ABSTRACT

Iam(Iassureyou,gentleMistressMargaret)alreadyinflamedwithafatherlylove andaffectiontowardsyou:thewhichatthefirst,theonlyreportofyourmodest behaviour,andmildnature,didbreedinmyheart;butnowthroughthemanifest tokensofyourtruelove,andconstantmind,whichIperceivetobesettledinyou towardsmyson,thesameisexceedinglyincreasedinme.SothatIcannotabstain fromexpressingituntoyoubymypeninabsence,whichmytongueandmouth,I hopeshallshortlydeclareuntoyouinpresence....AndthereforeIassureyou (goodMistressMargaret)thatwhatsoeverloveandkindnessyoushallvouchsafeto showhereafteruntome,Iwillnotonlyrequiteitwiththelike,butalsotothe

Marriage53

uttermostofmypowerredoublethesame.AndforthatIwouldfain40makeita littlepartofyourfaithtobelievethatyoushallbehappyinmatchingwithmyson,I doherefaithfullypromiseforhim,inthepresenceofalmightyGod,thathewill alwaysbeamostkindandlovinghusbanduntoyou,andaprovidentstewardfor youandyoursduringhislife,andalsoafterhisdeath.