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diff --git a/19481.txt b/19481.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d42ea02 --- /dev/null +++ b/19481.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11006 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Everyman and Other Old Religious Plays, +with an Introduction, by Anonymous + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Everyman and Other Old Religious Plays, with an Introduction + +Author: Anonymous + +Editor: Ernest Rhys + +Release Date: October 6, 2006 [EBook #19481] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK EVERYMAN AND OTHERS *** + + + + +Produced by Suzanne Lybarger, Melanie Lybarger, Curtis +Weyant and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +[Illustration: POETS ARE THE TRUMPETS WHICH SING TO BATTLE +POETS ARE THE UNACKNOWLEDGED LEGISLATORS OF THE WORLD + +SHELLEY] + + + + +"EVERYMAN" + +WITH OTHER INTERLUDES, including EIGHT MIRACLE PLAYS + +[Illustration: EVERY MAN I WILL GO WITH THEE BE THY GVIDE +IN THY MOST NEED TO GO BY THY SIDE] + +LONDON: PUBLISHED +by J. M. DENT & SONS LTD. +AND IN NEW YORK +BY E. P. DUTTON & CO + + + + +First Issue of this Edition 1909 +Reprinted 1910, 1912, 1914 + + + + +INTRODUCTION + + By craftsmen and mean men, these pageants are played, + And to commons and countrymen accustomably before: + If better men and finer heads now come, what can be said? + + + +The pageants of the old English town-guilds, and the other mysteries and +interludes that follow, have still an uncommon reality about them if we +take them in the spirit in which they were originally acted. Their +office as the begetters of the greater literary drama to come, and their +value as early records, have, since Sharp wrote his _Dissertation on the +Coventry Mysteries_ in 1816, been fully illustrated. But they have +hardly yet reached the outside reader who looks for life and not for +literary origins and relations in what he reads. This is a pity, for +these old plays hide under their archaic dress the human interest that +all dramatic art, no matter how crude, can claim when it is touched with +our real emotions and sensations. They are not only a primitive +religious drama, born of the church and its feasts; they are the genuine +expression of the town life of the English people when it was still +lived with some exuberance of spirits and communal pleasure. As we read +them, indeed, though it be in cold blood, we are carried out of our +book, and set in the street or market-square by the side of the "commons +and countrymen," as in the day when Whitsuntide, or Corpus Christi, +brought round the annual pageantry to Chester, Coventry, York, and other +towns. + +Of the plays that follow, six come from the old town pageants, +reflecting in their variety the range of subject and the contemporary +effect of the cycles from which they are taken. They are all typical, +and show us how the scenes and characters of the east were mingled with +the real life of the English craftsmen and townsfolk who acted them, and +for whose pleasure they were written. Yet they give us only a small +notion of the whole interest and extent of these plays. We gain an idea +of their popularity both from the number of them given in one town and +the number of places at which regular cycles, or single pageants, were +represented from year to year. The York plays alone that remain are +forty-eight in all; the Chester, twenty-four or five; the Wakefield, +thirty-two or three. Even these do not represent anything like the full +list. Mr. E. K. Chambers, in an appendix to his _Mediaeval Stage_, gives +a list of eighty-nine different episodes treated in one set or another +of the English and Cornish cycles. Then as to the gazette of the many +scattered places where they had a traditional hold: Beverley had a cycle +of thirty-six; Newcastle-on-Tyne and Norwich, each one of twelve; while +the village and parochial plays were almost numberless. In Essex alone +the list includes twenty-one towns and villages, though it is fair to +add that this was a specially enterprising shire. At Lydd and New +Romney, companies of players from fourteen neighbouring towns and +villages can be traced in the local records that stretch from a year or +so before, to eight years after, the fifteenth century. + +Mrs. J. R. Green, in her history of _Town Life_ in that century, shows +us how the townspeople mixed their workday and holiday pursuits, their +serious duties with an apparent "incessant round of gaieties." Hardly a +town but had its own particular play, acted in the town hall or the +parish churchyard, "the mayor and his brethren sitting in state." In +1411 there was a great play, _From the Beginning of the World_, played +in London at the Skinner's Well. It lasted seven days continually, and +there were the most part of the lords and gentles of England. No copy of +this play exists, but of its character we have a pretty sensible idea +from various other plays of the Creation handed down from the +north-country cycles. In the best of them the predestined Adam is +created after a fashion both to suggest his treatment by Giotto in the +medallion at Florence, and his lineaments as an English mediaeval +prototype:-- + + "But now this man that I have made, + With the ghost of life, I make him glad, + Rise up, Adam, rise up rade,[1] + A man full of soul and life!" + +But to surprise the English mediaeval smith or carpenter, cobbler or +bowyer, when he turns playgoer at Whitsuntide, assisting at a play +which expressed himself as well as its scriptural folk, we must go on to +later episodes. The Deluge in the Chester pageant, that opens the +present volume, has among its many Noah's Ark sensations, some of them +difficult enough to mimic on the pageant-wagon, a typical recall of the +shipwright and ark-builder. God says to Noah:-- + + A ship soon thou shalt make thee of trees, dry and light. + Little chambers therein thou make, + And binding pitch also thou take, + Within and out, thou ne slake + To anoint it thro' all thy might. + +In the York Noah's Ark pageant, which seems to be the parent-play in +England of all its kind, we have this craftsman's episode much enlarged. +"Make it of boards," God says, "and wands between!" + + Thus thriftily and not over thin, + Look that thy seams be subtly seen + And nailed well, that they not twin: + Thus I devised it should have been; + Therefore do forth, and leave thy din + +Then, after further instructions, Noah begins to work before the +spectators, first rough-hewing a plank, then trying it with a line, and +joining it with a gynn or gin. He says:-- + + More subtilely can no man _sew_;[2] + It shall be clinched each ilk and deal, + With nails that are both noble and new, + Thus shall I fix it to the keel: + Take here a rivet, and there a screw, + With there bow,[3] there now, work I well, + This work, I warrant both good and true. + +To complete the pedigree of this scene we must turn to the old poem, the +"Cursor Mundi," which, written in the fourteenth century, the time when +the northern miracle-plays were taking decisive shape, appears to have +served their writers as a stock-book. The following passage is own +brother to that in the York miracle-play:-- + + A ship must thou needs dight, + Myself shall be the master-wright. + I shall thee tell how broad and long, + Of what measure and how strong. + When the timber is fastened well, + Wind the sides ever each and deal. + Bind it first with balk and band, + And wind it then too with good wand. + With pitch, look, it be not thin! + Plaster it well without and in! + +The likeness we see is startling: so near to the other indeed as to +suggest almost a common authorship. + +As for the pastoral plays in the same towns, we find the shepherds and +countrymen were just as well furnished with rough cuts from the life. +The most real and frankly illustrative, and by no means the least +idyllic of them is perhaps the Chester play of the three shepherds. It +was not played by countrymen but by townsmen, like the other plays in +the town cycles, being in this case the "Paynters and Glasiors" play. +The first shepherd who opens it talks of the "bower" or cote he would +build, his "sheep to shield," his "seemly wethers to save:"-- + + From comely Conway unto Clyde + Under tyldes[4] them to hide + A better shepherd on no side + No earthly man may have + For with walking weary I have methought + Beside thee such my sheep I sought + My long-tail'd tups are in my thought + Them to save and heal + +In the _Death of Abel_, another Chester play, Cain comes in with a +plough, and says:-- + + A tiller I am, and so will I be, + As my daddy hath taught it me + I will fulfil his lore + +In the subsequent incident of the corn that Cain is to offer for his +sacrifice, we hear the plain echo of the English farmer's voice in the +corn-market mixing with the scriptural verse: "This standing corn that +was eaten by beasts," will do: + + God, thou gettest no better of me, + Be thou never so grim + +So throughout the plays the folk-life of their day, their customs and +customary speech, are for ever emerging from the biblical scene. + +In trying to realise how the miracle-plays were mounted and acted, we +shall find the best witness at Chester. This was a rather late one. +Archdeacon Rogers, who saw them in 1594, when they had been going on for +something like three centuries in all. From his account (in the +_Harleian Miscellany_) it appears the Chester plays were given on +Whit-Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. + +"The manner of these plays were, every company had his pageant or part, +a high scaffold with two rooms, a higher and a lower, upon four wheels. +In the lower they apparelled themselves, and in the higher room they +played, being all open on the top, that all beholders might hear and see +them." They were played, he goes on to say, in every street: + +"They began first at the abbey gates, and when the first pageant was +played, it was wheeled to the high cross before the mayor, and so to +every street. So every street had a pageant playing before it at one +time, till all the pageants for the day appointed were played. When one +pageant was near ended, word was brought from street to street, that so +they might come in place thereof, exceeding orderly, and all the streets +have their pageants before them, all at one time playing together, to +see which plays was great resort and also scaffolds and stages made in +the streets in those places where they determined to play their +pageants." + +The same writer explains elsewhere that these plays were divided into +twenty-four pageants, according to the number of the city companies, and +that each company brought out its own pageant. + +At York, whose plays Miss L. Toulmin Smith edited in 1887, we can turn +to Davies's two books[5] and the local records, to complete the Chester +description. Those who travel to York by rail to-day, and there +dismount, as most of us have often done, to walk through the city to the +cathedral, will be interested to find that the railway station now +stands where once was Pageant Green. Near it was formerly another kind +of station, where stood the houses hired to keep the pageants stored and +put away from one year's show to another. The word "pageant," (_pagina_, +or plank), we ought to recall, was used for the stage, or wheeled car of +two stories, before it was used for the show set forth upon it. Davies +helps us, as we perambulate York to-day, to mark where the old pageants +were performed in 1399, at twelve stations, which were fixed and stated +beforehand. The first station was at the gates of the Priory of the Holy +Trinity in Mickle Gate, and the pageants were moved on them in turn to +places at Skelder Gate end, North Street, Conyng Strete, Stane Gate and +the gates of the Minster, so to the end of Girdler Gate; while the last +of all was "upon the pavement." But the stations were subject to change, +and there was much competition among wealthy householders (one of whom +may have been the Robert Harpham mentioned in a 1417 list) to have the +pageant played before their windows. The highest bidder gained the +coveted right. + +Before the actual day came, a town-crier was sent round the city to +proclaim the "banes" or banns.[6] Arms were forbidden: "We command that +no man go armed in this city with swords ne with carlill-axes, in +disturbance of the king's peace and the play, or hindering of the +procession of Corpus Christi, and that they leave their harness in their +inns, saving knights and squires of worship that ought to have swords +borne after them!" The plays began betimes. We read that at York the +players were to be ready "at the mid-hour betwixt the IVth and Vth of +the clock in the morning." Finally, for the players themselves, care was +taken to secure good ones for the several parts. Sometimes a player +doubled or trebled the characters in a particular play. + +All through the XIVth and XVth centuries miracle-plays went on +being performed regularly, or irregularly, in most of the English +towns and larger villages. One of the smaller cycles was that of +Newcastle-upon-Tyne, played at Corpus Christi, from 1426 onwards. _The +Three Kings of Cologne_ is mentioned in 1536, which the goldsmiths, +plumbers, glaziers, and others were to play. Here the pageants were not +movable ones, but were given at fixed points. No doubt some of the spots +associated with the Whitsuntide "shuggy-shows" (as I remember them in my +time) were originally show-grounds of the town pageants too. Only one +play of the Newcastle series has survived, and that fitly enough, having +regard to the Tyneside shipbuilding, is a shipwrights' play. Unluckily +it has been so modernised that not a vestige of the local colour or +Tyneside dialect remains. + +We come now to the date and origin of these town pageants. Of the three +chief cycles earliest mention is to be found at Chester, and it carries +us doubtfully back to 1268. Sir John Arnway was mayor in that year, +according to one account: but the name recurs pretty positively in +1327-8, and about that time Randall Higgenet, a monk of Chester Abbey, +wrote the plays. But in the text handed down they are of a much later +style of diction, and no doubt later in date than the Towneley or York +series. + +About the real origin of these plays there can be no question. They +began in the churches as liturgy plays, which were given at the +Christmas, Easter, and other festivals, illustrating in chief the birth, +life, death and passion of Christ. We owe to Professor Skeat the +recovery of some fragments of liturgical plays in Latin, which have been +reprinted by Professor Manly, in his _Specimens of the Pre-Shaksperean +Drama_. The earliest example there is may be dated as early as 967, an +important landmark for us, as it is often assumed that we have no +dramatic record of any kind in these islands earlier than the Norman +Conquest. Another generation or two of research, such as the pioneer +work of Dr. Furnivall and the Early English Text Society has made +possible, and we shall distinguish clearly the two lines of growth, +French and Norman, English and Saxon, by which the town-pageants and +folk-plays of the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries came to a head. +Then the grafting of the English pastoral on the church-play, after it +had been carried out into the open town or market-place, may become +clear. Then, too, one will know how charged with potential dramatic life +was the mind of him who wrote that interlude in four lines of the "Three +Queens and the Three Dead Men," which contains in it the essence of a +thousand moralities. + + _1st Queen._ I am afeard. + + _2nd Queen._ Lo, what I see? + + _3rd Queen._ Me thinketh it be devils three! + + _1st Dead Body._ I was well fair + + _2nd Dead Body._ Such shall thou be. + + _3rd Dead Body._ For Godes love, be-ware by me! + +These breathe, not a Norman, but an Anglo-Saxon fantasy, and they speak +for themselves. But many tell-tale documents exist to mark the +concurrent Norman and English development that went on in the English +mediaeval literature, and was seen and felt in the church and guild +plays, just as it went on in the towns themselves. It finds at last its +typical expression in an interlude like the Coventry Nativity-play, +reprinted in this volume. Long before the miracle-play was written in +the form it finally took, and about the time when William of Rouen, +after much trouble with his son Robert culminating at the battle of +Gerberoi, was about to return to England, the new opening in the church +in this country became one to tempt poor foreign students of some parts +and some ambition. Among these was a graduate of the University of +Paris, one Geoffrey, known to us now as Geoffrey of St. Albans. He had +been offered the post of master of the abbey school at that place, but +when he arrived after some delay--due perhaps to his going to see a +mystery play at Paris--he found the post filled up. He then made his way +to Dunstable, and while there proved his spirit by getting up a +miracle-play of "Sancta Katarina." He borrowed copes from St. Albans in +which to dress the actors; unluckily a fire took place, and the costumes +were burnt. Thereupon he seems to have rendered himself up as it were in +pious pledge for their loss, for he became a monk. In 1119 he was +elected abbot, and if we give him about twenty-one years in which to +rise to that dignity, we can date the St. Katharine play at 1098 or 9. +This passage in a life of that time is a clue to the further history of +the religious play in England. Geoffrey's attempt to present one at +Dunstable, no doubt a reproduction of one he had seen in France, is an +instance of the naturalisation process that slowly went on. + +The distinct break in the history of the miracle-play that made it from +a church into a town pageant occurred about the close of the thirteenth +century. From a performance within the church building it went on then +into the church-yard, or the adjoining close or street, and so into the +town at large. The clerics still kept a hand in its purveyance; but the +rise of the town guilds gave it a new character, a new relation to the +current life, and a larger equipment. The friendly rivalry between the +guilds, and the craftsmen's pride in not being outdone by other crafts, +helped to stimulate the town play, till at length the elaborate cycle +was formed that began with sunrise on a June morning, and lasted until +the torch-bearers were called out at dusk to stand at the foot of the +pageant. + +The earliest miracle-plays that we can trace in the town cycles date +back to the early years of Edward III. The last to be performed in +London, according to Prynne, was _Christ's Passion_, which was given in +James I.'s reign. It was produced "at Ely House, Holborn, when Gundomar +lay there on Good Friday at night, at which there were thousands +present." This was a late survivor, however, called to life by a last +flicker of court sunshine on the occasion of the state visit of a +Spanish ambassador. Here is an extreme range of over three centuries; +and the old religious drama was still being performed in a more and more +uncertain and intermittent fashion all through the dramatic reign of +Shakspeare. + +The ten plays that follow in this volume represent in brief the late +remnant of this early drama, rescued at the point where it was ending +its primitive growth, soon to give way to plays written with a +consciously artistic sense of the stage. They are headed by the great +and simple tragic masterpiece, in which they say their last word: the +morality of _Everyman_, the noblest interlude of death the religious +imagination of the middle ages has given to the stage. The two following +Old Testament plays, _The Deluge_ and the _Sacrifice of Isaac_, are the +third and fourth pageants in the Chester series; played respectively by +the Water-Leaders and Drawers of the river Dee, and by the Barbers and +Wax-Chandlers. The next is from Coventry, a Nativity play, played by the +Shearmen and Tailors. From the Wakefield series, preserved in the +Towneley collection, we have three plays, the famous second shepherds' +play, with the _Crucifixion_ and the _Harrowing of Hell_, or extraction +of souls from Hell (_Extractio Animarum ab Inferno_). Two Cornish +mysteries of the Resurrection are included: _The Three Maries at the +Tomb_, and _Mary Magdalen bringing the News to the Apostles_. Then +follows Bishop Bale's oracular play of _God's Promises_, which is in +effect a series of seven interludes strung on one thread, united by one +leading idea, and one protagonist, the _Pater Coelestis_. + +In these religious and moral interludes, the dramatic colouring, however +crude, is real and sincere. The humours of a broad folk-comedy break +through the scriptural web continually in the guild plays like those in +which Noah the shipbuilder, or the proverbial three shepherds, appear in +the pageant. Noah's unwilling wife in the Chester _Deluge_, and Mak's +canny wife in the Wakefield shepherd's play, where the sheep-stealing +scenes reveal a born Yorkshire humorist, offer a pair of gossips not +easy to match for rude comedy. Mak's wife, like the shepherd's in the +same pastoral, utters proverbs with every other breath: "A woman's avyse +helpys at the last!" "So long goys the pott to the water, at last comys +it home broken!" + + Now in hot, now in cold, + Full woeful is the household, + That wants a woman! + +And her play upon the old north-country asseveration, "I'll eat my +bairn,"-- + + If ever I you beguiled, + That I eat this child + That lies in this cradle, + +(the child being the stolen sheep), must have caused towns-folk and +country-folk outrageous laughter. Mak's wife is indeed memorable in her +way as the Wife of Bath, Dame Quickly, or Mrs. Gamp. + +There is nothing so boldly drawn in the Coventry _Nativity_. But there +you have a startlingly realistic treatment joined to an emotional +lyricism of the simplest charm: + + Neither in halls, nor yet in bowers, + Born would he not be + Neither in castles, nor yet in towers + That seemly were to see. + +and-- + + As I outrode this enderes night + Of three jolly shepherds, I saw a sight; + And all about their fold a star shone bright, + They sang "Terli, terlow!" + So merrily the shepherds their pipes can blow. + +In this Coventry play we have nearly all the ingredients--foreign, +liturgical, or homely English--of the composite miracle play brought +together. It bears traces of many hands; and betrays in the dialogue of +the formal characters the rubricated lines of the church play on which +it was based. The chief characters live, move and act their recognised +parts with the certainty of the folk in a nursery tale. Herod out-Herods +himself with a Blunderbore extravagance:-- + + I am the cause of this great light and thunder; + It is through my fury that they such noise do make. + My fearful countenance, the clouds so doth incumber + That oftentimes for dread thereof, the very earth doth quake. + +"Fee, fi, fo, fum!" might be the refrain of this giant's litany. The +other types are as plainly stamped. The shepherd's are from the life, +and contrast well with the stilted and rather tiresome prophets. The +scenes at the babe's crib when the offerings are made of the shepherds' +pipe, old hat, and mittens, are both droll and tender. + +The tragic counterparts of these scenes are those where the Three +Executioners work their pitiless task to an end at the Crucifixion, or +where the Three Maries go to the grave afterwards in the Cornish +mystery, or where Isaac bids his father bind his eyes that he shall not +see the sword. It was for long the fashion to say, as Sir Walter Scott +did, that these plays had little poetic life, or human interest in them. +But they are, at their best, truly touched with essential emotions, with +humour, terror, sorrow, pity, as the case may be. Dramatically they are +far more alive at this moment, than the English drama of the +mid-nineteenth century. + +In the Cornish mysteries we lose much by having to use a translation. +But something of the spirit and life survive in spite of it, and one +detached passage from another of the plays, that of the _Crucifixion_, +is printed in the appendix, which loses nothing by being compared with +the treatment in other miracle-plays. Also in the Appendix will be found +an interesting note from Norris's _Ancient Cornish Drama_, on the mode +in which the Cornish mysteries were played; and a brief account by Mr. +Jenner of the trilogy contained in that work. + +There remains John Bayle's play of _God's Promises_. Its author was born +at the sea-doomed city of Dunwich in Suffolk, in 1495. Destined for the +church, he showed his obstinacy early by marrying in defiance of his +cloth. He was lucky and unlucky in being a _protege_ of Thomas +Cromwell, and had to fly the country on that dangerous agent's death. +He returned when the new order was established, and became Bishop of +Ossory, had to suffer and turn exile for his tenets again in Mary's +reign; but found safe harbourage for his latter years at Canterbury, +where he died. He wrote, on his own evidence, more than twenty plays, of +which _God's Promises_, the _Life of John the Baptist_, and _King John_, +a history play of interest as a pioneer, are best known. He himself +called _God's Promises_ a tragedy, but unless the sense of Sodom hanging +in the balance, while Abraham works down to its lowest point the +diminishing ratio of the just to be found there, or of David's appearing +before the Pater Coelestis as the great judge, of dramatic or tragic +emotion there is little indeed. But Bayle's rhetoric easily ran to the +edge of suspense, as in the opening of his seventh act, where he puts +the dramatic question in the last line:-- + + I have with fearcenesse mankynde oft tymes corrected, + And agayne I have allured hym by swete promes. + I have sent sore plages, when he hath me neglected, + And then by and by, most confortable swetnes. + To wynne hym to grace, bothe mercye and ryghteousnes + I have exercysed, yet wyll he not amende. + Shall I now lose hym, or shall I hym defende? + +And what could be finer than the setting he gives to the antiphon, _O +Oriens Splendor_, at the end of the second act? + +To turn from Bayle's play to the heart-breaking realities of _Everyman_ +is like turning from a volume of all too edifying sermons to the last +chapters of one of the gospels. Into the full history of this play, +opening a difficult question about the early relations between Dutch and +English writers and printers, there is no room here to go. The Dutch +_Everyman_--_Elckerlijk_--was in all probability the original of the +English, and it was certainly printed a few years earlier. Richard +Pynson, who first imprinted the English play at the Sign of the George +in Fleet Street, was printing at his press there from the early years of +the sixteenth century. The play itself may have been written, and first +performed, in English, as in Dutch, a generation or more before. + +It was written, no doubt, like most of the plays in this volume, by a +churchman; and he must have been a man of profound imagination, and of +the tenderest human soul conceivable. His ecclesiastical habit becomes +clear enough before the end of the play, where he bids Everyman go and +confess his sins. Like many of the more poignant scenes and passages in +the miracle-plays that follow it, this morality too leaves one +exclaiming on how good a thing was the plain English of the fourteenth +and fifteenth centuries. + +The relation of the several miracle-plays here printed to the +town-cycles from which they come will be seen at a glance on reference +to the tables of pageants that appear in the Appendix. We may take it +that all these town and country plays represent continually used and +frequently tinkered texts, that must in some cases have passed through +many piecemeal changes. In making them easy to the average reader of +to-day, who takes the place of the mediaeval playgoer at a Corpus Christi +festival, their latest copyists have but followed in the wake of a +series of Tudor scribes who renewed the prompt-books from time to time. +In this process, apart from the change of spelling, the smallest +possible alteration has been made consistent with the bringing of the +text to a fair modern level of intelligibility. Old words that have been +familiarised in Malory or Shakespeare, or the Bible, or in the Border +Ballads and north-country books, or in Walter Scott, or the modern +dialect of Yorkshire, are usually allowed to stand, and words needed to +keep the rhyme, are left intact. But really hard words, likely to delay +the reader, are glossed. One Towneley play, the _Extractio Animarum_, +another and a most spirited example of the "Harrowing of Hell," +mysteries that thrilled the people long ago, is given in the original +spelling, as some test of the change effected in the others. Further, in +the Appendix will be found a late example of a _St. George and the +Dragon_ doggerel Christmas play, which comes from Cornwall, and which in +a slightly varying form has been played in many shires, from Wessex to +Tyneside, within living memory. This shows us the last state of the +traditional mystery, and the English folk-play as it became when it was +left to the village wits and playwrights to produce it, without any +co-operation from the trained eye and hand of a parson or a learned +clerk. Of some other forms of our earlier drama, not omitting the Welsh +interludes of Twm o'r Nant, it may be possible to give illustrations in +a later book, companion to this. Only so much is given here as may +interest the reader, who is a playgoer first of all, and asks for +entertainment and a light in these darker passages of the old British +drama. + + * * * * * + +Finally the amplest acknowledgments are due to those who have worked +upon these present plays, including Mrs. C. Richardson, M.A., Mr. +O'Brien, Mr. Roberts, Miss Hawkins, G. R., and Mr. Ezra Pound; and to +the various editors of the "Early English Text Society," who have made +this book possible. Especially should tribute be paid to Dr. Furnivall +for his permission to make use of the Society's texts, and his interest +in this uncertain attempt to capture the outer public too, and attract +it to that ever-living literature to which he has devoted so many days +of his young old-age. + +E. R. + + * * * * * + +Everyman: a moral play otherwise called: A Treatyse how the hye fader of +heven sendeth dethe to somon every creature to come and gyve a counte of +theyr lyves in this worlde], translated from the Dutch play, Elckerlijk, +1520 (?); published in Dodsley's Select Collection of Old English Plays, +etc., vol. I., 1874; reprint of one of Skot's editions, collated with +his other edition and those of Pynson, Ed. H. Logeman, 1892; with an +introduction by F. Sidgwick, 1902; reprinted by W. W. Greg from the +Edition by John Skot preserved at Britwell Court, 1904; set to music by +H. Walford Davies, etc. (with historical and analytical notes), 1904; J. +S. Farmer, Six Anonymous Plays (Early English Dramatists), 1905; with +designs by Ambrose Dudley, 1906; in Broadway Booklets, 1906; with +introduction, note-book, and word list, J. S. Farmer (Museum +Dramatists), 1906. + +Miracle Plays: Towneley Mysteries, ed. by Surtees Society, 1836; +Pollard, Early English Text Society, 1897. York Mysteries, ed. Lucy +Toulmin Smith, 1885. Chester Mysteries, ed. Th. Wright, Shakespeare +Society, 1843-47; Deimling, Early English Text Society, 1893, etc.; T. +H. Markland (two plays), Roxburghe Club, 1818. Coventry Mysteries, ed. +Halliwell, Shakespeare Society, 1841. See also Sharp, Dissertation on +the Coventry Mysteries. For other Mysteries see Davidson, Modern +Language Notes, vii.; E. Norris, Ancient Cornish Drama, 1859. + +Selections, or Separate Plays: Harrowing of Hell, ed. Halliwell, 1840; +Collier, Five Miracle Plays, 1867; Dr. E. Mall, 1871; A. W. Pollard, +English Miracle Plays, 1895; Specimens of the Pre-Shakespearean Drama, +1897, 2 vols. (a third vol. to come), Prof. Manly. See J. H. Kirkham +(Enquiry into Sources, etc.), 1885. Abraham and Isaac, ed. L. Toulmin +Smith (Brome Hall MS.), 1886; R. Brotanek (Dublin MS.), Anglia, xxi. + +General Literature: Ward, History of English Dramatic Literature, +1875-6; Payne Collier, The History of English Dramatic Poetry, 1879; K. +Hase, Miracle Plays, trans. A. W. Jackson, 1880; C. Davidson, Studies in +English Mystery Plays, 1892; A. W. Pollard, English Miracle Plays, +Moralities, and Interludes, Specimens of pre-Elizabethan Drama, etc., +1895; K. Chambers, The Mediaeval Stage, 1903; A full bibliography is +given in F. H. Stoddard, References for Students of Miracle Plays and +Mysteries, 1887. + + + + +CONTENTS + + + +Introduction vii +Everyman 1 +The Deluge 27 +Abraham, Melchisedec, and Isaac 39 +The Wakefield Second Shepherds' Play 55 +The Coventry Nativity Play 79 +The Wakefield Miracle-Play of the Crucifixion 105 +The Cornish Mystery-Play of the Three Maries 127 +The Mystery of Mary Magdalene and the Apostles 137 +The Wakefield Pageant of the Harrowing of Hell 147 +God's Promises 163 +Appendices 193 + + + + +CHARACTERS + + +Everyman +God: Adonai +Death +Messenger +Fellowship +Cousin +Kindred +Goods +Good-Deeds +Strength +Discretion +Five-Wits +Beauty +Knowledge +Confession +Angel +Doctor + + + + +EVERYMAN + + HERE BEGINNETH A TREATISE HOW THE HIGH FATHER OF HEAVEN SENDETH + DEATH TO SUMMON EVERY CREATURE TO COME AND GIVE ACCOUNT OF THEIR + LIVES IN THIS WORLD AND IS IN MANNER OF A MORAL PLAY. + + +_Messenger._ I pray you all give your audience, +And hear this matter with reverence, +By figure a moral play-- +The _Summoning of Everyman_ called it is, +That of our lives and ending shows +How transitory we be all day. +This matter is wondrous precious, +But the intent of it is more gracious, +And sweet to bear away. +The story saith,--Man, in the beginning, +Look well, and take good heed to the ending, +Be you never so gay! +Ye think sin in the beginning full sweet, +Which in the end causeth thy soul to weep, +When the body lieth in clay. +Here shall you see how _Fellowship_ and _Jollity_, +Both _Strength_, _Pleasure_, and _Beauty_, +Will fade from thee as flower in May. +For ye shall hear, how our heaven king +Calleth _Everyman_ to a general reckoning: +Give audience, and hear what he doth say. + +_God._ I perceive here in my majesty, +How that all creatures be to me unkind, +Living without dread in worldly prosperity: +Of ghostly sight the people be so blind, +Drowned in sin, they know me not for their God; +In worldly riches is all their mind, +They fear not my rightwiseness, the sharp rod; +My law that I shewed, when I for them died, +They forget clean, and shedding of my blood red; +I hanged between two, it cannot be denied; +To get them life I suffered to be dead; +I healed their feet, with thorns hurt was my head: +I could do no more than I did truly, +And now I see the people do clean forsake me. +They use the seven deadly sins damnable; +As pride, covetise, wrath, and lechery, +Now in the world be made commendable; +And thus they leave of angels the heavenly company; +Everyman liveth so after his own pleasure, +And yet of their life they be nothing sure: +I see the more that I them forbear +The worse they be from year to year; +All that liveth appaireth[7] fast, +Therefore I will in all the haste +Have a reckoning of Everyman's person +For and I leave the people thus alone +In their life and wicked tempests, +Verily they will become much worse than beasts; +For now one would by envy another up eat; +Charity they all do clean forget. +I hoped well that Everyman +In my glory should make his mansion, +And thereto I had them all elect; +But now I see, like traitors deject, +They thank me not for the pleasure that I to them meant, +Nor yet for their being that I them have lent; +I proffered the people great multitude of mercy, +And few there be that asketh it heartily; +They be so cumbered with worldly riches, +That needs on them I must do justice, +On Everyman living without fear. +Where art thou, _Death_, thou mighty messenger? + +_Death._ Almighty God, I am here at your will, +Your commandment to fulfil. + +_God._ Go thou to _Everyman_, +And show him in my name +A pilgrimage he must on him take, +Which he in no wise may escape; +And that he bring with him a sure reckoning +Without delay or any tarrying. + +_Death._ Lord, I will in the world go run over all, +And cruelly outsearch both great and small; +Every man will I beset that liveth beastly +Out of God's laws, and dreadeth not folly: +He that loveth riches I will strike with my dart, +His sight to blind, and from heaven to depart, +Except that alms be his good friend, +In hell for to dwell, world without end. +Lo, yonder I see _Everyman_ walking; +Full little he thinketh on my coming; +His mind is on fleshly lusts and his treasure, +And great pain it shall cause him to endure +Before the Lord Heaven King. +_Everyman_, stand still; whither art thou going +Thus gaily? Hast thou thy Maker forget? + +_Everyman._ Why askst thou? +Wouldest thou wete?[8] + +_Death._ Yea, sir, I will show you; +In great haste I am sent to thee +From God out of his majesty. + +_Everyman._ What, sent to me? + +_Death._ Yea, certainly. +Though thou have forget him here, +He thinketh on thee in the heavenly sphere, +As, or we depart, thou shalt know. + +_Everyman._ What desireth God of me? + +_Death._ That shall I show thee; +A reckoning he will needs have +Without any longer respite. + +_Everyman._ To give a reckoning longer leisure I crave; +This blind matter troubleth my wit. + +_Death._ On thee thou must take a long journey: +Therefore thy book of count with thee thou bring; +For turn again thou can not by no way, +And look thou be sure of thy reckoning: +For before God thou shalt answer, and show +Thy many bad deeds and good but a few; +How thou hast spent thy life, and in what wise, +Before the chief lord of paradise. +Have ado that we were in that way, +For, wete thou well, thou shalt make none attournay.