outward chambers, who, after he had made them attend a good hour and somewhat more (when they expected, as was likewise my meaning when I sent them, to be called in), came forth and told them in Spanish (as if they had been bound to understand it) that I might come to the Court the next day if I would about the same time, and I should be welcome-which dispatch, though it seemed unto me very phlegmatic, yet I was resolved to pass it over, and to attribute it to their natural gravity; but with this reservation, that if the matter were not mended that day with some handsomer message unto me, in answer of mine, I would then take mine own course. In the meanwhile the Venetian resident there informeth me that it was not the fashion of the Constable to return message for message to ambassadors upon these occasions; which he exemplified unto me in one or two representants of some of the small Princes of Italy that had been so used. Withal he told me that there had been some counsel taken about me, and that the Governor was resolved to receive me in his ante-camera: a circumstance (as it should seem) of respect. Moreover, that he had warned some gentlemen of title to be there the next morning, somewhat earlier than ordinary, for the better ornament of his Court. Now things standing thus, and no message coming to me that day in answer of mine, contrary to the form even of kings themselves, and much more of their lieutenants (between whom and ambassadors in the point of representation there is no difference), I say, these things considered, instead of going the next morning to the Court (to speak plainly to your Lordship), I went to breakfast. And when we were ready to depart, with our riding suits on our backs, a gentleman of the Constable's chamber (sent by all likelihood to spy what I meant to do, for the hour of their expecting was now past) came up unto us, and there, either by order, or out of discretion upon the present, told me that the Constable, through the troublesomeness of the time' (a point somewhat strangely confessed by a Spaniard), 'could not send to me sooner, but now he offered me whatsoever should be di mio gusto,' and the like stuff. To which I made answer, as the dignity of the King my master required, that 'by the Constable not sending unto me the whole day before, in answer of those whom I sent to him, nor his admission of them to his presence, I did indeed conjecture that I was fallen into a busy time with him; for which I was sorry, because I was desirous to offer him my service; but now we had put on our riding habits, and our things were already in the coaches' (as he saw), and therefore I would take leave to depart con la sua buona gratia.' In the rest, I used the 1 Giovanni Franceso Marchesini. gentleman with all possible respect. And this is the precise accompt of what passed between the Constable and me, which I most humbly recommend by your Lordship unto his Majesty's favourable censure. And so, referring the rest of our passages to the relation of the bearer, (who is) your Lordship's obliged servant, both by your goodness to himself, and by all the right I have in him, I humbly and always rest for mine own particular, Your Lordship's ever bound to honour and serve you, 196, Harl. MS. 1086, No. 2. SIR, To SIR EDMUND BACON. Letters to B., p. 1. William Bedell and Gaspar Despotini going to Suffolk. From my lodging in King St. (Westminster) this 2nd April, 1611. It is very just, since I cannot personally accompany this gentleman', yet that I do it with my letter; wherein, if I could transport the image of mine own mind unto you, as lively as we have often represented you unto ourselves abroad, then I should not think us asunder while you read it. But of my longing to see you, I am a better feeler than a describer; as likewise of my obligations towards you, whereof it is not the least, that I have been by your mediation, and judgement, and love, furnished with so excellent a comforter of my absence, and so loving and discreet a divider and easer of my travels; after whose separation from me, I am ready to say that which I remember the younger Pliny doth utter with much feeling, after the loss of his venerable and dearest friend Corollius Rufus; vereor (saith he) ne posthac negligentius vivam. But herein my case is better than his; for I cannot but hope that some good occasion will bring him again nearer me: and I must confess unto you, I should be glad to see him planted for a while about the King or Prince, that so, if his own fortune be not mended by the Court, yet the Court may be bettered by him in that which it doth more desperately want. Now, Sir, besides himself, there cometh unto you. with him an Italian Doctor of Physic, by name Gaspero Despotini 3; a man well practised in his own faculty, and very philosophical and sound in his discourses; by birth a Venetian, which though it be 1 Bedell, after his return from Italy went back to Bury St. Edmunds, where he held the living of the church of St. Mary's. Redgrave, the seat of Sir Edmund Bacon, is not far from Bury St. Edmunds. 2 In summa dicam, quod recenti dolore contubernali meo Calvisio dixi "Vereor ne negligentius vivam".' (Ep. I. xii.) 3 Despotini, see Appendix III. not urbs ignobilis (as St. Paul said of his own mother-city)', yet is his second birth the more excellent; I mean his illumination in God's saving Truth, which was the only cause of his remove; and I was glad to be the conductor of him where his conscience may be free, though his condition otherwise (till he shall be known) will be the poorer. This stranger I was desirous to present unto you as my friend, in his company, whose testimony may more value him than mine own. And so committing them both to your love, and yourself with all that family to God's blessing hand, I rest, Your poor friend and servant, HENRY WOTTON. 