unfeignedly; and admireth you as much as is in a I shall never, whilst I breathe, alter mine own man to admire his sovereign upon earth. Only style in being your majesty's school (wherein he hath already Your true and most devoted servant. so well profited as in this entrance upon the stage, being the time of greatest danger, he hath not committed any manifest error) will add perfection to your majesty's comfort, and the great THE LORD KEEPER’S LETTER TO TIIE UNIVER contentment of your people. God ever preserve SITY, IN ANSWER OF THEIR CONGRATULATION AT HIS FIRST COMING TO THAT PLACE. and prosper your majesty. I rest, in all humbleness, TO THE RENOWNED University of Cambridge, Your majesty's most bounden and most HIS DEAR AND REVEREND Mother. devoted subject and servant. My Lord,-I am debtor to you of your letters, and of the time likewise that I have taken to answer them; but as soon as I could choose what to think on, I thought good to let you A LETTER TO SIR GEORGE VILLIERS, UPON THE SENDING OF HIS PATENT FOR THE CREATION know, that although you may err much in your OF VISCOUNT, SEALED AUGUST 20, 1616. valuation of me, yet you shall not be deceived in Sır,—I took much contentment in that I per- though the manner be to mend the picture by the your assurance; and for the other part also, ceive by your letter that you took in so good part life, yet I would be glad to mend the life by the the freedom of my advice, and that yourself in picture, and to become, and be, as you express your own nature consented therewith. Certainly, no service is comparable to good counsel ; welcome to me than your business or occasions, me to be. Your gratulations shall be no more and the reason is, because no man can do so which I will attend; and yet not so but that I much for another as a man may do for himself; shall endeavour to prevent them by my care of now good counsel helpeth a man to help himself, your good. And so I commend you to God's but you have so happy a master as supplieth all; goodness. my service and good will shall not be wanting. Your most loving and assured friend and son, It was graciously and kindly done also of his Fr. Bacon, C. S. majesty towards me to tell you that you were Gorhambury, April 12, 1617. beholding to me; but it must be then, for thinking of you as I do; for otherwise, for speaking as I think, it is but the part of an honest man. I send you your patent, whereof God give you joy: A LETTER OF KING JAMES, WRITTEN TO IUS and I send you here enclosed a little note of LORDSJUP WHEN HE WAS LORD CHANCELLOR, remembrance for that part of the ceremony which WITH HIS MAJESTY'S OWN HAND, UPON TUD concerneth the patent; for, as for other ceremo. SENDING TO HIM HIS BOOK OF INSTAURATIO nies, I leave to others. MAGNA, THEN NEWLY PUBLISHED. My lord chancellor despatched your patent My Lord,-I have received your letter, and presently upon the receipt; and wrote to me your book; than the which you could not have how glad he was of it, and how well he wished sent a more acceptable present unto me. How you. If you write to him a few words of thanks, thankful I am for it cannot better be expressed I think you shall do well. God keep you, and by me than by a firm resolution I have taken ; prosper you. first, to read it through with care and attention, Your true and most devoted servant. though I should steal some hours from my sleep, having otherwise as little spare time to read it as you had to write it. And then, to use the liberty of a true friend in not sparing to ask you the A LETTER TO SIR GEORGE VILLIERS, ACKNOW- question in any point where I shall stand in LEDGING THE KING'S FAVOUR IN GRANTING doubt; " Nam ejus est explicare cujus est con SOME SUIT OF HIS. AUGUST 22, 1616. dere ;” as, on the other part, I will willingly Sir,-I am more and more bound unto his give a due commendation to such places as in my majesty, who, I think, knowing me to have other opinion shall deserve it. In the mean time, I can ends than ambition, is contented to make me with comfort assure you, that you could not have judge of mine own desires. I am now beating made choice of a subject more befitting your my brains, (amongst many cares of his majesty's place, and your universal methodic knowledge, business) touching the redeeming of time in this and in the general, I have already observed, that business of cloth. The great question is, how to you jump with me in taking the midway between miss, or how to mate the Flemings; how to pass the two extremes; as also in some particulars 1 loy them, or how to pass over them. have found that you agree fully with my opinion In my next letter I shall alter your style; but! And so, praying God to give your work as good 6. Hoc pace TO MY LORD OF ESSEX. to TO SIR ROBERT CECIL. success as your heart can wish, and your labours mend your lordship as Xenophon commended the deserve, I bid you heartily farewell. state of his country, which was