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7/23/2019 A Man for All Seasons - a play by Robert Bolt
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A
MAN
FOR
ALL
SEASONS
TheCompleteScript:Act1(AMFAS)
____________________________________________________________
ACTONE
Whenthecurtainrises,thesetisindarknessbutforasinglespotupontheCOMMONMAN,whositson
abigpropertybasket.
COMMONMAN(Rises)Itisperverse!TostartaplaymadeupofKingsandCardinalsinspeaking
costumesandintellectualswithembroideredmouths,withme.
IfaKingoraCardinalhaddonetheprologuehe'dhavehadtherightmaterials.Andanintellectual
wouldhaveshownenoughmajesticmeanings,coloredpropositions,andcloselywovenliturgicalstuffto
dresstheHouseofLords!Butthis!
Isthisacostume?Doesthissayanything?Itbarelycoversoneman'snakedness!Abitofblackmaterial
toreduceOldAdamtotheCommonMan.
Oh,ifthey'dletmecomeonnaked,Icouldhaveshownyousomethingofmyown.Whichwouldhave
toldyouwithoutwords!SomethingI'veforgotten...OldAdam'smuffledup.(Backingtowardsthe
basket)Well,forapropositionofmyown,Ineedacostume.(Takesoutandputsonthecoatandhatof
STEWARD)Matthew!TheHouseholdStewardofSirThomasMore!(Lightscomeupswiftlyonset.He
takesfromthebasketfivesilvergoblets,onelargerthantheothers,andajugwithalid,withwhichhe
furnishesthetable.Aburstofconversationalmerrimentoff;hepausesandindicatesheadofstairs)
There'scompany
to
dinner.
(He
pours
acup
of
wine)
All
right!
A
Common
Man!
A
Sixteenth
Century
Butler!(Hedrinksfromthecup)AllrighttheSix (Hebreaksoff,agreeablysurprisedbythequalityof
theliquor,regardsthejugrespectfullyanddrinksagainfromjug)TheSixteenthCenturyistheCentury
oftheCommonMan.(Heputsdownthejug)Likealltheothercenturies.Andthat'smyproposition.
(Duringthelastpartofthespeech,voicesareheardoff.Now,enter,attheheadofthestairs,SIR
THOMASMORE)
STEWARDThat'sSirThomasMore.
MOREThewineplease,Matthew?
STEWARDIt's
there,
Sir
Thomas.
MORE(Lookingintothejug)Isitgood?
STEWARDBlessyou,sir!Idon'tknow.
MORE(Mildly)Blessyoutoo,Matthew.(EnterRICHattheheadofthestairs)
RICH(Enthusiasticallypursuinganargument)Buteverymanhashisprice!
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MORENonono
STEWARD(Contemptuously)MasterRichardRich.
RICHButyes!Inmoneytoo.
MORE(With
gentle
impatience)
No
no
no.
RICHOrpleasure.Titles,women,bricksandmortar,there'salwayssomething.
MOREChildish.
RICHWell,insuffering,certainly.
MORE(Interested)Buyamanwithsuffering?
RICHImposesuffering,andofferhimescape.
MOREOh.
For
amoment
Ithought
you
were
being
profound.
(He
gives
acup
to
RICH)
RICH(ToSTEWARD)Goodevening,Matthew.
STEWARD(Snubbing)'Evening,sir.
RICHNo,notabitprofound;itthenbecomesapurelypracticalquestionofhowtomakehimsuffer
sufficiently.
MOREMm...(Hetakeshimbythearmandwalkswithhim)And...whorecommendedyoutoread
SignorMachiavelli?(RICHbreaksawaylaughingafractiontoolong.MOREsmiles)No,who?(More
laughter)...Mm?
RICHMasterCromwell.
MOREOh...(Hegoesbacktothewinejugandcups)He'saveryableman.
RICHAndsoheis!
MOREYes,Isayheis.He'sveryable.
RICHAndhewilldosomethingforme,hesays.
MOREIdidn't
know
you
knew
him.
RICHPardonme,SirThomas,buthowmuchdoyouknowaboutme?
MOREWhateveryou'veletmeknow.
RICHI'veletyouknoweverything!
MORERichard,youshouldgobacktoCambridge;you'redeteriorating.
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RICHWell,I'mnotused!...D'youknowhowmuchIhavetoshowforsevenmonths'work
MOREWork?
RICHWork!Waiting'sworkwhenyouwaitasIwait,hard!Forsevenmonths,that'stwohundreddays,I
havetoshow:theacquaintanceoftheCardinal'souterdoorman,theindifferenceoftheCardinal'sinner
doorman,andtheCardinal'schamberlain'shandinmychest!...OhalsoonehalfofaGoodMorning
deliveredatfiftypacesbytheDukeofNorfolk.Doubtlesshemistookmeforsomeone.
MOREHewasveryaffableatdinner.
RICHOh,everyone'saffablehere...(MOREispleased)Alsoofcourse,thefriendshipofSirThomas
More.OrshouldIsayacquaintance?
MORESayfriendship.
RICHWell,there!"AfriendofSirThomasandstillnooffice?Theremustbesomethingwrongwithhim."
MOREIthoughtwesaidfriendship...(Heconsiders;then)TheDeanofSt.Paul'soffersyouapost;with
ahouse,aservantandfiftypoundsayear.
RICHWhat?Whitpost?
MOREAttheneverschool.
RICH(Bitterlydisappointed)Ateacher!
MOREAmanshouldgowherehewon'tbetempted.Look,Richard,seethis.(Hehandshintasilvercup)
Look...Look...
RICHBeautiful.
MOREItalian..,.Doyouwantit?
RICHWhy?
MORENojoke;keepit;orsellit.
RICHWell Thankyou,ofcourse.Thankyou!Thankyou!But
MOREYou'llsellit,won'tyou?
RICHWellI Yes,Iwill.
MOREAndbuy,what?
RICH(Withsuddenferocity)Somedecentclothes!
MORE(Withsympathy)Ah.
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RICHIwantagownlikeyours.
MOREYou'llgetseveralgownsforthatIshouldthink.Itwassenttomealittlewhileagobysome
woman.Nowshe'sputalawsuitintotheCourtofRequests.It'sabribe,Richard.
RICHOh...(Chagrined)Soyougiveitaway,ofcourse.
MOREYes!
RICHTome?
MOREWell,I'mnotgoingtokeepit,andyouneedit.Ofcourseifyoufeelit'scontaminated...
RICHNo,no.I'llriskit.
(Theybothsmile)
MOREBut,Richard,inofficetheyofferyouallsortsofthings.Iwasonceofferedawholevillage,witha
mill,andamanorhouse,andheavenknowswhatelseacoatofarms,Ishouldn'tbesurprised.Whynot
beateacher?You'dbeafineteacher.Perhapsevenagreatone.
RICHAndifIwas,whowouldknowit?
MOREYou,yourpupils,yourfriends,God.Notabadpublic,that...Oh,andaquietlife.
RICH(Laughing)Yousaythat!
MORERichard,Iwascommandedintooffice;itwasinflictedonme...(RICHregardshim)Can'tyou
believethat?
RICHIt'shard.
MORE(Grimly)Beateacher.
NORFOLK(Entersattheheadofthestairs)Itwasmagnificent!
STEWARD(Toaudience)TheDukeofNorfolk.EarlMarshalofEngland.
NORFOLKItellyouhestoopedfromtheclouds!(Breaksoff;irritably)Alice!(ALICEentersinstantlyatthe
headofthestairs)
ALICE(Irritably)
Here!
STEWARD(Toaudience)LadyAlice.Mymaster'swife.
NORFOLKItellyouhestooped
ALICEHedidn't
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ALICE(Hotly)Icanride,mylord!
MORENo,no,you'llmakeyourselfill.
ALICEAndI'llbettwentyfiveno,thirtyshillingsIseenofalconstoopfromnocloud!
NORFOLKDone.
MOREAliceyoucan'tridewiththem.
ALICEGod'sbody,Thomas,rememberwhoyouare.AmIacitywife?
MORENoindeed,you'vejustlostthirtyshillings,Ithink;therearesuchbirds.Andtheherongothome
tohischicks,Meg,soeverythingwassatisfactory.
MARGARET(Smiling)Yes.
MOREWhatwasthatofAristotle's,Richard?
RICHARDNothing,SirThomas'twasoutofplace.
NORFOLK(ToRICH)I'veneverfoundmuchuseinAristotlemyself,notpractically.Greatphilosopher,of
course.Wonderfulmind.
RICHExactly,YourGrace!
NORFOLK(Suspicious)Eh?
MOREMasterRichisnewlyconvertedtothedoctrinesofMachiavelli.
RICHOhno.
NORFOLKOh,theItalian.Nastybook,fromwhatIhear
MARGARETVerypractical,YourGrace.
NORFOLKYoureadit?Amazinggirl,Thomas,butwhereareyougoingtofindahusbandforher?
MORE(MOREandMEGexchangeaglance)Whereindeed?
RICHThedoctrinesofMachiavellihavebeenlargelymistaken,Ithink;indeed,properlyapprehended,he
hasno
doctrine.
Master
Cromwell
has
the
sense
of
it
Ithink
when
he
says
NORFOLKYouknowCromwell?
RICH..Slightly,YourGrace...
NORFOLKTheCardinal'sSecretary.
(ExclamationsofshockfromMORE,MARGARETandALICE)
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MOREGotobed.(MARGARETexitsabove,MOREexitsbelow.AfteramomentRICHwalksswiftlyback,
picksupthegobletandisgoingoffwithit)
STEWARD(Takesgoblet)Eh!
RICHWhat Oh...It'sagift,Matthew.SirThomasgaveittome.(STEWARDregardsitsilently)Hegave
ittome.
STEWARD(Returnsit)Verynicepresent,sir.
RICH(Beginningtoleavewithit)Yes.Goodnight,Matthew.
STEWARDSirThomashastakenquiteafancytoyou,sir.
RICHEr,here(Giveshimsomemoneyandgoes)
STEWARDThankyou,sir...(Toaudience)Thatone'llcometonothing.(Beginspackingpropsinto
basket.Pauses
with
acup
in
hand)
My
master
Thomas
More
would
give
anything
to
anyone.
Some
say
that'sgoodandsomesaythat'sbad,butIsayhecan'thelpitandthat'sbad...becausesomeday
someone'sgoingtoaskhimforsomethingthathewantstokeep;andhe'llbeoutofpractice.(Putsa
cloth,papers,penandink,andcandlesonthetable)Theremustbesomethingthathewantstokeep.
That'sonlycommonsense.
(EnterWOLSEYHesitsatthetableandimmediatelycommenceswriting,watchedbyCOMMONMAN,
whothenexits.EnterMORE)
WOLSEY(Writing)It'shalfpastone.Where'veyoubeen?(Abellstrikesone)
MoRE,One
o'clock,
Your
Grace.
I've
been
on
the
river.
(WOLSEY
writes
in
silence
while
MORE
waits
standing)
WOLSEY(Stillwriting,pushespaperacrossthetable)Sinceyouseemedsoviolentlyopposedtothe
dispatchforRome,Ithoughtyou'dliketolookitover.
MORE(Touched)Thankyou,YourGrace.
WOLSEYBeforeitgoes.
MORE(Smiles)YourGraceisverykind.(Hetakesitandreads)Thankyou.
WOLSEYWell,
what
d'you
think
of
it?
(He
is
still
writing)
MOREItseemsverywellphrased,YourGrace.
WOLSEY(Permitshimselfachuckle)Thedevilitdoes!(Hesitsback)Andapartfromthestyle,Sir
Thomas?
MORE(Crisply)It'saddressedtoCardinalCampeggio.
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WOLSEYYes?
MORENottoourambassador.
WOLSEYOurambassador'saninny.
MORE(A
smile)
Your
Grace
appointed
him.
WOLSEY(Treatsitatthelevelofhumor,mockexasperation)YesIneedaninnyinRome!SothatIcan
writetoCardinalCampeggio!
MORE(Won'trespond;withaestheticdistastenotmoraldisapproval)It'sdevious.
WOLSEYIt'sadevioussituation!
MORETheremustbesomethingsimpleinthemiddleofit.(Againthisisnotamoraldictum;itissaid
ratherwistfully,asofsomethingheisbeginningtodoubt)
WOLSEY(Afterapause,rathergently)Ibelieveyoubelievethat.(Briskly)You'reaconstantregrettome,
Thomas.Ifyoucouldjustseefactsflaton,withoutthathorriblemoralsquint;withjustalittlecommon
sense,youcouldhavebeenastatesman.