197. TO SIR ARTHUR THROCKMORTON. Reliq., 1st ed., p. 417; 3rd ed., p. 276. News from London and Germany. SIR, 8 of May, 1611. I am sorry that having so good opportunity to write unto you, joined with so much obligation, I have withal so little matter at the present; yet I will entertain you with a few rhapsodies. My Lord my brother is returned a day sooner than he thought out of Kent, for that the King (who is now at Hampton Court) hath appointed all his counsellors, and all the judges, to meet him here to-morrow about matters of the Mint, as it is voiced, perhaps to cover some greater subject; and yet money is a great one. On Saturday the King goeth to Windsor, there to honour with his presence both his sons and his favourites at their instalments.* On Sunday last the new Venetian ambassador had his first audience at Greenwich, at which time the old took his leave, and received from the King three honours, an addition of the English lion to his coat armour, knighthood, and the sword with the furniture from the King's side, wherewith he had knighted him; which last, being more than was done to any of his predecessors, and done 1 Acts xxi. 39, 'Et dixit ad eum Paulus: Ego homo sum quidem Iudaeus a Tarso Ciliciae, non ignotae civitatis municeps.' 2 On May 13, Charles, Duke of York, and Robert Carr, Viscount Rochester, were installed as Knights of the Garter. (Nichols, ii, p. 421.) Antonio Foscarini, the victim in the famous Foscarini case in 1622. His predecessor was Marc' Antonio Correr (ante, p. 433). A permission to quarter the arms of the country where they had served was often given to ambassadors. Nicolò Molin was granted an addition to his arms at his departure in 1606 (S. P. Ven., June 23, 1606), and in 1624, Alvise Valaresso was given permission to quarter the royal arms of England, in a fess of silver a pale Gules with one of our Lions of England between our Rose of York and Lancaster and the holy Thistle of Scotland.' (Ibid., 1624.) It became the especial privilege of Venetian ambassadors to receive the honours of knighthood at their departure from England. to him who had deserved less than any, is enough to prove that wise kings know how to do graces, and hide affections; so mystical things are Courts. Now, to lead you a little abroad, for I have no more to say within our own visible horizon, we have advice out of Germany, that they have extorted from the Emperor his consent to make Matthias King of the Romans: so as having first spoiled him of obedience and reverence, next of his estates and titles, they have now reduced him to so low a case, that he is no longer patron of his own voice.1 Howsoever, this violent cure is likely to settle the motions of Germany; out of which country, when they are quiet at home, they may perhaps send us some suitors hither. This is all (Sir) that I can write at the present, which is your advantage; for if there had been more, you had been farther troubled. And so with many hearty thanks for your kind letters, and with many hearty wishes for the prosperity of your whole house, I humbly rest Your most affectionate poor friend to serve you, 198. To SIR EDMUND BACON. Letters to B., p. 4. Wotton at Court. H. WOTTON. SIR, 2 From Greenwich the 27 May, 1611. It is late at night, and I am but newly come to the knowledge that my Lord is to send a messenger unto you to-morrow morning; yet howsoever, I have resolved not to be left out of this dispatch, though in truth I had rather be the footman myself, than one of the writers. But here I am tied about mine own business, which I have told you like a true courtier 3; for right courtiers indeed have no other business but themselves. Our Lord Jesus bless you all as you are now together, and wheresoever you shall be. Your uncle by your own election, and your servant by mine, HENRY WOTTON. 1 Matthias forced Rudolf to resign to him Hungary, Austria, and Moravia in 1608. In May 1611 Rudolf resigned the Crown of Bohemia, and Matthias was elected his successor. (Coxe, ii, pp. 105, 125.) 2 Lord Wotton, Sir Henry Wotton's brother, and Lady Bacon's father. 3A MS. letter from Sir John Bennet to Sir Dudley Carleton (dated July 15, 1611) gives us a glimpse of Sir Henry Wotton as a courtier at this time. Bennet speaks of the favours granted Wotton, his grant to fill a vacancy among the Six Clerks, and his pension, and adds 'He is a fine gentleman, and full of variety of discourse, as I perceived the other day, dining with him in Court. Amongst other conceits he told us that the Genoese (most exact in computating his interest) hath declared that between putting off a man's hat so often as another drink to him, and sparing that ceremony, but saying only Servidor di V. S. there is 2 in the 100 odds in the year.' (S. P. Dom., Jas. I, lxv, No. 32.) 199. TO THE EARL OF SALISBURY. S. P. Dom., Jas. I, lxv, No. 280, holograph. Wotton's illness; Mole in the Inquisition at Rome. From London this first of August, 1611 (O.S.). RIGHT HONOURABLE AND MY VERY GOOD LORD, Mine own body being not yet in such strength that I can wait upon your Lordship where you are, I have howsoever taken the boldness to remember you by letter of that business touching Mr. Mole, by this bearer, one Lovelace, a milliner, who, in contempla. tion of some moneys due unto him that depend upon the return of Fitzharbert, would take the journey to Rome, and is indeed very eager in it. For my part, I have no other ends in this motion, as God knoweth, than the discharge of Christian charity.' Therefore I humbly leave it to your Lordship's wisdom and goodness to be either smothered without any more trouble, or otherwise revived, if you shall think it worthy of his Majesty's second consideration. And so, with all thankfulness acknowledging, besides my other obligations, your Lordship's loving care of me in this time of my sickness, I beseech God to give me strength of body and judgement to show myself, Your Lordship's servant, HENRY WOTTON. 1 John Mole (ante, p. 71, and Appendix III). Wotton apparently wished James I to write to Nicholas Fitzherbert in Rome (ante, p. 442) about Mole. The King, however, refused to sign the letter to Fitzherbert, saying he would do more harm than Mole good. (Cal. S. P. Dom., 1611-18, p. 60.) -27 A 7 |