in upon his friendship and confidence. Wolsey earnestly seconded this
proposal; and hoped, in the presence of both courts, to make parade of
his riches, his splendor, and his influence over both monarchs.[*]

* Polyd. Virg. lib. xxvii.

And as Henry himself loved show and magnificence, and had entertained
a curiosity of being personally acquainted with the French king,
he cheerfully adjusted all the preliminaries of this interview. The
nobility of both nations vied with each other in pomp and expense: many
of them involved themselves in great debts, and were not able, by the
penury of their whole lives, to repair the vain splendor of a few days.
The duke of Buckingham, who, though very rich, was somewhat addicted to
frugality, finding his preparations for this festival amount to immense
sums, threw out some expressions of displeasure against the cardinal,
whom he believed the author of that measure;[*] an imprudence which was
not forgotten by this minister.

* Polyd. Vii.g. lib. xxvii. Herbert. Holingshed, p. 855.

While Henry was preparing to depart for Calais, he heard that the
emperor was arrived at Dover; and he immediately hastened thither with
the queen, in order to give a suitable reception to his royal guest.
That great prince, politic though young, being informed of the
intended interview between Francis and Henry, was apprehensive of the
consequences; and was resolved to take the opportunity, in his passage
from Spain to the Low Countries, to make the king still a higher
compliment, by paying him a visit in his own dominions. Besides the
marks of regard and attachment which he gave to Henry, he strove by
every testimony of friendship, by flattery, protestations, promises, and
presents, to gain on the vanity, the avarice, and the ambition of the
cardinal. He here instilled into this aspiring prelate the hope of
attaining the papacy; and as that was the sole point of elevation beyond
his present greatness, it was sure to attract his wishes with the same
ardor as if Fortune had never yet favored him with any of her presents.
In confidence of reaching this dignity by the emperor's assistance, he
secretly devoted himself to that monarch's interests; and Charles was
perhaps the more liberal of his promises, because Leo was a very young
man; and it was not likely that for many years he should be called upon
to fulfil his engagements. Henry easily observed this courtship paid
to his minister; but instead