University of Virginia Library

How Greate is Patience made, while such a Crew
Of Wretched Prelates of Such monstrous hew
And Hellish Wickedness do reeck in Sin.
And huff in daring Vilany, and Sing.
The Rabble of the Popes of Rome relates
That Patience in her glory on them waits.
Pope John the nineteenth hath Sylvesters Chair
Ordains next All Saints, All-Souls day, did tare
From men of Rome their Pope Electing right.
And by a Cup of Poison bids good night
The twentieth John ascends the Papall glory
A monkie friend, is poisond as Some Story.

Sergy the fourth comes in of better fame.
Then Benit Eighth up to the Popedom came
Theophylact his Newphew Scholar to
Pope Sylvester the Witch, by Witchcraft so
Did hoise him thither. And he did bestem
King Henry with th' Imperiall Diadem.
After whose reign the Cardinalls up rise
And unpope Benit, pope another prize.
But this old Fox his adversaries took
Not with Saint Peters Net, but golden hook.
And outs his Antipope, popes it again
In pomp untill grim death did ore him reign.
Out of whose Lordship on a black horse hee
Unto a Bishop, his old friend in glee,
Did soon appeare, lamenting all in teares
Under hells torments, bidding him (Heark Eares)
Charge his Successour, take the gold up, hid
In Such a place, it from its Coffer rid,
And give it to the poore, and so this pope
From all his torments, should escape, did hope.
Here is fine News. Popes paddle do in Hell,
It seems as well as other knaves: they tell.
Onely this grace the divell shews them, hee
Their hacknie steed to ride upon, will bee.

The One and twentieth John then up arose
To Peters Chair by Witchcraft, (men disclose)
Now almost all things in the Church of Rome,
Are Spiders Webs, wove in a Magick loome.

Theophylact the Wizzard, now up came
And they this pope Benit the ninth did name.
A laizie lubber, by inchantments brought
What women pleasd his Will, to's lust: all naught.
He did assume a power to make whom ere
He pleased Emperour, what pride his here?
When Conrade's head was laid, he then would bring
Th' Imperiall Crown to the Hungarian King
To whom he sent a Crown thus do'tcht all down
The Rock gave Peter Rome, th' Pope thee a Crown.
His Cruelty was such, the Romans rose
And out this Benit, In John Sabine goes
And Styles himselfe Sylvester. Benit will
Not suffer this, but flies to arms, and's skill.
And in the fortieth day of's Popedome drive
Him doth from th' Lateran unto his hive
In Peters Chappell; where by force and arms
He did defend his Dignity from harms.
And Carri'de on his Popedom Rites in Spite
Of Benits beard, and his Magician might.
But Benit reinstalld, grew jealous lest
An after Clan should him again molest
Joynd with him in his Popedom pains one John
A Priest, or an Arch deacon who came on
And bought of Benit for himselfe alone
The Popedom office (Symony ore grown)
For fifteen hunderd pound of gold down fixt
And styles himselfe by name Greg'ry the Sixt.
And Benit in the Lateran Palace rowles
In Luxury, and pleasures on whose Shoales
He Splits his Barge. And that black Demon grim

[1]047

He usd, did in the Woods there Stifle him.
Who after ward appeard in horrid Sight
Nigh to a grist Mill to an Eremite,
In Body like a bare in head, and taile
Like to an Ass, because he did so faile
In living in his Popedom like a lob
Without, both Reason, Law, and also God,
Contemperate with Benit rose that John
The peoples pope. Sylvester tersh, comes on.
The Church is made a Shambles, blood, and slaughter
Do fill its Stalls. This makes the Old boy Laughter.

[10]45

The Emperour him outs from Peters hive
John Gratian the Magician arch did thrive
In Benits Love for Magicks Sake, did rise
Romes golden head, of Symon Magu's Sise.
A Sorcerer, a Symonist, and one
Savagely Cruell, kickt is from his throne,
Is this the Romish Headship? Is thy Church,
Proud Rome, thus Hydra like? Go go and search
Pluto's darke Region. For't will parallell
Three Headed Cerberus the Dog of Hell.
Th' Imperiall Club strikes off these Hydra Heads

1046

Clement the leventh Peters Chair then treds.
Th' Imperiall Diadem he on the Crown
Of Henry the third set with renown.
The Emperour did Sweare the Romans to
Elect no Pope without his leave they know.
But oaths in Italy are feeble things
When Henry's gone, they feare no hempen Strings.
Hence Gerard Brazute gave this Pope a Drench.
And Peters Chair him pukt into his trench.

