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

That all a far and round about, the fields that are full fair, Did give such light and fervent heat, which flamed in the air. And in an other place speaking of the weepings & lamentations done over the dead, saith: Even to the heavens ascended is, of men the doleful cry,¹ And eke the sound of the trumpets, lamenting pitiously: And hesids all these things, the rich men were carried to the earth upon a goodly Beer, with great magnificence and pomp, the which the Satirical Poet hath comprised in a few verses, speaking of those which through their excess, and ⟨p. 69⟩for that they follow not the counsel of the Physician, and keep not good diet do kill themselves saying. With such like train they march before, with tromp & torches bright² To guide the rich man to his grave, a goodly gorgeous sight. Who on a curious coffin lies, & mourners bear his beer, And all his friends bewail his death, with sad & mourning cheer. On the contrary part, if there do dye any poor man, ³or any young child, or man of small calling, they do bring him simply with a little procession, and a small company, and the most times in the night, for the causes which already before have been touched, and they had but one little Flute. Of which among others the Poet Statius doth witness it writing of Archanorus, after this manner. But when poor men or children dye, their burial is not brave. A little Flute doth serve their turn, to bring them to their grave.⁴ Sith that we are fallen into the talk of the Flute, I ⁵do remember an history that Pliny maketh mention off, of a Raven that was at Rome, who had learned to speak, insomuch that every morning he went into the open streets and saluted the Caesars, to wit Tiberius, Germanicus, & Drusius, by their proper names, and also the people of Rome: For which cause he was so well beloved, that when he was dead, the people of Rome put him to death that had killed him, and made such great sorrow and lamentations, that they celebrated funerals and pomps for him, so that he was carried to the grave upon a goodly beer, very trimly decked & adorned, the which two Ethiopians or black Moors did bear upon their shoulders, with a great number of garlands & crowns of flowers, & a Fluter which played upon the Flute before until they came to his grave.