Volume 2

The court of King James the First / by Dr. Godfrey Goodman, Bishop of Gloucester; to which are added, letters illustrative of the personal history of the most distinguished characters in the court of that monarch and his predecessors. Now first published from the original manuscripts. By John S. Brewer.

  • Goodman, Godfrey, 1583-1656.
Date:
1839
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The court of King James the First / by Dr. Godfrey Goodman, Bishop of Gloucester; to which are added, letters illustrative of the personal history of the most distinguished characters in the court of that monarch and his predecessors. Now first published from the original manuscripts. By John S. Brewer. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    37/450 (page 19)
    tions your favours have laid upon me are so great as they even burthen my soul with thankfullness; and desire to let your lordship know, that as my mind hath been long since dedicated to honour you, so hath your late kindnesses vouchsafed me so much comfort, as the bond is more infinite than I can any way discharge, but only with the true and inviolable love of an obedient friend, which I will rather die than fail of, so long as I have breath. For my deserts towards him that is gone, it is known that I have been more like a slave than a sister; which proceeded out of my exceed- ing love, rather than his authority. What I have lost or suffered, besides her Majesty’s displeasure,* I will not mention: yet so strangely have I been wronged, as may well be an argument to make one despise the world, finding the smoak of envy where affection should be clearest. But God par- don such humors, and deal with me as I was free from the love or knowledge of these unruly coun- sells. And, lastly, I beseech your lordship to hold me in your precious favour, since you are the person that, above all others, I have reason to honour and respect, both in regard of your own vertues and your noble kindnesses towards me, who can present you with no merit but my vowes to be endlessly your lordship’s most faith- full to do you service. Penelope BacHE.f * See Birch’s Bacon Papers, ii. p. 441. t Tan. cxiv. 174. Orig. Hoi.