Note 21 — Extract from an unpublished Poem on Freedom.
Reading edition
"By specious creeds and sophists darkly taught."
Hamlet's advice to his offending mother;—
"Assume a virtue, tho' you have it not."
Adding hypocrisy to avowed unworthiness, was the acknowledged injunction of the church, wherever and whenever she participated in secular affairs, with a view of emolument. For a peculiar illustration of this favorite doctrine, see Clement VI.'s edict, when, in virtue of the right arrogated by the holy see to dispose of all countries belonging to the heathen, he erected (1344) the Canaries into a kingdom, and disposed of them to Lewis de la Corda, a prince of Castile.