this: that having James Rex. chosen the worst form of government of all others, October 16, 1620. they governed the best in that kind. trouble you whilst your own cause was in hand, MY SINGULAR GOOD LORD, (though that I know that the further from the I may perceive, by my Lord Keeper, that your term the better the time was to deal for me,) so, lordship, as the time served, signified unto him that being concluded, I presume I shall be one of an intention to confer with his lordship at better your next cares. And having communicated opportunity; which in regard of your several and with my brother of some course either to perfit weighty occasions I have thought good to put the first, or to make me some other way; or rather, your lordship in remembrance of; that now at by seeming to make me some other his coming to the court it may be executed; de- fit the first, wherewith he agreed to way, per uaint your siring your good lordship, nevertheless, not to lordship; I am desirous, for mine own better conceive out of this my diligence in soliciting satisfaction, to speak with your lordship myself, this matter, that I am either much in appetite or which I had rather were somewhere else than at much in hope. For, as for appetite, the waters of court; and as soon as your lordship will assign Parnassus are not like the waters of the Spa, that me to wait on you. And so, in, etc. 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 further in with him to make him satisfy the old? And, to her Sir,-Your honour knoweth my manner is, majesty, no other reason but the reason of a though it be not the wisest way, yet taking it for waterman; I am her first man of those who serve the honestest, to do as Alexander did by his phyin counsel of law. And so I commit your lord- sician in drinking the medicine and delivering the ship to God's best preservation. advertisement of suspicion; so I trust on and yet do not sinother what I hear. I do assure you, sir, that by a wise friend of mine, and not facti. ous toward your honour, I was told with asseve ration, that your honour was bought by Mr. My Lord,–Conceiving that your lordship came Coventry, for 2000 angels; and that you wrought now up in the person of a good servant to see your in a contrary spirit to my lord your father. And sovereign mistress; which kind of compliments are he said further, that from your servants, from many times "instar magnorum meritorum ;” and your lady, from some counsellors that have obtherefore that it would be hard for me to find you, I served you in my business, he knew you wrought have committed to this poor paper the humble underhand against me. The truth of which tale salutations of him that is more yours than any I do not believe; you know the event will show, man's; and more yours than any man. To these and God will right. But as I reject this report, salutations I add a due and joyful gratulation, (though the strangeness of my case might make confessing that your lordship, in your last con- me credulous,) so I admit a conceit that the last ference with me before your journey, spake not messenger my lord and yourself used, dealt ill in vain, God making it good, that you trusted we with your honours; and that word (speculation) should say, “quis putasset?” Which, as it is which was in the queen's mouth rebounded from found true in a happy sense, so I wish you do him as a commendation, for I am not ignorant of not find another “quis putasset,” in the manner those little arts. Therefore, I pray, trust not him of taking this so great a service; but I hope it is again in my matter. This was much to write, as he said, “nubecula est citò transibit;” and but I think my fortune will set me at liberty, that your lordship’s wisdom and obsequious cir- who am weary of asserviling myself to every cumspection and patience will turn all to the man's charity. Thus I, etc. best. So, referring all to some time that I may allend you, I commit you to God's best preservation. TO SIR JOHN STANHOPE. Sir,—Your good promises sleep, which it may TO MY LORD OF ESSEX. seem now no time to awake, but that I do not find MYLORD,—I am glad your lordship hath plunged that any general calendar of observation of time out of your own business; wherein I must com- serveth for the court; and, besides, if that hu TO MY LORD OF ESSEX. a 66 TO MY LORD OF ESSEX. TO FOULK GREVIL. done which I hope by this time is done, and that find you conceive of me for the obtaining of a other matter shall be done which we wish may good place which some of my honourable friends be done, I hope to my poor matter, the one of have wished unto me, “nec opinanti.” I will these great matters may clear the way and the use no reason to persuade your lordship's mediaother give the occasion. And though my lord tion but this, that your lordship and my other treasurer be absent, whose health, nevertheless, friends shall in this beg my life of the queen; will