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

<h>The Wrights’ Play: The Nativity

<c>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.

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

<c>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’s See In Jacob’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

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

<c>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. <d>Elizabeth appears 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.

<c>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.

<d>The Angel leaves and Mary greets Elizabeth

Elizabeth, Cousin, God be with thee.

<c>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.

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

<d>Et exaltavit spiritus meus in Deo etc - Music

<c>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,

<c>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. <d>Joseph enters <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 sixty winters - though I would - No longer ply no play.

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 appears <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. 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>Angel leaves.Herald enters, preceding Octavian and his Court

<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

<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’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 beside Broughton 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 you 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?

<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 exits. Herald 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.

<c>Joseph Ah Lord, what does this man now here? Poor men’s weal is ever in woe. I wot by this boaster’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, Shall poor as well as rich pay? In faith sir I hope nay, That were a wondrous wrong.

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

<c>Joseph Now since it may no other be 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 “journey to Bethlehem”

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 faith, Lie in this stable till it be day

<c>Mary Help me down, 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 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’ sake, as thinkes me, Two I will I fetch anon to thee If I may any find. <d>To the 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 your travail, I promise thee 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 will work of his power Full soon for me, my dear brother As best is now and aye.

Ah 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’s son, as thou may see. <d>The star appears

<c>Joseph Lord, welcome, sweet Jesu! Thy name thou haddest ere I thee knew. I believe the Angel’s word is true, That thou art a clean maid. For thou art comen man’s bliss to bring To all that thy law will show Now man’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’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

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 star appears and the Angel speaks:

<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’s love, Mary, Though I have wrought wretchedly, Sweet child forgive it me.

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; Sybil & Octavian enter

<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>Angels sing Ah, Sybil, hears’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’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. 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>Senator Sir, shall this child surpass thee In worthiness and dignity? Such a Lord, by my loyalty I wager never has been.

<h>The Painters’ Play: The Shepherds

<c>Hankin On the wolds have I walked wild Under bushes my bower to build From stiff storms my sheep to shield My seemly wethers to save, From comely Conwy unto Clywd In their shelters them to hide A better shepherd on no side No earthly man may have

For with walking weary I have me wrought Beside the stream my sheep I sought My lively tups are in my thought, Them to save and heale From the sore and scab it sought Or the rot, it if were wrought If the cough had them caught Of it I could them heal.

Lo, here be my herbs safe and sound Wisely wrought for every wound - That would a whole man bring to ground Within a little while - Of henbane, and hoarhound Tibbie, radish and egremont Which be my herbs all safe and sound All mingled in a row.

Here be more herbs I tell it you I shall rank them in a row: Finter, fanter and feverfew And also pennywort This is all that I know. For be it wether or be it ewe I shall heal them in a row, Clean them from their hurt

Here is tar in a pot To heal them form the rot. Well I can and well I wot The tail from them take And if sworn it were cursed Yet shall the tail be in my purse And the sheep never the worse To frolic in the field.

But no fellowship here have I Save myself, in good faith Therefore for a friend will I cry But first will I drink, if I may. <d>He drinks

Ho, Harvey, Ho Drive thy sheep here below. Thou may not hear unless I blow [I.e on his horn] As ever I have health

<c>Harvey Fellow, now be we well met And though methinks us needs Had we Tudd here by us set Then might we sit and feed us

<c>Hankin Yet to feed us friendly i’faith How might we have our service? Thou must cry loud, by this day; Tudd is deaf and may not well hear us.

<c>Harvey How, Tud, come, for thy father’s kin! <d>Shouting

<c>Hankin Nay, faith, thy voice is wondrous dim Why, knowest thou not him? Fie man, for shame! Call him Tudd, Tibby’s son And then will the fool come For in good faith it is his wont To love well his Dame’s name.

<c>Harvey How, Tudd, Tibby’s son! <d>Shouting

<c>Tudd Sir, in faith now I come For yet have I nor all done That I have to do. To stew a salve for our sheep And - lest my wife should learn of it - With great gravel and grit I scour an old pan

Hemlock and hay-riff - hold that - With tar about must all be tamed Pennygrass and butter for fat sheep; Of this salve I am not ashamed.

