A Letter of comfortable aduise to a Friend .

HOnes● Alexander , I heare thou art of late tallen into an extreame melancholy , by reason of the suddaine departure of Pannella out of this life : for thy sake I am sorie shee hath left her passage on this earth , though being too goo●●or this worlde , she be surely gone to a better ; now , if thy mourning could recouer her from death , I could willingly beare part of thy passion , but when it doth her no good , and thy selfe much hurt , let not a wil●ull humour leade thee into a wofull Consumption . Thou knowest she is senceless● in the graue , and wilt thou therefore be witlesse in the world ? Say thy loue is extreame , and l●t me beleeue it , wilt thou therefore depriue nature of reason ? God forbid it : well , thou knowest I lent thee , and in my loue let me adu●se thee , not to goe from thy selfe , with an imagination of what was , to looseth it which is : because she is in heauen , wilt thou be in hell ? or if sh● be h●lfe an Angell , wilt thou be more then h●lfe a diuel ? ●● spend thy spirit in a better humour : let not the rem●mbrance of her perfection driue thee into unperfections : nor make loue hatefull to oth●r , by seeing the vnhappinesse in thy selfe . O● let not sancte shew folly in thee , howsoeuer vertue deserued honour in her : Leaue thy solitary humor , and come and liue with me , we will d●●nse some good meane● for the remoue of this melancholy : In the meantime make not too much of it , least it proue to a madnesse : Loue thy selfe , and belee●● thy friend , and what is in me to too thee good , commaund as thin● owne : glad I would be to see thee , as he who defy entierly lous thee : and so desirous to heare from thee , to the Almightie I leau● thee . Farewell .

Thine as his owns . D. F.

His Answere .

KInde Francke , I haue receiued thy friendly Letter , and note thy carefull loue : but pardon me , if I do not answere thee to thy liking : Alas , how can he truly iudge of life , that neuer kindly was in loue ? or know how soundly to help a sorrow , that neuer inwardly felt it ? reading makes a scholler by rule , and obseruation I know doth much in the perfecting of Art , but experience is that which toucheth knowledge to the quicke ; My mistresse beautie was no Moone shine , whose vertue gaue light to the harts eye , nor her wisdom , an ordinary wit , which put reason to his perfect vnderstanding : and for her Graces , are they not written among the vertuous ? Thou sai●st well , she was too heauenvly a creature to make her habitation on this earth , & is it not then a kind of hell , to be without her in the world ? Imaginations are no dreames , where substances are the obiects of the sences , while the eye of memorie , is neuer weary of seeing . Oh honest Francke , thinke thou hast not liued , that hast not loued , nor canst liue in this world to haue such a loue to die in : It is a dull spirit that is fed with obliuion , and a dead sence , that hath no feeling of loue : thinke therefore what was , is with me : and my selfe as nothing , without the enioying of that something , which was to me as all in all . Is not the presence of an Angell , able to rauish the sight of a man ? And is not the light of Beautie the life of loue ? Leaue then to burthen me with imperfections in my sorrow for her want , whose presence was my paradise , and whose absence , my world● hell : thou doest misconstrue my good , in languishing for her lacke , and knowest not my hurt , in thinking of any other comfort : ●o Francke , let it suffice , though I loue thee , I cannot forget her : and though I liue with thee , yet will I die for her : haue patience then with my passion , till time better temper my affection , in which most diuoted to thee of any man liuing , til I let thee , which shall be as shortly as I well can , I rest .

Thine as thou knowest . D. E.

A Letter of aduise to a yong Courtier .

My good Cousen , I heare you are of late growne a great Courtier , I wish you much grace , and the continuing of your best comfort : but for that your yeares haue not had time to see much , and your kindnesse may hap to be abused , let me intreat you a little now and then to looke to that which I tell you : Keep your purse warily , and your credit charily , your reputation valiantly , and your honor carefully : for your friends , as you finde them , vse them : for your enemies , feare them not , but looke to them : for your loue , let it be secret in the bestowing , and discreet in the placing : for , if fansie be a wanton , wit will be a foole : Scorne not Ladies , for they are worthy to be loued : but make not loue to many , left thou be beloued of none : if thou hast a fauour , be not proud of thy fortune , but thinke it discretion , to conceale a contentment : goe neat , but not gaie , left it argue lightnesse , and take heed of lauish expence , left it begger thy state : play little , and loose not much , vse exercise , but make no toyle of a pleasure : Reade much , but dull not thy braine , and conferre but with the wise , so shalt thou get vnderstanding . Pride is a kinde of coynesse , which is a little too womannish , and common familiaritie , is too neare the Clowne for a Courtier : but carry thy selfe euen , that thou maist fall on neither side : so wil the wise commend thee , and the better sort affect thee : but let me not be tedious , left it may perhaps offend thee : and therfore as I liue , let it suffice I loue thee , And so wishing thee as much good , as thou canst wish to be wished , in praier for thy health , and hope of thy happines , to my vttermost power , I rest , in affectionate good will .

