The York Mysteries

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Play 1

God:
Ego sum Alpha et nouissimus. 
I am gracyus and grete, God withoutyn begynnyng, 
I am maker vnmade, all mighte es in me; 
I am lyfe and way vnto welth-wynnyng, 
I am formaste and fyrste, als I byd sall it be. 
My blyssyng o ble sall be blendyng, 
And heldand, fro harme to be hydande, 
My body in blys ay abydande, 
Vnendande, withoutyn any endyng. 
Sen I am maker vnmade and most es of mighte, 
And ay sall be endeles and noghte es but I, 
Vnto my dygnyté dere sall diewly be dyghte 
A place full of plenté to my plesyng at ply; 
And therewith als wyll I haue wroght 
Many dyuers doynges bedene, 
Whilke warke sall mekely contene, 
And all sall be made euen of noghte. 
But onely the worthely warke of my wyll 
In my sprete sall enspyre the mighte of me; 
And in the fyrste, faythely, my thoghte to fullfyll, 
Baynely in my blyssyng I byd at here be 
A blys al-beledande abowte me, 
In the whilke blys I byde at be here 
Nyen ordres of aungels full clere, 
In louyng ay-lastande at lowte me. 
Here vndernethe me nowe a nexile I neuen, 
Whilke ile sall be erthe. Now all be at ones 
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Erthe haly, and helle, this hegheste be heuen, 
And that welth sall welde sall won in this wones. 
This graunte I yoowe, mynysters myne, 
To-whils yohe ar stabill in thoghte- 
And also to thaime that ar noghte 
Be put to my presone at pyne. 
Of all the mightes I haue made, moste nexte after me 
I make the als master and merour of my mighte; 
I beelde the here baynely in blys for to be, 
I name the for Lucifer, als berar of lyghte. 
Nothyng here sall the be derand; 
In this blis sall be yohour beeldyng, 
And haue all welth in yooure weledyng, 
Ay-whils yohe ar buxumly berande. 


Angel 1
41 A, mercyfull maker, full mekill es thi mighte, 
That all this warke at a worde worthely has wroghte. 
Ay loued be that lufly lorde of his lighte, 
That vs thus mighty has made that nowe was righte noghte, 
In blys for to byde in his blyssyng. 
Ay-lastande in luf lat vs lowte hym, 
At beelde vs thus baynely abowete hym, 
Of myrthe neuermore to haue myssyng. 


Lucifer
49 All the myrth that es made es markide in me! 
THe bemes of my brighthode ar byrnande so bryghte, 
And I so semely in syghte myselfe now I se, 
For lyke a lorde am I lefte to lende in this lighte. 
More fayrear be far than my feres, 
In me is no poynte that may payre; 
I fele me fetys and fayre, 
My powar es passande my peres. 


Cherabyn
57 Lorde, wyth a lastande luf we loue the allone, 
THou mightefull maker that markid vs and made vs, 
And wroghte us thus worthely to wone in this wone, 
Ther neuer felyng of fylth may full vs nor fade vs. 
All blys es here beeldande aboute vs; 
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To-whyls we are stabyll in thoughte 
In the worschipp of hym that us wroght, 
Of dere neuer thar vs more dowte vs. 


Angel 2
65 O, what I am fetys and fayre and fygured full fytt! 
THe forme of all fayrehede apon me es feste, 
All welth in my weelde es, I wote be my wytte; 
THe bemes of my brighthede are bygged with the beste. 
My schewyng es schemerande and schynande, 
So bygly to blys am I broghte; 
Me nedes for to noy me righte noghte, 
Here sall neuer payne me be pynande. 


Angel 1
73 With all the wytt at we welde we woyrschip thi wyll, 
THou gloryus God that es grunde of all grace; 
Ay with stedefaste steuen lat vs stande styll, 
Lorde, to be fede with the fode of thi fayre face. 
In lyfe that es lely ay-lastande, 
Thi dale, lorde, es ay daynetethly delande, 
And whoso that fode may be felande- 
To se thi fayre face-es noght fastande. 


Lucifer
81 Owe, certes, what I am worthely wroghte with wyrschip, iwys! 
For in a glorius gle my gleteryng it glemes; 
I am so mightyly made my mirth may noghte mys- 
Ay sall I byde in this blys thorowe brightnes of bemes. 
Me nedes noghte of noy for to neuen, 
All welth in my welde haue I weledande; 
Abowne yohit sall I be beeldand, 
On heghte in the hyeste of hewuen. 
Ther sall I set myselfe full semely to seyghte, 
To ressayue my reuerence thorowe righte o renowne; 
I sall be lyke vnto hym that es hyeste on heghte. 
Owe, what I am derworth and defte-Owe! Dewes! All goes downe! 
My mighte and my mayne es all marrande- 
Helpe, felawes! In faythe I am fallande. 


Angel 2
95 Fra heuen are we heledande on all hande, 
To wo are we weendande, I warande. 
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Lucifer
97 Owte! Owte! Harrowe! Helples, slyke hote at es here; 
This es a dongon of dole that I am to dyghte. 
Whare es my kynde become, so cumly and clere? 
Nowe am I laytheste, allas, that are was lighte. 
My bryghtnes es blakkeste and blo nowe, 
My bale es ay betande and brynande- 
That gares ane go gowlande and gyrnande. 
Owte! Ay walaway! I well euen in wo nowe. 


Diabolus
105 Owte! Owte! I go wode for wo, my wytte es all wente nowe, 
All oure fode es but filth we fynde vs beforn. 
We that ware beelded in blys, in bale are we brent nowe- 
Owte on the Lucifer, lurdan, oure lyghte has thou lorne. 
THi dedes to this dole nowe has dyghte us, 
To spill vs thou was oure spedar, 
For thow was oure lyghte and oure ledar, 
THe hegheste of heuen hade thou hyght vs. 


Lucifer
113 Walaway! Wa es me now, nowe es it war thane it was. 
Vnthryuandely threpe yohe-I sayde but a thoghte. 


Diabolus
115 We, lurdane, thou lost vs. 


Lucifer
115 YOhe ly! Owte, allas! 
I wyste noghte this wo sculde be wroghte. 
Owte on yohow, lurdans, yohe smore me in smoke. 


Diabolus
118 This wo has thou wroghte vs. 


Lucifer
118 YOhe ly, yohe ly! 


Diabolus
119 Thou lyes, and that sall thou by: 
We, lurdane, haue at yoowe, lat loke! 


Cherabyn
121 A, lorde, louid be thi name that vs this lyghte lente, 
Sen Lucifer oure ledar es lighted so lawe, 
For hys vnbuxumnes in bale to be brente- 
Thi rightewysnes to rewarde on rowe 
Ilke warke eftyr is wroghte- 
Thorowe grace of thi mercyfull myghte 
The cause I se itt in syghte, 
Wharefore to bale he es broghte. 
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God
129 Those foles for thaire fayrehede in fantasyes fell, 
And hade mayne of mi mighte that marked tham and made tham. 
Forthi efter thaire warkes were, in wo sall thai well, 
For sum ar fallen into fylthe that euermore sall fade tham, 
And neuer sall haue grace for to gyrth tham. 
So passande of power tham thoght tham, 
Thai wolde noght me worschip that wroghte tham; 
Forthi sall my wreth euer go with tham. 
Ande all that me wyrschippe sall wone here, iwys; 
Forthi more forthe of my warke, wyrke nowe I will. 
Syn than ther mighte es for-marryde that mente all omys, 
Euen to myne awne fygure this blys to fulfyll, 
Mankynde of moulde will I make. 
But fyrste wille I fourme hym before 
All thyng that sall hym restore, 
To whilke that his talente will take. 
Ande in my fyrste makyng, to mustyr my mighte, 
Sen erthe es vayne and voyde and myrknes emel, 
I byd in my blyssyng yohe aungels gyf lyghte 
To the erthe, for it faded when the fendes fell. 
In hell sall neuer myrknes be myssande, 
THe myrknes thus name I for nighte; 
The day, that call I this lyghte- 
My after-warkes sall thai be wyssande. 
Ande nowe in my blyssyng I twyne tham in two, 
The nighte euen fro the day, so that thai mete neuer, 
But ather in a kynde courese thaire gates for to go. 
Bothe the nighte and the day, does dewly yohour deyuer, 
To all I sall wirke be yohe wysshyng. 
This day warke es done ilke a dele, 
And all this warke lykes me ryght wele, 
And baynely I gyf it my blyssyng. 
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Play 2


God
1 In altissimis habito, 
In the heghest heuyn my hame haue I; 
Eterne mentis et ego, 
Withoutyn ende ay-lastandly. 
Sen I haue wroght thire worldys wyde, 
Heuyn and ayre and erthe also, 
My hegh Godhede I will noght hyde 
All-yf sume foles be fallyn me fro. 
When thai assent with syn of pride 
Vp for to trine my trone vnto, 
In heuyn thai myght no lengger byde 
But wyghtly went to wone in wo; 
And sen thai wrange haue wroght 
My lyk ys to lat tham go, 
To suffir sorowe onsoght, 
Syne thai haue seruid so. 
THare mys may neuer be amende 
Sen thai asent me to forsake, 
For all there force non sall thame fende 
For to be fendys foule and blake. 
And tho that lykys with me to lende, 
And trewly tent to me will take, 
Sall wonne in welth withoutyn ende 
And allway wynly with me wake; 
THai sall haue for thare sele 
Solace that neuer sall sclake. 
THis warke me thynkys full wele 
And more now will I make. 
Syne that this world es ordand euyn, 
Furth well I publysch my power: 
Noght by my strenkyth, but by my steuyn 
A firmament I byd apere, 
Emange the waterris, lyght so leuyn, 
THere cursis lely for to lere, 
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And that same sall be namyd hewuyn, 
With planitys and with clowdis clere. 
THe water I will be sent 
To flowe bothe fare and nere, 
And than the firmament 
In mydis to set thame sere. 
THe firmament sal nough moue, 
But be a mene, thus will I mene, 
Ouir all the worlde to halde and houe, 
And be tho tow wateris betwyne. 
Vndir the heuyn and als aboue 
THe wateris serly sall be sene, 
And so I wille my post proue 
By creaturis of kyndis clene. 
THis warke his to my pay 
Righit will, withoutyn wyne; 
THus sese the secunde day 
Of my doyingys bydene. 
Moo sutyll werkys assesay I sall, 
For to be set in seruice sere: 
All the waterris grete and smalle 
THat vndir heuyne er ordande here, 
Gose togedir and holde yow all, 
And be a flode festynde in fere, 
So that the erthe, both downe and dale, 
In drynesch playnly may apere. 
THe drynes `landé sall be 
Namyd bothe ferre and nere, 
And then I name the `sé, 
Geddryng of wateris clere. 
THe erthe sall fostyr and furthe bryng 
Buxsumly, as I wyle byde, 
Erbys and also othir thyng, 
Well for to wax and worthe to wede; 
Treys also tharon sall spryng 
With braunchis and with bowis on brede, 
With flouris fayr on heght to hyng 
And fruth also to fylle and fede. 
And thane I will that thay 
Of themselfe haue the sede 
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And mater, that thay may 
Be lastande furth in lede. 
And all ther materis es in mynde 
For to be made of mekyl might, 
And to be kest in dyueris kynde 
So for to bere sere burgvns bright. 
And when ther frutys is fully fynde 
And fayrest semande vnto syght, 
THane the wedris wete and wynde 
Oway I will it wende full wyght; 
And of there sede full sone 
New rotys sall ryse vpright. 
THe third day thus is done, 
THire dedis er dewly dyght. 
Now sene the erthe thus ordand es, 
Mesurid and made by myn assent- 
Grathely for to growe with gres 
And wedis that sone away bese went- 
Of my gudnes now will I ges, 
So that my werkis no harmes hent, 
Two lyghtis, one more and one lesse, 
To be fest in the firmament. 
The more light to the day 
Fully suthely sall be sent, 
THe lesse lyght allway 
To the nyght sall take entent. 
THir figuris fayre that furth er fun 
THus on sere sydys serue thai sall: 
The more lyght sall be namid the son, 
Dymnes to wast be downe and be dale. 
Erbis and treys that er bygune 
All sall he gouerne, gret and smale; 
With cald yf thai be closid or bun 
Thurgh hete of the sun thai sal be hale. 
Als thei haue honours 
In alkyn welth to wale, 
So sall my creaturis 
Euir byde withoutyn bale. 
THe son and the mone on fayre manere 
Now grathly gange in yoour degré, 
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Als ye haue tane yooure curses clere 
To serue furth loke ye be fre, 
For ye sall set the sesons sere, 
Kyndely to knowe in ilke cuntré, 
Day fro day and yere fro yere 
By sertayne signes suthly to se. 
THe heuyn sall be ouerhyld 
With sternys to stand plenté. 
THe furth day his fulfillid, 
THis werke well lykys me. 
Now sen thir werkis er wroght with wyne 
And fundyn furth be firth and fell, 
THe see now will I set within 
Whallis whikly for to dewell, 
And othir fysch to flet with fyne- 
Sum with skale and sum with skell, 
Of diueris materis more and myn- 
In sere maner to make and mell; 
Sum sall be milde and meke, 
And sum both fers and fell. 
THis world thus will I eke, 
Syn I am witt of well. 
Also vp in the ayre on hyght 
I byd now that thore be ordande 
For to be foulis fayre and bright, 
Dewly in thare degré dewlland, 
With fedrys fayre to frast ther flight 
For stede to stede whore thai will stande, 
And also leythly for to lyght 
Whoreso tham lykis in ilke a londe. 
THane fysch and foulis sere, 
Kyndely I yoow commande 
To meng on yooure manere, 
Both be se and sande. 
THis materis more yoitt will I mende, 
So for to fulfill my forthoght, 
With diueris bestis in lande to lende 
To brede and be with balé furth brught. 
And with bestis I wille be blende 
Serpentis to be sene vnsoght, 
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And wormis vpon thaire wombis sall wende 
To won in erth and worth to noght. 
And so it sall be kende 
How all that eme is oght, 
Begynnyng, mydes and ende 
I with my worde hase wrothe. 
For als I byde bus all thyng be 
And dewly done als I will dresse, 
Now bestys ar sett in sere degré 
On molde to moue, both more and lesse; 
THane foulis in ayre and fische in see 
And bestis on erthe of bone and flesch, 
I byde yoe wax furth fayre plenté 
And grathly growes, als I yoow gesse. 
So multiply yoe sall 
Ay furth in fayre processe, 
My blyssyng haue yoe all; 
The fift day endyd es. 

Play 3A


God
1 In heuyn and erthe duly bedene 
Of v days werke, euyn onto ende, 
I haue complete by curssis clene; 
Methynke the space of thame well spende. 
In heuyn er angels fayre and brighte, 
Sternes and planetis ther curssis to ga, 
THe mone seruis onto the nyght 
The son to lyghte the day alswa. 
In erthe is treys and gres to springe, 
Bestis and foulys, bothe gret and smalle, 
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Fyschis in flode, all othyr thyng 
Thryffe and haue my blyssyng all. 
Thys werke is wroght now at my will, 
But yoet can I here no best see 
THat acordys be kynde and skyll, 
And for my werke myght worschippe me. 
For perfytt werke ne ware it nane 
But ought ware made that myght it yoeme, 
For loue mad I this warlde alane, 
THerfor my loffe sall in it seme. 
To kepe this warlde, bothe mare and lesse, 
A skylfull best thane will I make 
Eftyr my schape and my lyknes, 
The wilke sall worschipe to me take. 
Off the symplest part of erthe that is here 
I sall make man, and for this skylle: 
For to abate hys hauttande chere, 
Bothe his gret pride and other ille; 
And also for to haue in mynde 
How simpyll he is at hys makyng, 
For als febyll I sall hym fynde 
Qwen he is dede at his endyng. 
For this reson and skyll alane 
I sall make man lyke onto me. 
Ryse vp, thou erthe, in blode and bane, 
In schape of man, I commaunde the. 
A female sall thou haue to fere, 
Her sall I make of thi lyft rybe, 
Alane so sall thou nough be here 
Withoutyn faythefull frende and sybe. 
Takys now here the gast of lyffe 
And ressayue bothe yooure saules of me; 
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THis femall take thou to thi wyffe, 
Adam and Eue yoour names sall be. 


Adam
45 A, lorde, full mekyll is thi mighte 
And that is sene in ilke a syde, 
For now his here a ioyfull syght 
To se this worlde so lange and wyde. 
Mony diueris thyngis now here es, 
Off bestis and foulis bathe wylde and tame; 
YOet is nan made to thi liknes 
But we alone-A, louyd by thi name. 


Eue
53 To swylke a lorde in all degré 
Be euirmore lastande louynge, 
THat tyll vs swylke a dyngnité 
Has gyffyne before all othyr thynge; 
And selcouth thyngis may we se here 
Of this ilke warld so lange and brade, 
With bestis and fowlis so many and sere; 
Blessid be he that hase us made. 


Adam
61 A, blyssid lorde, now at thi wille 
Syne we er wroght, wochesaff to telle 
And also say vs two vntyll 
Qwate we sall do and whare to dewell? 


God
65 For this skyl made I yoow this day, 
My name to worschip ay-whare; 
Louys me, forthi, and louys me ay 
For my makyng, I axke no mare. 
Bothe wys and witty sall thou be, 
Als man that I haue made of noght; 
Lordschipe in erthe than graunt I the, 
All thynge to serue the that I haue wroght. 
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In paradyse sall yoe same wone, 
Of erthely thyng get yoe no nede, 
Ille and gude both sall yoe kone, 
I sall yoou lerne yooure lyue to lede. 


Adam
77 A, lorde, sene we sall do no thyng 
But louffe the for thi gret gudnesse, 
We sall ay bay to thi biddyng 
And fulfyll it, both more and less. 


Eue
81 His syng sene he has on vs sett 
Beforne all othir thyng certayne, 
Hym for to loue we sall noght lett 
And worschip hym with myght and mayne. 


God
85 At heuyne and erth first I begane 
And vj days wroght or I walde ryst; 
My warke is endyde now at mane, 
All lykes me will, but this is best. 
My blyssyng haue thai ever and ay. 
The seueynt day sall my restyng be, 
THus wille I sese, sothely to say, 
Of my doying in this degré. 
To blys I sall yoow bryng, 
Comys forth, yoe tow, with me; 
YOe sall lyffe in lykyng- 
My blyssyng wyth yoow be. Amen. 
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Play 3B


God
1 In heuyn and erthe duly bedene 
Of v daies werke evyn vnto the ende, 
I haue complete by courssis clene- 
Methynketh the space of tham wele spende. 
In heuen ar aungels faire and bright, 
Sternes and planetis ther courses to goo, 
THe mone serues vnto the nyghte, 
The sonne to lighte the day also. 
In erthe is trees and gresse to springe, 
Beestes and foules bothe grete and smale, 
Fisshys in flode, all othir thynge, 
Thryffe and haue my blissynge alle. 
This werke is wrought nowe at my wille, 
But yitte can I here no beste see 
That accordes by kyndly skylle, 
And for my werke myght worshippe me. 
For parfite werke ne wer it none 
But oughte wer made that myghte it yoeme, 
For loue made I this worlde alone, 
Therfore my loue shalle in it seme. 
To kepe this worlde bothe more and lesse 
A skylfull beeste than will Y make 
Aftir my shappe and my liknesse, 
The whilke shalle wirshippe to me take. 
Of the sympylest parte of erthe that is here 
I schalle make man, and for this skylle, 
For to abate his hauttande cheere, 
Bothe his grete pride and othir ille; 
And also for to haue in mynde 
Howe symple he is at his makynge, 
For als febill I shalle hym fynde 
Qwen he is dede at his endynge. 
For this reasonne and skille allone 
I schalle make man like vnto me. 
Rise vppe, thou erthe, in bloode and bone, 
In shappe of man, I comaunde the. 
A female shalte thou haue to feere, 
Here schalle Y make of thy lefte rybbe, 
Allone so shalle thou nought be heere, 
Withoutyn faithfull freende and sibbe. 
Takis nowe here the goste of liffe, 
And ressayue bothe youre soules of me, 
THis femalle take thou to thi wiffe- 
Adam and Eue youre names schalle bee. 


Adam
45 A, lord, ful mekill is thi myght, 
And that is seene in ilke a side, 
For nowe is here a joifull sighte, 
To see this worlde so longe and wide. 
Many dyuerse thynges nowe here is, 
Of beestis and foules bothe wilde and tame, 
YOitte is non made to thi liknesse 
But we allone-a, loued be thy name. 


Eue
53 To swilke a lorde in alle degree 
Be euermore lastand louynge, 
THat to vs such a dyngnyté 
Has geffynne before all othir thynge. 
And selcouthe thynges may we see heere 
Of this ilke worlde so longe and broode, 
With beestes and foules so many and seere, 
Blyssed be hee that hase vs made. 


Adam
61 A, blissed lorde, nowe at thi wille 
Sethen we are wrought, wouchesaffe to telle 
And also saie vs two vntille 
Whatte we schalle do and where to dwelle. 


God
65 For this skille made Y you this daye, 
My name to worschippe ay-where. 
Lovis me forthy, and loues me aye 
For my makyng-I aske no more. 
Bothe wyse and witty shalle thou bee 
Als man, that Y haue made of nought, 
Lordshippe in erthe than graunte Y the, 
Alle thynge to serue the that is wrought. 
In pardise shalle ye same wonne, 
Of erthely thyng gete yoe no nede, 
Ille and goode bothe shalle yoe konne, 
I shalle you lerne youre lyffe to leede. 


Adam
77 A, lord, sene we shalle do no thynge 
But loue the for thy grette goodnesse, 
We shalle abeye to thi biddyng, 
And fulfille it, bothe more and lees. 


Eue
81 Hys syngne sen he has on vs sette 
Before al othir thyng certayne, 
Hym for to loue we schal not lette, 
And worshippe hym with myghte and mayne. 


God
85 At heuene and erthe firste I beganne, 
And vj daies wroughte or Y wolde reste, 
My werke is endid nowe at mane; 
Alle likes me wele, but this the beste. 
My blissynge haue they euer and ay. 
THe seuynte day shal my restyng be, 
THus wille I sese, sothly to say, 
Of my doyng in this degree. 
To blisse I schal you brynge, 
Comes forthe yoe two with me. 
YOe shalle lyff in likyng: 
My blissyng with you be. Amen. 

Play 4


God
1 Adam and Eve, this is the place 
That I haue graunte you of my grace 
To haue your wonnyng in. 
Erbes, spyce, frute on tree, 
Beastes, fewles, all that ye see 
Shall bowe to you, more and myn. 
This place hight paradyce, 
Here shall your joys begynne; 
And yf that ye be wyse, 
Frome thys tharr ye never twyn. 
All your wyll here shall ye haue, 
Lykyng for to eate or sayff 
Fyshe, fewle or fee; 
And for to take at your owen wyll 
All other creatours also theretyll, 
Your suggettes shall they bee. 
Adam, of more and lesse, 
Lordeship in erthe here graunte I the; 
Thys place that worthy is, 
Kepe it in honestye. 
Looke that ye yoem ytt wetterly; 
All other creatours shall multeply, 
Ylke one in tender hower. 
Looke that ye bothe saue and sett 
Erbes and treys; for nothyng lett, 
So that ye may endower 
To susteyn beast and man, 
And fewll of ylke stature. 
Dwell here yf that ye cann, 
This shall be your endowre. 


Adam
31 O lorde, lovyd be thy name, 
For nowe is this a joyfull hame 
That thowe hais brought vs to, 
Full of myrthe and solys faughe, 
Erbes and trees, frute on haugh, 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Wyth spysys many one hoo. 
Loo, Eve, nowe ar we brought 
Bothe vnto rest and rowe, 
We neyd to tayke no thought, 
But loke ay well to doo. 


Eue
41 Lovyng be ay to suche a lord, 
To vs hais geven so great reward 
To governe bothe great and small, 
And mayd vs after his owen read, 
44 [... ...] 
Emonges these myrthes all. 
Here is a joyfull sight 
Where that wee wonn in shall; 
We love the, mooste of myght, 
Great God, that we on call. 


God
50 Love my name with good entent 
And harken to my comaundement, 
And do my byddyng buxomly: 
Of all the frute in parradyce, 
Tayke ye therof of your best wyse 
And mayke you right merry. 
The tree of good and yll, 
What tyme you eates of thys 
Thowe speydes thyself to spyll, 
And be brought owte of blysse. 
All thynges is mayd, man, for thy prowe, 
All creatours shall to the bowe 
That here is mayd erthly; 
In erthe I mayke the lord of all, 
And beast vnto the shall be thrall, 
Thy kynd shall multeply. 
Therefore this tree alone, 
Adam, this owte-take I; 
The frute of it negh none, 
For an ye do, then shall ye dye. 


Adam
70 Alas lorde, that we shuld do so yll, 
Thy blyssed byddyng we shall fulfyll 
Bothe in thought and deyd; 
We shall no negh thys tre nor the bugh, 
Nor yit the fruyte that thereon groweth 
Therewith oure fleshe to feyd. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Eue
76 We shall do thy byddyng, 
We haue none other neyd; 
Thys frute full styll shall hyng, 
Lorde, that thowe hays forbyd. 


God
80 Looke that ye doe as ye haue sayd, 
Of all that there is hold you apayd, 
For here is welthe at wyll. 
Thys tre that beres the fruyte of lyfe, 
Luke nother thowe nor Eve thy wyf 
Lay ye no handes theretyll. 
For-why it is knowyng 
Bothe of good and yll, 
This frute but ye lett hyng 
Ye speyd yourself to spyll. 
Forthy this tree that I owt-tayke, 
Nowe kepe it grathly for my sayke, 
That nothyng negh it neyre; 
All other at your wyll shall be, 
I owte-take nothyng but this tree, 
To feyd you with in feare. 
Here shall ye leyd your lyffe 
With dayntys that is deare; 
Adam, and Eve thy wyfe, 
My blyssyng haue ye here. 

Play 5


Satan
1 For woo my witte es in a were 
That moffes me mykill in my mynde; 
The Godhede that I sawe so cleere, 
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Page 65

And parsayued that he shuld take kynde 
Of a degree 
That he had wrought, and I dedyned 
THat aungell kynde shuld it noyot be; 
And we wer faire and bright, 
THerfore me thoght that he 
The kynde of vs tane myght, 
And therat dedeyned me. 
The kynde of man he thoght to take 
And theratt hadde I grete envye, 
But he has made to hym a make, 
And harde to her I wol me hye 
That redy way, 
That purpose proue to putte it by, 
And fande to pike fro hym that pray. 
My trauayle were wele sette 
Myght Y hym so betraye, 
His likyng for to lette, 
And sone I schalle assaye. 
In a worme liknes wille Y wende, 
And founde to feyne a lowde lesynge. 
Eue, Eue. 


Eue
25 What es thare? 


Satan
25 I, a frende. 
And for thy gude es the comynge 
I hydir sought. 
Of all the fruyt that ye se hynge 
In paradise, why ete yoe noght? 


Eue
30 We may of tham ilkane 
Take al that vs goode thought, 
Save a tree outt is tane, 
Wolde do harme to neyghe it ought. 


Satan
34 And why that tree, that wolde I witte, 
Any more than all othir by? 


Eue
36 For oure lord God forbeedis vs itt, 
The frute therof, Adam nor I 
To neghe it nere; 
And yf we dide we both shuld dye, 
He saide, and sese our solace sere. 


Satan
41 Yha, Eue, to me take tente; 
Take hede and thou shalte here 
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What that the matere mente 
He moved on that manere. 
To ete therof he you defende 
I knawe it wele, this was his skylle: 
Bycause he wolde non othir kende 
Thes grete vertues that longes thertill. 
For will thou see, 
Who etis the frute of goode and ille 
Shalle haue knowyng as wele as hee. 


