overnment. He had an old father
still alive, "full of grief and tears which have moved Us
exceedingly"; and this old man begs, and His Highness begs, that
the Doge and Senate will arrange for the immediate release of the
captive. They must have taken many Turkish prisoners in their late
victories, and it is understood that those who detain the captive
are willing to exchange him for any Turk of equal value. Also his
Highness hopes the Doge and Senate will pay at once to the old man
whatever may be due to his captive son. This, his Highness
believes, had been arranged for after his former application on the
subject; but probably, in the multiplicity of business, the matter
had been overlooked. May the Republic of Venice long flourish, and
God grant them victories over the Turks to the very end!

(CXIV.) TO THE HIGH AND MIGHTY LORDS, THE STATES GENERAL OF THE
UNITED PROVINCES, _Nov._ 1657:--This is a letter of
commendation of the Dutch Ambassador William Nieuport on his
temporary return home on private affairs (see ante p. 312). Through
the "several years" of His Highness's acquaintance with him, he had
found him of "such fidelity, vigilance, prudence, and justice, in
the discharge of his office" that he could not desire a better
Ambassador, or believe their High Mightinesses could find a better
one. He cannot take leave of him, though but for a short time,
without saying as much. Throughout his embassy, his aim had been,
"without deceit or dissimulation," to preserve the peace and
friendship that had been established; and, so long as he should be
Dutch Ambassador in London, his Highness did not see "what occasion
of offence or scruple could rankle or sprout up" between the two
States. At the present juncture he should regret his departure the
more if he were not assured that no man would better represent to
their High Mightinesses the Protector's goodwill to them and the
condition of things generally. "May God, for His own glory and the
defence of the Orthodox Church, grant prosperity to your affairs
and perpetuity to our friendship!"--In writing this letter, Milton
must have remembered Nieuport's interference in behalf of Morus,
for the suppression at the last moment, if possible, of the
_Defensio Secunda_. He had not quite relished that
interference, or the manner of it. See Vol. IV, pp. 631-633, and
ante p. 202-203.

(CXV.) TO THEIR HIGH MI