PART ONE

CREATION AND NATIVITY

SO, WE BEGIN WITH A VOID.

God

Ego sum Alpha et Omega, Vita, via, veritas, Primus et Novissimus

I am gracious and great - God without beginning. I am maker unmade - All might is in me. I am Life - And the way to the world's well being. I am foremost and first - As I bid it shall be.

Since I am maker unmade And most high in might - Will always be endless And nowt is but me, Unto my dignity dear Shall duly be dight A place full of plenty That's plied to my plea.

A bliss all embracing about. In this bliss I bid that be here Nine orders of angels full clear Their love everlasting to shout.

Of all the mights I have made, most next after me I make thee the master and mirror of my might. I set thee by me, in eternal bliss to be And name thee now, Lucifer, bearer of light

Lucifer

All the mirth that is made is marked in me. The beams of my brighthood are beaming so bright. And so seemly in sight myself I now see. Like a lord am I lifted to live in this light.

Gabriel

Ah merciful maker, full mickle is thy might That all this work at a word is so worthily wrought. Aye loved be that lovely lord for his light That has mightily made us that just now was nowt.

Lucifer

I feel me well favoured and fair, More fairer by far I now appear. Nowt is there in me that can impair, My power is passing my peers.

Michael

Lord with aye-lasting love, we love thee alone Thou mightiful maker that marked us and made us. And wrought us most worthy to live as thy own Where never feeling of filth may defile us nor fade us.

Lucifer

Oh what! I am favoured and fair and figured full fit The form of all fairhood upon me is fest. All wealth am I wielding, I wot by my wit. The beams of my brighthood are bigged with the best.

Raphael

With all the wit that we wield we worship thy will Thou Glorious God, the ground of all grace, Where in steadfast state now let us stand still, Fed, Lord, with the food of thy fairest face.

Lucifer

So bigly to bliss am I brought My showing is shimmering and shining Never do I need be 'noyed by nowt Here never shall pain bring me pining.

Uriel

In life that is truly aye-lasting Thy dole, Lord, is daintily dealing. And who that food may be feeling To see thy fair face is feeding not fasting.

Lucifer

Ay sure. What!? I am most worthy of worship, I wis, In glorious glee all my glittering gleams So mightily made, my mirth may not miss As I bide in my bliss through the brightness of beams. There shall I set me, full seemly to sight, Receiving my reverence through right of renown. I'll be like unto him that is highest on height I am perfect and proud.

LUCIFER AND FOLLOWERS ARE PLUNGED TO HELL.

Lucifer

Oh what! I am marred Help, fellows! In faith I fall and fall hard.

Ribald

We are hurled down from heaven, out of hand.

Beelzebub

To woe are we wending, I warrant.

God

They are fallen in filth that will evermore fade them Gone from the grace that will never more shade them.

Lucifer

Out! Out! Harrow! Helpless! So hot is it here. This is a dungeon of dole, in it I'm dight My kith come to this, so comely and clear Now I am loathliest, that once was all light. My brightness is blackness now. My bale is now beating and burning That makes me go howling and gurning. Out! welaway. I wallow in woe.

Ribald

Out! out! I go wood for woe, my wit is all went.

Beelzebub

All our food is foul filth, our mirth is beshent.

Ribald

We were builded in bliss, now to burning are bent.

Beelzebub

Out on thee Lucifer, our shining thou's spent.

Lucifer

Welaway. Crap on your carping. I never said nowt. Brick up your blaming I spoke but a thought.

Ribald

Lurden, you lost us.

Beelzebub

Laid low with your lies.

Lucifer

Liars yourself, out alas! You smoor me now in smoke! How could I know this ruin would be wrought?

Beelzebub

Through you, Lucifer, to this we've been brought.

Lucifer

You lie! You lie!

Ribald

Thou art the liar, now what do you say? Now lurdan. Have at him.

Beelzebub

Your debt shall you pay.

THEY FALL ON HIM

God

They would not worship me that hath wrought them And so from henceforth my wrath it has bought them. Wherefore in my work, go forward I will Even to mine own figure this bliss to fulfill.

CREATION

God

I find myself mithered by this murk. Now I divide the dark and light And name to oversee my work The sun in the day, the moon in the night. Here, underneath me now, an isle do I name Which isle shall be earth now. This shall be all. Earth here, and hell. This highest is heaven All of creation shall be in this hall.

They thrive and have my blessing all Yet as I look I cannot see In all these beasts both great and small The creature who might worship me.

From love has this new world grown In love it shall not be left alone.

THE MAKING OF ADAM AND EVE

God

I will now make a thinking beast To keep this world and all that's in I'll fashion him as a likeness of me So will my love be seen in him.

Rise up from clay thou blood and bone And take your shape as man alone.

As night has day and moon has sun So let you not be the only one, And from the rib on your left side I'll fashion one to be your bride. Lest you be sad and lorn I breath in life on this first morn.

Now take from me the breath of life And have you both your souls of me You the husband, you the wife Called Adam, he, and Eve be she.

Adam

Ah Lord, full mickle is thy might It can be seen on ilka side And now here is a joyful sight Of all the world so long and wide.

Eve

How many divers things here now there is Of beasts and fowls both wild and tame. Yet none is made in thy likeness But we alone. Loved be thy name.

God

To this end I made you this day My name to worship evermore Love me now, and love me aye For making you, I ask no more.

PARADISE

God

Adam and Eve, this is the place That I have granted, of my grace To have your dwelling in. Herbs, spices, fruit on tree Beasts, fowls, all that you see Shall bow to you herein. This place is Paradise Let joys begin You only need be wise.

Herbs and trees, nothing let Look to it you sow and set. Flesh, fowl and fish Are there to take at your own wish.

Adam

Oh Lord! Loved be thy name For this will be a joyful home.

Eve

Loving be aye to such a Lord That to us has given this reward.

God

Then I give you long and happy life To multiply as man and wife. But, listen hard to what I say This one commandment you must obey.

In Paradise you may eat of every tree Except this one, now listen to me - This the tree of Good and Ill. The time you bite and eat of this You speed yourselves to spill And be banished out of bliss.

Adam

Ah Lord, that we should do so ill.

Eve

Thy blessed bidding we'll fulfil.

Adam

We'll come not near this tree nor bough.

Nor touch the fruit that on it grow.

Eve

Lord we have no other need To touch the fruit or on it feed.

God

Then here shall you lead your life With dainties that are dear, Adam, husband, Eve, thy wife My blessing have you here.

ADAM AND EVE IN THE GARDEN

Satan

For woe my wits are warring here Which moves me mickle in my mind, That Godhead that I saw so clear Seeing that he would take kind Of one that he had maken Never thought I would I find That favour from me taken.

Therefore I thought that he - For we were fair and bright - And so I thought to be Given favour in his sight

No -
Passed over for this creature, Man! He has made him great With pride of place in paradise plan And given him a mate.

And so I'll try to mar this bliss, I now to her will hie. I'll wend unto her like a worm And wind her in a likely lie.

Eve! Eve!

Eve

Who's there?

Satan

A friend. A friend. Of all the fruit that you see hang In Paradise, why eat you not

Eve

We may take freely of ilk one And eat it without fear Save the one, That one alone we may not come near.

Satan

And why that tree - that would I wit. Why? More than any others by?

Eve

For our Lord God forbids us it, The fruit thereof, Adam nor I To nigh it near. For if we did we both should die He said, and cease our solace here

Satan

Ah Eve, to eat thereof he you forbad I know it well, it is his wit Because he would none other had The virtue that does dwell in it. For thou shalt see Who eats the fruit of good and ill Will then have knowledge great as he.

Eve

What kind of thing art thou That tells this tale to me?

Satan

A worm that wot's well how That thou may worshipped be.

Eve

What worship would we win thereby To eat thereof we need it nought. We have lordship to make mastery Of all things that on Earth are wrought.

Satan

Woman, away To greater state you will be brought If you do only as I say.

Eve

Never, for we should be loath To repay our God this way.

Satan

But, certes, there's no harm, for both May eat it safely here. There is no peril in it lies But worship and great gaining For right as God you would be wise And peers to he who's reigning. Ay, great Gods shall you be Of ill and good to have knowing And to be wise as he.

Eve

Is this sooth that thou says?

Satan

Yes. Why believe not me? I would by no kind of ways Tell nowt but truth to thee.

Eve

Then will I thy teaching trust And take this fruit unto our food.

SHE ACCEPTS THE FRUIT

Satan

Bite boldly on, be not abashed Give some to Adam, to amend his mood And bring him bliss.

SATAN LEAVES

Eve

Adam, have here of fruit full good.

Adam

Alas, woman, why took thou this? Our Lord commanded us both To tend the tree of his. Thy work will make him wroth Alas, thou hast done amiss.

Eve

Nay, Adam, grieve thee not at it And I'll tell you the reason why - A worm has given me the wit We shall be gods, both thou and I.

We shall be gods Thou and me. If that we eat The fruit of this tree.

Adam

To eat I would not eschew If I were sure in thy saying

Eve

Bite on boldly, for it is true We shall be gods and know all thing.

Adam

To win that name I shall taste at thy teaching.

THEY BOTH EAT

Adam

Alas! What have I done? For shame Ill counsel! Woe worth thee! O Eve - thou art to blame To this thou enticed me My body does me shame For I am naked, as I think.

Eve

Alas Adam. And so am I.

Adam

And for sore sorrow we should sink For we have grieved God almighty That made me man, Broken his bidding bitterly - Alas, that ever we this began! This work, Eve, thou hast wrought And made this bad bargain.

Eve

Nay, Adam, blame me not!

Adam

Do way then Eve! Who then?

Eve

More worthy the worm! The worm it were! With untrue tales he me betrayed.

Adam

Alas, that I listened to your lore Or trusted the trifles thou now said That I should bite that bitter bread And dreary deed that I it did Our shape for dole me grieves Now with what shall it be hid?

Eve

Let us take these fig leaves here What's done is done, I fear.

Adam

Right. As thou say, so shall it be For we are naked and all bare. Forever I would hide away From my Lord's sight, if I knew where.

God

Adam! Adam!

Adam

Lord?

God

Where art thou, there?

Adam

I hear thee, Lord, but see thee not.

God

Say, where does it belong This work? What hast thou wrought?

Adam

My Lord, Eve made me do wrong And to this breach us brought.

God

Say, Eve, why hast thou made thy mate Eat fruit I bade thee let hang still?

Eve

A worm, Lord, enticed me thereto Oh welaway, that ever I did deed so ill.

God

Ah wicked worm, woe worth thee aye! For thou on this manner has made them such affray! My malison have thee here With all the might I may.

And on thy womb then shall thou glide And be aye full of enmity To all mankind on every side And dirt shall your sustenance be.

Adam and Eve, to eat and drink On earth now will you sweat and swink And travail for your food.

