The Popes complaint to his minion cardinals, against the good successe of the Bohemians and their generall proceedings

THE POPES COMPLAINT to his Cardinalls against BOHEMIA . POPE . O My Caesario ! what shall we doe now ? Since men dare thus our Proiects disalow : Deride our Cursses , and make slight our Power , Scoffe at Religion , as if now the hower Were come indeed to pull downe Babilon , For so our Citie Rome they raile vpon . They will no more our Indulgences haue , Nor Trentals , Dirges , Masses , doe they craue : They laugh at Purgatoryes flames and fire , Deny our Merits , onely doe desire Saluation from the Passion of our Lord , And all Our Canons are by them abhord : To heare the Aue Bell is made a sporte , Vnto Confession none will scarce resort , So that I feare , of Christian libertines We Atheists shall become , by outward signes : Caesario . Your Holines hath tolde a grieuous tale , Made faint my hart , my bloodles cheekes looke pale , I quake to haue You thus affrighted bee ; And yet there is no cause , for ought I see . Pope . No cause Caesario , why ? I then begin To tell the cause : what care I for their sinne ? Or whether men in world liue ill , or well : Or whether dying , goe to Heauen or Hell ? Whether that Princes swell with heat of pride , Or doe make hatefull warres on euery side ? Whether whole Countries subjugate each other ? Deny the Faith , and all their vices smother ? So we doe holde Supremacie secure , Haue certaine wayes our Annuals to assure , Keep them in awe , that dare withstand our Cursse , Blessing the meanes which doe enrich our Pursse : So we our Glory and delights maintaine , Or else , what hath beene done is all in vaine . Caesario . Why so ye doe : who dare oppose your Plea ? Who sendeth not for Blessings to your Sea ? Who is not correspondent to your Will , Seeking your Holy pleasure to fulfill ? Except some scatterd Lutherans of late , As Malcontents for their deboist Estate , Some scambling Scismaticks , penurious fooles , A fewe of Hereticks in wrangling Schooles , A common tricke of Sathans for contention , As in all times the Church hath had dissention : Pope . Some few ! Aye me , how can you say some fewe ? When that whole Kingdomes ( as it is too true ) Haue thriued in reuolts from our designes , And packing sent our Legats and Assignes : Who cares in England for our threates or hate ? Scotland is worsse in matters of debate , In Ireland our Priests are made a pray , The other Northerne Kingdomes keep away : France is our eldest Sonne , but what can France Doe gainst him selfe , our Power to aduaunce ? The Netherlands Tryumph for Their rejection , And from their natiue Princes seek annection To other Soueraigntie , and ne'r againe Will once obay , or Austria or Spaine : But of all others , Curst be that prowd Towne , Prowd of a Fennish Lake to beare Vs downe : And as they thinke , impregnable to stand , Geneua . Scorne all the Forces that may come by Land : These led the Dance , and these doe boast of Time Three hundred yeares agoe , that all their Clime , The Zwitzers , Cantons , and the Grisons haue Sought our Religious Orgies to depraue : And so by them was Wicklife taught to stray , And the Waldenses tooke the wronger way : Then followed Hierome , and Bohemian Husse , And other Satanists , who did discusse Gainst our good Discipline , and made a breach By Germaine Factions , as their Church did teach : So that a Prouince I can scarce now name , Who as Aposta●t incurre not defame : But neuer had the Deuill such a tricke , That strooke it home , and touch't vs to the quicke : To raise a Frier to withstand a Prince ! O God how Luther dared not long since Our mightie Charles affront vnto his face , And gainst our Sea proclaymed all disgrace ? But more then these ? the Grecian Church complaines , That they are poor , and we haue all the gaines . They liue deprest , wee doe vsurpe their pride , They were the first , we tryumph on each side . So they had rather liue in seruitude , Then for the Latines any way conclude . Caesario . If it be so , rowse vp your Holinesse , And be the same you doe your selfe professe , Peters successor , both to binde and loose , Open the Churches Treasure , and out-choose Your Bulles , your Cursses , Fulminations , With all those Maledicting Relations , That haue in former times kept Kings in awe , And made the Empire subiect to your Lawe . Dominicke . With Reuerence vnto the Papacy , ( And awfull care to Peters Legacy ) Let a poor Frier open now his minde , For well I see there much remaines behinde : Alas , alas , what now will Cursses doe ? Or Bulles , or Threatnings ? If they all put to Their helping hand , more then in former times , To make a scoffe at our poor Friers Rimes ? Not long agoe , we did begin with Spayne , Both Sonne and Father we thought to restrayne : Charles . 