{"collection":"scripture-revelation","full_text_available":true,"graph_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/api/page/gutenberg_19481/graph","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/page/gutenberg_19481","id":"gutenberg_19481","license":"Public Domain (US)","rights_basis":"gutenberg_metadata_copyright_false","source":"gutenberg","source_url":"https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/19481","summary":null,"tags":["Bible plays, English","Category: Classics of Literature","Category: Plays/Films/Dramas","Category: Religion/Spirituality","English drama -- To 1500","Moralities, English","Mysteries and miracle-plays, English"],"text":"Produced by Suzanne Lybarger, Melanie Lybarger, Curtis\nWeyant and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at\nhttp://www.pgdp.net\n\n\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration: POETS ARE THE TRUMPETS WHICH SING TO BATTLE\nPOETS ARE THE UNACKNOWLEDGED LEGISLATORS OF THE WORLD\n\nSHELLEY]\n\n\n\n\n\"EVERYMAN\"\n\nWITH OTHER INTERLUDES, including EIGHT MIRACLE PLAYS\n\n[Illustration: EVERY MAN I WILL GO WITH THEE BE THY GVIDE\nIN THY MOST NEED TO GO BY THY SIDE]\n\nLONDON: PUBLISHED\nby J. M. DENT & SONS LTD.\nAND IN NEW YORK\nBY E. P. DUTTON & CO\n\n\n\n\nFirst Issue of this Edition                                1909\nReprinted                                      1910, 1912, 1914\n\n\n\n\nINTRODUCTION\n\n    By craftsmen and mean men, these pageants are played,\n    And to commons and countrymen accustomably before:\n    If better men and finer heads now come, what can be said?\n\n\n\nThe pageants of the old English town-guilds, and the other mysteries and\ninterludes that follow, have still an uncommon reality about them if we\ntake them in the spirit in which they were originally acted. Their\noffice as the begetters of the greater literary drama to come, and their\nvalue as early records, have, since Sharp wrote his _Dissertation on the\nCoventry Mysteries_ in 1816, been fully illustrated. But they have\nhardly yet reached the outside reader who looks for life and not for\nliterary origins and relations in what he reads. This is a pity, for\nthese old plays hide under their archaic dress the human interest that\nall dramatic art, no matter how crude, can claim when it is touched with\nour real emotions and sensations. They are not only a primitive\nreligious drama, born of the church and its feasts; they are the genuine\nexpression of the town life of the English people when it was still\nlived with some exuberance of spirits and communal pleasure. As we read\nthem, indeed, though it be in cold blood, we are carried out of our\nbook, and set in the street or market-square by the side of the \"commons\nand countrymen,\" as in the day when Whitsuntide, or Corpus Christi,\nbrought round the annual pageantry to Chester, Coventry, York, and other\ntowns.\n\nOf the plays that follow, six come from the old town pageants,\nreflecting in their variety the range of subject and the contemporary\neffect of the cycles from which they are taken. They are all typical,\nand show us how the scenes and characters of the east were mingled with\nthe real life of the English craftsmen and townsfolk who acted them, and\nfor whose pleasure they were written. Yet they give us only a small\nnotion of the whole interest and extent of these plays. We gain an idea\nof their popularity both from the number of them given in one town and\nthe number of places at which regular cycles, or single pageants, were\nrepresented from year to year. The York plays alone that remain are\nforty-eight in all; the Chester, twenty-four or five; the Wakefield,\nthirty-two or three. Even these do not represent anything like the full\nlist. Mr. E. K. Chambers, in an appendix to his _Medi\u00e6val Stage_, gives\na list of eighty-nine different episodes treated in one set or another\nof the English and Cornish cycles. Then as to the gazette of the many\nscattered places where they had a traditional hold: Beverley had a cycle\nof thirty-six; Newcastle-on-Tyne and Norwich, each one of twelve; while\nthe village and parochial plays were almost numberless. In Essex alone\nthe list includes twenty-one towns and villages, though it is fair to\nadd that this was a specially enterprising shire. At Lydd and New\nRomney, companies of players from fourteen neighbouring towns and\nvillages can be traced in the local records that stretch from a year or\nso before, to eight years after, the fifteenth century.\n\nMrs. J. R. Green, in her history of _Town Life_ in that century, shows\nus how the townspeople mixed their workday and holiday pursuits, their\nserious duties with an apparent \"incessant round of gaieties.\" Hardly a\ntown but had its own particular play, acted in the town hall or the\nparish churchyard, \"the mayor and his brethren sitting in state.\" In\n1411 there was a great play, _From the Beginning of the World_, played\nin London at the Skinner's Well. It lasted seven days continually, and\nthere were the most part of the lords and gentles of England. No copy of\nthis play exists, but of its character we have a pretty sensible idea\nfrom various other plays of the Creation handed down from the\nnorth-country cycles. In the best of them the predestined Adam is\ncreated after a fashion both to suggest his treatment by Giotto in the\nmedallion at Florence, and his lineaments as an English medi\u00e6val\nprototype:--\n\n    \"But now this man that I have made,\n    With the ghost of life, I make him glad,\n    Rise up, Adam, rise up rade,[1]\n    A man full of soul and life!\"\n\nBut to surprise the English medi\u00e6val smith or carpenter, cobbler or\nbowyer, when he turns playgoer at Whitsuntide, assisting at a play\nwhich expressed himself as well as its scriptural folk, we must go on to\nlater episodes. The Deluge in the Chester pageant, that opens the\npresent volume, has among its many Noah's Ark sensations, some of them\ndifficult enough to mimic on the pageant-wagon, a typical recall of the\nshipwright and ark-builder. God says to Noah:--\n\n    A ship soon thou shalt make thee of trees, dry and light.\n                Little chambers therein thou make,\n                And binding pitch also thou take,\n                Within and out, thou ne slake\n                To anoint it thro' all thy might.\n\nIn the York Noah's Ark pageant, which seems to be the parent-play in\nEngland of all its kind, we have this craftsman's episode much enlarged.\n\"Make it of boards,\" God says, \"and wands between!\"\n\n    Thus thriftily and not over thin,\n    Look that thy seams be subtly seen\n    And nail\u00e9d well, that they not twin:\n    Thus I devised it should have been;\n    Therefore do forth, and leave thy din\n\nThen, after further instructions, Noah begins to work before the\nspectators, first rough-hewing a plank, then trying it with a line, and\njoining it with a gynn or gin. He says:--\n\n    More subtilely can no man _sew_;[2]\n    It shall be clinched each ilk and deal,\n    With nails that are both noble and new,\n    Thus shall I fix it to the keel:\n    Take here a rivet, and there a screw,\n    With there bow,[3] there now, work I well,\n    This work, I warrant both good and true.\n\nTo complete the pedigree of this scene we must turn to the old poem, the\n\"Cursor Mundi,\" which, written in the fourteenth century, the time when\nthe northern miracle-plays were taking decisive shape, appears to have\nserved their writers as a stock-book. The following passage is own\nbrother to that in the York miracle-play:--\n\n    A ship must thou needs dight,\n    Myself shall be the master-wright.\n    I shall thee tell how broad and long,\n    Of what measure and how strong.\n    When the timber is fastened well,\n    Wind the sides ever each and deal.\n    Bind it first with balk and band,\n    And wind it then too with good wand.\n    With pitch, look, it be not thin!\n    Plaster it well without and in!\n\nThe likeness we see is startling: so near to the other indeed as to\nsuggest almost a common authorship.\n\nAs for the pastoral plays in the same towns, we find the shepherds and\ncountrymen were just as well furnished with rough cuts from the life.\nThe most real and frankly illustrative, and by no means the least\nidyllic of them is perhaps the Chester play of the three shepherds. It\nwas not played by countrymen but by townsmen, like the other plays in\nthe town cycles, being in this case the \"Paynters and Glasiors\" play.\nThe first shepherd who opens it talks of the \"bower\" or cote he would\nbuild, his \"sheep to shield,\" his \"seemly wethers to save:\"--\n\n    From comely Conway unto Clyde\n    Under tyldes[4] them to hide\n    A better shepherd on no side\n    No earthly man may have\n    For with walking weary I have methought\n    Beside thee such my sheep I sought\n    My long-tail'd tups are in my thought\n    Them to save and heal\n\nIn the _Death of Abel_, another Chester play, Cain comes in with a\nplough, and says:--\n\n    A tiller I am, and so will I be,\n    As my daddy hath taught it me\n    I will fulfil his lore\n\nIn the subsequent incident of the corn that Cain is to offer for his\nsacrifice, we hear the plain echo of the English farmer's voice in the\ncorn-market mixing with the scriptural verse: \"This standing corn that\nwas eaten by beasts,\" will do:\n\n    God, thou gettest no better of me,\n    Be thou never so grim\n\nSo throughout the plays the folk-life of their day, their customs and\ncustomary speech, are for ever emerging from the biblical scene.\n\nIn trying to realise how the miracle-plays were mounted and acted, we\nshall find the best witness at Chester. This was a rather late one.\nArchdeacon Rogers, who saw them in 1594, when they had been going on for\nsomething like three centuries in all. From his account (in the\n_Harleian Miscellany_) it appears the Chester plays were given on\nWhit-Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.\n\n\"The manner of these plays were, every company had his pageant or part,\na high scaffold with two rooms, a higher and a lower, upon four wheels.\nIn the lower they apparelled themselves, and in the higher room they\nplayed, being all open on the top, that all beholders might hear and see\nthem.\" They were played, he goes on to say, in every street:\n\n\"They began first at the abbey gates, and when the first pageant was\nplayed, it was wheeled to the high cross before the mayor, and so to\nevery street. So every street had a pageant playing before it at one\ntime, till all the pageants for the day appointed were played. When one\npageant was near ended, word was brought from street to street, that so\nthey might come in place thereof, exceeding orderly, and all the streets\nhave their pageants before them, all at one time playing together, to\nsee which plays was great resort and also scaffolds and stages made in\nthe streets in those places where they determined to play their\npageants.\"\n\nThe same writer explains elsewhere that these plays were divided into\ntwenty-four pageants, according to the number of the city companies, and\nthat each company brought out its own pageant.\n\nAt York, whose plays Miss L. Toulmin Smith edited in 1887, we can turn\nto Davies's two books[5] and the local records, to complete the Chester\ndescription. Those who travel to York by rail to-day, and there\ndismount, as most of us have often done, to walk through the city to the\ncathedral, will be interested to find that the railway station now\nstands where once was Pageant Green. Near it was formerly another kind\nof station, where stood the houses hired to keep the pageants stored and\nput away from one year's show to another. The word \"pageant,\" (_pagina_,\nor plank), we ought to recall, was used for the stage, or wheeled car of\ntwo stories, before it was used for the show set forth upon it. Davies\nhelps us, as we perambulate York to-day, to mark where the old pageants\nwere performed in 1399, at twelve stations, which were fixed and stated\nbeforehand. The first station was at the gates of the Priory of the Holy\nTrinity in Mickle Gate, and the pageants were moved on them in turn to\nplaces at Skelder Gate end, North Street, Conyng Strete, Stane Gate and\nthe gates of the Minster, so to the end of Girdler Gate; while the last\nof all was \"upon the pavement.\" But the stations were subject to change,\nand there was much competition among wealthy householders (one of whom\nmay have been the Robert Harpham mentioned in a 1417 list) to have the\npageant played before their windows. The highest bidder gained the\ncoveted right.\n\nBefore the actual day came, a town-crier was sent round the city to\nproclaim the \"banes\" or banns.[6] Arms were forbidden: \"We command that\nno man go armed in this city with swords ne with carlill-axes, in\ndisturbance of the king's peace and the play, or hindering of the\nprocession of Corpus Christi, and that they leave their harness in their\ninns, saving knights and squires of worship that ought to have swords\nborne after them!\" The plays began betimes. We read that at York the\nplayers were to be ready \"at the mid-hour betwixt the IVth and Vth of\nthe clock in the morning.\" Finally, for the players themselves, care was\ntaken to secure good ones for the several parts. Sometimes a player\ndoubled or trebled the characters in a particular play.\n\nAll through the XIVth and XVth centuries miracle-plays went on\nbeing performed regularly, or irregularly, in most of the English\ntowns and larger villages. One of the smaller cycles was that of\nNewcastle-upon-Tyne, played at Corpus Christi, from 1426 onwards. _The\nThree Kings of Cologne_ is mentioned in 1536, which the goldsmiths,\nplumbers, glaziers, and others were to play. Here the pageants were not\nmovable ones, but were given at fixed points. No doubt some of the spots\nassociated with the Whitsuntide \"shuggy-shows\" (as I remember them in my\ntime) were originally show-grounds of the town pageants too. Only one\nplay of the Newcastle series has survived, and that fitly enough, having\nregard to the Tyneside shipbuilding, is a shipwrights' play. Unluckily\nit has been so modernised that not a vestige of the local colour or\nTyneside dialect remains.\n\nWe come now to the date and origin of these town pageants. Of the three\nchief cycles earliest mention is to be found at Chester, and it carries\nus doubtfully back to 1268. Sir John Arnway was mayor in that year,\naccording to one account: but the name recurs pretty positively in\n1327-8, and about that time Randall Higgenet, a monk of Chester Abbey,\nwrote the plays. But in the text handed down they are of a much later\nstyle of diction, and no doubt later in date than the Towneley or York\nseries.\n\nAbout the real origin of these plays there can be no question. They\nbegan in the churches as liturgy plays, which were given at the\nChristmas, Easter, and other festivals, illustrating in chief the birth,\nlife, death and passion of Christ. We owe to Professor Skeat the\nrecovery of some fragments of liturgical plays in Latin, which have been\nreprinted by Professor Manly, in his _Specimens of the Pre-Shaksperean\nDrama_. The earliest example there is may be dated as early as 967, an\nimportant landmark for us, as it is often assumed that we have no\ndramatic record of any kind in these islands earlier than the Norman\nConquest. Another generation or two of research, such as the pioneer\nwork of Dr. Furnivall and the Early English Text Society has made\npossible, and we shall distinguish clearly the two lines of growth,\nFrench and Norman, English and Saxon, by which the town-pageants and\nfolk-plays of the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries came to a head.\nThen the grafting of the English pastoral on the church-play, after it\nhad been carried out into the open town or market-place, may become\nclear. Then, too, one will know how charged with potential dramatic life\nwas the mind of him who wrote that interlude in four lines of the \"Three\nQueens and the Three Dead Men,\" which contains in it the essence of a\nthousand moralities.\n\n    _1st Queen._ I am afeard.\n\n    _2nd Queen._ Lo, what I see?\n\n    _3rd Queen._ Me thinketh it be devils three!\n\n    _1st Dead Body._ I was well fair\n\n    _2nd Dead Body._ Such shall thou be.\n\n    _3rd Dead Body._ For Godes love, be-ware by me!\n\nThese breathe, not a Norman, but an Anglo-Saxon fantasy, and they speak\nfor themselves. But many tell-tale documents exist to mark the\nconcurrent Norman and English development that went on in the English\nmedi\u00e6val literature, and was seen and felt in the church and guild\nplays, just as it went on in the towns themselves. It finds at last its\ntypical expression in an interlude like the Coventry Nativity-play,\nreprinted in this volume. Long before the miracle-play was written in\nthe form it finally took, and about the time when William of Rouen,\nafter much trouble with his son Robert culminating at the battle of\nGerberoi, was about to return to England, the new opening in the church\nin this country became one to tempt poor foreign students of some parts\nand some ambition. Among these was a graduate of the University of\nParis, one Geoffrey, known to us now as Geoffrey of St. Albans. He had\nbeen offered the post of master of the abbey school at that place, but\nwhen he arrived after some delay--due perhaps to his going to see a\nmystery play at Paris--he found the post filled up. He then made his way\nto Dunstable, and while there proved his spirit by getting up a\nmiracle-play of \"Sancta Katarina.\" He borrowed copes from St. Albans in\nwhich to dress the actors; unluckily a fire took place, and the costumes\nwere burnt. Thereupon he seems to have rendered himself up as it were in\npious pledge for their loss, for he became a monk. In 1119 he was\nelected abbot, and if we give him about twenty-one years in which to\nrise to that dignity, we can date the St. Katharine play at 1098 or 9.\nThis passage in a life of that time is a clue to the further history of\nthe religious play in England. Geoffrey's attempt to present one at\nDunstable, no doubt a reproduction of one he had seen in France, is an\ninstance of the naturalisation process that slowly went on.\n\nThe distinct break in the history of the miracle-play that made it from\na church into a town pageant occurred about the close of the thirteenth\ncentury. From a performance within the church building it went on then\ninto the church-yard, or the adjoining close or street, and so into the\ntown at large. The clerics still kept a hand in its purveyance; but the\nrise of the town guilds gave it a new character, a new relation to the\ncurrent life, and a larger equipment. The friendly rivalry between the\nguilds, and the craftsmen's pride in not being outdone by other crafts,\nhelped to stimulate the town play, till at length the elaborate cycle\nwas formed that began with sunrise on a June morning, and lasted until\nthe torch-bearers were called out at dusk to stand at the foot of the\npageant.\n\nThe earliest miracle-plays that we can trace in the town cycles date\nback to the early years of Edward III. The last to be performed in\nLondon, according to Prynne, was _Christ's Passion_, which was given in\nJames I.'s reign. It was produced \"at Ely House, Holborn, when Gundomar\nlay there on Good Friday at night, at which there were thousands\npresent.\" This was a late survivor, however, called to life by a last\nflicker of court sunshine on the occasion of the state visit of a\nSpanish ambassador. Here is an extreme range of over three centuries;\nand the old religious drama was still being performed in a more and more\nuncertain and intermittent fashion all through the dramatic reign of\nShakspeare.\n\nThe ten plays that follow in this volume represent in brief the late\nremnant of this early drama, rescued at the point where it was ending\nits primitive growth, soon to give way to plays written with a\nconsciously artistic sense of the stage. They are headed by the great\nand simple tragic masterpiece, in which they say their last word: the\nmorality of _Everyman_, the noblest interlude of death the religious\nimagination of the middle ages has given to the stage. The two following\nOld Testament plays, _The Deluge_ and the _Sacrifice of Isaac_, are the\nthird and fourth pageants in the Chester series; played respectively by\nthe Water-Leaders and Drawers of the river Dee, and by the Barbers and\nWax-Chandlers. The next is from Coventry, a Nativity play, played by the\nShearmen and Tailors. From the Wakefield series, preserved in the\nTowneley collection, we have three plays, the famous second shepherds'\nplay, with the _Crucifixion_ and the _Harrowing of Hell_, or extraction\nof souls from Hell (_Extractio Animarum ab Inferno_). Two Cornish\nmysteries of the Resurrection are included: _The Three Maries at the\nTomb_, and _Mary Magdalen bringing the News to the Apostles_. Then\nfollows Bishop Bale's oracular play of _God's Promises_, which is in\neffect a series of seven interludes strung on one thread, united by one\nleading idea, and one protagonist, the _Pater C\u0153lestis_.\n\nIn these religious and moral interludes, the dramatic colouring, however\ncrude, is real and sincere. The humours of a broad folk-comedy break\nthrough the scriptural web continually in the guild plays like those in\nwhich Noah the shipbuilder, or the proverbial three shepherds, appear in\nthe pageant. Noah's unwilling wife in the Chester _Deluge_, and Mak's\ncanny wife in the Wakefield shepherd's play, where the sheep-stealing\nscenes reveal a born Yorkshire humorist, offer a pair of gossips not\neasy to match for rude comedy. Mak's wife, like the shepherd's in the\nsame pastoral, utters proverbs with every other breath: \"A woman's avyse\nhelpys at the last!\" \"So long goys the pott to the water, at last comys\nit home broken!\"\n\n    Now in hot, now in cold,\n    Full woeful is the household,\n      That wants a woman!\n\nAnd her play upon the old north-country asseveration, \"I'll eat my\nbairn,\"--\n\n    If ever I you beguiled,\n    That I eat this child\n      That lies in this cradle,\n\n(the child being the stolen sheep), must have caused towns-folk and\ncountry-folk outrageous laughter. Mak's wife is indeed memorable in her\nway as the Wife of Bath, Dame Quickly, or Mrs. Gamp.\n\nThere is nothing so boldly drawn in the Coventry _Nativity_. But there\nyou have a startlingly realistic treatment joined to an emotional\nlyricism of the simplest charm:\n\n    Neither in halls, nor yet in bowers,\n      Born would he not be\n    Neither in castles, nor yet in towers\n      That seemly were to see.\n\nand--\n\n    As I outrode this enderes night\n    Of three jolly shepherds, I saw a sight;\n    And all about their fold a star shone bright,\n      They sang \"Terli, terlow!\"\n    So merrily the shepherds their pipes can blow.\n\nIn this Coventry play we have nearly all the ingredients--foreign,\nliturgical, or homely English--of the composite miracle play brought\ntogether. It bears traces of many hands; and betrays in the dialogue of\nthe formal characters the rubricated lines of the church play on which\nit was based. The chief characters live, move and act their recognised\nparts with the certainty of the folk in a nursery tale. Herod out-Herods\nhimself with a Blunderbore extravagance:--\n\n    I am the cause of this great light and thunder;\n    It is through my fury that they such noise do make.\n    My fearful countenance, the clouds so doth incumber\n    That oftentimes for dread thereof, the very earth doth quake.\n\n\"Fee, fi, fo, fum!\" might be the refrain of this giant's litany. The\nother types are as plainly stamped. The shepherd's are from the life,\nand contrast well with the stilted and rather tiresome prophets. The\nscenes at the babe's crib when the offerings are made of the shepherds'\npipe, old hat, and mittens, are both droll and tender.\n\nThe tragic counterparts of these scenes are those where the Three\nExecutioners work their pitiless task to an end at the Crucifixion, or\nwhere the Three Maries go to the grave afterwards in the Cornish\nmystery, or where Isaac bids his father bind his eyes that he shall not\nsee the sword. It was for long the fashion to say, as Sir Walter Scott\ndid, that these plays had little poetic life, or human interest in them.\nBut they are, at their best, truly touched with essential emotions, with\nhumour, terror, sorrow, pity, as the case may be. Dramatically they are\nfar more alive at this moment, than the English drama of the\nmid-nineteenth century.\n\nIn the Cornish mysteries we lose much by having to use a translation.\nBut something of the spirit and life survive in spite of it, and one\ndetached passage from another of the plays, that of the _Crucifixion_,\nis printed in the appendix, which loses nothing by being compared with\nthe treatment in other miracle-plays. Also in the Appendix will be found\nan interesting note from Norris's _Ancient Cornish Drama_, on the mode\nin which the Cornish mysteries were played; and a brief account by Mr.\nJenner of the trilogy contained in that work.\n\nThere remains John Bayle's play of _God's Promises_. Its author was born\nat the sea-doomed city of Dunwich in Suffolk, in 1495. Destined for the\nchurch, he showed his obstinacy early by marrying in defiance of his\ncloth. He was lucky and unlucky in being a _prot\u00e9g\u00e9_ of Thomas\nCromwell, and had to fly the country on that dangerous agent's death.\nHe returned when the new order was established, and became Bishop of\nOssory, had to suffer and turn exile for his tenets again in Mary's\nreign; but found safe harbourage for his latter years at Canterbury,\nwhere he died. He wrote, on his own evidence, more than twenty plays, of\nwhich _God's Promises_, the _Life of John the Baptist_, and _King John_,\na history play of interest as a pioneer, are best known. He himself\ncalled _God's Promises_ a tragedy, but unless the sense of Sodom hanging\nin the balance, while Abraham works down to its lowest point the\ndiminishing ratio of the just to be found there, or of David's appearing\nbefore the Pater C\u0153lestis as the great judge, of dramatic or tragic\nemotion there is little indeed. But Bayle's rhetoric easily ran to the\nedge of suspense, as in the opening of his seventh act, where he puts\nthe dramatic question in the last line:--\n\n      I have with fearcenesse mankynde oft tymes corrected,\n    And agayne I have allured hym by swete promes.\n    I have sent sore plages, when he hath me neglected,\n    And then by and by, most confortable swetnes.\n    To wynne hym to grace, bothe mercye and ryghteousnes\n    I have exercysed, yet wyll he not amende.\n    Shall I now lose hym, or shall I hym defende?\n\nAnd what could be finer than the setting he gives to the antiphon, _O\nOriens Splendor_, at the end of the second act?\n\nTo turn from Bayle's play to the heart-breaking realities of _Everyman_\nis like turning from a volume of all too edifying sermons to the last\nchapters of one of the gospels. Into the full history of this play,\nopening a difficult question about the early relations between Dutch and\nEnglish writers and printers, there is no room here to go. The Dutch\n_Everyman_--_Elckerlijk_--was in all probability the original of the\nEnglish, and it was certainly printed a few years earlier. Richard\nPynson, who first imprinted the English play at the Sign of the George\nin Fleet Street, was printing at his press there from the early years of\nthe sixteenth century. The play itself may have been written, and first\nperformed, in English, as in Dutch, a generation or more before.\n\nIt was written, no doubt, like most of the plays in this volume, by a\nchurchman; and he must have been a man of profound imagination, and of\nthe tenderest human soul conceivable. His ecclesiastical habit becomes\nclear enough before the end of the play, where he bids Everyman go and\nconfess his sins. Like many of the more poignant scenes and passages in\nthe miracle-plays that follow it, this morality too leaves one\nexclaiming on how good a thing was the plain English of the fourteenth\nand fifteenth centuries.\n\nThe relation of the several miracle-plays here printed to the\ntown-cycles from which they come will be seen at a glance on reference\nto the tables of pageants that appear in the Appendix. We may take it\nthat all these town and country plays represent continually used and\nfrequently tinkered texts, that must in some cases have passed through\nmany piecemeal changes. In making them easy to the average reader of\nto-day, who takes the place of the medi\u00e6val playgoer at a Corpus Christi\nfestival, their latest copyists have but followed in the wake of a\nseries of Tudor scribes who renewed the prompt-books from time to time.\nIn this process, apart from the change of spelling, the smallest\npossible alteration has been made consistent with the bringing of the\ntext to a fair modern level of intelligibility. Old words that have been\nfamiliarised in Malory or Shakespeare, or the Bible, or in the Border\nBallads and north-country books, or in Walter Scott, or the modern\ndialect of Yorkshire, are usually allowed to stand, and words needed to\nkeep the rhyme, are left intact. But really hard words, likely to delay\nthe reader, are glossed. One Towneley play, the _Extractio Animarum_,\nanother and a most spirited example of the \"Harrowing of Hell,\"\nmysteries that thrilled the people long ago, is given in the original\nspelling, as some test of the change effected in the others. Further, in\nthe Appendix will be found a late example of a _St. George and the\nDragon_ doggerel Christmas play, which comes from Cornwall, and which in\na slightly varying form has been played in many shires, from Wessex to\nTyneside, within living memory. This shows us the last state of the\ntraditional mystery, and the English folk-play as it became when it was\nleft to the village wits and playwrights to produce it, without any\nco-operation from the trained eye and hand of a parson or a learned\nclerk. Of some other forms of our earlier drama, not omitting the Welsh\ninterludes of Twm o'r Nant, it may be possible to give illustrations in\na later book, companion to this. Only so much is given here as may\ninterest the reader, who is a playgoer first of all, and asks for\nentertainment and a light in these darker passages of the old British\ndrama.\n\n       *       *       *       *       *\n\nFinally the amplest acknowledgments are due to those who have worked\nupon these present plays, including Mrs. C. Richardson, M.A., Mr.\nO'Brien, Mr. Roberts, Miss Hawkins, G. R., and Mr. Ezra Pound; and to\nthe various editors of the \"Early English Text Society,\" who have made\nthis book possible. Especially should tribute be paid to Dr. Furnivall\nfor his permission to make use of the Society's texts, and his interest\nin this uncertain attempt to capture the outer public too, and attract\nit to that ever-living literature to which he has devoted so many days\nof his young old-age.\n\nE. R.\n\n       *       *       *       *       *\n\nEveryman: a moral play otherwise called: A Treatyse how the hye fader of\nheven sendeth dethe to somon every creature to come and gyve a counte of\ntheyr lyves in this worlde], translated from the Dutch play, Elckerlijk,\n1520 (?); published in Dodsley's Select Collection of Old English Plays,\netc., vol. I., 1874; reprint of one of Skot's editions, collated with\nhis other edition and those of Pynson, Ed. H. Logeman, 1892; with an\nintroduction by F. Sidgwick, 1902; reprinted by W. W. Greg from the\nEdition by John Skot preserved at Britwell Court, 1904; set to music by\nH. Walford Davies, etc. (with historical and analytical notes), 1904; J.\nS. Farmer, Six Anonymous Plays (Early English Dramatists), 1905; with\ndesigns by Ambrose Dudley, 1906; in Broadway Booklets, 1906; with\nintroduction, note-book, and word list, J. S. Farmer (Museum\nDramatists), 1906.\n\nMiracle Plays: Towneley Mysteries, ed. by Surtees Society, 1836;\nPollard, Early English Text Society, 1897. York Mysteries, ed. Lucy\nToulmin Smith, 1885. Chester Mysteries, ed. Th. Wright, Shakespeare\nSociety, 1843-47; Deimling, Early English Text Society, 1893, etc.; T.\nH. Markland (two plays), Roxburghe Club, 1818. Coventry Mysteries, ed.\nHalliwell, Shakespeare Society, 1841. See also Sharp, Dissertation on\nthe Coventry Mysteries. For other Mysteries see Davidson, Modern\nLanguage Notes, vii.; E. Norris, Ancient Cornish Drama, 1859.\n\nSelections, or Separate Plays: Harrowing of Hell, ed. Halliwell, 1840;\nCollier, Five Miracle Plays, 1867; Dr. E. Mall, 1871; A. W. Pollard,\nEnglish Miracle Plays, 1895; Specimens of the Pre-Shakespearean Drama,\n1897, 2 vols. (a third vol. to come), Prof. Manly. See J. H. Kirkham\n(Enquiry into Sources, etc.), 1885. Abraham and Isaac, ed. L. Toulmin\nSmith (Brome Hall MS.), 1886; R. Brotanek (Dublin MS.), Anglia, xxi.\n\nGeneral Literature: Ward, History of English Dramatic Literature,\n1875-6; Payne Collier, The History of English Dramatic Poetry, 1879; K.\nHase, Miracle Plays, trans. A. W. Jackson, 1880; C. Davidson, Studies in\nEnglish Mystery Plays, 1892; A. W. Pollard, English Miracle Plays,\nMoralities, and Interludes, Specimens of pre-Elizabethan Drama, etc.,\n1895; K. Chambers, The Medi\u00e6val Stage, 1903; A full bibliography is\ngiven in F. H. Stoddard, References for Students of Miracle Plays and\nMysteries, 1887.\n\n\n\n\nCONTENTS\n\n\n\nIntroduction                                                vii\nEveryman                                                      1\nThe Deluge                                                   27\nAbraham, Melchisedec, and Isaac                              39\nThe Wakefield Second Shepherds' Play                         55\nThe Coventry Nativity Play                                   79\nThe Wakefield Miracle-Play of the Crucifixion               105\nThe Cornish Mystery-Play of the Three Maries                127\nThe Mystery of Mary Magdalene and the Apostles              137\nThe Wakefield Pageant of the Harrowing of Hell              147\nGod's Promises                                              163\nAppendices                                                  193\n\n\n\n\nCHARACTERS\n\n\nEveryman\nGod: Adonai\nDeath\nMessenger\nFellowship\nCousin\nKindred\nGoods\nGood-Deeds\nStrength\nDiscretion\nFive-Wits\nBeauty\nKnowledge\nConfession\nAngel\nDoctor\n\n\n\n\nEVERYMAN\n\n     HERE BEGINNETH A TREATISE HOW THE HIGH FATHER OF HEAVEN SENDETH\n     DEATH TO SUMMON EVERY CREATURE TO COME AND GIVE ACCOUNT OF THEIR\n     LIVES IN THIS WORLD AND IS IN MANNER OF A MORAL PLAY.\n\n\n_Messenger._ I pray you all give your audience,\nAnd hear this matter with reverence,\nBy figure a moral play--\nThe _Summoning of Everyman_ called it is,\nThat of our lives and ending shows\nHow transitory we be all day.\nThis matter is wondrous precious,\nBut the intent of it is more gracious,\nAnd sweet to bear away.\nThe story saith,--Man, in the beginning,\nLook well, and take good heed to the ending,\nBe you never so gay!\nYe think sin in the beginning full sweet,\nWhich in the end causeth thy soul to weep,\nWhen the body lieth in clay.\nHere shall you see how _Fellowship_ and _Jollity_,\nBoth _Strength_, _Pleasure_, and _Beauty_,\nWill fade from thee as flower in May.\nFor ye shall hear, how our heaven king\nCalleth _Everyman_ to a general reckoning:\nGive audience, and hear what he doth say.\n\n_God._ I perceive here in my majesty,\nHow that all creatures be to me unkind,\nLiving without dread in worldly prosperity:\nOf ghostly sight the people be so blind,\nDrowned in sin, they know me not for their God;\nIn worldly riches is all their mind,\nThey fear not my rightwiseness, the sharp rod;\nMy law that I shewed, when I for them died,\nThey forget clean, and shedding of my blood red;\nI hanged between two, it cannot be denied;\nTo get them life I suffered to be dead;\nI healed their feet, with thorns hurt was my head:\nI could do no more than I did truly,\nAnd now I see the people do clean forsake me.\nThey use the seven deadly sins damnable;\nAs pride, covetise, wrath, and lechery,\nNow in the world be made commendable;\nAnd thus they leave of angels the heavenly company;\nEveryman liveth so after his own pleasure,\nAnd yet of their life they be nothing sure:\nI see the more that I them forbear\nThe worse they be from year to year;\nAll that liveth appaireth[7] fast,\nTherefore I will in all the haste\nHave a reckoning of Everyman's person\nFor and I leave the people thus alone\nIn their life and wicked tempests,\nVerily they will become much worse than beasts;\nFor now one would by envy another up eat;\nCharity they all do clean forget.\nI hoped well that Everyman\nIn my glory should make his mansion,\nAnd thereto I had them all elect;\nBut now I see, like traitors deject,\nThey thank me not for the pleasure that I to them meant,\nNor yet for their being that I them have lent;\nI proffered the people great multitude of mercy,\nAnd few there be that asketh it heartily;\nThey be so cumbered with worldly riches,\nThat needs on them I must do justice,\nOn Everyman living without fear.\nWhere art thou, _Death_, thou mighty messenger?\n\n_Death._ Almighty God, I am here at your will,\nYour commandment to fulfil.\n\n_God._ Go thou to _Everyman_,\nAnd show him in my name\nA pilgrimage he must on him take,\nWhich he in no wise may escape;\nAnd that he bring with him a sure reckoning\nWithout delay or any tarrying.\n\n_Death._ Lord, I will in the world go run over all,\nAnd cruelly outsearch both great and small;\nEvery man will I beset that liveth beastly\nOut of God's laws, and dreadeth not folly:\nHe that loveth riches I will strike with my dart,\nHis sight to blind, and from heaven to depart,\nExcept that alms be his good friend,\nIn hell for to dwell, world without end.\nLo, yonder I see _Everyman_ walking;\nFull little he thinketh on my coming;\nHis mind is on fleshly lusts and his treasure,\nAnd great pain it shall cause him to endure\nBefore the Lord Heaven King.\n_Everyman_, stand still; whither art thou going\nThus gaily? Hast thou thy Maker forget?\n\n_Everyman._ Why askst thou?\nWouldest thou wete?[8]\n\n_Death._ Yea, sir, I will show you;\nIn great haste I am sent to thee\nFrom God out of his majesty.\n\n_Everyman._ What, sent to me?\n\n_Death._ Yea, certainly.\nThough thou have forget him here,\nHe thinketh on thee in the heavenly sphere,\nAs, or we depart, thou shalt know.\n\n_Everyman._ What desireth God of me?\n\n_Death._ That shall I show thee;\nA reckoning he will needs have\nWithout any longer respite.\n\n_Everyman._ To give a reckoning longer leisure I crave;\nThis blind matter troubleth my wit.\n\n_Death._ On thee thou must take a long journey:\nTherefore thy book of count with thee thou bring;\nFor turn again thou can not by no way,\nAnd look thou be sure of thy reckoning:\nFor before God thou shalt answer, and show\nThy many bad deeds and good but a few;\nHow thou hast spent thy life, and in what wise,\nBefore the chief lord of paradise.\nHave ado that we were in that way,\nFor, wete thou well, thou shalt make none attournay.[9]\n\n_Everyman._ Full unready I am such reckoning to give.\nI know thee not: what messenger art thou?\n\n_Death._ I am _Death_, that no man dreadeth.\nFor every man I rest and no man spareth;\nFor it is God's commandment\nThat all to me should be obedient.\n\n_Everyman._ O _Death_, thou comest when I had thee least in mind;\nIn thy power it lieth me to save,\nYet of my good will I give thee, if ye will be kind,\nYea, a thousand pound shalt thou have,\nAnd defer this matter till another day.\n\n_Death._ _Everyman_, it may not be by no way;\nI set not by gold, silver, nor riches,\nNe by pope, emperor, king, duke, ne princes.\nFor and I would receive gifts great,\nAll the world I might get;\nBut my custom is clean contrary.\nI give thee no respite: come hence, and not tarry.\n\n_Everyman._ Alas, shall I have no longer respite?\nI may say _Death_ giveth no warning:\nTo think on thee, it maketh my heart sick,\nFor all unready is my book of reckoning.\nBut twelve year and I might have abiding,\nMy counting book I would make so clear,\nThat my reckoning I should not need to fear.\nWherefore, _Death_, I pray thee, for God's mercy,\nSpare me till I be provided of remedy.\n\n_Death._ Thee availeth not to cry, weep, and pray:\nBut haste thee lightly that you were gone the journey,\nAnd prove thy friends if thou can.\nFor, wete thou well, the tide abideth no man,\nAnd in the world each living creature\nFor _Adam's_ sin must die of nature.\n\n_Everyman._ _Death_, if I should this pilgrimage take,\nAnd my reckoning surely make,\nShow me, for saint _charity_,\nShould I not come again shortly?\n\n_Death._ No, _Everyman_; and thou be once there,\nThou mayst never more come here,\nTrust me verily.\n\n_Everyman._ O gracious God, in the high seat celestial,\nHave mercy on me in this most need;\nShall I have no company from this vale terrestrial\nOf mine acquaintance that way me to lead?