self securely there, without offence of others, or
of mine own conscience. _Signor Arrigo mio_ (says he), _I pensieri
stretti, ed il viso sciolto_,{21:A} will go safely over the whole world.
Of which Delphian oracle (for so I have found it) your judgment doth
need no commentary; and therefore, Sir, I will commit you with it to the
best of all securities, God's dear love, remaining

Your friend as much to command
as any of longer date,

HENRY WOTTON.

_Postscript._

Sir,--I have expressly sent this my footboy to prevent your departure
without some acknowledgment from me of the receipt of your obliging
letter, having myself through some business, I know not how, neglected
the ordinary conveyance. In any part where I shall understand you fixed,
I shall be glad and diligent to entertain you with home-novelties, even
for some fomentation of our friendship, too soon interrupted in the
cradle.{21:B}

FOOTNOTES:

{19:A} It is delicacy itself.

{20:A} With a sweet taste in his mouth (so that he may desire more).

{20:B} Avoid.

{21:A} "Thoughts close, countenance open."

{21:B} This letter was printed in the edition of 1645, but omitted in
that of 1673. It was written by Sir Henry Wotton, Provost of Eton
College, just in time to overtake Milton before he set out on his journey
to Italy. As a parting act of courtesy Milton had sent Sir Henry a letter
with a copy of Lawes's edition of his _Comus_, and the above letter is an
acknowledgment of the favour.

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE{22:A}

JOHN, LORD VISCOUNT BRACKLEY,

_Son and Heir-Apparent to the Earl of Bridgewater, etc._

MY LORD,

This Poem, which received its first occasion of birth from yourself and
others of your noble family, and much honour from your own person in the
performance, now returns again to make a final Dedication of itself to
you. Although not openly acknowledged by the Author, yet it is a
legitimate offspring, so lovely and so much desired that the often
copying of it hath tired my pen to give my several friends satisfaction,
and brought me to a necessity of producing it to the public view; and
now to offer it up, in all rightful devotion, to those fair hopes and
rare endowments of your much-promising youth, which give a full
assurance to all that know you, of a future excellence. Live, sweet
Lord, to be the hon