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[fol. 156r] Having so long tasted mi R. honorable L. of these intollerable delayes of Cowrtt, & mi state being so weke as can no longer stand, I dyd on monday write these few lynes inclosed to her majestie, makyng peticyon for leve to serve abrode in the worlld, that I might begyn to wyn somwhatt, that is unfortunate at home wherof as yett I have no answer, nor person to make mi mone, butt to your L. alone, mi only reffuge & deere Patron./ Yf her majestie throw your honorable mediacion, will vouchesave this office of the duchye on me (though no harde charge for me to discharge) I present by the ayde of mi frynds to paye suche somes to her as Tusser owght, being then more resonable that I sholld be prefferred therunto, than a stranger, & more servisable for her majestie to have a servant of her owne to execute the rowne, than the Clyents of ani other whosoever, which consernes her majestie in polycye & proffitt to consyder besyde that she disposeth of her own uppon her own: & it may gyve me cowntenance & coraige, with som shew of rewarde thereby, to settell mi sellf, (withowt further craving) to a good mariage, which is the scope I have, & the mene how to be nere att hand to do her majestie mi best & most desyred service. [ Marginalia (by Herle): without expence to her] Or yf I most needes be dryven to a desperate cowrse, having many eyes fixed on me, ytt may plese her majestie in avoydeng ymputacion & note of conscyens, to grawnt me her gracious leve & Testymonye to departe hence, & the same shall in all dutye content me, & I will with lyke resolutyon serve her & praye for her, as if I were nerer att hand, without murmuryng God is mi judge. Necessitye compelles me to this over sharp cowrse for mi sellf, which I most make in vertew./

Yf the comissyon for the Treatye of peace do proceede, I cowd do her majestie notable service, beyng in the place of the sayd Treatye, mi zele & [raritye] is best knowen to your wisdom, to the which I comend mi sellf & all my indevors. And so verey humbly I take mi leve. Temple Barre the xth of Awgust. 1587. your L. most Bownden. W Herlleli.