The B. of Salisbury.The B. of Sarisburie.

The B. of Salisbury.

The B. of Sarisburie.

First he saith, S. Augustine's words be otherwise, then I report them. I assure thee, good Reader, if this great error had been worth the showing, it had never been suffered thus to pass in silence.

First he saithe, S. Augustines woordes be otherwise, then I reporte them. I assure thée, good Reader, if this great errour had béene woorthe the shewinge, it had neuer béene suffred thus to passe in silence.

But to shift of S. Augustine's words, here is brought in a Gloss plain contrary to the text. For this comparison, saith M. Harding, between Men, and Birds, must be taken, not of the words, but of the sense and understanding. And what reason leadeth him thus to say: Verily Birds are utterly void of reason, and neither understand the words, they be taught to speak, nor the meaning of the words. And yet must we only upon this simple warrant, needs believe, that S. Augustine compareth Birds with Men in understanding?

But to shifte of S. Augustines woordes, here is brought in a Glose plaine contrary to the texte. For this comparison, saithe M. Hardinge, betweene Menne, and Birdes, muste be taken, not of the woordes, but of the sense and vnderstandinge. And what reason leadeth him thus to say: Uerily Birdes are vtterly voide of reason, and neither vnderstande the woordes, they be taught to speake, nor the meaninge of the woordes. And yet muste we onely vpon this simple warrante, needes beleeue, that S. Augustine compareth Birdes with Menne in vnderstandinge?