_An example of an Epistle Deprecatory, pleasantly written to answere a former Letter._
The long sweating paines wherein your good selfe (my verie good friend A) haue lately trauelled with your weatherbeaten barke, to aunswere my Letters, moueth mee (howe simply so euer) to reply a little to the same. Wherein, pardon first craued for so meane a wit, at a suddaine, to take vppon it, to encounter so selected a stile, wherewith your youthfull yeares are so replenished, I go to the matter.
Touching the iar you make of my formost writing, and late inciting you to the tediousnesse of your studying, which for the causes alleadged, your curtesie yet vouchsafeth to allow of, I, with so friendlie a prospect as may be to so respectiue a iudgement, do right curiously thanke you.
The compasse of your writing, according to the measure it beareth, being so much mystical, as that the grossenesse of my wit cannot well conceiue of, hauing drawne thereinto as it seemeth, the very quintessence of those well performed partes, that in your person are resiant, maketh me post off the answere, till by a more deepe consideration I may better conforme me vnto it. Wherein I must confesse in very deed, that all that may be within or without, ouer or vnder, or besides master B. you haue to the vttermost strained.
For the paines you haue taken, I must pray you pardon though I render you no profit. My forgetfulnesse also in prising the simple value I beare, with your worthines, & many other beautified parts of your gentlenes, you must also let slip, otherwise I am vndone with the griefe, and so I would sir, your worship did take it.
Nowe as touching the forgoing complaint you thrust in of your wants, I could hardly beleeue that in the action you beare you could so greatly be distressed. Neuerthelesse, for the little time I haue beene of your masterships acquaintance, I haue vnderstoode of some that weare a veluet suite with as small inheritance as your selfe, who haue vsed the matter as slenderlie as may be, by any great credit to bee accompted of.
Yet must you needes giue me leaue to be gone, for the tide tarieth no man, but if you find your selfe in the lurch before I returne againe, the best is, at my home comming you know where to find me. _Et sic valeas_, gentle friend _Topas_.