The Towneley Plays, ed. by George England
Author: Unknown
Date: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

The Towneley playsThe Towneley plays Anonymous Electronic Text Center, University of Virginia Library

All on-line databases

About the electronic version

The Towneley plays Anonymous creation of machine-readable version: Conversion to TEI-conformant markup: University of Virginia Library Electronic Text Center ca. 600 kilobytes : http://etext.virginia.edu/mideng.browse.html, AnoTown Available from: Oxford Text Archive, U-1397-B

1993

Note: The creator of the electronic text changed many of theLatin character names to the English equivalent. The marginaliaincluded in the print edition have been deleted, and orthographicfeatures such as italic or archaic characters have been removed Note: First published in 1897

About the print version

The Towneley plays re-edited from the unique ms.: George England with side-notes and introduction by: Alfred W. Pollard xxxiv, 418 p. ; 22 cm. : Published for the Early English Text Society by the Oxford University PressLondon ; New York [1966] Early English Text Society (Series). Extra series no. 71 Note: First published 1897 Note: Appendix: The Secunda pastorum of the Towneley plays and Archie Armstrang’s aith / by E. Kolbing Published: 1460

Middle English

Revisions to the electronic version January 1994 David Seaman, University of Virginia Library Electronic Text Center Tagging brought into line with the OTA.DTD, and parsed:

August 20, 1993 Gayle Cooper, University of Virginia Library, Cataloging Services Dept. TEI header completed:

August, 1993 David Gants UVa header added:

Unknown John Price-Wilkin SGML tagging added:

etext@virginia.edu. Commercial use prohibited; all usage governed by our Conditions of Use: http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/conditions.html

-1-

The Creatio God

1: Ego sum alpha et o, 2: I am the first, the last also, 3: Oone god in mageste; 4: Meruelus, of myght most, 5: ffader, & son, & holy goost, 6: On god in trinyte. 7: I am without begynnyng, 8: My godhede hath none endyng, 9: I am god in trone; 10: Oone god in persons thre, 11: Which may neuer twynnyd be, 12: ffor I am god alone. 13: All maner thyng is in my thoght, 14: Withoutten me ther may be noght, 15: ffor all is in my sight ; 16: hit shall be done after my will, 17: that I haue thoght I shall fulfill 18: And manteyn with my myght.

-2-

19: At the begynnyng of oure dede 20: make we heuen & erth, on brede, 21: and lyghtys fayre to se, 22: ffor it is good, to be so ; 23: darknes from light we parte on two, 24: In tyme to serue and be. 25: Darknes we call the nyght, 26: and lith also the bright, 27: It shall be as I say ; 28: after my will this is furth broght, 29: Euen and morne both ar thay wroght, 30: and thus is maid a day. 31: In medys the water, bi oure assent, 32: be now maide the firmament, 33: And parte ather from othere, 34: Water aboue, I-wis; 35: Euen and morne maide is this 36: A day, [so was] the tothere. 37: Waters, that so wyde ben spred, 38: be gedered to geder in to one stede, 39: that dry the erth may seym; 40: that at is dry the erth shall be, 41: the waters also I call the see; 42: this warke to me is queme. 43: Out of the erth herbys shal spryng, 44: Trees to florish and frute furth bryng, 45: thare kynde that it be kyd. 46: This is done after my will; 47: Even & morn maide is ther till 48: A day, this is the thryd,. 49: Son & moyne set in the heuen, 50: With starnes, & the planettys seuen, 51: To stand in thare degre;

-3-

52: The son to serue the day lyght, 53: The moyne also to serue the nyght; 54: The fourte day shall this be. 55: The water to norish the fysh swymand, 56: The erth to norish bestys crepeand, 57: That fly or go may. 58: Multiplye in erth, and be 59: In my blyssyng, wax now ye; 60: This is the fyft day. Cherubim

61: Oure lord god in trynyte, 62: Myrth and lovyng be to the, 63: Myrth and lovyng ouer al thyng; 64: ffor thou has made, with thi bidyng, 65: Heuen, & erth, and all that is, 66: and giffen vs Ioy that neuer shall mys. 67: Lord, thou art full mych of myght, 68: that has maide lucifer so bright; 69: we loue the, lord, bright ar we, 70: bot none of vs so bright as he: 71: He may well hight lucifere, 72: ffor lufly light that he doth bere. 73: He is so lufly and so bright 74: It is grete ioy to se that sight; 75: We lofe the, lord, with all oure thoght, 76: that sich thyng can make of noght. Lucifer

77: Certys, it is a semely sight, 78: Syn that we ar all angels bright, 79: and euer in blis to be; 80: If that ye will behold, me right, 81: this mastre longys to me. 82: I am so fare and bright, 83: of me commys all this light, 84: this gam and all this gle;

-4-

85: Agans my grete myght 86: may [no]thyng stand [ne] be. 87: And ye well me behold 88: I am a thowsand fold, 89: brighter then is the son; 90: my strengthe may not be told, 91: my myght may no thyng kon; 92: In heuen, therfor, wit I wold, 93: Above me who shuld won. 94: ffor I am lord of blis, 95: ouer all this warld,, I-wis, 96: My myrth is most of all; 97: the[r]for my will is this, 98: master ye shall me call. 99: And ye shall se, full sone onone, 100: How that me semys to sit in trone 101: as kyng of blis; 102: I am so semely, blode & bone, 103: my sete shall be ther as was his. 104: Say, felows, how semys now me 105: To sit in seyte of trynyte? 106: I am so bright of ich a lym 107: I trow me seme as well as hym. Angelus Malus 1

108: Thou art so fayre vnto my syght, 109: thou semys well to sytt on hight; 110: So thynke me that thou doyse. Angelus Bonus 1

111: I rede ye leyfe that vanys royse, 112: ffor that seyte may non angell seme 113: So well as hym that all shall deme. Angelus Bonus 2

114: I reyde ye sese of that ye sayn, 115: ffor well I wote ye carpe in vayne; 116: hit semyd hym neuer, ne neuer shall, 117: So well as hym that has maide all.

-5-

Angelus Malus 2

118: Now, and bi oght that I can witt, 119: he semys full well theron to sytt; 120: He is so fayre, withoutten les, 121: he semys full well to sytt on des. 122: therfor, felow, hold thi peasse, 123: and vmbithynke the what thou saysse. 124: he semys as well to sytt there 125: as god hymself, if he were here. Lucifer

126: leyf felow, thynk the not so? Angelus Malus 1

127: Yee, god wote, so dos othere mo. Angelus Bonus 1

128: Nay, forsoth, so thynk not vs. Lucifer

129: Now, therof a leke what rekys vs? 130: Syn I my self am so bright 131: therfor will I take a flyght. Demon 1

132: Alas, alas, and wele-wo! 133: lucifer, whi fell thou so? 134: We, that were angels so fare, 135: and sat so hie aboue the ayere, 136: Now ar we waxen blak as any coyll, 137: and vgly, tatyrd as a foyll. 138: What alyd the, lucifer, to fall? 139: was thou not farist of angels all? 140: Brightist, and best, & most of luf 141: With god hym self, that syttys aboyf? 142: thou has maide [neyn,] there was [ten,] 143: thou art foull comyn from thi kyn; 144: thou art fallen, that was the teynd, 145: ffrom an angell to a feynd. 146: thou has vs doyn a vyle dispyte, 147: and broght thi self to sorow and sitt. 148: Alas, ther is noght els to say 149: bot we ar tynt for now and ay. Demon 2

150: Alas, the ioy that we were In 151: haue we lost, for oure syn.

-6-

152: alas, that euer cam pride in thought, 153: ffor it has broght vs all to noght. 154: We were in myrth and Ioy enoghe 155: When lucifer to pride drogh. 156: Alas, we may warrie wikkyd pride, 157: so may ye all that standys be side; 158: We held, with hym ther he saide leasse, 159: and therfor haue we all vnpeasse. 160: Alas, alas, oure Ioye is tynt, 161: We mon haue payne that neuer shall stynt. God

162: Erthly bestys, that may crepe and go, 163: bryng ye furth and wax ye mo, 164: I se that it is good; 165: now make we man to oure liknes, 166: that shall be keper of more & les, 167: of fowles and fysh in flood,. 168: spreyte of life I in the blaw, 169: good and ill both shall thou knaw; 170: rise vp, and stand bi me. 171: All that is in water or land, 172: It shall bow vnto thi hand, 173: and sufferan shall thou be; 174: I gif the witt, I gif the strenght, 175: of all thou sees, of brede & lengthe; 176: thou shall be wonder wise. 177: Myrth and Ioy to haue at will, 178: All thi likyng to fulfill, 179: and dwell in paradise.

-7-

180: This I make thi wonnyng playce, 181: ffull of myrth and of solace, 182: and I seasse the therin. 183: It is not good to be alone, 184: to walk here in this worthely wone, 185: In all this welthly wyn; 186: therfor, a rib I from the take, 187: therof shall be [maide] thi make, 188: And be to thi helpyng. 189: Ye both to gouerne that here is, 190: and euer more to be in blis, 191: ye wax in my blissyng. 192: ye shall have Ioye & blis therin, 193: whils ye will kepe you out of syn, 194: I say without[ten] lese. 195: Ryse vp, myn angell cherubyn, 196: Take and leyd theym both in, 197: And leyf them there in peasse. 198: Heris thou adam, and eue thi wife, 199: I forbede you the tre of life, 200: And I commaund, that it be gat, 201: Take which ye will, bot negh not that. 202: Adam, if thou breke my rede, 203: thou shall dye a dulfull dede. Cherubim

204: Oure lord, oure god, thi will be done; 205: I shall go with theym full sone. 206: ffor soth, my lord, I shall not sted 207: till I haue theym theder led. 208: we thank the, lord, with full good chere, 209: that has maide man to be oure feere. 210: Com furth, adam, I shall the leyd; 211: take tent to me, I shall the reyd,. 212: I rede the thynk how thou art wroght, 213: and luf my lord, in all thi thoght, 214: That has maide the thrugh his will, 215: angels ordir to fulfill. 216: Many thyngys he has the giffen, 217: and maide the master of all that liffen; 218: He has forbed, the bot a tre; 219: look that thou let it be,

-8-

220: ffor if thou breke his commaundment, 221: thou skapys not bot thou be shent. 222: Weynd here in to paradise, 223: and luke now that ye be wyse, 224: And kepe you well, for I must go 225: vnto my lord, ther I cam fro. Adam

226: Almyghty lord, I thank it the 227: that is, and was, and shall be, 228: Of thi luf and of thi grace, 229: ffor now is here a mery place; 230: Eue, my felow, how thynk the this? Eue

231: A stede me thynk of Ioye and blis, 232: That god has giffen to the and me; 233: Withoutten ende blissyd be he. Adam

234: Eue, felow, abide me thore, 235: ffor I will go to viset more, 236: To se what trees that here been; 237: here ar well moo then we have seen, 238: Gresys, and othere small floures, 239: that smell full swete, of seyr coloures. Eue

240: Gladly, sir, I will full fayne; 241: When ye haue sene theym, com agane. Adam

242: Bot luke well, eue, my wife, 243: that thou negh not the tree of life; 244: ffor if thou do he bese ill paide; 245: then be we tynt, as he has saide. Eue

246: Go furth and play the all aboute, 247: I shall not negh it while thou art oute; 248: ffor be thou sekyr I were full loth 249: ffor any thyng that he were wroth. Lucifer

250: Who wend euer this tyme haue seyn? 251: We, that in sich myrth haue beyn, 252: That we shuld suffre so mych wo? 253: Who wold euer trow it shuld be so? 254: [Ten] orders in heuen were 255: of angels, that had offyce sere; 256: Of ich order, in thare degre, 257: the [teynd] parte fell downe with me;

-9-

258: ffor thay held with me that tyde, 259: and mantenyd me in my pride; 260: Bot herkyns, felows, what I say-261: the Ioy that we haue lost for ay, 262: God has maide man with his hend, 263: to haue that blis withoutten end, 264: The neyn ordre to fulfill, 265: that after vs left, sich is his will. 266: And now ar thay in paradise; 267: bot thens thay shall, if we be wise. The Killing of Abel Garcio

1: All hayll, all hayll, both blithe and glad, 2: ffor here com I, a mery lad; 3: be peasse youre dyn, my master bad, 4: Or els the dwill you spede. 5: Wote ye not I com before? 6: Bot who that Ianglis any more 7: He must blaw my blak hoill bore’, 8: both behynd, and before, 9: Till his tethe blede. 10: ffelows, here I you forbede 11: To make nother nose ne cry; 12: Who so is so hardy to do that dede 13: The dwill hang hym vp to dry.

-10-

14: Gedlyngis, I am a fulle grete wat, 15: A good yoman my master hat, 16: ffull well ye all hym ken; 17: Begyn he with you for to stryfe, 18: certis, then mon ye neuer thryfe; 19: Bot I trow, bi god on life, 20: Som of you ar his men. 21: Bot let youre lippis couer youre ten, 22: harlottis, euerichon! 23: ffor if my master com, welcom hym then. 24: ffarewell, for I am gone. Cain

25: Io furth, greyn-horne! and war oute, gryme! 26: Drawes on! god gif you ill to tyme! 27: Ye stand as ye were fallen in swyme; 28: What! will ye no forther, mare? 29: War! let me se how down will draw; 30: Yit, shrew, yit, pull on a thraw! 31: What! it semys for me ye stand none aw! 32: I say, donnyng, go fare! 33: A, ha! god gif the soro & care! 34: lo! now hard she what I saide; 35: now yit art thou the warst mare 36: In plogh that euer I haide. 37: How! pike-harnes, how! com heder belife! Garcio

38: I fend, godis forbot, that euer thou thrife! Cain

39: What, boy, shal I both hold and drife? 40: heris thou not how I cry? Garcio

41: Say, mall and stott, will ye not go? 42: Lemyng, morell, white-horne, Io! 43: now will ye not se how thay hy? Cain

44: Gog gif the sorow, boy; want of mete it gars. Garcio

45: thare prouand, sir, for thi, I lay behynd thare ars, 46: And tyes them fast bi the nekis, 47: With many stanys in thare hekis. Cain

48: That shall bi thi fals chekis.

-11-

Garcio

49: And haue agane as right. Cain

50: I am thi master, wilt thou fight? Garcio

51: Yai, with the same mesure and weght 52: That I boro will I qwite. Cain

53: We! now, no thyng, bot call on tyte, 54: that we had ployde this land. 55: harrer, morell, iofurth, hyte! 56: and let the plogh stand. Abel

57: God, as he both may and can, 58: Spede the, brother, & thi man. Cain

59: Com kis myne ars, me list not ban, 60: As welcom standis ther oute. 61: Thou shuld haue bide til thou were cald; 62: Com nar, & other drife or hald, 63: and kys the dwillis toute. 64: Go grese thi shepe vnder the toute, 65: ffor that is the moste lefe. Abel

66: broder, ther is none here aboute 67: that wold the any grefe; 68: bot, leif brother, here my sawe-69: It is the custom of oure law, 70: All that wyrk as the wise 71: shall worship god with sacrifice. 72: Oure fader vs bad, oure fader vs kend, 73: that oure tend shuld be brend. 74: Com furth, brothere, and let vs gang 75: To worship god; we dwell full lang; 76: Gif we hym parte of oure fee, 77: Corne or catall, wheder it be. 78: And therfor, brother, let vs weynd, 79: And first clens vs from the feynd 80: or we make sacrifice; 81: Then blis withoutten end 82: get we for oure seruyce,

-12-

83: Of hym that is oure saulis leche. Cain

84: How! let furth youre geyse, the fox will preche; 85: How long wilt thou me appech 86: With thi sermonyng? 87: Hold thi tong, yit I say, 88: Euen ther the good wife strokid the hay; 89: Or sit downe in the dwill way, 90: With thi vayn carpyng. 91: Shuld I leife my plogh & all thyng 92: And go with the to make offeryng? 93: Nay! thou fyndys me not so mad! 94: Go to the dwill, and say I bad! 95: What gifys god the to rose hym so? 96: me gifys he noght bot soro and wo. Abel

97: Caym, leife this vayn carpyng, 98: ffor god giffys the all thi lifyng. Cain

99: Yit boroed I neuer a farthyng 100: of hym, here my hend. Abel

101: Brother, as elders haue vs kend, 102: ffirst shuld, we tend with oure hend,, 103: and to his lofyng sithen be brend. Cain

104: My farthyng is in the preest hand 105: syn last tyme I offyrd. Abel

106: leif brother, let vs be walkand; 107: I wold oure tend were profyrd. Cain

108: We! wherof shuld I tend, leif brothere? 109: ffor I am ich yere wars then othere, 110: here my trouth it is none othere; 111: My wynnyngis ar bot meyn, 112: No wonder if that I be leyn; 113: ffull long till hym I may me meyn, 114: ffor bi hym that me dere boght, 115: I traw that he will leyn me noght.

-13-

Abel

116: Yis, all the good thou has in wone 117: Of godis grace is bot a lone. Cain

118: Lenys he me, as come thrift apon the so? 119: ffor he has euer yit beyn my fo; 120: ffor had he my freynd, beyn, 121: Other gatis it had beyn seyn. 122: When all mens corn was fayre in feld, 123: Then was myne not worth a neld; 124: When I shuld saw, & wantyd seyde, 125: And of corn had full grete neyde, 126: Then gaf he me none of his, 127: No more will I gif hym of this. 128: hardely hold me to blame 129: bot if I serue hym of the same. Abel

130: Leif brother, say not so, 131: bot let vs furth togeder go; 132: Good brother, let vs weynd sone, 133: no longer here I rede we hone. Cain

134: Yei, yei, thou Iangyls waste; 135: the dwill me spede if I haue hast, 136: As long as I may lif, 137: to dele my good or gif 138: Ather to god or yit to man, 139: of any good that euer I wan; 140: ffor had I giffen away my goode, 141: then myght I go with a ryffen hood, 142: And it is better hold that I haue 143: then go from doore to doore & craue. Abel

144: Brother, com furth, in godis name, 145: I am full ferd, that we get blame; 146: Hy we fast that we were thore. Cain

147: We! ryn on, in the dwills nayme Before! 148: Wemay, man, I hold the mad! 149: wenys thou now that I list gad 150: To gif away my warldis aght? 151: the dwill hym spede that me so taght! 152: what nede had I my trauell to lose, 153: to were my shoyn & ryfe my hose?

-14-

Abel

154: Dere brother, hit were grete wonder 155: that I & thou shuld go in sonder, 156: Then wold oure fader haue grete ferly; 157: Ar we not brether, thou & I? Cain

158: No, bot cry on, cry, whyls the thynk good; 159: Here my trowth, I hold the woode; 160: Wheder that he be blithe or wroth 161: to dele my good is me full lothe. 162: I haue gone oft on softer wise 163: ther I trowed som prow wold rise. 164: Bot well I se go must I nede; 165: now weynd before, ill myght thou spede! 166: syn that we shall algatis go. Abel

167: leif brother, whi sais thou so? 168: Bot go we furth both togeder; 169: blissid, be god we haue fare weder. Cain

170: lay downe thi trussell apon this hill. Abel

171: fforsoth broder, so I will: 172: Gog of heuen, take it to good,. Cain

173: Thou shall tend first if thou were wood. Abel

174: God that shope both erth and heuen, 175: I pray to the thou here my steven, 176: And take in thank, if thi will be, 177: the tend that I offre here to the; 178: ffor I gif it in good entent 179: to the, my lord, that all has sent. 180: I bren it now, with stedfast thoght, 181: In worship of hym that all has wroght. Cain

182: Ryse! let me now, syn thou has done; 183: lord of heuen, thou here my boyne! 184: And ouer, godis forbot, be to the 185: thank or thew to kun me; 186: ffor, as browke I thise two shankys, 187: It is full sore, myne vnthankys, 188: The teynd that I here gif to the, 189: of corn, or thyng, that newys me; 190: Bot now begyn will I then, 191: syn I must nede my tend to bren. 192: Oone shefe, oone, and this makys two, 193: bot nawder of thise may I forgo:

-15-

194: Two, two, now this is thre, 195: yei, this also shall leif with me: 196: ffor I will chose and best haue, 197: this hold I thrift of all this thrafe; 198: Wemo, wemo, foure, lo, here! 199: better groved, me no this yere. 200: At yere tyme I sew fayre corn, 201: yit was it sich when it was shorne, 202: Thystyls & brerys, yei grete plente, 203: And all kyn wedis that myght be. 204: ffoure shefis, foure, lo, this makis fyfe-205: deyll I fast thus long or I thrife-206: ffyfe and sex, now this is sevyn, 207: bot this gettis neuer god of heuen; 208: Nor none of thise foure, at my myght, 209: shall neuer com in godis sight. 210: Sevyn, sevyn, now this is aght, Abel

211: Cain, brother, thou art not god betaght. Cain

212: We! therfor is it that I say, 213: ffor I will not deyle my good away: 214: Bot had I gyffen hym this to teynd 215: Then wold thou say he were my Freynd; 216: Bot I thynk not, bi my hode, 217: To departe so lightly fro my goode. 218: we! aght, aght, & neyn, & ten is this, 219: we! this may we best mys. 220: Gif hym that that ligis thore? 221: It goyse agans myn hart full sore. Abel

222: Cam! teynd right of all bedeyn. Cain

223: we! lo twelve, fyfteyn, sexteyn Abel

224: Caym, thou tendis wrang, and of the warst. Cain

225: we! com nar, and hide myne een; 226: In the wenyand wist ye now at last, 227: Or els will thou that I wynk? 228: then shall I doy no wrong, me thynk. 229: let me se now how it is-230: lo, yit I hold me paide; 231: I teyndyd wonder well bi ges, 232: And so euen I laide.

-16-

Abel

233: Came, of god me thynke thou has no drede. Cain

234: Now and he get more, the dwill me spede! 235: As mych as oone reepe, 236: ffor that cam hym full light chepe; 237: Not as mekill, grete ne small, 238: as he myght wipe his ars with all. 239: ffor that, and this that lyys here, 240: haue cost me full dere; 241: Or it was shorne, and broght in stak, 242: had I many a wery bak; 243: Therfor aske me no more of this, 244: ffor I haue giffen that my will is. Abel

245: Cam, I rede thou tend right 246: ffor drede of hym that sittis on hight. Cain

247: How that I tend, rek the neuer a deill, 248: bot tend thi skabbid shepe wele; 249: ffor if thou to my teynd tent take, 250: It bese the wars for thi sake. 251: Thou wold I gaf hym this shefe, or this sheyfe; 252: na, nawder of thise [two] wil I leife; 253: Bot take this, now has he two, 254: and for my saull now mot it go, 255: Bot it gos sore agans my will, 256: and shal he like full ill. Abel

257: Cam, I reyde thou so teynd 258: that god of heuen be thi freynd. Cain

259: My freynd? na, not bot if he will! 260: I did hym neuer yit bot skill. 261: If he be neuer so my fo, 262: I am avisid, gif hym no mo; 263: Bot chaunge thi conscience, as I do myn, 264: yit teynd thou not thi mesel swyne? Abel

265: If thou teynd right thou mon it fynde. Cain

266: Yei, kys the dwills ars behynde; 267: The dwill hang the bi the nek! 268: how that I teynd, neuer thou rek. 269: Will thou not yit hold thi peasse? 270: of this Ianglyng I reyde thou seasse. 271: And teynd I well, or tend I ill, 272: bere the euen & speke bot skill.

-17-

273: Bot now syn thou has teyndid thyne, 274: Now will I set fyr on myne. 275: We! out! haro! help to blaw! 276: It will not bren for me, I traw; 277: Puf! this smoke dos me mych shame-278: now bren, in the dwillys name! 279: A! what dwill of hell is it? 280: Almost had myne breth beyn dit. 281: had I blawen oone blast more 282: I had beyn choked right thore; 283: It stank like the dwill in hell, 284: that longer ther myght I not dwell. Abel

285: Cam, this is not worth oone leke; 286: thy tend shuld bren withoutten smeke. Cain

287: Com kys the dwill right in the ars, 288: for the it brens bot the wars; 289: I wold that it were in thi throte, 290: ffyr, & shefe, and ich a sprote. God

291: Cam, whi art thou so rebell 292: Agans thi brother abell? 293: Thar thou nowther flyte ne chyde, 294: if thou tend right thou gettis thi mede; 295: And be thou sekir, if thou teynd fals, 296: thou bese alowed ther after als. Cain

297: Whi, who is that hob-ouer-the-wall? 298: we! who was that that piped so small? 299: Com go we hens, for perels all; 300: God is out of hys wit. 301: Com furth, abell, & let vs weynd; 302: Me thynk that god is not my freynd, 303: on land then will I flyt. Abel

304: A, Caym, brother, that is ill done. Cain

305: No, bot go we hens sone;

-18-

306: And if I may, I shall be 307: ther as god shall not me see. Abel

308: Dere brother, I will fayre 309: on feld ther oure bestis ar, 310: To looke if thay be holgh or full. Cain

311: Na, na, abide, we haue a craw to pull; 312: Hark, speke with me or thou go; 313: what! wenys thou to skape so? 314: we! na! I aght the a fowll dispyte, 315: and now is tyme that I hit qwite. Abel

316: Brother, whi art thou so to me in Ire? Cain

317: we! theyf, whi brend thi tend so shyre? 318: Ther myne did bot smoked 319: right as it wold vs both haue choked. Abel

320: Godis will I trow it were 321: that myn brened so clere; 322: If thyne smoked am I to wite? Cain

323: we! yei! that shal thou sore abite; 324: with cheke bon, or that I blyn, 325: shal I the & thi life twyn; 326: So lig down ther and take thi rest, 327: thus shall shrewes be chastysed best. Abel

328: Veniance, veniance, lord, I cry! 329: for I am slayn, & not gilty. Cain

330: Yei, ly ther old shrew, ly ther, ly! 331: And if any of you thynk I did amys 332: I shal it amend wars then it is, 333: that all men may it se: 334: well wars then it is 335: right so shall it be. 336: Bot now, syn he is Broght on Slepe, 337: Into Som hole fayn wold I crepe; 338: ffor ferd I qwake and can no rede, 339: ffor be I taken, I be bot dede;

-19-

340: here will I lig thise fourty dayes, 341: And I shrew hym that me fyrst rayse. God

Caym, Caym! Cain
who is that that callis me? 343: I am yonder, may thou not se? God

344: Caym, where is thi brother abell? Cain

345: what askis thou me? I trow at hell: 346: At hell I trow he be-347: who so were ther then myght he se-348: Or somwhere fallen on slepyng; 349: when was he in my kepyng? God

350: Caym, Caym, thou was wode; 351: The voyce of thi brotheris blode 352: That thou has slayn, on fals wise, 353: from erth to heuen venyance cryse. 354: And, for thou has broght thi brother downe, 355: here I gif the my malison. Cain

356: Yei, dele aboute the, for I will none, 357: or take it the when I am gone. 358: Syn I haue done so mekill syn, 359: that I may not thi mercy wyn, 360: And thou thus dos me from thi grace, 361: I shall hyde me fro thi face; 362: And where so any man may fynd me, 363: Let hym slo me hardely; 364: And where so any man may me meyte, 365: Ayther bi sty, or yit bi strete; 366: And hardely, when I am dede, 367: bery me in gudeboure at the quarell hede, 368: ffor, may I pas this place in quarte, 369: bi all men set I not a fart. God

370: Nay, caym, it bese not so; 371: I will that no man other slo, 372: ffor he that sloys yong or old 373: It shall be punyshid sevenfold,. Cain

374: No force, I wote wheder I shall; 375: In hell I wote mon be my stall. 376: It is no boyte mercy to craue, 377: ffor if I do I mon none haue;

-20-

378: Bot this cors I wold were hid, 379: ffor som man myght com at vngayn, 380: `ffle fals shrew,’ wold he bid, 381: And weyn I had my brother slayn. 382: Bot were pike-harnes, my knafe, here, 383: we shuld bery hym both in fere. 384: How, pyke-harnes, scape-thryft! how, pike-harnes, how! Garcio

385: Master, master! Cain

386: harstow, boy? ther is a podyng in the pot; 387: take the that, boy, tak the that! Garcio

388: I shrew thi ball vnder thi hode, 389: If thou were my syre of flesh & blode; 390: All the day to ryn and trott, 391: And euer amang thou strykeand, 392: Thus am I comen bofettis to fott. Cain

393: Peas, man, I did it bot to vse my hand; 394: Bot Harke, boy, I haue a counsell to the to Say-395: I slogh my brother this same day; 396: I pray the, good boy, and thou may, 397: to ryn away with the bayn. Garcio

398: We! out apon the, thefe! 399: has thou thi brother slayn? Cain

400: Peasse, man, for godis payn! 401: I saide it for a skaunce. Garcio

402: Yey, bot for ferde of grevance 403: here I the forsake; 404: we mon haue a mekill myschaunce 405: and the bayles vs take. Cain

406: A, sir, I cry you mercy; seasse! 407: and I shall make you a releasse. Garcio

408: what, wilt thou cry my peasse thrughout this land,? Cain

Yey, that I gif god a vow, belife. Garcio

410: how will thou do long or thou thrife? Cain

411: Stand vp, my good boy, belife, 412: and thaym peasse both man & [w]ife;

-21-

413: And who so will do after me 414: ffull slape of thrift then shal he be. 415: Bot thou must be my good boy, 416: and cry oyes, oyes, oy! Garcio

417: Browes, browes, to thi boy. Cain

418: I commaund, you in the kyngis nayme, Garcio

419: And in my masteres, fals Cayme, Cain

420: That no man at thame fynd fawt ne blame. Garcio

421: Yey, cold rost is at my masteres hame. Cain

422: Nowther with hym nor with his knafe, Garcio

423: What, I hope my master rafe. Cain

424: ffor thay ar trew, full many fold,; Garcio

425: My master suppys no coyle bot cold,. Cain

426: The kyng wrytis you vntill. Garcio

427: Yit ete I neuer half my fill. Cain

428: The kyng will that thay be safe, Garcio

429: Yey, a draght of drynke fayne wold I hayfe. Cain

430: At thare awne will let tham wafe; Garcio

431: My stomak is redy to receyfe. Cain

432: Loke no man say to theym, on nor other; Garcio

433: This same is he that slo his brother. Cain

434: Byd euery man thaym luf and lowt, Garcio

435: Yey, ill spon weft ay comes foule out. Cain

436: long or thou get thi hoyse and thou go thus aboute. 437: Byd euery man theym pleasse to pay. Garcio

438: Yey, gif don, thyne hors, a wisp of hay. Cain

439: we! com downe in twenty dwill way, 440: The dwill I the betake; 441: ffor bot it were abell, my brothere, 442: yit knew I neuer thi make.

-22-

Garcio

443: Now old and yong, or that ye weynd, 444: The same blissyng withoutten end,, 445: All sam then’ shall ye haue, 446: That god of heuen my master has giffen; 447: Browke it well, whils that ye liffen, 448: he vowche it full well safe. Cain

449: Com downe yit in the dwillis way, 450: And angre me no more; 451: And take yond plogh, I say, 452: And weynd the furth fast before; 453: And I shall, if I may, 454: Tech the another lore; 455: I warn the lad, for ay, 456: ffro now furth, euermore, 457: That thou greue me noght; 458: ffor, bi Godis sydis, if thou do, 459: I shall hang the apon this plo, 460: with this rope, lo, lad, lo! 461: By hym that me dere boght. 462: Now fayre well, felows all, 463: ffor I must nedis weynd, 464: And to the dwill be thrall, 465: warld, withoutten end,. 466: Ordand ther is my stall, 467: with sathanas the feynd, 468: Euer ill myght hym befall 469: that theder me commend,, 470: This tyde. 471: ffare well les, & fare well more, 472: ffor now and euer more, 473: I will go me to hyde.

-23-

Noah and the Ark Noah

1: Myghtfull god veray Maker of all that is, 2: Thre persons withoutten nay oone god in endles blis, 3: Thou maide both nyght & day beest, fowle, & fysh, 4: All creatures that lif may wroght thou at thi wish, 5: As thou wel myght; 6: The son, the moyne, verament, 7: Thou maide; the firmament, 8: The sternes also full feruent, 9: To shyne thou maide ful bright. 10: Angels thou maide ful euen all orders that is, 11: To haue the blis in heuen this did thou more & les, 12: ffull mervelus to neuen yit was ther vnkyndnes, 13: More bi foldis seuen then I can well expres; 14: ffor whi? 15: Of all angels in brightnes 16: God gaf lucifer most lightnes, 17: Yit prowdly he flyt his des, 18: And set hym euen hym by. 19: He thoght hymself as worthi as hym that hym made, 20: In brightnes, in bewty therfor he hym degrade; 21: put hym in a low degre soyn after, in a brade, 22: hym and all his menye wher he may be vnglad, 23: ffor euer. 24: shall thay neuer wyn away 25: hence vnto domysday, 26: Bot burne in bayle for ay, 27: shall thay neuer dysseuer.

-24-

28: Soyne after that gracyous lord to his liknes maide man, 29: That place to be restord euen as he began, 30: Of the trinite bi accord, Adam & eue that woman, 31: To multiplie without discord, In paradise put he thaym, 32: And sithen to both 33: Gaf in commaundement, 34: On the tre of life to lay no hend; 35: Bot yit the fals feynd, 36: Made hym with man wroth, 37: Entysyd man to glotony styrd him to syn in pride; 38: Bot in paradise securly myght no syn abide, 39: And therfor man full hastely was put out, in that tyde, 40: In wo & wandreth for to be In paynes full vnrid, 41: To knawe, 42: ffyrst in erth, in sythen in hell 43: with feyndis for to dwell, 44: Bot he his mercy mell 45: To those that will hym trawe. 46: Oyle of mercy he Hus hight As I haue Hard red,, 47: To euery lifyng wight that wold luf hym and dred,; 48: Bot now before his sight euery liffyng leyde, 49: Most party day and nyght syn in word and dede 50: ffull bold,; 51: Som in pride, Ire and enuy, 52: Som in Couet[yse] & glotyny, 53: Som in sloth and lechery, 54: And other wise many fold,. 55: Therfor I drede lest god on vs will take veniance, 56: ffor syn is now alod without any repentance; 57: Sex hundreth yeris & od haue I, without distance, 58: In erth, as any sod, liffyd with grete grevance 59: All way;

-25-

60: And now I wax old, 61: seke, sory, and cold,, 62: As muk apon mold 63: I widder away; 64: Bot yit will I cry for mercy and call; 65: Noe thi seruant, am I lord ouer all! 66: Therfor me and my fry shal with me fall; 67: saue from velany and bryng to thi hall 68: In heuen; 69: And kepe me from syn, 70: This warld, within; 71: Comly kyng of mankyn, 72: I pray the here my stevyn! God

73: Syn I haue maide all thyng that is liffand, 74: Duke, emperour, and kyng with myne awne hand, 75: ffor to haue thare likyng bi see & bi sand, 76: Euery man to my bydyng shuld, be bowand 77: ffull feruent; 78: That maide man sich a creatoure, 79: ffarest of favoure, 80: Man must luf me paramoure, 81: by reson, and repent. 82: Me thoght I shewed man luf when I made hym to be 83: All angels abuf like to the trynyte; 84: And now in grete reprufe full low ligis he, 85: In erth hymself to stuf with syn that displeasse me 86: Most of all; 87: Veniance will I take, 88: In erth for syn sake, 89: My grame thus will I wake, 90: both of grete and small. 91: I repente full sore that euer maide I man, 92: Bi me he settis no store and I am his soferan; 93: I will distroy therfor Both beest, man, and woman, 94: All shall perish les and more that bargan may thay ban,

-26-

95: That ill has done. 96: In erth I se right noght 97: Bot syn that is vnsoght; 98: Of those that well has wroght 99: ffynd, I bot a fone. 100: Therfor shall I fordo All this medill-erd 101: with floodis that shall flo & ryn with hidous rerd,; 102: I haue good cause therto ffor me no man is ferd,, 103: As I say shal I do of veniance draw my swerd,, 104: And make end, 105: of all that beris life, 106: Sayf noe and his wife, 107: ffor that wold neuer stryfe 108: With me [ne] me offend,. 109: hym to mekill wyn hastly will I go, 110: To noe my seruand, or I blyn to warn hym of his wo. 111: In erth I se bot syn reynand to and fro, 112: Emang both more & myn ichon other fo; 113: With all thare entent; 114: All shall I fordo 115: with floodis that shall floo, 116: wirk shall I thaym wo, 117: That will not repent. 118: Noe, my freend, I thee commaund from cares the to keyle, 119: A ship that thou ordand of nayle and bord, ful wele. 120: Thou was alway well wirkand to me trew as stele, 121: To my bydyng obediand frendship shal thou fele 122: To mede; 123: of lennthe thi ship be 124: Thre hundreth cubettis, warn I the, 125: Of heght euen thrirte, 126: of fyfty als in brede. 127: Anoynt thi ship with pik and tar without & als within, 128: The water out to spar this is a noble gyn;

-27-

129: look no man the mar thre chese chambres begyn, 130: Thou must spend many a spar this wark or thou wyn 131: To end fully. 132: Make in thi ship also, 133: parloures oone or two, 134: And houses of offyce mo, 135: ffor beestis that ther must be. 136: Oone cubite on hight A wyndo shal thou make; 137: on the syde a doore with slyght be-neyth shal thou take; 138: With the shal no man fyght nor do the no kyn wrake. 139: When all is doyne thus right thi wife, that is thi make, 140: Take in to the; 141: Thi sonnes of good fame, 142: Sem, Iaphet, and Came, 143: Take in also hame, 144: Thare wifis also thre. 145: ffor all shal be fordone that lif in land bot ye, 146: with floodis that from abone shal fall, & that plente; 147: It shall begyn full sone to rayn vncessantle, 148: After dayes seuen be done and induyr dayes fourty, 149: withoutten fayll. 150: Take to thi ship also 151: of ich kynd beestis two, 152: Mayll & femayll, bot no mo, 153: Or thou pull vp thi sayll. 154: ffor thay may the avayll when al this thyng is wroght; 155: Stuf thi ship with vitayll, ffor hungre that ye perish noght; 156: Of beestis, foull, and catayll ffor thaym haue thou in thoght, 157: ffor thaym is my counsayll that som socour be soght, 158: In hast; 159: Thay must haue corn and hay, 160: And oder mete alway; 161: Do now as I the say, 162: In the name of the holy gast.

-28-

Noah

163: A! benedicite! what art thou that thus 164: Tellys afore that shall be? thou art full mervelus! 165: Tell me, for charite / thi name so gracius. God

166: My name is of dignyte / and also full glorius 167: To knawe. 168: I am god most myghty, 169: Oone god in trynyty, 170: Made the and ich man to be; 171: To luf me well thou awe. Noah

172: I thank the, lord, so dere that wold, vowch sayf 173: Thus low to appere to a symple knafe; 174: Blis vs, lord, here for charite I hit crafe, 175: The better may we stere the ship that we shall hafe, 176: Certayn. God

177: Noe, to the and to thi fry 178: My blyssyng graunt I; 179: Ye shall wax and multiply, 180: And fill the erth agane, 181: When all thise floodis ar past / and fully gone away. Noah

182: lord, homward will I hast / as fast as that I may; 183: My [wife] will I frast what she will say, 184: And I am agast that we get som fray 185: Betwixt vs both; 186: ffor she is full tethee, 187: ffor litill oft angre, 188: If any thyng wrang be, 189: Soyne is she wroth. 190: God spede, dere wife / how fayre ye? Uxor

191: Now, as euer myght I thryfe / the wars 192: I thee see; 193: Do tell me belife where has thou thus long be? 194: To dede may we dryfe or lif for the, ffor want.

-29-

195: When we swete or swynk, 196: thou dos what thou thynk, 197: Yit of mete and of drynk 198: haue we veray skant. Noah

199: Wife, we ar hard, sted / with tythyngis new. Uxor

200: Bot thou were worthi be cled / In stafford blew; 201: ffor thou art alway adred be it fals or trew; 202: Bot god knowes I am led and that may I rew, 203: ffull ill; 204: ffor I dar be thi borow, 205: ffrom euen vnto morow, 206: Thou spekis euer of sorow; 207: God send the onys thi fill! 208: We women may wary all ill husbandis; 209: I haue oone, bi mary! that lowsyd me of my bandis; 210: If he teyn I must tary how so euer it standis, 211: With seymland full sory, wryngand both my handis 212: ffor drede. 213: Bot yit other while, 214: What with gam & with gyle, 215: I shall smyte and smyle, 216: And qwite hym his mede. Noah

217: We! hold, thi tong, ram-skyt / or I shall the still. Uxor

218: By my thryft, if thou smyte / I shal turne the vntill. Noah

219: We shall assay as tyte haue at the, gill! 220: Apon the bone shal it byte. Uxor

A, so, mary! thou smytis ill! 221: Bot I suppose 222: I shal not in thi det, 223: fflyt of this flett! 224: Take the ther a langett 225: To tye vp thi hose! Noah

226: A! wilt thou so? / mary, that is myne. Uxor

227: Thou shal thre for two / I swere bi godis pyne.

-30-

Noah

228: And I shall qwyte the tho / In fayth or syne. Uxor

229: Out apon the, ho! / Noah

Thou can both byte and whyne, 230: with a rerd,; 231: ffor all if she stryke, 232: yit fast will she skryke, 233: In fayth I hold, none slyke 234: In all medill-erd,; 235: Bot I will kepe charyte / ffor I haue at do. Uxor

236: Here shal no man tary the / I pray the go to! 237: ffull well may we mys the as euer haue I ro; 238: To spyn will I dres me. Noah

We! fare well, lo; 239: Bot wife, 240: Pray for me besele, 241: To eft I com vnto the. Uxor

242: Euen as thou prays for me, 243: As euer myght I thrife. Noah

244: I tary full Lang Fro my warke, I traw; 245: Now my gere will I fang and thederward draw; 246: I may full ill gang the soth for to knaw, 247: Bot if god help amang I may sit downe daw 248: To ken; 249: Now assay will I 250: how I can of wrightry, 251: In nomine patris, & filii, 252: Et spiritus sanncti, Amen. 253: To begyn of this tree my bonys will I bend, 254: I traw from the trynyte socoure will be send,; 255: It fayres full fayre, thynk me this wark to my hend; 256: Now blissid be he that this can amend,. 257: lo, here the lenght, 258: Thre hundreth cubettis euenly, 259: of breed lo is it fyfty, 260: The heght is euen thyrty 261: Cubettis full strenght.

-31-

262: Now my gowne will I cast and wyrk in my cote, 263: Make will I the mast or I flyt oone foote, 264: A! my bak, I traw, will brast! this is a sory note! 265: hit is wonder that I last sich an old, dote 266: All dold, 267: To begyn sich a wark! 268: My bonys ar so stark, 269: No wonder if thay wark, 270: ffor I am full old,. 271: The top and the sayll both will I make, 272: The helme and the castell also will I take, 273: To drife ich a nayll will I not forsake, 274: This gere may neuer fayll that dar I vndertake 275: Onone. 276: This is a nobull gyn, 277: Thise nayles so thay ryn, 278: Thoro more and myn, 279: Thise bordis ichon; 280: wyndow and doore euen as he saide, 281: Thre ches chambre thay ar well maide, 282: Pyk & tar full sure ther apon laide, 283: This will euer endure therof am I paide; 284: ffor why? 285: It is better wroght 286: Then I coude haif thoght; 287: hym that maide all of noght 288: I thank oonly. 289: Now will I hy me and no thyng be leder, 290: My wife and my meneye to bryng euen heder. 291: Tent hedir tydely wife, and consider, 292: hens must vs fle All sam togeder 293: In hast. Uxor

294: Whi, syr, what alis you? 295: Who is that asalis you? 296: To fle it avalis you, 297: And ye be agast.

-32-

Noah

298: Ther is garn on the reyll / other, my dame. Uxor

299: Tell me that ich a deyll / els get ye blame. Noah

300: He that cares may keill blissid be his name! 301: he has for oure seyll to sheld vs fro shame, 302: And sayd,, 303: All this warld aboute 304: With floodis so stoute, 305: That shall ryn on a route, 306: Shall be ouerlaide. 307: he saide all shall be slayn bot oonely we, 308: Oure barnes that ar bayn and thare wifis thre; 309: A ship he bad me ordayn to safe vs & oure fee, 310: Therfor with all oure mayn thank we that fre 311: Beytter of bayll; 312: hy vs fast, go we thedir. Uxor

313: I wote neuer whedir, 314: I dase and I dedir 315: ffor ferd of that tayll. Noah

316: Be not aferd,, haue done trus sam oure gere, 317: That we be ther or none without more dere. Primus Filius

318: It shall be done full sone / brether, help to bere. Secundus Filius

319: ffull long shall I not hoyne / to do my devere, 320: Brether sam. Tertius Filius

321: without any yelp, 322: At my myght shall I help. Uxor

323: Yit for drede of a skelp 324: help well thi dam. Noah

325: Now ar we there as we shuld be; 326: Do get in oure gere oure catall and fe, 327: In to this vessell here / my chylder fre. Uxor

328: I was neuer bard ere / As euer myght I the, 329: In sich an oostre as this.

-33-

330: In fath I can not fynd 331: which is before, which is behynd; 332: Bot shall we here be pynd, 333: Noe, as haue thou blis? Noah

334: Dame, as it is skill here must vs abide grace; 335: Therfor, wife, with good will com into this place. Uxor

336: Sir, for Iak nor for gill will I turne my face 337: Till I haue on this hill spon a space 338: on my rok; 339: Well were he, myght get me, 340: Now will I downe set me, 341: Yit reede I no man let me, 342: ffor drede of a knok. Noah

343: Behold to the heuen the cateractes all, 344: That are open full euen grete and small, 345: And the planettis seuen left has thare stall, 346: Thise thoners and levyn downe gar fall 347: ffull stout, 348: Both halles and bowers, 349: Castels and towres; 350: ffull sharp ar thise showers, 351: that renys aboute; 352: Therfor, wife, haue done / com into ship fast. Uxor

353: Yei, noe, go cloute thi shone / the better will thai last. Prima Mulier

354: Good moder, com in sone ffor all is ouer cast, 355: Both the son and the mone. Secunda Mulier
and many wynd blast 356: ffull sharp; 357: Thise floodis so thay ryn, 358: Therfor moder come in. Uxor

359: In fayth yit will I spyn; 360: All in vayn ye carp. Tercius Mulier

361: If ye like ye may spyn / Moder, in the ship.

-34-

Noah

362: Now is this twyys com in / dame, on my frenship. Uxor

363: Wheder I lose or I wyn In fayth, thi felowship, 364: set I not a pyn this spyndill will I slip 365: Apon this hill, 366: Or I styr oone fote. Noah

367: Peter! I traw we dote; 368: without any more note 369: Come in if ye will. Uxor

370: Yei, water nyghys so nere that I sit not dry, 371: Into ship with a byr therfor will I hy 372: ffor drede that I drone here. / Noah
dame, securly, 373: It bees boght full dere / ye abode so long by 374: out of ship. Uxor

375: I will not, for thi bydyng, 376: go from doore to mydyng. Noah

377: In fayth, and for youre long taryyng 378: Ye shal lik on the whyp. Uxor

379: Spare me not, I pray the bot euen as thou thynk, 380: Thise grete wordis shall not flay me. Noah

Abide, dame, and drynk 381: ffor betyn shall thou be with this staf to thou stynk; 382: Ar strokis good? say me. Uxor
what say ye, wat wynk? Noah

383: speke! 384: Cry me mercy, I say! Uxor

385: Therto say I nay. Noah

386: Bot thou do, bi this day, 387: Thi hede shall I breke. Uxor

388: Lord, I were at ese and hertely full hoylle, 389: Might I onys haue a measse of wedows coyll; 390: ffor thi saull, without lese shuld I dele penny doyll, 391: so wold mo, no frese that I se on this sole 392: of wifis that ar here,

-35-

393: ffor the life that thay leyd, 394: Wold thare husbandis were dede, 395: ffor, as euer ete I brede, 396: So wold I oure syre were. Noah

397: Yee men that has wifis whyls they ar yong, 398: If ye luf youre lifis chastice thare tong: 399: Me thynk my hert ryfis both levyr and long, 400: To se sich stryfis wedmen emong; 401: Bot I, 402: As haue I blys, 403: shall chastyse this. Uxor

404: Yit may ye mys, 405: Nicholl nedy! Noah

406: I shall make the still as stone begynnar of blunder! 407: I shall bete the bak and bone and breke all in sonder. Uxor

408: Out, alas, I am gone! / oute apon the, mans wonder! Noah

409: Se how she can grone / and I lig vnder; 410: Bot, wife, 411: In this hast let vs ho, 412: ffor my bak is nere in two. Uxor

413: And I am bet so blo 414: That I may not thryfe. Primus Filius

415: A! whi fare ye thus? / ffader and moder both! Secundus Filius

416: Ye shuld not be so spitus / standyng in sich a woth. Tertius Filius

417: Thise ar so hidus / with many a cold coth. Noah

418: we will do as ye bid vs / we will no more be wroth, 419: Dere barnes! 420: Now to the helme will I hent, 421: And to my ship tent. Uxor

422: I se on the firmament, 423: Me thynk, the seven starnes.

-36-

Noah

424: This is a grete flood / wife, take hede. Uxor

425: So me thoght, as I stode / we ar in grete drede; 426: Thise wawghes ar so wode. / Noah
help, god, in this nede! 427: As thou art stere-man good / and best, as I rede, 428: Of all; 429: Thou rewle vs in this rase, 430: As thou me behete hase. Uxor

431: This is a perlous case: 432: help, god, when we call! Noah

433: Wife, tent the stere-tre and I shall asay 434: The depnes of the see that we bere, if I may. Uxor

435: That shall I do ful wysely now go thi way, 436: ffor apon this flood haue we flett many day, 437: with pyne. Noah

438: Now the water will I sownd: 439: A! it is far to the grownd; 440: This trauell I expownd 441: had I to tyne. 442: Aboue all hillys bedeyn the water is rysen late 443: Cubettis fyfteyn, bot in a highter state 444: It may not be, I weyn for this well I wate, 445: This forty dayes has rayn beyn It will therfor abate 446: Full lele. 447: This water in hast, 448: eft will I tast; 449: Now am I agast, 450: It is wanyd a grete dele. 451: Now are the weders cest and cateractes knyt, 452: Both the most and the leest. Uxor

Me thynk, bi my wit, 453: The son shynes in the eest lo is not yond it? 454: we shuld haue a good feest were thise floodis flyt 455: So spytus.

-37-

Noah

456: we haue been here, all we, 457: thre hundreth dayes and fyfty. Uxor

458: Yei, now wanys the see; 459: lord, well is vs! Noah

460: The thryd tyme will I prufe / what depnes we bere. Uxor

461: Now long shall thou hufe / lay in thy lyne there. Noah

462: I may towch with my lufe / the grownd evyn here. Uxor

463: Then begynnys to grufe / to vs mery chere; 464: Bot, husband, 465: What grownd may this be? Noah

466: The hyllys of armonye. Uxor

467: Now blissid be he 468: That thus for vs can ordand! Noah

469: I see toppys of hyllys he many at a syght, 470: No thyng to let me the wedir is so bright. Uxor

471: Thise ar of mercy / tokyns full right. Noah

472: Dame, thi counsell me / what fowll best myght, 473: And Cowth, 474: with flight of wyng 475: bryng, without taryying, 476: Of mercy som tokynyng 477: Ayther bi north or southe? 478: ffor this is the fyrst day / of the tent moyne. Uxor

479: The ravyn, durst I lay / will com agane sone; 480: As fast as thou may cast hym furth, haue done, 481: He may happyn to day com agane or none 482: With grath. Noah

483: I will cast out also 484: Dowfys oone or two: 485: Go youre way, go, 486: God send, you som wathe! 487: Now ar thise fowles flone Into seyr countre; 488: Pray we fast ichon kneland on our kne,

-38-

489: To hym that is alone worthiest of degre, 490: That he wold send anone oure fowles som fee 491: To glad vs. Uxor

492: Thai may not fayll of land, 493: The water is so wanand. Noah

494: Thank we god all weldand, 495: That lord that made vs. 496: It is a wonder thyng me thynk sothle, 497: Thai ar so long taryyng the fowles that we 498: Cast out in the mornyng. / Uxor

Syr, it may be 499: Thai tary to thay bryng. / Noah

The ravyn is a hungrye 500: All way; 501: He is without any reson, 502: And he fynd any caryon, 503: As peraventure may befon, 504: he will not away; 505: The dowfe is more gentill her trust I vntew, 506: like vnto the turtill for she is ay trew. Uxor

507: hence bot a litill she commys, lew, lew! 508: she bryngys in her bill som novels new; 509: Behald,! 510: It is of an olif tre 511: A branch, thynkys me. Noah

512: It is soth, perde, 513: right so is it cald,. 514: Doufe, byrd, full blist ffayre myght the befall ! 515: Thou art trew for to trist as ston in the wall; 516: Full well I it wist / thou wold com to thi hall, Uxor

517: A trew tokyn ist / we shall be sauyd all: 518: ffor whi? 519: The water, syn she com, 520: Of depnes plom, 521: Is fallen a fathom, 522: And more hardely.

-39-

Primus Filius

523: Thise floodis ar gone / fader, behold,. Secundus Filius

524: Ther is left right none / and that be ye bold,. Tercius Filius

525: As still as a stone / oure ship is stold. Noah

526: Apon land here anone / that we were, fayn I wold; 527: My childer dere, 528: Sem, Japhet and Cam, 529: with gle and with gam, 530: Com go we all sam, 531: we will no longer abide here. Uxor

532: here haue we beyn noy long enogh, 533: with tray and with teyn and dreed mekill wogh. Noah

534: behald, on this greyn nowder cart ne plogh 535: Is left, as I weyn nowder tre then bogh, 536: Ne other thyng, 537: Bot all is away; 538: Many castels, I say, 539: Grete townes of aray, 540: fflitt has this flowyng. Uxor

541: Thise floodis not afright all this warld, so wide 542: has mevid with myght on se and bi side. Noah

543: To dede ar thai dyght prowdist of pryde, 544: Euer ich a wyght that euer was spyde, 545: With syn, 546: All ar thai slayn, 547: And put vnto payn. Uxor

548: ffrom thens agayn 549: May thai neuer wyn? Noah

550: wyn? no, I-wis bot he that myght hase 551: Wold myn of thare mys & admytte thaym to grace; 552: As he in bayll is blis I pray hym in this space, 553: In heven hye with his to purvaye vs a place, 554: That we,

-40-

555: with his santis in sight, 556: And his angels bright, 557: May com to his light: 558: Amen, for charite. Abraha Abraham

1: Adonay, thou god veray, 2: Thou here vs when we to the call, 3: As thou art he that best may, 4: Thou art most socoure and help of all; 5: Mightfull lord! to the I pray, 6: Let onys the oyle of mercy fall, 7: Shall I neuer abide that day, 8: Truly yit I hope I shall. 9: Mercy, lord omnipotent! 10: long syn he this warld has wroght; 11: Wheder ar all oure elders went? 12: This musys mekill in my thoght. 13: ffrom adam, vnto eue assent, 14: Ete of that appyll sparid he noght, 15: ffor all the wisdom that he ment 16: ffull dere that bargan has he boght, 17: ffrom paradise thai bad hym gang; 18: He went mowrnyng with symple chere, 19: And after liffyd he here full lang, 20: More then thre hundreth yere,

-41-

21: In sorow and in trauell strang, 22: And euery day he was in were; 23: his childre angred, hym amang; 24: Caym slo abell, was hym full dere. 25: Sithen Noe, that was trew and good, 26: his and his chyldre thre, 27: was saued when all was flood: 28: That was a wonder thyng to se. 29: And loth fro sodome when he yode, 30: Thre cytees brent, yit eschapyd, he; 31: Thus, for thai menged my lordis mode, 32: he vengid syn thrugh his pauste`. 33: when I thynk of oure elders all, 34: And of the mervels that has been, 35: No gladnes in my hart may fall, 36: M[y] comfort goys away full cleyn. 37: lord, when shall dede make me his thrall? 38: An hundreth yeris, certis, haue I seyn; 39: Ma fa! sone I hope he shall, 40: ffor it were right hie tyme I weyn. 41: Yit adam is to hell gone, 42: And ther has ligen many a day, 43: And all oure elders, euerychon, 44: Thay ar gone the same way, 45: Vnto god will here thare mone; 46: Now help, lord,, adonay! 47: ffor, certis, I can no better wone, 48: And ther is none that better may. God

49: I will help adam and his kynde, 50: Might I luf and lewte fynd; 51: Wold thay to me be trew, and blyn 52: Of thare pride and of thare syn: 53: My seruand I will found & frast, 54: Abraham, if he be trast;

-42-

55: On certan wise I will hym proue, 56: If he to me be trew of louf. 57: Abraham! Abraham! Abraham

58: Who is that? war! let me se! 59: I herd oone neven my name. God

60: It is I, take tent to me, 61: That fourmed thi fader adam, 62: And euery thyng in it degre. Abraham

63: To here thi will, redy I am, 64: And to fulfill, what euer it be. God

65: Of mercy haue I herd thi cry, 66: Thi devoute prayers haue me bun; 67: If thou me luf, look that thou hy 68: Vnto the land of Visyon; 69: And the thryd day be ther, bid, I, 70: And take with the, Isaac, thi son, 71: As a beest to sacryfy, 72: To slo hym look thou not shon, 73: And bren hym ther to thyn offerand. Abraham

74: A, lovyd be thou, lord in throne! 75: hold ouer me, lord, thy holy hand, 76: ffor certis thi bidyng shall be done. 77: Blissyd be that lord in euery land 78: wold viset his seruand thus so soyn. 79: ffayn wold I this thyng ordand, 80: ffor it profettis noght to hoyne; 81: This commaundement must I nedis fulfill, 82: If that my hert wax hevy as leyde; 83: Shuld I offend my lordis will? 84: Nay, yit were I leyffer my child were dede. 85: What so he biddis me, good or ill, 86: That shall be done in euery steede; 87: Both wife and child,, if he bid spill; 88: I wille not do agans his rede.

-43-

89: wist Isaac, wher so he were, 90: he wold be abast now, 91: how that he is in dangere. 92: Isaac, son, wher art thou? Isaac

93: All redy, fader, Lo me here; 94: Now was I commyng vnto you; 95: I luf you mekill, fader dere. Abraham

96: And dos thou so? I wold wit how 97: lufis thou me, son, as thou has saide. Isaac

98: Yei, fader, with all myn hart, 99: More then all that euer was maide; 100: God hold, me long youre life in quart! Abraham

101: Now, who would not be glad that had 102: A child so lufand as thou art? 103: Thi lufly chere makis my hert glad, 104: And many a tyme so has it gart. 105: Go home, son; com sone agane, 106: And tell thi moder I com ful fast; 107: So now god the saif and sayne! 108: Now well is me that he is past! 109: Alone, right here in this playn, 110: Might I speke to myn hart brast, 111: I wold, that all were well ful fayn, 112: Bot it must nedis be done at last; 113: And it is good that I be war, 114: To be avised full good it were. 115: The land of vision is ful far, 116: The thrid day end must I be there; 117: Myn ase shall with vs, if it thar, 118: To bere oure harnes les & more, 119: ffor my son may be slayn no nar; 120: A swerd must with vs yit therfore,

-44-

121: And I shall found, to make me yare; 122: This nyght will I begyn my way, 123: THof Isaac be neuer so fayre, 124: And myn awn son, the soth to say, 125: And, thof he be myn right haire, 126: And all shuld, weld, after my day, 127: Godis bydyng shall I not spare; 128: shuld I that ganstand,? we, nay, ma fay! Isaac! Isaac

-sir! Abraham

-luke thou be bowne; 130: ffor certan, son, thi self and I, 131: we two must now weynd, furth of towne, 132: In far country to sacrifie, 133: ffor certan skyllys and encheson. 134: Take wod and fyere with the, in hy; 135: Bi hillys and, dayllys, both vp & downe, 136: son, thou shal ride and, I will go bi. 137: looke thou mys noght that thou shuld, nede; 138: Do make the redy, my darlyng! Isaac

139: I am redy to do this dede, 140: And euer to fulfill youre bydyng. Abraham

141: My dere son, look thou haue no drede, 142: We shal com home with grete lovyng; 143: Both to & fro I shal vs lede; 144: Com now, son, in my blyssyng. 145: Ye two here with this asse abide, 146: ffor Isaac & I will to yond hill; 147: It is so hie we may not ride, 148: therfor ye two shal abide here still. Primus Puer

149: sir, ye ow not to be denyed,: 150: we ar redy youre bydyng to fulfill. Secundus Puer

151: What so euer to vs betide 152: To do youre bidyng ay we will.

-45-

Abraham

153: Godis blyssyng haue ye both in fere; 154: I shall not tary long you fro. Primus Puer

155: Sir, we shal abide you here, 156: Oute of this stede shall we not go. Abraham

157: Childre, ye ar ay to me full dere, 158: I pray god kepe [you] euer fro wo. Secundus Puer

159: we will do, sir, as ye vs lere. Abraham

160: Isaac, now ar we bot we two, 161: we must go a full good paase, 162: ffor it is farther than I wend,; 163: we shall make myrth & grete solace, 164: Bi this thyng be broght to end,. 165: lo, my son, here is the place. Isaac

166: wod and fyere ar in my hend; 167: Tell me now, if ye haue space, 168: where is the beest that shuld, be brend? Abraham

169: Now, son, I may no longer layn. 170: sich will is into myne hart went; 171: Thou was euer to me full bayn 172: Euer to fulfill myn entent. 173: Bot certanly thou must be slayn, 174: And it may be as I haue ment. Isaac

175: I am hevy and nothyng fayn, 176: Thus hastely that shall be shent. Abraham

Isaac! Isaac
sir? Abraham

Com heder, bid I; 178: Thou shal be dede what so euer betide. Isaac

179: A, fader, mercy! mercy! Abraham

180: That I say may not be denyde; 181: Take thi dede therfor mekely. Isaac

182: A, good sir, abide; ffader! Abraham

What son? Isaac
to do youre will I am redy, 184: where so euer ye go or ride,

-46-

185: If I may oght ouertake youre will, 186: syn I haue trepa[s]t I wold be bet. Abraham

Isaac! Isaac

What, sir? Abraham
good son, be still. Isaac
ffader! Abraham
what, son! Isaac
think on thi get! what haue I done? Abraham
truly, none ill. Isaac

And shall be slayn? Abraham
so haue I het. Isaac
sir, what may help? Abraham
certis, no skill. Isaac

I ask mercy. Abraham
that may not let. Isaac

193: when I am dede, and closed, in clay, 194: who shall then be youre son? Abraham

195: A, lord, that I shuld abide this day! Isaac

196: sir, who shall do that I was won? Abraham

197: speke no sich wordis, son, I the pray. Isaac
shall ye me slo? Abraham

I trow I mon; lyg still! I smyte! Isaac
sir, let me say. Abraham

200: Now, my dere child,, thou may not shon. Isaac

201: The shynyng of youre bright blayde 202: It gars me quake for ferde to dee. Abraham

203: Therfor groflyngis thou shall be layde, 204: Then when I stryke thou shal not se. Isaac

205: What haue I done, fader, what haue I saide? Abraham

206: Truly, no kyns ill to me. Isaac

207: And thus gyltles shall be arayde. Abraham

208: Now, good son, let sich wordis be. Isaac

I luf you ay. Abraham
so do I the.

-47-

Isaac
ffader! Abraham
what, son? Isaac
let now be seyn. ffor my moder luf. Abraham
let be, let be! 212: It will not help that thou wold, meyn; 213: Bot ly styll till I com to the, 214: I mys a lytyll thyng, I weyn. 215: he spekis so rufully to me 216: That water shotis in both myn eeyn, 217: I were leuer than all wardly wyn, 218: That I had fon hym onys vnkynde, 219: Bot no defawt I faund, hym in: 220: I wold be dede for hym, or pynde; 221: To slo hym thus, I thynk grete syn, 222: So rufull wordis I with hym fynd; 223: I am full wo that we shuld, twyn, 224: ffor he will neuer oute of my mynd. 225: What shal I to his moder say? 226: ffor “[where is he,”] tyte will she spyr; 227: If I tell hir, “[ron away,”] 228: hir answere bese belife-“[nay, sir!”] 229: And I am ferd, hir for to slay; 230: I ne wote what I shal say till hir. 231: he lyys full still ther as he lay, 232: ffor to I com, dar he not styr. God

233: Angell, hy with all thi mayn! 234: To abraham thou shall be sent; 235: say, Isaac shall not be slayn; 236: he shall lif, and not be brent. 237: My bydyng standis he not agane, 238: Go, put hym out of his intent; 239: Byd, hym go home agane, 240: I know well how he ment.

