The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

xxxii LIFE OF BACON.
During the day the queen saw her ministers.' ship it is as mists are, if it go upwards, it may
After dinner he found her much changed: she re- perhaps cause a shower, if downwards it will
ceived him coldly, and appointed the lords to hear clear up. And therefore, good my lord, carry it
him in council that very afternoon. After sitting so, as you take away by all means all umbrages
an hour, they adjourned the court to a full council and distastes from the queen, and especially if
on the next day; but, between eleven and twelve I were worthy to advise you, (as I have been by
at night, an order came from the queen that Essex yourself thought, and now your question imports
should keep his chamber.2 the continuance of that opinion,) observe three
On the next day the lords met in council, and points: first, make not this cessation or peace,
presented a favourable report to the queen, who which is concluded with Tyrone, as a service
said she would pause and consider it, Essex still wherein you glory, but as a shuffling up of a procontinuing captive in his chamber,3 from whence secution which was not very fortunate. Next,
the queen ordered him to be committed into cus- represent not to the queen any necessity of estate,
tody, lest, having his liberty, he might be far whereby, as by a coercion or wrench, she should
withdrawn from his duty through the corrupt think herself enforced to send you back into Irecounsels of turbulent men, not however to any land; but leave it to her. Thirdly, seek access,
prison, lest she might seem to destroy all hope of importune, opportune, seriously, sportingly, every
her ancient favour, but to the lord keeper's, at way. I remember my lord was willing to hear
York House, to which in the afternoon he was me, but spake very few words, and shaked his
taken from Nonsuch.4 head sometimes, as if he thought I was in the
Bacon's steady friendship again manifested it- wrong; but sure I am, he did just contrary in
self. He wrote to Essex the moment he heard every one of these three points."53
of his arrival, and in an interview between them, After his committal to the lord keeper's, there
he urged the advice which he had communicated was great fluctuation of opinion with respect to
in his letter. This letter and advice are fortu- his probable fate. On one day the hope of his
nately preserved. In his letter he says: My lord, restoration to favour prevailed; on the next, as
conceiving that your lordship came now up in the the queen, by brooding over the misconduct of
person of a good servant to see your sovereign Essex, by additional accounts of the consequences
mistress, which kind of compliments are many of his errors in Ireland, by turbulent speeches and
times 6' instar magnorum meritorum;" and there- seditious pamphlets, was much exasperated, his
fore that it would be hard for me to find you, I ruin was predicted. Pamphlets were circulated
have committed to this poor paper the humble and suppressed; there were various conferences
salutations of him that is more yours than any at York House between the different statesmen
man's, and more yours than any man. To these and Essex; and it was ultimately determined that
salutations, I add a due and joyful gratulation, the matter should be investigated, not by public
confessing that your lordship, in your last con- accusation, but by a declaration in the Star Chamference with me before your journey, spake not ber, in the absence of Essex, of the nature of his
in vain, God making it good, that you trusted we misconduct. Such was the result of the queen's
should say, "quis putasset 3" Which, as it is conflict between public opinion and her affection
found true in a happy sense, so I wish you do not for Essex.6
find another 1"quis putasset," in the manner of In this perplexity she consulted Bacon, who
taking this so great a service; but I hope it is as from this, and from any proceeding, earnestly
he said, "nubecula est cito transibit;" and that dissuaded the queen, and warned her that, from
your lordship's wisdom and obsequious circum- the popularity of Essex and this unusual mode
spection and patience will turn all to the best. of accusation, it would be said that justice had
So referring all to sometime that I may attend her balance taken from her; and that, instead of
you, I commit you to God's best preservation. promoting, it would interrupt the public tranquilAnd his advice is thus stated by Bacon: "Well, lity. She heard and was offended with his advice,
the next news that I heard, was that my lord was and acted in direct opposition to it. At an ascome over, and that he was committed to his sembly of privy councillors, of judges, and of
chamber for leaving Ireland without the queen's statesmen, held on the 30th of November, they
license: this was at Nonsuch, where (as my duty declared, without his being heard in his defence,
was) I came to his lordship, and talked with him the nature of Essex's misconduct; a proceeding
privately about a quarter of an hour, and he asked which, as Bacon foretold, and which the queen
mine opinion of the course that was taken with too late acknowledged, aggravated the public dishim; I told him: -My lord, nubecula est, cito tran- content. At this assembly Bacon was not presibit: it is but a mist; but shall I tell your lord- sent, which, when his absence was mentioned by
t See Sydney Papers. Michaelmas day at noon, (vol. i the queen, he excused by indisposition.
p. 128,) containing the account of the different persons who
hastened to court on that day. s Bacon's Apology, vol. ii. p. 336.
Sydney Papers, vol. ii. p. 129. 6 Sydney Papers, 131-139.
a Sydnev Papers, 130-133. 4 Sydney Papers, 131-139. 7 Bacon's Apology, vol. ii. p. 340.