User:RHaworth/mystery/src/The Wryghtes and Sklaters Plaie

On stage: Mary’s stool (SR); throne covered with sheepskin. Preset offstage: Manger (behind screen); Star (in choir stalls).

Entire cast comes onto stage from around body of the Church during opening music. At end all exit, revealing Mary sitting on stool and Gabriel standing USC. Sybil hidden in “cave”.

Gabriel Hail be thou, Mary, mother free, Full of Grace. God is with thee. Amongst all women blessed thou be, And the fruit of thy body.

Mary Ah Lord, that sittest up on high Wonderously now marvel I - A simple maiden of my degree To be greeted so graciously.

Gabriel Mary, ne dread thee nought this case With Great God found that hast Among all other special grace. Therefore Mary, thou shall Conceive and bear - as I tell thee A child; Jesus his name shall be. So great shall never none be as he, And call-ed Goddes Son.

And our Lord God, believe thou me, Shall give him David his father&rsquo;s See In Jacob&rsquo;s house to reign shall he With full might evermore. And he that shall be born of thee Endless life in him shall be And such renown and royalty Had never none before

Mary How may this be, thou beast so bright? In sin know I no worldly wight.

Gabriel The Holy Ghost shall in thee light From God in majesty And shade thee softly in sight Therefore that holy one, as I have hight That thou shalt bear through Goddes might His Son shall call-ed be. Elizabeth appears at altar and slowly approaches

Elizabeth that barren was As thou may see, conceiv-ed has In age a son through Goddes grace; His birth shall be of bliss. The sixth month is gone now again Since men did call her barren; But nothing to Goddes might and main Impossible is.

Mary Now since that God wills it so be And such grace hath sent to me, Bless-ed evermore be he; To please him I am glad. Lo, Goddes Chosen meekly here - And Lord God, prince of power Let all things fall in such manner, This Word that thou has said.

The Angel leaves into pulpit and Mary greets Elizabeth

Elizabeth, Cousin, God be with thee.

Elizabeth Mary, bless-ed shalt thou be, And the fruit that comes of thee Among women all. Wonderly now marvels me That Mary, Goddes Mother free Greets me thus in simplicity Lord, how may this befall?

When thou didst greet me, sweet Mary The child stirred in my body For great joy of thy company And the fruit that is in thee. Bless-ed be thou ever and aye That lived so well and steadfastly, For what was said to thee, lady, Fulfilled and done shall be.

Mary Elizabeth, therefore will I Thank the Lord, King of mercy With joyful mirth and melody And laud to his liking: &ldquo;Magnificat&rdquo; while I have to me, &ldquo;Anima mea dominum&rdquo; To Christ that in my kind is come, Devoutly will I sing.

Et exaltavit spiritus meus in Deo etc. - Music - Magnificat

Joseph enters and sits

Elizabeth Mary, now rede I that we be gone To Joseph thy husband anon; Lest he for missing thee make moan That is now most of need,

Mary Elizabeth, cousin, to do so good is Lest he suppose I make amiss. But God that hath ordain-ed this Will bear witness to my deed.

<c>Elizabeth Joseph, God thee save and see, Thy wife have I brought to thee

<c>Joseph Alas, alas and woe is me! Who has made her with child? Well I wist December and May Might not accord by no way. For many years might I not play Nor work no works wild.

Three months she hath been from me Now has she gotten her, as I see A great belly like to thee <d>i.e. Elizabeth Since she went away. And mine it is not, be thou bold, For I am old, and never could These thirty winters - though I would - No longer play no play.

<d>Mary and Elizabeth exit up towards altar

Alas, where may I go For loath is me my wife to shend Therefore from her will I wend Into some other place. For to deceive will I nought Feebly though she have wrought, To leave her privily is my thought That no man know this case.

God, let never an old man Take to wife a young woman Nor set his heart upon her Lest he beguil-ed be. For accord there may be none, Nor they never be at one And that is seen in many a one As well as in me.

