Chapter 21

JOSEPH. Now, I thank you, Mary, of your goodness, That ye my words will not blame; And sith that to Bethlehem we shall us dress, Go we together in God's holy name. [_They set out and travel awhile._]

Now to Bethlehem have we leagues three; The day is nigh spent, it draweth toward night; Fain at your ease, dame, I would that ye should be, For you groan all wearily, it seemeth in my sight.

MARY. God have mercy, Joseph, my spouse so dear; All prophets hereto doth bear witness, The weary time now draweth near That my child will be born, which is King of bliss.

Unto some place, Joseph, hendly 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, 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 heartily I 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 straight will I wend To get some help for Mary so free. Some help of women God may me send, That Mary, full of grace, pleased may be. [_In another part of the place a shepherd begins to speak._]

FIRST PASTOR. Now God, that art in Trinity, Thou save 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 midst 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 heartes light, Now will I full right Stand upon this lo, And to them cry with all my might,-- Full well my voice they know: What ho! fellows! ho! ho! ho! [_Two other shepherds appear (in the street)._]

SECOND PASTOR. Hark, Sim, hark! I hear our brother on the lo. This is his voice, right well I know; Therefore toward him let us go, And follow his voice aright. See, Sim, see, where he doth stand! I am right glad we have him fand! Brother where hast thou been so lang, And it is so cold this night?

FIRST PASTOR. Eh! friends, there came a pirie of wind with a mist suddenly, That forth of my ways went I And great heaviness then made I! And was full sore afright. Then forth to go wist I not whither, But travelled on this lo hither and thither; I was so weary of this cold weather That near past was my might.

THIRD PASTOR. Brethren 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 draws forth their meat and doth eat and drink and as they drink, they find the star and say thus:_

THIRD PASTOR. Brethren, 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.

FIRST PASTOR. 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 midst of the night.

SECOND PASTOR. 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."_

THIRD PASTOR. Hark! They sing above in the clouds clear! Heard I never of so merry a quere. Now, gentle brethren, draw we near To hear their harmony.

FIRST PASTOR.--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 that we do see. SECOND PASTOR. "Glory, gloria in excelsis," that was their song; How say ye, fellows, said they not thus? FIRST PASTOR. 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 hominibus." _There the shepherds sings "As I out rode," and Joseph saith:_

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 mon, With all the homage that I con; Thy sweet mouth here will I kiss. MARY. Ah! Joseph, husband, my child waxeth cold, And we have no fire to warm him with. JOSEPH. Now in mine arms I shall him fold, King of all kings by field and by frith; 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] well, i-wis. [_Angels appear to the shepherds._]

FIRST ANGEL. Herd-men hend, Dread ye nothing Of this star that ye do see; For this same morn God's Son is born In Bethlehem of a maiden free.

SECOND ANGEL. Hie you thither 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. [_The Shepherds approach and worship the Babe._]

FIRST PASTOR. Hail, maid, mother, and wife so mild! As the angel said, so have we fand. I have nothing to present with thy child But my pipe; hold, hold, take it in thy hand; Wherein much pleasure that I have fand; And now, to honour thy glorious birth, Thou shalt it have to make thee mirth.

SECOND PASTOR. 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 need to complain, For wind, ne sun, hail, snow and rain.

THIRD PASTOR. 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 hend, For your coming, To my child shall I pray, As He is heaven King, To grant you His blessing, And to His bliss that ye may wend At your last day.

_There the shepherds singeth again and goth forth of the place, and the two prophets cometh in and saith thus:_

FIRST PROPHET. Novels, novels, Of wonderful marvels Very high and diffuse unto the hearing! As Scripture tells, These strange novels To you I bring.

SECOND PROPHET. Now heartily, sir, I desire to know, If it would please you for to show Of what manner a thing. FIRST PROPHET. Very mystical unto your hearing,-- Of the nativity of a King.

SECOND PROPHET. Of a King? Whence should he come? FIRST PROPHET. From that region royal and mighty mansion, The Seed celestial and heavenly wisdom, The Second Person and God's own Son, For our sake now is man become.

This goodly sphere Descended here Into a Virgin clear, She undefiled.

* * * * *

By whose work obscure Our frail nature Is now beguiled. _Second Prophet._ Why, hath she a child?

