Alexander.—­I can’t deny that my passions were sometimes so violent as to deprive me for a while of the use of my reason; especially when the pride of such amazing successes, the servitude of the Persians, and barbarian flattery had intoxicated my mind.  To bear at my age, with continual moderation, such fortune as mine, was hardly in human nature.  As for you, there was an excess and intemperance in your virtues which turned them all into vices.  And one virtue you wanted, which in a prince is very commendable and beneficial to the public—­I mean, the love of science and of the elegant arts.  Under my care and patronage they were carried in Greece to their utmost perfection.  Aristotle, Apelles, and Lysippus were among the glories of my reign.  Yours was illustrated only by battles.  Upon the whole, though, from some resemblance between us I should naturally be inclined to decide in your favour, yet I must give the priority in renown to your enemy, Peter Alexowitz.  That great monarch raised his country; you ruined yours.  He was a legislator; you were a tyrant.

DIALOGUE XXI.

CARDINAL XIMENES—­CARDINAL WOLSEY.

Wolsey.—­You seem to look on me, Ximenes, with an air of superiority, as if I was not your equal.  Have you forgotten that I was the favourite and first Minister of a great King of England? that I was at once Lord High Chancellor, Bishop of Durham, Bishop of Winchester, Archbishop of York, and Cardinal Legate?  On what other subject were ever accumulated so many dignities, such honours, such power?

Ximenes.—­In order to prove yourself my equal, you are pleased to tell me what you had, not what you did.  But it is not the having great offices, it is the doing great things, that makes a great Minister.  I know that for some years you governed the mind of King Henry VIII., and consequently his kingdom, with the most absolute sway.  Let me ask you, then, What were the acts of your reign?

Wolsey.—­My acts were those of a very skilful courtier and able politician.  I managed a temper which nature had made the most difficult to manage of any perhaps that ever existed, with such consummate address that all its passions were rendered entirely subservient to my inclinations.  In foreign affairs I turned the arms of my master or disposed of his friendship, whichever way my own interest happened to direct.  It was not with him, but with me, that treaties were made by the Emperor or by France; and none were concluded during my Ministry that did not contain some Article in my favour, besides secret assurances of aiding my ambition or resentment, which were the real springs of all my negotiations.  At home I brought the pride of the English nobility, which had resisted the greatest of the Plantagenets, to bow submissively to the son of a butcher of Ipswich.  And, as my power was royal, my state and magnificence were suitable to it; my buildings, my furniture, my household, my equipage, my liberalities, and my charities were above the rank of a subject.