"Had I but served God as diligently as I have served the king," murmured the dying man, "He would not have given me over in my grey hairs.

But this is my due reward for my pains and study, not regarding my service to God, but only my duty to my prince." [Sidenote: Cromwell's Policy] No words could paint with so terrible a truthfulness the spirit of the new despotism which Wolsey had done more than any of those who went before him to build up.

From tempers like his all sense of loyalty to England, to its freedom, to its institutions, had utterly passed away, and the one duty which the statesman owned was a duty to his "prince." To what issues such a conception of a statesman's duty might lead was now to be seen in the career of a greater than Wolsey.

The two dukes had struck down the Cardinal only to set up another master in his room.

Since his interview with Henry Cromwell had remained in the king's service, where his steady advance in the royal favour was marked by his elevation to the post of Secretary of State.