A07410:35
Of two wonderful popish monsters to wit, of a popish ass which was found…Of two vvoonderful popish monsters to wyt, of a popish asse which was found…
Of two wonderful popish monsters to wit, of a popish ass which was found at Rome in the river of Tiber, and of a monkish calf, calved at Friberge in Misne. Which are the very foreshowings and tokens of Gods wrath, against blind, obstinate, and monstrous Papists. Witnessed, and declared, the one by Philip Melanchthon, the other by Martin Luther. Translated out of French into English by John Brooke of Ash, next Sandwich.Of two vvoonderful popish monsters to wyt, of a popish asse which was found at Rome in the riuer of Tyber, and of a monkish calfe, calued at Friberge in Misne. Which are the very foreshewings and tokens of Gods wrath, against blinde, obstinate, and monstrous Papistes. Witnessed, and declared, the one by Philip Melancthon, the other by Martyn Luther. Translated out of French into English by Iohn Brooke of Assh, next Sandwich.
London: printed by Thomas East, 1579
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
For even as the Griffins do not easily let go that that they have once caught or laid hold on: Even so these maintainers and raveners of the Pope, ⟨image 9⟩do hold fast all that which they can get, and let not lightly go the pray: and as through the hooks of the Canons they have entrapped almost all the goods of all Europe: and they hold them so fast, that one cannot pull them out of their claws, for the Canons do serve to their insatiable avarice. This deadly Harpy hath devoured all the world: she hath taken away all the goods: she hath endamaged the souls and bodies; she hath stolen unto her all honours.
For euen as the Griphins doe not easely let goe that that they haue once caught or layde holde on: Euen so these maynteiners and raueners of the Pope, ⟨image 9⟩doe holde fast all that which they can get, and let not lyghtly goe the pray: and as through the hookes of the Canons they haue entrapped almost all the goods of al Europe: and they holde them so fast, that one cannot pull them out of their clawes, for the Canons do serue to their insatiable auarice. This deadly Harpy hath deuoured all the world: she hath taken away all the goods: she hath endamaged the soules and bodyes; she hath stollen vnto hir all honours.
Sixthly, the belly and the stomach, the which do resemble1 the belly and stomach of a woman, signify the body of the Pope: That is to say the Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Monks, Priests, and other execrable spiritual Martyrs, and all the rest of his bawds, and fat hogs, which have none other care all their life time but to feed and pamper their paunches with delicious wines and delicate dishes: to seek their ease and all the allurements and enticements to whoredom, & to keep themselves in all pleasures and Idleness, and to give themselves unto all monstrous infamies. The which they may very well do, and freely: For they have many privileges, wherewith they are well armed and munited for to be exempted from all punishment. As we do see this Popish Ass who showeth before all mens eyes openly,