Part 33 (1/2)

Like as I redeemed thee dearly, Strengthen also thy brethren In full belief.

_John._ O Lord, I am glad That thou wouldst come with us. .h.i.ther, for our joy; That I will say likewise, We are, through great longing, After thee pining.

_Jesus._ From you I go to my country; At the right side of G.o.d the Father, I shall sit.

To strengthen you in belief, To you the comfort of the Holy Ghost I shall send.

_James the Greater._ Lord, it is wonderful; When thou comest, Jesus powerful, To look at us, And to speak peace to us, Though they were fast, thou didst open Our doors.

[_Here Jesus goes away from the apostles._

He is the Lord of power, And he has purchased with his blood The people of the world; That Jesus Christ is risen again,-- A day is coming that shall tell All them that do believe it not!

THE WAKEFIELD PAGEANT OF THE HARROWING OF h.e.l.l

OR

EXTRACTION OF SOULS FROM h.e.l.l

CHARACTERS

Jesus Adam Eve Simeon John the Baptist Moses Esaias David Ribald Beelzebub Sathanas

THE HARROWING OF h.e.l.l

EXTRACTIO ANIMARUM

AB INFERNO

[_The Extraction of Souls from h.e.l.l._]

_Jesus._ My fader[414] me from blys has send Till's erthe for mankynde sake, Adam mys[415] for to amend, My deth nede must I take:

I dwellyd ther thyrty yeres and two, And som dele more, the sothe to say,[416]

In anger, pyne, and mekylle wo, I dyde on cros this day.

Therefor tille h.e.l.le now wille I go, To chalange[417] that is myne, Adam, Eve, and othere mo, Thay shalle no longer dwelle in pyne;

The feynde[418] theym wan withe trayn,[419]

Thrughe fraude of earthly fode,[420]

I have theym boght agan With shedyng of my blode.

And now I wille that stede[421] restore, Whiche the feynde felle from for syn, Som tokyn wille I send before, Withe myrthe to gar[422] thare gammes begyn.

A light I wille thay have, To know I wille com sone; My body shalle abyde in grave Tille alle this dede be done.

_Adam._ My brether, herkyn unto me here, More hope of helth never we had, Four thousand and six hundred yere Have we bene in darknes stad;[423]

Now se I tokyns of solace sere,[424]

A gloryous gleme to make us glad, Wherthrughe I hope that help is nere, That sone shalle slake[425] oure sorrowes sad.