He thinks, strive as I might, one day I will be gone and as this world goes it may not be long: what though I am a man of firmness and vigour, fortune is mutable and either my enemies will do for me or my friends. When the time comes I may vanish before the ink is dry. I will leave behind me a great mountain of paper, and those who come after me – let us say it is Rafe, let us say it is Wriothesley, let us say it is Riche – they will sift through what remains and remark, here is an old deed, an old draft, an old letter from Thomas Cromwell's time: they will turn the page over, and write on me.
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The character reflects on the transient nature of life and the inevitability of death, acknowledging that despite his strength and determination, fortune can be unpredictable. He realizes that his fate might be determined by either his adversaries or allies, highlighting the fragility of his existence. The acknowledgment of his mortality brings a sense of urgency to his thoughts and actions.
He envisions a future where, after his passing, those left behind will analyze his legacy through the documents he leaves. The mention of figures like Rafe and Wriothesley implies that his contributions will be examined, but his identity will ultimately be shaped by how they interpret his work. This idea of being reconsidered by future generations speaks to the lasting impact of his endeavors, even as he grapples with the reality of his own impermanence.
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