Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 2.djvu/97

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DIGBY. 93 her that afternoon; but being beaten out of the town, he was prevented, and it was found in one of the houses. “Madam, “I do admire that a lady of your worth and honour, as you conceive yourself to be, should in so regardless a sort, instead of matters of con science in your letters, use frivolous and scandalous words, expressly nominating us your enemies, Clanmaleroe Kearnes; and that, in that letter written this very day unto Sir Luke Fitz-Gerald, desiring his assistance to the number of fifty men, which should quash and cashier us here hence, he being your enemy no less than we, secluding kindred, not prophaneness of religion. Nay, your ladyship was not formerly abashed to write to William Parsons, naming us in that letter unto him, a mixt multitude. Remember yourself, madam, consisting of more women and boys than men. All these letters before your ladyship shall be produced. Both the messengers we have intercepted, together with your letters, and do detain them as yet prisoners, until such time as thereof we do certify your ladyship, which at the present to do we thought expedient. They are therefore censured to death, and this day is prefixed to their execution. Your ladyship by your letter desires novelties. Hear then, Chidley Coote (correspondently to the intent of your letters to Parsons, coming to your aid), being intercepted in the way, was deadly wounded, ten taken prisoners, his ensigns taken away, one Alman Hammett's man, if he comes safe with his message, (as I hope he will not,) will confirm this news. Had the character of these letters of yours been either Lloyd's or Hammett's, that politick engineer, and the deviser of quilletts (by him that bought me), no other satisfaction should be taken but their heads, though, as the case stands, Hammett lives in no small danger for manifold reasons. “CHARLES DEMPSIE.” But notwithstanding a l l these menaces and attacks, she held out with unsubdued courage, until effectually relieved b y Sir Richard Grenville, i n October 1642, after which she retired t o Coleshill; and died the 1st o f December, 1658, and lies buried i n the cathedral church o f St. Patrick. She had the happiness o f being the parent o f seven sons and three daughters, whose virtues were a t once their praise and her consolation. SIR LUCAS DILLON, Of Newtown and o f Morymet, i n the county o f Meath, the son o f Sir Robert Dillon, highly eminent i n his pro fession—the law, and distinguished for his experience both i n martial and civil affairs. We are told “Sir Henry 1