I Know you haue ere this expected my ordinarie letters , whiche are to you into Italie from me out of England the remembrers , and I hope preseruers of our olde acquaintance , I measure you by my selfe , for I am most glad to reade his friendly lines , whose presence , if I might , I woulde more willinglie imbrace . You may not misdeeme for that I wrote not to you this laste moneth : so it is that since my last being with you in Italie and els where , at whiche tyme , I desired to make my selfe acquaynted with the state of forrayne countries , I haue sought aswell to learne what the horse meanes , as the carte , that is , in my returne , I supposed I kn●we all , bycause I had seene more than my neighbours , but finding myne owne weakenesse , being questioned withall of mere Englande , wherein for wante of experience , I coulde not answere , I found I had begon at the wrong ende . I ranne to gaze vpon Fraunce and knew not Kent : I vewed Spayne , and neuer was in Deuonshyre : exactly ( as I thought ) I iudged of Italie , & neuer traueyled Wales : I came home by large Germanie , wherin I supposed I had a pretie sight , and yet not able to wade with you how the poore kingdome of Man is sited . And as I was ignorant of the seate of this lande , so was I further to seeke in the auncient rytes and vsuall gouernment thereof . Which considered , & finding my self a member of that body , I sought to mende my wante , and to beginne to take a better course , rather late than neuer : wherefore I haue since my arriuall here , endeuoured my selfe to vnderstand mine owne countrie : and my Father your well wisher , as you know , aduised me at my home comming , to be content rather to learne than teache , to be more willing to heare than speake , and that ( quoth he ) you shall well finde , that yong men stande better for the most parte in their owne conceytes than there is cause . I am a membre of the graue , great , and considerate Councell of the Parliament , the whiche my rowme , I will labour you shall haue this next Sessions ( if God so please ) wherein what you shall finde , declare at your home comming . For wrastelers ( quoth he ) thinke themselues strong men , till they meete with theyr betters : good wits specially standing in their owne lightes , for affection sake , can abide no disputacion . Take the best and leaue the worst , and you shall reape in fewe lines the trauels of my olde yeares . Reade me this shorte aduice , whiche here I giue you and with that retched me a small Booke of his owne hand writing , the copie whereof , I sende you herewith . All this some will thinke needelesse , as things not according to our vsuall aduises . I so confesse , but bycause I meane to leaue the occurrents dayly looked for , as newes , and to write to you of a case happened of late here , whiche tho it be of no great importance , beyng the action of meane and pryuate persons , yet twoo causes moues mée thereto , whiche are these : The first for that men willingly heare matters of those , with whome familiaritie and acquayntance hath bene : Nexte , bycause I haue hearde it often spoken , that it is euill to belye the Deuill , and that I see and heare suche vntrueths spredde abroade , and also I muste needes say , of some , who know their woordes are wrongfully wrested , to the great preiudice of the credite of Master Arthur Hall , whose companie at Padoa , the yeere 1568 you once were gladde of , and thought it a contented meeting , whiche happened in that towne betweene you two , I in companie , at Antenors tombe , where firste you had sight one of an other , is the seconde occasion , that I write of this matter , at this presente vnto you . First assure your selfe , that what I deliuer vnto you , is most directly tolde , without leanyng eyther to the one side or to the other , for I haue taken great obseruation in my collections , tho some perhappe will thinke , the matter deserues no suche trauayle . To describe the man vnto you , I thinke I neede not , your knowledge of him in Italie , can sufficiently iudge what he was : then you may remembre , God hath done his parte on him , ( as wee say in English ) his capacitie , hys sensible tongue at will to vtter his mynde , no wante of audacitie , of sufficient courage , well disposed to liberalitie , louyng and sure to his friende , secrete where he is trusted , and I haue founde hym to haue greate care of his worde , not wholly vnlearned , with a smacke of the knowledge of diuerse tongues : the inclination of the good partes whiche do budde in hym , I may not omitte , and so lykewise not forget the taches of his mother Eue , which I find in him , whiche are these : Ouerweenyng of himselfe , whiche brings many infirmities to the persone whiche is infected with that canker , furious when he is contraried ▪ without pacience to take tyme to iudge or doubte the daunger of the sequele , as your selfe is witnesse of his dealings at Rome , at Florence , in the way betweene that and Bollonia , and at Bollonia it selfe , the yeere aboue named , so implacable if he conceyue an iniurie , as Sylla will rather be pleased with Marius , than he with his equals , in a maner for offences growne of tryfles . But herein I haue tolde hym my opinion , whiche is , that sithe he will leane so muche to his owne inclination , that God will sende a shrewde Cowe shorte hornes , whiche hetherto he hath done to hym . Also spending more tyme in sportes , and following the same , than is any way commendable , and