218 TRANSLATION OF THE LATIN LETTERS. 



and with time so very limited, has yet taken an interest in 

 my fortunes, and has effected that for me, which other 

 friends either dared not attempt or could not have ob 

 tained. 



Your lordship will enjoy the suitable and lasting fruit of 

 such dealing in your own noble character, so prone to all 

 the offices of sympathy and honour. Nor will this per 

 haps be the least among your good deeds, that by your as 

 sistance and favour you have raised and strengthened me 

 once one among the living, and who shall not altogether 

 die to posterity. What return can I make ? I shall at 

 least ever be yours, if not in useful service, at least in 

 heart and good wishes. The fire of my love for you will 

 remain quick under the ashes of my fortune ; wherefore, I 

 most humbly greet you, bid you farewell, wish you all 

 prosperity, call heaven to witness my gratitude, promise all 

 faithful observance. 



To the Most Illustrious and Excellent Lord 

 Didacus Sarmiento de Acuna Count Gon- 

 domar, Ambassador Extraordinary of the 

 King of Spain to England. 



To Count Gondomar, then in Spain. 



Most Illustrious Count, 



Many things inspire me with confidence, and even with 

 cheerful alacrity, in addressing you at this time on the 

 subject of my fortunes, and entreating your friendly offices. 

 First, and principally that since so close an alliance be 

 tween our sovereigns may now be regarded as definitively 

 arranged, you are become so much the more powerful ad 

 vocate; and I shrink not now from owing all my fortunes to 

 so great a man, though not my own countryman, and from 

 professing the obligation. Secondly, Since that promise 

 of indulgencies which your lordship while in this country 

 obtained for me, has not been succeeded by repulses, nor 

 on the other hand been completely fulfilled, it would seem 

 from this as if the divine providence intended that the 

 work of rescuing me from my misery was to be yours in its 

 end, as in its beginning. Thirdly, because those two 

 stars which have ever been propitious to me, the greater 

 and the less are now shining in your city, and thus by the 

 assisting and benignant rays of your friendship, they may 

 acquire an influence on my fortunes, which shall restore 



