the Chester cycle of mystery plays

The Chester Plays are one of the four great surviving cycles of English mystery
drama, staged by the craft guilds of the city of Chester across three days at
Whitsuntide, telling the whole span of Christian history from the Fall of the
Angels to the Last Judgement in twenty-four pageants, each mounted by a
different company of tradesmen on its own wheeled stage. Tradition, recorded
in the plays' own "Banns" or proclamation, credits their first shaping to
Randall Higden (here "Randall Higgenett" or "done Rondall"), a monk of Chester
abbey, though the cycle as it survives is a later Tudor redaction, written down
by scribes between 1591 and 1607, well after the plays' medieval origins — the
Chester cycle is nonetheless usually reckoned the oldest in dramatic character
among the four that survive entire.

This edition follows the work of the Early English Text Society: Part I,
re-edited from the manuscripts by Dr. Hermann Deimling (Extra Series LXII,
1892, printed 1893), and Part II, completing the cycle, edited by Dr. Matthews
and issued under Dr. Israel Gollancz's supervision after Deimling's death
(Extra Series CXV, 1916). The base text throughout is the Harleian
manuscript 2124 (1607), collated against three companion manuscripts
referred to by the editors as W, B, and h. Original spelling is preserved
throughout, including the plays' own line-numbering, speaker headings, and
Latin stage directions and epigraphs.

Contents

The Banns — the proclamation read before the playing of the pageants

Play I — The Fall of Lucifer — The Tanners
Play II — The Creation, and Adam and Eve — The Drapers
Play III — Noah's Flood — The Waterleaders and Drawers of Dee
Play IV — Abraham, Melchisedech, and Lot — The Barbers
Play V — Moses, Balaak, and Balaam — The Cappers
Play VI — The Nativity — The Wrights
Play VII — The Shepherds — The Painters and Glaziers
Play VIII — The Adoration of the Magi — The Vintners
Play IX — The Magi's Oblation — The Mercers
Play X — The Slaying of the Innocents — The Goldsmiths
Play XI — The Purification — The Blacksmiths
Play XII — The Temptation — The Butchers
Play XIII — Christ and the Woman Taken in Adultery; Chelidonius; the Raising of Lazarus — The Glovers
Play XIV — Christ's Visit to Simon the Leper — The Corvisers
Play XV — The Last Supper — The Bakers
Play XVI — Christ's Passion — The Bowyers, Fletchers, and Ironmongers
Play XVII — The Harrowing of Hell — The Cooks and Innkeepers
Play XVIII — The Resurrection — The Skinners
Play XIX — Christ's Appearance to the Disciples at Emmaus — The Saddlers
Play XX — The Ascension — The Tailors
Play XXI — The Sending of the Holy Ghost — The Fishmongers
Play XXII — The Prophets of Antichrist — The Clothworkers (Shearmen)
Play XXIII — The Coming of Antichrist — The Dyers
Play XXIV — The Last Judgement — The Websters

The Banns

The proclamation read before the beginning of the plays of Chester, 1600.

Reverende Lordes and ladyes all,
That at this tyme here assembled bee,
by this message understande you shall,
That some tymes there was mayor of this Citie
Sir John Arnway, Knyght, who most worthilye 5

contented hym selfe to sett out in playe
The devise of one done Rondall, moonke of Chester abbe. 7

(2)

This moonke moonkelike in Scriptures well seene, 8
in storyes travilled with the beste sort
In pagentes set fourth apparently to all eyne
the old and newe testament with liuelye comforth,

Interminglinge therewith onely, to make sporte, 12
some thinge, not warranted by any writt,
which to gladd the hearers, he woulde men to take yt. 14

(3)
This matter he Abbrevited into playes twenty foure ; 15
and every playe of the matter gaue but a taste,
leavinge for better learninge the Scircumstance to accomplishe,
for all his proceedinges may appeare to be in haste,

yet all-together unprofitable his labour he did not waste. 19
For at this daye and ever he deserveth the fame
which all monkes deserves, professinge that name. 21

These Storyes of the Testament at this tyme, you knowe, 22
in A common Englishe tongue neuer read nor harde ;

yet therof in these pagentes to make open shewe,
This moonke and moonke was nothing Afreayde
with feare of hanginge, brenninge or Cuttinge off heade, 26
to sett out that all maye disserne and see,

and parte good be lefte (?), beleeve you mee. 28

(5)
As in this Citie divers yeares the haue bene set out, 29
soe at this tyme of penticoste, called whitsontyde,

Allthough to all the Citie followe labour and coste,
yet god giuinge leave, that tyme shall you in playe,
ffor three dayes together, begynninge one mondaye, 33
see these pagentes played to the beste of theire skill,
wher to supply all wantes, shalbe noe wantes of good will. 35

(6)
As all that shall see them, shall most welcome be, 36
soe all that here them, wee most humble praye
not to compare this matter or Storie
with the age or tyme wherin we presentlye staye,
but in the tyme of Ignorance wherin we did straye ; 40
Then doe I compare that this land throughout
uon had the like nor the like dose sett out. 42

(7)
If the same be likeinge to the comons all, 43
then our desier is to satisfie for that is all our game

yf noe matter or shewe therof speciall
doe not please, but misslike the most of the trayne,
goe backe I saye to the firste tyme againe, 47
then shall you finde : the fyne witt, at this day aboundinge,

at that day and that age had verye small beinge. 49

(8)

Condempne not our matter where grosse wordes you here, 50
-which ymporte at this day small sence or understandinge,

as sometyme "postie," "lewtie," "in good manner," or "in feare"
with such like wilbe uttered in there speeches speakeing,
at this tyme those speeches carried good likeninge, 54
tho at this tyme you take them spoken at that tyme,
as well matter as wordes, then is all well and fyne. 56

(9)

This worthy knyghte Arnway, then mayor of this Citie, 57
this order toke, as declare to you I shall :
that by twentye fower occupations, artes, craftes or misterie,
these pagente shulde be played after breeffe rehearsal,
for everye pagente A
carriage to be provyded 61
in which sorte we porpose this whitsontyde
our pageante into three partes to devyde. 63

(10)
Nowe you worshippfull tannors, that of Custome olde 64
the fall of Lucifer did set out,
some writers Awarrante your matter, theirfore be boulde,
Erstelye to playe the same to all the rowtte,
and yf any therof stand in any doubte, 68
your Authour his Auther hath ; your shewe let bee
good speech, fyne players with Apparill comely e. 70

(H)
Of the Drapers, you wealthy Companye, 71
the Creation of the worlde, Adam and
Eve,
Accordinge to your wealth, set out wealthilye,
And ho we Cayne his brother Abell his life did bereave. 74

(12)
The good symple water-leaders and drawers of 75
deey,
see that your Arke in all
poyntes be prepared ;
of Noy and his Children the wholl
storye,
and of the universall floude, shalbe
by you 78

(13)
The Sacriffice that faithfull Abraham of his sonne should
make, 79
you barbers and waxe-Chaundlers of Aunciente tyme,

in the fourth pageante with paines you doe take,
in decente sorte set out—the storie is ffine—
the offeringe of Melchesedecke of breade and wine, 83
and the presentacton therof set in your playe,
suffer you not in any poynte the story to decaye. 85

(14)

Cappers and lynnen drapers, see that you fourth bringe 86
In well-decked order that worthy storie j
of Balaam and his Asse, and of balacke, the kinge ;
make the Asse to speake, and sett yt out liuelye. 89

(15)
of Octavion the Emperour that coulde not well Alowe 90
the prophesye of Auncient Sibell, the sage,

you wrightes and sklaters, with good players in showe,
lustlye bringe fourth your well-decked carriage ;
the beirth of Christe shall all see in that stage. 94
yf the scriptures a-warrant not of the mydwyfes reporte,
the Authour telleth his Authour, then take it in sporte ! 96

(16)
The Appearinge Angell and starr upon Christes beirth 97
to Sheapeardes poore, of base and lowe degree,

you painters and glasiors, decke out with all meirth,
and see that " Gloria in excelsis " be songe merelye.
fewe wordes in that pageante makes meirth truely, 101
for all that ths Authour had to stande uppon,
was " glorye to god one heigh " and " peace one Earth to man." 103

(17)
And you worthy marchantes, vintners, that nowe haue plenty of
wine, 104
Amplifye the storie of those wise kinges three,
that through herodes lande and realme by the starr that did shine,

sought the sight of the saviour that then borne should bee. 107

And you worshippfull mercers, though costely and fyne 108

yee Tryme up your Cariage as Custom
ever was,

yet in A stable was he borne,
that mighty kinge devyne,

poorely in A stable betwixte
an oxe and an asse.
You gouldsmythes and Masons, make comely shewe, 112
at the retorne of those kinges howe herode did rage,
and howe he slewe the small tender male babes being under
two yeares of Age. 114
(19)
You Smythes, honest men and of honest arte, 115
howe Christe among the docters in the Temple did dispute,
To set out in playe comely yt shalbe your parte,
get mynstrilles to that shewe, pipe, tabarte
and flute. 118

(20)
And next to this, you bowchers of this Citie, 119
the storie of Sathan that christe woulde needes tempte,
set out as Accostomablie vsed haue yee,

the devill in his fethers, all ragger and rente. 122

(21)
The death of Lazarus and his riseinge again, 123
you, of glovers the wholl occupation,
in pagente with players orderly let yt not be paine,

timely to advance after the beste fashion. 126

(22)
The Storye howe that to Jerusalem our saviour toke
the waye, 127
you Corvisors, that in Nomber full many bee,
with your Ierusalem-Carriage shall set out in playe,
A commendable, true storye and worthy memorye. 130

And howe Christe, our saviour, at his last super 131
gaue his bodye and his bloude for redemption of us all,
you bakers, see that the same wordes you utter,
as Christ hym selfe spake them, to be A memoriall
of that death and passion which in play ensue after shall. 135
the worst of those stories doe not fall to your parte ;

therefore, caste good looves Abroade with A Cheerfull harte. 137

(24)
You ffletchers, bowyers, Cowpers, stringers, and Iremongers, 138
see soberly ye make of Christes dolefull death,
his scourginge, his whippinge, his bloudeshett and passion
and all the paines he suffred till the last of his breath,
lordinges, in this storye consisteth our cheffe ffayth, 142
the ignorans wherein hath vs so manye yeres blinded ;
as though now all see the path plaine, yet the moste parte
cannot finde it. 144
(25)
As our beleeffe is that Christe after his passion 145
descended into hell, but what he did in that place,
though our Authour sett after his opinion,
yet creditt you the best learned those doth he not disgrace,
we wishe that of all sortes the beste you ymbrace 149
you Cookes, with your Carriage see that you do well
in pagente sett out the harrowinge of hell. 151

(26)
The Skynners before you, after shall playe 152
the storye of the resurrection,
howe Christe from death rose the thirde daye,
not altered in many poyntes from the olde fashion. 155

(27)
The saddlers and ffusterers shoulde in their pagent declare 156
the Appearances of Christe, his travayle to Emaus,

his often speach to the women and to his disciples deere,

To make his risinge againe to all the worlde notorious. 159

(28)
Then see that you Telers, with Cariage decente 160
the storye of the Assention formablye doe frame,

wherbye that glorious body in Cloudes most orient
is taken up to the heavens pe?-petuall fame. 163

(29)
This of the olde and newe testament to ende all the storye, 164
which our author meaneth at this tyme to haue in pleaye,
you ffishemongers, to the peagent of the holy ghoste well see,
that in good order yt be donne, as hath been allwaye.
And after those ended, yet doth not the storie staye, 168
but by prophetes sheweth fourth howe Antichrist shoulde rise,
which you shermen, sett out in moste Comely wise. 170

(30)
And then you diers and hewsters, Antechrist bringe out, 171
ffirst with his docter that godly maye Expounde,
who be Antechristes the worlde aboute,
and Enocke and Hely, persons walkinge one
grounde,
in partes set you well
out, the wicked to confounde, 175
which beinge understanded Christes worde for to
bee,
Confoundeth all Antechristes and sectes of that 177
degree.

(31)
The Coming of Christ to geue Eternall 178
ludgement,
you weavers, last of all, your parte is for to playe ;
Domesday we call yt, when the Omnipotente
Shall make Ende of this worlde
by sentence, I saye.
one his righte hande to stande
god grante us that daye, 182
and to haue that sweete worde in
" Come melodye :

hether, come hether, venite benedicti "
! 184

To which rest of wayes and selestiall habitation 185
grante us free passage, that all together wee,
Accompained with Angells and Endlesse delectation,
maye Continually lavde god and prayse that King of glorye ! 188

(33)
The some of this Storye, Lordes and ladies all, 189
I haue breiflie repeated and how they must be played ;
of one thing warne you now I shall :

that not possible it is those matters to be contryued 192
in such sort and conyng and by such players of price,
as at these dayes good preserve and ffyne wittes cold deuise.] 194

Play I — The Fall of Lucifer

The Tanners

The First Pageant of the Fall of Lucifer.
The Tanners.
DEUS PATER. (1)
Ego sum Alpha et w,
primus et nobilissimus ;

It is my Will, yt sholde be soe,
yt is, it was, yt shall be thus : 4

(2)
I am greate god gracious -which never had beginninge. 5
The wholle foode of parente is set in my essencion ;
I am the tryall of the trynitie that neuer shall be twynninge ;
Peareles Patron Imperiall and Patris Sapentia. 8
My beames be all beatytude ;
all blisse is in my buyldinge ;

All myrthe is in my Mansuetude Cum Dei Potentia.
Bothe Visible and eke Invisible, all is my Weldinge ;
as god greatest and glorious, all lyeth in mea licentia. 12

(3)
For all the mighte of the maiestye is magnified in me, 13
Prince principall proved in my perpetuall prudens.
I was never but one and ever one in three,
set in substantiall sothenes within Cselestiall sapience. 16
These three tryalls in a Trone and true Trynitie
Be grounded in my godhead, exalted by my exellence ;
the mighte of my making is marked all in me,
dissolved under a Dyademe by my divyne experyence. 20

(In principio creavit deus Coelum, Genes, i.)
Now sithe I am thus soleinne and set in my solation, 21
a biglie blisse here will I builde, a heaven without ending,
and cast a Comlye compasse by my comely creation :

neene orders of Angells be ever to one Attending. 24
Doe your endeavour and double ye not under my domynacwn
to sitt in Celestyall safetye, all solace to your sending,

for all the lyking in this Lordshipp be loue to my lawdation ;

throughe the might of my most Maiestye your mirth shall ever be
mending. 28
LUCIFER. (5)
Lord, throughe thy grace and mighte thou hast vs wrought : 29
nyne orders of Angelles here as you may see :

Cherubyn and Seraphyn throughe your thoughte,
Trones and Domynacions in blisse to bee, 32
(6)
With principatus, that order brighte, 33
and potestates in blissefull heighte ;

also virtutes through thy great
mighte,
Angeli, also Archangeli. 35

(7)

nyne orders here be witterlye, 37
that you have made here full brighte ;
In thie blisse full righte they be,
And I the principall lord here in thie sight. 40
DEUS. (8)
Here haue I wrought heavenlye might 41
of angels nine orders of greate bewtye,
eche one with other, as it is righte,
to walk about the Trynitie. 44

(9)

Now, Lucifer and lightburne, lookes lowley yon be attendinge ! 45
the blessinge of my benignitie I geue to my first operac/on :
for crafte no for cunninge cast never comprehendinge,
exalte you not to exellency in no heighe exaltation. 48
loke that you tende righte wislye, for hense I wilbe wendinge.
The worlde that is both voyde and vayne, I forme in this formation,
with a dungeon of darkenes that never shall have endinge.
These workes now be done by my devyne formation. 52

(10)
this work is nowe well I-wrought 53
that is so cleane and cleare.
as I you made of noughte,

my blessing I geue you here. 56
ANGELI. (11)
Wee thanke the lorde, full soveraynftie 57
that us hath formed so cleane and cleare,

Ever in this blisse to abyde, thee bye,
to bide here.
graunt us thy grace Aye

ARCHANGELI. (12)
Here for to bide God graunt us grace, 61
to please this prince withoutten peere ;

hym for to thanke with somp solace,
A songe now let us singe in feare. 64
(Tune cantabunt)
DEUS. (13)
Now sithe I haue formed you so fayre 65
and exalted yow so exellent,
and here I sett you next my Chayre,
my loue to you is so fervent,
Looke, ye fall not in no dispayre,
_touche not my trone by non assent.
All your bewty I shall apayre,
and pride fall ought in your Intent. 72

LUCIFER. (14)
Nay, Lorde, that will not wee in dede, 73
for nothing trespas unto thee ;

thy great godhead ay will we dreade
and never exalte ourselves so hye. 76
Thou hast marked us with great myrth and mayne,
in thy blisse evermore to bide and be,
In lasting life our life to leade ;
and bearer of light thou hast made me. 80

LlGHTBORNE. (15)
And I am marked of that same mowld, 81

loving be to our Creator,
that us hath made gaier then gould,
under his Diademe aye to endure. 84

I haue forbyd that yow ne sholde, 85
but kepe yow well in this stature,
the same Covenant, I charge yow, hold,
In payne of heaven ever forfeyture. 88

(17)
For I will wend and take my trace, 89
and se this blisse in every towre.
Eche one of you kepe well his place,
And, Lucifer, I make the Governour. 92
Now I charge the ground, of grace,
that it be set in my order.
behold the beames of my bright face,
"Which ever was and shall endure ! 96

(18)
This is your health in every case 97
for to behold your Creator ;
was never non like me under lace,
ne never shalbe as my figure. 100
Here will I bide now in this place,
for to be Angels Comfortour j
to be revisible in short space,

yt is my will in this same hewer. 104
(Tune cantabunt et recedet Deus. )
LUCIFER. (19)
Ah ! ah ! that I am wonderous bright, 105
among yow all shyning full cleare !

of all heaven I beare the light

thoughe God himself, and he were here. 108

(20)
All in this trone if that I were, 109
then sholde I be as wise as he.
what say yow, Angells all that be here ?
some Comforte sone now let me see. 112

We will not assent unto your pryde, 113
ne in our hartes take such a thought,
but that our Lord shall be our guyde
and kepe to us that he hath wrought. 116

CHERUBYN. (22)

Our Lord comanded all that be here 117
to kepe his hestes, both more and lesse ;
therfore I warne the, Lucifere,
this pride will turne to great distresse. 120

LUCIFERE. (23)
Distresse ! I commaunde yow for to cease 121
and se the bewtye that I beare ;
all heaven shynes throughe my brightnes,
for god him selfe shynes not so cleare. 124

DOMINATIONS. (24)
of all Angells yow beare the pryce, 125
and most bewtye is yow befall,
my counsell is that yow be wise,
that yow bringe not yow selfe in thrall. 128

PRINCIPATUS. (25)
And if that yow in thrall yow bringe, 129
then shall yow have a wicked fall,
and also all your of springe
away withe yow they shall all. 132

CERAPHINE. (26)
Our brethrens counsell is good to heare, 133
to yow I say, Lucifer and Lightburne ;

Wherfore beware yow of this Chayre,
lest that yow have a fowle spume. 136

In faithe, brother, yet yow shall 137
sit in this trone, bothe cleane and cleare,

that yow may be as wise withall
as god him self, if he were here. 140

(28)
therefore ye shalbe sett here, 141
That all heaven may yow behold,
the brightnes of your body cleare
is brighter then god a thowsand fould. 144

THRONES. (29)
Alas ! that bewty will yow spill, 145
if yow kepe yt all in yow?' thoughte ;

then will pryde have all his will
and bring your brightnes all to naught. 148

(30)
Let yt passe out of your thoughte, 149
and cast away all wicked pryde,
and kepe your brightnes that to you is wrought,
and let our Lord be all your guide. 152

POTESTATES. (31)
Alas ! that pride is the wall of lewtye, 153
that turnes your thought to great offence ;
the brightnes of your fayer bodye
will make yow sone for to goe hence. 156

LUCIFER. (32)
Behould, Seigniowrs, on every syde, 157
and unto me cast your eyne :

I charge yow, Angels, in this tyde,
behold and se what I doe meane. 160
Above great God I will me guyde,
and set my self here, as I wene :

I am pereles and prince of pryde,
for God him self shynes not so sheene. 164
(33)
Here will I sit now in this stid, 185
to exaltmy selfe in this same sea ;

behold my body, both handes and head !

the might of god is marked in me. 168
All Angelles turne to me, I redd,
and to your Soveraigne knele on your knee !

I am your Comfort, both Lord and head,
the myrth and might of the 172
maiesty.
LlGHTBURNE. (34)
And I ame next of the same degree, 173
repleat all by experience ;
me think if I might sit by the,
all heaven shold doe me reverence. 176
All orders are assent to the and me
;

thou hast us turned by
Eloquence ;
and here were now the
Trynitie,
we sholde him pass by our
fulgence. 180
DOMINATIONES. (35)
Alas !
Why make yow this great offence 1 181
bothe Lucifer and
Lightburne, to yow I say :

our Soveraigne Lorde will have
yow hence,
and he fynd yow in this
Aray. 184
Goe to your Seates and wende hence !

yow have begun a parlous playe.
yow shall well wyt the Subsequence,
this Daunce will turne to teene
and traye. 188
LUCIFER. (36)
I redd yow doe me reverence,
all,
1 89
that am repleat with
heavenly grace,
thoughe God come here, I will not hence,
but sit right here before his
face. 192
(Et sedet.)

Say, what Aray doe yow make here? 193
who is your prince and principall?
(Tune quatiunt et tremescunt.)
I made thee Angell and Lucifer,
and here thou would be lord over all ! 196
Therfore I charge this Order cleare,
fast from this place loke that ye fall ;

full sone I shall doe change your cheare,

for your foule pryde to hell yow shall. 200

(38)
Lucifer, who set thee here, when I was goe ? 201
what haue I offended vnto thee ?
I made thee my frende, thou arte my foe !

whie hast thou trespassed thus to me? 204
Aboue all Angels there were no mo
that sate so nighe the maiestye.
I charge yow fall tyll I byd : 'Noe !'

to the pitt of hell, evermore to be ! 208
(Tune cadent Lucifer et Lightfamw.)

PRIMUS DEMON. (39)
(Angelos qui non servaverint suam Originem, sed reliquerant suum
Domicilium ad luditium magni illius diei vincentis eterni.)
Alas ! that ever we were wrought ! 209
that we shold come into this place !

we were in Ioy, now we be nought.
alas we have forfeyted our Grace.
! 212

SECUNDUS DEMON.
(sub Caligine servavit. ludae Cap. i., Esai 14. Nabuchodonozor
sub figura Luciferi.)
And even hither thou hast us brought, 213
into a dungeon to take our trace.

all this sorrow thou hast vs sought,

the Devill may speede thy stinking face ! 216

PRIMUS DEMON. (40)
My face, false fayture, for thy fare ! 217

thou hast us brought to teene and tray.
I comber, I canker, I kindle in care,
I sinke in sorrow ; what shall I saye? 220
SECUNDUS DEMON. (41)
Thou hast us brought this wicked way, 221

thorough thy might all and thy pryde,
Out of blise that lasteth aye,
In sorrow evermore for to abyde. 224
PRIMUS DEMON. (42)
Thy wytt it was as well as myne, 225
of that pride that we did showe,
and now lyethe here in hell pyne,
till the day of Dome that beames shall blowe. 228
SECUNDUS DEMON. (43)
Then shall we never care for woe, 229
but lye here lyke 2 feendes blacke ;
alas ! that we did forfayt soe
the Lordes Love, that did us make. 232
PRIMUS DEMON. (44)
And therefore I shall for his sake 233
showe mankind great Envie ;

as sone as ever he can him make,
I shall send him for to destroye. 236

(45)
Some of my order shall he be, 237
to make mankinde to doe amisse ;

Ruffian, my frend fayre and free,
Loke that thou kepe mankinde from bliss ! 240

(46)
That I and my fellowes fell downe for aye, 241
he will ordayne mankind againe
in bliss to be with great Aray,
and we evermore in hell payne. 244
SECUNDUS DEMON. (47)
Out ! Harrow ! where is our might, 245
that wee were wont for to show,
and in heaven bare so great light,
and now wee beene in hell full lowe ! 248
PRIMUS DEMON. (48)
Out ! alas ! for wo and wickednes ! 249
I am so fast bound in this cheare,
and never away hence shall passe,
but lye in hell all still here ! 252
DEUS.
(49)
Ah ! wicked pryde aye work thee wo ! 253
my myrth hast thou made amisse.
I may well suffer :
my will is not soe
that they shold part thus from my bliss. 256
Ah !
pryde, whi hast thou not burst in 2 ?
Why did they that? why did they this?
Behold, my Angels :
pride is your foe,
all sorrow shall shew wherever it is. 260

(50)
And thoughe they have broken my Comraaundment, 261
me ruethe yt sore full soveraynelye ;

never the less, I will have inyne Intent :

what I first thought, yet so will I. 264
I and 2 parsons are at one assent,
a solernne matter for to trye.
A full fayre Image wee have I-ment,
that this same stydd shall multeply. 268

In my Blessing here I begin,
the first thing that shall be to my pay :

lightenes, darkenes, I byd yow twyn,
the darke to the night, the light to the day. 272
(Et dixit Deus fiat lux et facta est Genes i.)

Kepe your course for more or myn,
and suffer not to yow I say

but save your self, both out and In !

that is my will, and will alway. 276

(52)
As I have made All thinges of nought, 277
after my will and my wishing,
my first day now have I wrought,
I geve yt fullie my blessing. 280

Finis primae paginae.

Play II — The Creation, and Adam and Eve

The Drapers

Pagina Secunda de Creatione mundi et Adami et

Evae, De eorumque tentatione. Drapers.
DEUS. (1)
I God, most in maiestye,
in whom beginning none may be,
endles alsoe, most of postye,
I am and haue bene ever. (Genesis primo.) 4

Now heaven and earth is made through me,
the earthe is voyde onely I see,
therefore light, for more lee,

through my crafte I will kever. 8

At my bydding now made be light ! 9
light is good, I see in sighte ;
twynned shalbe throughe my mighte
the lighte from Thesternes. 12

Light daye, I will, be called aye,
and thesternes night, as I say ;

thus morrow and even the first day
made full and expresse. 16
(dies 1.)
(3)
Now will I make the fyrmament 17
in myddes the waters to be lent,

for to be a divident . !
to twyne the waters aye ; 20
Above the welkin, benethe also,
and heaven yt shall be called oo,
thus comraen is even and morrow also
of the seacond daye. 24
(dies 2.)
(4)
Xow will I waters, everichone, 25
that vnder heaven be great won,
that they gather into one,
and dry lies sone him showe. 28
That drynes earth men shall call,
the gathering of the waters all,
Seas to name have the shall,

thereby men shall them knowe. 32

(5)
I will on earth that hearbes springe, 33

each one, in kinde seede gevinge,
trees dyvers fruytes forth bringe,
after there kinde, cache one, 36

The seede of which for aye shall be
within the fruyte of each tree.
thus morrow and even of dayes three
is hothe comen and gone.
(dies 3.)

(6)

Now will I make through my might
lightninge in the
welken
brighte,
to twyn the day from the nighte

and lighten the earthe with lee.
Greate lightes I will make twoo :

the sonne and eke the mone also,
the sonne for daye to serve for oo,
the mone for nighte to be. 48

(7)

I will make on the fyrmament 49
Starres also, throughe myne intent,
the earth to lighten there they be lente ;
and knowne may be there bye 52

Cowrses of planetts, nothing amisse ;
now se I this worke good, I wisse ;

thus morrow and even both made is
the fourthe daye fully. 56

(8)

Now will I in waters fishe forth bringe, 57
fowles in the firmament flyinge,

great whalles in the sea swymminge,
all make I a thoughte. 60

Beastes, fowles, stone and tree,
thes workes are good, well I see,
therfore to blesse all lykes me
these workes that I have wroughte. 64

All Beastes, I byd yow multeply 65
in earth, in water, by and bye,

and, fowles, in ayre for to flye,
the earth to fulfill. 68

Thus morrow and even through my might
of the fifte daye and the night
made and ended well arighte,
all at myne owne will. . 72

(10)

Now will I on earth forth bringe anone 73
all kindes of beastes, everichon,

that creepen, flye, or els gone,
each one, in his kinde. 76

Now this is done at my biddinge :

beastes going, flyinge and creeping,
and all my workes at my lyking
fully now I finde. 80
(Tune recedet de illo loco ad locwm, vbi creavit
Adamuwt et faciet signuw, quasi faceret ipsum. )

Now heaven and earth is made expresse, 81
make we man to our lyckenes :

fishe, foule, beastes, more and lesse,
to maister he shall have might. 84
(faciamus hominem ad nostram aimllitudinem, Genes. 1.)
To our shape now make I thee,
man and woman I will ther be,
growe and multeply shall ye
and fulfill earth in height. 88

To helpe thee, thou shalt haue here
hearbes, trees, sede, fruite in feare,
all shalbe put in thy power
and beastes eke also : 92

All that in earth be sterring,
fowles in the ayer flying,
and all that ghoste hath and lyking,
to sustayne yow from woe. 96

(13)

Now this is done, I see aright, 97
and all thinges made through my might,
the sixte daye here, in my sight,
made all of the beste. 100

6

Heaven and earth is wrought with wyn, 101
and all that needes to be therin ;
to morrow, the seventh day, I will blyn,
and of worke take my reste. 104

(14)
But now this man that I have made, 105
With ghoste of life I will him glade :

ryse vp, Adame, rise vp rade,
a man full of soule and life ! 108
(Et spiritum vitae efflavit in faciem eius. factus
est Adam in animam viventem, Genes. 2. )

And come with me to Paradise, 109
a place of daynty and delice ;
but it is good that thou be wise :

bring not thy selfe in strife ! 112

Here, Adam, I geve thee this place, 113
thee to comf orte and solace ;

kepe to yt, while thou yt hase,
then doe, as I thee saye. 116
(Tune Creator adducet evm in Paradisum ante lignum.)
of all the trees that be here in 117
thou shalt eate and nothing synne,
but of this tree for wayle or wynne
thou eate not by no waye. 120

(16)
What tyme thou eats of this tree, 121
death thee behoves, leeve thou me,
therfore this fruite, I will, thou flee,
and be thou not so boulde. 124
Beastes and fowles that thou may see 125
to thee obedyent aye shall be ;
what name they be geven by thee,
that name the shall hould. 128
(Tune Creator capiens manum Adami et faciet ipsuwi lacere et capiet costam.)

(17)
Hit is not good man onely to be ; 129
helpe to him now make wee ;
but excite sleepe behoveth me
anone in this man here. (Dormit.) 132
On sleape thou art now, well I see, 133
therfore a bone I take of thee,
and fleshe also with hart free,
to make thee a feere. 136

ADAM. (18)
O lorde, where have I longe bene? 137

for, sithe I slepte, much
have I scene
wonders that, withoutten wene,
hereafter shall be wiste. 140

DEUS.

Rise up, Adam, and awake ! 141

here haue I formed thee a make ;
here to the thou shalt take,
and name her as thy list. (Adam surgit.)
ADAM. (19)
1 see well, Lord, through thy grace, 145
bone of my bone thou her mase,
and fleshe of my flesh she hase,
and my shape through thy saw. 148

Therfore shall she be called, I wis, 149

virago, nothing amisse,
for out of man taken she is,
and to man shall she draw. 152

(20)
Of earthe first thou madest me, 153
bothe bone and flesh, as nowe I see,
thou hast her geven through thy posty
of that I in me had. 156

therfore man kindely shall forsake 157
father and mother and to wife take,
twoo in one fleshe, as thou can make,
ether other for to glade. 160
(Propterea deseret homo patrem et matrem et adglutinabitur vxori suse, et erunt
duo in earner vnam. Genes. 2 ; Math. 19 ; Marc. 10 ; Ephes. 5 ; 1 cor.
(Tune Adam et Eva stabunt nudi et non vereciu dabunt, et veniet serpens ad
paradisura positum in specie Demonis et ambulando dicat.)

Eve shall stande nackede and shall not be ashamed, then the serpente shall
Come vp ovt of a hole and the deuille walkinge shal saye B W h.

DEMON. (21)

Out, out ! what sorow is this, 161
that I have lost so much blisse !

for once I thoughte to doe amisse,

out of heaven I fell. 164

The brightest Angell I was ere this, 165
that ever was or yet is,
but pride cast me downe, I wis,
from heaven right to hell. 168

(22)
Ghostelie paradice I was In, 169
but thence I fell through my sinne ;
of earthelie paradice now, as I myn,
a man is geven mastrye. 172

By Belzabub shall I never blyn
! 173
tyll I may make him by some synne
from that place for to twyn,
and trespace as did I. 176

(23)
Shold suche a Caytife, made of claye, 177
have suche blisse 1 nay, be my laye !

for I shall teache his wife a playe,
and I maye have a while. 180
For her deceave, I hope, I maye 181
and through her bringe them both awaye,
for she will doe as I her saye ;
her hope I to beguile. 184

(24)
That woman is forbyd to doe, 185
for any thinge therto will shooe ;
therefore that tree shall shee come to
and assaye which it is. 188

downe to W
for tlie above reason.
. .

