Page:The religious life of King Henry VI.djvu/47

Rh to have it." Much astonished at this attitude of the King, the executors begged him at least to receive the gift towards the endowment of the two colleges, which he had lately founded at Cambridge and Eton. This he consented to do, ordering them to pass on the gift to these establishments, for prayers for the soul of the Cardinal.

Rare piety, loving charity, and an entire resignation were found united in this saintly prince. When at length he was despoiled of his kingdoms of France and England, which previously he had ruled, and was stripped of all his goods and possessions, he bore his ill fortune with a perfectly calm mind, regarding all temporal goods as nought, so long as he could possess Christ and the things of eternity.

Though he was open-handed in giving temporal assistance, Henry was cautious and prudent in conferring spiritual benefices. He feared that he might perhaps be giving them to men who were unworthy, or who had obtained them in an improper manner, that is to say, by simony. This care is evidenced by the upright ecclesiastics he actually advanced to office, and no suspicion of simony could at any time be alleged against him. He was