● their hope in the mercy of our lord, & reprehending (as it were somewhat in my way) the great foolish ambition of rich men uttering their superfluity and arrogancy after death, which at the uttermost, death should have fynys●hed. Also I somewhat sharply rebuke their vice, which for their own advantage, doth abuse the foolishness of rich men, which they ought specially to rebuke. For who dare be so bold to monyss●e liberally men of great power & richesse, if such as profess them deed from the world do flatter their vices/ be it there be no such as I have dyscrybed, yet notwithstanding I have here showed an example which they ●ught to eschew. But & if there be many things spoken commonly among the people much more detestable than these which I have written/ t●an men indifferent may see therein my cyu●lyte, & correct their own vice. & such as be not culpable may amend & cause to refrain them which doth other wise. Truly I have spoken nothing to the reproach of any state, onel●sse ye will say, that he sclaundrech all the chrystianite, which speaketh any thing (& that by way of monition) against the corrupt manners of christian men. But it were their part in especial: whom the honour of their order so much moves, to restrain them which with their naughty deeds doth so much dishonest their order. But in so much now as they acknowledge such their faithful fellows, and moreover greatly esteemeth, & defendeth them. How can they than for shame complain or say that the estimation of their order is any thing impeached of him that doth monish them for their profit? Here in I suppose good reder the intent of our putour, in this said dialogue was to show rather a love toward religion & all good religious men, which thing caused me the rather to traduct this matter in to our english tongue/ than as some (whose judgements I do not greatly regard) saith that he writeth against them/ far differing from the opinion & mind of the good religious father saint Hierome, in whose mouth this saying was often. Where vice is but generally rebuked there no person hath injury or wrong. Which lesson after my mind, were moche more meet fo● every christian man, than unthankfully to repine at such as be studious to do them good. Following rather the example of the unkind Greeks against their good & valiant captain Agamemnon, than (as we should all) the christian charity. But I will no longer hinder you from our dialogue.   

¶ Mercolphus. Phedrus. Pulcher.  MErcolphus. 
From whence came hither Phedrus, suppose ye not from Trophon●us dene.  Phedrus. 
Wherefore dost thou ask that question?  Merc. 
For because thou art much sadder than thou art wont, more deformed, more filthy, more fierce, to make few word●s, nothing at all after thy name.  Phed. 
If (as we see by experience) they which continue any space in Founders shops, draweth to them some blaknesse. What great cause haste thou to marvel, if I being continually so many days with two seek men, dying and buried be more pensive than I am wont. & also much the more when they were both my special friends?  Merc. 
Who dost thou tell me was buried.  Phed. 
Didst thou know one George balearyke?  Merc. 
Only I have herd of him for to my knowledge I never saw his face.  Phe. 
The other I am sure thou knowest nothing at all/ He was called Cornelius montius, with whom I had great familiarity many years.  Merc. 
It was never my chance to be ps●nt at any man's death.  Phed. 
I have been more of ten than I would.  Merc. 
I pray the tell me● is death so horrible a thing as it is comynly said?  Phed. 
The passage toward death is more hard & painful than death itself. but he which casteth out of his mind the ferefulnesse and imagination of death: to him is released a gr●te part of the pain. To speak briefly, all that is painful, either in sickness, or in death, is made more tolerable if a man commit himself wholly to the will of god● For as concerning the feeling of death, (when the very time the soul is departing from the body) after my judgement is nothing at all/ or (if there be any) that it is very dull/ for because nature (before that come to pass) bringeth in a slumber, & maketh amazed all the sensible parties.  Merc. 
We are all borne without feeling of ourselves.  Phed. 
But not without feeling of our mother.  Merc● 
Why die we not in likewise? Wherefore hath god appointed death to be so cruciable & painful a thing?  Phed. 
He so ordained that our nativities should be painful and full of perils to the mother, that she might so much more love that, which she had brought forth. Contrary wise it was his pleasure that death should be fearful/ lest every where men should infere their own death. For in so moche that when we may see daily many which do slay themselves, what thinkest thou to come, if death had nothing horrible? as often as a man rebuketh his servant either his child/ yea, as often as the wife should take displeasure with her husband, as often as any manner of thing died miscarry, or any thing chanced being sorrowful to the mind, by & by men would run to hang themselves, to kill them with sword, to draw them to some convenient place where they might cast themselves down heedlynges, either to poison/ now the bitterness of death maketh us that we love better our life/ in especial when physyciens can not heal a man one's deed. Albeit like as we all have not like chance in our nativity/ even so there be divers manners & ways of death. Some short & swift death delivereth hens, some other wasteth away with slow death. Lethargic that is to say such as hath th●sekenes of forgetfulness. In likewise they which be stung of the venomous aspis altogether in a slumbering, dieth without any feeling of themselves. I have observed this thing in especial, that there is no kind of death so painful but it is tolerable after that a man hath with a fully fixed mind decreed for to go hens.  Merc. 
Whither of these deaths thinkest thou to be most like the death of a christian?  Phed. 
Me seemeth the death of George more honourable.  Merc. 
