Page:The Life of Sir Thomas More (William Roper, ed by Samuel Singer).djvu/124

 said, that at the passing thereof he would be personally present himself. Then the Lord Audley and the rest seeing him so vehemently set thereupon, on their knees, most humbly besought his grace to forbear the same, considering that if he should in his own presence receive an overthrow, it would not only encourage his subjects ever after to contemn him, but also through all Christendom redound to his dishonour for ever: adding thereunto that they mistrusted not in time against him to find some meeter matter to serve his grace's turn better; for in this cause of the nun he was accounted, (they said) so innocent and clear, that for his dealing therein, men reckoned him far worthier of praise than reproof. Whereupon, at length, through their earnest persuasion, he was content to condescend to their petition; and on the morrow after Master Cromwell meeting me in the parliament house willed me to tell my father that he was put out of the parliament bill. But because I had appointed to dine that day in London, I sent the message by my servant to my wife to Chelsea. Whereof when she informed her father, In faith, Megg, quoth he, Quod differtur non aufertur.

After this, as the Duke of Norfolk and Sir Thomas More chanced to fall in familiar talk together, the duke said unto him, by the mass, Master More, it is perilous striving with princes, therefore I would wish you somewhat to incline