Desirous of your reformed imagination, &c.
NOw after these double thwartinges on either part receiued in expostulating this iniury, (the like whereof by writing is sundrie times occasioned, and remaineth in this place onlie for varietie, to make shew how by well handeling, matters may on both sides be equally enforced or weakned) I will sort you forth two or three seuerall examples more, because of the necessary and often occurrence of this title, daily being accustomed in our writing. The first whereof shall be for matter of vnkindnesse: The second for breach of promise: The thirde from a meane Gentleman to a personage of great honour, wherby in cause of betternesse shall be exampled how iniuries may be expostulated or complained of, and these in sequence shall followe by their examples.
An example of an Epistle Expostulatory touching
vnkindnesse receiued.
MAister G.Narratiō. I haue great maruell that remaining hitherto in town as you do, we can by no possibility heare of your being, but by such iangling messengers as you make currors for spite, whereby to abuse your friendes. In which the discurtesie is far more by the vnbeseeming courses & dealings therein vsed, then fitteth either your honestie or our friendship to be tolerated. I doubted not ere this time how apt you were to conceiue (euen for a verie toie) in the worst degree that might bee, of any one that behaueth himselfe neuer so well vnto you,Epiphonema. so ticklish are your humours, and so vnsteady your censures. And which is worst, it cannot with you rest in imagination alone, but in such odde kinde of reportes, and to such base persons you deliuer it, as it verelie seemeth, you little recke what discredit you offer a man in the same, the least whereof would make you storme to the gall, if a man should but ouerslip himselfe in giuing any manner of sound of you, tending to such effect as you proffer. Good God sir, are you and I of late become such straungers together, as that neither writing nor request may serue to haue accesse to your presence. Trust mee I am vnused to these deuises, nor fit they at all vnto my appetite. Either something or no body to me, but vnto such as more recke of your coynesse then I doe, you may be as you will, or as their fortunes may beare with you. For my part I am too vnapt to weld any such insupportable amity. If you can vse me as your vpright, honest, and well meaning friend, I am vnto you as firme as you woulde wish me, otherwise to encounter so many diuersities, of vnfrequented fancies, toyes, or mislikes, it aunswereth in no point vnto my propertie, which hauing thought good of meere well wishing to signifie vnto you by present writing, I leaue you to your best opinion, this of &c.
Yours in all good sort to be entertained, &c.
An example of an Epistle expostulatory for
breach of promise.
MAster K. I haue abstayned hitherto to come or sende vnto you,Narratiō. partly weried with importunity, for that I thought two moneths being now passed, I might in this space haue found a season conuenient, wherein to haue ended with you. Hauing taken this cause in hand, I woulde (as in good reason it seemeth fit) you should determine with me vpon some conclusion, wheron resting assured, I might thenceforth know wherunto to trust, & neither waste labour in comming to so small purpose, nor hinder my certaine busines by the vnsteadie stay of your affaires, as alreadie I haue done. We haue talked manie times, and set downe certaine limits, marie to so slender effect, as I neither know when to demaund, nor you howe to satisfie. So that depending vpon shadowes, I haue passed my time with small benefite, and you haue gone forward to little purpose. I doe pray you therefore that hence-foorth such honest meaning maie assure vs, as alreadie betweene vs hath on either part beene performed, To delaie me thus with nifles, as I thinke it farre from a Gentleman, so do I suppose you not intend it, considering how many wayes thereby, I am and shall be hindred. This therfore may be the certaine meane to satisfie vs both,Epilogus. that you will (as on Friday last you promised) come and see the agreement betweene vs performed, whereof I pray you aduertise your full resolution by this bearer. And so I bid you heartily fare well, &c.
An example of an Epistle Expostulatorie from an inferiour Gentleman
to his farre better in degree, authoritie and calling.
RIght Honourable,Exordium. though by the custome and common policie of this vnhappie worlde, I am better warranted with a personage of your greatnesse, to dissemble, then to deale plainlie, yet because I finde as well by Gods owne worde, as by the euent of mens practises, that such customes are neither pleasing to his Maiestie, nor alwayes profitable to such as vse them, I haue aduentured to manifest that by paper, which by words (albeit many times desirous) I neur had heart to vtter.