But I pray you hath death also his covetousness of honour?  Phed. 
I died never see two persons dying so unlike a dethe● if ye have so moche leisure to here, I will show you plainly the departing of both twain. but it shall be thy part to judge which of the deaths is most to be wished to a christian man.  Merc. 
yea, marry I pray the that thou wilt not think it grievous to tell/ for I wold● here nothing more gladly●  Phed. 
Therefore here first of G●orge. After that death had showed certain & sure tokens of himself the flock of physicians which of long time had take cure of this patient, nothing being a known of th● despair of life began to ask their stipends.  Merc. 
How many were they?  Phed. 
sometimes ten, & sometime twelve, & six when they were fewest.  Merc. 
There was enough to kill a man in good health.  Phed. 
After the time they had their money/ two-horned they privily such as were about the seek man, that death was at hand. And that they should prepare, and make ready all such things as should pertain unto the health of the soul/ seeing that there was no hope at all of any bodily wealth. And thereupon the seek man was lovingly, by such as were his spaecial friends, monished that he should commit the cure of his body to god● and that he should only mind those things which pertained to depart well hens. As soon as George heard these things: he looked, & that very fers●y, upon the physicians/ and as it were one sore disposed that they should all give him up, they said to him again, that they were physicans & no gods/ & that they had done so moche as they could by their science. albeit that there was no medicine which could remedy against the ordinance of god. This done, they go in to the next chamber.  Merc. 
What? died they tarry still after that they had received their wages?  Phed. 
They were not yet agreed what kind of sickness it was. One affirmed that it was a dropsy/ another said it was a tympany. some said it was apostome in the inner parts. some said it was one disease/ some another. and all the time they took in governance the patient they disputed stiffly what manner of sickness it should be.  Merc. 
O, how happy was the patient in the mean time?  Phed. 
But because at length to end their contention they desired his wife to ask of such as were his friends to suffer an Anothomye or section to be mad● of the deed body. and that it should cause moche honour to be spoken/ and also that it was so accustomed to be done for honour's sake in great noble men. And moreover that the thing itself should be healthful to many/ & also meritorious to the seek man. And the rather to obtain their purpose they promised to buy of their own charges a trental of masses, for the profit of the deed. This request hardly, but at the length with entreating of the wife & certain of his kinsmen was obtained. These matters done the guard of physiciens died wind themselves away/ for they say commonly, that it is not convenient that they which be wont to help life: should be the beholders of death, or be pres●t at burials. Anon was called for one Bernardinus a reverend father as ye know well enough, keeper of one of saint franceys flocks, to here his confession. Before the confession was all together finished a multitude of the four ordres, whom the people call the begging ordres was come in to the house.  Merc. 
So many devouring Uultures to one poor piece of carrion?  Phed. 
Than afterward the parish pressed was called for to anoyle the man, and to give him the sacrament of our lords body.  Merc. 
Devoutly.  Phed. 
But there was almost a bloody fray betwixt the parish pressed & the other solitary fathers.  Merc. 
At the seek man's bed?  Phed. 
And also Chryst himself looking upon them.  Merc. 
What caused all the business so suddenly?  Phed. 
The parish pressed (after that he knew the seek man was confessed to the Francyscane) said that he would neither minister the sacrament of anoyling nor of the altar/ or any burying/ unless that he heard with his ears the seek man's confession. He said moreover, that he was the parish pressed/ and that he must give account to god for his little sheep. but that he said he could not do if only he were ignorant of the secrets of his conscience.  Merc. 
Seemed he not to speak reasonably?  Phed. 
Not unto them verily. For they all cried against him, and in especy all Bernardinus, & Uincentius the dominican.  Merc. 
What reasons brought they?  Phed. 
They set upon the poor pressed with great rebukes and raylynges● calling him often ass, and a meet keeper for hogs. I said Uincentius, am a bachelor of divinity formate/ and shortly shall belycencyate/ and also shall be promoted with the title of a doctor. Thou art scarcely come to the reading of the gospel. How is it than possible that thou canst excuse, and judge the secrets of any man's conscience? But and if thou list for to be busied, go see what thy harlots, and bastard brats do at home. and many other obprobryous things which I am greatly ashamed to show.  Merc. 
What said he/ was he dumb at those words?  Phed. 
