Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 2.djvu/95

 DIGBY. 91 best to defend my own, leaving the issue to God; and though I have been, and still am desirous to avoid the shedding of christian blood, yet being provoked, your threats shall no whit dismay me.” - After two months, the Lord Viscount Clanmalien brought a great piece of ordnance, (to the making of which, as it was credibly reported, there went seven score pots and pans, which was cast three times by an Irishman from Athboy, before they brought it to that perfection, in which it was at Geashill,) and sent another summons to her ladyship, in these words:– “Noble Madam, “It was never my intention to offer you any injury, before you were pleased to begin with me, for it is well known, if I were so disposed, you had not been by this time at Geashill; so as I find you are not sensible of the courtesies I always expressed unto you, since the be ginning of this commotion; however, I did not thirst after revenge, but out of my loring and wonted respects still towards you, I am pleased and desirous to give you fair quarter, if you please to accept thereof, both for yourself, children and grand-children, and likewise your goods; and I will undertake to send a safe couvoy with you and them, either to Dublin, or to any other of the next adjoining garrisons, either of which to be at your own election; and if you be not pleased to accept of this offer, I hope you will not impute the blame unto me, if you be not fairly dealt withal, for I expect to have the command of your house before I stir from hence. And if you please to send any of your gentlemen of your house to me, I am desirous to confer thereof at large, and so expecting your speedy answer, I rest, your loring cousin, “LEWIS GLANMALEROE.” “P.S. Madam, there are other gentlemen now in this town, whose names are hereunto subscribed, who do join and unite themselves in this mine offer unto you. “Lewis Glanmaleroe, Ant. O'Molley, Henry Dempsie, Edw. Connor, Cha. Connor, Daniel Doyne, John Mac William.” To this letter, Lady Offaley sent the following answer:- “My Lord, “I little expected such a salute from a kinsman, whom I have ever respected, you being not ignorant of the great damages I have received from your followers of Glanmaleroe, so as you can't but know in your own conscience, that I am innocent of doing you any injury, unless you count it an injury for my people to bring back a small quantity of mine own goods where they found them, and with them, some others, of such men as have done me a l l the injury they can devise, a s may appear b y their own letter. I was offered a convoy b y those that formerly besieged me, and I hope you have more honour than t o follow their example, b y seeking her ruin