Adam

Alas, when might we sink. We that had the whole world's good.

God

Come, Cherubim, mine angels bright And drive these two to middle earth.

GOD TURNS FROM THEM. MICHAEL BARS THEIR WAY.

Michael

Adam and Eve, set you to go. For here may you make no dwelling Go you forth, fast to fare Of sorrow may you sing.

Adam

Alas! Wretches, what have we wrought? To bounteous bliss we both were brought We had enough, now we have nought Alas for care.

Michael

Adam, thyself made all this spite For to the tree thou went full right And boldly on the fruit gan bite My Lord forbid.

Eve

Sore shames us now sorrow severe And far fare we both from here. Alas that ever we nighed it near That tree unto.

Michael

Eve, since thou beguiled him so Travail hereafter shalt thou know, Thy bairns to bear with mickle woe. This I warn thee - Obedient thou, and thy sex also To Man ever be.

Eve

We were full well worthy, I wis, For brought we were to wondrous bliss Now my sad sorrow sure is this Myself to see.

Adam

To see it is a sinful sight. We both that were in bliss so bright. Alas, that woman's wit was light That well I know.

Eve

If it were so, it frets me sore But since this woman witless wor Man's mastery should have been the more Against the guilt.

Adam

Nay, at my speech thou wouldst never spare - That has us spilt.

Eve

If I had spoken owt to you, You should have taken good tent thereto And turned my thought.

Adam

Do way woman! that was vain to do So name it not.

Eve

Be still, Adam, name it no more It may not mend.

Adam

He that wrought us guide us from woe Where'er we wend.

THEY LEAVE

God

First, when I wrought this world so wide Wood and wind and waters wan Heaven and hell was nowt to hide And in my likeness made I man.

A woman also with him wrought I All in law to lead their life I bade them wax and multiply To fill this world, withouten strife.

But since they make me now repent The work I wrought so well and true, Without cease they'll not assent But ever be bound more bale to brew.

All new I will this world be wrought And waste them all that live therein. A flood above them shall be brought Till all be sunken for their sin.

But Noah alone, leave shall it nought He and his sons, this is my thought.

Noah, my servant, sad and clean, For thou art stable in stead and stall I will thou work with cunning keen A work to save thyself, withal.

Noah

Oh mercy, Lord, what may this mean?

God

I am thy God of great and small Who comes to warn thee of sorrows keen And what wonders shall then befall.

Noah

Ah Lord, I love thee, loud and still Thus to thy word as is thy will

God

Noah, as I bid, do you fulfill. A ship I would thee build thyself And though thou hast but little skill Take up thy tools, for I shall help.

Noah

But of shipcraft can I do right nowt. Of their making I have no mark.

God

Noah, have no anxious thought. Take heed to me, now hark!

Take thee high trees and hew them clean All by the square and nowt a squin. Saw them in boards and battens between Thus thrivingly and not too thin. Look that thy seams be subtly sewn Therefore do forth and leave thy din.

Take with thee gear, as much as may gain Till all be harboured, haste thee fast. After the seventh day, it shall rain Till forty days be fully past.

Noah, this lesson learn of me. For divers beasts in must thou send And birds also, in their degree. That they not together blend Stages and cages must there be Of every kind thou shall take two. Male and female, that should be clear.

THE BUILDING OF THE ARK

Noah

Ah, blissful Lord, that all may hold, I thank thee heartily ever and aye Five hundred winters I am old Methinks those years as yesterday - Full weak was I and all unbold My weariness is gone away.

God

Three hundred cubits shall it be long Fifty broad and height of thirty strong. Look truly that thou think on this Look thou that thou work nothing wrong.

Noah

About this work, now I must wend With beasts and birds my ship to fill. Ah, Lord, that each amiss may mend I love thy lore both loud and still

God

Thy wife, thy sons, shall with thee go And their three wives, now have no fear These eight bodies and no more.

Son 1

Father, we're all ready here, Thy busy bidding to fulfil.

Noah

Go call your mother to come in. And speed us fast that we nowt spill.

Son 1

Where are you, Mother mine? Come to my father soon.

Noah's wife

Soon? What say you son?

Son 1

Mother, certain, My father thinks to flit full far. He bids you haste with all your main To him, that nothing may you mar

Noah

Well, good son, haste back again And tell your father I'll not come nar.

Son 1

Dame, I would do your bidding fain But you best wend, lest it be war.

Noah's wife

War? That would I wit! We wrangle wrong, I ween.

Son 1

Mother, I tell thee yet My father is bound to flit.

Noah's wife

Now sure, till I see what he means I shall stay put and sit.

Son 1

Father, I have done as you command My mother moves not this day

Noah

She'll move soon enough or nowhere stand This world shall all soon waste away

Noah wife

Where art thou, Noah?

Noah

Lo, over here. Come hither fast, dame, I thee pray

Noah's wife

Think you that I will leave dry land? And shift up there in disarray? Nay, Noah, I am not best pleased Come bairns, let's get us back to town.

Noah

Nay? Right then. You rest there and drown

Noah's wife

In truth thou might as well come down And go do summat else.

Noah

Dame, forty days have nearly been and gone Since it began to rain. No man shall longer last alive But we alone. That is full plain.

Noah's wife

Noah, thou art nigh mad. I am aghast - Farewell! I'm off back home again

Noah

Oh woman, art thou mad? Knowst nowt of all my works? All that has bone or blood Shall be overflowed with flood.

Noah's wife

Aye, well, you were as good To let me go my way.

Noah's

Come now. Good cheer!

Help me, my sons, to hold her here, While of her harms she takes no heed.

Son 2

Be merry, mother, and mend your cheer The world will soon be drowned indeed.

Noah's wife

Alas that I've lived this lore to hear.

Noah

Thou'll spill us all, ill might thou speed.

Son 3

Dear mother, wend with us. There's nothing shall you grieve.

Noah's wife

Nay, nay. Go home, I must I can't abide here with this fuss.

Noah

Woman, woman, why does thou thus? To make us more mischief

Noah's wife

Noah, thou might have let me know Early and late, you were ever out And aye at home you'd let me sit Do what you will, and yelled me nowt.

Noah

Dame, holdst me to blame for all of this? It was God's will without a doubt.

Noah's wife

Nay Noah, I'll have none of this Nay, by my troth, thou'll get a clout.

Noah

This is as God would have it done I pray thee dame, now hush thy mouth.

Noah's wife

Then he should have asked my will - If I would assent to owt.

Noah

Now Dame thou need not dread it so For to account it cost thee nowt. God bade that I should bring Of beasts and fowls that sing.

Noah's wife

Then sure if we should scape from scathe And so be saved, as you say to me, My old friends and my cousins too Should come now and be saved with we.

Noah

Tis danger through the flood to go. Look! Come in and you will see.

Noah's wife

Alas, my life to bear this wrong, To hear this I have lived too long.

Daughter 1

Dear mother, mend your mood, For we wend with you here.

Noah's wife

All my friends. Left behind. All overflowed in't flood.

Daughter 2

But we who have been given grace Give thanks that God is good.

RAIN AND STORMS. THE DELUGE

Daughter 2

Mother, who thought this would be seen That all should worth to waters wan.

Son 1

Father, what may this marvel mean. Whereto made God the earth and Man?

Daughter 1

So such a sight was never seen

Since first our God this world began.

Noah

It is waning, that I know well, Therefore a fowl of flight Full soon shall I forth send To seek if he have sight Some land upon to light. Then may we know full right When our mourning shall mend.

Of all the fowl that men may find The raven is brave and wise is he - Wend forth thy course, then hither thee wind If thou find either land or tree.

THE RAVEN FLIES

Nine months here have we been pined But when God wills, better we'll be.

Daughter 1

That Lord that lent us life To learn his laws in land Who made both man and wife Help us to stint our strife.

Daughter 3

Our cares are keen as knife On firm ground would we stand.

Son 1

Father, this fowl is forth too long Upon some land he surely lends His food there for to find and fang That makes him be a failing friend.

Noah

Another fowl, full free Our messenger shall be.

A faithful fowl to send art thou. Over all these water wide Wend forth, I pray thee, for our prow

THE DOVE FLIES

And sadly seek on ilka side To see if floods be falling now That we on earth may build and bide.

Daughter 2

Good Lord, look down on us And cease our sorrows sere Since we all sin forsook And to thy laws us took.

Daughter 1

A twelve month bar twelve week Have we been bobbing here.

THE DOVE RETURNS WITH AN OLIVE BRANCH.

Noah

Now bairns we may be blithe and glad And love our lord of heavens king. My bird has done as I him bad An olive branch I see him bring More joy in heart I never had We mun be saved, now may we sing!

Noah's wife

From wreaks now may we win Out of this woe that we were in. But Noah, where now are all our kin And company we knew before?

Noah

Dame, all drowned, let be thy din. For soon they bought their sins full sore Good living let us now begin So that we grieve our God no more.

He was grieved in degree And greatly moved in mind Full sore regretted he That ever he made mankind.

Noah

He sets his rainbow clearly to ken As tokening twixt him and us. That though this world was finished thus With water would never be wasted again.

Son 1

Father, how shall this life be led? Since none are in this world but we?

Noah

Sons, with your wives ye shall be stead And multiply your seed shall ye. Your bairns shall ilk each another wed. And worship God in good degree Beasts and fowls shall forth be bred And so a world begin to be.

HUMANITY GOES TO THE DOGS.

God

Great marvel this may mean How man was made with nowt amiss, And set where he should ever have been All without bale, biding in bliss. And since what sorrows sore were seen, Seen unto him and to all his.

And now they lay long space Locked from light, Till I grant them grace Of help as I have hight.

Now sayeth I thus, God in heaven Ordains in earth mankind to mend And to grace it with godhead even. My son I say that I shall send To take kind on man's kin In a maiden full mild. So will be many saved of sin, And the foul fiend beguiled.

Lo, I say thus: I shall give Hereof a sign to see, To all that loyally live, And this your sign shall be -

Lo here, I say a maiden soon Here on this mould where mankind dwell Shall clear conceive and bear a son, And name his name Emmanuell. His kingdom that ever is begun Shall never cease, but dure and dwell.

Gabriel

Hail, Mary, full of grace and bliss Our Lord God is with thee And has chosen thee for his Of all women blest might thou be.

Mary

What manner of greeting is this? That privily comes to me? For in my heart a thought there is The tokening that here I see.

Gabriel

Now dread thou nought, thou mild Mary For nothing that may thee befall For thou has found all sovereignly Of God, a grace above others all. In the chastity of thy body Conceive and bear a boy thou shall This bidding now I bring to thee And his name Jesu shall you call.

He shall be God, and called God's son And David's seat, a heavenly throne Shall God give him to sit upon.

Mary

Thou, God's Angel, meek and mild How should this be, I do thee pray That I should so conceive a child Of any man by night or day? I know no man hath e'er defiled My maidenhood, the truth to say.

