The popish kingdome, or reigne of Antichrist, written in Latine verse by Thomas Naogeorgus, and englyshed by Barnabe Googe

The popish Kingdome The fourth booke. (Book 4)

AS Papistes doe beleue and teach the vaynest things that bée, So with their doctrine and their fayth, their life doth iump agrée. Their feasts & all their holidayes they kepe throughout the yeare Are full of vile Idolatrie, and heathenlike appeare: Whereby though they do nothing teach, but should their doctrine hide, (Which yet in volumes more than one, may openly be spide) Thou easily mayst knowe whether true Catholikes they bée, And onely trust in Christ, and kéepe th'assured veritée. Be therefore here a perfite Iudge, and all things warely way, With equall ballance, for before thine eyes I here will lay Most plainly, though not all (for who is able that to tell,) But such as best are knowne to vs in Germanie that dwell. And first betwixt the dayes they make no little difference, For all be not of vertue like, nor like preheminence.* 1.1 But some of them Egyptian are, and full of ieopardée, And some againe beside the rest, both good and luckie bée. Like diffrence of the nights they make, as if th'almightie king, That made them all, not gracious were to them in euery thing. Beside they giue attentiue eare to blinde Astronomars, About th'aspects in euery howre of sundrie shining stars: And vnderneath what Planet euery man is borne and bred, What good or euill fortune doth hang ouer euery hed. Hereby they thinke assuredly to know what shall befall, As men that haue no perfite fayth nor trust in God at all: But thinke that euery thing is wrought and wholy guided here, By moouing of the Planets, and the whirling of the Speare. No vaine they pearse nor enter in the bathes at any day, Nor pare their nayles, nor from their hed do cut the heare away: They also put no childe to nurse, nor mend with doung their ground, Nor medicine do receyue to make their crased bodies sound, Nor any other thing they do, but earnestly before They marke the Moone how she is placde, and standeth euermore:

And euery planet howe they rise, and set in eche degrée, Which things vnto the perfite fayth of Christ repugnant bée. Which first I showe, least in my course I should be driuen plaine, To call to minde these foolishe toyes, now to my theame againe. Three weekes before the day whereon was borne the Lorde of grace, * 1.2And on the Thursday Boyes and Girles do runne in euery place, And bounce and beate at euery doore, with blowes and lustie snaps, And crie, the aduent of the Lorde not borne as yet perhaps. And wishing to the neighbours all, that in the houses dwell, A happie yeare, and euery thing to spring and prosper well: Here haue they peares, and plumbs, & pence, ech man giues willinglée, For these thrée nightes are alwayes thought, vnfortunate to bée: Wherein they are afrayde of sprites, and cankred witches spight, And dreadfull deuils blacke and grim, that then haue chiefest might. In these same dayes yong wanton Eyrles that meete for mariage ••ée, Doe search to know the names of them that shall their husbandes bee. Foure Onyons, fiue, or eight, they take and make in euery one, Such names as they do fansie most, and best do thinke vpon. Thus néere the Chimney them they set, and that same Onyon than, That first doth sproute, doth surely beare the name of their good man. Their husbandes nature eke they séeke to know, and all his guise, When as the Sunne hath hid himselfe, and left the starrie skies, Vnto some woodstacke do they go, and while they there do stande, Eche one drawes out a faggot sticke, the next that commes to hande, Which if it streight and euen be, and haue no knots at all, A gentle husband then they thinke shall surely to them fall. But if it fowle and crooked be, and knottie ••ere and theare, A crabbed churlish husband then, they earnestly do feare. These things the wicked Papistes beare, and suffer willingly, Bicause they neyther do the ende, nor fruites of faith espie: And rather had the people should obey their foolish lust, Than truely God to know, and in him here alone to trust. * 1.3Then comes the day wherein the Lorde did bring his birth to passe, Whereas at midnight vp they rise, and euery man to Masse. This time so holy counted is, that diuers earnestly Do thinke the waters all to wine are chaunged sodainly:

In that same houre that Christ himselfe was borne, and came to light, And vnto water streight againe, transformde and altred quight. There are beside that mindfully the money still do watch, That first to aultar commes, which then they priuily do snatch. The Priestes least other should it haue, takes oft the same away, Whereby they thinke throughout the yeare to haue good lucke in play, And not to lose: then straight at game till daylight do they striue, To make some present proofe how well their hallowde pence wil thriue. Thrée Masses euery Priest doth sing vpon that solemne day, With offrings vnto euery one, that so the more may play. This done, a woodden childe in clowtes is on the aultar set About the which both boyes and gyrles do daunce and trymly iet, And Carrols sing in prayse of Christ, and for to helpe them heare, The Organs aunswere euery verse, with swéete and solemne cheare. The Priestes doe rore aloude, and round about the parentes stande, To sée the sport, and with their voyce do helpe them and their hande. Thus woont the Coribants perhaps vpon the mountaine Ide, The crying noyse of Iupiter new borne with song to hide, To daunce about him round, and on their brasen pannes to beate, Least that his father finding him, should him destroy and eate. Then followeth Saint Stephens day, whereon doth euery man,* 1.4 His horses iaunt and course abrode, and swiftly as he can. Vntill they doe extréemely sweate, and than they let them blood, For this being done vpon this day, they say doth do them good, And kéepes them from all maladies and sicknesse through the yeare, As if that Steuen any time tooke charge of horses heare. Next Iohn the sonne of Zebedee hath his appoynted day, Who once by cruell tyraunts will,* 1.5 constrayned was they say Strong poyson vp to drinke, therefore the Papistes doe beleeue, That whoso puts their trust in him, no poyson them can gréeue. The wine beside that halowed is, in worship of his name, The Priestes doe giue the people that bring money for the same. And after with the selfe same wine are little manchets made, Agaynst the boystrous winter stormes, and sundrie such like trade. The men vpon this solemne day, do take this holy wine, To make them strong, so do the maydes to make them faire and fine.

* 1.6Then comes the day that calles to minde the cruell Herodes strife, Who séeking Christ to kill, the king of euerlasting life, Destroyde the little infants yong, a beast vnmercilesse, And put to death all such as were of two yeares age or lesse. To them the sinfull wretchesse crie, and earnestly do pray, To get them pardon for their faultes, and wipe their sinnes away. The Parentes when this day appeares, doe beate their children all, (Though nothing they deserue) and seruaunts all to beating fall, And Monkes do whip eche other well, or else their Prior great, Or Abbot mad, doth take in hande their bréeches all to beat: In worship of these Innocents, or rather as we sée, In honour of the cursed king, that did this crueltée. * 1.7The next to this is Newyeares day, whereon to euery frende, They costly presents in do bring, and Neweyeares giftes do sende. These giftes the husband giues his wife, and father eke the childe, And maister on his men bestowes the like, with fauour milde. And good beginning of the yeare they wishe and wishe againe, According to the auncient guise of heathen people vaine. These eight dayes no man doth require his dettes of any man, Their tables do they furnish out with all the meate they can: With Marchpaynes, Tartes, & Custards great, they drink with staring eyes, They rowte and reuell, féede and feast, as merry all as Pyes: As if they should at th'entrance of this newe yeare hap to die, Yet would they haue theyr bellyes full, and auncient friendes allie. * 1.8The wise mens day here foloweth, who out from Persia farre, Brought gifts and presents vnto Christ, conducted by a starre. The Papistes do beléeue that these were kings, and so them call, And do affirme that of the same there were but thrée in all. Here sundrie friendes togither come, and méete in companie, And make a king amongst themselues by voyce or destinie: Who after princely guise appoyntes, his officers alway, Then vnto feasting doe they go, and long time after play: Vpon their bordes in order thicke the daintie dishes stande, Till that their purses emptie be, and creditors at hande. Their children herein follow them, and choosing princes here, With pompe and great solemnitie, they méete and make good chere:

With money eyther got by stealth, or of their parents e••t, That so they may be traynde to knowe both ryot here and theft. Then also euery housholder, to his abilitie, Doth make a mightie Cake, that may suffice his companie: Herein a pennie doth he put, before it come to fire, This he deuides according as his housholde doth require, And euery péece distributeth, as round about they stand, Which in their names vnto the poore is giuen out of hand: But who so chaunceth on the péece wherein the money lies, Is counted king amongst them all, and is with showtes and cries Exalted to the heauens vp, who taking chalke in hande, Doth make a crosse on euery beame, and rafters as they stande: Great force and powre haue these agaynst all iniuryes and harmes Of cursed deuils, sprites, and bugges, of coniurings and charmes. So much this king can do, so much the Crosses brings to passe, Made by some seruant, maide, or childe, or by some foolish asse. Twise sixe nightes then from Christmasse, they do count with diligence, Wherein eche maister in his house doth burne vp Franckensence: And on the Table settes a loafe, when night approcheth nere, Before the Coles, and Franckensence to be perfumed there: First bowing downe his heade he standes, and nose and eares, and eyes He smokes, and with his mouth receyue the fume that doth arise: Whom followeth streight his wife, and doth the same full solemly, And of their children euery one, and all their family: Which doth preserue they say their téeth, and nose, and eyes, and care, From euery kind of maladie, and sicknesse all the yeare. When euery one receyued hath this odour great and small, Then one takes vp the pan with Coales, and Franckensence and all, An other takes the loafe, whom all the reast do follow here, And round about the house they go, with torch or taper clere, That neither bread nor meat do want, nor witch with dreadful charme, Haue powre to hurt their children, or to do their cattell harme. There are that thrée nightes onely do perfourme this foolish geare, To this intent, and thinke themselues in safetie all the yeare. To Christ dare none commit himselfe. And in these dayes beside, They iudge what weather all the yeare shall happen and betide:

Ascribing to ech day a month, and at this present time, The youth in euery place doe flocke, and all appareld fine, With Pypars through the streetes they runne, and sing at euery dore, In commendation of the man, rewarded well therefore: Which on themselues they do bestowe, or on the Church, as though The people were not plagude with Roges and begging Friers enough. There Cities are, where boyes and gyrles togither still do runne, About the stréete with like, as soone as night beginnes to come, And bring abrode their wassell bowles, who well rewarded bée, With Cakes and Chéese, and great good cheare, and money plentiouslée. * 1.9Then commes in place saint Agnes day, which here in Germanie, Is not so much estéemde, nor kept with such solemnitie: But in the Popish Court it standes in passing hie degrée, As spring and head of wondrous gaine, and great commoditée. For in saint Agnes Church vpon this day while Masse they sing, Two Lambes as white as snowe, the Nonnes do yearely vse to bring: And when the Agnus chaunted is, vpon the aultar hie, (For in this thing there hidden is a solemne mysterie) They offer them. The seruaunts of the Pope when this is done, Do put them into Pasture good till shearing time be come. Then other wooll they mingle with these holy fleeses twaine, Whereof being sponne and drest, are made the Pals of passing gaine: Thrée fingars commonly in bredth, and wrought in compasse so, As on the Bishops shoulders well they round about may go. These Pals thus on the shoulders set, both on the backe and brest, Haue labels hanging something lowe, the endes whereof are drest, And typte with plates of weightie lead, and vesture blacke arayde, And last of all to make an ende, with knots are surely stayde. O ioyfull day of Agnes, and to Papistes full of gaine, O precious worthie Lambes, O wooll most fortunate againe. O happie they that spin and weaue the same, whose handes may touch This holy wooll, and make these Pals of price and vertue such. For by the same the Bishops haue their full aucthoritie, And Metropolitanes are forced, these dearely for to buie. Bestowing sometime eight, or ten, yea thirtie thousand crownes, Ere halfe the yeare be full expirde, for these same pelting gownes.

Ne can they vse the Pall that was their predicessors late, Nor play the Bishop, nor receyue the Primates his estate, Till that he get one of his owne, with such like subtiltie, The Pope doth all men pow••e, without respect of Simonie. Perchaunce such force doth not in these same holy Lambes remaine, Nor of it selfe the wooll so much, nor all the weauers paine, As these same powlers séeme to say: for thus these palles being wrought, Are streight waies to S. Peters Church by hands of Deacons brought, And vnderneath the aultar all the night they buryed lie, Among saint Peters reliques and saint Paules his fellow bie. From hence the sacred iuyce they draw, and powre celestiall, As if the holy ghost should giue these Clarkes his vertue all. Straunge Reliques sure, and bodies eke of passing sanctitie, That to such lowsie clokes can giue so great aucthoritie. Who would not more estéeme you nowe then when you here did liue, When as no clokes at all you did vnto your Bishops giue, Nor fed so many paunches great, nor shauen companies, With foule illusions and deceytes and shamelesse suttelties? Now siluer do you giue and heapes of golde togither rake From euery realme, and for a denne of théeues prouision make. Farre be it from me that I should thus of you beléeue or say: But what so holy in this worlde hath bene, or is this day, That this same wicked Papacie doth not conuert to gaine? Th'almightie Lord himselfe aboue in safetie cannot raigne. Now here the Papistes do declare from whom at first did spring, The vse of this same pelting Pall, and this vnséemely thing. And here a thousand lyes they make, from auncient fathers olde, They say the first inuention came, ne dare they yet be bolde To burthen Peter with the same, for feare they faint in proofe, But to reiect, nor probably, yet farther of aloofe. Such folly and ambicion great, whereat you wonder may. For Linus he that Peter first succéeded as they say, And guyded next the sea of Rome, first tooke this same in hande, That woollen garment might in stéede of lynnen Ephod stande. But where was Agnes at this tyme? who offred vp and how, The two white Lambes? where then was Masse as it is vsed now?

Yea where was then the popish state, and dreadfull Monarchie? Sure in saint Austens time, there were no Palles at Rome to sée: When Bishops all had equall powre, although as stories tell, The romishe Bishop did the reast in worthinesse excell. Thus Papistes neuer count it shame, nor any fault to lie, So they may get great summes of golde, and rayse their kingdome hie. * 1.10Then comes the day wherein the virgin offred Christ vnto The father chiefe, as Moyses law commaunded hir to do. Thou numbers great of Tapers large, both men and women beare To Church, being halowed there with pomp, & dreadful words to heare. This done, eche man his Candell lightes, where chiefest séemeth hée, Whose taper greatest may be séene, and fortunate to bée: Whose Candell burneth cleare and bright, a wondrous force and might Doth in these Candels lie, which if at any time they light, They sure beleue that neyther storme nor tempest dare abide, Nor thunder in the skies be heard, nor any deuils spide, Nor fearefull sprites that walke by night, nor hurts of frost or haile, How easily can these fellowes all these hurly burlyes quaile? That néedlesse is it nowe to put their trust in Christ alone, Or to commit all things to him that fittes in chiefest throne. * 1.11Then followeth good sir Blase, who doth a waxen Candell giue, And holy water to his men, whereby they safely liue. I diuers Barrels oft haue séene, drawne out of water cleare, Through one small blessed bone of this same holy martyr heare: And caryed thence to other townes and Cities farre away, Ech superstition doth require such earnest kinde of play: But in the meane time no man séekes for Christ and God aboue, Nor dare content themselues to haue his fauour and his loue. * 1.12Now when at length the pleasant time of Shrouetide comes in place, And cruell fasting dayes at hande approch with solemne grace: Then olde and yong are both as mad, as ghestes of Bacchus feast, And foure dayes long they tipple square, and féede and neuer reast. Downe goes the Hogges in euery place, and puddings euery wheare Do swarme: the Dice are shakte and tost, and Cardes apace they teare: In euery house are showtes and cryes, and mirth, and reuell route, And daintie tables spred, and all be set with ghestes aboute:

With sundrie playes and Christmasse games, & feare and shame away, The tongue is set at libertie, and hath no kinde of stay. All thinges are lawfull then and done, no pleasure passed by, That in their mindes they can deuise, as if they then should die: The chiefest man is he, and one that most deserueth prayse, Among the rest that can finde out the fondest kinde of playes. On him they looke and gaze vpon, and laugh with lustie cheare, Whom boyes do follow, crying foole, and such like other geare. He in the meane time thinkes himselfe a wondrous worthie man, Not mooued with their wordes nor cryes, do whatsoeuer they can. Some sort there are that runne with staues, or fight in armour fine, Or shew the people foolishe toyes, for some small péece of wine. Eche partie hath his fauourers, and faythfull friendes enowe, That readie are to turne themselues, as fortune list to bowe. But some againe the dreadfull shape of deuils on them take, And chase such as they méete, and make poore boyes for feare to quake. Some naked runne about the stréetes, their faces hid alone, With visars close, that so disguisde, they might be knowne of none. Both men and women chaunge their wéede, the men in maydes aray, And wanton wenches drest like men, doe trauell by the way, And to their neighbours houses go, or where it likes them best, Perhaps vnto some auncient friend or olde acquainted ghest, Vnknowne, and speaking but fewe wordes, the meate deuour they vp, That is before them set, and cleane they swinge of euery cup. Some runne about the stréets attyrde like Monks, and some like kings, Accompanied with pompe and garde, and other stately things. Some hatch yong fooles as hennes do egges with good and spéedie lucke, Or as the Goose doth vse to do, or as the quacking ducke. Some like wilde beastes doe runne abrode in skinnes that diuers bée Arayde, and eke with lothsome shapes, that dreadfull are to sée: They counterfet both Beares and Woolues, and Lions fierce in sight, And raging Bulles. Some play the Cranes with wings & stilts vpright. Some like the filthie forme of Apes, and some like fooles are drest, Which best beséeme these Papistes all, that thus kéepe Bacchus feast. But others beare a torde, that on a Cushion soft they lay, And one there is that with a flap doth kéepe the flies away.

