I may truly say with the psalm, _Multum incola fuit anima mea_, for my life hath been conversant in things wherein I take little pleasure.

Your Majesty may have heard somewhat that my father was an honest man, and somewhat you may have seen of myself, though not to make any true judgement by, because I have hitherto had only _potestatem verborum_, nor that neither.

I was three of my young years bred with an ambassador in France, and since I have been an old truant in the school-house of your council-chamber, though on the second form, yet longer than any that now sitteth hath been upon the head form.

If your Majesty find any aptness in me, or if you find any scarcity in others, whereby you may think it fit for your service to remove me to business of State, although I have a fair way before me for profit (and by your Majesty's grace and favour for honour and advancement), and in a course less exposed to the blasts of fortune, _yet now that he is gone, quo vivente virtutibus certissimum exitium_, I will be ready as a chessman to be wherever your Majesty's royal hand shall set me.
Your Majesty will bear me witness, I have not suddenly opened myself thus far.

I have looked upon others, I see the exceptions, I see the distractions, and I fear Tacitus will be a prophet, _magis alii homines quam alii mores_.