at least) to let me know how they doe, and leave this little token for 'um.

LETTER 15.

My poor Dove,

THough I starved thee yesterday with cold, by forget­ting to send thee wood, I will make thee amends to day in telling thee I shall not run away from thee. Scot and Robinson are gone on that errand. I am to meet with Greg anone. What we shall do I know not; but I will make a holt or shaft of it now, and not abate him a farthing of that I resolved, either in money or in time, like

My own heart, Thy H.M.

LETTER 16.

My Soul,

WHen shall I see thee? when shall I have thee with­in some compass of being able to send to thee, or hear from thee once every day? The ugly Carriers Porters wife cheated me, when she told me she would come againe, and perhaps cheated thee of thy shoulder of mutton. I have now sent thee a little of my Longworth commodity, and a scrapp of the business, viz. 4 s. Buss my little brats for,

My Heart, Their Daddy, H.M.

LETTER 17.

Good morrow Vallentine

FOr thou art first in my eye, or in my heart; but thou art not like to be mocked first, no more then poore Bacon­hog is with her little toosses: thou shalt have cloth for all four bums so soon as ever I can spin: I have some hemp up­on the wheele. Mean while here is a dozen of egs for thee, and a pound of butter, just now bought of a countrey Heg­ler. According to our bargain I am to have some grass from thee: let it not be much. B'w'y sweet Soul.

Thy own, Henry Marten.

The Captaine hath sent me one of his countrey Wast­coats, which I have upon my back; by the same then thy maid may be glad she has not the washing of the old one: for I believe it would take up more sope then I sent the other day.

LETTER 18.

My dearest Dear,

THou hast I hope by this time digested one shrewd brunt, [...]and art the better prepared for another. To morrow morning we are all to appear at the House of Commons, to shew cause why the sentence given against us should not be executed. I think we can shew a very good one, whe [...]ein the Kings honour and the Paliaments is con­cerned: if they think otherwise, who can help it? That can

My sweet Love, Thy own for ever and ever, H. Marten.

LETTER 19.

My sweet dear Love and Soul,

LEt me kno [...] how thou do I, either by Letter of any bo­dy's writing, or by any messenger. As for matters, I have now set [...]o many wheeles a going, that some will fadge sure; I mean considerable, for I am pretty certaine of being able to send thee a scrap before monday night. Keep up thy poor heart, sweet Soul, a little while, though thou hast no reason for it, but for that I am ever and ever

Thy o [...]n, and no bodies else, nor any thing else, H. M.

LETTER 20.

My Heart,

THis Letter is not to thee, it is to honest * Dick, that will entitle me to the doing him any good; for though I was very well before, yet methinks that conceit makes me a great deal better.

I will not write to thy man, but I will goe very neare to do for him as thou bidst me, shortly too: and I will pro­mise me to forbeare what thou forbiddest me, that is, gi­ving him money; it is not so flush; neither did I ever ex­cept one six pence. Commend me to poor little Betty. Thou dost according to my own heart, and God will blesse thee and thy little Bettyes, and

Thy old Dear, H.M.

LETTER 21.

My heart,

THou must not be a naughty Deare, because I look like one in not coming, nor writing to thee since monday morning, and keeping Moppet from thee too. But the * House and the Council doe make such a Rogue of me, that I have much adoe to say my prayers; and yet I must pray all this day in the House; soon I hope to be with thee, and mean while thou must accept this pretty token of my love, from

Sweet Soul Thy own, H.M▪

LETTER 22.

My poorest sweetest dearest heart and soul,

BEar up a little longer, and arm thy self for the worst. If God will not let thee keep all 3 thank him for two: if thou canst not have a sight of thy own, make much of a piece of paper from him; and if that get nothing in it, put the top and the bottom together, & there is a little Cordial. There is some luck too that this bearer can come at me: let us make the best use of what we have, and let me know by the next whether you and Dick doe approve of the other Essex job. I cannot abide to keep any of thy few friends (especially all of them) so long from thee: and therefore God be with thee, and with

Thy ever and ever, and ever, H. Marten.

LETTER 23.

My Dearest,

I Sent thee a barrel of Oysters yesterday, which I hope the brats have not guttled away; for my meaning was they should be saved till thy Churching, and then thou mightst eat some thy self. My Hartington chapman hangs an arse still, but the Lemster man is come to town, and so is Loder. The deuce is in it if some money does not come from some place. Mean while it is pretty good luck that I can get credit for thy victuals and the families, and dine my self every day almost upon free-cost. Poor Hall is faine to quarter with his Aunt, who is now rid (as they tell me) [Page 22] of her shee guest, and of her sicknesse, onely lame still, and keeps her bed. Good morrow to my sweet Love, saith

Thy owne, H. Marten.

LETTER 24.

My deare,

IF any butter would stick upon my bread, I should by this time have had wherewith to warme thy fingers ends; but my poor soul must put on a bushel of pati­ence: For though it be but Wednesday morning, I am at the bottome of my tubb, having given the bearer money to buy thee nine pound of soap, two pound of candles, one of rush, the other of cotton of eights, and a sixpenny loaf. I am glad to hear thou and my brats are well. So soon as a­ny good news comes, thou shalt be sure to heare of it, and feel it. So good morrow to my sweet Love.

Thy own, H. Marten.

LETTER 25.

My sweet soul,

I Do confesse it is hard to make bread without corne, though the baker be never so good: therefore (and in­deed for reasons enough besides) I do all I can about the crop: as it comes in thou shalt have notice; and how­ever, that we may think what is to be done next. I cannot send thee any thing now, because of Iinnies being here; but if thou canst send me some messenger to morrow morn­ing, I shall [...] for thee, and for my [Page 23] brats. I believe thy brother will be good company for thee, I mean for thy security as long as thou hayest there: if thou hast reasons to the contrary, give me but a hint of it, and he shall be perswaded to quarter elsewhere. My ser­vice to your honest Landlord. I rest, my [...]eart,

Thy owne H. Marten.

LETTER 26.

My sweet Love,

I Have spoken and prevailed with Mrs. Dawson, who de­sires Mr. Stephens would come to her house any mor­ning in St. Martins l [...]ne, just above the old Swan stairs, and authorize her from my Lady P— to deale for such commo­dities in her Ladyships behalf, and keep them at her owne home when she has bought them, till my Lady has occasion to use them. 50 or 60 l. shall be ready: and I believe, if need be, as much more, if the penniworths be answerable: and when the goods be there, they are not at Bennets, nor any bodies that will put thee to streights to redeem 'um, or make 'um eat out their heads. If thou canst not conveni­ently get Mr. Stephens to go so far, go thy self: She will be glad to see thee; thou wilt finde her a very good body, and discreet, and one that loves him that thou do [...]t not hate. And if thou be [...]st yellow, what care I? My service to that friend of thine, of whom I am not so yellow, is all the world besides is, because I doe know better then they, that I and no body else is,

My Dears own own H. Marten.

LETTER 27.

My sweet Love,

I Thank thee for thy two Tokens of yesterday, though thou didst but send them me, and hadst them safe home again I hope. I do partly expect thee here to day: prethee come or send, if thou canst, if for nothing else, that I may know how thou dost after thy Pills Ruff and thy poor belly. But I would fain have a bushel of talk with thee too. Mean while I have sent thee by this bearer to be laid out in South­wark market (since he did so well last time) 3 s. 6 d. for a joynt of meat at his discretion, 1 s. for a loaf of bread, and 2 s. for a quart bottle of Canary, and 1 s. for himself. Mor­row to my Heart, and I was going to say I rest, but I believe I shall not, till thou beest either seen or heard of by, Soul,

Thy H. Marten.

LETTER 28.

My poor sweet soul,

THat I could send thee my two armes and hands at the ends of 'um enclosed in a Letter: for indeed I begin now to be as much afraid of thee as of my little baby, and of the two I know which would be most missed, to say nothing of the simple thing called love. I may well call it simple, because it won't be gone, if a body would never so fain; but (like a disease) the more pittifull the party is wherein it lies, the stronger and lustier it growes. Prethee Dear, think of some body to help thee in this luggage; if thou art not provided with a fitter, I should commend the bearers big girle Sarah, for whom, though I cannot say much in many other respects, yet I have [Page 25] observed her very good natur'd towards an untowardly child as can be Bettie Co [...]ss, by the same, token that the mother on't commonly will give her a penny a time to tend her for an hour or two in her absence, then she is tru­sty and at hand to be sent of errands, especially betwixt thee and me, and loose, and to be turned off again at pleasure: let me know thy minde herein, but I shall not be right, till thou get some body or other to take off part of thy drud­gery.

Poppets Ague is turned into the sleeping disease I think, she will eat no meat, nor pottage made of meat, nor egge, yet well enough, and merry with a few humours, that I can make an asse of as I lift: she has not taken her powder, but shall ere thou hear from us again.

Will. A— was here yesterday, as you may perceive by the bottle, and the Lorgworth Pidgeons had a mind to take their leaves of her, befo [...]e they flew quite away.

This little token is for Peggie, who is to keep two of the summes for her younger sisters, and make use of the third for her Fathers sake, who is,

My Loves Love, H.M.

If any little mad girle have lost a small parcel of gol­den ear-rings, I know a cunning man will cast a figure for 'um, and use her reasonably.

LETTER 29.

HOw did my poor Dear sleep last night, after the alarm thy man gave thee from hence? but thou hast been u­sed to such things. The worst was he had nothing to carry thee from me except a couple of candles: but thou art used to that too. I shall now give some comfort to thy little heart, having lately perused the Kings Speech and the Chancelors, either I am very much mistaken in them, or they signifie no great danger to us, whose faults are almost as old as our selves. Then I believe Mr. C— will be with thee either to day or to morrow morning with a small token of my love. But dost thou wonder that I should know thy minde as well as if I were in thy belly? why thou know'st mine, and if I thought there were ever a corner in it dark towards thee, I would set it on a light fire but thou shouldst see it. Oh the pitifull butter that thy man bought the other day! this I hope is better, but if it be not, I could not help it, for it was past nine this morning ere my doore was unlocked, and then the first businesse was to borrow a little money of one of my fellow prisoners, so that by that time I can send for any thing the best of the market is gone. Here is somewhat else for thee too, as bread, and beer, and spara­guss, and 3 s. to buy thee coles (for if your countrey be not hotter then this, you will hardly know it to be mid-day by the weather) which is more by 2 s. 9 d. then I was worth three hours agoe. Because we will offend our Gentlemen no more then we needs must, thou shalt not send so much as Peggie or any body else to me, yet I will make a shift either every day, or once in two dayes at least to conveigh a piece of paper to thee; and I am not very angry with thee (what ever the matter is) for thy scribbling so often to me. But hark you (houswife) I will not have Dick thank you for nur­sing [Page 27] him up, but me for making you a nurse: For what a simple one hadst thou been, if thou hadst not practised two or three times upon

My Love, Thy owne, H. Marten.

LETTER 30.

O my dear Love,

THe danger thou wert in by thy coming to me, and the fright I was in by telling me so: for the simple woman when she was denied coming into the Tower, and delivered her basket and napkin at the gate, must needs tell them she had a letter too for the Collonel: which, by good fortune, though the other broke it open, no body read but the Gen­tleman Porter, and he told them there was nothing in it, as indeed there was not, but about the little girle; yet that might have bred trouble enough, as it was like to have been construed; and the Gentleman Porter himself does not know how it may be taken if she should stay long; she's shod but wants other things pitifully; as I can help her I will, and long, for a thousand reasons, to see her backfile, I mean, to see her taken down with thee into the Countrey. I did at a venture send for Dick by the last post, that if he could possibly, he should come up himself, if not, send up the same man with one or two horses and a paire of panniers. I may well call it an adventure, considering how we are provided: But God may send somewhat in the mean time, or if honest Dick be here in person, the labour will not be lost. It is un­lucky that your man is sick; but if the small Pox was to come, it could not have lighted better amongst you. I am glad to hear that the litle one will save you fewel for dres­sing [Page 28] her meat, so she can have it raw: but I believe that was onely a fit of her teeth which made her glad of the cold she found in the raw flesh. Since I wrote thus far, Master T— advises me to rid away the girle so soon as ever I can conveniently, for the strictnesse encreases, though no body knowes any reason for it. I have sent thee such com­modities as I have, with order to buy some things by the way, and with a little token in the belly of my letter. And so good morrow to my sweet Soul, and the Gentleman that is as whole as a Fish, and to my least of brats, and to Clem, together with Betty's commendations, that has been very earnest with me to send her a piece of Lamprey: I am fain to tell her that Glem's Mistress must have the disposal of all I send. Who am

Heart, Thy H. Marten.

