Sir Thomas More
Act III, Scene 2
Chelsea. Antechamber in More’s house.
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Enter Third Messenger to More.
Third Messenger
1 - 5
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My honorable lord, the Mayor of London,
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Accompanied with his lady and her train,
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Are coming hither, and are hard at hand,
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To feast with you. A servant’s come before,
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To tell your lordship of there near approach.
More
6 - 22
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Why, this is cheerful news. Friends go and come:
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Reverend Erasmus, who delicious words
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Express the very soul and life of wit,
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Newly took sad leave of me, and with tears
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Troubled the silver channel of the Thames,
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Which, glad of such a burden, proudly swelled
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And on her bosom bore him toward the sea:
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He’s gone to Rotterdam; peace go with him!
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He left me heavy when he went from hence;
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But this recomforts me; the kind Lord Mayor,
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His brethren aldermen, with their fair wives,
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Will feast this night with us. Why, so it should be;
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More’s merry heart lives by good company.
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Good gentlemen, be careful; give great charge
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Our diet be made dainty for the taste;
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For, of all people that the earth affords,
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The Londoners fare richest at their boards.
