Translation / modern text
Most esteemed Mr Forbes, my friend!
I always trust in your kindness and that I shall not be disappointed in it. Once again I humbly ask you to choose a fine sable for me. I can give one hundred and sixty, or even more, provided it is fine. I shall thank you for this service and endeavour to return the favour. I shall be returning [?] and shall gratefully give you [the payment — an object inferred from the syntax, not stated explicitly]. Without detaining you longer, I remain forever your obedient servant.
Józef Gruszewicz [?].
Jarosław, 17 December 1691 [?].
[Postscript:] I humbly ask that I may have it for the holidays.
[Address:] To Mr Arthur Forbes, my benefactor, in Lviv.
Original wording — transcription
Mnie Wielce Mosci Panie Forbus!
Moy wielce Mosci Panie y Przyiacielu.
Trzymaiąc ia zawsze po łasce Wm Pana w tym że się nie zawiodę y teraz uniżenie upraszam aby mi Wm Pan wybrał y obrał sobolu pięknego, o takich pieniądzach co sto sześćdziesiąt dać y więcei byle był piękny, a ia za ten wyświaczony affekt odwdzięczać y odsługiwać będę. Będę powracał [?] y z podziękowaniem oddam Wm Panu. Więcei nie bawiąc po wolny na zawsze zostaię sługą
Josephus Gruszewic[z?].
Anno 1691 d 17 Xbris w Jarosławiu.
[Dopisek:] uniżenie upraszam Wm Pana żebym miał na święta.
[Adres:] Memu Wielce Mosciemu Panu Jego Mosci Panu Arturowi Forbusowi, Memu wielce Mosciwemu Panu i Dobrodzieiowi, we Lwowie.
Reading notes
All three pages were inspected. One page of letter and an address; no copy or earlier translation (the search found only catalogues). The signature reads Josephus; the surname’s ending is blurred, with the cover supporting the surname. The provisional date reading is 17 Xbris, whereas the cover gives 11 December 1691; the discrepancy remains unresolved. The original address gives Lviv, although the cover describes Kraków. One hundred and sixty is legible; no currency is mentioned and złoty has not been added. Sable may mean a skin or fur; the text does not establish the form of a finished article. Powracał requires renewed collation. Independent checking of page 2 read the postscript as asking to have it for the holidays and confirmed the day 17; the discrepancy with the cover is retained. The request alone has not been treated as proof of purchase.