. .

W

Disguise me I will anon tyte 189
and prefer her of that ilke fruit :

so shall they both for ther delight
be banished from the blisse. 192

(25)

A manner of an Adder is in this place, 193
that wynges like a byrd she hase,
feete as an Adder, a maydens face ;
her kinde I will take. 196

And of that tree of Paradice 197
she shall eate through my coyntice ;
for women are full liccoris,
that she will not forsake. 200

(26)

And eate she of it full witterly, 201
they shall fare bothe, as did I,
be banished bouth of that vallye
and their offspring for aye. 204

Therefore, as brocke I my pane, 205
my adders coate I will put on,
and into paradice will I gone,
as fast as ever I may. 208
(Versus :
Spinx Volucris penna, serpens pede, fronte puella. )

SERPENS. (27)

"Woman, why was God so nyce 209
to byd yow leve so your delyce,
and of ech tre of paradyce
to forsake the meate. 212
(Cur vetuit Vos deus Vesci omnibus arboribus pomarii. Genes. 3. )

Nay, of the fruite of ech tree 213
for to eat good leave have we,
save the fruite of one we must flee,
of it may we not eate. 216
(licet nobis Vesci e fructibus arborum pomarii.)

(28)
This tree that here in the middes is, 217
eate we of it, we do amisse.
God said we shold dye, I wis,
and we touched that tree. 220
(Tantum ea arbove, quse est in medio pomarij etc.)

SERPENS.

Woman, I say : leeve not this ! 221
for yt shall not lose yow blisse,
ne no loy that is his ;

but be as wise as he. 224
(Nequaquam moriemini propter ea, sed scit etc.)

(29)
God is coynt and wyse of wytt, 225
And wottes well, when yow eate hit,
then your eyes shalbe vnknit,
like goddes yow shall be, 228
And knowe both good and evill also, 229
therefore he warned yow therfro ;

yow may well wyt he was your foe,
therfore dose after me. 232

(30)
Take of his fruite and assaie : 233
It is good meate, I dare laye,

and, but thou fynde yt to thy paye,
say that I am false. 236

Eate thou on apple and no moe, 237

and yow shall knew both wayle and woe,
and be lyke to Goddes, both twoo,
thou and thy housband also. 240

EVA. (31)
and bright, 241
Ah !
lord, this tree is fayre

greene and semelye in my sighte,
the fruyte swete and much of mighte,
that goddes it may vs make. 244

An apple of it I will eate, 245
to assaye is the meate ;
and my housband I will get
one morsell for to take. 248
(Vah! quam dulcis est, impertiendum est marito.)

(32)
Adam, husband, life and deere, 249
eate some of this apple here ;
it is fayre, my leeif fere,
may thou not forsake. 252
(Tune Adam comedit, et statim nudi sunt, et lamentando dicat. )

ADAM.
That is sooth, Eve, without weere, 253
the fruite is sweete and fayre in feere,
therfore I will doe thy prayer,
one morsell I will take. 256
(Quando ita vis, faciam.)
(33)
Out! alas! whatealesme? 257
I am naked, well I see ;

woman, cursed must thou be,
for bothe now we be shente. 260

I wotte not for shame whether to flee. 261
for this fruite was forbydden me,
now have I broken, through red of the,
my lordes Commaunclement. 264

EVA. (34)
Alas ! this Adder hath done me nye. 265
alas ! her red why did 1 1
naked we bene bothe for thye,
and of our shape ashamed. 268

ADAM.
Yea, soothe said I in prophesie, 269
when thou wast taken of ray body,
mans woe thou woldest be withe,
therfore thou wast so named. 272

EVA. (35)
Adam, husband, I red we take 273
thes figg-leaves for shame sake,
and to our members a hillinge make
of them for thee and me. 276
(Texamus nobia subliganda ex foliis, quibtts tegamus pudenda.)

ADAM.
Therewith my members I will hyde, 277
and vnder this tre I will abyde ;
for sickerlie, come god vs beside,
owt of this place shall we. 280
(Tune Adam et Eva cooperiant genitalia sua cum foliis, et stabwit
sub arbore, et venit deus clamans cum alta voce. )

DEUS. (36)
Adam, Adam, where art thou? 281

ADAM.
Ah !
lord, I hard thy voyce right now ;

with leeves, hyddinge themselves vnder they treeyes, then God shall speake
B W h (h adding to Adam sayinge, W
and mynstrelles playinge, while B and

I am naked, I make a vowe,
therfore nowe I hyde me.

DEUS.
whoe tolde the, Adam, thou naked was, 285
Save onelie thyne owne trespasse,
that of the tree thou eaten hase
that I forbade thee? 288

ADAM. (37) V t

Lord, this woman that is here,
"

that thou gave me to my fere, , .

gave me part I did att
: her prayer,
of it I did eate. 292
'

DEUS.
Woman, why hast thou done soe? 293
EVA.
This adder, lorde, shee was my foe,
and sothelie deceaved me thoe,
and made me to eate that meate. 296

DEUS. (38)

Adder, for that thou hast done this noye, 297
among all beastes on earth the bye,
cursed shalt thou be for thye,
for this womans sake. (Quouiaw istud fecisti, serpens. ) 300

Vpon thy breast thou shalt goe, 301
and eate the earth, to and froe,
and enmytie betwixt yow twoo
hence forth I will make. (Quin eti&m conciliabo tantas Inimicitias.) 304

(39)
Betwixt thy seade and hers also 305
I shall excyte sorrow and woe ;
to breake thy heade and be thy foe
she shall have may stay aye. 308
(Inter te et mulierew iuteixpw Semen tuum et eius, vt
id conteret tibi capuf, tu an tern ei calcein Genes. 3.)

No beast on earth, I the behet, 309
that man so lyttle shall of let,
And trod en be fowle vnder his feete
for thy misdeede to daye. 312
(Tune recedet serpens, vocem serpentinam faciens.)

(40)

And, woman, I warne thee wytterlie, 313
thy mischeife I shall multeply :

with peunaunce, sorrow and great anoye
thy children shalt thou beare. 316
(Te quoqwe, femina.)
And for thou hast done so to daye, 317
the man shall mayster thee alwaye,
and vnder his power thou shalt be aye,
thee for to drive and deere. 320

(41)
And man, also, I say to the, 321
for thou hast not done after me,

thy wifes counsell for to flee,
but dune so her bydding, 324
(Et tu, Adame, quonia?u morewt gereris vxori tuse etc.)
To eate the fruite of this tree, 325
in thy worke waryed the earth sh.ilbe,
and in great traveyle behoveth the
on earth to get thy lyving. 328

(42)
When on the earthe traveyled thou hase, 329
fruite shall not grow on that place,

but thornes and bryers for thy trespaco
to the on earth shall spring.
Hearbes and rootes thou shalt eate, 333
and for thy sustenance sore sweate,
with great mischeife to wyn thy meat,
nothing to thy lyking. 336
(Tu vesceris herbis nascentibws terra, etc.)
(43)

Thus shalt thou lyve, soth to sayne, 337
for thou hast bene to me vnbeyne,
ever till tyme thou turne againe
to earthe there thou came froe. 340

For earth thou art, as well is seene, 341
and after this world wo and tene
to earth thou shalt, withoutten wene,
and all thy kinde also. 344
(Nam puluis es et in pulnerem redibis.)
ADAM. (44)

Alas ! in languor now I am lent ! 345
alas, now sharnfullie I am shente !

for I was inobedyente,
of wayle now I am wayved. 348

Now all my kinde by me is kent, 349
to flee womans intisement ;
whoe trustes them in anye intent,
truly he is decayved. 352

(45)

My licorous wife hath bene my foe, 353
the devilles envye shent me also,

they twayne together well may goc,
the sister and the brother ! 356

His wrath hath done me much woe, 357
her glottony greved me alsoe ;

god let never man trust them twoo,
the one more than the other ! 360

DEUS. (46)
Now shall ye parte from this lee. 361
hilled yow behoves to be,
dead beastes skinnes, as thinketh me,
best yow on yow beare. 364
For deadlie bothe no we bene yee, 365
and death no way may you flee ;
such clothes are best for your degree,
and such now ye shall weare. 368
(Tune deus Induet Adam et Eva tunicis pelliciis.)
DEUS. (47)
Adam now hast thou thy willing, 369
for thou desiredst over all thinge
of good and evill to have knowing,
now wrought is all thy will. 372
Thou woldest knowe both wayle and woe, 373
now is yt fallen to thee soe ;

therefore hence thou must goe
and thy desire fulfill. 376

(48)
Now, lest thou covet este more, 377
and doe as thou hast done before,
eate of this fruite to lief evermore,
here may thou not be. 380
To earth theider thou mast gone, 381
with traveyle leade thy life thereon,

for sicker ther is non other wone.
goe forth, take Eve with thee ! 384

(Tune deus emittet eos de paradise,)
(49)
Now will I that there lenge within 385
the Angells order chembyn,
to kepe this place of wayle and wyn,
that Adame lorne thus hase, 388

With sharpe sworde on everye side 389
and flame of fyre here to abyde,
that never a earthlie man in glide
for gright they bene that grace. 392

PRIMUS ANGELUS. (50)

Lord, that order, as is righte, 393
is ready set here in thy sight,
with flame of fyre ready to fight,
against mankinde, thy foe. 396
To whom grace cleane is gright, 397
shall none of them lenge in my sight,
till wisdoine, right, mercy, and might

by them and other moe. 400

SECUNDUS ANGELUS. (51)

I, Cherubyn, most here by choice 401
to kepe this place of great price,
sith that man was so vnwise,
this woning I must weare, 404
That he by crafte ne no coyntice, 405
shall not come in that was his,
but Deprived be of paradice,
no more for to come there. 408

And in this heritage I will be 409
sleelie for to oversee,

that no man come in this Cyttie,
as god hath me beheighte. 412
Swordes of fyre have all we, 413
to make man from this place to flee,
from his dwelling of great dayntie,
that to him first was dighte. 416

QUARTOS ANGELUS. (53)
Of this order I am made one, 417
from mankind to weare this won,
that throughe his guilt he hath forgone,
for gright they bene that grace. 420
Therfore Departe they must, ech one, 421
or els sword shall be there bone,
and my self also there fone,
to flame them in the face. 424

ADAM. (54)

Highe god and highest kinge, 425
that of naught made all thinge,

beast, fowle, and grasce growing,
and me of earth made, 428
Thou gave me grace to doe thy willing, 429
for after great sorrow and syking
thou hast me lent great lyking :

twoo sonwes my harte to glade, (Genes. 4.) 432

(55)
"-
Cayne and Abell, my childer deare, 433
whom I got within XXX yeare,

after the tyme we waved were

of paradice for our pride. 436

Therfore now I will them leare, 437
To make them know, in good manere,
what I see when Eve, my feare,
was taken of my side. 440

(56)

Whyles that I slepte in that place 441

my ghost to heaven ravished was,
for to se there had I grace

thinges that shall befall. 444

To make yow ware of comberous case., 445
and let yow for to doe trespas,
some I will tell before your face,
but I will not teU all. 448

(57)
I wott by thinges that I there see 449
that god will come from heaven hie,
to overcome the devill so slie,

and light into my kinde, 452
And my bloude that he will wyn, 453
That I so lost for my synne ;
a new law then shall begin,
and so men shall yt finde. 456

(58)
Water or fire as witterlie 457
all this world shall
destroy ;
for men shall sinne so
horably
and do full muche amisse. 460
Therefore that you may escape that 461
noy,
doe well and beware me bye ;

I tell yow here by prophecye :

this will befall, I wis. 464

(59)
Also I se as I shall say, 465
that god will come the last day,
to deme mankind in flesh veray
and flame of fyre burning, 468
The good to heaven, the evell to hell. 469
your childer this tale yow may tell ;
this saw I in paradice, or I fell,
as I lay there slepinge. 472

(60)
Now will I tell how yow shall doe, 473
godes love to vnderfoe :

Cayne, husbandes craft thou must go to,
and Abell a shepherd be. 476
Therfore of cornes fayre and cleane 477
that groweth on ridges out of the reane,

Cayne, thou shalt offer, as I meane,
to god in maiestye. 480
(61)
And Abell, while thy life may last, 481
thou shalt offer and doe my hest
to god the first-borne beast,

therto thou make thee bowne. 484
Thus shall yow please god almight, 485
if yow do this well and right,

with good hart in his sight
and full devotion. 488

(62)
Now for to get your sustenance, 489
I will yow teach without distance ;
for sith I fell that fowle mischance
of that fruite for to eate, 492

My life, children fay re and fre, 493
with this spade, as yow may se,
I have dolven learnes this at me
;

how yow shall wyn your meate. 496
(Tune Adam fodiet terrain et docebit filios et Eva Colum habebit.)
EVA. (63)

My swete children, darlings deare, 497
yow shall se how I live here,
bycause that we vnbuxom weare
and did as god nowld. 500
This payne ther, as had bene no neode, 501
I suffer on earth for my misdeede,
and of this wool spin threde by threde,
to hill me from the cold. 504
(64)
Another sorrow I suffer also : 505
my children I must beare with woo,
as I have done bothe yow two,
and so shall women all. 508
This was the devill, our bytter foe, 509
that made vs out of ioye to goe ;
to please god, sonnes, therfore be throe,
in synne that yow not fall ! 512
CAYNE. (65)
Mother, forsooth, I tell it thee, 513
a tilman I am, and. so will I be,
as my father hath
taught yt me :

I will fulfill his lore. 516
of come I have great
plentye 517
sacrafice to god sone yow shall see
I will make to looke if he
will send me
any more. 520

ABELL. (66)
And I will with devotion 521
to my sacrafice make me bowne ;

the loueliest beast, by my crowne !

to thee, my lord, I will chose, 524
And offer it before the here 525
mekelie and in good manner.
no beast to the may be to deare,
for that I may not loose. 528

CAYNE. (67)
I am the elder of vs two, 529
therefore first I will goe.
such as the fruite is fallen froe,
is good enough for him. 532
This corne standing, as mot I thec ! 533
was eaten With beastes, as men may se :

God, thou gets non better of me,
be thou never so grim. 536

(68)
Hit were pittye, by my penne ! 537
This eared corne for to bren, /

therfore the divill hang me than,
and thou of this get ought ! 540
This carles corne grew nye the wayc, 541
of this offer I will to daye ;
for cleane corne, by my
faye,
of me getts thou noughte. 544

(69)

Loe, god, here may thou see 545
such corne as grew to me ;
part of it I bring to thee
anon, withoutten let. 548

I hope thou wilt quite me this, 549
and sende me more of worldlie blisse,
els, forsoth, thou doest amisse,
and thou be in my debte. 552
(Tune Abell mactabit animalia.)
ABELL. (70)
Now my brother, as I see, 553
hath Donne sacra fice now to thee,
offer I will, as falles for me,

such as thou hast me sent. 556
The best beast, as mot I thee ! 557
of all my flocke hart free
to thee offred it shall be ;

receave, lord, my present ! 560
(Tune flamina ignea venict super Abell. )

(71)
Ah highe God and king of blisse,
! 561
now sothelie know I well by this
my sacrafice accepted is
before the lorde to daye. 564
A flame of fyre send thou hase 565
from heaven one high into this place.
I thank thee, lord, of thy grace,
and so shall I doe aye. 568

CAYNE. (72)
Out ! how have I spend my good
out ! ! 569
to se this sight I wax nere wodd !

a flame of fire from heaven stode
on my brothers offringe. 572
His sacrafice, I se, God takes, 573
and myne ref useth and forsakes ;
my semblant for shame shakes,
for en vie of this things. 576

DEUS. (73)

Cayne, why art thou wroth now? why? 577
thy semblant changeth wonderlie.
if thou doe well and trulie,

thou may have mede of me. 580
wottes thou not well that for thy deed, 581
if thou doe well, thou may have meede ;

if thou doe fowle, fowle for to spede,
and sicker thereof to be? 584

(74)

But, Cayne, thou shalt haue all thy will, 585
thy talent if thou wilt fulfill ;
synne of it will thee spill
and make the evill to speede. 588

Thy brother buxom aye shall be 589
and fully e vnder thy postye,
the lust therof pertaines to thee ;
advise thee of thy deede. 592

CAYNE. (75)

Ah, well well then it is soe
! : . 593
come forth, brother, With me to goo
into the feild a lyttle here froe,
I haue an Arend to saye. 596

A BELL.
Brother, to thee I am readye 597
to goe with the full mekelie,
for thou art elder then am I,

thy will I will doe aye. 600
CAYNE. (76)

Say, thou cayteife, tho conioyne, 601 '

wenes thou to passe me of renowne ?

thou shalt fayle, by my crowne !

of maystry, if I maye. 604

God hath chalenged me now here 605
for thee, and that in fowle manere,
and that shalt thou abye full deare,
or that thou wend awaye. 608

(77)
Thy offring God accepted hase, 609
I se by fire that on it was.
shall thou never efte have suche grace,
for dye thou shalt this night. (Tune Cayne fratrem Abell occidet.)

Thoughe God stode here in this place 613
for to helpe the in this case,
thou shold dye before his face,
have this and get the right ! 616

DEUS. (78)

Cayne, where is thy brother Abell 1 (Cayne, vbi est Abell, frater tuus ?)

CAYNE.
I wott nere ; I can not tell
my brother ;
wottes thou not well
that I of him had no keepinge ? 620
1

DEUS.
What hast thou done, thou wicked man 1 621
thy brothers bloode askes the vpon
vengeance, as fast as it can,
from earth to me cryinge. 624

(79)

Cayne cursed on earth thou shalt be aye 625
for his dede thou hast done to daye ;
:
;

earth warried in thy work shall be aye
that wickedlie hast wrought. 628

And for thou hast done this mischeife, 629
to all men thou shalt be vnleife,
Idle and waved like a theefe,
and over all set at naught. 632

CAYNE. (80)
Out ! alas ! where may I be ! 633
sorrow on each syde I se
for if I out of land flee,
from mans companye, 636
Beastes I wot will werry me ; 637
and if I leng, by my lewtye !

I must be bound and nothing free,
and all for my follie. 640

(81)
For my synne so horrible is, 641
and I have done so much amisse,
that vn worthy I am, I wis,

forge venes to attayne. 644
well I wot, wherever I goe, 645
who so meetes me will me sloe,
and ech man will be my foe,
no grace to me maye gayne. 648

DEUS. (82)

Naie, Cayne, thou shalt not dy sone, 649
horribly if thou haue done :
it is not thy brothers boone,

thy blood for to shed. 652

But, forsoth, who so slayeth thee, 653
seaven fowld ponished shall he be,
and great pennance thou may not flee
for thy wicked deede. 656

But for thou to this deede was bowne,
thou and thy childer, trust, mon
vnto the seaventh generation
for to thole.
great pennance

For thou to day hast done soe,
suffer woe,
thy seede for the shall
while thou on the earth may goe,
and,
of vengeance have thy dole.

CAYNE LAMENTAT. (84)

alas! 665
Out! out! alas!
I am damned without grace,
therfore I will from place to place,
and loke where is the best. 668

Well I wot and witterlye, 669
into what place that come T,
eache man will loth my company ;
so shall I never have rest. 672

(85)

Fowle happ is me befall : 673
wheither I be in howse or hall,
cursed Cayne men will me call,
from sorrow may non me save. 676

But yet I will, or I goe, 677

speake with my sire and Dam also,
and their malison both two
I wot well I must have. 680

(86)
Father and mother, rest yow well, 681
but one tydinges I shall you tell :

I haue slayne my brother A bell,
as we fell in a strife. 684

ADAM.
Alas ! alas ! is Abell deade, 685
alas ! ruef ull is my redd ;
no more ioye is to me ledd
save onely Eve, my wife. 688

EVA. (87)
Alas ! now is my sonne slayne 689
alas ! now marred is all my mayne.
alas ! I can never be fayne,
but in woe and mourninge ! 692

Well I wott and know, I wis, 693
verey vengeance that it is,
for to god did I so amisse,
that I shall never haue gladinge. 696

CAYNE. (88)

Nowe, Dam and Syre, fare well ye ! 697
for out of the land I will flee ;
A lurrell alway I must be,
for I am escaped thrifte. 700

For so God hath toulde yt me, 701
that I shold never thryve ne thee.
now I goe, to all that I see,
I graunt the same gifte. 704

Finis Secundae paginae.

Play III — Noah's Flood

The Waterleaders and Drawers of Dee

pagina tertia De Deluvio Noe
The waterleaders and drawers in dye.
(Et primo in aliquo supremo loco sive in nubibus, si fieri poterit, loquatur Deus ad Noe extra Archam existentem cum tota familia sua.)

DEUS. (1)

I god that all the world have wrought,
heaven and earth, and all of nought,
I see my people, in deede and thought,
are sett fowle in sinne. 4

my ghost shall not lenge in man 5
that through fleshlie liking is my fone,
but till VI skore yeares be gone,
to loke if they will blynne. 8

(2)
Manne that I made I will destroy, 9

beast, worme, and fowle to flie ;
for on earthe they doe me nye,
the folke that are theron. 12

hit harmes me so hartfullie, 13
the malyce now that can multeply,
that sore it greueth me Inwardlie
that ever I made manne. 16

(3)

therfore, Noe, my servant free, - 17
that righteous man art as I see,
a shipp sone thou shalt make the
of trees drye and lighte. 20
Little chambers therein thou make 21
and bynding slich also thou take,
with-in and -out thou ne slake
to anoynte it through all thy mightc. 24

The Latin passage] om. Wh, instead of it : The thirde pagent of Noyes flood
and first in some heigh place or in the cloudes, yf it may be, God speaketh

(4)

300 Cubytes it shall be long, 25
and 50 of breadeth, to mak it stronge,
of heighte 50 the mete thou fonge,
:

thus measure it about. 28

One wyndow worch through thy wytte, 29
one cubyte of length and breadeth make it,
vpon the side a dore shall sit
for to come in and out. 32

(5)

Eating places thou make also, 33
three roofed chambers, one or two ;
for with water I thinke to flow
man that I can make. 36

Destroyed all the world shalbe, 37
save thou ; thy wife, thy sonnes three,
and all there wives also with thee
shall saved be for thy sake. 40

NOB. (6)

Ah ! lord I thanke the lowd and still 41
that to me art in such will,
and spares me and my house to spill,
as now I sothlie fynde. 44

Thy bydding, lord, I shall fulfill, 45
an'd never more the greeve ne grill,

that suche grace hast sent me till

among all mankinde. 48

(7)

haue done, yow men and women all ! 49
helpe for ought that may befall

to worke this shipp, chamber and hall,
as God hath bydden vs doe. 52

SEM.
Father, I am already bowne : 53
anne axe I haue, by my crowne,
as sharpe as any in all this towne,
for to goe there to.

HAM. (8)
I haue a hatchet wonder-kene 57
to byte well, as may be scene,
a better grownden, as I weeno,
is not in all this towne. 60

IAPHET.
And I can well make a pyn, 61

and with this hammer knock yt in ;
goe and worche without more dynne,
and I am ready bowne. 64

UXOR NOE. (9)
And we shall bring tymber to, 65
for wee mon nothing els doe ;

women be weake to vnderfoe
any great travayle. 68

VXOR SEM.
Here is a good hackstock ; 69
on this yow maye hew and knock ;

shall non be Idle in this flock,

ne now may no man fayle. 72
VXOR HAM. (10)
and I will goe to gather sliche, 73
the ship for to cleane and piche ;

anoynted yt must be every stich,
board, tree, and pyn. 76

And I will gather chippes here 77
to make a fire for yow in feere,
and for to dight your dynner,
against yow come in. 80
(Tune faciunt signa, quasi laborarent cum diversis Instruments. )

NOE. (11)
Now in the name of God I will begin 81
to make the shippe that we shall In,
that we be ready for to swym
at the cominge of the flood. 84
These hordes I ioyne here together, 85
to kepe vs safe from the wedder,
that we may row both hither and thider,
and safe be from this floode. 88

(12)
of this tree will I make the mast 89
tyde with gables that will last,
with a sayle-yarde for each blast,
and each thinge in ther kinde. 92
With topcastle and bewsprytt, 93
with coardes and ropes I haue all meete,
to sayle forth at the next weete ; 95
this shipp is at an ende. (Tune Noe Iterim cuwi tota familia faciunt signa
laborandi cum diversis Instruments.)
(13)
Wife, in this Castle we shall be keped, 97
my childer and thou, I wold, in leaped.
VXOR NOE.
In faith, noe, I had as lief thou sleppit ;

for all thy frankish fare 100
BWh
direction] Then Noy beginneth to build the arke and then speaketh noy

I will not doe after thy red.

NOE.
Good wife, doe now as I the bydd. 102
VXOR

By Christ ! not or I see more neede,
and stare. 104
though thou stand all the day
No. (14)
Lord, that women be crabbed aye, 105
and never are meke, that dare I saye,
this is well sene by me to daye,
In witnes of yow each one. 108

Good wife, let be all this beere 109
that thou makes in this place here ;
for all they wene thou art master,
and so thou art by St. John. 112

DEUS. (15)

Noe, take thou thy meanye, 113
and in the shippe hye that yow be ;

for none so righteous man to me
now on earth lyvinge. 116

of cleane beastes with thee thou take 117
seaven and seaven, or thou slake,
hee and shee, make to make
be lyve in that thou bringe, 120

(16)
of beastes vncleane two and two, 121
male and female, without moe ;
of cleane fowles seaven alsoe,
the hee and shee together ; 124

Then noy with all his familie shall make a signe as though they wrought vpon
the shipe wzth diners instruments and after that God shall speake to Noy
W

of fowles vncleane two and no more, 125
as I of beastes said before ;
that shalbe saved throughe my lore,
1 28
against I send the wedder.

(17)
Of all meates that must be eaten 129
into the ship loke there be getten ;
for that no way may be foryeten,
and doe all this bydeene, 132

To sustayne man and beast therein, 133
aye till the water cease and blyn.
this world is filled full of synne,

and that is now well sene. 136

(18)
Seaven dayes be yet coming, 137
you shall haue space them into bringe,
after that is my lyking
mankinde for to nye. 1 40

40 dayes and 40 nightes 141
rayne shall fall for ther vnrightes,
and that I haue made through my mightes
now think I to destroye. 144

NOE. (19)

Lord, at your byddinge I am bayne, 145
sith non other grace will gayne,
hit will I fulfill fayne,
for gratious I thee fynde. 148
A 100 wynters and 20 149
this shipp making taried haue I,
if through amendment any mercye
wolde fall vnto mankinde. 152

(20)
Haue done, you men and women all !

hye you lest this water fall,
that each "beast were in his stall,
and into the ship broughte. 156
Of cleane beastes seaven shalbe, 157
of vncleane two, this God bade me ;
this floode is nye, well may we see,

therfore tary you noughte. 160

et familia sua dabit et recitabit omnia.
(Tune Noe introibit archam,
animalia depicta in cartis et, postquam vnusquisque suam locutus est

partem, ibit in archam, vxore Noe excepta, et animalia depicta cum

verbis concordare debent, et sic incipiet primws films.)

SEM. (21)

libardes in, 161
Syr, here are lyons,
horses, mares, oxen, and swyne,

geates, calves, sheepe
and kine
here sitten thou may see. 164

HAM.

Camels, asses men may finde, 165
bucke, doe, harte, and hynde,
and beastes of all manner kinde
here bene, as thinkes niee. 168

IAPHET. (22)

Take here cattes and doggs to, 169
Otter, fox, fulmart also,
hares hopping gaylie can goe
have cowle here for to eate. 172

and the arke must be borded rounde about, and one the bordes all the beastes
receaved, must be painted that thes wordes may agree with the pictures,

VXOR NOB.
And here are Beares, wolfes sett, 173
Apes, owles, marmoset,
squirrels, and firret ;
here they eaten their meate. 176

VXOR SEM. (23)

Yet more beastes are in this howse : 177
here catti's maken it full crowse,
here a rotten, here a mowse,

they stand nye together. 180

VXOR HAM.
And here are fowles, les and more : 181
hearnes, cranes and byttour,
swans, peacockes, and them before
meate for this wedder. 184

VXOR IAPHET. (24)
Here are cockes, kites, crowes, 185
rookes, ravens, many rowes,
duckes, curie wes, who euer knowes
cache one in his kinde ? 188
1

and here are doves, diggs, drakes, 189
redshankes runninge through the lakes ',

and each fowle that ledden makes
in this shipp men may finde. 192

NOE. (25)

Wife, come in why standes thou here?
! 193
thou art ever froward, that dare I sweare.
come in, on gods half !
tyme yt were,
for feare lest that we drowne. 196

VXOR NOE.
Yea, Sir, set vp your sayle
and rowe forth with evill heale !

for, without any fayle,
I will not out of this towne. 200

(26)
But I haue my gossips everichon, 201
one foote further I will not gone ;
they shall not drowne, by St John,
and I may save their lyfe. 204
they loved me full well, by christ ; 205
but thou wilt let them in thy chist,
els rowe forth, Noe, whether thou list,
and get thee a new wife. 208

NOB. (27)

Sem, sonne, loe, thy mother is wraw. 209
for sooth such another I do not know.

SEM.

Father, I shall fett her in, I trow,
without any fayle. 212

Mother, my father after thee send, 213
and bydds the into yonder ship wend.
loke vp and se the wynde,
for we be ready e to sayle. 216

VXOR NOB. (28)
Sonne, goe again to him and say : 217
I will not come therein to daye.

NOB.
Come in, wife, in 20 devills
or els stand there without. 220
HAM.
shall wee all fet her in ? 221
W

I would, yow hyde yow betyme,
for of this flood I am in doubte. 224

THE GOOD GOSSOPES. (29)

The flood comes in, full fleetinge fast, 225
on every side it spredeth full fare ;
for feare of drowning I am agast,
good gossip, let us draw neare. 228

(30)
and let vs drinke or we depart, 229
for often tymes we have done soe ;
for at a draught thou drinkes a quarte,
and so will I doe, or I goe. 232

IAPHET. (31)

Mother, we praye you altogether 233
for we are here your owne childer

come into the ship for feare of the wedder,
for his love that you boughte. 236

VXOR NOE.
That will I not for all your call, 237
but I haue my gossopes all.

SEM.

In feith, mother, yet you shall,
whether you will or not. 240
(tune ibit.)

here is a pottell of malmesy, good and stronge,
it will reioye both hart and tong ;

though noy thinke vs neuer so long
yet wee will drinke alyke.
h.

NOE. (32)

Welcome, wife, into this boate.
VXOB NOE.
And haue thou that for thy mote !

(Et dat alapam vita ?)

A ! ha !
mary, this is hote,
it is good to be still.

! children, me thinkes my boate remeves, 245
our tarying here hugelie me greves.
Over the lande the water spredes,
God doe as he will. 248

(33)

Ah 249
great God that art so good
!
!

that worchis not thie will is wood,
now all this world is on a flood,
as I see well in sighte. 252

This window I will shut anon, 253
And into my chamber will I gone
till this water, so greate one,

be slaked through e thy mighte. 256

(Tune Noe claudet Archae et per inodicuwt spatiuw infra tectum
'

cantent psalmum Save mee o God et aperiens fenestram et respiciens.)
'

(34)
Now 40 dayes are fullie gone. 257
send a raven I will anone
if ought-where earth, tree, or stone
be drye in any place. 260

has in the margin then the
shall shut the windowe of the arke, and for a littell space within bord he
shalbe silent, and afterwardes opening the windowe and looking round about,

And if this foule come not againe, 261
it is a signe, soth to sayne,
that drye it is on hill or playne,
and god hath done some grace. ;..,. 264

(Tune dimittet corvum et capiens columbam in manibus dicat. )

(35;

Ah !
lord, wherever this raven be, 265
somewhere is drye, well I see ;
but yet a dove, by my lewtye,
after I will sende. 268

Thou wilt turne againe to me 269

for of all fowles that may flye,
thou art most meke and hend. 272

(Tune emittet colu?/ibam et erit in nave alia colu??iba ferens olivam in ore,
quam dimittet ex malo per funew in manus Noe, et postea dicat Noe. )

(36)

Ah ! lord, blessed be thou aye, 273
that me hast comfort thus to-day ;

by this sight I may well saye
this flood beginnes to cease. 276

My sweete dove to me brought hase 277
a branch of oly ve from some place,
this betokeneth God has done vs some grace,

and is a signe of peace. 280

(37)

Ah !
lord, honoured most thou be, 281
all earthe dryes now, I see,
but yet tyll thou comaunde me,
hence will I not hye. 284
All this water is awaye, 285
therfore as sone as I inaye

Sacryfice I shall doe in faye
to thee devoutlye. 288

DEUS. (38)

Noe, take thy wife anone
and thy children every one ;

out of the shippe thou shalt gone,
and they all with thee.
Beastes and all that can flie 293
out anone they shall hye,
on earth to grow and multeplye.
I will that yt be soe. 296

(39)

Lord, I thanke the through thy mighte, 297
thy bidding shall be done in height,
and as fast as I may dighte
I will doe the honoure, 300
And to thee offer sacrifice ; 301
therfore comes in all wise,
for of these beastes that bene hise,
offer I will this stower. 304
(Tune egrediens archara cum tota farnilia sua accipiet animalia
sua et volucres et offeret ea et mactabit.)

