From the Diet of Worms to the Augsburg Confession - James Aitken Wylie

message was brought to him that some comedians
wished to amuse him and his guests. Instant
permission was given, for the request was in
accordance with the manners of the age, and
excited no suspicion. First an old man, in a doctor's
gown, tottered across the floor, carrying a burden
of sticks, some long, some short. Throwing down
the sticks on the hearth in confusion, he turned to
retire. On his back, now displayed to the courtiers,
was the name–JOHN REUCHLIN. A second mask
now entered, also attired as a doctor. He went up to
the hearth, and began deftly arranging the sticks.
He worked assiduously for a little while, but,
despite his pains, the long and short, the crooked
and the straight, would not pair; so, giving up his
task, with a sardonic smile on his countenance, he
made his exit. Charles and his lords, as he walked
out, read on his back–ERASMUS OF
ROTTERDAM. The comedy was beginning to
have interest. A third now entered: this time it was
a monk, in the frock and cowl of the Augustines.
With keen eye and firm step he crossed the hall,
bearing a brazier filled with live coals. He raked
the sticks together, not waiting to sort them, put a
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