-48-

Angel

241: Gladly, Lord, I am redy: 242: thi bidyng shall be magnyfyed; 243: I shall me spede ful hastely, 244: the to obeye at euery tyde; 245: Thi will, Thi name, to glorifye, 246: Ouer all this warld so wide; 247: And to thi seruand now in hy, 248: good, trew, abraham, will I glyde. Abraham

249: Bot myght I yit of wepyng sese, 250: till I had done this sacrifice; 251: It must nedis be, withoutten lesse, 252: thof all I carpe on this kyn wise, 253: The more my sorow it will incres; 254: when I look to hym, I gryse; 255: I will ryn on a res, 256: And slo hym here, right as he lyse. Angel

Abraham! Abraham! Abraham

Who is ther now? War! let the go. Angel
stand vp, now, stand; 259: Thi good will com I to alow, 260: Therfor I byd the hold thi hand. Abraham

261: say, who bad, so? any bot thou? Angel

262: Yei, god; & sendis this beest to thyn offerand,. Abraham

263: I speke with god latter, I trow, 264: And doyng he me commaund. Angel

265: He has persauyd thy mekenes 266: And thi good will also, Iwis; 267: he will thou do thi son no distres, 268: ffor he has graunt to the his blys. Abraham

269: Bot wote thou well that it is As thou has sayd? Angel

I say the yis. Abraham

271: I thank the, lord,, well of goodnes, 272: That all thus has relest me this;

-49-

273: To speke with the haue I no space, 274: with my dere son till I haue spokyn. 275: My good son, thou shal haue grace, 276: On the now will I not be wrokyn; 277: Ryse vp now, with thi frely face. Isaac
sir, shall I lif? Abraham
yei, this to tokyn. 279: son thou has skapid a full hard, grace, 280: Thou shuld, haue beyn both brent & brokyn. Isaac

281: Bot, fader, shall I not be slayn? Abraham

No, certis, son. Isaac
then am I glad,; 283: Good sir, put vp youre sword agayn. Abraham

284: Nay hardely, son, be thou not adrad,. Isaac

Is all for geyn? Abraham
yei, son, certan. Isaac

286: ffor ferd,, sir, was I nerehand, mad,. Isaac Isaac

1: Com nere son and kys me, 2: that I may feyle the smell of the. 3: The smell of my son is lyke 4: to a feld with flouris, or hony bike. 5: where art thou, Esaw, my son? Jacob

6: here, fader, and askis youre benyson.

-50-

Isaac

7: The blyssyng my fader gaf to me, 8: god of heuen & I gif the; 9: God gif the plente grete, 10: of wyne, of oyll, and of whete; 11: And graunt thi childre all 12: to worship the, both grete and small; 13: who so the blyssys, blyssed be he; 14: who so the waris, wared be he. 15: Now has thou my grete blyssyng, 16: loue the shall all thyne ofspryng; 17: Go now wheder thou has to go. Jacob

18: Graunt mercy, sir, I will do so. Esau

19: haue, ete, fader, of myn huntyng, 20: And gif me sythen your blyssyng. Isaac

Who is that? Esau

I, youre son 22: Esaw, bryngis you venyson. Isaac

23: Who was that was right now here, 24: And broght me bruet of a dere? 25: I ete well, and blyssyd hym; 26: And he is blyssyd, ich a lym. Esau

27: Alas! I may grete and sob. Isaac

28: Thou art begylyd thrugh iacob, 29: That is thyne awne german brother. Esau

30: haue ye kepyd me none other 31: Blyssyng then ye set hym one? Isaac

32: sich another haue I none; 33: Bot god gif the to thyn handband, 34: the dew of heuen & frute of land,; 35: Other then this can I not say. Esau

36: Now, alas, and waloway! 37: May I with that tratoure mete, 38: my faders dayes shall com with grete, 39: And my moders also; 40: may I hym mete, I shall hym slo. Rebecca

41: Isaac it were my deth 42: If Iacob weddeth in kynd of heth;

-51-

43: I will send hym to aran, 44: there my brothere dwellys, laban; 45: And there may he serue in peasse 46: till his brother’s wrath will seasse. 47: why shuld, I apon a day 48: loyse both my sonnes? better nay. Isaac

49: Thou says soth, wife; call hym heder, 50: And let vs tell hym where & wheder 51: That he may fle esaw, 52: that vs both hetis bale to brew. Rebecca

53: Iacob, son! thi fader & I 54: wold, speke with the; com, stand, vs by! 55: Out of contry must thou fle, 56: that Esaw slo not the. Jacob

57: Whederward, shuld, I go, dame? Rebecca

58: To mesopotameam; 59: To my brothere, and thyn eme, 60: that dwellys besyde Iordan streme; 61: And ther may thou with hym won, 62: to Esaw, myne other son, 63: fforget, and all his wrath be dede. Jacob

64: I will go, fader, at youre rede. Isaac

65: Yei, son, do as thi moder says; 66: Com kys vs both, & weynd thi ways. Jacob

67: Haue good day, sir and dame! Isaac

68: God sheld, the, son, from syn and shame! Rebecca

69: And gif the grace, good man to be, 70: And send me glad tythygis to the.

-52-

Jacob Jacob

1: Help me, lord,,adonay, 2: And hald, me in the right way 3: To mesopotameam; 4: ffor I cam neuer or now where I am; 5: I cam neuer here in this contre; 6: lord, of heuen, thou help me! 7: ffor I haue maide me, in this strete, 8: sore bonys & warkand feete. 9: The son is downe, what is best? 10: her purpose I all nyght to rest; 11: Vnder my hede this ston shal ly; 12: A nyghtis rest take will I. God

13: Iacob, iacob, thi god I am; 14: Of thi forfader abraham, 15: And of thi fader, Isaac; 16: I shall the blys for thare sake. 17: This land, that thou slepys in, 18: I shall the gif, and thi kyn; 19: I shall thi seede multyply, 20: As thyk as powder on erth may ly. 21: The kynd of the shall sprede wide, 22: ffrom eest to west on euery syde, 23: ffrom the south vnto the north; 24: All that I say, I shall forth; 25: And all the folkis of thyne ofspryng, 26: shal be blyssyd of thy blyssyng. 27: Iacob, haue thou no kyns drede! 28: I shall the clethe, I shall the fede. 29: Whartfull shall I make thi gate; 30: I shal the help erly and, late;

-53-

31: And all in qwart shall I bryng the 32: home agane to thi countre. 33: I shall not fayll, be thou bold,, 34: Bot I shall do as I haue told,. Jacob

35: A! lord! what may this mene? 36: what haue I herd, in slepe, and sene? 37: That god leynyd hym to a stegh, 38: And spake to me, it is no leghe; 39: And now is here none othere gate, 40: bot godis howse and heuens yate. 41: lord, how dredfull is this stede! 42: ther I layde downe my hede, 43: In godis lovyng I rayse this stone, 44: And, oyll will I putt theron. 45: lord, of heuen, that all wote, 46: here to the I make a hote: 47: If thou gif me mete and foode, 48: And close to body, as I behoued,, 49: And bryng me home to kyth and kyn, 50: by the way that I walk in, 51: without skathe and in quarte, 52: I promyse to the, with stedfast hart, 53: As thou art lord, and god myne, 54: And I Iacob, thi trew hyne, 55: This stone I rayse in sygne to day 56: shall I hold, holy kyrk for ay; 57: And of all that newes me 58: rightwys tend, shall I gif the. 59: A, my fader, god of heuen, 60: that saide to me, thrugh thi steven, 61: when I in aran was dwelland,, 62: that I shuld turne agane to land, 63: Ther I was both fed and borne, 64: warnyd thou me, lord, beforne, 65: As I went toward aran 66: with my staff, and passyd, Iordan:

-54-

67: And now I come agane to kyth, 68: with two ostes of men me with. 69: Thou hete me, lord, to do well with me, 70: to multyplye my seede as sand of see; 71: Thou saue me, lord,, thrugh vertew, 72: ffrom veniance of Esaw, 73: That he slo not, for old, greme, 74: these moders with thare barne teme. Rachel

75: Oure anguysh, sir, is many fold,, 76: syn that oure messyngere vs told, 77: That Esaw wold, you slo, 78: with foure hundreth men and mo. Jacob

79: ffor soth, rachell, I haue hym sent 80: of many beestis sere present. 81: May tyde he will oure giftis take, 82: And right so shall his wrath slake. 83: where ar oure thyngis, ar thay past Iordan? Leah

84: Go and look, sir, as ye can. God

85: The day spryngis; now lett me go. Jacob

86: Nay, nay, I will not so, 87: Bot thou blys me or thou gang: 88: If I may, I shall hold, the lang. God

89: In tokynyng that thou spekis with me, 90: I shall toche now thi thee, 91: That halt shall thou euermore, 92: bot thou shall fele no sore; 93: What is thy name, thou me tell? Jacob

Iacob. God
nay, bot Israell; 95: syn thou to me sich strengthe may kythe, 96: to men of erth thou must be stythe. Jacob
what is thy name? God
whi askis thou it? 98: `wonderfull,’ if thou wil wyt. Jacob

A, blys me, lord,! God

I shall the blys, 100: And be to the full propyce,

-55-

101: And gyf the my blyssyng for ay, 102: As lord and he that all may. 103: I shall grayth thi gate, 104: And full well ordeyn thi state; 105: when thou has drede, thynk on me, 106: And thou shal full well saynyd be, 107: And look thou trow well my sayes; 108: And farewell now, the day dayes. Jacob

109: Now haue I a new name, israell; 110: this place shall [hight] fanuell, 111: ffor I haue seyn in this place, 112: god of heuen face to face. Rachel

113: Iacob, lo we haue tythand, 114: that Esaw is here at hand. Jacob

115: Rachell, stand thou in the last eschele, 116: ffor I wold, thou were sauyd wele; 117: Call Ioseph and beniamin, 118: And let theym not fro the twyn. 119: If it be so that Esaw 120: vs before all-to-hew, 121: Ye that ar here the last 122: Ye may be sauyd if ye fle fast. Jacob

123: I pray the, lord, as thou me het, 124: thou saue me and, my gete. Esau

125: welcom brother, to kyn and kyth, 126: thi wife and childre that comes the with. 127: how has thou faren in far land,? 128: tell me now som good tythand,. Jacob

129: Well, my brother Esaw, 130: If that thi men no bale me brew. Esau

131: wemo! felows, hold youre hend, 132: ye se that I and he ar frend,,

-56-

133: And frenship here will we fulfill, 134: syn that it is godis will. Jacob

135: God yeld, you, brothere, that it so is 136: that thou thi hyne so wold, kys. Esau

137: Nay, Iacob, my dere brothere, 138: I shall the tell all anothere; 139: Thou art my lord, thrugh destyny; 140: go we togeder both thou and I, 141: To my fader and, his wife, 142: that lofys the, brother, as thare lyfe. The Prophets Moyses

Prophetam excitabit deus de fratribus vestris; Omnis anima, que non audierit prophetam illum, exterminabitur de populo suo; Nemo propheta sine honore nisi in patriâ suâ. 1: All ye folk of israell, 2: herkyn to me! I will you tell 3: Tythyngis farly goode; 4: All wote ys how it be fell 5: wherfor Adam was dampnyd, to hell, 6: he, and all his blode. 7: Therfor will god, styr and rayse 8: A prophete, in som man dayes, 9: Of oure brethere kyn; 10: And all trowes as he says, 11: And will walk in his ways, 12: ffrom hell he will theym twyn.

-57-

13: when his tyme begynnys to day, 14: I rede no man fro hym dray, 15: In way, ne stand on strut; 16: ffor he that will not here his sagh, 17: he be shewed, as an out-lagh, 18: And from his folkis be putt. 19: I warne you well that same prophete 20: shall com hereafterward,, full swete, 21: And many meruels shew; 22: Man shall fall till his feete, 23: ffor cause he can bales beete, 24: Thrugh his awn thew. 25: All that will in trowth ren 26: shall he saue, I warne you then, 27: Trust shall his name be. 28: Bot all ouer will man prophete ken 29: with worship, amangis men, 30: Bot in his awne countre. 31: herkyns all, both yong and old,! 32: God that has all in wold,, 33: Gretys you bi me; 34: his commaundementis ar ten; 35: Behold,, ye that ar his men, 36: here ye may theym se. 37: his commaundementis that I haue broght, 38: looke that ye hold, thaym noght 39: ffor tryfyls, ne for fables; 40: ffor ye shall well vnderstand, 41: That god wrote theym with his hand, 42: In thyse same tables. 43: Ye that thyse in hart will hald,, 44: vnto heuen shall ye be cald,,

-58-

45: That is fyrst to com; 46: And ye that will not do so, 47: Till hell pyne mon ye go, 48: And byde a bytter dome. 49: Do now as I shall you wys; 50: The fyrst commaundement is this 51: That I shall you say; 52: Make no god of stok ne stone, 53: And, trow in none god, bot oone, 54: That mayde both nyght and day. 55: Anothere bydis thou shall not swere, 56: ffor no mede, ne for no dere, 57: ffalsly, bi godis name; 58: If thou swere wrongwosly, 59: Wit thou well and wytterly, 60: Thou art worthi grete blame. 61: The thyrd, is, thou shall well yheme 62: Thi holy day, and serue to wheme 63: God with all thi hart. 64: The fourt commaundement is bi tayll, 65: ffader and moder worship thou shall, 66: In pouert and in qwarte. 67: The fyft commaundis thou shall forsake 68: ffornycacyon, and take the a make, 69: And lyf in rightwys state. 70: The sext commaundis thou shal not be 71: Man sloer, for gold, ne fee, 72: Ne for luf, ne for hate. 73: The seuenth commaundis that thou shall leue, 74: And nather go to stele ne reue, 75: ffor more then for les. 76: The aght bydis both old, and yong, 77: That thay be traw of thare tong, 78: And bere no fals witnes.

-59-

79: The nenth bydis the, bi thi lif, 80: Thou desyre not thi neghbur’s wife, 81: Ne mayden that is his. 82: The tent bidis the, for no case, 83: Desyre not wranwosly thyng thi neghbur has; 84: Do thus, and do no mys. 85: I am the same man that god chase, 86: And toke the ten commaundementis of peasse 87: In the monte synay; 88: Thise wordis, I say, ar no les; 89: My name is callyd moyses; 90: And haue now all good day! david
a Omnes reges adorabunt eum, omnes gentes seruient ei. 91: herkyn, all, that here may, 92: And perceyf well what I shall say, 93: All with righ[t]wisnes. 94: loke ye put it not away, 95: Bot thynk theron both nyght and day, 96: ffor it is sothfastnes. 97: Iesse son, ye wote I am; 98: Dauid is my right name, 99: And I bere crowne; 100: Bot ye me trow, ye ar to blame; 101: Of Israel, both wyld, and tame, 102: I haue in my bondon. 103: As god of heuen has gyffyn me wit, 104: shall I now syng you a fytt, 105: With my mynstrelsy; 106: loke ye do it well in wrytt, 107: And theron a knot knytt, 108: ffor it is prophecy.

-60-

109: Myrth I make till all men, 110: with my harp and fyngers ten, 111: And warn theym that thay glad,; 112: ffor god will that his son down send,, 113: That wroght adam with his hend,, 114: And heuen and erth mayde. 115: He will lyght fro heuen towre, 116: ffor to be mans saueyoure, 117: And saue that is forlorne; 118: ffor that I harp, and myrth make, 119: Is for he will manhede take, 120: I tell you thus beforne; 121: And thider shall he ren agane, 122: As gyant of mych mayne, 123: Vnto the hyest sete; 124: Ther is nawther kyng, ne swayn, 125: Then no thyng that may hym layn, 126: Ne hyde from his hete. 127: he shall be lord, and kyng of all, 128: Tyll hys feete shall kyngis fall, 129: To offre to hym wytterly. 130: Blyssyd, be that swete blome, 131: That shall saue vs at his com! 132: Ioyfull may we be. 133: Riche gyftis thay shall hym bryng, 134: And till hym make offeryng, 135: kneland on thare kne; 136: well were hym that that lordyng, 137: And that dere derlyng, 138: Myght bide on lyfe and se. 139: Men may know hym bi his marke, 140: Myrth and lovyng is his warke, 141: that shall he luf most.

-61-

142: lyght shall be born that tyme in darke, 143: Both to lawd, man and to clark, 144: the luf of rightwys gost. 145: Therfor, both emperoure and kyng, 146: Ryche and poore, both old, and ying, 147: temper well youre gle, 148: Agans that kyng lyght downe, 149: ffor to lowse vs of pryson, 150: And make vs all free. 151: Thou shew thi mercy, lord, tyll vs, 152: ffor to thou com, to hell we trus, 153: we may not go beside; 154: lord, when thi will is for to dele 155: Tyll us thi salue and thi hele, 156: whom we all abyde. 157: Now haue I songen you a fytt; 158: loke in mynd that ye haue it, 159: I rede with my myght; 160: he that maide vs all with his wytt, 161: sheld, vs all from hell pytt, 162: And graunt vs heuen lyght! sybilla Propheta

Iudicii signum tellus sudore madescit, E celo rex adueniet per secla futurus, Scilicet in carne presens vt iudicet orbem. 163: Who so wyll here tythyngis glad,, 164: of hym that all this warld, made, 165: here me wytterly! 166: sibill sage is my name; 167: Bot ye me here, ye ar to blame, 168: My word, is prophecy.

-62-

169: All men was slayn thrugh adam syn, 170: And put to pyne that neuer shall blyn, 171: thrugh falsnes of the feynd,; 172: A new kyng comes from heuen to fyght 173: Agans the feynd, to wyn his right, 174: so is his mercy heynd,. 175: All the warld, shall he deme, 176: And that haue seruyd hym to wheme, 177: Myrth thaym mon betyde; 178: All shall se hym with thare ee, 179: Ryche and poore, low and hye, 180: No man may hym hyde; 181: Bot thay shall in thare flesh ryse, 182: That euery man shall whake and gryse, 183: Agans that ilk dome. 184: with his santis, many oone, 185: he shall be sene in flesh and, bone, 186: that kyng that is to com. 187: All that shall stand hym before, 188: All shal be les and more, 189: Of oone eld, ichon. 190: Angels shall qwake then for ferd, 191: And fyre shall bren this mydyll-erd,, 192: yei, erth and, all ther apon. 193: shall nothyng here in erth be kend, 194: Bot it shall be strewyd, and brend,, 195: All waters and the see. 196: sythen shall both hill and dale 197: Ryn togeder, grete and smale, 198: And all shall euen be. 199: At hys commyng shall bemys blaw, 200: That men may his commyng knaw; 201: ffull sorowfull shall be that blast;

-63-

202: Ther is no man that herys it, 203: Bot he shall qwake for all his witt, 204: Be he neuer so stedfast. 205: Then shall hell gape and gryn, 206: That men may know thare dome therin, 207: Of that hye iustyce; 208: That ill have done, to hell mon go; 209: And to heuen the other also, 210: that has been rightwys. 211: Therfor, I rede ilk a man, 212: kepe, as well as he can, 213: ffro syn and fro mysdede. 214: My prophecy now haue I told; 215: God, you saue, both yong and old, 216: And help you at youre nede! daniel

Cum venerit sanctus sanctorum cessabit vncio vestra. 217: God that maide adam and eue, 218: whils thay dyd well, he gaf thaym leue 219: In paradise to dwell; 220: Sone when thay that appyll ete, 221: Thay were dampned,, sone and skete, 222: Vnto the pyne of hell, 223: Thrugh sorow and paynes euer new; 224: Therfor wyll god apon vs rew, 225: And his son downe send, 226: Into erth, flesh to take, 227: That is all for oure sake, 228: oure trespas to amend,. 229: fflesh with fleshe will be boght, 230: That he lose not that he has wroght 231: wyth hys awne hend,;

-64-

232: Of a madyn shal he be borne, 233: To saue all that ar forlorne, 234: Euermore withoutten end. Pharaoh Pharao

1: Peas, of payn that no man pas; 2: bot kepe the course that I commaunde, 3: And take good hede of hym that has 4: youre helth all holy in hys hande; 5: ffor kyng pharro my fader Was, 6: And led thys lordshyp of thys land; 7: I am hys hayre as age Wyll has, 8: Euer in stede to styr or stand. 9: All Egypt is myne awne 10: To leede aftyr my law; 11: I Wold my myght Were knawne 12: And honoryd, as hyt awe. 13: ffull low he shall be thrawne 14: That harkyns not my sawe, 15: hanged hy and drawne, 16: Therfor no boste ye blaw;

-65-

17: Bot as for kyng I commaund peasse, 18: To all the people of thys empyre. 19: looke no man put hym self in preaase, 20: Bot that Wyll do as I desyre, 21: And of youre Wordis look that ye seasse. 22: Take tent to me, youre soferand syre, 23: That may youre comfort most increasse, 24: And to my lyst bowe lyfe and lyre. Primus Miles

25: My lord, if any here Were, 26: That Wold not wyrk youre Wyll, 27: If We myght com thaym nere, 28: ffull soyn we shuld theym spyll. Pharao

29: Thrugh out my kyngdom Wold I ken, 30: And kun hym thank that Wold me tell, 31: If any Were so Waryd men 32: That wold my fors downe fell. Secundus Miles

33: My lord, ye haue a maner of men 34: that make great mastres vs emell; 35: The Iues that Won in gersen, 36: thay ar callyd chyldyr of Israel. 37: Thay multyplye full fast, 38: and sothly We suppose 39: That shall euer last, 40: oure lordshyp for to lose. Pharao

41: Why, how haue thay sych gawdis begun? 42: ar thay of myght to make sych frayes? Primus Miles

43: Yei, lord, full fell folk ther Was fun 44: In kyng pharao, youre fader dayes. 45: Thay cam of Ioseph, Was iacob son-46: he Was a prince Worthy to prayse-47: In sythen in ryst haue thay ay ron; 48: thus ar thay lyke to lose youre layse,

-66-

49: Thay Wyll confound you cleyn, 50: bot if thay soner sesse. Pharao

51: What deuyll is that thay meyn 52: that thay so fast incresse? Secundus Miles

53: How thay incres full well we ken, 54: as oure faders dyd vnderstand; 55: Thay Were bot sexty and ten 56: when thay fyrst cam in to thys land; 57: Sythen haue soierned in gersen 58: [Fower hundreth] Wynter, I dar warand; 59: Now ar thay nowmbred of myghty men 60: moo then [thre hundreth] thousand, 61: Wyth outen Wyfe and chyld, 62: or hyrdis that kepe thare fee. Pharao

63: How thus myght we be begyld? 64: bot shall it not be; 65: ffor wyth quantyse we shall thaym quell, 66: so that thay shall not far sprede. Primus Miles

67: My lord, we haue hard oure faders tell, 68: and clerkis that well couth rede, 69: Ther shuld a man walk vs amell 70: that shuld fordo vs and oure dede. Pharao

71: ffy on hym, to the deuyll of hell! 72: sych destyny wyll we not drede; 73: We shal make mydwyfis to spyll them 74: where any ebrew is borne, 75: And all menkynde to kyll them, 76: so shall thay soyn be lorne. 77: And as for elder haue I none awe, 78: sych bondage shall I to thaym beyde, 79: To dyke and delf, bere and draw, 80: and to do all vnhonest deyde;

-67-

81: So shall these laddis be halden law, 82: In thraldom euer thare lyfe to leyde. Secundus Miles

83: Now, certis, thys was a sotell saw, 84: thus shall these folk no farthere sprede. Pharao

85: Now help to hald theym downe, 86: look I no fayntnes fynde. Primus Miles

87: All redy, lord, We shall be bowne, 88: in bondage thaym to bynde. Moyses

89: Gret god, that all thys Warld began, 90: and growndyd it in good degre, 91: Thou mayde me, moyses, vnto man, 92: and sythen thou sauyd me from the se; 93: kyng Pharao had commawndyd, than, 94: ther shuld no man chyld sauyd be; 95: Agans hys Wyll away I wan; 96: thus has god, shewed hys myght for me. 97: Now am I sett to kepe, 98: vnder thys montayn syde, 99: Byshope Iettyr shepe, 100: to better may be tyde; 101: A, lord, grete is thy myght! 102: What man may of yond meruell meyn? 103: Yonder I se a selcowth syght, 104: sych on in Warld Was neuer seyn; 105: A bush I se burnand full bryght, 106: and euer elyke the leyfes are greyn; 107: If it be wark of Warldly Wyght, 108: I Wyll go wyt wythoutyn Weyn. God

109: Moyses, Moyses!

-68-

110: Moyses, com not to nere, 111: bot styll in that stede thou dwell, 112: And harkyn vnto me here; 113: take tent What I the tell. 114: do of thy shoyes in fere, 115: wyth mowth as I the mell, 116: the place thou standis in there 117: forsothe, is halowd Well. 118: I am thy lord, Wythouten lak, 119: to lengthe thi lyfe euen as I lyst; 120: I am god that som tyme spake 121: to thyn elders, as thay Wyst; 122: To abraam, and Isaac, 123: and iacob, I sayde shuld be blyst, 124: And multytude of them to make, 125: so that thare seyde shuld not be myst. 126: Bot now thys kyng, pharao, 127: he hurtys my folk so fast, 128: If that I suffre hym so, 129: thare seyde shuld, soyne be past; 130: Bot I Wyll not so do, 131: in me if thay Wyll trast, 132: Bondage to bryng thaym fro. 133: therfor thou go in hast 134: To do my message, haue in mynde, 135: to hym that me sych harme mase; 136: Thou speke to hym Wyth wordis heynde, 137: so that he let my people pas, 138: To Wyldernes that thay may Weynde, 139: to Worshyp me as I wyll asse. 140: Agans my wyll if that thay leynd, 141: ful soyn hys song shall be `alas.’

-69-

Moyses

142: A, lord! pardon me, Wyth thy leyf, 143: that lynage luffis me noght; 144: Gladly thay Wold me greyf, 145: if I sych bodworde broght. 146: Good lord, lett som othere frast, 147: that has more fors the folke to fere. God

148: Moyses, be thou nott abast, 149: my bydyng shall thou boldly bere; 150: If thay with wrong away Wold Wrast, 151: outt of the way I shall the Were. Moyses

152: Good lord, thay Wyll not me trast 153: for all the othes that I can swere; 154: To neuen sych noytis newe 155: to folk of Wykyd Wyll, 156: Wyth outen tokyn trew, 157: thay wyll not tent ther tyll. God

158: If that he wyll not vnderstand 159: thys tokyn trew that I shall sent, 160: Afore the kyng cast downe thy Wand, 161: and it shall turne to a serpent; 162: Then take the tayll agane in hand-163: boldly vp look thou it hent-164: And in the state that thou it fand, 165: then shal it turne by myne intent. 166: Sythen hald thy hand soyn in thy barme, 167: and as a lepre it shal be lyke, 168: And hole agane with outen harme; 169: lo, my tokyns shal be slyke. 170: And if he wyll not suffre then 171: my people for to pas in peasse, 172: I shall send venyance [neyn] or ten, 173: shall sowe full sore or I seasse.

-70-

174: Bot the ebrewes, won in Iessen, 175: shall not be merkyd with that measse; 176: As long as thay my lawes Wyll ken 177: thare comforth shall euer increasse Moyses

178: A, lord, to luf the aght vs well, 179: that makis thy folk thus free; 180: I shall vnto thaym tell 181: as thou has told to me. 182: Bot to the kyng, lord, when I com, 183: if he aske what is thy name, 184: And I stand styll, both deyf & dom, 185: how shuld, I [skape] withoutten blame? God

186: I say the thus, `Ego sum qui sum,’ 187: I am he that is the same; 188: If thou can nother muf nor mom, 189: I shall sheld, the from shame. Moyses

190: I vnderstand full well thys thyng, 191: I go, lord, with all the myght in me. God

192: Be bold in my blyssyng, 193: thi socoure shall I be. Moyses

194: A, lord of luf, leyn me thy lare, 195: that I may truly talys tell; 196: To my freyndis now wyll I fare, 197: the chosyn childre of Israell, 198: To tell theym comforth of thare care, 199: in dawngere ther as thay dwell. 200: God manteyn you euermare, 201: And mekyll myrth be you emell. Primus Puer

202: A, master moyses, dere! 203: oure myrth is all mowrnyng; 204: ffull hard halden ar we here 205: as carls vnder the kyng.

-71-

Secundus Puer

206: We may mowrn, both more and myn, 207: ther is no man that oure myrth mase; 208: Bot syn we ar all of a kyn, 209: god send vs comforth in thys case. Moyses

210: Brethere, of youre mowrnyng blyn; 211: god Wyll delyuer you thrugh his grace, 212: Out of this wo he wyll you wyn, 213: and put you to youre pleassyng place; 214: ffor I shall carp vnto the kyng, 215: and fownd full soyn to make you free. Primus Puer

216: God graunt you good Weyndyng, 217: and euermore with you be. Moyses

218: kyng pharao, to me take tent. Pharao

219: Why, boy, what tythyngis can thou tell? Moyses

220: ffrom god hym self hydder am I sent 221: to foche the chyldre of Israell; 222: To Wyldernes he wold thay went. Pharao

223: yei, weynd the to the devyll of hell! 224: I gyf no force What he has ment, 225: In my dangere, herst thou, shall thay dwell; 226: And, fature, for thy sake, 227: thay shalbe put to pyne. Moyses

228: Then wyll god venyance take 229: of the, and of all thyn. Pharao

230: On me? fy on the lad, out of my land! 231: wenys thou thus to loyse oure lay? 232: Say, whence is yond warlow with his wand 233: that thus wold wyle oure folk away? Primus Miles

234: Yond is moyses, I dar warand, 235: agans all egypt has beyn ay, 236: Greatt defawte with hym youre fader fand; 237: now wyll he mar you if he may.

-72-

Pharao

238: ffy on hym! nay, nay, that dawnce is done; 239: lurdan, thou leryd to late. Moyses

240: God bydis the graunt my bone, 241: and let me go my gate. Pharao

242: Bydis god me? fals losell, thou lyse! 243: What tokyn told he? take thou tent. Moyses

244: He sayd thou shuld dyspyse 245: both me, and hys commaundement; 246: fforthy, apon thys wyse, 247: my Wand he bad, in thi present, 248: I shuld lay downe, and the avyse 249: how it shuld turne to oone serpent; 250: And in hys holy name 251: here I lay it downe; 252: lo, syr, here may thou se the same. Pharao

253: A, ha, dog! the devyll the drowne! Moyses

254: He bad me take it by the tayll, 255: for to prefe hys powere playn; 256: Then he sayde, wythouten fayll, 257: hyt shuld turne to a wand agayn. lo, sir, behold! Pharao
wyth ylahayll! 259: Certis this is a sotell swayn! 260: bot thyse boyes shall abyde in bayll, 261: All thi gawdis shall thaym not gayn; 262: Bot wars, both morn and none, 263: shall thay fare, for thi sake. Moyses

264: I pray god send us venyange sone, 265: and on thi Warkis take wrake. Primus Miles

266: Alas, alas! this land is lorn! 267: on lyfe we may [no] longer leynd; 268: Sych myschefe is fallen syn morn, 269: ther may no medsyn it amend.

-73-

Pharao

270: Why cry ye so, laddis? lyst ye skorn? Secundus Miles

271: Syr kyng, sych care was neuer kend, 272: In no mans tyme that euer was borne. Pharao

273: Tell on, belyfe, and make an end. Primus Miles

274: Syr, the Waters that were ordand 275: for men and bestis foyde, 276: Thrugh outt all egypt land, 277: ar turnyd into reede bloyde; 278: ffull vgly and full yll is hytt, 279: that both fresh and, fayre was before. Pharao

280: O, ho! this is a wonderfull thyng to wytt, 281: of all the warkis that euer wore! Secundus Miles

282: Nay, lord, ther is anothere yit, 283: that sodanly sowys vs full sore; 284: ffor todis and froskis may no man flyt, 285: thay venom vs so, both les and more. Primus Miles

286: Greatte mystis, sir, ther is both morn and noyn, 287: byte vs full bytterly; 288: we trow that it be doyn 289: thrugh moyses, oure greatte enmy. Secundus Miles

290: My lord, bot if this menye may remefe, 291: Mon neuer myrth be vs amang. Pharao

292: Go, say to hym we wyll not grefe, 293: bot thay shall neuer the tytter gang. Primus Miles

294: Moyses, my lord gyffys leyfe 295: to leyd thi folk to lykyng lang, 296: So that we mend of oure myschefe. Moyses

297: ffull well I wote, thyse wordis ar wrang; 298: But hardely all that I heytt 299: ffull sodanly it shall be seyn; 300: vncowth meruels shalbe meyt 301: And he of malyce meyn.

-74-

Secundus Miles

302: A, lord, alas, for doyll we dy! 303: we dar look oute at no dowre. Pharao

304: What, ragyd the dwyll of hell, alys you so to cry? Primus Miles

305: ffor we fare wars then euer we fowre; 306: grete loppys ouer all this land thay fly, 307: And where thay byte thay make grete blowre, 308: and in euery place oure bestis dede ly. Secundus Miles

309: hors, ox, and asse, 310: thay fall downe dede, syr, sodanly. Pharao

311: we! lo, ther is no man that has 312: half as mych harme as I. Primus Miles

313: yis, sir, poore folk haue mekyll wo, 314: to se thare catall thus out cast. 315: The Iues in gessen fayre not so, 316: thay haue lykyng for to last. Pharao

317: Then shall we gyf theym leyf to go, 318: to tyme this perell be on past; 319: Bot, or thay flytt oght far vs fro, 320: we shall them bond twyse as fast. Secundus Miles

321: Moyses, my lord gyffis leyf 322: thi meneye to remeue. Moyses

323: ye mon hafe more myschefe 324: bot if thyse talys be trew. Primus Miles

325: A, lord, we may not leyde thyse lyfys. Pharao

326: what, dwyll! is grevance grofen agayn? Secundus Miles

327: ye, sir, sich powder apon vs dryfys, 328: where it abidys it makys a blayn; 329: Mesell makys it man and wyfe, 330: thus ar we hurt with hayll & rayn. 331: Syr, v[y]nys in montanse may not thryfe, 332: so has frost & thoner thaym slayn.

-75-

Pharao

333: yei, bot how do thay in gessen, 334: the Iues, can ye me say? Primus Miles

335: Of all thyse cares no thyng thay ken, 336: thay feyll noght of our afray. Pharao

337: No? the ragyd! the dwyll! sytt thay in peasse? 338: and we euery day in doute & drede? Secundus Miles

339: My lord, this care wyll euer encrese, 340: to moyses haue his folk to leyd; 341: Els be we lorn, it is no lesse, 342: yit were it better that thai yede. Pharao

343: Thes folk shall flyt no far, 344: If he go welland wode. Primus Miles

345: Then will it sone be war; 346: It were better thay yode. Secundus Miles

347: My lord, new harme is comyn in hand. Pharao

348: Yei, d,will, will it no better be? Primus Miles

349: wyld wormes ar layd ouer all this land, 350: Thai leyf no floure, nor leyf on tre. Secundus Miles

351: Agans that storme may no man stand; 352: And mekyll more meruell thynk me, 353: That thise thre dayes has bene durand 354: Sich myst, that no man may other se. Primus Miles

A, my lord! Pharao
hagh! Secundus Miles

356: Grete pestilence is comyn; 357: It is like ful long to last. Pharao

358: [pestilence] in the dwilys name! 359: then is oure pride ouer past. Primus Miles

360: My lord, this care lastis lang, 361: and will, to moyses haue his bone; 362: let hym go, els wyrk we wrang, 363: It may not help to houer ne hone.

-76-

Pharao

364: Then will we gif theym leyf to gang; 365: Syn it must nedis be doyn; 366: Perchauns we sall thaym fang 367: and mar them or to morn at none. Secundus Miles

368: Moyses, my lord he says 369: thou shall haue passage playn. Moyses

370: Now haue we lefe to pas, 371: my freyndis, now be ye fayn; 372: Com furth, now sall ye weynd 373: to land of lykyng you to pay. Primus Puer

374: Bot kyng Pharao, that fals feynd, 375: he will vs eft betray; 376: ffull soyn he will shape vs to sheynd, 377: And after vs send his garray. Moyses

378: Be not abast, god is oure freynd, 379: And all oure foes will slay; 380: Therfor com on with me, 381: haue done and drede you noght. Secundus Puer

382: That lord blyst might he be, 383: that vs from bayll has broght. Primus Puer

384: Sich frenship neuer we fand; 385: bot yit I drede for perels all, 386: The reede see is here at hand, 387: ther shal we byde to we be thrall. Moyses

388: I shall make way ther with my wand,, 389: as god has sayde, to sayf vs all; 390: On ayther syde the see mon stand, 391: to we be gone, right as a wall. 392: Com on wyth me, leyf none behynde; 393: lo fownd, ye now youre god to pleasse, Secundus Puer

394: O, lord,! this way is heynd; 395: Now weynd we all at easse.

-77-

Primus Miles

396: kyng pharao! thyse folk ar gone. Pharao

397: Say, ar ther any noyes new? Secundus Miles

398: Thise Ebrews ar gone, lord, euerichon. Pharao
how says thou that? Primus Miles
lord, that tayll is trew. Pharao

400: We, out tyte, that they were tayn; 401: That ryett radly shall thay rew, 402: we shall not seasse to thay be slayn, 403: ffor to the see we shall thaym sew; 404: So charge youre chariottis swythe, 405: And fersly look ye folow me. Secundus Miles

406: All redy, lord, we ar full blyth 407: At youre byddyng to be. Primus Miles

408: lord, at youre byddyng ar we bowne 409: Oure bodys boldly for to beyd; 410: we shall not seasse, bot dyng all downe, 411: To all be dede withouten drede. Pharao

412: heyf vp youre hertis vnto mahowne, 413: he will be nere vs in oure nede; 414: help! the raggyd dwyll, we drowne! 415: Now mon we dy for all oure dede. Moyses

416: Now ar we won from all oure wo, 417: And sauyd out of the see; 418: louyng gyf we god vnto, 419: Go we to land now merely. Primus Puer

420: lofe we may that lord on hyght, 421: And euer tell on this meruell; 422: Drownyd he has Kyng pharao myght, 423: louyd be that lord Emanuell. Moyses

424: heuen, thou attend, I say, in syght, 425: And erth my wordys; here what I tell. 426: As rayn or dew on erth doys lyght 427: And waters herbys and trees full well,

-78-

428: Gyf louyng to goddys mageste, 429: hys dedys ar done, hys ways ar trew, 430: honowred be he in trynyte, 431: to hym be honowre and vertew. 432: Amen. Caesar Augustus Imperator

1: Be styll, beshers, I commawnd yow, 2: That no man speke a word here now 3: Bot I my self alon; 4: And if ye do, I make a vow, 5: Thys brand abowte youre nekys shall bow, 6: ffor thy be styll as ston: 7: And looke ye grefe me noght, 8: ffor if ye do it shall be boght, 9: I swere you by mahowne; 10: I wote well if ye knew me oght, 11: To slo you all how lytyll I roght, 12: Ston styll ye wold syt downe. 13: ffor all is myn that vp standys, 14: Castels, towers, townys, and landys, 15: To me homage thay bryng; 16: ffor I may bynd and lowse of band, 17: Euery thyng bowys vnto my hand, 18: I want none erthly thyng.

-79-

19: I am lord and syr ouer all, 20: All bowys to me, both grete and small, 21: As lord of euery land; 22: Is none so comly on to call, 23: Whoso this agane says, fowll shall be fall, 24: And therto here my hand. 25: ffor I am he that myghty is, 26: And hardely all hathennes 27: Is redy at my wyll; 28: Both ryche, and poore, more & les, 29: At my lykyng for to redres, 30: whether I wyll saue or spyll. 31: Cesar august I am cald,, 32: A fayrer cors for to behald, 33: Is not of bloode & bone; 34: Ryche ne poore, yong ne old,, 35: Sych an othere, as I am told, 36: In all thys warld, is none. 37: Bot oone thyng doys me full mych care, 38: I trow my land wyll sone mysfare 39: ffor defawte of counsell lele; 40: My counsellars so wyse of lare, 41: help to comforth me of care, 42: No wyt from me ye fele. 43: As I am man moost of renowne, 44: I shall you gyf youre waryson 45: To help me if ye may. Primus Consultus

46: To counsell you, lord, we ar bowne, 47: And for no man that lyfys in towne 48: wyll we not let, perfay; 49: youre messyngere I reede ye call, 50: ffor any thyng that may befall,

-80-

51: Byd hym go hastely, 52: Thrugh out youre landys ouer all, 53: Amang youre folk, both grete and small 54: youre gyrth & peasse to cry; 55: ffor to commaunde both yong & old,, 56: None be so hardy ne so bold, 57: To hold of none bot you; 58: And, who so doth, put them in hold, 59: And loke ye payn theym many fold. Imperator

60: I shall, I make a vowe; 61: Of thys counsell well payde am I, 62: It shall be done full hastely, 63: wyth outen any respytt. Secundus Consultus

64: My Lord abyde awyle, for why? 65: A word to you I wold cleryfy. Imperator

66: Go on, then, tell me tytt. Secundus Consultus

67: All redy, lord, now permafay, 68: Thys haue I herd syn many day, 69: ffolk in the contre tell; 70: That in this land shuld dwell a may, 71: The which sall bere a chylde, thay say, 72: That shall youre force downe fell. Imperator

73: Downe fell? dwyll! what may this be? 74: Out, harow, full wo is me! 75: I am full wyll of reede! 76: A, fy, and dewyls! whens cam he 77: That thus shuld reyfe me my pawste? 78: Ere shuld I be his dede. 79: ffor certys, then were my worshyp lorne, 80: If sych a swayn, a snoke horne, 81: Shuld thus be my suffrane; 82: may I wyt when that boy is borne, 83: In certan, had the dwyll hit sworne, 84: that gadlyng shuld agane.

-81-

Primus Consultus

85: Do way, lord, greyf you not so, 86: youre messyngere ye cause furth go 87: Aftyr youre cosyn dere, 88: To speke with you a word, or two, 89: The best counsell that lad to slo, 90: ffull soyn he can you lere; 91: ffor a wyse man that knyght men know. Imperator

92: Now I assent vnto thi saw, 93: of witt art thou the well; 94: ffor all the best men of hym blowys; 95: he shall neuer dystroy my lawes, 96: were he the dwyll of hell. 97: Com lyghtfote, lad, loke thou be yare 98: On my message furth to fare, 99: go tytt to sir syryn; 100: Say sorow takys me full sare, 101: pray hym to comforth me of care, 102: As myn awne dere cosyn; 103: And bot if thou come agane to nyght, 104: look I se the neuer in syght, 105: neuer where in my land. Nuncius

106: yis, certys, lord, I am full lyght, 107: or noyn of the day, I dar you hyght, 108: to bryng hym by the hand. Imperator

109: yai, boy, and as thou luffys me dere, 110: Luke that thou spy, both far and nere, 111: Ouer all in ych place; 112: If thou here any saghes sere, 113: Of any carpyng, far and nere, 114: Of that lad, where that thou gase. Nuncius

115: All redy, lord, I am full bowne, 116: To spyr and spy in euery towne,

-82-

117: After that wykkyd, queyd; 118: If I here any runk or rowne, 119: I shall fownd to crak thare crowne, 120: Ouer all, in ylk a stede; 121: And therfor, lord, haue now good day. Imperator

122: Mahowne he wyse the on thi way, 123: That weldys water and wynde; 124: And specyally, here I the pray, 125: To spede the as fast as thou may. Nuncius

126: yis, lord, that shall ye fynde. 127: Mahowne the saue and se, sir syryne! 128: Cesar, my lord, and youre cosyn, 129: he gretys you well by me. Sirinus

130: Thou art welcom to me and myn; 131: Com nere and tell me tythandys thyn, 132: Tyte, what thay may be. Nuncius

133: My lord prays you, as ye luf hym dere, 134: To com to hym, if youre wyll were, 135: To speke with hym awhyle. Sirinus

136: Go grete hym well, thou messyngere, 137: say hym I com, and that right nere, 138: Behynd, the not a myle. Nuncius

139: All redy, lord, at youre byddyng. 140: Mahowne the menske, my lord kyng, 141: And save the by see and sand. Imperator

142: Welcom, bewshere, say what tythyng, 143: Do tell me tyte, for any thyng, 144: What herd thou in my land? Nuncius

145: I herd, no thyng, lord, bot goode; 146: Syr syryn, that I after yode, 147: he wyll be here this nyght. Imperator

148: I thank the by mahownes bloode; 149: Thise tythyngys mekyll amendys my mode; 150: Go rest, thou worthy wyght.

-83-

Sirinus

151: Mahowne so semely on to call, 152: he saue the, lord of lordis all, 153: Syttyng with thi meneye. Imperator

154: Welcom, sir syrynne, to this hall, 155: Besyde my self here sytt thou shall, 156: Com vp belyf to me. Sirinus

157: yis, lord, I am at youre talent. Imperator

158: Wherfor, sir, I after the sent, 159: I shall the say full right; 160: And therfor take to me intent, 161: I am in poynt for to be shent. Sirinus

162: how so, for mahownes myght? Imperator

163: syr, I am done to vnderstand, 164: That a qweyn here, in this land, 165: shall bere a chyld, I wene, 166: That shall be crowned kyng lyfand, 167: And all shall bow vnto his hand; 168: Thise tythyngys doth me teyne. 169: he shall commaunde both ying and old, 170: None be so hardy ne so bold 171: To gyf seruyce to me; 172: Then wold, my hart be cold 173: If sich a beggere shold 174: My kyngdom thus reyf me; 175: And therfor, sir, I wold the pray, 176: Thy best counsell thou wold me say, 177: To do what I am best; 178: ffor securly, if that I may, 179: If he be fonden I shall hym slay, 180: Aythere by eest or west. Sirinus

181: Now wote ye, lord, what that I reede; 182: I counsell you, as ete I brede,

-84-

183: what best therof may be; 184: Gar serche youre land in euery stede, 185: And byd that boy be done to dede, 186: who the fyrst may hym see; 187: And also I rede that ye gar cry, 188: To fleme wyth all that belamy, 189: That shuld be kyng with crowne; 190: Byd ych man com to you holly, 191: And bryng to you a heede penny, 192: That dwellys in towere or towne; 193: That this be done by the thyrde day, 194: Then may none of his freyndys say, 195: Bot he has mayde homage. 196: If ye do thus, sir, permafay, 197: youre worship shall ye wyn for ay, 198: If thay make you trowage. Imperator

199: I thank you, sir, as myght I the, 200: ffor thyse tythyngys that thou tellys me, 201: Thy counsell shall avayll; 202: lord and syre of this cowntre, 203: wythouten ende here make I the, 204: ffor thy good counsell; 205: My messyngere, loke thou be bowne, 206: And weynd belyf from towne to towne, 207: And be my nobyll swane; 208: I pray the, as thou luffys mahowne, 209: And also for thy waryson, 210: That thou com tytt agane. 211: Commaunde the folk holly ichon, 212: Ryche ne poore forgett thou none, 213: To hold, holly on me, 214: And lowtt me as thare lord alone; 215: And who wyll not thay shall be slone, 216: This brand thare bayll shal be.

-85-

217: Therfor thou byd both old and ying, 218: That ich man know me for his kyng, 219: ffor drede that I thaym spyll, 220: That I am lord, and in tokynyng, 221: Byd ich man a penny bryng, 222: And make homage me tyll. 223: To my statutys who wyll not stand, 224: ffast for to fle outt of my land, 225: Byd thaym, withouten lyte; 226: Now by mahowne, god all weldand, 227: Thou shall be mayde knyght with my hand, 228: And therfor hye the tyte. Nuncius

229: All redy, lord, it shall be done; 230: Bot I wote well I com not sone, 231: And therfor be not wroth; 232: I swere you, sir, by son and moyne, 233: I com not here by fore eft none, 234: wheder ye be leyfe or loth; 235: Bot hafe good day, now wyll I weynd, 236: ffor longer here may I not leynd, 237: Bot grathe me furth my gate. Imperator

238: Mahowne that is curtes and heynd, 239: he bryng thi Iornay well to eynd, 240: And wysh the that all wate.

-86-

The Aunnunciation God

1: Sythen I haue mayde all thyng of noght, 2: And Adam with my handis hath wroght, 3: Lyke to myn ymage, att my devyse, 4: And gyffen hym Ioy in paradyse, 5: To won therin, as that I wend, 6: To that he dyd that I defend; 7: Then I hym put out of that place, 8: Bot yit, I myn, I hight hym grace 9: Oyll of mercy I can hym heyt, 10: And tyme also his bayll to beytt. 11: ffor he has boght his syn full sore, 12: Thise fyfe thowsand yeris and more, 13: ffyrst in erthe and sythen in hell; 14: Bot long therin shall he not dwell. 15: Outt of payn he shall be boght, 16: I wyll not tyne that I haue wroght. 17: I wyll make redempcyon, 18: As I hyght for my person, 19: All wyth reson and with right, 20: Both thrugh mercy and thrugh myght. 21: he shall not, therfor, ay be spylt, 22: ffor he was wrangwysly begylt; 23: he shall out of preson pas, 24: ffor that he begyled was 25: Thrugh the edder, and his wyfe; 26: Thay gart hym towch the tree of lyfe, 27: And ete the frute that I forbed, 28: And he was dampned for that dede. 29: Ryghtwysnes wyll we make; 30: I wyll that my son manhede take,

-87-

31: ffor reson wyll that ther be thre, 32: A man, a madyn, and a tre: 33: Man for man, tre for tre, 34: Madyn for madyn; thus shal it be. 35: My son shall in a madyn light, 36: Agans the feynd of hell to fight; 37: wythouten wem, os son thrugh glas, 38: And she madyn as she was. 39: Both god and man shall he be, 40: And she moder and madyn fre. 41: To abraham I am in dett 42: To safe hym and his gett; 43: And I wyll that all prophecye 44: Be fulfyllyd here by me; 45: ffor I am lord and lech of heyle, 46: My prophetys shall be funden leyle; 47: As moyses sayd, and Isay, 48: Kyng dauid, and Ieromy, 49: Abacuk, and daniell, 50: Sybyll sage, that sayde ay well, 51: And myne othere prophetis all, 52: As thay haue [said] it shall befall. 53: Ryse vp, gabriell, and weynd 54: vnto a madyn that is heynd, 55: To nazareth in galilee, 56: Ther she dwellys in that cytee. 57: To that vyrgyn and to that spouse, 58: To a man of dauid house, 59: Ioseph also he is namyd by, 60: And the madyn name mary. 61: Angell must to mary go, 62: ffor the feynd was eue fo; 63: he was foule and layth to syght, 64: And thou art angell fayr and bright; 65: And hayls that madyn, my lemman, 66: As heyndly as thou can. 67: Of my behalf thou shall hyr grete, 68: I haue hyr chosen, that madyn swete,

-88-

69: She shall conceyf my derlyng, 70: Thrugh thy word and hyr heryng. 71: In hyr body wyll I lyght, 72: That is to me clenly dyght; 73: She shall of hyr body bere 74: God and man wythouten dere. 75: She shall be blyssyd wythouten ende; 76: Grayth the gabriell, and weynd. Gabriel

77: hayll, mary, gracyouse! 78: hayll, madyn and godis spouse! 79: Vnto the I lowte; 80: Of all vyrgyns thou art qwene, 81: That euer was, or shall be seyn, 82: wythouten dowte. 83: hayll, mary, and well thou be! 84: My lord of heuen is wyth the, 85: wythouten end; 86: hayll, woman most of mede! 87: Goodly lady, haue thou no drede, 88: That I commend; 89: ffor thou has fonden all thyn oone, 90: The grace of god, that was out gone, 91: ffor adam plyght. 92: This is the grace that the betydys, 93: Thou shall conceyue within thi sydys 94: A chyld of myght. 95: When he is comen, that thi son, 96: he shall take cyrcumsycyon, 97: Call hym ihesum. 98: Mightfull man shall be he that, 99: And godys son shall he hat, 100: By his day com. 101: My lord also shall gyf hym tyll 102: hys fader sete, dauid, at wyll,

-89-

103: Therin to sytt: 104: he shall be kyng in Iacob kyn, 105: hys kyngdom shall neuer blyn, 106: lady, well thou wytt. Mary

107: What is thi name? Gabriel
gabriell; 108: godys strengthe and his angell, 109: That comys to the. Mary

110: fferly gretyng thou me gretys; 111: A child to bere thou me hetys, 112: how shuld, it be? 113: I cam neuer by man’s syde, 114: Bot has avowed my madynhede, 115: ffrom fleshly gett. 116: Therfor I wote not how 117: That this be brokyn, as a vow 118: That I haue hett; 119: Neuer the les, well I wote, 120: To wyrk thi word and hold, thi hote 121: Mightfull god is; 122: Bot I ne wote of what manere, 123: Therfor I pray the, messyngere, 124: That thou me wysh. Gabriel

125: lady, this is the preuate; 126: The holy gost shall light in the, 127: And his vertue, 128: he shall vmshade and fulfyll 129: That thi madynhede shall neuer spyll, 130: Bot ay be new. 131: The child that thou shall bere, madame, 132: Shall godys son be callid by name; 133: And se, mary, 134: Elesabeth, thi Cosyn, that is cald, geld,, 135: She has conceyffed a son in elde, 136: Of zacary;

-90-

137: And this is, who wyll late, 138: The sext moneth of hyr conceytate, 139: That geld, is cald,. 140: No word, lady, that I the bryng, 141: Is vnmyghtfull to heuen kyng, 142: Bot all shall hald,. Mary

143: I lofe my lord all weldand, 144: I am his madyn at his hand, 145: And in his wold,; 146: I trow bodword that thou me bryng, 147: Be done to me in all thyng, 148: As thou has told,. Gabriel

149: Mary, madyn heynd, 150: me behovys to weynd, 151: my leyf at the I take. Mary

152: ffar to my freynd, 153: Who the can send, 154: ffor mankynde sake. Joseph

155: All-myghty god, what may this be! 156: Of mary my wyfe meruels me, 157: Alas, what has she wroght? 158: A, hyr body is grete and she with childe! 159: ffor me was she neuer fylyd, 160: Therfor myin is it noght. 161: I irke full sore with my lyfe, 162: That euer I wed so yong a wyfe, 163: That bargan may I ban; 164: To me it was a carefull dede, 165: I myght well wyt that yowthede 166: wold, haue lykyng of man 167: I am old,, sothly to say, 168: passed, I am all preuay play,

-91-

169: The gams fro me ar gane. 170: It is ill cowpled, of youth and elde; 171: I wote well, for I am vnwelde, 172: som othere has she tane. 173: she is with chyld, I wote neuer how, 174: Now, who wold, any woman trow? 175: Certys, no man that can any goode; 176: I wote not in the warld, what I shuld, do, 177: Bot now then wyll I weynd hyr to, 178: And wytt who owe that foode. 179: hayll, mary, and well ye be! 180: why, bot woman, what chere with the? Mary

181: The better, sir, for you. Joseph

182: So wold, I, woman, that ye wore; 183: Bot certys, mary, I rew full sore 184: It standys so with the now. 185: Bot of a thyng frayn the I shall, 186: who owe this child, thou gose with all? Mary

187: Syr, ye, and god of heuen. Joseph

188: Myne, mary? do way thi dyn; 189: That I shuld, oght haue parte therin 190: Thou nedys it not to neuen; 191: wherto neuyns thou me therto? 192: I had neuer with the to do, 193: how shuld it then be myne? 194: whos is that chyld,, so god the spede? Mary

195: Syr, godys and yowrs, with outen drede. Joseph

196: That word, had, thou to tyne, 197: ffor it is right full far me fro, 198: And I forthynkys thou has done so 199: Thise ill dedys bedene; 200: And if thou speke thi self to spyll, 201: It is full sore agans my wyll, 202: If better myght haue bene.

-92-

Mary

203: At godys wyll, Ioseph, must it be, 204: ffor certanly bot god and ye 205: I know none othere man; 206: ffor fleshly was I neuer fylyd. Joseph

207: how shuld thou thus then be with chyld? 208: Excuse the well thou can; 209: I blame the not, so god me saue, 210: woman maners if that thou haue, 211: Bot certys I say the this, 212: well wote thou, and so do I, 213: Thi body fames the openly, 214: That thou has done amys. Mary

215: yee, god he knowys all my doyng. Joseph

216: we! now, this is a wonder thyng, 217: I can noght say therto; 218: Bot in my hart I haue greatt care, 219: And ay the longer mare and mare; 220: ffor doyll what shall I do? 221: Godys and myn she says it is; 222: I wyll not fader it, she says amys; 223: ffor shame yit shuld, she let, 224: To excuse hir velany by me; 225: with hir I thynk no longer be, 226: I rew that euer we met. 227: And how we met ye shall wyt sone; 228: Men vse yong chyldren for to done 229: In temple for to lere; 230: Soo dyd thay hir, to she wex more 231: Then othere madyns wyse of lore; 232: then byshopes sayd to hir, 233: “[Mary, the behowfys to take 234: Som yong man to be thi make,

-93-

235: As thou seys other haue, 236: In the temple which thou wyll neuen;”] 237: And she sayd, none, bot god of heuen, 238: To hym she had hir tane; 239: She wold none othere for any sagh; 240: Thay sayd she must, it was the lagh, 241: She was of age thertill. 242: To the temple thay somond old and ying, 243: All of Iuda ofspryng, 244: The law for to fulfill. 245: Thay gaf ich man a white wand, 246: And bad vs bere them in oure hande, 247: To offre with good intent; 248: Thay offerd thare yerdys vp in that tyde, 249: ffor I was old, I stode be syde, 250: I wyst not what thay ment; 251: Thay lakyd, oone, thay sayde in hy, 252: All had offerd,, thay sayd, bot I, 253: ffor I ay withdrogh me. 254: ffurth with my wande thay mayd, me com, 255: In my hand, it floryshed with blome; 256: Then sayde thay all to me, 257: “[If thou be old, meruell not the, 258: ffor god of heuen thus ordans he, 259: Thi wand shewys openly; 260: It florishes so, withouten nay, 261: That the behovys wed mary the may;”] 262: A sory man then was I; 263: I was full sory in my thoght, 264: I sayde for old I myght noght 265: hir haue neuer the wheder; 266: I was vnlykely to hir so yong, 267: Thay sayde ther helpyd, none excusyng, 268: And wed vs thus togeder.

-94-

269: when I all thus had wed hir thare, 270: we and my madyns home can fare, 271: That kyngys doghters were; 272: All wroght thay sylk to fynd them on, 273: Marie wroght purpyll, the oder none 274: bot othere colers sere. 275: I left thaym in good peasse wenyd I, 276: Into the contre I went on hy, 277: My craft to vse with mayn; 278: To gett oure lyfyng I must nede, 279: On marie I prayd them take good hede, 280: To that I cam agane. 281: Neyn monethes was I fro that myld,; 282: when I cam home she was with chyld,; 283: Alas, I sayd, for shame! 284: I askyd ther women who that had done, 285: And thay me sayde an angell sone, 286: syn that I went from hame; 287: An angell spake with that wyght, 288: And no man els, bi day nor nyght, 289: “[sir, therof be ye bold,.”] 290: Thay excusyd hir thus sothly, 291: To make hir clene of hir foly, 292: And babyshed, me that was old,. 293: Shuld, an angell this dede haue wroght? 294: Sich excusyng helpys noght, 295: ffor no craft that thay can; 296: A heuenly thyng, for sothe, is he, 297: And she is erthly; this may not be, 298: It is som othere man. 299: Certys, I forthynk sore of hir dede, 300: Bot it is long of yowth-hede,

-95-

301: All sich wanton playes; 302: ffor yong women wyll nedys play them 303: with yong men, if old, forsake them, 304: Thus it is sene always. 305: Bot marie and I playd neuer so sam, 306: Neuer togeder we vsid, that gam, 307: I cam hir neuer so nere; 308: she is as clene as cristall clyfe 309: ffor me, and shalbe whyls I lyf, 310: The law wyll it be so. 311: And then am I cause of hir dede, 312: ffor thi then can I now no rede, 313: Alas, what I am wo! 314: And sothly, if it so befall, 315: Godys son that she be with all, 316: If sich grace myght betyde, 317: I wote well that I am not he, 318: which that is worthi to be 319: That blyssed, body besyde, 320: Nor yit to be in company; 321: To wyldernes I will for thi 322: Enfors me for to fare; 323: And neuer longer with hir dele, 324: Bot stylly shall I from hir stele, 325: That mete shall we no mare. Angel

326: Do wa, Ioseph, and mend thy thoght, 327: I warne the well, and weynd thou noght, 328: To wyldernes so wylde; 329: Turne home to thi spouse agane, 330: look thou deme in hir no trane, 331: ffor she was neuer ffylde. 332: wyte thou no wyrkyng of Werkys wast, 333: She hase consauyd the holy gast,

-96-

334: And she shall bere godys son; 335: ffor thy with hir, in thi degre, 336: Meke and buxom looke thou be, 337: And with hir dwell and won. Joseph

338: A, lord, I lofe the all alon, 339: That vowches safe that I be oone 340: To tent that chyld so ying; 341: I that thus haue vngrathly gone, 342: And vntruly taken apon 343: Mary, that dere darlyng. 344: I rewe full sore that I haue sayde, 345: And of hir byrdyng hir vpbrade, 346: And she not gylty is; 347: ffor thy to hir now Wyll I weynde, 348: And pray hir for to be my freynde, 349: And aske hir forgyfnes. 350: A, mary, wyfe, what chere? Mary

351: The better, sir, that ye ar here; 352: Thus long where haue ye lent? Joseph

353: Certys, walkyd aboute, lyke a fon, 354: That wrangwysly hase taken apon; 355: I wyst neuer What I ment; 356: Bot I wote well, my lemman fre, 357: I haue trespast to god and the; 358: fforgyf me, I the pray. Mary

359: Now all that euer ye sayde me to, 360: God forgyf you, and I do, 361: With all the myght I may. Joseph

362: Gramercy, mary, thi good wyll 363: So kyndly forgyfys that I sayde yll, 364: When I can the vpbrade; 365: Bot well is hym hase sich a fode, 366: A, meke wyf, withouten goode, 367: he may well hold, hym payde.

-97-

368: A, what I am light as lynde! 369: he that may both lowse and bynde, 370: And euery mys amend, 371: leyn me grace, powere, and myght, 372: My wyfe and hir swete yong wight 373: To kepe, to my lyfys ende. The Salutation of Elizabeth Mary

1: My lord of heuen, that syttys he, 2: And all thyng seys with ee, 3: The safe, Elezabeth. Elizabeth

4: Welcom, mary, blyssed blome, 5: Ioyfull am I of thi com 6: To me, from nazareth. Mary

7: how standys it with you, dame, of qwart? Elizabeth

8: well, my doghter and dere hart, 9: As can for myn elde. Mary

10: To speke with you me thoght full lang, 11: ffor ye with childe in elde gang, 12: And ye be cald, geld,. Elizabeth

13: ffull lang shall I the better be, 14: That I may speke my fyll with the, 15: My dere kyns Woman; 16: To wytt how thi freyndys fare, 17: In thi countre where thay ar, 18: Therof tell me thou can,

-98-

19: And how thou farys, my dere derlyng. Mary

20: Well, dame, gramercy youre askyng, 21: ffor good I wote ye spyr. Elizabeth

22: And Ioachym, thy fader, at hame, 23: And anna, my nese, and thi dame, 24: how standys it with hym and hir? Mary

25: Dame, yit ar thay both on lyfe, 26: Both ioachym and anna his wyfe. Elizabeth

27: Els were my hart full sore. Mary

28: Dame, god that all may, 29: yeld, you that ye say, 30: And, blys you therfore. Elizabeth

31: Blyssed be thou of all women, 32: And the fruyte that I well ken, 33: Within the wombe of the; 34: And this tyme may I blys, 35: That my lordys moder is 36: Comen thus vnto me. 37: ffor syn that tyme full well I wote, 38: The stevyn of angell voce it smote, 39: And rang now in myn ere; 40: A selcouth thyng is me betyde. 41: The chyld makys Ioy, as any byrd, 42: That I in body bere. 43: And als, mary, blyssed be thou, 44: That stedfastly wold, trow, 45: The wordys of oure heven kyng; 46: Therfor all thyng now shall be kend, 47: That vnto the were sayd or send, 48: By the angell gretyng. Mary

Magnificat anima mea dominum; 49: My saull lufys my lord abuf, 50: And my gost gladys with luf,

-99-

51: In god, that is my hele; 52: ffor he has bene sene agane, 53: The buxumnes of his bane, 54: And kept me madyn lele. 55: Lo, therof what me shall betyde-56: All nacyons on euery syde, 57: Blyssyd shall me call; 58: ffor he that is full of myght, 59: Mekyll thyng to me has dyght, 60: his name be blyssed ouer all; 61: And his mercy is also 62: ffrom kynde to kynde, tyll all tho 63: That ar hym dredand. 64: Myght in his armes he wroght, 65: And dystroed in his thoght, 66: Prowde men and hygh berand,. 67: Myghty men furth of sete he dyd, 68: And he hyghtynd in that stede 69: The meke men of hart; 70: The hungre With all good he fyld, 71: And left the rich outt shyld, 72: Thaym to Vnquart. 73: Israell has vnder law, 74: his awne son in his awe, 75: By menys of his mercy; 76: As he told before by name, 77: To oure fader, abraham, 78: And seyd of his body. 79: Elezabeth, myn awnt dere, 80: My lefe I take at you here, 81: ffor I dwell now full lang. Elizabeth

82: wyll thou now go, godys fere? 83: Com kys me, doghter, with good chere, 84: or thou hens gang;

-100-

85: ffarewell now, thou frely foode! 86: I pray the be of comforth goode, 87: ffor thou art full of grace; 88: Grete well all oure kyn of bloode; 89: That lord, that the with grace infude, 90: he saue all in this place. The First Shepherds’ Play Primus Pastor

1: Lord, what thay ar weyll that hens ar past! 2: ffor thay noght feyll theym to downe cast. 3: here is mekyll vnceyll and long has it last, 4: Now in hart, now in heyll now in weytt, now in blast, 5: Now in care, 6: Now in comforth agane, 7: Now is fayre, now is rane, 8: Now in hart full fane, 9: And after full sare. 10: Thus this Warld,, as I say farys on ylk syde, 11: ffor after oure play com sorows vnryde; 12: ffor he that most may When he syttys in pryde, 13: When it comys on assay is kesten downe wyde,

-101-

14: This is seyn; 15: When ryches is he, 16: Then comys pouerte, 17: hors-man Iak cope 18: Walkys then, I weyn. 19: I thank it god hark ye what I mene, 20: ffor euen or for od I haue mekyll tene; 21: As heuy as a sod I grete with myn eene, 22: When I nap on my cod for care that has bene, 23: And sorow. 24: All my shepe ar gone, 25: I am not left oone, 26: The rott has theym slone; 27: Now beg I and borow. 28: My handys may I wryng and mowrnyng make, 29: Bot if good will spryng the countre forsake; 30: ffermes thyk ar comyng my purs is bot wake, 31: I haue nerehand nothyng to pay nor to take; 32: I may syng 33: With purs penneles, 34: That makys this heuynes, 35: Wo is me this dystres! 36: And has no helpyng. 37: Thus sett I my mynde truly to neuen, 38: By my wytt to fynde to cast the warld in seuen; 39: My shepe haue I tynde by the moren full euen; 40: Now if hap will grynde god from his heuen 41: Send grace. 42: To the fare will I me, 43: To by shepe, perde, 44: And yit may I multyple, 45: ffor all this hard case. Secundus Pastor

46: Benste, benste be vs emang, 47: And saue all that I se here in this thrang,

-102-

48: he saue you and me ouertwhart and endlang, 49: That hang on a tre I say you no wrang; 50: Cryst saue vs 51: ffrom all myschefys, 52: ffrom robers and thefys, 53: ffrom those mens grefys, 54: That oft ar agans vs. 55: Both bosters and bragers god kepe vs fro, 56: That with thare long dagers dos mekyll wo; 57: ffrom all byll hagers with colknyfys that go; 58: Sich wryers and wragers gose to and fro 59: ffor to crak. 60: Who so says hym agane, 61: were better be slane; 62: Both ploghe and wane 63: Amendys will not make. 64: he will make it as prowde a lord as he were, 65: With a hede lyke a clowde ffelterd his here; 66: he spekys on lowde with a grym bere, 67: I wold not haue trowde so galy in gere 68: As he glydys. 69: I wote not the better, 70: Nor wheder is gretter, 71: The lad or the master, 72: So stowtly he strydys. 73: If he hask me oght that he wold, to his pay, 74: ffull dere bese it boght if I say nay; 75: Bot god that all wroght to the now I say, 76: help that thay were broght to a better way 77: ffor thare sawlys; 78: And send theym good mendyng 79: With a short endyng, 80: And with the to be lendyng 81: When that thou callys. 82: how, gyb, goode morne wheder goys thou? 83: Thou goys ouer the corne gyb, I say, how!

