so fine to the learned Erasmus, that he requested Holbein to draw his picture, desiring nothing so much as to be repre∣sented by so Judicious an Hand. And perceiving by his rare pieces that he deserved a more plentiful fortune and a more illustrious place, he perswaded him to travel to England, pro∣mising him considerable advantages from the bounty of Henry the eight a cherisher of Arts. Holbem at his request set for∣ward for England, carrying with him Erasmus his picture and Letters of recommendation to Sir Thomas Moore then Lord Chancellour of England. More received him with Joy, and kept him for three years in his House; During which time he drew Sir Thomas's own picture, his wives, childrens and several of his intimate friends and other near Relations which was hung round the Great Hall of his House, where the King being invited one day to a sumptuous dinner, and at his first entrance into the Hall beholding so many ravishing objects, the pictures seeming almost with as much life as the persons they represented, who were most of them then present; and admiring at the excellency of the Workman sent for him and entertained him in his service upon very advantagious Terms. The King manifested from time to time the singular favor and regard he had for him, and particularly upon this occa∣sion. Holbein being one day busy upon the picture of a Lady that belonged to the Court, a certain person of great Quality came to him to see him paint, Holbein not being willing to be disturbed, opposed his Entrance in a civil manner, but seeing he would take no denial but attempted to force his way, giv∣ing scope to the brisk humour that is natural to those of his Nation, he gave him so rude a repulse that the Earle tumbled from the top of the stairs to the bottom; at the noise of his fall his Attendants flocked about to revenge the affront that their master had received, and mischief would no doubt have ensued, had not Holbein jumpt out of the Window and made his escape to the King to implore his pro∣tection, which he did with so good a grace, that the King sent for the Lord and charged him upon his Allegiance to lay aside all resentment and that no violence should be offered upon the utmost perill. Some say he added words to this Effect, Have a care that no mischief befalls him, for though I can make a Lord when I please yet such a painted if lost can never be recovered. His master-piece is that of the, said King as big as the life, and represents his person so lively that this piece discovers the fierceness of his looks, and that severity in his Countenance which made him so dreaded by his subjects; He made also the pictures of Prince Edward and the Princesses Mary and Elizabeth who successively, one after the other swayed the English Scepter. He had one thing very remarkable in him which was, that he painted every thing he did with his left hand. The Plague raging in London, in the year 1554, Holbein was seized therewith, and died in the Six and fiftieth year of his age.