The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

CHARGE AGAINST ROBERT, EARL OF SOMERSET. 323
talk till the first blow be given: all these, my who perused them, copied, registered them, made
lords, without scruple, are abettors to this murder, tables of them as he thought good: so that, I
though none of them give the blow, nor assist to will undertake, the time was when Overbury
give the blow. knew more of the secrets of-state than the counMy lords, he is not the hunter alone that lets cil-table did. Nay, they were grown to such an
slip the dog upon the deer, but he that lodges the inwardness, as they made a play of all the world
deer, or raises him, or puts him out, or he that besides themselves: so as they had ciphers and
sets a toil that he cannot escape, or the like. jargons for the king, the queen, and all the great
But this, my lords, little needeth in this pre- men; things seldom used, but either by princes
sent case, where there is such a chain of acts of and their ambassadors and ministers, or by such
impoisonment as hath been seldom seen, and as work and practise against, or at least upon,
could hardly have been expected, but that great- princes.
ness of fortune maketh commonly grossness in But, understand me, my lord, I shall not charge
offending. you this day with any disloyalty; only I say this
To descend to the proofs themselves, I shall for a foundation, that there was a great communikeep this course: cation of secrets between you and Overbury, and
First, I will make a narrative or declaration of that it had relation to matters of estate, and the
the fact itself. greatest causes of this kingdom.
Secondly, I will break and distribute the proofs But, my lords, as it is a principle in nature,
as they concern the prisoner. that the best things are in their corruption the
And, thirdly, according to that distribution, I worst, and the sweetest wine makes the sharpest
will produce them, and read them, or use them. vinegar; so fell it out with them, that this excess,
So that there is nothing that I shall say, but as I may term it, of friendship, ended in mortal
your lordship, my Lord of Somerset, shall have hatred on my Lord of Somerset's part.
three thoughts or cogitations to answer it: First, For it fell out, some twelve months before
when I open it, you may take your aim. Secondly, Overbury's imprisonment in the Tower, that my
when I distribute it, you may prepare your Lord of Somerset was entered into an unlawful
answers without confusion. And, lastly, when I love towards his unfortunate lady, then Countess
produce the witnesses or examinations them- of Essex: which went so far, as it was then
selves, you may again ruminate and re-advise secretly projected, chiefly betweenmy Lord Privy
how to make your defence. And this I do the Seal and my Lord of Somerset, to effect a nullity
rather, because your memory or understanding in the marriage with my Lord of Essex, and so to
may not be oppressed or overladen with the proceed to a marriage with Somerset.
length of evidence, or with confusion of order. This marriage and purpose did Overbury
Nay, more, when your lordship shall make your mainly oppugn, under pretence to do the true
answers in your time, I will put you in mind, part of a friend, for that he counted her an unwhen cause shall be, of your omissions. worthy woman; but the truth was, that Overbury,
First, therefore, for the simple narrative of the who, to speak plainly, had little that was solid
fact. Sir' Thomas Overbury foratimewas known for religion or moral virtue, but was a man
to have had great interest and great friendship possessed with ambition and vainglory, was
with my Lord of Somerset, both in his meaner loath to have any partners in the favour of my
fortunes, and after; insomuch as he was a kind Lord of Somerset, and especially not the house
of oracle of direction unto him; and, if you will of the HEowards, against whom he had always
believe his own vaunts, being of an insolent professed hatred and opposition; so all was but
Thrasonical disposition, he took upon him, that miserable bargains of ambition.
the fortune, reputation, and understanding of this And, my lords, that this is no sinister construcgentleman, who is well known to have had a tion, will well appear unto you, when you shall
better teacher, proceeded from his company and hear that Overbury makes his brags to my Lord
counsel. of Somerset, that he had won him the love of the
And this friendship rested not only in conver- lady by his letters and industry: so far was he
sation and business of court, but likewise in com- from cases of conscience in this matter. And,
munication of secrets of estate. For my Lord of certainly, my lords, howsoever the tragical misery
Somerset, at that time exercising, by his ma- of that poor gentleman, Overbury, ought somewhat
jesty's special favour and trust, the office of the to obliterate his faults; yet, because we are not
secretary provisionally, did not forbear to acquaint now upon point of civility, but to discover the
Overbury with the king's packets of despatches face of truth to the face of justice; and that it is
from all parts, Spain, France, the Low Countries, Imaterial to the true understanding of the state of
&c. And this not by glimpses, or now and then a this cause; Overbury was naught and corrupt,
rounding in the ear for a favour, but in a settled the ballads must be amended for that point.
manner: packets were sent, sometimes opened But, to proceed; when Overbury saw that he
ny my lord, sometimes unbroken, unto Overbury, was like to be dispossessed of my lord here, wnonm