The Creation of Heaven and Fall of Lucifer (GT) God Ego sum Alpha et O, principium et finis. My name is known, God and King. My work for to make, now will I wend. In myself resteth my reigning: It hath no beginning nor no end. And all that ever shall have being, It is closed in my mind. When it is made at my liking, I may it save; I may it shend After my pleasure. So great of might is my power, All things shall be wrought be me. I am one God, in persons three Knit in one substance. I am the true Trinity Here walking in this place. Three Persons myself I see Locked in me, God alone. I am the Father of power; My Son with me goes along My Ghost is grace in majesty, Wields wealth up in Heaven’s throne O God in throne I call: I am Father of might My Son keepeth right; My Ghost hath light And grace withal. Myself beginning never did take, And endless I am through mine own might Now might I begin my work to make. First, I make heaven with stars of light, In mirth and joy evermore to wake. In Heaven I build angels full bright, My servants to be, and for my sake With mirth and melody to worship my might. I build them in my bliss, Angels in heaven evermore shall be. In light full clear, and colours bright, With mirth and song to worship me, Of joy they may not miss. God retires Angels sing “Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus, Dominus Deus Sabaoth” Lucifer To whose worship sing ye this song? To worship God or reverence me? Lest you me worship you do me wrong, For I am the worthiest that ever may be! Good Angels We worship God of might most strong Which hath formed both us and thee! We may never worship him too long, For he is most worthy of majesty! On knees to God we fall, Our Lord God worship we, And in no wise honour we thee! A greater lord may never none be Than he that made us all! Lucifer A worthier Lord forsooth am I And worthier than he ever will I be! In evidence that I am more worthy, I will go sit on God’s seat Above sun and moon and stars in sky. He sits on the throne I am now set as ye may see! Now worship me for most mighty, And for your lord honour now me, Sitting in my seat. Bad Angels God’s might we forsake, And for more worthy we thee take. Thee to worship honour we make And fall down at thy feet. God reappears God Thou, Lucifer, for thy mickle pride — I bid thee fall from heaven to hell. And all they that held on thy side, In my bliss nevermore to dwell. At my commandment anon down thou slide With mirth and joy nevermore to mingle! In mischief and menace ever shalt thou abide In bitter burning and fire so fell, In pain ever to be put. Lucifer At thy bidding, thy will I work And pass from joy to pain’s smart. Now I am a devil full dark That was an angel bright. Now to hell the way I take, In endless pain there to be put. For fear of fire a fart I crack In hell’s dungeon, my den is made! The Creation of Earth and Fall of Man (GT) God Now heaven is made for the angels’ sake. The first day and the first night; The second day water I make, The welkin also full fair and bright; The third day, I part water from earth, Tree and every growing thing, Both herb and flower of sweet smelling; The third day is made by my working. Now make I the day that shall be the fourth. Sun and moon and stars also, The fourth day I make together. The fifth day: worm and fish that swim and go, Birds and beasts, both wild and tame. The sixth day, my work I do And make the man, Adam by name. Adam appears In earthly paradise without woe I grant thee to live in, unless thou do sin. Flesh of thy Flesh, and bone of thy bone: Adam, here is thy wife and make. Eve appears Both fish and fowls that swim and go To each of them a name thou take. Both tree and fruit and beasts each one, Red and white, both bright and black — Thou give them names by thyself alone, Herbs and grass, both beets and bracken. Thy wife thou give name also. Look that ye not cease Your fruit to increase — That there may be a throng Me worship for to do. Now come forth, Adam, to paradise! There shalt thou have all manner things: Both flesh and fish and fruit of price, All shall be buxom at thy bidding. Here is pepper, peony, and sweet liquorice — Take them all at thy liking — Both apple and pear and gentle rice. But touch not this tree that is of knowledge. All-thing, save this, for thee is wrought. Here is all-thing that thee should please. All ready made unto thine ease. Eat not this fruit nor me displease, For then thou diest - thou ’scapest not. Now have I made all-thing of nought, Heaven and earth, fowl and beast. To all-thing that my hand hath wrought, I grant my blessing that ever shall last. My way to heaven is ready south: Of working I will the seventh day rest. And all my creatures that be about, My blessing ye have both east and west, Of working the seventh day, you cease. And all they that cease of labouring hear: The seventh day, withouten doubt, All worship me in good manner — They shall in heaven have endless Peace. Adam, go forth and be prince in place, For to heaven I speed my way. Thy wits well look thou chase, And goodly govern thee as I say. God retires Adam Holy Father, blessed thou be, For I may walk in wealth enow. I find dates great plenty, And many full fruits fill every bough. All this wealth is given to me And to my wife that on me smiles. I have no need to touch yon tree Against my Lord’s will to work now — I am a good gardener. Every fruit of rich and pleasure I may gather with glee and game. To break that bond I were to blame That my Lord bade me keep here. Eve We may be both blithe and glad, Our Lord’s commandment to fulfill With full fruits be we fair fed, Wondrously sweet and never one ill. Every tree with fruit is spread Of them to take as pleases us to. Our wit were weak and downright bad To forfeit against Our Lord’s will In any wise. In this garden I will go see All the flowers of fair beauty Serpent Hail, fair wife and comely dame! This fruit to eat I thee counsel. Take this apple and eat this same! This fruit is best as I thee tell. Eve That apple to eat I were to blame, From joy Our Lord would us expel! We should die and be put out with shame In joy of paradise nevermore to dwell God himself this said! What day of that fruit we eat. With these words, God did us threat That we should die, our life to let. Therefore, I am afraid. Serpent Of this apple — if ye will bite — Even as God is, so shall ye be! Wise of knowing — as I you plight — Like onto God in all degree! Sun and moon and stars bright, Fish and fowl, both shore and sea, At your bidding both day and night: All-thing shall be in your power. Ye shall be God’s peer! Take this apple in thine hand, And to bite thereof, try thou. Take another to thine husband; Thereof have thou no dread. Eve So wise as God is in his great main And equal in knowing fain would I be. Serpent Eat this apple, and in certain, That I am true soon shalt thou see! She eats Eve To my husband with heart full fain, This apple I bear as thou advise. This fruit to eat, I shall assay. So Wise as God is — if we may be — And God’s peer in might. To my husband I walk my way And of this apple I shall assay To make him to eat — if that I may — And of this fruit to bite. Eve takes the apple to Adam My seemly spouse and good husband, Listen to me, sir, I you pray: Take this fair apple all in your hand, Thereof a morsel bite and assay. To eat this apple, look that ye try: God’s equal to be alway. All his wisdom to understand, And God’s peer to be for aye, All-thing for to make, Both fish and fowl, sea and sand, Bird and beast, water and land. This apple thou take out of my hand — A bite thereof thou take. Adam I dare not touch thine hand for dread Of Our Lord God omnipotent! If I should work after thy rede, Of God, Our Maker, I should be shent! If that we do this sinful deed, We shall be dead by God’s judgement! Out of thine hand, with hasty speed, Cast out that apple anon present For fear of God’s threat! Eve Of this apple, if thou wilt bite, God’s peer thou shalt become. So Wise of knowing — I thee swear — This fruit if thou wilt eat. Adam If we it eat, ourselves we kill! As God us told, we should be dead To eat that fruit and my life to spill. I dare not do after thy rede! Eve A fair angel thus said me to: “To eat that apple, take never no dread. So wise as God in heaven’s hill, Thou shalt soon be in little time; Therefore, this fruit thou eat.” Adam Of God’s wisdom for to learn, And in knowing to be his peer, Of thy hand I take it here And shall soon taste this meat. He eats Alas! Alas, for this false deed! My fleshly friend, my foe I find. Shameful sin doth us undo: I see us naked before and behind — Our Lord’s word would we not dread. Therefore, we be now caitiffs unkind! Our poor privities for to hide — Some fig leaves fain would I find, For to hide our shame. Woman, lay this leaf on thy privity! And with this leaf I shall hide me. Great shame it is, us naked to see Our Lord God thus to anger! Eve Alas, that ever that speech was spoken That the false angel said unto me. Alas, our Maker’s bidding is broken, For I have touched his own dear tree. Our fleshly eyes be all unlocken, Naked for sin, ourselves we see. That cursed apple that we have eaten To death hath brought my spouse and me. Right grievous is our sin Of mickle shame now do we know! Alas, that ever this apple was grown To dreadful death, now be we thrown In pain us ever to pin. God Adam, that with my hands I made, Where art thou now? What hast thou wrought? Adam Ah, Lord, for sin our flowers do fade! I hear thy voice, but I see thee nought. God Adam, why hast thou sinned so soon, Thus hastily to break my boon? And I made thee master under moon, Truly of every tree. One tree, I kept for my own: Life and death therein I know. Thy sin from life now thee hath thrown, From death thou mayst not flee. Adam Lord, I have wrought against thy will! I spared not myself to spill. The woman that thou gave to me — She brought me thereto. It was her counsel and her rede: She bade me do the same deed. I walk as worm withouten weed, With neither cloak nor shoe. God Woman, that art this man’s wife, Why hast thou stirred up this woe and strife? Now ye be from your fair life And are doomed for to die. Unwise woman, say me why That thou hast done this foul folly? And I made thee a great lady In paradise for to play. Eve Lord, when thou went from this place, A worm with an angel’s face — He swore we would be full of grace, The fruit if that we eat. I did his bidding, alas, alas! Now be we bound in death’s snare. I suppose it was Satan To pain he has us put. God Thou worm — with thy wicked wiles — Thy false fables, They be full thick. Why hast thou put death’s prick In Adam and his wife? Though they both my bidding have broken, Yet you shall not be rescued. In hell’s lodge thou shalt be locked And never more take life. Lucifer I shall thee say wherefore and why I did them all this felony, For I am full of great envy Of wrath and wicked hate That man should live under the sky, Whereas sometime dwelled I. And now I am cast to Hell’s sty Straight out at heaven gate. God Adam, for thou that apple bit Against my bidding well I wot, Go tell thy mate: with swink and sweat Unto thy lives’ end, Go naked, hungry, and barefoot; Eat both herbs, grass, and root. Thy bale hath none other relief, As wretches through world thou must wend. Woman, thou sought this sinning And bade him break my bidding. Therefore, thou shalt be the underling, To man’s bidding bend. What he bids thee, do thou that thing, And bear thy children with great groaning, In danger and in death dreading Into thy life’s end. Thou wicked worm, full of pride, Foul envy sit by thy side. Upon thy gut thou shalt glide, As worm wicked in nature. Till a maiden in middle earth be born — Thou fiend, I warn thee beforn — Through her thy head shall be torn. On your belly away you wend. Lucifer At thy bidding, foul I fall. I creep home to my stinking stall. Hell’s pit and heaven’s hall Shall do as thou command. I fall down