CROSS READINGS.
| A Letter of Recommendation from Cardinal Richelieu. | |
|---|---|
| Mr. Campoa, Savoyard and Friar, | of the holy order of St. Bennet, |
| is to be the bearer to you of | some news from me, by means of |
| this letter; he is one of the most | discreet, wise, and least |
| vicious persons that I ever yet knew, | amongst all I have conversed with |
| and hath earnestly desired me | to write to you in his favour, and |
| to give him a letter for you of | credence in his behalf and my |
| recommendation, which to his | merit (I assure you) rather than his |
| importunity, I have granted; for | he deserves greatly your esteem, and |
| I should be sorry you should be | backward to oblige him by being |
| mistaken in not knowing him, | I should be concern’d if you were |
| as very many others have been | already upon that account, |
| who are of my best friends. | Hence, and for no other motive, |
| I am desirous to advertise you | that you are obliged for my sake |
| to take especial notice of him, | to pay him all possible respect, |
| and to say nothing before him | that may offend or displease him |
| in any sort; for I may truly | say, he is a worthy man, and |
| assure you, there can’t be a more | convincing argument of an |
| unworthy person in the world, | than to be able to injure him. |
| I am sure, that as soon as you | cease being a stranger to his virtue, & |
| have any acquaintance with him, | you will love him as well as I, and |
| I shall receive thanks for the advice. | The assurance I have of your |
| Civility hindereth me to write | farther of him to you, or to say |
| any more on the subject. | |
An invention of the like kind is the Jesuits Double-faced Creed, which was published in the history of Popery, 1679, and which, according to the different readings, may suit either Papist or Protestant.
| The Jesuits Double-Faced Creed. | |
|---|---|
| I hold for faith | What England’s church allows, |
| What Rome’s church saith | My conscience disavows. |
| Where the king is head | The flock can take no shame, |
| The flock’s misled | Who hold the pope supreme. |
| Where the altar’s drest | The worship’s scarce divine, |
| The people’s blest | Whose table’s bread and wine. |
| He’s but an ass | Who their communion flies, |
| Who shuns the mass | Is catholic and wise. |
| In Latin. | |
|---|---|
| Pro fide teneo sana | Quae docet Anglicana |
| Affirmat quae Romana | Videnter mihi vana, |
| Supremus quando rex est | Tum plebs est fortunata, |
| Erraticus tum Grex est | Cum caput fiat papa, |
| Altare cum ornatur | Communio fit inanis, |
| Populus tum beatur | Cum mensa vino panis, |
| Asini nomen meruit | Hunc morem qui non capit, |
| Missam qui deseruit | Catholicus est et sapit. |
The following lines were found in the pocket of the Marquis of Tullabardine on his death in July, 1746. Read across, the cause of the Stuart family is advocated, whilst that of the Hanoverians is pleaded if the short lines are read straight down.
| I love wᵗʰ all my Heart | The Stuart’s party Here |
| The Hanoverian part | Most hateful doth appear |
| And for the Settlement | I ever have denied |
| My Conscience gives Consent | To be on Jemmy’s side |
| Most righteous is the Cause | To be for such a King |
| To fight for George’s Laws | Will Britain ruin bring |
| This is my Mind and Heart | In this Opinion I |
| Tho’ none shoᵈ take my part | Resolve to live and die. |
Two Views of Married Life.
The first view is attained by reading the verses as they are printed, the second view appears by reading the lines alternately, the first and third, then the second and fourth.
That man must lead a happy life
Who is directed by a wife;
Who’s freed from matrimonial claims,
Is sure to suffer for his pains.
Adam could find no solid peace
Till he beheld a woman’s face;
When Eve was given for a mate,
Adam was in a happy state.
In all the female race appear
Truth, darling of a heart sincere;
Hypocrisy, deceit, and pride,
In woman never did reside.
What tongue is able to unfold
The worth in woman we behold?
The failings that in woman dwell
Are almost imperceptible.
Confusion take the men, I say,
Who no regard to women pay;
Who make the women their delight
Keep always reason in their sight.
A mangled and spoilt version of this very old poem was recently given in The Sporting Times, (September 4, 1889), as original matter.
——:o:——
Autumn.
The melancholy days have come,
The saddest of the year;
Too warm, alas! for whiskey punch,
Too cold for lager beer.