Eue
52 Why, what-kynne thyng art thou 
THat telles this tale to me? 


Satan
54 A worme, that wotith wele how 
THat yhe may wirshipped be. 


Eue
56 What wirshippe shulde we wynne therby? 
To ete therof vs nedith it nought, 
We have lordshippe to make maistrie 
Of alle thynge that in erthe is wrought. 


Satan
60 Woman, do way! 
To gretter state ye may be broughte 
And ye will do as I schall saye. 


Eue
63 To do is vs full lothe 
THat shuld oure God myspaye. 


Satan
65 Nay, certis it is no wathe, 
Ete it saffely ye maye. 
For perille ryght ther none in lyes, 
Bot worshippe and a grete wynnynge, 
For right als God yhe shalle be wyse 
And pere to hym in all-kyn thynge. 
Ay, goddis shalle ye be, 
Of ille and gode to haue knawyng, 
For to be als wise as he. 


Eue
74 Is this soth that thou sais? 


Satan
75 Yhe, why trowes thou noyot me? 
I wolde be no-kynnes wayes 
Telle noyot but trouthe to the. 


Eue
78 Than wille I to thy techyng traste 
And fange this frute vnto oure foode. 


Satan
80 Byte on boldly, be nought abasshed, 
And bere Adam to amende his mode 
And eke his blisse. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Eue
83 Adam, have here of frute full goode. 


Adam
84 Alas woman, why toke thou this? 
Owre lorde comaunded vs bothe 
To tente the tree of his. 
Thy werke wille make hym wrothe- 
Allas, thou hast don amys. 


Eue
89 Nay Adam, greve the nought at it, 
And I shal saie the reasonne why. 
A worme has done me for to witte 
We shalle be as goddis, thou and I, 
Yf that we ete 
Here of this tree; Adam, forthy 
Lette noght that worshippe for to gete. 
For we shalle be als wise 
Als God that is so grete, 
And als mekill of prise; 
Forthy ete of this mete. 


Adam
100 To ete it wolde Y nought eschewe 
Myght I me sure in thy saying. 


Eue
102 Byte on boldely, for it is trewe, 
We shalle be goddis and knawe al thyng. 


Adam
104 To wynne that name 
I schalle it taste at thy techyng. 
Allas, what haue I done, for shame! 
Ille counsaille, woo worthe the! 
A, Eue, thou art to blame, 
To this entysed thou me- 
Me shames with my lyghame, 
For I am naked as methynke. 


Eue
112 Allas Adam, right so am I. 


Adam
113 And for sorowe sere why ne myght we synke, 
For we haue greved God almyghty 
THat made me man- 
Brokyn his bidyng bittirly. 
Allas that euer we it began. 
THis werke, Eue, hast thou wrought, 
And made this bad bargayne. 


Eue
120 Nay Adam, wite me nought. 


Adam
121 Do wey, lefe Eue, whame than? 


Eue
122 The worme to wite wele worthy were, 
With tales vntrewe he me betrayed. 


Adam
124 Allas, that I lete at thy lare 
Or trowed the trufuls that thou me saide. 
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So may I byde, 
For I may banne that bittir brayde 
And drery dede, that I it dyde. 
Oure shappe for doole me defes, 
Wherewith thay shalle be hydde. 


Eue
131 Late vs take there fygge-leves, 
Sythen it is thus betydde. 


Adam
133 Ryght as thou sais so shalle it bee, 
For we are naked and all bare; 
Full wondyr fayne I wolde hyde me 
Fro my lordis sight, and I wiste whare, 
Where I ne roght. 


God
138 Adam, Adam. 


Adam
138 Lorde. 


God
138 Where art thou, yhare? 


Adam
139 I here the lorde and seys the noyot. 


God
140 Say, wheron is it longe, 
THis werke why hast thou wrought? 


Adam
142 Lorde, Eue garte me do wronge 
And to that bryg me brought. 


God
144 Say, Eue, why hast thou garte thy make 
Ete frute I bad the shuld hynge stille, 
And comaunded none of it to take? 


Eue
147 A worme, lorde, entysed me thertill; 
So welaway, 
That euer I did that dede so dill. 


God
150 A, wikkid worme, woo worthe the ay 
For thou on this maner 
Hast made tham swilke affraye; 
My malysoune haue thou here 
With all the myght Y may. 
And on thy wombe than shall thou glyde, 
And be ay full of enmyté 
To al mankynde on ilke a side, 
And erthe it shalle thy sustynaunce be 
To ete and drynke. 
Adam and Eue alsoo, yhe 
In erthe than shalle ye swete and swynke, 
And trauayle for youre foode. 


Adam
163 Allas, whanne myght we synke, 
We that haues alle worldis goode 
Ful derfly may vs thynke. 
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God
166 Now Cherubyn, myn aungell bryght, 
To middilerth tyte go dryve there twoo. 


Angel
168 Alle redy lorde, as it is right, 
Syn thy wille is that it be soo, 
And thy lykyng. 
Adam and Eue, do you to goo, 
For here may yoe make no dwellyng; 
Goo yhe forthe faste to fare, 
Of sorowe may yhe synge. 


Adam
175 Allas, for sorowe and care 
Oure handis may we wryng. 

Play 6


Angel
1 Alle creatures to me take tent, 
Fro God of heuen now am I sent 
Vnto the wrecchis that wronge has went 
Thaymself to woo; 
THe joie of heuen that thaym was lent 
Is lost thaym froo. 
Fro thaym is loste bothe game and glee; 
He badde that thei schuld maistirs be 
Ouer alle-kynne thyng, oute-tane a tree 
He taught them tille; 
And therto wente bothe she and he, 
Agayne his wille. 
Agaynst his wille thus haue they wrought, 
To greeffe grete God gaffe they right noght, 
THat wele wytt ye; 
And therfore syte is to thaym sought, 
As ye shalle see. 
The fooles that faithe is fallen fra 
Take tente to me nowe, or ye ga; 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Page 70

Fro God of heuen vnto yow twa 
Sente am I nowe, 
For to warne you what-kynne wa 
Is wrought for you. 


Adam
24 For vs is wrought, so welaway, 
Doole endurand nyghte and day; 
The welthe we wende haue wonnyd in ay 
Is loste vs fra. 
For this myscheffe ful wele we may 
euer mornyng ma. 


Angel
30 Adam, thyselffe made al this syte, 
For to the tree thou wente full tyte 
And boldely on the frute gan byte 
My lord forbed. 


Adam
34 Yaa, allas, my wiffe that may I wite, 
For scho me red. 


Angel
36 Adam, for thou trowyd hir tale, 
He sendis the worde and sais thou shale 
Lyffe ay in sorowe, 
Abide and be in bittir bale 
Tille he the borowe. 


Adam
41 Allas, wrecchis, what haue we wrought? 
To byggly blys we bothe wer brought; 
Whillis we wer thare 
We hadde inowe, nowe haue we noghte- 
Allas, for care. 


Eue
46 Oure cares ar comen bothe kyne and colde, 
With fele fandyngis manyfolde; 
Allas, that tyraunte to me tolde, 
Thurghoute his gyle, 
That we shulde haue alle welthis in walde, 
Wa worthe the whyle. 


Angel
52 That while yee wrought vnwittely, 
Soo for to greue God almyghty, 
And that mon ye full dere abye 
Or that ye go; 
And to lyffe, as is worthy, 
In were and wo. 
Adam, haue this, luke howe ye thynke, 
And tille withalle thi meete and drynke 
For euermore. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Adam
61 Allas, for syte why ne myght Y synke, 
So shames me sore. 


Eue
63 Soore may we shame with sorowes seere, 
And felly fare we bothe in feere; 
Alas, that euyr we neghed it nere, 
THat tree vntill. 
With dole now mon we bye full dere 
Oure dedis ille. 


Angel
69 Giffe for thou beswyked hym swa, 
Trauell herto shalle thou ta, 
Thy barnes to bere with mekill wa- 
THis warne I the. 
Buxom shalle thou and othir ma 
To man ay be. 


Eue
75 Allas for doole, what shall Y doo, 
Now mon I neuer haue rest ne roo. 


Adam
77 Nay, lo, swilke a tole is taken me too 
To trauaylle tyte; 
Nowe is shente both I and shoo, 
Allas, for syte. 
Allas, for syte and sorowe sadde, 
Mournynge makis me mased and madde, 
To thynke in herte what helpe Y hadde 
And nowe has none. 
On grounde mon I neuyr goo gladde, 
My gamys ere gane. 
Gone ar my games withowten glee; 
Allas, in blisse kouthe we noyot bee, 
For putte we were to grete plenté 
At prime of the day; 
Be tyme of none alle lost had wee, 
Sa welawaye. 
Sa welaway, for harde peyne, 
Alle bestis were to my biddyng bayne, 
Fisshe and fowle, they were fulle fayne 
With me to founde. 
And nowe is alle thynge me agayne 
THat gois on grounde. 
On grounde ongaynely may Y gange, 
To suffre syte and peynes strange, 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Page 72

Alle is for dede I haue done wrange 
Thurgh wykkid wyle. 
On lyve methynkith I lyffe to lange, 
Allas the whille. 
A, lord, I thynke what thynge is this 
That me is ordayned for my mysse; 
Gyffe I wirke wronge, who shulde me wys 
Be any waye? 
How beste wille be, so haue Y blisse, 
I shalle assaye. 
Allas, for bale, what may this bee? 
In worlde vnwisely wrought haue wee, 
This erthe it trembelys for this tree 
And dyns ilke dele! 
Alle this worlde is wrothe with mee, 
THis wote I wele. 
Full wele Y wote my welthe is gone, 
Erthe, elementis, euerilkane 
For my synne has sorowe tane, 
THis wele I see. 
Was neuere wrecchis so wylle of wane 
As nowe ar wee. 


Eue
123 We are fulle wele worthy iwis 
To haue this myscheffe for oure mys, 
For broght we were to byggely blys, 
Euer in to be. 
Now my sadde sorowe certis is this 
Mysilfe to see. 


Adam
129 To see it is a sytfull syghte, 
We bothe that were in blis so brighte, 
We mon go nakid euery ilke a nyghte 
And dayes bydene, 
Allas, what womans witte was light! 
THat was wele sene. 


Eue
135 Sethyn it was so me knyth it sore, 
Bot sethyn that woman witteles ware 
Mans maistrie shulde haue bene more 
Agayns the gilte. 


Adam
139 Nay, at my speche wolde thou never spare, 
THat has vs spilte. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Page 73



Eue
141 Iff I hadde spoken youe oughte to spill 
Ye shulde haue taken gode tent theretyll, 
And turnyd my thought. 


Adam
144 Do way, woman, and neme it noght, 
For at my biddyng wolde thou not be 
And therfore my woo wyte Y thee; 
Thurgh ille counsaille thus casten ar we 
In bitter bale. 
Nowe God late never man aftir me 
Triste woman tale. 
For certis me rewes fulle sare 
That euere I shulde lerne at thi lare, 
Thy counsaille has casten me in care, 
THat thou me kende. 


Eue
155 Be stille Adam, and nemen it na mare, 
It may not mende. 
For wele I wate I haue done wrange, 
And therfore euere I morne emange, 
Allas the whille I leue so lange, 
Dede wolde I be. 


Adam
161 On grounde mon I never gladde gange, 
Withowten glee. 
Withowten glee I ga, 
This sorowe wille me sla, 
This tree vnto me wille I ta 
THat me is sende. 
He that vs wrought wisse vs fro wa, 
Whare-som we wende. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Page 74


Play 7


Angel
1 That lord of lyffe lele ay-lastand 
Whos myght vnmesured is to meyne, 
He shoppe the sonne, bothe see and sande, 
And wroughte this worlde with worde, I wene. 
His aungell cleere as cristall clene, 
Here vnto you thus am I sente 
THis tide. 
Abell and Cayme, yei, both bydeyne 
To me enteerly takis entent; 
To meve my message haue I ment 
If that ye bide. 
Allemyghty God of myghtes moste, 
When he had wrought this world so wide, 
No thynge hym thoughte was wroughte in waste, 
But in his blissyng boune to bide 
Neyne ordurs for to telle, that tyde, 
Of aungeles bryght he bad ther be. 
For pride 
And sone the tente part it was tried, 
And wente awaye as was worthye; 
They heild to helle alle that meyné 
THerin to bide. 
THanne made he manne to his liknes 
That place of price for to restore, 
And sithen he kyd hym such kyndnes 
Somwhat wille he wirke therfore: 
The tente to tyne he askis, no more, 
Of alle the goodes he haues you sent. 
Full trew 
To offyr loke that ye be yore, 
And to my tale yhe take entent, 
For ilke a lede that liffe has lente 
So shalle you sewe. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Page 75



Abel
34 Gramercy God, of thy goodnes 
That me on molde has marked thi man, 
I worshippe the with worthynes, 
With alle the comforte that I can. 
Me for to were fro warkes wanne, 
For to fulfille thy comaundement, 
THe teynd 
Of alle the gode sen I beganne 
Thow shalle it haue, sen thou it sent. 
Come, brothir Cayme, I wolde we wente 
With hert ful hende. 


Cain
45 We! Whythir now, in wilde waneand? 
Trowes thou I thynke to trusse of towne? 
Goo, jape the, robard jangillande, 
Me liste noyot nowe to rouk nor rowne. 


Abel
49 A, dere brothir, late vs be bowne 
Goddis biddyng blithe to fulfille, 
I tell the. 


Cain
52 Ya, daunce in the devil way, dresse the downe, 
For I wille wyrke euen as I will. 
What mystris the, in gode or ille, 
Of me to melle the? 


Abel
56 To melle of the myldely I may. 
Bote goode brothir, go we in haste, 
Gyffe God oure teynde dulye this day- 
He byddis vs thus, be nouyot abassed. 


Cain
60 Ya, deuell, methynketh that werke were waste, 
That he vs gaffe geffe hym agayne 
To se. 
Nowe fekyll frenshippe for to fraste 
Methynkith ther is in hym sarteyne. 
If he be moste in myghte and mayne 
What nede has he? 


Abel
67 He has non nede vnto thi goode, 
But it wille please hym principall 
If thou, myldly in mayne and moode, 
70 Grouche noyot geue hym tente parte of all. 
[... ...] 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Page 76



Angel
71 It shall be done evyn as ye bydd, 
And that anone. 


Brewbarret
73 Lo, maister Cayme, what shaves bryng I, 
Evyn of the best for to bere seyd, 
And to the feylde I wyll me hye 
To fetch you moo, if ye haue neyd. 


Cain
76 Cume vp, sir knave, the devyll the speyd, 
Ye will not come but ye be prayd. 


Brewbarret
79 O, maister Caym, I haue broken my to! 


Cain
80 Come vp syr, for by my thryft, 
Ye shall drynke or ye goo. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Page 77



Angel
82 Thowe cursyd Came, where is Abell? 
Where hais thowe done thy broder dere? 


Cain
84 What askes thowe me that taill to tell, 
For yit his keper was I never? 


Angel
86 God hais sent the his curse downe, 
Fro hevyn to hell, maladictio dei. 


Cain
88 Take that thyself, evyn on thy crowne, 
Quia non sum custos fratris mei, 
To tyne. 


Angel
91 God hais sent the his malyson, 
And inwardly I geve the myne. 


Cain
93 The same curse light on thy crowne, 
And right so myght it worth and be 
For he that sent that gretyng downe, 
The devyll myght speyd both hym and the. 
Fowll myght thowe fall! 
Here is a cankerd company, 
Therefore Goddes curse light on you all. 


Angel
100 What hast thou done? Beholde and heere, 
THe voice of his bloode cryeth vengeaunce 
Fro erthe to heuen, with voice entere 
THis tyde. 
That God is greved with thy greuaunce 
Take hede, I schalle telle the tydandis, 
THerfore abide. 
THou shall be curssed vppon the grounde, 
God has geffyn the his malisonne; 
Yff thou wolde tyll the erthe so rounde 
No frute to the ther shalle be fonne. 
Of wikkidnesse sen thou arte sonne, 
Thou shalle be waferyng here and there 
THis day. 
In bittir bale nowe art thou boune, 
Out-castyn shal thou be for care; 
No man shal rewe of thy misfare 
For this affraie. 


Cain
118 Allas for syte, so may I saye, 
My synne it passis al mercie, 
For ask it the lord I ne maye, 
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To haue it am I nouyot worthy. 
Fro the shalle I be hidde in hye, 
THou castis me, lorde, oute of my kyth 
In lande. 
Both here and there oute-caste am I, 
For ilke a man that metis me with 
They wille slee me, be fenne or frith, 
With dynte of hande. 


Angel
129 Nay Cayme, nouyot soo, haue thou no drede; 
Who that the slees shalle ponnysshed be 
Sevene sithis for doyng of that dede. 
Forthy a token shal thou see, 
It shalle be prentyd so in the 
That ilke a man shalle the knowe full wele. 


Cain
135 Thanne wolle I fardir flee 
For shame. 
Sethen I am sette thus out of seill, 
That curse that I haue for to feill, 
I giffe you the same. 

Play 8


God
1 Fyrst qwen I wrought this world so wyde, 
Wode and wynde and watters wane, 
Heuyn and helle was noght to hyde, 
Wyth herbys and gyrse thus I begane. 
In endles blysse to be and byde. 
And to my liknes made I man, 
Lorde and syre on ilke a side 
Of all medillerthe I made hym than. 
A woman also with hym wroght I, 
Alle in lawe to lede ther lyffe, 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Page 79

I badde thame waxe and multiplye, 
To fulfille this worlde, withowtyn striffe. 
Sythn hays men wroght so wofully 
And synne is nowe reynand so ryffe, 
THat me repentys and rewys forthi 
THat ever I made outhir man or wiffe. 
Bot sen they make me to repente 
My werke I wroght so wele and trewe, 
Wythowtyn seys will noght assente, 
Bot euer is bowne more bale to brewe. 
Bot for ther synnes thai shall be shente 
And fordone hoyly, hyde and hewe; 
Of tham shal no more be mente, 
Bot wirke this werke I wille al newe. 
Al newe I will this worlde be wroght 
And waste away that wonnys therin, 
A flowyd above thame shall be broght 
To stroye medilerthe, both more and myn. 
Bot Noe alon, lefe shal it noght 
To all be sownkyn for ther synne; 
He and his sones, thus is my thoght, 
And with ther wyffes away sall wynne. 
Nooe, my seruand sad an cleyn, 
For thou art stabill in stede and stalle, 
I wyll thou wyrke withowten weyn 
A warke to saffe thiselfe wythall. 


Noah
37 O, mercy lorde, qwat may this meyne? 


God
38 I am thi Gode of grete and small 
Is comyn to telle the of thy teyn, 
And qwat ferly sall eftir fall. 


Noah
41 A, lorde, I lowe the lowde and still 
THat vnto me-wretche vnworthye- 
THus with thy worde, as is thi will, 
Lykis to appere thus propyrly. 


God
45 Nooe, as I byd the, doo fulfill: 
A shippe I will haue wroght in hye; 
All-yf thou can litill skyll, 
Take it in hande, for helpe sall I. 


Noah
49 A, worthy lorde, wolde thou take heede, 
I am full olde and oute of qwarte, 
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THat me liste do no daies dede 
Bot yf gret mystir me garte. 


God
53 Begynne my werke behoves the nede 
And thou wyll passe from peynes smerte, 
I sall the sokoure and the spede 
And giffe the hele in hede and hert. 
I se such ire emonge mankynde 
THat of thare werkis I will take wreke; 
THay shall be sownkyn for thare synne, 
THerfore a shippe I wille thou make. 
THou and thi sonnes shall be therin, 
They sall be sauyd for thy sake. 
Therfore go bowdly and begynne 
Thy mesures and thy markis to take. 


Noah
65 A, lorde, thi wille sall euer be wroght 
Os counsill gyfys of ilka clerk, 
Bot first, of shippe-craft can I right noght; 
Of ther makyng haue I no merke. 


God
69 Noe, I byd the hartely haue no thought, 
I sall the wysshe in all thi werke, 
And even to itt till ende be wroght; 
Therfore to me take hede and herke. 
Take high trees and hewe thame cleyne, 
All be sware and noght of skwyn, 
Make of thame burdes and wandes betwene 
THus thrivandly, and noght ouer-thyn. 
Luke that thi semes be suttilly seyn 
And naylid wele that thei noght twyne; 
THus I deuyse ilk dele bedeyne, 
THerfore do furthe, and leue thy dyne. 
iij C cubyttis it sall be lang, 
And fyfty brode, all for thy blys; 
THe highte, of thyrty cubittis strang, 
Lok lely that thou thynke on this. 
THus gyffe I the grathly or I gang 
THi mesures, that thou do not mysse. 
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Luk nowe that thou wirke noght wrang 
THus wittely sen I the wyshe. 


Noah
89 A, blistfull lord, that al may beylde, 
I thanke the hartely both euer and ay; 
Fyfe hundreth wyntres I am of elde- 
Methynk ther yoeris as yestirday. 
Ful wayke I was and all vnwelde, 
My werynes is wente away, 
To wyrk this werke here in this feylde 
Al be myselfe I will assaye. 
To hewe this burde I wyll begynne, 
But firste I wille lygge on my lyne; 
Now bud it be alle inlike thynne, 
So that it nowthyr twynne nor twyne. 
THus sall I june it with a gynn 
And sadly sett it with symonde fyne: 
THus schall I wyrke it both more and mynne 
Thurgh techyng of God, maistir myne. 
104 [... ...] 
More suttelly kan no man sewe; 
It sall be cleyngked euerilka dele 
With nayles that are both noble and newe, 
THus sall I feste it fast to feele. 
Take here a revette, and there a rewe, 
With ther the bowe nowe wyrke I wele; 
THis werke I warand both gud and trewe. 
Full trewe it is who will take tente, 
Bot faste my force begynnes to fawlde. 
A hundereth wyntres away is wente 
Sen I began this werk, full grathely talde, 
And in slyke trauayle for to be bente 
Is harde to hym that is thus olde. 
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But he that to me this messages sent 
He wille be my beylde, thus am I bowde. 


God
120 Nooe, this werke is nere an ende 
And wrought right as I warned the. 
Bot yit in maner it must be mende, 
THerfore this lessoun lerne at me: 
For dyuerse beestis therin must lende, 
And fewles also in there degree, 
And for that thay sall not sam blende 
Dyuerse stages must ther be. 
And qwen that it is ordand soo 
With dyuerse stawllys and stagis seere, 
Of ilka kynde thou sall take twoo, 
Bothe male and femalle fare in fere. 
Thy wyffe, thy sonnes, with the sall goo 
And thare thre wyffes, withowten were; 
THere viij bodies withowten moo 
Sall thus be saued on this manere. 
Therfore to my biddyng be bayne, 
Tille all be herberd haste the faste; 
Eftir the vij day sall it rayne 
Tille fowrty dayes be fully paste. 
Take with the geere sclyk os may gayne 
To man and beeste thare lyffes to laste. 
I sall the socoure for certeyne 
Tille alle thi care awey be kaste. 


Noah
144 A, lorde, that ilka mys may mende, 
I lowe thi lare both lowde and stille, 
I thanke the both with herte and hende, 
That me wille helpe fro angrys hill. 
Abowte this werke now bus me wende 
With beestys and fewlys my shippe to fill. 
He that to me this Crafte has kende, 
He wysshe vs with his worthy wille. 
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Play 9


Noah
1 That lord that leves ay-lastand lyff, 
I loue the euer with hart and hande, 
That me wolde rewle be reasoune ryffe, 
Sex hundereth yere to lyffe in lande. 
Thre semely sonnes and a worthy wiffe 
I haue euer at my steven to stande; 
Bot nowe my cares aren keene as knyffe, 
Bycause I kenne what is commannde. 
Thare comes to ilke contré, 
YOa, cares bothe kene and calde. 
For God has warned me 
THis worlde wastyd shalle be, 
And certis the sothe I see, 
As forme-fadres has tald. 
My fadir Lamech who, likes to neven, 
Heere in this worlde thus lange gon lende, 
Seuene hundereth yere seuenty and seuene, 
In swilke a space his tyme he spende. 
He prayed to god with stabill steuene 
THat he to hym a sone shuld sende, 
And at the laste ther come from heuen 
Slyke hettyng that hym mekill amende, 
And made hym grubbe and graue 
As ordand faste beforne, 
For he a sone shulde haue, 
As he gon aftir crave; 
And as God vouchydsaue 
In worlde than was I borne. 
When I was borne Noye named he me, 
And saide thees wordes with mekill wynne: 
`Loo', he saide, `this ilke is he 
That shalle be comforte to mankynné. 
Syrs, by this wele witte may ye, 
My fadir knewe both more and mynne 
By sarteyne signes he couthe wele see, 
That al this worlde shuld synke for synne; 
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Howe God shulde vengeaunce take, 
As nowe is sene sertayne, 
And hende of mankynde make 
That synne wold nouyot forsake; 
And howe that it shuld slake, 
And a worlde waxe agayne. 
I wolde God itt wasted were, 
Sa that I shuld nott tente thertille. 
My semely sonnes and doughteres dere, 
Takis yoe entent vnto my skylle. 


Filius 1
47 Fader we are all redy heere, 
Youre biddyng baynly to fulfille. 


Noah
49 Goos calle youre modir, and comes nere, 
And spede vs faste that we nouyot spille. 


Filius 1
51 Fadir, we shal nouyot fyne 
To youre biddyng be done. 


Noah
53 Alle that leues vndir lyne 
Sall, sone, soner passe to pyne. 


Filius 1
55 Where are ye, modir myne? 
Come to my fadir sone. 


Uxor
57 What sais thou sone? 


Filius 1
57 Moder, certeyne 
My fadir thynkis to flitte full ferre. 
He biddis you haste with al youre mayne 
Vnto hym, that no thyng you marre. 


Uxor
61 YOa, goode sone, hy the faste agayne 
And telle hym I wol come no narre. 


Filius 1
63 Dame, I wolde do youre biddyng fayne, 
But yow bus wende, els bese it warre. 


Uxor
65 Werre? THat wolde I witte. 
We bowrde al wrange, I wene. 


Filius 1
67 Modir, I saie you yitte, 
My fadir is bowne to flitte. 


Uxor
69 Now certis, I sall nouyot sitte 
Or I se what he mene. 


Filius 1
71 Fadir, I haue done nowe as ye comaunde, 
My modir comes to you this daye. 


Noah
73 Scho is welcome, I wele warrande; 
This worlde sall sone be waste awaye. 


Uxor
75 Wher arte thou Noye? 


Noah
75 Loo, here at hande, 
Come hedir faste dame, I the praye. 


Uxor
77 Trowes thou that I wol leue the harde lande 
And tourne vp here on toure deraye? 
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Nay Noye, I am nouyot bowne 
To fonde nowe ouer there fellis. 
Doo barnes, goo we and trusse to towne. 


Noah
82 Nay, certis, sothly than mon ye drowne. 


Uxor
83 In faythe thou were als goode come downe 
And go do somwhat ellis. 


Noah
85 Dame, fowrty dayes are nerhand past 
And gone sen it began to rayne, 
On lyffe sall no man lenger laste 
Bot we allane, is nought to layne. 


Uxor
89 Now Noye, in faythe the fonnes full faste, 
This fare wille I no lenger frayne; 
THou arte nere woode, I am agaste, 
Farewele, I wille go home agayne. 


Noah
93 O woman, arte thou woode? 
Of my werkis thou not wotte; 
All that has ban or bloode 
Sall be ouere flowed with the floode. 


Uxor
97 In faithe, the were als goode 
To late me go my gatte. 
We! Owte! Herrowe! 


Noah
99 What now, what cheere? 


Uxor
100 I will no nare for no-kynnes nede. 


Noah
101 Helpe, my sonnes, to holde her here, 
For tille hir harmes she takes no heede. 


Filius 2
103 Beis mery modir, and mende youre chere; 
This worlde beis drowned, withouten drede. 


