LETTERS FROM STEPHENS. 23 



The pain of my foot is gone, but the weakness doth 

 a little remain, so as I hope, within a day or two, to have 

 full use of it. I ever remain 



Your Lordship s most obliged Friend 



and faithful Servant, 



October 2d, 1620. FR. VERULAM, CailC. 



To the King. 

 It may please your Majesty, 



I thought myself an unfortunate man that I could not 

 attend you at Theobald s. But I hear that your majesty 

 hath done, as God Almighty useth to do, which is to turn 

 evil into good, in that your majesty hath been pleased upon 

 that occasion to express, before your lords, your gracious 

 opinion and favour towards me, which I most humbly 

 thank your majesty for, and will aspire to deserve. 



Secretary Naunton this day brought me your pleasure 

 in certain notes : that I should advise with the two chief 

 justices (old parliament men) and Sir Edward Coke (who 

 is also their senior in that school) and Sir Randall Crewe, 

 the last speaker, and such other judges as we should think 

 fit, touching that which might in true policy, without pack 

 ing or degenerate arts, prepare to a parliament, in case 

 your majesty should resolve of one to be held, and withal 

 he signified to me some particular points, which your ma 

 jesty very wisely had deduced. 



All your majesty s business is super cor meum, for I lay 

 it to heart, but this is a business secundum cor meum ; and 

 yet, as I will do your majesty all possible good services in 

 it, so I am far from seeking to impropriate to myself the 

 thanks, but shall become omnibus omnia (as St. Paul saith) 

 to attain your majesty s ends. 



As soon as I have occasion, I will write to your majesty 

 touching the same, and will have special care to com 

 municate with my lords in some principal points, though 

 all things are not at first fit for the whole table. I ever 

 rest 



Your Majesty s most bounden 



and most devoted Servant, 



October 2 d, 162 o. FB. VERULAM, Cane. 



Your majesty needeth not to doubt but I shall carry the 

 business with that secrecy which appertaineth. 



