Page:The Life of Sir Thomas More (William Roper, ed by Samuel Singer).djvu/18

 continued very resolute and constant unto his life's end, and left it as an inheritance unto his house and children; and was afterwards a singular helper and patron to all afflicted Catholics, and especially to such as were in prison, or otherwise troubled for the defence of the Catholic faith. His ordinary alms, as yet to be seen in his book of accounts, amounted yearly to one thousand pounds: his extraordinaries were as much, and sometimes more; sometimes two, three, and four thousand pounds a year. He was for relieving by his alms a learned man, Master Beckenshawe, sent to the Tower, in the reign of King Henry the Eighth. His charity and alms were so great to poor and needy persons that it was a hard matter to find another of his degree, who might in that respect be compared with him: for he was oculus cccco, pes claudo, et pater pauperum; an eye to the blind, a foot to the lame, and a father to the poor ." Of Margaret Roper, his admirable wife, the same writer says, that " she was nearest her father as well in wit, learning, and virtue, as also in merry and pleasant talk, and in feature of body. She was to her servants meek and gentle; to her brothers and sisters most loving and amiable; to her friends steadfast and comfortable; and would give very sound counsel, which is a rare thing in a woman. Some men of