wronged, without repelling the same to my best pleasure. But this I leave with this, that it is advantage, to right myself. You are great, and the first matter wherein I had occasion to discern therefore have the more enviers, which would be of your friendship, which I see to fall to this, glad to have you paid at another's cost. Since that whereas Mr. Chancellor, the last time in my the time I missed the solicitor's place, the rather, man's hearing, very honourably said, that he I think, by your means, I cannot expect that you would not discontent any man in my place, it and I shall ever serve as attorney and solicitor seems you have no such caution. But my writing together, but either to serve with another upon to you now, is to know of you, where now the your remove, or to step into some other course. stay is, without being any more beholden to you, So as I am more free than ever I was from any to whom indeed no man ought to be beholden in occasion of unworthy confirming myself to you, those cases in a right course. And so I bid you more than general good manners, or your particu- farewell. lar good usage shall provoke; and if you had not

Fr. Bacon. 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 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. council, that I should be placed solicitor, and the This letter, if it shall be answered by you in deed, solicitor to be removed to be the king's serjeant; and not in word, I suppose it will not be the worse

so I most humbly thank your lordship’s fartherfor us both; else it is but a few lines lost, which ness and forwardness therein, your lordship befor a much smaller matter I would adventure. So, ing the man that first devised the mean; wirerethis being to yourself, I for my part rest, fore my humble request unto your lordship is, Yours, etc.

that you would set in with some strength to Fr. Bacon.

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 SIR FRANCIS BACON TO SIR VINCENT SKINNER,

use me, nor scarcely indeed know me; not that I

vainly think I shall be able to do any great matSIR VINCENT SKINNER,

ter, but certainly it will frame me to use a more I see by your needless delays, this matter is industrious observance and application to such as grown to a new question, wherein, for the matter I honour so much as I do your lordship, and not, itself, it had been stayed at the beginning by my I hope, without some good offices, which may lord treasurer, and Mr. Chancellor, I should deserve your thanks. And herewithal, good my not so much have stood upon it; for the great lord, I humbly pray your lordship to consider, and daily travails which I take in his majesty's that time groweth precious with me, and that a service, either are rewarded in themselves, in married man is years seven older in his thoughts that they are but my duty, or else may deserve a the first day; and therefore what a discomfortamuch greater matter. Neither can I think amiss ble thing it is for me to be unsettled still. For, of any man, that in furtherance of the king's surely, were it not that I think myself born for benefit, moved the doubt, that I knew not what to do my sovereign service, and therefore in that warrant you had, but my wrong is, that you station I will live and die; otherwise, for mine having had my lord treasurer's, and Mr. Chan- own private comfort, it were better for me that cellor's warrant for payment, above a month the king should blot me out of his book, or that since, you (I say) making your payments, be- I should turn my course to endeavour to serve Jike, upon such differences as are better known him in some other kind, than for me to stand to yourself, than agreeable to due respect of his thus at a stop, and to have that little reputation majesty's service, have delayed all this time, which by my industry I gather, to be scattered otherwise than I might have expected either from and taken away by continual disgraces, every our ancient acquaintance, or from that regard new man coming in before me; and sure I am, I that one in your place may owe to one in shall never have fairer promises and hope from mine. By occasion whereof there ensueth to me all your lordships, and I would believe you in a a greater inconvenience, that now my name, in far greater matter: and if it were nothing else, I sort, must be in question among you, as if I were hope the modesty of my suit deserveth somea man likely to demand that that were unreason-' what; for I know well the solicitor's place is not able, or to be denied that that is reasonable; and as your lordship left it, time working alteration, this must be, because you can pleasure men at somewhat in the profession, much inore in that

EXPOSTULATORY.