LETTER 31.

Love and Dear,

I Do not thank thee for the hundred fine things thou sentst me last night by the woman, nor care for any thing thou hast done, or canst do, but coming to me; and that thou must do this day: it is already laid, thus; first thou art to make a rogue of thy self, then to take what guard thou wilt to the waterside, then a boat at what stairs thou wilt, that may bring thorow-bridge (the tide is ordered for the nonce) to be at the by-ward about one of the clock, and then come in with the crowd, but without thy brother or thy friend, or any body that has been seen with thee: no­body will take notice of thee there, but one, that stands there on purpose to bring thee off, if need be. In case thou hast a couple of Squires to conduct thee so far, thou may'st [Page 29] direct them to retire to the Angel or the Rose, or some such good neighbouring-place, or perhaps to Gardiners or mother Thorntons within the Tower, and yet keep distance enough from thee; and we shall be able to send them their dinner in victuals, their drink, thou knowest, is to be called for [...]t their quarters, and that (being moderate) will be cle [...]ed too. Whether thou wilt take this opportunity of bringing the poor girl along with thee, I leave to thy dis­cretion. The care I take is for my own poor girle, that I am sure needs not be disguised for me; it is so long since I saw her, that I shall make her tell me some tokens before I believe it is shee, when I do see her. But why do I stand tittle tatling now, when it is more then time my letter were gone? there will be Peggy, and there will be Pop­pet, and there will be Bacon-hog to make Ladies of, and then their maid to be made an asse of. Therefore (house­wife) go about your businesse, and let me heare no more on you till I see you. For how canst thou tell or no whether thou hast got ever a

Heart and Dear of H. Marten.

LETTER 32.

My dear Love,

THough I might thank thee for my good chear (which I am sure I should not have had without thee) yet I will thank thee for nothing but my good company, neither do reckon thy self all that, nor thy pair of po [...]pets: there­fore prethee doe thou it for me to the fourth party.

The company I got in my Landladies chamber could not have been less welcom to me at any other time, though they [Page 30] had brought fair water with them: but thou and I must pick a quarrel from thence to meet so much the sooner a­gain. I will take upon me, without thy order, to keep alive that Staffordshire business, because in this dogg-age a body must be content with a Cat that will but catch a Mouse, though she run away from a Rat.

So soon as Loder has been with me, I will give thee an account how 'tis. Next week I hope to tipple thy nose a­gain in Rhenish; take the Sugar in the meane time, for I dare not trust my self with it, neither can I send thee any thing that I must go to fob for, but thy ordinary allowance of bread, and yet I don't think but I am

My own Hearts Henry Marten.

Here's Clems busk. Remember my bottles and lettice, but not much. Mr. T— (when I can spare him) shall goe into Holland to fetch thee some sweet Strawberries.

LETTER 33.

My deare Heart,

I Thouhgt now within a day or 2 I should have obtained leave for thee to come and see me; but it seems thou hast a worse Keeper then I: which addition to thy o­ther troubles thou needest not; neither would I put thee in minde of what is heavy enough upon thee, if it were not to shew thee that thou hast a partner in the weight, and there­fore must reckon it lighter by one half then it is. This may be good Philosophy, but reall assistance I can give thee none. Be of good cheer though (my Love) because things must be at the worst, before they will mend. God send thee thy health [Page 31] again, and so soon as ever I know it, I will make some shift or other that thou shalt come to me.

Mean while, and ever, I am Sweet Soul, Thy true H. Marten.

LETTER 34.

My Heart,

ALl the comfort I have now for thee or my self, is, that to morrow is Saturday. Mean while, and then too, and a pretty while after, that I am, and am like to be,

My own Soul, Thy H. Marten.

Our Speaker takes Physick for ten dayes, and we have chosen Mr. S—for Speaker in his room during his ab­sence.

LETTER 35.

My Heart,

I Care not a pudding where thou art, so thou beest safe. Yesterday I heard something true and something false concerning thy business from Stephen, and wrote thee a Letter by him, which I know not when thou wilt have. I was glad not onely to see this bearer for his owne sake and thine, but to see he could pass the pikes without our friend T.— I hope he may doe so another time: and if you were all scattered into forty families, my minde gives me, that I should have a morsel for every one of you. If I could send thee above an Angel, I would not at once, be­cause I would make thee (as if I needed) send to me the sooner again, as if I were, My sweet Love,

Thy own, H. M.

LETTER 36.

Soul,

I Thank thee for thy Christen token: if this bee the worst, I never received so much kindness from so ugly a disease, as to spare my own Deare quite and clean, and to punish my bantlings so favourably. Because I do not love to see thee, I must now put thee off two dayes longer, and that is till friday, I hope for the better, in re­spect of thy strength too: in regard of the company I had here to day it was good luck thou didst not come. Mr. T— and I have so contrived it, that thou and I may then be the whole day together, and Rhenish wine shall not be wanting to tipple thy nose in, nor a savoury bit for thy chaps; and somwhat I shall have to send thee too on Thursday morning, and something to say: therefore I will not spend all my talk in this piece of paper, notwithstanding the conveni­ency of your conveyance by such hands as would prove, if there were no other evidence that my Dear is mine, and that I am

My Dears H. Marten.

LETTER 37.

My sweet soul,

YEa but I will see my own Dear to morrow, and all my little bantlings: for the Gentleman Porter has pick­ed out that time to grant me thy company when Sir I— is sure to dine abroad, for he must not know it. I do not know whether thoudarest venture thy baby upon the water or no; but the tide serves finely betwixt 11 and 12. If thou comest [Page 33] by Coach (which I think is the safest way) thou must set out an hour sooner, or else I shall eat up all the vitch before thou comest; for all that, I would have thy hee-camerades try their fortunes too. I will spend no more ink upon thee now, but bottle up all thy business for thy ugly ears. There­fore good morrow Monkey-face.

Thy H. Marten.

LETTER 38.

My dearest Dear,

THou dost not know how I have longed all night for this morning, that I might send these to thee, inviting thee to dine with me to day; the way is made, and the time to be about one of the clock, the man­ner as private as it was last time, onely the little brat were best to be left behind, unlesse thou darest not trust it with its teeth out of thy company, then I hope it may do well e­nough to bring her, so thou hast some body to help thee car­ry her. I have here sent thee just enough to pay thy wa­terman: whether thou wilt leave this girle behinde thee or no, I leave to thy self, but I should think it good. Here was my Cousin J.Y— yesterday most part of the day, with leave, and he believes onely banishment is intended at last: but thou and I will not talk of those matters, nor think neither (Shall we Love? ah that thou couldst help it!) till my Heart come to

Hers, H. Marten.

LETTER 39.

My own Heart,

TEll me how thou and thy luggage are like to fadge at thy new quarters. This bearer has told me where it is, especially how my poor shin-and-bone brat does, then what is done about thy goods, and withall in the suit against Bat, which (as I remember) was to have been tried last Friday.

If our Dick be not gone with my Letter to T— I think thou wert best send Tom to me, and I will send him with one: one baffle is enough for the other at one place.

I long to have thee with me for good and all, and some­times I fancy it not altogether impossible. I am sure it goes a little against my stomack to dispose of thee so far off at this time of the year: but if I must check that longing, there is another that I will not check, but bring about by hook or crook, that is, to have two or three hours talk with thee. My old friend W. is now come to town, and his Lady (though not well) and the Gentleman in S. Martins lane gave me a kinde of a visite yesterday; but staid so little, as we could have no discourse almost. My Lord L— is not come up, nor Mr. L.

Here are a few pennies for thee: more will come one day. I finde (besides the dearness of these lodgings, in re­spect of the last, which I cannot finde in my heart to think much of) that winter is a more chargeable season then sum­mer, especially when two chimneys are to be warmed in­stead of one, and parlours call for candles as well as cham­bers. Now I talke like a miserable cribbe, because I would put thee in hopes that I may be a rich man yet before I die; and then I warrant thou wilt love,

My Heart, Thy owne, H. Marten,

LETTER 40.

Hussie,

THy last letter got two six pences in it, and so thou thought'st to finde in this too, did'st not? but thou art mump'd; for I am resolved I will not send thee one farthing to day. Both my sisters brought their dinner with them, and dined with me yesterday, and the elder of 'um this morning sent half a dozen bottles of small beer, and some scraps of good cheer, whereof thou shalt taste, because it is in mammocks; so I gave the messenger just as much as I send thee. But monday will come, you Chits-face you, therefore I won't be jeer'd for a beggarly rogue, especially so long as I have leave to walk once a day into the Gentle­man Porters lodgings, and on the top of his leads. I am able to give thee a bottle of rare Sack too, so thou canst keep it cool, either in gravell, or in water, with salt-peter in it; any other water will make it hotter; and to give thee a piece of roasting Beef, and a shoulder of Mutton; Veale I would have had, but the butcher dares not kill any for feare of the weather. If thou canst give the bearer 1 or 2 of thy butter-dishes, I will send thee some of that commodity on Tuesday, though it be a very ticklish one. Commend my service to him that is past the pox, and to him that's afraid of 'um: for other things I am glad he has more hopes then feares, and so I am that thou art so quiet from abroad; for I doubt not but thou hast work enough at home; ever since thou told'st me how well thou lik'st my Strawberries, my chaps have watered for more; but I will not tell thee what I meant to do with them, because I am none of

Thy Dear not I nor H. Marten.

LETTER 41.

ANd thou shalt have a Letter (my own sweet Love) though I robbed a Copie of Verses of half a sheet to write it in: for my Nuncle, I thank him, has gutled up all my brown paper and white too. The reason why I did not write the last time I sent, was the hast my messenger was in, being with me by stealth, viz. the butchers man, for the honest porter is not suffered to come in: for truly I do not grudge thee my pains half so much as I do thy owne in scribling, and yet I cannot finde in my heart to forbid thee, because I need not tell thee how handsom a piece of paper looks that comes from a body's Dear. But now you talk of handsomnesse, let Peggie have a care, for if she get any pits upon her lips, I shall not endure to kiss her, unlesse her sister Sarah speak for her. I hope my little brats mouth is well, I liked her eating raw meat better then that of her mothers chewing hitherto: my Keepers mind holds for giving thee a visit to morrow about one of the clock; but thou shalt know the certainty in the morning, and receive something to receive him withall: and when you be together, I shall wish you both whipped if you do not contrive thy coming to me the next day after to eat a little fish. On Monday last my Lord M. and my daughter, and Jinny, brought 3 or 4 dishes of victuals and dined with me, but he got away all my wine that I had provided for thee, because he liked it: I know where that grew though, and in the mean time thou must be content with a bottle of such which my cousin Ned C— (who visited me the same day too) brought me for a special drink. So for this time I bid thee good morrow, and rest, my sweet Soul, thy own every day that goes over my head, every night too, whether I talk to thee or no, whether I dream of thee or no.

H.M.

LETTER 42.

My sweet Love,

THough I burnt thy Letter so soon as I had read it, ac­cording to thy order by the bearer, yet I have not for­gotten the contents of it. Concerning the offer thou hast of a new Dear, there was a time I confesse, when I was such a Hog, as to think my throat cut by any body that would have a share in thee besides my self: I am reformed, but not the ordinary way, by not caring who enjoyes that which I have done taking pleasure in, but by binding up all my pleasure in thine: and as it has been pretty common with me to think that good bit tasted best which went into thy mouth; so still or more do I relish thy happinesse beyond my own; if it were not complementing, that is for fear of seeming to complement, I would tell thee, that I would not live: I am sure I would not beg to live, but because I finde thou wouldst have me live: therefore good Soul, if ever thou hast a design of satisfying me (which I believe thou art ne­ver without) study how to satisfie thy own mind, and there lie I as quiet as a Lamb. For all that, I cannot let thee goe without an item. My poor Heart, take heed of every body, especially of the fairest offers; thou hast been bitten, and bitten, and bitten by such as were no meer strangers to thee; by that time thou art a little older thou wilt take every word thou hearest for an errand lie, the world is grown so false. What B— saies I have not leisure to tell thee now. My brats will dine with me, and Harry C— brings them. I would fain have them neer me, and thee too, if possible. I rest.

