172 LETTERS FROM THE RESUSCITAT10. 



regard to my superior s duty. I have been much bound 

 unto him ; and on the other side, I have spent more time 

 and more thoughts about his well-doing than ever I did 

 about mine own. I pray God you his friends amongst you 

 be in the right. &quot; Nulla remedia, tarn faciunt dolorem, 

 quam qua? sunt salutaria.&quot; For my part, I have deserved 

 better than to have my name objected to envy, or my life to 

 a ruffian s violence ; but I have the privy coat of a good 

 conscience. I am sure these courses and bruits hurt my 

 lord more than all. So having written to your lordship, I 

 desire exceedingly to be preferred in your good opinion 

 and love, and so leave you to God s goodness. 



The Earl of Essex Letter to the Council, at his 

 embarking for Spain. June 1596. 



My very good Lords, 



Having taken order for all things that belong to our 

 laud forces, and staying only till the ships be ready to take 

 in our soldiers, I am come aboard, as well to draw other 

 men by my example to leave the shore, as to have time and 

 leisure to ask account of myself what other duty I have to 

 do, besides the governing of those troops, and the using of 

 them to good purpose. In which meditation, as I first 

 study to please my most gracious sovereign, as well as to 

 serve her ; so my next care is, to leave your lordships well 

 satisfied of my past carriage since I was nominated to this 

 service ; and apt to make favourable construction of what I 

 shall do hereafter. 



In my past carriage I will neither plead merit nor excuse 

 imperfections : for whatsoever I shall be able to do I know 

 is less than I owe ; and besides my faults, my very faith and 

 zeal (which are the best things in me) do make me commit 

 errors. Bnt I would fain approve the matter itself of un 

 dertaking this service to have been good, howsoever my 

 former have been erroneous; or at least, my intent and 