Uxor
105 Allas, that I this lare shuld lere. 


Noah
106 THou spilles vs alle, ill myght thou speede. 


Filius 3
107 Dere modir, wonne with vs, 
THer shal no thyng you greve. 


Uxor
109 Nay, nedlyngis home me bus, 
For I haue tolis to trusse. 


Noah
111 Woman, why dois thou thus? 
To make vs more myscheue? 


Uxor
113 Noye, thou myght haue leteyn me wete; 
Erly and late thou wente theroutte, 
And ay at home thou lete me sytte 
To loke that nowhere were wele aboutte. 


Noah
117 Dame, thou holde me excused of itt, 
It was Goddis wille withowten doutte. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Uxor
119 What, wenys thou so for to go qwitte? 
Nay, be my trouthe, thou getis a clowte. 


Noah
121 I pray the dame, be stille. 
Thus God wolde haue it wrought. 


Uxor
123 Thow shulde haue witte my wille, 
Yf I wolde sente thertille, 
And Noye, for that same skylle, 
THis bargan sall be bought. 
Nowe at firste I fynde and feele 
Wher thou hast to the forest soght, 
THou shuld haue tolde me for oure seele 
Whan we were to slyke bargane broght. 


Noah
131 Now dame, the thar noyot drede a dele, 
For till accounte it cost the noght. 
A hundereth wyntyr, I watte wele, 
Is wente sen I this werke had wrought. 
And when I made endyng, 
God gaffe me mesore fayre 
Of euery ilke a thyng; 
He bad that I shuld bryng 
Of beestis and foules yoynge, 
Of ilke a kynde a peyre. 


Uxor
141 Nowe certis, and we shulde skape fro skathe 
And so be saffyd as ye saye here, 
My commodrys and my cosynes bathe, 
THam wolde I wente with vs in feere. 


Noah
145 To wende in the watir it were wathe, 
Loke in and loke withouten were. 


Uxor
147 Allas, my lyff me is full lath, 
I lyffe ouere-lange this lare to lere. 


Filia 1
149 Dere modir, mende youre moode, 
For we sall wende you with. 


Uxor
151 My frendis that I fra yoode 
Are ouere flowen with floode. 


Filia 2
153 Nowe thanke we God al goode 
That vs has grauntid grith. 


Filia 3
155 Modir, of this werke nowe wolde ye noyot wene, 
That alle shuld worthe to watres wan. 


Filius 2
157 Fadir, what may this meruaylle mene? 
Wherto made God medilerth and man? 


Filia 1
159 So selcouthe sight was never non seene, 
Sen firste that God this worlde began. 


Noah
161 Wendes and spers youre dores bedene, 
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Page 87

For bettyr counsell none I can. 
THis sorowe is sente for synne, 
Therfore to God we pray 
THat he oure bale wolde blynne. 


Filius 3
166 The kyng of al mankynne 
Owte of this woo vs wynne, 
Als thou arte lorde, that maye. 


Filius 1
169 YOa, lorde, as thou late vs be borne 
In this grete bale, som bote vs bede. 


Noah
171 My sonnes, se yoe mydday and morne 
To thes catelles takes goode heede; 
Keppes tham wele with haye and corne; 
And women, fanges thes foules and feede, 
So that they be noyot lightly lorne 
Als longe as we this liffe sall lede. 


Filius 2
177 Fadir, we ar full fayne 
Youre biddyng to fulfille. 
ix monethes paste er playne 
Sen we wer putte to peyne. 


Filius 3
181 He that is most of mayne 
May mende it qwen he wyll. 


Noah
183 O barnes, itt waxes clere aboute, 
THat may yoe see ther wher yoe sitte. 


Filius 1
185 I, leffe fadir, ye loke thareowte, 
Yf that the water wane ought yoitt. 


Noah
187 That sall I do withowten dowte, 
THorbe the wanyng may we witte. 
A, lorde, to the I love and lowte. 
The catteraks I trowe be knytte. 
Beholde, my sonnes al three 
THe clowdes are waxen clere. 


Filius 2
193 A, lorde of mercy free, 
Ay louyd myght thou be. 


Noah
195 I sall assaye the see, 
How depe that it is here. 


Uxor
197 Loved be that lord that giffes all grace, 
THat kyndly thus oure care wolde kele. 


Noah
199 I sall caste leede and loke the space, 
Howe depe the watir is ilke a dele. 
Fyftene cobittis of highte itt hase 
Ouere ilke a hille fully to feylle; 
Butte beese wel comforte in this casse, 
It is wanand, this wate I wele. 
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Page 88

Therfore a fowle of flight 
Full sone sall I forthe sende 
To seke if he haue sight, 
Som lande vppon to light; 
THanne may we witte full right 
When oure mornyng sall mende. 
Of al the fowles that men may fynde 
The raven is wighte, and wyse is hee. 
THou arte full crabbed and al thy kynde, 
Wende forthe thi course I comaunde the, 
And werly watte, and yther the wynd 
Yf thou fynde awdir lande or tree. 
ix monethes here haue we bene pyned, 
But when God wyll, better mon bee. 


Filia 1
219 THat lorde that lennes vs lyffe 
To lere his lawes in lande, 
He mayd bothe man and wyffe, 
He helpe to stynte oure striffe. 


Filia 3
223 Oure cares are kene as knyffe, 
God graunte vs goode tydand. 


Filius 1
225 Fadir, this foule is forthe full lange; 
Vppon sum lande I trowe he lende, 
His foode ther fore to fynde and fange- 
That makis hym be a fayland frende. 


Noah
229 Nowe sonne, and yf he so forthe gange, 
Sen he for all oure welthe gon wende, 
Then be he for his werkis wrange 
Euermore weried withowten ende. 
And sertis for to see 
Whan oure sorowe sall sesse, 
Anodyr foule full free 
Owre messenger sall be; 
THou doufe, I comaunde the, 
Owre comforte to encresse. 
A faithfull fewle to sende art thow 
Of alle within there wanys wyde; 
Wende forthe I pray the, for owre prowe, 
And sadly seke on ilke a side 
Yf the floodes be falland nowe, 
THat thou on the erthe may belde and byde; 
Bryng vs som tokenyng that we may trowe 
What tydandes sall of vs betyde. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Filia 2
247 Goode lorde, on vs thou luke, 
And sesse oure sorow seere, 
Sen we al synne forsoke 
And to thy lare vs toke. 


Filia 3
251 A twelmothe bott xij weke 
Have we be houerand here. 


Noah
253 Now barnes, we may be blithe and gladde 
And lowe oure lord of heuenes kyng; 
My birde has done as I hym badde, 
An olyue braunche I se hym brynge. 
Blyste be thou fewle that neuere was fayd, 
That in thy force makis no faylyng; 
Mare joie in herte never are I hadde, 
We mone be saued, now may we synge. 
Come hedir my sonnes in hye, 
Oure woo away is wente, 
I se here certaynely 
THe hillis of Hermonye. 


Filius 1
265 Lovyd be that lord forthy 
That vs oure lyffes hase lente. 


Uxor
267 For wrekis nowe that we may wynne 
Oute of this woo that we in wore; 
But Noye, wher are nowe all oure kynne 
And companye we knwe before? 


Noah
271 Dame, all ar drowned, late be thy dyne, 
And sone thei boughte ther synnes sore. 
Gud lewyn latte vs begynne, 
So that we greue oure God no more; 
He was greved in degré 
And gretely moved in mynde 
For synne, as men may see: 
Dum dixit `Penitet me`. 
Full sore forthynkyng was he 
That euere he made mankynde. 
That makis vs nowe to tole and trusse; 
But sonnes, he saide-I watte wele when- 
`Arcum ponam in nubibus`, 
He sette his bowe clerly to kenne 
As a tokenyng bytwene hym and vs, 
In knawlage tille all cristen men 
That fro this worlde were fynyd thus, 
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With wattir wolde he neuere wast yt then. 
THus has God most of myght 
Sette his senge full clere 
Vppe in the ayre of heght; 
The raynebowe it is right, 
As men may se in sight 
In seasons of the yere. 


Filius 2
295 Sir, nowe sen God oure souerand syre 
Has sette his syne thus in certayne, 
Than may we wytte this worldis empire 
Shall euermore laste, is noyot to layne. 


Noah
299 Nay sonne, that sall we nouyot desire, 
For and we do we wirke in wane; 
For it sall ones be waste with fyre, 
And never worthe to worlde agayne. 


Uxor
303 A, syre, owre hertis are soore 
For thes sawes that yoe saye here, 
That myscheffe mon be more. 


Noah
306 Beis noyot aferde therfore, 
YOe sall noght lyffe than yore 
Be many hundereth yhere. 


Filius 1
309 Fadir, howe sall this lyffe be ledde 
Sen non are in this worlde but we? 


Noah
311 Sones, with youre wiffes yoe sall be stedde, 
And multyplye youre seede sall yoe. 
YOoure barnes sall ilkon othir wedde 
And worshippe God in gud degré; 
Beestes and foules sall forthe be bredde, 
And so a worlde begynne to bee. 
Nowe travaylle sall yoe taste 
To wynne you brede and wyne, 
For alle this worlde is waste; 
Thez beestes muste be vnbraste, 
And wende we hense in haste, 
In Goddis blissyng and myne. 
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Page 91


Play 10


Abraham
1 Grett God that alle this world has wrought, 
And wisely wote both gud and ille, 
I thanke hym thraly in my thoght 
Of alle his laue he lens me tille, 
That thus fro barenhede has me broghte 
A hundereth wynter to fulfille, 
Thou graunte me myght so that I mowght 
Ordan my werkis aftir thi wille. 
For in this erthely lyffe 
Ar non to God more boune 
Then is I and my wyffe, 
For frenshippe we haue foune. 
Vnto me tolde God on a tyde, 
Wher I was telde vnder a tree, 
He saide my seede shulde be multyplyed 
Lyke to the gravell of the see, 
And als the sternes wer strewed wyde, 
So saide he that my seede schuld be; 
And bad I shulde be circumcicyd 
To fulfille the lawe-thus lernynde he me. 
In worlde wherso we wonne 
He sendes vs richeys ryve; 
Als ferre as schynes the sonne, 
He is stynter of stryve. 
Abram first named was I, 
And sythen he sette a sylypp ma; 
And my wiffe hyght Sarae 
And sythen was scho named Sara. 
But Sara was vncertan thanne 
That euere oure seede shulde sagates yoelde, 
Because hirselfe sho was barrane 
And we wer bothe gone in grete eelde. 
But scho wroght as a wyse woman: 
To haue a barne vs for to beelde, 
Hir seruand prevely sho wan 
Vnto my bede my wille to welde. 
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Sone aftir than befelle 
When God oure dede wolde dight, 
Sho broght forthe Esmaell, 
A sone semely to sight. 
Than aftirward when we waxed alde, 
My wyffe scho felle in feere for same; 
Oure God nedes tythynges tyll vs talde 
Wher we wer in oure house at hame, 
Tille haue a sone we shulde be balde, 
And Isaak shulde be his name, 
And his seede shulde springe manyfalde. 
Gyff I were blythe, who wolde me blame? 
And for I trowed this tythynge, 
That God talde to me thanne, 
The grounde and the begynnyng 
Of trowthe that tyme beganne. 
Nowe awe I gretely God to yeelde, 
That so walde telle me his entente, 
And noght gaynestandyng oure grete eelde 
A semely sone he has vs sente. 
Now he is wight hymselfe to welde 
And fra me is all wightnes wente, 
Therfore sall he be my beelde. 
I lowe hym that this lane has lente, 
For he may stynte oure stryve 
And fende vs fro alle ill; 
I love hym as my liff, 
With all myn herte and will. 


Angel
65 Abraham, Abraham. 


Abraham
65 Loo, I am here. 


Angel
66 Nowe bodeword vnto the I brynge: 
God wille assaye thi wille and cheere, 
Giffe thou wille bowe tylle his byddyng; 
Isaak thi sone that is the dere, 
Whom thou loues our alle thyng, 
To the lande of vyssyon wende in feere 
And there of hym thou make offering. 
I sall the shewe full sone 
The stede of sacrifice. 
God wille this dede be done, 
And therfore the avise. 


Abraham
77 Lord God that lens ay-lastand light, 
This is a ferly fare to feele. 
Tille haue a sone semely to sight, 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Page 93

Isaak, that I loue full wele- 
He is of eelde to reken right 
Thyrty yoere and more sumdele- 
And vnto dede hym buse be dight. 
God has saide me so for my seele, 
And biddis me wende on all wise 
To the lande of vysioune, 
Ther to make sacryfice 
Of Isaak that is my sone. 
And that is hythyn thre daies jornay 
The ganeste gate that I cane goo; 
And sertis, I sall noght say hym nay 
If God commaunde myself to sloo. 
Bot to my sone I will noght saye, 
Bot take hym and my seruantis twoo, 
And with our asse wende forthe our waye; 
As God has saide, it sall be soo. 
Isaak, sone, I vndirstande 
To wildirnesse now wende will we, 
Thare fore to make oure offerand, 
For so has God comaunded me. 


Isaac
101 Fadir, I am euere at youre wille, 
As worthy is withowten trayne; 
Goddis comaundement to fulfille 
Awe all folke for to be fayne. 


Abraham
105 Sone, thou sais me full gode skille, 
Bott alle the soth is noyot to sayne. 
Go we sen we sall thertille- 
I praye God sand vs wele agayne. 


Isaac
109 Childir, lede forthe oure asse 
With wode that we sall bryne. 
Euen as God ordand has, 
To wyrke we will begynne. 


Famulus 1
113 Att youre biddyng we wille be bowne 
What way in worlde that yoe wille wende. 


Famulus 2
115 Why, sall we trusse ought forthe a towne 
In any vncouthe lande to lende? 


Famulus 1
117 I hope tha haue in this sessoune 
Fro God of heuyn sum solayce sende. 


Famulus 2
119 To fulfille yt is goode reasoune, 
And kyndely kepe that he has kende. 
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Famulus 1
121 Bott what thei mene certayne 
Haue I na knowlage clere. 


Famulus 2
123 It may noght gretely gayne 
To move of swilke matere. 


Abraham
125 No, noye you noght in no degré 
So for to deme here of oure dede, 
For als God comaunded so wirke will we, 
Vntill his tales vs bus take hede. 


Famulus 1
129 All thos that wille his seruandis be 
Ful specially he wille thaym spede. 


Isaac
131 Childir, with all the myght in me 
I lowe that lorde of ilke a lede, 
And wirshippe hym certayne 
My will is euere vnto. 


Famulus 2
135 God giffe you myght and mayne 
Right here so for to doo. 


Abraham
137 Sone, yf oure lord God almyghty 
Of myselfe walde haue his offerande, 
I wolde be glade for hym to dye, 
For all oure heele hyngis in his hande. 


Isaac
141 Fadir, forsuth, ryght so walde I, 
Leuer than lange to leue in lande. 


Abraham
143 A, sone, thu sais full wele, forthy 
God geue the grace gratthely to stande. 
Childir, bide yoe here still, 
No ferther sall yoe goo, 
For yoondir I se the hill 
That we sall wende vntoo. 


Isaac
149 Kepe wele oure asse and all oure gere 
To tyme we come agayne you till. 


Abraham
151 My sone, this wode behoues the bere 
Till thou come high vppon yone hill. 


Isaac
153 Fadir, that may do no dere, 
Goddis comaundement to fullfyll, 
For fra all wathes he will vs were 
Wharso we wende to wirke his wille. 


Abraham
157 A, sone, that was wele saide. 
Lay doune that woode euen here 
Tille oure auter be grathide- 
And, my sone, make goode cheere. 


Isaac
161 Fadir, I see here woode and fyre, 
Bot wherof sall oure offerand be? 
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Abraham
163 Sertis son, gude God oure suffraynd syre 
Sall ordayne it in goode degré. 
For sone, and we do his dessyre, 
Full gud rewarde tharfore gette wee. 
In heuyn ther mon we haue oure hyre, 
For vnto vs so hight has hee. 
Therfore sone, lete vs praye 
To God, bothe thou and I, 
That we may make this daye 
Oure offerand here dewly. 
Grete God that all this worlde has wrought 
And grathely gouernes goode and ill, 
Thu graunte me myght so that I mowght 
Thy comaundementis to fullfill. 
And gyffe my flessche groche or greue oght, 
Or sertis my saule assentte thertill, 
To byrne all that I hydir broght 
I sall noght spare yf I shulde spille. 


Isaac
181 Lorde God of grete pousté 
To wham all pepull prayes, 
Graunte bothe my fadir and me 
To wirke thi wille allweyes. 
But fadir, nowe wolde I frayne full fayne 
Wharof oure offerand shulde be grathid? 


Abraham
187 Sertis sone, I may no lengar layne: 
Thyselfe shulde bide that bittir brayde. 


Isaac
189 Why fadir, will God that I be slayne? 


Abraham
190 YOa, suthly sone, so has he saide. 


Isaac
191 And I sall noght grouche theragayne, 
To wirke his wille I am wele payed; 
Sen it is his desire, 
I sall be bayne to be 
Brittynd and brent in fyre, 
And therfore morne noght for me. 


Abraham
197 Nay sone, this gatis most nedis be gone, 
My lord God will I noght gaynesaye, 
Nor neuer make mornys nor mone 
To make offerand of the this day. 


Isaac
201 Fadir, sen God oure lorde allane 
Vowchesaffe to sende when yoe gon praye 
A sone to you, whan ye had nane, 
And nowe will that he wende his waye, 
Therfore faynde me to fell 
Tille offerand in this place; 
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But firste I sall you telle 
My counsaille in this case. 
I knaw myselfe be course of kynde, 
My flessche for dede will be dredande. 
I am ferde that yoe sall fynde 
My force youre forward to withstande. 
Therfore is beste that ye me bynde 
In bandis faste, boothe fute and hande. 
Nowe whillis I am in myght and mynde 
So sall yoe saffely make offerrande, 
For fadir, when I am boune 
My myght may noght avayle. 
Here sall no fawte be foune 
To make youre forward faylle. 
For yoe are alde and alle vnwelde, 
And I am wighte and wilde of thoght. 


Abraham
223 To bynde hym that shuld be my beelde! 
Outtane Goddis will, that wolde I noght. 
Bot loo, her sall no force be felde, 
So sall God haue that he has soght. 
Farewele my sone, I sall the yoelde 
Tylle hym that all this world has wroght. 
Nowe kysse me hartely I the pray. 
Isaak, I take my leue for ay- 
Me bus the mys. 
My blissyng haue thou enterly, 
And I beseke God allmyghty 
He giffe the his. 
Thus aren we samyn assent 
Eftir thy wordis wise. 
Lorde God, to this take tente, 
Ressayue thy sacrifice. 
This is to me a perles pyne, 
To se myn nawe dere childe thus boune. 
Me had wele leuer my lyf to tyne 
Than see this sight thus of my sone. 
It is Goddis will, it sall be myne, 
Agaynste his saande sall I neuer schone, 
To Goddis cummaundement I sall enclyne, 
That in me fawte non be foune. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Therfore my sone so dere, 
If thou will anythyng saye, 
Thy dede it drawes nere, 
Farewele, for anes and ay. 


Isaac
251 Now my dere fadir, I wolde you praye, 
Here me thre wordes, graunte me my bone 
Sen I fro this sall passe for ay; 
I see myn houre is comen full sone. 
In worde, in werke, or any waye 
That I haue trespassed or oght mysdone, 
Forgiffe me fadir or I dye this daye, 
For his luffe that made bothe sonne and mone. 
Here sen we two sall twynne 
Firste God I aske mercy, 
And you in more and myne, 
This day or euere I dy. 


Abraham
263 Now my grete God Adonay 
That all this worlde has worthely wroght, 
Forgyffe the sone for his mercye, 
In worde, in worke, in dede and thoght. 
Nowe sone, as we ar leryd 
Our tyme may noyot myscarie. 


Isaac
269 Nowe farewele all medilerth, 
My flesshe waxis faynte for ferde; 
Nowe fadir, take youre swerde, 
Methynke full lange yoe tarie. 


Abraham
273 Nay, nay sone, nay, I the behete, 
That do I noght, withouten were. 
Thy wordis makis me my wangges to wete 
And chaunges, childe, ful often my cheere. 
Therfore lye downe, hande and feete, 
Nowe may thou witte thyn oure is nere. 


Isaac
279 A, dere fadir, lyff is full swete, 
The drede of dede dose all my dere. 
As I am here youre sone 
To God I take me till, 
Nowe am I laide here bone, 
Do with me what yoe will. 
For fadir, I aske no more respete, 
Bot here a worde what I wolde mene: 
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I beseke yoou or that yoe smyte 
Lay doune this kyrcheffe on myn eghne, 
Than may yooure offerand be parfite 
If yoe wille wirke thus as I wene. 
And here to God my saule I wite 
And all my body to brenne bydene. 
Now fadir be noght myssyng, 
But smyte fast as yoe may. 


Abraham
295 Farewele, in Goddis dere blissyng 
And myn, for euer and ay. 
That pereles prince I praye 
Myn offerand heretill haue it, 
My sacryfice this day 
I praye the lorde ressayue it. 


Angel
301 Abraham, Abraham. 


Abraham
301 Loo, here iwys. 


Angel
302 Abraham, abide, and halde the stille. 
Sla noght thy sone, do hym no mysse, 
Take here a schepe thy offerrand tyll, 
Is sente the fro the kyng of blisse 
That faythfull ay to the is fone; 
He biddis the make offerrand of this 
Here at this tyme, and saffe thy sone. 


Abraham
309 I lowe that lord with herte entier 
That of his luffe this lane me lente, 
To saffe my sone, my darlyng dere, 
And sente this schepe to this entente, 
That we sall offir it to the here- 
So sall it be as thou has mente. 
My sone, be gladde and make goode cheere, 
God has till vs goode comforte sente. 
He will noght thou be dede, 
But tille his lawes take kepe; 
And se son, in thy stede 
God has sente vs a schepe. 


Isaac
321 To make oure offerand at his wille 
All for oure sake he has it sente. 
To lowe that lorde I halde grete skyll 
That tylle his menyoe thus has mente. 
This dede I wolde haue tane me till 
Full gladly lorde, to thyn entent. 


Abraham
327 A, sone, thy bloode wolde he noght spill, 
Forthy this shepe thus has he sente; 
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And sone, I am full fayne 
Of oure spede in this place- 
Bot go we home agayne 
And lowe God of his grace. 


Angel
333 Abraham, Abraham. 


Abraham
333 Loo, here indede. 
Harke sone, sum saluyng of our sare. 


Angel
335 God sais thou sall haue mekill mede 
For thys goode will that thou in ware. 
Sen thou for hym wolde do this dede- 
To spille thy sone and noght to spare- 
He menes to multiplie youre seede 
On sides seere, as he saide are; 
And yit he hight you this, 
That of youre seede sall ryse, 
Thurgh helpe of hym and his, 
Ouere-hande of all enmys. 
Luk yoe hym loue, this is his liste, 
And lelly lyff eftir his laye, 
For in youre seede all mon be bliste 
That ther bese borne be nyght or day. 
If yoe will in hym trowe or triste 
He will be with yoou euere and aye. 


Abraham
351 Full wele wer vs and we it wiste, 
Howe we shulde wirke his will alwaye. 


Isaac
353 Fadir, that sall we frayne 
At wyser men than wee, 
And fulfille it ful fayne 
Indede eftir oure degree. 


Abraham
357 Nowe sone, sen we thus wele hase spede, 
That God has graunted me thy liffe, 
It is my wille that thou be wedde 
And welde a woman to thy wyffe; 
So sall thy sede springe and be spredde 
In the lawez of God be reasoune ryffe. 
I wate in what steede sho is stede 
That thou sall wedde, withowten stryffe: 
Rabek that damysell, 
Hir fayrer is none fone, 
The doughter of Batwell 
THat was my brothir sone. 


Isaac
369 Fadir, as you likes my lyffe to spende 
I sall assente vnto the same. 
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Abraham
371 One of my seruandis sone sall I sende 
Vnto that birde to brynge hir hame. 
The gaynest gates now will we wende. 
My barnes, yee ar noght to blame 
YOeff yoe thynke lang that we her lende; 
Gedir same oure gere, in Goddis name, 
And go we hame agayne 
Euyn vnto Barsabé. 
God that is most of mayne 
Vs wisse and with yoou be. 

Play 11


Rex Pharao
1 O pees, I bidde that no man passe, 
But kepe the cours that I comaunde, 
And takes gud heede to hym that hasse 
Youre liff all haly in his hande. 
Kyng Pharo my fadir was, 
And led the lordshippe of this lande, 
I am his hayre as elde will asse, 
Euere in his steede to styrre and stande. 
All Egippe is myne awne 
To lede aftir my lawe, 
I will my myght be knawen 
And honnoured as it awe. 
Therfore als kyng I commaunde pees 
To all the pepill of this empire, 
That no man putte hym fourthe in prees 
But that will do als we desire. 
And of youre sawes I rede you sees, 
And sesse to me, youre sufferayne sire, 
That most youre comforte may encrese 
And at my liste lose liffe and lyre. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Consolator 1
21 My lorde, yf any were 
THat walde not wirke youre will, 
And we wist whilke thay were 
Ful sone we suld thaym spill. 


Rex Pharao
25 Thurghoute my kyngdome wolde I kenn, 
And konne tham thanke that couthe me telle, 
If any wer so weryd then 
That wolde aught fande owre forse to fell. 


Consolator 2
29 My lorde, thar are a maner of men 
That mustirs grete maistris tham emell, 
The Jewes that wonnes here in Jessen 
And er named the childir of Israell. 
They multyplye so faste 
THat suthly we suppose 
Thay are like, and they laste, 
Yowre lordshippe for to lose. 


Rex Pharao
37 Why, devill, what gawdes haue they begonne? 
Er thai of myght to make afrayse? 


Consolator 1
39 Tho felons folke, sir, first was fonn 
In kyng Pharo yooure fadyr dayse. 
Thay come of Joseph, Jacob sonn, 
That was a prince worthy to prayse, 
And sithen in ryste furthe are they run, 
Now ar they like to lose our layse. 
Thay sall confounde vs clene 
Bot if thai sonner sese. 


Rex Pharao
47 What devill ever may it mene 
THat they so fast encrese? 


Consolator 2
49 Howe they encrese full wele we kenn, 
Als oure elders before vs fande, 
Thay were talde but sexty and ten 
Whan thei enterd into this lande. 
Sithen haue they soionerd here in Jessen 
Foure houndereth yoere, this we warande, 
Now are they noumbered of myghty men 
Wele more than thre hundereth thowsande, 
Withowten wiffe and childe 
And herdes that kepes ther fee. 


Rex Pharao
59 So myght we be bygillid; 
Bot certis that sall noght be, 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Page 102

For with qwantise we sall tham qwelle, 
THat thei sall no farrar sprede. 


Consolator 1
63 Lorde, we have herde oure fadres telle 
Howe clerkis, that ful wele couthe rede, 
Saide a man shulde wax tham emell 
That suld fordo vs and owre dede. 


Rex Pharao
67 Fy on tham, to the devell of helle! 
Swilke destanye sall we noght drede. 
We sall make mydwayes to spille tham, 
Whenne oure Ebrewes are borne, 
All that are mankynde to kille tham, 
So sall they sone by lorne. 
For of the other haue I non awe. 
Swilke bondage sall we to tham bede: 
To dyke and delfe, beere and drawe, 
And do all swilke vnhonest dede. 
THus sall the laddis beholden lawe, 
Als losellis ever thaire lyff to leede. 


Consolator 2
79 Certis lorde, this is a sotell sawe, 
So sall the folke no farrar sprede. 


Rex Pharao
81 Yaa, helpes to halde tham doune, 
THat we no fantyse fynde. 


