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of my absence at Byssam with my lady Russel, upon some important cause of her son's. And as I have heard nothing, so I look for nothing, though my lord of Essex sent me word, he would not write till his lordship had good news. But his lordship may go on in his affection, which nevertheless myself have desired him to limit. But I do assure your lordship, I can take no farther care for the matter. I am now at Twicknam-Park, where I think to stay: for her Majesty placing a solicitor, my travel shall not need in her causes, though whensoever her Majesty shall like to employ me in any particular, I shall be ready to do her willing service. This I write lest your lordship might think my silence came of any conceit towards your lordship, which, I do assure you, I have not. And this needed I not to do, if I thought not so: for my course will not give me any ordinary occasion to use your favour, whereof nevertheless I shall ever be glad. So I commend your good lordship to God's holy preservation.

Your lordship's humble, &c.
FR. BACON.

This eleventh of October, 1595.

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XXVIII. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE last saw you, that this manner of his was only a na

LORD KEEPER, &c.*

IT MAY PLEASE YOUR GOOD LORDSHIP,

I CONCEIVE the end already made, which will, I trust, be to me a beginning of good fortune, or at least of content. Her Majesty by God's grace shall live and reign long, she is not running away, I may trust her. Or whether she look towards me or no, I remain the same, not altered in my intention. If I had been an ambitious man, it would have overthrown me, but minded as I am, "Revertet benedictio mea in sinum meum." If I had made any reckoning of any thing to be stirred, I would have waited on your lordship, and will be at any time ready to wait on you to do you service. So I commend your good lordship to God's holy preservation. Your lordship's most humble at your hon[ourable] commandment,

From Twicknam-Park this 14th of October.

Endorsed:

14th October 95.

FR. BACON.

XXIX. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE LORD KEEPER, &c.t

MY VERY GOOD Lord,

I RECEIVED a letter from a very friend of mine requesting me to move your lordship, to put into the commission for the subsidy, Mr. Richard Kempe, a reader of Gray's-Inn, and besides born to good estate, being also my friend and familiar acquaintHarl. MSS. Vol. 6997. No 61.

tural freedom, and plainness, which he had used with me, and in my knowledge with some other of his best friends, than any want of reverence towards your lordship; and therefore I was more curious to look into the moving cause of his style, than into the form of it: which now I find to be only a diffidence of your lordship's favour and love towards him, and no alienation of that dutiful mind which he hath borne towards your lordship. And therefore I am fully persuaded, that if your lordship would please to send for him, there would grow so good satisfaction, as hereafter he should enjoy your lordship's honourable favour, in as great a measure as ever, and your lordship have the use of his service, who, I assure your lordship, is as strong in his kindness, as you find him in his jealousy. I will use no argument to persuade your lordship, that I should be glad of his being restored to your lordship's wonted favour; since your lordship both knoweth how much my credit is engaged in his fortune, and may easily judge how sorry I should be, that a gentleman whom I love so much, should lack the favour of a person whom I honour so much. And thus commending your lordship to God's best protection, I rest,

Your lordship's very assured,
ESSEX.

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XXXI. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE
LORD KEEPER, &c.*

MY VERY GOOD LORD,

THE want of assistance from them which should be Mr. Fr. Bacon's friends, makes [me] the more industrious myself, and the more earnest in soliciting mine own friends. Upon me the labour must lie of his establishment, and upon me the disgrace will light of his being refused. Therefore I pray your lordship, now account me not as a solicitor only of my friend's cause, but as a party interested in this: and employ all your lordship's favour to me, or strength for me, in procuring a short and speedy end. For though I know, it will never be carried any other way, yet I hold both my friend and myself disgraced by this protraction. More I would write, but that I know to so honourable and kind a friend, this which I have said is enough. And so I commend your lordship to God's best protection, resting, At your lordship's commandment,

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other correspondence and agreeableness; which, whensoever it shall be conjoined with the other of affection, I durst wager my life, let them make what prosopopoeias they will of her Majesty's nature, that in you she will come to the question of " Quid fiet homini, quem rex vult honorare ?" But how is it now? A man of a nature not to be ruled, that hath the advantage of my affection, and knoweth it; of an estate not grounded to his greatness; of a popular reputation; of a military dependence. I demand, whether there can be a more dangerous image than this, represented to any monarch living, much more to a lady, and of her Majesty's apprehension ? And is it not more evident than demonstration itself, that whilst this impression continueth in her Majesty's breast, you can find no other condition, than inventions to keep your estate bare and low; crossing and disgracing your actions; extenuating and blasting of your merit; carping with contempt at your nature and fashions; breeding, nourishing, and fortifying such instruments as are most factious against you; repulses and scorns of your friends and dependants that are true and stedfast; winning and inveigling away from you such as are flexible and wavering; thrusting you into odious employments and offices to supplant your reputation ;