Dumb? yea, thou wouldest have said he had been as the proverb saith. A greshop taken by the wings. I said he, shall make of bean stalks much better bachelors than thou art. The tutors and capitains of your orders dominic and Fraunceys, where learned they I pray you Aristoteles phylophy/ or the arguments of Thomas/ either Scotus speculations? or where I pray you were they made bachelors? ye creeped in to the world, than easy to believe your superstitions/ but than ye were but a few & lowly● and some also meek & well learned men. Than your nests were in the fields and poor cottages/ but shortly after ye flitted thence, both in to the richest cities and in to the fairest parts of them. Seeing there be so many poor villages in the country abroad which can not find a shepherd/ there should ye bestow your labours● there were convenient places for you to labour in/ but now ye will be nowhere but in the houses of rich men. ye face & crack under the name of pope's/ but your privileges be not worth a straw: but where as the bishop, parson, or vicar doth not his duty. In my church shall none of you preach so long as I am the curate and have my health. I am no bachelor, neither saint Martin was any bachelor, and yet he played the very bishop. if I lack learning I will not ask it of you. Suppose ye that the world is yet so blind & foolish, that (wheresoever they see saint dominic or Fraunceys co●e) they will think their sanctymony and holiness there to be? or is it to you any matter at all what I do at home at my house? What pageants ye play in your dens, & what knavery ye use with holy nuns all the world knoweth. Also how little the better or cleaner be the rich men's houses which ye haunt is openly known. yea as the proverb saith, both to blear eyed persons & barbers. To tell the what was more spoken I dare not. truly he handled those reverend fathers with small reverence. And none end should have been, whiles Georgius had signified with wagging of his hand, that he would say some thing. Moche ado it was to apteyne that their chiding might cease so long. than said the seek man. Keep peace between you, I will confess me again to the my curate/ than after thou shalt be paid thy money or thou go out of this house/ both for bell ringing, dyriges, the hearse, for burial und stole● neither by any means I will give the occasion to complain on me.  Merc. 
Died the pressed refuse so equal a condition?  Phed. 
Nothing at all only he murmured moche of the confession, which he forgave the seek man. What needeth it, said he, in repeating the same again to fatigate & trouble both the seek man & the pressed: in repeating all one thing? If he had confessed him to me in season, peraventure he should have made his will better for his soul health, now take ye the charge. This indyfferency of the seek sore aggrieved those solitary fathers, nothing contented that any morsel of their prey should be cut out for the parish pressed. But I went between them & concluded so that their strife was ended. & the pressed anoyled the seek man, & gave him our lords body. And after he was paid his money & went his way.  Merc. 
Died Caromenes than fellow after so great a tempest?  Phed. 
Nay by saint Mary, a sharper storm followed by & by.  Merc. 
I pray the what was the cause?  Phed. 
Thou shalt here. There were flocked together in one house four ordres of begging freres/ the fifth order the which be called the crooked (the crouched freres I would say) came in among them. Against which as it had been a child base gotten, that other four arose all together making no little ado. and they asked the fifth order when ever they died see a chariot of .v. wheels/ or how they durst make more ordres of beggars than there be evangelists. By the same reason athey said) bring in hither all beggars which use to sit at bridges & high ways.  Merc. 
What said the crouched freres to that?  Phed. 
They asked the other fr●res again/ how the chariot of the church went, at such time when there was no order of beggers● and again when there was only one, & after three. for truly the number (said they) of the evangelists hath no more affynyte with our ordres than with a dice, which on every side showeth four corners. Who brought the Austyn freres in to the order of beggars? or who the carmelites? or what time begged Augustyn or Hely? for these they make the author of their ordres. These thonderboltes with many other the crossed freres died clatter out, & doubtless very manfully. But because they had none to take part with them/ therefore thinking them not able to resist the violence of four such hosts, gave place/ only threatening them very cruelly  Merc. 
Than I trow there was no more brabbling.  Phed. 
No marry. For this part taking and atonement against the fifth order was turned in to an open fray. The franciscan & the dominican contended, that neither the augustynyans nor the carmelites were properly called beggars/ but rather mungrelles, & chaungelynges. This strife died so moche increase, that plainly I was afraid least it should come to hand gripes and strokes.  Merc. 
Died the seek man abide all these brabblings?  Phed. 
These matters were not done at his bed side, but in a court by which joined to the chamber. But all the words came to the seek man/ for they died not whisper the matter, but it was spoken loud enough, & with full shawms, as the proverb saith. And thou knowest most commonly that seek men are sharp of hearing in especially.  Merc. 
But how ended the battle?  Phed. 
The seek man sent unto them his wife, to exhort them to keep silence a little while, & said that he would end this variance. And so desired, that for that time the Augustynyens & the carmelites would depart/ and promised that they should lose nothing thereby. And said more over that so moche meat should be sent home to their houses: as the rest which tarried still should have. But he commanded that they should all four ordres be at his burying, & also the fifth, and that they should every one have like portion of money. Nevertheless he would in no wise that they should all sit together at dinner, lest any trouble should ensue at their meeting.  Merc. 
Thou tellest me of a right good house keeper/ which at the point of death could set in quietness so many busy matters.  Phed. 
He had been many years a captain in wars. there are wont daily to spring up such clamours among the soldiers,  Merc. 
Was he rich?  Phed. 
Very rich.  Merc. 
But it was evil gotten, with spoiling & sacrilege. or robbing holy places/ extortions & bribes.  Phed. 
Such is the common fashion of the capitains in wars: nor I dare not stiffly swear that this man was altogyder clear & differing fro their manners. But as far as I can perceive he gate more good with, policy of wit than with violence.  Merc. 
How so?  Phed. 
He understood very well arithmetic or craft of numbering.  Merc. 
What thereof?  Phed. 
What than? To the high capitain he would sometime account ●xxx. M. soldiers, when there were scarcely vii M. And more over he paid to many of them never a deal.  Merc. 