special place. And were it not to satisfy my diligent, and reasonably happy to execute those wife's friends, and to get myself out of being a directions which I have received, either immediatecommon gaze, and a speech, (I protest before ly from your royal mouth, or from my Lord of God,) I would never speak word for it. But to Salisbury. At that time it pleased your majesty conclude, as my honourable lady was some mean also to assure me, that upon the remove of the to make me to change the name of another; so, then attorney, I should not be forgotten, but be if it please you to help me, as you said, to change brought into ordinary place; and this was conmine own name, I cannot be but more and more firmed unto me by many of my lords. And towards bounden to you; and I am much deceived, if the end of the last term, the manner also in particuyour lordship find not the king well inclined: as lar spoken of, that is, that Mr. Solicitor should be for my Lord of Salisbury, he is forward and affec- made your majesty's serjeant, and I solicitor; for tionate.

so it was thought best to sort with both our gifts Yours, etc.

and faculties for the good of our service, and of Fr. Bacon.

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 SIR FRANCIS BACON TO THE KING.*

my lord chancellor; whereupon resting, your IT MAY PLEASE YOUR MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY, majesty well knoweth, I never opened my mouth

How honestly ready I have been, most gracious for the greater place, although, I am sure, I had sovereign, to do your majesty humble service to two circunstances that Mr. Attorney that now is the best of my power, and in a manner beyond could not allege; the one nine years' service of the my power, as I now stand, I am not so unfortunate crown; the other, the being cousin-german to my but your majesty knows; both in the commission Lord of Salisbury; for of my father's service I will of union, the labour whereof, for men of my pro- not speak. But for the less place, I conceive, it fession, rested most upon my hands; and this last was never meant me: but after that Mr. Attorney parliament, for the bill of subsidy, both body and Hubbard was placed, I heard no more of any prepreamble: in the bill of attainders of Tresham, ferment, but it seemed to be at a stop, to my and the rest; in the matter of purveyance, in the great disgrace and discontentment. For, gracious ecclesiastical petitions, in the grievances, and the sovereign, if still, when the waters be stirred, anlike; as I was ever careful, not without good suc- other shall be put in before me, your majesty hath cess, sometimes to put forward that which was need work a miracle, or else I shall be a lame man good, sometimes to keep back that which was to do your services. And therefore my most worse ; so your majesty was pleased kindly to humble suit unto your majesty is, that this, which accept of my services, and to say to me, such con- seemed to me intended, may speedily be performflicts were the wars of peace, and such victories ed; and I hope my former services shall be but the victories of peace; and therefore such servants as beginnings to better, when I am better strengthas obtained them were, by kings that reign in ened : for sure I am no man's heart is fuller, I say peace, no less to be esteemed than conquerors in not, but many may have greater hearts, but I say the wars. In all which, nevertheless, I can not fuller of love and duty towards your majesty challenge to myself no sufficiency, that I was and your children, as I hope time will manifest

against envy and detraction, if any be. To conThis is merely a copy of a letter, which will be found in clude, I humbly crave pardon for my boldness, page 32, but there are some variations, which have induced

Yours, etc. me to insert both of them: In the latter letter he refers to his father.

LETTERS FROM THE RESUSCITATIO.

OF A NEW YEAR'S GIFT.

SENDING OF A NEW YEAR'S GIFT.

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

of good offices, are welcome to me: For answer IT MAY PLEASE your MAJESTY,

to them, I will say but this; that you have beAccording to the ceremony of the time, I would lieved I have been kind to you; and you may benot forget, in all humbleness, to present your

lieve that I cannot be other, either upon humour majesty with a small New Year's gist: nothing

or mine own election. I an, a stranger to all to my mind. And therefore to supply it, I can poetical conceits, or else I should say somewhat but pray to God to give your majesty his New of your poetical example. But this I must say: Year's Gift; that is, a new year that shall be as

that I never flew with other wings than desire to no year to your body, and as a year with two merit; and confidence in my sovereign's favour ; harvests to your coffers; and every other way

and when one of these wings failed me, I would prosperous and gladsome. And so I remain.

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

God's, and my sovereign's can alter this resoluMost ExcELLENT SOVEREIGN Mistress:

tion of Your retired friend,

Essex. 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 1 A LETTER COMMENDING HIS LOVE AND OCCAwould to God that I were hooded, that I saw less;

SIONS TO SIR THOMAS CHALLONER, TIIEN IN

SCOTLAND, UPON HIS MAJESTY'S ENTRANCE. or that I could perform more: for now I am like a hawk, that bates, when I see occasion of service,

Sir, but cannot fly, because I am tied to another's fist.