Consolator 1
83 Lorde, we sall ever be bowne 
In bondage tham to bynde. 


Moyses
85 Grete God that all this grounde began 
And governes euere in gud degree, 
That made me Moyses vnto man 
And saued me sythen out of the see- 
Kyng Pharo he comaunded than 
So that no sonnes shulde saued be, 
Agayns his wille away I wan- 
Thus has God shewed his myght in me. 
Nowe am I here to kepe, 
Sett vndir Synay syde, 
The bisshoppe Jetro schepe, 
So bettir bute to bide. 
A, mercy God, mekill is thy myght, 
What man may of thy meruayles mene! 
I se yoondyr a ful selcouth syght 
Wherof befor no synge was seene. 
A busk I se yondir brennand bright 
And the leues last ay inlike grene; 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Page 103

If it be werke of worldly wight 
I will go witte withowten wene. 


God
105 Moyses, come noght to nere 
Bot stille in that stede dwelle, 
And take hede to me here, 
And tente what I the telle. 
I am thy lorde, withoutyn lak, 
To lengh thi liffe euen as me list, 
And the same God that somtyme spak 
Vnto thyne elders als thei wiste; 
Both Abraham and Ysaac 
And Jacob, saide I, suld be bliste 
And multyplyeand, tham to mak, 
So that ther seede shulde noght be myste. 
And nowe kyng Pharo 
Fuls thare childir ful faste. 
If I suffir hym soo 
THare seede shulde sone be past. 
To make the message haue I mende 
To hym that tham so harmed hase, 
To warne hym with wordes hende 
So that he lette my pepull passe, 
That they to wildirnesse may wende 
And wirshippe me als whilom was. 
And yf he lenger gar them lende 
His sange ful sone sall be `alas'. 


Moyses
129 A, lord, syth, with thy leue, 
THat lynage loves me noght, 
Gladly they walde me greve 
And I slyke boodword brought. 
Therfore lord, late sum othir fraste 
THat hase more forse tham for to feere. 


God
135 Moyses, be noght abaste 
My bidding baldely to bere. 
If thai with wrang ought walde the wrayste, 
Owte of all wothis I sall the were. 


Moyses
139 We, lord, thai wil noght to me trayste 
For al the othes that I may swere. 
To neven slyke note of newe 
To folke of wykkyd will, 
Withouten taken trewe, 
They will noght take tente thertill. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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God
145 And if they will noght vndirstande 
Ne take heede how I haue the sente, 
Before the kyng cast downe thy wande 
And it sall seme as a serpent. 
Sithen take the tayle in thy hande 
And hardely vppe thou itt hente, 
In the firste state als thou it fande- 
So sall it turne be myn entent. 
Hyde thy hande in thy barme 
And as a lepre it sall be like, 
Sithen hale withouten harme; 
THi syngnes sall be slyke. 
And if he wil not suffre than 
My pepull for to passe in pees, 
I sall send vengeaunce ix or x 
To sewe hym sararre, or I sesse. 
Bot the Jewes that wonnes in Jessen 
Sall noyot be merked with that messe, 
Als lange als thai my lawes will kenne 
THer comfort sal I euere encresse. 


Moyses
165 A, lorde, lovyd be thy wille 
THat makes thy folke so free, 
I sall tell tham vntill 
Als thou telles vnto me. 
But to the kyng, lorde, whan I come 
And he ask me what is thy name, 
And I stande stille than, defe and dum, 
How sal I be withouten blame? 


God
173 I saie thus ego sum qui sum, 
I am he that I am the same, 
And if thou myght not meve ne mum 
I sall the saffe fro synne and shame. 


Moyses
177 I vndirstande this thyng 
With al the myght in me. 


God
179 Be bolde in my blissyng, 
Thy belde ay sall I be. 


Moyses
181 A, lorde of lyffe, lere me my layre 
THat I there tales may trewly tell. 
Vnto my frendis nowe will I fare, 
THe chosen childre of Israell, 
To telle tham comforte of ther care, 
And of there daunger that thei in dwell. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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God mayntayne you and me euermare, 
And mekill myrthe be you emell. 


Puer 1
189 A, Moyses, maistir dere, 
Oure myrthe is al mornyng, 
We are harde halden here 
Als carls vndir the kyng. 


Puer 2
193 Moyses, we may mourne and myne, 
THer is no man vs myrthes mase; 
And sen we come al of a kynne, 
Ken vs som comforte in this case. 


Moyses
197 Beith of youre mornyng blyne, 
God wil defende you of your fays. 
Oute of this woo he will you wynne 
To plese hym in more plener place. 
I sall carpe to the kyng 
And fande to make you free. 


Puer 3
203 God sende vs gud tythynge, 
And allway with you be. 


Moyses
205 Kyng Pharo, to me take tent. 


Rex Pharao
206 Why, what tydyngis can thou tell? 


Moyses
207 Fro God of heuen thus am I sente 
To fecche his folke of Israell; 
To wildirnesse he walde thei wente. 


Rex Pharao
210 YOaa, wende thou to the devell of hell. 
I make no force howe thou has mente, 
For in my daunger sall thei dwelle. 
And faytour, for thy sake, 
THei sall be putte to pyne. 


Moyses
215 THanne will God vengeaunce take 
On the and on al thyne. 


Rex Pharao
217 Fy on the ladde, oute of my lande! 
Wenes thou with wiles to lose oure laye? 
When is this warlowe with his wande 
THat wolde thus wynne oure folke away? 


Consolator 2
221 It is Moyses, we wele warrand, 
Agayne al Egipte is he ay. 
Youre fadir grete faute in hym fande, 
Nowe will he marre you if he may. 


Rex Pharao
225 Nay, nay, that daunce is done, 
THat lordan leryd ouere-late. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Moyses
227 God biddis the graunte my bone, 
And late me go my gate. 


Rex Pharao
229 Biddis God me? Fals lurdayne, thou lyes! 
What takyn talde he, toke thou tent? 


Moyses
231 YOaa sir, he saide thou suld despise 
Botht me and all his comaundement. 
In thy presence kast on this wise 
My wande he bad by his assent, 
And that thou shulde the wele avise 
Howe it shulde turne to a serpent. 
And in his haly name 
Here sal I ley it downe: 
Loo ser, se her the same. 


Rex Pharao
240 A! Dogg! THe deuyll the drowne! 


Moyses
241 He saide that I shulde take the tayle 
So for to proue his poure playne, 
And sone he saide it shuld not fayle 
For to turne a wande agayne. 
Loo sir, behalde. 


Rex Pharao
245 Hopp illa hayle! 
Now certis this is a sotill swayne, 
But this boyes sall byde here in oure bayle, 
For al thair gaudis sall noght tham gayne; 
Bot warse, both morne and none, 
Sall thei fare for thy sake. 


Moyses
251 God sende sum vengeaunce sone, 
And on thi werke take wrake. 


Egyptian 1
253 Allas, allas, this lande is lorne, 
On lif we may no lenger lende. 


Egyptian 2
255 So grete myscheffe is made sen morne 
THer may no medycyne vs amende. 


Consolator 1
257 Sir kyng, we banne that we wer borne, 
Oure blisse is all with bales blende. 


Rex Pharao
259 Why crys you swa, laddis? Liste you scorne? 


Egyptian 1
260 Sir kyng, slyk care was neuere kende. 
Oure watir that was ordand 
To men and beestis fudde, 
Thurghoute al Egipte lande 
Is turned to rede blude. 
Full vgly and ful ill is it 
THat was ful faire and fresshe before. 


Rex Pharao
267 This is grete wondir for to witt 
Of all the werkis that ever wore. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Egyptian 2
269 Nay lorde, ther is anothir yoitt 
That sodenly sewes vs ful sore, 
For tadys and frosshis we may not flitte, 
Thare venym loses lesse and more. 


Egyptian 1
273 Lorde, grete myses bothe morn and none 
Bytis vs full bittirlye, 
And we hope al by done 
By Moyses, oure enemye. 


Consolator 1
277 Lorde, whills ve with this menyhe meve 
Mon never myrthe be vs emange. 


Rex Pharao
279 Go saie we sall no lenger greve- 
But thai sall neuere the tytar gang. 


Egyptian 2
281 Moyses, my lord has grauntyd leve 
At lede thy folk to likyng lande, 
So that we mende of oure myscheue. 


Moyses
284 I wate ful wele thar wordes er wrange; 
That sall ful sone be sene, 
For hardely I hym heete, 
And he of malice mene 
Mo mervaylles mon he mett. 


Egyptian 1
289 Lorde, allas, for dule we dye, 
We dar not loke oute at no dore. 


Rex Pharao
291 What deuyll ayles yow so to crye? 


Egyptian 2
292 We fare nowe werre than euere we fure. 
Grete loppis ouere all this lande thei flye, 
That with bytyng makis mekill blure. 


Egyptian 1
295 Lorde, oure beestis lyes dede and dry 
Als wele on myddyng als on more- 
Both oxe, horse and asse 
Fallis dede doune sodanly. 


Rex Pharao
299 Therof no man harme has 
Halfe so mekil as I. 


Consolator 2
301 YOis lorde, poure men has mekill woo 
To see ther catell be out cast. 
The Jewes in Jessen faren noyot soo, 
They haue al likyng in to last. 


Rex Pharao
305 Go saie we giffe tham leue to goo 
To tyme there parellis be ouer-past- 
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But or thay flitte over-farre vs froo 
We sall garre feste tham foure so fast. 


Egyptian 2
309 Moyses, my lord giffis leue 
Thy men for to remewe. 


Moyses
311 He mon haue more mischeff 
But if his tales be trewe. 


Egyptian 1
313 We, lorde, we may not lede this liffe. 


Rex Pharao
314 Why, is ther greuaunce growen agayne? 


Egyptian 2
315 Swilke poudre, lord, apon vs dryffe 
That whare it bettis it makis a blayne. 


Egyptian 1
317 Like mesellis makis it man and wyffe. 
Sythen ar they hurte with hayle and rayne; 
Oure wynes in mountaynes may noyot thryve, 
So ar they threst and thondour-slayne. 


Rex Pharao
321 How do thay in Jessen, 
THe Jewes, can yoe aught say? 


Egyptian 2
323 THis care nothyng they ken, 
THay fele no such affray. 


Rex Pharao
325 No? Devill! And sitte they so in pees 
And we ilke day in doute and drede? 


Egyptian 1
327 My lorde, this care will euere encrese 
Tille Moyses have leve tham to lede. 


Consolator 1
329 Lorde, war thay wente than walde it sese, 
So shuld we save vs and oure seede, 
Ellis be we lorne-this is no lese. 


Rex Pharao
332 Late hym do fourth, the devill hym spede! 
For his folke sall no ferre 
Yf he go welland woode. 


Consolator 2
335 THan will itt sone be warre, 
YOit war bettir thai yooode. 


Egyptian 2
337 We, lorde, new harme is comon to hande. 


Rex Pharao
338 No! Devill! Will itt no bettir be? 


Egyptian 1
339 Wilde wormes is laide ouere al this lande, 
THai leve no frute ne floure on tree; 
Agayne that storme may nothyng stande. 


Egyptian 2
342 Lord, ther is more myscheff thynke me, 
And thre daies hase itt bene durand, 
So myrke that non myght othir see. 


Egyptian 1
345 My lorde, grete pestelence 
Is like ful lange to last. 


Rex Pharao
347 Owe, come that in oure presence? 
Than is oure pride al past. 
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Egyptian 2
349 My lorde, this vengeaunce lastis lange, 
And mon till Moyses haue his bone. 


Consolator 1
351 Lorde, late tham wende, els wirke we wrang, 
It may not helpe to hover na hone. 


Rex Pharao
353 Go saie we graunte tham leue to gange 
In the devill way, sen itt bus be done- 
For so may fall we sall tham fang 
And marre tham or tomorne at none. 


Egyptian 1
357 Moyses, my lorde has saide 
THou sall haue passage playne. 


Moyses
359 And to passe am I paied. 
My frendes, bees nowe fayne, 
For at oure will now sall we wende, 
In lande of lykyng for to lende. 


Puer 1
363 Kyng Pharo, that felowns fende, 
Will haue grete care fro this be kende, 
Than will he schappe hym vs to shende 
And sone his ooste aftir vs sende. 


Moyses
367 Beis noght aferde, God is youre frende, 
Fro alle oure fooes he will vs fende. 
THarfore comes furthe with me, 
Haves done and drede yow noght. 


Puer 2
371 My lorde, loved mott thou bee, 
THat us fro bale has brought. 


Puer 3
373 Swilke frenshippe never before we fande, 
But in this faire defautys may fall. 
THe Rede See is ryght nere at hande, 
THer bus vs bide to we be thrall. 


Moyses
377 I sall make vs way with my wande, 
For God hase sayde he saue vs sall; 
On aythir syde the see sall stande, 
Tille we be wente, right as a wall. 
Therfore have yoe no drede, 
But faynde ay God to plese. 


Puer 1
383 THat lorde to lande vs lede, 
Now wende we all at esse. 


Egyptian 1
385 Kyng Pharro, ther folke er gane. 


Rex Pharao
386 Howe nowe, es ther any noyes of newe? 


Egyptian 2
387 The Ebrowes er wente ilkone. 


Rex Pharao
388 How sais thou that? 


Egyptian 1
388 THer talis er trewe. 


Rex Pharao
389 Horse harneys tyte, that thei be tane, 
THis ryott radly sall tham rewe. 
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We sall not sese or they be slone, 
For to the se we sall tham sew. 
Do charge oure charyottis swithe 
And frekly folowes me. 


Egyptian 2
395 My lorde we are full blithe 
At youre biddyng to be. 


Consolator 2
397 Lorde, to youre biddyng we er boune 
Owre bodies baldely for to bede, 
We sall noght byde, but dyng tham doune 
Tylle all be dede, withouten drede. 


Rex Pharao
401 Hefe vppe youre hartis ay to Mahownde, 
He will be nere vs in oure nede. 
Owte! Ay herrowe! Devill, I drowne! 


Egyptian 1
404 Allas, we dye for alle our dede. 


Puer 1
405 Nowe ar we wonne fra waa 
And saued oute of the see, 
Cantemus domino, 
To God a sange synge wee. 

Play 12


Doctor
1 Lord God, grete meruell es to mene 
Howe man was made withouten mysse, 
And sette whare he sulde euer haue bene 
Withouten bale, bidand in blisse; 
And howe he lost that comforth clene 
And was putte oute fro paradys, 
And sithen what sorouse sor warr sene 
Sente vnto hym and to al his; 
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And howe they lay lange space 
In helle, lokyn fro lyght, 
Tille God graunted tham grace 
Of helpe, als he hadde hyght. 
THan is it nedfull for to neven 
How prophettis all Goddis counsailes kende, 
Als prophet Amos in his steuen 
Lered whils he in his liffe gun lende: 
16 Deus pater disposuit salutem fieri in medio terre, etc. 
He sais thus: God the fadir in heuen 
Ordand in erthe mankynde to mende; 
And to grayth it with Godhede euen, 
His sone he saide that he suld sende 
To take kynde of mankyn, 
In a mayden full mylde; 
So was many saued of syn 
And the foule fende begyled. 
And for the feende sulde so be fedd 
Be tyne, and to no treuth take tentt, 
God made that mayden to be wedde 
Or he his sone vnto hir sentte. 
So was the Godhede closed and cledde 
In wede of weddyng whare thy wente; 
And that oure blisse sulde so be bredde 
Ful many materes may be mente: 
32 Quoniam in semine tuo benedicentur omnes gentes, etc. 
God hymself sayde this thynge 
To Abraham als hym liste: 
Of thy sede sall vppe sprynge 
Wharein folke sall be bliste. 
To proue thes prophettes ordande er, 
Als Isay, vnto olde and yenge, 
He moued oure myscheues for to merr, 
For thus he prayed God for this thynge: 
Rorate, celi, desuper- 
Lord, late thou doune at thy likyng 
THe dewe to fall fro heuen so ferre, 
For than the erthe sall sprede and sprynge 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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A seede that vs sall saue, 
THat nowe in blisse are bente. 
Of clerkis whoso will craue 
THus may ther gatis be mente: 
THe dewe to the gode haly gaste 
May be remened in mannes mynde, 
The erthe vnto the mayden chaste, 
Bycause sho comes of erthely kynde. 
THir wise wordis ware noght wroght in waste, 
To waffe and wende away als wynde, 
For this same prophett sone in haste 
Saide forthermore, als folkes may fynde: 
56 Propter hoc dabit dominus ipse vobis signum, etc. 
Loo, he sais thus: God sall gyffe 
Hereof a syngne to see 
Tille all that lely lyffe, 
And this thare sygne sal be, 
60 Ecce uirgo concipiett, et pariet filium, etc. 
Loo, he sais a mayden mon 
Here on this molde mankynde omell, 
Full clere consayue and bere a sonne, 
And neven his name Emanuell. 
His kyngdom that euere is begonne 
Sall never sese, but dure and dwell; 
On Dauid sege thore sall he wonne, 
His domes to deme and trueth to telle. 
68 Zelus domini faciet hoc, etc. 
He says, luffe of oure lorde 
All this sall ordan thanne; 
That mennes pees and accorde 
To make with erthely manne. 
More of this maiden meves me; 
This prophett sais for oure socoure 
Egredietur virga de Jesse- 
A wande sall brede of Jesse boure, 
And of this same also sais hee: 
Vpponne that wande sall springe a floure 
Wheron the haly gast sall be, 
To governe it with grete honnoure. 
That wande meynes vntill vs 
THis mayden, even and morne, 
And the floure is Jesus, 
THat of that blyst bees borne. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Page 113

THe prophet Johell, a gentill Jewe, 
Somtyme has saide of the same thyng, 
He likenes Criste euen als he knewe 
Like to the dewe in doune-commyng: 
88 Ero quasi ros; et virgo Israell germinabit sicut lilium. 
THe maiden of Israell al newe, 
He sais, sall bere one and forthe brynge 
Als the lelly floure, full faire of hewe. 
THis meynes sa to olde and yoenge, 
THat the hegh haly gaste 
Come oure myscheffe to mende 
In Marie, mayden chaste, 
When God his sone walde sende. 
THis lady is to the lilly lyke- 
THat is bycause of hir clene liffe, 
For in this worlde was never slyke 
One to be mayden, modir, and wyffe. 
And hir sonne, kyng in heuen-ryke, 
Als oft es red be reasoune ryfe, 
And hir husband, bath maistir and meke, 
In charité to stynte all striffe- 
THis passed all worldly witte, 
How God had ordand thaim thanne 
In hir one to be knytte, 
Godhed, maydenhed, and manne. 
Bot of this werke grete witnes was 
With forme-faders, all folke may tell. 
Whan Jacob blyst his sone Judas 
He tolde the tale thaim two emell: 
112 Non auferetur septrum de Juda, 
112 donec ueniat qui mittendus est. 
He sais the septer sall noght passe 
Fra Juda lande of Israell, 
Or he comme that God ordand has 
To be sente feendis force to fell. 
116 Et ipse erit expectacio gencium. 
Hym sall alle folke abyde, 
And stande vnto his steuen. 
Ther sawes wer signified 
To Crist, Goddis sone in heuen. 
For howe he was sente, se we more, 
And howe God wolde his place puruay; 
He saide, sonne, I sall sende byfore 
Myne aungell to rede the thy way- 
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124 Ecce mitto aungelum meum ante faciem tuam, 
124 qui preparabit viam tuam ante te. 
Of John Baptist he menyd thore, 
For in erthe he was ordand ay 
To warne the folke that wilsom wore 
Of Cristis comyng, and thus gon say: 
128 Ego quidem baptizo in aqua vos, autem 
128 baptizabimini spiritu sancto. 
Eftir me sall come nowe 
A man of myghtis mast, 
And sall baptis yoowe 
In the high haly gast. 
THus of Cristis commyng may we see 
How sainte Luke spekis in his gospell: 
Fro God in heuen es sent, sais he, 
An aungell is named Gabriell, 
To Nazareth in Galalé, 
Where than a mayden mylde gon dwell, 
THat with Joseph suld wedded be; 
Hir name is Marie-thus gan he telle. 
How God his grace than grayd 
To man in this manere, 
And how the aungell saide, 
Takes hede, all that will here. 


Angel
145 Hayle Marie, full of grace and blysse, 
Oure lord God is with the 
And has chosen the for his, 
Of all women blist mot thou be. 


Mary
149 What maner of halsyng is this 
THus preuely comes to me? 
For in myn herte a thoght it is, 
THe tokenyng that I here see. 


Angel
153 Ne drede the noght thou mylde Marie, 
For nothyng that may befalle, 
For thou has fun soueranly 
At God a grace ouer othir all. 
In chastité of thy bodye 
Consayue and bere a childe thou sall; 
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Page 115

This bodword brynge I the, forthy 
His name Jesu sall thou calle. 
Mekill of myght than sall he bee, 
He sall be God and called God sonn. 
Dauid sege, his fadir free, 
Sall God hym giffe to sytte vppon; 
Als kyng for euer regne sall hee, 
In Jacob house ay for to wonne, 
Of his kyngdome and dignité 
Shall noo man erthly knaw ne con. 


Mary
169 THou Goddis aungell meke and mylde, 
Howe sulde it be, I the praye, 
That I sulde consayve a childe 
Of any man by nyght or daye? 
I knawe no man that shulde haue fyled 
My maydenhode, the sothe to saye; 
Withouten will of werkis wilde 
In chastité I haue ben ay. 


Angel
177 THe haly gast in the sall lighte, 
Hegh vertue sall to the holde, 
The holy birthe of the so bright 
God sonne he sall be calde. 
Loo, Elyzabeth thi cosyne ne myght 
In elde consayue a childe for alde; 
THis is the sexte moneth full ryght, 
To hir that baran has ben talde. 


Mary
185 Thou aungell, blissid messanger, 
Of Goddis will I holde me payde; 
I love my lorde with herte clere, 
THe grace that he has for me layde. 
Goddis handmayden, lo me here 
To his wille all redy grayd; 
Be done to me of all manere 
Thurgh thy worde als thou hast saide. 
Now God that all oure hope is in, 
Thur the myght of the haly gaste, 
Saue the, dame, fro sak of synne, 
And wisse the fro all werkis wast. 
Elyzabeth myn awne cosyne, 
Methoght I coveyte alway mast 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Page 116

To speke with the of all my kynne, 
Therfore I comme thus in this hast. 


Elizabeth
201 A, welcome mylde Marie, 
Myne aughen cosyne so dere, 
Joifull woman am I 
THat I nowe see the here. 
Blissed be thou anely 
Of all women in feere, 
And the frute of thy body 
Be blissid ferre and nere. 
THis is joyfull tydyng 
THat I may nowe here see, 
THe modyr of my lord kyng 
Thus-gate come to me. 
Sone als the voyce of thine haylsing 
Moght myn neres entreand be, 
THe childe in my wombe so yenge 
Makes grete myrthe vnto the. 


Mary
217 Nowe lorde, blist be thou ay 
For the grace thou has me lente; 
Lorde, I lofe the, God verray, 
THe sande thou hast me sente. 
I thanke the nyght and day, 
And prayes with goode entente 
THou make me to thy paye, 
To the my wille is wentte. 


Elizabeth
225 Blissid be thou grathely grayed 
To God thurgh chastité, 
THou trowed and helde the payed 
Atte his wille for to bee. 
All that to the is saide 
Fro my lorde so free, 
Swilke grace is for the layde 
Sall be fulfilled in the. 


Mary
233 To his grace I will me ta, 
With chastité to dele, 
THat made me thus to ga 
Omange his maidens feele. 
My saule sall louying ma 
Vnto that lorde so lele, 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Page 117

And my gast make ioye alswa 
In God that es my hele. 

Play 13


Joseph
1 Of grete mornyng may I me mene 
And walke full werily be this way, 
For nowe than wende I best hafe bene 
Att ease and reste by reasoune ay. 
For I am of grete elde, 
Wayke and al vnwelde, 
Als ilke man se it maye; 
I may nowder buske ne belde 
But owther in frithe or felde; 
For shame what sall I saie, 
That thus-gates nowe on myne alde dase 
Has wedded a yonge wenche to my wiff, 
And may noyot wele tryne over two strase? 
Nowe lorde, how lange sall I lede this liff? 
My banes er heuy als lede 
And may noyot stande in stede, 
Als kende it is full ryfe. 
Now lorde, thou me wisse and rede 
Or sone me dryue to dede, 
THou may best stynte this striffe. 
For bittirly than may I banne 
The way I in the temple wente, 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Page 118

Itt was to me a bad barganne, 
For reuthe I may it ay repente. 
For tharein was ordande 
Vnwedded men sulde stande, 
Al sembled at asent, 
And ilke ane a drye wande 
On heght helde in his hand, 
And I ne wist what it ment. 
In-mange al othir ane bare I; 
Itt florisshed faire, and floures on sprede, 
And thay saide to me forthy 
THat with a wiffe I sulde be wedde. 
THe bargayne I made thare, 
THat rewes me nowe full sare, 
So am I straytely sted. 
Now castes itt me in care, 
For wele I myght eueremare 
Anlepy life haue led. 
Hir werkis me wyrkis my wonges to wete; 
I am begiled-how, wate I noyot. 
My yoonge wiffe is with childe full grete, 
THat makes me nowe sorowe vnsoght. 
THat reproffe nere has slayne me, 
Forthy giff any man frayne me 
How this thing miyot be wroght, 
To gabbe yf I wolde payne me, 
THe lawe standis harde agayne me: 
To dede I mon be broght. 
And lathe methinketh, on the todir syde, 
My wiff with any man to defame, 
And whethir of there twa that I bide 
I mon noyot scape withouten schame. 
THe childe certis is noght myne; 
THat reproffe dose me pyne 
And gars me fle fra hame. 
My liff gif I shuld tyne, 
Sho is a clene virgine 
For me, withouten blame. 
But wele I wate thurgh prophicie 
A maiden clene suld bere a childe, 
But it is nought sho, sekirly, 
Forthy I wate I am begiled. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Page 119

And why ne walde som yonge man ta her? 
For certis I thynke ouer-ga hir 
Into som wodes wilde, 
Thus thynke I to stele fra hir. 
God childe ther wilde bestes sla hir, 
She is so meke and mylde. 
Of my wendyng wil I none warne, 
Neuere the lees it is myne entente 
To aske hir who gate hir that barne, 
YOitt wolde I witte fayne or I wente. 
All hayle, God be hereinne. 


Puella 1
76 Welcome, by Goddis dere myght. 


Joseph
77 Whare is that yoonge virgine 
Marie, my berde so bright? 


Puella 1
79 Certis Joseph, yoe sall vndirstande 
THat sho is not full farre you fra, 
Sho sittis at hir boke full faste prayand 
For yoou and vs, and for all tha 
THat oght has nede. 
But for to telle hir will I ga 
Of youre comyng, withouten drede. 
Haue done and rise vppe, dame, 
And to me take gud hede- 
Joseph, he is comen hame. 


Mary
89 Welcome, als God me spede. 
Dredles to me he is full dere; 
Joseph my spouse, welcome er yhe. 


Joseph
92 Gramercy Marie, saie what chere, 
Telle me the soth, how est with the? 
Wha has ben there? 
Thy wombe is waxen grete, thynke me, 
THou arte with barne, allas for care. 
A, maidens, wa worthe yoou, 
THat lete hir lere swilke lare. 


Puella 2
99 Joseph, yoe sall noyot trowe 
In hir no febill fare. 


Joseph
101 Trowe it noght arme? Lefe wenche, do way! 
Hir sidis shewes she is with childe. 
Whose ist Marie? 


Mary
103 Sir, Goddis and youres. 


Joseph
103 Nay, nay, 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Page 120

Now wate I wele I am begiled, 
And reasoune why? 
With me flesshely was thou neuere fylid, 
And I forsake it here forthy. 
Say maidens, how es this? 
Tels me the sothe, rede I; 
And but yoe do, iwisse, 
THe bargayne sall yoe aby. 


