Catalogue description LORD WYLLUGHBY to the [EARL OF ESSEX] EARL MARSHAL.

--"To conclude is better than to begin, which makes me desire to end rather worthy of youre honorable favours than to inlarge how happy beginnings I have had by them, but finding my breath short, and my course hardly contynued without an expert hand to mannage me, I must now more than ever humbly desire your Lordship that I may rely upon you. A psalme boke would protect me for a privat man well inough, but in these imployments I had nede of an Alexander to cut of the curious knotts of exceptions may be taken against me, and since your Lordship is our General Alexander, give me leave as one particular of that nomber to appeale so to you in the state I am.

"Your Lordship likewise knoweth wise men trust more where love ever was sound, without any rent, than where it is peeced up againe, and let me use this, my good Lord, for another argument to fortefye myselfe by your noble protection. If while I was here mutch was said of my indisposition, when I am so many miles more of, it will be many wayes more increased, and so my insufficiency the more beleved. I doubt not but I shall be accused to be of a very variable and changeable humeur and yt will be argued that I esteme not my frends, because I shall perhapps not sarve some of their servaunts expectations, and also change old souldiours for new, a ill work if the sence were as the words: but as Salomon says of age, non senilis etas sed intaminata vita, so may valure, experience and diligence be applied to souldioury, and not easy spent yeares without knowledge or hazard.

"It will easely be beleaved I am testy and colerick, for it is part of my nature, and increased by my infirmyty, but if strong witts with sutch sicknes commit errours, I hope mine shall not be damnd for heresies, sence I will not dwell on them, but that I feare most is that if I do not som thing in as fervent heate as others passions who may be stonge [sic] would have it, they will straight conclude that through age and sicknes I am become cold and phlegmatike. This to your Lordship is not unknowne, who in your worthy enterprises hath found the inconveniency of ill-mixed humeurs and sutch venomous sicknes, and therefore out of your experience can better judge your frendly servaunt than they that never put theire fingar in the fire or knowes the element but by hearesay. Your Lordship by place, by law, by right, by my love, is my judge. I shall thinke myselfe most happy to receave your law and to obey your commaunds." Holograph.