I.
Right reverend and worshipful, and my right well beloved Valentine, I recommend me unto you, full heartilie desiring to hear of your welfare, which I beseech Almighty God long for to preserve unto his pleasure, and your heart's desire.
And if it please you to hear of my welfare, I am not in good heele (health) of bodie, nor of heart, nor shall be till I hear from you
| For there wottes (knows) no creature that pain I endure And for to be dead (for my life), I dare it not discur (discover) |
And my lady my mother hath labored the matter to my father full diligently, but she can no more get than ye know of, for the which God knoweth I am full sorry. But if that ye love me, as I trust verily that ye do, ye will not leave me therefore; for if that ye had not half the livelihood that ye have, for to do the greatest labour that any woman alive might, I would not forsake you.
| And if ye command me to keep me true wherever I go, I wis I will do all my might you to love, and never no mo, And if my friends say, that I do amiss They shall not me let (hinder) so for to do, Mine heart me bids ever more to love you— Truly over all earthlie thing And if they be never so wrath I trust it shall be better in time coming |
No more to you at this time, but the Holy Trinity have you in keeping; and I beseech you that this bill be not seen of none earthlie creature save only yourself.
And this letter was endited at Topcroft, with full heavy heart &c.
By your own
MARGERY BREWS.