enable him to be sooner at court than is ex- for I see well the bar will be my bier, as I must pected; especially if this hard weather (too hard and will use it rather than my poor estate or to continue) shall relent; yet we abroad say, his reputation shall decay; but I stand indifferent lordship’s spirit may be there though his person whether God call me or her majesty. Had I be away. Once I take for a good ground that that in possession which by your lordship's only her majesty's business ought to keep neither va- means against the greatest opposition her majesty cation nor holiday, either in the execution or in granted me, I would never trouble her majesty, the care and preparation of those whom her ma- but serve her still voluntarily without pay. jesty calleth and useth; and, therefore, I would Neither do I in this more than obey my friends' think no time barred from remembering that with conceits as one that would not be wholly wanting such discretion and respect as appertaineth. The to myself. Your lordship’s good opinion doth conclusion shall be to put you in mind to main- somewhat confirm me, as that I take comfort in tain that which you have kindly begun, according above all others; assuring your lordship that I to the reliance I have upon the sincerity of your never thought so well of myself for any one thing affection and the soundness of your judgment. as that I have found a fitness to my thinking in And so I commend you to God's preservation. myself to observe and revere your virtues; for the continuance whereof in the prolonging of your days I will still be your beadsman; accordingly, at this time, commend your lordship to the divine protection. IT MAY PLEASE YOUR LORDSHIP, I am very sorry her majesty should take my motion to travail in offence; but surely, under her majesty's royal correction, it is such an offence as it should be an offence to the sun, when SIR,— I understand of your pains to have visited a man to avoid the scorching heat thereof fieth me, for which I thank you. My matter is an endinto the shade. And your lordship may easily less question. I assure you, I had said, “ requiesce think, that having now these twenty years (for anima mea ;” but now I am otherwise put to my so long it is, and more, since I went with Sir psalter, “nolite confidere," I dare go no farther. Amyas Paulett into France, from her majesty's Her majesty had by set speech more than once royal hand) I made her majesty's service the assured me of her intention to call me to her serscope of my life: I shall never find a greater vice; which I could not understand but of the grief than this, “ relinquere amorem primum." place I had been named to. And now, whether But since “principia actionum sunt tantum in “invidus homo hoc fecit,” or whether my matter nostra potestate;" I hope her majesty of her must be an appendix to my Lord of Essex's suit, clemency, yea, and justice, will pardon me, and or whether her majesty, pretending to prove my not force me to pine here with melancholy. For ability, meaneth but to take advantage of some though mine heart be good, yet mine eyes will errors, which, like enough, at one time or other I be sore, so as I shall have no pleasure to look may commit, or what it is, but her majesty is not abroad, and if I should otherwise be affected, her ready to despatch it. And what though the master majesty in her wisdom will think me an impu- of the rolls and my Lord of Essex, and yourself dent man that would face out a disgrace; there- and others think my case without doubt, yet, in fore, as I have ever found you my good lord and the mean time I have a hard condition to stand so, true friend, so I pray open the matter so to her that whatsoever service I do to her majesty, it majesty, as she may discern the necessity of it, shall be thought to be but " servitium viscatum, without adding hard conceit to her rejection; of lime-twigs and fetches to place myself; and so I which I am sure the latter I never deserved. shall have envy, not thanks. This is a course to Thus, etc. quench all good spirits, and to corrupt every man's nature; which will, I fear, much hurt her majesty's service in the end. I have been like a piece of stuff bespoken in the shop: and if her majesty will not take me, it may be the selling by parcels IT MAY PLEASE YOUR GOOD LORDSHIP, will be more gainful. For to be, as I told you, I am to give you humble thanks for your favour- like a child following a bird, which, when he is able opinion, which by Mr. Secretary's report I nearest, flieth away and lighteth a little before, a a TO THE LORD TREASURER. and then the child after it again, and so in infini- me, I know not whether I were unnatural, untum, I am weary of it: as also of wearying my thankful, or unwise. This causeth me, most good friends, of whom, nevertheless, I hope in one humbly to pray your lordship (and I know mine course or other gratefully to deserve. And