m, sanctitas
vestra plerosque habet quibuscum arcanum aliquid crediderit, putet id
non minus celatum esse quam si uno tantum pectore contineretur; quod
multo magis serenissimo Angliae regi evenire debet, cui singuli in
suo regno sunt subjecti, neque etiam velint, possunt regi non esse
fidelissimi. Vae namque illis, si vel parvo momento ab illius voluntate
recederent". Le Grand, tom. iii. p. 113. The king once said
publicly before the council, that if any one spoke of him or his actions
in terms which became them not, he would let them know that he was
master. "Et qu'il n'y auroit si belle tete qu'il ne fit voler." Id. p.
218.]

[Footnote 11: NOTE K. p 226. This letter contains so much nature, and
even elegance, as to deserve to be transmitted to posterity, without any
alteration in the expression. It is as follows:--

"Sir, your grace's displeasure and my imprisonment are things so strange
unto me, as what to write, or what to excuse, I am altogether ignorant.
Whereas you send unto me (willing me to confess a truth and so obtain
your favor) by such an one whom you know to be mine ancient professed
enemy, I no sooner received this message by him, than I rightly
conceived your meaning; and if, as you say, confessing a truth indeed
may procure my safety, I shall with all willingness and duty perform
your command.

"But let not your grace ever imagine that your poor wife will ever be
brought to acknowledge a fault where not so much as a thought thereof
preceded. And, to speak a truth, never prince had wife more loyal in
all duty, and in all true affection, than you have ever found in Anne
Boleyn; with which name and place I could willingly have contented
myself, if God and your grace's pleasure had been so pleased. Neither
did I at any time so far forget myself in my exaltation or received
queenship, but that I always looked for such an alteration as I now
find; for the ground of my preferment being on no surer foundation than
your grace's fancy, the least alteration I knew was fit and sufficient
to draw that fancy to some other object. You have chosen me from a low
estate to be your queen and companion, far beyond my desert or desire.
If then you found me worthy of such honor, good your grace let not any
light fancy, or bad counsel of mine enemies withdraw your princely favor
from me; neither let that stain, that unworthy stain, of a disloyal
heart towards your good grace, ever cast so foul a blot on your most
dutifu