The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

LETTERS FROM THE CABALA. 17
towards me, there is much more in my present which your sacred hand hath been so oft for new
misery than in my past services; save that the ornaments and additions. Unto this degree of
same your majesty's goodness, that may give compassion, I hope God above (of whose mercy
relief to the one, may give value to the other. towards me, both in my prosperity, and adversity,
And, indeed, if it may please your majesty, I have had great testimonies and pledges, though
this theme of my misery is so plentiful, as it need mine own manifold and wretched unthankfulness
not be coupled with any thing else. I have been might have averted them) will dispose your
somebody, by your majesty's singular and unde- princely heart, already prepared to all piety. And
served favour, even the prime officer of your king- why should I not think, but that thrice noble
dom. Your majesty's arm hath been often over prince, who would have pulled me out of the fire
mine in council, when you presided at the table, of a sentence, will help to pull me (if I may use
so near I was. I have borne your majesty's image that homely phrase) out of the mire of an abject
in metal, much more in heart. I was never, in and sordid condition in my last days? And that
nineteen years' service, chidden by your majesty, excellent favourite of yours (the goodness of
but, contrariwise, often overjoyed, when your whose nature contendethwith the greatness of his
majesty would sometimes say; "I was a good fortune, and who counteth it a prize, a second
husband for you, though none for myself;" some- prize, to be a good friend, after that prize which
times,, That I had a way to deal in business, he carrieth to be a good servant) will kiss your
6 suavibus modis,' which was the way which was hands with joy, for any work of piety you shall
most according to your own heart;" and other do for me l And as all commiserating persons
most gracious speeches of affection and trust, (specially such as find their hearts void of malice)
which I feed on till this day. But why should I are apt to think, that all men pity them; I assure
speak of these things, which are now vanished, myself, that the lords of the council (who out of
but only the better to express my downfall. their wisdom and nobleness cannot but be sensible
For now it is thus with me; I am a year and a of human events) will, in this way which I go
half old in misery, though (I must ever acknow- for the relief of my estate, further and advance
ledge) not without some mixture of your majesty's your majesty's goodness towards me. For there
grace and mercy. For I do not think it possible, is a kind of fraternity between great men that are,
that any you once loved should be totally mise- and those that have been, being but the several
rable. My own means, through mine own impro- tenses of one verb; nay, I do farther presume,
vidence, are poor and weak, little better than my that both Houses of Parliament will love their
father left me. The poor things which I have justice the better if it end not in my ruin. For I
had from your majesty, are either in question, or have been often told by many of my lords, (as it
at courtesy: my dignities remain marks of your were, in excusing the severity of the sentence,)
past favour, but yet burdens withal of my present that they knew they left me in good hands. And
fortune. The poor remnants which I had of my your majesty knoweth well, I have been all my
former fortunes, in plate or jewels, I have spread life long acceptable to those assemblies, not by
upon poor men, unto whom I owed, scarce leaving flattery, but by moderation, and by honest expressmyself bread. So as, to conclude, I must pour ing of a desire to have all things go fairly and
out my misery before your majesty, so far as to well.
say, ", Si deseris tu, perimus.T" But (if it may please your majesty) for saints,
But as I can offer to your majesty's compas- I shall give them reverence, but no adoration.
sion, little arising from myself to move you, My address is to your majesty, the fountain of
except it be my extreme misery, which I have goodness: your majesty shall, by the grace of
truly laid open; so looking up to your majesty God, not feel that in gift, which I shall extremely
yourself, I should think I committed Cain's fault, feel in help; for my desires are moderate, and my
if I should despair: your majesty is a king, whose courses measured to a life orderly and reserved;
heart is as unscrutable, for secret motions of hoping still to do your majesty honour in my way.
goodness, as for depth of wisdom. You are cre- Only I most humbly beseech your majesty, to
ator-like, factive, and not destructive; you are a give me leave to conclude with those words which
prince in whom I have ever noted an aversion necessity speaketh; help me, dear sovereign lord
against any thing that savoured of a hard heart; and master, and pity me so far, as I, that have
as, on the other side, your princely eye was wont borne a bag, be not now, in my age, forced in
to meet with any motion that was made on the re- effect, to bear a wallet; nor I, that desire to live
lieving part. Therefore, as one that hath had happi- to study, may not be driven to study to live. I
ness to know your majesty near hand I have (most most humbly crave pardon of a long letter, after a
gracious sovereign) faith enough for a miracle, long silence. God of heaven ever bless, preserve,
much more for a grace: that your majesty will and prosper your majesty.
not suffer your poor creature to be utterly defaced, Your majesty's poor ancient servan land beadsnor blot that name quite out of your book, upon man, FR. ST. ALBAN.
VoL. III.-3 B 2