Introduction
So highly did Henry VIII regard Sir Thomas More (1477-1535) that he made him Chancellor in 1529, even though More took Catherine of Aragon’s part in the divorce saga. Three years later the opening moves in the Protestant Reformation drove More to resign, and in 1534 he was confined to the Tower, awaiting execution. There on July 5th, 1535, Sir Thomas Pope paid him a farewell visit.
WHEREWITHAL Master Pope,* taking his leave of him, could not refrain from weeping. Which Sir Thomas More perceiving, comforted him in this wise: “Quiet yourself, good Master Pope, and be not discomforted, for I trust that we shall once in heaven see each other full merrily, where we shall be sure to live and love together, in joyful bliss eternally.” Upon whose departure, Sir Thomas More, as one that had been invited to some solemn feast, changed himself into his best apparel. Which Master Lieutenant espying, advised him to put it off, saying, that he that should have it was but a javill.*
“What, Master Lieutenant?” quoth he, “shall I account him a javill that will do me this day so singular a benefit? Nay, I assure you, were it cloth of gold, I should think it well bestowed on him, as Saint Cyprian did, who gave his executioner thirty pieces of gold.”
And albeit, at length, through Master Lieutenant’s importunate persuasion, he altered his apparel, yet, after the example of the holy Martyr St Cyprian, did he, of that little money that was left him send an angel of gold to his executioner.*
Précis
On the night before his execution in 1535, Thomas More said farewell to his friend Thomas Pope, promising that they would meet merrily in heaven, and then in imitation of St Cyprian set aside thirty gold pieces for his executioner. He would have left him his finest clothes, but the Lieutenant of the Tower persuaded him not to wear them.
(60 / 60 words)
On the night before his execution in 1535, Thomas More said farewell to his friend Thomas Pope, promising that they would meet merrily in heaven, and then in imitation of St Cyprian set aside thirty gold pieces for his executioner. He would have left him his finest clothes, but the Lieutenant of the Tower persuaded him not to wear them.
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