So intimidated were the
troops, and so convinced that their cause was now hopeless, that not all
the persuasions and threatenings of their leaders, nor the archbishop's
promises of an eternal reward, could prevent the breaking up of this
vast multitude, and the hasty dispersion of the rebel host.
Ere morning Paslew was gone. He liked not the dust from a falling house.
Weary and alone he came back to his dwelling on the tenth day after his
departure.
From this time danger and misfortune crowded fast upon that devoted
house. The dark course of events unfolded with frightful rapidity, and
Paslew, by many a vain contrivance, sought to avert the king's
displeasure and his own doom. A relaxation of some measures more than
ordinarily severe was attempted; and we find, from existing records,
that a pension of ten marks per annum was granted to Thomas Cromwell,
the king's secretary and principal visitor,--whether in the way of bribe
or fee is not certain.
It shows, however, the humiliating and submissive circumstances to which
the monks were now reduced. They were indeed fallen from that high
estate, when kings were their tributaries, and empires too narrow for
the wide grasp of their ambition.
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