Thine euer assured : H. L.

His Answere .

SWéete Cousen , I thinke you haue either some Court in the Country , or else you are much studied in the Courtier , that you can set downe such rules , as are no lesse worthy the reading , then obseruing : beleeue me , they shall be my best leizures studies , and in my daily courses my counsellors , my solicitors in loue , and my Judges in honor , my guiders in greatest hopes , and my admonitions in greatest dangers : for your paines in them , I thank you , and for your kindnesse , I loue you : your care of me , I see by them , and wil not vnkindly forget them . I must confesse , I finde Courtiers close people , and Ladies strange creatures , and loue so idle an humor , that I am afraide to loose time in it : but the better by your aduise I hope to carry a hand ouer it . For apparel , I wil keepe my stint , and care for no fond fashion : and for exercise , nature is so giuen to ease , that good qualities are almost cut of vse : and for vertue , poore Lady , she is scarce able to liue with her pension : but for study , I haue litle time , so much company withdraweth me●a●d for a booke , next the Bible , your Letter shall be my Library . And thus smiling at such G●lls , as think no grace , but in a gay coat , nor wit , but in a stale Iest , noting many a begger like a king , and many a Lord like a poore gentleman , seeing the truth of Salomon , in his conclusion of all earthly comforts that all vnder that Sun is vanitie : meaning not to be a seruant to a base humor , nor to reach higher than I may hold 〈◊〉 thankful kindnes for thy carefull Letter , and faithfull affection to thy worthy selfe , wishing thee so neare me , that I might neuer be from thee , I rest .

Thine what mine owne . N. B.

A mournfull Letter to a brother .

GOod brother , the misery of my home life , the crosnesse of my cruell fortune , and the vnkindnes of my vnnatural kin , haue made me so weary of this world , that I long for nothing but my latest houre , and yet loth to dispaire of Gods mercies , willing , to take any good course for my commoditie , I haue of late bin perswaded by some of experience in their trauailes into those parts , that my trauaile into the lowe Countries would be much to my commoditie , as wel for my language as my skil in such traffique , as I wold make vse of in those places : but my state being so down the wind , that I know not how to get vp the weather , hauing no stock to laie out , to giue me hope to bring in , I wil euen set vp my rest vpon my resolution o●sc●une , and thrust my selfe into some place of seruice , where I will either win the horse , or loose the sad●ell as If J d● , mercie is my comfort , if I liue , desert is my hope : but to the h●lping forth of this my forlorne spirit , good brother put too your hand , assuring your selfe , that I wil not liue to be vngratefull : for as my heart loueth you , my soule shall pray for you , and when I haue time to see you , I wil not be from you . And thus agreeued to charge you , neuer more meaning to trouble you : beseeching God to enable me to requite you , in the true loue of a naturall brother : I rest .

Yours as mine owne . N. B.

His Answere .

DEare brother , as I grieue at your crosses , so would I that I could as wel procure your comforts . But my state much inferior to my wil , makes me vnable to satisfie your expectation : & yet wil I hurt my self , rather then you should perish : for you shal receiue by this bearer , what I am able , and more , as I shal be better able . But touching your courses for the low Countries , I fear your traffiqu● wil be but litle gainfull , the warres so eate vp the wealth of the country : and for your intent touching armes , I feare your forwardnes is too great for your experience . Yet do I so farre allow of your good mind herein , as I should lesse grieue to heare of your honorable death abroad , them see your discontented life at home : and therefore for winning the horse , or loosing the saddle , leaue that to Gods blessing , who wil bestow honor as it shall please his diuine prouidence : but good brother , haue patience with thy crosses , attend mercie for thy comforts , & haue a care of home , howsoeuer thou farest abroad : I know thy mind is great , but take heed of pride lest it be a bar to all thy fortune , and ouerthrow of all thine honor : I see thou art weary of the world , make them thy way toward heauen , that God , who hath tried thée with calamities , may blesse thée with eternall comforts . In hope whereof , willing in all I can to helpe thée , praying hartily for thee , with my vnfained hearts loue vnto thee , to the Lord of heauen I leaue thee .

