PICTURE X.

Did not our holy book most clearly say

This earth is built upon a pillar'd base;

And did not Reason add convincing proofs

That this huge world is one continued plain

Extending onward to immensity,

Bounding with oceans these abodes of men,

I should suppose this dreamer had some hopes,

Some prospects built on probability.

What says our lord the pope — he cannot err —

He says, our world is not orbicular,

And has rewarded some with chains and death

Who dar'd defend such wicked heresies.

But we are turning heretics indeed!—

A foreigner, an idiot, an impostor,

An infidel ( since he dares contradict

What our most holy order holds for truth )

Is pouring poison in the royal ear;

Telling him tales of islands in the moon,

Leading the nation into dangerous errors,

Slighting instruction from our brotherhood!—

O Jesu! Jesu! what an age is this!