of friendship the reason whereof was thought to be for the ancient amity that had beeâ—e had heretofore betweeâ—e the King of that Nation from thence they went to the Duke of Cleeve and so to the Emperour with salutations The suit of the Cloth-workers my Lord oâ—Rochester stands for them The complaint of the Countesse shee sues â—or a Divorce NOw this yeare the Cloth-workers being covetous of larger imployments petition the King and Counsell that there might go no more white cloth out of this Kingdome but that they might be all dressed and dyed here before thâ—y went over and the reasons oâ— their petition were three First that the Hollander making use of dressing and dying our cloth almost doubled the value they bought it â—or whereby they were enriched and we were impoverished The second reason that whereas there was a multitude of poore in this Kingdome that wanted imployment if they might have the dying and the dressing of those clothes it would find them worke whereby they might be relieved and there was no reason why any other should make benefit of that which wee might make good of our selves Lastly whereas the Trade of dressing of cloth began to decay if now they might but have this in processe of time it might be restored and they might have as good skill to dresse cloth as the Dutchmen My Lord of Rochester my Lord of Northampton my Lord Treâ—surer that now is were great agents in this businesse and were thought to have been promised great summes of money to accomplish it Now the Countesse beginâ— new complaints and findes her Art to continue firme and thâ—t indeed there was such frigidity quoad hanc accomplisheâ— That her huâ—bâ—nd the good Earle of Essex could not execute the office of a huâ—band she up and tels her friends that shee is still a maid and that shee had good cause to complain since that shee having continued so long his wife shee in that space had never the fruition of that pleasure that ought to be betweene man and wife for which cause shee protested that she would never keep him company any longer and desired a Divorcement because of his insufficiencie This seemed strange unto the world who tooke notice of the Earle to be of an able body and likely to have many children and to undertake any exploit for the good of the Common-wealth indeed valuing this to be but an idle and vain rumour that was spread as often happened to see how such a thing would be liked in the world and therefore let it passe with little notice In the meane time there is a motion betweene Rochester and her for a marriage and since it was so that the world had taken notice of their businesse now to make some satisfaction they would consummate a wedding betweene them This motion was well liked of on both parties but the obstacle remained her husband was alive and the Law would not permit her to have two husbands whereupon shee growes the more eager of a divorce that so shee might have a new huâ—band for women of her disposition delight in change and therefore renewes her complaint advice is taken in the businesse whether such a thing may be had there being no cause publique of adultery or dislike of the husband Againe it was a question whether the wife might sue a divorce or not for that the Bill of divorcement was given to the husband and not to the wife many such like objections being disputed to and againe at last it is concluded That in case the Earle was so unable as she reported to execute the office of an husband and that upon the search of twelve matrons shee appeared still to be a maid It was lawfull that there might be a divorce and the reason was two-fold one that there might bee a frigidity quoad hanc another that marriage was appointed for procreation sake for which cause it was thought lawfull to sue a divorce Upon this they proceeded to the search twelve Matrons were empannelled the day appointed the search made and the verdict returned that she was a true maid who should bring this to the eares of the King but my Lord of Northampton and so to the world who growes jealous of fraud doubting either corruption or deceit for it was vulgarly reported that she had a child long before in my Lords absence whereupon some say this some say that and most that the Countesse was not searched but that one of Sir Thomas Monsons daughters was brought in to be searched in her place and so both Jury and Judges deceived But how true this is is not credible yet neverthelesse they grant a bill of divorce and now a seperation being had betweene them the Earle in a great discontent leaves the Court and repaired to his house in Warwickshire and there lives a private life The motion of Marriage goes forward Overburies opinion concerning it He disswades Rochester from it The breach betweene them the principall cause of it NOw might there bee a Lawfull discourse of marriage since there was a lawfull divorce had it neverthelesse been kept private and onely some particular friends made Privie on Rochesters side Overbury whose advice he requires amongst others in this businesse to what end it is unknowne Neverthelesse Overbury was utterly against it and being in serious discourse with him concerning this subject in the passage gallery at White-hall entred into these or the like words as was reported First how much he stood obliged to him for his countenance and favour and therefore would speak nothing but what was truth Then how duâ—iful and ready he was to performe all his commands from whence he might easily perceive that what he spake was out of affection And lastly that he had often endeavoured to avert his mind from these things that both time and the envie of men might turne his prejudice taxing him that he had made all this to become hurtfull unto him and converting the meaning of good intentions towards him to his disparagement and losse notwithstanding the Viscount still prest him on to passe his opinion protesting great kindnesse and to do nothing without his opinion whereupon he lets him understand that perceiving the common reports of the multitude and weighing them with the greatnesse of his person that he found it to be no lesse hurtfull to his preferment then helpfull to subvert and overthrow him For who would being possessed of so greâ—t possibility as he was so great honours and large reveâ—nues and dâ—ily in expectation of others cast all away upon a womâ—n thâ—t is noted both for her inâ—ury and immodesty and pull upon him the hatred â—nd contempt of great personâ—ges for so small a matâ—er then he willed him to consider with himselfe the condition of the person wherâ—of he spâ—ke the mâ—nner of her câ—rriage from her yoâ—th her present conversation the mâ—ny â—nvies dishonours and dislikes that were attendant upon her and besides which is now the
intent to incense the people the more against them and to make the matter the more hainous and grievous to the world At this time the Lady Arbella died a matter more remarkable then was observed and gave some occasion of speech to many but yet neverthelesse past over in silence These Hurly-burlies being growne somewhat calme and the minds of men a little setled the Countesse and others authorised for that purpose to be examined and my Lord Coke was the man that prest the Evidence against them which as it was thought procured some great enemies two and twenty Articles were objected against them Somerset pleaded Ignorance and that these Objections were meere tricks to intrap him and set the King against him The same answer was in the Countesse and that it might rather seeme to proceed out of envie then for any just cause They cause it to be given out that their accusations were wrongâ—ull and none were accused but such as were the greatest Favourites to the King so that there was much ado to little purpose At last when they heard that Weston Turner Francklin and Yeluis were all hanged and that they had confest the matter the Countesse being brought before the Councell confest the whole truth but Somerset stood to it still that he was not agent in it and that these accusations did nothing touch him and therefore ought to be excused Neverthelesse his lands and goods were committed to custodie part to my Lord Treasurer and part to others to the Kings use The Money Plate and Jewels which he had heaped up together amounted by report unto 200000. pounds his lands 19000. pounds per annum and the King bestowed many of them upon the Prince There was little speech of this in respect that both person and matter