Although my bad success, in former suits to her Majesty, have given me cause to bury my hopes, in the deep Abyss and bottom of despair, rather than now to attempt, after so many trials made in vain, & so many opportunities escaped, the effects of fair words, or fruits of golden promises. Yet for that, I cannot believe, but that there has been always a true correspondence of word and intention in her Majesty. I do conjecture, that with a little help, that which of itself has brought forth so fair blossoms will also yield fruit. Wherefore having moved her Majesty lately about the office of the Isle which by the death of Sir Antony Paulet stands now in her majesty’s disposition to bestow where it shall best please her, I do at this present most heartily desire your friendship and furtherance
first for that I know her Majesty does give you good ear, then for that our houses are knit in alliance, last of all, the matter itself is such, as nothing charges her Majesty since it is a thing she must bestow upon someone or other. I know her Majesty has suitors already for it, yet such as for many respects her Majesty may call to remembrance ought, in equal balance, to way lighter than myself. And I know not by what better means, or when her majesty may have an easier opportunity to discharge the debt of so many hopes, as her promises have given me cause to embrace, then by this, which give she must & so give as nothing extraordinarily does part from her. If she shall not deign me this in an opportunity of time so fitting, what time shall I attend which is uncertain to all men, unless in the graves
of men there were a time to receive benefits, and good turns from
princes. Well I will not use more words, for they may rather argue mistrust
then confidence. I will assure myself and not doubt of your good office both in
this but in any honorable friendship I shall have cause to use you. Hackney.
Your loving and assured friend
and Brother.
(signed) Edward Oxenford
Also at Virtual Grub Street:
- More on Edward Webbe’s troublesome trauailes and Edward de Vere. November 23, 2020. ‘In the present instance a polymath, polyglot officer in the British Royal Artillery, at the turn of the previous century, named Lieut.- Col. Henry William Lovett Hime wrote a short letter to The Westminster Chronicle of July 1916, regarding “The Travels of Edward Webbe”.’
- What About Edward de Vere’s Twelfth Night of 1600/01? January 28, 2020. “Leslie Hotson, who brought the Orsino-Orsino coincidence to the attention of the Nevillians seems to have made one particular mistake that is all to our point.”
- Who Saved Southampton from the Ax? September 2, 2019. “One of the popular mysteries of the final years of the reign of Queen Elizabeth I is why the Queen executed her favorite, the Earl of Essex, for treason, and left his accomplice, the Earl of Southampton, to languish as a prisoner in The Tower until King James I ascended the throne.”
- A Most Curious Account of the Funeral of Queen Elizabeth I: April 28, 1603. April 28, 2019. “Once it was clear that James I would face no serious challenges, Cecil and the others could begin to give attention to the matter of the Queen’s funeral.”
- Check out the English Renaissance Article Index for many more articles and reviews about this fascinating time and about the Shakespeare Authorship Question.
- Check out the English Renaissance Letter Index for many letters from this fascinating time, some related to the Shakespeare Authorship Question.
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