Gabriel

The holy ghost in thee shall light And over thee high virtue hold. The holy one born of thee so bright The son of God shall he be called.

God

Now, let down at my liking The dew to fall from heaven so far For then from earth shall spread and spring A seed that shall them save. The dew to God the Holy Ghost May be compared in man's mind, The earth unto the maiden chaste, Because she comes of earthly kind.

Mary

Now Lord, ever blessed be For the grace thou hast me lent Lord I love thee, very God, For this sign thou hast me sent I thank thee night and day To thee, my will is now bent.

Joseph

Now, Lord, too long I lead this life My bones are heavy as lead And may not stand in stead As known it is full rife. That thusgates now in my old days

Has wedded a young wench to my wife Her works me make my cheeks to wet.

I am beguiled. How, I know not - My young wife is with child full great.

The child sure is not mine That reproof makes me pine And makes me flee from home.

And why not would some young man take her? For sure I think I will forsake her. Of my wending none will I warn.

Nevertheless 'tis my intent To ask her who got her bairn - That would I fain know before I went.

All hail, Mary. I am come home.

Mary

Joseph, my spouse. Welcome are ye.

Joseph

Gramercy, Mary. Say, what cheer? Tell me in sooth, how is't with thee? Who has been here?

Thy womb is waxen great, thinks me Thou art with bairn, alas for care

Whose is't, Mary?

Mary

Sir, God's and yours

Joseph

Nay, nay. Now wit I well I am beguiled. And reason why? With me fleshly wast thou never defiled - And I forsake it here thereby.

Elizabeth

If you threat as fast as you can There is nowt to say there till, For truly here came never no man To weight the body with none ill Of this sweet maid; For we have dwelt aye with her still And never from her day and night Came here no man between.

Rebecca

Saving an angel one day once.

Joseph

The angel has made her with child! Nay; some man in angel's likeness With some base trick has her beguiled. Woe, why gab ye at me so And fain such fantasy?

I dare look no man in the face Me loathed my life! Alas, why wrought thou so Mary, my wedded wife?

Mary

To my witness, great God I call That in my mind ne'er wrought no miss.

Joseph

Whose is the child thou art withal?

Mary

Yours, sir, and the king of bliss.

Joseph

Whose is it, as fair might you befall!

Mary

Sir, it is yours, and God's own will.

Joseph

Let be, for shame. I did it never. For I wrought never in word nor deed Nothing that should mar thy maidenhead. Therefore the father tell me, Mary.

Mary

Forsooth, I am a maiden clean.

Joseph

Nay, thou speaks now against kind Such thing might never no man mean A maiden to be with child? These works from thee are wild - She is not born, I ween

Mary

Joseph, you are beguiled With sin was I never defiled God's hand is on me seen.

Joseph

Gods hand? Yah, Mary, God help! But certes that child was never ours two.

HE LEAVES

Mary

Now great king of Bliss Send you some sign of this In truth that you may bide.

Joseph

Ere I pass this hill Do with me God, what thou will Either more or less. Here bus me bide full still Till I have slept my fill My heart so heavy it is.

Gabriel

Waken, Joseph, and take better keep To Mary, Thou makest her heart full sore That loves thee all the best.

Joseph

Ah, now is this not fearsome fare For to be caught both here and there. And nowhere may have rest. Say, what art thou? Tell me this thing.

Gabriel

Gabriel I am. God's angel I That has taken Mary to my keeping And sent to thee, aloud to cry God's word thus, from on high.

That child that shall be born of her It is conceived of the Holy Ghost. All joy and bliss shall follow after And to mankind of all the most. Jesu his name thou call His people save he shall From evils and angers all Whereby they are now in thrall.

Joseph

And is this sooth, angel, thou says?

Gabriel

Yea; and this to make right Wend forth to Mary, thy wife always Bring her to Bethlehem this very night There shall the child born be God's son of heaven is he And man aye most of might.

GABRIEL LEAVES

Joseph

Now, Lord my God, full well is me That ever I this sight should see. I was never ere so light, For I would have her thus refused And blameless blame that aye was clear Now must pray hold me excused As some men do with full good cheer.

JOSEPH RETURNS TO MARY

Joseph

Say, Mary, wife, how fares thou?

Mary

The better, sir, for seeing thee Why stand ye there? Come near.

Joseph

My back fain would I bow. To ask forgiveness now Wistful I thou would me hear.

Mary

Forgiveness sir? Let be, for shame. Such words should all good women lack.

Joseph

Aye Mary, I am to blame For words just since I to thee spake.

But gather up now all our gear Such poor weeds as we wear And press them in a pack To Bethlehem I must it bear Help up now, on my back.

THEY SET OUT FOR BETHLEHEM

Joseph

I pray thee Lord, of thy great might Grant us safe harbour, Lord, this night, For we have sought both up and down Through divers streets in Bethlehem. So mickle people are come to town That we can nowhere harboured be; Forsooth I can no succour see.

The roof is ruined above our head The walls are down on ilka side And here is neither cloth nor bed - We cannot here abide.

Mary

God will us watch, full well wit ye. Therefore, Joseph, be of good cheer For in this place born will he be That shall us save from sorrows sere Both even and morn. Sir, know ye well the time is near He will be born.

Joseph

Then it behoves us bide here still Here in this same place all this night.

Mary

Yea, sir, forsooth, it is God's will.

Joseph

Then would I fain we had some light What e'er befall. It waxes right murk unto my sight And cold withall.

I'll fetch us fire to light this night And warm us through and all.

HE LEAVES. MARY IS ALONE

Mary

Now in my soul great joy have I, I am all clad in comfort clear Now will be born of my body Both God and man together here.

JESUS IS BORN

Blessed mote he be Jesu, my son that is so dear, Now born is he.

Hail, my Lord God, prince of peace, Hail my father, and hail my son; Hail Sovereign sent all sins to cease Hail, God and man on earth as one. Hail, through whose might All this world was first begun Murkness and light.

Son, as I am simple subject of thine Vouchsafe, sweet son, I pray thee That I might thee take in these arms of mine And in this poor weed to array thee. As I am thy mother chosen to be.

Joseph

Ah, Lord God, what! the weather is cold The fellest freeze that ever I feeled. I pray God help them that are old, And sick, and are unwieldy.

Ah Lord God, what light is this That comes shining thus suddenly? Say Mary, wife, what cheer with thee?

Mary

Right good, Joseph, as has been aye.

Joseph

Oh Mary, what sweet thing is that on thy knee?

Mary

It is my son, the sooth to say.

Joseph

Well is me that I lived to see this day.
Hail saviour.
Hail, my Lord, learner of light
Hail, blessed flower.

Mary

Here is no bed to lay thee in Here in this crib, I might thee lay

THE SHEPHERDS ON A HILLSIDE

Sheperd 1

Our forefathers, faithful who were, Proved that a prince without a peer Should descend down into a lady To heal them that are lorn, And in Bethlem by here Shall that same bairn be born

Sheperd 2

Ere he be born in borough nearby A star should sign and signify.

Sheperd 3

Ah, merciful maker, mickle is thy might That thus will to thy servants see. Might we once look upon that light. Meanwhile, I rede that we Flit fast over these fells Our flocks to find and see And talk of somewhat else.

Sheperd 1

Ah, hoo!

Sheperd 2

Oh, hey!

Sheperd 3

What's the matter, this night?

Sheperd 1

Step forth and tell me truly then If ever you saw such a sight.

Sheperd 2

I? Nay, certes, nor never no man.

Sheperd 3

As long as we have herdsmen been And kept these cattle in this clough, So strange a sight was never none seen.

Sheperd 1

We know not what marvel this might mean.

Sheperd 3

Ha ha! this was a merry note. By the death that I shall die I have so croaked in my throat That my lips are near dry

Sheperd 2

No boasting boys, For what it was fain would I know

That to us made this noble noise.

Sheperd 1

An angel brought us tidings new A babe in Bethlem should be born Of whom they spake our prophecy true And bade us meet him there this morn.

Sheperd 3

To do him honour, let's go fore by And make we mirth and melody

Sheperd 1

Here is the place where we should be.

Sheperd 2

Lo, here is the house. And here is he.

Sheperd 3

Yea, forsooth; this is the same Lo, where that Lord is laid Right as the angel said.

Sheperd 1

Since I am but a simple knave Though come of courteous kin, Lo, here such harness as I have A base metal broach with bell of tin At your bosom to be - Good son, forget not me.

Sheperd 2

Son, that shall save both sea and sand, Look at me that has thee sought Two cob nuts here upon a band Lo, little babe, what I have brought. And when you shall be lord in't land Do good again; forget me nought.

Sheperd 3

You are a prince without a peer. I have no present that may you please But, lo, a horn spoon that I have here And it will harbour forty peas.

Sheperd 1

Farewell thou sweetest swain. God grant us living long.

Sheperd 2

Now go we home again.

Sheperd 3

And make mirth as we gang.

THE MAGI

Queen 1

They said a star with gleams all bright Out of the east shall stably stand And that it should mean mickle might Of one that should be lord in land That men of sin should save.

King

With thy brightness that star has me brought Out of my realm, rich Araby. I shall not cease till I have sought What wonders it shall signify.

Queen 2

Lord God, that has all good begun And all may end, both good and ill, That made for man both moon and sun And set yon star to stand stone still, Till I the cause may clearly con God guide me with his worthy will.

Queen 1

Now, here is Jerusalem To guide us as we go And beyond is Bethlem There shall we seek also.

King

So, you shall well understand For to be wise now were it need Sir Herod is king of this land And has his laws here for to lead.

Queen 2

Right, since we nigh now thus nearhand Unto his help we must take heed. For have we his will and warrant Then may we safely with speed.

HEROD

Herod

The clouds clapped in clearness that their climates enclose, Jupiter and Jove, Mars and Mercury amid, Ranking over my royalty on row me rejoice. Blundering their blasts to blow when I bid. For I am fairer of face and fresher on fold - How think you these tales that I told?

Satan as Kight 1

With dints to his death be he dight, That lists not to your laws to lout his will.

Messenger

My Lord, sir Herod, king with crown!

Herod

Peace, dastard, in the devil's despite.

Messenger

My Lord, new note is near this town.

Herod

What, false losel? Leave my sight. Go beat yon boy and ding him down.

Messenger

Lord, messengers should no man smite, It may be for your own renown.

Herod

That would I hear. Get on with it, right.

Messenger

My Lord, I met at morn Three monarchs carping together Of a bairn that is born And they high to come hither.

Herod

Three forsooth?

Messanger

Sir, so I say. They will be here this day.

Herod

Do dress us then in rich array And every man make merry cheer That no semblance be seen But friendship fair and still Till we know what they mean Whether it be good or ill.

