_To my ryght worchepfull modyr, Margaret Paston._
[Sidenote: 1482(?)]
Ryght worchepfull modyr, in my most humble wyse I recomand me to yow,
besechyng yow of your dayly blyssyng. And when I may, I wyll with as
good wyll be redy to recompence yow for the cost that my huswyff and I
have put yow to, as I am now bond to thank yow for it, whyche I do in
the best wyse I can. And, modyr, it pleasyd yow to have serteyn woordys
to my wyff at hyr depertyng, towchyng your remembrance of the shortness
that ye thynk your dayes of, and also of the mynd that ye have towardes
my brethryn and systyr your chyldyr, and also of your servauntes, wher
in ye wyllyd hyr to be a meane to me, that I wold tendyr and favore the
same. Modyr, savyng your plesure, ther nedyth non enbasatours nor meanys
betwyx yow and me; for ther is neyther wyff nor other frend shall make
me to do that that your comandment shall make me to do, if I may have
knowlage of it; and if I have no knowlage, in good feyth I am
excuseabyll bothe to God and yow. And, well remembred, I wot well ye
ought not to have me in jelusye for one thyng nor other that ye wold
have me to accomplyshe, if I overleve yow; for I wot well non oo man a
lyve hathe callyd so oft upon yow as I, to make your wylle and put iche
thyng in serteynte, that ye wold have done for your sylff, and to your
chyldre and servauntes. Also at the makyng of your wylle, and at every
comunycacyon that I have ben at with yow towchyng the same, I nevyr
contraryed thyng that ye wold have doon and performyd, but alweyso ffyrd
my sylff to be bownde to the same. But, modyr, I am ryght glad that my
wyff is eny thyng your favore or trust; but I am ryght sory that my
wyff, or eny other chyld or servaunt of your shold be in bettyr favore
or trist with yow then my sylff; for I wyll and must forbere and put fro
me that, that all your other chyldre, servauntes, prestys, werkmen, and
frendys of your that ye wyll ought bequethe to, shall take to theym. And
thys have I, and evyr wylbe redy on to, whyll I leve, on my feyth, and
nevyr thought other, so God be my helpe, Whom I beseche to preserve yow
and send yow so good lyff and longe, that ye may do for youre sylff and
me aftyr my dyssease; and I beshrewe ther hertys that wold other or
shall cause yow to mystrust, or to be unkynd to me or my frendys.
At Norwyche, thys Monday, with the hand of your sone and trwest
servaunt,