(40)

Lord, God in maiestye 305
that such grace hast graunted me,
where all was lorne, save to be,
therfore now I am bowne, 308
My wife, my Childer, my meanye 309
with sacrifice to honoure thee
with beastes, fowles, as thou may see,
I offer here right sone. 312

DEUS. (41)
Noe, to me thou arte full able, 313
and thy sacrifice acceptable ;
for I have fownd thee trew and
stable,
on the now must I myn. 316

296 be soe] the rhyme requires soe be.

warry Earth will I no more 317
for mans synne that greves me sore ;
for of youth man full yore
has byn enclyned to syne. 320

(42)

you shall now grow and multeply, 321
and earth againe you edefie ;

each beast and fowle that may flie,
shall be afrayd of you. 324
And fishe in sea that may flytte 325
shall susteyne yow, I yow behite,

to eate of them yow ne lett,
that cleane bene you may knowe. 328

(43)
Thereas you have eaten before 329
grasse and rootes, sith you were bore,
of cleane beastes now, les and more,
I geve you leave to eate, 332
Safe bloode and flesh bothe in feare 333
of wrong dead carren that is here,
eates not of that in no manere ;
for that aye you shall let. 336

(44)

Manslaughter also you shall flee ; 337
for that is not pleasant to me.
that shedes bloode, he or shee,

ought-where amongst mankinde, 340
that blood foule sheede shalbe 341
and vengence have, that men shall se ;
therfore beware now all yee,

you fall not in that synne. 344

a forwards now with, thie I make, 345
and all thy seede for thy sake
of suche vengeance for to slake,
for now I haue
my will. 348
Here I behet the a heaste 349
that man, woman, fowle ne beaste
with water, while the world shall last,
I will no more spill. 352

(46)
My Bo we betwene you and me 353
in the firmament shall bee,

by verey token that you may see
that such vengeance shall cease, 356

That man ne woman shall never more 357
be wasted by water as is before,
but for syn that greveth me sore,
th erf ore this vengeance was. 360

(47)

Where cloudes in the welkin bene, 361
that ilke bowe shall be sene
In tokeninge that my wrath and tene
shall never this wroken be. 364

The stringe is turned toward you 365
and toward me is bent the bowe
that such wedder shall never showe,
and this behett I thee. 363

(48)

my blessing now I geue the here 369
to thee, Noe, my servant dere,

for vengeance shall no more appeare ;
and now fare well, my darling deere. 372

Finis paginae Tertiae.

Play IV — Abraham, Melchisedech, and Lot

The Barbers

Pagina Quarta de Abrahamo et Melchisedech et Loth.
The Barbers.
Qualiter Abraham reversus est de Caede 4 regum, et occurret ei Melchisadech
equitando, et erit Loth cum Abrahamo et dicat preco.

(1)

All peace, Lordinges, that be present,
and herken now with good Intent.
Now Noe away from vs is went
and all his Companye ; 4

And Abraham through Gods grace, 5
he is comen into this place,
and yow will geue him rowme and space
to tell you of storye. 8

(2)

this playe, forsooth, begin shall he 9
In worship of the Trynitie
that yee may all here and see
that shall be done to daye. 12

My name is Gobet on the grene, 13
with yow no longer I maye bene.

farewell, my Lordinges, all by dene
for letting of your playe. (Et Exit.) 16

ABRAHAM. (3)

I Thou high God, graunter of grace, 17
that ending ne beginning hase,
I thank thee, lord, that to me hase
to daye geven victorye. 20
Lothe, my Brother, that taken was, 21
I have restored him in this case,
And brought him home into his place
through thy might and mastrye. 24

(4)

To worship the I will not wond, 25
that 4 kinges of vncouth land
to daye hast sent into my hand,
and of riches great araye. 28

Therefore of all that I can wyn 29
to geve thee tyth I will begin,
the Cyttie sone when I come in,
and part with the my praye. 32

(5)

Melchisadech, that here kinge is 33
and Gods preist also, I wis,
the tyth I will geue him of this,
as skill is that I doe. 36

God that hase send me victorye 37
of 4 kinges graciouslie,
with him my praye parte will I,
the Cittye when I come to. 40

LOTHE. (6)

Abraham, brother, I thank it thee, 41
that this daye hast delyvered me
of Enemyes handes and there postye,
and saved me from woe. 44

Therefore I will geue tithinge 45
my Good whyle I am lyvinge,
and now also of his sendinge
tythe I will geue also. 48
(Tunc venit Armiger ad Melchisadech.)

ARMIGER. (7)

My lord, the kings tydinges arighte 49
your harte for to glade and lighte :

Abraham hath slayne in fighte
4 kinges, sith he went. 52

Here he will be this ilke nighte, 53
and riches with hym enough dight.
I hard him thank god almight
of grace he had hym sent. 56
(Melchisedech extendens manus ad Caelum.)

MELCHISEDECH. (8)

Ah ! blessed be God that is but one ! 57
against Abraham I will gone
worshipfullie, and that anone,
my office to fulfill, 60
And present hym with bread and wyne, 61
for grace of God is him withine ;

speedes fast for love myne !
for this is godes will. 64

ARMIGER (cum Cuppa.) (9)

were, 65
Syr, here is wyne,
and thereto bread, both white and Cleere,
to present him in good manere
that so us holpen hase.

MELCHISADECH.
To god, I wot, he is full deere, 69
for of all thinges his prayer
he hath, without danger,
and speciallie great grace. 72

MELCHISADECH. (10
(versus Abraham, offerens Calicem cum vino
et panem super patinam.)

Abraham, welcome must thou be, 73
Gods grace is fullie in the,
blessed euer must thou be
that Enemyes so can meke. 76

I haue brought, as you may see, 77
bread and wyne for thy degree ;

receave this present now at me,
and that I thee beseke. 80

ABRAHAM. (11)

Syr kinge, welcome in good faye, 81

thy present is welcome to my paye.
God hase holpen me to daye,
vnworthy though I were. 84
He shall haue parte of my praye 85
that I wan, sith I went awaye.
therfore to thee thou take it maye,
the Tenth I offer here. 88
(Tunc tradet Equum oneratum sibi.)
MELCHISADECH. (12)
And your present, Sir, take I, 89
and honour yt devoutelye,
for much good yt may signefie
in tyme that is cominge. 92
therfore horse, harnes, and perye, 93
as falles for my dignitie,
the tythe of yt I take of thee,
and receave thy offnnge. 96
(Tunc Abraham recipiet panem et vinum, et Melchisedech
Equum oneratum Loth Decimae.)
LOTHE. (13)
And I will offer good intent 97
of such good as God hath me sent
to Melchisadech here present,
as go&is will is to be. 100

Abraham, my brother, offred hase, 101
and so will I through Gods grace,
this royall cupp before yowr face,
receave yt now at mee. 104
(Tunc Loth offeret Cuppam cum vino et pane et
recipiet Melchisadech.)

and well I wot forsoth, I wis,
that fullie Gods will yt is
that is now done to daye. 108

goe wee together to my Cyttie,
and now God hartelie thank we
that helpes vs aye through his postye,
for so we full well maye. 112

EXPOSITOR (equitando.) (15)
Lordingis, what maye this signifie, 113
I will expound apertlie,
that lewed, standing hereby,
may kno we what this may be. 116
This offring, I saie verament, 117

signifieth the new Testament,
that now is vsed with good intent

througheout all Christianitye. 120

(16)
In the old lawe, without leasing, 121
when these two good men were lyving,
of beastes was all their offring
and eck their sacramente. 124
but sith Christ dyed on the roode tree, 125
with bread and wyne him worship we,
and on Sherthursday in his maundye
was his Comaundment. 128

(17)
But for this thinge vsed shold be 129
afterward as now done wee,

in signification, as leve you me,
Melchisedech did soe ; 132
and tythes-makinge, as you se here, 133
of Abraham begunnen were.
therfore he was to God full deare,
and so were they both twoo. 136

(18)

By Abraham vnderstand I may 137
the father of heaven in good faye,
Melchisadech a preist to his paye
to minister that sacrament 140
that Christ ordayned on Sherethursday 141
in bread and wyne, to honur him aye ;
this signifieth, the south to saye,

Melchisadechs present. 144

DEUS. (19)
Abraham my servant, I saie to thee, 145
thy helpe and succour I will be,
for thy good deed much pleaseth me,
I tell thee wytterlie. 148

ABRAHAM.
Lord, one thing that thou wilt see, 149
that I praie after With hart free,

graunt me, lord, through thy postye :
some fruyte of my bodye ! 152

(20)
I have no childe, fowle ne fayre, 153
safe my Nurry, to be my heyre,
that makes me greatlie to apayre.
on me, lord, have mercye ! 156

My frend, Abraham, leve thou me : 157

thy nurry thyne hey re shall not bee,
but one sonne I shall send the,
begotten of thy bodye. 160

(21)
Abraham, doe as I thee saye : 161

looke vp and tell me, if thou maye,
starres standing on the straye ;
that vnpossible were. 164

no more shalt thou, for no neede, 165
nomber of thy bodye the seede
that thou shalt have withouten dreede,
thou art to me so deere. 168

(22)

Wherfore, Abraham, servant free, 169
loke that thou be trewe to me,
and forward here I make with the
thy seede to multeplie. 172
So much more further shalt thou bo, 173
King/s of thie seed men shall sec,
And one Child of great degree
all mankind shall forbye. 176

(23)

I will that from henceforth alwaie 177
ech knaveschild one the eight daye
Be Cyrcumcised, as I saye,
and thou thy self full sone ; 180

and who circumcised ne is 181
forsaken shalbe with me, I wis ;

for Inobedyent that man is.

therfore looke that this be done. 184

ABRAHAM. (24)

Lord, already in good faye 185
blessed be thou, ever and aye ;

for that men verey knowe may

thy folke from other men, 188

Cyrcumcised they shall be all 189
anon for ought that may befall.
I thank thie, lord, thy owne thrall,

kneling on my knen. 192

EXPOSITOR. (25)

Lordinges all, takes good intent 193
what betokens this Comaundment :

this was some tyme a sacrament
in thould la we truelye tane. 196
As folio weth now verament, 197
so was this in the old Testament ;
but when Christ dyed, away yt went,
and Baptisme then began. 200

(26)
Also God behetes here 201
to Abraham, his servant deere,
so much seede that in no manere
nombred might not be, 204
and one seede, mankinde to forby. 205
that was Ihesus Christ witterlye.

for of his kinde was our Lady,
and so also was he. 208

DEUS. (27)
Abraham, my servant Abraham 209

ABRAHAM.
Loe, lord, already here I am.

DEUS.
Take Isaack, thy sonne by name
that thou lovest best of all 212

and in sacrafice offer him to me 213

vpon that hill, besyde thee.
Abraham, I will that yt so be
for ought that may befall. 216

ABRAHAM. (28)

My lord, to thee is my entent x 217
ever to be obedyent,
that sonne that thou to me hast sent,
offer I will to thee, 220
And fulfill thy Comaundment 221
with harty will, as I am kent.

high God, lord omnipotent,
thy bydding done shall be. 224

(29)

My meany and my childer ech one 225
lenges at home, both all and one,
safe Isaak shall with me gone
to a hill here besyde. 228
Make thee ready, my Derling, 229
for we must doe a ly ttle thing.

this wood vpon thy back thou bring,
we must not long abyde. 232

(30)

A sword and fire I will take, 233
for sacrifice I must make ;
'

God?'s bydding will I not forsake,
but aye obedyent bee. 236

ISAAK.

Father, I am all readye 237
to doe your bydding mekelie,
to beare this wood full bowne am I,
as you comaunde me. 240

ABRAHAM. (31)

Isaak, Isaak, my derling deere, 241
my blessing now I geve the here.
take vp this fagot with good cheare,
and on thy backe yt brjnge, 244

and fire with me I will take. 245

ISAAKB.

your bydding I will not forsake,
father, I will never slake
to fulfill your byddinge. 248
(Tunc Isaak accipiet lignum super tergum et ad montem pariter Ibunt.)

ABRAHAM. (32)

Now Isaake, sonne, goe we our waye 249
to yonder mountayne, if that we maye.

speaketh to his father and taketh a burne of sticks and beareth after his father

ISAAKE.

my dere father, I will assaye
to follow you full fayne. 252

ABRAHAM.
!
my hart will break in three, 253
to heare thy wordes I have pyttie.
as thou wilt, lord, so must yt be :

to thee I will be bayne. 256

(33)

owne sonne deere 257
lay downe thy fagot, my
!

ISAAK.

All ready, father, loe yt is here.
but why make you so heavie cheare 1
are you any thing adred ? 260

father, if it be your will, 261
wher is the beast that we shall kill 9

ABRAHAM.
Ther is non, sonne, vpon this hill
that I see here in this steed. 264

ISAAK. (34)

Father, I am full sore afraide 265
to see you beare this drawen sworde.
I hope for all middle-yorde
you will not slaye your childe. 268

ABRAHAM.
Dread thie not, my childe, I red, 269
our lord will send of his godhead
some maner beast into this stydd,
ether tayme or wylde. 272

ISAAK. (35)

Father, tell me, or I goe,
whether I shall have harme or noe. 274

ABRAHAM.
Ah dere God, that me is woe !

thou. burstes my hart in sunder. 276

ISAAK.

Father, tell me of this case,
why you your sword drawen hasc,
and beare yt naked in this place ;
thereof I have great wonder. 280

ABRAHAM. (36)

Isaac, sonne, peace ! I pray thee, 281
thou breakes my harte even in three.

ISAAC.

I praye you, father, leane nothing from me,
but tell me what you thinke. 284

ABRAHAM.
Isaac, Isaac, I must thee kill. 285

ISAAC.

Alas !
father, is that your will,

your owne childe here for to spill,
vpon this hilles brynke ? 288

(37)
If I haue trespassed in any degree,
with a yard you maye beate me ;

will be,
put vp your sword if your
for I am but a Childe. 292

ABRAHAM.
my sonne, I am sory 293
to doe to thie this great anye :
Gods Comaundment do must I,
his workes are ay full mylde. 296

ISAAC. (38)
Wold God, my mother were here with me ! 297
she wolde knele vpon her knee,

praying you, father, if it might be,
for to save my life. 300

ABRAHAM. (39)
Comelie Creature, but I thee kill, 301
1 greeve my God, and that full 111 :

I may not worke against his will
but ever obedyent be. 304
Isaac, Sonne, to thee I saye : 305
God has Comaunded me this daye
sacrifice this is no naye

to make of thy boddye. 308

ISAAC. (40)
Is it Gods will I shold be slaine ? 309

ABRAHAM.

yea, sonne, it is not for to layne ;
to his bydding I will be bayne,
ever to his pleasinge. 312
But that I doe this dolefull deede, 313
my lord will not quyte me my meede.

but you doe your offringe. 316

(41)

Father, at home your sonnes you shall finde 317
that you must love by course of kinde.
be I once out of your mynde,
your sorrow may sone cease, 320
But you must doe Gods bydding. 321
my mother for nothing.
father, tell

ABRAHAM.
For sorrow I may my handes wring,
thy mother I cannot please. 324

(42)

Isaac, blessed mot thou be ! 325
almost my wyt I lose for thee,
the blood of thy bodye so free
me think f ull loth to sheed. 328

ISAAC.

Father, sith you must needs doe soe, 329
let it passe lightlie and overgoe ;

kneling on my knees twoo,
your blessing on me spreade ! 332

ABRAHAM. (43)

My blessing, deere sonne, give I the 333
and thy mothers With hart so free ;
the blessing of the Trynitie,

my deare sonne, on the lighte ! 336

ISAAC.
Father, I pray you, hyde myne eyne
that I se not your sword so kene ;
your stroke, father, wold I not seene,
lest I against yt grill. 340

ABRAHAM. (44)
My Deere sonne Isaac, speak no more, 341
thy wordes make ray hart
full sore.

ISAAC.

deere father, wherfore 1 wherfore ?
be dead, 344
syth I must nedes
of one thing I wold you praye : 345
since I must die the death this daye,
as few strokes as you maye,
when you smyte of my heade. 348

ABRAHAM. (45)

Thy mekenes, childe, makes me afray ; 349
' '

my song may be well awaye !

ISAAC.

deare father, doe awaye

your making so mickle mone ! 352

now truly, father, this talking 353
doth but make long tarying.
1 praye you, come and make ending,
and let me hence gone ! 356

ABRAHAM. (46)

Come hither, my Child, that art so sweete : 357
thou must be bounden, hand and feete.
(Tune colliget eum.)

ISAAC.

A !
father, we must no more mete

by ought that I can see, 360

but doe with me right as you will, 361
I must obay, and that is skill,
Gods Comaundment to fulfill,
for needzs so must it be. 364

(47)

Vpon the purpose that have set you, 365
for sooth, father, I will not let you,
but evermore vnto you bowe,
whyle that I maye. 368

Father, greete well my brethren yonge, 369
and praye my mother of her blessinge,
I come no more vnder her winge.
farewell for ever and aye ! 372

(48)

But, father, I crye you mercy e. 373
of that I haue trespassed to thee,

forgeven, father, that yt may be
vntill Domes daye. 376

ABRAHAM. (49)

My deare sonne, let be thy mones ; 377
my child, thou greaved me but ones.
blessed be thou, bodye and bones,
and I forgeve thee here. 380

Loe, my deare sonne, here shalt thou lye ; 381
vnto my worke now must I hye,
I had as leefe myselfe to dye
as thou my darling dere. 384

Father, if you be to me kinde, 385
about my heade a kercher bynde,
and let me liglitlie out of your mynde,
and sone that I were spedd. 388

ABRAHAM.
Farewell, my sweete sonne of grace ! 389

ISAC.

I praye you, father, turne downe my face
a lyttle whyle, whyle you have space,
for I am full sore adred. 392

ABRAHAM. (51)
To doe this deede I am sorye. 393

ISAAC.

yea, lord, to thee I call and crye :
on my soule thou haue mercye,
hartelie I the praye. 396

ABRAHAM.
Lord, I wold fayne worke thy will. 397
this yonge Inocent that lyes so still
full loth were me hym to kill
by any manner of waye. 400

ISAAC. (52)

My deare father, I you praye, 401
let me take my clothes awaye,
for sheeding blood on them to daye
my last endinge. 404

ABRAHAM. (53)
Harte, if thou wolde breake in three, 405
thou shalt never master me.

I will no lenger let for thee,
my God I may not greeve.

ISAAC.

A mercye, father !
why tary you so 1 409
smyte of my head, and let me goe !

I praie you, rydd me of my woe ;
for now I take my leave. 412

ABRAHAM. (54)

Ah, sonne, my harte will breake in three 413
to heare thee speake such wordes to me.

Ihesu, on me thou have pittie
that I haue most in mynde ! 416

ISAAC.

no we, father, I se that I shall die, 417
almightie God in maiestie,
My soule I offer vnto thee :

lord, to yt be kinde. 420
(Tunc accipiet Gladium, faciens occidendi signum, et Angelus veniens
capiet punctum Gladii illius, ac postea dicat Angelus.)

ANGELUS. (55)

Abraham, my servant deere ! 421

ABRAHAM.

Loe, lorde ! I am alreadye here.

ANGELUS I.
Laie not thy sword in no maner
on Isaac, thy deare derling ! 424
Naie ! do thou hym no anoy ! 425
for thou dreades God, well se I,
that of thy sonne hast no mercy
to fulfill his byddinge. 428

ANGELUS II. (56)
And for his bydding thou doest aye, 429
and spares nether for feare nor fraie
to doe thy sonne to death to daye,
Isaac to thee full deere, 432

Therefore God hase sent by me, in faye, 433
a lambe that is both good and gaie
into this place, as thou se maye.
loe ! it is right here. 436

ABRAHAM. (57)

Ah ! lord of heaven and King of blise, 437
thy bydding I shall doe, I wis.
Sacrifice here to me sent is

and all, Lord, throughe thy grace. 440

a horned wedder here I se, 441
among the breeres tyed is he,
to the offred it shall be
anone right in this place. 444
(Tune Abraham mactabit Arietern.)
DEUS. (58)

Abraham, by my selfe I sweare, 445
for thou hast bene obedyent ever,
and spared not thy sonne so deare,
to fulfill my bydding, 448

Thou shalt be blessed, thou art worthy, 449
thy seede I shall nmlteplye,
as Starrs and sand so many het I
of thy bodie cominge. 452

(59)
of Enemyes thou shalt have power, 453
and thy bloode also in feare,
for thou hast bene meke and boneere
to doe as I the bade. 456
And all nations, leeve thou me, 457
blessed evermore shal be

through fruyt that shall come of thee,
and saved throughe thy seede. 460

EXPOSITOR. (60)

Lordinges, this significaczorc 461
of this deed of devotion,
and you will, you wit mon,
may turne you to much good. 464
This deed you se done in this place, 465
In example of Ihesu done yt was,
that for to wyn mankinde grace
was sacrifised on the rode. 468

(61)

By Abraham I may vnderstand 469
the father of heaven that can fand
with his sonnes blood to break that band
the Devil had brought vs too. 472

By Isaac vnderstand I may 473
Ihesu that was obedyent aye,
his fathers will to worke alway,
his death to vnderfonge. 476

Play V — Moses, Balaak, and Balaam

The Cappers

Finis pagince Quarts.

Pagina Quinta de Mose et Rege Balaak et Balaam Propheta.
The Cappers.
DEUS. (1)

Moyses, my servaunte life and dere, 1

and all the people that be here,
you wott in Egipte when you were,
out of thralldoine I you broughte. 4

I wyll, you honour no God saue me, 5
ne Mawmentrye none make yee,
my name in vayne nani not yee,
for that me lykes naughte. 8

(2)

I will, you hold your holy daye, 9
and worshipp also, by all waye,
father and mother all that you maye,
and slaye no man no-where. 12

Fornication you shall flee ; 13
no mens goods steale yee ;
ne in no place abyde ne bee
falce wytnes for to beare. 16

(here let the doctor kneele and saye.)
(62) MESSINGER. (63)
Such obedience graunt us, o lord, 477 Make rome, lordingis, and geuevs waye,
ever to thie most hollie word, and lett balack come in and playe,
that in the same wee maye accord, and balam that well can saye,
as this Abraham was beyne. 480 to tell you of prophescie. 488
and then altogether shall wee 481 that lord that died one good fry daye,
that worthie King in heaven see, he saue vs all, both nighte and daye !

and dwell with him in great glory fare you well, lordingis, I goe my waye,
for euer and euer. amen. 484 I maye no longer abide. 492
(Here the messenger maketh an ende. ) ffinis.

Your neightboures wyves covettes noughte, 17
servant ne good that he hath boughte,
oxe ne asse in deede ne thoughts,
nor any thinge that is his, 20

Ne wrongefullie to haue his thinge 21

agayne his will and his lykinge ;
in all these doe my byddinge,
that you doe not amisse. 24
(Tune princeps Sinagogse statuet eum in loco et quasi
pro populo loquatur ad Dominnm et Moysen.)

PRINCEPS SINAGOGAE. (4)

Ah good lord, much of mighte,
! 25
thou comes with so great lighte ;
we bone so afraide of this sighte,
no man dare speak ne looke. 28
God is so grym with us to deale, 29
but Moyses, master, with us thou mele ;

els we dyen many and feele,

so afrayde bene all wee. 32
(tune Moyses stans super motttem loquatur ad populum.)

MOYSES. (5)

Gods folke, drede you noughte, 33
to prove you with God hath this wrought,
to make you afrayd in deede and thoughte
aye for to avoyde synne. 36

By this sight you may now see, 37
that he is pereles of postye ;
therfore his teachinge look done yee,
thereof that you not blyn. 40

PRINCEPS SINAGOGAE. (6)
Ah ! highe lord, god almighte, 41
that Moyses shynes wondrous bright !

I may no way for great lighte
now looke upon hym. 44

And horned he semes in our sighte, Exodus 34, 20. 45
sith he came to the hyll, dight

our lawe he hase I hope aright,
for was he never so grym. 48

MOYSES. (7)
you, gods folke of Israell, 49
harkens to me that loven heale,
God bade you sholde doe everye deale,
as that I shall saye. 52
Six dayes boldelye worches all, 53
the seaventh Sabaoth you shall call,
that daye for ought that may befall
hallowed shalbe aye. 56

(8)
That doth not this deede deade shall be ; 57
in houses fire shall no man see.
first fruytes to God offer yee,
for so hym selfe bade. 60
Gould and silver offers also, 61

purple, bisse, and other moe,
to hym that shall save you from woe
and helpe you in your neede. 64

EXPOSITOR. (9)

Lordinges, this Comaundment 65
was of the old Testamente,
and yet is used with good entent
with all that good bene. 68
This storye all if we shold fong, 69
to playe this moneth it were to longe ;
wherfore most frutefull there amonge
we taken, as shall be sene. 72

(10)
Also we read in this storie, 73
God in the Mownt of Synai
toke Moises these comaundmentis verelye,

wrytten with his owne hande 76
In tables of ston, as reade I, 77
but when men honoured Mawmentry,
he brake them in anger hastelye,
for that he wold not wonde. 80

(11)
But afterward sone, leeve ye me, 81
other tables of stone made he,
In which God bade wrytten shold be
his wordes that were before, 84
The which Tables shryned were 85
after as God can Moyses leare ;

and that shryne to them was deare
thereafter evermore. (Tunc Moyses descendet de monte, et ex altera 88
parte montis dicet rex Balaac equitando.)

BALAACK REX. (12)

I, Balaack, king of Moab land, 89
all Israell I had it in my hand ;

I am so wroth, I wold not wond
to slaye them, ech wighte. 92

For their God helpes them stiflye 93
of other landes to haue mastrye,

that it is bootles witterlie
against them for to fighte. 96

(13)
What nation soever dose them noye, 97

Moyses prayes anone in hye ;
therefore haue they sone the victorie,
and other men they haue the worse. 100

Therfore how will I wroken be, 101
I am bethought, as mot I the !

Balaam, I will, shall come to me
that people for to curse. 104

(14)
For sworde ne knife may not avayle 105
these ilke shroes for to assaile ;
that fowndes to fight he shall faile,
for sicker is hym no boote. 108

All nations they doe any, 109
and my selfe they can destroie,
as Ox that gnawes biselie
the grasse right to the roote. 112

(15)

Who so Balaam blesses, I wis, 113
blessed sickerlie that man is ;
who so he curses, fareth amisse,
such loos over all hase he. Numbers, 22. 6. 116

Therfore goe fetch hym, Bachler, 117
that he may curse the people here,
for sicker on them, in no manner,
mon we not wroken be. 120

MILES. (16)
Syr, on your errand I will gone, 121
yt shall be well done, and that anone,
for he shall wreak you on your fone,
the people of Israell. 124

BALAACK.
yea, looke, thou het hym gold great wone, 125
and riches for to lyve upon,
to destroy them if he can,
the freakes that be so fell. 128

MlLES. (17) (tune ibit ad Balaam.)

Balaam, my lorde greetes well thee, 129
and prayes the right sone at hym to be,
to curse the people of ludy
that do hym great anoye. 132

BALAAM.
Forsooth, I tell the, Bacheler, 133
that I may haue no power,
but if Gods will were ;
that shall I witt in hye. 136

DEUS (in supremo loco). (18)

Balaam, I comaund the, 137
King Balaak his bydding that thou flee ;
that people that is blessed of me,
curse thou not by no waye. 140

BALAAM.
Lord, I must doe thy byddinge, 141
thoughe it be to me unlykeing,

I might haue had to daye. 144

DEUS. (19)

Thoughe the folke be my foe 145
thou shalt haue leaue thydder to goe,
but looke that thou doe right soe,
as I haue thee taughte. 148

BALAAM.

Lord, it shall be done in height, 149
this asse shall beare me aright ;

goe we together anone, Sir knight,
for now leave I haue coughte. 152
(Tune equitabunt versus regem, et eundo dicat Balaam. )
(20)
Now by the law I leve upon, 153
sith I haue leaue for to gone,

they shalbe cursed every one,
and I ought wyn maye. 156

If Balaak hold that he has heighte, 157
Gods hest I set at light,
warryed they shalbe this night,
or that I wend awaye. 160
(Tune Angelus obuiabit Balaam cum gladio extracto
in manu, et stabit asina.)
(21)

Goe forth, Burnell goe forth, goe.
! 161
what the dy veil my Asse will not goe,
!

served me she never soe I

what sorrow so her dose nye ?

Kise up, Burnell ! make thee bowne, 165
and helpe to beare me out the towne ;

or as brok I my crowne,
thou shalt full sore abye ! 168

(Tune percntiet Asinaw, ct loquetur aliquis in asina. )

ASINA. (22)

Maister, thou dost evell witterly, 169
so good an ass as me to nye,
now hast thou beaten me thry
that beare the thus aboute. 172

BALAAM.

Burnell, whye begiles thou me, 173
when I haue most nede to the ?

ASINA.

That sight that I before me see,
makes me downe to lowte. 176

(23)

am I not, thyne owne Ass, 177
that ever before ready was
to beare the whether thou woldest pas 1
to smyte me now yt is shame. 180

Thou wottest well, Master, pardy : 181
thou haddest never Ass like to me,

ne never yet thus served I thee ;
now I am not to blame. 184
(Tune Balaam videns angeluw evaginatum gladium habentem adorans dicat.)
BALAAM. (24)
Ah ! Lord to thee I make a vowe, 185
I had no sight of thee erre now,

lyttle wist I it was thou
that feared my Asse soe. 188
ANGELUS.
Why hast thou beaten thy Ass thry ? 189
now I am comen thee to nye,
that changes thy purpose falcelye,
and woldest be my foe. 192

(25)
And the Ass had not downe gone, 193
I wold haue slayne the here anone.

BALAAM.
Lord, haue pittye me upon,
for sinned I haue sore. 196
is it thy will that I forth goe? 197

ANGELUS.

yea, but looke thou doe this folk no woe
otherwise then god bade thee tho,
and saide to thee before. 200
(Tune Balaam et Miles ibunt, Balaack venit in obuiam.)
BALAACK. (26)
Ah !
welcome, Balaam, my frend ! 201
for all myne anguish thou shalt end,
will be to wend,
if that thy

and wreake me of my foe. 204

bought may I speake, so haue I win,
but as God puttes me in
to f orby all and my kin ;
therfore sure me is woe. 208

BALAACK. (27)

Come forth, Balaam, come with me ! 209
for on this hill, so mot I thee,
the folke of Israeli thou shalt see,
and curse them I thee praye. 212

Thou shalt haue riches, golde, and fee, 213
and I shall aduance thy dignytye,
to curse men, cursed they may be,
that thou shalt see to day. 216
: (Tune adducens secuwt Balaam in raontem et ad Australem
partem respiciens dicat, ut sequitur. )

BALAAM. (28)

How may I curse them in this place, 217
the people that God blessed hase 1
in them is both might and grace,
and that is alwayes seene. 220

AVytnes I may none beare 221
against god that this can were,
his people that no man may deare,
ne troble no teene. 224

I saye these folkes shall haue their will, 225
that no nation shall them gryll,
the goodnes that they shall fulfill
nombred may not be. 228
Their God shall them kepe and save 229
no other repreve may I not have ;
but such death as they shall haue,
I praye God send me. 232

BALAACK. (30)
What the Devilles !
eyles the poplart? 233
thy speach is not worth a fart,
doted I wot well thou art,
for woodlie thou hast wrougt. 236
I bade thee curse them, every one, 237
and thou blest them, blood and bone,
to this North syde thou shalt anon,
for here thy deed is nought. 240
(Tune adducet euwi ad Borealem partem.)
BALAAM. (31)

Herken, Balaack, what I say, 241
God may not gibb by no waye ;
that he saith, is veray,
for he may not lye. 244
To bless his folk he me sent, 245
therfore I saie, as I am kent
that in this land verament
is used no Mawmentry. Numbers, 23, 19. 248

(32)
To Jacobs blood and Israeli 249
God shall send ioy and heale ;

and as a lyon in his weale,
Christ shalbe haunsed hye, 252

And rise also in noble araye, 253
as a pry nee to wyn great paye,
overcome his enemyes, as I say, Numbers, 24, 9.

and them bowndly bye. 256

BALAACK. (33)
What the Devill ! is this thou cursest them naught, 257
nor blessest them nether as me thought 1

BALAAM.

