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me so much above my just value, and to love me so
much above the possibility of deserving, or obliging
on my part, as if he were a friend created and reser-
ved for such a time as this. You know what I have
to say to the great lord, and I conceive it cannot pass
so fitly to him by the mouth of any, as of this gen-
tleman; and therefore do your best (which I know will
be of power enough) to engage him both in the sub-
stance and to the secrecy of it: for I can think of no
man but yourself, to be used by me in this, who are
so private, so faithful, and so discreet a friend to us
both; as on the other side, I dare swear he is, and
know myself to be as true to you as your own heart.

CCLXXX. An expostulation to the Marquis of Sir Tobie
BUCKINGHAM.

My very good Lord,

Matthew's collection of letters,

p. 48, and Stephens's

P. 167.

YOUR lordship will pardon me, if, partly in the second col freedom of adversity, and partly of former friendship lection (the sparks whereof cannot but continue) I open myself to your lordship, and desire also your lordship to open yourself to me. The two last acts which you did for me, in procuring the releasement of my fine, and my Quietus est, I acknowledge, were effects real and material of your love and favour; which, as to my knowledge, it never failed in my prosperity, so in these two things it seems not to have turned with the wheel. But the extent of these two favours is not much more than to keep me from persecution. For any thing farther, which might tend to my comfort and assistance, as I cannot say to myself, that your lordship hath forsaken me; so I see not the effects of your undeserved, yet undesired professions and promises; which being made to a person in affliction, have the nature, after a sort, of vows. But that which most of all makes me doubt of a change or cooling in your lordship's affection towards me, is, that being twice now at London, your lordship did not vouchsafe to see me; though by messages you gave me hope thereof, and the latter time I had begged it of your lordship.

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The cause of change may either be in myself or your lordship. I ought first to examine myself, which I have done; and God is my witness, I find all well, and that I have approved myself to your lordship a true friend, both in the watery trial of prosperity, and in the fiery trial of adversity. If your lordship take any insatisfaction touching the house, I humbly pray you think better of it. For that motion to me was a second sentence more grievous than the first, as things then stood, and do yet stand: for it sentenced me to have lost both in my own opinion, and much more in the opinion of others, that which was saved to me, almost only, in the former sentence; and which was more dear to me than all that which was taken from me, which is your lordship's love and favour. For had it not been for that bitter circumstance, your lordship knows, that you might have commanded my life, and all that is mine. But surely it could not be that, nor any thing in me, which wrought the change. It is likely on the other part, that though your lordship in your nature I know to be generous and constant, yet I being now become out of sight, and out of use, your lordship having a flood of new friends, and your ears possessed perhaps by such as would not leave room for an old: your lordship may, even by course of the world, and the over-bearing of others, be turned from me; and it were almost a miracle if it should be otherwise. But yet, because your lordship may still have so heroical a spirit, as to stand out in all these violent assaults, which might have alienated you from your friend; my humble suit to your lordship is, that remembering our former friendship, which began with your beginnings, and since that time hath never failed on my part, your lordship would deal clearly with me, and let me know, whether I continue in your favour or no; and whether in those poor requests, which I may yet make to his majesty (whose true servant I ever was and am) for the tempering of my misery, I may presume to use your lordship's favour and help as I have done; for otherwise it were a kind of stupidness in me, and a great trouble also to your lordship, for me not to

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discern the change, for your lordship to have an impor-
tuner, instead of a friend and a suitor. Though how-
soever, if your lordship should never think of me more,
yet in respect of your former favours, which cannot
altogether be made void, I must remain, etc. Jed

CCLXXXI. To the Lord ST. ALBAN.
My Lord,

1

I HAVE dispatched the business your lordship recommended 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 should do at Whitehall when he returneth next thither. In the mean time I rest

Your lordship's faithful friend and servant,

Newmarket, 13 Nov. 1622.

