CROMWELL I’m sorry to invite you here at such short notice, Sir Thomas; good of you to come. (Draws back curtain from alcove, revealing RICH seated at a table, with writing materials) Will you take a seat? I think you know Master Rich?
MORE Indeed yes, we’re old friends. That’s a nice gown you have, Richard.
CROMWELL Master Rich will make a record of our conversation.
MORE Good of you to tell me, Master Secretary.
CROMWELL (Laughs appreciatively; then) Believe me, Sir Thomas – no, that’s asking too much – but let me tell you all the same, you have no more sincere admirer than myself. (Rica begins to scribble) Not yet, Rich, not yet. (Invites MORE to join him in laughing at RICH)
MORE If I might hear the charges?
CROMWELL Charges?
MORE I understand there are certain charges.
CROMWELL Some ambiguities of behavior I should like to clarify-hardly “charges.”
MORE Make a note of that will you, Master Rich? There are no charges.
CROMWELL (Laughing and shaking head) Sir Thomas, Sir Thomas . . . You know it amazes me that you, who were once so effective in the world and are now so much retired from it, should be opposing yourself to the whole movement of the times?
(He ends on a note of interrogation)
MORE (Nods) It amazes me too.
CROMWELL (Picks up and drops a paper; sadly) The King is not pleased with you.
MORE I am grieved.
CROMWELL Yet do you know that even now, if you could bring yourself to agree with the Universities, the Bishops, and the Parliament of this realm, there is no honor which the King would be likely to deny you?
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