from whence it came were vehement, and is deduced as you see from the
nature of |Reconciliatorie|, which aswell for the submissiue & lowest
tearmes it beareth, as also for the vrgent petition therin contained, I
haue rather chosen to place among yᵉ |Petitorie|. The part of |honest|
herein deliuered, is passed in wordes méekest & of great obedience,
wherein he studieth by all possibilitie to mittigate towards himselfe,
the too much seueritie of his father. The |Exordium| is carried by
|Insinuation|, expressing the vehement affects and surcharged conceits
of a mind more then ordinarilie grieued. The |Possibilitie| resteth
in the father, which commonlie by nature is with some more facilitie
then estranged diffcultie, entreated towards his sonne. The meane to
compasse it, is the mitigation or satisfaction of the iust mislike
of a father, whose charged authoritie affecteth nothing so much as
obedience in children. Thus are the places required herein, in sort as
you see performed. And for because within any one title, there is no
one thing affoording matter more plentifull, or with vse more commonlie
frequented, then is this |petitorie| kinde, (insomuch as whatsoeuer
containeth any speciall request, is hereunder included) I will sort
you downe so many examples of all sorts, as that there shall not faile
herein wherewith sufficientlie to instruct whatsoeuer in the like
occasion is or ought to be required.=
_An Epistle Petitorie, wherein is craued trauell and counsell
to be assistant vpon vrgent occasion._
[Sidenote: _Exordium._]
[Sidenote: _Narratiō._]
[Sidenote: _Petitiō._]
[Sidenote: Possibilitie.]
As one greatlie emboldned by the forwardnesse of your woonted courtesie
and liking euer bent towards me, I haue dared (Sir) once again vpon
presumption of the like, hereby to intreate you, wherein you may see in
what degree of affection I do intertaine you, in that not contented,
I haue alreadie so manie and so often times vsed you, I doe by such
meanes endeuour solie to make my selfe wholy and to none other so
much as beholding vnto you. My man hath returned me from London, how
by more then common celeritie I haue in my suite beene preuented by
my aduersarie, whereby it is like, my cause standing vpon so great a
hazard, it will goe verie hard with mee. Nowe if your woonted counsell,
and friendly assistance bee not speedilie ayding, both the hope of
benefit, charge and expense thereof will be lost vtterly? In regard
whereof, these may bee in as earnest maner as is possible to intreate
you, that vpon the attendance of my man, I may (as woontedlie) vse you.
Your counsell ioyned with a little trauell may greatlie profite me, and
now more then at any time else, exceedinglie pleasure mee. Wherein if
it may please you to yoke mee further vnto you by the waight of your
courtesie: I shall not onelie endeuour by all possibilitie to requite
it, but also your selfe shall not faile at anie time to finde such a
one of mee, as of whose trauaile, industrie, or what other abilitie to
pleasure you, you may account of assuredlie. I haue by certaine other
Letters mooued my L. to haue fauourable consideration touching mee,
which as I am informed, his L. hath receyued. What els to bee performed
heerein, my man shall make knowne vnto you. And thus doubting as little
of your friendship herein, as of mine owne thankfull disposition,
prest alwayes to the vttermost to requite you, I doe heartilie bid you
farewell, D. of this, &c.
_An other of the same._
Sir, I am so bolde in my great necessitie, vnder assurance of your
forwardnes to do me good, to entreate your especiall ayde and
furtherance in two things, the one whereof this bearer shall instruct
you in, the other your selfe can best tell, for that I made you at my
last speech acquainted with the same. Both of which consisting in your
labour and deuice, I am of opinion that none then your selfe can fitte
the occasion better. And trulie such is the force of imprisonment, as
contrarie to that you haue woontedly knowne in me, mine vnderstanding
is quite decaied, and forworne with my libertie, and where the spirits
are so distuned, it must needes follow, the memorie can sounde nothing
but discord.
In fine, sir it is in you to doe me good, and to make me by this onlie
action for euer beholding vnto you, wherein if I may so farre foorth
presume of your fidelitie, assure your selfe, that if euer God giue mee
libertie, A. C. to none so much as to you shall be yoked in courtesie.
Good M. D. the matter hereof requireth some haste, wherunto I most
heartilie entreate you. Fare ye well, this of, &c.
