Page:Readings in European History Vol 2.djvu/107

 Martin Luther and his Revolt against the Church 69 himself writing witty dialogues in Latin, exposing the iniquities of the clergy, and attacking the Roman curia in the name of German liberty and independence. His first dialogue, Fever the First, is a satire on the Hutten's luxurious lives of the clergy, suggested by what he saw F pi^ t tht of the pope's representative, Cardinal Cajetan, at the diet of Augsburg in 15 18. Hutten wants to get rid of Fever, and suggests various places where he might be comfortable, — for example, with the cardinal, who takes his ease on silken couches and dines off silver and gold. Fever objects to Cajetan on various grounds, but agrees finally to try a new benefice broker who has just arrived from Rome, — a nice man, who drinks much wine and sorely misses asparagus in winter and hates physicians, whom Fever also dislikes. Ere long Fever puts in a second appearance and begs 244. Hut- to be admitted, since he finds it very chilly on the door- Me Second. step. Hutten refuses to let him in, but begins to ply him with questions. Finally he asks : What is the reason for the depraved lives among the priests ? Fever. Idleness and its fostering mother, Riches. Hutten. But if Germany should take counsel, reduce their wealth, order them to cultivate the fields as others do and earn their bread by the sweat of their brow, should not we then have good priests ? . . . Tell me, do you not think the Germans will do this some time ? Fever. Why should they not ? Hutten. As soon as possible ? Fever. Pretty soon, when they cannot longer abide so many thousand parsons, an idle and useless crowd for the most part. Let a time of scarcity come, then hard-working men will be filled with wrath to see these lazy, shameless fellows consuming in luxury what belongs to others.