MORE(Afteralittlepause)Oh,YourGraceflattersme.
WOLSEYDon'tfrivol...Thomas,areyougoingtohelpme?
MORE(Hesitates,looksaway)IfYourGracewillbespecific.
WOLSEYAch,you'reaplodder!Takeyoualtogether,Thomas,yourscholarship,yourexperience,what
areyou?
(A
single
trumpet
calls,
distant,
frosty
and
clear.
WOLSEY
gets
up
and
goes
and
looks
from
the
window)Comehere.(MOREjoinshim)TheKing.
MOREYes.
MORE(Startingupinhorrifiedalarm)ForGod'ssake,YourGrace
WOLSEYThentheKingneedsason;Irepeat,whatareyougoingtodoaboutit?
WOLSEYWherehashebeen?D'youknow?
MOREI,YourGrace?
WOLSEYOh,sparemeyourdiscretion.He'sbeentoplayinthemudagain.
MORE(Coldly)Indeed.
WOLSEYIndeed!Indeed!Areyougoingtoopposeme?(Trumpetsoundsagain.WOLSEYvisiblyrelaxes)
He'sgonein...(Heleavesthewindow)Allright,we'llplod.TheKingwantsason;whatareyougoingto
doaboutit?
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MORE(Drymurmur)I'mverysuretheKingneedsnoadvicefrommeonwhattodoaboutit.
WOLSEY(Frombehind,gripshisshoulderfiercely)Thomas,we'realone.Igiveyoumyword.There'sno
onehere.
MOREIdidn'tsupposetherewas,YourGrace.
WOLSEYOh.Sitdown!(Hegoestothetable,sits,signalsMOREtosit.MOREunsuspectinglyobeys.
Then,deliberatelyloud)Doyoufavorachangeofdynasty,SirThomas?D'youthinktwoTudorsis
sufficient?
MORE(Steadily)Iprayforitdaily.
WOLSEY(Softly)God'sdeath,hemeansit...Thatthingoutthere'satleastfertile,Thomas.
MOREButshe'snothiswife.
WOLSEYNo,
Catherine's
his
wife
and
she's
as
barren
as
abrick.
Are
you
going
to
pray
for
amiracle?
MOREThereareprecedents.
WOLSEYYes.Allright.Good.Pray.Praybyallmeans.Butinadditiontoprayerthereiseffort.Myeffort's
tosecureadivorce.HaveIyoursupportorhaveInot?
MORE(Sits)AdispensationwasgrantedsothattheKingmightmarryQueenCatherine,forstate
reasons.NowwearetoaskthePopetodispensewithhisdispensation,alsoforstatereasons?
WOLSEYIdon'tlikeplodding,Thomas,don'tmakemeplodlongerthanIhaveto Well?
MOREThen
clearly
all
we
have
to
do
is
approach
His
Holiness
and
ask
him.
(Thepacebecomesrapid)
WOLSEYIthinkwemightinfluenceHisHoliness'answer
MORELikethis?(Indicatingthedispatch)
WOLSEYLikethatandinotherways
MOREI'vealreadyexpressedmyopiniononthis
WOLSEYThen,
good
night!
Oh,
your
conscience
is
your
own
affair;
but
you're
astatesman!
Do
you
remembertheYorkistWars?
MOREVeryclearly.
WOLSEYLethimdiewithoutanheirandwe'llhavethembackagain.Lethimdiewithoutanheirandthis
"peace"youthinksomuchofwillgooutlikethat!(Heextinguishesthecandle)Verywellthen...
Englandneedsanheir;certainmeasures,perhapsregrettable,perhapsnot (Pompous)thereismuchin
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oarandabundleofclothingareloweredintothisareafromabove.EnterCOMMONMAN;heuntiesthe
bundleandbeginstodonthecoatandhatofBOATMAN)
MORE(Off)Boat!Boat!(Approaching)Boat!
BOATMAN(Donningcoatandhat)Here,sir!
MORE(Off)Aboatmanplease!
BOATMANBoathere,sir!
(Heseizestheoar.EnterMORE)
MORE(Peering)Boatman?
BOATMANYes,sir.(Toaudience,indicatingoar)Aboatman.
MORETakemehome.
BOATMAN(Pleasantly)Iwasjustgoinghomemyself,sir.
MOREThenfindmeanotherboat.
BOATMANBlessyou,sirthat'sallright.(Comfortably)Iexpectyou'llmakeitworthmywhile,sir.
CROMWELL(Steppingfrombehindanarch)Boatman,haveyoualicense?
BOATMANEh?Blessyou,sir,yes;I'vegotalicense.
CROMWELLThenyouknowthatthefaresarefixed (TurnstoMORE.Exaggeratedpleasure)Why,it'sSir
Thomas!
MOREGoodmorning,MasterCromwell.Youworkverylate.
CROMWELLI'monmywaytotheCardinal.
MORE(Recollecting)Ahyes,youaretobefelicitated.Goodmorning,MasterSecretary.(Hesmiles
politely)
CROMWELL(Smiling)Yes.
MOREIfitisfelicitytobebusyinthenight.
CROMWELLItis.
MOREFelicitationsthen.(Theyexchangeadrylittlebow)
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CROMWELLYouhavejustlefthim,Ithink.
MOREYes,Ihave.
CROMWELLYoulefthim...inhislaughingmood,Ihope?
MOREOn
the
whole
Iwould
say
not.
No,
not
laughing.
CROMWELLOh,I'msorry.(Backingtoexit)Iamoneofyourmultitudinousadmirers,SirThomas.A
pennyha'pennytoChelsea,Boatman.(ExitCROMWELL)
BOATMANThecomingmantheysay,sir.
MOREDothey?Well,where'syourboat?
BOATMANJustalongthewharf,sir.
(TheyaregoingwhenCHAPUYSandhisATTENDANTenter)
CHAPUYSSirThomasMore!
MORESignorChapuys?You'reupverylate,YourExcellency.
CHAPUYS(Significantly)SoistheCardinal,SirThomas.
MORE(Closingup)Hesleepsverylittle.
CHAPUYSYouhavejustlefthim,Ithink.
MOREYouarecorrectlyinformed.Asalways.
CHAPUYSIwillnotaskyouthesubjectofyourconversation...(Hewaits)
MORENo,ofcoursenot.
CHAPUYSSirThomas,Iwillbeplainwithyou...plain,thatis,sofarasthediplomaticdecenciespermit.
(Loudly)MymasterCharles,theKingofSpain!(PullsMOBSaside;discreetly)MymasterCharles,the
KingofSpain,feelshimselfconcernedinanythingconcerninghisbloodrelations.Hewouldfeelhimself
insultedbyanyinsultofferedtohismother'ssister!Irefer,ofcourse,toQueenCatherine.(Heregards
MOREkeenly)TheKingofSpainwouldfeelhimselfinsultedbyanyinsultofferedtoQueenCatherine.
MOREHis
feeling
would
be
natural.
CHAPUYS(Consciouslyshy)SirThomas,mayIaskifyouandtheCardinalparted,howshallIsay,
amicably?
MOREAmicably...Yes.
CHAPUYS(Ashadeindignant)Inagreement?
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MOREAmicably.
CHAPUYS(Warmly)Saynomore,SirThomas;Iunderstand.
MORE(Abitworried)Ihopeyoudo,YourExcellency.
CHAPUYSYou
are
agood
man.
MOREIdon'tsee howyoudeducethatfromwhatItoldyou.
CHAPUYS(Holdsupahand)Anodisasgoodasawinktoablindhorse.Iunderstand.Youareagood
man.(Heturnstoexit)Dominusvobiscum.
(CHAPUYSexits.MORElooksafterhim)
MORE(Abstracted)...spiritutuo...
BOATMAN(Mournful;heissquattingontheground)Somepeoplethinkboatsstayafloatontheirown,
sir,buttheydon't;theycostmoney.(MOREisabstractedlygazingovertheaudience)Takeanchorrope,
sir,youmaynotbelieveme,foralittleskifflikemine,butit'sapennyafathom.(MOREisstill
abstracted)Andwithayoungwife,sir,asyouknow...
MORE(Abstracted)I'llpaywhatIalwayspayyou...Theriverlooksveryblacktonight.Theysayit's
siltingup,isthatso?
BOATMAN(Joininghim)Notinthemiddle,sir.There'sachanneltheregettingdeeperallthetime.
MOREHowisyourwife?
BOATMANShe's
losing
her
shape,
sir,
losing
it
fast.
MOREWell,soareweall.
BOATMANOhyes,sir;it'scommon.
MORE(Going)Well,takemehome.(ExitMORE)
BOATMANThatIwill,sir!(Crossingtothebasketandpullingitout)FromRichmondtoChelsea,apenny
halfpenny...
(Hegoesforthetablecloth)fromChelseatoRichmond,apennyhalfpenny.FromRichmondtoChelsea,
it'saquietfloatdownstream,fromChelseatoRichmond,it'sahardpullupstream.Andit'sapenny
halfpennyeitherway.Whoevermakestheregulationsdoesn'trowaboat.(Putstheclothintothe
basket,takesoutslippers)Homeagain.
(LightingchangestoMORE'shouse.MOREenters,sitswearily.Hetakesoffhat,halftakesoffcoatbutis
tootired.Abellchimesthree.STEWARDkneelstoputonhisslippersforhim)
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MOREOldRoperwasjustthesame.Nowlethimthinkhe'sgoingwiththecurrentandhe'llturnround
andstartswimmingintheoppositedirection.WhatwewantisareallysubstantialattackontheChurch.
MARGARETWe'regoingtogetit,aren'twe?
MOREMargaret,I'llnothaveyoutalktreason...AndI'llnothaveyourepeatlawyer'sgossip.I'ma
lawyermyselfandIknowwhatit'sworth.
ALICE(Off.Indignantandexcited)Thomas!
MORENowlookwhatyou'vedone.(ALICEEntersattheheadofthestairsinhernightgown)
ALICEYoungRoper!I'vejustseenyoungRoper!Onmyhorse.
MOREHe'llbringitback,dear.He'sbeentoseeMargaret.
ALICEOhwhyyoudon'tbeatthatgirl!
MORENo,no,she'sfullofeducationandit'sadelicatecommodity.
ALICEMm!Andmoresthepity!
MOREYes,butit'stherenowandthinkwhatitcost.(Hesneezes)
ALICE(Pouncing)Ah!Margarethotwater.(ExitMARGARET)
MOREI'msorryyouwereawakened,chick.
ALICEIwasn'tsleepingverydeeply.ThomaswhatdidWolseywant?
MORE(Innocently)YoungRoperaskedmeforMargaret.
ALICEWhat!Impudence!
MOREYes,wasn'tit?
ALICEOldfox!Whatdidhewant,Thomas?
MOREHewantedmetoreadadispatch.
ALICEWasthatall?
MOREALatindispatch.
ALICEOh!Youdon'twanttotalkaboutit?
MORE(Gently)No.(EnterMARGARETwithacup,whichshetakestoMORE)
ALICENorfolkwasspeakingforyouasChancellorbeforeheleft.
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RICHIdolookafterHisGrace'slibrary,yes.
CROMWELLOh.Well,that'ssomething.AndIdon'tsupposeyou'rebotheredmuchbyHisGraceinthe
library?(RICHsmilesuncertainly)It'soddhowdifferentlymen'sfortunesflow.Mylatemaster,Wolsey,
diedindisgrace,andhereIamintheKing'sownservice.Thereyouareinacomparativebackwateryet
thenew
Lord
Chancellor's
an
old
friend
of
yours.
(HelooksatRICHdirectly)
RICH(Uncertain)Heisn'treallymyfriend....
CROMWELLOh,Ithoughthewas.(Hegetsup,preparestogo)
RICHInasenseheis.
CROMWELL(Reproachful)Well,Ialwaysunderstoodhesetyouupinlife.
RICHHe
recommended
me
to
the
Duke.
CROMWELLAhyes.AreyouveryattachedtoHisGrace'slibrary,orwouldyoubefreetoacceptan
office?
RICH(Suspicious)Haveyouofficesingift?
CROMWELL(Deprecating)Iamlistenedtobythosewhohave.
RICHMasterCromwellwhatisitthatyoudofortheKing?(EnterCHAPUYS)
CHAPUYS(Roguish)Yes,Ishouldliketoknowthat,MasterCromwell.
CROMWELLAh,SignorChapuys.You'vemetHisExcellencyRich?(HeindicatesCHAPUYS)TheSpanish
Ambassador.(HeindicatesRICH)TheDukeofNorfolk'slibrarian.
CHAPUYSButhowshouldweintroduceyou,MasterCromwell,ifwehadthehappiness?
