It was worse than any other; it was a hypocritical, a sacrilegious, a Simoniacal ambition."
"Pepita Ximenez"
Juan Valera
There have been many English translators of Camoens, from Fanshawe, the first, to Burton and Aubertin; and Burton likens them to the Simoniacal Popes in Dante's Malebolge-pit-each one struggling to trample down his elder brother.
"The Life of Sir Richard Burton"
Thomas Wright
Vicente's proud Bishop is to be boiled and roasted, the grasping Archbishop is left perpetually aboiling, the ambitious Cardinal is to be devoured by dogs and dragons in a den of lions, while the sensual and Simoniacal Pope is to have his flesh torn with red-hot iron.
"Four Plays of Gil Vicente"
Gil Vicente