Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 2.djvu/25

1533.] rank, that Henry's divorce was to form the especial subject of his conference with the Pope, had consented to allow these dangerous questions to sink into a secondary place, and had relinquished his intention, if he had ever seriously entertained it, of becoming an active party in the English quarrel.

The long-talked-of interview was still delayed. First it was to have taken place in the winter, then in the spring; June was the date last fixed for it, and now Bennet had to inform the King that it would not take place before September; and that, from the terms of a communication which had just passed between the parties who were to meet, the subjects discussed at the conference would not be those which he had been led to expect. Francis, in answer to a question from the Pope, had specified three things which he proposed particularly to 'intreat.' The first concerned the defence of Christendom against the Turks, the second concerned the general council, and the third concerned 'the extinction of the Lutheran sect.' These were the points which the Most Christian King was anxious to discuss with the Pope. For the latter good object especially, 'he would devise and treat for, the provision of an army.' In the King of England's cause, he trusted 'some means, might be found whereby it might be compounded;' but if persuasion failed, there was no fear lest he should have recourse to any other method.

It was this which had given back to the Pope his