The Curse Upon Mitre Square — page 20: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

—— - _————Ee ee rtC(“‘ ;32..,hlkrttttttttttt — 12 THE CURSE UPON MITRE SQUARE. Everything was done to make. Martin conversant with the burning questions of the day ; no pains were spared to enlist his sympathy and talents in the religious cause in which all were interested, but to no avail, Martin listened to his instructors, apparently pondered over what they said, but was dull and sullen when theology, dogma, or the great cause were subjects of their counsel. The Prior perceiving the uselessness of his instruction at last gave way, and allowed his pupil to pursue his study of rhetoric according to his bent, but insisted that he should possess a fair knowledge of theology before being allowed to preach in public in the great church of Holy Trinity. Martin’s companions were, as we have stated, intellectual and good men; they performed their routine duties, both religicus and temporal, in a manner which brought credit on themselves and happiness on their flock ; but at the time in which - this narrative is cast an unscrupulous and very able monarch hungered for the wealth of this most wealthy monastery, and it was said that he was only waiting for a fitting opportunity to stretch forth his greedy hand and grasp the prize. The king employed dirty men to do his dirty work, aud many of his tools possessed the wily cunning and insatiable thirst for gold which dis- tinguished their master. Foremost among these men was Thomas Audley, Speaker of the House of Commons, to whom the king was in debt and anxious to repay. Audley had Eomicbooks (ele)