EARL OF SOMERSET. 209 



such as work and practise against, or at least upon, 

 princes. 



But understand me, my lord, I shall not charge 

 you this day with any disloyalty ; only I say this for 

 a foundation, that there was a great communication 

 of secrets between you and Overbury, and that it 

 had relation to matters of estate, and the greatest 

 causes of this kingdom. 



But, my lords, as it is a principle in nature, that 

 the best things are in their corruption the worst, 

 and the sweetest wine makes the sharpest vinegar ; 

 so fell it out with them, that this excess, as I may 

 term it, of friendship ended in mortal hatred on my 

 lord of Somerset s part. 



For it fell out, some twelve months before Over- 

 bury s imprisonment in the Tower, that my lord of 

 Somerset was entered into an unlawful love towards 

 his unfortunate lady, then countess of Essex : which 

 went so far, as it was then secretly projected, 

 chiefly between my Lord Privy Seal and my lord of 

 Somerset, to effect a nullity in the marriage with 

 my lord of Essex, and so to proceed to a marriage 

 with Somerset. 



This marriage and purpose did Overbury mainly 

 oppugn, under pretence to do the true part of a 

 friend, for that he counted her an unworthy woman ; 

 but the truth was, that Overbury, who, to speak 

 plainly, had little that was solid for religion or moral 

 virtue, but was a man possessed with ambition and 

 vain-glory, was loth to have any partners in the 

 favour of my lord of Somerset, and especially not 



VOL. VI. P 



