LETTERS FROM BIRCH. 327 



spleen in me by the word Mr. Bacon ; truly it was but to 

 express in thankfulness the comparative of my fortune unto 

 your majesty, the author of the latter, to show how little I 

 needed to fear, while I had your favour. For, I thank 

 God I was never vindictive nor implacable. 



As for my opinion of prejudice to your majesty s service, 

 as I touched it before, I have done ; I do humbly acquiesce 

 in your majesty s satisfaction, and rely upon your majesty s 

 judgment, who unto judgment have also power so to mingle 

 the elements, as may conserve the fabric. 



For the interest which I have in the mother, I do not 

 doubt but it was increased by this, that I in judgment as 

 I then stood, affected that which she did in passion. But 

 I think the chief obligation was, that I stood so firmly to 

 her in the matter of her assurance, wherein I supposed I 

 did your majesty service, and mentioned it in a memorial 

 of council business, as half craving thanks for it. And sure 

 I am now, that, and the like, hath made Sir Edward Coke 

 a convert, as I did write to your majesty in my last. 



For the collation of the two spirits, I shall easily sub 

 scribe to your majesty s answer; for Solomon were no true 

 man, if in matter of malice the woman should not be the 

 superior. 



To conclude, I have gone through with the plainness of 

 truth, the parts of your majesty s letter; very humbly 

 craving pardon for troubling your majesty so long; and 

 most humbly praying your majesty to maintain me in your 

 grace and favour, which is the fruit of my life upon the root 

 of a good conscience. And although time in this business 

 have cast me upon a particular, which, I confess, may have 

 probable show of passion or interest ; yet God is my wit 

 ness, that the thing that most moved me, was an anxious 

 and solicitous care of your majesty s state and service, out 

 of consideration of the time past and present. 



God ever preserve and bless your majesty, and send you 

 a joyful return after your prosperous journey. 



The King to the Lord Keeper, in answer to his Lord 

 ship s Letter from Gorhambury of July 25, 1617. 



James R. 



Right trusty and well-beloved counsellor, we greet you 

 well. 



Although our approach doth now begin to be near Lon 

 don, and that there doth not appear any great necessity of 



