But some day will join Colet in fellow-work.
‘Be it, indeed, far from me to oppose your glorious and sacred labours. On the contrary, I will promise (since not fitted as yet to be a coadjutor) sedulously to encourage and further them. For the rest, whenever I feel that I have the requisite firmness and strength I will join you, and, by your side, and in theological teaching, I will zealously engage, if not in successful at least in earnest labour. In the meantime, nothing could be more delightful to me than that we should go on as we have begun, whether daily by word of mouth, or by letter, discussing the meaning of Holy Scripture.
‘Vale, mi Colete.
‘Oxford: at the College of the Canons of the Order of St. Augustine, commonly called the College of St. Mary.’[221]
VII. ERASMUS LEAVES OXFORD AND ENGLAND (1500).
Erasmus took leave of Colet, and left Oxford early in January, 1500.
Erasmus at Lord Mountjoy’s.
He proceeded to Greenwich, to the country seat of Lord and Lady Mountjoy; for his patron had, apparently, since his arrival in England, married a wife.[222]
While he was resting under this hospitable roof, Thomas More came down to pay him a farewell visit. He brought with him another young lawyer named Arnold—the son of Arnold the merchant, a man well known in London, and living in one of the houses built upon the arches of London Bridge.[223]
More and Erasmus visit the Royal Nursery.