Letters of Sir Henry Wotton to Sir Edmund Bacon

Sir,

YOur Kinsman and friend Sir Ro∣bert Killigrew was in the Fleet from Wednesday of the last week, till the Sunday following, and no longer; which I reckon but an Ephemeral fit, in respect of his in firmity who was the cause of it; which to my judgement doth every day appear more and more hectical. Yesterday his father petitioned the King (as he came from the Chappel) that his son might have a Physician, and a ser∣vant allowed him, as being much damaged in his health by close im∣prisonment: which for my part I believe, for the diseases of fortune have a kinde of transfusion into the body, and strong-working spirits wanting their usual objects, revert upon themselves; because the nature of the minde being ever in motion, must either do, or suffer.

I take pleasure (speaking to a

Philosopher) to reduce (as near as I can) the irregularities of Court to constant principles. Now to return to the matter: The King hath granted the Physician, but denyed the servant: By which you may guess at the issue; for when graces are managed so narrowly by a King, otherwise of so gratious nature, it doth in my opinion very clearly de∣monstrate the asperity of the of∣fence. Sir Gervis Elvis (before one of the Pensioners) is now sworn Lieutenant of the Tower, by the mediation of the House of Suffolk, notwithstanding that my Lord of Rochester was the commender of Sir Iohn Keyes to that charge; which the said Keyes had for a good while (and this maketh the case the more strange) alwayes supplyed even by Patent in the absence of Sir William Wade. Upon which circumstances (though they seem to bend another way) the Logicians of the Court do

make this conclusion: That His Ma∣jesty satisfying the Suffolcians with petty things, intendeth to repair the Vicount Rochester in the main and gross. And therefore all men con∣template Sir Henry Nevil for the future Secretary; some saying that it is but deferred till the return of the Queen, that she may be allowed a hand in his Introduction: Which likewise will quiet the voyces on the other side; though surely that point be little necessary: For yet did I never in the Country, and much less in the Court see any thing done of this kinde, that was not afterwards approved by those that had most op∣posed it: such vicissitudes there are here below, as well as of the rest, even of judgement and affection. I would say more, but I am suddenly surprized by the Secretary of the Savoy Ambassador, who I think will depart about the end of the Whitson Holy-dayes, for which I

languish. With his businesses I can acquaint you nothing till the next week, by reason of this surpriz•…•…l: And besides it hath disturbed my Muses so, I must remain still in debt to my sweet Neece for that Poetic•…•…l Postscript that dropped out of her pen. I do weekly receive your Letters, which in truth are more comfort, then I could hope to pur∣chase by mine: so as whereas before I had determined to continue this my troubling of you but till I should see you next, I have now made a resolution to plant a Staple, and whensoever we shall be separated, to venture my whole poor stock in traffique with you, finding the re∣turn so gainful unto me. And so committing you to Gods dearest blessings, I ever rest

Your faithfullest poor friend and servant, HENRY WOTTON.

The 14 of May, 1613.