Stephen his Chancellar without the vote
Of Folk, or Clergy, takes this Chaire of note
Yea vi et armis: Damasus the Second
He writes himselfe, when twenty dayes are reckon'd
Then from his trust he like a trevant slinks
When he the Health of Brazute's Spic'd cup drinks.
The Emperour gone home Pope Benit now
To animate his Headship Steels his brow
His Conjures yet do fail him Bruno brave
Of Alsace, Earle of Dagsburgh, Bishop grave
Of Tulsa Church's sent by the Emperour
And Chosen by the Romans who Confer
The Popedom on him. Leo Ninth he's calld.
But Hildebrand hereat was greatly galld.
But he by Hellbrands Counsill and advice
Of base Theophylact both Swords did hoise
Against the Normans, and is Captive took
Theophylact his privy Counsill Shook
And did it to the foe Convay by wiles.
But when the Normans, who had gave him foiles,
Set him at liberty. Helbrands deare friend
Brazute mixt him a drench that did him end.

1054

The Dead head Benit now again doth strive
To leap upon the Body and revive
And on the Shoulders whence it Severd was
It once did sit while months Eleven pass.

1056

But Gebhard kinsman to the Emperour
Is popifi'de and nam'd the Conquerour i e Victor.
He in the Counsill at Florentia chases
The Marri'de Bishops from their Office places.
But as his Choice slit Hildebrands wide nose,
So Brazute's Wassell bowle him over throws.

Frederick Duke Goth'lens Son of Lotharinges
Upon the Hobbihorses backe ascends.
And's Styled Stephen Ninth. Millain he breaks
Off from her freedom, and his Subject makes.
He did Condemn the Emperour because
He authorizd the Clergy 'gainst popes laws.
But in the Synod held at Florence gay,

1058

He dranke of Brazute's Cup and goes away.

Benit the tenth Succeeds against the Will
Of Hildebrand, who mischiefe worketh Still.
Who durst not for the furious folk, in Rome
To choose and make another pope presume
But flies to Siena, and Gerard Chose
Who by the Name of Niclas th' Second goes.
And Benits popeship of a nine months Station
Is by him left for's former occupation
Niclas thus chose at Sutrium he calls

1059

A Synod and Benit unpopes, and Crawls
To Rome, dethrones Bogellard from his Relm
Sets Robert the Calabrian Duke at's helm.
Ordains that Popes be Chose by th' Cardinalls:
All Chose by others he rejects and malls.
Did curb by Sword the folk of Prenestee
Of Tuscany Numentum they obey.
And did destroy Galera, Castles all
Of greate Earle Gerhards on to Sutriums wall.
But having hufft it in his glory, bibs

1063

Of Brazute Cup and from his glory trigs.

The Second Alexander now comes in
Without the Emperours advice, this thing
The Lombard kicke at, the Emperour they treate
And by his leave the Basill Counsills heate
Chose the Permensine Bishop Cadolus.
And now two Popes in Peters Chaire do Crush,
Together by the eares they Go, hereby
A multitude on both sides dead do ly.
Anshelm nam'd Alexander wins the field.
But Cadolus will not the Popedom yield.
Hence both do play the Pope at once, and Cry
Against each other, as th' Church Enemy.
At length the Schism is at Mantua
By much adoe Composd. So ends the fray.
Here Alexander did deprive of place
All Marri'd Bishops, Priests and Deacons. Chast
Ordain that Popes be onely chosen by
The Cardinalls, yet when by Craft his eye
Discernd he chose without the approbation
Of th' Emperour was, he in his set oration
Professt he would not Sit in Peters Chair
Without Emperiall licence, saying there
He letters to the Emperour did hand
For his good favour. This galld Hildebrand
That he could hardly hold his hands off till
Mass over was. Which ended his rag'd Will
Brake out upon the Pope he on him flew
And from the Altar to the Arch him drew:
And with his fists did sorely buffit him
While in his Papall Garments he was in.
Reviling him for Seeking Cesars grace.
And Cast him in the jayle (a noble place)
Allowing him but fivpence Lucensine
A day for his Support, (a royall Coine)
And ceised all the Churches revenues
Oh! Cursed Hildebrand. But still ensues
Poor Alexanders Death, which is Supposd
To be by Poison, that his dayes up closd.

