The Catholick
[THE following ingenious production has been copied literally from a broadside posted against the ‘parlour’ wall of a country inn in Gloucestershire. The verses are susceptible of two interpretations, being Catholic if read in the columns, but Protestant if read across.]
I HOLD as faith What England’s church alowsWhat Rome’s church saith My conscience disavowsWhere the King’s head That church can have noThe flocks misled shameWhere the altars drest That holds the PopeThe peoples blest supreame.He’s but an asse There’s service scarce divineWho shuns the masse With table, bread, and wine.Who the communion fliesIs catholick and wise.London: printed for George Eversden, at the signe of theMaidenhead, in St. Powle’s Church-yard, 1655. Cum privilegio.