Lettre autographe

TI wish nothing more then to commit all my waies to yo’ wisdome, and the deuises of others to yo" iudgment, I heere yeld both my self and my soule, the one to be tried by yo’ honnor, the other by the iustic of god. And I doubt not but my dealings being sifted, the world shall find whit meale, wher others thought to shew cours branne. It may be manie things wilbe objected, but y° any thing can be proued I doubt, I know yo’ L. will soone smell deuises from simplicity, trueth from trecherie, factions from iust service. And god is my witnes, before whome [I speak, and before whome for my speach I shall aunswer, y" all my thoughtes concerning my L. haue byne ever reuerent, and almost relligious. How I haue dealt god knoweth and my Lady can coniecture, so faithfullie, as I am as vnspotted for dishonestie, as à suckling from theft. This conseine of myne maketh me presume to stand to all trialls, ether of accomptes, or counsell, in theone I neuer vsed falshood, nor in theother dissembling. my most humble suit therfore vnto yo’ L. is y my accusations be not smothered and I choaked in y° smoak, but that they maie be tried 1 in y° fire, and I will stand to the heat. And my only comfort is, y‘ he y‘ is is [sic] wiss shall iudg trueth, whos nakednes shall manitest her noblenes. But I will not troble yo' honorable eares ? w° so manie idle wordes only this vpon my knees I ask, y° yo’ L. will vousalf to talk w° me, and in all things will I shew my self so honest, y° my disgrac shall bring to yo" L. as great meruell, as it hath done to me grief, and so thoroughly will I satisfñe everie obiection, y° yo’ L. shall think me faithfull, though infortunat. That yo’ honnor rest persuaded of myne honest mynd, and my Lady of my true seruic, that all things may be tried to y° vttermost, is my desire, and the only reward I craue for my iust (1 iust I dare tearme it) seruic. And thus in all humility submitting my caus to yo’ wisdome and my conseine to y° triall. Ï commit yo’ L. to the Almightie. Yo' L. most dutifullie to commaund.

Jhon LyLry.

1. Avant tried, il y avait boulted, qui a été barré. 2. But barré.

for y° I am for some few daies going into the countrie, yf yo” L. be not at leasure to admitti me to yo’ speach, at my returne TI will give my most dutifull attendaunc, at w°® time, it may be my honesty may ioyne w* yo’ L. wisdome and both preuent, that nether, wold allow. In the meane season what color soever be alleged, if I be not honest to my L. and so meane to be during his plesure, I desire but yo’ L. secret opinion, for as I know? my IL. to be most honorable, so I besech god in time he be not abused. Loth I am to be a prophett, and to be a wiche I loath.

most dutifull to commaund

Jhon Lyzy.

(British Museum. ZLansdowne Mss. 36, n° 76.)

MARIAGE DE LYLY

22 Nov. [1583]. John Lilly & Betteris Browne. (London. Warriage Registers of the Parish of St Clement Danes.)

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