TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.

fore my last sickness. This is all I need to write his person; and shall ever be ready to do you, in f myself to such a friend.

all things, the best service that I can. We hope well, and it is generally rather spoken So, wishing your lordship much happiness, I lhan believed, that his highness will return very rest Your lordship’s faithful friend, speedily. But they be not the best pieces in

and humble servant, painting that are dashed out in haste. I hope, if

G. BUCKINGHAM. any thing want in the speed of time, it will be Madrid, this 29th of

May, 1623, st. vet. compensed in the fruit of time, that all may sort to the best.

I have written a few words, of duty and respect only, to my lord marquis, and Mr. Secretary. I

TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM, IN SPAIN.. pray you kiss the Count of Gondomar's hand. God keep you.

Excellent LORD,
Your most affectionate and

I humbly thank your grace for your letter of assured friend,

the 29th of May; and that your grace doth believe

FR. ST. ALBAN. that no man is gladder of the increase of your May 2, 1623.

honour and fortune than I a.n; as, on the other part, no man should be more sorry, if it should in the least degree decline, nor more careful, if it should so much as labour. But, of the first, I

speak as of a thing that is : but, for the two latter, ExceLLENT LORD,

it is but a case put, which I hope I shall never I write now only to congratulate with your see. And, to be plain with your grace, I am not grace your new honour;* which, because I reckon a little comforted to observe, that, although in to be no great matter to your fortune, (though you common sense and experience a man would have are the first English duke that hath been created doubted that some things might have sorted to since I was born,) my compliment shall be the your prejudice; yet, in particulars we find nothing shorter. So, having turned almost my hopes of of it. For, a man might reasonably have feared your grace's return by July, into wishes, and not that absence and discontinuance might have lesto them neither, if it should be any hazard to sened his majesty's favour; no such thing has your health, I rest, &c.

followed. So, likewise, that any that might not Vouchsafe, of your nobleness, to present my wish you well, should have been bolder with you. most humble duty to his highness. Summer is But all is continued in good compass. Again, a thirsty time; and sure I am, I shall infinitely who might not have feared, that your grace being thirst to see his highness's and your grace's there to manage, in great part, the most important

business of Europe, so far from the king, and not strengthened with advice there, except that of the prince himself, and thus to deal with so politic a state as Spain, you should be able to go through

as you do? and yet nothing, as we hear, but for ST. ALBAN.

your honour, and that you do your part. Surely, MY GOOD LORD,

my lord, though your virtues be great, yet these I have received your hearty congratulation for things could not be, but that the blessing of God, the great honour, and gracious favour which his which is over the king and the prince, doth likemajesty hath done me: and I do well believe, that wise descend upon you as a faithful servant; and no man is more glad of it than yourself.

you are the more to be thankful to God for it. Tobie Matthew is here; but what with the I humbly thank your grace, that you make me journey, and what with the affliction he endures, live in his highness's remembrance, whom I shall to find, as he says, that reason prevails nothing ever bear a heart to honour and serve. And I with these people, he is grown extreme lean, and much joy to hear of the great and fair reputation looks as sharp as an eyas.t Only, he comforts which at all hands are given him. himself with a conceit, that he is now gotten on For Mr. Matthew, I hope by this time he hath the other side of the water, where the same reason gathered up his crumbs; which importeth much, that is valuable in other parts of the world, is of I assure your grace, if his cure must be, either by no validity here ; but rather something else, which finding better reason on that side the line, or by yet he hath not found out.

discovering what is the motion, that moveth the I have let his highness see the good expressions wheels, that, if reason do not, we must all pray of your lordship's care, and faithful affection to for his being in good point. But, in truth, my

return.

DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM TO THE LORD VISCOUNT

The title of duke, conferred on him May, 1623.
A young hawk, just taken out of the nest.

