More, the gentlest, wisest, and most learned man of the time, was put to death.

More was born in 1478. It has already been stated that it was the custom for lads of gentle birth to spend some years in the family of a noble. More was received into the house of Cardinal Morton, who was so struck with his extraordinary abilities, that he would often say to his guests, "This child here waiting at the table, whosoever shall live to see it, will prove a 4 marvellous man." Through the kindness of his 5 patron, the youth was placed at Oxford. Returning thence to London, he set about studying law, and soon made himself a name by his great knowledge of the subject.

He used sometimes to visit at "the house of one Mr Colt, a gentleman of Essex, that had often invited him thither, having three daughters whose honest conversation and virtuous education provoked him there especially to set his affection. And albeit his mind most served him to the second daughter, for that he thought her the fairest and best favoured, yet when he considered that it would both be great grief and some shame also to the eldest to see her younger sister in marriage preferred before her, he then of a certain pity framed his fancy towards her, and soon after married her."*

His high character and great learning attracted the attention of the king. Henry took him into his service and soon came to delight greatly in his company, so that "he could not once in a month get leave to go home to his wife and children," nor could he "be absent from the court two days together, but that he should be thither sent for again." Sometimes the king

* William Roper, More's son-in-law.

would also come unexpectedly to his house at 9 Chelsea, and one day "after dinner, in a fair garden of his, walked with him by the space of an hour, holding his arm about his neck." William Roper, More's son-inlaw, said he ought to be happy at such a mark of royal favour. The answer showed a keen insight into the character of the king. "If my head," said Sir Thomas, "would win him one castle in 10 France, it should not fail to go."

Upon the fall of Wolsey, More was made Lord Chancellor. In his office of judge he dealt out the most even-handed justice; he used to say that if in a trial which came before him his "father stood on the one side, and the devil on the other side (his case being good), the devil should have right." As he could not support the king in his attempts to get a divorce, he 11 resigned the high office he had so worthily filled.

1 Assent, to agree. 2 measure, law. 3 sanction, to authorize, permit. 4 marvellous, wonderful. 5 patron, one who performs the office of a father; protector. 6 honest, honourable, proper. 7 albeit, all-be-it, although. 8 favoured, looking. 9 Chelsea, then a pleasant village on the north bank of the Thames, some distance above Westminster; now a part of London. 10 France. There was then a war between England and France. resign, to give up an office.

11

SIR THOMAS MORE.

PART II.

WHEN the Act of Succession was passed, Sir Thomas More was sent for to 1Lambeth Palace to take the oath. With a heavy heart he entered his boat. As the little craft moved silently down the river a struggle was going on within him between his desire to satisfy the king and his determination to do nothing against his

own conscience. At last he whispered to his son-inlaw, "I thank our Lord, the field is won." Henceforth he went cheerfully on to certain death. He refused to take the oath and was sent to the Tower.

His humour never deserted him. The 2 lieutenant of the Tower excusing the inconveniences his 3 illustrious prisoner suffered from small room and poor food, Sir

Thomas replied, "I do not mislike my cheer; but whensoever I so do, then thrust me out of your doors."

After a while being taken to Westminster Hall, he was tried for treason, found guilty, and condemned to the barbarous death of a traitor. Henry of his "mercy" changed the sentence into beheading. "God forbid," said he, "that the king should use any more such

mercy unto any of my friends, and God save all my posterity from such pardons."

The trial over he was taken back to his prison by water. When he came to the Tower wharf, "his best beloved child, 5 Margaret Roper, desirous to see her father-whom she feared she would never see in this

TRAITORS' GATE, TOWER OF LONDON.

world again-to have his last blessing, gave there attendance to meet him. As soon as she espied him she ran hastily unto him, and passing through the midst of the throng and guard of men who, with bills and halberts compassed him round, there, openly in the sight of them all, she embraced him, took him

about the neck and kissed him, not able to say any word but 'O my father! O my father!'

"He gave her his blessing, telling her whatsoever he should suffer, though he were innocent, yet it was not without the will of God. She was no sooner parted from him, and had gone scarce ten steps, when, not satisfied with the former farewell, like one who had forgot herself, ravished with the entire love of so worthy a father, she suddenly turned back, and ran hastily to him; took him about the neck and kissed him many times. Whereat he spoke not a word, but tears fell from his eyes,-yea, there were few in all the troop who could refrain from weeping; no, not the guard themselves. Yet at last, with a full heavy heart, she was severed from him.” *

8

A few days after, Sir Thomas More, writing to his child with a piece of charcoal, said, "I never liked your manner better than when you kissed me last, for I like when daughterly love and dear charity have no leisure to look unto worldly courtesy."

as one

Next morning early a message was brought him that he was to suffer at nine o'clock. Thereupon, who had been invited to a solemn feast," he put on his best apparel. At the appointed time he was led towards the place of execution. Noticing as he ascended the scaffold that it was very weak, he said, “I pray you, Mr. Lieutenant, see me safe up; and for my coming down, let me shift for myself."

The headsman, hardened wretch as he was, could not help showing some 10 emotion. "Pluck up thy spirit, man," said More," and be not afraid to do thine office. My neck is short; take heed, therefore, that thou strike

* C. More, Sir Thomas's grandson.