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wronged, without repelling the same to my best advantage, to right myself. You are great, and therefore have the more enviers, which would be glad to have you paid at another's cost. Since the time I missed the solicitor's place, the rather, I think, by your means, I cannot expect that you and I shall ever serve as attorney and solicitor together, but either to serve with another upon your remove, or to step into some other course. So as I am more free than ever I was from any occasion of unworthy confirming myself to you, more than general good manners, or your particular good usage shall provoke; and if you had not been short-sighted in your own fortune, (as I think,) you might have had more use of me; but that tide is past. I write not this to show any

pleasure. But this I leave with this, that it is the first matter wherein I had occasion to discern of your friendship, which I see to fall to this, that whereas Mr. Chancellor, the last time in my man's hearing, very honourably said, that he would not discontent any man in my place, it seems you have no such caution. But my writing to you now, is to know of you, where now the stay is, without being any more beholden to you, to whom indeed no man ought to be beholden in those cases in a right course. And so I bid you farewell.

FR. BACON.

friends what a brave letter I have writ to Mr. SIR FRANCIS BACON TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR. Attorney; I have none of those humours, but that IT MAY PLEASE YOUR LORDSHIP,

I have written is to a good end, that is, to the As I conceived it to be a resolution, both with more decent carriage of my master's service, and his majesty, and among your lordships of his

to our particular better understanding one another. This letter, if it shall be answered by you in deed, and not in word, I suppose it will not be the worse for us both; else it is but a few lines lost, which for a much smaller matter I would adventure. So, this being to yourself, I for my part rest, Yours, etc.

FR. BACON.

SIR FRANCIS BACON TO SIR VINCENT SKINNER, EXPOSTULATORY.

SIR VINCENT SKINNER,

I see by your needless delays, this matter is grown to a new question, wherein, for the matter itself, it had been stayed at the beginning by my lord treasurer, and Mr. Chancellor, I should not so much have stood upon it; for the great and daily travails which I take in his majesty's service, either are rewarded in themselves, in that they are but my duty, or else may deserve a much greater matter. Neither can I think amiss of any man, that in furtherance of the king's benefit, moved the doubt, that I knew not what warrant you had, but my wrong is, that you havirg had my lord treasurer's, and Mr. Chancellor's warrant for payment, above a month since, you (I say) making your payments, belike, upon such differences as are better known to yourself, than agreeable to due respect of his majesty's service, have delayed all this time, otherwise than I might have expected either from our ancient acquaintance, or from that regard that one in your place may owe to one in mine. By occasion whereof there ensueth to me a greater inconvenience, that now my name, in sort, must be in question among you, as if I were a man likely to demand that that were unreasonable, or to be denied that that is reasonable; and this must be, because you can pleasure men at

council, that I should be placed solicitor, and the solicitor to be removed to be the king's serjeant; so I most humbly thank your lordship's fartherness and forwardness therein, your lordship being the man that first devised the mean; wherefore my humble request unto your lordship is, that you would set in with some strength to finish this your work; which (I assure yourself) I desire the rather, because, being placed, I hope, for your many favours, to be able to do you some better service: for as I am, your lordship cannot use me, nor scarcely indeed know me; not that I vainly think I shall be able to do any great matter, but certainly it will frame me to use a more industrious observance and application to such as I honour so much as I do your lordship, and not, I hope, without some good offices, which may deserve your thanks. And herewithal, good my lord, I humbly pray your lordship to consider, that time groweth precious with me, and that a married man is years seven older in his thoughts the first day; and therefore what a discomfortable thing it is for me to be unsettled still. For, surely, were it not that I think myself born for to do my sovereign service, and therefore in that station I will live and die; otherwise, for mine own private comfort, it were better for me that the king should blot me out of his book, or that I should turn my course to endeavour to serve him in some other kind, than for me to stand thus at a stop, and to have that little reputation which by my industry I gather, to be scattered and taken away by continual disgraces, every new man coming in before me; and sure I am, I shall never have fairer promises and hope from all your lordships, and I would believe you in a far greater matter: and if it were nothing else, I hope the modesty of my suit deserveth somewhat; for I know well the solicitor's place is not as your lordship left it, time working alteration, somewhat in the profession, much more in that special place. And were it not to satisfy my wife's friends, and to get myself out of being a common gaze, and a speech, (I protest before God,) I would never speak word for it. But to conclude, as my honourable lady was some mean to make me to change the name of another; so, if it please you to help me, as you said, to change mine own name, I cannot be but more and more bounden to you; and I am much deceived, if your lordship find not the king well inclined: as for my Lord of Salisbury, he is forward and affectionate.