My Dearest Thy everlasting self, H. M.

LETTER 43.

My Life,

I Scorn to thank thee for thy good news, but I will give thee as good as thou bringest. I had last night at nine of the clock a friend with me, who came from another friend with this message, or rather with this answer to a former. The businesse you wot of should not stick for wan [...] of money. Now get you gone and be whipt a while, I know no body cares a pudding for you, nor for Iob, nor for Dick, nor for Brats, and yet these three old scraps are found this morning by a Monkey-faces

Owne, H. Marten.

LETTER 44.

My sweet Love,

MY little baby does not lie upon my lap, but she lies almost as heavie as if she did, till I hear how she is. Keep up thy heart a little longer though, it has a great ma­ny good dayes to see yet, the bad ones in reason being even all out. For a beginning, Poppet thou knowest is quite well, and Peggy has but got a disease to play withall, just like the weather, or the fortune of States and Kingdomes, faire and foul by turnes. For all this thou and I must see one another; onely let me know from thee, when thy nursery will give thee leave, and I will procure it here above boord, or by stealth. Do not trouble thy self to write, this bearer will deliver all thy minde to me honestly and carefully. And so good morrow to my dear Love,

Thy own, Henry Marten.

Thou maist see (Heart) by my token that I have credit, though it be but sucking credit.

LETTER 45.

Dear Heart,

I Sent thee the other day by Tom P— a piece of cheese, with three Oranges, and a couple of shillings; but I made more hast in sending the messenger then I un­derstand he and his two Camerades made in going: yet if it did not vex thee (who hast no need of being vext) I should finde no fault; for I am perswaded they would not have staid so long with any body else as they did with my Keeper, and that upon my account, and to the end some of them at least might have access to me from thee, & tell me still how thou do'st: for all that do not believe I could stay now till some body comes: this bearer must bring me word: withall he carries a few Grapes, such as our wilderness yields, and 3 or 4 bottles of my own Ale. Cheer up thy self, my Love, as if thou hadst received a bushel of money from one that has not a peck in all the world, and yet for thy sake thinks very well of living, because he is

His owne Souls H. Marten.

LETTER 46.

MY Dearest, that is, not dearer then other Deares, (for so thou wert forty years ago) but dearer then thou wert this morning, when I thought I could have sent to thee, and found I could not, therefore thou art beholding to my Masters for all that Dearness that thou mightst have spared. Let me know how thy best friend does to day: don't think I put him above my selfe now, as some do that know neither thee nor me. For I count not my self thy friend, no [Page 40] more then thou art mine, yet I could never tell whether I were thou, or thou wert I, one of 'um I am sure 'tis, if not both, so as I need not give thee an account why thou hadst not what thou writt'st for on Saturday, nor perswade thee not to be troubled at this new restraint. I have out lived a hundred of 'um already, and am heart-whole still, if thou beest well. This bearer will deliver thee two two-penny loaves new, about half a pound of butter, two small bunches of Sparraguss, and half a dozen round shillings of old Besses: if conveyance had been free to day, I should have mended every letter, and done something toward a better business; but 'tis pretty well that my Love has yet

Her own H. Marten.

LETTER 47.

Dear,

IF I could have gotten a messenger yesterday, I would not have slept twice before I had known how my nur­sery does: if she go on in mending (as I hope) or stand at a stay, prethee mind no wormes nor any disease at all in her but weaknesse, and therefore give her all that thou art able either to nourish or to please her. Fain would I have her again, if it be possible, to dine with me, and stay till Monday, thee and Peggy and all: betwixt one and two of the clock cast to be at the Tower, and I will endeavour to get leave: and if I cannot obtain it, I will send thee word time enough; not sending to thee again is a sign thou maist come. I send thee here enclosed a Letter I received yester­day, from one who it seems has not received my last. Thy work I could not put out till this morning, but am promi­sed it shall be done by Tuesday: in case thou canst come to [Page 41] day, or so soon as to dine with me, let me know it, and with­all as much of all our other concerns as thou canst put into paper.

Here is 20 s. for thy Coaches earnest, if that businesse takes, and 5 s. for the Hack that brings thee hither to

My Soul, Thy Body, H. Marten.

Thou seest I would not couzen thee of what is con­tained in the brown paper.

LETTER 48.

My sweet Love,

SInce God is contented to let thee keep thy poor brat a while longer, to raise her some friends still upon my ac­count or thy own, and to give thee some successe in thy bu­siness, thou maist hope he has in store a little blessing for thee more then could have beene expected, after all the storms which thou and I have seen and felt, and see and feel. This bearer promises me fair that I shall have 8 of my bot­tles again; thereupon I will trust thee with one more; it is but Maligo Sack, reasonable good though. I have sent Peg and Poppet some sale-ware, yet f [...]r from bad, if I have any skill: if it be liked, the next token shall be bigger. Thy own should have been less; but thou must even be glad of pie-crust instead of bread: and if thou canst pawn it for bread, J would fain hope thou maist one day redeem it. J did not borrow, but beg it; and so J will again, and again, rather then my Heart shall fail of what may be done by

Her H.M.

J have not told Tom what it is.

LETTER 49.

My sweet soul,

NOw I begin to like thy room better then thy company, because I grudge thee a share in the weather we have got: yet I have my health still, and my old friend that waits constantly at the back-door. I wish thee such another now and then, but too much of it would weaken thee. This night J hope to meet a letter of thine at Lemster, sent down by last Saturdaies Post, and directed by F. H. if thou didst omit that time, mend it by the next, and make much of my Dear, or do not pretend to

Thy H.M.

LETTER 50.

Mine own Heart,

I Hope thou beest well (notwithstanding one roguerie still treading on the heeles of another) but thine owne heart cannot be very well till he knowes it; though it be but by message, a letter were better, and coming (if possible, and safe) best of all. But do not venture, before thou lettest me understand first by the honest Doctor what condition thou art in, that J may advise thee accordingly.

Good morrow sweet Soul, Thy H. Marten.

LETTER 51.

My poor sweet Dear,

IT was well done of thee to send this bearer to me, since T. P. could not get in, and to bid her tell me that nothing troubles thee: & because thou wouldst have me believe it, J will: but prethee tell thy other self so sometimes, and with often telling thou may'st perhaps believe it too. The Gent: Porter continues very civil to me (as Clem can inform thee in one particular) and is now Lievtenant of the Tower, Sir J R. being gone into the Countrey: therefore J hope to get leave of him for thee and my brats to dine with me on Wednesday: if it cannot be J will send thee word be [...]imes that morning. If thou hearest nothing to the contrary thou may'st venture to come.

Mrs. D— was with me, and tells me that Mrs. W— lies extream weak still; but her husband has a great deale of kindnesse for me. J am pretty apt to fancy the same; but J was born to be killed by tediousnesse: yet if thou can [...]t keep up thy hopes a little longer, J will see what is to be done by

My Souls own, H. Marten.

LETTER 52.

My Heart,

THis bearer must needs be welcome, for he saves me 18 d. in my purse that the Porter would have had. My childs slow mending is better then if it should gallop, that is, more likely to hold. The lesse thou tampe­rest in any Physick then stones with either of 'um, the bet­ter J like it. And sure the journey into the countrey will on, being so much according to the heart of Father and Mo­ther, [Page 44] and children: the little Item in thy Letter will get down the powder J hope, otherwise I know who weares the breeches at our house: Yesterday though was a fine day, and we went into the Gentleman Porters lodgings, and tickled his Gooseberry-bushes.

The businesse of washing and clearing goodwife G. and coach and horses are alarmes to the same tune; all my bu­siness is to provide relief where J can, and when; J have se­verall strings to my bow; one of 'um will take if luck serve. J have not yet seen Mr. S— nor heard from him. J shall adventure though to tell Dick P— that thou wilt be with him by that time the next moneth is a week old.

Thou maist perceive by my token that J heard from Long­worth, where all are well but the old one. We shall know more next return of the carrier. Mean while, and ever, bles­sing upon my sweet Dear, and her Lambs.

Thy owne H. Marten.

LETTER 53.

My deare,

THe man thou left'st with me is very slow in the matter thou wott'st on, neither dare J mention a­ny thing of kindness J expect, till J have gotten in all my own money out of his hand, whereof he tells me part had need to remain for fees against the Lievtenant calls a­gain, who claims 30 l. due still, and the Gentleman Potter 2 l. and Cr— never had any thing yet: but his cousin St— shall furnish me with one of his ten pounds to pay off Mr. C— and Mr. M— which comes to above 8 l. at the lowest rate; so J sent yesterday to his cousin, and had my weekly allowance with much adoe, whereof J owed 8 s. 6 d. and [Page 45] for the 10 pounds he wil bring it me himself one day of this week, but the certain time he cannot appoint.

Having told thee the worst of it, the next newes J send thee will be better I hope: mean while here are four hand­some puddings for thee, how good they are is not known to me, being a token of last night from one of my fellow pri­soners: and the fellow will bring thee a neck of Mutton from S—'s, with one pound of watch candles, and two pound of cotton. My service to the Gentleman was here on Sun­day, and pray him to remember the Falcon he promised to send me. Buss all my Brats for me, and as thou hast conveni­ency send me one or two of them in a basket. God be with my poor own sweet soul, and with

Her H. Marten.

LETTER 54.

Huzzy,

GIve me my 8 s. back again, for J promised you but 12 s. to pay your Quarters: don't you tell me 'tis all l [...]id out upon my own brats, for J must have it, and therefore send thee 2 s. more, to make up the debt just 10 s. J have also sent my three chits each of them a bird that came from Holingbury, and a parcel of fruit that came a great deal fur­ther off, as this bearer can tell thee better then J. Here dines with me to day of her own invitation, and upon Malls victuals, my sister E—, who intended very lately to send my daughter J. to have been provided for at Mrs. U-'s, but they have since bethought themselves that J need no such helps, or what other consideration works upon them, J know not, onely yesterday it was counter-maunded, and her aunt R. is resolved to take her down to Bray. My service to our Dick, and send Tom as often as thou canst unto Dear soul,

Thy H. Marten.

LETTER 55.

My sweet Love,

I Thank thee for thy yesterdays company, and so I should if I had it every day of the week, and should be glad too, that I could give thee as good cheer every day, to eat, and to drink, and to carry away. What thou didst at our Malls, thou wilt tell me in thine; J forget not what J promised thee to go in hand with; but think a little farther of a print which may be usefull, that is, if possible, to get the knowledge of what is intended at Court towards us, or some of us, and which; for without question, as White-hall pipes, Westminster will dance: to that end, if thou could'st get some friend to step over to morrow, and hear the Sermon preached before the King, something may be pick'd out of it, and if another friend at the same time visited the Ab­by, and took notice of the Doctrine delivered there. God does use to acquaint his Ambassadors with much of his mind. Because, if our severall intelligences shall inform us, that J am in the black book, then Mr. L. can't afford to give the D. of York such a consideration for his interest, as otherwise he may, nor to make such allowances to my children. There­fore, they must be advised to take other and meaner courses for their livelihood, without depending upon that staffe which will fail them. Besides, it is some comfort to know what a man must t [...]ust to. My heart, after J had wrote what thou hast read, Mr. T— came to me, and told me, that halfe a dozen Parliament men dining yesterday in Fish-street, and understanding that the King had pardoned Vane and Lam­bert, vowed they [...]ould pardon all the rest: Since that, J have news from one of my fellow-prisoners, that Sir H. F. coming to the [...]ing to excuse himselfe for not b [...]inging in the bill [...] yesterday according to order, was told by his Ma­j [...]sty himself, he should be at no further trouble about that [Page 47] business, for he intended to pardon them all: withall, that another Parliament man protested he would never give his vote to the executing any, so long as those two Rogues were pardoned. For all this, J will not be negligent in what thou and J agreed upon, only J have no mind to clothes nor such trumpery. J am

My Dear, Thy H. Marten.