Queen 1

The Lord that lends aye-lasting light, Which has led us out of our land, Keep thee, sir king and comely knight And all thy folk that we here find.

Herod

Mahound, my god and most of might That holds my kingdom in his hand He save you sirs, seemly in sight And tell us now some new tidand.

King

Some shall we say you sir, A star stood us before That makes us speak and speer Of one that is now born.

Herod

Now born? This birth be bad! And certes, unwitty men were you To leap over lands to look for a lad! Say who can this bairn be?

Queen 2

Forsooth, he shall be King Of Jews and of Judee.

Herod

King! In the devil's name, dogs, fie! Now I see well you roil and rave. By any shimmering in the sky When should you know either king or knave? Nay, I am King, and none but I. That shall you ken, if that you crave.

Queen 2

Now, lord, we ask but leave. By your power to pass.

Herod

Whither, in the devil's name? To seek a lad here in my lands? False harlots, but ye hie ye home You shall be beaten and bound in bands.

COUNCILLOR 1

Great King, to fell this foul defame Let all your right rant fall on hand And seek them soberly of the same So shall you stably understand. Their mind and their meaning.

COUNCILLOR 2

Bid them go forth and friendly taste The truth of this that they have sought And tell it to you. So shall you trust Whether their tales be true or nought. Then shall you wait, and then you must Make all waste that they have wrought.

Herod

Wend forth, your wishes to fulfil To Bethlem - Tis but near at hand And seek gradely both good and ill Of him that should be lord in land. Then come back here your news to spill So I may worship him, that is my will.

THE KINGS LEAVE

Herod

Now sure, this is a subtle train. Now shall they truly take their ways And all their counsel in this case If it be sooth, they shall be slain.

THE MAGI ON THE WAY TO BETHLEHEM

Queen 1

Ah, look, for sight what shall I say? Where is our sign? I see it nought.

King

No more do I. Now dare I lay In our wending some wrong is wrought.

Queen 2

No, there. I see it stand Above where he is born Lo, here is the house at hand We have not missed this morn.

Queen 1

Hail, the fairest of field, folk for to find From the fiend and our foes, faithfully us to fend. Hail, the best that shall be born to unbind All the bairns that are born and in bale are bound. And since it shall work on this wise Thyself have I sought, son, I say thee With gold that is greatest of price Be pleased with this present, I pray thee.

King

Hail, food, that thy folk fully may feed, Hail, flower fairest, that never shall fade, Hail son that is sent of this same seed That shall save us of sin that our sires made. And since thou shall sit to be deeming To hell or to heaven for to have us Incense to thy service is seeming Son, see to thy subjects and save us.

Queen 2

Hail, bairn that is best our bales to meet, For our best shall thou be bound and beat. Hail, duke that drives death under feet, Hail, man that is made to thy men meet. And since thy body, buried shall be This myrrh will I give to thy graving. The gift is not great of degree Receive it, and see to our saving.

King

For solace sere now may we sing All is performed that we for prayed.

Queen 1

Shall we now wend to Herod the king?

Queen 2

Friends, fast I say we flit Ilk one to our own country.

King

He that is well of wit us guide.

Queen 1

And with you be.

Joseph

Lord, see unto this simple wight That has none help but thee alone, For all this world I have forsaken And to thy service I have me taken.

Herod

Whither are they gone?

Messenger

Each one to his own land.

Herod

How sayest thou, lad? Let be.

Messenger

I say, for they are passed.

Herod

What, forth away from me?

Messenger

Yea lord, in faith full fast. For I heard and took heed How that they went all three Into their own country.

Herod

Alas, then am I lorn Fie on them false ones. Fie! Fie on thee, lad. Thou lie!

Messenger

I am not worthy so to chide - So farewell, all the heap!

Herod

Go in the devil's despite Or I shall make thee leap.

Alas, for sorrow and sight My woe may no man write. What devil is best to do?

COUNCILLOR 1

My Lord, amend your cheer. Let nowt you needless noy, We shall help you here That lad for to destroy.

COUNCILLOR 2

Now gather all your knights And bid them ding to death Every boy child that they find In Bethlehem alive.

COUNCILLOR 1

What say you, lord? Let see.

Herod

To Bethlem must we wend To ding the dastard down With shame to make his end That means to master me.

GABRIEL APPEARS IN THE STABLE.

Gabriel

Waken, Joseph, and take intent. My saws shall cease thy sorrows sore. Be not heavy, thy help is meant, Therefore I bid thee, sleep no more. I am sent to thee.

Joseph

Gabriel, God's angel bright.

Gabriel

I come to bid thee flee With Mary and her worthy babe, In Egypt shall you dwell Till I bid you return.

Joseph

Mary. Mary.

An angel bright has came from bliss And bade me flee With the babe and thee Into Egypt.

Mary

Alas, Joseph, for woe Was never wight in world so wild?

Joseph

Do way, Mary, and say not so For know thee well, God is our friend, He will be with us where so we wend. Now shall no noyance do us no harm - I have our help here in my arm.

Whereso we land, none shall betray.

Mary

Amen, as He best may.

THE SLAUGHTER OF THE INNOCENTS.

Herod Soldier 1

Come forth, fellows in fear What foundlings find we here?

Woman 1

Out on you, thieves, I cry You'd slay my seemly son.

Herod Soldier 2

These brats shall dearly buy The bale that we've begun.

Herod Soldier 3

Now, lay from thee fast.

Woman 2

Alas, for dole I die, To save my son shall I - Aye, while my life shall last.

Herod Soldier 1

Ah dame, the devil thee speed And me, but it be quit.

Woman 3

To die I have no dread I wish thee well to wit To save my son so dear.

Herod Soldier 1

To arms, for now is need; Unless we do yon deed These queens will quell us here.

THEY KILL THE CHILDREN

Herod Soldier 1

Go we to the King - Of all this contest keen I shall not let for nothing But say as we have seen.

Woman 2

Alas this loathly life No bliss now will I meet. The knight upon his knife Has killed my son so sweet, And I had but him alone.

Woman 3

Alas I lose my life! Was never so woeful a wife And never so woebegone.

Woman 4

Alas, that we were wrought In world women to be. The bairns that we dear brought Thus in our sight to see.

Woman 5

And certes their note is nought That one that they have sought Shall they never find.

JOSEPH PULLING A CART, CONCEALING MARY AND THE BABY JESUS, CROSSES THE STAGE AS THEY ESCAPE TO EGYPT.

END OF PART ONE.

PART 2

Satan

Make room! Be alive! And let me gang. What makes here all this madding throng? Hie you all hence! High might you all hang Right with a rope. I dread me that I've dwelled too long To do this jape.

Mary

Ah sir! Where is our seemly son? I trow our wits be waste as wind. Alas! In bale thus am I gone, What ails us both to be so blind? To go overfast have we begun And left that lovely lad behind!

Joseph

Nay, Mary, mend thy cheer…

Mary

He is but twelve year old!

Jesus

Sirs, since ye are set in rows And have your books abroad Let's see, sirs, in your saws How rightly can ye read?

Doctor 1

First, honour God over all thing With all thy wit and all thy will And all thine heart on Him shall hang.

Doctor 2

Early and late, both loud and still.

Jesus

Ye need no other books to bring But find ye this for to fulfil. The second may men prove And clearly know, whereby Your neighbours shall ye love As yourself certainly. In these two biddings, shall ye ken, Hangs all the lore we ought to fear.

Mary

Ah sir! I see him we have sought! Lo, where he sits – see ye him not? Among yon masters mickle of might Go forth and fetch your son and mine.

Joseph

I cannot with them, as you well know, They are so gay in furs so fine! When I come there, what shall I say?

Mary

Ah dearest son, Jesus! Why dost thou thus to us? We have sought thee both to and fro Weeping full sore as sad wights must.

Joseph

Come forth son, with thy mother and me At Nazareth I would we were.

Jesus

Now live ye well, my lords so free. For with my parents must I fare

Joseph

Farewell all folk now here.

THE DEVIL HAS BEEN WATCHING THIS.

Satan

Since the first time that I fell For my pride, from heaven to hell, Ever have I mustered to mingle and mell among mankind - How I in dole may make them dwell and ever pine.

And now some men speak of this swain How he shall come and suffer pain And with his death to bliss again They should be brought. But sure, this tale is but a train, I trust it nought

JOHN THE BAPTIST

John Baptist

After me comes one that has more power than I at most He shall give baptism more entire through fire and the Holy Ghost.

Therefore be clean, both wife and man, as I have said, God will make in you wholly then his dwelling-stead.

HE SEES THE ADULT JESUS APPROACH.

Almighty Lord, great is thy grace. And thy mother Mary, blest be she!

Jesus

Come, baptise me, John, within this place.

John Baptist

Methinks it were more need that thou baptised me.

What rich man goes from door to door To beg from him that has right nought? Lord, thou art rich and I full poor.

Jesus

For heavenly need this thing is wrought.

Jesus

But in this deed, Lord, set no blame Then Jesus, lord of mights the most I baptise thee here in the name Of the Father and of the Son and Holy Ghost.

THE DESERT

Satan

And so now it is brought about That lurden that they love and lout To wilderness he is went out All on his own. To face him now I have no doubt Me and him alone.

He has fasted - that mars his mood - These forty days without food. If he be man in bone and blood Him hungers ill; With gluttony then hold I good To test his will.

Thou witty man and wise of head If thou know ought of Godhead Bid now that these stones be bread. Make flour of sand Then may the hungry all be fed Throughout the land.

Jesus

That Godhead, that all sorrow may slake Honour evermore to thee I make, And gladly I suffer for thy sake This villainy, And thus temptations for to take Of mine enemy.

Thou wicked wight, thy wits are wood. It was written, have you not understood, A man lives not in main and mood By bread alone. But God's own words are ghostly food To men each one.

Satan

Such carping cant I never kenned. He hungers not, as I wend. Now since thy angels may thee fend By subtle sleight, Let's see if thou alone may land Upon a height.

Now list to me a little space If thou be God, full of grace, Prove the point here in this place To show thy might. Let's see, fall flat upon thy face Here in my sight.

Is it not written, and is well kenned How thou shalt to thee angels send And they shall hold thee in their hend Wereso thou goes That thou shall on no stones descend To stub thy toes?

Jesus

Let be, warlock, with all your lies, For it is written - try this for size - To tempt your God would not be wise With this discord Bow down your face from the skies Worship thy Lord.

Satan

Thou mayest see, since it is so That I am sovereign of us two And yet I grant thee ere I go, And without fail, That if thou wilt assent me to It shall avail.

For I have all this world to wield Tower and town, forest and field. If thou thine heart will to me yield And head will bend Yet will I surely be thy shield And faithful friend.

Behold now sir, and thou shalt see Such kingdoms sir, and such country; And all this will I give to thee For evermore, If thou fall and honour me As I said before.

