Under Oath

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A test of faith in hardships between spouses.

“My dearest Olive,

thy care in sending to me shows me how truly thou lovest me, 

and thy fear of my inconstancy argues no want of affection, only of faith, which if any good works of mine may strengthen, I will come on my knees to see thee, and put out my eyes 

rather than look with unchaste desire upon any creature while I breathe; and to be more secure of me, I would have thee inquire if ever I was false to any friend, and then to consider 

what a traitor I should be, if to a wife (and to such a wife!) so virtuous and good, 

I should prove false, and not to my friends. Dear Olive, be assured that I strive to make myself happy in nothing but in thee, and therefore I charge you to be merry, and to cherish your 

health and life, the more because I live in you. But what can I say, or what in the least little can I do? Love you? That I do and ever shall, as he who vows never to be anybody’s but your true husband.”

-Endymion Porter to his wife, Olive (1622)

Endymion paints a wonderful picture of trying to strengthen his marriage with his wife in this letter. He starts by expressing his gratitude for her letters she had sent him, and then asks her to believe in him and their changing nature (most likely off at court), and that he hopes he can help reassure her faith in him. 

Endymion expresses his devotion for Olive strongly when he promises her he will not lust after anyone while away from her and that he will keep his loyalty to his work and his marriage. 

He also explains he has never wronged his friends, and he believes it would be worse to be disloyal to his wife, who he finds to be a good person.

Endymion promises Olive that he will not find or seek happiness in anything other than their marriage, and asks that she put her worries to rest and try to find happiness and peace without worrying of him being unfaithful. 

His love and faithfulness is honorable in a time like this where having mistresses and affairs was extremely common, and to try and calm her and her doubts even if he has not yet been unfaithful shows his commitment to her, and validation of her feelings.

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