Sir Thomas Lucy, who is in her Majesty’s commission as a Justice of the Peace in this bailiwick, yesterday did inform me that he had been questioned from London if you were a married man, and if yes, when and to whom you were wedded.  As the parish records are in my keeping, I could but bestow the information sought, although with great sinking of heart, as a well-wisher to you, who, though given overmuch to worldly frivolities and revels, yet are a worthy citizen, and a charitable and a just.  Greatly did I fear this knowledge was sought to thy injury.  Hast thou led a blameless life, the gates of hell shall not prevail against thee; but the wicked stand on slippery ways.  Anne, thy wife, to whom I did unbosom my fears, is in much tribulation lest thou art unfaithful to thy marriage vows, and again beseeches me to urge thee to come forth from wicked Babylon and dwell in thy pleasant home in Stratford.  Thou art become a man of substance; and hast moneys at usury.  I have read of thy verses and plays, which, albeit somewhat given to lewdness, and addressed to gain the favor of the baser sort, yet reveal thee to be a man of understanding.  I cannot, as it is rumored do some of thy town associates, award thee the title of poet, which title is reserved for the shining ones; but thou hast parts.  There are many parish clerks, and even some curates in this realm, scarcely more liberally endowed in mind than thou.  But greatly do I fear that thou art little better than one of the wicked.  How hast thou put to use this talent entrusted thee by the Master of the vineyard?  In the maintenance of the things which profit not; in seeking the applause of the unworthy; in the writing of vain plays, which, if of the follies of youth, may be forgiven and remembered not against thee, provided in riper years you put behind you these frivolities, and atone for the mischief thou hast wrought by rendering acceptable service to the Master; by coming to the help of the Lord against the mighty.  Gladly would I take thy training in charge, and guide thy tottering feet along the flowery paths of Homiletics.  Who knoweth into what vessels the All-seeing One may elect to pour his spirit?  Perchance in mercy I may be spared to behold thee a faithful though humble preacher of the Word.  Anne, thy wife, often hath likened me to a great light upon a high hill-top, shining in the darkness far away.  I would not magnify my powers, but not to all is it given to be mighty captains of a host.  Yet, according to thy gifts might thy work be, and a little candle shining in a darkened valley hath its place.

In the light of these letters, some passages in “Richard III.” and the “Comedy of Errors,” written in the same year (1609), have an added significance.  In “Richard III.,” Gloster says to Anne:—­

  “Your beauty was the cause of that effect: 
  Your beauty, that did haunt me in my sleep,
  To undertake the death of all the world,
  So I might live one hour in thy sweet bosom.”