\n\n_Death._ Yea, if any be so hardy,\nThat would go with thee and bear thee company.\nHie thee that you were gone to God's magnificence,\nThy reckoning to give before his presence.\nWhat, weenest thou thy life is given thee,\nAnd thy worldly goods also?\n\n_Everyman._ I had wend so, verily.\n\n_Death._ Nay, nay; it was but lent thee;\nFor as soon as thou art go,\nAnother awhile shall have it, and then go therefro\nEven as thou hast done.\n_Everyman_, thou art mad; thou hast thy wits five,\nAnd here on earth will not amend thy life,\nFor suddenly I do come.\n\n_Everyman._ O wretched caitiff, whither shall I flee,\nThat I might scape this endless sorrow!\nNow, gentle _Death_, spare me till to-morrow,\nThat I may amend me\nWith good advisement.\n\n_Death._ Nay, thereto I will not consent,\nNor no man will I respite,\nBut to the heart suddenly I shall smite\nWithout any advisement.\nAnd now out of thy sight I will me hie;\nSee thou make thee ready shortly,\nFor thou mayst say this is the day\nThat no man living may scape away.\n\n_Everyman._ Alas, I may well weep with sighs deep;\nNow have I no manner of company\nTo help me in my journey, and me to keep;\nAnd also my writing is full unready.\nHow shall I do now for to excuse me?\nI would to God I had never be gete![10]\nTo my soul a full great profit it had be;\nFor now I fear pains huge and great.\nThe time passeth; Lord, help that all wrought;\nFor though I mourn it availeth nought.\nThe day passeth, and is almost a-go;\nI wot not well what for to do.\nTo whom were I best my complaint to make?\nWhat, and I to _Fellowship_ thereof spake,\nAnd showed him of this sudden chance?\nFor in him is all mine affiance;\nWe have in the world so many a day\nBe on good friends in sport and play.\nI see him yonder, certainly;\nI trust that he will bear me company;\nTherefore to him will I speak to ease my sorrow.\nWell met, good _Fellowship_, and good morrow!\n\n_Fellowship speaketh._ _Everyman_, good morrow by this day.\nSir, why lookest thou so piteously?\nIf any thing be amiss, I pray thee, me say,\nThat I may help to remedy.\n\n_Everyman._ Yea, good _Fellowship_, yea,\nI am in great jeopardy.\n\n_Fellowship._ My true friend, show to me your mind;\nI will not forsake thee, unto my life's end,\nIn the way of good company.\n\n_Everyman._ That was well spoken, and lovingly.\n\n_Fellowship._ Sir, I must needs know your heaviness;\nI have pity to see you in any distress;\nIf any have you wronged ye shall revenged be,\nThough I on the ground be slain for thee,--\nThough that I know before that I should die.\n\n_Everyman._ Verily, _Fellowship_, gramercy.\n\n_Fellowship._ Tush! by thy thanks I set not a straw.\nShow me your grief, and say no more.\n\n_Everyman._ If I my heart should to you break,\nAnd then you to turn your mind from me,\nAnd would not me comfort, when you hear me speak,\nThen should I ten times sorrier be.\n\n_Fellowship._ Sir, I say as I will do in deed.\n\n_Everyman._ Then be you a good friend at need:\nI have found you true here before.\n\n_Fellowship._ And so ye shall evermore;\nFor, in faith, and thou go to Hell,\nI will not forsake thee by the way!\n\n_Everyman._ Ye speak like a good friend; I believe you well;\nI shall deserve it, and I may.\n\n_Fellowship._ I speak of no deserving, by this day.\nFor he that will say and nothing do\nIs not worthy with good company to go;\nTherefore show me the grief of your mind,\nAs to your friend most loving and kind.\n\n_Everyman._ I shall show you how it is;\nCommanded I am to go a journey,\nA long way, hard and dangerous,\nAnd give a strait count without delay\nBefore the high judge Adonai.[11]\nWherefore I pray you, bear me company,\nAs ye have promised, in this journey.\n\n_Fellowship._ That is matter indeed! Promise is duty,\nBut, and I should take such a voyage on me,\nI know it well, it should be to my pain:\nAlso it make me afeard, certain.\nBut let us take counsel here as well as we can,\nFor your words would fear a strong man.\n\n_Everyman._ Why, ye said, If I had need,\nYe would me never forsake, quick nor dead,\nThough it were to hell truly.\n\n_Fellowship._ So I said, certainly,\nBut such pleasures be set aside, thee sooth to say:\nAnd also, if we took such a journey,\nWhen should we come again?\n\n_Everyman._ Nay, never again till the day of doom.\n\n_Fellowship._ In faith, then will not I come there!\nWho hath you these tidings brought?\n\n_Everyman._ Indeed, _Death_ was with me here.\n\n_Fellowship._ Now, by God that all hath bought,\nIf _Death_ were the messenger,\nFor no man that is living to-day\nI will not go that loath journey--\nNot for the father that begat me!\n\n_Everyman._ Ye promised other wise, pardie.\n\n_Fellowship._ I wot well I say so truly;\nAnd yet if thou wilt eat, and drink, and make good cheer,\nOr haunt to women, the lusty company,\nI would not forsake you, while the day is clear,\nTrust me verily!\n\n_Everyman._ Yea, thereto ye would be ready;\nTo go to mirth, solace, and play,\nYour mind will sooner apply\nThan to bear me company in my long journey.\n\n_Fellowship._ Now, in good faith, I will not that way.\nBut and thou wilt murder, or any man kill,\nIn that I will help thee with a good will!\n\n_Everyman._ O that is a simple advice indeed!\nGentle _fellow_, help me in my necessity;\nWe have loved long, and now I need,\nAnd now, gentle _Fellowship_, remember me.\n\n_Fellowship._ Whether ye have loved me or no,\nBy Saint John, I will not with thee go.\n\n_Everyman._ Yet I pray thee, take the labour, and do so much for me\nTo bring me forward, for saint charity,\nAnd comfort me till I come without the town.\n\n_Fellowship._ Nay, and thou would give me a new gown,\nI will not a foot with thee go;\nBut and you had tarried I would not have left thee so.\nAnd as now, God speed thee in thy journey,\nFor from thee I will depart as fast as I may.\n\n_Everyman._ Whither away, _Fellowship_? will you forsake me?\n\n_Fellowship._ Yea, by my fay, to God I betake thee.\n\n_Everyman._ Farewell, good _Fellowship_; for this my heart is sore;\nAdieu for ever, I shall see thee no more.\n\n_Fellowship._ In faith, _Everyman_, farewell now at the end;\nFor you I will remember that parting is mourning.\n\n_Everyman._ Alack! shall we thus depart indeed?\nOur Lady, help, without any more comfort,\nLo, _Fellowship_ forsaketh me in my most need:\nFor help in this world whither shall I resort?\n_Fellowship_ herebefore with me would merry make;\nAnd now little sorrow for me doth he take.\nIt is said, in prosperity men friends may find,\nWhich in adversity be full unkind.\nNow whither for succour shall I flee,\nSith that _Fellowship_ hath forsaken me?\nTo my kinsmen I will truly,\nPraying them to help me in my necessity;\nI believe that they will do so,\nFor kind will creep where it may not go.\nI will go say, for yonder I see them go.\nWhere be ye now, my friends and kinsmen?\n\n_Kindred._ Here be we now at your commandment.\n_Cousin_, I pray you show us your intent\nIn any wise, and not spare.\n\n_Cousin._ Yea, _Everyman_, and to us declare\nIf ye be disposed to go any whither,\nFor wete you well, we will live and die together.\n\n_Kindred._ In wealth and woe we will with you hold,\nFor over his kin a man may be bold.\n\n_Everyman._ Gramercy, my friends and kinsmen kind.\nNow shall I show you the grief of my mind:\nI was commanded by a messenger,\nThat is an high king's chief officer;\nHe bade me go a pilgrimage to my pain,\nAnd I know well I shall never come again;\nAlso I must give a reckoning straight,\nFor I have a great enemy, that hath me in wait,\nWhich intendeth me for to hinder.\n\n_Kindred._ What account is that which ye must render?\nThat would I know.\n\n_Everyman._ Of all my works I must show\nHow I have lived and my days spent;\nAlso of ill deeds, that I have used\nIn my time, sith life was me lent;\nAnd of all virtues that I have refused.\nTherefore I pray you go thither with me,\nTo help to make mine account, for saint _charity_.\n\n_Cousin._ What, to go thither? Is that the matter?\nNay, _Everyman_, I had liefer fast bread and water\nAll this five year and more.\n\n_Everyman._ Alas, that ever I was bore![12]\nFor now shall I never be merry\nIf that you forsake me.\n\n_Kindred._ Ah, sir; what, ye be a merry man!\nTake good heart to you, and make no moan.\nBut one thing I warn you, by Saint Anne,\nAs for me, ye shall go alone.\n\n_Everyman._ My _Cousin_, will you not with me go?\n\n_Cousin._ No, by our Lady; I have the cramp in my toe.\nTrust not to me, for, so God me speed,\nI will deceive you in your most need,\n_Kindred._ It availeth not us to tice.\nYe shall have my maid with all my heart;\nShe loveth to go to feasts, there to be nice,\nAnd to dance, and abroad to start:\nI will give her leave to help you in that journey,\nIf that you and she may agree.\n\n_Everyman._ Now show me the very effect of your mind.\nWill you go with me, or abide behind?\n\n_Kindred._ Abide behind? yea, that I will and I may!\nTherefore farewell until another day.\n\n_Everyman._ How should I be merry or glad?\nFor fair promises to me make,\nBut when I have most need, they me forsake.\nI am deceived; that maketh me sad.\n\n_Cousin._ Cousin _Everyman_, farewell now,\nFor verily I will not go with you;\nAlso of mine own an unready reckoning\nI have to account; therefore I make tarrying.\nNow, God keep thee, for now I go.\n\n_Everyman._ Ah, _Jesus_, is all come hereto?\nLo, fair words maketh fools feign;\nThey promise and nothing will do certain.\nMy kinsmen promised me faithfully\nFor to abide with me steadfastly,\nAnd now fast away do they flee:\nEven so _Fellowship_ promised me.\nWhat friend were best me of to provide?\nI lose my time here longer to abide.\nYet in my mind a thing there is;--\nAll my life I have loved riches;\nIf that my good now help me might,\nHe would make my heart full light.\nI will speak to him in this distress.--\nWhere art thou, my _Goods_ and riches?\n\n_Goods._ Who calleth me? _Everyman?_ what haste thou hast!\nI lie here in corners, trussed and piled so high,\nAnd in chests I am locked so fast,\nAlso sacked in bags, thou mayst see with thine eye,\nI cannot stir; in packs low I lie.\nWhat would ye have, lightly me say.\n\n_Everyman._ Come hither, _Good_, in all the haste thou may,\nFor of counsel I must desire thee.\n\n_Goods._ Sir, and ye in the world have trouble or adversity,\nThat can I help you to remedy shortly.\n\n_Everyman._ It is another disease that grieveth me;\nIn this world it is not, I tell thee so.\nI am sent for another way to go,\nTo give a straight account general\nBefore the highest _Jupiter_ of all;\nAnd all my life I have had joy and pleasure in thee.\nTherefore I pray thee go with me,\nFor, peradventure, thou mayst before God Almighty\nMy reckoning help to clean and purify;\nFor it is said ever among,\nThat money maketh all right that is wrong.\n\n_Goods._ Nay, _Everyman_, I sing another song,\nI follow no man in such voyages;\nFor and I went with thee\nThou shouldst fare much the worse for me;\nFor because on me thou did set thy mind,\nThy reckoning I have made blotted and blind,\nThat thine account thou cannot make truly;\nAnd that hast thou for the love of me.\n\n_Everyman._ That would grieve me full sore,\nWhen I should come to that fearful answer.\nUp, let us go thither together.\n\n_Goods._ Nay, not so, I am too brittle, I may not endure;\nI will follow no man one foot, be ye sure.\n\n_Everyman._ Alas, I have thee loved, and had great pleasure\nAll my life-days on good and treasure.\n\n_Goods._ That is to thy damnation without lesing,\nFor my love is contrary to the love everlasting.\nBut if thou had me loved moderately during,\nAs, to the poor give part of me,\nThen shouldst thou not in this dolour be,\nNor in this great sorrow and care.\n\n_Everyman._ Lo, now was I deceived or I was ware,\nAnd all I may wyte[13] my spending of time.\n\n_Goods._ What, weenest thou that I am thine?\n\n_Everyman._ I had wend so.\n\n_Goods._ Nay, _Everyman,_ I say no;\nAs for a while I was lent thee,\nA season thou hast had me in prosperity;\nMy condition is man's soul to kill;\nIf I save one, a thousand I do spill;\nWeenest thou that I will follow thee?\nNay, from this world, not verily.\n\n_Everyman._ I had wend otherwise.\n\n_Goods._ Therefore to thy soul _Good_ is a thief;\nFor when thou art dead, this is my guise\nAnother to deceive in the same wise\nAs I have done thee, and all to his soul's reprief.\n\n_Everyman._ O false _Good_, cursed thou be!\nThou traitor to God, that hast deceived me,\nAnd caught me in thy snare.\n\n_Goods._ Marry, thou brought thyself in care,\nWhereof I am glad,\nI must needs laugh, I cannot be sad.\n\n_Everyman._ Ah, _Good_, thou hast had long my heartly love;\nI gave thee that which should be the Lord's above.\nBut wilt thou not go with me in deed?\nI pray thee truth to say.\n\n_Goods._ No, so God me speed,\nTherefore farewell, and have good day.\n\n_Everyman._ O, to whom shall I make my moan\nFor to go with me in that heavy journey?\nFirst _Fellowship_ said he would with me gone;\nHis words were very pleasant and gay,\nBut afterward he left me alone.\nThen spake I to my kinsmen all in despair,\nAnd also they gave me words fair,\nThey lacked no fair speaking,\nBut all forsake me in the ending.\nThen went I to my _Goods_ that I loved best,\nIn hope to have comfort, but there had I least;\nFor my _Goods_ sharply did me tell\nThat he bringeth many into hell.\nThen of myself I was ashamed,\nAnd so I am worthy to be blamed;\nThus may I well myself hate.\nOf whom shall I now counsel take?\nI think that I shall never speed\nTill that I go to my _Good-Deed_,\nBut alas, she is so weak,\nThat she can neither go nor speak;\nYet will I venture on her now.--\nMy _Good-Deeds_, where be you?\n\n_Good-Deeds._ Here I lie cold in the ground;\nThy sins hath me sore bound,\nThat I cannot stir.\n\n_Everyman._ O, _Good-Deeds_, I stand in fear;\nI must you pray of counsel,\nFor help now should come right well.\n\n_Goods-Deeds._ _Everyman_, I have understanding\nThat ye be summoned account to make\nBefore _Messias_, of Jerusalem King;\nAnd you do by me[14] that journey what[15] you will I take.\n\n_Everyman._ Therefore I come to you, my moan to make;\nI pray you, that ye will go with me.\n\n_Good-Deeds._ I would full fain, but I cannot stand verily.\n\n_Everyman._ Why, is there anything on you fall?\n\n_Good-Deeds._ Yea, sir, I may thank you of all;\nIf ye had perfectly cheered me,\nYour book of account now full ready had be.\nLook, the books of your works and deeds eke;\nOh, see how they lie under the feet,\nTo your soul's heaviness.\n\n_Everyman._ Our Lord _Jesus_, help me!\nFor one letter here I can not see.\n\n_Good-Deeds._ There is a blind reckoning in time of distress!\n\n_Everyman._ _Good-Deeds_, I pray you, help me in this need,\nOr else I am for ever damned indeed;\nTherefore help me to make reckoning\nBefore the redeemer of all thing,\nThat king is, and was, and ever shall.\n\n_Good-Deeds._ _Everyman_, I am sorry of your fall,\nAnd fain would I help you, and I were able.\n\n_Everyman._ _Good-Deeds_, your counsel I pray you give me.\n\n_Good-Deeds._ That shall I do verily;\nThough that on my feet I may not go,\nI have a sister, that shall with you also,\nCalled _Knowledge_, which shall with you abide,\nTo help you to make that dreadful reckoning.\n\n_Knowledge._ _Everyman_, I will go with thee, and be thy guide,\nIn thy most need to go by thy side.\n\n_Everyman._ In good condition I am now in every thing,\nAnd am wholly content with this good thing;\nThanked be God my Creator.\n\n_Good-Deeds._ And when he hath brought thee there,\nWhere thou shalt heal thee of thy smart,\nThen go you with your reckoning and your _Good-Deeds_ together\nFor to make you joyful at heart\nBefore the blessed Trinity.\n\n_Everyman._ My _Good-Deeds_, gramercy;\nI am well content, certainly,\nWith your words sweet.\n\n_Knowledge._ Now go we together lovingly,\nTo _Confession_, that cleansing river.\n\n_Everyman._ For joy I weep; I would we were there;\nBut, I pray you, give me cognition\nWhere dwelleth that holy man, _Confession_.\n\n_Knowledge._ In the house of salvation:\nWe shall find him in that place,\nThat shall us comfort by God's grace.\nLo, this is _Confession_; kneel down and ask mercy,\nFor he is in good conceit with God almighty.\n\n_Everyman._ O glorious fountain that all uncleanness doth clarify,\nWash from me the spots of vices unclean,\nThat on me no sin may be seen;\nI come with _Knowledge_ for my redemption,\nRepent with hearty and full contrition;\nFor I am commanded a pilgrimage to take,\nAnd great accounts before God to make.\nNow, I pray you, _Shrift_, mother of salvation,\nHelp my good deeds for my piteous exclamation.\n\n_Confession._ I know your sorrow well, _Everyman_;\nBecause with _Knowledge_ ye come to me,\nI will you comfort as well as I can,\nAnd a precious jewel I will give thee,\nCalled penance, wise voider of adversity;\nTherewith shall your body chastised be,\nWith abstinence and perseverance in God's service:\nHere shall you receive that scourge of me,\nWhich is penance strong, that ye must endure,\nTo remember thy Saviour was scourged for thee\nWith sharp scourges, and suffered it patiently;\nSo must thou, or thou scape that painful pilgrimage;\n_Knowledge_, keep him in this voyage,\nAnd by that time _Good-Deeds_ will be with thee.\nBut in any wise, be sure of mercy,\nFor your time draweth fast, and ye will saved be;\nAsk God mercy, and He will grant truly,\nWhen with the scourge of penance man doth him bind,\nThe oil of forgiveness then shall he find.\n\n_Everyman._ Thanked be God for his gracious work!\nFor now I will my penance begin;\nThis hath rejoiced and lighted my heart,\nThough the knots be painful and hard within.\n\n_Knowledge._ _Everyman_, look your penance that ye fulfil,\nWhat pain that ever it to you be,\nAnd _Knowledge_ shall give you counsel at will,\nHow your accounts ye shall make clearly.\n\n_Everyman._ O eternal God, O heavenly figure,\nO way of rightwiseness, O goodly vision,\nWhich descended down in a virgin pure\nBecause he would _Everyman_ redeem,\nWhich _Adam_ forfeited by his disobedience:\nO blessed Godhead, elect and high-divine,\nForgive my grievous offence;\nHere I cry thee mercy in this presence.\nO ghostly treasure, O ransomer and redeemer\nOf all the world, hope and conductor,\nMirror of joy, and founder of mercy,\nWhich illumineth heaven and earth thereby,\nHear my clamorous complaint, though it late be;\nReceive my prayers; unworthy in this heavy life,\nThough I be, a sinner most abominable,\nYet let my name be written in _Moses'_ table;\nO _Mary_, pray to the Maker of all thing,\nMe for to help at my ending,\nAnd save me from the power of my enemy,\nFor _Death_ assaileth me strongly;\nAnd, Lady, that I may by means of thy prayer\nOf your Son's glory to be partaker,\nBy the means of his passion I it crave,\nI beseech you, help my soul to save.--\n_Knowledge_, give me the scourge of penance;\nMy flesh therewith shall give a quittance:\nI will now begin, if God give me grace.\n\n_Knowledge._ _Everyman_, God give you time and space:\nThus I bequeath you in the hands of our Saviour,\nThus may you make your reckoning sure.\n\n_Everyman._ In the name of the Holy Trinity,\nMy body sore punished shall be:\nTake this body for the sin of the flesh;\nAlso thou delightest to go gay and fresh,\nAnd in the way of damnation thou did me bring;\nTherefore suffer now strokes and punishing.\nNow of penance I will wade the water clear,\nTo save me from purgatory, that sharp fire.\n\n_Good-Deeds._ I thank God, now I can walk and go;\nAnd am delivered of my sickness and woe.\nTherefore with _Everyman_ I will go, and not spare;\nHis good works I will help him to declare.\n\n_Knowledge._ Now, _Everyman_, be merry and glad;\nYour _Good-Deeds_ cometh now; ye may not be sad;\nNow is your _Good-Deeds_ whole and sound,\nGoing upright upon the ground.\n\n_Everyman._ My heart is light, and shall be evermore;\nNow will I smite faster than I did before.\n\n_Good-Deeds._ _Everyman_, pilgrim, my special friend,\nBlessed be thou without end;\nFor thee is prepared the eternal glory.\nYe have me made whole and sound,\nTherefore I will bide by thee in every stound.[16]\n\n_Everyman._ Welcome, my _Good-Deeds_; now I hear thy voice,\nI weep for very sweetness of love.\n\n_Knowledge._ Be no more sad, but ever rejoice,\nGod seeth thy living in his throne above;\nPut on this garment to thy behove,\nWhich is wet with your tears,\nOr else before God you may it miss,\nWhen you to your journey's end come shall.\n\n_Everyman._ Gentle _Knowledge_, what do you it call?\n\n_Knowledge._ It is a garment of sorrow:\nFrom pain it will you borrow;\nContrition it is,\nThat getteth forgiveness;\nIt pleaseth God passing well.\n\n_Good-Deeds._ _Everyman_, will you wear it for your heal?\n\n_Everyman._ Now blessed be _Jesu, Mary's_ Son!\nFor now have I on true contrition.\nAnd let us go now without tarrying;\n_Good-Deeds_, have we clear our reckoning?\n\n_Good-Deeds._ Yea, indeed I have it here.\n\n_Everyman._ Then I trust we need not fear;\nNow, friends, let us not part in twain.\n\n_Knowledge._ Nay, _Everyman_, that will we not, certain.\n\n_Good-Deeds._ Yet must thou lead with thee\nThree persons of great might.\n\n_Everyman._ Who should they be?\n\n_Good-Deeds._ _Discretion_ and _Strength_ they hight,\nAnd thy _Beauty_ may not abide behind.\n\n_Knowledge._ Also ye must call to mind\nYour _Five-wits_ as for your counsellors.\n\n_Good-Deeds._ You must have them ready at all hours.\n\n_Everyman._ How shall I get them hither?\n\n_Knowledge._ You must call them all together,\nAnd they will hear you incontinent.\n\n_Everyman._ My friends, come hither and be present\n_Discretion_, _Strength_, my _Five-wits_, and _Beauty_.\n\n_Beauty._ Here at your will we be all ready.\nWhat will ye that we should do?\n\n_Good-Deeds._ That ye would with _Everyman_ go,\nAnd help him in his pilgrimage,\nAdvise you, will ye with him or not in that voyage?\n\n_Strength._ We will bring him all thither,\nTo his help and comfort, ye may believe me.\n\n_Discretion._ So will we go with him all together.\n\n_Everyman._ Almighty God, loved thou be,\nI give thee laud that I have hither brought\n_Strength_, _Discretion_, _Beauty_, and _Five-wits_; lack I nought;\nAnd my _Good-Deeds_, with _Knowledge_ clear,\nAll be in my company at my will here;\nI desire no more to my business.\n\n_Strength._ And I, _Strength_, will by you stand in distress,\nThough thou would in battle fight on the ground.\n\n_Five-wits._ And though it were through the world round,\nWe will not depart for sweet nor sour.\n\n_Beauty._ No more will I unto death's hour,\nWhatsoever thereof befall.\n\n_Discretion._ _Everyman_, advise you first of all;\nGo with a good advisement and deliberation;\nWe all give you virtuous monition\nThat all shall be well.\n\n_Everyman._ My friends, hearken what I will tell:\nI pray God reward you in his heavenly sphere.\nNow hearken, all that be here,\nFor I will make my testament\nHere before you all present.\nIn alms half my good I will give with my hands twain\nIn the way of charity, with good intent,\nAnd the other half still shall remain\nIn quiet to be returned there it ought to be.\nThis I do in despite of the fiend of hell\nTo go quite out of his peril\nEver after and this day.\n\n_Knowledge._ _Everyman_, hearken what I say;\nGo to priesthood, I you advise,\nAnd receive of him in any wise\nThe holy sacrament and ointment together;\nThen shortly see ye turn again hither;\nWe will all abide you here.\n\n_Five-Wits._ Yea, _Everyman_, hie you that ye ready were,\nThere is no emperor, king, duke, ne baron,\nThat of God hath commission,\nAs hath the least priest in the world being;\nFor of the blessed sacraments pure and benign,\nHe beareth the keys and thereof hath the cure\nFor man's redemption, it is ever sure;\nWhich God for our soul's medicine\nGave us out of his heart with great pine;\nHere in this transitory life, for thee and me\nThe blessed sacraments seven there be,\nBaptism, confirmation, with priesthood good,\nAnd the sacrament of God's precious flesh and blood,\nMarriage, the holy extreme unction, and penance;\nThese seven be good to have in remembrance,\nGracious sacraments of high divinity.\n\n_Everyman._ Fain would I receive that holy body\nAnd meekly to my ghostly father I will go.\n\n_Five-wits._ _Everyman_, that is the best that ye can do:\nGod will you to salvation bring,\nFor priesthood exceedeth all other thing;\nTo us Holy Scripture they do teach,\nAnd converteth man from sin heaven to reach;\nGod hath to them more power given,\nThan to any angel that is in heaven;\nWith five words he may consecrate\nGod's body in flesh and blood to make,\nAnd handleth his maker between his hands;\nThe priest bindeth and unbindeth all bands,\nBoth in earth and in heaven;\nThou ministers all the sacraments seven;\nThough we kissed thy feet thou were worthy;\nThou art surgeon that cureth sin deadly:\nNo remedy we find under God\nBut all only priesthood.\n_Everyman_, God gave priests that dignity,\nAnd setteth them in his stead among us to be;\nThus be they above angels in degree.\n\n_Knowledge._ If priests be good it is so surely;\nBut when Jesus hanged on the cross with great smart\nThere he gave, out of his blessed heart,\nThe same sacrament in great torment:\nHe sold them not to us, that Lord Omnipotent.\nTherefore Saint Peter the apostle doth say\nThat Jesu's curse hath all they\nWhich God their Saviour do buy or sell,\nOr they for any money do take or tell.\nSinful priests giveth the sinners example bad;\nTheir children sitteth by other men's fires, I have heard;\nAnd some haunteth women's company,\nWith unclean life, as lusts of lechery\nThese be with sin made blind.\n\n_Five-wits._ I trust to God no such may we find;\nTherefore let us priesthood honour,\nAnd follow their doctrine for our souls' succour;\nWe be their sheep, and they shepherds be\nBy whom we all be kept in surety.\nPeace, for yonder I see _Everyman_ come,\nWhich hath made true satisfaction.\n\n_Good-Deeds._ Methinketh it is he indeed.\n\n_Everyman._ Now Jesu be our alder speed.[17]\nI have received the sacrament for my redemption,\nAnd then mine extreme unction:\nBlessed be all they that counselled me to take it!\nAnd now, friends, let us go without longer respite;\nI thank God that ye have tarried so long.\nNow set each of you on this rod your hand,\nAnd shortly follow me:\nI go before, there I would be; God be our guide.\n\n_Strength._ _Everyman_, we will not from you go,\nTill ye have gone this voyage long.\n\n_Discretion._ I, _Discretion_, will bide by you also.\n\n_Knowledge._ And though this pilgrimage be never so strong,\nI will never part you fro:\n_Everyman_, I will be as sure by thee\nAs ever I did by Judas Maccabee.\n\n_Everyman._ Alas, I am so faint I may not stand,\nMy limbs under me do fold;\nFriends, let us not turn again to this land,\nNot for all the world's gold,\nFor into this cave must I creep\nAnd turn to the earth and there to sleep.\n\n_Beauty._ What, into this grave? alas!\n\n_Everyman._ Yea, there shall you consume more and less.\n\n_Beauty._ And what, should I smother here?\n\n_Everyman._ Yea, by my faith, and never more appear.\nIn this world live no more we shall,\nBut in heaven before the highest Lord of all.\n\n_Beauty._ I cross out all this; adieu by Saint _John_;\nI take my cap in my lap and am gone.\n\n_Everyman._ What, _Beauty_, whither will ye?\n\n_Beauty._ Peace, I am deaf; I look not behind me,\nNot and thou would give me all the gold in thy chest.\n\n_Everyman._ Alas, whereto may I trust?\n_Beauty_ goeth fast away hie;\nShe promised with me to live and die.\n\n_Strength._ _Everyman_, I will thee also forsake and deny;\nThy game liketh me not at all.\n\n_Everyman._ Why, then ye will forsake me all.\nSweet _Strength_, tarry a little space.\n\n_Strength._ Nay, sir, by the rood of grace\nI will hie me from thee fast,\nThough thou weep till thy heart brast.\n\n_Everyman._ Ye would ever bide by me, ye said.\n\n_Strength._ Yea, I have you far enough conveyed;\nYe be old enough, I understand,\nYour pilgrimage to take on hand;\nI repent me that I hither came.\n\n_Everyman._ _Strength_, you to displease I am to blame;\nWill you break promise that is debt?\n\n_Strength._ In faith, I care not;\nThou art but a fool to complain,\nYou spend your speech and waste your brain;\nGo thrust thee into the ground.\n\n_Everyman._ I had wend surer I should you have found.\nHe that trusteth in his _Strength_\nShe him deceiveth at the length.\nBoth _Strength_ and _Beauty_ forsaketh me,\nYet they promised me fair and lovingly.\n\n_Discretion. Everyman_, I will after _Strength_ be gone,\nAs for me I will leave you alone.\n\n_Everyman._ Why, _Discretion_, will ye forsake me?\n\n_Discretion._ Yea, in faith, I will go from thee,\nFor when _Strength_ goeth before\nI follow after evermore.\n\n_Everyman._ Yet, I pray thee, for the love of the Trinity,\nLook in my grave once piteously.\n\n_Discretion._ Nay, so nigh will I not come.\nFarewell, every one!\n\n_Everyman._ O all thing faileth, save God alone;\n_Beauty_, _Strength_, and _Discretion_;\nFor when _Death_ bloweth his blast,\nThey all run from me full fast.\n\n_Five-wits. Everyman_, my leave now of thee I take;\nI will follow the other, for here I thee forsake.\n\n_Everyman._ Alas! then may I wail and weep,\nFor I took you for my best friend.\n\n_Five-wits._ I will no longer thee keep;\nNow farewell, and there an end.\n\n_Everyman._ O Jesu, help, all hath forsaken me!\n\n_Good-Deeds._ Nay, _Everyman_, I will bide with thee,\nI will not forsake thee indeed;\nThou shalt find me a good friend at need.\n\n_Everyman._ Gramercy, _Good-Deeds_; now may I true friends see;\nThey have forsaken me every one;\nI loved them better than my _Good-Deeds_ alone.\n_Knowledge_, will ye forsake me also?\n\n_Knowledge._ Yea, _Everyman_, when ye to death do go:\nBut not yet for no manner of danger.\n\n_Everyman._ Gramercy, _Knowledge_, with all my heart.\n\n_Knowledge._ Nay, yet I will not from hence depart,\nTill I see where ye shall be come.\n\n_Everyman._ Methinketh, alas, that I must be gone,\nTo make my reckoning and my debts pay,\nFor I see my time is nigh spent away.\nTake example, all ye that this do hear or see,\nHow they that I loved best do forsake me,\nExcept my _Good-Deeds_ that bideth truly.\n\n_Good-Deeds._ All earthly things is but vanity:\n_Beauty_, _Strength_, and _Discretion_, do man forsake,\nFoolish friends and kinsmen, that fair spake,\nAll fleeth save _Good-Deeds_, and that am I.\n\n_Everyman._ Have mercy on me, God most mighty;\nAnd stand by me, thou Mother and Maid, holy _Mary_.\n\n_Good-Deeds_. Fear not, I will speak for thee.\n\n_Everyman._ Here I cry God mercy.\n\n_Good-Deeds._ Short our end, and minish our pain;\nLet us go and never come again.\n\n_Everyman._ Into thy hands, Lord, my soul I commend;\nReceive it, Lord, that it be not lost;\nAs thou me boughtest, so me defend,\nAnd save me from the fiend's boast,\nThat I may appear with that blessed host\nThat shall be saved at the day of doom.\n_In manus tuas_--of might's most\nFor ever--_commendo spiritum meum_.\n\n_Knowledge._ Now hath he suffered that we all shall endure;\nThe _Good-Deeds_ shall make all sure.\nNow hath he made ending;\nMethinketh that I hear angels sing\nAnd make great joy and melody,\nWhere _Everyman's_ soul received shall be.\n\n_Angel._ Come, excellent elect spouse to Jesu:\nHereabove thou shalt go\nBecause of thy singular virtue:\nNow the soul is taken the body fro;\nThy reckoning is crystal-clear.\nNow shalt thou into the heavenly sphere,\nUnto the which all ye shall come\nThat liveth well before the day of doom.\n\n_Doctor._ This moral men may have in mind;\nYe hearers, take it of worth, old and young,\nAnd forsake pride, for he deceiveth you in the end,\nAnd remember _Beauty_, _Five-wits_, _Strength_, and _Discretion_,\nThey all at the last do _Everyman_ forsake,\nSave his _Good-Deeds_, there doth he take.\nBut beware, and they be small\nBefore God, he hath no help at all.\nNone excuse may be there for _Everyman_:\nAlas, how shall he do then?\nFor after death amends may no man make,\nFor then mercy and pity do him forsake.\nIf his reckoning be not clear when he do come,\nGod will say--_ite maledicti in ignem \u00e6ternum_.\nAnd he that hath his account whole and sound,\nHigh in heaven he shall be crowned;\nUnto which place God bring us all thither\nThat we may live body and soul together.\nThereto help the Trinity,\nAmen, say ye, for saint _Charity_.\n\nTHUS ENDETH THIS MORALL PLAY OF EVERYMAN.\n\n\n\n\nTHE CHESTER PAGEANT OF THE WATER-LEADERS AND DRAWERS OF THE DEE\nCONCERNING NOAH'S DELUGE\n\n\n\nCHARACTERS\n\n\nGod\nNoah\nShem\nHam\nJaphet\nNoah's Wife\nShem's Wife\nHam's Wife\nJaphet's Wife\n\n\n\n\nTHE CHESTER PAGEANT OF THE DELUGE\n\n\n\n_God._ I, God, that all the world have wrought\nHeaven and Earth, and all of nought,\nI see my people, in deed and thought,\nAre foully set in sin.\n  My ghost shall not lodge in any man\nThat through fleshly liking is my fone,[18]\nBut till six score years be gone\nTo look if they will blynne.[19]\n  Man that I made I will destroy,\nBeast, worm, and fowl to fly,\nFor on earth they me annoy,\nThe folk that is thereon.\n  For it harms me so hurtfully\nThe malice now that can multiply,\nThat sore it grieveth me inwardly,\nThat ever I made man.\n  Therefore Noah, my servant free,\nThat righteous man art, as I see,\nA ship soon thou shalt make thee,\nOf trees dry and light.\n  Little chambers therein thou make\nAnd binding slich[20] also thou take\nWithin and out, thou not slake\nTo annoint it through all thy might.\n  Three hundred cubits it shall be long,\nAnd so of breadth to make it strong,\nOf height so, then must thou fonge,[21]\nThus measure it about.\n  One window work though thy might;\nOne cubit of length and breadth make it,\nUpon the side a door shall fit\nFor to come in and out.\n  Eating-places thou make also,\nThree roofed chambers, one or two:\nFor with water I think to stow[22]\nMan that I can make.\n  Destroyed all the world shall be,\nSave thou, thy wife, and sons three,\nAnd all their wives, also, with thee,\nShall saved be for thy sake.\n\n_Noah._ Ah, Lord! I thank thee, loud and still,\nThat to me art in such will,\nAnd spares me and my house to spill\nAs now I soothly find.\n  Thy bidding, Lord, I shall fulfil,\nAnd never more thee grieve nor grill[23]\nThat such grace has sent me till\nAmong all mankind.\n  Have done you men and women all;\nHelp, for aught that may befall,\nTo work this ship, chamber, and hall,\nAs God hath bidden us do.\n\n_Shem._ Father, I am already bowne,[24]\nAn axe I have, by my crown!\nAs sharp as any in all this town\nFor to go thereto.\n\n_Ham._ I have a hatchet, wonder keen,\nTo bite well, as may be seen,\nA better ground one, as I ween,\nIs not in all this town.\n\n_Japhet._ And I can well make a pin,\nAnd with this hammer knock it in;\nGo and work without more din;\nAnd I am ready bowne.[24]\n\n_Noah's Wife._ And we shall bring timber too,\nFor women nothing else to do\nWomen be weak to undergo\nAny great travail.\n\n_Shem's Wife._ Here is a good hackstock;\nOn this you must hew and knock:\nShall none be idle in this flock,\nNor now may no man fail.\n\n_Ham's Wife._ And I will go to gather slich,[25]\nThe ship for to clean and pitch;\nAnointed it must be, every stitch,\nBoard, tree, and pin.\n\n_Japhet's Wife._ And I will gather chips here\nTo make a fire for you, in fear,\nAnd for to dight[26] your dinner,\nAgainst you come in.\n\n[_Here they make signs as though they were working divers instruments._\n\n_Noah._ Now in the name of God I will begin,\nTo make the ship that we shall in,\nThat we be ready for to swim,\nAt the coming of the flood.\n  These boards I join together,\nTo keep us safe from the weather\nThat we may roam both hither and thither\nAnd safe be from this flood.\n  Of this tree will I have the mast,\nTied with gables that will last\nWith a sail yard for each blast\nAnd each thing in its kind.\n  With topmast high and bowsprit.\nWith cords and ropes, I hold all fit\nTo sail forth at the next weete[27]\nThis ship is at an end.\nWife in this castle we shall be kept:\nMy children and thou I would in leaped!\n\n_Noah's Wife._ In faith, Noe, I had as lief thou had slept, for all thy\n    frankishfare,[28]\nFor I will not do after thy rede.[29]\n\n_Noah._ Good wife, do as I thee bid.\n\n_Noah's Wife._ By Christ not, or I see more need,\nThough thou stand all the day and rave.\n\n_Noah._ Lord, that women be crabbed aye!\nAnd never are meek, that I dare say.\nThis is well seen of me to-day\nIn witness of you each one.\n  Good wife, let be all this beere[30]\nThat thou makest in this place here,\nFor they all ween thou art master;\nAnd so thou art, by St. John!\n\n_God._ Noah, take thou thy company\nAnd in the ship hie that you be,\nFor none so righteous man to me\nIs now on earth living.\n  Of clean beasts with thee thou take\nSeven and seven, or thou seake,\nHe and she make to make\nQuickly in that thou bring.\n  Of beasts unclean two and two,\nMale and female, without more;\nOf clean fowls seven also,\nThe he and she together.\n  Of fowles unclean two, and no more;\nOf beasts as I said before:\nThat shall be saved through my lore\nAgainst I send the weather.\n  Of all meats that must be eaten\nInto the ship look there be gotten,\nFor that no way may be forgotten\nAnd do all this by deene.[31]\n  To sustain man and beasts therein,\nAye, till the waters cease and blyn.[32]\nThis world is filled full of sin\nAnd that is now well seen.\n  Seven days be yet coming,\nYou shall have space them in to bring;\nAfter that it is my liking\nMankind for to annoy.\n  Forty days and forty nights,\nRain shall fall for their unrights;\nAnd that I have made through my might,\nNow think I to destroy.\n\n_Noah._ Lord, at your bidding I am bayne,[33]\nSince none other grace will gain,\nIt will I fulfil fain,\nFor gracious I thee find.\n  A hundred winters and twenty\nThis ship making tarried have I:\nIf, through amendment, any mercy\nWould fall unto mankind.\n  Have done, you men and women all.\nHie you, lest this water fall,\nThat each beast were in his stall\nAnd into ship brought.\n  Of clean beasts seven shall be;\nOf unclean two, this God bade me;\nThis flood is nigh, well may we see,\nTherefore tarry you nought.\n\n_Shem._ Sir, here are lions, leopards in,\nHorses, mares, oxen, and swine,\nGoats, calves, sheep, and kine,\nHere sitten[34] may you see.\n\n_Ham._ Camels, asses, men may find;\nBuck, doe, hart and hind,\nAnd beasts of all manner kind.\nHere be, as thinks me.\n\n_Japhet._ Take here cats and dogs too,\nOtter, fox, fulmart also;\nHares, hopping gaily, can ye\nHave kail here for to eat.\n\n_Noah's Wife._ And here are bears, wolves set,\nApes, owls, marmoset;\nWeasels, squirrels, and ferret\nHere they eat their meat.\n\n_Shem's Wife._ Yet more beasts are in this house!\nHere cats come in full crowse,[35]\nHere a rat and here a mouse;\nThey stand nigh together.\n\n_Ham's Wife._ And here are fowls less and more,\nHerons, cranes and bittern;\nSwans, peacocks, have them before!\nMeat for this weather.\n\n_Japhet's Wife._ Here are cocks, kites, crows,\nRooks, ravens, many rows;\nCuckoos, curlews, whoso knows,\nEach one in his kind.\n  And here are doves, ducks, drakes,\nRedshanks, running through the lakes,\nAnd each fowl that language makes\nIn this ship men may find.\n\n[_In the stage direction the sons of Noah are enjoined to mention aloud\nthe names of the animals which enter; a representation of which, painted\non parchment, is to be carried by the actors._\n\n_Noah._ Wife, come in, why standest thou there?\nThou art ever forward, that I dare swear:\nCome on God's half, time it were,\nFor fear lest that we drown.\n\n_Noah's Wife._ Yea, sir, set up your sail\nAnd row forth with evil heale,\nFor, without any fail,\nI will not out of this town.\n  But I have my gossips every one,\nOne foot further I will not go;\nThey shall not drown, by St. John!\nIf I may save their life.\n  They loved me full well, by Christ!\nBut thou wilt let them in thy chest,\nElse row forth, Noah, whither thou list,\nAnd get thee a new wife.\n\n_Noah._ Shem, some love thy mother, 'tis true;\nForsooth, such another I do not know!\n\n_Shem._ Father, I shall set her in, I trow,\nWithout any fail.\n  Mother, my father after thee sends,\nAnd bids thee unto yonder ship wend,[36]\nLook up and see the wind,\nFor we be ready to sail.\n\n_Noah's Wife._ Son, go again to him and say\nI will not come therein to-day!\n\n_Noah._ Come in, wife, in twenty devils' way,\nOr else stand without.\n\n_Ham._ Shall we all fetch her in?\n\n_Noah._ Yea, sons, in Christ's blessing and mine,\nI would you hied you betime,\nFor of this flood I am in doubt.\n\n_Japhet._ Mother, we pray you altogether,\nFor we are here, your children;\nCome into the ship for fear of the weather,\nFor his love that you bought!\n\n_Noah's Wife._ That I will not for your call,\nBut if I have my gossips all.\n\n_Gossip._ The flood comes in full fleeting fast,\nOn every side it broadens in haste;\nFor fear of drowning I am aghast:\nGood gossip, let me come in!