Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 2.djvu/372

352 issue was doubtful. On the morning of the th she received the last sacrament, and at two o'clock on that day she died. On her deathbed she dictated the following letter of farewell to him whom she still called her most dear lord and husband.

'The hour of my death now approaching, I cannot choose but, out of the love I bear you, advise you of your soul's health, which you ought to prefer before all considerations of the world or flesh whatsoever; for which yet you have cast me into many calamities, and yourself into many troubles. But I forgive you all, and pray God to do so likewise. For the rest I commend unto you Mary our daughter, beseeching you to be a good father to her, as I have heretofore desired. I must entreat you also to respect my maids, and give them in marriage, which is not much, they being but three; and to all my other servants a year's pay besides their due, lest otherwise they should be unprovided for. Lastly, I make this vow, that mine eyes desire you above all things. Farewell.'

This letter reached Henry with the intimation that she was gone. He was much affected, and is said to have shed tears.