CCCXXXI1 LIFE OF BACON. 



seven days, I thought would have carried me a higher 

 flight. When I enter into myself, I find not the materials 

 of such a tempest as is come upon me. I have been (as 

 your majesty knoweth best) never author of any immode 

 rate counsel, but always desired to have things carried 

 &quot; suavibus modis.&quot; I have been no avaricious oppressor 

 of the people. I have been no haughty, or intolerable, 

 or hateful man in my conversation or carnage : I have 

 inherited no hatred from my father, but am a good patriot 

 born. Whence should this be; for these are the things 

 that use to raise dislikes abroad. 



For the House of Commons, I began my credit there, 

 and now it must be the place of the sepulture thereof. 

 And yet this parliament, upon the message touching reli 

 gion, the old love revived, and they said, I was the same 

 man still, only honesty was turned into honour. 



For the upper house, even within these days, before 

 these troubles, they seemed as to take me into their arms, 

 finding in me ingenuity, which they took to be the true 

 straight line of nobleness without crooks or angles. 



And for the briberies and gifts wherewith I am charged, 

 when the books of hearts shall be opened, I hope I shall 

 not be found to have the troubled fountain of a corrupt 

 heart, in a depraved habit of taking rewards to pervert 

 justice; howsoever I may be frail, and partake of the 

 abuses of the times. 



And therefore I am resolved, when I come to my answer, 

 not to trick my innocency (as I writ to the lords) by cavil- 

 lations or voidances, but to speak to them the language 

 that my heart speaketh to me, in excusing, extenuating, or 

 ingenuous confessing ; praying God to give me the grace 

 to see to the bottom of my faults, and that no hardness of 

 heart do steal upon me, under shew of more neatness of 

 conscience, than is cause. 