the lesse , bycause , I warrant you , Non friget ludus , for it is , ●ine lucro : the summes be great are dealte for . Thus muche for the firste persone of this Tragedie . Now as touching the other , whiche was Master Melchisedech Mallerie , I neede spende no great time aboute him , and that for two causes , one , for that you knew him in Flaunders of late time , as I could put you in remembraunce by good tokens if I woulde : The other , for asmuch as God hath taken him , and therefore , as De absentibus nil nisi bonum , so , De mortuis nil nisi optimum , he was ( as you know ) of a good spryte , ready tongue , in audacitie forwarde , what else he was disposed to this needelesse , for the causes before recited , as I haue partly sayd before . Some wise men wil meruayle , if this come to their handes , that I spende my time , to wryte to you so long a treatise of so small a matter , as of the vnkindnesse or quarel of two so meane Gentlemen , & therefore thinke I haue litle to do , or lesse witte ▪ I haue meruayled oft what the wryters meant , to put to our readings the Rounde table knights , Beuis of Hampton , the Knight of the Swanne , the foure sonnes of Amon , Amadis , Orlando furioso , Espandion il Caualleire del sole , Valentine and Orson the Greekes , Olgarden the Dane , & a thousand more such tryfling Fables , yet do I see many men of iudgement read them , some for the tongue , and some for the matter , reape benefite of both : likewise I may not so wholly condemne this my trauell , wherein onely truth is reported , & ( Durus est sermo , some will thinke ) assuredly no falsifying of any matter of substance , neither is my conscience in minimis , but as casually men may fault : but that a man may profite himselfe in one of the two partes , that is , for the matter , whiche if he well consider , he shall finde more than perhap is looked for in so simple a Title : there is not so euill a floure but the Bee may gather hony of it . Who so desires to be delighted with Eloquence , let him spend his time in other store houses , for here he shal but loose his labour . If you will keepe to your selfe this Letter , or rather missi●e Pamphlet , I shal be assured to auoyde the diuerse verdites of manyfolde iudgements , and I am well pleased that you deeme therof as best shal like you . See the fruyte of play .

In the yere 1573. there was one Robert Phillipson , who in Lothbery in London kepte a table of xij . pence a meale for Gentlemen , where the xvj . of December the 〈◊〉 ere , M. Hall , M. Mallorie , M Edward Cordall , M. 〈◊〉 - house , my self , and diuerse honest Marchants of the towne supped , supper ended , the dice was throwen on the borde , who must pleasure the good man of the house by paying the ●oxe , and displease the whole companie , by occasions , dayly guinitye to so good an exercise : the sporte lasted not the throwing oute of euerye bodyes hande aboute the bourde , ( and yet al the companye dyd not playe ) but M. Mallerie gaue the lye wyth harde wordes in heate , to one of the players , who either for quietnesse sake , or for other cause , made smal replye , wherevppon M. Mallerie followed as he began : I canne yéelde you no reason , neither yet if I could wold I , for I am reporter now of the truth in al partes , and not a declarer of my opinion as a iudge . M. Hal séemed to take the matter in hand , a thankelesse office ( for speaking before hee was féed ) and sayde , I maruaile , M. Mallerie , that where there is suche company , which séeme honest , you will to the preiudice of their smal reputations vse such vnséemly wordes . Mallery made chalenge that he would say so , who so euer durst be his contrary . Whervpon Hal tickled , sware , as he wil not sticke to lende you an othe or twoo , that for hys gallant challenge , it were a good déede , ( being no greater a man , for he was but little as you know , ) to throw him oute at the window . Here Etna smoked , daggers were a drawing , one rose from his place , the other walked vp and downe , they woulde haue gone together , but as god would they went not , the goodman lamented the case , for the slaunder , that a quarel should be in his house , the rest of the company wished quietnesse : and for my parte , I found the parties themselues reasonably wel disposed to friendshippe . The matter was ended for this fitte , with commemoration , how well one loued an other : as many times of euil beginnings comes worsse ends : so now againe on the other side , honest and friendly dealings wel ment , settes the Towe on fire , for in Februarye following Master Rich. Drake , a gentleman well bearing himselfe alwayes , thou attending vpon my L. of Leicester , but now the Quéenes maiestyes seruaunte in ordinarye , aduised M. Hall as his friende , to take héede to himselfe in playe , forasmuch as he had some waies vnderstoode of indirect dealings touching the same : and specially for the giuing signes of hys game at Mawe , a play at cardes growne out of the country , from the meanest , into credite at the courte with the greatest . Hal , toke his friendship in good parte , as he had good cause , & craued withal to shewe , whom he mistrusted , who as one not making tales on his fingers endes , named Melchisedech Mallery , as a man to be doubted off . In troth quoth Hal , yesternight he trode on my foote , I being at Maw at Mistresse Arundels , the old & honorable ordinary table , as I may terme it of England , but what he ment therby I know not , I thinke no euil .

