ADVICE TO SIR GEORGE VILLIERS. 401 



and the king s favour, purchased by your noble parts, 

 promising as much as can be expected from a gentle 

 man, had brought you to this high pitch of honour, 

 to be in the eye, and ear, and even in the bosom of 

 your gracious master ; and you had found by expe 

 rience the trouble of all mens confluence, and for all 

 matters, to yourself, as a mediator between them and 

 their sovereign, you were pleased to lay this com 

 mand upon me : first in general, to give you my poor 

 advice for your carriage in so eminent a place, and 

 of so much danger if not wisely discharged : next in 

 particular by what means to give dispatches to sui 

 tors of all sorts, for the king s best service, the suitors 

 satisfaction, and your own ease. I humbly return 

 you mine opinion in both these, such as an hermit 

 rather than a courtier can render.] 



Yet in this you have erred, in applying yourself 

 to me the most unworthy of your servants, to give 

 assistance upon so weighty a subject. 



You know, I am no courtier, nor versed in state 

 affairs ; my life, hitherto, hath rather been contem 

 plative than active ; I have rather studied books than 

 men ; I can but guess, at the most, at these things, 

 in which you desire to be advised : nevertheless, to 

 shew my obedience, though with the hazard of my 

 discretion, I shall yield unto you. 



Sir, in the first place, I shall be bold to put you 

 in mind of the present condition you are in ; you are 

 not only a courtier, but a bed-chamber man, and so 

 are in the eye and ear of your master ; but you are 



VOL. vi, D D 



