 | A transcript of Edward Taylor's Metrical History of Christianity by Donald E. Stanford |  |
3. Superstition.
Now rub thine Eye and lend it mee and IWill take it in my hand, while I apply
Myselfe to search the Gardens of these times
To finde how superstitious Flowers did shine
Of Patience dorst upon each leafe With gold
In letters Capitall that it behold
The same may, then I will restore the same
To tell thy minde how brightest patience came.
156
Into the Basket fit for Men and Things
And Men it views with superstitions hug'd
Which are both Dead and Living, both thus Lugd.
Superstition about the Dead
This age hath got the knack to over Doe
The Law With Coffin and with Cradle too.
They Consecrate in France their burying place
And Wash their Dead and some with songs of Grace
Are had unto their Graves. Thus Chrotild Queen.
Some do their dead with Ornaments make seen
Wax Candles ore their Graves instead of Light
Are supplements to Eyes bereav'd of sight.
Glosvint another Queen lost by the Sun
Had such a globe of Light over her hung.
And yet this apish age delights to tare
The Dead out of their tombs to give them aire.
Saint Martins bones, Saint Julians too up turn'd
And in Saint Martins Church at Tours are urnd.
Saint Antony the Monk out of his grave
They summon Alexandria to save
Euphemia's relicks in a Marble bowle
Chacidon keeps as body beds the Soule
And Stephens Reliques being founde by Chance
Are had about and unto Rome do dance.
Elisha's bones in Alexandria
And Barnabas his Body found they say
With th'Gospell by his own hand pend are brought
In such a brightness there to rest its thought.
Pope Gregory sends a Little key found in
Peter th'Apostles Corps unto the King
Richard Wisigoth, having within't
Some of his Chain, what doth his headship think?
Also a Cross with some of Christs Cross wood
And of John Baptists hair in't, Not his hood.
Byzants brave Temple in a golden pot
The Virgins Vest, Vaile, Girdle too hath got
Nay Gregory the Great that bears that style
Not undeservedly Can't Choose but smile
Finding a spring of Holy Relicks lies
In's Holy Throne stopt by his bum out flies
When up again when's brich hath it enfumde
And raised by the breath that thence presum'de
Hence Saint Johns Coat, Pauls Chain his neck did ware
And Handkerchiefs, Nay Coate, Hood Chaine rich fair,
Of Peter fall into his hands. More still
A Bunch of Keyes found out by pritty skill
In Peters sacred Body put in's hand
And he profuse thereof (as matters stand)
Sends eight thereof as tokens rich to those
He honourd much. Sure Peter wealthy shows
He had so many Keyes: or hungry were
And had good teeth, or broake them out, I fear,
Or had a mighty swallow t'live on steel
Or kept a locksmith in his secret keele
He had so many keyes within. I thinke
His Holiness lest he should wronge his Clink
Kept most himselfe, or one the best of all,
Lest that his Fatherhood should from him fall.
The Law With Coffin and with Cradle too.
They Consecrate in France their burying place
And Wash their Dead and some with songs of Grace
Are had unto their Graves. Thus Chrotild Queen.
Some do their dead with Ornaments make seen
Wax Candles ore their Graves instead of Light
Are supplements to Eyes bereav'd of sight.
Glosvint another Queen lost by the Sun
Had such a globe of Light over her hung.
And yet this apish age delights to tare
The Dead out of their tombs to give them aire.
Saint Martins bones, Saint Julians too up turn'd
And in Saint Martins Church at Tours are urnd.
Saint Antony the Monk out of his grave
They summon Alexandria to save
Euphemia's relicks in a Marble bowle
Chacidon keeps as body beds the Soule
And Stephens Reliques being founde by Chance
Are had about and unto Rome do dance.
Elisha's bones in Alexandria
And Barnabas his Body found they say
With th'Gospell by his own hand pend are brought
In such a brightness there to rest its thought.
Pope Gregory sends a Little key found in
Peter th'Apostles Corps unto the King
Richard Wisigoth, having within't
Some of his Chain, what doth his headship think?
Also a Cross with some of Christs Cross wood
And of John Baptists hair in't, Not his hood.
