The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

DECLARATION OF THE TREASON OF ROBERT, EARL OF ESSEX. 3f61
pretext of the danger of his life to be a truth. He considering that my Lord Cobham and Sir W alter
said that his speech, that the realm should have Raleigh were men whose estates were better settled
been sold to the Infanta of Spain, was grounded and established than to overthrow their fortunes
upon a report he had heard, that Sir Robert Cecil by such a crime.
should say privately, That the Infanta's title to Besides, it was showed how the tale did not
the crown, after her majesty, was as good as any hang together, but varied in itself, as the tale of
other. He excused the imprisonment of the the two judges did, when one said, under the
counsellors to have been against his mind, forced mulberry tree, and another said, under the fig tree.
upon him by his unruly company. He protested So sometimes it was said, that he should have
he never intended in his heart any hurt to her been murdered in his bed, and sometimes upon
majesty's person; that he did desire to secure his the water, and sometimes it should have been peraccess to her, for which purpose he thought to formed by Jesuits some days before.
pray the help of the city, and that he did not arm Thirdly, It was asked what reference the going
his men in warlike sort, nor struck up drum, nor into the city for succour against any his private
the like. enemies had to the imprisoning of the lord lieeper,
The defence of the late Earl of Southampton to and the lord chief justice, persons that he prehis part in the plot and consultation at Drury tended to love and respect; and the Earl of WorHouse, was: That it was a matter debated, but not cester, his kinsman, and Master Comptroller, his
resolved nor concluded; and that the action which uncle, and the publishing to the people, that the
was executed, was not the action which was con- realm should have been sold to the Spaniard.
sulted upon. And for the open action in the city, And, lastly, It was said, that these were the anhe concurred with Essex, with protestation of the cient footsteps of former traitors, to make their
clearness of his mind for any hurt to the queen's quarrel as against their private enemies, because
person; and that it was but his affection to my God unto lawful-kings did ever impart such beams
Lord of Essex that had drawn him into the cause. of his own glory, as traitors could not look straight
This was the substance and best of both their de- upon them; but ever turned their pretences against
fences. Unto which the reply was: some about them; and that this action of his reDefence. To the point, that the late Earl of sembled the action of Pisistratus of Athenls, that
Essex was not at the consultatiosn at Drury House. proceeded so far in this kind of fiction and disReply. It was replied, that it was proved by simulation, as le lanced his own body, and came
all the witnesses, that that consultation was held hurt and wounded before the people, as having been
by his special appointment and direction, and that assailed by his private enemies; and by colour
both the list of the names and the principal articles thereof obtained a guard about his person, by heIlp
were of his own handwriting. And whereas he of whom he after usurped upon the state.
said, they could not be showed extant under his Defence. To the poist, that he heard i rDeported
hand; it was proved by the confession of my Lord M1r. Secretary should say, that the hfarn:t's title to the
of Rutland, and the Lord Sandys, that he had pro- crown, after her majesty, was as good as any o!ther:
vided for that himself; for after he returned out of Reply. Upon this his allegation, Mr. Secretary
the city to his own house, he burned divers papers standing out of sight in a private place, only to
which he had in acabinet, because, as himself said, hear, being much moved with so false and foul
they should tell no tales. an accusation, came suddenly forth, and made
Defence. To the point which Soulhanmpton al- humble request to the lord steIward. that he
leged, That the consultation at DruryHouse, upon the might have the favour to answer for himself.
list and articles in writing, owas ncot executed: Which being granted him, in respect of the place
Repl/y. It was replied, that both that consul- he carried, after a bitter contestation on his part
tation in that manner held, if none other act had with the earl, and a serious protestation of his
followed, was treason; and that the rebellion fol- alienation of heart from the Spanish nation in any
lowing in the city, was not a desisting from the such condition, he still urged the earl to name the
other plot, but an inducement and pursuance of it; reporter, that all the circimstances might be
their meaning being plain on all parts, that after known; but the earl still warily avoiding it, Mr.
they had gotten the aid of the city, they would Secretary replied, that seeing he would allege no
have gone and possessed the court. author, it ought to be reputed his own fiction.
Defence. To the point, that it was a truth that Whereupon the Earl of Essex said, though his
Essex should have beesn assailed by his private own conscience was a sufficient testimony to hitg.h
enemnies: self, that he had not invented any untruth, yet he
Reply. First, He was required to deliver who would affirm thus much for the world's farther
it was that gave him the advertisement of it; be- satisfaction in that behalf, that the Earl of Southlcause otherwise it must light upon himself, and ampton also had heard so much reported of Mr.
be thought his own invention: whereunto he said, Secretary; but said still that he for his part would
that he would name no man that day. name nobody. Whereupon Mr. Secretary adjured
Then it was showed how improbable it was, the Earl of Southampton, by all former friendship,
VoL. II. —46 2 H