christian religion. There was neither man nor woman who was not employed in liberal disciplines and fruitful reading, altho' the principal study was religion. There was no quarrelling, not so much as a peevish word was to be heard, nor was any one seen idle. All were in their several employs, they all appeared chearful, nor was there wanting sober mirth. And so well managed a government Sir Thomas did not maintaine by severity and chiding, but by gentleness and kindness.
No. XX.
Epistola de Morte D. Thomæ Mori et Episcopi Roffensis insignium Virorum in Anglia.
Courinus Nucerinus[1] Phil. Mont. S.D.
Quoniam juxta Pythagoræ sententiam oportet omnia esse communia, recte collegit Euripides et dolores inter amicos oportere communes esse. Accipies agitur, Vir amicissime, ab amico minime læta, sed omni lachrymarum genere bonis omnibus deploranda: quanquam arbitror famam istuc jamdudum omnia pertulisse priusquam ad nos, de morte quorundam apud Anglos insignium virorum, sed præcipue Thomæ Mori, dum viveret, ejus Regni Baronis inclyti, ac supremi judicis quem illi Cancellarium appellant: qua dignitate non est apud eam gentem alia major excepto Rege, eoque, quum prodit, aureum sceptrum imposita corona Cæsarea gestatur ad unum latus, ad alterum liber. Quæ vero sum narraturus partim e schedis Gallice scriptis quæ hic circumferuntur desumpsi, partim e rumoribus. Nam nihil horum vidi. Sed priusquam aggrediar, paucis describam Londoniensis urbis situm. Civitas in latum angusta ad Thamysim flumen sic in longum porrecta est, ut videatur non posse desinere, unde et nomen videtur inditum: siquidem apud Flandros loca mari vicina Dunen appellant. Indidem dictum videtur Galliarum Lugdunum, quasi dicas longas ripas. Ad orientem in extremo habet arcem bene munitam qua reges interdum utuntur, vulgus Turrim appel-
- ↑ Nomen fictum pro ERASMO ut aliqui putant.
