298 LETTERS FROM BIRCH. 



shame ought not to be so hateful as sin ; and without sin I 

 know not how to conceal the extreme obligation, into 

 which I am entered thereby, which is incomparably more 

 than I can express, and no less than as much as I am able 

 to conceive. And as the copy is more fortunate than the 

 original, because it hath the honour to be under your eye, 

 so the original being much more truly yours than the copy 

 can be, aspires, by having the happiness to see you, to put 

 the picture out of countenance. 



I understand by Sir George Petre,* who is arrived here 

 at the Spa, and is so wise as to honour you extremely, 

 though he have not the fortune to be known to your 

 honour, that he had heard how my Lord of Canterbury had 

 been moved in my behalf, and that he gave way unto my 

 . return. This, if it be true, cannot have happened without 

 some endeavour of your honour; and therefore, howsoever 

 I have not been particularly advertised, that your honour 

 had delivered my letter to his grace ; yet now methinks I 

 do as good as know it, and dare adventure to present you 

 with my humblest thanks for the favour. But the main 

 point is, how his majesty should be moved; wherein my 

 friends are straining courtesy; and unless I have your 

 honour for a master of the ceremonies to take order, who 

 shall begin, all the benefit, that I can reap by this negotia 

 tion, will be to have the reputation of little judgment in 

 attempting that which I was not able to obtain ; and that 

 howsoever I have shot fair, I know not how to hit the 

 mark. I have been directed by my Lord Roos, who was 

 the first mover of this stone, to write a letter, which him 

 self would deliver to the Master of the Horse, f who doth 

 me the honour to wish me very well: and I have obeyed 

 his lordship, and beseech your honour, that you will be 

 pleased to prevent, or to accompany, or second it with your 

 commendation, lest otherwise the many words that I have 

 used have but the virtue of a single o, or cypher. But 

 indeed, if I had not been over-weighed by the authority of 

 my Lord Roos s commandment, I should rather have re 

 served the master of the horse s favour to some other use 

 afterward. In conformity whereof I have also written to 

 his lordship, and perhaps he will thereupon forbear to 

 deliver my letter to the master of the horse: whereas I 

 should be the less sorry if your honour s self would not 



* Grandson of John, the first Lord Petre, and son of William, second baron 

 of that name. 



t Sir George Villiers, who was appointed to that office, January 4, 1615-6. 