1074

Now Hildebrand a firebrand from Hell
A blacksmith's Son, that others did excell
In Vilany, ascends the Headship bright
By bribery, by Witchcraft, and by Might
Chose not by Citizens, nor Clergy but
By Soldiers, and in Peters throne is put
'Fore Alexanders Corps interment have
Who to the Abbot of Cassina gave
This Scoff that came to be Elected, brother
Thou fingeredst too much. To whom the other
Replid, thou Hildebrand, mad'st too much hast
Who 'fore the Pope dead in his grave is cast
Contrary to the Canon Laws art flown
Usurping thus th' Apostle Peters Throne.
Greg'ry the Seventh he is nam'd. And was
A Wicked Sorcerer, who as he pass
Did on a time from Albane unto Rome
And left his Conjuring booke behind did soon
Two of his Servants makes run back a pace
And fetch it, charging them much of their grace
Not to looke in't. Which made their mouths to water
Hence coming with it (Cowerds cannot Vaper)
They it unclasp, and read the black Art Law
And Soon an host of Divells black they saw.
That thus salute them, Why have you us Calld?
Why have you weari'd us? are we on balld?
What will you have us do? Soon bid us plain.
We'l fall on you, if you us long detain.
The youths well nigh out of their Wits agast:
One of them getting heart replies at last
Saith pointing with his hands to Walk nigh Rome,
Cast down these walk and down they fling them soon.
The youths then Crossing of themselves be took
Them panting, and amaizd to give the booke
Unto their Master Hildebrand, apart
At Rome, a master arch of this black art.

Quintius a Noble Roman that assails
And dragd this Pope from th' Altar to the jayle,
When th' Romans therefore did his house pull down
Agrees with Hildebrand: and none must frown.
Yet Hildebrand Contrary to his Word
At liberty, now Quintius Galld, him Spurd
(Whom once he'd put in barrell Stuck with nailes)
Nine of his house up hangs. Popes take not bailes.

A Widdow leads her Son too by a Cord
About his neck unto this pope her lord,
Of him for to receive him now again
After he had a twelvemonths Smart up tain
In banishment by him: to whom his tone
Woman begon, begon, let me alone
But after this he wills the judges to
Condemn this youth, the which they would not do
He orders one of them his legs to be
Cut off which killd the Youth. Popes mercy See.

But these are little Bans, will not Suffice
The hungry Gudgeon, nor his glaring eyes.
The Squemish Stomach of this wasthrill Pope
Kecks not at Such Small Gnats. (A butterd rope)
He falls on bigger Gobbits; Fatter bits
His greediworm down his wide gullit slips.
He'l Swallow down an Emperour so huffe
And yet his Stomach counts it not enough.

For Henry the forth the Emperour
The Saxons basely vexing by their War
The bishops too complain to Hellbrand's Pope
In that he Benefices gave, in hope
This Hellbrand would out burning Sparkles cast
To burn his bristles. So his firy blast
Comes out upon him charging him to out
All Symonaries be the[y] ne're so Stout.
And hence such as were for this Emperour
Were, many frighted by this Sparkling knar,
Lest they their dignities should lose, and Station
They by their bribes gain petters Confirmation.
And give their Oaths to be his Faithfull Sons.
And sorely vex the Emperour, when drums
Beat up the Saxon Wars, that hee excludes
Some from their places, others he intrudes
As they do call it. Then these babies fly
To Hellbrand with complaint; who bitterly

1076

Did Envy Henry, and he hence him cites
Up to appeare at Rome. Or with his rites
He'l brain him with his thunderbolt, at which
The Emperour Surprizd, forth with doth pitch
On persons and them sends to Hildebrand
To gain his grace, and from Such deeds to stand.
The Legats this Cursd fire brand of hell
Doth take Scourge prison, Naked, Starve nigh well
With Hunger Thirst, and Cold, then in disgrace
Leads through the City, then them back a pace
Did send away. And when the Sessions day
Was come in which the Emperour should say
What was the reason of his deeds, was come
This Hellishbrand With Rhetorick on his tongue,
The Synod entertains, asserting there
Rome Head of th'World, the Lady ever clear
Of this Round Orb Confers the Empire and
The Popedom at her pleasure by her hand
A right she gained by much blood, and pains.
Judge therefore with mee with mee, Children plain
Quoth he who shall here after reign at Rome.
And fifteen thousand talants from his flume
Runs over unto every man a part,
A noble artifice of Fishing Art.

