Sir Francis Bacon his apologie, in certaine imputations concerning the late Earle of Essex VVritten to the right Honorable his very good Lord, the Earle of Deuonshire, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. — Apologie in certaine imputations concerning the late Earle of Essex

Sir Francis Bacon his apologie, in certaine imputations concerning the late Earle of Essex VVritten to the right Honorable his very good Lord, the Earle of Deuonshire, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. — Apologie in certaine imputations concerning the late Earle of Essex

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TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE HIS VERIE GOOD LORD, THE Earle of Deuonshire, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.

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TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE HIS VERIE GOOD LORD, THE Earle of Deuonshire, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.

IT may please your good Lordship: I cannot be ignorant, and ought to be sensible of the wrong which I sustaine in common speech, as if I had bene false, or vnthankfull to that noble but vnfortunate Earle the Earle of Essex: And for satisfying the vulgar sort, I do not so much regard [Page] it; though I loue good name, but yet as an handmaid and attendant of honestie and vertue. For I am of his opinion that said pleasantly, That it was a shame to him that was a suter to the Mistresse, to make loue to the wayting woman; and therefore to woo or court common fame otherwise then it followeth vpon honest courses, I for my part, finde not my selfe fit nor disposed. But on the other side, there is no worldly thing that concerneth my selfe, which I hold more deare, then the good opinion of certaine persons; amongst which there is none I would more willingly giue satisfactiō vnto, then to your Lordship. First, because you loued my Lord of Essex, and therefore will not be partiall towards me; [Page] which is part of that I desire: next, because it hath euer pleased you to shew your selfe to me an honorable friend; and so no basenesse in me to seeke to satisfie you: and lastly, because I know your Lordship is excellently grounded in the true rules and habits of duties and moralities; which must be they which shal decide this matter: wherin (my Lord) my defence needeth to be but simple and briefe: namely, that whatsoeuer I did concerning that action and proceeding, was done in my dutie and seruice to the Queene and the State; in which I would not shew my selfe false hearted nor faint hearted for anie mans sake liuing. For euerie honest man, that hath his heart well planted, will [Page] forsake his King rather then forsake God, and forsake his friend rather then forsake his King; and yet will forsake any earthly commoditie, yea and his owne life in some cases, rather then forsake his friend. I hope the world hath not forgotten these degrees, else the heathen saying: Amicus vsque ad ar as, shal iudge them. And if anie man shall say, that I did officiously intrude my selfe into that businesse, because I had no ordinary place; the like may be said of all the businesse in effect that passed the hands of the learned counsell, either of State or Reuenues these manie yeares, wherein I was continually vsed. For, as your Lordship may remember, the Queene knewe her strength so well, as she looked her [Page] word should be a warrant; and after the manner of the choisest Princes before her, did not alwayes tye her trust to place, but did sometime deuide priuate fauor from office. And I for my part, though I was not so vnseene in the world, but I knewe the condition was subiect to enuie and perill; yet because I knew againe she was constant in her fauours, and made an end where she began, and specially, because she vpheld me with extraordinarie accesse, and other demonstrations of confidence and grace, I resolued to endure it in expectation of better. But my scope & desire is, that your Lordship wold be pleased to haue the honourable patience, to know the truth in some particularitie of all that passed in this [Page] cause wherein I had any part, that you may perceiue howe honest a heart I euer bare to my Soueraigne and to my Countrey, & to that Noble man, who had so well deserued of me, and so well accepted of my deseruings; whose fortune I cannot remember without much griefe. But for anie action of mine towards him, there is nothing that passed me in my life time, that cometh to my remembrance with more clearnesse and lesse checke of conscience: for it wil appeare to your Lordship, that I was not onely not opposite to my Lord of Essex, but that I did occupy the vtmost of my wits, and aduenture my fortune with the Queene to haue reintegrated his, and so continued faithfully and industriously [Page] till his last fatall impatience, (for so I wil call it) after which day there was not time to worke for him, though the same my affectiō when it could not worke vpon the subiect proper, went to the next, with no ill effect towards some others, who I thinke do rather not know it, then not acknowledge it. And this I will assure your Lordship, I will leaue nothing vntold that is truth, for anie enemie that I haue to adde; & on the other side, I must reserue much which makes for me, vpon manie respects of dutie, which I esteeme aboue my credite: and what I haue here set downe to your Lordship, I protest, as I hope to haue any part in Gods fauour, is true.

