Page:The Life of Sir Thomas More (William Roper, ed by Samuel Singer).djvu/222

a cupboard with a curtain drawn before it. On each end of the cup-board, which is covered with a carpet of tapistry, stands a flower pot of flowers, and on the cup-board are laid a lute, a base viol, a pint pot or ewer covered in part with a cloth folded several times, and Boetius de Consolatione Philosophiæ with two other books upon it. By this cup-board stands a daughter of Sir Thomas More's putting on her right-hand glove, and having under her arm a book bound in red Turkey leather and gilt, with this inscription round the outside of the cover Epistolicæ Senecæ. Over her head is written Elizebetha Dancea Thomæ Mori filia anno 21. Behind her stands a woman holding a book open with both her hands over whose head is written^[1] Uxor Johannis Clements. Next to Mrs. Dancy is Sir John More in his robes as one of the justices of the King's Bench, and by him Sir Thomas in his Chancellor's robes and collar of SS. with a rose pendant before. They are both sitting on a sort of tressel or arm'd bench, one of the arms and legs and one of the tassels of the cushion appear on the left side of Sir Thomas. At the feet of Sir John lies a cur-dog, and at Sir Thomas's a Bologna shock. Over Sir John's head is written Johannes Morus pater anno 76. Over Sir Thomas's, Thomas Morus anno 50. Between them behinde stands the wife of John More, Sir Thomas's son, over whose head is written, Anna Crisacria Joannis Mori sponsa anno 15. Behind Sir Thomas, a little on his left hand, stands his only son John More, pictured with a very foolish aspect, and looking earnestly in a book which he holds open with both his hands. Over his head is written Joannes Morus Thomæ filius anno 19. A little to the left of Sir Thomas are sitting on low stools his two other daughters Cecilia and Margaret. Next him is Cecilia who has a book in her lap clasp'd. By her sits her sister Margaret who has likewise a book in her lap but wide open, in which is written, L. An. Senecæ——Oedipus——Fata si liceat mihi fingere arbitrio meo, temperem zephyro levis.——On Cecilia's petycoat is written Cæcilia Herond Thomæ Mori filia anno 20, and on Margaret's, Margareta Ropera Thomæ

1. In the sketch of another of these family pieces given us by the learned Dr. Knight, this lady is called Margareta Gige affinis an. 22, which seems to intimate that this picture was drawn before that at Well-Hall, tho' they were both done in the same year.