Thy louing brother , D. S.

A Letter of a Iealous husband to his wife .

WIfe , in as much kindnesse as I can , I aduise you to leane such courses , as are neither to your credit , nor my contentment : you know , much company , causes many occasions of Idle spéeches , and yong men are not in these daies , giuen to speak the best of their kind friends : trifles and toies , were better refused , than accepted , and time i●lely spent , brings but beggery , or a worse blot : of all the birds in the field , I loue not a Cu●koe in my house : truly I do not dissemble with you , your light behauiour doth much dislike me , and how glad I would be to haue it reformed , you shall know when I s●e it : shall I make you fine , to please an other , and displease my selfe ? shall I leaue you my house , to make an hospitalitie of ill fellowship ? ●it me not so with the foole , how euer you feed your selfe with a foule humor : shake off such acquaintance , as gaine you nothing but discredit , and make much of him that must as well winter you as sommer you : Looke to your house , haue a care ouer your children , set your seruants to worke , and haue an eye to the maine chance , leaue tatling gossips , Idle hus wiu●s , vaine headed fellowes and néedlesse charge , so wil God blesse you , and the world wil thriue with you , your neighbours speake well of you , and I shall truly loue you . And thus , hoping that you wil by this my secret admenition , haue a care of your good carriage , I rest in hope of your well doing .

Your louing husband ▪ T. F.

Her cunning Answere .

HUsband , with as much patience as I can , I haue red ouer your vnwise Letter , wherein Iealousie kéepes such a stirre , that loue doth but laugh at such Iolenesse : much company driues away idle thoughts , and for fooles it is good to be afraide of had I wist : Ill thoughts beget ill speeches , and an olde dog bites sorer then a yong whelpe : for beggery , let it fall vpon the slothfull , I know how to worke for my ●uing : and for blots , speak to scribblers , for I haue no skil in writing . Now for the Bird , to answer you with the Beast : I thinke a Calfe in a Closet , is as ill as a Cuckoe in a Cage : If I were sullaine , you would sure suspect my humor , and doo you mislike my merrie behauiour ? wel , your conceit may be deformed , in being so wrongfully informed , to haue me so suddeinly reformed . My finenesse , is your countenance , and my conuersation , your credit : and therefore do you shake off your lowzie humors , I wil make choyse of better company : your house wil stand fast , if it fall not , and your children be quieter then their Father , your seruants earne their wages , and the maine chaunce , is nicked w●ll inough : Wemen must talke when they méete , and men not be scorned , though not entertained : and hée that kéepeth a house , must seeke to defraie the charge . And so hoping that you wil leaue your Iealouzie , and thinke of some ma●ter of more worth , as carefull of my carriage , as you of your credit , meaning to ●o as well as I can without your teaching , and as well , as if you were at home . I rest .

Your too much louing wife . I , F.

A Letter of kind Complements to a Friend .

WHere I loue much , I speak little , for affection hath smal pleasure in ceremonies , your kindnesse I haue found , my desert I dare not speake of , least it more offend my selfe to thinke on , then you to looke on , but since you haue made me happie in your acquaintance , let me not too long lacke your company , for though I liue among many good neighb●urs ▪ yet do I much want the comfort of so good a ●riend , by wh●m I should not only gaine the vse of Time , but fin●● the pr●fi● of my desire : which ioyning issue with your humors , cannot ●ut so concurre with your contentment , that if there be a paradise on the earth , I hope to finde it in the faire passages of our loues , which grounded on vertue , and growing in kindnesse , cannot chuse but be blessedly fruitfull . In briefe , til I see you , I will mourne , and if not the sooner , I shall languish : for , my wishing and want cannot be satisfied with absence : hasten therefore your comming , and make your own welcome : for what I haue or 〈◊〉 , enter in the ●owle of your possession , where in the freehold of my loue , I assure the substance of my life . And so leauing compliments , to t●ngue spirits , in the truth of an h●nest heart : I rest .

Yours as you do and shall euer know me . N. B.

His Answere .