-103-

Primus Pastor

84: Who is that? John horne I make god a vowe! 85: I say not in skorne thom, how farys thou? Secundus Pastor

86: hay, ha! 87: Ar ye in this towne? Primus Pastor

88: yey, by my crowne. Secundus Pastor

89: I thoght by youre gowne 90: This was youre aray. Primus Pastor

91: I am euer elyke wote I neuer what it gars, 92: Is none in this ryke a shepard, farys wars. Secundus Pastor

93: poore men ar in the dyke and oft tyme mars, 94: The warld is slyke also helpars 95: Is none here. Primus Pastor

96: It is sayde full ryfe, 97: “[a man may not wyfe 98: And also thryfe, 99: And all in a yere.”] Secundus Pastor

100: ffyrst must vs crepe / and sythen go. Primus Pastor

I go to by shepe. / Secundus Pastor
nay, not so; 102: What, dreme ye or slepe? where shuld thay go? here shall thou none kepe. Primus Pastor

A, good sir, ho! 104: Who am I? 105: I wyll pasture my fe 106: where so euer lykys me, 107: here shall thou theym se. Secundus Pastor

108: Not so hardy! 109: Not oone shepe tayll / shall thou bryng hedyr. Primus Pastor

110: I shall bryng, no fayll / A hundreth togedyr. Secundus Pastor

111: What, art thou in ayll / longys thou oght whedir? Primus Pastor

112: Thay shall go, saunce fayll / go now, bell weder!

-104-

Secundus Pastor

113: I say, tyr! Primus Pastor

114: I say, tyr, now agane! 115: I say skyp ouer the plane. Secundus Pastor

116: wold, thou neuer so fane, 117: Tup, I say, whyr! Primus Pastor

118: What, wyll thou not yit / I say, let the shepe go? Whop! Secundus Pastor
abyde yit. / Primus Pastor

Will thou bot so? 120: knafe, hens I byd flytt as good that thou do, 121: Or shall I the hytt on thi pate, lo, 122: shall thou reyll; 123: I say, gyf the shepe space. Secundus Pastor

124: Syr, a letter of youre grace, 125: here comys slaw-pase 126: ffro the myln whele. Tercius Pastor

127: What a do, what a do is this you betweyn? A good day, thou, and thou. Primus Pastor
hark what I meyn 129: You to say: 130: I was bowne to by store, 131: drofe my shepe me before, 132: he says not oone hore 133: shall pas by this way; 134: Bot and he were wood / this way shall thay go. Tercius Pastor

135: yey, bot tell me, good / where ar youre shepe, lo? Secundus Pastor

136: Now, sir, by my hode yit se I no mo, Not syn I here stode. Tercius Pastor
god gyf you wo 138: and sorow! 139: ye fysh before the nett, 140: And stryfe on this bett, 141: sich folys neuer I mett 142: Evyn or at morow.

-105-

143: It is wonder to wyt where wytt shuld, be fownde; 144: here ar old, knafys yit standys on this grownde, 145: these wold, by thare wytt make a shyp be drownde; 146: he were well qwytt had sold, for a pownde 147: sich two. 148: thay fyght and thay flyte 149: ffor that at comys not tyte; 150: It is far to byd hyte 151: To an eg or it go. 152: Tytter want ye sowll then sorow I pray; 153: Ye brayde of mowll that went by the way-154: Many shepe can she poll bot oone had she ay-155: Bot she happynyd full fowll hyr pycher, I say, 156: Was broken; 157: “[ho, god,”] she sayde, 158: bot oone shepe yit she hade, 159: The mylk pycher was layde, 160: The skarthis was the tokyn. 161: Bot syn ye ar bare of wysdom to knawe, 162: Take hede how I fare and lere at my lawe; 163: ye nede not to care if ye folow my sawe; 164: hold, ye my mare this sek thou thrawe 165: On my bak, 166: Whylst I, with my hand, 167: lawse the sek band; 168: Com nar and, by stand 169: Both gyg and Iak; 170: Is not all shakyn owte / and no meyll is therin? Primus Pastor
yey, that is no dowte. / Tercius Pastor
so is youre wyttys thyn. 172: And ye look well abowte nawther more nor myn, 173: So gose youre wyttys owte evyn as It com In: 174: Geder vp 175: And seke it agane. Secundus Pastor

176: May we not be fane! 177: he has told vs full plane 178: Wysdom to sup.

-106-

Iak Garcio

179: Now god gyf you care foles all sam; 180: Sagh I neuer none so fare bot the foles of gotham. 181: Wo is hir that yow bare youre syre and youre dam, 182: had she broght furth an hare a shepe, or a lam, 183: had bene well. 184: Of all the foles I can tell, 185: ffrom heuen vnto hell, 186: ye thre bere the bell; 187: God gyf you vnceyll. Primus Pastor

188: how pastures oure fee / say me, good pen. Iak Garcio

Thay ar gryssed to the kne. / Secundus Pastor
fare fall the! Iak Garcio

Amen! 190: If ye will ye may se / youre bestes ye ken. Primus Pastor

191: Sytt we downe all thre / and drynk shall we then. Tercius Pastor

192: yey, torde! 193: I am leuer ete; 194: what is drynk withoute mete? 195: Gett mete, gett, 196: And sett vs a borde, 197: Then may we go dyne / oure bellys to fyll. Secundus Pastor

Abyde vnto syne. / Tercius Pastor
be god, sir, I nyll! 199: I am worthy the wyne me thynk it good skyll; 200: My seruyse I tyne I fare full yll, 201: At youre mangere. Primus Pastor

202: Trus! go we to mete, 203: It is best that we trete, 204: I lyst not to plete 205: To stand in thi dangere; 206: Thou has euer bene curst / syn we met togeder. Tercius Pastor

207: Now in fayth, if I durst / ye ar euen my broder.

-107-

Secundus Pastor

208: Syrs, let vs cryb furst for oone thyng or oder, 209: That thise wordis be purst and let vs go foder 210: Oure mompyns; 211: lay furth of oure store, 212: lo, here! browne of a bore. Primus Pastor

213: Set mustard afore, 214: oure mete now begyns; 215: here a foote of a cowe well sawsed, I wene, 216: The pestell of a sowe that powderd has bene, 217: Two blodyngis, I trow A leueryng betwene; 218: Do gladly, syrs, now my breder bedene, 219: With more. 220: Both befe, and moton 221: Of an ewe that was roton, 222: Good mete for a gloton; 223: Ete of this store. Secundus Pastor

224: I haue here in my mayll sothen and rost, 225: Euen of an ox tayll that wold, not be lost; 226: ha, ha, goderhayll! I let for no cost, 227: A good py or we fayll this is good for the frost 228: In a mornyng; 229: And two swyne gronys, 230: All a hare bot the lonys, 231: we myster no sponys 232: here, at oure mangyng. Tercius Pastor

233: here is to recorde the leg of a goys, 234: with chekyns endorde pork, partryk, to roys; 235: A tart for a lorde how thynk ye this doys? 236: A calf lyuer skorde with the veryose; 237: Good sawse, 238: This is a restorete 239: To make a good appete. Primus Pastor

240: yee speke all by clerge[te], 241: I here by your clause;

-108-

242: Cowth ye by youre gramery reche vs a drynk, 243: I shuld be more mery ye wote What I thynk. Secundus Pastor

244: haue good ayll of hely bewar now, I wynk, 245: ffor and thou drynk drely in thy poll wyll it synk. Primus Pastor

246: A, so; 247: This is boyte of oure bayll, 248: good holsom ayll. Tercius Pastor

249: ye hold, long the skayll, 250: Now lett me go to. Secundus Pastor

251: I shrew those lyppys / bot thou leyff me som parte. Primus Pastor

252: be god, he bot syppys / begylde thou art; Behold, how he kyppys. / Secundus Pastor

I shrew you so smart, 254: And me on my hyppys / bot if I gart 255: Abate. 256: Be thou wyne, be thou ayll, 257: bot if my brethe fayll, 258: I shall sett the on sayll; 259: God send the good gayte. Tercius Pastor

260: Be my dam saull, alyce / It was sadly dronken. Primus Pastor

261: Now, as euer haue I blys / to the bothom it is sonken. Secundus Pastor
yit a botell here is. / Tercius Pastor
that is well spoken! By my thryft we must kys. / Secundus Pastor
that had I forgoten. 264: Bot hark! 265: Who so can best syng 266: Shall haue the begynnyng. Primus Pastor

267: Now prays at the partyng 268: I shall sett you on warke;

-109-

269: We haue done oure parte and songyn right weyll, I drynk for my parte. Secundus Pastor

Abyde, lett cop reyll. Primus Pastor

271: Godys forbot, thou spart / and thou drynk euery deyll. Tercius Pastor

272: Thou has dronken a quart / therfor choke the the deyll. Primus Pastor

273: Thou rafys; 274: And it were for a sogh 275: Ther is drynk enogh. Tercius Pastor

276: I shrew the handys it drogh! 277: ve be both knafys. Primus Pastor

278: Nay! we knaues all thus thynk me best, so, sir, shuld, ye call. Secundus Pastor
furth let it rest; we will not brall. / Primus Pastor
then wold I we fest, 281: This mete Who shall / into panyere kest. Tercius Pastor

282: syrs, herys; 283: ffor oure saules lett vs do 284: Poore men gyf it to. Primus Pastor

285: Geder vp, lo, lo! 286: ye hungre begers ffrerys! Secundus Pastor

287: It draes nere nyght trus, go we to rest; 288: I am euen redy dyght I thynk it the best. Tercius Pastor

289: ffor ferde we be fryght a crosse lett vs kest, 290: Cryst crosse, benedyght eest and west, 291: ffor drede. Jesus

292: onazorus, 293: Crucyefixus, 294: Morcus, andreus, 295: God be oure spede! Angel

296: herkyn, hyrdes, awake! gyf louyng ye shall, 297: he is borne for [y]oure sake lorde perpetuall;

-110-

298: he is comen to take and rawnson you all, 299: youre sorowe to slake kyng emperiall, 300: he behestys; 301: That chyld is borne 302: At bethelem this morne, 303: ye shall fynde hym beforne 304: Betwix two bestys. Primus Pastor

305: A, godys dere dominus! What was that sang? 306: It was wonder curiose with small noytys emang; 307: I pray to god saue vs now in this thrang; 308: I am ferd, by ihesus somwhat be wrang; 309: Me thoght, 310: Oone scremyd on lowde; 311: I suppose it was a clowde, 312: In myn erys it sowde, 313: By hym that me boght! Secundus Pastor

314: Nay, that may not be I say you certan, 315: ffor he spake to vs thre as he had bene a man; 316: When he lemyd on this lee my hart shakyd than, 317: An angell was he tell you I can, 318: No dowte. 319: he spake of a barne, 320: We must seke hym, I you warne, 321: That betokyns yond starne, 322: That standys yonder owte. Tercius Pastor

323: It was meruell to se so bright as it shone, 324: I wold haue trowyd, veraly it had bene thoner flone, 325: Bot I sagh with myn ee as I lenyd to this stone; 326: It was a mery gle sich hard I neuer none, 327: I recorde. 328: As he sayde in a skreme, 329: Or els that I dreme, 330: we shuld go to bedleme, 331: To wyrship that lorde.

-111-

Primus Pastor

332: That same childe is he that prophetys of told, 333: Shuld make them fre that adam had sold. Secundus Pastor

334: Take tent vnto me this is inrold, 335: By the wordys of Isae a prynce most bold 336: shall he be, 337: And kyng with crowne, 338: Sett on dauid trone, 339: Sich was neuer none, 340: Seyn with oure ee. Tercius Pastor

341: Also Isay says oure faders vs told 342: That a vyrgyn shuld pas of Iesse, that wold 343: Bryng furth by grace a floure so bold; 344: That vyrgyn now has these wordys vphold, 345: As ye se; 346: Trust it now we may, 347: he is borne this day, 348: Exiet virga 349: De radice iesse. Primus Pastor

350: Of hym spake more Sybyll as I weyn, 351: And nabugodhonosor from oure faythe alyene, 352: In the fornace where thay wore thre childre sene, 353: The fourt stode before godys son lyke to bene. Secundus Pastor

354: That fygure 355: Was gyffen by reualacyon 356: That god wold haue a son; 357: This is a good lesson, 358: Vs to consydure. Tercius Pastor

359: Of hym spake Ieromy and moyses also, 360: Where he sagh hym by a bushe burnand, lo! 361: when he cam to aspy if it were so, 362: Vnburnyd was it truly at commyng therto, 363: A wonder. Primus Pastor

364: That was for to se 365: hir holy vyrgynyte, 366: That she vnfylyd shuld be, 367: Thus can I ponder,

-112-

368: And shuld haue a chyld / sich was neuer sene. Secundus Pastor

369: pese, man, thou art begyld, / thou shall se hym with eene, 370: Of a madyn so myld greatt meruell I mene; 371: yee, and she vnfyld a virgyn clene, 372: So soyne. Primus Pastor

373: Nothyng is inpossybyll 374: sothly, that god wyll; 375: It shalbe stabyll 376: That god wyll haue done. Secundus Pastor

377: Abacuc and ely prophesyde so, 378: Elezabeth and zachare and many other mo, 379: And dauid as veraly is witnes therto, 380: Iohn Baptyste sewrly and daniel also. Tercius Pastor

381: So saying, 382: he is godys son alon, 383: without hym shalbe none, 384: his sete and his trone 385: Shall euer be lastyng; Primus Pastor

386: Virgill in his poetre sayde in his verse, 387: Even thus by gramere as I shall reherse; 388: “[Iam noua progenies celo demittitur alto, Iam rediet virgo, redeunt saturnia regna.”] Secundus Pastor

389: weme! tord! what speke ye here in myn eeres? 390: Tell vs no clerge I hold you of the freres, ye preche; 391: It semys by youre laton 392: ye haue lerd, youre caton. Primus Pastor

393: herk, syrs, ye fon, 394: I shall you teche; 395: he sayde from heuen a new kynde is send, 396: whom a vyrgyn to neuen, oure mys to amend, 397: Shall conceyue full euen thus make I an end; 398: And yit more to neuen / that samyne shall bend

-113-

399: vnto vs, 400: With peasse and plente, 401: with ryches and menee, 402: Good luf and charyte 403: Blendyd amanges vs Tercius Pastor

404: And I hold it trew / ffor ther shuld be, 405: When that kyng commys new / peasse by land and se. Secundus Pastor

406: Now brethere, adew! / take tent vnto me; 407: I wold, that we knew / of this song so fre 408: Of the angell; 409: I hard by hys steuen, 410: he was send downe ffro heuen. Primus Pastor

411: It is trouth that ye neuen, 412: I hard hym well spell. Secundus Pastor

413: Now, by god that me boght / it was a mery song; 414: I dar say that he broght / foure & twenty to a long. Tercius Pastor

415: I wold, it were soght / that same vs emong. Primus Pastor

416: In fayth I trow noght / so many he throng 417: On a heppe; 418: Thay were gentyll and small, 419: And well tonyd with all. Tercius Pastor

420: yee, bot I can thaym all, 421: Now lyst I lepe. Primus Pastor

422: Brek outt youre voce / let se as ye yelp. Tercius Pastor

423: I may not for the pose / bot I haue help. Secundus Pastor

A, thy hart is in thy hose! / Primus Pastor
now, in payn of a skelp This sang thou not lose. / Tercius Pastor
thou art an yll awelp 426: ffor angre! Secundus Pastor

427: Go to now, begyn! Primus Pastor

428: he lyst not well ryn. Tercius Pastor

429: God lett vs neuer blyn; 430: Take at my sangre.

-114-

Primus Pastor

431: Now an ende haue we doyn / of oure song this tyde. Secundus Pastor

432: ffayr fall thi growne / well has thou hyde. Tercius Pastor

433: Then furth lett vs ron / I wyll not abyde. Primus Pastor

434: No lyght makethe mone / that haue I asspyde; 435: Neuer the les 436: lett vs hold, oure beheste. Secundus Pastor

437: That hold I best. Tercius Pastor

438: Then must we go eest, 439: After my ges. Primus Pastor

440: wold, god that we myght / this yong bab see! Secundus Pastor

441: Many prophetys that syght desyryd veralee to haue seen that bright. Tercius Pastor
and god so hee 443: wold shew vs that Wyght / we myght say, perde, 444: We had sene 445: That many sant desyryd, 446: with prophetys inspyryd, 447: If thay hym requyryd, 448: yit I-closyd ar thare eene. Secundus Pastor

God graunt vs that grace. / Tercius Pastor
god so do. Primus Pastor

450: Abyde, syrs, a space lo, yonder, lo! 451: It commys on a rase yond sterne vs to. Secundus Pastor

452: It is a grete blase / oure gate let vs go, 453: here he is! Tercius Pastor

454: Who shall go in before? Primus Pastor

455: I ne rek, by my hore. Secundus Pastor

456: ye ar of the old store, 457: It semys you, Iwys. Primus Pastor

458: hayll, kyng I the call! / hayll, most of myght! 459: hayll, the worthyst of all! / hayll, duke! hayll, knyght!

-115-

460: Of greatt and small / thou art lorde by right; 461: hayll, perpetuall / hayll, faryst wyght! 462: here I offer! 463: I pray the to take-464: If thou wold, for my sake, 465: with this may thou lake,- 466: This lytyll spruse cofer. Secundus Pastor

467: hayll, lytyll tyn mop / rewarder of mede! 468: hayll, bot oone drop of grace at my nede; 469: hayll, lytyll mylk sop! hayll, dauid sede! 470: Of oure crede thou art crop / hayll, in god hede! 471: This ball 472: That thou wold resaue,- 473: lytyll is that I haue, 474: This wyll I vowche saue,- 475: To play the with all. Tercius Pastor

476: hayll, maker of man / hayll, swetyng! 477: hayll, so as I can hayll, praty mytyng! 478: I cowche to the than for fayn here gretyng; 479: hayll, lord! here I ordan / now at oure metyng, 480: This botell-481: It is an old by-worde, 482: It is a good bowrde, 483: for to drynk of a gowrde,- 484: It holdys a mett potell. Mary

485: he that all myghtys may / the makere of heuen, 486: That is for to say my son that I neuen, 487: Rewarde you this day as he sett all on seuen; 488: he graunt you for ay / his blys full euen 489: Contynuyng; 490: He gyf you good grace, 491: Tell furth of this case, 492: he spede youre pase, 493: And graunt you good endyng.

-116-

Primus Pastor

494: ffare well, fare lorde! / with thy moder also. Secundus Pastor

495: we shall this recorde / where as we go. Tercius Pastor

496: we mon all be restorde / god graunt it be so! Primus Pastor

497: Amen, to that worde / syng we therto 498: On hight; 499: To Ioy all sam, 500: With myrth and gam, 502: To the lawde of this lam 503: Syng we in syght. The Second Shepherds’ Play Primus Pastor

1: Lord, what these weders ar cold! / and I am yll happyd; 2: I am nere hande dold, so long haue I nappyd; 3: My legys thay fold, my fyngers ar chappyd, 4: It is not as I wold, for I am al lappyd, 5: In sorow. 6: In stormes and tempest, 7: Now in the eest, now in the west, 8: wo is hym has neuer rest 9: Myd day nor morow! 10: Bot we sely shepardes that walkys on the moore, 11: In fayth we are nere handys / outt of the doore;

-117-

12: No wonder as it standys / if we be poore, 13: ffor the tylthe of oure landys lyys falow as the floore, 14: As ye ken. 15: we ar so hamyd, 16: ffor-taxed and ramyd, 17: We ar mayde hand tamyd, 18: with thyse gentlery men. 19: Thus thay refe vs oure rest oure lady theym wary! 20: These men that ar lord fest thay cause the ploghe tary. 21: That men say is for the best we fynde it contrary; 22: Thus ar husbandys opprest in po[i]nte to myscary, 23: On lyfe. 24: Thus hold, thay vs hunder, 25: Thus thay bryng vs in blonder; 26: It were greatte wonder, 27: And euer shuld we thryfe. 28: ffor may he gett a paynt slefe or a broche now on dayes, 29: wo is hym that hym grefe or onys agane says! 30: Dar noman hym reprefe what mastry he mays, 31: And yit may noman lefe oone word that he says, 32: No letter. 33: he can make purveance, 34: with boste and bragance, 35: And all is thrugh mantenance 36: Of men that are gretter. 37: Ther shall com a swane as prowde as a po, 38: he must borow my wane my ploghe also, 39: Then I am full fane to graunt or he go. 40: Thus lyf we in payne Anger, and wo, 41: By nyght and day; 42: he must haue if he langyd, 43: If I shuld, forgang it, 44: I were better be hangyd 45: Then oones say hym nay. 46: It dos me good, as I walk thus by myn oone, 47: Of this warld, for to talk / in maner of mone.

-118-

48: To my shepe wyll I stalk / and herkyn anone, 49: Ther abyde on a balk / or sytt on a stone 50: ffull soyne. 51: ffor I trowe, perde, 52: trew men if thay be, 53: we gett more compane 54: Or it be noyne. Secundus Pastor

55: Benste and dominus! / what may this bemeyne? 56: why, fares this warld thus oft haue we not sene? 57: lord, thyse weders ar spytus and the weders full kene. 58: And the frostys so hydus thay water myn eeyne, 59: No ly. 60: Now in dry, now in wete, 61: Now in snaw, now in slete, 62: When my shone freys to my fete, 63: It is not all esy. 64: Bot as far as I ken or yit as I go, 65: we sely wedmen dre mekyll wo; 66: We haue sorow then and then it fallys oft so; 67: Sely capyle, oure hen both to and fro 68: She kakyls; 69: Bot begyn she to crok, 70: To groyne or [to clo]k, 71: Wo is hym is of oure cok, 72: ffor he is in the shekyls. 73: These men that ar wed haue not all thare wyll, 74: when they ar full hard sted thay sygh full styll; 75: God wayte thay ar led full hard and full yll; 76: In bower nor in bed / thay say noght ther tyll, 77: This tyde. 78: My parte haue I fun, 79: I know my lesson. 80: wo is hym that is bun, 81: ffor he must abyde.

-119-

82: Bot now late in oure lyfys / a meruell to me, 83: That I thynk my hart ryfys sich wonders to see. 84: what that destany dryfys it shuld so be; 85: Som men wyll have two wyfys and som men thre, 86: In store; 87: Som ar wo that has any, 88: Bot so far can I, 89: wo is hym that has many, 90: ffor he felys sore. 91: Bot yong men of wowyng for god that you boght, 92: Be well war of wedyng and thynk in youre thoght, 93: “[had I wyst”] is a thyng it seruys of noght; 94: Mekyll styll mowrnyng has wedyng home broght, 95: And grefys; 96: with many a sharp showre, 97: ffor thou may cach in an owre 98: That shall [savour] fulle sowre 99: As long as thou lyffys. 100: ffor, as euer red I pystyll I haue oone to my fere, 101: As sharp as a thystyll as rugh as a brere; 102: She is browyd lyke a brystyll with a sowre loten chere; 103: had She oones Wett Hyr Whystyll / She couth Syng full clere 104: Hyr pater noster. 105: She is as greatt as a whall, 106: She has a galon of gall: 107: By hym that dyed for vs all, 108: I wald I had ryn to I had lost hir. Primus Pastor

109: God looke ouer the raw / ffull defly ye stand. Secundus Pastor

110: yee, the dewill in thi maw so tariand. sagh thou awro of daw? Primus Pastor
yee, on a ley land 112: hard I hym blaw / he commys here at hand, 113: Not far;

-120-

Stand styll. Secundus Pastor
qwhy? Primus Pastor

115: ffor he commys, hope I. Secundus Pastor

116: he wyll make vs both a ly 117: Bot if we be war. Tercius Pastor

118: Crystys crosse me spede / and sant nycholas! 119: Ther of had I nede it is wars then it was. 120: Whoso couthe take hede and lett the warld pas, 121: It is euer in drede and brekyll as glas, 122: And slythys. 123: This warld, fowre neuer so, 124: With meruels mo and mo, 125: Now in weyll, now in wo, 126: And all thyng wrythys. 127: Was neuer syn noe floode sich floodys seyn; 128: Wyndys and ranys so rude and stormes so keyn; 129: Som stamerd, som stod, in dowte, as I weyn; 130: Now god turne all to good I say as I mene, 131: ffor ponder. 132: These floodys so thay drowne, 133: Both in feyldys and in towne, 134: And berys all downe, 135: And that is a wonder. 136: We that walk on the nyghtys oure catell to kepe, 137: We se sodan syghtys when othere men slepe. 138: yit me thynk my hart lyghtys I se shrewys pepe; 139: ye ar two all wyghtys I wyll gyf my shepe 140: A turne. 141: Bot full yll haue I ment, 142: As I walk on this bent, 143: I may lyghtly repent, 144: My toes if I spurne. 145: A, sir, god, you saue and master myne! 146: A drynk fayn wold I haue / and somwhat to dyne.

-121-

Primus Pastor

147: Crystys curs, my knaue / thou art a ledyr hyne! Secundus Pastor

148: What! the boy lyst rave; / abyde vnto syne; 149: We haue mayde it. 150: yll thryft on thy pate! 151: Though the shrew cam late, 152: yit is he in state 153: To dyne, if he had it. Tercius Pastor

154: Sich seruandys as I / that swettys and swynkys, 155: Etys oure brede full dry and that me forthynkys; 156: We ar oft weytt and wery when master-men wynkys, 157: yit commys full lately both dyners and drynkys, 158: Bot nately. 159: Both oure dame and oure syre, 160: when we haue ryn in the myre, 161: Thay can nyp at oure hyre, 162: And pay vs full lately. 163: Bot here my trouth, master for the fayr that ye make, 164: I shall do therafter wyrk as I take; 165: I shall do a lytyll, sir and emang euer lake, 166: ffor yit lay my soper / neuer on my stomake 167: In feyldys. 168: Wherto shuld, I threpe? 169: with my staf can I lepe, 170: And men say “[lyght chepe 171: letherly for-yeldys.”] Primus Pastor

172: Thou were an yll lad / to ryde on wowyng 173: With a man that had / bot lytyll of spendyng. Secundus Pastor

174: Peasse, boy, I bad / no more Iangling, 175: Or I shall make the full rad / by the heuen’s kyng! 176: with thy gawdys; 177: wher ar oure shepe, boy, we skorne? Tercius Pastor

178: Sir, this same day at morne 179: I thaym left in the corne, 180: when thay rang lawdys;

-122-

181: Thay haue pasture good / thay can not go wrong. Primus Pastor

182: That is right, by the roode! thyse nyghtys ar long, 183: yit I wold, or we yode oone gaf vs a song. Secundus Pastor

184: So I thoght as I stode / to myrth vs emong. Tercius Pastor

185: I grauntt. Primus Pastor

186: lett me syng the tenory. Secundus Pastor

187: And I the tryble so hye. Tercius Pastor

188: Then the meyne fallys to me; 189: lett se how ye chauntt. Mak

190: Now lord, for thy naymes sevyn / that made both moyn & starnes 191: Well mo then I can neuen thi will, lorde, of me tharnys; 192: I am all vneuen that moves oft my harnes, 193: Now Wold god I were in heuen / for there wepe no barnes 194: So styll. Primus Pastor

195: Who is that pypys so poore? Mak

196: wold, god ye wyst how I foore! 197: lo, a man that walkys on the moore, 198: And has not all his wyll! Secundus Pastor

199: Mak, where has thou gon? / tell vs tythyng. Tercius Pastor

200: Is he commen? then ylkon / take hede to his thyng. Mak

201: what! ich be a yoman / I tell you, of the king; 202: The self and the same / sond from a greatt lordyng, 203: And sich. 204: ffy on you! goyth hence 205: Out of my presence! 206: I must haue reuerence; 207: why, who be ich?

-123-

Primus Pastor

208: Why make ye it so qwaynt? / mak, ye do wrang. Secundus Pastor

209: Bot, mak, lyst ye saynt? / I trow that ye lang. Tercius Pastor

210: I trow the shrew can paynt, / the dewyll myght hym hang! Mak

211: Ich shall make complaynt / and make you all to thwang 212: At a worde, 213: And tell euyn how ye doth. Primus Pastor

214: Bot, Mak, is that sothe? 215: Now take outt that sothren tothe, 216: And sett in a torde! Secundus Pastor

217: Mak, the dewill in youre ee / a stroke wold, I leyne you. Tercius Pastor

218: Mak, know ye not me? / by god I couthe teyn you. Mak

219: God looke you all thre! / me thoght I had sene you, ye ar a fare compane. / Primus Pastor
can ye now mene you? Secundus Pastor

221: Shrew, Iape! 222: Thus late as thou goys, 223: what wyll men suppos? 224: And thou has an yll noys 225: of stelyng of shepe. Mak

226: And I am trew as steyll / all men waytt, 227: Bot a sekenes I feyll that haldys me full haytt, 228: My belly farys not weyll it is out of astate. Tercius Pastor

229: Seldom lyys the dewyll / dede by the gate. Mak

230: Therfor 231: full sore am I and yll, 232: If I stande stone styll; 233: I ete not an nedyll 234: Thys moneth and more.

-124-

Primus Pastor

235: how farys thi wyff? by my hoode / how farys sho? Mak

236: lyys walteryng, by the roode by the fyere, lo! 237: And a howse full of brude she drynkys well to; 238: yll spede othere good that she wyll do! 239: Bot so 240: Etys as fast as she can, 241: And ilk yere that commys to man 242: She bryngys furth a lakan, 243: And som yeres two. 244: Bot were I not more gracyus and rychere befar, 245: I were eten outt of howse and of harbar; 246: Yit is she a fowll dowse if ye com nar: 247: Ther is none that trowse / nor knowys a war, 248: Then ken I. 249: Now wyll ye se what I profer, 250: To gyf all in my cofer 251: To morne at next to offer 252: hyr hed mas penny. Secundus Pastor

253: I wote so forwakyd / is none in this shyre: 254: I wold slepe if I takyd / les to my hyere. Tercius Pastor

255: I am cold, and nakyd / and wold haue a fyere. Primus Pastor

256: I am wery, for-rakyd / and run in the myre. 257: wake thou! Secundus Pastor

258: Nay, I wyll lyg downe by, 259: ffor I must slepe truly. Tercius Pastor

260: As good a man’s son was I 261: As any of you. 262: Bot, mak, com heder! betwene / shall thou lyg downe. Mak

263: Then myght I lett you bedene / of that ye wold, rowne,

-125-

264: No drede. 265: ffro my top to my too, 266: Manus tuas commendo, 267: poncio pilato, 268: Cryst crosse me spede! 269: Now were tyme for a man / that lakkys what he wold, 270: To stalk preuely than vnto a fold,, 271: And neemly to wyrk than and be not to bold, 272: ffor he might aby the bargan if it were told 273: At the endyng. 274: Now were tyme for to reyll; 275: Bot he nedys good counsell 276: That fayn wold, fare weyll, 277: And has bot lytyll spendyng. 278: Bot abowte you a serkyll as rownde as a moyn, 279: To I haue done that I wyll tyll that it be noyn, 280: That ye lyg stone styll to that I haue doyne, 281: And I shall say thertyll of good wordys a foyne. 282: On hight 283: Ouer youre heydys my hand I lyft, 284: Outt go youre een, fordo your syght, 285: Bot yit I must make better shyft, 286: And it be right. 287: lord! what thay slepe hard! that may ye all here; 288: was I neuer a shepard bot now wyll I lere. 289: If the flok be skard yit shall I nyp nere, 290: how! drawes hederward! now mendys oure chere 291: ffrom sorow: 292: A fatt shepe I dar say, 293: A good flese dar I lay, 294: Eft whyte when I may, 295: Bot this will I borow. 296: how, gyll, art thou In? gett vs some lyght. Uxor Ejus (Gill)

297: Who makys sich dyn / this tyme of the nyght?

-126-

298: I am sett for to spyn / I hope not I myght 299: Ryse a penny to wyn, / I shrew them on hight! 300: So farys 301: A huswyff that has bene 302: To be rasyd thus betwene: 303: here may no note be sene 304: ffor sich small charys. Mak

305: Good wyff, open the hek! / seys thou not what I bryng? Uxor Ejus (Gill)

306: I may thole the dray the snek. / A, com in, my swetyng! Mak

307: yee, thou thar not rek / of my long standyng. Uxor Ejus (Gill)

308: By the nakyd nek / art thou lyke for to hyng. Mak

309: Do way: 310: I am worthy my mete, 311: ffor in a strate can I gett 312: More then thay that swynke and swette 313: All the long day, 314: Thus it fell to my lott / gyll, I had sich grace. Uxor Ejus (Gill)

315: It were a fowll blott / to be hanged for the case. Mak

316: I haue skapyd, Ielott / oft as hard a glase. Uxor Ejus (Gill)

317: Bot so long goys the pott / to the water, men says, 318: At last 319: Comys it home broken. Mak

320: well knowe I the token, 321: Bot let it neuer be spoken; 322: Bot com and help fast. 323: I wold, he were slayn / I lyst well ete: 324: This twelmothe was I not so fayn / of oone shepe mete. Uxor Ejus (Gill)

325: Com thay or he be slayn/ and here the shepe blete! Mak

326: Then myght I be tane, / that were a cold, swette! 327: Go spar The gaytt doore. Uxor Ejus (Gill)

Yis, Mak, 329: ffor and thay com at thy bak, Mak

330: Then myght I by, for all the pak, 331: The dewill of the war.

-127-

Uxor Ejus (Gill)

332: A good bowrde haue I spied / syn thou can none. 333: here shall we hym hyde to thay be gone; 334: In my credyll abyde lett me alone, 335: And I shall lyg besyde / in chylbed, and grone. Mak

336: Thou red; 337: And, I shall say thou was lyght 338: Of a knaue childe this nyght. Uxor Ejus (Gill)

339: Now well is me day bright, 340: That euer was I bred. 341: This is a good gyse / and a far cast; 342: Yit a woman avyse helpys at the last. 343: I wote neuer who spyse, agane go thou fast. Mak

344: Bot I com or thay ryse / els blawes a cold, blast! 345: I wyll go slepe. 346: yit slepys all this meneye, 347: And I shall go stalk preuely, 348: As it had neuer bene I 349: That caryed thare shepe. Primus Pastor

350: Resurrex a mortruis! / haue hald, my hand. 351: Iudas carnas dominus! I may not well stand: 352: My foytt slepys, by ihesus and I water fastand. 353: I thoght that we layd vs / full nere yngland. Secundus Pastor

354: A ye! 355: lord! what I haue slept weyll; 356: As fresh as an eyll, 357: As lyght I me feyll 358: As leyfe on a tre. Tercius Pastor

359: Benste be here in! / so my [hart?] qwakys, 360: My hart is outt of skyn what so it makys. 361: Who makys all this dyn? so my browes blakys, 362: To the dowore wyll I wyn / harke felows, wakys! 363: We were fowre: 364: se ye awre of mak now? Primus Pastor

365: we were vp or thou. Secundus Pastor

366: Man, I gyf god a vowe, 367: yit yede he nawre.

-128-

Tercius Pastor

368: Me thoght he was lapt / in a wolfe skyn. Primus Pastor

369: So are many hapt / now namely within. Secundus Pastor

370: When we had long napt / me thoght with a gyn 371: A fatt shepe he trapt / bot he mayde no dyn. Tercius Pastor

372: Be styll: 373: Thi dreme makys the woode: 374: It is bot fantom, by the roode. Primus Pastor

375: Now god turne all to good, 376: If it be his wyll. Secundus Pastor

377: Ryse, mak, for shame! / thou lygys right lang. Mak

378: Now crystys holy name be vs emang! 379: what is this? for sant Iame I may not well gang! 380: I trow I be the same A! my nek has lygen wrang 381: Enoghe; 382: Mekill thank, syn yister euen, 383: Now, by sant strevyn, 384: I was flayd with a swevyn, 385: My hart out of sloghe. 386: I thoght gyll began to crok and trauell full sad, 387: welner at the fyrst cok of a yong lad, 388: ffor to mend oure flok then be I neuer glad. 389: I haue tow on my rok more then euer I had. 390: A, my heede! 391: A house full of yong tharmes, 392: The dewill knok outt thare harnes! 393: wo is hym has many barnes, 394: And therto lytyll brede! 395: I must go home, by youre lefe to gyll as I thoght. 396: I pray you looke my slefe that I steyll noght: 397: I am loth you to grefe or from you take oght. Tercius Pastor

398: Go furth, yll myght thou chefe! / now wold I we soght,

-129-

399: This morne, 400: That we had all oure store. Primus Pastor

Bot I will go before, let vs mete. Secundus Pastor
whore? Tercius Pastor

402: At the crokyd thorne. Mak

403: Vndo this doore! who is here? / how long shall I stand? Uxor Ejus (Gill)

404: Who makys sich a bere? / now walk in the Wenyand. Mak

405: A, gyll, what chere? / it is I, mak, youre husbande, Uxor Ejus (Gill)

406: Then may we be here / the dewill in a bande, 407: Syr gyle; 408: lo, he commys with a lote 409: As he were holden in the throte. 410: I may not syt at my note, 411: A hand lang while. Mak

412: wyll ye here what fare she makys / to gett hir a glose, 413: And dos noght bot lakys / and clowse hir toose. Uxor Ejus (Gill)

414: why, who wanders, who wakys / who commys, who gose? 415: who brewys, who bakys? what makys me thus hose? 416: And than, 417: It is rewthe to beholde, 418: Now in hote, now in colde, 419: ffull wofull is the householde 420: That wantys a woman. 421: Bot what ende has thou mayde with the hyrdys, mak? Mak

422: The last worde that thay sayde when I turnyd my bak, 423: Thay wold looke that thay hade thare shepe all the pak. 424: I hope thay wyll nott be well payde / when thay thare shepe lak, 425: Perde.

-130-

426: Bot how so the gam gose, 427: To me thay wyll suppose, 428: And make a fowll noyse, 429: And cry outt apon me. Bot thou must do as thou hyght / Uxor Ejus (Gill)

I accorde me thertyll. 431: I shall swedyll hym right In my credyll; 432: If it were a gretter slyght yit couthe I help tyll. I wyll lyg downe stright; / com hap me; Mak

I wyll. Uxor Ejus (Gill)

434: Behynde. 435: Com coll and his maroo, 436: Thay will nyp vs full naroo. Mak

437: Bot I may cry out `haroo,’ 438: The shepe if thay fynde. Uxor Ejus (Gill)

439: harken ay when thay call / thay will com onone. 440: Com and make redy all and syng by thyn oone; 441: Syng lullay thou shall for I must grone, 442: And cry outt by the wall / on mary and Iohn, 443: ffor sore. 444: Syng lullay on fast 445: when thou heris at the last; 446: And bot I play a fals cast, 447: Trust me no more. Tercius Pastor

448: A, coll, goode morne / why slepys thou nott? Primus Pastor

449: Alas, that euer was I borne! we haue a fowll blott. A fat wedir haue we lorne. Tercius Pastor
mary, godys forbott! Secundus Pastor

451: who shuld do vs that skorne? that were a fowll spott. Primus Pastor

452: Som shrewe. 453: I haue soght with my dogys 454: All horbery shrogys, 455: And of fefteyn hogys 456: ffond I bot oone ewe.

-131-

Tercius Pastor

457: Now trow me, if ye will by sant thomas of kent, 458: Ayther mak or gyll was at that assent. Primus Pastor

459: peasse, man, be still! I sagh when he went; 460: Thou sklanders hym yll thou aght to repent, 461: Goode spede. Secundus Pastor

462: Now as euer myght I the, 463: If I shuld, euyn here de, 464: I wold say it were he, 465: That dyd that same dede. Tercius Pastor

466: Go we theder, I rede and ryn on oure feete. 467: Shall I neuer ete brede the sothe to I wytt. Primus Pastor

468: Nor drynk in my heede / with hym tyll I mete. Secundus Pastor

469: I wyll rest in no stede / tyll that I hym grete, 470: My brothere. 471: Oone I will hight: 472: Tyll I se hym in sight 473: shall I neuer slepe one nyght 474: Ther I do anothere. Tercius Pastor

475: will ye here how thay hak? / oure syre, lyst, croyne. Primus Pastor

476: hard I neuer none crak / so clere out of toyne; 477: Call on hym. Secundus Pastor

478: mak! / vndo youre doore soyne. Mak

479: Who is that spak, / as it were noyne, 480: On loft? 481: Who is that I say? Tercius Pastor

482: Goode felowse, were it day. Mak

483: As far as ye may, 484: Good, spekys soft,

-132-

485: Ouer a seke woman’s heede that is at mayll easse; 486: I had leuer be dede or she had any dyseasse. Uxor Ejus (Gill)

487: Go to an othere stede I may not well qweasse. 488: Ich fote that ye trede goys thorow my nese. 489: So hee! Primus Pastor

490: Tell vs, mak, if ye may, 491: how fare ye, I say? Mak

492: Bot ar ye in this towne to day? 493: Now how fare ye? 494: ye haue ryn in the myre and ar weytt yit: 495: I shall make you a fyre if ye will syt. 496: A nores wold, I hyre thynk ye on yit, 497: well qwytt is my hyre my dreme this is itt, 498: A seson. 499: I haue barnes, if ye knew, 500: well mo then enewe, 501: Bot we must drynk as we brew, 502: And that is bot reson. 503: I wold ye dynyd or ye yode / me thynk that ye swette. Secundus Pastor

504: Nay, nawther mendys oure mode / drynke nor mette. Mak
why, sir, alys you oght bot goode? / Tercius Pastor
yee, oure shepe that we gett, 506: Ar stollyn as thay yode / oure los is grette. Mak

507: Syrs, drynkys! 508: had I bene thore, 509: Som shuld haue boght it full sore. Primus Pastor

510: Mary, som men trowes that ye wore, 511: And that vs forthynkys. Secundus Pastor

512: Mak, som men trowys / that it shuld be ye. Tercius Pastor

513: Ayther ye or youre spouse / so say we. Mak

514: Now if ye haue suspowse to gill or to me, 515: Com and rype oure howse and then may ye se

-133-

516: who had hir, 517: If I any shepe fott, 518: Aythor cow or stott; 519: And gyll, my wyfe, rose nott 520: here syn she lade hir. 521: As I am true and lele to god here I pray, 522: That this be the fyrst mele that I shall ete this day. Primus Pastor

523: Mak, as haue I ceyll, Avyse the, I say; 524: he lernyd tymely to steyll that couth not say nay. Uxor Ejus (Gill)

525: I swelt! 526: Outt, thefys, fro my wonys! 527: ye com to rob vs for the nonys. Mak

528: here ye not how she gronys? 529: youre hartys shuld melt. Uxor Ejus (Gill)

530: Outt, thefys, fro my barne! / negh hym not thor. Mak

531: wyst ye how she had farne / youre hartys wold be sore. 532: ye do wrang, I you warne that thus commys before 533: To a woman that has farne bot I say no more. Uxor Ejus (Gill)

534: A, my medyll! 535: I pray to god so mylde, 536: If euer I you begyld,, 537: That I ete this chylde 538: That lygys in this credyll. Mak

539: peasse, woman, for godys payn and cry not so: 540: Thou spyllys thy brane and makys me full wo. Secundus Pastor

541: I trow oure shepe be slayn / what finde ye two? Tercius Pastor

542: All wyrk we in vayn / as well may we go. 543: Bot hatters, 544: I can fynde no flesh, 545: hard nor nesh, 546: Salt nor fresh, 547: Bot two tome platers.

-134-

548: Whik catell bot this tame nor wylde, 549: None, as haue I blys as lowde as he smylde. Uxor Ejus (Gill)

550: No, so god me blys / and gyf me Ioy of my chylde! Primus Pastor

551: We haue merkyd amys / I hold vs begyld. Secundus Pastor

552: Syr don, 553: Syr, oure lady hym saue! 554: Is youre chyld a knaue? Mak

555: Any lord myght hym haue 556: This chyld to his son. 557: when he wakyns he kyppys / that ioy is to se. Tercius Pastor

558: In good tyme to hys hyppys / and in cele. 559: Bot who was his gossyppys / so sone rede? Mak

So fare fall thare lyppys! / Primus Pastor
hark now, a le! Mak

561: So god thaym thank, 562: Parkyn, and gybon waller, I say, 563: And gentill Iohn horne, in good fay, 564: he made all the garray, 565: With the greatt shank. Secundus Pastor

566: Mak, freyndys will we be / ffor we ar all oone. Mak

567: we! now I hald for me / for mendys gett I none. 568: ffare well all thre / all glad were ye gone. Tercius Pastor

569: ffare wordys may ther be / bot luf is ther none 570: this yere. Primus Pastor

571: Gaf ye the chyld, any thyng? Secundus Pastor

572: I trow not oone farthyng. Tercius Pastor

573: ffast agane will I flyng, 574: Abyde ye me there. 575: Mak, take it to no grefe / if I com to thi barne. Mak

576: Nay, thou dos me greatt reprefe / and fowll has thou farne. Tercius Pastor

577: The child will it not grefe that lytyll day starne. 578: Mak, with youre leyfe let me gyf youre barne,

-135-

579: Bot sex pence. Mak

580: Nay, do way: he slepys. Tercius Pastor

581: Me thynk he pepys. Mak

582: when he wakyns he wepys. 583: I pray you go hence. Tercius Pastor

584: Gyf me lefe hym to kys and lyft vp the clowtt. 585: what the dewill is this? he has a long snowte. Primus Pastor

586: he is merkyd amys / we wate ill abowte. Secundus Pastor

587: Ill spon weft, Iwys / ay commys foull owte. 588: Ay, so! 589: he is lyke to oure shepe! Tercius Pastor

590: how, gyb! may I pepe? Primus Pastor

591: I trow, kynde will crepe 592: where it may not go. Secundus Pastor

593: This was a qwantt gawde and a far cast. It was a hee frawde. Tercius Pastor
yee, syrs, wast. 595: lett bren this bawde and bynd hir fast. 596: A fals skawde hang at the last; 597: So shall thou. 598: wyll ye se how thay swedyll 599: his foure feytt in the medyll? 600: Sagh I neuer in a credyll 601: A hornyd lad or now. Mak

602: Peasse byd I: what! lett be youre fare; 603: I am he that hym gatt and yond woman hym bare. Primus Pastor

604: What dewill shall he hatt? / Mak, lo god makys ayre. Secundus Pastor

605: lett be all that. / now god gyf hym care, 606: I sagh. Uxor Ejus (Gill)

607: A pratty child is he 608: As syttys on a waman’s kne; 609: A dyllydowne, perde, 610: To gar a man laghe.

-136-

Tercius Pastor

611: I know hym by the eere marke / that is a good tokyn. Mak

612: I tell you, syrs, hark! / hys noyse was brokyn. 613: Sythen told, me a clerk / that he was forspokyn. Primus Pastor

614: This is a fals wark / I wold, fayn be wrokyn: 615: Gett wepyn. Uxor Ejus (Gill)

616: he was takyn with an elfe, 617: I saw it myself. 618: when the clok stroke twelf 619: was he forshapyn. Secundus Pastor

620: ye two ar well feft / sam in a stede. Tercius Pastor

621: Syn thay manteyn thare theft / let do thaym to dede. Mak

622: If I trespas eft gyrd of my heede. with you will I be left. Primus Pastor
syrs, do my reede. 624: ffor this trespas, 625: we will nawther ban ne flyte, 626: ffyght nor chyte, 627: Bot haue done as tyte, 628: And cast hym in canvas. 629: lord! what I am sore in poynt for to bryst. 630: In fayth I may no more therfor wyll I ryst. Secundus Pastor

631: As a shepe of sevyn skore he weyd in my fyst. 632: ffor to slepe ay whore me thynk that I lyst. Tercius Pastor

633: Now I pray you, 634: lyg downe on this grene. Primus Pastor

635: On these thefys yit I mene. Tercius Pastor

636: wherto shuld ye tene 637: So, as I say you? Angel

638: Ryse, hyrd men heynd! for now is he borne 639: That shall take fro the feynd that adam had lorne:

-137-

640: That warloo to sheynd this nyght is he borne. 641: God is made youre freynd now at this morne. 642: he behestys, 643: At bedlem go se, 644: Ther lygys that fre 645: In a cryb full poorely, 646: Betwyx two bestys. Primus Pastor

647: This was a qwant stevyn that euer yit I hard. 648: It is a meruell to neuyn thus to be skard. Secundus Pastor

649: Of godys son of heuyn he spak vpward. 650: All the wod on a leuyn me thoght that he gard 651: Appere. Tercius Pastor

652: he spake of a barne 653: In bedlem, I you warne. Primus Pastor

654: That betokyns yond starne. 655: let vs seke hym there, Secundus Pastor

656: Say, what was his song? hard ye not how he crakyd it? Thre brefes to a long. Tercius Pastor
yee, mary, he hakt it. 658: was no crochett wrong / nor no thyng that lakt it. Primus Pastor

659: ffor to syng vs emong / right as he knakt it, 660: I can. Secundus Pastor

661: let se how ye croyne. 662: Can ye bark at the mone? Tercius Pastor

663: hold youre tonges, haue done! Primus Pastor

664: hark after, than. Secundus Pastor

665: To bedlem he bad that we shuld gang: 666: I am full fard that we tary to lang. Tercius Pastor

667: Be mery and not sad of myrth is oure sang, 668: Euer lastyng glad to mede may we fang,

-138-

669: Withoutt noyse. Primus Pastor

670: hy we theder for thy; 671: If we be wete and wery, 672: To that chyld and that lady 673: we haue it not to lose. Secundus Pastor

674: we fynde by the prophecy-/ let be youre dyn-675: Of dauid and Isay and mo then I myn, 676: Thay prophecyed by clergy that in a vyrgyn 677: shuld, he lyght and ly / to slokyn oure syn 678: And slake it, 679: Oure kynde from wo; 680: ffor Isay sayd so, 681: Cite` virgo 682: Concipiet a chylde that is nakyd. Tercius Pastor

683: ffull glad may we be / and abyde that day 684: That lufly to se that all myghtys may. 685: lord, well were me for ones and for ay, 686: Myght I knele on my kne / som word for to say 687: To that chylde. 688: Bot the angell sayd, 689: In a cryb wos he layde; 690: he was poorly arayd 691: Both mener and mylde. Primus Pastor

692: patryarkes that has bene / and prophetys beforne, 693: Thay desyryd to haue sene this chylde that is borne. 694: Thay ar gone full clene that haue thay lorne. 695: We shall se hym, I weyn or it be morne, 696: To tokyn. 697: When I se hym and fele, 698: Then wote I full weyll 699: It is true as steyll 700: That prophetys haue spokyn. 701: To so poore as we ar that he wold appere, 702: ffyrst fynd, and declare / by his messyngere.

-139-

Secundus Pastor

703: Go we now, let vs fare / the place is vs nere. Tercius Pastor

704: I am redy and yare / go we in fere 705: To that bright. 706: Lord, if thi wylles be, 707: we ar lewde all thre, 708: Thou grauntt vs somkyns gle 709: To comforth thi wight. Primus Pastor

710: hayll, comly and clene! / hayll, yong child! 711: hayll, maker, as I meyne, of a madyn so mylde! 712: Thou has waryd, I weyne the warlo so wylde; 713: The fals gyler of teyn / now goys he begylde. 714: lo, he merys; 715: lo, he laghys, my swetyng, 716: A welfare metyng, 717: I haue holden my hetyng; 718: haue a bob of cherys. Secundus Pastor

719: hayll, sufferan sauyoure! / ffor thou has vs soght: 720: hayll, frely foyde and floure that all thyng has wroght! 721: hayll, full of fauoure that made all of noght! 722: hayll! I kneyll and I cowre. / A byrd haue I broght 723: To my barne. 724: hayll, lytyll tyne’ mop! 725: of oure crede thou art crop: 726: I wold drynk on thy cop, 727: Lytyll day starne. Tercius Pastor

728: hayll, derlyng dere / full of godhede! 729: I pray the be nere when that I haue nede. 730: hayll! swete is thy chere! my hart wold, blede 731: To se the sytt here / in so poore wede, 732: With no pennys. 733: hayll! put furth thy dall! 734: I bryng the bot a ball: 735: haue and play the with all, 736: And go to the tenys.

-140-

Mary

737: The fader of heuen / god omnypotent. 738: That sett all on seuen, his son has he sent. 739: My name couth he neuen and lyght or he went. 740: I conceyuyd hym full euen / thrugh myght as he ment, 741: And now is he borne. 742: he kepe you fro wo! 743: I shall pray hym so; 744: Tell furth as ye go, 745: And myn on this morne. Primus Pastor

746: ffarewell, lady / so fare to beholde, with thy childe on thi kne! / Secundus Pastor
bot he lygys full cold. 748: lord, well is me / now we go, thou behold,. Tercius Pastor

749: ffor sothe all redy / it semys to be told 750: full oft. Primus Pastor

751: what grace we haue fun. Secundus Pastor

752: Com furth, now ar we won. Tercius Pastor

753: To syng ar we bun: 754: let take on loft. The Offering of the Magi Herodes

1: Peasse, I byd, both far and nere, 2: I warne you leyf youre sawes sere; 3: who that makys noyse whyls I am here, 4: I say, shall dy. 5: Of all this warld, sooth, far & nere, 6: The lord am I.

-141-

7: Lord am I of euery land, 8: Of towre and towne, of se and sand; 9: Agans me dar noman stand, 10: That berys lyfe; 11: All erthly thyng bowes to my hand, 12: Both man and wyfe. 13: Man and wyfe, that warne I you, 14: That in this warld, is lyfand now, 15: To mahowne & me all shall bow, 16: Both old, and ying; 17: On hym wyll I ich man trow, 18: ffor any thyng. 19: ffor any thyng it shall be so; 20: lord ouer all where I go, 21: who so says agane, I shall hym slo, 22: where so he dwell; 23: The feynd, if he were my fo, 24: I shuld, hym fell. 25: To fell those fatures I am bowne, 26: And dystroy those dogys in feyld, and towne 27: That will not trow on sant Mahowne, 28: Oure god so swete; 29: Those fals faturs I shall fell downe 30: Vnder my feete. 31: Vnder my feete I shall thaym fare, 32: Those ladys that will [not] lere my lare, 33: ffor I am myghty man ay whare, 34: Of ilk a pak; 35: Clenly shapen, hyde and hare, 36: withoutten lak. 37: The myght of me may no man mene, 38: ffor all [that] dos me any teyn,

-142-

39: I shall dyng thaym downe bydeyn, 40: And wyrk thaym wo; 41: And on assay it shall be seyn, 42: Or I go. 43: And therfor will I send and se 44: In all this land, full hastely, 45: To looke if any dwelland be 46: In towre or towne, 47: That wyll not hold, holly on me, 48: And on mahowne. 49: If ther be fonden any of tho, 50: with bytter payn I shall theym slo; 51: My messynger, swyth looke thou go 52: Thrugh ilk countre, 53: In all this land, both to and fro, 54: I commaunde the; 55: And truly looke thou spyr and spy,- 56: In euery stede ther thou commys by,- 57: who trowes not on mahowne most myghty, 58: Oure god so fre; 59: And looke thou bryng theym hastely 60: heder vnto me. 61: And I shall fownd, thaym for to flay, 62: Those laddys that will not lede oure lay; 63: Therfor, boy, now I the pray 64: That thou go tytt. Nuncius

65: It shal be done, lord, if I may, 66: withoutten lett: 67: And certys, if I may any fynde, 68: I shall not leyfe oone of them behynde. Herodes

69: No, bot boldly thou thaym bynde 70: And with the leyde: 71: Mahowne, that weldys water and wynde, 72: The wish and spede!

-143-

Nuncius

73: All peasse, lordyngys, and hold, you styll, 74: To I haue sayde what I will; 75: Take goode hede Vnto my skyll, 76: Both old, and ying; 77: In message what is commen you tyll 78: ffrom herode, the kyng. 79: he commaundys you, euerilkon, 80: To hold no kyng bot hym alon, 81: And othere god ye worship none 82: Bot mahowne so fre; 83: And if ye do, ye mon be slone; 84: Thus told, he me. Primus Rex, Jaspar

85: Lord, of whom this light is lent, 86: And vnto me this sight has sent, 87: I pray to the, with good intent, 88: ffrom shame me shelde; 89: So that I no harmes hent 90: By way[e]s wylde. 91: Also I pray the specyally, 92: Thou graunt me grace of company, 93: That I may haue som beyldyng by, 94: In my trauayll: 95: And, certys, for to lyf or dy 96: I shall not fayll, 97: To that I in som land haue bene, 98: To wyt what this starne may mene, 99: That has me led, with bemys shene, 100: ffro my cuntre; 101: Now weynd I will, withoutten weyn, 102: The sothe to se.

-144-

Secundus Rex, Melchior

103: A! lord, that is withoutten ende! 104: whens euer this selcouth light dyscende, 105: That thus kyndly has me kende 106: Oute of my land, 107: And shewyd to me ther I can leynd, 108: thus bright shynand? 109: Certys, I sagh neuer none so bright; 110: I shall neuer ryst by day nor nyght, 111: To I wyt whens may com this lyght, 112: And from what place; 113: he that it send vnto my sight 114: leyne me that grace! Primus Rex, Jaspar

115: A, sir, wheder ar ye away? 116: Tell me, good sir, I you pray. Secundus Rex, Melchior

117: Certys, I trow, the sothe to say, 118: None wote bot I; 119: I haue folowed yond, starne, veray, 120: ffrom araby; 121: ffor I am kyng of that cuntre, 122: And melchor ther call men me. Primus Rex, Jaspar

123: And kyng, sir, was I wont to be, 124: In tars, at hame, 125: Both of towne and cyte; 126: Iaspar is my name; 127: The light of yond starne sagh I thedyr. Secundus Rex, Melchior

128: That lord be louyd that send me hedyr! 129: ffor it will grathly ken vs whedyr, 130: that we shall weynd; 131: we owe to loue hym both togedyr, 132: That it to vs wold send. Tercius Rex, Balthesar

133: A, lord! in land what may this mene? 134: So selcouth sight was neuer sene, 135: Sich a starne, shynand so shene, 136: Sagh I neuer none; 137: It gyffys lyght ouer all, bedene, 138: By hym alone.

-145-

139: What it may mene, that know I noght; 140: Bot yonder ar two, me thynk, in thoght, 141: I thank hym that thaym heder has broght 142: Thus vnto me; 143: I shall assay if thay wote oght 144: what it may be. 145: lordyngys, that ar leyf and dere, 146: I pray you tell me with good chere 147: wheder ye weynd, on this manere, 148: And where that ye haue bene; 149: And of this starne, that shynys thus clere, 150: what it may mene. Primus Rex, Jaspar

151: Syr, I say you certanly, 152: ffrom tars for yond starne soght haue I. Secundus Rex, Melchior

153: To seke yond light from araby, 154: sir, haue I went. Tercius Rex, Balthesar

155: Now hertely I thank hym for-thy, 156: That it has sent. Primus Rex, Jaspar

157: Good sir, what cuntre cam ye fra? Tercius Rex, Balthesar

158: This light has led me fro saba; 159: And balthesar, my name to say, 160: The sothe to tell. Secundus Rex, Melchior

161: And, kyngis, sir, are we twa, 162: Ther as we dwell. Tercius Rex

163: Now, syrs, syn we ar semled here, 164: I rede we ryde togeder, in fere, 165: vnto we wytt, on all manere, 166: ffor good or yll, 167: what it may mene, this sterne so clere 168: Shynand vs tyll. Primus Rex, Jaspar

169: A, lordyngys! behold, the lyght 170: Of yond, starne, with bemys bright!

-146-

171: ffor sothe I sagh neuer sich a sight 172: In no-kyns land; 173: A starne thus, aboute mydnyght, 174: so bright shynand. 175: It gyfys more light it self alone 176: Then any son that euer shone, 177: Or mone, when he of son has ton 178: his light so cleyn; 179: Sich selcouth sight haue I sene none, 180: what so euer it meyn. Secundus Rex, Melchior

181: Behold, lordyngys, vnto his pase, 182: And se how nygh the erth hit gase; 183: It is a tokyn that it mase 184: Of nouelry; 185: A meruell it is, good tent who tase, 186: Now here in hy. 187: ffor sich a starne was neuer ere seyn, 188: As wyde in warld as we haue beyn, 189: ffor blasyng bemys, shynand full sheyn, 190: ffrom hit ar sent; 191: Meruell I haue what it may meyn 192: In myn intent. Tercius Rex, Balthesar

193: Certys, syrs, the sothe to say, 194: I shall dyscry now, if I may, 195: what it may meyn, yond starne veray, 196: Shynand tyll vs; 197: It has bene sayde syn many a day 198: It shuld, be thus. 199: yond starne betokyns, well wote I, 200: The byrth of a prynce, syrs, securly, 201: That shewys well the prophecy 202: That it so be; 203: Or els the rewlys of astronomy 204: Dyssauys me.

-147-

Primus Rex, Jaspar

205: Certan, balaam spekys of this thyng, 206: That of Iacob a starne shall spryng 207: That shall ouercom kasar and kyng, 208: Withoutten stryfe; 209: All folk shalbe to hym obeyng 210: That berys the lyfe. 211: Now wote I well this is the same, 212: In euery place he shall haue hame, 213: All shall hym bowe that berys name, 214: In ilk cuntre; 215: who trowys it not, thay ar to blame, 216: what so thay be. Secundus Rex, Melchior

217: Certys, lordyngys, full well wote I, 218: ffulfyllyd, is now the prophecy; 219: That prynce that shall ouer com in hy 220: kasar and kyng, 221: This starne berith witnes, wytterly, 222: Of his beryng. Tercius Rex, Balthesar

223: Now is fulfyllyd here in this land 224: That balaam sayd, I vnderstand; 225: Now is he borne that se and sand 226: Shall weyld, at wyll: 227: That shewys this starne, so bright shynand, 228: vs thre vntyll. Primus Rex, Jaspar

229: Lordyngys, I rede we weynd all thre 230: ffor to wyrship that chyld, so fre, 231: In tokyn that he kyng shalbe 232: Of alkyn thyng; 233: This gold now wyll I bere with me, 234: To myn offeryng. Secundus Rex, Melchior

235: Go we fast, syrs, I you pray, 236: To worship hym if that we may;

-148-

237: I bryng rekyls, the sothe to say, 238: here in myn hende, 239: In tokyn that he [is] god veray, 240: Withoutten ende. Tercius Rex, Balthesar

241: Syrs, as ye say right so I red; 242: hast we tytt vnto that sted 243: To wirship hym, as for oure hed, 244: with oure offeryng; 245: In tokyn that he shalbe ded, 246: This Myrr I bryng. Primus Rex, Jaspar

247: where is that kyng of Iues land, 248: That shalbe lord, of se and sand, 249: And folk shall bow vnto his hand 250: Both more and myn? 251: To wyrship hym with oure offerand 252: we wyll not blyn. Secundus Rex, Melchior

253: we shall not rest, euen nor morne, 254: vnto we com ther he is borne. Tercius Rex, Balthesar

255: ffolowe this light, els be we lorne, 256: ffor sothe, I trowe, 257: That frely to we com beforne; 258: Syrs, go we now. Nuncius

259: Mahowne, that is of greatt pausty, 260: My lord, sir herode, the saue and se! Herodes

261: where has thou bene so long fro me, 262: Vyle stynkand lad? Nuncius

263: Lord, gone youre herand, in this cuntre, 264: As ye me bad. Herodes

265: Thou lyys, lurdan, the dewill the hang! 266: why has thou dwelt away so lang? Nuncius

267: lord, ye wyte me all with wrang. Herodes

268: what tythyngys? say! Nuncius

269: Som good, som yll, mengyd emang. Herodes

270: how? I the pray.