\n  Or let us drink ere we depart,\nFor oftentimes we have done so;\nFor at a time thou drinkst a quart,\nAnd so will I ere that I go.\n\n_Shem._ In faith, mother, yet you shall,\nWhether you will or not!\n\n[_She goes._\n\n_Noah._ Welcome, wife, into this boat!\n\n_Noah's Wife._ And have them that for thy note![37]\n\n[_Et dat alapam victa._[38]\n\n_Noah._ Aha! marry, this is hot!\nIt is good to be still.\nMy children! methinks this boat removes!\nOur tarrying here hugely me grieves!\nOver the land the water spreads!\nGod do as he will!\n  Ah, great God, thou art so good!\nNow all this world is in a flood\nAs I see well in sight.\n  This window will I close anon,\nAnd into my chamber will I gone\nTill this water, so great one,\nBe slak\u00e8d through thy might.\n\n[_Noah, according to stage directions, is now to shut the windows of the\nark and retire for a short time. He is then to chant the psalm, Salva\nme, Domine! and afterwards to open them and look out._\n\n  Now forty days are fully gone.\nSend a raven I will anon;\nIf aught were earth, tree, or stone,\nBe dry in any place.\n  And if this fowl come not again\nIt is a sign, sooth to say,\nThat dry it is on hill or plain,\nAnd God hath done some grace.\n\n[_A raven is now despatched._\n\n  Ah, Lord! wherever this raven lie,\nSomewhere is dry well I see;\nBut yet a dove, by my lewtye[39]\nAfter I will send.\nThou wilt turn again to me\nFor of all fowls that may fly\nThou art most meek and hend.[40]\n\n[_The stage direction enjoins here that another dove shall be ready with\nan olive branch in its mouth, which is to be dropped by means of a cord\ninto Noah's hand._\n\n  Ah Lord! blessed be thou aye,\nThat me hast comforted thus to-day!\nBy this sight, I may well say\nThis flood begins to cease.\n  My sweet dove to me brought has\nA branch of olive from some place;\nThis betokeneth God has done us some grace,\nAnd is a sign of peace.\n  Ah, Lord! honoured must thou be!\nAll earth dries now I see;\nBut yet, till thou command me,\nHence will I not hie.\n  All this water is away,\nTherefore as soon as I may\nSacrifice I shall do in faye[41]\nTo thee devoutly.\n\n_God._ Noah, take thy wife anon,\nAnd thy children every one,\nOut of the ship thou shalt gone,\nAnd they all with thee.\n  Beasts and all that can flie,\nOut anon they shall hie,\nOn earth to grow and multiply:\nI will that it be so.\n\n_Noah._ Lord, I thank thee, through thy might,\nThy bidding shall be done in hight,[42]\nAnd, as fast as I may dight[43]\nI will do thee honour.\n  And to thee offer sacrifice,\nTherefore comes in all wise,\nFor of these beasts that be his\nOffer I will this stower.[44]\n\n[_Then leaving the ark with his whole family, he shall take the animals\nand birds, make an offering of them, and set out on his way._\n\n  Lord God, in majesty,\nThat such grace has granted me,\nWhen all was borne safe to be,\nTherefore now I am boune.[45]\n  My wife, my children, my company,\nWith sacrifice to honour thee,\nWith beasts, fowls, as thou may see,\nI offer here right soon.\n\n_God._ Noah, to me thou art full able,\nAnd thy sacrifice acceptable,\nFor I have found thee true and stable,\nOn thee now must I myn.[46]\nCurse earth will I no more\nThat man's sin it grieves sore,\nFor of youth man full of yore\nHas been inclined to sin.\n  You shall now grow and multiply\nAnd earth you edify,\nEach beast and fowl that may flie\nShall be afraid for you.\n  And fish in sea that may flitt\nShall sustain you--I you behite[47]\nTo eat of them you not lett[48]\nThat clean be you may know.\n  There as you have eaten before\nGrasses and roots, since you were born,\nOf clean beasts, less and more,\nI give you leave to eat.\n  Save blood and fish both in fear\nOf wrong dead carrion that is here,\nEat not of that in no manner,\nFor that aye you shall lett.[49]\n  Manslaughter also you shall flee,\nFor that is not pleasant to me\nThat sheds blood, he or she\nOught where among mankind.\n  That sheds blood, his blood shall be\nAnd vengeance have, that men shall see;\nTherefore now beware now all ye\nYou fall not in that sin.\nAnd forward now with you I make\nAnd all thy seed, for thy sake,\nOf such vengeance for to slake,\nFor now I have my will.\n  Here I promise thee a behest,[50]\nThat man, woman, fowl, nor beast\nWith water while the world shall last,\nI will no more spill.\n  My bow between you and me\nIn the firmament shall be,\nBy very tokens, that you may see\nThat such vengeance shall cease.\n  That man, nor woman, shall never more\nBe wasted by water, as is before,\nBut for sin that grieveth sore,\nTherefore this vengeance was.\n  Where clouds in the welkin\nThat each bow shall be seen,\nIn token that my wrath or tene[51]\nShould never this wroken be.\n  The string is turned toward you,\nAnd toward me bent is the bow,\nThat such weather shall never show,\nAnd this do I grant to thee.\n  My blessing now I give thee here,\nTo thee Noah, my servant dear;\nFor vengeance shall no more appear;\nAnd now farewell, my darling dear!\n\n\n\n\nTHE CHESTER PAGEANT OF THE BARBERS AND WAX-CHANDLERS REPRESENTING\nABRAHAM, MELCHISEDEC, AND ISAAC\n\n\n\nCHARACTERS\n\n\nGod\nAbraham\nLot\nIsaac\nMelchisedec\nA Knight\nExpositor\nA Messenger\n\n\n\n\nTHE CHESTER PAGEANT OF ABRAHAM, MELCHISEDEC, AND ISAAC\n\n\n\nAbraham, _newly returned from the slaughter of the four kings, meets_\nMelchisedec _riding_.\n\n\n\nPRELUDE\n\n\n_Messenger._ All peace, Lordings, that be present,\nAnd hearken now with good intent,\nHow Noah away from us he went\n  With all his company;\nAnd Abraham, through God's grace,\nHe is come forth into this place,\nAnd you will give him room and space\n  To tell you his storye.\nThis play, forsooth, begin shall he,\nIn worship of the Trinity,\nThat you may all hear and see\n  What shall be done to-day.\nMy name is Gobbet-on-the-Green,\nNo longer here I may be seen,\nFarewell, my Lordings, all by dene[52]\n  For letting[53] of your play.\n\n[_Exit._\n\n[_Enter Abraham._]\n\n_Abraham._ Ah! thou high God, granter of grace\nThat ending nor beginning has,\nI thank thee, Lord, that to me has\n  To-day given victory.\nLot, my brother, that taken was,\nI have restored him in this case,\nAnd brought him home into his place\n  Through thy might and mastery.\nTo worship thee I will not wond,[54]\nThat four kings of uncouth land\nTo-day hast sent into my hand,\n  And of riches great array.\nTherefore of all that I can win\nTo give thee tithe I will begin,\nWhen I the city soon come in,\n  And share with thee my prey.\nMelchisedec, that here king is\nAnd God's priest also, I wis,\nThe tithe I will give him of this,\n  As just is, what I do.\nGod who has sent me victory\nO'er four kings graciously,\nWith him my spoil share will I,\n  The city, when I come to.\n\n_Lot._ Abraham, brother, I thank it thee,\nWho this day hast delivered me\nFrom enemies' hands, and their postye,[55]\n  And saved me from woe!\nTherefore I will give tithing\nOf my goods while I am living,\nAnd now also of his sending,\n  Tithe I will give also.\n\n[_Then comes a knight to Melchisedec._\n\n_Knight._ My lord, the king's tidings aright\nYour heart for to gladden and light:\nAbraham hath slain in fight\n  Four kings, since he went.\nHere he will be this same night,\nAnd riches with him enough dight.\nI heard him thank God Almight\n  For grace he had him sent.\n\n_Melchisedec_ (_stretching his hand to heaven_). Ah! blessed be God that\n    is but one!\nAgainst Abraham I will be gone\nWorshipfully, and then anon,\n  My office to fulfil,\nWill present him with bread and wine,\nFor, grace of God is him within;\nSpeeds fast for love mine!\n  For this is God's will.\n\n_Knight_ (_with a cup_). Sir, here is wine withouten were,[56]\nAnd thereto bread, both white and clear,\nTo present him in good manere\n  That so us helped has.\n\n_Melchisedec._ To God, I know he is full dear,\nFor of all things his prayer\nHe hath, without danger,\n  And specially great grace.\n\n_Melchisedec_ (_coming to Abraham and offering him a cup\n  of wine and bread on a plate_). Abraham, welcome must thou be,\nGod's grace is fully in thee,\nBlessed ever must thou be\n  That enemies so can make.\nI have brought, as thou may'st see,\nBread and wine for thy degree;\nReceive this present now from me,\n  And that I thee beseke.[57]\n\n_Abraham._ Sir king, welcome in good say,\nThy present is welcome to my pay.\nGod has help\u00e9d me to-day\n  Unworthy though I were.\nHe shall have part of my prey\nThat I won since I went away.\nTherefore to thee thou take it may\n  The tenth I offer here.\n\n[_He delivers to the King a laden horse._\n\n_Melchisedec._ And your present, sir, take I,\nAnd honour it devoutly,\nFor much good it may signify\n  In time that is coming.\nTherefore horse, harness, and pery\u00e9,[58]\nAs falls to my dignity,\nThe tithe of it I take of thee,\n  And receive thy off'ring.\n\n[_Abraham receives the bread and wine, and Melchisedec the laden horse\nas tithe from Lot._\n\n_Lot._ And I will offer with good intent\nOf such goods as God hath me sent\nTo Melchisedec here present,\n  As God's will is to be.\nAbraham, my brother, offered has;\nAnd so will I with God's grace:\nThis royal cup before your face,\n  Receive it now of me.\n\n[_Lot offers the wine and bread, which Melchisedec receives._\n\n_Melchisedec._ Sir, your off'ring welcome is,\nAnd well I know forsooth, I wis,\nThat fully God's will it is\n  That is now done to-day.\nGo we together to my city,\nAnd now God heartily thank we\nThat helps us aye through his postye,[59]\n  For so we full well may.\n\n_Expositor_ (_riding_). Lordings, what may this signify,\nI will expound openly\nThat all, standing hereby,\n  May know what this may be.\nThis off'ring, I say verament,[60]\nSignifieth the new Testament,\nThat now is used with good intent\n  Throughout all Christianity.\nIn the old law without leasing,[61]\nWhen these two good men were living,\nOf beasts was all their off'ring\n  And eke their sacrament.\nBut since Christ died on the rood-tree,\nWith bread and wine him worship we,\nAnd on Shrove Thursday in his maundy[62]\n  Was his commandment.\nBut for this thing used should be\nAfterward as now done we,\nIn signification, believe you me,\n  Melchisedec did so;\nAnd tithes-making, as you see here,\nOf Abraham beginning were.\nTherefore he was to God full dear,\n  And so were they both too.\nBy Abraham understand I may\nThe father of heaven in good fay,[63]\nMelchisedec a priest to his pay\n  To minister that sacrament\nThat Christ ordained on Shrove Thursday\nIn bread and wine to honour him aye;\nThis signifieth, the truth to say,\n  Melchisedec's present.\n\n_God._ Abraham, my servant, I say to thee,\nThy help and succour I will be,\nFor thy good deed much pleaseth me,\n  I tell thee surely.\n\n_Abraham._ Lord, one thing that thou wilt see,\nThat I pray after with heart free,\nGrant me, Lord, through thy postye:[64]\n  Some fruit of my body!\nI have no child, foul nor fair,\nSave my Nurry[65] to be my heir,\nThat makes me greatly to apayre.[66]\n  On me, Lord, have mercy!\n\n_God._ My friend, Abraham, leave thou me.\nThy Nurry thine heir shall not be,\nBut one son I shall send thee,\n  Begotten of thy body.\nAbraham, do as I thee say:\nLook up and tell,[67] and if thou may,\nStars standing on the stray;\n  That impossible were.\nNo more shalt thou, for no need,\nNumber of thy body the seed\nThat thou shalt have withouten dreed,\n  Thou art to me so dear.\nWherefore, Abraham, servant free,\nLook that thou be true to me,\nAnd fore-word here I make with thee\n  Thy seed to multiply.\nSo much more further shalt thou be,\nKings of thy seed men shall see,\nAnd one child of great degree\n  All mankind shall forby.[68]\nI will that from henceforth alway\nEach knave's child on the eighth day\nBe circumcised, as I say,\n  And thou thyself full soon;\nAnd who circumcised not is\nForsaken shall be by me, I wis;\nFor disobedient that man is,\n  Therefore look that this be done.\n\n_Abraham._ Lord, already in good fay[69]\nBlessed be thou, ever and aye;\nFor that men truly know may\n  Thy folk from other men,\nCircumcised they shall be all\nAnon for aught that may befall.\nI thank thee, Lord, thy own thrall,\n  Kneeling on my knee'n.\n\n_Expositor._ Lordings all take good intent\nWhat betokens this commandment:\nThis was some time a sacrament\n  In th' old law truly ta'en.\nAs followeth now verament,[70]\nSo was this in the old Testament;\nBut when Christ, away it went,\n  And baptism then began.\nAlso God promises here\nTo Abraham, his servant dear,\nSo much seed that in no manere\n  Number'd it might be.\nAnd one seed, mankind to forby,\nThat was Jesus Christ witterlye[71]\nFor of his kind was our Lady,\n  And so also was he.\n\n_God._ Abraham, my servant Abraham.\n\n_Abraham._ Lo, Lord, already here I am.\n\n_God._ Take Isaac, thy son by name\nThat thou lovest best of all\nAnd in sacrifice offer him to me\nUpon that hill, beside thee.\nAbraham, I will that it so be\nFor aught that may befall.\n\n_Abraham._ My lord, to thee is my intent\nEver to be obedient,\nThat son that thou to me hast sent,\n  Offer I will to thee.\nAnd fulfil thy commandment\nWith hearty will, as I am kent\nHigh God, Lord Omnipotent,\n  Thy bidding done shall be.\nMy menye[72] and my children each one\nLingers at home, both all and one,\nSave Isaac shall with me gone\n  To a hill here beside.\n\n       *       *       *       *       *\n\n[_Enter Isaac._\n\n_Abraham._ Make thee ready, my darling,\nFor we must do a little thing.\nThis wood upon thy back thou bring,\n  We must not long abide.\nA sword and fire I will take,\nFor sacrifice I must make;\nGod's bidding will I not forsake,\n  But aye obedient be.\n\n_Isaac._ Father, I am all ready\nTo do your bidding meekly,\nTo bear this wood full bound am I,\n  As you command me.\n\n_Abraham._ O Isaac, Isaac, my darling dear,\nMy blessing now I give thee here.\nTake up this faggot with good cheer,\n  And on thy back it bring,\nAnd fire with me I will take.\n\n_Isaac._ Your bidding I will not forsake,\nFather, I will never slake[73]\n  To fulfil your bidding.\n\n[_Isaac takes the wood on his back, and they set out for the hill._\n\n_Abraham._ Now Isaac, son, go we our way\nTo yonder mountain, if that we may.\n\n_Isaac._ My dear father, I will essay\n  To follow you full fain.\n\n_Abraham._ Oh! my heart will break in three,\nTo hear thy words I have pity.\nAs thou wilt, Lord, so must it be:\n  To thee I will be bane.\nLay down thy faggot my own son dear!\n\n_Isaac._ All ready, father, lo, it is here.\nBut why make you so heavy cheer?\n  Are you anything adread?\nFather, if it be your will,\nWhere is the beast that we shall kill?\n\n_Abraham._ There is none, son, upon this hill\n  That I see here in this stead.\n\n_Isaac._ Father, I am full sore afraid\nTo see you bare this naked sword.\nI hope for all middle-yard[74]\n  You will not slay your child.\n\n_Abraham._ Dread thee not, my child, I read\nOur Lord will send of his godhead\nSome kind of beast in thy stead,\n  Either tame or wild.\n\n_Isaac._ Father, tell me, or I go,\nWhether I shall have harm or no.\n\n_Abraham._ Ah, dear God, that me is woe!\n  Thou bursts my heart in sunder.\n\n_Isaac._ Father, tell me of this case,\nWhy you your drawn sword has,\nAnd bare it naked in this place;\n  Thereof I have great wonder.\n\n_Abraham._ Isaac, son, peace! I pray thee,\nThou breaks my heart even in three.\n\n_Isaac._ I pray you, father, leave nothing from me,\n  But tell me what you think.\n\n_Abraham._ O Isaac, Isaac, I must thee kill.\n\n_Isaac._ Alas! father, is that your will,\nYour own child here for to spill,\n  Upon this hill's brink?\nIf I have trespassed in any degree,\nWith a rod you may beat me;\nPut up your sword, if your will be,\n  For I am but a child.\n\n_Abraham._ Oh, my son! I am sorry\nTo do to thee this great annoy,\nGod's commandment do must I,\n  His works are aye full mild.\n\n_Isaac._ Would God, my mother were here with me!\nShe would kneel upon her knee,\nPraying you, father, if it might be,\n  For to save my life.\n\n_Abraham._ Oh, comely creature, but I thee kill,\nI grieve my God, and that full ill:\nI may not work against his will\n  But ever obedient be.\nO Isaac, son, to thee I say:\nGod has commanded me this day\nSacrifice--this is no nay--\n  To make of thy body.\n\n_Isaac._ Is it God's will I should be slain?\n\n_Abraham._ Yea, son, it is not for to layne;[75]\nTo his bidding I will be bane,[76]\n  Ever to his pleasing.\nBut that I do this doleful deed,\nMy Lord will not quit[77] me my meed.[78]\n\n_Isaac._ Marry! father, God forbid\n  But you do your off'ring.\nFather, at home your sons you shall find\nThat you must love by course of kind.\nBe I once out of your mind,\n  Your sorrow may soon cease,\nBut you must do God's bidding.\nFather, tell my mother of nothing.\n\n_Abraham._ For sorrow I may my hands wring,\n  Thy mother I cannot please.\nO Isaac, blessed may'st thou be!\nAlmost my wit I lose for thee,\nThe blood of thy body so free\n  I feel full loth to shed.\n\n_Isaac._ Father, since you must needs do so,\nLet it pass lightly and overgo;\nKneeling on my knees two,\n  Your blessing on me spread!\n\n_Abraham._ My blessing, dear son, give I thee\nAnd thy mother's with heart so free;\nThe blessing of the Trinity,\n  My dear son, on thee light!\n\n_Isaac._ Father, I pray you hide mine een\nThat I see not your sword so keen;\nYour stroke, father, I would not seen,\n  Lest I against it thrill.\n\n_Abraham._ My dear son Isaac, speak no more,\nThy words make my heart full sore.\n\n_Isaac._ O dear father, wherefore, wherefore?\n  Since I must needs be dead,\nOne thing I would you pray:\nSince I must die the death this day,\nAs few strokes as you may,\n  When you smite off my head.\n\n_Abraham._ Thy meekness, child, makes me afray;[79]\nMy song may be \"Well away!\"\n\n_Isaac._ O, dear father, do away\n  Your making so mickle moan!\nNow truly, father, this talking\nDoth but make long tarrying.\nI pray you come and make ending\n  And let me hence gone!\n\n_Abraham._ Come hither, my child, that art so sweet:\nThou must be bound now, hand and feet.\n\n[_Binding Isaac._\n\n_Isaac._ Ah, father! we must no more meet\n  By aught that I can see,\nBut do with me just as you will,\nI must obey, and that is skill,\nGod's commandment to fulfil,\n  For needs so must it be.\nUpon the purpose that have set you,\nForsooth, father, I will not let you,\nBut evermore unto you bow,\n  While that I may.\nFather, greet well my brethren young,\nAnd pray my mother for her blessing,\nI come no more under her wing:\n  Farewell for ever and aye!\nBut, father, I cry you mercy,\nOf that I have trespassed to thee,\nForgiven, father, that it may be\n  Until doom's day.\n\n_Abraham._ My dear son, let be thy moans;\nMy child, thou grievedst me but once.\nBlessed be thou body and bones,\n  And I forgive thee here.\nLo, my dear son, here shalt thou lie;\nUnto my work now must I hie,\nI had as lief myself to die\n  As thou, my darling dear.\n\n_Isaac._ Father, if you be to me kind,\nAbout my head a kercher[80] bind,\nAnd let me lightly out of your mind,\n  And soon that I were sped.\n\n_Abraham._ Farewell, my sweet son of grace!\n\n_Isaac._ I pray you, father, turn down my face\nA little while, while you have space,\n  For I am full sore adread.\n\n_Abraham._ To do this deed I am sorry.\n\n_Isaac._ Yea, Lord, to thee I call and cry:\nOn my soul may thou have mercy,\n  Heartily I thee pray.\n\n_Abraham._ Lord, I would fain work thy will.\nThis young innocent that lies so still\nFull loth were I him to kill\n  By any manner of way.\n\n_Isaac._ My dear father, I you pray,\nLet me take my clothes away,\nFor shedding blood on them to-day,\n  At my last ending.\n\n_Abraham._ Heart! if thou would'st break in three,\nThou shalt never master me,\nI will no longer let[81] for thee,\n  My God I may not grieve.\n\n_Isaac._ Ah, mercy, father! why tarry you so?\nSmite off my head, and let me go!\nI pray you, rid me of my woe;\n  For now I take my leave.\n\n_Abraham._ Ah, son! my heart will break in three\nTo hear thee speak such words to me.\nJesus, on me thou have pit\u00fd\n  That I have most in mind!\n\n_Isaac._ Now, father, I see that I shall die,\nAlmighty God in majest\u00fd,\nMy soul I offer unto thee:\n  Lord, to it be kind.\n\n[_Abraham takes the sword, as if to kill his son, when two angels\nappear. One of them seizes the point of the sword, and says,_\n\n_1st Angel._ Abraham, my servant dear!\n\n_Abraham._ Lo, Lord! I am already here.\n\n_1st Angel._ Lay not thy sword in any manner\n  On Isaac, thy dear darling!\nNay! do thou him no annoy!\nFor thou dreadest God; well, see I,\nThat of thy son hast no mercy\n  To fulfil his bidding.\n\n_2nd Angel._ And for his bidding thou doest aye,\nAnd spares neither, for fear nor fray,\nTo do thy son to death to-day,\n  Isaac to thee full dear,\nTherefore God has sent by me in fay,[82]\nA lamb that is both good and gay\nInto this place as thou see may,\n  Lo! it is right here.\n\n_Abraham._ Ah, Lord of heaven and king of bliss!\nThy bidding I shall do, I wis.\nSacrifice here to me sent is\n  And all, Lord, through thy grace.\nA horned wether here I see,\nAmong the briars tied is he,\nTo thee offered it shall be\n  Anon, right in this place.\n\n[_Let Abraham sacrifice the ram._\n\n_God._ Abraham, by myself I swear,\nFor thou hast been obedient ever,\nAnd spared not thy son so dear,\n  To fulfil my bidding,\nThou shalt be blessed, thou art worthy,\nThy seed I shall multiply,\nAs stars and sand so many het I,[83]\n  Of thy body coming.\nOf enemies thou shalt have power,\nAnd thy blood also in fear,\nFor thou has been meek and boneer[84]\n  To do as I thee bade.\nAnd all nations leave thou me,\nBlessed evermore shall be\nThrough fruit that shall come of thee\n  And saved through thy seed.\n\n\n\nTHE EPILOGUE\n\n\n_Expositor._ Lordings, the signification\nOf this deed of devotion,\nAn you will, it is shewn,\n  May turn you to much good.\nThis deed you see done in this place,\nIn example of Jesus done it was,\nThat for to win mankind grace\n  Was sacrificed on the rood.\nBy Abraham you may understand\nThe Father of heaven that can fand[85]\nWith his son's blood to break that band\n  The devil had brought us to.\nBy Isaac understand I may\nJesus who was obedient aye,\nHis father's will to work alway,\n  His death to undergo.\n\n\n\n\nTHE WAKEFIELD SECOND SHEPHERDS' PLAY\n\n\n\nCHARACTERS\n\n\n1st Shepherd\n2nd Shepherd\n3rd Shepherd\nMac, _the Sheep-stealer_\nMac's Wife, Gill\nMary\nThe Child Christ\nAn Angel\n\n\n\n\nTHE WAKEFIELD SECOND NATIVITY PLAY\n\n\n\n_1st Shepherd._ Lord! what, these weathers are cold, and I am ill happed;\nI am near hand-dold,[86] so long have I napped;\nMy legs bend and fold, my fingers are chapped,\nIt is not as I would, for I am all lapped\n  In sorrow.\nIn storms and tempest,\nNow in the east, now in the west,\nWoe is him has never rest,\n  Mid day nor morrow.\nBut we silly shepherds, that walk upon the moor,\nIn faith, we are near hands out of the door;\nNo wonder, as it stands, if we be poor,\nFor the tilth of our lands lies fallow as the floor,\nWe are so lamed,\nSo taxed and shamed,\nWe are made hand-tamed,\n  With these gentlery-men.\nThus they rieve us of rest, Our Lady them wary,\nThese men that are lord-fest,[87] they cause the plough tarry.\nThat men say is for the best, we find it contrary,\nThus are husbands[88] opprest, in point to miscarry,\n  In life.\nThus hold they us under,\nThus they bring us in blunder,\nIt were great wonder,\n  And ever should we thrive.\nFor may he get a paint sleeve,[89] or a brooch now on days,\nWoe is he that shall grieve, or once again says,\nDare no man him reprieve, what mast'ry he has,\nAnd yet may none believe one word that he says--\n  No letter.\nHe can make purveyance,\nWith boast and bragance,[90]\nAnd all through maintenance,\n  Of men that are greater.\nThere shall come a swain, as proud as a po,[91]\nHe must borrow my wain, my plough also,\nThen I am full fain to grant or he go.\nThus live we in pain, anger, and woe,\n  By night and day;\nHe must have if he long\u00e9d\nIf I should forgang[92] it,\nI were better be hang\u00e9d\n  Than once say him nay.\nIt does me good, as I walk thus by mine own,\nOf this world for to talk in manner of moan\nTo my sheep will I stalk and hearken anon\nThere abide on a balk, or sit on a stone\n  Full soon.\nFor I trow, pardie!\nTrue men if they be,\nWe get more company\n  Or it be noon.\n\n_2nd Shepherd._ \"Beniste\"[93] and \"Dominus!\" what may this bemean?\nWhy fares this world thus, oft have we not seen.\nLord, these weathers are spitous,[94] and the weather full keen;\nAnd the frost so hideous they water mine een,\n  No lie.\nNow in dry, now in wet,\nNow in snow, now in sleet,\nWhen my shoon freeze to my feet\n  It is not all easy.\nBut as far as I ken, or yet as I go,\nWe silly wed-men dree mickle woe;[95]\nWe have sorrow then and then, it falls often so,\nSilly capyl, our hen, both to and fro\n  She cackles,\nBut begin she to croak,\nTo groan or to cluck,\nWoe is him, say of our cock,\n  For he is in the shackles.\nThese men that are wed, have not all their will,\nWhen they are full hard sted,[96] they sigh full still;\nGod wait they are led full hard and full ill,\nIn bower nor in bed they say not there till\n  This tide.\nMy part have I found,\nMy lesson is learn'd,\nWoe is him that is bound,\n  For he must abide.\nBut now late in our lives, a marvel to me,\nThat I think my heart rives,[97] such wonders to see,\nWhat that destiny drives it should so be,\nSome men will have two wives, and some men three,\n  In store.\nSome are woe that have any;\nBut so far ken I,\nWoe is he who has many,\n  For he feels it sore.\nBut young men of wooing, for God that you bought,\nBe well ware of wedding, and think in your thought\n\"Had I wist\" is a thing it serves ye of nought;\nMickle still mourning has wedding home brought,\n  And griefs,\nWith many a sharp shower,\nFor thou may catch in an hour\nThat shall serve thee full sour\n  As long as thou lives.\nFor as read I epistle, I have one to my fear\nAs sharp as a thistle, as rough as a brere.[98]\nShe is browed like a bristle with a sour lenten cheer;\nHad she once wet her whistle she could sing full clear\n  Her pater-noster.\nShe is as great as a whale,\nShe has a gallon of gall;\nBy him that died for us all!\n   I would I had run till I lost her.\n\n_1st Shepherd._ God look over the row, full deafly ye stand.\n\n_2nd Shepherd._ Yea, the devil in thy maw!--so tariand,[99]\n  Saw thou aught now of Daw?\n\n_1st Shepherd._                Yea, on a lea land\nHeard I him blow, he comes here at hand,\n  Not far;\nStand still.\n\n_2nd Shepherd._ Why?\n\n_1st Shepherd._ For he comes here, hope I.\n\n_2nd Shepherd._ He will make us both a lie,\n  But if we beware.\n\n_3rd Shepherd._ Christ's cross me speed, and Saint Nicholas!\nThereof had I need, it is worse than it was.\nWhoso could take heed, and let the world pass,\nIt is ever in dread and brittle as glass,\n  And slithers,[100]\nThis world fared never so,\nWith marvels mo and mo,[101]\nNow in weal, now in woe,\n  And all things withers.\nWas never since Noah's flood such floods seen,\nWinds and rains so rude, and storms so keen,\nSome stammered, some stood in doubt, as I ween,\nNow God turn all to good, I say as I mean,\n  For ponder.\nThese floods so they drown\nBoth in fields and in town,\nThey bear all down,\n  And that is a wonder.\nWe that walk in the nights, our cattle to keep,\nWe see sudden sights, when other men sleep:\nYet methinks my heart lights, I see shrews peep,\nYe are two, all wights,[102] I will give my sheep\n  A turn.\nBut full ill have I meant,\nAs I walk on this bent,[103]\nI may lightly repent,\n  My toes if I spurn.\nAh, sir, God you save, and master mine!\nA drink fain would I have and somewhat to dine.\n\n_1st Shepherd._ Christ's curs, my knave, thou art a lazy hyne.[104]\n\n_2nd Shepherd._ What, the boy list rave. Abide until syne[105]\n  We have made it.\nI'll thrift on thy pate!\nThough the shrew came late\nYet is he in state\n  To dine if he had it.\n\n_3rd Shepherd._ Such servants as I, that sweats and swinks,\nEats our bread full dry, and that me forthinks;\nWe are oft wet and weary when master men winks,\nYet comes full lately both dinners and drinks,\n  But neatly.\nBoth our dame and our sire,\nWhen we have run in the mire,\nThey can nip at our hire,[106]\n  And pay us full lately.\nBut hear my truth, master, for the fare that ye make\nI shall do thereafter work, as I take;\nI shall do a little, sir, and strive and still lack,\nFor yet lay my supper never on my stomack\n  In fields.\nWhereto should I threap?[107]\nWith my staff can I leap,\nAnd men say \"light cheap\n  Letherly for yields.\"[108]\n\n_1st Shepherd._ Thou wert an ill lad, to ride on wooing\nWith a man that had but little of spending.\n\n_2nd Shepherd._ Peace, boy!--I bade: no more jangling,\nOr I shall make thee afraid, by the heaven's king!\n  With thy gawds;\nWhere are our sheep, boy, we scorn?\n\n_3rd Shepherd._ Sir, this same day at morn,\nI them left in the corn,\n  When they rang lauds;\nThey have pasture good, they cannot go wrong.\n\n_1st Shepherd._ That is right by the rood, these nights are long,\nYet I would, or we yode,[109] one gave us a song.\n\n_2nd Shepherd._ So I thought as I stood, to mirth us among.[110]\n\n_3rd Shepherd._ I grant.\n\n_1st Shepherd._ Let me sing the tenory.\n\n_2nd Shepherd._ And I the treble so high.\n\n_3rd Shepherd._ Then the mean falls to me;\n  Let see how ye chaunt.\n\n[_Mac enters, with a cloak thrown over his smock._\n\n_Mac._ Now, Lord, for thy names seven, that made both moon and starns[111]\nWell more than I can even: thy will, Lord, of my thorns;\nI am all uneven, that moves oft my horns,[112]\nNow would God I were in heaven, for there weep no bairns\n  So still.\n\n_1st Shepherd._ Who is that pipes so poor?\n\n_Mac._ Would God ye knew how I fare!\nLo, a man that walks on the moor,\n  And has not all his will.\n\n_2nd Shepherd._ Mac, where hast thou gone? Tell us tidings.\n\n_3rd Shepherd._ Is he come? Then each one take heed to his things.\n\n[_Takes his cloak from him._\n\n_Mac._ What, I am a yeoman, I tell you, of the king;\nThe self and the same, sent from a great lording,\n  And sich.[113]\nFy on you, get thee hence,\nOut of my presence,\nI must have reverence,\n  Why, who be ich?[114]\n\n_1st Shepherd._ Why make ye it so quaint? Mac, ye do wrong.\n\n_2nd Shepherd._ But, Mac, list, ye saint? I trow that ye sang.\n\n_3rd Shepherd._ I trow the shrew can paint, the devil might him hang!\n\n_Mac._ I shall make complaint, and make you all to thwang.[115]\n  At a word,\nAnd tell even how ye doth.\n\n_1st Shepherd._ But, Mac, is that sooth?\nNow take out that southern tooth,\n  And set in a tord.\n\n_2nd Shepherd._ Mac, the devil in your ee,[116] a stroke would I lend you.\n\n_3rd Shepherd._ Mac, know ye not me? By God, I could tell you.\n\n_Mac._ God look you all three, methought I had seen you.\nYe are a fair company.\n\n_1st Shepherd._                Can ye now moan you?\n\n_2nd Shepherd._             Shrew, jape![117]\nThus late as thou goes,\nWhat will men suppose?\nAnd thou hast an ill noise[118]\n  Of stealing of sheep.\n\n_Mac._ And I am true as steel all men wait,\nBut a sickness I feel, that holds me full haytt,[119]\nMy belly fares not well, it is out of its state.\n\n_3rd Shepherd._ Seldom lies the devil dead by the gate.\n\n_Mac._                        Therefore\nFull sore am I and ill,\nIf I stand stock still;\nI eat not a nedyll[120]\n  This month and more.\n\n_1st Shepherd._ How fares thy wife?  By my hood, how fares she?\n\n_Mac._ Lies weltering! by the rood! by the fire, lo!\nAnd a house full of brood,[121] she drinks well too,\nIll speed other good that she will do;\n  But so\nEats as fast as she can,\nAnd each year that comes to man,\nShe brings forth a lakan,[122]\n  And some years two.\nBut were I not more gracious, and richer by far,\nI were eaten out of house, and of harbour,\nYet is she a foul dowse, if ye come near.\nThere is none that trows, nor knows, a war[123]\n  Than ken I.\nNow will ye see what I proffer,\nTo give all in my coffer\nTo-morrow next to offer,\n  Her head mass-penn\u00fd.\n\n_2nd Shepherd._ I wot so forwaked[124] is none in this shire:\nI would sleep if I taked less to my hire.\n\n_3rd Shepherd._ I am cold and naked, and would have a fire.\n\n_1st Shepherd._ I am weary for-raked,[125] and run in the mire.\n  Wake thou!\n\n_2nd Shepherd._ Nay, I will lie down-by,\nFor I must sleep truly.\n\n_3rd Shepherd._ As good a man's son was I\n  As any of you.\nBut, Mac, come hither, between us shalt thou lie.\n\n_Mac._ Then might I stay you bedene[126]: of that ye would say,--\n  No dread.\nFrom my head to my toe\n_Mantis tuas commendo,\nPontio Pilato._[127]\n  Christ's cross me speed,\n\n[_He rises, the shepherds sleeping, and says:_\n\nNow were time for a man, that lacks what he wold,\nTo stalk privately then into a fold,\nAnd namely to work then, and be not too bold,\nHe might abide the bargain, if it were told\n  At the ending.\nNow were time for to revel;\nBut he needs good counsel\nThat fain would fare well,\n  And has but little spending.\n\n[_Mac works a spell on them._\n\nBut about you a circle, as round as a moon,\nTill I have done that I will, till that it be noon,\nThat ye lie stone-still, till that I have done,\nAnd I shall say there till of good words a foyn[128]\n  On height;\nOver your heads my hand I lift,\nOut go your eyes, fore to do your sight,\nBut yet I must make better shift,\n  And it be right.\nWhat, Lord? they sleep hard! that may ye all hear;\nWas I never a shepherd, but now will I leer[129]\nIf the flock be scared, yet shall I nap near,\nWho draws hitherward, now mends our cheer,\n  From sorrow:\nA fat sheep I dare say,\nA good fleece dare I lay,\nEft white when I may,\n  But this will I borrow.\n\n[_He steals a sheep and goes home._\n\n_Mac_ (_at his own door_). How, Gill, art thou in? Get us some light.\n\n_His Wife._ Who makes such din this time of night?\nI am set for to spin: I hope not I might\nRise a penny to win: I shrew them on height.\n  So fares\nA housewife that has been\nTo be raised thus between:\nThere may no note be seen\n  For such small chares.[130]\n\n_Mac._ Good wife, open the hek.[131] See'st thou not what I bring?\n\n_Wife._ I may let thee draw the sneck. Ah! come in, my sweeting.\n\n_Mac._ Yea, thou dost not reck of my long standing.\n\n_Wife._ By thy naked neck, thou art like for to hang.\n\n_Mac._                              Go away:\nI am worthy of my meat,\nFor in a strait can I get\nMore than they that swinck[132] and sweat\n  All the long day,\nThus it fell to my lot, Gill, I had such grace.\n\n_Wife._ It were a foul blot to be hanged for the case.\n\n_Mac._ I have scaped, Jelott, oft as hard as glass.\n\n_Wife._ \"But so long goes the pot to the water,\" men says,\n\"At last comes it home broken.\"\n\n_Mac._ Well know I the token,\nBut let it never be spoken;\n  But come and help fast.\nI would he were flayn;[133] I list we'll eat:\nThis twelvemonth was I not so fain of one sheep-meat.\n\n_Wife._ Come they if he be slain, and hear the sheep bleat?\n\n_Mac._ Then might I be ta'en: that were a cold sweat.\nGo bar\n  The gate door.\n\n_Wife._                Yes, Mac,\nFor and they come at thy back.\n\n_Mac._ Then might I pay for all the pack:\n  The devil of them war![134]\n\n_Wife._ A good bowrde[135] have I spied, since thou can none:\nHere shall we him hide, till they be gone;\nIn my cradle abide. Let me alone,\nAnd I shall lie beside in childbed and groan.\n\n_Mac._                   Thou red?[136]\nAnd I shall say thou wast light\nOf a knave child this night.\n\n_Wife._ Now well is my day bright,\n  That ever I was bred.\nThis is a good guise and a far cast;\nYet a woman's advice helps at the last.\nI care never who spies: again go thou fast.\n\n_Mac._ But I come or they rise; else blows a cold blast--\n  I will go sleep.        [_Mac goes back to the field._\nYet sleep all this menye,[137]\nAnd I shall go stalk privily,\nAs it had never been I\n  That carried their sheep.\n\n_1st Shepherd._ _Resurrex \u00e0 mortrius_: have hold my hand.\n_Judas carnas dominus_, I may not well stand:\nMy foot sleeps, by Jesus, and I water fastand!\nI thought that we laid us full near England.\n\n_2nd Shepherd._              Ah ye!\nLord, how I have slept weel!\nAs fresh as an eel,\nAs light I me feel\n  As leaf on a tree.\n\n_3rd Shepherd._ Benste![138] be herein! So my head quakes\nMy heart is out of skin, what so it makes.\nWho makes all this din? So my brow aches,\nTo the door will I win. Hark fellows, wakes!\n  We were four:\nSee ye anything of Mac now?\n\n_1st Shepherd._ We were up ere thou.\n\n_2nd Shepherd._ Man, I give God a vow,\n  Yet heed he nowhere.\n\n_3rd Shepherd._ Methought he was wrapped in a wolf's-skin.\n\n_1st Shepherd._ So are many happed, now namely within.\n\n_2nd Shepherd._ When we had long napped; methought with a gin\nA fat sheep he trapped, but he made no din.\n\n_3rd Shepherd._ Be still:\nThy dream makes thee wood:[139]\nIt is but phantom, by the rood.\n\n_1st Shepherd._ Now God turn all to good,\n  If it be his will.\n\n_2nd Shepherd._ Rise, Mac, for shame! thou ly'st right long.\n\n_Mac._ Now Christ, his holy name be us amang,\nWhat is this? for Saint James!--I may not well gang.\nI trust I be the same.  Ah! my neck has lain wrang\n  Enough\nMickle thank, since yester-even\nNow, by Saint Stephen!\nI was flayed with a sweven,--[140]\n  My heart out of slough.[141]\nI thought Gill began to croak, and travail full sad,\nWell nigh at the first cock,--of a young lad,\nFor to mend our flock: then be I never glad.\nTo have two on my rock,--more than ever I had.\n  Ah, my head!\nA house full of young tharmes,[142]\nThe devil knock out their harnes![143]\nWoe is he has many bairns,\n  And thereto little bread.\nI must go home, by your leave, to Gill as I thought.\nI pray you look my sleeve, that I steal nought:\nI am loth you to grieve, or from you take aught.\n\n_3rd Shepherd._ Go forth, ill might thou chefe,[144] now would I we sought,\n  This morn,\nThat we had all our store.\n\n_1st Shepherd._ But I will go before,\nLet us meet.\n\n_2nd Shepherd._               Whor?[145]\n\n_3rd Shepherd._ At the crooked thorn.\n\n_Mac (at his own door again)._ Undo this door! who is here? How long shall\n    I stand?\n\n_Wife._ Who makes such a stir?--Now walk in the wenyand.[146]\n\n_Mac._ Ah, Gill, what cheer?--It is I, Mac, your husband.\n\n_His Wife._ Then may we be here,--the devil in a band,\n  Sir Gile.\nLo, he commys[147] with a lot,\nAs he were holden in the throat.\nI may not sit, work or not\n  A hand long while.\n\n_Mac._ Will ye hear what fare she makes--to get her a glose,[148]\nAnd do naught but lakes[149]--and close her toes.\n\n_Wife._ Why, who wanders, who wakes,--who comes, who goes?\nWho brews, who bakes? Who makes for me this hose?\n  And then\nIt is ruth to behold,\nNow in hot, now in cold,\nFull woful is the household\n  That wants a woman.\nBut what end hast thou made with the herds, Mac?\n\n_Mac._ The last word that they said,--when I turned my back,\nThey would look that they had--their sheep all the pack.\nI hope they will not be well paid,--when they their sheep lack.\n  Perdie!\nBut howso the game goes,\nTo me they will suppose,\nAnd make a foul noise,\n  And cry out upon me.\nBut thou must do as thou hight,\n\n_Wife._               I accord me thertylle.[150]\nI shall swaddle him right in my cradle.\nIf it were a greater slight, yet could I help till.\nI will lie down straight. Come hap me.\n\n_Mac._                            I will.\n\n_Wife._           Behind,\nCome Coll and his marrow,\nThey will nip us full narrow.\n\n_Mac._ But I may cry out \"Harro!\"[151]\n  The sheep if they find.\n\n_Wife._ Hearken aye when they call: they will come anon.\nCome and make ready all, and sing by thine own,\nSing \"Lullay!\" thou shall, for I must groan,\nAnd cry out by the wall on Mary and John,\n  For sore.\nSing \"Lullay\" full fast\nWhen thou hears at the last;\nAnd but I play a false cast\n  Trust me no more.\n\n[_Re-enter the Three Shepherds._]\n\n_3rd Shepherd._ Ah, Coll! good morn:--why sleepest thou not?\n\n_1st Shepherd._ Alas, that ever was I born!--we have a foul blot.\nA fat wether have we lorne.[152]\n\n_3rd Shepherd._                 Marry, Godys forbot![153]\n\n_2nd Shepherd._ Who should do us that scorn? That were a foul spot.\n\n_1st Shepherd._ Some shrew.\nI have sought with my dogs,\nAll Horbery shrogs,[154]\nAnd of fifteen hogs\n  Found I but one ewe.\n\n_3rd Shepherd._ Now trust me if you will;--by Saint Thomas of Kent!\nEither Mac or Gill--was at that assent.\n\n_1st Shepherd._ Peace, man, be still;--I saw when he went.\nThou slander'st him ill; thou ought to repent.\n  Good speed.\n\n_2nd Shepherd._ Now as ever might I thee,\nIf I should even here dee,[155]\nI would say it were he,\n  That did that same deed.\n\n_3rd Shepherd._ Go we thither I rede,[156]--and run on our feet.\nMay I never eat bread,--the truth till I wit.\n\n_1st Shepherd._ Nor drink, in my heed,--with him till I meet.