Satyra.

If not for the turbulent members of your kingdom having dragged me.
Attribute it to them, if we have written against you,
And your doctrine, rites, and wicked life,
Which may grieve you now, and excite this great anger.
If you press us with these edicts and threatening bulls,
And you have not ceased to forbid our books to the people,
Nor have you suppressed the mouths of your own,
But from now on have permitted the Stygian frogs in that whirlpool
To sing their insipid croak, so that they
Irritate us, and whip the Gospel and sound
Dogmas: do not hope that we will be silent fish.
We will fight back sharply with voices and books.
Will you thus forbid the irritated to respond?
Or will you forbid our books according to custom?
What right is that? What nation so barbaric keeps
This custom, that the defendant is not heard, as the accuser is?
This is the way of robbers. This is the violent tyranny,
Which you now exercise with forbidden books, Cerberus.
Who will obey you, except a huge and mindless robber?
Moreover, by forbidding our books again,
You are seen to be terrified, and not trusting in your own cause.
For if you are the head of the bride of Christ, and from God that
Right was truly conferred upon you,
To kick the necks of pious kings, to overturn divine and human things:
If you teach sincerely, and breathe the breath of Christ:
If your life pleases God, and is informed by sacred
Eloquence, and all your things are firm by the command of God: