Billeder på siden
PDF
ePub

October 16, 1620.

JAMES REX.

TO MY LORD OF ESSEX. MY SINGULAR GOOD LORD,

success as your heart can wish, and your labours mend your lordship as Xenophon commended the deserve, I bid you heartily farewell. state of his country, which was this: that having chosen the worst form of government of all others, they governed the best in that kind. "Hoc pace et veniâ tuâ," according to my charter. Now, as your lordship is my witness that I would not trouble you whilst your own cause was in hand, (though that I know that the further from the I may perceive, by my Lord Keeper, that your term the better the time was to deal for me,) so, lordship, as the time served, signified unto him that being concluded, I presume I shall be one of an intention to confer with his lordship at better your next cares. And having communicated opportunity; which in regard of your several and with my brother of some course either to perfit weighty occasions I have thought good to put the first, or to make me some other way; or rather, your lordship in remembrance of; that now at by seeming to make me some other way, to perhis coming to the court it may be executed; de- fit the first, wherewith he agreed to acquaint your siring your good lordship, nevertheless, not to lordship; I am desirous, for mine own better conceive out of this my diligence in soliciting satisfaction, to speak with your lordship myself, this matter, that I am either much in appetite or which I had rather were somewhere else than at much in hope. For, as for appetite, the waters of court; and as soon as your lordship will assign Parnassus are not like the waters of the Spa, that me to wait on you. And so, in, etc.

give a stomach, but rather they quench appetite and desires; and for hope, how can he hope much that can allege no other reason than the reason of an evil debtor, who will persuade his creditor to lend him new sums, and to enter further in with him to make him satisfy the old? And, to her majesty, no other reason but the reason of a waterman; I am her first man of those who serve in counsel of law. And so I commit your lordship to God's best preservation.

TO MY LORD OF ESSEX.

MY LORD,-Conceiving that your lordship came now up in the person of a good servant to see your sovereign mistress; which kind of compliments are many times "instar magnorum meritorum ;" and therefore that it would be hard for me to find you, I have committed to this poor paper the humble salutations of him that is more yours than any man's; and more yours than any man. To these salutations I add a due and joyful gratulation, confessing that your lordship, in your last conference with me before your journey, spake not in vain, God making it good, that you trusted we should say, "quis putasset?" Which, as it is found true in a happy sense, so I wish you do not find another "quis putasset," in the manner of taking this so great a service; but I hope it is as he said, "nubecula est citò transibit;" and that your lordship's wisdom and obsequious cireumspection and patience will turn all to the best. So, referring all to some time that I may autend you, I commit you to God's best preservation.

TO SIR ROBERT CECIL.

SIR,-Your honour knoweth my manner is, though it be not the wisest way, yet taking it for the honestest, to do as Alexander did by his physician in drinking the medicine and delivering the advertisement of suspicion; so I trust on and yet do not smother what I hear. I do assure you, sir, that by a wise friend of mine, and not factious toward your honour, I was told with asseveration, that your honour was bought by Mr. Coventry, for 2000 angels; and that you wrought in a contrary spirit to my lord your father. And he said further, that from your servants, from your lady, from some counsellors that have observed you in my business, he knew you wrought underhand against me. The truth of which tale I do not believe; you know the event will show, and God will right. But as I reject this report, (though the strangeness of my case might make me credulous,) so I admit a conceit that the last messenger my lord and yourself used, dealt ill with your honours; and that word (speculation) which was in the queen's mouth rebounded from him as a commendation, for I am not ignorant of those little arts. Therefore, I pray, trust not him again in my matter. This was much to write, but I think my fortune will set me at liberty, who am weary of asserviling myself to every man's charity. Thus I, etc.

TO MY LORD OF ESSEX.

MYLORD, I am glad your lordship hath plunged out of your own business; wherein I must com

TO SIR JOHN STANHOPE.