here a foul freak. For this fall I ’gin to quake — With a fart my breech I break — My sorrow comes full soon. God For your sin that ye have done, Out of this bliss soon shall ye go. In earthly labour to live in woe And sorrow thee shall atone. For your sin and misdoing, An angel, with a sword burning, Out of this joy he shall you ding. Your wealth away is past. God retires and an angel with a flaming sword puts Adam and Eve out of Paradise Seraphim Ye wretches unkind and right unwise: Out of this joy hie you in haste, With flaming sword from paradise To pain I ban you, of care to taste. Your mirth is turned to care-full sighs; Your wealth with sin away is waste. For your false deed of sinful guise, This bliss I shut you from right fast. Herein come ye no more Till a child of a maid be born And upon the rood rent and torn To save all that ye have forlorn, Your wealth for to restore. Eve Alas, alas, and welaway, That ever touched I the tree! I wend as wretch in desolate way In black bushes my bower shall be. In paradise is plenty of play: Fair fruits in right great plenty — The gates be shut with God’s key. My husband is lost because of me. Dear spouse, now thou go on. Now stumble we on stalk and stone, My wit away is from me gone! Wring unto my neck bone With hardness of thine hand! Adam Wife, thy wit is not worth a straw! Dear woman, turn thy thought. I will not slay flesh of my flesh. For of my flesh, thy flesh was wrought. Our hap was hard; our wit was weak To paradise when we were brought. My weeping shall last long and sore Brief pleasure shall be long bought. No more tell thou that tale: For if I should slay my wife, I slay myself withouten knife In hell’s lodging to lead my life With woe in weeping dale. But let us walk forth into the land: With right great labour our food to find, With delving and digging with my hand; Our suffering and pain to mend. And wife, to spin now must thou try, Our naked bodies in cloth to wind Till some comfort of God’s messenger With grace relieve our sorrowful minds. Now come, go we hence, wife. Eve Alas, that ever we wrought this sin! Our bodily sustenance for to win Ye must delve, and I shall spin, In care to lead our life. The Parliament of Heaven and Annunciation (GT) Contemplation Four thousand, six hundred, four years, I tell, Man, for his offence and foul folly Hath lain years in the pains of hell, And were worthy to lie therein endlessly, But then should perish your great Mercy. Good Lord, have on man pity! Keep in mind the prayer said by Isaiah “Let Mercy temper thine highest majesty.” God, wouldest thou break open thine heaven mighty And come down here into earth And live years three and thirty, Thy famished folk with thy food to feed. To staunch thy thirst, let thy side bleed, For else will not be made redemption. Come visit us in this time of need! Of thy careful creatures have compassion! Ah, woe to us wretches of wretches born For God hath added sorrow to sorrow. I pray thee, Lord, thy souls come see! How They lie and sob for sickness and sorrow! With thy blessed blood from suffering redeem them, Thy careful creatures crying in captivity! Ah, tarry not, gracious Lord, till it be tomorrow! The devil hath deceived them by his iniquity! “Ah,” said Jerome, “Who shall give wells to my eyes That I may weep both day and night To see Our brethren in such long pain?” Here mischiefs amend may thy great might. As great as the see, Lord, was Adam’s contrition right. From our head is fallen the crown. Man is sunken in sin — I cry to thy sight: Gracious Lord, gracious Lord, gracious Lord, come down! Virtues (Angel) Lord, pleases it thine high domination, On man that thou made to have pity, Patriarchs and Prophets have made supplication. Our office is to present here prayers to thee — Angels, Archangels, we three That be in the first hierarchy For man to thine high majesty: Mercy, Mercy, Mercy we cry! The angel, Lord, thou made so glorious Whose sin hath made him a devil in hell, He moved man to be so rebellious. Man repented, but he in his obstinacy doth dwell. These great ills, good Lord, repeal And take man unto thy grace! Let thy Mercy make him with angels dwell Of Lucifer to restore the place. God the Father Propter miseriam inopum Et gemitum pauperum Nunc exsurgam. [Vulgate Psalm 11:6] For the wretchedness of the needy And the poor’s lamentation Now shall I rise that am almighty. Time is come of reconciliation: My Prophets with prayers have made supplication; My contrite creatures cry all for comfort. All my angels in heaven, without cessation, They cry that grace to man might extend. Truth Lord, I am thy daughter Truth. Thou wilt see I be not lost. Thy unkind creatures to save were shameful. The offence of man hath grieved thee sore. When Adam had sinned, saidest then That he should die and go to hell. And now, to bliss him to restore — Two contraries may not together dwell. Thy Truth, Lord, shall last withouten end. I may in no way from thee go. That wretch that was to thee so unkind, He may not have too much woe! He despised thee and pleased thy foe! Thou art his creator, and he is thy creature. Thou hast loved Truth, it is said evermore. Therefore in pain let him evermore endure! Mercy O, Father of Mercy and God of comfort That counsel us in each tribulation, Let your daughter Mercy to you resort And on man that did amiss have compassion. Him grieveth full greatly his transgression. All heaven and earth cry for Mercy! Me seemeth there should be no exception, Their prayers being offered so specially. Truth saith she hath ever been, then. I grant it well, she hath been so. And thou sayest endlessly that Mercy thou hast kept for man. Then, merciful Lord, keep us both to. Thou sayest: Veritas mea et Misericordia mea cum ipso. My Truth and my Mercy will be with him. Suffer not thy souls, then, in sorrow to sleep. That hellhound that hateth thee, bid him ho! Thy love, Man, no longer let him keep. Justice Mercy, me marvels what you move! Ye know well I am your sister Righteousness! God is rightful, and rightfulness loves! Man offended him that is endless; Therefore, his endless punishment may never cease. Also, he forsook his Maker that made him of clay, And the devil to his master he chose! Should he be saved? Nay, nay, nay! As wise as is God, he would aye be! This was the abominable presumption! It is said ye know well this of me, That the Righteousness of God hath no limits; Therefore, let this be our conclusion: He that sore sinned lie still in sorrow. He may never make atonement for this reason: Who might then thereafter him redeem? Mercy Sister Righteousness! Ye are too vengeable! Endless sin, God endless may restore! Above all else, God is merciful! Though he forsook God by sin, by faith he forsook him never the more. And though he presumed never so sore, Ye must consider the frailness of mankind. Learn and ye list — this is God’s lore: The Mercy of God is withouten end. Peace To spare your speeches, sisters, it is fit. Dissent amongst Virtues is not honest! The Peace of God overcomes all wit. Though Truth and Right say great reason, Yet Mercy saith best to my pleasing. For if man’s soul should abide in hell, Between God and man ever should be division. And than might not I, Peace, dwell. Therefore, me seemeth best ye thus accord; Then heaven and earth, ye shall unite: Put both your judgements to our Lord. And in his high wisdom, let him judge. This is most fitting, it seems to me, And let us see how we four may agree That man’s soul, it should perish, it were pity, Or that any of us from other should divide. Truth In Truth hereto I consent; I will pray Our Lord it may so be. Justice I, Righteousness, am well content, For in him is very equity. Mercy And I, Mercy, from this counsel will not flee Til wisdom hath said I shall cease. Peace Here is God now; here is unity: Heaven and earth is pleased with Peace. God the Son I think the thoughts of Peace and not of wickedness. Thus I judge, to cease your controversy: If Adam had not died, perished had Righteousness, And also Truth had been lost thereby; Truth and right would chastise folly. If another death come not, Mercy should perish, Then Peace were exiled finally. So, two deaths there must be you four to cherish. But he that shall die, ye must know, That in him may be no iniquity, That hell may hold him by no law, But that he may pass at his liberty. Where such one is, search and see And his death, for man’s death, shall be redemption. All heaven and earth seek now ye. Pleases it you, this conclusion? Truth I, Truth, have sought the earth without and within, And, in sooth, there can none be found That is from day of birth without sin Nor to that death will be bound. Mercy I, Mercy, have run the heavenly region round, And there is none of that charity That, for man, would suffer a deadly wound. I cannot know how this shall be. Justice Sure, I can find none sufficient, Servants unprofitable we be each one. His love needs to be full ardent That, for man, to hell would go. Peace That God may do and God alone. Therefore this is Peace’s advice: He that gave this counsel, let him give the comfort alone For the conclusion in him of all these lies. God the Son It paineth me, that man I made, That is to say, pain I must suffer for. A counsel of the Trinity must be had — Which of us shall man restore? God the Father In your wisdom, Son, man was made there, And in wisdom was his temptation. Therefore some wisdom, ye must call up herefor And see how man may have salvation. God the Son Father, he that shall do this must be both God and man! Let me see how I may wear that weed. And since in my wisdom, he began, I am ready to do this deed. Holy Spirit I, the Holy Ghost, of you two do proceed. This charge I will take on me. I, Love, to your lover shall you lead. This is the assent of Our unity. Mercy Now is the loveday made of us four finally! Now may we live in Peace, as we were wont. Misericordia et Veritas obviauerunt sibi Justicia et Pax osculate sunt. [Vulgate Psalm 84:11] Peace Mercy and Truth have met each other; Justice and Peace have kissed They kiss God the Father From us, good angel Gabriel, thou shalt be sent Into the country of Galilee. The name of the city Nazareth is called To a maid wedded to a man is she, Of whom the name is Joseph, see, Of the house of David born. The name of the maid free Is Mary, that shall all restore. God the Son Say that she is without woe and full of grace, And that I, the Son of the Godhead, of her shall be bore. Hie thee! Thou must be there apace Else we shall be there thee before! I have so great haste to be man there In that meekest and purest virgin. Say her, she shall restore Of you angels, the great ruin. Holy Spirit And if she ask thee how it might be, Tell her I, the Holy Ghost, shall work all this. She shall be saved through our unity. In token, her barren cousin Elisabeth is Quick with child, in her great age, iwys. Tell her, to us is nothing impossible. Her body shall be so filled with bliss That she shall soon think this message credible. Gabriel In thy high embassy, Lord, I shall go! It shall be done with a thought. Behold now, Lord, I go hereto: I take my flight and bide not. Gabriel approaches Mary who has entered during the preceeding dialogue and is now seated on her stool reading. Ave, gratia plena, Dominus tecum! Hail, full of grace, God is with thee! Among all women blessed art thou. Here, this name Eva is turned Ave, That is to say, without sorrow are we now! Though sorrow in you hath no place, Yet of joy, Lady, ye need more. Therefore, I add and say, “full of grace,” For so full of grace was never none born. Yet who hath grace, he needs great protection. Therefore, I say, God is with thee, Which shall keep you endlessly there! So among all women, blessed are ye! Mary Ah, Mercy, God! This is a marvellous hearing! In the angel’s words, I am troubled here. I think how may be this greeting? Angels daily to me doth appear, But not in the likeness of man, that is my fear. And thus highly