\n\n_2nd Shepherd._ I will rest in no stead, till that I him greet,\n  My brother\nOne I will hight:[157]\nTill I see him in sight\nShall I never sleep one night\n  There I do another.\n\n_3rd Shepherd._ Will ye hear how they hack,[158]--Our Sire! list, how they\n    croon!\n\n_1st Shepherd._ Hard I never none crack,--so clear out of tune.\nCall on him.\n\n_2nd Shepherd._            Mac! undo your door soon.\n\n_Mac._ Who is it that spoke,--as it were noon?\n  On loft,\nWho is that I say?\n\n_3rd Shepherd._ Good fellows! were it day?\n\n_Mac._ As far as ye may,--\n  Good, speak ye soft!\nOver a sick woman's head,--that is ill mate ease,\nI had liefer be dead,--or she had any disease.\n\n_Wife._ Go to another stead; I may not well queasse[159]\nEach foot that ye tread--goes near make me sneeze[160]\n  So he!\n\n_1st Shepherd._ Tell us, Mac, if ye may,\nHow fare ye, I say?\n\n_Mac._ But are ye in this town to-day?\n  Now how fare ye?\nYe have run in the mire, and are wet yit:\nI shall make you a fire, if ye will sit.\nA horse would I hire; think ye on it.\nWell quit is my hire, my dream--this is it.\n  A season.\nI have bairns if ye knew,\nWell more than enew,[161]\nBut we must drink as we brew,\n  And that is but reason.\nI would ye dined e'er ye yode:[162] methink that ye sweat.\n\n_2nd Shepherd._ Nay, neither mends our mode, drink nor meat.\n\n_Mac._ Why, sir, ails you aught, but good?\n\n_3rd Shepherd._          Yes, our sheep that we gat,\nAre stolen as they yode.[163] Our loss is great.\n\n_Mac._ Sirs, drink\u00fds!\nHad I been there,\nSome should have bought it full dear.\n\n_1st Shepherd._ Marry, some men trows that ye were,\n  And that us forethink\u00fds.[164]\n\n_2nd Shepherd._ Mac, some men trows that it should be ye.\n\n_3rd Shepherd._ Either ye or your spouse; so say we.\n\n_Mac._ Now if ye have suspouse[165] to Gill or to me,\nCome and rip our house, and then may ye see\n  Who had her.\nIf I any sheep got,\nEither cow or stot,\nAnd Gill, my wife rose not\n  Here since she laid her.\nAs I am both true and leal, to God here I pray,\nThat this be the first meal, I shall eat this day.\n\n_1st Shepherd._ Mac, as I have weal, arise thee, I say!\n\"He learned timely to steal, that could not say nay.\"\n\n_Wife._                     I swelt.[166]\nOut thieves from my once!\nYe come to rob us for the nonce.\n\n_Mac._ Hear ye not how she groans?\n  Your heart should melt.\n\n_Wife._ Out thieves, from my bairn! Nigh him not thore.\n\n_Mac._ Knew ye how she had farne,[167] your hearts would be sore.\nYe do wrong, I you warn, that thus commys before\nTo a woman that has farn;[168] but I say no more.\n\n_Wife._                   Ah, my middle!\nI pray to God so mild,\nIf ever I you beguiled,\nThat I eat this child,\n  That lies in this cradle.\n\n_Mac._ Peace, woman, for God's pain, and cry not so:\nThou spill'st thy brain, and mak'st me full woe.\n\n_2nd Shepherd._ I know our sheep be slain, what find ye too?\n\n_3rd Shepherd._ All work we in vain: as well may we go.\n  But hatters.[169]\nI can find no flesh,\nHard nor nesh,[170]\nSalt nor fresh,\n  But two tome[171] platters:\nNo cattle but this, tame nor wild,\nNone, as have I bliss; as loud as he smiled.\n\n_Wife._ No, so God me bliss, and give me joy of my child.\n\n_1st Shepherd._ We have mark\u00ebd amiss: I hold us beguiled.\n\n_2nd Shepherd._                 Sir, done!\nSir, our lady him save,\nIs your child a knave?[172]\n\n_Mac._ Any lord might him have\n  This child to his son.\nWhen he wakens he skips, that joy is to see.\n\n_3rd Shepherd._ In good time, be his steps, and happy they be!\nBut who was his gossips, tell now to me!\n\n_Mac._ So fair fall their lips!\n\n_1st Shepherd (aside)._              Hark now, a lee![173]\n\n_Mac._              So God them thank,\nParkin, and Gibbon Waller, I say,\nAnd gentle John Horne, in good fay,[174]\nHe made all the garray,[175]\n  With the great shank.\n\n_2nd Shepherd._ Mac, friends will we be, for we are all one.\n\n_Mac._ Why! now I hold for me, for help get I none.\nFarewell all three: all glad were ye gone.\n\n_3rd Shepherd._ Fair words may there be, but love there is none.\n\n_1st Shepherd._ Gave ye the child anything?\n\n_2nd Shepherd._ I trust not one farthing.\n\n_3rd Shepherd._ Fast again will I fling,\n  Abide ye me there.     [_He returns to Mac's cot._\nMac, take it to no grief, if I come to thy barn.\n\n_Mac._ Nay, thou dost me great reprieve, and foul hast thou farne.[176]\n\n_3rd Shepherd._ The child will it not grieve, that little day starn.[177]\nMac, with your leave, let me give your bairn,\n  But sixpence.\n\n_Mac._ Nay, go 'way: he sleepys.\n\n_3rd Shepherd._ Methink he peepys.\n\n_Mac._ When he wakens he weepys.\n  I pray you go hence.\n\n_3rd Shepherd._ Give me leave him to kiss, and lift up the clout.\nWhat the devil is this? He has a long snout.\n\n_1st Shepherd._ He is marked amiss. We wait ill about.\n\n_2nd Shepherd._ Ill spun weft, I wis, aye cometh foul out;\n  Aye so;\nHe is like to our sheep.\n\n_3rd Shepherd._ How, Gib, may I peep?\n\n_1st Shepherd._ I trow, kind will creep,\n  Where it may not go.\n\n_2nd Shepherd._ This was a quaint gaud,[178] and a far cast\nIt was a high fraud.\n\n_3rd Shepherd._                  Yea, sirs, was't.\nLet burn this bawd and bind her fast.\nA false skawd[179] hangs at the last;\n  So shall thou.\nWill ye see how they swaddle\nHis four feet in the middle?\nSaw I never in a cradle\n  A horn\u00ebd lad e'er now.\n\n_Mac._ Peace bid I:  what! let be your fare;\nI am he that him gat, and yond woman him bare.\n\n_1st Shepherd._ What devil shall he halt?[180] Mac, lo, God makes air.\n\n_2nd Shepherd._ Let be all that. Now God give him care!\n  I sagh.[181]\n\n_Wife._ A pretty child is he,\nAs sits upon a woman's knee;\nA dylly-downe, perdie!\n  To make a man laugh.\n\n_3rd Shepherd._ I know him by the ear mark:--that is a good token.\n\n_Mac._ I tell you, sirs, hark:--his nose was broken.\nSince then, told me a clerk,--that he was forespoken.[182]\n\n_1st Shepherd._ This is a false work.--I would fain be wroken:[183]\n  Get a weapon!\n\n_Wife._ He was taken by an elf;[184]\nI saw it myself.\nWhen the clock struck twelve,\n  Was he mis-shapen.\n\n_2nd Shepherd._ Ye two are right deft,--same in a stead.\n\n_3rd Shepherd._ Since they maintain their theft,--let's do them to dead.\n\n_Mac._ If I trespass eft, gird off my head.\nWith you will I be left.\n\n_1st Shepherd._             Sirs, do my red\n  For this trespass,\nWe will neither ban nor flyte[185]\nFight, nor chyte,[186]\nBut seize him tight,\n  And cast him in canvas.\n\n[_They toss Mac for his sins._\n\n       *       *       *       *       *\n\n_1st Shepherd_ (_as the three return to the fold_). Lord, how I am sore,\n    in point for to tryst:\nIn faith I may no more, therefore will I rest.\n\n_2nd Shepherd._ As a sheep of seven score, he weighed in my fist.\nFor to sleep anywhere, methink that I list.\n\n_3rd Shepherd._ Now I pray you,\nLie down on this green.\n\n_1st Shepherd._ On these thefts yet I mean.\n\n_3rd Shepherd._ Whereto should ye tene?[187]\n  Do as I say you.\n\n[_Enter an Angel above, who sings \"Gloria in Excelsis,\" then says:_\n\nRise, hired-men, heynd,[188] for now is he born\nThat shall take from the fiend, that Adam had lorn:[189]\nThat warlock to sheynd,[190] this night is he born.\nGod is made your friend: now at this morn,\n  He behests;\nTo Bedlem go see,\nThere lies that free[191]\nIn a crib full poorly,\n  Betwixt two beasts.\n\n_1st Shepherd._ This was a quaint stevyn[192] that ever yet I heard.\nIt is a marvel to nevyn[193] thus to be scared.\n\n_2nd Shepherd._ Of God's son of heaven, he spoke up word.\nAll the wood like the levin,[194] methought that he gard\n  Appear.\n\n_3rd Shepherd._ He spoke of a bairn\nIn Bedlem I you warn.\n\n_1st Shepherd._ That betokens yonder starn[195]\n  Let us seek him there.\n\n_2nd Shepherd._ Say, what was his song? Heard ye not how he cracked it?\nThree breves to a long.[196]\n\n_3rd Shepherd._             Yea, marry, he hacked[197] it.\nWas no crochet wrong, nor no thing that lacked it.\n\n_1st Shepherd._ For to sing us among, right as he knacked it,\n  I can.\n\n_2nd Shepherd._ Let us see how ye croon\nCan ye bark at the moon?\n\n_3rd Shepherd._ Hold your tongues, have done.\n\n_1st Shepherd._ Hark after, then.\n\n_2nd Shepherd._ To Bedlem he bade--that we should gang:\nI am full feared--that we tarry too lang.\n\n_3rd Shepherd._ Be merry and not sad: of mirth is our sang,\nEverlasting glad, our road may we fang,[198]\n  Without noise.\n\n_1st Shepherd._ Hie we thither quickly;\nIf we be wet and weary,\nTo that child and that lady\n  We have it not to slose.[199]\n\n_2nd Shepherd._ We find by the prophecy--let be your din--\nOf David and Esai, and more than I min;[200]\nThey prophesied by clergy, that on a virgin\nShould he light and ly, to pardon our sin\n  And slake it,\nOur kind from woe;\nFor Esai said so,\n  _Cite virgo\n  Concipiet a child that is naked._\n\n_3rd Shepherd._ Full glad may we be,--and abide that day\nThat lovely to see,--that all mights may.\nLord, well for me,--for once and for aye,\nMight I kneel on my knee--some word for to say\n  To that child.\nBut the angel said\nIn a crib was he laid;\nHe was poorly arrayed,\n  Both meaner and mild.\n\n_1st Shepherd._ Patriarchs that have been,--and prophets beforn,\nThey desired to have seen--this child that is born.\nThey are gone full clean,--that have they lorn.\nWe shall see him, I ween,--e'er it be morn\n  By token\nWhen I see him and feel,\nThen know I full weel\nIt is true as steel\n  That prophets have spoken.\nTo so poor as we are, that he would appear,\nFirst find, and declare by his messenger.\n\n_2nd Shepherd._ Go we now, let us fare: the place is us near.\n\n_3rd Shepherd._ I am ready and yare:[201] go we in fear\n  To that light!\nLord! if thy wills be,\nWe are lewd[202] all three,\nThou grant us of thy glee,[203]\n  To comfort thy wight.\n\n       *       *       *       *       *\n\n[_The Shepherds arrive at Bethlehem._\n\n_1st Shepherd._ Hail, comely and clean; hail, young child!\nHail, maker, as I mean, of a maiden so mild!\nThou hast wared, I ween, off the warlock[204] so wild,\nThe false guiler of teen,[205] now goes he beguiled.\n  Lo, he merry is!\nLo, he laughs, my sweeting,\nA welcome meeting!\nI have given my greeting\n  Have a bob of cherries?\n\n_2nd Shepherd._ Hail, sovereign saviour, for thou hast us sought!\nHail freely, leaf and flow'r, that all thing has wrought!\nHail full of favour, that made all of nought!\nHail! I kneel and I cower. A bird have I brought\n  To my bairn!\nHail, little tiny mop,[206]\nOf our creed thou are crop!\nI would drink in thy cup,\n  Little day-starn.[207]\n\n_3rd Shepherd._ Hail, darling dear, full of godheed!\nI pray thee be near, when that I have need.\nHail! sweet is thy cheer: my heart would bleed\nTo see thee sit here in so poor weed.\n  With no pennies.\nHail! put forth thy dall!--[208]\nI bring thee but a ball\nHave and play thee with all,\n  And go to the tennis.\n\n_Mary._ The Father of Heaven, God omnipotent,\nThat set all on levin,[209] his son has he sent.\nMy name could he neven,[210] and laught as he went.[211]\nI conceived him full even, through might, as God meant;\n  And new is he born.\nHe keep you from woe:\nI shall pray him so;\nTell forth as ye go,\n  And mind on this morn.\n\n_1st Shepherd._ Farewell, lady, so fair to behold,\nWith thy child on thy knee.\n\n_2nd Shepherd._                    But he lies full cold,\nLord, well is me: now we go forth, behold!\n\n_3rd Shepherd._ Forsooth, already it seems to be told\n  Full oft.\n\n_1st Shepherd._ What grace we have fun.[212]\n\n_2nd Shepherd._ Come forth, now are we won.\n\n_3rd Shepherd._ To sing are we bun:[213]\n  Let take on loft.[214]\n\n\n\n\nTHE COVENTRY NATIVITY PLAY OF THE COMPANY OF SHEARMEN AND TAILORS\n\n\n\nCHARACTERS\n\n\nIsaiah (_as Prologue_)\nGabriel\nJoseph\nMary\nThe Three Kings\nThe Three Shepherds\nThe Two Prophets\nKing Herod\nA Herald\nAn Angel\nTwo Soldiers\nThree Women\n\n\n\n\nTHE COVENTRY NATIVITY PLAY\n\n\n\n\nPROLOGUE\n\n\n_Isaiah._ The sovereign that seeth every secret\nHe save you all and make you perfect and strong:\nAnd give his grace with his mercy thereto meet,\nFor now in great misery mankind is bound.\nThe serpent hath given us so mortal a wound\nThat no creature is able us for to release\nTill the right unction of Judah doth cease.\n  Then shall much mirth and joy increase\nAnd the right root in Israel spring,\nThat shall bring forth the grain of holiness:\nAnd out of danger he shall us bring\nInto that region where he is king:\nWhich above all other doth abound\nAnd that cruel Satan he shall confound.\n  Wherefore I come here upon this ground,\nTo comfort every creature of birth;\nFor I, Isaiah, the prophet, hath found\nMany sweet matters, whereof we may make mirth\nOn this same wise.\nFor though Adam be doomed to death\nWith all his children, as Abel and Seth:\nYet, _Ecce virgo concipiet!_[215]\nLo, where a remedy shall rise!\n  Behold a maid shall conceive a child,\nAnd get us more grace than ever man had.\nAnd her maidenhood nothing defiled:\nShe is deputed to bear the Son, Almighty God.\nLo, sovereignties now may you be glad,\nFor of this maiden all we may be fain;[216]\nFor Adam that now lies in sorrows full sad,\nHer glorious birth shall redeem him again\nFrom bondage and thrall.\nNow be merry every man,\nFor this deed briefly in Israel shall be done,\nAnd before the Father on his throne\nThat shall glad us all.\n  More of this matter fain would I move,\nBut longer time I have not here for to dwell.\nThat lord that is merciful, his mercy so in us may prove\nFor to save our souls from the darkness of hell,\n  And to his bliss--he us bring\n  As he is--both lord and king;\n  And shall be everlasting\n  _In secula seculos_:[217] Amen.\n\n[_Exit._\n\n[_Enter Gabriel to Mary._]\n\n_Gabriel._ Hail! Mary, full of grace,\nOur Lord God is with thee!\nAbove all women that ever was;\nLady, blessed may thou be.\n\n_Mary._ Almighty Father and King of bliss\nFrom all dyskes[218] thou save me now:\nFor inwardly my spirit troubled is,\nI am amazed and know not how.\n\n_Gabriel._ Dread thee nothing, maiden, of this:\nFrom heaven above hither am I sent,\nOf embassage from that King of bliss,\nUnto the lady and virgin reverent,\nSaluting thee here as most excellent,\nWhose virtue above all other doth abound;\nWherefore in thee grace shall be found:\nFor thou shalt conceive upon this ground\nThe Second Person of God on throne;\nHe will be born of thee alone,\nWithout sin tho shalt him see.\nThy grace and thy goodness will never be gone\nBut ever to live in virginity.\n\n_Mary._ I marvel sore how that may be:\nMan's company knew I never yet,\nNor never to do cast I me,\nWhile that our Lord sendeth me my wit.\n\n_Gabriel._ The Holy Ghost in thee shall light,\nAnd shall endue thy soul so with virtue\nFrom the Father that is on high:\nThese words, turtle, they be full true.\n  This child that of thee shall be born\nIs the Second Person in Trinity.\nHe shall save that was forlorn,\nAnd the fiend's power destroy shall he.\n  These words, lady, full true they be,\nAnd further, lady, in thy own lineage,\nBehold Elizabeth, thy cousin clean,\nThe which was barren and past all age.\n  And now with child she hath been\nSix months and more as shall be seen;\nWherefore, discomfort thee not, Mary,\nFor to God impossible nothing may be.\n\n_Mary._ Now and it be that Lord's will\nOf my body to be born and for to be\nHis high pleasure for to fulfil,\nAs his one handmaid I submit me.\n\n_Gabriel._ Now blessed be the time set\nThat thou wast born in thy degree:\nFor now is the knot surely knit\nAnd God conceived in Trinity.\n  Now farewell lady of might most,\nUnto the Godhead I thee beteyche.[219]\n\n_Mary._ That lord thee guide in every cost\nAnd lowly he lead me and be my leech.[220]\n\n[_Here the Angel departeth and Joseph cometh in and saith:_\n\n_Joseph._ Mary, my wife so dear!\nHow do ye, dame, and what cheer\nIs with you this tide?\n\n_Mary._ Truly, husband, I am here\nOur Lord's will for to abide.\n\n_Joseph._ What! I trow we be all shent![221]\nSay, woman, who hath been here since I went\nTo rage with thee?\n\n_Mary._ Sir, here was neither man, nor man's even,[222]\nBut only the sond[223] of our Lord God in heaven.\n\n_Joseph._ Say not so, woman, for shame let be:\nYe be with child so wondrous great,\nYe need no more thereof to treat\nAgainst all right.\nFor sooth this child, dame, is not mine;\nAlas, that ever with my eyne[224]\nI should see this sight.\nTell me, woman, whose is this child?\n\n_Mary._ None but yours, husband, so mild\nAnd that shall be seen, I wis.\n\n_Joseph._ But mine, alas! alas! why say ye so?\nWell away, woman, now may I go\nBeguiled as many another is.\n\n_Mary._ Nay truly, sir, ye be not beguiled\nNor yet with spot of sin I am not defiled;\nTrust it well, husband.\n\n_Joseph._ Husband in faith, and that acold;\nAh well away, Joseph, as thou art old!\nLike a fool now may I stand\nAnd truss; but in faith, Mary, thou art in sin.\nSo much as I have cherished thee, dame, and all thy kin,\nBehind my back to serve me thus:\n  All old men example take by me,\nHow I am beguiled here may you see,\nTo wed so young a child.\nNow farewell, Mary, I leave thee here alone,\nWoe worth thee dame, and thy works each one!\nFor I will no more be beguiled\nFor friend nor foe.\nNow of this deed I am so dull\nAnd of my life I am so full,\nNo farther may I go.\n\n_Angel._ Arise up, Joseph, and go home again\nUnto Mary thy wife that is so free;\nTo comfort her look that thou be fain,\nFor, Joseph, a clean maiden is she.\nShe hath conceived without any trayne\nThe Second Person in Trinity:\nJesu shall be his name certainly,\nAnd all this world save shall he.\nBe not aghast.\n\n_Joseph._ Now, Lord, I thank thee with heart full sad.\nFor of these tidings I am so glad\nThat all my care away is cast,\nWherefore to Mary I will in haste.\n  Ah, Mary, Mary, I kneel full low,\nForgive me, sweet wife, here in this land;\nMercy, Mary, for now I know\nOf your good governance and how it doth stand:\nThough that I did thee misname.\nMercy, Mary, while I live\nWill I never, sweet wife, thee grieve,\nIn earnest nor in game.\n\n_Mary._ Now, that Lord in Heaven, sir,--he you forgive!\nAnd I do forgive you in his name\nFor evermore.\n\n_Joseph._ Now truly, sweet wife, to you I say the same;\nBut now to Bethlehem must I wynde[225]\nAnd show myself so full of care,\nAnd I to leave you this great behind,\nGod wot, the while, dame, how you should fare.\n\n_Mary._ Nay hardily, husband, dread ye nothing,\nFor I will walk with you on the way.\nI trust in God, Almighty King,\nTo speed right well in our journey.\n\n_Joseph._ Now I thank you, Mary, of your goodness\nThat you my words will not blame;\nAnd since that to Bethlehem we shall us address\nGo we together in God's holy name.\n\n[_They set out on their way._\n\n  Now to Bethlehem have we leagues three,\nThe day is nigh spent, it draweth towards night,\nFain at your ease, dame, I would that ye should be:\nFor you grow all weary, it seemeth, in my sight.\n\n_Mary._ God have mercy, Joseph, my spouse, so dear!\nAll prophets hereto do bear witness\nThe evry time now draweth near\nThat my child will be born, which is King of bliss.\nUnto some place, Joseph, kindly me lead,\nThat I might rest me with grace in this tide,\nThe light of the Father over us both spread\nAnd the grace of my son with us here abide.\n\n_Joseph._ Lo, blessed Mary, here shall ye lend;[226]\nChief chosen of our Lord, and cleanest in degree:\nAnd I for help to town, will I wend.\nIs not this the best, dame, what say ye?\n\n_Mary._ God have mercy! Joseph, my husband, so meek,\nAnd I heartily pray you go now from me.\n\n_Joseph._ That shall be done in haste, Mary, so sweet!\nThe comfort of the Holy Ghost leave I with thee.\nNow to Bethlehem strait will I go,\nTo get some help for Mary so free,\nSome help of women, God may me send!\nThat Mary, full of grace, pleased may be.\n\n[_Enter a Shepherd._\n\n_1st Shepherd._ Now God that art in Trinity,\nThou sawest my fellows and me;\nFor I know not where my sheep nor they be,\nThis night it is so cold,\nNow is it nigh the middest of the night,\nThese weathers are dark and dim of light,\nThat of them can I have no sight,\nStanding here on this wold.\nBut now to make their hearts light,\nNow will I full right\nStand upon this loe.[227]\nAnd to them cry with all my might:\nFull well my voice they know,\nWhat ho, fellows, ho, hoo, ho!\n\n[_Enter two other Shepherds._\n\n_2nd Shepherd._ Hark, Sym, hark, I hear our brother on the loe,[227]\nThis is his voice, right well I know,\nTherefore towards him let us go,\nAnd follow his voice aright,\nSee, Sym, see where he doth stand;\nI am right glad we have him found.\nBrother! where hast thou been so long,\nAnd it is so cold this night?\n\n_1st Shepherd._ Oh, friends! there came a pyrie[228] of wind\n  With a mist suddenly,\nThat forth off my ways went I,\nAnd great heaviness then made I,\nAnd was full sore afright;\nThen for to go wist I not whither,\nBut travelled on this hill hither and thither.\nI was so weary of this cold weather,\nThat near passed was my might.\n\n_3rd Shepherd._ Brother, now we be past that fright,\nAnd it is far within the night:\nFull soon will spring the daylight,\nIt draweth full near the tide.\nHere awhile let us rest\nAnd repast ourselves of the best.\nTill that the sun rise in the east,\nLet us all here abide.\n\n[_There the Shepherds draw forth their meat, and do eat and drink, and\nas they drink they see the star and say thus:_\n\nBrother, look up and behold,\nWhat thing is yonder that shineth so bright?\nAs long as ever I have watched my fold,\nYet saw I never such a sight\nIn field.\nAha! now is come the time that old fathers hath told,\nThat in the winter's night so cold,\nA child of maiden born, be he would,\nIn whom all prophecies shall be fulfilled.\n\n_1st Shepherd._ Truth it is without nay,\nSo said the prophet Isaye,\nThat a child should be born of a maid so bright\nIn winter nigh the shortest day,\nOr else in the middest of the night.\n\n_2nd Shepherd._ Loved be God, most of might!\nThat our grace is to see that sight;\nPray we to him as it is right\nIf that his will it be,\nThat we may have knowledge of this signification,\nAnd why it appeareth on this fashion\nAnd ever to him let us give laudation,\nIn earth, while that we be.\n\n[_There the angels sing \"Gloria in Excelsis Deo.\"_\n\n_3rd Shepherd._ Hark, they sing above in the clouds clear!\nHeard I never of so merry a choir.\nNow gentle brother draw we near\nTo hear their harmony?\n\n_1st Shepherd._ Brother, mirth and solace is come us among\nFor, by the sweetness of their song;\nGod's Son is come, whom we have looked for long,\nAs signifieth this star we do see.\n\n_2nd Shepherd._ Glory, _Gloria in Excelsis_, that was their song,\nHow say ye fellows! said they not thus?\n\n_1st Shepherd._ That is well said, now go we hence\nTo worship that child of high magnificence;\nAnd that we may sing in his presence,\n_Et in terra pax omnibus._\n[_There the Shepherds sing:_]\n\n  As I out rode this enderes' night,\nOf three jolly shepherds I saw a sight,\nAnd all about their fold a star shone bright;\nThey sang, Terli, terlow;\nSo merrily the shepherds their pipes can blow.\n\n_Joseph._ Now, Lord, this noise that I do hear\nWith this great solemnity,\nGreatly amended hath my cheer,\nI trust high news shortly will be.\n\n[_There the Angels sing \"Gloria in Excelsis\" again._\n\n_Mary._ Ah Joseph, husband, come hither anon\nMy child is born that is King of bliss.\n\n_Joseph._ Now welcome to me, the maker of man,\nWith all the homage that I can;\nThy sweet mother here will I kiss.\n\n_Mary._ Ah Joseph, husband, my child waxeth cold\nAnd we have no fire to warm him with.\n\n_Joseph._ Now in my arms I shall him fold,\nKing of all kings by field and by frith,[229]\nHe might have had better, and himself would\nThan the breathing of these beasts to warm him with.\n\n_Mary._ Now, Joseph, my husband, fetch hither my child,\nThe maker of man, and high King of bliss.\n\n_Joseph._ That shall be done, anon, Mary so mild!\nFor the breathing of these beasts hath warmed him, I wis.\n\n_1st Angel._ Herdmen kind, dread ye nothing,\nOf this star that ye do see;\nFor this same morn God's son is born,\nIn Bethlem of a maiden fre.[230]\n\n_2nd Angel._ Hie you hither in haste,\nIt is his will ye shall him see\nLying in a crib of poor repast;\nYet of David's line come is he.\n\n_1st Shepherd._ Hail, maid-mother, and wife so mild!\nAs the angel said, so have we found,\nI have nothing to present to thy child,\nBut my pipe; hold, hold! take it in thy hand;\nWherein much pleasure that I have found,\nAnd now to honour thy glorious birth,\nThou shalt it have to make thee mirth.\n\n_2nd Shepherd._ Now, hail be thou, child, and thy dame,\nFor in a poor lodging here art thou laid;\nSo the angel said, and told us thy name.\nHold, take thou here my hat on thy head,\nAnd now of one thing thou art well sped;\nFor weather thou hast no cause to complain,\nFor wind, nor sun, hail, snow, and rain.\n\n_3rd Shepherd._ Hail, be thou Lord over water and lands\nFor thy coming all we may make mirth,\nHave here my mittens to put on thy hands\nOther treasure have I none to present thee with.\n\n_Mary._ Now, herdmen kind,\nFor your coming,\nTo my child shall I pray,\nAs he is heaven's king,\nTo grant you his blessing,\nAnd to his bliss that ye may wynd[231]\nAt your last day.\n\n[_There the Shepherds sing again:_]\n\n  Down from heaven, from heaven so high,\nOf angels there came a great company,\nWith mirth, and joy, and great solemnity\nThey sang, Terli, terlow;\nSo merrily the shepherds their pipes can blow.\n\n[_The two prophets come in._\n\n_1st Prophet._ Novellis, novellis,[232] of wonderful marvellys,[233]\nWere high and sweet unto the hearing,\nAs Scripture tellis, these strange novellis\nTo you I bring.\n\n_2nd Prophet._ Now, heartily, sir, I desire to know,\nIf it would please you for to show,\nOf what manner a thing?\n\n_1st Prophet._ Were it mystical unto your hearing,--\nOf the nativity of a king?\n\n_2nd Prophet._ Of a king?\nWhence should he come?\n\n_1st Prophet._ From that region royal and mighty mansion,\nThe seed celestial and heavenly wisdom,\nThe Second Person, and God's one Son,\nFor our sake is man become.\nThis godly sphere, descended here,\nInto a virgin clear,\nShe undefiled,\nBy whose work, obscure our frail nature\nIs now beguiled.\n\n_2nd Prophet._ Why, hath she a child?\n\n_1st Prophet._ Ah, trust it well,\nAnd never the less,\nYet is she a maid even as she was,\nAnd her son the king of Israel.\n\n_2nd Prophet._ A wonderful marvel, How that may be,\nAnd far doth excel--\n  All our capacity,\nHow that the trinity,\n  Of so high regality,\nShould joined be,\n  Unto our mortality.\n\n_1st Prophet._ Of his one great mercy\n  As ye shall see the exposition,\nThrough whose humanity all Adam's progeny\nRedeemed shall be\n  Out of perdition;\nSith man did offend, who should amend,\n  But the said man and no other;\nFor the which cause he,\n  Incarnate would be,\nAnd live in misery\n  As man's one brother.\n\n_2nd Prophet._ Sir, upon the Deity, I believe perfectly,\nImpossible to be, there is nothing;\nHowbeit this work, unto me is dark,\nIn the operation or working.\n\n_1st Prophet._ What more reproof is unto belief\nThan to be doubting.\n\n_2nd Prophet._ Yet doubts ofttimes hath derivation.\n\n_1st Prophet._ That is by the means of communication,\nOf truths to have a due probation,--\nBy the same doubts, reasoning.\n\n_2nd Prophet._ Then to you, this one thing,\nOf what noble and high lineage is she,\nThat might this verible prince's mother be?\n\n_1st Prophet._ Undoubted she is come of high parrage,[234]\nOf the house of David, and Solomon the sage,\nAnd one of the same line joined to her by marriage\nOf whose tribe, we do subscribe\nThis child's lineage.\n\n_2nd Prophet._ And why in that wise?\n\n_1st Prophet._ For it was the guise\nTo count the parent on the man's line,\nAnd not on the feminine,\nAmongst us here in Israel.\n\n_2nd Prophet._ Yet can I not espy, by no wise\nHow this child born should be without nature's prejudice.\n\n_1st Prophet._ Nay, no prejudice unto nature I dare well say,\nFor the king of nature may\nHave all his one will,\nDid not the power of God, make Aaron's rod\nBear fruit in one day?\n\n_2nd Prophet._ Truth it is indeed.\n\n_1st Prophet._ Then look you and rede.[235]\n\n_2nd Prophet._ Ah!  I perceive the seed\nWhereupon that you spake,\nIt was for our need\nThat he frail nature did take,\nAnd his blood he should shed\nAmends for to make\nFor our transgression,\nAs it is said in prophecy, that of the line of Jud\u00eb\nShould spring a right Messi\u00eb,\nBy whom all we\nShould have redemption.\n\n_1st Prophet._ Sir, now is the time come,\nAnd the date thereof run\nOf his Nativity.\n\n_2nd Prophet._ Yet I beseech you heartily,\nThat ye would show me how\nThat this strange novelty\nWere brought unto you?\n\n_1st Prophet._ This other night so cold,\nHereby upon a wold,\nShepherds watching their fold\nIn the night so far,\nTo them appeared a star,\nAnd ever it drew them near,\nWhich star they did behold,\nBrighter they say a thousand fold\nThan the sun so clear\nIn his midday sphere;\nAnd they these tidings told.\n\n_2nd Prophet._ What, secretly?\n\n_1st Prophet._ Na, na, hardily,[236]\nThey made there of no council,\nFor they sang as loud,\nAs ever they could,\nPraising the king of Israel.\n\n_2nd Prophet._ Yet do I marvel,\nIn what pile or castle,\nThese herdmen did him see.\n\n_1st Prophet._ Neither in halls, nor yet in bowers,\nBorn would he not be,\nNeither in castles, nor yet in towers,\nThat seemly were to see,\nBut at his Father's will,\nThe prophecy to fulfil,\nBetwixt an ox and an ass\nJesu this king born he was;\nHeaven he bring us till![237]\n\n_2nd Prophet._ Sir, ah!  but when these shepherds had seen him there,\nTo what place did they repair?\n\n_1st Prophet._ Forth they went, and glad they were;\nGoing they did sing,\nWith mirth and solace, they made good cheer,\nFor joy of that new tiding.\nAnd after as I heard them tell,\nHe rewarded them full well\nHe granted them heaven therein to dwell.\nIn are they gone with joy and mirth,\nAnd their song it is No\u00ebl.\n\n[_There the Prophets go forth, and Herod and the messenger (or herald)\ncomes in._\n\n_Herald._ Peace, Lord Barons of great renown!\nPeace, sir knights of noble presence!\nPeace, gentlemen companions of noble order!\nI command that all of you keep silence.\nPeace while your noble king is in presence!\nLet no person stint to pay him deference;\nBe not bold to strike, but keep your hearts in patience,\nAnd to your Lord keep heart of reverence,\nFor he, your king, has all puissance!\nIn the name of the law, I command you peace!\nAnd King Herod--\"_la grandeaboly vos umport._\"[238]\n\n_Herod._ _Qui status in Jude et Rex Israel_,[239]\nAnd the mightiest conqueror that ever walked on ground;\nFor I am even he that made both heaven and hell,\nAnd of my mighty power holdeth up this world round.\nMagog and Madroke, both them did I confound,\nAnd with this bright brand their bones I brake asunder,\nThat all on the wide world on those rappis[240] did wonder.\nI am the cause of this great light and thunder;\nIt is through my fury that they such noise do make.\nMy fearful countenance the clouds so doth encumber,\nThat often for dread thereof the very earth doth quake.\nLook when I with malin this bright brand doth shake;\nAll the whole world from the north to the south,\nI may them destroy with one word of my mouth,\nTo recount unto you my innumerable substance\nThat were too much for any tongue to tell;\nFor all the whole Orient is under mine obedience,\nAnd prince am I of purgatory, and chief captain of hell.\nAnd those tyrannous traitors by force may I compel\nMine enemies to vanquish, and even to dust to drive,\nAnd with a twinkle of mine eye not one to be left alive.\nBehold my countenance and my colour,\nBrighter than the sun in the middle of the day!\nWhere can you have a more greater succour,\nThan to behold my person that is so gay;\nMy falchion and my fashion with my gorgeous array?\nHe that had the grace always thereon to think,\nLive they might alway without other meat or drink.\nAnd this my triumphant fame most highly doth abound,\nThroughout this world in all regions abroad,\nResembling the favour of that most mighty Mahound\nFrom Jupiter by descent, and cousin to the great God,\nAnd named the most renowned King Herod,\nWhich that all princes hath under subjection,\nAnd all their whole power under my protection.\nAnd therefore my herald here called Calchas,\nWarn thou every port, that no ships arrive,\nNor also alien stranger through my realm pass,\nBut they for their truage[241] do pay marks five,\nNow speed thee forth hastily,\nFor they that will the contrary,\nUpon a gallows hanged shall be;\nAnd, by Mahound, of me they get no grace.\n\n_Herald._ Now, lord and master! in all the haste,\nThy worthy will it shall be wrought,\nAnd thy royal countries shall be past,\nIn as short time as can be thought.\n\n_Herod._ Now shall our regions throughout be sought\nIn every place, both east and west;\nIf any caitiffs to me be brought,\nIt shall be nothing for their best.\nAnd the while that I do rest,\nTrumpets, viols, and other harmony,\nShall bless the waking of my majesty.\n\n[_Here Herod goeth away, and the three Kings speaketh in the street._\n\n_1st King._ Now blessed be God, of his sweet sonde[242]\nFor yonder a bright star I do see!\nNow is he come us among\nAs the prophets said that it should be.\n  He said there should a babe be born\nComing of the root of Jesse,\nTo save mankind that was forlorn,\nAnd truly come now is he.\n  Reverence and worship to him will I do\nAs God and man, that all made of nought.\nAll the prophets accorded and said even so,\nThat with his precious blood mankind should be bought.\n  He grant me grace by yonder star that I see,\nAnd into that place bring me,\nThat I may him worship with humility\nAnd see his glorious face.\n\n_2nd King._ Out of my way I deem that I am\nFor tokens of this country can I none see;\nNow God that on earth madest man,\nSend me some knowledge where that I be.\n  Yonder me thinks a fair bright star I see,\nThe which betokeneth the birth of a child,\nThat hither is come to make man free,\nHe, born of a maid, and she nothing defiled,\n  To worship that child is mine intent.\nForth now will I take my way:\nI trust some company God hath me sent,\nFor yonder I see a king labour on the way,\n  Toward him now will I ride.\nHark, comely king, I you pray,\nInto what coast will ye this tide,\nOr whither lies your journey?\n\n_1st King._ To seek a child is mine intent,\nOf whom the prophets have meant.\nThe time is come now is he sent,\nBy yonder star here may you see.\n\n_2nd King._ Sir, I pray you with your licence,\nTo ride with you into his presence;\nTo him will I offer frankincence\nFor the head of the whole church shall he be.\n\n_3rd King._ I ride wandering in ways wide\nOver mountains and dales, I wot not where I am,\nNow king of all kings send me such guide,\nThat I may have knowledge of this country's name.\n  Ah, yonder I see a sight be seeming all afar,\nThe which betokens some news as I trow,\nAs me thinks a child appearing in a star;\nI trust he be come that shall defend us from woe.\n  Two kings yonder I see, and to them will I ride,\nFor to have their company: I trust they will me abide.[243]\nHail, comely kings augent![244]\nGood sirs, I pray you whither are ye meant?\n\n_1st King._ To seek a child is our intent,\nWhich betokens yonder star as ye may see.\n\n_2nd King._ To him I purpose this present.\n\n_3rd King._ Sirs, I pray you, and that right humbly\nWith you that I may ride in company;\nTo Almighty God now pray we,\nThat his precious person we may see.\n\n[_Here Herod cometh in again, and the messenger saith:_\n\n_Herald._ Hail, Lord! most of might!\nThy commandment is right.\nInto thy land is come this night\nThree kings, and with them a great company.\n\n_Herod._ What make those kings in this country?\n\n_Herald._ To seek a king and a child, they say.\n\n_Herod._ Of what age should he be?\n\n_Herald._ Scant twelve days old fully.\n\n_Herod._ And was he so late born?\n\n_Herald._ Eh! sir, so they show'd me this same day in the morn.\n\n_Herod._ Now, in pain of death, bring them me beforn\nAnd, therefore, herald, hie thee now, in haste,\nIn all speed that thou were dight,[245]\nOr that those kings the country be past,--\nLook thou bring them all three before my sight.\nAnd in Jerusalem enquire more of that child?\nBut I warn thee that thy words be mild,\nFor there take thou heed, and craft thereto\nHis power to foredo,[246]\nThat those three kings shall be beguiled.\n\n_Herald._ Lord, I am ready at your bidding,\nTo serve thee as my lord and king,\nFor joy thereof, lo, how I spring,\nWith light heart and fresh gambolling,\nAloft here on this mould.\n\n_Herod._ Then speed thee forth hastily,\nAnd look that thou bear thee evenly\nAnd also I pray thee heartily,\nThat thou do commend me\nBoth to young and old.\n\n_Herald_ (_returning to the Three Kings_). Hail, sir kings, in your degree!\nHerod; king of these countries wide\nDesireth to speak with you all three,\nAnd for your coming he doth abide.\n\n_1st King._ Sir, at his will we be right bane[247]\nHie us, brother, unto that lord's place;\nTo speak with him we would be fain\nThat child that we seek, he grant us of his grace.\n\n_Herald_ (_bringing in the Kings_). Hail, Lord, without peer!\nThese three kings have we brought.\n\n_Herod._ Now welcome, sir kings, all in fere;[248]\nBut of my bright ble,[249] sirs, abash ye nought.\nSir kings, as I understand,\nA star hath guided you into my land;\nWherein great harie[250] ye have found,\nBy reason of her beams bright;\nWherefore I pray you heartily,\nThe very truth that you would certify;\nHow long it is surely,\nSince of that star you had first sight?\n\n_1st King._ Sir king, the very truth we say.\nAnd to show you, as it is best,\nThis same is even the twelfth day\nSince it appeared to us to be west.\n\n_Herod._ Brother, then is there no more to say,\nBut with heart and will keep ye your journey,\nAnd come home again this same way,\nOf your news that I may know.\nYou shall triumph in this country,\nAnd with great concord banquet with me\nAnd that child myself then will I see,\nAnd honour him also.\n\n_2nd King._ Sir, your commandment we will fulfil,\nAnd humbly obey ourselves theretyll,\nHe that weldeth all things at will.\nThe ready way us teach,\nSir king, that we may pass your land in peace.\n\n_Herod._ Yes! and walk softly even at your own ease.\nYour passport for a hundred days\nHere shall you have of clear command;\nOur realm to labour[251] any ways\nHere shall you have by special grant.\n\n_3rd King._ Now farewell, king of high degree,\nHumbly of you our leave we take.\n\n_Herod._ Then adieu, sir kings, all three,\nAnd while I live be bold of me;\nThere is nothing in this country,\nBut for your own ye shall it take.\n\n[_Exeunt the Three Kings._\n\nNow these three kings are gone on their way,\nUnwisely and unwittingly have they all wrought.\nWhen they come again, they shall die that same day,\nAnd thus these vile wretches to death shall be brought;\n  Such is my liking.\nHe that against my laws will hold,\nBe he king or kaiser, never so bold,\nI shall them cast into cares cold,\nAnd to death I shall them bring.\n\n[_There Herod goeth his way, and the Three Kings come in again._\n\n_1st King._ Oh, blessed God, much is thy might!\nWhere is this star that gave us light?\n\n_2nd King._ Now kneel we down here on this presence\nBy seeking that Lord of high magnificence;\nThat we may see his high excellence,\nIf that his sweet will be.\n\n_3rd King._ Yonder, brother, I see the star,\nWhereby I know he is not far;\nTherefore, lords, go we now,\nInto this poor place.\n\n[_There the Three Kings go in to the jeseyne[252], Mary and her\nchild._\n\n_1st King._ Hail, Lord, that all this world hath wrought!\nHail God and man together in fere.[253]\nFor thou hast made all thing of nought\nAlbeit that thou liest poorly here.\nA cup full of gold here I have thee brought\nIn tokening thou art without peer.\n\n_2nd King._ Hail be thou, Lord of high magnificence\nIn tokening of priesthood, and dignity of office,\nTo thee I offer a cup full of incense;\nFor it behoveth thee to have such sacrifice.\n\n_3rd King._ Hail be thou, Lord long looked for!\nI have brought thee myrrh for mortality;\nIn tokening those shalt mankind restore\nTo life by thy death upon a tree.\n\n_Mary._ God have mercy, kings, of your goodness!\nBy the guiding of the Godhead hither are ye sent;\nThe provision of my sweet son, your ways home redress,\nAnd ghostly reward you for your present.\n\n_1st King._ Sir kings, after our promise,\nHome by Herod, I must needs go.\n\n_2nd King._ Now truly, brother, we can no less,\nBut I am so far watched I wot not what to do.\n\n_3rd King._ Right so am I, wherefore I you pray\nLet all us rest us awhile upon this ground.