It is wel knowne, how I did many [Page] yeares since dedicate my trauels and studies to the vse & (as I may terme it) seruice of my Lord of Essex, which, I protest before God, I did not, making election of him as the likeliest meane of mine owne aduancement, but out of the humor of a man, that euer, from the time I had anie vse of reason, (whether it were reáding vpon good bookes, or vpon the example of a good father, or by nature) I loued my countrey more then was answerable to my fortune, and I held at that time, my Lord to be the fittest instrument to do good to the State: and therefore I applied my selfe to him, in a manner which I thinke happeneth rarely amongst men: for I did not only labour carefully and industriously in that he set [Page] me about, whether it were matter of aduice or otherwise, but neglecting the Queenes seruice, mine owne fortune, and in a sort my vocation, I did nothing but deuise and ruminate with my selfe to the best of my vnderstanding, propositions & memorials, of any thing that might cō cerne his Lordships honor, fortune or seruice. And when not long after I entred into this course, my brother Maister Anthony Bacon came from beyond the seas, being a Gentleman whose abilitie the world taketh knowledge of for matters of State, specially forreine; I did likewise knit his seruice to be at my Lords disposing. And on the other side, I must & will euer acknowledge my Lords loue, trust, and fauour towards me; [Page] last of all his liberalitie, hauing infeoffed me of land which I sold for eighteene hundred pounds to Maister Reynold Nicholas, and I thinke was more worth, and that at such a time, and with so kinde and noble circumstances, as the maner was as much as the matter: which though it be but an idle digression, yet because I am not willing to be short in commemoration of his benefites, I will presume to trouble your Lordship with the relating to you the maner of it. After the Queene had denied me the Sollicitors place, for the which his Lordship had bene a long and earnest sutor on my behalfe, it pleased him to come to me from Richmond to Twicknam Parke, and brake with me & said: Maister Bacon, [Page] the Queene hath denied me yon place for you, and hath placed another; I know you are the least part of your owne matter, but, you fare ill because you haue chosen mee for your meane and dependance: you haue spent your time and thoughts in my matters, I die (these were his verie words) If I do not somewhat towards your fortune: you shall not denie to accept a peece of Land, which I will bestow vpon you. My answer I remember was, that for my fortune it was no great matter: but, that, his Lordships offer made me call to minde what was wont to be said when I was in Fraunce of the Duke of Guise, that he was the greatest vsurer in Fraunce, because he had turned all his estate into Obligations; [Page] meaning that he hast left him selfe nothing, but onely had bound numbers of persons to him. Now my Lord (said I) I would not haue you imitate his course, nor turne your state thus by great giftes into obligations, for you will find many bad debters: he bad me take no care for that, and pressed it; wherupon I said, My Lord, I see I must be your homager, and hold land of your gift: but do you know the maner of doing homage in law? alwaies it is with a sauing of his faith to the King and his other Lords, and therefore my Lord (said I) I can be no more yours then I was, and it must be with the auncient sauings: and if I grow to be a rich man, you will giue me leaue to giue [Page] it back to some of your vnrewarded followers. But to returne, sure I am (though I can arrogate nothing to my selfe, but that I was a faithfull remembrancer to his Lordship) that while I had most credit with him, his fortune went on best. And yet in two maine points we alwaies directly & contradictorily differed, which I wil mention to your Lordship, because it giueth light to all that followed. The one was, I euer set this downe, that the onely course to be held with the Queene, was by obsequiousnesse and obseruance; and I remember I would vsually gage cō fidently, that if he would take that course constantly, and with choice of good particulars to expresse it, the Queene would be brought in [Page] time to Assuerus question, to aske, VVhat should be done to the man, that the King wold honour: meaning, that her goodnesse was without limite, where there was a true concurrence, which I knew in her nature to be true. My Lord on the other side had a setled opinion, that the Queene could be brought to nothing, but by a kind of necessitie and authority; and I well remember, when by violent courses at any time he had got his will, he wold aske me: Now Sir, whose principles be true? and I would againe say to him: My Lord, these courses be like to hote waters, they will helpe at a pang: but if you vse thē, you shall spoile the stomacke, and you shall be faine still to make them stronger and stronger, and yet in the end they[Page]will lesse their operation: with much other varietie, wherewith I vsed to touch that string. Another point was, táhat I alwaies vehemently disswaded him from seeking greatnes by a militarie dependance, or by a popular dependance, as that which would breed in the Queene iealousie, in himselfe presumption, and in the State perturbation: and I did vsually compare them to Icarus two wings which were ioyned on with waxe, and would make him venture to soare too high, and then faile him at the height. And I would further say vnto him: My Lord, stand vpon two feet, and flie not vpō two wings. The two feete, are the two kinds of Iustice, Commutatiue and Distributiue: vse your greatnesse for [Page] aduancing of merit and vertue, and releeuing wrongs and burdens, you shall need no other art or finenesse: but he would tell me, that opinion came not from my mind, but from my robe. But it is very true, that I that neuer meant to inthral my selfe to my Lord of Essex, nor any other man, more thē stood with the publike good, did (though I could little preuaile) diuert him by all means possible from courses of the warres and popularitie: for I saw plainely the Queene must either liue or die; if she liued, then the times would be as in the declination of an old Prince; if she died, the times would be as in the beginning of a new: and that if his Lordship did rise too fast in these courses, the times might be [Page] dangerous for him, and he for them. Nay, I remember I was thus plaine with him vpon his voyage to the Ilands, when I saw euery spring put foorth such actions of charge and prouocation, that I said to him: My Lord, when I came first vnto you, I tooke you for a Phisition that desired to cure the diseases of the State; but now I doubt you will be like those Phisitions, which can be content to keepe their patients low, because they would alwaies be in request: which plaineresse he neuerthelesse tooke very well, as he had an excellent care, and was patientissimus veri, and assured me the case of the Realme required it: and I thinke this speech of mine, and the like renewed afterwards, pricked [Page] him to write that Apologie which is in many mens hands.

