The messinger axeth hym / if there be an olde lawfull translacion before wicleffes / how happeneth it that it is in so few mens handes / seinge so many desyre it? He answereth the printer dare not print it and then hange on a doutful triall / whether it were translated sens or before. For if it were translated sens / it must be first approued.

What maye not Master More saye by auctorite of his poetrie? there is a lawfull translacion that noman knoweth which is as moch as no lawfull translacion. Whi mighte not the bisshopes shew which were that lawful translacion and lat it be printed? Naye if that might haue bene obteyned of them with large money it had be printed ye maye besure longe yer this. But sir answere me here vn to / how happeneth that ye defendars translate not one youre selues / to cease the murmoure of the people / and put to youre awne gloses / to preuent heretikes? ye wold nodoute haue done it longe sens / if ye coude haue made youre gloses agre with the texte in euery place. And what can you saye to this / how that besydes they haue done their best to disanull all translatynge by parlament / they haue disputed before the kinges grace / that is it perelous and not mete and so concluded that it shal not be / vnder a pretence of deferrynge it of certayne yeres. Where Master More was their speciall orator / to fayne lyes for their purpose.

M. nothinge discorageth the clergie so moch as that they of the worst sorte most calleth after it. T. it might wel be / phareses full of holynesse longe not after it / but publicans that hongre after mercie myght sore desyre it. How be it / it is