Чиста Английское убийство

Оно же -- в современной орфографии:

Sir,

The true love that I have ever born to your honourable father [Nicholas] as also to all his house hath forced me to single you out for many virtuous actions and desires that I know and hear to be in you to unfold as late accidents which are within my knowledge and for brevity sake and for avoiding you further trouble with such circumstance thus standeth the matters.

There was a command laid on me lately to stay one Mr. Bayns [Baines] which did use to resort unto me which I did pursue in time although then I did not so much as imagine where he was, I found him ought and got the desired secret at his hand. For which the city of London promised as also by proclamation was promised a hundred Crowns but not a penny performed and a fine evasion made.

After there was a libel by my means found ought and delivered an old book also by my deciphering taken and a notable villain or two which are close prisoners and [might] had matters against them of an exceeding nature and yet no reward but all the credit pulled ought of my mouth and I robbed of all.

Then after all this there was by my only means set down unto the Lord Keeper and the Lord of Buckhurst the notablest and wildest articles of Atheism that I suppose the like were never known or read of in any age all which I can show unto you they were delivered to her Highness and command given by herself to prosecute it to the full but no recompense, no not of a penny.

Since that time there is old hold and shoe for to get the book that does maintain this damnable sect which book I presume there would be given great sums for and large promises offered in like manner but none of those will I trust but if I may secretly confer with you I and on that I have brought with me a merchant will give you such light as he and I can bring you to the man that doeth know who did write the book and they to how it was delivered as also who read the lecture and where and when with diverse such other secrets as the state would spend ё 1,000 to know and a better penny as himself affirmeth which man himself I can bring forth in love to you if he may be but buckled and rewarded, I can in like manner reveal unto you an Alderman or two that do convey over money to the enemy and get named unto you their poisoned factors. In like manner, I can tell you of such a devise intended against the state by a Captain as never was heard of the like as I think.

I know I am not gras[iu]s in the sight of your brother [Francis] therefore if it please you either to [R]ake your coch or nage I will attend you and declare the rest of my mind and bring a right honest merchant with me which shall justify upon his other all that I have set down [and] I presume you shall know such a secret if you please to hear me a little and go on my way because I know the nature of the party as you have not been possessed of a good while.

Now Sir, I have used a faithful heart to you; I have given you the onset of this action which is notably sought after so use me and my friend as we may have cause to pray for you, and after you shall be possessed of the matters so recommend our services to the Lord Treasurer [Burghley] as we may receive sum reward and favour in his sight and thus praying to God for you with a unified heart until I speak with you or know your pleasure I [am] staying at the waterside until I hear from you in Richmond said the first August.

Yours in all duty to command.

Thomas Drury

---------------------------------

Прежде некоторые исследователи предполагали, что Друри мог работать на Бэкона (или, по крайней мере, и на Бэкона тоже) -- но нет: из письма совершенно ясно, что никаких дел с "МИ-5" у него прежде не было. Он заискивающе напоминает о золотых деньках, когда служил в доме отца сэра Энтони, хвастается, что его донесения насчет атеистического заговора Бакхерст с Пакерингом довели до королевы (однозначно идентифицировав себя с анонимным автором "Remembrances"), нудно жалуется, что никаких денег ему так ни за что и не заплатили, расписывает свою полезность по части выявления затаившихся атеистов и иных врагов народа. Он, к примеру, предлагает (это контрразведчику, Карл!..) свести того с "достойным доверия торговцем", который заимел по случаю старинную книгу, раскрывающую все зловещие тайны секты атеистов -- и всё это за чепуховую сумму в 1000 фунтов*... Что человек офонарел от страха (не утратив при этом природной наглости) видно хотя бы из того, что он просит шефа секретной службы Эссекса походатайствовать за него перед Бёрли...

----------------------------

* На всякий случай, для понимания масштаба цен: рабочая лошадь стоила тогда полтора фунта, цена "Фолио" 1623 года (первое полное собрание Шекспира) -- 1 фунт, годовой заработок простолюдина -- от 2 до 8 фунтов, актера -- 20-25; кило табака, кстати -- 4 фунта (т.е. это шло по разряду даже не травы, а кокоши и герыча).

----------------------------