to commended be, Who am most unworthy — I cannot answer. Great shyness and great dread is in me! Gabriel Mary, in this take ye no dread, For with God, grace found have ye! Ye shall conceive in your womb, indeed, A child, the son of the Trinity! His name of you, Jesus, called shall be. He shall be great, the Son of the highest, called by kind. And of his Father David, the Lord shall give him the see, Reigning in the house of Jacob, of which reign shall be no end. Mary Angel, I say to you, In what way shall this be? For knowledge of man I have none now. I have evermore kept and shall my virginity. I doubt not the words ye have said to me, But I ask how it shall be done. Gabriel The Holy Ghost shall come from above to thee, And the virtue of him highest shall shadow thee so. Therefore, that Holy Ghost of thee shall be born. He shall be called the Son of God most wise. And see Elizabeth, your cousin, there? She hath conceived a son in her age. This is the sixth month of her passage, Of her that called was barren. Nothing is impossible to God’s usage; They thinketh long to hear what ye will say. Here the Gabriel makes a brief pause; Mary looks at him him and the Gabriel says: Mary, come on and hasten thee, And take heed in thy intent How the Holy Ghost — blessed he be — Awaits thine answer and thine assent! Through wise work of Divinity, The Second Person, verily, Is made man by fraternity Within thyself, in the present place. Furthermore, take heed this space, How all the blessed spirits of virtue That are in heaven before God’s face, And all the good believers and true That are here in this earthly place. Thy own kindred, the sooth who knew And the chosen souls, this time of grace That are in hell and bide rescue. As Adam, Abraham, and David in fear And many others of good reputation, That thine answer desire to hear, And thine assent to the Incarnation In which thou standest, as the presever, Of all mankind’s salvation! Give me my answer, now Lady dear, To all these creatures comfort! Mary With all meekness, I incline to this accord, Bowing down my face with all benignity. See here the handmaiden of Our Lord. According thy word, be it done to me. Gabriel GraMercy, my Lady free! GraMercy of your answer on height; GraMercy of your great humility; GraMercy, ye lantern of light! Here the Holy Ghost descends with three beams to our Lady, the son of the Godhead next with three beams to the Holy Ghost, the Father Godly with three beams to the son. And so enter all three to her bosom, and Mary saith: (That is what the original medieval stage directions say. In fact what happens is that the Trinity jointly place an halo on Mary’s head) Mary Ah, now I feel in my body be Perfect God and perfect man, Having all shape of childlike carnality Even all at once, thus God began. Not taking first one member and then another But perfect childhood ye have anon. Of your handmaiden, now ye have made your mother Without pain in flesh and bone. Thus conceived never woman none That ever was being in this life. O, my highest Father in your throne It is worthy, your Son — now my son — has chosen. I cannot tell what joy, what bliss Now I feel in my body! Angel Gabriel, I thank you for this. Most meekly recommend me to my Father’s Mercy. To have been the mother of God, full little thought I. Now, my cousin Elizabeth, fain would I see, How She hath conceived as ye did specify. Now, blessed be the high Trinity! Gabriel Farewell, turtle, God’s daughter dear! Farewell, God’s mother, I thee honour! Farewell, God’s sister, and his companion! Farewell, God’s chamber and his bower! Mary Farewell, Gabriel, specially! Farewell, God’s messenger express! I thank you for your travail high. GraMercy of your great goodness, And especially of your comfortable message, For I understand by inspiration That ye know by special privilege Most of my son’s incarnation. I pray you take it into practice By a regular custom To visit me often till my time be come. Your presence is my comfort. Gabriel At your will, Lady, so shall it be. The gentlest of blood and highest of kindred That reigneth in earth in any degree By principal cause of the Godhead, I commend me unto you, thou throne of the Trinity! O, meekest maid, now the mother of Jesus, Queen of heaven, Lady of earth, and Empress of Hell, be ye! Succour to all sinful, that will to you sew. Though your body beareth the babe, our bliss shall renew. To you, mother of Mercy, most meekly I recommend, And as I began I end, with an Ave new, Heaven and earth, are joined, with that I ascend. Angels sing “Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum virgo serena” During this Mary leaves the stage and puts on her “bump” The Cherry Tree and Nativity (GT) Joseph Lord, what travail to man is wrought! Rest in this world behoves him none! Octavian, our Emperor, sadly hath besought Our tribute him to bear — folk must forth, each one, It is cried in every borough and city by name. I that am a poor timber-wright, Born of the blood of David, The Emperor’s commandment I must hold with, And else I were to blame. Now, my wife, Mary, what say ye to this? For surely, needs I must forth wend Unto the city of Bethlehem far hence, iwys, Thus to labour I must my body bend. Mary My husband and my spouse, with you will I wend, A sight of that city fain would I see. If I might of my kindred any there find, It would be great joy onto me. Joseph My spouse, ye be with child — I fear you to carry, For me seemeth it were works wild, But you to please right fain would I. Yet women be quick to grieve when they be with child. Now let us forth wend as fast as we may, And almighty God speed us in our journey. They set out and see a tree on a hill Mary Ah, my sweet husband, would ye tell to me What tree is yon standing upon yon hill? Joseph Forsooth, Mary, it is called a cherry tree. In time of year, ye might feed you thereon your fill. Mary Turn again, husband, and Behold yon tree, How that it bloometh now so sweetly! Joseph Come on, Mary, that we were at yon city, Or else we may be blamed, I tell you lightly. Mary Now, my spouse, I pray you to behold How the cherries grow upon yon tree, For to have thereof right fain I would! And it pleased you to labour so much for me. Joseph Your desire to fulfill I shall assay, surely. He tries to pick the fruit Ow! To pluck you of these cherries — it is a work wild For the tree is so high, it will not be lightly! Therefore, let him pluck you cherries who got you with child. Mary Now, good Lord I pray thee, grant me this boon, To have of these cherries if it be your will. Now I thank it, God — this tree bows to me down! The tree bows down I may now gather enow and eat my fill. Joseph Ow! I know well I have offended my God in Trinity, Speaking to my spouse these unkind words, For now I believe well it may none other be But that my spouse bears the King’s Son of bliss! He help us now at our need. Of the kindred of Jesse, worthily were ye bore: Kings and patriarchs go before. All these worthy of your kindred wore, As clerks in story read. Mary Now, graMercy, husband, for your report. In our ways wisely let us forth wend. The Father Almighty, he be our comfort; The Holy Ghost glorious, he be our friend. They arrive in Bethlehem, which is bustling and busy. Joseph speaks to a passing Citizen Joseph Hail, worshipful sire, and good day! A Citizen of this city ye seem to be. Of harbour for spouse and me, I you pray, For truly, this woman is full weary And fain at rest, sir, would she be. We would fulfill the bidding of our emperor For to pay tribute as right is our, And to keep ourselves from dolour, We are come to this city. Citizen 1 Sir, hostels in this town know I none Thy wife and thou, in for to sleep. This city is beset with people every way, So that they lie without and fill each street. Within no wall man comest thou not. Be thou once within the city gate, Scarce in the street a place may be sought Thereon to rest, without debate. Joseph Nay, sir, debate that will I not! All such things pass my power, But yet my care and all my thought Is for Mary, my darling dear. Ah, sweet wife, what shall we do? Where shall we lodge this night? Unto the Father of Heaven pray we so, Us to keep from every wicked wight. Citizen 2 Good man, one word I will thee say — If thou wilt do by the counsel of me, Yonder is a stable that stands by the way. Among the beasts harboured may ye be. Mary Now, the Father of Heaven, he must you yield! His son in my womb, forsooth he is. He keep thee and thy good by farm and field. Go we hence, husband, for now time it is. But hark now, good husband, a new relation Which in myself I know right well: Christ, in me, hath taken incarnation — Soon will be born the Truth I feel. In this poor lodging my chamber I take, Here for to abide the blessed birth Of him that all this world did make. Between my sides I feel he stirs! Joseph God be thy help, spouse, it seems me sore, Thus feebly lodged and in so poor degree — God’s son among beasts for to be bore, His wonderful works fulfilled must be. In an house that is desolate, withouten any wall Fire nor wood none here is. Mary Joseph, my husband, abide here I shall, For here will be born the King’s Son of Bliss. Joseph Now, gentle wife, be of good mirth, And if ye will aught have, tell me what ye think. I shall not spare for plenty nor dirth. Now tell me your wish of meat and drink. Mary For meat and drink wish I right nought: Almighty God my food shall be. Now that I am in chamber brought, I hope right well my child to see. Therefore, husband, of your honesty, Avoid you hence out of this place, And I alone with humility Here shall abide God’s high grace. Joseph All ready, wife, you for to please. I will go hence out of your way And seek some midwives, you for to ease When that ye travail of child this day. Farewell, true wife and also clean maid, God be your comfort in Trinity. Mary To God in Heaven for you I pray — He you preserve whereso ye be. While Joseph is away, Jesus is born Joseph Now God of whom cometh all relief, And as all grace in thee is grounded, So save my wife from hurt and grief Till I some midwives for her have found. Travailing women in care be bound In throes of grief when they do groan! God help my wife that she not swoon — I am full sorry she is alone. It is not convenient a man to be — When women are travailing! Wherefore some midwife fain would I see, My wife to help that is so young.