Gramont was prepared to make common cause with Henry against the emperor; but, like his master, he could not make his mind to do without the pope. He strove to induce Clement to join the two kings and abandon Charles; or else—he insinuated in his turn—England would separate from the Romish Church. This was to incur the risk of losing Western Europe, and accordingly the pope answered with much concern: “I will do what you ask.” There was, however, a reserve; namely, that the steps taken overtly by the pope would absolutely decide nothing. Clement once more received the ambassador of Henry VIII. The earl carried with him the book wherein Cranmer proved that the pope cannot dispense any one from obeying the law of God, and presented it to the pope. The latter took it and glanced over it, his looks showing that a prison could not have been more disagreeable to him than this impertinent volume.[40] The Earl of Wiltshire soon discovered that there was nothing for him to do in Italy. Charles V., usually so reserved, had made the bitterest remarks before his departure. His chancellor, with an air of triumph, enumerated to the English ambassador all the divines of Italy and France who were opposed to the king’s wishes. The pope seemed to be a puppet which the emperor moved as he liked, and the cardinals had but one idea,—that of exalting the Romish power. Wearied and disgusted, the earl departed for France and England with the greater portion of his colleagues. Cranmer was left behind. Having been sent to show Clement that Holy Scripture is above all Roman pontiffs, and speaks in a language quite opposed to that of the popes, he had asked more than once for an audience at which to discharge his mission. The wily pontiff had replied that he would hear him at Rome, believing he was thus putting him off until the Greek calends. But Clement was deceived; the English doctor, determining to do his duty, refused to depart for London with the rest of the embassy, and repaired to the metropolis of Catholicism. Footnote 24: “All indifferent and discreet persons judged that it was right and necessary.”—Hall, _Chronicles of England_, p. 784. Footnote 25: “Congressus iste magna cum pompa fiet.”—_State Papers_, vii. p. 209. We must not confound this congress with the one held later in this city. See antea, vol. ii. book ii. chap. xxv. xxvi. xxix. Footnote 26: Letter from Sir H. Carew to Henry VIII.: _State Papers_, vii. 225. Footnote 27: Antea, vol. i. ch. ix. Footnote 28: Instruction to Wiltshire: _State Papers_, vii. p. 230. Footnote 29: Foxe, _Acts_, viii. p. 9. Footnote 30: Le Grand, _Preuves_, p. 400. Footnote 31: “Reginam complectendo, affectione maritali tractet in omnibus.”—Le Grand, _Preuves_, p. 451. Footnote 32: Ibid. p. 399. Footnote 33: “Esso Conte habi commissione far una grossa spesa.”—_Lettre de Joachim de Vaux_, ibid. p. 409. Footnote 34: