And this is the axletree
whereupon I have turned and shall turn, which to signify to you,
though I think you are of yourself persuaded as much, is the cause
of my writing; and so I commend your Lordship to God's goodness.
From Gray's Inn, this 20th day of July, 1600.
"Your Lordship's most humbly,
"FR. BACON."
To this letter Essex returned an answer of dignified reserve, such as
Bacon might himself have dictated--
"MR. BACON,--I can neither expound nor censure your late actions,
being ignorant of all of them, save one, and having directed my
sight inward only, to examine myself. You do pray me to believe
that you only aspire to the conscience and commendation of _bonus
civis_ and _bonus vir_; and I do faithfully assure you, that while
that is your ambition (though your course be active and mine
contemplative), yet we shall both _convenire in codem tertio_ and
_convenire inter nosipsos_. Your profession of affection and offer
of good offices are welcome to me.
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