Part 34 (2/2)

MARY. G.o.d have mercy, Joseph, my spouse so dear; All prophets hereto doth bear witness, The weary time now draweth near That my child will be born, which is King of bliss.

Unto some place, Joseph, hendly me lead, That I might rest me with grace in this tide.

The light of the Father over us both spread, And the grace of my Son with us here abide!

JOSEPH. Lo! blessed Mary, here shall ye lend, Chief chosen of our Lord and cleanest in degree; And I, for help to town will I wend.

Is not this the best, dame? what say ye?

MARY. G.o.d have mercy, Joseph, my husband so meek!

And heartily I pray you, go now from me.

JOSEPH. That shall be done in haste, Mary so sweet!

The comfort of the Holy Ghost leave I with thee.

Now to Bethlehem straight will I wend To get some help for Mary so free.

Some help of women G.o.d may me send, That Mary, full of grace, pleased may be.

[_In another part of the place a shepherd begins to speak._]

FIRST PASTOR. Now G.o.d, that art in Trinity, Thou save my fellows and me!

For I know not where my sheep nor they be, This night it is so cold.

Now is it nigh the midst of the night; These weathers are dark and dim of light, That of them can I have no sight, Standing here on this wold.

But now to make their heartes light, Now will I full right Stand upon this lo, And to them cry with all my might,-- Full well my voice they know: What ho! fellows! ho! ho! ho!

[_Two other shepherds appear (in the street)._]

SECOND PASTOR. Hark, Sim, hark! I hear our brother on the lo.

This is his voice, right well I know; Therefore toward him let us go, And follow his voice aright.

See, Sim, see, where he doth stand!

I am right glad we have him fand!

Brother where hast thou been so lang, And it is so cold this night?

FIRST PASTOR. Eh! friends, there came a pirie of wind with a mist suddenly, That forth of my ways went I And great heaviness then made I!

And was full sore afright.

Then forth to go wist I not whither, But travelled on this lo hither and thither; I was so weary of this cold weather That near past was my might.

THIRD PASTOR. Brethren now we be past that fright, And it is far within the night, Full soon will spring the daylight, It draweth full near the tide.

Here awhile let us rest, And repast ourselves of the best; Till that the sun rise in the east Let us all here abide.

_There the shepherds draws forth their meat and doth eat and drink and as they drink, they find the star and say thus:_

THIRD PASTOR. Brethren, look up and behold!

What thing is yonder that s.h.i.+neth so bright?

As long as ever I have watched my fold, Yet saw I never such a sight In field.

Aha! now is come the time that old fathers hath told, That in the winter's night so cold, A child of maiden born be He would In whom all prophecies shall be fulfilled.

FIRST PASTOR. Truth it is without nay, So said the prophet Isaye, That a child should be born of a maid so bright In winter nigh the shortest day, Or else in the midst of the night.

SECOND PASTOR. Loved be G.o.d, most of might, That our grace is to see that sight; Pray we to Him as it is right, If that His will it be, That we may have knowledge of this signification And why it appeareth on this fas.h.i.+on; And ever to Him let us give laudation, In earth while that we be.

_There the Angels sing ”Gloria in excelsis Deo.”_

<script>