> Zelomy Why makes thou, man, such moaning? Tell me something of your great moan. Joseph My wife is now in great grief, Travailing with child and is alone. For God’s love that sits in throne, As ye midwives that know your craft Help my young spouse in haste anon! I dread me sore for that fair dame. Salome Be of good cheer and of glad mood — We two midwives with thee will go. There was never woman in such plight stood But we were ready her help to do. My name is Salome — all men me know For a midwife of worthy fame. When women travail, grace doth grow. Therefore I come, I had never shame. Zelomy And I am Zelomy — men know my name. We two with thee will go together And help thy wife fro hurt and grame. Come forth, Joseph, go we straight thither. Joseph I thank you, dames — ye comfort my life. Straight to my spouse walk we the way In this poor lodge lies Mary, my wife, Her for to comfort, good friends assay. They arrive at the stable and are blinded by the light of the star. Salome We dare not enter this lodging, in fay! There is therein so great brightness — Moon by night nor sun by day Shone never so clear in their lightness! Zelomy Into this house dare I not go! The wonderful light doth me affray! Joseph Then will myself go in alone And cheer my wife, if that I may. All hail, maiden and wife, I say! How dost thou fare? Tell me thy cheer. Thee for to comfort in pain this day. Two good midwives I have brought here, Thee for to help that art in hard bonds — Zelomy and Salome be come with me. For doubt of dread without they do stand And dare not come in for the light that they see. Mary laughs, saying: Mary The mighty of the Godhead in his majesty Will not be hid now at this while. The child that is born will prove his mother free, A very clean maid, and therefore I smile. Joseph Why do ye laugh, wife? Ye be to blame! I pray you, spouse, do no more so! Perchance the midwives will take it amiss And at your need help will not do. If ye have need of midwives, lo, Peradventure they will go hence! Therefore be sombre if ye may so, And win all the midwives’ good diligence. Mary Husband, I pray you — displease you not. Though that I laugh and great joy have. Here is the child this word hath wrought, Born now of me that all-thing shall save. Joseph I ask you grace, for I did rave. O gracious child, I ask Mercy — As thou art Lord and I but knave Forgive me now my great folly! Alas, midwives, what have I said? I pray you, come to us more near, For here I find my wife a maid And in her arms a child hath here! Both maid and mother, withouten peer! That God will have may nevermore fail: Mother on earth was never none clear Without she had in birth travail. Zelomy In birth, travail must she needs have Or else no child of her is born! Joseph I pray you, dame, and ye vouchsafe — Come see the child, my wife before. Salome Great God be in this place! Sweet sister, how fare ye? Mary I thank the Father of his high grace. His own son and my child here ye may see. Zelomy All hail, Mary and right good morn! Who was midwife of this fair child? Mary He that nothing will have forlorn Sent me this babe, and I maid mild. Zelomy With hand let me now touch and feel If ye have need of medicine. I shall you comfort and help right well As other women, if ye have pain. Mary Of this fair birth that here is mine Pain nor grief feel I right none. I am clean maid and pure virgin: Test with your hand yourself alone. Zelomy feels Mary Zelomy O mighty God, have Mercy on me! A marvel that never was heard before! Here openly I feel and see: A fair child of a maiden is born And needeth no washing as others do, Full clean and pure forsooth is he, Withouten spot or any pollution, This mother, not hurt of virginity. Come near, good sister Salome: Behold the breasts of this clean maid, Full of fair milk, how that they be. And her child clean, as I first said — As other be, naught foul arrayed — But clean and pure, Both mother and child! Of this matter I am dismayed To see them both thus undefiled! Salome It is not true! It may never be That both be clean! I cannot believe — A maid milk have! Never man did see No woman bear child without great grief! I shall never trow it, but I it prove With hand touching, but I assay. In my conscience it may never cleave That she hath child and is a maid. Mary You for to put clean out of doubt, Touch with your hand and well assay: Wisely ransack and try the Truth out Whether I be fouled or a clean maid. Salome touches Mary and her hand is withered. She cries out Salome Alas, alas, and welaway, For my great doubt and false belief! My hand is dead and dry as clay! My false mistrust hath wrought mischief! Alas, the time that I was born Thus to offend against God’s might! My hand’s power is now all lorn — Stiff as a stick and may not plight, For I did tempt this maid so bright And held against her pure cleanness! In great mischief now am I put. Alas, alas for my lewdness! O Lord of might, thou knowest the Truth, That I have ever had dread of thee. On every poor creature ever I had ruth And gave them alms for love of thee, Both wife and widow that asked by thee, And friendless children that had great need, I did them cure and all for thee, And took no reward of them, nor pay. Now as a wretch for false belief That I shewed in tempting this maid, My hand is dead and doth me grieve! Alas, that ever I her assayed! Angel Woman, thy sorrow to have delayed, Worship that child that there is born. Touch the clothes — where he is laid, For he shall save all that are lorn. Salome O glorious child and King of Bliss: I ask you Mercy for my trespass. I acknowledge my sin — I did amiss. O blessed babe, grant me some grace; Of you, maid, also here in this place. I ask Mercy kneeling on knee. Most holy maid, grant me solace — Some word of comfort say now to me. Mary As God’s angel to you did tell, My child is medicine for every sore: Touch his clothes, by my counsel — your hand full soon he will restore. Salome touches Jesus’ robe and Salome is cured Salome Ah, now blessed be this child evermore! The Son of God, forsooth he is, Hath healed my hand that was forlorn Through false belief and deeming amiss. In every place I shall tell this: Of a clean maid that God is born, And in our likeness God now clad is, Mankind to save that was forlorn — His mother, a maid as she was before, Not foul, polluted as other women be, But fair and fresh as rose on thorn, Lily-white, clean with pure virginity. Of this blessed babe my leave now do I take And also of you, high mother of bliss. Of this great miracle more knowledge to make, I shall go tell it in each place, iwys. Mary Farewell, good dame, and God be your guide; In all your journey, God be your speed, And of his high Mercy that Lord so you Bliss That ye never offend more in word, thought, nor deed. Zelomy And I also do take my leave here Of all this blessed good company, Praying your grace both far and near On us to speed your endless Mercy. Joseph The blessing of that Lord that is most mighty Must spread on you in every place, Of all your enemies to have the victory, God that best may grant you his grace. Amen. The Shepherds (GT) The angel says to the shepherds: "Glory to God in the highest" Angel Joy to God that sits in heaven And Peace to man on earth ground! A child is born beneath the welkin Through him many folk shall be unbound! Sacraments there shall be seven, Won through that child’s wounds. Therefore, I sing a joyful carol: The flower of friendship now is found, God that lives on high. He is gloried, man’s ghost to win; He hath sent salve for man’s sin; Peace is come to man’s kin Through God’s devices sly. Boosras Maunfras, Maunfras, fellow mine — I saw a great light with sheen shine! Yet saw I never so wondrous sign Shaped upon the skies! It is brighter than the sunbeam; It cometh right over all this realm! Even above Bethlehem I saw it burning thrice. Maunfras Thou art my brother, Boosras. I have beholden the same case! I trow it is tokening of grace, That shining showed before: Balaam spake in prophesy A light should shine upon the sky When a son of a maid Mary In Bethlehem were i-born. Moyse Though I make but little noise, I am an herdsman whose name is Moyse. I heard carping of a cross, Of Moses in his law, Of a maid, a bairn born. On a tree he should be torn; To deliver folks that are forlorn That child should be slain. Boosras Balaam spake in prophecies: A star should shine in the night sky, Many folk he should buy With his bright blood — By that bright blood that he should bleed. He shall us bring from the devil’s dread As a duke most doughty, in deed, Through his death on rood. Maunfras Amos spake with mild manner: A child sweeter than balm’s breath, His death should slay our souls’ death And draw us all from hell. Therefore, such light goes before In token that the child is born Which shall save all that is forlorn, As Prophets have declared. Moyse Daniel the prophet thus did speak: Wise God will from woe us take, The bright heaven open break And meld him with a maid. This prophecy is now sped. Christ in our kind is clad: Therefore, mankind may be glad As Prophets before have said. The angels sing, “Gloria in excelsis Deo” Boosras Ey, ey, this was a wonder note That was now sung above the sky! I know those voices full well, I wot — They sang “Gle, glo, glory." Maunfras Nay, so might I thrive, so was it not! I have that song full well understood; In my wit well it is wrought: It was “Gle, glo, glas, glum." Moyse The song methought it was “Glory." And afterward, he said us to There is a child born shall be a prince mighty! For to seek that child, I rede we go. Boosras The prophecy of Boosdras is speedily sped. Now let us go as that light shall lead. Might we see once that babe on bed — Our bale it would unbind — We should shudder for no shower. Hurry we hence to Bethlehem town To see that fair fresh flower, The maiden mild in mind. Maunfras Let us follow with all our might, With song and mirth we shall be bright And worship with joy that worthy wight, That Lord is of mankind. Let us go forth, fast we hie And honour that babe worthily — With mirth, song, and melody. Have done! This song begin. The Shepherds sing “Stella celi extirpavit" as they go to meet Jesus Boosras Hail, flower of flowers, fairest i-found! Hail, pearl, peerless primrose of price! Hail, bloom on bed! We shall be unbound With thy bloody wounds and works full wise! Hail, God greatest! I greet thee on ground! The greedy devil shall growl grisly as a grise When thou winnest this world with thy wide wounds And puts man to Paradise with plenty and prize! To love thee is my delight. Hail, flower fair and free, light from the Trinity! Hail, blessed mote thou be! Hail, maiden fairest in sight! Maunfras Hail, flower of all flowers found on the strand! Hail, noble Christ living in our land! Hail, worker of weal to dwell with us! Hail, victor iwys Hail, Maker and friend Hail, feller of the fiend Hail, clad in our kind! Hail, Prince of Paradise! Moyse Hail, Lord over Lords now lying full low! Hail, king over kings thy kindred to know! Hail, comely knight, the devil to overthrow! Hail, flower of all! Hail, woker to win Bodies bound in sin! Hail, in a beast’s barn, Placed in a stall. Joseph Herdsmen on hill Be not still But say your will To many a man: How God is born This merry morn — Whoever is lost Save he can. Boosras We shall tell By dale and hill How Harrower of hell Was born this night, Mirth to bring And fiends to quell, That were so fell Against his right. Maunfras Farewell, babe and bairn of bliss! Farewell, Lord that lovely is! Thee to worship thy feet I kiss. On knees to thee I fall, Thee to worship I fall on knee. All this world may joy of thee! Now Farewell, Lord of great power! Yea, Farewell king of all. Moyse Though I be the last that take my leave, Yet, fair darling, do not grieve Now, fair babe, well must thou fare! Fair child, now have good day. Farewell, my own dear darling: Iwis, thou art a right fair thing! Farewell, my Lord and my sweeting! Farewell, born in poor array. Mary Now ye herdsmen, well may ye be, For your homage and your singing My son shall acquit you in heaven’s See, And give you all right good ending. Amen. The Creation and Fall of Man (To) Deus Ego sum alpha et omega. principium et finis My name is known, God and king. My work for to make, now will I wend In myself rests my ruling, It has no beginning nor end, {5 And all that ever shall have being Are closed in my mind. When it is made to my joy I may it save, I may it destroy After my pleasure. {10 So great of might my power be All things shall be made by me I am one God in persons three Knit in one substance sure. I am the true Trinity {15 Here walking here alone. Three persons, myself I see Locked in me, God alone. Of power the father I be My son with me has begun, {20 My spirit is grace in majesty Who wields wealth up in heaven's throne One God in three I am called, I am father of might My son keeps the right {25 My spirit has the light And grace withall. Myself never did beginning take And endless I am through my own might Now will I begin my work to make. {30 First, I make heaven with stars of light In mirth and joy evermore to wake. In heaven I make Angels full bright My servants to be, and for my sake With mirth and melody worship my might {35 I make them in my bliss Angels in heaven ever more shall be In light full clear coloured they be With mirth and song to worship me Of joy they may not miss. {40 Here the angels sing, in heaven, part of the Te Deum: i omnes angeli tibi celi et universe potestates Tibi