LETTERS

OF

THE KINGS OF ENGLAND.

Prince Edward to his Father. 1

May 22nd, 1543.

In the same manner as, most bounteous king, at the dawn of day, we acknowledge the return of the sun to our world, although, by the intervention of obscure clouds, we cannot behold manifestly with our eyes that resplendent orb; in like manner your majesty's extraordinary and almost incredible goodness so shines and beams forth, that although present I cannot behold it, though before me, with my outward eyes; yet never can it escape from my heart. heart. For I consider that your highness's boundless goodness shines not less than the brilliancy of the sun, and that the eyes of men are not

1 Cotton. MSS. Vespas. F. xiii. No. 221. Translated from the Latin. This is a wretched and miserable specimen of fulsome flattery, and does but little credit to the honesty of Edward, or his tutors. Cardan styles the prince "a most extraordinary young man ;" and his soothing talents are undoubtedly displayed to full advantage at a very tender age.

VOL. II.

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more captivated by the sun's brightness, than the ears of all are soothed and comforted by that most illustrious fame of your excellence. Therefore, as often as I recal my mind to that unbounded goodness of yours towards a little manikin like myself, and as often as I inwardly reflect upon my various duties and obligations, my mind shudders-yea, it shudders, so that while shuddering, it also leaps with a marvellous delight: your majesty and the sweetest open-heartedness together carry me away. Hence it is ever before my eyes, the idea that I am worthy to be tortured with stripes of ignominy, if through negligence I should omit even the smallest particle of my duty; for the very consciousness of such a crime would perpetually rend my soul, and would torture me beyond measure, and especially if now I did not run to meet the opportunity so very convenient for performing my duty. And on this account the mere rumour which had been spread among us, of the coming of Master Cheek, gave me the utmost delight; and my mind, long since alive and ready to writing these letters, was driven by force to it, if force that may be called, which proceeds from one's own will. Moreover, certain other helps or rather incitements there are to the remembrance of my duty, which proceed from that source so renowned and celebrated by the tongues of all, I mean, from your serene highness; when I see contained within the limits of your godlike mind all those eminent qualities which by constant reading I learn from the records of our forefathers were attributed to princes. For, from your earliest age even to the present time, that admirable goodness of yours, as if

you had it from nature, has grown with you in proportion to your age, and that it may grow old with you is among my most ardent wishes. For, in the same way as the alchemists have, out of four elements, long vainly endeavoured to extract a fifth I know not what, essence, the most perfect of all; so what they by no study or art have ever been able to effect, God the parent of all seems easily to have produced to us something similar to this quintessence; if there be any excellence in man's nature to serve and preserve his fellow-men. For neither does your singular lenity grant impunity to wicked men, nor does your severity withhold the hearts of innocent men from admiring you. Wherefore, that encomium which Cicero claimed to himself as his own peculiar right, methinks may be justly transferred from Cicero to your majesty; for Cicero, fired with an over-zeal for honour, arrogated more than the truth admitted of, for he affirmed that Nature had stamped upon himself the very character of lenity, and that his country on him that of severity, and rightly too in my judgment: for he teaches that the man who hath once transgressed the bounds of modesty ought well and absolutely to be called a shameless person. But, on the contrary, your majesty's moderation, which is approved by all to an astonishing degree, draws to itself this its due praise.

But, while I am meditating thus with myself, I cannot set bounds to my joy. I congratulate thee, O Britain ! for I now perceive that is now come to pass which I have often heard quoted from Plato De Republica; who

1 De reipublicæ felicitate is the title of the book.

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teaches that that, after all, is the happiest government in which the kings are philosophers or the philosophers are kings. But our happiness I never can sufficiently admire, over whom bears sway the most philosophic of kings and the most kingly of philosophers.

But now I will not detain your majesty by these trifles of mine from more grave matters. Wherefore of the great and good God I ask, that He take into His protection your majesty.

Your majesty's very humble servant,

At Cambridge, the 22nd of May.

EDWARD P.

Prince Edward to Queen Catharine Parr. 1

Most honourable and entirely beloved mother, I have me most humbly recommended unto your grace with like thanks, both for that your grace did accept so gently my simple and rude letters, and also that it pleased your grace so gently to vouchsafe to direct unto me your loving and tender letters, which do give me much comfort and encouragement to go forward in such things wherein your grace beareth me on hand, that I am already entered. I pray God I may be able in part to satisfy the good expectation of the king's majesty, my father, and of your grace, whom God have ever in his most blessed keeping.

2

Your loving son,

E. PRINCE.◄

MS. Cotton. Nero. C. x., fol. 4. The interest which Queen Catherine took in the education of this young and precocious prince, and the kindness she evinced towards him, occasioned the filial style and address of Edward's letters to her. He almost invariably addresses her as his beloved mother."

2 Beareth me on hand, i. e. persuades me.

Prince Edward to his sister Mary.1

It is so long since I last wrote to you, my very dear sister, that it may chance so that you may think I have entirely forgotten you, but affection ever holds the chief place in my heart both for you and my dearest mother. I hope soon to see you, and so tell you in truth how much and how greatly I esteem you.

From Hunsdon, this 11th of January.

EDWARD P.

Edward VI. (when Prince of Wales) to Richard Coxe, his Almoner. 2

I send to you a short letter, my dearest almoner, because I know short letters are to you as acceptable as long ones. For I am well aware that you have read in Cato's first book, 20th verse: "When a poor friend gives you a little present, accept it kindly, and remember to praise it amply."

1 Rawlinson MSS. Translated from the Latin. Edward was born in the month of October, 1537. He was therefore scarcely nine years old when this and the subsequent letters were written, a fact which attaches considerable interest to them as most remarkable specimens of youthful talent in so exalted a position. It has been suggested that the prince received special assistance in most of these compositions. He most probably, indeed, in those which involve much argument or discussion, availed himself of the services of the learned men constantly about his person; but I believe few persons will rise from a perusal of these brief and simple notes without feeling entirely satisfied with their absolute genuineness.

MS. Harl. 5087, f. 1. From the Latin.