Puella 2
112 If yoe threte als faste as yhe can 
THare is noght to saie theretill, 
For trulye her come neuer no man 
To waite the body with non ill 
Of this swete wight, 
For we haue dwelt ay with hir still 
And was neuere fro hir day nor nyght. 
Hir kepars haue we bene 
And sho ay in oure sight, 
Come here no man bytwene 
To touche that berde so bright. 


Puella 1
123 Na, here come no man in there wanes 
And that euere witnesse will we, 
Saue an aungell ilke a day anes 
With bodily foode hir fedde has he, 
Othir come nane. 
Wharfore we ne wate how it shulde be 
But thurgh the haly gaste allane. 
For trewly we trowe this, 
Is grace with hir is gane, 
For sho wroght neuere no mys, 
We witnesse euere ilkane. 


Joseph
134 THanne se I wele youre menyng is 
THe aungell has made hir with childe. 
Nay, som man in aungellis liknesse 
With somkyn gawde has hir begiled, 
And that trow I. 
Forthy nedes noght swilke wordis wilde 
At carpe to me dissayuandly. 
We, why gab ye me swa 
And feynes swilk fantassy? 
Allas, me is full wa, 
For dule why ne myght I dy. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Page 121

To me this is a carefull cas; 
Rekkeles I raffe, refte is my rede. 
I dare loke no man in the face, 
Derfely for dole why ne were I dede; 
Me lathis my liff. 
In temple and in othir stede 
Ilke man till hethyng will me dryff. 
Was neuer wight sa wa, 
For ruthe I all to-ryff; 
Allas, why wroght thou swa 
Marie, my weddid wiffe? 


Mary
156 To my witnesse grete God I call, 
THat in mynde wroght neuere na mysse. 


Joseph
158 Whose is the childe thou arte withall? 


Mary
159 Youres sir, and the kyngis of blisse. 


Joseph
160 Ye, and hoo than? 
Na, selcouthe tythandis than is this, 
Excuse tham wele there women can. 
But Marie, all that sese the 
May witte thi werkis ere wan, 
Thy wombe allway it wreyes the 
THat thou has mette with man. 
Whose is it, als faire mot the befall? 


Mary
168 Sir, it is youres and Goddis will. 


Joseph
169 Nay, I ne haue noght ado withall- 
Neme it na more to me, be still! 
THou wate als wele as I, 
THat we two same flesshly 
Wroght neuer swilk werkis with ill. 
Loke thou dide no folye 
Before me preuely 
Thy faire maydenhede to spill. 
But who is the fader? Telle me his name. 


Mary
178 None but youreselfe. 


Joseph
178 Late be, for shame. 
I did it neuere; thou dotist dame, by bukes and belles! 
Full sakles shulde I bere this blame aftir thou telles, 
For I wroght neuere in worde nor dede 
Thyng that shulde marre thy maydenhede, 
To touche me till. 
For of slyk note war litill nede, 
Yhitt for myn awne I wolde it fede, 
Might all be still; 
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THarfore the fadir tell me, Marie. 


Mary
188 But God and yhow, I knawe right nane. 


Joseph
189 A, slike sawes mase me full sarye, 
With grete mornyng to make my mane. 
Therefore be noyot so balde, 
THat no slike tales be talde, 
But halde the stille als stane. 
THou art yonge and I am alde, 
Slike werkis yf I do walde, 
THase games fra me are gane. 
Therfore, telle me in priuité, 
Whos is the childe thou is with nowe? 
Sertis, ther sall non witte but we, 
I drede the law als wele as thou. 


Mary
201 Nowe grete God of his myght 
THat all may dresse and dight, 
Mekely to the I bowe. 
Rewe on this wery wight, 
THat in his herte myght light 
THe soth to ken and trowe. 


Joseph
207 Who had thy maydenhede Marie? Has thou oght mynde? 


Mary
208 Forsuth, I am a mayden clene. 


Joseph
209 Nay, thou spekis now agayne kynde, 
Slike thing myght neuere na man of mene. 
A maiden to be with childe? 
THase werkis fra the ar wilde, 
Sho is not borne I wene. 


Mary
214 Joseph, yhe ar begiled, 
With synne was I neuer filid, 
Goddis sande is on me sene. 


Joseph
217 Goddis sande? Yha Marie, God helpe! 
Bot certis that childe was neuere oures twa. 
But woman-kynde gif tham list yhelpe, 
Yhitt walde thei na man wiste ther wa. 


Mary
221 Sertis it is Goddis sande 
221 [... ...] 
THat sall I neuer ga fra. 


Joseph
223 Yha, Marie, drawe thyn hande, 
For forther yoitt will I fande, 
I trowe not it be swa. 
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THe soth fra me gif that thou layne, 
THe childe-bering may thou noyot hyde; 
But sitte stille here tille I come agayne, 
Me bus an erand here beside. 


Mary
230 Now grete God he you wisse, 
And mende you of your mysse 
Of me, what so betyde. 
Als he is kyng of blisse, 
Sende yhou som seand of this, 
In truth that ye might bide. 


Joseph
236 Nowe lord God that al thing may 
At thyne awne will bothe do and dresse, 
Wisse me now som redy way 
To walke here in this wildirnesse. 
Bot or I passe this hill, 
Do with me what God will, 
Owther more or lesse, 
Here bus me bide full stille 
Till I haue slepid my fille, 
Myn hert so heuy it is. 


Angel
246 Waken, Joseph, and take bettir kepe 
To Marie, that is thi felawe fest. 


Joseph
248 A, I am full werie, lefe, late me slepe, 
Forwandered and walked in this forest. 


Angel
250 Rise vppe, and slepe na mare, 
THou makist her herte full sare 
THat loues the alther best. 


Joseph
253 We, now es this a farly fare 
For to be cached bathe here and thare, 
And nowhere may haue rest. 
Say, what arte thou? Telle me this thyng. 


Angel
257 I, Gabriell, Goddis aungell full euen 
THat has tane Marie to my kepyng, 
And sente es the to say with steuen 
In lele wedlak thou lede the. 
Leffe hir noyot, I forbid the, 
Na syn of hir thou neuen, 
But tille hir fast thou spede the 
And of hir noght thou drede the, 
It is Goddis sande of heuen. 
The childe that sall be borne of her, 
Itt is consayued of the haly gast. 
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Alle joie and blisse than sall be aftir, 
And to al mankynde nowe althir mast. 
Jesus his name thou calle, 
For slike happe sall hym fall 
Als thou sall se in haste. 
His pepull saffe he sall 
Of euyllis and angris all, 
THat thei ar nowe enbraste. 


Joseph
276 And is this soth, aungell, thou saise? 


Angel
277 Yha, and this to taken right: 
Wende forthe to Marie thy wiffe alwayse, 
Brynge hir to Bedlem this ilke nyght. 
Ther sall a childe borne be, 
Goddis sone of heuen is hee 
And man ay mast of myght. 


Joseph
283 Now lorde God full wele is me 
That euyr that I this sight suld see, 
I was neuer ar so light. 
For for I walde haue hir thus refused, 
And sakles blame that ay was clere, 
Me bus pray hir halde me excused, 
Als som men dose with full gud chere. 
Saie Marie, wiffe, how fares thou? 


Mary
291 THe bettir sir, for yhou. 
Why stande yhe thare? Come nere. 


Joseph
293 My bakke fayne wolde I bowe 
And aske forgifnesse nowe, 
Wiste I thou wolde me here. 


Mary
296 Forgiffnesse sir? Late be, for shame, 
Slike wordis suld all gud women lakke. 


Joseph
298 Yha, Marie, I am to blame 
For wordis lang-are I to the spak. 
But gadir same nowe all oure gere, 
Slike poure wede as we were, 
And prike tham in a pak. 
Till Bedlem bus me it bere, 
For litill thyng will women dere; 
Helpe vp nowe on my bak. 
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Page 125


Play 14


Joseph
1 All-weldand God in trinité, 
I praye the lord, for thy grete myght, 
Vnto thy symple seruand see, 
Here in this place wher we are pight, 
Oureself allone. 
Lord, graunte vs gode herberow this nyght 
Within this wone. 
For we haue sought bothe vppe and doune 
Thurgh diuerse stretis in this cité. 
So mekill pepull is comen to towne 
THat we can nowhare herbered be, 
THere is slike prees; 
Forsuthe I can no socoure see, 
But belde vs with there bestes. 
And yf we here all nyght abide 
We schall be stormed in this steede, 
THe walles are doune on ilke a side, 
THe ruffe is rayued aboven oure hede, 
Als haue I roo; 
Say Marie, doughtir, what is thy rede, 
How sall we doo? 
For in grete nede nowe are we stedde 
As thou thyselffe the soth may see, 
For here is nowthir cloth ne bedde, 
And we are weyke and all werie 
And fayne wolde rest. 
Now gracious God, for thy mercie, 
Wisse vs the best. 


Mary
29 God will vs wisse, full wele witt yoe, 
THerfore Joseph be of gud chere, 
For in this place borne will he be 
THat sall vs saue fro sorowes sere, 
Bothe even and morne. 
Sir, witte yoe wele the tyme is nere 
He will be borne. 
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Joseph
36 THan behoves vs bide here stille, 
Here in this same place all this nyght. 


Mary
38 YOa sir, forsuth it is Goddis will. 


Joseph
39 THan wolde I fayne we had sum light, 
What so befall. 
It waxis right myrke vnto my sight, 
And colde withall. 
I will go gete vs light forthy, 
And fewell fande with me to bryng. 


Mary
45 All-weldand God yow gouerne and gy, 
As he is sufferayne of all thyng 
For his grete myght, 
And lende me grace to his louyng 
THat I me dight. 
Nowe in my sawle grete joie haue I, 
I am all cladde in comforte clere, 
Now will be borne of my body 
Both God and man togedir in feere, 
Blist mott he be. 
Jesu my sone that is so dere, 
Nowe borne is he. 
Hayle my lord God, hayle prince of pees, 
Hayle my fadir, and hayle my sone; 
Hayle souereyne sege all synnes to sesse, 
Hayle God and man in erth to wonne. 
Hayle, thurgh whos myht 
All this worlde was first begonne, 
Merknes and light. 
Sone, as I am sympill sugett of thyne, 
Vowchesaffe, swete sone I pray the, 
That I myght the take in the armys of myne 
And in this poure wede to arraie the. 
Graunte me thi blisse, 
As I am thy modir chosen to be 
In sothfastnesse. 


Joseph
71 A, lorde God what the wedir is colde, 
THe fellest freese that euere I felyd. 
I pray God helpe tham that is alde 
And namely tham that is vnwelde, 
So may I saie. 
Now gud God thou be my bilde 
As thou best may. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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A, lord God, what light is this 
THat comes shynyng thus sodenly? 
I can not saie als haue I blisse. 
When I come home vnto Marie 
THan sall I spirre. 
A, here be God, for nowe come I. 


Mary
84 YOe ar welcum sirre. 


Joseph
85 Say Marie, doghtir, what chere with the? 


Mary
86 Right goode Joseph, as has ben ay. 


Joseph
87 O Marie, what swete thyng is that on thy kne? 


Mary
88 It is my sone, the soth to saye, 
THat is so gud. 


Joseph
90 Wele is me I bade this day 
To se this foode. 
Me merueles mekill of this light 
THat thus-gates shynes in this place, 
Forsuth it is a selcouth sight. 


Mary
95 THis hase he ordand of his grace, 
My sone so yoing, 
A starne to be schynyng a space 
At his bering. 
For Balam tolde ful longe beforne 
How that a sterne shulde rise full hye, 
And of a maiden shulde be borne 
A sonne that sall oure saffyng be 
Fro caris kene. 
Forsuth it is my sone so free 
Be whame Balam gon meene. 


Joseph
106 Nowe welcome, floure fairest of hewe, 
I shall the menske with mayne and myght. 
Hayle my maker, hayle Crist Jesu, 
Hayle riall kyng, roote of all right, 
Hayle saueour. 
Hayle my lorde, lemer of light, 
Hayle blessid floure. 


Mary
113 Nowe lord that all this worlde schall wynne, 
To the my sone is that I saye, 
Here is no bedde to laye the inne, 
THerfore my dere sone I the praye, 
Sen it is soo, 
Here in this cribbe I myght the lay 
Betwene ther bestis two. 
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And I sall happe the, myn owne dere childe, 
With such clothes as we haue here. 


Joseph
122 O Marie, beholde thes beestis mylde, 
They make louyng in ther manere 
As thei wer men. 
Forsothe it semes wele be ther chere 
THare lord thei ken. 


Mary
127 Ther lorde thai kenne, that wate I wele, 
They worshippe hym with myght and mayne; 
The wedir is colde as ye may feele, 
To halde hym warme thei are full fayne 
With thare warme breth, 
And oondis on hym, is noght to layne, 
To warme hym with. 
O, nowe slepis my sone, blist mot he be, 
And lyes full warme ther bestis bytwene. 


Joseph
136 O, nowe is fulfillid, forsuth I see, 
THat Abacuc in mynde gon mene 
And prechid by prophicie. 
He saide oure sauyoure shall be sene 
Betwene bestis lye, 
And nowe I see the same in sight. 


Mary
142 YOa sir, forsuth the same is he. 


Joseph
143 Honnoure and worshippe both day and nyght, 
Ay-lastand lorde, be done to the 
Allway, as is worthy; 
And lord, to thy seruice I oblissh me 
With all myn herte, holy. 


Mary
148 THou mercyfull maker, most myghty, 
My God, my lorde, my sone so free, 
Thy handemayden forsoth am I, 
And to thi seruice I oblissh me, 
With all myn herte entere. 
Thy blissing, beseke I thee, 
THou graunte vs all in feere. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Page 129


Play 15


Pastor 1
1 Bredir, in haste takis heede and here 
What I wille speke and specifie; 
Sen we walke thus, withouten were, 
What mengis my moode nowe meve yt will I. 
Oure forme-fadres faythfull in fere, 
Bothe Osye and Isaye, 
Preued that a prins withouten pere 
Shulde descende doune in a lady, 
And to make mankynde clerly, 
To leche tham that are lorne. 
And in Bedlem hereby 
Sall that same barne by borne. 


Pastor 2
13 Or he be borne in burgh hereby, 
Balaham, brothir, me haue herde say, 
A sterne shulde schyne and signifie 
With lightfull lemes like any day. 
And als the texte it tellis clerly 
By witty lerned men of oure lay, 
With his blissid bloode he shulde vs by, 
He shulde take here al of a maye. 
I herde my syre saye, 
When he of hir was borne, 
She shulde be als clene maye 
As euer she was byforne. 


Pastor 3
25 A, mercifull maker, mekill is thy myght, 
That thus will to thi seruauntes see, 
Might we ones loke vppon that light 
Gladder bretheren myght no men be. 
I haue herde say, by that same light 
The childre of Israell shulde be made free, 
The force of the feende to felle in fighte, 
And all his pouer excluded shulde be. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Page 130

Wherfore, brether, I rede that wee 
Flitte faste ouere thees felles, 
To frayste to fynde oure fee, 
And talke of sumwhat ellis. 


Pastor 1
37 We, Hudde! 


Pastor 2
37 We, howe? 


Pastor 1
37 Herkyn to me. 


Pastor 2
38 We, man, thou maddes all out of myght. 


Pastor 1
39 We, Colle! 


Pastor 3
39 What care is comen to the? 


Pastor 1
40 Steppe furth and stande by me right, 
And telle me than 
Yf thou sawe euere swilke a sight. 


Pastor 3
43 I? Nay, certis, nor neuere no man. 


Pastor 2
44 Say felowes, what, fynde yhe any feest, 
Me falles for to haue parte, pardé! 


Pastor 1
46 Whe, Hudde, behalde into the heste, 
A selcouthe sight than sall thou see 
Vppon the skye. 


Pastor 2
49 We, telle me men, emang vs thre, 
Whatt garres yow stare thus sturdely? 


Pastor 3
51 Als lange as we haue herde-men bene 
And kepid this catell in this cloghe, 
So selcouth a sight was neuere non sene. 


Pastor 1
54 We, no Colle. Nowe comes it newe inowe, 
THat mon we fynde 
55 [... ...] 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Page 131



Pastor 3
Itt menes some meruayle vs emang, 
Full hardely I you behete. 


Pastor 1
58 What it shulde mene that wate not yoee, 
For all that yoe can gape and gone. 
60 I can synge itt alls wele as hee, 
And on asaie itt sall be sone 
Proued or we passe. 
Yf yoe will helpe, late see, halde on, 
For thus it was: 


Pastor 2
65 Ha! Ha! this was a mery note, 
Be the dede that I sall dye, 
I haue so crakid in my throte 
THat my lippis are nere drye. 


Pastor 3
69 I trowe thou royse, 
For what it was fayne witte walde I 
That tille vs made this noble noyse. 


Pastor 1
72 An aungell brought vs tythandes newe 
A babe in Bedlem shulde be borne, 
Of whom than spake oure prophicie trewe- 
And bad us mete hym thare this morne- 
THat mylde of mode. 
I walde giffe hym bothe hatte and horne 
And I myght fynde that frely foode. 


Pastor 3
79 Hym for to fynde has we no drede, 
I sall you telle achesoune why: 
YOone sterne to that lorde sall vs lede. 


Pastor 2
82 YOa, thou sais soth. Go we forthy 
Hym to honnour, 
And make myrthe and melody, 
With sange to seke oure savyour. 


Pastor 1
86 Breder, bees all blythe and glad, 
Here is the burgh ther we shulde be. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Page 132



Pastor 2
88 In that same steede now are we stadde, 
Tharefore I will go seke and see. 
Slike happe of heele neuere herde-men hadde; 
Loo, here is the house, and here is hee. 


Pastor 3
92 YOa forsothe, this is the same, 
Loo whare that lorde is layde 
Betwyxe two bestis tame, 
Right als the aungell saide. 


Pastor 1
96 The aungell saide that he shulde saue 
This worlde and all that wonnes therin, 
Therfore yf I shulde oght aftir crave 
To wirshippe hym I will begynne: 
Sen I am but a symple knave, 
THof all I come of curtayse kynne, 
Loo here slyke harnays as I haue- 
A baren-broche by a belle of tynne 
At youre bosom to be; 
And whenne yoe shall welde all 
Gud sonne, forgete noyot me 
Yf any fordele falle. 


Pastor 2
108 THou sonne that shall saue bothe see and sande, 
Se to me sen I haue the soght; 
I am ovir poure to make presande 
Als myn harte wolde, and I had ought. 
Two cobill notis vppon a bande, 
Loo, litill babe, what I haue broght, 
And whan yoe sall be lorde in lande 
Dose goode agayne, forgete me noght, 
For I haue herde declared 
Of connyng clerkis and clene, 
That bountith askis rewarde; 
Nowe watte yoe what I mene. 


Pastor 3
120 Nowe loke on me, my lorde dere, 
THof all I putte me noght in pres, 
Ye are a prince withouten pere, 
I haue no presentte that you may plees. 
But lo, an horne spone that haue I here- 
And it will herbar fourty pese- 
THis will I giffe you with gud chere, 
Slike novelté may noght disease. 
Farewele thou swete swayne, 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Page 133

God graunte vs levyng lange, 
And go we hame agayne 
And make mirthe as we gange. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Page 134


Play 16


Herod
1 The clowdes clapped in clerenes that ther clematis inclosis- 
Jubiter and Jouis, Martis and Mercurij emyde- 
Raykand ouere my rialté on rawe me reioyses, 
Blonderande ther blastis to blaw when I bidde. 
Saturne my subgett, that sotilly is hidde, 
Listes at my likyng and laies hym full lowe. 
The rakke of the rede skye full rappely I ridde, 
Thondres full thrallye by thousandes I thrawe 
When me likis. 
Venus his voice to me awe, 
THat princes to play in hym pikis. 
THe prince of planetis that proudely is pight 
Sall brace furth his bemes that oure belde blithes, 
THe mone at my myght he mosteres his myght, 
And kayssaris in castellis grete kyndynes me kythes. 
Lordis and ladis, loo, luffely me lithes, 
For I am fairer of face and fressher on folde- 
THe soth yf I saie sall-seuene and sexti sithis 
THan glorius gulles that gayer is than golde 
In price. 
How thynke yoe ther tales that I talde? 
I am worthy, witty, and wyse. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Page 135



Miles 1
23 All kynges to youre croune may clerly comende 
Youre lawe and youre lordshippe as lodsterne on hight; 
What traytoure vntrewe that will not attende, 
YOe sall lay thaim full lowe, fro leeme and fro light. 


Miles 2
27 What faitoure, in faithe, that dose yoou offende, 
We sall sette hym full sore, that sotte, in youre sight. 


Herod
29 In welthe sall I wisse yoou to wonne or I wende, 
For yoe are wightis ful worthy, both witty and wighte. 
But yoe knawe wele, ser knyghtis in counsaill full conande, 
THat my regioun so riall is ruled her be rest, 
For I wate of no wighte in this worlde that is wonnande 
THat in forges any felouné, with force sall be fest. 
Arest yoe tho rebaldes that vnrewly are rownand, 
Be they kyngis or knyghtis, in care yoe thaim cast, 
YOaa, and welde tham in woo to wonne, in the wanyand; 
What browle that is brawlyng his brayne loke yoe brest, 
And dynge yoe hym doune. 


Miles 1
40 Sir, what foode in faith will yoou feese, 
THat sott full sone myselfe sall hym sesse. 


Miles 2
42 We sall noght here doute to do hym disesse, 
But with countenaunce full cruell we sall crake her his croune. 


Herod
44 My sone that is semely, howe semes the ther sawes? 
Howe comely ther knyghtis thei carpe in this case. 


Filius
46 Fadir, if thai like noght to listyn youre lawes, 
As traytoures ontrewe ye sall teche them a trace, 
For fadir, vnkyndnes yoe kythe them no cause. 


Herod
49 Faire falle the my faire sone, so fettis of face. 
And knyghtis, I comaunde, who to dule drawes, 
THas churles as cheueleres ye chastise and chase, 
And drede yoe no doute. 


Filius
53 Fadir, I sall fell tham in fight, 
What renke that reves you youre right. 


Miles 1
55 With dyntes to dede bes he dight 
THat liste not youre lawes for to lowte. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Page 136



Rex 1
57 A, lorde that levis, euerelastande light, 
I loue the evir with harte and hande, 
That me has made to se this sight 
Whilke my kynrede was coveytande. 
Thay saide a sterne with lemys bright 
Owte of the eest shulde stabely stande, 
And that it shulde meffe mekill myght 
Of one that shulde be lorde in lande, 
That men of synne shulde saff. 
And certis I sall saye, 
God graunte me happe to haue 
Wissyng of redy waye. 


Rex 2
69 All-weldand God that all has wroght, 
I worshippe the als is worthye, 
That with thy brightnes has me broght 
Owte of my reame, riche Arabie. 
I shall noght seys tille I haue sought 
What selcouth thyng it sall syngnyfie, 
God graunte me happe so that I myght 
Haue grace to gete goode companye, 
And my comforte encrese 
With thy sterne schynyng shene; 
For certis, I sall noght cesse 
Tille I witte what it mene. 


Rex 3
81 Lorde God that all goode has bygonne 
And all may ende, both goode and euyll, 
That made for man both mone and sonne, 
And stedde yone sterne to stande stone stille, 
Tille I the cause may clerly conne, 
God wisse me with his worthy wille. 
I hope I haue her felaws fonne 
My yarnyng fathfully to fullfille. 
Sirs, God yowe saffe ande see, 
And were yoow euere fro woo. 


Rex 1
91 Amen, so myght it bee, 
And saffe yow sir, also. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Page 137



Rex 3
93 Sirs, with youre wille, I wolde yow praye 
To telle me some of youre entent, 
Whedir ye wende forthe in this way, 
And fro what contré yoe are wente? 


Rex 2
97 Full gladly sir I shall yoou say. 
A sodayne sight was till vs sente, 
A royall sterne that rose or day 
Before vs on the firmament, 
THat garte vs fare fro home 
Som poynte therof to preffe. 


Rex 3
103 Sertis syrs, I sawe the same 
THat makis vs thus to moyfe; 
For sirs, I haue herde saye sertayne 
Itt shulde be seyne of selcowthe seere, 
And ferther therof I wolde freyne; 
That makis me moffe in this manere. 


Rex 1
109 Sir, of felashippe are we fayne, 
Now sall we wende forth all in feere, 
God graunte vs or we come agayne 
Som gode hartyng therof to here. 
Sir, here is Jerusalem 
To wisse vs als we goo, 
And beyonde is Bedleem, 
THer schall we seke alsoo. 


Rex 3
117 Sirs, yoe schall wele vndirstande, 
For to be wise nowe were it nede; 
Sir Herowde is kyng of this lande 
And has his lawes her for to leede. 


Rex 1
121 Sir, sen we neghe now thus nerhand, 
Vntill his helpe vs muste take heede, 
For haue we his wille and his warande 
THan may we wende withouten drede. 


Rex 2
125 To haue leve of the lorde, 
THat is resoune and skyll. 


Rex 3
127 And therto we all accorde, 
Wende we and witte his wille. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Page 138



Nuncius
129 My lorde ser Herowde, kyng with croune! 


Herod
130 Pees dastarde, in the deueles dispite. 


Nuncius
131 My lorde, now note is nere this towne. 


Herod
132 What, false harlott, liste the flight? 
Go betis yone boy and dyngis hym downe. 


Miles 2
134 Lorde, messengeres shulde no man wyte, 
It may be for youre awne renoune. 


Herod
136 THat wolde I here, do telle on tyte. 


Nuncius
137 My lorde, I mette at morne 
Thre kyngis carpand togedir 
Of a barne that is borne, 
And thei hight to come hiddir. 


Herod
141 Thre kyngis, forsoth? 


Nuncius
141 Sir, so I say, 
For I saw thaim myselffe all fere. 


Consolator 1
143 My lorde, appose hym I you pray. 


Herod
144 Say felowe, are they ferre or nere? 


Nuncius
145 Mi lorde, thei will be here this day, 
THat wote I wele, withouten were. 


Herod
147 Do rewle vs than in riche array, 
And ilke man make tham mery chere, 
THat no sembelant be sene 
But frendshippe faire and still, 
Till we witte what thei mene, 
Whedir it be gud or ill. 


Rex 1
153 The lorde that lenes ay-lastand light 
Whilke has vs ledde owte of oure lande, 
Kepe the, ser kynge and comely knyght 
And all thy folke that we her fynde. 


Herod
157 Mahounde, my god and most of myght, 
THat has myn hele all in his hande, 
He saffe you sirs, semely in sight; 
And telle vs nowe som new tithand. 


Rex 2
161 Some sall we saie yoou sir- 
A sterne stode vs beforne, 
That makis vs speke and spir 
Of one that is new-borne. 


Herod
165 New-borne? THat burden halde I bad; 
And certis, vnwitty men ye wore 
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Nuncius
129 Mi lorde ser Herowde, kyng with croune! 


Herod
130 Pees dastard, in the deueles dispite. 


Nuncius
131 Sir, new nott is full nere this towne. 


Herod
132 What, false losell, liste the flighte? 
Go bette both and dyng tham downe. 


Miles 2
134 Lorde, messengers shulde no man wyte, 
It may be for youre awne rennowne. 


Herod
136 That wolde I here, telle on tyte. 


Nuncius
137 Mi lorde, I mette at morne 
Iij kyngis carpand togedir 
Of one that is nowe borne, 
And thai hight to come hedir. 


Herod
141 Thre kyngis, forsothe? 


Nuncius
141 Sir, so I saie, 
For I saughe them myself all feere. 


Consolator 1
143 My lorde, appose hym we yow praye. 


Herod
144 Say felowe, ar they ferre or nere? 


