Attempt > Volume 3

258 THE ATTEMPT.
Ilntn'f's incites;
BEING MSS. TEMPOKE CAEOLI PRIMI. NOW FIRST PUBLISHED,
" My goode Bei-tram, thou Avilt doubtlesse wonder that I did soe suddenlie leave
unfinished ye laste parte of mine epistle ; but a messenger did juste then come from
my lord Saxford, demanding mine instant presence with him, on matters of greate
importe ; soe had I to laye by my pen, and goe untoe my lord, verrie loath to quite
my talke untoe thee—for I had welle-nighe forgot that I was but writing uutoe
thee, and did almoste imagine myselfe to be speaking untoe thee face to face. And
even now I cannot telle when I may be agayne required ; I hear much noyse of
voices not verrie farre off, and I muste hasten to close mine epistle, or I may lose
this chance of sending it;—a nephew of Master Francis Egerton, of Cotiswoode House,
is a-going downe to visit his uncle ; and I doe know him a littel; soe hath he moste
courteouslie offered to carrie for me anie message or letter I desire to sende untoe
Gloucester; and he hath promised to be verrie carefulle how he doth deliver this
untoe you. He is a nghte goode fellowe, this Arthur Egerton ; he will, I doe not
feare me, be soone goode friendes with you, an you will it yourselfe as welle.
Hast thou hearde of late, tydings of thy brother Richard 1 How lyketh he ye
Coui'to of France 1 I conceive that it doth welle suit with his humour, and he is gay
and happie enough there. Richard is a goode fellowe, and I lyke him welle ; he
hath ever beenc kinde untoe me ; and I wish him welle for it. An it come to drawn
swords here, which syde thynkest thou he will espouse ? I hardlie thj^nke he careth
soe muche for ye Kinge's Majestie that he woulde risk his lyfe and fortune in his
favour; moniehe woulde give, willinglie and freelie, I am sure j yet woulde he rather
not chance losing's head and Willoughbie Manor. Readie he ever is, and ever will be,
to toss off a goode flagon of sack or canary to ye health of our CMaiies; but to doe
more—I doubte me. I suppose he will take to wyfe some French Popish damsel,
some Marie or Marguerite, and bring her over untoe Willoughbie, to astonish and
disguste Gaffer and Giles, and sette all Gloucester a-wondering at ye new tricks that
doe playe ye younge gentlemen of this daye.
Bertram ! Bertram! I to jest soe, when my hearte is heavie, and sore, and