MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 81 



to me, that remained as a withered branch of her roots, 

 which she had cherished and made to flourish in her ser 

 vice. I added what I thought of your worth, and the ex 

 pectation for all this, that the world had of her princely 

 goodness towards you : which it pleased her majesty to con 

 fess, that indeed you began to frame very well, insomuch 

 as she saw an amends in those little supposed errors, avow 

 ing the respect she carried to the dead, with very exceed 

 ing gracious inclination towards you. Some comparisons 

 there fell out besides, which I leave till we meet, which I 

 hope shall be this week. It pleased her withal to tell 

 of the jewel you offered her by Mr. Vice-Chamberlain, 

 which she had refused, yet with exceeding praise. I 

 marvel, that as a prince she should refuse those havings 

 of her poor subjects, because it did include a small sen 

 tence of despair ; but either I deceive myself, or she was 

 resolved to take it ; and the conclusion was very kind and 

 gracious. Sure as I will one hundred pounds to fifty pounds 

 that you shall be her solicitor, and my friend; in which 

 mind and for which mind I commend you to God. From 

 the court this Monday in haste, 



Your true Friend to be commanded by you, 



FOULKE GREVILL. 



We cannot tell whether she come to or stay 



here. I am much absent for want of lodging ; wherein my 

 own man hath only been to blame. 



Indorsed 17 th of June, 1594. 



Mr. Francis Bacon to the Queen.* 



Most gracious and admirable Sovereign, 

 As I do acknowledge a providence of God towards me, 

 that findeth it expedient for me tolerare jugum injuventute 

 mea; so this present arrest of mine by his divine majesty 

 from your majesty s service is not the least affliction, that I 

 have proved ; and I hope your majesty doth conceive, that 

 nothing under mere impossibility could have detained me 

 from earning so gracious a vail, as it pleased your majesty 

 to give me. But your majesty s service by the grace of 

 God shall take no lack thereby; and, thanks to God, it 

 hath lighted upon him that may be best spared. Only the 



* Among the papers of Antony Bacon, Esq. vol. iv. fol. 141 and 156, in the 

 Lambeth Library. 



VOL. XIII. G 