The Duke of Buckingham went to Spain, February, 1623, and returned in September.

lord, I am glad he is there; for I know his virtues, mise for a compliment. But since you call for it, and particularly his devotion to your lordship. I shall perform it.* God return his highness, and your grace, unto

I am much beholden to Mr. Gage for many us safe and sound, and according to your heart's expressions of his love to me; and his company, desires.

in itself very acceptable, is the more pleasing to me, because it retaineth the memory of yourself.

This letter of yours, of the 26th, lay not so

long by you, but it hath been as speedily answered TO MR. TOBIE MATTHEW.

by me, so as with Sir Francis Cottington I have Good MR. MATTHEW,

had no speech since the receipt of it. Your forI have received your letter of the 10th of June,* mer letters, which I received from Mr. Griesley, and am exceeding glad to hear you are in so good I had answered before, and put my letter into a health. For that which may concern myself, I good hand. neither doubt of your judgment in choosing the

For the great business, God conduct it well. fittest time, nor of your affection in taking the Mine own fortune hath taught me expectation. first time you shall find fit. For the public busi

God keep you. ness, I will not turn my hopes into wishes yet,

Endorsed, since you write as you do; and I am very glad

To Mr. Matthew, into Spain. you are there, and, as I guess, you went in good time to his lordship. For your action of the case, it will fall to the

TO MR. TOBIE MATTHEW. ground; for I have not heard from the duke, nei- Good MR. MATTHEW, ther by letter, nor message, at this time.

I have received your letter, sent by my Lord of God keep you. I rest always

Andover; and, as I acknowledged your care, so I Your most affectionate and faithful servant, cannot fit it with any thing, that I can think on

Fr. ST. ALBAN. for myself; for, since Gondomar, who was my Gray's Inn, 17th of June, 1623.

voluntary friend, is in no credit, neither with the I do hear, from Sir Robert Ker and others, how be done for me there; except that which Gon

prince, nor with the duke, I do not see what may much beholden I am to you.

domar hath lost you have found; and then I am sure my case is amended: so as, with a great deal of confidence, I commend myself to you,

hoping, that you will do what in you lieth, to TO MR. TOBIE MATTHEW.

prepare the prince and duke to think of me, upon Good MR. MATTHEW,

their return. And if you have any relation to the I thank you for your letter of the 26th of June, infanta, I doubt not but it shall be also to my and commend myself unto your friendship, know- use.

God keep you. ing your word is good assurance, and thinking I Your most affectionate and assured friend, etc. cannot wish myself a better wish, than that your power may grow to your will.

Since you say the prince hath not forgot his commandment, touching my history of Henry EXCELLENT LORD, VIII., I may not forget my duty. But I find Sir Though I have formerly given your grace thanks Robert Cotton, who poured forth what he had, in for your last letter, yet being much refreshed to my other work, somewhat dainty of his materials hear things go so well, whereby we hope to see in this.

you here shortly, your errand done, and the prince It is true, my labours are now most set to have within the vail, I could not contain, but congratuthose works, which I had formerly published, as late with your lordship, seeing good fortune, that that of Advancement of Learning, that of Henry is God's blessing, still follow you. I hope I have VII., that of the Essays, being retractate, and made still place in your love and favour; which if I have, more perfect, well translated into Latin by the for other place, it shall not trouble me. I ever rest help of some good pens, which forsake me not.

Your grace's most obliged and faithful servant. For these modern languages will, at one time or

July 22, 1623. other, play the bankrupts with books; and since I have lost much time with this age, I would be glad, as God shall give me leave, to recover it

EXCELLENT LORD, with posterity. For the essay of friendship, while I took your in health, as he might partly perceive. There

Upon Mr. Clarke's despatch, in troth I was il! speech of it for a cursory request, I took my pro

TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.

TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.

TO THE KING.

