User:RHaworth/mystery/src/The Second Shepherds’ Play

Coll Lord, how these winter storms are cold And I am ill-wrapped; I am near hand-dead, so long have I napped; My legs they fold, my fingers are chapped; All is not as I would, for I am all lapped In sorrow.

We simple shepherds that walk on the moor No wonder, as it standis, if we be poor! We are so lamed, for-taxed and be-yoked; We are hand-tamed with these gentry-folk!

These lords of the land, they rob us of our rest. They cause the plough to tarry-and say "for the best". Thus are husbandmen oppressed, held under and starved - It were great wonder that ever we should thrive!

For if man gets a painted sleeve or a brooch nowadays Woe to shepherd that grieves him or against that man says! No man may reprove him, for lordship he claims Yet none can believe one word he may say - not a letter! He can make purveyance with boast and with bragance And all with connivance of men that are greater!

Comes a swaggering swain as a peacock proud - He must borrow my wane, my plough good! If I should forbid it, I were better hanged, so Thus live we, in pain, in anger and woe!

It does me good as I walk thus alone Of this world for to talk, in manner of moan. To my sheep will I stalk and harken anon. There abide on a stone more company full soon.

(He removes himself some distance. Enter 2nd Shepherd)

Gib Lord, this weather is spiteful and the winds full keen, And the frosts so hid'eus they water mine eeyn - No lie! Now in dry, now in wet, now in snow, now in sleet. When my shoes freeze to my feet - it is not all easy!

We poor wedded men endure mickel woe Simple Capel, our hen, cackles to and fro But when she (be)gins to crow, our cock is fear-shackled! We men that are wed have not all our will God knows we are led full hard and full ill.

Now thus late in my life, here's a marvel to me: Some men will have two wives, and some men three, in store. Some are sad who have any, but as far as I see Woe is him that has many, for he feels sore! This have I learnt on. Now be well 'ware of wedding, and think in your thought "Had I known" is a thing that serves you but nought - I know my lesson!

I have one to my mate as sharp as a thistle! She is brown as a bristle, with a sour-looking cheer. Had she once wet her whistle, she can sing full clear! She is great as a whale with a gallon of gall - I would I had run till I had lost her!

(1st Shepherd joins him)

Coll Gib, saw ye aught of that fool Daw?

Gib Yea, on a lea-land Heard I him blow his pipe. He comes here at hand.

Coll He will tell us both a lie 'less we beware. (They settle down to wait. Enter 3rd Shepherd from the field)

Daw Who knows should take heed and'let the world pass. It is ever in dread and brittle as glass - and slithers! It is worse than it was and all thing withers! These floods so they drown, it is a wonder! How God turn all to good, I say as I mean, and ponder.

We that walk in the night our cattle to keep We see strange sights when other men sleep. Yet me think my heart lightens: I see two men peep!

(He comes up to the other shepherds)

Ah, sirs, God you save and masters mine! Drink fain would I have and somewhat to dine!

Coll Thou art a sluggish knave, Daw!

Gib He likes to dine, though he comes late!

Daw Such servants as I that sweat and toil Eat our bread full dry and that stakes me boil! We are oft wet and weary when our masters sleep take Then our dame and our sire can nip at our hire - And pay us full late!

For the fare that ye make, I shall work at my pace. Masters, little and lacking!

Gib Peace, boy, I bid no more jangling! Where are our sheep?

Daw Sir, this same day at morn I left them in the corn - in pasture good.

Coll That is right, by the rood. How give us a song!

<d>(Daw begins to sing. Mak enters)

<c>Mak Lord.who made the stars, what is thy will? Now would God I were in heaven so still For there weep no bairnes there!

<c>Coll Who is, that pipes so poor?

<c>Mak Lo, a man that walks on the moor - And has not all his will!

<c>Gib Mak, what has befallen? Tell us tidings. Is Mak comee? Then take heed to your things!

<d>(Here he takes Mak's cloak from him. Mak changes his accent)

<c>Mak What, ich be a yeoman, I tell you, of the king! The self-same sent from a great lording. Goeth hence! from my presence! I must have reverence!

<c>Coll Mak, why make ye words so quaint?

<c>Gib He means to show off ... a boast he makes

<c>Daw I think he can paint! The devil him take!

<d>(They demonstrate aestheticism)

<c>Mak Of what ye doeth, ich shall make complaint Ye shall all be beaten blue And confined close at my word in sooth!

<c>Coll How, Mak, is that 'sooth'? Now take out that southren tooth.

<c>Gib Mak, know ye not us? By God, I could thwang ye!

<d>(He shakes Mak who relapses into his ordinary accent)

<c>Mak Me thought I had seen ye all three. Ye are a fair company!

<c>Gib Thus late as thou goes, what will men suppose? For thou art ill news of stealing of sheep!

<c>Mak I am true as steel But my belly fares not well. It is out of its state.

<c>Daw "Seldom lies the devil starved by the gate."

<c>Mak Full sore I am and ill I eat not a needle this month and more!

<c>Coll How fares thy wife, Mak, how fares she?

<c>Mak Gill? She lies waltering by the fire, lo! With a house-full of brood by her, too. Eats as fast as she can And each year that comes to man She brings forth a lakan - And some years two! I were eaten out of house and of harbour, And she's a foul dowse if ye come too nigh her None worse do I know!

<d>(Depressed with the sad state of the world, the shepherds become weary)

<c>Gib I wot so forwakid with watching is none in this shire! I would sleep!

<c>Daw I am cold and naked and would have a fire!

<c>Coll I am weary, forwakid with walking in mire &mdash; Wake thou!

<c>Daw Nay, as good a man's son was I as any of you! But Mak, come hider. Between shall thou lie down!

<c>Mak No dread! From my top to my toe "Manus tuas commendo Poncio pilato!" Christ cross me speed!

<d>(The shepherds settle for sleep. Mak hatches his plan)

Now it were time for a man that lacks what he would To stalk privily then into a fold And nimbly to work, but be not too bold! For he might pay for the bargain, if tales were told. Now were time for to do't With little spending to't!

Now about you a circle as round as the moon That ye lie stone still till I have done what's to do'n! Now I shall say some good words on high. Over your heades my hands I lift Out go your een and close up your sight! But yet I must make better shift And it be right!

<d>(Snoring is heard)

Lord, what they sleep hard! That may ye all hear! Was I never a shepherd yet shall 1 nip near.

<d>(Mak seizes a sheep)

A fat sheep by the morrow A good fleece dare I lay I'll pay back when I may Now this will I borrow!

<d>(Mak goes home)

How, Gill, art thou in? Get us some light!

<c>Gill Who makes such a din this time of the night? I am set for to spin; to rise I cannot.

<c>Mak Good wife, open the hatch; sees thou not what I bring?

<c>Gill I will let thee draw the latch. Ah, come in, my sweeting!

<c>Mak Yee, thou have no care of my long standing! I am worthy my meat for I can get more Than they that work the long day's chore! Thus this fell to my lot. Gill, of grace a token!

<c>Gill It were a foul blot to be hanged for the deed!