[1] [2] [3] He receiued fortie pounds, besides other gifts, of the moonks of the Cisteaux order, to grant to them a generall licence to eat flesh indifferentlie as well abroad, as they had béene accustomed to doo at home within their monasteries. To those that were excom|municate he gaue absolution: those that had vowed to go in pilgrimage to Rome, to the holie land, or to saint Iames, he would not first release them, till he had receiued so much monie, according to the true valuation, as they should haue spent in their iornies: and to be bréefe, nothing could be asked, but for monie he was readie to grant it. And when he was reque|sted to shew by what power he did all these things, with great indignation he answered, that he would let them vnderstand at Rome, if they would needs know the authoritie which he had. At length his males were so filled with siluer, that his seruants disdained to make them anie answer, except they brought gold saieng; Bring vs gold, for we are full of your siluer. But at his departure he tooke all awaie with him, both gold and siluer in such abundance as was mar|uellous. This hath beene the practise of the Roma|nists from time to time, wherevpon grew this com|mon byword (taxing the polling and shauing shifts of that execrable see, gaping gulfe, and insatiable sea)

Curia Romana non quaerit ouem sine lana.