XXXII. TO MY LORD OF ESSEX, FROM MR. abusing you and feeding you with dalliances and de

BACON, OCTOBER 4, 1596.†

MY SINGULAR GOOD Lord,

monstrations, to divert you from descending into the serious consideration of your own case; yea, and percase venturing you in perilous and desperate enterprises. Herein it may please your lordship to understand me; for I mean nothing less, than that these things should be plotted and intended as in her Ma

of her nature too well. But I say, wheresoever the formerly described impression is taken in any king's breast towards a subject, these other recited inconveniences must, of necessity of politic consequence, follow; in respect of such instruments as are never failing about princes; which spy into humours and conceits, and second them: and not only second them, but in seconding increase them; yea, and many times, without their knowledge, pursue them farther than themselves would. Your lordship will ask the question, wherewith the Athenians were wont to interrupt their orators, when they exaggerated their dangers; "Quid igitur agendum est ?"

I WILL no longer dissever part of that, which I meant to have said to your lordship at Barn-Elms, from the exordium which I then made; whereunto I will only add this, that I humbly desire your lord-jesty's royal mind towards you: I know the excellency ship, before you give access to my poor advice, to look about, even jealously a little if you will, and to consider; first, whether I have not reason to think, that your fortune comprehended mine? Next, whether I shift my counsel and do not constare mihi? for I am persuaded, there are some would give you the same counsel now which I shall, but that they should derogate from that which they have said heretofore. Thirdly, whether you have taken hurt, at any time, by my careful and devoted counsel; for although I remember well your lordship once told me, that you having submitted upon my well-meant motion at Nonsuch, the place where you renewed a treaty with her Majesty of obsequious kindness, she had taken advantage of it; yet I suppose you do since believe, that it did much attemper a cold malignant humour then growing upon her Majesty toward your lordship, and hath done you good in consequence. And for my being against it, now lately that you should not estrange yourself, although I give place to none in true gratulation; yet neither do I repent me of safe counsel; neither do I judge of the whole play by the first act. But whether I counsel you the best, or for the best, duty bindeth me to offer to you my wishes. I said to your lordship last time," Martha, Martha, attendis ad plurima, unum sufficit;" win the queen: if this be not the beginning of any other course, I see no end. And I will not now speak of favour of affection, but of * Harl. MSS. Vol. 6997, No. 106.

I will tell your lordship "quæ mihi nunc in mentem veniunt;" supposing nevertheless, that yourself, out of your own wisdom upon the case, with this plainness and liberty represented to you, will find out better expedients and remedies. I wish a cure applied to every of the five former impressions, which I will take not in order, but as I think they are of weight.

For the removing the impression of your nature to be opiniastre and not rulable: first and above all things I wish, that all matters past, which cannot be revoked, your lordship would turn altogether upon insatisfaction, and not upon your nature or proper disposition. This string you cannot upon every apt occasion harp upon too much. Next, whereas I have noted you to fly and avoid, in some Rawley's Resuscitatio.

loveth not charge. Thirdly, that kind of dependence maketh a suspected greatness. Therefore, "quod