TO MR TOBIE MATTHEW.

fore, I wrote to my true friend, and your grace's punto, “ he that tieth not a knot upon his thread, devoted servant, Mr. Matthew, to excuse me to loseth his stitch." your grace for not writing. Since, I thank God, Any particular, I that live in darkness, cannot I am pretty well recovered; for I have lain at two propound. Let his grace, who seeth clear, make wards, one against my disease, the other against his choice: but let some such thing be done, and my physicians, who are strange creatures. then this reputation will stick by him; and his

My lord, it rejoiceth me much, that I under- grace may afterwards be at the better liberty to stand from Mr. Matthew, that I live in your take and leave off the future occasions that shall grace's remembrance; and that I shall be the present. first man that you will think on upon your return: which, if your grace perform, I hope God Almighty, who hath hitherto extraordinarily blessed you in this rocky business, will bless you the more for my sake. For I have had extraordinary IT MAY PLEASE YOUR MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY, tokens of his divine favour towards me, both in

I send, in all humbleness, to your majesty, the sickness and in health, prosperity and adversity. poor fruits of my leisure. This book* was the

Vouchsafe to present my most humble duty to first thing that ever I presented to your majesty ;t his highness, whose happy arrival will be a and it may be will be last. For I had thought it bright morning to all.

should have posthuma proles. But God hath I ever rest

otherwise disposed for a while. It is a translaYour grace's most obliged

tion, but almost enlarged to a new work. I had and faithful servant,

good helps for the language. I have been also FR. ST. ALBAN.

mine own index expurgatorius, that it may be Gray's Inn, August 29, 1623.

read in all places. For since my end of putting it into Latin was to have it read everywhere, it had been an absurd contradiction to free it in the language, and to pen it up in the matter. Your

majesty will vouchsafe graciously to receive these Good MR. MATTHEW,

poor sacrifices of him that shall ever desire to do I have gotten a little health ; I praise God for you honour while he breathes, and fulfilleth the it. I have therefore now written to his grace, rest in prayers. that I formerly, upon Mr. Clarke's despatch, Your majesty's true beadsman desired you to excuse me for not writing, and

and most humble servant, &c. taken knowledge, that I have understood from Todos duelos con pan son buenos : itaque det vestra you, that I live in his grace's remembrance; and Maiestas obolum Bellisario. that I shall be his first man that he will have care of upon his return. And although your absence be to me as uncomfortable to my mind, as God may make it helpful to my fortunes; yet, it is somewhat supplied by the love, freedom, and

IT MAY PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENT Highness, often visitations of Mr. Gage; so as, when I have him, I think I want you not altogether.

I send your highness, in all humbleness, my

God keep you.

book of Advancement of Learning, translated into

Latin, but so enlarged, as it may go for a new Your most affectionate

work. It is a book, I think, will live, and be a and much obliged friend, &c.

citizen of the world, as English books are not. For Henry the Eighth, to deal truly with your

highness, I did so despair of my health this sumMINUTES OF A LETTER TO THE DUKE OF BUCK- mer, as I was glad to choose some such work, as

I might compass within days; so far was I from That I am exceeding glad his grace is come

entering into a work of length. Your highness's home with so fair a reputation of a sound Pro- wait upon your highness, I shall give you a

return hath been my restorative. When I shall testant, and so constant for the king's honour a

farther account. So, I most humbly kiss your errand.

highness's hands, resting His grace is now to consider, that his reputation will vanish like a dream, except now, upon

Your highness's most devoted servant. his return, he do some remarkable act to fix it,

* De Augmentis Scientiarum, printed at London, 1623, in and bind it in.

fol. The present to King James I. is in the royal library in They have a good wise proverb in the country the British Museum. whence he cometh, taken, I think from a gentle- Advancement of Learning, Divine and Human : printed at Lon

+ The two books of Sir Francis Bacon of the Proficiency and woman's sampler, Qui en no da nudo, pierdo don, 1605, in 410.

TO THE PRINCE.

INGUAM

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TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.

