The Grace of God

"There, but for the grace of God, goes John Bradford."
"Why do you always refer to yourself in the third person?"
"What?" said Bradford as he turned away from the window.
"And do I have to remind you that your name is on their list of Protestant Heretics? They'll be coming in here for you next, Bradford."
"Oh, I don't know. I met her once. Mary, I mean. She didn't seem like a bad sort. Not exactly what you would call a beauty, but quite a nice girl."
"You've got to be joking. She's already burned a couple of dozen of you Protestant buggers. I'll bet you're next."
"Yeah, maybe, but not today." said Bradford.
"There's always tomorrow. Hey, listen. Someone's coming."
"Maybe their coming for you." Bradford smiled at him.
"Me? I didn't do anything. I'm innocent."
"Sure, and this place is full of innocent men."
"Well, guilt is simply a matter of interpretation of the law."
The door swung open and in the glaring light stood one of the Tower guards.
"Which one of you is John Bradford?" he said.
"Uh... He is." said Bradford.
"Hey. What? No I'm not. Look at me. Do I look like the 'Holy Bradford'?"
"You look like fuel for the fire to me." said the guard.
"Hey, you can't do this. I'm not John Bradford. That guy is."
"Come on. No use fighting, Bradford. You'll be dining with your Lord and Saviour tonight."
"Bradford! Tell them the truth."
"What? Why do you keep calling me Bradford? My name is...uh...Smith. Buddy Smith. I'm just a vagrant caught pissing on the steps of Westminster. I don't know no Bradford." said Bradford.
"I'll get you Bradford. I'll hunt you down. I'll...Oh look, I've wet myself."
"C'mon Mr. Pissy-pants. The fire'll dry that up."
The door shut with a bang and when he heard the gates below screeching open he stood up and leaned over the window sill, peering into the courtyard below. The guards appeared, dragging their prisoner between them as he cursed them, the new Queen and anybody else who happened to be around. With a sigh, he sat down. Not today, maybe tomorrow.
"There, but for the grace of God, go I." said Buddy Smith.