Lawrence's.
SECOND SHERIFF. Sir Thomas More, I have heard you oft, As many other did, to our great comfort.
MORE. Pray God, you may so now, with all my heart! And, as I call to mind, When I studied the law in Lincoln's Inn, I was of council with ye in a cause.
SECOND SHERIFF. I was about to say so, good Sir Thomas......
MORE. Oh, is this the place? I promise ye, it is a goodly scaffold: In sooth, I am come about a headless errand, For I have not much to say, now I am here. Well, let's ascend, a God's name: In troth, methinks, your stair is somewhat weak; I prithee, honest friend, lend me thy hand To help me up; as for my coming down, Let me alone, I'll look to that myself.
[As he is going up the stairs, enters the Earls of Surrey and Shrewsbury.]
My Lords of Surrey and Shrewsbury, give me your hands. Yet before we....ye see, though it pleaseth the king to raise me thus high, yet I am not proud, for the higher I mount, the better I can see my friends about me. I am now on a far voyage, and this strange wooden horse must bear me thither; yet I perceive by your looks you like my bargain so ill, that there's not one of ye all dare enter with me. Truly, here's a most sweet gallery; [Walking.] I like the air of it better than my garden at Chelsea. By your patience, good people, that have pressed thus into my bedchamber, if you'll not trouble me, I'll take a sound sleep here.
SHREWSBURY. My lord, twere good you'ld publish to the world Your great offence unto his majesty.
MORE. My lord, I'll bequeath this legacy to the hangman, [Gives him his gown.] and do it instantly. I confess, his majesty hath been ever good to me; and my offence to his highness makes me of a state pleader a stage player (though I am old, and have a bad voice), to act this last scene of my tragedy. I'll send him (for my trespass) a reverend head, somewhat bald; for it is not requisite any head should stand covered to so high majesty: if that content him not, because I think my body will then do me small pleasure, let him but bury it, and take it.
SURREY. My lord, my lord, hold conference with your soul; You see, my lord, the time of life is short.
MORE. I see it, my good lord; I dispatched that business the last night. I come hither only to be let blood; my doctor here tells me it is good for the headache.
HANGMAN. I beseech thee, my lord, forgive me!
MORE. Forgive thee, honest fellow! why?
HANGMAN. For your death, my lord.
MORE. O, my death? I had rather it were in thy power to forgive me, for thou hast the sharpest action against me; the law, my honest friend, lies in thy hands now: here's thy fee [His purse.]; and, my good fellow, let my suit be dispatched presently; for tis all one pain, to die a lingering death, and to live in the continual mill of a lawsuit. But I can tell thee, my neck is so short, that, if thou shouldst behead an hundred noblemen like myself, thou wouldst ne'er get credit by it; therefore (look ye, sir), do it handsomely, or, of my word, thou shalt never deal with me hereafter.
HANGMAN. I'll take an order for that, my lord.
MORE. One thing more; take heed thou cutst not off my beard: oh, I forgot; execution passed upon that last night, and the body of it lies buried in the Tower.--Stay; ist not possible to make a scape from all this strong guard? it is. There is a thing within me, that will raise And elevate my better part bove sight Of these same weaker eyes; and, Master Shrieves, For all this troop of steel that tends my death, I shall break from you, and fly up to heaven. Let's seek the means for this.
HANGMAN. My lord, I pray ye, put off your doublet.
MORE. Speak not so coldly to me; I am hoarse already; I would be loathe, good fellow, to take more. Point me the block; I ne'er was here before.
HANGMAN. To the east side, my lord.
MORE. Then to the east We go to sigh; that o'er, to sleep in rest. Here More forsakes all mirth; good reason why; The fool of flesh must with her frail life die.