wherein hee was agent were both envied and facinerous neiâ—her was there any that pitied him but most said that hoe had but his just deserts for the injuries and wrongs that he offered unto Essex The Arraignment was put off and in the meane time Sir Walter Rawleigh was set at liberty This man had continued in the Tower now almost ten yeares a condemned person for a plot intended against his Majesty at his first comming in he bore a great envie against Somerset because he had begged his lands of the King and got it into possession giving him many quips and taunts during the time that he was in the Tower These two accidents happening beyond expectation that the one being the speciall favourite of the King the other a condemned man the one imprisoned the other set at liberty gave great occasion of speech and rumour and so much the more wonder and admiration because of Rawleighes wit and policie And this yeare also the Countesse of Shrewsbury who was committed for being privie to the escape of the Lady Arbella was set at liberty and the Earle her husband dyed leaving the greatest part of his land unto his daughters during all this time that is from Michaelmas Terme unto the short vacation betweene Easter and Trinity Terme the Arraignment was put off some attributed the cause to be for because the Countesse was with child and in the meane time was delivered of a daughter some that further proofes of incertainties might be brought in others to give them longer time to consider on the matter and that it was a great favour I say these rumours being published amongst the people at length the King authorised my Lord Chancellor to be High Steward of England for the time being and joyned eight of his Judges with him for his assistance viz. The foure Judges of the Kings Bench my Lord Chiefe Justice of the Common Pleas Justice Niccols my Lord Chiefe Barron and others of the Barrons with power to call Somerset and the Countesse before them to shew cause why they should not have sentence of death passed upon them for this offence committed both against the Laws of the Land and against the King his Crowne and Dignity So upon the foure and twentieth of May in this yeare 1616. There being a Seat Royall placed at the upper end of Westminster-hall a little short of the Kings Bench and seats made round about it for the rest of the Justices and Peeres to sit on and a little cabbin built close by the Common Pleas for the Prisoners when they came from the Tower to be put to rest them in They proceed to the triall after this manner As soone as my Lord High Steward with great State came into Westminster-hall with his assistants the Judges divers Lords and Gentlemen attending and foure Serjants at Armes before him ascending a little gallery made of purpose to keep off the croud he takes his seat and the rest of the Assistants and Peeres according to their places This being done after silence proclaimed one of the Harrolds at Armes reaches the High Steward his Patent and delivers it to the Clerke of the Crown to reade it After Sir Ralph Conisâ—y reaches him his staffe and iâ— there present according to his place to give attendance After the Patent read and proclamation for silence and that the accusers should come in the Prisoners were sent for by the Clerke of the Checker whose office it was to attend the Prisoners This being done and the Prisoners placed at the Barre Sir Henry Fanshaw reades the Indictment to which the Countesse pleaded guilty and confessed the fact But Somerset pleaded not guilty and had time from ten of the clock at night to cleare himselfe much was said but to little purpose At last the Peeres having conferred of the matter returne their verdict laying their hands upon their brests and swearing by their Honours for they doe not mâ—ke an Oath as ordinary Jurors do that he was guilty of the murther and poysoning of Sir Thomas Overbury whereupon my Lord High Steward pronounced sentence of death agâ—inst him and so he was had back to the Tower where hee remaineth at the mercy of the King This man may justly say as Pope Barbaressa said when hee was put from the Popedome Qui modo summus eram laetatus nomine praecel Tristis abjectus nunc mea fata gemo Excelsus solio nuper versaâ—ar in alto Cunctaque gens pedibus oscula prona dabant Nunc ego poenarum sundo devulvor in imo Vultum deformem pallidaque ore gero Omnibus e terris aurum mihi sponte ferebant Sed nec gaesa juvet nec quis amicus adest Sic varians fortuna vices adversa secundis Suâ—dit ambiguis nomine ludit atrâ— Cedit in exemplum cunctis quos gloria tollit Vertice de summo mox ego Papa cado Loe here I am that sometime tooke delight in name of Pope Now being sad and abject doe bewaile my fate and hope Of late preferr'd I did converse with stately pompe and grace And every Nation to my feet their ready kisses place But now in dungeon deepe am throwne of paines
THE FIVE YEARES OF KING IAMES OR The Condition of the State of England and the Relation it had to other PROVINCES Written by Sr FOULK GREVILL late Lord Brook LONDON Printed for W. R. in the yeare 1643. The five yeares of King Iames or the Condition of the State of ENGLAND and the Relation it had to other Provinces HOwsoever every Kingdome and Common-wealth may be both well and uprightly governed and that good men may be the meanes to support it yet there can be no such Common-wealth but amongst the good there will be even some evill persons these whether by nature induced or through envie and ambition to the intent to satisfie their appetites perswaded doe oftentimes enter into actions repugnant unto the felicity of good Government and Common-wealths and by evill causers and perverse deeds doe secretly and underhand seeke to hasten and set forward the ruine and decay of the same These things because they happen contrary and beyond expectation are so much the more remarkable by how much they are suddaine and unexpected And from hence it cometh that no state of government can be said to be permanent but that oftentimes those are said to be good are by little and little converted unto those that be evill and oftentimes changed from worse to worse till they come to utter desolation Neither is this alone proper to our Common-wealth but to all nor to forraigne Kingdomes but to our owne for although His Majesty at His coming to the Crowne found us vexed with many defensive warres as that in Ireland that in the Low-countries and almost publique against Spaine auxiliarie in France and continually in millitarie imployments although he found it lacerate and torne with divers factions of Protestants Papists and others from amongst whom sprung some evill men that endeavoured to set into combustion the whole State yet neverthelesse he established a peace both honourable and profitable with all neighbour Princes and by relation through all Europe so that neither our friends nor our enemies might be either feared or suspected After this generall peace was concluded and the working heads of divers dangerous Papists were confin'd to a certaine course of life that is peace they now petition for â—olleration for releases of vexation to have liberty of conscience and forsooth because they cannot have these things amongst them they contrive a most horrible and devillish plot by gun-powder to blow up the Parliament even the whole State and command of this Kingdome and so at one puffe to conclude all this peace and by that meanes to procure an unruly and unseemly avarice of this setled government and this not so much to establish their owne Religion for which purpose they pretended it but to establish their owne power and preheminence and to raise some private Families to greatnesse and dignitie that so faction being nourished and that jurisdiction established they might with great facility suppresse whom they please and support their owne State Thus may wee see that setled governments doe cherish in themselves their owne destructions and their own subjects are oftentimes cause of their owne ruine unlesse God of his mercy prevent it Of the domestick affaires and of the lascivious course of such on whom the King had bestowed the honour of Knighthood THis evill being discovered by the Lord Mounteagle and overpassed divers discontents happened some betweene the Civilians and Common Lawyers concerning Prohibitions And for that there was one Doctor Cowell stood stifly against the Lord Cooke divers discontents were nourished betweene the Gentry and Commonaltie concerning Inclosure