The life and death of Thomas Wolsey Cardinall Diuided into three parts: his aspiring, triumph, and death. By Thomas Storer student of Christ-church in Oxford.

Wolseius aspirans . BEtweene two Muses in the deepe of night , There sate a reuerend Father full of woe , They gaz'd on him , and from that dismall sight , A kind remorse was willing them to go , But cruell Fortune would not haue it so : Fortune that erst his pride had ouerthrowne , Would haue her power by his misfortune knowne . Where fruitfull Thames salutes the learned shoare , Was this graue Prelate and the Muses placed ; And by those waues he builded had before , A royall house with learned Muses graced , But by his death vnperfect and defaced , O blessed walls , and broken towers ( quoth he ) That neuer rose to fall againe with me . To thee first sister of the learned nine , Historians goddesse , Patronesse of Fame , Entombing worthies in a huing shrine , Celestiall Clio , Clio peerelesse dame , My stories , truth , and triumph I will frame : My stories simple truth , if ought remaine , Enrich my legend with thy sacred vaine . The sad discourse of my vntimely fall ( O tragique Muse ) shall pierce thy sullen eares Melpomene , though nothing can apall Thy heart obdurate in contempt of feares , My my laments shall make thee write in teares , If mong thy scrolles of antique maiestie , Thou deigne to place a Prelates tragedie . Perchance the tenor of thy mourning verse May leade some pilgrim to my toomblesse graue , Where neither marble monument nor hearse The passengers attentiue view may craue , Which honors now the meanest persons haue : But well is me where e're my ashes lie , If one teare drop from some religious eie . Yet when by meanes of Princes gracious doome I rulde the Church , where aged Wainflet lay , Zealous I was vnto my Founders toombe ; My thankfull loue did faithfull tribute pay To him now dead , whose liuing was my stay : His ancient reliques were as deere to me , As Princes lookes , or parents loue might be . Thrice sweete remembrance of that holy man , Reuerend erector of those stately tow'res , That worthy College where my youth beganne , In humane Artes to spend the watchfull houres ; That fruitful noursery , where heau'nly show'res To me poore country-plant such grace did yeelde , As soone I prooued the fairest of the field . As rightly cal'd , as royally compriz'd , For that repentant womans name it beares , Who meekely for our Sauiours feete deuis'de A double bath of ointment and of teares Wherewith she washt , then wip't them with her hayres : With precious sauour heere for aye endures And tempred spirits with holy breath repures . Still flourish O our Athens second praise , Full of religion , and of pregnant wits , That to high place of dignity dost raise , So many a sweete diuine that mitred sits , In sacred see as men of God befits : " For Arts best nurse is Honors chaste desire , " And Glory sets all studious hearts on fire . This greedy flame together with my youth , ( Two neuer fit companions for aduice , ) No'r teaching right from wrong , deceit from truth , Nor shewes from substance , toyes from things of price , Layd downe my heart a liuing sacrifice On Honors altar where it burned bright , Like Uestaes fire with an eternall light . This siluer tongue ( me thought ) was neuer made , With rhetoricke skill to teach each common swaine , These deepe conceits were neuer taught to wade , In shallow brookes , no'r this aspiring vaine , Fitto conuerse among the shepheards traine : I could not girt me like a worthlesse groome , In courser garment wouen of country loome . Iust cause I saw my titles to aduance , Vertue my gentry , Priesthood my discent , Saints my allies the Crosse my cognisance , Angells my guard , that watcht about my tent , Wisedome that vsher'd me where ere I went : These are our honors , though the world withstand , Our lands and wealth are in another land . Yet as through Tagus faire transparent streames , The wandring Marchant sees the sandy gold , Or like as Cynthia'es halfe obscured beames , In silent night the Pilot doth behold Through misty clowdes and vapors manifold : So through a mirror of my hop'te for gaine , I saw the treasure which I should obtaine . Then did I my poore country charge resigne , Where I had liu'd disgrac'd and discontent , Wrong'd by a Knight , for no desert of mine , But when he deem'd my torch of malice spent , I made my cleargy-scorning Knight repent : For Nature fram'd my memory quicke and strong , But most intentiue to reuenge a wrong . Forth as I went , when my desires were ti'de , I was perplext with thousand sundry minds , The swelling Ocean in a stormy tide , Was ne're so tosst with selfe resisting winds , As now my heart it selfe tormented finds : Nought left but Hope , to ease my troubled soule , And euen that Hope Despaire did thus controule . Wolsey , are these the hopes of thy desarts ? Are these the fruites of wit ? is this to know ? O vaine Philosophie , and bootlesse artes , Such seedes of learned ignorance to sow , Where Skilles disgrace , and Wisedomes folly grow ! Grow where you list , in me your rootes vnknit , A setled braine is worth a world of wit . In Court who euer heard my name before ? Or hearing it , none knowes it I am sure : Suppose they do ; who cares for me the more ? Or graunt they did ; how long will that indure ? Admit it should ; what good may care procure ? O rather on that homely seate rely , Where knowne and car'de for , thou maist liue and die . Seek'st thou for fame ? hee 's best that least is knowne , Or Princes fauours ? that 's no common grant : Seru'st thou for wealth ? a Courtier knowes his owne : Or for degree ? preferment waxeth scant : Wantst thou to liue ? no hell to Courtiers want : O rather yet embrace thy priuate lot With honest fame and riches purely got . Each perfect sense must things repugnant do , Thy eyes must watch , but neuer seeme to see ; Thy tongue must braue , but learne to flatter too ; Thy eares must heare , yet deafe and carelesse be ; Affection fast and loose , thoughts bond and free : Vaine , yet precise ; chaste , but to maidens kinde ; A Saint in sight , a Machiuel in minde . Thy present calmes these stormy waues surpasse , As pearles indeede the things which precious seeme , Thy glebe brings corne , thy pasture plenteous grasse , For thee thy toiling oxen ioyne in teeme , And after with their death thy life redeeme . Thy sheepe ( a pleasant flocke ) their fleeces vaile , And from their dugges yeeld nectar to thy paile . At home what duty neighbors yeeld to thee , Creeping to others now thou must resigne , Attend their diet , euer waiting be , When with lesse plentie in a shadie vine , But greater pleasure thou wer 't wont to dine : Nature hath powr'd enough in each mans lappe , Could each man learne to vse his priuate happe . But say all wealth and honor me betide , And I were borne the onely man to rise , My Kings deare fauorite , and countries guide , Th' autentique obiect of all wondring eies , Experience holdes the Tragique Poet wise : That rather chose mong Corsicke rockes to dwell , Then in the pompe of Casars court excell . Thus reason sought to stale ambitions hould , Wise Empyricke with twentie truths attended , But his enchaunted force , all force controulde , With priuiledge and charter long defended , Gainst all inuasions till that world were ended : Whereon presuming he did thus reprooue All doubts , and from his seate all feares remooue . Vnthankfull man to heau'n and heau'ns creatour , To men and Angells enuious and vnkinde , Burying Gods Image , quintessence of Nature , Vertues perfection , excellence of minde , In barbarous woodes , and desart fields inshrinde : When men like trees to sweetest voice ne're hearke , Where words of life can pierce their sauage barke . Long time the princely shepheard did remaine , Striking his harpe in fruitfull Palestine , But as the sheepe , so euery shepheard swaine , Knew not the vertue of his touch diuine , Till once the Prince his fancie did incline To heare him play ; then home this child they bring , With charming notes to ease the troubled King . The Princes court is mansion of the wise , Figure of heau'n , faire fountaine of delights , Theatre of honor , earthly Paradise , Sodaine aduauncer , Sphere of purest lights , The liuely Vatican of beauties brights : Thither let Phoebus progeny resort , Where shines their father but in Ioues great court ? Let neuer man indued with sundry graces , So sell himselfe for tithes and trifling gaine ; Nor that rich infinite spirit that embraces , This vniuerse in compasse of a braine , So prostitute her deity , nor restraine In narrow limits of a base content , Of learned thoughts the boundlesse continent . But since our fairer meanes seeme to inuite vs , By Iacobs ladder to ascend on high , Whose euery round with pleasure may delight vs , Why cease we all our studies to apply To gaine this tipe ? And wherefore linger I ? With whose hart-strings Amphions Lute is strung , And Orpheus Harp hangs warbling at my tongue . Now was I drawne in chariot of Desire , While Typhis-like Ambition led the way ; Arriu'd at Court , I needed not enquire What Lord about the King bore greatest sway ; Their troupes of followers , riches of aray , Numbers of suters almost numberlesse , Taught me to know , or somewhat more then ghesse . To please their vaine , and be my selfe