_A Letter responsorie to the same._
Good M. C. needelesse were it you should entreate mee in that, wherein
you haue founde mee alwayes most willing, and such whome with small
perswasions you may induce to a farre greater purpose then what in
your last letter is required. The Messenger I haue appointed to morrow
morning to returne againe to my lodging, at which time I will not
faile to finish, what in the best sort I can conceiue to bee vnto your
occasions furthering. Hard will it bee for mee to accomplish that,
wherein your selfe seeme so vnperfect, for that the dullest conceyte
forged from the most distempered of your imaginations, cannot but
sounde farre better tunes then the ripest of my inuention is anie
wayes able to deliuer. Neuerthelesse, such as it is, or so much as (by
dislike of your owne) you haue will to account of, that will I prepare
to your view, and put forward to your good speed, thinking it better by
deliuerie of a grosse deuise to satisfie the demaunde of a friend, then
by concealing the simplicitie therof to bee censured as vncourteous. In
conclusion, it is (sir) lawfull for you to vse mee to the vttermost,
and fittest to our confirmed league of amitie, that (in whatsoeuer) you
should imploy mee, wherein I desire you conceiue no more, then such as
I intend to become, and you shall assuredly find me, viz. yours, &c.
=Here must I note vnto you the last of these Epistles |Petitorie|, in
which is neither |Exordium| nor |Narration|, but formost of all the
petition, and afterwards the parts folowing, the like whereof you may
perchance finde hereafter. For that where practise and skill hath
enabled a man to doe well, there is no necessitie that such should bee
tied to rule, who being of sufficient knowledge and capacitie are able
to discerne what is méetest, and accordinglie to direct the square of
their owne doings, sometimes one way, sometimes another, as in the
intendment thereof, may to the present occasion séeme most conuenient
and readie. And as in this one Letter, so may the learner light vpon
many others being different also from the obseruation herein deliuered,
& somtimes abruptly entring into the matter without any limitation at
all, one other example whereof shall bee next hereunto deliuered, the
first beginning of which, declareth the meane of accomplishment of
the request, before the petition declared, whereunto by imitation the
vnskilfull may not rashlie enter, without good aduisement of what in
the performance is meete to be considered; The method of which is in
this sort pursued.=
_An example Petitorie, concluding a briefe request and curteous
remembrance of a thing before time promised._
Nowe is the time (wherein if your pleasure bee) you may perfourme what
erst you haue promised. I therefore desire you as heartilie as I may,
that your intent, being to doe me good, you will nowe execute the same.
And albeit I doubte not of your willingnesse herein, whose curtesie
hath not beene straunge towardes mee: yet rather enforced by mine owne
necessitie and continuall remembraunce of my vnprouided estate then
by anie other misgeuing, I prepare these lines, sollicitours of your
expected promise, which bearing in their fronte a token of oportunitie,
woulde praie you not to let slippe occasion, but with as much speede
as willingnesse to accomplish the same. Remembring howe manie waies I
am beholding vnto you, I remaine in accompt of your curtesies, rather
studious to thinke on them, then anie waies able to requite them, &c.
_Another example of the like effect._
[Sidenote: _Exordium_, by comparison.]
[Sidenote: _Insinuatiō._]
[Sidenote: _Peroratiō._]
Even as a bold begger, the more he is relieued, the more he still
presseth forward vpon the bounty of those, whom he supposeth to fauor
him: so fareth it with mee, who hauing eftsoons enioied your trauel to
my no small benefit, am neuertheles so shameles as stil to importune
you in the same. I haue, sir, I cōfesse, by your good means recieued
sundrie fauors at the hands of my Lord, which I cannot, nor euer shall
be able to requite vnto you, the matter of my suite notwithstanding
hetherto depending before his honour, I neither can nor may so farre
foorth withdrawe my selfe, but I must needes nowe and then solicite
you, as the Gentleman by whose onelie curtesie and perseuerance in
woonted care and good affection towardes mee I do liue, and so liuing,
continue my daies and yeares with such assured respecte, as hee that
hath sworne and vowed in himselfe neuer to forget you. It doeth sir,
so much stande mee vpon the procuring of his L. letter in my behalfe,
for the indifferente triall and hearing of my cause, as without (in
speciall and earnest speeches the same be directed for mee to the
Iustices and Commissioners) I am in greate despaire howe the case will
goe with mee. It is you therefore that must helpe mee herein, and by
your onelie meanes I must bee warranted in this action, the intendment
whereof furthering so much vnto right and cause of equitie as it doeth,
I hope his L. vpon your motion will the easilier condiscende vnto. This
is that I require at your handes, and to the speedie dispatch whereof I
may not cease to importune you. Whereon concluding for the present, I
doe heartilie bid you farewel, &c.