and it grew out into a petty Rebellion which by the same was conjectured not to happen so much for the thing it selfe as for to find how the people stood affected to the present State whereby divers private quarrells and secret combustions were dayly breaking out private families one sided against another and of these Protestants against Papists they thereby endavouring to get a head and from small beginnings to raise greater Rebellions and discontents shewed themselves heady and speakes publickly what durst not heretofore have beene spoken in corners in outward appearance Papists were favoured Masses almost publickly administred Protestants discountenanced dishonest men honoured those that were little lesse then Sorcerers and Witches preferred private quarrells nourished but especially betweene the Scottish and the English Duells in every secret maintained divers sects of vitious persons of particular Titles passe unpunished or unregarded as the sect of Roaring-boyes Boneventors Bravadors Guarterers and such like being persons prodigall and of great expence who having run themselves in debt were constrained to run into faction to defend them from danger of the Law these received maintenance from divers of the Nobility and not a little as was suspected from the Earle of Northampton which persons though of themselves they were not able to attempt any enterprize yet faith honesty and other good Arts being now little set by and Citizens through lasciviousnesse consuming their estates it was likely their number would rather increase then diminish And under these pretences they entered into many desperate enterprises and scarce any durst walke the streets with safety after nine at night So to conclude in outward shew there appeared no certaine affection no certaine obedience no certaine government amongst us Such persons on whom the King had bestowed particular honours either through pride of that or their owne prodigality lived at high rates and with their greatnesse brought in excesse of riot both in clothes and dyet So our ancient customes were abandoned and that strictnesse and severity that had wont to be amongst us the English scorned and contemned every one applauding strange or new things though never so costly and for the attaining oâ— them neither sparing purse nor credit that prices of all sorts of commodities are raysed and those ancient Gentlemen who had left their Inheritance whole and well furnished with goods and chattells having thereof kept good houses unto their sonnes lived to see part consumed in ryot and excesse and the rest in possibilitie to be utterly lost The holy estate of Matrimony most perfidiously broken and amongst many made but a may-game by which meanes divers private families hath beene subverted brothell-houses in abundance tollerated and even great persons prostituting their bodies to the intent to satisfie their appetites and consume their substance repairing to the City and to the intent to consume their virtues also lived dissolute lives And many of their Ladies and Daughters to the intent to maintaine themselves according to their dignities prostitute their bodies in shamefull manner ale-houses dyâ—ing-houses taverns and places of vice and iniquity beyond measure abounding in many places there being as much extortion for sinne as there is racking for Rents and as many wayes to spend money as are windings and turnings in townes and streets so that to outward appearance the evill seeme to over top the good and evill intentions and councells rather
with his honours there was no demand but he had it no suit but he obtained it whether it were Crowne lands lands forfeited or confiscated nothing so deare but the King bestowed upon him whereby his revenues were enlarged and his glory so resplendent that he drowned the dignity of the best of the Nobilitie and the eminencie of such as were much more excellent By which meanes envy the common companion of greatnesse procures him much discontent but yet passing through all disadventures continues his favour and men being drawne to applaud that which is either strange or new began to sue him and most to purchase him to bee their friend and assistant in Court so great and eminent was his favour Of the breach that happened betweene the Earle of Eâ—â—ex and his Countesse her hatred towards him his lenity her lightnesse his constancy Now the cares of the vulgar being filled with the fortunes of this gentleman it ministreth occasion to passe to their opinions concerning his worth and desert some extoll and laud his vertues others the proportion of his personage many his outward courtship and most as they stood affected either praised or dispraised him insomuch that amongst the rest the Countesse of Essex a woman of this time did not greatly affect her Husband and withall being of a lustfull appetite prodigall of expence covetous of applause ambitious of honour and light of behaviour having taken notice of this yong gentlemans prosperity and great favour that was shewed towards him above others in hope to make some profit of him most advances him to every one commending his worth spirit audacity and agility of body so that her ancient lawfull and accustomed love towards her Lord begins to be obscur'd and those embraces that seemed heretofore pleasing are turned into frownes and harsh unseemly words usher her discontents unto her husbands eares The good Earle carrying an extraordinary affection towards her and being a man of a mild and curteous condition with all honest and religious care ready rather to suffer then correct these outrages patiently admonisheth her to a better course of life and to remember that now all her fortune dependeth upon his prosperity and therefore shee offered more injurie to her selfe then hurt unto him yet neverthelesse shee persisted and from bare words returned to actions thereby giving people occasion to passe their censure of this disagreement some attributing it to the inconstancy and loosenesse of the Countesse others to the Earles travailes and that in his absence shee continued most unconstant of a loose life suffering her body to be abused and others to make shipwrack of her modesty and to abrogate the rights of marriage but most because shee could not have wherwith to satisfie her inâ—atiate appetite and ambiâ—ion her husband living a private life For these causes I say shee run at random and play'd her pranks as the toy tooke her i th' head sometimes publickly sometime privately whereby shee disparaged her reputation and brought her selfe into the contempt of the world yet notwithstanding the Earle retained her with him allowed her honourable attendance gave her meanes according to her place and shewed an extraordinary affection endeavouring rather by friendly and faire perswasions to win her then to become superâ—idious over her But these things little availe where affections are carryed to another scope and those things that to the judgment of the wise become fit to be used are of others contemned and despised so that almost all men speake of the loosenesse of her carriage and wonder that the Earle will suffer her in those courses whereupon he modestly tells her of it giving her a check for her inordinate courses shewing how much it both dishonoured him and disparaged her in persisting in the eye of the world after so loose and unseemly a sortâ— desiring her to be more civill at home and not so oft abroad and thus they parted Of my Lord Treasurers death of Master Overburies coming out of France his entertainment he growes into favour MY Lord Treasurer Cecill growing into years having been a good States-man the only supporter of the Protestant faction discloser of treasons and the onely Mercury of our time having beene well acquainted with the affaires of this Common-wealth falls into a dangerous sicknesse and in processe of time through the extremity of the malady dyes not without suspition of poyson according to the opinion of some others say of secret disease some naturally and many not without the privitie of Sir Robert Carre and the reason of their opinion was because the King upon a time having given Sir Robert the summe of twenty thousand pounds to be paid by my Lord Treasurer Sir Robert Carre was denyed it upon which denyall there grew some difference betâ—â—â—ne them the King was privie to it after this manner my Lord having told out five thousand pounds laid it in a passage Gallery the King demands whose mony that was answer