_To Mastresse Annes._
[Sidenote: 1468 / JULY 22]
Rythe it is so that I may not, as oft as I wold, be ther as [_i.e._
where] I might do my message myselff, myn owne fayir Mastresse Annes,
I prey yow to accept thys byll for my messanger to recomand me to yow in
my most feythfull wyse, as he that faynest of all other desyreth to
knowe of yowr welfare, whyche I prey God encresse to your most plesure.
And, mastresse, thow so be that I as yet have govyn yow bot easy [_i.e._
little] cause to remembyr me for leke of aqweyntacion, yet I beseche
yow, let me not be forgotyn when ye rekyn up all yowr servaunts, to be
sett in the nombyr with other.
And I prey yow, Mastresse Annes, for that servyse that I owe yow, that
in as short tyme as ye goodly may that I myght be assarteynyd of yowr
entent and of your best frends in syche maters as I have brokyn to yow
of, whyche bothe your and myn ryght trusty frends John Lee, or ellys my
mastresse hys wyff, promysyd befor yow and me at our fyrst and last
being togedyr, that as sone as they or eyther of theym knewe your entent
and your frendys that they shold send me woord. And if they so do,
I tryst sone aftyr to se yow.
And now farewell, myn owne fayir lady, and God geve yow good rest, for
in feythe I trow ye be in bed.
Wretyn in my wey homward on Mary Maudeleyn Day at mydnyght.
Your owne,