DEATH OF WOLSEY.
At Leicester Abbey, November 29th, 1530.
The tint of Autumn's closing day,
On Leicester-Abbey shone,
And pensively that fading ray
Gleam'd o'er the fretted stone;
While slowly 'neath its portal arch
The mitred Abbot came,
With crosier leading on the march
Of all his ghostly train.
Each monk in sable stole appear'd,
With studious care array'd,
For tramp of coursers' feet was heard
To echo through the glade.
A martial band, with measured tread,
Approach'd that lone abode,
And sad and silent at their head
The prelate Wolsey rode.
He, at whose nod the noble blood
Of *[1]Buckingham was shed,
That princely peer, who boldly stood
Next to the crowned head;
He, who with arrogance unblamed
St. Peter's chair had eyed,
Alike for wealth and learning famed,
For policy and pride.
- ↑
*Charles V. Emperor of Germany, at hearing of the execution of Edward Stafford, Duke of Buckingham, said, "The butcher's dog hath worried the fairest hart in England," alluding to the low parentage of Wolsey.