The eight of March after , there was at supper at one Iohn Crokes , who kept an ordinary table in White crosse streate of twelue pence a meale , Maister William Daunsey , Maister Drake before named ; Maister Nicholas Gorge , Maister Frauncis Woodhouse , M. Hal , M. Mallerye , a●d one or two Marchauntes : some of them had bin at o●● sporte , some at an other , as I hearde themselues repo●t , and some shewed openly , what cunning might be vsed at pl●● : in the talking wherof I met them comming out of the ●ore about ten of the clocke at night . Hal being passed not aboue twenty yardes before the rest in the streate homewardes to his lodging , discoursing one with an other of the premisses . Master Drake detesting such vngentlemanly shifts , began to condemne such practises , and withal recited what reports went of some ( no● naming any ) who kept company with the vsual best gentlemen in the town , condemning their degenerate kind , professing themselues of the breede ) in yéelding , to so base , so abiect , & shamelesse an occupation , as to take the worst parte of al parts of the play in hand , which was , to giue by secrete signes notice of his cardes and playe , whose good meaning would haue truste a horsekeper with a greater matter . At these wordes or such like , M. Mallery replyed , and sayd , that it were good he were known that vsed such lewde practises : why quoth Master Drake , you are suspected to be one of the number , wyth hye words he denied it , desiring wher , how , & of whom , he had bin so touched . In generalitie , maister Drake told him the opinion of many , his own iudgement , & withal , Hinc illae ●●●brima , maister Halles speeches to him here before recited , yet that he had small cause to deeme euil of him , forasmuch as he had deliuered them in so good sort , as he did . Two days after , being the tenth of March , Mallerie came to Hal in Poules , and within my hearing charged him very hotely , that he had reported him too be a Cousiner of folkes at Mawe . Hals answeare was thys , Maister George Freuel a gentleman of my lord of sussex his being by , M. Mallerye I neuer sayde so beleue mee , for I desire not to haue to do in your causes , in any respect . I went to Toyes shoppe a Stationer at the signe of the Helmet , supposing this mat●er had bin ended , where I sawe togyther Hal , Mallerye , Freuel , and as it were with them , Maister Robert Audeley , a gentleman and fellow to maister Freuel perceiuing them to cluster togither like Iohn Grayes birde , vt dicitur , who always loued company . I inclined to vnderstande some more of th● matter . Mallery vouched that Drake woulde veryfie , that Hal had saide as much as hee had charged him with in Poules ▪ wherewith M Hal tolde him that he was assured so much of Master Drakes honestly , as he would neuer do it , also that he desired Mallery to choose some body else out , to shew himselfe on , rather than on him , for that he desired quietnesse , & of al men wold haue no question with him , as from whom he could purchase no reputation , The same after noone it was my chance to be at Iohn Crokes , where there is a bowling alley of the half bowle , whether doth repaire many Merchants & sundry gentlemen , & in a Chamber aboue diuers were at play : ther was standing by M. Hal Maister Drake , Maister Richarde Rich. M. Mallery and foure or fiue Londoners . Mallery called Hal aside , tolde that now Maister Drake was there , who would to his face affirme what he had giuen out , to him of his worde in Poules : they two wente to him : he tolde Mallerye he had done him and M. Hal wrong , for he neuer reported Hals spéeches in such sort , nether could iustly do , but that M. Hal did not only giue iudgement of him in euil part , but rather semed to excuse , or at the least leaue in suspence the euil conceiued opinion of him , M Hal , was patient , tho M. Mallery wer hoate , and wente his wayes , not seeming to heare harde wordes , which Mallerie sent after him . So temperate an end was much maruelled at of manye , and M. Hal being demaunded what he ment by so much suffraunce , answered he was forced to be quiet , for as I vnderstode after , he was then bound to the peace in no smal summes for troubles in his owne shire , wherwith I haue nothing to doe , it touches not thys matter .