cherubim et seraphim incessabili voce proclamant Sanctus Sanctus Sanctus Dominus deus sabaoth. Lucifer To whose worship sing you this song? To worship God or reverance me? Unless you worship me, you do me wrong For I am the worthiest that ever may be. Angeli boni We worship God of might most strong {45 Who has formed both us and thee We may never worship him too long For he is most worthy of majesty. On our knees to God we fall Our lord to worship we {50 And in no wise honour we thee A greater lord may none never be Than he that made us all. Lucifer A worthier lord, forthsooth, am I And worthier than he ever will I be. {55 In evidence that I am more worthy, I will go sit where God should be! Above sun and moon and stars in the sky. I am now set as you may see. Now, worship me as the most mighty And for your lord honour now me, {60 Sitting in my seat. Angeli mali God's might we forsake And for a more worthy God we thee take. Thee to worship, honour we make And fall down at your feet. {65 Deus Thou, Lucifer, for thy great pride I bid thee fall from heaven to hell And all those that choose your side In my bliss never more to dwell. At my commandment now down you slide {70 With mirth and joy never more to mell. In mischief and menace ever shall you abide In bitter burning and fire so fell. In pain that ever shall bite! Lucifer At thy bidding thy will I work {75 And pass from joy to pain smart Now I am a devil full dark That was an angel bright. Now to hell the way I take In endless pain that ever shall bite. {80 For fear of fire a fart I crack! Hell's dungeon is all my sight Deus Now heaven is made for the angels' sake The first day and the first night. The second day the water I make {85 The welkin, also, full fair and bright. The third day I part water from earth. Trees and every growing thing Both herbs and flowers of sweet smelling The third day are made by my working. {90 Now make I the day that shall be the fourth. Sun and moon and stars also The fourth day, I make the same. The fifth day, worm and fish that swim and go, Birds and beasts, both wild and tame. {95 The sixth day my work I do And make the man Adam by name. In earthly paradise without any woe I grant thee dwelling lest thou do blame. Flesh of thy flesh and bone of thy bone, {100 Adam, here is thy wife and mate. Both fish and fowls that swim around To each of them, a name thou take. Both tree and fruit and beasts, each one, Red and white, both blue and green. {105 Thou give them names, thou alone. Herbs and grass, beets and bran. Thy wife thou give a name also Look that you not cease Your fruit to increase {110 That there be excess, My worship for to do. Now come forth, Adam, to paradise, There shalt thou have all manner of things, Both flesh and fish and fruit of price {115 All shall be obedient to thy bidding. Here are peppers, peonies and sweet licorice. Take them all at thy liking Both apples and pears and choice rice. But touch not this tree of Knowing. {120 All things, save this, for thee are wrought. Here are all things that should thee please, All ready made unto thine ease. Eat not this fruit, me not displease, For then thou dyest, thou escapest not. {125 Now have I made all things of nought, Heaven and earth, fowl and beast. To all things that my hand has wrought I grant my blessing that ever shall last. My way to heaven is ready sought. {130 Of working I will the seventh day rest. And all my creatures that be about My blessing you have both east and west. Of working the seventh day you cease. And all those that cease of labouring here {135 The seventh day, without fear, And worship me in good manner They shall in heaven have endless peace. Adam, go forth. Be prince in this place. To heaven now I speed my way. {140 Look thou well thy wits to chase And govern thy spirit as I thee say. Adam Holy father, blessed thou be For I may walk in wealth enow. I find dates in great plenty {145 And many fine fruits fill every bow. All this wealth is given to me And to my wife, with whom I go. I have no need to touch yon tree Against my lord's will. To work now. {150 I am a good gardener. Every fruit of the right name I may gather with glee and game. To break that bond, I were to blame That my lord bad me keep here. {155 Eve We may be both blithe and glad Our lord's commandment to fulfill. With fine fruit be we fair fed. Wonder sweet and never one ill. Every tree with fruit is spread {160 Of them to take as pleases us till. Our wits were unstable, we would be bad To do ought against our lord's will In any wise. In this garden I will go see {165 All the flowers of fair beauty And taste the fruits of great plenty That be in Paradise. Serpent Hail, fair wife and comely dame! This fruit to eat, I thee council. {170 Take the apple and eat the same. This fruit is best, as I thee tell. Eve That apple to eat I were to blame. From joy our lord would us expell. We should die, and be put out with shame, {175 In joy of paradise never more to dwell. God himself thus said What day of that fruit we ate, With these words God did us threat, That we should die, our lives to let. {180 Therefore I am afraid. Serpent Of this apple, if you will bite, Even as God is, so shall you be – Wise and knowing – as I you plight. Like unto God in all degree. {185 Sun and moon and stars bright, Fish and fowl, on land and sea, At your bidding both day and night All things shall in your power be. You shall be God's peer. {190 Take this apple in thine hand. Bite thereof I thee demand. And take another to thine husband Thereof thou have no fear. Eve As wise as God is in his great brain {195 And a fellow in knowledge fain would I be. Serpent Eat this apple and for certain That I am true, soon shalt thou see. Eve To my husband with heart full glad This apple I bear, as thou biddest me. {200 This fruit to eat, I shall him persuade. So wise as God is, if we may be, And God's peer of might. To my husband I walk my way And of this apple I shall assay {205 To make him to eat, if I may, And of this fruit to bite. Here Eve returns to Adam, her husband, and says to him … My seemly spouse and good husband Listen to me, sir, I you pray. Take this fair apple into you hand {210 Thereof a morsel bite and assay To eat this apple that I have found. God's fellow to be always – All his wisdom to understand And God's peer to be for aye. {215 All things for to make Both fish and fowl, sea and sand, Bird and beast, water and land. This apple thou take out of my hand. A bite thereof thou take. {220 Adam I dare not touch thy hand for dread Of our lord God omnipotent. If I should work as thou hast said Of God our maker, I should be shent. If that we do this sinful deed, {225 We shall be dead, by God's judgment. Out of thy hand with hasty speed Cast that apple, this instant For fear of God's threat. Eve Of this apple, if thou wilt bite, {230 God's peer thou shalt be on height So wise, so cunning, I thee plight, This fruit if thou wilt eat. Adam If we it eat, ourselves we kill, As God us told, we should be dead! {235 To eat that fruit and my life to spill I dare not do as thou hast said. Eve A fair angel thus did me tell To eat that apple take you no dread So cunning as God on heaven's hill {240 Thou shalt soon be and stand in his stead. Therefore this fruit thou eat. Adam Of God's wisdom for to learn And in cunning to be his peer From thy hand I take it here {245 And shall soon taste this meat. Here Adam shall eat the apple. Adam says … Alas, alas for this false deed, My fleshly friend, my foe I find. Shameful sin from us proceeds. I see us naked before and behind! {250 Our lord's word we would not dread. Therefore we be now caitiffs unkind. Our poor privities to hide Some fig leaves fain would I find To cover our sin and grief. {255 Woman lay this leaf on thy privity And with this leaf, I shall hide me Great shame it is us naked to see Our lord God thus to grieve. Eve Alas that ever that speech was spoken {260 That the false angel said unto me. Alas our maker's bidding is broken For I have touched his own dear tree. Our fleshly eyes now all are open Naked, for sin, ourselves we see. {265 That sorry apple that we have eaten To death has brought my spouse and me. Right grievous is our sin. Of much shame now do we know. Alas that ever this apple did grow! {270 To dreadful death now must we go, In pain forever to pine. Deus Adam that with my hands I made, Where art thou now? What hast thou wrought? Adam Ah, lord, for sin our flowers do fade. {275 I hear thy voice, but I see thee nought. Deus Adam, why hast thou sinned so soon, Thus hastily to break my boon. I made thee master under the moon. Truly, of every tree, {280 One tree I kept for my own. Life and death therein were known. Thy sin from life now has thee thrown. From death thou may not flee. Adam Lord, I have done against thy will, {285 But I meant not myself to spill! The mate thou gave me, me to fulfil, She brought me to this pass. It was her counsel and her reed. She bade me do this same deed. {290 I walk as a worm without any weed, I have no clothes, alas. Deus Woman, thou art this man's wife. Why hast thou caused your own strife? Now you fall from your fair life, {295 And are judged, now, to die. Unwise woman, tell me why You have done this foolish folly When I made you a great lady In paradise safe to lie? {300 Eve Lord when you went from this place, A worm with an angel's face He said we would be full of grace If that the fruit we ate. I did his bidding! Alas, alas. {305 Now we are bound in death's tight grasp. I suppose that it was Sathanas. To dwell in pain now is our fate. Deus Thou worm with thy wiles so sick Thy false fables, they are so thick! {310 Why hast thou put death's dark prick In Adam and his wife? Through you, my laws they both have broken. They suffer woe through words you have spoken. In Hell's lodgings you shall be locked {315 And never more have life. Diabolus I shall thee tell wherefore and why I did them all this villainy. I am full of great envy, Of wrath and of wicked hate {320 That man should dwell above the sky Where at one time have dwelled I. And now am I cast to Hell's sty Straight out from heaven's gate. Deus Adam, because the apple thou didst eat, {325 Against the bidding that I set, Go till thy food with toil and sweat Until thy life's end. Go naked, hungry and barefoot. Eat herbs and grass and root. {330 There is no help, have no doubt, As a wretch in the world you must wend. Woman, you began all this sinning And bade him break my bidding. Therefore, thou shalt be underling {335 And to man's bidding bend. What he biddeth thee, do thou that thing And bear thy children with great groaning In danger and thy death dreading Unto thy life's end. {340 Thou wicked worm, full of pride, Foul envy sit by thy side! Upon thy gut thou shalt glide And as a wicked worm also Till a maiden in middle earth be born. {345 Thou fiend, I warn thee here before. Through her thy head shall be all torn. On thy womb away thou go. Diabolus At thy bidding, foul I fall. I creep home to my stinking stall. {350 Hell pit and heaven's hall Shall do thy bidding boon. I fall down here a foul freak. For this fall I begin to quake. With a fart my breach I break. {355 My sorrow comes full soon. Deus For the sins that you have done Out of my bliss you shall be gone In earthly labour to live in woe, And sorrow shall you taste. {360 For your sin and misdoing An angel with a sword burning Out of this joy shall you bring Your wealth away is passed. Here God withdraws and an angel seraphim with a flaming sword drives Adam and Eve out of paradise Seraphim Ye wretches unkind and right unwise {365 Out of this joy hye you in haste. With flaming sword from paradise To pain I beat you, of care to taste. Your mirth is turned to carefull sighs, Your wealth with sin is now all waste {370 For your false deeds and sinful ways This bliss I tear you from, right fast. Here may you come no more Till a child of a maid be born And upon the cross be rent and torn {375 To save all that you have lorn