Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 3, 1583-1589. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1889.
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'Cecil Papers: June 1589', in Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 3, 1583-1589, (London, 1889) pp. 414-423. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-cecil-papers/vol3/pp414-423 [accessed 20 April 2024]
June 1589
| 879. John Sheriffe, prisoner in the Fleet, to Lord Burghley. | |
| 1589, June 2. | Has undertaken to finish Jaques Wingfeld's reckonings, but cannot do so for want of liberty. Prays licence to go abroad with a keeper, to find security for his enlargement. |
| Endorsed :—2 June 1589. | |
| ½ p. | |
| 880. The Earl of Arundel to Lord Burghley. | |
| 1589, June 7. | I received notice by my cousin Brunkard how her Majesty had granted me access of my officers at convenient times in his presence, and also leave to walk with him for taking air, either privately in the garden, or as he should think fit. His thanks to her Majesty. Is sure so great a favour would never have been attempted but by his Lordship, to whom he expresses his gratitude. Yesternight William Dix was with me, by whom I perceive that besides Arundel possessions (which were my wife's jointure) there are other lands fallen to her Majesty, which were left out of the feoffment, including those lands out of which were assured, both to mine uncle Harry and divers poor servants of mine, their annuities. I beseech you to be a mean unto her Majesty for her gracious goodness to be extended towards my uncle and my poor servants, whose lamentable estate will otherwise find but small redress; Sir Roger Townsend is so resolute to part with nothing more than he shall be by law enforced. I perceive likewise that there is a claim pretended by Mr. Attorney to the deed of gift I made to him and Sir Roger for discharge of my debts and saving them from indemnity, and that he grounds this claim upon a letter of mine, as though I had made it but upon trust. I protest I cannot remember any such letter; but in what sort soever I wrote, my meaning was to make a deed of gift to them two of all my goods whatsoever, for the discharge of my debts and their own security, in respect they stood bound in sundry bonds for me. And yet I cannot deny but that I had this far a trust in them, that if I had been able to discharge them of those bonds, by sale of land or otherwise before my death, they would then have resigned it again unto me. But by any other mean I could never expect it again, for I meant in law to pass it clearly and absolutely unto them; and I intended to make all my goods theirs only, properly, and wholly, to alien, sell, or dispose of as they would. And truly if the deed came short of my meaning, they have much to answer whom both they and I did trust in this behalf. Wherefore since many poor creditors rest unsatisfied (as I am informed by Dix) in respect the deed doth hang in this suspense, and they are stayed from selling such things as otherwise they would, for their contenting, my most humble suit is that you will call for the deed and examine its validity. And if in your grave judgment it appear sufficient, that then you will give them leave to proceed in the sale of such things as they intend. Understands by Dix how his Lordship is disposed to favour all his causes, and to set down an allowance for maintenance of himself, his wife and poor children. Expresses his most affectionate and grateful thanks.—7 June 1589. |
| Endorsed by Burghley :—“Earl Arundel out of the Tower.” | |
| Seal. | |
| 2 pp. | |
| 881. The Countess of Arundel to Lord Burghley. | |
| 1589, June 7. | Thanks for his kindness to Lord Arundel and herself, “especially for this last favour of procuring my poor Lord some enlargement, whom close keeping had much decayed.” |
| 1 p. | |
| 882. Thomas Hemingway and Anthony Bartlett to [Lord Burghley]. | |
| 1589, June 14. | With respect to a lease in reversion granted by the Queen for their services as yeomen of the Confectionery, pray to be allowed to substitute other particulars in place of those crossed out in their book. |
| Endorsed :—14 June 1589. | |
| 1 p. | |
| 883. John Browne and John Domelaw to the Queen. | |
| 1589, June 15. | For lease in reversion for their services as yeoman of the Woodyard and yeoman purveyor of the Cellar. |
| [Note by Sir F. Knollys and others that petitioners are old servants and well reported of.] | |
| [Note by Sir J. Herbert that the Queen grants the petition.] | |
| Also : | |
| Lord Burghley to the Auditors of the Exchequer. | |
| Notifying the above grant, and requiring particulars.—15 June 1589. | |
| 2 pp. | |
| 884. John Wilson, Groom of the Queen's Slaughter-house, to Lord Burghley. | |
| 1589, June 16. | As to his dealings with the tenant, Comber, in respect to a certain lease in reversion. |
| Endorsed :—16 June 1589. | |
| 1 p. | |
| 885. Lord Burghley to Archibald Douglas. | |