Tyl the last of Iune . 1574. following , nothing happened that I can learne , worth the registering , betwéene the parties , but euil wordes in corners one of another , small to the repution of him whom they were reported of , & lesse to him who was the reporter . The same day at one Wormes who kept a table beside Fléete bridge , in the late house of Courtely & curteous Gilbert Walker , at dinner time , being there present my lord Cromewel , M Thomas Farmer , Master Finchame , Master Boother , M. Sidnam , Maister Thomas Fisher , and others , M. Mallerie verye warmely beganne to play with M Hall ( if such rough pastime may be counted play ) reporting him to be a knaue , a foole , and a boy , and Maister Farmer ( like himselfe ) hearing these wordes , sayde , hee meruayled that Hall should be such a man , hardly beleeuing the same , bycause hée knewe him aswel as any other present . Mallerie followed againe and prayed him to deliuer too Hal hys wordes , for ( quoth he ) a knaue he is in denying his wordes he vttered of mee to Drake : a foole , for that the last Parliamente he vsed in the house such spéeches , as he craued pardon , with protestation , abandoning them , and confessing his folly : a boy , for that he durst not goe into the fielde with mee . Maister Finchame , much misliking such extraordinary table talke , and that of one absent , tho Maister Farmer were appointed to do Malleries message , yet did hee determine to giue M. Hall knowledge of the same , and comming into Paules ▪ met wyth hym walking there , to whom he declared the fore recited spéeches of Mallerie , wherewith Hal fetching as it were a great gron● , sayd , Maister Fynchman I am greatly beholding vnto you , for this your curtesie , and wherin I am able you shal finde me ready to pleasure you . But what an vnhappy man am I , too haue any question with such a one as he is , whose company● I haue alwaies ( as I might ) auoyded , what iniury is thys to b● thus spoken of in , open place , where I am not to answered but be you wyth indifferent eares iudge , what vnkinde dealing this is . As for the first part , wherein he charges mee to be a knaue , for reporting him vntruly to maister Drake , and then denying the same : I haue witnesse enough how Drake himselfe did in al pointes discharge me to his face , of all sinister dealings therein . For that I am a foole , for matters paste in Parliament , I meane no disputations , you haue hearde enough thereof . But howe fondlye so euer I did behaue my selfe there , I suppose it not a fit communication for an ordinary table . A boy forsooth I am , for so it pleaseth M. Mallerie to terme me , for not accepting his offer , to deale in quarel wyth hym . Assuredly on my fidelity hee neuer himself or by other moued any such thing to me , if he had I would haue kepte my selfe from the same : I trust you take it not for feare : but if any gentlemanne of accompte wil accepte the quarell , I will so deale as belongs to mee , or else confesse M. Mallerye hath wel reported : so ending with thankes to Maister Finchman , they departed . M. Halles stomacke beganne to boyle , as some cause he had , and more if al had béene true , and presently he wente to Maister Farmers lodging , whiche was harde by Worms , desirous to enquire more exactly of the matter , tho Maister Finchams honestie and credite is suche , as no doubt were to be made of his report in a farre greater cause . Not finding Master Farmer , he went into Wormes , desirous either to méete with him or M. Mallerye , the one for small good will , the other for friendship . In the dyning roome he founde maister Edwarde Gryuell , and maister Butcher , and saluting them , he demaunded for Farmer , thoughe hys errand were as muche to Mallerye : they made aunswere he had bin there , but now was gone : wherewith maister Hall spying thorowe the glasse window , my Lord Souche , talking with another , and supposing it hadde bene M. Mallerie , in some hast went into the cockpitte yarde too him , and séeing my Lorde putting off his cappe , lefte him , and stil restlesse in hys minde , he retournes to Poules , where hee méetes Maister Farmer , of whom he receiues as much as Maister Fincham deliuered , and so much more , as it is straunge that any man shoulde haue the disposition to vtter : At Maister Frauncis Woodehouse , lying in Charter house Churche yarde , at a lodging of my Lorde Pagettes , and there mette that nyght at supper , maister George Cheworth , maister Farmer , maister