A14461:191
The Christian disputations, by Master Peter Viret. Divided into three parts, dialogue wiseThe Christian disputations, by Master Peter Viret. Deuided into three partes, dialogue wise
The Christian disputations, by Master Peter Viret. Divided into three parts, dialogue wise: set out with such grace, that it cannot be, but that a man shall take great pleasure in the reading thereof. Translated out of French into English, by John Brooke of AsheThe Christian disputations, by Master Peter Viret. Deuided into three partes, dialogue wise: set out with such grace, that it cannot be, but that a man shall take greate pleasure in the reading thereoff. Translated out of French into English, by Iohn Brooke of Ashe
London: printed by Thomas East, 1579
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.
Hillarius. Truly I know not: except it be done in stead that as the Paynims after the burning did sprinkle with water all those that were there present, for to purify them 1from the pollution and filth that they might receive, in approaching nigh the dead: with which they did think themselves defiled. And in stead that the Paynims did purify those that be alive, our Priests will purify those that be dead, and when they are upon the earth and under the earth: Or peradventure that custom first came or took his beginning, for that the Paynims did deck and 2beautify their Sepulchres with goodly flowers. Afterwards they sprinkled them with water, to make them continue the longer fresh and sweet. The which is used at 3this day in the country of Bigore, in the City of Bagnieres hard by the hills Pyrenes: And among some other Christians, aswell in Almaigne as in other countries, who do put hats or garlands of flowers, either of Bay or of Ivy within the beer under the body of the dead, because they should keep a long time their verdure and sweetness. But because peradventure you may desire the witness of all these things, which I have now declared unto you of the Paynims, I would y you should hear them speak themselves, as already before we have done it, translating word for word their Latin verse into English rime, to the end that they may keep the better their stile. Mark well then the Prince and chief of the Poets, touching the cries and lamentations that they make after the dead, speaking after this manner of the burying of Polidorus. And holy blood in basins brought, we pour and last of all