mselves under the suppressing of the complaint and shadow
of mine imprisonment.

"There is fault found with me that I, as a private person, preferred not
my complaint to her majesty. Surely, my lord, your wisdom can conceive
what a proper piece of work I had then made of that: The worst prison
had been I think too good for me, since now (sustaining the person of a
public counsellor of the realm speaking for her majesty's prerogatives,
which by oath I am bound to assist and maintain) I cannot escape
displeasure and restraint of liberty. Another fault, or error, is
objected; in that I preferred these causes before the matters delivered
from her majesty were determined. My good lord, to have stayed so long,
I verily think, had been to come too late. Bills of assize of bread,
shipping of fish, pleadings, and such like, may be offered and received
into the house, and no offence to her majesty's royal commandment (being
but as the tything of mint); but the great causes of the law and public
justice may not be touched without offence. Well, my good lord, be it
so; yet I hope her majesty and you of her honorable privy-council will
at length thoroughly consider of these things, lest, as heretofore we
prayed, From the tyranny of the bishop of Rome, good Lord deliver us,
we be compelled to say, From the tyranny of the clergy of England, good
Lord deliver us.

"Pardon my plain speech, I humbly beseech your honor, for it proceedeth
from an upright heart and sound conscience, although in a weak and
sickly body: and by God's grace, while life doth last, which I hope now,
after so many cracks and crazes, will not be long, I will not be ashamed
in good and lawful sort to strive for the freedom of conscience, public
justice, and the liberty of my country. And you, my good lord, to whose
hand the stern of this commonwealth is chiefly committed, I humbly
beseech, (as I doubt not but you do,) graciously respect both me and the
causes I have preferred, and be a mean to pacify and appease her
majesty's displeasure conceived against me her poor, yet faithful,
servant and subject." &c.[113]

[Note 113: Nugae.]

* * * * *

In October following, the earl of Essex ventured to mention to her
majesty this persecuted patriot amongst lawyers qualified for the post
of attorney-general, when "her majesty acknowledged his gifts, but said
his speaking against her in such manner as he had done, should be a bar
against a