Page:The Labyrinth of the World and the Paradise of the Heart.pdf/179

175 men. Seeing this, I said: "This is folly that, as their leaders and councillors, they wish to have followers and flatterers." "That is the way of the world," said the interpreter, "and it harms not. If these criers were given entire freedom, who knows what they would not dare to do. A line must be drawn for them beyond which they cannot go."

8. "Let us, then," I said, "go to the spot where they are, so that I may see them alone, and discover how they manage their affairs outside of their pulpits; there, at least, I know that no one measures their steps or hinders them." And we enter there where priests only dwelt, and I, who think that I shall find them praying and studying the mysteries of religion, also found that some snored, wallowing on feather-beds; others feasted, seated at divers tables, cramming and pouring down things till they became speechless; others performed dances and leaps; others crammed with treasures pouches, chests, and chambers; others pass their time in love-making and wantonness; others employ themselves in fastening on spurs, daggers, swords, muskets; others bestirred themselves with dogs and hares, so that they spent the least part of their time with the Bible; indeed, some hardly ever took it in their hand, although they called themselves teachers