Nuncius
145 Mi lorde, thei will be here this day, 
THat wotte I wele, withouten were. 


Herod
147 Haue done. Dresse vs in riche array, 
And ilke man make tham mery chere, 
That no sembland be seene 
But frenshippe faire and stille, 
Tille we wete what thei meene, 
Whedir it be gud or ill. 


Rex 1
153 The lorde that lenys this lastand light 
Whilke has vs ledde oute of oure lande, 
Kepe the, sir kyng and comly knyght, 
And all thi folke that we here fande. 


Herod
157 Mahounde, my god and most of myght, 
THat has myn hele all in his hande, 
He saffe you sirs, semely in sight; 
And telle vs nowe som new tythande. 


Rex 2
161 Sum shall we saie sir- 
A sterne stud vs byforne, 
That makis vs speke and spir 
Of ane that is nowe-borne. 


Herod
165 Nowe-borne? THat birthe halde I badde; 
And certis, vnwitty men yoe werre 
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To leppe ouere lande to laite a ladde. 
Say, whan loste yoe hym? Ought lange before? 
All wise men will wene yoe madde 
And therfore moves this neuer more. 


Rex 3
171 YOis certis, swilke hertyng haue we hadde 
We will not cesse or we come thore. 


Herod
173 This were a wondir-thyng. 
Saie, what barne shulde that be? 


Rex 1
175 Forsoth, he sall be kynge 
Of Jewes and of Judé. 


Herod
177 Kyng? In the deueles name, dogges, fye! 
Nowe se I wele yoe roye and raue. 
Be any skemeryng of the skye 
When shulde ye knawe outhir kyng or knave? 


Filius
181 Naye, he is kyng and non but he, 
THat sall yoe kenne if that yoe craue, 
And he is jugge of all Jurie, 
To speke or spille, to saie or saffe. 


Herod
185 Swilke gawdes may gretely greue, 
To witnesse that nere was. 


Rex 2
187 Nowe lorde, we axe but leve 
Be youre poure to passe. 


Herod
189 Whedirward, in the deuelis name? 
To layte a ladde here in my lande? 
Fals harlottis, bot yhe hye yoou hame 
YOe sall be bette and bune in bande. 


Consolator 2
193 Mi lorde, to fell this foule defame, 
Late alle there hye wordis falle on hande, 
And spere thaim sadly of the same, 
So sall yoe stabely vndirstande 
THaire mynde and ther menyng, 
And takes gud tente therto. 


Herod
200 I thanke the of thys thing, 
And certis so sall I doo. 
Nowe kyngis, to cache all care awaye 
Sen yoe are comen oute of youre kyth, 
Loke noght ye legge agaynste oure laye, 
Vppon payne to lose both lymme and lith. 
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To lepe ouere lande to late a ladde. 
Say, when lost yoe hym? Ought lange before? 
All wyse men will wene yoe madde 
And therfore moffis it neuere more. 


Rex 3
171 YOis certis, such hartyng haue we hadde 
We schall noyot seys or we come thore. 


Herod
173 This were a wondir-thyng. 
Say, what barne shulde that be? 


Rex 1
175 Sir, he shall be kyng 
Of Jewes and of Judé. 


Herod
177 Kyng? In the deuyl way, dogges, fy! 
Now I se wele yoe rothe and raue. 
Be ony skymeryng of the skye 
When shulde yoe knawe owthir kyng or knave? 
Nay, I am kyng and non but I, 
That shall yoe kenne yff that yoe craue, 
And I am juge of all Jury, 
To speke or spille, to saie or saffe. 
Swilke gawdes may gretely greue, 
To wittenesse that neuere was. 


Rex 2
187 Lorde, we aske noght but leue 
Be youre poure to passe. 


Herod
189 Whedir, in the deuyls name? 
To late a ladde here in my lande? 
Fals harlottis, but yoe hye you hame 
YOe shall be bette and boune in bande. 


Consolator 2
193 My lorde, to felle this foule deffame, 
Lattis all such wondir falle on hande, 
And speres thaim sadly of the same, 
So shall yoe stabely vndirstande 
THer mynde and ther menyng, 
And takis gud tente tham too. 


Herod
199 I thanke the of this thyng, 
And certis so will I doo. 
Nowe kyngis, to cache all care away 
Sen yoe ar comen oute of youre kytht, 
Loke noght ye legge agayne oure lay, 
Uppon peyne to lose both lyme and litht. 
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And so that yoe the soth will saye 
To come and go I graunte you grith, 
And yf youre poyntes be to my paye 
May fall myselfe sall wende yoou with. 


Rex 1
209 Sir kyng, we all accorde, 
And sais a barne is borne 
THat sall be kyng and lorde, 
And leche tham that ar lorne. 


Rex 2
213 Sir, ye thar meruaylle nothynge 
Of this ilke noote that thusgattes newes, 
For Balaham saide a starne shulde sprynge 
Of Jacob kynde, and that is Jewes. 


Rex 3
217 Isaie sais a maiden yonge 
Sall bere a barne emange Ebrewes, 
THat of all contrees sal be kynge 
And gouerne all that on erthe grewes; 
Emanuell beiths his name, 
To say, `Goddis sone of heuené, 
And certis this is the same 
THat we here to you neuen. 


Rex 1
225 Sir, the proued prophete Ossee 
Full trewly tolde in towne and toure, 
A maiden of Israell, forsoth saide he, 
Sall bere oone like to lilly floure. 
He menes a childe consayued sall be 
Withouten seede of mannys socoure, 
And his modir a mayden free, 
And he both sonne and saueour. 


Rex 2
233 That fadres talde me beforne 
Has no man myght to marre. 


Herod
235 Allas, than am I lorne, 
THis wax ay werre and werre. 


Consolator 1
237 My lorde, be yoe nothyng abast, 
THis brigge tille ende sall wele be broght. 
Byde tham go furth and frendly frayste 
THe soth of this that thei haue soght, 
And telle it yoou-soo sall yoe traste 
Whedir ther tales be trewe or noght. 
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And so that yoe the soth will saye 
To come and goo I graunte yow grith, 
And yf youre poynte be to my pay 
May falle myselfe shall wende you with. 


Rex 1
209 Sir kyng, we all accorde, 
And says a barne is borne 
THat shall be kyng and lorde, 
And leche tham that ar lorne. 


Rex 2
213 Sir, the thar meruayle nothyng 
Of this ilke nott that thus-gate newes, 
For Balaham saide a starne shulde spring 
Of Jacobe kynde, and that is Jewes. 


Rex 3
217 Sir, Isaie sais a mayden yoenge 
Shall bere a sone amonge Ebrewes, 
THat of all contrees shall be kyng 
And gouerne all that on erthe grewes; 
Emanuell shal be his name, 
To saie, `God sone of heuen', 
And certis this is the same 
THat we now to you neven. 


Rex 1
225 Sirs, the proved prophete Osee 
Full trulye talde in towne and toure, 
THat a mayden of Israell, sais he, 
Shall bere one like to the lely floure. 
He menys a barne consayued shulde be 
Withouten seede of man socour, 
And is modir a mayden free, 
And he both sone and saueour. 


Rex 2
233 THat fadirs has talde beforne 
Has no man myght to marre. 


Herod
235 Allas, than am I lorne, 
THis waxith ay werre and werre. 


Consolator 1
237 My lorde, be yoe nothyng abast, 
THis bryge shall well to ende be broght. 
Bidde tham go furthe and frendly frast 
THe soth of this that thei haue soght, 
And telle it yoou-so shall yoe trast 
Whedir ther tales be trew or noght. 
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THan sall yoe waite thaim with a wraste 
And make all waste that thei haue wroght. 


Herod
245 Nowe certis, this is wele saide, 
This matere makes me fayne. 
Sir kyngis, I halde me paied 
Off all youre purpose playne. 
Wende furth youre forward to fulfill, 
To Bedlem is but here at hande; 
And speris grathely both gud and ille 
Of hym that shulde be lorde in lande; 
And comes agayne than me vntill 
And telle me trulye youre tithande- 
To worshippe hym than were my will, 
THis sall ye stabely vndirstande. 


Rex 2
257 Certis ser, we sall you say 
THe soth of that same childe, 
In all the haste we may. 


Consolator 2
260 Fares wele-ye be bygilyd. 


Herod
261 Now certis, this is a sotell trayne. 
Nowe sall thai trulye take there trace, 
And telle me of that swytteron swayne, 
And all thare counsaille in this case. 
Giffe itt be soth thai shall be slayne, 
No golde shall gete them bettir grace; 
Bot go we tille they come agayne 
And playe vs in som othir place. 
This holde I gude counsaill, 
Yitt wolde I na man wiste; 
For certis, we shall noght faile 
To lose tham as vs liste. 
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Than shall we wayte tham with a wrest 
And make all wast that thei haue wroght. 


Herod
245 Nowe certis, this was wele saide, 
THis matere makes me fayne. 
Sir kyngis, I halde me paide 
Of all youre purpose playne. 
Wendis furth youre forward to fulfill, 
To Bedlem, it is but here at hande; 
And speris grathe bothe goode and ill 
Of hym that shulde be lorde in lande; 
And comes agayne than me vntill 
And telle me trulye youre tythande- 
To worshippe hym, that is my will, 
THus shall yoe stabely vndirstande. 


Rex 2
257 Sertis syr, we sall you say 
Alle the soth of that childe, 
In alle the hast that we may. 


Consolator 2
260 Fares wele-yoe be bygilid. 


Herod
261 Nowe certis, this is a sotille trayne. 
Nowe shall thei trewly take ther trace, 
And telle me of that littil swayne, 
And ther counsaill in this case. 
If it be soth thei shall be slayne, 
No golde shall gete tham bettir grace. 
Go we nowe till thei come agayne 
To playe vs in som othir place. 
This halde I gud counsaill, 
Yitt wolde I no man wist; 
For sertis, we shall not faill 
To loyse tham as vs list. 


Rex 1
273 A, sirs, for sight what shall I say? 
Whare is oure syne? I se it noth. 


Rex 2
275 No more do I. Nowe dar I lay 
In oure wendyng som wrange is wroght. 


Rex 3
277 Vnto that prince I rede we praye, 
That till vs sente his syngne vnsoght, 
THat he wysse vs in redy way 
So frendly that we fynde hym moght. 


Rex 1
281 A, siris, I se it stande 
Aboven where he is borne, 
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Lo, here is the house at hande, 
We haue noyot myste this morne. 


Ancilla
285 Whame seke yoe syrs, be wayes wilde, 
With talkyng, trauelyng to and froo? 
Her wonnes a woman with hir childe 
And hir husband, her ar no moo. 


Rex 2
289 We seke a barne that all shall bylde, 
His sartayne syngne hath saide vs soo, 
And his modir, a mayden mylde, 
Her hope we to fynde tham twoo. 


Ancilla
293 Come nere gud syirs and see, 
Youre way to ende is broght. 


Rex 3
295 Behalde here syirs, her and se 
THe same that yoe haue soght. 


Rex 1
297 Loved be that lorde that lastis aye, 
THat vs has kydde thus curtaysely 
To wende by many a wilsom way, 
And come to this clene companye. 


Rex 2
301 Late vs make nowe no more delay, 
But tyte take furth oure tresurry 
And ordand giftis of gud aray, 
To worshippe hym als is worthy. 


Rex 3
305 He is worthy to welde 
All worshippe, welthe, and wynne; 
And for honnoure and elde 
Brother, yoe shall begynne. 


Rex 1
309 Hayle, the fairest of felde, folke for to fynde, 
Fro the fende and his feeres faithefully vs fende; 
Hayll, the best that shall be borne to vnbynde 
All the barnes that are borne and in bale bende. 
Hayll, thou marc us thi men and make vs in mynde, 
Sen thi myght is on molde misseis to amende. 
Hayll, clene that is comen of a kynges kynde, 
And shall be kyng of this kyth, all clergy has kende. 
And sith it shall worthe on this wise, 
Thyselffe haue I soght sone, I say the, 
With golde that is grettest of price; 
Be paied of this present I pray the. 
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Rex 2
321 Hayll, foode that thy folke fully may fede, 
Hayll floure fairest, that neuer shall fade, 
Hayll, sone that is sente of this same sede 
THat shall saue vs of synne that oure syris had. 
Hayll mylde, for thou mett to marke vs to mede, 
Off a may makeles thi modir thou made; 
In that gude thurgh grace of thy Godhede 
Als the gleme in the glasse gladly thow glade. 
And sythyn thow shall sitte to be demand, 
To helle or to heuen for to haue vs, 
Insens to thi seruis is semand. 
Sone, se to thi suggettis and saue vs. 


Rex 3
333 Hayll barne that is best oure balys to bete, 
For our boote shall thou be bounden and bett; 
Hayll frende faithtfull, we fall to thy feete, 
Thy fadiris folke fro the fende to the fette. 
Hayll, man that is made to thi men mette, 
Sen thou and thy modir with mirthis ar mette; 
Hayll duke that dryues dede vndir fete, 
But whan thy dedys ar done to dye is thi dette. 
And sen thy body beryed shal be, 
This mirre will I giffe to thi grauyng. 
The gifte is noght grete of degree, 
Ressayue it, and se to oure sauyng. 


Mary
345 Sir kyngis, yoe trauel not in vayne. 
Als yoe haue ment, hyr may yoe fynde, 
For I consayued my sone sartayne 
Withouten misse of man in mynde, 
And bare hym here withouten payne, 
Where women ar wonte to be pynyd. 
Goddis aungell in his gretyng playne 
Saide he shulde comforte al mankynde, 
Tharfore doute yow no dele 
Here for to haue youre bone, 
I shall witnesse full wele 
All that is saide and done. 


Rex 1
357 For solas ser now may we synge, 
All is parformed that we for prayde; 
But gud barne, giffe vs thy blissing, 
For faire happe is before the laide. 


Rex 2
361 Wende we nowe to Herowde the kyng 
For of this poynte he will be paied, 
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And come hymselffe and make offeryng 
Vnto this same, for so he saide. 


Rex 3
365 I rede we reste a thrawe, 
For to maynteyne our myght, 
And than do as we awe, 
Both vnto kyng and knyght. 


Angel
369 Nowe curtayse kynges, to me take tent 
And turne betyme or yoe be tenyd, 
Fro God hymselfe thus am I sent 
To warne yow als youre faithfull frende. 
Herowde the kyng has malise ment 
And shappis with shame yow for to shende, 
And for that yoe non harmes shulde hente, 
Be othir waies God will ye wende 
Euen to youre awne contré. 
And yf yoe aske hym bone, 
Youre beelde ay will he be 
For this that yoe haue done. 


Rex 1
381 A, lorde, I loue the inwardly. 
Sirs, God has gudly warned vs thre, 
His aungell her now herde haue I, 
And how he saide. 


Rex 2
384 Sir, so did we. 
He saide Herowde is oure enmye, 
And makis hym bowne oure bale to be 
With feyned falsed, and forthy 
Farre fro his force I rede we flee. 


Rex 3
389 Syrs, faste I rede we flitte, 
Ilkone till oure contré, 
He that is welle of witte 
Vs wisse, and with yow be. 
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Play 17


Prisbeter
1 Almyghty God in heven so hy, 
The maker of all heven and erth, 
He ordenyd here all thynges evenly, 
For man he ment to mend his myrth. 
In nomber, weight, and mesure fyne 
God creat here al thyng, I say, 
His lawes he bad men shulde not tyne, 
But kepe his commandmentes allway. 
In the mount of Syney full fayre, 
And in two tabyls to you to tell, 
His lawes to Moyses tuke God there 
To geve to the chylder of Israell, 
That Moyses shuld theme gyde alway, 
And lerne theme lely to knowe Goddes wyll, 
And that he shulde not it denay, 
But kepe his lawes stable and styll. 
For payn that he hadd putt therefore, 
To stone all theme that kepis it nott 
Vtterly to death, both lesse and moore; 
There shulde no marcy for them be soght. 
Therefore kepe well Goddes commandement, 
And leyd your lyf after his lawes, 
Or ells surely ye mon be shent 
Bothe lesse and moore, ylkone on rawes. 
This is his wyll after Moyses lawe: 
That ye shulde bryng your beistes good 
And offer theme here your God to knawe, 
And frome your synns to turne your moode. 
Suche beestes as God hais marked here, 
Vnto Moyses he spake as I yow tell, 
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And bad hyme boldly with good chere, 
To say to the chylder of Israell 
That after dyvers seknes seer 
And after dyvers synes alsoo, 
Go bryng your beestes to the preest even here 
To offer theme vp in Goddes sight, loo. 
The woman that hais borne her chylde, 
She shall comme hether at the forty day 
To be puryfied where she was fylde, 
And bryng with her a lame, I say, 
And two dove-byrdes for her offerand, 
And take them to the preest of lay 
To offer theme vp with his holy hand; 
There shulde no man to this say nay. 
The lame is offeryd for Goddes honour 
In sacrefyes all onely dight, 
And the preistes prayer purchace secure 
For the woman that was fylyd in God sight. 
And yf so be that she be power 
And haue no lame to offer, than 
Two tyrtle-doves to Godes honoure 
To bryng with her for her offrand. 
Loo, here am I preest present alway, 
To resave all offerandes that hydder is broght, 
And for the people to God to pray 
That helth and lyfe to theme be wroght. 


Anna
57 Here in this holy playce I say 
Is my full purpose to abyde, 
To serve my God bothe nyght and day 
With prayer and fastyng in ever-ylk a tyde. 
For I haue beyn a wyddo this threscore yere 
And foure yere to, the truthe to tell, 
And here I haue terryed with full good chere 
For the redempcyon of Israell. 
And so for my holy conversacion 
Grete grace to me hais nowe God sent, 
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To tell by profecy for mans redempcion 
What shall befall by Goddes intent. 
I tell you all here in this place, 
By Godes vertue in prophecy, 
That one is borne to oure solace, 
Here to be present securely 
Within short space, 
Of his owen mother, a madyn free, 
Of all vyrgens moost chaist suthly, 
The well of mekenes, blyssed myght she be, 
Moost full of grace. 
And Symeon, that senyour 
That is so semely in Godes sight, 
He shall hyme se and do honour 
And in his armes he shall hym plight, 
That worthy leyd. 
Of the holy goost he shall suthly 
Take strength, and answere when he shall hy 
Furth to this temple and place holy 
To do that deyd. 


Symeon
87 A, blyssed God, thowe be my beylde 
And beat my baill bothe nyght and day, 
In hevynes my hart is hylde, 
Vnto myself, loo thus I say. 
For I ame wayke and all vnwelde, 
My welth ay wayns and passeth away, 
Whereso I fayre in fyrth or feylde 
I fall ay downe for febyll, in fay. 
In fay I fall whereso I fayre, 
In hayre and hewe and hyde I say. 
Owte of this worlde I wolde I were, 
Thus wax I warr and warr alway 
And my myscheyf growes in all that may. 
Bot thowe myghty lorde my mornyng mar; 
Mar ye, for it shulde me well pay, 
So happy to se hyme yf I warr. 
Nowe certys then shulde my gamme begynne 
And I myght se hyme, of hyme to tell, 
That one is borne withouten synne 
And for mankynde mans myrth to mell. 
Borne of a woman and madyn fre, 
As wytnesse Davyt and Danyell, 
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Withouten synne or velanye, 
As said also Isacheell. 
And Melachiell that proffett snell 
Hais tolde vs of that babb so bright, 
That he shulde comme with vs to dwell 
In our temple as leme of light. 
And other proffettes prophesieth 
And of this blyssed babb dyd mell, 
And of his mother, a madyn bright, 
In prophecy the truth gan tell, 
That he shulde comme and harro hell 
As a gyant grathly to glyde, 
And fersly the feyndes malles to fell 
And putt there poors all on syde. 
The worthyest wight in this worlde so wyde 
His vertues seer no tong can tell, 
He sendes all soccour in ylke tyde 
As redemption of Israell. 
Thus say they all, 
There patryarkes and ther prophettes clere: 
`A babb is borne to be oure fere, 
Knytt in oure kynde for all our chere 
To grete and small'. 
Ay, well were me for ever and ay 
If I myght se that babb so bright 
Or I were buryed here in clay, 
Then wolde my cors here mend in myght 
Right faithfully. 
Nowe lorde, thowe grant to me thy grace 
To lyf here in this worlde a space, 
That I myght se that babb in his face 
Here or I dy. 
A, lorde God, I thynke may I endure, 
Trowe we that babb shall fynde me here; 
Nowe certys with aige I ame so power 
That ever it abaites my chere. 
Yet yf kynde fale for aige in me, 
God yett may length my lyfe suthly, 
Tyll I that babb and foode so free 
Haue seyn in sight. 
For trewly, yf I wyst relesse 
Thare shulde nothyng my hart dyseas; 
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Lorde, len me grace yf that thowe pleas 
And make me light. 
When wyll thowe comme babb? Let se, haue done; 
Nay, comme on tyte and tarry nott, 
For certys my lyf-days are nere done, 
For aige to me grete wo hais wroght. 
Great wo is wroght vnto mans harte 
Whan he muste want that he wolde haue; 
I kepe no longar to haue quarte 
For I haue seen that I for crave. 
A, trowes thowe these ij eyes shall see 
That blyssed babb or they be owte? 
Ye, I pray God so myght it be- 
Then were I putt all owte of dowte. 


Angel
165 Olde Symeon, Gods seruaunt right, 
Bodworde to the I bryng I say, 
For the holy goost moost of myght, 
He says thowe shall not dye away 
To thowe haue seen 
Jesu the babb that Mary bare, 
For all mankynde to slake there care. 
He shall do comforth to lesse and mayr, 
Both morne and even. 


Symeon
174 A, lorde, gramarcy nowe I say 
That thowe this grace hais to me hight, 
Or I be buryed here in clay 
To se that semely beam so bright. 
No man of molde may haue more happ 
To my solace and myrth allway, 
Than for to se that Mary lapp 
Jesu my joy and savyour ay, 
Blyssyd be his name. 
Loo, nowe mon I se, the truth to tell, 
The redempcion of Israell, 
Jesu my lorde Emanuell, 
Withouten blame. 


Mary
187 Joseph my husbonde and my feer, 
Ye take to me grathely entent, 
I wyll you showe in this manere 
What I wyll do, thus haue I ment: 
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Full xl days is comme and went 
Sens that my babb Jesu was borne, 
Therefore I wolde he were present 
As Moyses lawes sais hus beforne, 
Here in this temple before Goddes sight 
As other women doith in feer, 
So methynke good skyll and right 
The same to do nowe with good chere, 
After Goddes sawe. 


Joseph
200 Mary my spowse and madyn clene, 
This matter that thowe moves to me 
Is for all these women bedene 
That hais conceyved with syn fleshely 
To bere a chylde. 
The lawe is ledgyd for theme right playn, 
That they muste be puryfied agayne, 
For in mans pleasoure for certayn 
Before were they fylyd. 
But Mary, byrde, thowe neyd not soo 
For this cause to be puryfiede, loo, 
In Goddes temple. 
For certys thowe arte a clene vyrgyn 
For any thoght thy harte within, 
Nor never wroght no flesly synne 
Nor never yll. 


Mary
216 That I my madenheade hais kept styll 
It is onely throgh Godds wyll, 
That be ye bold. 
Yett to fulfyll the lawe ewysse, 
That God almyghty gon expresse, 
And for a sample of mekenesse 
Offer I wolde. 


Joseph
223 A, Mary, blyssed be thowe ay, 
Thowe thynkes to do after Goddes wyll, 
As thowe haist said Mary, I say, 
I will hartely consent theretyll 
Withouten dowte. 
Wherefore we dresse vs furth oure way 
And make offerand to God this day, 
Even lykwyse as thyself gon say 
With hartes devowte. 


Mary
232 Therto am I full redy dight, 
But one thyng Joseph I wolde you meyve. 
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Joseph
234 Mary my spouse and madyn bright, 
Tell on hartely, what is your greyf? 


Mary
236 Both beest and fewll hus muste neydes haue, 
As a lambe and ij dove-byrdes also. 
Lame haue we none nor none we crave, 
Therefore Joseph what shall we do, 
What is your read? 
And we do not as custome is, 
We are worth to be blamyd iwysse, 
I wolde we dyd nothyng amys 
As God me speyd. 


Joseph
245 A, good Mary, the lawe is this: 
To riche to offer bothe the lame and the byrd, 
And the poore ij tyrtles iwys. 
Or two doyf-byrdes shall not be fyrd 
For our offerand; 
And Mary, we haue doyf-byrdes two 
As falls for hus, therefore we goo- 
They ar here in a panyer, loo, 
Reddy at hand. 
And yf we haue not both in feer, 
The lame, the burd, as ryche men haue, 
Thynke that vs muste present here 
Oure babb Jesus, as we voutsaue 
Before Godes sight. 
He is our lame Mary, kare the not, 
For riche and power none better soght; 
Full well thowe hais hym hither broght, 
This our offerand right. 
He is the lame of God I say, 
That all our syns shall take away 
Of this worlde here. 
He is the lame of God verray 
That muste hus fend frome all our fray, 
Borne of thy wombe, all for our pay 
And for our chere. 


Mary
270 Joseph my spowse, ye say full trewe, 
Than lett vs dresse hus furth our way. 


Joseph
272 Go we than Mary, and do oure dewe, 
And make meekly offerand this day. 
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Lo, here is the tempyll on this hyll 
And also preest ordand by skyll, 
Power havand. 
And Mary, go we thyther forthy, 
And lett vs both knele devowtly, 
And offre we vp to God meekly 
Our dewe offrand. 


Mary
281 Vnto my God highest in heven 
And to this preest ordand by skyll, 
Jesu my babb I offer hyme 
Here with my harte and my good wyll 
Right hartely. 
Thowe pray for hus to God on hyght 
Thowe preest, present here in his myght, 
At this deyd may be in his sight 
Accept goodly. 


Joseph
290 Loo sir, and two doyf-byrddes ar here, 
Receyve them with your holy handes, 
We ar no better of power, 
For we haue neyther rentes ne landes 
Trewely. 
Bott good sir, pray to God of myght 
To accepte this at we haue dight, 
That we haue offeryd as we arr hight 
Here hartely. 


Prisbeter
299 O God and graunter of all grace, 
Blyst be thy name both nyght and day, 
Accepte there offerand in this place 
That be here present to the alway. 
A, blyssed lorde, say never nay, 
But lett thys offerand be boot and beylde 
Tyll all such folke lyvand in clay, 
That thus to the mekly wyll heyld; 
That this babb lord, present in thy sight, 
Borne of a madyns wombe vnfylde, 
Accepte for there specyall gyft 
Gevyn to mankynde, both man and chylde, 
So specyally. 
And this babb borne and here present 
May beylde vs, that we be not shent, 
But ever reddy his grace to hent 
Here verely. 
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A, blyssyd babb, welcome thowe be, 
Borne of a madyn in chaistety, 
Thowe art our beylde, babb, our gamme and our glee 
Ever sothly. 
Welcome oure wytt and our wysdome, 
Welcome, our joy all and somme, 
Welcomme redemptour omnium 
Tyll hus hartely. 


Anna
324 Welcome blyssed Mary and madyn ay, 
Welcome, mooste meke in thyne array; 
Welcome bright starne that shyneth bright as day, 
All for our blys. 
Welcome, the blyssed beam so bryght, 
Welcome the leym of all oure light, 
Welcome that all pleasour hais plight 
To man and wyfe. 
Welcome thowe blyssed babb so free, 
Welcome oure welfayre wyelly 
And welcome all our seall, suthly, 
To grete and small. 
Babb, welcome to thy beyldly boure, 
Babb, welcome nowe for our soccoure, 
And babb, welcomme with all honour 
Here in this hall. 


Angel
340 Olde Symeon, I say to the 
Dresse the furth in thyne array, 
Come to the temple, there shall thu see 
Jesus that babb that Mary barre, 
That be thowe bolde. 


