Letter 4027: The haste of the carrier forces me to be brief — a discipline I accept more readily when imposed by circumstance...

The haste of the bearer has compressed this letter into a narrow compass and has made one who grieves over great matters dictate but few words. With him, however, these constraints are no burden, since amid the straits of speech he is the interpreter of my feelings. For I am tormented over the slowness of lord Faustus and the diversity of reports. Do you, after God, come to the aid of my anxiety with a swift reply, since it is worse to be worn down by uncertain hope than to learn of manifest despair through the disclosure of one who loves. Farewell, my lords, and, taking heed of what I desire, send forth conversations whether longed-for or necessary.