Ashamed am I not to show No point pertaining to my craft No better - that I well know - In land is nowhere living.

For, good men, this is not unknown To husbands that be here about; That each man must bow to his wife And cower for fear of a clout.

Thus for clouts now care I; All is for fear of womankind Now will I cast my ware hereby And hie fast till I get to Hankin

Hankin, hold up thy hand and haul me To bring me up on high there by thee

<c>Hankin Gladly sir, if thou would be by me For loth me is to deny thee

<c>Harvey Now since God has gathered us together With good heart I thank him of his grace Welcome be thou: well fair weather Tudd, shall we shape us to some solace?

<c>Tudd Solace would best be seen That we shape us to our supper; For meat and drink, well I deem To each deed is most dear.

<c>Hankin Lay forth, each man What he hath left of his livery And I will put forth my pitcher With my part, first of all us three.

<c>Harvey And such store as my wife had In your heart soon shall you see In the beginning to make us glad For in good meat there Is much glee

Here is bread this day was baked Onions, garlic and leeks Butter that was bought in Brecon And green cheese that will grease well your cheeks

<c>Tudd And here ale of Halton I have And what meat I had to my hire This pudding shall no man dispraise And a jannock of Lancashire

Lo, here a sheep’s head soused in ale And a grain to lay on the green, And sour milk. My wife had ordained A noble supper, as well is seen.

<c>Hankin Now will I cast off my cloak And put on’t part of my livery Put all that I have in my poke And a pig’s foot, from puddings pure.

<c>Tudd Abide, fellows, and ye shall see here This hot meat - we serve it here. Bowls of the best, A pudding with a point at the end.

<c>Hankin My satchel to shake out To shepherds I am not ashamed, And this tongue pared round about, With my teeth it shall be tamed Bid me do gladly, and I thee. For by God here is good grazing Come eat with us, God of heaven high But take no heed that here be no housing.

<c>Harvey Housing enough have we here While we have heaven over our heads Now to wet our mouths it is the time This flask will I tame, by your leave.

<c>Tudd And of this bottle now will I bib For here is bowls of the best.

<c>Hankin Fellows now our bellies be full Think we on him that keeps our beasts. Blow thy horn and call after Trowle And bid him, Son, to share our feast.

<c>Harvey Well said, Hankin, by my sooth For that shrew I suppose us seeks My horn to sound I will not cease Till that lad has some of our leeks

<c>Tudd Leeks to his livery is liking Such a lad nowhere in land is Blow a note for that meeting While that horn now in they hand is

<c>Hankin With this horn shall I make a “hoo” That he and all Heaven shall hear Yonder lad that sits on the lea The loud of this horn shall hear

<c>Trowle Good lord, look on me <d>Elsewhere on the stage And my flock here as they fed have On this wold walk we Are no men here, that no way. All is bare, perdi, Therefore, sheep, we mun go, No better may be Of beast that blood and bone have

Wot I not, day or night What necessities I may need

Nettle, hemlock and butter I have here And my good dog Dottynoll That is never slow to be chiding. If any man come me by And would know which way best were My leg I lift up where I lie And wish him east or west away Speaking right where I lay

Me would think that travail lost. Nor king, ne Duke,by this day Rise will I not - but take my rest here. Now will I sit here adown And pipe at this pot like a Pope Would God that I were down, Out of harm’s way as I hope No man drink here shall Save myself, the devil of the drink. All this talk I set at little, Nay, ye Ladies, I sit not by ye For you have many a foul fit

<c>Hankin Trowle, take tent to my talking For thy tooth here is good tugging While thy wethers go walking On this loin thou may have good lugging

<c>Trowle Fie on your loins and your livery Your livers, lights and lungs Your sausage, souse and saveloy Your sitting without any songs!