_Of Epistles Commendatorie.
Chap. 16._
=Much more might bee handled in this kinde, the method whereof is
one of the most ordinarie of any sortes of Letters that are indited,
for that the greatest number of directions are commonlie concluded
in this matter, the requests wherof doe either especially concerne
the writer, or are otherwise to be respected in the behalfe of some
other. The occasion of which hath caried herein the plentie of so
many examples, that by manifesting the diuersities of their orders
and vses, the learner might not wante wherein to bee directed, and
choice of varietie wherewith to be delighted. Now, besides these hereby
alreadie deliuered, there are letters also yᵗ might be suted vnder
this forme, which from Noble men or others, are many times written in
fauor of sundrie persons, containing requests in their behalfs to be
performed, which not withstanding the difference of estates in that the
same doe for the most part passe vnto their inferiours, yet séemeth
the nature thereof to be |petitorie|, but in a different order of
these to be altogether pursued. Insomuch as neither agree-eth it, to
vse like circumstances of humilitie and entreatie, nor of pleasures
or curtesie, as in the other are required: but rather a necessarie
supposall and assurance of their demandes to be hearkened vnto, in
respect that of their honours, reputations, or credites, it is intended
they will require nothing, but that with reasonable toleration may be
liked of. But the vse of such kinde of directions in choise of both, I
rather hold pertinent to the title |Cōmendatorie|, for that whatsoeuer
is therein written, in fauour eyther of the person or of the cause,
may in respect of the honour or reputation of those from whome they
come, bee better déemed in sorte of a curteous recommendation, then
otherwise by or vnder anie title of humilitie or submission: for these
causes I haue thought meete to adioine immediatelie hereunto, the same
Epistles |Commendatorie|, beeing so nearelie combined with those of
|Petitorie| as they are. The vse whereof are not neuerthelesse so farre
forth caried, but that from an inferiour to his superiour, in some
causes and vpon sundrie accidentes, the same are deriued. The places
appertaining vnto these kindes of Epistles be as in the |Petitorie|
are alreadie declared, chiefely when the same, intendeth to a cause
or person preferred to be fauoured. In which, when it concerneth the
person, we must beware that in the credible deliuerie of whatsoeuer
tending to his praise or preferment, we doe it either by warrant of our
owne knowledge, or by such certaine report of others, whose opinion
we deeme will not bee misled. And if neither of these doe fall out to
be knowne or beleeued, then shal we shew what information wee haue
besides our owne opinion, or peraduenture no other assurance at all
but our owne simple liking. Petitions also are frequented in requiring
fauour to these causes, wherein standeth in highest regarde the state,
countenance or authoritie of him, from whome the letter is framed,
who accordingly thereunto may desire that the rather at his request,
or vpon his sute, or for his sake, or in regarde of his liking, the
person may bee accompted of, or the action furthered. Besides, it may
bee added to the increase of a more speedie performance, the loue,
(if anie be, or the occasion thereunto sorting) we owe to him we
commende, or in whose fauour we write, either solie for himselfe, or
conueyed from his friendes, his parentes, the consideration of his
charge of wife, children or seruantes, the wrong offered, benefite to
be attained, or whatsoeuer other matter to bee deemed requisite or
conuenient. Nowe from whence or out of what instigations, the matter of
such commendation is to bee drawne, you haue in the generall chapters
of this booke alreadie at large. The circumstances of which, and
whatsoeuer else hereby forewarned, shall in the ensuing examples bee
more at large deliuered.=
An example commendatorie, wherein
_is recommended to a noble man from his in-
feriour, the conditions and behauiours
of a person_.
[Sidenote: _Narratiō._]
[Sidenote: Cōmendation of the party.]
