LETTERS FROM STEPHENS. &amp;gt;7 



I am entering into, I made a tender to your majesty of two 

 works, a History of England, and a Digest of your Laws, 

 as I have by a figure of pars pro toto performed the one, 

 so I have herewith sent your majesty, by way of an epistle, 

 a new offer of the other; but my desire is farther, if it 

 stand with your majesty s good pleasure, since now my 

 study is my exchange, and my pen my factor for the use of 

 my talent, that your majesty, who is a great master in these 

 things, would be pleased to appoint me some task to write, 

 and that I should take for an oracle. And because my 

 Installation, which I esteem my great work, and do still go 

 on with in silence, was dedicated to your majesty, and this 

 History of King Henry VII. toyour lively and excellent image 

 the Prince, if now your majesty will be pleased to give me 

 a theme to dedicate to my Lord of Buckingham, whom I 

 have so much reason to honour, I should with more alacrity 

 embrace your majesty s direction than my own choice. 

 Your majesty will pardon me for troubling you thus long. 

 God evermore preserve and prosper you. 



Your Majesty s poor Beadsman most devoted, 



Gorhambury, this 20th FR. ST. ALB AN. 



March, 1621. 



To the Lord Digby. 

 My very good Lord, 



I now only send my best wishes, to follow you at sea 

 and land, with due thanks for your late great favours. 

 God knows, whether the length of your voyage will not 

 exceed the size of my hour-glass. But whilst I live, my 

 affection to do you service shall remain quick under the 

 ashes of my fortune. 



To the Lord St. Alban. 

 My Lord, 



I have despatched the business your lordship recom 

 mended to me, which I send your Lordship here inclosed, 

 signed by his majesty, and have likewise moved him for 

 your coming to kiss his hand, which he is pleased you 

 shall do at Whitehall when he returneth next thither. In 

 the mean time I rest 



Your Lordship s faithful Friend and Servant, 



Newmarket, Nov. 13th, 1622. G. BUCKINGHAM. 



I will give order to my secretary to wait upon Sir John 

 Suckling about your other business. 



Indorsed My Lord of Bucks touching my warrant and 

 access. 



