The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

HISTORY OF KING HENRY VII. 327
in recovery of certain towns from him; which the like affection to the conservation of their
was done in a kind of privacy, and inwardness rnaster's estate, as their master had, when time
towards the king, as if the French king did not was, showed to the king's acquisition of his kingesteem him for an outward or formal confederate, dom. At theleast, that, accordingto the inclination
but as one that had part in his affections and for- which the king had ever professed of peace, he
tunes, and with whom he took pleasure to commu- would look on, and stand neutral; for that their
nicate his business. After this compliment, and master could not with reason press him to undersome gratulation for the king's victory, they fell take part in the war, being so newly settled and
to their errand; declaring to the king, that their recovered from intestine seditions. But touching
master was enforced to enter into a just and neces- the mystery of re-annexing of the Duchy of Britain
saary war with the Duke of Britain, for that he had to the crown of France, either by war, or by marreceived and succoured those that were traitors riage with the daughter of Britain, the ambasand declared enemies unto his person and state. sadors hare aloof from it as from a rock, knowing
That they were no mean, distressed, and calami- that it made most against them. And therefore
tous persons that fled to him for refuge, but of so by all means declined any mention thereof, but
great quality, as it was apparent that they came contrariwise interlaced, in their conference with
not thither to protect their own fortune, but to in- the king, the assured purpose of their master to
fest and invade his; the head of them being the match with the daughter of Maximilian; and
Duke of Orleans, the first prince of the blood and entertained the king with some wandering disthe second person of France. That therefore, courses of their king's purpose, to recover by arms
rightly to understand it, it was rather on their his right to the kingdom of Naples, by an expemaster's part a defensive war than an offensive; dition in person; all to remove the king from all
as that could not be omitted or forborne, if he jealousy of any design in these hither parts upon
tendered the conservation of his own estate; and Britain, otherwise than for quenching of the fire
that it was not the first blow that made the war which he feared might be kindled in his own esinvasive, for that no wise prince would stay for, tate.
but the first provocation, or at least the first pre- The king, after advice taken with his council,
paration; nay, that this war was rather a sup- made answer to the ambassadors: and first repression of rebels, than a war with a just enemy; turned their compliment, showing he was right
where the case is, that his subjects, traitors, are glad of the French king's reception of these
received by the Duke of Britain his homager. towns from Maximilian. Then he familiarly reThat King Henry knew well what went upon it lated some particular passages of his own advenin example, if neighbour princes should patronise tures and victory passed. As to the business of
and comfort rebels against the law of nations and Britain, the king answered in few words; that
of leagues. Nevertheless that their master was the French king, and Duke of Britain, were the
not ignorant, that the king had been beholden to two persons to whom he was most obliged of all
the Duke of Britain in his adversity; as on the men; and that he should think himself very unother side, they knew he would not forget also happy, if things should go so between them, as
the readiness of their king, in aiding him when he should not be able to acquit himself in gratithe Duke of Britain or his mercenary counsellors tude towards them both; and that there was no
failed him, and would have betrayed him; and means for him as a Christian king, and a comthat there was a great difference between the mon friend to them, to satisfy all obligations both
courtesies received from their master, and the to God and man, but to offer himself for a mediDuke of Britain: for that the duke's might have ator of an accord and peace between them; by
ends of utility and bargain; whereas their which course, he doubted not but their king s
master's could not have proceeded but out of en- estate, and honour both, would be preserved with
tire affection; for that, if it had been measured by more safety and less envy than by a war; and
a politic line, it had been better for his affairs, that he would spare no costs or pains, no it' it
that a tyrant should have reigned in England, were to go on pilgrimage, for so good an effect;
troubled and hated,. than such a prince, whose and concluded, that in this great affair, which he
virtues could not fail to make him great and po- took so much to heart, he would express himself
tent, whensoever he was come to be master of more fully by an ambassage, which he would
his affairs. But howsoever it stood for the point speedily despatch-unto the French king for that
of obligation which the king might owe to the purpose. And in this sort the French ambassaDuke of Britain, yet their master was well as- dors were dismissed: the king avoiding to undel
sured, it would not divert King Henry of England stand any thing touching the re-annexing of
from doing that that was just, nor ever embark Britain, as the ambassadors had avoided to menhim in so ill-grounded a quarrel. Therefore, tion it: save that he gave a little touch of it in
since this war, whi'ch their master was now to the word envy. And so it was, that the king
make, was but to deliver himself from imminent was neither so shallow, nor so ill-advertised, as
dangers, their king hoped the king would show not to perceive the intention of the French [i.n