LETTER 56.

My Love,

THis bearer is better at bringing me news from thee, then in bringing home bottles or baskets; neither cares he much whether his news be true or no, so it be good for the purpose; he told me the other day that my little Anatomy was fine and cheary, the swelling of her feet down, the dogs and cats turned into milk and Sack, and all this, and more, would be justified by Tom P— who was to come to me the next day. Well, the next day came, but no Tom; so J believe the rest accordingly. J have made a shift now (be­cause he should not go empty-handed, however he comes back againe) to send thee some Longworth Pig, and my two B [...]wnces some Plummes instead of Sixpences: J have not heard a word from Dick P— since Robin went, yet have written two or three times. Commend my service to the o­ther Dick Pe: the best that ever (not onely thou, but) J (that have lived a great while longer) was acquainted with.

Thy own, H. Marten.

LETTER 57.

My heart,

THy letter was very welcome to me, and that J need not tell thee; and how ill thou canst spare me and thy little brats, thou needst not tell me. Fain would J have thee a­way out of all these inconveniences a great while ago, if J had known how, and fain would yet, if J could, after the adjournment of this Parliament: till then J know thy mind will hanker after my condition, which is very hopefull ac­cording to the best intelligence J can get: it must needs be chargeable and dangerous, and every way unpleasant, to abide long where thou art, and to remove without a disguise, and to get a disguise without money is as hard: but whe­ther getting of money be not the hardest thing in the world J leave to thee. What luck had J to find that 30 s. out of 40 s. and send victuals to Kennington, and live at home, and help Iob to 7 s. 6 d. and give this knave a Crowne, and make him the carrier of an Angel to thee? and yet J hope God will send more next week. J have advised to go this night when thy private goods are thought to be secured, and fetch them thence in bundles to my daughter M—'s house, in regard that untowardly girle B.S. knowes where they be, onely my daughter must let as few of her houshold know it as is possible, for ten to one there be slippery com­panions there too: but advise well of it, Mall J am confi­dent of, for her own part. Till thou goest into the country, thou must not trust to any one lodging too long, notwith­standing thy change of habit: and prethee let me hear from thee as often as thou canst with safety. J have no reason for it, but that J am, My sweet Soul,

Thy own Dear, H. Marten.

LETTER 58.

My poor dear heart,

WHom J am fain not onely to leave, but to starve. J will not excuse either now, but do better then ex­cuse my self to morrow morning: and mean while send thee such things as thou wantest most, and rest,

My Soul, Thy own H. Marten.

LETTER 59.

Heart and Soul,

I Will believe thee (because thou wouldst have me) that thou art very well, and according to thy conjuring me, will send for thee on Saturday to meet thy new Cousin, and Old Self,

H. Marten.

LETTER 60.

My Heart,

I Got two Letters at once from thee now, and shall send thee but one little scrap of answer; but that as full as it can hold of gladness that you be all well a­gain. J was half and more afraid for thee. My three Long­worth daughters took the alarm of the bad newes, and came cluttering to town the beginning of the week, and are now here with their brother. J have nothing to send my poore Love, but this quarter of Lamb: to morrow J look for wine. Mean time J rest in thy bosome, like

Thy fourth brat, H. Marten.

LETTER 61.

My Dear,

I Must be begging of the good news: this bearer tells me of three sorts: First, that thou art very well; the next, that Bacon-hog begins to mend; and lastly, that thou art now in a fair way about thy White-hall businesse. I sent to my two great brats to day what I could: but weeks ends are not so good as their beginnings; and the beginning of the next week I hope to see my Love here, that is, either monday or tuesday, which will best stand with thy conve­niency, onely I would fain keep my word with D. P. whom I promised by tuesdayes Post what time he should expect at least some of our company.

I rest, my sweet Soul, Thy own for ever, H.M.

My service to our good Friend.

LETTER 62.

My sweet Love,

I Cannot think every day too of [...]en to send to thee, and hear from thee (at least of thee.) All the token I have for thee is an Orange or two, a piece of bread (halfe what it was last) and a piece of butter (half a pound) and just such a weight of Sassages. To morrow I shall send again, and if I do not so on friday too, it will not be because I did it 3 dayes together before: yet don't thou toil thy self to death with [...]ending my brats, and scribbling, to their father too; and of the two I can best abate thee the last office. I thank thee for my s [...]ew-pan, though his cap could not be found.

I rest, My Heart, Thy own still, and still, and still, H.M.

LETTER 63.

Ah my own Dear!

If thou wert not a very hog, thou wouldst give me some of thy drudgery or some of thy Ague, that I know thou canst spare. I shall have a time to trust thee with my neck upon the leads before I am a week older, I hope. Prethee let me know whether I did cousen thee in my last packet, telling thee I sent a bottle of Sack. If I did not cousen thee, the old womam has done the same by me, for I miss it: however I intended to send thee this, and a bottle of Rhe­nish, and half a dozen Hartichokes, and a pound of butter, and a scrap of Sugar, and four Oranges; and if I had not been out of hope of this opportunity, I had not spoiled my Strawberries in a dish a quarter of an hour before the but­chers man came, and then thou hadst had them. I doe not like P—'s Ale so well as I did; but the next time I send in­to town I will have some for thee; perhaps it mends again. Methinks if thou must needs be ill, I am glad an Ague has excused the small Pox, because I am not with thee to tend thee; not for thy beauty's sake, for Clem has enough of that for thee and her self too, and for, My Heart,

Thy H. M

LETTER 64.

Love,

THou maist see I have got more paper now, but the same hand still, and that serves thy turn it seems. My Keeper holds his resolution yet, as I told thee yesterday, to g [...]e hence about noon, and bestow four or five hours upon you, going, coming, and staying there. I am content you should [Page 52] make much of him, but not too much; prethee tell our good friend so, and that for 40 reasons. I have sent thee the bottle of Sack now, which I made thee believe I sent thee yesterday, but forgot, and so help'd poor Iohn to a chiding I doubt, as if he had disposed of it by the way. Here be 8 pennies for thee too, I think the roguy Besses come on pur­pose to go to thee, ever since I condemned them the same way that Neds, and Philip, and Maries were wont to go. Thou toldst me that thy two bigger brats received my to­kens, but that was, I suppose, my lesser tokens, the 2 d. and the penny, but I sent Peggy two sixpences, and Sarah one by little Betty. I would have thee find out, if thou canst handsomely, and without taking them away, whether the children had them or no; for I am deceived if that girle does not love money dearly to spend, and am afraid, if thou stayest long out of the Countrey, will require more of thy care to look after her then thou canst well afford from thy own: and since thou hast taken her under thy wing, I would be loath she should miscarry there.

Dear, I am very poor in bottles now, return me as many as thou hast to spare, and if one or two of 'um be full of small drink I shall not be much offended. A leg of mutton and a piece of sugar, and I have ordered a dish of pease, for which h [...]re is a parcel of butter, and two loaves of bread. And so God be with my sweet Soul, and her sweet Soul-kins.

Thy true H. Marten.

It is not good to talk to him now of the old businesse, till thou and I have laid our heads together once more at least.

LETTER 65.

NOt starved yet? nor drowned neither? then I see I must be at the charge of half a chaldron of coles to try if I can burn thee to death: this fellow promises to have a care about them, and to get a quarter of a hundred of fag­gots thrown into the cart. He brings thee now half of my own butter, and a six penny loaf from the market. To morrow the heglers come to town, and then I will buy thee some o­ther countrey-commodities: but sure we were better con­tinue in employment a knave whom we know, and who knows how to have entercourse and access, then to be to seek of a stranger that will be to seek of conveniencie how to doe businesse between us; and yet I believe all thou tellest me concerning him, and can tell thee somewhat more of my own knowledge. Both thou and I must have a little more care of our loose things. And now in good sober sadnesse good morrow to my own sweet Love and Heart, and Deare, and Soul,

Thy old H. Marten.

LETTER 66.

My sweet Love, that hast thy belly full of sower Sawce,

I did not think any thing I could say to thee would have been worth sending thee word of, yet resolved to send, that I might receive good news from thee. But our Poppet mist her ague last night, and I will tell thee my Physick; the milk which was fetch'd for thee and thy little one must make [Page 54] her a posset; when I had m [...]de it, nothing would downe with her but the curd, and that well sugar'd, she eat up eve­ry bit, and went to bed upon it. Methinks I should get mo­ney enough for my receipt.

Now, how does my poor Lamb do? and how does the mother of it, who has that to tend, and the 150 divorce from her Dear to digest. I have sent thee only thy Rabbets, wch were loath to be kept till to morrow: other matters may be sent thee then, except thy Harts-horn, and that need not be sent raw, so long as I have fine water and thy directions. Good morrow to my Soul this good day, which was design­ed for a better day, if luck had served, either the heart thou carriedst with thee, or the heart thou left'st behind thee.

H. Marten.

LETTER 67.

Manners come up,

MUst I guttle your belly for you with fresh Salmon, Gurnets, and Rhenish wine, and sugar, and J can't tell what, for you to run away and never take your leave of a body? the paper sent after you too like a [...]: but J hope I shall not be troubled with you again in hast: there­fore pray stay till you be sent for: Nay it is e'n trim-tram too, like Mistress, like man: Stephen promised me to come so early this morning with his butter-dishes, and now is come betwixt nine and ten, but put me out of my fooling hu­mour with the news of last night. My poor sweet Dear, what I have been afraid of a great while, and thou hast just scaped so narrowly, is more likely then ever to fall upon thee, be­cause the whole tribe of Bayliffs and Catch-poles will be exasperated against thee, and have thee by hook or by crook; and it is a huge disadvantage to have the Law of the land for an enemy. L— gave me a great many good words, but [Page 55] not a rag of money, which is not to be looked for till mat­ters are setled; onely for my comfort, he tells me that they are in a good forwardness, and by the end of the next week he will be in town again. I rest,

My sweet Love, Thy owne, H. Marten.

LETTER 68.

My dear Soul,

I [...]erceive thou wentst too late yesterday morning to Mrs. D—'s, for she was with me in the afternoon, and told me she saw thee not, yet staid at home till ten of the clock. I had not my full swinge of discourse with her, because first a Gentleman, and afterwards my two sisters came in upon us: but this she told me, that in regard it was so long ere she heard again from you, she disposed of 60 l. which she had laid by on purpose, and has not now above 40 l. left, if that; besides, she believes the goods are rated high enough (ac­cording to her skill without seeing) especially the Diaper and the Damask. Worse then all that, J. W. is newly gone into Berks, and will not be returned till the end of next week. Mr. L— came not yesterday. When I heare from thee what space is allowed by the articles for thy refusall, I will have another bout with the good woman; and as she saith, if they be richly worth the money, it is encourage­ment to borrow; if the pennyworths be hard, thy share will be the better in money. Good morrow to my sweet Love, and my poor brats.

Thy own, Henry Marten.

LETTER 69.

My sweet Soul,

I am very yellow that thou art my naughty Dear, that is, too good a Dear to me, & wilt not tell me how thou dost: Remember how thou didst make a rogue of me in my three brats sicknesse, that were not to be known to their poor fa­ther till they were almost quite well. But Love, if thou beest in any prison, or bayliffs house, or such ugly place, doe not hide it from me, as thou wouldst (and as J would have thee) from Peggie and Sarah. J can bear it, and perhaps ad­vise thee to bear it, and perhaps what to do in it before the Judges of the Kings Bench be gone out of town, and be­fore thou hast gotten that (with being stifled up this hot weather) which thou wilt not claw off again in hast. Stephen tells me thy brother Iob visits thee, and why J might not have been as well of thy counsel as he (if it were not as J suspect) J doe not understand, especially when Dick was here, and needed no letter to trust with it. Besides, if there be no remedy but thou must be kept from thy little ones, J will try all the strength I have to get one or two of them hither to me, and the third nearer to thee, that house-kee­ping may be struck off at Kennington, and the bantlings finde more comfort then now they can at such distance from both their parents. Cleare this one scruple, good Heart, in

Thy owne, H. Marten.