Fincheam , and maister Roberte Bale , where Malleries wordes were againe recited . Supper ended , Hall went forthe in some soddaine , being required earnestlye to tarye , but hee promising partly to retourne , departed , and finding three of his men at the dore , ( as in very deede he hathe kepte more than his abilitie , as it is thoughte is able ) thoughe he had more in the Towne , who were slacker in attendaunce : with them ( whose names were Edward Smalley , Iohn Nicholas , & Henry Woodward ) he went to Wormes , & found in the place , Maister Butcher , Maister Fisher , and others , and at tables M Mallerie playing wyth Mayster Iohn Spenser , sonne and heire to sir Iohn Spenser , and drawing his dagger , mente ( as hee saith ) too haue stroke M. Mallerie therewith on the face , though● his backe were towarde him , Mallerie hauyng a glaunce of hys hande , bowed downe hys heade crying oute , wherewith M. Hall beeing readye too haue followed wyth an other blowe , he was helde , the house growyng full , as with my Lorde Souche , many Gentlemen and other , by the noise of the struggeling , and Malleries crye , in whiche time so recouering hymselfe , drue his dagger , and mighte as easilie haue slayne M. Hall beeing in handes as hee hadde pleased : but what was his staye god onelye knowes . M. Hall seeing himselfe in this daunger , and his dagger also in that moment wrested out of his handes , wyth greate furis saide , wil you holde me , while I am murdered ▪ with that his three men , not knowing any part of the quarrel came in , of the which Iohn Nicholas , hauing his dagger drawen , stroke ouer his Maisters head to haue hit Mallerie : & hee stouping downe before M. Hal , scaped the blowe , sauing a smal cut in the backe part of his skul , with the pointe , the hilts light on his Maisters pate , & with the part of the blade next the same , cutte his forehead . M. Mallerie would haue runne out of the doore , but Woodward hauing his sword drawen , & knew not whom to strike , made hym doubt . The bloud fel fa●● in M. Hals eyes , so that with the company , and the want he was quiet , yet wiping the same out as fast as he could , he had a sight of M. Mallerie , and taking one of his mens daggers ●●om them , was pressing to Mallerie , who with a great shreke , ranne with al speede out of the doores , vp a paire of Stayres , & there alofte vsed moste harde wordes againste M. Hal , as are before recited , moreouer auouching he was a traytor , & in déede left nothing out , which might almost be to the preiudice of any honest mans good fame , and that in the bearing of Sir Iohn Conway , Worme the good man of the house & others . My lord Souche vsed some hote spéeche too M. Hal , as hee was a dressing , for that he vsed such disquietnes in his lodging , but sir Iohn Conway did very worshipfully satisfie my Lorde , so that no matter grew therof . Among the reste I remember , that M. Hal smarting in being drest , aduised the surgion to vse him wel , saying he was beholding to his hornes , that the wound was not greate : there was that remembred , the olde prouerbe , that it was not good iesting with edge tooles . The nexte day being the firste of Iuly , M. Mallerie was at dinner at Wormes , and therfore his hurt was not very great , where maister Fincham was &c. there he gaue it out , that he carryed a reuenging mind , & would be reuenged on Maister Hal , if he could take him at any aduantage . To veryfie such meaning , Master Edward Randal of London sente M. Hal worde , that M. Mallerie hadde affirmed , that he would shew him an Italian tricke , intending therby to do him some secret & vnloked for mischiefe . Til the sixth of this month M. Hal lay at Maister Frauncis Woodhouse his house , not being fit to goe abroade for his hurte , but with a mufle in maner halfe ouer his face , yet vpon busines he had in the countrie of Lincolneshire where he dwels , he toke hys iorney thitherward , that same day , hiring post horses , & taking with him one Roger Moore , seruant to master Wodhouse , w●● was very fi● & in a maner acquainted with the dressing of such hurts as M. Hals was . In his absence M. Mallerie reported , that he was gone out of the towne disguised , toke none of his owne men with him bycause he wolde not be knowne , howe hymselfe lay to meete him by the waye ( as indéede he did ) & mist the knowledge of him , and in diuerse open places offred ten pounde to any man could bring him into the fielde , that hée might try the cause .

