Sir Thomas More
Act IV, Scene 3
The Tower.
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Enter the Bishop of Rochester, Surrey, Shrewsbury,
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Lieutenant of the Tower, and Warders with weapons
Rochester
1 - 6
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Your kind persuasions, honorable lords,
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I can but thank ye for; but in this breast
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There lives a soul that aims at higher things
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Than temporary pleasing earthly kings.
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God bless his highness even with all my heart!—
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We shall meet one day, though that now we part.
Surrey
7 - 9
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We not misdoubt, your wisdom can discern
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What best befits it; yet in love and zeal
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We could entreat, it might be otherwise.
Shrewsbury
10 - 12
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No doubt, your fatherhood will by yourself
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Consider better of the present case,
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And grow as great in favor as before.
Rochester
13 - 22
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For that, as pleaseth God. In my restraint
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From wordly causes, I shall better see
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Into myself than at proud liberty:
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The Tower and I will privately confer
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Of things, wherein at freedom I may err.
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But I am troublesome unto your honors,
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And hold ye longer than becomes my duty.
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Master Lieutenant, I am now your charge;
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And though you keep my body, yet my love
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Waits on my king and you, while Fisher lives.
Surrey
23 - 24
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Farewell, my Lord of Rochester; we’ll pray
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For your release, and labor’t as we may.
Shrewsbury
25 - 26
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Thereof assure yourself; so do we leave ye,
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And to your happy private thoughts bequeath ye.
Rochester
27 - 29
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Now, Master Lieutenant, on; i’God’s name, go!
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And with as glad a mind go I with you
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As ever truant bade the school adieu.