LETTER 70.

My Heart and more,

For all last nights messenger frighted thee with his hast, disappointed thee of thy tokens, and brought thee a pa­per-full [Page 57] of ill-favour'd newes, yet I believe thou wouldst not have been without it, and thou maist believe I would not have been without thine: I confess there was more reason for that, because, besides that it was thine, the good newes in't did quite drown the bad. Let God Almighty doe his part in giving health to my Dame P— and her little biddies, and I care not a [...]igg for all the Kites and Jack-daws in bree­ches or long coats. I think thou sayest Henryetta is full of teeth, which I like well, for breeding of those commodi­ties is one of the narrowest bridges brats-faces have to pass. My mind gives me (Love) that thou shouldst take thy mind off now from buying of a Coach, in regard of the great summ it must cost at first, the difficulty of getting horses to draw it, the feeding and casualty of those horses by the way, the small time of using it in the country, betwixt this and Winter, and the noise it will make there to be said to keep thy Coach. I am of opinion thou wert better give 12 or 15 l. for the hire of a Coach with 4 or 6 horses, wherein thou maist put both thy he-camerades, and have the conversation of [...]um all the day long, without hiring a saddle-horse, or keeping this bearer in to [...]n against his Masters will and his own: it is just the che [...]pest time in all the yeare, and thou art like to have as good wayes and weather as can be wished, if thou canst shew the City thy back-side by this day seven-night. I shall have an account from W— by to morrow night; I presume I shall obtain leave for a sight of thee once at least before thou goest; for I got it for [...]obin yesterday, but that he was gone abroad early, and my cousin James Y— and Mr. S— dined with me on Saturday: 'tis honestly done of Mr. S— to forbeare so long; but he considers how thou and I are played withall, as every body shall be that is down. Thus farre on Sunday, and though I be fresh againe this Monday morning, yet thou sufficiently tired with rea­ding, and therefore take thy eyes off from the scribble, and look upon my matters, that have been so long a coming: [Page 58] there is a piece of Cake, and some Pergamot pears from Ho­lingbury, a piece of Sturgeon, and a bottle of liquor from James Y—, a piece of Venison, and a Cheese from my sister E—'s, and after cheese nothing (thou know'st) or that which is next to nothing, two poor pieces of silver, that have left thereabouts behind them. God be with my own Soul, and all hers, and amongst them

Her H. Marten.

LETTER 71.

My Dear,

THe bearer is in great haste, I must be short. Here is a pint bottle of new Canary a Hollingbury Hen, half a score Puddings, and four halfe-crownes in a paper, the fourth part of my weekly allowance. If thou [...]ouldst send Peg to me she should carry thee all I can spare more, if not more. I am glad thou hast some comfort in thy long business: I would not discourage thee, but take heed of shooting away too many arrowes after what I doubt is gone already: thy matter is not for Councel to be advised in: if thou goest to law once, good night, especially when thou do'st not know where to get the first fee: going abroad into the aire does thee good, therefore I like that: the rest may do well too for all the opinion of an old fool, and yet he is,

My sweet Love, Thy own, Henry Marten.

LETTER 72.

My sweet Love,

THy letter of the seventh (that is the onely Letter of thine I have seen since I saw thee) could not hinder it self from being welcome, notwithstand­ing the newes (I was about to call it, but it is too common for that name) of thy extream wants: they shall not be a whit the sooner supplyed for thy mentioning them, because I had set all the wits I had to work before about the same businesse. That poor Job is likely to stand upon two leggs again I am very glad, and when thou makest a meal of the brats, whereof Moppet it seems must serve for the second course, prethee wish me a bit, that am,

My own Love, Thy owne, H. Marten.

LETTER 73.

My Heart,

I Long to know how my poor little brat does after her grapes, that if they did well with her I might present her with more: mean while I present her bumm with a couple of Napkins, and claim thy promise of sending her Sister Sarah to me. This bearer is to go from your quar­ters to Parsons Green with a message to the people there, if they be come home, and from thence to Mrs. D— with a letter. I do not find the cause, nor (which is better) the continuance of that strictness that was here when thou wert with me: but if my Keeper could tell how to be more orderly then he is, it would do him and me a great pleasure. My service to our good f [...]iend, and thy brother, my love to Peggy, and so good morrow to

My Dear, Thy H.M.

LETTER 74.

My Heart,

THou need'st not tell me it is a huge while since J sent to thee, J tell my self so; and yet I have something to say for it: First, the Porter brought me pretty good news last time he came from thee; secondly, he was otherwise em­ployed; thirdly, my nursery had her fit upon her all day long; and lastly, J expected Mrs. D— here, that J might be enabled to send thee a token for thy nurse, but J doubt she is not well: for when she was with me last, she com­plained of her having been ill: I would thy brat would give thee leave to visit her. Thy message concerning Mr. S— his coming hither to day, makes me put on my gay clothes: if he do not come now J shall wish thee whipped, so J have the whipping of thee, and thy little brat whipped too, so thou hast the whipping of her. J have sent thee the work thou de­liveredst me that came betimes yesterday morning accord­ing to promise; how well done, J know not; but if thou hast not all thy cloath, J shall be bold to send to her for the rest. Mrs. C— is removed it seems to narrower lodgings, and our Jane gone to her aunt E—'s house; though the Mi­stress on't be not at home, having a key left with her of one of the chambers. Prethee let me set down in my Almanack the certain day when the Coach-master is to be paid for his Coach. My girle is fine and well now againe, but that she will eat nothing, and undoes me in play-things. J shall long to see thee again one of these dayes, but first to get a letter from thee, not so much for the papers sake, as because that will be a signe of some leisure. My letters have got a trick not to go quite empty-handed, and Peggy has a father, as well as my Love has a

Dear of Henry Marten.

LETTER 75.

My Dear,

IT is a filthy long while since we either saw or heard from one another, yet don't let's chide, for I think ve­rily it is no wilfull fault in either of us. I begin to write this to night, because I won't be to seek to morrow morning, when the butchers man comes; besides, J have had a fine deal of leisure to day, my Keeper locking me up (as he was bid) about 8 in the morning, and now it is almost 8 after­noon; but J had my victuals about me, and my books, and my pen, and my pusses withall; I got a letter from George of S— (whereof here is a copy) a little basket of Strawber­ries (whereof J have not cousen'd thee of one) that [...]ost me nothing; and it is well J was asked no money for them, my Gentleman being gone about that (with other business) and till his return I would not wish thee to give me a far [...]hing for my estate; yet J bought butter at market for thee while it was to be had, and hutchers meat J dare promise thee, the rest depends upon the Monsieurs safe arrival. Love, Hall was with me on Saturday, and told me he met P— the [...]phol­ster, and understands from him now again that all is like to be dispatched betwixt thee, and him, and S— which J will believe so soon as ever J see it; that he told my son so J be­lieve already. Prethee let me know what use Job makes of his time; if he cannot get an imployment, methinks it were easie to agree with his adversaries, and get that ugly Judge­ment off, since they see he is protected against them. But dost thou think J will not know how all my 3 pocky rogues do? and tell me true too. If thy Roses be not all gone, and if thou hast any stills, or limbecks, or such things, J would fain have thee still a little Rose-water, the cakes will serve to put among thy linnen, when God sends it. And now in all hast good morrow to my sweet Soul. J am, sure J am,

Thy own, H.M.

LETTER 76.

My poor Soul,

IF I did but see how thou look'st thy self when thou givest me a potion, and forbiddest making of faces, I doubt thou wouldst prove a man noe where but in thy tongue, and yet I knew my Heart will be a man now she findes she must be so. Captain B— and Lord P— are all one; and if Mr. S— and Mrs. D— be so too, who can help it? I got an empty Letter yesterday from my daughter M. and with very much ado my next weeks allowance from S—, almost half spent be­fore it came. when W— is tried, and fails, we will even sit down and rest. I am not jealous of thy extraordinary kind­ness to our Lievtenant, but am content to be as kind as thou art, if I had wherewithall. Honest Robin has reason to grum­ble at his staying in towne, with so little hopes of having what he came for, and being kept from me too; for I can­not yet come at him. Thy Letter came to me last night by Jinny, upon whom he stumbled in the street. These com­modities (except the pennies) are my sister E—'s tokens to me. And so good morrow to

My sweet Love, Thy own in spight of all weathers, H.M.

My service to our friend as rich as our selves, and my love to the three that know how to help us, as much as we do them, for a while I mean

LETTER 77.

YEs indeed (Love) it is long enough in conscience since J sent to thee last; for all J was told the same day both by Tom & by my own messenger how fine and well my little brat came on: but such worms are set up with a rush, and thrown down again with a straw: besides, J liked not one part of the vapour, that she had gotten a fresh colour in her cheeks. Well, as thou say'st, when we have done our utmost then let God do his pleasure. They tell me, thou art about to take a maid, and J must needs say, thou hast need enough. Withall, though thou hast nothing left now to be robbed of, prethee take a care what cattel thou harbourest under thy roof, to sleep with thee and thy three arm-loads of treasure, onely it cannot be long (thou knowest) she can stay with thee: for if any luck ever serve, thou must go down without her, and take fresh in the countrey. Yesterday morning my L.L. was here, thinking (it seems) to finde L. with me, or that he had been with me. Some bargaine or other they have jumbled up betwixt them, which J am sure J shall like better then they believe J will, because J shall then know what to trust to, and not be drilled on much longer. Thy Court-news J do not value of a half penny, nor would have thee mind it, there is no sense in it. But J am very well contented that thou hast made an end with S— and all those Masters, and so hast thou great reason to be, and to thank Providence that thou hast made a shift to live upon them all this while. Since J wrote thus fa [...], the bearer hereof tels me he saw thee yesterday, and would not let me know it be­fore he slept, like a blockhead as he was. J have given him his mornings draught though, in hopes of amendment, and J have sent thee a piece of Longworth Cheese, and a parcel of nuts from the same place: resting, My ovvn svveet Dear,

Thy H. Marten.

LETTER 78.

My Deare,

IF J did not write to thee yesterday, it was not because J did not think of thee, and if J write now, it is not be­cause I would not see thee here to day: for the truth is, in case thou canst conveniently come, J would faine have thee dine with me, and bring my sick baby at least with thee; for so short a time we may obtaine leave: yet lest thou should no [...] be able to wag, J have sent thee the in­closed which J received yesterday, and whereby thou maist perceive the man is in earnest, so as J can doe my part. J have withall sent thee thy Ear-rings, for fear J should make them march a wrong way, as J have heretofore made many a good thing, and even since I came hither, Mr. C—'s spoon shall bear me witnesse: he is fetch'd home again though. Here is besides a small token of my owne (that is) poverty for thee, and another proportionable for Peggy, from her Father, and

My Heart, Thy H. Marten.

Love, I must not have thee till Monday or Tuesday, the Gentleman Porter tells me, because Sir J. is a little fusty to day; he thinks not fit to be spoken to. There­fore send me word which of the two dayes thou likest best.

LETTER 79.

My Heart,

IT was hard with me for paper, and harder for matters, but both will mend, and so do bo [...]h my brats, J hope; whereof to be little more sure, is the chiefest errand of this bearer. I am glad thou art fallen into the hands of so good people; we will shew our selves thankful when we can: but Sarah and J could hardly forbeare laughing at thee, for un­derstanding me in earnest, when J told thee how pitifully she cryed to be left with her Father: some things she wants though in earnest, especially a clean frock, and head­clothes, and her comb. If Mr. L— has play'd me one of his old tricks, who can help it yet? shortly J believe J shall by my shee-friend in a corner, who J doubt is not in towne till to morrow; and the next day (viz. Wednesday) J shall be glad to see thee here, if thou beest then to be spa­red. Mr. S— shall be very welcome to me upon any ac­count; and as for the horses, if he will take my word for the present, he shall have better security ere long; and for the worth of 'um, J have reason to take thy word, for whose use J buy them: onely be sure (if possible) they be sound, and (which is easie to know) young. So with my service to your two young men, and my busses to the two maids, J rest,

My own Dear, Thy still, still H. Marten.

LETTER 80.

