2. THOMAS SATWELL [_alias_ FOORD], }
3. JOHN PETERS _alias_ COLLINGTON } Priests.
[_or more properly_ COLLETON], }
4. WILLIAM FILBIE, }
5. EDWARD YATE, }
6. EDWARD KEYNES, }
7. HUMPHREY KEYNES, }
8. JOHN COTTON, } Gentlemen.
9. WILLIAM ILSLEY [_or_ HILDESLEY],}
10. JOHN JACOB [_or_ JAMES], }
11. JOHN MANSFIELD, } Husbandmen and
12. WILLIAM WEBLIN [_or_ WEBLEY], } Neighbours thereby.
SINCE the committing of the persons before-named to the Tower as
aforesaid, there hath been, for my service done in those and such like
affairs, no small nor few brags, threatenings, curses, and evil wishes
given out against me by such as, if they were known, deserve both
little liberty and small favour.
[Sidenote: CAMPION, when he first saw me after his
apprehension, said unto me, That my service done in the taking of him
would be unfortunate to me. And in our journey towards the Tower, he
advised me to get out of England for the safety of my body.]
Some of my friends have doubted [_feared_] lest that sort of lewd
people would do their good wills to hurt me by some secret device, as
conjuration, witchcraft, or such like; the which I rather think to be
true, for that, shortly after the foresaid business ended, it pleased
GOD to visit me with some sickness after I was gone to bed at night;
which indeed for two or three hours handled me something hardly. But,
GOD I take to witness, I never was of that opinion that it came to me
by any other means but only by riding post two or three journies about
the business aforesaid.
Yet, within one day or two after my sickness, there came to a
neighbour's house [to] where I lodged in Southwark, one Mistress
BEYSAUNT, a widow, whose abode is most about St. Mary Overies,
and at the last by report smelleth of Papistry, and asked the good wife
of the house for me, and what she had lately heard of me.
She answered, She knew me not; nor nothing she had heard of me.
[Sidenote: It seemeth she was privy to some secret practice against me.]
Then said Mistress BEYSAUNT, "The very truth is, it is he
that took CAMPION and the rest of the company that are in the
Tower; and was the cause that Master ROPER and divers other
good men are troubled: and the last day," saith she, "he did fall mad
in the street, and was carried so into his lodging; and is not like[ly]
to escape with life. I pray you inquire further of him, and let me have
knowledge thereof."
So that hereby I may plainly see that the Papists take great care for
me: but whether it be for my weal or woe, and what her meaning was,
let the world judge. But let the Devil, the Pope, and them do what they
can; my faith standeth so sure on CHRIST JESUS my Saviour,
that through him I defy them all.
There hath been great murmuring and grudging against me about the
committing of the aforesaid Master THOMAS ROPER; and many
faults have been found for the same.
What I did therein I mean not here to recite: but my dealings in those
causes are known to such as before whom I think the fault finders dare
not shew their faces. But whatsoever I did against him, I would have
done against mine own father; the case standing as it did. Yet such
find-faults, to make the matter seem more odious to the World against
me, do not stick to report and say, That the said Master ROPER
hath brought me up from my childhood to this day at his only charges.
Which is so false as GOD is true. For although I was his servant; I
continued with him, in all, not past one year.
* * * * *
But to conclude. A great number of such like untruths have been
published against me, and no few bold brags; as report goeth. I could
name some if I would: but I let them pass; unless I be commanded to the
contrary by such as have authority to deal with me therein. GOD grant
them amendment, I mean not towards myself; or else make their doings
known in such sort as they may have their deservings; or at least be
put to the mercy of Her Majesty: to whose Highness, JESUS send
long life, a prosperous reign, with all joy and felicity!