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15th June.
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90. Fray Juan De Avila to the Emperor Charles.
[Archivo General de Simancas. Estado. Castilla. Legajo 8. f. 124.
Holograph.]
A Su Magt. del confesor de la Reyna.
a xv. de Junio.
Sacra Cesarea e muy Catolica Majestad,
muchas vezes a V[uest]ra Mt. he escripto lo que aca ay que saber
de Su Altesa y al presente no ay mas de lo que V[uest]ra Mt. alla
avra sabido e sydo ynformado. esta buena y como nunca ha
tomado servicio de muger todo cae sobre mi. fasta agora yo he
servido a Su Alteza lo que V[uest]ra Mat. sabe antes y despues que
viniese en estos sus rreynos V[uest]ra Majestad a rreynar. lo qual ha
seydo con toda la fidelidad y trabajo que yo he podido como
todos lo saben. y con mi trabajo y servicio quando me lo dexa
haser V[uest]ra Magt. esto syn enojo. y el Marques huelga e descansa.
y como yo no obligo a V[uest]ra Mat. por mis cartas a mas galardon
tenporal de lo que V[uest]ra Mat. servido fuere e quisiere comigo
descargar ofreciendo yo a dios mi trabajo, no seria mucho, ya
que por la conciencia no quiere el marques dexar de haserme
fatiga, lo dexase e hiciese porque a V[uest]ra Magt. no me quexase.
el servicio que a Su Altesa yo hago en la visitar e consolar
que lo ha bien menester y a la Señora infante querria que lo
dexasse, o que no hisiese syno lo que el dixese, y por no
desirme esto por palabras para que yo lo entienda tiene todas
las formas que puede para fatigarme e molestarme como el
Reverend.mo Cardenal aqui a visto. yo por servir a V[uest]ra Mt.
e cunplir su obediencia como siervo suyo en lo que me tiene
mandado sufro e padezco lo mejor que yo puedo. a Vuestra
Magt. suplico por servicio de dios le ynbie a mandar, y a la
marquesa tanbien, que me tracten bien e no me molesten
segund ge lo mando quando de aqui partio, y que no me estorven
haser el servicio que devo a V[uest]ra Mt. y a su madre y
hermana segund dios e mi conciencia me obliga por la confiança
que V[uest]ra Magt. de mi tiene hecha, que en mi verdad no
me queda de honbre ni de religioso cosa con que lo pueda
pasar e çufrir. baste que estamos muertos de hanbre, un año
sin pagar lo necessario para nuestro sostenimiento. por un solo
dios suplico a Vt. Magt. lo mande proveer pues yo no tengo
otro Señor despues de Dios ni lo tengo de pedir a otro por
acatamiento de V[uest]ra Mt. cuya vida e ynperial estado dios todo
poderoso por largos tienpos ensalce y prospere en su servicio.
desta su villa de Tordesillas a xv. dias de Junio.
Muy Catholica Majestad besa los pies e las manos de V[uest]ra
Magt. el su pobre frayre e capellan.
frey Juan de Avila confessor. [Rubrica.] |
(Translation)
90. To his Majesty. From the confessor of the
Queen. 15th of June.
Sacred, imperial, and catholic Majesty,
I have many times written to your Majesty the news
worth knowing about her Highness. At present there is
nothing more to be said than what your Majesty has learnt
and knows already. She is well. As she has not accepted the
service of any woman, I have now to do all. I have served
her Highness, as your Majesty knows, before and since you
came to rule these your kingdoms, and have fulfilled my duties
with all possible fidelity and diligence, as is known to all.
If your Majesty permits me to discharge my labours and services,
I shall be satisfied, and the marquis may enjoy ease and
repose. As I have never begged of your Majesty in my letters
any other worldly reward except what your Majesty should
be pleased and inclined to bestow on me, performing my
labours for God's sake, it would not be too much if the marquis,
although for conscience sake he does not abstain from creating
difficulties for me, would do so in order not to force me to
complain to your Majesty. He wishes me to discontinue the
service, which by visiting and consoling her, of which she
is in so great need, I render to her Highness, and also to
the señora Infanta, or at least that I should do it in such a
manner as he desires. As he does not dare to tell me this in
words, he endeavours to let me understand it by the manner
in which he impedes and molests me, as the most reverend
cardinal has seen. Wishing to be of use to your Majesty,
and with the obedience of a servant to do what you have
commanded me, I suffer and bear all as best I can. I
beseech your Majesty for God's sake to order the marquis
and the marchioness to treat me well and not to molest me,
as you commanded them when you departed from here, and
not to prevent me from doing my duty towards your Majesty,
your mother, and your sister, as I am bound in conscience
and by the command of God, because of the trust your
Majesty has placed in me. On my word there remains
nothing that I do not suffer as man and as priest. It is
sufficient to state that we are starving, as for the last year
nothing has been paid for our maintenance. By the only
God I beseech your Majesty to give orders to supply us.
Next to God I have no other lord, nor does my attachment
to your Majesty permit me to wish to have any other.
God Almighty guard your life and imperial state for a
great many years, and exalt and prosper you for his service.
From the town of Tordesillas, 15th of June.
Very Catholic Majesty, your poor friar and chaplain kisses
the feet and hands of your Majesty.
Fray Juan de Avila, confessor. [Sign manual.] |
