cr own readers

246 WOLSEY ON HIS FALL.
WOLSEY ON HIS FALL.
[Wolsey, charged with high tr eason, is dep rived of the Grea t Seal and 01
all his goods and lands.]
1. Wolsey. Farewell, a long farewell, to all my greatness I
This is th e state of man : to-day he puts fort h
The te nder leaves of hopes j to-morrow blossoms,
And bears his blushing honours th ick upon him j
The t hird day comes a frost, a killing frost,
And,-when he think s, good easy man, full surely
His greatness is a-ri pening,-nips his root,
And then he falls, as I do.
2. I have ventured,
Lik e littl e wanton boys that swim on bladders,
Thi s many summers in a sea of glory ,
But far beyond my depth : my high-blown pride
At length broke und er me; and now has left me,
\Vcary nr.d old wit h service, to th e mercy
Of a rude st ream, that must for ever hide me.
Vain pomp an d glory of this world, I hate ye :
I feel ,my heart new opened.
3. Oh, how wretched
Is that poor man that hangs on princes' favours !
There is, betwixt that smile we would aspire to,
That sweet aspect of princes, and their ruin,
~[ ore pangs and fears than wars or women have :
And when he falls, he falls like Lucifer,
Never to hope again. ......
Enter CRomvELL
4. Urouucell. .. ....H ow does your grace 1
WolselJ. \ Vhy, well ;
Never so truly happy, my good Cromwell .
I kn ow myself now j and I feel within me