On this hill I hold me here No hope of your hot meat have I But flit with my fellows in fear And your sheep all securely save I

<c>Harvey For thou savest our sheep, Good knave, take keep Since thou may not sleep Come eat of this souse

<c>Trowle Nay the dirt is so deep, Stubbed therein for to steep And the maggots on it creep At home in thy house

Therefore, meat, if I may Of your cooking today Will I nought by no way Till I have my wages

<c>Tudd Trowle, boy, for God’s tree Come eat a morsel with me And then wrestle will we Here on this wold

<c>Trowle That will I never flee! Though it be with all three To win my livery That will I hold <d>He joins the others Now comes Trowle the True A tournament I bid to fight With my masters. Come on now Come forth - who is most of might?

<c>Hankin Trowle, better thou never knew; Eat of this, meat for a knight

<c>Trowle Nay, spare it. If I spew All on your heads will it light

<c>Harvey How should we suffer this shame Of a shrew thus to be shent?

<c>Tudd This lad lusts to be lame And lose a limb ere he went.

<c>Trowle Have done! Begin we this game But ware less your coat be rent

<c>Hankin False lad, fie on thy face! On this ground thou shall have a fall

<c>Trowle And this, sirs, be your solace Hankyn, shepherd, shame thee I shall Wroth thou art, worse than thou was Beware lest thou welter here by the wall <d>Throws Hankin

<c>Harvey Boy, lest I break thy bones Kneel down and ask me a boon Lest I destroy thee here on these stones Cease, lest I shend thee too soon

<c>Trowle Go thee to growls and groans! Good were thee thy old rags to save soon Little doubt of thy moans Lie there, tyke, for deeds done. <d>Throws Harvey

<c>Tudd Out, alas, he lies on his loins But let me go now to that lad Shepherds he shames and shends For last now am I struck dead

<c>Trowle Both your backs here to me bend; For all your boasts I hold you to bad Hold your arses and your backsides Then hope I to have as I have had <d>Throws Tudd

Lie there, lither, in the lake My livery now will I take This curry, this coat and this cake For ye be cast, now will I catch! To the devil I you all betake As traitors to your task On this wold with this will I walk Over all the world wander and watch <d>Moves away

<c>Hankin Fellows, this a foul case is That we be thus cast of a knave All against our will he has this But I must needs hold the harms that I have

<c>Harvey That I have I needs must hold Of these unhappy harms of hear I Therefore I will wait on this wold For better weather, for I am weary

<c>Tudd If we be weary no wonder What with wrestling and waking God amend it with his making <d>The star appears

<c>Hankin What is all this light here That blazes so bright here On my black beard? For to see this light here A man may be afright here For I am afeard

<c>Harvey Feard for a fray now May we be all now And yet it is night Yet seems it day now Never, soothly to say now Saw I such a sight.

<c>Tudd Such a sight seeming And a light gleaming Lets me to look. All to my deeming From a star streaming It to me struck.

<c>Trowle That star if it stand To seek will I find Though my sight it fails me While I live in land Why should I not find If it will avail me?

Ah, Goddes might! In yonder star light is Of the sun this sight is As it now seems.

<c>Hankin It seems, as I now see A bright star to be, There to abide. From it we may not flee But aye glare at the glow Till it down glide

<c>Harvey Fellows, will we Kneel down on our knee After comfort For the true Trinity For to lead us to see Our elders Lord?

<c>Tudd Our Lord will declare To us through our prayer Whereto it will apent. And why on high here The air is so clear, Now shall we be kent.

<c>Trowle Lord, of this light Send us some sight Why that it is sent Before this night Was I never so afright Of the firmament

<c>Hankin Now fie! By my faith Now is it nigh day So was it never. Therefore I pray The sooth us to say

<d>Angels sing “Gloria in excelsis Deo et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis”

Fellows in fear, May ye not hear This music on high?

<c>Harvey In “glore” and in “glere”? Yet no man was near Within our sight

<c>Tudd Nay, it was a “Glory”

<c>Trowle Of this strange story Such mirth is merry I would have more

<c>Hankin As I then deemed “Selsis” it seemed That he sang so

<c>Tudd What song was this, say you That he sang to us all three? Expounded shall it be Ere we shall pass As I am eldest of degree And also best, as seems me It was “Glorus Glorus” with a “Glee” It was neither more nor less.