But this difference in two points so maine and materiall, bred in processe of time a discontinuance of priuatenesse (as it is the manner of men seldom to communicate where they thinke their courses not approued) betweene his Lordship and my selfe; so as I was not called nor aduised with, for some yeare and a halfe before his Lordships going into Ireland as in former time: yet neuerthelesse touching his going into Ireland, it pleased him expresly and in a set manner to desire mine opinion and counsell. At which time I did not onely disswade, but protest against his going, telling him with as much vehemencie and asseueration [Page] as I could, that absence in that kind would exulcerate the Queens mind, whereby it would not be possible for him to carrie himselfe so, as to giue her sufficient contentment: nor for her to carie her selfe so, as to giue him sufficient countenance, which would be ill for her, ill for him, and ill for the State. And because I wold omit no argument, I remember I stood also vpon the difficultie of the action: setting before him out of Histories, that the Irish was such an enemie as the ancient Gaules, or Britons, or Germaines were, and that we saw how the Romans, who had such discipline to gouerne their soldiers, and such donatiues to encourage thē, and the whole world in a maner to leauie them; yet when they came [Page] to deale with enemies which placed their felicitie onely in libertie, and the sharpnesse of their sword, and had the naturall and elementall aduantages of woods, and bogges, and hardnesse of bodies, they euer found they had their hands full of them: and therefore concluded, that going ouer with such expectation as he did, and through the curlishnesse of the enterprise not like to answer it, would mightily diminish his reputation; and many other reasons I vsed, so as I am sure I neuer in any thing in my life time dealt with him in like earnestnes by speech, by writing, and by all the meanes I could deuise. For I did as plainely see his ouerthrow chained as it were by destinie to that iourney, as it is possible [Page] for any man to ground a iudgment vpon future contingents: But my Lord, howsoeuer his eare was open, yet his heart and resolution was shut against that aduice, whereby his ruine might haue bin preuēted. After my Lords going, I saw how true a Prophet I was, in regard of the euident alteration which naturally succeeded in the Queens mind; and thereupon I was stil in watch to find the best occasion that in the weakenesse of my power I could either take or minister, to pull him out of the fire if it had bene possible: and not long after, me thought I saw some ouerture thereof, which I apprehended readily; a particularitie I thinke be knowne to very few, and the which I do the rather relate to [Page] your Lordship, because I heare it shold be talked, that while my Lord was in Ireland, I reuealed some matter against him or I cannot tel what, which if it were not a meere slaunder as the rest is, but had any though neuer so litle colour, was surely vpon this occasion. The Queene one day at Nonesuch, a litle (as I remember) before Cuffes coming ouer, I attending her, shewed a passionate distast of my lords proceedings in Ireland, as if they were vnfortunate, without iudgement, contemptuous, and not without some priuate end of his owne; and all that might be, and was pleased as she spake of it to many that she trusted least, so to fall into the like speech with me; whereupon I who was still awake, and true [Page] to my grounds which I thought surest for my Lords good, said to this effect: Madame, I know not the particulars of Estate, and I know this, that Princes actions must haue no abrupt periods or conclusions, but otherwise I would thinke, that if you had my Lord of Essex here with a white staffe in his hand, as my Lord of Leicester had, and continued him still about you for societie to your selfe, and for an honour and ornament to your attendance and Court in the eyes of your people, and in the eyes of forreine Embassadours, then were he in his right element: for, to discontent him as you do, and yet to put armes and power into his hands, may be a kind of temptation to make him proue cumbersome and vnruly. [Page] And therefore if you would imponere bonam clausulam, and send for him and satisfie him with honour here neare you, if your affaires which (as I haue said) I am not acquainted with, wil permit it, I thinke were the best way. Which course your Lordship knoweth, if it had bene taken, then all had bene well, and no contempt in my Lords comming ouer, nor continuance of these iealousies, which that employment of Ireland bred, and my Lord here in his former greatnesse. Wel, the next newes that I heard, was, that my Lord was come ouer, and that he was committed to his chamber for leauing Ireland without the Queenes licence: this was at Nonesuch, where (as my duty was) I came to his Lordship [Page] and talked with him priuately about a quarter of an houre, and he asked mine opinion of the course was taken with him; I told him: My Lord, Nubecula est, citò transibit: it is but a mist: but shall I tell your Lordship, it is as mists are, if it go vpwards, it may haps cause a shower, if downewards, it will cleare vp. And therefore good my Lord carie it so, as you take away by all meanes all ombrages and distasts from the Queene, and specially if I were worthie to aduise you, (as I haue bene by your self thought, and now your question imports the continuance of that opiniō) obserue three points: First, make not this cessation or peace which is concluded with Tyrone, as a seruice wherein you glorie, [Page] but as a shuffling vp of a prosecution which was not very fortunate. Next, represent not to the Queene any necessitie of estate, whereby as by a coercion or wrench, she should think her selfe inforced to send you back into Ireland, but leaue it to her. Thirdly, seeke accesse, importunè, oportunè, seriously, sportingly euery way. I remember my Lord was willing to heare me, but spake very few words, & shaked his head sometimes, as if he thought I was in the wrong; but sure I am, he did iust cōtrary in euery one of these three points. After this, during the while since my Lord was committed to my Lord Keepers, I came diuers times to the Queene, as I had vsed to do, about causes of her reuenue and [Page] law businesse, as is well knowne: by reason of which accesses, according to the ordinarie charities of Court, it was giuē out, that I was one of them that incensed the Queene against my Lord of Essex. These speeches I cannot tel, nor I wil not thinke that they grew any way from her Maiesties owne speeches, whose memory I wil euer honour: if they did, she is with God, and miserum est ab illis ledi, de quibus non possis quaeri. But I must giue this testimonie to my Lord Cecill, thát one time in his house at the Sauoy he dealt with me directly, and said to me; Cousin, I heare it, but I beleeue it not, that you should do some ill office to my Lord of Essex: for my part I am meerely passiue and not actiue in this action, and I follow [Page] the Queene and that heauily, and I leaue her not; my Lord of Essex is one that in nature I could consent with as well as with any one liuing; the Queen indeed is my Soueraigne, and I am her creature, I may not leese her, and the same course I wold wish you to take: whereupon I satisfied him how farre I was from any such mind. And as sometimes it cometh to passe, that mens inclinations are opened more in a toy, then in a serious matter: A little before that time, being about the middle of Michaelmas terme, her Maiestie had a purpose to dine at my lodge at Twicknā Parke, at which time I had (though I professe not to be a Poet) prepared