Therefore shall I sleep a while, My wife that me can thus beguile For I will go from her; yet to fly Me is loath, truth to say. This case makes me so heavy That needs sleep now must I Lord, on her have thou mercy For her misdeed today. <d>Joseph sleeps. Angel speaks from pulpit

<c>Angel Joseph, let be thy feeble thought, Take Mary thy wife and dread thee nought, For wickedly she hath not wrought; But this is Goddes will. <d>Mary approaches from US during this The child that she shall bear iwys Of the Holy Ghost begotten it is, To save mankind that did amiss And prophesy to fulfil.

<c>Joseph Ah, now I know, Lord, it is so, I will no more be her foe; But while I may on earth go, With her I will be. Now Christ in our likeness does alight As the prophets before behight. Lord God, most of might With weal I worship thee.

<d>Music. Mary and Joseph exit down aisle. Angel leaves. Herald enters, throws sheepskin from throne. Stage Manager picks it up, together with Mary’s stool. Places stool in centre of screen, takes sheepskin offstage

<c>Herald Make room Lordings, and give us way And let Octavian come and play, And Sybil the Sage, that full fair Maid To tell you of prophesy. The Lord that died on Good Friday He have you all both night and day! Farewell Lordings, I go my way I may no longer abide. <d>He stands aside as Octavian and Senators enter

<c>Octavian I prov-ed Prince most of power, Under heaven highest am I here.

My name Octavian call-ed is - All me about full in my bliss, For wholly all this world, iwys Is ready at my own will. No man on earth dare do amiss Against me - I tell you this.

For I have multipli-ed more The city of Rome since I was bore Than ever was any before Since I had this kingdom. For what with strength and strokes sore Leading Lordship, lovely lore, All this world has been yore Tributary unto Rome.

Therefore as Lord now likes me To prove my might and power free For I will send about and see How many heads I have. All the world shall written be Great and small in each degree That dwell in shire or in city - King, clerk, knight and knave.

Each man one penny shall pay Therefore my beadle, do as I say: <d>to the Herald In the world&rsquo;s middle by each way This business shall begin.

And this is fully my intent, That each man appear present His penny for to pay. And by that penny, as well is meant, All acknowledge to be obedient To Rome, by gift of such a rent From that time on for aye.

Have done, boy! Art thou not gone?

<c>Herald All ready, my Lord!

<c>Octavian Boy, therefore by my sword Thou must have thy reward. The highest horse on Hampstead Heath Take thou for thy travel

<c>Herald Grant mercy Lord, perdi This hackney will well serve me; For a great Lord in your degree Should ride in such array, That be high in dignity. And also high and swift is he: Therefore that reverence take ye, My dear Lord I you pray.

But your errand shall be done anon! First into Judee I will be gone, And summon the people everyone, Both shire and eke city.

<c>Octavian Boy, there be ladies many a one; Among them all choose thee one Take the fairest - or else none - And freely I give her thee. <d>Herald leaves

<c>1st Senator My Lord Octavian, we be sent From all Rome with good intent; Thy people there have each one meant As God to honour thee. And to that point we do assent, Poor and rich in Parliament; For so loved a Lord, verily Was never in this city

<c>2nd Senator Yea surely sir, their will is this: To honour thee as god with bliss. For thou did never to them amiss In word, nor thought nor deed. Peace hath been long, and still is; No man in thy time lost aught of his. Therefore their will is so iwys To give you this your meed.

<c>Octavian Welcome, my friends in good faith For you be obedient to my pay. I thank you, all that ever I may, The homage ye do to me. But folly it were by many a way Such sovereignty for to assaye. Since I must die, I know not what day, To desire such dignity.

For of all flesh, blood and bone Made I am, born of a woman, And surely no other matter, none Sheweth itself in me. Neither of iron, wood nor stone Am I not wrought, you know each one. And of my life the best is gone, Age shows himself in me.

And Godhead needs in all thing Time that hath no beginning And never shall have ending And none of this have I. Wherefore by very proof shewing, Though I be highest worldly King, Of godhead have I no knowing But only of mankind.

But yet enquire of this will we, Of her that has grace to see Things that afterward shall be By grace of prophesy. Sybil the sage, tell me this thing For thou has wit as no man living Shall ever be any earthly king To pass me in degree?

<d>Sybil emerges from her “cave” Ethereal sound to accompany her prophesying

<c>Sybil Yea sir, I tell you without lying A babe born shall be, bliss to bring. The which that never has beginning Nor never shall ended be.