was made by my Lord Treasurer that it was but the fourth part of that which His Majesty had given unto Sir Robert Carre whereupon the King retired from his former grant and wished Sir Robert to satisfie himselfe with that holding it to be a great gift hee being thus crost in his expectation harbor'd in his heart the hope of revenge which after happened as was suspected but it is not certaine therefore I omit it Upon the death of this gentleman one Master Overbury sometimes a Student of the Law in the Middle Temple was newly arrived out of France who having obtained some favour in Court beforetimes because of some discontents got licence to travell and now at his returne was entertained into the favour of Sir Robert Carre whether it proceeded of any love towards him or to the intent to make use of him is not certaine yet neverthelesse he puts him in trust with his most secret employments In which he behaves himselfe honestly and discreetly purchasing by his wise carriage in that place the good affection and favour not only of Sir Robert but of others also In processe of time this favour procures profit profit treasure treasure honour honour larger employments and in time better execution For where diligence and humility are associate in great affaires there favour is accompanied with both so that many Courtiers perceiving his great hopes grew into familiarity with him the Knights expectations are performed and his businesse accomplished rather more then lesse according to his wishes So that taking notice of his diligence to outward appearance gives him an extraordinary countenance uniting him into friendship with himself in so much that to the shew of the world his bond was indissolvable neither could there be more friendship used since there was nothing so secret nor any matter so private but the Knight imparted it to Master Overbury Of Mistris Turners life how the Countesse and shee came acquainted The combination of the Earles death THe Countesse of Essex having harboured in her heart
you ready at all times to further mee yet must I still crave your helpe wherefore I beseech you to remember that you keepe the doores close and that you still retaine the Lord with mee and his affection towards mee I have no cause but to be confident in you although the world be against mee yet heaven failes mee not many are the troubles I sustaine the doggednesse of my Lord the crossenesse of my enemies and the subversion of my fortunes unlesse you â—y your wisdome doe deliver me out of the midst of this wildernesse which I entreat for Gods sake From Chartley Your affectionate loving daughter Francis Essex This Letter coming to the hands of the old Master procures a new attempt and now he goes and inchants a Nutmeg and a Letter and to be given to the Viscount in his drinke the other to be sent unto him as a present These things being accomplished he not long after dyed leaving behind him some of those Letters whereby the Countesse had entercourse with him in his Pocket which gave some light into the businesse amongst which this same was one Doctor Forman being dead Mistris Turner wanted one to assist her whereupon at the Countesse her coming up to London one Gresham was nominated to be entertained into this businesse and in processe of time was wholly interessed in it This man was had in suspition to have had a hand in the Guâ—powder Treason he wrote so neere in his Almâ—nack but without question he was a very skilfull man in the Mathematicks and in his later time in witchcraft as now suspected and therefore the fitter to be employed in those practises which as they were devillish so the devill had a hand in them The Countesse sends the Viscount this Letter inchanted by Doctor Forman Places of meetings appointed their intollerable loosenesse Poets verses upon them The beginning of the Fall VPon her returne shee sends gratulations to the Viscount and with those the Letter sent her by Doctor Forman hee reades it and the more he reades it the more is intangled For no man knows the miseries that are contained in evil Arts and who can withstand the words of evill tongues whereupon he returnes answer and new places of meetings are assigned amongst the rest one at Hammersmith In the mean time the Viscount makes dispatch of his businesse leaving things halfe done halfe undone to the intent he might meet her who had now stayed for hiâ— comming above two houres and being met they solemnly saluted each other fall into divers discourses and insinuating phrases from words to deeds and from speaking to acting the sin of venery The Countesse having obtained that shee desired and the Viscount caught in the net of adulation the more he strives to be loosed is caught the faster so that lust having by this meanes got liberty being covered with greatnesse like a fire long concealed in a pile of rotten wood burst forth with all loosenesse and licenciousnesse places of more frequent and private meetings being concluded betweene them persons fitâ—ing for their purposes being acquainted with their proceedings watchwords are given All things having relation to a certaine end makes them more boldly and safely to accomplish that which both time and memory cannot demonstrate in former History Now these good parts which seemed heretofore to be hopefull in the Viscount consumes to cinders and the corruption remaines to brand him in the fore-head for his ill living his modesty becomes eclipsed his behaviour light his carriage unseemely in his place nothing so costly no tyre so uncoth but at all costs and charges he obtaines it for the encrease of favour new fashions are produced that so he might shew more beautifull and faire and that his favour and personage might bee made more manifest to the world and for this purpose yellow bands dusted haire curled crisped frisled slicked skins open breasts beyond accustomed modestie with many other inordinare attires were worne on both sides to the shew of the world so that for the encrease of dishonest appetites they were abundantly practised and praised Surfeiting thus upon pleasure having been before accustomed unto hardnesse causeth him to fall into all manner of forgetfulnesse letting all things go to wrack carelesse in attendance neglecting State affaires ignorant of his owne worth and subjecting himselfe to the lustfull appetite of an evill woman accompring no time so well spent nor houre deemed so happie as when dalliance and pleasant discourses past between them either in words or writings so that in him may be verified the old saying of the Poet Non facili juvenum multis è millibus unum Virtuti pretium qui putat esse suum Fallit eum vicium specie virtutis umbra Cum sit triste habitum vultuque veste Severum Nec dubio tanquam fruge laudatur avorum Of thousand youths there scarce is one That vertue valueth as his prize For vicâ— deceives him and alone The shew of vertue blinds their eyes Although their countenance pensive bee Their garments and their habits grave Yet all their fruit doubtlesse we see Is lust and glory that they crave These things layes him open to the ill affection of them that hate him and layes the foundation of his utter subversion since the eyes of all men are upon such as are eminent and as black upon white is soonest discerned so evill conditions and lascivious affections are soonest perceived in such persons The faithfulnesse of Sir Thomas Oveâ—bury unto the Viscount the advice he gave him contemned Favouâ—s are more bestowed upon him maâ—e of the Privy Counsell THis course of life being somewhat strange to those that were ignorant of these designes gives new occasion of wonder and admiration how he should continue still his favour many things being leâ—t undone others done to the halfe insomuch that all must lye upon Overbuâ—y's neck and this doth he honestly and to the Viscounts credit attributing every action to his doing although of him neglected Answers for him in his absence hastens dispatches in his presence furthers the requests of suitors and through the neglect and carelesnesse of the Viscount growes in greater credit and esteeme so that his carefulnesse sufficiency and diligence makes him become eminent and beloved both of the King and Counsell Yet neverthelesse he lessens his owne worth gives all the dignity to the Viscount endeavouring how the pâ—oplâ— stood affected towards him finds many complaints and some injuries to be done unto him who being blinded with pleasure overslipâ— or lets them passe with small respect whereupon he takes occasion at a time convenient to utter these or the like words unto him Sir howsoever oâ—her things may passe either with small regard or be smothered with honour and greatnesse yet such things as lay a man open to obloquie and contempt can hardly be obscured in a person so publique and eminent as your Lordship is which things are often esteemed to be in a man that outwardly
