LIFE OF BACON. 



although anxious to continue in or near London, he went, 

 in compliance with his majesty s suggestion, for a temporary 

 retirement to Gorhambury, (a) where he was obliged to 



mind nevertheless will be still in prison till I may be on my feet to do his 

 majesty and your lordship faithful service. Wherein your lordship, by the 

 grace of God, shall find that my adversity hath neither spent nor pent my 

 spirits. God prosper you. Your Lordship s most obliged friend and faith 

 ful servant, FR. ST. ALBAN. June 4, 1621. 



(a) To the Marquis of Buckingham. My very good Lord, If it be 

 conceived that it may be matter of inconvenience, or envy, my particular 

 respects must give place ; only in regard of my present urgent occasions, 

 to take some present order for the debts that press me most. I have 

 petitioned his majesty to give me leave to stay at London till the last of 

 July, and then I will dispose of my abode according to the sentence. I 

 have sent to the Prince to join with you in it, for though the matter seem 

 small, yet it importeth me much. God prosper you. 



June 20, 1621. Your Lordship s true servant, FR. ST. ALBAN. 



My very good Lord, I humbly thank your lordship for the grace and 

 favour you did both to the message and messenger, in bringing Mr. Meautys 

 to kiss his majesty s hands, and to receive his pleasure from himself. My 

 riches in my adversity have been, that I have had a good master, a good 

 friend, and a good servant. 



I perceive by Mr. Meautys his majesty s inclination, that I should go 

 first to Gorhambury; and his majesty s inclinations have ever been with 

 me instead of directions. Wherefore I purpose, God willing, to go thither 

 forthwith, humbly thanking his majesty, nevertheless, that he meant to have 

 put my desire, in my petition contained, into a way, if I had insisted upon 

 it ; but I will accommodate my present occasions as I may, and leave the 

 times and seasons and ways to his majesty s grace an4 choice. Only I 

 desire his majesty to bear with me if I have pressed unseasonably. My 

 letters out of the Tower were de profundis ; and the world is a prison, if I 

 may not approach his majesty, finding in my heart as I do. God preserve 

 and prosper his majesty and your lordship. 



Your Lordship s faithful and bounden servant, FR. ST. ALBAN. 

 June 22, 1621. 



My very good Lord, I thank God I am come very well to Gorhambury, 

 whereof I thought your lordship would be glad to hear sometimes. My 

 lord, I wish myself by you in this stirring world, not for any love to place 

 or business, for that is almost gone with me, but for my love to yourself, 