<c>Octavian Sybil, I pray thee specially By signs thou would me certify: What time that Lord so royally To reign he shall begin.

<c>Sybil Sir, I shall tell you knowingly His signs when I see them verily But when he comes, through his mercy Mankind he will remember.

Well I wot, forsooth, iwys That God will bring mankind to bliss And send from heaven - believe well this - His son, our saviour.

But what time, sir in good faith That he will come can I not say. Therefore in this place will I pray To greatest God of might. And if I see aught to your pay Through His spirit in any way Warn you I shall anon this day And show it in your sight

<d>Sybil retreats into cave. Octavian & Senators exit. Music? Herald enters and calls out:

<c>Herald Peace, I bid, King and knight, Men and women and each wight; Till I have told my tale aright, Stand still, both strong and stout. My Lord Octavian, much of might Commands you should be ready right: Tribute he will have in height Of all this world about.

He will have written each country Castle, shire and eke city - Men and women, believe you me - And all that be therein. A penny of each man have will he: The value of ten pence it shall be To acknowledge that he has sovereignty Over all mankind. <d>Exits down aisle. Joseph enters SL

<c>Joseph Ah Lord, what does this man now here? Poor men&rsquo;s weal is ever in woe. I wot by this boaster&rsquo;s jeer That tribute I must pay. And for great age and small power I earned no gold this seven year. Now comes the Kinges messenger To get all that he may.

With this axe that I bear, This awl and augur, And iron hammer I have earned my meat. Castle, tower, nor rich manor Had I never in my power; But as a simple carpenter Have made what I can get. If I have saved, anything, That must I pay unto the King.

But yet I fall to thinking: The Angel to me told He that will man out of bale bring My wife has in her keeping. That seems all good to my liking And makes me more bold.

Ah, lief sir, tell me I thee pray, <d>to Herald Shall poor as well as rich pay? In faith sir I hope nay, That were a wondrous wrong.

<c>Herald <d>Coming back onto stage Good man, I warn thee in good faith <d>Coming back onto stage To Bethlehem to make thy way, Lest thou in danger fall today If that thou be too long. <d>Exits

<c>Joseph Now since it may no other be, <d>Mary enters SL Mary, sister, now hie we. An ox I will take with me, That there shall be sold. The silver from him, so tell I thee Shall lodge us in that city And pay tribute for thee and me For so we are behold.

<d>Music to cover their &ldquo;journey to Bethlehem&rdquo; - not too far upstage - during which Midwives cross to SR and Mary & Joseph are jostled by Senators.

Mary, sister, sooth to say, Harbour, I fear, get not we may, For great Lords of stout array Occupy this city. Therefore we must, in good fay, Lie in this stable till it be day.

<c>Mary Help me up, my brother dear For I hope my time be near Christ in this stable that is here I hope born will be.

<c>Joseph Come to me, my sweet dear <d>Settling Mary on the stool The treasure of heaven free and clear Welcome in full meek mannere Him hope I for to see.

Mary, sister, I will assay To get two midwives if I may - For though in thee be God indeed No child of mere mankind - For the custom of this city And manners&rsquo; sake, as thinkes me, Two I will I fetch anon to thee If I may any find.

<d>Joseph exits SL. Music. <d>Angel enters and screens Mary from view. Midwives “freeze”. Mary retrieves manger and baby from behind screen and poses with baby on her knee. Angel withdraws to pulpit. <d>As music ends Joseph re-enters, sees and approaches Midwives.

Women, God you save and see! Is it your will to go with me? My wife is comen into this city With child, and time is near. Help her now for charity And stay with her till day be. And for your travail, I promise ye I shall pay you right here.

<c>Tebell All ready, good man, in good faith We will do all that ever we may. For two such midwives, I dare well say, Are not in this city.

<c>Salome Come good man, lead us away By Goddes help, ere it be day That we know good thy wife shall say, And that thou shalt well see.

<c>Joseph Lo, Mary, dear heart, brought I have here Two midwives for the mannere, To be with thee, my darling dear, Till that it be day.

