Shifting Sands of Loyalty

Scene 7a Cromwell (who's also present) urges Richard Rich to join his side, wanting info on More. Rich says he can't tell him anything. Scene 7b More reassures Alice about his tiff with the king. Scene 7c Will Roper enters and says he's reconsidered his opinions on religion. He's now in favor of the Church, he says—the king has gone too far, and his attack on the Church is an attack on God. Thomas, being Chancellor, is irritated at Roper for saying these seditious things to him. Scene 7d Rich enters and, sensing that everyone suspects him of being friendly with Cromwell, wildly accuses More's servant, Matthew, of being a spy. Rich begs More to employ him at court, but More refuses. Rich leaves, and Roper, Margaret, and Alice want More to arrest Rich. But More says he won't, even if Rich is bad. He hasn't broken any laws, and they need to respect the rule of law