Briefwisseling. Deel 1: 1608-1634

577. Aan lady M. Killigrew²⁾. (H.A.)

Peace and prosperitie be upon you and yours for ever, since Reason hath gotten her ancient possession of your heart, and Peace found again the way between your Ladyship and me. So that at last, without miracle, a Spaniard and a Hollander doe partake equally in the blessing of England, but that the one has beene prevented by the other by a few weeks. God is my witnesse, I did never forfeit your friendship, but yet, since you could find in your heart to punish me with the privation of it, and in your noble discretion againe to restore it kindly, I will take it from your Ladyship not as one gift twice given, but as a double present, once given and once againe, and never deserved. Honest Gautier³⁾, but now departed, to whome I made my just complaints of your late rigours against my innocence, undertook fervently the defense of my cause, by what he had had occasion to learne of my inclination toward strangers. I am glad, you would save him the paines, and now, even as yourself, I do entreat you, this night being past, as all things of the world doe, let us never think or speake againe of the saddest darknesse of it. Let us be children of light, and exercice such workes as bekome them, Peace and Love above all. In this resolution on my side I do kiss your noble hands, holding them to he blessed, as the feet are of those that do announce peace, and so, wishing to you and yours againe Gods everlasting peace, I rest .... 12 Feb. 1631.

2) Kopie.

3) Zie blz. 301.