admirde , I cast my learning in a Courtiers mold ; My schollership and carriage both conspirde T'appeach their wrong , that most iniurious hold Such men vnfit , to haue their names enrold In place of note , or handle things of weight , That spend their time in contemplations height . Frame to your selues imaginary courts , ( O piercing spirites inflam'de with heau'nly fire ) Kings Mathematicke , counterfeit resorts , Portraites of iustice , shadows of desire , Such aery castles as conceipts inspire , Such commonwealths as Plato did vphold , Administring booke-iustice vncontrold . Such heau'ns , such planets , and such whirling spheres , The Syracusan wisard did inuent , Wherein the curious workmanship appeares Of their first mouer , and did represent , The wondrous fabricke of the firmament : If heau'ns and common wealths may be so showne , The courts estate much easier may be knowne . These fancies I had framed long before , Deeming my selfe my fortunes architect ; Now care sollicited me ten times more , To bring those meditations to effect , And so my wary counsell to direct , As might content the pillar of my state , That next in counsell to his soueraignesate . A man made old to teach the worth of age , Patriarke-like , and graue in all designes , One that had finish't a long pilgrimage , Sparing in diet , abstinent from wines , His sinews small as threeds , or slender lines : Lord of the citty , where with solemne rites , The old Prince Arthur feasted with his Knights . He saw my gifts were such as might deserue , He knew his life was drawing to an end , He thought no meanes so likely to preserue His fame , with time and enuy to contend , As to aduance some faithful seruing friend , That liuing might in time to come record , Th' immortall praise of his deceased Lord . He brought me first in presence of the King , Who then allotted me his Chaplains place ; My eloquence did such contentment bring Vnto his eares that neuer Prince did grace Poore Chaplaine more , nor lowly priest embrace " Dread soueraigne so . For Nature teacheth euer , " Who loues preferment , needes must loue the giuer . Next who but I was sent Embassadour , With Europes greatest Monarch to intreate , Caesar of Almaine Germans Emperour , In Belgia keeping his imperiall seat , To handle matters of importance great : My hap was such the King could hardly ghesse , Which pleasde him more , my speede , or good successe . The Argonauticke vessell neuer past , With swifter course along the Colchan maine , Then my small barke with faire and speedy blast Conuayd me forth , and reconuayd againe ; Thrice had Arcturus driu'n his restlesse waine , And heau'ns bright lampe , the day had thrice reuiu'd , From last departure , till I first arriu'd . The King not deeming I had yet beene gone , Was angry for my long surmiz'd delay ; I tolde his Maiestie that all was done , And more than all , and did his pardon pray That I beyond commission went astray ; And could haue wisht for euer to be chid With answer to content as then I did . T' is not huge heapes of figuratiue deuises , Nor luxurie of metaphors or phrases , Nor finenesse of connexion that intices Court-learned eares , and all the world amazes , But depth with pleasure crauing all the graces Of art and nature , curiously precize , Serenely modest , excellently wise . It is not learning ; for the Courtiers know it , Nor folly ; but for Councellors most fit , Nor graue demeanour ; for we must bestow it On Ladies toyes ; nor quintessence of wit , For that is most vnstaide , nor doth it fit With Courtiers maiestie to be reputed , Too learn'd , too graue , too fine , or too conceited . A skill transcendent ouer euery art , Yet subiect or essentiall vnto none , Vnperfect too , yet hauing euery part , And thus though strange , vnperfect , and but one , Yet all admire and reuerence it alone : Vnknowne and vndefin'de saue in discerning , By practise to be got , but not by learning . Men pointed out by Fortune for good happe , Haue from their infancy this gift inspir'd , Promotions fall , as plenteous in their lappe , As words out of their mouths , thus I acquir'd , The deanerie of Lincolne vndesir'd : And then the Almnership , and euery hower , Some droppes distilling of a golden shower . As in a burning glasse or little sphere , Dispearsed sun-beames oft vnited are , And in one point beames infinite appeare , Innumerable rayes disiected farre , From th' oblique circle of that glorious starre ▪ So like that instrument I now begun , Tunite the fauours of our earthly sun . New friends vnknowne , great presents vndeseru'd , Olde sutors came , held backe with long delay , And al like poppets when their time was seru'd , Gaue place to other , and so likewise they , Ending their parts , let other actors play : No way in all the court so duly tread , As was the path which to my lodging led . Transplanted thus into a fertile spring , And watred from aboue with heau'nly dew , Enlightned with the presence of my King , My branches waxed large and faire of hew , And all about fresh buddes of honor grew : Garlands of Lordships , blossomes of degree , White roddes of office , keyes of knightly fee . Looke how the God of Wisedome marbled stands , Bestowing Laurel wreathes of dignitie In Delphos I le , at whose vnpartiall hands , Hang antique scrolles of gentle Herauldrie , And at his feete ensignes and trophies lie : Such was my state whom euery man did follow , As liuing statue of the great Apollo . But see , euen when my ioyes did most abound , My crowned pillar most vntimely fell , And I about his shaft like Iuie wound , That did in pride , as he in height excell , Was left behind to heare his heauy knell : And sing a Requiem to his soule deceast , For I , poore I , lost more then all the rest . O hidden doome , of that eternall spirit , That sentence giues , the righteous man shall die : Iniurious death that lets rude soules inherit Long leases of their liues , and dost enuy That Princes liue , on whom all states rely . And cruell fate that such confusion brings , To common wealths by Ostracisme of Kings . He died , and in memoriall of his name , Built that faire chappell , where he now takes rest ; A rich foundation of a curious frame , The fairest monument left vnsupprest , Passing all temples of the gorgeous East : O strew his hearse with roses red and white , For he both stemmes did in one bed vnite . True branch of both , thy father is not dead , For in thy looke I reade his vertuous raigne , His crowne is set on thy victorious head , Dead to himselfe , he liues in thee againe , His wisedome seated in thy princely braine : O were not Times old wings so farre outworne , But he new crownde , and thou as newly borne ! But both are gone , and we too soone bereft , To better kingdomes both translated are ; This testimony to the world is left , He was the Prince of peace , thou God of warre , He was a fixed , thou a wandring starre : Seu'n is a number fatall from the heau'ns , But eight King Henrie passing all the seu'ns . He came of noble , thou of Kingly race , He brought to win , thou borne to weare a crowne ; He got great wealth , thou honor didst embrace ; He kept his owne , thou conquer'st many a towne ; He houses built , thou batterdst citties downe : O worthies both ! and vnsufficient me , To mourne for him , or speake enough of thee . Then for my selfe whom wisedome neuer taught , To seeke for gold in coffins of the dead , My deepe contriuing pollicie so wrought , That in his youthly raigne my dearest dread , Me to his sacred counsell did aread : Where all estates in open court did find , The liuely vigor resting in my mind . When I did muse , my spirit did wholy beare , His full perfection to enrich my thought ; What time I spake , my life was wholy there , And to my speech all grace and beautie brought : What praise soeuer any member sought , That God ( whom we call soule ) sprung from our heart . Was all in all , and all in euery part . What matters past in priuate conference , Or publique counsell for the common good , I still enform'd his sacred excellence , Framing my sentence to his princely moode , His word , my deede , his will , my warrant stoode : Nor neede his grace one iot of pleasure spare , His royall graunt , in person to declare . Enough said I your highnesse doth in this , To make vs lawes that in subiection dwell , Let Magistrates correct what is amisse ; Such nobles as in wisedome most excell , Aduance to place where they may gouerne well : And as you do your kingdomes glory prize , Of all your land , select the learned wise . For if the temperature of common weale , Be guided by the course of heau'nly pow'res , Such as in deepe affaires will iustly deale , Must haue an eie to those aeternall bow'res , And by their view direct this state of ours : Else how can he a perfect states-man prooue , That knowes not how coelestiall bodies mooue ? How can he marke religions stedfast pole , How many long degrees we distant are ? How lawes of iustice compasse in the whole Like orbe of fixed lights , or note from farre , A fained meteor from a fixed starre : How darke eclipsed truth is neuer seene , When worlds corrupting treasure comes betweene . When wise Magitians wandred farre and wide , To find the place of our Messias birth , A starre by east , became their faithfull guide , Angells proclaming notes of ioyfull mirth , Glorie to God on high , and peace on earth : While here I pawsde , the King with smiling cheare , Bade me proceede , for he was bent to heare . Dread soueraigne , I intend not to detract From noble families their ancient rights ; Ill fares the shippe whose loftie toppes be wrackt , Whole Empires fall where such confusion lights , Long life and honor to S. Georges Knights : " Yet this I reade , that realme shall fairest rise , " Where wise men rule , or Rulers can be wise . Put such in trust your grace may rest secure , And sway the scepter with immortall praise , Whether you please your royall selfe immure , In cittie walls triumphing sundry waies , Or els in progresse spend the sommer daies : What hath the ayre , the sea , the land , and all , That is not yours , or subiect at your call ? Scholler ( said he ) thou know'st my kingdomes state , And canst with pleasure painfull trauells brooke , I le prize thy seruice at the highest rate , Performing that which thou hast vndertooke , For Lordly rents , I le change thy Easter booke : Good priest whose sonne so ere thou art by kind , Wolsey of Ipswich ne're begat thy mind . Soone after this the King with mighty hoast , In person meant to enter warlike France , To challenge what his auncetors had lost , On Turney gates his standard to aduance , And in their courts , to make our courtiers daunce ▪ Which vnacquainted labor to supply , He thought no subiect was so fit as I. He might as well appoint some artlesse swaine , In Pytheas place to build Mausolus toombe ; To reare th' Aegyptian Pyramid's againe , Restore the ruines of declining Rome , Or put some shepheardesse to Arachnes loome : As me a student and a yong diuine , To furnish out a campe , no charge of mine ▪ But now the sweetnesse of promotions taste , Delightsome prospect to the tower of fame , Such skill in my vnmartiall wittes had plac'de , As would not onely iust proportion frame , Of men , and fit munition for the same : But bring from rockes where flintie sinewes stoode , Whole stony legions of Deucalions broode . Imagine Turney vanquisht by the King , With Turwins walls and all the confin'de land : Ill windes they are that good to no man bring , Worse warres that suffer not the churches stand , My wind blew faire , the church fell in my hand , That was elect and consecrated soone , Bishop of Turney when the warres were done . A sweete preferment , for it was my first ; A straunge aduancement in another Realme ; A pleasant draft to quench ambitions thirst ; A ioyfull note to wake me from my dreame ; A fruitfull spring , to send so faire a streame : What man but me could fortune thus aduance , In peace , in warre , in England , and in France ? My solemne consecration beeing ended , And holy miter placed on my head , With falling mists the darksome night extended Hir sable wings , and gently ouerspread Heau'ns gloomy vaile , whence Phoebus lamp was fled : Dead time of rest to euery mortall wight , No musicke to the silence of the night . To cheerfull minds that bringeth wanton sleepe , With many a Phantasme and deluding toy , And pensiue heart it doth detaine and keepe , From tedious company that would annoy , Dull Saturnists that haue abiur'd all ioy : To me whose day was all in pleasure spent , This wondrous vision it did represent . From that rich valley where the Angels laid him , His vnknowne sepulchre in Moabs land , Moses that Israel led and they obaid him , In glorious view before my face did stand , Bearing the folded tables in his hand : Wherein the doome of life , and deaths despaire , By Gods owne finger was ingrauen faire . He passing forth , a ioyfull troope ensued , Of worthy iudges and triumphant Kings , Victorious Iosuah that in armes subdued , Prophane vsurpers of their hallowed things , And smote their leaders , breaking al their wings : With him as ioyning hearts with meeke consent , Princes of Israel and of Iuda went . Next whom with solemne note of trumpets sound , The tabernacle of the Lord was brought , About it holy Priests assembled round , With sacred Ephods , girdles richly wrought , Such garments as the Lord had Aaron taught ; With warbling harpe , and crownet on his head , The ghost of Dauid loftie measures lead . To these in order all the Prophets came , Mysterious prophets , cloth'd in poore array ; Pronouncing oft Iehouah's dreadfull name , Crying to Syon ; Learne , O learne the way , Your desolation hastneth euery day : These were refusde , for none regarded them In all the daughters of Ierusalem . The next in ranke were holy Martyres bleeding , Whose euery wound in perfect glory shines : Then they which wrote our Sauiours iust proceeding , His life and death in euerlasting lines : And last of all , the best of all diuines , To whome deepe mysteries of things conceal'd , At Pathmos I le in vision were reueal'd . Now from th' Aethereall pallace of her rest , In perfect semblance they appear'd to me : But O my soule how are thy pow'res opprest , That sleeping saw'st , and waking canst not see ? O God! if so thy gracious pleasure be , Such beauty be reueal'd to mortall men , Direct , O soone direct my wandring pen . In chariot framed of celestiall mould , And simple purenesse of the purest skie , A more then heau'nly Nymph I did beholde , Who glauncing on me with her gracious eie , So gaue me leaue her beautie to espie : For sure no sence such sight can comprehend , Except her beames their faire reflection lend . Her beauty with Eternitie began , And onely vnto God was euer seene , When Eden was possest with sinfull man , She came to him , and gladly would haue beene , The long succeeding worlds eternall Queene : But they refused her ( O hainous deed ! ) And from that garden banish't was their seede . Since when , at sundry times and sundry waies , Atheisme and blinded ignorance conspire , How to obscure those holy burning raies , And quench that zeale of heart-inflaming fire , As makes our soules to heau'nly things aspire : But al in vaine , for mauger all their might , Shee neuer lost one sparkle of her light . Pearles may be foild , and gold be turn'd to drosse , The sun obscur'd , the moone be turn'd to bloud , The world may sorrow for Astraeas losse , The heau'ns be darkned like a dusky wood , Waste desarts lie where watry fountaines stood : But faire Theologie ( for so she hight , ) Shall neuer loose one sparkle of her light . Such one she was as in his Hebrew song , The wisest King for fairest creature prooues ▪ Embracing her the Cedar trees among , Comparing her to roses and to doues , Preferring her before all other loues : Such one she was , and euery whit as faire , Beside these two , was neuer such a paire . Her handmaides in Amazon-like attire , Went chaste and modest like Dianaes traine , One , by her gazing lookes seem'd to aspire Beyond the moone , and in a high disdaine , To deeme the world , and wordly treasures vaine : She hight Astrology , on whose bright lawne , Spheres , Astrolabes , and skilfull globes are drawne . The next faire , smiling with a pleasing cheere , Had pow're to rauish and enchant mens eares , High Rhetoricke whose shadowed vaile showne cleere , With siluer tongues , and ouer it she weares A wimpled scarfe bedew'd with hearers teares : Whose captiue hearts she should detaine long while , With pleasance of her vnaffected stile . The third a quicke-eyd dame , of piercing sight , That reasons worth in equall ballance way'd ; The truth she lou'd aboue all earthly wight , Yet could not tell her loue but what she saide , Was certaine true , and she a perfect maide : Her garment short tuckt vp , to worke prepar'd , And she cald Logicke without welt or gard . Next these , whose outward lookes I knew aright , And had some portion of their endlesse treasure , Faire Algebra with figures richly dight ; Sweete Musicke foundresse of delightsome pleasure ; Earth-scanning Nimph , directresse of all measure : These humbly did her soueraigne highnesse greete , And meekely laid their garlands at her feete . From euery one she pluckt a speciall flower , And laid each flower vpon a seuerall part ; Then from her owne a stemme of wondrous power , Whose leaues were beames , whose stalke a fi'ry dart , And that she laid vpon my trembling hart : Those were the buds of art , this plant of blisse , This gaue them life , they yeelded grace to this . Opening the closure of her speech diuine , My sweetly-rauisht sence she thus bespake , Now Prelate art thou plac'de in Gods deare vine , To heau'nly thoughts thy studies whole betake : And when thou shalt from drowsie sleepe awake , Thanke these my handmaides that haue thought thee fit , To whom the charge of soules I might commit . To thee the charge of soules I here commit , Of sheepe and shepheards both take ouersight ; If thou for gaine the greater charge omit , Or loose one title of the churches right , Or lesse esteeme Gods word then Kingly might ; Mingling religious booke with honors mace , Leauing Gods fauor for the princes grace : If thou by false pretence procure this wrong , ( What may not learn'd iniquity procure ? ) Thy name shall die the vulgar sort among , Proscript and abiect from those fathers pure , Whose memory for euer shall endure : Obliuion and disgrace vpon thy graue , Shall write their triumph , and thy name depraue . This said , her Martyrs drew her chariot on , Through vnknowne passage of the blasting ayre , And now to Abrahams bosome is she gone , Commanding all her Nimphs and handmaids faire , To these sweete waues , and pleasant bankes repaire : And I , though full of care , and vex't in mind , Tooke shippe for England with a prosperous wind . Welcome my Lord of Turney said the King , Two Dukes with two as scornfull lookes past by , A yong French Bishop seem'd so base a thing To such great noble things that looke so high , As made me wonder at diuinitie : That she the nearest to the King of Kings , Should be debasde by any thing of things . Say I were yong , my liuely spirits were fit , To grow in wisedomes euer-blowing spring , Or say ambitious , that 's a marke of wit , To beare our thoughts aloft on eagles wings , And wit to youth especiall grace doth bring : I hate such lingring wisedome as appeares , In hoary cognisance of ancient yeares . Say all the world th' aboundance of their mind , And speake of Wolsey all the wrong they can , I say the world is enuious and vnkind , The multitude e're since the world began , Was ready to reprooue the iustest man , Who rightly climes the top of endlesse praise , Regards not what the wise discourser saies . Obiect they Turney , I deuisde a way To compasse Lincolne or some other see , Admire they this ; I found a blisfull day , In primacy of Yorke enstall'd to be ; Such happy fortune still betided me , That when they enuied at my meane estate , I got some greater to confound their hate . Each sence may common obiects comprehend , Things excellent the sensitiue confound , The eie with light and colours may contend , The eare endure the note of common sound , Both faile when glorious beames lowd strokes abound : So enuy that at meanest things beare spite , Stands mute at view of vnexpected height . The peeres that hated me were now content , With me their former friendship to renew , Who sought by me to purchase gouernment , And learne of me that thus in greatness grew . O But the Italian Florentine said true : The man furthereth other men to thriue , Of priuate greatnesse doth himselfe depriue . Failing to hit the marke whereat I aime , They take the least rupulse in deepe disgrace , And neuer ceast with fury to exclaime Against my name , and odiously debase , My birth , my parents , and vngentle race : Vnnobly done , which though I not respect , Yet vnto them , themselues I might obiect . Where are the gifts whose ensignes ye pretend , O dull inheritors of others praise ? The vertues that your lordly armes commend , And crownd your ancients with immortall bayes ? Amisse faire Fortitude her coate displaies : Where such as neuer durst maintaine the field , May beare a lion armed in their shield . Thou four-fold goddesse , that hast stem'd thy crowne , With wisedome , valor , temperance , and right , Place by thy sides those Heroes of renowne , That temperate iustice with discretions might ; Let Herauldry prouide in honors sight , That such as are with fathers goods possest , Retaine their vertues , or resigne their crest . Fine schollers borne of Pallas heau'nly braine , As she of Ioues , haue purchasde this decree , From meaner Princes in their seuerall raignes , Dukes , Vidams , Barons , such as brauest be , To muse of things that nobles do not see : When their reward , though they be well regarded , May be to be well thought of , scarce rewarded . Which made me , when I once had found the spring , Draw from the Fountaine where the proudest drew , Leauing the counsell , seeke vnto the King , And when my purpose was indeede to sue , To sue to him , because I euer knew , Suing to Courtiers with our best complaints , Like superstitious praying vnto Saints .

Wolseius triumphans . CLlio , are all thy sisters scholler-like ? No court-like Muse for polliticke designes ? And onely for Apollo doe they strike Their instruments to what he most inclines ? Is this the reason that he euer shines ? No wonder if the world behold him bright , Such Virgins can giue oyle to any light . Then shall no busie burdner of the Presse , Without a Muse stand riming at my waies , The more a Nouice seekes , he findes the lesse , And sure the lesse he findes , the lesse he straies , No pollicie to silence now a daies : Let him that shall my famous life descry , Write of my Triumphs , let the meanes go by . The glory of my Primacie affords Discourse enough ( O Time ) to spend thine howres , Barren inuention shall abound with words , As Autumne doth with fruits , the spring with flowres , Summer with sun-beames , winter time with showres : Poets in vaine their stratagems deuise , Wittes want makes men desirous to seeme wise . But as a Saphyre hanging downe the brest , A farre more orient glittering doth make , Than doth a Diamond of good request Set in a bracelet , and more glorie take , Not for the vertue , but for the places sake : So did a clowdy Saphyre dimme my light , Not with his worth , but with his places height . Graue auncient Warham full of high desart , The Easterne Metropolitane of Kent , A perfect Leuite of a loyall heart , Fit for the temple whereto he was sent , In all religious orders excellent : No fault , but that he would not soone resigne To me , and his large prouince change for mine . Which fault , my Romish frends had soone espide , Their care was feruent Catholike for me , Who in their Synode did such meanes prouide For my aduancement to more high degree , As Canterburie should inferior be : They chose me Cardinall , but mine owne voice , Had thought me worthy of an higher choice . They chose me Cardinall , and sent a hat , What choise ? what hat ? where was the triple crowne ? A Monmouth man can do as much as that : O had his holinesse bin in a sowne , Or surfeited , or tooke some potion downe ! S. Peters church , S. Angells famous towre , The seuen hills citty had bin in my powre . A second Vatican , a new Auignion , Another Laterane I could inuent , For reliques , pomp , and church diuision , What had I car'd in glory to haue spent , Mine owne , the churches , and the Kings owne rent ? Me thought , if Friends , and Fortune , had bin true , I could haue built all Italie anew . Wise Chaplaines that had walkt a quiet pace , Good honest painfull Graduates in their kind , Told me it was a step to higher place , And such a step , as few could euer find , A lofty step ; and stepping termes refind , Step they that doubtfull feare to clime on hie , What neede he step hath Wisdoms wings to flie ? Now missing Clemens crowne , I thought to take King Henries Seale , high Chancelor of the land , Which secular authoritie did make Me able all their furies to withstand , That in their wisedomes had seuerely scan'd : A clergy man his calling much impaires , To meddle with the polliticke affaires . Then Moses that had all Aegyptians skill , Whose deepest learning flourisht in his daies , And many priests of Iuda sinned still , That not by iustice onely purchast praise , But practiz'd vse of martiall assaies : Some pleas are hard , and many things befall , Which priuiledge or conscience must recall . Diuine proceedings faile , not being backt With lawfull maintenance of eiuill sword ; Endeuours polliticke take small effect , That wants assistance from the heau'nly word ; Beside some help must wealth and state afford : For iudgement vttred by the mouth of want , Is either partiall , or admitted scant . Thus though my crosses , pillars , and my mace , Honoured my person to the common view Of such as measure men by outward grace ; Yet to my seuerall charges being due , I might not to succession be vntrue : Our state is not the Moones , that from her waine ▪ Growes crescent presently , and new againe . If once we fall , we fall Colossus-like , We fall at once like pillars of the sunne , They that betweene our stride their sailes did strike , Making vs sea-markes where their shippe did runne , Euen they that had by vs their treasure wonne ; Rise as we may by moderate degrees , If once we stoope , thei 'le bring vs on our knees . I made my chappell pure deuotions seate , Meete for the seruice of the heau'nly King , The tongues of the most learned did intreate Of his decrees , and skilful priests did sing , And singing boyes vse their hearts trebling string : Such ornaments are most beseeming vs , In Gods behalfe , let noble Peeres do thus . My houshold was not like the tent of Loue , Full of faire damsels , like Venetian bowers , Nor of such virgins , whom the spirit doth moue , No place for sister-hood within my towers , Yet eu'ry day as many meales as howers : Seruants and officers in eu'ry roome , And royall fare for strangers when they come . Where is that open cawsey wont to leade The hungry beggar to a sheafe of corne ? Who lets them gleane with Ruth , or giues them bread ▪ Who rather feedes not fooles , or men forsworne , Or els for briefnesse sake leaues al forlorne ? See now the parlours of our highest states , Are like to painted doores or posterne gates . Proportion was surucior of my charge , Adding to lofty buildings , gardens faire , Iust with my gaines my houses to enlarge , Mine vsuall walkes to pleasantnesse of ayre , Of euery thing making an equall payre : Planting faire arbors in my forrests wide , And feasting chambers by the riuers side . This louing streame that doth salute the shore , In true affection to a schollers eie , Euen from these banckes encreaseth more and more , Waue tossing ouer waue most enuiously , Till flowing tide forbid her passing by : And make