| 1589, June 18. | I have earnestly pressed this bearer, White, to take order with Robert Scott for his satisfaction, who hath taken such end with him as you may perceive by this his request exhibited unto me. And, therefore, considering he hath already received part in money, and good security for the rest, to be paid at reasonable days agreed on between themselves, in mine opinion he dealeth hardly with him to detain his bonds, or otherwise to use him as it seemeth he doth. Therefore I pray you to send for Scott, and to compound this matter indifferently between them. P.S. [in Burghley's handwriting.]—I have used some extraordinary authority against White in favour of your lordship's countryman.—From the Court, 18th June 1589. |
| 1 p. | |
| 886. William Selby to Archibald Douglas. | |
| 1589, June 18. | According to your request in your letters sent with Stephen Huntington, my father wrote with him to the Justice Clerk both in his own behalf and also concerning the conveying of his letters to him, so to be sent to Mr. Secretary. To which point the said Justice Clerk made answer, in a letter by Huntington, assuring him that henceforth he would send his letters to Twisel, where my father hath promised that he or I shall be continually remaining for the receipt of the same; so that when any come they shall be sent to Sir John Forster, according to Mr. Secretary's direction. My Lord of Leicester's horse was fair and sound when he was delivered. Your letter of June 2 came to my hands the 17th, delivered to me by Cuthbert Armorer, to whom Hoppwode had given them; wherein you say that you saw a letter of my father's touching Scottish matters sent to Mr. Secretary, and you think his honour hath written to my father concerning the same; wherein you request that what his honour hath willed to be done to the Master of Gray or Justice Clerk may be accomplished with secrecy and speed. Whensoever Mr. Secretary pleases to use my father or myself in any his services, we shall be as ready as we have professed; but my father hath received no direction touching those men, since the letter sent by the Justice Clerk at his return from our Court, and no such letters as you suppose have been sent, nor any other since May 27, which concerned not any affairs of Scotland. For the lie forged by our enemies that you writ of, I do not more perceive what it meaneth. I imagine you were the shorter in that matter, because you thought it should be explained in the letter you supposed Mr. Secretary would have sent. If his honour write not, let us understand that matter at more length by your next. Cuthbert Armorer commended your dealings at our court touching Scottish affairs both to the King and Earl of Arran, and found neither of them hardly affected against you, but rather the contrary, much more than he expected, and entering first with the King, was willed by his Majesty to sound my lord of Arran, and not to let him understand that he had conferred with his Majesty in that matter; which when Cuthbert had done, the Earl willed him to move with the King, which he promised to do, although in truth he had done it before. In the end they both commended you much for many good parts, and thought you a fit instrument, if assurance could be had of your truth and constancy; whereof Cuthbert willed them not to doubt. Cuthbert required me to write thus much to Captain Selby, that he might signify it to you (for he knoweth not that there is intercourse of letters betwixt you and me) which it may please you to say that I did, if either you write or send to him. Concerning the Laird of Lesterick, if he inform truly we care not what he inform; if falsely, howsoever it be believed for a time, the truth will be known in the end, to his discredit. For the matter itself, it is ended, if he revive it not, and though he do, his gain will not be great I trust. Divers plots have been laid of late, as we hear, for discourting Arran, but none as yet have taken effect. The King is gone over the water toward St. Andrews, where a Convention is shortly to be. Arran, the Master of Gray, and the rest of the ordinary courtiers are attendant on his highness. If Arran escape at that Convention, it is thought he will be in little danger this summer. The Ambassador of Denmark hath in commission, as it is said, to demand the Isles of Orkney and Shetland, and to propound a marriage betwixt the King and his master's daughter, with offer of very great dowry.—Twisell, the 18th June 1589. |
| 1 p. | |
| 887. Archibald Douglas and Sir Francis Walsingham. | |
| 1589, June 22. | Bond of Archibald Douglas, lord Ambassador of Scotland, and Sir Francis Walsingham, Principal Secretary of State, to pay John Catcher, citizen and alderman of London, 36l. English on August 2 next.—22 June, 31 Elizabeth. |
| ½ p. | |
| 888. Thomas Fowler to Archibald Douglas. | |
