In Switzerland from 1516 to 1525 - James Aitken Wylie

course to Bern, Samson had some difficulty in
finding admission for himself and his wares into
that lordly city. A little negotiation with friends
inside, however, opened its gates. He proceeded to
the cathedral church, which was hung with banners
on which the arms of the Pope were blazoned in
union with those of the cantons, and there he said
mass with great pomp. A crowd of spectators and
purchasers filled the cathedral. His bulls of
indulgences were in two forms, the one on
parchment and the other on paper. The first were
meant for the rich, and were charged a dollar. The
others were for the poor, and were sold at two
batzen apiece. He had yet a third set, for which he
charged a much higher sum. A gentleman of Orbe,
named Arnay, gave 500 dollars for one of these. A
Bernese captain, Jacob von Stein, bartered the
dapple-grey mare which he bestrode for one of
Samsoh's indulgences. It was warranted good for
himself, his troop of 500 men, and all the vassals
on the Seigniory of Belp and may therefore be
reckoned cheap, although the animal was a
splendid one. We must not pass without notice a
very meritorious act of the monk in this
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