[9] + +_Everyman._ Full unready I am such reckoning to give. +I know thee not: what messenger art thou? + +_Death._ I am _Death_, that no man dreadeth. +For every man I rest and no man spareth; +For it is God's commandment +That all to me should be obedient. + +_Everyman._ O _Death_, thou comest when I had thee least in mind; +In thy power it lieth me to save, +Yet of my good will I give thee, if ye will be kind, +Yea, a thousand pound shalt thou have, +And defer this matter till another day. + +_Death._ _Everyman_, it may not be by no way; +I set not by gold, silver, nor riches, +Ne by pope, emperor, king, duke, ne princes. +For and I would receive gifts great, +All the world I might get; +But my custom is clean contrary. +I give thee no respite: come hence, and not tarry. + +_Everyman._ Alas, shall I have no longer respite? +I may say _Death_ giveth no warning: +To think on thee, it maketh my heart sick, +For all unready is my book of reckoning. +But twelve year and I might have abiding, +My counting book I would make so clear, +That my reckoning I should not need to fear. +Wherefore, _Death_, I pray thee, for God's mercy, +Spare me till I be provided of remedy. + +_Death._ Thee availeth not to cry, weep, and pray: +But haste thee lightly that you were gone the journey, +And prove thy friends if thou can. +For, wete thou well, the tide abideth no man, +And in the world each living creature +For _Adam's_ sin must die of nature. + +_Everyman._ _Death_, if I should this pilgrimage take, +And my reckoning surely make, +Show me, for saint _charity_, +Should I not come again shortly? + +_Death._ No, _Everyman_; and thou be once there, +Thou mayst never more come here, +Trust me verily. + +_Everyman._ O gracious God, in the high seat celestial, +Have mercy on me in this most need; +Shall I have no company from this vale terrestrial +Of mine acquaintance that way me to lead? + +_Death._ Yea, if any be so hardy, +That would go with thee and bear thee company. +Hie thee that you were gone to God's magnificence, +Thy reckoning to give before his presence. +What, weenest thou thy life is given thee, +And thy worldly goods also? + +_Everyman._ I had wend so, verily. + +_Death._ Nay, nay; it was but lent thee; +For as soon as thou art go, +Another awhile shall have it, and then go therefro +Even as thou hast done. +_Everyman_, thou art mad; thou hast thy wits five, +And here on earth will not amend thy life, +For suddenly I do come. + +_Everyman._ O wretched caitiff, whither shall I flee, +That I might scape this endless sorrow! +Now, gentle _Death_, spare me till to-morrow, +That I may amend me +With good advisement. + +_Death._ Nay, thereto I will not consent, +Nor no man will I respite, +But to the heart suddenly I shall smite +Without any advisement. +And now out of thy sight I will me hie; +See thou make thee ready shortly, +For thou mayst say this is the day +That no man living may scape away. + +_Everyman._ Alas, I may well weep with sighs deep; +Now have I no manner of company +To help me in my journey, and me to keep; +And also my writing is full unready. +How shall I do now for to excuse me? +I would to God I had never be gete![10] +To my soul a full great profit it had be; +For now I fear pains huge and great. +The time passeth; Lord, help that all wrought; +For though I mourn it availeth nought. +The day passeth, and is almost a-go; +I wot not well what for to do. +To whom were I best my complaint to make? +What, and I to _Fellowship_ thereof spake, +And showed him of this sudden chance? +For in him is all mine affiance; +We have in the world so many a day +Be on good friends in sport and play. +I see him yonder, certainly; +I trust that he will bear me company; +Therefore to him will I speak to ease my sorrow. +Well met, good _Fellowship_, and good morrow! + +_Fellowship speaketh._ _Everyman_, good morrow by this day. +Sir, why lookest thou so piteously? +If any thing be amiss, I pray thee, me say, +That I may help to remedy. + +_Everyman._ Yea, good _Fellowship_, yea, +I am in great jeopardy. + +_Fellowship._ My true friend, show to me your mind; +I will not forsake thee, unto my life's end, +In the way of good company. + +_Everyman._ That was well spoken, and lovingly. + +_Fellowship._ Sir, I must needs know your heaviness; +I have pity to see you in any distress; +If any have you wronged ye shall revenged be, +Though I on the ground be slain for thee,-- +Though that I know before that I should die. + +_Everyman._ Verily, _Fellowship_, gramercy. + +_Fellowship._ Tush! by thy thanks I set not a straw. +Show me your grief, and say no more. + +_Everyman._ If I my heart should to you break, +And then you to turn your mind from me, +And would not me comfort, when you hear me speak, +Then should I ten times sorrier be. + +_Fellowship._ Sir, I say as I will do in deed. + +_Everyman._ Then be you a good friend at need: +I have found you true here before. + +_Fellowship._ And so ye shall evermore; +For, in faith, and thou go to Hell, +I will not forsake thee by the way! + +_Everyman._ Ye speak like a good friend; I believe you well; +I shall deserve it, and I may. + +_Fellowship._ I speak of no deserving, by this day. +For he that will say and nothing do +Is not worthy with good company to go; +Therefore show me the grief of your mind, +As to your friend most loving and kind. + +_Everyman._ I shall show you how it is; +Commanded I am to go a journey, +A long way, hard and dangerous, +And give a strait count without delay +Before the high judge Adonai.[11] +Wherefore I pray you, bear me company, +As ye have promised, in this journey. + +_Fellowship._ That is matter indeed! Promise is duty, +But, and I should take such a voyage on me, +I know it well, it should be to my pain: +Also it make me afeard, certain. +But let us take counsel here as well as we can, +For your words would fear a strong man. + +_Everyman._ Why, ye said, If I had need, +Ye would me never forsake, quick nor dead, +Though it were to hell truly. + +_Fellowship._ So I said, certainly, +But such pleasures be set aside, thee sooth to say: +And also, if we took such a journey, +When should we come again? + +_Everyman._ Nay, never again till the day of doom. + +_Fellowship._ In faith, then will not I come there! +Who hath you these tidings brought? + +_Everyman._ Indeed, _Death_ was with me here. + +_Fellowship._ Now, by God that all hath bought, +If _Death_ were the messenger, +For no man that is living to-day +I will not go that loath journey-- +Not for the father that begat me! + +_Everyman._ Ye promised other wise, pardie. + +_Fellowship._ I wot well I say so truly; +And yet if thou wilt eat, and drink, and make good cheer, +Or haunt to women, the lusty company, +I would not forsake you, while the day is clear, +Trust me verily! + +_Everyman._ Yea, thereto ye would be ready; +To go to mirth, solace, and play, +Your mind will sooner apply +Than to bear me company in my long journey. + +_Fellowship._ Now, in good faith, I will not that way. +But and thou wilt murder, or any man kill, +In that I will help thee with a good will! + +_Everyman._ O that is a simple advice indeed! +Gentle _fellow_, help me in my necessity; +We have loved long, and now I need, +And now, gentle _Fellowship_, remember me. + +_Fellowship._ Whether ye have loved me or no, +By Saint John, I will not with thee go. + +_Everyman._ Yet I pray thee, take the labour, and do so much for me +To bring me forward, for saint charity, +And comfort me till I come without the town. + +_Fellowship._ Nay, and thou would give me a new gown, +I will not a foot with thee go; +But and you had tarried I would not have left thee so. +And as now, God speed thee in thy journey, +For from thee I will depart as fast as I may. + +_Everyman._ Whither away, _Fellowship_? will you forsake me? + +_Fellowship._ Yea, by my fay, to God I betake thee. + +_Everyman._ Farewell, good _Fellowship_; for this my heart is sore; +Adieu for ever, I shall see thee no more. + +_Fellowship._ In faith, _Everyman_, farewell now at the end; +For you I will remember that parting is mourning. + +_Everyman._ Alack! shall we thus depart indeed? +Our Lady, help, without any more comfort, +Lo, _Fellowship_ forsaketh me in my most need: +For help in this world whither shall I resort? +_Fellowship_ herebefore with me would merry make; +And now little sorrow for me doth he take. +It is said, in prosperity men friends may find, +Which in adversity be full unkind. +Now whither for succour shall I flee, +Sith that _Fellowship_ hath forsaken me? +To my kinsmen I will truly, +Praying them to help me in my necessity; +I believe that they will do so, +For kind will creep where it may not go. +I will go say, for yonder I see them go. +Where be ye now, my friends and kinsmen? + +_Kindred._ Here be we now at your commandment. +_Cousin_, I pray you show us your intent +In any wise, and not spare. + +_Cousin._ Yea, _Everyman_, and to us declare +If ye be disposed to go any whither, +For wete you well, we will live and die together. + +_Kindred._ In wealth and woe we will with you hold, +For over his kin a man may be bold. + +_Everyman._ Gramercy, my friends and kinsmen kind. +Now shall I show you the grief of my mind: +I was commanded by a messenger, +That is an high king's chief officer; +He bade me go a pilgrimage to my pain, +And I know well I shall never come again; +Also I must give a reckoning straight, +For I have a great enemy, that hath me in wait, +Which intendeth me for to hinder. + +_Kindred._ What account is that which ye must render? +That would I know. + +_Everyman._ Of all my works I must show +How I have lived and my days spent; +Also of ill deeds, that I have used +In my time, sith life was me lent; +And of all virtues that I have refused. +Therefore I pray you go thither with me, +To help to make mine account, for saint _charity_. + +_Cousin._ What, to go thither? Is that the matter? +Nay, _Everyman_, I had liefer fast bread and water +All this five year and more. + +_Everyman._ Alas, that ever I was bore![12] +For now shall I never be merry +If that you forsake me. + +_Kindred._ Ah, sir; what, ye be a merry man! +Take good heart to you, and make no moan. +But one thing I warn you, by Saint Anne, +As for me, ye shall go alone. + +_Everyman._ My _Cousin_, will you not with me go? + +_Cousin._ No, by our Lady; I have the cramp in my toe. +Trust not to me, for, so God me speed, +I will deceive you in your most need, +_Kindred._ It availeth not us to tice. +Ye shall have my maid with all my heart; +She loveth to go to feasts, there to be nice, +And to dance, and abroad to start: +I will give her leave to help you in that journey, +If that you and she may agree. + +_Everyman._ Now show me the very effect of your mind. +Will you go with me, or abide behind? + +_Kindred._ Abide behind? yea, that I will and I may! +Therefore farewell until another day. + +_Everyman._ How should I be merry or glad? +For fair promises to me make, +But when I have most need, they me forsake. +I am deceived; that maketh me sad. + +_Cousin._ Cousin _Everyman_, farewell now, +For verily I will not go with you; +Also of mine own an unready reckoning +I have to account; therefore I make tarrying. +Now, God keep thee, for now I go. + +_Everyman._ Ah, _Jesus_, is all come hereto? +Lo, fair words maketh fools feign; +They promise and nothing will do certain. +My kinsmen promised me faithfully +For to abide with me steadfastly, +And now fast away do they flee: +Even so _Fellowship_ promised me. +What friend were best me of to provide? +I lose my time here longer to abide. +Yet in my mind a thing there is;-- +All my life I have loved riches; +If that my good now help me might, +He would make my heart full light. +I will speak to him in this distress.-- +Where art thou, my _Goods_ and riches? + +_Goods._ Who calleth me? _Everyman?_ what haste thou hast! +I lie here in corners, trussed and piled so high, +And in chests I am locked so fast, +Also sacked in bags, thou mayst see with thine eye, +I cannot stir; in packs low I lie. +What would ye have, lightly me say. + +_Everyman._ Come hither, _Good_, in all the haste thou may, +For of counsel I must desire thee. + +_Goods._ Sir, and ye in the world have trouble or adversity, +That can I help you to remedy shortly. + +_Everyman._ It is another disease that grieveth me; +In this world it is not, I tell thee so. +I am sent for another way to go, +To give a straight account general +Before the highest _Jupiter_ of all; +And all my life I have had joy and pleasure in thee. +Therefore I pray thee go with me, +For, peradventure, thou mayst before God Almighty +My reckoning help to clean and purify; +For it is said ever among, +That money maketh all right that is wrong. + +_Goods._ Nay, _Everyman_, I sing another song, +I follow no man in such voyages; +For and I went with thee +Thou shouldst fare much the worse for me; +For because on me thou did set thy mind, +Thy reckoning I have made blotted and blind, +That thine account thou cannot make truly; +And that hast thou for the love of me. + +_Everyman._ That would grieve me full sore, +When I should come to that fearful answer. +Up, let us go thither together. + +_Goods._ Nay, not so, I am too brittle, I may not endure; +I will follow no man one foot, be ye sure. + +_Everyman._ Alas, I have thee loved, and had great pleasure +All my life-days on good and treasure. + +_Goods._ That is to thy damnation without lesing, +For my love is contrary to the love everlasting. +But if thou had me loved moderately during, +As, to the poor give part of me, +Then shouldst thou not in this dolour be, +Nor in this great sorrow and care. + +_Everyman._ Lo, now was I deceived or I was ware, +And all I may wyte[13] my spending of time. + +_Goods._ What, weenest thou that I am thine? + +_Everyman._ I had wend so. + +_Goods._ Nay, _Everyman,_ I say no; +As for a while I was lent thee, +A season thou hast had me in prosperity; +My condition is man's soul to kill; +If I save one, a thousand I do spill; +Weenest thou that I will follow thee? +Nay, from this world, not verily. + +_Everyman._ I had wend otherwise. + +_Goods._ Therefore to thy soul _Good_ is a thief; +For when thou art dead, this is my guise +Another to deceive in the same wise +As I have done thee, and all to his soul's reprief. + +_Everyman._ O false _Good_, cursed thou be! +Thou traitor to God, that hast deceived me, +And caught me in thy snare. + +_Goods._ Marry, thou brought thyself in care, +Whereof I am glad, +I must needs laugh, I cannot be sad. + +_Everyman._ Ah, _Good_, thou hast had long my heartly love; +I gave thee that which should be the Lord's above. +But wilt thou not go with me in deed? +I pray thee truth to say. + +_Goods._ No, so God me speed, +Therefore farewell, and have good day. + +_Everyman._ O, to whom shall I make my moan +For to go with me in that heavy journey? +First _Fellowship_ said he would with me gone; +His words were very pleasant and gay, +But afterward he left me alone. +Then spake I to my kinsmen all in despair, +And also they gave me words fair, +They lacked no fair speaking, +But all forsake me in the ending. +Then went I to my _Goods_ that I loved best, +In hope to have comfort, but there had I least; +For my _Goods_ sharply did me tell +That he bringeth many into hell. +Then of myself I was ashamed, +And so I am worthy to be blamed; +Thus may I well myself hate. +Of whom shall I now counsel take? +I think that I shall never speed +Till that I go to my _Good-Deed_, +But alas, she is so weak, +That she can neither go nor speak; +Yet will I venture on her now.-- +My _Good-Deeds_, where be you? + +_Good-Deeds._ Here I lie cold in the ground; +Thy sins hath me sore bound, +That I cannot stir. + +_Everyman._ O, _Good-Deeds_, I stand in fear; +I must you pray of counsel, +For help now should come right well. + +_Goods-Deeds._ _Everyman_, I have understanding +That ye be summoned account to make +Before _Messias_, of Jerusalem King; +And you do by me[14] that journey what[15] you will I take. + +_Everyman._ Therefore I come to you, my moan to make; +I pray you, that ye will go with me. + +_Good-Deeds._ I would full fain, but I cannot stand verily. + +_Everyman._ Why, is there anything on you fall? + +_Good-Deeds._ Yea, sir, I may thank you of all; +If ye had perfectly cheered me, +Your book of account now full ready had be. +Look, the books of your works and deeds eke; +Oh, see how they lie under the feet, +To your soul's heaviness. + +_Everyman._ Our Lord _Jesus_, help me! +For one letter here I can not see. + +_Good-Deeds._ There is a blind reckoning in time of distress! + +_Everyman._ _Good-Deeds_, I pray you, help me in this need, +Or else I am for ever damned indeed; +Therefore help me to make reckoning +Before the redeemer of all thing, +That king is, and was, and ever shall. + +_Good-Deeds._ _Everyman_, I am sorry of your fall, +And fain would I help you, and I were able. + +_Everyman._ _Good-Deeds_, your counsel I pray you give me. + +_Good-Deeds._ That shall I do verily; +Though that on my feet I may not go, +I have a sister, that shall with you also, +Called _Knowledge_, which shall with you abide, +To help you to make that dreadful reckoning. + +_Knowledge._ _Everyman_, I will go with thee, and be thy guide, +In thy most need to go by thy side. + +_Everyman._ In good condition I am now in every thing, +And am wholly content with this good thing; +Thanked be God my Creator. + +_Good-Deeds._ And when he hath brought thee there, +Where thou shalt heal thee of thy smart, +Then go you with your reckoning and your _Good-Deeds_ together +For to make you joyful at heart +Before the blessed Trinity. + +_Everyman._ My _Good-Deeds_, gramercy; +I am well content, certainly, +With your words sweet. + +_Knowledge._ Now go we together lovingly, +To _Confession_, that cleansing river. + +_Everyman._ For joy I weep; I would we were there; +But, I pray you, give me cognition +Where dwelleth that holy man, _Confession_. + +_Knowledge._ In the house of salvation: +We shall find him in that place, +That shall us comfort by God's grace. +Lo, this is _Confession_; kneel down and ask mercy, +For he is in good conceit with God almighty. + +_Everyman._ O glorious fountain that all uncleanness doth clarify, +Wash from me the spots of vices unclean, +That on me no sin may be seen; +I come with _Knowledge_ for my redemption, +Repent with hearty and full contrition; +For I am commanded a pilgrimage to take, +And great accounts before God to make. +Now, I pray you, _Shrift_, mother of salvation, +Help my good deeds for my piteous exclamation. + +_Confession._ I know your sorrow well, _Everyman_; +Because with _Knowledge_ ye come to me, +I will you comfort as well as I can, +And a precious jewel I will give thee, +Called penance, wise voider of adversity; +Therewith shall your body chastised be, +With abstinence and perseverance in God's service: +Here shall you receive that scourge of me, +Which is penance strong, that ye must endure, +To remember thy Saviour was scourged for thee +With sharp scourges, and suffered it patiently; +So must thou, or thou scape that painful pilgrimage; +_Knowledge_, keep him in this voyage, +And by that time _Good-Deeds_ will be with thee. +But in any wise, be sure of mercy, +For your time draweth fast, and ye will saved be; +Ask God mercy, and He will grant truly, +When with the scourge of penance man doth him bind, +The oil of forgiveness then shall he find. + +_Everyman._ Thanked be God for his gracious work! +For now I will my penance begin; +This hath rejoiced and lighted my heart, +Though the knots be painful and hard within. + +_Knowledge._ _Everyman_, look your penance that ye fulfil, +What pain that ever it to you be, +And _Knowledge_ shall give you counsel at will, +How your accounts ye shall make clearly. + +_Everyman._ O eternal God, O heavenly figure, +O way of rightwiseness, O goodly vision, +Which descended down in a virgin pure +Because he would _Everyman_ redeem, +Which _Adam_ forfeited by his disobedience: +O blessed Godhead, elect and high-divine, +Forgive my grievous offence; +Here I cry thee mercy in this presence. +O ghostly treasure, O ransomer and redeemer +Of all the world, hope and conductor, +Mirror of joy, and founder of mercy, +Which illumineth heaven and earth thereby, +Hear my clamorous complaint, though it late be; +Receive my prayers; unworthy in this heavy life, +Though I be, a sinner most abominable, +Yet let my name be written in _Moses'_ table; +O _Mary_, pray to the Maker of all thing, +Me for to help at my ending, +And save me from the power of my enemy, +For _Death_ assaileth me strongly; +And, Lady, that I may by means of thy prayer +Of your Son's glory to be partaker, +By the means of his passion I it crave, +I beseech you, help my soul to save.-- +_Knowledge_, give me the scourge of penance; +My flesh therewith shall give a quittance: +I will now begin, if God give me grace. + +_Knowledge._ _Everyman_, God give you time and space: +Thus I bequeath you in the hands of our Saviour, +Thus may you make your reckoning sure. + +_Everyman._ In the name of the Holy Trinity, +My body sore punished shall be: +Take this body for the sin of the flesh; +Also thou delightest to go gay and fresh, +And in the way of damnation thou did me bring; +Therefore suffer now strokes and punishing. +Now of penance I will wade the water clear, +To save me from purgatory, that sharp fire. + +_Good-Deeds._ I thank God, now I can walk and go; +And am delivered of my sickness and woe. +Therefore with _Everyman_ I will go, and not spare; +His good works I will help him to declare. + +_Knowledge._ Now, _Everyman_, be merry and glad; +Your _Good-Deeds_ cometh now; ye may not be sad; +Now is your _Good-Deeds_ whole and sound, +Going upright upon the ground. + +_Everyman._ My heart is light, and shall be evermore; +Now will I smite faster than I did before. + +_Good-Deeds._ _Everyman_, pilgrim, my special friend, +Blessed be thou without end; +For thee is prepared the eternal glory. +Ye have me made whole and sound, +Therefore I will bide by thee in every stound.[16] + +_Everyman._ Welcome, my _Good-Deeds_; now I hear thy voice, +I weep for very sweetness of love. + +_Knowledge._ Be no more sad, but ever rejoice, +God seeth thy living in his throne above; +Put on this garment to thy behove, +Which is wet with your tears, +Or else before God you may it miss, +When you to your journey's end come shall. + +_Everyman._ Gentle _Knowledge_, what do you it call? + +_Knowledge._ It is a garment of sorrow: +From pain it will you borrow; +Contrition it is, +That getteth forgiveness; +It pleaseth God passing well. + +_Good-Deeds._ _Everyman_, will you wear it for your heal? + +_Everyman._ Now blessed be _Jesu, Mary's_ Son! +For now have I on true contrition. +And let us go now without tarrying; +_Good-Deeds_, have we clear our reckoning? + +_Good-Deeds._ Yea, indeed I have it here. + +_Everyman._ Then I trust we need not fear; +Now, friends, let us not part in twain. + +_Knowledge._ Nay, _Everyman_, that will we not, certain. + +_Good-Deeds._ Yet must thou lead with thee +Three persons of great might. + +_Everyman._ Who should they be? + +_Good-Deeds._ _Discretion_ and _Strength_ they hight, +And thy _Beauty_ may not abide behind. + +_Knowledge._ Also ye must call to mind +Your _Five-wits_ as for your counsellors. + +_Good-Deeds._ You must have them ready at all hours. + +_Everyman._ How shall I get them hither? + +_Knowledge._ You must call them all together, +And they will hear you incontinent. + +_Everyman._ My friends, come hither and be present +_Discretion_, _Strength_, my _Five-wits_, and _Beauty_. + +_Beauty._ Here at your will we be all ready. +What will ye that we should do? + +_Good-Deeds._ That ye would with _Everyman_ go, +And help him in his pilgrimage, +Advise you, will ye with him or not in that voyage? + +_Strength._ We will bring him all thither, +To his help and comfort, ye may believe me. + +_Discretion._ So will we go with him all together. + +_Everyman._ Almighty God, loved thou be, +I give thee laud that I have hither brought +_Strength_, _Discretion_, _Beauty_, and _Five-wits_; lack I nought; +And my _Good-Deeds_, with _Knowledge_ clear, +All be in my company at my will here; +I desire no more to my business. + +_Strength._ And I, _Strength_, will by you stand in distress, +Though thou would in battle fight on the ground. + +_Five-wits._ And though it were through the world round, +We will not depart for sweet nor sour. + +_Beauty._ No more will I unto death's hour, +Whatsoever thereof befall. + +_Discretion._ _Everyman_, advise you first of all; +Go with a good advisement and deliberation; +We all give you virtuous monition +That all shall be well. + +_Everyman._ My friends, hearken what I will tell: +I pray God reward you in his heavenly sphere. +Now hearken, all that be here, +For I will make my testament +Here before you all present. +In alms half my good I will give with my hands twain +In the way of charity, with good intent, +And the other half still shall remain +In quiet to be returned there it ought to be. +This I do in despite of the fiend of hell +To go quite out of his peril +Ever after and this day. + +_Knowledge._ _Everyman_, hearken what I say; +Go to priesthood, I you advise, +And receive of him in any wise +The holy sacrament and ointment together; +Then shortly see ye turn again hither; +We will all abide you here. + +_Five-Wits._ Yea, _Everyman_, hie you that ye ready were, +There is no emperor, king, duke, ne baron, +That of God hath commission, +As hath the least priest in the world being; +For of the blessed sacraments pure and benign, +He beareth the keys and thereof hath the cure +For man's redemption, it is ever sure; +Which God for our soul's medicine +Gave us out of his heart with great pine; +Here in this transitory life, for thee and me +The blessed sacraments seven there be, +Baptism, confirmation, with priesthood good, +And the sacrament of God's precious flesh and blood, +Marriage, the holy extreme unction, and penance; +These seven be good to have in remembrance, +Gracious sacraments of high divinity. + +_Everyman._ Fain would I receive that holy body +And meekly to my ghostly father I will go. + +_Five-wits._ _Everyman_, that is the best that ye can do: +God will you to salvation bring, +For priesthood exceedeth all other thing; +To us Holy Scripture they do teach, +And converteth man from sin heaven to reach; +God hath to them more power given, +Than to any angel that is in heaven; +With five words he may consecrate +God's body in flesh and blood to make, +And handleth his maker between his hands; +The priest bindeth and unbindeth all bands, +Both in earth and in heaven; +Thou ministers all the sacraments seven; +Though we kissed thy feet thou were worthy; +Thou art surgeon that cureth sin deadly: +No remedy we find under God +But all only priesthood. +_Everyman_, God gave priests that dignity, +And setteth them in his stead among us to be; +Thus be they above angels in degree. + +_Knowledge._ If priests be good it is so surely; +But when Jesus hanged on the cross with great smart +There he gave, out of his blessed heart, +The same sacrament in great torment: +He sold them not to us, that Lord Omnipotent. +Therefore Saint Peter the apostle doth say +That Jesu's curse hath all they +Which God their Saviour do buy or sell, +Or they for any money do take or tell. +Sinful priests giveth the sinners example bad; +Their children sitteth by other men's fires, I have heard; +And some haunteth women's company, +With unclean life, as lusts of lechery +These be with sin made blind. + +_Five-wits._ I trust to God no such may we find; +Therefore let us priesthood honour, +And follow their doctrine for our souls' succour; +We be their sheep, and they shepherds be +By whom we all be kept in surety. +Peace, for yonder I see _Everyman_ come, +Which hath made true satisfaction. + +_Good-Deeds._ Methinketh it is he indeed. + +_Everyman._ Now Jesu be our alder speed.[17] +I have received the sacrament for my redemption, +And then mine extreme unction: +Blessed be all they that counselled me to take it! +And now, friends, let us go without longer respite; +I thank God that ye have tarried so long. +Now set each of you on this rod your hand, +And shortly follow me: +I go before, there I would be; God be our guide. + +_Strength._ _Everyman_, we will not from you go, +Till ye have gone this voyage long. + +_Discretion._ I, _Discretion_, will bide by you also. + +_Knowledge._ And though this pilgrimage be never so strong, +I will never part you fro: +_Everyman_, I will be as sure by thee +As ever I did by Judas Maccabee. + +_Everyman._ Alas, I am so faint I may not stand, +My limbs under me do fold; +Friends, let us not turn again to this land, +Not for all the world's gold, +For into this cave must I creep +And turn to the earth and there to sleep. + +_Beauty._ What, into this grave? alas! + +_Everyman._ Yea, there shall you consume more and less. + +_Beauty._ And what, should I smother here? + +_Everyman._ Yea, by my faith, and never more appear. +In this world live no more we shall, +But in heaven before the highest Lord of all. + +_Beauty._ I cross out all this; adieu by Saint _John_; +I take my cap in my lap and am gone. + +_Everyman._ What, _Beauty_, whither will ye? + +_Beauty._ Peace, I am deaf; I look not behind me, +Not and thou would give me all the gold in thy chest. + +_Everyman._ Alas, whereto may I trust? +_Beauty_ goeth fast away hie; +She promised with me to live and die. + +_Strength._ _Everyman_, I will thee also forsake and deny; +Thy game liketh me not at all. + +_Everyman._ Why, then ye will forsake me all. +Sweet _Strength_, tarry a little space. + +_Strength._ Nay, sir, by the rood of grace +I will hie me from thee fast, +Though thou weep till thy heart brast. + +_Everyman._ Ye would ever bide by me, ye said. + +_Strength._ Yea, I have you far enough conveyed; +Ye be old enough, I understand, +Your pilgrimage to take on hand; +I repent me that I hither came. + +_Everyman._ _Strength_, you to displease I am to blame; +Will you break promise that is debt? + +_Strength._ In faith, I care not; +Thou art but a fool to complain, +You spend your speech and waste your brain; +Go thrust thee into the ground. + +_Everyman._ I had wend surer I should you have found. +He that trusteth in his _Strength_ +She him deceiveth at the length. +Both _Strength_ and _Beauty_ forsaketh me, +Yet they promised me fair and lovingly. + +_Discretion. Everyman_, I will after _Strength_ be gone, +As for me I will leave you alone. + +_Everyman._ Why, _Discretion_, will ye forsake me? + +_Discretion._ Yea, in faith, I will go from thee, +For when _Strength_ goeth before +I follow after evermore. + +_Everyman._ Yet, I pray thee, for the love of the Trinity, +Look in my grave once piteously. + +_Discretion._ Nay, so nigh will I not come. +Farewell, every one! + +_Everyman._ O all thing faileth, save God alone; +_Beauty_, _Strength_, and _Discretion_; +For when _Death_ bloweth his blast, +They all run from me full fast. + +_Five-wits. Everyman_, my leave now of thee I take; +I will follow the other, for here I thee forsake. + +_Everyman._ Alas! then may I wail and weep, +For I took you for my best friend. + +_Five-wits._ I will no longer thee keep; +Now farewell, and there an end. + +_Everyman._ O Jesu, help, all hath forsaken me! + +_Good-Deeds._ Nay, _Everyman_, I will bide with thee, +I will not forsake thee indeed; +Thou shalt find me a good friend at need. + +_Everyman._ Gramercy, _Good-Deeds_; now may I true friends see; +They have forsaken me every one; +I loved them better than my _Good-Deeds_ alone. +_Knowledge_, will ye forsake me also? + +_Knowledge._ Yea, _Everyman_, when ye to death do go: +But not yet for no manner of danger. + +_Everyman._ Gramercy, _Knowledge_, with all my heart. + +_Knowledge._ Nay, yet I will not from hence depart, +Till I see where ye shall be come. + +_Everyman._ Methinketh, alas, that I must be gone, +To make my reckoning and my debts pay, +For I see my time is nigh spent away. +Take example, all ye that this do hear or see, +How they that I loved best do forsake me, +Except my _Good-Deeds_ that bideth truly. + +_Good-Deeds._ All earthly things is but vanity: +_Beauty_, _Strength_, and _Discretion_, do man forsake, +Foolish friends and kinsmen, that fair spake, +All fleeth save _Good-Deeds_, and that am I. + +_Everyman._ Have mercy on me, God most mighty; +And stand by me, thou Mother and Maid, holy _Mary_. + +_Good-Deeds_. Fear not, I will speak for thee. + +_Everyman._ Here I cry God mercy. + +_Good-Deeds._ Short our end, and minish our pain; +Let us go and never come again. + +_Everyman._ Into thy hands, Lord, my soul I commend; +Receive it, Lord, that it be not lost; +As thou me boughtest, so me defend, +And save me from the fiend's boast, +That I may appear with that blessed host +That shall be saved at the day of doom. +_In manus tuas_--of might's most +For ever--_commendo spiritum meum_. + +_Knowledge._ Now hath he suffered that we all shall endure; +The _Good-Deeds_ shall make all sure. +Now hath he made ending; +Methinketh that I hear angels sing +And make great joy and melody, +Where _Everyman's_ soul received shall be. + +_Angel._ Come, excellent elect spouse to Jesu: +Hereabove thou shalt go +Because of thy singular virtue: +Now the soul is taken the body fro; +Thy reckoning is crystal-clear. +Now shalt thou into the heavenly sphere, +Unto the which all ye shall come +That liveth well before the day of doom. + +_Doctor._ This moral men may have in mind; +Ye hearers, take it of worth, old and young, +And forsake pride, for he deceiveth you in the end, +And remember _Beauty_, _Five-wits_, _Strength_, and _Discretion_, +They all at the last do _Everyman_ forsake, +Save his _Good-Deeds_, there doth he take. +But beware, and they be small +Before God, he hath no help at all. +None excuse may be there for _Everyman_: +Alas, how shall he do then? +For after death amends may no man make, +For then mercy and pity do him forsake. +If his reckoning be not clear when he do come, +God will say--_ite maledicti in ignem aeternum_. +And he that hath his account whole and sound, +High in heaven he shall be crowned; +Unto which place God bring us all thither +That we may live body and soul together. +Thereto help the Trinity, +Amen, say ye, for saint _Charity_. + +THUS ENDETH THIS MORALL PLAY OF EVERYMAN. + + + + +THE CHESTER PAGEANT OF THE WATER-LEADERS AND DRAWERS OF THE DEE +CONCERNING NOAH'S DELUGE + + + +CHARACTERS + + +God +Noah +Shem +Ham +Japhet +Noah's Wife +Shem's Wife +Ham's Wife +Japhet's Wife + + + + +THE CHESTER PAGEANT OF THE DELUGE + + + +_God._ I, God, that all the world have wrought +Heaven and Earth, and all of nought, +I see my people, in deed and thought, +Are foully set in sin. + My ghost shall not lodge in any man +That through fleshly liking is my fone,[18] +But till six score years be gone +To look if they will blynne.[19] + Man that I made I will destroy, +Beast, worm, and fowl to fly, +For on earth they me annoy, +The folk that is thereon. + For it harms me so hurtfully +The malice now that can multiply, +That sore it grieveth me inwardly, +That ever I made man. + Therefore Noah, my servant free, +That righteous man art, as I see, +A ship soon thou shalt make thee, +Of trees dry and light. + Little chambers therein thou make +And binding slich[20] also thou take +Within and out, thou not slake +To annoint it through all thy might. + Three hundred cubits it shall be long, +And so of breadth to make it strong, +Of height so, then must thou fonge,[21] +Thus measure it about. + One window work though thy might; +One cubit of length and breadth make it, +Upon the side a door shall fit +For to come in and out. + Eating-places thou make also, +Three roofed chambers, one or two: +For with water I think to stow[22] +Man that I can make. + Destroyed all the world shall be, +Save thou, thy wife, and sons three, +And all their wives, also, with thee, +Shall saved be for thy sake. + +_Noah._ Ah, Lord! I thank thee, loud and still, +That to me art in such will, +And spares me and my house to spill +As now I soothly find. + Thy bidding, Lord, I shall fulfil, +And never more thee grieve nor grill[23] +That such grace has sent me till +Among all mankind. + Have done you men and women all; +Help, for aught that may befall, +To work this ship, chamber, and hall, +As God hath bidden us do. + +_Shem._ Father, I am already bowne,[24] +An axe I have, by my crown! +As sharp as any in all this town +For to go thereto. + +_Ham._ I have a hatchet, wonder keen, +To bite well, as may be seen, +A better ground one, as I ween, +Is not in all this town. + +_Japhet._ And I can well make a pin, +And with this hammer knock it in; +Go and work without more din; +And I am ready bowne.[24] + +_Noah's Wife._ And we shall bring timber too, +For women nothing else to do +Women be weak to undergo +Any great travail. + +_Shem's Wife._ Here is a good hackstock; +On this you must hew and knock: +Shall none be idle in this flock, +Nor now may no man fail. + +_Ham's Wife._ And I will go to gather slich,[25] +The ship for to clean and pitch; +Anointed it must be, every stitch, +Board, tree, and pin. + +_Japhet's Wife._ And I will gather chips here +To make a fire for you, in fear, +And for to dight[26] your dinner, +Against you come in. + +[_Here they make signs as though they were working divers instruments._ + +_Noah._ Now in the name of God I will begin, +To make the ship that we shall in, +That we be ready for to swim, +At the coming of the flood. + These boards I join together, +To keep us safe from the weather +That we may roam both hither and thither +And safe be from this flood. + Of this tree will I have the mast, +Tied with gables that will last +With a sail yard for each blast +And each thing in its kind. + With topmast high and bowsprit. +With cords and ropes, I hold all fit +To sail forth at the next weete[27] +This ship is at an end. +Wife in this castle we shall be kept: +My children and thou I would in leaped! + +_Noah's Wife._ In faith, Noe, I had as lief thou had slept, for all thy + frankishfare,[28] +For I will not do after thy rede.[29] + +_Noah._ Good wife, do as I thee bid. + +_Noah's Wife._ By Christ not, or I see more need, +Though thou stand all the day and rave. + +_Noah._ Lord, that women be crabbed aye! +And never are meek, that I dare say. +This is well seen of me to-day +In witness of you each one. + Good wife, let be all this beere[30] +That thou makest in this place here, +For they all ween thou art master; +And so thou art, by St. John! + +_God._ Noah, take thou thy company +And in the ship hie that you be, +For none so righteous man to me +Is now on earth living. + Of clean beasts with thee thou take +Seven and seven, or thou seake, +He and she make to make +Quickly in that thou bring. + Of beasts unclean two and two, +Male and female, without more; +Of clean fowls seven also, +The he and she together. + Of fowles unclean two, and no more; +Of beasts as I said before: +That shall be saved through my lore +Against I send the weather. + Of all meats that must be eaten +Into the ship look there be gotten, +For that no way may be forgotten +And do all this by deene.[31] + To sustain man and beasts therein, +Aye, till the waters cease and blyn.[32] +This world is filled full of sin +And that is now well seen. + Seven days be yet coming, +You shall have space them in to bring; +After that it is my liking +Mankind for to annoy. + Forty days and forty nights, +Rain shall fall for their unrights; +And that I have made through my might, +Now think I to destroy. + +_Noah._ Lord, at your bidding I am bayne,[33] +Since none other grace will gain, +It will I fulfil fain, +For gracious I thee find. + A hundred winters and twenty +This ship making tarried have I: +If, through amendment, any mercy +Would fall unto mankind. + Have done, you men and women all. +Hie you, lest this water fall, +That each beast were in his stall +And into ship brought. + Of clean beasts seven shall be; +Of unclean two, this God bade me; +This flood is nigh, well may we see, +Therefore tarry you nought. + +_Shem._ Sir, here are lions, leopards in, +Horses, mares, oxen, and swine, +Goats, calves, sheep, and kine, +Here sitten[34] may you see. + +_Ham._ Camels, asses, men may find; +Buck, doe, hart and hind, +And beasts of all manner kind. +Here be, as thinks me. + +_Japhet._ Take here cats and dogs too, +Otter, fox, fulmart also; +Hares, hopping gaily, can ye +Have kail here for to eat. + +_Noah's Wife._ And here are bears, wolves set, +Apes, owls, marmoset; +Weasels, squirrels, and ferret +Here they eat their meat. + +_Shem's Wife._ Yet more beasts are in this house! +Here cats come in full crowse,[35] +Here a rat and here a mouse; +They stand nigh together. + +_Ham's Wife._ And here are fowls less and more, +Herons, cranes and bittern; +Swans, peacocks, have them before! +Meat for this weather. + +_Japhet's Wife._ Here are cocks, kites, crows, +Rooks, ravens, many rows; +Cuckoos, curlews, whoso knows, +Each one in his kind. + And here are doves, ducks, drakes, +Redshanks, running through the lakes, +And each fowl that language makes +In this ship men may find. + +[_In the stage direction the sons of Noah are enjoined to mention aloud +the names of the animals which enter; a representation of which, painted +on parchment, is to be carried by the actors._ + +_Noah._ Wife, come in, why standest thou there? +Thou art ever forward, that I dare swear: +Come on God's half, time it were, +For fear lest that we drown. + +_Noah's Wife._ Yea, sir, set up your sail +And row forth with evil heale, +For, without any fail, +I will not out of this town. + But I have my gossips every one, +One foot further I will not go; +They shall not drown, by St. John! +If I may save their life. + They loved me full well, by Christ! +But thou wilt let them in thy chest, +Else row forth, Noah, whither thou list, +And get thee a new wife. + +_Noah._ Shem, some love thy mother, 'tis true; +Forsooth, such another I do not know! + +_Shem._ Father, I shall set her in, I trow, +Without any fail. + Mother, my father after thee sends, +And bids thee unto yonder ship wend,[36] +Look up and see the wind, +For we be ready to sail. + +_Noah's Wife._ Son, go again to him and say +I will not come therein to-day! + +_Noah._ Come in, wife, in twenty devils' way, +Or else stand without. + +_Ham._ Shall we all fetch her in? + +_Noah._ Yea, sons, in Christ's blessing and mine, +I would you hied you betime, +For of this flood I am in doubt. + +_Japhet._ Mother, we pray you altogether, +For we are here, your children; +Come into the ship for fear of the weather, +For his love that you bought! + +_Noah's Wife._ That I will not for your call, +But if I have my gossips all. + +_Gossip._ The flood comes in full fleeting fast, +On every side it broadens in haste; +For fear of drowning I am aghast: +Good gossip, let me come in! + Or let us drink ere we depart, +For oftentimes we have done so; +For at a time thou drinkst a quart, +And so will I ere that I go. + +_Shem._ In faith, mother, yet you shall, +Whether you will or not! + +[_She goes._ + +_Noah._ Welcome, wife, into this boat! + +_Noah's Wife._ And have them that for thy note![37] + +[_Et dat alapam victa._[38] + +_Noah._ Aha! marry, this is hot! +It is good to be still. +My children! methinks this boat removes! +Our tarrying here hugely me grieves! +Over the land the water spreads! +God do as he will! + Ah, great God, thou art so good! +Now all this world is in a flood +As I see well in sight. + This window will I close anon, +And into my chamber will I gone +Till this water, so great one, +Be slaked through thy might. + +[_Noah, according to stage directions, is now to shut the windows of the +ark and retire for a short time. He is then to chant the psalm, Salva +me, Domine! and afterwards to open them and look out._ + + Now forty days are fully gone. +Send a raven I will anon; +If aught were earth, tree, or stone, +Be dry in any place. + And if this fowl come not again +It is a sign, sooth to say, +That dry it is on hill or plain, +And God hath done some grace. + +[_A raven is now despatched._ + + Ah, Lord! wherever this raven lie, +Somewhere is dry well I see; +But yet a dove, by my lewtye[39] +After I will send. +Thou wilt turn again to me +For of all fowls that may fly +Thou art most meek and hend.