QUEEN ELIZABETH'S LETTER a.d. 



1581. 



traveyling by land or by water, promising unto your 



greatnesse most faithfully, that the goods whereof your 



subjects by great wrong and violence have bene spoyled, 



shall wholy againe be restored, if either by the lives or 



possessions of the robbers it may any way be brought to 



passe: And that hereafter (as now being taught by this [II. i. 146.] 



evill example) wee will have speciall care that none under 



the title of our authoritie shall be suffered to commit any 



the like wrongs or injuries. 



Neither they which have committed these evil parts 

 had any power under your highnesse safeconduct 

 graunted unto our subjects, but from some other safe- 

 conduct, whether it were true or fained, we knowe not, 

 or whether they bought it of any person within the 

 government of Marseils : but under the colour thereof 

 they have done that, which the trueth of our dealing 

 doeth utterly abhorre. Notwithstanding howsoever it be, 

 wee will surely measure their evill proceedings with most 

 sharpe and just correction, and that it shall repent them 

 of the impeachment of our honours, as also it shalbe an 

 example of our indignation, that others may dread at all 

 times to commit the like offence. Wherefore that our 

 amitie might be continued, as if this unfortunate hap had 

 never chanced, and that the singuler affection of our 

 Subjects towardes your Imperiall Majestie vowed, and 

 dayly more and more desired, might be conserved and 

 defended, we thereunto do make our humble suite unto 

 your greatnesse : And for so great goodnesse towardes us 

 and our people granted, doe most humbly pray unto the 

 Almightie creatour of heaven and earth, ever to maintaine 

 and keepe your most renowmed Majestie in all happi- 

 nesse and prosperitie. 



Dated at our palace of Greenewich the 26. of June, 

 Anno 1 58 1. 



[The letters 



191 