commoâ— report of the vulgâ—r and he should find them to be so many evils â—o attend her subâ—ersion and overthrow It is not the nature of a wise man to make her his wife whom he hath made his whore Lastly willed him to expect no better requitall at her hands then which she had shewed to her former huâ—bâ—nd and withall to weigh the present condition that he was in and to compare it with the future now hee hâ—d as it were but an inclination unto such a thing neithâ—r were those things made evident that after ages would lay open neverthelesse that hee â—as taxed with incivility levity and indeed effeminatenesse that by the opinion of the wise he was adjudged altogether unworthy of that honour that was bestowed upon him But when these surmises should come by this his marriâ—ge to be mâ—de evident what evils before were but suspected should then be enlarged and laid to his charge Honour is not attended with volupâ—uousnesse nor are the ruines of a rotten branch to be cherished upon a new planted tree but if that he meant to be made famous and to continue that with him that now hee freely enjoyed his opinion was that hee should uttâ—rly leave and forsake her company and to hold her was both hurtfull and hatefull These speeches drew on others and the Viscount being a little netled in his affection growes somewhat harsh And Sir Thomas having been heretofore excepted at with these kind of contentions growes so much the more carelesse answers word for word so that from faâ—â—â— and friendly speeches they grew to words of anger and either to crosse other In conclusion Overbury requires his portion due unto him and so wills Rochester to leave him to his owne fortunes for that he could not endure these inordinate jangles which he had accustomed towards him of late and that if there had beene any thing said that was either offensive to him or to the disparagement of the Countesse it was by his owne procurement and by reason of the good will and affection that he bore to him with these and many such words they parted Rochester and the Countesse meet They conclude the death of Overbury That Northampton had a hand in it causes why THe Countesse having ere this borne a deadly hate towards Overbury because he had oftentimes before diswaded the Viscount to abstaine from her company yet now having disclosed unto her this speech shee becomes much more revengefull especially because he had taxed her with the name of a Whore for truth is hatefull to the evill and what before shee concealed now breakes forth with furie For concealing anger is much worse then open violence perswading Rochester that it was not possible that ever shee should endure these injuries or hope for any prosperity as long he lived he being the onely man that withstood his purposes with many other perswasions that he onely of all men began to grow eminent and who was the man so likely to step up after him as Overbury Insomuch as these perswasions together with his owne conceived evill procures the Viscount to give a liking to her determination and to put his hand into the fire where he needed not making himselfe accessary to that which he had no occasion to put in practise at all There were some that charged Northampton to have had a hand in these businesses and to have uttered these and the like words That he wondered how the Viscount could be so much affected to this man Overbury that without him he could doe nothing as it were making him his right hand seeing he being newly growne into the Kings favour and wholly depending upon his greatnesse must expect to come to ruine when that man rose to preferment Also he condemned Overbuâ—y for his boldnesse and peremptory saucinesse that checkt and corrected the Viscount for the love that past betwixt the Viscount and him and opposed many of his designes and purposes whereupon he concluded that unlesse he did eiâ—her curbe his greatnesse or abate his pride he in time would be equâ—ll with him both in poâ—er and greatnesse whether this proceeded out of fearâ— of himâ—elfe or envie towards Overbury or to collogue with his Neece and Rochesâ—er or to prevent the plagues of Sr Tho who altogether distasted these nigling courses It cannot be conceived but these are the last words that he spake of this subject That for his owne part he knew himselfe cleare in all offences against the State and their familie was so eminent in the Common-wealth that he could not hurt him But for Rochester being made privie to all his designes growing peremptory and no whit tractable to his disposition besides likely to come to eminency and honour in the Common-wealth he finds it both necessâ—ry and fitting â—or his safety that he should be a meanes to dispatch him whereupon the Viscount being led by the nose as he thought for the best gives consent and endeavours to put in practise what they have determined Now of all hands they cast about how this might be effected and passe unregarded so that they might sustaine no losse or disparagement by the attempt Sir William Wade removed from the Lieutenancie of the Tower Sir Jarvice Yeluis preferred For this purpose alone it was thought that a quarrell was picked by Sir William Wade who was now Lieutenant of the Tower and had continued a great while but there were other causes objected And first he was thought too severe against the Lady Arabella and gave some other Prisoners too much libertie Another was that â—e being now growne rich began to grow carelesse and neglected his office But the very truth of the businesse was thought to be this Sir Iervace Yeluis being a Lincolnshire gentleman having beene brought up a publique life from his youth trained in the study of the publique Lawes at Lincolns Inne and ambitious of preferment offered a summe of money for that honour and place For howsoever Sir William Wade might be one way taxed for his too much desire of wealth which thing might be tollerable in him being prest with a great charge yet he was wise honest and discreet in his place and discharged it with much more sufficiencie then he that succeeded him but according to the saâ—ing of the Poet Quisquis haâ—et nummos secura navigat aura Fortunaque suo temporet arbitrio These men that store of money have With prosperous wind shall saile And fortune plaies unto their wish To speed they cannot fayle By this meanes he is got into the Lieutenancie and for this cause Sir William Wade is put out Things ordered after this sort never proceed without envie unlesse the persons that enjoy such places be very considerate it is likely they will have a suddaine fall but what care men of power for such things he being established in his office must recollect his money pay'd by using some kind of extortion and to beare out this be observant to such as preferred
him and so by their countenance he might use the greater liberty For this cause he made the Earle of Northampton and Rochester the whole end of his actions fearing more to displeasâ— them then the King A fit man for their purpose The Countesse repaires to Mistris Turner to enquire a man out for her makes complaint of Overburies insolencie discloses her determinâ—tions Weston is nominated IN the meane time the Countesse thought it not enough to heare nor to fret and fume nor perswade and intreat my Lord to undertake this dangerous enterprise but to Mistris Turner shee must go and there renue her complaints with teares hardly found in a woman of her disposition protesting shee was never so defamed neither did shee ever thinke that any man durst to be so saucie as to call her whore and base woman and that to Rochester her only hopes and with an impudent face But Overbury that Negro that scumme of men that Devill incarnate he might doe any thing and passe either unregarded or unpunished This moves pity in this pitifull woman Mistris Turner who frets as fast to see her fret so that there is storming betweene them as is incredible At length as wee see two clouds after long strife in the ayre which shall have the priority in place joyne in one so these two women after they had fulfilled their frantick