Couetous Prelates.
73 Of a lester and a Bishop.
A Certen Iester came in the Calendes of Ia∣nuarie to a Bishop, who was very rich, but couetous: Of whome he begged a piece of
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A Certen Iester came in the Calendes of Ia∣nuarie to a Bishop, who was very rich, but couetous: Of whome he begged a piece of
golde for a Newe yeares gift. This Prelate said that he was madde, in that he supposed to haue so much mony giuen him for a new yeres gift. Thē the fellowe begged a piece of siluer, but he saide that was too much. Again, he required of him the least coine of Brasse: but when he could not ob∣taine that, he sayd: I pray thée yet (reuerende fa∣ther) at the leaste, bestowe thy blissing on me in¦stead of a present. Then said the Bishop: Knéele downe sonne that I may blisse thée. Nay, then (quod hée) I care not for your blissing, if it be so good cheape, for if it had bene worthe a farthing, you would not haue graunted it to me.
MOR This is against Bishops and Priestes, which sette more by riches than all holy miste∣ries of the Church.
A Countrey Prieste dwelling in Tuscia, who was very rich, had a little Dogge whome he bearely loued: which, when it dyed, he buryed in the Churchyarde. Whereof the Byshoppe of that Diocesse being aduertysed, and being co∣uetous, supposyng thereby to gette some great summe of money, there vppon hée summoned the Prieste to appeare before hym. He know∣inge well the pretence of the Byshoppe, tooke wyth hym fiftye pieces of Golde, and came to
the Bishop, who laid sore to his charge the bury∣ing of his Dogge, for which he commaunded him to prisone. The Priest (as he was riche) so being wittie withall, humbly answered him, saying: Reuerend Father, if your holynesse vnderstoode the singuler wisedome of my Dogge, yee woulde nothing maruell that he was buried amongste men: For his wit passed mannes reason, as well in his life time as at the hour of his death. What is this (quod the Bishop) that thou sayst? Forsoth (quod the Priest) he made a Will at his latter end, and knowing your necessitie, he bequeathed you fiftie pieces of golde, which I haue broughte with me. The Bishop, when he had receiued the money (being well pleased) sent away the Priest vnpunished.