SIR,-Your good promises sleep, which it may seem now no time to awake, but that I do not find that any general calendar of observation of tin.e serveth for the court; and, besides, if that be

done which I hope by this time is done, and that | find you conceive of me for the obtaining of a other matter shall be done which we wish may De done, I hope to my poor matter, the one of these great matters may clear the way and the other give the occasion. And though my lord treasurer be absent, whose health, nevertheless, will enable him to be sooner at court than is expected; especially if this hard weather (too hard to continue) shall relent; yet we abroad say, his lordship's spirit may be there though his person be away. Once I take for a good ground that her majesty's business ought to keep neither vacation nor holiday, either in the execution or in the care and preparation of those whom her majesty calleth and useth; and, therefore, I would think no time barred from remembering that with such discretion and respect as appertaineth. The conclusion shall be to put you in mind to maintain that which you have kindly begun, according to the reliance I have upon the sincerity of your affection and the soundness of your judgment. And so I commend you to God's preservation.

TO MY LORD OF ESSEX.

IT MAY PLEASE YOUR LORDSHIP,

I am very sorry her majesty should take my motion to travail in offence; but surely, under her majesty's royal correction, it is such an offence as it should be an offence to the sun, when a man to avoid the scorching heat thereof flieth into the shade. And your lordship may easily think, that having now these twenty years (for so long it is, and more, since I went with Sir Amyas Paulett into France, from her majesty's royal hand) I made her majesty's service the scope of my life: I shall never find a greater grief than this, "relinquere amorem primum." But since "principia actionum sunt tantum in nostra potestate;" I hope her majesty of her clemency, yea, and justice, will pardon me, and not force me to pine here with melancholy. For though mine heart be good, yet mine eyes will be sore, so as I shall have no pleasure to look abroad, and if I should otherwise be affected, her majesty in her wisdom will think me an impudent man that would face out a disgrace; therefore, as I have ever found you my good lord and true friend, so I pray open the matter so to her majesty, as she may discern the necessity of it, without adding hard conceit to her rejection; of which I am sure the latter I never deserved. Thus, etc.

TO THE LORD TREASURER.

IT MAY PLEASE YOUR GOOD Lordship,

I am to give you humble thanks for your favourabie opinion, which by Mr. Secretary's report I

good place which some of my honourable friends have wished unto me, "nec opinanti." I will use no reason to persuade your lordship's mediation but this, that your lordship and my other friends shall in this beg my life of the queen; for I see well the bar will be my bier, as I must and will use it rather than my poor estate or reputation shall decay; but I stand indifferent whether God call me or her majesty. Had I that in possession which by your lordship's only means against the greatest opposition her majesty granted me, I would never trouble her majesty, but serve her still voluntarily without pay. Neither do I in this more than obey my friends' conceits as one that would not be wholly wanting to myself. Your lordship's good opinion doth somewhat confirm me, as that I take comfort in above all others; assuring your lordship that I never thought so well of myself for any one thing as that I have found a fitness to my thinking in myself to observe and revere your virtues; for the continuance whereof in the prolonging of your days I will still be your beadsman; accordingly, at this time, commend your lordship to the divine protection.

TO FOULK GREVIL.

SIR, I understand of your pains to have visited me, for which I thank you. My matter is an endless question. I assure you, I had said, “requiesce anima mea;" but now I am otherwise put to my psaiter, "nolite confidere," I dare go no farther. Her majesty had by set speech more than once assured me of her intention to call me to her service; which I could not understand but of the place I had been named to. And now, whether "invidus homo hoc fecit," or whether my matter must be an appendix to my Lord of Essex's suit, or whether her majesty, pretending to prove my ability, meaneth but to take advantage of some errors, which, like enough, at one time or other I may commit, or what it is, but her majesty is not ready to despatch it. And what though the master of the rolls and my Lord of Essex, and yourself and others think my case without doubt, yet, in the mean time I have a hard condition to stand so, that whatsoever service I do to her majesty, it shall be thought to be but "servitium viscatum," lime-twigs and fetches to place myself; and so I shall have envy, not thanks. This is a course to quench all good spirits, and to corrupt every man's nature; which will, I fear, much hurt her majesty's service in the end. I have been like a piece of stuff bespoken in the shop: and if her majesty will not take me, it may be the selling by parcels will be more gainful. For to be, as I told you, like a child following a bird, which, when he is nearest, flieth away and lighteth a little before,

