LETTERS FROM STEPHENS. 21 



To the Marquis of Buckingham. 

 My very good Lord, 



I doubt not but Sir Giles Montpesson advertiseth your 

 lordship how our revenue business proceeds. I would 

 his majesty had rested upon the first names; for the addi- 

 tionals, specially the exchequer man, doth not only weaken 

 the matter, but weakeneth my forces in it, he being thought 

 to have been brought in across. But I go on and hope 

 good service will be done. 



For the commissions to be published in the Star-Cham 

 ber, for which it pleaseth his majesty to give me special 

 thanks, I w T ill have special care of them in time. God 

 ever prosper you. 



Your Lordship s most obliged Friend 



and faithful Servant, 



February 10th, 1619. Fit. VfiRULAM, CailC. 



To the Marquis of Buckingham. 

 My very good Lord, 



One gave me a very good precept for the stone; that I 

 should think of it most when I feel it least. This I apply 

 to the King s business, which surely I revolve most when I 

 am least in action, whereof, at my attendance, I will give 

 his majesty such account as can proceed from my poor and 

 mean abilities, which as his majesty, out of grace, may 

 think to be more than they are, so I, out of desire, may 

 thmk sometime they can effect more than they can. But 

 still it must be remembered, that the stringing of the harp, 

 nor the tuning of it will not serve, except it be well played 

 on from time to time. 



If his majesty s business or commandments require it, 

 I will attend him at Windsor, though I would be glad to 

 be spared, because quick airs at this time of the year do 

 affect me. At London, and so at Theobalds and Hampton 

 Court, I will not fail, God willing, to wait upon his majesty. 

 Meanwhile I am exceeding glad to hear his majesty hath 

 been lusty and well this progress. Thus, much desiring 

 to see your lordship, cujus amor tantum mihi crescit in horas 

 (as the poet saith), I ever remain 



Your Lordship s most obliged Friend 

 Gorhambury, and faithful Servant, 



this 30th August, 1620. FR. VERULAM, CailC. 