Byzants brave Temple in a golden pot
The Virgins Vest, Vaile, Girdle too hath got
Nay Gregory the Great that bears that style
Not undeservedly Can't Choose but smile
Finding a spring of Holy Relicks lies
In's Holy Throne stopt by his bum out flies
When up again when's brich hath it enfumde
And raised by the breath that thence presum'de
Hence Saint Johns Coat, Pauls Chain his neck did ware
And Handkerchiefs, Nay Coate, Hood Chaine rich fair,
Of Peter fall into his hands. More still
A Bunch of Keyes found out by pritty skill
157
And he profuse thereof (as matters stand)
Sends eight thereof as tokens rich to those
He honourd much. Sure Peter wealthy shows
He had so many Keyes: or hungry were
And had good teeth, or broake them out, I fear,
Or had a mighty swallow t'live on steel
Or kept a locksmith in his secret keele
He had so many keyes within. I thinke
His Holiness lest he should wronge his Clink
Kept most himselfe, or one the best of all,
Lest that his Fatherhood should from him fall.
But leaving dead mens bones a stincking stuff
We finde them trick their shaddows out enough
In Colours fair and picturde upon Walls
Of Temples and Pope Gregory out balls
At one good man that brake them down for fear
Lest they proove shooing horns of sinfull geer.
We finde them trick their shaddows out enough
In Colours fair and picturde upon Walls
Of Temples and Pope Gregory out balls
At one good man that brake them down for fear
Lest they proove shooing horns of sinfull geer.
But to attend the soule that left behinde
The shell for Worms, This age hath it injoyn'd
To Call at Purgatory in its way
And all its Counts to just, and recknings pay.
A count is dropt of two arch Linguist-Nuns
From Gregorys Quill that Benit quickly thums
Out of the Church: They die Extraniate
And buri'd in the Church when feld by fate.
The Deacon at Comunion time thus spake
Let such depart that are not to partake
These buride Linguists hearing up arise
And trudg away, the which their nurse espies
And hints it Benit. He her bread gave she
Doth Offerings make for them: and stilld they bee.
The Centumcellan Ghost by prayers and Mass
Him gave from Purgatory fire a pass.
The shell for Worms, This age hath it injoyn'd
To Call at Purgatory in its way
And all its Counts to just, and recknings pay.
A count is dropt of two arch Linguist-Nuns
From Gregorys Quill that Benit quickly thums
Out of the Church: They die Extraniate
And buri'd in the Church when feld by fate.
The Deacon at Comunion time thus spake
Let such depart that are not to partake
These buride Linguists hearing up arise
And trudg away, the which their nurse espies
And hints it Benit. He her bread gave she
Doth Offerings make for them: and stilld they bee.
The Centumcellan Ghost by prayers and Mass
Him gave from Purgatory fire a pass.
And such as are by Prayer and mass away
From Purgatory halld as wracks by sea
Are with a rope, when got to heaven bright
Are made to bee small Gods with no small might.
Now prayers are pourd out in their Cup and they
Must friends in th'Court their purses penny stay
Thodeliad makes John Baptist's Temple fair
That she and th'Longbards might injoy his prayer
And Intercession unto Christ. Now Cries
Of Lombards pray'res his Worthy ears annoyes
Hence prayers to Saints and Angells do throng in
Making them Inter-Cessors to our king:
And prayers are made hereby at this rich day
At Dead mens Graves. Oh! Stincking sent this way.
John Baptists day, Peters and Andrews too
Pauls, Cyprians, Felix, from their eggs now flew
The Ladie-Dayes now bud Justinian
And Maurice hatcht them. Now also up sprang
The Lenton feast and the Rogation day
By Mamert of Vien, Alcame doth say.
From Purgatory halld as wracks by sea
Are with a rope, when got to heaven bright
Are made to bee small Gods with no small might.
Now prayers are pourd out in their Cup and they
Must friends in th'Court their purses penny stay
Thodeliad makes John Baptist's Temple fair
That she and th'Longbards might injoy his prayer
And Intercession unto Christ. Now Cries
Of Lombards pray'res his Worthy ears annoyes
Hence prayers to Saints and Angells do throng in
Making them Inter-Cessors to our king:
And prayers are made hereby at this rich day
At Dead mens Graves. Oh! Stincking sent this way.
John Baptists day, Peters and Andrews too
Pauls, Cyprians, Felix, from their eggs now flew
The Ladie-Dayes now bud Justinian
And Maurice hatcht them. Now also up sprang
The Lenton feast and the Rogation day
By Mamert of Vien, Alcame doth say.
