Dr. Stapleton AN Apologie for Sir More 's pleasantnesse of Wit THE HISTORY OF Sr. THO. MORE CHAP. I. 1 Sir Thomas Mores Parentage 2 The place and year of his birth 3 His education first studies and employments of youth SIR Thomas More was the only son of Sir John More Knight and one of the Justices of the Kings Bench a man singular for his many rare perfections which are set down by his son in his Epitaph extant extant among his Latin Works Cambden reports of him for proof of his pleasantnesse of wit that he would compare the great number of women to be chosen for wives unto a bag full of Snakes having amongst them but onâ— Eel now if a man puts his hand into this bag he may chance to light on the Eel but 't is 2 hundred to one if he be not stung with a Snake Many such witty similitudes he used both in his private discourses and publiquâ— auditory by which and many other his perfections of wit and grace one might guess that thiâ— child was likely to prove singular having so worthy a father Sir Thomas More was born at London in Milkstreet where his father for the most part dwel in the year of our Lord one thousand four hundred and eighty and in the twentieth year of Edward the fourth Shortly after whose birth was there this presage of his future eminency His Nurse riding with him over a water the Horse stept aside into a deep place and put both her and the child in great danger of their lives but she endevouring suddenly to prevent the harm of the Infant threw it over a hedge into a field near adjoyning and afterward by Gods assistance escaped safe herself When she came to take him up again to her amazement she found him to have no hurt at all but the Babe sweetly smiled upon her Wherefore his father as supposing him sent into the world for some great end was much the more careful of his education and so put him to the Free-school of London called St. Anthonies where after he had been brought up in the Latine tongue his father shortly after procured him to be recived into the house of the Right Reverend Prelate Cardinal Moorton Archbishop of Canterbury and Lord High Chancellor of England where though he was young of years yet would he in the Christmas time suddenly sometimes step in among the Players and never studying for the matter make a part of his own there presently amongst them which was so witty and full of Jests that he alone made the lookers on more sport then all the Players beside in whose wit and towardnesse the Cardinal much delighting would often say of him to the Nobles that several times dined with him This child here waiting at the Table whosoever shall live to see it will prove a marvellous man Whereupon for his furtherance in learning he placed him in Canterbury Colledge in Oxford now called Christ Church where when he was both in the Greek and Latine tongue sufficiently instructed he was then for the study of the Law put to an Inne of Chancery called New-Inne where for his time he very well prospered And from thence was admitted to Lincolns-Inne with very small allowance continuing his study there until he was made and accounted a worthy Utter Barrister And then to his commendation he for some time read a publique Lecture of S. Austin De Civitate Dei in the Church of S. Laurence in the Old Jury whereunto there resorted Dr. Groyein an excellent man and others of the most learned of the City of London Then was he made Reader of Furnivals-Inne so remaining by the space of three years and more after which time he gave himself to devotion and prayer in the Charter-house of London religiously living there without vow about four year CHAP. II. 1 Sir Thomas Mores marriage 2 His first preferments 3 His danger in King Henry the sevenths Reign NOw about this time there lived a pleasant Gentleman and of an ancient Family of New-hall in Essex by name M. John Colt who several times invited him to his house being much delighted in his company and proffered him the choice of any of his daughters three young Gentlewomen of very good carriage and complexion whose honest conversation and vertuous education enclined him there especially to set his affection and although he most desired the second daughter for that he thought her the fairest and most handsome yet when he considered that it would be both a great grief and some blemish also to the eldest to see her younger sister preferred before her â—he then of a kind compassion framed his fancie toward her and soon after married her never the more discontinuing his study of the Law at Lincolns-Inne but still plying the same until he was called to the Bench and had read twice which is as often as any Judge of the Law doth read and to which few but rare and singular Lawyers do ever attain Before which time he had placed himself and his wife in Bucklersbury in London where he had by her one son and three daughters in vertue and learning brought up from their youth whom he would often exhort to take vertue and learning for their meat and play but for their sauce In the latter end of King Henry the sevenths Reign a Parliament was called wherein Sir Thomas More ere ever he had read in the Court