CROMWELLOh,sly!Doyounoticehowslyheis,Rich?Well,Isupposeyouwouldcallme(Hesuddenly
turns)"TheKing'sEar"...(Adeprecatingshrug)It'sausefulorgan,theear.Butinfactit'sevensimpler
thanthat.WhentheKingwantssomethingdone,Idoit.
CHAPUYSAh.(Mockinterest)ButthenwhytheseJustices,Chancellors,Admirals?
CROMWELLOh,theyaretheconstitution.Ourancient,Englishconstitution.Imerelydothings.
CHAPUYSForexample,MasterCromwell....
CROMWELL(Admiring)Ohobewaretheseprofessionaldiplomats.Wellnow,forexample;nextweekat
DeptfordwearelaunchingtheGreatHarryonethousandtons,fourmasts,sixtysixguns,anoverall
lengthofonehundredandseventyfivefeet;it'sexpectedtobeveryeffectiveallthisyouprobably
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ALICE(ToMEG)Hemustbeinthehouse!
MARGARETHe'snotinthehouse,Mother!
ALICEThenhemustbehereinthegarden!
(They"search"
among
the
screens)
NORFOLKHetakesthingstoofar,Alice.
ALICEDoInotknowit?
NORFOLKItwillendbadlyforhim!
ALICEIknowthattoo!
(They"notice"theSTEWARD)
NORFOLKWhere's
your
master?
MARGARETMatthew!Where'smyfather?(Together)
ALICEWhereisSirThomas?
(Fanfare,shorterbutnearer)
NORFOLK(Despairing)Oh,myGod.
ALICEOh,Jesus!
STEWARDMy
lady
the
King?
NORFOLKYes,fool!(Threatening)AndiftheKingarrives
andtheChancellor'snothere
STEWARDSir,mylady,it'snotmyfault!
NORFOLK(Quietlydispleased)LadyAlice,Thomas'llgetnogoodofit.ThisisnothowWolseymade
himselfgreat.
ALICE(Stiffly)Thomashashisownwayofdoingthings,mylord!
NORFOLK(Testily)Yesyes,Thomasisunique;butwhereisThomas?(STEWARDswingsonstageasmall
Gothicdoor.Plainsongisheard.Allruntothedoor.NORFOLKopensit)
ALICEThomas!
STEWARDSir!
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MARGARETFather!
NORFOLK(Indignantly)MyLordChancellor!(MOREentersthroughthedoorway.Heblinksinthelight.
Heiswearingacassock;heshutsthedoorbehindhim)Whatsortoffoolingisthis?DoestheKingvisit
youeveryday?
MORENo,butIgotovespersmostdays.
NORFOLKHe'shere!
MOREButisn'tthisvisitmeanttobeasurprise?
NORFOLK(Grimly)Foryou,yes,notforhim.
MARGARETFather...
(Sheindicateshiscassock)
NORFOLKYesd'youproposetomeettheKingdisguisedasaparishclerk?(Theyfalluponhimtodrag
thecassockoverhishead)Aparishclerk,myLordChancellor!YoudishonortheKingandhisoffice!
MORE(Appearingmomentarilyfromthefoldsofthecassock)TheserviceofGodisnotadishonortoany
office.(Thecassockispulledoff)Believeme,myfriend,IdonotbelittlethehonorHisMajestyisdoing
me.(Briskly)Well!That'salovelydress,Alice;so'sthat,Margaret.(HelooksatNORFOLK)I'madowdy
bird,aren'tI?(LooksatALICE)Calmyourself.(STEWARDswingsthedooroffstage)Alice,we'reallready
now.
(Heturnsaboutandweseethathisgowniscaughtupbehindhimrevealinghisspindlylegsinlonghose
lacedup
at
the
thighs)
ALICEThomas!(MARGARETlaughs)
MOREWhat'sthematter?
(HeturnsaroundagainandhiswomenfolkpursuehimtopulldownthegownwhileNORFOLKthrowshis
handsintheair.Expostulation,explanation,exclamationoverlapinababble)
NORFOLKByGod,youcanbeharebrained!
MARGARETBestill!
ALICEOh,Thomas!Thomas!(MARGARETspieschainofoffice,bringsittoMORE)
NORFOLKWhatwhimpossessedyou
MORE"Twasnotawhim!
ALICEYoursecondbeststockings!
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HENRYSh!(MOREissilent;HENRYgoesonwithhislistening)...Ilaunchedashiptoday,Thomas.
MOREYes,YourGrace,I
HENRYListen,man,listen...(Apause)...TheGreatHarry...Isteeredher,Thomas,undersail.
MOREYou
have
many
accomplishments,
Your
Grace.
HENRY(Holdsupafingerforsilence.Apause)Agreatexperience.(MOREkeepssilent)...Agreat
experience,Thomas.
MOREYes,YourGrace.
(Themusicisgrowingfainter)
HENRYIamafool.
MOREHowso,YourGrace?
HENRY(Apause,duringwhichthemusicfadestosilence)WhatelsebutafooltoliveinaCourt,ina
licentiousmobwhenIhavefriends,withgardens.
MOREYourGrace
HENRYNocourtship,noceremony,Thomas.Beseated.Youaremyfriend,areyounot?(MOREsits)
MOREYourMajesty.
HENRY(EyeslightingonthechainonthetablebyMORE)AndthankGodIhaveafriendformy
Chancellor.(Laughingly,
but
implacably,
he
takes
up
the
chain
and
lowers
it
over
moRE's
head)
Readier
tobefriends,Itrust,thanhewastobeChancellor.
MOREMyownknowledgeofmypoorabilities
HENRYIwilljudgeofyourabilities,Thomas...DidyouknowthatWolseynamedyouforChancellor?
MOREWolsey!
HENRYAye,beforehedied.WolseynamedyouandWolseywasnofool.
MOREHewasastatesmanofincomparableability,YourGrace.
HENRYWashe?Washeso?(Herises)Thenwhydidhefailme?Beseateditwasvillainythen!Yes,
villainy.Iwasrighttobreakhim;hewasallpride,Thomas;aproudman;Briderightthrough.Andhe
failedme!(MOREopenshismouth)Hefailedmeintheonethingthatmattered!Theonethingthat
matters,Thomas,thenornow.Andwhy?HewantedtobePope!Yes,hewantedtobetheBishopof
Rome.I'lltellyousomething,Thomas,andyoucancheckthisforyourselfitwasnevermerryinEngland
whilewehadCardinalsamongstus.(HenodssignificantlyatMORE,wholowershiseyes)Butlooknow
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MORE(Sadly)YourGrace?
HENRYNoopposition,Isay!Noopposition!Yourconscienceisyourownaffair;butyouaremy
Chancellor!There,youhavemywordI'llleaveyououtofit.ButIdon'ttakeitkindly,Thomas,andI'll
havenoopposition!Iseehowitwillbe;thebishopswillopposeme.Thefullfed,hypocritical,"Princes
ofthe
Church"!
Ha!
As
for
the
Pope!
Am
Ito
burn
in
Hell
because
the
Bishop
of
Rome,
with
the
King
of
Spain'sknifetohisthroat,mouthsmeDeuteronomy?Hypocrites!They'reallhypocrites!Mindtheydo
nottakeyouin,Thomas!Lielowifyouwill,butI'llbrooknooppositionnonoise!Nowords,nosigns,no
letters,nopamphlets Mindthat,Thomasnowritingsagainstme!
MOREYourGraceisunjust.IamYourGrace'sloyalminister.IfIcannotserveYourGraceinthisgreat
matteroftheQueen
HENRYIhavenoQueen!Catherineisnotmywifeandnopriestcanmakeherso,andtheythatsaysheis
mywifearenotonlyliars...buttraitors!Mindit,Thomas!
MOREAm
Iababbler,
Your
Grace?
(But
his
voice
is
unsteady)
HENRYYouarestubborn...(Wooingly)Ifyoucouldcomewithme,youarethemanIwouldsoonest
raiseyes,withmyownhand.
MORE(Covershisface)Oh,YourGraceoverwhelmsme!(Acomplicatedchimingoflittlebellsisheard)
HENRYWhat'sthat?
MOREEighto'clock,YourGrace.
HENRY(UneasilyeyingMORE)Oh,liftyourselfup,manhaveInotpromised?(MOREbraces)Shallwe
eat?
MOREIfYourGracepleases.(Recovering)WhatwillYourGracesingforus?
HENRYEighto'clockyousaid?Thomas,thetidewillbechanging.Iwasforgettingthetide.I'dbettergo.
MORE(Gravely)I'msorry,YourGrace.
HENRYImustcatchthetideorI'llnotgetbacktoRichmondtill...No,don'tcome.TellNorfolk.(Hehas
hisfootonthestairswhenALICEentersabove)Oh,LadyAlice,Imustgo.(ALICEdescends,herface
serious)Iwanttocatchthetide.Totellthetruth,LadyAlice,Ihaveforgotteninyourhavenherehow
timeflows
past
outside.
Affairs
call
me
to
court
and
so
Igive
you
my
thanks
and
say
good
night.
(He
mounts)
MOREandALICE(Bowing)Goodnight,YourGrace.
(ExitHENRY,above)
ALICEWhat'sthis?Youcrossedhim.
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MORESomewhat.
ALICEWhy?
MORE(Apologetic)Icouldn'tfindtheotherway.
ALICE(Angrily)
You're
too
nice
altogether,
Thomas!
MOREWoman,mindyourhouse.
ALICEIammindingmyhouse!
MORE(Takinginheranxiety)Well,Alice.Whatwouldyouwantmetodo?
ALICEBeruled!Ifyouwon'trulehim,beruled!
MORE(Quietly)IneithercouldnorwouldrulemyKing.(Pleasantly)Butthere'salittle...little,area...
whereImustrulemyself.It'sverylittlelesstohimthanatenniscourt.(Herfaceisstillfullof
foreboding;hesighs)Look;itwaseighto'clock.Ateighto'clock,LadyAnnelikestodance.
ALICE(Relieved)Oh?
MOREIthinkso.
ALICE(Withirritation)Andyonstandbetweenthem!
MOREI?WhatstandsbetweenthemisasacramentoftheChurch.I'mlessimportantthanyouthink,
Alice.
ALICE(Appealing)
Thomas,
stay
friends
with
him.
MOREWhatevercanbedonebysmiling,youmayrelyonmetodo.
ALICEYoudon'tknowhowtoflatter.
MOREIflatterverywell!Myrecipe'sbeginningtobewidelycopied.It'sthebasicsyrupwithjusta
souponofdiscreetimpudence...
ALICE(Stilluneasy)Iwishhe'deatenhere...
MOREYesweshallbelivingonthat"simplesupper"ofyoursforafortnight.(Shewon'tlaugh)Alice...
(Shewon'tturn)Alice...(Sheturns)Setyourmindatrestthis(Tappinghimself)isnotthestuffofwhich
martyrsaremade.(Enterabove,quickly,ROPER)
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ROPERSirThomas!
MORE(Winces)Oh,no...
(EnterafterROPER,MARGARET)
ALICEWill
Roper
what
do
you
want?
MARGARETWilliam,Itoldyounotto!
ROPERI'mnoteasily"told,"Meg.
MARGARETIaskedyounotto.
ROPERMeg,I'mfulltohere!
(Indicateshisthroat)
MARGARETIt's
not
convenient!
ROPERMusteverythingbemadeconvenient?I'mnotaconvenientman,MegI'vegotaninconvenient
conscience!(MARGARETgestureshelplesslytoMORE)
MORE(Laughs)Joshua'strumpet.Onenoteonthatbrassconscienceofyoursandmydaughter'swalls
aredown.
ROPER(Descending)Youraisedher,sir.
MORE(Abitpuzzled)Howlonghaveyoubeenhere?AreyouintheKing'sparty?
ROPERNo,sir,IamnotintheKing'sparty!(Advancing)It'softhatIwishtospeaktoyou.Myspiritis
perturbed.
MORE(Suppressingagrin)Itis,Will?Why?
ROPERI'vebeenofferedaseatinthenextParliament.(MORElooksupsharply)OughtItotakeit?
MORENo...Wellthatdepends.WithyourviewsonChurchReformIshouldhavethoughtyoucoulddo
yourselfalotofgoodinthenextParliament.
ROPERMyviewsontheChurch,Imustconfess Sincelastwemetmyviewshavesomewhatmodified.
(MOREand
MARGARET
exchange
asmile)
Imodify
nothing
concerning
the
body
of
the
Church
the
moneychangersinthetemplemustbescourgedfromthencewithascourgeoffireifthatisneeded!