a Sonnet directly tending and alluding to draw on her Maiesties reconcilement [Page] to my Lord, which I remē ber also I shewed to a great person, & one of my Lords nearest friends, who commended it: this though it be (as I said) but a toy, yet it shewed plainely in what spirit I proceeded, and that I was ready not onely to do my Lord good offices, but to publish and declare my selfe for him; and neuer was I so ambitious of any thing in my life time, as I was to haue caried some token or fauour from her Maiestie to my Lord, vsing all the art I had both to procure her Maiestie to send, and my selfe to be the messenger: for as to the former, I feared not to alleage to her, that this proceeding towards my Lord, was a thing towards the people verie implausible, and therefore wished her [Page] Maiestie howsoeuer she did, yet to discharge her selfe of it; and to lay it vpon others, and therefore that she should intermixe her proceeding with some immediate graces from her selfe, that the world might take knowledge of her Princely nature and goodnesse, lest it should alienate the hearts of her people from her. Which I did stand vpon, knowing very well, that if she once relented to send or visite, those demonstrations wold proue matter of substance for my Lords good. And to draw that employment vpon my selfe, I aduised her Maiestie, that whensoeuer God should moue her to turne the light of her fauour toward my Lord, to make signification to him thereof: that her Maiestie if she did [Page] it not in person, would at the least vse some such meane as might not intitle themselues to any part of the thanks, as persons that were thought mightie with her, to worke her, or to bring her about; but to vse some such as could not be thought but a meere conduct of her owne goodnesse: but I could neuer preuaile with her, though I am perswaded she saw plainely whereat I leuelled: but she had me in iealousie, that I was not hers intirely, but still had inward and deepe respects towards my Lord, more then stood at that time with her will and pleasure. About the same time I remember an answer of mine in a matter which had some affinitie with my Lords cause, which though it grew from [Page] me, went after about in others names. For her Maiesty being mightily incensed with that booke which was dedicated to my Lord of Essex, being a storie of the first yeare of king Henry the fourth, thinking it a seditious prelude to put into the peoples heads boldnesse and faction, said she had good opinion that there was treason in it, and asked me if I could not find any places in it, that might be drawne within case of treason: whereto I answered; for treason surely I found none, but for fellonie very many. And when her Maiestie hastily asked me wherein; I told her, the Author had committed very apparant theft, for he had taken most of the sentences of Cornelius Tacitus, and translated them [Page] into English, and put them into his text. And another time when the Queene would not be perswaded, that it was his writing whose name was to it, but that it had some more mischieuous Author, and said with great indignation, that she would haue him racked to produce his Author, I replyed, Nay Madame, he is a Doctor, neuer racke his person, but racke his stile; let him haue pen, inke, and paper, and helpe of bookes, and be enioyned to continue the storie where it breaketh off, and I will vndertake by collecting the stiles, to iudge whether he were the Author or no. But for the maine matter, sure I am, when the Queene at any time asked mine opinion of my Lords case, I euer in one tenor, said vnto [Page] her: that they were faults which the Law might tearme Contempts, because they were the transgression of her particular directions and instructions: but then what defence might be made of them, in regard of the great interest the person had in her Maiesties fauour, in regard of the greatnesse of his place, and the amplenesse of his Commission; in regard of the nature of the businesse being action of warre, which in cō mon cases cannot be tyed to strictnesse of instructions, in regard of the distance of the place, hauing also a sea betweene that demaunds and commands, must be subiect to wind and weather; in regard of a counsell of State in Ireland which he had at his backe to auow his actions vpon, [Page] and lastly in regard of a good intention that he would alleadge for himselfe, which I told her in some religions was held to be a sufficient dispensation for Gods commaundements, much more for Princes. In all these regards, I besought her Maiestie to be aduised againe and again, how she brought the cause into any publike question: nay, I went further, for I told her, my Lord was an eloquent and well spoken man, and besides his eloquence of nature or art, he had an eloquence of accident which passed them both, which was the pittie and beneuolence of his hearers; and therefore that when he should come to his answer for himselfe, I doubted his words would haue so vnequall passage aboue [Page] theirs that should charge him, as would not be for her Maiesties honour; and therefore wished the conclusion might be, that they might wrap it vp priuatly betweene themselues, and that she would restore my Lord to his former attendance, with some addition of honour to take away discontent. But this I will neuer deny, that I did shew no approbation generally of his being sent back againe into Ireland, both because it would haue caried a repugnancie with my former discourse, and because I was in mine owne heart fully perswaded, that it was not good neither for the Queene, nor for the State, nor for himselfe: and yet I did not disswade it neither, but left it euer as locus lubricus. For this particularitie [Page] I do well remember, that after your Lordship was named for the place in Ireland, and not long before your going, it pleased her Maiestie at White hall to speake to me of that nomination: at which time I said to her, Surely Madame, if you meane not to employ my Lord of Essex thither againe, your Maiestie cannot make a better choice, and was going on to shew some reason; and her Maiestie interrupted me with great passion: Essex! (said she) whensoeuer I send Essex backe again into Irelād, I will marrie you, claime it of me: wherunto I said, Well Madame, I will release that contract if his going be for the good of your State. Immediatly after the Queene had thought of a course (which was [Page] also executed) to haue somewhat published in the Starre-chamber, for the satisfaction of the world touching my Lord of Essex his restraint, and my Lord of Essex not to be called to it, but occasion to be taken by reason of some Libels then dispersed; which when her Maiestie propounded vnto me, I was vtterly against it; and told her plainely, that the people would say, that my Lord was wounded vpon his backe, and that Iustice had her ballance taken from her, which euer consisted of an accusation and defence, with many other quicke and significant tearms to that purpose: in so much that I remember I said, that my Lord in foro famae was too hard for her; and therefore wished her as I had done [Page] before, to wrap it vp priuatly. And certainely I offended her at that time, which was rare with me: for I cal to mind that both the Christmas, Lent, and Easter Terme following, though I came diuers times to her vpon Law busines, yet me thought her face and maner was not so cleare and open to me, as it was at the first. And she did directly charge me, that I was absent that day at the Starrechamber, which was very true; but I alleaged some indisposition of bodie to excuse it: and during all the time aforesaid, there was altum silentium from her to me touching my Lord of Essex causes.