I would there might an other be an officer of those, Whose roome might serue to take away the scent from euery nose. Some others make a man all stuft with straw or ragges within, Apparayled in dublet faire, and hosen passing trim: Whom as a man that lately dyed of honest life and fame, In blanket hid they beare about, and streightwayes with the same They hurle him vp into the ayre, not suffring him to fall, And this they doe at diuers tymes the Citie ouer all. I shew not here their daunces yet, with filthie iestures mad, Nor other wanton sportes that on these holydayes are had. There places are where such as hap to come within this dore, Though olde acquainted friendes they be, or neuer seene before And say not first here by your leaue, both in and out I go, They binde their handes behinde their backes, nor any difference tho Of man or woman is there made, but Basons ringing great, Before them do they daunce with ioy, and sport in euery streat. There are that certaine prayers haue that on the Tuesday fall, Against the quartaine Ague, and the other Feuers all. But others than sowe Onyon seede, the greater to be séene, And Persley eke, and Lettys both, to haue them alwayes gréene. Of truth I loth for to declare the foolishe toyes and trickes, That in these dayes are done by these same popish Catholickes: If snowe lie déepe vpon the ground, and almost thawing bée, Then fooles in number great thou shalt in euery corner see: For balles of snow they make, and them one at another cast, Till that the conquerde part doth yéelde and run away at last. No Matrone olde nor sober man can fréely by them come, At home he must abide that will these wanton fellowes shonne. Besides the noble men, the riche, and men of hie degrée, Least they with common people should not séeme so mad to bée, There wagons finely framde before, and for this matter méete, And lustie horse and swift of pace, well trapt from head to féete They put therein, about whose necke and euery place before, A hundred gingling belles do hang, to make his courage more. Their wiues and children therein set, behinde themselues do stande, Well armde with whips, and holding fast the bridle in their hande,

With all their force throughout the stréetes and market place they ron, As if some whirlewinde mad, or tempest great from skies should come. As fast as may be from the steates, th'amazed people flye, And giues them place while they about doe runne continually. Yea sometime legges or armes they breake, and horse and carte and all They ouerthrow, with such a force, they in their course doe fall. Much lesse they man or childe doe spare, that méetes them in the waye, Nor they content themselues to vse this madnesse all the daye: But euen till midnight holde they on, their pastimes for to make, Whereby they hinder men of sléepe, and cause their heades to ake. But all this same they care not for, nor doe estéeme a heare, So they may haue their pleasure still, and foolish wanton geare. The Wednesday next a solemne day, to Church they early go, To sponge out all the foolish déedes by them committed so,* 1.13 They money giue, and on their heddes, the Priestes doth ashes lay, And with his holy water washeth all their sinnes away: In woondrous sort against the veniall sinnes doth profite this, Yet here no stay of madnesse now, nor ende of follie is, With mirth to dinner straight they go, and to their woonted playe, And on their deuills shapes they put, and sprightish fonde araye. Some sort there are that mourning go, with lantarnes in their hande, While in the day time Titan bright, amid the skies doth stande: And séeke their shroftide Bachanals, still crying euery where, Where are our feastes become? alas the cruell fastes appere. Some beare about a herring on a staffe, and lowde doe rore, Herrings, herrings, stincking herrings, puddings now no more. And hereto ioyne they foolish playes, and doltish dogrell rimes, And what beside they can inuent, belonging to the times. Some other beare vpon a staffe their fellowes horsed hie, And carie them vnto some ponde, or running riuer nie, That what so of their foolish feast, doth in them yet remayne, May vnderneth the floud be plungde, and washt away againe. Some children doe intise with Nuttes, and peares abrode to play, And singing through the towne they go, before them all the way. In some place all the youthfull flocke, with minstrels doe repaire, And out of euery house they plucke the girles, and maydens fayre.

And them to plough they straitwayes put, with whip one doth them hit, Another holdes the plough in hande, the Minstrell here doth sit Amidde the same, and drounken songes, with gaping mouth he sings, Whome foloweth one that sowes out sande, or ashes fondely flings. When thus they through the stréetes haue plaide, the man y^t guideth all Doth driue both plough & maydens through some ponde or riuer small: And dabbled all with durt, and wringing wette as they may bée, To supper calles, and after that to daunsing lustilee. The follie that these dayes is vsde, can no man well declare, Their wanton pastimes, wicked actes, and all their franticke fare. On Sunday at the length they leaue, their mad and foolish game, And yet not so, but that they drinke, and dice away the same. Thus at the last to Bacchus is this day appoynted cleare, * 1.14Then (O poore wretches) fastings long approching doe appeare: In fourtie dayes they neyther milke, nor fleshe, nor egges doe eate, And butter with their lippes to touch, is thought a trespasse great: Both Ling and saltfishe they deuoure, and fishe of euery sorte, Whose purse is full, and such as liue in great and welthie porte: But onyans, browne bread, léekes and salt, must poore men dayly gnaw And fry their oten cakes in oyle. The Pope deuisde this law For sinnes, th'offending people here from hell and death to pull, Beléeuing not that all their sinnes, were earst forgiuen full. Yet here these wofull soules he helpes, and taking money fast, Doth all things set at libertie, both egges and flesh at last. The Images and pictures now are couerde secretlie, In euery Church, and from the beames, the roofe and rafters hie Hanges painted linnen clothes that to the people doth declare, The wrath and furie great of God, and times that fasted are. Then all men are constrainde their sinnes, by cruell law to tell, And threatned if they hide but one, with dredfull death and hell. From hence no little gaines vnto the Priestes doth still arise, And of the Pope the shambles doth appeare in beastly wise. * 1.15Now comes the sunday forth, of this same great and holy fast, Here doth the Pope the shriuen blesse, absoluing them at last, From all their sinnes, and of the Iewes the law he doth alow, As if the power of God had not sufficient bene till now.

Or that the law of Moyses here, were still of force and might, In these same happie dayes when Christ, doth raigne w^t heauenly light. The boyes with ropes of straw doth frame an vgly monster here, And call him death, whom from the towne, with prowd & solemne chere To hilles and valleyes they conuey, and villages thereby, From whence they stragling doe returne, well beaten commonly. Thus children also beare with speares, their Cracknelles round about, And two they haue, whereof the one is called Sommer stout: Apparalde all in gréene, and drest in youthfull fine araye, The other Winter, clad in mosse with heare all hoare and graye: These two togither fight, of which the Palme doth Sommer get, From hence to meate they go, and all with wine their whistles wet. The other toyes that in this time, of holly fastes appeare, I loth to tell, nor order like, as vsed euery wheare. Here comes that worthie day wherein, our sauior Christ is thought, To come vnto Ierusalem, on asses shoulders brought:* 1.16 When as againe these Papistes fonde, their foolish pageantes haue, With pompe and great solemnitie, and countnaunce wondrous graue. A woodden Asse they haue, and Image great that on him rides, But vnderneath the Asses féete, a table broade there slides, Being borne on whéeles, which ready drest, and al things méete therfore The Asse is brought abroade and set before the Churches doore: The people all do come and bowes of trees and palmes they bere, Which things against the tempest great, the Parson coniures there, And straytwayes downe before the Asse, vpon his face he lies, Whome there an other Priest doth strike with rodde of largest sise: He rising vp, two lubbours great vpon their faces fall, In straunge attire and lothsomely, with filthie tune they ball: Who when againe they risen are, with stretching out their hande, They poynt vnto the woodden knight, and singing as they stande Declare that that is he that came, into the worlde to saue, And to redéeme such as in him their hope assured haue: And euen the same that long agone while in the streate he roade, The people mette, and Oliue bowes so thicke before hym stroade. This being soung, the people cast the braun••hes as they passe, Some part vpon the Image, and some part vpon the Asse.

