And though my pompe surpast all prelates nowe, And like a prince I liu’d and pleasure tooke: That was not sure so great a blur in browe, If on my workes indiffrent eyes doe looke: I thought great scorne such liuings heare to brooke, Except I built some howses for the poore, And order tooke to gieue great almes at doore. 30. A colledge fayre in Oxford I did make, A sumptuous house a stately worke in deede: I gaue great lands to that, for learning sake, To bring vp youth and succour scholer’s neede: That charge of myne full many a mouth did feede, When I in courte was seeking some good turne, To mend my torch, or make my candell burne. 31. More houses gay I builte, then thowsands do That haue enough, yet will no goodnes shoe: And where I built I did mayntayne it to, With such great cost as few bestowes I troe: Of buildings large I could reherse a roe, That by mischaunce this day haue lost my name, Whereof I do deserue the only fame. 32. And as for sutes, about the king was none So apte as I, to speake and purchase grace: Though long before, some say, _Shore’s_ wife was one That oft kneelde downe before the prince’s face For poore men’s sutes, and holpe theire woefull case, Yet shee had not such credite as I gate, Although a king would beare the parret prate. 33. My wordes were graue and bore an equall poyes, In ballaunce iust for many a weighty cause: Shee pleasde a prince with pretty merry toyes, And had no sight in state, nor course of lawes: I coulde perswade and make a prince to pawes, And take a breath before hee drew the sworde, And spy the time to rule him with a worde. 34. I will not say but fancy may do much, Yet worlde will graunt that wisdom may do more: To wanton gyrl’s affection is not such, That prince’s wise will bee abusde therefore: One sute of mine was surely worth a score Of her’s indeede, for shee her time must watch, And at all howres I durst go draw the latch. 35. My voyce but heard, the dore was open streyght, Shee might not come, till shee were calde or brought: I rulde the king by custom, arte, and sleight, And knew full well the secrets of his thought: Without my minde all that was done was nought, In wars, or peace, my counsayle swayed all, For still the king would for the cardnall call. 36.