Ah! could it shorten mankind's breath! I'd ring a merry peal for death! No other trade succeeds so well As tolling out life's parting knell.
THE CURATE.
But does the bell of death the portals draw Of heaven's wide gate? I cannot, may not say; What boots it? to my house it brings Both fish and flesh, and all good things.
THE CURATE'S NIECE.[858]
Tis well: I, too, anon will claim my share. This day this soul must pay to me my fare— A robe, white, red, and green, a flowered damas, A pretty kerchief likewise for my eyes at mass.
THE CARNIVAL AT BERNE.
Cardinal High-Pride adorned with a red hat, and close by the pope:—
If death brought us no heritage, Would we cause die in flower of age, On battle-plain, Such heaps of slain, Roused by intrigue, by envy fired?[859] Yes, Rome with Christian blood grows fat! Therefore I hoist this scarlet hat, To tell the trophies thus acquired.
BISHOP WOLF-BELLY.
In papal rites I'll live and die, And clothe me in silk embroidery; In foray or chace I'll take my pleasure, And eat and drink in ample measure; Had I been priest in days of yore, A peasant's dress I then had wore.[860] We once were shepherds, but now we reign kings, For a shepherd I'll pass 'mong the lambkins poor things....