mposition of the pope's authority
was a far more ticklish matter than the restoration of orthodoxy,[360]
and the temper of the people was uncertain. The cardinal had, perhaps,
intelligence with persons in England of a suspicious and dangerous
kind, and the execution of his commission must depend on the pleasure
of the next parliament. He was not to suppose that he might introduce
changes in the constitution of the country by the authority of a papal
commission, or try experiments which might put in peril the sacred
person of the prince.[361]

[Footnote 360: Trop plus chastolleux que celuy de
la vraye religion.--Renard to the Emperor: Ibid. p.
287.]

[Footnote 361: Ibid.]

Once more the cup of hope was dashed to the ground, and Reginald Pole
was sent back to his monastery at Dhilinghen like a child unfit to be
trusted with a dangerous plaything. In times of trial his pen was his
refuge, and in an appeal to Philip he poured out his characteristic
protest.

{p.152} "For a whole year," he wrote, "I have been now knocking at
the door of that kingdom, and no person will answer, no person will
ask, Who is there? It is one who has endured twenty years of exile
that the partner of your throne should not be excluded from her
rights, and I come in the name of the vicar of the King of kings, the
Shepherd of mankind. Peter knocks at your door; Peter himself. The
door is open to all besides. Why is it closed to Peter? Why does not
that nation make haste now to do Peter reverence? Why does it leave
him escaped from Herod's prison, knocking?

"Strange, too, that this is the house of Mary. Can it be Mary that is
so slow to open? True, indeed, it is, that when Mary's damsel heard
the voice she opened not the door for joy; she ran and told Mary. But
Mary came with those that were with her in the house; and though at
first she doubted, yet, when Peter continued knocking, she opened the
door; she took him in, she regarded not the danger, although Herod was
yet alive and was king.

"Is it joy which now withholds Mary, or is it fear? She rejoices, that
I know, but she also fears. Yet why should Mary fear now when Herod is
dead? The providence of God permitted her to fear for awhile, because
God desired that you, sire, who are Peter's beloved child, should
share the great work with her. Do you, therefore, teach her now to
cast her fears away. It is not I only w