respect justly, the resemblance or imitation of my lord of Leicester, and my lord chancellor Hatton; yet I am persuaded, howsoever I wish your lord-instat agamus." Let that be a sleeping honour a ship as distant as you are from them in points of while, and cure the queen's mind in that point. favour, integrity, magnanimity, and merit, that it Therefore, again, whereas I heard your lordship will do you much good between the queen and you, design to yourself the earl marshal's place, or the to allege them, as oft as you find occasion, for place of master of the ordnance; I did not in my authors and patterns: for I do not know a readier mind so well like of either, because of their affinity mean to make her Majesty think you are in your with a martial greatness. But of the places now right way. Thirdly, when at any time your lord- void, in my judgment and discretion, I would name ship upon occasion happen in speeches to do her you to the place of lord privy seal. For first, it is Majesty right, for there is no such matter as flattery the third person of the great officers of the crown. amongst you all, I fear you handle it "magis in Next, it hath a kind of superintendence over the speciem adornatis verbis, quam ut sentire videaris." | secretary. It hath also an affinity with the court of So that a man may read formality in your counte- wards, in regard of the fees from the liveries; and nance; whereas your lordship should do it familiar- it is a fine honour, quiet place, and worth a thousand ly, "et oratione fida." Fourthly, your lordship pounds by year: and my lord admiral's father had should never be without some particulars afoot, it, who was a martial man: and it fits a favourite which you should seem to pursue with earnestness to carry her Majesty's image in seal, who beareth and affection; and then let them fall, upon taking it best expressed in heart. But my chief reason is, knowledge of her Majesty's opposition and dislike. that which I first alleged, to divert her Majesty Of which the weightiest sort may be, if your lord- from this impression of a martial greatness. In ship offer to labour, in the behalf of some that you concurrence whereof, if your lordship shall not refavour, for some of the places now void; choosing mit any thing of your former diligence at the starsuch a subject as you think her Majesty is like to chamber; if you shall continue such intelligences oppose unto: and if you will say that this is "con- as are worth the cherishing; if you shall pretend to junctum cum aliena injuria," I will not answer, be as bookish and contemplative as ever you were: "Hæc non aliter constabunt;" but I say, com- all these courses have both their advantages and mendation from so good a mouth doth not hurt a uses in themselves otherwise, and serve exceeding man, though you prevail not. A less weighty sort aptly to this purpose. Whereunto I add one exof particulars may be the pretence of some journeys | pedient more, stronger than all the rest; and, for which at her Majesty's request your lordship might my own confident opinion, void of any prejudice or relinquish as if you would pretend a journey to see danger of diminution of your greatness; and that is, your living and estate towards Wales, or the like: the bringing in of some martial man to be of the for as for great foreign journeys of employment and council; dealing directly with her Majesty in it, as service, it standeth not with your gravity to play or for her service, and your better assistance; choosing stratagem with them. And the lightest sort of par- nevertheless some person that may be known, not ticulars, which yet are not to be neglected, are in to come in against you, by any former division. I your habits, apparel, wearings, gestures, and the like. judge the fittest to be my lord Mountjoy, or my lord The impression of greatest prejudice next is that of Willoughby. And if your lordship see deeplier into a military dependence: wherein I cannot sufficiently it than I do, that you would not have it done in wonder at your lordship's course, that you say, effect; yet in my opinion, you may serve your turn the wars are your occupation, and go on in that by the pretence of it, and stay it nevertheless. course: whereas, if I might have advised your lordship, you should have left that person at Plymouth more than when in counsel, or in commending fit persons for service for wars, where it had been in season. And here, my lord, I pray mistake me not: I am not to play now the part of a gown-man, that would frame you best to mine own turn. I know what I owe you. I am infinitely glad of this last journey, now it is past; the rather, because you may make so honourable a full point for a time. You have property good enough in that greatness: there is none can, of many years, ascend near you in competition. Besides, the disposing of the places and affairs both, concerning the wars, you increasing in other greatness, will of themselves flow to you; which will preserve that dependence in full measure. It is a thing that of all things I would have you retain, the times considered, and the necessity of the service; for other reason I know none: yet I say, keep it in substance, but abolish it in shows to the queen; for her Majesty loveth peace. Next, she

The third impression is of a popular reputation ; which, because it is a thing good in itself, being obtained as your lordship obtaineth it, that is, bonis artibus; and besides, well governed, is one of the best flowers of your greatness both present and to come; it would be handled tenderly. The only way is to quench it verbis and not rebus. And therefore to take all occasions to the queen, to speak against popularity and popular courses vehemently; and to tax it in all others: but, nevertheless, to go on in your honourable commonwealth courses as you do. And therefore, I will not advise you to cure this, by dealing in monopolies, or any oppressions: only, if in parliament your lordship be forward for treasure in respect of the wars, it becometh your person well; and if her Majesty object popularity to you at any time, I would say to her, a parliament will show that; and so feed her with expectation.

