_To the right worchipfull and reverent and myn good mayster Paston,
Squyere, be this taken._
[Sidenote: 1460 / APRIL 6]
My ryght worchipfull mayster, I recomaunde me to yow, besechyng yow to
hold me excusyd that I awaytyd noon otherwyse opon yow and my mastras at
my comyng from Norwich; for yn good feyth I was soo seke that I hadde
moche labour to come home, and sythen that tyme I have hadde my parte,
&c. And, Sere, as for Berney, he begynnyth to falle ought of the popell
conceyte faster than ever he fell yn, for serteyn causez, &c. I shalle
telle yow yn haste. But, Sere, blyssyd be God, as for yow, your love
yncresith amonge hem, and so I prey God it mot, for and I herde the
contrarie, ye shuld sone have wetyng. The under-shrefe dotht Mortoft
favour, and lete hym goo yn Norwich as hym lyst, and al the contre
abought me sey right evyll of hym for a mayntenor of the Kynges enime;
for there ben an C. [_hundred_] purposid to ride to the Kyng for hym,
and he come neer this contre, for they sey thow he hadde never doo with
his handes he hath seid a now to die. I have warend the under-shreffe
ther of, &c. Sere, forther, I am yn bildyng of a pore hous. I truste God
that ye shulle take your loggyng ther yn here after whan ye come to your
lordshippis on tho partes. And I durste be soo bolde on your maystershep
to aske of yow xij. copill of oken sparris, I wold hertilly prey yow not
to have them, but ther they may be for bore beste, and that is at a yard
of yourz yn Saxthorpe, callid Barkerz. I have eshe but noon oke, but
litell now comyth the fellyng ther of, &c. And me semyth ye myght take
mony for wood ther that stant and seryth and doth no good but harme, and
with yn fewe yeres ye shulnot wete where it is become, &c. Also ther be
serteyn materz betwyn soom of your tenuantez and me. I abide your comyng
and doo not [_naught ?_] at the reverens of yow; they be knowelle yn the
contre. And God have yow yn his kepyng.
Wretyn on Palme Sunday.
Be your servaunt,