ButanattackontheChurchherself!No,IseebehindthatanattackonGod
MORERoper
ROPERTheDevil'swork!
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MORERoper!
ROPERTobedonebytheDevil'sministers!
MOREForheaven'ssakeremembermyoffice!
ROPEROh,
ifyou
stand
on
your
office
MOREIdon'tstandonit,buttherearecertainthingsImaynothear!
ROPERSophistication.ItiswhatIwastold.TheCourthascorruptedyou,SirThomas;youarenotthe
manyouwere;youhavelearnedtostudyyour"convenience";youhavelearnedtoflatter!
MOREThere,Alice,yousee?Ihaveareputationforit.
ALICEGod'sBody,youngman,ifIwastheChancellorI'dhaveyouwhipped!(EnterSTEWARD)
STEWARDMasterRichishere,SirThomas.(RICHfollowshimclosely)
RICHGoodevening,sir.
MOREAh,Richard?
RICHGoodevening,LadyAlice.(ALICEnods,noncommittally)LadyMargaret.
MARGARET(Quitefriendlybutveryclear)Goodevening,MasterRich.(Apause)
MOREDoyouknow (IndicatesROPER)WilliamRoper,theyounger?
RICHByreputation,ofcourse.
ROPERGoodevening,Master.
RICHRich.
ROPEROh.(Recollectingsomething)Oh.
RICH(Quicklyandhostilely)Youhaveheardofme?
ROPER(Shortly)Yes.
RICH(Excitedly)Inwhatconnection?Idon'tknowwhatyoucanhaveheard (Helooksabout;hotly)I
sensethatI'mnotwelcomehere!(Hehasjumpedthegun;theyarestartled)
MORE(Gently)Why,Richard,haveyoudonesomethingthatshouldmakeyounotwelcome?
RICHWhy,doyoususpectmeofit?
MOREIshallbeginto.
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RICH(Drawingclosertohimandspeakinghurriedly)Cromwellisaskingquestions.Aboutyou.Aboutyou
particularly.(MOREisunmoved)Heiscontinuallycollectinginformationaboutyou!
MOREIknowit.AMAN(STEWARDbeginstoslideout)Stayaminute,Matthew.
RICH(Pointing)That'soneofhissources!
MOREOfcourse;that'soneofmyservants.
RICH(Hurriedly,inalowvoiceagain)SignorChapuys,theSpanishAmbassador
MOREcollectsinformationtoo.That'soneofhisfunctions.(HelooksatRICHverygravely)
RICH(Voicecracking)YoulookatmeasthoughIwereanenemy!
MORE(Puttingoutahandtosteadyhim)Why,Richard,you'reshaking.
RICHI'madrift.Helpme.
MOREHow?
RICHEmployme.
MORENo.
RICH(Desperately)Employme!
MORENo!
RICH(Movesswiftlytoexit;turns)Iwouldbesteadfast!
MORERichard,youcouldn'tanswerforyourselfevensofarastonight.(RICHexits.Allwatchhim;the
othersturntomom,theirfacesalert)
ROPERArresthim.
ALICEYes!
MOREForwhat?
ALICEHe'sdangerous!
ROPERForlibel;he'saspy.
ALICEHeis!Arresthim!
MARGARETFather,thatman'sbad.
MOREThereisnolawagainstthat.
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ROPERThereis!God'slaw!
MOREThenGodcanarresthim.
ROPERSophisticationuponsophistication!
MORENo,
sheer
simplicity.
The
law,
Roper,
the
law.
Iknow
what's
legal
not
what's
right.
And
I'll
stick
to
what'slegal.
ROPERThenyousetman'slawaboveGod's!
MORENo,farbelow;butletmedrawyourattentiontoafactI'mnotGod.Thecurrentsandeddiesof
rightandwrong,whichyoufindsuchplainsailing,Ican'tnavigate.I'mnovoyager.Butinthethicketsof
thelaw,oh,thereI'maforester.Idoubtifthere'samanalivewhocouldfollowmethere,thankGod...
(Hesaysthislasttohimself)
ALICE(Exasperated,
pointing
after
RICH)
While
you
talk,
he's
gone!
MOREAndgoheshould,ifhewastheDevilhimself,untilhebrokethelaw!
ROPERSonowyou'dgivetheDevilbenefitoflaw!
MOREYes.Whatwouldyoudo?CutagreatroadthroughthelawtogetaftertheDevil?
ROPERI'dcutdowneverylawinEnglandtodothat!
MORE(Rousedandexcited)Oh?(AdvancesonROPER)Andwhenthelastlawwasdown,andtheDevil
turnedroundonyouwherewouldyouhide,Roper,thelawsallbeingflat?(Heleaveshim)This
country'splanted
thick
with
laws
from
coast
to
coast
man's
laws,
not
God's
and
ifyou
cut
them
down
andyou'rejustthemantodoitd'youreallythinkyoucouldstanduprightinthewindsthatwouldblow
then?(Quietly)Yes,I'dgivetheDevilbenefitoflaw,formyownsafety'ssake.
ROPERIhavelongsuspectedthis;thisisthegoldencalf;thelaw'syourgod.
MORE(Wearily)Oh,Roper,you'reafool,God'smygod....(Ratherbitterly)ButIfindhimrathertoo
(Verybitterly)subtle...Idon'tknowwhereheisnorwhathewants.
ROPERMygodwantsservice,totheendandunremitting;nothingelse!
MORE(Dryly)
Are
you
sure
that's
God?
He
sounds
like
Moloch.
But
indeed
it
may
be
God
And
whoever
huntsforme,Roper,GodorDevil,willfindmehidinginthethicketsofthelaw!AndI'llhidemy
daughterwithme!Nothoistherupthemainmastofyourseagoingprinciples!Theyputabouttoo
nimbly!
(ExitMORE.Theyalllookafterhim.MARGARETtouchesROPER'Shand)
MARGARETOh,thatwasharsh.
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(Exitabove,MOREandROPER.EnterCOMMONMANpullingthebasket.Fromithetakesaninnsign,
whichhehangsinthealcove.Heinspectsit)
COMMONMAN"TheLoyalSubject"...(Toaudience)Apub.(Takesfromthebasketandputsana
jacket,capandnapkin)Apublican.(Placestwostoolsatthetable,andonitmugsandacandle,whichhe
lights)Oh,
he's
adeep
one,
that
Sir
Thomas
More
...Deep
...It
takes
alot
of
education
to
get
aman
as
deepasthat...(Straighttoaudience)Andadeepnaturetobeginwithtoo.(Deadpan)Thelikesofme
canhardlybeexpectedtofollowtheprocessofamanlikethat....(Slyly)Canwe?(Heinspectsthe
pub)Right,ready.(Hegoesright)Ready,sir!
(CROMWELLenters,carryingabottle)
CROMWELLIsthisagoodplaceforaconspiracy,innkeeper?
PUBLICAN(Woodenly)Youaskedforaprivateroom,sir.
CROMWELL(Lookinground)Yes,Iwantonewithouttoomanylittledarkcorners.
PUBLICANIdon'tunderstandyou,sir.Justthefourcornersasyousee.
CROMWELL(Sardonically)Youdon'tunderstandme.
PUBLICANThat'sright,sir.
CROMWELLDoyouknowwhoIam?
PUBLICAN(Promptly)No,sir.
CROMWELLDon'tbetootactful,innkeeper.
PUBLICANIdon'tunderstand,sir.
CROMWELLWhenthelikesofyouaretootactful,thelikesofmebegintowonderwho'sthefool.
PUBLICANIjustdon'tunderstandyou,sir.
CROMWELL(Putsbackhisheadandlaughssilently)Themasterstatesmanofusall."Idon't
understand."(LooksatPUBLICANalmostwithhatred)Allright.Getout.(ExitPUBLICAN.CROMWELL
goestotheexit.Calling)Comeon.(EnterRICH.HeglancesatthebottleinCROMWELL'shandand
remainscautiouslybytheexit)Yes,itmaybethatIamalittleintoxicated.(LeavesRICHstanding)But
notwith
alcohol,
I've
astrong
head
for
that.
With
success!
And
who
has
astrong
head
for
success?
None
ofusgetsenoughofit.ExceptKings.Andthey'reborndrunk.
RICHSuccess?Whatsuccess?
CROMWELLGuess.
RICHCollectorofRevenuesforYork.
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CROMWELL(Amused)Youdokeepyoureartotheground,don'tyou?No.
RICHWhatthen?
CROMWELLSirThomasPagetisretiring.
RICHSecretary
to
the
Council!
CROMWELL'isastonishing,isn'tit?
RICH(Hastily)OhnoImeanonesees,it'slogical.
CROMWELLNoceremony,nocourtship.Beseated.(RICHstartstosit)AsHisMajestywouldsay.(RICH
jumpsupispulleddown,laughsnervouslyandinvoluntarilyglancesround)Yes;seehowItrustyou.
RICHOh,Iwouldneverrepeatorreportathinglikethat
CROMWELL(Pouringthewine)Whatkindofthingwouldyourepeatorreport?
RICHWell,nothingsaidinfriendshipmayIsay"friendship"?
CROMWELLIfyoulike.D'youbelievethatthatyouwouldneverrepeatorreportanythingetcetera?
RICHYes!
CROMWELLNo,butseriously.
RICHWhy,yes!
CROMWELL(Putsdownthebottle.Notsinister,butratherasakindlyteacherwithapromisingpupil)
Rich;seriously.
RICH(Pauses,thenbitterly)ItwoulddependwhatIwasoffered.
CROMWELLDon'tsayitjusttopleaseme.
RICHIt'strue.ItwoulddependwhatIwasoffered.
CROMWELL(Pattinghisarm)Everyoneknowsit;notmanypeoplecansayit.
RICHTherearesomethingsonewouldn'tdoforanything.Surely.
CROMWELLMmthatidea'sliketheselifelinestheyhaveontheembankment:comforting,butyou
don'texpecttohavetousethem.(Briskly)Well,congratulations!
RICH(Suspiciously)Onwhat?
CROMWELLIthinkyou'dmakeagoodCollectorofRevenuesforYorkDiocese.
RICH(Grippinghimself)Isitinyourgift?
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CROMWELLItwillbe.
RICH(Withconsciouscynicism)WhatdoIhavetodoforit?
CROMWELLNothing.(Helectures)Itisn'tlikethat,Rich.Therearenorules.Withrewardsandpenalties
somuchwickednesspurchasessomuchworldlyprospering (Rises.Hebreaksoffandstops,suddenly
struck)Areyousureyou'renotreligious?
RICHAlmostsure.
CROMWELLGetsure.(Resumespacingupsteps)No,it'snotlikethat,it'smuchmoreamatterof
convenience,administrativeconvenience.Thenormalaimofadministrationistokeepsteadythisfactor
ofconvenienceandSirThomaswouldagree.Nownormallywhenamanwantstochangehiswoman,
youlethimifit'sconvenientandpreventhimifit'snotnormallyindeedit'sofsolittleimportancethat
youleaveittothepriests.Buttheconstantfactoristhiselementofconvenience.
RICHWhoseconvenience?(CROMWELLStops)
CROMWELL(Sits)Oh,ours.Buteverybody'stoo.However,inthepresentinstancethemanwhowants
tochangehiswomanisourSovereignLord,Harry,bytheGraceofGod,theEighthofthatname.Which
isaquaintwayofsayingthatifhewantstochangehiswomanhewill.(Herisesandwalksbacktowards
RICH)Sothatbecomestheconstantfactor.Andourjobasadministratorsistomakeitasconvenientas
wecan.Isay"our"job,ontheassumptionthatyou'lltakethispost atYorkI'veofferedyou?
(MakesRICHmoveover)
RICHYes...yes,yes.(Butheseemsgloomy)
CROMWELL(Sits.
Sharply)
It's
abad
sign
when
people
are
depressed
by
their
own
good
fortune.
RICH(Defensively)I'mnotdepressed!
CROMWELLYoulookdepressed.
RICH(Hastilybuffooning)I'mlamenting.I'velostmyinnocence.
CROMWELLYoulostthatsometimeago.Ifyou'veonlyjustnoticed,itcan'thavebeenveryimportantto
you.
RICH(Muchstruck)That'strue!Whythat'strue,itcan't!
CROMWELLWeexperienceasenseofrelease,dowe,MasterRich?Anunfamiliarfreshnessinthehead,
asofopenair?
RICH(Takesthewine)CollectorofRevenuesisn'tbad!
CROMWELLNotbadforastart.(HewatchesRICHdrink)NowourpresentLordChancellorthere'san
innocentman.
