:28:01
Will your steps always be so laggard
when I send for you, Master Bacon?
:28:05
My steps have lost the habit
of being summoned by you.
:28:08
And your tongue has lost
none of its sharpness, I see.
:28:11
To bed and hopeful dreams.
:28:16
You're a friend of my Lord Essex,
aren't you?
:28:18
- I am whatever Your Grace desires.
- And your own interest dictates.
:28:22
Anyway, you know him better
than any other man.
:28:25
- Why has he not returned to court?
- Not for lack of attraction...
:28:28
...but possibly his pride.
- A pox on his pride!
:28:32
He must come home. I command it!
:28:37
You need him back so badly, Your Grace?
:28:40
Purely for matters of state.
Do you understand?
:28:43
Perfectly, madam.
:28:46
Bacon. Bacon, stop being clever.
:28:50
I'm too tired to fence with you.
:28:54
I can't force him back, and you know it.
:28:56
And he's so stupid, so stubborn,
so pigheaded...
:29:00
...that he'll never return of his own accord
unless I humble myself to him.
:29:04
And that I'll never do. Never!
:29:07
- Do you hear?
- Naturally, Your Majesty.
:29:09
Naturally! It's against all nature
that I should suffer so.
:29:18
Tell me, what shall I do?
:29:20
Find me a way to compel his return
without having to punish him.
:29:25
I'll not be ungrateful.
:29:27
My reward would lie
in your happiness.
:29:29
And the advantage to you
in his return to favor, of course.
:29:33
I'll not deny it, madam.
:29:35
But how to persuade him and still save
the pride of each, I'm hanged if I know.
:29:40
Perhaps if I slept the night upon it.
:29:43
What is it?
:29:46
- A courier from Ireland, Your Majesty.
- Have him enter.
:29:57
Your Majesty.
:29:59
I came...