Page:The Life of Sir Thomas More (William Roper, ed by Samuel Singer).djvu/75

 have many wise and learned men amongst you, and sith I am from the king's own person sent hither unto you for the preservation of yourselves and all the realm, I think it meet you give me some reasonable answer." Whereat every man holding his peace, then began he to speak to one Master Marney, afterward Lord Marney, "How say you, quoth he, Master Marney?" who making him no answer neither, he severally asked the same question of divers others accounted the wisest of the company: to whom when none of them all would give so much as one word, being agreed before, as the custom was, to answer by their Speaker, "Masters, quoth the Cardinal, unless it be the manner of your house, as of likelihood it is, by the mouth of your Speaker whom you have chosen for trusty and wise, (as indeed he is) in such cases to utter your minds, here is without doubt a marvellous obstinate silence," and thereupon he required answer of Master Speaker. Who first reverently on his knees excusing the silence of the house, abashed at the presence of so noble a personage able to amaze the wisest and best learned in a realm, and after by many probable arguments proving that for them to make answer was neither expedient nor agreeable with the ancient liberty of the house; in conclusion for himself showed that though they had all with their voices trusted him, yet except every one of them could put into his one head all