was chosen Burgesse there was then demanded by the King one Subsidie and three Fifteens for the marriage of his eldest daughter the Lady Margaret that then should be as indeeed she was shortly after the Queen of Scots when the consent of the Lower House was demanded to these impositions most of the rest either holding their peace or not daring to speak against them though very unwilling to grant them Sr Thomas making a grave speech argued so strongly why these exactions were not to be granted that thereby the Kings demands were cleer overthrown and his request denyed so that one Mr. Tyler of the Kings Privy Chamber being present thereat went immediately from the House and told his Majesty that a beardless boy had frustrated all his expectations whereupon the King being very much incensed at him would not be satisfied until he had some way revenged it Now forasmuch as he nothing having nothing could lose the King devised a causeless quarrel against Sir John More his father keeping him in the Tower until he had made him pay to him a hundred pounds fine hereupon it sell out that Sir Thomas More coming in a suit to Doctor Fox Bishop of Winchester one of the Kings privie Councel the Bishop called him aside and pretending great favour to him promised him that if he would be ruled by him he would not fail to restore him again into the Kings favour meaning as it was afterward conjectured
THE HISTORY OF THE Life and Death OF Sr. THOMAS MORE Lord High Chancellor OF ENGLAND IN King HENRY the Eights time Collected by J. H. Gent. LONDON Printed for George Eversden and Henry Eversden and are to be sold at the Maiden-head and Grayhound in St. Pauls Church-yard 1662. To my worthily most honoured Kinsman C. HODDESDON Esq DEAR SIR BEsides the Obligation I have to you by Nature your Goodnesse hath given you the greatest interest that may be in my Time and Studies of which if I have made any improvement it is purely the Product and Influence of your Favour The sense hereof hath made me prefix your Name to this Endeavour of mine upon no other design then to make a publick profession that my self and studies hold of you as of the chief Lord. And if the pettinesse of what I tendr you here be apt to disable the justice of mine acknowledgments you can inform your self that a Rose or a pound of Cummin hath often been all the Rent-service that hath been reserved upon Estates of no inconsiderable value That that I here present you with is the Life of Sir Thomas More one of the greatest Ornaments of the Law a man of those high employments and so great parts to go through them that he can be no stranger to you nor doubt of a kind reception especially seeing you are of as eminent courtesie as parts I shall not venture to give any further Character of him or commend him to you but rather on the contrary expect that he will plead the boldness of my Dedication and assure my self a favourable acceptance of my poor labours from his vast worth Sir I have dealt with him as his Nurse did thrown him over the hedge into your Armes lest his memory should perish in the waters of Lethe Or as some common Souldier who if he have but common civility finding some person of great quality lying amongst the dead bodies and ready to become one of them will make a shift with a rude charity to lugger him out of the field und think himself sufficiently rewarded with the honour of preserving his life I as I travelled over the Memorials of the ancient Heroes met with this worthy Knight breathing his last in the field of honour and an ordinary sense of humanity ingaged me though unworthy that office to rescue him from oblivion unhandsomely I confesse but excusably because I could no better my weak capacity in the very beginning of this enterprize being overwhelmed with the plenty and copiousnesse of the subject I am confident King Henry the Eighth was not so much his enemy as to forbid posterity to think well of him nor his Sentence so severe as to condemne his Name as well as his Body to an execution his Name no more deserved to die then my pen does to preserve it yet which affords me some comfort what the Reader wants in this Book hee 'l find in his Life with which also I hope I have a good plea for the inconsiderablenesse of any thing which I can offer in return of all those obligations you have been pleased to lay upon mee which since I am never able to wipe off by strict and punctual satisfaction I presume your goodnesse will by a favourable acceptation hold me discharg'd in Chancery I am Sir your most affectionate Kinsman to serve and honor you J. H. The Heads of the following Chapters CHAP. I 1 SIr More 's parentage 2 The place and year of his birth 3 His education first studies and employments of youth CHAP. II 1 SIr Thomas More his Marriage 2 His first preferment 3 His danger in King Hen. 7. Reign CHAP. III 1 His integrity in his profession of the Law 2 The beginning of his favour with King Henry the eight 3 The first honours bestowed by K. Henry the eight on Sir Thomas More 4 He is made Speaker of the lower House of Par. CHAP. IV 1 CArdinal Wolsey his preposition in Parliament frustrated