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RICH(Indulgently)Theoddthingisheis.
CROMWELL(Looksathimwithdislike)Yes,Isayheis.(Withthelighttoneagain)Thetroubleis,his
innocenceistangledinthispropositionthatyoucan'tchangeyourwomanwithoutadivorce,andcan't
haveadivorceunlessthePopesaysso.AndalthoughhispresentHolinessisjudgedevenbythemost
liberalstandards
astrikingly
corrupt
old
person,
yet
he
still
has
this
word
"Pope"
attached
to
him.
And
fromthisquitemeaninglesscircumstanceIfearsomedegreeof...
RICH(Pleased,wavinghiscup)Administrativeinconvenience.
CROMWELL(Noddingastoawordperfectpupil)Justso.(Deadpan)Thisgobletthathegaveyou,how
muchwasitworth?(RICHlooksdown.Quitegently)Comealong,Rich,hegaveyouasilvergoblet.How
muchdidyougetforit?
RICHFiftyshillings.
CROMWELLCouldyoutakemetotheshop?
RICHYes.
CROMWELLWheredidhegetit?(Noreply.RICHputsthecupdown)Itwasagiftfromalitigant,a
woman,wasn'tit?
RICHYes.
CROMWELLWhichcourt?Chancery?(Takesthebottle;restrainsRICHfromfillinghisglass)No,don'tget
drunk.Inwhichcourtwasthislitigant'scase?
RICHCourt
of
Requests.
CROMWELL(Grunts,hisfaceabstracted.BecomingawareofRICH'sregard,hesmiles)There,that
wasn'ttoopainful,wasit?
RICH(Laughingalittleandalittlerueful)No!
CROMWELL(Spreadinghishands)That'sallthereis.Andyou'llfinditeasiernexttime.
RICH(Looksupbriefly,unhappily)Whatapplicationdotheyhave,thesetidbitsofinformationyou
collect?
CROMWELLNone
at
all,
usually.
RICH(Stubbornly,notlookingup)Butsometimes.
CROMWELLWell,therearethesemenyouknow"upright,""steadfast,"menwhowantthemselvesto
betheconstantfactorinthesituation;which,ofcourse,theycan'tbe.Thesituationrollsforwardinany
case.
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RICH(Stillstubbornly)Sowhathappens?
CROMWELL(Notlikinghistone,coldly)Ifthey'veanysensetheygetoutofitsway.
RICHWhatiftheyhaven'tanysense?
CROMWELL(Still
coldly)
What,
none
at
all?
Well,
then
they're
only
fit
for
Heaven.
But
Sir
Thomas
has
plentyofsense;hecouldbefrightened
RICH(Looksup,hisfacenasty)Don'tforgethe'saninnocent,MasterCromwell.
CROMWELLIthinkwe'llfinishtherefortonight.Afterall,heistheLordChancellor.(Going)
RICHYouwouldn'tfindhimeasytofrighten!(CROMWELLexits.Hecallsafterhim)You'vemistakenyour
manthistime!Hedoesn'tknowhowtobefrightened!
CROMWELL(Returning.RICHrisesathisapproach)Doesn't
knowhowtobefrightened?Why,thenheneverputhishandinacandle...Didhe?
(AndseizingRICHbythewristheholdshishandinthecandleflame)
RICH(Screechesanddartsback,hugginghishandinhisarmpit,regardingCROMWELLwithhorror)You
enjoyedthat!(CROMWELL'sdownturnedfaceisamazed.Triumphantly)Youenjoyedit!
Curtain
____________________________________________________________
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MORE(Glancesdownatit)I'vetoldyou.IfthebishopsinConvocationsubmittedthismorning,I'lltakeit
off...It'snodegradation.Greatmenhavewornthis.
ROPERWhend'youexpecttohearfromthebishops?
MOREAboutnow.Iwaspromisedanimmediatemessage.
ROPER(Recommencespacing)Idon'tseewhatdifferenceConvocationcanmake.TheChurchisalready
awingofthePalace,isitnot?TheKingisalreadyits"SupremeHead"!Ishenot?
MORENo.
ROPER(Startled)YouaredenyingtheActofSupremacy!
MORENo,I'mnot;theActstatesthattheKing
ROPERisSupremeHeadoftheChurchinEngland.
MORESupremeHeadoftheChurchinEngland (Underliningthewords)"sofarasthelawofGod
allows."HowfarthelawofGoddoesallowitremainsamatterofopinion,sincetheActdoesn'tstateit.
ROPERAlegalquibble.
MORECallitwhatyoulike,it'sthere,thankGod.
ROPERVerywell;inyouropinionhowfardoesthelawofGodallowthis?
MOREI'llkeepmyopiniontomyself,Will.
ROPERYes?
I'll
tell
you
mine
MOREDon't!Ifyouropinion'swhatIthinkitis,it'sHighTreason,Roper!(EnterMARGARETabove,
unseen)Willyourememberyou'veawifenow!Andmayhavechildren!
MARGARETWhymustherememberthat?
ROPERTokeepmyself"discreet."
MARGARET(Smiling)ThenI'dratheryouforgotit.
MORE(Unsmiling)Youareeitheridiots,orchildren.(EnterCHAPUYS,above)
CHAPUYS(VerySonorously)Orsaints,mylord!
MARGARETOh,Father,SignorChapuyshascometoseeyou.
MORE(Rising)YourExcellency.
CHAPUYS(StrikesposewithMARGARETandROPER)Orsaints,mylord;orsaints.
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MORE(GrinsmaliciouslyatROPER)That'sitofcoursesaints!Roperturnyourheadabityes,IthinkIdo
detectafaintradiance.(Reproachfully)Youshouldhavetoldus,Will.
CHAPUYSComecome,mylord;youtooatthistimearenotfreefromsomesuspicionofsaintliness.
MORE(Quietly)Idon'tlikethesoundofthat,YourExcellency.Whatdoyourequireofme?What,Your
Excellency?
CHAPUYS(Awkwardbeneathhissuddenkeenregard)MayInotcomesimplytopaymyrespectstothe
EnglishSocratesasIseeyourangelicfriendErasmuscallsyou.
MORE(Wrinklesnose)Yes,I'llthinkofsomethingpresentlytocallErasmus.(Checks)Socrates!I'veno
tasteforhemlock,YourExcellency,ifthat'swhatyourequire.
CHAPUYS(Withadisplayofhorror)Heavenforbid!
MORE(Dryly)Amen.
CHAPUYS(Spreadshands)MustIrequireanything?(Sonorously)Afterall,wearebrothersinChrist,you
andI!
MOREAcharacteristicwesharewiththerestofhumanity.YouliveinCheapside,Signor?Tomake
contactwithabrotherinChristyouhaveonlytoopenyourwindowandemptyachamberpot.There
wasnoneedtocometoChelsea.(CHAPUYStittersnervously.Coldly)William.TheSpanishAmbassador
ishereonbusiness.Wouldyoumind?
(ROPERandMARGARETbegintogo)
CHAPUYS(Rising,
unreal
protestations)
Oh
no!
Iprotest!
MOREHeisclearlyhereonbusiness.
CHAPUYSNo;butreally,Iprotest!(Itisnomorethantoken:whenROPERandMARGARETreachheado
fstairshecalls)Dominusvobiscumfiliimei!
ROPER(Pompously)Etcumspiritutuo,excellencis!(ExitROPERandMARGARET)
CHAPUYS(ApproachingMORE,thrillingly)Andhowmuchlongershallwehearthatholylanguagein
theseshores?
MORE(Alert,pokerfaced)'Tisn't"holy,"YourExcellency;justold.
(CHAPUYSsitswiththeairofonegettingdowntobrasstacks)
CHAPUYSMylord,Icannotbelieveyouwillallowyourselftobeassociatedwiththerecentactionsof
KingHenry!InrespectofQueenCatherine.
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MOREForwhat?
CHAPUYSResistance!
MORE(Softly,asbefore)Resistancebywhatmeans?(Suddenlyhisagitationmustfindexpression,ifonly
physical.Heisgalvanizedfromhisseatandashesuddenlystops,withhisbacktoCHAPUYSMORE'sface
iselectricallyalert.CHAPUYShearstheexcitementin:)Byforceofarms?
CHAPUYS(Almostsurethefishishooked,leaningforwardbutplayingitcool)WeareadjuredbySt.Paul
todonthearmsofGodwhentheoccasionwarrants.
MOREMetaphoricalarms.Thebreastplateofrighteousnessandthehelmetofsalvation.Doyoumeana
metaphoricalresistance?
(Indignationandfearmakehisvoicevibratewiththeexcitementofenthusiasm)
CHAPUYS(Intones)"Heshallfleetheironweapons,andthebowofsteelshallstrikehimthrough."
MORE(Thereisapausewhilehisagilemindscansthefullfrighteningimplicationsofthisforhimself;itis
almostwithastartofrecollectionthatherememberstoanswerCHAPUYSatall)Isee.
(EnterROPER,above,excited)
ROPERSirThomas!(MORElooksupangrily)Excuseme,sir(Indicatesoff)HisGracetheDukeofNorfolk
(MOREandCHAPUYSrise.ROPERexcitedlydescends)It'sallover,sir,they've
(EnterNORFOLKabove,ALICEandMARGARET,below)
NORFOLKOnemoment,Roper,I'lldothis!Thomas (SeesCHAPUYS)Oh.
(HestaresatCHAPUYShostilely)
CHAPUYSIwasonthepointofleaving,YourGrace.justapersonalcall.Ihavebeentrying...er,to
borrowabook...butwithoutsuccessyou'resureyouhavenocopy,mylord?ThenI'llleaveyou.
(Bowing)Gentlemen,ladies.
(Goingupthestairs,hestopsunnoticedasROPERspeaks)
ROPERSirThomas
NORFOLKI'll
do
it,
Roper!
Convocation's
knuckled
under,
Thomas.
They're
to
pay
afine
of
ahundred
thousandpounds.And...we'veseveredtheconnectionwithRome.
MORE(Smilingbitterly)"TheconnectionwithRome"isnice.(Bitterly)"TheconnectionwithRome."
ROPER(AddressingNorfolk,butlookingatMORE)YourGrace,thisisquitecertain,isit?
NORFOLKYes.(MOREputshishandtohischain.CHAPUYSexits.Allturn)Funnycompany,Thomas?
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MOREIt'squiteunintentional.Hedoesn'tmeantobefunny.
(Hefumbleswiththechain)Helpmewiththis.
NORFOLKNotI.
ROPER(Takes
astep
forward.
Then,
subdued)
Shall
I,sir?
MORENothankyou,Will.Alice?
ALICEHell'sfireGod'sBloodandBody,no!Sunandmoon,MasterMore,you'retakenforawiseman!Is
thiswisdomtobetrayyourability,abandonpractice,forgetyourstationandyourdutytoyourkinand
behavelikeaprintedbook!
MORE(Listensgravely;then)Margaret,willyou?
MARGARETIfyouwant.
MOREThere'smyclevergirl.(Shetakesitfromhisneck)
NORFOLKWell,Thomas,why?MakemeunderstandbecauseI'lltellyounow,fromwhereIstand,this
lookslikecowardice!
MORE(Excitedandangry)AllrightIwillthisisn't"Reformation,"thisiswaragainsttheChurch!...
(Indignant)OurKing,Norfolk,hasdeclaredwaronthePopebecausethePopewillnotdeclarethatour
Queenisnothiswife.
NORFOLKAndisshe?
MORE(With
cunning)
I'll
answer
that
question
for
one
person
only,
the
King.
Aye,
and
that
in
private
too.
NORFOLK(Contemptuously)Man,you'recautious.
MOREYes,cautious.I'mnotoneofyourhawks.
NORFOLK(Walksawayandturns)Allrightwe'reatwarwiththePope!ThePope'saPrince,isn'the?
MOREHeis.
NORFOLKAndabadone?
MOREBadenough.Butthetheoryisthathe'salsotheVicarofGod,thedescendantofSt.Peter,our
onlylinkwithChrist.
NORFOLK(Sneering)Atenuouslink.
MOREOh,tenuousindeed.
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MORETheChurchtheoldChurch,notthenewChurchisverystrongupthere.I'mserious,Howard,
keepaneyeontheborderthisnextspring;andbearinmindtheOldAlliance.
NORFOLK(Looksathim)Wewill.Wedo...AsfortheSpaniard,Thomas,it'llperhapsrelieveyourmind
toknowthatoneofSecretaryCromwell'sagentsmadethetourwithhim.
MOREOh.(Aflashofjealousy)OfcourseifMasterCromwellhasmattersinhand
NORFOLKHehas.