Syr kinge, this I thee beheight,
or that I come here. 260

BALAACK.
yet shalt thou to an other place, 261
ther Gods power for to embrace.
the Dyvell geve the hard grace
but thou doe my prayer !
(Ad occidentalem partem.) 264

BALAAM. (34)
Ah !
Lord, that here is fayre Wonning, 265
halls, chambers of great lyking,
valleyes, woodes, grass springing,
fayre yordes, and eke river. Numbers, 24, 5 and 6. 268
I wot well God made all this 269
his folke to lyue in loye and blisse ;
that warryeth them warried is,
that blessest them to God is deare. 272
BALAACK. (35)

Popelard thou preachest as a pie.
! 273
the deuill of hell thee destroy !

I bade thee curse myne enemy e,
therfore thou came me to. 276
now hast thou blessed them here thry, 277
for thou meanes me to nye.

So tould I the before twye,
I might none other doe. 280

BALAACK. (36)
alaswhat Dyvell ayles thee ? 281
[Out ! !

I haue het thee gold and fee,
to speake but wordes two or three,
and thou makes much distance. 284

Yet once I will assay thee, 285
if any boote of bale will be,
and if thou falcely now faile me,
Mahound geue thee mischance !] 288
(Tune Balaam ad Cselum respiciens prophetando.)
BALAAM. (37)
Orietur Stella ex lacob, et exurget homo de Israeli, et confringet
omnes duces alieginaruw, et erit omnis terra professio eius.

Now one thinge I will tell you all, Numbers 24, is. 289
hereafter what shall befall :
a starre of lacob springe shall,
A man of Israeli. 292
He shall overcome and haue in band 293
all kinges, dukes of strang land,

and all the world -haue in his hand,
as lord to dight and deale. 296

[ESAYAS, (38)
I saye a mayden meeke and mylde 297
shall conceave and beare a child e,
cleane without workes wilde,
to wyn mankinde to wayle. 300
Butter and hony shall be his meate, Isaiah 7, 14 ff. 301
that he may all evill forgeat,
our soules out of hell to get,
and called Emanuell. 304

EXPOSITOR. (39)
Lordinges, these wordes are so veray 305
that exposition, in good faye,
none needes, but you know may
this word Emanuell. 308

Emanuell is as much to saye 309
'

as God with us night and day,
'

therfore that name for ever and aye
to his sonne cordes wondrous well. 312
Vidi portam in domo Domini clausam et dixit Angelus ad me 'porta haec non
aperietur, sed clausa erit' et ct. Ezechiel Capitulo 2. Ezekiel, 44, 2.

EZECHIELL. (40)
I, Ezechiell, sothlie see 313
a gate in Gods house on hye,
closed it was, no man came nye.
then told an Angell me : 316

This Gate shall no man open, I wis, 317
for God will come and goe by this,
for him self it reserved is,
none shall come there but hee. 320

EXPOSITOR. (41)

By this Gate, lords, verament 321
I understand in my intent
that way the holy ghost in went,
when God tooke flesh and bloode 324
In that sweet may den Mary. 325
shee was that gate, wytterly,
for in her he light graciouslie,
mankind to doe good. 328

IHEREMIA. (42)
Deducunt oculi mei lacrimas per diem et noctem, et non taceant, con-
tritione magna contrita est virgo filia popwli mei et
plaga et ct.

My eyes must run and sorrow aye, lerem. 14, 17. 329
without ceasing, night and daye,
for my daughter, soth to saye,
shall suffer great anye. 332
And my folke shall doe, in faye, 333
thinges that they ne know may

to that mayden, by many waye,
and her sonne, sickerlie. 336

EXPOSITOR. (43)

Lordinges, this prophesie, I wis, 337
touches the passion nothing amisse,
for the prophet see well this
what shall come, as I reade, 340
That a childe borne of a Maye 341
shall suffer death, sooth to saye,
and they that Mayden shall afray,
haue vengeance for that deede. 344

IONAS. (44)
Clamaui de tribulacicwe mea ad Dominum et exaudiuit, de ventre
Infer! clamavi et exaudisti vocem meam et proiecisti me.

I, lonas, in full great any ion. 2. 2. 345
to god I prayed inwardlie,
and he me hard through his mercy,
and on me did his grace. 348
In myddes the sea cast was I, 349
for I wrought inobedyentlie,
but in a whalles bellye
three dayes saved I was. 352

EXPOSITOR. (45)

Lordinges, what this may signifie, 353
Christ expoundes apertelie,
as we reade in the Evangely,
that Christ him self can sale. 356

Eight as lonas was dayes three 357
in wombe of whall, so shall he be
in earth lyinge, as was he,
and rise the third daye. 360

DAUID. (46)
De summo caelo Egressio eius, et occursus eius ad sumum eius. psal.

I, Davyd, saie that God almighte Psalm 18, 7. 361
from the highest heaven to earth will light,
and thidder againe with full might,
both God and man in feare, 364
H 2

And after come to deeme the righte ; 365

may no man shape them of his sight,
ne deeme that to mankind is dighte,
but all then must apeare. 368

EXPOSITOR. (47)

Lordes, this speach is so veray, 369
that to expound it to yowr pay,
needes nothing in good faye,
this speach is so expresse. 372
Each man by it knowe may, 373
that of the ascention, soth to saie,
David prophesied in his daye,
as yt rehearsed was. 376
IOELL. (48)
Effundam de spiritu meo super omnem carnem, et proplietabunt filij vestri.

I, loell, saie this sickerlye,
ioei 2, 28. 377
that my ghost send will I

upon mankinde merciably
from heaven, sitting in 380
Then shold our childre prophesie, 381
ould men meet swevens wytterly,

yong se sightes that therby
many wise shall be. 384
EXPOSITOR. (49)

Lordinges, this prophet speakes here 385
in Gods person, as it were,
and prophesies that he will apeare
Ghostlie to mankinde, 388
This signes non other, in good faye, 389
but of his deede on whitson-day,
sending his ghost, that we ever may
on hym haue sadlie mynd. 392
MICHEAS. (50)
Tu, Bethlem, terra luda nequaquam minima es in principibus luda ;

ex te enim exiet Dux, qui reget populum meum Israeli.

I, Micheal, through my mynde Mich. 5,2. Matth. 2, e. 393
will saye that man shall sothlie finde

that a Childe of kinges kinde
in Bethlem shall be borne, 396
That shall be Duke to dight and deale, 397
and rule the folke of Israeli,
also wyn againe mankindes heale,
that through Adam was lorne. 400

EXPOSITOR. (51)

Lordinges, two thinges apertlie 401
you may see in this prophesie,
the place certefies thee sothlie,
where Christ borne will be ; 404
And after his ending, sickerlie, 405
of his deedes of great mercy,
that he shold sit soveraynly
in heauen, thereas is he. 408

(52)
Moe prophetis, lordinges, we might play, 409
but yt wold tary much the daye ;

therfore six, sothe to say,
are played in this place. 412
Twoo speakes of his Incarnation, 413
an other of Christe passion,
the fourth of the resurrection.
.......... 416

(53)
The fifte speakes expreslie 417
How he from the highest heavenlye

light into earth us to forby,
and after thydder steigh 420
With oure kinde to heaven-blisse. 421
more loue might he not shew, I wis,
but right there as hym selfe is,
he haunshed our kinde on high. 424

(54)
The sixt shewes, you may see, 425
his goste to man send will he,

more stidfast that they shalhe
to loue God evermore. 428

Thus that beleven that leven we (?), 429
of Gods deedes that had pittye
one man, when that he made them free,

BALAACK. (55)
Goe we forth ! it is no boote 433

longer with this man to moote ;
for God of lewes is Crop and roote,
and lord of heaven and hell. 436

Now see I well no man on lyue 437
gaynes with him for to stry ve,
therefore here, as mot I thryue !

I will no longer dwell. 440

EXPOSITOR. (56)
Lordinges, much more matter 441
is in this story then you see here,

but the substance, without were,
is played you beforne. 444
And by these prophesies, leav you me, 445
three kinges, as you shall played see,

presented at his Nativitye
Christ, when he was borne. 448

Play VI — The Nativity

The Wrights

Finis paginae Quintae.

Pagina sexta de salutatione et nativitate
Salvatoris Ihesu Christi.
The wrightes.
GABRIELL. (1)
Haile be thou, Mary, maiden free, 1

full of grace ! god is thee,
among all women blessed thou be,
and the fruite of thy bodye ! 4
In mense autem sexto missus est angelus Gabriell a Deo in Civitatewi
Galilsese, etc. Lucse 1. Math. 1. Luke i, 26.

MARIA.
Ah ! lord, that sitts heighe in see, 5
that wonderly now mervayles mee,
a simple mayden of my degree
be greet this graciouslie ! 8
Illa vero cum vidisset, turbata est super oracionem eius, et cogitabat,
qualis esset ilia salutatio. Luke 1, 29.

GABRIELL. (2)
Mary, ne dred thee nought this case, 9
With great God found thou hase
amonge all other specyall grace,
therefore, mary, thou mone 12

conseave and beare, I tell thee, 13
a childe, his name Ihesu shall be ;
so great shall never be none as he,
and called godes sonne ; 16

(3)

and our lorde god, leve thou me, 17
shall geve him dauid his father's see ;
in Iacobs house raigne shall he
with full mighte ever more. 20
Et dabit illi dominus Deus sedem David patris sui, et regnabit
super domum Iacob in aeternum. Luke i, 32.

and he that shall be borne of thee, 21
endles life in him shall be,
that suche renowne and royaltie
had neuer none before. 24
Et regni eius noil erit finis. Luke 1, 33.
MARIA. (4)

How may this be ? thou arte so bright. 25
in sinne knewe I no worldlie wight.
quomodo erit istud, quandoquidewi viruwi non cognosce ? Luke 1, 34.

GABRIELL.

The holy ghost shall in thee light
from god in maiestye, 28
and shadowe the semelie in sighte ; 29
therfore that holy as I have heighte,
that thou shalt beare through Gods might,
his sonne shall called be. 32
Spiritus sanctus superveniet in te, et virtus Altissimi obumbravit tibi. Qua-
propter et quod nascetur sanctum, vocabitwr filius Dei. Luke i, 35.

(5)

Elizabeth that baren was, 33
as thou may see, conceaved has
in age a sonne through Gods grace,
the Bedill shall be of blisse. 36
et ipsa concepit filittm in senectute sua.
Atcpie Elizabeth, cognata tua,
Luke 1, 86.
the sixt month is gone no we againe, 37
sith men called her bareyn,

but nothing to Gods might and mayne
Impossible is. 40
Et hie mensis est sextus illi, quae dicebatur sterilis, quia uon erit
impossibile apud Deim omne verbura.
Luke i, 36 and 87.

MARIA. (6)

Now sith that god will it so be, 41
and such grace hath send to me,
blessed evermore be hee,
to please him I am paide. 44

Loe Gods chosen mekelie here ! 45
and lord god, prince of power,
leeve that it fall in such manere
this word that thou hast said. 48
Ecce ancilla Domini, fiat mihi seczwdum verbum tuum. i, ss.

(tunc ibit angelus et salutabit Elizabeth.)

MARIA. (7)

Elizabeth, Neece, God the see ! 49

ELIZABETH.

mary, blessed mot thou be,
and the fruit that comes of thee,
among women all ! 52
Benedicta tu in mulieribus et benedictus fructus ventris tui. Luke i, 42.

wonderlye now mervailes mee 53
that mary, Gods mother freye,

greetes me thus of simple degreey.
Lord how may this befall?
! 56
Et unde hoc mihi, ut veniet mater Domini mei ad me ? Luke i, 4:5.

(8)

when thou me greetest, swete mary, 57
the childe starred in my bodye
for great joy of thy companie
and the fruite that is in thee. 60
Ecce enim, ut facta est vox salutaciowis tuse in auribws meis,
exultavit prse Gaudio infans in utero meo. Luke 1, 44.

blessed be thou ever for thy, 61
that leeued so well and stidfastlie !

for that was said to thee, ladie,
fulfilled and done shalbe. 64
(Maria gaudens Incipiet canticum 'Magnificat anima.')

MARIA. (9)

Elizabeth, therfore will I 65
thanke the lord, king of mercy,
with joifull mirth and melodye
and lawde to his lykinge. 68

'magnificat,' while I have tome, 69
'anima mea dominum,'
to christe that in my kinde now come,
deuoutlie I will singe. 72

(10)
Et exultauit spiritus meus in deo, saluatori meo. Luke i, 47.

and for my ghost joyed hase 73
in god, my heale and all my grace,
—for mekenes he see in me was,
his feare of meane degree— 76
Et respexit ad humilitatem Ancillae suae. Luke 1, 48.
therfore blesse me well may 77
all generations for aye ;
Et sanctum nomen eius. Luke 1, 49.

much has god done for me to daye,
his name aye halo wed be ! 80

(11)
much hase that lord done for me, 81
that most is in his maiestie.
all prynces he passes in postie

as sheweth well by this. 84
Ecce enim ex hoc beatam me dicunt omnes generationes, Quia
fecit mihl magna, qui potens est. Luke i, 48 and 49.

therfore with full hart and free 85
his name alwaie halowed be,
and honoured euermore be he
on height in heaven blisse ! 88

(12)

as he is bowne to doe mercye 89
from progeny to progenye,
and all that dreden hym verelie,
his talent to fulfill, 92

he through his might gave them mas try, 93
disperses proude dispituouslie
with might of his hart hastelie
at his owne will, 96
prestitit robor per brachium suum, dispersit superbos
cogitatione cordis ipsorum. Luke i, 51.

(13)

Deposethe mightie out of place, 97
and meeke also he haunsed has,
hongry, needy, wantinge grace
with good he hath fulfilled. 100
Detraxit potentes de sedibus, et erexit humiles. Esurientes
implevit bonis. Luke i, 52, 53.
that rich power he hath forsaken, 101
to Israell, his sonne, betaken ;
waile to man through him is waken,
and mercy has of his guilt. 104
Et divites dimisit inanes. Suscepit Israell puerum suum,
ut memor esset misericordiae.
(14)
as he spake to our fathers before, 105
abraham and his seede full yore :

Ioy to the father ever more,
the sonne, and the holy ghoste, 108
Sicut locutus est ad patres nostros, Abraham et semen eius in eterno :
Gloria patri filio et spiritui sancto. Luke 1, 55.

As was from the beginning, 109
and never shall have ending,
from world to worlde aye wending,
amen !
god of mightes most. 112
Sicut erat in principle et nunc et semper et in secula
'
seculoram Amen.

ELIZABETH. (15)

Mary, now red I that we gone 113
to Ioseph, thy husband, anon
lest he to misse thee makes mone,

for now that is most neede. 116

Mansit autem Maria cum illa circiter mensibus tribus,
et reversa est in domum suum. Luke i, 56.

Elizabeth, neece, to do soe good is 117
lest he suppose on me amisse,
but good lord that hath ordayned this
will witness of my deede. 120
(tunc ibunt ad Ioseph.)
ELIZABETH. (16)

Ioseph, god thee save and see ! 121
thy wife here I haue brought to thee.
IOSEPH. Math. 1.

Alas, alas ! and wooe is mee !

who hath made her with childe ? 124

well I wist an old man and a may 125
might not accord by no way,
for many yeres might I not playe
ne work no workes wilde. 128
Ihesu vero Christi nativitas sic habet : Cum enim mater eius, Maria,
desponsa esset et Ioseph priusquam congressi fuissent, deprehensa est
Math, i, 18.
gravida spiritu sancto.

(17)

three monethes she hath bene from me, 129
now has she gotten here, as I see,
a great belie, like to the,
sith she went awaye. 132

porro Ioseph maritus, quoniam erat iustus et nolebat illam infamare.
and myne it is not, be thou bolde, 133
for I am both old and colde,
this XXX wynter, though I wold,
I might not plaie no playe. 136
voluit clanculum ab ea depertire.

(18)

alas ! where might I leng or lend ? Math, i, 19. 137
for loth is me my wife to shend,
therfore from her will I wend
in to some other place. 140
for to discreeve her will I nought, 141
feblie thoughe she haue wrought ;

to leave her privelie is my thought
that no man know this case. 144

(19)

god let never an old man 145
take him a yonge woman,
ne set his hart her upon,
lest he beguiled be ! 148
for accord there may be none 149
nor they may never be at one,

and that is seene in many one
as well as on me. 152
Hec autera cum in Somno versaret, ecce angelus Domini In somnis
visus est illi dicens. Matth. i, 20.

(20)
therfore have I slepte a while, 153
my wife that thus can me beguile
I will goe from her ; for it to file
me is loth, in good faye. 156
this case makes me so heauie 157
that needes sleepe now must I ;

lord, on her thou haue mercye
for her misdeede to daye !
(tunc dormit) 160
ANGELUS. (21)
Iosephe, let be thy feble thought, 161
take niary, thy wife, and dreed the nought,
for wickedlie she hath not wrought,
but this is Gods will. 164
Ioseph, fili dauid, ne metuas adiungere Mariam, uxorem tuam ;
nam quod in ilia conceptus est, Math, i, 20.

the childe that shee shall beare, iwis, 165
of the holy ghost begotten is
to save mankinde that did amisse,
and prophesie to fulfill. a spiritu sancto profectum est. 168
IOSEPH. (22)
A !now I wot, lord, it is soe, 169
I will, no man be her foe,
but while I may on earthe goe
With her I will be, (Excitatus autem Ioseph.) 172
now christ is in our kind light, 173
as the prophetes yore beheight ;

lord, god, most of mighte
with weale I worshippe thee. 176
(somno fecit, ut iusserat sibi angelus domini.)

NUNTIUS. (23)
make rowme, lordinges, and geve us waie, 177
and let octavian come and plaie,
and Sybbill, the sage, that well faire maye,
to tell you of prophesie.

that lord that dyed on good fry day, 181
he saue you all, both night and daye !

farewell, lordinges ! I goe my waie,
I may no longer abyde. 184

OCTAVIAN. (24)

I, preeved prynce, most of power, 185
under heaven highest am I here,
fayerest foode to feight in feare,
noe freak my face may flee. 188
Lucae Cap. 2. Exit dictum e Cesare Augusto, ut censeretur totus orbis. Luke 2,1.
all this world, withoutten weare, 189
King, prince, Baron, Bachler,
I may destroy in great danger

through vertue of my degree 192

(25)

—my name Octavian called is— 193
all me aboute, full in my blisse ;

for wholly all this world, I wis,
is ready at my owne will. 196
no man on mould dare doe amisse 197
against mee, I tell you this,
ne no man saie that ought is his,
but my leave be thertyll. 200

(26)
for I halfe (?) multeplied more 201
the Citee of Rome, sith I was bore,
then ever did any me before,
sith I had this kingdom. 204

for what strength and strokes sore, 205
leading lordship, lovelie lore,
all this world nowe hase bene yore

tributary unto Rome. 208

(27)
Seigneurs tous si assembles 209
A mes proles estates,
Icy posse faire lannent et leez
et metten en languore, 212
Vous toutes si prest ne sortes 213
de fayre intentes movolentes,
Car Ihesu soueraigne bene sages
et demaund Emperour. (?) 216

(28)
lay si persone mille si able, 217
ley su tent faire et beable
en tresarois ne tresagait
mes de toile plerunt. 220
Destret et sage su en Counsel! 221
ami ou Dame et ou pusel
declare, sake, et mater frail
un tel nest pas un mame. (?) 224

(29)

King, coysell, Clarke or Knighte, 225
sandens, senators in sighte,
princes, preistes here now dighte
and present in this place ! 228

peace, or here my truth Iplighte : 229
I am the manfullest man of might

takes mynde of my manace. 232

(30)
all leedes in lande be at my liking, 233
castle, conquerour, and king
bane bene to doe my byddinge.
yt will non other be. 236

righte as I think, so is all thinge ; 237
for all the world dose my willing,
and bane bene when I byde bringe
homage and Fealtye. 240

(31)
Sithe I was lord, withoutten les, 241
with my wit I can more increase
the empire here then ever it was,
as all this world it wiste. 244
Sithe I was soueraigne, warr can cease, 245
and through this world now is peace,
for so dreade a Duke sate never on deis
in Rome, that you maie truste. 248

(32)
therfore as lord now likes me 249
to prove my might and my postie,
for I will sende about and see
how many heades I have. 252
all the world shall wrytten be, 253
great and small, in each degree,
that dwell in shire or in Citie,

king, dark, knight, and knave. 256

(33)
Each man one peny shall paye, 257
therfore, my bedill, do as I saie ;
in mydds the world by any waie
this gamon shall begin. 260
the folke of Iewes in good faye 261
in mydds bene, that is no naye ;
therfore thidder, daie by daye,
and travayle, or thou blyne ! 264

(34)
warne hym that there is president, 265
that this is, f ullie myne intent
that eche man appeare present
his peny for to paie, 268
and by that peny, as well apent, 269
knowledg to be obedyent
to Rome by gifte of such a rent
from that tyme after aye. 272

(35)
when this is done thus in Iudye, 273
that in the middest of the world shalbe,
to each land, shire, and Citye,
to Rome make them so thrall. 276
warne them, boye I commaund thee : 277

the do the same, saie this from me ;
so all this world shall wit that we
bene soveraigne of them all. 280

(36)
Have done, boye ! art thou not bowne? 281

PRECO.

All ready, my lord, by mahound !

no tails tupp in all this towne
shall go further without faile ! 284

OCTAVIANUS.

Boye, therfore by my Crowne, 285
thou must have thy warison.
the highe horse besides Boughton
take thou for thy travayle. 288

PRECO. (37)
Graunt mercy, lord, pardy, 289
this hackney will well serve me,
for a great lord of your degree
shold ryde in such araye. 292
The bene high in dignitie, 293
and also high and swifte is he ;
therfore that reverance takes yee,

my deare lord, I you praye. 296

(38)
But your arrand shall be done anon, 297
first into Iudy I will gone
and summon the people everich one,
both in shyre and Citye. 300

OCTAVIAN.

boye, their be Ladies many one, 301
among them all chose thee one,
take the fayrest or els none,
and freely I geve her thee. 304

PRIMUS SENATOR. (39)
My lord Octauian, we be sent 305
from all Rome with good intent ;
thy men there haue each: one imenb
as god to honour thee ; 308
and to that pointe we be sent, 309
poore and rich in parliment ;
for so loved a lord, verament,
was never in this Citye. 312
SECUNDUS SENATOR. (40)

yea, sicker, Syr, their will is this, 313
to honour the as god with blisse,
for thou did never to them amisse
in word, thought, ne deede. 316

peace hath bene long and yet is, 317
no man in thy tyme lost ought of his,.
therfore their will is now, I wis,
to quite you this your meede. 320

OCTAVIANUS. (41)

welcome, my frendes in good faie, 321
for you be baynable to my paye ;

I thanke you all that ever I maye,

the homage, ye doe to me ; 324

but folly it were, by many a waie, 325
such soveraingtie for to assaie,
sith I must dye I wot not what daye,
to desire such dignity e. 328

(42)

for of fleshe, blood, and bone 329
made I am, borne of a woman ;

and sicker other matter none
sheweth not right in me ; 332
nether of Iron, tree nor stone 333
am I not wrought, you wot each one ;
and of my life most parte is gone,
age shewes hym so, I see. 336

(43)

and godhead askes in all thinge 337
tyme that hath no begininge,
ne never shall have ending ;
and none of these have I. 340

Wherefore, by verey proofe shewinge, 341
though I be highest worldlie king,
of godhead have I no knowing ;
it were unkindlie. 344

(44)
but yet enquyre of this will we 345
at her that has grace for to see

thinges that afterwardes shalbe,
by ghost of prophesie. 348
and after her lore, by my lewtie ! 349
discussing this difficulty,
worke and take no more on me ;
then I am well worthye. 352

(45)

Sybble, the sage, tell me this thinge, 353
for thou wyt hast as no man lyving :

shall ever be any earthlie kinge
to passe me of degree ? 356

SIBBLE.

yea, syr, I tell you without leasing : 357
a barne shall borne be blisse to bring,
the which that never hase begyning,
ne never shall ended be. 360

OCTAVIANUS. (46)
Sibble, I praye thee speciallie, 361
by signe thou wold me certefie,
what tyme that lord so royallie
to raigne he shall begin. 364

SIBBLE.

Sir, I shall tell you witterlie 365
his signes when I see verelie,
for when he comes, through his mercy
on mankind he will myn. 368

(47)
well I wot for soth, I wis, 369
that god will bring mankind to blis

and send from heaven leeves well this !

his sonne, our Saviour. 372

Ihesu Christ, nothing amis, 373
called he shall be and is,
overcome the Divell and his Coyntoice
and be our Conquerour. 376

(48)

but what tyme, Syr, in good faie, 377
that he will come, can I not saie ;
therfore in this place will I praie
to greatest god of mighte. 380

and if I see ought to your paie 381
ghostlie by any waie,
warne you I shall anone this daie
and shew it in your sighte. 384
(Tunc orat Sibilla, et dicat preco alta voce. )

PRECO. (49)

peace I bid kinge, and knight, 385
men, and women, and each wight ;
till I have told that I have tight,
stand still, both stiffe and stoute ! 388

my lord octavian, much of might, 389
comaundes, you sholde be ready dight,
tribute he will have in height
of all this world aboute. 392

(50)

he will haue written each contrey, 393
castle, shire, and eke Citye,

men, and women leeve you me
and all that be therin. 396

a peny of each man haue will he 397
the value of tenne pence it shalbe

to knowledge that he hase soueraigntie
fullie of all mankinde. 400

IOSEPH. (51)

A ! lord ! what doth this man now here ? 401

poore mens waile is ever in weere.
I wot by this bosters bere
that trybute I must paye. 404

and for great age and no power 405
I wan no good this seaven yeare,
now comes the kinges messenger
to get all that he maye. 408

(52)

with this axe, that I beare, 409
this percer, and this nawger,

axe, hammer, all in feare,
I have wonne my meate ; 412

castle, tower ne rich manner 413
had I never in my power,
But as a symple carpenter
with these what I might get. 416

(53)

If I haue store now any thing, 417
that must I pay unto the king,
but yet I haue a lyking,
the angel to me tolde : 420

he that shold man out of bale bring 421
my wief had in her kepinge,
that semes all good to my liking
and makes me more bold. 424

(54)

a ! leefe sir, tell me, I thee praye : 425
shall poore as well as rich paye ?

my faye Syr, I hope nay.
!

that were a wonderous wronge. 428

PRECO.

Good man, I warne the, in good fay, 429
to bethlem to take the way
lest thou in daunger fall to daye,

if that thou be to longe. 432

IOSEPH. (55)
now sith yt may none other be, 433
Mary, sister, now hye wee !

an oxe I will take with me,
that there shall be soulcL 436
Ascendit autem et Ioseph a Galilea de civitate Nazareth in Iudeam
in Civitatem David, que vocatur Bethlem. Luke 2, 4.
the silver of hym so mot I thee ! 437
shall finde us in this City,
and pay tribute for thee and me,
for therto we bene holde. 440
(tunc Ioseph ligabit bovem ad caudam asinae, et colliget Maryam
super Asinam, et cum ad stabulwn. pervenerit, dicat Maria. )

MARIA. (56)
Ah !
lord, what may this signified 441
some men I see glad and mery,
and some sighing and sory,
wherfore so ever yt be ; 444
sithe gods sonne came man to forby, 445
is come through his great mercy,
me thinke that man shold kindlye
be glad that sight to see. 448
ANGELUS. (57)

mary, Gods mother deare, 449
the tokening I shall the leere,
the common people that thou seest here,
are glad as they well may, 452

That they shall se of Abrahams seede . 453
christ come to helpe them in their need ;

therfore they joye, without dreede,
for to abyde this daye. 456

(58)

the movming men takes this in mynde ! 457
are Iewes that shall be put behynde,
for it passes out of their kinde

through Christ at his cominge. 460

for they shall haue no grace to know 461
that god for man shall light so lowe ;
for shame on them that sone shall show,
therfore they be mourning. 464

IOSEPH. (59)

Mary, sister, soth to saie, 465
harber, I hope, get we nay may,
for great lordes of stoute aray

occupie this Citie. 468

Therfore we must, in good faye, 469
lye in this stable till yt be daye,
to make men meeke, leeve I may,
shew hym here will he. 472

MARIA. (60)

helpe me downe, then, my life fere ! 473
for I hope my tyme is neere ;

christ in this stable that is here,
I hope, borne will be. 476
(Tunc Ioseph accipiet mariam in brachia sua.)
IOSEPH.

Come to me, my sweet deare ! 477
the treasure of heaven, without were,

liym hope I for to see. 480
(tunc statuet Mariam inter bovem et asinam.)

(61)

Mary, suster I will assaie 481
to get II mydwifes, if I maye,

for though in the be god veray
a-comen against kinde, 484
for usage here of this Citye, 485
as manners sake, as thinkes me,
twoo I will fetch anone to the,
if I may any finde. 488

IOSEPH AD OBSTETRICES. (62)

Women, god you sane and see ! 489
is it your will to goe with mee ?
my wife is in to this Citye
with childe, and tyme is nere. 492

helpes her now for Charitye, 493
and be with her till daye be,
and your travaile—so mot I thee !—
I shall paie you right heare. 496

TEBELL. (63)
All ready, good man, in good faie, 497
we will doe all that ever we may,
for two such mydwifes, I dare well saie,
are not in this Citye. 500

SALOME.

Come, good man, lead us the waye 501
wt'th Gods helpe, or it be daye ;
that we can good, thy wife shall saie,
and that thou shalt well see. 504

IOSEPH. (64)
Loe ! mary ! hart ! I haue brought here 505
II mydwifes for the manere
to be with thee, my dearling deare,
tyll that it be daye. 508

MARIA.
Syr, they be welcome, without were, 509
but god will worke of his power
full sone for me, my life feere,
as best is now and aye. 512
(Tunc paululum acquiescant. )

(65)

A ! Ioseph, tydinges aright : 513
I haue a sonne, a sweet wight

lord, thanked be thou, much of mighte,
for preeved is thy postye ! 516
Et peperit filium suum primogenitum, ac fasciis eum involvit,
reclinavitque eum in praecepio, quod non esset eis locus in
diversorio Luc. 2., Math. 1. John 1.

penance non I felt this night 517
but right so as he in me light,
comen is he here in my sight,
Gods sonne, as you may see. 520
(tunc stella apparebit.)