-149-

271: Do tell me fast how thou has farne; 272: Thy waryson shall thou not tharne. Nuncius

273: As I cam walkand, I you warne, 274: Lord,, by the way, 275: I met thre kyngis sekeand a barne, 276: Thus can thay say. Herodes

277: To seke a barne! for what thyng? 278: Told, thay any new tythyng? Nuncius

279: yey, lord,! thay sayd, he shuld, be kyng 280: Of towne and towre; 281: ffor thy thay went, with thare offeryng, 282: hym to honoure. Herodes

283: Kyng! the dewill! bot of what empyre? 284: Of what land shuld, that lad, be syre? 285: Nay, I shall with that trature tyre; 286: Sore shall he rewe! Nuncius

287: lord, by a starne as bright as fyre 288: This kyng thay knew; 289: It led thaym outt of thare cuntre. Herodes

290: we, fy! fy! dewyls on thame all thre! 291: he shall neuer haue myght to me, 292: That new borne lad; 293: when thare wytt in a starne shuld, be, 294: I hold, thaym mad. 295: Those lurdans wote not what thay say; 296: Thay ryfe my hede, that dar I lay; 297: Ther dyd no tythyngis many a day, 298: Sich harme me to; 299: ffor wo my wytt is all away; 300: what shall I do?

-150-

301: why, what the dewyll is in thare harnes? 302: Is thare wytt all in the starnes? 303: These tythyngis mar my mode in ernes; 304: And of this thyng 305: To wytt the sothe, full sore me yarnes, 306: Of this new kyng. 307: Kyng? what the dewyll, other then I! 308: we, fy on dewyls! fy, fy! 309: Certys, that boy shall dere aby! 310: his ded is dight! 311: Shall he be kyng thus hastely? 312: who the dewill made hym knyght? 313: Alas, for shame! this is a skorne! 314: Thay fynde no reson thaym beforne; 315: Shuld, that brodell, that late is borne, 316: Be most of mayn? 317: Nay, if the dewyll of hell had sworne, 318: he shall agane. 319: Alas, alas! for doyll and, care! 320: So mekyll sorow had I neuer are; 321: If it be sothe, for euer mare 322: I am vndoyn; 323: At good clerkys and wyse of lare 324: I wyll wyt soyn. 325: Bot fyrst yit will I send, and se 326: The answere of those lurdans thre. 327: Messyngere, tytt hy thou the, 328: And make the yare; 329: Go, byd those kyngys com speke with me, 330: That told, thou of are. 331: Say I haue greatt herand thaym tyll. Nuncius

332: It shalbe done, lord,, at youre wyll,

-151-

333: youre byddyng shall I soyn fulfyll 334: In ilk cuntre. Herodes

335: Mahowne the shelde from all kyns yll, 336: ffor his pauste. Nuncius

337: Mahowne you saue, sir kyngys thre, 338: I haue message to you preue`, 339: ffrom herode, kyng of this cuntre, 340: That is oure chefe; 341: And lo, syrs, if ye trow not me, 342: ye rede this brefe. Primus Rex, Jaspar

343: welcom be thou, belamy! 344: what is his wyll? tell vs in hy. Nuncius

345: Certys, sir, that wote not I, 346: Bot thus he sayde to me, 347: That ye shuld, com full hastely 348: To hym all thre, 349: ffor nede herand, he sayd me so. Secundus Rex, Melchior

350: Messynger, before thou go, 351: And tell thi lord we ar all thro 352: his wyll to do; 353: Both I and my felose two 354: Shall com hym to. Nuncius

355: Mahowne you looke, my lord so dere. Herodes

356: welcom be thou, messyngere! 357: how has thou farne syn thou was here? 358: Thou tell me tytt. Nuncius

359: lord, I haue traueld, far and nere 360: withoutten lett, 361: And done youre herand,, sir, sothely; 362: Thre kyngis with me broght haue I, 363: ffro saba, tars, and araby, 364: Then haue thay soght. Herodes

365: Thi waryson shall thou haue for thy, 366: By hym me boght;

-152-

367: And, certanly, that is good skyll, 368: And syrs, ye ar welcom me tyll. Tercius Rex, Balthesar

369: Lord, thi bydyng to fulfyll 370: Are we full thro. Herodes

371: A, mekyll thank of youre good wyll 372: That ye wyll so. 373: ffor, certys, I haue couett greattly 374: To speke with you, and here now why: 375: Tell me, I pray you specyally, 376: ffor any thyng, 377: what tokynyng saw ye on the sky 378: Of this new kyng? Primus Rex, Jaspar

379: we sagh his starne ryse in the eest, 380: That shall be kyng of man and best, 381: ffor thy, lord, we haue not cest, 382: Syn that we wyst, 383: with oure gyftys, riche and, honest, 384: To bere that blyst. Secundus Rex, Melchior

385: lord,, when that starne rose vs beforne, 386: Ther by we knew that chyld, was borne. Herodes

387: Out, alas, I am forlorne 388: ffor euer mare! 389: I wold, be rent and al to-torne 390: ffor doyll and care! 391: Alas, alas, I am full wo! 392: Syr kyngys, syt downe, & rest you so. 393: By scrypture, syrs, what say ye two? 394: withoutten lytt; 395: what ye can say ther to 396: let se now tytt. 397: These kyngys do me to vnderstand, 398: That borne is newly, in this land,

-153-

399: A kyng that shall weld, se and sand; 400: Thay tell me so; 401: And therfor, syrs, I you commaunde 402: youre bookys go to, 403: And looke grathly, for any thyng, 404: If ye fynd oght of sich a kyng. Primus Consultus & Doctor

405: It shall be done at youre bydyng, 406: By hym me boght, 407: And soyn we shall you tythyngys bryng 408: If we fynd, oght. Secundus Consultus & Doctor

409: Soyn shall we wyt, lord, if I may, 410: If oght be wretyn in oure lay. Herodes

411: Now, masters, therof I you pray 412: On all manere. Primus Consultus & Doctor

413: Com furth, let vs assay 414: Oure bookys both in fere. Secundus Consultus & Doctor

415: Certys, sir, lo, here fynd, I 416: well wretyn in a prophecy, 417: how that profett Isay, 418: That neuer begyld,, 419: Tellys that a madyn of hir body 420: Shall bere a chyld,. Primus Consultus & Doctor

421: And also, sir, to you I tell 422: The meruellest thyng that euer fell, 423: Hyr madynhede with hir shall dwell, 424: As dyd beforne; 425: That child shall hight `emanuell’ 426: when he is borne. Secundus Consultus & Doctor

427: lord, this is sothe, securely, 428: wytnes the profett Isay. Herodes

429: Outt, alas! for doyll I dy, 430: long or my day! 431: Shall he haue more pauste then I? 432: A, waloway!

-154-

433: Alas, alas, I am forlorne! 434: I wold, be rent and all to torne; 435: Bot looke yit, as ye dyd, beforne, 436: ffor luf of me; 437: And tell me where that boy is borne; 438: Onone lett se. Primus Consultus & Doctor

439: All redy, lord, with mayn & mode. Herodes

440: haue done belyf, or I go wode; 441: And, certys, that gadlyng wer as good 442: haue greuyd me noght; 443: I shall se that brodell bloode, 444: By hym that me has boght! Secundus Consultus & Doctor

445: Micheas the prophett, withoutten nay, 446: how that he tellys I shall you say; 447: In bedlem, land of Iuda, 448: As I say you, 449: Out of it a duke shall spra; 450: Thus fynd we now. Primus Consultus & Doctor

451: Syr, thus we fynd, in prophecy: 452: Therfor we say you, securely, 453: In bedlem, we say you truly, 454: Borne is that kyng. Herodes

455: The dewill hang you high to dry, 456: ffor this tythyng! 457: And certys ye ly! it may not be! Secundus Consultus & Doctor

458: lord, we wytnes it truly; 459: here the sothe youre self may se, 460: If ye can rede. Herodes

461: A, waloway! full wo is me! 462: The dewill you spede! Primus Consultus & Doctor

463: lord, it is sothe, all that we say, 464: We fynde it wretyn in oure lay.

-155-

Herodes

465: Go hens, harlottys, in twenty dewill way, 466: ffast and belyfe! 467: Mighty mahowne, as he well may, 468: lett you neuer thryfe! 469: Alas, wherto were I a crowne? 470: Or is cald of greatt renowne? 471: I am the fowlest borne downe 472: That euer was man; 473: And, namely with a fowll swalchon, 474: That no good can. 475: Alas, that euer I shuld be knyght, 476: Or holdyn man of mekyll myght, 477: If a lad shuld, reyfe me my right 478: All thus me fro; 479: Myn dede ere shuld I dyght, 480: Or it were so. 481: ye nobyll kyngys, harkyns as heynd! 482: ye shall haue saue condyth to weynd; 483: Bot com agane with me to leynd, 484: Syrs, I you pray; 485: ye shall me fynd a faythfull freynd, 486: If ye do swa. 487: If it be sothe, this new tythyng, 488: Som worship wold I do that kyng, 489: Therfor I pray you that ye bryng 490: Me tythyngys soyn. Primus Rex, Jaspar

491: All redy, lord, at youre bydyng 492: It shalbe doyn. Secundus Rex, Melchior

493: Alas, in warld, how haue we sped! 494: where is the lyght that vs has led? 495: Som clowde, for sothe, that starne has cled 496: ffrom vs away; 497: In strong stowre now ar we sted; 498: what may we say?

-156-

Tercius Rex, Balthesar

499: wo worth herode, that cursyd wyght! 500: wo worth that tyrant day and nyght! 501: ffor thrugh hym haue we lost that sight, 502: And for his gyle, 503: That shoyn to vs with bemys bright 504: within a whyle. Primus Rex, Jaspar

505: lordyngys, I red, we pray all thre 506: To that lord, whose natyuyte 507: The starne betokyned that we can se, 508: All with his wyll; 509: pray we specyally that he 510: wold, show it vs vntyll Secundus Rex, Melchior

511: Thou chyld,, whose myght no tong may tell, 512: As thou art lord of heuen and hell, 513: Thy nobyll starne, emanuell, 514: Thou send vs yare; 515: That we may wytt by fyrth and fell 516: how we shall fare. Tercius Rex, Balthesar

517: A, to that chyld be euer honoure, 518: That in this tyd has stynt oure stoure, 519: And lent vs lyght to oure socoure, 520: On this manere; 521: we loue the, lord of towne and towre, 522: holly in fere. 523: we owe to loue hym ouer all thyng, 524: That thus has send vs oure askyng; 525: Behold,, yond starne has made stynyng, 526: Syrs, securly; 527: Of this chyld, shall we haue knowyng, 528: I hope, in hy.

-157-

Secundus Rex, Melchior

529: lordyngys dere, drede thar vs noght, 530: Oure greatt trauell tyll end is broght; 531: yond, is the place that we haue soght 532: ffrom far cuntre; 533: yond is the chyld, that all has wroght, 534: Behold, and se! Tercius Rex, Balthesar

535: I red we make offeryng, all thre, 536: vnto this chyld, of greatt pauste, 537: And worship hym with gyftys fre 538: That we haue broght; 539: Oure boytt of bayll ay wyll he be, 540: well haue we soght. Primus Rex, Jaspar

541: hayll be thou, maker of all kyn thyng! 542: That boytt of all oure bayll may bryng! 543: In tokyn that thou art oure kyng, 544: And shalbe ay, 545: Resayf this gold, to myn offeryng, 546: prynce, I the pray. Secundus Rex, Melchior

547: hayll, ouercomer of kyng and of knyght! 548: That fourmed fysh, and fowyll in flyght! 549: ffor thou art godis son most of myght, 550: And all weldand, 551: I bryng the rekyls, as is right, 552: To myn offerand. Tercius Rex, Balthesar

553: hayll, kyng in kyth, cowrand on kne! 554: hayll, oone-fold, god, in persons thre! 555: In tokyn that thou dede shalbe, 556: By kyndly skyll, 557: To thy grauyng this myr of me 558: Resaue the tyll. Mary

559: Syr kyngys, make comforth you betweyn, 560: And meruell not what it may mene;

-158-

561: This chyld,, that on me borne has bene, 562: All bayll may blyn; 563: I am his moder, and madyn clene 564: withoutten syn. 565: Therfor, lordyngys, where so ye fare, 566: Boldly looke ye tell ay whare 567: how I this blyst of bosom bare, 568: That best shalbe; 569: And madyn cleyn, as I was are, 570: Thrugh his pauste. 571: And truly, syrs, looke that ye trow 572: That othere lord is none at-lowe; 573: Both man and beest to hym shall bowe, 574: In towne and feyld; 575: My blyssyng, syrs, be now with you 576: where so ye beyld,. Primus Rex, Jaspar

577: A, lordyngys dere! the sothe to say, 578: we haue made a good Iornay; 579: we loue this lord, that shall last ay 580: with outten ende; 581: he is oure beyld,, both nyght and day, 582: where so we weynd. Secundus Rex, Melchior

583: lordyngys, we haue traueld, lang, 584: And restyd haue we lytyll emang, 585: fforthi I red now, or we gang, 586: with all oure mayn 587: et vs fownde a slepe to fang; 588: Then were I fayn; 589: ffor in greatt stowres we haue ben sted. 590: lo, here a lytter redy cled. Tercius Rex, Balthesar

591: I loue my lord! we haue well sped,, 592: To rest with wyn; 593: lordyngys, syn we shall go to bed, 594: ye shall begyn.

-159-

Angel

595: Syr curtes kyngys, to me take tent, 596: And turne by tyme or ye be tenyd; 597: ffrom god his self thus am I sent 598: To warne you, as youre faythfull freynd, 599: how herode kyng has malyce ment, 600: And shapys with shame you forto sheynd; 601: And so that ye no harmes hent, 602: By othere ways god wyll ye weynd 603: Into youre awne cuntre; 604: And if ye ask hym boyn, 605: ffor this dede that ye haue done, 606: youre beyld, ay wyll he be. Primus Rex, Jaspar

607: wakyns, wakyns, lordyngys dere! 608: Oure dwellyng is no longer here; 609: An angell spake tyll vs in fere; 610: Bad vs, as heynd, 611: That we ne shuld,, on no manere, 612: home by herode weynd. Secundus Rex, Melchior

613: All myghty god in trynyte, 614: with hart enterely thank I the, 615: That thyn angell send tyll vs thre, 616: And kend vs so, 617: Oure fals fo man for to fle, 618: That wold, vs slo. Tercius Rex, Balthesar

619: We aght to loue hym more and myn, 620: That comly kyng of all man-kyn; 621: I rew full sore that we shall twyn 622: On this manere; 623: ffor commen we haue, with mekyll wyn, 624: By wayes sere. Primus Rex, Jaspar

625: Twyn must vs nedys, syrs, permafay, 626: And ilk on weynd, by dyuers way;

-160-

627: This wyll me lede, the sothe to say, 628: To my cuntre; 629: fforthy, lordyngys, now haue good day! 630: God with you be! Secundus Rex, Melchior

631: Certys, I must pas by se and sand; 632: This is the gate, I vnderstand, 633: That wyll me lede vnto my land 634: The right way; 635: To god of heuen I you commaunde, 636: And haue good day! Tercius Rex, Balthesar

637: This is the way that I must weynd; 638: Now god till vs his socoure send, 639: And he, that is withoutten end 640: And ay shalbe, 641: Saue vs from fowndyng of the feynd, 642: ffor his pauste. The Flight Into Egypt Angel

1: Awake, Ioseph, and take intent! 2: Thou ryse, and slepe nomare! 3: If thou Wyll saue thy self vnshent 4: ffownde the fast to fare; 5: I am an angell to the sent, 6: ffor thou shall no harmes hent, 7: To cach the outt of care. 8: If thou here longer lent, 9: ffor rewth thou mon repent,

-161-

10: And rew it wonder sare. Joseph

11: A! myghtfull god, 12: what euer this ment, 13: so swete of toyn? Angel

14: lo, Ioseph, it is I, 15: An angell send to the. Joseph

16: we! leyf, I pray the why? 17: what is thy wyll with me? Angel

18: hens behufys the hy, 19: And take with the mary, 20: Also hir chyld so fre; 21: ffor herode dos to dy 22: All knaue chyldren, securly, 23: with in two yere that be 24: Of eld,. Joseph

25: Alas, full wo is me! 26: where may we beyld,? Angel

27: Tyll egypp shall thou fare 28: with all the myght thou may; 29: And, Ioseph, hold, the thare, 30: tyll I wyll the at say. Joseph

31: This is a febyll fare, 32: A seke man and a sare 33: To here of sich a fray; 34: My bonys ar bursyd and, bare 35: ffor to do; I wold, it ware 36: Comen my last day 37: Tyll ende; 38: I ne wote which is the way; 39: how shall we weynde? Angel

40: Ther of haue thou no drede; 41: weynd furth, & leyf thi dyn; 42: The way he shall you lede, 43: the kyng of all man-kyn.

-162-

Joseph

44: That heynd til vs take hede, 45: ffor I had lytyll nede 46: Sich bargans to begyn; 47: No wonder if I wede, 48: I that may do no dede; 49: how shuld I theder wyn 50: ffor eld? 51: I am full bare and thyn, 52: And all vnweld; 53: My fors me falys to fare, 54: and sight that I shuld, se. 55: Mary, my darlyng dere, 56: I am full wo for the! Mary

57: A, leyf Ioseph, what chere? 58: youre sorow on this manere 59: It mekill meruels me. Joseph

60: Oure noyes ar neghand, nere 61: If we dwell longer here; 62: fforthi behofes vs fle, 63: And flytt. Mary

64: Alas! how may this be? 65: what euer menys it? Joseph

66: It menys of sorow enoghe. Mary

67: A, dere Ioseph, how so? Joseph

68: As I lay in a swogh, 69: ffull sad slepand and thro, 70: An angell to me drogh, 71: As blossom bright on bogh, 72: And told betwix vs two, 73: That herode wroght greatt wogh, 74: And all knaue children slogh 75: In land that he myght to, 76: That feynd! 77: And he thy son wold, slo 78: And shamely sheynd.

-163-

Mary

79: My son? alas, for care! 80: who may my doyllys dyll? 81: wo worth fals herode are! 82: my son why shuld, he spyll? 83: Alas! I lurk and dare! 84: To slo this barne I bare, 85: what wight in warld, had wyll? 86: his hart shuld be full sare 87: Sichon for to fare, 88: That neuer yit dyd yll, 89: Ne thoght. Joseph

90: Now leyfe mary, be styll! 91: This helpys noght; 92: It is no boytt to grete, 93: truly withoutten trayn; 94: Oure bayll it may not boytt 95: bot well more make oure payn. Mary

96: Alas! how shuld, I lete? 97: My son that is so swete 98: Is soght for to be slayn; 99: ffull gryle may I grete, 100: My fomen and I mete; 101: Tell me, Ioseph, with mayn, 102: youre red. Joseph

103: Shortly swedyll vs this swayn, 104: And fle hys dede. Mary

105: his ded wold I not se, 106: ffor all this warld, to wyn; 107: Alas! full wo were me, 108: In two if we shuld, twyn; 109: My chyld, so bright of ble, 110: To slo hym were pyte, 111: And a full hedus syn. 112: Dere Ioseph, what red ye? Joseph

113: Tyll egyp weynd shall we;

-164-

114: fforthi let be thi dyn 115: And cry. Mary

116: how shall we theder wyn? Joseph

117: ffulle well wote I; 118: The best wyse that we may 119: hast vs outt of this here. 120: Ther is noght els to say 121: bot tytt pak vp oure gere; 122: ffor ferd of this affray, 123: lett vs weynd hens away, 124: Or any do vs dere. Mary

125: Greatt god, as he well may, 126: That shope both nyght and day, 127: ffrom wandreth he vs were, 128: And shame; 129: My chyld, how shuld, I bere 130: So far from hame? 131: Alas! I am full wo! 132: was neuer wyght so wyll! Joseph

133: God wote I may say so, 134: I haue mater ther tyll; 135: ffor I may vnyth go 136: To lede of land sich two; 137: No wonder if I be wyll, 138: And sythen has many a fo. 139: A, why wyll no ded me slo? 140: My lyfe I lyke yll 141: And sare; 142: he that all doyls may dyll, 143: he keyll my care! 144: So wyll a wyght as I, 145: In warld, was neuer man; 146: howsehold, and husbandry 147: ffull sore I may it ban; 148: That bargan dere I by. 149: yong men, bewar, red I: 150: wedyng makys me all wan.

-165-

151: Take me thi brydyll, mary; 152: Tent thou to that page grathly 153: with all the craft thou can; 154: And may 155: he that this warld, began, 156: wysh vs the way! Mary

157: Alas, full wo is me! 158: Is none so wyll as I! 159: My hart wold breke in thre, 160: My son to se hym dy. Joseph

161: we! leyf mary, lett be, 162: And nothyng drede thou the, 163: Bot hard, hens lett vs hy; 164: To saue thi foode so fre, 165: ffast furth now lett vs fle, 166: Dere leyf; 167: To mete with his enmy, 168: It were a greatt myschefe, 169: And that wold, I not wore, 170: Away if we myght wyn; 171: My hart wold, be full sore, 172: In two to se you twyn. 173: Tyll egypp lett vs fare; 174: This pak, tyll I com thare, 175: To bere I shall not blyn: 176: fforthi haue thou no care; 177: If I may help the mare, 178: Thou fyndys no fawte me in, 179: I say. 180: God blys you more and myn, 181: And haue now all good day!

-166-

Herod the Great Nuncius

1: Moste myghty mahowne / meng you with myrth! 2: Both of burgh and of towne by fellys and by fyrth, 3: Both kyng with crowne and barons of brith, 4: That radly wyll rowne many greatt grith 5: Shall be happ. 6: Take tenderly intent 7: what sondys ar sent, 8: Els harmes shall ye hent, 9: And lothes you to lap. 10: Herode, the heynd, kyng by grace of mahowne, 11: Of Iury, Iourmontyng sternly with crowne, 12: On lyfe that ar lyfyng in towre and, in towne, 13: Gracyus you gretyng commaundys you be bowne 14: At his bydyng; 15: luf hym with lewte, 16: drede hym, that doughty! 17: he chargys you be redy 18: lowly at his lykyng. 19: What man apon mold, menys hym agane, 20: Tytt teyn shall be told,, knyght, sqwyere, or swayn; 21: Be he neuer so bold, byes he that bargan, 22: Twelf thowsand fold, more then I sayn

-167-

23: May ye trast; 24: he is worthy wonderly, 25: Selcouthly sory; 26: ffor a boy that is borne her by 27: Standys he abast. 28: A kyng thay hym call and that we deny; 29: how shuld, it so fall greatt meruell haue I; 30: Therfor ouer all Shall I make a cry, 31: That ye busk not to brall nor lyke not to ly 32: This tyde; 33: Carpys of no kyng 34: Bot herode, that lordyng, 35: Or busk to youre beyldyng, 36: youre heedys for to hyde. 37: He is Kyng of Kyngys Kyndly I Knowe, 38: Chefe lord of lordyngys chefe leder of law, 39: Ther watys on his wyngys that bold, bost wyll blaw, 40: Greatt dukys downe dyngys ffor his greatt aw, 41: And hym lowtys. 42: Tuskane and turky, 43: All Inde and Italy, 44: Cecyll and surry, 45: Drede hym and dowtys. 46: ffrom paradyse to padwa to mownt flascon; 47: ffrom egyp to mantua vnto kemp towne; 48: ffrom sarceny to susa to grece it abowne; 49: Both normondy and norwa lowtys to his crowne; 50: his renowne 51: Can no tong tell, 52: ffrom heuen vnto hell; 53: Of hym can none spell 54: Bot his cosyn mahowne. 55: he is the worthyest of all barnes that are borne; 56: ffree men ar his thrall full teynfully torne; 57: Begyn he to brall many men cach skorne; 58: Obey must we all or els be ye lorne

-168-

59: Att onys. 60: Downe dyng of youre knees, 61: All that hym seys, 62: Dysplesyd he beys, 63: And byrkyn many bonys. 64: here he commys now, I cry that lord, I of spake; 65: ffast afore wyll I hy radly on a rake, 66: And welcom hym worshipfully laghyng with lake, 67: As he is most worthy and knele for his sake 68: So low; 69: Downe dernly to fall, 70: as renk most ryall: 71: hayll, the worthyest of all! 72: to the must I bow! 73: hayll, luf lord! lo thi letters haue I layde; 74: I haue done I couth do and peasse haue I prayd,; 75: Mekyll more therto opynly dysplayd; 76: Bot romoure is rasyd so that boldly thay brade 77: Emangis thame; 78: Thay carp of a kyng, 79: thay seasse not sich chateryng. Herodes

80: Bot I shall tame thare talkyng, 81: And let thame go hang thame: 82: Stynt, brodels, youre dyn yei, euerychon! 83: I red that ye harkyn to I be gone, 84: ffor if I begyn I breke ilka bone, 85: And pull fro the skyn the carcas anone, 86: yei, perde! 87: Sesse all this wonder, 88: and make vs no blonder, 89: ffor I ryfe you in sonder, 90: Be ye so hardy. 91: Peasse both yong and old at my bydyng, I red, 92: ffor I haue all in wold, in me standys lyfe and dede; 93: who that is so bold I brane hym thrugh the hede; 94: Speke not or I haue told, what I will in this stede;

-169-

95: ye wote nott 96: All that I will mefe; 97: Styr not bot ye haue lefe, 98: ffor if ye do, I clefe 99: you small as flesh to pott. 100: My myrthes ar turned to teyn my mekenes into Ire, 101: And all for oone I weyn with-in I fare as fyre. 102: May I se hym with eyn I shall gyf hym his hyre; 103: Bot I do as I meyn I were a full lewde syre 104: In wonys; 105: had I that lad in hand, 106: As I am kyng in land, 107: I shuld with this steyll brand 108: Byrkyn all his bonys. 109: My name spryngys far and nere the doughtyest, men me call, 110: That euer ran with spere A lord and kyng ryall; 111: what ioy is me to here A lad to sesse my stall! 112: If I this crowne may bere that boy shall by for all. 113: I anger; 114: I wote not what dewill me alys, 115: Thay teyn me so with talys, 116: That by gottys dere nalys, 117: I wyll peasse no langer. 118: what dewill! me thynk I brast ffor anger and for teyn; 119: I trow thyse kyngys be past that here with me has beyn; 120: Thay promysed me full fast or now here to be seyn, 121: ffor els I shuld, haue cast an othere sleght, I weyn; 122: I tell you, 123: A boy thay sayd thay soght, 124: with offeryng that thay broght; 125: It mefys my hart right noght 126: To breke his nek in two. 127: Bot be thay past me by by mahowne in heuen, 128: I shall, and that in hy set all on sex and seuen;

-170-

129: Trow ye a kyng as I will suffre thaym to neuen 130: Any to haue mastry bot my self full euen? 131: Nay, leyfe! 132: The dewill me hang and draw, 133: If I that losell knaw, 134: Bot I gyf hym a blaw, 135: That lyfe I shall hym reyfe. 136: ffor parels yit I wold, wyst if thay were gone; 137: And ye therof her told I pray you say anone, 138: ffor and thay be so bold, by god that syttys in trone, 139: The payn can not be told, that thay shall haue ilkon, 140: ffor Ire; 141: Sich panys hard, neuer man tell, 142: ffor vgly and for fell, 143: That lucyfere in hell 144: Thare bonys shall all to-tyre. Primus Miles

145: Lord, thynk not ill if I tell you how thay ar past; 146: I kepe not layn, truly Syn thay cam by you last, 147: An othere way in hy / thay soght, & that full fast. Herodes

148: why, and ar thay past me by? / we! outt! for teyn I brast! 149: we! fy! 150: ffy on the dewill! where may I byde? 151: Bot fyght for teyn and al to-chyde! 152: Thefys, I say ye shuld, haue spyde 153: And told, when thay went by; 154: ye ar knyghtys to trast! nay, losels ye ar, and thefys; 155: I wote I yelde my gast so sore my hart it grefys. Secundus Miles

156: what nede you be abast? ther ar no greatt myschefys ffor these maters to gnast. Tercius Miles

why put ye sich reprefys

-171-

158: withoutt cause? 159: Thus shuld ye not thrett vs, 160: vngaynly to bete vs, 161: ye shuld not rehett vs, 162: withoutt othere sawes. Herodes

163: ffy, losels and lyars! lurdans ilkon! 164: Tratoures and well wars! knafys, bot knyghtys none! 165: had ye bene woth youre eres thus had thay not gone; 166: Gett I those land lepars I breke ilka bone; 167: ffyrst vengeance 168: Shall I se on thare bonys; 169: If ye byde in these wonys 170: I shall dyng you with stonys, 171: yei, ditizance doutance. 172: I wote not where I may sytt for anger & for teyn; 173: we haue not done all yit if it be as I weyn; 174: ffy! dewill! now how is it? as long as I haue eyn 175: I think not for to flytt bot kyng I will be seyn 176: ffor euer. 177: Bot stand I to quart, 178: I tell you my hart, 179: I shall gar thaym start, 180: Or els trust me neuer. Primus Miles

181: Syr, thay went sodanly or any man wyst, 182: Els had mett we, yei, perdy and may ye tryst. Secundus Miles

183: So bold, nor so hardy agans oure lyst, 184: was none of that company durst mete me with fyst 185: ffor ferd,. Tercius Miles

186: Ill durst thay abyde, 187: Bot ran thame to hyde; 188: Might I thaym haue spyde, 189: I had made thaym a berd. 190: what couth we more do / to saue youre honoure? Primus Miles

191: we were redy therto / and shal be ilk howre. Herodes

192: Now syn it is so ye shall haue fauoure; 193: Go where ye wyll, go by towne and by towre,

-172-

194: Goys hens! 195: I haue maters to mell 196: with my preuey counsell; 197: Clerkys, ye bere the bell, 198: ye must me encense. 199: Oone spake in myne eere A wonderfull talkyng, 200: And sayde a madyn shuld, bere anothere to be kyng; 201: Syrs, I pray you inquere in all wrytyng, 202: In vyrgyll, in homere And all other thyng 203: Bot legende; 204: Sekys poece tayllys; 205: lefe pystyls and grales; 206: Mes, matyns, noght avalys, 207: All these I defende; 208: I pray you tell heyndly / now what ye fynde. Primus Consultus

209: Truly, sir, prophecy / It is not blynd; 210: we rede thus by Isay he shalbe so kynde, 211: That a madyn, sothely which neuer synde, 212: Shall hym bere: 213: “[virgo concipiet, 214: Natumque pariet;”] 215: “[Emanuell”] is hete, 216: his name for to lere, 217: “[God is with vs,”] that is forto say. Secundus Consultus

218: And othere says thus tryst me ye may: 219: “[Of bedlem a gracyus lord shall spray, 220: That of Iury myghtyus / kyng shalbe ay, 221: lord myghty; 222: And hym shall honoure 223: both kyng and emperoure.”] Herodes

224: why, and shuld I to hym cowre? 225: Nay, ther thou lyys lyghtly! 226: ffy! the dewill the spede / and me, bot I drynk onys! 227: This has thou done in dede / to anger me for the nonys:

-173-

228: And thou, knafe, thou thy mede / shall haue, by cokys dere bonys! 229: Thou can not half thi crede! outt, thefys, fro my wonys! 230: ffy, knafys! 231: ffy, dotty-pols, with youre bookys! 232: Go kast thaym in the brookys! 233: with sich wylys and crokys 234: My wytt away rafys! 235: hard I neuer sich a trant that a knafe so sleght 236: Shuld, com lyke a sant and refe me my right; 237: Nay, he shall on slant I shall kyll hym downe stryght; 238: war! I say, lett me pant now thynk I to fyght 239: ffor anger; 240: My guttys will outt thryng 241: Bot I this lad hyng; 242: withoutt I haue a vengyng, 243: I may lyf no langer. 244: Shuld a carll in a kafe bot of oone yere age, Thus make me to rafe? / Primus Consultus

Syr, peasse this outrage! 246: A-way let ye wafe / all sich langage, 247: youre worship to safe / is he oght bot a page 248: Of a yere? 249: we two shall hym teyn 250: with oure wyttys betweyn, 251: That, if ye do as I meyn, 252: he shall dy on a spere. Secundus Consultus

253: ffor drede that he reyn / do as we red; 254: Thrug outt bedlem and ilk othere stede, 255: Make knyghtys ordeyn and put vnto dede 256: All knaue chyldren / of two yerys brede, 257: And with-in; 258: This chyld, may ye spyll 259: Thus at youre awne will. Herodes

260: Now thou says here tyll 261: A right nobyll gyn!

-174-

262: If I lyf in land / good lyfe, as I hope, 263: This dar I the warand to make the Pope. 264: O, my hart is rysand now in a glope! 265: ffor this nobyll tythand thou shall haue a drope 266: Of my good grace; 267: Markys, rentys, and powndys, 268: Greatt castels & groundys; 269: Thrugh all sees and sandys 270: I gyf the the chace. 271: Now wyll I procede and take veniance; 272: All the flowre of knyghthede call to legeance; 273: Bewshere, I the byd it may the avance. Nuncius

274: lord, I shall me spede and bryng, perchaunce, 275: To thy syght. 276: hark, knyghtys, I you bryng 277: here new tythyng; 278: vnto herode kyng 279: hast with all youre myght! 280: In all the hast that ye may in armowre full bright, 281: In youre best aray / looke that ye be dight. Primus Miles
why shuld we fray? / Secundus Miles
this is not all right. Tercius Miles

283: Syrs, withoutten delay I drede that we fight. Nuncius

284: I pray you, 285: As fast as ye may, 286: com to hym this day. Primus Miles

287: what, in oure best aray? Nuncius

288: yei, syrs, I say you. Secundus Miles

289: Somwhat is in hand / what euer it meyn. Tercius Miles

290: Tarry not for to stand / ther or we haue beyn. Nuncius

291: kyng herode all weldand well be ye seyn! 292: youre knyghtys ar comand in armoure full sheyn,

-175-

293: At youre wyll. Primus Miles

294: hayll, dughtyest of all! 295: we are comen at youre call 296: ffor to do what we shall, 297: youre lust to fullfyll. Herodes

298: welcom, lordyngys, Iwys both greatt and small! 299: The cause now is this that I send for you all: 300: A lad, a knafe, borne is that shuld, be kyng ryall; 301: Bot I kyll hym and his I wote I brast my gall; 302: Therfor, Syrs, 303: Veniance shall ye take, 304: All for that lad, sake, 305: And men I shall you make 306: where ye com ay where, syrs. 307: To bedlem loke ye go And all the coste aboute, 308: All knaue chyldren ye slo and lordys, ye shalbe stoute; 309: Of yeres if they be two and within, of all that rowte 310: On lyfe lyefe none of tho that lygys in swedyll clowte, 311: I red you; 312: Spare no kyns bloode, 313: lett all ryn on floode, 314: If women wax woode; 315: I warn you, syrs, to spede you; 316: hens! now go youre way / that ye were thore. Secundus Miles

317: I wote we make a fray / bot I wyll go before. Tercius Miles

318: A, thynk, syrs, I say / I mon whett lyke a bore. Primus Miles

319: Sett me before ay / good enogh for a skore; 320: hayll heyndly! 321: we shall for youre sake 322: make a dulfull lake. Herodes

323: Now if ye me well wrake 324: ye shall fynd me freyndly. Secundus Miles

325: Go ye now tyll oure noytt / and handyll thaym weyll. Tercius Miles

326: I shall pay thaym on the cote / begyn I to reyll.

-176-

Primus Miles

327: hark, felose, ye dote yonder commys vnceyll; 328: I hold, here a grote she lykys me not weyll 329: Be we parte; 330: Dame, thynk it not yll, 331: thy knafe if I kyll. Prima Mulier

332: what, thefe! agans my wyll? 333: lord, kepe hym in qwarte! Primus Miles

334: Abyde now, abyde / no farther thou gose. Prima Mulier

335: Peasse, thefe! shall I chyde / and make here a nose? Primus Miles

336: I shall reyfe the thy pryde / kyll we these boyse! Prima Mulier

337: Tyd may betyde / kepe well thy nose, 338: ffals thefe! 339: haue on loft on thy hode. Primus Miles

340: what, hoore, art thou woode? Prima Mulier

341: Outt, alas, my chyldys bloode! 342: Outt, for reprefe! 343: Alas for shame and syn alas that I was borne! 344: Of wepyng who may blyn to se hir chylde forlorne? 345: My comforth and my kyn my son thus alto torne! 346: veniance for this syn I cry, both euyn and morne. Secundus Miles

347: well done! 348: Com hedyr, thou old stry! 349: that lad of thyne shall dy. Secunda Mulier

350: Mercy, lord, I cry! 351: It is myn awne dere son. Secundus Miles

352: No mercy thou mefe / it mendys the not, mawd! Secunda Mulier

353: Then thi skalp shall I clefe! / lyst thou be clawd? lefe, lefe, now by lefe! / Secundus Miles
peasse, byd I, bawd! Secunda Mulier

355: ffy, fy, for reprefe! fy, full of frawde!

-177-

356: No man! 357: haue at thy tabard, 358: harlot and holard! 359: Thou shall not be sparde! 360: I cry and I ban! 361: Outt! morder! man, I say / strang tratoure & thefe! 362: Out! alas! and waloway! my child that was me lefe! 363: My luf, my blood, my play that neuer dyd man grefe! 364: Alas, alas, this day! / I wold, my hart shuld, clefe 365: In sonder! 366: veniance I cry and call, 367: on herode and his knyghtys all! 368: veniance, lord,, apon thaym fall, 369: And mekyll warldys wonder! Tercius Miles

370: This is well wroght gere / that euer may be; 371: Comys hederward here! / ye nede not to fle! Tercia Mulier

372: wyll ye do any dere / to my chyld, and me? Tercius Miles

373: he shall dy, I the swere / his hart blood shall thou se. Tercia Mulier

374: God forbede! 375: Thefe! thou shedys my chyldys blood! 376: Out, I cry! I go near wood! 377: Alas! my hart is all on flood, 378: To se my chyld, thus blede! 379: By god, thou shall aby this dede that thou has done. Tercius Miles

380: I red the not stry / by son and by moyn. Tercia Mulier

381: haue at the, say I! take the ther a foyn! 382: Out on the I cry haue at thi groyn 383: An othere! 384: This kepe I in store. Tercius Miles

385: Peasse now, no more! Tercia Mulier

386: I cry and I rore, 387: Out on the, mans mordere! 388: Alas! my bab, myn Innocent my fleshly get! for sorow 389: That god me derly sent of bales who may me borow?

-178-

390: Thy body is all to-rent I cry both euen and morow, 391: veniance for thi blod, thus spent out! I cry, and horow! Primus Miles

392: Go lightly! 393: Gett out of thise wonys! 394: ye trattys, all at onys,- 395: Or by cokys dere bonys 396: I make you go wyghtly! 397: Thay ar flayd now, I wote, thay will not abyde. Secundus Miles

398: lett vs ryn fote hote now wold, I we hyde, 399: And tell of this lott how we haue betyde. Tercius Miles

400: Thou can do thi note / that haue I aspyde; 401: Go furth now, 402: Tell thou herode oure tayll! 403: ffor all oure avayll, 404: I tell you, saunce fayll, 405: he wyll vs alow. Primus Miles

406: I am best of you all / and euer has bene; 407: The deuyll haue my saull bot I be fyrst sene; 408: It fyttys me to call my lord, as I wene. Secundus Miles

409: what nedys the to brall? / be not so kene 410: In this anger; 411: I shall say thou dyd best, 412: saue myself, as I gest. Primus Miles

413: we! that is most honest. Tercius Miles

414: go, tary no langer! Primus Miles

415: hayll herode, oure kyng / full glad may ye be! 416: Good tythyng we bryng harkyn now to me; 417: we haue mayde rydyng thrugh outt Iure: 418: well wyt ye oone thyng / that morderd, haue we 419: Many thowsandys. Secundus Miles

420: I held, thaym full hote, 421: I payd them on the cote; 422: Thare dammys, I wote, 423: Neuer bynde them in bandys. Tercius Miles

424: had ye sene how I fard / when I cam emang them! 425: Ther was none that I spard / bot lade on and dang them.

-179-

426: I am worthy a rewarde / where I was emangys them. 427: I stud and I stard / no pyte to hang them 428: had I. Herodes

429: Now, by myghty mahowne, 430: That is good of renowne! 431: If I bere this crowne 432: ye shall haue a lady 433: Ilkon to hym layd, and wed at his wyll. Primus Miles

434: So haue ye lang sayde / do somwhat thertyll! Secundus Miles

435: And I was neuer flayde / for good ne for yll. Tercius Miles

436: ye might hold, you well payde / oure lust to fulfyll, 437: Thus thynk me, 438: with tresure vntold, 439: If it lyke that ye wold, 440: Both syluer and gold, 441: To gyf vs greatt plente. Herodes

442: As I am kyng crownde I thynk it good right! 443: Ther goys none on grownde that has sich a wyght; 444: A hundreth thowsand pownde is good wage for a knyght, 445: Of pennys good and rownde now may ye go light 446: with store; 447: And ye knyghtys of oures 448: Shall haue castels and towres, 449: Both to you and to youres, 450: ffor now and euer more. Primus Miles

451: was neuer none borne by downes ne by dalys, 452: Nor yit vs beforne that had sich avalys. Secundus Miles

453: we haue castels and corne / mych gold in oure malys. Tercius Miles

454: It wyll neuer be worne / withoutt any talys; 455: hayll heyndly! 456: hayll lord! hayll kyng! 457: we ar furth foundyng! Herodes

458: Now mahowne he you bryng 459: where he is lord freyndly;

-180-

460: Now in peasse may I stand I thank the, mahowne! 461: And gyf of my lande that longys to my crowne; 462: Draw therfor nerehande both of burgh and of towne; 463: Markys ilkon a thowsande when I am bowne, 464: Shall ye haue. 465: I shalbe full fayn 466: To gyf that I sayn! 467: wate when I com agayn, 468: And then may ye craue. 469: I sett by no good, now my hart is at easse, 470: That I shed so mekyll blode pes all my ryches! 471: ffor to se this flode from the fote to the nese 472: Mefys nothing my mode I lagh that I whese; 473: A, mahowne! 474: So light is my saull, 475: that all of Sugar is my gall; 476: I may do what I shall, 477: And bere vp my crowne. 478: I was castyn in care so frightly afrayd, 479: Bot I thar not dyspare for low is he layd 480: That I most dred are so haue I hym flayd; 481: And els wonder ware and so many strayd 482: In the strete, 483: That oone shuld be harmeles, 484: and skape away hafles, 485: where so many chyldes 486: Thare balys can not bete. 487: A hundreth thowsand, I watt and fourty ar slayn, 488: And four thowsand; ther-at me aght to be fayn; 489: Sich a morder on a flat shall neuer be agayn. 490: had I had bot oone bat at that lurdan 491: So yong, 492: It shuld, haue bene spokyn 493: how I had me wrokyn, 494: were I dede and rotyn, 495: with many a tong.

-181-

496: Thus shall I tech knauys ensampyll to take, 497: In thare wyttys that rauys sich mastre to make; 498: All wantones wafys no langage ye crak! 499: No sufferan you sauys youre nekkys shall I shak 500: In sonder; 501: No kyng ye on call 502: Bot on herode the ryall, 503: Or els many oone shall 504: Apon youre bodys wonder. 505: ffor if I here it spokyn when I com agayn, 506: youre branys bese brokyn therfor be ye bayn; 507: Nothyng bese vnlokyn it shalbe so playn; 508: Begyn I to rekyn I thynk all dysdayn 509: ffor daunche. 510: Syrs, this is my counsell-511: Bese not to cruell, 512: Bot adew!-to the deuyll! 513: I can nomore fraunch! The Purification of Mary Symeon

1: Mightfull god, thou vs glad! 2: That heuen and erthe and all has mayde; 3: Bryng vs to blys that neuer shall fade, 4: As thou well may; 5: And thynk on me that is vnweld-6: lo! so I hobyll all on held,, 7: That vnethes may I walk for eld-8: Now help, lord, adonay!

-182-

9: Bot yit I meruell, both euyn and morne, 10: Of old, elders that were beforne, 11: wheder thay be safe or lorne, 12: where thay may be; 13: Abell, noye, and abraham, 14: Dauid, daniell, and balaam, 15: And all othere mo by name, 16: Of sere degre. 17: I thank the, lord, with good intent, 18: Of all thy sond thou has me sent, 19: That thus long tyme my lyfe has lent, 20: Now many a yere; 21: ffor all ar past now oonly bot I; 22: I thank the, lord god almyghty! 23: ffor so old, know I none, sothly, 24: Now lyfyng here. 25: ffor I am old symeon: 26: So old on lyfe know I none, 27: That is mayde on flesh and bone, 28: In all medyll-erd,. 29: No wonder if I go on held: 30: The feuyrs, the flyx, make me vnweld; 31: Myn armes, my lymmes, ar stark for eld,, 32: And all gray is my berd,. 33: Myn ees are woren both marke and blynd; 34: Myn and is short, I want wynd,; 35: Thus has age dystroed my kynd, 36: And reft myghtis all; 37: Bot shortly mon I weynd away; 38: what tyme ne when, I can not say, 39: ffor it is gone full many a day 40: Syn dede began to call. 41: Ther is no warke that I may wyrk, 42: Bot oneths crall I to the kyrk; 43: Be I com home I am so irk

-183-

44: That farther may I noght; 45: Bot settys me downe, and grankys, and gronys, 46: And lygys and restys my wery bonys, 47: And all nyght after grankys and goonys, 48: On slepe tyll I be broght. 49: Bot neuer the les, the sothe to say, 50: If I may nather, by nyght ne day, 51: ffor age nather styr ne play, 52: Nor make no chere, 53: yit if I be neuer so old,, 54: I myn full well that prophetys told, 55: That now ar dede and layde full cold, 56: Sythen gone many a yere. 57: Thay sayde that god, full of myght, 58: Shuld, send his son from heuen bright, 59: In a madyn for to light, 60: Commen of dauid kyn; 61: fflesh and bloode on hyr to take, 62: And becom man for oure sake, 63: Our redempcyon for to make, 64: That slayn were thrugh syn. 65: Bot, lord, that vs thy grace has hight, 66: Send me thy sond, both day and nyght, 67: And graunt me grace of lyfys light, 68: And let me neuer de, 69: To thou sich grace to me send, 70: That I may handyll hym in my hend, 71: That shall cum oure mys to amend, 72: And se hym with myn ee. Primus Angelus

73: Thou, symeon, drede the noght! 74: My lord, that thou has long besoght, 75: ffor thou has rightwys beyn, 76: Thyn askyng has he grauntyd the, 77: with outen dede on lyfe to be 78: To thou thy cryst haue seyn.

-184-

Secundus Angelus

79: Than symeon, harkyn a space! 80: I bryng the tythyngys of solace; 81: fforthy, ryse vp and gang 82: To the temple; thou shall fynd thore 83: Godys son the before, 84: That thou has yernyd lang. Symeon

85: Louyd be my lord, in wyll and thoght, 86: That his seruant forgettys noght, 87: when that he seys tyme! 88: well is me that I shall dre 89: Tyll I haue sene hym with myn ee, 90: And no longer hyne. 91: Louyd be my lord in heuen, 92: That thus has by his angell steuen 93: warnyd me of his commyng! 94: Therfor will I with intent 95: putt on me my vestment, 96: In worship of that kyng. 97: he shalbe welcom vnto me: 98: That lord shall make vs alle fre, 99: kyng of all man-kyn; 100: ffor with his blood he shall vs boroo 101: Both fro catyfdam & from soroo, 102: That was slayn thrugh syn. 103: A, dere god! what may this be? 104: Oure bellys ryng so solemply, 105: ffor whom soeuer it is; 106: Now certys, I can not vnderstand, 107: Bot if my lord god all weldand 108: Be commen, that all shall wyse. 109: This noyse lyghtyns full well myn hart! 110: Shall I neuer rest, and I haue quart, 111: Or I com ther onone;

-185-

112: Now well were I and it so were, 113: ffor sich noyse hard I neuer ere; 114: Oure bellys ryng by thare oone! Joseph

115: Mary, it begynnys to pas, 116: ffourty dayes syn that thou was 117: Delyuer of thy son; 118: To the temple I red we draw, 119: To clens the, and fulfyll the law, 120: As oure elders were won. 121: Therfor, mary, madyn heynd, 122: Take thi chyld, and let vs weynd 123: The tempyll vntyll; 124: And we shall with vs bryng 125: Thise turtyls two to oure offryng, 126: The law we will fulfyll. Mary

127: Ioseph, that wyll I full well, 128: That the law euery deyll 129: Be fulfyllyd in me. 130: Lord, that all myghtys may, 131: Gyf vs grace to do this day 132: That it be pleassyng to the! Primus Angelus

133: Thou, symeon, rightwys and trew, 134: Thou has desyred both old and new, 135: To haue a sight of cryst ihesu 136: As prophecy has told! 137: Oft has thou prayd to haue a sight 138: Of hym that in a madyn light; 139: here is that chyld of mekyll myght, 140: Now has thou that thou wold. Secundus Angelus

141: Thou has desyryd it most of all.

-186-

The Play of the Doctors Secundus Magister

1: That a madyn a barn shuld, bere; 2: And his name thus can thay tell, 3: ffro the tyme that he born were, 4: he shalbe callyd emanuell; 5: Counselloure, and god of strengthe, 6: And wonderfull also 7: Shall he be callyd, of brede and lenghthe 8: As far as any man may go. Tercius Magister

9: Masters, youre resons ar right good, 10: And wonderfull to neuen, 11: yit fynde I more by abacuk; 12: Syrs, lysten a whyle vnto my steuen. 13: Oure bayll, he says, shall turn to boytt, 14: her-afterward som day; 15: A wande shall spryng fro Iesse roytt,- 16: The certan sothe thus can he say,- 17: And of that wande shall spryng a floure, 18: that shall spryng vp full hight: 19: Ther of shall com full swete odowre, 20: And therapon shall rest and lyght 21: The holy gost, full mych of myght; 22: The goost of wysdom and of wyt, 23: Shall beyld his nest, with mekyll right, 24: And, in it brede and sytt.

-187-

Primus Magister

25: Bot when trow ye this prophecy 26: Shalbe fulfyllyd in dede, 27: That here is told so openly, 28: As we in scrypture rede? Secundus Magister

29: A greatt meruell for sothe it is, 30: To vs to here of sich mastry; 31: A madyn to bere a chyld,, Iwys, 32: without mans seyde, that were ferly. Tercius Magister

33: The holy gost shall in hyr lyght, 34: And kepe hir madynhede full clene; 35: whoso may byde to se that sight 36: Thay ther not drede, I wene. Primus Magister

37: Of all thise prophetys wyse of lore 38: That knew the prophecy, more and les, 39: was none that told the tyme before, 40: when he shuld, com to by vs peasse. Secundus Magister

41: wheder he be commen or not 42: No knowlege haue we in certayn; 43: Bot he shall com, that dowt we not; 44: ffull prophetys haue prechyd it full playn. Tercius Magister

45: Mekyll I thynk that thise prophetys 46: Ar holden to god, that is on hight, 47: That haue knowyng of his behetys, 48: And for to tell of his mekyll myght. Jesus

49: Masters, luf be with you lent, 50: And mensk be vnto this meneyoe! Primus Magister

51: Son, hens away I wold thou went, 52: ffor othere haft in hand haue we.

-188-

Secundus Magister

53: Son, whosoeuer the hyder sent, 54: Thay were not wyse, thus tell I the; 55: ffor we haue othere tayllys to tent 56: Then now with barnes bowrdand to be. Tercius Magister

57: Son, thou lyst oght lere To lyf by moyses lay; 58: Com heder, and thou shall here The sawes that we wyll say; 59: ffor in som mynde it may the bryng 60: To here oure sawes red by rawes. Jesus

61: To lere of you nedys me no thyng, 62: ffor I knaw both youre dedys & sawes. Primus Magister

63: hark, yonder barn with his bowrdyng! 64: he wenys he kens more then he knawys; 65: Nay, certys, son, thou art ouer ying 66: By clergy yit to know oure lawes. Jesus

67: I wote as well as ye / how that youre lawes was wroght. Secundus Magister

68: Com sytt! soyn shall we se, / ffor certys so semys it noght. Tercius Magister

69: It were wonder if any wyght 70: vntill oure resons right shuld reche; 71: And thou says thou has in sight 72: Oure lawes truly to tell and teche. Jesus

73: The holy gost has on me lyght, 74: And anoynt me lyke a leche, 75: And gyffen to me powere and myght 76: The kyngdom of heuen to preche. Secundus Magister

77: whens euer this barne may be 78: That shewys thise novels new? Jesus

79: Certan, syrs, I was or ye, 80: And shall be after you.

-189-

Primus Magister

81: Son, of thi sawes, as we haue ceyll, 82: And of thi wytt is wonder thyng; 83: Bot neuer the les fully I feyll 84: That it may fayll in wyrkyng; 85: ffor dauid demys euer ilk deyll, 86: And thus he says of chylder ying, “[Ex ore infanicium & lactencium, perfecisti laudem.”] 87: Of thare mowthes, sayth dauid, wele, 88: Oure lord he has perfourmed louyng. 89: Neuer the les, son, yit shuld thou lett 90: her for to speke in large; 91: ffor where masters ar mett, 92: Chylder wordys ar not to charge. 93: ffor certys, if thou wold neuer so fayn 94: Gyf all thi lyst to lere the law, 95: Thou art nawther of myght ne mayn 96: To know it, as a clerk may knaw. Jesus

97: Syrs, I say you in certan, 98: That sothfast shall be all my saw; 99: And powere haue I plene and playn, 100: To say and answere as me aw. Primus Magister

101: Masters, what may this mene? 102: Meruell, methynk, haue I 103: where euer this barne has bene 104: That carpys thus conandly. Secundus Magister

105: In warld as wyde as we haue went 106: ffand we neuer sich ferly fare; 107: Certys, I trow the barn be sent 108: Sufferanly to salfe oure sare. Jesus

109: Syrs, I shall preue in youre present 110: All the sawes that I sayde are. Tercius Magister

111: which callys thou the fyrst commaundement 112: And the most, in moyses lare?

-190-

Jesus

113: Syrs, synthen ye syt on raw, 114: And hafe youre bookys on brede, 115: let se, syrs, in youre saw 116: how right that ye can rede. Primus Magister

117: I rede that this is the fyrst bydyng 118: That moyses told, vs here vntyll; 119: honoure thi god ouer ilka thyng, 120: with all thi wyt and all thi wyll; 121: And all thi hart in hym shall hyng, 122: Erly and late, both lowde and styll. Jesus

123: ye nede none othere bookys to bryng, 124: Bot fownd this to fulfyll; 125: The seconde may men profe 126: And clergy knaw therby; 127: youre neyghburs shall ye lofe 128: Right as youre self truly. 129: [Thise] commaunded moyses tyll all men 130: In his commaundes clere; 131: In thise two bydyngys, shall ye ken, 132: hyngys all the law we aght to lere. 133: who so fulfylles thise two then 134: with mayn and mode and good manere, 135: he fulfyllys truly all ten 136: That after thaym folows in fere. 137: Then shuld we god honowre 138: with all oure myght and mayn, 139: And luf well ilk neghboure 140: Right as oure self certayn. Primus Magister

141: Now, son, synthen thou has told vs two, 142: which ar the aght, can thou oght say? Jesus

143: The thyrd bydys, “[where so ye go, 144: That ye shall halow the holy day;

-191-

145: ffrom bodely wark ye take youre rest; 146: youre household, looke the same thay do, 147: Both wyfe, chyld, seruande, and beest.”] 148: The fourt is then in weyll and wo 149: “[Thi fader, thi moder, thou shall honowre, 150: Not only with thi reuerence, 151: Bot in thare nede thou thaym socoure, 152: And kepe ay good obedyence.”] 153: The fyft bydys the “[no man slo, 154: Ne harme hym neuer in word ne dede, 155: Ne suffre hym not to be in wo 156: If thou may help hym in his nede.”] 157: The sext bydys the “[thi wyfe to take, 158: Bot none othere lawfully; 159: lust of lechery thou fle and fast forsake, 160: And drede ay god where so thou be.”] 161: The seuen bydys the “[be no thefe feyr, 162: Ne nothyng wyn with trechery; 163: Oker, ne symony, thou com not nere, 164: Bot conscyence clere ay kepe truly.”] 165: The aght byddys the “[be true in dede, 166: And fals wytnes looke thou none bere; 167: looke thou not ly for freynd ne syb, 168: lest to thi saull that it do dere.”] 169: The neyn byddys the “[not desyre 170: Thi neghburs wyfe ne his women, 171: Bot as holy kyrk wold it were, 172: Right so thi purpose sett it in.”] 173: The ten byddys the “[for nothyng 174: Thi neghburs goodys yerne wrongwysly; 175: his house, his rent, ne his hafyng, 176: And crysten fayth trow stedfastly.”]

-192-

177: Thus in tabyls, shall ye ken, 178: Oure lord to moyses wrate; 179: Thise ar the commaundmentys ten, 180: who so will lely layt. Secundus Magister

181: Behald how he lege oure lawes, 182: And leryd neuer on booke to rede! 183: ffull sotell sawes, me thynk, he says, 184: And also true, if we take hede. Tercius Magister

185: yei, lett hym furth on his wayes, 186: ffor if he dwell, withoutten drede 187: The pepyll will ful soyn hym prayse 188: well more then vs, for all oure dede. Primus Magister

189: Nay, nay, then wyrk we wrang! 190: sich spekyng will we spare; 191: As he cam let hym gang, 192: And mefe vs, not no mare. Mary

193: A, dere Ioseph! what is youre red? 194: Of oure greatt bayll no boytt may be; 195: My hart is heuy as any lede, 196: My semely son to I hym se. 197: Now haue we soght in euery sted, 198: Both vp and downe, thise dayes thre; 199: And wheder he be whik or dede 200: yit wote we not; so wo is me! Joseph

201: Sorow had neuer man mare! 202: Bot mowr[n]yng, mary, may not amend; 203: ffarther do I red we fare, 204: To god some socoure send. 205: Abowtt the tempyll if he be oght, 206: That wold I that we wyst this nyght. Mary

207: A, certys, I se that we have soght! 208: In warld was neuer so semely a sight;

-193-

209: lo, where he syttys! se ye hym noght 210: Amangys yond masters mekyll of myght? Joseph

211: Blyssyd be he vs heder broght! 212: In land now lyfys there none so light. Mary

213: Now dere Ioseph, as haue ye seyll, 214: Go furth and fetche youre son and myne; 215: This day is goyn nere ilka deyll, 216: And we haue nede for to go hien. Joseph

217: with men of myght can I not mell, 218: Then all my trauell mon I tyne; 219: I can not with thaym, that wote ye well, 220: Thay are so gay in furrys fyne. Mary

221: To thaym youre erand, forto say, 222: Surely that thar ye drede no deyll! 223: Thay will take hede to you alway 224: Be cause of eld,, this wote I weyll. Joseph

225: when I com ther what shall I say? 226: ffor I wote not, as haue I ceyll; 227: Bot thou will haue me shamyd for ay, 228: ffor I can nawthere crowke ne knele. Mary

229: Go we togeder, I hold, it best, 230: Vnto yond worthy wyghtys in wede; 231: And if I se, as haue I rest, 232: That ye will not, then must I nede. Joseph

233: Go thou and tell thi tayll fyrst, 234: Thi son to se will take good hede; 235: weynd furth, mary, and do thi best, 236: I com behynd, as god me spede. Mary

237: A, dere son, Ihesus! 238: sythen we luf the alone, 239: whi dos thou tyll vs thus, 240: And gars vs make this mone? 241: Thi fader and I betwix vs two, 242: Son, for thi luf has lykyd yll,

-194-

243: we haue the soght both to and fro 244: wepeand sore, as wyghtis wyll. Jesus

245: wherto shuld ye, moder, seke me so? 246: Oft tymes it has bene told, ye tyll 247: My fader warkys, for wele or wo, 248: Thus am I sent for to fulfyll. 249: Thise sawes, as haue I ceyll, 250: I can well vnderstonde, 251: I shall thynk on them weyll 252: To fownd what is folowand. Joseph

253: Now sothly, son, the sight of the 254: has comforthed vs of all oure care; 255: Com furth, now, with thi moder and me! 256: At nazareth I wold we ware. Jesus

257: Be leyf then, ye lordyngys fre! 258: ffor with my freyndys now wyll I fare. Primus Magister

259: Son, where so thou shall abyde or be 260: God make the good man euer mare. Secundus Magister

261: No wonder if thou, wife, 262: Of his fyndyng be fayn; 263: he shall, if he haue lyfe, 264: prefe to a full good swayn. Tercius Magister

265: Son, looke thou layn, for good or yll, 266: The noyttys that we haue nevened now; 267: And if thou lyke to abyde here styll, 268: And with vs won, welcom art thou. Jesus

269: Gramercy, syrs, of youre good wyll! 270: No longer lyst I byde with you, 271: My freyndys thoght I shall fulfyll, 272: And to thare bydyng baynly bow. Mary

273: ffull well is me this tyde, 274: Now may we make good chere. Joseph

275: No longer wyll we byde; 276: ffar well all folk in fere.

-195-

John the Baptist John the Baptist

1: God, that mayde both more and les, 2: Heuen and erth, at his awne wyll, 3: And merkyd man to his lyknes, 4: As thyng that wold his lyst ffulfyll, 5: Apon the erth he send lightnes, 6: Both son and moyne lymett thertyll, 7: He saue you all from synfulnes, 8: And kepe you clene, both lowd and styll. 9: Emang prophetys then am I oone 10: That god has send to teche his law, 11: And man to amend, that wrang has gone, 12: Both with exampyll and with saw. 13: My name, for sothe, is baptyst Iohn, 14: My fader zacary ye knaw, 15: That was dombe and mayde great mone, 16: Before my byrth, and stode in awe. 17: Elezabeth my moder was, 18: Awntt vnto mary, madyn mylde; 19: And as the son shynys thorow the glas, 20: Certys, in hir wombe so dyd hir chyld,. 21: Yit the Iues inqueryd me has 22: If I be cryst; thay are begyld, 23: For ihesus shal amend mans trespas, 24: That with freylte of fylthe is fylyd. 25: I am send bot messyngere 26: ffrom hym that alkyn mys may mend; 27: I go before, bodword to bere, 28: And as forgangere am I send,

-196-

29: his wayes to wyse, his lawes to lere, 30: Both man and wyfe that has offende. 31: ffull mekyll barett mon he bere, 32: Or tyme he haue broght all tyll ende, 33: Thise Iues shall hyng hym on a roode, 34: Man’s saull to hym it is so leyfe, 35: And therapon shall shede his bloode, 36: As he were tratoure or a thefe, 37: Not for his gylt bot for oure goode, 38: Because that we ar in myschefe; 39: Thus shall he dy, that frely foode, 40: And ryse agane tyll oure relefe. 41: In water clere then baptyse I 42: The pepyll that ar in this coste; 43: Bot he shall do more myghtely, 44: And baptyse in the holy goost; 45: And with the bloode of his body 46: wesh oure synnes both leste and moost, 47: Therfor, me thynk, both ye and I 48: Agans the feynde ar well endoost. 49: I am not worthy for to lawse 50: The leste thwong that longys to his shoyne; 51: Bot god almyghty, that all knawes, 52: In erth thi will it must be done. 53: I thank the, lord, that thi sede sawes 54: Emong mankynde to groyf so sone, 55: And euery day that on erth dawes 56: ffeydys vs with foode both euen and none. 57: we ar, lord, bondon vnto the, 58: To luf the here both day and nyght, 59: ffor thou has send thi son so fre 60: To saue mans saull that dede was dight 61: Thrugh adam syn and eue foly, 62: That synnyd thrugh the feyndis myght; 63: Bot, lord, on man thou has pyte, 64: And beyld thi barnes in heuen so bright.