Your wealth to be restored. Eve Alas, alas and well away That ever I touched that dreadful tree I wend as a wretch in wilderness way. {380 In black bushes my bower shall be. In paradise is plenty of play, Fair fruits in right great plenty. The gates be shut with God's key. My husband is lost because of me {385 Beloved spouse, now have you found That we stumble o'er stalk and stone. My wits away from me are gone Twist on to my neck bone With the hardness of thy hand. {390 Adam Wife, thy wit is not worth a rush! Dear woman turn thy thoughts. I will not slay the flesh of my flesh For from my flesh, thy flesh was wrought. Our luck was hard, our wits foolish, {400 When to paradise we were brought. My weeping shall break out afresh Our sin a long sorrow now has bought. Never again repeat your tale, For if I should slay my wife {405 I would slay myself without a knife And so in hell to live my life In woe my tears to wail. But let us walk forth into the land With right great labour our food to find {410 With delving and digging with my hand Our bliss to care and pain confined. Wife, to spinning now must thou turn thy hand Our naked bodies in clothes to wind Till some comfort God shall send {415 With grace to relieve our carefull minds. Now come, go we hence now my wife. Eve Alas that ever we wrought this sin. Our bodily sustenance for to win You must delve and I must spin, {420 In care to lead our lives. The Parliament of Heaven and Annunciation (To) Contemplation Four thousand, six hundred and four years, I tell, Man for his offense and foul folly Hath lain years in the pains of hell, And is worthy to lie there endlessly; But then should perish your great mercy. {5 Good lord, have on man pity; Have in mind the prayer said by Isaiah; Let mercy make mild thy high majesty. Would God thou wouldest break thy heaven mighty And come down here unto the earth, And live years three and thirty, {10 Thy famished folk with thy food to feed; To staunch their thirst, let thy side bleed, Without that, there will be no redemption. Come visit us in this time of need; On thy careful creatures, Lord, have compassion! {15 Ah! woe to us wretches who wretched be, For God has added sorrow to sorrow! I pray thee, Lord, thy souls come see, How they lie and sob for sickness and sorrow. With thy blessed blood from bale them borrow, {20 Thy careful creatures crying in captivity. Ah! tarry not, gracious Lord, till it be tommorow! The devil hath deceived them in his iniquity, Ah, said Jeremiah, "who shall give wells to mine eyes That I may weep both day and night {25 To see our brothers so long in pain?" Here mischiefs may amend by thy great might. As great as the sea, Lord, was Adam's contrition right; From our head is fallen the crown; Man is cumbered in sin. I cry in thy sight: {30 Gracious Lord, gracious Lord, gracious Lord come down! Virtues Lord, may it please thy high domination, On man that thou move to have pity. Patriarchs and prophets have made supplication, Our office is to present their prayers to thee. {35 Angels, archangels, we three, That be in the first hierarchy, For man to thy high majesty, Mercy, mercy, mercy, we cry! The angel, Lord, thou made so glorious, {40 Whose sin hath made him a devil in hell, He moved man to be so contrarious; Man repented, but he in his obstinance doth dwell. These great evils, good Lord, repell, And take man unto thy grace; {45 Let thy mercy make him with angels dwell, Of Lucifer to restore the place. Exit Virtues and Contemplation God the Father Propter miseriam inopum Et gemitum pauperum Nunc exsurgam. {50 For the wretchedness of the needy And the poor's lamentation, Now shall I rise that am almighty. Time is come of reconciliation. My prophets with prayers have made supplication, {55 My contrite creatures cry all for comfort, All mine angels in heaven without cessation They cry that grace to man might exhort. Truth Lord, I am thy daughter, Truth, Thou wilt see I am not lost; {60 Thy unkind creatures to save were wrong, The offence of man hath grieved thee sore. When Adam sinned, thou saidest then That he should die and go to hell, And now to bliss him to restore – {65 Two contraries might not together dwell. Thy truth, Lord, shall last without end, I may in no wise from thee go. That wretch that was to thee so unkind, He may not have too much woe. {70 He despised thee, and pleased thy foe; Thou art his creator, and he is thy creature; Thou hast loved Truth, it is said, evermore, Therefore in pain let him evermore endure. Mercy Oh, Father of Mercy and God of comfort, {75 That counsel us in each tribulation, Let your daughter, Mercy, to you resort, And on man that is mischieved have compassion. Him grieveth full greatly for his transgression, All heaven and earth cry for mercy; {80 Meseemeth there should be no exception Their prayers be offered so specially. Truth saith she hath ever been thine – I grant it well she hath been so – And thou sayest endlessly that mercy thou hast kept for man; {85 Then, merciful Lord, keep us both two. Thou sayest: Veritas mea et misericordia mea cum ipso. Suffer not thy souls, then, in sorrow to sleep; That hell-hound that hateth thee, bid him let go! Thy love, man, no longer let him keep. {90 Justice Mercy, I marvel at what you move! You know well I am your sister, Justice; God is rightful and rightfulness loveth. Man offended him that is endless, Therefore his endless punishment may never cease. {95 Also he forsook his maker that made him of clay, And the devil to his master he chose – Should he be saved? Nay, nay, nay! As wise as is God, he would have been; This was the abominable presumption! {100 It is said, you know well this, of me That the Justice of God hath no limitation – Therefore let this be our conclusion: He that sore sinned lie still in sorrow. He may never make atonement by reason; {105 Who might then thence him borrow? Mercy Sister Justice, you are too vengeable; Endless sin God, endless, may restore. Above all his works God is merciful. Though he forsook God by sin, by faith he forsook him nevermore; {110 And thou he presumed never so sore, You must consider the frailness of mankind. Learn and so hear: this is God's lore: The mercy of God is without end. Peace To spare your speeches, sisters, it is fit; {115 It is not honest in virtues to have discension. The Peace of God overcomes all wit. Thou Truth and Justice say great reason, Yet Mercy sayeth best, to my pleasing. For if man's soul should abide in hell, {120 Between God and man ever should be division, And then I, Peace, might not dwell. Therefore, meseemeth best you thus accord, Then heaven and earth ye should please; Put both your Judgements to our Lord {125 And in his high wisdom let him judge – This most fitting to me should seem – And let see how we four may all abide. That man's soul should perish, it were a shame, Or that any of us from other should divide. {130 Truth In truth hereto I consent; I will pray our Lord it may so be. Justice I, Justice, am well content, For in him is very equity. Mercy And I, Mercy, from this counsel will not flee; {135 Till Wisdom hath said, I shall cease. Peace Here is God now, here is Unity; Heaven and earth is pleased with Peace. God the Son I think the thoughts of peace and not of wickedness. This I deem to cease your controversy: {140 If Adam had not died, perished had Justice, And also Truth had been lost thereby; Truth and Right would chastise folly. Yet if another death come not, Mercy should perish, Then Peace were exiled finally; {145 So two deaths must be, you four to cherish. But he that shall die, you must know That in him may be no iniquity, That hell may hold him by no law, But that he may pass at his liberty. {150 Where such a one is, provide and see, And his death, for man's death, shall be redemption. All heaven and earth search now ye; Pleaseth it you this conclusion? Truth I, Truth, have searched the earth without and within, {155 And in truth there can none be found, That is even of one day's birth without sin Or who in not to death already bound. Mercy I, Mercy, have run the heavenly region round And there is none of the charity {160 That for man will suffer a deadly wound – I cannot think how this shall be. Justice Sure I can find none sufficient, For servants unprofitable we be each one. His love needs to be full ardent {165 That for man to hell would go. Peace There is only one who may do this good. Therefore this is Peace's advise: He that gave his counsel, let him give the comfort too, For in him the conclusion of all this lies. {170 God the Son It pains me that man I made, That is to say, pain must I suffer it for. A counsel of the Trinity must be had, Which of us shall man restore. God the Father In your wisdom, Son, man was made there, {175 And in wisdom was his temptation; Therefore some sapience, you must ordain herefore And see how of man may be salvation. God the Son Father, he that shall do this must be both God and man; Let me see how I may wear that man's flesh. {180 And since in my wisdom he began, I am ready to do this deed. God the Holy Ghost I, the Holy Ghost, of you two do proceed; This charge I will take on me: I am Love and to your loved one shall you lead – {185 This is the accord of our unity. Mercy Now is the loveday made of us four finally, Now may we live in peace as we were wont: Misericordia et Veritas occurrerunt, Justitia et Pax deosculatae sunt. {190 Mercy and Truth have met together: Justice and Peace have kissed each other. And here they shall kiss each other and exit Enter Gabriel. Enter Mary and sit God the Father From us, God, angel Gabriel, thou shalt be sent Into the country of Galilee – The name of the city, Nazareth is called – To a maid wedded to a man is she Of whom the name is Joseph, see, {195 Of the house of David born; The name of the maid free Is Mary, that shall all restore. God the Son Say that she is without woe and full of grace, And that I, the Son of the Godhead, of her shall be born. {200 Hie thee, thou were there apace, Else we shall be there thee before. I have great haste to be man there In that meekest and purest virgin. Tell her she shall restore {205 Of you angels the great ruin. God the Holy Ghost And if she ask thee how it might be, Tell her I, the Holy Ghost, shall work all this. She shall be saved through our unity. In token her barren cousin, Elizabeth, is {210 Quick with child in her great age, iwis. Tell her to us is nothing impossible; Her body shall be so full filled with bliss That she shall soon think this news credible. Gabriel In thine high embassy, Lord, I shall go. {215 It shall be done with a thought. Behold now, Lord, I go here to, I take my flight and abide not. Gabriel descends to Mary Ave gracia plena dominus tecum! Hail, full of grace, God is with thee! {220 Among all women blessed art thou. Here this name, Eva, is turned Ave; That is to say: without sorrow are ye now. Though sorrow in you hath no place, Yet of joy, lady, ye need more, {225 Therefore I add and say: full of grace, For so full of grace was never none born; Yet who hath grace, she needs keeping sore, Therefore I say: God is with thee, Which shall keep you endlessly there; {230 So among all women blessed are ye. Mary Ah, mercy, God! This is a marvellous hearing! In the angel's words I am troubled here; I think how may be this greeting. Angels daily to me do appear, {235 But not in the likeness of man, that is my fear, And also thus highly to commended be And am most unworthy – I cannot answer; Great shamefastness and great dread is in me. Gabriel Mary, in this take ye no dread, {230 For with God, grace found have ye Ye shall conceive in your womb, indeed, A child, the son of the Trinity, His name of you, Jesus called shall be. He shall be great, the son of the highest called of kin, {235 And of his father, David, the Lord shall give him the see, Reigning in the house of Jacob, of which reign shall none end. Mary Angel, I say to you, In what manner of wise shall this be? For knowing of man, I have none