IOSEPH. (66)

Lord, welcome ! sweet Ihesu ! 521
thy name thou haddest, or I the knewe ;
now leeve I the Angells wordes trewe
that thou art a cleane maye. 524
for thou art come mans blisse to brewe 525
to all that thy saw will shewe ;
now mans Ioy begins to new,
and noye to pas away. 528

MARIA. (67)
lord, blessed must thou be 529
that simple borne art, as I see ;

to preeve the Dyvill of his posty

comen thou art to daye. 532
Dyversory is non for thee, 533
therfore thy sweete body free
in this crach shall lye with lee,
and lapped about with heye. 536
TEBELLA. (68)
Ah !deare lord, heauen-kinge, 537
that this is a marvelous thing !

withoutten teene or traveyling
a fayre sonne she has one ! 540
I dare well saie for soth, I wis, 541
that cleane mayden this woman is,
for shee hath borne a child with blisse,
so wist I never none. 544
SALOME. (69)
be still, tebell, I thee praye ; 545
for that is falce, in good faye,
was never woman cleane may,
and had child withoutten man. 548
but never the latter I will assaye, 549
whether she be a cleane may

and know it, if I can. 552
(Tunc Salome tentabit tangere Mariam in sexu secreto,
et statim arescent manus eius, et Clamando dicat. )

(70)
Alas ! alas ! alas ! alas ! 553
mee is betyde a sorye case !

my handes be dryed up in this place,
that feeling none haue I ! 556
vengeance on me now is light, 557
for I wold tempt Gods might,

alas ! that I came here to night
to suffer such a noye. 560
(Tunc apparet stella, et veniet angelus dicens, ut sequitur. )

ANGELUS. (71)

woman, beseech this childe of grace 561
that he forgeve the thy trespas,
and ere thou goe out of this place
holpen thou niaye be. 564

this myracle that now thou seest hero, 565
is of Gods owne power,
to bringe mankinde out of danger
and mend them, leeve thou me ! 568

SALOME. (72)

Ah ! sweet childe, I aske mercye 569
for thy mothers love, marye,

though I haue wroughte wretchedly e :

sweete childe, forgeve yt mee ! 572
blessed be god all whole am I
! ! ! 573
now leve I well and sickerlye
that god is come man to for-bye ;

and thou, lord, thou art hee. 576

EXPOSITOR. (73)

loe, lordinges, of this myracle here 577
fryer Bartholomew, in good manere,
beareth wytnes without were,
as played is you beforne. 580

an other myracle, if I maye, 581
I shall rehearse, or I goe awaye,
that befell that ilke daye
that Ihesu christ was borne. 584

(74)
wee read in Cronycles expresse : 585
some tyme in Rome a temple was,
made of so great riches
that wonder was wytterly. 588
for all thinges in yt—leve you me !— 589
was silver, goulde, and riche perye ;
thyrd parte the worlde, as reade wee,
that temple was worthye. 592

(75)
of each provynce, that booke mynd mase, 593
ther Gods image ther set was,
and each one about his necke has
a siluer bell hanginge, 596
and on his brest wrytten also 597
the lands name and gods both twoo,
and set was als in myddes of tho
god of Rome righte as a king. 600

(76)
about the house was meving there 601
a man on horse, stood men to stere,
and in his hand he bare a speare,
all pure dispituouslie. 604
that horse and man was made of brasse, 605
turning about that Image was ;
save certayne preistis there might none pas
for Devylls fantasie. 608

(77)
but when any land with battayle 609
was ready Rome for to assaile,
the Gods Image, without faile,
of that land rang his bell, 612

and turned his face dispituouslie 613
to god of Rome, as read I,
in tokening that they were ready
to fighting fresh and fell. 616

(78)

the image, also, aboue standing, 617
when the bell beneth began to ringe,
turned hym, all sharply showing
toward that land his speare. 620

and when they saw this tokening, 621
Rome ordayned without taryinge
an host to kepe there coming
long, or they came there. 624

(79)

and in this manner, sothlie, 625
by art of nigromancye,
all the world wytterly
to Rome were made to lowt. 628

And that temple there, doubtles, 629
was called, therfore, the temple of peace,
that through this sleight battayle can cease

through out the world about. 632

(80)

But he that Coyntlie this worke cast, 633
asked the Dyvill, or he past,
how long that temple it shold last
that he there can build. 636

the Devill answered suttellie, 637
and said it shold last sickerlie
untyll a mayden wemmouslie
had conceaved a childe. 640

(81)
They hard, and beleeved, therfore, 641
it shold endure for evermore ;
but that tyme that christ was bore,
it fell downe sone in hye. 644
of which house is scene this daie 645
somewhat standing, in good faye,
but no man dare goe well that way
for feendes fantasie. 648

(82)
that day was seene verament 649
3 sonnes in the firmament,
and wonderly together went,
and turned into one. 652
the oxe, the asse, there they were lent, 653
honored christ in theyr intent,
and mo myracles, as we haue ment
to play right here anone. 656
(tunc ostendant stellam, et veniet Sybbill ad Imperatorem. )

SIBILLA. (83)
Sir Emperour, god the saue and see ! 657
looke up one height, after me !

I tell you sicker that borne is hee
that passeth thee of power. 660
that Baron thou sees so great shall be 661
as none lyke him in any degree
to passe all kinges and eke thee,

that borne are or ever were. 664
OCTAVIANUS. (84)
Ah ! Sybbill, this is a wondrous sight, 665
for yonder I see a mayden bright,
a yonge child in her armes clight,
a bright crosse in his head. 668

honour I will that sweet wight 669
with Incense through all my might ;

for that reverence is most right,
yf that it be thy reade. 672

(85)

Incence bring, I commaund, in hie 673
to honour this child, king of mercy.
shold I be god ? nay, nay ! witterly
great wrong, I wis, it were. 676

for this child is more worthye 677
then such a thousand as am I,
therfore to god, most mightie,
Incense I offer here. 680
(Tunc angelus cantabit 'Hec est ara Dei celi,' fiat nota
secundum arbitrium agentis, etc.)
(86)

Ah ! Sibill, heares thou not this songe ? 681
my members all it goeth among,
Ioy and blis makes my hart strong,
to hear this melodye. 684

Sicker it may non other be, 685
but this childe is Prynce of postio
and I his subiect, as I see ;
he is most worthy. 688

SIBILLA. (87)

yea, sir, you shall leeve well this : 689
somewhere in earth borne he is,
and that he comes for mans blis,
his tokening this can showe. 692
reverence hym, I rede, I wis, 693
for other god ther non is ;
that hopes otherwayes, he doth amys,
but hym for christ to knowe. 696

OCTAVIAN. (88)
Sires, senators, goes home anone, 697
and warne my men every echone
that such worship I must forgone
as they wold doe to me. 700

but this child worship each man 701
with full hart, all that you can,
for he is worthy to leeve upon,
and that now I will see. 704

SENATOR. (89)

a ! lord, whatever this may be 705
this is a wonders sight to see,
for in the starre, as thinkes me,
I see a full fayre maye. 708

Sir, shall this child pas ye'e 709
of worthynes and dignity !

Such a lord, by my lewty !

I wend never had bene none. 712

EXPOSITOR. (90)

Lordinges, that this is veray, 713
by very signe know ye may :

for in Rome, in good faye,
ther as this thing was seene, 716

was built a Church, in noble aray, 717
in worship of mary, that sweet may,
that yet lastes unto this day,
as men know that there haue bene. 720

(91)

and for to haue full memory e 721
of the angells melody,
and of this sight sickerlie,
the emperour there knewe, 724

the church is called St. Mary, 725
the surname is Ara Cseli,
that men know well therby
that this was fullie trewe. 728

(92)

An other myracle, I finde also, 729
at Christis birth that fell right tho
when salome attempted to know
whether shee was a may : 732

her hand roted, as you have scene, 733
wherby you may take good teene
that unbeleefe is a foule synne,
as you have seene within this playe. 736

Play VII — The Shepherds

The Painters and Glaziers

Finis Paginae Sextae.

Pagina septima de pastoribus greges pascentibus.
The pay liters and glasiers.
Et pastores erant in regione eadem vigilantes et excubantes exubias nocte
super gregem suam. Luke 2, 8.

PRIMUS PASTOR. (1)

On wouldes haue I walked full wylde, 1

under Buskes my bower to buylde,
from stif stormes my sheepe to sheild,

my semely wedders to save, 4

from Comelie Conway unto clyde 5
under Tildes them to hyde.
a better Shepherd on no side
no earthlie man may haue. 8

(2)
for with walking wery I haue me wrought, 9
beside the ssuch my sheepe I sought ;

my tytefull tuppes are in my thought,
them to saue and heale 12
from the shrewd scab it (?) sought, 13
or the rot, if it were wrought,

yf the cough had them caught,
of it I colde them heale. 16

(3)
loe ! here be my hearbes safe and sound, . 17
wyselie wrought for every wound,
the wold a whole man bring to ground
wz'thin a lyttle whyle ! 20
of henbane, and horehound, 21
Eibbie, raddish, and Egremond,
which be my hearbes, safe and sound,
meddled on a rowe. 24

(4)
here be more hearbes, I tell it yoo, 25
I shall recken them on a rowe :

finter, fanter, and fetterfoe,
and also a peny wrytt. 28
this is all that I know, 29
for be yt wedder or be yt yoo,
I shall heale them on a thraw
cleane of there hurte. 32

(5)
heare is tarr in a pot, 33
for to heale them of the rot ;
well I can and well I wot
the talch from them to take. 36

And if sworne it had the thurse,
yet shall the talch be in my purse,
and the sheepe never the worse
to run on the rake. (Tunc ad sedem.) 40

(6)
but no fellowship here have I 41
save my self, alone, in good fay,
therfore after one fast will I crye,
but first will I drinke yf I maye. (Tunc potet.) 44

(7)

Howe! Haroye! how! how! 45

dryve thy sheepe to the low !

thou may not heare but if I bio we,
as ever have I feale ! 48
'

(Tunc flat cum Cornu et reddit : 'Aho !' 10. 0. Tunc venit secundus
gerens plumam cornicis cum vestis parte veteris. )

SECUNDUS PASTOR.
It is not shame for me to showe 49
how I was set for to sow
the fidder of a Crow
a clout upon ray heele. 52

(8)

Fellowe, now we be well met ! 53
one thing me thinkes us needes :

had we Tud here by us set,
then might we sit and feede us. 56

PRIMUS PASTOR. (9)
(tunc vocat humili voce : 'How, Tud, tud !')

yea, to feede us frendlie in fay, 57
now might we have our servyce.
cry thou must lowd, by this day !
Tud is deaf and may not well heare us. 60

SECUNDUS. (10)
Howe, Tud ! come for thy father kin ! 61

PRIMUS PASTOR.

Naye !
fye thy voice is wondrous dym.
!

why ! knowest thou not hym ?
fye !
man, for shame !
(tunc vocat voce canora, ut antea.) 64
'
call hym Tud, Tibbs sonne,' 65
and then will the shrew come,
for, in good faith, it is his wonne
to love well his dames name. 68

SECUNDUS PASTOR. (11)

Howe, Tud ! Tibbs sonne ! 69

TERTIUS PASTOR.

Syr, in faith, now I come,
for yet have I not all done
that I have to doe : 72

to seeth salve for our sheepe, 73
and, lest my wife shold it weete,
with great gravell and greet
I scoure an ould panne. 76

(12)

Hemlockes, and herif take keepe ! 77
with Tarboyst most bene all tamed,
penigras, and butter for fat sheepe ;
of this salue am I not ashamed. 80

(13)

ashamed am I not to showe 81
no poynte that longes to my crafte,
no better that I well know
in land is no-where lafte. 84

(14)
For, good men, this is not unknowen
to husbandes that bene here about,
that ech man must to his wife bowne,
and Commonlie for feare of a clout. 88

(15)
thus for cloutes now care I, 89
all is for feare of our dame kin,
now will I cast my ware here by,
and hye fast that I were at Hankin. 92

(16)
Hankin, hold up thy hand and haue me, 93
that I were on height ther by thee.

PRIMUS PASTOR.
Gladly, sir, and thou wold be by me ;
for loth me is to deny thee. 96

SECUNDUS PASTOR. (17)
nowe sith god hath gathered us together, 97
with good hart I thank hym of his grace,
welcome be thou, well fayre wether !

Tud, will we shape us to some solace ? 100

TERTIUS PASTOR. (18)
Yeg, solace wold best be seene, 101
that we shape us to our supper ;
for meat and drink, well I deeme,
to each dede is most deare. 104
PRIMUS PASTOR. (19)
Lay fourth, each man, alyche, 105
what he hath left of his ly veray ;
and I will first put forth my piche
with my parte first of us all three. 108
SECUNDUS PASTOR. (20)
And such store as my wife had, 109
in your sight sone shall you see,

at our beginning us for to glad ;
for in good meat there is much glee. 112

(21)

here is bread this day was baken, 113
Onyons, Garlik, and lyckes,
butter that bought was in Blacon,
and greene' cheese that will grease your cheekes. 116

TERTIUS PASTOR. (22)

And here ale of Hal ton I have, 117
and what meat I had to my hyre ;

a pudding maye no man deprave,
and a lanock of Lancashyre. 120

(23)

! here a sheepes head souced in ale, 121
and a groyne to lay on the grene,
and soure mylke my wife had on sale :

a noble supper as well is seene. 124

PRIMUS PASTOR. (24)

[and as it is well sene, ye shall see 125
and what somewhat I have in my sacke :

a piggs foote I haue here, pardye !

and a panch cloute in my packe. 128
A womb clout, fellowes, now haue I, 129
a lyver as it is no lack,
a chitterling boyled shall be.
this burden I beare on my backe.] 132

(25)

Nowe will I cast of my Cloake, 133
and pull out parte of my livery,
pull out that I have in my poke,
and a pigges foote from pudding purie. 136

TERTIUS PASTOR. (26)
Abyde, fellowes, and ye shall se here 137
this whot meat, we shall it hend,

Gambons, and other Good meat in feare,
a pudding wzth a prick in the end. 140

PRIMUS PASTOR. (27)
And that is in my sachell to shake out 141
to shepheardes am I not ashamed :

this Oxe tonge, pared round about,
for your tooth it shall be attamed. (Tunc comedent.) 144

(28)
Byd me doe gladlie, and I thee ; 145
for surelie here is good growsing.

come, eate weth us, God on heaven hy,
and take no heed, though here be no housing ! 148
(

SECUNDUS PASTOR. (29)
Howsing enough have we here, 149
while we have heaven ouer our heades ;
Now to weete our mouthes tyme it were :

this flaggen will I tame, if thou red us. 152

TERTIUS PASTOR. (30)
Nowe of this bottle will I bibble, 153
for here is but of the best,
such liquore makes men to lyve,
this game may no way be lost. 156

PRIMUS PASTOR. (31)
ffellowes, now our bellies be full, 157
thinke we on hym that kepes our flockis :

blow thy horne and call after Trowle,
and byd hym some of our bytlockes ! 160

SECUNDUS PASTOR. (32)
well said, Hankin ! by my soth ! 161
for that shrew, I suppose, seeke us.

my horne to bylle I will not leese
till that lad haue some of our leckes. 164

TERTIUS PASTOR. (33)
Leekes to his lyueray is to your lyking. 165
such a lad no-where in land is.
blow a note for that mytting,
whyle that horne now in thy hand is. 168

PRIMUS PASTOR. (34)
with this horne I shall make a 'howe' 169
that he and all heaven shall heare,

yonder lad that sittes on a lowe
the lowt of this horne he shall heare. 172
(Tunc cantabit, et venit Gartius.)
GARTIUS. (35)
Good lord, looke one me, 173
and my flock as they foode have !
on this would walk we,
are no men here that me wald haue. 176
all is plaine, pardy ! 177
therfore shepe mon we good haue ;
No better then these be
of beastes that blood and bone haue, 180

(36)
Wot I not day nor night. 181
necessaries that to me needen

you shall here sone see in sight,
of small hannes that to me neden : 184

(37)
Tarboist, tarboyle, and nettle, 185
hemlockes, and butter abyding,
and my good dog Dotinowle,
that is nothing choise of his chiding ; 188

(38)

if any man come me by, 189

and wold wit wfo'ch way best were,
my leg I lift up, where I lie,
and wish him the way by east- and west-where. 192

and I rose when I lay, 193
me wold thinke that traveyle lost were :

for King nor Duke, by this daye,
rise I will not but take my rest here. 196

(39)

now will I set me adowne 197
and pipe at this pot like a pope,
wold God that I were downe
harmeles, as I hastely hope ! 200

At me all men lerne mon, 201
this Golgatha grimly to grope,
no man here drink mon
save myself, the dyvill of the sope. 204

(40)
All thy lathes I set at a lyttle, 205

Nay, you ladds, kepe I not to lye thee.
for you haue I many a fowle fitt.
thou foule filth, tho thou flite, I defie thee. 208

PRIMUS PASTOR. (41)
Trowle, take tent to my talking: 209
for thy teeth here is good tugging,
whyle thy wedders be walking
on this loyne thou may have good lugging. 212

GARTIUS. (42)

Fye on your loynes and your lyveray, 213
your lyveras, lyvers, and longes,
your sawce, your lawce, and your saveray,
your sitting without any songes. 216

(43)

on this hill I hold me here, 217

hap to yow hoote meat have I,

but flyte with my fellowes in feare,
and your sheepe full sickerlie save I. 220

SECUNDUS PASTOR. (44)

For that thou saves our sheepe, 221

good knave, take and keepe !

sith thou may not sleepe,

come, eate of this so wee ! 224

GARTIUS.

Naie, the dirte is so deepe 225
stamped therein, for to steepe ;
and the grubbs thereon doe creepe
at home, at thy house. 228

(45)
Therfore meate, if I may, 229
of your dighting to day
will I not, by no way,

; till I haue my wage. 232

I wend, or this, to have bene gay ; 233
se so ragged is my aray,

aye pynckes is your pay
to every poore page. 236

TERTIUS PASTOR. (46)

Trowle, boy, for Gods pitty, 237
come, Eate a morsell with me
and then wrastle will we
here on this would. 240

TROWLE.
That wiU I never flee, 241

though it were with you all three,
to lay my liberay
that wager will I hould. (Tunc ibit ad magistros.) 244

(47)
Nowe comes Trowle the trew, 245
a turne to take have I tight
with my maistores, or I rew,
put hym forth that is most of might ! 248
PRIMUS PASTOR.
Trowle, better never thou knewe,
eate of this meate for a knight. 250

GARTIUS.

Nay, spare I will, though I spew,
all upon your heades it shall light. 252
SECUNDUS PASTOR. (48)
How ! shold we suffer this shame
of a shrew thus to be shent ? 254

TERTIUS PASTOR.
This lad list to be lame,
and lose a lym, or he went. 256

GARTIUS.
Have done ! begin we this game, 257
but ware lest your Golians glente !

that were lyttle dole to your dame

though in the myddest of Dee ye were drent. 260
PRIMUS PASTOR. (49)
Falce lad, fie on thy face ! 261
on this ground thou shalt haue a fall !

lient on and hould that thou hase
! !

thou haue all, haue all goe to all ! . 264
GARTIUS.
and here, sirs, to doe you solace, 265
Hankin, shepeherd, shame thee I shall ;

wroth thou art worse then thou was.
ware lest thou wait here by the wall !
(tunc primus proiicitur.) 268
SECUNDUS PASTOR. (50)

Boy, lest I break there thy bones, 269
kneele downe and aske me a boone.
Lest I destroy thee here on these stones,
cease, lest I shend thee to soone. 272
GARTIUS.
Gole that so grennes and grones, 273
good were thee thy old raggs to saue sone.
little doubt of such drones,

lyther tyke, for thy deedes are done. (tunc 2.us proijicitur.) 276
TERTIUS PASTOR. (51)
Out ! alas ! he lyes on his loynes ; 277
but let now goe to that lad !

Shepheards he shames and shendes,
for last now am I out shad. / 280

GARTIUS.
Both your backes heare to me byndes, 281
for all your boast I hold you but bad :
hould your arses and your hynder loynes,
then hope I to have, as I ere had, 284

(52)
The better in the bore, 285
as I had before
of this bosiart. 287

yea, hope I more, 288
kepe well thy score
for feare of a fart !
(Tunc 3.us proijcitur.) 290

(53)

Lye there, lydder, in the lake, 291

my liueray nowe I will lach,
this cup, this clowt, and this cake,
for ye be cast, now will I each. 294

to the devill I all you betake, 295
and, traytors, taynt of your tach.
on this would this will I wake ;

all the world wonder on the wach !
(Et sic recedat Gartius ; et dicat.)

PRIMUS PASTOR. (54)

Fellowes, this a fowle case is 299
that we bene thus cast of a knave,
all against our will he has his ;

but I must needes hold the harme that I have. 302

SECUNDUS PASTOR. (55)
That I haue needes must I hould, 303
of these unhappie harmes ofte here I,

therfore will I wayte on this wold

upon the wedder, for I am weary. 306

TERTIUS PASTOR. (56)

Though we be weary, no wonder,
what betwene wrastling and waking !

ofte we maye be in thoughte, we be nowe under,

god amend it his making !

(Tunc sedebunt, et apparebit stella. )

PRIMUS PASTOR. (57)
what is all this light here 311
that shynes so bright here
on my blacke bearde ? 313
for to see this sight here
a man may be afright here,
for I am aferde. 316

SECUNDUS PASTOR. (58)

Aferd for a fray now 317
may we be all now ;

a! yet it is night, 319
yet semes it day now,
never, sothlie to saie now,
see I such a sight. 322

TERTIUS PASTOR. (59)

Such a sight seming, 323
and a light gleming
letts me for to looke. 325
all, to my deming,
from a starre streming
it to me stroke. 328

GARTIUS. (60)
That star if it stond 329
to se will I fond,
though my sight fayle. 331
while I may live in land,
whie shold I stand,
if it will avayle? (Tunc respiciens firmamentum dicat.) 334
GARTIUS. (61)
A ! Gods might is, 335
in yonder star light is,
of the sonne this sight is,
as it now semes. 338

PRIMUS PASTOR. (62)
It semes, as I now see, 339
a bright star for to bee,
their to abyde. 341
from it we may not flee
but aye glow on the glee,
till it downe glide. 344

SECUNDUS PASTOR. (63)
Fellowes, will we 345
knele downe on our knee,
after comfort 347
to the trew Trynitie
for to lead us to see
our elders lord. 350
TERTIUS PASTOR. (64)
Our lord will us leare 351
In this our prayer,
wher-to it will apent, 353
and why on height here
the ayre is so cleare,
now shall we be kent. 356

GARTIUS. (65)
Lord, of this light 357
send us some sight
why that it is sent 359
before this night,
was I never so afright
of the firmament. 362

PRIMUS PASTOR. (66)
nor I, by my faie ! 363
now it is nighe daie,
so was it never. 365
therfore I praye
the soth us to saie,
or we desever. 368
(Tunc cantabit Angelus 'gloria in excelsis Deo et in terra
pax hominibus bonae voluntatis.') Luke 2, u.

PRIMUS PASTOR. (67)

Fellowes in feare, 369
may you not here
this muting on height ? 371

SECUNDUS PASTOR.
' '
'
glore and on glere,'

yet no man was nere,
within our sight. 374

TERTIUS PASTOR. (68)
'

naie, it was a
'
glori ; 375
now I am sory
without more songe. 377

GARTIUS.

Of this strang storie
such myrth more I
I would haue amonge. 380

PRIMUS PASTOR. (69)
As I then deemed, 381
'Caelcis' it semed
that he sang soe. 383

SECUNDUS PASTOR.
while the light lemed,
a wrecking we wened,
I wist never who. 386

TERTIUS PASTOR. (70)
what song was this, saie ye, 387
that he sang to us all three ?

expownded shall it be,
or we hethen passe ; 390

for I am eldest of degree, 391
and also best, as semes me,
it was 'Glorum, glarum' with a glee,
it was nether more nor lesse. 394

GARTIUS. (71)

Nay, was 'glore, glore glorius,'
it 395
me thought that note went ouer the hovvse,
a semely man he was and curious,
but soone away he was. 398

PRIMUS PASTOR.
'
Naie it was
glorum, glarum with a glo 399
and much of '
celsis
'
was there to,
as ever haue I rest or rowe,
much he spake of glasse. 402

SECUNDUS PASTOR. (72)

Nay, yt was nether glasse nor glee, 403
therfore, fellow, now stand by !

TERTIUS PASTOR.
By my faith ! it was some spie

our sheepe for to steale ; 406
or els he was a man of our craft,
for semelie he was and wondrous defte. 408

GARTIUS.

Nay, he come by night all things lafte
our tuppes with tar to tayle. 410

PRIMUS PASTOR. (73)
' ' '
Naie, on a glore and a glare and a 'gli 411
' '
good Gabriell when he so glored,
when he sang, I miht not be sory,
for through my breast-bone bloting he bored. 414

SECUNDUS PASTOR. (74)

Naie, by my faith ! it was a 'gloria,' 415
said Gabriell, when he sang soe,
he had a much better voyce then had I,
as in heaven all other haue so. 418

TERTIUS PASTOR. (75)
will you heare how he sang ' Celsis ' ! 419
for on that sadlie he set
hym ;
' ' '
nether sang Sar nor so well ' sis
mery mawd when she had met him.'
' ' '
ner pax 422

GARTIUS. (76)
One tyme he touched upon Tar/ ' 423
and ther I tooke good intent,
all heaven might not have
gone har,
that note on height when he up hente. 426

PRIMUS PASTOR. (77)
And after of 'pax' or of peace 427
up as pie he piped,
such a ledden this is no las

never in my life me so lyked. 430

SECUNDUS PASTOR. (78)
upon 'hominibus' he mewted, 431
that much marveyle to me was,
And aye I quocke while he so shewted,
I durst not hede wher that I was. 434

TERTIUS PASTOR. (79)

yet, yet he sang more
then all this, 435
for some word is worth a foder,
for he sang bone voluntatis/

that is a crop that past all other. 438

GARTIUS. (80)
Yet and yet he sang more too, 439
from my mynde it may not start,
'
he sang also of a Deo
'

me thought that healed my hart ; 442

(81)
'
and that word '
terra he tamed, 443
therto I tooke good intent,
'
also may not be blamed,
'
and pax
for that song to this I assent. 446

PRIMUS PASTOR. (82)
No we pray we to hym with good intent, 447
and sing I will, and me unbrace,
that he will let us to be kent,
and to send us of his grace. 450

SECUNDUS PASTOR. (83)
Nowe sith I have all my will 451
for never in this world so well I was

sing we now, I red us, shrill
a mery song us to solace. 454

GARTIUS. (84)

Nowe sing on ! let us see ! 455
some songe I will assaie,
All men singes after me,
for musique of me learne you may. 458
(Tunc omnes pastores cum aliis adiuvantibus cantabunt hilare carmen. )

(85)
Now wend we forth to Bethlem, 459
that is best our song to be,
for to se the starre gleame,
the frute also of that mayden free. 462

PRIMUS PASTOR. (86)
nowe follow we the star that shines, 463
till we come to that holie stable ;

to bethelem bend we our lynes,
follow we it without any fable. 466

SECUNDUS PASTOR. (87)
Polio we we it that hyeth full fast, 467
such a frend loth were us to fayle ;
lanch on ! I will not be the last

upon Mary for to marveyle. (Tunc vadunt versus Bedlem.) 470

TERTIUS PASTOR. (88)

Stynt nowe !
goe no more steppes ! 471
for now the star begins to stand

here by ; that good bene our happes
we see this our savyour is found. (Et apparebit angels.) 474
by :

ANGELUS. (89)
Shepherdes, of this sight 475
be you not afright,
for this is godes might,
takes this in mynde ! 478
to Bedlem goe now right ; 479
there shall you se in sight
that Christ is borne to night
to kever all mankind. 482

GARTIUS. (90)

To Bedlem take we the waye, 483
for with you I thinke to wynde,
that prynce of peace for to pray
heaven to haue at our End. 486

(91)
and sing we all, I redd, 487
some myrth to his maiesty,
for certayne now see we it in deed :
the kinges sonne of heaven is he. 490
PRIMUS PASTOR. (92)

Sym, sim, securely 491
here I see Mary
and Ihesu Christ fast by,
lapped in hay. 494
SECUNDUS PASTOR.
Kneele we downe in hye, 495
and pray we hym of mercy,
and welcome hym worthelie,
that wo dose away. 498

TERTIUS PASTOR. (93)

Awaie all our woe is, 499
and many mans mo is.
Christ !
lord, let us kisse

thy Crach or the clothes ! 502

GARTIUS.

Solace now to see this 503
bildes in my breast blisse,
never after to doe amis
vthing that hym loth is. 506

PRIMUS PASTOR. (94)

what ever this olde man, that heare is, 507
take heede howe his head is hore,
his beard like a buske of breeres
a pownd of heare about his mouth and more. 510

SECUNDUS PASTOR. (95)

more is this marvaile to me no we, 511
for to nappe greatlie he nedes ;
hartles is he nowe,
for aye to his heeles his head is. 514

TERTIUS PASTOR. (96)

why ! with his beard though it be rough, 515
right well to her he heedes ;
worthy wight, wit wold we now :

will ye warne us, worthy in weedes ? 518

MARIA. (97)

Shepheardes, sothlie I see, 519
that my sonne you hither sent

through Gods might in maiesty,
that in me light, and here is lent ; 522

this man married was to me 523
for no sinne ner such assent,
but to keepe my virginity,
and truelie in non other intent. 526

JOSEPH. (98)
Good men, Moyses takes in mynd, 527
as he was made through God allmight,

ordayned lawes as to bynde,
which that we shold kepe of right, 530
man and woman for to bynde 531
lawfullie them both to light,
to fructifie, as men may finde ;
that tyme was wedded Everye wighte ; 534

(99)
therfore wedded to her I was, 535
as lawe wold, her for to leare,
for noyce nor sclaunder nor treaspas,
and thro that deed the Divill to dere, 538
as tould me Gabriell, full of grace ; 539
when I had trussed all my geare
to have fled and never to see her face,

by him was I arested there. 542

(100)
for he said to me sleeping, 543
that shee lackles was of sinne ;
and when I hard that tokening,
from her durst I no way twyn. 546
therfore goes ! prech forth this thinge, 547
all together and not in twyn,
that you haue seene your heavenlie King
comen all mankind to wyn. 550
PRIMUS PASTOR. (101)
Great god, sitting in thy trone, 551
that made all thinges of
nought

now we may thank thee each one :

here is he that we haue sought. 554

SECUNDUS PASTOR.

goe we neare, anon, 555
with such as we have brought :

King, brush, or precyous stone;
lets see whether we haue ought to proffer. 558

TERTIUS PASTOR. (102)

Let us doe hym homage ! 559

PRIMUS PASTOR.
who shall first goe? the page? 560

SECUNDUS PASTOR.
'

Naie, you be fathers of age,
therfore must you first offer. 562

PRIMUS PASTOR. (103)

Haile, King of heaven so hy, 563
borne in a Cribbe !

mankind unto thee
thou hast made all sibbe. 566

(104)

Haile, King borne in a maydens bowre ! 567
prophets did tell, thou shold be our succour

this clarkes doth saie. 570
Loe ! I bring thee a bell ; 571
I praie thee, save me from hell,
so that I may with thee dwell
and fare well for aye. 574

SECUNDUS PASTOR. (105)
Haile the, Emperour of hell, 575
and of heaven als !

the feend thou shalt fell,

that ever hath bene false. 578

(106)

hayle the, maker of the star, 579
that stood us beforne !

haile the, blessedfull barne !

I bring the a flackett ! 582

and thereat hanges a spone 583
to Eate thy potage withall, at none,
as I my selfe full oft hath done.
with hart I pray the : take it. 586

TERTIUS PASTOR. (107)

Haile, prynce withoutten peere, 587
that mankind shall releeve !

hayle the, foe unto Lucifer,

the which beguiled Eve. 590

(108)

hayle, graunter of happe ! 591
in earth now thou dwelles.

loe, sonne, I bring the a Capp,
for I haue nothing els. 594

(109)
this gifte I geue thie is but small ; 595
though I came hyndermost of all,
when thou shalt men to thy blisse call,
good lord, then thinke on mee. 598

GARTIUS. (110)
My deare, with Drury vnto thee I me dresse, 599
my flote on fellowship that I do not lose,
and to saue me from all ill sicknes,
I offer to thee a paire of my wyues olde hose ; 602
(111)
for other jewell, sonne, I haue none for to geue, 603
that is worth any thing at all,
but my good hart, whyle I lyue,
and my prayers till death do me call. 606
THE FIRST BOYE. (1) THE SECOND BOY. (4)
Now to you, my fellowes, this doe I Lord, I know that thou arte of this
say ; 1 virgine borne, 21
for in this place, before I wende away, in full poore araye sitting on her arme,
vnto yonder Child lett us goe pray, for to offer to thie I haue no skorne,
as our masters haue done vs before. 4 all though thou be but a Child. 24
THE SECOND BOYE. (5)
And of such goodw, as we haue here, 5 for Jewells haue I non to geue thie, 25
lett us offer to this prince so dere, to mainteyne thie royall durmtie ;
and to his mother, that mayden clere, but my hudd thou take it thie,
that of her boddy hasse him borne. 8 as thou art god and man. 28
IED BOY ' (6)
M
fess
saue onelv my ?

