Coll Lord, how these winter storms are cold {1 And I am ill-wrapped; I am near hand-dead, so long have I napped; My legs they fold, my fingers are chapped; All is not as I would, for I am all lapped In sorrow. We simple shepherds that walk on the moor {10 No wonder, as it standis, if we be poor! We are so lamed, for-taxed and be-yoked; We are hand-tamed with these gentry-folk! {18 These lords of the land, they rob us of our rest. {19 They cause the plough to tarry-and say “for the best”. Thus are husbandmen oppressed, held under and starved - It were great wonder That ever we should thrive! {27 For if man gets a painted sleeve or a brooch nowadays {28 Woe to shepherd that grieves him or against that man says! No man may reprove him, for lordship he claims Yet none can believe one word he may say - not a letter! He can make purveyance with boast and with bragance And all with connivance of men that are greater! Comes a swaggering swain as a peacock proud - {37 He must borrow my wain, my plough good! If I should forbid it, I were better hanged, so Thus live we, in pain, in anger and woe! It does me good as I walk thus alone {46 Of this world for to talk, in manner of moan. To my sheep will I stalk and harken anon. There abide on a stone more company full soon. (He removes himself some distance. Enter 2nd Shepherd) Gib Lord, this weather is spiteful and the winds full keen, {55 And the frosts so hid'eus they water mine eeyn - No lie! {59 Now in dry, now in wet, now in snow, now in sleet. When my shoes freeze to my feet - it is not all easy! We poor wedded men endure mickel woe {64 Simple Capel, our hen, cackles to and fro But when she (be)gins to crow, our cock is fear-shackled! We men that are wed have not all our will God knows we are led full hard and full ill. Now thus late in my life, here's a marvel to me: {82 Some men will have two wives, and some men three, in store. Some are sad who have any, but as far as I see Woe is him that has many, for he feels sore! This have I learnt on. {90 Now be well 'ware of wedding, and think in your thought {91 “Had I known” is a thing that serves you but nought - I know my lesson! I have one to my mate as sharp as a thistle! {100 She is brown as a bristle, with a sour-looking cheer. Had she once wet her whistle, she can sing full clear! She is great as a whale with a gallon of gall - I would I had run till I had lost her! (1st Shepherd joins him) Coll Gib, saw ye aught of that fool Daw? {109 Gib Yea, on a lea-land Heard I him blow his pipe. He comes here at hand. Coll He will tell us both a lie 'less we beware. (They settle down to wait. Enter 3rd Shepherd from the field) Daw Who knows should take heed and let the world pass. {118 It is ever in dread and brittle as glass - and slithers! It is worse than it was and all thing withers! These floods so they drown, it is a wonder! {127 How God turn all to good, I say as I mean, and ponder. We that walk in the night our cattle to keep {136 We see strange sights when other men sleep. Yet me think my heart lightens: I see two men peep! (He comes up to the other shepherds) Ah, sirs, God you save and masters mine! {145 Drink fain would I have and somewhat to dine! Coll Thou art a sluggish knave, Daw! Gib He lists to dine, though he comes late! Daw Such servants as I that sweat and toil {154 Eat our bread full dry and that stakes me boil! We are oft wet and weary when our masters sleep take Then our dame and our sire can nip at our hire - And pay us full late! For the fare that ye make, I shall work at my pace. {163 Masters, little and lacking! Gib Peace, boy, I bid no more jangling! {174 Where are our sheep? Daw Sir, this same day at morn I left them in the corn - in pasture good. {181 Coll That is right, by the rood. Now give us a song! (Daw begins to sing. Mak enters) Mak Lord.who made the stars, what is thy will? {190 Now would God I were in heaven so still For there weep no bairnes there! Coll Who is, that pipes so poor? Mak Lo, a man that walks on the moor - And has not all his will! Gib Mak, what has befallen? Tell us tidings. {199 Daw Is Mak come? Then take heed to your things! (Here he takes Mak's cloak from him. Mak changes his accent) Mak What, ich be a yeoman, I tell you, of the king! The self-same sent from a great lording. Goeth hence! from my