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RICHARD EDEN TO LORD BURGHLEY.

[MS. Lansd. No. 101. Art. 5. Orig.]

August 1st, 1562.&emsp; HE only searcher of mens harts, the eternall God, I take to wytnesse (right honorable) that never the greefes of adverse fortune (wherof I have had my parte) dyd so muche prostrate my mynde and pearce my harte with sorowes, as the understondinge of your honours favour and goodnesse towarde me in your lately ernest travaile in my behalfe (as I was informed by the Mʳ of Savie) hathe rejoised me and revived my discouragied spirites, heretofore no lesse languysshed for lacke of suche a patrone, then nowe encouraged by the favoure of suche a Mæcenas, as I have just cause to name your honoure. Syth only the respecte of suche vertues as it hathe pleased yow to thinke commendable in me, hath moved your honour not only in maner to seeme carefull for me howe I maye hereafter with quietnesse spende my tyme in studie, as is my most desire; but also to be more ernest in folowing the same, then I might without presumption demaunde, and muche lesse without desertes dequire. As touchinge the which matter (right honourable) as it was no parte of my divise, but suche as the Mʳ of Savoy had then in hande, as I suppose no lesse to pleasure hymselfe and his frende then for £20 therof to be lotted to me for an earnest penye to begyne the booke (as he saith). Even so am I right sorie that for so smaule a matter, and not so favorable a sute as I wolde have wysshed, not only your honour hathe taken suche paynes, but that also suche contention is rysen therof betwene the Mʳ of Savoy and Mʳ Baptist of the privie chamber, that by reason thereof the pardon being steyed be your Honour, the younge gentleman his kynsman (as he hathe informed me) is in daungiour of his lyfe. But under your