Page:The Life of Sir Thomas More (William Roper, ed by Samuel Singer).djvu/123

 son Roper, I thank God," quoth he. "Are you then put out of the parliament bill, quoth I?" "By my troth, son Roper," quoth he, "I never remembered it." "Never remembered it!" said I, "a case that toucheth yourself so near, and us all for your sake, I am sorry to hear it; for I verily trusted, when I saw you so merry, that all had been well." Then said he, "wilt thou know, son Roper, why I was so merry?" "That would I gladly, Sir," quoth I. "In good faith I rejoiced, son," said he, "that I had given the devil a foul fall, and that with those lords I had gone so far as without great shame I could never go back again." At which words waxed I very sad; for though himself liked it well, yet liked it me but a little.

Now upon the report made by the Lord Chancellor and the other lords to the king of all their whole discourse had with Sir Thomas More, the king was so highly offended with him, that he plainly told them he was fully determined that the foresaid parliament bill should undoubtedly proceed forth against him. To whom the Lord Chancellor and the rest of the lords said, that they perceived the lords of the upper house so precisely bent to hear him, in his own defence, make answer himself; that if he were not put out of the bill, it would, without fail, be utterly an overthrow of all. But for all this, needs would the king have his own will therein, or else, he