When now in England bigamie with blood Lately begot by luxurie and pride, In their great’st fulnes peremptorie stood: Some thereunto that diligently pri’d,[2035] Stillie[2036] were fishing in that troubled flood For future changes wisely to prouide, Finding the world so rankly then to swell, That till it brake it neuer could be well. 42. But floting long vpon my first arriue, Whil’st many doubts me seemed to appall, Like to a barke that with the tide doth driue, Hauing not[2037] left to fasten it withall, Thus with the time by suffring I doe striue Vnto[2038] that harbor doubtfull yet to fall: Vntill inforc’d to put it to the chance, Casting the fair’st my fortune to aduance. 43. Making my selfe to mightie _Wolsey_ knowne, That Atlas, which the gouernement vpstai’d, Which[2039] from meane place in little time was growne Vp vnto him, that[2040] weight vpon him lai’d, And being got the neerest to his throne, He the more easly the[2041] great kingdome swai’d, Leaning thereon his wearied selfe to breath, Whil’st euen the greatest farre sat him[2042] beneath. 44. Where learned _More_ and _Gardiner_ I met, Men in those times immatchable for wit, Able that were the dullest spirit to whet, And did my humour excellently fit, Into their ranke that worthily did get There as their proud competitor to sit, One excellence to many is the mother, Wit doth,[2043] as creatures, one beget another. 45. This founder of the palaces of kings, Whose veines with more then vsuall spirit were fild, A man ordained to the mighti’st things, In Oxford then determining to build To Christ a colledge, and together brings, All that thereof the great foundation wills, There me imploies, whose industrie he found Worthie to worke vpon the noblest ground. 46. Yet in the entrance wisely that did feare Coyne might fall short, yet with this worke on fire, Wherefore such houses as religious were Whose being no necessitie require, But that the greater very well might beare, From Rome the Card’nall cunningly did hire, Winning withall his soueraigne to consent, Both colouring with so holy an intent. 47. This like a symptome to a long disease Was the forerunner to this mightie fall, And but too vnaduisedly did sease Vpon the part that ruinated all, Which, had the worke been of so many daies, And more againe, recouer hardly shall: But loe, it sunke, which time did long vphold, Where now it lies euen leueld with the mould. 48.