them stay , while passengers may see , What was begun , and what was done by me . Faire Dambie is praisde for being wide , Nilus commended for the seu'n fold head , Euphrates , for the swiftnesse of the tide , And for the garden whence his course is led ; The banckes of Rhine with vines are ouerspred : Take Loyre and Po , yet all may not compare With English Thamesis for buildings rare . My dreames were nothing but of Memphis still , Of Pyramids , of statues caru'd in gold , Hercules pillars , and Olympus hill , My waking fancies too were euer sold , Such toyes in gazing blindnesse to behold : No strokes of Musickes sound could strike away , High thoughts by night , nor deepe conceits by day . A prowd man may his owne musitian be , His heads deuise makes pauines to his heart , This heart with pleasure leapes , and daunces free All but the measures , framing euery part , Like Organs worthy of so sweete an art : His thoughts plaies Marches to his vaulting mind . And Memories Recorder sounds behinde . Pride makes her Rounds , for she hath neuer end , And Sonnets , for shee neuer leaues her noise , She makes her Dumpes , if any thing offend , And to her Idole-selfe with warbling voice , Sings Hymnes and Anthems of especiall choice : And yet Prides quier is put to silence cleane , Wanting a base , a tenor , and a meane . Farre from the church be these immusicall Vntoward songs that wants so many parts , And since that pure religion doth install Learned professors , prelates of desarts , Let them aspire and reare instructed harts , Against the base bestowers of church liuings , That vse their graunts in sellings , and not in giuings . For such men are like curtaines at their best , He meaneth Symoniacke and vnlearned ministers To make vs sleepe , or hinder vs from light , Troublers of Nature , children of the west , Haters of sence , adopted sonnes of night , In whom the wise both sorrow and delight : Yet were there not such vegetalls the while , What had the wiser sort whereat to smile ? O you that beare the courage of diuines , Hate such mens patronage , ingage not Art , For who beholds the spoiler of the vines , And stands secure , or takes the spoilers part , Shall in his conscience feele such deadly smart , That when he seekes by scripture to be easde , The more he reades , the more he is displeasde . Renowned Picus of Mirandula Hated the substance of a cleargy man That was vnlettered , and made a lawe , An ignorant which neuer had began To seeke , or after seeking neuer skan Some part of somewhat , that might wisedome bring , Should be accounted but a liuing thing . The noble Tichobraghe for whose deare sake , All Denmarke is in admirations loue , In deepe regard such difference doth make , Betweene those men whose spirit soare aboue , And those base essenses which only moue : That in his Isles horizon he admittes , No clowdy meteors of such foggy wittes . On forraine princes I will neuer stand , Sweete Clio pardon , if I do digresse , The noble Earle , the learn'd Northumberland , Fauours you Muses , and he doth addresse His peerelesse cares , which you must needes expresse : Write Clio , write , and that aeternally , In spite of Muses he shall neuer die : For in his life his praise , and after death Thankfull remembrance still remaines aliue , So long as Fame's aeternall trump hath breath , And time drawes time , and these daies other driue , Or hasty minutes in their swiftnesse striue : While man can speake with man , and vertue praise , So long continues his immortall praise Princes are meere diuines , for they maintaine The liuing Gospel of the liuely truth , Doubly in them Gods Image doth remaine , In high commanding where hir mercy shew'th The future hopes of goodnesse that ensu'th , And then in their creation : Thus two waies Princes are bound the Prince of heau'n to praise . Now to be princely and to be diuine , I added Winchester to all the rest , With sundry others which I held by fine , And being once installed in the best , Vouchsafte with Abbies to be so possest : I held this certaine sure , and neuer doubt , Abbies , and Bishoprickes will not fall out . I made them friends , and that they might continue , I got church-liuings more then I will say , Small liuings added to a great reuenue , Riddes poore reports , and common talkes away : The Chorus of the people that can say , The Parson careth not for our soules health , Will hold their tongues at hearing of such wealth . Thus full of riches and exceeding powre , I added liuing vnto liuing still , Scarce came a day , within whose euery howre There were not yeelded offrings of free will , To haue , or leaue , vntill I had my fill : One starre is newly added shining faire , Vnto the backe of Cassopeias chaire . Betweene solemnitie and loftie state , The sequele of my life I will diuide , Whereby I purchaste honor ioyn'd with hate , And enuie still did beare a mightie side , Who rises by his wisedome is enui'de : Let them enuie ; but when their lordships fell , I must haue notice where their Wardes must dwell . I car'd not for the gentrie , for I had Tithe-gentlemen , yong nobles of the land ; The greatest of the Realme were highly glad , When with great charge , and sute vnder my hand , They left the first fruites of their neerest band : Fortune is Lady of the nobly borne , The learned noble haue her gifts in scorne . It may be some were glad when I was sent , Twice in Embassage to the Emperours court ; And others sad , respecting that I went , Furnisht so royally with such resort , As farre exceedes beleefe of true report : Speake they their pleasure , Yet with equall worth , And greater good I came , then I went forth . Imperious ghost of Charles come sit by mine : He cannot come , but lies in Princes ward , And he disdaines to sue to Proserpine , Deare fellow ghost ( but he will not regard , Or if he do , from comming is debard : ) Truly Imperious , for thy entertaine To me , and all the followers of my traine . The towne of Bruges , Princes faire resort , Flanders rich ornament , noble Peeres Exchange , The chosen cittie for the Emperours Court , About whose streetes , my following troupes did range , Was in her curt●sie so highly strange : That nothing there was suffred to be spent , Either by me , or any one that went . Returning home in farre more glorious sort , Then Mardocheus to the Median King , The summe of my successe I did report , Pl●asing his eares with sound of euery thing ; Eloquence taught my common talke to sing Contenting matter , and delighting wordes , No sweeter straines all Musicks art affordes . Honour 's without emploiments of estate , Are like to sun-beames without heate or light , A noble man , and not a magistrate , Shines halfe eclipsed in his cleerest bright : Ioyne heau'nly gifts to earthly , light to light ; Let these great excellencies make a truce , Fortune shall neede no wheele-write for her vse . But from a Monarch of that soueraigne power , Twise to be sent , so honourably grac'd , To Europs highest braunch and fairest flower , In so short season with so happy blast , Each doubtfull care with wisedome ouercast , Returning to be more , then going forth , Was fatall to the Cardinal of the North. Now at such times as Lawyers walke the streets , Without long rowles of papers in their hands , When friendly neighbour with his neighbour meetes , Without false chalenge to each others lands , The counsellor without his client stands : When that large Capitoll lies voide and waste , Where Senators and Iudges late were plac't . Then in a solemne progresse would I ride , To see the houses where my liuings lay , The Image of what was , did not abide , Nay scarce the memory remaines this day , For any stranger that shall passe that way . This course in old Records ignoraunce tooke , Teare the red letters and burne all the booke . How patient is Antiquitie the while , And all the soules that leane on Abrahams breast , Those sacred spirits , that with inspired stile , Wrote truly of the church , and hauing ceast , Their paines on earth , do liue in peace and rest ? " Our parents age worse then our grandsires be , " We worst beget , our children worse then we . Then in an humor I accursed strait , Those vnbaptised sacrilegious hands , That onely for Gods vestrie laide their waite , Prophanely seazing on the churches lands , And casting faire for all while none with stands : But lest my sorrowes openly should breake , Thus with my selfe ( me thought ) I gan to speake . Ye churches founded by religious Kings , Reioyce within your Eccho sounding vaultes , Though enuious Time this desolation brings , Battring your marble pillars with assaults , And euen in men there rest no meane defaults : Triumph in this , there is a doome for time , Reuenge for men that by your losses climbe . And ye ( the seruants of the liuing King , ) Let not your stately pallace walles decline , No desolation may confusion bring To those faire monuments , but let them shine , Old famous Hospitality t'enshrine : That if she now be there , it may appeare , If not , the stones may witnesse shee was there . That honor which is left , maintaine it still , That which is past , ( due or not due ) t' is gone , And be you like your selues , come what come will , Those great procurers of the churches mone , Shall one day be accusde by euery stone That now lies mute . Let them aduance their stile , And boast