by Sir Thomas More 2 Sir Thomas More made Chancellor of the Dutchy of Lancaster 3 His gentle disposition on all occasions CHAP. V 1 SIr Th. M. prompt and ready Wit 2 His Charity to his Neighbours 3 His friendship with learned men at home and abroad CHAP. VI 1 SIr More 's home entertainments and devotions 2 His behaviour to his Wife and Children 3 His miraculous cure upon his daughter Mâ—rgaret by prayer CHAP. VII 1 THe ambition of Cardinal Wolsey 2 King H soruple concerning his marriage communicated to Sir Th. More 3 Sir More 's prediction of the alteration of his Religion in England 4 His Embassie for peace and happy success therein CHAP. VIII 1 THe Cardinal degraded of his Office 2 Sir Thomas More made Lord Chancellor of England CHAP. IX 1 SIr Thomas More 's affable behaviour and integrity in his Chancellorship 2 His wise remedying of long delaies in suits of law 3 His humble behaviour towards his Father 4 His admirable zeal in the cause of his Religion CHAP. X 1 SIr More 's penances continued in the midst of his honours 2 His charity to his poor neighbours of Chelsey 3 He refuseth to allow of Kin. Hen. divorcement 4 He sues to depose his Office 5 The death of Sir John More his Father 6 Such incredible poverty in so eminent a person a sure sign of incomparable integrity CHAP. XI 1 SIr More 's contempt of honour declared in deposing the great dignity of Chancellorship 2 His resolution to live poorly 3 He prepareth himself for his sufferings as foreseeing them 4 He refuseth to be present at Q. Annes marriage CHAP. XII 1 THe beginning of the Kings indignation 2 Sir Th. More disposeth himself more immediately to suffer death 3 Divers accusations procured against Sir Thomas alleâ—sily avoided by his innocency 4 The Nun of Canterbury first occasion of calling Sir Thomas More in question concerning Queen Anne 5 His first examination before the Kings Deputies 6 His merry heart and gallant â—esolution after his examination CHAP. XIII 1 SIr Tho. More refuseth the Oath of Supremacy and succession 2 Sir Th. More 's imprisonment first in Westminster then in the Tower 3 His discourse with his daughter Margaret 4 A Dialogue between him and his Wife the Lady More 5 Mr. Rich his Case 6 His Books taken from him CHAP. XIV 1 SIr More 's Arraignment 2 His answer to their inditement 3 Mr. Rich's Oath against Sir Tho. clearly rejected 4 Sentence of death pronounced against Sir Thomas More CHAP. XV 1 THe manner how Sir Th. More was led back to the Tower 2 His daughter Margarets great expression of love to him now condemned 3 How devoutly and resolutely Sir Tho. expected his execution 4 Notice of the time of his death sent him by the King 5 The manner and form of his Death 6 The Kings sadnesse thereupon 7 Physiognomy of Sir Tho. More AView of Sir More 's Wit and Wisdome SOme few of Sir Tho. Apothegms collected out of
Martyrs what torments they endured for the love of God of their marvellous patience and of their passions and deaths rather then they would offend God and what a happy and blessed thing it was for the love of God to suffer losse of goods imprisonment losse of lands and life also adding with all that upon his faith if he might perceive his wife and children would incourage him to die in a good cause it would make him merrily run to death He told them afore hand what troubles were like to befal him wherewith and the like vertuous discourse he had so long before his troubles incouraged them that when he after fell into them indeed their afflictions were a great deal the lesse Quia spicula praevisa minus laedunt Within a while after the resignement of his Office came Sir Thomas Cromwel then in the Kings high favour to Ghelsey to him in a message from his Highnesse wherein when they had throughly confâ—r'd together Sir Thomas said unto him Mr. Cromwel You are now entred into the service of a most noble wise and liberal Prince if you will follow my poor advice you shall in your Counsell giving unto his Majesty ever tell him what he ought to do but never what he is able to do so shal you shew your self a true faithful Servant and a right worthy Counsellor for if the Lion knew his own strength hard were it for any man to rule him Shortly hereupon was there a Commission granted under the Great Seal and directed to Cranmer then Bishop of Canterbury to determine the marriage between the King and Queen Katharine at St. Albans where according to the Kings mind it was throughly concluded who pretending he had no justice at the Popes hands from thenceforth sequestred himself and his Kingdome from the See of Rome and so marryed the Lady Anne Bullen which Sir Thomas More understanding said unto Mr. Rooper God give grace son that these matters within a while be not confirm'd with Oaths It fortuned not long before the comming of Queen Anne through the streets of London from the Tower to Westminster to her Coronation that Sir Thomas received a letter from the Bishops of Durham Bath and Winchester desiring him to keep them company from the Tower to the Coronation and also to take twenty pounds that by the Bearer thereof they had sent him to buy him a Gown which he thankfully