The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

DECLARATION OF THE TREASON OF ROBERT, EARL OF ESSEX. 363
The names of the peers that passed upon the trial of at the bar, concerning the matter of the Infanta,
the two earls, with signification of his earnest desire to be reEarl of Oxford. Lord Cobham. conciled to them, which was accepted with all
Earl of Shrewsbury. Lord Stafford. Christian charity and humanity; he proceeded to
Earl of Derby. Lord Gray. accuse heavily most of his confederates for carry.
Earl of Cumberland. Lord Lumley. ing malicious minds to the state, and vehemently
Earl of Worcester. Lord Windsor. charged Cuffe his man to his own face, to have
Earl of Sussex. Lord Rich. - been a principal instigator of him in his treasons;
Earl of Hertford. Lord Darcy de Chichey. and then disclosed how far Sir Henry Neville,
Earl of Lincoln. Lord Chandos. her majesty's late ambassador, was privy to all
Ea-rl of Nottingham. Lord Hunsdon. the conspiracy; of whose name till then there
Lord St. John de Bletso. had not been so much as any suspicion. And,
Lord Viscount Bindon. Lord Compton. farther, at the lords' first coming to him, not
Lord De la Ware. Lord Burghley. sticking to confess that he knew her majesty
Lord Morley. Lord Howard of Walden. could not be safe while he lived, did very earnestly
desire this favour of the queen, that he might die
The names of the judges that assisted the court. as privately as might be.
ILord Chief Justice. Justice Fenner. And the morning before his execution, there
Lord Chief Justice of Justice WTalmsly. being sent unto him, for his better preparation,
the Common Pleas. Baron Clerke. dMr. Doctor Mountford, and Mr. Doctor Barlow,
Lord Chief Baron. Justice Kingsmill. to join with Mr. Abdy Ashton, his chaplain, he
Justice Gawdy. did in many words thank God that he had given
him a deeper insight into his offence, being sorry
he had so stood upon his justification at his arSome particulars of that which passed after the ar- raignment: since which time, he said, he was
raignment of the late earls, and at the time of the
aigne o the late erls, and at the time of the become a new man, and heartily thanked God
suffer-izg~ of the Earl of 3iEssex. also that his course was by God's providence
But the Earl of Essex, finding that the consul- prevented. For, if his project had taken effect,
tation at Drury House, and the secret plots of his " God knoweth," said he, ", what harm it had
premeditated and prepensed treasons were come wrought in the realm."
to light, contrary to his expectation, was touched, HIe did also humbly thank her majesty, that he
even at his parting from the bar, with a kind of should die in so private a manner, for he suffered
remorse; especially because he had carried the in the Tower yard, and not upon the hill, by his
manner of his answer, rather in a spirit of osten- own special suit, lest the acclamation of the
tation and glory, than with humility and peni- people, for those were his own words, might be
tence: and brake out in the hall, while the lords a temptation to him: adding, that all popularity
were in conference, into these words; " That see- and trust in man was vain, the experience whereof
ing things were thus carried, he would, ere it be himself had felt: and acknowledged farther unto
long, say more than yet was known." Which them, that he was justly and worthily spewed out,
good motion of his mind being, after his coming for that was also his own word, of the realm, and
back to the Tower, first cherished by M. D. of that the nature of his offence was like a leprosy
Norwich, but after wrought on by the religious that had infected far and near. And so likewise
and effectual persuasions and exhortations of Mr. at the public place of his suffering, he did use
Abdy Ashton, his chaplain, the man whom he vehement detestation of his offence, desiring God
made suit by name to have with him for his soul's to forgive him his great, his bloody, his crying,
health, as one that of late time he had been most and his infectious sin: and so died very penitently,
used unto, and found most comfort of, comparing but yet with great conflict, as it should seem, fr
it, when he made the request, to the case of a his sins. For he never mentioned, nor remembered
patient, that in his extremity would be desirous there, wife, children, or friend, nor took particular
to have that physician that was best acquainted leave of any that were present, but wholly abwith his body; he sent word the next day, to de- stracted and sequestered himself to the state of
sire to speak with some of the principal counsel- his conscience, and prayer.
lors, with whom he desired also that particularly
Mr. Secretary might come for one. Upon which The effect of thal whiich passed at the arraignments
his request, first the lord admiral and Mr. Secre- of Sir CHRISTOPHER BLUNT, Sir CHARLES DAtary, and afterwards at two several times the lord VERS, Sir JOHN DAVIS, Sir GtLLY MERoICK, and
keeper of the great seal, the lord high treasurer, HENRY CUFFE.
the lord high admiral, and Mr. Secretary repaired
unto him: before whom, after he had asked the The fifth of March, by a very honourable com.
lord keeper forgiveness, for restraining him in his mission of Oyer and Terminer, directed to th,
house, and Mr. Secretary for having wronged him Lord High Admiral, the Lord Chamberlain, Mi