FIRST PROPHET. Eh! trust it well; And never-the-less Yet is she a maiden even as she was, And her Son the King of Israel.

SECOND PROPHET. A wonderful marvel How that may be, And far doth excell All our capacity: How that the Trinity, Of so high regality, Should joined be Unto our mortality!

FIRST PROPHET. Of his own 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 none other? For the which cause He Incarnate would be And live in misery as man's own brother.

SECOND PROPHET. Sir, unto the Deity, I believe perfectly, Impossible to be there is nothing; Howbeit this wark Unto me is dark In the operation or working. FIRST PROPHET. What more reprief Is unto belief Than to be doubting?

SECOND PROPHET. Yet doubts oft-times hath derivation. FIRST PROPHET. That is by the means of communication Of truths to have a due probation By the same doubts reasoning. SECOND PROPHET. Then to you this one thing: Of what noble and high lineage is she That might this veritable prince's mother be?

FIRST PROPHET. Undoubted she is come of high parage, 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.

SECOND PROPHET. And why in that wise? FIRST 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.

SECOND PROPHET. Yet can I not espy by no wise How this child born should be without nature's prejudice. FIRST PROPHET. Nay, no prejudice unto nature, I dare well say; For the King of nature may Have all at His own will. Did not the power of God Make Aaron's rod Bear fruit in one day?

SECOND PROPHET. Truth it is indeed. FIRST PROPHET. Then look you and read. SECOND 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 Judee Should spring a right Messee By whom all we Shall have redemption.

FIRST PROPHET. Sir, now is the time come, And the date thereof run, Of His nativity. SECOND PROPHET. Yet I beseech you heartily That ye would show me how That this strange novelty Were brought unto you.

FIRST 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 nar; Which star they did behold Brighter, they say, in fold, Than the sun so clear In his midday sphere, And they these tidings told.

SECOND PROPHET. What, secretly? FIRST PROPHET. Nay, nay, hardily; They made thereof no counsel; For they sang as loud As ever they could, Praising the King of Israel.

SECOND PROPHET. Yet do I marvel In what pile or castle These herdmen did Him see.

FIRST 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!

SECOND PROPHET. Sir, ah! but when these shepherds had seen him there, Into what place did they repair? FIRST 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 grant them heaven therein to dwell; In are they gone with joy and mirth, And their song it is "Noël."

_There the prophets goeth forth and_ HEROD _cometh in, and the messenger._

NUNTIUS. Faites paix, dominies, barons de grande renom! Paix, seigneurs, chevaliers de noble puissance! Paix, gentils hommes, compagnons petits et grands! Je vous command de garder, trestous, silence! Paix, tant que votre noble Roi seit ici present! Que nulle personne ici non fasse point de difference, N' ici harde de frapper; mais gardez toute patience,-- Mais gardez [a] votre seigneur toute reverence; Car il est votre Roi tout puissant. Au nom de lui, paix tous! je vous command, Et le roi Herod le grand-diable vous emporte!

HEROD. Qui statis in Jude et Rex Israel, 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 the wide world on those raps did wonder.

I am the cause of this great light and thunder; It is through my fury that they such noise doth make. My fearful countenance the clouds so doth encumber That off-times for dread thereof the very earth doth quake. Look, when I with malice 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 mine 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 them 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 midst of the day. Where can you have a more greater succour Than to behold my person that is so gay? My falcon and my fashion, with my gorgeous array-- He that had the grace alway thereon to think, Live he might alway without either meat or drink.

And this my triumphant fame most highliest 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 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.

NUNTIUS. Now, lord and master, in all the hast Thy worthy will it shall be wrought, And thy royal countries shall be past. In as short time as can be throught.

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._

FIRST REX. Now blessed be God of his sweet sond, For yonder a fair bright star I do see! Now is he comen us among, As the prophet said that it should be.

A said there should a babe be born, Coming of the root of Jesse, To save mankind that was forlorn; And truly comen 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.

SECOND REX. 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?

FIRST REX. To seek a child is mine intent, Of whom the prophetes hath meant; The time is come, now is he sent, By yonder star here may [I] see. SECOND REX.--Sir, I pray you, with your license, To ride with you unto His presence; To Him will I offer frankincense, For the Head of all Holy Church shall He be.

THIRD REX. I ride wandering in wayes wide, Over mountains and dales; I wot not where I am. Now, King of all Kings, send me such guide That I might have knowledge of this country's name.