humor joyne in this to be the death of him that must be the end there is no malice to the malice of a woman no submission no intreaty no perswasion could prevaile but he must dye Mistris Turner soothes her with I that shee â—ould and it is pity he should live to defame so honourable a Lady so well descended to the utter disparagement of her house and that rather then he should passe with life shee would be his deaths-man her selfe words of course in such cases where people are carried away with heady malice not with reason Yet for all this coming to their right sences they begin to weigh the matter and that it was no small thing to kill a man both in respect of conscience and law Theâ—efore they cast about which should be the best way to doe it at lasâ— they conclude that to poyson him was the only way and that with leâ—â—t suspect But then the partie that should doe it was to seeke for he must be no ordinary man some Apothecarie or Physitian that might temper the poyson rightly to take effect according to tâ—eir minde and of long study one Weston was named that had sometime beene servant to Doctor Turner and thereby learned such experience that none was so fitting to accomplish this exploit to him This man now in the countrey must be sent for Mistris Turner must worke upon him to bring him to this exploit for things of this nature must be carried with wisdome and discretion for who will hazard his life for had I wist Two hundred pounds is proffered him and he of all men undertakes it Overburies great favour The motion of the Councell to send him Embassadour to the Arch-duke He contemplates of it Is perswaded by my Lord Viscount to refuse it THese things notwithstanding Overbury still growes into favour and the Councell still finding his diligence and sufficiency in his place nominates him as a man fit to be sent Embassadour into the Low-countries to the Arch-duke making that a meanes to draw him up to great preferments This comes to Overburies eare who knowing my Lord of Northampton to be his utter enemy growing jealous of Rochester begins to contemplate what the meaning of this might be thus betweene hope and feare he stands at a maze To refuse would be to his great disgrace to undertake it would be to the losse of his preferment standing in these doubts the Viscount after thus many jangles comes to him and salutes him and after many discourses falls into speech of the intention of the Councell concerning this Embassage not so much to assist and encourage him to it as to see how he stood affected whereupon finding him hammering upon his determinations not being certainly determined to any thing joynes with him and utterly diswades him from undertaking it For quoth he your preferments and your expectations lyes not among forraigne nations you are now in creâ—it at home and have already made tryall of the dangers of travaile why then should you hazard all upon uncertainties being in possession as a man might say of all that you may expect by by this meanes already These speeches what with the trust he put in the Viscount what with the doubtfulnesse of his mind doth in a manner confirme his opinion rather to leave it then to take it But neverthelesse gives to understand that it was no small thing to oppose the determination of the Councell and to contradict the Kings imployment for in either of these he must expect the displeasure of both and be in danger to receive condigne punishment But Rochester to get these doubts out of his mind with great protestation and long discourses let him understand he had so much experience of his worth and found him so faithfull and diligent in imployments that he could so well misse his right hand as misse him anâ— that in case any such danger should happen to him yet neverthelesse if either his word his letter credit or favour could either mitigate release or relieve him it should not be wanting to doe him ease and pleasure Being led on with these hopes he is in a manner drawne utterly to deny that which was intended for his profit and to give him a fit opportunity to excuse their malice towards him as after happened according to the saying of the Poet Ne quic quam crede haud credere quic quam nam fâ—onte polito Astutum rappido torrent sub pectore vulpem Beleeve not thou scarce any man For oft a Phrygian face Is smoothly covered with a smile But within seeks thy disgrace The Viscount seeing him at this time in so fitting a vaine to be wrought upon and so easily to be perswaded from his purpose shewed him much more favour then heretofore he had done the better to confirme credence in him towards his perswasions to encourage him in his determinations by this meanes he is utterlâ— deceived and growes confident to â—orsake it in this mind the Viscount leaves him and betakes himselfe to his purpose The Countesse Earle and Viscount meet They determine of the matter The King is incensed against Overbury SIr Iervace being now growne old in his office and being acquainted with it amongst other things is sounded whether he stands faithâ—ull to his Patâ—ons Northampton and Rochesâ—er whereby it is found that he would be plyant to any thing they would desire but yet not made acquainted with this determination neverthelesse it feeds them with hope to execute their purposes with better prosperitie For the Lieutenant being their friend and Weston a man that had gotten the
perdidit Sed hoc quoque ipsos quos beavit pendebit Our lusts our soules our wealth we spend In Court to purchase praise But what reward is in the end For our deserts repaie Their vowes and protestations deepe Not prest in paper but in mind Their sounds of words to lulls asleep From body forc't not from the mind Hands there wee joyne but not our hearts Whereby it happeneth few are blest And many thousand that resort Unto the Court by it are lost And of those few that blessed are Wee often see there fall againe Their blessed dayes they spend in care And after end their lives in paine The complaint for want of treasure The King sets many Lands to Feâ— Farme That death of the Lord Harrington The death of his sonne GReat summes of money being disbursed upon her Graces Wedding and dayly imployments for othersâ— some for Ireland The Lord Treasurer wanting there to defray ordinary expences some for the Kings owne use and some for other occasions causes a great complaint for want of treasure Officers at Court goe unpaid and many of the Kings Servants receive not their wages at set times so that the King is forced to set many of his Lands to Fee Farme and the four Deputie Treasurers with some few other have the passing of them now my Lord Harrington obtained a Patent for the making of brasse Farthings a thing that brought with it some contempt though lawfull for all things lawfull are not expedient who being injoyned to go into the Low-countries with her Grace by the way lost his life His sonne succeeded both in honour and Patent and enjoyed them not long before he dyed within short time after the hopefullest gentleman of that name more fit for imployments then for a private life and for a Statesman then for a Souldier he had beene at Cambridge there reputed for a great Scholler he travelled into Italy Venice and France he imployed his time for the most part in study whereby he made himselfe apt for great matters But yet it pleased God even then when he was in his greatest hope to cut off his dayes He gave all that he had to the Countesse of Bedford his Sister defeating her neither of the land nor the right of the Barony esteeming her to be worthy of much more then he had to leave He made a worthy and godly end These things coming so thick one after another left no time for men to dreame of Overburies death The Earle of Somerset his conscience accuseth him Northamptons speech to him He becometh a newter in Religion The Earle of Northamptons course A Nullitie being thus purchased he dignified as is said and the maâ—ch concluded about Candlemas 1614. they Marry with much joy and solemnitie a Maske being performed at Somerset's charge and many rumors passe without any respect all these things nothwithstanding a guiltie conscience can never goe without accusation pensivenesse and fulnesse doe possesse the Earle his wonted mirth forsakes him his countenance is cast downe he takes not that felicitie in company as he was wont to do but still something troubles him Verily it is a dangerous thing to fall within the compasse of a guilty conscience it eateth and consumeth