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SIR FRANCIS BACON TO THE KING.*

IT MAY PLEASE YOUR MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY, How honestly ready I have been, most gracious sovereign, to do your majesty humble service to the best of my power, and in a manner beyond my power, as I now stand, I am not so unfortunate but your majesty knows; both in the commission of union, the labour whereof, for men of my profession, rested most upon my hands; and this last parliament, for the bill of subsidy, both body and preamble: in the bill of attainders of Tresham, and the rest; in the matter of purveyance, in the ecclesiastical petitions, in the grievances, and the like; as I was ever careful, not without good success, sometimes to put forward that which was good, sometimes to keep back that which was worse; so your majesty was pleased kindly to accept of my services, and to say to me, such conflicts were the wars of peace, and such victories the victories of peace; and therefore such servants as obtained them were, by kings that reign in peace, no less to be esteemed than conquerors in the wars. In all which, nevertheless, I can challenge to myself no sufficiency, that I was

diligent, and reasonably happy to execute those directions which I have received, either immediately from your royal mouth, or from my Lord of Salisbury. At that time it pleased your majesty also to assure me, that upon the remove of the then attorney, I should not be forgotten, but be brought into ordinary place; and this was confirmed unto me by many of my lords. And towards the end of the last term, the manner also in particular spoken of, that is, that Mr. Solicitor should be made your majesty's serjeant, and I solicitor; for so it was thought best to sort with both our gifts and faculties for the good of our service, and of this resolution both court and country took notice. Neither was this any invention or project of mine own, but moved from my lords, I think first from my lord chancellor; whereupon resting, your majesty well knoweth, I never opened my mouth for the greater place, although, I am sure, I had two circumstances that Mr. Attorney that now is could not allege; the one nine years' service of the crown; the other, the being cousin-german to my Lord of Salisbury; for of my father's service I will not speak. But for the less place, I conceive, it was never meant me: but after that Mr. Attorney Hubbard was placed, I heard no more of any preferment, but it seemed to be at a stop, to my great disgrace and discontentment. For, gracious sovereign, if still, when the waters be stirred, another shall be put in before me, your majesty hath need work a miracle, or else I shall be a lame man to do your services. And therefore my most humble suit unto your majesty is, that this, which seemed to me intended, may speedily be performed; and I hope my former services shall be but as beginnings to better, when I am better strengthened: for sure I am no man's heart is fuller, I say not, but many may have greater hearts, but I say not fuller of love and duty towards your majesty and your children, as I hope time will manifest against envy and detraction, if any be. To conclude, I humbly crave pardon for my boldness,

Yours, etc.

* This is merely a copy of a letter, which will be found in page 32, but there are some variations, which have induced me to insert both of them: In the latter letter he refers to his father.

etc.

FR. BACON.

LETTERS FROM THE RESUSCITATIO.

A LETTER TO QUEEN ELIZABETH, UPON SENDING | ipsos." Your profession of affection, and offer

OF A NEW YEAR'S GIFT.

IT MAY PLEASE YOUR MAJESTY,

According to the ceremony of the time, I would not forget, in all humbleness, to present your majesty with a small New Year's gift: nothing to my mind. And therefore to supply it, I can but pray to God to give your majesty his New Year's Gift; that is, a new year that shall be as

no year to your body, and as a year with two harvests to your coffers; and every other way prosperous and gladsome. And so I remain.

of good offices, are welcome to me: For answer to them, I will say but this; that you have believed I have been kind to you; and you may believe that I cannot be other, either upon humour or mine own election. I am a stranger to all poetical conceits, or else I should say somewhat

of your poetical example. But this I must say:

that I never flew with other wings than desire to

merit; and confidence in my sovereign's favour;

and when one of these wings failed me, I would light no where but at my sovereign's feet, though she suffered me to be bruised, with my fall. And till her majesty, that knows I was never bird of prey, finds it to agree with her will and her service, that my wings should be imped again, I have comA LETTER TO QUEEN ELIZABETH, UPON THE mitted myself to the mue. No power, but my

SENDING OF A NEW YEAR'S GIFT.

MOST EXCELLENT SOVEREIGN MISTRESS:

God's, and my sovereign's can alter this resolution of Your retired friend, ESSEX.

SIONS TO SIR THOMAS CHALLONER, THEN IN
SCOTLAND, UPON HIS MAJESTY'S ENTRANCE.

SIR,

The only New Year's Gift which I can give your majesty, is that which God hath given to me: which is, a mind, in all humbleness, to wait upon your commandments and business: wherein I A LETTER COMMENDING HIS LOVE AND OCCAwould to God that I were hooded, that I saw less; or that I could perform more: for now I am like a hawk, that bates, when I see occasion of service, but cannot fly, because I am tied to another's fist. But, meanwhile, I continue my presumption of making to your majesty my poor oblation of a garment, as unworthy the wearing as his service that sends it: but the approach to your excellent person may give worth to both: which is all the happiness I aspire unto.

AN ANSWER OF MY LORD OF ESSEX, TO A
LETTER OF MR. BACON'S. (See p. 8.)

