The Catholick

[The following ingenious production has been copied literally from a broadside posted against the ‘parlour’ wall of a country inn in Gloucestershire.  The verses are susceptible of two interpretations, being Catholic if read in the columns, but Protestant if read across.]

I HOLD as faith What Rome’s church saith Where the King’s head The flocks misled Where the altars drest The peoples blest He’s but an asse Who shuns the masse	What England’s church alows My conscience disavows That church can have no shame That holds the Pope supreame. There’s service scarce divine With table, bread, and wine. Who the communion flies Is catholick and wise.
London: printed for George Eversden, at the signe of the Maidenhead, in St. Powle’s Church-yard, 1655.  Cum privilegio.