l6oi] TRIAL OF THE TWO EARLS
read the confessions of Sir Ferdmando, declaring that he -was a
great dissuader of the Earl from his attempts, and of his consul-
tations with the two Earls So the Earl of Essex desired to 1me
Sir Ferdmando face to face and endeavoured to invalidate the
credit of his evidence by the paleness and discomposure of his
looks
Divers other examinations also were read, as of Sir Charles
Danvers, Sir John Davies, Sir Christopher Blount, the Earl of
Rutland, the Lord Cromwell, the Lord Sandys, the Lord
Mounteagle When all had been read Mr Attorney declared
how all these depositions agreed and jumped together in each
particular point, notwithstanding they were all severally
examined, and without rack or torture To which the Earl of
Essex answered that all were moved by the self same fear and
the self same examiner , adding thereto that his intention vtas
to have come with eight or nine honourable persons who had
cause of discontentment unto her Majesty, and prostrating
themselves at her feet to have put themselves at her mercy, de-
siring her to sever from her Majesty some that abused her ears
with false informations, namely my Lord Cobham and Sir
Walter Ralegh
When some further wrangling words had passed, Mr Francis
Bacon arose and spake, saying that my Lord of Essex was like
Pisistratus, that had a purpose to procure the subversion of a
kingdom, and wanting aid for the accomplishing of his humour
entered the city, and cut his body overthwart to the end they
might conjecture he had been in danger Further, said he, all
that my Lord could answer to the charges were but shadows,
and therefore it were best to confess and not to justify Whilst
Mr Bacon was speaking my Lord interrupted him, saying that
Mr Bacon had written a letter on his behalf to the Queen,
which Mr Bacon justified saying,c I loved my Lord as long as
he continued a dutiful subject, and spent more hours in making
him a good servant than ever I did about my own business *
c I acknowledge all your gifts/ replied the Earl Then went
he on to charge Sir Robert Cecil that he had declared to some of
his fellow Councillors that the Infanta of Spain had better title
to the Crown than some others of their competitors, and more
to the like effect
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