The 22. of Iuly M. Hal came to London , where hee hadde knowledge of many of M. Malleries defamations of him , yet that time so serued for it , it had pleased their noble good mindes my lords , the Erle of S●ssex , and Leicester , to accept in matching at shoting M. Hal , that he directed himselfe to attend on their honors the time of the progresse , to perfourme the matches set downe betweene them , and therefore with asmuch spéede as as he could he dispatched his businesse to that purpose , which soner he had done , wyth fulfilling of his duty , if his forehead had bin ful hoale . The second of August he went to the Courtward , & at Sudley , the house of the Lord Shaundoys late disceased , now that old Ladies ioynture , he found hir maiestie , & so remained , til his highnesse came to Winchester , where leauing the courte the 14 of September , he came to his own home into the country . At Mychelmasse terme following he came vp to London , and so continued M. Mallerie and he many tims in sight one of another , and no harme done : but fatum is ineuitabile , else Troy perhap had stoode , so it might haue bin this stage shewe had not made so many laugh .

Of all dayes in the yeare it was the 29. of Nouember , M. Hal dyned at Iames Lumelius in Bishops gate streate , the son as it is sayde of old M. Dominicke , borne at Genoa , of the losse of whose nose there goes diuers tales , but tho he wanted a piece there , he wanted nether honesty , nor sensible good iudgement . And comming by master Arundels , lying in his way to his lodging , for the men who owe money in Cheapside like not alwaies to be pluckte by the sleue , and therfore toke Sainte Martines the next way from Bishops gate to Pater noster Row , he found at dice master Anthony Rush , master Drake , master Iasper More , master Beniamin Hanam , and master Rich. Gréene , and fel to do as the rest : hauing tryed the pastime a while together , master Drake left , the rest continued , in which time came M. Mallerye vppe , and pressed nere M. Hall who was throwing the dice , who seing his haw●●e gate & countenance , pluckt off his gowne from his right arme , hauing a short gowne of veluet on , & threw his chaunce out . Mallerie went thorow the rowme out of the vpper dore , as he had had to do with some Gentleman in his chamber in the house , wherewith Maister Drake came to Hal , and sayde , you stande in doubte of him , he answered no , but least he strike when I am otherwise occupied : quoth he , tende your play , mistrust not that , I will minde him He had no sooner spoken the worde , but Mallerie returned , Hall styl throwing the dyce , & with his hande on his dagger pressed forward , Master Drake , stoode betweene them both , whiche Mallorie perceyuing , or whether he woulde not disquiet the companie , went to the ende of the borde , it being square , and vsed the same behauiour , and then with the countenance he entred the house , he departed . M. Hall assoone as he had ended his throw , left play , and commyng into the hall , met Smaley his man , to whom he saide , Iesus can you not knocke the boyes head and the wall together , sith he runnes a bragging thus ? Smaley made answere he had not seene him : with this Iohn Nicholas who had hurte Hal his Master , as you haue heard , began somwhat to be sory that he had not done asmuch as was spoken of , and swore he should haue it . Wherevpon M. Hal charged them in any case not to hurte him with any weapon , but if he sought any matter , to cuffe him aboute the eares , saying , for the rest I my selfe will take order . To Powels M. Hal comes , finding in the Churche M. Roger Townesende , M. Thomas Farmer , and Master Frauncis Woodhouse , with whom walking , he declared M. Malleries behauiour , at Arundels , in the midst of whose speech Mallorie entred the Church , and passing twice or thryse by Hal , with great lookes and extraordinarie rubbing him on the elbowes , with spurnyng three or foure times a Spaniel of M. Woodhouses following his maister and maister Hal , Iohn Nicholas went out of the Churche at the weste dore , and so did a pretie while after him into the Churchyarde M. Townesende , and M Woodhouse , who both entred