-197-

Primus Angelus

65: harkyn to me, thou Iohn baptyst! 66: The ffader of heuen he gretys the weyll, 67: ffor he has fon the true and tryst, 68: And dos thi dever euery deyll; 69: wyt thou well his will thus ist, 70: Syn thou art stabyll as any steyll, 71: That thou shall baptyse ihesu cryst 72: In flume Iordan, mans care to beyll John the Baptist

73: A, dere god! what may this be? 74: I hard a steuen, bot noght I saw. Primus Angelus

75: Iohn, it is I that spake to the; 76: To do this dede haue thou none aw. John the Baptist

77: Shuld I abyde to he com to me? 78: That that shall neuer be, I traw; 79: I shall go meyt that lord so fre, 80: As far as I may se or knaw. Secundus Angelus

81: Nay, Iohn, that is not well syttand; 82: his fader will thou must nedys wyrk. Primus Angelus

83: Iohn, be thou here abydand, 84: Bot when he commys be then not yrk. John the Baptist

85: By this I may well vnderstand 86: That childer shuld be broght to kyrk, 87: ffor to be baptysyd in euery land; 88: To me this law yit is it myrk. Secundus Angelus

89: Iohn, this place it is pleassyng, 90: And it is callyd flume Iordan; 91: here is no kyrk, ne no bygyng, 92: Bot where the fader wyll ordan, 93: It is godys wyll and his bydyng. John the Baptist

94: By this, for sothe, well thynk me than 95: his warke to be at his lykyng, 96: And ilk folk pleasse hym that thay can.

-198-

97: Sen I must nedys his lyst fulfyll 98: he shall be welcom vnto me; 99: I yeld, me holy to his will, 100: where so euer I abyde or be. 101: I am his seruande, lowd and styll, 102: And messyngere vnto that fre; 103: whethere that he will saue or spyll 104: I shall not gruch in no degre. Jesus

105: Iohn, godys seruand and prophete, 106: My fader, that is vnto the dere, 107: has send me to the, well thou wytt, 108: To be baptysyd in water clere; 109: ffor reprefe vnto mans rytt 110: The law I will fulfyll right here; 111: My fader ordynance thus is it, 112: And thus my wyll is that it were. 113: I com to the, baptym to take, 114: To whome my fader has me sent, 115: with oyle and creme that thou shal make 116: vnto that worthi sacrament. 117: And therfor, Iohn, it not forsake, 118: Bot com to me in this present, 119: ffor now will I no farther rake 120: Or I haue done his commaundement. John the Baptist

121: A, lord! I loue the for thi commyng! 122: I am redy to do his will, 123: In word, in wark, in all kyn thyng, 124: what soeuer he sendys me tyll; 125: This bewteose lord to bryng to me, 126: his awne seruande, this is no skyll, 127: A knyght to baptyse his lord kyng, 128: My pauste may it not fulfyll.

-199-

129: And if I were worthy 130: ffor to fulfyll this sacrament, 131: I haue no connyng securly, 132: To do it after thyn intent; 133: And therfor, lord, I ask mercy; 134: hald, me excusyd as I haue ment; 135: I dar not towche thi blyssyd body, 136: My hart will neuer to it assent. Jesus

137: Of thi connyng, John, drede the noght; 138: My fader his self he will the teche; 139: he that all this warld, has wroght, 140: he send the playnly forto preche; 141: he knawys mans hart, his dede, his thoght; 142: he wotys how far mans myght may reche, 143: Therfor hedir haue I soght; 144: My fader lyst may none appeche. 145: Behold, he sendys his angels two, 146: In tokyn I am both god and man; 147: Thou gyf me baptym or I go, 148: And dyp me in this flume Iordan. 149: Sen he wyll thus, I wold wytt who 150: Durst hym agan stand? Iohn, com on than, 151: And baptyse me for freynde or fo, 152: And do it, Iohn, right as thou can. Primus Angelus

153: Iohn, be thou buxom and right bayn, 154: And be not gruchand in no thyng; 155: Me thynk thou aght to be ful fayn 156: ffor to fulfyll my lordis bydyng 157: Erly and late, with moyde and mayn, 158: Therfor to the this word I bryng, 159: My lord has gyffen the powere playn, 160: And drede the noght of thi conyng.

-200-

Secundus Angelus

161: he sendys the here his awne dere chylde, 162: Thou welcom hym and make hym chere, 163: Born of a madyn meke and mylde, 164: That frely foode is made thi fere; 165: with syn his moder was neuer fylde, 166: Ther was neuer man neghyd hyr nere, 167: In word ne wark she was neuer wylde, 168: Therfor hir son thou baptyse here. Primus Angelus

169: And, securly, I will thou knaw 170: whi that he commys thus vnto the; 171: he commys to fulfyll the law, 172: As pereles prynce most of pauste; 173: And therfor, Iohn, do as thou awe, 174: And gruch thou neuer in this degre 175: To baptyse hym that thou here saw, 176: ffor wyt thou well this same is he. John the Baptist

177: I am not worthy to do this dede; 178: Neuer the les I will be godys seruande; 179: Bot yit, dere lord, sen I must nede, 180: I will do as thou has commaunde. 181: I tremyll and I whake for drede! 182: I dar not towche the with my hande, 183: Bot, certys, I will not lose my mede; 184: Abyde, my lord, and by me stande. 185: I baptyse the, Ihesu, in hy, 186: In the name of thi fader fre, 187: In nomine patris & filii, 188: Sen he will that it so be, 189: Et spiritűs altissimi, 190: And of the holy goost on he; 191: I aske the, lord, of thi mercy, 192: here after that thou wold blys me. 193: here I the anoynt also 194: with oyle and creme, in this intent,

-201-

195: That men may wit, where so thay go, 196: This is a worthy sacrament. 197: Ther ar sex othere and no mo, 198: The which thi self to erthe has sent, 199: And in true tokyn, oone of tho, 200: The fyrst on the now is it spent. 201: Thou wysh me, lord, if I do wrang; 202: My will it were forto do weyll; 203: I am ful ferd yit ay emang, 204: If I dyd right I shuld done knele. 205: Thou blys me, lord, hence or thou gang, 206: So that I may thi frenship fele; 207: I haue desyryd this sight ful lang, 208: ffor to dy now rek I no dele. Jesus

209: This beest, Iohn, thou bere with the, 210: It is a beest full blyst; 211: Iohn, it is the lamb of me, 212: Beest none othere ist; 213: It may were the from aduersyte, 214: And so looke that thou tryst; 215: By this beest knowen shall thou be, 216: That thou art Iohn baptyst. John the Baptist

217: ffor I haue sene the lamb of god 218: which weshys away syn of this warld,, 219: And towchid hym, for euen or od, 220: My hart therto was ay ful hard. 221: ffor that it shuld be better trowed, 222: An angell had me nerehand mard, 223: Bot he that rewlys all with his rod 224: he blys me when I draw homward.

-202-

Jesus

225: I graunt the, Iohn, for thi trauale, 226: Ay lastand ioy in blys to byde; 227: And to all those that trowys this tayll, 228: And saw me not yit gloryfyde. 229: I shalbe boytt of all thare bayll, 230: And send them socoure on euery syde; 231: My fader and I may thaym auayll, 232: Man or woman that leyffys thare pryde. 233: Bot, Iohn, weynd thou furth and preche 234: Agans the folk that doth amys; 235: And to the pepyll the trowthe thou teche; 236: To rightwys way look thou tham avys, 237: And as far as thi wyt may reche 238: Byd thaym be bowne to byde my blys; 239: ffor at the day of dome I shall thaym peche 240: That herys not the nor trowys not this. 241: Byd thaym leyfe syn, for I it hate; 242: ffor it I mon dy on a tre, 243: By prophecy ffull well I wate; 244: My moder certys that sight mon se, 245: That sorowfull sight shall make hir maytt, 246: ffor I was born of hir body. 247: ffarwell Iohn, I go my gaytt; 248: I blys the with the trynyte! John the Baptist

249: Almyghty god in persons thre, 250: All in oone substance ay ingroost, 251: I thank the, lord in mageste, 252: ffader and son and holy goost! 253: Thou send thi son from heuen so he, 254: To mary mylde, into this cooste, 255: And now thou sendys hym vnto me, 256: ffor to be baptysid in this oost.

-203-

257: ffarwell! the frelyst that euer was fed! 258: ffarwell! floure more fresh then foure de lyce! 259: ffarwell! stersman to theym that ar sted 260: In stormes, or in desese lyse! 261: Thi moder was madyn and wed; 262: ffarwell! pereles, most of pryce! 263: ffarwell! the luflyst that euer was bred! 264: Thi moder is of hell emprise. 265: ffarwell! blissid both bloode and bone! 266: ffarwell! the semelyst that euer was seyn! 267: To the, ihesu, I make my mone; 268: ffarwell! comly, of cors so cleyn! 269: ffarwel! gracyouse gome! where so thou gone, 270: ffull mekill grace is to the geyn; 271: Thou leyne vs lyffyng on thi lone, 272: Thou may vs mende more then we weyn. 273: I wyll go preche both to more and les, 274: As I am chargyd securly; 275: Syrs, forsake youre wykydnes, 276: Pryde, envy, slowth, wrath, and lechery. 277: here gods seruice, more & lesse; 278: Pleas god with prayng, thus red I; 279: Be war when deth comys with dystres, 280: So that ye dy not sodanly. 281: Deth sparis none that lyf has borne, 282: Therfor thynk on what I you say; 283: Beseche youre god both euen and morne 284: you for to saue from syn that day. 285: Thynk how in baptym ye ar sworne 286: To be godis seruandis, withoutten nay; 287: let neuer his luf from you be lorne, 288: God bryng you to his blys for ay. Amen.

-204-

The Conspiracy Pilate

1: Peas, carles, I commaunde vnconand I call you; 2: I say stynt and stande or foull myght befall you. 3: ffro this burnyshyd brande now when I behald, you, 4: I red ye be shunand or els the dwill skald you, 5: At onys. 6: I am kyd, as men knawes, 7: leyf leder of lawes; 8: Seniours, seke to my sawes, 9: ffor bryssyng of youre bonys. 10: ye wote not wel, I weyn what wat is commen to the towne, 11: So comly cled and cleyn a rewler of great renowne; 12: In sight if I were seyn the granser of great mahowne, 13: My name pylate has beyn was neuer kyng with crowne 14: More wor[thy]; 15: My wysdom and my wytt, 16: In sete here as I sytt, 17: was neuer more lyke it, 18: My dedys thus to dyscry. 19: ffor I am he that may make or mar a man; 20: My self if I it say as men of cowrte now can;

-205-

21: Supporte a man to day to-morn agans hym than, 22: On both parties thus I play And fenys me to ordan 23: The right; 24: Bot all fals indytars, 25: Quest mangers and Iurers, 26: And all thise fals out rydars, 27: Ar welcom to my sight. 28: More nede had I neuer of sich seruand now, I say you, 29: So can I well consider the trowth I most displeas you, 30: And therfor com I hedyr of peas therfor I pray you; 31: Ther is a lurdan ledyr I wold not shuld dysmay you, 32: A bowtt; 33: A prophete is he prasyd, 34: And great vnright has rasyd, 35: Bot, be my banys her blasid, 36: his deth is dight no dowtt. 37: he prechys the pepyll here that fature fals ihesus, 38: That if he lyf a yere dystroy oure law must vs; 39: And yit I stand in fere so wyde he wyrkys vertus, 40: No fawt can on hym bere no lyfand leyde tyll us; 41: Bot sleyghtys 42: Agans hym shall be soght, 43: that all this wo has wroght; 44: Bot on his bonys it shall be boght, 45: So shall I venge oure rightys. 46: That fatoure says that thre shuld euer dwell in oone godhede, 47: That euer was and shall be Sothfast in made hede; 48: he says of a madyn born was he that neuer toke mans sede, 49: And that his self shall dy on tre and mans sawll out of preson lede; 50: let hym alone, 51: If this be true in deyd, 52: his shech shall spryng and sprede, 53: And ouer com euer ylkone.

-206-

Cayphas

54: Syr pilate, prynce of mekyll price, 55: that preuyd is withoutten pere, 56: And lordyngys that oure laws in lyse, 57: on oure law now must vs lere, 58: And of oure warkys we must be wyse, 59: or els is all oure welthe in were, 60: Therfor say sadly youre auyse, 61: of hedus harmes that we haue here, 62: Towchyng that tratoure strang, 63: that makys this beleyf, 64: ffor if he may thus furth gang, 65: It will ouer greatly grefe. Annas

66: Sir, oure folk ar so afrayd, 67: thrugh lesyns he losys oure lay; 68: Som remedy must be rayd, 69: so that he weynd, not thus away. Pilate

70: Now certan, syrs, this was well sayd, 71: and I assent, right as ye say, 72: Som preuay poynt to be puruayd 73: To mar his myght if [that] we may; 74: And therfor, sirs, in this present, 75: What poynt so were to prase, 76: let all be at assent, 77: let se what ilk man says. Cayphas

78: Sir, I haue sayde you here beforne 79: his soteltyes and, grefys to sare; 80: he turnes oure folk both euen & morne, 81: and ay makys mastres mare & mare. Annas

82: Sir, if he skape it were great skorne; 83: to spyll hym tytt we will not spare, 84: ffor if oure lawes were thus-gatys lorne, 85: men wold say it were lake of lare.

-207-

Pilate

86: ffor certan, syrs, ye say right weyll 87: ffor to wyrk witterly; 88: Bot yit som fawt must we feyll, 89: wherfor that he shuld dy; 90: And therfor, sirs, let se youre saw, 91: ffor what thyng we shuld hym slo. Cayphas

92: Sir, I can rekyn you on a raw 93: a thowsand wonders, and well moo, 94: Of crokyd men, that we well knaw, 95: how graythly that he gars them go, 96: And euer he legys agans oure law, 97: tempys oure folk and turnys vs fro. Annas

98: lord, dom and defe in oure present 99: delyuers he, by downe & dayll; 100: what hurtys or ha[r]mes thay hent, 101: ffull hastely he makys theym hayll. 102: And for sich warkys as he is went 103: of ilk welth he may avayll, 104: And vnto vs he takys no tent, 105: bot ilk man trowes vnto his tayll. Pilate

106: yei, dewill! and dos he thus 107: as ye well bere wytnes? 108: sich fawte fall to vs, 109: be oure dom, for to redres. Cayphas

110: And also, sir, I haue hard say, 111: an other noy that neghys vs nere, 112: he will not kepe oure sabate day, 113: that holy shuld be haldyn here; 114: Bot forbedys far and nere 115: to wyrk at oure bydyng. Pilate

116: Now, by mahowns bloode so dere, 117: he shall aby this bowrdyng!

-208-

118: what dewill will he be there? 119: this hold I great hethyng. Annas

120: Nay, nay, well more is ther; 121: he callys hym self heuens kyng, 122: And says that he is so myghty 123: all rightwytnes to rewll and red. Pilate

124: By mahowns blood, that shall he aby 125: with bytter baylls or I ett bred! Primus Miles

126: lord, the loth lazare of betany 127: that lay stynkand in a sted, 128: vp he rasyd bodely 129: the fourt day after he was ded. Secundus Miles

130: And for that he hym rasyd, 131: that had lyne dede so long a space, 132: The people hym full mekyll prasyd, 133: ouer all in euery place. Annas

134: Emangys the folke has he the name 135: that he is godys son, and, none els, 136: And his self says the same 137: that his fader in heuen dwelles; 138: That he shall rewll both wyld, and tame; 139: of all sich maters thus he mels. Pilate

140: This is the dwylls payn! 141: who trowys sich talys as he tels? Cayphas

142: yis, lord, haue here my hand,, 143: and ilk man beyldys hym as his brother; 144: Sich whaynt cantelys he can, 145: lord, ye knew neuer sich an othere. Pilate

146: why, and wotys he not that I haue 147: bold men to be his bayn? 148: I commaunde both knyght and knaue 149: sesse not to that lad be slayn.

-209-

Primus Miles

150: Sir pylate, mefe you now no mare, 151: bot mese youre hart and mend youre mode; 152: ffor bot if that losell lere oure lare 153: and leyf his gawdys, he were as goode; 154: ffor in oure tempyll we will not spare 155: to take that losell, if he were woode. Pilate

156: In oure tempyll? the dwill! what dyd he thare? 157: that shall he by, by mahouns blode! Secundus Miles

158: lord, we wist not youre wyll; 159: with wrang ye vs wyte; 160: had ye so told vs tyll, 161: we shuld haue takyn hym tyte. Pilate

162: The dwill, he hang you high to dry! 163: whi, wold ye lese oure lay? 164: Go bryng hym heder hastely, 165: so that he weynd not thus away. Cayphas

166: Sir pilate, be not to hasty, 167: bot suffer ouer oure sabote day; 168: In the mene tyme to spyr and spy 169: mo of his meruels, if men may. Annas

170: yei, sir, and when this feste is went, 171: then shall his craftys be kyd. Pilate

172: Certys, syrs, and I assent 173: ffor to abyde then, as ye byd. Judas

174: Masters, myrth be you emang, 175: and mensk be to this meneye! Cayphas

176: Go! othere gatys thou has to gang 177: with sorow; who send after the? Judas

178: Syrs, if I haue done any wrang, 179: at youre awne bydyng will I be. Pilate

180: Go hence, harlot, hy mot thou hang! 181: where in the dwill hand had we the?

-210-

Judas

182: Goode sir, take it to no grefe; 183: for my menyng it may avayll. Annas

184: we, lad, thou shuld ask lefe 185: to com in sich counsayll. Judas

186: Sir, all youre counsell well I ken; 187: ye mene my master for to take. Annas

188: A ha! here is oone of his men 189: that thus vnwynly gars vs wake. Pilate

190: la hand on hym, and hurl hym then 191: emangys you, for his master sake; 192: ffor we haue maters mo then ten, 193: that well more myster were to make. Cayphas

194: Set on hym buffettys sad, 195: Sen he sich mastrys mase, 196: And teche ye sich a lad 197: to profer hym in sich a place. Judas

198: Sir, my profer may both pleas and pay 199: to all the lordys in this present. Pilate

200: we! go hens in twenty dwill way! 201: we haue no tome the for to tent. Judas

202: yis, the profete that has lost youre lay 203: by wonder warkys, as he is went, 204: If ye will sheynd hym as ye say, 205: to sell hym you I wyll assent. Pilate

206: A, sir, hark! what says thou? 207: let se, and shew thi skyll. Judas

208: Sir, a bargan bede I you, 209: by it if ye will. Annas

210: what is thi name? do tell in hy, 211: if we may wit if thou do wrang. Judas

212: Iudas scarioth, so hight I, 213: that with the profet has dwellyd lang.

-211-

Pilate

214: Sir, thou art welcom witterly! 215: say what thou will vs here emang. Judas

216: Not els bot if ye will hym by; 217: do say me sadly or I gang. Cayphas

218: yis, freynd, in fathe will we 219: noght els; bot hartely say 220: how that bargan may be, 221: and we shall make the pay. Annas

222: Iudas, forto hold the hayll, 223: And for to fell all fowll defame, 224: looke that thou may avow thi sayll; 225: then may thou be withoutten blame. Judas

226: Sir, of my teyn gyf ye neuer tayll, 227: so that ye haue hym here at hame; 228: his bowrdyng has me broght in bayll, 229: and certys his self shall haue the same. Cayphas

230: Sir pylate, tentys here tyll, 231: and lightly leyf it noght, 232: Then may ye do youre wyll 233: of hym that ye haue boght. Annas

234: yei, and then may we be bold 235: fro all the folk to hald hym fre; 236: And hald hym hard with vs in hold, 237: right as oone of youre meneye. Pilate

238: Now, Iudas, sen he shalbe sold, 239: how lowfes thou hym? belyfe let se. Judas

240: ffor thretty pennys truly told,, 241: or els may not that bargan be; 242: So mych gart he me lose, 243: malycyusly and yll; 244: Therfor ye shall haue chose, 245: to by or let be styll.

-212-

Annas

246: Gart he the lose? I pray the, why? 247: tell vs now pertly or thou pas. Judas

248: I shall you say, and that in hy, 249: euery word right as it was. 250: In symon house with hym sat I 251: with othere meneyoe that he has; 252: A woman cam to company, 253: callyng hym “[lord”]; saying, “[alas!”] 254: ffor synnes that she had wroght 255: she wepyd sore always; 256: And an oyntment she broght, 257: that precyus was to prayse. 258: She weshyd hym with hir terys weytt, 259: and sen dryed hym with hir hare; 260: This fare oyntment, hir bale to beytt, 261: apon his hede she put it thare, 262: That it ran all abowte his feytt; 263: I thoght it was a ferly fare, 264: The house was full of odowre sweytt; 265: then to speke myght I not spare, 266: ffor certys, I had not seyn 267: none oyntment half so fyne; 268: Ther-at my hart had teyn, 269: sich tresoure for to tyne. 270: I sayd it was worthy to sell 271: thre hundreth pens in oure present, 272: ffor to parte poore men emell; 273: bot will ye se wherby I ment? 274: The tent parte, truly to tell,

-213-

275: to take to me was myne intent; 276: ffor of the tresure that to vs fell, 277: the tent parte euer with me went; 278: And if thre hundreth be right told, 279: the tent parte is euen thryrty; 280: Right so he shalbe sold,; 281: say if ye will hym by. Pilate

282: Now for certan, sir, thou says right wele, 283: sen he wate the with sich a wrast, 284: ffor to shape hym som vncele, 285: and for his bost be not abast. Annas

286: Sir, all thyn askyng euery dele 287: here shall thou hafe, therof be trast; 288: Bot looke that we no falshede fele. Judas

289: sir, with a profe may ye frast; 290: All that I haue here hight 291: I shall fulfill in dede, 292: And well more at my myght, 293: In tyme when I se nede. Pilate

294: Iudas, this spekyng must be spar, 295: and neuen it neuer, nyght ne day; 296: let no man wyt where that we war, 297: for ferdnes of a fowll enfray. Cayphas

298: Sir, therof let vs moyte no mare; 299: we hold vs payde, take ther thi pay. Judas

300: This gart he me lose lang are; 301: now ar we euen for onys and ay. Annas

302: This forwarde will not fayll, 303: therof we may be glad; 304: Now were the best counsayll, 305: in hast that we hym had,. Pilate

306: we shall hym haue, and that in hy, 307: ffull hastely here in this hall. 308: Sir knyghtys, that ar of dede dughty, 309: stynt neuer in stede ne stall,

-214-

310: Bot looke ye bryng hym hastely, 311: that fatur fals, what so befall. Primus Miles

312: Sir, be not abast therby, 313: ffor as ye byd wyrk we shall. John

314: Sir, where will ye youre pask ette? 315: Say vs, let vs dight youre mete. Jesus

316: Go furth, Iohn and peter, to yond cyte; 317: when ye com ther, ye shall then se 318: In the strete, as tyte, a man 319: beryng water in a can; 320: The house that he gose to grith, 321: ye shall folow and go hym with; 322: The lord of that house ye shall fynde, 323: A sympyll man of cely kynde; 324: To hym ye shall speke, and say 325: That I com here by the way; 326: Say I pray hym, if his will be, 327: A lytyll whyle to ese me, 328: That I an my dyscypyls all 329: myght rest a whyle in his hall, 330: That we may ete oure paske thore. Peter

331: lord, we shall hy vs before, 332: To that we com to that cyte; 333: youre paske shall ordand be. 334: Sir, oure master the prophett 335: commys behynde in the strete; 336: And of a chamber he you prays, 337: To ete and drynk ther-in with easse. .Pater Familias

338: Sirs, he is welcom vnto me, 339: and so is all his company; 340: with all my hart and all my will 341: is he welcom me vntyll. 342: lo, here a chambre fast by, 343: Ther-in to make youre mangery,

-215-

344: I shal warand fare strewed; 345: it shuld, not els to you be shewed,. John

346: Sir, youre mett is redy bowne, 347: will ye wesh and syt downe? Jesus

348: yei, gyf vs water tyll oure hande, 349: take we the grace that god has send; 350: Commys furth, both oone and othere; 351: If I be master I will be brothere. 352: Iudas, what menys thou? Judas

353: No thyng, lord, bot ett with you. Jesus

354: Ett on, brether, hardely, 355: for oone of you shall [me] betray. Peter

356: lord, who euer that be may, 357: lord, I shall neuer the betray; 358: Dere master, is it oght I? Jesus

359: Nay thou, peter, certanly. John

360: Master, is oght I he then? Jesus

361: Nay, for trowth, Iohn, I the ken. Annas

362: Master, am oght [I] that shrew? Jesus

363: Nay, for sothe, thou andrew. Simeon

364: Master, then is oght I? Jesus

365: Nay, thou Simon, securly. Philip

366: Is it oght I that shuld do that dede? Jesus

367: Nay, philyp, withoutten drede. Thadeus

368: was it oght I that hight thadee? Jacobus

Or we two Iamys? Jesus

Nay none of you is he; 370: Bot he that ett with me in dysh, 371: he shall my body betray, Iwys. Judas

372: what then, wene ye that I it am? Jesus

373: Thou says sothe, thou berys the blame; 374: Ichon of you shall this nyght 375: ffor sake me, and fayn he myght. John

376: Nay certys, god forbeyd 377: that euer shuld we do that deyd!

-216-

Peter

378: If all, master, forsake the, 379: shall I neuer fro the fle. Jesus

380: Peter, thou shall thryse apon a thraw 381: fforsake me, or the cok craw. 382: Take vp this clothe and let vs go, 383: ffor we haue othere thyngys at do. 384: Sit all downe, and here and sees, 385: ffor I shall wesh youre feet on knees. Peter

386: lord, shuld thou wesh feytt myne? 387: thou art my lord, and I thy hyne. Jesus

388: why I do it thou wote not yit, 389: peter, herafter shall thou wytt. Peter

390: Nay, master, I the heytt, 391: thou shall neuer wesh my feytt. Jesus

392: Bot I the wesh, thou mon mys 393: parte with me in heuens blys. Peter

394: Nay, lord, or I that forgo, 395: wesh heede, handys, and feytt also. Jesus

396: ye ar clene, bot not all; 397: that shall be sene when tyme shall fall; 398: who shall be weshyn as I weyn, 399: he thar not wesh his feytt clene; 400: And for sothe clene ar ye, 401: bot not all as ye shuld, be. 402: I shall you say take good hede 403: whi that I haue done the dede; 404: ye call me master and lord, by name; 405: ye say full well, for so I am; 406: Sen I, both lord and master, to you wold knele 407: to wesh youre fete, so must ye wele. 408: Now wote ye what I haue done; 409: Ensampyll haue I gyffen you to; 410: loke ye do so eft sone; 411: Ichon of you wesh othere fete, lo!

-217-

412: ffor he that seruand is, 413: for sothe, as I say you, 414: Not more then his lord, he is, 415: to whome he seruyce owe. 416: Or that this nyght be gone, 417: Alone will ye leyf me; 418: ffor in this nyght ilkon 419: ye shall fro me fle; 420: ffor when the hyrd is smeten, 421: the shepe shall fle away, 422: Be skaterd wyde and byten; 423: the prophetys thus can say. Peter

424: lord, if that I shuld dy, 425: fforsake the shall I noght. Jesus

426: ffor sothe, peter, I say to the, 427: In so great drede shall thou be broght, 428: That or the cok haue crowen twyse, 429: thou shall deny me tymes thre. Peter

430: That shall I neuer, lord, Iwys; 431: ere shall I with the de. Jesus

432: Now loke youre hartys be grefyd noght, 433: nawthere in drede ne in wo; 434: Bot trow in god, that you has wroght, 435: and in me trow ye also; 436: In my fader house, for sothe, 437: is many a wonnyng stede, 438: That men shall haue aftyr thare trowthe, 439: soyn after thay be dede. 440: And here may I no longer leynd, 441: bot I shall go before, 442: And yit if I before you weynd, 443: ffor you to ordan thore,

-218-

444: I shall com to you agane, 445: and take you to me, 446: That where so euer I am, 447: ye shall be with me. 448: And I am way, and sothe-fastnes, 449: and, lyfe that euer shalbe; 450: And to my fader commys none, Iwys, 451: bot oonly thorow me. 452: I will not leyf you all helples, 453: as men withoutten freynd, 454: As faderles and moderles, 455: thof all I fro you weynd; 456: I shall com eft to you agayn: 457: this warld, shall me not se, 458: Bot ye shall se me well certan, 459: and lyfand shall I be. 460: And ye shall lyf in heuen; 461: Then shall ye knaw, Iwys, 462: That I am in my fader euen, 463: and my fader in me is. 464: And I in you, and ye in me, 465: and ilka man therto, 466: My commaundement that kepys trule, 467: and after it will do. 468: Now haue ye hard what I haue sayde; 469: I go, and com agayn; 470: Therfor loke ye be payde, 471: and also glad and fayn;

-219-

472: ffor to my fader I weynd; 473: ffor more then I is he; 474: I let you wytt, as faythfull freynd, 475: or that it done be, 476: That ye may trow when it is done; 477: ffor certys, I may noght now 478: Many thyngys so soyn 479: at this tyme speake with you; 480: ffor the prynce of this warld is commyn, 481: and no powere has he in me, 482: Bot as that all the warld within 483: may both here and se, 484: That I owe luf my fader to, 485: Sen he me hyder sent, 486: And all thyngys I do 487: after his commaundement. 488: Ryse ye vp, ilkon, 489: and weynd we on oure way, 490: As fast as we may gone, 491: to olyuete, to pray. 492: Peter, Iamys, and thou Iohn, 493: ryse vp and folow me! 494: My tyme it commys anone; 495: Abyde styll here, ye thre. 496: Say youre prayers here by-neth, 497: that ye fall in no fowdyng; 498: My sawll is heuy agans the deth 499: and the sore pynyng.

-220-

500: ffader, let this great payn be styll, 501: And pas away fro me; 502: Bot not, fader, at my wyll, 503: bot thyn fulfyllyd be. 504: Symon, I say, slepys thou? 505: awake, I red you all! 506: The feynd ful fast salys you, 507: In wanhope to gar you fall; 508: Bot I shall pray my fader so 509: that his myght shall not dere; 510: My goost is prest therto, 511: my flesh is seke for fere. 512: ffader, thi son I was, 513: of the I aske this boyn; 514: If This payn may not pas, 515: fader, thi will be doyn! 516: Ye slepe, brether, yit I see, 517: it is for sorow that ye do so; 518: Ye haue so long wepyd for me 519: that ye ar masyd and lappyd in wo. 520: Dere fader, thou here my wyll! 521: this passyon thou put fro me away; 522: And if I must nedys go thertyll, 523: I shall fulfill thi wyll to-day; 524: Therfor this bytter passyon 525: if I may not put by, 526: I am here redy at thi dom; 527: thou comforte me that am drery!

-221-

Trinityin

528: My comforte, son, I shall the tell, 529: of thyngys that fell by reson; 530: As lucyfer, for syn that fell, 531: betrayd, eue with his fals treson, 532: Adam assent his wyfe vntyll; 533: the wekyd goost then askyd a bone 534: which has hurt mankynde full yll; 535: this was the wordys he askyd soyn: 536: All that euer of adam com 537: holly to hym to take, 538: with hym to dwell, withoutten dome, 539: In payn that neuer shall slake, 540: To that a chyld, myght be borne 541: of a madyn, and she wemles, 542: As cleyn as that she was beforne, 543: as puryd syluer or shynand glas; 544: To tyme that childe to deth were dight, 545: and rasyd hym self apon the thryd, day, 546: And stenen to heuen thrugh his awne myght. 547: who may do that bot god veray? 548: Sen thou art man, and nedys must dee, 549: and go to hell as othere done, 550: Bot that were wrong, withoutten lee, 551: that godys son there shuld won 552: In payn with his vnder-lowte; 553: wytt ye well withoutten weyn, 554: when oone is borod,, all shall owtt, 555: and borod be from teyn. Jesus

556: Slepe ye now and take youre rest! 557: my tyme is nere command; 558: Awake a whyle, for he is next 559: that me shall gyf into synners hand.

-222-

Pilate

560: Peas! I commaunde you, carles vnkynde, 561: to stand as styll as any stone! 562: In donyon depe he shalbe pynde, 563: that will not sesse his tong anone; 564: ffor I am gouernowre of the law; 565: my name it is pilate! 566: I may lightly gar hang you or draw, 567: I stand in sich astate, 568: To do what so I will. 569: and therfor peas I byd you all! 570: And looke ye hold you still, 571: and with no brodels brall, 572: Tyll we haue done oure dede; 573: who so makys nose or cry, 574: his nek I shall gar blede, 575: with this I bere in hy. 576: To this tratoure be take, 577: that wold dystroy oure lawe, 578: Iudas, thou may it not forsake, 579: take hede vnto my sawe. 580: Thynk what thou has doyn, 581: that has thi master sold,; 582: Performe thi bargan soyn; 583: thou has thi money takyn and told,. Judas

584: Ordan ye knyghtys to weynd with me, 585: Richly arayd, in rewyll and rowtt; 586: And all my couandys holden shall be, 587: So I haue felyship me abowte. Pilate

588: wherby, Iudas, shuld we hym knaw, 589: If we shall wysely wyrk, Iwys? 590: ffor som of vs hym neuer saw. Judas

591: lay hand on hym that I shall kys.

-223-

Pilate

592: haue done, sir knyghtys, and kythe youre strengthe, 593: And wap you wightly in youre wede; 594: Seke ouer all, both brede and lengthe! 595: Spare ye not, spende and spede! 596: We haue soght hym les and more, 597: And falyd ther we haue farn; 598: Malcus, thou shall weynd before, 599: And bere with the a light lantarne. Malchus

600: Sir, this Iornay I vndertake 601: with all my myght and mayn. 602: If I shuld, for mahowns sake, 603: here in this place be slayn, 604: Crist that prophett for to take, 605: we may be all full fayn. 606: Oure weppyns redy loke ye make, 607: to bryng hym in mekyll grame 608: This nyght. 609: Go we now on oure way, 610: oure mastres for to may; 611: Oure lantarnes take with vs alsway, 612: And loke that thay be light! Secundus Miles

613: Sir pilate, prynce pereles in pall, 614: of all men most myghty merked on mold,, 615: we ar euer more redy to com at thi call, 616: and bow to thi bydyng as bachlers shold,. 617: Bot that prynce of the apostyls pupplyshed beforne, 618: Men call hym crist, comen of dauid kyn, 619: his lyfe full sone shalbe forlorne, 620: If we haue hap hym forto wyn. 621: haue done! 622: ffor, as euer ete I breede, 623: or I styr in this stede 624: I wold stryke of his hede; 625: lord, I aske that boyne.

-224-

Primus Miles

626: That boyn, lord, thou vs bede, 627: and on hym wreke the sone we shall; 628: ffro we haue lade on hym good spede; 629: he shall no more hym godys son call. 630: we shall marke hym truly his mede; 631: by mahowne most, god of all, 632: Siche thre knyghtys had lytyll drede 633: To bynde the dwill that we on call, 634: In nede; 635: ffor if thay were a thowsand mo, 636: that prophete and his apostels also 637: with thise two handys for to slo, 638: had I lytyll drede. Pilate

639: Now curtes kasers of kamys kyn, 640: most gentyll of Iure to me that I fynde, 641: My comforth from care may ye sone wyn, 642: if ye happely may hent that vnheynde. 643: Bot go ye hens spedely and loke ye not spare; 644: My frenship, my fortherans, shall euer with you be; 645: And mahowne that is myghfull he menske you euermare! 646: Bryng you safe and sownde with that brodell to me! 647: In place 648: where so euer ye weynd, 649: ye knyghtys so heynde, 650: Sir lucyfer the feynde 651: he lede you the trace! Jesus

652: Ryse vp, peter, and go with me, 653: and folowe me withoutten stryfe; 654: Iudas wakys, and slepys not he; 655: he commys to betray me here belyfe. 656: wo be to hym that bryngys vp slaunder! 657: he were better his dethe to take; 658: Bot com furth, peter, and tary no langere: 659: lo, where thay com that will me take!

-225-

Judas

660: Rest well, master, ihesus fre! 661: I pray the that thou wold kys me enys; 662: I am commen to socoure the; 663: thou art aspyed, what so it menys. Jesus

664: Iudas! whi makys thou sich a brayde? 665: trowys thou not I knowe thi will? 666: with kyssyng has thou me betrayd: 667: that shall thou rew som tyme ful yll. 668: whome seke ye, syrs, by name? Secundus Miles

669: we seke ihesu of nazarene. Jesus

670: I kepe not my name to layn; 671: lo, I am here, the same ye mene; 672: Bot whome seke ye with wepyns kene? Primus Miles

673: To say the sothe, and not to ly, 674: we seke ihesu of nazarene. Jesus

675: I told you ere that it was I. Malchus

676: Dar no man on hym lay hand? 677: I shall cach hym, if I may; 678: A flateryng foyll has thou bene lang, 679: bot now is commen thyn endyng day. Peter

680: I wold be dede within short space 681: or I shuld se this sight! 682: Go, pleyn the to sir cayphas, 683: and byd hym do the right! Malchus

684: Alas, the tyme that I was borne, 685: or today com in this stede! 686: My right ere I haue forlorne! 687: help, alas, I blede to dede! Jesus

688: Thou man, that menys thi hurt so sare, 689: com heder, let me thi wounde se; 690: Take me thi ere that he of share: 691: In nomine patris hole thou be!

-226-

Malchus

692: Now am I hole as I was ere, 693: My hurt is neuer the wars; 694: Therfor, felows, drawe me nere! 695: the dwill hym spede that hym spars! Jesus

696: Therfor, peter, I say the this, 697: my will it is that all men witten: 698: Put vp thi swerde and do no mys, 699: for he that smytys, he shalbe smyten. 700: ye knyghtys that be commen now here, 701: thus assemblyd in a rowte, 702: As I were thefe, or thefys fere, 703: with wepyns com ye me abowte; 704: Me thynk, for sothe, ye do full yll 705: thus for to seke me in the nyght; 706: Bot what penance ye put me tyll, 707: ye let my felows go with gryth. Secundus Miles

708: Lede hym furth fast by the gate! 709: hangyd be he that sparis hym oght! Primus Miles

710: how thynk the, sir pilate, 711: bi this brodell that we haue broght? Pilate

712: Is he the same and the self, I say, 713: that has wroght vs this care? 714: It has bene told,, sen many a day, 715: sayngys of hym full sare. 716: It was tyll vs greatt woghe, 717: ffrom dede to lyfe thou rasyd lazare; 718: Sen stalkyd stylly bi the see swoghe; 719: both domb and defe thou salfyd from sare. 720: Thou passys cesar bi dede, 721: or sir herode oure kyng. Secundus Miles

722: let deme hym fast to dede, 723: and let for no kyn thyng.

-227-

Primus Miles

724: Sen he has forfett agans oure lawe, 725: let vs deme hym in this stede. Pilate

726: I will not assent vnto youre saw; 727: I can ordan well better red. Malchus

728: Better red? yei dwill! how so? 729: then were oure sorow lastand ay; 730: And he thus furth shuld go, 731: he wold dystroy oure lay. 732: wold ye all assent to me, 733: this bargan shuld be strykyn anone; 734: By nyghtertayll dede shuld he be, 735: and till oure awnter stand ilkon. Pilate

736: Peasse, harlottis, the dwill you spede! 737: wold ye thus preualy morder a man? Malchus

738: when euery man has red his red, 739: let se who better say can. Pilate

740: To cayphas hall loke fast ye wyrk, 741: And thider right ye shall hym lede; 742: he has the rewll of holy kyrk, 743: lett hym deme hym whyk or dede; 744: ffor he has wroght agans oure law, 745: fforthi most skyll can he ther on. Secundus Miles

746: Sir, we assent vnto youre saw; 747: Com furth, bewshere, and lett vs gone. Malchus

748: Step furth, in the wenyande! 749: wenys thou ay to stand styll? 750: Nay, luskand losell, lawes of the land 751: Shall fayll bot we haue oure will; 752: Out of my handis shall thou not pas 753: ffor all the craft thou can; 754: Till thou com to sir cayphas, 755: Saue the shall no man.

-228-

The Buffeting Primus Tortor

1: Do Io furth, Io! and trott on a pase! 2: To anna will we go and sir cayphas; 3: witt thou well of thaym two gettys thou no grace, 4: Bot euerlastyng wo for trespas thou has 5: so mekill. 6: Thi mys is more 7: then euer gettys thou grace fore; 8: Thou has beyn ay-whore 9: ffull fals and full fekyll. Secundus Tortor

10: It is wonder to dre thus to be gangyng; 11: we haue had for the mekill hart stangyng; 12: Bot at last shall we be out of hart langyng, 13: Be thou haue had two or three hetys worth a hangyng; 14: No wonder! 15: Sich wyles can thou make. 16: gar the people farsake 17: Oure lawes, and thyne take; 18: thus art thou broght in blonder. Primus Tortor

19: Thou can not say agaynt If thou be trew; 20: Som men holdys the sant and that shall thou rew; 21: ffare wordys can thou paynt / and lege lawes new. Secundus Tortor

22: Now be ye ataynt / for we will persew 23: On this mater. 24: Many wordys has thou saide 25: Of which we ar not well payde; 26: As good that thou had 27: halden still thi clater.

-229-

Primus Tortor

28: It is better syt still then rise vp and fall; 29: Thou has long had thi will and made many brall; 30: At the last wold, thou spill and for-do vs all, If we dyd neuer yll. Secundus Tortor

I trow not, he shall 32: Indure it; 33: ffor if other men ruse hym, 34: we shall accuse hym; 35: his self shall not excuse hym; 36: To you I insure it, with no legeance. / Primus Tortor
fayn wold he wynk, 38: Els falys his covntenance; / I say as I thynk. Secundus Tortor

39: he has done vs greuance therfor shall he drynk; 40: haue he mekill myschaunsce that has gart vs swynke 41: In walkyng, 42: That vnneth may I more. Primus Tortor

43: Peas, man, we ar thore! 44: I shall walk in before, 45: And tell of his talkyng. 46: haill, syrs, as ye sytt so worthi in wonys! 47: whi spyrd ye not yit how we haue farne this onys? Secundus Tortor

48: Sir, we wold fayn witt all wery ar oure bonys; 49: we haue had a fytt right yll for the nonys, 50: So tarid,. Cayphas

51: Say, were ye oght adred? 52: were ye oght wrang led? 53: Or in any strate sted? 54: Syrs, who was myscaryd? Anna

55: Say, were ye oght in dowte for fawte of light As ye wached ther owte? Primus Tortor
sir, as I am true knyght, 57: Of my dame sen I sowked had I neuer sich a nyght; 58: Myn een were not lowked togeder right

-230-

59: Sen morowe; 60: Bot yit I thynk it well sett, 61: Sen we with this tratoure met; 62: Sir, this is he that forfett 63: And done so mekill sorow. Cayphas

64: Can ye hym oght apeche? / had he any ferys? Secundus Tortor

65: he has bene for to preche / full many long yeris; And the people he teche / a new law. Primus Tortor
syrs, heris! 67: As far as his witt reche / many oone he lerys; 68: when we toke hym, 69: we faunde hym in a yerde; 70: Bot when I drew out my swerde, 71: his dyscypyls wex ferde, 72: And soyn thay forsoke hym. Secundus Tortor

73: Sir, I hard hym say he cowthe dystroew oure tempyll so gay, 74: and sithen beld a new on the thrid, day. Cayphas

75: how myght that be trew? it toke more aray; 76: The masons I knewe that hewed it, I say, 77: so wyse; 78: That hewed ilka stone. Primus Tortor

79: A, good sir, lett hym oone; 80: he lyes for the quetstone, 81: I gyf hym the pryce. Secundus Tortor

82: The halt rynes, the blynd sees thrugh his fals wyles; 83: Thus he gettis many fees of thym he begyles. Primus Tortor

84: he rases men that dees thay seke hym be myles; 85: And euer thrugh his soceres oure sabate day defyles

-231-

86: Euermore, sir. Secundus Tortor

87: This is his vse and his custom, 88: To heyll the defe and the dom, 89: where so euer he com; 90: I tell you before, sir. Primus Tortor

91: Men call hym a prophete and godis son of heuen; 92: he wold fayn downe bryng oure lawes bi his steuen. Secundus Tortor

93: yit is ther anothere thyng that I hard hym neuen, 94: he settys not a fle wyng bi sir cesar full euen; 95: he says thus; 96: Sir, this same is he 97: that excusyd with his sotelte 98: A woman in avowtre; 99: ffull well may ye trust vs. Primus Tortor

100: Sir lazare can he rase that men may persaue, 101: when he had lyne fower dayes ded in his graue; 102: All men hym prase both master and knaue, Such wychcraft he mase. Secundus Tortor

If he abowte waue 104: Any langere, 105: his warkys may we ban; 106: ffor he has turned many man 107: Sen the tyme he began, 108: And done vs great hangere. Primus Tortor

109: he will not leyfe yit thof he be culpabyll; 110: Men call hym a prophete a lord full renabyll. 111: Sir cayphas, bi my wytt he shuld be dampnabill, 112: Bot wold ye two, as ye sytt make it ferme and stabyll 113: To geder; 114: ffor ye two, as I traw, 115: May defende all oure law; 116: That mayde vs to you draw, 117: And bryng this losell heder.

-232-

Secundus Tortor

118: Sir, I can tell you before as myght I be maryd, 119: If he reyne any more oure lawes ar myscaryd. Primus Tortor

120: Sir, opposed if he wore he shuld be fon waryd; 121: That is well seyn thore where he has long tarid 122: And walkyd. 123: he is sowre lottyn: 124: Ther is somwhat forgottyn; 125: I shall thryng out the rottyn, 126: Be we haue all talkyd. Cayphas

127: Now fare myght you fall for youre talkyng! 128: ffor, certys, I my self shall make examynyng. 129: harstow, harlott, of all? of care may thou syng! 130: How durst thou the call aythere emperoure or kyng? 131: I do fy the! 132: what the dwill doyst thou here? 133: Thi dedys will do the dere; 134: Com nar and rowne in myn eeyr, 135: Or I shall ascry the. 136: Illa-hayll was thou borne! harke! says he oght agane? 137: Thou shall onys or to-morne to speke be full fayne. 138: This is a great skorne and a fals trane; 139: Now wols-hede and out-horne on the be tane! 140: Vile fature! 141: Oone worde myght thou speke ethe, 142: yit myght it do the som letht, 143: Et omnis qui tacet 144: hic consentire videtur. 145: Speke on oone word right in the dwyllys name! 146: where was thi syre at bord when he met with thi dame? 147: what, nawder bowted ne spurd and a lord of name! 148: Speke on in a torde the dwill gif the shame,

-233-

149: Sir sybre! 150: Perde, if thou were a kyng, 151: yit myght thou be ridyng; 152: ffy on the, fundlyng! 153: Thou lyfys bot bi brybre. 154: Lad, I am a prelate a lord in degre, 155: Syttys in myn astate as thou may se, 156: knyghtys on me to wate in dyuerse degre; 157: I myght thole the abate and knele on thi kne 158: In my present; 159: As euer syng I mes, 160: whoso kepis the lawe, I gess, 161: he gettis more by purches 162: Then bi his fre rent. 163: The dwill gif the shame that euer I knew the! 164: Nather blynde ne lame will none persew the; 165: Therfor I shall the name that euer shall rew the, 166: kyng copyn in oure game thus shall I indew the, 167: ffor a fatur. 168: Say, dar thou not speke for ferde? 169: I shrew hym the lerd, 170: weme! the dwillys durt in thi berd, 171: vyle fals tratur! 172: Though thi lyppis be stokyn yit myght thou say, mom; 173: Great wordis has thou spokyn then was thou not dom. 174: Be it hole worde or brokyn com, owt with som, 175: Els on the I shall be wrokyn or thi ded com 176: All outt. 177: Aythere has thou no wytt, 178: Or els ar thyn ere dytt; 179: why bot herd thou not yit? 180: So, I cry and I showte. Anna

181: A, sir, be not yll payde though he not answere; 182: he is inwardly flayde not right in his gere.

-234-

Cayphas

183: No, bot the wordis he has saide / doth my hart great dere. Anna

Sir, yit may ye be dayde. / Cayphas
nay, whils I lif nere. Anna

185: Sir, amese you. Cayphas

186: Now fowll myght hym befall! Anna

187: Sir, ye ar vexed at all, 188: And perauentur he shall 189: here after pleas you; 190: we may bi oure law / examyn hym fyrst. Cayphas

191: Bot I gif hym a blaw / my hart will brist. Anna

Abyde to ye his purpose knaw. / Cayphas
nay, bot I shall out thrist Both his een on a raw. / Anna
sir, ye will not, I tryst, 194: Be so vengeabyll; 195: Bot let me oppose hym. Cayphas

196: I pray you, and sloes hym. Anna

197: Sir, we may not lose hym 198: Bot we were dampnabill. Cayphas

199: he has adyld his ded a kyng he hym calde; war! let me gyrd of his hede! Anna

I hope not ye wold; 201: Bot sir do my red / youre worship to hald,. Cayphas

202: Shall I neuer ete bred / to that he be stald 203: In the stokys. Anna

204: Sir, speke soft and styll, 205: let vs do as the law will. Cayphas

206: Nay, I myself shall hym kyll, 207: And murder with knokys. Anna

208: Sir, thynk ye that ye ar a man of holy kyrk, 209: ye shuld be oure techer mekenes to wyrk. Cayphas

210: yei, bot all is out of har / and that shall he yrk. Anna

211: All soft may men go far / oure lawes ar not myrk,

-235-

212: I weyn; 213: Youre wordys ar bustus, 214: Et hoc nos volumus 215: Quod de Iure possumus: 216: ye wote what I meyn; It is best that we trete hym / with farenes. Cayphas

We, nay! Anna

218: And so myght we gett hym / som word for to say. Cayphas
war! let me bett hym! / Anna
syr, do away! 220: ffor if ye thus thrett hym / he spekys not this day. 221: Bot herys; 222: wold ye sesse and abyde, 223: I shuld take hym on syde 224: And inquere of his pryde, 225: how he oure folke lerys. Cayphas

226: he has reuyd ouer lang with his fals lyys, 227: And done mekyll wrang sir cesar he defyes; 228: Therfor shall I hym hang / or I vp ryse. Anna

229: Sir, the law will not he gang / on nokyn wyse 230: Vndemyd; 231: Bot fyrst wold I here 232: what he wold answere; 233: Bot he dyd any dere 234: why shuld he be flemyd? 235: And therfor examynyng ffyrst will I make, Sen that he callys hym a kyng. Cayphas
bot he that forsake 237: I shall gyf hym a wryng / that his nek shall crak. Anna

238: Syr, ye may not hym dyng / no word yit he spake, 239: That I wyst. 240: hark, felow, com nar! 241: wyll thou neuer be war? 242: I haue meruell thou dar 243: Thus do thyn awne lyst.

-236-

244: Bot I shall do as the law wyll if the people ruse the; 245: Say, dyd thou oght this yll? can thou oght excuse the? 246: why standys thou so styll when men thus accuse the? 247: ffor to hyng on a hyll hark how thay ruse the 248: To dam. 249: Say, art thou godys son of heuen, 250: As thou art wonte for to neuen? Jesus

251: So thou says by thy steuen, 252: And right so I am; 253: ffor after this shall thou se when that [I] do com downe 254: In brightnes on he in clowdys from abone. Cayphas

255: A, ill myght the feete be that broght the to towne! 256: Thou art worthy to de! say, thefe, where is thi crowne? Anna

257: Abyde, sir, 258: let vs lawfully redres. Cayphas

259: we nede no wytnes, 260: hys self says expres; 261: whi shuld I not chyde, sir? Anna

262: was ther neuer man so wyk bot he myght amende. 263: when it com to the pryk right as youre self kend. Cayphas

264: Nay, sir, bot I shall hym styk euen with myn awne hend; 265: ffor if he reue and be whyk we ar at an end, 266: All sam! 267: Therfor, whils I am in this brethe, 268: let me put hym to deth. Anna

269: Sed nobis non licet 270: Interficere quemquam. 271: Sir, ye wote better then I / we shuld slo no man. Cayphas

272: his dedys I defy / his warkys may we ban, Therfor shall he by. / Anna
nay, on oder wyse than, And do it lawfully. / Cayphas
as how? Anna
tel you I can.

-237-

Cayphas

275: let se. Anna

276: Sir take tent to my sawes; 277: Men of temporall lawes 278: Thay may deme sich cause, 279: And so may not we. Cayphas

280: My hart is full cold nerehand that I swelt; 281: ffor talys that ar told I bolne at my belt, 282: Vnethes may it hold my body, an ye it felt; 283: yit wold I gif of my gold yond tratoure to pelt 284: ffor euer. Anna

285: Good sir, do as ye hett me. Cayphas

286: whi shall he ouer-sett me? 287: Sir anna, if ye lett me 288: ye do not youre deuer. Anna

Sir, ye ar a prelate. / Cayphas
so may I well seme, My self if I say it. / Anna
be not to breme; 291: Sich men of astate shuld no men deme, 292: bot send them to pilate the temporall law to yeme 293: has he; 294: he may best threte hym, 295: And all to rehete hym; 296: It is shame you to bete hym 297: Therfor, sir, let be. Cayphas

298: ffy on hym and war! I am oute of my gate; say why standys he so far. Anna
sir, he cam bot late. Cayphas

300: No, bot I haue knyghtys that dar / rap hym on the pate. Anna

301: ye ar bot to skar / good sir abate, 302: And here; 303: what nedys you to chyte? 304: what nedys you to flyte? 305: If ye yond man smyte, 306: ye ar irregulere.

-238-

Cayphas

307: he that fyrst made me clerk and taght me my lare, 308: On bookys for to barke the dwill gyf hym care! Anna

309: A, good sir, hark! / sich wordys myght ye spare. Cayphas

310: Els myght I haue made vp wark / of yond, harlot and mare, 311: perde! 312: Bot certys, or he hens yode, 313: It wold do me som good 314: To se knyghtys knok his hoode 315: with knokys two or thre. 316: ffor sen he has trespast and broken oure law, 317: let vs make hym agast and set hym in awe. Anna

318: sir, as ye haue hast it shalbe, I traw. 319: Com and make redy fast ye knyghtys on a raw, 320: youre arament; 321: And that kyng to you take, 322: And with knokys make hym wake. Cayphas

323: yei, syrs, and for my sake 324: Gyf hym good payment. 325: ffor if I myght go with you as I wold that I myght, 326: I shuld, make myn avowe that ons or mydnyght 327: I shuld make his heede sow / wher that I hyt right. Primus Tortor

328: Sir, drede you not now / of this cursed wight 329: To day, 330: ffor we shall so rok hym, 331: and with buffettys knok hym. Cayphas

332: And I red that ye lok hym, 333: That he ryn not away, 334: ffor I red not we mete / if that lad skap. Secundus Tortor

335: Sir, on vs be it / bot we clowt well his kap. Cayphas

336: wold ye do as ye heytt / it were a fayr hap. Primus Tortor

337: Sir, see ye and sytt / how that we hym knap,

-239-

338: Oone ffeste; 339: Bot or we go to this thyng, 340: Sayn vs, lord, with thy ryng. Cayphas

341: Now he shall haue my blyssyng 342: That knokys hym the best. Secundus Tortor

343: Go we now to oure noyte / with this fond foyll. Primus Tortor

344: we shall teche hym, I wote / a new play of yoyll, 345: And hold hym full hote / frawrord, a stoyll Go fetch vs! Froward

We, dote! / now els were it doyll 347: And vnneth; 348: ffor the wo that he shall dre 349: let hym knele on his kne. Secundus Tortor

350: And so shall he for me; 351: Go fetche vs a light buffit. Froward

352: why must he sytt soft with a mekill myschaunce, That has tenyd vs thus oft? Primus Tortor
sir, we do it for a skawnce; 354: If he stode vp on loft we must hop and dawnse As cokys in a croft. Froward

Now a veniance 356: Com on hym! 357: Good skill can ye shew, 358: As fell I the dew; 359: haue this, bere it, shrew! 360: ffor soyn shall we fon hym. Secundus Tortor

361: Com, sir, and syt downe must ye be prayde? 362: lyke a lord of renowne youre sete is arayde. Primus Tortor

363: we shall preue on his crowne / the wordys he has sayde. Secundus Tortor

364: Ther is none in this towne / I trow, be ill payde

-240-

365: Of his sorow, 366: Bot the fader that hym gate. Primus Tortor

367: Now, for oght that I wate, 368: All his kyn commys to late 369: his body to borow. Secundus Tortor

I wold we were onwarde. / Primus Tortor
bot his een must be hyd. Secundus Tortor

371: yei, bot thay be well spard / we lost that we dyd; Step furth thou, froward! / Froward
what is now betyd? Primus Tortor

Thou art euer away ward. / Froward
haue ye none to byd 374: Bot me? 375: I may syng ylla-hayll. Secundus Tortor

376: Thou must get vs a vayll. Froward

377: ye ar euer in oone tayll. Primus Tortor

378: Now ill myght thou the! 379: well had thou thi name / for thou was euer curst. Froward

380: Sir, I myght say the same / to you if I durst; 381: yit my hyer may I clame no penny I purst; 382: I haue had mekyll shame hunger and thurst, 383: In youre seruyce. Primus Tortor

384: Not oone word so bold! Froward

385: why, it is trew that I told! 386: ffayn preue it I wold. Secundus Tortor

387: Thou shalbe cald to peruyce. Froward

388: here a vayll haue I fon / I trow it will last. Primus Tortor

389: Bryng it hyder, good son / that is it that I ast. Froward
how shuld, it be bon? / Secundus Tortor
abowte his heade cast. Primus Tortor

391: yei, and when it is well won / knyt a knot fast

-241-

392: I red. Froward

Is it weyll? Secundus Tortor
yei, knaue. Froward

394: what, weyn ye that I rafe? 395: Cryst curs myght he haue 396: That last bond his head! Primus Tortor

397: Now sen he is blynfold, I fall to begyn, 398: And thus was I counseld the mastry to wyn. Secundus Tortor

399: Nay, wrang has thou told / thus shuld, thou com in! Froward

400: I stode and beheld, / thou towchid, not the skyn, 401: Bot fowll. Primus Tortor

402: how will thou I do? Secundus Tortor

403: On this manere, lo! Froward

404: yei, that was well gone to, 405: Thar start vp a cowll. Primus Tortor

406: Thus shall we hym refe / all his fonde talys. Secundus Tortor

407: Ther is noght in thi nefe / or els thi hart falys. Froward

408: I can my hand vphefe / and knop out the skalys. Primus Tortor

409: Godys forbot ye lefe / bot set in youre nalys 410: On raw. 411: Sit vp and prophecy. Froward

412: Bot make vs no ly. Secundus Tortor
who smote the last? Primus Tortor
was it I? Froward

414: he wote not, I traw. Primus Tortor

415: ffast to sir cayphas / go we togeder. Secundus Tortor

416: Ryse vp with ill grace / so com thou hyder. Froward

417: It semys by his pase / he groches to go thyder. Primus Tortor

418: we haue gyfen hym a glase / ye may consyder,

-242-

419: To kepe. Secundus Tortor

420: Sir, for his great boost, 421: with knokys he is indoost. Froward

422: In fayth, sir, we had almost 423: knokyd hym on slepe. Cayphas

424: Now sen he is well bett weynd on youre gate, 425: And tell ye the forfett vnto sir pylate; 426: ffor he is a Iuge sett emang men of state, And looke that ye not let. Primus Tortor

Com furth, old crate, 428: Be lyfe! 429: we shall lede the a trott. Secundus Tortor

430: lyft thy feet may thou not. Froward

431: Then nedys me do nott 432: Bot com after and dryfe. Cayphas

Alas, now take I hede! / Anna
why mowrne ye so? Cayphas

434: ffor I am euer in drede / wandreth, and wo, 435: lest pylate for mede let ihesus go; 436: Bot had I slayn hym indede with thise handys two, 437: At onys, 438: All had bene qwytt than; 439: Bot gyftys marres many man. 440: Bot he deme the sothe than, 441: The dwill haue his bonys! 442: Sir anna, all I wyte you this blame for had ye not beyn, 443: I had mayde hym full tame yei, stykyd hym, I weyn, 444: To the hart full wan / with this dagger so keyn. Anna

445: Sir, you must shame / sich wordys for to meyn 446: Emang men. Cayphas

447: I will not dwell in this stede, 448: Bot spy how thay hym lede, 449: And persew on his dede. 450: ffare well! we gang, men.

