ship will be pleased to forbear pressing for a solicit Your lordship's very assured to be commanded, Wanstead this 4th of May, 1594. XVII. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE IT MAY PLEASE YOUR GOOD LORDSHIP, I UNDERSTAND of some business like enough to detain the queen to-morrow, which maketh me earnestly to pray your good lordship, as one that I have found to take my fortune to heart, to take some time to remember her Majesty of a solicitor this present day. Our Tower employment stayeth, and hath done these three days, because one of the principal offenders being brought to confess, and the other persisting in denial, her Majesty in her wisdom thought best some time were given to him that is obstinate, to bethink himself; which indeed is singular good in such cases. Thus desiring your lordship's pardon, in haste I commend my fortune and duty to your favour. From Gray's-Inn this 13th of August, 1594. Your lordship's most humbly to receive your commandments, XVIII. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE From Gray's-Inn this 25th of August, 1594. IT MAY PLEASE YOUR GOOD LORDSHIP, As your lordship hath at divers times helped me to pass over contrary times, so I humbly pray you not to omit this favourable time. I cannot bear myself as I should, till I be settled. And thus desiring pardon, I leave your lordship to God's preservation. Your lordship's most humbly at commandment, FR. BACON. IT MAY PLEASE YOUR GOOD LORDSHIP, I RECEIVED, at my lord of Essex last going from court, a message of good assurance, which his lordship sent to my brother and to myself; which was this: That her Majesty had stedfastly promised him to despatch my matter to-morrow. And somewhat her Majesty said to myself, when I attended her upon some service since, which I liked well, though it was with some doubtfulness, as, they say, her Majesty useth till the last hour. This I thought FR. BACON.good to signify to your good lordship, both that your lordship may perceive how effectual and operative your lordship's last dealing with her Majesty was ; and also that, now the wheel is going, your lordship would set it forward, the rather in respect of the necessity to go presently in hand with these criminal causes, if the commission shall hold according to the adjournment. And if her Majesty should not be pleased presently to give order for a patent, yet if your lordship may by her warrant give me warning to prepare myself, it will be some hold and satisfaction. So thinking long to have the strength of place, to do your lordship acceptable service, I leave your good lordship to God's good preservation. Your lordship's most humbly at your hon[ourable] commandments, FR. BACON. XIX. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE HIS VERY now find by that I hear from my lord of Essex, Your good lordship's humbly at your hon[ourable] IT MAY PLEASE YOUR GOOD LORDSHIP, I was minded, according to the place of employment, though not of office, wherein I serve, for my better direction and the advancement of the service, to have acquainted your lordship, now before the term, with such her Majesty's causes as are in my hands. Which course intended out of duty, I do Harl. MSS. Vol. 6996. No. 103. Ibid. No. 109. From Gray's-Inn the 25th XX. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE From Gray's-Inn this 28th XXI. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE IT MAY PLEASE YOUR LORDSHIP, I THOUGHT good to step aside for nine days, which is the durance of a wonder, and not for any dislike in the world; for I think her Majesty hath done me as great a favour in making an end of this matter, as if she had enlarged me from some restraint. And I humbly pray your lordship, if it so Ibid. No. 110. § Ibid. Vol. 6697. No. 14. please you, to deliver to her Majesty from me, that I would have been glad to have done her Majesty service now in the best of my years, and the same mind remains in me still; and that it may be, when her Majesty hath tried others, she will think of him that she hath cast aside. For I will take it upon that which her Majesty hath often said, that she doth reserve me, and not reject me. And so I leave your good lordship to God's good preservation. Your lordship's much bounden, FR. BACON. From Twicknam-Park this Endorsed, XXII. A LETTER TO THE LORD TREASURER was but twenty-seven years old; and Mr. Brograve was now in my time called to be attorney of the duchy, when he had practised little or nothing; and yet discharged his place with great sufficiency. But these things and the like are as her Majesty shall be made capable of them; wherein, knowing what authority your lordship's commendation hath with her Majesty, I conclude with myself, that the substance of strength which I may receive, will be from your lordship. It is true, my life hath been so private, as I have had no means to do your lordship service; but yet, as your lordship knoweth, I have made offer of such as I could yield; for as God hath given me a mind to love the public; so incidently, I have ever had your lordship in singular admiration; whose happy ability her Majesty hath so long used, to her great honour and yours. Besides, that amendment of state or countenance, which I have received, hath been from your lordship. And therefore if your lordship shall stand a good friend to your poor ally, you shall but "tueri opus proprium," which you have begun. And