University of Virginia Library

Superstition

We now with Patience in our hands do pass
To view her face in Superstitions glass.
And finde therein her Exercise so greate
That far exceeds what ever I can speake.
Those [?] nests of superstition built up by
Last Century, and Eggs therein supply
With flocks of birds of Superstitious breed
(Scarce any addle proove of such a Seed).
They fill the very Sky. And all their tunes
Their Cherpings make are fopperies of Romes
And all the Superstitions of last age
Are now in fashion and accounted Sage.
They were so many there is hardly room
For an addition. Frollick witts Scarce bloom
With any new one, yet Dunstans Sleepy pate
Did blossom Kyrie-Eleeson of late.
After this way. King Edgar hurting goes
Would Dunstan have stay, his return with those
With him, ere he said Mass, Dunstan repares
Unto his massings. On the Altar beares
His Elbows and his head: and takes a nap
Waiting King Edgars Speed. And hath the hap
To heare a Quire of Angells sing this Song
Kyrie Eleeson: so this ditty sprung.
Pope Sergy would, with Candle light, the skins
Of Spirits in the aire to Scorch, and Sindge
That he ordaind that men should Candles beare
At Candlemass to Chase out of the aire
Away the Evill Spirits thence this was
The rise, and very birth of Candlemass.
Pope John the fourteenth of that name brought in
Baptizing Bells with names. Oh! horrid thing!
John Abbot of Cassina did adorn
A Cross with many Gemms for to be born
About when in Procession they did goe
Planets and Plurrall Vests for worship too.
Will Magantine a golden Cross did frame
With Image of our Lord hangd on the Same
The weight of which six hunderd pounds was so
And he on Padeburn Churchyard [?] it did throw.
Otho the third did Spires brave Church provide
A golden Image of Christ Crucifi'de
In which the Emperour's own image fresh
Most bravely Stood set in a lively dress.
Otho did give Saint Stephens Altar in
Corbeia, Hugh's rich golden button trim
That Sparkled Shiningly, admired made
With a variety of Gems enlaid.
All things now run in Superstitious guise.
Gods worship too a tongue unknown annoies
Baptismall water. Priests do Consecrate
On Easter Sunday (Moses-like in State
In Passing ore the Sea:) they split with hand
And on it blow a blast, then set to Stand
A lighted taper in't: Fier-Pillar's Shine
At night, and so baptize at evening time[.]
They Consecrate, Cross, Grease with oyle also
The Chrism. They the Child baptizd grease do
And this they do if grown up as he stands
On one foot: him Cross too, and laid on hands.
Severety in Censures superstitiously
When list doth Serve. So Dunstan's shot did fly
Against King Edgar, who defild a nun,
And Seven years penance now the King must run,
Not for the Sin of Fornication but
Because the Harlot was a Nunnish Slut.
It would be tedious here to shew how they
With Superstition now all things defray
Nay quite deface, and marr. That Patience greate
Abused greatly is and's made to Sweate
In holding off the hand of Gods revenge
But leaving here. My pen now further tends.