[40] + +[_The stage direction enjoins here that another dove shall be ready with +an olive branch in its mouth, which is to be dropped by means of a cord +into Noah's hand._ + + Ah Lord! blessed be thou aye, +That me hast comforted thus to-day! +By this sight, I may well say +This flood begins to cease. + My sweet dove to me brought has +A branch of olive from some place; +This betokeneth God has done us some grace, +And is a sign of peace. + Ah, Lord! honoured must thou be! +All earth dries now I see; +But yet, till thou command me, +Hence will I not hie. + All this water is away, +Therefore as soon as I may +Sacrifice I shall do in faye[41] +To thee devoutly. + +_God._ Noah, take thy wife anon, +And thy children every one, +Out of the ship thou shalt gone, +And they all with thee. + Beasts and all that can flie, +Out anon they shall hie, +On earth to grow and multiply: +I will that it be so. + +_Noah._ Lord, I thank thee, through thy might, +Thy bidding shall be done in hight,[42] +And, as fast as I may dight[43] +I will do thee honour. + And to thee offer sacrifice, +Therefore comes in all wise, +For of these beasts that be his +Offer I will this stower.[44] + +[_Then leaving the ark with his whole family, he shall take the animals +and birds, make an offering of them, and set out on his way._ + + Lord God, in majesty, +That such grace has granted me, +When all was borne safe to be, +Therefore now I am boune.[45] + My wife, my children, my company, +With sacrifice to honour thee, +With beasts, fowls, as thou may see, +I offer here right soon. + +_God._ Noah, to me thou art full able, +And thy sacrifice acceptable, +For I have found thee true and stable, +On thee now must I myn.[46] +Curse earth will I no more +That man's sin it grieves sore, +For of youth man full of yore +Has been inclined to sin. + You shall now grow and multiply +And earth you edify, +Each beast and fowl that may flie +Shall be afraid for you. + And fish in sea that may flitt +Shall sustain you--I you behite[47] +To eat of them you not lett[48] +That clean be you may know. + There as you have eaten before +Grasses and roots, since you were born, +Of clean beasts, less and more, +I give you leave to eat. + Save blood and fish both in fear +Of wrong dead carrion that is here, +Eat not of that in no manner, +For that aye you shall lett.[49] + Manslaughter also you shall flee, +For that is not pleasant to me +That sheds blood, he or she +Ought where among mankind. + That sheds blood, his blood shall be +And vengeance have, that men shall see; +Therefore now beware now all ye +You fall not in that sin. +And forward now with you I make +And all thy seed, for thy sake, +Of such vengeance for to slake, +For now I have my will. + Here I promise thee a behest,[50] +That man, woman, fowl, nor beast +With water while the world shall last, +I will no more spill. + My bow between you and me +In the firmament shall be, +By very tokens, that you may see +That such vengeance shall cease. + That man, nor woman, shall never more +Be wasted by water, as is before, +But for sin that grieveth sore, +Therefore this vengeance was. + Where clouds in the welkin +That each bow shall be seen, +In token that my wrath or tene[51] +Should never this wroken be. + The string is turned toward you, +And toward me bent is the bow, +That such weather shall never show, +And this do I grant to thee. + My blessing now I give thee here, +To thee Noah, my servant dear; +For vengeance shall no more appear; +And now farewell, my darling dear! + + + + +THE CHESTER PAGEANT OF THE BARBERS AND WAX-CHANDLERS REPRESENTING +ABRAHAM, MELCHISEDEC, AND ISAAC + + + +CHARACTERS + + +God +Abraham +Lot +Isaac +Melchisedec +A Knight +Expositor +A Messenger + + + + +THE CHESTER PAGEANT OF ABRAHAM, MELCHISEDEC, AND ISAAC + + + +Abraham, _newly returned from the slaughter of the four kings, meets_ +Melchisedec _riding_. + + + +PRELUDE + + +_Messenger._ All peace, Lordings, that be present, +And hearken now with good intent, +How Noah away from us he went + With all his company; +And Abraham, through God's grace, +He is come forth into this place, +And you will give him room and space + To tell you his storye. +This play, forsooth, begin shall he, +In worship of the Trinity, +That you may all hear and see + What shall be done to-day. +My name is Gobbet-on-the-Green, +No longer here I may be seen, +Farewell, my Lordings, all by dene[52] + For letting[53] of your play. + +[_Exit._ + +[_Enter Abraham._] + +_Abraham._ Ah! thou high God, granter of grace +That ending nor beginning has, +I thank thee, Lord, that to me has + To-day given victory. +Lot, my brother, that taken was, +I have restored him in this case, +And brought him home into his place + Through thy might and mastery. +To worship thee I will not wond,[54] +That four kings of uncouth land +To-day hast sent into my hand, + And of riches great array. +Therefore of all that I can win +To give thee tithe I will begin, +When I the city soon come in, + And share with thee my prey. +Melchisedec, that here king is +And God's priest also, I wis, +The tithe I will give him of this, + As just is, what I do. +God who has sent me victory +O'er four kings graciously, +With him my spoil share will I, + The city, when I come to. + +_Lot._ Abraham, brother, I thank it thee, +Who this day hast delivered me +From enemies' hands, and their postye,[55] + And saved me from woe! +Therefore I will give tithing +Of my goods while I am living, +And now also of his sending, + Tithe I will give also. + +[_Then comes a knight to Melchisedec._ + +_Knight._ My lord, the king's tidings aright +Your heart for to gladden and light: +Abraham hath slain in fight + Four kings, since he went. +Here he will be this same night, +And riches with him enough dight. +I heard him thank God Almight + For grace he had him sent. + +_Melchisedec_ (_stretching his hand to heaven_). Ah! blessed be God that + is but one! +Against Abraham I will be gone +Worshipfully, and then anon, + My office to fulfil, +Will present him with bread and wine, +For, grace of God is him within; +Speeds fast for love mine! + For this is God's will. + +_Knight_ (_with a cup_). Sir, here is wine withouten were,[56] +And thereto bread, both white and clear, +To present him in good manere + That so us helped has. + +_Melchisedec._ To God, I know he is full dear, +For of all things his prayer +He hath, without danger, + And specially great grace. + +_Melchisedec_ (_coming to Abraham and offering him a cup + of wine and bread on a plate_). Abraham, welcome must thou be, +God's grace is fully in thee, +Blessed ever must thou be + That enemies so can make. +I have brought, as thou may'st see, +Bread and wine for thy degree; +Receive this present now from me, + And that I thee beseke.[57] + +_Abraham._ Sir king, welcome in good say, +Thy present is welcome to my pay. +God has helped me to-day + Unworthy though I were. +He shall have part of my prey +That I won since I went away. +Therefore to thee thou take it may + The tenth I offer here. + +[_He delivers to the King a laden horse._ + +_Melchisedec._ And your present, sir, take I, +And honour it devoutly, +For much good it may signify + In time that is coming. +Therefore horse, harness, and perye,[58] +As falls to my dignity, +The tithe of it I take of thee, + And receive thy off'ring. + +[_Abraham receives the bread and wine, and Melchisedec the laden horse +as tithe from Lot._ + +_Lot._ And I will offer with good intent +Of such goods as God hath me sent +To Melchisedec here present, + As God's will is to be. +Abraham, my brother, offered has; +And so will I with God's grace: +This royal cup before your face, + Receive it now of me. + +[_Lot offers the wine and bread, which Melchisedec receives._ + +_Melchisedec._ Sir, your off'ring welcome is, +And well I know forsooth, I wis, +That fully God's will it is + That is now done to-day. +Go we together to my city, +And now God heartily thank we +That helps us aye through his postye,[59] + For so we full well may. + +_Expositor_ (_riding_). Lordings, what may this signify, +I will expound openly +That all, standing hereby, + May know what this may be. +This off'ring, I say verament,[60] +Signifieth the new Testament, +That now is used with good intent + Throughout all Christianity. +In the old law without leasing,[61] +When these two good men were living, +Of beasts was all their off'ring + And eke their sacrament. +But since Christ died on the rood-tree, +With bread and wine him worship we, +And on Shrove Thursday in his maundy[62] + Was his commandment. +But for this thing used should be +Afterward as now done we, +In signification, believe you me, + Melchisedec did so; +And tithes-making, as you see here, +Of Abraham beginning were. +Therefore he was to God full dear, + And so were they both too. +By Abraham understand I may +The father of heaven in good fay,[63] +Melchisedec a priest to his pay + To minister that sacrament +That Christ ordained on Shrove Thursday +In bread and wine to honour him aye; +This signifieth, the truth to say, + Melchisedec's present. + +_God._ Abraham, my servant, I say to thee, +Thy help and succour I will be, +For thy good deed much pleaseth me, + I tell thee surely. + +_Abraham._ Lord, one thing that thou wilt see, +That I pray after with heart free, +Grant me, Lord, through thy postye:[64] + Some fruit of my body! +I have no child, foul nor fair, +Save my Nurry[65] to be my heir, +That makes me greatly to apayre.[66] + On me, Lord, have mercy! + +_God._ My friend, Abraham, leave thou me. +Thy Nurry thine heir shall not be, +But one son I shall send thee, + Begotten of thy body. +Abraham, do as I thee say: +Look up and tell,[67] and if thou may, +Stars standing on the stray; + That impossible were. +No more shalt thou, for no need, +Number of thy body the seed +That thou shalt have withouten dreed, + Thou art to me so dear. +Wherefore, Abraham, servant free, +Look that thou be true to me, +And fore-word here I make with thee + Thy seed to multiply. +So much more further shalt thou be, +Kings of thy seed men shall see, +And one child of great degree + All mankind shall forby.[68] +I will that from henceforth alway +Each knave's child on the eighth day +Be circumcised, as I say, + And thou thyself full soon; +And who circumcised not is +Forsaken shall be by me, I wis; +For disobedient that man is, + Therefore look that this be done. + +_Abraham._ Lord, already in good fay[69] +Blessed be thou, ever and aye; +For that men truly know may + Thy folk from other men, +Circumcised they shall be all +Anon for aught that may befall. +I thank thee, Lord, thy own thrall, + Kneeling on my knee'n. + +_Expositor._ Lordings all take good intent +What betokens this commandment: +This was some time a sacrament + In th' old law truly ta'en. +As followeth now verament,[70] +So was this in the old Testament; +But when Christ, away it went, + And baptism then began. +Also God promises here +To Abraham, his servant dear, +So much seed that in no manere + Number'd it might be. +And one seed, mankind to forby, +That was Jesus Christ witterlye[71] +For of his kind was our Lady, + And so also was he. + +_God._ Abraham, my servant Abraham. + +_Abraham._ Lo, Lord, already here I am. + +_God._ Take Isaac, thy son by name +That thou lovest best of all +And in sacrifice offer him to me +Upon that hill, beside thee. +Abraham, I will that it so be +For aught that may befall. + +_Abraham._ My lord, to thee is my intent +Ever to be obedient, +That son that thou to me hast sent, + Offer I will to thee. +And fulfil thy commandment +With hearty will, as I am kent +High God, Lord Omnipotent, + Thy bidding done shall be. +My menye[72] and my children each one +Lingers at home, both all and one, +Save Isaac shall with me gone + To a hill here beside. + + * * * * * + +[_Enter Isaac._ + +_Abraham._ Make thee ready, my darling, +For we must do a little thing. +This wood upon thy back thou bring, + We must not long abide. +A sword and fire I will take, +For sacrifice I must make; +God's bidding will I not forsake, + But aye obedient be. + +_Isaac._ Father, I am all ready +To do your bidding meekly, +To bear this wood full bound am I, + As you command me. + +_Abraham._ O Isaac, Isaac, my darling dear, +My blessing now I give thee here. +Take up this faggot with good cheer, + And on thy back it bring, +And fire with me I will take. + +_Isaac._ Your bidding I will not forsake, +Father, I will never slake[73] + To fulfil your bidding. + +[_Isaac takes the wood on his back, and they set out for the hill._ + +_Abraham._ Now Isaac, son, go we our way +To yonder mountain, if that we may. + +_Isaac._ My dear father, I will essay + To follow you full fain. + +_Abraham._ Oh! my heart will break in three, +To hear thy words I have pity. +As thou wilt, Lord, so must it be: + To thee I will be bane. +Lay down thy faggot my own son dear! + +_Isaac._ All ready, father, lo, it is here. +But why make you so heavy cheer? + Are you anything adread? +Father, if it be your will, +Where is the beast that we shall kill? + +_Abraham._ There is none, son, upon this hill + That I see here in this stead. + +_Isaac._ Father, I am full sore afraid +To see you bare this naked sword. +I hope for all middle-yard[74] + You will not slay your child. + +_Abraham._ Dread thee not, my child, I read +Our Lord will send of his godhead +Some kind of beast in thy stead, + Either tame or wild. + +_Isaac._ Father, tell me, or I go, +Whether I shall have harm or no. + +_Abraham._ Ah, dear God, that me is woe! + Thou bursts my heart in sunder. + +_Isaac._ Father, tell me of this case, +Why you your drawn sword has, +And bare it naked in this place; + Thereof I have great wonder. + +_Abraham._ Isaac, son, peace! I pray thee, +Thou breaks my heart even in three. + +_Isaac._ I pray you, father, leave nothing from me, + But tell me what you think. + +_Abraham._ O Isaac, Isaac, I must thee kill. + +_Isaac._ Alas! father, is that your will, +Your own child here for to spill, + Upon this hill's brink? +If I have trespassed in any degree, +With a rod you may beat me; +Put up your sword, if your will be, + For I am but a child. + +_Abraham._ Oh, my son! I am sorry +To do to thee this great annoy, +God's commandment do must I, + His works are aye full mild. + +_Isaac._ Would God, my mother were here with me! +She would kneel upon her knee, +Praying you, father, if it might be, + For to save my life. + +_Abraham._ Oh, comely creature, but I thee kill, +I grieve my God, and that full ill: +I may not work against his will + But ever obedient be. +O Isaac, son, to thee I say: +God has commanded me this day +Sacrifice--this is no nay-- + To make of thy body. + +_Isaac._ Is it God's will I should be slain? + +_Abraham._ Yea, son, it is not for to layne;[75] +To his bidding I will be bane,[76] + Ever to his pleasing. +But that I do this doleful deed, +My Lord will not quit[77] me my meed.[78] + +_Isaac._ Marry! father, God forbid + But you do your off'ring. +Father, at home your sons you shall find +That you must love by course of kind. +Be I once out of your mind, + Your sorrow may soon cease, +But you must do God's bidding. +Father, tell my mother of nothing. + +_Abraham._ For sorrow I may my hands wring, + Thy mother I cannot please. +O Isaac, blessed may'st thou be! +Almost my wit I lose for thee, +The blood of thy body so free + I feel full loth to shed. + +_Isaac._ Father, since you must needs do so, +Let it pass lightly and overgo; +Kneeling on my knees two, + Your blessing on me spread! + +_Abraham._ My blessing, dear son, give I thee +And thy mother's with heart so free; +The blessing of the Trinity, + My dear son, on thee light! + +_Isaac._ Father, I pray you hide mine een +That I see not your sword so keen; +Your stroke, father, I would not seen, + Lest I against it thrill. + +_Abraham._ My dear son Isaac, speak no more, +Thy words make my heart full sore. + +_Isaac._ O dear father, wherefore, wherefore? + Since I must needs be dead, +One thing I would you pray: +Since I must die the death this day, +As few strokes as you may, + When you smite off my head. + +_Abraham._ Thy meekness, child, makes me afray;[79] +My song may be "Well away!" + +_Isaac._ O, dear father, do away + Your making so mickle moan! +Now truly, father, this talking +Doth but make long tarrying. +I pray you come and make ending + And let me hence gone! + +_Abraham._ Come hither, my child, that art so sweet: +Thou must be bound now, hand and feet. + +[_Binding Isaac._ + +_Isaac._ Ah, father! we must no more meet + By aught that I can see, +But do with me just as you will, +I must obey, and that is skill, +God's commandment to fulfil, + For needs so must it be. +Upon the purpose that have set you, +Forsooth, father, I will not let you, +But evermore unto you bow, + While that I may. +Father, greet well my brethren young, +And pray my mother for her blessing, +I come no more under her wing: + Farewell for ever and aye! +But, father, I cry you mercy, +Of that I have trespassed to thee, +Forgiven, father, that it may be + Until doom's day. + +_Abraham._ My dear son, let be thy moans; +My child, thou grievedst me but once. +Blessed be thou body and bones, + And I forgive thee here. +Lo, my dear son, here shalt thou lie; +Unto my work now must I hie, +I had as lief myself to die + As thou, my darling dear. + +_Isaac._ Father, if you be to me kind, +About my head a kercher[80] bind, +And let me lightly out of your mind, + And soon that I were sped. + +_Abraham._ Farewell, my sweet son of grace! + +_Isaac._ I pray you, father, turn down my face +A little while, while you have space, + For I am full sore adread. + +_Abraham._ To do this deed I am sorry. + +_Isaac._ Yea, Lord, to thee I call and cry: +On my soul may thou have mercy, + Heartily I thee pray. + +_Abraham._ Lord, I would fain work thy will. +This young innocent that lies so still +Full loth were I him to kill + By any manner of way. + +_Isaac._ My dear father, I you pray, +Let me take my clothes away, +For shedding blood on them to-day, + At my last ending. + +_Abraham._ Heart! if thou would'st break in three, +Thou shalt never master me, +I will no longer let[81] for thee, + My God I may not grieve. + +_Isaac._ Ah, mercy, father! why tarry you so? +Smite off my head, and let me go! +I pray you, rid me of my woe; + For now I take my leave. + +_Abraham._ Ah, son! my heart will break in three +To hear thee speak such words to me. +Jesus, on me thou have pity + That I have most in mind! + +_Isaac._ Now, father, I see that I shall die, +Almighty God in majesty, +My soul I offer unto thee: + Lord, to it be kind. + +[_Abraham takes the sword, as if to kill his son, when two angels +appear. One of them seizes the point of the sword, and says,_ + +_1st Angel._ Abraham, my servant dear! + +_Abraham._ Lo, Lord! I am already here. + +_1st Angel._ Lay not thy sword in any manner + On Isaac, thy dear darling! +Nay! do thou him no annoy! +For thou dreadest God; well, see I, +That of thy son hast no mercy + To fulfil his bidding. + +_2nd Angel._ And for his bidding thou doest aye, +And spares neither, for fear nor fray, +To do thy son to death to-day, + Isaac to thee full dear, +Therefore God has sent by me in fay,[82] +A lamb that is both good and gay +Into this place as thou see may, + Lo! it is right here. + +_Abraham._ Ah, Lord of heaven and king of bliss! +Thy bidding I shall do, I wis. +Sacrifice here to me sent is + And all, Lord, through thy grace. +A horned wether here I see, +Among the briars tied is he, +To thee offered it shall be + Anon, right in this place. + +[_Let Abraham sacrifice the ram._ + +_God._ Abraham, by myself I swear, +For thou hast been obedient ever, +And spared not thy son so dear, + To fulfil my bidding, +Thou shalt be blessed, thou art worthy, +Thy seed I shall multiply, +As stars and sand so many het I,[83] + Of thy body coming. +Of enemies thou shalt have power, +And thy blood also in fear, +For thou has been meek and boneer[84] + To do as I thee bade. +And all nations leave thou me, +Blessed evermore shall be +Through fruit that shall come of thee + And saved through thy seed. + + + +THE EPILOGUE + + +_Expositor._ Lordings, the signification +Of this deed of devotion, +An you will, it is shewn, + May turn you to much good. +This deed you see done in this place, +In example of Jesus done it was, +That for to win mankind grace + Was sacrificed on the rood. +By Abraham you may understand +The Father of heaven that can fand[85] +With his son's blood to break that band + The devil had brought us to. +By Isaac understand I may +Jesus who was obedient aye, +His father's will to work alway, + His death to undergo. + + + + +THE WAKEFIELD SECOND SHEPHERDS' PLAY + + + +CHARACTERS + + +1st Shepherd +2nd Shepherd +3rd Shepherd +Mac, _the Sheep-stealer_ +Mac's Wife, Gill +Mary +The Child Christ +An Angel + + + + +THE WAKEFIELD SECOND NATIVITY PLAY + + + +_1st Shepherd._ Lord! what, these weathers are cold, and I am ill happed; +I am near hand-dold,[86] so long have I napped; +My legs bend and fold, my fingers are chapped, +It is not as I would, for I am all lapped + In sorrow. +In storms and tempest, +Now in the east, now in the west, +Woe is him has never rest, + Mid day nor morrow. +But we silly shepherds, that walk upon the moor, +In faith, we are near hands out of the door; +No wonder, as it stands, if we be poor, +For the tilth of our lands lies fallow as the floor, +We are so lamed, +So taxed and shamed, +We are made hand-tamed, + With these gentlery-men. +Thus they rieve us of rest, Our Lady them wary, +These men that are lord-fest,[87] they cause the plough tarry. +That men say is for the best, we find it contrary, +Thus are husbands[88] opprest, in point to miscarry, + In life. +Thus hold they us under, +Thus they bring us in blunder, +It were great wonder, + And ever should we thrive. +For may he get a paint sleeve,[89] or a brooch now on days, +Woe is he that shall grieve, or once again says, +Dare no man him reprieve, what mast'ry he has, +And yet may none believe one word that he says-- + No letter. +He can make purveyance, +With boast and bragance,[90] +And all through maintenance, + Of men that are greater. +There shall come a swain, as proud as a po,[91] +He must borrow my wain, my plough also, +Then I am full fain to grant or he go. +Thus live we in pain, anger, and woe, + By night and day; +He must have if he longed +If I should forgang[92] it, +I were better be hanged + Than once say him nay. +It does me good, as I walk thus by mine own, +Of this world for to talk in manner of moan +To my sheep will I stalk and hearken anon +There abide on a balk, or sit on a stone + Full soon. +For I trow, pardie! +True men if they be, +We get more company + Or it be noon. + +_2nd Shepherd._ "Beniste"[93] and "Dominus!" what may this bemean? +Why fares this world thus, oft have we not seen. +Lord, these weathers are spitous,[94] and the weather full keen; +And the frost so hideous they water mine een, + No lie. +Now in dry, now in wet, +Now in snow, now in sleet, +When my shoon freeze to my feet + It is not all easy. +But as far as I ken, or yet as I go, +We silly wed-men dree mickle woe;[95] +We have sorrow then and then, it falls often so, +Silly capyl, our hen, both to and fro + She cackles, +But begin she to croak, +To groan or to cluck, +Woe is him, say of our cock, + For he is in the shackles. +These men that are wed, have not all their will, +When they are full hard sted,[96] they sigh full still; +God wait they are led full hard and full ill, +In bower nor in bed they say not there till + This tide. +My part have I found, +My lesson is learn'd, +Woe is him that is bound, + For he must abide. +But now late in our lives, a marvel to me, +That I think my heart rives,[97] such wonders to see, +What that destiny drives it should so be, +Some men will have two wives, and some men three, + In store. +Some are woe that have any; +But so far ken I, +Woe is he who has many, + For he feels it sore. +But young men of wooing, for God that you bought, +Be well ware of wedding, and think in your thought +"Had I wist" is a thing it serves ye of nought; +Mickle still mourning has wedding home brought, + And griefs, +With many a sharp shower, +For thou may catch in an hour +That shall serve thee full sour + As long as thou lives. +For as read I epistle, I have one to my fear +As sharp as a thistle, as rough as a brere.[98] +She is browed like a bristle with a sour lenten cheer; +Had she once wet her whistle she could sing full clear + Her pater-noster. +She is as great as a whale, +She has a gallon of gall; +By him that died for us all! + I would I had run till I lost her. + +_1st Shepherd._ God look over the row, full deafly ye stand. + +_2nd Shepherd._ Yea, the devil in thy maw!--so tariand,[99] + Saw thou aught now of Daw? + +_1st Shepherd._ Yea, on a lea land +Heard I him blow, he comes here at hand, + Not far; +Stand still. + +_2nd Shepherd._ Why? + +_1st Shepherd._ For he comes here, hope I. + +_2nd Shepherd._ He will make us both a lie, + But if we beware. + +_3rd Shepherd._ Christ's cross me speed, and Saint Nicholas! +Thereof had I need, it is worse than it was. +Whoso could take heed, and let the world pass, +It is ever in dread and brittle as glass, + And slithers,[100] +This world fared never so, +With marvels mo and mo,[101] +Now in weal, now in woe, + And all things withers. +Was never since Noah's flood such floods seen, +Winds and rains so rude, and storms so keen, +Some stammered, some stood in doubt, as I ween, +Now God turn all to good, I say as I mean, + For ponder. +These floods so they drown +Both in fields and in town, +They bear all down, + And that is a wonder. +We that walk in the nights, our cattle to keep, +We see sudden sights, when other men sleep: +Yet methinks my heart lights, I see shrews peep, +Ye are two, all wights,[102] I will give my sheep + A turn. +But full ill have I meant, +As I walk on this bent,[103] +I may lightly repent, + My toes if I spurn. +Ah, sir, God you save, and master mine! +A drink fain would I have and somewhat to dine. + +_1st Shepherd._ Christ's curs, my knave, thou art a lazy hyne.[104] + +_2nd Shepherd._ What, the boy list rave. Abide until syne[105] + We have made it. +I'll thrift on thy pate! +Though the shrew came late +Yet is he in state + To dine if he had it. + +_3rd Shepherd._ Such servants as I, that sweats and swinks, +Eats our bread full dry, and that me forthinks; +We are oft wet and weary when master men winks, +Yet comes full lately both dinners and drinks, + But neatly. +Both our dame and our sire, +When we have run in the mire, +They can nip at our hire,[106] + And pay us full lately. +But hear my truth, master, for the fare that ye make +I shall do thereafter work, as I take; +I shall do a little, sir, and strive and still lack, +For yet lay my supper never on my stomack + In fields. +Whereto should I threap?[107] +With my staff can I leap, +And men say "light cheap + Letherly for yields."[108] + +_1st Shepherd._ Thou wert an ill lad, to ride on wooing +With a man that had but little of spending. + +_2nd Shepherd._ Peace, boy!--I bade: no more jangling, +Or I shall make thee afraid, by the heaven's king! + With thy gawds; +Where are our sheep, boy, we scorn? + +_3rd Shepherd._ Sir, this same day at morn, +I them left in the corn, + When they rang lauds; +They have pasture good, they cannot go wrong. + +_1st Shepherd._ That is right by the rood, these nights are long, +Yet I would, or we yode,[109] one gave us a song. + +_2nd Shepherd._ So I thought as I stood, to mirth us among.[110] + +_3rd Shepherd._ I grant. + +_1st Shepherd._ Let me sing the tenory. + +_2nd Shepherd._ And I the treble so high. + +_3rd Shepherd._ Then the mean falls to me; + Let see how ye chaunt. + +[_Mac enters, with a cloak thrown over his smock._ + +_Mac._ Now, Lord, for thy names seven, that made both moon and starns[111] +Well more than I can even: thy will, Lord, of my thorns; +I am all uneven, that moves oft my horns,[112] +Now would God I were in heaven, for there weep no bairns + So still. + +_1st Shepherd._ Who is that pipes so poor? + +_Mac._ Would God ye knew how I fare! +Lo, a man that walks on the moor, + And has not all his will. + +_2nd Shepherd._ Mac, where hast thou gone? Tell us tidings. + +_3rd Shepherd._ Is he come? Then each one take heed to his things. + +[_Takes his cloak from him._ + +_Mac._ What, I am a yeoman, I tell you, of the king; +The self and the same, sent from a great lording, + And sich.[113] +Fy on you, get thee hence, +Out of my presence, +I must have reverence, + Why, who be ich?[114] + +_1st Shepherd._ Why make ye it so quaint? Mac, ye do wrong. + +_2nd Shepherd._ But, Mac, list, ye saint? I trow that ye sang. + +_3rd Shepherd._ I trow the shrew can paint, the devil might him hang! + +_Mac._ I shall make complaint, and make you all to thwang.[115] + At a word, +And tell even how ye doth. + +_1st Shepherd._ But, Mac, is that sooth? +Now take out that southern tooth, + And set in a tord. + +_2nd Shepherd._ Mac, the devil in your ee,[116] a stroke would I lend you. + +_3rd Shepherd._ Mac, know ye not me? By God, I could tell you. + +_Mac._ God look you all three, methought I had seen you. +Ye are a fair company. + +_1st Shepherd._ Can ye now moan you? + +_2nd Shepherd._ Shrew, jape![117] +Thus late as thou goes, +What will men suppose? +And thou hast an ill noise[118] + Of stealing of sheep. + +_Mac._ And I am true as steel all men wait, +But a sickness I feel, that holds me full haytt,[119] +My belly fares not well, it is out of its state. + +_3rd Shepherd._ Seldom lies the devil dead by the gate. + +_Mac._ Therefore +Full sore am I and ill, +If I stand stock still; +I eat not a nedyll[120] + This month and more. + +_1st Shepherd._ How fares thy wife? By my hood, how fares she? + +_Mac._ Lies weltering! by the rood! by the fire, lo! +And a house full of brood,[121] she drinks well too, +Ill speed other good that she will do; + But so +Eats as fast as she can, +And each year that comes to man, +She brings forth a lakan,[122] + And some years two. +But were I not more gracious, and richer by far, +I were eaten out of house, and of harbour, +Yet is she a foul dowse, if ye come near. +There is none that trows, nor knows, a war[123] + Than ken I. +Now will ye see what I proffer, +To give all in my coffer +To-morrow next to offer, + Her head mass-penny. + +_2nd Shepherd._ I wot so forwaked[124] is none in this shire: +I would sleep if I taked less to my hire. + +_3rd Shepherd._ I am cold and naked, and would have a fire. + +_1st Shepherd._ I am weary for-raked,[125] and run in the mire. + Wake thou! + +_2nd Shepherd._ Nay, I will lie down-by, +For I must sleep truly. + +_3rd Shepherd._ As good a man's son was I + As any of you. +But, Mac, come hither, between us shalt thou lie. + +_Mac._ Then might I stay you bedene[126]: of that ye would say,-- + No dread. +From my head to my toe +_Mantis tuas commendo, +Pontio Pilato._[127] + Christ's cross me speed, + +[_He rises, the shepherds sleeping, and says:_ + +Now were time for a man, that lacks what he wold, +To stalk privately then into a fold, +And namely to work then, and be not too bold, +He might abide the bargain, if it were told + At the ending. +Now were time for to revel; +But he needs good counsel +That fain would fare well, + And has but little spending. + +[_Mac works a spell on them._ + +But about you a circle, as round as a moon, +Till I have done that I will, till that it be noon, +That ye lie stone-still, till that I have done, +And I shall say there till of good words a foyn[128] + On height; +Over your heads my hand I lift, +Out go your eyes, fore to do your sight, +But yet I must make better shift, + And it be right. +What, Lord? they sleep hard! that may ye all hear; +Was I never a shepherd, but now will I leer[129] +If the flock be scared, yet shall I nap near, +Who draws hitherward, now mends our cheer, + From sorrow: +A fat sheep I dare say, +A good fleece dare I lay, +Eft white when I may, + But this will I borrow. + +[_He steals a sheep and goes home._ + +_Mac_ (_at his own door_). How, Gill, art thou in? Get us some light. + +_His Wife._ Who makes such din this time of night? +I am set for to spin: I hope not I might +Rise a penny to win: I shrew them on height. + So fares +A housewife that has been +To be raised thus between: +There may no note be seen + For such small chares.[130] + +_Mac._ Good wife, open the hek.[131] See'st thou not what I bring? + +_Wife._ I may let thee draw the sneck. Ah! come in, my sweeting. + +_Mac._ Yea, thou dost not reck of my long standing. + +_Wife._ By thy naked neck, thou art like for to hang. + +_Mac._ Go away: +I am worthy of my meat, +For in a strait can I get +More than they that swinck[132] and sweat + All the long day, +Thus it fell to my lot, Gill, I had such grace. + +_Wife._ It were a foul blot to be hanged for the case. + +_Mac._ I have scaped, Jelott, oft as hard as glass. + +_Wife._ "But so long goes the pot to the water," men says, +"At last comes it home broken." + +_Mac._ Well know I the token, +But let it never be spoken; + But come and help fast. +I would he were flayn;[133] I list we'll eat: +This twelvemonth was I not so fain of one sheep-meat. + +_Wife._ Come they if he be slain, and hear the sheep bleat? + +_Mac._ Then might I be ta'en: that were a cold sweat. +Go bar + The gate door. + +_Wife._ Yes, Mac, +For and they come at thy back. + +_Mac._ Then might I pay for all the pack: + The devil of them war![134] + +_Wife._ A good bowrde[135] have I spied, since thou can none: +Here shall we him hide, till they be gone; +In my cradle abide. Let me alone, +And I shall lie beside in childbed and groan. + +_Mac._ Thou red?[136] +And I shall say thou wast light +Of a knave child this night. + +_Wife._ Now well is my day bright, + That ever I was bred. +This is a good guise and a far cast; +Yet a woman's advice helps at the last. +I care never who spies: again go thou fast. + +_Mac._ But I come or they rise; else blows a cold blast-- + I will go sleep. [_Mac goes back to the field._ +Yet sleep all this menye,[137] +And I shall go stalk privily, +As it had never been I + That carried their sheep. + +_1st Shepherd._ _Resurrex a mortrius_: have hold my hand. +_Judas carnas dominus_, I may not well stand: +My foot sleeps, by Jesus, and I water fastand! +I thought that we laid us full near England. + +_2nd Shepherd._ Ah ye! +Lord, how I have slept weel! +As fresh as an eel, +As light I me feel + As leaf on a tree. + +_3rd Shepherd._ Benste![138] be herein! So my head quakes +My heart is out of skin, what so it makes. +Who makes all this din? So my brow aches, +To the door will I win. Hark fellows, wakes! + We were four: +See ye anything of Mac now? + +_1st Shepherd._ We were up ere thou. + +_2nd Shepherd._ Man, I give God a vow, + Yet heed he nowhere. + +_3rd Shepherd._ Methought he was wrapped in a wolf's-skin. + +_1st Shepherd._ So are many happed, now namely within. + +_2nd Shepherd._ When we had long napped; methought with a gin +A fat sheep he trapped, but he made no din. + +_3rd Shepherd._ Be still: +Thy dream makes thee wood:[139] +It is but phantom, by the rood. + +_1st Shepherd._ Now God turn all to good, + If it be his will. + +_2nd Shepherd._ Rise, Mac, for shame! thou ly'st right long. + +_Mac._ Now Christ, his holy name be us amang, +What is this? for Saint James!--I may not well gang. +I trust I be the same. Ah! my neck has lain wrang + Enough +Mickle thank, since yester-even +Now, by Saint Stephen! +I was flayed with a sweven,--[140] + My heart out of slough.[141] +I thought Gill began to croak, and travail full sad, +Well nigh at the first cock,--of a young lad, +For to mend our flock: then be I never glad. +To have two on my rock,--more than ever I had. + Ah, my head! +A house full of young tharmes,[142] +The devil knock out their harnes![143] +Woe is he has many bairns, + And thereto little bread. +I must go home, by your leave, to Gill as I thought. +I pray you look my sleeve, that I steal nought: +I am loth you to grieve, or from you take aught. + +_3rd Shepherd._ Go forth, ill might thou chefe,[144] now would I we sought, + This morn, +That we had all our store. + +_1st Shepherd._ But I will go before, +Let us meet. + +_2nd Shepherd._ Whor?[145] + +_3rd Shepherd._ At the crooked thorn. + +_Mac (at his own door again)._ Undo this door! who is here? How long shall + I stand? + +_Wife._ Who makes such a stir?--Now walk in the wenyand.[146] + +_Mac._ Ah, Gill, what cheer?--It is I, Mac, your husband. + +_His Wife._ Then may we be here,--the devil in a band, + Sir Gile. +Lo, he commys[147] with a lot, +As he were holden in the throat. +I may not sit, work or not + A hand long while. + +_Mac._ Will ye hear what fare she makes--to get her a glose,[148] +And do naught but lakes[149]--and close her toes. + +_Wife._ Why, who wanders, who wakes,--who comes, who goes? +Who brews, who bakes? Who makes for me this hose? + And then +It is ruth to behold, +Now in hot, now in cold, +Full woful is the household + That wants a woman. +But what end hast thou made with the herds, Mac? + +_Mac._ The last word that they said,--when I turned my back, +They would look that they had--their sheep all the pack. +I hope they will not be well paid,--when they their sheep lack. + Perdie! +But howso the game goes, +To me they will suppose, +And make a foul noise, + And cry out upon me. +But thou must do as thou hight, + +_Wife._ I accord me thertylle.[150] +I shall swaddle him right in my cradle. +If it were a greater slight, yet could I help till. +I will lie down straight. Come hap me. + +_Mac._ I will. + +_Wife._ Behind, +Come Coll and his marrow, +They will nip us full narrow. + +_Mac._ But I may cry out "Harro!"[151] + The sheep if they find. + +_Wife._ Hearken aye when they call: they will come anon. +Come and make ready all, and sing by thine own, +Sing "Lullay!" thou shall, for I must groan, +And cry out by the wall on Mary and John, + For sore. +Sing "Lullay" full fast +When thou hears at the last; +And but I play a false cast + Trust me no more. + +[_Re-enter the Three Shepherds._] + +_3rd Shepherd._ Ah, Coll! good morn:--why sleepest thou not? + +_1st Shepherd._ Alas, that ever was I born!--we have a foul blot. +A fat wether have we lorne.