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 Rome’s church saith
Where the King’s head
The flocks misled
Where the altars drest
The peoples blest
He’s but an asse
Who shuns the masse

What England’s church alows
My conscience disavows
That church can have no shame
That holds the Pope supreame.
There’s service scarce divine
With table, bread, and wine.
Who the communion flies
Is catholick and wise.

London: printed for GeorgeEversden, at the signe of the Maidenhead, in St. Powle’sChurch-yard, 1655. Cum privilegio.

Ballads.