What I did therein I mean not here to recite: but my dealings in those causes are known to such as before whom I think the fault finders dare not shew their faces. But whatsoever I did against him, I would have done against mine own father; the case standing as it did. Yet such find-faults, to make the matter seem more odious to the World against me, do not stick to report and say, That the said Master Roper hath brought me up from my childhood to this day at his only charges. Which is so false as GOD is true. For although I was his servant; I continued with him, in all, not past one year.
But to conclude. A great number of such like untruths have been published against me, and no few bold brags; as report goeth. I could name some if I would: but I let them pass; unless I be commanded to the contrary by such as have authority to deal with me therein. GOD grant them amendment, I mean not towards myself; or else make their doings known in such sort as they may have their deservings; or at least be put to the mercy of Her Majesty: to whose Highness, Jesus send long life, a prosperous reign, with all joy and felicity!
George Elliot.
Imprinted at London at the Three Cranes in the Vintry,
by Thomas Dawson.
1581.
On 12 March 1582, there was entered for publication at Stationers' Hall [Arber, Transcript &c., II. 408.] A brief Answer made unto two seditious Pamphlets. By A. M. [Anthony Munday.] The Preface to the Reader is however dated "From Barbican, the 22 of March 1582."
We give here the beginning of this Answer; the side notes being, of course, the comments of Anthony Munday.
NOt long after I had published [on 22 January 1582] my book called The Discovery of Campion; there came unto my hands a seditious pamphlet in the French tongue, intituled The History of the Death which the Reverend Father, Master Edmund Campion Priest, of the Society of the name of Jesus, and others have suffered Not for their religion; but for High Treason. [A.M.] in England for the Catholic, or Romish, religion or faith, the 1st December 1581; adding underneath Translated out of English into French.