CCXI sociable letters written by the thrice noble, illustrious, and excellent princess, the Lady Marchioness of Newcastle.

LXXXI.

MADAM,

IN your last Letter you desired me to write some Letters of Complement, as also some Panegyricks, but I must intreat you to Excuse me, for my Style in Writing is too Plain and Simple for such Courtly Works; besides, give me leave to inform you, that I am a Servant to Truth and not to Flattery; although I confess, I rather Lose than Gain in my Mistress's Ser∣vice, for she is Poor and Naked, and hath not those means to Advance her Servants as Flatte∣ry hath, who gives Plenty of Words, and is Prodigal of Praise, and is Clothed in a Flourish∣ing Style, Imbroydered with Oratory; but my Mistress, Truth, hath no need of such Adorn∣ings, neither doth she give many Words, and seldom any Praise, so as her Servants have not any thing to live on or by, but mere Honesty, which rather Starves than Feeds any Creature; yet howsoever, I being bred in her Service from my Youth, will never Quit her till Death takes me away; and if I can Serve you by Serving her, Command me, and I shall Honestly Obey you, and so rest,

Madam,

Your faithful Fr. and S.