LETTERS FROM STEPHENS. 31 



But because he that hath taken bribes is apt to give 

 bribes, I will go further, and present your majesty with 

 bribe; for if your majesty give me peace and leisure, and 

 God give me life, I will present you with a good History 

 of England, and a better Digest of your Laws. And so 

 concluding with my prayers, 1 rest 



Clay in your Majesty s hands, 



May 2, 1621. FR. ST. ALBAN. 



To the Prince of Wales. 

 It may please your Highness, 



When I called to mind how infinitely I am bound to 

 your highness, that stretched forth your arm to save me 

 from a sentence, that took hold of me to keep me from 

 being plunged deep in a sentence, that hath kept me 

 alive in your gracious memory and mention since the sen 

 tence, pitying me, as I hope I deserve, and valuing me 

 far above that I can deserve, I find my words almost as 

 barren as my fortunes, to express unto your highness the 

 thankfulness I owe. Therefore I can but resort to prayers 

 to Almighty God to clothe you with his most rich and 

 precious blessings, and likewise joyfully to meditate upon 

 those he hath conferred upon you already; in that he hath 

 made you to the King your father a principal part of his 

 safety, contentment, and continuance; in yourself so judi 

 cious, accomplished, and graceful in all your doings, with 

 more virtues in the buds, which are the sweetest that 

 have been known in a young Prince of long time ; with 

 the realm so well beloved, so much honoured, as it is men s 

 daily observation how nearly you approach to his majesty s 

 perfections ; how every day you exceed yourself; how com 

 pared with other Princes, which God hath ordained to be 

 young at this time, you shine amongst them ; they rather 

 setting off your religious, moral, and natural excellencies, 

 than matching them, though you be but a second person. 

 These and such like meditations I feed upon, since I can 

 yield your highness no other retribution. And for myself, I 

 hope by the assistance of God above, of whose grace and 

 favour I have had extraordinary signs and effects during 

 my afflictions, to lead such a life in the last acts thereof 

 as whether his majesty employ me, or whether I live to 

 myself, I shall make the world say that I was not unworthy 

 such a patron. 



I am much beholden to your highess s worthy servant, 

 Sir John Vaughan, the sweet air and loving usage of 



