' did not take me into his councils; but if he had I CHAP. IX. • should not have advised him to propose a peace. A.D. 1514. Why?' asked Ammonius. 'Because it would not be

6

'wise to talk about peace,' replied Erasmus. Why?' 'Because a peace cannot be negotiated all at once; and in the meantime, while the monarchs are treating ' about the conditions, the soldiers, at the very thought of peace, will be incited to far worse projects than in 'war itself; whereas by a truce the hands of the soldiery may be tied at once. I should propose a truce of three years, in order that the terms might be arranged of a really permanent treaty of peace.' Ammonius assented, and said that he thought this was what the ambassador was trying to do. Is he a Cardinal?' asked Erasmus.

6

said the other.

'What made you think he was?' The Italians say so.' 'And how do they know?' asked Ammonius, again fencing with Erasmus's question. Is it true that he is a Cardinal?' repeated Erasmus by-and-bye, as though he meant to have a straightforward answer. 'His spirit is the spirit ' of a Cardinal,' evasively replied Ammonius, brought to bay by the direct question. It is something,' observed Erasmus, smiling, 'to have a Cardinal's spirit!'

The stranger all this time had remained silent, drinking in this conversation between the two friends.

At last he made an observation or two in Italian, mixing in a Latin word now and then, as an intelligent merchant might be expected to do. Seeing that Erasmus took no notice of what he said, he turned round, and in Latin observed, 'I wonder you should care

6

to live in this barbarous nation, unless you choose

' rather to be all alone here than first at Rome.'

Erasmus astonished and somewhat nettled to hear

CHAP. IX. a merchant talk in this way, with disdainful dryness A.D. 1514. replied that he was living in a country in which there was a very great number of men distinguished for their learning. He had rather hold the last place among

these than be nowhere at Rome.

Ammonius, seeing the awkward turn that things were taking, and that Erasmus in his present humour might probably, as he sometimes did, speak his mind rather more plainly than might be desirable, interposed, and, to prevent further perplexity, suggested that they should adjourn to the garden.1

Erasmus found out afterwards that the merchant stranger with whom he had had this singular brush was the Pope's ambassador himself-Cardinal Canossa!

III. PARTING INTERCOURSE BETWEEN ERASMUS AND COLET (1514).

Meanwhile, in spite of Papal Nuncios, the preparations for the continuance of the war proceeded as before. There were no signs of peace. The King had had a dangerous illness, but had risen from his couch 'fierce as ever against France.'2

With heavy hearts Colet and Erasmus held on their way. The war lay like a dark cloud on their horizon. It was throwing back their work. How it had changed the plans of Erasmus has been shown. It had also made Colet's position one of greater difficulty. It is true that hitherto royal favour had protected him from the hatred of his persecutors, but the Bishop of London and his party were more exasperated against him than ever, and who could tell how soon the King's fickle

1 Eras. Germano Brixio: Eras. Epist. mccxxxix.

2 Brewer, i. 4845, 5173, and 4727.

humour might change? His love of war was growing CHAP. IX. wilder and wilder. He was becoming intoxicated by AD. 1514. it. And who could tell what the young King might do if his passions ever should rise into mastery over better feelings? Even the King's present favour, though it had preserved Colet as yet unharmed in person, did not prevent his being cramped and hindered in his work. Whatever he might do was sure to be misconstrued, and to become the subject of the idle talk of the malevolent.'1

troubled

It would seem also that other clouds than that of Colet the war cast their shadow at this time over Colet's by family life. By the erection and foundation of his school, he disputes.

had reduced his income almost more than he could well afford, and accustomed, as he was, to abundant means, it was natural that he should be harassed and annoyed by anything likely still further to narrow his resources. He seems to have been troubled with vexed questions of property and family dispute-most irksome of all others to a man who was giving life and wealth away in a great work.

Erasmus, six months previously, in July 1513, had written to Colet thus:

The end of your letter grieved me, for you write that you are more harassed than usual by the troubles ' of business. I desire indeed for you to be removed as far as possible from worldly business; not because I am afraid lest this world, entangled though it be, should get hold of you and claim you for its own, but

1 Eras. Epist. cxv. Eras. Op. iii. p. 107, D. Brewer, i. 4336.

2 Eras. Epist. cxv. iii. p. 106, E and F.

Eras. Op.

A.D. 1514.

Erasmus

advises Colet to give in.

because I had rather such genius, such eloquence, 'such learning should be devoted wholly to Christ. 'What if you should be unable to extricate yourself from it! Take care lest little by little you become more and more deeply immersed in it. Perhaps it might be better to give in, rather than to purchase victory at so great a cost. For peace of mind is worth a great deal. And these things are the thorns which accompany riches. In the meantime, oppose a good 'honest conscience to the idle talk of the malevolent. Wrap yourself up in Christ and in him alone, and this entangled world will disturb you less. But why should 'I, like the sow, preach to Minerva; or, like the sick man, prescribe for the doctor? Farewell, my best beloved 'teacher!'-From Cambridge, July 11 [1513].1

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Six months had passed since Erasmus had thus advised his friend to give in rather than to conquer at the cost of his peace of mind, but Colet had not yet succeeded in getting rid of his perplexities. It would almost seem that the same old quarrel was still lingering on unhealed; for there was now a dispute between Colet and an aged uncle of his, and the bone of contention was a large amount of property.2

One day Colet took Erasmus with him by boat to dine with Archbishop Warham at Lambeth Palace. As they rowed up the Thames, Colet sat pensively reading in his book. At dinner, being set opposite his uncle at table, Erasmus noticed that he was ill at ease, caring neither to talk nor to eat. And the uncle would doubtless have remained as silent as the nephew, had not the Archbishop drawn out the garrulousness of his

old age by cheerful conversation. After dinner the CHAP. IX. three were closeted together. Erasmus knew not what A.D. 1514. all this meant. But, as they were rowing back to town in the boat, Colet said, 'Erasmus, you're a happy man, ' and have done me a great service;' and then he went on to tell his friend how angry he had been with his uncle, and how he had even thought of going to law with him, but in this state of mind, having taken a copy of the Enchiridion' with him, he had read the 'rule' there given against anger and revenge,' and it had done him so much good that he had held his tongue at dinner, and with the Archbishop's kind Colet does assistance after dinner, made up matters with his give in at uncle.1

Apart from these cares and troubles, Colet's heart was naturally saddened with the thought of so soon parting with his dearest friend, and, as he now could feel, his ablest fellow-worker. The two were often together. Colet sometimes would send for Erasmus to be his companion when he dined out, or when he had to make a journey.2 At these times Erasmus testifies that no one could be more cheerful than Colet was. It was his habit always to take a book with him. His conversation often turned upon religious subjects; and though in public he was prudently reserved and cautious in what he said, at these times to his bosom friend he most freely spoke out his real sentiments.

last.

age to Can

On one occasion Colet and Erasmus paid a visit Pilgrimtogether to the shrine of St. Thomas-à-Becket. Going terbury. on pilgrimage was now the fashionable thing.

1 Eras. Op. iii. p. 785, A, C.

2 Ibid. p. 457, A. See also Eras. Epist. viii. App.

How