Page:History of the German people at the close of the Middle Ages vol1.djvu/272

260 HISTORY OF THE GERMAN PEOPLE There was universal complaint of the want of mode- ration and justice, particularly with regard to the repre- sentatives of the recently adopted Eoman Code, on account of their unjust judgments of the people. In a street ballad written before 1474 the jurists and doctors of the law are satirised. They are called by the populace, 'Law-benders,' 'Purse-cutters,' 'Blood- suckers.' In a pamphlet written in the year 1493 we find the judges threatened with expulsion, and the princes exhorted not to love the Jews, with whom they were accused of having transactions. ' Now that which is worst of all is that the princes will sro with the dosrs of Jews who rob all the Chris- tians. Herren princes, will }^ou hear me ? You are in danger ; they curse you vengeance from morning until night. If you love God avoid three things on earth : Set not your heart on usury. Make not justice your slave if you will be saved. Love not the Jew; give him not your confidence. He is the thief of your soul and the insulter of Our Lady.' Nor were the clergy spared, particularly those who belonged to the nobility, and cared only for the income of the benefices, and gave themselves up to gaming and luxury. ' Their conduct causes us much pain. What they should restrain in us, that they do themselves every day. It is a world-wide complaint ; they dishonour the name of priest.' Brigandage by the nobles became unbearable ; things even came to such a pass that it was looked on as an honourable amusement, and was actually taught systematically. In 1478 Werner Eolewink tells us with much detail