Love Letter 17

To inform you what joy it is to
me to understand of your con-
formableness with reason, and of the
suppressing of your inutile and vain
thoughts with the bridle of reason. I
assure you all the good in this world
could not counterpoise for my satis-
fadtion the knowledge and certainty
thereof, wherefore, good sweetheart,
continue the same, not only in this,
but in all your doings hereafter; for
thereby shall come, both to you and
me, the greatest quietness that may
be in this world.

The cause why the bearer stays so
long, is the business I have had to
dress up gear for you; and which I
trust, ere long to cause you occupy :
then I trust to occupy yours, which
shall be recompense enough to me
for all my pains and labour.

The unfeigned sickness of this well-
willing legate doth somewhat retard
his access to your person; but I trust
verily, when God shall send him
health, he will with diligence recom-
pense his demur. For I know well
where he hath said (touching the say-
ing and bruit that he is thought im-
perial) that it shall be well known in
this matter that he is not imperial;
and thus, for lack of time, sweetheart,
farewell.

Written with the hand which fain
would be yours, and so is the heart.

R. H.