now; {240 I have evermore kept, and shall, my virginity. I doubt not the words you have said to me, But ask how it shall be done. Gabriel The Holy Ghost shall come from above to thee, And the virtue of him, the highest, shall shadow thee so. {245 Therefore that holy child of thee shall be born, He shall be called the Son of God sage. And see, Elizabeth, your cousin there, She hath conceived a son in her age – This is the sixth month of her passage, {250 Of her that was called barren – Nothing is impossible to God's usage. They thinketh long to hear what you will say. Here the angel makes a little resting and Mary beholds him, and the angel sayeth … Mary, come off and haste thee, And take heed in thine intent {255 How the Holy Ghost, blessed he be, Abideth thine answer and thine assent. Through wise work of divinity, The second person, verament, Is made man by fraternity {260 Within thyself in place present. Furthermore take heed this space How all the blessed spirits of virtue That are in heaven before God's face, And all the good livers and true {265 That are here in this earthly place – Thine own kindred the truth who know – And the chosen souls this time of grace That are in hell and await rescue, As Adam, Abraham, and David in fear, {270 And many others of good reputation, That thine answer desire to hear And thine assent to the incarnation, In which thou standest as preserver Of all mankind salvation. {275 Give me my answer now, lady dear, To all these creatures comfortation. Mary With all meekness I incline to his accord, Bowing down my face with all benignity; See here the handmaiden of our Lord, {280 After the word be it done to me. Gabriel Gramercy, my lady free! Gramercy, of your answer, on high! Gramercy, of your great humility! Gramercy ye lantern of light! {285 Here the Holy Ghost descends with three beams to Our Lady, the Son of the Godhead next with three beams to the Holy Ghost, and the Father Godly with three beams to the son, and so enter all three into her bosom and Mary says … Mary Ah, now I feel in my body be Perfect God and perfect man, Having all shape of childly carnality; Even all at once, thus God began. Not taking first one member and then another {290 But perfect childhood ye have anon. Of your handmaiden, now ye have made your mother. Without pain in flesh and bone, Thus conceived never woman none That ever had being in this life. {295 Oh my highest father in your throne It is worthy your son, now my son, have a prerogative. I cannot tell what joy, what bliss, Now I feel in my body! Angel Gabriel, I thank you for this! {300 Most meekly recommend me to my Father's mercy. To have been the mother of God, full little knew I! Now my cousin, Elizabeth, fain would I see, How she has conceived as you did specify. Now blessed be the high Trinity! {305 Gabriel Farewell, turtledove, God's daughter dear! Farewell, God's mother, I thee honour! Farewell, God's sister and his playmate dear! Farewell, God's chamber and his bower! Mary Farewell, Gabriel, specially! {310 Farewell, God's messenger express! I thank you for your travel high. Gramercy of your great goodness, And namely of your comfortable message; For I understand by inspiration, {315 That ye know by singular privilege, Most of my son's incarnation. I pray you take it into usage, By a custom occupation, To visit me oft in my passage – {320 Your presence is my comfortation. Gabriel At your will, lady, so shall it be, The gentlest of blood, and highest of kindred That reigneth in earth in any degree By the principal purpose of the Godhead. {325 I commend me unto you thou throne of the Trinity! Oh! meekest maid, now the mother of Jesus! Queen of Heaven, Lady of Earth, and Empress of Hell be ye; Succour to all sinful that will to you sue, Through your body beareth that babe our bliss shall renew. {330 To you, mother of mercy, most meekly I recommend. And as I began, I end, with an Ave new, Joining heaven and earth – with that I ascend. Angels singing Ave Maria gracia plena dominus tecum virgo serena The Adoration of the Magi (To) Herod As a lord in royalty, in this region so rich And ruler of all realms, I ride in rich array. There is no lord of land in lordship like to me None lovelier, none more lovesome, everlasting is my lay! Of beauty and of boldness, I bear evermore the bell, {5 With main and with might, I master every man. I ding with my doughtiness the devil down to hell, For of both heaven and of earth, I king am, certain. I am the comeliest king, clad in glittering gold, Yea and the seemliest sir that ever bestrode steed. {10 I tower over tall, if truth it be told. Yea, and worthily I am wrapped in worthy weeds. Ye knights, so comely, both courteous and keen To my palace I will pass, be prepared I you plight You dukes so doughty, follow me behind {15 On to my royal palace the way lies full right. Quickly from my steed, I skip down in haste To my high halls, I haste me in my way Ye minstrell of mirth, blow up a good blast While I go to my chamber and change my array. {20 First king Hail to you kings twain, Riding far from your reign. Methinks by your presence seen You seek our saviour. From Saba have I followed far {25 The gleaming of yon gay star A child's blood shall buy us dear That now is born in a beast's bower. My name is king Balthazar Of prophets' teaching I am aware. {30 Therefore, I have followed far A maiden's child to seek. For he, made man in our mold, Is king of high heaven's hold. I will him offer red gold, {35 As reason will me teach. Second king Melchior my name is called In hot love my heart is held To the blossom upon his bed Born by a beast's bin. {40 In Tars I am a king with crown By banks and fields brown. I have travelled by many a town My lord's love to win I seek him with incense sweet {45 Of all priests he shall be the root. His bright blood shall be our boot To bring us to our end. The child shall be chosen a priest, In all virtue found the most {50 Before his father's fair breast Incense up shall he send. Third king In Hipotan and in Arkage I have been king all my age. To seek a child wondrous sage {55 I have travelled right far. Jasper is my name known In many countries that are my own Through bitter blasts that begin to blow I follow after the star. {60 I bring myrrh as my present, lo, A bitter licour I tell you For he shall suffer a bitter blow Who in madonna's flesh is clad. On bitter tree he shall be bent, {65 Man and God omnipotent. With bitter beating his flesh be rent Until his blood be bled. Herod Now I reign as the king arrayed full rich, Rolled in rings and robes of array. {70 Dukes with dents I drive to the ditch My deeds be full doughty, deemed by day I shall mar all those men that reverence too much And worship one God who is great they say There is no lord in this world but me as such. {75 For to lame liveried men of the less lay I am jollier than a jay Strong thieves to strike That our laws will break. On those wretches, vengeance will I wreak {80 And hunt them under the hay. In a girdle of cammaka as a king am I clad Cruel and curried in my crown now. I sit under Caesar in my throne sad Sorrow to sots, such seeds will I sow. {85 Boys now blabbering, boasting of a baron bad Born in a bed beside beasts! Such a boast is a blow! I shall prune that suckling and prove him to be a toad Shields and shafts shall I there throw My knights shall ride on a row {90 Knave children for to quell By Mahound, great duke of hell Sore death his life shall sell Such threats would me o'erthrow. Steward bold {95 Walk thou on wold And wisely behold All about. If anything Should grieve the king {100 Bring me tiding If there be any doubt. Steward Lord king in crown I go from town By banks brown {105 I will abide With my ears to list East and west If any guest On ground begins to glide. {110 Then the steward goes forth and meets with the three kings in the way and says to them … Kings three Under this tree In this country Why will ye abide? Herod the king {115 From this stopping Unto his dwelling Now you should glide. First king Now lead us all To the king's hall. {120 Perhaps you can tell We pray to thee That you may show How we should go So we may know {125 God's fruit free. Steward Follow anon Upon this ground To the castle round. I shall you teach {130 Where the king dwells wide Up in this hide In pomp and in pride His might you shall reach. Sir king in throne, {135 Here comes anon By street and stone Kings three. They bear presents. What they have meant {140 Nor whither they are bent I cannot see. Herod I shall them crave What they have. If they rave {145 Or seem mad I shall them beat Their wits defeat Their heads split Their blood to have. {150 First king Hail to thee king on throne full high! Hail, we are in thy hall right nigh! Knowest thou ought of a child near by? He is born here about. He is born of a maid young. {155 He shall be king over every king. We are seeking that lovely thing To him fain would I bow. Second king Balaam spoke in prophecy A star should be full lovely {160 And light upon maid Mary Come of Jacob's kin. The child is born and lies hereby That bloomed in a maiden's body. A star has streaked across the sky {165 And led us far again. Third king The star has led us out of the east To seek a baron born with beasts. He shall be king of might most As prophecy doth us tell. {170 We be kings in the way, weary. Sir king, for thy courtesy Guide us to that child so lovely In what town does he dwell? Herod You three kings seated in a row {175 Set aside your words so low Such a carping is quite unknown Unreckoned in my realm. I am a king of high degree. There shall none be above me. {180 I have money and lands in fee, Parks and pounds as well. Go you to find him whom you seek And if you know such a leech And him find, I you beseech {185 Come again to me. I shall be both blithe and bound That all worship to him be done With reverence I shall seek him soon And honour him on my knee. {190 And therefore, kings, I you pray When you have done your journey Come again this same way The truth to me to tell. Come and tell me how you speed {195 And I shall fill right well your need With gold and treasure and rich weeds Furs rich and purses swelled. First king King have good day. I go my way {200 To seek The lord of might. He shall be right, Our leech. Second king King full stern {205 By fell and fern I go To seek a king. He is dwelling In woe. {210 Third king If we him find, Our king full kind By a maid, From king and queen We come again {215 This day. They go away Herod Ah fie, fie! The tale I have been told Here before my cruel knee How that a bairn should wax so bold! By beasts if he born be {220 He is young and I am old. But a hardy king of high degree! This day the kings shall be cold If they come again to me. My Gods I shall upraise. {225 A dark devil with falseness I say Shall cast a mist in the king's eye By banks and by dales dry That by dark they shall come this way. First king Go we to seek our lord and our leech. {230 Yon star will us teach the way full soon. To save us from mischief God I beseech Unto his joys that we may reach. I pray of him this boon. Then come the kings with their gifts to Jesus and the First King says … Hail be thou king cold clad! {235 Hail with a maiden's milk fed! Hail! I come to thee with gold glad As wise writings bear it record. Gold is the richest metal And for wearing most royal {240 Gold I give thee in this hall And know thee for my lord. Second king Lord, I kneel upon my knee. Sweet incense I offer to thee. Thou shalt be first of high degree, {245 None so much of might. In God's house, as men shall see, Thou shalt honour the Trinity, Three persons in one God free, And all one lord of might. {250 Third king Lord I kneel down by thy bed. In maiden's flesh thou art hid. Thy name shall be widely spread And king over all kings. Bitter myrrh to thee I bring {255 For bitter dents on thee shall ding, And bitter death shall be thy ending, And therefore I make mourning. Mary Kings kind From