Jesus

Cease of thy saws, thou Satanas. I grant thee nothing that thou me asks. The Lord thy God thou ought to dread And honour aye, And serve him in thy word and deed Both night and day. And since thou does not as I thee tell I bid thee pass to depths of hell

And swiftly wend To dwell in woe, for ever more Without end.

ANGELS APPEAR

Devil

Out! I dare not look. Alas! It is worse than it ever was He musters all the might he has, High might he hang! Follow fast, for I must pass To torments strong.

HE GOES

Gabriel

Methinks that you were straitly stead Lord, with this fiend that now is fled.

Jesus

Mine angel, dear, be not adread He may not grieve. The Holy Ghost me has led - Thus now believe,

For when folk the fiend shall see When he assails them in sore degree Their mirror shall they make of me And so against him stand. Now will I wend - I know my time is now at hand.

THE WOMAN TAKEN IN ADULTERY

Person 1

Step forth, this will we no longer stand Step smartly, let our plaints be made. This filly that we in folly found Let's show her why she should be afraid.

Person 2

I'll bear witness, by my hand How we roused her, all unarrayed Against the laws of this our land Where she was with her lover laid.

Person 3

Yea, and he a wedded man. That was a wicked sin.

Person 4

That bargain shall she ban With bale when we begin.

Annas

Ah, false stud mare and stinking stray How durst thou sneak so still away, To do so vile adultery For breaking laws we'll make you pay.

Person 1

Her bawdry shall she dearly buy For as we saw, so shall we say,

Annas

We will show what her work is worth She shall be stoned to death this day.

Person 2

What hath she done? Folly? Fornication and sin?

Caiaphas

Nay, nay, adultery Full bold, and stands therein.

Person 3

Yea sir, you said well there Now let's not waste more breath There falls nothing else therefore But to be stoned to death.

Jesus

My judgement now hear ye. I say this word alone - He that from stain is free Let he be first to cast a stone.

Person 3

He shows my own misdeeds and sin l leave you here. Let her alone.

Person 4

Since we are no longer bold I'll no longer stay

Person 2

Peace! Let no tales be told, But let us go away.

THEY ALL SCATTER, EXCEPT THE TWELVE APOSTLES.

Jesus

Woman, I do not condemn thee. Repent. Of all thy miss I make thee free. Look now no more to sin assent.

Woman/Thaddeus

Ah Lord, loved must thou be! All earthly folk now here, Love him and his high name That has saved me from sin and shame.

Jesus

And evermore of this same Example shall be seen; Whoso shall others blame, Look first themselves be clean.

Now, I may no longer spend; To other folk now must I fare, And to Jerusalem now must I wend For things that must be fulfilled there.

JESUS SPEAKS TO THE APOSTLES

To me take tent and give good heed My dear disciples that be here, I shall tell you that shall be indeed My time to pass hence it draweth near, And by this skill Man's soul to save from sorrows sere, That lost was ill. Ransom to make I made promise The prophecy now draws to an end.

My dear disciples, behold and see Unto Jerusalem we shall ascend Man's son shall there betrayed be And given into his enemies' hand, With great despite. Their spitting on him there shall they spend,

And smartly smite. I mourn, I sigh, I weep also, Jerusalem, on thee to look. And so may thou rue That ever thou thy king forsook, And was untrue,

For stone on stone shall none be left, But down to the ground shall all be cast. Thou art unkind, Against thy king thou hast trespassed, Have this in mind.

ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM

Blind man

Ah Lord, that all this world has made Both sun and moon and night and day, What noise is this that makes me glad? From whence it comes I cannot say, Or what it mean, If any man walk in this way Say what is seen.

Poor man

Man, what ails thee to cry? Where would thou be? Now tell me here.

Blind man

Ah, a blind man am I And aye have been of tender year Since I was born. What is this voice of noble cheer I hear before?

Poor man

Jesus the prophet full of grace Comes here at hand. All the citizens go to meet him He is right near.

Blind man

Sir, help me to the street hastily That I may hear.

Poor man

Lo, he is here at this same place Cry fast on him.

Blind man

Jesu, the son of David called, Thou have mercy.

Alas, I cry, he hears me nought. He turns his ear. Where is his thought?

Poor man

Cry somewhat louder, look thou not spare So may thou spy.

Blind man

Jesu, the salver of all sore, To me give good eye.

Philip

Cease, man, and cry not so. The voice of the people goes thee by.

Blind man

Ah, David's son, to thee I cry, The king of bliss.

Peter

Lord, have mercy, and let him go He cannot cease of his crying.

Jesus

What would thou, man, I to thee did In this present? Tell openly.

Blind man

Lord, my eyesight from me is hid. Grant it to me, I cry mercy.

Jesus

Look up now with cheer blithely Thy faith shall thee save.

Blind man

Worship and honour to thee be done Who my sight has sent me soon, I that was blind as any stone!

Lame woman

Thou Lord that shaped both night and day For thy mercy have mind on me And help me, Lord, as thou well may.

I may not gang, For I am lame, as men might see And have been long.

Jesus

Woman, rise and cast thy crutches good space Here in the field, And look in truth thou steadfast be, And follow me forth with good meaning.

Lame woman

Lord, I was halt of limb and lame And I suffered pain and sorrows enow. Aye-lasting lord, loved be thy name Now I am as light as bird on bough. Aye be thou blessed! Such grace hast thou showed me now.

Zacheus

What may this mean? I cannot say what it may be, Comfort or pain. The people all through street or gate, Come new laws to hear. Our old laws, now they hate But his they hold dear. Yet I marvel of this thing, Of publicans since prince am I Whether he come or pass me from I shall see him.

Jesus

Zacheus, do thou fast come here.

Zacheus

To thee on knees, Lord, here I fall For sin I wrought.

Jesus

Zacheus, thy service new Shall make thee clean of all the wrong That thou hast done.

Zacheus

Me shames with sin, but ought to mend My sin forsake therefore I will, Half my goods I have unspent Poor folk to give it till This will I fain. Whom I beguiled, to him I will Make right again.

Jesus

Thy clear confession shall thee cleanse Thou may be sure of lasting life.

Zacheus

Blest might thou be.

Citizen 1

Hail Prince of Peace shall ever endure Hail, Lord lovely, our cares may cure.

Citizen 2

Hail, flourishing flower that never shall fade, Hail, mark of mirth, our medicine made.

Citizen 3

Hail, blissful babe, in Bethlehem born Hail, he that shaped both eve and morn.

Citizen 4

Hail, conqueror, most of might Hail ransomer of sin, lovely light.

Citizen 5

Hail, sun aye-shining with bright beams! Hail, lucid lantern's lovely gleams.

Citizen 6

Hail doomsman dreadful, that all shall lout. Hail, whom all thing shall dread and doubt.

Hail, we welcome thee to our city!

CAIAPHAS AND ANNAS HAVE BEEN WATCHING. AT SOME POINT IN THE PROCEEDINGS THEY BUTTONHOLE JUDAS. WE SEE THEM PAY HIM.

THE CONSPIRACY

Annas

Sir Pilate there is a rank swain, whose rule is not right

Pilate

I hear well you hate him. Your hearts are on height.

Caiphas

For this cause, that caitiff, he calls him our king!

Annas

And for that cause our commons are cast in care.

Pilate

If so that be, that boast to bale will him bring, And make him to ban the bones that him bare For that wretch from our vengeance shall not wring.

Judas

Do, open the door of this proud place, That I might pass to your princes to prove for your prow.

Pilate's guard

Go hence, thou glowering gadling, God give thee ill grace.

Judas

Good sir, be toward this time, and tarry not my trace, For I have tidings to tell.

Pilate

What hightest thou?

Judas

Judas Iscariot.

THE LAST SUPPER

Jesus

Come forth with me together here; My words shall not be wrought in waste. Set your feet forth; let's see. They shall be wash-ed soon.

Peter

Lord, with thy leave, by thee That deed shall not be done. Never shall I make my members meet Of my sovereigns service to me.

Jesus

Peter, unless thou let me wash thy feet, Thou gets no part in bliss with me.

HE WASHES THEIR FEET AND THEN SHARES BREAD AND WINE

Jesus

Your Lord and master ye me call And so I am, all wealth to wield, Here have I kneeled unto you all, To wash your feet, as ye did feel Example of me take ye shall, Each one for to be each other's shield.

I warn you now, my friends so free See to these sayings that I say. The fiend is wroth with you and me And will you mar, if that he may. For you should know that one of my own company Has betrayed me to sinful seed.

John

Lord, who shall do that doleful deed? Alas, our play is past; This false fortune is fast. I may no longer last; For bale my heart may burst.

Judas

Now is it time for me to gang For here begins annoy all new My fellows mutter them among That I should all this bargain brew.

Jesus

Rise up now, for we will go. By this our enemies ordered are.

GETHSEMANE

Jesus

Hold you even here And bide me a brief while.

Peter

Ah, Lord, where thou wilt stay I shall stay in that stead, And with thee make my way Evermore, alive or dead.

Andrew

No worldly dread may me withdraw But I shall with thee live and die.

Thomas

Certes, so shall we all on row Else mickle woe were we worthy.

Jesus

Peter, I say to thee this saw Which you shall find no fantasy. This very night ere the cock crow, Shalt thou three times my name deny.

Peter

Alas, Lord, I would liever Be put to endless pine.

Jesus

As I tell you, so shall it be You need no other recourse to crave. All that in world is written of me, Shall be fulfilled, for knight or knave. I am the shepherd, the sheep are ye; And when the shepherd harms shall have, The flock shall be full fain to flee But when I rise again Then shall your mirth be free.

Sleep ye safely now. Soon shall I say, Waken up quickly and let us hence wend. For full soon I must be taken with treason and pain.

PRAYING

Jesus

As thou art help of all sorrows and shielder of bliss And all help and health in thy hands has, Maintain now my manhood, Who mends what is amiss. If it possible were, this pain might I overpass.

Michael

For deeds that mankind did, thy death shall be dight And thou with torments be toiled. But thy bale shall be all for the best; Through that shall man's sin amend. Thou shalt without any end Right royally reign full of rest.

HE RETURNS TO THE SLEEPING DISCIPLES.

THE PRIESTS AND SOLDIERS GATHER AROUND HIM. JUDAS IS THERE.

Michael

Now will this hour be nighing full near That will certify all the sooth that I have said.

Judas

All hail, Master, in faith, and fellows all here. With gracious greeting this ground be arrayed. I would ask you a kiss, Master, if your will were, For all my love and my liking is wholly upon you laid.

Jesus

Full heartily, Judas, have it even here. With this kissing is Man's son betrayed.

C Soldier 1

Ha! Stand, traitor. I tell thee for ta'en.

C Soldier 3

On, on, knights. Go fall on before.

C Soldier 2

Yes, master. Now move thou no more.

Jesus

Say ye here, whom seek ye? Do tell me, let's see.

C Soldier 3

One Jesus of Nazareth; I think that name right.

Jesus

Behold ye all hitherward. Lo, here, I am he.

Malcus

For that shall thou die, dastard, since it is thou.

Peter

And I shall try by my faith thee for to flay.

Jesus

Peace, Peter, I bid thee. Meddle thee nor move thee no more. If my will were I might have power in great plenty, Of angels full many to muster my might.

HE IS TAKEN

C Soldier 1

Do, fellows, by your faith, let us hang on all here.

C Soldier 2

And I have a lock on him now. How, fellows, draw near.

Jesus

I taught in your temple. Why took you me not then? Now has darkness on earth all his power.

C Soldier 1

Do, do! Look alive, lay your hands on this lurdan.

C Soldier 2

We have hold of this hawk in our hands.

Malcus

Why yes, fellows; by my faith he is fast.

Annas

Unto Sir Pilate I would that he passed

CAIAPHAS AND ANNAS WITH SOLDIERS AND CHRIST.

Caiaphas

Sir knights that are courteous and kind, We charge you that churl be well chained Do busk you, and gradely him bind.

C Soldier 1

By my faith, let us fasten this liar full fast.

C Soldier 2

I am doughty for this deed; deliver, have done, Let us pull on with pride till his power be past.

C Soldier 1

Now is the boor bound for all the boast he has blown, And the last day he lied, no lordlings might law him.

Annas

Yea; he thought that this world had been wholly his own. As you are the doughtiest of this day, to his dooming now draw him.

THEY START TO LEAVE. THERE IS A CROWD. PETER IS ON THE EDGE OF IT.

Woman at Denial

Sir knights, do keep this boy so bound, He is a spy, I warrant, full bold.

C Soldier 1

Dame, we have him now at will That we have long time sought; If others go by us still, For them we have no thought.

Woman at Denial

He looketh lurking like an ape; I think in haste to take him still!

Peter

Woman, thy words and thy wind do not waste. Of his company never was I kenned. Thou hast mismarked me, truly me trust; Whereof thy miss do thou mend

Woman at Denial

Then gainsay you here the saws that you said, That he should claim to be God's son.

Peter

I say as I first said, I never saw him ere.

Malcus

Hearken, knights that are known in this country as we ken, How yon boy with his boast has brewed mickle bale, He has foresaken his master before yon woman.

Peter

I was never with him in work that he wrought, In word nor in work, in will nor in deed.

COCK CROWS

Satan

Out, out harrow! Into bale am I brought, this bargain may I ban; Unless I work some wile, back in woe must I pine.

PILATE AND PROCULA ABED

Pilate

Lo, Pilate am I, proved a prince of great pride. I was put into Pontus, the people to press, Since then Caesar himself with senators by his side, Remitted me to these realms, all ranks to redress.

Procula

I am dame precious Procula, of princes the prize, Wife to sir Pilate here, prince without peer. All well of all womanhood I am, witty and wise, Conceive now my countenance so comely and clear.

Pilate

Now say it may ye safely, for I will certify the same.

Procula

Gracious Lord, gramercy, your good word is gain.

Pilate

Yet for to comfort my corse me must kiss you madam.

KNOCKING AT THE DOOR

C Soldier 1

Come, rap on the railings, that we may raise with our rolling. Come forth there madam.

C Soldier 3

Why cower ye behind?

Beadle

Oh, what gavels are ye that jape with gowling?

C Soldier 2

Ah, good lady be not wroth, for words are as the wind.

Beadle

I say, gadlings, go back with your gauds.

C Soldier 3

Be suffering, I beseech you.

Beadle

I shall fell you, by my faith, for all your false frauds.

Procula

To fulfil your foreword, my fair lord I am fain.

Pilate

Ho, ho, fellows! Now in faith am I fain Of these lips so lovely to be lapped - In bed let us lie - and in bed we'll remain.

Procula

Oh sir, yea! You'll not hear me complain –

Pilate

All ladies we covet them both to be kissed and clapped.

BEADLE ENTERS SUDDENLY

Pilate

Say, child, I'll curve you! What chirps are so clattering?

Beadle

My lord, uncunning knaves they cry and they call.

Pilate

Go boldly, look lively. Those brothels be battering - And put them in prison, upon pain that may fall.

Beadle

Oh liberal lord, oh leader of laws Oh shiny show that all shames eschews, I beseech you, my sovereign, assent to my saws As ye are gentle judge and justice of Jews.

Procula

Do hark how yon javelin jangles of Jews. Why go bet, whoreson boy, when I bid thee.

Beadle

Madame, I do but what due is.

Pilate

Now, farewell and walk on thy way.

Procula

Now, farewell the friendliest, your foemen to fend.

Pilate

Now farewell the fairest figure that ever did food feed.

Satan

This gentleman, Jesu, of cursedness he can He truly is God - I see every sign. If he shall be slain, our solace shall cease Unto Pilate's wife I go. I will whisper her peace. Oh woman, be wise and wary. Waken thy wit. There shall a gentleman, Jesu, unjustly be judged Before thy husband in haste, and with harlots be hit. And that doughty, today, to death must be dighted. For his preaching, Sir Pilate and thou With need shall ye namely be noyed, Your riches be reft, your strength be destroyed.

Procula

Ah, I am drenched by a dream too dreadful to doubt.

Child, lance to my lord and lowly him lout.

A ROOM IN PILATE'S HOUSE

Caiaphas

Grammercy, my sovereign, we beseech you all sam. Because of waking you unwarely, be not wroth with this. For we have brought you the wretch who looks like a lamb.

Pilate

Come in you both, and sit you beside me. I will see what he says, stand him before.

JESUS IS BROUGHT IN

Caiaphas

Sir Pilate of Pontus and prince of great price, We trust you will trow our tales to be true To death for to doom him with all due device.

Pilate

Sir, your tales will I trust, if your tales you can prove.

Annas

Sir, halt men and hurt he has healed in haste, The deaf and the dumb he delivered from dole.

Caiaphas

By witchcraft I warrant, his wits shall he waste. For the wonders he works, how they follow that fool.

Pilate

Now, good sirs, what would you have me do today?

Caiaphas

Sir, to death should you doom him, or put him away.

Beadle

Sir, your wife commends her to you.

Procula

My Lord, all naked this night as I napped, With trouble and toil was I trapped

With a vision that swiftly me snapped Of one Jesus, the just man the Jews will undo.

Pilate

What? This is he.

Procula

I beseech you, as my sovereign that simple one to save - Doom him not to death, for dread of vengeance. With tricks they do trap him. Pray tend to me, I beg you and plead, set the man free.

Pilate

What, and this is he?

Caiaphas

This is but a chance. With his witchcraft this wile has he wrought.

Annas

Yea, some fiend on his message has he sent, Who wrought upon your wife ere he went.

Pilate

Yea, because he does good must I doom him, ye say? Go lake you sir, lightly. This touches no treason. Where learned you this law? This reeks beyond reason.

Annas

Misplease not your person, ye prince without peer It touches to treason, this tale I shall tell. Yon blusterer, full boldly he bade to forebear The tribute to Caesar, our people thus to compell.

Pilate

To die he deserves if he do thus indeed,

But I will see myself what he says

Speak, Jesu, and pray thou thy answers may speed. These lordlings allege thou livest not by our laws; They accuse thee cruelly and keen Therefore as judge I charge thee If thou be Christ, that thou tell me For this is the matter I mean.

Jesus

Thou sayest so thyself - I am soothly the same Here wending the world to work all my will.

Pilate

Lo, bishops, why blame ye this boy? Me seems it is sooth that he says You move all the malice you may With your wrenches and wiles to writhe him away, Unjustly to judge him from joy.

Annas

He lists not to live by our laws.

Pilate

Say, man, Conceive you not what cumbersome clause That this clergy accusing you knows?

Jesus

Every man has a mouth that is made upon mould In weal and in woe to wield at his will.

Pilate

Thou mine, Ye found, in faith, all his design, For in this lad no lies can I trap, For no point to put him to pine. Shall I doom him in death, not deserving in deed? But I have heard wholly why in heart ye him hate. He is faultless, in faith, and so God might me speed.

Caiaphas

To be king he claimeth with crown. Whoso stoutly will step to that state, You should doom, sir, to be set down.

Pilate

Truly that touches to treason,

Judus (off)

Let me pass.

Pilate

And ere I remove he shall rue that reason.

JUDAS ENTERS

Judus

Lord, wealth and worship with you be.

Pilate

What tidings Judas, tellest thou still?

Judus

Sir, I have sinned full grievously, Betrayed that righteous blood, Jesus And Master mine.

Caiaphas

Fair sir, what is that to us?

Judus

I pray you, good Lord, let him go Have of me your payment plain.

Caiaphas

Nay, nay; we will not so. We bought him that he should be slain.

Pilate

Spare of thy speaking, for nought needs it, Walk out at the door, in the devil's way.

Judus

Why, will ye then not let him pass, And have of me again your pay?

Pilate

I tell thee traitor, I will not.

Judus

That which you gave to me, take it you there. Therewith your mastery make you among, And claim it you clean. I loathe all my life, so live I too long.

Pilate

Sir knights that are comely, take this caitiff in keeping; Skelp him with scourges and scathe him full sore; Wrest him and wring him till for woe he is weeping, And then bring him before us as he was before.

P Solider 1

He may ban the time that he was born. Soon shall he be served as thou bade us.

EXIT PILATE AND PROCULA

THE SOLDIERS FLOG JESUS

Pilate

Ecce homo.

Thus beaten and bound and brought you before Me seems that bit suits him full sore. But to doom him to death I deplore; I would fain set him free from this place. Your custom has been to let go Some felon to freedom this day.

Caiaphas

Barabbas in prison lies low; At this feast now release him, we pray.

Pilate

A rebel, still raging to slay? Would ye rather that I should release This Jesus?

All

Barabbas, we say.

Pilate

Will ye cease None is heard, for each shouteth so loud.

All

Barabbas!

Pilate

Ho, peace. Ye clamour and call in a crowd. If this is your will so to be, For Jesus now what us your mind?

All

Crucify him, crucify him, crucify him.

Pilate

His evil deeds done show to me, For in him no fault can I find; Good hath he ever done to mankind.

Caiaphas

Away with him now. Let him die!

All

Crucify him. Crucify.

Pilate

Then since your will I may not bend. All my part in his death I henceforth deny.

Beadle

Here is all sir, for which you did send. Will you wash while the water is hot?

Pilate

Bear witness, all ye that are here From the guilt of his blood I am clear.

Annas

On us that same blood, without fear.

Pilate

Now free Barabbas from his bonds With grace let him gang on his gate.

Hear the judgement of Jesu, all Jews in this stead. Crucify him on a cross, and on Calvary him kill.

