They melted from the field, as snow, When streams are swoln and south winds blow, Dissolves in silent dew. Tweed's echoes heard the ceaseless splash, While many a broken band, Disordered, through her currents dash. To gain the Scottish land; To town and tower, to down and dale, Where shivered was fair Scotland's spear, Nor cherish hope in vain, That, journeying far on foreign strand, Home Castle, where it was thought James IV was hidden. The royal Pilgrim to his land1 May yet return again. He saw the wreck his rashness wrought, And well in death his trusty brand, SIR WALTER SCOTT. THE FALL OF WOLSEY. 1529. Cardinal Wolsey, attended by his Secretary, Thomas Cromwell, is informed by the Duke of Norfolk and his son, the Earl of Surrey, of the king's intention to overthrow him. NORFOLK. The articles, my lord, are in the king's hand WOLSEY. So much fairer And spotless shall mine innocence arise, When the king knows my truth. 1 Some said James had gone on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. SURREY. This cannot save you. I thank my memory, I yet remember Some of these articles; and out they shall. Now, if you can blush, and cry guilty, cardinal, WOLSEY. Speak on, sir; I dare your worst objections: if I blush, It is to see a nobleman want manners. SURREY. I'd rather want those than my head. Have at you! NORFOLK. Then, that, in all you writ to Rome, or else Was still inscrib'd; in which you brought the king SUFFOLK. Then, that, without the knowledge Either of king or council, when you went Q SURREY. Item, you sent a large commission To Gregory de Cassalis, to conclude, Without the king's will, or the state's allowance, SUFFOLK. That, out of mere ambition, you have caus'd SURREY. Then, that you have sent innumerable substance, CHAMBERLAIN. Oh, my lord, Press not a falling man too far; 'tis virtue: His faults lie open to the laws; let them, Not you, correct him. My heart weeps to see him So little of his great self. SURREY. I forgive him. 1 The Duke of Ferrara. SUFFOLK. Lord cardinal, the king's further pleasure is,- That therefore such a writ be sued against you; Out of the king's protection :-this is my charge. And so we'll leave you to your meditations The king shall know it, and, no doubt, shall thank you. So fare-you-well, my little good lord cardinal. [Exeunt all but Wolsey. WOLSEY. So, farewell to the little good you bear me. 1 An offence against the famous Statute of Præmunire, which forbade, under heavy penalties, the introduction of any foreign power (notably the Papal) into England. |