XXXVI. To the QUEEN.
Droitwich, Wednesday, 14. May.
DEAR Heart; Marching takes away the conveniency of sending My Letters so safe and quick to Thee as when I was at Oxford, however I shall not fail to do what I can to send often to Thee. There is so little news for the present, as I will leave that sub∣ject for others; only upon Saturday last I received a Dispatch from Montross, which assures Me his condition to be so good, that he bids Me be confident that his Country-men shall do Me no great harm this year; and if I could lend him but 500. Horse, he would under∣take to bring Me 20000. men before the end of this Summer.
For the general state of My affairs, we all here think it to be very hopeful; this Army being of a good strength, well ordered, and increasing; My Sons such, that Fairfax will not be refused to be fought with, of which I hope Thou wilt receive good satisfaction from himself. It's true that I cannot brag of store of money, but a sharp sword alwaies hinders starving at least; and I believe the Rebels Coffers are not very full (and certainly we shall make as good shift with empty purses as they) or they must have some greater defect, else their Levies could not be so backward as they are; for I assure Thee that I have at this in∣stant many more men in the Field than they. I am not very confident what their Northern Forces are, but except they are much stronger than I am made believe, I may likewise include them.
Now I must make a complaint to Thee of My Son Charles, which troubles Me the more, that Thou maiest suspect I seek by equivocation to hide the breach of My word, which I hate above all things, especially to Thee. It is this, He hath sent to desire Me, that Sir John Greenvil may be sworn Gentleman of his Bed-chamber, but is already so publickly ingaged in it, that the refusal would be a great disgrace both to my Son and the young Gentleman, to whom it is not fit to give a just distaste, especially now, considering his Fa∣ther's merits, his own hopefulness, besides the great power that Family has in the West. Yet I have refused the admitting of him until I shall hear from Thee. Wherefore I desire Thee, first to chide My Son for ingaging himself without one of Our consents; then, not to refuse Thy own consent; and lastly, to believe that directly or indirectly I never knew of this while yesterday at the delivery of My Son's Letter. So farewel, Sweet Heart, and God send Me good news from Thee.