5. But for the Father , Burbon sack't our Cittie , Teaching the Cloistred Nunnes to cry for pittie , The Matrons , Virgins , wrung their hands for ruth , To see such rauishments of chastest Youth , Yea , all both sortes and sexes did lament Those foule outragies , to their discontent : And for the Sonne durst Aluas Duke controule , The Conclaue and the Pope him selfe , whose soule Phillip . 2. He baited , hunted with strong inference Of Pastorall duties , and more consequence Of humane clemency , religious Zeale , Humbled regard , and after did appeale To Iesus Christ himselfe against that Cursse , That made the Armies , and the Cause the worsse : And this was all wee got by our fine skill ; Which they call Tyrannie , as others will Disclaime the like : For when our Father had That Prince of Princes , so reputed bad , That great Elizaheth out of the Church With Menaces cast , we fell in the Lurch : She as a Rocke immoueable did stand , And all our Priests were hated in her Land : Yea , other Princes from their strong Allyance , Prepared to withstand our strange defiance . Come nearer home ! what did our Threatning worke , But rowse the sleeping Lyon , who did lurke Cowchant before , and by St. Mark his Charme Resolued was to doe vs no great harme : But when we would not so appeased stand , He Panther-like opened his stronger hand , And shewed his Tallents , when within his reach , The Prey was come : so Venice made a breach Against our Walles : Yea , hilly Sauoy dare To counterchecke our Discipline not spare , And therefore sure when we are thus withstood , These Bulles and Fulminations doe no good : Burghesius . Then doe as Peters vision biddeth vs , Both kill and eate , what need we more discusse ? If mansuetude cannot confirme our Sate , Let slaughters on each side quench the debate : Some , either loue or money will perswade ; Or hope of Blisse , such Tyrants to inuade : Dominick . O say not so ; this makes vs odious , And is against Religion dangerous : Looke into holy Writ , and you shall finde , How Regicides haue still bene cast behinde , The Captaines , that kild Ishbosheth , were slaine , And he which fell on Saul , lyed all in vaine : Thus of the rest : But come to later times , Was not stout Nassaus murthers counted Crimes ? Prince of Orenge . Reueng'd with punishment , abhor'd with hate , And made a cause of malice , and debate ? What got we by those Henries of France , Kild by our Iacobines , whome to aduance With Saint-like honour , Rome did nothing spare ? But then alas , the Princes did declare Vpon the same , our enemies profest : The Hugonites grewe strong , and did detest Such crueltie , yea with Inuectiues durst For that foule Sinne ; holde Rome herselfe accurst . And as for England , as of late was seene , The strange Attempts against that peerelesse Queene ( For so I needs must say , how e're wee know Shee was seduced another way to goe : ) Affected with Remorse , such as so wrought , That Catholickes themselues , e'ill of Vs thought . But when I once the Powder Treason name , I doe protest , I tremble at the same , And must confesse the Deuill disappointed , By such a Stratagem 'gainst Gods annoynted . For how so ere Kings in Religion faile ; Yet Cyrus is Gods seruant to preuaile In his designes , and they Vicegerents are For good or bad , to manage all his warre : Nay come to Fryer Paul of Venice State , Whose Life so many wayes was sought of late : It makes me thinke vpon the stubborne Iewes , Who Paules good Doctrine did so much refuse , That Vowes were made to kill him in the way , But he preuented them : Thus , thus I say To kill will doe no good , but cause the