The Spotted Panther in Dryden's Hind and Panther means
the Church of England full of the spots of error; whereas the Church of
Rome is faultless as the milk-white hind
The panther, sure the noblest next the hind,
And fairest creature of the spotted kind,
Ah, could her inborn stains be washed away,
She were too good to be a beast of prey.
Part 1.
Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