But towardes the end of Easter tearme, her Maiestie brake with me, and told me that she had found my [Page] words true, for that the proceeding in the Starre-chamber had done no good, but rather kindled factious bruites (as she termed them) then quenched them, and therefore that she was determined now for the satisfaction of the world, to proceed against my Lord in the Star-chamber by an information ore tenus, and to haue my lord brought to his answer: howbeit she said she wold assure me, that whatsoeuer the did, should be towards my Lord ad castigationem, & non ad destructionem, as indeed she had often repeated the same phrase before: whereunto I said (to the end vtterly to diuert her:) Madam if you will haue me speake to you in this argument, I must speake to you as Frier Bacons head spake, that said first, [Page] Time is, and then, Time was, and time would neuer be; for certainly (said I) it is now far too late, the matter is cold and hath taken too much winde; whereat she seemed againe offended and rose from me, and that resolutiō for a while continued; and after, in the beginning of Midsomer terme, I attending her, and finding her setled in that resolution (which I heard of also otherwise) she falling vpon the like speech, it is true, that seeing no other remedie, I said to her slightly, Why Madame, if you will needs haue a proceeding, you were best haue it in some such sort as Ouid spake of his mistris, Est aliquid luce patente minus, to make a counseltable matter of it, and there an end; which speech againe she seemed to take in il [Page] part, but yet I thinke it did good at that time, and holpe to diuert that course of proceeding by informatiō in the Starre-chamber. Neuertheles afterwards it pleased her to make a more solemne matter of the proceeding; and some few dayes after when order was giuen that the matter shold be heard at York house, before an assembly of Counsellers, Peeres, and Iudges, and some audience of men of qualitie to be admitted, and then did some principal Counsellers send for vs of the learned Counsell, and notifie her Maiesties pleasure vnto vs, saue that it was said to me openly by one of them, that her Maiesty was not yet resolued whether she would haue me forborne in the busines or no. And hereupon might arise [Page] that other sinister and vntrue speech that I heare is raised of me, how I was a suter to bee vsed against my Lord of Essex at that time: for it is very true, that I that knew well what had passed betweene the Queen and me, and what occasion I had giuen her both of distast & distrust, in crossing her disposition, by standing stedfastly for my Lord of Essex, & suspecting it also to be a stratageme arising from some particular emulation, I writ to her two or three words of complement, signifying to her Maiestie, that if she would be pleased to spare me in my Lord of Essex cause, out of the consideration she tooke of my obligation towards him, I should reckō it for one of her highest fauors; but otherwise desiring her Maiestie [Page] to thinke that I knew the degrees of duties, and that no particular obligatiō whatsoeuer to any subiect could supplant or weaken that entirenes of dutie that I did owe and beare to her and her seruice; & this was the goodly sute I made, being a respect no mā that had his wittes could haue omitted: but neuerthelesse I had a further reach in it, for I iudged that dayes worke would be a full period of any bitternesse or harshnes betweene the Queene and my Lord, and therefore if I declared my selfe fully according to her mind at that time, which could not do my Lord any manner of preiudice, I should keepe my credit with her euer after, whereby to doe my Lord seruice. Hereupon the next news that I heard, was, that we were [Page] all sent for againe, and that her Maiesties pleasure was, we all should haue parts in the businesse; and the Lords falling into distribution of our parts, it was allotted to me, that I should set foorth some vndutifull cariage of my Lord, in giuing occasion and countenance to a seditious Pamphlet, as it was tearmed, which was dedicated vnto him, which was the booke before mentioned of king Henry the fourth. Whereupon I replyed to that allotment, and said to their Lordships, that it was an old matter, and had no maner of coherence with the rest of the charge, being matters of Ireland, and therefore that I hauing bene wronged by bruites before, this wold expose me to them more; and it would be said, [Page] I gaue in euidence mine owne tales. It was answered againe with good shew, that because it was considered how I stood tyed to my Lord of Essex, therefore that part was thought fittest for me which did him least hurt: for that wheras all the rest was matter of charge and accusation, this onely was but matter of caueat and admonition. Wherewith though I was in mine owne mind litle satisfied, because I knew wel a man were better to be charged with some faults, then admonished of some others: yet the conclusion binding vpon the Queenes pleasure directly, volens nolens, I could not auoide that part that was laid vpon me; which part if in the deliuerie I did handle not tenderly, (though no man before [Page] me did in so cleare tearmes free my Lord from al disloyaltie as I did) that, your Lordship knoweth, must be ascribed to the superior dutie I did owe to the Queenes fame and and honor in a publike proceeding, and partly to the intention I had to vphold my self in credit & strength with the Queene, the better to be able to do my Lord good offices afterwards: for assoone as this day was past, I lost no time, but the very next day following (as I remember) I attended her Maiesty, fully resolued to try and put in vre my vtmost indeuour, so farre as I in my weaknesse could giue furtherance to bring my Lord againe speedily into Court & into fauour, and knowing (as I supposed at least) how the Queene was [Page] to be vsed, I thought that to make her conceiue that the matter went well then, was the way to make her leaue off there; and I remember wel, I said to her, you haue now Madame obtained victorie ouer two things which the greatest Princes in the world cannot at their wils subdue: the one is ouer Fame, the other is ouer a great mind: for surely the world be now I hope reasonably well satisfied; and for my Lord, he did shew that humiliation towards your Maiestie, as I am perswaded he was neuer in his life time more fit for your fauor then he is now: therfore if your Maiestie will not marre it by lingring, but giue ouer at the best, and now you haue made so good a full point, receiue him againe [Page] with tendernesse, I shall then thinke that all that is past is for the best. Wherat I remember she took exceeding great contentment, and did often iterate and put me in mind, that she had euer said, that her proceedings should be ad reparationem, and not ad ruinam, as who saith, that now was the time I should well perceiue, that that saying of hers should proue true. And further she willed me to set downe in writing all that passed that