line," was
shouted on all sides.

"Well," cried the Parson, taking a small book out of his pocket, "it is
written in the thirteenth section: 'We decree also, that the parading
of the streets at night, which up to the present time has led in a
great measure to disorder, breaking of the peace, and immorality, be
from this time forth done away with.' So that if you do not want to be
fined thirty kreutzers per man, you must go to bed at sunset, so soon
as the fowls of Herr Garnix[3] go to roost." "Marnix!" shouted the
Professor. "Marnix, quite right, but who can remember all the foreign
names? But on the other hand Herr Olevianus grants you a concession,"
cried the Parson holding up his paper. "He whose health permits must go
twice to Church on Sundays, and he who on Sundays or holidays is seen
standing outside his door, or in a tavern or on the public places will
be flogged. Thus, none must dare go to the Wolfsbrunnen on a Sunday or
to the Mill at Bergheim, otherwise Miller Ulrich will trounce him with
his broom." Mad shouts were heard on all sides. "Silence, my beloved
brethren, lest you disturb Herrn Datterich." "Dathen," corrected the
irrepressible Professor. "No, I meant in reality Herr Tremellius, but I
keep confounding the numerous foreign names, and what is worse we must
give our children outlandish names, as decreed by Herr Olevianus."

"How is that, what mean you?"

"Yes, citizens, you must re-christen your children. None shall be
called Alexander nor Julius, those names are heathenish, nor Barbara
nor Ursula, because they sound catholic, not even Franciscus nor
Catherine;--Katie and Bab are not allowed, only such names as Sarah,
Rebecca, Mardochaeus, Abraham, Gideon, Melchisedec, Zerubbabel,
Zacharias. Biblical names alone are permitted, and the dragoon must
call his sweetheart Abigail, and Bab her dragoon Habakuk. Thus is it
decreed by the Church counsellors Olesinus and--now what is the name of
the other."

"Olevianus and Ursinus," called out the Professor.

"Right, Olevianus and Urschelinus decree."

"It appears to me that this common fellow wishes to make fools of us,"
said the huge Pithopoeus, entering the tavern with a look of withering
contempt at Parson Willing. The Parson continued: "Neither can you
marry when you will, Lupinus and Citronianus have ordered that no man
over 60 dare marry a woman under 30."

"If the man however is Kurfuerst?" said a voice from the crowd, amidst
shouts of laughter.