Letter 7, to Philip Herbert, first Earl of Montgomery
(See also Introduction: Letters from Prison by Jonson and Chapman)
For me not to solicit or call you to succour in a time of such need were no less
a sin of despair than a neglect of your honour. Your power, your place, and
readiness to do good invite me; and mine own cause, which shall never discredit 5
the least of your favours, is a main encouragement. If I lay here on my desert, I
should be the more backward to importune you; but as it is, most worthy Earl,
our offence being our misfortune, not our malice, I challenge your aid, as to
the common defence of virtue; but more peculiarly to me, who have always in
heart so particularly honoured you. I know it is now no time to boast affections, 10
lest while I sue for favours I should be thought to buy them; but if the future
services of a man so removed to you, and low in merit, may aspire any place
in your thoughts, let it lie upon the forfeiture of my humanity, if I omit the
least occasion to express them. And so not doubting of your noble endeavours to
reflect His Majesty’s (most repented on our parts and sorrowed for) displeasure, 15
I commit my fortune, reputation, and innocence into your most happy hands,
with reiterated protestation of being ever most grateful.
Ben Jonson