280 LIFE, TIMES, AND SCIENTIFIC LABOURS [1665. 



above an hundred and fifty thousand pounds expended ; 

 and in ready money first and last to the King s own 

 purse above as much more ; and of above thirty-five 

 thousand pounds received by my father and me 

 comunely armes, in forty, forty-two, and forty-three, I 

 have not now five and twenty hundred, and that clogged 

 with twenty thousand pounds crying debts, that keep 

 me not only from a competent maintenance, but even 

 from sleep. I speak not here of above three hundred 

 thousand pounds which it hath cost the noblemen, 

 knights, and gentlemen, which rode in my Life-Guard 

 * * for * * * their comporting, they making amongst 

 them above threescore thousand pounds yearly, of land of 

 inheritance ; and I, upon my interest with seven counties, 

 had begun an engagement of above three hundred thou 

 sand pounds yearly land of inheritance against my return 

 with men from beyond the sea ; in which endeavours my 

 charges have been vast, besides hazard by sea even of 

 shipwreck, and by land of deadly encounters, I do not 

 trouble your Lordship with, but all this being true to a 

 tittle, as upon my word and honour, dearer to me than 

 my life, I avouch it ; I cannot doubt but your Grace will 

 call for a pen to sign the letter, and if you please send 

 this together with it, and rest assured that if the King 

 refuse my request, I will never importune you more, 

 nor ever set my foot into his Majesty s Court again, 

 unless expressly commanded by him for his service ; 

 otherwise I will only heartily pray for him, but never 

 hereafter shall I or any friend of mine engage for him 

 further, than the simple duty of a loyal subject sitting 

 quietly at home, no ways break the peace, or disobeying 

 the wholesome laws of the land, and God send him 

 better and more able subjects to serve his Majesty than 

 myself; willinger I am sure he cannot, and I beseech 

 your Grace to pardon me if passion hath a little trans- 