the soule of a man as rust doth Iron or as beating waves hallowes the Rocks and though these things are not made publique yet neverthelesse Northampton observed it in him having so admirable capacity he could make use of all things wherefore knowing his disease viz. his mind feared with murther and knowing the Earle tractable as he desired enters into more familiar discourse with him For when the mind of a yong man is corrupted with evill he runs headlong into sinne without stay or feare wherefore amongst many other discourses this falls betweene them That in case the death of Sir Thomas Overbury should come to light they were then in a most dangerous state And the next thing they must expect is losse of life goods lands honours their names to be made scandalous to the world and to conclude to be branded with an ignominious death Neither that there was any way left for to escape this but either by making their owne fortunes so great that he might oppose all accusations or else being Catholiques to endeavour that in defending them they again might assist their cause in case that any matter came against them this carrying some shew and likelihood of truth And that indeed his case was desperate if ever it should come to light concludes to combine with Noâ—hâ—â—pton in whâ—tsoever he should undertake and in the conclusion became a â—eâ—ter in Religion whereupon to the intent he might set further evills on foot besides those before remembred he begins to rip up the ancient quarrell betweene the Welch and the English who now murmur at some discontents and to the intent to hearten on the Irish sends Letters thither by the hands of one Haâ—mon a poore man unto such whom â—e knowes to be faithfull in the Romish Religion and thereby confirmes them in their opinion assuring them that God will still provide one or more to protect his Church and that now the greatest Favourite in England would stand for them upon which Letter the Irish grew obstinate as I have said and altogether neglect the service of God and utterly deny the Oath of Supremacy protesting losse of life and goods rather then to be inforced to so damnable a thing Now wee see there the Church utterly forsaken none to heare divine Service The discipline of their owne Church established and the Irish in generall expecting a day to have their libertie and freedome in Religion The same man returning this newes is after sent into Yorkeshire with a black staffe and a knob upon the end within which knob Letters are conveyed from place to place aswell for pointing Assemblies as meetings for Masse and entertaining of Priests now might a man goe to Masse in divers places of the City and who were so publiquely favoured as Priests Their number increase their Priests are entertained Confession in many places publiquely practised and although it was contrary to the Law yet greatnesse overcountenancing them it was little regarded In the meane time quarrells went forward betweene the Scottish and English continuall complaints and the suit of the Cloth-workers with hope of obtaining their request not so much because of the profit as to raise up a discontent betweene the Duchie and them These courses caused divers men to passe divers opinions and many men to passe their opinion as they affected either parties The rumors of the Spanish Fleet A Proclamation against Spanish money A Leaguer in the Low-countries The publique rumors against my Lord of Northampton He exhibits a bill in the Star-chamber against the publishers They justified by my Lord of Canterburie's speech The death of my Lord of Northampton his Funerall his Will The names of those that succeeded him in his Offices NOt long after it was rumoured
taken by another so that men dye other mens deaths Concidit infelix alieno vulnere and it is as the Psalmist calleth it Sagitta noâ—â—e volans The arrow that flyeth by night that hath no ayme nor certainty and therefore if any man shall say to himself here is great talke of impoysonment but I am sure I am safe for I have no enemies neither have I any thing another man should long for why that is all one hee may sit next him at the table that is meant to be impoisoned and pledge him of his cup As we may see in the example of 21. H. 8. that where the purpose was to poyson one man there was poyson put into barme or yeast and with that barme pottage or grewell was made whereby sixteene of the Bishop of Rochesters servants were poysoned nay it went into the alms-basket likewise and the poore at the gate were poysoned And therefore with great judgement did the Statute made that year touching this accident made impoisonment high Treason because it tends to the dissolving of humane societie for whatsoever offence doth so is in the nature thereof high Treason Now for the third degree of this particular offence which is that it is committed upon the Kings prisoner who was out of his owne defence and meerely in the Kings protection and for whom the King and the State were a kind of respondent it is a thing that aggravates the fault much for certainly my Lord of Somerset let me tell you this that Sir Thomas Overbury is the first man that was murthered in the Tower of London save the murther of the two young Princes by the appointment of Richard the third Thus much of the offence now to the proofes For the nature of proofes you may consider that imprisonment of all offences is the most secret even so secret as that if in all cases of imprisonment you should require testimony you should as good proclaime impunity Who could have impeached Livia by testimony for the poysoning of the sigges upon the tree which her husband was wont to gather with his owne hands who could have impeached Parasetis for the poysoning of the one side of the knife shee carried with her and keeping the other side cleane so that her selfe did eat of the same peece of meat that they did whom shee did impoyson These cases are infinit and need not to be spoken of the secresie of impoysonment but wise men must take upon them in these secret cases Salomons spirit that when there could be no witnesses collected the act by the affection But yet we are not at our cause for that which your Lordships is to trie is not the act of impoysonment for that is done to your hands all the world by Law is concluded to say that Overbury was poysoned by Weston but the question before you is of the procurement onely and as the Law termeth it as accessary before the fact which abetting is no more but to doe or use any act or meanes which may aide or conduce to the impoisonment So that it is not the buying nor the making of the poyson nor the preparing nor confecting nor commixing of it or the giving or sending or laying of the poyson that are the only acts that doe amount unto the abetment but if there be any other act or meanes done or used to give opportunity of impoysonment or to facilitate the execution of it or to stop or divert any impediments that might hinder it and that it be with an intention to accomplish and atchieve the impoysonment all these are abetments and accessaries beâ—ore the fact As for example if there be a conspiracie to murther a man as he journeyeth on the way and it be one mans part to draw him forth to that journey by invitation or by colour of some businesse and another taketh upon him to disswade some friend of his company that he be not strong enough to make his defence and another hath a part to hold him in talke till the first blow be given all these my Lords without scruple are accessaries to the murther although none of them give the blow nor assist to give the blow My Lords he is not the hunter alone that lets slip the dog upon the Deere but he that lodgeth him and hunts him out or sets a traine or trap for him that he cannot escape or the like But this my Lords little needeth in this case for such a chaine of acts of impoisonment as this I thinke were never heard nor seene And thus much of the nature of the Proofes To descend to the Proofes themselves I shall keep this course First I will make a narration of the fact it selfe Secondly I will breake and distribute the proofes as they concerne the Prisoner And thirdly according to the distribution I will produce them or reade them to use them So that there is nothing that I shall say but your Lordships shall have three thoughts or cogitations to answer it First when I open it you may take your ayme Secondly when I distribute it you may prepare your answers without confusion And lastly when