For our money matters, I am assured you re

ceived no insatisfaction: for But, meanwhile, I continue my presumption of

you

know making to your majesty my poor oblation of a

and you know my means; which now the opengarment, as unworthy the wearing as his service ness of the time, caused by this blessed consent that sends it: but the approach to your excellent

will increase; and so our agreement person may give worth to both: which is all the according to your time be observed. For the prehappiness I aspire unto.

sent, 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 AN ANSWER OF MY LORD OF ESSEX, TO A

become an acceptable servant to the king our LETTER OF MR. BACON'S. (See p. 8.)

master. Not so much for any way made heretoMR. Bacon,

fore, (which in my judgment will make no great I can neither expound, nor censure your late difference,) as for the stuff and sufficiency, which actions; being ignorant of all of them, save one; I know to be in you; and whereof I know his and having directed my sight inward only, to majesty may reap great service. And, therefore, examine myself. You do pray me to believe, my general request is, that according to that that you only aspire to the conscience and com- industrious vivacity, which you use towards your mendation, of “ Bonus Civis,” and “Bonus Vir;" friends, you will further his majesty's good con and I do faithfully assure you, that while that is ceit and inclination towards me; to whom words your ambition, (though your course be active and cannot make me known; neither mine owii nor mind contemplative,) yet we shall, both, “Conve- others; but time will, to no disadvantage of any nire in eodem Tertio ;” and “Convenire inter nos that shall forerun his majesty's experience, by

D

37

my mind;

and peace,

esteem.

your testimony and commendation. And though hope to have some means not to be barren in occasion give you the precedence of doing me this friendship towards you. We all thirst after the special good office; yet, I hope no long time will king's coming, accounting all this but as the intercede, before I shall have some means to dawning of the day, before the rising of the sun, requite your favour and acquit your report. More till we have his presence. And though now his particularly, having thought good to make obla- majesty must be Janus Bifrons, to have a face to tion of my most humble service to his majesty by Scotland as well as to England, yet, “ Quod nunc a few lines, I do desire your loving care and help instat agendum:" The expectation is here, that he by yourself, or such means as I refer to your dis- will come in state and not in strength. So, for cretion, to deliver and present the same to his this time I commend you to God's goodness. 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 A LETTER TO THE EARL OF SOUTHAMPTON, UPON commend to yourself, and such your courtesies as

THE KING'S COMING IN. occasion may require, this gentleman, Mr. Mat- IT MAY PLEASE your Lordship, thew, eldest son to my Lord Bishop of Durham, I would have been very glad, to have presented and my very good friend ; assuring you that any my humble service to your lordship by my attendcourtesy, you shall use towards him, you shall

ance, if I could have foreseen that it should not use to a very worthy young gentleman, and one, have been unpleasing unto you. And, therefore, I know, whose acquaintance you will much because I would commit no error, I chose to And so, I ever continue.

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

your lordship than this; that I may safely be now

that which I was truly before. And so, craving Master Davis,

no other pardon, than for troubling you with my Though you went on the sudden, yet you could letter, I do not now begin to be, but continue to be, not go before you had spoken with yourself to the

Your lordship’s humble and much devoted. 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 A LETTER TO THE EARL OF NORTHUMBERLAND, for me, if there be any biting or nibbling at it in that place; as by imprinting a good conceit and IT MAY PLEASE Your good Lordship, opinion of me, chiefiy in the king, (of whose

I would not have lost this journey, and yet I favour I make myself comfortable assurance ;) as have not that I went for. For I have had no priotherwise in that court. And, not only so, but vate conference to purpose with the king. No generally to perform to me all the good offices, more hath almost any other English: for the which the vivacity of your wit can suggest to speech, his majesty admitteth with some nobleyour mind, to be performed to one, with whose men, is rather matter of grace than matter of busiaffection you have so great sympathy; and in ness; with the attorney he spake, urged by the whose fortune you have so great interest. So, Treasurer of Scotland, but no more than needs desiring you to be good to concealed poets, i must

. After I had received his majesty's first continue.