S●● , I haue receiued your kind Letter , and I finde you ver●e fine at your corner , you wil speake , and say nothing : be eloquent in plainnesse , but you must not speake in the cloudes , to them that are acquainted with the Moone : and say what you wil , I must beléeue of my selfe what I list : for indeed , I know mine owne vnworthinesse , of your commendation , in which , I will rather beare with your affection , then be conceited with your opinion . Yet , not to be either disdainful , or vngratefull , be not so farre deceiued in my disposition , that wherein my presence may pleasure you , I wil answere you with ●ine absence , nor long delaie your expectation : for excuse , is but cold kindnesse , and too much haste is not fit : therefore assoone as I conueniently can , I assure you , you shall séeme , and in full measure with your affection finde me , to the vtterm●st of my power , rather in action then prot●station , during life : in faire weather or fowle .

Yours 〈◊〉 mine owne . W. R.

A Letter of Loue to a Gentlewoman .

FAire Mistr●ss● , to Court you with eloquence , were as ill as to gréeue you with gross● humors : let it therefore please you , rather to beleeue what I write , th●n to note how I speak , for my hart being fired in your eies , hath vowed my seruice to your bewtie : in which , finding reasons admiration , can think but of nature in her perfection : in which , being rauished about it selfe , cra●eth of your fauour to be instructed by your kindnes : I meane no further then in obedience to your commaundement : for if I be any thing my selfe , it shall be nothing more then yours : and lesse then nothing , if not yours in all . I could commend you aboue that skies , compare you with the Sun●e , or set you among the Starres , figure you with the Phoenix , and imagine you a Goddesse : but I will leaue such weake praising fictions , and thinke you onely your selfe : whose vertuous beautie , and whose honorable discretion , in the care of a little kindnes , is able to command the loue of the wife , and the labours of the honest , with the best of their endeuours in the happinesse of your imployment , to seeke the height of their fortune : thinke not therefore I flatter you in hope of f●uour , but honour you in the desert of worthinesse : in which if you wil vouchsafe to entertaine the seruice of my affection , what you shall find in my loue , I wil leaue to your kindnes to consider . In the care of which comfort , crauing pardon to my presumption , I rest humbly and wholy ,

Yours directed to be commaunded . E. W.

Her Answere .

SIr , I haue heard schollers say , that it is Art to conceale Art , and that vnder a face of simplicitie , is hidden much subtiltie : of which , howe sillie Women neede to be afraide , I will leaue to wise men to consider . And though I cannot in fine nor fitte tearmes , aunswere the humour of your writing , yet after a plaine and homely fashion , I will entreate you to accept of my writing : Perfection and corruption , cannot méet● together in one subiect , and therefore my imagined ●●a●tie , bring but a shadow of deceit , beleeue not your eyes , til they haue a better speculation : and for the inward parts of commendations , I am perswaded , that wit is not worth any thing , that is drawne into admiration of nothing : only this , not vnkindly to requit your good thoughts of little worth , leauing fi●i●ns ●o idle fansies , let me intreat you not to mistake your figures , and to honour a better substance then my vnworthie selfe . And yet , so farre to assure your desert of my contentment , that wherein I may conueniently counter●aile the care of your kindnesse , excuse my indiscretion , if I faile of my desire , in which , wishing you more happinesse , then to be commaunded by my vnworthinesse , I rest as I may .

Your louing poore friend . M. W.

A Letter of scorne to a coy Dame .

MIstresse Fubbes , if you were but a little faire , I see you would be mightily proude , and had you but the wit of a Goose , you would surely out hisse the Gander : but , being with as bad qualities as can be wished , as rich as a new shorne sheepe , I hope , fortune is not so mad , as to blesse you further then the begger : It is not your holy-day face put on , after the ilfauoured fashion , can make your halfe Nose , but ougly in a true sight : and but that you are exceedingly beholding to the Taylor , you might be set vp for the Signe of the Sea Crabbe . Now , for your parentage , to helpe out the hope of all the rest , when the Tinkers sonne , and the Coblers daughter , met vnder a hedge at the milking of a Bull , within forties wéeks after , what fel out you know . Now , not too plainly to laie open the ●owle members of a filthie carkass● , but , as patiently as I can to kéepe Decorum , in your description , l●t me tell you , that all this , and much more , being true in your disgraces , I cannot chuse but ma●●aile , that you mourne not to death in imagination : to thinke , that a monster in na●ure , can haue any grace in reason , but , let it be as it is : I haue ●ut lost a little breath in talking to a deaffe eare , for I meane ●o take no more trauell to the subiect of so ill an obiect : and therefore meaning to make my farewell and beginning with you , both at one instant , leauing you to loathe your self , as one , whom no creature can well be in loue withall : sorie that I euer sawe you , and neuer more entending to trouble you . In recompence of your course entertainment , I rest in all vnkindnesse : this present and alwaies .