158
Superstition about the Living.
But come we now unto the Living, seeThem superstition hugs, as ivy th'tree
As soon as e're they peep into the World
They're in the arms of superstition hirld.
The idoll Cross is printed in their brow
Though not first usd, yet found in use grown now.
But touching it, these days first ground this grist
Of Babtism by any monkish fist
They did baptiz and Cross but might not soile
Their forheads as Archbishops did with oyle
The Woman too must Churched be therefore
That she may freely enter the Church doore
And Holy Water too they kept, its said,
By Gregory Tours, in Martins Chappell made
And otherwhere. And holy Oyle to smeere
The sick therewith, and such as feeble were
And if once slide strange Penance is the fine
As Genebaud of Laudune Church the prime
Must seven years Penance in a sell attend
Because he marride was, and so all mend.
And other that was staind with Patricide
Must to Saints places choice ore Seven years stride.
Superstition about things.
But now its full high day to dig for Springs
This age allows of superstitious Things.
Now garnisht Temples blossom out apace
And Consecrated are to Saints. What grace?
Peter and Paul, John, Andrew, Mark and Mary
Philip and Jacoss Stephen, though not Clary
Are templeizd and multitudes beside
In ery place, as once were Deifide
By Pagans, Jupiter, Diana, Mars,
Apollo, Juno, Venus, Vulcan, Scarce
Any that did Excell but have and by
A Temple consecrate had to enjoy
Their Godhead in, bearing the name to Whom
It's dedicated, just so things now come
Onely the Idols name is now a Saints
Saint Johns, Saint Peters, Temple. What Complaints.
Pope Symachus, Poore Peter, did up build
Saint Andrews Church with ornaments up filld,
A Silver Shed, and Confessory too
Whose Pension unto sixscore libra'es grew,
And silver Arches of three Pensionists
Each one did of full twenty pounds Consist.
An Oratory for Confession, and
An Arch unto Saint Thomas Church did hand
Them all of Silver and to them doth lay
A Pension full of twenty pounds in pay.
A Silver Arch, and Pension of the Sum
That fully doth to sixteen libra's come.
A silver rich Confessory for these
Saint Cassion, Procus, Jacinth, having fees
Of twenty Pounds: A silver Arch also
With Pension that of twelve pounds worth doth goe.
A Silver Arch and Confessory gay
Of Saint Apollinaries and did lay
A pension to't of thirty pounds well made,
Unto Saint Sofies Confessory laid
A Pension of full twenty silver pounds,
Also Saint Peters Font, and (as it sounds)
The holy Crosses Confessory, such
Of Silver, and a Cross of Gold set much
With Gems that hath of Christ Cross wood therein
This golden Cross ten libra's to it cling.
Two Confessories for th'two Scripture Johns
Having their Arches Silver (thanks good Dons)
He built even from the ground their Lodgens all,
And them compleatly whether great or small.
He garnist Peters Church with marbles ore
Unto the very handles of the doore,
He richly did adorn its Quadriportch
With Marble and Mosaick Worke, brave Church.
Hormisda on Saint Peters did bestow
A silver beam that did amount unto
Full fifteen hundred pound. Justin, Clodove
And other Princes their rich gifts out drove
Unto these Temples, Gems and Pretious Ware,
Six silver Cans, ten silver Bowles rich fare
Hormisda did adorn this with and now
Saint Peter wares a silver Beard and brow.
I weary am to shew the pomp and shew
They in their Consecrating these out threw
Accordingly Baptistories they have
The most without, yet now Honorius grave
Of Tarentine first heav'd them ore the sill.
These Consecrated are with oyly skill.
Now Consecrated Tables Altarizd
And Consecrated Cups are idolizd.
To name the Super of the Lord is rare
Its metamorphosd. Mass is all the fare.
The Super of our Lord it hath tript up
Making't a Trolly-Lolly bit or supt.
Communion Table Cloaths, Mass I should say
They Consecrate. Call Corporalls do they
On which they set the Host (the Cup and Bread)
And make't a sacrifice for Quick and Dead
A Charm or Spell to Cast out Divells though
The Divell rather's in't, than outed so.
