OBLOQUY OF BACON. 



opinion to the Queen, in my lord of Essex* cause. First, 

 that it was premunire, and now last, that it was high 

 treason; and this opinion, to be in opposition and encounter 

 of the Lord Chief Justice s opinion, and the Attorney 

 General s. My lord, I thank God, my wit serveth me not 

 to deliver any opinion to the Queen, which my stomach 

 serveth me not to maintain : one and the same conscience 

 of duty guiding me and fortifying me. But the untruth 

 of this fable, God and my sovereign can witness, and 

 there I leave it; knowing no more remedy against lies 

 than others do against libels. The root, no question of 

 it is, partly some light-headed envy at my accesses to 

 her majesty; which being begun, and continued since my 

 childhood, as long as her majesty shall think me worthy 

 of them, I scorn those that shall think the contrary. And 

 another reason is, the aspersion of this tale, and the envy 

 thereof, upon some greater man, in regard of my nearness. 

 And therefore, my lord, I pray you answer for me to any 

 person that you think worthy your own reply and my 

 defence. For my lord of Essex, I am not servile to him, 

 having regard to my superior s duty. I have been much 

 bound unto him ; and, on the other side, I have spent more 

 time and more thoughts about his well doing than ever I 

 did about mine own. I pray God you his friends amongst 

 you be in the right. Nulla remedia, tarn faciunt dolorem, 

 quam qua sunt salutaria. For my part, I have deserved 

 better than to have my name objected to envy, or my life 

 to a ruffian s violence. But I have the privy coat of a good 

 conscience. I am sure these courses and bruits hurt my 

 lord more than all. So having written to your lordship, I 

 desire exceedingly to be preferred in your good opinion and 

 love. And so leave you to God s goodness.&quot; (x) 



(.r) The letter to Sir Rob. Cecil is to the same effect. See vol. xii. p. 168. 