<c>Trowle Nay, it was “glorus glarus” with a “glo” And much of “celsis” was thereto As ever I have rest or woe Much he spake of “glas”

<c>Harvey Nay, it was neither “glas” nor “glye” Therefore fellows, now stand by

<c>Tudd By faith he was some spy Our sheep for to steal Or else he was a man of our craft, For seemly he was, and wondrous deft.

<c>Trowle Nay, he came by night - his mind on theft Our tups with tar to seal.

<c>Hankin Nay, on a “glor” and on “glay” and a “gly” Sang Gabriel when he so gloried. When he sang I might not be sorry; Through my breast-bone his bleating bored

<c>Harvey Nay, by God, it was a “gloria” That Gabriel sang when he said so. He had a much better voice than I have As in heaven all Angels have so.

<c>Tudd Will ye hear how he sang “celsis”? For on that sadly he set him; Neither sings “sar” nor so well “cis” Nor “Peace merry maid when she met him.”

<c>Trowle One time he touched on “tar”, Ad thereto I took good intent; All heaven might not him hear, That note on high when he up went.

<c>Hankin And after a “pax” or a “peace” Up like a pie he piped. Such a melody - so clear and sweet, Never in my life me so liked

<c>Harvey Upon “hominibus” he muted, That much marvel to me was And aye I quaked when he so fluted I dare not look where that it was

<c>Tudd Yet, yet he sang more than all this For some word is worthy a pother For he sang “bonae voluntatis” That is a thing that passes all other.

<c>Trowle Yet, and yet he sang more too From my mind it shall not start He sang also of a “Deo” Me thought that healed my heart.

And that word “terra” he framed, From which I take good intent And “pax” also may not be blamed For that to this song I assent.

<c>Hankin Now pray we go to him with good intent And sing I will and me unbrace And he will let us to be kent And to send us of his grace.

<c>Harvey Now since I have all my will Never in this world so well I was. Sing we we now, I say you, shrill A merry song for us to solace.

<c>Trowle Sing we now; let’s see Some song I will assay All men now sing after me, For music of me learn ye may. <d>They sing “Trolly loly loly loo” <c>Tudd Now wend we forth to Bethlehem That is best out song to be For to see the star-gleam And the fruit of that maiden free.

<c>Hankin Now follow we the star that shines Till we come to that holy stable To Bethlehem bend our limbs Follow we it without any fable.

<c>Harvey Follow we it and hie full fast Such a friend loath us were to fail Launch on! I will not be the last At Mary for to marvel. <d>They go towards Bethlehem

<c>Tudd Stint now: go no more steps; For now the star begins to stand <d>Angel appears <c>Angel Shepherds, of this sight Be ye not afright For this is Goddes might Take this in mind. To Bethlehem now right There shall you see in sight That Christ is born tonight To redeem all mankind.

<c>Trowle To Bethlehem take we the way For with you I think to wend The prince of peace for to pray Heaven to have at our end. And singe we all, I rede, Some mirth to his Majesty For certain now see we it indeed The King Son of heaven is he.

<c>Hankin See, See, surely, Here I see Mary And Jesus Christ hard by Lapp-ed in hay.

<c>Harvey Kneel we our knee And pray we him of mercy And welcome him worthily So woe does away.

<c>Tudd Away all our woe is And many men’s moe is Christ, Lord, let us kiss Thy crib or thy clothes.

<c>Trowle Solace now to see this Builds in my breast, bliss Never after to do amiss Nor things that him loath is.

<c>Hankin Whatever that old man that here is? Take heed how his head is hoar His beard is like a bush of briars With a pound of hair about his mouth and more

<c>Tudd Why, with his beard though it be rough Right well to her he heeds. Worthy wight, now we would know Will you deny us, worthy in weeds?

<c>Mary Shepherds, soothly I see That my son you hither sent Through Goddes might in majesty That in me lit and here is lent This man married was to me For no sin in such assent But to keep my virginity And truly with no other intent.