MOREYes,Icanimagine.
NORFOLKButthanksfortheinformation.(Goingupstairs)It'sgoodtoknowyoustillhavesomevestige
ofpatriotism.
MORE(Angrily)That'saremarkablystupidobservation,Norfolk!
(NORFOLKexits)
ALICESothere'sanendofyou.Whatwillyoudonowsitbythefireandmakegoslingsintheash?
MORENotatall,Alice,IexpectI'llwriteabit.(Hewoosthemwithunhappycheerfulness)I'llwrite,I'll
read,I'llthink.IthinkI'lllearntofish!I'llplaywithmygrandchildrenwhensonRoper'sdonehisduty.
(Eagerly)Alice,shallIteachyoutoread?
ALICENo,byGod!
MORESonRoper,you'repleasedwithmeIhope?
ROPER(Goes
to
him;
moved)
Sir,
you've
made
anoble
gesture.
MORE(Blankly)Agesture?(Eagerly)Itwasn'tpossibletocontinue,Will.Iwasnotabletocontinue.I
wouldhaveifIcould!Imakenogesture!(Apprehensive,looksafterNORFOLK)MyGod,Ihopeit's
understoodImakenogesture!(Heturnsbacktothem)Alice,youdon'tthinkIwoulddothistoyoufora
gesture!That'sagesture!(Thumbshisnose)That'sagesture!(Jerksuptwofingers)I'mnostreet
acrobattomakegestures!I'mpractical!
ROPERYoubelittleyourself,sir,thiswasnotpractical;(Resonantly)thiswasmoral!
MOREOh,nowIunderstandyou,Will.Morality'snotpractical.Morality'sagesture.Acomplicated
gesturelearned
from
books
that's
what
you
say,
Alice,
isn't
it?
...And
you,
Meg?
MARGARETItis,formostofus,Father.
MOREOhno,ifyou'regoingtopleadhumility!Oh,you'recruel.Ihaveacruelfamily.
ALICEYes,youcanfitthecaponanyoneyouwant,Iknowthatwellenough.Ifthere'scrueltyinthis
house,Iknowwheretolookforit.
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NORFOLKYes!Crankhemaybe,traitorheisnot.
CROMWELL(Spreadinghishands)Andwithalittlepressure,hecanbegottosayso.Andthat'sallwe
needabriefdeclarationofhisloyaltytothepresentadministration.
NORFOLKIstillsayletsleepingdogslie.
CROMWELL(Heavily)TheKingdoesnotagreewithyou.
NORFOLK(Glancesathim,flickers,butthenrallies)Whatkindof"pressure"d'youthinkyoucanbringto
bear?
CROMWELLIhaveevidencethatSirThomas,duringtheperiodofhisjudicature,acceptedbribes.
NORFOLK(Incredulous)What!Goddammit,hewastheonlyjudgesinceCatowhodidn'tacceptbribes!
WhenwastherelastaChancellorwhosepossessionsafterthreeyearsinofficetotaledonehundred
poundsandagoldchain.
CROMWELL(Ringshandbellandcalls)Richard!Itis,asyouimply,commonpractice,butapracticemay
becommonandremainanoffense;thisoffensecouldsendamantotheTower.
NORFOLK(Contemptuously)Idon'tbelieveit.
(EnteraWOMANandRICH,whomotionshertoremainandapproachesthetable,whereCROMWELL
indicatesaseat.RICHhasacquiredselfimportance)
CROMWELLAh,Richard.YouknowHisGrace,ofcourse.
RICH(Respectfulaffability)Indeedyes,we'reoldfriends.
NORFOLK(Savagesnub)Usedtolookaftermybooksorsomething,didn'tyou?
CROMWELL(ClickshisfingersatWOMAN)Comehere.Thiswoman'snameisCatherineAnger;she
comesfromLincoln.AndsheputacaseintheCourtofRequestsin(Consultsapaper)
WOMANApropertycase,itwas.
CROMWELLBequiet.ApropertycaseintheCourtofRequestsinApril,1526.
WOMANAndgotawickedfalsejudgment!
CROMWELLAndgotanimpeccablycorrectjudgmentfromourfriendSirThomas.
WOMANNo,sir,itwasnot!
CROMWELLWe'renotconcernedwiththejudgmentbutthegiftyougavethejudge.Tellthisgentleman
aboutthat.Thejudgment,forwhatit'sworth,wastherightone.
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WOMANNo,sir!(CROMWELLlooksather;shehastilyaddressesNORFOLK)Isenthimacup,sir,an
ItaliansilvercupIboughtinLincolnforahundredshillings.
AMANFORALLSEASONS
NORFOLKDidSirThomasacceptthiscup?
WOMANIsentit.
CROMWELLHedidacceptit,wecancorroboratethat.Youcango.(Sheopenshermouth)Go!(Exit
WOMAN)
NORFOLK(Scornfully)Isthatyourwitness?
CROMWELLNo;byanoddcoincidencethiscuplatercameintothehandsofMasterRichhere.
NORFOLKHOW?
RICHHegaveittome.
NORFOLK(Brutally)Canyoucorroboratethat?
CROMWELLIhaveafellowoutsidewhocan;hewasMoresstewardatthattime.ShallIcallhim?
NORFOLKDon'tbother,Iknowhim.WhendidThomasgiveyouthisthing?
RICHIdon'texactlyremember.
NORFOLKWell,makeaneffort.Wait!Icantellyou!Icantellyouitwasthatspringitwasthatnightwe
werethere
together.
You
had
acup
with
you
when
we
left;
was
that
it?
(Rica
looks
to
CROMWELL
for
guidancebutgetsnone)
RICHItmayhavebeen.
NORFOLKDidheoftengiveyoucups?
RICHIdon'tsupposeso,YourGrace.
NORFOLKThatwasitthen.(Newrealization)AnditwasApril!TheApriloftwentysix.Theverymonth
thatcowfirstputhercasebeforehim!(Triumphantly)Inotherwords,themomentheknewitwasa
bribe,hegotridofit.
CROMWELL(Noddingjudicially)Thefactswillbearthatinterpretation,Isuppose.
NORFOLKOh,thisisahorsethatwon'trun,MasterSecretary.
CROMWELLJustatrialcanter,YourGrace.We'llfindsomethingbetter.
NORFOLK(Betweenbullyingandpleading)Lookhere,Cromwell,Iwantnopartofthis.
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RICHWedon'trequireyouafterall,Matthew.
STEWARDNo,sir,butabout...
RICHOhyes....Well,Ibegintoneedasteward,certainly;myhouseholdisexpanding...(Sharply)But
asIremember,Matthew,yourattitudetomewassometimesdisrespectful!
(Thelastwordisshrill)
STEWARD(Withhumbledignity)Oh.Oh,Imustcontradictyouthere,sir;that'syourimagination.In
thosedays,sir,youstillhadyourwaytomake.Andagentlemaninthatpositionoftenimaginesthese
things.Thenwhenhe'sreachedhisproperlevel,sir,hestopsthinkingaboutthem.(Asifoffering
tangibleproof)WellIdon'tthinkyoufindpeople"disrespectful"nowadays,doyou,sir?
RICHTheremaybesomethinginthat.Bringmypapers.(Going,heturnsattheexitandanxiouslyscans
STEWARD'sfaceforsignsofimpudence)I'llpermitnobreathofinsolence!
STEWARD(The
very
idea
is
shocking)
Ishould
hope
not,
sir.
(Exit
RICH)
Oh,
Ican
manage
this
one!
He's
justmysize!(Lightingchangessothatthesetlooksdrabandchilly)SirThomasMoresagain.Gonedown
abit.
(ExitCOMMONMAN.EnterCHAPUYSandATTENDANT,cloaked.ALICEentersabovewearingabig
coarseapronoverherdress)
ALICEMyhusbandiscomingdown,YourExcellency.
CHAPUYSThankyou,madam.
ALICEAnd
Ibeg
you
to
be
gone
before
he
does!
CHAPUYS(Patiently)Madam,IhaveaRoyalCommissiontoperform.
ALICEAye.Yousaidso.
(ALICEexits)
CHAPUYSForsheerbarbarity,commendmetoagoodheartedEnglishwomanofacertainclass....
(Wrapscloakabouthim)
ATTENDANTIt's
very
cold,
Excellency.
CHAPUYSIrememberwhentheseroomswerewarmenough.
ATTENDANT(Lookingabout)"ThusitistoincurtheenmityofaKing."
CHAPUYSAhereticKing.(Lookingabout)Yes,SirThomasisagoodman.
ATTENDANTYes,Excellency,IlikeSirThomasverymuch.
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CHAPUYSCarefully,carefully.
ATTENDANTItisuncomfortabledealingwithhim,isn'tit?
CHAPUYS(Smilinglypatronizing)Goodnesscanbeadifficulty.
ATTENDANT(Somewhat
shocked)
Excellency?
CHAPUYS(Recoversinstantlyhisofficialgravity)Inthelongrun,ofcourse,allgoodmeneverywhereare
alliesofSpain.Nogoodmancannotbe,andnomanwhoisnotcanbegood...
ATTENDANTThenheisreallyforus.
CHAPUYS(Stillgraciouslyinstructing)HeisopposedtoCromwell,ishenot?
ATTENDANT(Smilingback)Oh,yes,Excellency.
CHAPUYS(Asagenteelcardplayer,primlytriumphant,producestheaceoftrumps)Ifhe'sopposedto
Cromwell,he'sforus.(Noanswer;alittlemoresharply)There'snothirdalternative?
ATTENDANTIsupposenot,Excellency.
CHAPUYS(Rideshimdown,triedbeyondallbearing)OhIwishyourmotherhadchosensomeother
careerforyou.You'venopoliticalsensewhatever!(EnterMote,)SirThomas!(Goestohim,solemnly
andaffectionatelyplaceshandsonhisshoulders,gazingintohiseyes)Ah,SirThomas,inabetterstate
thisthreadbarestuffwillmetamorphoseintoshininggarments,thesedankwallstowallsofpearl,this
coldlighttoperpetualsunshine.
(HebendsuponMOREamelancholylookofadmiration)
MORE(Asyetquitefriendly,smilesquizzically)ItsoundsnotunlikeMadrid...?
CHAPUYS(Throwsuphishandsdelightedly)Evenintimeslikethis,evennow,apleasuretoconverse
withyou.
MORE(Chucklesalittle,takesCHAPUYSbythewrist,wagglesitalittleandthenreleasesitasthoughto
indicatethatpleasantriesmustnowend)Isthisanother"personal"visit,Chapuys,orisitofficial?
CHAPUYSItfallsbetweenthetwo,SirThomas.
MORE(Reaching
the
bottom
ofstairs)
Official
then.
CHAPUYSNo,Ihaveapersonalletterforyou.
MOREFromwhom?
CHAPUYSMymaster,theKingofSpain.(MOREputshishandsbehindhisback)Youwilltakeit?
MOREIwillnotlayafingeronit.
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CHAPUYSItisinnowayanaffairofState.Itexpressesmymaster'sadmirationforthestandwhichyou
andBishopFisherofRochesterhavetakenoverthesocalleddivorceofQueenCatherine.
MOREIhavetakennostand!
CHAPUYSButyourviews,SirThomas,arewellknown
MOREMyviewsaremuchguessedat.(Irritably)Ohcome,sir,couldyouundertaketoconvince(Grimly)
KingHarrythatthisletteris"innowayanaffairofState?"
CHAPUYSMydearSirThomas,Ihavetakenextremeprecautions.Icamehereverymuchincognito.(A
selfindulgentchuckle)Verynearlyindisguise.
MOREYoumisunderstandme.Itisnotamatterofyourprecautionsbutmyduty,whichwouldbeto
takethisletterimmediatelytotheKing.
CHAPUYS(Flabbergasted)But,SirThomas,yourviews
MORE(Withtheheatoffearbehindit)Arewellknownyousay.ItseemsmyloyaltytomyKingislessso!
CHAPUYS(Glibly)"RenderuntoCaesarthethingswhichareCaesar's (Heraisesareprovingfinger)But
untoGod"
MOREStop!(Hewalksabout,suppressinghisagitation,andthenasonewhoexcusesadisplayofbad
manners)Holywritisholy,Excellency.
(EnterMARGARETbearingbeforeherahugebundleofbracken.Theentryofthebrackenaffordshima
furtheropportunitytocollecthimself)
MARGARETLook,Father!(Shedumpsit)Will'sgettingmore.
