Part 22 (1/2)

_2nd Prophet._ And why in that wise?

_1st Prophet._ For it was the guise To count the parent on the man's line, And not on the feminine, Amongst us here in Israel.

_2nd Prophet._ Yet can I not espy, by no wise How this child born should be without nature's prejudice.

_1st Prophet._ Nay, no prejudice unto nature I dare well say, For the king of nature may Have all his one will, Did not the power of G.o.d, make Aaron's rod Bear fruit in one day?

_2nd Prophet._ Truth it is indeed.

_1st Prophet._ Then look you and rede.[235]

_2nd Prophet._ Ah! I perceive the seed Whereupon that you spake, It was for our need That he frail nature did take, And his blood he should shed Amends for to make For our transgression, As it is said in prophecy, that of the line of Jude Should spring a right Messie, By whom all we Should have redemption.

_1st Prophet._ Sir, now is the time come, And the date thereof run Of his Nativity.

_2nd Prophet._ Yet I beseech you heartily, That ye would show me how That this strange novelty Were brought unto you?

_1st Prophet._ This other night so cold, Hereby upon a wold, Shepherds watching their fold In the night so far, To them appeared a star, And ever it drew them near, Which star they did behold, Brighter they say a thousand fold Than the sun so clear In his midday sphere; And they these tidings told.

_2nd Prophet._ What, secretly?

_1st Prophet._ Na, na, hardily,[236]

They made there of no council, For they sang as loud, As ever they could, Praising the king of Israel.

_2nd Prophet._ Yet do I marvel, In what pile or castle, These herdmen did him see.

_1st Prophet._ Neither in halls, nor yet in bowers, Born would he not be, Neither in castles, nor yet in towers, That seemly were to see, 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![237]

_2nd Prophet._ Sir, ah! but when these shepherds had seen him there, To what place did they repair?

_1st 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 granted them heaven therein to dwell.

In are they gone with joy and mirth, And their song it is Noel.

[_There the Prophets go forth, and Herod and the messenger (or herald) comes in._

_Herald._ Peace, Lord Barons of great renown!

Peace, sir knights of n.o.ble presence!

Peace, gentlemen companions of n.o.ble order!

I command that all of you keep silence.

Peace while your n.o.ble king is in presence!

Let no person stint to pay him deference; Be not bold to strike, but keep your hearts in patience, And to your Lord keep heart of reverence, For he, your king, has all puissance!

In the name of the law, I command you peace!

And King Herod--”_la grandeaboly vos umport._”[238]

_Herod._ _Qui status in Jude et Rex Israel_,[239]

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 on the wide world on those rappis[240] did wonder.

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

My fearful countenance the clouds so doth enc.u.mber, That often for dread thereof the very earth doth quake.

Look when I with malin 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 my 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 to drive, And with a twinkle of mine eye not one to be left alive.