a man for all seasons - a play by robert bolt

7/23/2019 A Man for All Seasons - a play by Robert Bolt

1/88

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!


2/88

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.


3/88

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.


4/88

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


5/88


6/88

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)


7/88


8/88


9/88

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.


10/88

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?


11/88

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


12/88


13/88

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)


14/88

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?


15/88

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)


16/88


17/88


18/88

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.


19/88


20/88

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


21/88


22/88


23/88


24/88

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!


25/88

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!


26/88


27/88


28/88

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


29/88


30/88


31/88

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.


32/88

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)


33/88

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!


34/88

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.


35/88

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.


36/88

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.


37/88


38/88

(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.


39/88

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?


40/88

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.


41/88

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.


42/88

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

____________________________________________________________


43/88


44/88

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.


45/88

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.


46/88


47/88

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?


48/88

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.


49/88


50/88

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.


51/88


52/88


53/88

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.


54/88

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.


55/88


56/88

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.


57/88

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.


58/88

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.


59/88

(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.


60/88


61/88


62/88

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.


63/88


64/88

(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?


65/88


66/88


67/88


68/88


69/88

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?


70/88

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?


71/88

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


72/88

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!


73/88

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...


74/88

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)


75/88

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


76/88

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)


77/88

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)


78/88

MORE(Heisingreatfearofher)IamfaintwhenIthinkoftheworstthattheymaydotome.Butworse

thant

a man for all seasons - a play by robert bolt

Documents