Before whose féete a wondrous heape, of bowes and braunches ly, This done into the Church he strayght, is drawne full solemly: The shauen Priestes before them marche, the people follow fast, Still striuing who shall gather first the bowes that downe are cast: For falsely they beléeue that these, haue force and vertue great, Against the rage of winter stormes, and thunders slashing heate. Are Idoles worshipt otherwise, are these not wicked things? Euen I my selfe haue earst behelde, both wise and mightie Kings Defilde with this religion vile, that on their knées haue knéelde, Vnto these stockes, and honour due to God, to them did yéelde. In some place wealthie Citizens, and men of sober chere For no small summe doe hire this Asse, with them about to bere, And manerly they vse the same, not suffering any by, To touch this Asse, nor to presume vnto his presence ny: For they suppose that in this thing, they Christ doe highly serue, And well of him accepted are, and great rewardes deserue. If any man shall happe to thinke, them Asses here in this, I sure beléeue he is not much deceyude, nor thinkes amis. When as the Priestes and people all haue ended this the sport, The boyes doe after dinner come, and to the Church resort: The Sexten pleasde with price, and looking well no harme be done, They take the Asse, and through the stréetes, & crooked lanes they rone, Whereas they common verses sing, according to the guise, The people giuing money, breade, and egges of largest cise. Of this their gaines they are compelde, the maister halfe to giue, Least he alone without his portion of the Asse shoulde liue. * 1.17From Thurseday then till Easter come, the fondest toyes haue place Wherin these cathlikes think themselues, great men of wōdrous grace First thrée dayes space the belles are wilde, in silence for to lie, When from the toppes of hawtie towres, with clappers lowd they crie. The boyes in euery streat doe runne, and noyses great they make, While as in calling men to Church their wooden clappers shake. Thre nightes at midnight vp they rise, their Mattens for to heare, Appoynted well with clubbes and staues, and stones in order theare: The Sexten straightwayes putteth out the candles spéedely, And straight the Priest with rustie throte, alowde begins to cry.

Then furious rage begins to spring, and hurlyburly rise, On pewes and deskes and seates they bounce, & beate in dredfullwise: Thou wouldst suppose they were possest, with sprightes and deuills all, Or fury such as forceth them, that vpon Baccus call. Some beaten downe with clubbes and staues, amongst the pewes do ly And others almost brainde with stones, or wounded mortally. Well serues the darckenesse for these déedes, and thereto doth agrée, The fashions like of euery one, that thus enraged bee. Here wicked Iudas all to torne, with vile reproches lies, And Marie in the darcke is calde vpon with childish cries. That she be mercifull and helpe, and heale the faultes that bée, And through hir powre deliuer them, from hurt and miserée. These things vnto these feastes belonges, the candles being light, An Image fastned to a crosse is caried all vpright: A lanterne rounde about his necke, is hangde to sh••w the way, Are not these popish foolish toyes, a pretie kinde of play? This day the oyle and glasses of the Bishop hallowed bée, And twise thrée times saluting them, he lowly bendes his knée. The Cannons after doe the same, with laughter wouldst thou faint, And woonder farre to sée them make, their spéechelesse glasse a saint. Their dinner done, from th'aultar all their costly clothes they take, And wash it, rubbing it with bowes, and bromes that they doe make▪ Then water on they powre and wine crosswise there on they lay, And to the patron of ech aultar, humbly doe they pray, That they vouchsafe to looke vpon theyr seruaunts worshipping, And to aswage the furie great, of Ioue the thundring King. And here the Monkes their maundie make, with sundrie solemne rights And signes of great humilitie, and wondrous pleasaunt fights. Ech one the others féete doth wash, and wipe them cleane and drie, With hatefull minde, and secret frawde, that in their heartes doth lye As if that Christ with his examples, did these thinges require, And not to helpe our brethren here, with zeale and frée desire, Ech one supplying others want, in all things that they may, As he himselfe a seruaunt made, to serue vs euery way. Then strait the loaues doe walke, and pottes in euery place they skinke Wherewith the holy fathers oft, to pleasaunt damsels drinke,

And sure with no dissembling heart, for true as stéele they bée, And often times they put in proofe their great fidelitée. * 1.18Two Priestes the next day following, vpon their shoulders beare, The Image of the Crucifix, about the altar neare: Being clad in coape of crimozen die, and dolefully they sing: At length before the steps his coate pluckt of they straight him bring▪ And vpon Turkey Carpettes lay him downe full tenderly, With cushions vnderneath his heade, and pillowes heaped hie: Then flat vpon the grounde they fall, and kisse both hande and féete, And worship so this woodden God, with honour farre vnméete. Then all the shauen sort falles downe, and foloweth them herein, As workemen chiefe of wickednesse, they first of all begin: And after them the simple soules, the common people come, And worship him with diuers giftes, as Golde, and siluer some: And others corne or egges againe, to poulshorne persons swéete, And eke a long desired price, for wicked worship méete. How are the Idoles worshipped, if this religion here Be Catholike, and like the spowes of Christ accounted dere? Besides with Images the more, their pleasure here to take. And Christ that euery where doth raigne, a laughing stocke to make, An other Image doe they get, like one but newly deade, With legges stretcht out at length and handes, vpon his body spreade: And him with pompe and sacred song, they beare vnto his graue, His bodie all being wrapt in lawne, and silkes and sarcenet braue, The boyes before with clappers go, and filthie noyses make, The Sexten beares the light, the people hereof knowledge take: And downe they knéele, or kisse the grounde, their handes helde vp abrod And knocking on their breastes they make, this woodden blocke a God. And least in graue he shoulde remaine, without some companie, The singing bread is layde with him, for more idolatrie: The Priest the Image worships first, as falleth to his turne, And franckensence and swéete perfumes, before the breade doth burne: With tapers all the people come, and at the barriars stay, Where downe vpon their knées they fall, and night and day they pray: And violets and euery kinde of flowres about the graue They straw, and bring in all their giftes, and presents that they haue.

The singing men their Dirges chaunt, as if some guiltie soule, Were buried there, that thus they may, the people better poule. On Easter eue the fire all, is quencht in euery place,* 1.19 And fresh againe from out the flint, is fetcht with solemne grace: The Priest doth halow this against great daungers many one, A brande whereof doth euery man with gréedie minde take home, That when the fearefull storme appeares, or tempest blacke arise, By lighting this he safe may be, from stroke of hurtfull skies: A Taper great the paschall namde, with musicke then they blesse, And franckensence herein they pricke, for greater holynesse: This burneth night and day as signe, of Christ that conquerde hell, As if so be this foolish toye, suffiseth this to tell. Then doth the Bishop or the Priest, the water halow straight, That for their baptisme is reserude: for now no more of waight Is that they vsde the yeare before, nor can they any more, Yong children christen with the same, as they haue done before. With woondrous pompe and furniture, amid the Church they go, With candles, crosses, banners, Chrisme, and oyle appoynted tho: Nine times about the font they marche, and on the saintes doe call, Then still at length they stande, and straight the Priest begins withall, And thrise the water doth he touche, and crosses thereon make, Here bigge and barbrous wordes he speakes, to make the deuill quake: And holsome waters coniureth, and foolishly doth dresse, Supposing holyar that to make, which God before did blesse: And after this his candle than, he thrusteth in the floode, And thrise he breathes thereon with breath, that stinkes of former foode: And making here an ende, his Chrisme he poureth therevpon, The people staring hereat stande, amazed euery one: Beléeuing that great powre is giuen to this water here, By gaping of these learned men, and such like trifling gere. Therefore in vessels brought they draw, and home they carie some, Against the grieues that to themselues, or to their beastes may come. Then Clappers ceasse, and belles are set againe at libertée, And herewithall the hungrie times of fasting ended bée. At midnight then with carefull minde, they vp to mattens ries,* 1.20 The Clarke doth come and after him, the Priest with staring eies:

The Image and the breade from out the graue (a worthie sight) They take, and Angels two they place in vesture white, And rounde about ech place appéeres, all voyde of standers by, Saue onely that the watchmen there, amazed séeme to ly. But yet I thinke the trembling of the earth they neuer sée, Nor of the heauenly messenger, the flaming maiestie. An other Image of a Conquerour they forth doe bring, And on the aultar place, and then, they lustily doe sing, That Gates of hell a sunder burst, and Sathan ouerthrowne, Christ from his graue is risen vp, and now aliue is knowne. Which yet they thinke not so to be, as plainely doth appéere, By their Religion, doubtes, and feare, and by their ••oings here. In some place solemne sightes and showes, & Pageants fayre are playd, With sundrie sortes of maskers braue, in straunge attire arayd, As where the Maries thrée doe méete, the sepulchre to sée, And Iohn with Peter swiftly runnes, before him there to bée. These things are done with iesture such, and with so pleasaunt game, That euen the grauest men that liue, woulde laugh to sée the same. At midnight strait, not tarying till the daylight doe appéere, Some gettes in flesh and glutton lyke, they féede vpon their chéere. They rost their flesh, and custardes great, and egges and radish store, And trifles, clouted creame, and chéese, and whatsoeuer more At first they list to eate, they bring into the temple straight, That so the Priest may halow them with wordes of wondrous waight. The Friers besides, & pelting Priestes, from house to house doe roame, Receyuing gaine of euery man that this will haue at home. Some raddish rootes this day doe take before all other meate, Against the quartan ague and such other sicknesse great. What should I shew their forced fayth and great hypocrisie, When as of Christ they doe receyue the dredfull misterie? Which they ne woulde if that they fearde not lightnings of the Pope, For none of them beléeueth here, nor none of them doth hope That they receyue eternall life, and euerlasting seate, By death of Iesus Christ and by his crosse and triumph great. For who should teache to them the same, since euery Popes decrée, Their doctrine, fayth, and all their rightes, to this contrarie bée?

Straight after this, into the fieldes they walke to take the viewe, And to their woonted life they fall, and bid the reast adewe: Go nowe and laugh the Iewes to scorne, and all the Turkes that bée, For fayth, religion, lawes, and life, and their Idolatrée. Sure wondrous wise and good they be, if that thou wilt compare Them with these doltish Papistes here, that blinde and beastly are. Nowe comes the day wherein they gad abrode, with crosse in hande,* 1.21 To boundes of euery field, and round about their neighbours lande: And as they go, they sing and pray to euery saint aboue, But to our Ladie specially, whom most of all they loue. When as they to the towne are come, the Church they enter in, And looke what saint that Church doth guide, they humbly pray to him, That he preserue both corne and fruite, from storme and tempest great, And them defend from harme, and send them store of drinke and meat. This done, they to the Tauerne go, or in the fieldes they dine, Where downe they sit and féede a pace, and fill themselues with wine, So much that oftentymes without the Crosse they come away, And miserably they reele, till as their stomacke vp they lay. These things thrée dayes continually are done, with solemne sport, With many Crosses often they vnto some Church resort, Whereas they all do chaunt alowde, wherby there streight doth spring, A bawling noyse, while euery man séekes hyghest for to sing: The Priestes giue eare, this madnesse them doth most of all content, And wine to them that passe the reast, is from the Parson sent. Then comes the day when Christ ascended to his fathers seate,* 1.22 Which day they also celebrate, with store of drinke and meate. Then euery man some birde must eate, I know not to what ende, And after dinner all to church they come, and there attende. The blocke that on the aultar still, till then was seene to stande, Is drawne vp hie aboue the roofe, by ropes, and force of hande: The Priestes about it rounde do stand, and chaunt it to the skie, For all these mens religion great, in singing most doth lie. Then out of hande the dreadfull shape of Sathan downe they throw, Oft times with fire burning bright, and dasht a sunder tho, The boyes with gréedie eyes do watch, and on him straight they fall, And beate him sore with rods, and breake him into péeces small.

This done, they wafers downe doe cast, and singing Cakes the while, With Papers rounde amongst them put, the children to beguile. With laughter great are all things done: and from the beames they let Great streames of water downe to fall, on whom they meane to wet. And thus this solemne holiday, and hye renowmed feast, And all their whole deuotion here, is ended with a ieast. * 1.23On Whitsunday whyte Pigeons tame in strings from heauen flie, And one that framed is of wood, still hangeth in the skie. Thou séest how they with Idols play, and teach the people to, None otherwise then little gyrles with Puppets vse to do. * 1.24Then doth ensue the solemne feast of Corpus Christi day, Who then can shewe their wicked vse, and fonde and foolish play? The hallowed bread with worship great, in siluer Pix they beare About the Church, or in the Citie passing here and theare. His armes that beares the same, two of the welthiest men do holde, And ouer him a Can••pey of silke and cloth of golde Foure others vse to beare aloufe, least that some filthie thing Should fall from hie, or some mad birde hir doung thereon should fling. Christes passion here derided is, with sundrie maskes and playes, Faire Vrsley with hir maydens all, doth passe amid the wayes: And valiant George with speare thou killest the dreadfull dragon here, The deuils house is drawne about, wherein there doth appere A wondrous sort of damned sprites, with foule and fearefull looke, Great Christopher doth wade and passe with Christ amid the brooke: Sebastian full of feathred shaftes, the dint of dart doth féele, There walketh Kathren with hir sworde in hande, and cruell whéele: The Challis and the singing Cake, with Barbara is led, And sundrie other Pageants playde in worship of this bred, That please the foolish people well, what should I stande vpon, Their Banners, Crosses, Candlestickes, and reliques many on, Their Cuppes and carued Images, that Priestes with countnance hie, Or rude and common people beare about full solemlie? Saint Iohn before the bread doth go, and poynting towardes him, Doth shew the same to be the Lambe that takes away our sinne: On whome two clad in Angels shape do sundrie flowres fling, A number great of sacring Belles, with pleasant sounde doe ring.

The common wayes with bowes are strawde, and euery stréete beside, And to the walles and windowes all, are boughes and braunches tide. The Monkes in euery place do roame, the Nonnes abrode are sent, The Priestes and schoolemen lowde do rore, some vse the instrument. The straunger passing through the stréete, vpon his knées doe fall: And earnestly vpon this bread, as on his God doth call. For why, they count it for their Lorde, and that he doth not take The forme of flesh, but nature now of breade that we do bake. A number great of armed men here all this while doe stande, To looke that no disorder be, nor any filching hande: For all the Church goodes out are brought, which certainly would bée A bootie good, if euery man might haue his libertée. This bread eight dayes togither they in presence out do bring, The Organs all do then resound, and priestes alowde do sing: The people flat on faces fall, their handes helde vp on hie, Beléeuing that they sée their God, and soueraigne maiestie. The like at Masse they doe, while as the bread is lifted well, And Challys shewed aloft, when as the Sexten rings the bell. O blessed God, why suffrest thou such wickednesse to raigne, And bringst them not into the steppes of fathers olde againe, Whereof they do so often boast? yet so vnlike them be, That doctrine, faith, nor life with theirs, doth any whit agrée. In Villages the husbandmen about their corne doe ride, With many Crosses, Banners, and sir Iohn their Priest beside: Who in a bag about his necke doth beare the blessed breade, And oftentyme he downe alightes, and Gospell lowde doth reade. This surely kéepes the corne from winde, and raine, and from the blast, Such fayth the Pope hath taught, and yet the Papistes holde it fast: Not taken from the Gospell, nor the worthie doctors olde, But from the minde of man, and from blinde reason mistresse bolde. Straight after this comes Vrban in, the Vintners God deuine, Whose day if that it pleasant be, and Sunne abrode do shine,* 1.25 Good lucke to them they count it then, and Bacchus holinesse, His Image and his Church they decke, and curiously do dresse, About his necke both cups and bowles they hang in order rounde, And fast vpon his head a crowne of vinie leaues is wounde.