presence! I must have reverence! Coll Mak, why make ye words so quaint? {208 Gib He means to show off ... a boast he makes Daw I think he can paint! The devil him take! (They demonstrate aestheticism) Mak Of what ye doeth, ich shall make complaint Ye shall all be beaten blue {211 And confined close at my word in sooth! Coll How, Mak, is that “sooth”? Now take out that southren tooth. Gib Mak, know ye not us? By God, I could thwang ye! {217 (He shakes Mak who relapses into his ordinary accent) Mak Me thought I had seen ye all three. Ye are a fair company! Gib Thus late as thou goes, what will men suppose? For thou art ill news of stealing of sheep! Mak I am true as steel {226 But my belly fares not well. It is out of its state. Daw “Seldom lies the devil starved by the gate.” Mak Full sore I am and ill I eat not a needle this month and more! Coll How fares thy wife, Mak, how fares she? {235 Mak Gill? She lies waltering by the fire, lo! With a house-full of brood by her, too. Eats as fast as she can And each year that comes to man She brings forth a lakan - And some years two! I were eaten out of house and of harbour, {244 And she's a foul dowse if ye come too nigh her None worse do I know! (Depressed with the sad state of the world, the shepherds become weary) Gib I wot so forwakid with watching is none in this shire! I would sleep! Daw I am cold and naked and would have a fire! Coll I am weary, forwakid with walking in mire — {253 Wake thou! {257 Daw Nay, as good a man's son was I as any of you! But Mak, come hider. Between shall thou lie down! {262 Mak No dread! From my top to my toe “Manus tuas commendo Poncio pilato!” Christ cross me speed! (The shepherds settle for sleep. Mak hatches his plan) Now it were time for a man that lacks what he would {271 To stalk privily then into a fold {272 And nimbly to work, but be not too bold! For he might pay for the bargain, if tales were told. Now were time for to do't With little spending to't! Now about you a circle as round as the moon {280 That ye lie stone still till I have done what's to do'n! Now I shall say some good words on high. Over your heades my hands I lift Out go your een and close up your sight! But yet I must make better shift {287 And it be right! (Snoring is heard) Lord, what they sleep hard! That may ye all hear! {289 Was I never a shepherd yet shall 1 nip near. (Mak seizes a sheep) A fat sheep by the morrow {294 A good fleece dare I lay I'll pay back when I may Now this will I borrow! (Mak goes home) How, Gill, art thou in? Get us some light! {298 Gill Who makes such a din this time of the night? I am set for to spin; to rise I cannot. {300 Mak Good wife, open the hatch; sees thou not what I bring? {307 Gill I will let thee draw the latch. Ah, come in, my sweeting! Mak Yee, thou have no care of my long standing! I am worthy my meat for I can get more {312 Than they that work the long day's chore! Thus this fell to my lot, Gill, of grace a token! {316 Gill It were a foul blot to be hanged for the deed! Mak I have 'scaped, Gillot, oft as right a need. Gill But so oft goes the pot to the water indeed At last comes it home broken! {321 Mak Well know I the token. Let that never be spoken! But come and help fast. I would he were slain, I list well to eat. {325 Gill Come they afore he be slain, they'll hear the sheep bleat! Mak Then might I be ta'en; that were a cold sweat! Go, bar the gate door! Gill Come they at thy back? Mak I'll get the devil from that pack! Gill A good jest have I spied, for thou knows none: {334 Here, shall we him hide till they be far gone! In my cradle abide and I lie beside in childbed - and groan! Mak And I shall say thou was made light Of a boy child this night! Gill Yet a woman's advice helps at the last! This is a good gyse; now again go thou fast! {343 Mak If I come 'ere they rise, I'll get a cold blast! (He returns and resumes his place in the midst of the shepherds) Yet sleeps all this company and I shall stalk privily As it had never been I that carried their sheep! I will go sleep! (The shepherds rouse up) Coll Here, have a hold of my hand. {352 My foot sleeps, by Jesus, I may not well stand. I thought that we laid us full near Engeland! Gib Lord, what, I have slept well! As fresh as an eel As light I me feel as leaf on a tree! Daw My heart leapt