My sweet Dear, brave gallant Soul,

NOw stand thy ground; I was told on Tuesday night, that the House of Commons had given us all up on monday, and had appointed a Committee to bring in a bill for that purpose, which cannot require much time, and if I wish any thing in the world, it is, that thou hadst been with me, when the tidings came, and ever since, to see if thou couldst finde any alteration in me, sleeping or waking. My paper is not quite ready for thee yet, but I am upon it eve­ry foot; and in the mean time, will give thee such cordials as ordinary people give to one another. Perhaps the bill will not pass when it comes in, perhaps the Lords will not passe it, when it comes there; perhaps the King has given way to his friends to set this on foot, on purpose to have the whole honour of pardoning to himself; perhaps some names may be excepted in one House, or in the other; and thy Deare may be one of them. He that has time, has life; a thousand things happen betwixt the cup and the lip: and it is some comfort that we can still send to each other. Visiting in­deed growes pretty difficult; but after the opening of my door in the morning, I have the freedom of the whole house till we have dined. J was not so hasty to send thee this news yesterday; J believe I had not now neither, but that I was afraid thou wouldst hear it from another hand, that would make it worse. Pluck up thy strength, my good Heart, con­quer this brun [...], and thou art a man for ever. Look upon my little brats, and see if thy Deare be not among them; has not one of 'um his face, another his braines, another his mi [...]th? and look thou most upon that, for it is just the best thing in this world, and a thing that could not be taken from me, when Lemster was, when all the remainder of my E­state [Page 67] and thine was; nor when my liberty and the assurance of my life was, nor when thy company was, which though I reckon last, goes for something with

My dearest Dear, Thy own own, H. Marten.

LETTER 81.

My Sweet Soul,

I Have made a shift to send thee the other odde spanker, but I could have wished 4000 for thy sake. It was well done to send me the bottles and baskets, thou art like to fare the better for it, when I have gotten some body that is able to carry things, but the poor wench must goe against the tide, or else I must keep her too long from thee and my brats, and that is against my conscience.

I was told yesterday that all we (except two of us, who are in more favour) must be banished; which if it be true, it is probable we shall have some time given us to provide our selves, and that is all the kindnesse I did ever expect, and more.

Major W. takes it unkindly that T.P. makes so many vi­sits to him in my name, and in Sir J. R—'s name, and with­out my order, which indeed I could not owne; therefore I would have him from henceforth forbear it: if he be civil to me, he will be sure to be wary for himself, and not to come within compasse of danger. God be with

My dearest Heart, Thy H. Marten.

LETTER 82.

INdeed (my Dear) I am scarce friends with my self yet for not writing to thee on Saturday, for all the fellow was in such haste, and for all I made a shift to send my Love half a score pennies, and for all I love thy letters as well as thou canst love mine for the heart of thee; but how can I tell but thou maist think I would not write to thee, because thou didst not write to me? and then, does he forbid me to come to him, and won't write to me neither? nay here was a pud­ding too on Sunday for dinner, worth twenty of that thou hadst the Sunday before, and I had saved a corner for thee; and hither came our Mall, and Jinny, and aunt E— yester­day, and guttled it almost all up: last night, though I was pretty well pleased again with receiving the enclosed: thou seest therein what will be most wanting in that countrey: but it shall go hard if I doe not contrive a way for thee to dine with me next Sunday, and thy brats-faces too, at least thy self, that thou and I may [...]hat about our businesses; we are not like to be troubled with any women-kind again, for my present Keeper is a single man, and the other hath small hopes of returning: instead of that poor C— is in danger to ma [...]h next, and all the old gang to be weeded out one af­ter another. John L. is not yet in towne, neither does B. come at me. I had a letter from poor Job, who is with the girles at Longworth, and in fear that his sisters and brother-in-law will arrest him: I bade him secure himself as well as he could against Doctors of Physick, and their Patients, and I would warrant him thou should'st do him no harm. Now I care for nothing but knowing how my three biddies doe, and the barren hen that clocks 'um all about her. Thou wert best give them none of their daddies good things, and then see if I be

My Heart, Thy own, H.M.

LETTER 83.

My deare Love,

HOw our Ambassador has sped in Essex I know not, but am sure I cannot speed elsewhere, and that thy time of redemption is out this day. All the advice I have to give thee, is, that thou cast thy selfe upon Mr. S—'s kindnesse; let him joyn with thee in pretending to P— as if thou hadst laid down money for all the goods, and then at his own lei­sure give thee what profit he thinks fit: in case he doe for the present want a summe, he will make more of every thing then thou shalt: and if he can forbear, thou may'st be able hereafter to give him as much as any body else, and yet have a good bargain in thy goods, besides thy own con­ten [...]ment. If it may be some ease to thee (as I suppose) pre­thee let me have Sarah againe, and let me see thee too as soon as I can, though I deserve no other name then

My Heart, Thy well-wisher, H. M.

LETTER 84.

My Heart,

I Thank thee for my tutties, and my window-stuff, and my book of double use, but most of all for the good newes of thy Agues marching from thee, which way soever he is gone; and yet, for that he has left behinde him, I am not throughly resolved, whether I should invite thee, or forbid thee till to morrow; but upon my blessing (huzzy) doe not [Page 70] offer to come to day, unless thou find'st all as it should be with thee, and then let me know as soon as thou canst, that thou maist fare the better. When thou dost come, bring any b [...]a [...] that is fit to be brought, and Camerade too; for I have leave for thee; and yet I would have thee habited very plaine, as I observe they do all, (or as many as I can see or heare of) that relate to my fellow-prisoners. This morning I saw two daughters of Sir Henry Vanes (whom I take to be none of the poorest among us) whom I should have hardly suspected for Gentlewomen, if Mr. T— had not told me who they were; and yet (I will say that for 'um) they have as much need of being set off by their cloathes, as some of his neighbours daughters have. But (Love) now I think better of it, it is too late in all conscience for thee to come to day: besides that, I can have almost nothing that is good for thee▪ but send me word whether thou wilt come to morrow, or give thy body one day more of settling, and make it Tuesday. I hope the kindnesse they shew me now, will not be spent before it be used: besides, I have got some fine small beer, that is hardly yet ripe to be broached. Just now I received the enclosed, which I send thee to chew the cud upon, that thou may'st prepare thy self for a discourse against thou and I meet. For this time J bid thee good mor­row, and company, and return to my old companion,

My Soul, Thy H. Marten.

LETTER 85.

My dearest Love,

FOr all J have not sent to thee since Saturday, nor need­ed have sent now, if it would have served my turne to hear of thy health by Mr. S—, who was yesterday here to look for his brother and enemy D. P—.

Mrs. D— at last came to me, and tells me she will go to Mr. S—'s on Thursday, if they will suffer her to see the goods,; and she has now a chapman for the hangings, if she like 'um, and will endeavour to procure as much money as is necessary: but her stay with me was so very short, that J could not have time to talk with her about the Coach-mo­ney: yet J remember this to be thy last day; so J tried S—, and he or his wife intend to visit me anon, and J hope to pre­vaile there.

Prethee let me know by this bearer what is done with my Lord P—, that J may proceed accordingly: for if he be not in town, J mean to dispatch a messenger into Essex, un­lesse J understand at his lodgings that he is not there nei­ther. It is onely time that pinches us, and the hast which winter makes in coming upon us, and the intolerable charge of living here: for J perceive both by my Lord L— and Mr L— (whom J spake with severally since J saw thee, and whom J am promised to see again before the week be out) that we shall have something settled upon every one of us, or else a piece of money in grosse (which is as good, or bet­ter) if we can but rub out a little while to put cloathes up­on our backs and [...]itch in our bellies; and God send health to the little ones and continue it to the old ones.

This is your sealing day (as J remember) with P— and them; good Heart take care what thou sett'st thy hand and seal to, besides what is already considered, for one little [Page 72] half word makes a huge alteration in a Deed; and let thy good friend have a care of his hand and seal, thou hast rea­son to make his concernes thy owne, who makes thine his own.

My old landlady has gotten me to weare out this week with her, so J go not to my new quarters till to morrow night.

Here are some remainders of Sarahs implements; if nei­ther she nor her sisters get any other tokens now, there is some reason for it. Yet J rest,

My sweet Soul, Thy ever own H. Marten.

LETTER 86.

My Love,

IF thou hadst been as good as thy word, thou wouldst either have come thy self, or sent a speaking token by this time, unlesse thou didst understand me wrong, as if J were first to let thee know the time. Now J think thou wert best stay (at least thy selfe) till Sunday: Mean while commend my very hearty respects to our Dick, whose pud­ding miscarried yesterday: J made it on purpose; but my daughter M— and sister R— coming in, made me and the old woman jumble things so together, that we quite spoiled it betwixt us; therefore if thou canst get him in with thee when thou comest next, J will have a good one for him, and then J shall see him in the bargain. Mr. L— hath been with me, and talks handsomly, both from my Lord L— concern­ing the hopes of my being banished, and from his own reso­lutions concerning my allowance, wherein thou may'st be [Page 73] sure to have a pretty share, for I did not talk of thee singly: but I see never a penny of his money yet: he complaines heartily of the backwardnesse of Rents in the countrey, and the falshood of tenants. Somewhat may be true, yet I think it fit to be very earnest with him next time he comes, that he may enable me to pack thee away. I hope thou dost not forget to put thy friend upon a diligent pursuit of those White-hall commodities, so far as his health will give him leave: every body tells me nothing is to be done there but with money, and that almost as much as hthe thing is worth you would have done; therefore I was jealous for S—, because I knew he had wherewithall, and to hook in his old debt would be likely to stretch; but it seemes he findes it too dear too.

My son S— is sworn a Privy-chamber-man extraordinary, which is worth little to him more then the protecting him from arrests; therein he was shrewdly afraid of his deare friend B—. I have sent thee a Hen our Mall brought me ye­sterday for her dinner, but she brought other things too, and some I had of my own, that I made shift to save this for thee, and four Oranges to eat with it, and a bottle of Claret to drink, but thou must burn it thy self, for I will not keep the fellow so long from thee, onely here is sugar to doe it with, and one or two Oysters. Now good mor­row to

My Heart, Thy own, H. Marten.

LETTER 87.

My sweet Love,

FIrst, I am glad with all my heart (and that for 100000 reasons) that our good friend is in a fine way of health again: Next, I think I have made a rogue of thy pitifull pannier-plot, for I sent Robin out of town yesterday: I will have you go all together if possible, both for comforts sake and for cheapnesse: besides, I will not let any of you go till I am sure to send the rest after, and that no flesh is without matters in fobb; so soon as ever they come (and I look hard now every day for so much at least as will set the wheeles a going) I will write to Dick P— by the Post, and he shall either come himselfe or send up the same man with one horse or mo [...]e; and the mean time will serve thee to pack up and send away such things as thou must have there, and to provide what is to go along with thee, I mean, as well as we can. And my Keeper has promised me afresh, that so soon as ever I am ripe for thee, I shall have one bout with thee here.

Mr. L— was with me on Saturday, and according to his old wont complaines (and I believe much of it to be too true) that things are still at a great uncertainty, and that he is in danger of being turned out of all he has laid out his money upon, if he cannot make exact proof of every thing that passed, as well betwixt my old cre [...]itors (whose titles he has bought in) and me, as betwixt us two: By the way, he sayes thou hast a writing of some accounts under his hand that he gave me at Lambeth-house, & may do him mis­chief if it be known: I would have thee therefore give it him, that he may have no just exception to deny thee reaso­nable courtesies; but first have it copied and attested by persons thou canst trus [...], and keep that copy carefully by thee [Page 75] against a wet day. J thank thee for my sweets and my herbs, and especially for the trick of sending to me; J sup­pose the fellow makes a little money too at market of strew­ings, &c. If so, or however, send him to morrow morning with a letter, and intelligence how every body does: it is the cheapest messenger that passes between us, and is pretty well acquainted with the souldiers. If thou likest my beer, tell me so, and thou shalt not want it, for J have enough: but thou must send me the pottle-bottle that had Claret in it. My service to the green Man, and my duty to the La­dies, and not a bit of love to thee, for thou hast got it all al­ready, greedy-gut: 'tis no matter though, J have got some­what instead on't, that serves the turn of

My Souls own, H. Marten.

