he studied, so he writ; not with a Pedants imperti∣nence, but a States-man's prudence: so elegant was his Latine, that a Critick would have advanced him Professor; so various his Learning, that Cranmer would have preferred him Prebend; and yet so grave and wise the matter and composure of his speech, that the King designed him a States-man.
When King Henry the Eighth came to Oxford, Sir Iohn is deputed to congratulate his coming: who considering that a Man cannot every Day speak to Kings, contrived (saith my Author) the matter of his speech most Man-like, politick and pertinent, the phrase of it polite and majestick; so that what with his comely presence, his becoming carriage, his flowing expression, his graceful elocution, he gained that applause from the Court and University, that the one was as eager to have him, as the other was loth to part with him: the University was proud of him, but King Henry commanded him, and dis∣poseth of him in Forein parts, to add practical ex∣perience to his speculative studies: It was the excel∣lent way of that time, to pick out the choice youths of both Universities, and maintain them some years abroad, to make such Observations as might render them serviceable at home••
Dwelt with Books he had long enough, now he must converse with Men, and open his recluse and retired soul, to a practicable and social temper, by debonairness and freedom, too long mewed up with study and melancholy: Think and speak he could very well already, now he must learn to act and live: Books furnished, Travel must enlarge and settle his soul.
Four things made a States-man in those Days.