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I would (as I wrote to the duke in Spain) I (as I said) from the case of other favourites, in could do your highness's journey any honour that you have both king and prince; so in this, with my pen. It began like a fable of the poets; that you have also now the hearts of the best but it deserveth all in a piece a worthy narration. subjects, (for I do not love the word people,)

your case differeth from your own, as it stood before. And because I would have your reputation in this point complete, let me advise you,

that the name of Puritans in a Papist's mouth, do Excellent LORD,

not make you to withdraw your favour from such I desire in this, which I now presume to write as are honest and religious men; so that they be to your grace, to be understood, that my bow car- not so turbulent and factious spirits, or adverse rieth not so high, as to aim to advise touching to the government of the church, though they be any of the great affairs now on foot, and so to pass traduced by that name. For of this kind is the it to his majesty through your hands; though it greatest part of the body of the subjects; and, be true, that my good affection towards his ma- besides, (which is not to be forgotten,) it is jesty and the prince and the public is that which safest for the king and his service, that such men will last die in me; and though I think also his have their dependence upon your grace, who are majesty would take it but well, if, having been entirely the king's, rather than upon any other that man I have been, my honest and loyal mind subject. should sometimes feed upon those thoughts. But For the Papists, it is not unknown to your my level is no farther, but to do the part of a true grace, that you are not, at this time, much in friend in advising yourself for your own greatness their books. But be you like yourself; and far and safety; although, even in this also, I assure be it from you, under a king and prince of that myself I perform a good duty to the public ser- clemency, to be inclined to rigour or persecution. vice, unto which I reckon your standing and power But three things must be looked unto: the first, to be a firm and sound pillar of support.

that they be suppressed in any insolency, which First, therefore, my lord, call to mind oft, and may tend either to disquiet the civil estate, or consider duly, how infinitely your grace is bound scandalize our church in fact, for, otherwise, all to God in this one point, which I find to be a their doctrine doth it in opinion. The second, that most rare piece, and wherein, either of ancient or there be an end, or limit, of those graces which late times, there are few examples; that is, that shall be thought fit for them, and that there be you are beloved so dearly, both by the king and not every day new demands hearkened to. The the prince. You are not as a Lerma, or an third, that for those cases and graces, which they Olivares, and many others the like, who have have received, or shall receive of the state, the insinuated themselves into the favours of young thanks go the right way; that is, to the king and princes, during the kings', their fathers, time, prince, and not to any foreigner. For this is against the bent and inclination of the kings: but, certain, that if they acknowledge them from the contrariwise, the king himself hath knit the knot state, they may perhaps sit down when they are of trust and favour between the prince and your well. But if they have a dependence upon grace, wherein you are not so much to take com- a foreigner, there will be no end of their growing fort in that you may seem to have two lives in desires and hopes. And in this point also, your your own greatness, as in this, that hereby you lordship’s wisdom and moderation may do much are enabled to be a noble instrument for the ser- good. vice, contentment, and heart's ease, both of father For the match with Spain, it is too great and

For where there is so loving and indul- dark a business for me to judge of. But as it hath gent a father, and so respective and obedient a relation to concern yourself, I will, as in the rest, son, and a faithful and worthy servant, interested deal freely with your grace. in both their favours upon all occasions, it cannot My lord, you owe, in this matter, two debts to be but a comfortable house. This point your the king; the one, that, if in your conscience and grace is principally to acknowledge and cherish. judgment you be persuaded it be dangerous and

Next, that, which I should have placed first, prejudicial to him and his kingdoms, you deliver save that the laying open of God's benefits is a your soul, and in the freedom of a faithful coungood preparation to religion and godliness, your sellor, joined with the humbleness of a dutiful grace is to maintain yourself firm and constant servant, you declare yourself accordingly, and in the way you have begun; which is, in being show your reasons. The other, that if the king and showing yourself to be a true and sound Pro- in his high judgment, or the prince in his settled testant. This is your soul's health. This is affection, be resolved to have it go on; that then that you owe to God above, for his singular you move in their orb, as far as they shall lay it favours: and this is that which hath brought upon you. But, meanwhile, let me tell your you into the good opinion and good will of the grace, that 'I am not of the general opinion realın in general. So that, as your case differeth abroad, that the match must break, or else my

Vol. III.-20

and son.