MOREOh,welldone!(Thisisnotwhimsy;they'recoldandtheirinterestinfuelisserious)Isitdry?(He
feelsitexpertly)Ohitis.(SeesCHAPUYSstaring;laughs)It'sbracken,YourExcellency.Weburnit.(Enter
ALICE)Alice,lookatthis.
ALICE(EyingCHAPUYS)Aye.
MORE(CrossingtoCHAPUYS)MayI?(TakesthelettertoALICEandMARGARET)Thisisaletterfromthe
KingofSpain;Iwantyoutoseeit'snotbeenopened.Ihavedeclinedit.Youseethesealhasnotbeen
broken?(Returningitt0CHAPUYS)IwishIcouldaskyoutostay,YourExcellencythebrackenfireisa
luxury.
CHAPUYS(Withacoldsmile)OneImustforgo.(Asidet0ATTENDANT)Come.(Crossestoexit,pauses)
MayIsayIamsuremymaster'sadmirationwillnotbediminished.(Bows,noncommittally)Ladies.
MOREI'mgratified.
CHAPUYS(Bowstothem,theladiescurtsy)Theman'sutterlyunreliable.
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(ExitCHAPUYSandATTENDANT)
ALICE(Afteralittlesilencehicksthebracken)"Luxury"!(Shesitswearilyonthebundle)
MOREWell,it'saluxurywhileitlasts...There'snotmuchsportinitforyou,isthere?(Sheneither
answersnorlooksathimfromthedepthsofherfatigue.Afteramoment'shesitationhebraceshimself)
Alice,themoneyfromthebishops.Ican'ttakeit.Iwishoh,heaven,howIwishIcould!ButIcan't.
ALICE(Asonewhohasceasedtoexpectanything)Ididn'tthinkyouwould.
MORE(Reproachfully)Alice,therearereasons.
ALICEWecouldn'tcomesodeepintoyourconfidenceastoknowthesereasonswhyamaninpoverty
can'ttakefourthousandpounds?
MORE(Gentlybutveryfirmly)Alice,thisisn'tpoverty.
ALICED'you
know
what
we
shall
eat
tonight?
MORE(Tryingforasmile)Yes,parsnips.
ALICEYes,parsnipsandstinkingmutton!(Straightathim)Foraknight'slady!
MORE(Pleading)Butattheworst,wecouldbebeggars,andstillkeepcompany,andbemerrytogether!
ALICE(Bitterly)Merry!
MORE(Sternly)Aye,merry!
MARGARET(Her
arm
about
her
mother's
waist)
Ithink
you
should
take
that
money.
MOREOh,don'tyousee?(Hesitsbythem)IfI'mpaidbytheChurchformywritings
ALICEThishadnothingtodowithyourwritings!Thiswascharitypureandsimple!Collectedfromthe
clergyhighandlow!
MOREItwouldappearaspayment.
ALICEYou'renotamanwhodealsinappearances!
MORE(Fervently)Oh,amInotthough....(Calmly)IftheKingtakesthismatteranyfurther,withmeor
withthe
Church,
it
will
be
very
bad,
ifIeven
appear
to
have
been
in
the
pay
of
the
Church.
ALICE(Sharply)Bad?
MOREIfyouwillhaveit,dangerous.
MARGARETButyoudon'twriteagainsttheKing.
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MOREShewasignorantandmisguided;shewasabitmad,Ithink.Andshehaspaidforherfolly.
NaturallyIsympathizewithher.
CROMWELL(Grunts)Youadmitmeetingher.YoumetherandyetyoudidnotwarnHisMajestyofher
treason.Howwasthat?
MOREShespokenotreason.Ourconversationwasnotpolitical.
CROMWELLMydearMore,thewomanwasnotorious!Doyouexpectmetobelievethat?
MOREHappilytherearewitnesses.
CROMWELLYouwrotealettertoher?
MOREYes,IwroteadvisinghertoabstainfrommeddlingwiththeaffairsofPrincesandtheState.Ihave
acopyofthisletteralsowitnessed.
CROMWELLYou
have
been
cautious.
MOREIliketokeepmyaffairsregular.
CROMWELLSirThomas,thereisamoreseriouscharge
MORECharge?
CROMWELLForwantofabetterword.IntheMayof1526theKingpublishedabook.(Hepermits
himselfalittlesmile)Atheologicalwork.ItwascalledADefenceoftheSevenSacraments.
MOREYes.(Bitterly)Forwhichhewasnamed"DefenderoftheFaith,"byHisHolinessthePope.
CROMWELLBytheBishopofRome.Ordoyouinsiston"Pope"?
MORENo,"BishopofRome"ifyoulike.Itdoesn'talterhisauthority.
CROMWELLThankyou,youcometothepointveryreadily;whatisthatauthority?Asregardsthe
ChurchinEurope;(Approaching)forexample,theChurchinEngland.WhatexactlyistheBishopof
Rome'sauthority?
MOREYouwillfinditveryablysetoutanddefended,MasterSecretary,intheKing'sbook.
CROMWELLThebookpublishedundertheKing'snamewouldbemoreaccurate.Youwrotethatbook.
MOREIwrotenopartofit.
CROMWELLIdonotmeanyouactuallyheldthepen.
MOREImerelyansweredtothebestofmyabilitycertainquestionsoncanonlawwhichHisMajestyput
tome.AsIwasboundtodo.
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(MOREcarrieson,andexits)Idon'tlikehimsowellasIdid.There'samanwhoraisesthegaleandwon't
comeoutoftheharbor.
RICH(Acovertjeer)Doyoustillthinkyoucanfrightenhim?
CROMWELLOh,yes.
RICH(Givenpause)Whatwillyoudo?
CROMWELLWe'llputsomethinginthecupboard.
RICH(Nowdefinitelyuneasy)What?
CROMWELL(Astoanimportunatechild)Whatever'snecessary.TheKing'samanofconscienceandhe
wantseitherSirThomasMoretoblesshismarriageorSirThomasMoredestroyed.
RICH(Shakily)Theyseemoddalternatives,Secretary.
CROMWELLDothey?That'sbecauseyou'renotamanofconscience.IftheKingdestroysaman,that's
prooftotheKingthatitmusthavebeenabadman,thekindofmanamanofconscienceoughtto
destroyandofcourseabadman'sblessing'snotworthhaving.Soeitherwilldo.
RICH(Subdued)Isee.
CROMWELLOh,there'snogoingback,Rich.Ifindwe'vemadeourselvesthekeepersofthisconscience.
Andit'sravenous.(ExitCROMWELLandRICH.EnterMORE.COMMONMANenters,removesacloth,
hearsMORE,shakeshead,exits)
MORE(Calling)Boat!...Boat!...(Tohimself)Oh,comealong,it'snotasbadasthat....(Calls)Boat!
(EnterNORFOLK.Hestops.Turning,pleased)Howard!...Ican'tgethome.Theywon'tbringmeaboat.
NORFOLKDoyoublamethem?
MOREIsitasbadasthat?
NORFOLKIt'severybitasbadasthat!
MORE(Gravely)Thenit'sgoodofyoutobeseenwithme.
NORFOLK(Lookingback,off)Ifollowedyou.
MORE(Surprised)Wereyoufollowed?
NORFOLKProbably.(Facinghim)SolistentowhatIhavetosay:You'rebehavinglikeafool.You're
behavinglikeacrank.You'renotbehavinglikeagentleman Allright,thatmeansnothingtoyou;but
whataboutyourfriends?
MOREWhataboutthem?
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NORFOLK(Looksathim)Aseatfortheprisoner.(WhileJAILERbringsastoolfromunderthestairsand
MOREsitsonit,NORFOLKrattlesoff)ThisistheSeventhCommissiontoinquireintothecaseofSir
ThomasMore,appointedbyHisMajesty'sCouncil.Haveyouanythingtosay?
MORENo.(ToJAILER)Thankyou.
NORFOLK(Sittingback)MasterSecretary.
CROMWELLSirThomas (Hebreaksoff)Dothewitnessesattend?
RICHSecretary.
JAILERSir.
CROMWELL(ToJAILER)Nearer!(Headvancesabit)Comewhereyoucanhear!(JAILERtakesupstance
byRICH.ToMORE)SirThomas,youhaveseenthisdocumentbefore?
MOREMany
times.
CROMWELLItistheActofSuccession.Thesearethenamesofthosewhohavesworntoit.
WOREIhave,asyousay,seenitbefore.
CROMWELLWillyousweartoit?
MORENo.
NORFOLKThomas,wemustknowplainly
CROMWELL(Throws
down
document)
Your
Grace,
please!
NORFOLKMasterCromwell!
(Theyregardoneanotherinhatred)
CROMWELLIbegYourGrace'spardon.
(Sighing,restshisheadinhishands)
NORFOLKThomas,wemustknowplainlywhetheryourecognizetheoffspringofQueenAnneasheirsto
HisMajesty.
MORETheKinginParliamenttellsmethattheyare.OfcourseIrecognizethem.
NORFOLKWillyouswearthatyoudo?
MOREYes.
NORFOLKThenwhywon'tyousweartotheAct?
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CROMWELL(Impatiently)BecausethereismorethanthatintheAct.
NORFOLKIsthatit?
MORE(Afterapause)Yes.
NORFOLKThen
we
must
find
out
what
it
is
in
the
Act
that
he
objects
to!
CROMWELLBrilliant.(NORFOLKroundsonhim)God'swounds!
CRANMER(Hastily)YourGrace MayItry?
NORFOLKCertainly.I'venopretensiontobeanexpertinpolicework.
(DuringthenextspeechCROMWELLstraightensupandfoldsarmsresignedly)
CRANMER(Clearshisthroatfussily)SirThomas,itstatesinthepreamblethattheKing'sformer
marriage,totheLadyCatherine,wasunlawful,shebeingpreviouslyhisbrother'swifeandtheer"Pope"
havingnoauthoritytosanctionit.(Gently)Isthatwhatyoudeny?(Noreply)Isthatwhatyoudispute?
(Noreply)Isthatwhatyouarenotsureof?(Noreply)
NORFOLKThomas,youinsulttheKingandHisCouncilinthepersonoftheLordArchbishop!
MOREIinsultnoone.Iwillnottaketheoath.IwillnottellyouwhyIwillnot.
NORFOLKThenyourreasonsmustbetreasonable!
MORENot"mustbe";maybe.
NORFOLKIt's
afair
assumption!
MOREThelawrequiresmorethananassumption;thelawrequiresafact.
(CROMWELLlooksathimandawayagain)
CRANMERIcannotjudgeyourlegalstandinginthecase;butuntilIknowthegroundofyourobjections,
Icanonlyguessyourspiritualstandingtoo.
MORE(Forasecondfuriouslyaffronted;thenhumorovertakeshim)Ifyou'rewillingtoguessatthat,
YourGrace,itshouldbeasmallmattertoguessmyobjections.
CROMWELL(Quickly)
You
do
have
objections
to
the
Act?
NORFOLK(Happily)Well,weknowthat,Cromwell!
MOREYoudon't,mylord.YoumaysupposeIhaveobjections.AllyouknowisthatIwillnotsweartoit.
Fromsheerdelighttogiveyoutroubleitmightbe.
NORFOLKIsitmaterialwhyyouwon't?
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MOREIt'smostmaterial.Forrefusingtoswear,mygoodsareforfeitandIamcondemnedtolife
imprisonment.Youcannotlawfullyharmmefurther.ButifyouwererightinsupposingIhadreasonsfor
refusingandrightagaininsupposingmyreasonstobetreasonable,thelawwouldletyoucutmyhead
off.
NORFOLK(He
has
followed
with
some
difficulty)
Oh
yes.
CROMWELL(Anadmiringmurmur)Oh,welldone,SirThomas.I'vebeentryingtomakethatcleartoHis
Graceforsometime.
NORFOLK(Hardlyrespondstotheinsult;hisfaceisgloomyanddisgusted)Oh,confoundallthis...
(Withrealdignity)I'mnotascholar,asMasterCromwellnevertiresofpointingout,andfranklyIdon't
knowwhetherthemarriagewaslawfulornot.Butdamnit,Thomas,lookatthosenames...Youknow
thosemen!Can'tyoudowhatIdid,andcomewithus,forfellowship?
MORE(Moved)AndwhenwestandbeforeGod,andyouaresenttoParadisefordoingaccordingto
yourconscience,
and
Iam
damned
for
not
doing
according
to
mine,
will
you
come
with
me,
for
fellowship?
CRANMERSothoseofuswhosenamesaretherearedamned,SirThomas?
MOREIdon'tknow,YourGrace.Ihavenowindowtolookintoanotherman'sconscience.Icondemnno
one.
CRANMERThenthematteriscapableofquestion?
