262 SIR FRANCIS BACON S APOLOGY 



libels then dispersed : which when her majesty pro 

 pounded unto me, I was utterly against it; and 

 told her plainly, That the people would say, that my 

 lord was wounded upon his back, and that Justice 

 had her balance taken from her, which ever consisted 

 of an accusation and defence ; with many other 

 quick and significant terms to that purpose : inso 

 much that, I remember, I said, that my lord &quot; in 

 foro fama3,&quot; was too hard for her; and therefore 

 wished her, as I had done before, to wrap it up pri 

 vately. And certainly I offended her at that time, 

 which was rare with me : for I call to mind, that 

 both the Christmas, Lent, and Easter term following, 

 though I came divers times to her upon law business, 

 yet methought her face and manner was not so clear 

 and open to me as it was at the first. And she did 

 directly charge me, that I was absent that day at the 

 Star-chamber, which was very true ; but I alleged 

 some indisposition of body to excuse it : and during 

 all the time aforesaid, there was &quot; altum silen- 

 tium&quot; from her to me touching my lord of Essex s 

 causes. 



But towards the end of Easter term her majesty 

 brake with me, and told me, That she had found 

 my words true : for that the proceeding in the Star- 

 chamber had done no good, but rather kindled fac 

 tious bruits, as she termed them, than quenched 

 them; and therefore, that she was determined now, 

 for the satisfaction of the world, to proceed against 

 my lord in the Star-chamber by an information 

 &quot; Ore tenus,&quot; and to have my lord brought to his 



