LETTERS FROM THE RESUSC1TATIO. 167 



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 pre 

 sume to offer unto your majesty dead lines, myself being ex 

 cluded 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 de 

 light and contentment in executing this disgrace upon me. 

 And since your majesty can find no other use of me, I arn 

 glad yet I can serve for that. Thus making my most hum 

 ble petition to your majesty, that injustice (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, 



ESSEX. 



