HENRY  THE  EIGHTH.	107
committed to the Tower, for that you and your chaplain es (as information is given us) have taught and preached, and thereby sown within the realme such a number of execrable heresies, that it is feared the whole realme being infected with them, no small contention and commotion will rise thereby amongst my subjects, as of late daies the like was in divers parts of Germanic; and therefore the counsell have requested me for the triall of the matter to suifer them to commit you to the Tower, or else no man dare come forthe, as witnesse in those matters, you being a counsellor. When the King 'had said his mind, the archbishop kneeled down, and said, I am content, if it please your grace, with al my hart, to go thither at your highness commandment; and I most humbly thank your majesty that I may come to my triall, for there be that have many waies slandered me, and now this way I hope to trie myselfe not worthy of such reporte. The King perceiving the mans uprightnesse, joyned with such simplicitie, said, Oh Lorde, what maner of man be you ? What simplicitie is in you? I thought that you would rather have sued to us to have heard you and your accusers together for your triall, without any such indurance.^1 Do you not know what state you be in with the whole world, and how many great enemies you have ? Do you not consider what an easie thing it is to procure three or four false knaves to witnesse against you ? Thinke you to have better lucke that waie than your master Christ had? I see by it you will run headlong to your ending, if I would suffer yon.
^1 So in the play:
" K. Hen	"What manner of man are you ?   My lord, I look'd
You would have given me your petition, that I should have ta'en some pains to bring together Yourself and your accusers; and to have heard you Without indwancefurther"