receiving yet tarrying still at home at their next meeting said merrily unto them My Lords in the letters which you lately sent me you requested two things of me the one whereof sith I was so well content to grant you the other therefore I thought I might be the bolder to deny you And like as the one because I took you for no beggars and my self I knew to be no rich man I thought I might the rather fulfill so the other did put me in remembrance of an Emperour that had ordained a Law that whosoever committed a certain offence which I now remember not except it were a Virgin should suffer death such a reverence had he to Virginity Now so it hapned that the first that violated this Law was a Virgin whereof the Emperour hearing was in no small perplexity as he that by some example would fain have that Law put in execution whereupon when his Councel had sat long solemnly debating this Case suddenly there rose up one of his Councel a good plain man amongst them and said Why make you so much ado my Lords about so small a matter Let her first be deflowred and then after may she be devoured And so though your Lordships have in the matter of the Matrimony hitherto kept your selves pure Virgins yet take good heed My Lords that you keep your Virginity still for some there be that by procuring your Lordships first at the Coronation to be present and next to preach for setting forth of it and lastly to write books to all the World in defence thereof are desirous to deflowr you and then wil they not fail soon after to devour you Now My Lords said he it lieth not in my power but that they may devour me but God being my good Lord I will provide that they shall never deflowr me CHAP. XII 1 The beginning of the Kings indignation 2 Sir THOMAS MORE disposeth himself more immediately to suffer death 3 Divers accusations procured against Sir THO. all easily avoided by his innocencie 4 The Nun of Canterbury first occasion of calling Sir T. M. in Question concerning Qu. Anne 5 His first examination before the Kings Deputies 6 His merry heart and gallant resolution after his Examination IN continuance when the King perceived that he could by no means win him to his side then behold the fair sunshine day of his favours became overcast there followed a notable storm for now he went about by terrour and threats to drive him thereto But see how Sir Thomas prepares himself for this valiant combat having given over his Office of Chancellorship he never medled with State matters any more but gave himself wholy the year before his troubles not only to write books in defence of his Religion as I have said but also addicted himself to great acts of Mortification prayer and piety he lessened his family he fold his houshold stuffe to the value of one hundred pounds he disposed his Children into their own houses and many nights he slept not for thinking the worst that could happen unto him he hired a Pursevant to come suddenly to his house when he was one time at dinner and knocking hastily at his door to warn him the next day to appear before the Commissioners to arm his family the better for future calamities And now begin his troubles first by occasion of a certain Nun dwelling in Canterbury for her vertue and holinesse not a little esteemed of among the people in those daies unto whom for that cause many religious persons Doctors of Divinity and divers Lay-men of good repute used to resort who affirming that she had revelations from God to give the King warning of his wicked life and of the abuse of the sword and authority committed to him and understanding the Lord Rochester Bishop Fisher to be a man famous for his vertuous life and learning went to Rochester and there disclosed unto him all her revelations desiring his advice and counsell therein who thereupon advised her as she before had warning and intended to go to the King her self and to let him understand the whole circumstance thereof whereupon she went to the King and told him all her revelation and so returned home agan to her Cloyster Not long after she making a journey to the Nuns of Sion by means of one Mr. Reynold a Father of that house it hapned that she fell into discourse with Sir Thomas More concerning such secrets as had been revealed unto her Sir
Rome about it The dispensation questioned And supplyed by a new confirmation He foresaw the fal of his Religion in England Sir Thomas More 's Embassie for peace and his happy successe therein Bishop Stokely his quirk in Queen Katharines marriage His conference with Sir Thomas about it Stokely undermines the Cardinal The Cardinals fal Sir Thomas More elected Lord Chancellor The honorable Ceremony with which he was enstald The Duke of Norfolk's Oration in behalf of Sir Thomas More Of his worthiness for so great an employment The first Lay-man that ever was made Lord Chancellor Good reasons why that old custome was now salt red Sir Tho. Mores modest and discrete reply He acknowledgeth his own unworthiness The Dukes love The Kings favour bounty Which he esteems beyond his deserts All which increase in him a resolution to discharge well this so great charge He