The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

LETTERS FROM THE LAMBETH LIBRARY. 169
directed Mr. Meautys to tell you, that having A LETTER TO MY LORD TREASURER LEA.*
somewhat better signs of my lord marquis's good MY LORD, — humbly entreat your lordship
disposition towards me, than when I wrote to my and (if I may use the word) advise your lordship
Lord Digby last, I would raise my request to his to make me a better answer. Your lordship is
lordship, that, whereas I desired his lordship to interested in honour in the opinion of all that
move a temporary leave to come to London next hear how I am dealt with. If your lordship mnaLent for my health, and Easter term for my busi- lice me for Long's cause, surely it was one of the
ness, he would now (if he so think it convenient) justest businesses that ever was in Chancery. I
deal for a release of the confinement indefinite, will avouch it; and how deeply I was tempted
for the same reasons of an infirm health; and the therein your lordship knoweth best. Your lordsettling the poor planks on my wrecks will con- ship may do well to think of your grave as I do
tinue still. If my Lord Digby make haste to of mine, and to bhware of hardness of heart. And
court, I pray do this before you come down to as for fair words, it is a wind by which neither
me; if not, you may defer it till we have spoken. your lordship nor any man else can sail long.
God keep and prosper you. Howsoever, I am the-man that shall give all due
Your most, &c. respects and reverence to your great place.
15th February, 1621. 20th June, 1625. FR. ST. ALBAN.
LETTERS FROM THE LAMBETH LIBRARY,
NEVER BEFORE PRINTED.
TO TIlE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.* no divorce of your love; but present or absent
GOOD Mw LORD, you baulk no opportunity for my good. I shall
Procure the warrant for my discharge this day. never deserve your love unless that which is
Death, I thank God, is so far from being unwel- mental may requite that which is real; and that
come to me, as I have called for it (as Christian good prayers may be balanced with good deeds.
resolution would permit) any time these two Touching the present overture, (the errand of
months. But to die before the time of his ma- your letters,) though there be a great conflict
jesty's grace, and in this disgraceful place, is within myself, yet nor must nor will I hold you in
even the worst that could be; and when I am long suspense. Though I could content myself
dead, he is gone that was always in one tenor, a with the obscure condition of my country fortune,
true and perfect servant to his master, and one yet should I not neglect and slight the fair opporthat was never author of any immoderate, no, nor tunities of my better preferment. It is a sullen,
unsafe, no, (I will say it,) not unfortunate coun- stoical humour, not to be drawn out of a dark
sel; and one that no temptation could ever make retired corner into the warm and open sunshine.
other than a trusty, and honest, and Christ-loving But I cannot resolve on the sudden: my present
friend to your lordship; and howsoever I acknow- affairs being somewhat involved and perplexed.
ledge the sentence just, and for reformation sake Respite me (I pray) but till the funeral; and then
fit, the justest chancellor that hath been in the (God willing) I shall visit London, and give up
five changes since Sir Nicholas Bacon's time. my determinate and satisfactory answer. MeanGod bless and prosper your lordship, whatsoever while, I desire my thankful love may be tendered
become of me. to that honest Mr. Hatcher. So I rest a devoted
Your lordship's true friend, living and dying, homager to your virtues; or (if you suspect a
FR. ST. ALBAN. compliment) Your assured friend,
Tower, 31st May, 1621. ED. FRANKLIN.
Endorsed, Cressinrgham, April 30, 1625.
To the Miarquis of Buckinghamzfrom the Tower.
TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.f
MY VERY GOOD LORD,
EDWARD FRANKLIN TO LORD ST. ALBAN. V GOOD LORD,
Your lordship's former letter'was honourable,
SIR,-You falsify the common proverb: Out this later is kind and loving; wherein I took
of sight, out of mind. Distance of place makes much comfort. This I protest to God; who,
* MS. Gibson, Lambeth Library, 936, fol. 147, Orig. * Addit. MS. Mus. Brit. 5503, fol. 109 b.
- MS. Gibson, Lambeth Lib. 936, fol. 210, Orig. f MS. Gibson, Lambeth Lib. 936, fol. 210, Orig.
VoL. III.-22 P