LETTERS FROM THE CABALA. 67 



which, once within these seven days, I thought would have 

 carried me a higher flight. When I enter into myself, I 

 find not the materials of such a tempest as is come upon 

 me. I have been, (as your majesty knoweth best) never 

 author of any immoderate counsel, but always desired to 

 have things carried &amp;lt;l suavibus modis.&quot; I have been no 

 avaricious oppressor of the people. I have been no 

 haughty, or intolerable, or hateful man, in my conversation 

 or carriage: I have inherited no hatred from my father, 

 but am a good patriot born. Whence should this be ; for 

 these are the things that use to raise dislikes abroad. 



For the House of Commons, I began my credit there, 

 and now it must be the place of the sepulture thereof. And 

 yet this parliament, upon the message touching religion, 

 the old love revived, and they said, I was the same man 

 still, only honesty was turned into honour. 



For the upper-house, even within these days, before 

 these troubles, they seemed as to take me into their arms, 

 finding in me ingenuity, which they took to be the true 

 straight line of nobleness, without crooks or angles. 



And for the briberies and gifts wherewith I am charged, 

 when the books of hearts shall be opened, I hope I shall 

 not be found to have the troubled fountain of a corrupt 

 heart, in a depraved habit of taking rewards to pervert 

 justice ; howsoever I may be frail, and partake of the 

 abuses of the times. 



And therefore I am resolved, when I come to my 

 answer, not to trick my innocency, (as I writ to the lords) 

 by cavillations or voidances ; but to speak to them the 

 language that my heart speaketh to me, in excusing, ex 

 tenuating, or ingenuous confessing ; praying God to give 

 me the grace to see to the bottom of my faults, and that no 

 hardness of heart do steal upon me, under shew of more 

 neatness of conscience, than is cause. 



But not to trouble your majesty any longer, craving 



