EARL OF SOMERSET. 233 



majesty, whom it is my part to inform truly, such 

 directions or significations of your pleasure as this 

 advertsement may induce, and that with speed* 

 because the time cometh on. Well remembering 

 who is the person whom your majesty admitted to 

 this secret, I have sent this letter open unto him, 

 that he may take your majesty s times to report it, 

 or shew it unto you ; assuring myself that nothing 

 is more firm than his trust, tied to your majesty s 

 commandments. 



Your majesty s most humble 

 and most bounden subject and servant, 



FR. BACON. 

 April 28, 1616. 



TO SIR GEORGE VILLIERS, ABOUT THE EARL OF 



SOMERSET. 

 Sir, 



I HAVE received my letter from his majesty with his 

 marginal notes, which shall be my directions, being 

 glad to perceive I understand his majesty so well. 

 That same little charm, which may be secretly in 

 fused into Somerset s ear some few hours before his 

 trial, was excellently well thought of by his majesty ; 

 and I do approve it both for matter and time ; only 

 if it seem good to his majesty, I would wish it a 

 little enlarged : for if it be no more than to spare 

 his blood, he hath a kind of proud humour which 

 may overwork the medicine. Therefore I could 

 wish it were made a little stronger, by giving him 

 some hopes that his majesty will be good to his lady 



