Copy of letter to Elizabeth I, Queen of England

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https://catalog.folger.edu/record/193224

• https://catalog.folger.edu/record/193224

Document excerpt

pardon, but the now vowed sacrifice of vnfained loue, I will in simple and direct tearmes (as hopinge they shall onely come to yo[ur] mercifull eies) sett downe the overflowinge of my mynde in this most important matter./ Importinge (as I thinke) the continuance of yo[ur] safetie & (as I know) the ioyes of my life./ And because my words (I confesse shal= lowe but) comeinge from the deepe well springe of most Loyall affecc[i]on, haue deliuered to yo[ur] gracious eares, what is the gen[er]all some of my tra= vellinge thoughts therein; I will now but onely declare what be the reasons that make me thinke the marriage of Mounsieur to be unprofitable for you. Then will I answeare the obiecc[i]ons of those feares, w[hi]ch might p[ro]cure soe violent a refuge./ The good or evill that will come to you by it, must be considered either according to 3r to yo[ur] estate or yo[ur] p[er]son./ To yo[ur] estate what can bee added? to the you beinge, an absolutely borne and accordingely respected Princesse. but (as they say) the Irishmen are wont to tell them that dye they are rich, they are faire, what neede they dye? Soe truely not vnfitly to you endowed w[i]th felicitie aboue all others, a man might well aske, what makes you in such a Calme to change course, to soe healthfull as bodye to applie such a waye doubtfull medecine! What hope can recompence soe hazardous an ad= venture? Hazardous indeede were it for noethinge, but a the alteringe of a well maineteyned & well appro= ued trade. for as in bodyes naturall any suddaine change is not w[i]thout pill. soe to this body polliticke. whereof you are the onely head, it is soe much the more dangerous as there