View source for Love letter from Philip Williams to Elizabeth Nalson circa 1680

''For related articles, consult [[Manuscripts (disambiguation)]].''
[[File:Williams-Nalson letter.jpg|thumb|400px|Williams-Nalson love letter, X.c.158]]
Very few Renaissance love letters have survived to the present day. The Folger acquired one such letter dated circa 1680 in 2013, in which {{Indextag|Indexname|Philip Williams}} (d. 1719) gushes to his future wife, Elizabeth Nalson his wishes to return to her in haste and how much he delights in seeing her letter.
 
To consult more in depth information concerning this letter, please view this item's [http://shakespeare.folger.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=334409 Hamnet record, X.c.158]. If you would like to view high-resolution images of this letter, please consult the [http://luna.folger.edu/luna/servlet/s/wp75j6 LUNA] digital image.






== Transcription ==

My Dearest Eliza

I was diverting my solitude with ''th''e pleasing <br>
thoughts of you (which are my usuall entertainment) <br>
when ''th''e sight of your dear letter Surpriz’d me & <br>
raised those transports in me that could receive <br>
no accession from anything but ''th''e sight of your <br>
own most adored Person, & ''th''e hopes which it gave <br>
me of seeing you so suddenly. and you may assure <br>
yourself Dear Madam ''tha''t this fortnights absence—<br>
from you was a piece of self deniall I could never <br>
have submitted to, had it not been imposed upon <br>
me by unavoidable necessity. but through Gods <br>
help no stop shall stay me from meeting you at <br>
Emneth tomorrow, tho if I could with any con=<br>
veniency have come to Ely tonight, I would much <br>
rather have waited on Mdm Nalson tomorrow <br>
by water to whom be pleased to give my most <br>
dutifull service & my humble service to dear <br>
Mdm Celia. I am now as at all times

(Dearest Mdam)

Your most gratefull Eternall <br>
votarie & humblest servt.

Phi: Williams

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[[Category:Manuscripts]]
[[Category:Letters]]
[[Category: 17th century]]