-243-

The Scourging Pilate

1: Peasse at my bydyng, ye wyghtys in wold! 2: Looke none be so hardy to speke a word bot I, 3: Or by mahowne most myghty, maker on mold, 4: With this brande that I bere ye shall bytterly aby. 5: Say, wote ye not that I am pylate, perles to behold,? 6: Most doughty in dedys of dukys of the Iury; 7: In bradyng of batels I am the most bold,, 8: Therfor my name to you will I dyscry, 9: No mys. 10: I am full of sotelty, 11: ffalshed, gyll, and trechery; 12: Therfor am I namyd by clergy 13: As mali actoris. 14: ffor like as on both sydys the Iren the hamer makith playn, 15: So do I, that the law has here in my kepyng; 16: The right side to socoure, certys, I am full bayn, 17: If I may get therby a vantege or wynyng; 18: Then to the fals parte I turne me agayn, 19: ffor I se more Vayll will to me be risyng; 20: Thus euery man to drede me shalbe full fayn, 21: And all faynt of thare fayth to me be obeyng,

-244-

22: Truly. 23: All fals endytars, 24: Quest-gangars, and Iurars, 25: And thise out-rydars 26: Ar welcom to me. 27: Bot this prophete, that has prechyd and puplyshed so playn 28: Cristen law, crist thay call hym in oure cuntre; 29: Bot oure prynces full prowdly this nyght haue hym tayn, 30: ffull tytt to be dampned he shall be hurlyd byfore me; 31: I shall fownde to be his freynd vtward, in certayn, 32: And shew hym fare cowntenance and wordys of vanyte; 33: Bot or this day at nyght on crosse shall he be slayn, 34: Thus agans hym in my hart I bere great enmyte 35: ffull sore. 36: ye men that vse bak-bytyngys, 37: and rasars of slanderyngys, 38: ye ar my dere darlyngys, 39: And mahowns for euermore. 40: ffor no thyng in this warld dos me more grefe 41: Then for to here of crist and of his new lawes; 42: To trow that he is godys son my hart wold all to clefe, 43: Though he be neuer so trew both in dedys and in sawes 44: Therfor shall he suffre mekill myschefe, 45: And all the dyscypyls that vnto hym drawes; 46: ffor ouer all solace to me it is most lefe, 47: The shedyng of cristen bloode, and that all Iury knawes, 48: I say you. 49: My knyghtys full swythe 50: Thare strengthes will thay kyth, 51: And bryng hym be-lyfe; 52: lo, where thay com now! Primus Tortor

53: I haue ron that I swett from sir herode oure kyng 54: With this man that will not lett oure lawes to downe bryng; 55: he has done so mych forfett of care may he syng; 56: Thrugh dom of sir pylate he gettys an yll endyng

-245-

57: And sore; 58: The great warkys he has wroght 59: Shall serue hym of noght, 60: And bot thay be dere boght 61: lefe me no more. 62: Bot make rowme in this rese I byd you, belyfe, 63: And of youre noys that ye sesse both man and wyfe; 64: To sir pylate on dese this man will we dryfe, 65: his dede for to dres and refe hym his lyfe 66: This day; 67: Do draw hym forward! 68: whi stand ye so bakward? 69: Com on sir, hyderward, 70: As fast as ye may! Secundus Tortor

71: Do pull hym a-rase whyls we be gangyng; 72: I shall spytt in his face though it be fare shynyng; 73: Of vs thre gettys thou no grace thi dedys ar so noyng, 74: Bot more sorow thou hase oure myrth is incresyng, 75: No lak. 76: ffelows, all in hast, 77: with this band that will last 78: Let vs bynde fast 79: Both his handys on his bak. Tercius Tortor

80: I shall lede the a dawnce Vnto sir pilate hall; 81: Thou betyd an yll chawnce to com emangys vs all. 82: Sir pilate, with youre cheftance to you we cry and call 83: That ye make som ordynance with this brodell thrall, 84: By skyll; 85: This man that we led, 86: On crosse ye put to ded,. Pilate

87: what! with outten any red? 88: That is not my wyll; 89: Bot ye, wysest of law to me ye be tendand: 90: This man withoutten awe which ye led in a band, 91: Nather in dede ne in saw can I fynd with no wrang, 92: wherfor ye shuld, hym draw or bere falsly on hand

-246-

93: With ill. 94: ye say he turnes oure pepyll, 95: ye call hym fals and fekyll; 96: warldys shame is on you mekyll 97: This man if ye spyll. 98: Of all thise causes ilkon which ye put on hym, 99: Herode, truly as stone coud fynd with nokyns gyn 100: Nothyng herapon that pent to any syn; 101: why shuld I then so soyn to ded here deme hym? 102: Therfor 103: This is my counsell, 104: I will not with hym mell; 105: let hym go where he wyll 106: ffor now and euermore. Primus Consultus

107: Sir, I say the oone thyng without any mys, 108: he callys his self a kyng ther he none is; 109: Thus he wold downe bryng oure lawes, I-wys, 110: with his fals lesyng and his quantys, 111: This tyde. Pilate

112: herk, felow, com nere! 113: Thou knowes I haue powere 114: To excuse or to dampne here, 115: In bayll to abyde. Jesus

116: Sich powere has thou noght to wyrk thi will thus with me, 117: Bot from my fader that is broght oone-fold god in persons thre. Pilate

118: Certys, it is fallen well in my thoght at this tyme, as well wote ye, 119: A thefe that any felony has wroght to lett hym skap or go fre

-247-

120: Away; 121: Therfor ye lett hym pas. Primus Tortor

122: Nay, nay, bot barabas! 123: And ihesus in this case 124: To deth ye dam this day. Pilate

125: Syrs, looke ye take good hede his cloysse ye spoyll hym fro, 126: ye gar his body blede and bett hym blak and bloo. Secundus Tortor

127: This man, as myght I spede that has wroght vs this wo, 128: how “[Iudicare”] comys in crede shall we teche, or we go, 129: All soyne. 130: haue bynd to this pyllar. Tercius Tortor

131: why standys thou so far? Primus Tortor

132: To bett his body bar 133: I haste, withoutten hoyne. Secundus Tortor

134: Now fall I the fyrst / to flap on hys hyde. Tercius Tortor

135: My hartt wold all to-bryst / bot I myght tyll hym glyde. Primus Tortor

136: A swap fayn, if I durst / wold I lene the this tyde. Secundus Tortor

137: war! lett me rub on the rust / that the bloode downe glyde 138: As swythe. Tercius Tortor

139: haue att! Primus Tortor

140: Take thou that! Secundus Tortor

141: I shall lene the a flap, 142: My strengthe for to kythe. Tercius Tortor

143: Where on seruys thi prophecy thou tell vs in this case, 144: And all thi warkys of greatt mastry thou shewed in dyuers place? Primus Tortor

145: Thyn apostels full radly ar run from the a rase, 146: Thou art here in oure baly withoutten any grace

-248-

147: Of skap. Secundus Tortor

148: Do, rug him. Tercius Tortor

149: Do, dyng hym. Primus Tortor

150: Nay, I myself shuld kyll hym 151: Bot for sir pilate. 152: Syrs, at the ffeste of architreclyn this prophete he was; 153: Ther turnyd he water into wyn that day he had sich grace, 154: his apostels to hym can enclyn and other that ther was; 155: The see he past bot few yeres syn it lete hym walk theron apase 156: At wyll; 157: The elementys all bydeyn, 158: And wyndes that ar so keyn, 159: The firmamente, as I weyn, 160: Ar hym obeyng tyll. Secundus Tortor

161: A lepir cam full fast to this man that here standys, 162: And prayed hym, in all hast of bayll to lowse his bandys; 163: his trauell was not wast though he cam from far landys; 164: This prophete tyll hym past and helyd hym with his handys, 165: ffull blythe. 166: The son of Centuryon, 167: ffor whom his fader made greatt mone, 168: Of the palsy he helyd anone, 169: Thay lowfyd hym oft sythe. Tercius Tortor

170: Sirs, as he cam from iherico a blynde man satt by the way; 171: To hym walkand with many mo cryand to hym thus can he say, 172: “[Thou son of dauid, or thou go of blyndnes hele thou me this day.”] 173: Ther was he helyd of all his wo sich wonders can he wyrk all way

-249-

174: At wyll; 175: he rasys men from deth to lyfe, 176: And castys out devyls from thame oft sythe, 177: seke men cam to hym full ryfe, 178: He helys thaym of all yll. Primus Tortor

179: ffor all thise dedys of great louyng fower thyngys I haue fond certanly, 180: ffor which he is worthy to hyng: oone is oure kyng that he wold be; 181: Oure sabbot day in his wyrkyng he lettys not to hele the seke truly; 182: he says oure temple he shall downe bryng and in thre daies byg it in hy 183: All hole agane; 184: Syr pilate, as ye sytt, 185: looke wysely in youre wytt; 186: Dam ihesu or ye flytt 187: On crosse to suffre his payne. Pilate

188: Thou man that suffurs all this yll Why Wyll thou Vs no mercy cry? 189: Slake thy hart and thi greatt wyll whyls on the we haue mastry; 190: Of thy greatt warkes shew vs som skyll; men call the kyng, thou tell vs why; 191: wherfor the Iues seke the to spyll the cause I wold, knowe wytterly, 192: perdee; 193: Say what is thy name, 194: Thou lett for no shame, 195: Thay putt on the greatt blame, 196: Els myght [thou] skap for me. Secundus Consultus

197: Syr pilate, prynce peerles this is my red, 198: That he skap not harmeles bot do hym to ded: 199: he cals hym a kyng in euery place thus wold he ouer led 200: Oure people in his trace and oure lawes downe tred

-250-

201: By skyll; 202: Syr, youre knyghtes of good lose, 203: and the pepyll with oone voce, 204: To hyng hym hy on a crosse 205: Thay cry and call you vntyll. Pilate

206: Now certys, this is a wonder thyng that ye wold bryng to noght 207: hym that is youre lege lordyng In faith this was far soght; 208: Bot say, why make ye none obeyng / to hym that all has wroght? Tercius Tortor

209: Sir, he is oure chefe lordyng / sir Cesar so worthyly wroght 210: On mold. 211: pylate, do after vs, 212: And dam to deth ihesus 213: Or to sir Cesar we trus, 214: And make thy frenship cold,. Pilate

215: Now that I am sakles of this bloode shall ye see; 216: Both my handys in expres weshen sall be; 217: This bloode bees dere boght I ges / that ye spill so frele. Primus Tortor

218: we pray it fall endles / on vs and oure meneye, 219: with wrake. Pilate

220: Now youre desyre fulfyll I shall; 221: Take hym emangs you all, 222: On crosse ye put that thrall, 223: his endyng ther to take. Primus Tortor

224: Com on! tryp on thi tose without any fenyng; 225: Thou has made many glose with thy fals talkyng. Secundus Tortor

226: we ar worthy greatte lose / that thus has broght a kyng 227: ffrom sir pilate and othere fose thus into oure ryng,

-251-

228: withoutt any hoyne. 229: Sirs, a kyng he hym cals, 230: Therfor a crowne hym befals. Tercius Tortor

231: I swere by all myn elder sauls, 232: I shall it ordan soyne. Primus Tortor

233: Lo! here a crowne of thorne / to perch his brane within, 234: putt on his hede with skorne / and gar thyrll the skyn. Secundus Tortor

235: hayll kyng! where was thou borne / sich worship for to wyn? 236: we knele all the beforne / and the to grefe will we not blyn, 237: That be thou bold,; 238: Now by mahownes bloode! 239: Ther will no mete do me goode 240: To he be hanged on a roode, 241: And his bones be cold,. Primus Tortor

242: Syrs, we may be fayn / ffor I haue fon a tree, 243: I tell you in certan it is of greatt bewtee, 244: On the which he shall suffre payn be feste with nales thre, 245: Ther shall nothyng hym gayn / ther on to he dede be, 246: I insure it; 247: Do, bryng hym hence. Secundus Tortor

248: Take vp oure gere and defence. Tercius Tortor

249: I wold spende all my spence 250: To se hym ones skelpt. Primus Tortor

251: This cros vp thou take / and make the redy bowne; 252: Withoutt gruchyng thou rake and bere it thrugh the towne; 253: Mary, thi moder, I wote will make great mowrnyng and mone, 254: But for thy fals dedys sake / shortly thou salbe slone,

-252-

255: No nay; 256: The pepyll of bedlem, 257: and gentyls of Ierusalem, 258: All the comoners of this reme, 259: shall wonder on the this day. John the Apostle

260: Alas! for my master moste of myght, 261: That yester euen with lanterne bright 262: before Caiphas was broght; 263: Both peter and I sagh that sight, 264: And sithen we fled away full wight, 265: when Iues so wonderly wroght; 266: At morne thay toke to red, And fals witnes furth soght, 267: And demyd hym to be dede, That to thaym trespaste noght, 268: Alas! for his modere and othere moo, 269: My moder and hir syster also, 270: Sat sam with syghyng sore; 271: Thay Wote nothyng of all this wo, 272: Therfor to tell thaym will I go, 273: Sen I may mend no more. 274: If he shuld dy thus tyte And thay vnwarned wore, 275: I were Worthy to wyte; I will go fast therfor. 276: God saue you, systers all in fere! 277: Dere lady, if thi will were, 278: I must tell tythyngys playn. Mary

279: Welcom, Iohn, my cosyn dere! 280: how farys my son sen thou was here? 281: That wold I wyt full fayn. John the Apostle

282: A, dere lady with youre leyff, The trouth shuld no man layn, 283” part=“I: Ne with godys will thaym grefe. Mary
whi, Iohn, is my son slayn?

-253-

John the Apostle

284: Nay lady, I saide not so, 285: Bot ye me myn he told vs two 286: And thaym that with vs wore, 287: how he with pyne shuld pas vs fro, 288: And efte shuld com vs to, 289: To amende oure syghyng sore; 290: It may not stand in stede To sheynd youre self therfore. Mary Magdalene

291: Alas! this day for drede! Good Iohn, neven this no more! 292: Speke preualy I the pray, 293: ffor I am ferde, if we hir flay, 294: That she will ryn and rafe. John the Apostle

295: The sothe behowys me nede to say, 296: he is damyd to dede this day, 297: Ther may no sorow hym safe. Maria Jacobi

298: Good Iohn, tell vnto vs two What thou of hir will crafe, 299: And we will gladly go And help that thou it haue. John the Apostle

300: Systers, youre mowrnyng may not amende; 301: And ye will ever, or he take ende, 302: Speke with my master free, 303: Then must ye ryse and with me weynd,, 304: And kepe hym as he shall be kend 305: Withoutt yond same cyte; 306: If ye will nygh me nere, Com fast and felowe me. Mary

307: A, help me, systers dere! That I my son may see. Mary Magdalene

308: Lady, we wold weynd full fayn, 309: Hertely With all oure myght and mayn, 310: youre comforth to encrese. Mary

311: Good Iohn, go before and frayn. John the Apostle

312: Lo, where he commes vs euen agayn 313: with all yond mekyll prese! 314: All youre mowrnyng in feyr / may not his sorow sese. Mary

315: Alas, for my son dere, / that me to moder chese!

-254-

316: Alas, dere son for care / I se thi body blede; 317: My self I will for-fare for the in this great drede, 318: This cros on thi shulder bare to help the in this nede, 319: I will it bere with greatt hart sare / wheder thay will the lede. Jesus

320: This cros is large in lengthe / and also bustus with all; 321: If thou put to thi strengthe / to the erthe thou mon downe fall. Mary

322: A dere son, thou let me / help the in this case! Jesus

323: lo, moder, I tell it the / to bere no myght thou hase. Mary

324: I pray the, dere son, it may so be / to man thou gif thi grace, 325: On thi self thou haue pyte / and kepe the from thi foyse. Jesus

326: ffor sothe, moder, this is no nay / on cros I must dede dre, 327: And, from deth ryse on the thryd day thus prophecy says by me; 328: Mans saull that I luffyd ay I shall redeme securly, 329: Into blis of heuen for ay / I shall it bryng to me, Mary Magdalene

330: It is greatt sorow to any wyght / Ihesus, to se with Iues keyn, 331: How he in dyuerse payns is dight / ffor sorow I water both myn eeyn. Maria Jacobi

332: This lord that is of myght / dyd neuer yll truly, 333: Thise Iues thay do not right / if thay deme hym to dy. Mary Magdalene

334: Alas! what shall we say! / ihesus that is so leyfe, 335: To deth thise Iues this day / thay lede with paynes full grefe.

-255-

Maria Jacobi

336: He was full true, I say / though thay dam hym as thefe, 337: Mankynde he lufed all way / for sorow my hart will clefe. Jesus

338: ye doghters of Ierusalem / I byd you wepe nothyng for me, 339: Bot for youre self and youre barn-teme behald I tell you securle, 340: Sore paynes ar ordand for this reme in dayes herafter for to be; 341: youre myrth to bayll it shall downe streme in euery place of this cyte. 342: Childer, certys, thay shall blys women baren that neuer child bare, 343: And pappes that neuer gaf sowke, Iwys thus shall thare hartys for sorow be sare; 344: The montayns hy and thise greatt hyllys thay shall byd fall apon them thare, 345: ffor my bloode that sakles is / to shede and spyll thay will not spare. Secundus Tortor

346: walk on, and lefe thi vayn carpyng / it shall not saue the fro thy dede, 347: wheder thise women cry or syng / for any red, that thay can red,. Tercius Tortor

348: Say wherto abyde we here abowte, 349: Thise qwenes with scremyng and with showte? 350: May no man thare wordys stere? Primus Tortor

351: Go home, thou casbald,, with that clowte! 352: Or, by that lord I leyfe and lowte, 353: Thou shall by it full dere! Mary Magdalene

354: This thyng shall venyance call / on you holly in fere. Secundus Tortor

355: Go, hy the hens with all / or yll hayll cam thou here! Tercius Tortor

356: let all this bargan be / syn all oure toyles ar before; 357: This tratoure and this tre / I wold, full fayn were thore.

-256-

Primus Tortor

358: It nedys not hym to harll / this cros dos hym greatt dere, 359: Bot yonder commys a carll / shall help hym for to bere. Secundus Tortor

360: That shall we soyn se on assay. 361: herk, good, man, wheder art thou on away? 362: Thou walkes as thou were wrath. Symon

363: Syrs, I haue a greatt Iornay 364: That must be done this same day, 365: Or els it will me skathe. Tercius Tortor

366: Thou may with lytyll payn / easse hym and thi self both. Symon

367: Good syrs, that wold I fayn / bot for to tary were full loth. Primus Tortor

368: Nay, nay! thou shall full soyn be sped,; 369: lo here a lad, that must be led, 370: ffor his yll dedys to dy, 371: And he is bressed and all for bled, 372: That makys vs here thus stratly sted; 373: we pray the, sir, for-thi, 374: That thou will take this tre / bere it to caluary. Symon

375: Good sirs, that may not be / ffor full greatt haste haue I, 376: No longere may I hoyn. Secundus Tortor

377: In fayth thou shall not go so soyn 378: ffor noght that thou can say 379: This dede must nedys be done, 380: And this carll be dede or noyn, 381: And now is nere myd day; 382: And therfor help vs at this nede / and make vs here no more delay. Symon

383: I pray you do youre dede / and let me go my way; 384: And I shall com full soyn agane, 385: To help this man with all my mayn, 386: At youre awne wyll.

-257-

Tercius Tortor

387: what and wold, thou trus with sich a trane? 388: Nay fatur, thou shall be full fayn, 389: This forward to fulfyll; 390: Or, by the myght of mahowne! / thou shall lyke it full yll. Primus Tortor

391: Tytt, let dyng this dastard downe / bot he lay hand ther tyll. Symon

392: Certys, that were vnwysely wroght, 393: To beytt me bot if I trespast oght 394: Aythere in worde or dede. Secundus Tortor

395: Apon thi bak it shall be broght, 396: Thou berys it wheder thou will or noght! 397: Dewyll! whom shuld we drede? 398: And therfor take it here belyfe / And bere it furth, good spede. Symon

399: It helpys not here to strife / bere it behoues me nede; 400: And therfor, syrs, as ye haue sayde, 401: To help this man I am well payde, 402: As ye wold that it were. Tercius Tortor

403: A, ha! now ar we right arayde, 404: bot loke oure gere be redy grade, 405: To wyrk when we com there. Primus Tortor

406: I warand all redy / oure toyles both moore and les, 407: And sir symon truly / gose on before with cros. Tercius Tortor

408: Now by mahowne, oure heuen kyng, 409: I wold that we were in that stede 410: where we myght hym on cros bryng. 411: Step on before, and furth hym lede 412: A trace. Primus Tortor

413: Com on thou! Secundus Tortor

414: Put on thou! Tercius Tortor

415: I com fast after you, 416: And folowse on the chace.

-258-

The Crucifixion Pilate

1: Peasse I byd euereich Wight! 2: Stand as styll as stone in Wall, 3: Whyls ye ar present in my sight, 4: That none of you clatter ne call; 5: ffor if ye do, youre dede is dight, 6: I warne it you both greatt and small, 7: With this brand burnyshyd so bright, 8: Therfor in peasse loke ye be all. 9: What! peasse in the dwillys name! 10: harlottys and dustardys all bedene! 11: On galus ye be maide full tame, 12: Thefys and mychers keyn! 13: will ye not peasse when I bid you? 14: by mahownys bloode, if ye me teyn, 15: I shall ordan sone for you, 16: paynes that neuer ere was seyn, 17: And that anone! 18: Be ye so bold, beggars, I warn you, 19: ffull boldly shall I bett you, 20: To hell the dwill shall draw you, 21: Body, bak and bone.

-259-

22: I am a lord that mekill is of myght, 23: prynce of all Iury, sir pilate I hight, 24: Next kyng herode grettyst of all; 25: Bowys to my byddyng both greatt and small, 26: Or els ye be shentt; 27: Therfor stere youre tonges, I warn you all, 28: And vnto vs take tent. Primus Tortor

29: All peasse, all peasse, emang you all! 30: And herkyns now what shall befall 31: Of this fals chuffer here; 32: That with his fals quantyse, 33: hase lett hymself as god wyse, 34: Emangys vs many a yere. 35: he cals hym self a prophett, 36: And says that he can bales bete, 37: And make all thyngys amende; 38: Bot or oght lang wytt we shall 39: wheder he can bete his awne bale, 40: Or skapp out of oure hende. 41: Was not this a wonder thyng, 42: That he durst call hym self a kyng 43: And make so greatt a lee? 44: Bot, by mahowne! whils I may lyf, 45: Those prowde wordes shall I neuer forgyf, 46: Tyll he be hanged on he. Secundus Tortor

47: hys pride, fy, we sett at noght, 48: Bot ich man now kest in his thoght, 49: And looke that we noght wante; 50: ffor I shall fownde, if that I may, 51: By the order of knyghtede, to day 52: To cause his hart pante. Tercius Tortor

53: And so shall I with all my myght, 54: Abate his pride this ylk nyght,

-260-

55: And rekyn hym a crede; 56: Lo, he letys he cowde none yll, 57: Bot he can ay, when he wyll, 58: Do a full fowll dede. Quartus Tortor

59: yei felows, ye, as haue I rest! 60: Emangys vs all I red we kest 61: To bryng this thefe to dede; 62: Loke that we haue that we shuld, nate, 63: ffor to hald, this shrew strate. Primus Tortor

64: That was a nobyll red! 65: Lo, here I haue a bande, 66: If nede be to bynd his hande; 67: This thowng, I trow, will last. Secundus Tortor

68: And here oone to the othere syde, 69: That shall abate his pride, 70: Be it be drawen fast. Tercius Tortor

71: lo, here a hamere and nales also, 72: ffor to festen fast oure foo 73: To this tre, full soyn. Quartus Tortor

74: ye ar wise,withoutten drede, 75: That so can help youre self at nede, 76: Of thyng that shuld be done. Primus Tortor

77: Now dar I say hardely, 78: he shall with all his mawmentry 79: No longere vs be tell. Secundus Tortor

80: Syn pilate hase hym tyll vs geyn, 81: haue done, belyfe! let it be seyn 82: how we can with hym mell. Tercius Tortor

83: Now ar we at the monte of caluarye; 84: haue done, folows, and let now se 85: how we can with hym lake. Quartus Tortor

86: yee, for as modee as he can loke, 87: he wold haue turnyd an othere croke 88: Myght he haue had the rake.

-261-

Primus Tortor

89: In fayth, syr, sen ye callyd you a kyng, 90: you must prufe a worthy thyng 91: That falles vnto the were; 92: ye must Iust in tornamente; 93: Bot ye sytt fast els be ye shentt, 94: Els downe I shall you bere. Secundus Tortor

95: If thou be godys son, as thou tellys, 96: Thou can the kepe; how shuld thou ellys? 97: Els were it meruell greatt; 98: And bot if thou can, we will not trow 99: That thou hase saide, bot make the mow 100: when thou syttys in yond sett. Tercius Tortor

101: If thou be kyng we shall thank adyll, 102: ffor we shall sett the in thy sadyll, 103: ffor fallyng be thou bold,. 104: I hete the well tho bydys a shaft; 105: Bot if thou sytt well thou had better laft 106: The tales that thou has told,. Quartus Tortor

107: Stand, nere, felows, and let se 108: how we can hors oure kyng so fre, 109: By any craft; 110: Stand thou yonder on yond syde, 111: And we shall se how he can ryde, 112: And how to weld, a shaft. Primus Tortor

113: Sir, commys heder and haue done, 114: And wyn apon youre palfray sone, 115: ffor he [is] redy bowne. 116: If ye be bond till hym, be not wrothe, 117: ffor be ye secure we were full lothe 118: On any wyse that ye fell downe. Secundus Tortor

119: knyt thou a knott, with all thi strenght, 120: ffor to draw this arme on lengthe,

-262-

121: Tyll it com to the bore. Tercius Tortor

122: Thou maddys, man, bi this light! 123: It wantys, tyll ich mans sight, 124: Othere half span and more. Quartus Tortor

125: yit drawe owt this arme and fest it fast, 126: with this rope that well will last, 127: And ilk man lay hand to. Primus Tortor

128: yee, and bynd thou fast that band; 129: we shall go to that othere hand 130: And loke what we can do. Secundus Tortor

131: Do dryfe a nayll ther thrugh outt, 132: And then thar vs nothyng doutt, 133: ffor it will not brest. Tercius Tortor

134: That shall I do, as myght I thryfe! 135: ffor to clynke and for to dryfe, 136: Therto I am full prest; 137: So lett it styk, for it is wele. Quartus Tortor

138: Thou says sothe, as haue I cele! 139: Ther can no man it mende. Primus Tortor
hald downe his knees. Secundus Tortor
that shall I do 141: his norysh yede neuer better to; 142: Lay on all your hende. Tercius Tortor

143: Draw out hys lymmes, let se, haue at! Quartus Tortor

144: That was well drawen that that; 145: ffare fall hym that so puld,! 146: ffor to haue getten it to the marke, 147: I trow lewde man ne clerk 148: Nothyng better shuld,. Primus Tortor

149: hald, it now fast thor, 150: And oone of you take the bore, 151: And then may it not fayll. Secundus Tortor

152: That shall I do withoutten drede, 153: As euer myght I well spede, 154: hym to mekyll bayll.

-263-

Tercius Tortor

155: So, that is well, it will not brest, 156: Bot let now se who dos the best 157: with any slegthe of hande. Quartus Tortor

158: Go we now vnto the othere ende; 159: ffelowse, fest on fast youre hende, 160: And pull well at this band. Primus Tortor

161: I red, felowse, by this wedyr, 162: That we draw all ons togedir, 163: And loke how it wyll fare. Secundus Tortor

164: let now se and lefe youre dyn! 165: And draw we ilka syn from syn; 166: ffor nothyng let vs spare. Tercius Tortor

167: Nay, felowse, this is no gam! 168: we will no longere draw all sam, 169: So mekill haue I asspyed. Quartus Tortor

170: No, for as haue I blys! 171: Som can twyk, who so it is, 172: Sekys easse on som kyn syde. Primus Tortor

173: It is better, as I hope, 174: On by his self to draw this rope, 175: And then may we se 176: who it is that ere while 177: All his felows can begyle, 178: Of this companye. Secundus Tortor

179: Sen thou will so haue, here for me! 180: how draw I, as myght thou the? Tercius Tortor

181: Thou drew right wele. 182: haue here for me half a foyte! Quartus Tortor

183: wema, man! I trow thou doyte! 184: Thou flyt it neuer a dele; 185: Bot haue for me here that I may! Primus Tortor

186: Well drawen, son, bi this day!

-264-

187: Thou gose well to thi warke! Secundus Tortor

188: yit efte, whils thi hande is in, 189: pull therat with som kyn gyn. Tercius Tortor

190: yee, & bryng it to the marke. Quartus Tortor
pull, pull! Primus Tortor
haue now! Secundus Tortor
let se! Tercius Tortor

A ha! Quartus Tortor
yit a draght! Primus Tortor

Therto with all my maght. Secundus Tortor

193: A, ha! hold still thore! Tercius Tortor

194: So felowse! looke now belyfe, 195: which of you can best dryfe, 196: And I shall take the bore. Quartus Tortor

197: let me go therto, if I shall; 198: I hope that I be the best mershall 199: ffor [to] clynke it right. 200: do rase hym vp now when we may, 201: ffor I hope he & his palfray 202: Shall not twyn this nyght. Primus Tortor

203: Com hedir, felowse, & haue done! 204: And help that this tre sone 205: To lyft with all youre sleght. Secundus Tortor

206: yit let vs wyrke a whyle, 207: And noman now othere begyle 208: To it be broght on heght. Tercius Tortor

209: ffelowse, fest on all youre hende, 210: ffor to rase this tre on ende, 211: And let se who is last. Quartus Tortor

212: I red we do as that he says; 213: Set we the tre in the mortase, 214: And ther will it stand fast. Primus Tortor

Vp with the tymbre. Secundus Tortor
a, it heldys! 216: ffor hym that all this warld weldys

-265-

217: put fro the with thi hande! Tercius Tortor

218: hald, euen emangys vs all. Quartus Tortor

219: yee, and, let it into the mortase fall, 220: ffor then will it best stande. Primus Tortor

221: Go we to it and be we strong, 222: And rase it, be it neuer so long, 223: Sen that it is fast bon. Secundus Tortor

224: Vp with the tymbre fast on ende! Tercius Tortor

225: A felowse, fayr fall youre hende! Quartus Tortor

226: so sir, gape agans the son! Primus Tortor

227: A felow, war thi crowne! Secundus Tortor

228: Trowes thou this tymbre will oght downe? Tercius Tortor

229: yit help that it were fast. Quartus Tortor

230: Shog hym well & let vs lyfte. Primus Tortor

231: ffull shorte shalbe his thryfte. Secundus Tortor

232: A, it standys vp lyke a mast. Jesus

233: I pray you pepyll that passe me by, 234: That lede youre lyfe so lykandly, 235: heyfe vp youre hartys on hight! 236: Behold, if euer ye sagh body 237: Buffet & bett thus blody, 238: Or yit thus dulfully dight; 239: In warld was neuer no wight 240: That suffred half so sare. 241: My mayn, my mode, my myght, 242: Is noght bot sorow to sight, 243: And comforth none, bot care. 244: My folk, what haue I done to the, 245: That thou all thus shall tormente me? 246: Thy syn by I full sore. 247: what haue I greuyd the? answere me, 248: That thou thus nalys me to a tre, 249: And all for thyn erroure;

-266-

250: where shall thou seke socoure? 251: This mys how shall thou amende? 252: when that thou thy saveoure 253: Dryfes to this dyshonoure, 254: And nalys thrugh feete and hende! 255: All creatoures that kynde may kest, 256: Beestys, byrdys, all haue thay rest, 257: when thay ar wo begon; 258: Bot godys son, that shuld, be best, 259: hase not where apon his hede to rest, 260: Bot on his shuder bone. 261: To whome now may I make my mone? 262: when thay thus martyr me, 263: And sakles will me slone, 264: And beete me blode and bone, 265: That my brethere shuld, be! 266: what kyndnes shuld, I kythe theym to? 267: haue I not done that I aght to do, 268: Maide the to my lyknes? 269: And thou thus refys me rest & ro, 270: And lettys thus lightly on me, lo! 271: Sich is thi catyfnes. 272: I haue the kyd kyndnes, / Vnkyndly thou me quytys; 273: Se thus thi wekydnes! / loke how thou me dyspytys! 274: Gyltles thus am I put to pyne, 275: Not for [my] mys, man, bot for thyne, 276: Thus am I rent on rode; 277: ffor I that tresoure wold, not tyne, 278: That I markyd, & made for myne, 279: Thus by I adam blode, 280: That sonkyn was in syn, 281: with none erthly good; 282: Bot with my flesh and blode 283: That lothe was for to wyn.

-267-

284: My brethere that I com forto by, 285: has hanged, me here thus hedusly, 286: And freyndys fynde I foyn; 287: Thus haue thay dight me drerely, 288: And all by-spytt me spytusly, 289: As helples man in won. 290: Bot, fader, that syttys in trone, 291: fforgyf thou them this gylt, 292: I pray to the this boyn, 293: Thay wote not what thay doyn, 294: Nor whom thay haue thus spylt. Primus Tortor

295: yis, what we do full well we knaw. Secundus Tortor

296: yee, that shall he fynde within a thraw. Tercius Tortor

297: Now, with a myschaunce tyll his cors, 298: wenys he that we gyf any force, 299: what dwill so euer he ayll? Quartus Tortor

300: ffor he wold tary vs all day, 301: Of his dede to make delay 302: I tell you, sansfayll. Primus Tortor

303: lyft vs this tre emanges vs all Secundus Tortor

304: yee, and let it into the mortase fall, 305: And that shall gar hym brest. Tercius Tortor

306: yee, and all to-ryfe hym lym from lym. Quartus Tortor

307: And it will breke ilk ionte in hym. 308: let se now who dos best. Mary

309: Alas! the doyll I dre / I drowpe, I dare in drede! 310: Whi hyngys thou, son, so hee? my bayll begynnes to brede. 311: All blemyshyd is thi ble I se thi body blede! 312: In warld, son, were neuer we / so wo as I in wede. 313: My foode that I haue fed, 314: In lyf longyng the led, 315: ffull stratly art thou sted 316: Emanges thi foo-men fell;

-268-

317: Sich sorow forto se, 318: My dere barn, on the, 319: Is more mowrnyng to me 320: Then any tong may tell. 321: Alas! thi holy hede 322: hase not wheron to helde; 323: Thi face with blode is red, 324: Was fare as floure in feylde; 325: how shuld I stand, in sted 326: To se my barne thus blede? 327: Bett as blo as lede, 328: And has no lym to weylde! 329: ffestynd both handys and feet 330: With nalys full vnmete, 331: his woundes wrynyng wete, 332: Alas, my childe, for care! 333: ffor all rent is thi hyde; 334: I se on aythere syde 335: Teres of blode downe glide 336: Ouer all thi body bare. 337: Alas! that euer I shuld byde 338: And se my feyr thus fare! John the Apostle

339: Alas, for doyll, my lady dere! 340: All for-changid is thi chere, 341: To see this prynce withoutten pere 342: Thus lappyd all in wo; 343: he was thi fode, thi faryst foine, 344: Thi luf, thi lake, thi lufsom son, 345: That high on tre thus hyngys alone 346: with body blak and blo; 347: Alas! 348: To me and many mo 349: A good master he was.

-269-

350: Bot, lady, sen it is his will 351: The prophecy to fulfyll, 352: That mankynde in sy[n] not spill 353: ffor theym to thole this payn; 354: And with this dede raunson to make, 355: As prophetys beforn of hym spake, 356: fforthi I red, thi sorowe thou slake, 357: Thi Wepyng may not gayn; 358: In sorowe 359: Oure boytt he byes full bayn, 360: Vs all from bale to borowe. Mary

361: Alas! thyn een as cristall clere / that shoyn as son in sight, 362: That lufly were in lyere lost thay haue thare light, 363: And wax all faed in fere all dym then ar thay dight! 364: In payn has thou no pere / that is withoutten pight. 365: Swete son, say me thi thoght, 366: what wonders has thou wroght 367: To be in payn thus broght, 368: Thi blissed blode to blende? 369: A son, thynk on my wo! 370: whi will thou fare me fro? 371: On mold, is noman mo 372: That may my myrthes amende. John the Apostle

373: Comly lady, good and couth, / ffayn wold I comforth the; 374: Me mynnys my master with mowth, told vnto his menyee 375: That he shuld, thole full mekill payn and dy apon a tre, 376: And to the lyfe ryse vp agayn, / apon the thryd day shuld it be 377: ffull right! 378: fforthi, my lady swete, 379: Stynt a while of grete! 380: Oure bale then will he bete 381: As he befor has hight.

-270-

Mary

382: Mi sorow it is so sad / no solace may me safe; 383: Mowrnyng makys me mad none hope of help I hafe; 384: I am redles and rad ffor ferd that I mon rafe; 385: Noght may make me glad to I be in my grafe. 386: To deth my dere is dryffen, 387: his robe is all to-ryffen, 388: That of me was hym gyffen, 389: And shapen with my sydys; 390: Thise Iues and he has stryffen That all the bale he bydys. 391: Alas, my lam so mylde whi will thou fare me fro 392: Emang thise wulfe`s wylde that wyrke on the this wo? 393: ffor shame who may the shelde ffor freyndys has thou fo! 394: Alas, my comly childe whi will thou fare me fro? 395: Madyns, make youre mone! 396: And wepe ye, wyfe`s, euerichon, 397: with me, most wrich, in wone, 398: The childe that borne was best! 399: My harte is styf as stone / That for no bayll will brest. John the Apostle

400: A, lady, well wote I / thi hart is full of care 401: when thou thus openly sees thi childe thus fare; 402: luf gars hym rathly hymself will he not spare, 403: Vs all fro baill to by of blis thar ar full bare 404: ffor syn. 405: My lefe lady, for-thy Of mowrnyng loke thou blyn. Mary

406: Alas! may euer be my sang Whyls I may lyf in leyd; 407: Me thynk now that I lyf to lang to se my barne thus blede; 408: Iue`s wyrke with hym all wrang wherfor do thay this dede? 409: lo, so hy thay haue hym hang thay let for no drede: 410: Whi so 411: his fomen is he emang? / No freynde he has, bot fo.

-271-

412: My frely foode now farys me fro / what shall worth on me? 413: Thou art warpyd all in wo and spred here on a tre 414: ffull hee 415: I mowrne, and so may mo / That sees this payn on the. John the Apostle

416: Dere lady, well were me 417: If that I myght comforth the; 418: ffor the sorow that I see 419: Sherys myn harte in sondere; 420: when that I se my master hang 421: With bytter paynes and strang, 422: Was neuer wight with wrang 423: Wroght so mekill wonder. Mary

424: Alas, dede, thou dwellys to lang! / whi art thou hid fro me? 425: Who kend, the to my childe to gang? all blak thou makys his ble; 426: Now witterly thou wyrkys wrang the more I will wyte the, 427: Bot if thou will my harte` stang that I myght with hym dee 428: And byde; 429: Sore syghyng is my sang, ffor thyrlyd, is his hyde! 430: A, dede, what has thou done? with the will I moytt sone, 431: Sen I had childer none bot oone best vnder son or moyn; 432: ffreyndys I had full foyn that gars me grete and grone 433: ffull sore. 434: Good lord, graunte me my boyn and let me lyf no more! 435: Gabriell, that good som tyme thou can me grete, 436: And then I vnderstud thi wordys that were so swete; 437: Bot now thay meng my moode ffor grace thou can me hete, 438: To bere all of my blode a childe oure baill shuld, bete 439: with right; 440: Now hyngys he here on rude Where is that thou me hight? 441: All that thou of blys hight me in that stede, 442: ffrom myrth is faren omys / and yit I trow thi red;

-272-

443: Thi councell now of this / my lyfe how shall I lede 444: When fro me gone is he that was my hede 445: In hy? 446: My dede now comen it is My dere son, haue mercy! Jesus

447: My moder mylde, thou chaunge thi chere! 448: Sease of thi sorow and sighyng sere, 449: It syttys vnto my hart full sare; 450: The sorow is sharp I suffre here, 451: Bot doyll thou drees, my moder dere, 452: Me marters mekill mare. 453: Thus will my fader I fare, 454: To lowse mankynde of bandys; 455: his son Will he not spare, 456: To lowse that bon was are 457: ffull fast in feyndys handys. 458: The fyrst cause, moder, of my commyng 459: Was for mankynde myscarying, 460: To salf thare sore I soght; 461: Therfor, moder, make none mowrnyng, 462: Sen mankynde thrugh my dyyng 463: May thus to blis be boght. 464: Woman, wepe thou right noght! 465: Take ther Iohn vnto thi chylde! 466: Mankynde must nedys be boght, 467: And thou kest, cosyn, in thi thoght; 468: Iohn, lo ther thi moder mylde! 469: Blo and blody thus am I bett, 470: Swongen with swepys & all to-swett, 471: Mankynde, for thi mysdede! 472: ffor my luf lust when Wold thou lett, 473: And thi harte sadly sett, 474: Sen I thus for the haue blede?

-273-

475: Sich lyf, for sothe, I led,, 476: That vnothes may I more; 477: This suffre I for thi nede, 478: To marke the, man, thi mede: 479: Now thryst I, wonder sore. Primus Tortor

480: Noght bot hold, thi peasse! 481: Thou shall haue drynke within a resse, 482: My self shalbe thy knaue; 483: haue here the draght that I the hete, 484: And I shall warand it is not swete, 485: On all the good I haue. Secundus Tortor

486: So syr, say now all youre will! 487: ffor if ye couth haue holden you styll 488: ye had not had this brade. Tercius Tortor

489: Thou wold all gaytt be kyng of Iues, 490: Bot by this I trow thou rues 491: All that thou has sayde. Quartus Tortor

492: he has hym rused, of great prophes, 493: That he shuld make vs tempylle`s, 494: And gar it cleyn downe fall; 495: And yit he sayde he shuld, it rase 496: As well as it was, within thre dayes! 497: he lyes, that wote we all; 498: And for his lyes, in great dispyte 499: we will departe his clothyng tyte, 500: Bot he can more of arte. Primus Tortor

501: yee, as euer myght I thryfe, 502: Soyn will we this mantyll ryfe, 503: And ich man take his parte. Secundus Tortor

504: how wold, thou we share this clothe? Tercius Tortor

505: Nay forsothe, that were I lothe, 506: Then were it all-gate spylt; 507: Bot assent thou to my saw, 508: lett vs all cutt draw, 509: And then is none begylt.

-274-

Quartus Tortor

510: how so befallys now wyll I draw! 511: This is myn by comon law, 512: Say not ther agayn. Primus Tortor

513: Now sen it may no better be, 514: Chevich the with it for me, 515: Me thynk thou art ful fayn. Secundus Tortor

516: how felowse, se ye not yond skraw? 517: It is writen yonder within a thraw, 518: Now sen that we drew cut. Tercius Tortor

519: Ther is noman that is on lyfe 520: Bot it were pilate, as myght I thrife, 521: That durst it ther haue putt. Quartus Tortor

522: Go we fast and let vs loke 523: what is wretyn on yond boke, 524: And what it may bemeyn. Primus Tortor

525: A the more I loke theron 526: A the more I thynke I fon; 527: All is not worth a beyn. Secundus Tortor

528: yis, for sothe, me thynk I se 529: Theron writen langage thre, 530: Ebrew and latyn 531: And grew, me thynk, writen theron, 532: ffor it is hard for to expowne. Tercius Tortor

533: Thou red, by appolyn! Quartus Tortor

534: yee, as I am a trew knyght, 535: I am the best latyn wright 536: Of this company; 537: I will go withoutten delay 538: And tell you what it is to say; 539: Behald,, syrs, witterly! 540: yonder is wretyn “[ihesu of nazareyn 541: he is kyng of Iues,”] I weyn.

-275-

Primus Tortor

542: A! that is writen wrang. Secundus Tortor

543: he callys hym so, bot he is none. Tercius Tortor

544: Go we to pilate and make oure mone; 545: haue done, and dwell not lang. 546: pilate, yonder is a fals tabyll, 547: Theron is wryten noght bot fabyll; 548: Of Iues he is not kyng! 549: he callys hym so, bot he not is: 550: It is falsly writen, Iwys, 551: This is a wrangwys thyng. Pilate

552: Boys, I say, what mell ye you? 553: As it is writen shall it be now, 554: I say certane; 555: Quod scriptum scripsi, 556: That same wrote I, 557: What gadlyng gruches ther agane? Quartus Tortor

558: Sen that he is man of law he must nedys haue his will; 559: I trow he had not writen that saw without som propre skyll. Primus Tortor

560: yee, let it hyng aboue his hede, 561: It shall not saue hym fro the dede, 562: Noght that he can write. Secundus Tortor

563: Now ylla hale was he borne. Tercius Tortor

564: Ma-fay, I tell his lyfe is lorne, 565: he shalbe slayn as tyte. 566: If thou be crist, as men the call, 567: Com downe emangys vs all, 568: And thole not thies myssaes. Quartus Tortor

569: yee, and help thi self that we may se, 570: And we shall all trow in the, 571: what soeuer thou says. Primus Tortor

572: he cals hym self good of myght, 573: Bot I wold, se hym be so wight

-276-

574: To do sich a dede 575: he rasyd lazare out of his delfe, 576: Bot he can not help hym self, 577: Now in his greatt nede. Jesus

578: hely, hely, lamazabatany! 579: My god, my god, wherfor and why 580: has thou forsakyn me? Secundus Tortor

581: how! here ye not, as well as I, 582: how he can now on hely cry 583: Apon his wyse? Tercius Tortor

584: yee, ther is none hely in this countre 585: Shall delyuer hym from this meneyoe, 586: On nokyns wyse. Quartus Tortor

587: I warand you now at the last 588: That he shall soyn yelde the gast, 589: ffor brestyn is his gall. Jesus

590: Now is my passyon broght tyll ende! 591: ffader of heuen, in to thy hende 592: I betake my saull! Primus Tortor

593: let one pryk hym with a spere, 594: And if that it do hym no dere 595: Then is his lyfe nere past. Secundus Tortor

596: This blynde knyght may best do that. Longeus

597: Gar me not do bot I wote what. Tercius Tortor

598: Not bot put vp fast. Longeus

599: A, lord, what may this be? 600: Ere was I blynde, now may I se; 601: Godys son, here me, ihesu! 602: ffor this trespas on me thou rew. 603: ffor, lord, othere men me gart, 604: that I the stroke vnto the hart: 605: I se thou hyngys here on hy, 606: And dyse to fulfyll the prophecy.

-277-

Quartus Tortor

607: Go we hence and leyfe hym here, 608: ffor I shall be his borghe to-yere 609: he felys no more payn; 610: ffor hely ne for none othere man 611: All the good tha euer he wan 612: Gettys not his lyfe agayn. Josephus

613: Alas, alas, and walaway! 614: That euer shuld I abyde this day, 615: To se my master dede; 616: Thus wykydly as he is shent, 617: with so bytter tornamente, 618: Thrugh fals Iues red,. 619: Nychodeme, I wold we yede 620: To sir pilate, if we myght spede, 621: his body for to craue; 622: I will fownde with all my myght, 623: ffor my seruyce to aske that knyght 624: his body for to graue. Nichodemus

625: Ioseph, I will weynde with the 626: ffor to do that is in me, 627: ffor that body to pray; 628: ffor oure good will and oure trauale 629: I hope that it mon vs avayll 630: here afterward som day. Josephus

631: Syr pylate, god the saue! 632: Graunte me that I craue, 633: If that it be thi will. Pilate

634: Welcom, Ioseph, myght thou be! 635: what so thou askys I graunte it the, 636: So that it be skyll. Josephus

637: ffor my long seruyce I the pray 638: Graunte me the body-say me not nay-

-278-

639: of ihesu, dede on rud. Pilate

640: I graunte well if he ded be, 641: Good leyfe shall thou haue of me, 642: Do with hym what thou thynk gud. Josephus

643: Grammercy, syr, of youre good grace, 644: That ye haue graunte me in this place; 645: Go we oure way: 646: Nychodeme, com me furth with, 647: ffor I my self shall be the smyth 648: The nales out for to dray. Nichodemus

649: Ioseph, I am redy here 650: To go with the with full good chere, 651: To help the at my myght; 652: pull furth the nales on aythere syde, 653: And I shall hald, hym vp this tyde; 654: A, lord, so thou is dight! Josephus

655: help now, felow, with all thi myght, 656: That he were wonden and well dight, 657: And lay hym on this bere; 658: Bere we hym furth vnto the kyrke, 659: To the tombe that I gard wyrk, 660: Sen full many a yere. Nichodemus

661: It shall be so with outten nay. 662: he that dyed on gud fryday 663: And crownyd was with thorne, 664: Saue you all that now here be! 665: That lord that thus wold, dee 666: And rose on pasche morne.

-279-

The Talents Pilate

1: Cernite qui statis quod mire sim probitatis, 2: Hec cognoscatis vos cedam ni taceatis, 3: Cuncti discatis quasi sistam vir deitatis 4: Et maiestatis michi fando ne neceatis, 5: hoc modo mando; 6: Neue loquaces, 7: Siue dicaces, 8: poscite paces, 9: Dum fero fando. 10: Stynt, I say! gyf men place quia sum dominus dominorum! 11: he that agans me says rapietur lux oculorum; 12: Therfor gyf ye me space ne tendam vim brachiorum, 13: And then get ye no grace contestor Iura polorum, 14: Caueatis; 15: Rewle I the Iure, 16: Maxime pure, 17: Towne quoque rure, 18: Me paueatis. 19: Stemate regali kyng atus gate me of pila; 20: Tramite legali Am I ordand to reyn apon Iuda, 21: Nomine wlgari pownce pilate, that may ye well say, 22: Qui bene wlt fari shuld call me fownder of all lay.

-280-

23: Iudeorum 24: Iura guberno, 25: pleasse me and say so, 26: Omnia firmo 27: Sorte deorum. 28: Myghty lord of all me Cesar magnificauit; 29: Downe on knees ye fall greatt god me sanctificauit, 30: Me to obey ouer all regi reliquo quasi dauid, 31: hanged hy that he sall hoc iussum qui reprobauit, 32: I swere now; 33: Bot ye youre hedis 34: Bare in thies stedis 35: Redy my swerde is 36: Of thaym to shere now. 37: Atrox armipotens I graunt men girth by my good grace, 38: Atrox armipotens most myghty callyd in ylk place, 39: vir quasi cunctipotens I graunt men girth by my good grace, 40: Tota refert huic gens that none is worthier in face, 41: Quin eciam bona mens / doith trowth and right bi my trew lays, 42: Silete! 43: In generali, 44: Sic speciali, 45: yit agane byd I 46: Iura tenete. 47: loke that no boy be to bustus, blast here for to blaw, 48: Bot truly to my talkyng loke that ye be intendyng; 49: If here be any boy that will not loutt till oure law, 50: By myghty mahowne, hygh shall he hyng; 51: South, north, eest, west, 52: In all this warld, in lengthe and brede, 53: Is none so doughty as I, the best, 54: doughtely dyntand, on mule and on stede.

-281-

55: Therfor I say, 56: loke that ye lowte to my lykance, 57: ffor dowte of dynt in greuaunce; 58: dilygently ply to my plesance, 59: As prynce most myghty me pay, 60: And talke not a worde; 61: ffor who so styrres or any dyn makys, 62: deply in my daunger he rakys, 63: That as soferan me not takys 64: And as his awne lorde. 65: he has myster of nyghtys rest that nappys not in noynyng! 66: boy, lay me downe softly and hap me well from cold,; 67: loke that no laddys noy me nawder with cryyng nor with cronyng, 68: Nor in my sight ones greue me so bold,. 69: If ther be any boyes that make any cry, 70: Or els that will not obey me, 71: he were better be hanged, hy, 72: Then in my sight ones mefe me. Primus Tortor

73: war, war! for now com I, 74: The most shrew in this cuntry; 75: I haue ron full fast in hy, 76: hedir to this towne; 77: To this towne now comen am I 78: ffrom the mownt of caluery; 79: Ther crist hang, and that full hy, 80: I swe[re] you, bi my crowne. 81: At caluery when he hanged was, 82: I spuyd and spyt right in his face, 83: when that it shoyn as any glas, 84: so semely to my sight; 85: Bot yit for all that fayr thyng, 86: I loghe hym vnto hethyng, 87: And rofe of his clethyng; 88: To me it was full light.

-282-

89: And when his clothes were of in fere, 90: lord, so we loghe and maide good chere, 91: And crownyd that carle with a brere, 92: As he had bene a kyng; 93: And yit I did full propurly, 94: I clappyd his cors by and by, 95: I thoght I did, full curiously 96: In fayth hym for to hyng. 97: Bot to mahowne I make avowe, 98: hedir haue I broght his clethyng now, 99: To try the trowthe before you, 100: Euen this same nyght; 101: Of me and of my felowse two 102: with whom this garmente shall go; 103: bot sir pilate must go therto, 104: I swere you by this light. 105: ffor whosoeuer may get thise close, 106: he ther neuer rek where he gose, 107: ffor he semys nothyng to lose, 108: If so be he theym were. 109: bot now, now, felose, stand on rowme, 110: ffor he commes, shrewes, vnto this towne, 111: And we will all togeder rowne, 112: so semely in oure gere. Secundus Tortor

113: war, war! and make rowme, 114: ffor I will with my felose rowne, 115: And I shall knap hym on the crowne 116: That standys in my gate; 117: I will lepe and I will skyp 118: As I were now out of my wytt; 119: Almost my breke thay ar beshyt 120: ffor drede I cam to late. 121: Bot, by mahowne! now am I here! 122: The most shrew, that dar I swere, 123: That ye shall fynde aw where,

-283-

124: Spyll-payn in fayth I hight. 125: I was at caluery this same day, 126: where the kyng of Iues lay, 127: And ther I taght hym a newe play, 128: Truly, me thoght it right. 129: The play, in fayth, it was to rowne, 130: That he shuld, lay his hede downe, 131: And sone I bobyd hym on the crowne, 132: That gam me thoght was good. 133: when we had played with hym oure fyll, 134: Then led we him vnto an hyll, 135: And ther we wroght with hym oure will, 136: And hang hym on a rud,. 137: Nomore now of this talkyng, 138: Bot the cause of my commyng; 139: Both on ernest and on hethyng 140: This cote I wold, I had; 141: ffor if I myght this cote gett, 142: Then wold I both skyp and lepe, 143: And therto fast both drynke and ete, 144: In fayth, as I were mad. Tercius Tortor

145: war, war! within thise wones, 146: ffor I com rynyng all at ones! 147: I haue brysten both my balok stones, 148: So fast hyed I hedyr; 149: And ther is nothyng me so lefe 150: As murder a mycher and hang a thefe: 151: If here be any that doth me grefe 152: I shall them thresh togedir. 153: ffor I may swere with mekill wyn 154: I am the most shrew in all myn kyn, 155: That is from this towne vnto lyn,

-284-

156: lo, here my felowse two! 157: Now ar we thre commen in 158: A new gam forto begyn, 159: This same cote forto twyn, 160: Or that we farther go. 161: Bot to sir pilate prynce I red that we go hy, 162: And present hym the playnt how that we ar stad; 163: Bot this gowne that is here, I say you for-thy, 164: By myghty mahowne I wold not he had,. Primus Tortor

165: I assent to that sagh, by myghty mahowne! 166: Let vs Weynde to sir pilate withoutten any fabyll; 167: Bot syrs, bi my lewte, he gettys not this gowne; 168: Vnto vs thre it were right prophetabyll; 169: Spill-payn what says thou? Secundus Tortor

170: youre sawes craftely assent I vnto. Primus Tortor

171: Then will I streght furth in this place, 172: And speke with sir pilate wordys oone or two, 173: ffor I am right semely and fare in the face; 174: And now shall we se or we hence go. Tercius Tortor

175: Sir, I say the, by my lewtee, 176: where is sir pilate of pryce? Consultus

177: Sir, I say the, as myght I the, 178: he lygys here in the dewyll seruyce. Primus Tortor

179: with that prynce-fowll myght he fall-180: Must we haue at do. Consultus

181: I shall go to hym and call, 182: And loke what ye will say hym to. 183: My lord, my lorde! Pilate

184: what, boy, art thou nyse? 185: call nomore, thou has callid twyse. Consultus

186: my lord,!

-285-

Pilate

187: what mytyng is that that mevys me in my mynde? Consultus

188: I, lord, youre counselloure, pight in youre saw. Pilate

189: Say ar ther any catyffys combred that ar vnkynde? Consultus

190: Nay, lord, none that I knawe. Pilate

191: Then noy vs nomore of this noyse; 192: you carles vnkynde, who bad you call me? 193: By youre mad, maters I hald, you bot boyes, 194: And that shall ye aby, els fowll myght befall me. 195: I shall not dy in youre dett! 196: Bewshere, I byd, the vp thou take me, 197: And in my sete softly loke that thou se me sett. 198: Now shall we wytt, and that in hy, 199: If that saghe be trew that thou dyd say; 200: If I fynde the With lesyng, lad, thou shall aby, 201: fforto mell in the maters that pertenyth agans the lay. Consultus

202: Nay, sir, not so, withoutten delay, 203: The cause of my callyng is of that boy bold,, 204: ffor it is saide sothely now this same day, 205: That he shuld dulfully be dede, 206: Certayn; 207: Then may youre cares be full cold, 208: If he thus sakles be slayn. Pilate

209: ffare and softly, sir, and say not to far; 210: Sett the with sorow, then semys thou the les, 211: And of the law that thou leggys be wytty and war, 212: lest I greue the greatly with dyntys expres; 213: ffals fatur, in fayth I shall slay the! 214: Thy reson vnrad I red the redres, 215: Or els of thise maters loke thou nomore mell the.

-286-

Consultus

216: Why shuld I not mell of those maters that I haue you taght? 217: Thoug ye be prynce peerles withoutt any pere, 218: were not my wyse wysdom youre wyttys were in waght; 219: And that is seen expresse and playnly right here, 220: And done in dede. Pilate

221: Why, boy, bot has thou sayde? Consultus

222: yee, lorde. Pilate

223: Therfor the devyll the spede, thou carle vnkynde 224: Sich felowse myght well be on rowme! 225: ye knaw not the comon cowrs that longys to a kyng. Primus Tortor

226: Mahowne most myghtfull, he mensk you with mayn, 227: Sir pilate pereles, prynce of this prese! 228: And saue you, sir, syttand semely suffrayn! 229: we haue soght to thy sayll no sayng to sesse, 230: Bot certyfie sone; 231: ye wote that ye demyd this day apon desse, 232: we dowte not his doyng, for now is he done. Pilate

233: ye ar welcom, Iwys, ye ar worthy ay war; 234: Be it fon so of that fatur, in fayth then am I fayne. Secundus Tortor

235: we haue markyd that mytyng, nomore shall he mar; 236: we prayed you, sir pilate, to put hym to payn, 237: And we thoght it well wroght. Pilate

238: lefe syrs, let be youre laytt and loke that ye layn; 239: ffor nothyng that may be nevyn ye it noght. Tercius Tortor

240: Make myrth of that mytyng full mekyll we may, 241: And haue lykyng of oure lyfe for los of that lad; 242: Bot, syr pilate peerles, a poynt I the pray; 243: hope ye with hethyng that harnes he had

-287-

244: To hold that was hys? Pilate

245: That appentys vnto me, mafa! art thou mad? 246: I ment that no mytyng shuld, mell hym of this. Primus Tortor

247: Mefe the not, master, more if he mell, 248: ffor thou shall parte from that pelfe, thar thou not pleyte. Pilate

249: yit styrt not farer for noght that ye fell; 250: I aske this gowne of youre gyfte, it is not so greatt, 251: And yit may it agayn you. Secundus Tortor

252: how, all in fageyng? in fayth I know of youre featte, 253: ffor it fallys to vs four fyrst will I frayn you. Pilate

254: And I myster to no maner of mans bot myn. Tercius Tortor

255: yee, lord, let shere it in shredys. Pilate

256: Now that hald I good skyll! take thou this, & thou that, 257: & this shall be thyne, 258: And by lefe and by law this may leyfe styll. Primus Tortor

259: O lordyng! I weyn it is wrang, 260: To tymely I toke it, to take it the vntyll 261: The farest, and the fowllest thy felowse to fang. Pilate

262: And thou art payed of thi parte full truly I trowe. Primus Tortor

263: It is shame forto se, I am shapyn bot a shrede. Secundus Tortor

264: The hole of this harnes is holdyn to you, 265: And I am leuerd a lap is lyke to no lede, 266: ffor-tatyrd and torne. Tercius Tortor

267: By myghty mahowne that mylde is of mode, 268: If he skap with this cote it were a great skorne. Pilate

269: Now sen ye teyn so at this, take it to you 270: with all the mawgre of myn and myght of mahowne! Primus Tortor

271: Drede you not doutles, for so Will we dow; 272: Grefe you not greatly ye gett not this gowne,

-288-

273: bot in fower as it fallys. Secundus Tortor

274: had I a fawchon, then craftely to cutt it were I bowne. Tercius Tortor

275: lo it here that thou callys! 276: It is sharp with to shere, shere if thou may. Secundus Tortor

277: Euen in the mydward to marke were mastre to me. Primus Tortor

278: Most semely is in certan the seym to assay. Secundus Tortor

279: I haue soght all this syde and none can I se, 280: of greatt nor of small. Pilate

281: Bewshers, abyd you, I byd you let be! 282: I commaunde not to cutt it, bot hold, it hole all. Primus Tortor

283: Now ar we bon, for ye bad, withhald on youre hud. Pilate

284: we! harlottys! go hang you, for hole shall it be. Tercius Tortor

285: Grefe you not greatly, he saide it for gud. Pilate

286: wyst I that he spake it in spytyng of me 287: Tytt shuld I spede forto spyll hym. Secundus Tortor

288: That were hym loth, lord, by my lewte, 289: fforthi grauntt hym youre grace. Pilate

290: No greuans I will hym. Primus Tortor

291: Gramercy thi gudnes! Pilate

292: yee, bot greue me nomo; 293: ffull dere beys it boght 294: In fayth, if ye do. Primus Tortor

295: Shall I then saue it? Pilate

296: yee, so saide I, or to draw cutt is the lelyst, 297: and long cut, lo, this wede shall wyn. Tercius Tortor

298: Sir, to youre saying yit assent we vnto; 299: Bot oone assay, let se who shall begyn.

-289-

Pilate

300: we! me falles all the fyrst, and forther shall ye. Secundus Tortor

301: Nay, drede you not doutles, for that do ye not; 302: O, he sekys as he wold, dyssaue vs now we se. Tercius Tortor

303: Bewshers, abyde you, heder haue I broght 304: thre dyse vs emang. Primus Tortor

305: That is a gam all the best, bi hym that me boght, 306: ffor at the dysyng he dos vs no wrang. Pilate

307: And I am glad of that gam; On assay, Who shall begyn? Primus Tortor

308: ffyrst shall ye, and sen after we all. 309: haue the dyse and haue done, 310: and lefe all youre dyn, 311: ffor who so has most this frog shall he fall, 312: And best of the bonys. Pilate

313: I assent to youre sayng; assay now I shall, 314: As I wold, at a wap wyn all at ones. Secundus Tortor

315: A, ha! how now! here ar a hepe. Pilate

316: haue mynde then emang you how many ther ar. Tercius Tortor

317: thretteen ar on thre, thar ye not threpe. Pilate

318: Then shall I wyn or all men be war. Primus Tortor

319: Truly lord, right so ye shall; 320: Bot grefe you not greatly, the next shall be nar 321: If I haue hap to my hand, haue here for all! Pilate

322: And I haue sene as greatt a freke of his forward falyd. 323: here ar bot Aght turnyd vp at ones. Primus Tortor

324: Aght? a, his armes, that is yll! what so me alyd, 325: I was falsly begylyd with thise byched bones; 326: Ther cursyd thay be! Secundus Tortor

327: Well I wote this wede bees won in thise wones, 328: I wold, be fayn of this frog myght it fall vnto me.

-290-

Pilate

329: It bees in waght, in fayth, and, thou wyn. Secundus Tortor

330: No, bot war you away! Tercius Tortor

331: here is baddyst aboue, by mahownes bonys! 332: seuen is bot the seconde, the sothe for to say. Secundus Tortor

333: we, fy! that is shortt. Tercius Tortor

334: Do shott at thi hud! now fallys me the fyrst, 335: And I haue hap to this gowne, go now on gud; 336: The byched bones that ye be I byd you go bett; 337: ffelowse, in forward here haue I fefteen! 338: As ye wote I am worthi, won is this wede. Pilate

339: what, whistyll ye in the wenyande! where haue ye beyn? 340: Thou shall abak, bewshere, that blast I forbede. Tercius Tortor

341: here ar men vs emang, 342: lele in oure lay, will ly for no leyd, 343: And I wytnes at thaym if I wroght any wrang. Primus Tortor

344: Thou wroght no dyssaytt, for sothe, that we saw, 345: fforthi thou art worthi, and won is this weyd At thyn awne wyll. Pilate

346: yee, bot me pays not that playng to puf nor to blaw; 347: If he haue right I ne rek or reson thertyll, 348: I refe it hym noght. Tercius Tortor

349: haue gud day, sir, and grefe you not yll, 350: ffor if it were duble full dere is it boght. Pilate

351: Sir, sen thou has won this weyd. say will thou vowche safe 352: Of thi great gudnes this garment on me? Tercius Tortor

353: Sir, I say you certan this shall ye not haue. Pilate

354: Thou shall forthynk it, in fayth; 355: ffy, what thou art fre!

-291-

356: vnbychid, vnbayn! Tercius Tortor

357: ffor ye thrett me so throle, 358: were it sich thre 359: here I gif you this gud. Pilate

360: Now, gramercy agayn! 361: Mekill thank and myn and this shalbe ment. Primus Tortor

362: Bot I had not left it so lightly, had play me it lent. Pilate

363: No, bot he is faythfull and fre, and that shall be ment; 364: And more if I may, 365: If he myster to me, 366: amend hym I mon. Tercius Tortor

367: I vowche safe it be so, the sothe forto say. Primus Tortor

368: Now thise dyse that ar vndughty / for los of this good, 369: here I forswere hertely by mahownes blood; 370: ffor was I neuer so happy by mayn nor by mode, 371: To wyn with sich sotelty / to my lyfys fode, 372: As ye ken; 373: Thise dysars and thise hullars, 374: Thise cokkers and thise bollars, 375: And all purs-cuttars, 376: Bese well war of thise men. Secundus Tortor

377: ffy, fy, on thise dyse / the devill I theym take! 378: vnwytty, vnwyse With thaym that Wold lake; 379: As fortune assyse men wyll she make; 380: hir maners ar nyse she can downe and vptake; 381: And rych 382: She turnes vp-so-downe, 383: And vnder abone, 384: Most chefe of renowne 385: She castys in the dyche. 386: By hir meanes she makys dysers to sell, 387: As thay sytt and lakys / thare corne and thare catell;

-292-

388: Then cry thay and crakkys / bowne vnto batell, 389: his hyppys then bakys / no symnell 390: ffor hote. 391: Bot fare well, thryfte! 392: Is ther none other skyfte 393: Bot syfte, lady, syfte? 394: Thise dysars thay dote. Tercius Tortor

395: what commys of dysyng / I pray you hark after, 396: Bot los of good, in lakyng and oft tymes mens slaghter! 397: Thus sorow is at partyng at metyng if ther be laghter; 398: I red leyf sich vayn thyng / and serue god herafter, 399: ffor heuens blys; 400: That lord, is most myghty, 401: And gentyllyst of Iury, 402: we helde to hym holy; 403: how thynk ye by this? Pilate

404: well worth you all thre, most doughty in dede! 405: Of all the clerkys that I knaw, most conyng ye be, 406: By soteltes of youre sawes, youre lawes forto lede; 407: I graunt you playn powere and frenship frele, 408: I say; 409: Dew vows [garde], mon senyours! 410: Mahowne most myghty in castels and towres 411: he kepe you, lordyngys, and all youres, 412: And hauys all gud day.

-293-

The Deliverance of Souls Jesus

1: My fader me from blys has send 2: Till erth for mankynde sake, 3: Adam mys forto amend, 4: My deth nede must I take. 5: I dwellyd ther thryrty yeres and two, 6: And somdele more, the sothe to say; 7: In anger, pyne, and mekyll wo, 8: I dyde on cros this day. 9: Therfor till hell now Will I go, 10: To chalange that is myne; 11: Adam, eue, and othere mo, 12: Thay shall no longer dwell in pyne. 13: The feynde theym wan With trayn, 14: Thrugh fraude of earthly fode, 15: I haue theym boght agan 16: With shedyng of my blode. 17: And now I will that stede restore, 18: which the feynde fell fro for syn; 19: Som tokyn will I send before, 20: with myrth to gar thare gammes begyn. 21: A light I will thay haue 22: To know I will com sone; 23: My body shall abyde in graue 24: Till all this dede be done.

-294-

Adam

25: My brether, herkyn vnto me here! 26: More hope of helth neuer we had; 27: Fower thowsand and sex hundreth yere 28: haue we bene here in darknes stad; 29: Now se I tokyns of solace sere, 30: A gloryous gleme to make vs glad, 31: Wher thrugh I hope that help is nere, 32: That sone shall slake oure sorowes sad. Eve

33: Adam, my husband heynd, 34: This menys solace certan; 35: Sich light can on vs leynd 36: In paradyse full playn. Isaiah

37: Adam, thrugh thi syn 38: here were we put to dwell, 39: This wykyd place within; 40: The name of it is hell; 41: here paynes shall neuer blyn, 42: That wykyd ar and fell. 43: loue that lord with wyn, 44: his lyfe for vs wold sell. 45: Adam, thou well vnderstand 46: I am Isaias, so crist me kende. 47: I spake of folke in darknes walkand, 48: I saide a light shuld, on theym lende; 49: This light is all from crist commande 50: That he till vs has hedir sende, 51: Thus is my poynt proved in hand,, 52: as I before to fold, it kende. Simeon

53: So may I tell of farlys feyll, 54: ffor in the tempyll his freyndys me fande, 55: Me thoght daynteth with hym to deyll, 56: I halsid hym homely with my hand;

-295-

57: I saide, lord, let thi seruandys leyll 58: pas in peasse to lyf lastande; 59: Now that myn eeyn has sene thyn hele 60: no longer lyst I lyf in lande. 61: This light thou has purvayde 62: ffor theym that lyf in lede; 63: That I before of the haue saide 64: I se it is fulfillyd in dede. John the Baptist

65: As a voce cryand I kend 66: The wayes of crist, as I well can; 67: I baptised hym with both myn hende 68: in the water of flume Iordan; 69: The holy gost from heuen discende 70: As a white dowfe downe on me than; 71: The fader voyce, oure myrthes to amende, 72: Was made to me lyke as a man; 73: “[yond is my son,”] he saide, 74: “[and which me pleasses full well,”] 75: his light is on vs layde, 76: and commys oure karys to kele. Moyses

77: Now this same nyght lernyng haue I, 78: to me, moyses, he shewid his myght, 79: And also to anothere oone, hely, 80: where we stud on a hill on hyght; 81: As whyte as snaw was his body, 82: his face was like the son for bright, 83: Noman on mold, was so myghty 84: grathly durst loke agans that light; 85: And that same light here se I now 86: shynyng on vs, certayn, 87: where thrugh truly I trow 88: that we shall sone pas from this payn.

