ABSTRACT
If I did know that my thoughts had ever entertained any unreverent conceit28 of you (my good mother) I should be much ashamed so impudently to importune your good opinion as I have done by many entreating lines, but having been ever emboldened with the knowledge of my unspotted innocence, I could not be so great an enemy to my own happiness as to want your favour, for want of desiring it. I must confess that if I had not divers and sundry ways had great experience of God's powerful working, I should long since have been discouraged from prosecuting my suit, having often entreated, yet could never obtain it. But knowing there is in God both a power, and a will, I cannot but hope he will exercise that power, to the turning of your heart towards me; so as one day you will say, that I have undeservedly borne the punishment of your displeasure .... give me leave my dear mother to conclude with this assurance that if ever it be my great good fortune to gain your
27 For a printed text, see Wall, A. (ed.) (1983) Two Elizabethan Women: Correspondence of Joan and Maria Thynne, Devizes: Wiltshire Record Society. The original papers are at Longleat House.