Symeon
345 A, lorde, I thanke the ever and ay, 
Nowe am I light as leyf on tree, 
My age is went, I feyll no fray, 
Methynke for this that is tolde me 
I ame not olde. 
Nowe wyll I to yon temple goo 
To se the babb that Mary bare, 
He is my helth in well and woo, 
And helps me ever frome great care. 
Haill blyssed babb that Mary bare, 
And blyssed be thy mother, Mary mylde, 
Whose wombe that yeildyd fresh and fayr 
And she a clean vyrgen ay vnfyld. 
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Page 158

Haill babb, the father of heven own chylde 
Chosen to chere vs for our myschance; 
No erthly tong can tell vnfylyd 
What thy myght is in every chance. 
Haill, the moost worthy to enhance, 
Boldly thowe beylde frome all yll, 
Withoute thy beylde we gytt grevance 
And for our deydes here shulde we spyll. 
Haill floscampy and flower vyrgynall, 
The odour of thy goodnes reflars to vs all. 
Haill, moost happy to great and to small 
For our weyll. 
Haill ryall roose, moost ruddy of hewe, 
Haill flour vnfadyng, both freshe ay and newe, 
Haill the kyndest in comforth that ever man knewe 
For grete heyll. 
And mekly I beseke the here where I kneyll 
To suffre thy servant to take the in hand, 
And in my narmes for to heue the here for my weyll, 
And where I bound am in bayll to bait all my bandes. 
Nowe come to me, lorde of all landes, 
Comme myghtyest by see and by sandes, 
Come myrth by strete and by strandes 
On moolde. 
Come halse me, the babb that is best born, 
Come halse me, the myrth of our morne, 
Come halse me, for ells I ame lorne 
For olde. 
I thanke the lord God of thy greet grace 
That thus haith sparyd me a space, 
This babb in my narmes for to inbrace 
As the prophecy telles. 
I thanke the that me my lyfe lent, 
I thanke the that me thus seyll sent, 
That this sweyt babb, that I in armes hent 
With myrth my myndes alwais melles. 
Mellyd are my myndes ay with myrth, 
Full fresh nowe I feyll is my force, 
Of thy grace thowe gave me this gyrth 
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Page 159

Thus comly to catch here thy corse 
Moost semely in sight. 
Of helpe thus thy freynd never faills, 
Thy marcy as every man avaylls, 
Both by downes and by daylls, 
Thus mervelous and muche is thy myght. 
A, babb, be thowe blyssed for ay, 
For thowe art my savyour I say 
And thowe here rewles me in fay, 
In all my lyfe. 
Nowe blist be thi name, 
For thowe saves hus fro shame, 
And here thou beyld vs fro blame 
And frome all stryfe. 
Nowe care I no moore for my lyfe 
Sen I haue seen here this ryall so ryfe, 
My strength and my stynter of stryfe 
I you say. 
In peace lorde nowe leyf thy servand 
For myne eys haith seyn that is ordand, 
The helth for all men that be levand 
Here for ay. 
That helth lorde hais thowe ordand I say 
Here before the face of thy people, 
And thy light hais thowe shynyd this day 
To be knowe of thy folke that was febyll 
For evermore. 
And thy glory for the chylder of Israell, 
That with the in thy kyngdome shall dwell 
Whan the damnyd shall be drevyn to hell 
Than with great care. 


Joseph
428 Mary, my spowse and madyn mylde, 
In hart I marvell here greatly 
Howe these folke spekes of our chylde. 
They say and tells of great maistry 
That he shall doo. 


Mary
433 Yea certes, Joseph, I marvell also, 
But I shall bere it full styll in mynde. 
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Joseph
435 God geve hyme grace here well to do, 
For he is comme of gentyll kynde. 


Symeon
437 Harke Mary, I shall tell the the truth or I goo. 
This was putt here to welde vs fro wo, 
In redemption of many and recover also, 
I the say. 
And the sworde of sorro thy hart shal thyrll 
Whan thowe shall se sothly thy son soffer yll 
For the well of all wrytches, that shall be his wyll 
Here in fay. 
But to be comforth agayn right well thowe may, 
And in harte to be fayne, the suth I the say, 
For his myght is so muche thare can no tong say nay 
Here to his wyll. 
For this babb as a gyant full graythly shall glyde 
And the myghtiest mayster shall meve on ylke syde, 
To all the wightes that wons in this worlde wyde, 
For good or for yll. 
Tharefore babb, beylde vs that we here not spyll, 
And fayrwell the former of all at thy wyll, 
Fayrwell starne stabylyst by lowde and be styll, 
In suthfastnes. 
Fayrwell the ryolest roose that is renyng, 
Fayrwell the babb best in thy beryng, 
Fayrwell God son, thowe grant vs thy blyssyng 
To fyne our dystresse. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Page 161


Play 18


Joseph
1 Thow maker that is most of myght, 
To thy mercy I make my mone; 
Lord, se vnto this symple wight 
THat hase non helpe but the allone. 
For all this worlde I haue forsaken, 
And to thy seruice I haue me taken 
With witte and will 
For to fulfill 
THi commaundement. 
THeron myn herte is sette 
With grace thou has me lente, 
THare schall no lede me lette. 
For all my triste lorde is in the 
That made me man, to thy liknes. 
Thow myghtfull maker, haue mynde on me 
And se vnto my sympplenes. 
I waxe wayke as any wande, 
For febill me faylles both foote and hande; 
Whateuere it mene, 
Methynke myne eyne 
Hevye as leede. 
THerfore I halde it best 
A whille her in this stede 
To slepe and take my reste. 


Mary
25 Thow luffely lord that last schall ay, 
My God, my lorde, my sone so dere, 
To thy Godhede hartely I pray 
With all myn harte holy entere. 
As thou me to thy modir chaas, 
I beseke the of thy grace 
For all mankynde 
THat has in mynde 
To wirshippe the. 
THou se thy saules to saue, 
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Page 162

Jesu my sone so free, 
THis bone of the I crave. 


Angel
37 Wakyn Joseph, and take entent, 
My sawes schall seece thy sorowe sare. 
Be noght heuy, thi happe is hentte, 
THarefore I bidde the slepe no mare. 


Joseph
41 A, myghtfull lorde, whateuere that mente? 
So swete a voyce herde I neuere ayre. 
But what arte thou with steuen so shylle 
THus in my slepe that spekis me till? 
To me appere 
And late me here 
What that thou was. 


Angel
48 Joseph, haue thou no drede, 
THou shalte witte or I passe, 
Therefore to me take hede. 
For I am sente to the, 
Gabriell, Goddis aungell bright, 
Is comen to bidde the flee 
With Marie and hir worthy wight. 
For Herowde the kyng gars doo to dede 
All knave-childer in ilke a stede, 
THat he may ta 
With yoeris twa 
THat are of olde. 
Tille he be dede, away 
In Egipte shall yoe beelde 
Tille I witte the for to saie. 


Joseph
63 Aye-lastand lord, loved mott thou be 
That thy swete sande wolde to me sende. 
But lorde, what ayles the kyng at me, 
For vnto hym I neuere offende? 
Allas, what ayles hym for to spille 
Smale yoonge barnes that neuere did ille 
In worde ne dede, 
Vnto no lede 
Be nyght nor day? 
And sen he wille vs schende, 
Dere lorde, I the praye, 
THou wolde be oure frende, 
For be he neuere so wode or wrothe 
For all his force thou may vs fende. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Page 163

I praye the lorde, kepe us fro skathe, 
Thy socoure sone to vs thou sende; 
For vnto Egipte wende we will 
Thy biddyng baynly to fulfill, 
As worthy is 
THou kyng of blisse, 
THi will be wroght. 
Marie my doughtir dere, 
On the is all my thought. 


Mary
86 A, leue Joseph, what chere? 


Joseph
87 THe chere of me is done for ay. 


Mary
88 Allas, what tythandis herde haue yoe? 


Joseph
89 Now certis, full ille to the at saye, 
Ther is noght ellis but us most flee 
Owte of oure kyth where we are knowyn, 
Full wightely bus vs be withdrawen, 
Both thou and I. 


Mary
94 Leue Joseph, why? 
Layne it noght, 
To doole who has vs demed, 
Or what wronge haue we wroght 
Wherfore we shulde be flemyd? 


Joseph
99 Wroght we harme? Nay, nay, all wrange, 
Wytte thou wele it is noght soo. 
THat yonge page liffe thou mon forgange 
But yf thou fast flee fro his foo. 


Mary
103 His foo? Allas, what is youre reede, 
Wha wolde my dere barne do to dede? 
I durk, I dare, 
Whoo may my care 
Of balis blynne? 
To flee I wolde full fayne, 
For all this worlde to wynne 
Wolde I noght se hym slayne. 


Joseph
111 I warne the he is thraly thrette 
With Herowde kyng, harde harmes to haue. 
With that mytyng yf that we be mette 
THer is no salue that hym may saue. 
I warne the wele, he sleeis all 
Knave-childir, grete and small, 
In towne and felde 
Within the elde 
Of two yoere, 
And for thy sones sake. 
He will fordo that dere, 
May that traytoure hym take. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Page 164



Mary
123 Leue Joseph, who tolde yow this? 
How hadde yoe wittering of this dede? 


Joseph
125 An aungell bright that come fro blisse 
This tythandis tolde withouten drede, 
And wakynd me oute of my slepe 
THat comely childe fro cares to kepe, 
And bad me flee 
With hym and the 
Onto Egipte. 
And sertis I dred me sore 
To make any smale trippe, 
Or tyme that I come thare. 


Mary
135 What ayles thei at my barne 
Slike harmes hym for to hete? 
Allas, why schulde I tharne 
My sone his liffe so swete? 
His harte aught to be ful sare, 
On slike a foode hym to forfare 
THat nevir did ill, 
Hym for to spill, 
And he ne wate why. 
I ware full wille of wane 
My sone and he shulde dye, 
And I haue but hym allone. 


Joseph
147 We, leue Marie, do way, late be! 
I pray the, leue of thy dynne, 
And fande the furthe faste for to flee, 
Away with hym for to wynne, 
That no myscheue on hym betyde, 
Nor none vnhappe in no-kyn side 
Be way nor strete, 
THat we non mete 
To slee hym. 


Mary
156 Allas Joseph, for care, 
Why shuld I forgo hym, 
My dere barne that I bare? 


Joseph
159 THat swete swayne yf thou saue 
Do tyte pakke same oure gere, 
And such smale harnes as we haue. 


Mary
162 A, leue Joseph, I may not bere. 


Joseph
163 Bere arme? No, I trowe but small. 
But God it wote I muste care for all, 
For bed and bak 
And alle the pakke 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Page 165

THat nedis vnto vs. 
It fortheres to fene me; 
THis pakald bere me bus, 
Off of all I plege and pleyne me. 
But God graunte grace I noght forgete 
No tulles that we schulde with vs take. 


Mary
173 Allas Joseph, for greuaunce grete, 
Whan shall my sorowe slake, 
For I wote noght whedir to fare? 


Joseph
176 To Egipte-talde I the lang are. 


Mary
177 Whare standith itt? 
Fayne wolde I witt. 


Joseph
179 What wate I? 
I wote not where it stande. 


Mary
181 Joseph, I aske mersy, 
Helpe me oute of this lande. 


Joseph
183 Nowe certis Marie, I wolde full fayne 
Helpe the al that I may, 
And at my poure me peyne 
To wynne with hym and the away. 


Mary
187 Allas, what ayles that feende 
THus wilsom wayes make vs to wende? 
He dois grete synne, 
Fro kyth and kynne 
He gares vs flee. 


Joseph
192 Leue Marie, leue thy grete. 


Mary
193 Joseph, full wo is me 
For my dere sone so swete. 


Joseph
195 I pray the Marie, happe hym warme 
And sette hym softe that he noght syle, 
And yf thou will ought ese thyn arme 
Gyff me hym, late me bere hym awhile. 


Mary
199 I thanke you of youre grete goode dede; 
Nowe gud Joseph tille hym take hede, 
THat fode so free, 
Tille hym yoe see 
Now in this tyde. 


Joseph
204 Lat me and hym allone, 
And yf thou can ille ride 
Haue and halde the faste by the mane. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Mary
207 Allas Joseph, for woo, 
Was neuer wight in worde so will. 


Joseph
209 Do way Marie, and say nought soo, 
For thou schall haue no cause thertill. 
For witte thou wele, God is oure frende, 
He will be with vs wherso we lende. 
In all oure nede 
He will vs spede, 
THis wote I wele. 
I loue my lorde of all; 
Such forse methynke I fele, 
I may go where I schall. 
Are was I wayke, nowe am I wight, 
My lymes to welde ay at my wille. 
I loue my maker most of myght 
That such grace has graunte me tille. 
Nowe schall no hatyll do vs harme, 
I haue oure helpe here in myn arme. 
He wille vs fende 
Wherso we lende 
Fro tene and tray. 
Late vs goo with goode chere- 
Farewele and haue gud day- 
God blisse vs all in fere. 


Mary
231 Amen as he beste may. 

Play 19


Herod
1 Powre bewsheris aboute, 
Peyne of lyme and lande, 
Stente of youre steuenes stoute 
And stille as stone yoe stande, 
And my carping recorde. 
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Page 167

YOe aught to dare and doute, 
And lere you lowe to lowte 
To me youre louely lord. 
YOe awe in felde and towne 
To bowe at my bidding, 
With reuerence and renoune, 
As fallis for swilk a kyng, 
THe lordlyest on lyue. 
Who herto is noght bowne, 
Be allmyghty Mahounde, 
To dede I schall hym dryue. 
So bolde loke no man be 
For to aske helpe ne helde 
But of Mahounde and me, 
THat hase this worlde in welde, 
To mayntayne vs emell. 
For welle of welthe are we 
And my cheffe helpe is he; 
Herto what can yoe tell? 


Consolator 1
25 Lord, what you likis to do 
All folke will be full fayne 
To take entente therto, 
And none grucche theragayne. 
THat full wele witte shall yoe, 
And yf thai wolde noyot soo 
We shulde sone wirke tham woo. 


Herod
32 YOa, faire sirs, so shulde it bee. 


Consolator 2
33 Lorde, the soth to saie, 
Fulle wele we vndirstande 
Mahounde is God werraye, 
And yoe ar lorde of ilke a lande. 
Therfore, so haue I seell, 
I rede we wayte allway 
What myrthe most mende yoou may. 


Herod
40 Sertis, yoe saie right well. 
But I am noyed of newe, 
THat blithe may I noyot be, 
For thre kyngis as yoe knowe 
That come thurgh this contré, 
And saide thei sought a swayne. 


Consolator 1
46 THat rewlle I hope tham rewe, 
For hadde ther tales ben trewe 
They hadde comen this waye agayne. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Page 168



Consolator 2
49 We harde how thei yoou hight, 
Yf they myght fynde that childe 
For to haue tolde yoou right, 
But certis thei are begilyd. 
Swilke tales ar noght to trowe, 
Full wele wotte ilke a wight, 
THer schalle neuere man haue myght 
Ne maystrie unto yoou. 


Consolator 1
57 THam schamys so, for certayne, 
That they dar mete you no more. 


Herod
59 Wherfore shulde thei be fayne 
To make swilke fare before, 
To saie a boy was borne 
That schulde be moste of mayne? 
This gadlyng schall agayne 
Yf that the deuyll had sworne. 
For be well neuer thei wotte 
Whedir thei wirke wele or wrang, 
To frayne garte tham thus-gate 
To seke that gedlyng gang, 
And swilke carping to kith. 


Consolator 2
70 Nay lorde, they lered ouere-latte 
Youre blisse schal neuere abatte, 
And therfore lorde, be blithe. 


Nuncius
73 Mahounde withouten pere, 
My lorde, yoou saue and see. 


Herod
75 Messenger, come nere, 
And bewcher, wele the be. 
What tydyngis? Telles thou any? 


Nuncius
78 YOa lorde. Sen I was here 
I haue sought sidis seere, 
And sene merueyllis full many. 


Herod
81 And of meruayles to mene 
That wer most myrthe to me. 


Nuncius
83 Lorde, euen as I haue seene 
The soth sone schall yoe see, 
Yf yoe wille, here in hye. 
I mette tow townes betwene 
Thre kyngis with crounes clene, 
Rydand full ryally. 


Herod
89 A, my blys, boy, thou burdis to brode. 


Nuncius
90 Sir, ther may no botment be. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Herod
91 Owe, by sonne and mone, 
THan tydis vs talis tonyght. 
Hopes thou thei will come sone 
Hedir, as thei haue hight, 
For to telle me tythande? 


Nuncius
96 Nay lorde, that daunce is done. 


Herod
97 Why, whedir are thei gone? 


Nuncius
98 Ilkone into ther owne lande. 


Herod
99 How sais thou ladde? Late be. 


Nuncius
100 I saie, for they are past. 


Herod
101 What, forthe away fro me? 


Nuncius
102 YOa lord, in faitht ful faste, 
For I herde and toke hede 
How that thei wente all thre 
Into ther awne contré. 


Herod
106 A, dogges, the deuell yoou spede. 


Nuncius
107 Sir, more of ther menyng 
YOitt well I vndirstode, 
How thei hadde made offering 
Vnto that frely foode 
THat nowe of newe is borne. 
THai saie he schulde be kyng 
And welde all erthely thyng. 


Herod
114 Allas, than am I lorne. 
Fy on thaym, faytours, fy! 
Wille thei begylle me thus? 


Nuncius
117 Lorde, by ther prophicy 
THei named his name Jesus. 


Herod
119 Fy on the ladde, thou lyes. 


Consolator 2
120 Hense tyte but thou the hye, 
With doulle her schall thou dye, 
That wreyes hym on this wise. 


Nuncius
123 YOe wyte me all with wrang, 
Itt is thus and wele warre. 


Herod
125 Thou lyes, false traytoure strange, 
Loke neuere thou negh me nere. 
Vppon liffe and lymme 
May I that faitour fange, 
Full high I schall gar hym hange, 
Both the, harlott, and hym. 


Nuncius
131 I am nott worthy to wyte, 
Bot fareswele all the heppe. 
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Consolator 1
133 Go, in the deueles dispite, 
Or I schall gar the leppe 
And dere aby this bro. 


Herod
136 Als for sorowe and sighte 
My woo no wighte may wryte; 
What deuell is best to do? 


Consolator 2
139 Lorde, amende youre chere 
And takis no nedles noy, 
We schall yoou lely lere 
THat ladde for to distroye, 
Be counsaille if we cane. 


Herod
144 THat may yoe noght come nere, 
For it is past two yoere 
Sen that this bale begane. 


Consolator 1
147 Lorde, therfore haue no doute, 
Yf it were foure or fyve. 
Gars gadir in grete rowte 
Youre knyghtis kene belyue, 
And biddis tham dynge to dede 
Alle knave childir kepte in clowte, 
In Bedlem and all aboute, 
To layte in ilke a stede. 


Consolator 2
155 Lorde, saue none, for youre seell, 
THat are of ij yoere age withinne, 
THan schall that fandelyng felle 
Belyue his blisse schall blynne, 
With bale when he schall blede. 


Herod
160 Sertis, yoe saie right wele, 
And as yoe deme ilke dele 
Shall I garre do indede. 
Sir knyghtis, curtayse and hende, 
THow the nott bees nowe all newe, 
YOe schall fynde me youre frende 
And yoe this tyme be trewe. 


Miles 1
167 What saie yoe lorde? Lette see. 


Herod
168 To Bedlehem bus yoe wende, 
That schorwe with schame to schende 
THat menes to maistir me. 
And abowte Bedlehem bathe 
Bus yowe wele spere and spye, 
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For ellis it will be wathe 
THat he losis this Jury, 
And certis that were grete schame. 


Miles 2
176 My lorde, that wer vs lathe, 
And he escapid it wer skathe 
And we welle worthy blame. 


Miles 1
179 Full sone he schall be soughte, 
That make I myne avowe. 


Consolator 1
181 I bide for hym yoow loghte, 
And latte me telle yowe howe 
To werke when yoe come there: 
Bycause yoe kenne hym noght, 
To dede they muste be brought, 
Knave-childre, lesse and more. 


Herod
187 YOaa, all withinne two yoere, 
That none for speche be spared. 


Miles 2
189 Lord, howe yoe vs lere 
Full wele we take rewarde, 
And certis we schall not rest. 


Miles 1
192 Comes furth felowes in feere, 
Loo, fondelyngis fynde we here 
193 [... ...] 


Mulier 1
194 Owte on yoow theves, I crye, 
YOe slee my semely sone. 


Miles 2
196 Ther browls schall dere abye 
This bale that is begonne, 
THerfore lay fro the faste. 


Mulier 2
199 Allas for doule, I dye, 
To saue my sone schall I, 
Aye-whils my liff may last. 


Miles 1
202 A, dame, the deuyll the spede 
And me, but itt be quytte. 


Mulier 1
204 To dye I haue no drede 
I do the wele to witte, 
To saue my sone so dere. 


Miles 1
207 Asarmes, for nowe is nede; 
But yf we do yone dede 
Ther quenys will quelle vs here. 


Mulier 2
210 Allas, this lothly striffe, 
No blisse may be my bette, 
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THe knyght vppon his knyffe 
Hath slayne my sone so swette, 
And I hadde but hym allone. 


Mulier 1
215 Allas, I lose my liffe, 
Was neuere so wofull a wyffe 
Ne halffe so wille of wone; 
And certis, me were full lotht 
THat thei thus harmeles yoede. 


Miles 1
220 THe deuell myght spede you bothe, 
False wicchis, ar yoe woode? 


Mulier 2
222 Nay, false lurdayns, yoe lye. 


Miles 1
223 Yf yoe be woode or wrothe 
Ye schall noyot skape fro skathe; 
Wende we vs hense in hye. 


Mulier 1
226 Allas that we wer wroughte 
In worlde women to be, 
THe barne that wee dere bought 
THus in oure sighte to see 
Disputuously spill. 


Mulier 2
231 And certis, ther nott is noght, 
The same that thei haue soughte 
Schall thei neuere come till. 


Miles 1
234 Go we to the kyng. 
Of all this contek kene 
I schall nott lette for nothyng 
To saie as we haue sene. 


Miles 2
238 And certis, no more shall I; 
We haue done his bidding 
How so they wraste or wryng, 
We schall saie sothfastly. 


Miles 1
242 Mahounde oure god of myght, 
Saue the, sir Herowde the kyng. 


Consolator 1
244 Lorde, take kepe to youre knyght, 
He wille telle yoou nowe tyding 
Of bordis wher they haue bene. 


Herod
247 YOaa, and thei haue gone right 
And holde that thei vs hight, 
THan shall solace be sene. 


Miles 2
250 Lorde, as yoe demed vs to done 
In contrees wher we come- 
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Herod
252 Sir, by sonne and mone, 
YOe are welcome home 
And worthy to haue rewarde. 
Haue yoe geten vs this gome? 


Miles 1
256 Wher we fande felle or fone 
Wittenesse we will that ther was none. 


Miles 2
258 Lorde, they are dede ilkone, 
What wolde yoe we ded more? 


Herod
260 I aske but aftir oone 
THe kyngis tolde of before, 
THat schulde make grete maistrie; 
Telle vs if he be tane. 


Miles 1
264 Lorde, tokenyng hadde we none 
To knawe that brothell by. 


Miles 2
266 In bale we haue tham brought 
Aboute all Bedleham towne. 


Herod
268 YOe lye, yooure note is nought, 
THe deueles of helle yoou droune. 
So may that boy be fledde, 
For in waste haue yoe wroght. 
Or that same ladde be sought 
Schalle I neuere byde in bedde. 


Consolator 1
274 We will wende with you than, 
To dynge that dastard doune. 


Herod
276 Asarme euere-ilke man 
That holdis of Mahounde. 
Wer they a thousand skore 
This bargayne schall thai banne. 
Comes aftir as yhe canne, 
For we will wende before. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Page 174


Play 20


Joseph
1 Marie, of mirthis we may vs mene, 
And trewly telle betwixte vs twoo 
Of solempne sightis that we haue sene 
In that cité where we come froo. 


Mary
5 Sertis, Joseph, yoe will noyot wene 
What myrthis within my harte I maie, 
Sen that oure sone with vs has bene 
And sene ther solempne sightis alswae. 


Joseph
9 Hamward I rede we hye 
In all the myght we maye, 
Because of company 
THat will wende in oure waye, 
For gode felawshippe haue we fone 
And ay so forward schall we fynde. 


Mary
15 A, sir, where is oure semely sone? 
I trowe oure wittis be waste as wynde. 
Allas, in bale thus am I boone, 
What ayleth vs both to be so blynde? 
To go ouere-fast we haue begonne 
And late that louely leue behynde. 


Joseph
21 Marie, mende thy chere, 
For certis whan all is done 
He comes with folke in feere, 
And will oueretake vs sone. 


Mary
25 Oueretake vs sone sir? Certis nay, 
Such gabbyngis may me noyot begyle, 
For we haue trauelde all this day 
Fro Jerusalem many a myle. 


Joseph
29 I wende he hadde bene with vs aye, 
Awaye fro vs how schulde he wyle? 


Mary
31 Hit helpis nought such sawes to saie, 
My barne is lost, allas the whille, 
THat euere we wente theroute 
With hym in companye. 
We lokid ouere-late aboute, 
Full wooe is me forthy, 
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For he is wente som wayes wrang, 
And non is worthy to wyte but wee. 


Joseph
39 Agaynewarde rede I that we gang 
The right way to that same citee, 
To spire and spie all men emang, 
For hardely homward gone is he. 


Mary
43 Of sorowes sere schal be my sang, 
My semely sone tille I hym see, 
He is but xij yoere alde. 


Joseph
46 What way someuere he wendis 
Woman, we may be balde 
To fynde hym with oure frendis. 


Magister 1
49 Maistirs, takes to me intente, 
And rede youre resouns right on rawe, 
And all the pepull in this present, 
Euere-ilke man late see his sawe. 
But witte I wolde, or we hens wente, 
Be clargy clere if we couthe knawe 
Yf any lede that liffe has lente 
Wolde aught allegge agaynste oure lawe, 
Owthir in more or lesse. 
Yf we defaute myght feele, 
Dewly we schall gar dresse 
Be dome euery-ilk a dele. 


Magister 2
61 THat was wele saide, so mot I the, 
Swilke notis to neven methynke wer nede, 
For maistirs in this lande ar we 
And has the lawes lelly to lede, 
And doctoures also in oure degree 
THat demyng has of ilka dede. 
Laye fourthe oure bokes belyue, late see, 
What mater moste were for oure mede. 


Magister 3
69 We schall ordayne so wele, 
Sen we all clergy knawe, 
Defaute shall no man fele 
Nowdir in dede ne sawe. 


Jesus
73 Lordingis, loue be with yoou lentte 
And mirthis be vnto this mené. 


Magister 1
75 Sone, hense away I wolde thou wente, 
For othir haftis in hande haue we. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Magister 2
77 Sone, whoso the hedir sente, 
They were nouyot wise, that warne I the, 
For we haue othir tales to tente 
THan nowe with barnes bordand to be. 


Magister 3
81 Sone, yf the list ought to lere 
To lyve by Moyses laye, 
Come hedir and thou shalle here 
THe sawes that we shall saye, 
For in som mynde itt may the brynge, 
To here oure reasouns redde by rawes. 


Jesus
87 To lerne of you nedis me nothing, 
For I knawe both youre dedys and sawes. 


Magister 1
89 Nowe herken yoone barne with his bowrdyng, 
He wenes he kens more than we knawes. 
We, nay, certis sone, thou arte ouere-yoonge 
By clergy yoitt to knowe oure lawes. 


Jesus
93 I wote als wele as yhe 
Howe that youre lawes wer wrought. 