Vigetius Pope decreed they should not say
The Words of Consecration but when lay
The Sacrifice upon the Altar there
That's Consecrate in holy Vestment cleare,
And with a mumbling voice whereas before
That all might learn a loud voice up they bore
Hence once as Gygas saith, upon a Stone
The Priest ridiculously set alone
The Bread now in the Camp ore which he said
The Consecrating Words, and it was made
Transubstantiate, and now before them all
Mans bloody flesh appeard, they down do fall
Destroyde by God, and if he do not ly
With mass they now the dead mans mouth do cloy.
This is the May day of Monasteries
Wherein they blossomd: from their shell arise
Like Hemlock budding forth from Banchor Schoole
Converted thus, grew big, and on the stoole
Papoose Monasteries teemd all Europe ore,
France, Germany, and the Italian floor
Scotland, and Ireland. Whence Monks like flyes
Or Ants from molehills and vaild Nuns arise.
Thanks Congill for this Egge. Wee pick it still:
It yieldeth Abby-Lubbers, Dick and Will.
This age allows of superstitious Things.
Now garnisht Temples blossom out apace
And Consecrated are to Saints. What grace?
Peter and Paul, John, Andrew, Mark and Mary
Philip and Jacoss Stephen, though not Clary
Are templeizd and multitudes beside
In ery place, as once were Deifide
By Pagans, Jupiter, Diana, Mars,
Apollo, Juno, Venus, Vulcan, Scarce
Any that did Excell but have and by
A Temple consecrate had to enjoy
Their Godhead in, bearing the name to Whom
It's dedicated, just so things now come
Onely the Idols name is now a Saints
Saint Johns, Saint Peters, Temple. What Complaints.
Pope Symachus, Poore Peter, did up build
Saint Andrews Church with ornaments up filld,
A Silver Shed, and Confessory too
Whose Pension unto sixscore libra'es grew,
And silver Arches of three Pensionists
Each one did of full twenty pounds Consist.
An Oratory for Confession, and
An Arch unto Saint Thomas Church did hand
159
A Pension full of twenty pounds in pay.
A Silver Arch, and Pension of the Sum
That fully doth to sixteen libra's come.
A silver rich Confessory for these
Saint Cassion, Procus, Jacinth, having fees
Of twenty Pounds: A silver Arch also
With Pension that of twelve pounds worth doth goe.
A Silver Arch and Confessory gay
Of Saint Apollinaries and did lay
A pension to't of thirty pounds well made,
Unto Saint Sofies Confessory laid
A Pension of full twenty silver pounds,
Also Saint Peters Font, and (as it sounds)
The holy Crosses Confessory, such
Of Silver, and a Cross of Gold set much
With Gems that hath of Christ Cross wood therein
This golden Cross ten libra's to it cling.
Two Confessories for th'two Scripture Johns
Having their Arches Silver (thanks good Dons)
He built even from the ground their Lodgens all,
And them compleatly whether great or small.
He garnist Peters Church with marbles ore
Unto the very handles of the doore,
He richly did adorn its Quadriportch
With Marble and Mosaick Worke, brave Church.
Hormisda on Saint Peters did bestow
A silver beam that did amount unto
Full fifteen hundred pound. Justin, Clodove
And other Princes their rich gifts out drove
Unto these Temples, Gems and Pretious Ware,
Six silver Cans, ten silver Bowles rich fare
Hormisda did adorn this with and now
Saint Peter wares a silver Beard and brow.
I weary am to shew the pomp and shew
They in their Consecrating these out threw
Accordingly Baptistories they have
The most without, yet now Honorius grave
Of Tarentine first heav'd them ore the sill.
These Consecrated are with oyly skill.
Now Consecrated Tables Altarizd
And Consecrated Cups are idolizd.
To name the Super of the Lord is rare
Its metamorphosd. Mass is all the fare.
The Super of our Lord it hath tript up
Making't a Trolly-Lolly bit or supt.
Communion Table Cloaths, Mass I should say
They Consecrate. Call Corporalls do they
On which they set the Host (the Cup and Bread)
And make't a sacrifice for Quick and Dead
160
The Divell rather's in't, than outed so.
Vigetius Pope decreed they should not say
The Words of Consecration but when lay
The Sacrifice upon the Altar there
That's Consecrate in holy Vestment cleare,
And with a mumbling voice whereas before
That all might learn a loud voice up they bore
Hence once as Gygas saith, upon a Stone
The Priest ridiculously set alone
The Bread now in the Camp ore which he said
The Consecrating Words, and it was made
Transubstantiate, and now before them all
Mans bloody flesh appeard, they down do fall
Destroyde by God, and if he do not ly
With mass they now the dead mans mouth do cloy.
