How _Thomas Wolsey_ did arise vnto great authority and gouernment, his maner of life, pompe, and dignity, and how hee fell downe into great disgrace, and was arested of high treason. 1. Shall I looke on, when states step on the stage, And play theyr parts, before the people’s face: Some men liue now, scarce four score yeares of age, Who in time past, did know the cardnall’s grace: A gamesom worlde, when byshops run at bace: Yea, get a fall, in striuing for the gole, And body loase, and hazarde seely sole. 2. Ambitious minde, a world of wealth would haue, So scrats and scrapes, for scorfe, and scoruy drosse: And till the flesh, and bones, be layde[2001] in graue, Wit neuer rests, to grope for mucke and mosse: Fye on prowde pompe, and gilted bridels’ bosse: O glorious golde, the gaping after thee, So blindes men’s eyes, they can no daunger see. 3. Now note my byrth, and marke how I began, Beholde from whence rose all this pryde of mine: My father but, a plaine poore honest man, And I his son, of wit and iudgement fine, Brought vp at schoole and prou’d a good diuine, For which great gifts, degree of schoole I had, And batchler was, and I a litle lad. 4. So, tasting some of fortune’s sweete consayts, I clapt the hoode, on shoulder, braue as son, And hopt at length to bite at better bayts, And fill my mouth, ere banket halfe were don: Thus holding on, the course I thought to ron: By many a feast my belly grue so big, That _Wolsey_ streight became a wanton twig. 5. Lo, what it is to feede on daynty meate, And pamper vp the gorge with suger plate: Nay, see how lads, in hope of higher seate, Rise early vp and study learning late: But hee thriues best that hath a blessed fate: And hee speeds worst that worlde will nere aduaunce, Nor neuer knowes what meanes good lucke nor chaunce. 6. My chaunce was great, for from a poore man’s son, I rose aloft, and chopt and chaungde degree: In Oxford first my famous name begon, Where many a day the sholers honourd mee: Then thought I how I might a courtier bee: So came to court, and fethred there my wing, With _Henry_ th’eight, who was a worthy king. 7. Hee did with words assay mee once or twice, To see what wit and ready sprite I had: And when hee saw I was both graue and wice, For some good cause, the king was wondrous glad: Than downe I lookt, with sober countnaunce sad, But heart was vp, as high as hope could go, That suttell fox might him some fauour so. 8.