Certainly thou showest me a worthy craft of accounting.  Phed. 
And sometime he caused the wars by craft to continue & was wont also to receive every month money of villages & towns: both of his enemies & friends. of his en●myes: to save them harmless, of his friends to suffer them to make peace with their enemies.  Merc. 
I know of old the manners of soldiers. but go forth in your tale.  Phed. 
bernard and Uyncent with certain other of their companions tarried still with the seek man/ the other which were departed had victuals sent them.  Merc. 
Died not they agree well together which tarried still in the house?  Phed● 
not always, they like hogs grunted I wot not wherefore, of the preferments of their bulls, but lest their devise should not come to pass, they dissembled for that tyme. Here they brought forth his testament, and certain demands were asked before witnesses, of such things which they had concluded among themselves before.  Merc. 
I am very desirous to here what things they were.  Phed. 
I shall tell the chief points, for the matter is somewhat tedious. There remained his wife xxxviii years of age/ being a woman certainly very commendable & wise. Two sons, the eldre was xix years of age, and the other xu And as many daughters, both within age. Thus was it devised by his testament/ that his wife (because they could not enforce her to be a Nun) should take the habit of a Bighyne, that is an or●re between nuns and laykes. The elder son, because they could not entice him to be of any solitary profession.  Merc. 
An old fox is taken but seldom in a snare.  Phed. 
Hastily after his fathers buri●ng they determined that he should in all haste go to Rome/ and there buy the pope's dispensation before his law full age to be made a pressed, to sing daily in Uatycanes' temple, for his father's soul. And that he should creep on his knees every friday all the holy stairs in Laterane.  Merc. 
Died he take all this willingly?  Phed. 
Even to be plain, as asses be wont to take upon them their carriages. More●●r that the youngest son should be professed to saint Fraunceys, the elder daughter to saint Clare, the youngest to saint Katheryn. For they could bring no more of their purpose ●o pass. for George was minded, because he would have god more bound to him, to have his wife & four children to be parted among the .v. orders of beggars/ and there was great procurement thereto/ but the wife and the eldest son were to old to agree thereto, either for fair words or foul.  Merc. 
A proper fashion of disinheriting.  Phed. 
The inheritance altogether was in such wise divided, that after the charges of the burying was taken out of all the hole, one part should enure to the wife upon this condition/ that she should live with the one half thereof/ the other half should be put in the place where she should oblige herself. Fronwhens, if she at any time hereafter departed, all the same money should remain to that flock: Another like portion should be given to the eldest son, to whom by & by after should be enjoined a journey toward Rome/ and as much as was sufficient to buy his bulls, & to pay his costs of meat and drink at Rome. And if he refused to be made pressed, his portion should then be divided between the freres of saint Fraunceys, and of saint dominic/ and yet I fear me that he will not perform their injunction/ the young man appeared to abhor so moche from holy ordres. Two portions should be put in to the monastery which was content to take the youngest son. Other two parts also to the ii monasteries where the daughters were but under this condition/ that if they at any time hereafter refused to profess the life, yet all the money should be in their custody, safe, & in no wise diminished. Again on the other side, the good father bernardine must have one of the portions, & Uyncent another/ & half of one of the portions to the Charter monks, for communion and part taking of all good works, which should be done in all the order, All the rest should be distribute to poor people that were privily kept/ upon whom bernardine and Uyncent thought it best bestowed.  Merc. 
thou shouldest have said as the lawyers do, Quos ve● quas.  Phed. 
After the will was red/ they asked him under these words. George balearike, dost thou being on live & hole memory approve this testament, which thou lately hast made of thine own mind? He answered/ I do approve it. & is this thy last & immutable will? it is. And thou dost institute & ordain me & father bachelor Uycent here: executors of thy last will? I do ordain. Than they commanded him yet once to subscribe it with his own hand.  Merc. 
How could he, than being at point of death?  Phed. 
Bernardinus did govern the seek manes hand.  Merc. 
What died he subscribe?  Phed. 
These words. the high displeasure of saint Fraunceys & saint dominic may come to him which gooth about to change any thing her in.  Merc. 
But feared they not the action called in the law Actio officiosi testamenti.  Phed. 
