I kept a court my selfe, as great as his, (I not compare vnto my maister heere) But looke my lords what liuely worlde was this, That one poore man became so great a peere? Yet though this tale be very straunge to heere, Wit wins a worlde; and who hath hap and wit, With triumph long in princely throne may sit. 37. What man like mee bare rule in any age, I shone like sun more cleare then morning star: Was neuer parte so playde, in open stage, As mine, nor fame of man flewe halfe so far: I sate on bench, when thowsands at the bar Did pleade for right: for I in publique weale Lorde chaunclour was and had the great broad seale. 38. Now haue I tolde how I did rise aloft, And sate with pride and pomp, in golden hall, And set my feete on costly carpets soft, And playde at goale with goodly golden ball: But after, Lord, I must rehearse my fall: O trembling heart, thou canst not now for teares Present that tale vnto the hearer’s cares. 39. Best weepe it out and sodayne silence keepe, Till priuy pangs make pinched heart complayne: Or cast thy selfe into some slumbring sleepe, Till wakened wits remembraunce bring agayne: When heauy teares, do hollow cheekes distayne, The world will thinke thy sprits are growne so weake, The feeble tongue hath sure no powre to speake. 40. A tale by signes with sighes and sobs set out, Moues people’s mindes to pity plaged men, With howling voyce do rather cry and showt, And so by arte shew forth thy sorrow then: For if thou speake some man will note with pen What _Wolsey_ sayde, and what thrue _Wolsey_ downe, And vnder foote flings _Wolsey’s_ great renowne. 41. What force of that my fall must needs be herd, Before I fell I had a time to rise: As fatall chaunce and fortune mee preferd, So mischiefe came and did my state despise: Yf I might pleade my case among the wise, I could excuse right much of mine offence: But leaue a while such matter in suspence. 42. The pope, or pride, or peeuish parts of mine, Made king to frowne and take the seale from mee: Now seru’d no words, nor plesaunt speeches fine, Now _Wolsey_, lo, must needs disgraced bee: Yet had I leaue (as dolefull prisner free) To keepe a house (God wot) with heauy cheere, Where that I founde no wine, ne bread, nor beere. 43.