1536.]
PROSPECTS OF THE REFORMATION.
435
tigress- had thirsted for the blood of their martyrs, and at her shrine they had been sacrificed.[1] Her character appeared at last in its true colours; the enchantment was broken, and the abhorrence with which Henry's name had so lately been regarded was changed throughout Italy to a general feeling of pity.[2] The precious sheep who had been lost to the Church would now return to the fold, and the Holy Father would welcome back his erring child with paternal affection.[3] This seems to have been the general expectation; unquestionably it was the expectation of the Pope himself. May 27.Paul sent again for Sir Gregory Cassalis, and after expressing his delight that God had delivered the King from his unhappy connection, he told him that he waited only for the most trifling intimation of a desire for reunion to send a nuntio to England to compose all differences and to grant everything which
- ↑ Pole, in writing to Charles V., says that Henry's cruelties to the Romanists had been attributed wholly to the 'Leæna' at his side; and 'when he had shed the blood of her whom he had fed with the blood of others,' every one expected that he would have recovered his senses.—Poli Apologia, ad Carolum Quintum.
- ↑ 'The news, which some days passed were divulged of the Queen's case, made a great tragedy, which was celebrated by all men's voices with admiration and great infamy to that woman to have betrayed that noble prince after such a manner, who had exalted her so high, and put himself to peril not without perturbation of all the world for her cause. But God showed Himself a rightful judge to discover such treason and iniquity. All is for the best. And I reckon this to the King's great fortune, that God would give him grace to see and touch with his hand what great enemies and traitors he lived withal.'—Harvel to Starkey, from Venice, May 26: Ellis, second series, vol. ii. p. 77.
- ↑ Pole to Contarini: Epist. vol. i. p. 457.
