MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 73 



that matter standeth. And thus, desirous to be recom 

 mended to my good aunt, to whom my wife heartily com 

 mends her, I leave you to the protection of Almighty God. 

 Your loving Cousin and Friend, 



From the Court at Windsor, ROBERT CECIL 



this 27th of September, 1593. 



I have heard in these causes, Fades hominis est tanquam 

 leonis. 



Mr. Francis Bacon to the Queen.* 

 Madam, 



Remembering that your majesty had been gracious to 

 me both in countenancing me, and conferring upon me the 

 reversion of a good place, and perceiving that your majesty 

 had taken some displeasure towards me, both these were 

 arguments to move me to offer unto your majesty my ser 

 vice, to the end to have means to deserve your favour, and 

 to repair my error. Upon this ground, I affected myself to 

 no great matter, but only a place of my profession, such as 

 I do see divers younger in proceeding to myself, and men 

 of no great note, do without blame aspire unto. But if 

 any of my friends do press this matter, I do assure your 

 majesty my spirit is not with them. 



It sufficeth me that I have let your majesty know that I 

 am ready to do that for the service, which I never would do 

 for mine own gain. And if your majesty like others better, 

 I shall, with the Lacedemonian, be glad that there is such 

 choice of abler men than myself. Your majesty s favour 

 indeed, and access to your royal person, I did ever, encou 

 raged by your own speeches, seek and desire ; and I would 

 be very glad to be reintegrate in that. But I will not 

 wrong mine own good mind so much as to stand upon that 

 now, when your majesty may conceive I do it but to make 

 my profit of it. But my mind turneth upon other wheels 

 than those of profit. The conclusion shall be, that I wish 

 your majesty served answerable to yourself. Principis est 

 virtus maxima nosse suos. Thus I most humbly crave pardon 

 of my boldness and plainness. God preserve your majesty. 



Mr. Francis Bacon to Robert Kemp, of Gray s 



Inn, Esq.f 

 Good Robin, 



There is no news you can write to me, which I take more 

 pleasure to hear, than of your health, and of your loving 



* Among the papers of Antony Bacon, Esq. vol. iii. fol. 315, in the Lam- 

 beth Library. t Ibid. fol. 281. 