desireth favourable interpretation of his endeavours A wise consideration of his predecessors example The dangeâ—s of high honours A warning to use them well Sir Thomas Mores behaviour to all suitors especially to the poorer sort No access to Bribery Means how great men may do favours in justice Notable integrity Even against his own kindred * Long delaies in Law the misery of poor Clients remedied by Sir Tho. More A pleasant Tale of a Tub. Sir Thomas More 's humble behaviour towards his Father the antientest Judg of the Kingdome His admirable zeal in the cause of his Religion A liberal reward proffered him nobly by the Bishops of England As nobly and magnanimously refused by him only for Gods caused Sir Thomas More his penances Hair-shirt His merâ—ciful works to his poor neighbours Liberality to his parish Church K. Henry desires Sir Thomas to allow his divorce Sir Thomas Mores refusal for the time accepted by the King A Parliament called for Q. Annes marriage Sir Thomas sues to depose his Office Sir More 's humbleness in the height of his Honours A remarkable Record that no Cause was left undecided in the Chancery The death of Sir John More Sir Tho. never enjoied his Fathers inheritance Rare poverty in a Lord High Chancellor Upon Sir Thomas his suite to resign up his Office the King graciously accepteth his desire Of his Children living with him All his Children hitherto dwelt with him An incomparable resolution after so great an honour to bear chearfully so low an estate Honourable poverty in so great a personage A pleasant jest to divert his wife from sorrow His remote preparations for suffering Continual talking of spiritual matters A good lesson for a Statesman The marriage concluded at St. Albans to be lawfull Sir Thomas More refuseth to be at Q Anns marriag His counfell and prediction to the Bishops his friends A notable story prophetically applyed His resolution rather to be devoured then deflowred The kings displeasure Sir Thomas his more immediate preparation for death A Christian stratagem The first occasion of calling him in question for Q. Anne The Nun of Kent warned by revelation to rebuke K. Henry She conferreth her revelation with Bish Fisher Her talk with Sir Tho. More Accusatians procuredagainst Sir Tho. More That he impugned the Kings marriage â—…rrels picked against his Chancellorship A supposed Bribe pleasantly confuted A courteous refususal of an honest reward Another of like nature Sir Thomas his first examinations The kings Deputies to attach Sir Thomas More Their fair words to win him Fairly answered with a mild and constant refusal The Deputies threats Sir Thomas More accused for Author of the Kings Boâ—k for the Pope His evident refutation Wise and wary counsel of Sir Tho. to the King the King acknowledgeth the obligation of his Crown to Rome His merry heart after his examination A fall given to the Devil The Kings indignation against Sir Tho. More Prudent and politique advine in so bad a Cause Proceeding against Sir Tho. More deferred A gallant answer to a friends fear The Oath of supremacy Sir Tho. cited to take it His preparation before his going His discreet behaviour in that cause He resuseth the Oath for conscience sake All the Clergie but Bish Fisher and D. Wilson did take the Oath Upon what conditions Sir Tho. offered to set down his reasons of refusal Sir More 's offer proceedeth not of uncertainty but because he was sure his reasons were unaswerable All Christendome of more authority then all England The Oath of succession Sir More 's imprisonment first in Westminster Then by Q. Annes importunity in the Tower The upper garment the Porters Fee His mans Oath His discourse with his daughter Margaret Prevented with Prayers The comfort he found in his impriâ—onment Sir Thomas More foretelleth Q Annes death His pleasant answer to his Keepers honest excuse The ignorance of the Oath makers His meditation on death upon the execution of 24 Religious men Secretary Cromwel hiâ— visit A pretty dialogue between Sir Tho. More and his Lady His answer The prisâ—n as neer heaven as his own house Eternity to be preferred before Temporality Another visit Mr. Rich his Case Surely a poor ground for an Inditement of Treason An accident very remarkable if true at the taking away of his Books His merry jest upon it The substance of the inditement The Arraignment of Sir Tho. More His Inditement The Judges charges His resolution Sir Thomas his answer to the inditement 1. How sincerely he had alwaies told the King his mind concerning the marriage The continuation of his imprisonment and afflictions 2. Why he refused to tell his judgment of the law of Supremacy Lay-men not concerned in this Law No law can punish silence that is without malice Whether his silence were malicious Obedience first to God then to man 3. That he never counselled or induced B. Fisher The contents of his letters to the said Bishop 4. The law of Supremacy like a two-edged sword Mr. Rich his Oath against Sir Tho. More Disproved by Sir Th. Oath to the contrary His exception against the witnesse as unworthy of credit If it had been true there had been no Malice Malice in Law The improbability of Mr. Rich's deposition Mr. Rich his witnesses do fail him The Jury verdict guilty Excepted against by Sir Tho. The Act of Parliament against Gods Law No Lay-man may be head of the Church Against the Laws of the Kingdom Against the Kings own Oath Against the peculiar Obligation of England to Rome The Lord Chancellors reply The condemnation of Sir Th. More The Sentence Mitigated by the King Sir More 's charity to his Judges The manner of Sir Th. his return to the Tower Great constancy courtesie and chariâ—y A great experiment of love in the only son of Sir Th. More The great passion of his daughter Margaret A consideration of this mutuall passion of father daughter How devoutly and cheerfully he attended his execution His pleasant comceit upon a Courtier His last letter to his daughter Margaret His blessing to his heir His hair-shirt and Discipline Notice given him from the King of of the day of his death Most welcome unto him He must use but few words at his execution His wife and children permitted to be at his burial His comfortable courage He puts on his best apparell that day His liberality to his executioner The manner of his death His words at his death His prayers Words to the Executioner He covereth his eyes himself His death The K. sadnesse at the news of his execution The imprisonment of his daughter Margaret The favour and physiognomy of Sir Thomas More The judgment of Charles the fifth Emperour and King of Spain concerning Sir Th. More 's death Circumstances worthy some consideration in his death A witty reprehension An unmannerly reprehension mannerlyreturned on the reprehender A bold debter handsomly told his own A pleasant arbitrament between his Lady and a begger A witty censure of a witlesse writing A merry mistake Sinners distasted Why few fear death No man sure of long life Worlds vanity Worldly losses hurt not The folly of old misers How fond it is to love this world Affliction more profitable then pleasure Against deferring of amendment Pusillanimity a dangerous temptation Danger of prosperity Of riches and honours All riches of this world none of our own Covetousnesse Bad Merchants Riches are not goods The worst affection Almes-deeds The world a prison To suffer for God Prayer Detraction Ingratitude Faith the mistresseâ— of reason Better prevent then redresse Desire of heaven Bad life no miracle School Divinity An Apologie for Sir Tho. M pleasantnesse of wit
not being more carefull telling them that their negligence was the cause that so many Cut-purses were brought thither which when Sir Thomas More observed him so often to repeat at one time especially the night after he sent for one of the chief Cut-purses that was in prison and promised him to save him harmlesse and stand his friend too if he would cut the foresaid Justices purse the next day as he sat on the Bench and then presently make a sign of it to him The fellow very gladly promiseth him to do it The next day therefore when they sat again that thief was called among the first who being accused of his fact said That he did not doubt but he could sufficiently excuse himself if he were permitted to speak to some of the Bench in private he was therefore bid to choose one whom he would and presently he chose that grave old man who then had his Pouch at his girdle as they wore them in those daies and whilest he whispered him in the ear he cunningly cuts his purse and then solemnly taking his leave returns to his place Sir Thomas knowing by a private sign that the businesse was dispatched presently took occasion to move the Bench to distribute some almes upon a poor needy fellow that was there and for good example began himself to do it when the old man came to open his purse he sees it cut away and much wondring said he was confident he brought it with him when he came thither that morning Sir Thomas replyed pleasantly What will you charge any of us with felony but his choler rising and he being ashamed of the thing Sir Thomas cals the Cutpurse and bids him give him his purse again and withal advised the good old Justice hereafter not to be so bitter a censurer of innocent mens negligence when as himself could not secure his purse in that open assembly Another time when he was Lord Chancellor one of the house of the Manors whom the King had then lately preferr'd to a great Honour who before that had been a great friend of Sir Thomas Mores but perceiving now that the world began somwhat to frown upon him because he was not so forward as other men to perswade the King to the Divorce and being desirous to pick some quarrel against him he said unto him My Lord Honores mutant Mores Sir Thomas readily replyed It is so indeed my Lord but Mores signifieth in english Manners not More he was with this so put out of countenance that he had nothing more to say So also he wittily twitted another to whom he had lent money of whom when afterwards he demanded his due he bad him remember he must die and God knew how soon and that then he would have little use of money adding the sentence in Latine the better to please Sir Thomas Momento Morieris