A Journal of the Swedish Embassy in the Years 1653 and 1654, Vol II.
John Locke · en
_Wh._ I humbly pray your Majesty to appoint it as soon as your own
leisure will permit, for I shall have many businesses and ceremonies
after it to perform, before my going away.
_Qu._ On Monday next I will appoint a day; and touching the secret
article, about which I formerly discoursed with you, I have now altered
my opinion, and am resolved to follow the advice that you and Mr.
Woolfeldt have given me. I will write a letter under my own hand to the
Protector to the effect you advised, and deliver it to you to be
presented to him.
_Wh._ This will be much the better way.
_Qu._ I desire you to be careful of the letter; and before I seal it I
will show it to you for your advice in it.
_Wh._ Madam, I shall have a special care of it, and to procure an answer
of it from the Protector, I hope, to your Majesty's contentment, that you
may make use of it if there shall be occasion; and I believe the
Protector will be a firm friend to your Majesty.
_Qu._ I doubt it not, nor your respects to me.
_Wh._ I am engaged by your many favours to serve your Majesty with all
faithfulness.
_Qu._ I had some clothes in a ship coming hither, and the ship is taken,
and my clothes detained in England, so that I cannot get them to wear.
_Wh._ If your Majesty want clothes, I have a piece of English stuff at my
house, which cost two shillings a yard; and, if that were not too dear
for your Majesty's wearing, I would send it to you.
_Qu._ Two shillings a yard is dear enough for me: I pray send your stuff
hither, and I shall willingly accept of it, and thank you for it.
_Wh._ Will your Majesty be pleased on Monday next to go into England?
_Qu._ Hardly so soon; yet perhaps I may one day see England. But what is
your meaning in this?
_Wh._ Madam, Monday next is the first day of May, a great day in England;
we call it May-day, when the gentlemen use to wait upon their mistresses
abroad to bid the Spring welcome, and to have some collation or
entertainment for them. Now your Majesty being my mistress, if you will
do me the honour, that, after the custom of England, I may wait on you on
May-day, and have a little treatment for you after the manner of England;
this I call going into England, and shall take it as a very great favour
from your Majesty.
_Qu._ If this be your meaning of going into England, I shall be very
willing, as your mistress, to go with you on Monday next, and to see the
English mode.