Henry VIII. to Anne Boleyn.

[ October, 1528? ]

To inform you what joy it is to me to understand of your conformableness with reason, and of the suppressing of your inutile and vain thoughts with the bridle of reason. I assure you all the greatness of this world could not counterpoise for my satisfaction the knowledge and certainty thereof. Therefore, good sweetheart, continue the same, not only in this, but in all your doings hereafter; for thereby shall come, both to you and me the greatest quietness that may be in this world. The cause why the bearer stays so long, is the gear I have had to dress up for you¹ which I trust, ere long, to see you occupy;²and then I trust to occupy yours, which shall be recompense enough to me for all my pains and labour.       The unfeigned sickness of this well-willing legate³ doth somewhat retard this access to your person; but I trust verily, when God shall send him health, he will with diligence recompense his demur. For I know well when he hath said (touching the saying and bruit⁴ that he is thought imperial),⁵ that it shall be well known in this matter that he is not imperial;⁵ and this, for lack of time. Farewell.

Written with the hand which fain would be yours,
and so is the heart,

H. R.