To my good friend, Ben Jonson

Sir,

After even a longing to hear of your happy journey,  Master Fenton  show me a letter from you,

remembering all your friends here, and particularly (such is your kindness) me. If ever prayers

and good wishes could have made a voyage easy,  yours must have been, for your acquaintance 5

here in their thoughts did travel along with you. The uncertainty where to direct letters hath

made me this time past not to write; when I understand of your being at London I shall never,

 amongst my worthiest friends, be forgetful of you. I have sent you  the oath of our knights, as

it was given me by   Herald Drysdale; if I can serve you in any other matter, you shall find me

most willing. Thus wishing that the success of your fortunes may be equal to your deserts, I 10

commit you to the  tuition of God.

Edinburgh