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(un) advocate for you, that I may never have rest night nor day, for calling and crying upon to bring the said matter to effect, &c.

And, cousin, upon Friday is Saint Valentine's day, and every bird chooseth him a make (mate); and if it like you to come on Thursday at night, and so survey you, that ye may abide there till Monday, I trust to God, that ye shall so speak to mine husband; and I pray, we shall bring the matter to a conclusion, &c.

For, cousin, "it is but a simple oak,
That's cut down at the first stroke."

For ye will be reasonable I trust to God, which have you ever in his merciful keeping, &c. By your cousin,

DAME ELIZABETH BREWS, otherwise shall be called by God's grace.

February, 1476-7.

MARGARET BREWS TO JOHN PASTON, ESQ. Unto my right well beloved Valentine, John Paston, Esq. be this bill delivered, &c.

RIGHT reverend and worshipful, and my right well beloved Valentine, I recommend me unto you, full heartily desiring to hear of your welfare, which I beseech Almighty God long for to preserve unto his pleasure, and your heart's desire.

And if it please you to hear of my welfare, I am not in good heele (health) of body, nor of heart, nor shall be till I hear from you:

For there wottys (knows) no creature what pain I endure,

And for to be dead (for my life) I dare it not dyscur (discover).

And my lady my mother hath laboured the matter to my father full diligently, but she can no more get than ye know of, for the which God knoweth I am full sorry. But if that ye love me, as I trust verily that ye do, ye will not leave me therefore; for if that ye had not half the livelihood that ye have, for to do the greatest labour that any woman alive might, I would not forsake you. And if ye command me to keep me true wherever I go,

I wis I will do all my might you to love, and

never no mo.

And if my friends say that I do amiss,
They shall not me let so for to do,
Mine heart me bids evermore to love you,
Truly over all earthly thing,

And if they be never so wrath,

I trust it shall be better in time coming.

No more to you at this time, but the Holy Trinity have you in keeping; and I beseech you that this bill be not seen of none earthly creature save only yourself, &c.

And this letter was indited at Topcroft, with full heavy heart, &c. by your own

Feb. 1476-7.

MARGARET BREWS.

MARGARET BREWS TO JOHN PASTON, ESQ.

To my right well-beloved Cousin, John Paston, Esq. be this Letter delivered, &c.

RIGHT worshipful and well beloved Valentine, in my most humble wise, I recommend me unto you, &c. and heartily I thank you for the letter, which that ye send me by John Beckerton, whereby I understand and know, that ye be purposed to come to Topcroft in short time, and without any errand or matter; but only to have a conclusion of the matter betwixt my father and you; I would be most glad of any creature alive, so that the matter might grow to effect. And thereas (whereas) ye say, and (if) ye come and find the matter no more towards ye than ye did aforetime, ye would no more put my father and my lady my mother to no cost nor business, for that cause a good while after, which causeth my heart to be full heavy; and if that ye come, and the matter take to none effect, then should I be much more sorry, and full of heaviness.

And as for myself I have done, and understand in the matter that I can or may, as God knoweth ; and I let you plainly understand that my father will no more money part withal in that behalf, but an 1007. and 50 marks (331. 6s. 8d.), which is right far from the accomplishment of your desire.

Wherefore, if that ye could be content with that good, and my poor person, I would be the merriest maiden on ground; and if ye think not yourself so satisfied, or that ye might have much more good, as I have understood by you afore;

good, true, and loving Valentine, that ye take no such labour upon you, as to come more for that matter. But let (what) is, pass, and never more be spoken of, as I may be your true lover and beadwoman during my life.

No more unto you at this time, but Almighty Jesu preserve you both body and soul, &c. By your Valentine,

Topcroft, Feb. 1746-7.

MARGERY BREWS.

ANNE BOLEYN TO CARDINAL WOLSEY.

MY LORD,

In my most humble wise that my heart can think, I desire you to pardon me that I am so bold, to trouble you with my simple and rude writing, esteeming it to proceed from her, that is much desirous to know that your grace does well, as I perceive by this bearer that you do. The which

pray God long to continue, as I am most bound to pray; for I do know the great pains and troubles that you have taken for me both day and night is never like to be recompensed on my part, but only in loving you, next unto the king's grace, above all creatures living. And I do not doubt but the daily proofs of my deeds shall manifestly declare and affirm my writing to be true, and I do trust you to think the same. lord, I do assure you, I do long to hear from you news of the legate; for I do hope, and they come from you, they shall be very good, and I am sure you desire it as much as I and more,

My

and it were possible, as I know it is not: and thus, remaining in a steadfast hope, I make an end of my letter, written with the hand of her that is most bound to be,

Your humble servant,

ANNE BOLEYN.

POSTSCRIPT BY KING HENRY VIII.

I

THE writer of this letter would not cease till she had caused me likewise to set my hand, desiring you, though it be short, to take in good part. assure you there is neither of us but that greatly desire to see you, so much more joyous to hear that you have escaped this plague so well, trusting the fury thereof to be passing, especially with them that keep a good diet, as I trust you do. The not hearing of the legate's arrival in France, causeth us somewhat to muse, notwithstanding we trust by your diligence and vigilancy, with the assistance of Almighty God, shortly to be eased out of that trouble. No more to you at this time, but that I pray God send you as good health and prosperity as the writer would,

By your loving sovereign and friend,

HENRY R.

SIR THOMAS MORE TO MR. GUNNEL,

HIS CHILDREN'S TUTOR.

I HAVE received, my dear Gunnel, your letters, full, as usual, of elegance and affection. Your love of my children I see by your letters, your diligence I gather from their own; for each of their letters pleased me. But especially was I

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