478 LETTERS FROM THE BRITISH MUSEUM. 



honest man. I desire your lordship also to think that 

 though I confess I love some things much better than I 

 love your lordship, as the queen s service, her quiet and 

 contentment, her honour, her favour, the good of my 

 country, and the like, yet I love few persons better than 

 yourself, both for gratitude s sake, and for your own trueness, 

 which cannot hurt but by accident or abuse, of which my 

 good affection, I was ever and am ready to yield tes 

 timony by any good offers, but with such reservations as 

 yourself cannot but allow ; for as I was ever sorry that your 

 lordship should fly with waxen wings, doubting Icarus s for 

 tune, so for the growing up of your own feathers, specially 

 ostrich s, or any other save of a bird of prey, no man shall 

 be more glad ; and this is the axletree whereupon I have 

 turned, and shall turn, which to signify to you, though I 

 think you are of yourself persuaded as much, is the cause 

 of my writing ; and so commend I your lordship to God s 

 goodness. 



From Grey s Inn, Your Lordship s most humbly, 



this 20th of July, 1600. FR. BACON. 



To Mr. Michael Hickes.* 

 Mr. Hickes, 



I thank you for your letter, testifying your kind care of 

 my fortune, which when it mendeth, your thanks will like 

 wise amend. In particular you write you would be in 

 town as on Monday, which is passed, and that you would 

 make proof of Mr. Billett, or some other friend for my sup 

 ply, whereof I see you are the more sensible, because you 

 concur in approving my purpose and resolution, of first 

 freeing my credit from suits and speech, and so my estate 

 by degrees, which in very truth was the cause which made 

 me sub impudem in moving you for new help, when I 

 should have helped you with your former money. I am 

 desirous to know what success you have had since your 

 coming to town, in your kind care. I have thought of two 

 sureties for one hundred pounds a piece : the one Mr. 

 Fra. Anger, of Grey s Inn, he that was the old Count of 

 Lincoln s executor, a man very honest and very able, with 

 whom I have spoken, and he hath promised ; the other Sir 

 Thomas Hobby, whom I have not spoken with, but do pre 

 sume of, though I never used him in that kind. So leaving 

 it to your good will, I rest 



Your assured loving Friend, 



1600. FR. BACON. 



* Lansd. MS. Ixxxvii. art. 86. Grig. 