But at this bold Incitement Henry
A Synod Calls at Worms, to make reply
And by his royall Majesty doth Cite
The Pope there to appeare with all his light
Supposing that the Pope exantorate
By Caesars, and the Synods Sentence late,
Could not by all his Liquids, and his Mates
His Excommunicating Pellit Shoot.
And Ruland Priest of Perma is out sent
With the Imperiall Letter whose Content
He while the Pope his Synod glaverd, did
Approach into the Temple not forbid,
To Shew the Same. And without terms of Fame
Directs his Speech to Hellbrand which thus came
The Emperour addicted truely to
The true Religion. And the Bishops lo
Sacred, of Italy, France, Germany,
In Sacred Orders of bright Sanctity
Command thee from that Function to depart,
That thou gottst by respects, Cash, and bad art.
Thou no true Pastor, Father, Pope art, nay
But art a Thiefe, Wolfe, Robber, Tyrant gay.
At which they quickly were all in a rout
Ready his brains in th'temple to dash out.
And in their rage they ecchoed out this tone.
Kick Such a Wicked King out of the throne.
Hence hee with Horrid Speech indeed knocks down
The Emperour. And all of all renown
That took his part, that famous bishops were
He did deprive of Dignities: and cleare
The Subjects from their Oaths of Fealty
And Chargd the Bishops all in Germany
Sworn to himselfe to make the Publication
Of this Kings direfull Excommunication
And calls on Princes, and on Subjects all
From all obedience to this king to fall:
Or else they with the same sort serv'd shall bee.
And Choose another Emperour saith hee.
Now on this fact rose many Bishop chuff
And Princes of the Empire apt to puff
Away the Emperour, conault to make
An new one, and Such as would this course take
Were chiefly Saxons, and the Sweve, who 'ttend
A Synod at Tribury for this end
Where Sighard yea and Altman teach this King
They justly from the Church, and his Realm fling.

The Emperour in great destress is told
Ev'n by his Princes if this bond doth hold
Beyond the yearly Day wherein't was made
His Realm would quite be lost, what e're is said.
And hence they Call the Pope to Germany.
That there the Case he openly might try.

Henry now doth out set for Rome indeed
In middle of a Winter hard with Speed
Through Frost, and Snow. The Pope for Germany
Also set out, but hearing by his fly
That Henry in Italy was come
Hee turnd into the Strong Canusium.
Not knowing what the Emperour intended
And that Italian Princes him befriended.
Now many of his Friends did from him fly,
And barefoot to the Pope Peccavi cry.
And many Roman Nobles to him cleave.
(And good Sir Pope, we matter not your leave)[.]

Henry calld Countiss Mathild and with her
The Marquess Azzo, and an Abbat who
With others to his holiness do goe
To intercede for him who on base terms
Him Entrance gain within the Wall, that hems
The Castle in, without attendents all
Without his Royall Robes (Kings humble fall)
And barefoot fasting from the morn till night
And thus did three dayes going, 'fore he might
Approach before the Pope, who when he came
To have access was novic'd by the Same.
And brought to shamefull terms, as base as ere
This Hellbrand pleasd to make, and all for feare
Of losing of his Crown, the which Offend
Th'Italian Peares who did him much befriend.
That they desert him, if he'l not revoke
His promise made to this abusive Pope
But while he stay'd in Italy, this Brand
Of Hell doth to the German Princes hand
An order that they Rudolph Duke of th'Sweve
Do Choose their King. And Henry to leave
And by his Legats sent a Crown unto

1077

Rudolph imbellisht with this Motto so
The Rock gave Peter, Peter, Rudolph gives
A Diadem. Hence Rudolph while he lives
Against his Master arms untill his own

1080

Right arm did lose its hand, when with sad tone
At Mersburgh: thus he greets the bishops base
See your Right hand which interposd in th'Case
When I devoutly was obligd, that I
Would not rebell 'gainst my Lord Henry.
But th'Popes Command and Prelates strong request
Induced me that I against my oath transgresst
The end whereof you see. Let them take heed
That stird me up, lest they by their bad deed
Have not perchance induced mee into
The Pip fall of Eternall Judgment so.