Then him to Tauerne doe they bring, or to some tipling house, With lustie traine, and vnto him they quaffe and drinke carrouse: Who for bicause he pledges none, as one that is not drie, In his behalfe they pledge themselues, and that so handsomly, Till mystes before their eyes appears, and legges do waxe full weake, Their face doth flame, their head doth nod, & scarce a word they speake. But if the day be clowdie nowe, or giuen vnto raine, On him they list not to bestow such honour, nor such paine, Poore knaue into some ryuer than, they cast him cruellie, And all to souse him in the streame, or durtie let him lie. And if this madnesse be not such, as may be laught at well, What thing should mooue vs for to laugh, I surely can not tell. * 1.26The next is Vitus sodde in Oyle, before whose ymage faire, Both men and women bringing hennes for offring do repaire: The cause whereof I doe not know, I thinke for some disease, Which he is thought to driue away from such as him do please. Then doth the ioyfull feast of Iohn the Baptist take his turne, * 1.27When bonfiers great with loftie flame, in euery towne doe burne: And yong men round about with maides, doe daunce in euery stréete, With garlands wrought of Motherwort, or else with Veruain swéete, And many other flowres faire, with Violets in their handes, Whereas they all do fondly thinke, that whosoeuer standes, And thorow the flowres beholds the flame, his eyes shall féele no paine. When thus till night they daunced haue, they through the fire amaine With striuing mindes doe runne, and all their hearbes they cast therin, And then with wordes deuout and prayers, they solemnely begin, Desiring God that all their illes may there consumed bée, Whereby they thinke through all that yeare, from Agues to be frée. Some others get a rotten whéele, all worne and cast aside, Which couered round about with strawe, and tow, they closely hide: And caryed to some mountaines top, being all with fire light, They hurle it downe with violence, when darke appeares the night: Resembling much the Sunne, that from the heauens downe should fal, A straunge and monstrous ••••ght it séemes, and fearefull to them all: But they suppose their mischiefes all are likewise throwne to hell, And that from harmes and daungers now, in safetie here they dwell.

Wheresoeuer Huldryche hath his place, the people there brings in, Both Carpes, and Pykes, and Mullets fat, his fauour here to win.* 1.28 Amid the Church there sitteth one, and to the aultar nie, That selleth fish, and so good chéepe, that euery man may buie: Nor any thing he loseth here, bestowing thus his paine, For when it hath béene offred once, t'is brought him all againe, That twise or thrise he selles the same, vngodlinesse such gaine Doth still bring in, and plentiously the kitchin doth maintaine. Whence comes this same religion newe? what kind of God is this Same Huldryche here, that so desires, and so delightes in fishe? Which neuer any heathen God, in offring did receaue, Nor any thing vnto the Iewes the Lorde hereof did leaue. Much folly and iniquitie, in euery place they shewe, But we the chiefest will declare, and write but of a fewe. The blessed virgin Maries feast, hath here his place and time,* 1.29 Wherein departing from the earth, she did the heauens clime: Great bundels then of hearbes to Church, the people fas•• doe beare, The which against all hurtfull things, the Priest doth hallow theare. Thus kindle they and nourish still, the peoples wickednesse, And vainely make them to beléeue, whatsoeuer they expresse: For sundrie witchcrafts by these hearbs ar wrought, & diuers charmes, And cast into the fire, are thought to driue away all harmes, And euery painefull griefe from man, or beast, for to expell, Farre otherwise than nature, or the worde of God doth tell. To belly cheare yet once againe doth Martin more encline, Whom all the people worshippeth, with rosted Géese and wine:* 1.30 Both all the day long and the night, now ech man open makes His vessels all, and of the Must oft times the last he takes, Which holy Martyn afterwarde, alloweth to be wine, Therefore they him vnto the skies extoll, with prayse deuine: And drinking déepe in tankardes large, and bowles of compasse wide, Yea by these fées the Schoolemaisters haue profite great beside: For with his scholers euery one, about do singing go, Not praysing Martyn much, but at the Goose reioyceing tho, Whereof they oftentymes haue part, and money therewithall, For which they celebrate this feast, with song and musicke all.

* 1.31Saint Nicholas money vsde to giue to Maydens secretlie, Who, that he still may vse his woonted liberalitie The mothers all their children on the éeue doe cause to fast, And when they euery one at night in senselesse sléepe are cast: Both Apples, Nuttes, and peares they bring, and other things beside, As caps, and shooes, and petticotes, which secretly they hide, And in the morning found, they say, that this saint Nicholas brought: Thus tender mindes to worship Saints and wicked things are taught. * 1.32What should I tell what Sophisters, on Cathrins day deuise? Or else the superstitious toyes that Maisters exercise. * 1.33To Andrew all the louers, and the lustie wooers come, Beléeuing through his ayde and certaine ceremonies done, (While as to him they presentes bring, and coniure all the night) To haue good lucke, and to obtaine their chiefe and swéete delight. * 1.34The dedication of the Church is yerely had in minde, With worship passing Catholicke, and in a wondrous kinde: From out the stéeple hie is hangde, a Crosse and banner fayre, The pauement of the temple strowde, with hearbes of pleasant ayre, The Pulpets and the aultars all that in the Church are seene, And euery pewe and piller great, are deckt with boughes of gréene: The tabernacles opned are, and Images are drest, But chiefly he that patron is, doth shine aboue the rest: A borde there standes wheron their Bulles and pardons thick they lay, That giuen are to euery one that kéepes this holy day: The Idoll of the Patron eke, without the doore doth stande, And beggeth fast of euery man, with pardons in his hande: Who for bicause he lackes his tongue, and hath not yet the skill In common peoples languages, when they speake well or ill: He hath his owne interpretor, that alwayes standeth by, And vnto euery man that commeth in or out doth cry: Desiring them the Patrone there, with giftes to haue in minde, And Popishe pardons for to buie, release of sinnes to finde. The Priest doth other Priestes procure, and willeth euery knaue, His harlot for to bring, and all the swarme of Bastards that they haue: On euery side the neighbours come, and such as dwell not nere, Come of their owne good willes, and some required to be there.

And euery man his weapon hath, their swordes, and launces long, Their axes, curriars, pystolets, with pykes and darts among. The yong men in their best array, and trimmest maydes appeare, Both Ieasters, Roges, and minstrels with their instruments are hear••▪ The Pedler doth his packe vntrusse, the Host his pots doth fill, And on the table bread and drinke doth set for all that will: Nor eyther of them their heape deceyues, for of the others all, To them th'aduauntage of this feast, and gaine, doth chiefly fall. The seruice done, they eyther to the tauerne fast doe flie, Or to their neighbours house, whereas they féede vnreasonablie: For sixe or seuen courses, they vnto the table bring, And for their suppers may compare with any heathen king. The table taken vp they rise, and all the youth apace, The Minstrell with them called go to some conuenient place: Where when with Bagpipe hoarce, he hath begon his Musicke fine, And vnto such as are preparde to daunce hath giuen signe, Comes thither streight both boyes and gyrles, and men that aged bée, And maryed folkes of middle age, there also comes to sée, Old wrinckled hagges, and youthfull dames, that minde to daūce aloft, Then sundrie pastimes do begin, and filthie daunces oft: When Drunkardes they do lead the daunce with fray and bloody fight, That handes, and eares, and head, and face, are torne in wofull plight: The streames of bloud runne downe the armes, and oftentimes is séene The carkasse of some ruffian slaine, is left vpon the gréene. Here many for their louers swéete, some daintie thing doe buie, And many to the tauerne go, and drinke for companie, Whereas they foolish songs do sing, and noyses great do make: Some in the meane while play at Cardes, and some the Dice do shake. Their custome also is, the Priest into the house to pull: Whom when they haue, they thinke their game accomplished at full: He farre in noyse excéedes them all, and eke in drinking drie The cuppes, a prince he is, and holdes their heades that spéewing lie▪ And that with such attendaunce good, that often therewithall His stomacke turnes, for which his neighbours like and loue him all: Whom if the lyquor that he tastes doe hap to handle so, As on his féeble legges vnto his house he can not go:

But réele and stagger here and there, as oftentymes is séene, They friendly set him on a horse, and home they cary him cléene: To shewe their thankfull hearts againe, this Catholike aray, Is alwayes vsde vpon this feast, and venerable day. For soules departed from this life, they also carefull bée, * 1.35The shauen sort in numbers great, thou shalt assembled sée, Where as their seruice with such spéede, they mumble out of hande, That none, though well they marke, a worde thereof can vnderstande, But soberly they sing, while as the people offring bée, For to releaue their Parents soules that lie in miseree. For they beleeue the shauen sort, with dolefull harmonie, Do draw the damned soules from hell, and bring them to the skie: Where they but onely here regarde, their belly and their gaine, And neuer troubled are with care of any soule in paine. Their seruice thus in order sing, and payde for Masse and all, They to the Tauerne streightwayes go, or to the Parsons hall, Where all the day they drinke and play, and pots about do walke, Whereas these Cathlicke fathers haue such lewde and beastly talke, As doutlesse would abhorred be, in any stinking stewes, And such as any ruffian would, ashamed be to vse. These are their chiefe solemnities, and orders all the yeare, Which with the popish fayth in all agréeing doth appeare: And doth declare thou séest the mindes of these same holy men, What vertues great they haue, and what religion lyes in them. * 1.36The like their temples teach, drest vp in more than Pagan guise, That shines with wicked furniture, before the peoples eies, As Idols, aultars, pictures lewde, with armes of men prophane, And Banners, Crosses, burning Lampes, & lightes that alwaies flame Before the Virgins Image fayre, and bread in secret put, That round about with yron grates, and Chauncell close is shut: That surely not vnworthily the Turkes beléeue and say, The Papistes are Idolaters, and haue no perfite way In seruing God, who yet account themselues assuredly, The very Spouse and Church of Christ, that cannot runne awry. * 1.37Séest thou how in their life they doe beléeue, and when they die, How doubtfull they? that shauelings séeke their owne commoditie,

Regarding not what happe vnto the simple people falles: For if that any woulde neglect, the woonted funeralles, Their singing and their roaring vaine, and onely here commit Himselfe to God, his heyre should be constrainde to furnish it, And punisht sore if any thing herein shall wanting bée, Of all the toyes that doth belong, to such solemnitée. Thinkst thou they carefull are that soules, the heauens doe attaine, And Purgatorie scape, or rather for their filthie gaine? Some where for children is the like, whom yet they doe confesse, For to be iust, and innocent, and dye in blessednesse: Their parentes for their funeralles, constrayned are to pay, Least of the Popish tyranny, should any part decay. No fayth nor perfit godlinesse doth any where appeare, But fraude, and craftie coulourings, and such deceitfull geare. Beholde againe their prayers and the bookes they occupie,* 1.38 Wherewith to God, and to the saintes, they pray continually: And to the Angells vse the like, which supersticious kinde, They doe not reade with any sprite, or zealousnesse of minde: No cause prouoketh them to praye, this onely them assinde, To babble much, for otherwise woulde want no wordes nor minde, Ne shoulde they néede so many prayers, appoynted them to say, Nor thus to tire their wéeried tongue, with mumbling all the day. Likewise before the heapes of bones, prepared for the same They stande, and to the spirits and soules in graue, they prayers frame: And for their good estate they pray, that measure none they know, Of foolishnesse, nor wicked déedes doe euer ceasse to flow: To Church they come with beades of bone, or of some other thing, Whose middles pierced through are tide, and ioyned with a string: Thus fastned, fiftie Rosaries, they still account the same, And thrise so many Psalters they accustomde are to name. With these vnto our Ladie, and to God, and to his saintes, They number all their babling wordes, and all their tedious plaintes. So that they number onely séeke, not caring for the minde, That woman holyest is by much, and of deuoutest kinde: Whose beades vnto hir foote doe reach, and eake whose maydens so Drest vp with hir in like attire, vnto the Church doe go.

* 1.39Besides for Charmes and Sorseries, in all things they excell, Both Dardan and the Witches foule, that by Maeotis dwell. The reason is, that yet to trust in God they haue no skill, Nor will commit themselues vnto th'almightie fathers will. If any woman brought abed, amongst them haps to lie, Then euery place enchaunter lyke, they clense and purifie: For feare of sprightes least harme she take, or caried cleane away, Be stolne from thence, as though she than in greatest daunger lay, When as hir trauailes ouerpast, and ended well hir paine, With rest and sléepe she séekes to get, hir strength decayde againe. The like in trauailes harde they vse, and mariages aswell, And eke in all things that they buy, and euery thing they sell. About these Catholikes necks and hands, are alway hanging charmes, That serue against all miseries, and all vnhappie harmes: Amongst the which, the threatning writ of Michael maketh one, And also the beginning of the Gospell of Saint Iohn: But these alone they doe not trust, but with this same they haue, Theyr barbrous wordes, & crosses drawne, with bloud or painted braue. They swordes enchaunt, and horses strong, and flesh of men they make So harde and tough, that they ne care, what blowes or cuttes they take, And vsing Necromancie thus, them selues they safely keepe, From bowes, or guns, & from the woolues their cattell, lambes & shéepe: No iourney also they doe take, but charmes they with them beare, Besides in glistering glasses fayre, or else in christall cleare They sprightes enclose, and as to Prophets true, so to the same They go, if any thing be stolne, or any taken lame. And when theyr Kine doe giue no milke, or hurt, or bitten sore, Or any other harme that to these wretches happens more. * 1.40Now last behold how they do kéepe, their sabboth daies throghout, First in the morning finely drest, they iet the stréetes about: With garments fondly iagde and cut, and prowde and lofty pace, And rapyres long about them girt, their great and chiefest grace▪ Some others walke into the fieldes, or else at euery gate, They talke and laugh, and thus begin the day to celebrate. An other sort togither come, and drinking hande to hande, They quaffe so long, till none of them be able for to stande:

Yea oftentimes they in their seates, with drinke are strangled quight, And yéelding vp their dronken ghostes, doe bid their mates godnight. But few of them doe care for Masse, though euery one doe saye, And thinke it holiest is, nor to the Church they go to praye: But eyther breakefastes long they make, at home when they arise, Or drinke vntill the euening starre, begin to shine in skies. Or else before the Church doore prate, or in the marketsted. Now when their dinner once is done, and that they well haue fed, To play they go, to casting of the stone, to runne, or shoote, To tosse the light and windie ball, aloft with hande or foote: Some others trie their skill in gonnes, some wrestle all the day, And some to schooles of fence do go, to gaze vpon the play: An other sort there is that doe not loue abroade to roame, But for to passe their time at cardes, or tables still at hoame: Some vse to sit before their doores, and backbite euery man, Or newes deuise, or some debate, and strife whereas they can. The God of wine doth neuer want, in all their sportes and play, Who when he once hath toucht the braine, & drawne the minde away, Of euery worde ariseth blowes, their manhoode to assay, So that no sunday shalt thou sée, without some dronken fray. And thus of custome endeth still, this solemne festiuall, With dronkennesse, a plague vnto the braine and members all▪ To Ensong are they called straight, by towling of the bell, But from their place they list not stirre, being occupied so well: They forwarde with their game doe go, and Church and seruice all, Commit vnto the schoolemaisters, or Vicar generall. Some others to their Ladies sues, being amorous all the while, Or frame deceytes or subtilties, yong maydens to beguile, The wanton youth to daunsing goes, and wickedly doe draw, The maydens in ring, and wantonnesse hath neyther bondes nor law. And least the youth their pleasure full of whoredome should not take, In euery Citie common stewes, they maintaine and they make:* 1.41 And Bawdes they suffer openly, and cherish them withall, Of whome no slender price doe here receyue nor profit small: These Catholickes and holy men, and Church of Christ on hie, The same that all the worlde reforme, and heritiks destroy.

To these doe come all those whom here their filthie lust prouokes, Both countrie men, and forriners, and poore and welthie folkes. Whatsoeuer they be that haue not yet, the yoake of mariage tride, No kinde of shame doth driue them hence, nor any care beside. For lawfull here they doe it sée, and not to be dispisde, But with the Popish sort to be, an exercise deuisde. Sometime it also haps, that maried men doe here resort, But not without their punishment, if once the youthfull sort Perceyue that they doe thither come, for this they dearely pay, And oftentimes are vsed ill, and beare the blowes away: But at this same the rulers laugh, and nothing doe it waye, For Papistes whordome doe alow, and count it but a playe. For of the polshorne Priestes they learne, and them they follow still, That lawes are not of any force to remedie this ill: The lawe Scatinian is extinct, and Iulian laught at now, The Papistes euery kinde of vice, and wickednesse alow: And not alonely in themselues, they doe the same permit, But also vnto all that list, with Golde to purchase it. But here I faine woulde vnderstande, what straunge Apostle hée, That gaue vnto the Christian sort, this wanton libertée? That where they fréely might enioye, and haue them openlye, And they themselues to take the hier of beastly letcherye? And notwithstanding this to be true Catholickes in fine, The perfit seruants here of God, and Church of Christ deuine? Of their religion, life, and déedes, learne thou their fayth at full, That they with emptie shadow thée not into errour pull. This was the guise of Corynth great, and Cyprus eke of olde, While darcknesse raind, and Sathan ••oule, his scepture there did holde: But with a worthie cloake they couer now this whoredome vile, Least that the youth should happe both maydes and matrons to defile. Who would not muse to sée the witte of these same catholickes, Their sharpe inuentions, and deuise, in all their proper trickes? This thing coulde Moyses not perceyue, that all things else did sée, * 1.42Who wilde that whoremong••rs shoulde none among the people bée: And banishte all the ••••rlottes qu••ght, as God did him aduise, No: Paule it saw being lifted vp, aboue the starrie skies:

