The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

356 DECLARATION OF THE TREASON OF ROBERT, EARL OF ESSEX.
as his troop for the more part was compounded of, of the day: which, nevertheless, was resolved inthough by him seduced and bewitched, would definitely to be before the end of the term, as was
quickly break the knot, and cause some disunion said before, for the putting in execution of this
and separation amongst them, whereby he might most dangerous and execrable treason. But God,
have been left destitute, except he should build who had in his divine providence long ago cursed
upon some more popular number, according to the this action with the curse that the psalm speaketh
nature of all usurping rebels, which do ever trust of, "1 That it should be like the untimely fruit of
more in the common people, than in persons of a woman, brought forth before it came to perfecsort or quality. And this may well appear by tion," so disposed above, that her majesty, underhis own plot in Ireland, which was to have come standing by a general charm and muttering of the
with the choice of the army, from which he was great and universal resort to Essex House, condiverted, as before is showed. So as his own trary to her princely admonition, and somewhat
courses inclined ever to rest upon the main differing from his former manner, as there could
strength of the multitude, and not upon surprises, not be so great fire without some smoke, upon the
or the combinations of a few. seventh of February, the afternoon before this
But to return: these were the resolutions taken rebellion, sent to Essex House Mr. Secretary Herat that consultation, held by these five at Drury bert, to require him to come before the lords of
HIouse, some five or six days before the rebellion. her majesty's council, then sitting in council at
to be reported to Essex, who ever kept in himself Salisbury-court, being the lord treasurer's house:
the binding and directing voice: which he did to where it was only intended, that he should have
prevent all differences that might grow by dissent received some reprehension, for exceeding the
or contradiction. And, besides, he had other per- limitations of his liberty, granted to him in a
sons, which were Cuffe and Blunt, of more in- qualified manner, without any intention towards
wardness and confidence with him than these, him of restraint; which he, under colour of not
Southampton only excepted, which managed that being well, excused to do: but his own guilty
consultation. And, for the day of the enterprise, conscience applying it, that his trains were diswhich is that must rise out of the knowledge of covered, doubting peril in any farther delay, deall the opportunities and difficulties, it was refer- termined to hasten his enterprise, and to set it on
red to Essex his own choice and appointment; it foot the next day.
being, nevertheless, resolved, that it should be But then again, having some advertisement in
some time before the end of Candlemas term. the evening, that the guards were doubled at
But this council and the resolutions thereof, court, and laying that to the message he had rewere in some points refined by Essex, and Cuffe, ceived overnight; and so concluding that alarm
and Blunt: for, first, it was thought good, for the was taken at court, he thought it to be in vain to
better making sure of the utter gate of the court, think of the enterprise of the court, by way of
and the greater celerity and suddenness, to have surprise: but that now his only way was, to come
a troop at receipt to a competent number, to have thither in strength, and to that end first to attempt
come from the Mews, where they should have the city: wherein he did but fall back to his own
been assembled without suspicion in several com- former opinion, which he had in no sort neglected,
panies, and from thence cast themselves in a but had formerly made some overtures to prepare
noment upon the court gate, and join with them the city to take his part; relying himself, besides
which are within, while Essex with the main of his general conceit, that himself was the darling
his company were making forward. and minion of the people, and specially of the
It was also thought fit, that because they would city, more particularly upon assurance given of
be commonwealth's men, and foresee, that the Thomas Smith, then sheriff of London, a man
business and service of the public state should well beloved amongst the citizens, and one that
not stand still; they should have ready at court, had some particular command of some of the
and at hand, certain other persons to be offered, trained forces of the city, to join with him. Havto supply the offices and places of' such her ma- ing therefore concluded upon this determination,
jesty's counsellors and servants, as they should now was the time to execute in fact all that he
demand to he removed and displaced. had before in purpose digested.
But chiefly it was thought good, that the as- First, therefore, he concluded of a pretext
sembling of their companies together should be which was ever part of the plot, and which he
upon some plausible pretext: both to make divers had meditated upon and studied long before.
of their company, that understood not the depth For findingo himself, thanks be to God, to seek,
of the practices, the more willing to follow them; in her majesty's government, of any just pretext
and to engage themselves, and to gather them in matter of state, either of innovation, opprestogether the better without peril of detecting or sion, or any unworthiness: as in all his former
interrupting: and, aogain, to take the court the discontentments he had gone the beaten path of
inore unprovided, without any alarm given. So traitors, turning their imputation upon counselas new there wanted nothing but the assignation I lors, and persons of credit with their sovereign;