Of Epistles Reconciliatorie — Chap. 14
NOwe after these Responsorie Letters, each answering vnto the others tendered courtesies, I thinke it meet to come to the next title, being in order Reconciliatorie. The matter whereof importeth a reconciliation to those from whom wee acknowledge in some sort or other to haue beene disseuered, contrarie to the bonde of friendshippe or dutie that therein might bee required, whether by our owne default, or by whose or what defect, as by the circumstance of the action shall bee tendered. In the framing of these Epistles wee shall recorde with our selues, in what league, amitie or dutie, wee haue before time stoode charged or bounde to him to whome wee studie to bee reconciled, thereupon shall wee according to the district obseruation at that instant helde of the same, studie eyther to qualifie, adnihilate, or vtterlie to extinguish the cause of falling of the disseuerance, or breach. Then shall we desire for the considerations thereunto inducing vs, to be retained againe in his wonted fauour or friendlie acceptance. And these as in the examples following may accordingly be suted.
An Example Reconciliatorie, From One Friend to Another
Exordium.
Parenthesis.
Epitheton.
Epilogus.
THe regarde of our auncient amitie and long continued acquaintaunce, wherein so firmelie and manie yeares wee haue beene knit togithers, will not permit (my good D.) that wee for one slender grudge, (rather by the malice and despite of others enuying our olde friendship, then by anie occasion of our selues, in ill time suggested betweene vs) shoulde in this sort bee disseuered. True it is, that before this time the like breach, or anie thing neare vnto the same was neuer seene betweene vs, but what (mischiefe) shall I nowe tearme it, or imagine to bee the occasion, that in so vnlooked time, and vpon so vnexpected occasion, hath in this vilde sort, giuen meane to vntie vs, betweene whome so great a league of loue, so long confirmed and approoued liking, so manie protestations and vowes haue ere this passed, as that by the force thereof it might well haue seemed wee should neuer haue fallen to this variance. But what cannot enuie doe? What is it that cruell, detestable and inueterate malice cannot performe? Credite mee, my D. for my part I am sorie that euer follie so much maistred vs, as to hearken in any sort to the stirrers vp of such bitternesse. And as my selfe was the first that by admittaunce and allowaunce of those rumours gaue the formost onset, by meanes whereof grewe this discontenting and vnkinde department betweene vs: so will I bee the first that shall endeuour to renue againe our friendshippe by a more iust reconcilement, to the intent the fruites of our vnfained liking becomming by such meanes the more forcible, may render vnto all the worlde a sufficient testimonie, how hard and difficult a thing it is to part those whome (but onelie death itselfe) hath power to disseuer. Bee onelie contented my D. once againe, to restablish that which being a little vntwisted, could neuer wholie be broken. Thy knowne good will, and heartie zeale vnto mee; assureth mee not to distrust the same at thy handes, which thou shalt euer finde to be graffed within me. This euening by Gods grace I meane at our lodging to see thee, whither, and to thy selfe I doe most heartilie commend me.
THis Reconciliatorie being different from that other Conciliatorie Epistle, by reason of the argument thereof tending to renue that, which formerlie might by the other before bee intreated for, carrieth the effects thereof as well as it dooth betwéene equals: so from an inferiour person to one who in reputation is somewhat more then his better. vpon presumption of whose fauor, or by negligence of his own dealing, hauing thrown himselfe into some disgrace with such a partie, he may by meanes herein offred, reconcile himselfe in any sort he list of humility. To the furtherance whereof, this example following may bee considered.
An Epistle Reconciliatorie, From an Inferiour Person, to One That Is His Better
Narratiō.
Propositiō.
Dichologia.
Antithesis.
Peroratiō.
PLeaseth my honourable good L. It was giuen me to vnderstand about two daies passed by M. R. that your L. should very hardly conceiue of me, in that vpon some vrgent occasion, I delaied to yeeld that testimonie vnto his cause, which in equitie and reason I ought to doe: and the rather, for that by your earnest entreatie and request, I was eftsoones thereunto required. The griefe was not small I sustained thereby, in that hauing receiued many and sundrie benefits by your honourable fauour, whereby diuers waies I remaine in dutie and honestie charged during my life vnto your L. I should stand on so great a hazard, as the aduenture or losse of your good opinion, onely for a matter sinisterly suggested vnto you against mee, without anie maintainable reason. Your L. dooth I hope remember, in my last speeches had with you about the very same matter (albeit before that time, I stoode on some tearmes, doubting the malicious dealinges of the aduerse parties agaynst mee, in reuengment of my plaine and honest testimonie to bee there giuen) yet at the last I concluded, to gather together all the Notes ministring furtheraunce to the cause, and thereuppon to deliuer my true and certaine knowledge according as had beene required. Nowe, what care I haue sithence vsed in the matter, and vppon intelligence had with M. R. howe vehementlie in satisfaction of what might anie wayes content your L. and bee furthering to his right, I haue proceeded therein, I had rather himselfe shoulde deliuer, then I to become a reporter vnto you. Insomuch as I well knowe (howeuer any others haue misinformed your L.) himselfe as a Gentleman, will vppon his woorde assure the truth and certaintie. I did I must confesse at the first vse some delayes in immediate dispatch of the thing, but how and in what manner, and to what end and purpose, let him also relate. Your L. I hope, will therefore bee pleased to do mee that right, as not to be euill perswaded towardes mee, in a case wherein I haue vpon your honourable assuraunce and commaund, entred so farre foorth, as thereby I stande assured to haue purchased vnto my selfe matter ynough of hatred, and by those whome (hauing refused to entertaine as my friendes) I haue inabled sufficiently thereby to become my heauie and bitter enemies. The hatred of whome cannot vnto mee anie wayes become so iniurious as the ill conceyte of your L. should redound to bee of all others most grieuous. For mine owne parte (so much doe I stande on the reuerent regarde and account I beare vnto your L.) as were it not I rest perswaded that vpon the equall deliueraunce conceiued of my willing minde vnto your seruice, you would againe bee reconciled in fauourable and good opinion towards me, I should so farre foorth bee discontented in my selfe, as neuer could I bee at attonement with mine actions, wherein by the least sparke of negligence whatsoeuer, I might thinke to haue ouerslipped anie thing that shoulde become displeasing, or otherwise offensiue vnto your honourable liking. Your L. woonted fauour and bountie giueth mee great expectation of the contrarie, and mine innocencie and true report of maister R. doth also in some sort assure me. Whereupon remaining as he that alwaies thinketh his life no better spent, then for and in your L. vtmost seruice, I humblie surcease, this day of, &c.