their armes , beare you the crosse the while If crosses worne for sanctitie are despisde , Because the wearers , least deserue that crest , Why should not crests of valour so be priz'd At equall rate , but they enioy the best , Being of worthy meedes farre dispossest ; A new Clarentieux made for this intent , One for desart another for discent ? What field deserues emblazon'd more to be , Then which our Sauiours bloud bestain'd with red ? What Princes heire inherits like degree To Gods deare sonne , whose blessed armes were spred , Vpon his armes the crosse , whereon he bled ? All they that serue this Prince must weare that crest , Like Princes followers fastned on their brest . And happy is that seruant , that hath store , Of those crosse-badges , and can vse them well ; Inuisible effects will more and more , Prouoke a secret vertue to excell , Wrought inwardly , nor suffer there to dwell , Vnherauld humorous stampes , that seeme to burne , When mettall wantes , make coulour serue the turne . Shall I discourse ? that man that wants a crosse , Is a plaine man vntoucht , and sure downe right , Content to suffer his saluations losse , When with a shadow he may hide the light , And hopes to do it . ( O religions night ! ) That hidest from our eies , what most appeares , Crossing of Starres , of Planets , and of Sphaeres . Say then there are no Poles ; shortnesse of skill Followes that proposit on : if there be , Are they not opposite by Gods owne will ? Nay can diuision make equalitie , Vnlesse the crossing make their euen degree ? He that denies the crossing of each Pole , Astronomie condemnes him in the whole . Then they were worne , when no man durst resist , If now they doe , the world is wiser growne ; Mistaking was the cause I was not blist : If Diagrammes of Euclide had bin knowne , Dioscorides faire twines in gardens sowne ; The Mathematique skil of twining flowers , Spheres , Globes , the earths authoritie were ours . No more of this , lest if I say too much , My lines poore writer , beare the greatest blame ; I may suspect , because the world is such , Sometimes iniuriously to lay the blame , On him that speaketh in anothers name : Yet I le declare my glorious state much more , To vex them deeper then they grudg'd before . Nor was that starre , that ioyned to the sunne , Hath beene miraculous at noone daies view , When equall with his fiery course he runne , Or stoode admiring how his greatnesse grew , So wondred at , as when they gaue their due To presence of my state : If I had light , All borrowed was from Henries princely right . How bright was he that could afford such beames , And yet himselfe be glorious aboue measure ? How plentifull that had all flowing streames ? How kingly minded in his endlesse treasure ? From him I had my wealth , from me his pleasure : Let others ioy by other lights appeare , True Cynthaes father shineth in my sphere . If I bore pillars , t' was a prophecy , The church would want them to support their state , In all my life there was a mysterie Accomplisht in my fall , yet shall I rate My selfe in compasse , or appoint a date To th' Empyrean highnesse of my birth , Which I first made familiar to this earth ? Loaden with reuerence , prowd with mine eie , Which nothing but obedience would see , Vnheau'nly musicall I might not lie , Organs were common , consorts were so free , That pleasing others , they displeased me : Entring into my selfe , I sung within , An higher trebble then which they begin . How loftie aboue other wings I flew , And yet vnmelted by my Phoebus heate , How faire a chariot in my sphere I drew , And moouing still , enioyd a perfect seate , How royall , how attended , nay how great , Not I , but all forget but my discent , No epithete fittes me but Excellent . My studie , heau'n , my thoughts how to be wise , My care to flourish , my desire to gaine , Glorie my end , my comfort still to rise , And to enioy next place to Princes raigne , My setled purpose not to fall againe : My plot was pollicie , wit my defence , Greatnesse my pride , holinesse my pretence . In due obseruance of the Lords behests , So farre as weake mortality perceiu'd , In such behauiour , as behooued best , Mortality , vnlesse I were bereau'd , Or I in it , or it in me deceau'd : I seem'd to shew , the world so seem'd to see , For to pretend is now esteem'd to be . Ierusalem , the pride of Palestine , Renowned through the world for Syons height , Within whose walls the purest Sun did shine , That euer gaue heau'ns euer-shining light , Though farre most glorious in all earthly sight , Was iust my Peere ; and once of like renowne , I for a man , as that was for a towne . What hath the world to which I may compare , That thing which was my selfe , what I haue beene ? Nature hir selfe is grown exceeding bare , And Art wants words , and histories faire Queene Will not report what mortall eies haue seene : Lest Muses , wanting musick take their wings , As quite amaz'd , and leaue their siluer strings . Yea they , whose opticke skill redoubles light , And teaches men how they may see too farre , That Art which bids Natures poore eies good night , Gazed vpon the shewes of painted warre , Or on an arras-wouen blazing starre : Where Art with Nature curiously did striue , In busie works of shadowes prospectiue : When as they neede no more to calculate , Or seeke the house of Planets , and of signes , They saw the figure of my high estate , And knew how euery obiect there inclines , Though iudging spirits be seldome true diuines : Within my priuate house they might espie , More of mine honour , then in all the skie . Who follow'd me , but Fortune was at hand , To follow him ? or , if she went before , To vsher him ? or , if I made him stand , To stand with him ? or , if I wisht him more , To begge herselfe , to amplifie his store ? My birth enioyn'd , my planets to a date , My selfe made Fortune to be fortunate . Mans eie makes what is seene to seeme so faire , Mans eare makes what is heard to sound so sweete , Mans speech is censur'd by the breathing ayre , His touch by softnesse ; euerie sence is meete For his owne obiect , but I needes must greete Sence-wanting Censurers , that faile in this , Not seeing things aright , they heard amisse . Why should I satisfie the vulgar sort , That beast of many , yet not wisest heads ? Whom I could wish some honest friend exhort , To picke the Dazies in his parish meades : For who my praise-excelling Triumph reades , Although in glorious places he haue beene , Must yet imagine more than he hath seene . For I my selfe that could conceiue as well As other iudges of mine owne estate , Stoode dumbe at mine owne height , nay could I tell What to thinke of my selfe , or how to rate , The long appointed prouidence of Fate ? For excellencie euer beares this mind , By no inferior skill to be defin'd . Let Art in generall seeme to begin , To specifie , let euery perfect sence Conceiue , and in conceit all greatnesse winne , Yet hath my glorie cause of best pretence , When I am best defin'd by difference : Describe me then , and there described are , Might , wisedome , eminence , beyond compare . To which my threefold ioy , the thrice exceeding The grace-vouchsafing presence of my King , Added the spirit of more high proceeding , Chaunging my tenour to a sweeter string , For Phoebus neuer better light doth bring , Then when he takes from Ioues imperiall seate , If not his light , yet influence more great . For once he maskt those his victorious eies , Wherein both maiestie and mercy shin'd , Eclipsed ( as he thought ) but no disguise , Nor sight-deluding torchlight so could blind My wandring eies , but euer in my mind , Somewhat suggested me , there should be One , Deseru'd more then my place , a royall throne . The very place wherein a Prince appeares , Discernes his presence , makes the chamber blest , Like planets are they knowne within their spheres , Or as Halcyon with her turning brest , Demonstrates wind from wind , and east from west : This is a certaine Nature of estate , It cannot masked be , nor change his gate . And as defaults will more conspicuous be , How much th' offender greater is esteem'd , So vertue in a princely body see , Lamp like , and farre more excellently deem'd ; That in such vnity it seldome seem'd ; In mutuall approach of highest blisse , Whether more graced each by other is . How are they blinded then that dare conspire , The least offence against great soueraigntie ? Or with Prometheus touch one sparke of fire , Kindled within the breast of Maiestie ? How blind that cannot see serenitie ? O let them neuer more inioy their sights ; Prometheus-like , let Vultures gnaw their lights . Who stoppes the triumph of my chariots course ? Or charmes the swiftnesse of my Fortunes blast ? Why lies my pride at anchor to discourse ? And weary Muse , why make you so smal hast ? What are you silent ? shall I not be grac'de By sea and land , whom sea and land haue founde , With wind by land , with tide at sea renownde ? Their violence neuer draue mee to the north , Whence by the Prouerbe nothing comes but ill . By great Promotion I proceeded foorth That worthie Pilot , that hath wondrous skill , To drawe and withdrawe , promise and fulfill : At my returne , to doe the prouerbe due , Either I found or made the prouerbe true . Why should I doe a seely prouerbe wrong That meant not mee , not I , his