our land. Which intention of yours we also of the nobility are
ready to our power to help and further: neither do we hold anything
so dear and precious unto us, which we will not willingly forego,
and lay out in so commendable a cause. But principally I rejoice in
myself, that I have nourished and maintained that wit which is like
by some means and in some measure to profit and stead you in this
worthy action. But yet I would not have you ignorant of this one
thing, that I do now part with Chanceler not because I make little
reckoning of the man, or that his maintenance is burdensome and
chargeable unto me, but that you might conceive and understand my
goodwill and promptitude for the furtherance of this business, and
that the authority and estimation which he deserveth may be given
him. You know the man by report, I by experience, you by words, I
by deeds, you by speech and company, but I by the daily trial of his
life, have a full and perfect knowledge of him. And you are also to
remember into how many perils for your sakes, and his country's
love, he is now to run: whereof it is requisite that we be not
unmindful, if it please God to send him good success. We commit a
little money to the chance and hazard of fortune: he commits his
life (a thing to a man of all things most dear) to the raging sea,
and the uncertainties of many dangers. We shall here live and rest
at home, quietly with our friends and acquaintance; but he in the
meantime labouring to keep the ignorant and unruly mariners in good
order and obedience, with how many cares shall he trouble and bear
himself, with how many troubles shall he break himself, and how many
disquietings shall he be forced to sustain: we shall keep our own
coasts and country, he shall seek strange and unknown kingdoms. He
shall commit his safety to barbarous and cruel people, and shall
hazard his life amongst the monstrous and terrible beasts of the
sea. Wherefore in respect of the greatness of the dangers, and the