Volume Vi Part 10 (1/2)

PHILOLOGUS.

G.o.d keep me and all men from such a frenzy, As to think anything Christ's power to surpa.s.s, When his will to his power joined was; But where his will wanteth, his power is ineffectual: As Christ can be no liar, G.o.d cannot be mortal.

Set down therefore some proof of his will That he would be made bread, and then I recant.

CARDINAL.

This caitiff mine ears with wind he doth fill: His words both truth and reason doth want.

Christ's word is his will; this must thou needs grant.

PHILOLOGUS.

He spake the word likewise, when he said, ”I am the door,”

Was his body transformed into timber therefore?

CARDINAL.

Nay, if thou beest obstinate, I will say no more.

Have him hence to prison, and keep him full sure: I will make him set by my friends.h.i.+p more store.

But hearest thou, Zeal? go first and procure Some kind of new torment which he may not endure.

TYRANNY.

I am here in readiness to do your commandment, And will return hither again incontinent.

HYPOCRISY.

At thy return bring hither Sensual Suggestion, That, if need be, he may us a.s.sist, Lest that both I and Careful Provision The zeal of Philologus may not fully resist; But he in his obstinacy doth still persist: To put him to death would accuse us of tyranny; But if we could win him, he should do us much honesty.

TYRANNY.

I hear you, and will fulfil your words speedily.

[_Exit_ TYRANNY.

HYPOCRISY.

Good Master Philologus, I pity your case, To see you so foolish yourself to undo: I durst yet promise to purchase you grace, If you would, at length, your errors forego.

Therefore, I pray you, be not your own foe.

PHILOLOGUS.

Call you those errors which the gospel defends?

I know not, then, whence true d[o]ctrine descends.

CARDINAL.

Nay, Master Hypocrisy, you spend time in vain To reason with him: he will not be removed.

AVARICE.

Had I so much to live by, as he hath certain, I would not lose that which I so well loved.

CARDINAL.

He stands in his reputation: he will not be reproved; And that is the cause that he is so obstinate: [_To Phil_.] But I shall well enough thy courage abate.

PHILOLOGUS.

I humbly beseech you of Christian charity, You seek not of purpose my blood for to spill; For if I have displeased your authority, In reasonable causes redress it I will: But in this respect I fear I should kill My soul for ever, if against my conscience I should to the Pope's laws acknowledge obedience.

HYPOCRISY.

Cease from those words, if your safety you love: As though no man had a soul more than you.

Such nips, perchance, my lord's patience will move; Then would you please him, if that you wist how.

But if you will be ruled by my honesty, I vow I will do the best herein that I can, Because you seem to be a good gentleman.