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weak, that he was ready to fall, wherefore he spoke cheerfully to the lieutenant, "I pray, Sir, see me safe up, and as for my coming down let me shift for myself." Having ascended, and beginning to speak to the people, who were there in great multitudes to see the execution, he was interrupted by the sheriff; and therefore, in a few words, he desired the people to pray for him, and to bear witness that he there died in the faith of the holy Catholic church; a faithful servant both to God and the king. Then kneeling, he pronounced the miserere-psalm with much devotion; then cheerfully getting up, and the executioner asking him forgiveness, he kissed him, saying, "Thou wilt do me this day a greater kindness than ever any mortal can do; take courage, man, and be not afraid to do thy duty; my neck is very short, therefore take heed you do not strike awry, for your reputation sake." When the executioner would have covered his eyes, he said, "I will cover them myself," and presently did so with a napkin he had brought with him for that purpose: then, laying his head upon the block, he bid the executioner stop till he had put his beard out of the way, saying, that that had never committed any treason.

He received the fatal blow with much resolution and constancy. Immediately the news was brought to the king, then playing at tables, and Queen Anne looking on; some affirm he cast his eyes upon her, and said, "Thou art the cause of this man's death;" and that, presently leaving off play, he retired into his chamber and was very melancholy.

The head of Sir Thomas More was put upon London- bridge, and his body buried at St. Peter's chapel, within the 'Tower, in the belfry; but according to others, at the entrance into the vestry near the corpse of Bishop Fisher: but it continued there not long; it was, by his daughter, removed to the church of Chelsey, and there deposited on the South side of the choir or chancel; over it was a large epitaph, made by himself after he had given up his chancellorship, which is printed in several books, and by several authors. His head having continued for some months upon the bridge, it was to be thrown into the Thames to make room for others; but his daughter Margaret bought it, "Lest," as she cou-