The Towneley plays
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The Towneley plays
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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,
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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.
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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:
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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.
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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.
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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;
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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;
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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;
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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;
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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;
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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,
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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;
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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,
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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.
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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.
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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,
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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.
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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,
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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,
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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;
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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.
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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,
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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.
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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,
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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.
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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.
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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;
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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 nere-hand, 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.
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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 walo-way!
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;
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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.
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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;
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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:
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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,
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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,,
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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.
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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,,
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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;
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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,;
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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;
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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,
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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;
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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!
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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.'
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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, euer-ichon. 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,
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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.
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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,
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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.
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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,
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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.
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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,
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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.
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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.
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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,
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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,
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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,
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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;
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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,
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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.
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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,
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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.
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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,
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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,
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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.
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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,
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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,
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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;
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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,
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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,
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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!
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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;
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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;
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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;
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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.
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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,
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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
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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;
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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.
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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.
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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;
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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.
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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;
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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?
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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.
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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,
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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,
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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.
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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.
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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,
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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
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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.
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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.
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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:
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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.
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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.
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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;
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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.
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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?
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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,
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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;
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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,
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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;
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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: ffor-thi 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: ffor-thy, 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,
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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: ffor-thi 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;
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114: ffor-thi 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.
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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: ffor-thi 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!
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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
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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
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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;
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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;
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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
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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,
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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:
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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!
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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,
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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.
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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!
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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 for-bede!
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?
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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.
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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;
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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.
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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!
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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
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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.
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Secundus Angelus
79: Than symeon, harkyn a space!
80: I bryng the tythyngys of solace;
81: ffor-thy, 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;
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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?
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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;
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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."]
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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;
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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,
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 spiritûs 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.
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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.
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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;
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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,
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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,
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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!
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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!
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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,
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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.
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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 wan-hope 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 ther-tyll,
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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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: ffor-thi 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.
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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 / to-geder 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
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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
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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
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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
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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,
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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,
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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?
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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,
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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.
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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,
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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.
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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!
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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
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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;
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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.
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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;
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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.
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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: ffor-thi 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: ffor-thi, my lady swete,
379: Stynt a while of grete!
380: Oure bale then will he bete
381: As he befor has hight.
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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 / hym-self 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.
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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;
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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-
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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,
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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,
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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,!
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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.
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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
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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,
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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: ffor-thi 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.
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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.
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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: ffor-thi 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!
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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;
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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.
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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.
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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;
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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 all-wayes 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;
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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;
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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,
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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.
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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
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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,
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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.
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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,
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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.
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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,
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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: ffor-thi 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: ffor-thi 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: ffor-thi 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,
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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: ffor-thi 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.
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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,
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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,
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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.
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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,
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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
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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 with-drogh,
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.
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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;
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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;
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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,
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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.
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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!
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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!
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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?
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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,.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 wan-hope 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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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: ffor-thi, 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.
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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?
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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,
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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;
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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.