MR. BACON,

I can neither expound, nor censure your late actions; being ignorant of all of them, save one; and having directed my sight inward only, to examine myself. You do pray me to believe, that you only aspire to the conscience and commendation, of "Bonus Civis," and "Bonus Vir;" and I do faithfully assure you, that while that is your ambition, (though your course be active and mind contemplative,) yet we shall, both, "Convenire in eodem Tertio;" and "Convenire inter nos

For our money matters, I am assured you received no insatisfaction: for you know my mind; and you know my means; which now the openness of the time, caused by this blessed consent and peace, will increase; and so our agreement

according to your time be observed. For the present, according to the Roman adage, (that one cluster of grapes ripeneth best beside another;) I know you hold me not unworthy, whose mutual friendship you should cherish and I, for my part, conceive good hope that you are likely to become an acceptable servant to the king our master. Not so much for any way made heretofore, (which in my judgment will make no great difference,) as for the stuff and sufficiency, which I know to be in you; and whereof I know his majesty may reap great service. And, therefore, my general request is, that according to that industrious vivacity, which you use towards vour friends, you will further his majesty's good con ceit and inclination towards me; to whom words cannot make me known; neither mine own nor others; but time will, to no disadvantage of any that shall forerun his majesty's experience, by

your testimony and commendation. And though occasion give you the precedence of doing me this special good office; yet, I hope no long time will intercede, before I shall have some means to requite your favour and acquit your report. More particularly, having thought good to make oblation of my most humble service to his majesty by a few lines, I do desire your loving care and help by yourself, or such means as I refer to your discretion, to deliver and present the same to his majesty's hands. Of which letter I send you a copy, that you may know what you carry; and may take of Mr. Matthew the letter itself; if you pleased to undertake the delivery. Lastly, I do commend to yourself, and such your courtesies as occasion may require, this gentleman, Mr. Matthew, eldest son to my Lord Bishop of Durham, and my very good friend; assuring you that any courtesy, you shall use towards him, you shall use to a very worthy young gentleman, and one, I know, whose acquaintance you will much esteem. And so, I ever continue.

A LETTER TO MR. DAVIS, THEN GONE TO THE KING, AT HIS FIRST ENTRANCE.

MASTER DAVIS,

Though you went on the sudden, yet you could not go before you had spoken with yourself to the purpose, which I will now write. And, therefore, I know it shall be altogether needless, save that I meant to show you that I was not asleep. Briefly, I commend myself to your love and the well using my name; as well in repressing and answering for me, if there be any biting or nibbling at it in that place; as by imprinting a good conceit and opinion of me, chiefly in the king, (of whose favour I make myself comfortable assurance;) as otherwise in that court. And, not only so, but generally to perform to me all the good offices, which the vivacity of your wit can suggest to your mind, to be performed to one, with whose affection you have so great sympathy; and in whose fortune you have so great interest. So, desiring you to be good to concealed poets, I

continue.

A LETTER TO MR. FAULES, 28 MARTII, 1603. MR. FAULES,

I did write unto you yesterday, by Mr. Lake, (who was despatched hence from their lordships,) a letter of revivor, of those sparks of former acquaintance between us in my brother's time: and now upon the same confidence, finding so fit a messenger, I would not fail to salute you; hoping it will fall out so happily, as that you shall be one of the king's servants, which his majesty will first employ here with us: where I

hope to have some means not to be barren in friendship towards you. We all thirst after the king's coming, accounting all this but as the dawning of the day, before the rising of the sun, till we have his presence. And though now his majesty must be Janus Bifrons, to have a face to Scotland as well as to England, yet, "Quod nunc instat agendum:" The expectation is here, that he will come in state and not in strength. So, for this time I commend you to God's goodness.

A LETTER TO THE EARL OF SOUTHAMPTON, UPON

THE KING'S COMING IN.

IT MAY PLEASE YOUR LORDSHIP,

I would have been very glad, to have presented my humble service to your lordship by my attendance, if I could have foreseen that it should not have been unpleasing unto you. And, therefore, because I would commit no error, I chose to write; assuring your lordship, how credible soever it may seem to you at first, yet, it is as true as a thing that God knoweth; that this great change hath wrought in me no other change towards your lordship than this; that I may safely be now that which I was truly before. And so, craving no other pardon, than for troubling you with my letter, I do not now begin to be, but continue to be,

Your lordship's humble and much devoted.

A LETTER TO THE EARL OF NORTHUMBERLAND, AFTER HE HAD BEEN WITH THE KING.

