406 HISTORY OF KING HENRY VII. 



And thus this Solomon of England, for Solomon 

 also was too heavy upon his people in exactions, hav 

 ing lived two and fifty years, and thereof reigned 

 three and twenty years, and eight months, being in 

 perfect memory, and in a most blessed mind, in a 

 great calm of a consuming sickness passed to a 

 better world, the two and twentieth of April, 1508, 

 at his palace of Richmond, which himself had 

 built. 



This king, to speak of him in terms equal to his 

 deserving, was one of the best sort of wonders ; a won 

 der for wise men. He had parts, both in his virtues 

 and his fortune, not so fit for a common-place, as for 

 observation. Certainly he was religions, both in 

 his affection and observance. But as he could see 

 clear, for those times, through superstition, so he 

 would be blinded, now and then, by human policy. 

 He advanced church-men : he was tender in the pri 

 vilege of sanctuaries, though they wrought him much 

 mischief. He built and endowed many religious 

 foundations, besides his memorable hospital of the 

 Savoy : and yet was he a great alms-giver in secret ; 

 which shewed, that his works in public were dedi 

 cated rather to God s glory than his own. He pro 

 fessed always to love and seek peace ; and it was 

 his usual preface in his treaties, that when Christ 

 came into the world, peace was sung ; and when he 

 went out of the world, peace was bequeathed. And 

 this virtue could not proceed out of fear or softness ; 

 for he was valiant and active, and therefore, no 

 doubt, it was truly Christian and moral. Yet he 



