Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 1Note: you've followed an index reference to a note that, due to changes between the print and digital editions, may no longer be on page 267. Please look at all notes at the end of the document or documents on page 267.
1622
Your sweete lettres cominge from the aboundance of your Love, were ioyefully received into the closet of my best affections, (though nowe furred with age and no suitable harboure for suche a gueste.) The ioye thereof hath at length quickned me up to this slender testimony of my highe esteeme of your love, and my true desire to nourishe the same. Alas (good Ladie) can there any lovelye thinge appeare to you in so crazed a bodie and mynde, that beinge a burden to itselfe, accounts it great honor from the Lorde not to be offensive to my friends, nor despised of my betters: but to bee of such price (as you please to have mee) in a trulie noble and woorthie brest, would revive my conceite to some highe pitche of myne owne worthe, but that the continual sense of my infirmities holdes me still in my right temper. Beinge nowe warned by age to expecte my change daylie, I seeke the more to withdrawe my thoughts from other things, that I maie more seriouslie intende my preparations for it; as the most needeful studie for all; especially for mee, whose time of dissolution is even at hande. Yet so longe as life and light upholde this hearte, I shall not cease to be myndefull of your Love; and (as my last and best meanes of requitall) laboure to laye up with the Lorde some pore blessinge of praier, which may be remembred upon you and yours, for your best wellfare, when I shall sleep with my fathers.
L. and L.
, I. 46–47. See note
1622-01-29
I received your lovinge Letter, and doe prayse God for that begininge of your recoverye, and the good health of the rest of 268your familye. I hope the Lord will now visite you in his riche mercie, and doe you good and comforte you accordinge to all the evill which you have endured, he hath shewed you great trobles and aduersities, but he will returne and receive you, etc: to the ioye and strengthening of your Faith, and the raysinge vp the heart of my good sister, which, I knowe, hathe suffered much discomfort in your longe troubles. For our selues, the Lo: continues very gratious towardes vs, blessed be his holy name: my wife is sittinge vp againe, and I trust shalbe restored to hir former healthe in due tyme. we might reioyce greatly in our owne private good, if the sence of the present evill tymes, and the feare of worse did not give occasion of sorrowe. The Lo: looke mercifully vpon this sinfull lande, and turne vs to him by some repentance, otherwise we may feare it hath seene the best dayes. I will write no more at this tyme, being (as yet) to seeke of a messinger for these. let vs still continue mindfull of eache other in our prayers, and the confirminge of our mutuall Love, for it may meet with tryalls. Thus with all our lovinge salutations to your selfe, my good sister, and little cosins, I comende you to the grace and peace of the Lo: Jesus, and will rest allwayes your lovinge brother
My Reseit of Hand is due this terme, I pray let one of your folkes paye it for me.
I praye send vs a little of your Juice of Liquorice.
Three often appears in old English signs—Three Pigeons, Kings, Cocks, Cups, Children in the Wood, Crowns and Sugar Loaves [= the pope’s tiara]. Cf. Jacob Larwood and J. C. Hotten, The History of Signboards (London, 1867). No connection between a fawn and the trade of apothecary can be found. There may be a play upon the words fawns and Fones. On punning signs cf. Larwood and Hotten, ch. xv, and The Leisure Hour, XXXI. 221–222.
Old Bailey was perhaps so called from the ancient bailey or ballium of the city wall of London, between Lud Gate and New Gate. It is best known as the Central Criminal Court. J. H. Jesse, London, III. 213–217.