THE EARL OF ESSEX. 281 



that this was to condemn a man unheard, and to 

 wound him on his back, and to leave Justice her 

 sword and take away her balance, which consisted 

 of an accusation and a defence ; and such other sedi 

 tious phrases : whereupon her majesty seeing herself 

 interested in honour, which she hath ever sought to 

 preserve as her eye, clear and without mote, was in- 

 forced to resolve of a judicial hearing of the cause, 

 which was accordingly appointed in the end of Hi 

 lary term. At the which time warning being given 

 to my lord to prepare himself, he falling, as it 

 seemed, in a deep consideration of his estate, made 

 unto her majesty by letter an humble and effectual 

 submission, beseeching her that that bitter cup of 

 justice might pass from him, for those were his words ; 

 which wrought such an impression in her majesty s 

 mind, that it not only revived in her her former 

 resolution to forbear any public hearing, but it 

 fetched this virtue out of mercy by the only touch, 

 as few days after my lord was removed to further 

 liberty in his own house, her majesty hoping that 

 these bruits and malicious imputations would of 

 themselves wax old and vanish : but finding it other 

 wise in proof, upon taste taken by some intermis 

 sion of time, and especially beholding the humour of 

 the time in a letter presumed to be written to her 

 majesty herself by a lady, to whom, though nearest 

 in blood to my lord, it appertained little to intermed 

 dle in matters of this nature, otherwise than in course 

 of humility to have solicited her grace and mercy ; 

 in which letter, in a certain violent and mineral spi- 