| 1589, June 25. | The King is entered into a journey far north to beyond Stratherne, and I wait upon him; he is presently at Hamilton. The Master of Gray hath little credit in Court, and in truth doth not much follow it. What will come of him hereafter I wot not. For the rest, I refer you to the bearer, who knows as well as I the state here, and is sorry of the dissension fallen out between the Master and your lordship. It appears to me he would gladly have done more good for you both than the present time gives occasion to perform. I trust Mr. Richard is on the way or now, as in my last I wished his coming hither speedily for better satisfaction of your affairs. I sent the letters in the Ambassador's packet to Mr. Secretary; I understand the Master hath written much to your discredit to some councillors of England, and he says much here.—25 June 1589. |
| Seal. | |
| 1 p. | |
| 889. A. Johnston to [Archibald Douglas]. | |
| 1589, June 27. | Is doing his diligence to be with him as shortly as possible. Pray see that our contre partie be not released without good caution, to your contentment. All things are quiet here, and the King's grace “myndit” to the north to hold justice Courts. Cause Mr. John Nesbet to write me what letters you think good I shall bring from here, and I shall get them.—From Edinburgh, 27 June 1589. |
| 1 p. | |
| 890. James Innes, servant to the Bishop of Ross, to George Carr. | |
| 1589, June 27. | Announcing his safe arrival in France. As for the collar of the corslet, has looked at sundry but not seen one he could think fit, &c.—From Rouen, the 27 of June 1589. |
| ½ p. | |
| 891.—The Master of Gray to Lord Burghley. | |
| 1589, June 27. | I have written three or four times to you of our estates. Some particularities I did remit to this bearer's return, who is so well instructed that I need not write any long discourse. The King's Majesty not being helped in prosecution of these rebellious lords by any earnest craving from the Queen, your sovereign, save by one letter, which is but a dumb messenger, hath shown himself more negligent in punishing them than I think shall be for his own weal; and this dealing I think shall daily increase, in case it be not helped from that realm. For men who carry a good mind here be reduced to that estate that they cannot do all they would. Divisions fall daily forth amongst men who were thought to be of one course, for that enemies are helped for cutting their own throats. Huntly is so supported by the King's own natural inclination, and by the mediation of some who professed otherwise, that he is at free liberty in one place limited six miles about him; and is thought shortly to receive full relief. Crawford in this same case. Montrose, the most malicious of all, received in grace, and all the rest to be used in this same sort. So that I do assure you, without some man of spirit be sent hither quickly, you shall look for the like grief we had of late; as particularly I have advertised Mr. Ashby, her Majesty's Ambassador. |
| As for the matter of the King's marriage, somewhat I dealt with him in it, but no indirect dealing here can prevail in that matter. The Earl Marshal hath received full power, in case he agree in all points of the contract, that he shall bring the lady home, but this is kept secret, yet I thought I would advertise you of it. May I beseech you not to find it evil that I write not so oft as both matter and good will furnish, but I give you this assurance that by this bearer you shall be as duly advertised, as if I wrote daily to her Majesty and all her Council. And when any matter worthy occureth, then I shall write myself unto your Lordship. He is I think as duly informed of our estate as any man within this realm. | |
| Mr. Archibald Douglas has used himself so undutifully to me, as his letter, which I send by the bearer, declareth, and the more it shall appear by testimony of his Majesty, my sovereign's letter to her Majesty, snowing what I have done for him. As in my first I craved, so now I humbly pray, that I may have a general letter from her Majesty and your Lordship declaring my behaviour towards the King during my being there, as more particularly the bearer Mr. Hudson shall inform you; and in recompense her Majesty shall find that I can and will do her Majesty better service than such a knave who proves inhonest to all men.—From Edinburgh, 27 June 1589. | |
| P.S.—The Earl of Bothwell hath been very earnest with me to deal with her Majesty for him. If her Majesty like of the matter, I shall be answerable for the man. | |
| 2½ pp. | |
| 892. The Justice Clerk to [—]. | |
