It is difficult to fit the Sonnets into Bacon’s life. But, if you pursue the context of what Bacon says concerning Essex, you find that he does not speak _openly_ of a tenderly passionate attachment to that young man; not more than _this_, “I did nothing but advise and ruminate with myself, to the best of my understanding, propositions and memorials of anything that might concern his Lordship’s honour, fortune, or service.” {279a} As Bacon did nothing but these things (1591–2), he had no great leisure for writing poetry and plays. Moreover, speaking as a poet, in the Sonnets, he might poetically exaggerate his intense amatory devotion to Essex into the symbolism of his passionate verse. _Was Essex then a married man_? If so, the Sonneteer’s insistence on his marrying must be symbolical of—anything else you please. We know that Bacon, at this period, “did nothing” but “ruminate” about Essex. The words are his own! (1604). No plays, no _Venus and Adonis_, nothing but enthusiastic service of Essex and the Sonnets. Mr. Spedding, indeed, thinks that, to adorn some pageant of Essex (November 17, 1592), Bacon kindly contributed such matter as “Mr. Bacon in Praise of Knowledge” (containing his usual views about regenerating science), and “Mr. Bacon’s Discourse in Praise of his Sovereign.” {279b} Both are excellent, though, for a Court festival, not very gay. He also, very early in 1593, wrote an answer to Father Parson’s (?) famous indictment of Elizabeth’s Government, in _Observations on a Libel_. {280a} What with ruminating on Essex, and this essay, he was not solely devoted to _Venus and Adonis_ and to furbishing-up old plays, though, no doubt, he _may_ have unpacked his bosom in the Sonnets, and indulged his luscious imaginations in _Venus and Adonis_. I would not limit the potentialities of his genius. But, certainly, this amazing man was busy in quite other matters than poetry; not to mention his severe “study and meditation” on science.