"Ay, sir," said I, "you men of law will make of a matter what ye list!"
"Lo," said Sir RICHARD SOUTHWELL, "how he can give a taunt! You maintain the Queen's title, with the help of an arrant heretic, TYNDALE."
"You speak of Papists there, sir," said Master MASON, "I pray you, how define you a Papist?"
I look upon him, turning towards him; for he stood on the side of me, "Why, sir," said I, "it is not long since you could define a Papist better than I" [_meaning that he had turned with the new change of religion_]. With that some of them secretly smiled; as the Lords of BEDFORD, ARUNDEL, SUSSEX, and PAGET.
In great haste, Sir JOHN GAGE took the matter in hand, "Thou callest men Papists there," said he, "who be they that thou judgest to be Papists?"
I said, "Sir, I do name no man, and I came not hither to accuse any, nor none will I accuse; but your Honours do know that in this Controversy that hath been, some be called Papists, and some Protestants."
"But we must know whom thou judgest to be Papists, and that we command thee, upon thine allegiance to declare!"
"Sir," said I, "I think if you look among the priests in Paul's, ye shall find some old _Mumpsimuses_ there."
"_Mumpsimuses_, knave!" said he, "_Mumpsimuses!_ Thou art an heretic knave, by God's blood!"
"Ay, by the mass!" says the Earl of BATH, "I warrant him an heretic knave indeed."
"I beseech your Honours!" said I, speaking to the Lords that sat at table; for those other stood by, and were not then of the Council, "be my good Lords! I have offended no laws, and I have served the Queen's Majesty's father and brother a long time; and in their service have spent and consumed part of my living, never having, as yet, any preferment or recompense; and the rest of my fellows likewise, to our utter undoings, unless the Queen's Highness be good unto us. And for my part, I went not forth against Her Majesty; notwithstanding that I was commanded, nor liked those doings."
"No, but with your writings, you would set us together by the ears!" said the Earl of ARUNDEL.
"He hath spent his living wantonly," saith BOURNE, "and now saith he has spent it in the King's service; which I am sorry for. He is come of a worshipful house in Worcestershire."