Satan

Make room! Be alive! And let me gang. Hie you all hense! High might you all hang Right with a rope.

Pilate

I damn him today to die this same death, Therefore hang him on height upon that high hill.

THE ROAD TO CALVARY

THE CRUCIFIXION

Workman 1

Now men, ye wot yourself as well as I The lords and leaders of our law Have given doom this dolt shall die.

Workman 2

Aye, all this well we know, That's why we've come to Calvary.

Workman 3

We are all ready, lo, That order to fulfil.

Workman 4

Let's hear how we shall do. And go to it with a will.

Workman 2

He must be dead - needs must - by noon.

Workman 3

Then is good time we begin.

Workman 4

Let's ding him down; then he is done; He shall not daunt us with his din.

Workman 1

He shall be set and learned soon, With grief to him and all his kin.

Workman 2

The foulest death of all Shall he die for his deeds.

Workman 3

And I have gone for gear good speed Both hammers and nails large and long.

Workman 4

Then may we boldly do this deed Come on, let kill this traitor strong. The cross on ground is goodly graid And bored even as it ought to be.

Workman 1

Look that the lad on length be laid And made him then unto this tree.

Jesus

Almighty God, Let these matters be marked in mind: Thou bade that I should willing be, For Adam's plight for to be pined. Here to the death I oblige me, For that sin for to save mankind,

And sovereignly I beseech thee That they for me may favour find. From the fiend them defend, So that their souls be safe In wealth without end; I have nought else crave.

Workman 3

Have done now, boy, and make thee boun And bend thy back against this tree.

Workman 4

Look lads, himself has laid him down In length and breadth as he should be.

Workman 2

Now, certes, I shall not fine Ere his right hand be fast.

Workman 3

The left hand then is mine - Let's see who bears him best.

Workman 4

His legs on length then shall I take And even to the bore them make.

Workman 1

Now then, say how work we now?

Workman 2

Yes, certes, I can hold this hand.

Workman 1

Strike in then hard, for him thee bought

Workman 2

Yes, here's a nail will stiffly stand, Through bone and sinew it shall be sought.

THE RIGHT HAND IS NAILED

Workman 2

This work is well, I will warrant.

Workman 1

Say sir, how do we there?

Workman 3

It fails by a foot and more The sinews are so gone in.

Workman 4

I reckon your mark was wrongly bored.

Workman 3

In faith it was over-scantily scored.

Workman 1

Why carp ye so? Fasten on a cord. And tug him to, top to tail.

Who do you think you are? A lord? Come help to haul, with ill hail.

Now certes, that shall I do. As swiftly as a snail.

Workman 3

And I shall attach him to, Full nimbly with a nail.

HE NAILS THE LEFT HAND

Workman 3

That work should hold, that dare I stand. For now are fastened both his hand.

Workman 4

Go we all four then to his feet -

Oh this work is all unmeet.

Workman 1

Peace man, for Mahound Let no man wot that wonder, A rope shall rug him down If all his sinews break asunder.

Fasten on then fast, all that be fit It has no force how fell he feel.

Workman 2

Lug on ye both a little yet.

Workman 4

I shall try him for to hit.

Workman 1

Have done. Drive in that nail.

THE FEET ARE NAILED

Workman 4

This working should not fail.

Workman 1

Nay sirs, another thing Falls first to you and me They bade we should him hang On height than all might see.

THEY BEGIN LIFTING THE CROSS.

Workman 2

We two shall see to either side Or else this work will wry all wrong.

Workman 3

We're ready.

Workman 4

Good sirs, abide And let me hoist his feet along.

Workman 1

Lift up!

Workman 4

Let see.

Workman 2

No sirs, hang on.

Workman 3

From all this harm he should hide If he were God.

Workman 4

The devil him hang!

Workman 1

For great harm am I hent. My shoulder is in sunder.

Workman 2

And certes, I am near shent, So long have I borne under.

Workman 1

Lift up and soon he shall be there Then fasten on your fingers fast.

Workman 3

Now, lift!

Workman 1

We, Lo!

Workman 4

A little more.

Workman 2

Hold then.

Workman 1

How now?

Workman 2

The worst is past.

THE CROSS IS RAISED

Workman 3

Methinks this cross will not abide Nor stand still in this mortice yet.

Workman 4

At first time it were over wide. Get wedges in, then it will fit.

Workman 2

Here are wedges arrayed For that, both great and small.

Workman 3

Where are our hammers laid That we should work withal?

Workman 4

We have them even here at hand

Workman 2

Give me the wedge, shall I it in drive. Now will this cross full stably stand, All if he rave they will not rive.

Workman 1

Say, sir, how likes you now, This work that we have wrought?

Workman 4

We pray you say us how Ye feel, or faint you ought?

Jesus

All men that walk by way or street Behold my head, my hands, my feet. Forgive these men that do me pine What they work, know they not.

Workman 1

Well, hark, he jangles like a Jay.

Workman 2

Methinks he patters on like a pie.

Workman 3

He has been doing this all day And made great moving of mercy.

Workman 4

Is this the same that gan us say That he was God almighty?

Workman 3

Now then, let him hang there still And make mows at the moon.

Workman 4

Then may we wend at will.

Workman 1

Nay, good sirs, not so soon. Now sirs, I strike another note. His coat of you I'd crave.

Workman 3

I say we draw straws for it. This arguments will save.

Workman 4

Shortest wins, that well you wit Whether it be knight or knave.

Workman 1

Fellows save your breath The mantle, it is mine.

Workman 2

Let's be off then.

Workman 3

Aye, what a waste of time.

THE DEATH

Jesus

Thus for thy good I shed my blood Man, mend thy mood For full bitter thy bliss must I buy.

Mother Mary

Alas, for my sweet son, I say That dolefully to death is dight. Alas for full lovely he lay In my womb, this worthy wight. Alas that I should see this sight Of my son so seemly to see. Alas, that this blossom so bright Untruly is tugged to this tree. Alas! My lord, my life, With full great grief Hangs as a thief Who never did any trespass. Alas!

Jesus

Mother, instead of me, Lo, John thy son shall be. John, see to thy mother free.

Mother Mary

Alas, son, for sorrow and sight I would I were clothed in clay. A sword of sorrow me smite To death I were done this day.

John

Fair mother, fast Hence let us cast.

Mother Mary

Till he be passed Will I bide near him To the last.

Jesus

Foxes their dens have they, Birds have their nests where they lay, But the son of man this day Has nought his head on for to rest.

Thief on left

If thou be God's son so free, Why hangest thou upon this hill? To save thou thyself let us see - And us too, that speed for to spill.

Thief on right

Man, stint of thy sound and be still Full well are we worthy of ill. No ill did he! Lord, have mind of me When thou art come to thy bliss.

Jesus

With me shall thou dwell this day In Paradise. Eloi! Eloi! My God, my God full free Lama Sabatanye, Wherefore forsook thou me?

Thus ragged and rent on this rood Forgive them, by grace that is good, They know not what it was My father, hear my boon For now all thing is done. My spirit to thee right soon Commend I, in manus tuas.

JESUS DIES

Mother Mary

No dear son, Jesus so gentle Since my heart is heavy as lead One word before thou went - Alas, now my dear son is dead.

John

Ah mother, ye hold up your head And sigh not with sorrows so sere.

THEY LEAVE

THE BRINGING DOWN OF CHRIST FROM THE CROSS.

THE BURIAL OF JESUS

THE HARROWING OF HELL

Jesus

Man on mould, be meek to me And have thy maker in mind, And think how I have borne for thee, These peerless pains for to be pined.

The fiend with fraud did gain Through fruit of earthly food; I have them gotten again Through buying with my blood.

A light I would they have, To show I shall come soon. My body bodes in grave Till all these deeds be done.

Adam

My brethren, harken to me here: Such hope of health we never had. Now I see sign of solace clear, A glorious gleam to make us glad.

Eve

Adam, my husband free, This means solace certain; Such light shall on us be In Paradise full plain.

Isaiah

Adam, we shall well understand. I, Isaiah spake of folk in darkness set, And said a light should on them land.

John the Baptist

As voice crying I told all lands The ways of Christ as well I can. I baptised him with both my hands.

Moses

I Moses see that same light now, Shining on us certain. Wherefore truly I trow We shall soon pass from pain.

Ribald

Help, Beelzebub, to bind these boys! Such harrow was never heard in hell.

Beelzebub

Why roars thou, so, Ribald? What may betide? Can'st thou ought say?

Ribald

What! Hears thou not this ugly noise? These lurdens that in Limbo dwell, They make meaning of many joys And muster them great mirth to tell.

Beelzebub

Mirth? Nay, nay that point is past; More health shall they never have.

Ribald

They cry on Christ full fast And say he shall them save.

Beelzebub

What then? Is Limbo lorn, alas? Say to Satan, our sire Bid him see this, so.

Ribald

All ready, lord, I go.

Satan

What, fainthearts? Wherefore are ye feared? Now bel ami; abide, With all thy boastful cheer; Tell to me this tide What masteries make you here?

Jesus

I make no masteries but for mine; Them will I save, I say again.

Satan

Then what the devil did'st thou since then, Who ne'er came near them until now? But thou hast lived aye like a lad, And in sorrow as a simple knave.

Jesus

That was for hearty love I had Unto man's soul, it for to save. My Godhead did I hide In Mary, mother mine, That it should not be spied By thee nor none of thine.

Now, all that like to learn My law and live thereby Shall never have harms here, But wealth, as is worthy.

Satan

This law that thou now hast laid I shall teach men not to allow; If they take it they be betrayed, For I shall turn them soon, I trow.

Jesus

Nay, fiend, thou shalt be fast, That thou shalt flit not far.

Satan

Fast! That were a foul reason - Nay, bel ami, thou must be smit.

Jesus

Open up, you princes of pain severe, Open your endless gates that ye have here. This stead shall stand no more, by token; Open up and let my people pass.

Ribald

Out! behold, all our bail is broken, And burst are all our bonds of brass.

Jesus

Michael, my angel, hither soon. Fasten yon fiend, that he not flit. And devil, I command thee, go down Into thy cell where thou shalt sit.

Satan

Out! Ay harrow! Help! Mahound. Now wax I wood out of my wit!

Beelzebub

Satan, this said we ere. Now shall thou feel thy fit.

Satan

Alas for dole and care. I sink into hell's pit.

Jesus

Adam and Eve, all my friends now here, From all your foes come forth to me. And Michael, my archangel dear, Receive these souls all unto thee.

And now I shall fulfil What I before have hight Now to my grave I go Ready to rise upright.

THE RESURRECRTION AT THE TOMB.

Pilate

Sir Caiaphas, Of your counsel let here in hie By your assent since we did die Jesus this day, That ye maintain and stand thereby.

Caiaphas

Yes, sir, that deed shall we maintain, By law it was done.