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1623

Lord of Buckingham's fortune must break. 11

TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.* am of another opinion; and yet perhaps it will Excellent Lord, be hard to make you believe it, because both There is a suit, whereunto I may, as it were, sides will persuade you to the contrary. For claim kindred, and which may be of credit and they, that would not have it go on, will work profit unto me; and it is an old arrear which is upon that conceit, to make you oppose it more called upon, from Sir Nicolas Bacon, my eldest strongly. They that would have it go on, will brother. It may be worth to me perhaps two do the same, to make you take up betimes, and thousand pounds; and yet I may deal kindly come about. But I having good affiance in your with my brother, and also reward liberally (as I grace's judgment, will tell you my reasons, why mean to do) the officers of the Exchequer, which I thus think, and so leave it. If the match have brought it to light. Good my lord obtain it should go on, and put case against your counsel of the king, and be earnest in it for me. It will and opinion; doth any man think that so pro- acquit the king somewhat of his promise, that he found a king, and so well seen in the science of would have care of my wants; for hitherto, since reigning, and so understanding a prince, will my misfortunes, I have tasted of his majesty's ever suffer the whole sway of affairs and great- mercy, but not of his bounty. But your lordship ness to go that way? And if not, who should be may be pleased in this, to clear the coast with my a fitter person to keep the balance even than your lord treasurer; else there it will have a stop. 1 grace, whom the king and prince know to be so am almost at last cast for means; and yet it entirely their own, and have found so nobly grieveth me most, that at such a time as this, 1 independent upon any other ? Surely my opinion should not be rather serviceable to your grace, is, you are likely to be greater by counterpoise than troublesome. against the Spanish dependence, than you will by God preserve and prosper your grace. concurrence. And, therefore, in God's name, do Your grace's most obliged your duty faithfully and wisely; for behaving

and faithful servant, yourself well otherwise, as I know you will,

FR. ST. ALBAN. your fortune is like to be well either way.

This 23d of January,
For that excellent lady, whose fortune is so
distant from her merits and virtue, the Queen of
Bohemia, your grace being, as it were, the first-

TO THE EARL OF OXFORD.
born, or prime man of the king's creatures, must
in consequence owe the most to his children and My very good LORD,
generations; whereof I know your noble heart

Let me be an humble suitor to your lordship, hath far greater sense than any man's words can for your noble favour. I would be glad to receive infuse into you.

And, therefore, whatsoever my writ this Parliament,# that I may not die in Jiveth within the compass of your duty, and of dishonour; but by no means, except it should be possibility, will no doubt spring from you out of with the love and consent of my lords to readmit that fountain.

me, if their lordships vouch safe to think mo It is open to every man's discourse, that there worthy of their company; or if they think that are but two ways for the restitution of the palati- which I have suffered now these three years, in nate, treaty and arms. It is good, therefore, to loss of place, in loss of means, and in loss of consider of the middle acts, which may make liberty for a great time, to be a sufficient expiaeither of these ways desperate, to the end they tion for my faults, whereby I may now seem in may be avoided in that way which shall be their eyes to be a fit subject of their grace, as 1 chosen. If no match, either this with Spain, or have been before of their justice. My good lord, perhaps some other with Austria, no restitution the good, which the commonwealth might reap by treaty. If the Dutch either be ruined, or grow of my suffering, is already inned. Justice is to a peace of themselves with Spain, no restitu- done; an example is made for reformation; the tion by war.

authority of the House for judicature is establishBut these things your grace understandeth far ed. There can be no farther use of my misery; better than myself. And, as I said before, the perhaps some little may be of my service; for, I points of state I aim not at farther, than they may hope I shall be found a man humbled as a Chrisconcern your grace, to whom, while I live, and tian, though not dejected as a worldling. I have shall find it acceptable to you, I shall ever be great opinion of your lordship's power, and great ready to give the tribute of a true friend and hope, for many reasons, of

your favour; which, servant, and shall always think my counsels

The duke's answer to this letter, dated at Newmarket, given you happy, if you shall pardon them the 28th of January, 1623, is printed in Lord Bacon's works. when they are free; and follow them when they + Henry Vere, who died in 1625. are good.

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