\n\n_1st King._ Brother, your saying is right well unto my pay\nThe grace of that sweet child save us all sound.\n\n_Angel._ King of Taurus, Sir Jaspar!\nKing of Araby, Sir Balthasar!\nMelchior, king of Aginara!\nTo you now am I sent.\nFor dread of Herod, go you west home\nIn those parts when ye come down,\nYe shall be burrid[254] with great renown:\nThe Holy Ghost this knowledge hath sent.\n\n_1st King._ Awake, sir kings, I you pray,\nFor the voice of an angel I heard in my dream!\n\n_2nd King._ That is full true that ye do say\nFor he rehearsed our names plain.\n\n_3rd King._ He bade that we should go down by west\nFor dread of Herod's false betray.\n\n_1st King._ So for to do it is the best,\nThe child that we have sought, guide us the way!\n\n[_Turning to the babe._\n\nNow farewell, the fairest of shape so sweet,\nAnd thanked be Jesus of his sond.[255]\nThat we three together so suddenly should meet\nThat dwell so wide, and in a strange land;\nAnd here to make our presentation\nUnto this king's son cleansed so clean,\nAnd to his mother for our salvation;\nOf much mirth now may we mean,\nThat we so well hath done this oblation.\n\n_2nd King._ Now farewell, Sir Jaspar, brother to you,\nKing of Taurus, the most worth;\nSir Balthasar, also to you I bow\nAnd I thank you both of your good company,\nWhile we together have been.\nHe that made us to meet on hill,\nI thank him now, and ever I will;\nFor now may we go without ill;\nAnd of our offering be full fain.\n\n_3rd King._ Now sith that we must needly go\nFor dread of Herod, that is so wroth,\nNow farewell brother, and brother also;\nI take my leave here of you both,\nThis day on foot.\nNow he that made us to meet on plain.\nAnd offered to Mary in her jeseyne,[256]\nHe give us grace in heaven again,\nAltogether to meet.\n\n[_Exeunt the Three Kings: Enter the Herald and King Herod._\n\n_Herald._ Hail, King most worthiest in wede![257]\nHail, maintainer of courtesy through all this world wide!\nHail, the most mightiest that ever bestrode a steed!\nHail, most manfullest man in armour man to abide!\nHail in thine honour!\nThese three kings that forth were sent\nAnd should have come again before thee here present,\nAnother way, Lord, home they went\nContrary to thine honour.\n\n_Herod._ Another way!--out! out!--out!\nHath those foul traitors done me this deed?\nI stamp, I stare, I look all about;\nMight them I take I should them burn at a glede.[258]\nI rend, I roar, and now run I wood;[259]\nAh! that these villain traitors hath marred this my mood!\nThey shall be hanged if I come them to.\n\n[_Here Herod rages in the pageant, and in the street also._\n\nEh! and that kerne[260] of Bethlehem, he shall be dead,\nAnd thus shall I do for his prophecy.\nHow say you, sir knights, is not this the best red,[261]\nThat all young children for this should be dead\nWith sword to be slain?\nThen shall I, Herod, live in lede,[262]\nAnd all folk me doubt and dread,\nAnd offer to me both gold, riches, and mede,[263]\nThereto will they be full fain.\n\n_1st Soldier._ My Lord, King Herod by name,\nThy words against my will shall be\nTo see so many young children die, is shame;\nTherefore counsel thereto gettest thou none of me.\n\n_2nd Soldier._ Well said, fellow, my troth I plight;\nSir king! perceive right well you may\nSo great a murder to see of young fruit,\nWill make a rising in thine own countrey.\n\n_Herod._ A rising!--out! out! out!\n\n[_There Herod rages again, and then saith thus:_\n\nOut villain wretches, hereupon you I cry,\nMy will utterly, look that it be wrought,\nOr upon a gallows both you shall die,\nBy Mahound, most mightiest, that me dear hath bought!\n\n_1st Soldier._ Now, cruel Herod, sith we shall do this deed,\nYour will needfully in this must be wrought.\nAll the children of that age, die they must need,\nNow with all my might they shall be upsought.\n\n_2nd Soldier._ And I will swear here upon your bright sword,\nAll the children that I find, slain they shall be;\nThat make many a mother to weep, and be full sore afeard,\nIn our armour bright, when they us see.\n\n_Herod._ Now you have sworn, forth that ye go\nAnd my will that ye work both by day and night,\nAnd then will I for fain trip like a doe;\nBut when they be dead, I warn you, bring them before my sight.\n\n_Angel._ Mary and Joseph, to you I say,\nSweet word from the Father I bring you full right;\nOut of Bethlehem into Egypt forth go ye the way\nAnd with you take the king, full of might,\nFor dread of Herod's red.[264]\n\n_Joseph._ Arise up, Mary, hastily and soon!\nOur Lord's will needs must be done,\nLike as the angel bade.\n\n_Mary._ Meekly, Joseph, mine own spouse,\nToward that country let us repair,\nIn Egypt,--some token of house,--\nGod grant us grace safe to come there!\n\n[_Here the women come in with their children, singing them, and Mary and\nJoseph goeth clean away._\n\n  Lully, lulla, thou little tiny child;\n  By, by, lullay, lullay, thou little tiny child;\n                By, by, lully, lullay.\n\n  O sisters too! how may we do,\nFor to preserve this day\nThis poor youngling, for whom we do sing\nBy, by, lully, lullay.\n\n  Herod, the king, in his raging,\nCharged he hath this day\nHis men of might, in his own sight,\nAll young children to slay.\n\n  That woe is me, poor child for thee!\nAnd ever morn and day,\nFor thy parting neither say nor sing,\nBy, by, lully, lallay.\n\n_1st Woman._ I lull my child wondrously sweet,\nAnd in my arms I do it keep,\nBecause that it should not cry.\n\n_2nd Woman._ That Babe that is born, in Bethlehem so meek,\nHe save my child and me from villainy!\n\n_3rd Woman._ Be still! be still! my little child!\nThat Lord of lords save both thee and me;\nFor Herod hath sworn with words wild\nThat all young children slain they shall be.\n\n_1st Soldier._ Say ye whither, ye wives, whither are ye away?\nWhat bear you in your arms needs must we see;\nIf they be men children, die they must this day,\nFor at Herod's will all things must be.\n\n_2nd Soldier._ And I in hands once them hent,[265]\nThem for to slay nought will I spare;\nWe must fulfil Herod's commandment;\nElse be we as traitors, and cast all in care.\n\n_1st Woman._ Sir knights! of your courtesy\nThis day shame not your chivalry,\nBut on my child have pity,\nFor my sake in this stead;\nFor a simple slaughter it were to sloo[266]\nOr to work such a child woe\nThat can neither speak nor go,\nNor never harm did.\n\n_2nd Woman._ He that slays my child in sight,\nIf that my strokes on him may light,\nBe he squire or knight,\nI hold him but lost.\nSee thou false losyngere[267]\nA stroke shalt thou bear me here\nAnd spare you no cost.\n\n_3rd Woman._ Sit he never so high in saddle,\nBut I shall make his brain addle,\nAnd here with my pot ladle,\nWith him will I fight.\nI shall lay on him as though I wode[268] were,\nWith this same womanly gear;\nThere shall no man stir,\nWhether that he be king or knight.\n\n[_The innocents are massacred._\n\n_1st Soldier._ Who heard ever such a cry\nOf women, that their children have lost\nAnd greatly rebuking chivalry\nThroughout this realm in every coast\nWhich many a man's life is like to cost;\nFor this great revenge that here is done,\nI fear much vengeance thereof will come.\n\n_2nd Soldier._ Eh! brother, such tales may we not tell,\nWherefore to the king let us go,\nFor he is like to bear the bell,\nWhich was the cause that we did so;\nYet must they all be brought him to\nWith wains and waggons full freight.\nI trow there will be a careful sight.\n\n[_They come before Herod._\n\n_1st Soldier._ Lo! Herod, king! here must thou see\nHow many thousands that we have slain.\n\n_2nd Soldier._ And needs thy will fulfilled must be,\nThere may no man say there again.[269]\n\n_Herald._ Herod, king! I shall thee tell,\nAll thy deeds is come to nought.\nThis child is gone into Egypt to dwell,\nLo! Sir, in thine own land what wonders byn[270] wrought.\n\n_Herod._ Into Egypt? Alas! for woe,\nLonger in land here I cannot abide.\nSaddle my palfry, for in haste will I go\nAfter yon traitors now will I ride\nThem for to sloo.[271]\nNow all men hie fast\nInto Egypt in haste:\nAll that country will I tast[272]\nTill I may come them to.\n\n\n\n\nTHE WAKEFIELD MIRACLE-PLAY OF THE CRUCIFIXION\n\n[_From the Towneley Collection_]\n\n\n\nCHARACTERS\n\n\nJesus\nMary\nJohn\nJoseph\nPilate\nLongeus\nNicodemus\nFour Torturers\n\nTHE CRUCIFIXION\n\n\n_Pilate._ Peace I bid every wight;\nStand as still as stone in wall,\nWhiles ye are present in my sight,\nThat none of ye clatter nor call;\nFor if ye do, your death is dight.\nI warn it you both great and small,\nWith this brand burnished so bright,\nTherefore in peace look ye be all.\n\n  What? peace, in the devil's name!\nHarlots and dastards all bedene[273]\nOn gallows ye be made full tame.\nThieves and michers ken[274]\nWill ye not peace when I bid you?\nBy Mahoun's blood! if ye me teyn,[275]\nI shall ordain soon for you\nPains that never e'er was seen,\n  And that anon:\nBe ye so bold beggars, I warn you,\nFull boldly shall I beat you,\nTo hell the de'il shall draw you,\n  Body, back, and bone.\n\n  I am a lord that mickle is of might,\nPrince of all Jewry, Sir Pilate I hight.\nNext bring Herod, greatest of all,\nBow to my bidding, both great and small,\n  Or else be ye shent;[276]\nTherefore keep your tongues, I warn you all\n  And unto us take tent.[277]\n\n_1st Torturer._ All peace, all peace, among you all!\nAnd hearken now what shall befall\n  To this false chuffer[278] here.\nThat with his false quantyse[279]\nHas made himself as God wise\n  Among us many a year.\nHe calls himself a prophet,\nAnd says that he can bales[280] beat[281]\n  And make all things amend,\nBut e'er long know we shall,\nWhether he can overcome his own bale,[280]\n  Or 'scape out of our hand.\n\n  Was not this a wonder thing\nThat he durst call himself a king\n  And make so great a lie?\n  But, by Mahoun! while I may live,\nThose proud words shall I never forgive,\n  Till he be hanged on high.\n\n_2nd Torturer._ His pride, fie, we set at nought,\nBut each man reckon in his thought\n  And look that we naught want;\nFor I shall seek, if that I may,\nBy the order of knighthood, to-day,\n  To make his heart pant.\n\n_3rd Torturer._ And so shall I, with all my might,\nAbate his pride this very night,\n  And reckon him a crede.\nLo! he lets on he could no ill,\nBut he can aye, when he will,\n  Do a full foul deed.\n\n_4th Torturer._ Ye fellows, ye, as I, have rest,\nAmong us all I rede[282] we cast\n  To bring this thief to dede.[283]\nLook that we have what we need too\n  For to hold strait this shrew.\n\n_1st Torturer._ That was a noble rede;\nLo, here I have a band,\nIf need be, to bind his hand;\n  This thong, I trow, will last.\n\n_2nd Torturer._ And one to the other side,\nThat shall abate his pride,\n  If it be but drawn fast.\n\n_3rd Torturer._ Lo, here a hammer and nails also\nFor to fasten fast our foe\n  To this tree full soon.\n\n_4th Torturer._ You are wise, withouten dread,\nThat so can help yourself at need\n  To thing that should be done.\n\n_1st Torturer._ Now dare I say hardily,\nHe shall with all his mawmentry[284]\n  No longer us be-tell.\n\n_2nd Torturer._ Since Pilate has him to us gi'en\nHave done, quickly, let it be seen,\n  How we can with him mell.[285]\n\n_3rd Torturer._ Now we are at the Mount of Calvary,\nHave done, fellows, and let now see\n  How we can with him play.\n\n_4th Torturer._ Yes, for as proud as he can look,\nHe would have turned another crook,\n  Had he the rack to-day.\n\n_1st Torturer._ In faith, sir, since ye called you a king,\nYou must prove a worthy thing\n  That falls into the weir.\nYou must joust in tournament,\nBut sit you fast, else you'll be shent,[286]\n  Else down I shall you bear.\n\n_2nd Torturer._ If thou be God's son, as thou tells,\nThou canst save thyself--how shouldst thou else?\n  Else were it marvel great;\nAnd canst thou not, we will not trow\nWhat thou has said, but make thee mow\n  When thou sitt'st in that seat.\n\n_3rd Torturer._ If thou be king, we shall thanks adylle[287]\nFor we shall set thee in thy sadylle[288]\n  For falling be thou bold[289]\nI promise thee thou bidest a shaft\nIf thou sitt'st not well thou hadst better laft[290]\n  The tales that thou hast told.\n\n_4th Torturer._ Stand near, fellows, and let us see\nHow we can horse our king so free\n  By any craft;\nStand thou yonder on yon side,\nAnd we shall see how he can ride.\n  And how to wield a shaft.\n\n_1st Torturer._ Sir, come ye hither, and have done,\nAnd get upon your palfrey soon\n  For he is ready bowne:[291]\nIf ye be bound to him be not wroth,\nFor be ye secure we were full loth\n  On any wise that ye fell down.\n\n_2nd Torturer._ Knit thou a knot, with all thy strength\nFor to draw this arm at length\n  Till it come to the bore.\n\n_3rd Torturer._ Thou art mad, man, by this light!\nIt wants, in each man's sight\n  Another half span, and more.\n\n_4th Torturer._ Yet draw out this arm, and make it fast,\nWith this rope, that well will last,\n  And each man lay hand to.\n\n_1st Torturer._ Yes, and bind thou fast that band,\nWe shall go to that other hand,\n  And look what we can do.\n\n_2nd Torturer._ Do drive a nail there throughout,\nAnd then there shall nothing doubt,\n  For it will not _breste_.[292]\n\n_3rd Torturer._ That shall I do, so might I thrive,\nFor to hammer and to drive\n  Thereto I am full pressed;\nSo let it stick, for it is well.\n\n_4th Torturer._ Thou sayest sooth,\n  There can no man mend.\n\n_1st Torturer._ Hold down his knees.\n\n_2nd Torturer._            That shall I do.\nHis nurse did never better do;\n  Lay on with each hand.\n\n_3rd Torturer._ Draw out his limbs, let see, have at.\n\n_4th Torturer._ That was well drawn out, that,\nFair befall him that so pulled!\nFor to have gotten it to the mark\nI trow laymen nor clerk\n  Nothing better should!\n\n_1st Torturer._ Hold it now fast there\nOne of you the bore shall bear,\n  And then it may not fail.\n\n_2nd Torturer._ That shall I do withouten dread,\nAs ever might I well speed\n  Him to mickle bale.\n\n_3rd Torturer._ So, that is well, it will not brest,[293]\nBut now, let see, who does the best\n  With any sleight of hand.\n\n_4th Torturer._ Go we to the other ende\nFellows, fasten fast your hende,[294]\n  And pull well at the band.\n\n_1st Torturer._ I counsel, fellows, by this weather\nThat we draw now all together,\n  And look how it will fare.\n\n_2nd Torturer._ Now let see, and leave your din\nAnd draw we ilka syn from syn.[295]\n  For nothing let us spare.\n\n_3rd Torturer._ Nay, fellows, this is no play,\nWe no longer draw one way,\n  So mickle have I espied.\n\n_4th Torturer._ No, for as I have bliss\nSome can twig whoso it is\n  Seeks his ease on his own side.\n\n_1st Torturer._ It is better, as I hope\nEach by himself to draw this rope,\n  And then may we see\nWho it is that erewhile\nAll his fellows can beguile\n  Of this company.\n\n_2nd Torturer._ Since thou wilt so have, here's for me!\n  How draw I?--as might thou the![296]\n\n_3rd Torturer._ Men drew right well!\nHave here for me, half a foot.\n\n_4th Torturer._ Wema,[297] man! thou came not to't.\nMen drew it never a deal\nBut have for me here that I may!\n\n_1st Torturer._ Well drawn\u00ebn, son, by this day!\nThou goes well to thy work.\n\n_2nd Torturer._ Yet after, whilst thy hand is in\nPull thereat with some engine.\n\n_3rd Torturer._ Yea, and bring it to the mark.\n\n_4th Torturer._ Pull, pull!\n\n_1st Torturer._ Have now!\n\n_2nd Torturer._ Let see!\n\n_3rd Torturer._ Aha!\n\n_4th Torturer._ Yet, a draught!\n\n_1st Torturer._ Thereto with all my might.\n\n_2nd Torturer._ Aha, hold still thore.[298]\n\n_3rd Torturer._ So, fellows, look now alive,\nWhich of you can best drive,\n  And I shall take the bore.\n\n_4th Torturer._ Let me go to it, if I shall\nI hope that I be the best marshal[299]\n  For to clink[300] it right.\nDo raise him up now when we may,\nFor I hope he and his palfrey\n  Shall not twine[301] this night.\n\n_1st Torturer._ Come hither, fellows, and have done,\nAnd help that this tree soon\n  Be lift with all your sleight.\n\n_2nd Torturer._ Yet let us work awhile,\nAnd no man now the other beguile\n  Till it be brought on height.\n\n_3rd Torturer._ Fellows, lay on all your hende[302]\nFor to raise this tree on ende\n  And lets see who is last.\n\n_4th Torturer._ I rede we do as he says,\nSet we the tree on the mortase,[303]\n  And there, will it stand fast.\n\n_1st Torturer._ Up with the timber.\n\n_2nd Torturer._ Ah, it holds!\nFor him, that all this world wields,\n  Put from thee, with thy hand.\n\n_3rd Torturer._ Hold even! amongst us all.\n\n_4th Torturer._ Yea, and let it into the mortise fall,\nFor then will it best stand.\n\n_1st Torturer._ Go we to it, and be we strong,\nAnd raise it, be it never so long,\n  Since that it is fast bound.\n\n_2nd Torturer._ Up with the timber fast on ende.\n\n_3rd Torturer._ Ah fellows, fair fall now your hende.\n\n_4th Torturer._ So, sir, gape against the sun!\n\n[_To Christ._\n\n_1st Torturer._ Ah, fellow, wear thy crown!\n\n_2nd Torturer._ Trowest thou this timber will come down?\n\n_3rd Torturer._ Yet help, to make it fast.\n\n_4th Torturer._ Bind him well, and let us lift.\n\n_1st Torturer._ Full short shall be his thrift.\n\n_2nd Torturer._ Ah, it stands up like a mast.\n\n_Jesus._ I pray you, people, that pass me by,\nThat lead your life so lykandly[304]\n  Raise up your heart on high;\nBehold if ever ye saw body\nBuffet[305] and beaten thus bloody,\n  Or dight thus dolefully;\nIn this world was never no wight\n  That suffered half so sair.\nMy mayn,[306] my mode,[307] my might\nIs naught but sorrow to sight,\n  And comfort--none but care!\nMy folk, what have I done to thee\nThat thou all thus shall torment me?\n  Thy sin bear I full soon.\nHow have I grieved thee? answer me.\nThat thou thus nailest me to a tree,\n  And all for thine error.\nWhere shalt thou seek succour?\nThis fault how shalt thou amende\nWhen that thou thy saviour\nDrivest to this dishonour\n  And nail'st through feet and hende.[308]\nAll creatures whose kinds may be trest,[309]\nBeasts and birds, they all have rest\n  When they are woe begone.\nBut God's own son, that should be best,\nHas not whereon his head to rest,\n  But on his shoulder bone:\nTo whom now may I make my moan\n  When they thus martyr me?\nAnd sackless[310] will me slone,[311]\nAnd beat me blood and bone,\n  That should my brethren be?\nWhat kindness should I kythe[312] them to?\nHave I not done what I ought to do,\n  Made thee in my likeness?\nAnd thou thus rives my rest and ro[313]\nAnd thinkest lightly on me, lo,\n  Such is thy caitifness.\nI have shown thee kindness, unkindly thou me 'quitest,[314]\nSee thus thy wickedness, look how thou me despitest.\nGuiltless thus am I put to pine,\nNot for my sin, man, but for thine.\n  Thus am I rent on rood;\nFor I that treasure would not tyne[315]\nThat I marked and made for mine.\n  Thus buy I Adam's blood,\nThat sunken was in sin,\nWith none earthly good,\nBut with my flesh and blood\nThat loath was for to wyn.[316]\nMy brother, that I came for to buy,\nHas hanged me here, thus hideously,\n  Friends find I few or none;\nThus have they dight me drearily,\nAnd all be-spit me piteously,\n  A helpless man in wone.[317]\nBut, Father, that sittest on throne,\n  Forgive thou them this guilt.\nI pray to thee this boon--\nThey know not what they doon,\n  Nor whom they thus have spoilt![318]\n\n_1st Torturer._ Yes, what we do full well we know.\n\n_2nd Torturer._ Yes, that shall he find within a throw.\n\n_3rd Torturer._ Now, with a mischance to his corse!\nWenys[319] he that we give any force[320]\n  What evil so ever he ail?\n\n_4th Torturer._ For he would tarry us all day,\nOf his death to make delay,\n  I tell you sans fail.\n\n_1st Torturer._ Lift we this tree amongst us all.\n\n_2nd Torturer._ Yea, and let it into the mortise fall\n  And that shall make him brest.[321]\n\n_3rd Torturer._ Yea, and all to rive him, limb from limb.\n\n_4th Torturer._ And it will break each joint in him;\n  Let see now, who does best?\n\n_Mary._ Alas, the dole I dree![322] I droop, I go in dread.\nWhy hang'st thou, son, so high? my woe begins to breed,\nAll blemished is thy ble,[323] I see thy body bleed,\nIn the world, my son, we were never so woe, as now in weed.[324]\nMy food[325] that I have fed,\nIn life--longing thee led!\nFull straight art thou bestead\n  Among these foemen fell:\nSuch sorrow for to see.\nMy dearest child, on thee,\nIs more mourning to me\n  Than any tongue may tell.\nAlas! thy holy head\nHas not whereon to held[326]\nThy face with blood is red,\n  Was fair as flower in field;\nHow should I stand in stead![327]\nTo see my bairn thus bleed,\nBeaten as blo[328] as lead.\n  And has no limb to wield?\nFastened both hands and feet,\nWith nalys[329] full unmeet,\nHis wounds all wringing wet.\n  Alas, my child, for care!\nFor all rent is thy hide,\nI see on either side\nTears of blood down glide\n  Over all thy body bare.\nAlas that ever I should bide, and see my feyr[330] thus fare!\n\n_John._ Alas, for dule, my lady dear!\nAll for chang\u00e8d is thy cheer,\nTo see this prince without a peer,\n  Thus lapp\u00e9d all in woe;\nHe was thy food, thy fairest foine,[331]\nThy love, thy like,[332] thy lovesome son,\nThat high on tree thus hangs alone\n  With body black and blo,[333] alas!\nTo me and many mo,[334]\nA good master he was.\n\nBut, lady, since it is his will\nThe prophecy to fulfil,\nThat mankind in sin not spill,[335]\n  For them to thole[336] the pain;\nAnd with his death ransom to make,\nAs prophets before of him spake.\nI counsel thee, thy grief to slake,\n  Thy weeping may not gain\nIn sorrow;\nOur boot[337] he buys full bayne,[338]\nUs all from bale to borrow.\n\n_Mary._ Alas, thine eyes as crystal clear,\nThat shone as sun in sight,\nThat lovely were in lyere[339]\nLost they have their light,\nAnd wax all fa'ed[340] in fear,\nAll dim then are they dight;\nIn pain thou hast no peer,\nThat is withouten pight.[341]\nSweet son, say me thy thought;\nWhat wonders hast thou wrought\nTo be in pain thus brought\n  Thy blessed blood to blend?\nAh, son, think on my woe,\nWhy will thou from me go?\nOn earth is no man mo[342]\n  That may my mirth amend.\n\n_John._ Comely lady, good and couth,[343]\nFain would I comfort thee;\nMe mynnys[344] my master with mouth\nTold unto his menyee.[345]\nThat he should suffer many a pain,\nAnd die upon a tree,\nAnd to the life rise up again,\nUpon the third day should it be\n  Full right;\nFor thee, my lady sweet,\nStint awhile to greet,[346]\nOur bale then will be beat,[347]\n  As he before has bight.[348]\n\n_Mary._ My sorrow it is so sad,\nNo solace may me save:\nMourning makes me mad,\nNo hope of help I have.\nI am redeless[349] and afraid\nFor fear that I should rave,\nNought may make me glad,\nTill I be in my grave.\nTo death my dear is driven,\nHis robe is all to-riven,[350]\nThat by me was him given\n  And shapen with my sides.\nThese Jews and he have striven\n  That all the bale he bides.\nAlas! my lamb so mild,\nWhy wilt thou from me go\nAmong these wolv\u00e9s wild,\nThat work on thee this woe?\nFor shame, who may thee shield,\nFor friends now hast thou foe.\nAlas, my comely child,\nWhy will thou from me go?\nMaidens, make your moan,\nAnd weep, ye wives, every one\nWith me, most sad, in wone[351]\n  The child that born was best:\nMy heart is stiff as stone\n  That for no bale will brest.[352]\n\n_John._ Ah, lady, well wot I,\nThy heart is full of care,\nWhen thou thus openly\nSeest thy child thus fare;\nLove drives him rathly.\nHimself he will not spare,\nUs all from bale to buy,\nOf bliss that are full bare\nFor sin;\nMy dear lady, therefore of mourning look thou blyn.[353]\n\n_Mary._ \"Alas!\" may ever be my song,\nWhile I may live in leyd,[354]\nMethinks now that I live too long,\nTo see my bairn thus bleed.\nJews work with him all wrong,\nWherefore do they this deed?\nLo, so high have they him hung,\nThey let[355] for no dread;\n  Why so?\nHis foeman he is among.\nNo friend he has, but foe,\nMy frely food[356] from me must go\nWhat shall become of me?\nThou art warpyd[357] all in woe,\n  And spread here on a tree\n    Full hie;[358]\nI mourn, and so may mo[359]\nThat see this pain on thee.\n\n_John._ Dear lady, well for me\nIf that I might comfort thee,\nFor the sorrow that I see\n  Shears my heart in sunder;\nWhen that I see my master hang\nWith bitter pains and strong;\nWas never wight with[360] wrong\n  Wrought so mickle wonder.\n\n_Mary._ Alas, death, thou dwellest too long,\nWhy art thou hid from me?\nWho bid thee to my child to gang?[361]\nAll black thou mak'st his ble;[362]\nNow witterly,[363] thou workest wrong\nThe more I will wyte[364] thee.\nBut if thou wilt my heart now sting\nThat I may with him dee,[365]\n    And bide.\nSore sighing is my song. For pierced is his side!\n  Ah, death, what hast thou done?\nWith thee will I fare soon,\nSince I had children none but one,\nBest under sun or moon.\nFriends I had full foyn[366]\nThat gars me greet[367] and groan\n    Full sore.\nGood Lord, grant me my boon,\nAnd let me live no more!\nGabriel! that art so good\nSometime thou did me greet,\nAnd then I understood\nThy words that were so sweet.\nBut now they vex my mood,\nFor grace thou canst me hete,[368]\nTo bear all of my blood\nA child our bale should beat[369]\n    With right.\nNow hangs he here on rood,\nWhere is that thou me hight.[370]\n  All that thou of bliss\nHight me in that stede[371]\nFrom mirth is far amiss.\nAnd yet I trow thy rede[372]\nCounsel me now of this,\nMy life how shall I lead\nWhen from me gone is\nHe that was my head\n    On high?\nMy death, now, come it is:\nMy dear son, have mercy!\n\n_Jesus._ My mother mild, change thou thy cheer,\nCease from thy sorrow and sighing sere,\n  It syttes[373] unto my heart full sore;\nThe sorrow is sharp, I suffer here;\nBut the dole thou drees,[374] my mother dear,\nMe martyrs mickle more.\nThus wills my father I fare\n  To loose mankind from bands\nHis son will he not spare,\nTo loose that bond was e'er\n  Full fast in fiends' hands.\nThe first cause, mother, of my coming\nWas for mankind miscarrying,\n  To save them sore I sought;\nTherefore, mother make no mourning\nSince mankind, through my dying,\n  May thus to bliss be brought.\nWoman, weep thou right nought,\n  Take there, John, unto thy child,\nMankind must needs be bought;\nAnd thou cast, cousin, in thy thought.[375]\n  John, lo, there, thy mother mild!\nBlue and bloody thus am I beat,\nSwongen with swepys[376] and all a-sweat,\n  Mankind, for thy misdeed.\nFor my love's sake when wouldst thou let,[377]\nAnd thy heart sadly set,\n  Since I thus for thee have bled?\nSuch life for sooth, I lead,\nThat nothing may I more.\nThis I suffer for thy need,\nTo mark thee, man, thy meed!\n  Now thirst I wonder sore.\n\n_1st Torturer._ Nought but hold thy peace,\nThou shalt have drink within a resse,[378]\n  Myself shall be thy knave;\nHave here the draught that I thee hete,[379]\nAnd I shall warrant it is not sweet\n  By all the good I have.\n\n_2nd Torturer._ So, sir, say now all your will,\nFor if ye could have holden you still\n  Ye had not had this brade.[380]\n\n_3rd Torturer._ Thou would'st all gate[381] be King of Jews,\nBut by this I trow thou rues\n  All that thou has said.\n\n_4th Torturer._ He has him rused of great proph\u00ebs[382]\nThat he should make us tempyll\u00ebs\n  And make it clean fall down;\nAnd yet he said he should it raise\nAs well as it was within three days,\n  He lies, that wot we all;\nAnd for his lies in great despite\nWe will divide his clothing tyte[383]\n  Save he can more of art.[384]\n\n_1st Torturer._ Yes, as ever might I thrive,\nSoon will we this mantle rive,\n  And each man take his part.\n\n_2nd Torturer._ How, wouldst thou we share this cloth?\n\n_3rd Torturer._ Nay, forsooth, that were I loth,\n  For then it were all gate[385] spoilt.\nBut assent thou to my saw,[386]\nAnd let us all cut draw[387]\n  And then is none begylt.[388]\n\n_2nd Torturer._ Howe'er befall, now I draw,\nThis is mine by common law,\n  Say not there again.\n\n_1st Torturer._ Now since it may no better be,\nChevithe thee with it for me;\n  Methinks thou art full fain.\n\n_2nd Torturer._ How, fellows, see ye not yon scraw?[389]\nIt is written yonder within a thraw,\n  Now since that we drew lot.\n\n_3rd Torturer._ There is no man that is alive,\nUnless Pilate, as I might thrive\n  That durst it there have put.\n\n_4th Torturer._ Go we fast, and let us look\nWhat is written on yon book\n  And what it may be, mean.\n\n_1st Torturer._ All the more I look thereon,\nAll the more I think I fon;[390]\n  All is not worth a bean.\n\n_2nd Torturer._ Yes for sooth, methinks I see\nThereon written language three\n  Hebrew and Lat\u00fdn\nAnd Greek methinks written thereon,\nFor it is hard for to expoun.\n\n_3rd Torturer._ Thou read, by Apollyon!\n\n_4th Torturer._ Yea, as I am a true knight.\nI am the best Latin wright\n      Of this company;\nI will go withouten delay\nAnd tell you what it is to say.\n    Behold, sirs, verily,\nYonder is written--Jesus of Nazarene\nHe is King of Jews, I ween.\n\n_1st Torturer._ Ah, that is written wrong.\n\n_2nd Torturer._ He calls himself so, but he is none.\n\n_3rd Torturer._ Go we to Pilate and make our moan,\nHave done, and dwell not long.          [_They go to Pilate._\nPilate, yonder is a false table,\nThereon is written naught but fable,\n  Of Jews he is not king,\nHe calls him so, but he not is,\nIt is falsely written, I wis,\n  This is a wrong-wise thing.\n\n_Pilate._ Boys, I say, what melle ye yon?[391]\nAs it is written shall it be now,\n  I say certain\n_Quod scriptum scripsi_,[392]\nThat same wrote I,\n  What gadlyng[393] grumbles there again.\n\n_4th Torturer._ Since that he is a man of law\nHe must needs have his will;\nI trow he had not written that saw\nWithout some proper skill.\n\n_1st Torturer._ Yea, let it hang above his head\nIt shall not save him from the dead\n  Naught that he can write.\n\n_2nd Torturer._ Now ill a hale[394] was he born!\n\n_3rd Torturer._ My faith, I tell his life is lorn\n  He shall be slain as tyte.[395]\nIf thou be Christ, as men thee call\nCome down now among us all\n  And thole[396] not these missays.[397]\n\n_4th Torturer._ Yea, and help myself that we may see\nAnd we shall all believe in thee,\n  Whatsoever thou says.\n\n_1st Torturer._ He calls himself good of might,\nBut I would see him be so wight[398]\n  To do such a deed.\nHe raised Lazare out of his delf[399]\nBut he cannot help himself\n  Now in his great need.\n\n_Jesus._ Eli, Eli, lama sabacthani!\nMy God, my God! wherefor and why\n  Hast thou forsaken me?\n\n_2nd Torturer._ How, hear ye not as well as I\nHow he can upon Eli cry\n  Upon this wise?\n\n_3rd Torturer._ Yea, there is no Eli in this country\nShall deliver him from this meneye[400]\n  No, in no wise.\n\n_4th Torturer._ I warrant you now at the last\nThat he shall soon yield the ghost\n  For bursten is his gall.\n\n_Jesus._ Now is my passion brought to end,\nFather of heaven, into thy hende[401]\n  I do commend my soul.\n\n_1st Torturer._ Let one prick him with a spear,\nAnd if it should do him no dere[402]\n  Then is his life near past.\n\n_2nd Torturer._ This blind knight may best do that.\n\n_Longeus._ Gar me not do, save I wit what.\n\n_3rd Torturer._ Naught, but strike up fast.\n\n_Longeus._ Ah! Lord, what may this be?\nOnce I was blind, now I can see;\nGode's son, hear me, Jesu!\nFor this trespass on me thou rue[403]\nFor, Lord, other men me gart[404]\nThat I thee struck unto the heart,\nI see thou hangest here on high,\nAnd dies to fulfil the prophecy.\n\n_4th Torturer._ Go we hence, and leave him here\nFor I shall be his bail, this year\n  He feels now no more pain;\nFor Eli, ne for none other man\nAll the good that ever he won\n  Gets not his life again.                   [_Exeunt Torturers._\n\n_Joseph._ Alas, alas, and well a way!\nThat ever I should abide this day\n  To see my master dead;\nThus wickedly as he is shent,\nWith so bitter tornament[405]\n  Thro' the false Jews' red.[406]\nNicodeme, I would we yede[407]\nTo Sir Pilate, if we might spede\n  His body for to crave;\nI will strive with all my might\nFor my service to ask that knight,\n  His body for to grave.[408]\n\n_Nicodemus._ Joseph, I will wend with thee\nFor to do what is in me\n  For that body to pray;\nFor our good-will and our travail\nI hope that it may us avail\n  Hereafterward some day.\n\n_Joseph._ Sir Pilate, God thee save!\nGrant me what I crave\n  If that it be thy will.\n\n_Pilate._ Welcome, Joseph, might thou be,\nWhat so thou askest, I grant it thee\n  So that it be skill.[409]\n\n_Joseph._ For my long service, I thee pray,\nGrant me the body, say me not nay\n  Of Jesus dead on rood.\n\n_Pilate._ I grant it well if he dead be,\nGood leave shalt thou have of me.\n  Do with him what thou think good.\n\n_Joseph._ Gramercy, sir, of your good grace\nThat you did grant me in this place.\n  Go we our way:\nNicodeme, come me forth with,\nFor I myself shall be the smith\n  The nails out for to dray.[410]\n\n_Nicodemus._ Joseph, I am ready here\nTo go with thee with full good cheer\n  To help with all my might.\nPull forth the nails on either side\nAnd I shall hold him up this tide;\n  Ah, Lord, how art thou dight!\n\n[_They take down the body._\n\n_Joseph._ Help now, fellow, with all thy might,\nThat he be wounden[411] and well dight,\n  And lay him on this bier:\nBear we him forth into the kirk\nTo the tomb that I gar'd[412] work\n  Since full many a year.\n\n_Nicodemus._ It shall be so, withouten nay,\nHe that died on Good Friday,\n  And crown\u00e8d was with thorn;\nSave you all that now here be\nThat Lord that thus would dee,\nAnd rose on Pasch\u00eb[413] morn.\n\n\n\n\nTHE CORNISH MYSTERY-PLAY OF THE THREE MARIES\n\n\n\nCHARACTERS\n\n\nThe Gardener--Jesus Christ\nThe Three Maries--\n  Mary Magdalene\n  Mary, Mother of James\n  Mary Salome\nFirst Angel\nSecond Angel\n\n\n\n\nTHE MYSTERY OF THE THREE MARIES\n\n\n[_Enter Mary Magdalene, and Mary, mother of James._]\n\n_Mary Magdalene._ What shall I do, alas!\nMy Lord went to the tomb,\n  To-day is the third day;\nGo now see indeed\nIf he comes and rises,\n  As he said to me truly.\n\n_Mary, Mother of James._ I will go and see\nThe body _of him_ who redeemed me with pain,\n  If it be risen again.\nGreat comfort he was to us;\nThat we should have seen his death!\n  Alas! alas!\n\n[_Enter Mary Salome_\n\n_Mary Salome._ The third day is to-day;\nIf the body of Christ be risen,\n  Go to see.\nFor the torment which he had\nIs ever in my heart;\n  This sorrow does not leave me.\n\n[_Here she shall meet the other Maries._\n\n_Mary Magdalene._ Women, joy to ye!\nAnd Mary, _mother_ of James,\n  And Salome also.\nSorrow is in my heart, alas!\nIf the body of God himself is gone,\n  Where may it be found?\n\n_Mary, Mother of James._ So it is with me,\nMuch and great torment for him;\n  If he will not, through his grace,\nHelp me in a short time,\nMy heart in me will break\n  Very really through troubles.\n\n_Mary Salome._ So with me is sorrow\nMay the Lord see my state\n  After him.\nAs he is head of sovereignty,\nI believe that out of the tomb\n  To-day he will rise.\n\n_Mary Magdalene._ Oh! let us hasten at once,\nFor the stone is raised\n  From the tomb.\nLord, how will it be this night,\nIf I know not where goes\n  The head of royalty?\n\n_Mary, Mother of James._ And too long we have stayed,\n    My Lord is gone his way\n      Out of the tomb, surely.\n    Alas! my heart is sick;\n    I know not indeed if I shall see him,\n      Who is very God.\n\n_Mary Salome._ I know truly, and I believe it,\nThat he is risen up\n  In this day.\nHow will it be to us now,\nThat we find not our Lord?\n  Alas! woe! woe!\n\n[_They sing._\n\n[_The Dirge._]\n\n_Alas! mourning I sing, mourning I call,\nOur Lord is dead that bought us all._\n\n_Mary Magdalene._ Alas! it is through sorrows,\nMy sweet Lord is dead\n  Who was crucified.\n\n[_Mary Magdalene weeps at the tomb._\n\nHe bore, without complaining,\nMuch pain on his dear body,\n  For the people of the world\n_Mary, Mother of James._ I cannot see the form\nOf him on any side;\n  Alas! woe is me!\nI would like to speak with him,\nIf it were his will,\n  Very seriously.\n\n_Mary Salome._ There is to me sharp longing\nIn my heart always,\n  And sorrow;\nAlas! my Lord Jesus,\nFor thou art full of virtue,\n  All mighty.\n\n[_The Dirge._]\n\n_Alas! mourning I sing, mourning I call,\nOur Lord is dead that bought us all._\n\n_Mary Magdalene._ Jesus Christ, Lord of Heaven,\nO hear now our voice;\nWho believes not in thee, miserable he!\n  He will not be saved.\nWhen I think of his Passion,\nThere is not any joy in my heart;\nAlas! that I cannot at once\n  Speak to thee.\n\n_Mary, Mother of James._ Gone he is to another land,\nAnd with him many angels;\nAlas! now for grief\n  I am sorrowful.\nI pray thee, Lord of grace,\nTo send a messenger to us,\nThat something we may be knowing\n  How it is to thee.\n\n_Mary Salome._ O Jesus, full of mercy,\nDo think of us;\nTo thy kingdom when we come,\n  Hear our voice.\nFor desire I become very sick,\nI cannot stand on my standing,\nAlas! now what shall I do?\n  O Lord of heaven!\n\n[_The Dirge._]\n\n_Alas! mourning I sing, mourning I call,\nOur Lord is dead, that bought us all._\n\n_1st Angel._ I know whom ye seek:\nJesus is not here,\n  For he is risen\nTo life in very earnest,\nAs I tell you,\n  Like as he is worthy.\n\n_Mary Magdalene._ O angel, now tell me,\nThe body (none, equal to him),\n  To what place is it gone?\nLike as his grace is great,\nJoy to me, with my eyes\n  To see him yet.\n\n_2nd Angel._ O Mary, go forthwith,\nSay to his disciples\n  And to Peter,\nLike as he promised to them\nHe will go to Galilee,\n  Very truly without doubt.\n\n_Mary, Mother of James._ Now he is risen again indeed,\nJesus our Saviour,\n  Gone from the tomb.\nWorship to him always;\nHe is Lord of heaven and earth,\n  Head of sovereignty.\n\n_Mary Salome._ Hence go we to the city,\nAnd let us say in every place\n  As we have seen:\nThat Jesus is risen,\nAnd from the tomb forth gone,\n  To heaven really.\n\n_Mary Magdalene._ Never to the city shall I go,\nIf I do find not my Lord,\n  Who was on the cross tree.\nO Jesus, King of grace,\n Joy to me once to see thee,\n  Amen, amen.\n\n_Mary, Mother of James._ Mary, be with thee\nAll the blessings of women,\n  And the blessing of Jesus Son of grace;\nOf full heart I pray him,\nJoy and grace always good to do\n  To us now, from God the Father.\n\n_Mary Magdalene._ My blessing on ye also,\nFrom Christ, as he is gone to the tomb,\n  Joy to ye to do well to-day.\nLord, give me the grace\nOnce to see thy face,\n  If it be thy will with thee.\n\n_Mary Salome._ Amen, amen, let us seek\nChrist, who redeemed us in pain,\n  With his flesh and with his blood;\nMuch pain he suffered,\nFor love of the people of the world,\n  As he is the King of power.\n\n[_Here Mary, the mother of James, and Salome retire from the tomb, and\nsit down a little way from it._\n\n_Mary Magdalene._ He who made heaven, \u00b7 as he is gone to the tomb,\nAfter him \u00b7 great is my desire.\nChrist, hear my voice, \u00b7 I pray also\nThat thou be with me \u00b7 at my end.\n\nLord Jesus, \u00b7 give me the grace,\nAs I may be worthy \u00b7 to find a meeting,\nWith thee to-day, \u00b7 in some sure place,\nThat I may have a view \u00b7 and sight of thy face.\n\nAs thou art Creator \u00b7 of heaven and earth,\nAnd a Redeemer \u00b7 to us always,\nChrist my Saviour, \u00b7 hear, if it regards thee\nDisclose to me, \u00b7 what I so much desire.\n\nThrough great longing \u00b7 I am quite weary,\nAnd my body also, \u00b7 bones and back.\nWhere is there to-night \u00b7 any man who knows\nWhere I may yet find \u00b7 Christ full of sorrow.\n\n[_She goes to the garden._\n\n[_Enter the Gardener._\n\n_Gardener_ (_Jesus_). O woeful woman, \u00b7 where goest thou?\nFor grief thou prayest, \u00b7 cry out thou dost.\nWeep not nor shriek, \u00b7 he whom thou seekest\nThou didst dry his feet \u00b7 with thy two plaits.\n\n_Mary Magdalene._ Good lord, \u00b7 if thou hast chanced to see\nChrist my Saviour, \u00b7 where is he truly?\nTo see him \u00b7 I give thee my land;\nJesus, Son of grace, \u00b7 hear my desire.\n\n_Gardener._ O Mary, \u00b7 as I know thee to be\nWithin this world, \u00b7 one of his blood,\nIf thou shouldst see him \u00b7 before thee,\nCouldst thou \u00b7 know him?\n\n_Mary Magdalene._ Well I do, \u00b7 know the form\nOf the son of Mary, \u00b7 named Jesus;\nSince I see him not \u00b7 in any place,\nI feel sorrow; \u00b7 else I would not sing \"alas!\"\n\n[_And then Jesus shall shew his side to Mary Magdalene, and say:_\n\n_Gardener._ Mary, see \u00b7 my five wounds,\nBelieve me truly \u00b7 to be risen;\nTo thee I give thanks \u00b7 for thy desire,\nJoy in the land \u00b7 there shall be truly.\n\n_Mary Magdalene._ O dear Lord, \u00b7 who wast on the cross tree,\nTo me it becomes not \u00b7 to kiss thy head.\nI would pray thee \u00b7 let me dare\nNow to kiss \u00b7 once thy feet.\n\n[_Woman, touch me not!