OBSERVATIONS ON A LIBEL. 459 



carrier of causes, but ever gave way to justice and 

 course of law ; that he was never a glorious wilful 

 proud man, but ever civil and familiar, and good to 

 deal withal ; that in the course of his service, he 

 hath rather sustained the burden, than sought the 

 fruition of honour or profit ; scarcely sparing any 

 time from his cares and travels to the sustentation of 

 his health ; that he never had, nor sought to have 

 for himself and his children, any pennyworth of 

 lands or goods that appertained to any attainted of 

 any treason, felony, or otherwise ; that he never 

 had, or sought any kind of benefit by any forfeiture 

 to her majesty ; that he was never a factious com- 

 mender of men, as he that intended any ways to 

 besiege her, by bringing in men at his devotion ; but 

 was ever a true reporter unto her majesty of every 

 man s deserts and abilities ; that he never took the 

 course to unquiet or offend, no nor exasperate her 

 majesty, but to content her mind, and mitigate her 

 displeasure ; that he ever bare himself reverently 

 and without scandal in matters of religion, and 

 without blemi&amp;gt;h in his private course of life. Let 

 men, I say, without passionate malice, call to mind 

 these things, and they will think it reason, that 

 though he be not canonized for a saint in Rome, yet 

 he is worthily celebrated as &quot; Pater patriae&quot; in Eng 

 land, and though he be libelled against by fugitives, 

 yet he is prayed for by a multitude of good subjects; 

 and lastly, though he be envied whilst he liveth, yet 

 he shall be deeply wanted when he is gone. And 

 assuredly many princes have had many servants of 



