42 LIFE, TIMES, AND SCIENTIFIC LABOURS [1642. 



Sir John Somerset came, and though I acquainted his 

 Majesty therewith (upon whom I then attended), yet he 

 would not permit me to go to him for a day or two, 

 having some other service to employ me in by reason 

 of his journey to Leicester, where it was thought he 

 would have had some opposition *, but upon his 

 Majesty s approach, his enemies fled, Hazelrick,* the 

 chief of them, was said to be lurking hereabouts, 

 whereupon the King commanded me and some other 

 gentlemen, to go out and see if we could apprehend 

 him 5 but, though we used the best diligence we could, 

 riding both day and night, yet we came short of him. 



&quot; This is the cause of the delay in returning your 

 Lordship an answer, for which I hope your Lordship 

 will pardon me ; and now, since Sir John Somerset is 

 come hither, having left the 5000 your Lordship sent 

 at Newstead, my house, his Majesty hath commanded 

 me to make use of it for the levying of 500 horse, 

 and withal, in his name, to return your Lordship all 

 possible thanks for your seasonable assistance both now 

 and heretofore, and that he hopes he shall not die in 

 your debt. These are his own words, and desires to be 

 excused for not writing himself, by reason of the little 

 leisure he hath; for my own particular, I humbly 

 beseech your Lordship to believe that, as there lives 

 not any body more deeply engaged for real and noble 

 favours to your Lordship than myself, so no man can 

 be more sensible of them, or more ready upon all occa 

 sions to express myself, my Lord, 



&quot; Your Lordship s most humble 



&quot; and faithful servant, 



&quot;JOHN BYRON. 



&quot; Leicester Abbey, this Sunday, being 

 the 24th of July, 1642.&quot; 



* Sir Arthur Hazilrigge, Bart. 