-296-

Ribald

89: Sen fyrst that hell was mayde / And I was put therin, 90: Sich sorow neuer ere I had, nor hard I sich a dyn; 91: My hart begynnys to brade my wytt waxys thyn, 92: I drede we can not be glad thise saules mon fro vs twyn. 93: how, belsabub! bynde thise boys, sich harow was neuer hard in hell. Belzebub

94: Out, rybald,! thou rores, / what is betyd? can thou oght tell? Ribald

95: whi, herys thou not this vgly noyse? 96: thise lurdans that in lymbo dwell. 97: Thay make menyng of many Ioyse, 98: and Muster myrthes theym emell. Belzebub

99: Myrth? nay, nay! that poynt is past, 100: more hope of helth shall thay neuer haue. Ribald

101: They cry on crist full fast, 102: And says he shall theym saue. Belzebub

103: yee, though he do not, I shall, 104: ffor they ar sparyd in specyall space; 105: whils I am prynce and pryncypall 106: they shall neuer pas out of this place. 107: Call vp astarot and anaball 108: To gyf vs counsell in this case; 109: Bell, berith, and bellyall, 110: To mar theym that sich mastry mase. 111: Say to sir satan oure syre, 112: and byd hym bryng also 113: Sir lucyfer, lufly of lyre. Ribald

114: All redy lord, I go. Jesus

115: Attollite portas, principes, vestras & eleuamini porte eternales, & introibit rex glorie.

-297-

Ribald

116: out, harro, out! what devill is he 117: That callys hym kyng ouer vs all? 118: hark belzabub, com ne, 119: ffor hedusly I hard hym call. Belzebub

120: Go, spar the yates, yll mot thou the! 121: And, set the waches on the wall; 122: If that brodell com ne 123: With vs ay won he shall; 124: And if he more call or cry, 125: To make vs more debate, 126: lay on hym hardely, 127: And make hym go his gate. David

128: Nay, with hym may ye not fyght, 129: ffor he is king and conqueroure, 130: And of so mekill myght, 131: And styf in euery stoure; 132: Of hym commys all this light 133: that shynys in this bowre; 134: he is full fers in fight, 135: worthi to wyn honoure. Belzebub

136: honowre! harsto, harlot, for what dede? 137: Alle erthly men to me ar thrall; 138: That lad that thou callys lord, in lede 139: he had neuer harbor, house, ne hall. 140: how, sir sathanas! com nar 141: And hark this cursid rowte! Sathanas

142: The devill you all to-har! 143: What ales the so to showte? 144: And me, if I com nar, 145: thy brayn bot I bryst owte! Belzebub

146: Thou must com help to spar, 147: we ar beseged, abowte.

-298-

Sathanas

148: Besegyd aboute! whi, who durst be so bold, 149: for drede to make on vs a fray? Belzebub

150: It is the Iew that Iudas sold, 151: ffor to be dede this othere day. Sathanas

152: how! in tyme that tale was told,, 153: that trature trauesses vs all-way; 154: he shalbe here full hard, in hold,, 155: bot loke he pas not, I the pray. Belzebub

156: Pas! nay, nay, he will not weynde 157: ffrom hens or it be war; 158: he shapys hym for to sheynd, 159: All hell or he go far. Sathanas

160: ffy, faturs! therof shall he fayll, 161: ffor all his fare I hym defy; 162: I know his trantes fro top to tayll, 163: he lyffys by gawdys and, glory. 164: Therby he broght furth of oure bayll 165: The lath lazare of betany, 166: Bot to the Iues I gaf counsayll 167: That thay shuld, cause hym dy; 168: I enterd, ther into Iudas, 169: that forward to fulfyll, 170: Therfor his hyere he has, 171: All wayes to won here styll. Ribald

172: Sir sathan, sen we here the say 173: thou and the Iues were at assent, 174: And wote he wan the lazare away 175: that vnto vs was taken to tent, 176: hopys thou that thou mar hym may 177: to Muster the malyce that he has ment? 178: ffor and he refe vs now oure pray 179: we will ye witt or he is went.

-299-

Sathanas

180: I byd the noght abaste, 181: bot boldly make you bowne, 182: With toyles that ye intraste, 183: And dyng that dastard downe. Jesus

184: Attollite portas, principes, vestras, &c. Ribald

185: Outt, harro! what harlot is he 186: that sayes his kyngdom shalbe cryde? David

187: That may thou in sawter se, 188: for of this prynce thus ere I saide; 189: I saide that he shuld, breke 190: youre barres and bandys by name, 191: And of youre warkys take wreke; 192: now shall thou se the same. Jesus

193: ye prynces of hell open youre yate, 194: And let my folk furth gone; 195: A prynce of peasse shall enter therat 196: wheder ye will or none. Ribald

197: What art thou that spekys so? Jesus

198: A kyng of blys that hight ihesus. Ribald

199: yee, hens fast I red thou go, 200: And mell the not with vs. Belzebub

201: Oure yates I trow will last, 202: thay ar so strong I weyn; 203: Bot if oure barres brast, 204: ffor the they shall not twyn. Jesus

205: This stede shall stand, no longer stokyn; 206: open vp, and, let my pepill pas. Ribald

207: Out, harro! oure bayll is brokyn, 208: and brusten ar all oure bandys of bras!

-300-

Belzebub

209: harro! oure yates begyn to crak! 210: In sonder, I trow, they go, 211: And hell, I trow, will all to-shak; 212: Alas, what I am wo! Ribald

213: lymbo is lorne, alas! 214: sir sathanas com vp; 215: This wark is wars then it was. Sathanas

216: yee, hangyd be thou on a cruke! 217: Thefys, I bad ye shuld, be bowne, 218: If he maide mastres more, 219: To dyng that dastard, downe, 220: sett hym both sad and sore. Belzebub

221: To sett hym sore, that is sone saide! 222: com thou thi self and serue hym so; 223: we may not abyde his bytter brayde, 224: he wold vs mar and we were mo. Sathanas

225: ffy, fature! wherfor were ye flayd? 226: haue ye no force to flyt hym fro? 227: loke in haste my gere be grayd, 228: my self shall to that gadlyng go. 229: how! thou belamy, abyde, 230: with all thi boste and beyr! 231: And tell me in this tyde 232: what mastres thou makys here. Jesus

233: I make no mastry bot for myne; 234: I will theym saue, that shall the sow; 235: Thou has no powere theym to pyne, 236: bot in my pryson for thare prow 237: here haue they soriornyd,, noght as thyne, 238: bot in this wayrd, thou wote as how. Sathanas

239: why, were has thou bene ay syn, 240: that neuer wold negh theym nere or now?

-301-

Jesus

241: Now is the tyme certan 242: My fader ordand her for, 243: That thay shuld, pas fro payn, 244: In blys to dwell for euermore. Sathanas

245: Thy fader knew I well by syght, 246: he was a wright, his meett to wyn; 247: Mary, me mynnys, thi moder hight, 248: the vtmast ende of all thy kyn; 249: Say who made the so mekill of myght? Jesus

250: Thou wykyd feynde, lett be thi dy[n]! 251: my fader wonnes in heuen on hight, 252: In blys that neuer shall blyn; 253: I am his oonly son, / his forward, to fulfyll, 254: Togeder will we won, / In sonder when we wyll. Sathanas

255: Goddys son! nay, then myght thou be glad, 256: for no catell thurt the craue; 257: Bot thou has lyffyd ay lyke a lad, 258: In sorow, and as a sympill knaue. Jesus

259: That was for the hartly luf I had 260: Vnto mans saull, it forto saue, 261: And forto make the masyd and mad,, 262: And for that reson rufully to rafe. 263: My godhede here I hyd 264: In mary, moder myne, 265: where it shall neuer by kyd 266: to the ne none of thyne. Sathanas

267: how now? this wold I were told, in towne; 268: thou says god is thi syre; 269: I shall the prove by good reson 270: thou moyttys as man dos into myre.

-302-

271: To breke thi byddyng they were full bowne, 272: And soyn they wroght at my desyre; 273: ffrom paradise thou putt theym downe, 274: In hell here to haue thare hyre; 275: And thou thy self, by day and nyght, 276: taght euer all men emang, 277: Euer to do reson and right, 278: And here thou wyrkys all wrang. Jesus

279: I wyrk no wrang, that shall thou wytt, 280: if I my men fro wo will wyn; 281: My prophetys playnly prechyd it, 282: All the noytys that I begyn; 283: They saide that I shuld be that ilke 284: In hell where I shuld intre in, 285: To saue my seruandys fro that pytt 286: where dampnyd saullys shall syt for syn. 287: And ilke true prophete tayll 288: shalbe fulfillid, in me; 289: I haue thaym boght fro bayll, 290: in blis now shall they be. Sathanas

291: Now sen thou lyst to legge the lawes, 292: thou shalbe tenyd or we twyn, 293: ffor those that thou to witnes drawes 294: ffull euen agans the shall begyn; 295: As salamon saide in his sawes, 296: who that ones commys hell within 297: he shall neuer owte, as clerkys knawes, 298: therfor, belamy, let be thy dyn. 299: Iob thi seruande also 300: In his tyme can tell 301: That nawder freynde nor fo 302: shall fynde relese in hell.

-303-

Jesus

303: he sayde full soyth, that shall thou se, 304: In hell shalbe no relese, 305: Bot of that place then ment he 306: where synfull care shall euer encrese. 307: In that bayll ay shall thou be, 308: where sorowes seyr shall neuer sesse, 309: And my folke that were most fre 310: shall pas vnto the place of peasse; 311: ffor they were here with my will, 312: And so thay shall furth weynde; 313: Thou shall thiself fulfyll 314: euer wo withoutten ende. Sathanas

315: Whi, and will thou take theym all me fro? 316: then thynk me thou art vnkynde; 317: Nay, I pray the do not so; 318: Vmthynke the better in thy mynde; 319: Or els let me with the go, 320: I pray the leyffe me not behynde! Jesus

321: Nay, tratur, thou shall won in wo, 322: and till a stake I shall the bynde. Sathanas

323: Now here I how thou menys emang, 324: with mesure and malyce forto mell; 325: Bot sen thou says it shalbe lang, 326: yit som let allwayes with vs dwell. Jesus

327: Yis, wytt thou well, els were greatt wrang; 328: thou shall haue caym that slo abell, 329: And all that hastys theym self to hang, 330: As dyd Iudas and architophell; 331: And daton and abaron / and all of thare assent, 332: Cursyd tyranttys euer ilkon / that me and myn tormente. 333: And all that will not lere my law, 334: That I haue left in land, for new, 335: That makys my commyng knaw, 336: And all my sacramentys persew;

-304-

337: My deth, my rysyng, red by raw, 338: Who trow thaym not thay ar vntrewe; 339: vnto my dome I shall theym draw, 340: And Iuge theym wars then and Iew. 341: And thay that lyst to lere / my law, and lyf therby, 342: Shall neuer haue harmes here, / bot welth as is worthy. Sathanas

343: Now here my hand, I hold, me payde, 344: thise poyntys ar playnly for my prow; 345: If this be trew that thou has saide, 346: we shall haue mo then we haue now; 347: Thies lawes that thou has late here laide, 348: I shall theym lere not to alow; 349: If thay myn take thay ar betraide, 350: and I shall turne theym tytt I trow. 351: I shall walk eest, I shall walk west, 352: and gar theym wyrk well war. Jesus

353: Nay feynde, thou shalbe feste, 354: that thou shall flyt no far. Sathanas

355: ffeste? fy! that were a wykyd treson! 356: belamy, thou shalbe smytt. Jesus

357: Devill, I commaunde the to go downe 358: into thi sete where thou shall syt. Sathanas

359: Alas, for doyll and care! 360: I synk into hell pyt! Ribald

361: Sir sathanas, so saide I are, 362: now shall thou haue a fytt. Jesus

363: Com now furth, my childer all, 364: I forgyf you youre mys; 365: With me now go ye shall 366: to Ioy and endles blys. Adam

367: lord, thou art full mekyll of myght, 368: that mekys thiself on this manere, 369: To help vs all as thou had vs hight, 370: when both forfett I and my fere;

-305-

371: here haue we dwelt withoutten light 372: Fower thousand and sex hundreth yere; 373: Now se we by this solempne sight 374: now that thi mercy makys vs dere. Eve

375: lord, we were worthy / more tornamentys to tast; 376: Thou help vs lord with thy mercy / as thou of myght is mast. John the Baptist

377: lord, I loue the inwardly, 378: that me wold, make thi messyngere, 379: Thi commyng in erth to cry, 380: and tech thi fayth to folk in fere; 381: Sythen before the forto dy, 382: to bryng theym bodword that be here, 383: how thay shuld haue thi help in hy, 384: now se I all those poyntys appere. Moyses

385: Dauid, thi prophete trew, 386: oft tymes told, vnto vs, 387: Of thi commyng he knew, 388: and saide it shuld, be thus. David

389: As I saide ere yit say I so, 390: “[ne derelinquas, domine, 391: Animam meam in inferno;”] 392: “[leyfe neuer my saull, lord, after the, 393: In depe hell wheder dampned, shall go; 394: suffre thou neuer thi sayntys to se 395: The sorow of thaym that won in wo, 396: ay full of fylth, and may not fle.”] Moyses

397: Make myrth both more and les, 398: and loue oure lord we may, 399: That has broght vs fro bytternes 400: In blys to abyde for ay. Isaiah

401: Thefor now let vs syng 402: to loue oure lord ihesus; 403: Vnto his blys he will vs bryng, 404: Te deum laudamus.

-306-

The Resurrection of the Lord Pilate

1: Peasse, I warne you, woldys in wytt! 2: And standys on syde or els go sytt, 3: ffor here ar men that go not yit, 4: And lordys of me[kill] myght; 5: We thynk to abyde, and not to flytt, 6: I tell you euery wight. 7: Spare youre spech, ye brodels bold,, 8: And sesse youre cry till I haue told, 9: What that my worship wold,, 10: here in thise wonys; 11: whoso that wyghtly nold, 12: ffull hy bese hanged his bonys. 13: wote ye not that I am pilate, 14: That satt apon the Iustyce late, 15: At caluarie where I was att 16: This day at morne? 17: I am he, that great state, 18: That lad has all to-torne. 19: Now sen that lothly losell is thus ded, 20: I haue great ioy in my manhede, 21: Therfor wold, I in ilk sted, 22: It were tayn hede, 23: If any felowse felow his red, 24: Or more his law wold lede.

-307-

25: ffor and I knew it, cruelly 26: his lyfe bees lost, and that shortly, 27: that he were better hyng ful hy 28: On galow tre; 29: Therfor ye prelatys shuld, aspy 30: If any sich be. 31: As I am man of myghtys most, 32: If ther be any that blow sich bost, 33: with tormentys keyn bese he indost 34: ffor euermore; 35: The devill to hell shall harry hys goost, 36: Bot I say nomore. Caiaphas

37: Sir, ye thar nothyng be dredand, 38: ffor centurio, I vnderstand, 39: youre knyght is left abydand 40: Right ther behynde; 41: We left hym ther, for man most wyse, 42: If any rybaldys wold oght ryse, 43: To sesse theym to the next assyse, 44: And then forto make ende. Centurion

45: A, blyssyd lord adonay, 46: what may this meruell sygnyfy 47: That here was shewyd so openly 48: vnto oure sight, 49: When the rightwys man can dy 50: that ihesus hight? 51: heuen it shoke abone, 52: Of shynyng blan both son and moyne, 53: And dede men also rose vp sone, 54: Outt of thare grafe; 55: And stones in wall anone 56: In sonder brast and clafe.

-308-

57: Ther was seen many a full sodan sight, 58: Oure prynces, for sothe, dyd nothyng right, 59: And so I saide to theym on hight, 60: As it is trew, 61: That he was most of myght, 62: The son of god, ihesu. 63: ffowlys in the ayer and fish in floode, 64: That day changid thare mode, 65: when that he was rent on rode, 66: That lord veray; 67: ffull well thay vnderstode 68: That he was slayn that day. 69: Therfor right as I meyn / to theym fast will I ryde, 70: To wyt withoutten weyn / what they will say this tyde 71: Of this enfray; 72: I will no longer abyde 73: bot fast ride on my way. 74: God saue you, syrs, on euery syde! 75: Worship and welth in warld so wyde! Pilate

76: Centurio, welcom this tyde, 77: Oure comly knyght! Centurion

78: God graunt you grace well forto gyde, 79: And rewll you right. Pilate

80: Centurio, welcom, draw nere hand! 81: Tell vs son tythyngys here emang, 82: ffor ye haue gone thrughoutt oure land, 83: ye know ilk dele. Centurion

84: Sir, I drede me ye haue done wrang 85: And wonder yll. Caiaphas

86: wonder yll? I pray the why? 87: declare that to this company. Centurion

88: So shall I, sir, full securly, 89: with all my mayn; 90: The rightwys man, I meyn, hym by 91: that ye haue slayn.

-309-

Pilate

92: Centurio, sese of sich saw; 93: ye ar a greatt man of oure law, 94: And if we shuld any wytnes draw, 95: To vs excuse, 96: To mayntene vs euermore ye aw, 97: And noght refuse. Centurion

98: To mayntene trowth is well worthy; 99: I saide when I sagh hym dy, 100: That it was godys son almyghty, 101: That hang thore; 102: So say I yit and abydys therby, 103: ffor euermore. Anna

104: yee, sir, sich resons may ye rew, 105: Thou shuld not neuen sich notes new, 106: Bot thou couth any tokyns trew, 107: vntill vs tell. Centurion

108: Sich wonderfull case neuer ere ye knew 109: As then befell. Caiaphas

110: we pray the tell vs, of what thyng? Centurion

111: Of elymentys, both old, and ying, 112: In thare manere maide greatt mowrnyng, 113: In ilka stede; 114: Thay knew by contenaunce that thare kyng 115: was done to dede. 116: The son for wo it waxed all wan, 117: The moyn and starnes of shynyng blan, 118: And erth it tremlyd as a man 119: Began to speke; 120: The stone, that neuer was styrryd or than, 121: In sonder brast and breke; 122: And dede men rose vp bodely, both greatt and small. Pilate

123: Centurio, bewar with all! 124: ye wote the clerkys the clyppys it call

-310-

125: Sich sodan sight; 126: That son and moyne a seson shall 127: lak of thare light. Caiaphas

128: Sir, and if that dede men ryse vp bodely, 129: That may be done thrugh socery, 130: Therfor nothyng we sett therby, 131: that be thou bast. Centurion

132: Sir, that I saw truly, 133: That shall I euermore trast. 134: Not for that ilk warke that ye dyd wyrke, 135: Not oonly for the son wex myrke, 136: Bot how the vayll rofe in the kyrke, 137: ffayn wyt I wold. Pilate

138: A, sich tayles full sone wold make vs yrke, 139: if thay were told. 140: harlot! wherto commys thou vs emang 141: with sich lesyngys vs to fang? 142: Weynd furth! hy myght thou hang, 143: Vyle fatur! Caiaphas

144: Weynd furth in the Wenyande, 145: And hold styll thy clattur. Centurion

146: Sirs, sen ye set not by my saw, / haues now good day! 147: God lene you grace to knaw / the sothe all way. Anna

148: with draw the fast, sen thou the dredys, 149: ffor we shall well mayntene oure dedys. Pilate

150: Sich wonderfull resons as now redys 151: were neuer beforne, Caiaphas

152: To neuen this note nomore vs nedys, 153: nawder euen nor morne, 154: Bot forto be war of more were 155: That afterward myght do vs dere, 156: Therfor, sir, whils ye ar here

-311-

157: vs all emang, 158: Avyse you of thise sawes sere 159: how thay will stand. 160: ffor ihesus saide full openly 161: Vnto the men that yode hym by, 162: A thyng that grevys all Iury, 163: And right so may, 164: That he shuld, ryse vp bodely 165: within the thryde day. 166: If it be so, as myght I spede, 167: The latter dede is more to drede 168: Then was the fyrst, if we take hede 169: And tend therto; 170: Avyse you, sir, for it is nede, 171: the best to do. Anna

172: Sir, neuer the les if he saide so, 173: he hase no myght to ryse and go, 174: Bot his dyscypyls steyll his cors vs fro 175: And bere away; 176: That were till vs, and othere mo, 177: A fowll enfray. 178: Then wold the pepyll say euerilkon 179: That he were rysen hym self alon, 180: Therfor ordan to kepe that stone 181: with knyghtys heynd, 182: To thise thre dayes be commen and gone 183: And broght till ende. Pilate

184: Now, certys sir, full well ye say, 185: And for this ilk poynt to puruay 186: I shall, if that I may; 187: he shall not ryse, 188: Nor none shall wyn hym thens away 189: of nokyns wyse.

-312-

190: Sir knyghtys, that ar of dedys dughty, 191: And chosen for chefe of cheualry, 192: As I may me in you affy, 193: By day and nyght, 194: ye go and kepe ihesu body 195: with all youre myght; 196: And for thyng that be may, 197: kepe hym well vnto the thryd day, 198: That no tratur steyll his cors you fray, 199: Out of that sted; 200: ffor if ther do, truly I say, 201: ye shall be dede. Primus Miles

202: yis, sir pilate, in certan, 203: we shall hym kepe with all oure mayn; 204: Ther shall no tratur with no trayn 205: Steyll hym vs fro; 206: Sir knyghtys, take gere that best may gayn, 207: And let vs go. Secundus Miles

208: yis, certys, we are all redy bowne, 209: we shall hym kepe till youre renowne; 210: On euery syde lett vs sytt downe, 211: we all in fere; 212: And I shall fownde to crak his crowne 213: whoso commys here. Primus Miles

214: who shuld be where, fayn wold I wytt. Secundus Miles

215: Euen on this syde wyll I sytt. Tercius Miles

216: And I shall fownde his feete to flytt. Quartus Miles

217: we ther shrew ther! 218: Now by mahowne, fayn wold I wytt 219: who durst com here 220: This cors with treson forto take, 221: ffor if it were the burnand drake 222: Of me styfly he gatt a strake,

-313-

223: haue here my hand; 224: To thise thre dayes be past, 225: This cors I dar warand. Jesus

226: Erthly man, that I haue wroght, 227: wightly wake, and slepe thou noght! 228: with bytter bayll I haue the boght, 229: To make the fre; 230: Into this dongeon depe I soght 231: And all for luf of the. 232: Behold how dere I wold the by! 233: My woundys ar weytt and all blody; 234: The, synfull man, full dere boght I 235: With tray and teyn; 236: Thou fyle the noght eft for-thy, 237: Now art thou cleyn. 238: Clene haue I mayde the, synfull man, 239: With wo and wandreth I the wan, 240: ffrom harte and syde the blood out ran, 241: Sich was my pyne; 242: Thou must me luf that thus gaf than 243: My lyfe for thyne. 244: Thou synfull man that by me gase, 245: Tytt vnto me thou turne thi face; 246: Behold, my body, in ilka place 247: how it was dight; 248: All to-rent and all to-shentt, 249: Man, for thy plight. 250: With cordes enewe and ropys toghe 251: The Iues fell my lymmes out-drogh, 252: ffor that I was not mete enoghe 253: vnto the bore; 254: with hard stowndys thise depe woundys 255: Tholyd I thefore.

-314-

256: A crowne of thorne, that is so kene, 257: Thay set apon my hede for tene, 258: Two thefys hang thai me betwene, 259: All for dyspyte; 260: This payn ilk dele thou shall wyt wele, 261: May I the wyte. 262: Behald my shankes and my knees, 263: Myn armes and my thees; 264: Behold me well, looke what thou sees, 265: Bot sorow and pyne; 266: Thus was I spylt, man, for thi gylt, 267: And not for myne. 268: And yit more vnderstand thou shall; 269: In stede of drynk thay gaf me gall, 270: Asell thay menged it withall, 271: The Iues fell; 272: The payn I haue, tholyd I to saue 273: Mans saull from hell. 274: Behold, my body how Iues it dang 275: with knottys of whyppys and scorges strang; 276: As stremes of well the bloode out sprang 277: On euery syde; 278: knottes where thay hyt, well may thou wytt, 279: Maide woundys wyde. 280: And therfor thou shall vnderstand 281: In body, heed, feete, and hand, 282: ffour hundreth woundys and fyue thowsand 283: here may thou se; 284: And therto neyn were delt full euen 285: ffor luf of the. 286: Behold, on me noght els is lefte, 287: And or that thou were fro me refte, 288: All thise paynes wold I thole efte

-315-

289: And for the dy; 290: here may thou se that I luf the, 291: Man, faythfully. 292: Sen I for luf, man, boght the dere, 293: As thou thi self the sothe sees here, 294: I pray the hartely, with good chere, 295: luf me agane; 296: That it lyked me that I for the 297: tholyd all this payn. 298: If thou thy lyfe in syn haue led, 299: Mercy to ask be not adred; 300: The leste drope I for the bled 301: Myght clens the soyn, 302: All the syn the warld with in 303: If thou had done. 304: I was well wrother with Iudas 305: ffor that he wold not ask me no grace, 306: Then I was for his trespas 307: That he me sold; 308: I was redy to shew mercy, 309: Aske none he wold,. 310: lo how I hold myn armes on brede, 311: The to saue ay redy mayde; 312: That I great luf ay to the had, 313: well may thou knaw! 314: Som luf agane I wold, full fayn 315: Thou wold me shaw. 316: Bot luf noght els aske I of the, 317: And that thou fownde fast syn to fle; 318: pyne the to lyf in charyte 319: Both nyght and day; 320: Then in my blys that neuer shall mys 321: Thou shall dwell ay.

-316-

322: ffor I am veray prynce of peasse, 323: And synnes seyr I may releasse, 324: And whoso will of synnes seasse 325: And mercy cry, 326: I grauntt theym here a measse 327: In brede, myn awne body. 328: [That ilk veray brede of lyfe 329: Becommys my fleshe in wordys fyfe; 330: who so it resaues in syn or stryfe 331: Bese dede for euer; 332: And whoso it takys in rightwys lyfe 333: Dy shall he neuer.] Maria Magdalene

334: Alas! to dy with doyll am I dyght! 335: In warld was neuer a wofuller wight, 336: I drope, I dare, for seyng of sight 337: That I can se; 338: My lord, that mekill was of myght, 339: Is ded, fro me. 340: Alas! that I shuld se hys pyne, 341: Or that I shuld, his lyfe tyne, 342: ffor to ich sore he was medecyne 343: And boytte of all; 344: help and hold, to euer ilk hyne 345: To hym wold call. Maria Jacobi

346: Alas! how stand I on my feete 347: when I thynk on his woundys wete! 348: Ihesus, that was on luf so swete, 349: And neuer dyd yll, 350: Is dede and grafen vnder the grete, 351: withoutten skyll. Maria Salome

352: withoutten skyll thise Iues ilkon 353: That lufly lord thay haue hym slone, 354: And trespas dyd he neuer none,

-317-

355: In nokyn sted,; 356: To whom shall we now make oure mone? 357: Oure lord is ded. Maria Magdalene

358: Sen he is ded, my systers dere, 359: weynd we will with full good chere. 360: with oure anoyntmentys fare and clere 361: That we haue broght, 362: ffor to anoyntt his woundys sere, 363: That Iues hym wroght. Maria Jacobus

364: Go we then, my systers fre, 365: ffor sore me longis his cors to see, 366: Bot I wote neuer how best may be; 367: help haue we none, 368: And which shall of vs systers thre 369: remefe the stone? Maria Salome

370: That do we not bot we were mo, 371: ffor it is hogh and heuy also. Maria Magdalene

372: Systers, we thar no farther go 373: Ne make mowrnyng; 374: I se two syt where we weynd to, 375: In whyte clothyng. Maria Jacobi

376: Certys, the sothe is not to hyde, 377: The graue stone is put besyde. Maria Salome

378: Certys, for thyng that may betyde, 379: Now will we weynde 380: To late the luf, and with hym byde, 381: that was oure freynde. Primus Angelus

382: ye mowrnyng women in youre thoght, 383: here in this place whome haue ye soght? Maria Magdalene

384: Ihesu that vnto ded was broght, 385: Oure lord so fre. Secundus angelus

386: Certys, women, here is he noght; 387: Com nere and se.

-318-

Primus Angelus

388: he is not here, the sothe to say, 389: The place is voyde ther in he lay; 390: The sudary here se ye may 391: was on hym layde; 392: he is rysen and gone his way, 393: As he you sayde. Secundus angelus

394: Euen as he saide so done has he, 395: he is rysen thrugh his pauste; 396: he shalbe fon in galale, 397: In fleshe and fell; 398: To his dyscypyls now weynd ye, 399: And thus thaym tell. Maria Magdalene

400: My systers fre, sen it is so, 401: That he is resyn the deth thus fro, 402: As saide till vs thise angels two, 403: Oure lord and leche, 404: As ye haue hard, where that ye go 405: Loke that ye preche. Maria Jacobi

406: As we haue hard so shall we say; 407: Mare, oure syster, haue good day! Maria Magdalene

408: Now veray god, as he well may, 409: Man most of myght, 410: he wysh you, systers, well in youre way, 411: And rewle you right. 412: Alas, what shall now worth on me? 413: My catyf hart wyll breke in thre 414: when that I thynk on that ilk bodye 415: how it was spylt; 416: Thrugh feete and handys nalyd was he 417: Withoutten gylt. 418: withoutten gylt then was he tayn, 419: That lufly lord, thay haue hym slayn, 420: And tryspas dyd he neuer nane,

-319-

421: Ne yit no mys 422: It was my gylt he was fortayn, 423: And nothing his. 424: how myght I, bot I lufyd that swete 425: That for me suffred woundys wete, 426: Sythen to be grafen vnder the grete, 427: Sich kyndnes kythe; 428: Ther is nothyng till that we mete 429: may make me blythe. Primus Miles

430: Outt, alas! what shall I say? 431: where is the cors that here in lay? Secundus Miles

432: what alys the man? he is away 433: That we shuld tent! Primus Miles

Ryse vp and se. Secundus Miles
harrow! thefe! for ay 435: I cownte vs shent! Tercius Miles

436: what devyll alys you two 437: sich nose and cry thus forto may? Secundus Miles

438: ffor he is gone. Tercius Miles

439: Alas, wha? Secundus Miles

440: he that here lay. Tercius Miles

441: harrow! devill! how swa gat he away? Quartus Miles

442: what, is he thus-gatys from vs went, 443: The fals tratur that here was lentt, 444: That we truly to tent 445: had vndertane? 446: Certanly I tell vs shent 447: holly ilkane. Primus Miles

448: Alas, what shall I do this day 449: Sen this tratur is won away? 450: And safely, syrs, I dar well say 451: he rose alon. Secundus Miles

452: wytt sir pilate of this enfray 453: we mon be slone.

-320-

Quartus Miles

454: wote ye well he rose in dede? Secundus Miles

455: I sagh myself when that he yede. Primus Miles

456: when that he styrryd out of the steed 457: None couth it ken. Quartus Miles

458: Alas, hard hap was on my hede 459: emang all men. Tercius Miles

460: ye, bot wyt sir pilate of this dede, 461: That we were slepand when he yede, 462: we mon forfett, withoutten drede, 463: All that we haue. Quartus Miles

464: we must make lees, for that is nede, 465: Oure self to saue. Primus Miles

466: That red I well, so myght I go. Secundus Miles

467: And I assent therto also. Tercius Miles

468: A thowsand shall I assay, and mo, 469: well armed ilkon, 470: Com and toke his cors vs fro, 471: had vs here slone. Quartus Miles

472: Nay, certys, I hold ther none so good 473: As say the sothe right as it stude, 474: how that he rose with mayn and mode, 475: And went his way; 476: To sir pilate, if he be wode, 477: Thus dar I say. Primus Miles

478: why, and dar thou to sir pilate go 479: with thise tythyngys, and tell hym so? Secundus Miles

480: So red I that we do also, 481: we dy bot oones. Tercius Miles

482: Now he that wroght vs all this wo 483: wo worth his bones! Quartus Miles

484: Go we sam, sir knyghtys heynd,, 485: Sen we shall to sir pilate weynd, 486: I trow that we shall parte no freynd,

-321-

487: Or that we pas. Primus Miles

488: Now and I shall tell ilka word till ende, 489: right as it was. 490: Sir pilate, prynce withoutten peyr, 491: Sir Cayphas and Anna both in fere, 492: And all the lordys aboute you there, 493: To neuen by name; 494: Mahowne you saue on sydys sere 495: ffro syn and shame. Pilate

496: ye ar welcom, oure knyghtys so keyn, 497: A mekill myrth now may we meyn, 498: Bot tell vs som talkyng vs betwene, 499: How ye haue wroght. Primus Miles

500: Oure walkyng, lord, withoutten wene, 501: Is worth to noght. Caiaphas

502: To noght? alas, seasse of sich saw. Secundus Miles

503: The prophete ihesu, that ye well knaw, 504: Is rysen, and went fro vs on raw, 505: with mayn and myght. Pilate

506: Therfor the devill the all to-draw, 507: vyle recrayd knyght! 508: what! combred cowardys I you call! 509: lett ye hym pas fro you all? Tercius Miles

510: Sir, ther was none that durst do bot small 511: when that he yede. Quartus Miles

512: we were so ferde we can d,owne fall, 513: And qwoke for drede. Primus Miles

514: we were so rad, euerilkon, 515: when that he put besyde the stone, 516: we quoke for ferd, and durst styr none, 517: And sore we were abast. Pilate

518: whi, bot rose he bi hym self alone? Secundus Miles

519: ye, lord, that be ye trast,

-322-

520: we hard neuer on euyn ne morne, 521: Nor yit oure faders vs beforne, 522: Sich melody, myd-day ne morne, 523: As was maide thore. Pilate

524: Alas, then ar oure lawes forlorne 525: ffor euer more! 526: A, devill! what shall now worth of this? 527: This warld farys with quantys; 528: I pray you, Cayphas, ye vs wys 529: Of this enfray. Caiaphas

530: Sir, and I couth oght by my clergys, 531: ffayn wold I say. Anna

532: To say the best for sothe I shall; 533: It shalbe profett for vs all, 534: yond knyghtys behovys thare wordys agane call, 535: how he is myst; 536: we wold not, for thyng that myght befall, 537: That no man wyst: 538: And therfor of youre curtessie 539: Gyf theym a rewarde for-thy. Pilate

540: Of this counsell well paide am I, 541: It shalbe thus. 542: Sir knyghtys, that ar of dedys doghty, 543: Take tent till vs; 544: herkyns now how ye shall say, 545: where so ye go by nyght or day; 546: Ten thowsand men of good aray 547: Cam you vntill, 548: And thefyshly toke his cors you fray 549: Agans youre will. 550: loke ye say thus in euery land, 551: And therto on this couande 552: Ten thowsand pounds haue in youre hande

-323-

553: To youre rewarde; 554: And my frenship, I vnderstande, 555: Shall not be sparde; 556: Bot loke ye say as we haue kende. Primus Miles

557: yis, sir, as mahowne me mende, 558: In ilk contree where so we lende 559: By nyght or day, 560: where so we go, where so we weynd, 561: Thus shall we say. Pilate

562: The blyssyng of mahowne be with you nyght and day! Maria Magdalene

563: Say me, garthymere, I the pray, 564: If thou bare oght my lord away; 565: Tell me the sothe, say me not nay, 566: where that he lyys, 567: And I shall remeue hym if I may, 568: On any kyn wyse. Jesus

569: woman, why wepys thou? be styll! 570: whome sekys thou? say me thy wyll, 571: And nyk me not with nay. Maria Magdalene

572: ffor my lord I lyke full yll; 573: The stede thou bare his body tyll 574: Tell me I the pray; 575: And I shall if I may / his body bere with me, 576: Vnto myn endyng day / the better shuld I be. Jesus

577: woman, woman, turn thi thoght! 578: wyt thou well I hyd hym noght, 579: Then bare hym nawre with me; 580: Go seke, loke if thou fynde hym oght. Maria Magdalene

581: In fayth I haue hym soght, 582: Bot nawre he will fond, be. Jesus

583: why, what was he to the / In sothfastnes to say? Maria Magdalene

584: A! he was to me / no longer dwell I may. Jesus

585: Mary, thou sekys thy god, and that am I.

-324-

Maria Magdalene

586: Rabony, my lord so dere! 587: Now am I hole that thou art here, 588: Suffer me to negh the nere, 589: And kys thi feete; 590: Myght I do so, so well me were, 591: ffor thou art swete. Jesus

592: Nay, mary, neghe thou not me, 593: ffor to my fader, tell I the, 594: yit stevynd I noght; 595: Tell my brethere I shall be 596: Before theym all in trynyte 597: whose will that I haue wroght. 598: To peasse now ar thay boght / that prysond, were in pyne, 599: wherfor thou thank in thoght god, thi lord and myne 600: Mary thou shall weynde me fro, 601: Myn erand shall thou grathly go, 602: In no fowndyng thou fall; 603: To my dyscypyls say thou so, 604: That wilsom ar and lappyd in wo, 605: That I thaym socoure shall. 606: By name peter thou call and say that I shall be 607: Before hym and theym all / my self in galyle. Maria Magdalene

608: lord, I shall make my vyage 609: to tell theym hastely; 610: ffro thay here that message 611: thay will be all mery. 612: This lord was slayn, alas for-thy, 613: ffalsly spylt, noman wyst why, 614: whore he dyd mys; 615: Bot with hym spake I bodely, 616: fforthi commen is my blys. 617: Mi blys is commen, my care is gone, 618: That lufly haue I mett alone; 619: I am as blyth in bloode and bone

-325-

620: As euer was wight; 621: Now is he resyn that ere was slone, 622: Mi hart is light. 623: I am as light as leyfe on tre, 624: ffor ioyfull sight that I can se, 625: ffor well I wote that it was he 626: My lord ihesu; 627: he that betrayde that fre 628: sore may he rew. 629: To galyle now will I fare, 630: And his dyscyples cach from care; 631: I wote that thay will mowrne no mare, 632: Commyn is thare blys; 633: That worthi childe that mary bare 634: he amende youre mys. The Pilgrims Cleophas

1: Almyghty god, ihesu! ihesu 2: That borne was of a madyn fre, 3: Thou was a lord and prophete trew, 4: whyls thou had lyfe on lyfe to be 5: Emangys thise men; 6: yll was thou ded, so wo is me 7: that I it ken!

-326-

8: I ken it well that thou was slayn 9: Oonly for me and all mankynde; 10: Therto thise Iues were full bayn. 11: Alas! why was thou, man, so blynde 12: Thi lord to slo? 13: On hym why wold thou haue no mynde, 14: bot bett hym blo? 15: Blo thou bett hym bare / his brest thou maide all blak, 16: his woundes all wete thay ware / Alas, withoutten lak! Lucas

17: That lord, alas, that leche / that was so meke and mylde, 18: So well that couth vs preche with syn was neuer fylde; 19: he was full bayn to preche vs all from warkes wylde, 20: his ded it will me drech, / ffor thay hym so begylde 21: This day; 22: Alas, why dyd thay so 23: To tug hym to and fro? 24: ffrom hym wold thay not go 25: To his lyfe was away. Cleophas

26: Thise cursyd Iues, euer worth thaym wo! 27: Oure lord, oure master, to ded gart go, 28: All sakles thay gart hym slo 29: Apon the rode, 30: And forto bete his body blo 31: Thay thoght full good. Lucas

32: Thou says full sothe, thay dyd hym payn, 33: And therto were thay euer fayn. 34: Thay wold no leyf or he was slayn 35: And done to ded; 36: fforthi we mowrne with mode and mayn, 37: with rufull red. Cleophas

38: yee, rufully may we it rew, 39: ffor hym that was so good and trew, 40: That thrugh the falshede of a Iew

-327-

41: was thus betrayd; 42: Therfor oure sorow is euer new, 43: Oure ioy is layd. Lucas

44: Certys, it was a wonder thyng 45: That thay wold for no tokynyng, 46: Ne yit for his techyng, 47: Trast in that trew; 48: Thay myght haue sene in his doyng 49: full great vertu. Cleophas

50: ffor all that thay to hym can say 51: he answard neuer with yee, ne nay, 52: Bot as a lam meke was he ay, 53: ffor all thare threte; 54: he spake neuer, by nyght ne day, 55: No wordes greatte. Lucas

56: All if he wor withoutten plight, 57: Vnto the ded yit thay hym dight; 58: If he had neuer so mekill myght 59: he suffred all; 60: he stud as still, that bright, 61: As stone in wall. Cleophas

62: Alas, for doyll! what was thare skyll 63: That precyous lord so forto spill? 64: And he seruyd neuer none yll 65: In worde, ne dede; 66: Bot prayd for theym his fader till 67: To ded when that he yede. Lucas

68: When I thynk on his passyon, 69: And on his moder how she can swoyn, 70: To dy nere am I bowne, 71: ffor sorow I sagh hir make; 72: Vnder the crosse when she fell downe, 73: ffor hir son sake.

-328-

Cleophas

74: Me thynk my hart is full of wo 75: when I sagh hym to ded go; 76: Th[e] wekyd Iues thay were so thro 77: To wyrk hym woghe, 78: his fare body thay maide full blo 79: with strokes enoghe. Lucas

80: Me thynk my hart droppys all in bloode 81: when I sagh hym hyng on the roode, 82: And askyd a drynk, with full mylde mode, 83: Right than in hy; 84: Asell and gall, that was not good, 85: Thay broght hym then truly. Cleophas

86: was neuer man in no-kyns steede 87: That suffred half so greatt mysdede 88: As he, to ded or that he yede, 89: Ne yit the care; 90: fforthi full carefull is my red 91: where soeuer I fare. Lucas

92: where so I fare he is my mynde, 93: Bot when I thynk on hym so kynde, 94: how sore gyltles that he was pyynde 95: Apon a tre, 96: Vnethes may I hold, my mynde, 97: So sore myslykys me. Jesus

98: Pylgrymes, whi make ye this mone, 99: And walk so rufully by the way? 100: haue ye youre gates vngrathly gone? 101: Or what you alys to me ye say. 102: what wordes ar you two emange, 103: That ye here so sadly gang? 104: To here theym eft full sore I lang,

-329-

105: here of yow two; 106: It semys ye ar in sorow strang, 107: here as ye go. Cleophas

108: what way, for shame, man, has thou tayn 109: That thou wote not of this affray? 110: Thow art a man by the alane, 111: Thow may not pleasse me to my pay. Jesus

112: I pray you, if it be youre will, 113: Those Wordys ye wold, reherse me tyll; 114: ye ar all heuy and lykys yll 115: here in this way; 116: If ye will now shew me youre [wyll] 117: I wold you pray. Lucas

118: Art thou a pilgreme thi self alone, 119: walkand in contry bi thyn oone, 120: And wote not what is commen and gone 121: within few dayes? 122: Me thynk thou shuld make mone, 123: And wepe here in thi wayes. Jesus

124: whi, what is done can ye me say 125: In this land this ylk day? 126: Is ther fallen any affray 127: In land awre whare? 128: If ye can, me tell I you pray, 129: Or that I farthere fare. Cleophas

130: why, knowys thou not what thyng is done 131: here at Ierusalem thus sone, 132: Thrugh wykyd Iues, withoutten hone, 133: And noght lang syn? 134: flor the trewe prophete make we this mone, 135: And for his pyne. Lucas

136: yee for ihesu of nazarene, 137: That was a prophete true and clene, 138: In word, in wark, full meke, I wene,

-330-

139: And that fonde we; 140: And so has he full long bene, 141: As mot I the, 142: To god and to the people bath; 143: Therfor thise daies he has takyn skath, 144: Vnto the ded, withoutten hagh, 145: Thise Iues hym dight; 146: fforthi for hym thus walk we wrath 147: By day and nyght. Cleophas

148: Thise wykyd Iues trayed hym with gyle 149: To thare high preestys within a whyle, 150: And to thare prynces thay can hym fyle, 151: withoutten drede; 152: Apon a crosse, noght hens a myle, 153: To ded he yede. Lucas

154: we trowyd that it was he truly 155: his awne lyfe agane shuld by, 156: As it is told in prophecy 157: Of Cristys doyng; 158: And, certys, thay will neuer ly 159: ffor noykyns thyng. 160: ffro he was of the crosse tayn 161: he was layde full sone agane 162: In a graue, vnder a stane, 163: And that we saw; 164: wheder he be rysen and gane 165: yit we ne knaw. Jesus

166: Pilgremes, in speche ye are full awth, 167: That shall I well declare you why, 168: ye haue it hart, and that is rawth, 169: ye can no better stand therby, 170: Thyng that ye here; 171: And prophetys told it openly 172: On good manere.

-331-

173: Thay saide a childe there shuld be borne 174: To by mankynde combryd in care; 175: Thus saide dauid here beforne 176: And othere prophetys wyse of lare, 177: And daniell; 178: Som saide he ded shuld be, 179: And ly in erth by dayes thre, 180: And sithen, thrugh his pauste, 181: Ryse vp in flesh and fell. Cleophas

182: Now, sir, for sothe, as god me saue, 183: women has flayed vs in oure thoght; 184: Thay saide that thay were at his graue, 185: And in that sted, thay faunde hym noght, 186: Bot saide a light 187: Com downe with angels, and vp hym broght 188: Ther in thare sight. 189: we wold not trow theym for nothyng, 190: If thay were ther in the mornyng, 191: we saide thay knew not his rysyng 192: when it shuld be; 193: Bot som of vs, without dwellyng, 194: wentt theder to se. Lucas

195: yee, som of vs, sir, haue beyn thare, 196: And faunde it as the women saide, 197: Out of that sted that cors was fare, 198: And also the graue stone put besyde, 199: we se with ee; 200: The teres outt of myn ees can glyde, 201: ffor doyll I dre. Jesus

202: ye foyles, ye ar not stabyll! 203: where is youre witt, I say? 204: wilsom of hart ye ar vnabyll 205: And outt of the right way,

-332-

206: ffor to trow it is no fabyll 207: that at is fallen this same day. 208: he wyst, when he sat at his tabill, 209: that Iudas shuld, hym sone betray. 210: Me thynk you all vntrist to trow, 211: both in mode and mayn, 212: All that the prophetys told to you 213: before, it is no trane. 214: Told, not thay what wyse and how 215: That cryst shuld suffre payn? 216: And so to his paske bow 217: To entre till his ioy agane. 218: Take tent to moyses and othere mo, 219: that were prophetys trew and good; 220: Thay saide ihesus to ded, shuld go, 221: And pynde be on roode; 222: Thrugh the Iues he maide full blo, 223: his woundys rynyng on red blode; 224: Sithen shuld he ryse and furth go 225: before, right as he yode. 226: Crist behovid to suffre this, 227: fforsothe, right as I say, 228: And sithen enter into his blys 229: vnto his fader for ay, 230: Euer to won with hym and his, 231: where euer is gam and play; 232: Of that myrth shall he neuer mys 233: ffro he weynde hens away. Cleophas

234: Now, sir, we thank it full oft sythes, 235: the commyng of you heder; 236: To vs so kyndly kythes 237: the prophecy all to geder. Jesus

238: By leyff now, sirs, for I must weynde, 239: ffor I haue far of my iornay. Lucas

240: Now, sir, we pray you, as oure freynde,

-333-

241: All nyght to abyde for charite, 242: And take youre r[est]; 243: At morne more prest then may ye be 244: to go full prest. Cleophas

245: Sir, we you pray, for godys sake, 246: This nyght penance with vs to take, 247: With sich chere as we can make, 248: And that we pray; 249: we may no farthere walk ne wake, 250: Gone is the day. Lucas

251: Dwell with vs, sir, if ye myght, 252: ffor now it waxes to the nyght, 253: The day is gone that was so bright, 254: No far thou shall; 255: Mete and drynk, sir, we you hight 256: ffor thi good tale. Jesus

257: I thank you both, for sothe, in fere, 258: At this tyme I ne may dwell here, 259: I haue to walk in wayes sere, 260: where I haue hight; 261: I may not be, withoutten were, 262: With you all nyght. Cleophas

263: Now, as myght I lyf in qwarte, 264: At this tyme will we not parte, 265: Bot if that thou can more of arte 266: Or yit of lare; 267: Vnto this cyte, with good harte, 268: Now let vs fare. Lucas

269: Thou art a pilgreme, as we ar, 270: This nyght shall thou fare as we fare, 271: Be it les or be it mare 272: Thou shall assay; 273: Then to-morne thou make the yare 274: To weynde thi Way.

-334-

Jesus

275: ffreyndys, forto fulfill youre will 276: I will abyde with you awhyle. Cleophas

277: Sir, ye ar welcom, as is skyll, 278: To sich as we haue, bi sant gyle. Lucas

279: Now ar we here at this towne, 280: I red that we go sytt vs downe, 281: And forto sowpe we make vs bowne, 282: Now of oure fode; 283: we haue enogh, sir, bi my crowne, 284: Of godys goode. Cleophas

285: lo, here a borde and clothe laide, 286: And breed, theron, all redy graide; 287: Sit we downe, we shalbe paide, 288: And make good chere; 289: It is but penaunce, as we saide, 290: That we haue here. Lucas

291: wemmow! where is this man becom, 292: Right here that sat betwix vs two? 293: he brake the breed and laide vs som; 294: how myght he hens now fro vs go 295: At his awne lyst? 296: It was oure lorde, I trow right so, 297: And we not wyst. Cleophas

298: When went he hens, whedir, and how, 299: What I ne wote in warld so wyde, 300: ffor had I wyten, I make a vowe, 301: he shuld haue byden, what so betyde; 302: Bot it were ihesus that with vs was, 303: Selcowth me thynke, the sothe to say,

-335-

304: Thus preualy from vs to pas, 305: I wist neuer when he went away. 306: we were full blynde, euer alas! 307: I tell vs now begylde for ay, 308: ffor spech and bewte that he has 309: Man myght hym knaw this day. Lucas

310: A, dere god, what may this be? 311: Right now was he here by me; 312: Now is this greatt vanyte, 313: he is away; 314: We ar begylyd, by my lewte, 315: So may we say. Cleophas

316: where was oure hart, where was oure thoght, 317: So far on gate as he vs broght, 318: knawlege of hym that we had noght 319: In all that tyme? 320: So was he lyke, bi hym me wroght, 321: Till oon pylgryme. Lucas

322: Dere god, why couth we hym not knawe? 323: so openly all on a raw 324: The tayles that he can till vs shaw, 325: By oone and oon; 326: And now from vs within a thraw 327: Thus sone is gone. Cleophas

328: I had no knawlege it was he, 329: Bot for he brake this brede in thre, 330: And delt it here to the and me 331: With his awne hande; 332: When he passyd, hence we myght not se, 333: here syttande. Lucas

334: Wee ar to blame, yee, veramente, 335: That we toke no better tente 336: whils we bi the way wente

-336-

337: With hym that stownd,; 338: knowlege of hym we myght haue hentt, 339: Syttyng on grownd,. Cleophas

340: ffro he toke breede full well I wyst, 341: And brake it here with his awne fyste, 342: And laide it vs at his awne lyst, 343: As we it hent; 344: I knew hym then, and sone it kyst 345: with good, intente. Lucas

346: That we hym knew wist he well enogh, 347: Therfor all sone he hym withdrogh, 348: ffro he saw that we hym knogh, 349: with in this sted; 350: I haue ferly what way and how 351: Away that he shuld glyde. Cleophas

352: Alas, we war full myrk in thoght, 353: bot we were both full will of red,; 354: Man, for shame whi held, thou noght 355: when he on borde brake vs this breede? 356: he soght the prophecy more and les 357: And told it vs right in this sted,, 358: how that he hym self was 359: With wykid Iues broght to ded,, 360: And more; 361: we will go seke that kyng 362: That suffred woundes sore. Lucas

363: Ryse, go we hence from this place, 364: To Ierusalem take we the pace, 365: And tell oure brethere all the case, 366: I red right thus; 367: ffrom ded, to lyfe when that he rase 368: he apperyd till vs.

-337-

Cleophas

369: At Ierusalem I vnderstande, 370: Ther hope I that they be dwelland, 371: In that countre and in that land 372: We shall theym mete. 373: Weynd we furth, I dar warand,, 374: Right in the strete. Lucas

375: let vs not tary ne mare, 376: Bot on oure feete fast lett vs fare; 377: I hope we shall be cachid fro care 378: ffull sone, Iwys; 379: That blyssid childe that marie bare 380: Grauntt you his blys. Thomas of India Maria Magdalene

1: Hayll brethere! and god be here! 2: I bryng to amende youre chere, 3: Trist ye it and knawe; 4: he is rysen, the soth to say, 5: I met hym goyng bi the way, 6: he bad me tell it you. Peter

7: Do way, woman, thou carpys wast! 8: It is som spirite, or els som gast; 9: Othere was it noght;

-338-

10: we may trow on nokyns wyse 11: That ded man may to lyfe ryse; 12: This then is oure thoght. Paul

13: It may be sothe for mans mede, 14: The Iues maide hym grymly blede 15: Thrugh feet, handys, and syde; 16: With nayles on rode thay dyd hym hang, 17: wherfor, woman, thou says wrang, 18: As myght I blys abide. Maria Magdalene

19: Do way youre threpyng! ar ye wode? 20: I sagh hym that dyed on roode, 21: And with hym spake with mowth; 22: Therfor you both, red I, 23: putt away your heresy, 24: Tryst it stedfast and cowth. Peter

25: Do way, woman! let be thi fare, 26: ffor shame and also syn! 27: If we make neuer sich care 28: his lyfe may we not wyn. Paul

29: And it is wretyn in oure law 30: `Ther is no trust in womans saw, 31: No trust faith to belefe; 32: ffor with thare quayntyse and thare gyle 33: Can thay laghe and wepe som while, 34: And yit nothyng theym grefe.’ 35: In oure bookes thus fynde we wretyn, 36: All manere of men well it wyttyn, 37: Of women on this wyse; 38: Till an appyll she is lyke-39: Withoutten faill ther is none slyke-40: In horde ther it lyse, 41: Bot if a man assay it wittely, 42: It is full roten inwardly 43: At the colke within;

-339-

44: Wherfor in woman is no laghe, 45: ffor she is withoutten aghe, 46: As crist me lowse of syn. 47: Thefor trast we not trystely, 48: Bot if we sagh it witterly 49: Then wold we trastly trow; 50: In womans saw affy we noght, 51: ffor thay ar fekill in word and thoght, 52: This make I myne avowe. Maria Magdalene

53: As be I lowsid of my care, 54: It is as trew as ye stand thare, 55: By hym that is my brothere. Peter

56: I dar lay my heede to wed, 57: Or that we go vntill oure bed 58: That we shall here anothere. Paul

59: If it be sothe that we here say, 60: Or this be the thrid day 61: The sothe then mon we se. Maria Magdalene

62: Bot it be sothe to trow, 63: As ye mon here, els pray I you 64: ffor fals that ye hold me. Peter

65: Waloway! my lefe deres / there I stand in this sted, 66: sich sorow my hart sheres for rewth I can no red,; 67: sen that mawdleyn witnes beres that ihesus rose from ded, 68: Myn ees has letten salt teres on erthe to se ym trede. 69: Bot alas! that euer I woke that carefull catyf nyght, 70: When I for care and cold, qwoke by a fyre burnyng full bright, 71: When I my lord ihesu forsoke for drede of womans myght; 72: A rightwys dome I will me loke / that I tyne not that semely sight,

-340-

73: Bot euer alas! what was I wode! / myght noman be abarstir; 74: I saide if he nede be-stode to hym shuld none be trastir; 75: I saide I knew not that good creature my master. 76: Alas! that we fro the fled that we ne had with the gane; 77: When thou with Iues was sted with the was dwelland nane, 78: Bot forsoke the that vs fed for we wold not be tayn; 79: we were as prysoners sore adred with Iues forto be slayn. Paul

80: Now, ihesu, for thi lyfe swete who hath thus mastryd the? 81: That in the breede that we eytt thi self gyffen wold be; 82: And sythen thrugh handys and feytt be nalyd on a tre; 83: Grauntt vs grace that we may yit thi light in manhede se. Tercius Apostolus

84: This is the day that god maide all be we glad and blythe, 85: The holy gost before vs glad full softly on his sithe; 86: Red clothyng apon he had and blys to vs can kith; 87: softly on the erthe he trade ffulle myldly [he did] lythe. Quartus Apostolus

88: This dede thrugh god is done thus in all oure sighte. 89: Mighty god, true kyng in trone Whose son in marye light, 90: send vs, lord, thi blissid bone As thou art god of myght, 91: Sothly to se hym sone and haue of hym a sight.

-341-

Quintus Apostolus

92: Who so commys in goddis name ay blissid mot he be! 93: Mightfull god shelde vs fro shame In thi moder name marie; 94: Thise wykid Iues will vs blame Thou grauntt vs for to se 95: The self body and the same the which that died on tre. Jesus

96: peasse emangys you euer ichon! it is I, drede you noght, 97: That was wonte with you to gone and dere with ded you boght. 98: Grope and fele flesh and bone and fourme of man well wroght; 99: Sich thyng has goost none loke wheder ye knawe me oght. 100: My rysyng fro dede to lyfe shall no man agane moytt; 101: Behold my woundes fyfe thrugh handys, syde, and foytt; 102: To ded can luf me dryfe and styrryd my hart roytt. 103: Of syn who will hym shryfe thyes woundys shalbe his boytt. 104: ffor oon so swete a thyng my self so lefe had wroght, 105: Man sawll, my dere derlyng to batell was I broght; 106: ffor it thay can me dyng to bryng out of my thoght, 107: On roode can thay me hyng yit luf forgate I noght. 108: luf makys me, as ye may se strenkyllid, with blood so red; 109: luf gars me haue hart so fre it opyns euery sted; 110: luf so fre so dampnyd me it drofe me to the ded; 111: luf rasid, me thrug his pauste it is swetter then med. 112: wytterly, man, to the I cry thou yeme my fader fere, 113: Thyn awne sawll kepe cleynly whyls thou art wardan here; 114: slo it not with thi body synnyng in synnes sere, 115: On me and it thou haue mercy for I haue boght it dere.

-342-

116: Mi dere freyndys, now may ye se for soth that [it] is I 117: That dyed apon the roode tre and sythen rose bodely; 118: That it all-gatys sothfast be ye shall se hastely; 119: Of youre mett gif ye me sich as ye haue redy. Sextus Apostolus

120: lord, lo her a rostid fish and a comb of hony 121: laide full fare in a dish and full honestly; 122: here is none othere mett bot this in all oure company, 123: Bot well is vs that we haue this to thi lykyng only. Jesus

124: Mi dere fader of heuen that maide me borne to be 125: Of a madyn withoutten steven and sithen to die on tre, 126: ffrom ded to lif at set stevyn rasid me thrugh thi paustee, 127: with the wordys that I shall neven this mette thou blis thrugh me. 128: In the fader name and the son and the holy gast, 129: Thre persons to knaw and com in oone godhede stedfast; 130: I gif this mett my benyson thrugh wordys of myghtys mast; 131: Now will I ette, as I was won my manhede eft to tast 132: My dere freyndys lay hand till eyttys for charite; 133: I ette at my fader will at my will ette now ye. 134: That I ette is to fulfill that writen is of me 135: In moyses law, for it is skyll ffulfillyd that it be. 136: Myn ye noght that I you told, in certan tyme and sted,, 137: When I gaf myself to wold, to you in fourme of bred,, 138: That my body shuld be sold, my bloode be spylt so red; 139: This [co]rs gravyn ded, and cold, the thrid day ryse fro ded?

-343-

140: youre hartes was fulfillyd with drede whyls I haue fro you bene; 141: The rysyng of my manhede vnethes wold, ye weyn; 142: Of trouth now may ye spede thorow stedfast wordys and cleyn. 143: leyf freyndys, trow now the dede that ye with ees haue sene. 144: ye haue forthynkyng and shame for youre dysseferance, 145: I forgif you the blame in me now haue affyance; 146: The folk that ar with syn lame preche theym to repentance, 147: fforgif syn in my name enioyne theym to penance. 148: The grace of the holy gost to wyn resaue here at me; 149: The which shall neuer blyn. I gif you here pauste; 150: whom in erth ye lowse of syn in heuen lowsyd shall be, 151: And whom in erthe ye bynd ther-in In heuen bonden be he. Septimus Apostolus

152: Ihesu crist in trynyte Ihesu to cry and call, 153: That borne was of a madyn fre thou saue vs synfull all! 154: ffor vs hanged apon a tre drank asell and gall, 155: Thi seruandys saue fro vanyte In wanhope that we not fall. Octavus Apostolus

156: Brethere, be we stabyll of thoght wanhope put we away, 157: Of mysbelefe that we be noght for we may safly say 158: he that mankynde on rood boght fro dede rose the thryd day; 159: we se the woundys in hym was wroght all blody yit were thay.

-344-

Novenus Apostolus

160: he told vs fyrst he shuld, be tayn And for mans syn shuld dy, 161: Be ded and beryd vnder a stayn and after ryse vp bodely; 162: Now is he quyk fro grafe gan he cam and stode vs by, 163: And lete vs se ilkan the Woundys of his body. Decimus Apostolus

164: Deth that is so kene ihesu ouer comen has, 165: As he vs told, yit may we mene from ded how he shuld, pas; 166: Ihesu stode witnes betwene that with hym dwelland, was, 167: All his dyscyples has hym sene safe oonly thomas. Thomas

168: If that I prowde as pacok go,/ my hart is full of care; 169: If any sorow myght a man slo my hart in sonder it share; 170: Mi life wyrkys me all this wo of blys I am full bare, 171: yit wold I nawthere freynd ne fo wyst how wo me ware. 172: Ihesu, my lyfe so good ther none myght better be, 173: None wysere man then better food nor none kyndere then he; 174: The Iues haue nalyd his cors on rood nalyd with nales thre, 175: And, with a spere thay spylt his blood great sorow it was to se. 176: To se the stremes of blood ryn well more then doyll it was, 177: sich great payn for mans syn sich doyllfull ded, he has; 178: I haue lyfid withoutten wyn sen he to ded can pas, 179: ffor he was fare of cheke and chyn / for doyll of ded, alas!

-345-

180: Myghty god for to dyscryfe / that neuer dyed,, ne shall, 181: wo and wandreth from you dryfe / that ye not therin fall. Peter

182: he the saue with woundys fyfe / his son ihesu to call, 183: That rose from deth to lyfe / and shewyd, hym till vs all. Thomas

184: whannow, peter! art thou mad,? / on lyfe who was hym lyke! 185: ffor his deth I am not glad for sorow my hart will breke, 186: That with the Iues he was so stad to ded they can hym wreke; 187: Thou hym forsoke, so was thou rad, / when they to the can speke. Paul

188: let be, leyf brothere thomas / and turne thi thoght belyfe, 189: ffor the thryd day ihesus rase fleshly fro ded to lyfe; 190: Till vs all he cam a pase and shewyd his woundys fyfe, 191: And lyfyng man, and etten hase / hony takyn of a hyfe. Thomas

192: Let be for shame! apartly / ffantom dyssauys the! 193: ye sagh hym not bodely his gost it myght well be, 194: fforto glad youre hartes sory in youre aduersyte; 195: he luffyd vs well and faythfully / therfor sloes sorow me. Tercius Apostolus

196: Thou wote, thomas / and sothe it was, and oft has thou hard say, 197: how a fysh swalod, ionas thre dayes therin he lay; 198: yit gaf god hym myght to pas whyk man to wyn away; 199: Myght not god sich myght has / rase his son apon the thryd day? Thomas

200: Man, if thou can vnderstand / cryst saide his self, mynnys me, 201: That all lokyn was in his hande / all oone was god and he!

-346-

202: The son wax marke, all men seand / when he died, on the tre, 203: Therfor am I full sore dredand, / that who myght his boote be. Quartus Apostolus

204: the holy gost in marye light / and in hir madynhede 205: Goddis son she held, and dight and cled hym in manhede; 206: ffor luf he wentt as he had hight to fight withoutten drede; 207: when he had termynd that fight / he skypt outt of his wede. Thomas

208: If he skypt outt of his clethyng / yit thou grauntys his cors was ded,; 209: It was his cors that maide shewyng vnto you in his sted; 210: fforto trow in youre carpyng my hart is hevy as led; 211: his dede me bryngys in great mowrneyng / and I withoutten red. Quintus Apostolus

212: The gost went to hell a pase / whils the cors lay slayn, 213: And broght the sawles from sathanas for which he suffred, payn; 214: The thryd day right he gase right vnto the cors agayn, 215: Mighty god and man he rase / and therfor ar we fayn. Thomas

216: All sam to me ye flyte / youre resons fast ye shawe, 217: Bot tell me a skyll perfyte any of you on raw; 218: when cryst cam you to vysyte as ye tell me with saw, 219: A whyk man from spyryte / wherby couth ye hym knaw? Sextus Apostolus

220: Thomas, vnto the anone / herto answere I will; 221: Man has both flesh and bone hu, hyde, and hore thertill; 222: sich thyng has goost none thomas, lo, here thi skyll; 223: Goddis son toke of mary flesh and bone / what nede were els thertill?

