Most faire and vertuous Ladie: having often sought opportunitie by some
good meanes to make knowen to your Ladiship the humble affection and
faithfull duetie which I have alwaies professed, and am bound to beare,
to that house from whence yee spring, I have at length found occasion
to remember the same by making a simple present to you of these my idle
labours; which having long sithens composed in the raw conceipt of my
youth, I lately amongst other papers lighted upon, and was by others,
which liked the same, mooved to set them foorth. Simple is the device,
and the composition meane, yet carrieth some delight, even the rather
because of the simplicitie and meannesse thus personated. The same I
beseech your Ladiship take in good part, as a pledge of that profession
which I have made to you, and keepe with you untill with some other
more worthie labour redeeme it out of your hands, and discharge my
utmost dutie. Till then, wishing your Ladiship all increase of honour
and happinesse, I humblie take leave.
Your La: ever humbly,
ED. SP.
[* “This lady was Anne, the fifth daughter of Sir John Spencer,
distinguished also, in the pastoral of _Colin Clouts come Home again_,
by the name of _Charillis_. She was married, first to Sir William
Stanley, Lord Mountegle; next to Henry Compton, Lord Compton; and
lastly to Robert Sackvilie, Lord Buckhurst, afterwards Earl of
Dorset.”—TODD.]