authour knew ? O had he power to make his prouerbe strong , Or good , or bad ; then fortune might renue My former fauours ; be that sentence true . This answer is enough for my defence , No harme , I came but halfe the way from thence . And comming from a climate moist and cold , I fear'd the south would be too hot for me , Especially the court , when vncontroll'd , Within the honest North I might be free From scorching hatred : happy is that see Whose Prelate sees no courtiers , none of these That come a fleecing in their dioecese . Which sanctity nathlesse pretends no harme , But zealous hindrance of the churches pride , Who lately would impropriate a Farme Vnto the church ? Nay who doth not deride The poore fee simple on the churches side ? And laugh within themselues to see such trickes , Babes in their cradles heires to Bishoprickes . Before I stoopt , I hoou'red for my pray , And stopt my westerne Knight , that once stockt me , Within the Temple gate I made him stay , In tenure of Knights-seruice , where his fee Was like his practise , short of his degree : And there he deckt the tower with great excesse , Would God men could out-build their wickednesse . Then should the rich foundation princely layd , Of this faire church halfe expiate my sinnes , Or were as much of my great ransome payd , As here is laide of this , but nought he winnes , That cannot finish that which he beginnes : In some calme rest my troubled soule would bide , Might I , but where I built , be iustifi'de . My buildings stand without an Echoes sound , Yet they are loftie , and the waters nigh : What bashful Eccho walks the solemne round ? Or rather what inhabitants ? or why ? Or else how long wil they my worth deny ? If by the waters side my building lie , Shall that faire riuer drowne my memory ? The pedant minister and seruing clarke , The ten-pound , base , frize-ierking hireling , The Farmers Chaplaine with his quarter marke , The twentie noble Curate , and the thing , Cald Elder , all these gallants needes will bring All reuerend titles into deadly hate , Their godly calling , and my high estate . It ill befits my triumph to acquaint , The shew thereof with such a rabblement ; Or turne my glory to a light complaint , But that I would afford each complement , As princes do to cause their meriment : Diuiner fooles then these sprung vp of late , Did neuer Porter bring within his gate . T is superstition to erect high towers , But great religion to enioy their height , Folly to spend the vtmost of our powers , To kindle sacred learnings ioyfull light , And saue the Muses from eternall night : But had none founded Colledges and Schooles , Whence had they wisedome to account vs fooles ? Alureds owne wings , and Bayliols owne zeale , ( Both Kings renowmed for their gracious deede ; The three religious Winchesters did seale Their praises , and their statutes with like speede , Nor do the Lincolnes want deserued meede : Why should not I of Yorke by right expect , Equall remembrance for my greater act ?

Wolseius moriens . VIth honorable burdens I haue tir'de My Fortunes wheele that it can turne no more , The leases of my lordships are expir'de , My lamp burnt out , poore Metaphors great store To trope my miseries my heart growes sore : Help me , for I haue surfeited of late , Some Paracelsian of a sublimate . Sublim'd indeede , but all the purest gone , The treasure is in others coffers laid , Now write Melpomene my tragicke mone , Call Neroes learned maister , he will ayd , Thy failing quill with what himselfe once sayd : Neuer did Fortune greater instance giue , In what fraile state prowd Magistrates do liue . Behold my graue , where scarce lies any stone To couer me , nor roofe to couer it , And when thou seest our ruines both in one , One Epitaph will equally befit The church and me , let neuer man of wit Be vsde therein ; paint on the churches wall , Here lies an Abbey , there a Cardinall . The North was neuer warme since I came thence , Leicester was neuer rich since I lay there , O blasting spirit of me , dead influence , In countries , whose poore wasted Hemisphere Did euer since a greater burden beare : Teares that should fall from eies of each degree , Are Isicles , and will not melt for me . The peoples hearts of late are strung so hard , That they will breake before one note shall sound , Or so vntunable , that still they iar'de ; Their braines so like the Moone , whose coate they found , That teares for toyes , and not true cause abound : Call vp my spirites themselues , all are asleepe , Distill my ashes , yet they cannot weepe : All as my Chrysom , so my winding sheete , None ioy'de my birth , none mourn'd my death to see , The short Parenthesis of life was sweete , But short ▪ what was before , vnknowne to me , And what must follow , is the Lords decree : The period of my glory is exprest , Now of my death , and then my Muse take rest . Not such as I tooke , when they from me hent The Seale of England , by great Henries will , Wherein his picture with his fauour went , A double losse : They that haue Courtiers skill , They that haue fauor , let them signe their bill While wax is warme , and Fortune seemes to blesse , And Princes seale is ready to impresse . For I vnseal'd was open to the view Of all that read my fortune : some woulde say , They thought as much before , but that 's vntrue , Because they saw no likelihood of decay , No bird that striu'd , nor beast that lost his way : But men interpreted and made a glosse , Imagining them Prophets of my losse . My Crosses fall , and Chaplains broken head , Were Oracles in silence , cause of feare , Emblemes of trouble , impreses of dread , Doubt and suspition in my minde did reare Heauy conceits , when nothing did appeare : Such are the desperate troubles of our soule , Where greater things the better things controule . The day was now approaching nigh at hand , Of my enstalment in Yorkes gracious See , Th' aeternall Prouidence did then withstand , M'intented enterprise ; but things must be , As heau'ns fore-seeing wisedome shall decree : The mace of Honor , borne like Vertues crest , Was now laid on my shoulder for arrest . I did not meane with Predecessors pride To walke on cloth as custome did require , More fit that cloth were hung on either side In mourning wise , or make the poore attire , More fit the dirige of a mournfull quire : In dull sad notes all sorrowes to exceede For him , in whom the Princes loue is dead . I am the toombe where that affection lies , That was the closet where it liuing kept : Yet wisemen say affection neuer dies ; No but it turnes , and when it long hath slept , Lookes heauy like the eie that long hath wept : O could it die , that were a restfull state ; But liuing , it conuerts to deadly hate . My seruants shal like bondmen serue the time , My guard attend , without or welt or gard , We now are subiect to another clime , Vaine pride , and sumptuous pomp we must discar'd , For from my losse they haue their iust reward : Now is captiuity the first degree Of downefall by commission falne on me . But why do I heere cease at my arrest , By which I am prouoked to proceede ? O Libertie how much is that man blest , Whose happy fortune do his fates areede , That for Deserts reioyces to be freede ? Much more may others grieue , and much more I , That for Desert haue lost our Libertie . By short and heauy iourneys I was brought To Sheffield parke , there taking sweeterepose , Where true Nobilitie intirely sought T'ennoble griefe , and entertaine my woes : O how doth heau'n the course of cares dispose , By enterchange of honor and of pleasure , To augment our miseries exceeding measure ? His traines attendance shew'd my glories past , ( Bitter remembrance ) and my present shame , ( Vnhappy presence ) and the times of waste , Accusing all when I deseru'd the blame , Accursing Change that keepes mee not the same : Let him that sees his priuate miserie , Auoid the prospect of prosperitie . It breeds pale Enuy , and sad Discontent , Procures offence before a proffered wrong , Torments it selfe , till all conceits are spent , And thoughts deliuered by malitious tongue ; Then rapt with violent fury , growes so strong , That it enuenomes all our humane parts , Blind-iudging eies , and sense-confounding harts . Farre better had I met vpon the way , Legions of Lazars , ghosts of men vniust , Afflicted spirits tormented night and day , With Prides remembrance , and incestuous lust , Appearing in their ornaments of dust : Such passengers might well haue met with me Of like profession , and of like degree . Ages to come will thankfully admire , That princes worth which pittied prelates want , Those benefits are noble and entire , But in few grounds increaseth such a plant , Since their old vertuous rootes are growne so scant . Professions doubt breedes good house-keepers care , That though they would , yet few there are that dare . Sicknesse the Herault of armes , hearts , and all , Frustrating all arrests , arrests my health , Stopping my vitall powres , and did fall So violent , and with so sodaine stealth , As that it ceaz'd on all my spirits wealth : Some thought it was a wind , and sooth they say , It blew my breath , my life , and all away . By this time , and t' was more then high time now , Another Knight was sent me from the King , To whom ( saluting me ) I gan a vow , My innocencie , till his