THE EMPEROR AT THE PLAY OF MASKS.

Western Star, Issue 1385, 31 August 1889, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE EMPEROR AT THE PLAY OF MASKS.

Truth could sometimes be spoken to princes in a figure when it dared not be told in plain language. One dav, during his stay iu Augsburg:, as Char!«s sat at dinner with his lords, a message was brought to him that some comedians wished to amuse him and his guests. Instant permission was given, for the request was in accordance with the manuera of the age, and excited no suspicion, First an old man

in a doctor's gown, tottered across the fl >o r , carrying a burden of sticks, some lonji some short. Throwing down tha sticks on the hearth in confusion, he turned to retire. Oi his back, now lisplayed to tha courtiers, was the name—John Reuchlin. A second mask now entered, also attired as a doctor. He went up to the hearth, and b?gau daftly arranging the sticks. He worked as3iduouly for a little while, hut, despite his pains, the long aud short, the crooked and straight, would not pair; so, giving up his task, with a sardonic smile on hiß countenance, he made his exit. Char'es and his lords, as he walked out, read on his back—Erasmus op Rotterdam.

THE COMEDY WAS BEGINNING TO HAVE INTEREST. A entered; this time it was a monk, in the frock and cowl of the Augustines. With keen eye and fi-m step he crossed the hall, bearing a brazier rilled with live coals. He raked the sticks together, not waiting to sort them, put a coaljuuderneath the heap, blew it up, and soon a blazing fire was roaring oa the hearth. As he withdrew he showed on his back—Martin Luther. The plot was thickening. A fourth appeared—a stately personage, covered with the insignia of empire. He gazes with displeasure at the fire. He draws his eword, and plunges it in amongst the burning faggots; the more they are stirred the more fiercely they blaze. He strikes again and again; the flames mount higher and the red sparks fall thicker around. It is plain that he, is feeding, not quenching the fire. The mask turns and strides across the hail in great anger. He has no name, nor is it necessary; every one divines it, though no one utters it. Tefc another—a fifth! He comes forward with solemn and portly air. His robes, whichiare of great magnificence, are He wears

A TRIPLE : CROWN ON KIS HEAD, and the St Peter are suspended from his-girdle. On seeing the fire this great personage is seized with sudden anguish, and wrings his hands. He looks round for something with which to extinguish it. He espies at the further end of the hall two vessels, one containing water aud the other oil. Ho rushes eagerly to get hold of the one containing the water; in his hurry he clutches the wrong vessel, that filled with oil, and empties it on the fire. The fire blazes up with a fury that singes his priestly robe, and compels its unfortune wearer to escape for his safety. The comedy is at au end. The authors of this play never came forward to receive the praise due to their ingenuity, or to claim the pecuniary reward usually forthcoming on such occnsions. They doubtless held it would be reward enough if the emperor profited by its moral. "Let thy gifts be to thyself," said the prophet, when he read toe writing on the wall of the king's paiace. So said the men who now interpreted in the Palatinate Palace of Augsburg the fate of the Empire aod the Papacy.—From Cassell's History of Protestantism.