The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

90 LETTERS FROM STEPHENS.
communicated it with my colleagues, Sir Edward Iof, and the latter time I had begged it of your
Coke, the two chief justices, and Serjeant Crew, lordship.
who approve it well; and we are all of opinion, The cause of change may either be in myself
that it is not good to have it more peremptory, or your lordship. I ought first to examine mymore particular, nor more sharp. self, which I have done; and God is my witness,
We are thinking of some commonwealth laws, I find all well, and that I have approved myself
amongst which I would have one special for the to your lordship a true friend, both in the watery
maintenance of the navy, as well to give occasion trial of prosperity, and in the fiery trial of adto publish (to his majesty's honour) what hath versity. If your lordship take any insatisfaction
been already done; as, to speak plainly, to do touching the H-louse, I htimbly pray you, think
your lordship's honour in the second place; and, better of it; for that motion to me was a second
besides, it is agreeable to the times. God ever sentence, more grievous than the first, as things
prosper you. then stood and do yet stand: for it sentenced me
Your lordship's obliged friend and faithful to have lost, both in mine own opinion, and much
servant, more in the opinion of others, that which was
FR. VERULAM, Cane. saved to me, almost only, in the former sentence,
October 18, 1620. and which was more dear to me than all that
which was taken from me, which is your lordship's love and favour: for had it not been for
that bitter circumstance, your lordship knows that
TO THiE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.
you might have commanded my life and all that
MY VERY GOOD LORD, is mine. But surely it could not be that, nor any
Your lordship will pardon me, if, partly in the thing in me, which wrought the change. It is
freedom of adversity, and partly of former friend- likely, on the other part, that though your lordship, (the sparks whereof cannot but continue,) ship, in your nature, I know to be generous and
I open myself to your lordship and desire also constant, yet I being now become out of sight, and
your lordship to open yourself to me. The two out of use, your lordship having a flood of new
last acts which you did for me, in procuring the friends, and your ears possessed perhaps by such
releasement of my fine, and my quietus est, I ac- as would not leave room for an old, your lordship
knowledge were effects, real and material, of may, even by course of the world and the overyour love and favour, which, as to my knowledge, bearing of others, be turned from me, and it were
it never failed me in my prosperity; so, in these almost a miracle if it should be otherwise. But
two things it seems not to have turned with the yet, because your lordship may still have so
wheel. But the extent of these two favours is heroical a spirit as to stand out all these violent
not much more than to keep me from persecution; assaults, which might have alienated you from
for any thing further which might tend to my your friend, my humble suit to your lordship is,
comfort and assistance, as I cannot say to myself that remembering your former friendship, which
that your lordship hath forsaken me, so I see not began with your beginning, and since that time
the effects of your undeserved, yea, undesired hath never failed on my part, your lordship would
professions and promises, which, being made to deal clearly with me, and let me know whether
a person in affliction, hath the nature after a sort I continue in your favour or no; and whether in
of vows. But that which most of all makes me those poorirequests, which I may yet make to his
doubt of a change, or cooling in your lordship's majesty, (whose true servant I ever was and am,)
affection towards me, is, that being twice now at for the tempering of my misery, I may presume
London, your lordship did not vouchsafe to see to use your lordship's favour and help, as I have
me, though by messages you gave me hope there- done; for otherwise it were a kind of stupidness
in me, and a great trouble also to your lordship,
to blindness and superstition, or on the other hand to schism for me not to discern the change, for your lordor turbulent disposition. for me not to discern the change, for your lordThirdly and lastly, That they be truly sensible, not to dis- ship to have an importuner, instead of a friend
value or disparage the House with bankrupts and necessitous and a suitor. Though howsoever if your lordpersons, that may desire long Parlianlents only for protec-, y
tion; lawyers of mean account and estimation; young men rethat are not ripe for grave consultations; mean dependents spect of your former favours, which cannot altoupon great persons, that may be thought to have their voice gether be made void, I must remain, &c.
under command, and such like obscure and inferior persons:
so that, to conclude, we may have the comfort to see before
us the very face of a sufficient and well composed House, such
as may be worthy to be a representative of the third estate
of our kingdom, fit to nourish a loving and comfortable meeting between us and our people, and fit to be a noble instruInent, under the blessing of Almighty God, and our princely MY VERY GOOD LORD,
care and power, and with the loving conjunction of our pre-
Though I returned an answer to your lordship's
lates and peers, for the settling of so great affairs, as are
before expressed. last honourable and kind letter, by the same way