-347-

Thomas

224: Thou has answered me ffull Wele / and, full skylfully, 225: Bot my hart is harde as stele to trow in sich mastry; 226: Say, bad he any of you fele the woundys of his body, 227: fflesh or bone or ilka dele / to assay his body? Septimus Apostolus

228: yis, thomas, he bad vs se / and handill hym with hande, 229: To loke wheder it were he ihesu, man lyfand, 230: That dyed apon a tre flesh and bone we fand, 231: his woundes had bene pyte / to towch that were bledand. Thomas

232: Waloway! ye can no good / youre resons ar defaced, 233: ye ar as women rad for blood, and lightly oft solaced; 234: It was a goost before you stod lyke hym in blood betraced, 235: his cors that dyed on rood / for euer hath deth embraced. Octavus Apostolus

236: Certys, thomas, gretter care / myght no synfull wight haue 237: Then she had, that wepyd so sare the mawdleyn at his graue; 238: ffor sorow and doyll hir awne hare of hir hede she rent and rafe, 239: Ihesu shewid hym till hir thare / hir sorow of syn to safe. Thomas

240: lo, sich foly with you is / wysemen that shuld be, 241: That thus a womans witnes trowys better than that ye se! 242: In all youre skylles more and les for mysfowndyng fayll ye; 243: Might I se ihesu gost and flesh / gropyng shuld not gab me. Novenus Apostolus

244: lefe thomas, flyte no more / bot trow and turne thi red, 245: Or els say vs when and whore crist gabbyd in any sted; 246: ffor he saide vs when thou was thore when he hym gaf in bred,, 247: That he shuld, salfe all oure sore / quyk rysand fro ded,.

-348-

Thomas

248: he was full sothfast in his sawes / that dar I hertly say, 249: And rightwys in all his lawes whils that he lyfyd ay; 250: Bot sen he shuld thole hard thrawes on tre whils that he lay, 251: Dede has determyd his dayes / his lyfe noght trow I may. Decimus Apostolus

252: Thyne hard hart thi saull will dwyrd / Thomas, bot if thou blyn; 253: he has ded conquerd, and weshen vs all fro syn. 254: May nawder knyfe ne swerde hym eft to ded wyn; 255: Goddys myght in hym apperd, / that neuer more shall blyn. Thomas

256: That god I trow full Wele / goostly to you light, 257: Bot bodely neuer a dele ihesu that woundid wyght. 258: My hart is harde as stele to trow in sich a myght, 259: Bot if I that wounde myght fele / that hym gaf longeus the knyght. Peter

260: That wounde haue we sene, thomas / and so has mo then we; 261: With lucas and with cleophas he welke a day Iurnee; 262: Thare hartes that for hym sory was with prophecy comforted he, 263: To Emaus castell can thai pas ther hostyld thai all thre. 264: Ihesu, goddis son of heuen at sopere satt betweyn; 265: Ther bred he brake as euen / as it cutt had beyn. Thomas

266: Nothyng that ye may neuen / his rysyng gars me weyn, 267: If ye me told, sich seuen / the more ye myght me teyn. Paul

268: Thomas, brothere, turne thi thoght / and trust that I say the; 269: Ihesu so dere has boght oure synnes apon a tree, 270: which rysyng hath broght adam and his meneyee. Thomas

271: lett be youre fayr! shew it noght/ that he efte quyk shuld be.

-349-

Tercius Apostolus

272: That must thou nedelyngys trow if thou thi saull will saue, 273: ffor that we sa we dar avowe ihesu rose quyk from graue. Thomas

274: I haue you saide, and yit dos now thise wordes to wast ye haue; 275: he shewid hym not to you for mysfoundyng ye rafe. Quartus Apostolus

276: ffor we say that we haue sene thou hold,ys vs wars then woode; 277: Ihesu lyfyng stod vs betwene oure lord that with vs yode. Thomas

278: I say ye wote neuer what ye mene a goost before you stode; 279: ye wenyd that it had bene the cors that died on roode. Quintus Apostolus

280: The cors that dyed on tre was berid in a stone, 281: The thurgh beside fande we and in that graue cors was none; 282: his sudary ther myght we se / and he thens whik was gone. Thomas

283: Noght, bot stolne is he / with Iues that hym haue slone. Sextus Apostolus

284: Certys, thomas, thou sais not right thay wold, hym not stele, 285: ffor thay gart kepe hym day and nyght with knyghtys that they held lele; 286: he rose has we haue sene in sight / fro all the Iues fele. Thomas

287: I lefe not bot if I myght / myself with hym dele. Septimus Apostolus

288: He told vs tythyngys, thomas yit mynnys me, 289: That as Ionas thre dayes was In a fysh in the see, 290: so shuld he be, and bene has in erth by dayes thre, 291: pas fro ded, ryse, and rase as he saide done has he.

-350-

Thomas

292: Certys, that worde I harde hym say and so harde ye hym all, 293: Bot for nothyng trow I may that it so shuld befall, 294: That he shuld ryse the thrid day that dranke asell and gall: 295: sen he was god and ded lay from ded, who myght hym call? Octavus Apostolus

296: The fader that hym sent rasid hym that was ded, 297: he comforth vs in mowrnyng lent and counseld vs in red; 298: he bad vs trow with good intent his rysyng in euery sted; 299: Thyne absens gars thi saull be shent and makys the heuy as led. Thomas

300: Thou says soth, harde and heuy am I to traw that ye me say; 301: Mi hardnes I trow skilfully for he told vs thus ay, 302: That his fader was euer hym by for all bot oon were thay; 303: That he rose bodely for nothyng trow I may. Novenus Apostolus

304: May thou not trow withoutten mo for sothe, that it was he? 305: Thomas wherto shuld we say so? then wenys thou fals we be. Thomas

306: I wote youre hartes was full wo and fownd with vanyte; 307: If ye swere all and ye were mo I trow it not or that I se. Decimus Apostolus

308: Thomas, of errowre thou blyn and till vs turne thi mode; 309: Trow his rysyng by dayes threyn sen he died on the rode. Thomas

310: Noght bot I myght my fynger wyn in sted as nayle stode, 311: And his syde my hande put in ther he shed his hart bloode.

-351-

Jesus

312: Brethere all, be with you peasse! leaffe stryfe that now is here! 313: Thomas, of thyn errowre seasse of sothe Witnes thou bere; 314: putt thi hande in my syde, no fres ther longeus put his spere; 315: loke my rysyng be no les let no wanhope the dere. Thomas

316: Mercy, ihesu, rew on me my hande is blody of thi blode! 317: Mercy ihesu, for I se thi myght that I not vnderstode! 318: Mercy, ihesu, I pray the that for all synfull died on roode! 319: Mercy, ihesu, of mercy fre for thi goodnes that is so goode! 320: kest away my staf will I and with no wepyn gang; 321: Mercy will I call and cry ihesu that on roode hang; 322: Rew on me, kyng of mercy let me not cry thus lang! 323: Mercy, for the velany thou tholyd on Iues with wrang. 324: Mi hat will I kest away my mantill sone onone, 325: vnto the poore help it may for richere knawe I none. 326: Mercy will I abyde, and pray to the ihesu, alone; 327: My synfull dede I rew ay to the make I my mone. 328: Mercy, ihesu, lorde swete for thi fyfe woundys so sare, 329: Thou suffred thrugh handys and feete thi semely side a spere it share; 330: Mercy, ihesu, lord, yit for thi moder that the bare! 331: Mercy, for the teres thou grett when thou rasid lazare! 332: Mi gyrdill gay and purs of sylk and cote away thou shall; 333: whils I am werere of swylke the longere mercy may I call. 334: Ihesu, that soke the madyns mylk ware noght bot clothes of pall, 335: Thi close so can thai fro the pyke on roode thay left the small.

-352-

336: Mercy, ihesu, honoure of man mercy, ihesu, mans socoure! 337: Mercy, ihesu, rew thi leman mans saull, thou boght full soure! 338: Mercy, ihesu, that may and can forgif syn and be socoure! 339: Mercy, ihesu, as thou vs wan forgif and gif thi man honoure. Jesus

340: None myght bryng the in that wytt for oght that thay myght say, 341: To trow that I myght flytt fro ded to lyfe to wyn away; 342: My saull and my cors haue knytt a knott that last shall ay; 343: Thus shall I rase, well thou wytt ilk man on domesday. 344: Who so hath not trowid right to hell I shall theym lede, 345: Ther euer more is dark as nyght and greatt paynes to drede; 346: Those that trow in my myght and luf well almus dede, 347: Thai shall shyne as son bright and heuen haue to thare mede. 348: That blys, thomas, I the hete that is in heuen cytee, 349: ffor I se the sore grete of the I haue pytee; 350: Thomas, for thi teres wete thi syn forgiffen be, 351: Thus shall synfull thare synnes bete that sore haue grefyd me. 352: Thomas, for thou felys me and my woundes bare, 353: Mi risyng is trowed in the and so was it not are; 354: All that it trowes and not se and dos after my lare, 355: Euer blissid mot thay be and heuen be theym yare!

-353-

The Lord’s Ascension Thomas

1: Brethere all, that now here bene, 2: fforgett my lorde yit may I noght; 3: I wote not what it may mene, 4: Bot more I Weyn ther will be wroght. John

5: My lord, ihesus will wyrk his will, 6: pleatt we neuer agans his thoght, 7: ffor vs ne wyrkes, as it is skyll, 8: his hand-warke that he has wroght. Symon

9: Apon his wordes will I ryst 10: that he his self saide vs vntill, 11: As stedfastly on hym to tryst, 12: Mystrust we neuer for goode ne ill. Peter

13: In heuen and erthe his myght may be, 14: his wytt and his will also; 15: The holy gost, brethere, ment he, 16: thus will he neuer fro vs go. 17: ffourty dayes now drawes nere 18: sen his resurreccyon complete; 19: Afore that will he appere, 20: thus sodanly not lefe vs yett.

-354-

21: In bethany here let vs abyde, 22: We knaw not yit what may befall; 23: peraventur it may betyde, 24: he shall full well comforth vs all. Jesus

25: peasse now, my dere freyndys! 26: peasse be with you euer and ay! 27: ffor it all wrangys amendys; 28: peasse brethere, sam I say! 29: Brethere, in hartes be nothyng heuy 30: what tyme that I from you am gone, 31: I must go from you sone, in hy, 32: bot neuer the les make ye no mone; 33: ffor I shall send to you anone 34: the holy gost, to comforth you, 35: you to wysh in euery wone 36: I shall you tell what-wyse and how. 37: It shalbe for youre prow 38: that I thus-gatys shall do; 39: It has been saide or now 40: My fader must I to. 41: with hym must I abide and dwell, 42: ffor so it is his will; 43: ffor youre comforth thus I you tell, 44: be ye stedfast for good or ill. 45: Abide me here right on this hill 46: to that I com to you agane, 47: this forwarde must I nedys fulfill, 48: I will no longer fro you lane; 49: And therfor loke that ye be bayn, 50: and also trew and stedfast, 51: ffor who soeuer you oght frayn 52: when that I am past.

-355-

Peter

53: ffull heuy in hart now may we be 54: that we oure master sall forgo, 55: Bot neuer the les yit saide he 56: he wold not dwell full lang vs fro. 57: What wonder is if we be wo, 58: thus sodanly shall oure master mys, 59: And masters on lyfe haue we no mo 60: that in this warld shuld vs wys. 61: he will pas furth to blys, 62: and leyfe vs here behynde, 63: No meruell now it is 64: if we mowrne now in oure mynde. Jesus

65: In oure mynde mowrne we may, 66: as men that masyd ar and mad, 67: And yit also, it is no nay, 68: we may be blythe and glad, 69: Because of tythyngys that we had,, 70: that his self can vs say; 71: he bad be blythe and noght adrad, 72: ffor he wold not be long away. 73: Bot yit both nyght and day 74: oure hartes may be full sore, 75: As me thynk, by my fay, 76: ffor wordes he saide lang ore. Thomas

77: lang ore he saide, full openly, 78: that he must nedys fro vs twyn, 79: And to his fader go in hy, 80: to Ioy of heuen that neuer shall blyn; 81: Therfor we mowrne, both more and myn, 82: And mery also yit may we be; 83: he bad vs all, both outt and in, 84: be glad and blythe in ich degre, 85: And saide that com shuld, he 86: to comforth vs kyndly; 87: Bot yit heuy ar we 88: to we hym se truly.

-356-

Jacobus

89: With ee wold we hym se oure saveoure crist, goddys son, 90: That dyed apon a tre yit trewe I that we mon: 91: Now god grauntt vs that boyn that with his bloode vs boght, 92: To se hym in his throne as he maide all of noght; 93: his will now has he wroght and gone from vs away, 94: As he noght of vs roght and therfor mowrne we may. Philip

95: We may mowrne, no meruell why for we oure master thus shall mys, 96: That shall go fro vs sodanly and we ne wote what cause is, 97: Neuer the les the sothe is this he saide that he shuld com agane 98: To bryng vs all to blys therof may we be fane. 99: That commyng will vs mych gane and oure saules all saue, 100: And put vs fro that payn that we were lyke to haue. Jesus

101: herkyns to me now, euer ichon and here what I will say, 102: ffor I must nedys fro you gone for thus my fader will allway, 103: And therfor peasse be with you ay where so ye dwell in wone, 104: And to saue you fro all fray my peasse be with you blood and bone. 105: I lefe it you bi oon and oone noght as the warld, here dos, 106: It shalbe true as any stone to defende you fro youre foos. 107: let not youre hartes be heuy drede not for any kyns thyng, 108: ye haue harde me say full playnly I go, and to you am I commyng. 109: If ye luf me, for-thi ye shuld, be glad, of this doyng, 110: ffor I go full securly to my fader, heuyns kyng; 111: The which, without lesyng is mekill more then I, 112: Therfor be ye thus trowyng when all is endid fully.

-357-

113: ye haue bene of mysbilefe hard of harte and also of will; 114: To theym that my rysyng can prefe no credence wold, ye gif theym till; 115: Mary mawdlayn saide you till that I was rysyn, bot ye ne wold 116: hir trow for good or ill the trouth all if she told,. 117: sich harmes in hartes ye hold and vnstedfast ye ar, 118: ye trowid no man of mold, witnes of my rysyng that bare; 119: Therfor ye shall go tech in all this warld, so wyde, 120: And to all the people preche Who baptym will abyde, 121: And trowe truly 122: Mi dethe and rysyng, 123: and also myn vpstevynyng, 124: And also myn agane-commyng, 125: thay shalbe saue suerly. 126: And Who trowys not this 127: That now rehersyd, is, 128: he shalbe dampned, Iwys, 129: ffor veniance and for wreke. 130: Tokyns, for sothe, shall bene 131: Of those that trow, withoutten weyn; 132: Devyls shall thay kest out cleyn, 133: And with new tongys speke. 134: Serpentes shall thay put away, 135: And venymus drynk, bi nyght and day, 136: Shall not noy theym, as I say; 137: And where thay lay on handys 138: Of seke men far and nere, 139: Thay shalbe hole, withoutten dere, 140: Of all sekenes and sorowes sere, 141: Euer in alkyn landys.

-358-

142: And therfor now I byd that ye 143: Go not from ierosolyme, 144: Bot abide the behest of my fader fre 145: In land ay whore, 146: That ye haue hard here of me; 147: ffor Iohn baptist, dere in degre, 148: In water forsoth baptysid me 149: Now here before; 150: And ye certan in euery coste 151: shall baptise in the holy goost, 152: Thrug vertue of hym that is the moost 153: lord god of myght, 154: within few dayes now folowyng; 155: And herof meruell ye nothyng, 156: ffor this shalbe his awne wyrkyng, 157: shewyd in youre sight Peter

158: ffarlee may we fownde and fare 159: for myssyng of oure master ihesus; 160: Oure hartys may sygh and be full sare, 161: this Iues with wreke thay waten vs. 162: Vs to tray and teyn 163: ar thay abowte bi nyght and day; 164: ffor ihesu that is so seldom sene, 165: as masid men mowrne we may. Andrew

166: Mowrnyng makys vs masid and mad,, 167: as men that lyff in drede; 168: ffull comforthles ar we stad, 169: for myssyng of hym that vs shuld, lede. Jacobus

170: Thise Iues that folow thare faythles will, 171: and demed oure master to be ded, 172: With mayn and mode they wold hym spill, 173: if thay wist how, in towne or sted.

-359-

John

174: let keep vs fro thare carpyng kene, 175: and com bot lytyll in thare sight; 176: Oure master will com when we leest weyn, 177: he will vs rewle and red, full right. Thomas

178: Of this carpyng now no more, 179: It drawes nygh the tyme of day; 180: At oure mette I wold we wore, 181: he sende vs socowre that best may. Mary

182: socowre sone he will you sende, 183: If ye truly in hym will traw; 184: youre mone mekely will he amende, 185: My brethere dere, this may ye knawe, 186: The hestys hyghly that he me hight 187: he has fulfillid in worde and dede; 188: he gabbyd neuer be day nor nyght, 189: fforthi, dere brethere, haue no drede. Matheus

190: Certys, lady, thou says full wele; 191: he will vs amende, for so he may; 192: we haue fon sothe euerilka dele 193: All that euer we hard hym say. Jesus

194: peter, and ye my derlyngys dere, 195: As masid men me thynk ye ar; 196: holly to you I haue shewyd here 197: To bryng youre hartys from care; 198: In care youre hartys ar cast, 199: And in youre trowth not trew; 200: In hardnes youre hartys ar fast, 201: As men that no wytt knew. 202: sende was I for youre sake fro my fader dere, 203: fflesh and blode to take of a madyn so clere; 204: sythen to me ye soght and holly felowid me, 205: Of wonders that I haue wroght som haue I letten you se.

-360-

206: The dombe, the blynde as any stone, 207: I helyd ther I cam by, 208: The dede I rasid anone, 209: Thrugh my myght truly; 210: And othere warkys, that wonderfull wore, 211: I wroght wisely befor you all; 212: My payn, my passion, I told before, 213: holly thrug outt as it shuld fall; 214: Mi rysyng on the thryd day, 215: As ye bi tokyns many oone haue sene; 216: youre trouth truly had bene away 217: had not my blissid moder bene. 218: In hir it restyd all this tyde, 219: youre dedys ye ow greatly to shame; 220: here may ye se my woundys wyde, 221: how that I boght you out of blame. 222: Bot, Iohn, thynk when I hang on rud 223: That I betoke the mary mylde; 224: kepe hir yit with stabull mode, 225: she is thi moder and thou hir childe. 226: loke thou hir luf, and be hir freynde, 227: and abide with hir in well and wo, 228: ffor to my fader now will I weynde, 229: thar none of you ask wheder I go. Philip

230: lord, if it be thi will, 231: shew vs thi fader we the pray; 232: we have bene with the in good and ill, 233: and sagh hym neuer nyght ne day. Jesus

234: philipp, that man that may se me 235: he seys my fader full of myght; 236: Trowys thou not he dwellys in me 237: and I in hym if thou trow right?

-361-

238: In his howse ar dyuerse place, 239: I go to ordan for you now; 240: ye shall all be fulfillyd with grace, 241: the holy goost I shall sende you. 242: he shall you in youre hartys wyse 243: In worde and dede, as I you say; 244: With all my hart I you blys-245: My moder, my brethere, haue all good day! 246: ffader of heuen, with good intent, 247: I pray the here me specyally; 248: ffrom heuen till erth thou me sent 249: Thi name to preche and claryfy. 250: thi will haue I done, all and som, 251: In erthe will I no longere be; 252: Opyn the clowdes, for now I com 253: In ioy and blys to dwell with the. Primus Angelus

254: ye men of galylee, 255: wherfor meruell ye? 256: hevyn behold, and se 257: how ihesus vp can weynde 258: vnto his fader fre, 259: where he syttys in maieste, 260: With hym ay for to be 261: In blys withoutten ende. 262: And as ye sagh hym sty 263: Into heuen on hy, 264: In flesh and fell in his body 265: ffrom erthe now here,

-362-

266: Right so shall he, securly, 267: Come downe agane truly, 268: with his woundys blody, 269: To deme you all in fere. Secundus Angelus

270: Meruell haue no wight, 271: No wonder of this sight, 272: ffor it is thrugh his myght, 273: That all thyng may. 274: What so he will by day or nyght, 275: In hell, medyll-erth, and on hight, 276: Or yit in derknes or in light, 277: withoutten any nay; 278: ffor he is god all weldand,, 279: heuen and hell, both se and sand, 280: wod and water, fowll, fysh and land,, 281: All is at his will; 282: he haldys all thyng in his hand 283: that in this warld, is lyfand, 284: Then nedys ye noght be meruelland. Primus Angelus

285: And for this skyll, 286: Ryght as he from you dyd weynde 287: so com agane he shall, 288: In the same manere at last ende, 289: To deme both greatt and small. Secundus Angelus

290: Who so his byddyng will obey, 291: And thare mys amende, 292: With hym shall haue blys on hy, 293: And won ther withoutten ende. 294: And who that wyrk amys, 295: And theym amende will neuer, 296: shall neuer com in heuen blys, 297: Bot to hell banyshed for euer.

-363-

Mary

298: A selcouth sight yonder now is, 299: Behold, now, I you pray! 300: A clowde has borne my chylde to blys, 301: Mi blyssyng bere he euer and ay! 302: Bot, son, thynk on thi moder dere, 303: That thou has laft emangys thi foes! 304: swete son, lett me not dwell here, 305: let me go with the where thou goes. 306: Bot Iohn, on the is all my trast, 307: I pray the forsake me noght. John

308: lefe marye, be noght abast, 309: ffor thi will shall ay be wroght. 310: here may we se and full well knaw 311: That he is god most of myght; 312: In hym is good, we trawe, 313: holly to serue hym day and nyght. Peter

314: A meruellous sight is yone, 315: That he thus sone is taken vs fro; 316: fro his fomen is he gone 317: with outten help of othere mo. Matheus

318: Where is ihesus, oure master dere, 319: that here with vs spake right now? Jacobus

320: A wonderfull sight, men may se here, 321: my brethere dere, how thynk you? Thomas

322: we thynk it wonder all, 323: that oure master shuld thus go; 324: After his help I red we call, 325: That we may haue som tokyn hym fro. Bartholomeus

326: A more meruell men neuer saw 327: then now is sene vs here emang; 328: ffrom erth till heuen a man be draw 329: With myrth of angell sang.

-364-

330: ffrom vs, me thynk, he is full lang, 331: and yit longere I trow he will; 332: Alas! my hart it is so strang 333: that I ne may now wepe my till 334: Anone. 335: A wonder sight it was to se 336: When he stevyd vp so sodanly 337: To his fader in maieste, 338: By his self alone. Matheus

339: Alon, for sothe, vp he went to heuen till his fader, 340: And noman wyst what he ment nor how he dyd of no manere, 341: so sodanly he was vp hent in flesh and fell fro erth vp here; 342: he saide his fader for hym sent that maide vs all to be in dwere 343: This nyght; 344: Neuer the les full well wote we 345: As that he will so must it be, 346: ffor all thyng is in his pauste, 347: And that is right. Mary

348: All myghty god, how may this be? 349: a clowde has borne my childe to blys; 350: Now bot that I wote wheder is he, 351: my hart wold breke, well wote I this. 352: his stevynyng vp to blys in hy, 353: it is the sourc of all my Ioyes; 354: Mi blyssyng, barne, light on thi body! 355: let neuer thi moder be spylt with Iues. 356: Take me to the, my son so heynd, 357: and let me neuer with Iues be lorne; 358: help, for my son luf, Iohn, son kynde, 359: for ferde that I with Iues be torne.

-365-

360: Mi flesh it quakys as lefe on lynde, 361: to shontt the showres sharper then thorne; 362: help me, Iohn, if thou be kynde, 363: my son myssyng makys me to mowrne. John

364: youre seruande, lady, he me maide, 365: and bad me kepe you ay to qweme; 366: Blythe were I, lady, myght I the glad,, 367: and with my myght I shall the yeme. 368: Therfor be ferd for nokyn thyng 369: for oght that Iues wold do you to; 370: I shall be bayn at youre byddyng, 371: as my lorde bad, your seruande lo! Mary

372: Glad am I, Iohn, Whils I haue the; 373: more comforth bot my son can I none craue; 374: so covers thou my care, and carpys vnto me, 375: whils I the se, euer am I safe. 376: Was none, safe my son, more trusty to me, 377: therfor his grace sall neuer fro the go; 378: he shall the qwyte, that died on a tre, 379: well mendys thou my mode, when I am in wo. Symon

380: let hy vs from this hill, and to the towne weynde, 381: for fere of the Iues, that spitus ar & prowde; 382: With oure dere lady, I red that we weynd, 383: and pray till hir dere son, here apon lowde. 384: To hir buxumly I red, that we bende, 385: syn hir dere son fro vs is gone in a clowde, 386: And hertely in hast haylse we that heynde, 387: To oure master is she moder, semely in shrowde. 388: A, marie, so mylde, the myssid we haue; 389: Was neuer madyn so menskfull here apon molde 390: As thou art, and moder cleyne, bot this wold we craue, 391: If this were ihesu, thi son, that Iudas has sold,,

-366-

392: Shew vs the sothe, vs all may it saue; 393: we pray the, dere lady, layn that thou nold,, 394: Bot spell vs oure spyryng, or els mon we rafe, 395: Bot thou witterly vs wysh, so fayn wyt we wold. Mary

396: peter, andrew, Iohn, and Iamys the gent, 397: Symon, Iude, and bartilmew the bold, 398: And all my brethere dere, that ar on this bent, 399: Take tent to my tayll, till that I haue told, 400: Of my dere son, what I haue mentt, 401: That hens is hevyd, to his awne hold; 402: he taght you the trouthe, or he to heuen went; 403: he was borne of my bosom as his self wold,. 404: he is god and man that stevynd into heuen; 405: preche thus to the pepyll that most ar in price. 406: Sekys to thare savyng, ye apostilles eleven, 407: To the Iues of Ierusalem as youre way lyse, 408: say to the cyte as I can here neuen, 409: tell the warkys of my son warly and wyse; 410: Byd theym be stedfast & lysten your steuen, 411: or els be thay dampned as men full of vyce.

-367-

The Judgement Secundus Malus

1: ffull darfe has bene oure deede for thi commen is oure care; 2: This day to take oure mede for nothyng may we spare. 3: Alas I harde that horne that callys vs to the dome, 4: All that euer were borne thider behofys theym com. 5: May nathere lande ne se vs from this dome hide, 6: ffor ferde fayn wold, I fle bot I must nedys abide; 7: Alas, I stande great aghe to loke on that Iustyce, 8: Ther may no man of lagh help with no quantyce. 9: vokettys ten or twelfe may none help at this nede, 10: Bot ilk man for his self shall answere for his dede. 11: Alas, that I was borne! 12: I se now me beforne, 13: That lord with Woundys fyfe; 14: how may I on hym loke, 15: That falsly hym forsoke, 16: When I led synfull lyfe? Tercius Malus

17: Alas, carefull catyfys may we ryse, 18: sore may we wryng oure handys and wepe; 19: ffor cursid and sore covytyse 20: dampnyd be we in hell full depe.

-368-

21: Roght we neuer of godys seruyce, 22: his commaundementys wold we not kepe, 23: Bot oft tymes maide we sacrifice 24: to sathanas when othere can slepe. 25: Alas! now wakyns all oure were, 26: oure wykyd Warkys can we not hide, 27: Bot on oure bakys we must theym bere, 28: that will vs soroo on ilka syde. 29: Oure dedys this day will do vs dere, 30: Oure domysman here we must abide, 31: And feyndys, that will vs felly fere, 32: thare pray to haue vs for thare pride. 33: Brymly before vs be thai broght, 34: oure dedys that shall dam vs bidene; 35: That eyre has harde, or harte thoght, 36: that mowthe has spokyn, or ee sene, 37: That foote has gone, or hande wroght, 38: in any tyme that we may mene; 39: ffull dere this day now bees it boght. 40: alas! vnborne then had I bene! Quartus Malus

41: Alas, I am forlorne! a spytus blast here blawes! 42: I harde well bi yonde horne I wote wherto it drawes; 43: I wold I were vnborne alas! that this day dawes! 44: Now mon be dampnyd this morne my warkys, my dedys, my sawes. 45: Now bees my curstnes kyd alas! I may not layn 46: All that euer I dyd, it bees put vp full playn. 47: That I wold, fayn were hyd, my synfull wordys and vayn, 48: ffull new now mon be rekynyd vp to me agayn. 49: Alas! fayn wold I fle for dedys that I haue done, 50: Bot that may now not be I must abyde my boyn; 51: I trowed neuer to have sene this dredfull day thus soyn; 52: Alas! what shall I say When he sittys in his trone?

-369-

53: To se his Woundys bledande this is a dulfull case; 54: Alas! how shall I stand or loke hym in the face? 55: So curtes I hym fand that gaf me life so lang a space; 56: Mi care is all command, alas! where was my grace? 57: Alas! catyffys vnkynde where on was oure thoght? 58: Alas! where on was oure mynde so wykyd warkys we Wroght? 59: To se how he Was pynde how dere oure luf he boght, 60: Alas! we were full blynde now ar we wars then noght. 61: Alas! my couetyse myn yll will, and myn Ire! 62: Mi neghbur to dispise most was my desyre; 63: I demyd euer at my deuyse me thoght I had no peyre, 64: With my self sore may I grise now am quyt my hyre. 65: Where I was wonte to go and haue my Wordys at will, 66: Now am I set full thro and fayn to hold, me still; 67: I went both to and fro me thoght I did, neuer ill, 68: Mi neghburs for to slo or hurt withoutten skill. 69: Wo worth euer the fader that gate me to be borne! 70: That euer he lete me stir bot that I had bene forlorne; 71: Warid be my moder and warid be the morne 72: That I was borne of hir alas, for shame and skorne! Primus Angelus

73: stand not togeder, parte in two! 74: all sam shall ye not be in blys; 75: Oure lorde of heuen will it be so, 76: for many of you has done amys; 77: On his right hand ye good shall go, 78: the way till heuen he shall you wys; 79: ye wykid, saules ye weynd hym fro, 80: on his left hande as none of his. Jesus

81: The tyme is commen, I will make ende, 82: my fader of heuen will it so be, 83: Therfor till erthe now will I weynde, 84: my self to sytt in maieste.

-370-

85: To dele my dome I will discende, 86: this body will I bere with me, 87: how it was dight mans mys to amende 88: all mans kynde ther shall it se. Primus Demon

89: Oute, haro, out, out! harkyn to this horne, 90: I was neuer in dowte or now at this morne; 91: So sturdy a showte sen that I was borne 92: hard I neuer here abowte in ernyst ne in skorne, 93: A wonder! 94: I was bonde full fast 95: In yrens for to last, 96: Bot my bandys thai brast 97: And shoke all in sonder. Secundus Demon

98: I shoterd and shoke I herd sich a rerd, 99: When I harde it I qwote for all that I lerd, 100: Bot to swere on a boke I durst not aperd; 101: I durst not loke for all medill-erd, 102: ffull payll; 103: Bot gyrned and gnast, 104: my force did, I frast, 105: Bot I wroght all wast, 106: It myght not auayll. Primus Demon

107: It was like to a trumpe it had sich a sownde; 108: I fell on a lumpe for ferd that I swonde. Secundus Demon

109: There I stode on my stumpe I stakerd that stownde, 110: There chachid I the crumpe yit held, I my grounde 111: halfe nome. Primus Demon

112: Make redy oure gere, 113: we ar like to haue were, 114: ffor now dar I swere 115: That domysday is comme; 116: ffor all oure saules ar wente / and none ar in hell. Secundus Demon

117: Bot we go we ar shente / let vs not dwell,

-371-

118: It sittys you to tente in this mater to mell, 119: As a pere in a parlamente what case so befell; 120: It is nedefull 121: That ye tente to youre awne, 122: What draght so be drawne, 123: If the courte be knawen 124: the Iuge is right dredfull. Primus Demon

125: ffor to stand, thus tome / thou gars me grete. Secundus Demon

126: let vs go to this dome / vp watlyn strete. Primus Demon

127: I had leuer go to rome yei thryse, on my fete, 128: Then forto grefe yonde grome or with hym forto mete; 129: ffor wysely 130: he spekys on trete, 131: his paustee is grete, 132: bot begyn he to threte 133: he lokys full grisly. 134: Bot fast take oure rentals hy, let vs go hence! 135: ffor as this fals the great sentence. Secundus Demon

136: Thai ar here in my dals fast stand We to fence, 137: Agans thise dampnyd sauls Without repentence, 138: And Iust. Primus Demon

139: how so the gam crokys, 140: Examyn oure bokys. Secundus Demon

141: here is a bag full, lokys, 142: of pride and of lust, 143: Of Wraggers and wrears a bag full of brefes, 144: Of carpars and cryars of mychers and thefes, 145: Of lurdans and lyars that no man lefys, 146: Of flytars, of flyars and renderars of reffys; 147: This can I, 148: Of alkyn astates 149: that go bi the gatys, 150: Of poore pride, that god hatys, 151: Twenty so many.

-372-

Primus Demon

152: peasse, I pray the, be still I laghe that I kynke, 153: Is oght Ire in thi bill and then shall thou drynke. Secundus Demon

154: sir, so mekill ill will that thai wold, synke 155: Thare foes in a fyere still bot not all that I thynke 156: dar I say, 157: Bot before hym he prase hym, 158: behynde he mys-sase hym, 159: Thus dowbill he mase hym, 160: thus do thai today. Primus Demon

161: has thou oght Writen there / of the femynyn gendere? Secundus Demon

162: yei, mo then I may bere / of rolles forto render; 163: Thai ar sharp as a spere if thai seme bot slender; 164: Thai ar euer in were if thai be tender, 165: yll fetyld,; 166: she that is most meke, 167: When she semys full seke, 168: she can rase vp a reke 169: if she be well nettyld,. Primus Demon

170: Thou art the best hyne / that euer cam beside vs. Secundus Demon

171: yei, bot go we, master myne / yit wold I we hyde vs; 172: Thai haue blowen lang syne thai will not abide vs; 173: We may lightly tyne and then will ye chide vs 174: Togeder. Primus Demon

175: Make redy oure tolys. 176: ffor we dele with no folys. Secundus Demon

177: sir, all clerkys of oure scolys 178: ar bowne furth theder; 179: Bot, sir, I tell you before had domysday oght tarid, 180: We must haue biggid, hell more the warld is so warid.

-373-

Primus Demon

181: Now gett we dowbill store of bodys myscarid, 182: To the soules where thai wore both sam to be harrid. Secundus Demon

183: Thise rolles 184: Ar of bakbytars, 185: And fals quest-dytars, 186: I had no help of writars 187: bot thise two dalles. 188: ffaithe and trowth, maffay has no fete to stande; 189: The poore pepyll must pay if oght be in hande, 190: The drede of god is away / and lawe out of lande. Primus Demon

191: By that wist I that domysday / was nere hande 192: In seson. Secundus Demon

193: Sir, it is saide in old sawes-194: the longere that day dawes-195: `Wars pepill wars lawes.’ Primus Demon

196: I lagh at thi reson; 197: Alle this was token domysday to drede; 198: ffull oft was it spokyn full few take hede; 199: Bot now shall we be wrokyn of thare falshede, 200: ffor now bese vnlokyn many dern dede 201: In Ire; 202: All thare synnes shall be knawen, 203: Othere mens, then thare awne. Secundus Demon

204: Bot if this draght be well drawen 205: don is in the myre. Tutivillus

206: Whi spir ye not, sir no questyons? 207: I am oone of youre ordir and oone of youre sons; 208: I stande at my tristur / when othere men shones. Primus Demon

209: Now thou art myn awne querestur / I wote where thou wonnes;

-374-

210: do tell me. Tutivillus

211: I was youre chefe tollare, 212: And sithen courte rollar, 213: Now am I master lollar, 214: And of sich men I mell me. 215: I haue broght to youre hande of saules, dar I say, 216: Mo than ten thowsand in an howre of a day; 217: som at ayll-howse I fande and som of ferray, 218: som cursid, som bande som yei, som nay; 219: so many 220: Thus broght I on blure, 221: thus did I my cure. Primus Demon

222: Thou art the best sawgeoure 223: that euer had I any. Tutivillus

224: here a roll of ragman of the rownde tabill, 225: Of breffes in my bag, man of synnes dampnabill; 226: vnethes may I wag, man for wery in youre stabill Whils I set my stag, man. Secundus Demon
abide, ye ar abill 228: To take wage; 229: Thou can of cowrte thew, 230: Bot lay downe the dewe 231: ffor thou will be a shrew, 232: be thou com at age. Tutivillus

233: here I be gesse of many nyce hoket, 234: Of care and of curstnes hethyng and hoket, 235: Gay gere and witles his hode set on koket, 236: As prowde as pennyles his slefe has no poket, 237: ffull redles; 238: With thare hemmyd shoyn, 239: All this must be done, 240: Bot syre is out at hye noyn 241: And his barnes bredeles. 242: A horne and a duch ax his slefe must be flekyt, 243: A syde hede and a fare fax his gowne must be spekytt,

-375-

244: Thus toke I youre tax / thus ar my bookys blekyt. Primus Demon

245: Thou art best on thi wax / that euer was clekyt, 246: or knawen; 247: with wordes will thou fill vs, 248: bot tell thi name till vs. Tutivillus

249: Mi name is tutiuillus, 250: my horne is blawen; a ffragmina verborum tutiullus colligit horum, b Belzabub algorum belial belium doliorum. Secundus Demon

251: What, I se thou can of gramory and som what of arte; 252: had I bot a penny on the wold, I warte. Tutivillus

253: Of femellys a quantite / here fynde I parte. Primus Demon

254: Tutiuillus, let se / goddys forbot thou sparte! Tutivillus

255: so Ioly 256: Ilka las in a lande 257: like a lady nerehande, 258: So fresh and so plesande, 259: makys men to foly. 260: If she be neuer so fowll a dowde with hir kelles and hir pynnes, 261: The shrew hir self can shrowde both hir chekys and hir chynnes; 262: she can make it full prowde with iapes and with gynnes, 263: hir hede as hy as a clowde bot no shame of hir synnes 264: Thai fele; 265: When she is thus paynt, 266: she makys it so quaynte, 267: She lookys like a saynt, 268: And wars then the deyle. 269: she is hornyd like a kowe […] fon syn, 270: The cuker hyngys so side now furrid with a cat skyn, 271: All thise ar for you / thai ar commen of youre kyn. Secundus Demon

272: Now, the best body art thou / that euer cam here in.

-376-

Tutivillus

273: An vsage, 274: swilk dar I vndertake, 275: makys theym breke thare wedlake, 276: And lif in syn for hir sake, 277: And breke thare awne spowsage. 278: yit a poynt haue I fon I tell you before, 279: That fals swerars shall hider com mo then a thowsand skore; 280: In sweryng thai grefe godys son and pyne hym more and more, 281: Therfor mon thai with vs won in hell for euer more. 282: I say thus, 283: That rasers of the fals tax, 284: And gederars of greyn wax, 285: Diabolus est mendax 286: Et pater eius. 287: yit a poynte of the new gett to tell will I not blyn, 288: Of prankyd gownes & shulders vp set mos & flokkys sewyd wyth in; 289: To vse sich gise thai will not let thai say it is no syn, 290: Bot on sich pilus I me set and clap thaym cheke and chyn, 291: no nay. 292: dauid in his sawtere says thus, 293: That to hell shall thai trus, 294: Cum suis adinuencionibus, 295: for onys and for ay. 296: yit of thise kyrkchaterars here ar a menee, 297: Of barganars and okerars and lufars of symonee, 298: Of runkers and rowners god castys thaym out, trulee, 299: ffrom his temple all sich mysdoers I cach thaym then to me 300: ffull soyn; 301: ffor writen I wote it is 302: In the gospell, withoutten mys, 303: Et eam fecistis 304: Speluncam latronum.

-377-

305: yit of the synnes seven som thyng speciall 306: now nately to neven that renys ouer all; 307: Thise laddys thai leven as lordys riall, 308: At ee to be even picturde in pall 309: As kyngys; 310: May he dug hym a doket, 311: A kodpese like a pokett, 312: hym thynke it no hoket 313: his tayll when he Wryngys. 314: his luddokkys thai lowke like walk-mylne cloggys, 315: his hede is like a stowke hurlyd as hoggys, 316: A woll blawen bowke thise fryggys as froggys, 317: This Ielian Iowke dryfys he no doggys 318: To felter; 319: Bot with youre yolow lokkys, 320: ffor all youre many mokkys, 321: ye shall clym on hell crokkys 322: With a halpeny heltere. 323: And nell With hir nyfyls of crisp and of sylke, 324: Tent well youre twyfyls youre nek abowte as mylke; 325: With youre bendys and youre bridyls of sathan, the whilke 326: sir sathanas Idyls you for tha ilke 327: This gill knaue; 328: It is open behynde, 329: before is it pynde, 330: Bewar of the West wynde 331: youre smok lest it wafe. 332: Of Ire and of enuy fynde I herto, 333: Of couetyse and glotony and many other mo; 334: Thai call and thai cry go we now, go! 335: I dy nere for dry and ther syt thai so

-378-

336: All nyght; 337: With hawvell and Iawvell, 338: syngyng of lawvell, 339: Thise ar howndys of hell, 340: That is thare right. 341: In slewthe then thai syn goddys warkys thai not Wyrke; 342: To belke thai begyn and spew that is irke; 343: his hede must be holdyn ther in the myrke, 344: Then deffys hym with dyn the bellys of the kyrke, 345: When thai clatter; 346: he wishys the clerke hanged, 347: ffor that he rang it, 348: Bot thar hym not lang it, 349: What commys ther after. 350: And ye Ianettys of the stewys and lychoures on lofte, 351: youre baill now brewys avowtrees full ofte, 352: youre gam now grewys I shall you set softe, 353: youre sorow enewes com to my crofte 354: All ye; 355: All harlottys and horres, 356: And bawdys that procures, 357: To bryng thaym to lures, 358: Welcom to my see! 359: ye lurdans and lyars mychers and thefes, 360: fflytars and flyars that all men reprefes, 361: Spolars, extorcyonars Welcom, my lefes! 362: ffals Iurars and vsurars to symony that clevys, 363: To tell; 364: hasardars and dysars, 365: ffals dedys forgars, 366: Slanderars, bakbytars, 367: All vnto hell. Primus Demon

368: When I harde many swilke many spytus and fell, 369: And few good of ilke I had meruell, I trowd it drew nere the prik. /

-379-

Secundus Demon
sir, a worde of counsell; 371: saules cam so thyk / now late vnto hell 372: As euer; 373: Oure porter at hell yate 374: Is haldyn so strate, 375: vp erly and downe late, 376: he rystys neuer. Primus Demon

377: Thou art pereles of tho that euer yit knew I, 378: when I Will may I go if thou be by; Go we now, We two. / Secundus Demon
syr, I am redy. Primus Demon

380: Take oure rolles also, / ye knawe the cause Why; 381: do com 382: And tent well this day. Secundus Demon

383: sir, as well as I may. Primus Demon

384: Qui vero mala 385: In ignem eternum. Jesus

386: Ilka creatoure take tente 387: What bodworde I shall you bryng, 388: This wykyd warld, away is wente, 389: and I am commyn as crownyd kyng; 390: Mi fader of heuen has me downe sente, 391: to deme youre dedys and make endyng; 392: Commen is the day of Iugemente, 393: of sorrow may euery synfull syng. 394: The day is commen of catyfnes, 395: all those to care that ar vncleyn, 396: The day of batell and bitternes, 397: ffull long abiden has it beyn; 398: The day of drede to more and les, 399: of Ioy, of tremlyng, and of teyn, 400: Ilka wight that wikyd is 401: may say, alas this day is seyn!

-380-

402: here may ye se my Woundys wide 403: that I suffred for youre mysdede, 404: Thrugh harte, hede, fote, hande and syde, 405: not for my gilte bot for youre nede. 406: Behald, both bak, body, and syde, 407: how dere I boght youre broder-hede, 408: Thise bitter paynes I wold, abide, 409: to by you blys thus wold, I blede. 410: Mi body was skowrgid, withoutten skill, 411: also ther full throly was I thrett; 412: On crosse thai hang me on a hill, 413: blo and blody thus was I bett; 414: With crowne of thorne thrastyn full ill, 415: A spere vnto my harte thai sett; 416: Mi harte blode sparid thai not to spill. 417: man, for thi luf wold, I not lett. 418: The Iues spytt on me spitusly, 419: thai sparid, me no more then a thefe; 420: When thai me smote I stud, stilly, 421: agans thaym did I nokyns grefe. 422: Beholde, mankynde, this ilk am I, 423: that for the suffred sich myschefe, 424: Thus was I dight for thi foly, 425: man, loke thi luf was me full lefe. 426: Thus was I dight thi sorow to slake; 427: man, thus behovid the borud, to be; 428: In all my wo toke I no wrake, 429: my will it was for luf of the. 430: Man, for sorow aght the to qwake, 431: this dredfull day this sight to se; 432: All this suffred I for thi sake. 433: say, man, What suffred, thou for me?

-381-

434: Mi blissid barnes on my right hande, 435: youre dome this day thar ye not drede, 436: ffor all youre ioy is now commande, 437: youre life in likyng shall ye lede. 438: Commes to the kyngdom ay lastand, 439: That you is dight for youre good dede, 440: ffull blithe may ye be there ye stand, 441: ffor mekill in heuen bees youre mede. 442: When I was hungre ye me fed,, 443: To slek my thrist ye war full fre; 444: When I was clothles ye me cled,, 445: ye Wold, no sorowe on me se; 446: In hard, prison When I was sted, 447: On my penance ye had pyte; 448: ffull seke when I was broght in bed, 449: kyndly ye cam to comforth me. 450: When I was will and weriest 451: ye harberd me full esely, 452: ffull glad then were ye of youre gest, 453: Ye plenyd my pouerte full pitusly; 454: Belife ye broght me of the best, 455: And maide my bed there I shuld, ly, 456: Therfor in heuen shall be youre rest, 457: In ioy and blys to beld, me by. Primus Bonus

458: lord, When had thou so mekill nede? 459: hungre or thrusty, how myght it be? Secundus Bonus

460: When was oure harte fre the to feede? 461: In prison When myght We the se? Tercius Bonus

462: When was thou seke, or wantyd wede? 463: To harbowre the when helpid we? Quartus Bonus

464: When had thou nede of oure fordede? 465: when did we all this dede to the?

-382-

Jesus

466: Mi blissid barnes, I shall you say 467: what tyme this dede was to me done; 468: When any that nede had nyght or day, 469: Askyd you help and had it sone; 470: youre fre harte saide theym neuer nay, 471: Erly ne late, myd-day ne noyn, 472: As ofte-sithes as thai wold, pray, 473: Thai thurte bot aske and haue thare boyn. 474: ye cursid, catyfs of kames kyn, 475: That neuer me comforthid, in my care, 476: Now I and ye for euer shall twyn, 477: In doyll to dwell for euer mare; 478: youre bitter bayles shall neuer blyn 479: That ye shall thole when ye com thare, 480: Thus haue ye seruyd for youre syn, 481: ffor derfe dedys ye haue doyn are. 482: When I had myster of mete and drynke, 483: Catyfs, ye chaste me from youre yate; 484: when ye were set as syres on bynke 485: I stode ther oute wery and Wate, 486: yit none of you Wold, on me thynke, 487: To haue pite on my poore astate; 488: Therfor to hell I shall you synke, 489: Well ar ye worthy to go that gate. 490: When I was seke and soryest 491: ye viset me noght, for I was poore; 492: In prison fast when I was fest 493: wold, none of you loke how I foore; 494: When I wist neuer where to rest 495: With dyntys ye drofe me from youre doore, 496: Bot euer to pride then were ye prest, 497: Mi flesh, my bloode, ye oft for-swore.

-383-

498: Clothles, When that I was cold,, 499: That nerehande for you yode I nakyd, 500: Mi myschefe sagh ye many folde, 501: Was none of you my sorowe slakyd; 502: Bot euer forsoke me, yong and olde, 503: Therfor shall ye now be forsakyd. Primus Malus

504: lorde, when had thou, that all has, 505: hunger or thriste, sen thou god is? 506: When was that thou in prison was? 507: When was thou nakyd or harberles? Secundus Malus

508: When myght we se the seke, alas! 509: and kyd the all this vnkyndnes? Tercius Malus

510: When was we let the helples pas? 511: When dyd ye the this wikydnes? Quartus Malus

512: Alas, for doyll this day! 513: alas, that euer I it abode! 514: Now am I dampned for ay, 515: this dome may I not avoyde. Jesus

516: Catyfs, alas, ofte as it betyde 517: that nedefull oght askyd in my name, 518: ye harde thaym noght, youre eeres was hid,, 519: youre help to thaym was not at hame; 520: To me was that vnkyndnes kyd, 521: therfor ye bere this bitter blame, 522: To the lest of myne when ye oght dyd, 523: to me ye dyd the self and same. 524: Mi chosyn childer, commes to me! 525: With me to dwell now shall ye weynde, 526: Ther ioy and blys euer shall be, 527: youre life in lykyng for to leynde.

-384-

528: ye warid Wightys, from me ye fle, 529: In hell to dwell withoutten ende! 530: Ther shall ye noght bot sorow se, 531: And sit bi sathanas the feynde. Primus Demon

532: Do now furthe go, trus, go we hyne! 533: vnto endles wo ay-lastand pyne; 534: Nay, tary not so / we get ado syne. Secundus Demon

535: hyte hyder warde, ho / harry ruskyne! 536: War oute! 537: The meyn shall ye nebyll, 538: And I shall syng the trebill, 539: A revant the devill 540: Till all this hole rowte. Tutivillus

541: youre lyfes ar lorne and commen is youre care; 542: ye may ban ye were borne the bodes you bare, 543: And youre faders beforne / so cursid, ye ar. Primus Demon

544: ye may wary the morne / and day that ye ware 545: Of youre moder 546: ffirst borne forto be, 547: ffor the wo ye mon dre. Secundus Demon

548: Ilkone of you mon se 549: sorow of oder. 550: Where is the gold, and the good that ye gederd togedir? 551: The mery menee that yode hider and thedir? Tutivillus

552: Gay gyrdyls, iaggid hode prankyd gownes, whedir? 553: haue ye wit or ye wode ye broght not hider 554: Bot sorowe, 555: And youre synnes in youre nekkys. Primus Demon

556: I beshrew thaym that rekkys! 557: he comes to late that bekkys 558: youre bodyes to borow.

-385-

Secundus Demon

559: Sir, I Wold, cut thaym a skawte and make theym be knawne; 560: Thay were sturdy and hawte great boste haue thai blawne; 561: youre pride and youre pransawte What will it gawne? 562: ye tolde ilk mans defawte and forgate youre awne. Tutivillus

563: moreouer 564: Thare neghburs thai demyd, 565: Thaym self as it semyd, 566: Bot now ar thai flemyd 567: ffrom sayntys to recouer. Primus Demon

568: Thar neghburs thai towchid With wordys full ill, 569: The warst ay thai sowchid and had no skill. Secundus Demon

570: The pennys thai powchid and held, thaym still; 571: The negons thai mowchid and had no will 572: ffor hart fare; 573: Bot riche and ill-dedy, 574: Gederand and gredy, 575: sore napand and nedy 576: youre godys forto spare. Tutivillus

577: ffor all that ye spard and dyd extorcyon, 578: ffor youre childer ye card youre heyre and youre son, 579: Now is all in oureward youre yeres ar ron, 580: It is commen in vowgard youre dame malison, 581: To bynde it; 582: ye set bi no cursyng, 583: Ne no sich small thyng. Primus Demon

584: No, bot prase at the partyng, 585: ffor now mon ye fynde it. 586: youre leyfys and youre females ye brake youre wedlake; 587: Tell me now what it vales all that mery lake? se so falsly it falys. / Secundus Demon
syr, I dar vndertake 589: Thai will tell no tales / bot se so thai quake

-386-

590: ffor moton; 591: he that to that gam gose, 592: Now namely on old, tose. Tutivillus

593: Thou held, vp the lose, 594: That had I forgotten. Primus Demon

595: sir, I trow thai be dom somtyme were full melland; Will ye se how thai glom. Secundus Demon
thou art ay telland; 597: Now shall thai haue rom in pyk and tar euer dwelland, 598: Of thare sorow no some bot ay to be yelland 599: In oure fostre. Tutivillus

600: By youre lefe may We mefe you? Primus Demon

601: showe furth, I shrew you! Secundus Demon

602: yit to-nyght shall I shew you 603: A mese of ill ostre. Tutivillus

604: Of thise cursid forsworne and all that here leyndys, 605: Blaw, wolfys-hede and oute-horne now namely my freyndys. Primus Demon

606: Illa haill were ye borne youre awne shame you sheyndys, That shall ye fynde or to morne. Secundus Demon
com now with feyndys 608: To youre angre; 609: youre dedys you dam; 610: Com, go we now sam, 611: It is commen youre gam, 612: Com, tary no langer. Primus Bonus

613: We loue the, lorde, in alkyn thyng, 614: That for thyne awne has ordand thus, 615: That we may haue now oure dwellyng 616: In heuen blis giffen vnto vs.

-387-

617: Therfor full boldly may we syng 618: On oure way as we trus; 619: Make we all myrth and louyng 620: With te deum laudamus. Lazarus Jesus

1: Commes now, brethere, and go With me; 2: We Will pas furth vntill Iude, 3: To betany will we Weynde, 4: To vyset lazare that is oure freynde. 5: Gladly I wold, we with hym speke, 6: I tell you sothely he is seke. Peter

7: I red, not that ye thider go, 8: The Iues halden you for thare fo; 9: I red ye com not in that stede, 10: ffor if ye do then be ye dede. Johnh

11: Master, trist thou [not] on the Iue, 12: ffor many day sen thou thaym knewe, 13: And last tyme that we were thore 14: We wenyd till haue bene ded, therfor. Thomas

15: When we were last in that contre, 16: This othere day, both thou and we,

-388-

17: We wenyd that thou ther shuld haue bene slayn; 18: Will thou now go thider agane? Jesus

19: herkyn, breder, and takys kepe; 20: lazare oure freynde is fallyn on slepe; 21: The way till hym now will we take, 22: To styr that knyght and gar hym wake. Peter

23: Sir, me thynke it were the best 24: To let hym slepe and take his rest; 25: And kepe that no man com hym hend, 26: ffor if he slepe then mon he mend. Jesus

27: I say to you, With outten fayll, 28: No kepyng may till hym availl, 29: Ne slepe may stand hym in no stede, 30: I say you sekerly he is dede; 31: Therfor I say you now at last 32: leyfe this speche and go we fast. Thomas

33: Sir, What so euer ye bid vs do 34: We assent vs well ther to; 35: I hope to god ye shall not fynde 36: None of vs shall lefe behynde; 37: ffor any parell that may befall 38: Weynde we With oure master all. Martha

39: help me, lorde, and gif me red! 40: lazare my broder now is dede, 41: That was to the both lefe and dere; 42: he had not dyed had thou bene here. Jesus

43: Martha, martha, thou may be fayn, 44: Thi brothere shall rise and lif agayn. Martha

45: lorde, I wote that he shall ryse 46: And com before the good iustyce; 47: ffor at the dredfull day of dome 48: There mon ye kepe hym at his come, 49: To loke What dome ye Will hym gif; 50: Then mon he rise, then mon he lyf. Jesus

51: I Warne you, both man and wyfe, 52: That I am rysyng, and I am life; 53: And Whoso truly trowys in me, 54: That I was euer and ay shall be, 55: Oone thyng I shall hym gif, 56: Though he be dede yit shall he lif.

-389-

57: say thou, Woman, trowys thou this? Martha

58: yee, for sothe, my lorde of blys, 59: Ellys were I greatly to mysprase, 60: ffor all is sothe-fast that thou says. Jesus

61: Go tell thi sister mawdlayn 62: That I com, ye may be fayn. Martha

63: Sister, lefe this sorowful bande, 64: Oure lorde commys here at hand, 65: And his apostyls with hym also. Mary.1

66: A, for godys luf let me go! 67: Blissid, be he that sende me grace, 68: That I may se the in this place. 69: lorde, mekill sorow may men se 70: Of my sister here and me; 71: We ar heuy as any lede, 72: ffor our broder that thus is dede. 73: had thou bene here and on hym sene, 74: dede for sothe had he not bene. Jesus

75: hider to you commen we ar 76: To make you comforth of youre care, 77: Bot loke no fayntyse ne no slawth 78: Bryng you oute of stedfast trawthe, 79: Then shall I hold, you that I saide. 80: lo, where haue ye his body laide? Mary.1

81: lorde, if it be thi Will, 82: I hope be this he sauers ill, 83: ffor it is now the ferth day gone 84: sen he Was laide vnder yonde stone. Jesus

85: I told, the right now ther thou stode 86: that thi trawth shuld, ay be goode, 87: And if thou may that fulfill 88: All bees done right at thi will. 89: ffader, I pray the that thou rase 90: lazare that was thi hyne, 91: And bryng hym oute of his mysese 92: And oute of hell pyne.

-390-

93: When I the pray thou says all wayse 94: Mi will is sich as thyne, 95: Therfor Will we now eke his dayse, 96: To me thou will inclyne. 97: Com furth, lazare, and stand vs by, 98: In erth shall thou no langere ly; 99: Take and lawse hym foote and hande, 100: And from his throte take the bande, 101: And the sudary take hym fro, 102: And all that gere, and let hym go. Lazarus

103: lorde, that all thyng maide of noght, 104: louyng be to thee, 105: That sich Wonder here has Wroght, 106: Gretter may none be. 107: When I was dede to hell I soght, 108: And thou, thrugh thi pauste, 109: Rasid me vp and thens me broght, 110: Behold, and ye may se. 111: Ther is none so styf on stede, 112: Ne none so prowde in prese, 113: Ne none so dughty in his dede, 114: Ne none so dere on deese, 115: No kyng, no knyght, no Wight in wede, 116: ffrom dede haue maide hym seese, 117: Ne flesh he was wonte to fede, 118: It shall be Wormes mese. 119: youre dede is Wormes coke, 120: youre myrroure here ye loke, 121: And let me be youre boke, 122: youre sampill take by me; 123: ffro dede you cleke in cloke, 124: sich shall ye all be. 125: Ilkon in sich aray With dede thai shall be dight, 126: And closid colde in clay Wheder he be kyng or knyght

-391-

127: ffor all his garmentes gay that semely were in sight, 128: his flesh shall frete away With many a wofull wight. 129: Then wofully sich wightys 130: Shall gnawe thise gay knyghtys, 131: Thare lunges and thare lightys, 132: Thare harte shall frete in sonder; 133: Thise masters most of myghtys 134: Thus shall thai be broght vnder. 135: Vnder the erthe ye shall thus carefully then cowche; 136: The royfe of youre hall youre nakyd nose shall towche; 137: Nawther great ne small To you will knele ne crowche; 138: A shete shall be youre pall sich todys shall be youre nowche; 139: Todys shall you dere, 140: ffeyndys will you fere, 141: youre flesh that fare was here 142: Thus rufully shall rote; 143: In stede of fare colore 144: sich bandys shall bynde youre throte. 145: youre rud that was so red youre lyre the lylly lyke, 146: Then shall be wan as led and stynke as dog in dyke; 147: Wormes shall in you brede as bees dos in the byke, 148: And ees out of youre hede Thus-gate shall paddokys pyke; 149: To pike you ar preste 150: Many vncomly beest, 151: Thus thai shall make a feste 152: Of youre flesh and youre blode. 153: ffor you then sorows leste 154: The moste has of youre goode. 155: youre goodys ye shall forsake If ye be neuer so lothe, 156: And nothing With you take Bot sich a wyndyng clothe; 157: youre Wife sorow shall slake youre chylder also both, 158: vnnes youre mynnyng make If ye be neuer so wrothe; 159: Thai myn you with nothyng 160: That may be youre helpyng,

-392-

161: Nawther in mes syngyng, 162: Ne yit with almus dede; 163: Therfor in youre leuyng 164: Be wise and take good hede. 165: Take hede for you to dele Whils ye ar on life, 166: Trust neuer freyndys frele Nawthere of childe then wife; 167: ffor sectures ar not lele Then for youre good Will stryfe; 168: To by youre saules hele There may no man thaym shrife. 169: To shrife no man thaym may, 170: After youre endyng day, 171: youre saull for to glad,; 172: youre sectures will swere nay, 173: And say ye aght more then ye had. 174: Amende the, man, Whils thou may, 175: let neuer no myrthe fordo thi mynde; 176: Thynke thou on the dredefull day 177: When god shall deme all mankynde. 178: Thynke thou farys as dothe the wynde; 179: This warlde is wast & will away; 180: Man, haue this in thi mynde, 181: And amende the Whils that thou may. 182: Amende the, man, whils thou art here, 183: Agane thou go an othere gate; 184: When thou art dede and laide on bere, 185: Wyt thou well thou bees to late; 186: ffor if all the goode that euer thou gate 187: Were delt for the after thi day, 188: In heuen it wolde not mende thi state, 189: fforthi amende the Whils thou may. 190: If thou be right ryall in rente, 191: As is the stede standyng in stall, 192: In thi harte knowe and thynke 193: That thai ar goddys goodys all.

-393-

194: he myght haue maide the poore and small 195: As he that beggys fro day to day; 196: Wit thou well acountys gif thou shall, 197: Therfore amende the whils thou may. 198: And if I myght with you dwell 199: To tell you all my tyme, 200: ffull mekill cowthe I tell 201: That I haue harde and sene, 202: Of many a great meruell, 203: sich as ye wolde not wene, 204: In the paynes of hell 205: There as I haue bene. 206: Bene I haue in wo, 207: Therfor kepe you ther fro; 208: Whilst ye lif do so 209: If ye will dwell with hym 210: That can gar you thus go, 211: And hele you lith and lym. 212: he is a lorde of grace, 213: Vmthynke you in this case, 214: And pray hym, full of myght, 215: he kepe you in this place 216: And haue you in his sight. Amen The Hanging of Judas Judas

1: Alas, alas, & walaway! 2: waryd & cursyd I haue beyn ay;

-394-

3: I slew my father, & syn by-lay 4: My moder der; 5: And falsly, aftur, I can betray 6: Myn awn mayster. 7: My fathers name was ruben, right; 8: Sibaria my moder hight; 9: Als he her knew apon a nyght 10: All fleshle, 11: In her sleyp she se a sighte, 12: A great ferle. 13: her thoght ther lay her syd with-in 14: A lothly lumpe of fleshly syn, 15: Of the which distruccion schuld begyn 16: Of all Iury; 17: That Cursyd Clott of Camys kyn, 18: fforsoth, was I. 19: Dreyd of that sight mad her awake, 20: & all hir body did tremyll & qwake; 21: her thoght hir hert did all to-brake- 22: No wonder was-23: the first[e] word my moder spake 24: was alas, alas! 25: Alas, alas! sche cryed faste, 26: with that, on weping owt sche braste: 27: My father wakyd, at the laste, 28: & her afranyd; 29: Sche told hym how she was agaste, 30: & nothyng laynyd,. 31: my father bad, “[let be thy woo! 32: my Cowncel is, if hit be soo, 33: A child be gettyn betwixt hus too, 34: Doghter or son, 35: lett hit neuer on erth[e] go, 36: Bot be fordon.

-395-

37: bettur hit is fordon to be 38: then hit fordo both the & me; 39: ffor in a while then schall we se, 40: & full well knaw, 41: wheder that swevyns be vanite 42: or on to traw.”] 43: The tyme was comyn that I was borne, 44: os my moder sayd beforn; 45: Alas, that I had beyn forlorn 46: With-In hir syd! 47: for ther then spronge a schrewid thorn 48: That spred full wyd. 49: for I was born with owtyn grace, 50: Thay me namyd & Callyd Iudas; 51: The father of the child ay hays 52: Great petye; 53: He myght not thoyle afor his face 54: My deth to se. 55: My ded to se then myght he noght; 56: A lytyll lep he gart he wroght, 57: & ther I was in bed [i-]broght 58: & bondon faste; 59: To the salt se then thay soght, 60: & In me Caste. 61: The wawes rosse, the wynd[e] blew; 62: That I was Cursyd full well thai knew; 63: The storme vnto the yle me threw, 64: That lytill botte; 65: And of that land my to-name drew, 66: Iudas skariott. 67: Thor os wrekke in sand I lay, 68: The qweyn Com passyng ther away, 69: With hir madyns to sport & play;

-396-

70: And prevaly 71: A child she fond in slyk aray, 72: & had ferly. 73: Neuer-the-lesse sche was well payd, 74: And on hir lap[pe] sche me layd; 75: Sche me kissid & with me playd, 76: ffor I was fayre; 77: “[A child god hays me send,”] sche sayd, 78: “[to be myn ayre.”] 79: Sche mad me be to norice done, 80: And fosterd as her awn[e] sone, 81: And told the kyng that sche had gone 82: All the yer with child; 83: And with fayr wordys, as wemen Con, 84: sche hym begild,. 85: Then the kyng gart mak a fest 86: To all the land [right] of the best, 87: ffor that he had gettyn a gest, 88: A swetly thyng, 89: When he wer ded & broght to rest, 90: that myght be kyng. 91: Sone aftur with in yer[e]s too, 92: In the land hit befell soo, 93: The qweyn hir selff with child Can goo; 94: A son sche bayr; 95: A fayrer child, from tope to too 96: Man neuer se ayre.