No, no: this action lieth not in those things that be dedicate to god/ neither I think that any man is so foolish to make any trouble with god. All these matters finished, the wife & the children gave their right hands to the seek man. swearing that they should observe that thing which they had received. ¶ After these things they began to common (not without strife) of the funeral pomp. At last this sentence had the victory, that ix of of every one of the .v. orders should be present in the honour of the .v. books of Moses'/ and of the ix ordres of angels. And the every order should have their cross borne before them/ and they should sing their mourning songs. Moreover xxx (beside such as were kin to him) should be hired, (for so many pieces of money was our lord sold) all in black to bear the torchs. & for his honour's sake xii mourners. (this number is in the honour of the xii apostles,) should go about the corpse. Next after should follow George's own horse all in black, with his neck so bound down to his knees as though he would be seen to seek his master on the earth. ¶ It was furthermore procured that the covering which should be cast over him, should show on every party his arms. Likewise every torch & black garment should the same. The corpse they purposed should be laid at the right hand of the high altar in a tomb of marble, which should be made iiij. foot high fro the the ground. He should lie in the top of it graven in a white marble stone/ all armed fro top to toe. neither might the helmet lack his crest. the crest was the neck of an Anocrotale. A target in the left arm/ in the which was his arms blazed in this wise, Three wild bores heeds all of gold in a silver field. A sword by his side with a gilted pommel. The girdle was guilded, & divided with studs of precious stones. Golden spurs to his feet, because he was a gentle man of cote armour, under his feet should be set a leoperd, the brynk●s of his sepulker should have an epitaphye meet for a worthy man. He was willing that his heart should be buried severally in a chapel of saint franceys. He committed the other inward parties of his body to the parish priest, to be buried honourably in a chapel of our lady.  Merc. 
An honourable burying, but very chargeable. At venyce a poor cobbler should have more honour for a little cost. for company maketh ornate & elygant the bear, & there sometime six hundreth monks: some in sleeveless s●oppes, & other some with copes will follow one corpse.  Phed. 
I have seen that myself, & have sometime laughed at such foolish vaynglories of poor men. there goeth fullers & curriers before: & cobblers behind, & monks in the midst. thou wouldest say they were monsters/ neither here was any other thing if thou had seen it. It was also provided by George, the Barnardyne & Uyncent should decern by lots which of them should have the highest place in the great pomp. And afterward other should do so likewise, lest any rumour or business should be for the same. The parish pressed & his clerks were appointed to the most inferior place, that was to go the formest/ neither the solitary fathers would suffer it otherwise.  Merc. 
He could not only orazyn an army to battle/ but also other solemn triumphs and pomps.  Phed. 
It was also provided that the mass of Requiem which should be done by the parish pressed should be in prick song, for the more honour. ¶ While these things and certain other were indevysing, the seek man shaked very sore, and died give certain perfit tokens that his last time was nigh at hand. The last act of the comedy was therefore prepared.  Merc. 
Is it not yet at an end?  Phed. 
The pope's bull was there rehearsed/ in the which was granted remission of all his sins quite and clean/ and all the fear of purgatory was taken away. Beside all these all his goods was justified.  Merc. 
Such as was gotten by extortion and robbery?  Phed. 
Certainly even such as were gotten by the law of battle or sowlderye. But it fortuned to be present one philip a man of law the wyfs brother, which marked a place in the bull otherwise set than it ought to be/ & caused suspicion that it was but forged.  Merc. 
Nay, that was not done in tyme. he should have rather dyssembled it, though there had been error therein/ and the seek man should have done never the worse.  Phed. 
I think the same. For the seek man was so troubled with this matter, that he was not far of from desperation. And there father bachelor Uyncent played the man. He commanded George to be of a quiet mind, he said that he had authority both to correct any thing which was false in the bulls, either to restore any thing that lacketh. But if the bull deceive thee, even very now I put my soul for thine/ that thine may come to heaven, and mine I give for ever to the derkest pit of hell.  Merc. 
But will god accept such changing of souls? and if he would, was this provision for George with such a gage sufficient? What & if the soul of Uyncent was (without any changing at all) due to hell.  Phed. 
I showed you as the matter was/ but Uyncent finished tha● ma●er. The patient seemed to take a good stomach to him/ by & by was red the pardons, wherein was promised to George to be part taker of all the works which should be done by the. iiii● orders & of the Charter monks.  Mer. 
I would be afraid lest I should be thirst down to the bottom of hell, if I should bear such an unprofitable burden.  Phed. 
I speak of their good works: which doth no otherwise aggravate the soul ready to depart, than feathers doth the bird.  Merc. 
To whom bequeath they their ill works?  Phed. 
To the landeskneyghtes of Germany.  Merc. 
By what authority?  Phed. 
Of the gospel, saying to him that hath: it shall be given/ and withal was rehearsed the number of masses and nocturnes, which should accompany the dead man's soul/ truly it was an unreasonable number. After all these things, he was confessed, & had absolution.  Merc. 
Died he thus?  Phed. 
Not yet. A mat of rushes was spread upon the ground, in such wise that the upper part was lapped together, for to make as it were a similitude of a bolster.  Merc. 
What meant they by that?  Phed. 
They sparpled it all over with ashes, but very thynnely, and there they laid the sick man's body. A grey freres cote was spread above him, but being hallowed before with a certain prayers & holy water. A cowl was put under his head, for at that time it could not be put upon him, and with all was laid the bull and the pardons.  Merc. 
A new manner of death.  Phed. 
But they affirm sty●fely that he devil hath no power over them which dieth in such fashion. So they said that both saint Martyne and saint Francis died.  Merc. 
But then their lives were no less virtuous. I pray the tell me what followed?  Phed. 
