LETTERS FROM THE CABALA. 51 



any thing else. I have been somebody, by your majesty s 

 singular and undeserved favour, even the prime officer of 

 your kingdom. Your majesty s arm hath been often over 

 mine in council, when you presided at the table, so near I 

 was. I have borne your majesty s image in metal, much 

 more in heart, I was never, in nineteen years service, 

 chidden by your majesty, but contrariwise, often over 

 joyed, when your majesty would sometimes say ; &quot; I was a 

 good husband for you, though none for myself ;&quot; sometimes, 

 &quot; That I had a way to deal in business, suavibus modis/ 

 which was the way which was most according to your own 

 heart ;&quot; and other most gracious speeches of affection and 

 trust, which I feed on till this day. But why should I 

 speak of these things, which are now vanished, but only 

 the better to express my downfall. 



For now it is thus with me ; I am a year and a half old 

 in misery, though (I must ever acknowledge) not without 

 some mixture of your majesty s grace and mercy. For I 

 do not think it possible, that any you once loved should be 

 totally miserable. My own means, through mine own 

 improvidence, are poor and weak, little better than my 

 father left me. The poor things which I have had from 

 your majesty, are either in question, or at courtesy : my 

 dignities remain marks of your past favour, but yet burthens 

 withal of my present fortune. The poor remnants which I 

 had of my former fortunes, in plate or jewels, I have spread 

 upon poor men, unto whom I owed, scarce leaving myself 

 bread. So as to conclude, I must pour out my misery 

 before your majesty, so far as to say, &quot; Si deseris tu, 

 perimus.&quot; 



But as I can offer to your majesty s compassion, little 

 arising from myself to move you, except it be my extreme 

 misery, which I have truly laid open ; so looking up to your 

 majesty yourself, I should think I committed Cain s fault, 

 if I should despair : your majesty is a king, whose heart is 