day. I obeyed her commandement, and within some fewe daies brought her againe the narration, which I did reade vnto her at two seuerall after-noones: and when I came to that part that set foorth my Lords owne answer, (which was my principall care) I do well beare in [Page] mind, that she was extraordinarily mooued with it, in kindnesse and relenting towards my Lord, and told me afterwards (speaking how well I had expressed my Lords part) that she perceiued old loue would not easily be forgotten: wherto I answered suddenly, that I hoped she meant that by her selfe. But in conclusion, I did aduise her that now she had taken a representation of the matter to her selfe, that she would let it go no further: for Madame (said I) the fire blazeth well alreadie, what should you tumble it: and besides it may please you keepe a conuenience with your selfe in this case: for since your expresse directiō was, there should be no Register nor Clearke to take this sentence, nor no [Page] record or memoriall made vp of the proceeding, why should you now do that popularly, which you would not admit to be done iudicially? Whereupon she did agree, that that writing should be suppressed, and I thinke there were not fiue persons that euer saw it. But from this time foorth during the whole latter end of that Sommer, while the Court was at Nonsuch and Otlands, I made it my taske and scope to take and giue occasions for my Lords reintegration in his fortune: which my intention I did also signifie to my Lord assoone as euer he was at his libertie; whereby I might without perill of the Queenes indignation write to him, and hauing receiued from his Lordship a courteous and [Page] louing acceptation of my good will and indeuours, I did apply it in all my accesses to the Queene, which were very many at that time, and purposely sought and wrought vppon other variable pretences, but onely and chiefly for that purpose. And on the other side, I did not forbeare to giue my Lord from time to time faithfull aduertisement what I found, and what I wished. And I drew for him by his appointment some letters to her Maiestie, which though I knew well his Lordships gift and stile was farre better then mine owne, yet because he required it, alleaging that by his long restraint he was growne almost a stranger to the Queens present conceipts, I was readie to performe it: and sure I am [Page] that for the space of sixe weekes, or two moneths it prospered so well, as I expected continually his restoring to his attendance. And I was neuer better welcome to the Queene, nor more made of, then when I spake fullest and boldest for him: in which kind the particulars were exceeding many, whereof for an example I wil remember to your Lordship one or two; as at one time I cal to mind, her Maiestie was speaking of a fellow that vndertook to cure, or at least to ease my brother of his goute, and asked me how it went forwards; and I told her Maiestie, that at the first he receiued good by it, but after in the course of his cure he found himselfe it a stay or rather worse: the Queene said againe, I will tell you Bacon the [Page] error of it, the maner of these Phisitions and especially these Empericks is to continue one kind of medicine, which at the first is proper, being to draw out the ill humor, but after they haue not the discretion to chaunge their medicine, but apply still drawing medicines, when they shold rather intend to cure and corroborate the part. Good Lord Madame (said I) how wisely and aptly can you speake and discerne of Phisicke ministred to the bodie, and consider not that there is the like occasion of Phisicke ministred to the mind: as now in the case of my Lord of Essex, your Princely word euer was, that you intended euer to reforme his mind, and not ruine his fortune: I know well you cannot [Page] but think that you haue drawne the humor sufficiently, and therefore it were more then time, and it were but for doubt of mortifying or exulcerating, that you did apply and minister strength and comfort vnto him: for these same gradations of yours are fitter to corrupt then correct any mind of greatnesse. And an other time I remember she told me for newes, that my Lord had written vnto her some very dutifull letters, and that she had bene moued by them, and when she tooke it to be the abundance of the heart, she found it to be but a preparatiue to a sute for the renewing of his farme of Sweet wines: whereunto I replyed; O Madame, how doth your Maiestie conster of these things, as if these [Page] two could not stand well together, which indeed nature hath planted in all creatures. For there are but two sympathies, the one towards Perfection, the other towards Preseruation. That to Perfection, as the iron contendeth to the Loadstone: that to Preseruation, as the vine will creepe towards a stake or prop that stands by it, not for any loue to the stake, but to vphold it selfe. And therefore Madame, you must distinguish my Lords desire to do you seruice, is as to his perfection, that which he thinkes himself to be born for: whereas his desire to obtaine this thing of you, is but for a sustentation. And not to trouble your Lordship with many other particulars like vnto these, it was at the selfe [Page] same time that I did draw with my Lords priuitie, and by his appointment, two letters, the one written as from my brother, the other as an answer returned from my Lord, both to be by me in secret maner shewed to the Queene, which it pleased my Lord very strangely to mention at the barre: the scope of which were but to represent and picture foorth vnto her Maiesty my Lords mind to be such, as I knew her Maiestie wold fainest haue had it, which letters whosoeuer shall see, (for they cannot now be retracted or altered, being by reason of my brothers, or his Lordships seruants deliuerie, long since comen into diuerse hands) let him iudge, specially if he knew the Queene, and do remember those [Page] times, whether they were not the labours of one that sought to bring the Queene about for my Lord of Essex his good. The troth is, that the issue of all his dealing grew to this, that the Queene by some flacknesse of my Lords, as I imagine, liked him worse and worse, and grew more incensed towards him. Then, she remembring belike the continuall, and incessant, and confident speeches and courses that I had held on my Lords side, became vtterly alienated from me, and for the space of at least three moneths, which was betweene Michaelmas and Newyears tide following, would not as much as looke on me, but turned away frō me with expresse and purpose-like discountenance wheresoeuer she [Page] saw me: and at such time as I desired to speake with her about Law businesse, euer sent me forth very slight refusals; insomuch as it is most true, that immediatly after Newyeares tide I desired to speake with her; and being admitted to her, I dealt with her plainely and said: Madame I see you withdraw your fauor from me, and now I haue lost many friends for your sake I shall leese you too: you