He is our master. And in this, both he and I owe
infinitely to your Lordship, for having placed us in so godly a
family as that of Mr. Oxenbridge, whose doctrine and example are like
a book and a map, not only instructing the ear, but demonstrating to
the eye, which way we ought to travell; and Mrs. Oxenbridge has
looked so well to him, that he hath already much mended his
complexion; and now she is ordering his chamber, that he may delight
to be in it as often as his studys require. For the rest, most of
this time hath been spent in acquainting ourselves with him; and
truly he is chearfull, and I hope thinks us to be good company. I
shall, upon occasion, henceforward inform your Excellence of any
particularities in our little affairs, for so I esteem it to be my
duty. I have no more at present, but to give thanks to God for your
Lordship, and to beg grace of Him, that I may approve myself, Your
Excellency's most humble and faithful servant,
ANDREW MARVELL.

"Windsor, _July 28, 1653_.

"Mr. Dutton[55:1] presents his most humble service to your
Excellence."

Something must now be said of Marvell's literary productions during this
period, 1652-1657. It was in 1653 that he began his stormy career as an
anonymous political poet and satirist. The Dutch were his first victims,
good Protestants though they were. Marvell never liked the Dutch, and
had he lived to see the Revolution must have undergone some qualms.

In 1652 the Commonwealth was at war with the United Provinces. Trade
jealousy made the war what politicians call "inevitable." This jealousy
of the Dutch dates back to Elizabeth, and to the first stirring in the
womb of time of the British navy. This may be readily perceived if we
read Dr. John Dee's "Petty Navy Royal," 1577, and "A Politic Plat (plan)
for the Honour of the Prince," 1580, and, somewhat later in date,
"England's Way to Win Wealth," 1614.[56:1]

These short tracts make two things quite plain--first, the desire to get
our share of the foreign fishing trade, then wholly in the hands of the
Dutch; and second, the recognition that England was a sea-empire,
dependent for its existence upon a great navy manned by the seafaring
inhabitants of our coasts.

The enormous fishing trade done in our own waters by the Dutch, the
splendid fleet of fishing craft with twenty thousand handy sailors on
board,