verebatur, sed in primo congressu iisdem quibus
matrem Dei salutavit Angelus, Reginam Polus
alloquitur, Ave Maria," etc.--Salkyns to Bullinger:
_Epistolae_ Tigurinae, p. 169.]

"High thanks, indeed," he exclaimed, "your majesty owes to the favour
of the Almighty, seeing that, while he permits you to bring your godly
desires to perfection, he has united at this moment in your favour the
two mightiest powers upon earth--the majesty of the emperor
represented in the king your husband, and the pope's holiness
represented in myself." The queen, as she walked, replied "in words of
sweet humility," pouring out gentle excuses for past delays. The
legate, still speaking with ecstatic metaphor, answered that it was
the will of God; God waited till the time was mature, till he could
say to her highness, "Blessed be the fruit of thy womb."[390]

[Footnote 390: "Il Signor Legato rispose che Dio
havea voluto, che fusse tardato a tempo piu maturo,
perche egli havesse potuto dire a sua Altezza come
diceva Benedictus fructus ventris tui."--Descriptio
Reductionis Angliae.]

In the saloon they remained standing together for another quarter of
an hour. When the cardinal took his leave for the day, the king; in
spite of remonstrance, re-attended him to the gate. Alva and the
Bishop of Winchester were in waiting to conduct him to Lambeth Palace,
which had been assigned him for a residence. The See of Canterbury was
to follow as soon as Cranmer could be despatched.

Arrived at Lambeth, he was left to repose after his fatigues and
excitements. He had scarcely retired to his apartments when he was
disturbed again by a message from the queen. Lord Montague had hurried
over with the news that the angelic salutation had been already
answered. "The babe had leapt {p.166} in her womb."[391] Not a
moment was lost in communicating the miracle to the world. Letters of
council were drawn out for _Te Deums_ to be sung in every church in
London. The next day being Sunday, every pulpit was made to ring with
the testimony of heaven to the truth.

[Footnote 391: Descriptio Reductionis Angliae.]

On Monday the 26th the cardinal went to the palace for an audience,
and again there was more matter for congratulation. As he was
approaching the king's cabinet, Philip met hi