( 23 )
His vices all, without control,
That he should have both peace and ease,
In doing things that I do please
Although they frighted him with terror,
He was not brought to such an error
As to forsake his former way.
Or in the least from me to stray.
He clave a close unto my law
As any man I ever saw.
In atheism his days did spend
Until his time drew near an end.
Then for the fashion he did say,
That he was of the Popish way;
Because a priest made him believe,
That he to him would pardon give,
And would from purgatory bring
Him to a place where he would sing;
But that was but a forged lie,
For Lag lives hot and bien with me,
It was in spite he money gave
Unto the priest that greedy slave,
For he had neither pi h nor ⟨power⟩
To keep my friend from me an hour;
For when I heard that he was dead,
A legion of my den did lead
Him to my place of residence,
Where still he ll stay, and not go hence:
For purgatory I must tell.
It is the lowest place in hell:
Well plenish d with the Romish sort,
Where thousands of them do resort.
There many a prince and pope doth dwell,
Fast fetter'd in that lower cell.
And from that place they ne er win free,
Though greedy priests for gain do lie.
