Source:
Original letters illustrative of English history, series 1, volume 3, page 52, edited by Henry Ellis, 1825
The letter:
Alla serenissima Reggina de Ingelterra, Francia, et Iberna.
Como il Solle alumina con soi raggi sopra la terra, la virtu et grandeza di sua maesta si stende per tutto el universo, sin tanto che quelli que sonno di differente nacioni et legge desidreno servir sua maesta. Questo dico io per me, che essendo io Hebrea di legge et nacione diferente di sua maesta, da la prima hora che piache el Sr Iddio di mettere nel cuore di questa nostra serenissima Reggi[n]a Madre servirse di me, sempre sonno state desiderosa che me venisse hocasion di poter mustrar a sua Maesta questa mia vullunta. Fora che S. M. à mandato questo ill.mo Imbasiator in questo Regno con un presente per questa serenissima Reggina mia s.a in quanto si â volluto servir di me mi â trovato prôta. Et hora alla dispidicione di esso ill.mo Inbasiator la serenissima Reggina vullendo mustrar a sua maesta el amor che gliâ, manda a sua maesta con questo ill.mo Imbasiatore una veste, et une cintura, et doi faeiolli lavorati de horo, et tre lavorati di seta al uzanza di questo Regno, et un collar di perle et rubini; il tutto manda la ser.ma Reggina all ill.mo Sr. Imbasiator per mano del Sr Bostanggi Basi e' per mia mano gli ho consignato al ill.mo Sr. Imbasiator una corona di diamante gioia di sua ser.ta qualli dice piaæra â sua maesta portar per amor di lei et de la receputa dar aviso. Et per esser sua Maesta donna senza vergogna alcuna la posio hocupar con questo aviso il qual ê che trovandosi nel suo regno aque destillati fini de hogne sorte per la facia et hogli hodoriffere per le mani sua Maesta mi favorira mandarne per mia mano per il medesimo se si trovano nel suo Regno panini di seta ho di lana cosse stravaganti et convenienti per una tanta alta Reggina come lei sua Maesta potra mandarli che piu avera lei caro questo che qual si voglia gioia che sua Maesta gli posia mandar non altro sollo pregar il Sr Iddio gli dia vitoria di soi nemici et sempre sia S. M. prospera et fellice. Amen. Di Constantinopolli 16 Nov. 1599.
Umilissima di S. M.
ESPERANZA MALCHI.
English translation:
To the most serene Queen of England, France, and Ireland.
As the Sun with his rays shines upon the Earth, so the virtue and greatness of your Majesty extend over the whole Universe, so much so that those who are of different nations and laws desire to serve your Majesty. This I say as to myself, who being a Hebrew by law and nation, have, from the first hour that it pleased the Lord God to put into the heart of this our most serene Queen Mother to make use of my services, ever been desirous that an occasion might arise on which I might show that disposition which I cherish. Besides your Majesty having sent a distinguished Ambassador into this Kingdom, with a present for this most serene Queen my mistress, in as much as she has been willing to make use of my services, she has found me ready. And now at the departure of the noble Ambassador alluded to, the most serene Queen, wishing to prove to your Majesty the love she bears you, sends to your Majesty by the same illustrious Ambassador a robe and a girdle, and to kerchiefs wrought in gold, and three wrought in silk, after the fashion of this Kingdom, and a necklace of pearls and rubies; the whole the most serene Queen sends to the illustrious Ambassador by the hand of the Sieur Bostanggi Basi; and by my own hand I have delivered to the illustrious Ambassador a wreath of diamonds from the jewels of her Highness, which she says, your Majesty will be pleased to wear for the love of her, and give information of the receipt. And your Majesty being a Lady full of condescension, I venture to prefer the following request; namely that, since there are to be met with in your Kingdom distilled waters of every description for the face, and odiferous oils for the hands, your Majesty would favor me by transmitting some by my hand for this most serene Queen; by my hand, as, being articles for ladies, she does not wish them to pass through other hands. Likewise if there are to be had in your Kingdom cloths of silk or wool, articles of fancy suited for so high a Queen as my Mistress, your Majesty may be pleased to send them, as she will be more gratified by such objects than any valuable your Majesty could send her. I have nothing further to add, but to pray the Lord God that he may give your Majesty the victory over your enemies: and that your Majesty may ever be prosperous and happy. Amen. From Constantinople the 16th. November 1599.
Your Majesty's most humble
ESPERANZA MALCHI.
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