[152] + +_3rd Shepherd._ Marry, Godys forbot![153] + +_2nd Shepherd._ Who should do us that scorn? That were a foul spot. + +_1st Shepherd._ Some shrew. +I have sought with my dogs, +All Horbery shrogs,[154] +And of fifteen hogs + Found I but one ewe. + +_3rd Shepherd._ Now trust me if you will;--by Saint Thomas of Kent! +Either Mac or Gill--was at that assent. + +_1st Shepherd._ Peace, man, be still;--I saw when he went. +Thou slander'st him ill; thou ought to repent. + Good speed. + +_2nd Shepherd._ Now as ever might I thee, +If I should even here dee,[155] +I would say it were he, + That did that same deed. + +_3rd Shepherd._ Go we thither I rede,[156]--and run on our feet. +May I never eat bread,--the truth till I wit. + +_1st Shepherd._ Nor drink, in my heed,--with him till I meet. + +_2nd Shepherd._ I will rest in no stead, till that I him greet, + My brother +One I will hight:[157] +Till I see him in sight +Shall I never sleep one night + There I do another. + +_3rd Shepherd._ Will ye hear how they hack,[158]--Our Sire! list, how they + croon! + +_1st Shepherd._ Hard I never none crack,--so clear out of tune. +Call on him. + +_2nd Shepherd._ Mac! undo your door soon. + +_Mac._ Who is it that spoke,--as it were noon? + On loft, +Who is that I say? + +_3rd Shepherd._ Good fellows! were it day? + +_Mac._ As far as ye may,-- + Good, speak ye soft! +Over a sick woman's head,--that is ill mate ease, +I had liefer be dead,--or she had any disease. + +_Wife._ Go to another stead; I may not well queasse[159] +Each foot that ye tread--goes near make me sneeze[160] + So he! + +_1st Shepherd._ Tell us, Mac, if ye may, +How fare ye, I say? + +_Mac._ But are ye in this town to-day? + Now how fare ye? +Ye have run in the mire, and are wet yit: +I shall make you a fire, if ye will sit. +A horse would I hire; think ye on it. +Well quit is my hire, my dream--this is it. + A season. +I have bairns if ye knew, +Well more than enew,[161] +But we must drink as we brew, + And that is but reason. +I would ye dined e'er ye yode:[162] methink that ye sweat. + +_2nd Shepherd._ Nay, neither mends our mode, drink nor meat. + +_Mac._ Why, sir, ails you aught, but good? + +_3rd Shepherd._ Yes, our sheep that we gat, +Are stolen as they yode.[163] Our loss is great. + +_Mac._ Sirs, drinkys! +Had I been there, +Some should have bought it full dear. + +_1st Shepherd._ Marry, some men trows that ye were, + And that us forethinkys.[164] + +_2nd Shepherd._ Mac, some men trows that it should be ye. + +_3rd Shepherd._ Either ye or your spouse; so say we. + +_Mac._ Now if ye have suspouse[165] to Gill or to me, +Come and rip our house, and then may ye see + Who had her. +If I any sheep got, +Either cow or stot, +And Gill, my wife rose not + Here since she laid her. +As I am both true and leal, to God here I pray, +That this be the first meal, I shall eat this day. + +_1st Shepherd._ Mac, as I have weal, arise thee, I say! +"He learned timely to steal, that could not say nay." + +_Wife._ I swelt.[166] +Out thieves from my once! +Ye come to rob us for the nonce. + +_Mac._ Hear ye not how she groans? + Your heart should melt. + +_Wife._ Out thieves, from my bairn! Nigh him not thore. + +_Mac._ Knew ye how she had farne,[167] your hearts would be sore. +Ye do wrong, I you warn, that thus commys before +To a woman that has farn;[168] but I say no more. + +_Wife._ Ah, my middle! +I pray to God so mild, +If ever I you beguiled, +That I eat this child, + That lies in this cradle. + +_Mac._ Peace, woman, for God's pain, and cry not so: +Thou spill'st thy brain, and mak'st me full woe. + +_2nd Shepherd._ I know our sheep be slain, what find ye too? + +_3rd Shepherd._ All work we in vain: as well may we go. + But hatters.[169] +I can find no flesh, +Hard nor nesh,[170] +Salt nor fresh, + But two tome[171] platters: +No cattle but this, tame nor wild, +None, as have I bliss; as loud as he smiled. + +_Wife._ No, so God me bliss, and give me joy of my child. + +_1st Shepherd._ We have marked amiss: I hold us beguiled. + +_2nd Shepherd._ Sir, done! +Sir, our lady him save, +Is your child a knave?[172] + +_Mac._ Any lord might him have + This child to his son. +When he wakens he skips, that joy is to see. + +_3rd Shepherd._ In good time, be his steps, and happy they be! +But who was his gossips, tell now to me! + +_Mac._ So fair fall their lips! + +_1st Shepherd (aside)._ Hark now, a lee![173] + +_Mac._ So God them thank, +Parkin, and Gibbon Waller, I say, +And gentle John Horne, in good fay,[174] +He made all the garray,[175] + With the great shank. + +_2nd Shepherd._ Mac, friends will we be, for we are all one. + +_Mac._ Why! now I hold for me, for help get I none. +Farewell all three: all glad were ye gone. + +_3rd Shepherd._ Fair words may there be, but love there is none. + +_1st Shepherd._ Gave ye the child anything? + +_2nd Shepherd._ I trust not one farthing. + +_3rd Shepherd._ Fast again will I fling, + Abide ye me there. [_He returns to Mac's cot._ +Mac, take it to no grief, if I come to thy barn. + +_Mac._ Nay, thou dost me great reprieve, and foul hast thou farne.[176] + +_3rd Shepherd._ The child will it not grieve, that little day starn.[177] +Mac, with your leave, let me give your bairn, + But sixpence. + +_Mac._ Nay, go 'way: he sleepys. + +_3rd Shepherd._ Methink he peepys. + +_Mac._ When he wakens he weepys. + I pray you go hence. + +_3rd Shepherd._ Give me leave him to kiss, and lift up the clout. +What the devil is this? He has a long snout. + +_1st Shepherd._ He is marked amiss. We wait ill about. + +_2nd Shepherd._ Ill spun weft, I wis, aye cometh foul out; + Aye so; +He is like to our sheep. + +_3rd Shepherd._ How, Gib, may I peep? + +_1st Shepherd._ I trow, kind will creep, + Where it may not go. + +_2nd Shepherd._ This was a quaint gaud,[178] and a far cast +It was a high fraud. + +_3rd Shepherd._ Yea, sirs, was't. +Let burn this bawd and bind her fast. +A false skawd[179] hangs at the last; + So shall thou. +Will ye see how they swaddle +His four feet in the middle? +Saw I never in a cradle + A horned lad e'er now. + +_Mac._ Peace bid I: what! let be your fare; +I am he that him gat, and yond woman him bare. + +_1st Shepherd._ What devil shall he halt?[180] Mac, lo, God makes air. + +_2nd Shepherd._ Let be all that. Now God give him care! + I sagh.[181] + +_Wife._ A pretty child is he, +As sits upon a woman's knee; +A dylly-downe, perdie! + To make a man laugh. + +_3rd Shepherd._ I know him by the ear mark:--that is a good token. + +_Mac._ I tell you, sirs, hark:--his nose was broken. +Since then, told me a clerk,--that he was forespoken.[182] + +_1st Shepherd._ This is a false work.--I would fain be wroken:[183] + Get a weapon! + +_Wife._ He was taken by an elf;[184] +I saw it myself. +When the clock struck twelve, + Was he mis-shapen. + +_2nd Shepherd._ Ye two are right deft,--same in a stead. + +_3rd Shepherd._ Since they maintain their theft,--let's do them to dead. + +_Mac._ If I trespass eft, gird off my head. +With you will I be left. + +_1st Shepherd._ Sirs, do my red + For this trespass, +We will neither ban nor flyte[185] +Fight, nor chyte,[186] +But seize him tight, + And cast him in canvas. + +[_They toss Mac for his sins._ + + * * * * * + +_1st Shepherd_ (_as the three return to the fold_). Lord, how I am sore, + in point for to tryst: +In faith I may no more, therefore will I rest. + +_2nd Shepherd._ As a sheep of seven score, he weighed in my fist. +For to sleep anywhere, methink that I list. + +_3rd Shepherd._ Now I pray you, +Lie down on this green. + +_1st Shepherd._ On these thefts yet I mean. + +_3rd Shepherd._ Whereto should ye tene?[187] + Do as I say you. + +[_Enter an Angel above, who sings "Gloria in Excelsis," then says:_ + +Rise, hired-men, heynd,[188] for now is he born +That shall take from the fiend, that Adam had lorn:[189] +That warlock to sheynd,[190] this night is he born. +God is made your friend: now at this morn, + He behests; +To Bedlem go see, +There lies that free[191] +In a crib full poorly, + Betwixt two beasts. + +_1st Shepherd._ This was a quaint stevyn[192] that ever yet I heard. +It is a marvel to nevyn[193] thus to be scared. + +_2nd Shepherd._ Of God's son of heaven, he spoke up word. +All the wood like the levin,[194] methought that he gard + Appear. + +_3rd Shepherd._ He spoke of a bairn +In Bedlem I you warn. + +_1st Shepherd._ That betokens yonder starn[195] + Let us seek him there. + +_2nd Shepherd._ Say, what was his song? Heard ye not how he cracked it? +Three breves to a long.[196] + +_3rd Shepherd._ Yea, marry, he hacked[197] it. +Was no crochet wrong, nor no thing that lacked it. + +_1st Shepherd._ For to sing us among, right as he knacked it, + I can. + +_2nd Shepherd._ Let us see how ye croon +Can ye bark at the moon? + +_3rd Shepherd._ Hold your tongues, have done. + +_1st Shepherd._ Hark after, then. + +_2nd Shepherd._ To Bedlem he bade--that we should gang: +I am full feared--that we tarry too lang. + +_3rd Shepherd._ Be merry and not sad: of mirth is our sang, +Everlasting glad, our road may we fang,[198] + Without noise. + +_1st Shepherd._ Hie we thither quickly; +If we be wet and weary, +To that child and that lady + We have it not to slose.[199] + +_2nd Shepherd._ We find by the prophecy--let be your din-- +Of David and Esai, and more than I min;[200] +They prophesied by clergy, that on a virgin +Should he light and ly, to pardon our sin + And slake it, +Our kind from woe; +For Esai said so, + _Cite virgo + Concipiet a child that is naked._ + +_3rd Shepherd._ Full glad may we be,--and abide that day +That lovely to see,--that all mights may. +Lord, well for me,--for once and for aye, +Might I kneel on my knee--some word for to say + To that child. +But the angel said +In a crib was he laid; +He was poorly arrayed, + Both meaner and mild. + +_1st Shepherd._ Patriarchs that have been,--and prophets beforn, +They desired to have seen--this child that is born. +They are gone full clean,--that have they lorn. +We shall see him, I ween,--e'er it be morn + By token +When I see him and feel, +Then know I full weel +It is true as steel + That prophets have spoken. +To so poor as we are, that he would appear, +First find, and declare by his messenger. + +_2nd Shepherd._ Go we now, let us fare: the place is us near. + +_3rd Shepherd._ I am ready and yare:[201] go we in fear + To that light! +Lord! if thy wills be, +We are lewd[202] all three, +Thou grant us of thy glee,[203] + To comfort thy wight. + + * * * * * + +[_The Shepherds arrive at Bethlehem._ + +_1st Shepherd._ Hail, comely and clean; hail, young child! +Hail, maker, as I mean, of a maiden so mild! +Thou hast wared, I ween, off the warlock[204] so wild, +The false guiler of teen,[205] now goes he beguiled. + Lo, he merry is! +Lo, he laughs, my sweeting, +A welcome meeting! +I have given my greeting + Have a bob of cherries? + +_2nd Shepherd._ Hail, sovereign saviour, for thou hast us sought! +Hail freely, leaf and flow'r, that all thing has wrought! +Hail full of favour, that made all of nought! +Hail! I kneel and I cower. A bird have I brought + To my bairn! +Hail, little tiny mop,[206] +Of our creed thou are crop! +I would drink in thy cup, + Little day-starn.[207] + +_3rd Shepherd._ Hail, darling dear, full of godheed! +I pray thee be near, when that I have need. +Hail! sweet is thy cheer: my heart would bleed +To see thee sit here in so poor weed. + With no pennies. +Hail! put forth thy dall!--[208] +I bring thee but a ball +Have and play thee with all, + And go to the tennis. + +_Mary._ The Father of Heaven, God omnipotent, +That set all on levin,[209] his son has he sent. +My name could he neven,[210] and laught as he went.[211] +I conceived him full even, through might, as God meant; + And new is he born. +He keep you from woe: +I shall pray him so; +Tell forth as ye go, + And mind on this morn. + +_1st Shepherd._ Farewell, lady, so fair to behold, +With thy child on thy knee. + +_2nd Shepherd._ But he lies full cold, +Lord, well is me: now we go forth, behold! + +_3rd Shepherd._ Forsooth, already it seems to be told + Full oft. + +_1st Shepherd._ What grace we have fun.[212] + +_2nd Shepherd._ Come forth, now are we won. + +_3rd Shepherd._ To sing are we bun:[213] + Let take on loft.[214] + + + + +THE COVENTRY NATIVITY PLAY OF THE COMPANY OF SHEARMEN AND TAILORS + + + +CHARACTERS + + +Isaiah (_as Prologue_) +Gabriel +Joseph +Mary +The Three Kings +The Three Shepherds +The Two Prophets +King Herod +A Herald +An Angel +Two Soldiers +Three Women + + + + +THE COVENTRY NATIVITY PLAY + + + + +PROLOGUE + + +_Isaiah._ The sovereign that seeth every secret +He save you all and make you perfect and strong: +And give his grace with his mercy thereto meet, +For now in great misery mankind is bound. +The serpent hath given us so mortal a wound +That no creature is able us for to release +Till the right unction of Judah doth cease. + Then shall much mirth and joy increase +And the right root in Israel spring, +That shall bring forth the grain of holiness: +And out of danger he shall us bring +Into that region where he is king: +Which above all other doth abound +And that cruel Satan he shall confound. + Wherefore I come here upon this ground, +To comfort every creature of birth; +For I, Isaiah, the prophet, hath found +Many sweet matters, whereof we may make mirth +On this same wise. +For though Adam be doomed to death +With all his children, as Abel and Seth: +Yet, _Ecce virgo concipiet!_[215] +Lo, where a remedy shall rise! + Behold a maid shall conceive a child, +And get us more grace than ever man had. +And her maidenhood nothing defiled: +She is deputed to bear the Son, Almighty God. +Lo, sovereignties now may you be glad, +For of this maiden all we may be fain;[216] +For Adam that now lies in sorrows full sad, +Her glorious birth shall redeem him again +From bondage and thrall. +Now be merry every man, +For this deed briefly in Israel shall be done, +And before the Father on his throne +That shall glad us all. + More of this matter fain would I move, +But longer time I have not here for to dwell. +That lord that is merciful, his mercy so in us may prove +For to save our souls from the darkness of hell, + And to his bliss--he us bring + As he is--both lord and king; + And shall be everlasting + _In secula seculos_:[217] Amen. + +[_Exit._ + +[_Enter Gabriel to Mary._] + +_Gabriel._ Hail! Mary, full of grace, +Our Lord God is with thee! +Above all women that ever was; +Lady, blessed may thou be. + +_Mary._ Almighty Father and King of bliss +From all dyskes[218] thou save me now: +For inwardly my spirit troubled is, +I am amazed and know not how. + +_Gabriel._ Dread thee nothing, maiden, of this: +From heaven above hither am I sent, +Of embassage from that King of bliss, +Unto the lady and virgin reverent, +Saluting thee here as most excellent, +Whose virtue above all other doth abound; +Wherefore in thee grace shall be found: +For thou shalt conceive upon this ground +The Second Person of God on throne; +He will be born of thee alone, +Without sin tho shalt him see. +Thy grace and thy goodness will never be gone +But ever to live in virginity. + +_Mary._ I marvel sore how that may be: +Man's company knew I never yet, +Nor never to do cast I me, +While that our Lord sendeth me my wit. + +_Gabriel._ The Holy Ghost in thee shall light, +And shall endue thy soul so with virtue +From the Father that is on high: +These words, turtle, they be full true. + This child that of thee shall be born +Is the Second Person in Trinity. +He shall save that was forlorn, +And the fiend's power destroy shall he. + These words, lady, full true they be, +And further, lady, in thy own lineage, +Behold Elizabeth, thy cousin clean, +The which was barren and past all age. + And now with child she hath been +Six months and more as shall be seen; +Wherefore, discomfort thee not, Mary, +For to God impossible nothing may be. + +_Mary._ Now and it be that Lord's will +Of my body to be born and for to be +His high pleasure for to fulfil, +As his one handmaid I submit me. + +_Gabriel._ Now blessed be the time set +That thou wast born in thy degree: +For now is the knot surely knit +And God conceived in Trinity. + Now farewell lady of might most, +Unto the Godhead I thee beteyche.[219] + +_Mary._ That lord thee guide in every cost +And lowly he lead me and be my leech.[220] + +[_Here the Angel departeth and Joseph cometh in and saith:_ + +_Joseph._ Mary, my wife so dear! +How do ye, dame, and what cheer +Is with you this tide? + +_Mary._ Truly, husband, I am here +Our Lord's will for to abide. + +_Joseph._ What! I trow we be all shent![221] +Say, woman, who hath been here since I went +To rage with thee? + +_Mary._ Sir, here was neither man, nor man's even,[222] +But only the sond[223] of our Lord God in heaven. + +_Joseph._ Say not so, woman, for shame let be: +Ye be with child so wondrous great, +Ye need no more thereof to treat +Against all right. +For sooth this child, dame, is not mine; +Alas, that ever with my eyne[224] +I should see this sight. +Tell me, woman, whose is this child? + +_Mary._ None but yours, husband, so mild +And that shall be seen, I wis. + +_Joseph._ But mine, alas! alas! why say ye so? +Well away, woman, now may I go +Beguiled as many another is. + +_Mary._ Nay truly, sir, ye be not beguiled +Nor yet with spot of sin I am not defiled; +Trust it well, husband. + +_Joseph._ Husband in faith, and that acold; +Ah well away, Joseph, as thou art old! +Like a fool now may I stand +And truss; but in faith, Mary, thou art in sin. +So much as I have cherished thee, dame, and all thy kin, +Behind my back to serve me thus: + All old men example take by me, +How I am beguiled here may you see, +To wed so young a child. +Now farewell, Mary, I leave thee here alone, +Woe worth thee dame, and thy works each one! +For I will no more be beguiled +For friend nor foe. +Now of this deed I am so dull +And of my life I am so full, +No farther may I go. + +_Angel._ Arise up, Joseph, and go home again +Unto Mary thy wife that is so free; +To comfort her look that thou be fain, +For, Joseph, a clean maiden is she. +She hath conceived without any trayne +The Second Person in Trinity: +Jesu shall be his name certainly, +And all this world save shall he. +Be not aghast. + +_Joseph._ Now, Lord, I thank thee with heart full sad. +For of these tidings I am so glad +That all my care away is cast, +Wherefore to Mary I will in haste. + Ah, Mary, Mary, I kneel full low, +Forgive me, sweet wife, here in this land; +Mercy, Mary, for now I know +Of your good governance and how it doth stand: +Though that I did thee misname. +Mercy, Mary, while I live +Will I never, sweet wife, thee grieve, +In earnest nor in game. + +_Mary._ Now, that Lord in Heaven, sir,--he you forgive! +And I do forgive you in his name +For evermore. + +_Joseph._ Now truly, sweet wife, to you I say the same; +But now to Bethlehem must I wynde[225] +And show myself so full of care, +And I to leave you this great behind, +God wot, the while, dame, how you should fare. + +_Mary._ Nay hardily, husband, dread ye nothing, +For I will walk with you on the way. +I trust in God, Almighty King, +To speed right well in our journey. + +_Joseph._ Now I thank you, Mary, of your goodness +That you my words will not blame; +And since that to Bethlehem we shall us address +Go we together in God's holy name. + +[_They set out on their way._ + + Now to Bethlehem have we leagues three, +The day is nigh spent, it draweth towards night, +Fain at your ease, dame, I would that ye should be: +For you grow all weary, it seemeth, in my sight. + +_Mary._ God have mercy, Joseph, my spouse, so dear! +All prophets hereto do bear witness +The evry time now draweth near +That my child will be born, which is King of bliss. +Unto some place, Joseph, kindly me lead, +That I might rest me with grace in this tide, +The light of the Father over us both spread +And the grace of my son with us here abide. + +_Joseph._ Lo, blessed Mary, here shall ye lend;[226] +Chief chosen of our Lord, and cleanest in degree: +And I for help to town, will I wend. +Is not this the best, dame, what say ye? + +_Mary._ God have mercy! Joseph, my husband, so meek, +And I heartily pray you go now from me. + +_Joseph._ That shall be done in haste, Mary, so sweet! +The comfort of the Holy Ghost leave I with thee. +Now to Bethlehem strait will I go, +To get some help for Mary so free, +Some help of women, God may me send! +That Mary, full of grace, pleased may be. + +[_Enter a Shepherd._ + +_1st Shepherd._ Now God that art in Trinity, +Thou sawest my fellows and me; +For I know not where my sheep nor they be, +This night it is so cold, +Now is it nigh the middest of the night, +These weathers are dark and dim of light, +That of them can I have no sight, +Standing here on this wold. +But now to make their hearts light, +Now will I full right +Stand upon this loe.[227] +And to them cry with all my might: +Full well my voice they know, +What ho, fellows, ho, hoo, ho! + +[_Enter two other Shepherds._ + +_2nd Shepherd._ Hark, Sym, hark, I hear our brother on the loe,[227] +This is his voice, right well I know, +Therefore towards him let us go, +And follow his voice aright, +See, Sym, see where he doth stand; +I am right glad we have him found. +Brother! where hast thou been so long, +And it is so cold this night? + +_1st Shepherd._ Oh, friends! there came a pyrie[228] of wind + With a mist suddenly, +That forth off my ways went I, +And great heaviness then made I, +And was full sore afright; +Then for to go wist I not whither, +But travelled on this hill hither and thither. +I was so weary of this cold weather, +That near passed was my might. + +_3rd Shepherd._ Brother, now we be past that fright, +And it is far within the night: +Full soon will spring the daylight, +It draweth full near the tide. +Here awhile let us rest +And repast ourselves of the best. +Till that the sun rise in the east, +Let us all here abide. + +[_There the Shepherds draw forth their meat, and do eat and drink, and +as they drink they see the star and say thus:_ + +Brother, look up and behold, +What thing is yonder that shineth so bright? +As long as ever I have watched my fold, +Yet saw I never such a sight +In field. +Aha! now is come the time that old fathers hath told, +That in the winter's night so cold, +A child of maiden born, be he would, +In whom all prophecies shall be fulfilled. + +_1st Shepherd._ Truth it is without nay, +So said the prophet Isaye, +That a child should be born of a maid so bright +In winter nigh the shortest day, +Or else in the middest of the night. + +_2nd Shepherd._ Loved be God, most of might! +That our grace is to see that sight; +Pray we to him as it is right +If that his will it be, +That we may have knowledge of this signification, +And why it appeareth on this fashion +And ever to him let us give laudation, +In earth, while that we be. + +[_There the angels sing "Gloria in Excelsis Deo."_ + +_3rd Shepherd._ Hark, they sing above in the clouds clear! +Heard I never of so merry a choir. +Now gentle brother draw we near +To hear their harmony? + +_1st Shepherd._ Brother, mirth and solace is come us among +For, by the sweetness of their song; +God's Son is come, whom we have looked for long, +As signifieth this star we do see. + +_2nd Shepherd._ Glory, _Gloria in Excelsis_, that was their song, +How say ye fellows! said they not thus? + +_1st Shepherd._ That is well said, now go we hence +To worship that child of high magnificence; +And that we may sing in his presence, +_Et in terra pax omnibus._ +[_There the Shepherds sing:_] + + As I out rode this enderes' night, +Of three jolly shepherds I saw a sight, +And all about their fold a star shone bright; +They sang, Terli, terlow; +So merrily the shepherds their pipes can blow. + +_Joseph._ Now, Lord, this noise that I do hear +With this great solemnity, +Greatly amended hath my cheer, +I trust high news shortly will be. + +[_There the Angels sing "Gloria in Excelsis" again._ + +_Mary._ Ah Joseph, husband, come hither anon +My child is born that is King of bliss. + +_Joseph._ Now welcome to me, the maker of man, +With all the homage that I can; +Thy sweet mother here will I kiss. + +_Mary._ Ah Joseph, husband, my child waxeth cold +And we have no fire to warm him with. + +_Joseph._ Now in my arms I shall him fold, +King of all kings by field and by frith,[229] +He might have had better, and himself would +Than the breathing of these beasts to warm him with. + +_Mary._ Now, Joseph, my husband, fetch hither my child, +The maker of man, and high King of bliss. + +_Joseph._ That shall be done, anon, Mary so mild! +For the breathing of these beasts hath warmed him, I wis. + +_1st Angel._ Herdmen kind, dread ye nothing, +Of this star that ye do see; +For this same morn God's son is born, +In Bethlem of a maiden fre.[230] + +_2nd Angel._ Hie you hither in haste, +It is his will ye shall him see +Lying in a crib of poor repast; +Yet of David's line come is he. + +_1st Shepherd._ Hail, maid-mother, and wife so mild! +As the angel said, so have we found, +I have nothing to present to thy child, +But my pipe; hold, hold! take it in thy hand; +Wherein much pleasure that I have found, +And now to honour thy glorious birth, +Thou shalt it have to make thee mirth. + +_2nd Shepherd._ Now, hail be thou, child, and thy dame, +For in a poor lodging here art thou laid; +So the angel said, and told us thy name. +Hold, take thou here my hat on thy head, +And now of one thing thou art well sped; +For weather thou hast no cause to complain, +For wind, nor sun, hail, snow, and rain. + +_3rd Shepherd._ Hail, be thou Lord over water and lands +For thy coming all we may make mirth, +Have here my mittens to put on thy hands +Other treasure have I none to present thee with. + +_Mary._ Now, herdmen kind, +For your coming, +To my child shall I pray, +As he is heaven's king, +To grant you his blessing, +And to his bliss that ye may wynd[231] +At your last day. + +[_There the Shepherds sing again:_] + + Down from heaven, from heaven so high, +Of angels there came a great company, +With mirth, and joy, and great solemnity +They sang, Terli, terlow; +So merrily the shepherds their pipes can blow. + +[_The two prophets come in._ + +_1st Prophet._ Novellis, novellis,[232] of wonderful marvellys,[233] +Were high and sweet unto the hearing, +As Scripture tellis, these strange novellis +To you I bring. + +_2nd Prophet._ Now, heartily, sir, I desire to know, +If it would please you for to show, +Of what manner a thing? + +_1st Prophet._ Were it mystical unto your hearing,-- +Of the nativity of a king? + +_2nd Prophet._ Of a king? +Whence should he come? + +_1st Prophet._ From that region royal and mighty mansion, +The seed celestial and heavenly wisdom, +The Second Person, and God's one Son, +For our sake is man become. +This godly sphere, descended here, +Into a virgin clear, +She undefiled, +By whose work, obscure our frail nature +Is now beguiled. + +_2nd Prophet._ Why, hath she a child? + +_1st Prophet._ Ah, trust it well, +And never the less, +Yet is she a maid even as she was, +And her son the king of Israel. + +_2nd Prophet._ A wonderful marvel, How that may be, +And far doth excel-- + All our capacity, +How that the trinity, + Of so high regality, +Should joined be, + Unto our mortality. + +_1st Prophet._ Of his one great mercy + As ye shall see the exposition, +Through whose humanity all Adam's progeny +Redeemed shall be + Out of perdition; +Sith man did offend, who should amend, + But the said man and no other; +For the which cause he, + Incarnate would be, +And live in misery + As man's one brother. + +_2nd Prophet._ Sir, upon the Deity, I believe perfectly, +Impossible to be, there is nothing; +Howbeit this work, unto me is dark, +In the operation or working. + +_1st Prophet._ What more reproof is unto belief +Than to be doubting. + +_2nd Prophet._ Yet doubts ofttimes hath derivation. + +_1st Prophet._ That is by the means of communication, +Of truths to have a due probation,-- +By the same doubts, reasoning. + +_2nd Prophet._ Then to you, this one thing, +Of what noble and high lineage is she, +That might this verible prince's mother be? + +_1st Prophet._ Undoubted she is come of high parrage,[234] +Of the house of David, and Solomon the sage, +And one of the same line joined to her by marriage +Of whose tribe, we do subscribe +This child's lineage. + +_2nd Prophet._ And why in that wise? + +_1st Prophet._ For it was the guise +To count the parent on the man's line, +And not on the feminine, +Amongst us here in Israel. + +_2nd Prophet._ Yet can I not espy, by no wise +How this child born should be without nature's prejudice. + +_1st Prophet._ Nay, no prejudice unto nature I dare well say, +For the king of nature may +Have all his one will, +Did not the power of God, make Aaron's rod +Bear fruit in one day? + +_2nd Prophet._ Truth it is indeed. + +_1st Prophet._ Then look you and rede.[235] + +_2nd Prophet._ Ah! I perceive the seed +Whereupon that you spake, +It was for our need +That he frail nature did take, +And his blood he should shed +Amends for to make +For our transgression, +As it is said in prophecy, that of the line of Jude +Should spring a right Messie, +By whom all we +Should have redemption. + +_1st Prophet._ Sir, now is the time come, +And the date thereof run +Of his Nativity. + +_2nd Prophet._ Yet I beseech you heartily, +That ye would show me how +That this strange novelty +Were brought unto you? + +_1st Prophet._ This other night so cold, +Hereby upon a wold, +Shepherds watching their fold +In the night so far, +To them appeared a star, +And ever it drew them near, +Which star they did behold, +Brighter they say a thousand fold +Than the sun so clear +In his midday sphere; +And they these tidings told. + +_2nd Prophet._ What, secretly? + +_1st Prophet._ Na, na, hardily,[236] +They made there of no council, +For they sang as loud, +As ever they could, +Praising the king of Israel. + +_2nd Prophet._ Yet do I marvel, +In what pile or castle, +These herdmen did him see. + +_1st Prophet._ Neither in halls, nor yet in bowers, +Born would he not be, +Neither in castles, nor yet in towers, +That seemly were to see, +But at his Father's will, +The prophecy to fulfil, +Betwixt an ox and an ass +Jesu this king born he was; +Heaven he bring us till![237] + +_2nd Prophet._ Sir, ah! but when these shepherds had seen him there, +To what place did they repair? + +_1st Prophet._ Forth they went, and glad they were; +Going they did sing, +With mirth and solace, they made good cheer, +For joy of that new tiding. +And after as I heard them tell, +He rewarded them full well +He granted them heaven therein to dwell. +In are they gone with joy and mirth, +And their song it is Noel. + +[_There the Prophets go forth, and Herod and the messenger (or herald) +comes in._ + +_Herald._ Peace, Lord Barons of great renown! +Peace, sir knights of noble presence! +Peace, gentlemen companions of noble order! +I command that all of you keep silence. +Peace while your noble king is in presence! +Let no person stint to pay him deference; +Be not bold to strike, but keep your hearts in patience, +And to your Lord keep heart of reverence, +For he, your king, has all puissance! +In the name of the law, I command you peace! +And King Herod--"_la grandeaboly vos umport._"[238] + +_Herod._ _Qui status in Jude et Rex Israel_,[239] +And the mightiest conqueror that ever walked on ground; +For I am even he that made both heaven and hell, +And of my mighty power holdeth up this world round. +Magog and Madroke, both them did I confound, +And with this bright brand their bones I brake asunder, +That all on the wide world on those rappis[240] did wonder. +I am the cause of this great light and thunder; +It is through my fury that they such noise do make. +My fearful countenance the clouds so doth encumber, +That often for dread thereof the very earth doth quake. +Look when I with malin this bright brand doth shake; +All the whole world from the north to the south, +I may them destroy with one word of my mouth, +To recount unto you my innumerable substance +That were too much for any tongue to tell; +For all the whole Orient is under mine obedience, +And prince am I of purgatory, and chief captain of hell. +And those tyrannous traitors by force may I compel +Mine enemies to vanquish, and even to dust to drive, +And with a twinkle of mine eye not one to be left alive. +Behold my countenance and my colour, +Brighter than the sun in the middle of the day! +Where can you have a more greater succour, +Than to behold my person that is so gay; +My falchion and my fashion with my gorgeous array? +He that had the grace always thereon to think, +Live they might alway without other meat or drink. +And this my triumphant fame most highly doth abound, +Throughout this world in all regions abroad, +Resembling the favour of that most mighty Mahound +From Jupiter by descent, and cousin to the great God, +And named the most renowned King Herod, +Which that all princes hath under subjection, +And all their whole power under my protection. +And therefore my herald here called Calchas, +Warn thou every port, that no ships arrive, +Nor also alien stranger through my realm pass, +But they for their truage[241] do pay marks five, +Now speed thee forth hastily, +For they that will the contrary, +Upon a gallows hanged shall be; +And, by Mahound, of me they get no grace. + +_Herald._ Now, lord and master! in all the haste, +Thy worthy will it shall be wrought, +And thy royal countries shall be past, +In as short time as can be thought. + +_Herod._ Now shall our regions throughout be sought +In every place, both east and west; +If any caitiffs to me be brought, +It shall be nothing for their best. +And the while that I do rest, +Trumpets, viols, and other harmony, +Shall bless the waking of my majesty. + +[_Here Herod goeth away, and the three Kings speaketh in the street._ + +_1st King._ Now blessed be God, of his sweet sonde[242] +For yonder a bright star I do see! +Now is he come us among +As the prophets said that it should be. + He said there should a babe be born +Coming of the root of Jesse, +To save mankind that was forlorn, +And truly come now is he. + Reverence and worship to him will I do +As God and man, that all made of nought. +All the prophets accorded and said even so, +That with his precious blood mankind should be bought. + He grant me grace by yonder star that I see, +And into that place bring me, +That I may him worship with humility +And see his glorious face. + +_2nd King._ Out of my way I deem that I am +For tokens of this country can I none see; +Now God that on earth madest man, +Send me some knowledge where that I be. + Yonder me thinks a fair bright star I see, +The which betokeneth the birth of a child, +That hither is come to make man free, +He, born of a maid, and she nothing defiled, + To worship that child is mine intent. +Forth now will I take my way: +I trust some company God hath me sent, +For yonder I see a king labour on the way, + Toward him now will I ride. +Hark, comely king, I you pray, +Into what coast will ye this tide, +Or whither lies your journey? + +_1st King._ To seek a child is mine intent, +Of whom the prophets have meant. +The time is come now is he sent, +By yonder star here may you see. + +_2nd King._ Sir, I pray you with your licence, +To ride with you into his presence; +To him will I offer frankincence +For the head of the whole church shall he be. + +_3rd King._ I ride wandering in ways wide +Over mountains and dales, I wot not where I am, +Now king of all kings send me such guide, +That I may have knowledge of this country's name. + Ah, yonder I see a sight be seeming all afar, +The which betokens some news as I trow, +As me thinks a child appearing in a star; +I trust he be come that shall defend us from woe. + Two kings yonder I see, and to them will I ride, +For to have their company: I trust they will me abide.[243] +Hail, comely kings augent![244] +Good sirs, I pray you whither are ye meant? + +_1st King._ To seek a child is our intent, +Which betokens yonder star as ye may see. + +_2nd King._ To him I purpose this present. + +_3rd King._ Sirs, I pray you, and that right humbly +With you that I may ride in company; +To Almighty God now pray we, +That his precious person we may see. + +[_Here Herod cometh in again, and the messenger saith:_ + +_Herald._ Hail, Lord! most of might! +Thy commandment is right. +Into thy land is come this night +Three kings, and with them a great company. + +_Herod._ What make those kings in this country? + +_Herald._ To seek a king and a child, they say. + +_Herod._ Of what age should he be? + +_Herald._ Scant twelve days old fully. + +_Herod._ And was he so late born? + +_Herald._ Eh! sir, so they show'd me this same day in the morn. + +_Herod._ Now, in pain of death, bring them me beforn +And, therefore, herald, hie thee now, in haste, +In all speed that thou were dight,[245] +Or that those kings the country be past,-- +Look thou bring them all three before my sight. +And in Jerusalem enquire more of that child? +But I warn thee that thy words be mild, +For there take thou heed, and craft thereto +His power to foredo,[246] +That those three kings shall be beguiled. + +_Herald._ Lord, I am ready at your bidding, +To serve thee as my lord and king, +For joy thereof, lo, how I spring, +With light heart and fresh gambolling, +Aloft here on this mould. + +_Herod._ Then speed thee forth hastily, +And look that thou bear thee evenly +And also I pray thee heartily, +That thou do commend me +Both to young and old. + +_Herald_ (_returning to the Three Kings_). Hail, sir kings, in your degree! +Herod; king of these countries wide +Desireth to speak with you all three, +And for your coming he doth abide. + +_1st King._ Sir, at his will we be right bane[247] +Hie us, brother, unto that lord's place; +To speak with him we would be fain +That child that we seek, he grant us of his grace. + +_Herald_ (_bringing in the Kings_). Hail, Lord, without peer! +These three kings have we brought. + +_Herod._ Now welcome, sir kings, all in fere;[248] +But of my bright ble,[249] sirs, abash ye nought. +Sir kings, as I understand, +A star hath guided you into my land; +Wherein great harie[250] ye have found, +By reason of her beams bright; +Wherefore I pray you heartily, +The very truth that you would certify; +How long it is surely, +Since of that star you had first sight? + +_1st King._ Sir king, the very truth we say. +And to show you, as it is best, +This same is even the twelfth day +Since it appeared to us to be west. + +_Herod._ Brother, then is there no more to say, +But with heart and will keep ye your journey, +And come home again this same way, +Of your news that I may know. +You shall triumph in this country, +And with great concord banquet with me +And that child myself then will I see, +And honour him also. + +_2nd King._ Sir, your commandment we will fulfil, +And humbly obey ourselves theretyll, +He that weldeth all things at will. +The ready way us teach, +Sir king, that we may pass your land in peace. + +_Herod._ Yes! and walk softly even at your own ease. +Your passport for a hundred days +Here shall you have of clear command; +Our realm to labour[251] any ways +Here shall you have by special grant. + +_3rd King._ Now farewell, king of high degree, +Humbly of you our leave we take. + +_Herod._ Then adieu, sir kings, all three, +And while I live be bold of me; +There is nothing in this country, +But for your own ye shall it take. + +[_Exeunt the Three Kings._ + +Now these three kings are gone on their way, +Unwisely and unwittingly have they all wrought. +When they come again, they shall die that same day, +And thus these vile wretches to death shall be brought; + Such is my liking. +He that against my laws will hold, +Be he king or kaiser, never so bold, +I shall them cast into cares cold, +And to death I shall them bring. + +[_There Herod goeth his way, and the Three Kings come in again._ + +_1st King._ Oh, blessed God, much is thy might! +Where is this star that gave us light? + +_2nd King._ Now kneel we down here on this presence +By seeking that Lord of high magnificence; +That we may see his high excellence, +If that his sweet will be. + +_3rd King._ Yonder, brother, I see the star, +Whereby I know he is not far; +Therefore, lords, go we now, +Into this poor place. + +[_There the Three Kings go in to the jeseyne[252], Mary and her +child._ + +_1st King._ Hail, Lord, that all this world hath wrought! +Hail God and man together in fere.