OP IRELAND. 177 8ter, he fell to parlyes and treatyes with them, sent them diverse messengers and letters, whereby he co- venanted to devide with them halfe the King-dome, would they assist his enterprise, lames Lord Treasurer, in whom for their youth and acquaintance he most affied, and often accumbred with such temptations, finally returned his brokers with letters. Taking pen in hand to write you my resolute an- swere, I muse in the very first line, by what name to call you, my Lord, or my Cousin, seeing your notorious treason hath distayned your honour, and your desperate lewdnes shamed your kindred, you are so liberall in parting stakes with mee, that a man would weene you had no right to the game, so importunate in craving my company, as if you would perswade me to hang with you for good fellowship. And thinke you that lames is so mad to gape for gudgens, or so ungratious to sell his truth for a peece of Ireland, were it so, (as it cannot be) that the Chickens you reckon were both hatched and feathered, yet be thou sure I had rather in this quarrell die thine enemy, then live thy partner : for the kindnes you proffer mee, and good love in the end of your letter, the best way I can I purpose to re- quite, that is, in advising you though you have fetched your feaze, yet to looke well ere you leape over. Ig- norance and error, and a certaine opinion of duty hath carried you unawares to this folly, not yet so ranke, but it may be cured. The King is a vessell of bounty and 2 A
