The enimie of idlenesse teaching the maner and stile how to endite, compose and write all sorts of epistles and letters: as well by answer, as otherwise. Deuided into foure bokes, no lesse plesaunt than profitable. Set forth in English by William Fulwood marchant, &c. The contentes hereof appere in the table at the latter ende of the booke.

One Lorde vvriteth vnto an other.

RIght honourable Lorde, after due commendations. &c. It is alreadie three monethes agoe since your honour by your learned and prudent Letters, requested me that if it were possible to vse such meanes and diligence in spea∣kyng vnto VVilliam Ardiller, that it would please hym to serue your honor, in the office of a Secretarie, bicause he is a man skilfull, quiet, and of maruel∣lous elegancie in composing: verily I vsed all the meanes that I could to in∣duce him vnto your honors desire: the assaultes that I gaue vnto hym of that matter in the beginning did nothing a∣uaile: for he excused himself to be wea∣rie of seruing lordes, and that he nowe loued to reste, and to giue hym selfe to nourishe his litle childe: But in fine I so handled the matter, that within one moneth he wil depart hence to go vnto you. I told him that your honor would

vse such liberalitie as his vertue requi∣reth. I take great pleasure for that your Lordshippe shall haue néere you a man prudent, loyall, learned, a wonderfull obseruer of antiquities, a great histo∣rian, and in the plesant pastime of poe∣trie, a man without comparison: which shall be great satisfaction to the ardent zeale of the diuine vnderstandyng of your excellencie: which I pray God stil to prosper and encrease. &c.