Yours as much as may be . T. E.

Her Answere .

MAister Swash , it is not your hustie rustie , can make me afraid of your bigge lookes : for I sawe the pla●e of Auncient Pistoll , where a craking coward was well cudgeled for his knauery : your railing is so neare the Rascall , that I am almost ashamed to bestow so good a name as the Rogue vppon you ▪ but for modesties sake , I will a little forbeare you , and only tell you , that a hanging look● , and a hollow hart , a cunning wit , and a corrupted conscience , make you so ●●t a mate for the diuel , that there is no Christian wil desire your company : now for your state , it is much vpon fortune , which brings many of your fellows to a deadly fall , when the paine of their heads is only healed with a halter : and for your linage , when the Bearewards Ape , and the hangmans Monky met together on a hay mowe , what a whelp cam● of such of such a litter , let the world iudge , I say nothing : now for your stumpe feete , and your lame hand , suting kindly with your wry necke , who would not make of their eyes , that could endure the sight of such a picture ? now , your wealth being but in a fewe words , which you haue almost all spent in idle humors , hoping that the Tortus wil not quarel with the Crabbe , and that when you haue slept vpon your Al● , you will get a medicine for your madnesse , till the Woodcocke do tell you how the Dawcocke hath caught you , leaning further to thinke on you , more then vtterly to ●oathe you , glad that your entertainment was so much to your discontentment : In full measure with your malice , I rest .

Yours as you see . A. W.

A Letter to a fowle Dowd●e .

MIstresse , I heare that you thinke your selfe faire , but you are much deceiued , for the Curriers Dyle , is but a cours● kinde of painting : and for wit , howe farre you are from vnderstanding , the wise can tell you : now , for qualities , where you learned them I know not , but if you could leaue them , ●wer● well : I wonder not a little , what madnesse hath possessed your braines , that you can make so much of your selfe : are your eyes your owne : or are they so sealed they cannot sée ? get you to your praiers , and leaue making of loue , for age and an euil fau●ur , ha● néed to be helped with a good purs● : I heare you study Musique , indeed , when an Owle sings , the Nightingale will hold her peace : but for shame learne not to dance , for a barrell can but tumble : but if you would vse a medicine for your téethe , you might be the better to speake with in a morning : what ailes you to buy a ●anne , except it be to hide your face ? and til your hande● be whole , you s●ould weare but dogs leather for your gloues : In truth you abuse your selfe , that you keep not your chamber , for none sees you but laughes at you , or at least loatheth to looke vpon you : be therefore content to do as I wish you , speake with none but by Atturney , leaue the Painter to better Pictures , and rather grieue at nature for framing of you , then thinke of any thing that may helpe you : your goods bestow on me for my counsell , and make sute to Death for your comfort . And thus hoping that being weary of your selfe , you will hasten to your graue , I end .

Yours as you see . H. I.

Her Answere .

SIr you may thinke your selfe wise , but you do not shewe it , for railing words , are the worst testimonies of a good wit : for good qualities I thinke you know them not , nor can goe from the euil : but for madnesse , I thinke it sorteth best with your humor . For the helpe whereof , it were good that you were let blood in the braine : but for ill sight , who is so blind as bold ba●●rd , that wil not sée his owne folly ? my prayers I will not forget to God , to blesse me from such foule spirits on the earth , and for loue , more then Charitie , I hold you the furthest off in my thought : now knowing your pouertie , I wonder you will speake of a purse , and for an ilfauoured face , goe to Parish garden to your good brother , indeed your Croidon sanguine , is a most pure complexion : but for your Tabacco it is a good purge for your rewine : for my Fanne it keepes me sometime from the fight of such a vizard , as your good face : and for my hands I keepe my nailes on my fingers , though you cannot keepe your hayre on your head : now for laughing at fooles , you are pr●uided for a Corcombe , and for loathing an ill countenance , let the hangman draw your picture : be therefore contented to be thus answered , speake wisely , or hold your peace , and be not busie with your betters , least you know the nature of had I wist : so , hoping that you wil be so wearie of the world , that you will hang your selfe for a medicine , to heale your wits of a melancholy , I will bequeath you a halter vpon free cost , at your pleasure : and so I rest .

