she called) the dutifull seruices and vnwoonted circumstances, before she did deli∣uer it, the others that she sware vnto me, and the subtle words and serious protesta∣tions she vsed, it was a pleasant thing, and woorthie the noting. To whom (neuer∣thelesse) with an angrie countenance I turned againe, saying. If I had not regard of mine owne estate, and what heereafter might be said, I would make this shamelesse face of thine be knowne euer after for a marke of an impudent and bolde minion. But bicause it is the first time, let this suffice that I haue saide, and giue thee warning to take heede of the second. Me thinkes I see now the craftie wench, how she helde her peace, dissembling very cunningly the sorrow, that she conceiued by my angrie answer: for she fained a counterfaite smiling, saying. Iesus Mistresse, I gaue it you, bicause you might laugh at it, and not to mooue your pacience with it in this sort, for if I had any thought that it woulde haue prouoked you to anger, I praie God he may shew his wrath, as great towards me, as euer he did to the daughter of any mo∣ther. And with this she added many wordes more (as she could do well enough) to pacifie the fained anger, and ill opinion that I conceiued of her, and taking her let∣ter with her, she departed from me. This hauing passed thus, I began to imagine what might ensue thereof, and loue (me thought) did put a certaine desire into my minde to see the letter, though modestie & shame forbad me to aske it of my maide, especially for the wordes, that had passed betweene vs, as you haue heard. And so I continued all that day vntill night, in varietie of many thoughts. But when Rosina came to helpe me to bedde, God knowes how desirous I was to haue her entreat me againe to take the letter, but she woulde neuer speake vnto me about it, nor (as it seemed) did so much as once thinke thereof. Yet to trie, if by giuing her some oc∣casion, I might preuaile, I saide vnto her. And is it so Rosina, that Don Felixwithout any regard to mine honour dares write vnto me? These are things Mistresse (saide she demurely to me againe) that are commonly incident to loue, wherfore I beseech you pardon me, for if I had thought to haue angred you with it, I woulde haue first pulled out the bals of mine eies. How cold my hart was at that blow, God knowes, yet did I dissemble the matter, and suffer my selfe to remaine that night onely with my desire, and with occasion of little sleepe. And so it was indeede, for that (me thought) was the longest and most painfull night, that euer I passed. But when with a slower pace (then I desired) the wished day was come, the discreet & subtle Rosina came into my chamber to helpe me to make me readie, in dooing whereof, of pur∣pose, she let the letter closely fall, which when I perceiued, what is that that fell downe (said I,) let me see it. It is nothing Mistresse, saide she. Come, come, let me see, it (saide I) what, mooue me not, or else tell me what it is. Good lord Mistresse (•…ide she) why will you see it: it is the letter I would haue giuen you yesterday. Nay that it is not (saide I) wherefore shew it me, that I may see if you lie or no. I had no sooner said so, but she put it into my handes, saying: God neuer giue me good, if it be anie other thing; and although I knewe it well indeede, yet I saide, what, this is not the same, for I know that well enough, but it is one of thy louers letters, I will read it, to see in what neede he standeth of thy fauour. And opening it, I founde it conteined this that followeth.
I euer imagined (deere Mistresse) that your discretion and wisedome woulde haue taken away the feare I had to write vnto you, the same knowing well enough (without any letter at all) how much I loue you, but the very same hath so cunningly dissembled, that wherein I hoped the onely remedie of my griefes had been, there∣in consisted my greatest harme. If according to your wisedome you censure my
