432 LETTERS FUOM BIRCH. 



denial of your house (for so he will needs understand it). 

 But the close, for all this, was harmonious, since he pro 

 tested he would seriously begin to study your ends, now 

 that the world should see he had no ends on you. He is in 

 hand with the work, and therefore will, by no means, accept 

 of your offer; though, I can assure you, the tender hath 

 much won upon him, and mellowed his heart towards you ; 

 and your genius directed you right, when you wrote that 

 letter of denial unto the duke.* The king saw it ; and all 

 the rest; which made him say unto the marquis, you 

 played an after game well ; and that now he had no reason 

 to be much offended. 



I have already talked of the revelation, and now am to 

 speak in apocalyptical language, which I hope you will 

 rightly comment; whereof, if you make difficulty, the 

 bearer f can help you with the key of the cypher. 



My lord Falkland, by this time, hath shewed you Lon 

 don from Highgate. If York House were gone, the town 

 were yours; and all your straitest shackles cleared off, 

 besides more comfort than the city air only. The marquis 

 would be exceedingly glad the Treasurer had it. This I 

 know ; but this you must not know from me. Bargain 

 with him presently, upon as good conditions as you can 

 procure, so you have direct motion from the marquis to let 

 him have it. Seem not to dive into the secret of it ; though 

 you are purblind if you see not through it. I have told 

 Mr. Meautys, how I would wish your lordship to make an 

 end of it. From him, I beseech you, take it, and from me 

 only the advice to perform it. If you part not speedily 

 with it, you may defer the good, which is approaching near 

 you, and disappointing other aims (which must either 

 shortly receive content, or never,) perhaps anew yield mat 

 ter of discontent, though you may be indeed as innocent as 

 before. Make the Treasurer believe, that since the marquis 

 will by no means accept of it, and that you must part with 

 it, you are more willing to pleasure him than any body else, 

 because you are given to understand my lord marquis so 

 inclines ; which inclination, if the Treasurer shortly send 

 unto you about it, desire may be more clearly manifested, 

 than as yet it hath been ; since, as I remember, none 

 hitherto hath told you in terminis terminantibusj that the 

 marquis desires you should gratify the Treasurer. I know 

 that way the hare runs ; and that my lord marquis longs 



* Of Lenox, of the 30th of January, 1621-2. t Probably Mr. Meautys. 



