m with a packet of
despatches. The last courier sent to Rome had returned with unheard-of
expedition, and the briefs and commissions in which the pope
relinquished formally his last reservations, had arrived. Never,
exclaimed the Catholic enthusiast, in a fervour of devout
astonishment--never since the days of the apostles had so many tokens
of divine approbation been showered upon a human enterprise. The
moment of its consummation had arrived.[392] Since the thing was to
be, no one wished for delay. Three days sufficed for the few necessary
preparations, and the two Houses of Parliament were invited to be
present unofficially at Whitehall on the afternoon of Wednesday the
28th. In the morning there was a procession in the city and a _Te
Deum_ at St. Paul's. After dinner, the Great Chamber was thrown open,
and the Lords and Commons crowded in as they could find room. Philip
and Mary entered, and took their seats under the cloth of state; while
Pole had a chair assigned him on their right hand, beyond the edge of
the canopy. The queen was splendidly dressed, and it was observed that
she threw out her person to make her supposed condition as conspicuous
as possible.[393] When all were in their places, the chancellor rose.

[Footnote 392: The queen's assurances respecting
her child were so emphatic, that even Noailles
believed her. Profane persons were still
incredulous. On Sunday the 25th, the day after the
_Te Deums_, Noailles says, "S'est trouve ung
placard attache a la porte de son palais, y estant
ces mots en substance: 'serons nous si bestes, oh
nobles Angloys, que croy renotre reyne estre
enciente si non d'un marmot ou d'un dogue?'"]

[Footnote 393: Contemporary Diary: _MS. Harleian_,
iv. 19.]

"My Lords of the Upper House," he said, "and you my masters of the
Nether House, here is present the Right Reverend Father in God the
Lord Cardinal Pole, come from the Apostolic See of Rome as ambassador
to the king's and queen's majesties, upon one of the weightiest causes
that ever happened in this realm, and which pertaineth to the glory of
God and your universal benefit; the which embassy it is their
majesties' {p.167} pleasure that it be signified unto you all by his
own mouth, trusting that you will accept it in