Who did forbid that any man, his members framde of right,* 1.43 To be the dwelling place of Christ, and of the holy spright: Should vnto Harlots giue, and make the same thereby to be, The body of a hore, this staine and blot commaunded he To be excluded farre from saintes, and such as christned be. But they haue nothing for to doe, with Moyses nor with Paule, Nor any honest things they will obey, nor lawes at all. Themselues they pardon and forgiue, dispensing wondrouslye, As men that onely here possest the keyes of heauen hye. I many things doe ouer passe, nor haue they euery where, Their customes like, for euery realme hath his deuised gere: Yea both in Cities great, and in the villages thereby, There are that doe such doltish dreames, defende maliciously, That quight contrary are to Christ, and to religion right, Which neyther canst thou easily knowe, nor well in verse resight. Now when these Popish lothsome limmes, by no meanes we can sée In life nor in their trauaile here, the limmes of Christ to bée, Nor can in anye wise imbrace, the fonde religion vaine, And shamefull orders to the worlde, of God contrarie plaine, Nor doctrine of so wicked fayth, to Christian people giue, But rather as the Apostles teach, doe simply seeke to liue, Reiecting toyes and mans deuice, as which we surely know, To be detested of that Prince, that lightnings downe doth throw: We here are called Heritykes, and worthie thought to bée, Of halter, sworde, consuming fire, and ech extremitée. We punisht are, our houses sealde, or from our countrie farre We banisht be, or else opprest at home with ciuill warre: Whereas the dreadfull Souldiour doth consume, and cleane deuours, The goodes that here hath gotten bene, by toyle and paine of ours. These things these Catholikes attempt, when in so many yeares, By scriptures sure they cannot plant, this foolish fayth of theirs: Nor ours with scriptures ouerthrow, that now they séeke to make The Prince of hell and Christ to ioyne in one, and partes to take. For (all ashamde) they plaine perceyue, that long they cannot stande, With this religion and this life, if once doe come in hande, The worde of God the heauenly light, and that abrode doe shine, The twelue Apostles doctrine, and that blessed court deuine.

Nor good it séemeth yet to them (such is their wisdome hie,) To graunt that they haue erd in any thing or gone awrie. For shame it is that learned men, and such as famous bée, For Mitars and for Crosiar staues, amongst the Christiantée Christ nor the Apostles fayth to know, that perfit is and iust, But to be ledde with dreames of men, whome none may safely trust. From hence procéedeth all their griefe, and all their cruell hate, That with effusion of our bloud, they stablish their estate: And will not here be pacified by any other meanes, Except we do alow and like, their lewde and monstrous dreames: And altogither runne in one, like flockes for company, To false and wicked worshippings, and vile idolatry: And knowledge them for Lordes of fayth, and rulers of vs all, Although they teache no doctrine of the King celestiall. Oft hath it bene agréed that eyther part shoulde fréely vse Their owne religion, seruing God as best they list to chuse: And neyther part the other for to trouble or molest, With warres or bookes, that Germany might liue in peace or rest. But Papistes can no peace abide, continually they write, And both with wordes, and wretched déedes, most cruelly doe bite: Not onely vs, which might (perhaps) be well enough endurde, But also Gods most holy worde, and gospell here assurde. If tumults on our partes arise, or any great ado, Or if our men doe armour take, being forced therevnto, And by the law of armes doe burne, and spoyle their enimie, And take the pillage of their foes, immediately they crie: The wicked Gospell worketh this, beholde in what a plight These fellowes liue, the Deuill brought this Gospell first to light: It Turkish is, and not the same, that Luke wrought long ago: And spightfully they slaunder it, with many raylings mo: As if that any Preacher here, did euer this alow, Or any did by worde of Christ, such crueltie auow. They know full well themselues that none of ours did euer teache, To vse such violence nor this vnto the people preache: Yet with their vile infectiue tongues, and mouthes enuenemde tho, With poyson that in hellish lakes, and Stygian streames doth flo,

The Gospell of the Lorde they doe, most spightfully defame, And herewithall the Ministers and Preachers of the same. But who can Princes gouerne here, or any meanes deuise, To kéepe them in, from vsing force against their enimies? Why doe they not as well diswade their Catholikes, and blame Them for their force and crueltie, that doe the very same? And boldely euery where destroy, and euery man molest, Yea euen their very friendes at home, that faine woulde liue at rest. What kinde of Gospell teache those men, that euen openly With bitter wordes and bookes perswade men to such cruelty? Are these to any man vnknowne? doth Fraunce and Italy Not openly declare the same, and plainely testify? Do not the pulpettes of the Pope, perswade this martiall might, And pardons euery man hys sinnes that in their quarrell fight? But sure the wallet them beguiles, that hanges behinde their backe, And better others faultes they sée, than what themselues doe lacke: Accounting here for catholickes, themselues and all their traine, And others all as heritickes, and wicked people plaine: Wherefore the chiefest members of this holy popish state, Their cerimonies and their dayes, they yearely consecrate. Their foolish fayth and beastly life, I openly doe showe, That all the worlde may vnderstande, and euery man may know, That neyther Christ nor perfit fayth, they any whit doe way, But onely séeke to looke aloft, and boldely for to say, That they the booke of Peter are, and holy Catholickes, And we vnhappie castawayes, and cursed heritickes. But wherein are they Catholickes? bicause they folow here The truth? but what they folow and beléeue doth plaine appere. So it is that in number they and countries vs excell, So mayst thou both the Turkes and Mores, call Catholickes as well. Herewith I iudge that euery man, that hath an vpright heart, Doth vnderstande how iust our cause hath béene for to depart From this their monstrous fayth, and from their lewde ydolatrée, And for to shonne these popish members all of ech degrée: As men that neyther Christ doe know, nor euer séeke to finde, Nor suffer such as woulde, but kéepe them still in darcknesse blinde.

FINIS.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Con. 26. q. ••. Si quis. Non ob••er. Quis. q. 2. Nos pla∣net. Sed & il∣lud q. 5. Non liceat.
• * 1.2

  Aduent.
• * 1.3

  Christmasse daye.
• * 1.4

  Saint Steuen.
• * 1.5

  Saint Iohn.
• * 1.6

  ••••••rmasse.
• * 1.7

  Newyeares day.
• * 1.8

  Twelfe day.
• * 1.9

  Saint Agnes.
• * 1.10

  Candelmasse.
• * 1.11

  Blase.
• * 1.12

  Shrouetide.
• * 1.13

  Ashwed∣nesday.
• * 1.14

  Lent.
• * 1.15

  Care sunday.
• * 1.16

  Palme Sunday.
• * 1.17

  Maundy Thursday.
• * 1.18

  Good friday.
• * 1.19

  Easter eue.
• * 1.20

  Easter day.
• * 1.21

  Procession weeke.
• * 1.22

  Ascention day
• * 1.23

  Whitsunday.
• * 1.24

  Corpus Chri∣sti day.
• * 1.25

  Saint Vrban.
• * 1.26

  Vitus.
• * 1.27

  Iohn Baptist.
• * 1.28

  Saint Hul∣dryche.
• * 1.29

  Assumption of the Vir∣gin Marie.
• * 1.30

  Marty••.
• * 1.31

  Nicholas.
• * 1.32

  Catheryn.
• * 1.33

  Andrew.
• * 1.34

  Church ho∣lyday.
• * 1.35

  All soulne daye.
• * 1.36

  Churches.
• * 1.37

  Funerals.
• * 1.38

  Prayers.
• * 1.39

  Charmes.
• * 1.40

  Holy dayes.
• * 1.41

  Stewes.
• * 1.42

  Deut 2••. 1. Cor 5.6.7.10.
• * 1.43

  Heb. 13. Gal. 5. Ephe. 5. 1. Thes. 4.