In full-blown dignity see Wolsey stand, Law in his voice, and fortune in his hand! 100 To him the church, the realm, their powers consign, Through him the rays of regal bounty shine; Turn'd by his nod, the stream of honour flows, His smile alone security bestows: Still to new heights his restless wishes tower; Claim leads to claim, and power advances power; Till conquest unresisted ceased to please, And rights submitted, left him none to seize. At length his sovereign frowns--the train of state Mark the keen glance, and watch the sign to hate; 110 Where'er he turns, he meets a stranger's eye, His suppliants scorn him, and his followers fly; Now drops at once the pride of awful state, The golden canopy, the glittering plate, The regal palace, the luxurious board, The liveried army, and the menial lord. With age, with cares, with maladies oppress'd, He seeks the refuge of monastic rest. Grief aids disease, remember'd folly stings, And his last sighs reproach the faith of kings. 120 Speak thou, whose thoughts at humble peace repine, Shall Wolsey's wealth, with Wolsey's end, be thine? Or liv'st thou now, with safer pride content, The wisest justice on the banks of Trent? For why did Wolsey, near the steeps of Fate, On weak foundations raise the enormous weight? Why but to sink beneath Misfortune's blow, With louder ruin, to the gulphs below! What gave great Villiers to the assassin's knife, And fix'd disease on Harley's closing life? 130 What murder'd Wentworth, and what exiled Hyde, By kings protected, and to kings allied? What but their wish indulged, in courts to shine, And power too great to keep, or to resign!