Page:The Life of Sir Thomas More (William Roper, ed by Samuel Singer).djvu/71

 intent their prudent devices and affairs be not by my simpleness and folly hindered or impaired. Which thing if it should so happen, as it were well likely to mishap in me if your grace's benignity relieved not my oversight, it could not fail to be during my life a perpetual grudge and heaviness to my heart. The help and remedy whereof in manner aforesaid remembered, is (most gracious sovereign) my first lowly suit and humble petition unto your noble grace.

'Mine other humble request, most excellent prince, is this. Forasmuch as there be of your Commons here, by your high commandment assembled for your Parliament, a great number, which are, after the accustomed manner, appointed in the Commons' House to treat and advise of the common affairs among themselves apart: and albeit, most dear liege lord, that according to your prudent advice, by your honourable writs every where declared, there hath been as due diligence used in sending up to your highness' Court of Parliament the most discreet persons out of every quarter, that men could esteem meet thereto. Whereby it is not to be doubted but that there is a very substantial assembly of right wise, meet and politique persons. Yet, most victorious prince, sith, among so many wise men, neither is every man wise alike, nor, among so many men alike well witted, every man alike well spoken, and it often happeth that likewise