Foe More stronger with an armed Guard to goe , And raise a Scandall on your Fatherhood , Tearming the Cardinalls the Serpents broode , That haue no better meanes the Truth to teach , But Lessons of foule Murther still doe Preach : Romano . Then let vs doe as Machabans did , When the poore Iewes were in the Mountaines hid , For feare of proude Antiochas : take Armes , Rowse vp our Courages with warlike charmes , Summon our Friends , open our Treasures store : Aduance the Churches Standard , and before The Armies Catholicke with Blessings goe , These Caitiffe Heretickes to ouerthrow . Dominick . This sauors better then the former twaine , For this is Manly , Princely : Yet againe How shall wee thus preuailingly proceed , When our own Countries are not well agreed ? It is not now , as when our Innocent Did treade vpon the Dragon , and was bent To sommon Fredericke to Romes high Throne , Where that that his Holinesse as on a Stone , Did set his Foote vpon the Emperors necke , The proudest Monarchies to counterchecke ! It is not now , as when three Dayes together , Henry the Third ( though Caesar ) in foule weather Did Bare-leg wayte with his Empresse and Sonne , Eu'n at your Pallace Gate : Men then begun To reuerence the Church , and durst not stray , From true Religion the wronger way : It is not now , as when our Pandulph came To Englands Iohn , and taught him a strange Game Of poore Submission , least French Lewis might , Dismisse him of his Dignity , and Right ! It is not now , as when Henry the Fift . That Germane Prince , his Father durst out Lift From the Imperiall Seate at your behest , And raisd such Armies , when you did request ! It is not now , as when that you Deuisde For Millaine , Naples , and great State premisde For Charles of France , so deare to Peters Chaire , So Louing , Carefull , True , and Debonaire ; That hee brought downe his Troopes to Vs amaine , And surely ment the Empire to regaine , When of Constantinople hee was Crown'd Chiefe Emperor , and so most Warlike found Against your then supposed Foe : Vntill That Pauies Battaile wrought a fatall ill ! It is not now , as when the Priests and Friers , Stucke to their Beades with limited Desires , And went no further then a motion , To stirre vp men to true Deuotion , Were not transcendent in their Practises , Nor past themselues in Forraine extacies : For on my Soule , If euer Rome had crosse , Or Subject must bee vnto greater losse : It is the stirring Iesuites that wrought it , And they as Clergy polliticks haue sought it . Good GOD what hath Religion to doe But with Religion , men to stirre and wooe To Holy duties , Sanctitie of Life , Pennance for sinne , to Cure debates and strife , To saue the Soules of such as goe astray Like silly Ignorants the wronger way . So that I know not , as the Case now stands , But Mischiefe is on foote in Christian Lands : And to my feare I speake when you make tryall , The end will bee our Scorne , or worse Denyall . You send to Albert , as a Grandsires Sonne , Not doubting but an Vnckles name hath wonne Much of regard : An answer soone is made , Hee Liues and Dyes vnder the Austrian shade , But 'las for him ! These Flemmish Burgers range As farre as Cleue , and stand in euery Grange , Strong in their Courts of Guard , and will not yeeld To giue him way in any Towne , or Field . You send to France , why France is scarse her owne , The Protestants then Catholickes are growne More strong , and such are their Great Princes Power , That no man knowes against them at this hower Who may preuaile : but onely this is plaine , They cannot spare a man to goe in vaine : You send to Phillip Catholicke , and Sonne , Who hath so many Crownes , & Countries wonne , But how shall they be kept on Head secure Without great force ? and how shall he endure To raise a forraine Army for your sake , That was compeld a sodaine Peace to make With your worst friends ? Expect not ayde from thence Sufficiently to further your pretence : You send to Pole , hath Pole no Warres in hand With Turkes , with Swenes , or with the neighbour Land ? And are you sure the Passages are free , Silesia's Gates , and Countries opened bee ? Is not Lusatia shut , Morania gon , And how can Poles reliefe bee hoped on ? Except