COUNTESS OF SOMERSET. 187 



then he left it thus, that it was but an attempt, or 

 untimely birth, never executed ; and as if his own 

 fault had been no more, but that he was honest in 

 forbidding, but fearful of revealing and impeaching 

 or accusing great persons ; and so with this fine 

 point thought to save himself. 



But that great counsellor of state wisely consi 

 dering, that by the lieutenant s own tale it could not 

 be simply a permission or weakness ; for that Weston 

 was never displaced by the lieutenant, notwithstand 

 ing that attempt ; and coupling the sequel by the 

 beginning, thought it matter fit to be brought be 

 fore his majesty, by whose appointment Helwisse set 

 down the like declaration in writing. 



Upon this ground the king playeth Solomon s 

 part, &quot; Gloria Dei celare rem ; et Gloria Regis in- 

 &quot; vestigare rem ;&quot; and sets down certain papers of 

 his own hand, which I might term to be te claves 

 &quot; justitiae,&quot; keys of justice ; and may serve for a pre 

 cedent both for princes to imitate, and for a direc 

 tion for judges to follow : and his majesty carried 

 the balance with a constant and steady hand, evenly 

 and without prejudice, whether it were a true accu 

 sation of the one part, or a practice and factious de 

 vice of the other : which writing, because I am not 

 able to express according to the worth thereof, I will 

 desire your lordship anon to hear read. 



This excellent foundation of justice being laid by 

 his Majesty s own hand, it was referred unto some 

 counsellors to examine farther, who gained some de- 