your lordship shall bestow your benefit upon one that hath more sense of obligation than of self-love. Thus humbly desiring pardon of so long a letter, I wish your lordship all happiness. This 7th of June 1595. Your Lordship's in all humbleness to be commanded. MY LORD, AFTER the remembrance of my most humble duty, though I know, by late experience, how mindful your lordship vouchsafeth to be of me and my poor fortunes, since it pleased your lordship, during your indisposition, when her Majesty came to visit your lordship, to make mention of me for my employment and preferment; yet being now in the country, I do presume that your lordship, who of yourself had so honourable care of the matter, will not think it a trouble to be solicited therein. My hope is, that whereas your lordship told me her Majesty was somewhat gravelled upon the offence she took at my speech in parliament; your lordship's favourable and good word, who hath assured me, that for your own part you construed, that I spake to the best, will be as a good tide to remove her from that shelf. And it is not unknown to your good lordship, that I was the first of the ordinary sort of the lower house of parliament that spake for the subsidy; and that which I after spake in difference, was but in circumstances of time and manner, which methinks should be no great matter, since there is variety allowed in council, as a discord in music, to make it more perfect. But I may justly doubt, not so much her Majesty's impression upon this particular, as her conceit otherwise of my insufficiency; which though I acknowledge to be great, yet it will be the less, because I purpose not to divide myself between her Majesty and the causes of other men, as others have done, but to attend her business only: hoping that a whole man meanly able, may do as well as half a man better able. And if her Majesty think that she shall make an adventure in using one that is rather a man of study, than of practice and experience; surely I may remember to have heard that my father, an example, I confess, rather ready than like, was made solicitor of the augmentation, a court of much business, when he had never practised, and * Rawley's Resuscitatio. XXIII. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE MAY IT PLEASE YOUR GOOD LORDSHIP, Nor able to attend your lordship myself, before your going to the court, by reason of an ague, which offered me a fit on Wednesday morning, but since by abstinence, I thank God, I have starved it, so as now he hath turned his back, I am chasing him away with a little physic: I thought good to write these few words to your lordship, partly to signify my excuse, if need be, that I assisted not Mr. Attorney on Thursday last in the star-chamber, at which time, it is some comfort to me, that I hear by relation somewhat was generally taken hold of by the court, which I formerly had opened and moved; and partly to express a little my conceit, touching the news which your lordship last told me from the queen, concerning a condition in law knit to an interest, which your lordship remembereth, and is supposed to be broken by misfeyance. Wherein surely my mind, as far as it appertaineth to me, is this, that as I never liked not so much as the coming in upon a lease by way of forfeiture, so I am so much enemy to myself, as I take no contentment in any such hope of advantage. For as your lordship can give me best testimony, that I never in my life propounded any such like motion, though I have been incited thereto; so the world will hardly believe, but that it is underhand quickened and nourished from me. And truly, my lord, I would not be thought to supplant any man for + Harl. MSS. Vol. 6997. No. 18. that which I hope God will give me grace to per- Your lordship's in all humble respect, IT MAY PLEASE YOUR LORDSHIP, THERE hath nothing happened to me in the course of my business more contrary to my expectation, than your lordship's failing me, and crossing me now in the conclusion, when friends are best tried. But now I desire no more favour of your lordship, than I would do if I were a suitor in the chancery; which is this only, that you would do me right. And I for my part, though I have much to allege, yet nevertheless, if I see her Majesty settle her choice upon an able man, such a one as Mr. Serjeant Fleming, I will make no means to alter it. On the other side, if I perceive any insufficient obscure XXVI. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE idole man offered to her Majesty, then I think myself double bound to use the best means I can for myself; which I humbly pray your lordship I may do with your favour, and that you will not disable me farther than is cause. And so I commend your lordship to God's preservation, LORD KEEPER, &c.|| That beareth your lordship all humble respect, Endorsed, in Lord Keeper's hand, XXV. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE From Twicknam-Park this IT MAY PLEASE YOUR GOOD LORDSHIP, I AM sorry the opportunity permitteth me not to attend your lordship as I minded. But I hope your lordship will not be the less sparing in using the argument of my being studied and prepared in the queen's causes, for my fartherance, upon belief that I had imparted to your lordship my travels, which some time next week I mean to do. Neither have I been able to confer with Mr. Attorney, as I desired, because he was removing from one building to another. And besides, he alleged his note-book was in the country at and so we respited it to some time next week. I think he will rather do me good offices than otherwise, except it be for the township your lordship remembereth by the verse. Thus I commend your honourable lordship to God's good preservation. MAY IT PLEASE YOUR LORDSHIP, I THOUGHT it became me to write to your lordship, upon that which I have understood from my lord of Essex, who vouchsafed, as I perceive, to deal with your lordship of himself to join with him in the concluding of my business, and findeth your lordship hath conceived offence, as well upon my manner when I saw your lordship at Temple last, as GOOD LORD, THE LORD KEEPER OF THE upon a letter, which I did write to your lordship XXVII. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE MY Your Lordship's most humble at your hon[ourable] commandment, FR. BACON. From Gray's-Inn this 25th IT MAY PLEASE YOUR GOOD LORDSHIP, My not acquainting your lordship hath proceeded of my not knowing any thing, and of my not knowing Harl. MSS. Vol. 6997. No. 44. || Harl. MSS. Vol. 6997. No. 59. Ibid. No. 60. of my absence at Byssam with my lady Russel, any And this needed I not to do, if I thought not so: for my course will not This eleventh of October, 1595. 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, FR. BACON. From Twicknam-Park this 14th of October. Endorsed: 14th October 95. ance. And because I conceive the gentleman to be every way sortable with the service, I am bold to commend him to your lordship's good favour. And even so, with remembrance of my most humble duty, I rest, XXIX. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE XXVIII. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE last saw you, that this manner of his was only a na LORD KEEPER, &c.* 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, 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 acquaint Harl. MSS. Vol. 6997. No 61. Your lordship's affectionate to do you humble service, FR. BACON. Twicknam-Park, XXX. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE MY LORD, In my last conference with your lordship, I did entreat you both to forbear hurting of Mr. Fr. Bacon's cause, and to suspend your judgment of his mind towards your lordship, till I had spoken with him. I went since that time to Twicknam-Park to confer with him, and had signified the effect of our conference by letter ere this, if I had not hoped to have met with your lordship, and so to have delivered it by speech. I told your lordship when I other correspondence and agreeableness; which, whensoever it shall be conjoined with the other of affection, I durst wager my life, let them make what prosopopæias 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; tenuating 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; ex XXXII. TO MY LORD OF ESSEX, FROM MR. abusing you and feeding you with dalliances and deBACON, 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 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 of her nature too well. But I say, wheresoever the look about, even jealously a little if you will, and to formerly described impression is taken in any king's consider; first, whether I have not reason to think, breast towards a subject, these other recited inconvethat your fortune comprehended mine ? Next, niences must, of necessity of politic consequence, folwhether I shift my counsel and do not constare low; in respect of such instruments as are never failing mihi? for I am persuaded, there are some would about princes; which spy into humours and conceits, give you the same counsel now which I shall, but and second them: and not only second them, but in that they should derogate from that which they have seconding increase them; yea, and many times, said heretofore. Thirdly, whether you have taken without their knowledge, pursue them farther than hurt, at any time, by my careful and devoted counsel; themselves would. Your lordship will ask the for although I remember well your lordship once told question, wherewith the Athenians were wont to me, that you having submitted upon my well-meant interrupt their orators, when they exaggerated their motion at Nonsuch, the place where you renewed a dangers; "Quid igitur agendum est ?" treaty with her Majesty of obsequious kindness, I will tell your lordship 86 quæ mihi nunc in she had taken advantage of it; yet I suppose you mentem veniunt;" supposing nevertheless, that yourdo since believe, that it did much attemper a cold self, out of your own wisdom upon the case, with malignant humour then growing upon her Majesty this plainness and liberty represented to you, will toward your lordship, and hath done you good in find out better expedients and remedies. I wish a consequence. And for my being against it, now cure applied to every of the five former impressions, lately that you should not estrange yourself, although which I will take not in order, but as I think they I give place to none in true gratulation; yet neither are of weight. 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, 66 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. XXXI. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE 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, [No date.] ESSEX. 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. |
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