I produce the witnesses or the examinations themselves you may againe ruminate and readvise to make your defence And this I do because your memory and understanding may not be oppressed or overladed with length of evidence or with confusion of order nay more when your Lordships shall make your answer in your time I will put you in mind where cause shall be of your omission First therefore Sir Thomas Overbury for a time was knowne to have great interest and streight friendship with my L. of Somerset both in his meaner fortunes and after in so much that he was a kind of oracle of direction unto him and if you will beleeve his owne vaunts being indeed of an insolent and thrasenicall disposition he tooke upon him that the fortunes reputation and understanding of this Gentleman who is well knowne to have an able teacher proceedeâ— fâ—om his company and counsell and this friendship rested not only in conversation and businesse at Court but likewise in communication of secrets of Estate for my Lord of Somerset exercising at that time by his Majesties speciall favour and trust the Office of Secretary provisicually did not â—orbeare to acquaint Overbury with the Kings Packets and dispatches from all pâ—â—ts of Spaine France and the Low-countries and this not by glimses or now and then rounding in the eare for a favour but in a setled manner Packets were sent sometimes opened by my Lord sometimes unbâ—oken unto Overbury who perused them copied them registred them made tableâ—talke of them as they thought good So I will undertake the time was when Overbury knew more of the Secrets of Estate then the Councell Table did nay they were growne to such inwardnesse as they made a play of all the world besides themselves so as they had Cyphers and Jurgons for the King and Queene and great men of
the Realme things seldome used but either by Princes or their Confederates or at the least by such as practise and worke against or at the least upon Princes But understand mee my Lord I shall not charge you with disloyaltie this day and I lay this for a foundation that there was great Communication of Secrets betweene you and Sir Thomas Overbury and that it had relation to matter of State and the great causes of this Kingdome But my Lords as it is a principle in Nature that the best things are in their corruption the worst and the sweetest wine maketh the sowrest vinegre so fell it out with them that this excesse as I may say of friendship ended in mortall hatred on my Lord of Somersets part I have heard my Lord Steward say sometimes in the Chancâ—ry that Frost and Fraud ends soule and I may adde a third and that is the Friendship of ill men which is truly said to be conspiracie and not friendship For it fell out some twelve moneths or more before Overbury his imprisonment in the Tower that the Lord of Somerset sell into an unlawfull love towards that unfortunate Ladie the Countesse of Essex and to proceed to a Marriage with Somerset This Marriage and purpose did Overbury mainly impugne under pretence to doe the true part of a friend for that hee accompted her an unworthy woman But the truth was Overbury who to speake plainly had little that was sollide for Religion or morall vertue but was wholly possest with ambition and vain-glory was loath to have any partners in the favour of my Lord of Somerset and especially not any of the House of the Howards against whom he had alwayes professed hatred and opposition And my Lords that this is no sinister construction will appeare to you when you shall heare that Overbury made his brags to my Lord of Somerset that he had won him the love of the Lady by his Letters and industrie so far was he from cases of conscience in this point And certainely my Lords howsoever the tragicall misery of this poore Gentleman Overbury might somewhat obliterate his faults yet because wee are not upon points of civilitie but to discover the face of Truth before the face of Justice for that it is materiall to the true understanding of the state of this cause Overbury was naught and corrupt the ballads must be mended for that point But to proceed when Overbury saw that hee was like to be possessour of my Lords Grace which hee had possessed so long and by whose greatnesse he had promised himselfe to doe wonders and being a man of an unbounded and impudent spirit hee began not onely to disswade but to deterre him from the love of that Lady and finding him fixed thought to find a strong remedie supposing that hee had my Lords head under his girdle in respect of communication of Secrets of State as he calls them himselfe secrets of Nature and therefore dealt violently with him to make him desist with menaces of discovery and the like Hereupon grew two streames of hatred upon Overâ—ury the one from the Ladie in respâ—ct that hee crossed her love and abused her name which are â—uries in women the other of a more deepe nature from my Lord of Somerset himselfe who was affraid of Overburies Nature and that if he did breake from him and fly out hee would winde into him and trouble his whole fortunes I might adde a third sâ—reame of the Earle of Northamptons Ambition who desires to be first in favour with my Lord of Somerset and knowing Oveâ—â—uries malice to himselfe and to his House thought thâ—t man must be removed and cut off so as certainely it was resolved and decreed that Overbury must dye Hereupon they had variâ—ty of devices to send him beyond the Seas upâ—n occasion of imployment That was too weake and they were so far from giving way to it as they crossed it there rested but two wayes of quarrell assault and poyson For that of assault after some proposition and attempt they passed from it was a thing too open and subject to more varietie of shame that of poyson likewise was an hazardous thing and subject to many prevenâ—ions and caution especially to such a working and jealous braine as Overbury had except he was first fast in their hands therefore the way was first to get him into a trap and lay him up and then they could not misse the marke and therefore in execution of this plot it was denyed that hee should be designed to some honourable imployment in forraigne parts and should underhand by my Lord of Somerset be incouraged to refuse it and so upon contempt he should be laid prisoner in the Tower and then they thought he should be close enough and death should be his Bayle yet were they not at their end for they considered that if there were not a fit Lieutenant of the Tower â—or their purpose and likewise a fit Underkeeper of Oâ—â—râ—ury First they should meet with many impediments in the giving and the exhibiting of the poyson Secondly they should be exposed to note an observation that might discover them And thirdly Overbury in the meane time might write clamorous and â—urious Letters to his friends and so all might bee disappointed And therefore the next linck of the chaine was to displace the then Lieutenaâ—â—Wade and to place Yeluis a principall abettor in the impoysonment to displace Cary that was Underkeeper in Wadesâ—ime and to place Weston that was the Actor in the impoysonment And this was done in such a while that it may appeâ—re to be done as it were in a breath Then when they had this poore Gentleman in the Tower close pâ—isoner where he could not scape nor stir where hee could not feed but by their hands where he could not speake or write but thorow their truncks then was the time to act the last day of his tragedy Then must Francklin the purveyour of the Poyson procure five six seven severall Poysons to be sure to hit his complexion Then must Mistris Turner the Lay Mistris of the Poysons advise what workes at present and what at distance Then must Weston bee the tormentour and chase him with Poyson after Poyson Poyson in salt meats Poyson in sweet meats Poyson in medicines and vomits untill at last his bodie was almost come by use of Poyson to the state of Mithridates bodie by the use of Treacle and preservatives that the force of the Poysons was blunted upon him Weston confessing when hee was chid for not dispatching him that hee had given him enough to poyson twentie men And lastly because all this asked time courses were taken by Somerset both to divert all the true meanes of Overburies delivery and to entertaine him with continuall Letters partly with hopes and protestations for his delivery and partly with other fables and negotiations somewhat like some kind of persons which keepe in a tale of fortune telling when they have a