MRP: Letter from Henry Oxinden (of Barham) to Elizabeth Dallison (his cousin): Letter 6
Letter from Henry Oxinden (of Barham) to Elizabeth Dallison (his cousin): Letter 6
Editorial history
16/12/11, CSG: Restructured page
(MS, 28,000, f. 372)
Printed as Letter CCXVIII (draft) in D.K. Gardiner (1933: 267-268)
Honoured Cozin,
I have r(eceive)d my hat, which is very fit and I like very well thereof, as allsoe of my band and ribbing: my cuffes are fit, but my band is about halfe an inch to big in the stock: it proves that they are worn with narrower liens then not long since. I am indebted to be gratefull unto you for your care and paines in sending them, as alsoe for the bookes, which at these times stand mee good sted: I could wish to have more uppon Sat:y next. I spoke to my brother James to write me some newes and to send me down the latest pamphlets; pray acquaint him with those you send least hee send the same. I desire Leicester Commonwealth to see how it difers from ours.
You say in your letter that you taxed mee with dissembling because you r(eceive)d a letter wherein I disclaymed all the sex etc.: and in short time after I extolled the sex beyond meritt. Truly Cozin, according to my best remembrance the words in my letter were, that if it were not for the vertues of yourselfe and some others of my friends and kindred I should, etc.
You charge mee in your letter with breach of promise to your father. Truly according to my best remembrance my promise to Sir James was in these very words, and it was at the upper end of my table in my great parlour: that I would not marry without acquainting him with it, nor without his consent; and this promise in truth so run in my head that my M:s can beare witnes that I told her of itt: and said I would ever love and honour her, but till I had obtained his consent I could not marrie her, and thereuppon I asked how long shee would stay for mee. She told mee as long as I pleased, and it will much please mee to abstaine from the fruition of my cheifest desires till I have obtained that licence of him which I dare say my owne father if hee were alive, would be an earnest petitioner to him to condescend unto. For such an opinion had hee of her even from her first entrance into life that he did solemnly promise, before Almighty God and a whole congregation, that shee shuld foresake the world, pomp and glory thereof, the carnall desires of the flesh, together with the Devill and all his workes; and whose word ought I sooner to take for truth, or to whom doe you thinke would hee sooner commend such an one, then to his best beloved sonne.
And now doe I most humbly beg of him and my Aunt and yourselfe that you will bee pleased to grant mee your consents to enjoy her whom I have a greate deale of reason to love, to comfort and honour, and only in regard of her forsaking all other would intrust herselfe and fortune with mee to bee absolutely disposed of according to my good will and pleasure. Let this I beseech you for the present satisfy you, till I have time to answeare the latter part of your letter, wherein you have showed yourselfe a true friend to her to whom I am bound in conscience in due time to approve myselfe a lover and honourer by respecting those deare pledges of hers and mine, and doing that may give satisfaction to any whom I shall vouchsafe to lett understand my occasions and determinations. In the meane while give mee leave a little to further examine my M:s beauty, person and discretion, for approving which you have most infinitly obliged mee into your noble selfe, to whom shee must give mee leave to bee
A most affectionate servant
H. OXINDEN
Dec. 29. 1641