so, not own case too well to speak it as weening I can forgetting your business I leave to trouble you do your lordship service, but as willing to do it, with this idle letter, being but "justa et mode-as) to believe that your lordship is upon just title rata querimonia.” For, indeed, I do confess, a principal owner and proprietor of that I cannot s primus amor," will not easily be cast off. And call talent, but mite that God hath given me ; thus again I commend me to you. which I ever do and shall devote to your service. And in like humble manner I pray your lordship to pardon mine errors, and not to impute unto me TO THE LORD TREASURER BURGILEY. the errors of any other; (which I know also, Most HONOURABLE AND MY VERY GOOD Lord, themselves have by this time left and fore I know, I may commit an error in writing this thought:) but to conceive of me to be a man that letter, both in a time of great and weighty busi- daily profiteth in duty. It is true, I do in part ness; as also when myself am not induced thereto, comfort myself, supposing that it is my weakness by any new particular occasion : And, thereof, and insufficiency that moveth your lordship, who your lordship may impute to me either levity or hath so general a command to use others more ignorance, what appertaineth to good respects and able. But let it be as it is; for duty only and forwardness of dealing; especially to an honour- homage I will boldly undertake that nature and able person, in whom there is such concurrence true thankfulness shall never give place to a of magnitudo honoris et oneris, as it is hard to politic dependence. Lastly, I most humbly desay, whether is the greater. But I answer myself sire your lordship to continue unto me the good first , that I have ever noted it as a part of your favour and countenance and encouragement in the lordship’s excellent wisdom, “ parvis componere course of my poor travails; whereof I have had magna,” that you do not exclude inferior matters some taste and experience; for the which, I yield of access amongst the care of great. And, for your lordship my very humble good thanks. And myself, I thought it would better manifest what so again craving your honour's pardon for so 1 desire to express, if I did write out of a deep long a letter, carrying so empty an offer of so unand settled consideration of my own duty, rather puissant a service, but yet a true and unfeigned than upon the spur of a particular occasion. And, signification of an honest and vowed duty, I cease, therefore, (my singular good lord,) "ex abundan- commending your lordship to the preservation of tia cordis," I must acknowledge how greatly and the Divine Majesty. diversely your lordship hath vouchsafed to tie me unto you by many your benefits. The reversion of the office which your lordship only procured unto me, and carried through great and vehement Most HoNOURABLE AND MY SINGULAR GOOD LORD, · opposition, though it yet bear no fruit, yet, it is one of the fairest flowers of my poor estate; your thanks for your lordship’s remembering my name I cannot but importune your lordship with lordship’s constant and serious endeavours to have me solicitor; your late honourable wishes, for the article of time, could not but be exceedingly en to my lord keeper; which being done in such an place of the wards; together with your lordship's attempt to give me way by the remove riched both in demonstration and effect: which I of 'Mr. Solicitor; they be matters of singular thereof by his lordship again to me. This accu did well discern by the manner of expressing obligation; besides many other favours, as well by your lordship’s grants from yourself, as by hitherto worketh only this effect; that it raiseth mulating of your lordship's favours upon me, your commendation to others, which I have had for my help; and may justly persuade myself, out my mind to aspire to be found worthy of them; of the few denials I have received, that fewer But whether I shall be able to pay my vows or no, and likewise to merit and serve you for them. might have been, if mine own industry and good I must leave that to God, who hath them in dehap had been answerable to your lordship’s good. posito. Whom, also, I most instantly beseech tu ness. But, on the other side, I most humbly pray give you fruit of your actions beyond that your your lordship’s pardon if I speak it; the time is heart can propound. “ Nam Deus major est corde.” yet to come, that your lordship did ever use of Even to the environing of his benedictions, I command, or employ me in my profession in any services or occasion of your lordship's own, or recommend your lordship. such as are near unto your lordship; which hath made me fear sometimes that your lordship doth more honourably affect me than thoroughly discern of my most humble and dutiful affection to Sir,—There was no news better welcome to me your lordship again. Which, if it were not in this