and then the child after it again, and so in infini- | me, I know not whether I were unnatural, unThis causeth me, most tum, I am weary of it: as also of wearying my thankful, or unwise. good friends, of whom, nevertheless, I hope in one humbly to pray your lordship (and I know mine course or other gratefully to deserve. And so, not own case too well to speak it as weening I can forgetting your business I leave to trouble you do your lordship service, but as willing to do it, with this idle letter, being but "justa et mode- as) to believe that your lordship is upon just title rata querimonia." For, indeed, I do confess, a principal owner and proprietor of that I cannot "primus amor," will not easily be cast off. And call talent, but mite that God hath given me; thus again I commend me to you. which I ever do and shall devote to your service. And in like humble manner I pray your lordship to pardon mine errors, and not to impute unto me the errors of any other; (which I know also, themselves have by this time left and forethought :) but to conceive of me to be a man that daily profiteth in duty. It is true, I do in part comfort myself, supposing that it is my weakness and insufficiency that moveth your lordship, who hath so general a command to use others more able. But let it be as it is; for duty only and homage I will boldly undertake that nature and true thankfulness shall never give place to a politic dependence. Lastly, I most humbly desire your lordship to continue unto me the good favour and countenance and encouragement in the course of my poor travails; whereof I have had some taste and experience; for the which, I yield your lordship my very humble good thanks. And so again craving your honour's pardon for so long a letter, carrying so empty an offer of so unpuissant a service, but yet a true and unfeigned signification of an honest and vowed duty, I cease, commending your lordship to the preservation of the Divine Majesty.

TO THE LORD TREASURER BURGHLEY. MOST HONOURABLE AND MY VERY GOOD LORD, I know, I may commit an error in writing this letter, both in a time of great and weighty business; as also when myself am not induced thereto, by any new particular occasion: And, thereof, your lordship may impute to me either levity or ignorance, what appertaineth to good respects and forwardness of dealing; especially to an honourable person, in whom there is such concurrence of magnitudo honoris et oneris, as it is hard to say, whether is the greater. But I answer myself first, that I have ever noted it as a part of your lordship's excellent wisdom, "parvis componere magna," that you do not exclude inferior matters of access amongst the care of great. And, for myself, I thought it would better manifest what I desire to express, if I did write out of a deep and settled consideration of my own duty, rather than upon the spur of a particular occasion. And, therefore, (my singular good lord,) "ex abundantia cordis," I must acknowledge how greatly and diversely your lordship hath vouchsafed to tie me unto you by many your benefits. The reversion of the office which your lordship only procured unto me, and carried through great and vehement MOST HONOURABLE AND MY Singular Good Lord, opposition, though it yet bear no fruit, yet, it is I cannot but importune your lordship with one of the fairest flowers of my poor estate; your thanks for your lordship's remembering my name lordship's constant and serious endeavours to have me solicitor; your late honourable wishes, for the to my lord keeper; which being done in such an article of time, could not but be exceedingly enplace of the wards; together with your lordriched both in demonstration and effect: which I ship's attempt to give me way by the remove did well discern by the manner of expressing of Mr. Solicitor; they be matters of singular thereof by his lordship again to me. This accuobligation; besides many other favours, as well mulating of your lordship's favours upon me, by your lordship's grants from yourself, as by hitherto worketh only this effect; that it raiseth your commendation to others, which I have had my mind to aspire to be found worthy of them; for my help; and may justly persuade myself, out and likewise to merit and serve you for them. of the few denials I have received, that fewer But whether I shall be able to pay my vows or no, might have been, if mine own industry and good I must leave that to God, who hath them in dehap had been answerable to your lordship's good-posito. Whom, also, I most instantly beseech to ness. But, on the other side, I most humbly pray your lordship's pardon if I speak it; the time is yet to come, that your lordship did ever use or command, or employ me in my profession in any services or occasion of your lordship's own, or such as are near unto your lordship; which hath made me fear sometimes that your lordship doth more honourably affect me than thoroughly discern of my most humble and dutiful affection to

TO MY LORD OF ESSEX.

give you fruit of your actions beyond that your heart can propound. "Nam Deus major est corde." Even to the environing of his benedictions, I recommend your lordship.