[Sidenote: _Petition._]
[Sidenote: _Peroratiō._]
It may please your Lordship, This Gentleman the bearer hereof, with
whome a long time I haue beene acquainted, and of his qualities and
good behauiour haue had sounde and large experiment, hauing beene a
good time a sutor vnto mee, to mooue his preferment vnto your Lordships
seruice: I haue nowe at the last condiscended vnto, aswell for that I
know your Lordship to be now presentlie disfurnished of such a one, as
also that there shall hardlie be preferred vpon a sudden any one so
meete as himselfe to supplie that place. And thus much by your pardō
and allowance dare I assure vnto you, yᵗ if it may please you in credit
of my simple knowledge and opiniō to imploy him, you shal find that
besides he is by parētage discended from such, as of whome I knowe your
Lordship will verie well accompt of, hee is also learned, discreete,
sober, wise, and moderate in all his actions, of great secrecie and
most assured trust, gouerned in all companies accordinglie: finallie,
a man so meete, and to this present turne so apt and necessarie, as I
cannot easilie imagine howe you may be serued better. Pleaseth your L.
the rather for the great good will I beare him, and humble duetie I owe
vnto you, to accept, imploie, and accompt of him. I nothing doubt but
your L. hauing by such means giuen credit to my choice, shall finde him
such, as for whose good seruice, you shall haue further occasion to
thinke well of mee for him. Whereof nothing doubting, I doe refer both
him and my selfe in all humblenesse to your best and most fauorable
opinion, from my house in B. this of, &c.
_A Letter responsorie to the same._
After my verie heartie commendations vnto you. Sithence the receipt
of your last letters and recommendations of P. B. into my seruice,
I haue had small occasion either to write or send vnto you till this
present. And for so much as vpon your certaine notice deliuered vnto
mee in fauour of his preferment, I helde my selfe so well assured in
all thinges of his behauiour, as I doubted not thereupon to receiue
him in place of greatest fidelitie, I haue thought good heereby to
let you vnderstand, what great pleasure I haue taken in his diligent
attendance, assuring you that for manie vnexpected qualities, which I
haue prooued to be in him, I doe woonderfullie well like of him, and
that with so good affection, as I intend not to omit anie thing that
may tend to his aduauncement. In beholding him oftentimes mee thinkes
hee manie wayes dooth resemble his father, who in sounde troth, I
doe suppose, might haue beene intertained with the best for his well
deseruing. This bearer shall enforme you of some especiall causes,
concerning my affayres in the Countrey, whom I doe pray you to conferre
with, and to affoord your trauell for his present dispatch, which I
will not faile heartily to requite vnto you. For your care had of my
wants, and diligent supply of such a one I do many times thanke you,
and haue promised in my selfe for the same to become a debter vnto you.
And euen so I do bid you hartilie fare wel. From the Court this of, &c.
_An other Epistle Commendatorie of the sort
before deliuered._
My verie good L. I am enformed by this Gentl. the bearer hereof,
that by meanes of one of your Chapleins, a motion hath beene made
of his preferment vnto your L. seruice: and forsomuch as those his
good friendes are not nowe in towne, who in respect of their account
with your L. might stande him in verie good steade: vnderstanding his
well-willing minde, and greate desire thereunto (for that I wish verie
well vnto his aduauncement) I haue taken vpon me heereby to entreate
(albeit I may not presume so farre, as to preferre a man vnto your L.)
that it may yet please you vpon my speeches to haue the better liking
of him. Assuring you that both by the credite of my La. F. who vppon
verye good conceyte towardes him, wished his preferment, with her late
deceased brother and last L. C. and also by the knowledge my selfe
haue had of him, and others besides, whome your L. hath in speciall
and chose regarde, he is one so sufficient, and euerie way so well
furnished to doe seruice to anie honourable personage, as by tryall and
proofe made of whose good parts and behauiour, your L. shall not reape
occasion of ill conceit, to whome soeuer haue vndertaken to preferre
him vnto you. And if it shall notwithstanding seeme farther conuenient
vnto your L. to make stay of his acceptaunce, for some priuate causes
hitherto vnsatisfied, I shall yet in his behalfe neuerthelesse become
thus farre a suter vnto you, that this my recommendation may with
your L. good fauour become a speedier meane the better (when it shall
happen) to mooue your L. good lyking towardes him. For which I shall
thinke my selfe, as in manie other occasions besides, vnto your
honourable opinion most deepely beholden. In acknowledgement of which,
and respect of my humble and dutifull regarde to the same, I doe nowe
and euermore remaine your L. &c.