some stragling Cosacks heere and there , As of all Nations you the like may heare : As for the Cantons , Swisse , and Grisans stout , It is but folly for to goe about Their succor's more then Mercenary pay , And so to either side they make their way : I neede not name your Principates about yee , Nor other Prouinces that are without yee , Of whome some watch the Turke , some are at jarre Amongst themselues , some for to raise a Warre Haue little meanes , lesse men , and lesser minde , And so must prooue vnto your Sea vnkinde . But in a worde , the Princes are so strong Of this last Vnion , that the meanest Wrong Done vnto one , is done vnto another , A Brother cannot better loue a Brother . Pope . Then it should seeme , wee shall let all alone , And sigh , and weepe , and crye , lament and grone : Pule at this outrage , kisse the scourging Rod , And onely like a Childe , crye out O GOD ! Giue way to Rumor , and with Patience , Beare the report of Shame with feeling sence . One day doth bring vs newes , that Bohem Dare Against their Emperour themselues declare ; Rejecting Austria , as it were in scorne , Forsaking Vs , as if wee were forlorne : Another Day reportes , the Palatine , With other Lutherans a League combine That traytorlike haue Crowned him a King Against his Soueraigne , and Encomions sing For many good successes , as they thriue In warlike Stratagems , and doe contriue To raise more Forces , send abroad to Friends , Proposing stranger thinges for stranger ends . Bohemia has a Prince borne in the Towne , The Warres preuaile , their Foes are beaten downe , Our Ferdinand doth Droope , Vienna standes As in a maze , folding their Armes and handes . The people throng in heapes and flocke a pace , In euery Towne , to hearken our Disgrace : Bucquoy is beaten , and Dampire is fled , the Polish Cossacks they are slaine and Dead : The Troopes are ouercome , and in the Field Two thousand lost , Foure hundred they did yeeld , Anholt and Mansfuld , had a glorious Day , Besides reuolters , who still runne away , And leaue their Prince to serue a Strangers turne , Oh that consuming Fier might them burne ! But heer 's not all : for now to Vexe vs more , Then either they , or Wee thought of before , They looke for Ayde from Brittaine , Horse and Foote , With vnbeleeued Sommes of Golde to boote : Which London Heretickes of their free Guift , For to disburse with Largenes haue made shift : Nay when they heare Religion is the Cause , They flocke amaine without or stop or pause : But when they talke of Romes great ouerthrow ? They clap their handes for Ioy , and so doe show Their Hate to Vs , wishing no other Warre Nor recompence for all their Coyne : Thus farre , These heauy headed Dutch haue wrought their ends , And doe increase , as wee decay in Friends . Caesario . Then I perceiue it needes must end with blowes , And if successe attend : Our Lady knowes To what a mountaine of foule Prodegies , Their Pride may rise to with their Victories . But are you sure the Emperor hath sent For succour into Spaine , as it was ment , Rather to breake off Peace & Leagues with all , Then see the Austrian Diadem to fall , And this me thinkes your Holinesse might moue By speciall Embassy , and so reproue Their great retardance , which hath giuen them leaue Refractary to growe , as I conceiue : Dominicke . Then you conceiue amisse , nor are you wise , To make your Passion author of aduise , Greatest Designes attend on Circumstance , And sauerie Pollicie must them Aduance : For if hee start from England , as it stands , Or breake the League with Hollands Netherlands , How can Hee all these turnes supply together , Or keepe his Nauy safe , from raging weather ? Whereas to temporise and to renue A stronger League by Peace , this may ensue , That all those Forces , which hee well can spare With so much Treasure , as his Princely care May husband for this purpose , shall be sent Vnto th' Imperiall Townes incontinent : Then with some more Security they may From Naples , Millaine , Sicell , March away Those trayned Garisons , filling their roomes With other Spaniards , and new come Groomes : Yet take you heede , this can but once bee done , And that 's well ended , which is well begun : But marke their