Wednesday, October 13, 2010

By the Mind Shall I Be Seen

"This illustration is a facsimile from a Rosicrosse Emblem Book, Peacham's Minerva Britanna. It carries a secret Francis Bacon signature indicating the hidden man behind the stage curtain who wrote the immortal Shakespeare plays. He says in effect: 'Though you cannot see me, I shall be known by my mind to those who wish to find me.'
He was known to the Fraternity of the literary Rosicrosse as the Head of the Secret Orders; and Thomas Powell, a contemporary, wrote some verses identifying him as Shakespeare. He refers to Francis Bacon's Emblem in the line: 'Oh give me leave to pull the Curtayne by.'" Dodd, Alfred, The Martyrdom of Francis Bacon (London, Rider & Co.).