New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-08-22
CHARLES J. IND THE ACTORs.

From Wuie's History Of ProfestrHtiSD.
In those days truth could sometimes be spoken to
Princes in figure. when it dared not be told them
! in plain language One day, during his stay ut
Augsburg, as Charles sat at dinner with bis lords,
q message was brought to him that some comedians
wished % amuSe him and his guests. Instant per-
mission was given, for the request was in accord
ance. with the manners Of the age, and excited no
suspicion. First an old man. III doctors gown,
0ttered across the floor carrying burden of sticks,
some long, some short. Throwing down the
sticks the hearth in confusion. he turned - re-
tire On his back, now displayed 10 the courters.
was the n9ine-JOhn keuchlin. second mask now
entered also attired doctor. He went up TO the
hearth, and began deity arranging the sticks lie
worked assiduously for httle while, but, despite
his pains, the long and short the crooked and he
straight would not pair; SO giving mp his task with
n sardonic smile on his countenance. he made his
exit. Charles and his lords. ne walked ont. read
on his blck-Erasmus OF Rotterdam. nc comedy
was beginning tn have interest. third now en-
tered this time it monk. In the rock and cowl
of tine AugustiueS. With keen eye and firm step
lie crossed the hall, bearing brazer filed with live
Goals. He raked the sticks together not waiting
sort them, put coal underneath the heap, blew il
up and soon blazing fire was roaring on the
hearth. As he Withdrew he showed Oh his back
Martin Luther.
he plot was thickening fourth appeare,l-a
stately parsonage, covered with the insignia Of en-
pire. lie gazes with displeasure ut the fire. lie
draws his sword and punges IL amongst the burning
fagg0ts the more they are stirred the more fercey
they blaze. He strikes again and again; the flames
mount higher and the red sparks fall thicker around
1t plain that he Is feeding not quenching, the fire
The mask turns and strides across the hall In great
anger. He has no name nor is it necessary; every
diyines it, though one utters it, Yet another
"a fifth He comes forward with solemn and portv
air. His robes, which of great magnihcence are
priesty. He wears a triple crown on his head. and
the keys of st. Peter are suspended from his srdle
On seeing the fire this great parsonage is seized with
sudden anguish and wrings his hands. He looks
round for something with which to extinguish Ii.
lie espies at the further end OF the hall two vessels
one containing water and the other oil lie PUSHES
eagerly u get hold Of the containing the water
In his hurry he clutches the wrong vessel tBat filled
with the oil and empties IL on the fire. he fire
b.azes up with fury that siuges his priesty robe
and compes its unfortunate escape for his
safety. The comedy Is at end. The authors of
this play came forward u receive the praise
due t. their ingenuity to claim the pecuniary re-
ward usually forthcoming on snch occasions ihey
doubtless held it would be reward enough if the
Emperor profted by Its moral. LET thy gifts DE to
myself" said the prophet when he read the writing
on the wall OF the Kings palace SO said the men
who now interpreted in the Palatinate Palace of
Augsburg the fate of the empire and the papacy.