Part 35 (1/2)

THIRD PASTOR. Hark! They sing above in the clouds clear!

Heard I never of so merry a quere.

Now, gentle brethren, draw we near To hear their harmony.

FIRST PASTOR.--Brother, mirth and solace is come us among; For by the sweetness of their song, G.o.d's Son is come, whom we have looked for long, As signifieth this star that we do see.

SECOND PASTOR. ”Glory, gloria in excelsis,” that was their song; How say ye, fellows, said they not thus?

FIRST PASTOR. That is well said; now go we hence To wors.h.i.+p that child of high magnificence, And that we may sing in His presence ”Et in terra pax hominibus.”

_There the shepherds sings ”As I out rode,” and Joseph saith:_

JOSEPH. Now, Lord, this noise that I do hear, With this great solemnity, Greatly amended hath my cheer; I trust high news shortly will be.

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

MARY. Ah! Joseph, husband, come hither anon; My child is born that is King of bliss.

JOSEPH. Now welcome to me, the maker of mon, With all the homage that I con; Thy sweet mouth here will I kiss.

MARY. Ah! Joseph, husband, my child waxeth cold, And we have no fire to warm him with.

JOSEPH. Now in mine arms I shall him fold, King of all kings by field and by frith; He might have had better, and Himself would, Than the breathing of these beasts to warm him with.

MARY. Now, Joseph, my husband, fetch hither my child, The Maker of man, and high King of bliss.

JOSEPH. That shall be done anon, Mary so mild, For the breathing of these beasts hath warmed [Him] well, i-wis.

[_Angels appear to the shepherds._]

FIRST ANGEL. Herd-men hend, Dread ye nothing Of this star that ye do see; For this same morn G.o.d's Son is born In Bethlehem of a maiden free.

SECOND ANGEL. Hie you thither in haste; It is His will ye shall Him see Lying in a crib of poor repast, Yet of David's line come is He.

[_The Shepherds approach and wors.h.i.+p the Babe._]

FIRST PASTOR. Hail, maid, mother, and wife so mild!

As the angel said, so have we fand.

I have nothing to present with thy child But my pipe; hold, hold, take it in thy hand; Wherein much pleasure that I have fand; And now, to honour thy glorious birth, Thou shalt it have to make thee mirth.

SECOND PASTOR. Now, hail be thou, child, and thy dame!

For in a poor lodging here art thou laid, So the angel said and told us thy name; Hold, take thou here my hat on thy head!

And now of one thing thou art well sped, For weather thou hast no need to complain, For wind, ne sun, hail, snow and rain.

THIRD PASTOR. Hail be thou, Lord over water and lands!

For thy coming all we may make mirth.

Have here my mittens to put on thy hands, Other treasure have I none to present thee with.

MARY. Now, herdmen hend, For your coming, To my child shall I pray, As He is heaven King, To grant you His blessing, And to His bliss that ye may wend At your last day.

_There the shepherds singeth again and goth forth of the place, and the two prophets cometh in and saith thus:_

FIRST PROPHET. Novels, novels, Of wonderful marvels Very high and diffuse unto the hearing!

As Scripture tells, These strange novels To you I bring.

SECOND PROPHET. Now heartily, sir, I desire to know, If it would please you for to show Of what manner a thing.

FIRST PROPHET. Very mystical unto your hearing,-- Of the nativity of a King.