A14461:830
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. We may rightly compare them unto those good merchants, of whom Ovid maketh mention after this manner. Hard by Capena gate there is1 of Mercury a well, Wherein is virtue rare and strange as cunning folks do tell. For Merchants do thither repair with pitcher ready pight, And therewithal do water draw, by virtue of whose might The Laurel branch is dropping wet, and all those things that shall By Masters right be set to sale, are sprinkled therewithal. And after that his head is wet by sprinkling of the bays, Unto the Gods in wonted wise his prayer thus he says: Wash off (saith he) my perjury of those times that are past, Wash of my false and feigned words my falsehood now off cast. Because that they hold and account Mercurius for the God of the thieves, it seemeth unto them that the one of the thieves will easily absolve the other, and that the larcenies, perjuries and rapines shall be washed away as soon as they shall cast a little water upon them. Wherefore our Papists knowing that they have the like God ⟨p. 165⟩in the earth, do the like.
Hillarius. Wée may rightly compare them vnto those good merchaunts, of whom Ouid maketh mencion after this manner. Hard by Capena gate there is1 of Mercury a well, Wherein is vertue rare and straunge as cunning folkes doe tell. For Merchaunts doe thether repaire with pitcher ready pight, And therewithall doe water drawe, by vertue of whose might The Laurell branch is dropping wet, and all those things that shall By Masters right be set to sale, are sprinckled therewithall. And after that his head is wet by sprinckling of the bayes, Vnto the Gods in wonted wise his prayer thus he sayes: Wash off (sayth he) my periury of those times that are past, Wash of my false and fained woords my falsehood now off cast. Bycause that they holde and accompt Mercurius for the God of the théeues, it semeth vnto them that the one of the théeues wyll easelye absolue the other, and that the larcenies, periuries and rapines shall be washed away as soone as they shal cast a little water vpon them. Wherfore our Papistes knowing that they haue the like God ⟨p. 165⟩