But this I must say, that I never flew with other wings than desire to merit and confidence in my Sovereign's favour; and when one of these wings failed me I would light nowhere but at my Sovereign's feet, though she suffered me to be bruised with my fall.

And till her Majesty, that knows I was never bird of prey, finds it to agree with her will and her service that my wings should be imped again, I have committed myself to the mire.

No power but my God's and my Sovereign's can alter this resolution of "Your retired friend, "ESSEX." But after Essex's mad attempt in the city a new state of things arose.
The inevitable result was a trial for high treason, a trial of which no one could doubt the purpose and end.

The examination of accomplices revealed speeches, proposals, projects, not very intelligible to us in the still imperfectly understood game of intrigue that was going on among all parties at the end of Elizabeth's reign, but quite enough to place Essex at the mercy of the Government and the offended Queen.

"The new information," says Mr.Spedding, "had been immediately communicated to Coke and Bacon." Coke, as Attorney-General, of course conducted the prosecution; and the next prominent person on the side of the Crown was not the Solicitor, or any other regular law officer, but Bacon, though holding the very subordinate place of one of the "Learned Counsel." It does not appear that he thought it strange, that he showed any pain or reluctance, that he sought to be excused.