Volume I Part 52 (2/2)

Lo, here I sit seemly in se,[190]

I command you all obedient be, And with free will ye follow me.

INFANS. Christ our king, grant you clearly to know the case.

To meve[191] of this matter that is in my mind, [And] clearly declare it, Christ grant me grace.

Now, seemly sirs, behold on me, How mankind doth begin: I am a child, as you may see, Gotten in game and in great sin.

Forty weeks my mother me found,[192]

Flesh and blood my food was tho: When I was ripe from her to sound, In peril of death we stood both two.

Now to seek death I must begin, For to pa.s.s that strait pa.s.sage For body and soul, that shall then twin,[193]

And make a parting of that marriage.

Forty weeks I was freely fed Within my mother's possession: Full oft of death she was a-dread, When that I should part her from: Now into the world she hath me sent, Poor and naked, as ye may see, I am not worthily wrapped nor went, But poorly p.r.i.c.ked in poverty.

Now into the world will I wend, Some comfort of him for to crave.

All hail! comely crowned king, G.o.d that all made you see and save!

MUNDUS. Welcome, fair child, what is thy name?

INFANS. I wot not, sir, withouten blame; But oftime my mother in her game Called me Dalliance.

MUNDUS. Dalliance, my sweet child, It is a name that is right wild,[194]

For when thou waxest old, It is a name of no substance, But, my fair child, what wouldst thou have?

INFANS. Sir, of some comfort I you crave: Meat and clothes my life to save, And I your true servant shall be.

MUNDUS. Now, fair child, I grant thee thine asking: I will thee find while thou art ying,[195]

So thou wilt be obedient to my bidding.

These garments gay I give to thee, And also I give to thee a name, And clepe thee Wanton in every game, Till fourteen year be come and gone, And then come again to me.

WANTON. Gramercy, world, for mine array; For now I purpose me to play.

MUNDUS. Farewell, fair child, and have good day: All recklessness is kind for thee.

WANTON. Ha, ha, Wanton is my name: I can many a quaint game.

Lo, my top I drive in same, See, it turneth round!

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