LETTERS FROM BIRCH. 395 



both are recommended from the prince. But be it one, or 

 be it the other, no time hath been lost in either; for Mr. 

 Secretary Naunton and I have entered into both. For the 

 Duchy, we have already stayed all proceedings to the 

 king s disservice for those manors, which are not already 

 passed under seal. For that which is passed, we have 

 heard the attorney * with none or little satisfaction hitherto. 

 The Chancellor f is not yet come, though sent for. For 

 the other, we have heard Sir John BennetJ, and given 

 him leave to acquaint my Lord of Canterbury ; and have 

 required the solicitor to come well prepared for the king. 

 So that in neither we can certify yet, and to trouble your 

 lordship, while business is but in passage, were time lost. 

 I ever rest 



Your Lordship s most obliged Friend, 



and faithful Servant, 



October 16, 1620. FR. VERULAM, Cane. 



To the King, thanking his Majesty for his gracious 



acceptance of his book. 

 May it please your Majesty, 



I cannot express how much comfort I received by your 

 last letter of your own royal hand || . I see your majesty is 

 a star that hath benevolent aspect and gracious influence 

 upon all things that tend to a general good. 



Daphni, quid antiques signorum suspicis artus ? 

 Ecce Dionsei processit Csesaris astrum ; 

 Astrum, quo segetes gauderent fru gibus, et quo 

 Duceret apricis in collibus uva coloremlF. 



This work, which is for the bettering of men s bread and 

 wine, which are the characters of temporal blessings and 

 sacraments of eternal, I hope, by God s holy providence, 

 will be ripened by Caesar s star. 



Your majesty shall not only do to myself a singular 

 favour, but to your business a material help, if you will be 

 graciously pleased to open yourself to me in those things 

 wherein you may be unsatisfied. For though this work, 



* Sir Henry Yelverton. 



t Sir Humphrey May, made Chancellor of the Duchy, March 9, 1617. 

 t Judge of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury. In 1621 he was fined 

 20,000/. for bribery, corruption, and exaction in that office. He died in 1627. 

 Sir Thomas Coventry. 



|| Of the 16th of October, 1620, printed in Lord Bacon s works. 

 H Virgil, Eclog. IX. vers. 4649. 