And I will goe neztto thordbg. 10
ellfa '"""= 82
_ were I in the rockis or in, 33
H HI ED
I could make this pipe

MiTI be
Then will the ilast? ofI'-
this ff
offnng

that all the wood , uld
this can I saye, no more. 12 and
quiverj as it 36
THE FIRST BOYE. THE FFOURTH BOYE. (7)
Now, lord, for to geue thie have I no c hild, all though thou be coinon
thing, 13 from god, 37
nother goulde, siluer, broch nor ring, an d be god, thie self, in thie manhood,
nor no rich robes meate for a king,
yet t I know that in thie childhood
that I haue here in store. 16 thou wilt for sweete meat looke, 40
(3) to pull downe peares,appells,and plomes,
but tho it lack a stoppell, 17 old Joseph shall not neede to hurt his
take thie here my well fayer botell, thombes,
for it will hold a good pottell ; because thou hast not plentie of cromes,
in faith, I can geue thie no more. 20 I geue thie here my nvtthocke. 44

PRIMUS PASTOR. (112)
nowe fare well, mother and may, 607
for of synne naught thou wottest,
thou hast brought forth this day
Gods sonne, which of might is most, 610

(113)
wherfore men shall saye : 611
'Blessed in Everye coast and place
be thou, memoriall for me and for us all,
so that we may from sinne fall
and stand ever in thy grace.
our lord, God be with thee !' 616

SECUNDUS PASTOR. (114)
brethren, let us all three 617
Singing walke homewardes,
vnkind will I never in no case be 619
but preach Ever that I can and crye,
as Gabryell taught by his grace me,

singing alway hethen will I. 622

TERTIUS PASTOR. (115)
Over the sea, and I may have grace, 623
I will gange and about goe now
to preach this in everye place ;
and sheepe will I kepe no more nowe. 626

GARTIUS. (116)
I red, we us agree 627
for our misdeedes amendes to make,
for so now will I,
to the childe whollie will I me betake 630
for ever, sickerlie.

shepheardes crafte here I forsake,
and to an Anker hereby
I will, in my prayers to wach and wake. 634

PRIMUS PASTOR. (117)
and I am hermyt 635
to praise god to paye,
to walke by stye and by street,
in wyldernes to walke for aye ; 638
and I shall no man meete,
but for my lyving I will hym pray,
bare-f oted on my feete ;

and thus will I live Ever and aye. 642

(118)
for aye euer onys 643
this worlde I fullie refuce

my misse for to amend with mones,
turne to thie fellowes and kis ! 646

(119)
I yeald, for in my youth 647
we haue bene fellowes, I wis,
therfore lend me your mouth,
and frendly let us kisse ! 650

SECUNDUS PASTOR.
from London to Louth, 651
such an other shepherd I wot not where is,
both fremd and cowth.
god geue you all his blisse ! 654

TERTIUS PASTOR. (120)
To that blisse bring us, 655
great god, if it thy will be
amend all thinges that be amisse !
good men, now fares well yee ! 658

GARTIUS. (121)
well for to fare, each frend, 659

god of his might graunt you !

for here no we we make an Ende.
fare well ! for we from you goe no we. 662

Play VIII — The Adoration of the Magi

The Vintners

Finis paginae septimae.

Pagina Octava de Tribus Regibus Orientalibus.
The Vintners.

PRIMUS REX. (1)

Mighty God in maiestye, 1

that ruled the people of Iudye,
when thou on man wilt haue mercy,
and his synnes forbye, 4

Send some tokeninge, Lord, to me, 5
that ylke starre that we maye see,
that Balaam said shold rise and be
in his prophesie. 8

(2)

For well I wot, forsooth, I wiss, 9
that his prophesie sooth is.
A star shold rise, betokening blisse,
when Gods sonne is borne. 12

Therfore these Lordes and I in feare 13
in this mount make our prayer

devoutly once in the yeare,
for therto we bene sworne ; 16

SECUNDUS REX. (3)
yea, we that be of Balaams bloud, 17
that prophesied of that sweet foode
when Balaak, that king so wood,
to curse wold he haue made 20
Godes people of Israell. 21
but power fayled hym euery deale,
to prophesie mankindes heale
that tyme hap he had. 24

(4)

Therfore we kinges of his kinde, 25
I red, we take his wordes in mynde,

grace to hym if we may finde
that Gods sonne shall be ; 28
And goe we pray, both one and all, 29
into the mount Victoriall.

paraduenture such grace may fall
that starre that we may see. 32
TERTIUS REX. (5)

Syr, sickerly you reed on right ; 33
vnto that hill I wil me dight
and there besech God almight
on vs for to haue mynde, 36
And of that starre to haue some sight. 37
worship we all that sweete wight
that Balaam to vs behight,
that shall forby mankinde. 40

(6)

Say, fellowes, take this courser, 41
and abyde me right here,
goe we Sirs to our prayer,
I red nowe in good faye. 44

I haue done this many a yeare, 45
and my Ancetours that before me were.
highe God, prince of power,
thou comfort vs to daye (Descendant et ibunt ad montem.)
! 48

PRIMUS REXE. (7)

Lord, what tyme is thy will 49
Balaams prophesie to fulfill,
geve thou vs grace, both lowd and still,
and by some signe vs showe ! 52
SECUNDUS REX.

yea, Lord, though we be vn worthy, 53
on thy men thou haue mercy,
and of thy byrth thou certifie
here to thy kinges three ! 56

TERCIUS REX. (8)
Lord God, Leader of Israell, 57
that dye wold for mankindes heale,
thou come to us and not conceale
but be our Counsayler ! 60

PRIMUS REX.
Of all this world thou art the weale 61
thou shalt be called Emanuell ;
deeme thee, Lord, with vs to deale,
and graunt vs our prayer !
(Tunc stella apparet.) 64

(9)

A, Sir Eoy, si vous plaist,
Gardez sus svr voutre test ! 66

SECUNDUS REX.
vne essteile issi est
Que sur vous repleist. 68

TERCIUS REX. (10)
A loys soyt luy vne semblant 69
de vne virgin portant,
Comm le semble de vne Infant
embrace apportement. 72

PRIMUS REX. (11)
Ah Lord, blessed moost thou bee 73
that on thy people hast pitye ;

witterly now witten we
that wrought is our askinge. 76

SECUNDUS REX.
That our prayer hard has he, 77
I leeve full well by my Lewty ;
for in the starre a chylde I see,

and very tokeninge. 80

TERTIUS REX. (12)

Lordes, I red we hithen hye ; 81
for I dare say and nothing lye :

fulfilled is Balaams prophesie,

by this we may well knowe. (Et surgit.) 84

PRIMUS REX.

yea, lest this be some phantasie 85
yet pray we all especially,
for if he be borne verely

more signes he will vs showe. 88
(Tunc Reges iterum genua flectunt, et Angelus Stellam portans dicat. )

ANGELUS. (13)
A ! rise vp ye kinges three, 89
and comes auone after me
into the land of Iudy,
as fast as you may hye ! 92

the chylde you seche, there shall you see, 93
borne all of a mayden free,
that kinge of heauen and earth shall be,
and all mankind forbye.

PRIMUS REX. (14)
Lordes, hye we heathen anone ! 97

now we bene bidden thider gone,
I will never abyde, by my bone,
till I at hym be. (etsurgit.) 100

SECUNDUS REX.

yea, Sirs, I red vs every one, 101
Dromodaryes to ride vpon,
for swifter beastes be there none ;
one I haue, you shall see.

TERTIUS REX. (15)

A Dromodary in good faye 105
will goe lightly on his way
a hundreth myles vpon a day,
such Corsers now take we ! 108

PRIMUS REX.

Lordes, and I leeve well may 109
that chylde wold shorten well our way
that bringen present's to his pay,
and moost is of degree. 112
(Descendunt et circumamblant bis et tunc ad Equos. )
(16)

Alas, where is this Star I-went ? 113
our light from vs away is glent.
now wot I not where we be lent,
nor whitherward lyes our way. 116

SECUNDUS REX.
Pray we to god with good intent, 117

to whom we bringe our present,
lie will neuer suffer vs to be shent, }

that dare I boldly saye. 120

TERTIUS REX. (17)
Hit is good that we en quyre 121
if any the way can vs leere.
say, Belamy, that rides heere,
tell vs some tydinge ! 124

EXPLORATER.

Sir, tell me what your will weare ! 125

PRIMUS REX.
Can thou say ought what place or wheare
a childe is borne that crowne shall bearc,
and of Iewes be the kinge ? 128

SECUNDUS REX. (18)
We saw this star shy ne veray 129
in the East in noble aray,
therfore we comen now this way
to worship hyin with wynn. 132

EXPLORATOR.
Hold your peace, Sirs, I you pray; 133
for if king Herod hard you so say,
he wold goe wood, by my faye,
and fly out of his skin. 136

TERTIUS REX. (19)
And sith a king is so neere, 137
goe we to hym in all manere.

EXPLORATOR.
You may well see, he wonnes here,
a palace in to dwell. 140

But may he wot, withouten were, 141
that any is borne of more power,

you bringe your selues in great danger
such thinges for to tell. (Nuntius ad Herodem.) 144

PRIMUS REX. (20)

Sir Roy, Reall et Reuerent, 145
Deu vou s gard, Omnipotent !

SECUNDUS REX.

Nos sumus venues Coynopent,
novelles de enquier. 148

HERODES.

Bene soys venues, Roys gent ! 149
me dites tot vesture intent !

TERTIUS REX.

Infant queramus de graund parent,
et Roy de Caelli et Terrae. 152

HERODE. (21)

Sirs, aduise you what you sayne : 153
suche tidinges makes my hart vnfaync.
I red you, take those wordes again e
for feare of vyllanie. 156

There is none so great that me dare gaine, 157
to take my Realme and to Attayne

my power but he shall haue payne .

and be ponished apertlye. 160

(22)

I king of kinges, none so keene, 161
I soveraigne Syre, as well is seene,
I Tyrant, that may both take and teene

Castle, tower, and towne, 164

I weilde this world withouten wene, 165
I beat all those vnbuxon beene,
I dryue the Devills all by deene

deepe in hell a-downe. 168

(23)

For I am king of all mankinde, 169
I byd, I beat, I loose, I bynde,
I maister the Moone ; take this in mynde
that I am most of mighte. 172

(24)

I am the greatest aboue degree, 173
that is or was or euer shall be.
the Sonne it dare not shyne on me
if I byd hym goe downe ; 176

No rayne to fall shall none be free, 177
nor no Lord haue that Liberty
that dare abide, and I bid flee,
but I shall cracke his Crowne ; 180

(25)

Nor far nor neere that doth me noye ; 181
who wrathes me I shall destroy ;
for euery freake I dare defie
that nill me pay ne plaise 184

But you be bayne, I shall you beate ; 185

there is no man for you shall treate ;
all for wrath see how I sweate.
my hart is not at ease.
(26)
For all men may witte and see, (Baculum.) 189

both he and you all three,
that I am king of Galaly,
whatsoeuer he saith or dose. 192

what the Deuill shold this be ! 193
(Gladius.)
a boy, a groome of Low degree
shold raigne aboue my Roialtie
and make me but a goose !
(Iace Gladium.) 196

(27)
'

That ringes and raignes so royallye, 197
all grace and goodnes I have to geue,

there is no prince but he shall plye
to doe my hartes ease. (Baculum et toga alia.) 200

But now you may both heare and see 201
that reconed I have vp my royalty,
I red you all be ruled by me,
and found me for to please. 204
PRIMUS REX. (28)
Vidimus Stellam eius in Oriente et venimus cum muneribus adoratum eum.
Sir, we se the Starre appeare
Matth. II. 2. 205
in the East, withouten weere,
in a marvelous mannere,

together as we can pray. 208
SECUNDUS REX.

We se neuer none so cleare, 209
by it the way we cold leare ;
but when we came to your Land heere
then vanished it away. 212

TERTIUS REX. (29)
By prophesies well wotten we, 213
that a Childe borne sholde bee
to rule the people of Iudy,
as was said many a yeare. 216
HERODE.
That is false, by my Lewtie ! 217
for in manger of you all three
this realme moves all of me.
other kinges shall none be here. 220

(30)
But sith you speake of prophesie, 221
I will wit an one in hye ;
whether you saie sooth or lye,
my Clarke soone shall see. 224
Sir Doctor, that art cheife of Cleargie, 225
looke vp thy Bookes of prophesie
of Daniell, david, and Esay,
and what thou sees, say thou me. 228

(31)
These kinges be comen a far way 229
to seeke a chylde, I hard them say,
that shold be borne in this Contrey

my kingdome to destroye. 232
Seeke each leafe, I thee pray, 233
and what thou findes in good fay
tell no we here, for I dare lay

that all these Lordes lye. 236
DOCTOR. (32)

Naie, my Lord, be you bould ; 237
I trow no prophet before wold
write anye thinge your harte to could
or your right to deny. 240

But sith your Grace at this tyme wold 241
that I the prophetes declare should,
of Christz's coming as they haue tould,
the truth to certitie, 244

(33)
I beseach your Roiall Maiestie 245
with patience of your benignitie
to heare the truth and pardon mo,
their sayinges to declare. 248
HERODE.

Nay, my true clarke, that will not I 249
debate with thee, therfore in hye
looke well on euery prophesie,
for nothing that thou spare. 252

(34)
But search the truth of Esay, 253
Ezechiell, Abdias, navm and lereiny,
Micheas and abdies and Zachary,
of Christ what they doe say. 256
Looke also on Malachi, 257
Aggeus, Ozeas, and Sophony,
loell, Amas, and Abacuck in hye ;

looke noone be lefte away ! 260
DOCTOR. (35)
Non auferetur Sceptrum de Iuda et Dux de femore eius, donec veniet
qui mittendus est, et erit ipse expectatio Gentium. Gen. 49.
The holye Scripture maketh declaracon 261
by patriarches and prophetis of Christes Natyuity,
when Iacob proffessyed by playne demonstration, 263
said the Realme of Iuda and eke the Regalitie
from that Generation shold neuer taken be,
till he were comen which most mighty is,
sent from the father, king of Heaven blisse. 267

(36)
And now fulfilled is Iacobs prophesie, 268
for kinge Herode that is now raigning,
is no Iew borne ne of that Progenie 270
but a stranger, by the Romans made their kinge ;
and the Iewes knowe none of their bloud descending
by succession to clayme the Scepter and regallitie,
wherfore Christ now is borne, our king and Messy. 274
HERODE. (37)
That is false, by Mahound full of might ! 275
that olde villard Iacob, all doted for age,
shall withhold by no prophesie the title and right 277
of Romans hie conquest which to me in heritage
is fallen for ever, as a prince of highe parage.
if any other king or Messy intend if for to wyn,
his head from his body with this sharpe swoard I shall twyn. 281
DOCTOR. (38)
Cum venerit Sancta Sanctorum cessabet vnctio vestra. Danielis 9.

Danyel, fulfilled with heauenly grace, 282
prophesied before by dyuine inspiration
that when he was comen which of all holy was, 284
the most holyest, in earth to take his habytacon,
in the womb of a virgin, and by his blessed incarnation
out of Satans band to delyuer all mankind,
whom sinne original pitiously did bynde : 288

(39)
Then both vnctions, sacrafices, and rites Ceremoniall 289
of the old Testament, with legall obseruacon
shall vtterly cease and take ther end finall 291
through Christes coming, which for mans Saluacon

a new testament shall ordayne by dynine operacon,

offring hym selfe in sacrifice for mankindes offence,
which from heauen was exiled through his greate negligence. 295

HERODE. (40)

Fye on that dreame, reader! such dotards never shall, 296
ne no sleeping slogard, make my right title cease ;
but I shall knightly keepe yt, whatsocuer befall, 298
against that yong gedling ; and if he once doe prease
this kingdome to clay me or put me to distresse,
his head of shall I hew ; yet looke if thou finde there
where this boy is borne, for whom these kinges enquire. 302

DOCTOR. (41)
Et tu Bethleem, Iuda quidem terra, nequaquam minima es in principibus
Iuda ; ex te enim exiet Dux, qui reget populum meum Israell. Mich.
5 et Math. 2.

Micheas, enflamed with ghostly inspiracon, 303
prophesied that Bethlem shold a prince furth bring ;
Ruler of Gods people and of the Iewes nation, 305
shold he be borne of Israel to be kinge.
Also Esay and Ieremye, full vertuous of lyving,
with many other moe, fulfilled with grase,
of Christes coming prophesied, whyle their lyving was. 309

DOCTOR. (42)
Ambulabunt gentes in lumine tuo, et Reges in splendore Ortus tui. Esay 60.

Esay, vnto whom the spirite of prophesie 310
was singularly geuen through the holy ghost,
in his tyme prophesied that kinges, witterly, 312
and folkes of strange nations from many a sondry coast,
that princes birth to magnifie of might is most,

shold walke in great light, and brightnes shold appeare,
as did vnto these kinges in a bright Starre shyning cleare. 316

HERODE (cum gladio). (43)
Effundam super parvulum furorem meum et super Concilium iuvenum,
disperdam parvulos de foris, et iuvenes in plateis morientur gladio meo.
Ierem. vi. 11 and ix. 21 (I Machab. ii. 9?)

Alas ! what presumption shold move that peevish page, 317
or any eluish gedling to take from me my crowne ?
but by Mahound ! that boy for all his great outrage 319
shall dye vnder my hand, that Elfe and vile Cougeown !

and all his partakers I shall slay and beat downe,
and both of hym and his finall destruccon make.
such vengeans and eke cruelty on them all will I take, 323

(44)
That none such a slaughter was seene or hard beforne, 324
sith Athalia here raigned, that fell and furious Queene,

Which made slaie all men children that of kinges blood were borne,
when her sonne was dead. So to wreake my teene, 327
I shall hewe that yonge harlot with my bright brand so kene,
into peeces small ; yet looke and search againe
if theis kinges shall hym finde and his presence attayne. 330

DOCTOR. (45)
Reges Tharsis et Insula munera offerent, Reges arabum et
Saba Dona adducent. Psal. 71.

Dauid, of all prophettis called most prepotent, 331
prophesied that kinges from Tharsis and Araby
with misticall giftes shall come and present 333
that Lord, that Kinge and highe Messie,
of Abrahams seed descended lyneally :

which kinges with great treasure here in presence,
to seeke hym as a Soveraigne, and laud his magnificence ! 337

(46)
Lord, by prophesie is proved you beforne 338
that in Bethlem shall be borne
a chylde to saue that was forlorne,
and rule all Israell. 341

HERODE. (47)
By Cockes soule ! thou art forsworne. 342

haue done, these bookes were all to torne ;
for he shall be no kinge in crowne
but I fully in my weale. 345

And mauger Dauid, that Shephard with his Sling, 346
Esay, Ieremy with all their offspring,
here getis non other Messy nor Kinge
from my right title to expell. 349

(48)
What a deuil ! is this to saye, 350
that I shold be disproued and put away
sith my right is so veray,
for a Boyes boast ? 353
This Realme is myne and shalbe aye, 354
manfully to maynteyne it while that I may,
though he bring with hym to day
the Deuil and all his hoaste. (Iacet Gladium.) 357

(49)
But goes ye furth, ye Kinges three, 358
and enquyrs if it so be,
but algates comes againe by me,
for you I thinke to feede. 361
And if he be of such degree, 362
hym will I honor as done yee,
As falls for his dignitye
in word, thought, and deede. 365

PRIMUS REX. (50)
Beleave, Sir, and haue good day 366
till we come againe this way.

SECUNDUS REX.

Sir, as sone as euer we may,
and as we seene, so shall we say. 369

TERTIUS REX.

And of his riches and his aray, 370
from you we shall not layne.

HERODE.

Fare well, Lordes, in good fay !

and hye you fast againe. 373
(puer et nefrens, cum reges discescerunt. )
(51)

Out alas ! what the Deuil is this ? 374
for shame almost I fare amisse,
for was I neuer so woe, I wis,
for wrath I am nere wood. 377

For euery man may say well this 378
that I maynteyne my Realme amisse,
to let a boy inherit my blisse
that never was of my blood. 381

(52)

But yet the lesse it greeues me (Baculum.) 382
that I let goe thes kinges three ;
for I shall knowe no we which is he,
when they come againe. 385

Then will they tell in what Contrey 386
that this boy borne is he,
then shall be taken both he and they,
and that will make me fayne. 389

(53)
By cockes soule ! come they againe, 390
all three traytors shall be slayne,
and that ilke swedling swayne
I shall swap of his head. 393

Gods grace shall them neuer gaine, 394
nor no prophesie saue them from payne ;
that rocked Ribald, and I may raigne,

rufully shalbe his reade ! 397

(54)

By Mahound, full of mightes ! 398
to morrow will I send after my knightes
to rule my Realme and my rightes
against this boyes boaste. 401

And raise the Countray, on euery side, 402
all that euer may goe or ride,
so shall this boy loose his pride
for all his great host. 405

(55)

This bost dothe me so great anoy 406
that I wax dull and pure drye ;
haue done and fill the wyne in hye !

I dye but I haue drinke. 409

Fill fast and let the cuppes flye, 410
and goe we hethen hastely,
for I must ordayne Quintely

against theis Kinges Cominge. 413

Play IX — The Magi's Oblation

The Mercers

finis paginae Octavae.

pagina Nona de oblatione Trium Regum.
The Mercers.
Et apertis Thesauris obtulerunt munera, Aurum, Thus, et Mirrham. Math. 2.

PRIMUS REX. (1)
Matth.ii.2.

Mightie God and most of mayne, 1

to honour thee we may be fayne.
the Star, I see, is comen againe
that was out of our sighte. 4

SECUNDUS REX.

Thy Lordship to us thou ne layne, 5
that for mankinde wold suffer payne !

thou sende vs grace if thou be gaine
to come to thee to nighte. 8

TERTIUS REX. (2)
Ah ! Lord, honoured be thou aye ! 9
for now we shall know well the way.
I will follow it, in good faye,

my forward to fulfill. 12

PRIMUS REX.
I hope, without dread, to-day 13
to se that Childe and his Aray,
but me thinkes, Lordes, by my fay,
the Star it standeth still. 16

SECUNDUS REX. (3)
That is a signe we be neare, 17
but high hall se I none heare,
to a childe of such power
this howsing standeth Lowe. 20

TERTIUS REX.
Now well I wot, withoutten were, 21
without pride he will appeare,
to make men meeke in such manere,
an example vs to showe. 24

PRIMUS REX. (4)

The Star yonder over the Stable is ; 25
I wot we be not gone amisse,
for it hath stirred euer or this,
and now there it is glent. 28

SECUNDUS REX.
I wot he wonnes here, I-wisse, 29
and this simple house is his.
ordayne we nowe that Kinge of Blisse
apertly our present ! 32

TERTIUS REX. (5)
What present best will for him fall, 33
cast we here betwixt vs all ;

for though he lye in an oxe-stall
his might is never the lesse. 36

PRIMUS REX.

Kinge of Iewes we shall hym call ; 37
therfore of me haue he shall,
that am his Subiect and his thrall,

gould, ere I passe. 40

(6)

For in our Land is the manere 41
to approach no Kinge neere
but dayntie giftes rich and deare
after his dignity e. 44
And for a Kinge gould cleane and cleare 45
is most commendable, therfore now here,
[to releeue him in this manere]
he shall haue that of me. 48

(7)
Also it seemes by this place 49
that litle treasure his mother hase,
therfore to helpe her in this case

gould shall be my present. 52

SECUNDUS REX.
And I will offer through Gods grace 53
Incense, that noble savour mase ;
stench of the Stable it shall wast,
there as they be lent. 56

TERTIUS REX. (8)

And Myrre is best myne offring to be, 57
to annoynt hym, as thinkes me,
the Childes members, head, and knee,
And other Lymmes all. 60

Thus shall we honour hym all three 61
with thinges that falles for his degree,
touchinge manhoode and Deitye,
theis guiftes will well befall. 64

PRIMUS REX. (9)

You say well, Lordes, witterly, 65
as touching gould proue may I :

it shold be geuen hym duely
bycause of temporaltye. 68

Sith he shall be King most mightie, 69
trybute he must haue truly,
and gould, therfore, witterly,
is best, as thinkes me. 72

SECUNDUS REX. (10)

And sith he hath in hym Godhead, 73
me thinkes best, as eate I bread,
Incense to geue hym through my red
in name of Sacrifice. 76

For that may no way be lead, 77
sith he of holy Church is head ;
more due guiftes, if I shold be dead,
I can not deuise. 80

TERTIUS REX. (11)
You saie full well, you Sirrs twoo, 81
and Myrre is good, me thinkes, also,
sith he for man will suffer woe,
and dye on Roode-tree ; 84

Myrre that puttes synne hym froe 85
and saves man from roting woe,
for it is best to balme hym tho,
that shall he haue of me. 88
PRIMUS REX. (12)

By these guiftes three of good Aray 89
three thinges vnderstand I may :
A Kinges power, sooth to say,
by gould here in my hand. 92
And for his Godhead lasteth aye, 93
Incense we must geue hym to-day,
and bodylie death also, in good fay,
by Myrre I vnderstand. 96
SECUNDUS REX. (13)
Gould Loue also may Signifie, 97
for yt men geuen not comonly,
but there they Louen hartfully,
this Childe as we done all. 100
And Incense tokeneth, Leeue I, 101
Orisons and prayers done devoutly ;

Myrre death that man hath bodylie,
and all these hym shall fall. 104

TERTIUS REX. (14)

By gould, that we to bringe are bowne, 105
that richest mettall of Renowne,

skilfully vnderstand we mon
most precyous Godhead. 108
And Incense may well be said 109
a roote of great devotion,
by Myrre, that waues Corruption,
cleane flesh, both quicke and dead. 112

(15)
And sickerly, this knowne we, 113
he wantes none of these three, ,

for full godhead in hym hase he,
as gould may signifie. 116
And Soule deuout in hym must be 117
to come out of the Trynitye,
and cleane flesh we hopen to see
in hym full hastelye. 120

PRIMUS REX. (16)
Now we haue proued it here, 121
these guiftes to hym be most dere,

goe we furth in good manere
and make we our present ! 124

SECUNDUS REX.

The Star it shynes fayre and cleare 125
over his Stable aye entyre.
here is his wonninge, withouten were,
And herein he is Lent. 128

TERTIUS REX. (17)
A fayre mayden, Sirres, yonder I see, 129
an olde man sittinge at her knee,
a childe also, as thinkes me,
three persons ther-in arne. 132

PRIMUS REX.
I saie in certayne : this is he 133
that we haue sought from our Countrey ;
therfore now with all honesty
honour will I that Barne. (Tunc aperiet Sciathum cum Auro.) 136

PRIMUS REX. (18)
Haile be thou, Lord Christ and Messye 137
that from God art come kindlye
mankind of bale for to forbye
and into blisse bringe. 140

We knowe well by prophesie 141
of Moses, David, and Esay,
and Balaam of our Auncetry :

of Iewes thou shalt be Kinge. 144

(19)

Therfore, as falleth for thy Crowne, 145
gould I haue here ready bowne
to honour the with great renowne
after thy Royaltye. 148

Take, Lord, here my Intention, 149
that I doe with devotion,
and geue me here thy Benison,
ere that I goe from thee ! 152

SECUNDUS REX. (20)
Haile be thou, Christ Emanuell, 153
thou comen are for mans heale
and for to wyn againe that wayle,
that Adam put away. 156

Prophetis of thee euery one fayle, 157
both Esay and Ezechiell,
and Abraham might not conceale
the sooth of thee to saye. 160

(21)

Busshop, I wot, thou must be ; 161
therfore now, as thinkes me,
Incence will fall best for thee,
and that now here I bringe. 164
In tokening of thy dignitie 165
and that office of Spiritualty,
receaue, Lord, here at me
deuoutly myne offring. 168

TERTIUS REX. (22)
Haile Conquerour of all mankinde ! 169
to doe mercy thou hast mynde
the Deuills band to vnbynde
and releeve all thyne. 172
A full fayre way thou can finde, 173
to haunce vs and put hym behynde,

through thy passion to vnbynde
thy people that be in pyne. 176

(23)
For thou shalt mend vs throughe thy might, 177
dye and rise the third night,
to recover againe our right,
and breake the Deuills band, 180
Mirre to thee here haue I dighte, 181
to balme thy bodye fayre and bright,
receaue my present, sweete wight,
and blesse me with thy hand ! 184
MARIA. (24)

You, royal Kinges in rich Aray, 185
the high father of heauen I pray
to yeald you your good deed to-day,
for his mickle might, 188
And geue you will, now and alway, 189
to yearne the life that lasteth aye,
and never to fall out of the fay
that in your hartes is pighte. 192

(25)
And leaves, Lordes, without were, 193
that to my sonne you shall be dere,
that hym to-day hath honoured here
and me also for his sake. 196

when the tyme is come entyre, 197
to prove his strength and his power,
to hym you shall be leefe and deere,
that dare I vndertake. 200

IOSEPH. (26)

You Kinges all, comly of kinde, 201
full faithfully you shall it finde :

this Menske that God will haue in mynde,

and quite you well your meede. 204

And leeves well, of no mans strynde 205
is he not gotten by leefe of lynde ;
that so beleeven, are full blynde,
for I knowe it in deede. 208

(27)

This maide was betaken me, 209
when I had lost my Iolytie
and fayled might and posty
Synne for to Assay. 212
But for God wold in chastity 213
that we shold together be,

keper of her virginitie
I haue been many a day. 216

(28)

Therfore I wot forsooth, I-wis, 217
cleane mayden that she is
and with man did never amisse,
and therof be you bolde. 220
But of the holy Ghost this is, 221
for to bringe mankinde to blisse,
and this chylde is very his,
so Gabriel me toulde. 224

ANGELUS. (29)
I warne you, comly Kinges three, 225
my Lord wold not you spilled be,
therfore he send you word by me
to turne an other way. 228

Herods fellowship you shall flee, 229
for your harme ordaynt has he.
therfore gose not through his Countrey,
ne the gate you come to-day. 232

PRIMUS REX. (30)

Ah ! high Lord, that we honour heere, 233
that warnes vs in this Manere !

ells had we wend, without weere,
to hym that wold vs spill. 236

SECUNDUS REX.

yea, Lord, as thou can vs lere, 237
we will doe to our power.

TERTIUS REX.

Goe we heathen all in feare
And his bidding fulfill ! 240

PRIMUS REX. (31)

farewell, Sir Iasper, brother, to you, 241

King of Tharsis most worthy !

farewell, Sir Balthasar, to you I bow,
I thanke you of your company. 244

(32)

He that made vs meete on playne 245
and offer to Mary in her Iesaine,
send vs safe and sound againe
to the Land that we came froe ! 248

SECUNDUS REX. (33)

you kinges, I saie you verament : 249
sith God of his grace vs hither sent,
we will doe his Comaundment
whatsoeuer befall. 252

Therfore stand we not in doubte 253
for to walke our Landes aboute,
and of his byrth that we may moote,
both to great and small. 256

TERTIUS REX. (34)
Farewel Sir Kinges, both in feere, 257
I thank you both of your good cheare,
but yet my wit is in a weere,
lest Herod make vs some trayne. 260
He that shope both sea and sand, 261
send us safe into our Land !

Kinges two geue me your hand,
farewell and haue good daye ! 264

Play X — The Slaying of the Innocents

The Goldsmiths

finis paginae none.

Pagina decima de occisione innocentum ex Herodis
tiranica persuasione.

The Gouldsmiths.
HERODE. (1)

Princes, prelates of pryce, 1

barons in blamner and bisse,
beware of me all that be wise,
that weldes all at my will. 4
tunc herodes, ubi vidit sibi illusum fuisse a magis, indignatus est vehe-
menter, et missis Satillitibus interfecit omnes pueros. Math. 2.
Matth. ii. 16.

Say no man any thinge is his, 5
but onely at my devyce,
for all this world under me lyes
to spare and eke to spill. 8

(2)

My subiectes all that here be set, 9

Barons, burgeis, and baronet,
bees bane to me, or you is let,
and at my biddinge be ! 12

For leeves all this, without let, 13
that I will doe as I haue het :
mar that misbegotten marmoset,
that thinkes to mar me. 16

(3)

And those false traytors that me beheight 17
to haue come againe this same night,

by an other way have taken their flight ;

this way durst they not take. 20
Therfore that boy, by God almight ! 21
shall be slayne soone in your sight,

and, though it be againe the right,
a thousand for his sake. 24

(4)
Alas ! what purpose had that page, 25
that is so yonge and tender of age,
that wold bereave my heritage,
that am so mickle of might ? 28
Forsooth that shrew was wondrous sage, 29
againe me any war to wage ;
that rocked ribald for all his rage
shall not reaue me my right ! 32

(5)
But sith it may none other be, 33
that these kinges are gone from me,
and that shrew wold haue my Soueraigntie,
I thinke to put hym againe. 36

All the knaves children in this Countrey 37
shall by his gilt, so mot I thee,

bycause I knowe not which is he,
all for his sake shall be slayne. 40

(6)
How ! petty prat my Messinger, 41
come hither to me, withouten were,
for thou must goe with hasty beere
into Iudy this day, 44

After my doughty and comely knightes, 45
and byd them hye with all their mightes,
and that they let for no feightes.
bringe them without delaye ! 48
PRECO. (7)

Yes, my lord of great renowne, 49
to doe your hestes I am bowne,

lightly to leape ouer dale or downe
and speede if I were there. 52

Farewell, my lord in maiesty,
for on my journey I will hye me. 54
HERODE.
Now mightie Mahound be with thee,
and euer to dwell in feare ! 56

PRECO. (8)
How ! awake out of your sleepe ! 57
Sir Grimbalde and Sir Launcher depe,
and to me you take good keepe,
for hither I am send. 60

My Lord, kinge herod, begins to swone, 61
for a shrew wold haue his crowne,
and thus bereaue hym of his renowne,
and sone wold have hym shend. 64

PRIMUS MILES. (9)

welcome, messinger, that art so gent ! 65
these tydinges which my Lord hath sent,

they be welcome verament ;
with the now will I wend. 68

SECUNDUS MILES.

