Ad T. Coventry, Attorn. Cognitorem, gratulatio 29. Jan. 1620. / Congratulations to Thomas Coventry, Appointed Attorney-General January 29, 1620/1621

Ad T. Coventry, Attorn. Cognitorem, gratulatio 29. Jan. 1620

Clarissime Vir.

Permitte ut nos etiam in praedam partemque tecum veniamus: neque enim sic effugies cum honoribus, quin laetitia nostra te assequatur:¹ certè non diu est ex quo gratulati sumus tibi: eccùm nunc altera occasio, adeo festinat virtus tua: quod si tertia detur et quarta, paratos nos habebis ad gratulationem, ut sic una opera utriusque Reipublica[e] calculum et ciuilis et literariae adipiscaris. Tu vero promptitudinem amoris nostri, non passim expositam boni consulas, curésque² vt tuus in nos amor antehac³ satis perspectus, nun[c] cum honore geminetur. Quod si forense quippiam nos spectans, dum incumbis muneri occurrat, nos chartis et aeternitate occupatos, temporarijs hisce negotiolis libera. Haud frustrà impendes operam nobis omnia fauorum tuorum momenta apicesque perpensuris et compensaturis.

Congratulations to Thomas Coventry, Appointed Attorney-General January 29, 1620/1621

Most Illustrious Sir.

Let us come share your spoils with you: nor will you slink off with your rewards like this without our joy going after you. It certainly has not been long since we last congratulated you! Your excellence quickens, behold another occasion. But if there should be a third or a fourth, you will find us ready to congratulate you. And so you may win the vote of both commonwealths, the civil and the literary, simultaneously. At least accept our quick love, which we do not throw open indiscriminately. And take care that your love toward us, quite evident before this, be doubled now with your public office. But if while you apply yourself to your office, you should see some legal matter concerning us arise, free us from such transitory concerns as these; we are busy with books and immortality. Not for nothing will you devote your service to us. We are prepared to carefully assess, and compensate you for, all the decisive influences and high points of your favors.