out of my skin, so it quakes! {361 We were four - see ye ought of Mak - now wakes he? Me thought he was wrapped in a wolf skin! {370 Gib Yet went he nowhere! When we had long napped, me thought in a gin A fat sheep had he trapped, but he made no din. Daw This dream is but phantom … Gib Rise Mak for shame, thou lies right long! {379 Mak Now Christ's holy name be us among I hope I be the same! Ah, my neck has lain wrong. I was flayed with a dream since yestereven. I thought Gill began to croak and travail full sad, {388 Well nigh to first cockcrow had a young lad For to add to our flock. I be never glad To have many bairnes but little bread! I must home to Gill; I am loath you to' grieve {397 I pray you look up my sleeve That I steal from you nought! Coll Now would I we sought for our flock. {400 I will go before; let us meet! Gib Where? Daw At the crooked thorn. (They part. Mak arrives at his house) Mak Undo the door, it is I, Mak. {405 What cheer this morn? Gill I may not sit at my work a moment, I ween! Mak She does nought but nag and claw her toes. {414 Gill What! who brews, who bakes, why make me this hose? But what of these herdsmen? How goes that game? {423 Mak The last word that they said when I turned my back They would look that they had their sheep in a pack. When they a sheep lack, they will cry out on my track Thou must do as thou said. {432 Gill I shall swaddle him right in my cradle. I will lie down straight, come hap me! Mak I will. {435 Gill Behind! Come Coll and his crew They will nip us full narrow! Mak They'll make me cry “harroo” Their sheep if they find! Gill Sing lullay thou shall for I must groan. {441 Come now, sing on thine own! (Mak starts “singing” a lullaby. Meanwhile, the shepherds gather at the crooked thorn) Coll Hey! A fat wether ram have we lorne! {451 Gib Coll, who should do us that scorn? Coll Some shrew! I have sought with my doggis All Horbury shoggis And of fifteen young hoggis Found I but one ewe. Daw I would say it were Mak or Gill Who did this sore ill, By St Thomas of Kent! {460 Coll Peace man, be still, I saw when he went Thou scandals him ill, thou ought to repent. Gib I would say it were he that did this same deed! Coll Go we thither I rede, the truth to track. {469 (They all run to Mak's house. Singing rises) Daw Will ye hear how they hack:? {478 Coll So clear out of tune heard I never none crack. Call on him! Mak! Gib Mak! Undo your door on loft! Mak O'er a sick woman's head I pray ye speak soft. {487 Gill I may not well breathe or wheeze Each foot ye tread goes through my nose! Coll How fare ye, Mak, I say? Mak Are you all in town today? Ye have run in-the mire and are wet yet. {496 I shall make you a fire, if ye will sit. A nurse will I hire, if ye think fit. A new bairn I have, my dream it is quit! Well more than enough, if ye knew. But we must drink as we brew! Will ye dine 'ere ye go? Methink that ye sweat. {505 Coll Nay, our sheep are stolen as they ate. Our loss it is great! Mak Had I been there, some should have bought it sore! Coll Some trow that ye were there! Gib Mak, some men trow that it be ye! {514 Daw Either ye or your spouse, so say we! Mak Now come rip our house and then may ye see. (The shepherds enter the house) As I am true and loyal to God here I pray {523 That this be the first meal that I shall eat this day! Coll Mak, advise thee, I say. “He learns early to steal who cannot say nay!” (They search the house, disturbing animals and babies as they do so) Gill Out thieves, come to rob us. I swelt! {532 Mak Hear ye not how she groans! Your hearts should melt! Gill Ah, my middle! If ever I you beguiled I shall eat here the child in this cradle! (The shepherds search the house.) Gib I trow our sheep be slain. What find ye two? {543 Daw All work we in vain I can find no flesh, but two empty platters! Gib No cattle smelled high as this boy! {550 Gill Nay, God of my son give me joy! (Gill cuddles him and they find nothing) Coll We have markèd amiss, I hold us mista'en. Mak, friends will we be for we are all one. {568 Mak Farewell all three! All glad were ye gone. (The shepherds leave the house) Daw Fair words may there be, but trust is there none. Coll Gave ye the child anything? Gib I trow, not one farthing. {574 Daw Fast again will I fling! (He returns to the house) Mak, with