to which Sir Thomas presently replyed What say you Sir Me thinks you put your self in mind of your duty herein saying Memento Mori aeris remember Mores money It hapned on a time that a beggars little Dog which she had lost was sent to the Lady More for a Present and she had kept it about a week very carefully but at last the beggar having notice where her dog was presently came and complained to Sir Thomas as he was sitting in his Hall that his Lady kept her dog from her Presently my Lady was sent for and the dog brought with her which Sir Thomas taking in his armes he caused his Wife to stand at the upper end of his Hall and the begger at the lower end and then saying that he sat there to do every one justice he bad each of them call the dog which when they did the dog ran presently to the begger forsaking his Lady When he saw this he bad his Wife be contented for it was none of hers yet she repining at his sentence agreed with the beggar and gave her a piece of Gold so all parties were satisfied every one smiling at this strange discovery of truth Another time a certain friend of his taking great pains about a Book which he intended to publish being well conceited of his own wit which no body else thought worth commendation and because he would Sir Thomas should oversee it ere it were printed he brought it to him who perusing it and finding no thing therein worthy the Presse said with a grave countenance If it were inverse it were more worth upon which words he went and turned it into verse and then brought it to Sir Thomas who looking thereon said soberly Yea marry now it is somewhat for now it is Rhime before it was neither Rhime nor Reason And indeed whatsoever jest he brought forth he never laughed at any himself but spoke them so seriously that few could discern by his look whether he were in earnest or in jest as once talking with another in dispute of his Dialogues by some occasion they hapned to speak of a dogs turd at that very instant one of his men came to tell him that dinner was ready to whom he said Look that there be better meat provided for us then that who presently went and told his Lady that his Lord would have better meat provided for his dinner which caused a great disturbance in the house till at last the mistake being known they all fell a laughing Some few of Sir THO. MORE' 's Apophthegms collected out of Dr. Stapleton A Sinner saith he cannot taste spiritual delights because all carnall are first to be abandoned By an excellent similitude he teacheth us why few do fear death thus Even as they which look upon things afar off see them confusedly not knowing whether they be men or trees even so he that promiseth unto himself long life looketh upon death as a thing afar off not judging what it is how terrible what griefs and dangers it brings with it that none ought to promise himself long life he proveth thus even as two men that are brought out of Prison to the gallows one by a long way about he other by a direct short path yet neither knowing which is which untill they come to the gallows neither of these two can promise himself longer life by reason of the uncertainty of the way even so a young man cannot promise himself longer life then an old mā Against the vanity of worldly honour he speaketh thus Even as that Criminal person who is led to execution shortly should be accounted vain if he should engrave his Coat of Arms upon the prison Gate even so are they vain who endeavour to leave with great industry monuments of their dignity in the prison of this world By a subtile Dilemma he teacheth us why we are not to think that we can be hurt by the iosse of our superfluous goods in this manner He that suffereth any losse of his goods he would either have bestowed them with
brought about nine of the clock out of the Tower and from thence led to the place of execution where going up the scaffold which seemed to him so weak that was ready to fal he said merrily to the Lieutenant I pray you Mr. Lieutenant see me safe up and for my coming down let me shift for my self Then desired he all the people to pray for him and to bear witnesse with him that he should then suffer death in and for the faith of the holy Catholique Church a faithful servant both of God and the King Which done he kneeled down and after his prayers ended he turned to the Executioner and with a chearful countenance said Pluck up thy spirits man and be not afraid to do thine office my neck is very short take heed therefore thou strike not awry for saving thine honesty when the executioner would have covered his eyes he said I will cover them my self and presently he did so with a cloth he had brought with him for that purpose then saying his head upon the Block he bad the Executioner stay untill he had removed aside his beard saying That that had never committed any treason So with great alacrity and spiritual joy he received the fatall blow of the Axe which at once severed his head from his body Thus passed Sir Thomas More out of this world on the very same day on which himself had most desired When news of his death was brought to the King who was at that