Your friend for such a matter . E. P.

A Letter for the preferring of a seruant .

SIr , knowing your necessary vse of a good seruant , and remembring your late speech with me touching such a matter , I thought good to commend vnto you in that behalf the bearer hereof W. T. a man whose honest secrecie , and carefull diligence , vpon a reasonable trial , wil soone make proofe of his ●ufficiencie : his parentage is not base , nor his disposition vile , but in all parts requisite in one of his place , such a one , as I am perswaded will fit your turne : if therefore at my request , you will entertaine him . I doubt not , but you wil thank me for him : for I was glad to get him for you , and hope to heare he will much content you : and thus loth to trouble you with longer circumstances , leauing his seruice to your good regard , and my loue , to your like commandement in affectionate good will , I rest .

Yours euer assured . N. B.

The Answere .

SIr , I haue receiued both your Letter , and the bearer , both which I wil make much of for your sake : for in the one I will often see you , and in the other remember you : your commendation of him , argueth your knowledge , a sufficient warrant for his worth , which I wil as kindly , as thankfully think on : his countenance I like wel , and his speech better , and for the performance of my expectation , am the better perswaded of his discretion : when I see you , you shall know how I like him , in the meane time , hee shall find that I wil loue him : for all things necessary for his present vse , I find him sufficiently furnished : but if I find his want , it shall be soone supplied . So thanking you for sending him , and wishing you had come with him , remaining your kind debter ●il a good occasion of requital , with my hartie commendations , I commit you to the Almightie .

Your verie louing friend . R. T.

A Letter of counsell to a friend .

MY best approued , and worthiest beloued Philo , I heare by some of late come from Venice , that seeme to be somewhat inward in thy acquaintance , that thou art of late , fa●nt into an amorous humor , especially with a subiect of too much vnworthines : a newes , that ( knowing thy spirit ) I could hardly beleeue , but vpon solemne affirmation , I was sorie to beare : for , beautie , without wealth , is but a beggerly charu●e , & honor without vertue , is but a little for a Title : hath she a glib tongues it is pittie she hath no better wit : is she witti● , it is a sorrow , it is n● better best●wed : for the craft of one woman , is the confusion of many a man : doth she say she loues thee ? beléeue her not : nay , doth she loue ●hee ? regard it not : for it is a Iewell of so little worth , as wil giue but 〈◊〉 in the buying : I feared the plague had taken hold of thy lodging : but thou art peppered with a world of infection : thy studie 〈…〉 with ●oleness● , thy braine with dizinesse , and thy spirit with madnes : O● leaue these follies , think loue but a dreame , and beautie a shadow , and folly a witch , and repentance a misery : wake out of thy sleepe , and call thy wittes together , be not sotted with an humour , nor slaue to thy selfe will , leaue courting of a Curtizan , and keepe thy breath for a better blast : saue thy purse for a better purpose , and spend thy time in more profit : let not the wise laugh at thee , and the honest lament thee : for my selfe , how I grieue for thee , I would I could tell thee : but let thus much suffice thee : beleeue nothing that shee saieth , care for nothing that she doth , nor giue her any thing that she wants : see her , but to purge melancholy , talke with her , but to sharpen wit , giue her , but to be ridde of her company , and vse her but according to her condition , so shalt thou haue a hand ouer those humors , that would haue a head , ouer thy heart : and be maister of thy sences , by the vertue of thy spirit , otherwise , Will hauing gotten the bit in his téethe , will runne away with the bridle : and Reason , being cast off , may neuer sit well againe in the saddle : but why do I vse these perswasions for the remoue of thy passions ? If thou be soundly in , thou wilt hardly get out : but if thou be but ouer shoes , thou maist be saued from drowning : well , whatsoeuer I heare , I hope the best , but to a●●●d the worst , I haue presumed out of my loue , to send thee this fruit o● my affection . In which , if my care may doo thee comfort , I ●h●l● thinke it a great part of my happinesse : howsoeuer it 〈◊〉 , I co●●it the consideration to thy kindnesse . And so till I ●eare from thee , which I daily long for : I rest .

Thine as his owne . N. R.

His answere .

