430 LETTERS FROM BIRCH. 



king had it three months by him, and allowed it : if there 

 be any thing to be mended, it is better to be espied now 

 than hereafter. 



I send you the copies of the three letters, which you have ; 

 and, in mine own opinion, this demur, as you term it, in 

 my Lord of London, maketh it more necessary than before, 

 that they were delivered, specially in regard they contain 

 withal my thanks. It may be signified they were sent 

 before I knew of any stay ; and being but in those three 

 hands, they are private enough. But this I leave merely at 

 your discretion, resting 



Your most affectionate and assured Friend, 



March 21, 1621. FR. ST. ALB AN. 



To Mr. Tobie Matthew. 

 Good Mr. Matthew, 



I do make account, God willing, to be at Chiswick on 

 Saturday ; or, because this weather is terrible to one that 

 hath kept much in, Monday. 



In my letter of thanks to my lord marquis, which is not 

 yet delivered, but to be forthwith delivered, I have not for 

 gotten to mention, that I have received signification of his 

 noble favour and affection, amongst other ways, from your 

 self, by name. If, upon your repair to the court (whereof 

 I am right glad,) you have any speech with the marquis of 

 me, I pray place the alphabet (as you can do it right well) 

 in a frame, to express my love faithful and ardent towards 

 him. And for York House, that whether in a straight line, 

 or a compass line, I meant it his lordship in the way which 

 I thought might please him best. I ever rest 



Your most affectionate and assured Friend, 



March 21, 1621. FR. ST. ALBAN. 



To the Queen of Bohemia. 

 It may please your Majesty, 



I find in books (and books I dare allege to your 

 majesty, in regard of your singular ability to read and 

 judge of them even above your sex) that it is accounted a 

 great bliss for a man to have leisure with honour. That 

 was never my fortune, nor is. For time was, I had honour 

 without leisure; and now I have leisure without honour. 

 And I cannot say so neither altogether, considering there 

 remain with me the marks and stamp of the king s, your 

 father s, grace, though I go not for so much in value as I 

 have done. But my desire is now to have leisure without 