[253] +For thou hast made all thing of nought +Albeit that thou liest poorly here. +A cup full of gold here I have thee brought +In tokening thou art without peer. + +_2nd King._ Hail be thou, Lord of high magnificence +In tokening of priesthood, and dignity of office, +To thee I offer a cup full of incense; +For it behoveth thee to have such sacrifice. + +_3rd King._ Hail be thou, Lord long looked for! +I have brought thee myrrh for mortality; +In tokening those shalt mankind restore +To life by thy death upon a tree. + +_Mary._ God have mercy, kings, of your goodness! +By the guiding of the Godhead hither are ye sent; +The provision of my sweet son, your ways home redress, +And ghostly reward you for your present. + +_1st King._ Sir kings, after our promise, +Home by Herod, I must needs go. + +_2nd King._ Now truly, brother, we can no less, +But I am so far watched I wot not what to do. + +_3rd King._ Right so am I, wherefore I you pray +Let all us rest us awhile upon this ground. + +_1st King._ Brother, your saying is right well unto my pay +The grace of that sweet child save us all sound. + +_Angel._ King of Taurus, Sir Jaspar! +King of Araby, Sir Balthasar! +Melchior, king of Aginara! +To you now am I sent. +For dread of Herod, go you west home +In those parts when ye come down, +Ye shall be burrid[254] with great renown: +The Holy Ghost this knowledge hath sent. + +_1st King._ Awake, sir kings, I you pray, +For the voice of an angel I heard in my dream! + +_2nd King._ That is full true that ye do say +For he rehearsed our names plain. + +_3rd King._ He bade that we should go down by west +For dread of Herod's false betray. + +_1st King._ So for to do it is the best, +The child that we have sought, guide us the way! + +[_Turning to the babe._ + +Now farewell, the fairest of shape so sweet, +And thanked be Jesus of his sond.[255] +That we three together so suddenly should meet +That dwell so wide, and in a strange land; +And here to make our presentation +Unto this king's son cleansed so clean, +And to his mother for our salvation; +Of much mirth now may we mean, +That we so well hath done this oblation. + +_2nd King._ Now farewell, Sir Jaspar, brother to you, +King of Taurus, the most worth; +Sir Balthasar, also to you I bow +And I thank you both of your good company, +While we together have been. +He that made us to meet on hill, +I thank him now, and ever I will; +For now may we go without ill; +And of our offering be full fain. + +_3rd King._ Now sith that we must needly go +For dread of Herod, that is so wroth, +Now farewell brother, and brother also; +I take my leave here of you both, +This day on foot. +Now he that made us to meet on plain. +And offered to Mary in her jeseyne,[256] +He give us grace in heaven again, +Altogether to meet. + +[_Exeunt the Three Kings: Enter the Herald and King Herod._ + +_Herald._ Hail, King most worthiest in wede![257] +Hail, maintainer of courtesy through all this world wide! +Hail, the most mightiest that ever bestrode a steed! +Hail, most manfullest man in armour man to abide! +Hail in thine honour! +These three kings that forth were sent +And should have come again before thee here present, +Another way, Lord, home they went +Contrary to thine honour. + +_Herod._ Another way!--out! out!--out! +Hath those foul traitors done me this deed? +I stamp, I stare, I look all about; +Might them I take I should them burn at a glede.[258] +I rend, I roar, and now run I wood;[259] +Ah! that these villain traitors hath marred this my mood! +They shall be hanged if I come them to. + +[_Here Herod rages in the pageant, and in the street also._ + +Eh! and that kerne[260] of Bethlehem, he shall be dead, +And thus shall I do for his prophecy. +How say you, sir knights, is not this the best red,[261] +That all young children for this should be dead +With sword to be slain? +Then shall I, Herod, live in lede,[262] +And all folk me doubt and dread, +And offer to me both gold, riches, and mede,[263] +Thereto will they be full fain. + +_1st Soldier._ My Lord, King Herod by name, +Thy words against my will shall be +To see so many young children die, is shame; +Therefore counsel thereto gettest thou none of me. + +_2nd Soldier._ Well said, fellow, my troth I plight; +Sir king! perceive right well you may +So great a murder to see of young fruit, +Will make a rising in thine own countrey. + +_Herod._ A rising!--out! out! out! + +[_There Herod rages again, and then saith thus:_ + +Out villain wretches, hereupon you I cry, +My will utterly, look that it be wrought, +Or upon a gallows both you shall die, +By Mahound, most mightiest, that me dear hath bought! + +_1st Soldier._ Now, cruel Herod, sith we shall do this deed, +Your will needfully in this must be wrought. +All the children of that age, die they must need, +Now with all my might they shall be upsought. + +_2nd Soldier._ And I will swear here upon your bright sword, +All the children that I find, slain they shall be; +That make many a mother to weep, and be full sore afeard, +In our armour bright, when they us see. + +_Herod._ Now you have sworn, forth that ye go +And my will that ye work both by day and night, +And then will I for fain trip like a doe; +But when they be dead, I warn you, bring them before my sight. + +_Angel._ Mary and Joseph, to you I say, +Sweet word from the Father I bring you full right; +Out of Bethlehem into Egypt forth go ye the way +And with you take the king, full of might, +For dread of Herod's red.[264] + +_Joseph._ Arise up, Mary, hastily and soon! +Our Lord's will needs must be done, +Like as the angel bade. + +_Mary._ Meekly, Joseph, mine own spouse, +Toward that country let us repair, +In Egypt,--some token of house,-- +God grant us grace safe to come there! + +[_Here the women come in with their children, singing them, and Mary and +Joseph goeth clean away._ + + Lully, lulla, thou little tiny child; + By, by, lullay, lullay, thou little tiny child; + By, by, lully, lullay. + + O sisters too! how may we do, +For to preserve this day +This poor youngling, for whom we do sing +By, by, lully, lullay. + + Herod, the king, in his raging, +Charged he hath this day +His men of might, in his own sight, +All young children to slay. + + That woe is me, poor child for thee! +And ever morn and day, +For thy parting neither say nor sing, +By, by, lully, lallay. + +_1st Woman._ I lull my child wondrously sweet, +And in my arms I do it keep, +Because that it should not cry. + +_2nd Woman._ That Babe that is born, in Bethlehem so meek, +He save my child and me from villainy! + +_3rd Woman._ Be still! be still! my little child! +That Lord of lords save both thee and me; +For Herod hath sworn with words wild +That all young children slain they shall be. + +_1st Soldier._ Say ye whither, ye wives, whither are ye away? +What bear you in your arms needs must we see; +If they be men children, die they must this day, +For at Herod's will all things must be. + +_2nd Soldier._ And I in hands once them hent,[265] +Them for to slay nought will I spare; +We must fulfil Herod's commandment; +Else be we as traitors, and cast all in care. + +_1st Woman._ Sir knights! of your courtesy +This day shame not your chivalry, +But on my child have pity, +For my sake in this stead; +For a simple slaughter it were to sloo[266] +Or to work such a child woe +That can neither speak nor go, +Nor never harm did. + +_2nd Woman._ He that slays my child in sight, +If that my strokes on him may light, +Be he squire or knight, +I hold him but lost. +See thou false losyngere[267] +A stroke shalt thou bear me here +And spare you no cost. + +_3rd Woman._ Sit he never so high in saddle, +But I shall make his brain addle, +And here with my pot ladle, +With him will I fight. +I shall lay on him as though I wode[268] were, +With this same womanly gear; +There shall no man stir, +Whether that he be king or knight. + +[_The innocents are massacred._ + +_1st Soldier._ Who heard ever such a cry +Of women, that their children have lost +And greatly rebuking chivalry +Throughout this realm in every coast +Which many a man's life is like to cost; +For this great revenge that here is done, +I fear much vengeance thereof will come. + +_2nd Soldier._ Eh! brother, such tales may we not tell, +Wherefore to the king let us go, +For he is like to bear the bell, +Which was the cause that we did so; +Yet must they all be brought him to +With wains and waggons full freight. +I trow there will be a careful sight. + +[_They come before Herod._ + +_1st Soldier._ Lo! Herod, king! here must thou see +How many thousands that we have slain. + +_2nd Soldier._ And needs thy will fulfilled must be, +There may no man say there again.[269] + +_Herald._ Herod, king! I shall thee tell, +All thy deeds is come to nought. +This child is gone into Egypt to dwell, +Lo! Sir, in thine own land what wonders byn[270] wrought. + +_Herod._ Into Egypt? Alas! for woe, +Longer in land here I cannot abide. +Saddle my palfry, for in haste will I go +After yon traitors now will I ride +Them for to sloo.[271] +Now all men hie fast +Into Egypt in haste: +All that country will I tast[272] +Till I may come them to. + + + + +THE WAKEFIELD MIRACLE-PLAY OF THE CRUCIFIXION + +[_From the Towneley Collection_] + + + +CHARACTERS + + +Jesus +Mary +John +Joseph +Pilate +Longeus +Nicodemus +Four Torturers + +THE CRUCIFIXION + + +_Pilate._ Peace I bid every wight; +Stand as still as stone in wall, +Whiles ye are present in my sight, +That none of ye clatter nor call; +For if ye do, your death is dight. +I warn it you both great and small, +With this brand burnished so bright, +Therefore in peace look ye be all. + + What? peace, in the devil's name! +Harlots and dastards all bedene[273] +On gallows ye be made full tame. +Thieves and michers ken[274] +Will ye not peace when I bid you? +By Mahoun's blood! if ye me teyn,[275] +I shall ordain soon for you +Pains that never e'er was seen, + And that anon: +Be ye so bold beggars, I warn you, +Full boldly shall I beat you, +To hell the de'il shall draw you, + Body, back, and bone. + + I am a lord that mickle is of might, +Prince of all Jewry, Sir Pilate I hight. +Next bring Herod, greatest of all, +Bow to my bidding, both great and small, + Or else be ye shent;[276] +Therefore keep your tongues, I warn you all + And unto us take tent.[277] + +_1st Torturer._ All peace, all peace, among you all! +And hearken now what shall befall + To this false chuffer[278] here. +That with his false quantyse[279] +Has made himself as God wise + Among us many a year. +He calls himself a prophet, +And says that he can bales[280] beat[281] + And make all things amend, +But e'er long know we shall, +Whether he can overcome his own bale,[280] + Or 'scape out of our hand. + + Was not this a wonder thing +That he durst call himself a king + And make so great a lie? + But, by Mahoun! while I may live, +Those proud words shall I never forgive, + Till he be hanged on high. + +_2nd Torturer._ His pride, fie, we set at nought, +But each man reckon in his thought + And look that we naught want; +For I shall seek, if that I may, +By the order of knighthood, to-day, + To make his heart pant. + +_3rd Torturer._ And so shall I, with all my might, +Abate his pride this very night, + And reckon him a crede. +Lo! he lets on he could no ill, +But he can aye, when he will, + Do a full foul deed. + +_4th Torturer._ Ye fellows, ye, as I, have rest, +Among us all I rede[282] we cast + To bring this thief to dede.[283] +Look that we have what we need too + For to hold strait this shrew. + +_1st Torturer._ That was a noble rede; +Lo, here I have a band, +If need be, to bind his hand; + This thong, I trow, will last. + +_2nd Torturer._ And one to the other side, +That shall abate his pride, + If it be but drawn fast. + +_3rd Torturer._ Lo, here a hammer and nails also +For to fasten fast our foe + To this tree full soon. + +_4th Torturer._ You are wise, withouten dread, +That so can help yourself at need + To thing that should be done. + +_1st Torturer._ Now dare I say hardily, +He shall with all his mawmentry[284] + No longer us be-tell. + +_2nd Torturer._ Since Pilate has him to us gi'en +Have done, quickly, let it be seen, + How we can with him mell.[285] + +_3rd Torturer._ Now we are at the Mount of Calvary, +Have done, fellows, and let now see + How we can with him play. + +_4th Torturer._ Yes, for as proud as he can look, +He would have turned another crook, + Had he the rack to-day. + +_1st Torturer._ In faith, sir, since ye called you a king, +You must prove a worthy thing + That falls into the weir. +You must joust in tournament, +But sit you fast, else you'll be shent,[286] + Else down I shall you bear. + +_2nd Torturer._ If thou be God's son, as thou tells, +Thou canst save thyself--how shouldst thou else? + Else were it marvel great; +And canst thou not, we will not trow +What thou has said, but make thee mow + When thou sitt'st in that seat. + +_3rd Torturer._ If thou be king, we shall thanks adylle[287] +For we shall set thee in thy sadylle[288] + For falling be thou bold[289] +I promise thee thou bidest a shaft +If thou sitt'st not well thou hadst better laft[290] + The tales that thou hast told. + +_4th Torturer._ Stand near, fellows, and let us see +How we can horse our king so free + By any craft; +Stand thou yonder on yon side, +And we shall see how he can ride. + And how to wield a shaft. + +_1st Torturer._ Sir, come ye hither, and have done, +And get upon your palfrey soon + For he is ready bowne:[291] +If ye be bound to him be not wroth, +For be ye secure we were full loth + On any wise that ye fell down. + +_2nd Torturer._ Knit thou a knot, with all thy strength +For to draw this arm at length + Till it come to the bore. + +_3rd Torturer._ Thou art mad, man, by this light! +It wants, in each man's sight + Another half span, and more. + +_4th Torturer._ Yet draw out this arm, and make it fast, +With this rope, that well will last, + And each man lay hand to. + +_1st Torturer._ Yes, and bind thou fast that band, +We shall go to that other hand, + And look what we can do. + +_2nd Torturer._ Do drive a nail there throughout, +And then there shall nothing doubt, + For it will not _breste_.[292] + +_3rd Torturer._ That shall I do, so might I thrive, +For to hammer and to drive + Thereto I am full pressed; +So let it stick, for it is well. + +_4th Torturer._ Thou sayest sooth, + There can no man mend. + +_1st Torturer._ Hold down his knees. + +_2nd Torturer._ That shall I do. +His nurse did never better do; + Lay on with each hand. + +_3rd Torturer._ Draw out his limbs, let see, have at. + +_4th Torturer._ That was well drawn out, that, +Fair befall him that so pulled! +For to have gotten it to the mark +I trow laymen nor clerk + Nothing better should! + +_1st Torturer._ Hold it now fast there +One of you the bore shall bear, + And then it may not fail. + +_2nd Torturer._ That shall I do withouten dread, +As ever might I well speed + Him to mickle bale. + +_3rd Torturer._ So, that is well, it will not brest,[293] +But now, let see, who does the best + With any sleight of hand. + +_4th Torturer._ Go we to the other ende +Fellows, fasten fast your hende,[294] + And pull well at the band. + +_1st Torturer._ I counsel, fellows, by this weather +That we draw now all together, + And look how it will fare. + +_2nd Torturer._ Now let see, and leave your din +And draw we ilka syn from syn.[295] + For nothing let us spare. + +_3rd Torturer._ Nay, fellows, this is no play, +We no longer draw one way, + So mickle have I espied. + +_4th Torturer._ No, for as I have bliss +Some can twig whoso it is + Seeks his ease on his own side. + +_1st Torturer._ It is better, as I hope +Each by himself to draw this rope, + And then may we see +Who it is that erewhile +All his fellows can beguile + Of this company. + +_2nd Torturer._ Since thou wilt so have, here's for me! + How draw I?--as might thou the![296] + +_3rd Torturer._ Men drew right well! +Have here for me, half a foot. + +_4th Torturer._ Wema,[297] man! thou came not to't. +Men drew it never a deal +But have for me here that I may! + +_1st Torturer._ Well drawnen, son, by this day! +Thou goes well to thy work. + +_2nd Torturer._ Yet after, whilst thy hand is in +Pull thereat with some engine. + +_3rd Torturer._ Yea, and bring it to the mark. + +_4th Torturer._ Pull, pull! + +_1st Torturer._ Have now! + +_2nd Torturer._ Let see! + +_3rd Torturer._ Aha! + +_4th Torturer._ Yet, a draught! + +_1st Torturer._ Thereto with all my might. + +_2nd Torturer._ Aha, hold still thore.[298] + +_3rd Torturer._ So, fellows, look now alive, +Which of you can best drive, + And I shall take the bore. + +_4th Torturer._ Let me go to it, if I shall +I hope that I be the best marshal[299] + For to clink[300] it right. +Do raise him up now when we may, +For I hope he and his palfrey + Shall not twine[301] this night. + +_1st Torturer._ Come hither, fellows, and have done, +And help that this tree soon + Be lift with all your sleight. + +_2nd Torturer._ Yet let us work awhile, +And no man now the other beguile + Till it be brought on height. + +_3rd Torturer._ Fellows, lay on all your hende[302] +For to raise this tree on ende + And lets see who is last. + +_4th Torturer._ I rede we do as he says, +Set we the tree on the mortase,[303] + And there, will it stand fast. + +_1st Torturer._ Up with the timber. + +_2nd Torturer._ Ah, it holds! +For him, that all this world wields, + Put from thee, with thy hand. + +_3rd Torturer._ Hold even! amongst us all. + +_4th Torturer._ Yea, and let it into the mortise fall, +For then will it best stand. + +_1st Torturer._ Go we to it, and be we strong, +And raise it, be it never so long, + Since that it is fast bound. + +_2nd Torturer._ Up with the timber fast on ende. + +_3rd Torturer._ Ah fellows, fair fall now your hende. + +_4th Torturer._ So, sir, gape against the sun! + +[_To Christ._ + +_1st Torturer._ Ah, fellow, wear thy crown! + +_2nd Torturer._ Trowest thou this timber will come down? + +_3rd Torturer._ Yet help, to make it fast. + +_4th Torturer._ Bind him well, and let us lift. + +_1st Torturer._ Full short shall be his thrift. + +_2nd Torturer._ Ah, it stands up like a mast. + +_Jesus._ I pray you, people, that pass me by, +That lead your life so lykandly[304] + Raise up your heart on high; +Behold if ever ye saw body +Buffet[305] and beaten thus bloody, + Or dight thus dolefully; +In this world was never no wight + That suffered half so sair. +My mayn,[306] my mode,[307] my might +Is naught but sorrow to sight, + And comfort--none but care! +My folk, what have I done to thee +That thou all thus shall torment me? + Thy sin bear I full soon. +How have I grieved thee? answer me. +That thou thus nailest me to a tree, + And all for thine error. +Where shalt thou seek succour? +This fault how shalt thou amende +When that thou thy saviour +Drivest to this dishonour + And nail'st through feet and hende.[308] +All creatures whose kinds may be trest,[309] +Beasts and birds, they all have rest + When they are woe begone. +But God's own son, that should be best, +Has not whereon his head to rest, + But on his shoulder bone: +To whom now may I make my moan + When they thus martyr me? +And sackless[310] will me slone,[311] +And beat me blood and bone, + That should my brethren be? +What kindness should I kythe[312] them to? +Have I not done what I ought to do, + Made thee in my likeness? +And thou thus rives my rest and ro[313] +And thinkest lightly on me, lo, + Such is thy caitifness. +I have shown thee kindness, unkindly thou me 'quitest,[314] +See thus thy wickedness, look how thou me despitest. +Guiltless thus am I put to pine, +Not for my sin, man, but for thine. + Thus am I rent on rood; +For I that treasure would not tyne[315] +That I marked and made for mine. + Thus buy I Adam's blood, +That sunken was in sin, +With none earthly good, +But with my flesh and blood +That loath was for to wyn.[316] +My brother, that I came for to buy, +Has hanged me here, thus hideously, + Friends find I few or none; +Thus have they dight me drearily, +And all be-spit me piteously, + A helpless man in wone.[317] +But, Father, that sittest on throne, + Forgive thou them this guilt. +I pray to thee this boon-- +They know not what they doon, + Nor whom they thus have spoilt![318] + +_1st Torturer._ Yes, what we do full well we know. + +_2nd Torturer._ Yes, that shall he find within a throw. + +_3rd Torturer._ Now, with a mischance to his corse! +Wenys[319] he that we give any force[320] + What evil so ever he ail? + +_4th Torturer._ For he would tarry us all day, +Of his death to make delay, + I tell you sans fail. + +_1st Torturer._ Lift we this tree amongst us all. + +_2nd Torturer._ Yea, and let it into the mortise fall + And that shall make him brest.[321] + +_3rd Torturer._ Yea, and all to rive him, limb from limb. + +_4th Torturer._ And it will break each joint in him; + Let see now, who does best? + +_Mary._ Alas, the dole I dree![322] I droop, I go in dread. +Why hang'st thou, son, so high? my woe begins to breed, +All blemished is thy ble,[323] I see thy body bleed, +In the world, my son, we were never so woe, as now in weed.[324] +My food[325] that I have fed, +In life--longing thee led! +Full straight art thou bestead + Among these foemen fell: +Such sorrow for to see. +My dearest child, on thee, +Is more mourning to me + Than any tongue may tell. +Alas! thy holy head +Has not whereon to held[326] +Thy face with blood is red, + Was fair as flower in field; +How should I stand in stead![327] +To see my bairn thus bleed, +Beaten as blo[328] as lead. + And has no limb to wield? +Fastened both hands and feet, +With nalys[329] full unmeet, +His wounds all wringing wet. + Alas, my child, for care! +For all rent is thy hide, +I see on either side +Tears of blood down glide + Over all thy body bare. +Alas that ever I should bide, and see my feyr[330] thus fare! + +_John._ Alas, for dule, my lady dear! +All for changed is thy cheer, +To see this prince without a peer, + Thus lapped all in woe; +He was thy food, thy fairest foine,[331] +Thy love, thy like,[332] thy lovesome son, +That high on tree thus hangs alone + With body black and blo,[333] alas! +To me and many mo,[334] +A good master he was. + +But, lady, since it is his will +The prophecy to fulfil, +That mankind in sin not spill,[335] + For them to thole[336] the pain; +And with his death ransom to make, +As prophets before of him spake. +I counsel thee, thy grief to slake, + Thy weeping may not gain +In sorrow; +Our boot[337] he buys full bayne,[338] +Us all from bale to borrow. + +_Mary._ Alas, thine eyes as crystal clear, +That shone as sun in sight, +That lovely were in lyere[339] +Lost they have their light, +And wax all fa'ed[340] in fear, +All dim then are they dight; +In pain thou hast no peer, +That is withouten pight.[341] +Sweet son, say me thy thought; +What wonders hast thou wrought +To be in pain thus brought + Thy blessed blood to blend? +Ah, son, think on my woe, +Why will thou from me go? +On earth is no man mo[342] + That may my mirth amend. + +_John._ Comely lady, good and couth,[343] +Fain would I comfort thee; +Me mynnys[344] my master with mouth +Told unto his menyee.[345] +That he should suffer many a pain, +And die upon a tree, +And to the life rise up again, +Upon the third day should it be + Full right; +For thee, my lady sweet, +Stint awhile to greet,[346] +Our bale then will be beat,[347] + As he before has bight.[348] + +_Mary._ My sorrow it is so sad, +No solace may me save: +Mourning makes me mad, +No hope of help I have. +I am redeless[349] and afraid +For fear that I should rave, +Nought may make me glad, +Till I be in my grave. +To death my dear is driven, +His robe is all to-riven,[350] +That by me was him given + And shapen with my sides. +These Jews and he have striven + That all the bale he bides. +Alas! my lamb so mild, +Why wilt thou from me go +Among these wolves wild, +That work on thee this woe? +For shame, who may thee shield, +For friends now hast thou foe. +Alas, my comely child, +Why will thou from me go? +Maidens, make your moan, +And weep, ye wives, every one +With me, most sad, in wone[351] + The child that born was best: +My heart is stiff as stone + That for no bale will brest.[352] + +_John._ Ah, lady, well wot I, +Thy heart is full of care, +When thou thus openly +Seest thy child thus fare; +Love drives him rathly. +Himself he will not spare, +Us all from bale to buy, +Of bliss that are full bare +For sin; +My dear lady, therefore of mourning look thou blyn.[353] + +_Mary._ "Alas!" may ever be my song, +While I may live in leyd,[354] +Methinks now that I live too long, +To see my bairn thus bleed. +Jews work with him all wrong, +Wherefore do they this deed? +Lo, so high have they him hung, +They let[355] for no dread; + Why so? +His foeman he is among. +No friend he has, but foe, +My frely food[356] from me must go +What shall become of me? +Thou art warpyd[357] all in woe, + And spread here on a tree + Full hie;[358] +I mourn, and so may mo[359] +That see this pain on thee. + +_John._ Dear lady, well for me +If that I might comfort thee, +For the sorrow that I see + Shears my heart in sunder; +When that I see my master hang +With bitter pains and strong; +Was never wight with[360] wrong + Wrought so mickle wonder. + +_Mary._ Alas, death, thou dwellest too long, +Why art thou hid from me? +Who bid thee to my child to gang?[361] +All black thou mak'st his ble;[362] +Now witterly,[363] thou workest wrong +The more I will wyte[364] thee. +But if thou wilt my heart now sting +That I may with him dee,[365] + And bide. +Sore sighing is my song. For pierced is his side! + Ah, death, what hast thou done? +With thee will I fare soon, +Since I had children none but one, +Best under sun or moon. +Friends I had full foyn[366] +That gars me greet[367] and groan + Full sore. +Good Lord, grant me my boon, +And let me live no more! +Gabriel! that art so good +Sometime thou did me greet, +And then I understood +Thy words that were so sweet. +But now they vex my mood, +For grace thou canst me hete,[368] +To bear all of my blood +A child our bale should beat[369] + With right. +Now hangs he here on rood, +Where is that thou me hight.[370] + All that thou of bliss +Hight me in that stede[371] +From mirth is far amiss. +And yet I trow thy rede[372] +Counsel me now of this, +My life how shall I lead +When from me gone is +He that was my head + On high? +My death, now, come it is: +My dear son, have mercy! + +_Jesus._ My mother mild, change thou thy cheer, +Cease from thy sorrow and sighing sere, + It syttes[373] unto my heart full sore; +The sorrow is sharp, I suffer here; +But the dole thou drees,[374] my mother dear, +Me martyrs mickle more. +Thus wills my father I fare + To loose mankind from bands +His son will he not spare, +To loose that bond was e'er + Full fast in fiends' hands. +The first cause, mother, of my coming +Was for mankind miscarrying, + To save them sore I sought; +Therefore, mother make no mourning +Since mankind, through my dying, + May thus to bliss be brought. +Woman, weep thou right nought, + Take there, John, unto thy child, +Mankind must needs be bought; +And thou cast, cousin, in thy thought.[375] + John, lo, there, thy mother mild! +Blue and bloody thus am I beat, +Swongen with swepys[376] and all a-sweat, + Mankind, for thy misdeed. +For my love's sake when wouldst thou let,[377] +And thy heart sadly set, + Since I thus for thee have bled? +Such life for sooth, I lead, +That nothing may I more. +This I suffer for thy need, +To mark thee, man, thy meed! + Now thirst I wonder sore. + +_1st Torturer._ Nought but hold thy peace, +Thou shalt have drink within a resse,[378] + Myself shall be thy knave; +Have here the draught that I thee hete,[379] +And I shall warrant it is not sweet + By all the good I have. + +_2nd Torturer._ So, sir, say now all your will, +For if ye could have holden you still + Ye had not had this brade.[380] + +_3rd Torturer._ Thou would'st all gate[381] be King of Jews, +But by this I trow thou rues + All that thou has said. + +_4th Torturer._ He has him rused of great prophes[382] +That he should make us tempylles + And make it clean fall down; +And yet he said he should it raise +As well as it was within three days, + He lies, that wot we all; +And for his lies in great despite +We will divide his clothing tyte[383] + Save he can more of art.[384] + +_1st Torturer._ Yes, as ever might I thrive, +Soon will we this mantle rive, + And each man take his part. + +_2nd Torturer._ How, wouldst thou we share this cloth? + +_3rd Torturer._ Nay, forsooth, that were I loth, + For then it were all gate[385] spoilt. +But assent thou to my saw,[386] +And let us all cut draw[387] + And then is none begylt.[388] + +_2nd Torturer._ Howe'er befall, now I draw, +This is mine by common law, + Say not there again. + +_1st Torturer._ Now since it may no better be, +Chevithe thee with it for me; + Methinks thou art full fain. + +_2nd Torturer._ How, fellows, see ye not yon scraw?[389] +It is written yonder within a thraw, + Now since that we drew lot. + +_3rd Torturer._ There is no man that is alive, +Unless Pilate, as I might thrive + That durst it there have put. + +_4th Torturer._ Go we fast, and let us look +What is written on yon book + And what it may be, mean. + +_1st Torturer._ All the more I look thereon, +All the more I think I fon;[390] + All is not worth a bean. + +_2nd Torturer._ Yes for sooth, methinks I see +Thereon written language three + Hebrew and Latyn +And Greek methinks written thereon, +For it is hard for to expoun. + +_3rd Torturer._ Thou read, by Apollyon! + +_4th Torturer._ Yea, as I am a true knight. +I am the best Latin wright + Of this company; +I will go withouten delay +And tell you what it is to say. + Behold, sirs, verily, +Yonder is written--Jesus of Nazarene +He is King of Jews, I ween. + +_1st Torturer._ Ah, that is written wrong. + +_2nd Torturer._ He calls himself so, but he is none. + +_3rd Torturer._ Go we to Pilate and make our moan, +Have done, and dwell not long. [_They go to Pilate._ +Pilate, yonder is a false table, +Thereon is written naught but fable, + Of Jews he is not king, +He calls him so, but he not is, +It is falsely written, I wis, + This is a wrong-wise thing. + +_Pilate._ Boys, I say, what melle ye yon?[391] +As it is written shall it be now, + I say certain +_Quod scriptum scripsi_,[392] +That same wrote I, + What gadlyng[393] grumbles there again. + +_4th Torturer._ Since that he is a man of law +He must needs have his will; +I trow he had not written that saw +Without some proper skill. + +_1st Torturer._ Yea, let it hang above his head +It shall not save him from the dead + Naught that he can write. + +_2nd Torturer._ Now ill a hale[394] was he born! + +_3rd Torturer._ My faith, I tell his life is lorn + He shall be slain as tyte.[395] +If thou be Christ, as men thee call +Come down now among us all + And thole[396] not these missays.[397] + +_4th Torturer._ Yea, and help myself that we may see +And we shall all believe in thee, + Whatsoever thou says. + +_1st Torturer._ He calls himself good of might, +But I would see him be so wight[398] + To do such a deed. +He raised Lazare out of his delf[399] +But he cannot help himself + Now in his great need. + +_Jesus._ Eli, Eli, lama sabacthani! +My God, my God! wherefor and why + Hast thou forsaken me? + +_2nd Torturer._ How, hear ye not as well as I +How he can upon Eli cry + Upon this wise? + +_3rd Torturer._ Yea, there is no Eli in this country +Shall deliver him from this meneye[400] + No, in no wise. + +_4th Torturer._ I warrant you now at the last +That he shall soon yield the ghost + For bursten is his gall. + +_Jesus._ Now is my passion brought to end, +Father of heaven, into thy hende[401] + I do commend my soul. + +_1st Torturer._ Let one prick him with a spear, +And if it should do him no dere[402] + Then is his life near past. + +_2nd Torturer._ This blind knight may best do that. + +_Longeus._ Gar me not do, save I wit what. + +_3rd Torturer._ Naught, but strike up fast. + +_Longeus._ Ah! Lord, what may this be? +Once I was blind, now I can see; +Gode's son, hear me, Jesu! +For this trespass on me thou rue[403] +For, Lord, other men me gart[404] +That I thee struck unto the heart, +I see thou hangest here on high, +And dies to fulfil the prophecy. + +_4th Torturer._ Go we hence, and leave him here +For I shall be his bail, this year + He feels now no more pain; +For Eli, ne for none other man +All the good that ever he won + Gets not his life again. [_Exeunt Torturers._ + +_Joseph._ Alas, alas, and well a way! +That ever I should abide this day + To see my master dead; +Thus wickedly as he is shent, +With so bitter tornament[405] + Thro' the false Jews' red.[406] +Nicodeme, I would we yede[407] +To Sir Pilate, if we might spede + His body for to crave; +I will strive with all my might +For my service to ask that knight, + His body for to grave.[408] + +_Nicodemus._ Joseph, I will wend with thee +For to do what is in me + For that body to pray; +For our good-will and our travail +I hope that it may us avail + Hereafterward some day. + +_Joseph._ Sir Pilate, God thee save! +Grant me what I crave + If that it be thy will. + +_Pilate._ Welcome, Joseph, might thou be, +What so thou askest, I grant it thee + So that it be skill.[409] + +_Joseph._ For my long service, I thee pray, +Grant me the body, say me not nay + Of Jesus dead on rood. + +_Pilate._ I grant it well if he dead be, +Good leave shalt thou have of me. + Do with him what thou think good. + +_Joseph._ Gramercy, sir, of your good grace +That you did grant me in this place. + Go we our way: +Nicodeme, come me forth with, +For I myself shall be the smith + The nails out for to dray.[410] + +_Nicodemus._ Joseph, I am ready here +To go with thee with full good cheer + To help with all my might. +Pull forth the nails on either side +And I shall hold him up this tide; + Ah, Lord, how art thou dight! + +[_They take down the body._ + +_Joseph._ Help now, fellow, with all thy might, +That he be wounden[411] and well dight, + And lay him on this bier: +Bear we him forth into the kirk +To the tomb that I gar'd[412] work + Since full many a year. + +_Nicodemus._ It shall be so, withouten nay, +He that died on Good Friday, + And crowned was with thorn; +Save you all that now here be +That Lord that thus would dee, +And rose on Pasche[413] morn. + + + + +THE CORNISH MYSTERY-PLAY OF THE THREE MARIES + + + +CHARACTERS + + +The Gardener--Jesus Christ +The Three Maries-- + Mary Magdalene + Mary, Mother of James + Mary Salome +First Angel +Second Angel + + + + +THE MYSTERY OF THE THREE MARIES + + +[_Enter Mary Magdalene, and Mary, mother of James._] + +_Mary Magdalene._ What shall I do, alas! +My Lord went to the tomb, + To-day is the third day; +Go now see indeed +If he comes and rises, + As he said to me truly. + +_Mary, Mother of James._ I will go and see +The body _of him_ who redeemed me with pain, + If it be risen again. +Great comfort he was to us; +That we should have seen his death! + Alas! alas! + +[_Enter Mary Salome_ + +_Mary Salome._ The third day is to-day; +If the body of Christ be risen, + Go to see. +For the torment which he had +Is ever in my heart; + This sorrow does not leave me. + +[_Here she shall meet the other Maries._ + +_Mary Magdalene._ Women, joy to ye! +And Mary, _mother_ of James, + And Salome also. +Sorrow is in my heart, alas! +If the body of God himself is gone, + Where may it be found? + +_Mary, Mother of James._ So it is with me, +Much and great torment for him; + If he will not, through his grace, +Help me in a short time, +My heart in me will break + Very really through troubles. + +_Mary Salome._ So with me is sorrow +May the Lord see my state + After him. +As he is head of sovereignty, +I believe that out of the tomb + To-day he will rise. + +_Mary Magdalene._ Oh! let us hasten at once, +For the stone is raised + From the tomb. +Lord, how will it be this night, +If I know not where goes + The head of royalty? + +_Mary, Mother of James._ And too long we have stayed, + My Lord is gone his way + Out of the tomb, surely. + Alas! my heart is sick; + I know not indeed if I shall see him, + Who is very God. + +_Mary Salome._ I know truly, and I believe it, +That he is risen up + In this day. +How will it be to us now, +That we find not our Lord? + Alas! woe! woe! + +[_They sing._ + +[_The Dirge._] + +_Alas! mourning I sing, mourning I call, +Our Lord is dead that bought us all._ + +_Mary Magdalene._ Alas! it is through sorrows, +My sweet Lord is dead + Who was crucified. + +[_Mary Magdalene weeps at the tomb._ + +He bore, without complaining, +Much pain on his dear body, + For the people of the world +_Mary, Mother of James._ I cannot see the form +Of him on any side; + Alas! woe is me! +I would like to speak with him, +If it were his will, + Very seriously. + +_Mary Salome._ There is to me sharp longing +In my heart always, + And sorrow; +Alas! my Lord Jesus, +For thou art full of virtue, + All mighty. + +[_The Dirge._] + +_Alas! mourning I sing, mourning I call, +Our Lord is dead that bought us all._ + +_Mary Magdalene._ Jesus Christ, Lord of Heaven, +O hear now our voice; +Who believes not in thee, miserable he! + He will not be saved. +When I think of his Passion, +There is not any joy in my heart; +Alas! that I cannot at once + Speak to thee. + +_Mary, Mother of James._ Gone he is to another land, +And with him many angels; +Alas! now for grief + I am sorrowful. +I pray thee, Lord of grace, +To send a messenger to us, +That something we may be knowing + How it is to thee. + +_Mary Salome._ O Jesus, full of mercy, +Do think of us; +To thy kingdom when we come, + Hear our voice. +For desire I become very sick, +I cannot stand on my standing, +Alas! now what shall I do? + O Lord of heaven! + +[_The Dirge._] + +_Alas! mourning I sing, mourning I call, +Our Lord is dead, that bought us all._ + +_1st Angel._ I know whom ye seek: +Jesus is not here, + For he is risen +To life in very earnest, +As I tell you, + Like as he is worthy. + +_Mary Magdalene._ O angel, now tell me, +The body (none, equal to him), + To what place is it gone? +Like as his grace is great, +Joy to me, with my eyes + To see him yet. + +_2nd Angel._ O Mary, go forthwith, +Say to his disciples + And to Peter, +Like as he promised to them +He will go to Galilee, + Very truly without doubt. + +_Mary, Mother of James._ Now he is risen again indeed, +Jesus our Saviour, + Gone from the tomb. +Worship to him always; +He is Lord of heaven and earth, + Head of sovereignty. + +_Mary Salome._ Hence go we to the city, +And let us say in every place + As we have seen: +That Jesus is risen, +And from the tomb forth gone, + To heaven really. + +_Mary Magdalene._ Never to the city shall I go, +If I do find not my Lord, + Who was on the cross tree. +O Jesus, King of grace, + Joy to me once to see thee, + Amen, amen. + +_Mary, Mother of James._ Mary, be with thee +All the blessings of women, + And the blessing of Jesus Son of grace; +Of full heart I pray him, +Joy and grace always good to do + To us now, from God the Father. + +_Mary Magdalene._ My blessing on ye also, +From Christ, as he is gone to the tomb, + Joy to ye to do well to-day. +Lord, give me the grace +Once to see thy face, + If it be thy will with thee. + +_Mary Salome._ Amen, amen, let us seek +Christ, who redeemed us in pain, + With his flesh and with his blood; +Much pain he suffered, +For love of the people of the world, + As he is the King of power. + +[_Here Mary, the mother of James, and Salome retire from the tomb, and +sit down a little way from it._ + +_Mary Magdalene._ He who made heaven, . as he is gone to the tomb, +After him . great is my desire. +Christ, hear my voice, . I pray also +That thou be with me . at my end. + +Lord Jesus, . give me the grace, +As I may be worthy . to find a meeting, +With thee to-day, . in some sure place, +That I may have a view . and sight of thy face. + +As thou art Creator . of heaven and earth, +And a Redeemer . to us always, +Christ my Saviour, . hear, if it regards thee +Disclose to me, . what I so much desire. + +Through great longing . I am quite weary, +And my body also, . bones and back. +Where is there to-night . any man who knows +Where I may yet find . Christ full of sorrow. + +[_She goes to the garden._ + +[_Enter the Gardener._ + +_Gardener_ (_Jesus_). O woeful woman, . where goest thou? +For grief thou prayest, . cry out thou dost. +Weep not nor shriek, . he whom thou seekest +Thou didst dry his feet . with thy two plaits. + +_Mary Magdalene._ Good lord, . if thou hast chanced to see +Christ my Saviour, . where is he truly? +To see him . I give thee my land; +Jesus, Son of grace, . hear my desire. + +_Gardener._ O Mary, . as I know thee to be +Within this world, . one of his blood, +If thou shouldst see him . before thee, +Couldst thou . know him? + +_Mary Magdalene._ Well I do, . know the form +Of the son of Mary, . named Jesus; +Since I see him not . in any place, +I feel sorrow; . else I would not sing "alas!" + +[_And then Jesus shall shew his side to Mary Magdalene, and say:_ + +_Gardener._ Mary, see . my five wounds, +Believe me truly . to be risen; +To thee I give thanks . for thy desire, +Joy in the land . there shall be truly. + +_Mary Magdalene._ O dear Lord, . who wast on the cross tree, +To me it becomes not . to kiss thy head. +I would pray thee . let me dare +Now to kiss . once thy feet. + +[_Woman, touch me not!