Ah! yonder I see a sight, by seeming all afar, The which betokens some news, as I trow; As, me-think, a child pearing 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. Hail comely Kings and gent! Good sirs, I pray you, whither are ye meant?

FIRST REX. To seek a child is our intent, Which betokens yonder star, as ye may see. SECOND REX. To Him I purpose this present. THIRD REX. 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:_

NUNTIUS.--Hail, lord most of might! Thy commandement 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? NUNTIUS. To seek a king and a child, they say. HEROD. Of what age should he be? NUNTIUS. Scant twelve days old fully.

HEROD. And was he so late born? NUNTIUS. Eh, sir, so they showed me, this same day in the morn. HEROD. Now, in pain of death bring them me beforn.

And therefore, herald, now hie thee in haste, In all speed that thou were dight, Or that those kings the country be past; Look thou bring them all three before my sight.

And in Jerusalem inquire more of that child; But I warn thee that thy words be mild, For there must thou heed and craft wield How to fordo his power, and those three kings shall be beguiled.

NUNTIUS. 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. [_The_ Messenger _goes to the_ Kings.]

NUNTIUS. 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.

FIRST REX. Sir, at his will we be right bain. Hie us, brethren, unto that lord's place; To speak with him we would be fain; That child that we seek, He grant us of His grace! [_They go to_ HEROD.]

NUNTIUS. Hail, lord without peer! These three kings here have we brought. HEROD. Now welcome, sir kings, all in-fere! But of my bright blee, sirs, abash ye not!

Sir kings, as I understand, A star hath guided you into my land, Wherein great hearting ye have found By reason of her beams bright.

Wherefore I pray you heartily The very truth that ye would certify, How long it is surely Since of that star you had first sight.

FIRST REX. Sir king, the very truth to say, And for to show you as it is best, This same is even the twelfth day Sith it appeared to us to be west.

HEROD. Brethren, then is there no more to say, But with heart and will keep ye your journey, And come home by me this same way, Of your news that I might 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.

SECOND REX. Sir, your commandment we will fulfil, And humbly obey ourself theretill. He that wieldeth 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 any ways Here shall you have by special grant.

THIRD REX. 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 unwittily have they all wrought. When they come again they shall die that same day, And thus these vile wretches to death they 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 ways and the three kings come in again._

FIRST REX. O blessed God, much is thy might! Where is this star that gave us light?

SECOND REX. Now kneel we down here in this presence, Beseeching that Lord of high magnificence That we may see his high excellence, If that his sweet will be.

THIRD REX. Yonder, brother, I see the star, Whereby I know He is not far; Therefore, lords, go we nar Into this poor place. _There the_ Three Kings _goes in to the jesen, to_ MARY _and her_ Child.

FIRST REX. Hail, Lord, that all this world hath wrought! Hail, God and man together in-fere! For thou hast made all thing of nought, Albeit that Thou liest poorly here. A cupfull [of] gold here have I thee brought, In tokening Thou art without peer.

SECOND REX. Hail be Thou, Lord of high magnificence! In tokening of priesthood and dignity of office, To Thee I offer a cupfull of incense, For it behoveth thee to have such sacrifice.

THIRD REX. Hail be Thou, Lord long looked for! I have brought Thee myrrh for mortality, In tokening Thou 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 prevision of my sweet Son your ways home redress, And ghostly reward you for your present! [_As the_ KINGS _go away, they say._]

FIRST REX. Sir kings, after our promise, Home by Herod I must needs go. SECOND REX. Now truly brethren, we can no less, But I am so for-watched I wot not what to do. THIRD REX. Right so am I; wherefore, I you pray, Let all us rest us awhile upon this ground. FIRST REX. Brethren, your saying is right well unto my pay. The grace of that sweet child save us all sound! [_While they sleep the_ ANGEL _appears._]

ANGEL. King of Taurus, Sir Jaspar, King of Araby, Sir Balthasar, Melchior, King of Aginar, To you now am I sent. For dread of Herod, go you west home; Into those parts when ye come down, Ye shall be buried with great renown; The Holy Ghost thus knowledge hath sent. [_Exit._]

FIRST REX. Awake, sir Kings, I you pray! For the voice of an angel I heard in my dream. SECOND REX. That is full true that ye do say, For he rehearsed our names plain.