that the title of the Infanta was equally well founded with that of any
other claimant. But the secretary here stepped forward to entreat that,
the prisoner might be obliged to bring proof of his assertions; and it
thus became manifest, and in the end was confessed with contrition by
the earl himself, that he had advanced this charge on false grounds.

It was with better reason that he reproached Francis Bacon, who then
stood against him as queen's counsel, with the glaring inconsistency
between his past professions and his present conduct. This cowardly
desertion of his generous and affectionate friend and patron,--or rather
this open revolt from him, this shameless attack upon him in the hour of
his extreme distress and total ruin,--forms indeed the foulest of the
many blots which stain the memory of this illustrious person: it may
even be pronounced, on a deliberate survey of all its circumstances, the
basest and most profligate act of that reign, which yet affords
examples, in the conduct of its public men, of almost every species of
profligacy and baseness. That it continued to be matter of general
reproach against him, clearly appears from the long and labored apology
which Bacon thought it necessary, several years afterwards, to address
to lord Montjoy, then earl of Devon;--an apology which extenuates in no
degree the turpitude of the fact; but which may be consulted for a
number of highly curious, if authentic, particulars.

The earl of Southampton likewise pleaded Not guilty, and professed his
inviolate fidelity towards her majesty: he excused whatever criminality
he might have fallen into by the warmth of his attachment for Essex, and
behaved throughout with a mildness and an ingenuous modesty which moved
all hearts in his favor. After a trial of eleven hours, sentence of
Guilty was unanimously pronounced on both the prisoners. Southampton in
an affecting manner implored all present to intercede for him with her
majesty, and Essex, with great earnestness, joined in this petition of
his unfortunate friend: as to himself, he said, he was not anxious for
life; wishing for nothing more than to lay it down with entire fidelity
towards God and his prince.--Yet he would have no one insinuate to the
queen that he despised her mercy, though he believed he should not too
submissively implore it; and he hoped all men would in their consciences
acquit him, though the law had pronounced him guilty. Such was the lofty
ton