The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

LETTERS FROM THE RESUSCITATIO. 43
That there be four means or manners;, where- putting off is so notorious; and then the capital
by the death of the king is compassed and ima- and the criminal may come together the next
gined. term.
The first, by some particular fact or plot. I have not been unprofitable in helping to disThe second, by disabling his title; as by af- cover and examine within these few days a late
firming that he is not lawful king; or that another patent, by surreption obtained from your majesty,
ought to be kind; or that he is a usurper, or a of the greatest forest in England, worth 30,0001.,
bastard, or the like. under colour of a defective title, for a matter of
The third, by subjecting his title to the pope; 4001. The person must be named, because the
and thereby malting him of an absolute king a patent must be questioned. It is a great person,
conditional king. my Lord of Shrewsbury; or rather (as I think)
The fourth, by disabling his regiment, and a greater than he, which is nmy Lady of Shrewsmaking him appear to be incapable, or indign to bury. But I humbly pray your majesty, to know
reign. this first from my lord treasurer; who, meThese things I relate to your majesty, in sum, thinks, groweth even studious in your business.
as is fit; which when I opened to my lord I did God preserve your majesty. Your majesty's
insist a little more upon, with more efficacy and most humble and devoted subject and servant.
edge, and authority of law and record than I can The rather in regard of Mr. Murray's absence,
now express. I humbly pray your majesty to have a little
Then I placed Peacham's treason within the regard to this letter.
last division, agreeable to divers precedents,
whereof I had the records ready; and concluded,
that your majesty's safety, and life, and authority, was thus by law ensconsed and quartered;
and that it was in vain to fortify on three of the A LETTER TO TIlE IING TOUCHING MY LORD
sides-and so leave you open on the fourth. CHANCELLOR'S AMENDMENT, AND THE PLTTING OFF I. S. HIS CAUSE. FEBRUARY 7, 1614.
It is true he heard me in a grave fashion, more
than accustomed, and took a pen and took notes IT MIAY PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENT MAJESTY:
of' my divisions; and when he read the prece- My lord chancellor sent for me, to speak
dents and records, would say, this you mean wish me, this morning, about eight of the clock.
falleth within your first or your second division. I perceive he hath now that signum sanitatis, as
In the end, I expressly demanded his opinion, as to feel better his former weakness. For it is true,
that whereto both lie and I was enjoined. -'But I did a little mistrust that it was but a boutade of
he desired me to leave the precedents with him, desire and good spirit, when lie promised himself
that he might advise upon them. I told him, the strength for Friday, though I was won and carrest of my fellows would despatch their part, and ried with it. But now I find him well inclined,
I should be behind with mine; which, I per- to use (should I say) your liberty, or rather your
suaded myself, your majesty would impute rather interdict, signified by Mr. Secretary from your
to his backwardness than my negligence. He majesty. His lordship showed me also your
said, as soon as I should understand that the rest own letter, whereof he had told me before, but
were ready, he would not be long after with his had not showed it me. W'hat shall I say? I do
opinion. much admire your goodness for writing such a
For I. S., your majesty knoweth the day draw- letter at such a time.
eth on; and my lord chancellor's recovery, the He had sent also to my lord treasurer, to deseason and his age promising not to be too hasty. sire him to come to him about that time. His
I spake with him on Sunday, at what time I lordship came; and, not to trouble your majesty
found him in bed, but his spirits strong, and not with circumstances, both their lordships conspent or wearied; and spake wholly of your busi- eluded, myself present, and concurring, that it
ness leading me from one matter to another. could be no prejudice to your majesty's service
And wished, and seemed to hope, that he might to put off the day for I. S. till the next term.
attend the day for I. S., and it were (as he said) The rather because there are seven of your privy
to be his last work, to conclude his services and council, which are at least numerous, and part
express his affection towards your majesty. I of the court which are by infirmity like to be abpresumed to say to him, that I knew your majesty sent; that is, my lord chancellor, my lord adwould be exceeding desirous of his being present miral, my Lord of Shrewsbury, lmy Lord of
that day, so as that it might be without prejudice Exeter, my Lord Zouch, my Lord Stanhope, and
to his continuance; but that otherwise your ma- Mr. Chancellor of the Duchy: wherefore they
jesty esteemed a servant more than a service; agreed to hold a council to-morrow in the afterespecially such a servant. Surely, in mine opi- noon for that purpose.
nion, your majesty were better put off the day than It is true, that I was always of opinion, that it
want his presence, considering the cause of the was no time lost; and I do think so the rather