The fourth impression, of the inequality between your estate of means, and your greatness of respects, is not to be neglected. For believe it, my lord, that

till her Majesty find you careful of your estate, she | I was a child, and had little philosophy, I was glad

will not only think you more like to continue chargeable to her, but also have a conceit that you have higher imaginations. The remedies are, first, to profess it in all speeches to her: next, in such suits wherein both honour, gift, and profit may be taken, to communicate freely with her Majesty, by way of inducing her to grant, that it will be this benefit to you. Lastly, to be plain with your lordship, for the gentlemen are such as I am beholden to, nothing can make the queen, or the world, think so much that you are come to a provident care of your estate, as the altering of some of your officers; who though they be as true to you as one hand to the other, yet opinio veritate major; but if, in respect of the bonds they may be entered into for your lordship, you cannot so well dismiss yourself of them, this cannot be done but with time.

For a fifth and last, which is of the advantage of a favourite; as severed from the rest, it cannot hurt; so joined with them, it maketh her Majesty more fearful and shadowy, as not knowing her own strength. The only remedy to this, is to give way to some other favourite, as in particular you shall find her Majesty inclined; so as the subject hath no ill nor dangerous aspect towards yourself. For otherwise, whosoever shall tell me, that you may not have singular use of a favourite at your devotion, I will say he understandeth not the queen's affection, nor your lordship's condition. And so I rest.

October 4, 1596.

XXXIII. TO MY LORD OF ESSEX.* IT MAY PLEASE YOUR GOOD LORDSHIP, I PRAY God her Majesty's weighing be not like the weight of a balance; "gravia deorsum, levia sursum." But I am as far from being altered in devotion towards her, as I am from distrust that she will be altered in opinion towards me, when she knoweth me better. For myself, I have lost some opinion, some time, and some means; this is my account but then for opinion, it is a blast that goeth and cometh; for time, it is true, it goeth and cometh not; but yet I have learned that it may be redeemed.

For means, I value that most; and the rather, because I am purposed, not to follow the practice of the law, if her Majesty command me in any particular, I shall be ready to do her willing service; and my reason is only, because it drinketh too much time, which I have dedicated to better purposes. But even for that point of estate and means, I partly lean to Thales's opinion, That a philosopher may be rich if he will. Thus your lordship seeth how I comfort myself; to the increase whereof I would fain please myself to believe that to be true which my lord treasurer writeth; which is, that it is more than a philosopher can morally digest. But without any such high conceit, I esteem it like the pulling out of an aching tooth, which, I remember, when Rawley's Resuscitatio.

of when it was done. For your lordship, I do think myself more beholden to you than to any man: and I say, I reckon myself as a common, not popular, but common; and as much as is lawful to be enclosed of a common, so much your lordship shall be sure to have.

Your lordship's, to obey your honourable commands, more settled than ever.

XXXIV. TO MY LORD OF ESSEX +

MY SINGULAR GOOD LORD,

YOUR lordship's so honourable minding my poor fortune the last year, in the very entrance into that great action, which is a time of less leisure, and in so liberal an allowance of your care, as to write three letters to stir me up friends in your absence, doth, after a sort, warrant me not to object to myself your present quantity of affairs, whereby to silence myself from petition of the like favour. I brake with your lordship myself at the Tower; and I take it my brother hath since renewed the same motion, touching a fortune I was in thought to attempt, in genere œconomico. In genere politico, certain cross winds have blown contrary. My suit to your lordship is for your several letters to be left with me dormant, to the gentlewoman, and either of her parents wherein I do not doubt, but as the beams of your favour have often dissolved the coldness of my fortune; so in this argument your lordship will do the like with your pen. My desire is also, that your lordship would vouchsafe unto me, as out of your care, a general letter to my lord keeper, for his lordship's holding me from you recommended; both in the course of my practice, and in the course of my employment in her Majesty's service: wherein, if your lordship shall in any antithesis or relation affirm, that his lordship shall have no less fruit of me than of any other whom he may cherish, I hope your lordship shall engage yourself for no impossibility. Lastly and chiefly, I know not whether I shall attain to see your lordship before your noble journey; for ceremonies are things infinitely inferior to my love and to my zeal. This let me, with your allowance, say unto you by pen. It is true, that in my well meaning advices, out of my love to your lordship, and perhaps out of the state of mine own mind, I have sometimes persuaded a course differing: "ac tibi pro tutis insignia facta placebunt:" be it so, yet remember, that the signing of your name is nothing, unless it be to some good patent or charter, whereby your country may be endowed with good and benefit. Which I speak, both to move you to preserve your person for farther merit and service of her Majesty and your country, and likewise to refer this action to the same end. And so, in most true and fervent prayers, I commend your lordship, and your work in hand, to the preservation and conduct of the Divine Majesty; so much the more watchful, as these actions + Ibid.

do more manifestly in show, though alike in truth, depend upon his divine providence.

