'"
Here he ceased, and Sir Thomas nodded, and said, -
"Reasonable enough! nay, almost too reasonable!"
"But where are the apostles? Where are the disciples? Where are
the saints? Where is hell-fire?"
"Well! patience! we may come to it yet. Go on, Will!"
With such encouragement before him, did Will Shakspeare take breath
and continue:-
"'We mortals are too much accustomed to behold our superiors in rank
and station as we behold the leaves in the forest. While we stand
under these leaves, our protection and refuge from heat and labour,
we see only the rougher side of them, and the gloominess of the
branches on which they hang. In the midst of their benefits we are
insensible to their utility and their beauty, and appear to be
ignorant that if they were placed less high above us we should
derive from them less advantage.'"
SIR THOMAS.
"Ay; envy of superiority made the angels kick and run restive."
WILLIAM SHAKSPEARE.
"May it please your worship! with all my faults, I have ever borne
due submission and reverence toward my superiors."
SIR THOMAS.
"Very right! very scriptural! But most folks do that. Our duty is
not fulfilled unless we bear absolute veneration; unless we are
ready to lay down our lives and fortunes at the foot of the throne,
and every thing else at the foot of those who administer the laws
under virgin majesty.
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