TO SIR THOMAS LUCY.
SIR,-There was no news better welcome to me

your lordship again. Which, if it were not in this long time, than that of the good success of

TO SIR ROBERT CECII.

MY SINGULAR GOOD LORD,

The argument of my letters to ycar lordship rather increaseth than spendeth; it being only the desire I have to salute you: which, by your absence is more augmented than abated. For me to write your lordship occurrences either of Scottish brags or Irish plants, or Spanish ruffling, or Low Country states, were (besides that it is "alienum quiddam" from mine own humour) to forget to whom I write; save that you, that know true advertisements, sometimes desire and delight to hear common reports; as we that know but common reports desire to hear the truth. But to leave such as write to your fortunes, I write to yourself in regard of my love to you, you being as near to me in heart's blood as in blood of descent. This day I had the contentment to see your father upon occasion; and methought his lordship's countenance was not decayed, nor his cough vehement; but his voice was as faint all Thus, wishing your lordship a happy and speedy return, I commend you

my kinsman; wherein if he be happy he cannot
be happy alone, it consisting of two parts. And
I render you no less kind thanks for your aid and
favour towards him, than if it had been for myself;
assuring you that this bond of alliance shall, on
my part, tie me to give all the tribute to your
good fortune upon all occasions, that my poor
strength can yield. I send you so required an
abstract of the lands of inheritance, and one lease
of great value, which my kinsman bringeth, with
a note of the tenures, values, contents, and state,
truly and perfectly drawn; whereby you may per-
ceive the land is good land, and well countenanced
by scope of acres, woods, and royalties, though
the total of the rents be set down as it now goeth
without improvement: in which respect it may
somewhat differ from your first note. Out of this,
what he will assure in jointure, I leave it to his
own kindness; for I love not to measure affection.
To conclude, I doubt not your daughter might
have married to a better living, but never to a
better life; having chosen a gentleman bred to all
honesty, virtue, and worth, with an estate conve-
nient. And if my brother or myself were either
thrivers, or fortunate in the queen's service, I to the Divine Majesty.
would hope there should be left as great a house
of the Cokes in this gentleman as in your good
friend, Mr. Attorney General. But sure I am,
if Scriptures fail not, it will have as much of
God's blessing and sufficiency as ever the best

feast, &c.

TO SIR ROBERT CECIL, AT HIS BEING IN
FRANCE.

IT MAY PLEASE YOUR HONOURABLE LORDSHIP,

I know you will pardon this my observance, in writing to you empty of matter, but out of the fulness of my love. I am sorry that, as your time of absence is prolonged above that was esteemed at your lordship's setting forth; so, now, upon this last advertisement received from you, there groweth an opinion amongst better than the vulgar, that the difficulties also of your negotiation are increased. But, because I know the gravity of your nature to be not to hope lightly, it maketh me to despair the less. For you are "natus ad ardua:" and the indisposition of the subject may honour the skill of the workman. Sure I am, judgment and diligence shall not want in your 'ordship's self: but this was not my purpose; being only to signify unto your lordship my continual and incessant love towards you, thirsting after your return for many respects. So I commend you ever to the good preservation of the divine majesty. Gray's Inn.

At your honour's commandment, ever,
and particularly.

the while as at first.

TO THE QUEEN.

IT MAY PLEASE YOUR SACRED Majesty,

I would not fail to give your majesty my most humble and due thanks for your royal choice of such commissioners in the great Star Chamber cause; being persons besides their honour of such science and integrity. By whose report I doubt not but your majesty will find that which you have been heretofore informed, (both by my lord keeper, and by some much meaner person,) touching the nature of that cause, to be true. This preparatory hearing doth already assail me with new and enlarged offers of composition; which, if I had borne a mind to have hearkened unto, this matter had been quenched long ago, without any benefit to your majesty. But your majesty's benefit is to me in greater regard than mine own particular: trusting to your majesty's gracious disposition and royal word, that your majesty will include me in any extraordinary course of your sovereign pleasure, which your majesty shall like to take in this cause. other man I spoke to your majesty of, may, within these two terms, be in the same straits between your majesty's justice and mercy, that this man now is, if your majesty be so pleased. So, most humbly craving pardon for my presuming to seek access for these few lines, I recommend your majesty to the most precious custody, and best preservation of the Divine Majesty.