your leave, let me give your bairn but sixpence. {579 (A dog barks) Mak Nay, do way: he sleeps. Daw Methink that he peeps. {583 Mak When he wakens, he weeps. I pray you go hence! (The other shepherds enter the house) Daw Give me leave him to kiss and lift up the clout. {586 What the devil is this? He has a long snout! Coll He is markèd amiss. We wait ill about. {588 Gib “Ill-spun weft, I'wis, aye comes foul out!” Ay! He is like to our sheep. Daw How, Gib, may I peep? {592 Gib This was a fine fraud; thou'll be hanged as reward! {597 Will ye see how they swaddle four feet in the middle. Saw I never in cradle a horned lad ere now! Mak I am he that begat and yond woman him bear! {604 Coll Have ye made him your heir? Gill Ow! A pretty child is he, a dillydown yare! As ever sat on woman's knee, Fit for a lord's son is he! Daw I know him by the earmark: that is good token. {613 Mak I tell you, sirs, hark: his nose was broken. Gill He was taken with an elf; I saw it myself! When the clock struck twelve was he mis-shapen! Gib Ye two are well-weft! {622 Daw Since they maintain their theft Let's do them to death! (They chase around after Mak. Animals are disturbed) Mak If I trespass more, gird off my head - With you let me be left. Coll Sirs, do now as I say, indeed: For this trespass let us toss him in a canvas! (They toss Mak in a blanket, a medieval method of hastening delivery in childbirth. He returns home helped by Gill. Shepherds laugh, rescue sheep and move off to the fold) Coll What! I am sore, fit to burst! {631 In faith, I may no more; to rest I mean! Gib As a sheep of seven score he weighed, I wist. For to sleep anywhere methink that I list. Daw Lie us down on this green! (They lie down. The angel enters and sings a Gloria, the star appears above) Angel Rise herdsmen kind! For now is he born {640 That shall take from the fiend what Adam had lorn. God is your friend now at this morn He asks you to Bethlehem go see For there he lies, the lord free In a crib full poorly between two beasts! (The angel withdraws) Coll This was a marvel to knowen that ever I heard! {649 Of God's Son of Heaven she spoke up there. Gib All the wood on a lightning methought she made appear! Daw She spoke of a bairn born in Bethl'hem. Coll That betokens yond star. Let us seek him there. Gib I am full feared for too long we tarry. {668 Coll Hie we thither, be we wet or weary! Daw Lord, well were we for once and for aye {687 Might we kneel on our knee Some word for to say to that child this day. (They set off for Bethlehem) … (The shepherds near the end of their journey) Daw The angel said in a crib He would be laid A child both meek and mild and poorly arrayed. Coll When I see Him and feel {697 Then know I full well It is as true as steel What prophets have spoken: To so poor as we are that {703 He would appear first, As declared by his messenger. Gib Go we now, let us fare. The place is us near! (They enter the stable) Coll Hail, comely and clean! {712 Hail, young child! Hail, Maker - as I mean - from a maiden so mild. The false bringer of ill now goes he beguiled! Lo, the babe merry is! Lo, He laughs, my sweeting A welcome meeting: Have a bob of cherries! Gib Hail, sovereign Saviour, {721 for thou has us sought! Hail, full of favour that made all of nought! Hail, I kneel and cower. A bird have I brought To my bairn. Hail, little tiny mop! Of our creed thou art top, Little day-star! (Mary takes the baby from the crib) Daw Hail, darling dear! {730 Full of godhead! I pray thee, be near when that I have need. Hail, sweet is thy face! My heart would bleed To see thee sit here in so poor weed With no pennies. Hail, put forth thy hand: I bring thee but a ball To have and play thee withall And go to the tennis! Mary The Father of Heaven, {739 God omnipotent Made all in days seven; His Son has he sent And now He is born. He keep you from woe; I shall pray Him so. Tell forth as you go - Have mind on this morn! Coll Farewell, lady, so fair to behold! {748 With thy child on thy knee. Gib But He lies full cold! Lord, well is we, now we go, thou behold! Daw In truth, already it seems to be told Full oft! (They leave the stable) Coll What grace we have found! {753 Gib Come forth, now are we won! Daw To sing are we bound: Let us sound it aloft! (Exit singing and rejoicing)