_] + +_Gardener._ O woeful woman, . touch me not near, +No, it will not serve, . nor be for gain; + The time is not come; +Until I go . to heaven to my Father, +And I will return . again to my country,-- + To speak with thee. + +_Mary Magdalene._ Christ, hear my voice, . say the hour +That thou comest from heaven . again to earth + To speak with us. +Thy disciples . are very sad, +And the Jews . with violence always + Are round about them. + +_Gardener._ O Mary, . tell them, + Truly I go . to Galilee, + As I said; +And besides that, . bear in memory to speak +Good comfort . to Peter by me; + Much he is loved. + + + + +THE CORNISH MYSTERY-PLAY OF MARY MAGDALENE + +AND HOW SHE BROUGHT THE NEWS OF THE RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD JESUS +CHRIST TO THE APOSTLES + + + +CHARACTERS + + +Jesus +Mary Magdalene +Thomas +Peter +Andrew +John +James the Greater +James the Less +Matthew +Philip +Simon +Judah + + + + +THE MYSTERY OF MARY MAGDALENE AND THE APOSTLES + + +[_Now Mary comes to the apostles, and says to them in Galilee:_ + +_Mary Magdalene._ Now, O apostles, + I will tell you news: +Jesus is risen from the tomb; + I saw him lately, +I spoke to him also, + I looked on his wounds, +Pitiful it was to see them; + To the world they bring healing. + +_Thomas._ Silence, woman, with thy tales, + And speak truth, as I pray thee; +Christ who was cruelly slain, + To be alive I will not believe; +Waste no more words, + For lies I do not love; +Our Lord is dead; + Alas! I tell the truth. + +_Mary Magdalene._ I speak true, Thomas, + And I, though poor, will prove it. +Lately I saw him,-- + The Lord (none equal to him), +And by me he sent, + I swear to ye, as ye may know, +Like as he promised; + He named to me none but Peter. + +_Thomas._ Silence, and speak not, woman! +I pray thee, mockery with us + Now do not make; +Stout though Castle Maudlen be, +If thou mock, I will break thy head + About thee from above. + +_Mary Magdalene._ I will not be silent from fear +I will prove it true what I say + Before _we_ separate. +Like as he is King of heaven, +He is with God the Father, + On his right side. + +_Peter._ Ah! Jesus Christ, happy am I +To hear that he is risen + Out of the tomb; +For I know very well +That he is son to Mary, + And God likewise. + +_Thomas._ Peter, peace, and leave thy mockery, +For idle it is to say + That he is risen. +Never can, for the world, +Any man be raised + After dying. + +_James the Greater._ Thomas, very well it may be; +The Son of God will rise + When he will; +For Jesus, Son of Mary, +He made heaven, and this world, + And every thing that was not. + +_Thomas._ O James, it is no use for thee; +A man who is dead certainly + Does not live again. +Foolish idleness, not to leave it, +But to go to assert + A thing of no benefit. + +_John._ O Thomas, thou art a fool; +That is the belief of all: + Jesus Christ after dying, +To be put into the ground; +After that to rise again + At the end of three days, and to stand up. + +_Thomas._ O John, be not absurd, +For my wonder,--it is great, + That thou shouldst speak folly. +Christ through sufferings was +Indeed put to death on the cross tree; + My curse on him that did it! + +_Bartholomew._ Thomas, believe me, though I am gray; +Man could not have power + To put him to death. +For us he would die, +And go into the tomb, and rise, + To carry all Christians to heaven. + +_Thomas._ O Bartte, thou art mad +And fond beyond all men + Who are fools. +God, without dying, might have +Caused all men to be saved, + Over all the world. + +_Matthew._ That is true, he could +Destroy every thing again, + That it be no more. +But nevertheless for us, +Christ wished to go into the ground, + And to live again. + +_Thomas._ And thou art a fool, Matthew; +If thou art wise thou wilt be silent, + And withdraw. +He lives not, through all thy words, +When I saw him, he was dead + On the cross tree. + +_Philip._ Alas! to be so foolish! +Crooked, wilt thou not believe + The Head of sovereignty; +And he saying to us +That after dying he would rise + Out of the tomb? + +_Thomas._ Sit silent, wilt thou, Philip, +For in faith thou swearest wrongly + About him. +Christ's limbs were bruised, +And on his body a thousand wounds; + Alas! he is not risen. + +_James the Greater._ O do not say so, +That Jesus the best Lord + Cannot rise, +For very truly he is risen; +To be his servant thou art not worthy, + It appears well. + +_Thomas._ O thou James, if he were alive +His servant I would be + Very joyfully. +But he is not alive, leave off thy noise; +The thorn even into his brain, + Went to his head. + +_Simon._ Though the thorn went into his head, +And through his heart and side + The spear was seen, +Nevertheless need is to believe +Jesus Christ will rise again, + As he is true God. + +_Thomas._ O Simon, do not speak a word; +Never, never, unhappily, + He has not risen again. +But if it were so, +Together we should all be + Exceedingly at ease. + +_Judah._ Sir Thomas, it is so, +He has risen again to-day + Out of the tomb. +For if he should not rise again, +Never with us would there be + Joy without end. + +_Thomas._ O Judah, Judah, leave thy belief; +His heart torn in pieces + I saw. +Notwithstanding what any man may say, +That same body will remain; + It has not risen. + +_Andrew._ Peace, Thomas, and say not a word; +Very truly our dear Lord + Is risen again. +Surely too much thou hast disbelieved, +For Mary has spoken + With him to-day. + +_Thomas._ Thou art a fool, Andrew; +The girl has told a lie, + Do not think otherwise. +That he ever rose again +I will not believe it. + As long as I am alive. + +_Mary Magdalene._ I have not said an untrue word; +For to me all his wounds + He shewed. +And to that I will +Bear witness at all times, + That the tale is true. + +[_Here let Thomas and Mary Magdalene go down._ + +_Thomas._ Notwithstanding vain words, +I do not believe thee; thou failest + To make me believe. +Though thou dost chatter so much, +Any thing from thee regards me not, + Though thou be busy. + +_Mary Magdalene._ I tell thee the truth; + The angel said to us, + Surely at the tomb, +That he was risen up, +And was gone to the bright heaven, + With many angels. + +_Thomas._ Peace, chattering woman, say no more; +I will not believe thee, + _That_ is gone to heaven. +The body, which I saw dead,-- +Great are my anxieties + After it. + +_Mary Magdalene._ Surely Mary, mother of James, +And Mary Salome, + Will witness to me; +Like as I saw, +So I tell the tale to thee; + Do believe it. + +_Thomas._ Never can it go into my heart, +That the body dead before us + Should rise again; +When I think on his passion, +Grief takes me immediately + For him, woe is me! + +_Mary Magdalene._ There is to me wonder of thee, +That thy heart is so hard, + Thou believest it not. +If thou doest not believe it, +Never shalt thou come to the joy + Surely which is in heaven. + +_Thomas._ Silence thou, now, for shame; +With Jesus thou hast no secrets: + Surely not! I believe +Thou art a sinner, without a mistake; +The greatest that was in the country + By every body thou wast called. + +_Mary Magdalene._ I have been a sinner; +I have sinned wondrous much; +On Jesus I cried, + That he would forgive me my trespass; +And he said to me, +Thy sin is forgiven to thee, +Through thy faith thou art saved: + Now no more, do not sin. + Thomas, thou art very stupid, +Because thou wilt not believe +The Lord to have risen + Easter-day morning. +Who believes not shall not be saved, +Nor with God shall he dwell, +And for that, I pray thee, + Believe in time. + + * * * * * + +_Thomas._ Hold thy prate, nor be busy, +For I will not believe thee; +The body was seen by me + Fastened on the cross with nails; +With a sharp spear they pierced him, +So that it passed through the heart; +To the earth the blood fell, + And made him soon dead. +That body cannot live, +Nor rise up again, + Surely, thou woman. +There is not any man of this world +Who shall make me now + Believe otherwise. + +_Mary Magdalene._ Thomas, thou art mad, +And in madness lost; + Evil it is with me now. +I advise thee believe, +And if thou dost not, seriously, + Thou shalt have sharp repentance. + +_Thomas._ With you since there is no peace, +From you I will go + My ways in the country. +Are ye not now fools? +So God help me, + I love not lies. + +[_Then Jesus comes to the apostles, and says (in Galilee, the doors +being closed, he kisses them_): + +_Jesus._ The peace of God, O apostles! +I, Christ, to rise from the tomb, + Believe well; +For certainly as many as believe it, +And are faithfully baptized, + Shall be saved. + +_Peter._ O dear Lord, happy is my lot +To see thee risen again, + Jesus, though I denied thee. +Abundant mercy, I pray, +As the Jews are always + Here laying snares for us. + Jesus, Lord of heaven and earth, +And Saviour to us also, +Pardon me my trespass, + For great are my sorrows. +For sharp repentance falls on me +For denying thee: now +Mercy I pray at all times, + Certainly, with full heart. + +_Jesus._ Peter, pardon thou shalt get, +For thy repentance is perfect, + Through the Holy Ghost. +Like as I redeemed thee dearly, +Strengthen also thy brethren + In full belief. + +_John._ O Lord, I am glad +That thou wouldst come with us + Hither, for our joy; +That I will say likewise, +We are, through great longing, + After thee pining. + +_Jesus._ From you I go to my country; +At the right side of God the Father, + I shall sit. +To strengthen you in belief, +To you the comfort of the Holy Ghost + I shall send. + +_James the Greater._ Lord, it is wonderful; +When thou comest, Jesus powerful, + To look at us, +And to speak peace to us, +Though they were fast, thou didst open + Our doors. + +[_Here Jesus goes away from the apostles._ + +He is the Lord of power, +And he has purchased with his blood + The people of the world; +That Jesus Christ is risen again,-- +A day is coming that shall tell + All them that do believe it not! + + + + +THE WAKEFIELD PAGEANT OF THE HARROWING OF HELL + +OR + +EXTRACTION OF SOULS FROM HELL + + + +CHARACTERS + + +Jesus +Adam +Eve +Simeon +John the Baptist +Moses +Esaias +David +Ribald +Beelzebub +Sathanas + + + + +THE HARROWING OF HELL + +EXTRACTIO ANIMARUM + +AB INFERNO + +[_The Extraction of Souls from Hell._] + + +_Jesus._ My fader[414] me from blys has send +Till's erthe for mankynde sake, +Adam mys[415] for to amend, +My deth nede must I take: + +I dwellyd ther thyrty yeres and two, +And som dele more, the sothe to say,[416] +In anger, pyne, and mekylle wo, +I dyde on cros this day. + +Therefor tille helle now wille I go, +To chalange[417] that is myne, +Adam, Eve, and othere mo, +Thay shalle no longer dwelle in pyne; + +The feynde[418] theym wan withe trayn,[419] +Thrughe fraude of earthly fode,[420] +I have theym boght agan +With shedyng of my blode. + +And now I wille that stede[421] restore, +Whiche the feynde felle from for syn, +Som tokyn wille I send before, +Withe myrthe to gar[422] thare gammes begyn. + +A light I wille thay have, +To know I wille com sone; +My body shalle abyde in grave +Tille alle this dede be done. + + _Adam._ My brether, herkyn unto me here, +More hope of helth never we had, +Four thousand and six hundred yere +Have we bene in darknes stad;[423] + +Now se I tokyns of solace sere,[424] +A gloryous gleme to make us glad, +Wherthrughe I hope that help is nere, +That sone shalle slake[425] oure sorrowes sad. + +_Eve._ Adam, my husband heynd,[426] +This menys solace certan, +Siche lighte can on us leynd[427] +In paradyse fulle playn. + +_Isaias._ Adam, thrugh thi syn +Here were we put to dwelle, +This wykyd place within, +The name of it is helle; + +Here paynes shalle never blyn[428] +That wykyd ar and felle, +Love, that lord, withe wyn +His lyfe for us wold selle. + +[_Et cantent omnes "Salvator mundi" primum versum._[429] + +Adam, thou welle understand, +I am Isaias, so Crist me kende,[430] +I spake of folk in darknes walkand,[431] +I saide a light shuld on them lende; + +This light is alle from Crist commande, +That he tille us has hethir sende, +Thus is my poynt proved in hand, +As I before to fold[432] it kende. + +_Simeon._ So may I telle of farlys feylle,[433] +For in the tempylle his freyndes me fande, +Me thoght dayntethe[434] with hym to deylle, +I halsyd[435] hym homely with my hand, + +I saide, Lord, let thi servandes leylle[436] +Pas in peasse to lyf lastande,[437] +Now that myn eeyn has sene thyn hele[438] +No longer lyst[439] I lyf in lande. + +This light thou has purvayde +For theym that lyf in lede,[440] +That I before of the have saide +I se it is fulfillyd in dede. + +_Johannes Baptista._ As a voice cryand I kend[441] +The wayes of Crist, as I welle can, +I baptisid hym with bothe myn hende +In the water of flume[442] Jordan; + +The Holy Gost from heven discende +As a white dowfe downe on me than, +The Fader voyce, oure myrthes to amende, +Was made to me lyke as a man;[443] + +"Yond is my son," he saide, +"And whiche pleasses me fulle welle," +His light is on us layde, +And commys oure karys to kele.[444] + +_Moyses._ Now this same nyght lernyng have I, +To me, Moyses, he shewid his myght, +And also to another one, Hely,[445] +Where we stud on a hille on hyght, + +As whyte as snaw was his body, +His face was like the son for bright, +No man on mold[446] was so mighty +Grathly[447] durst loke agans[448] that light, +And that same lighte here se I now +Shynyng on us, certayn, +Wherethrughe truly I trow +That we shalle sone pas fro this payn. + +_Rybald._ Sen fyrst that helle was mayde and I was put therin + Siche sorow never ere I had, nor hard I siche a dyn,[449] +My hart begynnys to brade,[450] my wytt waxys thyn,[451] + I drede we can not be glad, thise saules mon fro us twyn;[452] + + How, Belsabub! bynde thise boys, siche "Harow"[453] + was never hard in helle. + +_Belzabub._ Out, Rybald! thou rorest what is betyd? can thou oght telle? + +_Rybald._ Whi, herys[454] thou not this ugly noyse? +Thise lurdans[455] that in lymbo dwelle, +They make menyng[456] of many joyse, +And muster myrthes theym emelle.[457] + +_Belzabub._ Myrth? nay, nay! that poynt is past, +More hope of helthe shalle they never have. + +_Rybald._ They cry on Crist fulle fast, +And says he shalle thaym save. + +_Belzabub._ Yee, though he do not, I shalle, +For thay ar sparyd[458] in specyalle space, +Whils I am prynce and pryncypalle, +Thay shalle never pas out of this place; + +Calle up Astarot[459] and Anaballe, +To gyf us counselle in this case; +Belle, Berith and Bellyalle[460] +To mar theym that siche mastry mase;[461] + +Say to sir Satan oure syre, +And byd hym bryng also +Sir Lucyfer lufly of lyre.[462] + +_Rybald._ Alle redy, lord, I go. + +_Jesus._ _Attolite portas, principes vestras, et elevamini portoe aeternales, + et introibit rex gloriae._[463] + +_Rybald._ Out, harro,[464] out!--what deville is he +That callys hym kyng over us alle? +Hark Belzabub, com ne,[465] +For hedusly[466] I hard hym calle. + +_Belzabub._ Go spar the yates,[467] ylle mot thou the![468] +And set the waches[469] on the walle, +If that brodelle[470] come ne +With us ay won[471] he shalle: + +And if he more calle or cry, +To make us more debate, +Lay on hym hardlly, +And make hym go his gate.[472] + +_David._ Nay, withe hym may ye not fyght, +For he is king and conqueroure, +And of so mekille myght, +And styf in every stoure;[473] + +Of hym commys alle this light +That shynys in this bowre; +He is fulle fers in fight, +Worthi to wyn honoure. + +_Belzabub._ Honoure! harsto,[474] harlot, for what dede +Alle erthly men to me ar thralle,[475] +That lad that thou callys lord in lede[476] +He had never harbor, house, ne halle; + +How, sir Sathanas, com nar +And hark this cursid rowte! + +_Sathanas._ The dewille you alle to har![477] +What ales the so to showte?[478] +And see, if I com nar, +Thy brayn bot I bryst owte.[479] + +_Belzabub._ Thou must com help to spar,[480] +We ar beseged abowte. + +_Sathanas._ Besegyd aboute! whi, who durst be so bold +For drede to make on us a fray? + +_Belzabub._ It is the Jew that Judas sold +For to be dede this othere day. + +_Sathanas._ How, in tyme that tale was told, +That trature travesses[481] us alle way; +He shalle be here fulle hard in hold, +Bot loke he pas not I the pray. + +_Belzabub._ Pas! nay, nay, he wille not weynde[482] +From hens or it be war,[483] +He shapys hym for to sheynd[484] +Alle helle e'er he go far. + +_Sathanas._ Fy, faturs,[485] therof shalle he faylle, +For alle his fare[486] I hym defy; +I know his trantes[487] fro top to taylle,[488] +He lyffes by gawdes[489] and glory. + +Therby he broght furthe of oure baylle[490] +The lathe[491] Lazare of Betany, +Bot to the Jues I gaf counsaylle +That thay shuld cause hym dy: + +I entered there into Judas +That forward[492] to fulfylle, +Therfor his hyere[493] he has +Alle wayes to won here stylle.[494] + +_Rybald._ Sir Sathan, sen we here the say[495] +Thou and the Jues were at assent, +And wote,[496] he wan the Lazare away +That unto us was taken to tent,[497] +Hopys thou that thou mar hym may +To muster[498] the malyce that he has ment? +For and he refe[499] us now oure pray +We wille ye witt e'er he is went. + +_Sathanas._ I byd the noght abaste[500] +Bot boldly make you bowne,[501] +Withe toyles that ye intraste,[502] + And dyng[503] that dastard downe. + +_Jesus. Attolite portas, principes vestras, et elevamini portae +aeternales, et introibit rex gloriae._[504] + +_Rybald._ Outt, harro![505] what harlot is he +That says his kyngdom shal be cryde? + +_David._ That may thou in sawter se,[506] +For of this prynce thus err I saide;[507] + +I saide that he shuld breke +Youre barres and bandes by name,[508] +And of youre wareks take wreke;[509] +Now shall thou se the same. + +_Jesus._ Ye prynces of helle open youre yate, +And let my folk furthe gone, +A prynce of peasse shalle enter therat +Wheder ye wille or none. + +_Rybald._ What art thou that spekys so? + +_Jesus._ A kyng of blys that hight Jesus. + +_Rybald._ Yee hens fast I red[510] thou go, +And melle[511] the not with us. + +_Belzabub._ Oure yates[512] I trow wille last, +Thay ar so strong I weyn,[513] +Bot if oure barres brast, +For the, thay shalle not twyn.[514] + +_Jesus._ This stede[515] shalle stande no longer stokyn;[516] +Open up and let my pepille pas. + +_Rybald._ Out, harro![517] oure baylle is brokyn,[518] +And brusten ar alle oure bandes of bras. + +_Belzabub._ Harro! oure yates begyn to crak, +In sonder, I trow, thay go, +And helle, I trow, wille all to-shak; +Alas, what I am wo![519] + +_Rybald._ Lymbo is lorn, alas! +Sir Sathanas, com up! +This wark is wars[520] than it was. + +_Sathanas._ Yee, hangyd be thou on a cruke;[521] + +Thefys, I bad ye shuld be bowne[522] +If he maide mastres[523] more +To dyng[524] that dastard downe, +Sett[525] hym bothe sad and sore. + +_Belzabub._ "So sett hym sore" that is sone saide. +Com thou thi self and serve hym so; +We may not abyde his bytter bradye,[526] +He wold us mar and we were mo.[527] + +_Sathanas._ Fy, fature![528] wherfore were ye flayd?[529] +Have ye no force to flyt hym fro? +Loke in haste my gere be grayd,[530] +My self shalle to that gadlyng go.[531] + +How, thou belamy, abyde,[532] +Withe alle thi boste and beyr,[533] +And telle me in this tyde +What mastres[523] thou makes here. + +_Jesus._ I make no mastry bot for myne, +I wille theym save, that shalle the sow, +Thou has no powere theym to pyne,[534] +Bot in my pryson for thare prow[535] + +Here have thay sojornyd,--not as thyne, +Bot in thi wayrd,[536] thou wote as how. + +_Sathanas._ Why, where has thou hene ay syn[537] +That never wold neghe[538] theym nere e'er now? + +_Jesus._ Now is the tyme certan +My Fader ordand herfor,[539] +That they shuld pas fro payn +In blys to dwelle for ever more. + +_Sathanas._ Thy fader knew I welle by syght, +He was a wright his meett to wyn,[540] +Mary, me mynnys,[541] thi moder hight, +The utmast ende of alle thy kyn: + +Say who made the so mekille[542] of myght? + +_Jesus._ Thou wykyd feynde lett be thi dy[n], +My Fader wonnes[543] in heven on hight, +In blys that never more shalle blyn:[544] +I am his oonly son his forward[545] to fulfylle, +Togeder wille we won, in sonder when we wylle. + +_Sathanas._ Goddes son! nay, then myght thou be glad +For no catelle thurt the crave;[546] +Bot thou has lyffed ay lyke a lad, +In sorow, and as a sympille[547] knave. + +_Jesus._ That was for the hartly[548] luf I had +Unto man's saulle, it for to save, +And for to make thee masyd[549] and mad, +And for that reson rufully to rafe.[550] + +My Godhede here I hyd +In Mary, moder myne, +Where it shalle never be kyd[551] +To the, ne none of thyne.[552] + +_Sathanas._ How now? this wold I were told in towne, +Thou says God is thi syre; +I shalle the prove by good reson +Thou moyttes[553] as man dos into myre. + +To breke thi byddyng they were fulle bowne,[554] +And soon they wroght at my desyre, +From paradise thou putt thym downe, +In helle here to have thare hyre;[555] + +And thou thi self, by day and nyght, +Taght[556] ever alle men emang, +Ever to do reson and right, +And here thou wyrkys[557] alle wrang. + +_Jesus._ I wyrk no wrang, that shalle thou wytt.[558] +If I my men fro wo wille wyn;[559] +My prophettes playnly prechyd it, +Alle the noytys[560] that I begyn; + +They saide that I shud be that ilke +In helle where I shud entre in, +To save my servandes fro that pytt +Where dampynyd saullys[561] shalle syt for syn. + +And ilke true prophete taylle[562] +Shalle be fulfillid in me; +I have thaym boght fro baylle,[563] +In blis now shalle thay be. + +_Sathanas._ Now since thou list to legge the lawes[564] +Thou shalbe tenyd or we twyn,[565] +For those that thou to witnes drawes +Fulle even agans the shalle begyn; + +As Salaman saide in his sawes,[566] +Who that ones commys helle within +He shalle never owte, as clerkes knawes +Therfor, belamy, let be thy dyn.[567] +Job thi servande also +In his tyme can telle +That nawder freynde nor fo +Shalle fynde relese in helle.[568] + +_Jesus._ He sayde fulle soythe, that shalle thou se, +In helle shalbe no relese, +Bot of that place then ment he +Where synfulle care shalle ever encrese. + +In that baylle ay shalle thou be, +Where sorrowes seyr shalle never sesse[569] +And my folk that wer most fre[570] +Shalle pas unto the place of peasse; + +For thay were here with my wille, +And so thay shalle furthe weynde,[571] +Thou shalle thi self fulfylle, +Ever wo withoutten ende. + +_Sathanas._ Whi, and wille thou take theym alle me fro?[572] +Then thynk me[573] thou ar unkynde; +Nay, I pray the do not so, +Umthynke[574] the better in thy mynde, + +Or els let me with the go; +I pray the leyfe me not behynde. + +_Jesus._ Nay, tratur, thou shalle won in wo,[575] +And tille a stake[576] I shalle the bynde. + +_Sathanas._ Now here I how thou menys[577] emang +With mesure and malyce for to melle,[578] +Bot sen thou says it shalbe lang, +Yit som let alle wayes with us dwelle. + +_Jesus._ Yis, witt thou welle, els were greatt wrang, +Thou shalle have Caym[579] that slo Abelle, +And alle that hastes theym self to hang, +As dyd Judas and Architophelle; +And Daton and Abaron and alle of thare assent,[580] +Cursyd tyranttes ever ilkon[581] that me and myn tormente. + +And alle that wille not lere[582] my law +That I have left in land for new[583] +That makes my commyng knaw,[584] +And alle my sacramentes persew; + +My deth, my rysyng, red by raw,[585] +Who trow thaym not thay ar untrewe, +Unto my dome[586] I shalle theym draw, +And juge thaym wars[587] then any Jew. +And thay that lyst to lere my law and lyf therby +Shalle never have harmes here, bot welth as is worthy. + +_Sathanas._ Now here my hand, I hold me payde, +Thise poyntes ar playnly for my prow,[588] +If this be trew as thou has saide +We shalle have mo then we have now; + +Thise lawes that thou has late here laide +I shalle thym lere not to alow,[589] +If thay myn take[590] thay ar betraide, +And I shalle turne thym tytte I trow.[591] + +I shalle walk eest, I shalle walk west, +And gar theym wyrk welle war.[592] + +_Jesus._ Nay feynde, thou shalbe feste,[593] +That thou shalle flyt no far.[594] + +_Sathanas._ Feste? fy! that were a wykyd treson! +Belamy, thou shalle be smytt.[595] + +_Jesus._ Deville, I commaunde the to go downe +Into thi sete where thou shalle syt. + +_Sathanas._ Alas! for doylle[596] and care, +I synk into helle pyt. + +_Rybald._ Sir Sathanas, so saide I are,[597] +Now shalle thou have a fytt. + +_Jesus._ Com now furthe, my childer alle, +I forgyf you youre mys;[598] +Withe me now go ye shalle +To joy and endles blys. + +_Adam._ Lord, thou art fulle mekylle of myght,[599] +That mekys thi self on this manere, +To help us alle as thou had us hight, +When bothe frofett I and my fere;[600] + +Here have we dwelt withoutten light +Four thousand and six hundreth yere, +Now se we by this solempne sight +How that mercy makes us dere. + +_Eva._ Lord, we were worthy more tornamentes[601] to tast,[602] +Thou help us lord of thy mercy, as thou of myght is mast.[603] + +_Johannes._ Lord, I love the inwardly, +That me wold make thi messyngere, +Thi commyng in erthe to cry, +And teche thi fayth to folk in fere;[604] + +Sythen before the forto dy,[605] +To bryng theym bodword[606] that be here, +How thay shuld have thi help in hy, +Now se I alle those poyntes appere. + +_Moyses._ David, thi prophette trew, +Of tymes told unto us; +Of thi commyng he knew, +And saide it shuld be thus. + +_David._ As I said ere yit say I so, +_Ne derelinquas, domine, +Animam meam in inferno_;[607] +Leyfe never my saulle, Lord, after the, + +In depe helle whedur[608] dampned shalle go +Suffre thou never thi sayntes to se +The sorrow of thaym that won in wo,[609] +Ay, fulle of fylthe, and may not fle.[610] + +_Moyses._ Make myrthe bothe more and les, +And love oure lord we may, +That has broght us fro bytternes +In blys to abyde for ay. + +_Ysaias._ Therfor now let us syng +To love oure lord Jesus, +Unto his blys he wille us bryng, + _Te Deum laudamus._ + + + + +THE INTERLUDE OF "GOD'S PROMISES" + +BY JOHN BALE + + + +CHARACTERS + + +Pater Coelestis _The Heavenly Father_ +Adam Primus Homo _Adam, the First Man_ +Justus Noah _Just Noah_ +Abraham Fidelis _Faithful Abraham_ +Moses Sanctus _Saint Moses_ +David Rex Pius _The Pious King, David_ +Esaias Propheta _The Prophet Isaiah_ +Baleus Prolocutor _John Bale, who speaks the Prologue_ + + + +GOD'S PROMISES + + +_A Tragedy or interlude manifesting the chief promises of God unto man +by all ages in the old law, from the Fall of Adam to the Incarnation of +the Lord Jesus Christ. Compiled by John Bale, (Anno Domini MDXXXVIII.)._ + + +_Baleus Prolocutor._ If profit may grow, most Christian audience, +By knowledge of things which are but transitory, +And here for a time, of much more congruence, +Advantage might spring, by the search of causes heavenly, +As those matters are that the gospel specify. +Without whose knowledge no man to the truth can fall, +Nor ever attain to the life perpetual, + For he that knoweth not the living God eternal +The Father, the Son and also the Holy Ghost, +And what Christ suffered for redemption of us all, +What he commanded, and taught in every coast, +And what he forbode, that man must needs be lost, +And clean secluded, from the faithful chosen sort, +In the Heavens above, to his most high discomfort. + You therefore, good friends, I lovingly exhort, +To weigh such matters as will be uttered here, +Of whom ye may look to have no trifling sport +In fantasies feigned, nor such-like gaudy gear, +But the things that shall your inward stomach cheer. +To rejoice in God for your justification, +And alone in Christ to hope for your salvation. + Yea first ye shall have the eternal generation +Of Christ, like as John in his first chapter write, +And consequently of man the first creation +The abuse and fall, through his first oversight, +And the rise-again through God's high grace and might; +By promises first which shall be declared all: +Then by his own Son, the worker principal. + After that, Adam bewaileth here his fall; +God will shew mercy to every generation, +And to his kingdom of his great goodness call +His elected spouse, or faithful congregation, +As shall appear by open protestation, +Which from Christ's birth shall to his death conclude: +They come, that thereof will shew the certitude. + + + +ACT I + +ADAM THE FIRST MAN + + +_Pater Coelestis._ In the beginning before the heavens were create, +In me and of me was my Son sempiternal +With the Holy Ghost, in one degree or estate +Of the high Godhead, to me the Father coequal +And this my Son was with me one God essential +Without separation at any time from me. +True God he is of equal dignity. +Since the beginning my Son hath ever been +Joined with his father in one essential being. +All things were create by him in each degree, +In heaven and earth and have their diverse working: +Without his power, was never made any thing +That was wrought; but through his ordinance +Each have his strength, and whole continuance. + In him is the life and the just recoverance +For Adam and his, which nought but death deserved. +And this life to men is an high perseverance +Or a light of faith, whereby they shall be saved. +And this light shall shine among the people darkened +With unfaithfulness. Yet shall they not with him take +But of wilful heart his liberal grace forsake. +Which will compel me against man for to make +In my displeasure, and send plagues of correction +Most grievous and sharp, his wanton lusts to slake, +By water and fire, by sickness and infection +Of pestilent sores, molesting his complexion; +By troublous war, by dearth and painful scarceness, +And after this life by an extreme heaviness. +I will first begin with Adam for his lewdness +Which for an apple neglected my commandment. +He shall continue in labour for his rashness, +His only sweat shall provide his food and raiment: +Yea, yet must he have a greater punishment, +Most terrible death shall bring him to his end +To teach him how he his Lord God shall offend. + +[_Here Adam falls headlong upon the earth and after rolling over four +times, at last gets up._ + +_Adam._ Merciful Father, thy pitiful grace extend +To me, careful wretch, which have me sore abused +Thy precept breaking, O Lord, I mean to amend, +If now thy great goodness would have me excused, +Most heavenly Maker, let me not be refused, +Nor cast from thy sight for one poor sinful crime; +Alas! I am frail, my whole kind is but slime. + +_Pater Coelestis._ I wot it is so, yet art thou no less faulty +Than thou hadst been made of matter much more worthy. +I gave thee reason and wit to understand +The good from the evil, and not to take on hand +Of a brainless mind, the thing which I forbade thee. + +_Adam._ Such heavy fortune hath chiefly chanced me +For that I was left to mine own liberty. + +_Pater Coelestis._ Then thou are blameless, and the fault thou layest to + me? + +_Adam._ Nay, all I ascribe to my own imbecility. +No fault in thee Lord but in my infirmity, +And want of respect in such gifts as thou gavest me. + +_Pater Coelestis._ For that I put thee at thine own liberty, +Thou oughtest my goodness to have in more regard. + +_Adam._ Avoid it I cannot, thou layest it to me so hard. +Lord, now I perceive what power is in man, +And strength of himself, when thy sweet grace is absent, +He must needs but fall, do he the best he can, +And endanger himself, as appeareth evident; +For I sinned not so long as thou wert present; +But when thou wert gone, I fell to sin by and by, +And thee displeased. Good Lord, I ask thee mercy. + +_Pater Coelestis._ Thou shalt die for it and all thy posterity. + +_Adam._ For one fault, good Lord, avenge not thyself on me, +Who am but a worm, or a fleshly vanity. + +_Pater Coelestis._ I say thou shalt die with thy whole posterity. + +_Adam._ Yet mercy, sweet Lord, if any mercy may be. + +_Pater Coelestis._ I am immutable, I may change no decree. +Thou shalt die, I say, without any remedy. + +_Adam._ Yet gracious Father, extend to me thy mercy, +And throw not away the work which thou hast create +To thine own image, but avert from me thy hate. + +_Pater Coelestis._ But art thou sorry from bottom of thy heart? + +_Adam._ Thy displeasure is to me most heavy smart. + +_Pater Coelestis._ Then will I tell thee what thou shalt stick unto, +Life to recover, and my good favour also. + +_Adam._ Tell it me, sweet Lord, that I may thereafter go. + +_Pater Coelestis._ This is my covenant to thee and all thy offspring. +For that thou hast been deceived by the serpent, +I will put hatred betwixt him for his doing +And the woman kind. They shall hereafter dissent; +His seed with her seed shall never have agreement; +Her seed shall press down his head unto the ground, +Slay his suggestions, and his whole power confound. + Cleave to this promise with all thy inward power, +Firmly enclose it in thy remembrance fast, +Fold it in thy faith with full hope, day and hour, +And thy salvation it will be at the last. +That seed shall clear thee of all thy wickedness past, +And procure thy peace, with most high grace in my sight, +See thou trust to it and hold not the matter light. + +_Adam._ Sweet lord, the promise that thyself here hath made me, +Of thy mere goodness and not of my deserving, +In my faith I trust shall so established be, +By help of thy grace, that it shall be remaining +So long as I shall have here continuing; +And shew it I will to my posterity +That they in like case have thereby felicity. + +_Pater Coelestis._ For a closing up, take yet one sentence with thee. + +_Adam._ At thy pleasure, Lord, all things might ever be. + +_Pater Coelestis._ For that my promise may have the deeper effect +In the faith of thee and all thy generation, +Take this sign with it, as a seal thereto connect. +Creep shall the serpent, for his abomination, +The woman shall sorrow in painful propagation. +Like as thou shalt find this true in outward working, +So think the other, though it be a hidden thing. + +_Adam._ Incessant praising to thee most heavenly lord +For this thy succour, and undeserved kindness, +Thou bindest me in heart thy gracious gifts to record, +And to bear in mind, now after my heaviness, +The bruit of thy name, with inward joy and gladness. +Thou disdainest not, as well appeareth this day, +To fetch to thy fold thy first sheep going astray. + Most mighty Maker, thou castest not yet away +Thy sinful servant, which hath done most offence. +It is not thy mind for ever I should decay, +But thou reservest me, of thy benevolence, +And hast provided for me a recompence, +By thy appointment, like as I have received +In thy strong promise here openly pronounced. + This goodness, dear Lord, is of me undeserved, +I so declining from thy first institution, +At so light motions. To one that thus hath swerved, +What a lord art thou, to give such retribution! +I, damnable wretch, deserved execution +Of terrible death, without all remedy, +And to be put out of all good memory. +I am enforced to rejoice here inwardly, +An imp though I be of hell, death and damnation, +Through my own working: for I consider thy mercy +And pitiful mind for my whole generation. +It is thou, sweet Lord, that workest my salvation, +And my recovery. Therefore of a congruence +From hence thou must have my heart and obedience. +Though I be mortal, by reason of my offence, +And shall die the death like as God hath appointed: +Of this I am sure, through his high influence, +At a certain day again to be revived. +From ground of my heart this shall not be removed, +I have it in faith and therefore I will sing +This anthem to him that my salvation shall bring. + +[_Then with sonorous voice, on his bent knees, he begins an antiphon, "O +Sapientia," which the chorus follows with instruments, as it removes +from the stage. Or else in the same it may thus be sung in English:_ + +O Eternal Sapience, that proceedest from the mouth of the highest, +reaching forth with a great power from the beginning to the end, with +heavenly sweetness disposing all creatures, come now and instruct us the +true way of thy godly prudence. + + + +ACT II + +NOAH THE JUST + + +_Pater Coelestis._ I have been moved to strike man diversely, +Since I left Adam in this same earthly mansion; +For why? He hath done to me displeasures many, +And will not amend his life in any condition: +No respect hath he to my word nor monition, +But what doth him lust, without discreet advisement, +And will in nowise take mine advertisement. + Cain hath slain Abel, his brother, an innocent, +Whose blood from the earth doth call to me for vengeance: +My children with men's so carnally consent, +That their vain working is unto me much grievance: +Mankind is but flesh in his whole dalliance. +All vice increaseth in him continually, +Nothing he regardeth to walk unto my glory. + My heart abhorreth his wilful misery, +His cancred malice, his cursed covetousness, +His lusts lecherous, his vengeable tyranny, +Unmerciful murder and other ungodliness. +I will destroy him for his outrageousness, +And not him only, but all that on earth do stir, +For it repenteth me that ever I made them here. + +_Noah._ Most gentle Maker, with his frailness somewhat bear, +Man is thy creature, thyself cannot say nay. +Though thou punish him to put him somewhat in fear, +His fault to acknowledge, yet seek not his decay. +Thou mayest reclaim him, though he goeth now astray, +And bring him again, of thy abundant grace, +To the fold of faith, he acknowledging his trespass. + +_Pater Coelestis._ Thou knowest I have given to him convenient space, +With lawful warnings, yet he amendeth in no place. +The natural laws, which I wrote in his heart, +He hath outraced, all goodness putting apart: +Of health the covenant, which I to Adam made, +He regardeth not, but walketh a damnable trade. + +_Noah._ All this is true, Lord, I cannot thy words reprove, +Let his weakness yet thy merciful goodness move. + +_Pater Coelestis._ No weakness is it, but wilful working all, +That reigneth in man through mind diabolical. +He shall have therefore like as he hath deserved. + +_Noah._ Lose him not yet, Lord, though he has deeply swerved. +I know thy mercy is far above his rudeness, +Being infinite, as all other things are in thee. +His folly therefore now pardon of thy goodness, +And measure it not beyond thy godly pity. +Esteem not his fault farther than help may be, +But grant him thy grace, as he offendeth so deeply, +Thee to remember, and abhor his misery. +Of all goodness, Lord, remember thy great mercy, +To Adam and Eve, breaking thy first commandment. +Them thou relievedst with thy sweet promise heavenly, +Sinful though they were, and their lives negligent. +I know that mercy with thee is permanent, +And will be ever so long as the world endure: +Then close not thy hand from man, which is thy creature. + Being thy subject he is underneath thy cure, +Correct him thou mayest and so bring him to grace. +All lieth in thy hands, to leave or to allure, +Bitter death to give, or grant most sovereign solace. +Utterly from man avert not then thy face; +But let him savour thy sweet benevolence +Somewhat, though he feel thy hand for his offence. + +_Pater Coelestis._ My true servant Noah, thy righteousness doth move me +Somewhat to reserve for man's posterity. +Though I drown the world, yet will I save the lives +Of thee and thy wife, thy three sons and their wives, +And of each kind two, to maintain you hereafter. + +_Noah._ Blessed be thy name, most mighty merciful Maker, +With thee to dispute, it were inconvenient. + +_Pater Coelestis._ Why dost thou say so? Be bold to speak thy intent. + +_Noah._ Shall the other die without any remedy? + +_Pater Coelestis._ I will drown them all, for their wilful wicked folly +That man hereafter thereby may know my power, +And fear to offend my goodness day and hour. + +_Noah._ As thy pleasure is, so might it always be, +For my health thou art and soul's felicity. + +_Pater Coelestis._ After that this flood have had his raging passage +This shall be to thee my covenant everlasting. +The seas and waters so far never more shall rage, +As all flesh to drown, I will so temper their working; +This sign will I add also, to confirm the thing, +In the clouds above, as a seal or token clear, +For safeguard of man, my rainbow shall appear. + Take thou this covenant for an earnest confirmation +Of my former promise to Adam's generation. + +_Noah._ I will, blessed Lord, with my whole heart and mind. + +_Pater Coelestis._ Farewell then, just Noah, here leave I thee behind, + +_Noah._ Most mighty Maker, ere I from hence depart, +I must give thee praise from the bottom of my heart. +Whom may we thank, Lord, for our health and salvation +But thy great mercy and goodness undeserved? +Thy promise, in faith, is our justification, +As it was Adam's when his heart therein rested, +And as it was theirs which therein also trusted. +This faith was grounded in Adam's memory, +And clearly declared in Abel's innocency. + Faith in that promise old Adam did justify, +In that promise faith made Eve to prophecy. +Faith in that promise proved Abel innocent, +In that promise faith made Seth full obedient. +That faith taught Enoch on God's name first to call, +And made Methuselah the oldest man of all. + That faith brought Enoch to so high exercise, +That God took him up with him into Paradise. +Of that faith the want made Cain to hate the good, +And all his offspring to perish in the flood. +Faith in that promise preserved both me and mine: +So will it all them which follow the same line. + Not only this gift thou hast given me, sweet Lord, +But with it also thine everlasting covenant +Of trust forever, thy rainbow bearing record, +Never more to drown the world by flood inconstant; +Alack! I cannot to thee give praise condign, +Yet will I sing here with heart meek and benign. + +[_Then in a great voice he begins an antiphon, "O Oriens Splendor," +falling upon his knees while the chorus follows with instruments, as +before._ + +O most orient clearness, and light shining of the sempiternal +brightness! O clear sun of justice and heavenly righteousness, come +hither and illuminate the prisoner sitting in the dark prison and shadow +of Eternal Death. + + + +ACT III + +OF FAITHFUL ABRAHAM + + +_Pater Coelestis._ Mine high displeasure must needs return to man, +Considering the sin that he doth day by day; +For neither kindness nor extreme handling can +Make him to know me by any faithful way, +But still in mischief he walketh to his decay. +If he do not soon his wickedness consider, +He is like, doubtless, to perish altogether. + In my sight, he is more venym[611] than the spider, +Through such abuses as he hath exercised, +From the time of Noah to this same season hither. +An uncomely act without shame Ham commysed.