ng in
Grocyn?[26] What could be keener or nobler or nicer than Linacre's[27]
judgement? What has Nature ever fashioned gentler or sweeter or happier
than the character of Thomas More? But why should I catalogue the rest?
It is marvellous how thick upon the ground the harvest of ancient
literature is here everywhere flowering forth: all the more should you
hasten your return hither. Your friend's affection and remembrance of
you is so strong that he speaks of none so often or so gladly. Farewell.
Written in haste in London on the 5th of December.

IV. TO JAMES BATT[28]

Orleans [_c._ 12 December] 1500

... If you care sincerely what becomes of your Erasmus, do you act thus:
plead my shyness before my Lady[29] in pleasant phrases, as if I had not
been able to bring myself to reveal my poverty to her in person. But you
must write that I am now in a state of extreme poverty, owing to the
great expense of this flight to Orleans, as I had to leave people from
whom I was making some money. Tell her that Italy is by far the most
suitable place in which to take the Degree of Doctor, and that it is
impossible for a fastidious man to go to Italy without a large sum of
money; particularly because I am not even at liberty to live meanly, on
account of my reputation, such as it is, for learning. You will explain
how much greater fame I am likely to bring my Lady by my learning than
are the other theologians maintained by her. They compose commonplace
harangues: I write works destined to live for ever. Their ignorant
triflings are heard by one or two persons in church: my books will be
read by Latins, Greeks, by every race all over the world. Tell her that
this kind of unlearned theologian is to be found in hordes everywhere,
whereas a man like myself is hardly to be found once in many centuries;
unless indeed you are so superstitious that you scruple to employ a few
harmless lies to help a friend. Then you must point out that she will
not be a whit the poorer if, with a few gold pieces, she helps to
restore the corrupt text of St. Jerome and the true Theology, when so
much of her wealth is being shamelessly dissipated. After dilating on
this with your customary ingenuity and writing at length on my
character, my expectations, my affection for my Lady and my shyness, you
must then add that I have written to say that I need 200 francs in all,
and request her to grant me next year's payment now; I am not inventing
this, my dear Bat