Messinger, I will, in good fay, 69
wend with you, this ilke day,
to heare what my lord will say,
of this matter to make an ende. 72

PRECO. (10)
Haile ! comly kinge, sitting in see, 73
here bene thy knightes comen to the,
that be men of greate degree,
to heare of your talent. 76

HEROD.

Messinger, for thy good deede, 77
right well shall I quite thy meede ;
haue here of me, to do thee speede,
right a gay garment. 80

PRECO. (11)
Graund mercy, Lord Regent ! 81
well am I pleased to myne intent ;

mighty Mahound that I haue ment,
kepe you in this stidd ! 84

PRIMUS MILES. (12)
Sir Launcher depe, what say ye ?
this is the fayrest kinge that euer I see ! 86

SECUNDUS MILES. (13)
This day under the sonne shininge
is there none so semely a kinge. 88

PRIMUS MILES. (14)

Haile ! comly kinge, crowned in gould, 89
ech king and kesar kennes not your bet ;
if any were that with your worship fight wold,
such strokes for your sake full sore shall be set. 92

SECUNDUS MILES. (15)

If we hym may take or get, 93
the Deuill ought hym debte,
and so he shall be quit,
such Mastrees for to make. 96

HERODE. (16)

Welcome, our knightes, that bene so gent, 97
now will we tell you our intent,
what is the Cause we for you sent
so sone and hastely : 100

Yesterday to this Citye 101
when we were in our roialty,
there came to us kinges three
and told us their entent, 104

(17)

To seeke a childe that borne shold be, 105
that was said by prophesie,
that shold be king of Iudy
and many an other land. 108
We gaue them leaue to search and see, 109
and come againe to this Citye,
and if he were of such degree
we wold not hym withstand. 112

(18)
But and they had comen againe, 113
all three traytors shold haue bene slayne,

and also that Lither swayne,
and all for his sake. 116
Out ! alas ! what may this be ? 117
for I knowe not which is he ;
therfore all knaves childer in this Countrey,
on them shall fall the wreake. 120

(19)
For we knowe not that Childe well, 121
thoughe we therfore sholde goe to hell,
all the Childer of Israell

we deeme them to be slayne.
Counsellor, what is thy redd ? 125

DOCTOR.
Deeme them, lord, for to be dead, 126
for that is best, as eate I bread,
to catch that lither swayne. 128

(20)
Comaund your knightes anone in hye 129
to goe to the land of Galelye
and into the land of Iudy,
to slay all that they may finde. 132

HERODE.
That was well said, my Counsellor ! 133
but yet I burne as doth the fyre,
what for wroth, what for ire,
till this be brought to ende. 136

(21)
Therfore my knightes, good and keene, 137
hase done ! be lyve ! goe ! wreke my teene !
goe ! slay that shrew ! let it be sene,
and you be men of Mayne ! 140

Preeues manfully what they bene, 141
that none away from you fleene !

dryve downe the dyrty arses, all by deene,
and sone that they were slayne ! 144

(22)

So shall I keepe that vyle Couioyne, 145
that thus wold reeue me of my crowne.

therfore, my bachlors, make you bowne,
and found to save my righte ! 148

You must hy you out of this towne 149
to Bedlem, as fast as you mone,
all knaves Children, by my Crowne !

you must slay this nighte. 152

PRIMUS MILES. (23)

Alas ! lord and kinge of Blisse, 153
send you after us for this ?
a vyllany it were, I-wisse,
for my fellow and me, 156

to slay a shitten-arsed shrew ; 157
a lad might his head of hew,
for ribbotis are not in this rowe,

but knightes of good degree. 160

SECUNDUS MILES. (24)

My leefe lord of great renowne, 161
we shall wreake you if we mone,
whether he be knight or Champion,
stiffer then euer Sampson was ; 164

Sickerly I shall dryue them downe, 165
but for to kill such a Couioyne
me shames sore, by St. Mahowne !

to goe in any place. 168

HERODE. (25)
Nay, nay, it is nother one or twoo 169
that you shall slay, as mot I goe,
but a thowsand and yet moe ;
takes this in your mynde ! 172

Bycause I know not which that shrew is, 173
therfore, lest you of hym misse,

you must slay forsooth, I-wisse,
all that you may finde. 176

(26)
You shall walke far and neere, 177
into Bedlem, spare for no beere
all knaues children within two yere

and one day owld. 180

Slay them downe, both one and all ! 181
so shall you meete with that stall,
that wold my kingdome clayme and call,
and my welth also welde. 184

PRIMUS MILES. (27)
Hit shall be done, Lord, in hye ; 185
shall none be lefte witterly.
we shall goe search by and by
in Bedlem all aboute, 188
And wreake your teene full tenderly, 189
leaue none unslayne sickerly,
so shall we sone that shrew destroy
and keepe hym in the Route. (tunc ibunt milites simull.) 192

(28)

Rewkes, rich you to aray, 193
to Bedlem that borough I am bowne,
with this speare I thinke to assay,
to kill many a small couioune. 196

If any blabb-lipped boyes be in my way, 197
they shall rue it, by mightie mahowne !

though all the world wold say naye,
I, my selfe, shall ding them all downe. 200

(29)

If you will wot what I height, 201

my name is Sir Waradrake, the knight,
against me dare no man feight,
my dentes they so dreede. 204

(30)

But fayne wold I fight my fill, 205
as fayne as fawcon wold flye,

My lord to wreake at his will,
and make those dogges for to dye ; 208

These Cougeons in their clowtes I will kill, 209
and stoutly with strokes them destroy,
shall never one scape by my will,
all babes for that boy full sore shall bye, 212

(31)

Shall never none overpasse 213
of twooe yeares age and lesse,
and this boy that kinge crowned was,
shall not scape without scathe. 216

SECUNDUS MILES. (32)
And I also, without bost, 217
though the kinge of Scotis and all his host
were here, I set not by their bost,
to dryve them downe bydeene. 220
I slue ten thowsand upon a day 221
of kempes in their best aray,
there was not one escaped away,
my swoard it was so keene. 224

(33)
therfore to me you take good keepe, 225
my name is Sir Grymball Launcher deepe ;

they that me teenen I lay to slepe
on euerych aside. 228
I slew of kempes, I understand, 229
more then a hundred thousand,
both on water and on land
no man dare me abyde. 232

(34)

Through Bedleem I will springe, 233
for I must now at your bidding,

right all downe shall I ding
these laddes everich one. 236
And then that false gedlinge, 237
that borne was so yonge,
he shall for nothing
away from us gone. 240
PRIMUS MILES. (35)

Farewell, my Lord, and haue good day ! 241
for hardly, this dare I say,
not for no bost, in good fay,
it is not my manere. 244
I wold I might finde in my way 245
Sampson in his best aray,
to looke whether I durst affray
to fight with hym right here. 248

HERODE. (36)

Nay, nay, I knowe well, or thou sweare, 249
that thou art a doughty man of war,
and though Sampson were here,
right sone he shall be slayne. 252

But yet my wit is in a weere 253
whether you shall finde that Losingere,
but speedes you fast for my prayer,
and hy you fast againe ! (tunc ibunt milites, et veniet angelus.) 256

ANGELUS. (37)

Ioseph ! arise, and that anone, 257
into Egipte thou must gone,
And Mary also from your fone,
this is my lordes will. 260

There stay, lest this childe be slayne, 261
till I warne thee to come againe.
false herod wold haue you fayne

Ihesu for to spill. 264

IOSEPH. (38)

Ah ! lord, blessed must thou be ! 265
thider anone we will flee,
haue we company of the,
we will hye on our way. 268

ANGELUS.

yea, company we shall you beare, 269
till that you be comen there ;

Herod buskes hym you to deare,
as fast as euer he may. 272

IOSEPH. (39)

Mary, sister, now we must flit, 273
upon myne asse shalt thou now sit,
into Egipt till we hytt.
the Angell will us leade. 276

MARIA.

Sir, euermore, lowd and still, 277
your talent I shall fulfill,
I wot it is my lordes will,
I doe as you me reade. 280

ANGELUS. (40)

Come now furth in gods name ! 281
I shall you sheild from all shame,
and you shall se, my leefe dame,
a thing to your lykinge. 284
For Mahometis, both one and all, 285
that men of Egipt Gods can call,
at your coming downe shall fall,
when I begin to singe. 288

(tunc ibunt, et Angelus cantabit "Ecce dominus super nubem levem, et
ingredietur Egiptum, et movebuntur simulacra Egipti a facie Domini
Exercituum," et si fieri poterit, cadet aliqua statua sive imago.)

PRIMUS MILES. (41)
Hast done ! fellowes, hise fast ! 289
that these quenes were downe cast,
and their children all to-thrast,
and kill them all to clowtes ! 292

SECUNDUS MILES.

Yea, sir, we dwell all to longe ; 293
therfore goe we them amonge !

they hopen to haue some wrong,
that gone so fast about us. 296

PRIMA MULIER. (42)
Whom callest thou quean, scabd bitch, 297
my dame thy drister was neuer such,
she burned a kilne, each stich,

yet did I neuer none. 300

SECUNDA MULIER.

Be thou so hardy, I thee behet, 301
to handle my sonne that is so sweete,

this distaff and thy head shall meete,

or we hethen gone ! 304

PRIMUS MILES. (43)
Dame, abyde, and let me see, 305
a knaues childe yf that it be.
the king hase commaunded me
all such for to arest. 308

PRIMA MULIER.
Arest, ribbot, for thee ! 309
thou lyes, by my lewtie !
therfore I red fast that thou flee,
and let me haue my peace. 312

SECUNDA MULIER. (44)

Say, rotten hunter with thy goade, 313
stibbon, stallon, stickt tode !
I red that thou no wronge us bode,
lest thou beaten be ! 316

Wherto sholde we lenger fode ? 317
lay we on them large loade !

their basenetis be big and broad ;

beates on now ! letis see ! 320

SECUNDUS MILES. (45)

Dame, thy sonne, in good fay, 321
he must of me learne a play :

he must hop, or I goe away,
upon my speare ende. 324

PRIMA MULIER.

Out ! out ! and well away ! 325
that euer I abode this day !

one stroke yet I will assay
to geue, or that I wende. 328

SECUNDA MULIER. (46)
Out ! out ! on thee, theefe ! 329
my love, my lord, my lief, my leefe !

did never man nor woman greefe,
to suffer such torment ! 332
But yet wroken I wil be : 333
haue here one, two, and three,
beare the king this from me,
and that I it hym sende ! 336
PRIMUS MILES. (47)
Come hither to me, dame Parnell ! 337
and shew me here thy sonne Snell,
for the king hase bid me quell
all that we finde mone. 340
PRIMA MULIER.

My sonne ? nay ! strong theefe ! 341
for as I haue good preefe,
doe thou my chylde any greefe,
I shall cracke thy crowne. 344
(tunc miles transfodiet primum puerum et lancea accipiet. )

PRIMA MULIER. (48)
Out ! out ! and woe is me ! 345
theife ! thou shalt hanged be !

my childe is dead, nowe I see,
my sorrowe may not cease. 348
Thou shalt be hanged on a tree, 349
and all thy fellowes with thee ;
All the men in this contree
shall not make thy peace. 352

(49)
Haue thou this ! thow foule harlott ! 353
and thou knight to make a knott,
And one buffet with this boote
thou shalt haue to boot. 356

And thou this, and thou this ! 357
though you both shyte and pisse,
and if you think we do amiss,
goe, buskes you to moote ! 360

SECUNDUS MILES. (50)

Dame, shew me the child here, 361
he must hopp upon my spere,
and if it any pintle beare,
I must teach him a play. 364

SECUNDA MULIER.

Nay ! freak, thou shalt fayle, 365
my child thou shalt not assayle,
he hath II holes under the tayle,
kyss and thou may assay ! 368

(51)
Be thou so hardy, stockt tode, 369
to bydd any wrong bode !
for all thy spear or thy goade
I redd you doe but good ! 372
for, and thou doe me any harme 373
or my child uppon my arme,
I shall found to keep the warme,
be thou never so wodd ! 376
(tunc secundus miles transfodiet secundum puerum.)
(52)
Out ! out ! out ! out ! 377
you shall be hanged, all the rowt,
Theues, be you neuer so stout
full fowle you haue done. 380
This Child was taken to me, 381
to looke to. Theues, wo be ye !

he was not myne, as you shall see,
he was the kinges sonne. 384

(53)
I shall tell, whyl I may drye : 385
his child was slayne before myne eye.

Theues, ye shall be hanged hye,
may I come to his hall. 388
But or I goe, haue thou one ! 389
and thou another, Sir John !

for to the kinge I will anone,
to playn uppon you all. (Tunc ibit ad herodem.) 392

(54)
Loe ! lord, loke and see ! 393
the child that thou toke to me,
men of thy owne meny
haue slayn it, here the bene. 396

HERODES (irabit.)
fye, hore, fye ! god geue thee pyne ! 397
why didst thou not say that Child was myne ?
but it is vengeanc, as drink I wyne,
and that is now well sene. 400
SECUNDA MULIER. (55)

yes, lord, they se well aright, 401
thy sonne was lyke to haue bene a knight,
for in gould harnes he was dight,

paynted wondrous gay. 404
Yet was I neuer so sore afright, 405
when they their Spears throughe him thright ;

lord, so little was my might,
when they began to fray. 408

HERODE. (56)
He was right sicker in silk aray, 409
in gould, and pyrrye that was so gay,

they might well know by his aray,
he was a kinges sonne. 412

What the Devill ! is this to say ? 413

why were thy witts so away ?
could thou not speak ? could thou not pray ?
and say it was my sonne ? 416

(57)
Alas ! what the devill ! is this to mone ? 417
alas ! my days be now done.
I wott I must dye soone,
for damned I must be. 420
My legges rotten and my armes ; 421

I haue done so many harmes,
that now I see of feendes swarmes
from hell cominge for me. 424

(58)
I haue done so much woe, 425
And never good sith I might goe,
Therfor I see now cominge my foe,
to fetch me to hell. 428
I bequeath heare in this place 429

my soule to be with Sathanas.
I dye, I dye, alas ! alas !

I may no longer dwell ! (tunc moritur.) 432
DEMON. (59)
Warr, warr ! for now unwarly wakes you woe ! 433
for I am swifter then is the doe.

I am commen to fetch this lord you froe
in woe ever to dwell. 436
And with this Croked Cambrock your backs shall I cloe, 437
and all falce beleuers I burne in a low,
that from the Crowne of the head to the right toe
I leave no wholl fell. 440

(60)
from Lucifer, that lord, hither I am sent, 441
to fetch this kinges sowle here present,
and to hell bringe him ther to be lent,
euer to lyve in woe. 444
Ther fyre burnes bloe and brent, 445
he shall be ther, this lord, verament,
his place euermore therin is hent,
his body neuer to goe froe ; 448

(61)
No more shall you, Tapstars, by my lewty, 449
that fills ther measures falcly,
shall bear this lord Company ;
The gett none other grace. 452
I will bringe this into woe, 453
and come agayne and fetch moe,
as fast as ever I may goe.
farewell and haue good day ! (Exit demon.) 456

ANGELUS. (62)

Ioseph ! aryse, and that in hye, 457
for dead is now your Enemye ;

take Iesu, the child, and eke mary,
and wend into Iudy ! 460
Herod that would haue had you slayne, 461
he is marred both might and mayne.
therfore hyes you whome agayne !

In peace now you shall bee. 464

IOSEPH. (63)
A ! lord, that madest all of nought, 465
it is skill thy will be wrought,

now is dead that us hath sought,
we shall neuer cease, 468

Tyll that we againe be 469
at home in our contreye.
now hope we well to lyve in lee,
And in full great peace. 472

(64)

Mary, sister, we must goe 473
to our land that we came froe ;
the Angell hath bidden us so,

My owne deere sweete. 476

On my asse thou shalt be, 477
and my mantle under thee,
full easely, sister leev thou me !

And that I thee beheete. 480

MARIA. (65)

I thanke you, Sir, as I can. 481
helpe me that I were upon !
he that is both God and man,
keepe us in his tyde ! 484

IOSEPH.

Come hither, deere harte root ! 485
I shall sone be thy boote ;
thou shalt ryde eche foot,
And I will goe by thy side. 488

ANGELUS. (66)

Now you be ready for to goe, 489
Ioseph and mary also,
forsooth I will not depart you froe,
But helpe you from your foe. 492

And I will make a melody, 493
and singe here in your company
a word was sayd in prophesye
a thousand yeare agoe : 496
Ex Egipto vocavi filium meum, ut Salvum faciet populum meum.
finis paginae decimae.

Play XI — The Purification

The Blacksmiths

Pagina undecima de purificatione Beatae virginis.
The Black Smiths,
SIMEON. (1)

Mightie God, have mynd on me, 1
that most arte in maiesty,
for many a wynter have I be
Preist in Ierusalem. 4
Much teene and incommodytye 5
followeth age, full well I see,
and now that fitt may I not flee,
think me never so swem. 8

(2)
When I am dead and layd in Clay, 9
wend I mott the same way,
that Abraham went, the sooth to say,
and in his bosome be 12
But heaven-blisse after my day ; 13
till gods sonne come, sooth to say,
to ransome his folke in better aray,
to blisse come never we. 16

(3)
That Christ shall come well I wott, 17
but day ner tyme may no man wott,

therfore my books looke I mott,

my hart to glade and light. 20

What Esay sayeth I will see, 21
for well I wott how it shall be ;
or I dyed, well were me
of hym to have a sight. 24

(4)
(Tunc librum respiciens legat prophetiam : "Ecce virgo Conncipiet et
pariet filium.")

A ! lord, much is thy power, Is. iv, 14. 25
a wonder I fynd written here :

it sayeth a mayden cleane and cleer
shall conceave and beare 28

A sonne called Emanuell ; 29
but of this leeve I neuer a deale,
it is wrong written, as have I heale !

or ells wonder were. 32

(5)
He that wrott this was a fone, 33
to wryte "A virgin" here upon
that shall conceave without helpe of man ;
this writing marveyls me. 36

I will scrape this away anone ; 37
theras "a virgin" is written on,
I will wryte " A good woman,"
for so it should be. 40
(tunc librum fricabit, quasi deleret hoc verbum "Virgo" ; et postea ponet
librum super altare, et veniet angelus et libro accepto faciet signum
scribendi ; et libro clauso recedet, et dicat Anna vidua.)

ANNA. (6)

Semion, father, south I see, 41
that Christe shall come, our boote to be,
from the father in magistie,
on mankinde for to myne. 44
and when he cometh, leve thou me, 45
he will haue mercye and pittie
on his folke, to make them free
and saue them of their synne. 48

SEMION. (7)
The tyme of his cominge knowe I nought, 49
yet manye bokes haue I soughte,
but wounderlye he that this wryttinge wroughte,
and marvaile thinketh me. 52
my boke to loke yf I fynde oughte, 53
what manner mankinde shalbe boughte,
and what tyme it shalbe. 56
(tunc accipiet librum et admirando dicat. )

(8)

O ! lorde, howe maie this be to-daie ? 57
that I wrote laste, I fynde awaie,
and of redde letters in stowte araye
"a virgine" wrytten theron. 60

may fay ! after I will assaie 61
wheither this mirackle be vereye,
and scrape this worde, written so gaye,
and wrytte " a good woman." 64
(tunc iterum fabricat ut antea et dicat. )
(9)

Dame anne, thou maie see well heare, 65
this is amended in good manere,
for a wounder thinge it were
to fall by anye waie. 68

Therfore, as it was a misse, 69
I haue written that souther is,
that "a good woman" shall, I wisse,
conseave and not " a maye." 72
(tunc ponit librum super altare, et faciet angellus, ut antea.)

ANNA. (10)
Sir, marvile you no thinge theiron, 73
for god will take kinde in man,

through his godheade ordayne he can
a mayde a Childe to beare. 76

for to that highe comlye kinge 77

Impossible is no thinge ;
therfore I leeve it no leasinge,
but south all that is here. 80

SEMION. (11) (accepiet librum.)

by my faye ! yet will I see 81

whether my lettres chaunged be,

a ! hie god in trenitie,
honoured be thou aye ! 84

for goulden letters, by my lewty ! 85
are wrytten through godes postie,
since I layde my boke from me
and my wryttinge awaie, 88

(12)
ther as "a good woman" written was, 89
righte now here before my face ;
yet storred I not out of this place,
and my lettre chaunged ys. 92

this muste be needes by godes grace 93
for an angell this wrytten hase,
nowe leeve I a mayden, in this case,
shall beare a baron of bliss. 96

(13)

nowe seith, lorde, that it so is, 97
That thou wilte be borne with blisse
of a mayden that never did amisse,
on me, lorde, thou haue mynde ! 100

let me never death taste, lorde, full of grace, 101
tell I haue scene that Childes face,
that prophescied is here in this place
to keuer all mankinde. 104

ANGELLUS. (14)

Semeon, I tell thee sickerlye, 105
that godes owne ghoste am I,
comen to warne thee witterlye :

death shalte thou never see, 108

tell thou haue seen christe vereye, 109
that borne is of mayden marye,
and comen mankinde to forbye
from god in magistie. 112

SEMION. (15)

A ! lorde, I thanke thee of thy grace, 113
that thy ghoste sente to me haste ;
nowe hope I sickerlie in this place
thy sonne for to see, 116

that of a virgine mvste be borne, 117
to saue mankinde that was forlorne,
as Esayes boke toulde me beforne.

lorde, blessed muste thou be ! 120

(tunc Simeon sedebit expectans consolationem de alio loco procull
a templo, et dicat maria.)

MARIA. (16)

Iosephe, my trewe owine fere, 121
nowe rede I, if your will were,
seith fourtie daies are gone intier,
the temple that we goe to, 124

and moyses lawe for to fulfill 125
my sonne to offer semion till ;

I wote well that it is godes will,
that we now so doe. 128

IOSEPHE. (17)
yea, marye, though it be no nede, 129

seith thou arte cleane in thoughte and deed,

yet it is good to do as god bade,
and worcke after his lawe, 132
and to the temple that we goe ; 133
and take we with us doue-byrdes towe,
or a turtell to offer also
and to fulfill godes lawe. Luke 2, 24. 136

MARIA. (18)

rightewise semeon, god thee see ! 137
here am I comen nowe to thee,

purified for to be
with milde harte and meke. 140
receive my sonne nowe at me 141
and to my offeringe birdes three,
as falles, sire, for your degree
and for your office eke. 144
IOSEPHE. (19)
A signe I offer here also 145
of virgine waxe, as other moe,
in tockeninge shee has lived oo
in full devocion. 148
and sir semion, leve well this : 149
as cleane as this waxe nowe is,
as cleane is my wife, I-wisse,
from all corruptcion. (tunc Simeon accipiett puerum in vlnas.) 152

SEMEON. (20)

welckome, my christe, my savyour ! 153
welkome, mankindes conqueroure !

welkome of all frute the flower !

welkome with all my hart ! 156
to thee worshipe, ioye, and honoure ! 157
for nowe I see my savyour

comen to leech my langoure,
and bringe me unto blesse. 160

(21)

though I beare thee no we, sweete wighte, 161
thou ruleste me, as it is righte ;
for through thee I haue mayne and mighte
more then through waie of kinde. 164
therfore a songe, as I haue tighte, 165
and laudes to thee with harte righte
I will shewe here in thy sighte.
on me, lorde, thou haue mynde ! 168

(tunc cantabit "nunc dimitis seruum tuum, domine, in pace.") Luke 2, 29.

(22)

Nowe, lord, let thy servante be 169
after thy worde in peace and lee ;
for with my eyes nowe I see :

thou arte mankindes heale. 172
for thou haste ordeyned ther thy postie 173
to people which thou haste pittie ;

light is comen nowe through thee,
and ioye to Isarell. 176

(23)
and marye, mother, to thee I saie : 177
thy sonne that I haue seene to-daie,
Is comen, I tell thee, in good faye,
for fallinge of manye fone, 180
and to releave in good araye 181
manye a man, as he well maie,
in Isarell, or he wende awaie,
that shall leeve hym upon. 184

(24)

manye signes he shall shewe, 185
in which untrewe shall not trowe ;

and suffer thou shalte manye a thrawe,
for sword of sorowe it shall goe 188

through thy harte that men shall knowe 189

thoughtes in harte, on a rowe,
of men that shall contrarye you
and founde to worke thee woo. 192

ANNA VIDUA. (25)
And I acknowledge to thee, lorde, heare, 193
to leeve on thee through my power,
that fower skore and fower yeaire
haste sente me mighte and grace, 196

to leve in pennance and prayer ; Luke 2, 37. 197
nowe wote I well, withouten were,
that thou arte Christe in godheade cleare,
in thee whollye thou it haste. 200

(26)
and openlye here south I saye 201
to all thy people that I see maie,
the which hath wayled manye a daie
after thee, our savyoure, 204
that thou arte comen, christe vereye, 205
this wotte I well by manye a waie ;
therfore I honoure thee for aye,

my Christe, my creator. 208
MARIA. (27)

Iosephe, husbande leffe and deare, 209
our childe is gone upon his way.

my harte were lighte, and he were here.
let us goe seeke hym, I thee praie. 212
For suddaynly he went away 213
and left us both in Ierusalem
greatly in lyking many a day
that will be lord over all the realme. 216

IOSEPH. (28)
Mary, of mirth we may us meane, 217
and trewly tell betwene us twooe
of fearly sightes that we have sene,
sith we came the Citie froe. 220

[MARIA.]
Deare Ioseph, you will not wene 221
sith our childe has bene us with,
homeward I red we hye,
he kept us both from grone and grith ; 224

(29)
In all the might euer we may 225
for dread of wicked company

lest anie us mete upon the way,
Homeward therfore I red we hye. 228

PRIMUS DOCTOR. (30)
Heare our reason right on a row, 229
you clarkes that be of great coning :

me thinke this child learne our law,
he taketh great tent to our talking. 232
DEUS. (31)
You clarkes that be of great degree, 233
unto my talke you take good heede !

my father that sitteth in Maiesty,
he knowes your workes in thought and deede. 236
My father and I together be 237
in one godhead withoutten dreed ;
we bene both one in certayntie
all these workes to rule and reade. 240

PRIMUS DOCTOR. (32)
Harkes this Childe in his bourding ! 241
he wenes he kennes more then he knowes ;
certes, sonne, thou art ouer-yong
by clergie cleane to know our lawes. 244

(33)

therfore, if thou wold never so fayne, 245
further in age till thou have draw,

yet art thou neuer of might nor mayne
to knowe it, as a Clarke may know. 248

SECUNDUS DOCTOR.
And thou will speake of Moses law, 249
take good heede and thou may see,
In case be that thou can know,
here in this booke they written be. 252

DEUS. (34)
The kingdome of heaven is in me light, 253
and hath me anoynted as a leach,
and geven me playne power and might
the kingdome of heauen to tell and teach. 256
SECUNDUS DOCTOR. (35)
Behold how he has learned our lawes, 257
and he learned never on booke to read,
me thinke he saith suttle sawes
and very truth, if you take heede. 260
TERTIUS DOCTOR.
Let hym wend furth on his wayes, 261
for and he dwell, without dread,

the people will full sone hym praise,
well more then we for all our deede. 264

PRIMUS DOCTOR. (36)
This is nothing to my intent ; 265
such speach to spend I red we spare,
as wyde in world as I haue went,

yet found I never so ferly a fare. 268

SECUNDUS DOCTER.
By matters that this Childe hath ment 269
to knowe our lawes, both less and more,
out of heaven I hope hym sent
into the earth to salue our sore. 272
DEUS. (37)
You that be masters of Moises lawe 273
and worthy doctors of great degree,
one comaundment to me you show
that god on earth bad kept shold be. 276

PRIMUS DOCTER.

I read this is the first bidding, 277
and is the most in Moses lawe :

to love our God aboue all thing

with all our might and all our sawe. 280

DEUS. (38)
That for to doe looke ye be bayne, 281
with all your hart in good intent.
take you not his name in vayne,
this is my fathers comaundment. 284

(39)
Also you honour your holy daye, 285
no workes saue almes-deedes ye doe.
these three, the certayne sooth to say,
the first table belongen to. 288
Also father and mother worship aye 289
take no mans goodes without the right.
all false witnesse you put away ;

and slay no man by day nor night. 292

(40)

Envye doe by no woman, 293
to doe her shame by night or day.

other mens wyves desire you not ;
all such desires you put away. 296

Looke you ne steale by night nor day 297
wheresoever that you be lent.
these wordes understand you may,

they are my fathers commaundment. 300

TERTIUS DOCTOR. (41)

Sir, this childe of mickle price 301
which is yonge and tender of age,
I hould hym sent from the highe justice,
to wyn againe our heritage. 304

MARIA. (42)
Now blessed be he us hither brought, 305
in land there lyves none so light !
se where he sitteth we haue sought,

amonge yonder masters, mickle of might ! 308

(43)
Wend furth, Ioseph, upon your way 309
and fetch our sonne, and let us fare,
that sitteth with yonder Doctors gay ;
for we haue had of hym great care. 312

IOSEPH. (44)

Mary, wife, thou wottes right well 313
that I must all my travayle teene,
with men of might I can not mell,
that sittes so gay in furres fyne. 316

MARIA. (45)

My worthy sonne, to me so deare, 317
we haue you sought full wonder-wyde ;

I am right glad that you be here,
that we haue found you in this tyde. 320

DEUS. (46)
Mother, full oft I tould you till : 321
my fathers workes for wayle or woe
hether was I sent for to fulfill,
that must I needes doe, or I goe. 324
MARIA. (47)

Thy sawes, sonne, as have I heale, 325
can I nothing understand ;
I shall think on them full well
and found to do that they commaund. 328
ANGELUS. (48)
Now have you hard all in this place 329
that Christ is comen through his grace,
as holy Esaie prophesied hase,
and Symeon hath hym seene. 332
Leve you well this, lordes of might, 333
and kepe you all his lawes of right,
that you may in his blisse so bright
evermore with hym to beene. 336
finis paginae undecimae.

Play XII — The Temptation

The Butchers

James Miller. August 1607.

pagina duodecima de tentatione saluatoris.
The Butchers.
SATHANAS. (1)
Now by my soverayntie I sweare 1

and principalitie that I beare,
In hell payne when I am there,
a gammon I will assay. 4

There is a Doseberd I wolde dear, 5
that walkes about wyde-where,
who is his father I wot nere,
the sooth if I shold say. 8

(2)

What master man ever be this 9
that in the world thus comen is ?
his mother I wot did never amisse,
and that now marvayles me. 12

his father can I not finde, I-wisse, 13
for all my craft ne my quaintyce ;

it seemes he thought heaven were his,

so stout a syre is he. 16

(3)

He is a man from foote to crowne, 17
and gotten without corruption,
so cleane of conversacion
knew I never none before. 20

All men of hym marvayle mon, 21
for as man he goeth up and downe,
but as god with deuocion
he has bene honoured yore. 24

(4)
Sith the world first began, 25
knew I never such a man,
borne of a deadlish woman,
and yet she is wemlesse. 28

Among the sinfull synne doth he none, 29
and cleaner then euer was any one
he seemes to be of bloud and bone,
and wiser then ever man was. 32

(5)
Avaryce ne no envye 33
in hym cold I never espy,
he hath no gold in treasury,
ne tempted is he by no sight. 36

Pryde has he none ne glotony 37
ne no lyking of lechery ;
his mouth hard I neuer lye,

nother day nor night. 40

(6)

My highnes aye he putis behynde, 41
for in hym falte can I none finde ;

if he be god in mans kinde,
my craft then fully fayles. 44
For more then man I wot he is, 45
ells somewhat he did amisse ;

saffe he is hungrie, I-wisse,

ells I wot not what him ayles. 48

(7)
And this thing dare I soothly say : 49
if that he were god veray,

hunger shold greeue hym by no way,
that were against reason. 52
Therfore now I will assay 53
with speach of bread hym to betray,
for he hath fasted many a day,
now meat were in season. 56

(8)

Thou, man, abyde and speak with me : 57
Gods sonne if that thou be,
make of these stones that thou may see,
bread through thy blessing. 60
IESUS.

