him a large Pension, to live in an equipage suitable to his birth and alliance. He studied at Padua, conversing there so much with the Patricians of Venice, that at last he degene∣rated into a perfect Italian; so that neither love to his Country, nor gratitude to the King, nor sharp Letters of his Friends, nor fear to lose his present, nor hopes to get future preferments, could perswade him to return into England, but that his pensions were withdrawn from him.
This made him apply his studies the more privately in a Venetian-Monastery, where he attained great credit for his Eloquence, Learning, and good Life. Such esteem forreign Grandees had of his great Judgment, that Cardinal Sadolet having written a large Book in the praise of Philosophy, submitted it wholy to his Censure. Pole as highly com∣mended the Work, as he much admired, that a Cardinal of the Church of Rome, would conclude his old age with writing on such a subject applying unto him the Verses of Virgil,
Est in conspectu Tenedos notissima fama
Insula dives opum, Priami dum regna manebant,
Nunc tantum sinus & statio male fidacarinis.
From Troy may th'Ile of Tenedos bespide
Much fam'd when Priams kingdom was in pride,
Now but a Bay where ships in danger ride.
These far fetch'd lines He thus brought home to the Cardinal, that though Philosophy had been in high esteem, whilst Paganisme was in the prime thereof, yet was it but a bad Harbour for an aged Christian, to cast his Anchor therein.
It was not long before he was made Deacon-Cardinal, by the Title of St. Mary in Cos∣medin, by Pope Paul the Third, who sent him on many fruitless and dangerous Embas∣sies to the Emperour and the French King, to incite them to War, against King Henry the Eighth. Afterwards he retired himself to Viterbo in Italy, where his House was ob∣served the Sanctuary of Lutherans, and he himself became a racking, but no thorough-paced Protestant. In so much, that being appointed one of three Presidents of the Council of Trent, he endeavoured (but in vain) to have Justification determined by Faith alone.
During his living at Viterbo, he carried not himself so cautiously, but that he was taxed for begetting a base Child, which Pasquil published in Latine and Italian Verses, affixed in the season of liberty on his lawless pillar.
This Pasquil is an Authour, eminent on many accounts. First, for his self-conceale∣ment, being Noscens omnia, & notus nemini. Secondly, for his intelligence, who can display the deeds of midnight at high noon, as if he hid himself in the holes of their bed∣staves, knowing who were Cardinals Children, better than they knew their Fathers. Thirdly, for his unpartial boldness. He was made all of tongue and teeth, biting what e're he touch'd, and it bled what e're he bit; Yea, as if a General Council and Pasquil were only above the Pope, he would not stick to tell where he trod his holy Sandals awry. Fourthly, for his longevity, having lived (or rather lasted) in Rome some hun∣dreds of years, whereby he appears no particular person, but a successive corporation of Satyrists. Lastly, for his impunity, escaping the Inquifition whereof some assign this reason, because hereby the Court of Rome comes to know her faults, or rather to know that their faults are known; which makes Pasquils converts (if not more honest) more wary in their behaviour.
This defamation made not such an impression on Poles credit, but that after the death of Paul the Third, he was at midnight in the Conclave chosen to succeed him. Pole re∣fused it, because he would not have his choice a deed of darkness, appearing therein not perfectly Italianated in not taking preferment, when tendred, and the Cardinals beheld his refusal as a deed of dulness. Next day expecting a re-election, he found new morn∣ing new minds, and Pole being reprobated, Julius the Third, his professed enemy, was chosen in his place.
Yet afterwards he became Alterius Orbis Papa, when made Arch-bishop of Canter∣bury by Queen Mary. He was a person free from passion, whom none could anger out of his ordinary temper. His youthful Books were full of the Flowers of Rhetorick, whilst the withered stalkes are only found in the Writings of his old Age, so dry their style, and dull their conceit. He died few hours after Queen Mary, November the 17, Anno 1558.