a bookesellers shoppe , to looke on Bookes . M. Mallerie with his man after him , went out at the same dore . Nycholas spying Mallerie past him ▪ hasted after , & ere he came to the two stoupes as ye goe to Ludgate , stept before him , wherwith Mallerie drew his rapier , and bad his man take him to his sworde and buckler , whiche both were done , Nycholas his sworde not yet being out : a fewe blowes they dealt togither , they two vpon Hals man , who they put in such daunger , & might haue done more , if they had wel set themselues to it , as M. Townesende & Woodhouse were aboute to will same of their men to goe to his reskew : but at the instant , Edward Smalley drewe to his fellow , and strikyng at M. Mallerie , cut him downe the chéeke , and so the play was marde . Also after Smalley came one Iames Chamber , a seruaunt of M. Hals , who likewise drew his sworde , and his Maister charging hym therewith , he did proteste he did it to saue M. Mallerie from more hurte , and to part the busines . Smalley returnes into Poules , and laughing came to his Master , telling how he had giuen him a boyes marke ▪ wherewith M. Hal was greatly offended , beshrewyng hym very earnestly . Iohn Nycholas was taken by the Conestable , and M. Hyggins the Seriuener being bound for him , he was deliuered . After supper M. Hal came to Mistres Arundels , where Master George Scot toke him aside , and demaunded of him whether he were pryuie to M. Malleries hurte , he answeared of his fidelitie and credite no , but was more sory for it : yet withall , that he had ought him a wors●e turne , but not to haue bene in that ●orte : yet , quoth he , what is done cannot be vndone , therfore now it must be borne off with the head and shoulders : And that if any Gentleman will defend his cause , I will so answeare hym as shal be accepted of ; and tho my men haue done that which with all my hart I wishe vndone , yet may I not refuse them , nether will : withall he told M. Scotte much of M. Malleries dealings to him warde , with offer to proue them by men of worship and credite , so that M. Scotte seemed satisfied , & very friendly aduised M. Hal to take heede to himself , whom he greatly thanked for his good warning , tho he answered he mistrusted no harme . The first of December M. Mallerie for his hurt , had the aduise of M. Silua a Piemontois , a practiser in Physicke & Surgerie , to whom he vttered such thondering spéeches against M. Hal , & such heauie threates , that M. Silua mistrusted some great consequent would folow , & being very often with the L. Katherine Dutchesse of Suffolke , where diuerse of M. Hals name & kinred be many times conuersant , & some attendant on hir , as a bountyfull wel wisher to the whole family , declared to hir the danger he conceyued was contriued against M. Hal : she very honorably gaue him notice thereof , yet in part did condemne the hurting of M. Mallerie , for that some vntruthes touching the same , had sounded in hir eares . The iij. of December M. Hal late in the euenyng being at M. Howes house a goldsmith in Cheapeside , & his men attending at the dore , Smalley was arrested at M. Malleries suyte of an action of the case , the damages a thousand markes , for his hurt : his Master desired M. Henry Gilbert a Goldsmith next by , & M. How to stande bounde for him , which most willingly they did as persones to whome not onely at this time but at al other occasions M. Hal had greatly bene beholding . During this pastime , M Hal had great warning to haue respect to himself , & wheras he was oft to passe betweene London & his house in the Countrie , the iiij ▪ of December M. Drake very friendly told him he had heard speeches , which were , that he should hardly recouer his owne home when he should returne , for such as lay in the way for him . The next day after M. William Hill , & one Walter seruant to Worme , gaue M. Hal to vnderstand how M. Mallerie had with great protestation vowed to slea him . Tho these parces must needes be disquietnesse to the persone of whose death so many determinations were giuen out , yet surely I found M. Hal made vertue of necessitie , what soeuer he thought , he shewed he bare the mater light .