Passages so hard to finde , As Swisse and Grisons proue to them vnkinde : ( For if your Holines wish for a Brother , No way but this : You cannot name another ) From Millaine to Vienna must they goe , Ouer fiue Mountaines full of Ice and Snowe , And in the Summer , which is strange to tell , It is not for their Marches halfe so well : Yet in extreames there is no remedy , Patience beares out the greatest extacy . Well let them goe , health and good Spirits guide them , And all the Saincts of Heauen goe beside them : For I am sure , whether they March or Troope , The third man in the Trauaile needs must Droope . Burghesius . Then holy Sir your Legate send to France , Who cannot but this Cause as much Aduance , Or rather more : For France is eldest Sonne Vnto our Rome , and should with ease bee wonne . Dominick . Are you a Conclauist , and know no more , Of France her State ? you might haue heard before That Condyes Prince , and others of esteeme , Would with their bloods Religion redeeme ; And stand 'gainst all Edicts vpon their Guard , Hoping at last to haue a good award : Yet for all this hath Ferdinando Writ , ( How euer Bolloigne did mislike of it : ) That some Commaunder might him Forces bring , With loue and liking of the youthfull King , Nor did hee thus , as barely , without charge : But in good Tearmes declare his minde at Large . Most Noble Prince remember Charles the Great Supported Rome , and got th' Imperiall Seate : As of the Church only Protector cal'd , Which was by Gothes and Saraceus enthral'd , And thereupon is France the eldest Sonne , And for true valour hath such honour wonne : Then be not now to Catholicks vnkinde , But let vs your Reliefe as Princely finde . A second Inference he had from Blood , Which seem'd amongst the Statists neer as good : The Emperour was Vncle to the Queene , As may within the Records well be seene : This he enforst from bond of Amitie , Arising out of Consanguinitie . A third was Morall , from protection Of other Princes in rejection , Oh for to help distressed , is a glory , As you may read in many an ancient Story . The fourth had ground vpon good Policie , Of iust reuenge to scourge iniquitie : Reuolts I meane , and disobedience To lawfull Kings , from a strong inference Of Treason in their soule enormous Crimes , As hath appeared in all moderne Times : The fift was taken from a Holy feare , Least that the Turke might of these troubles heare , And so the youth of Othoman awake , Aduantages of our Distresse to take , And then no doubt they might repent too late , That e're they durst the Austrian house amate . Burghesius . And was not this well Vrg'd ? nay was it not A president for Princes to haue got , Of excitation 'gainst so great a Foe , That sure will worke more mischiefe and more woe ? If Poland heard of this , or Russis , If Denmarke , Pomeran , and Persia , If Triple Crowned Brittaine knew it sure , Hee would the same as forcible endure : If Venice , Sauoy , Florence , and the rest Were taught this Lesson , they would count it best : Yea eu'n the Cantons and the Snowy Vales , Could not repute it as some olde wiues Tales : But for the Good of Christian Nations , The League make strong by Combinations . Dominick . I doe confesse it hath some outward show Of a preualent Reason : But on to goe The dogged Duke of Bolloigne , as I heare To Burbon and the rest a Dangerous Peere , Hath answerd all : Retorting Argument To Austria , thus of greater Consequent . Touching the First : Religion is no Plea ! Nor Ferdinand , did so affect our Sea : But eu'n the Catholicks of best esteeme , Were still enforst their Freedomes to redeeme ▪ Affrighted were with Cruelties , and Pride Of Austrias house extended on each side , Found Great Mathias sterne , this man too heady , Vnconstant , Cruell , and in Truth vnsteady : And now they liue vnder this Nouelist More quiet farre , as doing what they list . The second with like reason Answer had : The greatest Monarchies ( though ne'r so bad ) Were Fathers of their Kingdomes , and to looke Vnto their Subjects Peace , which they forsooke As Tyrants , if they brought them to a Warre Against their willes , of perill , or too farre : And how could France dilacerate her State ; Empty her Treasure at so