_To the right worshipfull John Paston, squier, with my lord
Chamburlayn._
[Sidenote: 1479-83]
Right worshipfull sir, y recommaunde me to you, as hartily as y can,
desiring to undrestand zour welefare, and also to knowe somwhat
certainly hou your matier dothe with your uncle, and hou fer ye be, for
in thes parties y assertayne you, moche mater is shewed and proclaimed
in worshipful presence, fer fro th’entent of your welewillers, of the
discorage and reprofe in maner of you, and by such as men supposed you
to have ben right wele favoured with, and the contrary shewed in the
presence of right worshipfull, and right many, and as it is said, iij.
scor in nombre, with such termes and under such forme, as it is
reported, as is full hevy to diverse here for to here. Hou it is ye
knowe beste, and hou it is I pray you lete your frendis in this cuntre
undirstand; for right a worshipfull persone told me of this, to the
which y coude not answer, I se al day the world so unsure. But, Sir, ye
did of policy some thingis that peradventure, and it were to do, ye wold
take anothir avise, &c. I can nomore but _sapienti pauca_, &c. And I
biseche you, Sir, send me some tidingis of the parties beyonde the se,
for owr wyves here speke of many thingis, &c. Moreovir, Sir, Margarete
Ronhale told me late that my maistres your wif fareth wele, blissed be
Almighti God, and all your other frendis here, blissed be God. Sir, it
is so that, as y am enformed, there is a soudiour of Caleis called John
Jacob, of olde tyme duelling in Lynne.[60-2] I pray you to inquir
secretly what maner man he ys, and in what condicion there, for I know a
man hath to do with him; but be ye beknowen of no thinge, but that ye
list wisely to enquere what he is and of what condicion, &c. And if
there be any thing in thies parties that y can do you service yn, I pray
you commaunde you, and I shalbe as redy to the accomplisshment therof to
my power, as any man lyvyng; and that knowith God, Who I biseche to send
me good tidingis fro you, and you your noble desires. From Weston.
By yours,