It has rarely
happened that so rapid a career has met with no reverse, for the fickle
goddess mostly exalts her votaries only to make their downfall the more
terrible.
Henry dying in 1413, was succeeded by his son Henry V., with whom Sir
John was held in equal esteem, being again appointed to the government
of Ireland; but, landing in Dublin, his health was now visibly on the
wane. Four months afterwards he died at Ardee, to the great grief of
his family, and the irreparable loss of the nation. He was a rare
instance wherein a courtier, through four successive reigns, carried
himself unimpeached, and unsullied by the political vices which were
then too general to excite reproach. He was truly a knight "_sans peur
et sans reproche_."
He left two sons, John and Thomas, and one daughter, whose fortunes, at
this time, we shall not attempt to follow.
Lady Stanley, his widow, returned to Liverpool with her children, and
lived there until her death, in the house built by her husband.
Now did the beam of Sir Oskatell's favour, like an April day, suddenly
change its gaudy and suspicious brightness. Sir Thomas, waning in years
and ready to depart, began to consider his former misdoings.
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