=These two examples |Commendatorie|, are concluded to one effect, the
formost whereof with little alteration, may become a president for
anie recommendation, whether it bee to fauour, friendship, choyce, or
account, and not vnto seruice at all, for that herein is shewed, in
what sort men for their vertues may be recommended. Now if there be
anie other particular occasion in the person, besides these, inducing
matter of good liking the same in place and stead of other, or togither
with the other may be then alledged, and the course herein deliuered
at all times indifferently to be obserued. And as these are from
inferiour persons directed vnto their superiours: so will we sort out
some others, that from Noblemen in like sort haue béene passed to their
inferiours, examples whereof are in like maner hereunto annexed.=
_An Example Commendatorie, from a Noble man to his inferiour,
wherein one is recommended to an office._
After my verie heartie Commendations vnto you, where I am giuen to
vnderstande, that you are in election, and it is also verie likelie
you shall bee pricked by her Maiestie, high Sheriffe for this yeare,
of the Countyes of Sussex and Surrey. This Gent. the bearer hereof,
beeing one whom for manie respectes, I doe greatly fauour, and for his
learning, skill, and honest vsage, haue long time vsed and reputed of,
I haue thought good by these (if it so happen you shall this yeare bee
named thereunto) to recommend to your good allowance to bee receyued
as your vnder-sheriffe for that time, putting vnto you such good and
reasonable securitie as appertaineth, for discharge of the sayde
office. And hereby also to pray you, that the rather for my sake, and
for the especiall choice and reckoning I haue made of him, you will
nowe before hand make certaine acceptance of his skill, by refusall of
whatsoeuer other that may bee recommended vnto you for the exercise of
the same office, assuring you, for that I haue well knowne and prooued
to be in him, you shall be so well furnished, as you would wish. And
besides, in that you shall gratifie me herein, I will not faile in anie
sort I may to requite you. And euen so I bid you heartily farewell.
=Heerein is the honour and nobilitie of the personage greatlie to
bee respected who by so much the more his estate, countenance, or
authoritie requireth it, by so much the lesse may it be considered,
that in the inditing of these letters hee should with ouer large
entreatie bee charged, but rather with fewer spéeches, and lesse
circumstances to demaunde what hee purposeth. The conformitie whereof
may bee gathered out of the examples ensuing, according whereunto, hee
in whose fauour such kinde of Letters are to bee directed, (especiallie
if the inuention beeing of his owne procurement bee brought to bee
signed) ought to take heede that the regard of his honour and calling,
in whose name the Letter passeth bee not by too great humilitie of
tearmes in any sort misprised.=
_An Epistle commendatorie, from a noble man, in prefer-
ment of his seruant._
After my verie heartie commendations vnto you. This bearer hauing
of long time serued mee faithfullie, and beeing nowe desirous to
trauaile. I haue thought good heartilie to recommend vnto you. And
forasmuch as by reason of your office of Lord Gouernour of V. it is
likelie there are manie places of good preferment remayning in your
gift, vppon your followers to bee bestowed, I doe most heartilie pray
you, that you will not onelie for my sake bee contented to receyue him
into your seruice, but that also in fauour thereof, you will in anie
place of preferment about you, doe him that benefite and furtherance,
as to one whom you wish throughlie well vnto, you woulde performe.
Herein if my request may preuaile with you, I shall not onelie bee
readie to thanke you, but in whatsoeuer cause you haue to vse mee, bee
as willing to requite you. And so I doe bid you right heartily fare
well. At the Court this day, &c.
An other example, wherein is recom-
_mended the cause and speedie
furtherance of Iustice._
After my heartie Commendations vnto your Lordship: where I haue beene
informed by this bearer, beeing a poore Tenaunt of mine, of a certaine
cause of his depending before you in her Maiesties Bench, and that
after manie thwartings and euill practises of his aduersarie, the
matter is nowe driuen to an issue, and tryall, from the benefite
whereof by corruption of some kinde of persons, hee hath these three
tearmes passed beene alreadie detayned, to his great hinderance, and
almost vtter vndooing. I haue thought good vppon his humble suite to
mooue your L. in his behalfe, and to pray you that at my instaunce you
will at some conuenient leysure examine the state of his matter, and
being informed thereof at large, doe him that speedie fauour in iustice
and right, as hee may not anie longer time therein bee deferred, but
that notwithstanding anie cauill or obiection thereunto hindering,
hee may before this tearme passed in anie wise haue a tryall. In
accomplishment whereof, besides that you shall greatlie satisfie mee in
respect of the poore mans right, whereunto I wish great regard to be
giuen, you shal also performe a deed so charitable, as whereby you shal
perpetually bind him, his poore wife, and children continually to pray
for you. And albeit I nothing doubt herein your great willingnes and
voluntarie disposition to Iustice, yet that by reason of my request,
the matter wich more diligence may be harkened vnto, I eftsoones pray,
and therwithall hartilie doe bid your L. farewel, this of, &c.