had once caft Anchor in the Port of Promotion, how he then beftirred himself, I fhall now declare.

He having then just occafion to be daily in fight of the King in his Closet, not spending the reft of the Day in Idlenefs, would attend those Men whom he thought to bear moft Rule in the Council; and were moft in Favour with the King, which at that time was Dr. Fox, Bishop of Winchester, and Lord PrivySeal; and alfo Sir Thomas Lovell, Kt. a very fage and wife Councellor, being Master of the Wards, and Constable of the Tower.

These ancient and grave Councellors, in process of time, perceiving this Chaplain to be a Man of a very accute Wit, thought him a meet Inftrument to be imployed in greater Affairs.

Not long after it happened, that the King had an urgent Occafion to fend an Embaffador to Maximilian the Emperor, who lay at that prefent in the LowCountries at Flanders, and not far from Callis.

Now the Bishop of Winchester, and Sir Thomas Lovell, whom the King moft efteemed, as the chiefeft of his Council,

one

one Day, advifing and debating with themselves upon this Embaffage, and by this time they faw they had a convenient Occafion to prefer the King's Chaplain, whofe excellent Eloquence and Learning, they highly commended unto the King's Highness, who giving ear unto them, and being a Prince of an excellent Judgment and Modefty, he commanded them to bring his Chaplain (whom they fo commended) before his Grace; and, being come, his Majesty (to prove his Ability) entered into Difcourfe with him, concerning Matters of State, whereby the King had fo well informed himself, that he found him to be a Man of a fharp Wit, and of fuch excellent Parts, that he thought him worthy to be put in truft with Matters of greater Confequence.

The King being now refolved to imploy him in this Embaffage, commanded him thereupon to prepare himself for his Journey; and for his Difpatch, wifht him to repair to his Grace and his Council, of whom he should receive his Commiffion and Inftruction. By means whereof he had then a fit Occafion to repair from time to time into the King's PreB 4 fence,

fence, who had thereby daily Experience of his fingular Wisdom and found Judgment. Thus having his Difpatch, he took his Leave of the King at Richmond, about four of the Clock in the Afternoon, where he lancheth forth in a Graves-end Barge with a profperous Wind and Tide; and his happy Speed was fuch, that he arrived at Graves-end in a little more than three Hours; where he tarried no longer than the Poft-horfes were provided, and he travelled fo fpeedily, that he came to Dover the next Morning, where the Paffengers were under fail to pass to Callis; fo that long before Noon he arrived there, and having Poft-horses prepared, departed from thence without tarrying, making fuch hafty Speed, that he was that Night with the Emperour: Who understanding of the Arrival of the King of England's Ambaffadour, would in no wife delay time, but fent for him incontinently; for his Affection to the King of England was fuch, that he was glad of any Opportunity to do him a Courtefie.

The Ambaffadour declares the Sum of his Embaffie unto the Emperour, of whom he craved fpeedy Expedition,

which was granted him; fo that the next Day he was clearly dispatched, and all the King's Requests fully accomplished and granted. At which time he made no further ftay, but took Poft-horses that Night and rode without Intermiffion to Callis, being conducted thither by divers Nobles appointed by the Emperour; and at the opening of the Gates of Callis he came thither, where the Paffengers were ready to return for England; infomuch that he arrived at Dover between ten and eleven of the Clock in the Forenoon.

And having Poft-horses in a readiness, came to the Court at Richmond that fame. Night, where (taking his Repose until Morning) he prefented himself unto his Majefty at his firft coming out of his Bed-chamber to his Closet to Mass, whom, when he saw, he checked for that he was not in his Journey.

Sir, (quoth he) If it may please your Highness, I have already been with the Emperour, and dispatched your Affairs, I trust to your Grace's Contentation: And thereupon prefented the King with his Letters of Credence from the Emperour. The King wondering at his speedy Re

turn

turn (he being fo well furnifhed with all his Proceedings) for the prefent diffembled his Admiration and Imagination in that Matter; and demanding of him whether he encountred with his Purfevant, which he fent unto him with. Letters, imagining him to be scarce out of London, which concerned very material Paffages which were omitted in their Confultation, which the King earnestly defired fhould have been Dispatched in his Ambaffage.

Yes, Forfooth, (quoth he) I met with bim Tefterday by the Way; and though I had no Knowledge thereof, yet notwithstanding I have been fo bold (upon mine own Difcretion) perceiving the Matter to be very neneffary, in that behalf I dispatched the fame. And forafmuch as I have been fo bold to exseed my Commiffion, I most humbly crave your Royal Remiffion and Pardon.

The King inwardly Rejoycing, replyed, We do not only Pardon you, bat give you our Princely Thanks, both for your good Exploit and happy Expedition. And difmiffed him for that prefent, and bad him return to him again after Dinner, for a further Relation of his Ambaflage, and fo the King went to Mass.

It