Essex had been, it was the best that he could now do for him; and as
long as it was only a question of Essex's disgrace and enforced absence
from Court, Bacon could not be bound to give up the prospects of his
life--indeed, his public duty as a subordinate servant of government--on
account of his friend's inexcusable and dangerous follies. Essex did not
see it so, and in the subjoined correspondence had the advantage; but
Bacon's position, though a higher one might be imagined, where men had
been such friends as these two men had been, is quite a defensible one:

"MY LORD,--No man can better expound my doings than your Lordship,
which maketh me need to say the less. Only I humbly pray you to
believe that I aspire to the conscience and commendation first of
_bonus civis_, which with us is a good and true servant to the
Queen, and next of _bonus vir_, that is an honest man. I desire
your Lordship also to think that though I confess I love some
things much better than I love your Lordship--as the Queen's
service, her quiet and contentment, her honour, her favour, the
good of my country, and the like--yet I love few persons better
than yourself, both for gratitude's sake and for your own virtues,
which cannot hurt but by accident or abuse. Of which my good
affection I was ever ready and am ready to yield testimony by any
good offices, but with such reservations as yourself cannot but
allow; for as I was ever sorry that your Lordship should fly with
waxen wings, doubting Icarus's fortune, so for the growing up of
your own feathers, specially ostrich's, or any other save of a bird
of prey, no man shall be more glad. And this is the axletree
whereupon I have turned and shall turn, which to signify to you,
though I think you are of yourself persuaded as much, is the cause
of my writing; and so I commend your Lordship to God's goodness.
From Gray's Inn, this 20th day of July, 1600.