time playing at Tables Queen Anne looking on he cast his eyes upon her and said Thou art the cause of this mans death and presently leaving his play he betook himself to his chamber an there fell into a melancholy fit But whether this were from his heart or to seem lesse cruell then he was indeed it is hard to conjecture for on the one side the remembrance of his faithful service so many years employed for the good of the whole Kingdome could not but make the Kings heart somwhat to relent and on the other side his unmerciful dealing with his son and heir his small allowance to his wife his cruelty against all his children shewed that he had an implacable hatred against him for the cause aforesaid His daughter Margaret was the most gently dealt with and yet very sore threatned both because she kept her fathers head for a relique which being to be thrown off London-Bridge into the Thames she had procured and that she intended to publish her fathers works yet for all that after a short imprisonment she was at last sent home to her husband Sir Thomas More was of a mean stature well proportioned his complexion tending to phlegmatick his colour white and pale his hair neither black nor yellow but between both his eies gray his countenance amiable and chearful his voice neither big nor shrill but speaking plainly and distinctly it was not very tunable though he delighted much in musick his body reasonable healthful only that towards his latter end by using much writing he complained much of his breast In his youth he drank much water wine he only tasted of when he pledged others he loved salt meats especially poudred beef he was a great lover of milk cheese eggs and fruit and usually he did eat of brown bread which he rather used to punish his taste then any love he had unto it Now when intelligence of Sir More 's death was brought to the Emperour Charles the fift he sent for Sir Thomas Eliot Embassador there resident and said unto him My Lord Embassador we understand that the King your Master hath put his faithful Servant and grave Wise Counsellor Sir Thomas More to death but Sir Thomias Eliot seeming to excuse the matter by some doubt of the report the King told him It was too true and this will we say said the Emperour that if we had been Master of such a Servant of whose doings our selves have had these many years no small experience we would rather have lost the best and strongest City of our Dominions then have lost so worthy a Counsellor To conclude if with more care we look into the story of this worthy mans life it will not appear to us that his death could any way redound to the honour of the King for first he was put to death by a statute wherein he had never offended either by word or deed and that too which concern'd not temporal policy but religion only which as being fearful to offend his conscience though he refused to approve of himself yet did he never reprove it or any other mâ—n for taking it Secondly that he would have no respect unto his eminent qualities who was a man of known humanity of mild behaviour affability bounty eloquence wisdome innocency of life wit learning exceedingly beloved and admired of all men all which might be motives sufficient to pardon a guilty offender Thirdly that he would not consider him that had done him so much good service and the whole Kingdome such good offices his faithfull Counsellor for twenty years together his wise Embassador his just Lord Chancellor and indeed the very flower of the Kingdome who at last drawing towards old age obtained an honourable dismission from his Office and lived privately at home with his Wife children and nephews never committing the least offence against any burthensome to no man but of such courtesie to all and of such excellency of nature that he would not suffer any one to part from him if any thing qualified without some gift none was so great a stranger to him whom he would not seek to do some favour for To be short his bounty had so engraven him in every ones hearts that at his death there was a generall lamentation for his losse Nay Erasmus saith that he saw tears come from those men who never had seen Sir Thomas More nor received any benefit from him and he professes that while he was writing of him the tears gushed from him whether he would or no. Now Reader I will keep thy eye no longer upon this dolefull Subject which as it made the Spectators weep so it cannot but fetch a Tear or two from thee if thou art any friend to an innocent worth yet I would not send thee away sad neither wherefore I have after this Tragicall story prepared an entertainment in the following Chapter which looks like a Comedy and may serve as Wine and Bisket at a Funerall to allay thy sadnesse A view of Sir MORE 's Wit and Wisdome SIR Thomas More whose only merry jests and witty sayings were they all together were sufficient to fill a Volume when he lived in the City of London being one of the Justices of peace he used to go to the Sessions at Newgate where it fell out that one of the antientest Justices of the Bench was wont to chide the poor men whose purses had been cut for