To raise your reputation and secure your
power in Castile, by making that kingdom as happy and as great as you
could, was your object. Mine was to procure the Triple Crown for myself
by the assistance of my sovereign and of the greatest foreign Powers.
Each of us took the means that were evidently most proper to the
accomplishment of his ends.
_Ximenes_.--Can you confess such a principle of your conduct without a
blush? But you will at least be ashamed that you failed in your purpose,
and were the dupe of the Powers with whom you negotiated, after having
dishonoured the character of your master in order to serve your own
ambition. I accomplished my desire with glory to my sovereign and
advantage to my country. Besides this difference, there was a great one
in the methods by which we acquired our power. We both owed it, indeed,
to the favour of princes; but I gained Isabella's by the opinion she had
of my piety and integrity. You gained Henry's by a complaisance and
course of life which were a reproach to your character and sacred orders.
_Wolsey_.--I did not, as you, Ximenes, did, carry with me to Court the
austerity of a monk; nor, if I had done so, could I possibly have gained
any influence there.
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