_To my Mastresse M[argaret Paston], att Norwiche._
[Sidenote: 1479 / FEB. 2]
My worschypfull mastresse, I recomende me un to yow, and thanke yow of
yowr approvyd ensewryd gyudenesse evermore shewde, and so I pray yow to
contenew. I have resyvyd yowr letter, and undrestonde yowr desyre, wyche
ys ageyns the lawe for three causys. Oon ys, for yowr son Watre ys nott
tonsewryd, in modre tunge callyd Benett; a nodre cause, he ys not
xxiiij. yeer of aghe, wyche ys requiryd complete; the thyrde, ye owte
[_he ought_] of ryzte to be preyst within dwelmothe after that he ys
parson, wyth owte so were he hadd a dyspensacion fro Rome be owre Holy
Fadre the Pope, wyche I am certen can not be hadde. Therfor I present
not yowr desyre un to my lorde,[6-2] lest ye [_he_] wolde have takyn yt
to a dysplesur, or else to take a grete sympylnesse in yowr desyre,
wyche shulde cause hym, in suche matres as xall fortune yow to spede
with hym a nodre tyme, to shew un to yow the rigur of the lawe, wyche I
wolde be lothe; therfor present a nodre man abyll. Haske consell of Mr.
John Smythe, and sease of yowr desyre in thysse partey, for yt ys not
goodely nether Goddely; and lete not yowr desyre be knowyn, aftyr my
avyse. Be not wrothe, thowe I sende un to yow thusse playnyly in the
matre; for I wolde ye dede as wele as any woman in Norfolke, [that ys,
wyth rygth],[6-3] to yowr honor, prosperite, an to the plesur of Godde,
with yowre and all yowres, Ho have yow in Hyse blessyd kepyng.
From Hoxne on Candylmasse Day.