_]\n\n_Gardener._ O woeful woman, \u00b7 touch me not near,\nNo, it will not serve, \u00b7 nor be for gain;\n  The time is not come;\nUntil I go \u00b7 to heaven to my Father,\nAnd I will return \u00b7 again to my country,--\n  To speak with thee.\n\n_Mary Magdalene._ Christ, hear my voice, \u00b7 say the hour\nThat thou comest from heaven \u00b7 again to earth\n  To speak with us.\nThy disciples \u00b7 are very sad,\nAnd the Jews \u00b7 with violence always\n  Are round about them.\n\n_Gardener._ O Mary, \u00b7 tell them,\n Truly I go \u00b7 to Galilee,\n  As I said;\nAnd besides that, \u00b7 bear in memory to speak\nGood comfort \u00b7 to Peter by me;\n  Much he is loved.\n\n\n\n\nTHE CORNISH MYSTERY-PLAY OF MARY MAGDALENE\n\nAND HOW SHE BROUGHT THE NEWS OF THE RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD JESUS\nCHRIST TO THE APOSTLES\n\n\n\nCHARACTERS\n\n\nJesus\nMary Magdalene\nThomas\nPeter\nAndrew\nJohn\nJames the Greater\nJames the Less\nMatthew\nPhilip\nSimon\nJudah\n\n\n\n\nTHE MYSTERY OF MARY MAGDALENE AND THE APOSTLES\n\n\n[_Now Mary comes to the apostles, and says to them in Galilee:_\n\n_Mary Magdalene._ Now, O apostles,\n  I will tell you news:\nJesus is risen from the tomb;\n  I saw him lately,\nI spoke to him also,\n  I looked on his wounds,\nPitiful it was to see them;\n  To the world they bring healing.\n\n_Thomas._ Silence, woman, with thy tales,\n  And speak truth, as I pray thee;\nChrist who was cruelly slain,\n  To be alive I will not believe;\nWaste no more words,\n  For lies I do not love;\nOur Lord is dead;\n  Alas! I tell the truth.\n\n_Mary Magdalene._ I speak true, Thomas,\n  And I, though poor, will prove it.\nLately I saw him,--\n  The Lord (none equal to him),\nAnd by me he sent,\n  I swear to ye, as ye may know,\nLike as he promised;\n  He named to me none but Peter.\n\n_Thomas._ Silence, and speak not, woman!\nI pray thee, mockery with us\n  Now do not make;\nStout though Castle Maudlen be,\nIf thou mock, I will break thy head\n  About thee from above.\n\n_Mary Magdalene._ I will not be silent from fear\nI will prove it true what I say\n  Before _we_ separate.\nLike as he is King of heaven,\nHe is with God the Father,\n  On his right side.\n\n_Peter._ Ah! Jesus Christ, happy am I\nTo hear that he is risen\n  Out of the tomb;\nFor I know very well\nThat he is son to Mary,\n  And God likewise.\n\n_Thomas._ Peter, peace, and leave thy mockery,\nFor idle it is to say\n  That he is risen.\nNever can, for the world,\nAny man be raised\n  After dying.\n\n_James the Greater._ Thomas, very well it may be;\nThe Son of God will rise\n  When he will;\nFor Jesus, Son of Mary,\nHe made heaven, and this world,\n  And every thing that was not.\n\n_Thomas._ O James, it is no use for thee;\nA man who is dead certainly\n  Does not live again.\nFoolish idleness, not to leave it,\nBut to go to assert\n  A thing of no benefit.\n\n_John._ O Thomas, thou art a fool;\nThat is the belief of all:\n  Jesus Christ after dying,\nTo be put into the ground;\nAfter that to rise again\n  At the end of three days, and to stand up.\n\n_Thomas._ O John, be not absurd,\nFor my wonder,--it is great,\n  That thou shouldst speak folly.\nChrist through sufferings was\nIndeed put to death on the cross tree;\n  My curse on him that did it!\n\n_Bartholomew._ Thomas, believe me, though I am gray;\nMan could not have power\n  To put him to death.\nFor us he would die,\nAnd go into the tomb, and rise,\n  To carry all Christians to heaven.\n\n_Thomas._ O Bartte, thou art mad\nAnd fond beyond all men\n  Who are fools.\nGod, without dying, might have\nCaused all men to be saved,\n  Over all the world.\n\n_Matthew._ That is true, he could\nDestroy every thing again,\n  That it be no more.\nBut nevertheless for us,\nChrist wished to go into the ground,\n  And to live again.\n\n_Thomas._ And thou art a fool, Matthew;\nIf thou art wise thou wilt be silent,\n  And withdraw.\nHe lives not, through all thy words,\nWhen I saw him, he was dead\n  On the cross tree.\n\n_Philip._ Alas! to be so foolish!\nCrooked, wilt thou not believe\n  The Head of sovereignty;\nAnd he saying to us\nThat after dying he would rise\n  Out of the tomb?\n\n_Thomas._ Sit silent, wilt thou, Philip,\nFor in faith thou swearest wrongly\n  About him.\nChrist's limbs were bruised,\nAnd on his body a thousand wounds;\n  Alas! he is not risen.\n\n_James the Greater._ O do not say so,\nThat Jesus the best Lord\n  Cannot rise,\nFor very truly he is risen;\nTo be his servant thou art not worthy,\n  It appears well.\n\n_Thomas._ O thou James, if he were alive\nHis servant I would be\n  Very joyfully.\nBut he is not alive, leave off thy noise;\nThe thorn even into his brain,\n  Went to his head.\n\n_Simon._ Though the thorn went into his head,\nAnd through his heart and side\n  The spear was seen,\nNevertheless need is to believe\nJesus Christ will rise again,\n  As he is true God.\n\n_Thomas._ O Simon, do not speak a word;\nNever, never, unhappily,\n  He has not risen again.\nBut if it were so,\nTogether we should all be\n  Exceedingly at ease.\n\n_Judah._ Sir Thomas, it is so,\nHe has risen again to-day\n  Out of the tomb.\nFor if he should not rise again,\nNever with us would there be\n  Joy without end.\n\n_Thomas._ O Judah, Judah, leave thy belief;\nHis heart torn in pieces\n  I saw.\nNotwithstanding what any man may say,\nThat same body will remain;\n  It has not risen.\n\n_Andrew._ Peace, Thomas, and say not a word;\nVery truly our dear Lord\n  Is risen again.\nSurely too much thou hast disbelieved,\nFor Mary has spoken\n  With him to-day.\n\n_Thomas._ Thou art a fool, Andrew;\nThe girl has told a lie,\n  Do not think otherwise.\nThat he ever rose again\nI will not believe it.\n  As long as I am alive.\n\n_Mary Magdalene._ I have not said an untrue word;\nFor to me all his wounds\n  He shewed.\nAnd to that I will\nBear witness at all times,\n  That the tale is true.\n\n[_Here let Thomas and Mary Magdalene go down._\n\n_Thomas._ Notwithstanding vain words,\nI do not believe thee; thou failest\n  To make me believe.\nThough thou dost chatter so much,\nAny thing from thee regards me not,\n  Though thou be busy.\n\n_Mary Magdalene._ I tell thee the truth;\n The angel said to us,\n  Surely at the tomb,\nThat he was risen up,\nAnd was gone to the bright heaven,\n  With many angels.\n\n_Thomas._ Peace, chattering woman, say no more;\nI will not believe thee,\n   _That_ is gone to heaven.\nThe body, which I saw dead,--\nGreat are my anxieties\n  After it.\n\n_Mary Magdalene._ Surely Mary, mother of James,\nAnd Mary Salome,\n  Will witness to me;\nLike as I saw,\nSo I tell the tale to thee;\n  Do believe it.\n\n_Thomas._ Never can it go into my heart,\nThat the body dead before us\n  Should rise again;\nWhen I think on his passion,\nGrief takes me immediately\n  For him, woe is me!\n\n_Mary Magdalene._ There is to me wonder of thee,\nThat thy heart is so hard,\n  Thou believest it not.\nIf thou doest not believe it,\nNever shalt thou come to the joy\n  Surely which is in heaven.\n\n_Thomas._ Silence thou, now, for shame;\nWith Jesus thou hast no secrets:\n  Surely not! I believe\nThou art a sinner, without a mistake;\nThe greatest that was in the country\n  By every body thou wast called.\n\n_Mary Magdalene._ I have been a sinner;\nI have sinned wondrous much;\nOn Jesus I cried,\n  That he would forgive me my trespass;\nAnd he said to me,\nThy sin is forgiven to thee,\nThrough thy faith thou art saved:\n  Now no more, do not sin.\n  Thomas, thou art very stupid,\nBecause thou wilt not believe\nThe Lord to have risen\n  Easter-day morning.\nWho believes not shall not be saved,\nNor with God shall he dwell,\nAnd for that, I pray thee,\n  Believe in time.\n\n       *       *       *       *       *\n\n_Thomas._ Hold thy prate, nor be busy,\nFor I will not believe thee;\nThe body was seen by me\n  Fastened on the cross with nails;\nWith a sharp spear they pierced him,\nSo that it passed through the heart;\nTo the earth the blood fell,\n  And made him soon dead.\nThat body cannot live,\nNor rise up again,\n  Surely, thou woman.\nThere is not any man of this world\nWho shall make me now\n  Believe otherwise.\n\n_Mary Magdalene._ Thomas, thou art mad,\nAnd in madness lost;\n  Evil it is with me now.\nI advise thee believe,\nAnd if thou dost not, seriously,\n  Thou shalt have sharp repentance.\n\n_Thomas._ With you since there is no peace,\nFrom you I will go\n  My ways in the country.\nAre ye not now fools?\nSo God help me,\n  I love not lies.\n\n[_Then Jesus comes to the apostles, and says (in Galilee, the doors\nbeing closed, he kisses them_):\n\n_Jesus._ The peace of God, O apostles!\nI, Christ, to rise from the tomb,\n  Believe well;\nFor certainly as many as believe it,\nAnd are faithfully baptized,\n  Shall be saved.\n\n_Peter._ O dear Lord, happy is my lot\nTo see thee risen again,\n  Jesus, though I denied thee.\nAbundant mercy, I pray,\nAs the Jews are always\n  Here laying snares for us.\n  Jesus, Lord of heaven and earth,\nAnd Saviour to us also,\nPardon me my trespass,\n  For great are my sorrows.\nFor sharp repentance falls on me\nFor denying thee: now\nMercy I pray at all times,\n  Certainly, with full heart.\n\n_Jesus._ Peter, pardon thou shalt get,\nFor thy repentance is perfect,\n  Through the Holy Ghost.\nLike as I redeemed thee dearly,\nStrengthen also thy brethren\n  In full belief.\n\n_John._ O Lord, I am glad\nThat thou wouldst come with us\n  Hither, for our joy;\nThat I will say likewise,\nWe are, through great longing,\n  After thee pining.\n\n_Jesus._ From you I go to my country;\nAt the right side of God the Father,\n  I shall sit.\nTo strengthen you in belief,\nTo you the comfort of the Holy Ghost\n  I shall send.\n\n_James the Greater._ Lord, it is wonderful;\nWhen thou comest, Jesus powerful,\n  To look at us,\nAnd to speak peace to us,\nThough they were fast, thou didst open\n  Our doors.\n\n[_Here Jesus goes away from the apostles._\n\nHe is the Lord of power,\nAnd he has purchased with his blood\n  The people of the world;\nThat Jesus Christ is risen again,--\nA day is coming that shall tell\n  All them that do believe it not!\n\n\n\n\nTHE WAKEFIELD PAGEANT OF THE HARROWING OF HELL\n\nOR\n\nEXTRACTION OF SOULS FROM HELL\n\n\n\nCHARACTERS\n\n\nJesus\nAdam\nEve\nSimeon\nJohn the Baptist\nMoses\nEsaias\nDavid\nRibald\nBeelzebub\nSathanas\n\n\n\n\nTHE HARROWING OF HELL\n\nEXTRACTIO ANIMARUM\n\nAB INFERNO\n\n[_The Extraction of Souls from Hell._]\n\n\n_Jesus._ My fader[414] me from blys has send\nTill's erthe for mankynde sake,\nAdam mys[415] for to amend,\nMy deth nede must I take:\n\nI dwellyd ther thyrty yeres and two,\nAnd som dele more, the sothe to say,[416]\nIn anger, pyne, and mekylle wo,\nI dyde on cros this day.\n\nTherefor tille helle now wille I go,\nTo chalange[417] that is myne,\nAdam, Eve, and othere mo,\nThay shalle no longer dwelle in pyne;\n\nThe feynde[418] theym wan withe trayn,[419]\nThrughe fraude of earthly fode,[420]\nI have theym boght agan\nWith shedyng of my blode.\n\nAnd now I wille that stede[421] restore,\nWhiche the feynde felle from for syn,\nSom tokyn wille I send before,\nWithe myrthe to gar[422] thare gammes begyn.\n\nA light I wille thay have,\nTo know I wille com sone;\nMy body shalle abyde in grave\nTille alle this dede be done.\n\n  _Adam._ My brether, herkyn unto me here,\nMore hope of helth never we had,\nFour thousand and six hundred yere\nHave we bene in darknes stad;[423]\n\nNow se I tokyns of solace sere,[424]\nA gloryous gleme to make us glad,\nWherthrughe I hope that help is nere,\nThat sone shalle slake[425] oure sorrowes sad.\n\n_Eve._ Adam, my husband heynd,[426]\nThis menys solace certan,\nSiche lighte can on us leynd[427]\nIn paradyse fulle playn.\n\n_Isaias._ Adam, thrugh thi syn\nHere were we put to dwelle,\nThis wykyd place within,\nThe name of it is helle;\n\nHere paynes shalle never blyn[428]\nThat wykyd ar and felle,\nLove, that lord, withe wyn\nHis lyfe for us wold selle.\n\n[_Et cantent omnes \"Salvator mundi\" primum versum._[429]\n\nAdam, thou welle understand,\nI am Isaias, so Crist me kende,[430]\nI spake of folk in darknes walkand,[431]\nI saide a light shuld on them lende;\n\nThis light is alle from Crist commande,\nThat he tille us has hethir sende,\nThus is my poynt proved in hand,\nAs I before to fold[432] it kende.\n\n_Simeon._ So may I telle of farlys feylle,[433]\nFor in the tempylle his freyndes me fande,\nMe thoght dayntethe[434] with hym to deylle,\nI halsyd[435] hym homely with my hand,\n\nI saide, Lord, let thi servandes leylle[436]\nPas in peasse to lyf lastande,[437]\nNow that myn eeyn has sene thyn hele[438]\nNo longer lyst[439] I lyf in lande.\n\nThis light thou has purvayde\nFor theym that lyf in lede,[440]\nThat I before of the have saide\nI se it is fulfillyd in dede.\n\n_Johannes Baptista._ As a voice cryand I kend[441]\nThe wayes of Crist, as I welle can,\nI baptisid hym with bothe myn hende\nIn the water of flume[442] Jordan;\n\nThe Holy Gost from heven discende\nAs a white dowfe downe on me than,\nThe Fader voyce, oure myrthes to amende,\nWas made to me lyke as a man;[443]\n\n\"Yond is my son,\" he saide,\n\"And whiche pleasses me fulle welle,\"\nHis light is on us layde,\nAnd commys oure karys to kele.[444]\n\n_Moyses._ Now this same nyght lernyng have I,\nTo me, Moyses, he shewid his myght,\nAnd also to another one, Hely,[445]\nWhere we stud on a hille on hyght,\n\nAs whyte as snaw was his body,\nHis face was like the son for bright,\nNo man on mold[446] was so mighty\nGrathly[447] durst loke agans[448] that light,\nAnd that same lighte here se I now\nShynyng on us, certayn,\nWherethrughe truly I trow\nThat we shalle sone pas fro this payn.\n\n_Rybald._ Sen fyrst that helle was mayde and I was put therin\n  Siche sorow never ere I had, nor hard I siche a dyn,[449]\nMy hart begynnys to brade,[450] my wytt waxys thyn,[451]\n  I drede we can not be glad, thise saules mon fro us twyn;[452]\n\n  How, Belsabub! bynde thise boys, siche \"Harow\"[453]\n    was never hard in helle.\n\n_Belzabub._ Out, Rybald! thou rorest what is betyd? can thou oght telle?\n\n_Rybald._ Whi, herys[454] thou not this ugly noyse?\nThise lurdans[455] that in lymbo dwelle,\nThey make menyng[456] of many joyse,\nAnd muster myrthes theym emelle.[457]\n\n_Belzabub._ Myrth? nay, nay! that poynt is past,\nMore hope of helthe shalle they never have.\n\n_Rybald._ They cry on Crist fulle fast,\nAnd says he shalle thaym save.\n\n_Belzabub._ Yee, though he do not, I shalle,\nFor thay ar sparyd[458] in specyalle space,\nWhils I am prynce and pryncypalle,\nThay shalle never pas out of this place;\n\nCalle up Astarot[459] and Anaballe,\nTo gyf us counselle in this case;\nBelle, Berith and Bellyalle[460]\nTo mar theym that siche mastry mase;[461]\n\nSay to sir Satan oure syre,\nAnd byd hym bryng also\nSir Lucyfer lufly of lyre.[462]\n\n_Rybald._ Alle redy, lord, I go.\n\n_Jesus._ _Attolite portas, principes vestras, et elevamini port\u0153 \u00e6ternales,\n    et introibit rex glori\u00e6._[463]\n\n_Rybald._ Out, harro,[464] out!--what deville is he\nThat callys hym kyng over us alle?\nHark Belzabub, com ne,[465]\nFor hedusly[466] I hard hym calle.\n\n_Belzabub._ Go spar the yates,[467] ylle mot thou the![468]\nAnd set the waches[469] on the walle,\nIf that brodelle[470] come ne\nWith us ay won[471] he shalle:\n\nAnd if he more calle or cry,\nTo make us more debate,\nLay on hym hardlly,\nAnd make hym go his gate.[472]\n\n_David._ Nay, withe hym may ye not fyght,\nFor he is king and conqueroure,\nAnd of so mekille myght,\nAnd styf in every stoure;[473]\n\nOf hym commys alle this light\nThat shynys in this bowre;\nHe is fulle fers in fight,\nWorthi to wyn honoure.\n\n_Belzabub._ Honoure! harsto,[474] harlot, for what dede\nAlle erthly men to me ar thralle,[475]\nThat lad that thou callys lord in lede[476]\nHe had never harbor, house, ne halle;\n\nHow, sir Sathanas, com nar\nAnd hark this cursid rowte!\n\n_Sathanas._ The dewille you alle to har![477]\nWhat ales the so to showte?[478]\nAnd see, if I com nar,\nThy brayn bot I bryst owte.[479]\n\n_Belzabub._ Thou must com help to spar,[480]\nWe ar beseged abowte.\n\n_Sathanas._ Besegyd aboute! whi, who durst be so bold\nFor drede to make on us a fray?\n\n_Belzabub._ It is the Jew that Judas sold\nFor to be dede this othere day.\n\n_Sathanas._ How, in tyme that tale was told,\nThat trature travesses[481] us alle way;\nHe shalle be here fulle hard in hold,\nBot loke he pas not I the pray.\n\n_Belzabub._ Pas! nay, nay, he wille not weynde[482]\nFrom hens or it be war,[483]\nHe shapys hym for to sheynd[484]\nAlle helle e'er he go far.\n\n_Sathanas._ Fy, faturs,[485] therof shalle he faylle,\nFor alle his fare[486] I hym defy;\nI know his trantes[487] fro top to taylle,[488]\nHe lyffes by gawdes[489] and glory.\n\nTherby he broght furthe of oure baylle[490]\nThe lathe[491] Lazare of Betany,\nBot to the Jues I gaf counsaylle\nThat thay shuld cause hym dy:\n\nI entered there into Judas\nThat forward[492] to fulfylle,\nTherfor his hyere[493] he has\nAlle wayes to won here stylle.[494]\n\n_Rybald._ Sir Sathan, sen we here the say[495]\nThou and the Jues were at assent,\nAnd wote,[496] he wan the Lazare away\nThat unto us was taken to tent,[497]\nHopys thou that thou mar hym may\nTo muster[498] the malyce that he has ment?\nFor and he refe[499] us now oure pray\nWe wille ye witt e'er he is went.\n\n_Sathanas._ I byd the noght abaste[500]\nBot boldly make you bowne,[501]\nWithe toyles that ye intraste,[502]\n  And dyng[503] that dastard downe.\n\n_Jesus. Attolite portas, principes vestras, et elevamini port\u00e6\n\u00e6ternales, et introibit rex glori\u00e6._[504]\n\n_Rybald._ Outt, harro![505] what harlot is he\nThat says his kyngdom shal be cryde?\n\n_David._ That may thou in sawter se,[506]\nFor of this prynce thus err I saide;[507]\n\nI saide that he shuld breke\nYoure barres and bandes by name,[508]\nAnd of youre wareks take wreke;[509]\nNow shall thou se the same.\n\n_Jesus._ Ye prynces of helle open youre yate,\nAnd let my folk furthe gone,\nA prynce of peasse shalle enter therat\nWheder ye wille or none.\n\n_Rybald._ What art thou that spekys so?\n\n_Jesus._ A kyng of blys that hight Jesus.\n\n_Rybald._ Yee hens fast I red[510] thou go,\nAnd melle[511] the not with us.\n\n_Belzabub._ Oure yates[512] I trow wille last,\nThay ar so strong I weyn,[513]\nBot if oure barres brast,\nFor the, thay shalle not twyn.[514]\n\n_Jesus._ This stede[515] shalle stande no longer stokyn;[516]\nOpen up and let my pepille pas.\n\n_Rybald._ Out, harro![517] oure baylle is brokyn,[518]\nAnd brusten ar alle oure bandes of bras.\n\n_Belzabub._ Harro! oure yates begyn to crak,\nIn sonder, I trow, thay go,\nAnd helle, I trow, wille all to-shak;\nAlas, what I am wo![519]\n\n_Rybald._ Lymbo is lorn, alas!\nSir Sathanas, com up!\nThis wark is wars[520] than it was.\n\n_Sathanas._ Yee, hangyd be thou on a cruke;[521]\n\nThefys, I bad ye shuld be bowne[522]\nIf he maide mastres[523] more\nTo dyng[524] that dastard downe,\nSett[525] hym bothe sad and sore.\n\n_Belzabub._ \"So sett hym sore\" that is sone saide.\nCom thou thi self and serve hym so;\nWe may not abyde his bytter bradye,[526]\nHe wold us mar and we were mo.[527]\n\n_Sathanas._ Fy, fature![528] wherfore were ye flayd?[529]\nHave ye no force to flyt hym fro?\nLoke in haste my gere be grayd,[530]\nMy self shalle to that gadlyng go.[531]\n\nHow, thou belamy, abyde,[532]\nWithe alle thi boste and beyr,[533]\nAnd telle me in this tyde\nWhat mastres[523] thou makes here.\n\n_Jesus._ I make no mastry bot for myne,\nI wille theym save, that shalle the sow,\nThou has no powere theym to pyne,[534]\nBot in my pryson for thare prow[535]\n\nHere have thay sojornyd,--not as thyne,\nBot in thi wayrd,[536] thou wote as how.\n\n_Sathanas._ Why, where has thou hene ay syn[537]\nThat never wold neghe[538] theym nere e'er now?\n\n_Jesus._ Now is the tyme certan\nMy Fader ordand herfor,[539]\nThat they shuld pas fro payn\nIn blys to dwelle for ever more.\n\n_Sathanas._ Thy fader knew I welle by syght,\nHe was a wright his meett to wyn,[540]\nMary, me mynnys,[541] thi moder hight,\nThe utmast ende of alle thy kyn:\n\nSay who made the so mekille[542] of myght?\n\n_Jesus._ Thou wykyd feynde lett be thi dy[n],\nMy Fader wonnes[543] in heven on hight,\nIn blys that never more shalle blyn:[544]\nI am his oonly son his forward[545] to fulfylle,\nTogeder wille we won, in sonder when we wylle.\n\n_Sathanas._ Goddes son! nay, then myght thou be glad\nFor no catelle thurt the crave;[546]\nBot thou has lyffed ay lyke a lad,\nIn sorow, and as a sympille[547] knave.\n\n_Jesus._ That was for the hartly[548] luf I had\nUnto man's saulle, it for to save,\nAnd for to make thee masyd[549] and mad,\nAnd for that reson rufully to rafe.[550]\n\nMy Godhede here I hyd\nIn Mary, moder myne,\nWhere it shalle never be kyd[551]\nTo the, ne none of thyne.[552]\n\n_Sathanas._ How now? this wold I were told in towne,\nThou says God is thi syre;\nI shalle the prove by good reson\nThou moyttes[553] as man dos into myre.\n\nTo breke thi byddyng they were fulle bowne,[554]\nAnd soon they wroght at my desyre,\nFrom paradise thou putt thym downe,\nIn helle here to have thare hyre;[555]\n\nAnd thou thi self, by day and nyght,\nTaght[556] ever alle men emang,\nEver to do reson and right,\nAnd here thou wyrkys[557] alle wrang.\n\n_Jesus._ I wyrk no wrang, that shalle thou wytt.[558]\nIf I my men fro wo wille wyn;[559]\nMy prophettes playnly prechyd it,\nAlle the noytys[560] that I begyn;\n\nThey saide that I shud be that ilke\nIn helle where I shud entre in,\nTo save my servandes fro that pytt\nWhere dampynyd saullys[561] shalle syt for syn.\n\nAnd ilke true prophete taylle[562]\nShalle be fulfillid in me;\nI have thaym boght fro baylle,[563]\nIn blis now shalle thay be.\n\n_Sathanas._ Now since thou list to legge the lawes[564]\nThou shalbe tenyd or we twyn,[565]\nFor those that thou to witnes drawes\nFulle even agans the shalle begyn;\n\nAs Salaman saide in his sawes,[566]\nWho that ones commys helle within\nHe shalle never owte, as clerkes knawes\nTherfor, belamy, let be thy dyn.[567]\nJob thi servande also\nIn his tyme can telle\nThat nawder freynde nor fo\nShalle fynde relese in helle.[568]\n\n_Jesus._ He sayde fulle soythe, that shalle thou se,\nIn helle shalbe no relese,\nBot of that place then ment he\nWhere synfulle care shalle ever encrese.\n\nIn that baylle ay shalle thou be,\nWhere sorrowes seyr shalle never sesse[569]\nAnd my folk that wer most fre[570]\nShalle pas unto the place of peasse;\n\nFor thay were here with my wille,\nAnd so thay shalle furthe weynde,[571]\nThou shalle thi self fulfylle,\nEver wo withoutten ende.\n\n_Sathanas._ Whi, and wille thou take theym alle me fro?[572]\nThen thynk me[573] thou ar unkynde;\nNay, I pray the do not so,\nUmthynke[574] the better in thy mynde,\n\nOr els let me with the go;\nI pray the leyfe me not behynde.\n\n_Jesus._ Nay, tratur, thou shalle won in wo,[575]\nAnd tille a stake[576] I shalle the bynde.\n\n_Sathanas._ Now here I how thou menys[577] emang\nWith mesure and malyce for to melle,[578]\nBot sen thou says it shalbe lang,\nYit som let alle wayes with us dwelle.\n\n_Jesus._ Yis, witt thou welle, els were greatt wrang,\nThou shalle have Caym[579] that slo Abelle,\nAnd alle that hastes theym self to hang,\nAs dyd Judas and Architophelle;\nAnd Daton and Abaron and alle of thare assent,[580]\nCursyd tyranttes ever ilkon[581] that me and myn tormente.\n\nAnd alle that wille not lere[582] my law\nThat I have left in land for new[583]\nThat makes my commyng knaw,[584]\nAnd alle my sacramentes persew;\n\nMy deth, my rysyng, red by raw,[585]\nWho trow thaym not thay ar untrewe,\nUnto my dome[586] I shalle theym draw,\nAnd juge thaym wars[587] then any Jew.\nAnd thay that lyst to lere my law and lyf therby\nShalle never have harmes here, bot welth as is worthy.\n\n_Sathanas._ Now here my hand, I hold me payde,\nThise poyntes ar playnly for my prow,[588]\nIf this be trew as thou has saide\nWe shalle have mo then we have now;\n\nThise lawes that thou has late here laide\nI shalle thym lere not to alow,[589]\nIf thay myn take[590] thay ar betraide,\nAnd I shalle turne thym tytte I trow.[591]\n\nI shalle walk eest, I shalle walk west,\nAnd gar theym wyrk welle war.[592]\n\n_Jesus._ Nay feynde, thou shalbe feste,[593]\nThat thou shalle flyt no far.[594]\n\n_Sathanas._ Feste? fy! that were a wykyd treson!\nBelamy, thou shalle be smytt.[595]\n\n_Jesus._ Deville, I commaunde the to go downe\nInto thi sete where thou shalle syt.\n\n_Sathanas._ Alas! for doylle[596] and care,\nI synk into helle pyt.\n\n_Rybald._ Sir Sathanas, so saide I are,[597]\nNow shalle thou have a fytt.\n\n_Jesus._ Com now furthe, my childer alle,\nI forgyf you youre mys;[598]\nWithe me now go ye shalle\nTo joy and endles blys.\n\n_Adam._ Lord, thou art fulle mekylle of myght,[599]\nThat mekys thi self on this manere,\nTo help us alle as thou had us hight,\nWhen bothe frofett I and my fere;[600]\n\nHere have we dwelt withoutten light\nFour thousand and six hundreth yere,\nNow se we by this solempne sight\nHow that mercy makes us dere.\n\n_Eva._ Lord, we were worthy more tornamentes[601] to tast,[602]\nThou help us lord of thy mercy, as thou of myght is mast.[603]\n\n_Johannes._ Lord, I love the inwardly,\nThat me wold make thi messyngere,\nThi commyng in erthe to cry,\nAnd teche thi fayth to folk in fere;[604]\n\nSythen before the forto dy,[605]\nTo bryng theym bodword[606] that be here,\nHow thay shuld have thi help in hy,\nNow se I alle those poyntes appere.\n\n_Moyses._ David, thi prophette trew,\nOf tymes told unto us;\nOf thi commyng he knew,\nAnd saide it shuld be thus.\n\n_David._ As I said ere yit say I so,\n_Ne derelinquas, domine,\nAnimam meam in inferno_;[607]\nLeyfe never my saulle, Lord, after the,\n\nIn depe helle whedur[608] dampned shalle go\nSuffre thou never thi sayntes to se\nThe sorrow of thaym that won in wo,[609]\nAy, fulle of fylthe, and may not fle.[610]\n\n_Moyses._ Make myrthe bothe more and les,\nAnd love oure lord we may,\nThat has broght us fro bytternes\nIn blys to abyde for ay.\n\n_Ysaias._ Therfor now let us syng\nTo love oure lord Jesus,\nUnto his blys he wille us bryng,\n  _Te Deum laudamus._\n\n\n\n\nTHE INTERLUDE OF \"GOD'S PROMISES\"\n\nBY JOHN BALE\n\n\n\nCHARACTERS\n\n\nPater C\u0153lestis       _The Heavenly Father_\nAdam Primus Homo     _Adam, the First Man_\nJustus Noah          _Just Noah_\nAbraham Fidelis      _Faithful Abraham_\nMoses Sanctus        _Saint Moses_\nDavid Rex Pius       _The Pious King, David_\nEsaias Propheta      _The Prophet Isaiah_\nBaleus Prolocutor    _John Bale, who speaks the Prologue_\n\n\n\nGOD'S PROMISES\n\n\n_A Tragedy or interlude manifesting the chief promises of God unto man\nby all ages in the old law, from the Fall of Adam to the Incarnation of\nthe Lord Jesus Christ. Compiled by John Bale, (Anno Domini MDXXXVIII.)._\n\n\n_Baleus Prolocutor._ If profit may grow, most Christian audience,\nBy knowledge of things which are but transitory,\nAnd here for a time, of much more congruence,\nAdvantage might spring, by the search of causes heavenly,\nAs those matters are that the gospel specify.\nWithout whose knowledge no man to the truth can fall,\nNor ever attain to the life perpetual,\n  For he that knoweth not the living God eternal\nThe Father, the Son and also the Holy Ghost,\nAnd what Christ suffered for redemption of us all,\nWhat he commanded, and taught in every coast,\nAnd what he forbode, that man must needs be lost,\nAnd clean secluded, from the faithful chosen sort,\nIn the Heavens above, to his most high discomfort.\n  You therefore, good friends, I lovingly exhort,\nTo weigh such matters as will be uttered here,\nOf whom ye may look to have no trifling sport\nIn fantasies feigned, nor such-like gaudy gear,\nBut the things that shall your inward stomach cheer.\nTo rejoice in God for your justification,\nAnd alone in Christ to hope for your salvation.\n  Yea first ye shall have the eternal generation\nOf Christ, like as John in his first chapter write,\nAnd consequently of man the first creation\nThe abuse and fall, through his first oversight,\nAnd the rise-again through God's high grace and might;\nBy promises first which shall be declared all:\nThen by his own Son, the worker principal.\n  After that, Adam bewaileth here his fall;\nGod will shew mercy to every generation,\nAnd to his kingdom of his great goodness call\nHis elected spouse, or faithful congregation,\nAs shall appear by open protestation,\nWhich from Christ's birth shall to his death conclude:\nThey come, that thereof will shew the certitude.\n\n\n\nACT I\n\nADAM THE FIRST MAN\n\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ In the beginning before the heavens were create,\nIn me and of me was my Son sempiternal\nWith the Holy Ghost, in one degree or estate\nOf the high Godhead, to me the Father coequal\nAnd this my Son was with me one God essential\nWithout separation at any time from me.\nTrue God he is of equal dignity.\nSince the beginning my Son hath ever been\nJoined with his father in one essential being.\nAll things were create by him in each degree,\nIn heaven and earth and have their diverse working:\nWithout his power, was never made any thing\nThat was wrought; but through his ordinance\nEach have his strength, and whole continuance.\n  In him is the life and the just recoverance\nFor Adam and his, which nought but death deserved.\nAnd this life to men is an high perseverance\nOr a light of faith, whereby they shall be saved.\nAnd this light shall shine among the people darkened\nWith unfaithfulness. Yet shall they not with him take\nBut of wilful heart his liberal grace forsake.\nWhich will compel me against man for to make\nIn my displeasure, and send plagues of correction\nMost grievous and sharp, his wanton lusts to slake,\nBy water and fire, by sickness and infection\nOf pestilent sores, molesting his complexion;\nBy troublous war, by dearth and painful scarceness,\nAnd after this life by an extreme heaviness.\nI will first begin with Adam for his lewdness\nWhich for an apple neglected my commandment.\nHe shall continue in labour for his rashness,\nHis only sweat shall provide his food and raiment:\nYea, yet must he have a greater punishment,\nMost terrible death shall bring him to his end\nTo teach him how he his Lord God shall offend.\n\n[_Here Adam falls headlong upon the earth and after rolling over four\ntimes, at last gets up._\n\n_Adam._ Merciful Father, thy pitiful grace extend\nTo me, careful wretch, which have me sore abused\nThy precept breaking, O Lord, I mean to amend,\nIf now thy great goodness would have me excused,\nMost heavenly Maker, let me not be refused,\nNor cast from thy sight for one poor sinful crime;\nAlas! I am frail, my whole kind is but slime.\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ I wot it is so, yet art thou no less faulty\nThan thou hadst been made of matter much more worthy.\nI gave thee reason and wit to understand\nThe good from the evil, and not to take on hand\nOf a brainless mind, the thing which I forbade thee.\n\n_Adam._ Such heavy fortune hath chiefly chanced me\nFor that I was left to mine own liberty.\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ Then thou are blameless, and the fault thou layest to\n    me?\n\n_Adam._ Nay, all I ascribe to my own imbecility.\nNo fault in thee Lord but in my infirmity,\nAnd want of respect in such gifts as thou gavest me.\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ For that I put thee at thine own liberty,\nThou oughtest my goodness to have in more regard.\n\n_Adam._ Avoid it I cannot, thou layest it to me so hard.\nLord, now I perceive what power is in man,\nAnd strength of himself, when thy sweet grace is absent,\nHe must needs but fall, do he the best he can,\nAnd endanger himself, as appeareth evident;\nFor I sinned not so long as thou wert present;\nBut when thou wert gone, I fell to sin by and by,\nAnd thee displeased. Good Lord, I ask thee mercy.\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ Thou shalt die for it and all thy posterity.\n\n_Adam._ For one fault, good Lord, avenge not thyself on me,\nWho am but a worm, or a fleshly vanity.\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ I say thou shalt die with thy whole posterity.\n\n_Adam._ Yet mercy, sweet Lord, if any mercy may be.\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ I am immutable, I may change no decree.\nThou shalt die, I say, without any remedy.\n\n_Adam._ Yet gracious Father, extend to me thy mercy,\nAnd throw not away the work which thou hast create\nTo thine own image, but avert from me thy hate.\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ But art thou sorry from bottom of thy heart?\n\n_Adam._ Thy displeasure is to me most heavy smart.\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ Then will I tell thee what thou shalt stick unto,\nLife to recover, and my good favour also.\n\n_Adam._ Tell it me, sweet Lord, that I may thereafter go.\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ This is my covenant to thee and all thy offspring.\nFor that thou hast been deceived by the serpent,\nI will put hatred betwixt him for his doing\nAnd the woman kind. They shall hereafter dissent;\nHis seed with her seed shall never have agreement;\nHer seed shall press down his head unto the ground,\nSlay his suggestions, and his whole power confound.\n  Cleave to this promise with all thy inward power,\nFirmly enclose it in thy remembrance fast,\nFold it in thy faith with full hope, day and hour,\nAnd thy salvation it will be at the last.\nThat seed shall clear thee of all thy wickedness past,\nAnd procure thy peace, with most high grace in my sight,\nSee thou trust to it and hold not the matter light.\n\n_Adam._ Sweet lord, the promise that thyself here hath made me,\nOf thy mere goodness and not of my deserving,\nIn my faith I trust shall so established be,\nBy help of thy grace, that it shall be remaining\nSo long as I shall have here continuing;\nAnd shew it I will to my posterity\nThat they in like case have thereby felicity.\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ For a closing up, take yet one sentence with thee.\n\n_Adam._ At thy pleasure, Lord, all things might ever be.\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ For that my promise may have the deeper effect\nIn the faith of thee and all thy generation,\nTake this sign with it, as a seal thereto connect.\nCreep shall the serpent, for his abomination,\nThe woman shall sorrow in painful propagation.\nLike as thou shalt find this true in outward working,\nSo think the other, though it be a hidden thing.\n\n_Adam._ Incessant praising to thee most heavenly lord\nFor this thy succour, and undeserved kindness,\nThou bindest me in heart thy gracious gifts to record,\nAnd to bear in mind, now after my heaviness,\nThe bruit of thy name, with inward joy and gladness.\nThou disdainest not, as well appeareth this day,\nTo fetch to thy fold thy first sheep going astray.\n  Most mighty Maker, thou castest not yet away\nThy sinful servant, which hath done most offence.\nIt is not thy mind for ever I should decay,\nBut thou reservest me, of thy benevolence,\nAnd hast provided for me a recompence,\nBy thy appointment, like as I have received\nIn thy strong promise here openly pronounced.\n  This goodness, dear Lord, is of me undeserved,\nI so declining from thy first institution,\nAt so light motions. To one that thus hath swerved,\nWhat a lord art thou, to give such retribution!\nI, damnable wretch, deserved execution\nOf terrible death, without all remedy,\nAnd to be put out of all good memory.\nI am enforced to rejoice here inwardly,\nAn imp though I be of hell, death and damnation,\nThrough my own working: for I consider thy mercy\nAnd pitiful mind for my whole generation.\nIt is thou, sweet Lord, that workest my salvation,\nAnd my recovery. Therefore of a congruence\nFrom hence thou must have my heart and obedience.\nThough I be mortal, by reason of my offence,\nAnd shall die the death like as God hath appointed:\nOf this I am sure, through his high influence,\nAt a certain day again to be revived.\nFrom ground of my heart this shall not be removed,\nI have it in faith and therefore I will sing\nThis anthem to him that my salvation shall bring.\n\n[_Then with sonorous voice, on his bent knees, he begins an antiphon, \"O\nSapientia,\" which the chorus follows with instruments, as it removes\nfrom the stage. Or else in the same it may thus be sung in English:_\n\nO Eternal Sapience, that proceedest from the mouth of the highest,\nreaching forth with a great power from the beginning to the end, with\nheavenly sweetness disposing all creatures, come now and instruct us the\ntrue way of thy godly prudence.\n\n\n\nACT II\n\nNOAH THE JUST\n\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ I have been moved to strike man diversely,\nSince I left Adam in this same earthly mansion;\nFor why? He hath done to me displeasures many,\nAnd will not amend his life in any condition:\nNo respect hath he to my word nor monition,\nBut what doth him lust, without discreet advisement,\nAnd will in nowise take mine advertisement.\n  Cain hath slain Abel, his brother, an innocent,\nWhose blood from the earth doth call to me for vengeance:\nMy children with men's so carnally consent,\nThat their vain working is unto me much grievance:\nMankind is but flesh in his whole dalliance.\nAll vice increaseth in him continually,\nNothing he regardeth to walk unto my glory.\n  My heart abhorreth his wilful misery,\nHis cancred malice, his cursed covetousness,\nHis lusts lecherous, his vengeable tyranny,\nUnmerciful murder and other ungodliness.\nI will destroy him for his outrageousness,\nAnd not him only, but all that on earth do stir,\nFor it repenteth me that ever I made them here.\n\n_Noah._ Most gentle Maker, with his frailness somewhat bear,\nMan is thy creature, thyself cannot say nay.\nThough thou punish him to put him somewhat in fear,\nHis fault to acknowledge, yet seek not his decay.\nThou mayest reclaim him, though he goeth now astray,\nAnd bring him again, of thy abundant grace,\nTo the fold of faith, he acknowledging his trespass.\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ Thou knowest I have given to him convenient space,\nWith lawful warnings, yet he amendeth in no place.\nThe natural laws, which I wrote in his heart,\nHe hath outraced, all goodness putting apart:\nOf health the covenant, which I to Adam made,\nHe regardeth not, but walketh a damnable trade.\n\n_Noah._ All this is true, Lord, I cannot thy words reprove,\nLet his weakness yet thy merciful goodness move.\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ No weakness is it, but wilful working all,\nThat reigneth in man through mind diabolical.\nHe shall have therefore like as he hath deserved.\n\n_Noah._ Lose him not yet, Lord, though he has deeply swerved.\nI know thy mercy is far above his rudeness,\nBeing infinite, as all other things are in thee.\nHis folly therefore now pardon of thy goodness,\nAnd measure it not beyond thy godly pity.\nEsteem not his fault farther than help may be,\nBut grant him thy grace, as he offendeth so deeply,\nThee to remember, and abhor his misery.\nOf all goodness, Lord, remember thy great mercy,\nTo Adam and Eve, breaking thy first commandment.\nThem thou relievedst with thy sweet promise heavenly,\nSinful though they were, and their lives negligent.\nI know that mercy with thee is permanent,\nAnd will be ever so long as the world endure:\nThen close not thy hand from man, which is thy creature.\n  Being thy subject he is underneath thy cure,\nCorrect him thou mayest and so bring him to grace.\nAll lieth in thy hands, to leave or to allure,\nBitter death to give, or grant most sovereign solace.\nUtterly from man avert not then thy face;\nBut let him savour thy sweet benevolence\nSomewhat, though he feel thy hand for his offence.\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ My true servant Noah, thy righteousness doth move me\nSomewhat to reserve for man's posterity.\nThough I drown the world, yet will I save the lives\nOf thee and thy wife, thy three sons and their wives,\nAnd of each kind two, to maintain you hereafter.\n\n_Noah._ Blessed be thy name, most mighty merciful Maker,\nWith thee to dispute, it were inconvenient.\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ Why dost thou say so? Be bold to speak thy intent.\n\n_Noah._ Shall the other die without any remedy?\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ I will drown them all, for their wilful wicked folly\nThat man hereafter thereby may know my power,\nAnd fear to offend my goodness day and hour.\n\n_Noah._ As thy pleasure is, so might it always be,\nFor my health thou art and soul's felicity.\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ After that this flood have had his raging passage\nThis shall be to thee my covenant everlasting.\nThe seas and waters so far never more shall rage,\nAs all flesh to drown, I will so temper their working;\nThis sign will I add also, to confirm the thing,\nIn the clouds above, as a seal or token clear,\nFor safeguard of man, my rainbow shall appear.