KING S SPEECH. cccxxvn 



innocent as well as the guilty;&quot; he contrived to praise 

 Buckingham, and to turn the charge itself into a dextrous 

 commendation both of his favourite and the prince, (a) 



The parliament was then adjourned to the 17th of 

 April, with the hope that, during the recess, the favourite 

 or his master might contrive some expedient to delay or 

 defeat investigation: and that time might mitigate the 



(a) &quot; And the like I may say of one that sits there (Buckingham); he 

 hath been so ready, upon all occasions, to do good offices, both for this 

 house in general, and every member thereof in particular. One proof 

 thereof, I hope my lord of Arundel hath already witnessed unto you, in 

 his report made unto you of my answer touching the privileges of the 

 nobility, how earnestly he spake unto me in that matter. This I profess 

 and take comfort in, that the House of Commons at this time have shewed 

 greater love, and used me with more respect in all their proceedings, than 

 ever any House of Commons have heretofore done to me, or, I think, to 

 any of my predecessors. As for this house of yours, I have always found 

 it respective to me ; and accordingly do I, and ever did favour you, as you 

 well deserved. And I hope it will be accounted a happiness for you, that 

 my son doth now sit amongst you, who, when it shall please God to set 

 him in my place, will then remember, that he was once a member of your 

 house, and so be bound to maintain all your lawful privileges, and like the 

 better of you all the days of his life. But, because the world at this time 

 talks so much of bribes, I have just cause to fear the whole body of this 

 house hath bribed him to be a good instrument for you on all occasions, 

 he doth so good offices in all his reports to me, both for this house in 

 general, and every one of you in particular. Now, my lords, the time 

 draws near of your recess ; whether formality will leave you time for pro 

 ceeding now to sentence against all, or any of the persons now in question, 

 I know not. In sentence, ye are to observe two parts : first, to recollect 

 that which is worthy of judging and censuring ; and secondly, to proceed 

 against these, as against such like crimes, properly. We doubt there will 

 be many matters before you, some complained of out of passion, and some 

 out of just cause of grievance. Weigh both ; but be not carried away with 

 the impertinent discourses of them that name as well innocent men as 

 guilty; let your judgments only take hold of the guilty; proceed judiciously, 

 and spare none where you find just cause to punish; but let your pro 

 ceedings be according to law : and remember, that laws have not their eyes 

 in their necks, but in their foreheads.&quot; 



