After my most hearty commendations I pray you at the reverence of God
to help, that expedition be used in my pursuits, the delay whereof so
replenisheth my heart with heaviness, that I can take no rest; not for
any vain fear, but only for the miserable condition that I am
presently in, and likelihood to continue in the same, unless that you,
in whom is my assured trust do help and relieve me therein; For first,
continuing here in this moist and corrupt air, being entered into the
passion of the dropsy, _Cum prostatione appetitus et continuo
insomnio_. I cannot live: Wherefore of necessity I must be removed to
some other dryer air and place, where I may have commodity of
physicians. Secondly, having but Yorke, which is now decayed, by £800
by the year, I cannot tell how to live, and keep the poor number of
folks which I now have, my houses there be in decay, and of everything
meet for household unprovided and furnished. I have no apparel for my
houses there, nor money to bring me thither, nor to live with till the
propice time of the year shall come to remove thither. These things
considered, Mr. Secretary, must needs make me in agony and heaviness,
mine age therewith and sickness considered, alas Mr. Secretary, ye
with other my lords showed me, that I should otherwise be furnished
and seen unto, ye know in your learning and conscience, whether I
should forfeit my spiritualities of Winchester or no. Alas! the
qualities of mine offences considered, with the great punishment and
loss of goods that I have sustained, ought to move pitiful hearts; and
the most noble king, to whom if it would please you of your charitable
goodness to show the premises after your accustomed wisdom and
dexterity, it is not to be doubted, but his highness would have
consideration and compassion, augmenting my living, and appointing
such thing as should be convenient for my furniture, which to do shall
be to the king's high honour, merit, and discharge of conscience, and
to you great praise for the bringing of the same to pass for your old
bringer up and loving friend. This kindness exhibited from the king's
highness shall prolong my life for some little while, though it shall
not be long, by the means whereof his grace shall take profit, and by
my death not. What is it to his Highness to give some convenient
portion out of Winchester, and St. Albans, his Grace taking with my
hearty good will the residue. Remember, good Mr. Secretary, my poor
degree, and what service I have done, and how now approaching to
death, I must begin the world again. I beseech you therefore, moved
with pity and compassion, succour me in this my calamity, and to your
power which I know is great, relieve me; and I with all mine shall not
only ascribe this my relief unto you, but also pray to God for the
increase of your honour, and as my poor shall increase, so I shall not
fail to requite your kindness. Written hastily at Asher,[43] with the
rude and shaking hand of
Your daily bedesman
and assured friend,
T. CARLIS EBOR.
To the right honourable
and my assured friend, Master Secretary.
[Footnote 43: Esher.]