This is the May day of Monasteries
Wherein they blossomd: from their shell arise
Like Hemlock budding forth from Banchor Schoole
Converted thus, grew big, and on the stoole
Papoose Monasteries teemd all Europe ore,
France, Germany, and the Italian floor
Scotland, and Ireland. Whence Monks like flyes
Or Ants from molehills and vaild Nuns arise.
Thanks Congill for this Egge. Wee pick it still:
It yieldeth Abby-Lubbers, Dick and Will.
But to return unto the Temple doores
Behold they're Clencht with nails and keyd up ore
With greate and many Gifts. Here wait also
A Worship kankered all which doth grow
Up into Massings, Singings, Exorcisms
To pulverisings, Oylings, Candlisms,
And such rare hits, however matters Chance,
As are such jigs at which the Divells dance.
Wax-Candle prayers, And holy dayes a Swarm
Embers, Rogations, Lents Fast-feast, still-storm.
Church wakes which first Greate Gregory up hoighted
And Candlemass Vigilius pope first lighted
A Rout of Ceremonies strange far more
Than ever could be reckend for good store.
Behold they're Clencht with nails and keyd up ore
With greate and many Gifts. Here wait also
A Worship kankered all which doth grow
Up into Massings, Singings, Exorcisms
To pulverisings, Oylings, Candlisms,
And such rare hits, however matters Chance,
As are such jigs at which the Divells dance.
Wax-Candle prayers, And holy dayes a Swarm
Embers, Rogations, Lents Fast-feast, still-storm.
Church wakes which first Greate Gregory up hoighted
And Candlemass Vigilius pope first lighted
A Rout of Ceremonies strange far more
Than ever could be reckend for good store.
Nay ornaments of Silver and of Gold
And Costly Pearls these play houses do hold.
Our Saviours Image ---ther of his Clay
They stow the Temples with, and worship lay
Upon it too. The Virgin Mary stands
Impictur'd here by image mongers hands.
Peter and Paul are made Church images
By such as say thy are their linages,
And pictures too of other Saints and such
Esteemed so, though haply filld with smutch.
Tapers give light, doctors Rush Candles pink
Perfumes arise, things otherwise much stinke.
White surplices, Albs, and Dalmaticks White
Church Chests with iron band made strong and tite
Are all inricht with here they rest in ease:
(For blackness else doth most attend Church keyes)
These Temples, though they steeples now have filld
With Jack daughs nests to much, It's spring: they build:
Yet richly are enlinde, through superst'tion
With Kings and Princes Guifts, with larg addition.
Justinian sent to John the second Pope
A Golden Crown with Gems stuck in't (a Rope)!
Two Silver Bowls: two silver shining Cups,
For Peters sake. The Fishers Coate off puts.
Brave Belissarius sent a Golden Cross
Adornd with Gems most Pretious (wealthy loss)
In honour of Saint Peters name, Unto
Vigilius, How glorious Temples grow?
The Picture of our Saviour was so rich
Set in a Temple that it did bewitch
A jew to play the thiefe and steale the same
Whose pay, they say, upon his head soon came
In vomiting of blood untill he dide,
And if our Oracle don't us misguide
Mauricius set a stately Diadem
Made by his Emporess and Justins Hen
Namde Sophie wrought by all exquisite Art
Up in the Church. Pelagius did his part
Who garnisht brave thy body, Peters fold,
With Silver Tables richly guilt with gold.
The Emporess Justinians Ladie sent
A Golden Cross stuck full of Pearls in prent,
To Sergius' Temple where rich jewells Chest
In Sergiople Birds of Choisest Crest
Chosross the Father Persia's king gaind this
When he besieg'd the town, but failes of bliss.
His grand son in distress to Sergius prayes
And hath success, his pagan vows he payes
To Sergius, sends back this rich Cross again
With other monuments then tooke --- th'same
Also another welthy golden Cross
Which he with glorious jewells rich did boss
Having his name bravely ingravd therein
And reason shewing why he did this thing
And shortly after other royall gifts
For answering his prayer, which he up lifts
Unto him that his Sira might have Child
A Golden Cross three hundred pounds weight stild,
Five thousand statures more of gold to make
A Dish, Cup, Cross and Censer, to attake
The service of his Table with, and to
Guild ore a Unicorn in open show
And other necessaries: and he sent
A royall Dish of Gold wherein in prent
Stood graven cleare his name and Cause wherefore
He did the martyre Sergius adore,
And deems himselfe an Happy man to have
His name engrav'de in these rich Vessells brave.
