CHIEF JUSTICE COKE. 365 



me, he would not secretly bite ; but whosoever had 

 any interest, or tasted of the opposition to his bro 

 ther s marriage, he would as openly oppose them to 

 their faces, and they should discern what favour he 

 had, by the power he would use. 



In the passage between him and me, I stood with 

 much confidence upon these grounds. * 



First, that neither your lordship, nor myself had 

 any way opposed, but many ways had furthered, the 

 fair passage to the marriage. 



Secondly, that we only wished the manner of Sir 

 Edward s proceedings to have been more temperate, 

 and more nearly resembling the earl s sweet disposi 

 tion. 



Thirdly, that the chiefest check in this business 

 was Sir Edward himself, who listened to no advice, 

 who was so transported with passion, as he purposely 

 declined the even way, which your lordship and the 

 rest of the lords left both him, his lady, and his 

 daughter in. 



Fourthly, I was bold to stand upon my ground ; 

 and so I said I knew your lordship would, that these 

 were slanders, which were brought him of us both, 

 and that it stood not with his honour to give credit 

 to them. 



After I had passed these straits with the earl, 

 leaving him leaning still to the first relation of envi 

 ous and odious adversaries, I had ventured to approach 

 his majesty, who graciously gave me his hand to 

 kiss, but intermixed withal that I deserved not that 

 favour, if three or four things were true, which he 



