Notes. Croft (“Reputation” 49-50) discusses and contextualizes the charges of financial oppression and mismanagement that are a central feature of this libel.

Heere lyes great Salisbury though little of Stature1

A Monster2 of mischeif Ambitious of Nature:

A States man that did Impoverish the Crowne

Sould Mylles & lands & Forrests cut downe.3

His care for the commons his country none feeles

With trickes & with traps & with privye Seales4

King countrye & commons doe mourne & lamente

For he is gone to hell to raise the devills Rente.

Source. NCRO MS IL 4304

D21

¹   great Salisbury though little of Stature: several poems play on the contrast between Cecil’s political greatness and his small physical stature. See, for instance, line 2 of “Passer by know heere is interrd”, the opening line of “Heere lyes Salisbury that little great comaunder”, and line 5 of Samuel Daniel’s “If greatnes, wisedome, pollicie of state”. <back>

²   Monster: refers to Cecil’s crooked back. <back>

³   Sould...cut downe: this line charges Cecil, somewhat unfairly, with selling off and spoiling the royal lands. <back>

⁴   privye Seales: a controversial form of prerogrative finance that raised revenue by forced loans. Croft (“Reputation” 49-50, n.22) notes that the “collection of privy seals was at the forefront of attention early in 1612”. <back>