[612] +When he of his father the secret parts revealed. +In like case Nimrod against me wrought abusion +As he raised up the castle of confusion. + Mirus hath also, and all by the devil's illusion +Through image-making, up raised idolatry, +Me to dishonour. And now in the conclusion +The vile Sodomites live so unnaturally +That their sin vengeance asketh continually, +For my covenant's sake, I will not drown with water, +Yet shall I visit their sins with other matter. + +_Abraham._ Yet, merciful Lord, thy graciousness remember +To Adam and Noah, both in thy word and promise: +And lose not the souls of men in so great number +But save thine own work, of thy most discreet goodness. +I wot thy mercies are plentiful and earnest, +Never can they die nor fail, thyself enduring, +This hath faith fixed fast in my understanding. + +_Pater Coelestis._ Abraham my servant, for thy most faithful meaning, +Both thou and thy stock shall have my plenteous blessing. +When the unfaithful, under my curse evermore, +For their vain working, shall rue their wickedness sore. + +_Abraham._ Tell me, blessed Lord, where will thy great malice light? +My hope is, all flesh shall not perish in thy sight. + +_Pater Coelestis._ No truly, Abraham, thou chancest upon the right, +The thing I shall do I will not hide from thee, +Whom I have blessed for thy true fidelity: +For I know thou wilt cause both thy children and servants, +In my ways to walk, and trust unto my covenants, +That I may perform with thee my earnest promise. + +_Abraham._ All that I will do, by assistance of thy goodness. + +_Pater Coelestis._ From Sodom and Gomor the abominations call +For my great vengeance, which will upon them fall, +Wild fire and brimstone shall light upon them all. + +_Abraham._ Pitiful Maker, though they have kindled thy fury, +Cast not away yet the just sort with the ungodly. +Peradventure there may be fifty righteous persons +Within those cities, wilt thou lose them all at once, +And not spare the place for those fifty righteous' sake +Be it far from thee such rigour to undertake. + I hope there is not in thee so cruel hardness, +As to cast away the just men with the reckless, +And so to destroy the good with the ungodly: +In the judge of all: be never such a fury. + +_Pater Coelestis._ At Sodom, if I may find just persons fifty, +The place will I spare for their sakes verily. + +_Abraham._ I take upon me to speak here in thy presence, +More than becomes me, lord, pardon my negligence: +I am but ashes and were loth thee to offend. + +_Pater Coelestis._ Say forth, good Abraham, for ill dost thou not intend. + +_Abraham._ Haply there may be five less in the same number, +For thy sake I hope thou wilt not the rest accombre.[613] + +_Pater Coelestis._ If I among them might find but five and forty +Them would I not lose for that just company. + +_Abraham._ What if the city may forty righteous make? + +_Pater Coelestis._ Then will I pardon it for those same forty's sake. + +_Abraham._ Be not angry, Lord, though I speak undiscreetly. + +_Pater Coelestis._ Utter thy whole mind and spare me not hardly. + +_Abraham._ Peradventure there may be thirty found among them. + +_Pater Coelestis._ May I find thirty, I will nothing do unto them. + +_Abraham._ I take upon me too much, Lord, in thy sight. + +_Pater Coelestis._ No, no, good Abraham, for I know thy faith is right. + +_Abraham._ No less, I suppose, than twenty can it have. + +_Pater Coelestis._ Could I find twenty, that city would I save. + +_Abraham._ Once yet will I speak my mind, and then no more. + +_Pater Coelestis._ Spare not to utter so much as thou hast in store. + +_Abraham._ And what if there might be ten good creatures found? + +_Pater Coelestis._ The rest for their sakes might so be safe and sound, +And not destroyed for their abomination. + +_Abraham._ O merciful Maker, much is thy toleration +And sufferance of sin: I see it now indeed; +Vouchsafe yet of favour out of those cities to lead +Those that be faithful, though their flock be but small. + +_Pater Coelestis._ Lot and his household, I will deliver all, +For righteousness sake, which is of me and not them. + +_Abraham._ Great are thy graces in the generation of Shem. + +_Pater Coelestis._ Well, Abraham, well, for thy true faithfulness +Now will I give thee my covenant or third promise. +Look thou believe it as thou covetest righteousness. + +_Abraham._ Lord, so regard me as I receive it with gladness. + +_Pater Coelestis._ Of many peoples the father I will make thee, +All generations in thy seed shall be blessed: +As the stars of heaven, so shall thy kindred be; +And by the same seed the world shall be redressed +In circumcision shall this thing be expressed, +As in a sure seal, to prove my promise true, +Print this in thy faith, and it shall thy soul renew. + +_Abraham._ I will not one jot, Lord, from thy will dissent +But to thy pleasure be always obedient, +Thy laws to fulfil, and most precious commandment. + +_Pater Coelestis._ Farewell, Abraham, for here in place I leave +thee. + +_Abraham._ Thanks will I render, like as it shall behove me. +Everlasting praise to thy most glorious name, +Which savedst Adam through faith in thy sweet promise +Of the woman's seed, and now confirmest the same +In the seed of me. Forsooth great is thy goodness. +I cannot perceive but that thy mercy is endless. +To such as fear thee, in every generation, +For it endureth without abbreviation. + This have I printed in deep consideration, +No worldly matter can rase it out of mind. +For once it will be the final restoration +Of Adam and Eve, and other that hath sinned; +Yea, the sure health and race of mankind. +Help have the faithful thereof, though they be infect; +They, condemnation, where as it is reject. + Merciful Maker, my crabbed voice direct, +That it may break out in some sweet praise to thee; +And suffer me not thy due lauds to neglect, +But let me show forth thy commendations free. +Stop not my windpipes, but give them liberty, +To sound to thy name, which is most gracious, +And in it rejoice with heart melodious. + +[_Then in a loud voice he begins the antiphon, "O rex gentium," the +chorus following the same with instruments._ + +O most mighty Governor of thy people, and in heart most desired, the +hard rock and the true corner-stone, that of two maketh one, uniting the +Jews with the Gentiles in one church, come now and relieve mankind, whom +thou hast formed of the vile earth. + + + +ACT IV + +MOSES SANCTUS + + +_Pater Coelestis._ Still so increaseth the wickedness of man, +That I am moved with plagues him to confound. +His weakness to aid, I do the best I can, +Yet he regardeth me no more than doth a hound, +My word and promise in his faith taketh no ground; +He will so long walk in his own lusts at large, +That naught he shall find his folly to discharge. + Since Abraham's time, which was my true elect, +Ishmael have I found both wicked, fierce and cruel: +And Esau in mind with hateful murder infect. +The sons of Jacob to lusts unnatural fell, +And into Egypt did they their brother sell. +Laban to idols gave faithful reverence, +Dinah was corrupt through Shechem's violence. + Reuben abused his father's concubine, +Judah got children of his own daughter-in-law: +Yea, she in my sight went after a wicked line. +His seed Onan spilt, his brother's name to withdraw. +Achan lived here without all godly awe. +And now the children of Israel abuse my power +In so vile manner that they move me every hour. + +_Moses._ Pacify thy wrath, sweet Lord, I thee desire, +As thou art gentle, benign, and patient, +Lose not that people in fierceness of thine ire +For whom thou hast shewed such tokens evident, +Converting this rod into a lively serpent, +And the same serpent into this rod again, +Thy wonderful power declaring very plain. + For their sakes also puttest Pharaoh to pain +By ten divers plagues, as I shall here declare. +By blood, frogs, and lice; by flies, death, botch and blain;[614] +By hail, by grasshoppers, by darkness, and by care; +By a sudden plague, all their first gotten ware, +Thou slewest, in one night, for his fierce cruelness. +From that thy people withhold not now thy goodness. + +_Pater Coelestis._ I certify thee, my chosen servant Moses, +That people of mine is full of unthankfulness. + +_Moses._ Dear Lord, I know it, alas! yet weigh their weakness, +And bear with their faults, of thy great bounteousness. +In a flaming bush having to them respect, +Thou appointedst me their passage to direct, +And through the Red Sea thy right hand did us lead +Where Pharaoh's host the flood overwhelmed indeed. + Thou wentest before them in a shining cloud all day +And in the dark night in fire thou shewedst their way. +Thou sentest them manna from heaven to be their food. +Out of the hard stone thou gavest them water good. +Thou appointedst them a land of milk and honey. +Let them not perish for want of thy great mercy. + +_Pater Coelestis._ Content they are not with foul nor yet with fair, +But murmur and grudge as people in despair. +As I sent manna they had it in disdain, +Thus of their welfare they many times complain. +Over Amalek I gave them the victory. + +_Moses._ Most glorious Maker, all that is to thy glory. +Thou sentest them also a law from heaven above, +And daily shewedst them many tokens of great love. +The brazen serpent thou gavest them for their healing, +And Balaam's curse thou turnedst into a blessing. +I hope thou wilt not disdain to help them still. + +_Pater Coelestis._ I gave them precepts, which they will not fulfil + Nor yet acknowledge me for their God and good Lord, +So do their vile deeds with their wicked hearts accord +Whilst thou hast talked with me familiarly +On Sinai's mountain, the space but of days forty, +These sights all they have forgotten clearly, +And are turned to shameful idolatry. +For their God, they have set up a golden calf. + +_Moses._ Let me say something, sweet Father, in their behalf. + +_Pater Coelestis._ I will first conclude, and then say on thy mind. +For that I have found that people so unkind, +Not one of them shall enjoy the promise of me, +For entering the land, but Caleb and Josue.[615] + +_Moses._ Thy eternal will evermore fulfilled be. +For disobedience thou slewest the sons of Aaron, +The earth swallowed in both Dathan and Abiron. +The adders did sting other wicked persons else, +In wonderful number. Thus hast thou punished rebels. + +_Pater Coelestis._ Never will I spare the cursed iniquity. +Of idolatry, for no cause, thou mayst trust me. + +_Moses._ Forgive them yet, Lord, for this time, if it may be. + +_Pater Coelestis._ Thinkest thou that I will so soon change my decree? +No, no, friend Moses, so light thou shalt not find me. +I will punish them all; Israel shall it see. + +_Moses._ I know, thy people have wrought abomination, +Worshipping false gods, to thy honour's derogation, +Yet mercifully thou mayest upon them look; +And if thou wilt not, thrust me out of thy book. + +_Pater Coelestis._ Those great blasphemers shall out of my book clean, +But thou shalt not so, for I know what thou dost mean. +Conduct my people, mine angel shall assist thee, +That sin in a day will not uncorrected be. +And for the true zeal that thou to my people hast, +I add this covenant unto my promises past. + Raise them up I will a prophet from among them, +Not unlike to thee, to speak my words unto them. +Whoso heareth not that he shall speak in my name, +I will revenge it to his perpetual shame. +The passover lamb will be a token just +Of this strong covenant. This have I clearly discussed, +In my appointment this hour for your deliverance. + +_Moses._ Never shall this thing depart from my remembrance. +Praise be for ever to thee, most merciful Lord, +Who never withdrawest from man thy heavenly comfort, +But from age to age thy benefits do record +What thy goodness is, and hath been to his sort. +As we find thy grace, so ought we to report. +And doubtless it is to us most bounteous, +Yea, for all our sins most ripe and plenteous. + Abraham our father found thee benevolous,[616] +So did good Isaac in his distress among. +To Jacob thou wert a guide most gracious. +Joseph thou savedst from dangerous deadly wrong, +Melchisedec and Job felt thy great goodness strong, +So did good Sarah, Rebecca, and fair Rachel, +With Zephorah my wife, the daughter of Raguel. + To praise thee, sweet Lord, my faith doth me compel, +For thy covenant's sake wherein rests our salvation, +The seed of promise, all other seeds excel, +For therein remaineth our full justification. +From Adam to Noah, in Abraham's generation, +That seed procureth God's mighty grace and power; +For the same seed's sake, I will sing now this hour. + +[_Then he begins to sing an antiphon in a clear voice, "O Emmanuel," +which the chorus (as before) follows with instruments._ + +O high king Emmanuel, and our liege Lord! the long expectation of the +Gentiles, and the mighty Saviour of their multitude, the health and +consolation of sinners, come now to save us, as our Lord and our +Redeemer. + + + +ACT V + +OF PIUS KING DAVID + + +_Pater Coelestis._ For all the favour I have shewed Israel, +Delivering it from Pharaoh's tyranny, +And giving the land, _fluentem lac et mel_,[617] +Yet will it not leave its old idolatry, +Nor know me for God. I abhor its misery. +Vexed it I have with battles and decays, +Still must I plague it, I see no other ways. + +_David._ Remember yet, Lord, thy worthy servant Moses, +Walking in thy sight, without rebuke of thee. +Both Aaron, Jethro, Eleazar, and Phinees,[618] +Evermore feared to offend thy majesty, +Much thou acceptedst thy servant Josue.[619] +Caleb and Othniel sought thee with all their heart, +Aioth and Sangar for thy folk did their part. + Gideon and Tholus thy enemies put to smart, +Jair and Jephtha gave praises to thy name. +These, to leave idols, thy people did court. +Samson the strongest, for his part did the same. +Samuel and Nathan thy messages did proclaim. +What though fierce Pharaoh wrought mischief in thy sight, +He was a pagan, lay not that in our light. + I know the Benjamites abused the ways of right, +So did Eli's sons, and the sons of Samuel. +Saul in his office was slothful day and night, +Wicked was Shimei, so was Ahitophel. +Measure not by them the faults of Israel, +Whom thou hast loved of long time so entirely, +But of thy great grace remit its wicked folly. + +_Pater Coelestis._ I cannot abide the vice of idolatry, +Though I should suffer all other villany. +When Joshua was dead, that sort from me did fall +To the worshipping of Ashteroth and Baal, +Full unclean idols, and monsters bestial. + +_David._ For it they have had thy righteous punishment, +And forasmuch as they did wickedly consent +To the Philistines and Canaanites ungodly +Idolaters, taking to them in matrimony, +Thou threwest them under the King of Mesopotamy, +After thou subduedst them for their idolatry. + Eighteen years to Eglon, the King of Moabites, +And twenty years to Jabin, the King of Canaanites, +Oppressed they were seven years by the Midianites, +And eighteen years vexed by the cruel Ammonites. +In three great battles, of three score thousand and five, +Of this thy people, not one was left alive. +Have mercy now, Lord, and call them to repentance. + +_Pater Coelestis._ So long as they sin, so long shall they have grievance. +David my servant, something must I say to thee, +For that thou lately hast wrought such vanity. + +_David._ Spare not, blessed Lord, but say thy pleasure to me. + +_Pater Coelestis._ Of late days thou hast misused Bathsheba, +The wife of Uriah, and slain him in the field. + +_David._ Mercy, Lord, mercy; for doubtless I am defiled. + +_Pater Coelestis._ I constitute thee a king over Israel, +And thee preserved from Saul, who was thine enemy. +Yea, in my favour, so much thou didst excel, +That of thine enemies I gave thee victory. +Philistines and Syrians to thee came tributary. +Why hast thou then wrought such folly in my sight. +Despising my word, against all godly right? + +_David._ I have sinned, Lord, I beseech thee, pardon me, + +_Pater Coelestis._ Thou shalt not die, David, for this iniquity, +For thy repentance; but thy son by Bathsheba +Shall die, forasmuch as my name is blasphemed +Among my enemies, and thou the worse esteemed. +From thy house for this the sword shall not depart. + +_David._ I am sorry, Lord, from the bottom of my heart. + +_Pater Coelestis._ To further anger thou dost me yet compel. + +_David._ For what matter, Lord? I beseech thy goodness tell. + +_Pater Coelestis._ Why didst thou number the children of Israel? +Supposest in thy mind therein thou hast done well? + +_David._ I cannot say nay, but I have done indiscreetly +To forget thy grace for a human policy. + +_Pater Coelestis._ Thou shalt of these three choose which plague thou wilt + have, +For that sinful act, that I thy soul may save. +A scarceness seven years, or else three months' exile, +If not, for three days a pestilence most vile, +For one thou must have, there is no remedy. + +_David._ Lord, at thy pleasure, for thou art full of mercy. + +_Pater Coelestis._ Of a pestilence then, three score thousand and ten, +In three days shall die of thy most puissant men. + +_David._ O Lord, it is I who have offended thy grace, +Spare them and not me, for I have done the trespace.[620] + +_Pater Coelestis._ Though thy sins be great, thine inward heart's + contribution +Doth move my stomach in wonderful condition. +I find thee a man according to my heart; +Wherefore this promise I make thee, ere I depart. + A fruit there shall come forth issuing from thy body, +Whom I will advance upon thy seat for ever. +His throne shall become a seat of heavenly glory +His worthy sceptre from right will not dissever, +His happy kingdom, of faith shall perish never. +Of heaven and of earth he was author principal, +And will continue, though they do perish all. + This sign shalt thou have for a token special, +That thou mayst believe my words unfeignedly, +Where thou hast minded, for my memorial, +To build a temple, thou shalt not finish it truly; +But Solomon thy son shall do that action worthy, +In token that Christ must finish everything +That I have begun, to my praise everlasting. + +_David._ Immortal glory to thee, most heavenly King, +For that thou hast given continual victory +To me thy servant, ever since my annointing, +And also before, by many conquests worthy. +A bear and lion I slew through thy strength only. +I slew Goliath, who was six cubits long. +Against thine enemies thou madest me ever strong. + My fleshly frailness made me do deadly wrong, +And clean to forget thy laws of righteousness. +And though thou visitedst my sinfulness among, +With pestilent plagues, and other unquietness; +Yet never tookst thou from me thy plenteousness +Of thy godly spir't, which thou in me didst plant. +I having remorse, thy grace could never want. + For in conclusion, thy everlasting covenant +Thou gavest unto me for all my wicked sin; +And hast promised here by protestation constant, +That one of my seed shall such high fortune win, +As never did man since this world did begin. +By his power he shall put Satan from his hold, +In rejoice whereof to sing will I be bold. + +[_Then he begins in a musical voice an antiphon, "O Adonai," which the +chorus (as before) follows with instruments._ + +O Lord God Adonai, and guide of the faithful house of Israel, who +sometime appearedst in the flaming bush to Moses, and to him didst give +a law on Mount Sinai, come now to redeem us in the strength of thy right +hand. + + + +ACT VI + +OF THE PROPHET ESAIAS + + +_Pater Coelestis._ I brought up children from their first infancy, +Who now despise all my godly instructions. +An ox knoweth its lord, an ass its master's duty, +But Israel will not know me, nor my conditions. +Oh, froward people, given all to superstitions, +Unnatural children, expert in blasphemies, +Provoke me into hate, by their idolatries. + Take heed to my words, ye tyrants of Sodoma, +In vain ye offer your sacrifice to me. +Discontent I am with you beasts of Gomorrah +And have no pleasure when I your offerings see. +I abhor your fasts and your solemnity, +For your traditions my ways ye set apart, +Your works are in vain, I hate them from the heart. + +_Esaias._ Thy city, sweet Lord, is now become unfaithful, +And her conditions are turned upside down. +Her life is unchaste, her acts be very hurtful, +Her murder and theft have darkened her renown. +Covetous rewards do so their conscience drown, +That the fatherless they will not help to right, +The poor widow's cause comes not before their sight. + Thy peaceable paths seek they neither day nor night; +But walk wicked ways after their fantasy. +Convert their hearts, Lord, and give them thy true light, +That they may perceive their customable folly: +Leave them not helpless in so deep misery, +But call them from it of thy most special grace, +By thy true prophets, to their souls' health and solace. + +_Pater Coelestis._ First they had fathers, then had they patriarchs, +Then dukes, then judges for their guides and monarchs: +Now have they stout kings, yet are they wicked still, +And will in no wise my pleasant laws fulfil. +Always they apply to idols' worshipping, +From the vile beggar to the annointed king. + +_Esaias._ For that cause thou hast in two divided them, +In Samaria the one, the other in Jerusalem. +The king of Judah in Jerusalem did dwell, +And in Samaria the king of Israel. +Ten of the twelve tribes became Samaritans, +And the other two were Hierosolymitans.[621] + In both these countries, according to their doings, +Thou permittedst them to have most cruel kings. +The first of Judah was wicked king Roboam, +Of Israel the first was that cruel Jeroboam; +Abiah then followed, and in the other Nadab, +Then Bassa, then Helah, then Zambri, Jehoram and Ahab. + Then Ochesius, then Athaliah, then Joas;[622] +On the other part was Jonathan and Achaz. +To rehearse all them that have done wretchedly +In the sight of thee, it were long verily. + +_Pater Coelestis._ For the wicked sin of filthy idolatry, +Which the ten tribes did in the land of Samarie, +In space of one day fifty thousand men I slew, +Three of their cities also I overthrew, +And left the people in such captivity, +That in all the world they knew not whither to flee. + The other two tribes, when they from me went back +To idolatry, I left in the hand of Shishak, +The king of Egypt, who took away their treasure, +Conveyed their cattle, and slew them without measure. +In time of Ahaz, a hundred thousand and twenty +Were slain at one time for their idolatry. + Two hundred thousand from thence were captive led, +Their goods dispersed, and they with penury fed. +Seldom they fail it, but either the Egyptians +Have them in bondage, or else the Assyrians. + +_Esaias._ Well, yet blessed Lord, relieve them with thy mercy. +Though they have been ill other princes' days, +Yet good Hezekiah hath taught them goodly ways. +When the prince is good, the people are the better; +And as he is nought, their vices are the greater. +Heavenly Lord, therefore send them the consolation, +Which thou hast covenanted with every generation. + Open thou the heavens, and let the lamb come hither, +Who will deliver thy people altogether. +Ye planets and clouds, cast down your dews and rain, +That the earth may bear out healthful savour plain. + +_Pater Coelestis._ May the wife forget the child of her own body? + +_Esaias._ Nay, that she can not in any wise verily. + +_Pater Coelestis._ No more can I them who will do my commandments, +But must preserve them from all inconvenience. + +_Esaias._ Blessed art thou, Lord, in all thy acts and judgments. + +_Pater Coelestis._ Well, Esaias, for this thy fidelity, +A covenant of health thou shalt have also of me. +For Zion's sake now I will not hold my peace, +And for Jerusalem, to speak will I not cease +Till that righteous Lord become as a sunbeam bright, +And their just saviour as a lamp extend his light. + A rod shall shoot forth from the old stock of Jesse, +And a bright blossom from that root will arise, +Upon whom always the spir't of the Lord shall be, +The spir't of wisdom, the spir't of heavenly practice, +And the spir't that will all godliness devise. +Take this for a sign, a maid of Israel +Shall conceive and bear that Lord Emmanuel. + +_Esaias._ Thy praises condign no mortal tongue can tell, +Most worthy maker and king of heavenly glory, +For all capacities thy goodness doth excel, +Thy plenteous graces no brain can compass truly, +No wit can conceive the greatness of thy mercy, +Declared of late in David thy true servant, +And now confirmed in this thy later covenant. + Of goodness thou madest Solomon of wit more pregnant, +Asa and Josaphat, with good king Hezechiah, +In thy sight to do that was to thee right pleasant. +To quench idolatry thou raisedst up Elijah +Jehu, Elisha, Micah, and Obdiah, +The Syrian Naaman thou purgedst of a lepry[623] +Thy works wonderful who can but magnify? + Arise, Jerusalem, and take faith by and by,[624] +For the very light that shall save thee is coming. +The Son of the Lord appear will evidently, +When he shall resort, see that no joy be wanting. +He is thy saviour, and thy life everlasting, +Thy release from sin, and thy whole righteousness, +Help me in this song t' acknowledge his great goodness. + +[_Then in a tuneful voice he begins an antiphon, "O radix Jesse," which +the chorus follows with instruments._ + +O fruitful root of Jesse, that shall be set as a sign among people, +against the worldly rulers shall fiercely open their mouths, whom the +Gentiles worship as their heavenly Lord. Come now to deliver us, and +delay the time no longer. + + + +ACT VII + +OF JOHN THE BAPTIST + + +_Pater Coelestis._ I have with fierceness mankind oft-times corrected, +And again I have allured him by sweet promise. +I have sent sore plagues, when he hath me neglected, +And then by and by, most comfortable sweetness. +To win him to grace, both mercy and righteousness +I have exercised, yet will he not amend. +Shall I now lose him, or shall I him defend? + In his most mischief, most high grace will I send +To overcome him by favour, if it may be. +With his abuses no longer will I contend +But now accomplish my first will and decree. +My word being flesh, from hence shall set him free, +Him teaching a way of perfect righteousness, +That he shall not need to perish in his weakness. + +_John the Baptist._ Manasseh is past, who turned from thee his heart. +Ahaz and Ammon have now no more ado, +Jechoniah with others who did themselves avert +From thee to idols, may now no farther go. +The two false judges, and Baal's wicked priests also, +Phassur and Semaiah, with Nebuchadnosor, +Antiochus and Triphon, shall thee displease no more. + Three score years and ten, thy people into Babylon +Were captive and thrall for idols' worshipping. +Jerusalem was lost, and left void of dominion, +Burnt was their temple, so was their other building, +Their high priests were slain, their treasure came to nothing; +The strength and beauty of thine own heritage, +Thus didst thou leave them in miserable bondage. + Oft had they warnings, sometimes by Ezekiel +And other prophets, as Isay and Jeremy, +Sometimes by Daniel, sometimes by Hosea and Joel, +By Amos and Abdiah, by Jonah and Sophonya,[625] +By Nahum and Micah, Haggai and by Zachary, +By Malachias, and also by Habakkuk, +By Olda the widow, and by the prophet Baruch. + Remember Josiah, who took the abomination +From the people, then restoring the laws again. +Of Rahab consider the faithful generation, +Whom to wine drinking no friendship might constrain. +Remember Abimelech, the friend of truth certain, +Zerubabel the prince, who did repair the temple, +And Jesus Josedech, of virtue the example. + Consider Nehemiah, and Esdras the good scribe, +Merciful Tobias, and constant Mardocheus;[626] +Judith and Queen Esther, of the same godly tribe, +Devout Matthias and Judas Maccabaeus. +Have mind of Eleazer, and then Joannes Hircanus, +Weigh the earnest faith of this godly company, +Though the other clean fall from thy memory. + +_Pater Coelestis._ I will John, I will, for as I said before, +Rigour and hardness I have now set apart, +Minding from henceforth to win man evermore +By wonderful kindness to break his stubborn heart, +And change it from sin. For Christ shall suffer smart, +In man's frail nature for his iniquity, +This to make open, my messenger shalt thou be. + +_John the Baptist._ As thy pleasure is, so blessed Lord appoint me, +For my health thou art, and my soul's felicity. + +_Pater Coelestis._ Long ere I made thee, I the predestinate, +Before thou wert born I thee endued with grace. +In thy mother's womb wert thou sanctificate +By my godly gift, and so confirmed in place, +A prophet, to shew a way before the face +Of my most dear son, who will come: then until +Apply thee apace thine office to fulfil. + Preach to the people, rebuking their negligence, +Dip them in water, acknowledging their offence; +And say unto them, The kingdom of God doth come. + +_John the Baptist._ Unmeet, Lord, I am, _Quia puer ego sum_.[627] +And other than that, alas, I have no science +Fit for that office, neither yet clean eloquence. + +_Pater Coelestis._ Thou shalt not say so, for I have given thee grace, +Eloquence and age, to speak in desert place. +Thou must do therefore as I shall thee advise, +My appointed pleasure forth utter in any wise; +My strong mighty words put I into thy mouth, +Spare not, but speak them to east, west, north and south. + +[_God stretching out his hand, touches John's lips with his finger and +confers upon him a golden tongue._ + + Go now thy way forth, I shall thee never fail, +The spir't of Elijah have I given thee already. +Persuade the people, that they their sins bewail; +And if they repent their customable folly, +Long shall it not be ere they have remedy. +Open thou their hearts: tell them their health is coming +As a voice in a desert; see thou declare the thing. + I promise thee sure, thou shalt wash him among them +In Jordan, a flood not far from Jerusalem. + +_John the Baptist._ Shew me yet, good Lord, whereby shall I know that man, +In the multitude which will resort to Jordan. + +_Pater Coelestis._ In thy mother's womb of him hadst thou cognition. +Have thou no fear John, him shalt thou know full well, +And one special token afore will I thee tell. +_Super quem videris spiritum descendentem et manentem +Super eum, hic est qui baptizat spiritu sancto:_ +Among all other whom thou shalt baptise there +Upon whom thou seest the Holy Ghost descend +In shape of a dove, resting upon his shoulder, +Hold him for the same, that shall the world amend, +By baptism of spirit, and also to man extend +Most special grace. For he must repair his fall, +Restoring again the justice original. +Take now thy journey, and do as I thee advise, +First preach repentance, and then the people baptise. + +_John the Baptist._ High honour, worship, and glory be unto thee, +My God eternal, and patron of all purity. + Repent good people, for sins that now are past, +The kingdom of heaven is at hand very nigh. +The promised light to you approacheth fast, +Have faith, and apply now to receive him boldly. +I am not the light, but to bear testimony +Of him am sent, that all men may believe, +That his blood he will for their redemption give. + He is such a light as all men doth illumine, +That ever were here, or shall be after this. +All the world he made by his mighty power divine, +And yet that rude world will not know what he is. +His own he entering, is not regarded of his. +They that receive him, are God's true children plain, +In spir't regenerate, and all grace shall attain. + Many do reckon, that I John Baptist am he, +Deceived are they, and that will appear in space. +Though he come after, yet he was long afore me. +We are weak vessels, he is the well of grace, +Of his great goodness all that we have we purchase. +By him are we like to have a better increase +Than ever we had by the laws of Moses. + For Moses' hard law we had not else but darkness, +Figure and shadow, all was not else but night, +Punishment for sin, much rigour, pain, and roughness, +An high charge is there, where all is turned to light, +Grace and remission anon will shine full bright. +Never man lived that ever saw God afore, +Which now in our kind man's ruin will restore. + Help me to give thanks to that Lord evermore, +Which am unto Christ a crier in the desert, +To prepare the paths and high ways him before +For his delight is on the poor, simple heart. + That innocent lamb from such will never depart, +As will faithfully receive him with good mind. +Let our voice then sound in some sweet musical kind. + +[_Then in a resounding voice he begins an antiphon, "O clavis David," +which the chorus follows with instruments, as before._ + +O perfect key of David, and high sceptre of the kindred of Jacob, which +openest and no man sperith,[628] thou speakest and no man openeth; come +and deliver thy servant mankind, bound in prison, sitting in the +darkness of sin and bitter damnation. + + + +EPILOGUE + + +_Baleus Prolocutor._ The matters are such as we have uttered here, +As ought not to slide from your memorial; +For they have opened such comfortable gear, +As is to the health of this kind universal, +Graces of the Lord and promises liberal, +Which he given to man for every age, +To knit him to Christ, and so clear him of bondage. + As St. Paul doth write unto the Corinthes[629] plain, +Our forefathers were under the cloud of darkness, +And unto Christ's days did in the shadow remain; +Yet were they not left, for of him they had promise +All they received one spiritual feeding doubtless. +They drank of the rock which them to life refreshed, +For one saving health, in Christ, all they confessed. + In the woman's seed was Adam first justified, +So was faithful Noah, so was just Abraham; +The faith in that seed in Moses forth multiplied, +Likewise in David and Esaye[630] that after came, +And in John Baptist, which shewed the very Lamb. +Though they so afar, yet all they had one justice +One mass, as they call it, and in Christ one sacrifice. + A man cannot here to God do better service, +Than on this to ground his faith and understanding. +For all the world's sin alone Christ payed the price, +In his only death was man's life always resting, +And not in will--works, nor yet in men's deserving, +The light of our faith makes this thing evident, +And not the practice of other experiment. + Where is now free will, which the hypocrites comment? +Whereby they report they may at their own pleasure +Do good of themselves, though grace and faith be absent, +And have good intents their madness with to measure. +The will of the flesh is proved here small treasure, +And so is man's will, for the grace of God doth all. +More of this matter conclude hereafter we shall. + +Thus endeth this tragedy or interlude, manifesting the chief promises of +God unto Man by all ages in the old law, from the fall of Adam to the +incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ. Compiled by John Bayle. Anno +Domini 1538. + + + + +APPENDIX A + +"ST. GEORGE AND THE DRAGON" + +A MODERN CORNISH CHRISTMAS PLAY + + + +CHARACTERS + + +Saint George +The Dragon +Father Christmas +The Doctor +King of Egypt +Turkish Knight +The Giant Turpin + + +_Enter the Turkish Knight._ + +Open your doors, and let me in, +I hope your favours I shall win; +Whether I rise or whether I fall, +I'll do my best to please you all. +St. George is here, and swears he will come in, +And, if he does, I know he'll pierce my skin. +If you will not believe what I do say, +Let Father Christmas come in--clear the way. [_Retires._ + +_Enter Father Christmas._ + +Here come I, old Father Christmas, + Welcome, or welcome not, +I hope old Father Christmas + Will never be forgot. + +I am not come here to laugh or to jeer, +But for a pocketfull of money, and a skinfull of beer, +If you will not believe what I do say, +Come in, the King of Egypt!