332 LETTERS FROM BIRCH. 



Fourthly, I was bold to stand upon my ground ; and so 

 I said I knew your lordship would, that these were slan 

 ders, which were brought him of us both ; and that it stood 

 not with his honour to give credit to them. 



After I had passed these straits with the earl, leaving 

 him leaning still to the first relation of envious and odious 

 adversaries, I adventured to approach his majesty, who 

 graciously gave me his hand to kiss, but intermixed withal 

 that I deserved not that favour if three or four things were 

 true, which he had to object against me. I was bold to 

 crave his princely justice; first to hear, then to judge; 

 which he graciously granted, and said he wished I could 

 clear myself. I answered, I would not appeal to his mercy 

 in any of the points, but would endure the severest censure, 

 if any of them were true. Whereupon he said he would 

 reserve his judgment till he heard me, which could not be 

 then, his other occasions pressed him so much. All this 

 was in the hearing of the earl ; and I protest, I think the 

 confidence in my innocency made me depart half justified ; 

 for I likewise kissed his majesty s hand at his departure; 

 and though out of his grace he commanded my attendance 

 to Warwick, yet upon my suit he easily inclined to give me 

 the choice, to wait on him at Windsor, or at London. 



Now my lord, give me leave, out of all my affections, that 

 shall ever serve you, to intimate touching yourself: 



1. That every courtier is acquainted, that the earl pro- 

 fesseth openly against you, as forgetful of his kindness, and 

 unfaithful to him in your love, and in your actions. 



2. That he returneth the shame upon himself in not 

 listening to counsel that dissuaded his affection from you, 

 and not to mount you so high, not forbearing in open speech 

 (as divers have told me, and this bearer, your gentleman, 

 hath heard also) to tax you as if it were an inveterate cus 

 tom with you to be unfaithful to him, as you were to the 

 earls of Essex and Somerset. 



3. That it is too common in every man s mouth in court, 

 that your greatness shall be abated ; and as your tongue 

 hath been as a razor to some, so shall theirs be to you. 



4. That there is laid up for you, to make your burden 

 the more grievous, many petitions to his majesty against you. 



My lord, Sir Edward Coke, as if he were already upon 

 his wings, triumphs exceedingly ; hath much private con 

 ference with his majesty; and in public doth offer himself, 

 and thrust upon the king with as great boldness of speech 

 as heretofore. 