XXXV. TO SIR JOHN STANHOPE. *

SIR,

XXXVII. TO MY LORD OF ESSEX.

MY SINGULAR GOOD LORD,

I MAY perceive, by my lord keeper, that your lordship, as the time served, signified unto him an intention to confer with his lordship at better opportunity; which in regard of your several. and weighty occasions, I have thought good to put your lordship in remembrance of; that now at his coming to the court it may be executed: desiring your good lordship, nevertheless, not to conceive out of this my diligence in soliciting this matter, that I am either much in appetite, or much in hope. For as for appetite, the waters of Parnassus are not like the waters of the Spaw, that give a stomach; but rather they quench appetite and desires. And for hope, how can he hope much, that can allege no other reason than the reason of an evil debtor, who will persuade his creditor to lend him new sums, and to enter farther in with him to make him satisfy the old? and to her Majesty no other reason, but the reason of a waterman; I am her first man of those who serve in counsel of law? and so I com

YOUR good promises sleep, which it may seem now no time to awake. But that I do not find that any general kalendar of observation of time serveth for the court and besides, if that be done, which I hope by this time is done; and that other matters shall be done, which we wish may be done, I hope to my poor matter, the one of these great matters may clear the way, and the other give the occasion. And though my lord treasurer be absent, whose health nevertheless will enable him to be sooner at court than is expected; especially if this hard weather, too hard to continue, shall relent; yet we abroad say, his lordship's spirit may be there, though his person be away. Once I take for a good ground, that her Majesty's business ought to keep neither vacation nor holy-day, either in the execution, or in the care and preparation of those whom her Ma-mit your lordship to God's best preservation. jesty calleth and useth: and therefore I would think no time barred from remembering that, with such discretion and respect as appertaineth. The conclusion shall be, to put you in mind to maintain that which you have kindly begun, according to the reliance I have upon the sincerity of your affection, and the soundness of your judgment. And so I commend you to God's preservation.

XXXVI. TO MY LORD OF ESSEX. + MY SINGULAR GOOD LORD, THE message it pleased your lordship to send me, was to me delivered doubtfully. Whether your lordship said you would speak with me at the starchamber, or with Mr. Philip. If with me, it is needless; for gratitude imposeth upon me satisfaction: if with Mr. Philip, it will be too late; because somewhat must, perchance, be done that day. This doubt not solved, maketh me write again; the rather because I did liberally, but yet privately, affirm your lordship would write; which if I make not good, it may be a discouragement. Your lordship's letter, though it have the subject of honour and justice, yet it shall have the secrecy of a thing done upon affection. shall ever in a firm duty submit my occasions, though great, to your lordship's respects, though small: and this is my resolution, that when your lordship doth for me, you shall increase my obligation; when you refuse to do for me, you shall increase my merit. So leaving the matter wholly to your lordship's pleasure, I commend your lordship to the preservation of the Divine Majesty.

Your lordship's ever most humbly bounden. From Gray's-Inn.

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XXXVIII. TO MY LORD OF ESSEX. §

MOST HONOURABLE, AND MY SINGULAR GOOD LORD. I CANNOT but importune your lordship, with thanks for your lordship's remembering my name to my lord keeper; which being done in such an article of time, could not but be exceedingly enriched, both in demonstration and effect; which I did well discern by the manner of expressing thereof by his lordship again to me. This accumulating of your lordship's favours upon me hitherto, worketh only this effect; that it raiseth my mind to aspire to be found worthy of them, and likewise to merit and serve you for them. But whether I shall be able to pay my vows or no, I must leave that to God. who hath them in deposito; whom also I most instantly beseech to give you fruit of your actions beyond that your heart can propound: "Nam Deus major est corde:" even to the environing of his benedictions I recommend your lordship.

XXXIX. TO THE QUEEN: WRITTEN BY
FRANCIS BACON FOR THE EARL OF
ESSEX.

IT MAY PLEASE YOUR MAJESTY,

Ir were great simplicity in me to look for better, than that your Majesty should cast away my letter, as you have done me; were it not that it is possible your Majesty will think to find somewhat in it, whereupon your displeasure may take hold; and so indignation may obtain that of you which favour Ibid. § Ibid. Ibid.

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