In full-blown Dignity, see _Wolsey_ stand, Law in his Voice, and Fortune in his Hand: To him the Church, the Realm, their Pow'rs consign, Thro' him the Rays of regal Bounty shine, Turned by his Nod the Stream of Honour flows, His Smile alone Security bestows: Still to new Heights his restless Wishes tow'r, Claim leads to Claim, and Pow'r advances Pow'r; Till Conquest unresisted ceas'd to please, And Rights submitted, left him none to seize. At length his Sov'reign frowns--the Train of State Mark the keen Glance, and watch the Sign to hate. Where-e'er he turns he meets a Stranger's Eye, His Suppliants scorn him, and his Followers fly; Now drops at once the Pride of aweful State, The golden Canopy, the glitt'ring Plate, The regal Palace, the luxurious Board, The liv'ried 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. 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 richest Landlord on the Banks of _Trent_? For why did _Wolsey_ by the Steps of Fate, On weak Foundations raise th' enormous Weight? Why but to sink beneath Misfortune's Blow, With louder Ruin to the Gulphs below? What[f] gave great _Villiers_ to th' Assassin's Knife, And fix'd Disease on _Harley_'s closing Life? What murder'd _Wentworth_, and what exil'd _Hyde_, By Kings protected and to Kings ally'd? What but their Wish indulg' in Courts to shine, And Pow'r too great to keep or to resign? [Footnote f: Ver. 108-113.]