words did ring A peale of ioyes , neuer did Syren sing , Nor Sayler heare such musike on the seas , Sweetly to sound , and rauishingly please . The King said he , ( thereat I lowly bent ) Commends him ( then I rear'd my heart againe ) Commaunds me , ( how I muz'd at his intent ) Assure you that his Grace doth still remaine , His royall selfe your louing soueraigne : And wills you by his beames your thoughts to cleere , Shrowded so long in clowdes of heauy cheere . Where blind reports haue buzzed in his eares , Some heinous crimes wherein you should offend , Since no sound proofe , no certaintie appeares , He reckes them of no truth , nor to no end , Which made him in his princely iudgement send To heare your triall , and not iudge before , He could commaund no lesse , you craue no more . I thank't him for his kindnesse , and repli'de , Did now the liuehood of my youth remaine , Had not my strength late with my honor di'de , No opposite occasion could restraine My iourney poste , but yet ere Phoebus waine Haue drawne him twice vnto his westerne rest , I hope to be in better health addrest . Two Agonies at once , each in his kind , Vnite themselues , and so diuided me , The bodies griefe , and passions of the mind , Agreeing in strength , and striuing in degree , Worke on their subiect , leauing one to be Patient of sicknesse , suppliant of mone , And I , poore I , must be that odious one . My Mitre with two toppes deceiu'd my head , Within one top of Antichrists owne crowne , In this I blessed am , in being dead Before I wore that weight that casts men downe , The soules and bodies both be ouerthrowne : And were my Rotchet true religions staine , Repenting teares now wash it white againe . Comming to Leicester , hard at their gate , The Abbot with his Couent and their lights Met me , ( O then againe I saw the state , Not mine , but theirs , not theirs , but churches rights ) This was the last of all the holy nights : When no pure Planet would this sadnesse see , The very toarches dropt blacke teares for me . The Abbot meeting me stood halfe amaz'd , Doubting what title should befit me best : Seeing him silent , when I had embrac'd , Thus opned I the closure of my brest ; Father I come to take my latest rest : Vouchsafe for this vile flesh some holy shrine , Prouide a place to lay these bones of mine . Would God ( said he ) would God this body were Thy spirits worthy keeper and so strong As they are high , then might you ouerbeare The strange attempts of such as haue too long Offred your Lordship , as you thinke , some wrong : But noble Cardinall , what shall we do ? Sicknesse is growne a Politician too . Indeede perchance ( I said ) it may preuent Such courses as my calling ill befits , I rather chuse that death should make extent , Then I consume my fi●ry spirit of wits , For he that stands may fall , and he that sits May feele vnsetled ease , then let me die , So in my graue securely shall I lie . Thus in I went into their holy Cell , Where new obiections wandred in my mind , Why could I not be once content to dwell , In like meane sort , and to like orders bind My life ? why was I not so well inclin'd ? A quiet roofe seem'd then too meane for me , I sold my selfe to purchase high degree . Monkes , let your charitable tapers burne , That I may see my selfe with outward light ; Fie , outward lampes will neuer serue my turne , And of my selfe within I haue no sight , When it is day abroad , in me t' is night : Blacke smoake arises from my very name , I want the oile that should maintaine the flame . Then gentle Kingstone thinking to appease And mitigate the troubles of my mind , Mistooke the nature of my great disease ; Doubt not , said he , the Prince is well inclin'd , And his good will your Lordship soone shall find : He wishes your long life ; Ah but said I , The Prince of heau'n determines I shall die . And had the dutie to my God bin such , As it was faithful seruing to the King , Then had my conscience free from feare or touch , Mounted aloft on Cherubins swift wing , In holy consort borne a Part to sing : That now with heauy weight is ouerspread , And with my body wishes to be dead . But now my Soule , how wandrest thou abroade Through Labyrinths inextricable wayes ? Oh finde some ready passage to thy God! And age , forget the course of yonger dayes , Forget the pomp and peoples flattering prayse : And Death ( if thou regard a mans request ) Set free my spirite that faine would be at rest . Why some are gone already , looke about , Did no man meete part of my soule before ? I had but three , one and an halfe are out ; Nay had I more then one ? I had no more , God saue the substance of that little store : I hope one goes to heau'n , why then t' is well , Philosophie , and both the rest to hell . I le vegetate no longer , perish Sence , Aspire sweete Reason , and by faith , ascend , Flie to the perfect pure Intelligence , Humble Repentance , teach me how to bend My carefull passage to that ioyfull end : What is 't a clocke ? as soone as eight hath strooke , My soule this earthly bodie hath forsooke . My Lord , ( said one ) the clocke shall neuer strike , No but the howre will come , and that 's all one ; But Sir , these prophecies proue seldome like : Yes at the howre of death , else few or none , Where earthly clowdes are halfe remou'd and gone , The soule at separation mends her view , With purer insight she discernes what 's true . Is not that Wainflet that is come for me , Great Founder of the sinfull womans towres , With Wickams ghost , fathers of like degree ? Come they of late from Gods celestiall bowres ? I le go with them , O if the precious showres Of that vnspotted Lambe with droppes of bloud , Haue washt you cleane , let me enioy like good . When shall my toombe at Windsor be prepar'd , That wants a tenant now expecting me ? It is a monument of good regard , Befitting well a man of best degree , O that I now lay buried vnder thee ; And by my side closde vp in dustie vales , All voices , Ecchoes , talkes , reports , and tales . I want my Balme to be perfum'd withall , My coffin is too close a lodge for me , Fie , fie , addresse me to my funerall , My mother Earth mine onely wife shall be , And yet no incest , sithence onely she Beares al her sonnes and daughters in one wombe , She Europes , Amerikes , Affrickes , Asiaes toombe . Those worldlings that wont Nature to accuse , For giuing Rauens longer liues then men , Let them the ioy of their opinion vse , And rauing liue content in earthly denne , Let age lend them the spectacles to kenne : This body is a gaole , our soule enlarg'd , And when we die , our debtes are al discharg'd . So if I rest indebted to my Lord , Then let him take my body , soule , and all , Faine would I see him of mine owne accord , Or heare that warrant that should quickly call Me to appeare at sizes generall : Meane while within this Porters lodge to stay , But till I shall desire to breake away . Twixt this and then I wil deuise a word , That ten times ten sound worse than Guilty may ; My Conscience shall witnesses afford , As many as are minutes in a day , I charge it not dissemble any way . If for my traill they demaund my will , My Country hath and doth condemne me still . Whither ? to Lions denne ? Daniel came thence ; I am not worthy to succeede his place : O'r to the Wolues ? there lies my best defence , For I was rauenous in the time of Grace , To spoyle the forrest , and the plants deface : The chosen sheepe will to the Shepheard say , I was the sheepe that euer went astray . Yet I that durst offend , dare hope for grace Beyond all reason , contrary to sense , Saluation heauy sinners may embrace , If God remit the guilt of deep offence ; Let all the world hang in their owne suspence , The world is but a poynt , whereon men dwell , And I am at a poynt what they can tell . If any billes of new inditement come , At the Kings bench in heau'n I must appeere , Long since arrested , now expect my doome ; Sue where you list , but I must answere there , Die and accuse me in that hemisphere ; No'r flesh , nor bloud my Declaration telles , Mine owne accuser in my bosome dwelles . In whose great Temple richly beautified , Pau'd al with Starres disperst on Saphyre flowre , The Clarke is a pure Angel sanctified , The Iudge our true Messias full of powre , Th' Apostles his Assistants euery houre , The Iury Saints , the Uerdict Innocent , The sentence , Come ye blessed to my tent . The speare that pearc'd his side , the writing Pen , Christs bloud the Incke , red incke for princes name , The vailes great breach , the miracle for men , The sight is shew of them that long dead came From their old graues , restor'd to liuing frame , And that last signet passing all the rest , Our soules discharg'd by Consummatum est . Here endlesse ioy is their perpetuall cheare , Their exercise sweete songs of many parts , Angells the quire , whose Symphonie to heare , Is able to prouoke conceiuing harts , To misconceiue of al inticing Arts : The Dittie prayse , the subiect is the Lord , That tunes their gladsome spirit to this accord . Stay then till some good Meteor appeare , Or let the Sunne exhale me vapor-wise , Stirre Charles-wayne , and see the coast be cleare , Let no congealed clowdes or mistes arise Along the moouing circle of the skies ; Or rather shut vp all in darksome night , That none may see my silent secret flight .

FINIS .