Satan, I tell thee sickerly :

bread mon lyves not onely bie,
but through Gods word, verely,
of his mouth coming. 64

(9)

Therfore thou pynes thee, Satanas, 65
to supplant me of my place

by meat, as Adam sometyme was,
of blisse when he was brought. 68

Deceyved he was that tyme through thee, 69
but now must fayle thy posty ;
therfore to move that thing to me,

yt shall serue the of naught. 72

(10)

Sathan, through thy entycement 73
hunger shall not turne my entent ;
for gods will omnipotent
is my meat without fayle, 76

And his word perfecte Sustenance 77
to me alway, without distance,
for thou shalt fynde no varyance
in me that shall avayle. 80
SATHANAS. (11)

Out ! alas ! what is this ? 81
this matter fares all amisse :
for hongry I see that he is,

as man sholde kindly bee. 84

But through no craft ne no quoyntice 85
I may not turne his will, I-wis,
no neede of meate ne worldly blisse
in hym nothing hath he. 88

(12)
For he may suffer all manner nye, 89
as man shold well and stiffly,
but ever he wynnes the victory,

as godhead in hym weare. 92
Some other sleight I must espie 93
this Dosaberd for to destroy,
for of me he hath the Mastry

unhappely now here. 96

(13)
Adam, that God hym selfe wrought, 97
through my deceipt in bale I brought,
but this Syre that I have sought,

borne of one woman, 100
For no neede that hym selfe hase, 101
With no counsaile in this case
to greeve hym I may have no grace,

for no craft that I can. 104

(14)
But I will seeke some subtilty : 105
come furth, thou, Ihesu, come with me
unto the holy Citye,
I haue an arrand to say. 108

Very God if that thou be, 109
now I shall full sone see
for I shall ordayne honor for thee,
or that thou wend away. (tunc statuet Iesum super pinnaculum templi.)

(15)
Say, thou that sittes there so hye, 113
if thou be gods sonne, be slye,
come downe and I will say I see
thee doe a fayre mastry. 116

Thyne owne Angell mon keepe thee 117
that thou hurt nether foot nor knee ;
shew thy power, now lett see,
thou may have honour therby. 120

IESUS. (16)

Sathan, sickerly I thee say : 121
it is written that thou ne may

tempt God thy lord, by no way,
what matter so ever be mooved. (Descendet de pinnaclo.) 124

SATHANAS.

Alas ! woe is me to-day ! 125
twise haue I fayled of my pray,
was I never rowted in such aray,
ne so fowle reproved. 128

(17)

But yet if it be thy will, 129
goe we play us upon this hill ;
an other point thou must fulfill,
for ought that may befall. 132

Looke about thee now and see 133
of all these realmes the royalty,
for to kneele downe and honour me
thou shalte be lord of all. 136

IESUS. (18)
Goe furth, Satan ! goe furth, goe ! 137
it is wrytten and shall be soe,

God, thy Lord, thou shalt honour oo
and serve hym though it thee noye. 140

SATHANAS.

Out ! alas ! now me is woe, 141
for found I never so mickle a foe,

though I to threpe be never so thro,
I am overcome thrye. 144

(19)

Alas ! my sleight now am I quitt, 145
Adam I founded with a fitt,
and hym in combrance sone I knitte
throughe quayntice of my crafte. 148

Nowe sone out of sorrow he must be shut, 149
and I pyned in hell pitt,
knew I neuer none of such a witt
as hym that I haue lafte. 152

(20)

Alas ! for shame ! I am shent ; 153
with helhoundes when I am hent,
I must be ragged and all to rent,
and dryuen all to dyrt. 156

Therfore is nowe myne intent, 157
or I goe, to make my testament :

to all that in this place be lent,
I bequeath the shitte. (Exit.) 160
EXPOSITOR. (21)
Loe ! lordinges, Gods righteousnes, 161
as St. Gregorie makes mynde expresse,
since our forefather ouercomen was

by three thinges to doe evill : 164

Gluttony, vayne glorye there be twooe, 165
Covetuousnes of highnes alsoe,
by these three thinges, without moe,
Christ hath overcome the Devill. 168

(22)
That Adam was tempted in glotony 169
I may well prove apertly,
when of the frute falsly
the Deuill made hym to eate. 172

And tempted he was in vayne glorye, 173
when he height hym great mastery,
to haue godhead, unworthely,

through eating of that meate. 176

(23)
Also he was tempted in Avaryce, 177
when he het hym to be wise,
knowe good and evill at his device,

more then he was worthy. 180

For covetousnes, Gregory saieth expresse, 181
Synnes not onely in riches,
but in willing of Highnes
and state, unskilfully. 184

(24)

Also Christ in these synnes three 185
was tempted, you might well see,
for in glotony, leave you me,
he moued hym, you saw here, 188

When he entyced hym through his red 189
to turne Stones into bread,
and so to prove his godhead,
which he was in weere. 192

(25)
In vayne glory he tempted also, 193
when he excited hym downe to goe
the pynacle of the temple froe,
an unskilfull gate. 196

And in Couetousnes he tempted was, 197
when he shewed hym such riches
and het hym landes, both more and lesse,
and there-through greate estate. 200

(26)

Thus overcome Christe in this case 201
the Devill, as played was in this place,
with those three synnes that Adam was
of wayle into woe wayued. 204

But Adam fell through his trespas, 205
and Iesu withstood hym through his grace,
for of his godhead Sathanas
that tyme was cleane deceyved. St. Iohn 8, 3—12. 208

(tunc venient duo Iudeorum cum muliere deprehensa in adulterio, ut
Iesum tentarent ; quare dicat primus. )

PRIMUS IUDEUS. (27)

Master, I redd us by god almight, 209
that we lead this wretched wight
that was taken thus to night
in fowle adultery, 212

Before Iesus in his sight ; 213
for to tempte him I haue tight,
to witt whether he will deme the right,
or ells unlawfully. 216

SECUNDUS IUDEUS. (28)

Hit is good redd, by my fay, 217
so we may catch him by some way,
for if he doe her grace to-day,
he dothe against the law. 220

And if he bydd punishe her sore, 221
he dothe against his owne lore,
that he hath preached here before :

to mercy man shall draw. (tunc venient ad Iesum.) 224

(29)

Master, this woman that is heer, 225
is a weddit wyfe, without weer ;
but with an other man then her fere,
wee found here doe amysse. 228
And Moyses law byddes us stone 229
all such women as be uncleane,

therfore to thee we can us meane
to geue a dome of this. 232

IESUS. (30)
Now which of you everychon, 233
is without synne, buske him anon
and cast at her the first stonne, St. Iohn 8, 7 and 8.

be lyue, or that you blynne ! (tunc Iesus scribit super teram.) 236

PRIMUS IEW.

Speak on, master, somewhat to say : 237
shall she be stoned or ells nay ?

or doe her mercy here to-day,
to forgeue her this synne. 240

SECUNDUS IEW. (31)

Master, why art thou so still? 241
what wrytes thou? if it be thy will,
whether shall we spare or spill
this woman found in blame? (tunc inspiciunt scripsionem.) 244

What wrytes thou master? now lett see ! 245
Out ! alas ! that wo is me !

here no longer dare I be
for dread of worlds shame. (Et fugiett, et postea dicat.) 248

PRIMUS PHARASEUS. (32)

Why fleest thou, fellow ? by my fay, 249
I will see sone and assay.
alas ! that I were away,
farr behynde ffraunce ! 252

Stand thou, Sibbel, him besyde ! 253
no longer here I darr abyde
against thee now for to chyde,
as I haue good chaunce ! (Et fugiet, et dicat Iesus ad mulierem.) 256

IESUS. (33)

Woman, wher be those men echon 257
that putt this guilt thee uppon ?
to damne thee is ther none

of those that were before ? 260

MULIER.

Lord, to damne me ther is none, 261
for all they beene away gone.

IESUS.
neither do I damne thee ; thow, woman,
goe forth, and synne no more ! St. Iohn 8, 10 and 11. 264

MULIER. (34)

A ! lord, blessed must thou be, 265
that of mischefe hath holpen me !

from hence-forth synne I will flee,
and serue thee, in good fay. 268

ffor godhead full in thee I see, 269
that knoweth all workes that done be ;
I honour thee, knelinge on my knee,
and so I will doe aye. 272

EXPOSITOR. (35)

Now, lordings, I pray you take hede 273
of the great goodnes of gods deede,
I will declare, as it is nede,
this thing that played was. 276
As Augustyne sayeth expressely 277
of it in his homely

uppon St. Iohn Evangely,
this he sayeth in this case : 280

(36)
Two wayes they casten him to anoy, 281
sith he hadd preached much of mercy,
and the law commaunded expresly
such women for to stone, 284
That trespassed in Adultery ; 285
therfore they hoped witterly
variance in him to espye,
or blemishe the law clean. 288

(37)
Then wist Iesus well ther thought 289
and all ther witts sett at nought,
but bade which no synne hadd wrought,
cast first at her a stone ; 292
And wrott in Clay—leeue you me— 293
ther owne sinnes that they might see,
that eche one fayne was to flee,
and so left her alone. 296

(38)
ffor eche one of them had grace 297
to see theyr synnes in that place

yet none of other wyser was,
but his owne eche man knew. 300
And fayne they were to take their way, 301
lest they had damned beene that day.

thus holpe the woman, in good fay,
our sweet lord Iesu. 304

Play XIII — Christ and the Woman Taken in Adultery; Chelidonius; the Raising of Lazarus

The Glovers

finis paginae duodecimae.

Pagina decima tertia de chelidonio ceco et de
resurrectione Lazari.

The Glovers.
IESUS. (1)

Ego sum lux mundi, qui sequitur me, non ambulat in tenebris, sed habebit
lumen vitae.

Brethren, I am filius Dei, the light of this world ; 1

he that followeth me, walketh not in darknes,

but hath the light of lyfe—the scriptures so record—
as patriarchs and prophetts of me bereth witnes,
both Abraham, Isaac, and Iacob in their sondry testimonies, 5

vnto whom I was promised, before the world began,
to pay ther ransome and to become man. 7

(2)

Ego et pater vnum sumus : my father and I are all one, 8
wiche hath me sent from his throne sempiternall, St. Iohn 10, 30.

to preach and declare his will unto man,
because he loveth him aboue his creatures all,
as his treasure and darling most principall, 12
man, I say agayne, which is his owne elect
aboue all creaturs, peculiarly select. 14

(3)

Wherfore, dere Brethren, it is my mynd and will 15
to goe to Bethany, that standeth hereby,

my fathers hestes and commandementis to fulfill
for I am the good sheapheard, that putteth his lyfe in Ioperdy
to save his flocke which I loue so tenderly, 19
as it is written of me—the scriptures beareth witnes :

Bonus pastor ponit animam suam pro ovibus suis. St. Iohn 10, 11. 21

(4)
Go we therfore, Brethren, while the day is light, 22
to doe my fathers workes, as I am fully minded
to heale the sick and restore the blynd to sight,
that the prophesy of me may be fulfilled,
for other sheep I haue, which are to me committed, 26
they be not of this flocke, yet will I them regarde,
that ther may be one flocke and one shepheard. St. Iohn 10, 16. 28

(5)
But or we goe hence, print thes sayinges in your mynd and hart, 29
record them, and oft keep them in memory,
continue in my word, from it doe not depart ;

therby shall all men know most perfectly,
that you are my Disciples and of my familye. 33
goe not before me, but let my word be your guyde.
then in your doinges you shall allway well speede. 35
Si vos manseritis in sermone meo, veri discipuli mei eritis et cognoscetis
veritatem ; et veritas liberabit vos.
St. Iohn 8, 31 and 32.

PUER DUCENS CACUM. (6)

If pitty may moue your gentell hart, 36
remember, good people, the pore and the blynd,
with your charitable almes this poore man to comfort,
that is your owne neighbour and of your owne kynde. 39

CHELIDONIUS. (7)

Your almes, good people, for charity 40
to me that am blynd and never did see,

your neighbour, borne in this citty !

helpe me, or I goe hence. 43

PETRUS.

Mayster, instruct us in this case, 44
why this man blynd borne was.
is it for his owne trespas
or ells for his parentes ? 47

IOHN. (8)

Was sinne the cause originall, 48
wherin we be conceived all,
that this blynd man was brought in thrall,
or his forfathers offence? 51

IESUS. (9)

Hit was neither for his offence, 52
neither the sinnes of his parentes,
nor other fault or neglgence,
that he was blind borne. 55

But for this cause specially, 56
to set forth gods great glory,

his power to shew manifestly,
this mans sight to reforme. 59

(10)
While the day is fayre and bright, 60
my fathers workes I must worke right,
untill the cominge of the night,

that light be gone away. 63

In this world, when I am here, 64
I am the light that shyneth clear ;

my light to them shall well apear
which cleave to me alway. St. Iohn 9, 4 and 5. 67

(Tunc Iesus super terram spuit et lutum faciet, et oculos ceci manibus
fricabit, postea dicat.)

IESUS. (11 a)

Do, man, as I say to thee : 68
goe to the water of Siloe
and washe thyne eyes, and thou shalt see,
and geue to god the prayse. (Tunc cacus querit aquam, et abiit Iesus.)

CHELIDONIUS. (12)
Lead me, good child, right hastely 72
unto the water of Siloe. (tunc lavat et postea dicat.)

(11 b)
praysed be god omnipotent, 74
which now to me my sight hath sent ;

I see all things now here present :
blessed be god alwayes ! 77

(13)
When I had done, as Christ me badd, 78
my perfect sight forth-with I hadd ;

wherfore my hart is now full gladd,
that I dowt wher I am. 81

PRIMUS PROXIMUS.
Neighbour, if I the truth should say, 82
this is the blind man which yesterday
asked our almes, as we came this way ;
it is the very same. 85
SECUNDUS VICINUS. (14)
No, no, neighbour, it is not hee, 86
but is the likest to him that ever I see ;
one man to another lyke may bee,
and so is he to him. 89
CHELIDONIUS.
Good men, truly I am he, 90
that was blynd, and now I se ;
I am no other, verely.

enquier of all my kynne. 93
PRIMUS VICINUS. (15)
Then tell the truth, we thee pray, 94
and how this is happened, to us say,
thou, that even yesterday
couldst se no earthly thinge, 97
And now seeth so perfectly ; 98
no want of sight in thee we see ;

declare to us therfore truly
without more reasoninge. 101

CHELIDONIUS. (16)
The man, which we call Iesus, 102
that worketh miracles dayly with us,
and whom we fynde so gracious,
anoynted my eyes with clay, 105
And to the water of Siloei 106
he badd me goe immediatly,
and wash myne eyes, and I should see ;

and thidder I tooke the way 109

(17 a)
When the water on myne eyes light, 110

Immediately I had my sight !

was ther neuer earthly wight
so joyfull in his thought. 113

SECUNDUS VICINUS. (18)
wher is he now, we thee pray ? 114

CHELIDONIUS.

I know not wher he is by this day. 115

SECUNDUS VICINUS. (17 b)
Thou shalt with us come on this way, 116
and to the pharisies these wordes say ;

but if thou wouldst these thinges denay,
it shall helpe thee right nought. 119

(19)
Looke up, lordings and Iudges of right, 120
we have brought you a man that had no sight,
and on the Sabaoth day throughe one mans might
was healed and restored, for sooth. 123

PRIMUS VICINUS.
Declare to them, thou wicked wight, 124
who did restore thee to thy sight,
that we may know anon right
of this matter the truthe. 127

CHELIDONIUS. (20)
Iesus anoynted myne eyes with clay 128
And badd me wash in Siloe ;

and before I came away
my perfect sight I hadd. 131

PRIMUS PHARISEUS.
This man, the truth if I should say, 132
is not of god—my head I lay—

which doth violate the Sabaoth day,
I iudge him to be madd. 135

SECUNDUS PHARISEUS. (21 a)

It can not enter into my thought, 136
that he which hathe this marvayle wrought
should be a sinner, I leeue it nought, 138
it is not in my creed.
(22)

Say, what is he that did thee heale ? 140

CHELIDONIUS.

A prophet he is withe-out fayle. 141

PRIMUS PHARISEUS. (21 b)

Surely, thou art a knave of kynd, 142
and faynest thy selfe for to be blynd,
wherfor now this is my mynd :

the truth to trye, in deed. 145

(23)

His father and mother, both in feere, 146
shall come declare the matter here,
and then the truth shall soone apearr,
and we putt out of dowbt. 149

Goe forth, messenger, anon in hye, 150
and fetch his parentis by and by ;

this knave can nought but prate and lye ;

I would his eyes were out ! 153

NUNTIUS. (24)

Your biddinge, maisters, I shall fulfill 154
and do my duty, as is good skyll ;
from this day hither, I know, they will,
and I shall spy them out. (tunc circumspectat et loquitur.) 157

Sir and Dame, booth in feer, 158

you must afore the pharisies apeare ;
what ther will is, ther shall you here ;
have done and come your way ! 161

MATER. (25)
Alas ! man, what doe we here ? 162
must we afore the pharisies appeare ?
a vengeance on them, far and neere !

the neuer did poore man good. 165

PATER.

Dame, ther is no other way, 166
but ther commandement we must obay ;
or ells they would without delay
cursse us and take our good. 169

NUNTIUS. (26)
here I haue brought, as you badd me, 170
these two persons, that aged be ;

they be the parentis of him, truly,
which sayd that he was blynde. 173

PRIMUS PHARISEUS.
Come near to us, bothe two, 174
and tell us truly, or that you goe ;
whether this be your sonne or no,
looke, no deceit we fynd ! 177

PATER. (27)
Maisters, we know certaynly : 178
our sonne he is, we can not denye,
and blynd was borne, undoubtedly ;

and that we will depose. 181

(28)
But who restored him to his sight, 182
we be uncertayne, by god almight !

wherfore of him, as it is right,
the truth you must enquier. 185

MATER.
ffor he hath age, his tale to tell, 186
and his mother tonge to utter it well,
althoughe he could never buy nor sell,
let him speak, we desyre. 189

PRIMUS PHARISEUS. (29)
Geue prayse to god, thou crafty knave, 190
and looke, hereafter, thou doe not rave
and say that Iesus did thee save,
and restored thee to thy sight. 193

SECUNDUS PHARISEUS.
he is a sinner, and that we know, 194
deceiving the people, too and froe,
this is most true that we thee show ;

beleev us, as is right. 197

CHELIDONIUS. (30)
If he be sinnfull, I doe not know ; 198
but this is truth that I doe show :

when I was blynd and in great wo,
he cured me, as you see. 201

PRIMUS PHARISEUS. (31)
What did he, thow lither swayne ?

CAECUS.
I towld you once, will you here it agayne ?

(32)
or his desciples will you become,
of all your sinnes to have remission ? 205

SECUNDUS PHARISEUS. (33)
O cursed Caytafe ! ill mott thou thee ! 206
would thou haue us his disciples to be ?
no, no, Moyses disciples been all we,
for god with him dyd speak. 209

(34)
But whence this is, we never knew. 210

CHELIDONIUS.
I marvayle of that, as I am true,

(35)
that you know not whenc he should bee,
that hath me cured that never did see, 213
knowing this most certainly :
God will not sinners heare. 215
But he that honoureth God truly, 216
him will he heare by and by,
and graunt his askinge graciously,
for that man to him is deare. 219

(26)
And to this I darr be bould : 220
ther is no man that ever could

(37)
restore a creature unto his sight,
That was blynd borne and never saw light. 223

(38)
if he of god were not, iwis,

he could never worke such things as this. 225

PRIMUS PHARISEUS. (39)

What, sinfull knave, wilt thou teach us, 226
which all the scriptures can discusse
and of our lyving be so vertuous,
we cursse thee out of this place. 229

IESUS. (40)
Beleuest thou in Gods sonne truly ! 230

CHELIDONIUS.

yea, gracious lord, who is hee ?

IESUS. (41)
thou hast him seene with thine eye :

he is the same that talketh with thee. 233

CHELIDONIUS.

then hear I honour him with hart free,
and ever shall serve him, untill I dye. 235

PRIMUS IUDEUS. (42)

Say, man that makes such maystery, 236
or thou our soules do any anye,
tell us here apertly,

Christ if that thou bee. 239

IESUS.

That I speak unto you openly, 240
and workes, that I doe verely
in my fathers name almighty,
beareth witnes of me. St. Iohn 10, 25. 243

(43)
But you beleve not as you seene, 244
for of my shepe you ne beene ;

but my flock, withouten weene,
hear my voyce alway. 247

And I know them well echon, 248
for with me alway the gone,
and for them I ordayned in my one
everlasting lyfe for aye. 251

(44)
No man shall reave my shepe from me, 252
for my father in maiesty
is gretter then bene all yee,

or any that ever was. St. Iohn 10, 26-29. 255

SECUNDUS IEW.
Thou shalt abye, by my bone, or thou heathen passe.

(45)

help, fellow, and gather stones 257
and beat him well, for Cockes bones ;
He scorns us quintly, for the nones, 259
and dothe us great anye. (tunc lapides colligunt.)

Yea, stones anow here I haue 261
for this ribauld that thus can rave ;
one strock, as god me save,
he shall haue sone in hye. 264

IESUS. (46)
Wretches, many a good deed 265
I haue done you in great need ;
now quite you foule my meed,
to stone me on this maneer ! 268

PRIMUS IEW.
ffor thy good deed, that thou hast wrought, 269
at this tyme stone we thee nought,
but for thy leasings, falsely wrought,
thou shewest apeartly here. 272

(47)
Thou that art man, as well as I, 273
makes thy self god here openly,
ther thou lyest foule and falcely,
bothe in word and thought. 276

IESUS.
But I do well and truly, 277
my fathers biddinge by and by,
ells you may hope well, I lye,
and then leeves you me nought. 280

(48)
But sithen you will not leeven me, 281
nor my deeds which you now see,
to them belevinge takes yee
for nothing may be sother. 284

So you may know well and veray : 285
in my father that I am aye,
and he in me, [the] sothe to say,
and eyther of us in other. 288
(tunc colligent lapides, et statim evanescet Iesus.)

Secundus Iew. (49)
Out, out, alas ! wher is our fone ? 289
quintly that he is heathen gone.
I would haue taken him and that anone,
and foull him all-to-frapped. 292

Yea, make we never so much mone, 293
now ther is no other wone ;
for he and his men everichon
are from us clearly scaped. 296

Primus Iudeus. (50)
Now by the Deathe, I shall on dye, 297
may I see him with my eye,
to sir Cayphas I shall him wry,
and tell that shall him dere. 300

Se I never none, by my fay, 301
when I had stones, so sone away ;
but yet no force, an other day
his tabret we shall fere. 304

Maria. (51)
A lord Iesu, that me is woo 305
to wit my Brother sickly so ;
in feble tyme Christ yode me fro ;
well were we, and he were heer. 308

Martha.
yea, suster, about I will goe 309
and seeke Iesu, to and fro ;
to help him he would be thro,
and he wist how it were. (tunc venit Iesus.) 312

(52)
A my lord, swet Iesu, mercy ! 313
Lazar, that thou lovest tenderly,
lyeth sick a little hereby
and suffereth much teene. 316

Iesus.
yea, woman, I tell thee witterly, 317
that sicknes is not deadly,
but gods sonne to glorify,
by him as may be seene. (Tunc ibit martha ad mariam.) 320

Maria. (53)
A ! Martha, suster, alas ! alas ! 321
my Brother is dead since thou here was.
had Iesu, my lord, been in this place,
this case had not befalne. 324

Martha.
Yea suster, neer is god[e]s grace ; 325
many a man he holpen hase,
yet may he doe for us in this case
and him to lyfe call. 328

Maria. (54)
here will I sitt and mourninge make, 329
tyll that Iesu my sorrow slake.
my teene to hart, lord, [that] thou take,
and leech me of my woe. 332

Martha.
In sorrow and wo here will I wake, 333
and lament for Lazar my brothers sake ;
though I for could and penance quake,
heathen will I not goe. 336
(tunc pariter iuxta sepulcrum Lazari, sedebunt plorantes, et ait Iesus.)

Iesus. (55)
Brethren, goe we to Iudy ! 337

Petrus.
Maister, right now thou might well see, 338
the Iewes would haue stoned thee,
and yet thou wilt agayne. 340

Iesus.
Wot you not well, this is veray, 341
that xij hours are in the day,
and who so walketh that tyme his way,
trespasseth not, the sooth to say. 344

(56)
he offendeth not that goeth in light, 345
but who so walketh about in night,
he trespasseth all against the right ;
and light in him is none. St. Iohn XI, 9 and 10. 348

Why I say this, as I haue tight, 349
I shall tell you sone in height ;
haue mynd on it through your might,
and thinkes well therupon. 352

(57)
To the day my self may likned be, 353
and to the twelue howers all ye,
that lightned bene through following me,
that am most lyking light. 356

ffor world[e]s light I am veray, 357
and who so followeth me, sooth to say,
he may goe no chester way,
for light in him is dight. 360

(58)
Oportet me operari opera eius, qui misit me, donec dies est; venit nox,
quando nemo est operari ; quam diu sum in mundo, lux sum mundi.
Iohannis Cap. 10 de Lazaro resuscitato.

Brethren, I tell you tydinge : Iohn IX, 4 and 5. 361
Lazar my frend is slepinge ;
thider must we be goinge,
upon him for to call. 364

Iohannes Evangelista.
Lord, if he sleep, safe he may be ; 365
for in his sleep no peryll is he.
therfore it is not good for thee
to goe thider for so small. 368

Iesus. (59)
I tell you, Brethren, certaynly : 369
Lazar is dead and thyder will I ;
fayne I am, you wott that I
was not ther, as you may see. 372

Thomas.
follow him, brethren, to his anoy, 373
and dye with him devoutly ;
for other it will not be.
goe we thider in hye ! 376
(tunc versus locum ibit Iesus, ubi Maria et martha sedent.)

Martha. (60)
A ! lord Iesu, hadst thou bene here leade, 377
lazar, my Brother, had not bene dead ;
but well I wott thou wilt us read,
now thou art with us here. 380

And this I leeue and hope aright : 381
what thing thou askest of god almight,
he will graunt it thee in height,
and graunt thee thy prayer. 384

Iesus. (61)
Martha, thy Brother shall ryse, I say. 385

Martha.
That leeve I, lord, in good fay, 386
that he shall ryse the last day,
then hope I him to see. 388
Iesus.

Martha, I tell thee, without nay, 389
I am rysinge and lyfe veray ;
which lyfe, I say, shall last for aye,
and never shall ended bee. Iohn XI, 25. 392

(62)
"Whosoever leeveth stidfastly 393
in me, I tell the truly,
though he dead be, and down lye,
shall lyve and fare well. 396
leevest thou, woman, that this may bee?

Martha. (63)
Lord, I leeue, and leeue mon, 398
that thou art Christ, gods sonne,
and commen into this world to woon,
mans boot for to bee. 401
Thus haue I leued stidfastly ; 402
therfore on me thou haue mercy,
and on my suster eeke, mary !

I will fetch her to thee. 405

(64) (tunc martha ibit et vocabit mariam, dicens :)

A ! mary, suster, leefe and deer, 406
hye thee quickly and come neare !
my swet lord, Iesu, he is here,
and calleth thee him too. 409

Maria.
A ! well were we, and it so were ! 410
but had my louely lord of leere

seene my Brother lye on Bere,
some Boot might haue bene done. 413

(65)

But now he stinketh, sooth to say ; 414
for now this is the fourth[e] day,
since he was buryed in the Clay,
that was to me so leefe. 417

But yet, my lord I will assay, 418
and with all my hart him will I pray,
to comfort us, if that he may,
and mend all our mischefe. 421

(66) (tunc maria, videns Iesum, prosternat se ad pedes, dicens :)
A ! lord Iesu, hadst thou bene here, 422
Lazar, my Brother, thy owne dere,
had not bene dead in this maner ;

much sorrow is me upon. 425

Iesus.

Wher haue you layd him? tell[e]s me! 426

Maria.
Lord, come thither and thou may see ;

for buryed in this place is he
four days now agon. (tunc veniunt Iudei, quorum dicat primus :) 429

Primus Iew. (67)

Se, fellow, for cock[e]s sowle ! 430
this freak beginneth to reem and youle,
and make great dole for a gole,
that he loved well before. 433

Secundus Iew.
If he had cunninge, me think, he might 434
from death haue saved lazar by right,

as well as send that man his sight,
that which so blynd was borne. 437
Iesus. (68)
haue done, and putt away the stonne ! 438
Martha.
A, lord ! iiij dayes be now gone,
sith he was buryed, blood and bone :

he stinkes, lord, in good fay. 441

Iesus.
Martha, sayd I not to thee, 442
if that thou leaved fullye in me,
gods grace soone shouldst thou see ?
therfore doe, as I thee say. 445
(tunc deponent lapidem de sepulcro ; et Iesus, tergum vertens,
manibus levatis dicit :)

(69)
ffather of heaven, I thank it thee, 446
that so sone hast hard me !

well I wist, and soothly see,
thou hearest my entent. 449
But for this people that stand hereby, 450
speak I the more openly,
that they may leeue stidfastly,
from thee that I was sent. 453
(70)
Lazar, come forth ! I bydd thee. 454

Lazarus.
A ! lord, blessed most thou be !

from death to lyfe hast raysed me
through thy mickle might. 457
Lord, when I hard the voyce of thee, 458
all Hell fayled of ther posty,

so fast from them my soule can flee,
all Devills were a frayd. 461

Iesus. (71)
Loose him now, and let him goe ! 462

Martha.
A ! lord, honored be thou oo,

that us hath saved from muche woe,
as thou hast ofte beforne ; 465
for well I wit, it should be so, 466
when you were full far me froe ;
the, lord, I honour, and no moe,
kneling upon my knee. 469

Mary. (72)

A ! lord Iesu, much is thy might ! 470
for now my hart is gladd and light,
to se my Brother ryse in my sight,
here before all thes meny. 473
Well I hoped, that soone in height, 474
when thou came, it should fare aright ;
thee, lord, I honour with all my might,
knelinge upon my knee. 477

Martha. (73)

A ! lord Iesu, I thank thee, 478
that on my Brother hast pitty ;

by very signes now men may see
that thou art god[e]s sonne. 481
Withe thee, lord, ever will I bee, 482
and serue thee with hart free,
that this day hast gladded me,
and alway with thee wonne. 485

Iesus. (74)
Haue good day, my Deghter deer ! 486
wherever you goe, farr or neer,
my blessinge I geue you here.
to Ierusalem I take the way. 489
finis Decimae tertiae paginae.

Play XIV — Christ's Visit to Simon the Leper

The Corvisers

pagina Decima quarta de Iesu intrante domum

Simonis Leprosi et de aliis rebus.

The Corv[i]sars.
Iesus. (1)

Brethren, goe we to Bethany, 1
to lazar, martha, and mary !

for I loue much that company,
thether now will I wend. 4
Symon, the leper, hath prayed me, 5
in his house to take Charity ;
with them now it lykes me,

a whyle for to lend. 8

Petrus. (2)
Lord, al ready shall we bee, 9
in lyfe and death, to goe with thee.
great ioy the may haue to see
thy cominge into ther place. 12

Philippus.
Lazar, thou raysed through thy posty, 13
and Symon also —messel was he—
thou clensed, lord, —that wotten we,—

and holpe them through thy grace. 16

Symon. (3)
Welcome, Iesu, full of grace ! 17
that me, that fowle and messel was,
all whole, lord, thou healed has,

over all for to show. 20
Well is me that I may se thy face, 21
here in my house, this poore place !

thou comforts me in many a case,
and that I full well know. 24

Lazarus. (4)

Welcome, lord, [thou] swet Iesu ! 25
blessed be the tyme that I thee knew !

from death to lyfe, through thy vertue,
thou raysed me not yore. 28
four days in earth when I had layne, 29
thou grant[e]st me, lord, lyfe againe ;
thee I honour with all my mayne
now and evermore. 32

Martha. (5)

Welcome, my louely lord of leer ! 33
welcome, my dereworth darling dere !

fayne may thy frend[e]s be in fere
to see thy frely face. 36
Sitt[e]s downe, if your will were, 37
and I shall help to serue you here,
as I was wont, in good manere,
before in other place. 40
(Tunc Ihesus sedebit et omnes cum ipso, et veniet maria magda-
lena cum Alabastro vnguenti, et lamentando dicat :)

Maria Magdalena. (6)
Welcome, my louely lord of leele ! 41
welcome, my hart ! welcome, my heale !

welcome, all my world[e]s weale,
my boote and all my blisse ! 44
from the, lord, may I not conceale 45
my fylth and my fault[e]s feale.
forgeue me that my flesh, so frayle,
to thee hath done amisse ! 48

(7)

Oyntment here I haue ready 49
to anoynt thy swet body ;

though I be wretched and vnworthy,
wayve me not from thy wonne ! 52
full of synne and sorrow am I, 53
but therfore, lord, I am sory ;
amend me through thy great mercy,
that make to thee my mone ! 56
(Tunc pixidem aperiet, et faciet signum vnctionis, et rigabit
pedes Iesu lacrimis, et tergebit capillis suis.)

Symon. (8)

A, Iudas ! why doth Iesus so ? 57
me thinkes that he should let her goe,
this woman full of synne and woe,

for fear of world[e]s shame. 60
And if he very prophet were, 61
he should know her lyfe here,
and suffer her not to come him nere,
for payring of his fame. 64

IUDAS ISCARIOTA. (9)

Nay, Symon, Brother, sooth to say, 65
it is nothing to my pay,
this oyntment goeth so fast away,
that is so much of pryce. 68

This ilke Boyst might haue bene sould 69