The one, that I shall lead such a course of life as whatsoever the King doth for me shall rather sort to his Majesty's and your Lordship's honour than to envy; the other, that whatsoever men talk, I can play the good husband, and the King's bounty shall not be lost." It might be supposed from the tone of these applications that Bacon's mind was bowed down and crushed by the extremity of his misfortune.
Nothing could be farther from the truth.

In his behaviour during his accusation there was little trace of that high spirit and fortitude shown by far inferior men under like disasters.

But the moment the tremendous strain of his misfortunes was taken off, the vigour of his mind recovered itself.

The buoyancy of his hopefulness, the elasticity of his energy, are as remarkable as his profound depression.

When the end was approaching, his thoughts turned at once to other work to be done, ready in plan, ready to be taken up and finished.