They reached the image of the cross, & a wax candle to the sick man. At the sight of the cross he said, I was wont in battles to be defended with mine own buckler, but now I will put this buckler against mine enemy, and kissed it, and put it toward the left shoulder. To the holy candle he said: in time past I have been valiant in wars with spear, now I will shake this spear against the enemy of souls.  Merc. 
even like a man of war.  Phed. 
These words he spoke last/ for by and by his tongue was taken with death, and with all the pangys' of death came upon him. Barnardyne stood hard by him on the right hand, and Uincent on the left side, both two loud enough/ the one showed the picture of saint Franceys, the other of saint dominic/ the other good holy fathers sparpled abroad about the chamber, mombled up busily certain psalms. bernardine with great out cries precelled his right ear, and Uyncent the left.  Merc. 
What cried they?  Phed. 
bernardine said in this wise. George balearyke● if thou now approve those things, which we have done betwixt us: bow down thy heed toward thy right side. He died so. Uyncent on the other side said, be nothing adredde George/ thou hast saint Franceys and saint dominic thy defenders, care nothing at all. Remember what a great sort of merits, what a strong Bull. briefly, remember that my soul is pledged for thine, If there were any jeopardy, if thou understand what I say, and also a lowest the same, bow down thy heed toward the left side. He died so. And again with a like outcry, they said both. if thou thinkest surely all these things thirst down my hand/ and with the same he thirst down his hand. And so in bowing his heed here and there/ and putting down hands, was almost iii hours past. And shortly after when George began to gasp, there bernardine standing up pronounced the absolution/ which he could not perfectly finish, before George was departed. this was a little after midnight. in the morning the Anothomy was made.  Merc. 
What noisome thing was found within him?  Phed. 
Thou remember'st me in good time/ for it was gone out of my remembrance. A piece of lead cleaved in the skin, which closeth the heart and the lights about, & doth separate them from the milt and the liver, called Diaphragma.  Merc. 
How came it there?  Ph. 
His wife showed that he was once stricken with a go stone/ and thereof the physyciens conjectured that a piece of the lead melted, tarried still within his body. By and by, the corpse all to cut and dilanyate aswell as it would be, was put in a grey freres cote. After dinner, the burying was done with such and like solemnity, as it was decreed before.  Merc. 
I never heard of a more curious death, nor a corpse more ambitious. But I suppose thou wouldest not have this spoken abroad.  Phed. 
Wherefore?  Merc. 
lest the hurnettes would be an angered.  Phed. 
There is no jeopardy at all. For if these things be godly which I show, it is their profit that the people do know them/ if they be otherwise, so many as be good among them, will give me thanks which have showed forth such, whereby some correct with shame, may refrain like deeds. Also such as be simple, may take heed lest they be drawn in to like error/ for there be among this sort great wise men, & very godly, which hath often complained to me, that by the superstition improbyte or lewdness of a few, the hole order is brought to hatred of good men.  Merc. 
Thou sayest very right, and boldly/ but I am very desirous to know, how Cornelius died.  Phed. 
Like as he lived grievous to no man, so died he. He was every year grieved with the febre, coming to him at certain times. The same (both for because he was somewhat in age: for he was passed three score years) are for other causes more than was wont enfeebled the man, and it appeared that he felt before that his fatal day was at hand. For the fourth day before he died, was sunday, our lords day, he went to the temple, was confessed to his curate, he heard the common preaching and mass/ and after the mass was done, he was houseled, and so went home.  Merc. 
Used he no physicians?  Phed. 
Only one he counseled, but he was no less a good man, than a good physician, his name is jacobus Castrutius.  Merc. 
I know him very well● There is no more pure man.  Ph●d. 
He answered that his friend should not lack his diligence/ but he thought there was more succour in god than in physyciens. Cornelius died as gladly accept his saying, as though he had showed most certain hope of life. Therefore albeit that after his power, he was always very liberal toward the po●re, even than all that might be spared from necessary aid of his wife and children, was distributed to the poor and needy men/ and not to the ambitious beggars, which we commonly meet in every place/ but to such as were to be commended, which fought against poverty, with all their devise and power. I desired him to lie him down/ & rather to call the pressed to him, than to fatigate with labour his feeble body. He gave answer, that his special study was ever to help his friends, if he might, rather than to put than to pains/ neither he would be unlike to himself at the time of his dying/ neither truly he lay down any more, but the last day, and part of the night, wherein he departed out of this life. sometime for weariness of his body he walked with a staff/ sometime reposed in a chair. He went seldom to bed, but in his clothes, & his heed raised upward. All this time he either gave one thing or other to relieve the poor/ but ●n especial to them which were known poor, and dwelled nigh to him, or e●les ●e red such things in holy scripture, which provoketh a man's conscience toward god, & also declareth his charity towards us. And when he by reason of his weariness could not read himself, than he heard some friend reading before him. Often times he exhorted with a vehement desire, his family to love one another, & to love the truth. He also lovingly comforted them which were pensive and sorrowful for his death. He gave often monition to such as he put in trust, that nothing of his debts should be unpaid.  Merc. 
Made he his will?  Phed. 
Yes, long before, in time of his health/ for he denayed utterly that they were called testaments, which were made of such as lie on dying: but rather foolish dotings.  Merc. 