<c>Joseph Good men, Moses take in mind As he was made through God All-might Ordain-ed laws for us to bind Which that we should keep of right. Men and women for to bind Lawfully them both to light To be fruitful, as men may find That time was wedded every wight.

Therefore wedded to he I was As law would have; her for to cheer From noise and slander and trespass And through that deed the Devil to dare As told me Gabriel, full of grace When I had trussed up all my gear To have fled and never seen her face, By him was I arrested there

For he said to me sleeping That she guiltless was of sin. And when I heard that tokening From her durst I no way turn. Therefore, go forth and preach this thing All together and not in twain That you have seen your heavenly king Who has come all mankind to win.

<c>Hankin Great God, sitting on they throne That made all thing of nought Now we may thank thee each one This is he we have sought.

<c>Harvey Go we near anon With such as we have brought Ring, brooch, or precious stone - Let’s see whether we have aught to proffer.

<c>Tudd Let us do him homage.

<c>Hankin Who shall go first? The page?

<c>Harvey Nay, ye be father in age. Therefore ye must first offer

<c>Hankin Hail, King of heaven so high Borne in a crib Mankind unto thee Thou hast made full sib.

Hail, king, born in a maiden’s bower Prophets did tell thou should be our succour This clerks do say, Lo, I bring thee a bell; I pray thee save me from hell So that I may with thee dwell And serve thee for aye.

<c>Harvey Hail, the Emperor of hell And of heaven also The fiend shalt thou fell That hath ever been false.

Hail, the maker of the star That stood us before Hail, the blessedest Baron That ever was born. Lo, son, I bring thee a bowl Thereby hangs a spoon, For to eat they pottage with at noon, As I myself full often-times have done. With my heart I pray thee to take it.

<c>Tudd Hail, prince withouten any peer, That mankind shall relieve Hail the foe of Lucifer The which beguil-ed Eve.

Hail the granter of hopes, For on earth now thou dwells Lo, son I bring thee a cap, For I have nothing else.

This gift, son, that I give thee is but small; And though I come the hindmost of all When thou shalt men to thy bliss call, Good Lord, think yet on me.

<c>Trowle My dear, with devotion unto thee I me dress My state in fellowship that I do not lose; And for to save me from all sickness, I offer thee a pair of my wife’s old hose.

For other jewels, my son, Have I none for to give That is worth anything at all, But my good heart, while I live And my prayers till death doth me call.

<c>Hankin Now, farewell mother and maid For of sin nought thou wottest . Thou has brought forth this day God’s Son of might most.

Wherefore men shall say “Blessed in every coast and place Be he, a memorial for us all.” And that we may from sin fall And stand ever in his grace Our Lord God be with thee

<c>Harvey Brethren, let us walk all three Singing walk homewardly Unkind will I never in no case be But preach all that I can and know, As Gabriel taught me by his grace. Singing “Away Heathen” will I.

<c>Tudd Over sea, if God grant grace I will gang and go about now To preach this thing in every place; And sheep will I keep no more now.

<c>Trowle I rede we us agree For our misdeeds amends to make For so now will I; And to the child I wholly me betake For aye securely. Shepherd’s craft I here forsake, And as an anchorite hereby I will in my prayers watch and wake.

<c>Hankin And I a hermit, To praise God, to pray, To walk by stile and by street, In wilderness to walk for aye. And no man living shall I meet But for my living I shall him pray, Barefoot on my feet. And thus will I live ever and aye.

For aye, ever and always This world I fully refuse My amiss to amend with moans. Turn to thy fellows, and kiss.

I yield, for in youth We have been friends, iwys. Therefore lend me your mouth And friendly let us kiss.

<c>Harvey From London to Lowth Such another shepherd I wot ne’re is. Both friend and colleague God grant you all his bliss.

<c>Tudd To that bliss bring you Great God, if that thy will be. Amen, all sing you; Good men, farewell ye.

<c>Trowle Well for to fare, each friend God of his might grant you; For here we make an end Farewell, for we from you now go.