G. BUCKINGHAM.

I will give order to my secretary to wait upon Sir
John Suckling about your other business.

Endorsed by the Lord St. Alban's hand,

My Lord of Bucks touching my warrant and access.

CCLXXXII.

Stephens's second col

lection, p.

174.

To the Marquis of BUCKING- Ibid.p.175,

Excellent Lord,

HAM.

THOUGH I have troubled your lordship with many letters, oftener than I think I should (save that affection keepeth no account) yet upon the repair of Mr. Matthew, a gentleman so much your lordship's servant, and to me another myself, as your lordship best knoweth, you would not have thought me a man alive, except I had put a letter into his hand, and withal, by so faithful and approved a man, commended my fortunes afresh unto your lordship.

My lord, to speak my heart to your lordship, I never felt my misfortunes so much as now: not for that part which may concern myself, who profit (I thank God for it) both in patience, and in settling mine own courses; but when I look abroad and see the times so

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stirring, and so much dissimulation and falshood, baseness and envy in the world, and so many idle clocks going in mens heads, then it grieveth me much, that I am not sometimes at your lordship's elbow, that I might give you some of the fruits of the careful advice, modest liberty, and true information of a friend that loveth your lordship as I do. For though your lordship's fortunes be above the thunder and storms of inferior regions; yet nevertheless, to hear the wind and not to feel it, will make one sleep the better.

My good Lord, somewhat I have been, and much I have read; so that few things that concern states or greatness, are new cases unto me: and therefore I hope I may be no unprofitable servant to your lordship. I remember the king was wont to make a character of me, far above my worth, that I was not made for small matters; and your lordship would sometimes bring me from his majesty that Latin sentence, De minimis non curat lex: and it hath so fallen out, that since my retiring, times have been fuller of great matters than before; wherein perhaps, if I had continued near his majesty, he might have found more use of my service, if my gift lay that way: but that is but a vain imagi nation of mine. True it is, that as I do not aspire to use my talent in the king's great affairs; yet for that which may concern your lordship, and your fortune, no man living shall give you a better account of faith, industry, and affection, than I shall. I must conclude with that which gave me occasion of this letter, which is Mr. Matthew's employment to your lordship in those parts, wherein I am verily persuaded your lordship shall find him a wise and able gentleman, and one that will bend his knowledge of the world (which is great) to serve his majesty, and the prince, and in especial your lordship. So I rest

Your lordship's most obliged
and faithful servant,
FR. ST. ALBAN.

Gray's-Inn, this 18th April, 1628.

CCLXXXIII. To the Duke of BUCKINGHAM. Stephens's

Excellent Lord,

How much I rejoice in your grace's safe return, you will easily believe, knowing how well I love you, and how much I need you. There be many things in this journey both in the felicity and in the carriage thereof, that I do not a little admire, and wish your grace may reap more and more fruits in continuance answerable to the beginnings. Myself have ridden at anchor all your grace's absence, and my cables are now quite worn. I had from Sir Toby Matthew, out of Spain, a very comfortable message, that your grace had said, I should be the first that you would remember in any great favour after your return; and now coming from court, he telleth me he had commission from your lordship to confirm it: for which I humbly kiss your hands.

My lord, do some good work upon me, that I may end my days in comfort, which nevertheless cannot be complete except you put me in some way to do your noble self service; for I must ever rest

Your Grace's most obliged and faithful servant,
FR. ST. ALBAN.

12 Oct. 1623.

I have written to his highness, and had presented my duty to his highness, to kiss his hands at Yorkhouse, but that my health is scarce yet confirmed.

CCLXXXIV. To the Lord St. ALBAN.
My Lord,

THE assurance of your love makes me easily believe your joy at my return; and if I may be so happy, as by the credit of my place to supply the decay of your cables, I shall account it one of the special fruits thereef. What Sir Toby Matthew hath delivered on my

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second col

lection,

p. 177.

Ibid.p.178.

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