Now though this Pagan king did Idolize
This Sergius, in whose Cloake the Serpent joyes
Yet Gregory thy Bishop Antioch
Receives the same of Maurice (Demons joke)
Doth in great shew of solemness repare
To Sergius' Temple, where they stowed are.
And Costly Pearls these play houses do hold.
Our Saviours Image ---ther of his Clay
They stow the Temples with, and worship lay
Upon it too. The Virgin Mary stands
Impictur'd here by image mongers hands.
Peter and Paul are made Church images
By such as say thy are their linages,
161
Esteemed so, though haply filld with smutch.
Tapers give light, doctors Rush Candles pink
Perfumes arise, things otherwise much stinke.
White surplices, Albs, and Dalmaticks White
Church Chests with iron band made strong and tite
Are all inricht with here they rest in ease:
(For blackness else doth most attend Church keyes)
These Temples, though they steeples now have filld
With Jack daughs nests to much, It's spring: they build:
Yet richly are enlinde, through superst'tion
With Kings and Princes Guifts, with larg addition.
Justinian sent to John the second Pope
A Golden Crown with Gems stuck in't (a Rope)!
Two Silver Bowls: two silver shining Cups,
For Peters sake. The Fishers Coate off puts.
Brave Belissarius sent a Golden Cross
Adornd with Gems most Pretious (wealthy loss)
In honour of Saint Peters name, Unto
Vigilius, How glorious Temples grow?
The Picture of our Saviour was so rich
Set in a Temple that it did bewitch
A jew to play the thiefe and steale the same
Whose pay, they say, upon his head soon came
In vomiting of blood untill he dide,
And if our Oracle don't us misguide
Mauricius set a stately Diadem
Made by his Emporess and Justins Hen
Namde Sophie wrought by all exquisite Art
Up in the Church. Pelagius did his part
Who garnisht brave thy body, Peters fold,
With Silver Tables richly guilt with gold.
The Emporess Justinians Ladie sent
A Golden Cross stuck full of Pearls in prent,
To Sergius' Temple where rich jewells Chest
In Sergiople Birds of Choisest Crest
Chosross the Father Persia's king gaind this
When he besieg'd the town, but failes of bliss.
His grand son in distress to Sergius prayes
And hath success, his pagan vows he payes
To Sergius, sends back this rich Cross again
With other monuments then tooke --- th'same
Also another welthy golden Cross
Which he with glorious jewells rich did boss
Having his name bravely ingravd therein
And reason shewing why he did this thing
And shortly after other royall gifts
For answering his prayer, which he up lifts
Unto him that his Sira might have Child
A Golden Cross three hundred pounds weight stild,
162
A Dish, Cup, Cross and Censer, to attake
The service of his Table with, and to
Guild ore a Unicorn in open show
And other necessaries: and he sent
A royall Dish of Gold wherein in prent
Stood graven cleare his name and Cause wherefore
He did the martyre Sergius adore,
And deems himselfe an Happy man to have
His name engrav'de in these rich Vessells brave.
Now though this Pagan king did Idolize
This Sergius, in whose Cloake the Serpent joyes
Yet Gregory thy Bishop Antioch
Receives the same of Maurice (Demons joke)
Doth in great shew of solemness repare
To Sergius' Temple, where they stowed are.
But to proceed no fur in this greate shine
Of gold and silver glory Pearld most fine
Fit to be idolizd and to display
Attracting beams that pullice men this way
As by this Pagan Prince is manifest
Who put his trust and pray'rs up in the Chest
Of silver which the Dust of Sergius urnd
Who though to Sergius, ne're to Jesus turnd.
Accordingly you have it storid, when
The first Chosroes Antioch burnt and then
Came to Apamea, the people pray
Thomas their Bishop bring the Cross that they
Esteeming it their onely safety now
Their lives under its shaddow down may bow
And have its Company when hence they go
He brings it out: they do about it flow.
