True, indeed, with _Wolsey_ 'twas once the same; but _Father_ neede not feare the same Ruin; because he hath HIM for his Friend, whom _Wolsey_ said woulde not have forsaken him had he served HIM as he served his earthly Master. 'Twas a misproud Priest; and there's the Truth on't. And _Father_ is not misproud; and I don't believe we are; though proud of him we cannot fail to be. And I know not why we may not be pleased with Prosperitie, as well as patient under Adversitie; as long as we say, "Thou, LORD, hast made our Hill soe strong." 'Tis more difficult to bear with Comelinesse, doubtlesse; and envious Folks there will be; and we know alle Things have an End, and everie Sweet hath its Sour, and everie Fountain its Fall; but ... 'tis very pleasant for all that. [Illustration: In the Garden.] _Tuesday, 31st, 1532._ Who coulde have thoughte that those ripe Grapes whereof dear _Gaffer_ ate soe plentifullie, should have ended his Dayes? This Event hath filled the House with Mourning. He had us all about his Bed to receive his Blessing; and 'twas piteous to see _Father_ fall upon his Face, as _Joseph_ on the Face of _Jacob_, and weep upon him and kiss him. Like _Jacob_, my Grandsire lived to see his duteous Son attain to the Height of earthlie Glory, his Heart unspoyled and untouched. _July, 1532._ The Days of Mourning for my Grandsire are at an end; yet _Father_ still goeth heavilie. This Forenoon, looking forthe of my Lattice, I saw him walking along the River Side, his Arm cast about _Will's_ Neck; and 'twas a dearer Sight to my Soul than to see the _King_ walking there with his Arm around _Father's_ Neck. They seemed in such earnest Converse, that I was avised to ask _Will_, afterwards, what they had been saying. He told me that, after much friendly Chat together on this and that, _Father_ fell into a Muse, and presently, fetching a deep Sigh, says,-- "Would to GOD, Son _Roper_, on Condition three Things were well established in Christendom, I were put into a Sack, and cast presently into the _Thames_." _Will_ sayth,-- "What three soe great Things can they be, _Father_, as to move you to such a Wish?" "In Faith, _Will_," answers he, "they be these.--First, that whereas the most Part of Christian Princes be at War, they were at universal Peace. Next, that whereas the Church of CHRIST is at present sore afflicted with divers Errors and Heresies, it were well settled in a godly Uniformity. Last, that this Matter of the _King's_ Marriage were, to the Glory of GOD, and the Quietness of alle Parties, brought to a good Conclusion."