The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

154 LETTERS FROM BIRCH.
Lord of Buckingham's fortune must break. I TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGIIAM.*
am of another opinion; and yet perhaps it will EXCELLENT LORD,
be hard to make you believe it, because both There is a suit, whereunto I may, as it were,
sides will persuade you to the contrary. For claim kindred, and which may be of credit and
they, that would not have it go on, will work profit unto me; and it is an old arrear which is
upon that conceit, to make you oppose it more called upon, from Sir Nicolas Bacon, my eldest
strongly. They that would have it go on, will brother. It may be worth to me perhaps two
do the same, to make you take up betimes, and thousand pounds; and yet I may deal kindly
come about. But I having good affiance in your with my brother, and also reward liberally (as I
grace's judgment, will tell you my reasons, why mean to do) the officers of the Exchequer, which
I thus think, and so leave it. If the match have brought it to light. Good my lord obtain it
should go on, and put case against your counsel of the king, and be earnest in it for me. It will
and opinion; doth any man think that so pro- acquit the king somewhat of his promise, that he
found a king, and so well seen in the science of would have care of my wants; for hitherto, since
reigning, and so understanding a prince, will my misfortunes, I have tasted of his majesty's
ever suffer the whole sway of affairs and great- mercy, but not of his bounty. But your lordship
ness to go that way ] And if not, who should be may be pleased in this, to clear the coast with my
a fitter person to keep the balance even than your lord treasurer; else there it will have a stop. I
grace, whom the king and prince know to be so am almost at last cast for means; and yet it
entirely their own, and have found so nobly grieveth me most, that at such a time as this, 1
independent upon any otherl Surely my opinion should not be rather serviceable to your grace,
is, you are likely to be greater by counterpoise than troublesome.
against the Spanish dependence, than you will by God preserve and prosper your grace.
concurrence. And, therefore, in God's name, do Your grace's most obliged
your duty faithfully and wisely; for behaving and faithful servant,
yourself well otherwise, as I know you will, FR. ST. ALBAN.
your fortune is like to be well either way. This 23d of January, 1623.
For that excellent lady, whose fortune is so
distant from her merits and virtue, the Queen of
Bohemia, your grace being, as it were, the firstborn, or prime man of the king's creatures, must TO THE EARL OF OXFORD.+
in consequence owe the most to his children and MY VERY GOOD LORD,
generations; whereof I know your noble heart Let me be an humble suitor to your lordship,
hath far greater sense than any man's words can for your noble favour. I would be glad to receive
infuse into you. And, therefore, whatsoever my writ this Parliament,4 that I may not die in
liveth within the compass of your duty, and of dishonour; but by no means, except it should be
possibility, will no doubt spring from you out of with the love and consent of my lords to readmit
that fountain. me, if their lordships vouchsafe to think me
It is open to every man's discourse, that there worthy of their company; or if they think that
are but two ways for the restitution of the palati- which I have suffered now these three years, in
nate, treaty and arms. It is good, therefore, to loss of place, in loss of means, and in loss of
consider of the middle acts, which may make liberty for a great time, to be a sufficient expiaeither of these ways desperate, to the end they tion for my faults, whereby I may now seem in
may be avoided in that way which shall be their eyes to be a fit subject of their grace, as 1
chosen. If no match, either this with Spain, or have been before of their justice. My good lord,
perhaps some other with Austria, no restitution the good, which the commonwealth might reap
by treaty. If the Dutch either be ruined, or grow of my suffering, is already inned. Justice is
to a peace of themselves with Spain, no restitu- done; an example is made for reformation; the
tion by war. authority of the House for judicature is establishBut these things your grace understandeth far ed. There can be no farther use of mymisery;
better than myself. And, as I said before, the perhaps some little may be of my service; for, I
points of state I aim not at farther, than they may hope I shall be found a man humbled as a Chrisconcern your grace, to whom, while I live, and tian, though not dejected as a worldling. I have
shall find it acceptable to you, I shall ever be great opinion of your lordship's power, and great
ready to give the tribute of a true friend and hope, for many reasons, of your favour; which,
servant, and shall always think my counsels
servant, and shall always think my counsels The duke's answer to this letter, dated at Newmarket,
given you happy, if you shall pardon them the 28th of January, 1623, is printed in Lord Bacon's works.
when they are free; and follow them when they + Henry Vere, who died in 1625. He was Lord Great
are good. Chamberlain of England.
G That met February 19, 1623, and was prorogued May 29,
God preserve and prosper you. 1624.