Wolsey's failure to follow this course suggests that, by involving Henry in dazzling schemes of a foreign conquest, he was seeking to divert his attention from urgent matters at home; that he had seen a vision of impending ruin; and that his actions were the frantic efforts of a man to turn a steed, over which he has imperfect control, from the gulf he sees yawning ahead.
The only other explanation is that Wolsey sacrificed England's interests in the hope of securing from Charles the gift of the papal tiara.[424] [Footnote 423: _L.

and P._, iii, 2026.] [Footnote 424: For another view see Busch, _Cardinal Wolsey und die Englisch-Kaiserliche Allianz_, 1522-25.

Bonn, 1886.] * * * * * However that may be, it was not for Clement VII.

to deride England's conduct.

The keen-sighted Pace had remarked in 1521 that, in the event of Charles's victory, the Pope would have to look to his affairs in time.[425] The Emperor's triumph was, indeed, as fatal to the Papacy as it was to Wolsey.