Your seruant confirmed in all fidelity towards you, &c.
_An example of an Epistle Accusatorie in the state Iuridiciall and Coniecturall._
Iniurious R. iniurious I maie iustlie tearme thee, whose long acquaintance with mee, and interchangeable good liking passing betweene vs, bredde yet so little respect in the waight of the same, as could not forwarne me of an euill so imminent, by meanes whereof I doubt and cannot forbeare to thinke, but that I am vtterly induced to the shipwracke of mine owne estate, and burthened with such infortunitie, as I shall neuer cease to remember.
But why (sencelesse as I am) make I doubt vnto thee of that, whereof both the condition, abilitie, disposition, and euerie accident and circumstance of the partie, whom I am forced to accuse, beareth so sound witnesse, as if men and Angels should goe about to countermaunde the same, not beeing able by a more certaine veritie in open shewe to impugne it, there is none I am sure would beleeue no anie one that in respect of the manifolde likelihoodes thereof, would almost so much as vouchsafe to hearken vnto it.
But if in the foremost deliuerie of these thou alreadie musest, and art desirous to be resolued what it is, wherein so questionles I deeme my selfe thus deepelie to be wronged: knowe then, that finding here at L. thy kinsman, thy vnhappie kinsman, wandering as a straunger, conuersant with badde fellowes, threedbare in apparell, forsaken of his neerest kindred and friendes, readie to perish almost for want of foode, and so pennilesse, and therewithall estraunged from all good account, as beeing amongest other lewde persons, brought before a Iustice vppon suspition of his wretched liuing, my selfe beeing in presence, and taking vppon mee in hearing of his name, to bee knowing both of his parentes and Countrey, had such credite with the Iustice, as hee foorthwith discharged him, wherewith not contented I did for thy sake, and in regarde of thee alone, take him home to my lodging, apparelled him, saued his life, recouered againe his lost credite, and restored him: Were not these benefites, thinkest thou sufficient to binde an honest nature, to thinke himselfe beholding to such a one? Happie had I then beene, if neuer more had I intermedled with him, neuer better regarded him, or at no time after giuen farther credite and liking vnto him. Alas, was it alone my chance among so manie that had cast him off, euen then to entertaine him, to relieue him, to reckon of him, nay rather beyond all reason (as thy selfe by the sequell wilt confesse) so farre foorth to dote of him, as nourishing my secrete mischiefe, as it were in mine owne lodging, vnder the shadowe of mine owne couert, yea in my verie bosome, I must lead him yet farther along, in the end to spoile me, and to meditate nothing so much, as my intended destruction?