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

I chose rather to deliver it to Sir Thomas HesMr. FAULES,

kins than to cool it in mine own hands upon I did write unto you yesterday, by Mr. Lake, expectation of access. Your lordship shall find (who was despatched hence from their lordships,) a prince the furthest from vainglory that may a letter of revivor, of those sparks of former be; and rather, like a prince of the ancient form acquaintance between us in my brother's time: than of the latter time: his speech is swift and and now upon the same confidence, finding so fit cursory, and in the full dialect of his country, and a messenger, I would not fail to salute you; in speech of business short, in speech of discourse hoping it will fall out so happily, as that you large: he affecteth popularity, by gracing such as shall be one of the king's servants, which his he hath heard to be popular, and not by any majesty will first employ here with us: where I fashions of his own. He is thought somewhat

AFTER HE HAD BEEN WITH THE KING.

ATTORNEY'S SICKNESS.

DEPUTY OF IRELAND.

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. any settled opinion. For the particulars I refer to conference, having in these generals gone further, in so tender an argument, than I would have done, were not the bearer hereof so assured. A LETTER OF THANKS TO THE KING, UPON MR. So, I continue, etc.

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

is “anchora spei”) touching the attorney's place. Master Pierce,

I hope Mr. Attorney shall do well. I thank God I am glad to hear of you as I do; and for my I wish no man's death, nor much mine own life, part, you shall find me ready to take any occasion more than to do your majesty service. For I to further your credit and preferment: and I dare account my life the accident, and my duty the assure you (though I am no undertaker) to pre- substance. But this I will be bold to say: if it pare your way with my Lord of Salisbury, for please God that ever I serve your majesty in the any good fortune which may befall you. You attorney's place, I have known an Attorney teach me to complain of business, whereby I Cooke, and an Attorney Hobert; both worthy write the more briefly; and yet I am so unjust, men, and far above myself; but if I should not as that which I allege for mine own excuse, I find a middle way between their two dispositions cannot admit for yours. For I must by ex- and carriages, I should not satisfy myself. But pecting, exact your letters with this fruit of your 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 MY LORD MAYOR, UPON A PRO

ܪ

a

CEEDING IN A PRIVATE CAUSE.

A LETTER TO THE EARL OF SALISBURY OF COUR

TEZY UPON A NEW YEAR'S TIDE.

MY VERY GOOD Lord,

I did little expect when I left your lordship

last, that there would have been a proceeding IT MAY PLEASE YOUR GOOD LORDSHIP,

against Mr. Barnard to his overthrow. Wherein Having no gift to present you with, in any I must confess myself to be in a sort accessary : degree proportionable to my mind, I desire never- because he relying upon me for counsel, I advised theless to take the advantage of a ceremony to that course which he followed. Wherein now I express myself to your lordship; it being the begin to question myself, whether, in preserving first time I could make the like acknowledgment my respects to your lordship and the rest, I have when I stood out of the person of a suitor; not failed in the duty of my profession towards wherefore I must humbly pray your lordship to my client; for certainly, if the words had been think of me, that now it hath pleased you, hy heinous and spoken in a malicious fashion, and many effectual and great benefits, to add the in some public place and well proved, and not a assurance and comfort of your love and favour to prattle in a tavern, caught hold of by one, who that precedent disposition which was in me to (as I hear) is a detected sycophant, (Standish I admire your virtue and merit; I do esteem what- mean,) yet I know not what could have been soever I have or may have in this world but as done more than to impose upon him a grievous trash in comparison of having the honour and fine; and to require the levying of the same; and happiness to be a near and well accepted kins- to take away his means of life by his disfranman to so rare and worthy a counsellor, governor, chisement; and to commit him to a defamed and patriot. For having been a studious, if not prison during Christmas; in honour whereof thu a curious observer of antiquities of virtue, as of prisoners in other courts do commonly of gracı.