Gentle Millo , I haue receiued thy most kinde and carefu●● Letter , a messenger of the most honest loue , who hath tolde me no lesse then I wholy beleeue : that loue in idlenesse , is the very entrance to madnesse : but yet , though I will thinke on thy counsell , giue me leaue a little , to goe on along with conceit : whereof let me tell thee my opinion . Beautie without wealth is little worth : but being a riches in itselfe , how can it be poorely valued ▪ and honour , beeing but the state of vertue , how can you plucke a little out of her ●tytle ▪ the tongue is the instrument of wit , and wit the approuer of discretion : where it Reason b● grauelled , nature may bée admyred : now for words they hau● their substance , and loue is not to bee abused : for it is a Iewell well knowne , that is worthy his price : Intrations are euerie where , and Iealousie a most cruel plague , but rid thy selfe of that disease , and feare not my health in the other : conceit is a kinde of dizinesse , which worse tormented then with idlenesse , is troubled with too strong a madnesse : but he that is unwise had need to be reformed : and he that laughes at an imperfection , may fall himselfe vpon the foole : now for a mad dreame , or an imagined witch , a conceited sleepe , or an intreated waking , I must confesse they are pr●tie humours , and will thinke of their errors : now for lotting and slauerie , and for courting in ●nauerie , be perswaded , that time will employ my purse to better purpose : then grieu● not for mee , but onely loue mee , and let that suffice mee : and for thine aduice in seeing , talking , and giuing , feare not the had●wist of my folly : for he that is master of himselfe , shall not need to his mistresse : and therefore hee that cannot ride , let him leaue the saddle : for Reason hath a power ouer 〈◊〉 , where 〈◊〉 is but a seruant to Nature : in the certainty of which course , intending so to lay my hand on my heart , that I will feare no ho●nes on my head , with many thankes for thy kinde perswastons , hoping thou will take no exceptions at my constructions , intreating thee to bel●ue of me no more then thou needest , and to loue me as thou doest , in the faith of that affection , that holds th●● beare to my loue , I rest : during life .

Thine obliged and diuoted . W.B.

A Letter of comfort to a sister in sorrow .

DEare sister , I heard lately of your husbands departure for the Indies , when with no little sorrow I considered your heauie case : in which , finding his wants to be grieuous , and your friends colde in comfort , I could not chuse , without unkindnesse , but remember these fewe lines of my loue unto you : I knowe your state is weake , how faire so euer you make your weather ; but the more is your patience worthy honour , that can so nobly conceale your discontentments ; for my selfe , I would I were able to doo you good , but what I haue , or can procure , shall not faile to doo you pleasure : but if your minde be too great to stoupe , to be beholding , what I am able to doo , take a dutie in my brothers loue : good sister therefore be of good cheare , and put your care upon me , I will soe you often , and loue you euer : for a creature of your worthinesse is seldome found in your sere : that for her husbands loue will aduenture the state of her liuing : your children are not many , but such as are shall be mine , and you to me as myselfe : take therefore as litle thought , and as much comfort as you can , no doubt but God that trieth his seruants , will blesse them : hope then of my brothers happie returne , and fill he come , commaund me , shortly God willing you shall see mee , in the meane time let me entreat you kindly to accept this little token of my greater loue , which is but an assurance of a beginning of my affections neuer ending , in which predicament of true friendship , I rest euer assured .

Your very louing sister , E.W.

Her answere .

SWéete sister , I haue receiued your kinde Letter and louing token , for both which , I am your thankefull debtor ; but to●ching which husband , though his wants were grieuo●s , yet to want him , is my greatest sorrewe , for in the stay of his loue was the state of my liuing : I am sorie that you know my weakenesse , and with it but in strength to ●unswere your kindnesse : but good sister , though I am willing to conceale my crosses , to be beholding to so honourable a spirit , I count i● not the least of my happinesse , Therefore , though I haue diu●ted my selfe to solitarinesse in his absence , your company shall bee to me as light in darknesse and no●ing the nature of your kindnesse , will euer be beholding to your loue : come then to me when you will , and commaund me what you will , for I will be as goe and you will : my children are my worlds ioyes , and my hearts Iewels in whose faces I will behold their father , in whose loue I will spend my life : so in a merrie goe sorrie , grieuing for his ab●ence , and wishing your presence , praying for his happie returne , your health , and mine owne patience , that in too much passion of affection , I fall not upon indiscretion , with most heartie thankfull loue , I commend my life to your commaundement .

Yours affectionately bound . E.G.