haue put me like one of those that the Frenchmen call Enfans perdus, that serue on foote before horsmen, so haue you put me into matters of enuie without place, or without strength: and I know at Chesse a pawn before the king, is euer much plaid vpon: a great many loue me not, because they thinke I haue bene [Page] against my Lord of Essex; and you loue me not, because you know I haue bene for him: yet will I neuer repent me, that I haue dealt in simplicitie of heart towards you both, without respect of cautions to my selfe: and therefore viuus videns (que) pereo. If I do breake my necke, I shall do it in manner as Maister Dorrington did it, which walked on the battlements of the Church many daies, and tooke a view and suruey where he should fall: and so Madame (said I) I am not so simple, but that I take a prospect of mine ouerthrow, only I thought I would tell you so much, that you may know that it was faith, and not folly that brought me into it, and so I will pray for you. Vpon which speeches of mine vttered [Page] with some passion, it is true her Maiestie was exceedingly moued, and accumulated a number of kind and gracious words vpon me, and willed me to rest vpon this, Gratia mea sufficit, and a number of other sensible and tender words and demonstrations, such as more could not be; but as touching my Lord of Essex, ne verbum quidem. Wherupon I departed, resting then determined to meddle no more in the matter; as that, that I saw would ouerthrowe me, and not be able to do him any good. And thus I made mine owne peace with mine owne confidence it that time; and this was the last time I saw her Maiestie, before the eight of Februarie, which was the day of my Lord of Essex his misfortune. [Page] After which time, for that I performed at the barre in my publike seruice, your Lordship knoweth by the rules of dutie, that I was to do it honestly, and without preuarication: but for any putting my selfe into it, I protest before God, I neuer moued neither the Queene, nor any person liuing concerning my being vsed in the seruice, either of euidence or examination: but it was meerely laid vpon me with the rest of my fellowes. And for the time which passed, I meane betweene the arraignement and my Lords suffering, I well remember I was but once with the Queene; at what time though I durst not deale directly for my Lord as things then stood; yet generally I did both commend her [Page] Maiesties mercie, tearming it to her as an excellent balme that did continually distill from her Soueraigne hands, and made an excellent odour in the senses of her people: and not onely so, but I tooke hardinesse to extenuate, not the fact; for that I durst not, but the danger, telling her that if some base or cruell minded persons had entred into such an action, it might haue caused much bloud and combustion: but it appeared well they were such as knew not how to play the malefactors, and some other words which I now omit. And as for the rest of the cariage of my selfe in that seruice, I haue many honorable witnesses that can tell, that the next day after my Lords arraignement, by my diligence and [Page] information touching the qualitie and nature of the offendors, sixe of nine were stayed, which otherwise had bene attainted, I bringing their Lordships letter for their stay, after the Iurie was sworne to passe vpon them: so neare it went, and how carefull I was, and made it my part, that whosoeuer was in trouble about that matter, assoone as euer his case was sufficiently knowne and defined of, might not continue in restraint, but be set at libertie: and many other parts, which I am well assured of stood with the dutie of an honest man. But indeed I will not deny for the case of Sir Thomas Smith of London, the Queene demaunding my opinion of it, I told her, I thought it was as hard as many [Page] of the rest: but what was the reason? because at that time I had seene only his accusation, and had neuer bene present at any examination of his: and the matter so standing, I had bin very vntrue to my seruice, if I had not deliuered that opinion. But afterwards vpon a reexamination of some that charged him, who weakned their owne testimonie; and especially hearing himselfe viua voce, I went instantly to the Queene out of the soundnesse of my conscience, and not regarding what opinion I had formerly deliuered, told her Maiestie, I was satisfied and resolued in my conscience, that for the reputation of the action, the plot was to countenance the action further by him in respect of his place, then they [Page] had indeed any interest or intelligence with him. It is very true also, about that time her Maiesty taking a liking of my pen, vpon that which I had done before concerning the proceeding at Yorke house, and likewise vpon some other declarations, which in former times by her appointment I put in writing, commaunded me to penne that booke, which was published for the better satisfaction of the world: which I did, but so, as neuer Secretarie had more particular and expresse directions, and instructions in euery point how to guide my hand in it: and not onely so, but after that I had made a first draught therof, and propounded it to certaine principall Councellers by her Maiesties appointment, [Page] it was perused, weighed, censured, altered, and made almost anew, writing according to their Lordshippes better consideration, wherein their Lordshippes and my selfe both were as religious and curious of truth, as desirous of satisfaction: and my selfe indeed gaue only words and forme of stile in pursuing their direction. And after it had passed their allowance, it was againe exactly perused by the Queen her selfe, and some alterations made againe by her appointment: nay, and after it was set to print, the Queene, who as your Lordshippe knoweth, as she was excellent in great matters, so she was exquisite in small: and noted that I could not forget my auncient respect to my [Page] Lord of Essex, in terming him euer My Lord of Essex, My Lord of Essex, in almost euery page of the booke, which she thought not fit, but would haue it made, Essex, or the late Earle of Essex: whereupon of force it was printed de noue, and the first copies suppressed by her peremptorie commaundement. And this my good Lord, to my furthest remembrance, is all that passed, wherein I had part, which I haue set downe as neare as I could in the very words and speeches that were vsed, not because they are worthie the repetition, I mean those of mine owne; but to the end your Lordship may liuely and plainly discerne betweene the face of truth, and a [Page] smooth tale. And the rather also because in things that passed a good while since, the very wordes and phrases did sometimes bring to my remembrance the matters, wherein I report me to your Honourable iudgement, whether you do not see the traces of an honest man: and had I bene as well beleeued either by the Queene or by my Lord, as I was well heard by them both, both my Lord had beene fortunate, and so had my selfe in his fortune.