--clear the way! + +_Enter the King of Egypt._ + +Here I, the King of Egypt, boldly do appear, +St. George, St. George, walk in, my only son and heir. +Walk in, my son St. George, and boldly act thy part, +That all the people here may see thy wond'rous art. + +_Enter Saint George._ + +Here come I, St. George, from Britain did I spring, +I'll fight the Dragon bold, my wonders to begin. +I'll clip his wings, he shall not fly; +I'll cut him down, or else I die. + +_Enter the Dragon._ + +Who's he that seeks the Dragon's blood, +And calls so angry, and so loud? +That English dog, will he before me stand? +I'll cut him down with my courageous hand. +With my long teeth, and scurvy jaw, +Of such I'd break up half a score, +And stay my stomach, till I'd more. + +[_St. George and the Dragon fight, the latter is killed._ + +_Father Christmas._ Is there a doctor to be found + All ready, near at hand, +To cure a deep and deadly wound, + And make the champion stand. + +_Enter Doctor._ + +Oh! yes, there is a doctor to be found + All ready, near at hand, +To cure a deep and deadly wound, + And make the champion stand. + +_Father Christmas._ What can you cure? + +_Doctor._ All sorts of diseases, +Whatever you pleases, +The phthisic, the palsy, and the gout; +If the devil's in, I'll blow him out. + +_Father Christmas._ What is your fee? + +_Doctor._ Fifteen pound, it is my fee, + The money to lay down. +But, as 'tis such a rogue as thee, + I cure for ten pound. + +I carry a little bottle of alicumpane; + Here Jack, take a little of my flip flop, + Pour it down thy tip top; +Rise up and fight again. + +[_The Doctor performs his cure, the fight is renewed, and the Dragon +again killed._ + +_Saint George._ Here am I, St. George, + That worthy champion bold, +And with my sword and spear + I won three crowns of gold. +I fought the fiery dragon, + And brought him to the slaughter; +By that I won fair Sabra, + The King of Egypt's daughter. +Where is the man, that now will me defy? +I'll cut his giblets full of holes, and make his buttons fly. + +_The Turkish Knight advances._ + +Here come I, the Turkish Knight, +Come from the Turkish land to fight. +I'll fight St. George, who is my foe, +I'll make him yield before I go; +He brags to such a high degree, +He thinks there's none can do the like of he. + +_Saint George._ Where is the Turk, that will before me stand? +I'll cut him down with my courageous hand. + +[_They fight, the Knight is overcome, and falls on one knee._ + +_Turkish Knight._ Oh! pardon me, St. George, pardon of thee I crave, +Oh! pardon me this night, and I will be thy slave. + +_Saint George._ No pardon shalt thou have, while I have foot to stand, +So rise thee up again, and fight out sword in hand. + +[_They fight again, and the Knight is killed. Father Christmas calls for +the Doctor, with whom the same dialogue occurs as before, and the cure +is performed._ + +_Enter the Giant Turpin._ + +Here come I, the Giant, bold Turpin is my name, +And all the nations round do tremble at my fame. +Where'er I go, they tremble at my sight, +No lord or champion long with me would fight. + +_Saint George._ Here's one that dares to look thee in the face, +And soon will send thee to another place. + +_They fight, and the Giant is killed; medical aid is called in as +before, and the cure performed by the Doctor, to whom then is given a +basin of girdy grout and a kick, and driven out._ + +_Father Christmas._ Now, ladies and gentlemen, your sport is most ended, +So prepare for the hat, which is highly commended. +The hat it would speak, if it had but a tongue; +Come throw in your money, and think it no wrong. + + + + +APPENDIX B + + + +FROM THE CORNISH MYSTERY OF THE CRUCIFIXION + + +_Jesus._ Woman, seest thou thy son? +A thousand times your arms have borne him + With tenderness. +And John, behold thy mother; +Thus keep her, without denial, + As long as ye live. + +_Mary._ Alas! alas! oh! sad, sad! + In my heart is sorrow, +When I see my son Jesus, + About his head a crown of thorns +He is Son of God in every way, + And with that truly a King; +Feet and hands on every side + Fast fixed with nails of iron. + Alas! +That one shall have on the day of judgment + Heavy doom, flesh and blood, + Who hath sold him. + +_John._ O sweet mother, do not bear sorrow, +For always, in every way + I will be prepared for thee: +The will of thy Son is so, +For to save so much as is good, + Since Adam was created. + +_Jesus._ O Father, Eli, Eloy, . lama sabacthani? + Thou art my dear God, +Why hast thou left me . a moment alone + In any manner? + +_1st Executioner._ He is calling Elias; + Watch now diligently + If he comes to save _him_. +If he delivers him, really +We will believe in him, + And worship him ever. + +[_Here a sponge is made ready, with gall and vinegar. And then the +Centurion stands in his tent, and says:_ + +_Centurion._ I will go to see + How it is with dear Jesus: +It were a pity on a good man + So much contumely to be cast. +If he were a bad man, his fellow + Could not in any way +Truly have such great grace, + To save men by one word. + +[_The Centurion goes down._ + +_2nd Executioner._ It is not Elias whom he called; +Thirst surely on him there is, + He finds it an evil thing. [_He holds out a sponge_ +Behold here I have me ready, +Gall _and_ hyssop mixed; + Wassail, if there is great thirst. + +_Jesus._ Thirst on me there is. + +_3rd Executioner._ See, a drink for thee here; + Why dost thou not drink it? +Rather shouldst thou a wonder work! +Now, come down from the cross, + And we will worship thee. + +_Jesus._ O Father, into thy hands + I commit my spirit; +By thy will take it to thee, + As thou sent it into the world. + +[_Then Jesus shall die. Here the sun is darkened._ + + + + +APPENDIX C + +THE TOWN CYCLES + + + +I.--THE YORK PAGEANTS + + +The order of the Pageants of the Play of Corpus Christi, in the time of +the mayoralty of William Alne, in the third year of the reign of King +Henry V. anno 1415, compiled by Roger Burton, town clerk,-- + +I. _Tanners._--God the Father Almighty creating and forming the heavens, +angels and archangels; Lucifer and the angels that fell with him into +hell. + +II. _Plasterers._--God the Father, in his own substance, creating the +earth, and all which is therein, in the space of five days. + +III. _Carde-makers._--God the Father creating Adam of the slime of the +earth, and making Eve of the rib, and inspiring them with the spirit of +life. + +IV. _Fullers._--God prohibiting Adam and Eve from eating of the tree of +life. + +V. _Coupers._--Adam and Eve with a tree betwixt them; the serpent +deceiving them with apples; God speaking to them and cursing the +serpent, and an angel with a sword driving them out of paradise. + +VI. _Armourers._--Adam and Eve, an angel with a spade and a distaff +assigning them labour. + +VII. _Gaunters._--Abel and Cain killing sacrifices. + +VIII. _Shipwrights._--God foretelling Noah to make an ark of light wood. + +IX. _Fyshmongers, Pessyners, Mariners._--Noah in the ark with his wife +and three children, and divers animals. + +X. _Perchemyners, Bukbynders._--Abraham sacrificing his son Isaac; a +ram, bush, and angel. + +XI. _Hosyers._--Moses exalting the serpent in the wilderness; king +Pharaoh; eight Jews admiring and expecting. + +XII. _Spicers._--Mary and a doctor declaring the sayings of the prophets +about the future birth of Christ; an angel saluting her. Mary saluting +Elizabeth. + +XIII. _Peuterers, Founders._--Mary, Joseph willing to put her away, an +angel speaking to them that they should go to Bethlehem. + +XIV. _Tylers._--Mary, Joseph, a midwife, the child born lying in a +manger betwixt an ox and an ass, and the angel speaking to the +shepherds. + +XV. _Chaundelers._--The shepherds speaking by turns; the star in the +east; an angel giving joy to the shepherds that a child was born. + +XVI. _Goldsmithes, Orfeures._--The three kings coming from the east, +Herod asking them about the child Christ; with the son of Herod, two +counsellors and a messenger. + +XVII. _Gold-beters, Mone-makers._--Mary with the child and the star +above, and the three kings offering gifts. + +XVIII. _Masons._--Mary with the child; Joseph, Anna, and a nurse with +young pigeons; Simeon receiving the child in his arms, and two sons of +Simeon. + +XIX. _Marashals._--Mary with the child, and Joseph flying into Egypt, by +an angel's telling them. + +XX. _Girdellers, Naylers, Sawters._--Herod commanding the children to be +slain, four soldiers with lances, two counsellors of the king, and four +women lamenting the slaughter of them. + +XXI. _Sporiers, Lorymers._--The doctors, the child Jesus sitting in the +temple in the midst of them, hearing them and asking them questions. +Four Jews, Mary and Joseph seeking him and finding him in the temple. + +XXII. _Barbers._--Jesus, John the baptist baptising him, and two angels +helping them. + +XXIII. _Vyntners._--Jesus, Mary, bridgeroom and bride, master of the +household with his family with six water-pots, where water is turned +into wine. + +XXIV. _Smythes, Fevers._--Jesus upon the pinnacle of the temple; Satan +tempting with stones; two angels administering, etc. + +XXV. _C[orvisors.]_--Peter, James and John; Jesus ascending into the +mountain and transfiguring himself before them. Moses and Elias +appearing, and a voice speaking from a cloud. + +XXVI. _Elennagers._--Simon the leper asking Jesus if he would eat with +him. Two disciples; Mary Magdalene washing the feet of Jesus, and wiping +them with her hair. + +XXVII. _Plummers, Patten-makers._--Jesus, two Apostles, the woman taken +in adultery, four Jews accusing her. + +XXVIII. _Pouch-makers, Botillers, Cap-makers._--Lazarus in the +sepurchre; Mary Magdalene, Martha, and two Jews admiring. + +XXIX. _Vestment-makers, Skynners._--Jesus upon an ass with its foal; +twelve Apostles following Jesus; six rich and six poor men, with eight +boys with branches of palm trees, constantly saying blessed, etc., and +Zaccheus ascending into a sycamore tree. + +XXX. _Cuttelers, Blade-smythes, Shethers, Scalers, Buklemakers, +Horners._--Pilate, Caiaphas, two soldiers, three Jews, Judas selling +Jesus. + +XXXI. _Bakers, Waterleders._--The supper of the Lord and paschal Lamb, +twelve apostles; Jesus, tied about with a linen towel, washing their +feet. The institution of the sacrament of the body of Christ in the new +law, and communion of the Apostles. + +XXXII. _Cordwaners._--Pilate, Caiaphas, Annas, forty armed soldiers, +Malchas, Peter, James, John, Jesus, and Judas kissing and betraying him. + +XXXIII. _Bowers, Fletchers._--Jesus, Annas, Caiaphas, and four Jews +striking and bastinadoing Christ. Peter, the woman accusing him, and +Malchas. + +XXXIV. _Tapisers, Couchers._--Jesus, Pilate, Annas, Caiaphas; two +counsellors and four Jews accusing Christ. + +XXXV. _Littesters._--Herod, two counsellors, four soldiers, Jesus, and +three Jews. + +XXXVI. _Cukes, Water-leders._--Pilate, Annas, Caiaphas, two Jews, and +Judas carrying from them thirty pieces of silver. + +XXXVII. _Sauce-makers._--Judas hanging himself. + +XXXVIII. _Milners, Tiel-makers, Ropers, Cevers, Turners, Hayresters, +Bollers._--Jesus, Pilate, Caiaphas, Annas, six soldiers carrying spears +and ensigns, and other four leading Jesus from Herod desiring Barabbas +to be released and Jesus to be crucified, and then binding and scourging +him, putting a crown of thorns upon his head; three soldiers casting +lots for the vesture of Jesus. + +XXXIX. _Shermen._--Jesus covered with blood bearing his cross towards +mount Calvary, Simon Sereneus, etc. + +XL. _Pynners, Lateners, Paynters._--The cross, Jesus extended upon it on +the earth; four Jews scourging him with whips, and afterwards erecting +the cross, with Jesus upon it, on Mount Calvary. + +XLI. _Bouchers, Pulterers._--The cross, two thieves crucified and Jesus +suspended betwixt them; Mary the mother of Jesus, John, Mary, James and +Salome; a soldier with a lance, and a servant with a sponge. Pilate, +Annas, Caiaphas, a centurion, Joseph of Arimathea, and Nicodemus taking +him down and laying him in the sepulchre. + +XLII. _Satellers, Sellers, Glasiers._--Jesus destroying hell; twelve +good and twelve evil spirits. + +XLIII. _Carpenters, Joyners._--The centurion declaring to Pilate, +Caiaphas and Annas, with other Jews, the signs appearing on the death of +Jesus. + +XLIV. _Cartwrights, Carvers, Sawyers._--Jesus rising from the sepulchre, +four soldiers armed, and three Marias lamenting; Pilate, Caiaphas, and +Annas; a young man clothed in white sitting in the sepulchre and talking +to the women. + +XLV. _Wyedrawers._--Jesus, Mary, Mary Magdalene with spices. + +XLVI. _Broggers, Wool-pakkers, Wadsmen._--Jesus, Luke and Cleophas in +the form of travellers. + +XLVII. _Escriviners, Lumners, Questors, Dubbors._--Jesus, Peter, John, +James, Philip and other Apostles; Thomas feeling the wounds of Jesus. + +XLVIII. _Taillyoures._--Mary, John the Evangelist, two angels, and +eleven Apostles; Jesus ascending before them, and four angels bearing a +cloud. + +XLIX. _Potters._--Mary, two angels, eleven Apostles, the Holy Ghost +descending upon them, and four Jews admiring. + +L. _Drapers._--Jesus, Mary, Gabriel with two angels, two virgins and +three Jews of the kindred of Mary, eight Apostles, and two devils. + +LI. _Lynwevers._--Four Apostles bearing the shrine of Mary, Fergus +hanging upon it with two other Jews, and one angel. + +LII. _Wevers of wollen._--Mary ascending with a multitude of angels; +eight Apostles, with Thomas preaching in the desert. + +LIII. _Hostilers._--Mary, and Jesus crowning her with a great number of +angels. + +LIV. _Mercers._--Jesus, Mary, twelve Apostles; four angels with +trumpets, and four with a lance with two scourges; four good and four +bad spirits, and six devils. + + + +II.--THE WAKEFIELD (OR WOODKIRK) PLAYS + + +_From the Towneley Collection_ + +I. Creatio. + +II. Mactatio Abel. + +III. Processus Noe cum filiis. + +IV. Abraham. + +V. Isaac. + +VI. Jacob. + +VII. Processus Prophetarum. + +VIII. Pharao. + +IX. Caesar Augustus. + +X. Annunciatio. + +XI. Salutatio Elizabeth. + +XII. Prima Pagina Pastorum. + +XIII. Secunda Pagina Pastorum. + +XIV. Oblatio Magorum. + +XV. Fugatio Joseph et Mariae in Egyptum. + +XVI. Magnus Herodes. + +XVII. Purificatio Mariae. + +XVIII. Pagina Doctorum. + +XIX. Johannes Baptista. + +XX. Conspiratio et Captio. + +XXI. Coliphizatio. + +XXII. Flagellatio. + +XXIII. Processus Crucis. + +XXIV. Processus Talentorum. + +XXV. Extractio Animarum ab Inferno. + +XXVI. Resurrectio Domini. + +XXVII. Peregrini. + +XXVIII. Thomas Indiae. + +XXIX. Ascensio Domini. + +XXX. Juditium. + +XXXI. Lazarus. + +XXXII. Suspensio Judae. + + + +III.--THE CHESTER PLAYS + + +I. _The Fall of Lucifer_, by the Tanners. + +II. _The Creation_, by the Drapers. + +III. _The Deluge_, by the Dyers. + +IV. _Abraham, Melchisedech, and Lot_, by the Barbers and Wax-chandlers. + +V. _Moses, Balak, and Balaam_, by the Hatters and Linen-drapers. + +VI. _The Salutation and Nativity_, by the Wrights. + +VII. _The Shepherds feeding their flocks by night_, by the Painters and +Glaziers. + +VIII. _The three Kings_, by the Vintners. + +IX. _The Oblation of the three Kings_, by the Mercers. + +X. _The Killing of the Innocents_, by the Goldsmiths. + +XI. _The Purification_, by the Blacksmiths. + +XII. _The Temptation_, by the Butchers. + +XIII. _The Blindmen and Lazarus_, by the Glovers. + +XIV. _Jesus and the Lepers_, by the Corvisors. + +XV. _The last Supper_, by the Bakers. + +XVI. _The Passion and Crucifixion of Christ_, by the Fletchers, Coopers, +and Ironmongers. + +XVII. _The Descent into Hell_, by the Cooks. + +XVIII. _The Resurrection_, by the Skinners. + +XIX. _The Appearing of Christ to the two Disciples_, by the Saddlers. + +XX. _The Ascension_, by the Tailors. + +XXI. _The Election of St. Mathias, sending of the Holy Ghost_, by the +Fishmongers. + +XXII. _Ezekiel_, by the Clothiers. + +XXIII. _Antichrist_, by the Dyers. + +XXIV. _The Day of Judgement_, by the Websters. + + + +IV--THE LUDUS COVENTRIAE[631] + + +I. The Creation. + +II. The Fall of Man. + +III. The Death of Abel. + +IV. Noah's Flood. + +V. Abraham's Sacrifice. + +VI. Moses and the Two Tables. + +VII. The Genealogy of Christ. + +VIII. Anna's Pregnancy. + +IX. Mary in the Temple. + +X. Her Betrothment. + +XI. The Salutation and Conception. + +XII. Joseph's Return. + +XIII. The Visit to Elizabeth. + +XIV. The Trial of Joseph and Mary. + +XV. The Birth of Christ. + +XVI. The Shepherd's Offering. + +XVII. Caret in MS. XVIII. Adoration of the Magi. XIX. The Purification. + +XX. Slaughter of the Innocents. + +XXI. Christ disputing in the Temple. + +XXII. The Baptism of Christ. + +XXIII. The Temptation. + +XXIV. The Woman taken in Adultery. + +XXV. Lazarus. + +XXVI. Council of the Jews. + +XXVII. Mary Magdalen. + +XXVIII. Christ betrayed. + +XXIX. Herod. + +XXX. The Trial of Christ. + +XXXI. The Dream of Pilate's Wife. + +XXXII. The Crucifixion. + +XXXIII. The Descent into Hell. + +XXXIV. Sealing of the Tomb. + +XXXV. The Resurrection. + +XXXVI. The Three Marias. + +XXXVII. Christ appearing to Mary Magdalen. + +XXXVIII. The Pilgrim of Emaus. + +XXXIX. The Ascension. + +XL. Descent of the Holy Ghost. + +XLI. The Assumption of the Virgin. + +XLII. Doomsday. + + + + +APPENDIX D + + + +I.--Properties and Dresses used for the Coventry Smiths' Pageant of the +Trial, Condemnation, and Crucifixion of Christ between the Years 1449 +and 1585 + + +The Cross with a Rope to draw it up, and a Curtain hanging before it. +Gilding for the Pillar and the Cross. +2 Pair of Gallows. +4 Scourges and a Pillar. +Scaffold. +Fanes to the Pageant. +Mending of Imagery occurs 1469. +A Standard of red Buckram. +Two red Pensiles of Cloth painted, and silk Fringe. +Iron to hold up the Streamer. + +4 Gowns and 4 Hoods for the Tormentors.--(These are afterwards described +as Jackets of black buckram with nails and dice upon them.) Other 4 +gowns with damask flowers; also 2 Jackets party red and black. + +2 Mitres (for Cayphas and Annas). +A Rochet for one of the Bishops. +God's Coat of white leather, 6 skins. +A Staff for the Demon. +2 Spears. +Gloves (12 pair at once). +Herod's Crest of Iron. +Scarlet Hoods and a Tabard. +Hats and Caps. +Cheverel [Peruke] for God. +3 Cheverels and a Beard. +2 Cheverels gilt for Jesus and Peter. +Faulchion for Herod. +Scarlet Gown. +Maces. + + + +II.--The Chester "Bannes" or Bans + + +Reverende lordes and ladyes all, +That at this time here assembled bee, +By this messuage understande you shall, +That sometymes there was mayor of this citie, +Sir John Arnway, Knyghte, who most worthilye +Contented himselfe to set out an playe +The devise of one Done Randali, moonke of Chester Abbey. + +"This moonke, moonke-like, in scriptures well seene, +In storyes travelled with the best sorte; +In pagentes set fourth, apparently to all eyne, +The Olde and Newe Testament with livelye comforte; +Intermynglinge therewith, onely to make sporte, +Some things not warranted by any writt, +Which to gladd the hearers he woulde men to take yt. + +"This matter he abrevited into playes twenty-foure, +And every playe of the matter gave but a taste, +Leavinge for better learninges circumstances to accomplishe, +For his proceedinges maye appeare to be in haste: +Yet all together unprofitable his labour he did not waste, +For at this daye, and ever, he deserveth the fame +Which all moonkes deserve professinge that name. + + * * * * * + +"This worthy Knyghte Arnway, then mayor of this citie, +This order toke, as declare to you I shall, +That by twenty-fower occupations, artes, craftes, or misteries, +These pagentes shoulde be played affter breeffe rehearsall; +For every pagente a cariage to be provyded withall, +In which sorte we purpose this Whitsontyde, +Our pagentes into three partes to devyde. + +"Now you worshippful Tanners that of custume olde +The fall of Lucifer did set out, +Some writers awarrante your matter, therefore be boulde +Lustelye to playe the same to all the rowtte; +And yf any thereof stand in any doubte, +Your author his author hath, your shewe let bee, +Good speech, fyne players, with apparill comelye. + +"The good symple water-leaders and drawers of deey, +See that your Arke in all poyntes be prepared; +Of Noy and his children the wholl storye, +And of the universall floude, by you shalbe played. + +"The Sacrifice that faithfull Abraham of his sonne should make, +You barbers and waxe-chaundlers of Aunciente tyme, +In the fourth pageante with paines you doe take, +In decente sorte set out--the storie is ffine-- +The offeringe of Melchesedecke of breade and wine, +And the presentacion therof set in your playe, +Suffer you not in any poynte the story to decaye. + + + +III.--Cornish Miracle Plays + + +[_From Norris's "Ancient Cornish Drama"_] + +We have no notice of the performance of the Cornish plays earlier than +that of Richard Carew, whose survey of Cornwall was first printed in +1602. In his time they even played in regular amphitheatres, and the +account he gives is well worth extracting, as it affords a vivid picture +by one who was in all probability an eye-witness, nearly three centuries +ago. "The quasy miracle, in English, a miracle play, is a kinde of +interlude, compiled in Cornish out of some Scripture history, with that +grossenes which accompanied the Romanes _vetus Comedia_. For +representing it, they raise an earthen amphitheatre in some open field, +having the Diameter of his enclosed playne some 40 or 50 foot. The +Country people flock from all sides, many miles off to hear and see it; +for they have therein devils and devices, to delight as well the eye as +the eare; the players conne not their parts without booke, but are +prompted by one called the Ordinary, who followeth at their back with +the booke in his hand, and telleth them softly what they must pronounce +aloud." + +Writing a century and a half later than Carew, Dr. Borlase describes the +amphitheatres in which these Cornish plays were given; more particularly +one in the parish of St. Just near the Land's End. This _round_ as it +was popularly called, was "an exact circle of 126 feet in diameter; the +perpendicular height of the bank, from the area within, now seven feet; +but the height from the bottom of the ditch without, ten feet at +present, formerly more. The seats consist of six steps, fourteen inches +wide, and one foot high, with one on the top of all, when the rampart is +about seven feet wide." Another round or amphitheatre was described by +Dr. Borlase as a perfectly level area 130 feet across, and surrounded by +an earthen mound eight feet high. + +In such magnificent surroundings of open-air, picturesque country, sea, +and sky, were these curious plays given to instruct and edify a +multitude drawn at large from the country-side, which often must remain +camped for two or three days in the neighbourhood to see the +performances out. + + + +IV.--From "The Cornish Drama," by Henry Jenner + + +(_Celtic Review_, April 1907) + +"The trilogy known as the _Ordinalia_ consists of:--(_a_) _Origo Mundi_, +which begins with the Creation of the World, ... and ends with the +building of Solomon's Temple; (_b_) _Passio Domini_, which represents +the Temptation of Christ and the events from the Entry into Jerusalem +to the Entombment; (_c_) _Resurrectio Domini_, which gives the story of +the Harrowing of Hell, ... the Resurrection, and the events between the +Resurrection and the Ascension with which it ends. Interpolated in the +middle is the Legend of St. Veronica, and Tiberius, and the Death of +Pilate. Running through all three is the old legend of the Origin of the +Wood of the Cross." (Our two Mysteries are from "_C_"). + + + +V.--Contemporary Account of Sir David Lindsay's "Satire of the Three +Estates" + + +(_From a Letter Written by Sir Wm. Eure, 26th Jan. 1540_) + +"In the feast of Ephipane at Lightgowe, before the king, queene, and the +whole counsaile, spirituall and temporall.--In the firste entres come in +Solace (whose parte was but to make mery, sing ballets with his +fellowes, and drink at the interluydes of the play), whoe showed firste +to all the audience the play to be played. Next come in a king, who +passed to his throne, having nae speche to thende of the play, and then +to ratify and approve, as in Parliament, all things done by the rest of +the players, which represented The Three Estates. With him came his +cortiers, Placebo, Picthank, and Flatterye, and sic alike gard: one +swering he was the lustiest, starkeste, best proportionit, and most +valeyant man that ever was; and ane other swore he was the beste with +long-bowe, crosse-bowe, and culverin, and so fourth. Thairafter there +come a man armed in harness, with a swerde drawn in his hande, a Bushop, +a Burgesman, and Experience, clede like a Doctor; who set them all down +on the deis under the King. After them come a Poor Man, who did go up +and down the scaffolde, making a hevie complainte that he was hereyet, +throw the courtiers taking his fewe in one place, and his tackes in +another; wherthrough he had sceyled his house, his wyfe and childrene +beggyng thair brede, and so of many thousands in Scotland; saying thair +was no remedy to be gotten, as he was neither acquainted with controller +nor treasurer. And then he looked to the King, and said he was not king +in Scotland, fore there was ane other king in Scotland that hanged Johne +Armstrang, with his fellowes, Sym the Laird, and mony other mae; but he +had lefte ane thing undone. Then he made a long narracione of the +oppression of the poor, by the taking of the corse-presaunte beists, and +of the herrying of poor men by the consistorye lawe, and of many other +abusions of the Spiritualitie and Church. Then the Bushop raise and +rebuked him. Then the Man of Armes alledged the contraire, and commanded +the poor man to go on. The poor man proceeds with a long list of the +bushop's evil practices, the vices of cloisters, etc. This proved by +Experience, who, from a New Testament, shows the office of a bushop. The +Man of Armes and the Burges approve of all that was said against the +clergy, and alledge the expediency of a reform, with the consent of +Parliament. The Bushop dissents. The Man of Armes and the Burges said +they were two, and he but one, wherefore their voice should have most +effect. Thereafter the King, in the play, ratified, approved, and +confirmed all that was rehearsed." + + + + +FOOTNOTES: + + + +[1] _rade_, quickly. + +[2] sew, _i.e._ stitch on the planks together. + +[3] "Bow"--the arched frame on which the ship is built. + +[4] tents + +[5] _Extracts from the Municipal Records of York_, 1843, and _Walks +through the City of York_. + +[6] See Appendix C. for the "Chester Banns." + +[7] is impaired. + +[8] know. + +[9] mediator. + +[10] been gotten, been born. + +[11] God. + +[12] born. + +[13] blame. + +[14] If you go by me. + +[15] with. + +[16] season. + +[17] speed in help of all. + +[18] foe. + +[19] cease. + +[20] slime, or pitch. + +[21] take. + +[22] hinder, stop. + +[23] vex. + +[24] prepared. + +[25] slime, mud. + +[26] prepare. + +[27] tide. + +[28] nonsense. + +[29] advice. + +[30] noise. + +[31] immediately. + +[32] stop. + +[33] ready. + +[34] settled. + +[35] comfortable. + +[36] go. + +[37] Business, occupation. + +[38] And being conquered she deals a slap. + +[39] fidelity. + +[40] kind. + +[41] faith. + +[42] haste. + +[43] prepare. + +[44] steer. + +[45] ready. + +[46] Thee now must I have in mind. + +[47] promise. + +[48] cease. + +[49] leave. + +[50] covenant. + +[51] anger. + +[52] in haste. + +[53] hindering. + +[54] fail. + +[55] might. + +[56] without suspicion. + +[57] beseech. + +[58] precious stones. + +[59] might. + +[60] verily. + +[61] leasing. + +[62] bequest: "Maundy" really meant "command." + +[63] faith. + +[64] might. + +[65] nurseling, foster-child. + +[66] lament. + +[67] count. + +[68] fore-buy (pre-purchase with his blood). + +[69] faith. + +[70] verily. + +[71] truly. + +[72] household. + +[73] be slack, or slow. + +[74] "middle-yard,"--farm-yard: _i.e._ instead of all creatures from the +farm-yard. + +[75] hesitate. + +[76] obedient. + +[77] deny. + +[78] reward. + +[79] afraid. + +[80] kerchief. + +[81] hesitate, delay. + +[82] in good faith. + +[83] promised I. + +[84] debonair. + +[85] find, find means. + +[86] numb of hand. + +[87] fast tied (to a lord, as a public-house to a brewer). + +[88] husbandmen. + +[89] a painted sleeve. + +[90] bragging. + +[91] peacock. + +[92] forego. + +[93] Benedicite. + +[94] spiteful. + +[95] we silly wedded men endure much woe. + +[96] placed, bestead. + +[97] is riven asunder. + +[98] briar. + +[99] tarrying. + +[100] slithers, slides away. + +[101] more and more. + +[102] You are two who wit, or know, all. + +[103] field. + +[104] hind. + +[105] till such time as we have made it. + +[106] stint our wages. + +[107] argue. + +[108] a light bargain yields badly. + +[109] went. + +[110] to make mirth among us. + +[111] stars. + +[112] "harnes" in original, which may mean "harness." + +[113] such (of such). + +[114] I. + +[115] be thwacked, or flogged. + +[116] eye. + +[117] jest. + +[118] rumour (ill repute). + +[119] hot. + +[120] needle--not a little bit. + +[121] brood, children. + +[122] plaything. + +[123] worse. + +[124] early waked, or perhaps, wearied by watching. + +[125] over-walked. + +[126] at once. + +[127] Into thy hands I commend (them), Pontius Pilate. + +[128] few. + +[129] learn. + +[130] chare,--job, as in charwoman. + +[131] wicket. + +[132] toil. + +[133] flayed. + +[134] The devil of them give warning. + +[135] jest. + +[136] advisest, sayest so? + +[137] company. + +[138] Benedicite. + +[139] mad + +[140] dream. + +[141] sloth(?) + +[142] bellies. + +[143] brains. + +[144] prosper. + +[145] where. + +[146] waning moon. + +[147] comes. + +[148] lie. + +[149] plays. + +[150] thereto. + +[151] Help! or Halloo! + +[152] lost. + +[153] God forbid. + +[154] Horbery Shrubberies, near Wakefield. + +[155] die. + +[156] advise. + +[157] call. + +[158] "take on," make game. + +[159] breathe. + +[160] nose (?) The "so he" is meant for a she. + +[161] enow, enough. + +[162] went. + +[163] went, were grazing. + +[164] bothers us, makes us suspect. + +[165] suspicion. + +[166] swelter. + +[167] fared. + +[168] been in labour. + +[169] confound it. + +[170] soft. + +[171] empty. + +[172] a boy. + +[173] a lie. + +[174] faith. + +[175] hubbub. + +[176] done. + +[177] day-star. + +[178] gem, something prankt out, or shown off, like a false gem. + +[179] scold + +[180] hight, be called. + +[181] say + +[182] bewitched + +[183] be avenged, wreak vengeance. + +[184] _i.e._ for a changeling. + +[185] curse nor flout. + +[186] chide. + +[187] vex about it. + +[188] gracious. + +[189] lost. + +[190] destroy. + +[191] free, or divine, One. + +[192] voice. + +[193] name, relate. + +[194] lightning. + +[195] star. + +[196] three short notes to a long one. + +[197] shouted it out. + +[198] take. + +[199] delay. + +[200] can mind. + +[201] eager. + +[202] unlearn'd, rude. + +[203] happiness. + +[204] demon, evil one. + +[205] worker of evil. The "he" in the next line refers to the Holy Babe +again. + +[206] pate, little tiny-pate + +[207] day-star. + +[208] hand. + +[209] set all alight; gave light to all. + +[210] could he (_i.e._ the babe) tell, name. + +[211] weened; _i.e._ laughed as if he knew all about it. + +[212] found. + +[213] bound. + +[214] Let us sing it aloft, or aloud! + +[215] "Behold, a Virgin shall conceive!" + +[216] glad. + +[217] for ever and ever. + +[218] deceits, darknesses. + +[219] commit. + +[220] physician, healer. + +[221] ruined. + +[222] equal or like. + +[223] messenger. + +[224] eyes. + +[225] wend, journey. + +[226] stay. + +[227] hill. + +[228] gust. + +[229] wold. + +[230] noble. + +[231] win. + +[232] News, news! + +[233] marvels. + +[234] descent, lineage. + +[235] give advice. + +[236] boldly, openly. + +[237] to. + +[238] "The devil run away with you!" The whole of this Herald's speech +is in corrupt French, of which only the last speech, evidently a comic +"aside," is retained. + +[239] He that reigns, King in Judea and Israel. + +[240] strokes, loud blows. + +[241] tribute. + +[242] message. + +[243] await. + +[244] (?) and gentle or noble. + +[245] prepared. + +[246] undo. + +[247] prepared, ready. + +[248] All in company. + +[249] mien, face. + +[250] trouble, or from "haro," help. + +[251] travel. + +[252] childbed, or lying-in chamber. + +[253] company. + +[254] go free. + +[255] summons. + +[256] childbed. + +[257] raiment. + +[258] fire. + +[259] mad. + +[260] wild countryman. + +[261] rede, advice. + +[262] fame. + +[263] reward. + +[264] order. + +[265] take. + +[266] slay. + +[267] deceiver. + +[268] mad. + +[269] say against it, deny it. + +[270] have been. + +[271] slay. + +[272] explore. + +[273] at once. + +[274] know. + +[275] vex. + +[276] destroyed. + +[277] heed. + +[278] boaster. + +[279] wisdom. + +[280] evil. + +[281] vanquish. + +[282] advise. + +[283] death. + +[284] idolatry. + +[285] meddle. + +[286] destroyed. + +[287] a-deal. + +[288] saddle. + +[289] _i.e._ Be not afraid to fall. + +[290] left unsaid. + +[291] prepared. + +[292] burst. + +[293] burst. + +[294] hands. + +[295] each sinew from sinew. + +[296] so may you thrive. + +[297] Good Lord! + +[298] there. + +[299] smith. + +[300] hammer. + +[301] part. + +[302] hands. + +[303] mortice (the hole cut in the ground-piece). + +[304] pleasantly. + +[305] buffeted. + +[306] strength. + +[307] mood. + +[308] hands. + +[309] cast up. + +[310] guiltless. + +[311] slay. + +[312] shew. + +[313] repose. + +[314] requitest. + +[315] lose. + +[316] labour. + +[317] in wont. + +[318] despoiled, destroyed. + +[319] thinks, knows. + +[320] _i.e._ Does he think we care how he suffers? + +[321] burst. + +[322] the grief I bear. + +[323] face, visage. + +[324] garments, aspect. + +[325] nurseling, fed child. + +[326] hold, rest. + +[327] how should I stand still in my place. + +[328] blue. + +[329] nails. + +[330] companion. + +[331] treasure. + +[332] liking. + +[333] blue. + +[334] more. + +[335] perish. + +[336] bear. + +[337] good, gain. + +[338] hard, dearly. + +[339] flesh. + +[340] faded. + +[341] doubt. + +[342] more. + +[343] fair, the opposite of uncouth. + +[344] Methinks. + +[345] followers. + +[346] weep. + +[347] He will beat down our fall or evil, as he promised. + +[348] promised. + +[349] without counsel. + +[350] torn. + +[351] in wont, habitually. + +[352] burst for no grief. + +[353] cease. + +[354] grief. + +[355] stay. + +[356] noble babe. + +[357] clothed. + +[358] high. + +[359] more. + +[360] against wrong. + +[361] go. + +[362] face, complexion. + +[363] surely. + +[364] blame. + +[365] die. + +[366] few. + +[367] weep. + +[368] promised. + +[369] beat down our bale, or evil. + +[370] promised. + +[371] place. + +[372] believe thy word. + +[373] pricks. + +[374] dole, or grief thou endurest. + +[375] cast about, cousin, in thy thought. + +[376] swinged with whips. + +[377] cease. + +[378] reed. + +[379] offer. + +[380] trouble. + +[381] at all costs. + +[382] pretended great prophecies. + +[383] quickly. + +[384] unless he can shew still further craft, or art. + +[385] all ways, quite. + +[386] Saying, as in a wise saw. + +[387] draw lots. + +[388] beguiled. + +[389] scroll. + +[390] am bewildered. + +[391] What meddle ye with? + +[392] What I wrote is written. + +[393] fellow. + +[394] ill fall the day. + +[395] quickly. + +[396] bear. + +[397] insults, miscallings. + +[398] knowing, willing. + +[399] grave. + +[400] host of men, company. + +[401] hands. + +[402] harm. + +[403] have compassion. + +[404] compelled. + +[405] torment. + +[406] counsel. + +[407] were gone. + +[408] put in grave. + +[409] in reason. + +[410] draw. + +[411] wound in his shroud. + +[412] caused them to make. + +[413] Easter. + +[414] father. + +[415] Adam's miss, or fall. + +[416] Sooth to say to thee. + +[417] rescue. + +[418] fiend. + +[419] betraying. + +[420] earthly food--the apple. + +[421] stead, state. + +[422] make. + +[423] stayed, kept. + +[424] sure. + +[425] slake thirst, lessen (or as in "slack a fire"). + +[426] gentle, gracious. + +[427] linger. + +[428] cease, leave. + +[429] And all sing, _Salvator Mundi, 1st ver._ + +[430] kenn'd, knew. + +[431] walking. + +[432] on earth. + +[433] wonders many. + +[434] deigneth, dignity. + +[435] fondled. + +[436] leal, true. + +[437] lasting life. + +[438] hal, salvation. + +[439] list I, care I, to live. + +[440] live in man, man's form. + +[441] declared. + +[442] flumen,--flood, river. + +[443] The Father's voice was made like a man's. + +[444] our cares to cool, cure, allay. + +[445] Elias. + +[446] earth. + +[447] confidently. + +[448] against. + +[449] din, noise. + +[450] to swell. + +[451] my wit waxes thin. + +[452] these souls men from us twine, divide. + +[453] harrow--hullaballoo. + +[454] hearest. + +[455] louts. + +[456] mixture. + +[457] amongst. + +[458] sparrian, to shut, to bar; sparian, preserve. + +[459] Ashtaroth. + +[460] Baal, Beryth and Belial. + +[461] makes. + +[462] lovely of face. + +[463] Lift your heads, oh ye gates, and be ye lift up, ye everlasting +doors, and the King of Glory shall come in. + +[464] help. + +[465] nigh. + +[466] hideously. + +[467] bolt the gates. + +[468] prosper. + +[469] watch. + +[470] wretch. + +[471] dwell. + +[472] go his way. + +[473] sturdy in every fight. + +[474] hearest thou? + +[475] are in thrall. + +[476] God-in-man. + +[477] the devil harry you all. + +[478] ails thee to shout so? + +[479] thy brain, I burst not out. + +[480] shut the gates. + +[481] betrays. + +[482] wend, go. + +[483] or we'll know it. + +[484] destroy. + +[485] traitors. + +[486] danger. + +[487] tricks. + +[488] his. + +[489] gauds, showy deeds. + +[490] from our bale, destruction. + +[491] hateful. + +[492] agreement, or forward precaution, foreword, prearrange. + +[493] his hire, reward. + +[494] to dwell here still. + +[495] since we hear thee say. + +[496] know. + +[497] taken in charge. + +[498] frustrate. + +[499] rive, take away. + +[500] be nought abased. + +[501] bound. + +[502] truss up, entangle ("take in the toils"). + +[503] ding, knock. + +[504] see p. 153. + +[505] help. + +[506] see in the psalter. + +[507] I always said. + +[508] "be naame," a technical term for seizure of another's goods. + +[509] make wreck of your works. + +[510] advise. + +[511] meddle. + +[512] gates. + +[513] ween. + +[514] twine, part asunder. + +[515] stead, place. + +[516] closed, fast shut. + +[517] help. + +[518] bailey, outer gate. + +[519] how am I woeful. + +[520] worse. + +[521] crook. + +[522] ready. + +[523] masteries. + +[524] knock, strike, beset. + +[525] Make him. + +[526] stratagem, treachery. + +[527] more, or stronger. + +[528] traitor. + +[529] afraid. + +[530] my gear, weapons, be ready. + +[531] gad-about, vagrant. + +[532] Bel ami, fair friend. + +[533] noise, hubbub. + +[534] pain, afflict. + +[535] profit. + +[536] ward, keeping. + +[537] aye syne, ever since. + +[538] go nigh. + +[539] ordained heretofore. + +[540] to get his meat, earn his bread. + +[541] I mind, remember. + +[542] mickle, much. + +[543] lives. + +[544] cease. + +[545] prophecy. + +[546] For no chattles need you crave (lack), or ask. + +[547] simple. + +[548] hearty. + +[549] amazed. + +[550] rave. + +[551] manifest, made known. + +[552] to thee, nor none of thine. + +[553] errest. + +[554] ready. + +[555] hire, reward. + +[556] taught. + +[557] workest. + +[558] know. + +[559] win, save (my men from woe). + +[560] concerns, things of note. + +[561] damned souls. + +[562] true prophets' tale. + +[563] bale, destruction. + +[564] quote, or read, the laws. + +[565] convinced ere we part. + +[566] saws, proverbs. + +[567] din, noise. + +[568] neither friend nor foe shall find release in hell. + +[569] sorrows sore shall never cease. + +[570] noble. + +[571] wend, go. + +[572] take them all from me. + +[573] methinks. + +[574] bethink. + +[575] dwell in woe. + +[576] to a stake. + +[577] moanest. + +[578] with measure and malice (malice aforethought) to meddle. + +[579] Cain. + +[580] Dathan and Abiram, and all of their. + +[581] each one. + +[582] learn. + +[583] henceforth. + +[584] my coming known. + +[585] by row, line by line, all in order. + +[586] doom. + +[587] judge them worse. + +[588] profit. + +[589] teach them not to permit. + +[590] follow mine (my laws). + +[591] turn them to it, I trow. + +[592] and make them grow well aware. + +[593] fast-bound. + +[594] fly not far. + +[595] Bel ami (fair friend), thou shalt be smitten down. + +[596] grief. + +[597] So said I e'er,--always. + +[598] sins. + +[599] mickle, great of might. + +[600] companion. + +[601] torments. + +[602] taste. + +[603] master. + +[604] in fear. + +[605] since before thee. + +[606] bode-word; (foreboding, forewarning). + +[607] "Thou didst not leave, oh Lord, my soul in hell!" + +[608] Whither the damned shall go. + +[609] live in woe. + +[610] flee, escape. + +[611] venomous. + +[612] committed. + +[613] overwhelm. + +[614] blister. + +[615] Joshua. + +[616] benevolent. + +[617] flowing milk and honey. + +[618] Phineas. + +[619] Joshua. + +[620] trespass. + +[621] inhabitants of Jerusalem. + +[622] Joash. + +[623] leprosy. + +[624] immediately. + +[625] Zephaniah + +[626] Mordecai. + +[627] Because I am a youth. + +[628] asks. + +[629] Corinthians. + +[630] Esaias. + +[631] Though this is called the _Ludus Coventriae_, there is no evidence +that the cycle ever was played at Coventry, or that at any time more +than ten pageants were produced there by the town guilds. The Coventry +Nativity Play that we print (from the text of Robert Croo, 1534) is one +of the ten. It was played by the "Company of Shearmen and Tailors." + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Everyman and Other Old Religious +Plays, with an Introduction, by Anonymous + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK EVERYMAN AND OTHERS *** + +***** This file should be named 19481.txt or 19481.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/9/4/8/19481/ + +Produced by Suzanne Lybarger, Melanie Lybarger, Curtis +Weyant and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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