great a rate , Send Forces to a Forraine Prince , and leaue Her Natiue children ? This were to bereaue Them of their dearest Liues : For why at home , Mischiefe enough in euery Towne did rome . Besides , vnto Bohemias King there is So great Allyance , if I doe not misse , That neuer Prince in any Age had more , Nor could Catalogue such a Role before : Great Brittaine by his Daughter calls him Sonne , Denmarke and Norway on his side are wonne : The one an Vnckle , as is Brunswicke knowne , The other as a Friend with Sweden growne : The Prince of Orenge is so neere in Blood , That I am sure hee 'le doe him any good . His other Kindred come from Brandenburgh , With many a Count and Duke of Wittenburgh , I name not Bolloigne , nor Confederates With many Princes in their best estates , Nor doe I twenty Prouinces recite , With all their Lords of full sufficient might , Who are his owne : so that ( if Reason yield ) They must be drawne into the bloody Field . As for the third , the matter that doth driue The Mill , doth drowne it : For if you contriue The Argument from former charitie , Or Lawes of Nations louing amitie , To ayde distressed Princes : then hath France Farre lesse to doe the Austrians to aduance , Then help the Palatine : For who knowes not , When they had newes of both our Henries got And of their murthers , they did laugh out right , As if they meant remonstrance of despight : And when Duke Neuers to Mathias went , They with a scornfull Answer home him sent , Bidding yong Lewis looke himselfe about him , And no way meddle with the thinges without him : For why , the Message had relation Vnto the concord of each Nation ? As for the Palatine , he friendly stood , And with great sommes of Money did them good : Therfore if that the succourlesse haue aide , To help Bohemia they are well appaide . The fourth did no way fasten well together , For Treason or reuolts ( euen choose you whether ) Were different in States Electiue , and Such as by Claime of Heritance did stand , Nor was the Austrian house enfeoft so sure Vnto the Empire , but it might endure Fraction of nombers : As for President , They haue example of great consequent : First France the Westerne Monarchy possest , How e're the Germans could it not digest : Then they contriu'd a strong Election Conditionall in the reiection : Nor is it Newes an Emperour to haue , From other German Princes layde in Graue , And so hath Hungar and Bohemia Had Kings at once , though not of Austria , And therefore this had poorest Inference , As hauing to that Crowne a reference ; So that to name Reuolts in such a case Vpon the scanning would the cause Disgrace . As for an Interceding , which they bring , That Ferdinand was chosen once their King , Compulsion they doe Answer is no Lawe , And then the Faction kept them all in awe : So that it was not orderly contriu'd , But soone Reuersde by such , as now suruiu'd . The last was weakest of them all : The Turke Would by this meanes all Europe set on worke : Nay saide the Bolloigne Duke , if it bee so , There is no sence against the King to goe . For then the Warres must needs protracted bee , And greater troubles wee shall dayly see : The onely way our strength for to Increase , Is for the Emperor to aske a Peace , And with the King of Boheme to Combine A League of amitie , or else resigne , As from the First , vnto Election Of the Seauen Princes , whose connection May well , if all State matters so dispose , As perfect Friends be made of greatest Foes : Thus writ the Duke , and sauour how it list , How er'e your Holines may thinke he mist , As not acquainting Rome with these euents , Yet wrought it to the People great contents . Romano . Rather then thus : euen I my selfe will goe To Turke and Tartars for their farther woe : What , shall our Father and the Church submit To Traiterous Heretickes ? Wee 'l none of it : But raise vp Strangers to defend our cause , To vnderstand our Canons and our Lawes , To breake the necke of contumacious pride , And whip these drunken Scismaticks beside : And if the Goths were cal'd The Scourge of God , Wee 'l bruise them with a Mahumetan Rod. Dominick . Come , this is frency and no policy , No Zeale , religion , nor morallity : Because a finger akes , we