Tennyson, in his play of Queen Mary, has put into the mouth of Pole some highly edifying sentiments on the want of true faith which prompts persecution.

Pole's example was very different from these precepts.

For the wretched Mary there may be some excuse; she was perhaps not wholly sane.

Her fixed idea, that if she killed Protestants enough Heaven would give her a son, was the conviction of a lunatic.

Her own husband fled from her, and left her with no earthly consolation save the stake.