LETTERS FROM BIRCH. 431 



loitering, and not to become an abbey-lubber, as the old 

 proverb was, but to yield some fruit of my private life. 

 Having therefore written the reign of your majesty s famous 

 ancestor, King Henry the Seventh ; and it having passed 

 the file of his majesty s judgment, and been graciously also 

 accepted of the prince, your brother, to whom it is dedicated, 

 I could not forget my duty so far to your excellent majesty 

 (to whom, for that I know and have heard, I have been at 

 all times so much bound, as you are ever present with me, 

 both in affection and admiration) as not to make unto you, 

 in all humbleness, a present thereof, as now being not able 

 to give you tribute of any service. If King Henry the 

 Seventh were alive again, I hope verily he could not be so 

 angry with me for not flattering him, as well pleased in see 

 ing himself so truly described in colours that will last, and 

 be believed. I most humbly pray your majesty graciously 

 to accept of my good will ; and so, with all reverence, kiss 

 your hands, praying to God above, by his divine and most 

 benign providence, to conduct your affairs to happy issue ; 

 and resting 



Your Majesty s most humble 



and devoted Servant, 



April 20, 1622. FR. ST. ALBAN. 



Sir Edward Sackville to the Lord Viscount St. Alban. 



My very honoured Lord, 



Longing to yield an account of my stewardship, and that 

 I had not buried your talent in the ground, I waited yes 

 terday the marquis s pleasure, until I found a fit oppor 

 tunity to importune some return of his lordship s resolution. 

 The morning could not afford it; for time only allowed 

 leave to tell him, I would say something. In the afternoon 

 I had amends for all. In the forenoon he laid the law, but 

 in the afternoon he preached the gospel ; when, after some 

 revivations of the old distaste concerning York House, he 

 most nobly opened his heart unto me, wherein I read that 

 which argued much good towards you. After which reve 

 lation, the book was again sealed up, and must, in his own 

 time, only by himself be again manifested unto you. I have 

 leave to remember some of the vision, and am not forbidden 

 to write it. He vowed, not court-like, but constantly, to 

 appear your friend so much, as if his majesty should aban 

 don the care of you, you should share his fortune with him. 

 He pleased to tell me, how much he had been beholden to 

 you ; how well he loved you ; how unkindly he took the 