| [1589], June 27. | I received your letter of the 15th of June instant, together with a note of the quantity, places, and price. According thereto, I have obtained of the King's Majesty a licence that no salt shall pass out of the country but by my licence, and that my licence shall be sufficient to all transporters. Therefore, I would you should cause some other deal with me for my licence to buy it, for else, as you have written to make me surety of a new bill of the weighs as 25 for I will . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . forward any of them as you shall think most . . . . . . . . . . . As to the estate of our matters, suppose I know you be amply advertised thereof from others, yet I may discourse some part with you [on that] behalf. His Majesty for the present is as bent [on] the course of England as either you or I can wish, and abhors all other courses, and I doubt not the league shall go forward notwithstanding of our Courts that . . . . . . . . . . . has the same. The peril is that, after it be concluded and ended by both the provinces, this white man, who in heart is contrarious to quietness, shall be some mean either alter the King or else get us, for without . . . . . . . . . . . I am in opinion he shall not get his mind altered. He has sought our lives by all means, and can get no help except his brother in Court. He is that determined if he [find the] King's affection continue with us, as it is presently, to play the . . . . . . . . . . . and speaks where he pleases if he had . . . . . broke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . would put no doubt to get his hand . . . . . . . . . . . falset to be so great with him, and I see his . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . my master and country. |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . suppose I have had great suit made to our talk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . and large offers of advancement. I will rather take the Devil in Hell by the hand than him. I have reasonable good moyen in his company, who declares me the malice he bears to me, and for that cause I am driven to extraordinary charges . . . . . . . . . . . Court and with greater company of . . . . . . . . Yet I had rather . . . . . . . . . . . in answer to . . . . . . . . . . . entertain their supposed friendship begun to continue, and I may write . . . . . . . . . . . extremity which . . . . . . . . . . . able every four and twenty hours once to have our wills of him, for. as circumspect as he thinks himself, suppose . . . . . . . . . . . the King in their matters, yet there remains in his Majesty's heart certain grounded affection towards him that we cannot get over, and therefore you should do wisely if you would set down some plot how he may be “exterpit” out of Court and country, at least out of Court. | |
| I assure you he is in the French course as far as . . . . offers of gold and giving fair promises can bind him. If the League were once finally ended, I believe, before the King would peril the life of the Queen of England, he should rather cast him off altogether. But it was sure work if . . . . . . . . . . . dealing in the French course might be trapped, which could not be so conveniently done as to employ some moyen between . . . . . . . . . . . Queen and him, and to trap him when it came to a point . . . . suppose I know the Queen of England be . . . . . | |
| It shall be well done that the Commissioners, who shall be sent for here to deal in this League, be discreet men and willing that matter go forward, and men that love the Earl of Arran. I am in opinion to have Arran employed as one, because I would have him forth . . . . present that long, and therefore it shall be meetest her Majesty nominate first her Commissioners, and some great Earl to be one of them. It is needful he be the wisest man in the world, but that his rank may counterpart Arran's, for we shall do good will to get him be employed. If Master Secretary can be spared from Court, I could earnestly wish him one, and Sir Walter Mildmay another. Always you are discreet enough, and I doubt not will have good respect to this matter. The Dutch ambassador suppose at first was hardly thought of in respect of their first proposition, yet is thought something better of; and I would you should advise there and send me your opinion concerning the King my master's marriage in Denmark. (fn. 1) I mean as well your own as the Queen and wise men's liking of it, for I believe, if it be no matter her Majesty would be a furtherer of, and she will deal in it, matters may come well. I am advertised by ray Lord of Down that there is a French ambassador to be here shortly, and I would wish for my own part the League were first so far “agait,” as it could not be brought back again. Because I found so much courtesy [from] you at my being at London, and displeased you in that I would not borrow money from you, I will be forced to leave shamefastness with you that is my special friend, if I continue at the charges I am at, but yet at the present I will not be burdenable, until the time I see the progress of matters. Always, I may pray you to excuse me of my home lines, and I shall [be] very loath if necessity urge me to be over burdensome, because I know that our Scotsmen makes their hay-stack of you, and I believe you get scarce good payment again. Now I commit you to God.—From Dunfermline, this 27 of June. | |
