Great Britain -- History -- Commonwealth and Protectorate, 1649-1660 -- Sources; Great Britain -- History -- Early Stuarts, 1603-1649 -- Sources
Though your baby himself had sent word what need he hath of more
jewels, yet will I by this bearer, who can make more speed than
Carlile, again acquaint your Majesty therewith, and give my poor
and saucy opinion what will be fittest more to send. Hitherto you
have been so sparing that whereas you thought to have sent him
sufficiently for his own wearing, to present his mistress, who I am
sure shall shortly now lose that title, and to lend me, that I on the
contrary have been forced to lend him. You need not ask who made me
able to do it. Sir, he hath neither chain nor hatband; and I beseech
you consider first how rich they are in jewels here, then in what a
poor equipage he came in, how he hath no other means to appear like
a King's son, how they are usefullest at such a time as this when
they may do yourself, your son, and the nation honour, and lastly
how it will neither cost nor hazard you anything. These reasons, I
hope, since you have ventured already your chiefest jewel, your son,
will serve to persuade you to let loose these more after him: first,
your best hatband; the Portingall diamond; the rest of the pendant
diamonds, to make up a necklace to give his mistress; and the best
rope of pearl; with a rich chain or two for himself to wear--or else
your Dog must want a collar; which is the ready way to put him into
it. There are many other jewels which are of so mean quality as they
deserve not that name, but will save much in your purse and serve
very well for presents. They had never so good and great an occasion
to take the air out of their boxes as at this time. God knows when
they shall have such another; and they had need some time to get
nearer the Son to continue them in their perfection. Here give me
leave humbly on my knees to give your Majesty thanks for that rich
jewel you sent me in a box by my Lord Vaughan, and give him leave to
kiss your hands from me who took the pains to draw it. My reward to
him is this, he spent his time well, which is the thing we should all
most desire; and is the glory I covet most here in your service.
Your Majesty's most humble slave and dog,
STEENIE.
MADRID,
_25 April, 1623_.
Sir, four Asses I have sent you, two he's and two she's; five camels,
two he's, two she's, with a young one; and one Elephant, which is
worth your seeing. These I have impudently begged for you. There is
a Barbary horse comes with them, I think from Watt Aston. My Lord
Bristow says he will send you more Camels. When we come ourselves
we will bring you horses and asses enough. If I may know whether
you desire Mules or not, I will bring them, or Deer of this country
either. And I will lay wait for all the rare-coloured birds that can
be heard of. But if you do not send your baby jewels enough, I'll
stop all other presents. Therefore look to it.
A VINDICATION OF NEW ENGLAND (1624).
=Source.=--Bradford, _History of the Plymouth Plantation_. Book II.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account