University of Virginia Library

Cordus lib. 6. Epigram.

Sixe Monkes together sitting on a draught,

Sex vna monachi dum considere, &c.


Began to thinke vpon their miseries,
And how the world at all their Orders laught,
Scoffing their persons, slighting their Decrees.
Mong'st whom was one that seem'd to rule the rest,
An aged father, whose old ioynts did shake,
He from the bottome of his grieued breast,
Fetching a sigh, thus to his brethren spake.

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What though our stubburne flockes do run astray,
And for a time their shepheards do forsake,
Yet let vs neuer ceasse to God to pray,
That he some pittie of our state may take.
For since the Lord doth see his seruants wrong,
And will prouide to keepe them free from hurt,
Heele take vs vp to heauen e're it be long,
And drowne the heretickes into this durt.
This hauing said, the boords began to cracke,
The rotten floares fall from the walls and staires,
The Monks all tumbling downe lie on their backs,
And striue in vaine, so heauen had heard their prayers.