\n  Take thou this covenant for an earnest confirmation\nOf my former promise to Adam's generation.\n\n_Noah._ I will, blessed Lord, with my whole heart and mind.\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ Farewell then, just Noah, here leave I thee behind,\n\n_Noah._ Most mighty Maker, ere I from hence depart,\nI must give thee praise from the bottom of my heart.\nWhom may we thank, Lord, for our health and salvation\nBut thy great mercy and goodness undeserved?\nThy promise, in faith, is our justification,\nAs it was Adam's when his heart therein rested,\nAnd as it was theirs which therein also trusted.\nThis faith was grounded in Adam's memory,\nAnd clearly declared in Abel's innocency.\n  Faith in that promise old Adam did justify,\nIn that promise faith made Eve to prophecy.\nFaith in that promise proved Abel innocent,\nIn that promise faith made Seth full obedient.\nThat faith taught Enoch on God's name first to call,\nAnd made Methuselah the oldest man of all.\n  That faith brought Enoch to so high exercise,\nThat God took him up with him into Paradise.\nOf that faith the want made Cain to hate the good,\nAnd all his offspring to perish in the flood.\nFaith in that promise preserved both me and mine:\nSo will it all them which follow the same line.\n  Not only this gift thou hast given me, sweet Lord,\nBut with it also thine everlasting covenant\nOf trust forever, thy rainbow bearing record,\nNever more to drown the world by flood inconstant;\nAlack! I cannot to thee give praise condign,\nYet will I sing here with heart meek and benign.\n\n[_Then in a great voice he begins an antiphon, \"O Oriens Splendor,\"\nfalling upon his knees while the chorus follows with instruments, as\nbefore._\n\nO most orient clearness, and light shining of the sempiternal\nbrightness! O clear sun of justice and heavenly righteousness, come\nhither and illuminate the prisoner sitting in the dark prison and shadow\nof Eternal Death.\n\n\n\nACT III\n\nOF FAITHFUL ABRAHAM\n\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ Mine high displeasure must needs return to man,\nConsidering the sin that he doth day by day;\nFor neither kindness nor extreme handling can\nMake him to know me by any faithful way,\nBut still in mischief he walketh to his decay.\nIf he do not soon his wickedness consider,\nHe is like, doubtless, to perish altogether.\n  In my sight, he is more venym[611] than the spider,\nThrough such abuses as he hath exercised,\nFrom the time of Noah to this same season hither.\nAn uncomely act without shame Ham commysed.[612]\nWhen he of his father the secret parts revealed.\nIn like case Nimrod against me wrought abusion\nAs he raised up the castle of confusion.\n  Mirus hath also, and all by the devil's illusion\nThrough image-making, up raised idolatry,\nMe to dishonour. And now in the conclusion\nThe vile Sodomites live so unnaturally\nThat their sin vengeance asketh continually,\nFor my covenant's sake, I will not drown with water,\nYet shall I visit their sins with other matter.\n\n_Abraham._ Yet, merciful Lord, thy graciousness remember\nTo Adam and Noah, both in thy word and promise:\nAnd lose not the souls of men in so great number\nBut save thine own work, of thy most discreet goodness.\nI wot thy mercies are plentiful and earnest,\nNever can they die nor fail, thyself enduring,\nThis hath faith fixed fast in my understanding.\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ Abraham my servant, for thy most faithful meaning,\nBoth thou and thy stock shall have my plenteous blessing.\nWhen the unfaithful, under my curse evermore,\nFor their vain working, shall rue their wickedness sore.\n\n_Abraham._ Tell me, blessed Lord, where will thy great malice light?\nMy hope is, all flesh shall not perish in thy sight.\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ No truly, Abraham, thou chancest upon the right,\nThe thing I shall do I will not hide from thee,\nWhom I have blessed for thy true fidelity:\nFor I know thou wilt cause both thy children and servants,\nIn my ways to walk, and trust unto my covenants,\nThat I may perform with thee my earnest promise.\n\n_Abraham._ All that I will do, by assistance of thy goodness.\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ From Sodom and Gomor the abominations call\nFor my great vengeance, which will upon them fall,\nWild fire and brimstone shall light upon them all.\n\n_Abraham._ Pitiful Maker, though they have kindled thy fury,\nCast not away yet the just sort with the ungodly.\nPeradventure there may be fifty righteous persons\nWithin those cities, wilt thou lose them all at once,\nAnd not spare the place for those fifty righteous' sake\nBe it far from thee such rigour to undertake.\n  I hope there is not in thee so cruel hardness,\nAs to cast away the just men with the reckless,\nAnd so to destroy the good with the ungodly:\nIn the judge of all: be never such a fury.\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ At Sodom, if I may find just persons fifty,\nThe place will I spare for their sakes verily.\n\n_Abraham._ I take upon me to speak here in thy presence,\nMore than becomes me, lord, pardon my negligence:\nI am but ashes and were loth thee to offend.\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ Say forth, good Abraham, for ill dost thou not intend.\n\n_Abraham._ Haply there may be five less in the same number,\nFor thy sake I hope thou wilt not the rest accombre.[613]\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ If I among them might find but five and forty\nThem would I not lose for that just company.\n\n_Abraham._ What if the city may forty righteous make?\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ Then will I pardon it for those same forty's sake.\n\n_Abraham._ Be not angry, Lord, though I speak undiscreetly.\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ Utter thy whole mind and spare me not hardly.\n\n_Abraham._ Peradventure there may be thirty found among them.\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ May I find thirty, I will nothing do unto them.\n\n_Abraham._ I take upon me too much, Lord, in thy sight.\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ No, no, good Abraham, for I know thy faith is right.\n\n_Abraham._ No less, I suppose, than twenty can it have.\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ Could I find twenty, that city would I save.\n\n_Abraham._ Once yet will I speak my mind, and then no more.\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ Spare not to utter so much as thou hast in store.\n\n_Abraham._ And what if there might be ten good creatures found?\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ The rest for their sakes might so be safe and sound,\nAnd not destroyed for their abomination.\n\n_Abraham._ O merciful Maker, much is thy toleration\nAnd sufferance of sin: I see it now indeed;\nVouchsafe yet of favour out of those cities to lead\nThose that be faithful, though their flock be but small.\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ Lot and his household, I will deliver all,\nFor righteousness sake, which is of me and not them.\n\n_Abraham._ Great are thy graces in the generation of Shem.\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ Well, Abraham, well, for thy true faithfulness\nNow will I give thee my covenant or third promise.\nLook thou believe it as thou covetest righteousness.\n\n_Abraham._ Lord, so regard me as I receive it with gladness.\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ Of many peoples the father I will make thee,\nAll generations in thy seed shall be blessed:\nAs the stars of heaven, so shall thy kindred be;\nAnd by the same seed the world shall be redressed\nIn circumcision shall this thing be expressed,\nAs in a sure seal, to prove my promise true,\nPrint this in thy faith, and it shall thy soul renew.\n\n_Abraham._ I will not one jot, Lord, from thy will dissent\nBut to thy pleasure be always obedient,\nThy laws to fulfil, and most precious commandment.\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ Farewell, Abraham, for here in place I leave\nthee.\n\n_Abraham._ Thanks will I render, like as it shall behove me.\nEverlasting praise to thy most glorious name,\nWhich savedst Adam through faith in thy sweet promise\nOf the woman's seed, and now confirmest the same\nIn the seed of me. Forsooth great is thy goodness.\nI cannot perceive but that thy mercy is endless.\nTo such as fear thee, in every generation,\nFor it endureth without abbreviation.\n  This have I printed in deep consideration,\nNo worldly matter can rase it out of mind.\nFor once it will be the final restoration\nOf Adam and Eve, and other that hath sinned;\nYea, the sure health and race of mankind.\nHelp have the faithful thereof, though they be infect;\nThey, condemnation, where as it is reject.\n  Merciful Maker, my crabbed voice direct,\nThat it may break out in some sweet praise to thee;\nAnd suffer me not thy due lauds to neglect,\nBut let me show forth thy commendations free.\nStop not my windpipes, but give them liberty,\nTo sound to thy name, which is most gracious,\nAnd in it rejoice with heart melodious.\n\n[_Then in a loud voice he begins the antiphon, \"O rex gentium,\" the\nchorus following the same with instruments._\n\nO most mighty Governor of thy people, and in heart most desired, the\nhard rock and the true corner-stone, that of two maketh one, uniting the\nJews with the Gentiles in one church, come now and relieve mankind, whom\nthou hast formed of the vile earth.\n\n\n\nACT IV\n\nMOSES SANCTUS\n\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ Still so increaseth the wickedness of man,\nThat I am moved with plagues him to confound.\nHis weakness to aid, I do the best I can,\nYet he regardeth me no more than doth a hound,\nMy word and promise in his faith taketh no ground;\nHe will so long walk in his own lusts at large,\nThat naught he shall find his folly to discharge.\n  Since Abraham's time, which was my true elect,\nIshmael have I found both wicked, fierce and cruel:\nAnd Esau in mind with hateful murder infect.\nThe sons of Jacob to lusts unnatural fell,\nAnd into Egypt did they their brother sell.\nLaban to idols gave faithful reverence,\nDinah was corrupt through Shechem's violence.\n  Reuben abused his father's concubine,\nJudah got children of his own daughter-in-law:\nYea, she in my sight went after a wicked line.\nHis seed Onan spilt, his brother's name to withdraw.\nAchan lived here without all godly awe.\nAnd now the children of Israel abuse my power\nIn so vile manner that they move me every hour.\n\n_Moses._ Pacify thy wrath, sweet Lord, I thee desire,\nAs thou art gentle, benign, and patient,\nLose not that people in fierceness of thine ire\nFor whom thou hast shewed such tokens evident,\nConverting this rod into a lively serpent,\nAnd the same serpent into this rod again,\nThy wonderful power declaring very plain.\n  For their sakes also puttest Pharaoh to pain\nBy ten divers plagues, as I shall here declare.\nBy blood, frogs, and lice; by flies, death, botch and blain;[614]\nBy hail, by grasshoppers, by darkness, and by care;\nBy a sudden plague, all their first gotten ware,\nThou slewest, in one night, for his fierce cruelness.\nFrom that thy people withhold not now thy goodness.\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ I certify thee, my chosen servant Moses,\nThat people of mine is full of unthankfulness.\n\n_Moses._ Dear Lord, I know it, alas! yet weigh their weakness,\nAnd bear with their faults, of thy great bounteousness.\nIn a flaming bush having to them respect,\nThou appointedst me their passage to direct,\nAnd through the Red Sea thy right hand did us lead\nWhere Pharaoh's host the flood overwhelmed indeed.\n  Thou wentest before them in a shining cloud all day\nAnd in the dark night in fire thou shewedst their way.\nThou sentest them manna from heaven to be their food.\nOut of the hard stone thou gavest them water good.\nThou appointedst them a land of milk and honey.\nLet them not perish for want of thy great mercy.\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ Content they are not with foul nor yet with fair,\nBut murmur and grudge as people in despair.\nAs I sent manna they had it in disdain,\nThus of their welfare they many times complain.\nOver Amalek I gave them the victory.\n\n_Moses._ Most glorious Maker, all that is to thy glory.\nThou sentest them also a law from heaven above,\nAnd daily shewedst them many tokens of great love.\nThe brazen serpent thou gavest them for their healing,\nAnd Balaam's curse thou turnedst into a blessing.\nI hope thou wilt not disdain to help them still.\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ I gave them precepts, which they will not fulfil\n  Nor yet acknowledge me for their God and good Lord,\nSo do their vile deeds with their wicked hearts accord\nWhilst thou hast talked with me familiarly\nOn Sinai's mountain, the space but of days forty,\nThese sights all they have forgotten clearly,\nAnd are turned to shameful idolatry.\nFor their God, they have set up a golden calf.\n\n_Moses._ Let me say something, sweet Father, in their behalf.\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ I will first conclude, and then say on thy mind.\nFor that I have found that people so unkind,\nNot one of them shall enjoy the promise of me,\nFor entering the land, but Caleb and Josue.[615]\n\n_Moses._ Thy eternal will evermore fulfilled be.\nFor disobedience thou slewest the sons of Aaron,\nThe earth swallowed in both Dathan and Abiron.\nThe adders did sting other wicked persons else,\nIn wonderful number. Thus hast thou punished rebels.\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ Never will I spare the cursed iniquity.\nOf idolatry, for no cause, thou mayst trust me.\n\n_Moses._ Forgive them yet, Lord, for this time, if it may be.\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ Thinkest thou that I will so soon change my decree?\nNo, no, friend Moses, so light thou shalt not find me.\nI will punish them all; Israel shall it see.\n\n_Moses._ I know, thy people have wrought abomination,\nWorshipping false gods, to thy honour's derogation,\nYet mercifully thou mayest upon them look;\nAnd if thou wilt not, thrust me out of thy book.\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ Those great blasphemers shall out of my book clean,\nBut thou shalt not so, for I know what thou dost mean.\nConduct my people, mine angel shall assist thee,\nThat sin in a day will not uncorrected be.\nAnd for the true zeal that thou to my people hast,\nI add this covenant unto my promises past.\n  Raise them up I will a prophet from among them,\nNot unlike to thee, to speak my words unto them.\nWhoso heareth not that he shall speak in my name,\nI will revenge it to his perpetual shame.\nThe passover lamb will be a token just\nOf this strong covenant. This have I clearly discussed,\nIn my appointment this hour for your deliverance.\n\n_Moses._ Never shall this thing depart from my remembrance.\nPraise be for ever to thee, most merciful Lord,\nWho never withdrawest from man thy heavenly comfort,\nBut from age to age thy benefits do record\nWhat thy goodness is, and hath been to his sort.\nAs we find thy grace, so ought we to report.\nAnd doubtless it is to us most bounteous,\nYea, for all our sins most ripe and plenteous.\n  Abraham our father found thee benevolous,[616]\nSo did good Isaac in his distress among.\nTo Jacob thou wert a guide most gracious.\nJoseph thou savedst from dangerous deadly wrong,\nMelchisedec and Job felt thy great goodness strong,\nSo did good Sarah, Rebecca, and fair Rachel,\nWith Zephorah my wife, the daughter of Raguel.\n  To praise thee, sweet Lord, my faith doth me compel,\nFor thy covenant's sake wherein rests our salvation,\nThe seed of promise, all other seeds excel,\nFor therein remaineth our full justification.\nFrom Adam to Noah, in Abraham's generation,\nThat seed procureth God's mighty grace and power;\nFor the same seed's sake, I will sing now this hour.\n\n[_Then he begins to sing an antiphon in a clear voice, \"O Emmanuel,\"\nwhich the chorus (as before) follows with instruments._\n\nO high king Emmanuel, and our liege Lord! the long expectation of the\nGentiles, and the mighty Saviour of their multitude, the health and\nconsolation of sinners, come now to save us, as our Lord and our\nRedeemer.\n\n\n\nACT V\n\nOF PIUS KING DAVID\n\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ For all the favour I have shewed Israel,\nDelivering it from Pharaoh's tyranny,\nAnd giving the land, _fluentem lac et mel_,[617]\nYet will it not leave its old idolatry,\nNor know me for God. I abhor its misery.\nVexed it I have with battles and decays,\nStill must I plague it, I see no other ways.\n\n_David._ Remember yet, Lord, thy worthy servant Moses,\nWalking in thy sight, without rebuke of thee.\nBoth Aaron, Jethro, Eleazar, and Phinees,[618]\nEvermore feared to offend thy majesty,\nMuch thou acceptedst thy servant Josue.[619]\nCaleb and Othniel sought thee with all their heart,\nAioth and Sangar for thy folk did their part.\n  Gideon and Tholus thy enemies put to smart,\nJair and Jephtha gave praises to thy name.\nThese, to leave idols, thy people did court.\nSamson the strongest, for his part did the same.\nSamuel and Nathan thy messages did proclaim.\nWhat though fierce Pharaoh wrought mischief in thy sight,\nHe was a pagan, lay not that in our light.\n  I know the Benjamites abused the ways of right,\nSo did Eli's sons, and the sons of Samuel.\nSaul in his office was slothful day and night,\nWicked was Shimei, so was Ahitophel.\nMeasure not by them the faults of Israel,\nWhom thou hast loved of long time so entirely,\nBut of thy great grace remit its wicked folly.\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ I cannot abide the vice of idolatry,\nThough I should suffer all other villany.\nWhen Joshua was dead, that sort from me did fall\nTo the worshipping of Ashteroth and Baal,\nFull unclean idols, and monsters bestial.\n\n_David._ For it they have had thy righteous punishment,\nAnd forasmuch as they did wickedly consent\nTo the Philistines and Canaanites ungodly\nIdolaters, taking to them in matrimony,\nThou threwest them under the King of Mesopotamy,\nAfter thou subduedst them for their idolatry.\n  Eighteen years to Eglon, the King of Moabites,\nAnd twenty years to Jabin, the King of Canaanites,\nOppressed they were seven years by the Midianites,\nAnd eighteen years vexed by the cruel Ammonites.\nIn three great battles, of three score thousand and five,\nOf this thy people, not one was left alive.\nHave mercy now, Lord, and call them to repentance.\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ So long as they sin, so long shall they have grievance.\nDavid my servant, something must I say to thee,\nFor that thou lately hast wrought such vanity.\n\n_David._ Spare not, blessed Lord, but say thy pleasure to me.\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ Of late days thou hast misused Bathsheba,\nThe wife of Uriah, and slain him in the field.\n\n_David._ Mercy, Lord, mercy; for doubtless I am defiled.\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ I constitute thee a king over Israel,\nAnd thee preserved from Saul, who was thine enemy.\nYea, in my favour, so much thou didst excel,\nThat of thine enemies I gave thee victory.\nPhilistines and Syrians to thee came tributary.\nWhy hast thou then wrought such folly in my sight.\nDespising my word, against all godly right?\n\n_David._ I have sinned, Lord, I beseech thee, pardon me,\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ Thou shalt not die, David, for this iniquity,\nFor thy repentance; but thy son by Bathsheba\nShall die, forasmuch as my name is blasphemed\nAmong my enemies, and thou the worse esteemed.\nFrom thy house for this the sword shall not depart.\n\n_David._ I am sorry, Lord, from the bottom of my heart.\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ To further anger thou dost me yet compel.\n\n_David._ For what matter, Lord? I beseech thy goodness tell.\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ Why didst thou number the children of Israel?\nSupposest in thy mind therein thou hast done well?\n\n_David._ I cannot say nay, but I have done indiscreetly\nTo forget thy grace for a human policy.\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ Thou shalt of these three choose which plague thou wilt\n    have,\nFor that sinful act, that I thy soul may save.\nA scarceness seven years, or else three months' exile,\nIf not, for three days a pestilence most vile,\nFor one thou must have, there is no remedy.\n\n_David._ Lord, at thy pleasure, for thou art full of mercy.\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ Of a pestilence then, three score thousand and ten,\nIn three days shall die of thy most puissant men.\n\n_David._ O Lord, it is I who have offended thy grace,\nSpare them and not me, for I have done the trespace.[620]\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ Though thy sins be great, thine inward heart's\n    contribution\nDoth move my stomach in wonderful condition.\nI find thee a man according to my heart;\nWherefore this promise I make thee, ere I depart.\n  A fruit there shall come forth issuing from thy body,\nWhom I will advance upon thy seat for ever.\nHis throne shall become a seat of heavenly glory\nHis worthy sceptre from right will not dissever,\nHis happy kingdom, of faith shall perish never.\nOf heaven and of earth he was author principal,\nAnd will continue, though they do perish all.\n  This sign shalt thou have for a token special,\nThat thou mayst believe my words unfeignedly,\nWhere thou hast minded, for my memorial,\nTo build a temple, thou shalt not finish it truly;\nBut Solomon thy son shall do that action worthy,\nIn token that Christ must finish everything\nThat I have begun, to my praise everlasting.\n\n_David._ Immortal glory to thee, most heavenly King,\nFor that thou hast given continual victory\nTo me thy servant, ever since my annointing,\nAnd also before, by many conquests worthy.\nA bear and lion I slew through thy strength only.\nI slew Goliath, who was six cubits long.\nAgainst thine enemies thou madest me ever strong.\n  My fleshly frailness made me do deadly wrong,\nAnd clean to forget thy laws of righteousness.\nAnd though thou visitedst my sinfulness among,\nWith pestilent plagues, and other unquietness;\nYet never tookst thou from me thy plenteousness\nOf thy godly spir't, which thou in me didst plant.\nI having remorse, thy grace could never want.\n  For in conclusion, thy everlasting covenant\nThou gavest unto me for all my wicked sin;\nAnd hast promised here by protestation constant,\nThat one of my seed shall such high fortune win,\nAs never did man since this world did begin.\nBy his power he shall put Satan from his hold,\nIn rejoice whereof to sing will I be bold.\n\n[_Then he begins in a musical voice an antiphon, \"O Adonai,\" which the\nchorus (as before) follows with instruments._\n\nO Lord God Adonai, and guide of the faithful house of Israel, who\nsometime appearedst in the flaming bush to Moses, and to him didst give\na law on Mount Sinai, come now to redeem us in the strength of thy right\nhand.\n\n\n\nACT VI\n\nOF THE PROPHET ESAIAS\n\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ I brought up children from their first infancy,\nWho now despise all my godly instructions.\nAn ox knoweth its lord, an ass its master's duty,\nBut Israel will not know me, nor my conditions.\nOh, froward people, given all to superstitions,\nUnnatural children, expert in blasphemies,\nProvoke me into hate, by their idolatries.\n  Take heed to my words, ye tyrants of Sodoma,\nIn vain ye offer your sacrifice to me.\nDiscontent I am with you beasts of Gomorrah\nAnd have no pleasure when I your offerings see.\nI abhor your fasts and your solemnity,\nFor your traditions my ways ye set apart,\nYour works are in vain, I hate them from the heart.\n\n_Esaias._ Thy city, sweet Lord, is now become unfaithful,\nAnd her conditions are turned upside down.\nHer life is unchaste, her acts be very hurtful,\nHer murder and theft have darkened her renown.\nCovetous rewards do so their conscience drown,\nThat the fatherless they will not help to right,\nThe poor widow's cause comes not before their sight.\n  Thy peaceable paths seek they neither day nor night;\nBut walk wicked ways after their fantasy.\nConvert their hearts, Lord, and give them thy true light,\nThat they may perceive their customable folly:\nLeave them not helpless in so deep misery,\nBut call them from it of thy most special grace,\nBy thy true prophets, to their souls' health and solace.\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ First they had fathers, then had they patriarchs,\nThen dukes, then judges for their guides and monarchs:\nNow have they stout kings, yet are they wicked still,\nAnd will in no wise my pleasant laws fulfil.\nAlways they apply to idols' worshipping,\nFrom the vile beggar to the annointed king.\n\n_Esaias._ For that cause thou hast in two divided them,\nIn Samaria the one, the other in Jerusalem.\nThe king of Judah in Jerusalem did dwell,\nAnd in Samaria the king of Israel.\nTen of the twelve tribes became Samaritans,\nAnd the other two were Hierosolymitans.[621]\n  In both these countries, according to their doings,\nThou permittedst them to have most cruel kings.\nThe first of Judah was wicked king Roboam,\nOf Israel the first was that cruel Jeroboam;\nAbiah then followed, and in the other Nadab,\nThen Bassa, then Helah, then Zambri, Jehoram and Ahab.\n  Then Ochesius, then Athaliah, then Joas;[622]\nOn the other part was Jonathan and Achaz.\nTo rehearse all them that have done wretchedly\nIn the sight of thee, it were long verily.\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ For the wicked sin of filthy idolatry,\nWhich the ten tribes did in the land of Samarie,\nIn space of one day fifty thousand men I slew,\nThree of their cities also I overthrew,\nAnd left the people in such captivity,\nThat in all the world they knew not whither to flee.\n  The other two tribes, when they from me went back\nTo idolatry, I left in the hand of Shishak,\nThe king of Egypt, who took away their treasure,\nConveyed their cattle, and slew them without measure.\nIn time of Ahaz, a hundred thousand and twenty\nWere slain at one time for their idolatry.\n  Two hundred thousand from thence were captive led,\nTheir goods dispersed, and they with penury fed.\nSeldom they fail it, but either the Egyptians\nHave them in bondage, or else the Assyrians.\n\n_Esaias._ Well, yet blessed Lord, relieve them with thy mercy.\nThough they have been ill other princes' days,\nYet good Hezekiah hath taught them goodly ways.\nWhen the prince is good, the people are the better;\nAnd as he is nought, their vices are the greater.\nHeavenly Lord, therefore send them the consolation,\nWhich thou hast covenanted with every generation.\n  Open thou the heavens, and let the lamb come hither,\nWho will deliver thy people altogether.\nYe planets and clouds, cast down your dews and rain,\nThat the earth may bear out healthful savour plain.\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ May the wife forget the child of her own body?\n\n_Esaias._ Nay, that she can not in any wise verily.\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ No more can I them who will do my commandments,\nBut must preserve them from all inconvenience.\n\n_Esaias._ Blessed art thou, Lord, in all thy acts and judgments.\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ Well, Esaias, for this thy fidelity,\nA covenant of health thou shalt have also of me.\nFor Zion's sake now I will not hold my peace,\nAnd for Jerusalem, to speak will I not cease\nTill that righteous Lord become as a sunbeam bright,\nAnd their just saviour as a lamp extend his light.\n  A rod shall shoot forth from the old stock of Jesse,\nAnd a bright blossom from that root will arise,\nUpon whom always the spir't of the Lord shall be,\nThe spir't of wisdom, the spir't of heavenly practice,\nAnd the spir't that will all godliness devise.\nTake this for a sign, a maid of Israel\nShall conceive and bear that Lord Emmanuel.\n\n_Esaias._ Thy praises condign no mortal tongue can tell,\nMost worthy maker and king of heavenly glory,\nFor all capacities thy goodness doth excel,\nThy plenteous graces no brain can compass truly,\nNo wit can conceive the greatness of thy mercy,\nDeclared of late in David thy true servant,\nAnd now confirmed in this thy later covenant.\n  Of goodness thou madest Solomon of wit more pregnant,\nAsa and Josaphat, with good king Hezechiah,\nIn thy sight to do that was to thee right pleasant.\nTo quench idolatry thou raisedst up Elijah\nJehu, Elisha, Micah, and Obdiah,\nThe Syrian Naaman thou purgedst of a lepry[623]\nThy works wonderful who can but magnify?\n  Arise, Jerusalem, and take faith by and by,[624]\nFor the very light that shall save thee is coming.\nThe Son of the Lord appear will evidently,\nWhen he shall resort, see that no joy be wanting.\nHe is thy saviour, and thy life everlasting,\nThy release from sin, and thy whole righteousness,\nHelp me in this song t' acknowledge his great goodness.\n\n[_Then in a tuneful voice he begins an antiphon, \"O radix Jesse,\" which\nthe chorus follows with instruments._\n\nO fruitful root of Jesse, that shall be set as a sign among people,\nagainst the worldly rulers shall fiercely open their mouths, whom the\nGentiles worship as their heavenly Lord. Come now to deliver us, and\ndelay the time no longer.\n\n\n\nACT VII\n\nOF JOHN THE BAPTIST\n\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ I have with fierceness mankind oft-times corrected,\nAnd again I have allured him by sweet promise.\nI have sent sore plagues, when he hath me neglected,\nAnd then by and by, most comfortable sweetness.\nTo win him to grace, both mercy and righteousness\nI have exercised, yet will he not amend.\nShall I now lose him, or shall I him defend?\n  In his most mischief, most high grace will I send\nTo overcome him by favour, if it may be.\nWith his abuses no longer will I contend\nBut now accomplish my first will and decree.\nMy word being flesh, from hence shall set him free,\nHim teaching a way of perfect righteousness,\nThat he shall not need to perish in his weakness.\n\n_John the Baptist._ Manasseh is past, who turned from thee his heart.\nAhaz and Ammon have now no more ado,\nJechoniah with others who did themselves avert\nFrom thee to idols, may now no farther go.\nThe two false judges, and Baal's wicked priests also,\nPhassur and Semaiah, with Nebuchadnosor,\nAntiochus and Triphon, shall thee displease no more.\n  Three score years and ten, thy people into Babylon\nWere captive and thrall for idols' worshipping.\nJerusalem was lost, and left void of dominion,\nBurnt was their temple, so was their other building,\nTheir high priests were slain, their treasure came to nothing;\nThe strength and beauty of thine own heritage,\nThus didst thou leave them in miserable bondage.\n  Oft had they warnings, sometimes by Ezekiel\nAnd other prophets, as Isay and Jeremy,\nSometimes by Daniel, sometimes by Hosea and Joel,\nBy Amos and Abdiah, by Jonah and Sophonya,[625]\nBy Nahum and Micah, Haggai and by Zachary,\nBy Malachias, and also by Habakkuk,\nBy Olda the widow, and by the prophet Baruch.\n  Remember Josiah, who took the abomination\nFrom the people, then restoring the laws again.\nOf Rahab consider the faithful generation,\nWhom to wine drinking no friendship might constrain.\nRemember Abimelech, the friend of truth certain,\nZerubabel the prince, who did repair the temple,\nAnd Jesus Josedech, of virtue the example.\n  Consider Nehemiah, and Esdras the good scribe,\nMerciful Tobias, and constant Mardocheus;[626]\nJudith and Queen Esther, of the same godly tribe,\nDevout Matthias and Judas Maccab\u00e6us.\nHave mind of Eleazer, and then Joannes Hircanus,\nWeigh the earnest faith of this godly company,\nThough the other clean fall from thy memory.\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ I will John, I will, for as I said before,\nRigour and hardness I have now set apart,\nMinding from henceforth to win man evermore\nBy wonderful kindness to break his stubborn heart,\nAnd change it from sin. For Christ shall suffer smart,\nIn man's frail nature for his iniquity,\nThis to make open, my messenger shalt thou be.\n\n_John the Baptist._ As thy pleasure is, so blessed Lord appoint me,\nFor my health thou art, and my soul's felicity.\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ Long ere I made thee, I the predestinate,\nBefore thou wert born I thee endued with grace.\nIn thy mother's womb wert thou sanctificate\nBy my godly gift, and so confirmed in place,\nA prophet, to shew a way before the face\nOf my most dear son, who will come: then until\nApply thee apace thine office to fulfil.\n  Preach to the people, rebuking their negligence,\nDip them in water, acknowledging their offence;\nAnd say unto them, The kingdom of God doth come.\n\n_John the Baptist._ Unmeet, Lord, I am, _Quia puer ego sum_.[627]\nAnd other than that, alas, I have no science\nFit for that office, neither yet clean eloquence.\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ Thou shalt not say so, for I have given thee grace,\nEloquence and age, to speak in desert place.\nThou must do therefore as I shall thee advise,\nMy appointed pleasure forth utter in any wise;\nMy strong mighty words put I into thy mouth,\nSpare not, but speak them to east, west, north and south.\n\n[_God stretching out his hand, touches John's lips with his finger and\nconfers upon him a golden tongue._\n\n  Go now thy way forth, I shall thee never fail,\nThe spir't of Elijah have I given thee already.\nPersuade the people, that they their sins bewail;\nAnd if they repent their customable folly,\nLong shall it not be ere they have remedy.\nOpen thou their hearts: tell them their health is coming\nAs a voice in a desert; see thou declare the thing.\n  I promise thee sure, thou shalt wash him among them\nIn Jordan, a flood not far from Jerusalem.\n\n_John the Baptist._ Shew me yet, good Lord, whereby shall I know that man,\nIn the multitude which will resort to Jordan.\n\n_Pater C\u0153lestis._ In thy mother's womb of him hadst thou cognition.\nHave thou no fear John, him shalt thou know full well,\nAnd one special token afore will I thee tell.\n_Super quem videris spiritum descendentem et manentem\nSuper eum, hic est qui baptizat spiritu sancto:_\nAmong all other whom thou shalt baptise there\nUpon whom thou seest the Holy Ghost descend\nIn shape of a dove, resting upon his shoulder,\nHold him for the same, that shall the world amend,\nBy baptism of spirit, and also to man extend\nMost special grace. For he must repair his fall,\nRestoring again the justice original.\nTake now thy journey, and do as I thee advise,\nFirst preach repentance, and then the people baptise.\n\n_John the Baptist._ High honour, worship, and glory be unto thee,\nMy God eternal, and patron of all purity.\n  Repent good people, for sins that now are past,\nThe kingdom of heaven is at hand very nigh.\nThe promised light to you approacheth fast,\nHave faith, and apply now to receive him boldly.\nI am not the light, but to bear testimony\nOf him am sent, that all men may believe,\nThat his blood he will for their redemption give.\n  He is such a light as all men doth illumine,\nThat ever were here, or shall be after this.\nAll the world he made by his mighty power divine,\nAnd yet that rude world will not know what he is.\nHis own he entering, is not regarded of his.\nThey that receive him, are God's true children plain,\nIn spir't regenerate, and all grace shall attain.\n  Many do reckon, that I John Baptist am he,\nDeceived are they, and that will appear in space.\nThough he come after, yet he was long afore me.\nWe are weak vessels, he is the well of grace,\nOf his great goodness all that we have we purchase.\nBy him are we like to have a better increase\nThan ever we had by the laws of Moses.\n  For Moses' hard law we had not else but darkness,\nFigure and shadow, all was not else but night,\nPunishment for sin, much rigour, pain, and roughness,\nAn high charge is there, where all is turned to light,\nGrace and remission anon will shine full bright.\nNever man lived that ever saw God afore,\nWhich now in our kind man's ruin will restore.\n  Help me to give thanks to that Lord evermore,\nWhich am unto Christ a crier in the desert,\nTo prepare the paths and high ways him before\nFor his delight is on the poor, simple heart.\n  That innocent lamb from such will never depart,\nAs will faithfully receive him with good mind.\nLet our voice then sound in some sweet musical kind.\n\n[_Then in a resounding voice he begins an antiphon, \"O clavis David,\"\nwhich the chorus follows with instruments, as before._\n\nO perfect key of David, and high sceptre of the kindred of Jacob, which\nopenest and no man sperith,[628] thou speakest and no man openeth; come\nand deliver thy servant mankind, bound in prison, sitting in the\ndarkness of sin and bitter damnation.\n\n\n\nEPILOGUE\n\n\n_Baleus Prolocutor._ The matters are such as we have uttered here,\nAs ought not to slide from your memorial;\nFor they have opened such comfortable gear,\nAs is to the health of this kind universal,\nGraces of the Lord and promises liberal,\nWhich he given to man for every age,\nTo knit him to Christ, and so clear him of bondage.\n  As St. Paul doth write unto the Corinthes[629] plain,\nOur forefathers were under the cloud of darkness,\nAnd unto Christ's days did in the shadow remain;\nYet were they not left, for of him they had promise\nAll they received one spiritual feeding doubtless.\nThey drank of the rock which them to life refreshed,\nFor one saving health, in Christ, all they confessed.\n  In the woman's seed was Adam first justified,\nSo was faithful Noah, so was just Abraham;\nThe faith in that seed in Moses forth multiplied,\nLikewise in David and Esaye[630] that after came,\nAnd in John Baptist, which shewed the very Lamb.\nThough they so afar, yet all they had one justice\nOne mass, as they call it, and in Christ one sacrifice.\n  A man cannot here to God do better service,\nThan on this to ground his faith and understanding.\nFor all the world's sin alone Christ payed the price,\nIn his only death was man's life always resting,\nAnd not in will--works, nor yet in men's deserving,\nThe light of our faith makes this thing evident,\nAnd not the practice of other experiment.\n  Where is now free will, which the hypocrites comment?\nWhereby they report they may at their own pleasure\nDo good of themselves, though grace and faith be absent,\nAnd have good intents their madness with to measure.\nThe will of the flesh is proved here small treasure,\nAnd so is man's will, for the grace of God doth all.\nMore of this matter conclude hereafter we shall.\n\nThus endeth this tragedy or interlude, manifesting the chief promises of\nGod unto Man by all ages in the old law, from the fall of Adam to the\nincarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ. Compiled by John Bayle. Anno\nDomini 1538.\n\n\n\n\nAPPENDIX A\n\n\"ST. GEORGE AND THE DRAGON\"\n\nA MODERN CORNISH CHRISTMAS PLAY\n\n\n\nCHARACTERS\n\n\nSaint George\nThe Dragon\nFather Christmas\nThe Doctor\nKing of Egypt\nTurkish Knight\nThe Giant Turpin\n\n\n_Enter the Turkish Knight._\n\nOpen your doors, and let me in,\nI hope your favours I shall win;\nWhether I rise or whether I fall,\nI'll do my best to please you all.\nSt. George is here, and swears he will come in,\nAnd, if he does, I know he'll pierce my skin.\nIf you will not believe what I do say,\nLet Father Christmas come in--clear the way.  [_Retires._\n\n_Enter Father Christmas._\n\nHere come I, old Father Christmas,\n    Welcome, or welcome not,\nI hope old Father Christmas\n    Will never be forgot.\n\nI am not come here to laugh or to jeer,\nBut for a pocketfull of money, and a skinfull of beer,\nIf you will not believe what I do say,\nCome in, the King of Egypt!--clear the way!\n\n_Enter the King of Egypt._\n\nHere I, the King of Egypt, boldly do appear,\nSt. George, St. George, walk in, my only son and heir.\nWalk in, my son St. George, and boldly act thy part,\nThat all the people here may see thy wond'rous art.\n\n_Enter Saint George._\n\nHere come I, St. George, from Britain did I spring,\nI'll fight the Dragon bold, my wonders to begin.\nI'll clip his wings, he shall not fly;\nI'll cut him down, or else I die.\n\n_Enter the Dragon._\n\nWho's he that seeks the Dragon's blood,\nAnd calls so angry, and so loud?\nThat English dog, will he before me stand?\nI'll cut him down with my courageous hand.\nWith my long teeth, and scurvy jaw,\nOf such I'd break up half a score,\nAnd stay my stomach, till I'd more.\n\n[_St. George and the Dragon fight, the latter is killed._\n\n_Father Christmas._ Is there a doctor to be found\n  All ready, near at hand,\nTo cure a deep and deadly wound,\n  And make the champion stand.