Page:The Life of Sir Thomas More (William Roper, ed by Samuel Singer).djvu/129

 count the chief part of my charge) I would not have failed long ere this, to have closed myself in as straight a room and straighter too. But since I am come hither without mine own desert, I trust that God of his goodness will discharge me of my care, and with his gracious help supply my lack among you. I find no cause, I thank God, Megg, to reckon myself in worse case here than in mine own house, for me thinketh God maketh me a wanton, and setteth me on his lap and dandleth me." Thus, by his gracious demeanor in tribulation, appeared it that all the trouble that ever chanced unto him, by his patient sufferance thereof, were to him no painful punishments, but of his patience profitable exercises. And at another time, when he had first questioned with my wife a while of the order of his wife, children, and state of his house in his absence, he asked her how Queen Anne did? "In faith, Father," quoth she, "never better." "Never better, Megg!" quoth he, "alas! Megg, alas! it pitieth me to remember into what misery, poor soul, she shall shortly come.

After this Master Lieutenant, coming into his chamber to visit him, rehearsed the benefits and friendship that he had many ways received at his hands, and how much bounden he was therefore friendly to entertain him, and to make him good cheer; which since (the case standing as it did) he could do not without the king's indignation,