MORECertainly.
CRANMERBut
that
you
owe
obedience
to
your
King
is
not
capable
of
question.
So
weigh
adoubt
against
acertaintyandsign.
MORESomementhinktheEarthisround,othersthinkitflat;itisamattercapableofquestion.Butifit
isflat,willtheKing'scommandmakeitround?Andifitisround,willtheKing'scommandflattenit?No,I
willnotsign.
CROMWELL(Leapingup,withceremonialindignation)Thenyouhavemoreregardtoyourowndoubt
thanyouhavetohiscommand!
MOREFormyself,Ihavenodoubt.
CROMWELLNodoubtofwhat?
MORENodoubtofmygroundsforrefusingthisoath.GroundsIwilltelltotheKingalone,andwhich
you,MasterSeretary,willnottrickoutofme.
NORFOLKThomas
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MOREOh,gentlemen,can'tIgotobed?
CROMWELLYoudon'tseemtoappreciatetheseriousnessofyourposition.
MOREIdefyanyonetoliveinthatcellforayearandnotappreciatetheseriousnessofhisposition.
CROMWELLYet
the
State
has
harsher
punishments.
MOREYouthreatenlikeadocksidebully.
CROMWELLHowshouldIthreaten?
MORELikeaMinisterofState,withjustice!
CROMWELLOh,justiceiswhatyou'rethreatenedwith.
MOREThenI'mnotthreatened.
NORFOLKMaster
Secretary,
Ithink
the
prisoner
may
retire
as
he
requests.
Unless
you,
my
lord
CRANMER(Pettishly)No,Iseenopurposeinprolongingtheinterview.
NORFOLKThengoodnight,Thomas.
MORE(Hesitates)MightIhaveoneortwomorebooks?
CROMWELLYouhavebooks?
MOREYes.
CROMWELLIdidn't
know;
you
shouldn't
have.
MORE(Turnstogo,pauses.Desperately)MayIseemyfamily?
CROMWELLNo!(MOREreturnstocell)Jailer!
JAILERSir!
CROMWELLHaveyoueverheardtheprisonerspeakoftheKing'sdivorce,ortheKing'sSupremacyof
theChurch,ortheKing'smarriage?
JAILERNo,sir,notaword.
CROMWELLIfhedoes,youwillofcoursereportittotheLieutenant.
JAILEROfcourse,sir.
CROMWELLYouwillswearanoathtothateffect.
JAILER(Cheerfully)Certainly,sir!
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CROMWELLArchbishop?
CRANMER(Layingthecrossofhisvestmentonthetable)Placeyourlefthandonthisandraiseyour
righthandtakeyourhatoff Nowsayafterme:Iswearbymyimmortalsoul (JAILER,overlapping,
repeatstheoathwithhim)thatIWillreporttrulyanythingsaidbySirThomasMoreagainsttheKing,
theCouncil
or
the
State
of
the
Realm.
So
help
me
God.
Amen.
JAILER(Overlapping)SohelpmeGod.Amen.
CROMWELLAndthere'sfiftyguineasinitifyoudo.
JAILER(Looksathimgravely)Yes,sir.
(Hegoes)
CRANMER(Hastily)That'snottotemptyouintoperjury,myman!
JAILERNo,
sir!
(At
exit
he
pauses;
to
audience)
Fifty
guineas
isn't
tempting;
fifty
guineas
is
alarming.
If
he'dleftitatswearing...Butfifty That'sseriousmoney.Ifit'sworththatmuchnowit'sworthmyneck
presently.(Withdecision)Iwantnopartofit.Theycansortitoutbetweenthem.Ifeelmydeafness
comingon.
(ExitJAILER.TheCommissionrises)
CROMWELLRich!
RICHSecretary?
CROMWELLTomorrowmorning,removetheprisoner'sbooks.
NORFOLKIsthatnecessary?
CROMWELL(Suppressedexasperation)Norfolk.Withregardsthiscase,theKingisbecomingimpatient.
NORFOLKAye,withyou.
CROMWELLWithallofus.(Hewalksovertotherack)YouknowtheKing'simpatience,how
commodiousitis!
(NORFOLKandCRANMERexit.CROMWELLisbroodingovertheinstrumentoftorture)
RICHSecretary!
CROMWELL(Abstracted)Yes...
RICHSirRedversLlewellynhasretired.
CROMWELL(Notlistening)Mm...
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RICH(Goestotheotherendoftherackandfaceshim.Withsomeindignation)TheAttorneyGeneralfor
Wales.Hispostisvacant.YousaidImightapproachyou.
CROMWELL(Contemptuousimpatience)Oh,notnow...(Broods)Hemustsubmit,thealternativesare
bad.WhileMore'salivetheKing'sconsciencebreaksintofreshstinkingflowerseverytimehegetsfrom
bed.And
if
Ibring
about
More's
death
Iplant
my
own,
Ithink.
There's
no
other
good
solution!
He
must
submit!(Hewhirlsthewindlassoftherack,producingastartlingclatterfromtheratchet.Theylookat
eachother.Heturnsitagainslowly,shakeshisheadandletsgo)No;theKingwillnotpermitit.(He
walksaway)Wehavetofindsomegentlerway.
(Thescenechangecommencesashesaysthis,andexitRICHandCROMWELL.Fromnightitbecomes
morning,coldgraylightfromoffthegraywater.EnterJAILERandMARGARET)
JAILERWakeup,SirThomas!Yourfamily'shere!
MORE(Startingup.Agreatcry)Margaret!What'sthis?Youcanvisitme?(Thrustshisarmsthroughthe
cage)Meg.
Meg.
(She
goes
to
him.
Then
horrified)
For
God's
sake,
Meg,
they've
not
put
you
in
here?
JAILER(Reassuringly)Nooo,sir.Justavisit;ashortone.
MORE(Excited)Jailer,jailer,letmeoutofthis.
JAILERYes,sir.I'mallowedtoletyouout.
MOREThankyou.(Goestothedoorofthecage,gabblingwhileJAILERunlocksit)Thankyou,thankyou.
(Hecomesout.Heandsheregardeachother;thenshedropsintoacurtsy)
MARGARETGood
morning,
Father.
MORE(Ecstatic,wrapshertohim)Oh,goodmorning Goodmorning.(EnterALICE,supportedbyROPER.
She,likeMORE,hasagedandispoorlydressed)Goodmorning,Alice.Goodmorning,Will.
(ROPERisstaringattherackinhorror.ALICEapproachesMOREandpeersathimtechnically)
ALICE(Almostaccusatory)Husband,howdoyoudo?
MORE(SmilingoverMARGARET)Aswellasneedbe,Alice.Veryhappynow.Will?
ROPERThisisanawfulplace!
MOREExceptit'skeepingmefromyou,mydears,it'snotsobad.Remarkablylikeanyotherplace.
ALICE(Looksupcritically)Itdrips!
MOREYes.Tooneartheriver.(ALICEgoesapartandsits,herfacebitter)
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MARGARET(Disengagesfromhim,takesbasketfromhermother)We'vebroughtyousomethings.
(Showshim.Thereisconstraintbetweenthem)Somecheese...
MORECheese.
MARGARETAndacustard...
MOREAcustard!
MARGARETAnd,theseotherthings...(Shedoesn'tlookathim)
ROPERAndabottleofwine.
(Offeringit)
MOREOh.(Mischievously)Isitgood,sonRoper?
ROPERIdon'tknow,sir.
MORE(Looksatthem,puzzled)Well.
ROPERSir,comeout!SweartotheAct!Taketheoathandcomeout!
MOREIsthiswhytheyletyoucome?
ROPERYes...Meg'sunderoathtopersuadeyou.
MORE(Coldly)Thatwassilly,Meg.Howdidyoucometodothat?
MARGARETIwantedto!
MOREYouwantmetosweartotheActofSuccession?
MARGARET"Godmoreregardsthethoughtsoftheheartthanthewordsofthemouth."Orsoyou've
alwaystoldme.
MOREYes.
MARGARETThensaythewordsoftheoathandinyourheartthinkotherwise.
MOREWhatisanoaththenbutwordswesaytoGod?
MARGARETThat'sveryneat.
MOREDoyoumeanitisn'ttrue?
MARGARETNo,it'strue.
MOREThenit'sapoorargumenttocallit"neat,"Meg.Whenamantakesanoath,Meg,he'sholdinghis
ownselfinhisownhands.Likewater.(Hecupshishands)Andifheopenshisfingersthenheneedn't
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hopetofindhimselfagain.Somemenaren'tcapableofthis,butI'dbeloathetothinkyourfatheroneof
them.
MARGARETInanyStatethatwashalfgood,youwouldberaiseduphigh,nothere,forwhatyou'vedone
already.It'snotyourfaulttheState'sthreequartersbad.Thenifyouelecttosufferforit,youelect
yourselfahero.
MOREThat'sveryneat.Butlooknow...IfwelivedinaStatewherevirtuewasprofitable,common
sensewouldmakeusgood,andgreedwouldmakeussaintly.Andwe'dlivelikeanimalsorangelsinthe
happylandthatneedsnoheroes.Butsinceinfactweseethatavarice,anger,envy,pride,sloth,lustand
stupiditycommonlyprofitfarbeyondhumility,chastity,fortitude,justiceandthought,andhaveto
choose,tobehumanatall...whythenperhapswemuststandfastalittleevenattheriskofbeing
heroes.
MARGARET(Emotionally)Butinreason!Haven'tyoudoneasmuchasGodcanreasonablywant?
MOREWell
...finally
...it
isn't
amatter
of
reason;
finally
it's
amatter
of
love.
ALICE(Hostile)You'recontent,then,tobeshutupherewithmiceandratswhenyoumightbehome
withus!
MORE(Flinching)Content?Ifthey'dopenacrackthatwide(Betweenfingerandthumb)I'dbethrough
it.(ToMARGARET)Well,hasEverunoutofapples?
MARGARETI'venotyettoldyouwhatthehouseislike,withoutyou.
MOREDon't,Meg.
MARGARETWhat
we
do
in
the
evenings,
now
that
you're
not
there.
MOREMeg,havedone!
MARGARETWesitinthedarkbecausewe'venocandles.Andwe'venotalkbecausewe'rewondering
whatthey'redoingtoyouhere.
MORETheKing'smoremercifulthanyou.Hedoesn'tusetherack.
(EnterJAILER)
JAILERTwominutestogo,sir.Ithoughtyou'dliketoknow.
MORETwominutes!
JAILERTillseveno'clock,sir.Sorry.Twominutes.(ExitJAILER)
MOREJailer!(SeizesROPERbythearm)Willgotohim,talktohim,keephimoccupied
(PropellinghimafterJAILER)
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ROPERHow,sir?
MOREAnyhow!Haveyougotanymoney?
ROPER(Eagerly)Yes!
MORENo,
don't
try
and
bribe
him!
Let
him
play
for
it;
he's
got
apair
of
dice.
And
talk
to
him,
you
understand!Andtakethis (Hehandshimthewine)andmindyoushareitdoitproperly,Will!(ROPER
nodsvigorouslyandexits)Nowlisten,youmustleavethecountry.Allofyoumustleavethecountry.
MARGARETAndleaveyouhere?
MOREItmakesnodifference,Meg;theywon'tletyouseemeagain.(Breathlessly,apreparedspeech
underpressure)Youmustallgoonthesameday,butnotonthesameboat;differentboatsfrom
differentports
MARGARETAfterthetrial,then.
MOREThere'llbenotrial,theyhavenocase.Dothisforme,Ibeseechyou?
MARGARETYes.
MOREAlice?(Sheturnsherback)Alice,Icommandyou!
ALICE(Harshly)Right!
MORE(Looksintothebasket)Oh,thisissplendid;Iknowwhopackedthis.
ALICE(Harshly)Ipackedit.
MOREYes.(Heeatsamorsel)Youstillmakesuperlativecustard,Alice.
ALICEDoI?
MOREThat'sanicedressyouhaveon.
ALICEIt'smycookingdress.
MOREIt'sveryniceanyway.Nicecolor.
ALICE(Turns.Quietly)ByGod,youthinkverylittleofme.
(Mountingbitterness)IknowI'mafool.ButI'mnosuchfoolasatthistimetobelamentingformy
dresses!Ortorelishcomplimentingonmycustard!
MORE(Regardingherwithfrozenattention.Henodsonceortwice)Iamwellrebuked.(Heholdsouthis
hands)Al
ALICENo!(Sheremainswheresheis,glaringathim)
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MORE(Heisingreatfearofher)IamfaintwhenIthinkoftheworstthattheymaydotome.Butworse
thant