therefore cut The whole hand off , and so still foolish , put The body vnto cauterising paine , As hauing greater cause still to complaine : For thus haue Kingdomes lost their siberty , And subiect bene vnto captiuity . Britaine for succour sundry Nations cal'd , Who in their seueral times their freedomes thral'd , The barb'rous Irish went for Dermonds Rape To Englands King , and so they did not scape ▪ The Grecian Empire called Strangers in , Who presently did all their Countries win : Yea Spayne hath felt the like , when Iulian Count , In recconing vp disgraces , did surmount In his reuenge about his Daughters crosse , When by the Mores it had so great a losse . And this will be the end of Turkish aide , Nay , in my soule I further am affraide ▪ That Rome shall feele their tyranny farre worsse Then any Warre , or Hereticks foule cursse . Pope . Yet somthing must be done ; shall we giue way To all these Treasons , and not once assay To adde a Cataplasme vnto this wound , Which will the body of the Church confound ? Shall we let Ferdinand be thus abused , And Spayne dispis'd , when Austria is refused ? No sure , if God help not , the Deuill must , If euer man , or skill , or Arte did trust . Dominicke . O say not so , your Holines may take A calmer course , and all extreames forsake : Dismisse the bloudy Iesaits from hence , With all strange Projects doe your selfe dispence , Abstaine from murthers , cruelties and rage , Doe not the Church exotickly engage , But send abroad some holy Priests of Name , Who may with quietnes discourse their blame , Dispute with reason , and religious care , Teach them , of foule Damnation to beware , Plead out for Conscience , and true loue of God , Who else will whip them with a scourging Rod : Vrge their obedience vnto Kings of worth , Whose Gouernment such proffit bringeth forth Of Peace and Plenty , that what e're befall , They doe Religious Zeale professe in all : O 't is a comfort , When that men be wrought By gentlenes to God , and so are taught To yeeld by Loue , and not for slauish feare , Which makes but temporising , and doth beare Two faces in one hood : Therefore deare Sir Be rul'd by mee , and worke no further stirre . Pope . Come Pasquill I will talke with thee : For these Doe not my humour nor my fancy please ; What Councell dost thou giue , what shall be donne To worke the good of this Imperiall Sonne ? Pasquill . Who I ? of all the world you wrong me more To aske Aduise of me : Why ? I haue store Of stranger Newes ! I must proclaime a troth , Which Vncompeld I would bee very loth . I am to tell you Wonders , Prodegies , Inuectiues , Satyres , Rimes , and prophesies , There 's not a Worde of mine , but must affright Ill tuned Songs by day , slumbers by night , Affrighting Starres , and Apparitions , The burning Element with Visions : All tending still vnto a further matter , Then either Priest , or Cardinall dare clatter . Pope . Nay , like enough : eu'n Speake and spit thy gall , I am resolu'd , and meane to heare it all : When that the worst is past then better sure Shall bee proposde for Patience to endure . Pasquil . Why this it is to stirre a sleeping Dogge : I all this time lay like a sencelesse Logge , But seeing now I vtter must my minde , Blame me not Sir , though I doe proue vnkinde , For sure the hand vpon Belshazers wall , Did not so much , as my Tale must appall : That onely knokt the knees , and strooke amaze : This sunders heart and life ! Nay doe not gaze , For though I sing a Song of vncouth ruth , Yet I doe vowe to answer nought but Truth . They are with Popes and Cardinals so bolde , That all at Rome is now for Money solde : They talke of Tales in their mad Bedlam fitte , That Nauclerus and Platina hath writte 'Gainst Two and twenty Popes of seuerall names , Who solde to Sathan vnto all their shames Their very soules for Necromanticke spels , Had diuers Magicke skils from sundry Hels , Working affrighting terrors in the Land , Euen in that place , where Rome it selfe doth stand . They talke of Incest , Murther , actes of Treason , Of Sodomitry , and without all reason Name fortie sixe Delinquents in these kindes , Bishops Apostolickes to please their mindes . They Catalogue 'gainst Cardinals , with store Of