LETTERS FROM BIRCH. 409 



Perceiving, by Mr. Meautys, his majesty s inclination, it 

 shall be, as it hath ever used to be to me, instead of a direc 

 tion ; and therefore I purpose to go forthwith to Gorham- 

 bury, humbly thanking his majesty nevertheless, that he 

 was graciously pleased to have acquainted my lords with 

 my desire, if it had stood me so much upon. But his 

 majesty knoweth best the times and seasons ; and to his 

 grace I submit myself, desiring his majesty and your lord 

 ship to take my letters from the Tower as written de pro- 

 fundis, and those I continue to write to be ex aquis salsis. 



June 22, 1621. 



Indorsed To Lord Buckingham, upon bringing Mr. 

 Meautys to kiss the King s hands. 



To the Marquis of Buckingham. 

 My very good Lord, 



I have written, as I thought it decent in me to do, to his 

 majesty the letter I send inclosed. I have great faith that 

 your lordship, now nobly and like yourself, will effect with 

 his majesty. In this the king is of himself, and it hath no 

 relation to parliament. I have written also, as your lord 

 ship advised me, only touching that point of means. I 

 have lived hitherto upon the scraps of my former fortunes ; 

 and I shall not be able to hold out longer. Therefore I 

 hope your lordship will now, according to the loving pro 

 mises and hopes given, settle my poor fortunes, or rather 

 my being. I am much fallen in love with a private life ; 

 but yet I shall so spend my time, as shall not decay my 

 abilities for use. 



God preserve and prosper your Lordship. 



Septembers, 1621. 



To the Prince. 

 May it please your Highness, 



I cannot too oft acknowledge your highness s favour in 

 my troubles ; but acknowledgment now is but begging of 

 new favour. Yet even that is not inconvenient ; for thanks 

 giving and petition go well together, even to God himself. 

 My humble suit to your highness, that I may be thought 

 on for means to subsist ; and to that purpose, that your 

 highness will join with my noble friend to the king. That 

 done, I shall ever be ready either at God s call or his 

 majesty s, and as happy to my thinking as a man can be, 

 that must leave to serve such a king. 



God preserve and prosper your highness. 



