Who prates not oft seems wise, his wit few scan,

Whilst the tongue blabs tales of th’imperfect man.

RANDALL I conceive your lordship, and have learned your shift so well that I must needs be apprehensive.

The waits plays within

MORE

This music tells us that the Earl is come

With learned Erasmus. Now, my Lord Chancellor,

Act like a formal player our grave part.

RANDALL I pray ye, my lord, let me command ye to leave me. If I do it not in cue, let your lordship banish me from the wearing of a gold chain for ever.

MORE

They come now. Set thy countenance, act thy part

With a firm boldness, and thou winnest my heart.

Exit

Music. Enter Surrey, Erasmus, and attendants

SURREY

Now, great Erasmus, you approach the presence

Of a most learned worthy gentleman.

This little isle holds not a truer friend

Unto the arts; nor doth his greatness add

A feigned flourish to his worthy merit.

He’s great in study: that’s the statist’s grace

That gains more reverence than the outward place.

ERASMUS

Report, my lord, hath crossed the narrow seas,

And to the several parts of Christendom

Hath borne the fame of your Lord Chancellor.

I longed to see him whom with loving thoughts

I in my study oft have visited.

Is yon Sir Thomas?

SURREY

It is, Erasmus.

Now do you view the honourablest scholar,

The most religious politician,

The worthiest counsellor, that tends our state.

That study is the general watch of England.

In it, the Prince’s safety and the peace

That shines upon our commonwealth are forged

Upon the golden anvil of his brain.

Who cures the realm, such care attends the great

That mind and body must together sweat.

ERASMUS

His lordship hath some weighty business, sure,

For see, as yet he takes no notice of us.

I think ’were best I do my duty to him

In a short Latin speech.

SURREY It will do well.

He’s the best linguist that we have in England.

ERASMUS

Cum tua virtus, amplissime doctissimeque vir,

< > as pervenit < > tu < >visui < > divin

A4. Replaced by 8.47-127 and 8.219-86.

MORE

Methinks this strange and ruffian-like disguise

Fits not the follower of a secretary.

FALKNER

My lord, I wear my hair upon a vow.

SHREWSBURY

But for no penance of your sins, I fear.

SURREY

No, he’s no haircloth man, though he wear hair.

MORE

Falkner, how long is’t since you cut your locks?

FALKNER Three years, my lord.

MORE

How long will’t be before your vow expire?

FALKNER

As many years as since my hair was cut.

MORE

Sure, vows are holy things, if they be made

To good intent; and, sir, you shall not say

You were compelled by me to break your vow.

But till the expiration of the same,

Because I will not have ye walk the streets

For every man to stand and wonder at,

I will commit ye prisoner unto Newgate,

Except meantime your conscience give you leave

To dispense with the long vow that you have made.—

Away with him.

SURREY

A cell most meet for such a votary.

FALKNER Well, sir, and I may perhaps be bailed ere’t be long, and yet wear my hair. They lead him out

MORE

And Master Sheriff of London,

Here in his highness’ name we give you charge

Continual watch be kept throughout the city

For the suppressing of these mutinies.

And if hereafter any that belong

Either to my lord of Winchester or Ely

Do come into your city with a weapon,

Or above two of either faction

Shall be seen walking in the streets together,

Or meet in tavern or in ordinary,

They be committed presently to prison.

SURREY

And cause to be proclaimed about the city

That no man whatsoever that belongs

Either to my lord of Winchester or Ely

Do walk without the livery of his lord,

Either in cloak or any other garment,

That notice may be taken of th’offenders.

Enter Master Morris, and exeunt Sheriff and ⌈ail but

Morel⌉

MORRIS

God save your honour my Lord Chancellor!

MORE

Welcome, Master Morris! What news, sir?

MORRIS

I come most humbly to entreat your honour

In the behalf of a poor man of mine.

MORE

What, the votary that will not cut his hair

Until the expiration of his vow?

MORRIS

My lord, being sorry for his rude behaviour,

He hath cut his hair, and doth conform himself

To honest decency in his attire.

MORE

Where is the fellow? I am glad to hear it.

Falkner is brought

MORRIS

Here, my good lord.

MORE

You mock me, surely. This is not the man.

FALKNER

Yes indeed, my lord, I am he.

MORE Thou art not, sure.

The other was an ugly, filthy knave;

Thou a good-featured and well-favoured man.

Why, see what monsters you will make yourselves

By cherishing a loathsome excrement

T’abuse the goodly image of a man

Whom God did frame so excellent a creature.

Well, be a peaceable and civil man.

I do discharge thee.

FALKNER I humbly thank your honour.

MORRIS And myself

Shall rest most thankful for this gracious favour.

MORE

Will’t please your honours now to keep your way?