Did he bequeatheth nothing to monasteries, or to needy men therein.  Phed. 
Nothing at all. I (said he) have for my part distribute those little goods which god hath sent me. Therefore now as I give the possession of them to other: so I give also the dispensation and ordering. And I trust that they will dispose them more utuously, than I have done myself.  Merc. 
Did he not call to him such holy men as George did.  Phed. 
Never one. Neither was there any body at all with him, saving his own family, and two special friends of his.  Merc. 
I marvel what he meant.  Phed. 
He said utterly that he would be onerous to no more at his death, than he was at his nativity.  Merc. 
I desire instantly to here the end of this matter.  Phed. 
Thou shalt here it by and by. Thursday came, he lay still upon his bed, feeling extreme weariness of his body/ the curate was sent for, and anoyled him, & by and by gave him the body of our lord, without any confession at all. For he said there was no scrupe & doubt at all in his mind, The pressed began to ask of him, with what pomp, and in what place● he would be buried. He said again, bury me in such wise as ye would bury a christian man of the lowest degree. Nor I care not in what place ye lay my wretched body, which shall be found in the last day aswell out of one place as other, where so ever it be hid/ nor I regard any thing at all the pomp of burying. Shortly after, when mention was made of the ringing of bells, trentals, & years minds, of bulls, of buying part taking of merits. Than answered he thus, my curate, I shall do never the worse, if no bell at all knoll for me. If it will please you to sing one bare mass for me it shallbe more than need. Either if there be any thing else, which (because of the common custom of the church) may without offence of such as be infirm persons scarcely be left out, that I ꝑmytte to be at your advise. Neither I am minded to buy any manes prayers, either to bereave any man his merits. abundance of merits floweth over in Chryst/ and also I trust that the prayers and merits of all thry●ten men, (if I be a living member) doth prousfyte me/ All my hope is in ii bulls & privileges/ the one is of my offences, that the chief pastor jesus christ hath clean taken them away, nailing it to the cross. the other is that which he wrote and sealed with his precious blood/ whereby he put us in certainty of everlasting life, if so be that we put all our hole trust in him. God forfend that I armed with merits, and bulls, should provoke my lord god, to come in to judgement with his bondman/ being certain of this● that all which be living, shall not be justified in his sight. I do appeal therefore from his justice, to his mercy/ for so moche as it is without measure, & ineffable. ¶ After he had spoken these words, the pressed departed. Cornelius being merry and glad (as though he had conceived a great hope of health) commanded that such places of holy scripture should be rehearsed to him, as were written to confirm the hope of resurrection, and the reward of immortalyte. As for example the text of Isaiah declaring the death of Ezechias which was deferred, & the canticle. Moreover the xu chapter of the first epistle of Paul to the corinthians. Also out of saint Iohn the evangelist of the death of Lazarus/ but namely the history of Christ'S passion, after the evangelists. With what a mind devoured he every thyng● sighing at some things/ & when he heard some other he (lifting up his hands) gave thanks. At the hearing of divers other things, he waxed very merry, and showed him outwardly glad/ & at many sayings, he cast out many short prayers. After dinner, when he had taken a little sleep, he commanded that one shoulders hearse to him the twelve chapter of saint Iohnns Gospel, unto the end of the history. At which time thou wouldest have said the man had been clerkly transfigured and afflate with a new spirit, Now it drew towards night, he ●alled to him his wife & children. There (his feeble body being reared up asmuch as he could suffer) he spoke to them in this wise: Most dear wife, god's pleasure is now to depart them whom he hath unite before/ but this separation shall be but bodily, and that for a very short tyme. All thy diligence, love, and pity, which thou were wont in time past to bear toward me and those most dear children, turn all towards them. Neither think that thou cannest any wise do higher pleasure to god or me, than if thou nourish, bring up, and institute them which god hath given us twain, as fruit of our marriage: that they may become Christ'S servants. As towards them therefore double thy love, and think that the portion of my love is translate all into thee/ which if thou dost (as I doubt not but thou wilt) they shall in no wise be said Orphans. But and if thou dost iterate matrimony. At that word the wife braced out in weeping, and began for to swear devoutly, that ●he would never think of marrying again. ¶ Here Cornelius said. My most dear beloved sister in christ, if our lord jesus Chryst will vouchsafe for to grant the this purpose, and spiritual strength, slake not of thy part from such an heavenly calling/ For that shall be both more convenient for thine own self, and also these children. But if so be that the infirmity, and weakness of the flesh call the to mary again/ know thou that my death setteth the at liberty from the law of our matrimony/ but thou art not at large thereby from the faithful promise, which thou hast made in both our names: to cure and bring up our common children. But as touching marriage, use that liberty which god hath permitted the. Only I pray and put you in remembrance both, that thou do choose a husband with such manners, and thou also use ●he toward him in such wise that he may be led by his mere goodness, or provoked through thy commodity or towardness to love his steep sons. Take