counted labes generis, "a spot of your kin," one of the greatest curses that can happen to man.
Well! my little PHILIP! this is enough for me; and too much, I fear, for you. But if I shall find that this light meat of digestion nourish in anything, the weak stomach of your young capacity; I will, as I find the same grow stronger, feed it with other food.
Commend me most heartily unto Master Justice CORBET, old Master ONSLOWE, and my cousin his son. Farewell! Your mother and I send you our blessings: and Almighty GOD grant you His! nourish you with His fear! govern you with His grace! and make you a good servant to your Prince and country!
Your loving father,
So long as you live in the fear of GOD,
H. SYDNEY.
A Postcript by my Lady MARY SIDNEY, in the skirts of my Lord President's letter, to her said son PHILIP.
Your noble and careful father hath taken pains with his own hand to give you in this his letter, so wise, so learned, and most requisite precepts for you to follow with a diligent and humble thankful mind; as I will not withdraw your eyes from beholding and reverent honouring the same: no, not so long time as to read any letter from me. And therefore, at this time, I will write unto you no other letter than this: whereby I first bless you, with my desire to GOD to plant in you His grace; and secondarily, warn you to have always before the eyes of your mind these excellent counsels of my lord your dear father, and that you fail not continually once in four or five days to read them over.
And for a final leave-taking for this time, see that you show yourself as a loving obedient scholar to your good Master! to govern you yet many years; and that my lord and I may hear that you profit so in your learning, as thereby you may increase our loving care of you, and deserve at his hands the continuance of his great joy, to have him often witness with his own hand the hope he hath in your well doing.
Farewell, my little PHILIP! and once again the LORD bless you!
Your loving mother,
MARY SIDNEY.