Centurion

God save you, sirs, on ilk a side, Worship and wealth in worlds wide; With mickle mirth might ye abide Both day and night.

Pilate

What is your will?

Centurion

I dread me that ye have done wrong And wonder ill.

Caiaphas

Wonder ill? I pray thee, why?

Centurion

I say you, when I saw him die, That he was God almighty That hangeth there.

The sun for woe he waxed all wane The moon and stars of shining blan The earth trembled and like man Began to speak. The stones that never were stirred ere then Asunder break.

Annas

Centurion, such speech withdraw Of all these words we'll have none awe.

Centurion

Now since ye set nought by my saw Sirs, have good day. God grant you grace that ye might know The sooth alway.

Annas

Now sir, for all that he said so, He has no might to rise and go, But if his men steal him us fro And bear him away. That were to us and other mo A foul fray.

Caiaphas

For then would they say every ilk one, That he rose by himself alone. Therefore let him be kept anon Under guard Until three days be come and gone And brought to end.

Pilate

For this thing that ever be may, Keep him well to the third day, And let no man take him away Out of that stead - For if they do, soothly I say Ye shall be dead.

PILATE, CAIAPHAS AND ANNAS EXIT

P Soldier 1

We shall keep him with might and main There shall no traitors with no train Steal him us fro.

P Soldier 2

On ilka side let us sit down And soon we shall crack his crown Who so comes here.

DAWN, 3 MARYS ARRIVE AT THE TOMB.

Mary Magdalen

Since he is dead, my sisters dear, Wend we will on mild manner With our ointments fair and clear.

Mother Mary

To noint his wounds on sides sere That he was wrought.

Mary 3

I wot not how best may be, Help have we none. And who shall now here of us three Remove the stone?

Mother Mary

That do we not if we were more For it is huge, and heavy also.

Mary Magdalen

My caitiff heart will break in three When I think on that body free, How it was spilt. Both feet and hands nailed to a tree, Without guilt.

Mary 3

Sisters, certes, it is not to hide The heavy stone is put aside.

Gabriel

Ye mourning women in your thought Here in this place whom have ye sought?

Mary Magdalen

Jesu, that to death us brought, Our Lord so free.

Gabriel

Women, certain here is he nought, Come near and see.

He is not here, the sooth to say, The place is void that in he lay, He is risen and went his way, As he you said.

Mary Magdalen

My sisters dear, since it is so, That he is risen death thus fro, Hence will I never go Ere I him see.

Gabriel

He shall be found in Gallilee In flesh and fell. To his disciples now wend ye, And thus them tell.

Mother Mary

Mary, we need no longer lend To Galilee now let us wend.

Mary Magdalen

Not till I see that faithful friend.

Mary 3

As we have heard, so shall we say. Mary, our sister, have good day.

Mary Magdalen

Alas, what shall now worth on me?

GABRIEL HIDES HER FROM THE WAKING SOLDIERS.

THE SOLDIERS AWAKEN TO DISCOVER THE EMPTY TOMB.

P Soldier 1

What, out alas, what shall I say? Where is the corse that herein lay?

P Soldier 2

What ails thee man? Is he away?

P Soldier 1

Rise up and see! Alas, what shall we do this day,

I dare well say, He rose alone.

P Soldier 2

Tell Sir Pilate of this deed, We mun be slain.

P Soldier 3

Us must make lies, for that is need, Ourselves to save.

P Soldier 1

Nay; certes, I hold there none so good. As say the sooth even as it stood.

THEY LEAVE THE TOMB. MARY MAGDALEN COMES OUT OF HIDING.

Mary Magdalen

Without his guilt true man was slain, For trespass did he never none; The wounds he suffered, many a one, Were for my miss. It was for my sin he was slain, And none of his. To ground gone is all my glee Now help me, God in persons three.

Jesus

Now woman wandering by the way Why weepest thou and take no heed, As thou on field would fall down, say Whom seeks thou this lifelong day?

Mary Magdalen

My Lord Jesus, true God, I say. Sir, I would look both far and near To find my Lord; I see him not.

Jesus

Woman, weep not, but mend thy cheer; I wot well whither he was brought.

Mary Magdalen

Sweet sir, if thou bore him away Tell me the truth and there me lead.

Jesus

Mary, of mourning mend thy mood, Thus for men's sins I shed my blood.

Mary Magdalen

Ah, Lord! I have thee sought, My Master dear.

Jesus

I am he that all things hath wrought, That thou callest Lord and God verray; With bitter death mankind I bought And I am risen, as see thou may.

Mary Magdalen

My Lord Jesus, I now know thee Thy wounds they are still wet.

Jesus

I shall not now long dwell here; I have done all I did intend. To all that love me I draw near To bring you bliss that ne'er shall end.

Mary Magdalen

My heart is gladder than the glee. Of love art thou crowned King;

In one so true living so free. Thy love passes all earthly thing. Lord, blessed might thou ever be.

Jesus

To Galilee now shalt thou wend, Mary, my daughter dear. Tell them each word to the end That thou spake with me here. My blessing on thee land, And all that we leave here.

THE DISCIPLES

Peter

Alas! To woe how are we brought! Since that our Lord to death was brought By men so fell.

James

Out of this place go durst we not But here aye dwell.

John

But here have we dwelt with pining strong Our life we loathe, we live too long.

James Son of Alphaeus

We durst not ever come them among. They hate us full ill,

James

Therefore I think we dwell here still Until that Christ our Lord us will Some succour send.

JESUS APPEARS

Jesus

Peace and rest be with you.

HE DISAPPEARS

Peter

Ah, brethren dear, what may we trow, What was this sight that we saw now Shining so bright?

Simon

And vanished thus, we know not how, Out of our sight?/p>

John

Out of sight now is it sought.

James

What may it be?

Peter

It was all vanity in our thought - Nought else I trow it to be.

Jesus

Peace unto you evermore might be. Dread you not, for I am he.

Peter

In God's name, what may this mean?

James

Is it a spirit that we have seen?

Jesus

What think ye madmen in your thought?I am the Christ, and dread ye nought That I have come ye here to meet, Behold and see my hands and feet.

Thomas

God bless you brethren, blood and bone, There where ye stand. Of mourning may we make our moan In every land. Ah, blissful sight was never none. Our joy and comfort all is gone.

Peter

Now welcome, Thomas. Where has thou been? Jesus our Lord late have we seen On ground to go.

Thomas

Away! These tales are tricks and vain, Of fools unwise. For he that was so foully slain, How should he rise?

James

Thomas, we saw his wounds wet, How he was nailed through hands and feet.

Thomas

I lay my life 'twas some spirit You thought were he.

John

Thomas, that wound we have all seen.

Thomas

Till that I see his body bare, And then my finger put in there, Within his hide, Right in his side - Ere shall I trow no tales between.

Jesus

And Thomas, tent to me take thou. Put forth thy finger to me now; My hands you see; For man's profit was I nailed so Upon a tree. Here, in my side put in thy hand And feel my wounds, and understand That this is I.

Thomas

My Lord, my God! Full well is me! Ah, blood of price, blest might thou be! Mercy now, Lord I ask of thee.

ASCENSION

Jesus

Now is my days work brought to end, My time that here to stay was lent. My God, your God, and each man's friend That to this teaching will consent, To sinners that with sin contend That sins amend and will repent.

But since I speak these sayings now To you, your hearts have heaviness. Be all fulfilled, profit to show, That I wend hence as needful is. Unless I wend, comes not to you The comfort of the comfortless, And if I wend, ye shall find how I shall send you of my goodness.

Therefore farewell, all ye nearby I go to make a home ready Endless to dwell with me on high.

JESUS ASCENDS

THE LAST JUDGEMENT

God

First when I this world had wrought - Wood and wind and waters wan, And everything that now is owt, Full well me thought I did then; When they were made, good me them thought; Then to my likeness made I man, And man but grief he gave me nought. Therefore me rues that I the world began.

Men see the world but vanity, Yet will no man beware thereby; Ilka day their mirror may they see, Yet think they not that they shall die. Therefore will come the time for me To make ending of man's folly. All that ever I said should be Will be fulfill-ed thus through prophecy, All same in bliss they shall not be. My blessed children, here on height On my right hand I shall them see; And then shall every wicked wight On my left side for fearedness flee. This day their doom thus will I dight. To ilka one as they served me. I shall sunder them before my sigh

A TRUMPET SOUNDS. MICHALE AND GABRIEL ENTER

Michael

Good and ill, each single ghost, Rise, fetch your flesh that ye did bear; For all this world is brought to waste; Draw to your doom; nigh it comes near.

THE GOOD AND BAD SOULS ENTER

Gabriel

Ilka creature, both old and young, Believe I bid you that ye rise; Body and soul now with you bring, And come before the high justice. For I am sent from heaven's king, To call you to his great assize, Therefore rise up and give reckoning How ye him served in every wise.

Good Soul

Ah, loved be thou, Lord of all, That heaven and earth and all has wrought, Oft have we grieved thee great and small For our ill deeds lord, doom us not.

Bad Soul

Alas, alas, that we were born, So may we sinful caitiffs say; I hear well by this hideous horn It draws full near to dooms day. Alas, alas and welaway.

Michael

Stand not together, part you in two All one shall you not be in bliss.

THE TRUMPET SOUNDS AGAIN

Gabriel

Every creature, take intent What bidding now to you I bring. Come is the day of judgement.

God

Thus will I speak as crowned king: My blessed children on my right hand Your doom this day you need not dread; When I was hungry, ye me fed. When I was clotheless, ye me clad In prison's press when I was stead, Of my pains ye had pity. Full sick when I was brought to bed, Kindly ye came to comfort me. Then will the righteous answer give:

Good Soul

When had we, Lord that all has wrought, Meat and drink with thee to feed, Or in thy sickness we thee sought? Lord, when did we do this deed?

God

My blessed children, hear me now When any some need had, night or day, Asked for your help and had it soon, Your free hearts said them never nay, Early or late, midday or noon.

But ye cursed caitiffs of Cain's kin, When I had need of meat and drink, Ye catched me from your gate. I stood thereout, weary and wet. Was none of you would on me think, Pity to have of my poor state. Therefore to hell I shall you sink – Well are you worthy to go that gate. Then shall these also answer make:

Bad Soul

When was it that we saw thee sick, alas? When did we thee this unkindness? Weary or wet to let thee pass, When did we thee this wickedness?

God

You caitiffs, as oft it did betide The needful asked owt in my name, Ye heard them not, your ears ye hid, Your help to them was not at home. To me ye that unkindness did; Therefore ye bear this bitter blame. To least or most when ye it did, To me ye did the self and same.

Thus is fulfilled all my forethought. At end shall be each earthly thing. They that would sin and ceased not, Of sorrows sore so shall they sing; And they that mended while they might Shall dwell and bide in my blessing.

THE END