The policy of the "Great Contract" had certainly broken down, and the King, under Cecil's guidance, had certainly not known how to manage an English parliament.

In writing to the King he found it hard to satisfy himself.

Several draft letters remain, and it is not certain which of them, if any, was sent.

But immediately on Salisbury's death he began, May 29th, a letter in which he said that he had never yet been able to show his affection to the King, "having been as a hawk tied to another's fist;" and if, "as was said to one that spake great words, _Amice, verba tua desiderant civitatem_, your Majesty say to me, _Bacon, your words require a place to speak them_," yet that "place or not place" was with the King.

But the draft breaks off abruptly, and with the date of the 31st we have the following: "Your Majesty hath lost a great subject and a great servant.