The Cambridge Edition of the Works of Ben Jonson

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Letter 6, probably to Esmé Stuart, Lord Aubigny (1605)

 Letter 6, probably to Esmé Stuart, Lord Aubigny

(See also Introduction: Letters from Prison by Jonson and Chapman)

The noble favours you have done us, most worthy lord, cannot be so concealed or

removed but that they have broke in upon us, even where we lie  double-bound to

their comforts; nor can we doubt, but he who hath so far and freely adventured to

the relief of our virtue will go on to the utmost release of it. And though I know

your lordship hath been far from doing anything herein to your own ambition, 5

yet be pleased to take this protestation: that,  next to His Majesty’s favour, I shall

not covet that thing more in the world, than to express the lasting gratitude I

have conceived in soul towards your lordship.

Ben Jonson

Letter 6 Folger MS.V.a.321, fol. 91. This letter is almost certainly addressed to Esmé Stuart, Lord Aubigny (see Letter 4, headnote), who, as Chapman reveals in Letter (c), had helped to secure the release of the two authors. [Editor: Ian Donaldson]
2 double-bound The writers are literally in ‘bondage and fetters’ (Letter 5.12), and are also bound in gratitude to their benefactor. Cf. Letter 3.40–1, and Epigr. 127.1–3 (a poem perhaps written soon after Jonson’s release): ‘Is there a hope that man would thankful be, / If I should fail in gratitude to thee, / To whom I am so bound, loved Aubigny?’
6 next . . . favour Aubigny was the King’s (much-loved) cousin; hence this high tribute.