LETTERS FROM THE CABALA. 107 



grievances, and the like; as I was ever careful, not without 

 good success, sometime to put forward that which was good, 

 sometime to keep back that which was worse ; so your 

 majesty was pleased kindly to accept of my services, and to 

 say to me, such conflicts were the wars of peace, and such 

 victories the victories of peace; and therefore such servants 

 as obtained them were, by kings that reign in peace, no less 

 to be esteemed than conquerors in the wars. In all which, 

 nevertheless I can challenge to myself no sufficiency, that I 

 was diligent, and reasonably happy to execute those direc 

 tions which I have received, either immediately from your 

 royal mouth, or from my lord of Salisbury. At that time it 

 pleased your majesty also to assure me, that upon the remove 

 of the then attorney, I should not be forgotten, but be 

 brought into ordinary place ; and this was confirmed unto 

 me by many of my lords. And towards the end of the last 

 term, the manner also in particular spoken of, that is, that 

 Mr. Solicitor should be made your majesty s Serjeant, and I 

 solicitor; for so it was thought best to sort with both our 

 gifts and faculties for the good of our service, and of this 

 resolution both court and country took notice. Neither 

 was this any invention or project of mine own, but moved 

 from my lords, I think first from my lord chancellor; 

 whereupon resting, your majesty well knoweth, I never 

 opened my mouth for the greater place, although I am sure, 

 I had two circumstances that Mr. Attorney that now is 

 could not allege; the one nine years service of the crown; 

 the other, the being cousin-german to my lord of Salisbury; 

 for of my father s service I will not speak. But for the less 

 place, I conceive, it was never meant me : but after that 

 Mr. Attorney Hubbard was placed, I heard no more of any 

 preferment, but it seemed to be at a stop, to my great dis 

 grace and discontentment. For, gracious sovereign, if still 

 when the waters be stirred, another shall be put in before 

 me, your majesty hath need work a miracle, or else I shall 