Oh! bloody noses, and greate slaughter grew
Upon this Wicked act this Firebrand threw.
And when he Saw, Henry, Rudolph to Chase
Hee like a brand cast from th'Infernall place,
Smites him again by Excommunication
A Second time: asserting this relation,
That though he to the Church restored him,
He had not to the Kingdom. Hence no King.
But when the German Storm was well nigh ore
Henry came knocking on this Helbrand's door.
Mean while the German Princes, Prelates too

[10]82

On Hellbrands Side. Rudolph now dead, a new
King make, Prince Harman Lucelburgian
To please the pope's base humor if they can.
At Isleby, and from much Garlick there
Men calld him King of garlick in a jeere.

[10]80

But Henry in Italy doth bum
This Saucy Pope whose towns to ashes run.
And fixt his Army down before Proud Rome
Then Hellbrand doth the Angell Tower assume
His Strong defence: and like a Vilain there
Provides his Slaughterman bussed in the eare,
To hoise greate Stones upon the beams on high
Over the Place in which King Henry
Sat in Saint Maries Church who did repare
Unto it dayly for the sake of prayer.
And down upon his head to haule the Same
Most craftily, as if Heaven did him brain.
But while this Silver Spirited brisk Snap,
Was for the Emperour Setting a trap
A mighty Stone upon the Beams hee drew
Which breaking of the planke thereon dropt threw.
And down goes dun even with the Stone which Skill
Stead of the Emperour, did th'Hangman kill.
Now Hellbrand's String is brok, his Angell Tower
Will not defend him. Henry hath power
Above this mighty god. He slips away
Unto Salern. And now without delay
The Emperour at Rome a Synod brings
That plucks the Wings of Helbrand, and unstrings
His Bow, and out him from his Peters Chair

1081

To Guibert of Ravenna gives that Care.
And here you see how Patience great did waite
While Such a monster acted monstrous hate [.]

Guibert under the name, Clement the third,
Chose by two Synods, though th'unlucky bird
Calld Hellbrand branded him to his Vexation
For Henry Cause with Excommunication
Assends the Chair and Henry holds him in't
And vext by Victor: Sene's his Seate in prent.

But after Helbrand unto Hell was fled,
Victor the third did soon put up his head,
Whom Countiss Mathild Robert Norman, and
Some others Pop'de, in hate to Clements wand
Who by the men of Salern, Capua
And other help made Clement not to Stay
In Rome. And excommunicates this Pope
And in his first yeare dropt off from his hope
Some Say by poison mixt in Sacred wine

1089

Some say much otherwise, yet pride doth shine[.]

The Second Urbane follows him, who flies
On Clement and the Emperour likewise
Doth Excommunicate them both through hate
And Clement him doth excommunicate.
A vile Reviler, Vagabond, Turbanus
Is Styld by Writers pens thus for Urbanus,
Two heads at once: oh monstrous, nay just none
For each beheaded each: So both are gone,
Hence either both, or none: take which you will
And if the body lives: its monstrous Still.
If bad they bee then better off than on
If good, then good head nods: and proove as none.

1100

But be they monster like; each eaches brother
As twins they quickly dy each after other.
And now behold this Rabble Rout of Popes
A String of Wickedness a Court that opes
A Doore to Pride, Ambition, Treachery
Oppression, Lies, Injustice, Perjury,
Rebellion, Treason, Cruelty, and Blood
Laciviousness, Adultery, and Mud
Of Theft, of Robery, of Sorcery,
Of Witches, Wizzards, Conjurours, a Sty.
A Hive of Hornets, Nest of Serpents, Stings
A gally Pot of Poison. Cage of Sins
In Horrid Colour flourishing and fat
That Patience greate doth blush, and Sweat hereat.
I'le Stand no longer here but Strike the Oares
Of Patience's bright Barge for other Shoares.