LETTER 88.

My heart,

I Did think by this time not onely to have had better news [...]o [...]hee, but to have told it thee my self; instead of that thou must make use of such good counsel as thou hast lying by thee, and is cheaper it seems then good news. My son was not suffered to see me yesterday, nor Mr. L. this day he is promised he shall; and this day J am promised my weeks m [...]intenance (which was never put off before.) J be­lieve there are people at Court that mean to set up a trade of gran [...]ing leave to visit prisoners: my Lady Vane, Lam­berts wife, and Heveninghams wife, having used them to it. If Betty S— be still in danger of being found out by her mo­ther, thou maist let this bearer have her away to my but­chers, and thence the old woman is content to fetch her: [Page 76] but, as J said at first, so still I leave it to thy own discreti­on. Not a word yet from my Lord P—, whether this re­straint be the reason of it, or what else J know not; but he told Dick P— his man he would send a Gentleman to me on Thursday last, or before. The enclosed is a performance of my engagement to Poppet, her Portion in Poetry being to be paid next after her elder sisters. J have sent thee a piece of butter, such as is brought into the Tower, and as much bread as took up every penny J had, and two bottles of Canarie, new and old: the first is bound about the head, but J believe the other is best, yet neither bad: my beer is almost all gone: let me know how thou likest the Ale that went last to Kennington, it was P—'s, but methoughts not so good as it was wont to be.

This Keeper of mine is a very civil person to me when he is with me, and swears he will visit thee, and bring thee to me whatever it cost; but he is just the worst Keeper in the Tower for keeping his times, when he is from me, that he makes me so uncertain in sending to thee, whereas all o­ther prisoners are unlocked before 7 in the morning; he makes me stay till 8, 9, 10, and past; it is almost 9 now, yet J am fast. My Love, J long to hear how honest Dick does digest his venturousnesse in going forth the other day. J must close up my letter, because I shall be faine to switch and spurre by and by, and the Porter we finde very honest in whatsoever is deliver'd him. So good morrow to

My own sweet Dear, Thine yet, and yet, and yet, H. Marten.

LETTER 89.

WEll (Love) it was a happy turn that thou wert not here yesterday, nor Peggie, nor Poppet, nor Bacon­hog, nor Dick, for I should have killed half a dozen of you at least, if you had come within my reach, J was so starke staring mad from morning to night; and thou shalt judge whether J had not reason to be ten times worse then J was. First and foremost, did not Dick promise to send me (J marrie would he) from the Falcon that should be with me betimes next morning, that he should? and what servest thou for, but to have put him in mind of it, if he had forgot it? and what serves Peg for, but to put thee in minde of what thou fogettest? and what serves Poppet for, but to cry, and the tother to scold and scratch her mother when shee has forgotten? J could have sent thee bread, butter and candles, and something else without money; then J sent my Keeper for that, and he did not bring it home till 4 or 5 of the clock in the afternoon; then J had but half a stick of fire to hold my nose over for an hour together, the roguie faggot-man staid so long; then within a quarter of an hour after it had cost me 5 groats (2 d. more then ever man paid) for a dozen of faggots, in comes goodie M—'s man with a hundred, as if she had studied what to send, that thou mightst be sure to have never a bit of. 'Tis no matter now ag [...]in; this morning I [...]eel my self friends with all the world; J account she is well enough served by her mother-in-laws death, who left her husband but 20 l. to buy him mourning, and 160 l. to be paid him 6 moneths hence, and [...] l. to her to buy her a ring, onely the Executors have sent her 20 l. more to buy her mourning: and my malice is pretty well abated towards thee and thy Camerades, because I hope you are all starved by this time either with cold or hunger; and [Page 78] therefore to shew I bore a little good will once, I have or­dered some provision for thy executors, viz. a pound of cot­ten candles, and another of rush, two two-pennie loaves, two new rolls, a piece of butter to serve till to morrow, a leg of mutton: the next time they shall have something else. Mean while I am

My Dears Ghosts Owne, H. M.

LETTER 90.

Love,

I Took up my next weeks allowance (with some grum­bling too of him that paid it, and being told he was like enough to hear from me on Monday, notwithstanding this) on purpose for thee, whereof though I sent thee but 3 quarters, yet all that is left to live upon till monday come seven-night is 16 d. and that this messenger will reduce when he returns to a single groat. But this is not all the news J have to tell thee, if it were, he should not have gone to thee though he would have given me a shilling to suffer him. George has returned me an answer of my Februaries letter, dated the 20 of May last, wherein he does earnestly invite me again, and tells me, that what J will have him do to Mr. L— he will do. The old woman at Longworth is re­covered, whereof not onely her five children, but their Fa­ther is very glad: for if she should have died ere the K—'s title had been purchased, it would have raised the market 2000 l. My Neece Fr. M— is sick of the small Pox. Mr L— was with me last night, being but newly come to town, and tells me, my Lord makes him believe that they are agreed, and that his Lordship has a grant from his Majesty, yet fails [Page 79] meeting him according to promise, and makes him jealous he plaies a game by himselfe (I am sure J hear not a word from him.) But this day L. will make it his business to drive matters to a head, either with my Lord, or without him, and give me an a [...]count by to morrow morning. Stafford­shire Dick sends me word his man cannot be with me till Wednesday next, whereof J am not sorry, for thou knowest thou canst not wag before monday seven-night, if then.

Now J expect newes from thee: First, how my two lit­tle brats do, of them I would not have the bigger again till J am settled in my new quarters, which will be (J hope) by to morrow night, though it prove the middle of this wo­mans week: next, tell me what Mrs. D— sayes, with whom J presume thou hast had some discourse concerning thy goods, both of White-hall and Chelsey. I cannot have a sight of thee, if thou gettest off thy housholdstuffe from Roffry. L— will be thy chapman for the heavie commodi­ties there, as pewter, brass and iron. Is it not time to bid good morrow to

My Dear, Thy own, H. Marten.
The End of Coll. Henry Martins Letters.

Mr Richard Pettingall his Heroical EPISTLES TO The same vertuous Lady.

LETTER I.

Madam,

I Was, in spight of my desire, by extraordinary business dis­appointed of waiting on you yesterday, and having this day some signes of a growing distemper, J am bold to begg your Ladiships advice for prevention. I know not the cause, unless natures continuing kindness bringing the inconveni­ence of rising these cold nights. I now long to know how your Ladiship doth, which if denied me by this bearer, J will not onely fetch Physick, but an absolute Cure for

Your Own, Dick Petti [...]gall.

LETTER 2.

Dearest Madam,

IT is I must beg your pardon so: this free expression of my passions inditing: it being arrived now at that height, that J dare not give you bare thanks, knowing too well J should fall short, being really sensible how high­ly you have obliged me in not refusing a heart (alas) too mean a sacrifice for so sweet a Saint: yet believe (dear Ma­dam) that your vertue hath the power to create in that heart some buds of a generous spirit, whose blossoms may prove whole actions, then may J laugh at, now onely pity those Doctors that prescribe absence as the onely remedy for a person in love. J being confident that vertue encreaseth under the weights of misfortune. Let me then kisse in your letter the onely name that is dear to me; for though my affection is at such a height, that it can never encrease, yet my passion doth and will, untill J have the happinesse to kisse your hands, and that you receive again

Your Owne Dick Pettingall.

LETTER 3.

My Dearest,

WEre the person as writes this as gallant as that am­bitious heart, which dare love you and tell you so, prompts him to be, he would then venture to begg a wel­com for this paper, which did, as it were, disdain to receive [Page 83] an impression from a hand so mean as hath done nothing yet in your service. But oh Heavens! most divine Soul! how happy should I account my self, if J could change my con­dition with that of this innocent paper, just when your love­ly hand (perhaps wanting other conveniency) may guide it to your most delicate breasts, where is seated a delight farre beyond expression: let me then, instead of that happinesse, obtain the continuance of your most endearing esteem. Then must J live; yet if otherwise, die

Your Owne, Dick Pettingall.

LETTER 4.

I Should be unworthy both of health and life, if the pre­servation of either of them could be any obstacle to that perfect happinesse J enjoy when J see you; pardon then Madam J beseech you, that absence which was caused by your own commands; yet must J needs confesse my owne reputation required as much from me, telling me, J ought not to appeare before you without some testimonies of that just revenge which yet J owe to your enemies, and there­fore mine. Let me then, J beseech you, see to morrow that deare person, who may expect a reall performance of all vowes from

Her Own, Dick Pettingall.

LETTER 5.

Madam,

YOu will not think it strange, that the knowledge of mine owne unworthinesse made me hitherto burst out in silent raptures, occasioned by the contemplation of your happiness far above what the best of mens deserts could ever accumulate. When I tell you it was the onely reason which made me conceal an affection no whit inferiour to what mought be tearmed most vertuous, in that time when my heart filled with admiration of so much majestie, sent my eyes as its Ambassadours to intreat pity, yet were often for­ced to returne blushing at their high presumption. But let me now take courage, and declare, 'tis your Effigies, my onely Deare, 'tis your Effigies would make me taste so high a blisse; 'tis your Effigies would protect me in extremity, nay make me immortall; to it in cruel absence I would breath forth my prayers, and prove, nothing creates so true a sense of Divinity, as the adoration of so divine an object: yes, you are divine (my Dearest) which makes me confi­dent your pity will let live one who lives no longer then al­lowed by you, to be

Your Own Dick Pettingall.

LETTER 6.

Madam,

YOu may very well wonder at my impudence in begging still the preservation of your esteem, mine owne con­science checking me for having done nothing that mought deserve the least share of it, did not your rare acknowledge­ment make ordinary civilities appear high vertues by the in­comparable returns you make them. May not J then assure my self, that all men would admire my fortune, & adore your worth, did they know, you not onely gave me a chaste hu­mour worthy of commendation, but also honour it with the noble retaliation of owning me for yours: you may be con­fident I had writ sooner, had the Sabbath made more hast to excuse us from travel, having not till then any possibility of sending; oblige me then yet farther, by informing me of your health in your letter, my mother having promised to inclose it in hers: could any one assure you of my health but your self, I would not fail to do it. You may then be con­fident you are the sole Protectress of his, who disdains to live any longer then he is

Your Dick Pettingall.

LETTER 7.

Most adored,

IF you with an impartiall eye would review your owne perfections, you would find, that to them alone belongs so large a tribute of praise, to them alone is due an ac­knowledgement beyond utterance. It's you, my dear divine [Page 86] Soul, whom no expression can define: of what one good then may I boast, unless that having a clear and unspotted mind, not much unlike the Moon, receive and retain my light from your most Sun-like vertue, to which no dark misfortune can cause a shade: then let not a cloud interpose him, and your most obliging favour, who loves you with admiration, and serves you with so reall a fidelity, as may in length of time in part, deserve the most glorious title of

Your Own, Dick Pettingall.

LETTER 8.

My Goddess,

I Do not likely, but upon a serious contemplation, judge this presumption is unpardonable, did it not tend to the preservation of a life, though too meane a sacrifice for one breath of your commands; yet is it such, as resolves not to draw breath longer then warranted by your most indearing esteem; but recollecting my memorie, and finding no abso­lute command against this conveniencie of discovering my feares, occasioned by a stinging jealousie of mine own un­worthinesse. Let me therefore, my most sweet Saint, obtain one cordial line to revive a heart so dampt, that is plunging into despaire, being confident that from your generous pity of my passionate soul proceeds so rare an acceptance, not from my weak deserts. Then still have pity, my Dearest, have pity upon one who dies till he sees you to be by you bid live, and hope, that whilest vertuous, he may continue

Your own Dick Pettingall.

LETTER 9.

My Dearest,

WHat language or expression can you expect from a miserable wretch, just ready to be drench'd in a sea of despaire? Must my other misfortune serve as an Index to discover to you the poorness of my soul, in that I could not better dispute my liberty? But O Jesus,! had I guessed at your ensuing hate, certainly I should have left my body a prey to those Vultures, rather then thus en­dure your torturing displeasure. To give you then that sa­tisfaction which you desire, being the onely person who is most dear to me, I do sweare by your most sweet perfecti­ons; which oath I will never infringe, that unless you will be pleased to pity my extremities, upon a true relation of my misery, I will, as I have hitherto lived, so speedily die

Your Martyr, and Own, Dick Pettingall.

