how the queen consulted with the cardinal.
praying the cardinal to resume his seat by her, mary said, “there is a matter on which i desire to consult your eminence. i cannot reconcile it to my conscience to retain the revenues arising from the church lands, which were unlawfully vested in the crown during the late schism; but the lord chancellor, to whom i have spoken on the subject, seeks to dissuade me from my purpose, and declares that if i part with these large revenues, which amount to well-nigh a hundred thousand pounds a year, i shall not be able to maintain my dignity. to this objection, i replied in all sincerity, that i value my salvation more than ten crowns like that of england, and that i would not endanger my heavenly inheritance for all the wealth the world can offer. still gardiner opposes me, and says that the giving up of my revenues will be taken ill by those who are in possession of the abbey lands and other property of the church, possession of which has been secured to them by the papal bull sent to your eminence. but i see not why i should not set the holders of these ill-gotten treasures a good example. peradventure some of them may follow it.”
“i trust so, madam,” replied pole; “and i applaud your resolution, for though you may impoverish your exchequer, yet you will lay up a far greater treasure for future enjoyment in heaven. the bull to which you refer was sent by the pope at the solicitation of gardiner, to prevent the 305opposition of certain nobles to reconciliation with the see of rome, but his holiness’s real sentiments may be judged by another bull which he has just sent into germany, excommunicating all who may keep any abbey or church lands, and placing under the like ban all princes, prelates and magistrates, who shall refuse to assist in the execution of the bull. though the bull is addressed to germany, it undoubtedly applies to this country as well, since his holiness can never regard those with favour who have enriched themselves with the spoils of the church. moreover, the church is poor, and some provision must be made for its wants.”
“provision shall be made for it,” replied mary. “i feel with horror that i myself may be excommunicated. but the load shall be removed from my soul. all the crown revenues, derived from the source i have mentioned, shall be relinquished, and placed at the disposal of your eminence, to be applied in such manner as you may deem fit, for the benefit of the clergy, and the augmentation of small livings.”
“your majesty will do a great and disinterested act, which will for ever redound to your credit, and secure you the prayers of the whole church,” said pole. “i will take care that the revenues entrusted to me are properly applied.”
“i would i could go still further,” observed mary, “and procure an act to compel the restoration of church property, in whatever hands it may be. think you it could be done?”
“i do not believe such an act could be procured, madam,” replied pole. “certain i am that it would not be prudent to attempt to obtain it at this juncture. let us wait to see the effect of your own great action.”
“i yield to your judgment,” said mary. “it is my intention to re-establish three monasteries dissolved by the king, my father—namely, the grey friars at greenwich, the carthusians at sheen, and the briggittines at sion.”
“heaven has stirred your heart to much good work, madam,” said the cardinal. “the church will have cause to bless your name.”
“yet another matter,” observed the queen. “i desire to 306have masses said for the repose of my father’s soul, and would fain endow a church for that especial purpose.”
“alas! madam, i cannot aid you there,” replied pole. “his holiness will never permit the endowment of a church for the benefit of the soul of so determined a foe to the see of rome as henry viii. no priest will pray for him.”
“but i can pray for him, and do so daily,” rejoined mary. “i trust his heavily-laden soul is not beyond the reach of intercession. since i may not endow a church to say masses for him, i will augment the revenues of the college he re-founded at cambridge, in the hope that those who are taught there may pray for the soul of their benefactor.”
“a pious act, madam,” said pole, “and i trust it may be profitable to your father’s soul.”
“all these things i do, my lord cardinal,” pursued mary, “in preparation for my hour of travail, when i may be called away suddenly from this transitory life. if i should be, you will religiously fulfil my designs.”
“by heaven’s grace, madam, i will accomplish the work you confide to me,” said the cardinal. “the goods of the church shall be restored to holy uses, and all other things done as you have appointed.”
“one question more, and i have done,” said mary. “i am about to make my will, and propose to settle the crown on the king my husband, after my decease.”
“is his majesty aware of your intention, madam,” inquired the cardinal.
“it is his wish that i should do so,” replied mary.
“so i suspected,” said pole. “madam, as your kinsman and faithful counsellor, as your loyal and loving subject, i implore you not to make the will you propose. englishmen will never accept a spaniard as their sovereign, and if you bequeath your kingdom to your husband, your will will assuredly be set aside.”
“but the king has caused the will to be prepared,” said mary.
“ha! has it gone so far as that?” cried pole.
“it will be brought to me this very day for my signature,” replied mary.
“have you consulted the lord chancellor and the council, madam?” demanded pole.
307“i have consulted no one,” she replied. “the king enjoined me not to do so. but i could not help confiding the matter to your eminence, knowing your affection for me.”
“by that affection, of which you know the depth and sincerity, i charge you not to execute that will, madam,” said pole. “your ministers, if consulted, will agree with me. this is no light question. the welfare of your kingdom is at stake.”
at this moment a side-door opened, and father alfonso appeared at it, with a packet in his hand. on seeing the cardinal, he would have retired, but the queen signed to him to come forward, and he was compelled to obey.
“it is the will,” she observed in an under tone to pole.
“it is providential that i am here,” he replied.
meanwhile, father alfonso advanced, and, bowing reverently to the queen and the cardinal, laid the packet on the table.
“here is the document for your majesty’s signature,” he said. “the witnesses await your summons without.”
“the scheme is carefully planned, but i will thwart it,” mentally ejaculated pole. “the witnesses may be dismissed. the queen will not sign this document,” he added, aloud.
“what do i hear, madam,” cried father alfonso. “his majesty expects——”
“i say the queen will not sign it,” interrupted pole, taking up the will, “nor any other document to the like effect.”
making a profound obeisance to the queen, he quitted the room, taking the packet with him.