\n\n_Enter Doctor._\n\nOh! yes, there is a doctor to be found\n    All ready, near at hand,\nTo cure a deep and deadly wound,\n    And make the champion stand.\n\n_Father Christmas._ What can you cure?\n\n_Doctor._ All sorts of diseases,\nWhatever you pleases,\nThe phthisic, the palsy, and the gout;\nIf the devil's in, I'll blow him out.\n\n_Father Christmas._ What is your fee?\n\n_Doctor._ Fifteen pound, it is my fee,\n    The money to lay down.\nBut, as 'tis such a rogue as thee,\n    I cure for ten pound.\n\nI carry a little bottle of alicumpane;\n    Here Jack, take a little of my flip flop,\n    Pour it down thy tip top;\nRise up and fight again.\n\n[_The Doctor performs his cure, the fight is renewed, and the Dragon\nagain killed._\n\n_Saint George._ Here am I, St. George,\n    That worthy champion bold,\nAnd with my sword and spear\n    I won three crowns of gold.\nI fought the fiery dragon,\n    And brought him to the slaughter;\nBy that I won fair Sabra,\n    The King of Egypt's daughter.\nWhere is the man, that now will me defy?\nI'll cut his giblets full of holes, and make his buttons fly.\n\n_The Turkish Knight advances._\n\nHere come I, the Turkish Knight,\nCome from the Turkish land to fight.\nI'll fight St. George, who is my foe,\nI'll make him yield before I go;\nHe brags to such a high degree,\nHe thinks there's none can do the like of he.\n\n_Saint George._ Where is the Turk, that will before me stand?\nI'll cut him down with my courageous hand.\n\n[_They fight, the Knight is overcome, and falls on one knee._\n\n_Turkish Knight._ Oh! pardon me, St. George, pardon of thee I crave,\nOh! pardon me this night, and I will be thy slave.\n\n_Saint George._ No pardon shalt thou have, while I have foot to stand,\nSo rise thee up again, and fight out sword in hand.\n\n[_They fight again, and the Knight is killed. Father Christmas calls for\nthe Doctor, with whom the same dialogue occurs as before, and the cure\nis performed._\n\n_Enter the Giant Turpin._\n\nHere come I, the Giant, bold Turpin is my name,\nAnd all the nations round do tremble at my fame.\nWhere'er I go, they tremble at my sight,\nNo lord or champion long with me would fight.\n\n_Saint George._ Here's one that dares to look thee in the face,\nAnd soon will send thee to another place.\n\n_They fight, and the Giant is killed; medical aid is called in as\nbefore, and the cure performed by the Doctor, to whom then is given a\nbasin of girdy grout and a kick, and driven out._\n\n_Father Christmas._ Now, ladies and gentlemen, your sport is most ended,\nSo prepare for the hat, which is highly commended.\nThe hat it would speak, if it had but a tongue;\nCome throw in your money, and think it no wrong.\n\n\n\n\nAPPENDIX B\n\n\n\nFROM THE CORNISH MYSTERY OF THE CRUCIFIXION\n\n\n_Jesus._ Woman, seest thou thy son?\nA thousand times your arms have borne him\n  With tenderness.\nAnd John, behold thy mother;\nThus keep her, without denial,\n  As long as ye live.\n\n_Mary._ Alas! alas! oh! sad, sad!\n  In my heart is sorrow,\nWhen I see my son Jesus,\n  About his head a crown of thorns\nHe is Son of God in every way,\n  And with that truly a King;\nFeet and hands on every side\n  Fast fixed with nails of iron.\n      Alas!\nThat one shall have on the day of judgment\n  Heavy doom, flesh and blood,\n      Who hath sold him.\n\n_John._ O sweet mother, do not bear sorrow,\nFor always, in every way\n  I will be prepared for thee:\nThe will of thy Son is so,\nFor to save so much as is good,\n  Since Adam was created.\n\n_Jesus._ O Father, Eli, Eloy, \u00b7 lama sabacthani?\n  Thou art my dear God,\nWhy hast thou left me \u00b7 a moment alone\n  In any manner?\n\n_1st Executioner._ He is calling Elias;\n  Watch now diligently\n    If he comes to save _him_.\nIf he delivers him, really\nWe will believe in him,\n  And worship him ever.\n\n[_Here a sponge is made ready, with gall and vinegar. And then the\nCenturion stands in his tent, and says:_\n\n_Centurion._ I will go to see\n  How it is with dear Jesus:\nIt were a pity on a good man\n  So much contumely to be cast.\nIf he were a bad man, his fellow\n  Could not in any way\nTruly have such great grace,\n  To save men by one word.\n\n[_The Centurion goes down._\n\n_2nd Executioner._ It is not Elias whom he called;\nThirst surely on him there is,\n  He finds it an evil thing.          [_He holds out a sponge_\nBehold here I have me ready,\nGall _and_ hyssop mixed;\n  Wassail, if there is great thirst.\n\n_Jesus._ Thirst on me there is.\n\n_3rd Executioner._ See, a drink for thee here;\n  Why dost thou not drink it?\nRather shouldst thou a wonder work!\nNow, come down from the cross,\n  And we will worship thee.\n\n_Jesus._ O Father, into thy hands\n  I commit my spirit;\nBy thy will take it to thee,\n  As thou sent it into the world.\n\n[_Then Jesus shall die. Here the sun is darkened._\n\n\n\n\nAPPENDIX C\n\nTHE TOWN CYCLES\n\n\n\nI.--THE YORK PAGEANTS\n\n\nThe order of the Pageants of the Play of Corpus Christi, in the time of\nthe mayoralty of William Alne, in the third year of the reign of King\nHenry V. anno 1415, compiled by Roger Burton, town clerk,--\n\nI. _Tanners._--God the Father Almighty creating and forming the heavens,\nangels and archangels; Lucifer and the angels that fell with him into\nhell.\n\nII. _Plasterers._--God the Father, in his own substance, creating the\nearth, and all which is therein, in the space of five days.\n\nIII. _Carde-makers._--God the Father creating Adam of the slime of the\nearth, and making Eve of the rib, and inspiring them with the spirit of\nlife.\n\nIV. _Fullers._--God prohibiting Adam and Eve from eating of the tree of\nlife.\n\nV. _Coupers._--Adam and Eve with a tree betwixt them; the serpent\ndeceiving them with apples; God speaking to them and cursing the\nserpent, and an angel with a sword driving them out of paradise.\n\nVI. _Armourers._--Adam and Eve, an angel with a spade and a distaff\nassigning them labour.\n\nVII. _Gaunters._--Abel and Cain killing sacrifices.\n\nVIII. _Shipwrights._--God foretelling Noah to make an ark of light wood.\n\nIX. _Fyshmongers, Pessyners, Mariners._--Noah in the ark with his wife\nand three children, and divers animals.\n\nX. _Perchemyners, Bukbynders._--Abraham sacrificing his son Isaac; a\nram, bush, and angel.\n\nXI. _Hosyers._--Moses exalting the serpent in the wilderness; king\nPharaoh; eight Jews admiring and expecting.\n\nXII. _Spicers._--Mary and a doctor declaring the sayings of the prophets\nabout the future birth of Christ; an angel saluting her. Mary saluting\nElizabeth.\n\nXIII. _Peuterers, Founders._--Mary, Joseph willing to put her away, an\nangel speaking to them that they should go to Bethlehem.\n\nXIV. _Tylers._--Mary, Joseph, a midwife, the child born lying in a\nmanger betwixt an ox and an ass, and the angel speaking to the\nshepherds.\n\nXV. _Chaundelers._--The shepherds speaking by turns; the star in the\neast; an angel giving joy to the shepherds that a child was born.\n\nXVI. _Goldsmithes, Orfeures._--The three kings coming from the east,\nHerod asking them about the child Christ; with the son of Herod, two\ncounsellors and a messenger.\n\nXVII. _Gold-beters, Mone-makers._--Mary with the child and the star\nabove, and the three kings offering gifts.\n\nXVIII. _Masons._--Mary with the child; Joseph, Anna, and a nurse with\nyoung pigeons; Simeon receiving the child in his arms, and two sons of\nSimeon.\n\nXIX. _Marashals._--Mary with the child, and Joseph flying into Egypt, by\nan angel's telling them.\n\nXX. _Girdellers, Naylers, Sawters._--Herod commanding the children to be\nslain, four soldiers with lances, two counsellors of the king, and four\nwomen lamenting the slaughter of them.\n\nXXI. _Sporiers, Lorymers._--The doctors, the child Jesus sitting in the\ntemple in the midst of them, hearing them and asking them questions.\nFour Jews, Mary and Joseph seeking him and finding him in the temple.\n\nXXII. _Barbers._--Jesus, John the baptist baptising him, and two angels\nhelping them.\n\nXXIII. _Vyntners._--Jesus, Mary, bridgeroom and bride, master of the\nhousehold with his family with six water-pots, where water is turned\ninto wine.\n\nXXIV. _Smythes, Fevers._--Jesus upon the pinnacle of the temple; Satan\ntempting with stones; two angels administering, etc.\n\nXXV. _C[orvisors.]_--Peter, James and John; Jesus ascending into the\nmountain and transfiguring himself before them. Moses and Elias\nappearing, and a voice speaking from a cloud.\n\nXXVI. _Elennagers._--Simon the leper asking Jesus if he would eat with\nhim. Two disciples; Mary Magdalene washing the feet of Jesus, and wiping\nthem with her hair.\n\nXXVII. _Plummers, Patten-makers._--Jesus, two Apostles, the woman taken\nin adultery, four Jews accusing her.\n\nXXVIII. _Pouch-makers, Botillers, Cap-makers._--Lazarus in the\nsepurchre; Mary Magdalene, Martha, and two Jews admiring.\n\nXXIX. _Vestment-makers, Skynners._--Jesus upon an ass with its foal;\ntwelve Apostles following Jesus; six rich and six poor men, with eight\nboys with branches of palm trees, constantly saying blessed, etc., and\nZaccheus ascending into a sycamore tree.\n\nXXX. _Cuttelers, Blade-smythes, Shethers, Scalers, Buklemakers,\nHorners._--Pilate, Caiaphas, two soldiers, three Jews, Judas selling\nJesus.\n\nXXXI. _Bakers, Waterleders._--The supper of the Lord and paschal Lamb,\ntwelve apostles; Jesus, tied about with a linen towel, washing their\nfeet. The institution of the sacrament of the body of Christ in the new\nlaw, and communion of the Apostles.\n\nXXXII. _Cordwaners._--Pilate, Caiaphas, Annas, forty armed soldiers,\nMalchas, Peter, James, John, Jesus, and Judas kissing and betraying him.\n\nXXXIII. _Bowers, Fletchers._--Jesus, Annas, Caiaphas, and four Jews\nstriking and bastinadoing Christ. Peter, the woman accusing him, and\nMalchas.\n\nXXXIV. _Tapisers, Couchers._--Jesus, Pilate, Annas, Caiaphas; two\ncounsellors and four Jews accusing Christ.\n\nXXXV. _Littesters._--Herod, two counsellors, four soldiers, Jesus, and\nthree Jews.\n\nXXXVI. _Cukes, Water-leders._--Pilate, Annas, Caiaphas, two Jews, and\nJudas carrying from them thirty pieces of silver.\n\nXXXVII. _Sauce-makers._--Judas hanging himself.\n\nXXXVIII. _Milners, Tiel-makers, Ropers, Cevers, Turners, Hayresters,\nBollers._--Jesus, Pilate, Caiaphas, Annas, six soldiers carrying spears\nand ensigns, and other four leading Jesus from Herod desiring Barabbas\nto be released and Jesus to be crucified, and then binding and scourging\nhim, putting a crown of thorns upon his head; three soldiers casting\nlots for the vesture of Jesus.\n\nXXXIX. _Shermen._--Jesus covered with blood bearing his cross towards\nmount Calvary, Simon Sereneus, etc.\n\nXL. _Pynners, Lateners, Paynters._--The cross, Jesus extended upon it on\nthe earth; four Jews scourging him with whips, and afterwards erecting\nthe cross, with Jesus upon it, on Mount Calvary.\n\nXLI. _Bouchers, Pulterers._--The cross, two thieves crucified and Jesus\nsuspended betwixt them; Mary the mother of Jesus, John, Mary, James and\nSalome; a soldier with a lance, and a servant with a sponge. Pilate,\nAnnas, Caiaphas, a centurion, Joseph of Arimathea, and Nicodemus taking\nhim down and laying him in the sepulchre.\n\nXLII. _Satellers, Sellers, Glasiers._--Jesus destroying hell; twelve\ngood and twelve evil spirits.\n\nXLIII. _Carpenters, Joyners._--The centurion declaring to Pilate,\nCaiaphas and Annas, with other Jews, the signs appearing on the death of\nJesus.\n\nXLIV. _Cartwrights, Carvers, Sawyers._--Jesus rising from the sepulchre,\nfour soldiers armed, and three Marias lamenting; Pilate, Caiaphas, and\nAnnas; a young man clothed in white sitting in the sepulchre and talking\nto the women.\n\nXLV. _Wyedrawers._--Jesus, Mary, Mary Magdalene with spices.\n\nXLVI. _Broggers, Wool-pakkers, Wadsmen._--Jesus, Luke and Cleophas in\nthe form of travellers.\n\nXLVII. _Escriviners, Lumners, Questors, Dubbors._--Jesus, Peter, John,\nJames, Philip and other Apostles; Thomas feeling the wounds of Jesus.\n\nXLVIII. _Taillyoures._--Mary, John the Evangelist, two angels, and\neleven Apostles; Jesus ascending before them, and four angels bearing a\ncloud.\n\nXLIX. _Potters._--Mary, two angels, eleven Apostles, the Holy Ghost\ndescending upon them, and four Jews admiring.\n\nL. _Drapers._--Jesus, Mary, Gabriel with two angels, two virgins and\nthree Jews of the kindred of Mary, eight Apostles, and two devils.\n\nLI. _Lynwevers._--Four Apostles bearing the shrine of Mary, Fergus\nhanging upon it with two other Jews, and one angel.\n\nLII. _Wevers of wollen._--Mary ascending with a multitude of angels;\neight Apostles, with Thomas preaching in the desert.\n\nLIII. _Hostilers._--Mary, and Jesus crowning her with a great number of\nangels.\n\nLIV. _Mercers._--Jesus, Mary, twelve Apostles; four angels with\ntrumpets, and four with a lance with two scourges; four good and four\nbad spirits, and six devils.\n\n\n\nII.--THE WAKEFIELD (OR WOODKIRK) PLAYS\n\n\n_From the Towneley Collection_\n\nI. Creatio.\n\nII. Mactatio Abel.\n\nIII. Processus Noe cum filiis.\n\nIV. Abraham.\n\nV. Isaac.\n\nVI. Jacob.\n\nVII. Processus Prophetarum.\n\nVIII. Pharao.\n\nIX. C\u00e6sar Augustus.\n\nX. Annunciatio.\n\nXI. Salutatio Elizabeth.\n\nXII. Prima Pagina Pastorum.\n\nXIII. Secunda Pagina Pastorum.\n\nXIV. Oblatio Magorum.\n\nXV. Fugatio Joseph et Mari\u00e6 in Egyptum.\n\nXVI. Magnus Herodes.\n\nXVII. Purificatio Mari\u00e6.\n\nXVIII. Pagina Doctorum.\n\nXIX. Johannes Baptista.\n\nXX. Conspiratio et Captio.\n\nXXI. Coliphizatio.\n\nXXII. Flagellatio.\n\nXXIII. Processus Crucis.\n\nXXIV. Processus Talentorum.\n\nXXV. Extractio Animarum ab Inferno.\n\nXXVI. Resurrectio Domini.\n\nXXVII. Peregrini.\n\nXXVIII. Thomas Indi\u00e6.\n\nXXIX. Ascensio Domini.\n\nXXX. Juditium.\n\nXXXI. Lazarus.\n\nXXXII. Suspensio Jud\u00e6.\n\n\n\nIII.--THE CHESTER PLAYS\n\n\nI. _The Fall of Lucifer_, by the Tanners.\n\nII. _The Creation_, by the Drapers.\n\nIII. _The Deluge_, by the Dyers.\n\nIV. _Abraham, Melchisedech, and Lot_, by the Barbers and Wax-chandlers.\n\nV. _Moses, Balak, and Balaam_, by the Hatters and Linen-drapers.\n\nVI. _The Salutation and Nativity_, by the Wrights.\n\nVII. _The Shepherds feeding their flocks by night_, by the Painters and\nGlaziers.\n\nVIII. _The three Kings_, by the Vintners.\n\nIX. _The Oblation of the three Kings_, by the Mercers.\n\nX. _The Killing of the Innocents_, by the Goldsmiths.\n\nXI. _The Purification_, by the Blacksmiths.\n\nXII. _The Temptation_, by the Butchers.\n\nXIII. _The Blindmen and Lazarus_, by the Glovers.\n\nXIV. _Jesus and the Lepers_, by the Corvisors.\n\nXV. _The last Supper_, by the Bakers.\n\nXVI. _The Passion and Crucifixion of Christ_, by the Fletchers, Coopers,\nand Ironmongers.\n\nXVII. _The Descent into Hell_, by the Cooks.\n\nXVIII. _The Resurrection_, by the Skinners.\n\nXIX. _The Appearing of Christ to the two Disciples_, by the Saddlers.\n\nXX. _The Ascension_, by the Tailors.\n\nXXI. _The Election of St. Mathias, sending of the Holy Ghost_, by the\nFishmongers.\n\nXXII. _Ezekiel_, by the Clothiers.\n\nXXIII. _Antichrist_, by the Dyers.\n\nXXIV. _The Day of Judgement_, by the Websters.\n\n\n\nIV--THE LUDUS COVENTRI\u00c6[631]\n\n\nI. The Creation.\n\nII. The Fall of Man.\n\nIII. The Death of Abel.\n\nIV. Noah's Flood.\n\nV. Abraham's Sacrifice.\n\nVI. Moses and the Two Tables.\n\nVII. The Genealogy of Christ.\n\nVIII. Anna's Pregnancy.\n\nIX. Mary in the Temple.\n\nX. Her Betrothment.\n\nXI. The Salutation and Conception.\n\nXII. Joseph's Return.\n\nXIII. The Visit to Elizabeth.\n\nXIV. The Trial of Joseph and Mary.\n\nXV. The Birth of Christ.\n\nXVI. The Shepherd's Offering.\n\nXVII. Caret in MS. XVIII. Adoration of the Magi. XIX. The Purification.\n\nXX. Slaughter of the Innocents.\n\nXXI. Christ disputing in the Temple.\n\nXXII. The Baptism of Christ.\n\nXXIII. The Temptation.\n\nXXIV. The Woman taken in Adultery.\n\nXXV. Lazarus.\n\nXXVI. Council of the Jews.\n\nXXVII. Mary Magdalen.\n\nXXVIII. Christ betrayed.\n\nXXIX. Herod.\n\nXXX. The Trial of Christ.\n\nXXXI. The Dream of Pilate's Wife.\n\nXXXII. The Crucifixion.\n\nXXXIII. The Descent into Hell.\n\nXXXIV. Sealing of the Tomb.\n\nXXXV. The Resurrection.\n\nXXXVI. The Three Marias.\n\nXXXVII. Christ appearing to Mary Magdalen.\n\nXXXVIII. The Pilgrim of Emaus.\n\nXXXIX. The Ascension.\n\nXL. Descent of the Holy Ghost.\n\nXLI. The Assumption of the Virgin.\n\nXLII. Doomsday.\n\n\n\n\nAPPENDIX D\n\n\n\nI.--Properties and Dresses used for the Coventry Smiths' Pageant of the\nTrial, Condemnation, and Crucifixion of Christ between the Years 1449\nand 1585\n\n\nThe Cross with a Rope to draw it up, and a Curtain hanging before it.\nGilding for the Pillar and the Cross.\n2 Pair of Gallows.\n4 Scourges and a Pillar.\nScaffold.\nFanes to the Pageant.\nMending of Imagery occurs 1469.\nA Standard of red Buckram.\nTwo red Pensiles of Cloth painted, and silk Fringe.\nIron to hold up the Streamer.\n\n4 Gowns and 4 Hoods for the Tormentors.--(These are afterwards described\nas Jackets of black buckram with nails and dice upon them.) Other 4\ngowns with damask flowers; also 2 Jackets party red and black.\n\n2 Mitres (for Cayphas and Annas).\nA Rochet for one of the Bishops.\nGod's Coat of white leather, 6 skins.\nA Staff for the Demon.\n2 Spears.\nGloves (12 pair at once).\nHerod's Crest of Iron.\nScarlet Hoods and a Tabard.\nHats and Caps.\nCheverel [Peruke] for God.\n3 Cheverels and a Beard.\n2 Cheverels gilt for Jesus and Peter.\nFaulchion for Herod.\nScarlet Gown.\nMaces.\n\n\n\nII.--The Chester \"Bannes\" or Bans\n\n\nReverende lordes and ladyes all,\nThat at this time here assembled bee,\nBy this messuage understande you shall,\nThat sometymes there was mayor of this citie,\nSir John Arnway, Knyghte, who most worthilye\nContented himselfe to set out an playe\nThe devise of one Done Randali, moonke of Chester Abbey.\n\n\"This moonke, moonke-like, in scriptures well seene,\nIn storyes travelled with the best sorte;\nIn pagentes set fourth, apparently to all eyne,\nThe Olde and Newe Testament with livelye comforte;\nIntermynglinge therewith, onely to make sporte,\nSome things not warranted by any writt,\nWhich to gladd the hearers he woulde men to take yt.\n\n\"This matter he abrevited into playes twenty-foure,\nAnd every playe of the matter gave but a taste,\nLeavinge for better learninges circumstances to accomplishe,\nFor his proceedinges maye appeare to be in haste:\nYet all together unprofitable his labour he did not waste,\nFor at this daye, and ever, he deserveth the fame\nWhich all moonkes deserve professinge that name.\n\n       *       *       *       *       *\n\n\"This worthy Knyghte Arnway, then mayor of this citie,\nThis order toke, as declare to you I shall,\nThat by twenty-fower occupations, artes, craftes, or misteries,\nThese pagentes shoulde be played affter breeffe rehearsall;\nFor every pagente a cariage to be provyded withall,\nIn which sorte we purpose this Whitsontyde,\nOur pagentes into three partes to devyde.\n\n\"Now you worshippful Tanners that of custume olde\nThe fall of Lucifer did set out,\nSome writers awarrante your matter, therefore be boulde\nLustelye to playe the same to all the rowtte;\nAnd yf any thereof stand in any doubte,\nYour author his author hath, your shewe let bee,\nGood speech, fyne players, with apparill comelye.\n\n\"The good symple water-leaders and drawers of deey,\nSee that your Arke in all poyntes be prepared;\nOf Noy and his children the wholl storye,\nAnd of the universall floude, by you shalbe played.\n\n\"The Sacrifice that faithfull Abraham of his sonne should make,\nYou barbers and waxe-chaundlers of Aunciente tyme,\nIn the fourth pageante with paines you doe take,\nIn decente sorte set out--the storie is ffine--\nThe offeringe of Melchesedecke of breade and wine,\nAnd the presentacion therof set in your playe,\nSuffer you not in any poynte the story to decaye.\n\n\n\nIII.--Cornish Miracle Plays\n\n\n[_From Norris's \"Ancient Cornish Drama\"_]\n\nWe have no notice of the performance of the Cornish plays earlier than\nthat of Richard Carew, whose survey of Cornwall was first printed in\n1602. In his time they even played in regular amphitheatres, and the\naccount he gives is well worth extracting, as it affords a vivid picture\nby one who was in all probability an eye-witness, nearly three centuries\nago. \"The quasy miracle, in English, a miracle play, is a kinde of\ninterlude, compiled in Cornish out of some Scripture history, with that\ngrossenes which accompanied the Romanes _vetus Comedia_. For\nrepresenting it, they raise an earthen amphitheatre in some open field,\nhaving the Diameter of his enclosed playne some 40 or 50 foot. The\nCountry people flock from all sides, many miles off to hear and see it;\nfor they have therein devils and devices, to delight as well the eye as\nthe eare; the players conne not their parts without booke, but are\nprompted by one called the Ordinary, who followeth at their back with\nthe booke in his hand, and telleth them softly what they must pronounce\naloud.\"\n\nWriting a century and a half later than Carew, Dr. Borlase describes the\namphitheatres in which these Cornish plays were given; more particularly\none in the parish of St. Just near the Land's End. This _round_ as it\nwas popularly called, was \"an exact circle of 126 feet in diameter; the\nperpendicular height of the bank, from the area within, now seven feet;\nbut the height from the bottom of the ditch without, ten feet at\npresent, formerly more. The seats consist of six steps, fourteen inches\nwide, and one foot high, with one on the top of all, when the rampart is\nabout seven feet wide.\" Another round or amphitheatre was described by\nDr. Borlase as a perfectly level area 130 feet across, and surrounded by\nan earthen mound eight feet high.\n\nIn such magnificent surroundings of open-air, picturesque country, sea,\nand sky, were these curious plays given to instruct and edify a\nmultitude drawn at large from the country-side, which often must remain\ncamped for two or three days in the neighbourhood to see the\nperformances out.\n\n\n\nIV.--From \"The Cornish Drama,\" by Henry Jenner\n\n\n(_Celtic Review_, April 1907)\n\n\"The trilogy known as the _Ordinalia_ consists of:--(_a_) _Origo Mundi_,\nwhich begins with the Creation of the World, ... and ends with the\nbuilding of Solomon's Temple; (_b_) _Passio Domini_, which represents\nthe Temptation of Christ and the events from the Entry into Jerusalem\nto the Entombment; (_c_) _Resurrectio Domini_, which gives the story of\nthe Harrowing of Hell, ... the Resurrection, and the events between the\nResurrection and the Ascension with which it ends. Interpolated in the\nmiddle is the Legend of St. Veronica, and Tiberius, and the Death of\nPilate. Running through all three is the old legend of the Origin of the\nWood of the Cross.\" (Our two Mysteries are from \"_C_\").\n\n\n\nV.--Contemporary Account of Sir David Lindsay's \"Satire of the Three\nEstates\"\n\n\n(_From a Letter Written by Sir Wm. Eure, 26th Jan. 1540_)\n\n\"In the feast of Ephipane at Lightgowe, before the king, queene, and the\nwhole counsaile, spirituall and temporall.--In the firste entres come in\nSolace (whose parte was but to make mery, sing ballets with his\nfellowes, and drink at the interluydes of the play), whoe showed firste\nto all the audience the play to be played. Next come in a king, who\npassed to his throne, having nae speche to thende of the play, and then\nto ratify and approve, as in Parliament, all things done by the rest of\nthe players, which represented The Three Estates. With him came his\ncortiers, Placebo, Picthank, and Flatterye, and sic alike gard: one\nswering he was the lustiest, starkeste, best proportionit, and most\nvaleyant man that ever was; and ane other swore he was the beste with\nlong-bowe, crosse-bowe, and culverin, and so fourth. Thairafter there\ncome a man armed in harness, with a swerde drawn in his hande, a Bushop,\na Burgesman, and Experience, clede like a Doctor; who set them all down\non the deis under the King. After them come a Poor Man, who did go up\nand down the scaffolde, making a hevie complainte that he was hereyet,\nthrow the courtiers taking his fewe in one place, and his tackes in\nanother; wherthrough he had sceyled his house, his wyfe and childrene\nbeggyng thair brede, and so of many thousands in Scotland; saying thair\nwas no remedy to be gotten, as he was neither acquainted with controller\nnor treasurer. And then he looked to the King, and said he was not king\nin Scotland, fore there was ane other king in Scotland that hanged Johne\nArmstrang, with his fellowes, Sym the Laird, and mony other mae; but he\nhad lefte ane thing undone. Then he made a long narracione of the\noppression of the poor, by the taking of the corse-presaunte beists, and\nof the herrying of poor men by the consistorye lawe, and of many other\nabusions of the Spiritualitie and Church. Then the Bushop raise and\nrebuked him. Then the Man of Armes alledged the contraire, and commanded\nthe poor man to go on. The poor man proceeds with a long list of the\nbushop's evil practices, the vices of cloisters, etc. This proved by\nExperience, who, from a New Testament, shows the office of a bushop. The\nMan of Armes and the Burges approve of all that was said against the\nclergy, and alledge the expediency of a reform, with the consent of\nParliament. The Bushop dissents. The Man of Armes and the Burges said\nthey were two, and he but one, wherefore their voice should have most\neffect. Thereafter the King, in the play, ratified, approved, and\nconfirmed all that was rehearsed.\"\n\n\n\n\nFOOTNOTES:\n\n\n\n[1] _rade_, quickly.\n\n[2] sew, _i.e._ stitch on the planks together.\n\n[3] \"Bow\"--the arched frame on which the ship is built.\n\n[4] tents\n\n[5] _Extracts from the Municipal Records of York_, 1843, and _Walks\nthrough the City of York_.\n\n[6] See Appendix C. for the \"Chester Banns.\"\n\n[7] is impaired.\n\n[8] know.\n\n[9] mediator.\n\n[10] been gotten, been born.\n\n[11] God.\n\n[12] born.\n\n[13] blame.\n\n[14] If you go by me.\n\n[15] with.\n\n[16] season.\n\n[17] speed in help of all.\n\n[18] foe.\n\n[19] cease.\n\n[20] slime, or pitch.\n\n[21] take.\n\n[22] hinder, stop.\n\n[23] vex.\n\n[24] prepared.\n\n[25] slime, mud.\n\n[26] prepare.\n\n[27] tide.\n\n[28] nonsense.\n\n[29] advice.\n\n[30] noise.\n\n[31] immediately.\n\n[32] stop.\n\n[33] ready.\n\n[34] settled.\n\n[35] comfortable.\n\n[36] go.\n\n[37] Business, occupation.\n\n[38] And being conquered she deals a slap.\n\n[39] fidelity.\n\n[40] kind.\n\n[41] faith.\n\n[42] haste.\n\n[43] prepare.\n\n[44] steer.\n\n[45] ready.\n\n[46] Thee now must I have in mind.\n\n[47] promise.\n\n[48] cease.\n\n[49] leave.\n\n[50] covenant.\n\n[51] anger.\n\n[52] in haste.\n\n[53] hindering.\n\n[54] fail.\n\n[55] might.\n\n[56] without suspicion.\n\n[57] beseech.\n\n[58] precious stones.\n\n[59] might.\n\n[60] verily.\n\n[61] leasing.\n\n[62] bequest: \"Maundy\" really meant \"command.\"\n\n[63] faith.\n\n[64] might.\n\n[65] nurseling, foster-child.\n\n[66] lament.\n\n[67] count.\n\n[68] fore-buy (pre-purchase with his blood).\n\n[69] faith.\n\n[70] verily.\n\n[71] truly.\n\n[72] household.\n\n[73] be slack, or slow.\n\n[74] \"middle-yard,\"--farm-yard: _i.e._ instead of all creatures from the\nfarm-yard.\n\n[75] hesitate.\n\n[76] obedient.\n\n[77] deny.\n\n[78] reward.\n\n[79] afraid.\n\n[80] kerchief.\n\n[81] hesitate, delay.\n\n[82] in good faith.\n\n[83] promised I.\n\n[84] debonair.\n\n[85] find, find means.\n\n[86] numb of hand.\n\n[87] fast tied (to a lord, as a public-house to a brewer).\n\n[88] husbandmen.\n\n[89] a painted sleeve.\n\n[90] bragging.\n\n[91] peacock.\n\n[92] forego.\n\n[93] Benedicite.\n\n[94] spiteful.\n\n[95] we silly wedded men endure much woe.\n\n[96] placed, bestead.\n\n[97] is riven asunder.\n\n[98] briar.\n\n[99] tarrying.\n\n[100] slithers, slides away.\n\n[101] more and more.\n\n[102] You are two who wit, or know, all.\n\n[103] field.\n\n[104] hind.\n\n[105] till such time as we have made it.\n\n[106] stint our wages.\n\n[107] argue.\n\n[108] a light bargain yields badly.\n\n[109] went.\n\n[110] to make mirth among us.\n\n[111] stars.\n\n[112] \"harnes\" in original, which may mean \"harness.\"\n\n[113] such (of such).\n\n[114] I.\n\n[115] be thwacked, or flogged.\n\n[116] eye.\n\n[117] jest.\n\n[118] rumour (ill repute).\n\n[119] hot.\n\n[120] needle--not a little bit.\n\n[121] brood, children.\n\n[122] plaything.\n\n[123] worse.\n\n[124] early waked, or perhaps, wearied by watching.\n\n[125] over-walked.\n\n[126] at once.\n\n[127] Into thy hands I commend (them), Pontius Pilate.\n\n[128] few.\n\n[129] learn.\n\n[130] chare,--job, as in charwoman.\n\n[131] wicket.\n\n[132] toil.\n\n[133] flayed.\n\n[134] The devil of them give warning.\n\n[135] jest.\n\n[136] advisest, sayest so?\n\n[137] company.\n\n[138] Benedicite.\n\n[139] mad\n\n[140] dream.\n\n[141] sloth(?)\n\n[142] bellies.\n\n[143] brains.\n\n[144] prosper.\n\n[145] where.\n\n[146] waning moon.\n\n[147] comes.\n\n[148] lie.\n\n[149] plays.\n\n[150] thereto.\n\n[151] Help! or Halloo!\n\n[152] lost.\n\n[153] God forbid.\n\n[154] Horbery Shrubberies, near Wakefield.\n\n[155] die.\n\n[156] advise.\n\n[157] call.\n\n[158] \"take on,\" make game.\n\n[159] breathe.\n\n[160] nose (?) The \"so he\" is meant for a she.\n\n[161] enow, enough.\n\n[162] went.\n\n[163] went, were grazing.\n\n[164] bothers us, makes us suspect.\n\n[165] suspicion.\n\n[166] swelter.\n\n[167] fared.\n\n[168] been in labour.\n\n[169] confound it.\n\n[170] soft.\n\n[171] empty.\n\n[172] a boy.\n\n[173] a lie.\n\n[174] faith.\n\n[175] hubbub.\n\n[176] done.\n\n[177] day-star.\n\n[178] gem, something prankt out, or shown off, like a false gem.\n\n[179] scold\n\n[180] hight, be called.\n\n[181] say\n\n[182] bewitched\n\n[183] be avenged, wreak vengeance.\n\n[184] _i.e._ for a changeling.\n\n[185] curse nor flout.\n\n[186] chide.\n\n[187] vex about it.\n\n[188] gracious.\n\n[189] lost.\n\n[190] destroy.\n\n[191] free, or divine, One.\n\n[192] voice.\n\n[193] name, relate.\n\n[194] lightning.\n\n[195] star.\n\n[196] three short notes to a long one.\n\n[197] shouted it out.\n\n[198] take.\n\n[199] delay.\n\n[200] can mind.\n\n[201] eager.\n\n[202] unlearn'd, rude.\n\n[203] happiness.\n\n[204] demon, evil one.\n\n[205] worker of evil. The \"he\" in the next line refers to the Holy Babe\nagain.\n\n[206] pate, little tiny-pate\n\n[207] day-star.\n\n[208] hand.\n\n[209] set all alight; gave light to all.\n\n[210] could he (_i.e._ the babe) tell, name.\n\n[211] weened; _i.e._ laughed as if he knew all about it.\n\n[212] found.\n\n[213] bound.\n\n[214] Let us sing it aloft, or aloud!\n\n[215] \"Behold, a Virgin shall conceive!\"\n\n[216] glad.\n\n[217] for ever and ever.\n\n[218] deceits, darknesses.\n\n[219] commit.\n\n[220] physician, healer.\n\n[221] ruined.\n\n[222] equal or like.\n\n[223] messenger.\n\n[224] eyes.\n\n[225] wend, journey.\n\n[226] stay.\n\n[227] hill.\n\n[228] gust.\n\n[229] wold.\n\n[230] noble.\n\n[231] win.\n\n[232] News, news!\n\n[233] marvels.\n\n[234] descent, lineage.\n\n[235] give advice.\n\n[236] boldly, openly.\n\n[237] to.\n\n[238] \"The devil run away with you!\" The whole of this Herald's speech\nis in corrupt French, of which only the last speech, evidently a comic\n\"aside,\" is retained.\n\n[239] He that reigns, King in Judea and Israel.\n\n[240] strokes, loud blows.\n\n[241] tribute.\n\n[242] message.\n\n[243] await.\n\n[244] (?) and gentle or noble.\n\n[245] prepared.\n\n[246] undo.\n\n[247] prepared, ready.\n\n[248] All in company.\n\n[249] mien, face.\n\n[250] trouble, or from \"haro,\" help.\n\n[251] travel.\n\n[252] childbed, or lying-in chamber.\n\n[253] company.\n\n[254] go free.\n\n[255] summons.\n\n[256] childbed.\n\n[257] raiment.\n\n[258] fire.\n\n[259] mad.\n\n[260] wild countryman.\n\n[261] rede, advice.\n\n[262] fame.\n\n[263] reward.\n\n[264] order.\n\n[265] take.\n\n[266] slay.\n\n[267] deceiver.\n\n[268] mad.\n\n[269] say against it, deny it.\n\n[270] have been.\n\n[271] slay.\n\n[272] explore.\n\n[273] at once.\n\n[274] know.\n\n[275] vex.\n\n[276] destroyed.\n\n[277] heed.\n\n[278] boaster.\n\n[279] wisdom.\n\n[280] evil.\n\n[281] vanquish.\n\n[282] advise.\n\n[283] death.\n\n[284] idolatry.\n\n[285] meddle.\n\n[286] destroyed.\n\n[287] a-deal.\n\n[288] saddle.\n\n[289] _i.e._ Be not afraid to fall.\n\n[290] left unsaid.\n\n[291] prepared.\n\n[292] burst.\n\n[293] burst.\n\n[294] hands.\n\n[295] each sinew from sinew.\n\n[296] so may you thrive.\n\n[297] Good Lord!\n\n[298] there.\n\n[299] smith.\n\n[300] hammer.\n\n[301] part.\n\n[302] hands.\n\n[303] mortice (the hole cut in the ground-piece).\n\n[304] pleasantly.\n\n[305] buffeted.\n\n[306] strength.\n\n[307] mood.\n\n[308] hands.\n\n[309] cast up.\n\n[310] guiltless.\n\n[311] slay.\n\n[312] shew.\n\n[313] repose.\n\n[314] requitest.\n\n[315] lose.\n\n[316] labour.\n\n[317] in wont.\n\n[318] despoiled, destroyed.\n\n[319] thinks, knows.\n\n[320] _i.e._ Does he think we care how he suffers?\n\n[321] burst.\n\n[322] the grief I bear.\n\n[323] face, visage.\n\n[324] garments, aspect.\n\n[325] nurseling, fed child.\n\n[326] hold, rest.\n\n[327] how should I stand still in my place.\n\n[328] blue.\n\n[329] nails.\n\n[330] companion.\n\n[331] treasure.\n\n[332] liking.\n\n[333] blue.\n\n[334] more.\n\n[335] perish.\n\n[336] bear.\n\n[337] good, gain.\n\n[338] hard, dearly.\n\n[339] flesh.\n\n[340] faded.\n\n[341] doubt.\n\n[342] more.\n\n[343] fair, the opposite of uncouth.\n\n[344] Methinks.\n\n[345] followers.\n\n[346] weep.\n\n[347] He will beat down our fall or evil, as he promised.\n\n[348] promised.\n\n[349] without counsel.\n\n[350] torn.\n\n[351] in wont, habitually.\n\n[352] burst for no grief.\n\n[353] cease.\n\n[354] grief.\n\n[355] stay.\n\n[356] noble babe.\n\n[357] clothed.\n\n[358] high.\n\n[359] more.\n\n[360] against wrong.\n\n[361] go.\n\n[362] face, complexion.\n\n[363] surely.\n\n[364] blame.\n\n[365] die.\n\n[366] few.\n\n[367] weep.\n\n[368] promised.\n\n[369] beat down our bale, or evil.\n\n[370] promised.\n\n[371] place.\n\n[372] believe thy word.\n\n[373] pricks.\n\n[374] dole, or grief thou endurest.\n\n[375] cast about, cousin, in thy thought.\n\n[376] swinged with whips.\n\n[377] cease.\n\n[378] reed.\n\n[379] offer.\n\n[380] trouble.\n\n[381] at all costs.\n\n[382] pretended great prophecies.\n\n[383] quickly.\n\n[384] unless he can shew still further craft, or art.\n\n[385] all ways, quite.\n\n[386] Saying, as in a wise saw.\n\n[387] draw lots.\n\n[388] beguiled.\n\n[389] scroll.\n\n[390] am bewildered.\n\n[391] What meddle ye with?\n\n[392] What I wrote is written.\n\n[393] fellow.\n\n[394] ill fall the day.\n\n[395] quickly.\n\n[396] bear.\n\n[397] insults, miscallings.\n\n[398] knowing, willing.\n\n[399] grave.\n\n[400] host of men, company.\n\n[401] hands.\n\n[402] harm.\n\n[403] have compassion.\n\n[404] compelled.\n\n[405] torment.\n\n[406] counsel.\n\n[407] were gone.\n\n[408] put in grave.\n\n[409] in reason.\n\n[410] draw.\n\n[411] wound in his shroud.\n\n[412] caused them to make.\n\n[413] Easter.\n\n[414] father.\n\n[415] Adam's miss, or fall.\n\n[416] Sooth to say to thee.\n\n[417] rescue.\n\n[418] fiend.\n\n[419] betraying.\n\n[420] earthly food--the apple.\n\n[421] stead, state.\n\n[422] make.\n\n[423] stayed, kept.\n\n[424] sure.\n\n[425] slake thirst, lessen (or as in \"slack a fire\").\n\n[426] gentle, gracious.\n\n[427] linger.\n\n[428] cease, leave.\n\n[429] And all sing, _Salvator Mundi, 1st ver._\n\n[430] kenn'd, knew.\n\n[431] walking.\n\n[432] on earth.\n\n[433] wonders many.\n\n[434] deigneth, dignity.\n\n[435] fondled.\n\n[436] leal, true.\n\n[437] lasting life.\n\n[438] hal, salvation.\n\n[439] list I, care I, to live.\n\n[440] live in man, man's form.\n\n[441] declared.\n\n[442] flumen,--flood, river.\n\n[443] The Father's voice was made like a man's.\n\n[444] our cares to cool, cure, allay.\n\n[445] Elias.\n\n[446] earth.\n\n[447] confidently.\n\n[448] against.\n\n[449] din, noise.\n\n[450] to swell.\n\n[451] my wit waxes thin.\n\n[452] these souls men from us twine, divide.\n\n[453] harrow--hullaballoo.\n\n[454] hearest.\n\n[455] louts.\n\n[456] mixture.\n\n[457] amongst.\n\n[458] sparrian, to shut, to bar; sparian, preserve.\n\n[459] Ashtaroth.\n\n[460] Baal, Beryth and Belial.\n\n[461] makes.\n\n[462] lovely of face.\n\n[463] Lift your heads, oh ye gates, and be ye lift up, ye everlasting\ndoors, and the King of Glory shall come in.\n\n[464] help.\n\n[465] nigh.\n\n[466] hideously.\n\n[467] bolt the gates.\n\n[468] prosper.\n\n[469] watch.\n\n[470] wretch.\n\n[471] dwell.\n\n[472] go his way.\n\n[473] sturdy in every fight.\n\n[474] hearest thou?\n\n[475] are in thrall.\n\n[476] God-in-man.\n\n[477] the devil harry you all.\n\n[478] ails thee to shout so?\n\n[479] thy brain, I burst not out.\n\n[480] shut the gates.\n\n[481] betrays.\n\n[482] wend, go.\n\n[483] or we'll know it.\n\n[484] destroy.\n\n[485] traitors.\n\n[486] danger.\n\n[487] tricks.\n\n[488] his.\n\n[489] gauds, showy deeds.\n\n[490] from our bale, destruction.\n\n[491] hateful.\n\n[492] agreement, or forward precaution, foreword, prearrange.\n\n[493] his hire, reward.\n\n[494] to dwell here still.\n\n[495] since we hear thee say.\n\n[496] know.\n\n[497] taken in charge.\n\n[498] frustrate.\n\n[499] rive, take away.\n\n[500] be nought abased.\n\n[501] bound.\n\n[502] truss up, entangle (\"take in the toils\").\n\n[503] ding, knock.\n\n[504] see p. 153.\n\n[505] help.\n\n[506] see in the psalter.\n\n[507] I always said.\n\n[508] \"be naame,\" a technical term for seizure of another's goods.\n\n[509] make wreck of your works.\n\n[510] advise.\n\n[511] meddle.\n\n[512] gates.\n\n[513] ween.\n\n[514] twine, part asunder.\n\n[515] stead, place.\n\n[516] closed, fast shut.\n\n[517] help.\n\n[518] bailey, outer gate.\n\n[519] how am I woeful.\n\n[520] worse.\n\n[521] crook.\n\n[522] ready.\n\n[523] masteries.\n\n[524] knock, strike, beset.\n\n[525] Make him.\n\n[526] stratagem, treachery.\n\n[527] more, or stronger.\n\n[528] traitor.\n\n[529] afraid.\n\n[530] my gear, weapons, be ready.\n\n[531] gad-about, vagrant.\n\n[532] Bel ami, fair friend.\n\n[533] noise, hubbub.\n\n[534] pain, afflict.\n\n[535] profit.\n\n[536] ward, keeping.\n\n[537] aye syne, ever since.\n\n[538] go nigh.\n\n[539] ordained heretofore.\n\n[540] to get his meat, earn his bread.\n\n[541] I mind, remember.\n\n[542] mickle, much.\n\n[543] lives.\n\n[544] cease.\n\n[545] prophecy.\n\n[546] For no chattles need you crave (lack), or ask.\n\n[547] simple.\n\n[548] hearty.\n\n[549] amazed.\n\n[550] rave.\n\n[551] manifest, made known.\n\n[552] to thee, nor none of thine.\n\n[553] errest.\n\n[554] ready.\n\n[555] hire, reward.\n\n[556] taught.\n\n[557] workest.\n\n[558] know.\n\n[559] win, save (my men from woe).\n\n[560] concerns, things of note.\n\n[561] damned souls.\n\n[562] true prophets' tale.\n\n[563] bale, destruction.\n\n[564] quote, or read, the laws.\n\n[565] convinced ere we part.\n\n[566] saws, proverbs.\n\n[567] din, noise.\n\n[568] neither friend nor foe shall find release in hell.\n\n[569] sorrows sore shall never cease.\n\n[570] noble.\n\n[571] wend, go.\n\n[572] take them all from me.\n\n[573] methinks.\n\n[574] bethink.\n\n[575] dwell in woe.\n\n[576] to a stake.\n\n[577] moanest.\n\n[578] with measure and malice (malice aforethought) to meddle.\n\n[579] Cain.\n\n[580] Dathan and Abiram, and all of their.\n\n[581] each one.\n\n[582] learn.\n\n[583] henceforth.\n\n[584] my coming known.\n\n[585] by row, line by line, all in order.\n\n[586] doom.\n\n[587] judge them worse.\n\n[588] profit.\n\n[589] teach them not to permit.\n\n[590] follow mine (my laws).\n\n[591] turn them to it, I trow.\n\n[592] and make them grow well aware.\n\n[593] fast-bound.\n\n[594] fly not far.\n\n[595] Bel ami (fair friend), thou shalt be smitten down.\n\n[596] grief.\n\n[597] So said I e'er,--always.\n\n[598] sins.\n\n[599] mickle, great of might.\n\n[600] companion.\n\n[601] torments.\n\n[602] taste.\n\n[603] master.\n\n[604] in fear.\n\n[605] since before thee.\n\n[606] bode-word; (foreboding, forewarning).\n\n[607] \"Thou didst not leave, oh Lord, my soul in hell!\"\n\n[608] Whither the damned shall go.\n\n[609] live in woe.\n\n[610] flee, escape.\n\n[611] venomous.\n\n[612] committed.\n\n[613] overwhelm.\n\n[614] blister.\n\n[615] Joshua.\n\n[616] benevolent.\n\n[617] flowing milk and honey.\n\n[618] Phineas.\n\n[619] Joshua.\n\n[620] trespass.\n\n[621] inhabitants of Jerusalem.\n\n[622] Joash.\n\n[623] leprosy.\n\n[624] immediately.\n\n[625] Zephaniah\n\n[626] Mordecai.\n\n[627] Because I am a youth.\n\n[628] asks.\n\n[629] Corinthians.\n\n[630] Esaias.\n\n[631] Though this is called the _Ludus Coventri\u00e6_, there is no evidence\nthat the cycle ever was played at Coventry, or that at any time more\nthan ten pageants were produced there by the town guilds. The Coventry\nNativity Play that we print (from the text of Robert Croo, 1534) is one\nof the ten. It was played by the \"Company of Shearmen and Tailors.\"","title":"\"Everyman,\" with other interludes, including eight miracle plays","tradition":"scripture-revelation","translated_text":null,"word_count":56827}