Not long after comes the great _Lord Chancellor Bacon_ to a _Censure_, for the most _simple_, and _ridiculous follies_, that ever entred into the _heart_ of a _Wise man_. He was the true _Emblem_ of _humane frailty_, being _more_ than _a man_ in some things, and less than a _woman_ in others. His _crime_ was _Briberie_, and _Extortion_ (which the King hinted at in his Speech, when he _facetiously_ sayd, _He thought the Lords had bribed the Prince to speak well of them_) and these he had often condemned others for as a _Judge_, which now he comes to suffer for as a _Delinquent_: And they were proved, & aggravated against him with so many _circumstances_, that they fell very _fouly_ on him, both in _relation_ to his _Reception_ of them, and his expending of them: For that which he raked in, and scrued for one way, he scattered and threw abroad another; for his Servants, being young, prodigall and expensive Youths, which he kept about him, his Treasure was their common Store, which they took without stint, having free accesse to his most retired Privacies; and his indulgence to them, and familiarity with them, opened a _gap_ to infamous _Reports_, which left an unsavoury _Tincture_ on him; for where such _Leeches_ are, there must be _putrid bloud_ to fill their _craving Appetites_. His _gettings_ were like a _Prince_, with a strong hand; his _expences_ like a _Prodigall_, with a weak head; and 'tis a wonder a man of his Noble, and Gallant Parts, that could fly so high above _Reason_, should fall so far below it; unlesse that _Spirit_ that _acted_ the first, were too proud to stoop, to see the _deformities_ of the last. And as he affected his men, so his Wife affected hers: Seldome doth the Husband deviate one way, but the Wife goeth another. These things came into the _publique mouth_, and the _Genius_ of the _Times_ (where _malice_ is not _corrivall_) is the great _Dictator_ of all _Actions_: For _innocency_ it self is a _crime_, when _calumny_ sets her mark upon it. How prudent therefore ought men to be, that not so much as their _garments_ be defiled with the _sour breath_ of the _Times_! This poor _Gentleman_, mounted above _pity_, fell down below it: His _Tongue_, that was the glory of his time for _Eloquence_, (that tuned so many sweet _Harrangues_) was like a forsaken _Harp_, hung upon the _Willows_, whilst the _waters_ of _affliction_ overflowed the _banks_. And now his high-flying _Orations_ are humbled to _Supplications_,... * * * * *