The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 191
this I was forward to write, in the midst of more honour, in the opinion of all them who hear how
business than ever I had. I am dealt with. If your lordship malice me for
such a cause, surely it was one of the justest
businesses that ever was in Chancery. I will
avouch it; and how deeply I was tempted thereTHE LORD OF ST. ALBANS TO A MOST DEAR in, your lordship knows best. Your lordship
FRIEND, IN WHOM HE NOTES AN ENTIRENESS may do well, in this great age of yours, to think
AND IMPATIENT ATTENTION TO DO HIM SER- of your grave, as I do of mine, and to beware of
VICE.
hardness of heart. And as for fair words, it is
SIR,-It is not for nothing that I have deferred a wind, by which neither your lordship nor any
my Essay de Rmicitia, whereby it hath expected man else can sail long. Howsoever, I am the
the proof of your great friendship towards me. man who will give all due respects and reverence
Whatsoever the event be, (wherein I depend upon to your great place, &c.
God, who ordains the effect, the instrument, all,)
yet your incessant thinking of me, without loss
of a moment of time, or a hint of occasion, or a
circumstance of endeavour, or the stroke of a pulse A LETTER OF SIR FRANCIS BACON TO A SERVANT
in demonstration of your affection to me, doth infi- OF HIS, IN EXPRESSION OF GREAT ACKNOWnitely tie me to you. Commend my service to LEDGME:NT AND KINDNESS.
my friend. The rest to-morrow, for I hope to SIR,-I have been too long a debtor to you for
lodge at London this night, &c. a letter, and especially for such a letter, the words
Secrecy I bneed not recommend, otherwise than whereof were delivered by your hand, as if it had
that you may recommend it over to our friend; been in old gold; for it was not possible for
both because it prevents opposition, and because entire affection to be more generously and effecit is both the king's and my lord marquis's nature tually expressed. I can but return thanks to you:
to loave to do things unexpected. or rather, indeed, such an answer as may better
beof thoughts than words. As for that which
may concern myself, I hope God hath ordained
me some small time whereby I may redeem the
TITE LORD ST. ALBANS TO THE LORD TREASURER loss of much. Your company was ever of conMARLBOROUGH, EXPOSTULATING ABOUT HIS tentment to me, and your absence of grief; but
UNKINDNESS, AND INJUSTICE.
now it is of grief upon grief. I beseech you,
MY LoRD,-I humbly entreat yourlordship, and therefore, make haste hither, where you shall
(if I may use the word) advise you to make me meet with as good a welcome as your own heart
a better answer. Your lordship is interested in can wish.
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS.
THE LORD BACON, HIS LETTER TO THE MOST IL- a wise man and an excellent king; and yet the
LUSTRIOUS, AND MOST EXCELLENT PRINCE times very rough and full of mutations and rare
CHARLES, PRINCE OF WALES, DUKE OF CORN- accidents: and it is with times as it is with ways,
WALL, EARL OF CHESTER, &c.*
some are more up hill and down hill, and some
IT MAY PLEASE YOUR HIGHNESS. are more flat and plain, and the one is better for
In part of my acknowledgment to your high- the liver, and the other for the writer. I have
ness, I have endeavoured to do honour to the not flattered him, but took him to life as well as I
memory of the last King of England, that was could, sitting so far off, and having no better
ancestor to the king, your father, and yourself, light; it is true your highness hath a living patand was that king to whom both unions may in tern, incomparable, of the king your father; but it
a sort refer, that of the roses being in him con- is not amiss for you also to see it in one of these
summate, and that of the kingdoms by him ancient pieces. God preserve your highness.
begun: besides, his times deserve it, for he was Your highness's most humble
and devoted servant,
* Third edition of Resuscitatio. FRANCIS ST. ALBAN