State-worthies, or, The states-men and favourites of England since the reformation their prudence and policies, successes and miscarriages, advancements and falls, during the reigns of King Henry VIII, King Edward VI, Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth, King James, King Charles I.

A further Character of Sir Iohn Norris from Queen Elizabeths Letter to his Mother.

My own Crow.

HArm not your self for bootless help, but shew a good example to comfort your dolorous yoak-fellow. Although we have deferred long to represent to ••ou our grieved thoughts, because we liked full ill to yeild you the first reflexion of mis-fortune, whom we have always rather sought to cherish and comfort; yet knowing now, that Necessity must bring it to your ear, and Nature consequently must move both grief and passion in your heart; VVe resolved no longer to smot••er, neither our care for your sorrow, or the sympathy of our grief for your loss. VVherein if it be true, That Society in sorrow works dimi∣nution, VVe do assure you by this true Messenger of our minde, that Nature can have stirred no more dolorous affection in you as a Mother for a dear Son, than Gratefulness and memory of his Service past hath wrought in us his Soveraign ap∣prehension of our miss for so worthy a Servant. But now that Natures common work is done, and he that was born to die hath paid his Tribute, let that Christian discretion stay the flux of your

immoderate grieving, which hath instructed you both for example and knowledge, that nothing in this kinde hath happened but by Gods divine pro∣vidence. And let these Lines from your loving gracious Soveraign serve to assure you, that there shall ever appear the lively Character of our Estimation of him that was, in our graci∣ous care of you and yours that are left, in valu∣ing rightly all their faithful and honest Endea∣vours. More at this time we will not write of this unpleasant subject, but have dispatched this Gentleman to visit both your Lord and you, and to condole with you in the true sense of your love; and to pray that the world may see what time cureth in a ••eak minde, that Discretion and Moderation helpeth in you in this accident, where there is so just cause to demonstrate true Patience and Moderation.

Your Gracious and Loving Soveraign, E. R.