LETTER 10.

Madam,

I Have hopes that your Ladiships knowledge of me bids you be confident it was rather a feare to displease you, then any neglect which forbade me by lines to express the most innocent and most respectful affection in the world. I would have begged this favour the last time I had the ho­nour to see you, had not my own thoughts told me it was many degrees beyond my merit, yet my brothers coming [Page 88] offering me this conveniency, makes me presume upon your acceptance: let it then be lawfull, dear Madam, for me to write, when cruel absence denies me to speak, and tell you, that I love you far beyond what the readiest wit is able to express. The widow hath very much need of your visite; denie not her, who counts her chaines most glorious, and whose whole studie is to preserve your esteem, with that in­dearing title of

Your Own, Dick Pettingall.

LETTER 11.

My Dearest,

WEre I assured my face could so trecherouslie belie my heart, as to perswade you it ever entertained a thought unworthy of me, and injurious to your most serene vertue, you should not so soon desire revenge, as it should be performed by my self, an impartial Judge, and most rea­dy executioner of so vile a miscreant. But if, mine onely Dear, swearing by the Eternal God, you will not believe me, how may I even perswade you, your perfections have so Divine a light, that all others, when compared to them, ap­pear dimme, and as nothing: Since then my looks cannot promise so well for me, as my heart by my tongue can pro­test, may I not justlie hate the former, whose uglinesse pro­motes my ruine, unlesse you in pitie save me, who in dying your Martyr, proves

Your Own Dick Pettingall.

LETTER 12.

My Souls sole Deity,

IT's impossible to make a discovery of my sublime thoughts but by lines so weak, that they cannot bear the least part of their lustre. Certainlie there is a far more readie way to discern a passionate soul, the eyes at such a time proving the hearts most faithfull Ambassadours; read then in mine that high affection, far above the reach of the more pithie expres­sion. Had I more wit then love, perhaps I might with ele­gant words and smooth sentences, better please your high genius: but since it is not so, pardon then his weak lan­guage, who is so much yours in realitie, as renders him am­bitious to assume the title of

Your Own Dick Pettingall.

Mary Martens Letter to R. Pettingall.

Most dear Sir,

YOu may admire your self in keeping an esteem so farre short of your worth; if your conscience checked you, it was for saying you had done nothing that deserved my e­steem; and that which you account so ordinary; miss my Dick, where would you finde it? would you make me be­lieve I made you chast? I found you chast, and the most that can be attributed to me is the continuance of it, nay, not that for chastity would have accompanied all your other rare vertues. O God! did you but kno [...] your selfe, then would you pitie me, for being deprived of so rare a compa­nion, yet I like well what you have done, knowing it is in obedience to your dear Mother. Mr. Marten is going into Derbishire. O God! all happiness wait on you both, though so much the less fall to the share of her that wishes you have My dear Dick.

Mary Marten.

ANOTHER.

Dear Sir,

Is a pardon requisite, where there is no crime, and vertue so predominant, as appeares in you? then am I happie, to own Letters from so deare a hand, and do accept them more welcome to me then any thing, except Mr. Marten, or Mr. Marten's, I will ever acknowledge him to be more deare then all the world, and next the company of my chast and v [...]tuous Dick, is most pleasing to me.

Mary Marten.

A Letter written by Marten's Lady, upon a distast taken against the Lady B—, suspecting Martens too much familiarity.

Madam,

It could never before enter into my thoughts, that you could make shew of any thing more then what was reall, but plainly seeing you have, am bold to tel you, I had rather have found that in any other, provided you had missed it; but since it is so, I beg your pardon, and tell my self what a fool I was, to be more knowing (in what was for your good) then your self; you let me see my measure of confidence and weaknesse, yet this let me say, I aimed at your greatest good, as I thought, what can tell you I did not? and if I did, and you did apprehend it so, and will take to the con­trarie, O Cod! how you distract me! I will trouble you no farther: but if you will know more, tell your selfe the rest: And that I am,

Your servant and friend, Mary Marte.

An Answer to a Letter, called a Copy of Henry Marten's Letter, in vin­dication of the Murther of the late KING CHARLES.

SIR

IF this Title be your o [...]n, as I do not think you such a fool as so to indors it, there needs no farther disputé, the businesse is confessed, That you and your fellow Rebels Murthered the King, for which you intend to repent as much as you do for the breach of the seventh Commande­ment. Would any one imagine that you should (as you pretend) sweep that Augaean Stable of thy conscience cleane of murther, and let Mall lye there, not so much as disturb­ed? Can an unrepenting Whoremaster be a Pious Rebel? O base hypocrysie!

But forward. What rigours hast thou found, but what you deserved? and more dolorous you deserve then you have found; who by a bold Apology dare to entayle Rebellion to the World, and furnish Fanaticks with at least so much reason, as thou pretendest to enjoy. I say of thy wit, (for wisdom it is not) as was said of the Emperour Galba, Inge­nium tuum male habitat: Never so much wit in so foul and filthy a pericranium or scituation.

It is not the varnisht speeches of yours and your Brother Hall, that was lately executed, will ever make good that unparaleld Crime, for which he died, and you may. Yet [Page 94] I pro [...]esse I do not wish your Corporal pennance, nor dam­nation, nor Cromwels, nor any of his most wicked adhe­rents, though I have been undone by all of you. May you live to sing a Palinedia, and let the neck verse and Psalms of Mercy aloue, I could never endure writh'd necks, nor any thing strangled, though it were at Tyburn. But such a person as should say, the King is not above his people conjunctim, but divisi [...], or in your own words, major singulis, but not universis or Collectim is a most desperate villain, and not fit to live in a Kingdom, which kind of Government, how much it exceeds a state Democratical, I refer you to that most excellent piece of Mr Wrens, in his answer to Har­ringtons Oceana. Did you never read Horace, Hall? Do you not remember there? rub up your memorie; for as to other things I believe you are bewitched. Can you forget these verses (the practice of which you have?)

Omne sub Regno graviore regnum est
Regum timendorum in prop [...]ios greges.
Reges in ipsos imperium est Iovis.

And dare you, (pretending to Christianitie and the read­ing onely of Scriptures, which gives Kings superiority over all, and commands subje [...]tion even to Heathen Emperors) assert that Kings are answerable to their own barrs, which is a contradiction in Antithe [...], and against the very Municipal laws of our own land.

You say you would never have signed the Warrant for the Kings death, if you had thought it should have been a stirrop for Cromwel to have been made Stork Regent. But Hall, you forget your Grammar too. Honest Lilly, who taught you this sentence. Insipientis est dicere non putaram. And t [...]ke this in answer to all the rest of your nonsense a [...]guments out of the same Grammarian, that

Regis est —
Parcere subjectis & debellare superbos.

[Page 85]You say it troubles you for that most admirable States­man's murther, the Earl of Strafford, but you speak not a word of relenting for that excellent Prelate, Arch-Bishop Laud, whose bloud you are as guilty of as of that Heroick Earl, or of the most pious Martyr K. Charls the first. I know what incen [...]'d you. The Coercive powers of Ecclesiastical Courts against your vices. Purbeck and Mall were his crimes, but farewell. Read such a Text as Prov. 20. v. 2. and one Grammar example, Muli [...]ri ne credas, n [...] mortuae quidem. That Mortu [...], I mean, is in sin (Hall.)

You say also, If you had thought of the filthy consequen­ces, you would not have voted, this devoted Warre, was the parent of all the mischiefs you brought upon others (so long you were contented) And your self at last: there was the Colloquintida, that kills Crowes (Hall.)

Upon my Bedel-ship (Hall) thou art in the right, that His Majestie thought he died unjustlie, especiallie when the worst of men sate in judgement upon the best of Princes, when Wolves, and Goats, and Foxes, usurped the chaire of Execution, & condemned (Alas! what could they do else?) the Lamb of the Land, whose innocent blood, had it cryed for justice (as thou gav'st it without resenting) thou hadst not this day had leisure to repent,

But (Hall) you have a sting in the end of this Paragraph, that is, The Parliament, or the Council of State, had forborn to acquaint the KING with his subjection to the Law. By which filthie Sentence you would insinuate, at least, that he was, and his Successor is, under the lash of it. God forbid, that Kings should act any thing contrarie to their Lawes, that is, pardon Murtherers, Adulterers; yet if they should by their Perogative mercie do such a thing, centainly those that had the benefit of their Grace, should not call in question their [Page 94] power. It is one thing to be an [...], and Exactor operis, another thing to be under the Law. The King (Hall) is to see every man do the duty belonging to the offices un­der him, not to provide so carefully for his subjects, that they should be Masters over him.

I will not trouble you with the 51. Psalm, nor the L [...] ­mentation, though the first vindicates your objection, the second will well become the objector. Law-givers (not Law-contrivers, nor Money-granters) are above the Lawes they make: understand me rightly, not so above, as not to doe Right ad libitum, but so above, that if they doe otherwise (which God forbid) no law of their own can reach their per­sons. Did Nathan say any thing to David, but that he had sinned against the Lord? and J presume his commission was higher then Hendersens.

Kings are Gods (that is, Loco Dei) by Lievtenancie, and they shall die like men, but not by men, that is, by [...]heir subjects, by a Court of highest Injustice, though otherwise called.

Nowsuppose you had no murtherous intention, that is still as much as to say, You did think you did right in giving your bloody vote: It cannot be supposed, no more then you can suppose that you intend no lust, nor Fornication, nor A­dultery, when you leap into the armes of another Ladie, and renounce your own [...]ive's. For as to that, also it may be re­plied, that you doe it for the conservation of your handsome Species, for the educing of such another, as God never send; that is, Tui similis per omnia, which never a Chance­lour in England register, nor Apparritor will ever believe, or allow, nay, your o [...]ne Dad, were he alive, would have made you commute for doing and saying so. Farewell, with­out be [...]a [...]g'd.

Yet for all our civil Vale, take heed how you depart, for Old Nick has an absolute coercive authority, and never al­lowed any coordinate Powers, States, nor Parliaments, [Page 95] within his infernall Dominions; for that were to make a division in his Elaboratories, which he will never suffer, bu [...] creates and makes these schismes amongst us here, which he punishes severely there, though he set you all on work.

Good Hall take heed of fire and brimstone, 'tis not so pleasant as Mall, Myrtle, and Iessimine.

I shall conclude all with this short story of your self, which was transacted in the Physick-garden at Oxford, where these lines were wrote. You came to caress Mall with some bottles, and other incentives to the sport; when she, upon some default in her shoo-latchet, stoop'd to amend it, but arising up, you fell down, and snuffed up the aire of the place she stood upon, thinking she had drop't some Essences from her Cape bonae Speranzae, and as if you had been borne when the signe was in Taurus, so extended your nose, as if you had been Marten Bull.

POST-SCRIPT to Coll. MARTEN.

Sir,

DId I not honour some honorable and gentile Relations of yours, I could have been larger, and every where made your Letters by some marginal notes more sacetious. I have not, J protest, wronged a punctum in yours, nor a Paren­thesis in your Ladies Epistles. I am a Hi [...]orian, not a Com­mentator▪ and they say that those are most faithful of them, who tell Res gestas sine censuris vel commentariis: wherefore 'tis said, that Livy was a better Historian then Tacitus, and this the better Statesman.

Pray Sir, give me leave to take notice of your familiar compellation of your money, sometimes you call it Malls and Philips, sometimes roguy Besses, sometimes Iamies, some­times Charlses, which is a sign that you like them better in their stamps then in their offices and Royal functions. Hall, thy face would have made as good a Numisma, or Medal, as Vespasian Claudius, or Galbas, with this motto or inscripti­on, Neminem am [...] Gubernantem. This adviso, and I con­clude, though as to the sense and words of it, they are as you are, much conversant, circa umbilicū; read them: Eccles. 19. v. 2. That Impudent in the Text is a Rebel in some Com­mentators: And Eccles. 26. v. 12.

FINIS

CORONAT OPUS.

I am for the Crown still.

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