ndulgence to Overbury had begotten
in him a degree of arrogance which was extremely disagreeable, he
procured a commission for his embassy to Russia; which he represented as
a retreat for his friend, both profitable and honorable. When consulted
by Overbury, he earnestly dissuaded him from accepting this offer,
and took on himself the office of satisfying the king, if he should
be anywise displeased with the refusal.[**] To the king again, he
aggravated the insolence of Overbury's conduct, and obtained a warrant
for committing him to the Tower, which James intended as a slight
punishment for his disobedience. The lieutenant of the Tower was a
creature of Rochester's, and had lately been put into the office for
this very purpose: he confined Overbury so strictly, that the unhappy
prisoner was debarred the sight even of his nearest relations, and no
communication of any kind was allowed with him during near six months
which he lived in prison.

* State Trials, vol. i. p. 235, 236, 252. Franklyn, p. 14.

** State Trials, vol. i. p. 236, 237, etc.

This obstacle being removed, the lovers pursued their purpose; and
the king himself, forgetting the dignity of his character, and his
friendship for the family of Essex, entered zealously into the project
of procuring the countess a divorce from her husband. Essex also
embraced the opportunity of separating himself from a bad woman, by whom
he was hated; and he was willing to favor their success by any honorable
expedient. The pretence for a divorce was his incapacity to fulfil the
conjugal duties; and he confessed that, with regard to the countess,
he was conscious of such an infirmity, though he was not sensible of it
with regard to any other woman. In her place, too, it is said, a young
virgin was substituted under a mask, to undergo a legal inspection by
a jury of matrons. After such a trial, seconded by court influence, and
supported by the ridiculous opinion of fascination or witchcraft, the
sentence of divorce was pronounced between the earl of Essex and his
countess.[*] And, to crown the scene, the king, solicitous lest the lady
should lose any rank by her new marriage, bestowed on his minion the
title of earl of Somerset.

Notwithstanding this success, the countess of Somerset was not satisfied
till she should further satiate her revenge on Overbury: and she engaged
her husband, as well as her uncle, the earl of Northampton, in the
atrocious design of takin