To conclude therfore, I humbly pray your Lordshippe to pardon me for troubling you with this long Narration, and that you will vouchsafe to hold me in your good opinion, till you know I haue [Page] deserued, or find that I shall deserue the contrarie; and euen so I continue

At your Lordships Honorable commandements very humbly.

FINIS.

[Page]

§

§

[Page]

[Page]

SIR FRANCIS BACON HIS APOLOGIE, IN CERTAINE imputations concerning the late Earle of Essex.

VVritten to the right Honorable his very good Lord, the Earle of Deuonshire, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.

LONDON, Printed for FELIX NORTON and are to be sold in Pauls churchyard at the signe of the Parot. 1604.

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Title statement

Sir Francis Bacon his apologie, in certaine imputations concerning the late Earle of Essex VVritten to the right Honorable his very good Lord, the Earle of Deuonshire, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.Apologie in certaine imputations concerning the late Earle of Essex

Bacon, Francis, 1561-1626.

Edition statement

1604

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Text Creation Partnership,

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Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2003-01 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A01003

ID [STC]

STC 1111

ID [STC]

ESTC S104433

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

99840171

ID [PROQUEST]

99840171

ID [VID]

4646

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(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A01003)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 4646)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 822:02)

Source

— Sir Francis Bacon his apologie, in certaine imputations concerning the late Earle of Essex VVritten to the right Honorable his very good Lord, the Earle of Deuonshire, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland., Apologie in certaine imputations concerning the late Earle of Essex, Bacon, Francis, 1561-1626..

Extent

74, [2] p.

Printed [by Richard Field] for Felix Norton and are to be sold in Pauls Church-yard at the signe of the Parrot,. London :: 1604.. (Printer's name from STC.) (The first leaf is blank; the last leaf bears a printer's device.) (Reproduction of the original in the Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery.)

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