long time, than that of the good success of 66 TO MY LORD OF X. 66 TO SIR THOMAS LUCY. TO SIR ROBERT CECIL. scent. TO THE QUEEN. my kinsman; wherein if he be happy he cannot The argument of my letters to your lordship assuring you that this bond of alliance shall, on rather increaseth than spendeth; it being only the my part, tie me to give all the tribute to your desire I have to salute you : which, by your abgood fortune upon all occasions, that my poor sence is more augmented than abated. For me strength can yield. I send you so required an to write your lordship occurrences either of Scotabstract of the lands of inheritance, and one lease tish brags or Irish plants, or Spanish ruffling, or of great value, which my kinsman bringeth, with Low Country states, were (besides that it is a note of the tenures, values, contents, and state, - alienum quiddam” from mine own humour) to truly and perfectly drawn; whereby you may per- forget to whom I write; save that you, that know ceive the land is good land, and well countenanced true advertisements, sometimes desire and delight by scope of acres, woods, and royalties, though to hear common reports; as we that know but the total of the rents be set down as it now goeth common reports desire to hear the truth. But to without improvement: in which respect it leave such as write to your fortunes, I write to may somewhat differ from your first note. “Out of this, yourself in regard of my love to you, you being what he will assure in jointure, I leave it to his as near to me in heart's blood as in blood of deown kindness; for I love not to measure affection. This day I had the contentment to see To conclude, I doubt not your daughter might your father upon occasion; and methought his have married to a better living, but never to a lordship’s countenance was not decayed, nor his better life; having chosen a gentleman bred to all cough vehement; but his voice was as faint all honesty, virtue, and worth, with an estate conve the while as at first. Thus, wishing your lordnient. And if my brother or myself were either ship a happy and speedy return, I commend you thrivers, or fortunate in the queen's service, I to the Divine Majesty. would hope there should be left as great a house of the Cokes in this gentleman as in your good friend, Mr. Attorney General. But sure I am, if Scriptures fail not, it will have as much of God's blessing and sufficiency as ever the best IT MAY PLEASE YOUR sacred MAJESTY, feast, &c. I would not fail to give your majesty my most humble and due thanks for your royal choice of such commissioners in the great Star Chamber cause; being persons besides their honour of such science and integrity. By whose report I doubt not but your majesty will find that which you have been heretofore informed, (both by my lord IT MAY PLEASE YOUR HONOURABLE LORDSHIP, keeper, and by some much meaner person,) I know you will pardon this my observance, in touching the nature of that cause, to be true. writing to you empty of matter, but out of the This preparatory hearing doth already assail me fulness of my love. I am sorry that, as your with new and enlarged offers of composition; time of absence is prolonged above that was which, if i had borne a mind to have hearkened esteemed at your lordship’s setting forth ; so, now, unto, this matter had been quenched long ago, upon this last advertisement received from you, without any benefit to your majesty. But your there groweth an opinion amongst better than the majesty's benefit is to me in greater regard than vulgar, that the difficulties also of your negotia- mine own particular: trusting to your majesty's tion are increased. But, because I know the gravity gracious disposition and royal word, that your of your nature to be not to hope lightly, it maketh majesty will include me in any extraordinary me to despair the less. For you are “natus ad course of your sovereign pleasure, which your ardua :" and the indisposition of the subject may majesty shall like to take in this cause. The honour the skill of the workman. Sure I am, other man I spoke to your majesty of, may, within judgment and diligence shall not want in your these two terms, be in the same straits between 'ordship's self: but this was not my purpose; your majesty's justice and mercy, that this man being only to signify unto your lordship my con- now is, if your majesty be so pleased. So, most unual and incessant love towards you, thirsting humbly craving pardon for my presuming to seek after your return for many respects. So I com- access for these few lines, I recommend your mend you ever to the good preservation of the majesty to the most precious custody, and best divine majesty. Gray's Inn. preservation of the Divine Majesty. At your honour's commandment, ever, Your majesty's most humble and entirely and particularly. obedient servant and subject. TO SIR ROBERT CECIL, AT HIS BEING IN FRANCE. |