heed thou dost not bind thyself to any vow. Keep thyself at liberty to god and our children, whom thou must so bring up in all meekness, that thou be no less circumspect/ and aware lest they do addyct themselves to any voluntary purposed living/ unto the time it may appear by their age and discretion, to what manner of living they be most apt. ¶ Than after he turned toward his children, and exhorted them to the study of virtue, & obey their mother, & one to love antoher. These things ended, he kissed his wife, and to his children he gave his blessing, making over them the sign of the cross, praying god to send them good mind, and Christ's mercy. After this, he looked upon all that stood by● & said: God that rose again in the morning, will vouchsafe to morrow before the son rise, to evocate and call out this simple soul from the sepulchre of this body, from the darkness of this mortality, into his heavenly light. I will not that these young children shall be fatigate and wearied with vain watchings. Let all other go to bed also/ one is sufficient to watch with me, whom I would have for to rehearse some holy scripture. ¶ When the night was past, a little after four of the clock, in the presence of all that were in the house, he commanded one to read out a ●owde the hole psalm which our lord praying, said at the time he suffered his pasiyon. That done, he commanded one to bring him an hallowed candle, & the sign of the crucifix. He took the candle in his hand, saying, the lord is my lightening, and my health/ whom shall I fear? He also kissing the cross, said: The lord is protector, and defender of my life, whom shall I therefore be dreaded oftly and by, he held his hands together upon his breast, as a man in fervent prayer, lifting up his eyes toward heaven, said: Lord jesus, take my spirit. And shortly after, he shit his eyes, as though he would go to sleep/ and therewith, with a soft blast, he yielded up the ghost. Thou wouldest rather have said he had been on sleep, than dead.  Merc. 
I never heard of death more quiet.  Phed. 
He was of like fashion in all his life time/ both twain were my friends. Perchance I judge not indifferently, whether of them departed this life more like a christian. Thou Mercolphus, which art not partial, shalt more rectetely, discern.  Merc. 
So I will do, but at a convenient season.  
¶ Finis.  
¶ Thus endeth the dialogue called Funus, made by doctor Erasmus.   

¶ Erasmus.  
  

¶ A good and a godly admonition or warning, very behoveful for every christian man to look upon.  
GOd hath appareled the glory of heaven to them that love him, & keep his commandments/ and to them that (of that they have & done) praise not themself, ne be not proud thereof, & after their ability departen gladly to the poor & needy: and set not their hearts principally, but in our lord: And to them that the euils● the pains, and the tribulations that com● to them, suffren patiently for the love of god. And for to have this great glory, ou● lord admonesteth us that we be always ready, and keep us fro sin. And that w● put not our hearts principally in this ca●●tyfe world, which is nothing but a little passing, full of weeping, of sorrows and of anguisshes, which we shall leue● And take none heed of the hour without to bear any thing with us, save the good deeds & the evil that we have done. And our body caitiff, shall be covered with the earth, as a foul stinking carrion, & worms shall eat and wrote therein. Our lord promiseth not to us to morrow, to th'end that our hearts and our principal intention be in him, and in his love. For we ought to love god, and ●o remember oft & devoutly how the sweet jesus vouchsafe to humble himself for us, and descend fro his glory of heaven, into the womb of the glorious virgin Mary, and become a man and our brother, and suffered dathe and passion for us/ and how he made us of nought, and semblable to him/ which might have made us (if it had pleased him) like unto toodes & other worms. If we know well all the graces that he hath done to us, and thank & give him ●aude therefore that is the thing above all ●ther, by which we may most soon and most lightly have his love & his grace: much pleasant is it unto god, when one knowledgeth the graces and the benefits that he hath done for us, and when he is remercyed and thanked therefore.  
¶ Example. It is red that the great Chauntre of Paris, found on a time in a field, a converse, ● that is to say, a brother, & no priest, of the order of Cisteaulx) keeping sheep, which was contemplatife and devout toward god, and wept oft in beholding a crapaulde or toode. The chauntre demanded him wherefore he wept. He answered to him, saying: I ought well to weep for my sins, and give thankings to god, which hath made me to his semblance. For if it had pleased him, he had well made me like unto this crapaulde or toode. Thus this good man thanked and remercyed god. Than let us render & give graces & than●kynges to our lord of all his benefits, & let us enjoy in him, and sing we in our hearts with great joy/ for we be the sons and the daughters of god, made and form to his semblance, brethren & siste●en of jesus Christ, and bought and redeemed with his precious blood, fed with his precious body, fellows to angels ●f heaven, Coheriters (but if it be long of ●ur selves) for ever more, without end, ●f the glorious royalme/ to the which ●rynge us the sw●te and debonair Ie●u christ. Amen.   

¶ At London, by Robert copland, for johan Byddell/ otherwise Salysbury. the .v. day of january, And be for to sell at the sign of our lady of pity next to Flete bridge. 1.5.3.4.  
¶ Cum privilegio regali.   


Robert Coplande.    

An epistle of the famous doctor Erasmus of Roterdame/ unto the reverend father & excellent prince/ Christofer bishop of basil/ concerning the forbidding of eating of flesh/ and like constitutyons of men. etc.