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Life and Letters of Henry Wotton is in Stewart Books.
222. To Sir Edmund Bacon (age 43). Letters to B., p. 29; Reliq., 3rd ed., p. 425. The burning of the Globe Theatre. July 2, 1613.
Sir
Whereas I wrote unto you, that I would be at Cambridge as on Saturday next, I am now cast off again till the King's return to London, which will be about the middle of the week following. The delay grows from a desire of seeing Albertus his business settled before we come unto you, where we mean to forget all the world besides. Of this we shall bring you the account.
Now, to let matters of state sleep, I will entertain you at the present with what hath happened this week at the Bank's side. The King's players had a new play, called All is true, representing some principal pieces of the reign of Henry VIII, which was set forth with many extraordinary circumstances of pomp and majesty, even to the matting of the stage; the Knights of the Order with their Georges and garters, the Guards with their embroidered coats, and the like: sufficient in truth within a while to make greatness very familiar, if not ridiculous. Now, King Henry making a masque at the Cardinal Wolsey's house, and certain chambers1 being shot off at his entry, some of the paper, or other stuff, wherewith one of them was stopped, did light on the thatch, where being thought at first but an idle smoke, and their eyes more attentive to the show, it kindled inwardly, and ran round like a train, consuming within less than an hour the whole house to the very grounds2.
This was the fatal period of that virtuous fabric, wherein yet nothing did perish but wood and straw, and a few forsaken cloaks; only one man had his breeches set on fire, that would perhaps have broiled him, if he had not by the benefit of a provident wit put it out with bottle ale. The rest when we meet; till when, I protest every minute is the siege of Troy. God's dear blessings till then and ever be with you.
Your poor uncle and faithful servant,
Henry Wotton.
I have this week received your last of the 27th of June, wherein I see my steps lovingly calculated, and in truth too much expectation of so unworthy a guest.
Note 1. 'Chambers,' name given in 16th-17th century to pieces of ordnance. (N.E.D)
Note 2. The famous Globe Theatre was burnt on June 29. It is generally supposed that an adaptation of Shakespeare's Henry VIII was being acted. (Nichols. i, p. 155; Winwood Mem., iii. p. 469.)
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223. To Sir Edmund Bacon (age 43). Letter to B., p. 135, no date; dated in Reliquiae, 3rd ed., p. 427. Rochester created Earl of Somerset, &c. (London, Nov. 5, 1613.)
Now I begin; but why not before? That question shall be answered by the next carrier, or by a special messenger the next week, at which time you shall have an account of all that hath passed, and some prognostication also upon the future; for my pen is grown bold and eager with rest, as dogs that are tied up.
At the present all my care is to let you know that I have received your last, with the enclosed: which although I well understand myself, yet I have not had time since the deciphering to acquaint the party with it. which shall be done as soon as I have sealed this, and sent it to the carrier's.
I thought now to have said no more; but lest it lose the grace of freshness, I pray let me tell you, that yesterday morning the Viscount Rochester (age 26) was very solemnly in the banqueting-hall. in the sight of many great ones and small ones, created Earl of Somerset; and in the afternoon, for a farther honouring and signalizing of the day, my Lord Cook (brought in by the said Earl) was sworn a Privy Councillor, to counterpoise the difference of the profit between the Common Pleas and the King's Bench1.
I will turn over the leaf though I die for it, to remember the heartiest love of my soul to that good niece, to that sweet niece, to whom I have much to say by the next opportunity. Our dear Saviour keep you both in His continual love.
Your faithfullest servant,
Henry Wotton.
Touching the project of our house, believe it, sir, I boil in it, and am ready to begin again, that I may tell you how busy I have been in the matter; but let this also be put over till the following week, which is likely to fall heavy upon you.
Written on the day of our great preservation, for which our God be ever glorified.
Note 1. Sir Edward Coke (age 61), Chief Justice of the Common Pleas in 1606, was now by Bacon's advice, and against his own will, appointed to the Chief Justiceship of the King's Bench, a more honourable, but less lucrative position. (Gardiner. ii, pp. 207, 208.)
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