And as he flourisht it in open sight
It is attended with a glorious light
Of a greate flame like to a shining fire
That did him follow as he did retire
From place to place, this done was many times
Its said their safty followed these shines,
Whose picture in their Temples roofe was made
And under it in writing all display'd.
Of gold and silver glory Pearld most fine
Fit to be idolizd and to display
Attracting beams that pullice men this way
As by this Pagan Prince is manifest
Who put his trust and pray'rs up in the Chest
Of silver which the Dust of Sergius urnd
Who though to Sergius, ne're to Jesus turnd.
Accordingly you have it storid, when
The first Chosroes Antioch burnt and then
Came to Apamea, the people pray
Thomas their Bishop bring the Cross that they
Esteeming it their onely safety now
Their lives under its shaddow down may bow
And have its Company when hence they go
He brings it out: they do about it flow.
And as he flourisht it in open sight
It is attended with a glorious light
Of a greate flame like to a shining fire
That did him follow as he did retire
From place to place, this done was many times
Its said their safty followed these shines,
Whose picture in their Temples roofe was made
And under it in writing all display'd.
So Anatolius at Antioch
A varlat vile when he did God provoke
Tiberius the Emperor inquires
Into his crimes. He to the jayle retires
Unto the Virgin Maries image hung
Up there, in prayer with hands lift up did run
Which as they say did turn away from him
As scorning to face such a man of Sin.
When Childabert the French king did besiege
Cesaraugusta, th'Spaniards did proceed
And in sad robes with mourning great did round
With dust upon their heads the Citie bound
About with walls, and with them bore about
Saint Vincents Coate to give the French a rout.
They sing and say their prayres at midnight in
The Temple and their Letonies they bring
Upon the desk: Maurice the Emperour
Did bearfoot come hereto, and veater far
Gregory of Tours when one lay sick surprizd
By a sharp fever, goes, good man advisde
And prayes at Mammies Sepulchre who were
At Catalaun once Bishop, worthy geere.
Gregory the Pope one of the best Divines
These dayes afford, the matter thus defines
That Images are lay mens books, wherefore
He pleads for such as pray at and adore
Before our Saviours Image, they don't pray
Unto it as a God, but in this way,
The Picture doth as Scripture make Gods Son
Into our memory most aptly run:
And with his resurrection joys our minde
Or with his passion swage them as we finde.
A varlat vile when he did God provoke
Tiberius the Emperor inquires
Into his crimes. He to the jayle retires
Unto the Virgin Maries image hung
Up there, in prayer with hands lift up did run
Which as they say did turn away from him
As scorning to face such a man of Sin.
163
Cesaraugusta, th'Spaniards did proceed
And in sad robes with mourning great did round
With dust upon their heads the Citie bound
About with walls, and with them bore about
Saint Vincents Coate to give the French a rout.
They sing and say their prayres at midnight in
The Temple and their Letonies they bring
Upon the desk: Maurice the Emperour
Did bearfoot come hereto, and veater far
Gregory of Tours when one lay sick surprizd
By a sharp fever, goes, good man advisde
And prayes at Mammies Sepulchre who were
At Catalaun once Bishop, worthy geere.
Gregory the Pope one of the best Divines
These dayes afford, the matter thus defines
That Images are lay mens books, wherefore
He pleads for such as pray at and adore
Before our Saviours Image, they don't pray
Unto it as a God, but in this way,
The Picture doth as Scripture make Gods Son
Into our memory most aptly run:
And with his resurrection joys our minde
Or with his passion swage them as we finde.
Oh superstition! Wither dost thou still
The God provoking droppings of thy Quill.
Such dawbings and such ditchy doing are
Enough to make a fever burn the aire
And while such things take place revenge would plow
Up all by roots. But Patience at this slough
Doth plough her Cheeks so fast with showers of Tears
That quench her firy sparkes and wash as 't 'pears,
Her own pale looks therewith untill she stand
All beautifull: behold her lovely hand.
The God provoking droppings of thy Quill.
Such dawbings and such ditchy doing are
Enough to make a fever burn the aire
And while such things take place revenge would plow
Up all by roots. But Patience at this slough
Doth plough her Cheeks so fast with showers of Tears
That quench her firy sparkes and wash as 't 'pears,
Her own pale looks therewith untill she stand
All beautifull: behold her lovely hand.
| A transcript of Edward Taylor's Metrical History of Christianity by Donald E. Stanford | |