QUEEN ELIZABETHS LETTERS a.d. 



'597- 



The same in English. 



To the most invincible and puissant king of the 

 Abassens, the mightie Emperour of Aethiopia 

 the higher and the lower. 



ELizabeth by the grace of God Queene of England, 

 France and Ireland, defender of the faith, &c. To 

 the most high and mightie Emperour of Aethiopia 

 greeting. Whereas it is a matter requisite and well be- 

 seeming all kings and princes of what lands or nations 

 soever, be they never so much dissevered in place or 

 differing in customes and lawes, to maintaine and preserve 

 the common societie of mankinde, and, as occasion shall 

 be offered, to performe mutuall duties of charitie and 

 benevolence : we for that cause conceiving most un- 

 doubted hope of your princely fidelity and courtesie, 

 have given unto this our subject Laurence Aldersey 

 intending to travell into your dominions, these our 

 letters to be delivered without faile unto your Highnesse, 

 to the end they may be a testimony of our good will 

 towards you and of our saide subject his departure from 

 England. Who, after his travels in many forren 

 countreys, being as yet enflamed with a desire more 

 throughly to surveigh and contemplate the world, and 

 now at length to undertake a long and daungerous 

 journey into your territories and regions : both the sayd 

 Laurence thought, and our selves also deemed, that it 

 would very much availe him, as well for his owne safetie 

 as for the attayning of your favour, if, being protected 

 with our broad seale, hee might transport unto your 

 Highnesse a testimony of our loving affection & of his 

 departure from hence. For sithence almightie God the 

 highest creatour and governour of the world hath allotted 

 unto kings and princes his vicegerents over the face 

 of the whole earth, their designed portions and limits 

 to be ruled and administred by them ; and by this his 

 gift hath established among them a certaine law of 



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