Part 36 (1/2)

But at His Father's will, The prophecy to fulfil, Betwixt an ox and an a.s.s Jesu, this King, born he was.

Heaven He bring us till!

SECOND PROPHET. Sir, ah! but when these shepherds had seen him there, Into what place did they repair?

FIRST PROPHET. Forth they went and glad they were, Going they did sing; With mirth and solace they made good cheer For joy of that new tiding;

And after, as I heard them tell, He rewarded them full well: He grant them heaven therein to dwell; In are they gone with joy and mirth, And their song it is ”Noel.”

_There the prophets goeth forth and_ HEROD _cometh in, and the messenger._

NUNTIUS. Faites paix, dominies, barons de grande renom!

Paix, seigneurs, chevaliers de n.o.ble puissance!

Paix, gentils hommes, compagnons pet.i.ts et grands!

Je vous command de garder, trestous, silence!

Paix, tant que votre n.o.ble Roi seit ici present!

Que nulle personne ici non fa.s.se point de difference, N' ici harde de frapper; mais gardez toute patience,-- Mais gardez [a] votre seigneur toute reverence; Car il est votre Roi tout puissant.

Au nom de lui, paix tous! je vous command, Et le roi Herod le grand-diable vous emporte!

HEROD. Qui statis in Jude et Rex Israel, And the mightiest conqueror that ever walked on ground; For I am even he that made both heaven and h.e.l.l, And of my mighty power holdeth up this world round.

Magog and Madroke, both them did I confound, And with this bright brand their bones I brake asunder, That all the wide world on those raps did wonder.

I am the cause of this great light and thunder; It is through my fury that they such noise doth make.

My fearful countenance the clouds so doth enc.u.mber That off-times for dread thereof the very earth doth quake.

Look, when I with malice this bright brand doth shake, All the whole world from the north to the south I may them destroy with one word of my mouth!

To recount unto you mine innumerable substance, That were too much for any tongue to tell; For all the whole Orient is under mine obedience, And prince am I of Purgatory and chief captain of h.e.l.l; And those tyrannous traitors by force may I compel, Mine enemies to vanquish and even to dust them drive, And with a twinkle of mine eye not one to be left alive.

Behold my countenance and my colour, Brighter than the sun in the midst of the day.

Where can you have a more greater succour Than to behold my person that is so gay?

My falcon and my fas.h.i.+on, with my gorgeous array-- He that had the grace alway thereon to think, Live he might alway without either meat or drink.

And this my triumphant fame most highliest doth abound Throughout this world in all regions abroad, Resembling the favour of that most mighty Mahound; From Jupiter by descent and cousin to the great G.o.d, And named the most renowned King Herod, Which that all princes hath under subjection, And all their whole power under my protection.

And therefore, my herald, here, called Calchas, Warn thou every port that no s.h.i.+ps arrive, Nor also alien stranger through my realm pa.s.s, But they for their truage do pay marks five.

Now speed thee forth hastily, For they that will the contrary, Upon a gallows hanged shall be, And, by Mahound, of me they get no grace.

NUNTIUS. Now, lord and master, in all the hast Thy worthy will it shall be wrought, And thy royal countries shall be past.

In as short time as can be throught.

HEROD. Now shall our regions throughout be sought In every place both east and west; If any caitiffs to me be brought, It shall be nothing for their best.

And the while that I do rest, Trumpets, viols, and other harmony Shall bless the waking of my majesty.

_Here_ HEROD _goeth away and the three kings speaketh in the street._

FIRST REX. Now blessed be G.o.d of his sweet sond, For yonder a fair bright star I do see!

Now is he comen us among, As the prophet said that it should be.

A said there should a babe be born, Coming of the root of Jesse, To save mankind that was forlorn; And truly comen now is He.

Reverence and wors.h.i.+p to Him will I do, As G.o.d and man, that all made of nought.

All the prophets accorded and said even so, That with his precious blood mankind should be bought.