| Portions of this letter can be read by holding the paper at a particular angle to the light. It has been washed all over with a solution of galls, and the writing has thus been nearly obliterated. | |
| 2 pp. | |
| 893. Sir Thomas Wilsford to the Council. | |
| 1589, June. | For payment of 570l., due to him for entertainment to March 25, 1589. Has no other means to pay his former debts, which he was cast into by the late Earl of Leicester's turning him over into the States' pay, not only for his own entertainment and that of 150 footmen, but for over 2,000l. he laid out by the Earl's commandment for the Queen's service. |
| Endorsed :—June 1589. | |
| Notes by Lord Burghley thereon. | |
| 1 p. | |
| 894. Marriage of James VI. of Scotland. | |
| 1589, June. | Instructions to our right trusty cousin and counsellor George, Earl Marischal, Lord Keith and Altrie, our Lieutenant in the north, our trusty cousin and counsellor Andrew, Lord Dingwall, Colonel General of our realm, our trusty and well beloved counsellor James Scrymgeour of Dudhope, Constable of Dundee, and with them adjoined Mr. John Skene, advocate in our College of Justice, directed by us ambassadors for the completing of our marriage with Denmark, at Edinburgh, the—day of June, 1589. |
| After you have presented our letters and hartiest commendations to our dearest sister the Queen of Denmark, our dearest brother the elected King her son, and his four regents and governors of that realm, you shall declare unto them how, having now by the good favour of our God attained to a reasonable perfection of years, and also to some tranquillity of our estate, subject to continual unquietness during the whole course of our minority, and finding the maturity of our age, the state of our affairs and the long wish and expectation of all our good and loving subjects to crave most earnestly that by some worthy and honourable alliance our crown shall be continued in our race and line, our realm and kingdom strengthened, and we the more enabled to possess us in our foreign rights, whereof God and the prerogative of our descent have given us an undoubted expectation; and finding by good records of worthy memory what weal and honour has accrued, and still remains, with our said crown and country by our alliance with the crown of Denmark, and also understanding by our late ambassadors the age, the favour, education and other princely qualities of the right excellent and worthy princess the lady Anna, second sister alive to our said dearest brother, answerable in every point to our presentment and liking; we have made choice of you to pass into those parts, and in our name to propound to our said dearest sister, the king, our brother, and his said governors, our marriage with the said princess; and, finding them agreeable, to treat, prefer, contract, and conclude with them thereabout, upon the clauses and conditions following :— | |
| First, that the sum of ten hundred thousand pounds Scots be granted to us in name of the other, and the said sum transported here together and at once, and delivered really in our hands immediately after the completing of the marriage. [Xc thousand pounds at vs the pound, it is ijclml pounds English.] Secondly, that for the better continuing of good amity and friendly love betwixt the inhabitants of the two realms, all Scottishmen to be naturalized Danish, and thereby be permitted to traffic, “conqueis,” marry, “bruke” offices and honours, make testaments, succeed ab intestato, and generally to enjoye all and whatsoever immunities, liberties, and privileges within the whole dominions subject to the crown of Denmark, which usually are permitted to any natural and born Danish, such like and as freely in all respects as if they were born subjects to that crown. [All Scots to be natural; a large demand.] Thirdly, that whatsoever toll [be] imposed on our subjects travelling through those seas, [either for their ships or goods, may be discharged, and our said subjects freed and relieved thereof, in all time coming. Fourthly, that if either for our just defence against a foreign enemy, or otherwise for the weal of us and our estate, we shall be moved to crave our dearest brother's or his successors' aid and assistance, that he and his forthwith upon our requisition, direct hither and entertain within our realm eight thousand footmen, and two thousand horsemen, upon his own expense, well armed and equipped, to serve where we shall have occasion to employ them. Fifthly, that we may have a grant of ten warships, well ordered and equipped with ordnance and other necessary provision, to be sent hither with all diligence to our use and behoof. And last, that our said dearest brother and his foresaid [governors] respecting the undoubted right, the long continued kindness and possession which we and our predecessors above all memory have had and firmly “bruikit” of the Isles of Orkney, lying