The xviij . of December the Courte being at Hampton , maister Hal supt at maister Comptrollers , Sir Iames Croftes , then and now holding the office , where was my L. Talbote , my L. Northe , Sir Henry Sidney now Lord deputie of Irelande , M. Gilbert Talbot , M. Henry Grey , and M. Thomas Cornwallis , with others , as my selfe &c. After supper the Comptroller and the Lordes going to the presence , M. Corwallis in the court where the Conduyte standes , called M. Hal , and desired to speake with him . I remember the time well , for I walked by , attending M. Hal with whome I had then somewhat to do : M. Cornwallis tolde him how Frauncis Mallerie a brother of M. Malleries , had bene at the Court , and there with open mouth so exclamed of the misusing of his brother , as M. Cornwallis himselfe seemed to mislike M. Hal for some wantes layed to him , as that he durst not go into the fielde with Mallerie his contrarie , how he set his men to hurt him , and durst not do it him selfe , how shamefully he was ouermatched and striken behinde : and this did not onely M. Cornwallis conceiue against M. Hal , but many of the best stoode now in suspence ( by this meanes ) of theyr iudgement of him , of whom heretofore they neuer made doubt . M. Hal openeth the matter to M. Cornwallis , and withall what he durst do , they were both as it pleased him to beleeue them , but I thinke he departed better satisfied . The next day after , Sir Ierome Bowes hearing al places ring how M. Hal should die the death , gaue him warning carefully to looke to himselfe . The xxviij . day M. Iohn Wotton gaue M. Hal notice that Francis Mallerie and his brother had it in talke , with secrete fire in his lodging to be reuenged on him . The xxiij . of the same moneth M. Hal went out of London , and safely came to Grantham to his house . The xxij . of Ianuarie he returned to London , and the xxvj . of the same woorde was brought him , that M. Mallerie had caused Edward Smalley , Iohn Nicholas , and Iames Chambers , at new gate Sessions to be in●ited for drawing theyr swoordes in the Churchyarde on him , the law beyng that therfore they should lose their eares . The xxiiij . of the same moneth M. Mallerie supte at the Popes head in Lomberdstreat , where were M. Cotton and other Gentlemen , and many marchantes of the towne , as Thomas Wilforde , Richarde Smith , Henry Sherland and other : he began to fall to his old bya● , with lyke wordes as you haue hearde heretofore , alledging he had heard Hal was periured , but he would not say he was a periured knaue , with spéeches as some séemed soundly to herken to , so M. Wilforde as one not forgetting ( tho now professing merchandise ) that he came from the bloud of gentrie , coulde not allow of such vngentlemanly wrongs , and therefore very roughly replied against M. Mallerie , a part more commendable than common , among men of his Cote , who I haue found oftener readier rashly to beléeue euill reportes of a Gentleman , than deliberating indifferently to iudge of the truth . The xxx . of the same moneth M. Hal was dryuen to trudge to stay the procéeding against his men for theyr inditement , for M. Mallerie followed it with hoate suyte ▪ he repayred to the court to my L. of Leicester , to whom he reported the daunger his men stodde at , and craued his letter to M. Fléetewood the Recorder of London , that fauour might be shewed therein , the case be●ng very harde , the whiche my Lorde most honorably and willingly performed , and thereby the matter was a whyle stayed . The vj. of February M. Hal arrested M. Mallerie vpon the action of the Case , for his slaunderous reportes , and Mallerie hauing aboute him a pocket dag charged , deliuered the same closely to one Warde a Sergeant . Smaley the next day hearing hereof , came to his Master with the newes , who presently resorted to the Coun●er in Woodst re●te to the sayde Warde , and moste earnestly and curteously desired to see the dagge , whiche at the first he denied he had , but the slanders by vouchyng the contrary to him , dogge fashion he consented , but answered he would not shewe it . M. Hal , went to Anthonie Gamadge , an occupier of linnen clothe , then Sheryfe of London , finding hym in his shoppe in Cheapeside by the ende of Soper lane , to whome he declared that M. Mallerie caried dagges in his hose to murder him , as himselfe did report : how M. Iohn Wottons man two dayes past sent him 〈◊〉 that Mallerie had watched him in the night diuerse times to mischiefe him , how Warde the sergent had the dagge yet charged deliuered him yesterday by M. Mallerie . With much ado Gamadge sent for Warde , ( I Maister him not , bycause in Norfolke I know his pedegre ) who brought him the dagge : him selfe founde it charged . M. Hal desired some order might be taken therein . I thinke in my conscience rather to haue Mallerie troubled , than for any feare he had of the matter , but all was one , for he had a colde answere of our London Sheryfe , yet suche a one as he muste be contented with .