I receaued a lettre from you of the 24th of Marche laste, which I would have answered longe since, if my unfortunate myshapp had not byne in lightinge, into the hands of the wicked traitor Ownye Mc Rorie. Before which tyme I wrote on your behalf, to my Lord Deputy; and made your greffe knowen to his Lordship, in sort as you wrote them to me. But how hardlie soever you were dealt with by any man, I did hold you too wise, to be drawne by any meane, from the remembrance of your bounden duetie to her sacred Majestie, to whom you owe allegiance; and besids you knowe what most gracious and manifold favour Her Highnes hath don unto you, in setinge you at libertie, when you were in the Towre, in gevinge you lardge sumes of money when you were in wante, and many other thinges of great benefitt; soe as nothinge ought euer to cause you to forgett the same. I have had some conference touchinge you with my Lo President, who is an honorable and worthy Gent, and I doubt notwill deale favourably and frendlie with you—you deservinge the same by your service doinge, to her Highnes. And if contrary wise you shold proue the man, that will beare armes againste your naturall Prince; You amongest all, or moste men of this kingdom that are in accion would be accompted the most odious; and myself become your greatest enemye, in regard of that which in kindness I had heretofore don for you; wherefore as to one, to whome I shold not nede to use this discourse, but that yt proceedeth of my affeccion to wishe your good in your Prince's and countrey's cause, I aduise you to submytt yourself in all humble sorte, without standinge upon high condicions unfitt for a duetifull subiect; and whilest there is hope of grace and mercye to take the benefitt thereof, settinge aside the vain expectacion of foraine ayde, beinge that whereby the traitors are deluded; and if you stand duetifull I shalbe contented to be a meane for you: No more can I write to the dearest frend or kinseman I have; hopinge that this sufficeth to one of your witt and iudgement, and wishinge to heare from you howe thinges stand with you from tyme to tyme, I end.
From Kilkenny
Your assured Frend while you be duetifull,
THOMAS ORMOND & OSSORY.