IT MAY PLEASE YOUR GOOD LORDSHIP,

[ would not have lost this journey, and yet I have not that I went for. For I have had no private conference to purpose with the king. No more hath almost any other English: for the speech, his majesty admitteth with some noblemen, is rather matter of grace than matter of business; with the attorney he spake, urged by the Treasurer of Scotland, but no more than needs must. After I had received his majesty's first welcome, and was promised private access: yet, not knowing what matter of service your lordship's letter carried, (for I saw it not,) and well knowing that primeness in advertisement is much, I chose rather to deliver it to Sir Thomas Heskins than to cool it in mine own hands upon expectation of access. Your lordship shall find a prince the furthest from vainglory that may be; and rather, like a prince of the ancient form than of the latter time: his speech is swift and cursory, and in the full dialect of his country, and in speech of business short, in speech of discourse large: he affecteth popularity, by gracing such as he hath heard to be popular, and not by any fashions of his own. He is thought somewhat any settled opinion. For the particulars I refer to conference, having in these generals gone further, in so tender an argument, than I would

general in his favours; and his virtue of access | late pieces, I forbear to say to your lordship what is rather because he is much abroad and in press I find and conceive; but to any other I would than that he giveth easy audience. He hasteneth think to make myself believed. But not to be to a mixture of both kingdoms and occasions, tedious in that which may have the show of a faster perhaps than policy will well bear. I told compliment, I can but wish your lordship many your lordship once before, that (methought) his happy years; many more than your father had; majesty rather asked counsel of the time past than even so many more as we may need you more. of the time to come. But it is yet early to ground So I remain.

have done, were not the bearer hereof so assured. A LETTER OF THANKS TO THE KING, UPON MR. So, I continue, etc.

DEPUTY OF IRELAND.

ATTORNEY'S SICKNESS.

IT MAY PLEASE YOUR MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY, I do understand, by some of my good friends, to my great comfort, that your majesty hath in

A LETTER TO MR. PIERCE, SECRETARY TO THE mind your majesty's royal promise (which to me MASTER PIERCE,

I am glad to hear of you as I do; and for my part, you shall find me ready to take any occasion to further your credit and preferment: and I dare assure you (though I am no undertaker) to prepare your way with my Lord of Salisbury, for any good fortune which may befall you. You teach me to complain of business, whereby I write the more briefly; and yet I am so unjust, as that which I allege for mine own excuse, I cannot admit for yours. For I must by expecting, exact your letters with this fruit of your

is "anchora spei") touching the attorney's place. I hope Mr. Attorney shall do well. I thank God I wish no man's death, nor much mine own life, more than to do your majesty service. For I account my life the accident, and my daty the substance. But this I will be bold to say: if it please God that ever I serve your majesty in the attorney's place, I have known an Attorney Cooke, and an Attorney Hobert; both worthy men, and far above myself; but if I should not find a middle way between their two dispositions and carriages, I should not satisfy myself. But these things are far or near, as it shall please

sufficiency, as to understand how things pass in God. Meanwhile, I most humbly pray your that kingdom. And, therefore, having begun, I majesty to accept my sacrifice of thanksgiving pray you continue. This is not merely curiosity, for your gracious favour. God preserve your for I have ever (I know not by what instinct) majesty. I ever remain.

wished well to that impolished part of this crown.

And, so with my very loving commendations, I remain.

A LETTER TO THE EARL OF SALISBURY OF COURTESY UPON A NEW YEAR'S TIDE.

IT MAY PLEASE YOUR GOOD LORDSHIP,

Having no gift to present you with, in any degree proportionable to my mind, I desire nevertheless to take the advantage of a ceremony to express myself to your lordship; it being the first time I could make the like acknowledgment when I stood out of the person of a suitor; wherefore I must humbly pray your lordship to think of me, that now it hath pleased you, by many effectual and great benefits, to add the assurance and comfort of your love and favour to that precedent disposition which was in me to admire your virtue and merit; I do esteem whatsoever I have or may have in this world but as trash in comparison of having the honour and happiness to be a near and well accepted kinsman to so rare and worthy a counsellor, governor, and patriot. For having been a studious, if not a curious observer of antiquities of virtue, as of

A LETTER TO MY LORD MAYOR, UPON A PROCEEDING IN A PRIVATE CAUSE.

MY VERY GOOD LORD,

I did little expect when I left your lordship last, that there would have been a proceeding against Mr. Barnard to his overthrow. Wherein I must confess myself to be in a sort accessary: because he relying upon me for counsel, I advised that course which he followed. Wherein now I begin to question myself, whether, in preserving my respects to your lordship and the rest, I have not failed in the duty of my profession towards my client; for certainly, if the words had been heinous and spoken in a malicious fashion, and in some public place and well proved, and not a prattle in a tavern, caught hold of by one, who (as I hear) is a detected sycophant, (Standish I mean,) yet I know not what could have been done more than to impose upon him a grievous fine; and to require the levying of the same; and to take away his means of life by his disfranchisement; and to commit him to a defamed prison during Christmas; in honour whereof the prisoners in other courts do commonly of grac

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