You will read in history-books of how Essex, against the Queen's
orders, left Ireland, and coming to London, burst into her
presence one morning before she was dressed. You will read of
how he was disgraced and imprisoned. At first Bacon did what he
could for his friend, and it was through his help that Essex was
set free. But even then, Bacon wrote to the Earl, "I confess I
love some things much better than I love your lordship, as the
Queen's service, her quiet and contentment, her honour, her
favour, the good of my country, and the like. Yet I love few
persons better than yourself, both for gratitude's sake, and for
your own virtues."
Set free, Essex rushed into passionate, futile rebellion. Again
he was made prisoner and tried for high treason. It was then
that Bacon had to choose between friend and Queen. He chose his
Queen and appeared in court against his friend. To do anything
else, Bacon told himself, had been utterly useless. Essex was
now of no more use to him, he was too surely fallen.
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