Page:A View of the State of Ireland - 1809.djvu/370

 that would any thing to bee suspected rather then his thought indeed. And at the last when the other tooke his delay somewhat unkindely, and bade his Queene speake to him. If I said (quoth hee) that with my very goodill my sole daughter should bee sent to you to bee deflowred, your high isedome ould guesse I did but faine and flatter, and yet if ten daughters were deerer unto me then your good pleasure and contentation, by whose bounty, both she & I, and we all are supported, I were unworthie the secret friendship, wherein it lyeth in you to use mee. As for the wench, it will in part seeme honourable to bee asked to the bed of such a Prince, seeing Queenes have not sticked to come from farre, and prostrate their bodies to noble Conquerours, in hope of issue by them, and howsoever it bee taken, time will redeeme it. But such a friend as you are to mee and mine, neither I nor mine shall live to see, and I purpose not to offend your amity with saving a greater mater then twenty maiden-heads, seeing fathers have not sticked to yeeld their owne wives to quench the loves and lustes of their sonnes.

Therefore I am thus agreed, name you the day and place, sever your selfe from the open eye of your Court, conferre with those that have a curious insight and skill in beauties, I will send you my daughter, and with her the choice of twelve or sixteene gentlewomen, the meanest whereof may bee an Empresse in comparison, when all are before you, make your game at will, and then if my childe shall please your fancie, shee is not