The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

350 HISTORY OF KING HENRY VII.
renewed, their bodies were removed by the priest fessors and chaplains of divers great men; and
of the Tower, and buried by him in some place, for the better credit of his espials abroad with the
which, by means of the priest's death soon after, contrary side, did use to have them cursed at
could not be known. Thus much was then de- Paul's by name, amongst the bead-roll of the
livered abroad, to be the effect of those examina- king's enemies, according to the custom of those
tions; but the king, nevertheless, made no use of times. These espials plied their charge so roundthem in any of his declarations; whereby, as it ly, as the king had an anatomy of Perkin alive;
seems, those examinations left the business some- and was likewise well informed of the particular
what perplexed. And as for Sir James Tirrel, he correspondent conspirators in England, and many
was soon after beheaded in the Tower-yard for other mysteries were revealed; and Sir Robert
other matters of treason. But John Dighton, Clifford in especial won to be assured to the king,
who, it seemeth, spake best for the king, was and industrious and officious for his service. The
forthwith set at liberty, and was the principal king therefore, receiving a rich return of his dilimeans of divulging this tradition. Therefore this gence, and great satisfaction touching a number
kind of proof being left so naked, the king used of particulars, first divulged and spread abroad
the more diligence in the latter, for the tracing of the imposture and juggling of Perkin's person
Perkin. To this purpose he sent abroad into and travels, with the circumstances thereof,
several parts, and especially into Flanders, divers throughout the realm; not by proclamation, besecret and nimble scouts and spies, some feigning cause things were yet in examination, and so
themselves to fly over unto Perkin, and to adhere might receive the more or the less, but by courtunto him; and some under other pretences, to fames, which commonly print better than printed
learn, search, and discover all the circumstances proclamations. Then thought he it also time to
and particulars of Perkin's parents, birth, person, send an ambassage unto Archduke Philip into
travels up and down; and in brief; to have a Flanders, for the abandoning and dismissing of
journal, as it were, of his life and doings. He Perkin. Herein he employed Sir Edward Poynfurnished these his employed men liberally with ings, and Sir William Warham, doctor of the
money, to draw on and reward intelligences; giv- canon law. The archduke was then young, and
ing them also in charge, to advertise continually governed by his council, before whom the ambaswhat they found, and nevertheless still to go on. sadors had audience; and Dr. Warham spake in
And ever as one advertisement and discovery this manner:
called up another, he employed other new men, 4" My lords, the king our master is very sorry,
where the business did require it. Others he em- that England and your country here of-Flanders,
ployed in a more special nature and trust, to be having been counted as man and wife for so long
his pioneers in the main countermine. These were time; now this country of all others should be
directed to insinuate themselves into the familiari- the stage, where a base counterfeit should play
ty and confidence of the principal persons of the the part of a King of England; not only to his
party in Flanders, and so to learn what associates grace's disquiet and dishonour, but to the scorn
they had, and correspondents, either here in Eng- and reproach of all sovereign princes. To counland or abroad; and how far every one engaged, terfeit the dead image of a king in his coin is an
and what new ones they meant afterwards to try high offence by all laws, but to counterfeit the
or board. And as this for the persons, so for the living image of a king in his person, exceedeth all
actions themselves, to discover to the bottom, as falsifications, except it should be that of a Mathey could, the utmost of Perkin's and the con- homet, or an Antichrist, that counterfeit divine
spirators, their intentions, hopes, and practices. honour. The king hath too great an opinion of
These latter best-be-trust spies had some of them this sage council, to think that any of you is
further instructions, to practise and draw off the caught with this fable, though way may be given
best friends and servants of Perkin, by making by you to the passion of some, the thing in itself
remonstrance to them, how weakly his enterprise is so improbable. To set testimonies aside of the
and hopes were built, and with how prudent and death of Duke Richard, which the king hath upon
potent a king they had to deal; and to reconcile record, plain and infallible, because they may he
them to the king, with promise of pardon and thought to be in the king's own power, let the
good conditions of reward. And, above the rest, thing testify for itself. Sense and reason no
to assail, sap, and work into the constancy of Sir power can command. Is it possible, trow you,
Robert Clifford; and to win him, if they could, that King Richard should damn his soul, and foul
being the man that knew most of their secrets, his name with so abominable a murder, and yet
and who being won away, would most appal and not mend his case. Or do you think that men of
discourage the rest, and in a manner break the blood, that were his instruments, did turn to pity
knot. in the midst of their execution! Whereas in cruel
There is a strange tradition; that the king be- and savage, beasts, and men also, that the fils,
ing lost in a wood of suspicions, and not knowing draught of blood doth yet make them more fierce
whom to trust, had both intelligence with thecon- and enraged. Do you not know that the blootly