More, Richard III

Firste longing to be nexte the best], afterwarde egall with the beste|, and at laste chiefe and aboue the beste 1. |

À matter ryghte great & weighty|, and no lesse weightye then pleasing to God| and profitable to al the realme|| : nor to no part of the realm more profitable|, then to you the citezens of this noble citie ?.

The more vehemently thou abhorrest other mens madnesse or folie, the better shalte thou practise thy wit 5.

Tt rather grew of riote & vnresonable wast|, then any necessarye or honorable charge #.

Not what himself of his good wil list to graunt|, but what the king of his good will list to take 5.

b) Balancement accompagné d'antthèse :

If ye were of the worlde|, the worlde sholde loue you|. But bycause ye be not of the worlde|, therfore it hateth you 6.

Truly yf we be forsaken of almyghty god,| none elles can delyuer vs from the power of them|. And contrary wyse, yf god be present and with vs,| our aduersaryes dare not medle in ony condycyon 7.

Yf the ryghtwyse man haue lyued neuer s0o vertuously|, & in the ende of his lyf commytte one deedly synne & so departe|, all his ryghtwyse delynge before shal not defende hym from euerlastynge dampnacion|; and in contrary wyse, yf the synfull man haue lyued neuer soo wretchedly in times paste|, yet in the ende of his lyfe yf he retourne from his wyckednes vnto god|, all his wyckednes before shall not let hym to be saued 8.

. More, Richard III, 39.

. Ibid., 61.

. Elyot, Doctrinal of Princes. 6.

. More, Richard III, 62.

Ibid.

. Fisher, Seuen Penytencyall Psalmes, 88.

. 1bid., 89.

. Fisher, Funeral Sermon of Henry VII, 270.