<c>Mary Sir, they be welcome, have no fear But God has worked of his power Full soon for me, my dear brother As best is now and aye.

See, Joseph, tidings aright! I have a son, a sweet wight. Lord, thanked be thou, full of might For prov-ed is thy power. Pain felt I none this night But right so as he in me light Come he is here in this sight - God&rsquo;s son, as thou may see.

<d>The star appears held by Stage Manager dressed as Angel

<c>Joseph Lord, welcome, sweet Jesu! Thy name thou haddest ere I thee knew. I believe the angel&rsquo;s word is true, That thou art a clean maid. For thou art comen man&rsquo;s bliss to bring To all that thy law will show Now man&rsquo;s joy begins all new Never to pass away.

<c>Mary Lord, bless-ed most thou be That pure born art, as I see. To deprive the devil of his power Comen thou art today. Lodging is there none for thee, Therefore thy sweet body free In this manger shall sheltered be All lapped about with hay.

<c>Tebell Ah, dear Lord, Heaven&rsquo;s King, That this is a marvellous thing! Withouten pain or travailing A fair son she has borne. I dare well say, forsooth iwys That clean maiden this woman is: For she has borne a child in bliss; So wist I never none.

<c>Salome Be still Tebell, I thee pray For that is false, in good faith! Was never a woman a clean maid, Bore child without man. But nevertheless, I will assay Whether she be a clean maid And know it if I can.

<d>Salome attempts to examine Mary; her hand is withered and she cries out. Dramatic organ chord

Alas, alas, alas, alas To me has betide an evil case! My hands are dried up in this place And feeling none have I. Vengeance on me doth alight For I would tempt Goddes might Alas that I came here tonight To suffer such annoy.

<d>The Angel speaks from the pulpit:

<c>Angel Woman, beseech this child of grace That he forgive thee thy trespass And ere thou go out of this place Holpen thou may be. This miracle that now thou seest here Is of Goddes own power, To bring mankind out of danger And mend them, believe thou me.

<c>Salome Ah, sweet child, I ask mercy For thy mother&rsquo;s love, Mary, Though I have wrought wretchedly, Sweet child forgive it me. <d>Ethereal sound Ah blessed be God! All whole am I! Now believe I well and surely, That God is comen, man to redeem. And thou, Lord, thou art he.

<d>Nativity tableau remains, except for star (Stage Manager needs to change out of Angel costume). Possible music? <d>Sybil emerges, Octavian &amp; Senators enter. Ethereal sound as Sybil prophesies.

<c>Sybil Sir Emperor, God thee save and see! I tell you sure that born is he That passes thee in power. Look up on high after me. That Bairn thou seest that great shall be - To pass all kings and even thee, That borne are or ever were

<c>Octavian Ah, Sybil, this is a wondrous sight For yonder I see a maiden bright A young child in her arms held tight A bright cross on his head. Honour I will that sweet wight With incense throughout all my might For that reverence is most right If that be thy advice

Incense bring, I command, on high, To honour this child, King of mercy Should I be God? Nay, nay, utterly Great wrong iwis it were: For this child is more worthy Than such a thousand as am I, Therefore to God most mighty Incense I offer here. <d>Music (angelic song) Ah, Sybil, hears&rsquo;t not thou this song, My members all it goeth among Joy and bliss makes my heart stromg To hear this melody. Surely it may none other be But this child Prince of Power must be And I his subject, as I see. He is most worthy.

<c>Sybil Yea sir, you shall believe well this Somewhere on earth born he is And that he comes for man&rsquo;s bliss His tokening this can show. Reverence him, I say iwis For other God there none is; Who hopes otherwise does amiss, But him for Christ to know.

<c>Octavian Sir Senators, go home anon And warn my men everyone By me such worship is forgone, As they would do to me. But this child worship each man may With full heart all day long. For he is worthy to believe upon And that I now well see.

<c>2nd Senator Ah Lord, whatever this may be, This is a wondrous sight to see, For in the star, as thinketh me I see a full faire maid.

<c>1st Senator Sir, shall this child surpass thee In worthiness and dignity? Such a Lord, by my loyalty I wager never has been.

<d>Music. All cast leave in a dignified manner. Stage Manager enters and commandeers Senators to help with scene change.