Lettre autographe

The world, into the Modell, of a Tennis Ball, All Scyences, melted, into Sentences, I would, I were soe Compendyous, as to expresse my hopes, my ffortunes, my overthwartes into sillables, as Marchantes, doe; Riches; into a ffewe Ciphers, Butt; I ffeare to Comitt the Error : I discommend tedyousnes, lyke one; that Roveinge to searche out, whatt tyme was, spent all his, and knewe it not;

I was entertayned, yo’ Ma‘ servant; by yo’ owne gratious ffavo’ : stranghtened w'* Condicions, that, I should ayme all my Courses, Att the Revells; (TI dare not saye, with a promise, butt a hopeffull Item, of the Reversion) ffor the w‘ ; theis Tenn yeares, I haue Attended, with an vnwearyed patience, and, I knowe not; whatt Crabb; tooke mee ffor an Oyster, that, in the Middest of the Svnnshine of yo’ gratious aspect; hath thrust a stone; Betwene the shelles, to eate mee alyve; that onely lyve on dead hopes;

Yf, yo’ sacred Ma‘*° thincke mee vnworthie, and that after Tenn yeares tempest, must att the Co'* suffer shippwracke of my tymes, my hopes, and my Wittes, vouchesaffe in yo’ never erringe Tludgm‘ some Plancke, or Rafter; to waffe mee; into a Countrye, where, in, my sadd and setled devotion, [| maye; in every Corner; of a Thatcht Cottage; wryte Prayers; instead of Playes; Prayers; ffor, yo’ longe, and prosperous lyfe, and a Repentaunce, that I haue played the ffoole, soe longe, and yett lyve.

Quod petimus poena, nec enim miser esse recuso sed precor vt possem, mitius esse miser.

Jo : LILLYE.

Non ero, qui nunc sum, te miserante miser.

Jo : LILLYE.

(British Museum, Harleian Mss., 1323, f° 249).