Sir Thomas More | Page 5

take the living from all
the artificers and the intercourse from all the merchants, whereby
poverty is so much increased, that every man bewaileth the misery of
other; for craftsmen be brought to beggary, and merchants to neediness:
wherefore, the premises considered, the redress must be of the common
knit and united to one part: and as the hurt and damage grieveth all men,
so must all men see to their willing power for remedy, and not suffer
the said aliens in their wealth, and the natural born men of this region

to come to confusion.
DOLL. Before God, tis excellent; and I'll maintain the suit to be honest.
SHERWIN. Well, say tis read, what is your further meaning in the
matter?
GEORGE. What! marry, list to me. No doubt but this will store us with
friends enow, whose names we will closely keep in writing; and on
May day next in the morning we'll go forth a Maying, but make it the
worst May day for the strangers that ever they saw. How say ye? do ye
subscribe, or are ye faint-hearted revolters?
DOLL. Hold thee, George Betts, there's my hand and my heart: by the
Lord, I'll make a captain among ye, and do somewhat to be talk of for
ever after.
WILLIAMSON. My masters, ere we part, let's friendly go and drink
together, and swear true secrecy upon our lives.
GEORGE. There spake an angel. Come, let us along, then.
[Exeunt.]

SCENE II. London. The Sessions House.
[An arras is drawn, and behind it as in sessions sit the Lord Mayor,
Justice Suresby, and other Justices; Sheriff More and the other Sheriff
sitting by. Smart is the plaintiff, Lifter the prisoner at the bar. Recorder,
Officers.]
LORD MAYOR. Having dispatched our weightier businesses, We may
give ear to petty felonies. Master Sheriff More, what is this fellow?
MORE. My lord, he stands indicted for a purse; He hath been tried, the
jury is together.
LORD MAYOR. Who sent him in?
SURESBY. That did I, my lord: Had he had right, he had been hanged
ere this; The only captain of the cutpurse crew.
LORD MAYOR. What is his name?
SURESBY. As his profession is, Lifter, my lord, One that can lift a
purse right cunningly.
LORD MAYOR. And is that he accuses him?
SURESBY. The same, my lord, whom, by your honors leave, I must
say somewhat too, because I find In some respects he is well worthy
blame.
LORD MAYOR. Good Master Justice Suresby, speak your mind; We

are well pleased to give you audience.
SURESBY. Hear me, Smart; thou art a foolish fellow: If Lifter be
convicted by the law, As I see not how the jury can acquit him, I'll
stand too 't thou art guilty of his death.
MORE. My lord, that's worthy the hearing.
LORD MAYOR. Listen, then, good Master More.
SURESBY. I tell thee plain, it is a shame for thee, With such a sum to
tempt necessity; No less than ten pounds, sir, will serve your turn, To
carry in your purse about with ye, To crake and brag in taverns of your
money: I promise ye, a man that goes abroad With an intent of truth,
meeting such a booty, May be provoked to that he never meant. What
makes so many pilferers and felons, But such fond baits that foolish
people lay To tempt the needy miserable wretch? Ten pounds, odd
money; this is a pretty sum To bear about, which were more safe at
home. Fore God, twere well to fine ye as much more
[Lord Mayor and More whisper.]
To the relief of the poor prisoners, To teach ye be more careful of your
own, In sooth, I say ye were but rightly served, If ye had lost as much
as twice ten pounds.
MORE. Good my lord, sooth a point or two for once, Only to try
conclusions in this case.
LORD MAYOR. Content, good Master More: we'll rise awhile, And,
till the jury can return their verdict, Walk in the garden.--How say ye,
Justices?
ALL. We like it well, my lord; we'll follow ye.
[Exeunt Lord Mayor and Justices.]
MORE. Nay, plaintiff, go you too;--and officers,
[Exeunt Smart.]
Stand you aside, and leave the prisoner To me awhile.--Lifter, come
hither.
LIFTER. What is your worship's pleasure?
MORE. Sirrah, you know that you are known to me, And I have often
saved ye from this place, Since first I came in office: thou seest beside,
That Justice Suresby is thy heavy friend, By all the blame that he
pretends to Smart, For tempting thee with such a sum of money. I tell
thee what; devise me but a means To pick or cut his purse, and, on my
credit, And as I am a Christian and