roper, without trial, examination, or evidence, to condemn
to death a man, whom a few days before they had declared worthy to be
vicar-general of the universe. The house of commons passed the bill,
though not without some opposition. Cromwell was accused of heresy
and treason: but the proofs of his treasonable practices are utterly
improbable, and even absolutely ridiculous.[*] The only circumstance of
his conduct by which he seems to have merited this fate, was his being
the instrument of the king's tyranny in conducting like iniquitous
bills, in the preceding session, against the countess of Salisbury and
others.

Cromwell endeavored to soften the king by the most humble supplications;
but all to no purpose: it was not the practice of that prince to ruin
his ministers and favorites by halves; and though the unhappy prisoner
once wrote to him in so moving a strain as even to draw tears from his
eyes, he hardened himself against all movements of pity, and refused his
pardon. The conclusion of Cromwell's letter ran in these words: "I, a
most woful prisoner, am ready to submit to death when it shall please
God and your majesty; and yet the frail flesh incites me to call to your
grace for mercy and pardon of mine offences. Written at the Tower, with
the heavy heart and trembling hand of your highness's most miserable
prisoner and poor slave, Thomas Cromwell." And a little below, "Most
gracious prince, I cry for mercy, mercy, mercy."[**]

* Burnet, vol. i. p. 278.

** Burnet, vol. i. p. 281, 282.

When brought to the place of execution, he avoided all earnest
protestations of his innocence, and all complaints against the sentence
pronounced upon him. He knew that Henry would resent on his son those
symptoms of opposition to his will, and that his death alone would not
terminate that monarch's vengeance. He was a man of prudence, industry,
and abilities; worthy of a better master and of a better fate. Though
raised to the summit of power from a low origin, he betrayed no
insolence or contempt towards his inferiors; and was careful to remember
all the obligations which, during his more humble fortune, he had owed
to any one. He had served as a private sentinel in the Italian wars;
when he received some good offices from a Lucquese merchant, who had
entirely forgotten his person, as well as the service which he had
rendered him. Cromwell, in his grandeur, happened at London to cast
his eye on his benefactor, now