foule Inuectiues : what would you haue more ? There 's not a sinne the Deuill euer bred , But hath the Cardinals stood in some sted : Nay , they goe further , and a semblance make From Affricks monsters , As you there doe take Notice of stranger Beasts , then are else-where : So Rome begets such sinnes , as All doe feare A worse reuenge , then Sodome at the first Felt , when in wrath the God of Hosts them curst . They talke of Antichrist , of lyes , and wonders , Of Plagues and pestilence , of stormes and thunders , Of miracles , which Costrus doth recite , With other Authors , who long since did write What strange euents in Pontificean Sea Passed for currant , as a formall Plea . They talke of irreligion by the way , Of falsifying Scripture , Nay they say There 's nothing there but diuelish Heresie : And filthy Scismes , sauering Apostacie : Adding withall , a Friers deadly hate To burne vp Magunee , though it was too late : Onely because Printing was there inuented , Which All the World so much hath since contented . They leaue not so , but raise the dead to speake , With thundring terrors hardned harts to breake . They from the Sybils Tales portentous tell Of Antichrists damnation into Hell , That Rome shall be deuasted , set on fier , Pul'd downe to rubbish , by those that desier ▪ Her vtter ruyne , wish her pride abated : And this amongst them all is ofte related . They forward doe proceed to holy Writ , Which they auerre onely to ayme at it With Character of whorish Babilon The filthy Strumpet : Thus they cast vpon Her beauteous face foulest aspersions , Naming her Iesabel by false inuersions . The Pope himselfe they call that man of sinne , And when so er'e to murmure they begin Against our Churches flourishing , they say A fatting Beast is kept for slaughter day . They roue at Brimstone , Sulphur , fier and flames , At Sword and Famine , and at stranger names , And all for Romes demolishing : O God! The very naming is a scourging rod . From Iohns Apocalips they forward goe To strange Predictions , and a hundred showe Of our owne Saints and Writers , 'gainst your Seat , And with our owne rods doe the Carkas beat . Some talke of one Baptista Nazarus , And of a Monke surnamed Lazarus : Some of an Abbot Ioachimus tell , Who of these thinges doth write exceeding well . Some Paracelsus name , Laurentius , Theodricke , Merlin , and Hieronimus , Some of Iohn Wolfius and Grebnerus speake , Whose Prophesies with terrors out doe breake . Some Nostradamus , Gallus , Reymer , name , With diuers others , who long since defame The glory of our Rome and holy Popes , Seeking to blot out all religious hopes . Not thus content , they come to Hildegard , A Saint and Nun , who sentence did award To this effecte , that Rome should purged be By sword and fier , as some Age shall see . They cite Matilda a professed Nunne , Who for her holines such credit wonne She plainly saith , that Rome must be destroyed , Because her filth hath all the world annoyed . Elizabeth another Sainct is brought , Who by a stranger Prophesie so wrought , That very Boyes the Day and time durst name Of deuastation , to your vtter shame . Saint Bridgtt was a fourth , of fearfull noate , Who in her time cryed out with open throate 'Gainst Popes and Popes , 'gainst Rome and all her glory , And of her Prophesies made a whole Story . The last Saint Katherine of Siena was , Who brought as much discomfort : For alas She talk'd of nothing , but repent , or die , For Babilon must fall : The God on high Had so disposde ; and Rome was Babilon : I dare no more : and thinke , that what is done You raisde it vp , as if a darkning Clowde Should threaten rayne , when that the windes belowde . Pope . Now out vpon thy foule wide mouth , thy tongue Out-rooted shall be , cause it is too long : A Myne of Powder shall thy body blowe Into the Ayre , and all thy ashes throwe Into the Sea , that no more memory Be made of this thy rauing extacy : Pasquil . And that were wisely done , but Sir , take heed , From Hidras cut off head seauen other breed . Pope . And dar'st thou speake againe ? then let 's away : I will not for a greater mischiefe stay : For sure I see , that all the world 's delighted To haue Vs thus abused , and despighted . FINIS .