Part 13 (1/2)

_The Third._ Fast agane will I flyng, Abyde ye me there. [_He goes back._]

Mak, take it to no grefe, if I com to thi barne.”

Mak tries to put him off, but the shepherd will have his way:--

”Gyf me lefe hym to kys, and lyft up the clowtt.

What the devill is this? he has a long snowte.”

So the secret is out. Mak's wife gives a desperate explanation:--

”He was takyn with an elfe, I saw it myself.

When the clok stroke twelf Was he forshapyn.”

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Naturally this avails nothing, and her husband is given a good tossing by the shepherds until they are tired out and lie down to rest.

Then comes the ”Gloria in excelsis” and the call of the angel:--

”Ryse, hyrd men heynd! for now is he borne That shall take fro the feynd that Adam had lorne: That warloo[59] to sheynd,[60] this nyght is he borne, G.o.d is made youre freynd: now at this morne He behestys, At Bedlem go se, Ther lygys that fre[61]

In a cryb fulle poorely, Betwyx two bestys.”

The shepherds wonder at the song, and one of them tries to imitate it; then they go even unto Bethlehem, and there follows the quaintest and most delightful of Christmas carols:--

”_Primus Pastor._

Hail, comly and clene, Hail, yong child!

Hail, maker, as I meene, Of a maden so milde!

Thou has wared,[62] I weene, The warlo[63] so wilde; The fals giler of teen,[64]

Now goes he begilde.

Lo! he merys,[65]

Lo! he laghes, my sweting.

A welfare meting!

I have holden my heting.[66]

Have a bob of cherys!

_Secundus Pastor._

Hail, sufferan Savioure, For thou has us soght!

Hail, frely[67] foyde[68] and floure, That all thing has wroght!

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Hail, full of favoure, That made all of noght!

Hail, I kneel and I cowre.

A bird have I broght To my barne.

Hail, litel tine mop![69]

Of oure crede thou art crop;[70]

I wold drink on thy cop, Litel day starne.

_Tertius Pastor._