the fiend {260 God you defend! Homeward you wend And to your places you lend That you should tend. First king Now we have the place found. {265 To Herod, whose reknown abounds With our words we were bound That we should come again. Go we apace and say our speech For we have found our lord and leech {270 All the truth we will them teach How the king is born of a queen. Second king My head is heavy and limp as lead Unless I sleep I am adread My wits shall fare the worse. {275 I shall wax heavy in limb and flank. Down I lay me upon this bank Under this bright star, iwis. Third king Brother, I must lie thee by I will go never over this sty {280 Until I have a sleep. The young king and his mother Mary Save us all from every villainy Now Christ us save and keep. First king Such heaviness has us caught {285 I must drink with you a draught To sleep a little while. I am heavy, head and foot, I should stumble at rush and root, If I should go a mile. {290 Here the kings sleep and an angel comes to them and says … Angel Ye kings on this hill Work not after Herod's will For if you do, he will you kill This day or night. My lord has sent this tiding {295 Rest you kings in rich clothing And when you rise, go to your dwelling Take home the way full right. Whether you be awake or asleep My lord God shall you keep {300 In good time you did down droop To take your rest. Herod to the devil he'll thrust To mar him in a dark mist. My Lord is full pleased {305 To welcome you as his guests. And therefore, kings, when you rise Wend forth by ways wise Where in your halls you be set in assise In diverse lands. {310 The father of good in all thing Hath you granted his sweet blessing He shall save you from all harming With his right hand. Then the kings shall arise and say … First king A bright star led us to Bethlehem, {315 A brighter thing I saw in a dream. Brighter than a sun beam. An angel right here I saw. That fair flower that here did fall From Herod the king he did us call {320 He told us go home to our hall By another way. Second king I saw a sight My heart is light To wend home, {325 God full of might Has told us aright From the devil's doom Third king Our God I bless. He sent iwis {330 His angel bright. Now we wake The way to take, Home full right. The Massacre of the Innocents and Death of Herod (To) Steward Lord I have walked by dale and hill And waited, as it was your will. The three kings have stolen away full still Through Bethlehem land. They will never, so please thee, {5 Come into the land of Galilee To see your fair city Nor the deeds of your hand. Herod I ride royally, rich in my reign. Ribs full red with strokes shall I rend. {10 Poppets and sucklings I shall put in pain With my spear polished to pinch and to bend. The goons with the gold crowns come not again! To seek those sots soldiers shall I send. I shall make hussies hoot, harlots loose women {15 When their bairns bleed under the cradle band. Sharply I shall them shend – The knave children that be In all Israel country They shall bloody be {20 For one I call unkind. It is told by a few His name should be Jesu. I have found To have him gone {25 I must hew flesh to the bone And give him a wound. Now keen knights, good at your craft That kill knave children and cast them in clay, Throw on your shoulders shields and shafts {30 Shaped among soldiers shrilling all day Make horses run with rippling neighs Till their ribs be all rent with red spray. Let no bairn remain unbeaten behind Till the beggars bleed in the beasts' way – {35 Mahound that best may. I warn you my knights A bairn is born I will fight He will claim to be king by right And usurp my lordly lay. {40 My knights wise Chosen with price, Arise, arise And take your toll. And every page {45 Of two year age Where're you engage, Slay like a fool. One of them Was born in a stall. {50 Fools him call A king with crown. With bitter gall He shall down fall. My might in this hall {55 Shall never go down! First soldier I shall slay churls And queens with earls. Here knaves with curls I shall stick. {60 Forth will I speed To make him bleed With bloody greed Vengeance to wreak. Second soldier For swords sharp {65 As a harp Queens shall karp And of sorrow sing. Bairns young Shall be stung! {70 Through liver and lung We shall them sting. Angel Awake Joseph and take thy wife, The child also. Run for your lives! For King Herod with sharp knives {75 His knights he doth send. The father of heaven hath to thee sent Into Egypt that thou be bent. For cruel knights thy child have meant With swords to slay and shend. {80 Joseph Awake, good wife, out of your sleep And of your child good care you keep, While I your clothes lay on a heap And tie them on the ass. King Herod the child will slay {85 Therefore to Egypt must we go An angel of God said me so And therefore let us pass. Then the soldiers come to the children to be slain and the first woman says … First woman Lovely lulling have I lorn, Alas why was my baby born? {90 With sweeping sword now has he shorn The head right from the neck. Shank and shoulder are all totorn! Sorrow I see behind and before At midnight, midday and morn {95 Would my life were finished quick. Second woman Certainly I say the same! Gone is all my goodly game. My little child lieth all lame That suckled on my breast. {100 My forty weeks groaning Has sent me seven years sorrowing, Much is my mourning Now may I have no rest. First soldier Lord on throne! {105 Make now no moan, Queens now groan In the country side Upon my spear A babe I bear {110 I dare well swear, The mothers cried. Second soldier Lord we have sped As you bade Babes have bled {115 And lie in the ditch! Flesh and vein Have suffered pain And you shall reign Ever more rich. {120 Herod Ye shall have steeds To your needs Lands and glebes, Woods in fee. Well have you wrought! {125 My foe is sought – To death he is brought Now come up to me. In seat now am I set as king of mights most. All this world for their love to me shall bow {130 Both in heaven and on earth and in hell's coast For the worth of my dignity their reverence to show. There is no lord now living to ask me to toast Neither king nor kaiser in all this world about. If any braggert do brag or blow against my boast, {135 I shall rap those ribalds and beat them on the snout With my bright brand. There shall be neither kaiser nor king But that I shall them down ding Unless he, at my bidding, {140 Obey at my hand. Now my gentle and courteous knights, hark to me anon. In good time, soon, methinketh at dinner that we were. Smartly therefore set a table anon here full soon Covered with a curious cloth and with rich worthy fare, {145 Service for the loveliest lord that is living on ground! Rare meats and worthiest wines, look that you not spare. Though a little pint should cost a thousand pound Bring always the best and for the cost take no care Quickly get it done. {150 Steward My lord, the table is ready dight. Here is water, now wash forthright. Now blow up, minstrell, with all your might The service comes in soon. Herod Now am I set at meat {155 And worthily served at my degree Come forth knights, sit down and eat And be as merry as you can be. First soldier Lord, at your bidding we take our seat. With hearty will, obey we thee. {160 There is no lord of might so great Through all this world, in no country In worship to abide. Herod I was never merrier here before Since that I was first born {165 Than I am right now in this morn In joy I begin to glide! Death Oh I heard a page make praisings of pride. All princes he passes, he thinks great to be. He thinks he is the worthiest of all this world wide, {170 King over all kings, that page thinks to be. He sent into Bethlehem, to seek on every side Christ for to quell if they might him see. But of his wicked will, sluggard yet he lied. God's son doth live. There is no lord but he, {175 Over all lords he is king. I am Death, God's messenger, Almighty God hath sent me here Yon sluggard to slay without fear For all his wicked working. {180 I am sent from God. Death is my name All things now alive I bend to my will. Both man and beast and birds wild and tame. When I come to them, with death I do them kill. Herbs, grass and trees strong, take them all the same. {185 Yea, the great and mighty oaks with my dart I spill. What man that I wrestle with, he shall right soon have shame. I trip him up so featly he shall ever more lie still. For Death knows no sport. Where I smite, there is no grace. {190 For after my stroke, man hath no space To make amends for his trespass, But God him grant comfort. Oh see how proudly yon caitiff sits at meat. Of death hath he no thought; he thinks to live evermore. {195 To him will I go and give him such a heat That all the leeches of the land his life shall never restore. Against my dreadful dents, it availeth never to fight. Before I part from him, I shall him make full poor. All the blood from his body I shall him out sweat. {200 For now I go to slay him with strokes sad and sore. Both him and his knights all This tide. I shall them make to me but thrall With my spear slay them I shall, {205 And so cast down his pride. Herod Now kind knights be merry and glad With all good spirit show now some mirth! By gracious Mahound more mirth never I had Nor never more joy from the time of my birth. {210 For now is my foe dead and taken as a toad. Above me is no king alive here on earth. Mirth, therefore, make ye and be ye not sad, Spare neither meat nor drink and be there no dearth Of wine nor of bread! {215 For now I am king alone! As worthy as I, may there be none. Therefore, knights, be merry each one. For now is my foe dead! First soldier When the boys sprawled at my spears' end, {220 By Satan our sire, it was a good sight! A good game it was, that boy for to shend That would be our king and put you from your right. Second soldier Now, truly, my lord king, we wicked had been And never none of us able to be knight, {225 If to them any of us had been friend And saved any lives against thy great might From death them to keep. Herod Amongst all that great rout, He is dead, I have no doubt, {230 Therefore minstrells round about Blow up, a merry fit! Here while they are drinking, Death slays Herod and the two soldiers as well and the Devil receives them Devil All ours! All ours! This castle is mine! I shall bring them into my cell. I shall teach them a place fine {235 And show them such mirth as is in hell. It were much better amongst swine That are ever more stinking, there to dwell For in our lodge is such great pain That no earthly tongue may tell. {240 With you I go my way. I shall you bear forth with me And show you the sports of our glee Of our mirths you now shall see And ever sing, well-a-way. {245 Death Of King Herod all men beware That hath rejoiced in pomp and pride. For all his boasts of bliss, full bare He lies now dead, on his side. For when I come, I do not spare {250 From me no person may him hide. Now is he dead and cast in care, In hell pit ever to abide. His lordship is all lorn. Now is he as poor as I {255 Worms meat is his body His soul in hell full painfully Of devils is all to-torn. All men living upon the ground, Beware of me, by my counsel, {260 For faint fellowship in me is found, I know no courtesy as I you tell. For be a man never so sound Of health, in heart never so well, I come suddenly and that anon. {265 Me withstand may no castle. My journey will I speed. Of my coming no man is aware, For when men make most merry fare Then suddenly I cast them in care, {270 And slay them even in deed. Though I be naked and in poor array And worms gnaw me all about Yet look you dread me night and day. For when death comes, you stand in doubt. {275 Even like to me as I you say Shall all you be, here in this rout. When I you challenge at my day, I shall make you right low to bow And naked for to be. {280 Amongst worms, as I you tell Under the earth shall you dwell And they shall you eat both flesh and fell As they have done to me.