The

Your majesty's most humble and entirely obedient servant and subject.

TO THE QUEEN.*

IT MAY PLEASE Your Majesty,

It were great simplicity in me to look for better than that your majesty should cast away my letter as you have done me; were it not that it is possible your majesty will think to find somewhat in it, whereupon your displeasure may take hold; and so indignation may obtain that of you which favour could not. Neither might I in reason presume to offer unto your majesty dead lines, myself being excluded as I am; were it not upon this only argument or subject; namely, to clear myself in point of duty. Duty, though my state lie buried in the sands, and my favours be cast upon the waters, and my honours be committed to the wind; yet standeth surely built upon the rock, and hath been, and ever shall be unforced and unattempted. And, therefore, since the world out of error, and your majesty I fear out of art is pleased to put upon me; that I have so much as any election or will in this my absence from attendance; I cannot but leave this protestation with your majesty; That I am and have been merely a patient, and take myself only to obey and execute your majesty's will. And, indeed, madam, I had never thought it possible that your majesty could have so disinterested yourself of me; nor that you had been so perfect in the art of forgetting; nor that after a quintessence of wormwood, your majesty would have taken so large a draught of poppy; as to have passed so many summers without all feeling of my sufferings. But the only comfort I have is this, that I know your majesty taketh delight and contentment in executing this disgrace upon me. And, since your majesty can find no other use of me, I am glad yet I can serve for that. Thus making my most humble petition to your majesty, that in justice (howsoever you may by strangeness untie, or by violence cut asunder all other knots) your majesty would not touch me in that which is indissoluble; that is, point of duty: and that your majesty will pardon this my unwarranted presumption of writing, being to such an end: I cease in all humbleness;

Your majesty's poor, and never
so unworthy servant,

[blocks in formation]

believe your lordship looked to have found her majesty in all points as you have done; neither her majesty, percase, looked to have found your lordship as she hath done. And, therefore, I hope upon this experience may grow more perfect knowledge, and upon knowledge more true consent; which I, for my part, do infinitely wish, as accounting these accidents to be like the fish, remora, which, though it be not great, yet hath it a hidden property to hinder the sailing of the ship. And, therefore, as bearing unto your lordship, after her majesty, of all public persons the second duty, I could not but signify unto you my affectionate gratulation. And so I commend your good lordship to the best preservation of the Divine Majesty.

From Gray's Inn.

TO SIR ROBERT CECIL.

IT MAY PLEASE YOUR GOOD HONOUR,

I am apt enough to condemn "mendacia famæ," yet it is with this distinction, as fame walks among inferiors, and not as it hath entrance into some ears. And, yet, nevertheless, in that kind also, I intend to avoid a suspicious silence, but not to make any base apology. It is blown about the town that I should give opinion touching my Lord of Essex's cause; first, that it was a premunire; and now last, that it reached to high treason. And this opinion should be given in opposition to the opinion of the lord chief justice and of Mr. Attorney-General. Sir, I thank God, whatsoever opinion my head serveth me to deliver to her majesty, being asked, my heart serveth me to maintain; the same honest duty directing me and assisting me. But the utter untruth of this report God and the queen can witness; and the improbability of it every man that hath wit, more or less, can conceive. The root of this I discern to be not so much a light and humorous envy at my accesses to her majesty, (which of her majesty's grace being begun in my first years, I would be sorry she should estrange in my last years, for so I account them, reckoning by health, not by age ;) as a deep malice to your honourable self; upon whom, by me, through nearness, they think to make some aspersion. But, as I know no remedy against libels and lies, so I hope it shall make no manner of disseverance of your honourable good conceits and affection towards me; which is the thing I confess to fear. For, as for any violence to be offered to me, wherewith my friends tell me, to no small terror, that I am threatened, I thank God I have the privy coat of a good conscience; and have a good while since put off any fearful care of life, or the accidents of life. So, desiring to be preserved in your good opinion, I remain.

« ForrigeFortsæt »