The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 217
TRANSLATION OF A LETTER TO COUNT GON- by repulses, nor on the other hand been comDOMAR. pletely fulfilled, it would seem from this as if the
MIOST ILLUSTRIOUS AND EXCELLENT LORD, divine providence intended that the work of
I see and acknowledge the divine providence rescuing me from my misery was to be yours in
in raising up for me under my utter desertion, its end, as in its beginning. Thirdly, because.
such a friend, sent as it were from heaven, who, those two stars which have ever been propitious
involved in such great concerns, and with time to me, the greater and the less are now shining
so very limited, has yet taken an interest in my in your city, and thus by the assisting and befortunes, and has effected that for me, which other nignant rays of your friendship, they may acquire
friends either dared not attempt or could not have an influence on my fortunes, which shall restore
obtained. me to a place in the scale of favour, not unbeYour lordship will enjoy the suitable and last- fitting my former elevation. Fourthly, because
ing fruit of such dealing in your own noble cha- I learn from the letters you have lately written
racter, so prone to all the offices of sympathy and to my intimate friend, Sir Toby Matthew, that
honour. Nor will this, perhaps, be the least you cherish a lively and warm remembrance of
among your good deeds, that by your assistance me, which has neither been overwhelmed nor
and favour you have raised and strengthened me extinguished, under the weight of those high and
once one among the living, and who shall not sublime interests which rest on your lordship.
altogether die to posterity. What return can I Lastly, too, there is this circumstance that since,
nake. I shall at least ever be yours, if not in by the friendship of the excellent lord marquis,
useful service, at least in heart and good wishes. I have been admitted to see and converse with
The fire of my love for you will remain quick my king, I feel as if I were once more established
under the ashes of my fortune; wherefore, I most in favour. The king did not speak to me as a
humbly greet you, bid you farewell, wish you all guilty man, but as a man thrown down by a
prosperity, call heaven to witness my gratitude, tempest; and withal in his address to me he
promise all faithful observance. acknowledged at great length, and, as it seemed,
To the most i~llstrious and excellent Lord Didacus with singular tenderness, my steady and invariamiente o st na, Count Gondirmar, ambassa- eble course of industry and integrity. Whence
Sor Fextraorde nary of Cue King onmai, tso ng- the greater hope springs up within me, that by
land. the continuance of my sovereign's regard, and
the extinction of odium by the lapse of time,
your excellency's efforts for me will not be made
in vain. Meanwhile, I have neither sunk into
TRANSLATION OF A LETTER TO COIUNT GON- indolence, nor impertinently mixed myself with
DOMAR, THEN IN SPAIN. affairs, but I live and am absorbed in labours not
MOST ILLUSTRIOUS COUNT, at all derogatory to the honours I have borne, and
Many things inspire me with confidence, and which shall perhaps leave no unpleasing memory
even with cheerful alacrity, in addressing you at of my name to posterity. I hope, therefore, that
this time on the subject of my fortunes, and I am no unworthy object, on which to display
entreating your friendly offices. First, and prin- and signalize at once the influence of your power
cipally, that since so close an alliance between and friendship: so that it shall be apparent, that
our sovereigns may now be regarded as defini- you have no less control over the fortunes of a
tively arranged, you are become so much the more private man, than over public measures. May
powerful advocate; and I shrink not now from God preserve your excellency, and crown you
owing all my fortunes to so great a man, though with all happiness.
not my own countryman, and from confessing the Endorsed,
obligation. Secondly, Since that promise of in- My Lord St..Iban's first letter to Gondomar into
dulgences which your lordship while in this Spain.
country obtained for me, has not been succeeded March 28th, 1623.
VOL. II. -28 T