so “euish” to the continent of our realm, may well forbear to move us any further question or claim therefore in any sort, and for the security thereof, that with advice of the estates they will “expeid” us under their hand and seal a full discharge of whatsoever right or interest they can pretend thereto, founded upon whatsoever reversion or other title, in such form and manner as you shall most advisedly devise. And, for that reason and honour craves that the said princess, our future spouse, should be reciprocally provided by us to an honourable live-rent proportional to the revenue of her tocher, therefore you shall accord and grant her, in our name, a live-rent of all and whole our Duchy of Albany, our earldom of Carrick, and our lordship of Linlithgow, with our palaces of Linlithgow and Falkland, and the appurtenances, together with the revenues of the said duchy, earldom, and lordship, which you may in our name assure, and there upon oblige to them our whole “burrowis” to make equivalent to three-fifth parts of the rent of whatsoever sum shall be accorded to us in name of the other. And if that be not found sufficient, rather or it cast off in that default, you shall in our name agree and promise her the third of our whole property in live rent, sparing always to value it in any sort. This being done, you shall lay cut unto our foresaid dearest brother, and his said governors, how the long continued pretences of the Pope and his adherents, beginning now more plainly to utter their intent and malice against the true religion, presently by the good favour of our God prosecuted in both our kingdoms, our Christian duty craves that by our common union and intelligence we should oppose to their designs such remedies as God hath granted us, both for the surety of the said religion in our time and the continuance thereof to our posterities. You shall therefore deal most earnestly with our said dearest brother and his aforesaid [governors], that not only we ourselves, our crowns and kingdoms, may join together in strait league for our common defence against all and whomsoever that shall attempt any violence against us, or either of us, our crowns and countries, but also do our best endeavours to draw the rest of the Reformed States and Princes to continue and join with us in that behalf. | |
| The portions of the above in italics are marginal notes by Burghley. | |
| Copy. | |
| 3½ pp. | |
| 895. Thomas White to Lord Burghley. | |
| [1589] [June.] | By your favour Mr. Sekford hath made payment of 14l. 10s. to Robert Scott, and entered into bond to him for payment of 20l. more the 6th of November next, and I am ready to put him in security for 15l. 10s., which is as much as his bill amounteth unto. But whereas, afore your speech to Mr. Sekford, he was in doubt of satisfaction (being greatly in distress), I delivered him bonds wherein two Scotchmen stand bound to me in 200l. for delivery of 10 lasts of white herrings at Lynn Regis, for 95l. disbursed unto them, with security that no discharge hath nor shall be made thereof, and he to pay the remainder after the debt recovered by law. But though he have received Mr. Sekford's security in his own name, he will not accept of that afore it be paid, but detaineth that and other bonds, whereby I cannot sue by action my foresaid bond for herrings, a debt due and withholden from me. Prays, since he [Scott] has received in money and security from Mr. Sekford 34l. 10s., that he may have reasonable time for the rest, and his bonds out of his [Scott's] hands. |
| 1 p. | |
| 896. Contents of Letters to the Queen from foreign parts. | |
| 1589, Feb. to June. | |
| 15 April, 1589. | From the magistrates of Ansorugh, in favour of George Sulzer, a citizen there, for restitution of three ships of Hamburg, laden with his goods at St. Lucon, and taken by her Majesty's subjects (Chancellor in December). |
| 18 February, 1589. | From one Henry Ramel of Hamburg, in behalf of Backshold Berkman, that two ships of his trading from Brazil to Hamburg may be, by order to the Lord Admiral, freed from her Majesty's ships. |
| 7 May, 1589. | From Duke Casimir, in behalf of Johannes and Sixtus Adalgays, for certain ships and goods of theirs stayed here. |
| 21 June, 1589. | From the States of Zealand, declaring their proceeding against Vasseur in sending him to the Council of States at the Hague, there to be tried, and praying that order may be given to the garrison of Flushing that they carry themselves henceforwards in like accidents with such dutiful respect to her Majesty and the States as they ought. |
| 11 April, 1589. | From the King of Denmark, in behalf of Paulin, for the rest of the money due to him from Sir W. Luson, the said Paulin requesting the King, in respect of his imprisoning him, that her Majesty's subjects and goods there might be arrested, until he were delivered, which the King thought reasonable, but only required justice for his subject. |
| ¾ p. | |