ce; it was clear to him, as it is clear to us, that nothing could
save him but absolute submission. He accepted the condition. How this
submission was made and received, and with what gratitude he found that
he was forgiven, may be seen in the two following letters. Buckingham
thus extends his grace to the Lord Keeper, and exhorts him to better
behaviour:

"But his Majesty's direction in answer of your letter hath given me
occasion to join hereunto a discovery unto you of mine inward
thoughts, proceeding upon the discourse you had with me this day.
For I do freely confess that your offer of submission unto me, and
in writing (if so I would have it), battered so the unkindness that
I had conceived in my heart for your behaviour towards me in my
absence, as out of the sparks of my old affection towards you I
went to sound his Majesty's intention how he means to behave
himself towards you, specially in any public meeting; where I found
on the one part his Majesty so little satisfied with your late
answer unto him, which he counted (for I protest I use his own
terms) _confused and childish_, and his vigorous resolution on the
other part so fixed, that he would put some public exemplary mark
upon you, as I protest the sight of his deep-conceived indignation
quenched my passion, making me upon the instant change from the
person of a party into a peace-maker; so as I was forced upon my
knees to beg of his Majesty that he would put no public act of
disgrace upon you, and, as I dare say, no other person would have
been patiently heard in this suit by his Majesty but myself, so did
I (though not without difficulty) obtain thus much--that he would
not so far disable you from the merit of your future service as to
put any particular mark of disgrace upon your person. Only thus far
his Majesty protesteth, that upon the conscience of his office he
cannot omit (though laying aside all passion) to give a kingly
reprimand at his first sitting in council to so many of his
councillors as were then here behind, and were actors in this
business, for their ill behaviour in it. Some of the particular
errors committed in this business he will name, but without
accusing any particular persons by name.

"Thus your Lordship seeth the fruits of my natural inclination; and
I protest all this tim