Part 27 (2/2)

”Rise, herdmen, quickly, for now is he born That shall take from the fiend what Adam was lorn; That demon to spoil this night is he born, G.o.d is made your friend now at this morn.

He behests At Bethlehem go see, There lies that fre*

In a crib full poorly Betwixt two beasties.”

*n.o.ble.

The shepherds hear the words of the angel, and looking upward see the guiding star. Wondering at the music, talking of the prophecies of David and Isaiah, they hasten to Bethlehem and find the lowly stable. Here, with a mixture of awe and tenderness, the shepherds greet the Holy Child. It is half as if they spoke to the G.o.d they feared, half as if they played with some little helpless baby who was their very own. They mingle simple things of everyday life with their awe. They give him gifts, but their simple minds can imagine no other than those they might give to their own children.

The first shepherd greets the child with words:--

”Hail, comely and clean! Hail, young child!

Hail, maker as methinks of a maiden so mild.

Thou hast warred, I ween, the demon so wild.”

Then he gives as his gift a bob of cherries.

The second shepherd speaks:--

”Hail! sovereign saviour! for thee have we sought.

Hail, n.o.ble child and flower that all thing hast wrought.

Hail, full of favour, that made all of nought.

Hail! I kneel and I cower! A bird have I brought To my bairn.

Hail, little tiny mop, Of our creed thou art crop,*

I would drink to thy health, Little Day Star!”

*Head.

The third shepherd speaks:--

Hail! darling dear full of G.o.dhead!

I pray thee be near when that I have need!

Hail! sweet is thy cheer! My heart would bleed To see thee sit here in so poor weed With no pennies.

Hail! put forth thy dall.*

I bring thee but a ball: Have and play thee with all And go to the tennis.”

*Hand.

And so the pageant of the shepherds comes to an end, and they return home rejoicing.

This play gives us a good idea of how the Miracles wound themselves about the lives of the people. It gives us a good idea of the rudeness of the times when such jesting with what we hold as sacred seemed not amiss. It gives, too, the first gleam of what we might call true comedy in English.

Chapter x.x.xIV THE STORY OF EVERYMAN

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