Magister 2
95 Cum sitte, sone schall we see, 
For certis so semys it noght. 
Itt wer wondir that any wight 
Vntill oure reasouns right schulde reche. 
And thou sais thou hast insight 
Oure lawes truly to telle and teche? 


Jesus
101 The holy gost has on me light 
And has anoynted me as a leche, 
And geven me pleyne poure and myght 
The kyngdom of heuene for to preche. 


Magister 1
105 Whens-euere this barne may be 
That shewes ther novellis nowe? 


Jesus
107 Certis,I was or yoe, 
And schall be aftir yoou. 


Magister 1
109 Sone, of thy sawes, als haue I cele, 
And of thy witte is wondir thyng, 
But neuere the lesse fully I feele 
Itt may falle wele in wirkyng. 
For Dauid demys of ilka dele, 
And sais thus of childir yoing: 
Of ther mouthes, he wate full wele, 
Oure lord has parformed loving. 
But yoitt sone, schulde thou lette 
Here for to speke ouere-large, 
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For where maistirs are mette 
Childre wordis are noyot to charge, 
And if thou wolde neuere so fayne, 
Yf all the liste to lere the lawe, 
THou arte nowthir of myght ne mayne 
To kenne it as a clerke may knawe. 


Jesus
125 Sirs, I saie yoou for sartayne 
That suthfast schal be all my sawe, 
And poure haue playnere and playne 
To say and aunswer as me awe. 


Doctor 1
129 Maistirs, what may this mene? 
Meruayle methynke haue I, 
Whens-euere this barne haue bene 
That carpis thus connandly? 


Doctor 2
133 Als wyde in worlde als we haue wente 
YOitt fande we neuere swilke ferly fare, 
For certis I trowe this barne be sente 
Full souerandly to salue oure sare. 


Jesus
137 Sirs, I schall proue in youre present 
Alle the sawes that I saide are. 


Doctor 3
139 Why, whilke callest thou the firste comaundement, 
And the moste in Moyses lare? 


Jesus
141 Sirs, sen yoe are sette on rowes 
And has youre bokes on brede, 
Late se sirs, in youre sawes, 
Howe right that yoe can rede. 


Doctor 1
145 I rede this is the firste bidding 
THat Moyses taught vs here vntill: 
To honnoure God ouere all thing 
With all thy witte and all thi will, 
And all thyn harte in hym schall hyng, 
Erlye and late, both lowde and still. 


Jesus
151 YOe nedis non othir bokes to bring, 
But fandis this for to fulfill. 
The secounde may men preve 
And clerly knawe, wherby 
YOoure neghbours shall yoe loue 
Als youreselffe, sekirly. 
This comaunded Moyses to all men 
In his x comaundementis clere, 
In ther ij biddingis, schall we kene, 
Hyngis all the lawe that we shall lere. 
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Page 178

Whoso ther two fulfilles then 
With mayne and myght in goode manere, 
He trulye fulfillis all the ten 
THat aftir folowes in feere. 
THan schulde we God honnoure 
With all oure myght and mayne, 
And loue wele ilke a neghboure 
Right as oureselfe, certayne. 


Doctor 1
169 Nowe sone, sen thou haste tolde vs two, 
Whilke ar the viij, can thou ought saye? 


Jesus
171 The iij biddis whareso yoe goo 
THat yoe schall halowe the halyday; 
Than is the fourthe for frende or foo 
That fadir and modir honnoure ay. 
The vte you biddis noght for to sloo 
No man nor woman by any way. 
The vjte, suthly to see, 
Comaundis both more and myne 
That thei schalle fande to flee 
All filthes of flesshely synne. 
The vijte forbedis you to stele 
YOoure neghboures goodes, more or lesse, 
Whilke fautez nowe are founden fele 
Emang ther folke, that ferly is. 
The viijte lernes yoou for to be lele, 
Here for to bere no false witnesse. 
YOoure neghbours house, whillis yoe haue hele, 
The ixte biddis take noyot be stresse. 
His wiffe nor his women 
The xte biddis noyot coveyte. 
Thez are the biddingis x, 
Whoso will lelly layte. 


Doctor 2
193 Behalde howe he alleggis oure layse, 
And lered neuere on boke to rede; 
Full subtill sawes methinketh he saies, 
And also trewe, yf we take hede. 


Doctor 3
197 YOa, late hym wende fourth on his wayes, 
For and he dwelle, withouten drede, 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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The pepull schall full sone hym prayse 
Wele more than vs for all oure dede. 


Doctor 1
201 Nay, nay, than wer we wrang, 
Such speking wille we spare. 
Als he come late hym gang, 
And move vs nowe no more. 


Mary
205 A, dere Joseph, what is youre rede? 
Of oure grete bale no bote may be, 
Myne harte is heuy as any lede 
My semely sone tille hym I see. 
Nowe haue we sought in ilke a stede 
Bothe vppe and doune ther dayes thre, 
And whedir that he be quyk or dede 
YOitt wote we noght, so wo is me. 


Joseph
213 Mysese had neuere man more, 
But mournyng may not mende; 
I rede forther we fare 
Till God som socoure sende. 
Aboute yoone tempill if he be ought 
I wolde we wiste this ilke nyght. 


Mary
219 A, sir, I see that we haue sought, 
In worlde was neuere so semely a sight. 
Lo where he sittis, se yoe hym noght 
Emong yoone maistiris mekill of myght? 


Joseph
223 Now blist be he vs hedir brought, 
For in lande was neuere non so light. 


Mary
225 A, dere Joseph, als we haue cele, 
Go furthe and fette youre sone and myne. 
This daye is done nere ilke a dele 
And we haue nede for to gang hyne. 


Joseph
229 With men of myght can I not mell, 
Than all my trauayle mon I tyne; 
I can noyot with them, this wate thou wele, 
They are so gay in furres fyne. 


Mary
233 To tham youre herand for to say 
Suthly yoe thar noyot drede no dele, 
They will take rewarde to you allway 
Because of elde, this wate yoe wele. 


Joseph
237 When I come there what schall I saye? 
I wate neuere, als haue I cele. 
Sertis Marie, thou will haue me schamed for ay, 
For I can nowthir croke nor knele. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Page 180



Mary
241 Go we togedir, I halde it beste, 
Vnto yoone worthy wysse in wede; 
And yf I see-als haue I reste- 
THat yoe will noyot than bus me nede. 


Joseph
245 Gange on Marie, and telle thy tale firste, 
Thy sone to the will take goode heede. 
Wende fourth Marie, and do thy beste, 
I come behynde, als God me spede. 


Mary
249 A, dere son Jesus, 
Sen we loue the allone, 
Why dosse thou thus till vs 
And gares vs make swilke mone? 
Thy fadir and I betwyxte vs twa, 
Son, for thy loue has likid ill. 
We haue the sought both to and froo, 
Wepand full sore as wightis will. 


Jesus
257 Wherto shulde yoe seke me soo? 
Ofte tymes it hase ben tolde you till, 
My fadir werkis, for wele or woo, 
Thus am I sente for to fulfyll. 


Mary
261 There sawes, als haue I cele, 
Can I noyot vndirstande. 
I schall thynke on tham wele 
To fonde what is folowand. 


Joseph
265 Now sothely sone, the sight of the 
Hath salued vs of all oure sore. 
Come furth sone, with thi modir and me, 
Att Nazareth I wolde we wore. 


Jesus
269 Beleves wele, lordis free, 
For with my frendis nowe will I fare. 


Doctor 1
271 Nowe sone, wher thou schall bide or be, 
Gode make the gode man euermore. 
No wondir if yoone wiffe 
Of his fynding be full fayne, 
He schall, and he haue liff, 
Proue till a praty swayne. 
But sone, loke that thou layne for gud or ill 
THe note that we haue nemed her nowe, 
And if it like the to lende her stille 
And wonne with vs, welcome art thowe. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Jesus
281 Graunte mercy sirs, of youre gode will, 
No lenger liste me lende with yoou, 
My frendis thoughtis I wol fulfille 
And to ther bidding baynely bowe. 


Mary
285 Full wele is vs this tyde, 
Nowe maye we make goode chere. 


Joseph
287 No lenger will we bide, 
Fares wele all folke in feere. 

Play 21


John the Baptist
1 Almyghty God and lord verray, 
Full woundyrfull is mannys lesyng, 
For yf I preche tham day be day 
And telle tham, lorde, of thy comyng, 
THat all has wrought, 
Men are so dull that my preching 
Serues of noght. 
When I haue, lord, in the name of the 
Baptiste the folke in watir clere, 
THan haue I saide that aftir me 
Shall he come that has more powere 
THan I to taste; 
He schall giffe baptyme more entire 
In fire and gaste. 
THus am I comen in message right 
And be fore-reyner in certayne, 
In wittnesse-bering of that light, 
THe wiche schall light in ilka man 
THat is comand 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Page 182

Into this worlde; nowe whoso can 
May vndirstande. 
Thez folke had farly of my fare 
And what I was full faste thei spied; 
They askid yf I a prophette ware 
And I saide nay, but sone I wreyede- 
High aperte 
I saide I was a voyce that cryede 
Here in deserte. 
Loke thou make the redy-ay saide I- 
Vnto oure lord God most of myght, 
THat is that thou be clene haly 
In worde, in werke ay redy dight 
Agayns oure lord, 
With parfite liffe that ilke a wight 
Be well restored. 
For if we be clene in levyng, 
Oure bodis are Goddis tempyll than, 
In the whilke he will make his dwellyng. 
Therfore be clene, bothe wiffe and man, 
THis is my reed; 
God will make in yowe haly than 
His wonnyng-steed. 
And if yoe sette all youre delyte 
In luste and lykyng of this liff, 
Than will he turne fro yow als tyte 
Bycause of synne, boyth of man and wiffe, 
And fro yoou flee, 
For with whome that synne is riffe 
Will God noght be. 


Angel 1
50 THou John, take tente what I schall saye, 
I brynge the tythandis wondir gode: 
My lorde Jesus schall come thys day 
Fro Galylee vnto this flode 
YOe Jourdane call, 
Baptyme to take myldely with mode 
THis day he schall. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Page 183

John, of his sande therfore be gladde 
And thanke hym hartely, both lowde and still. 


John the Baptist
59 I thanke hym euere, but I am radde 
I am noyot abill to fullfill 
THis dede certayne. 


Angel 2
62 John, the aught with harte and will 
To be full bayne 
To do his bidding, all bydene. 
Bot in his baptyme John, take tente, 
THe heuenes schalle be oppen sene, 
The holy gost schalle doune be sente 
To se in sight, 
The fadirs voyce with grete talent 
Be herde full riyot, 
THat schall saie thus to hym forthy 


John the Baptist
72 [...] with wordes fewne 
I will be subgett nyght and day 
As me well awe, 
To serue my lord Jesus to paye 
In dede and sawe. 
Bot wele I wote, baptyme is tane 
To wasshe and clense man of synne, 
And wele I wotte that synne is none 
In hym, withoute ne withinne. 
What nedis hym than 
For to be baptiste more or myne 
Als synfull man? 


Jesus
84 John, kynde of man is freele 
To the whilke that I haue me knytte, 
But I shall shewe the skyllis twa 
THat thou schallt knawe by kyndly witte 
THe cause why I haue ordand swa, 
And ane is this: 
Mankynde may noyot vnbaptymde go 
Te endles blys. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Page 184

And sithen myselffe haue taken mankynde, 
For men schall me ther myrroure make 
And haue my doyng in ther mynde, 
Also I do the baptyme take. 
I will forthy 
Myselfe be baptiste for ther sake 
Full oppynly. 
Anodir skill I schall the tell: 
My will is this, that fro this day 
THe vertue of my baptyme dwelle 
In baptyme-watir euere and ay, 
Mankynde to taste, 
Thurgh my grace therto to take alway 
THe haly gaste. 


John the Baptist
106 All-myghtfull lorde, grete is thi grace, 
I thanke the of thi grete fordede. 


Jesus
108 Cum, baptise me John, in this place. 


John the Baptist
109 Lorde, saue thy grace that I forbede 
THat itt soo be, 
For lorde, methynketh it wer more nede 
THou baptised me. 
THat place that I yarne moste of all, 
Fro thens come thou lorde, as I gesse. 
How schulde I than, that is a thrall, 
Giffe the baptyme, that rightwis is 
And has ben euere? 
For thow arte roote of rightwissenesse, 
THat forfette neuere. 
What riche man gose from dore to dore 
To begge at hym that has right noght? 
Lorde, thou arte riche and I am full poure, 
THou may blisse all, sen thou all wrought. 
Fro heuen come all 
THat helpes in erthe, yf soth be sought, 
Fro erthe but small. 


Jesus
127 Thou sais full wele John, certaynly, 
But suffre nowe for heuenly mede 
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THat rightwisnesse be noyot oonlye 
Fullfillid in worde but also in dede, 
Thrughe baptyme clere. 
Cum, baptise me in my manhed 
Appertly here. 
Fyrst schall I take, sen schall I preche, 
For so behovis mankynde fulfille 
All rightwissenesse, als werray leche. 


John the Baptist
Lord, I am redy at thi will, 
And will be ay 
Thy subgett lord, both lowde and still, 
In that I may. 
A, lorde, I trymble ther I stande, 
So am I arow to do that dede. 
But saue me, lord that all ordand, 
For the to touche haue I grete drede 
For doyngs dark. 
Now helpe me lorde, thurgh thi Godhede, 
To do this werk. 
Jesus, my lord of myghtis most, 
I baptise the here in the name 
Of the fadir and of the sone and holy gost; 
But in this dede lorde, right no blame 
THis day by me, 
And bryngis all thase to thy home 
THat trowes in the. 


Jesus
155 John, for mannys prophyte-wit thou wele- 
Take I this baptyme certaynely. 
The dragons poure ilk a dele 
Thurgh my baptyme distroyed haue I, 
THis is certayne, 
And saued mankynde, saule and body, 
Fro endles payne. 
What man that trowis and baptised bes 
Schall saued be and come to blisse. 
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Page 186

Whoso trowes noyot, to payne endles 
He schal be dampned sone, trowe wele this. 
But wende we nowe 
Wher most is nede the folke to wisse, 
Both I and thou. 


John the Baptist
169 I loue the, lorde, as souereyne leche 
That come to salue men of thare sore, 
As thou comaundis I schall gar preche 
And lere to euery man that lare, 
That are was thrall. 
Now sirs, that barne that Marie bare 
Be with yoou all. 

Play 22


Diabolus
1 Make rome belyve, and late me gang! 
Who makis here all this thrang? 
High you hense, high myght yoou hang 
Right with a roppe. 
I drede me that I dwelle to lang 
To do a jape. 
For sithen the firste tyme that I fell 
For my pride fro heuen to hell, 
Euere haue I mustered me emell 
Emonge mannekynde, 
How I in dole myght gar tham dwell 
THer to be pynde. 
And certis, all that hath ben sithen borne 
Has comen to me, mydday and morne, 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Page 187

And I haue ordayned so tham forne 
None may thame fende, 
THat fro all likyng ar they lorne 
Withowten ende. 
And nowe sum men spekis of a swayne, 
Howe he schall come and suffre payne 
And with his dede to blisse agayne 
THei schulde be bought. 
But certis this tale is but a trayne, 
I trowe it noyot. 
For I wotte ilke a dele bydene 
Of the mytyng that men of mene, 
How he has in grete barett bene 
Sithen he was borne, 
And suffered mekill traye and tene 
Bothe even and morne. 
And nowe it is brought so aboute 
THat lurdayne that thei loue and lowte 
To wildirnesse he is wente owte, 
Withowtyne moo; 
To dere hym nowe haue I no doute, 
Betwyxte vs two. 
Before this tyme he has bene tent 
THat I myght gete hym with no glent, 
But now sen he allone is wente 
I schall assay, 
And garre hym to sum synne assente 
If that I may. 
He has fastid-that marris his mode- 
Ther fourty dayes withowten foode. 
If he be man in bone and bloode 
Hym hungris ill; 
In glotonye than halde I gude 
To witt his will. 
For so it schall be knowen and kidde 
If Godhed be in hym hidde, 
If he will do as I hym bidde 
Whanne I come nare. 
THer was neuere dede that euere he dide 
THat greued hym warre. 
THou witty man and wise of rede, 
If thou can ought of Godhede 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Page 188

Byd nowe that ther stones be brede, 
Betwyxte vs two; 
THan may thei stande thyselfe in stede, 
And othir moo. 
For thou hast fastid longe I wene, 
I wolde now som mete wer sene 
For olde acqueyntaunce vs bytwene, 
Thyselue wote howe. 
Ther sall no man witte what I mene 
But I and thou. 


Jesus
67 My fadir, that all cytte may slake, 
Honnoure eueremore to the I make 
And gladly suffir I for thy sake 
Swilk velany, 
And thus temptacions for to take 
Of myn enmy. 
THou weried wight, thi wittis are wode, 
For wrytyn it is, whoso vndirstode, 
A man lyvis noght in mayne and mode 
With brede allone, 
But Goddis wordis are gostly fode 
To men ilkone. 
Iff I haue fastid oute of skill, 
Wytte thou me hungris not so ill 
THat I ne will wirke my fadirs will 
In all degré; 
THi biddyng will I noyot fullfill, 
THat warne I the. 


Diabolus
85 A, slyke carping neuere I kende, 
Hym hungres noyot, as I wende. 
Nowe sen thy fadir may the fende 
Be sotell sleghte, 
Late se yf thou allone may lende 
THer vppon heghte, 
Vppon the pynakill parfitely. 
Aha, nowe go we wele therby; 
I schall assaye in vayne-glorie 
To garre hym falle, 
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And if he be Goddis sone myghty, 
Witte I schall. 
Nowe liste to me a litill space: 
If thou be Goddis sone, full of grace, 
Shew som poynte here in this place 
To proue thi might. 
Late se, falle doune vppon thi face 
Here in my sight. 
For it is wretyn, as wele is kende, 
How God schall aungellis to the sende, 
And they schall kepe the in ther hende 
Wherso thou gose, 
THat thou schall on no stones descende 
To hurte thi tose. 
And sen thou may withouten wathe 
Fall and do thyselffe no skathe, 
Tumbill downe to ease vs bathe 
Here to my fete; 
And but thou do I will be wrothe, 
THat I the hette. 


Jesus
115 Late be, warlowe, thy wordis kene, 
For wryten it is, withouten wene, 
Thy God thou schall not tempte with tene 
Nor with discorde, 
Ne quarell schall thou none mayntene 
Agaynste thi lorde. 
And therfore trowe thou, withouten trayne, 
THat all thi gaudes schall nothyng gayne; 
Be subgette to thi souereyne 
Arely and late. 


Diabolus
125 What, this trauayle is in vayne 
Be ought I watte. 
He proues that he is mekill of price, 
THerfore it is goode I me avise, 
And sen I may noyot on this wise 
Make hym my thrall, 
I will assaye in couetise 
To garre hym fall, 
For certis I schall noyot leue hym yoitt. 
Who is my souereyne, this wolde I witte? 
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Myselffe ordande the thore to sitte, 
THis wote thou wele, 
And right euen as I ordande itt 
Is done ilke dele. 
THan may thou se sen itt is soo 
THat I am souerayne of vs two, 
And yoitt I graunte the or I goo 
Withouten fayle, 
THat if thou woll assente me too 
It schall avayle. 
For I haue all this worlde to welde, 
Toure and toune, forest and felde; 
If thou thyn herte will to me helde 
With wordis hende, 
YOitt will I baynly be thy belde 
And faithfull frende. 
Behalde now ser, and thou schalt see 
Sere kyngdomes and sere contré; 
Alle this wile I giffe to the 
For euermore, 
And thou fall and honour me 
As I saide are. 


Jesus
157 Sees of thy sawes, thou Sathanas, 
I graunte nothyng that thou me asse, 
To pyne of helle I bide the passe 
And wightely wende, 
And wonne in woo, as thou are was, 
Withouten ende. 
Non othyr myght schal be thy mede, 
For wretyn it is, who right can rede, 
Thy lord God the aught to drede 
And honoure ay, 
And serue hym in worde and dede 
Both nyyot and day. 
And sen thou dose not as I the tell 
No lenger liste me late the dwell, 
I comaunde the thou hy to hell 
And holde the thar, 
With felawschip of fendis fell 
For euermar. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Page 191



Diabolus
175 Owte! I dar noyot loke, allas, 
Itt is warre than euere it was. 
He musteres what myght he has, 
Hye mote he hang. 
Folowes fast, for me bus pas 
To paynes strang. 


Angel 1
181 A, mercy lorde, what may this mene? 
Me merueyles that yoe thole this tene 
Of this foule fende cant and kene 
Carpand yoou till, 
And yoe his wickidnesse, I wene, 
May waste at will. 
Methynke that yoe ware straytely stedde 
Lorde, with this fende that nowe is fledde. 


Jesus
189 Myn aungell dere, be noyot adred, 
He may not greue; 
The haly goste me has ledde, 
THus schal thow leue. 
For whan the fende schall folke see 
And salus tham in sere degré, 
THare myrroure may thei make of me 
For to stande still, 
For ouerecome schall thei noyot be 
Bot yf thay will. 


Angel 2
199 A, lorde, this is a grete mekenesse 
In yow in whome al mercy is, 
And at youre wille may deme or dresse 
Als is worthy; 
And thre temptacions takes expres, 
THus suffirrantly. 


Jesus
205 My blissing haue thei with my hande 
THat with swilke greffe is noyot grucchand, 
And also that will stiffely stande 
Agaynste the fende. 
I knawe my tyme is faste comand, 
Now will I wende. 
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Page 192


Play 22A


Archdeclyne
1 Loo this is a yoyfull day 
For me and... 

Play 23


Jesus
1 Petir myne awne discipill dere, 
And James and John my cosyns two, 
Takis hartely hede, for yoe schall here 
THat I wille telle vnto no moo. 
And als yoe schall see sightis seere 
Whilke none schall see bot yoe alsoo, 
Therfore comes forth with me in fere, 
For to yoone mountayne will I goo. 
Ther schall yoe see a sight 
Whilk yoe haue yoerned lange. 


Peter
11 My lorde, we are full light 
And glad with the to gange. 


Jesus
13 Longe haue yoe coveyte for to kenne 
My fadir, for I sette hym before, 
And wele yoe wote whilke tyme and when 
In Galylé gangand we were. 
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Page 193

`Shewe vs thy fadir'-thus saide yoe then- 
`THat suffice us withouten moré. 
I saide to yoou and to all men 
`Who seis me seis my fadyr thoré. 
Such wordis to yoou I spakke 
In trewthe to make yoou bolde; 
YOe cowde noght vndyrtake 
The talez that I yoou tolde. 
Anodir tyme, for to encresse 
YOoure trouthe and worldly yoou to wys, 
I saide `Quem dicunt homines 
Esse filium hominis?' 
I askid yoow wham the pepill chase 
To be mannys sone, withouten mys. 
YOe aunswered and saide `Sum Moyses,' 
And sum, saide than `Hely it is', 
And sum saide `John Baptist'. 
THan more I enquered you yoitt, 
I askid yoiff yoe ought wiste 
Who I was, by youre witte. 
THou aunswered, Petir, for thy prowe, 
And saide that I was Crist, God sonne, 
Bot of thyselffe that had noght thowe, 
My fadir hadde that grace begonne. 
THerfore bese bolde and biddis now 
To tyme yoe haue my fadir fonne. 


Jacobus
43 Lord, to thy byddyng will we bowe 
Full buxumly, as we are bonne. 


John
45 Lorde, we will wirke thy will 
Allway with trewe entent, 
We love God lowde and stille 
THat vs this layne has lente. 


Peter
49 Full glad and blithe awe vs to be, 
And thanke oure maistir mekill of mayne 
THat sais we schall the sightis see, 
The whiche non othir schall see certayne. 


Jacobus
53 He talde vs of his fadir free, 
Of that fare wolde we be full fayne. 


John
55 All that he hyghte vs holde will hee, 
Therfore we will no forther frayne, 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Page 194

But as he fouchesaffe 
So sall we vndirstande. 


Peter
59 Beholde, her we nowe haue 
In hast som new tythande. 


Helyas
61 Lord God, I loue the lastandly 
And highly, botht with harte and hande, 
THat me, thy poure prophett Hely, 
Has steuened in this stede to stande. 
In Paradise wonnand am I 
Ay sen I lefte this erthely lande; 
I come Cristis name to clarifie 
As God his fadir me has ordand, 
And for to bere witnesse 
In worde to man and wyffe, 
THat this his owne sone is 
And lord of lastand liff. 


Moyses
73 Lord God that of all welth is wele, 
With wille and witte we wirschippe the, 
THat vnto me, Moyses, wolde tell 
THis grete poynte of thy pryuyté, 
And hendly hente me oute of hell 
THis solempne syght for I schuld see, 
Whan thy dere darlynges that thore dwell 
Hase noght thy grace in swilk degree. 
Oure forme-fadyrs full fayne 
Wolde se this solempne sight, 
THat in this place thus pleyne 
Is mustered thurgh thi myght. 


Peter
85 Brethir, whateuere yoone brightnes be? 
Swilk burdis beforne was neuere sene. 
It marres my myght, I may not see, 
So selcouth thyng was neuere sene. 


Jacobus
89 What it will worthe that wote noyot wee; 
How wayke I waxe yoe will not wene. 
Are was ther one, now is ther thre, 
Methynke oure maistir is betwene. 


John
93 That oure maistir is thare 
THat may we trewly trowe, 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Page 195

He was full fayre before 
But neuere als he is nowe. 


Peter
97 His clothyng is as white as snowe, 
His face schynes as the sonne; 
To speke with hym I haue grete awe, 
Swilk faire before was neuere fune. 


Jacobus
101 THe tothir two fayne wolde I knawe 
And witte what werke tham hedir has wonne. 


John
103 I rede we aske tham all on rowe 
And grope tham how this game is begonne. 


Peter
105 My bredir, if that yoe come be 
To make clere Cristis name, 
Telles here till vs thre, 
For we seke to the same. 


Elias
109 Itt is Goddis will that we yoou wys 
Of his werkis, as is worthy. 
I haue my place in Paradise, 
Ennok my brodyr me by. 
Als messenger withouten mys 
Am I called to this company, 
To witnesse that Goddis sone is this, 
Euyn with hym mette and allmyghty. 
To dede we wer noght dight, 
But quyk schall we come 
With Antecrist for to fyght, 
Beffore the day of dome. 


Moyses
121 Frendis, if that yoe frayne my name, 
Moyses than may yoe rede by rawe. 
Two thousand yoere aftir Adam 
THan gaffe God vnto me his lawe, 
And sythen in helle has bene oure hame, 
Allas, Adams kynne, this schall yoe knawe. 
Vnto Crist come, this is the same 
THat vs schall fro that dongeoun drawe. 
He schall brynge tham to blys 
THat nowe in bale are bonne. 
This myrthe we may not mys, 
For this same is Goddis sonne. 


Jesus
133 My dere discipils, drede yoou noyot, 
I am yooure souerayne certenly. 
This wondir-werke that here is wrought 
Is of my fadir almyghty. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Page 196

THire both are hydir brought- 
THe tone Moyses, the todir Ely- 
And for youre sake thus are thei sought 
To saie yoou, his sone am I. 
So schall bothe heuen and helle 
Be demers of this dede, 
And yoe in erth schall tell 
My name wher itt is nede. 


Peter
145 A, loued be thou euere my lord Jesus 
THat all this solempne sight has sent, 
THat fouchest saffe to schew the thus 
So that thi myghtis may be kende. 
Here is full faire dwellyng for vs, 
A lykand place in for to lende. 
A, lord, late vs no forther trus, 
For we will make with herte and hende 
A taburnakill vnto the 
Belyue, and thou will bide; 
One schall to Moyses be 
And to Ely the thirde. 


Jacobus
157 YOa, wittirly, that were wele done, 
But vs awe noght swilk case to craue. 
THam thare but saie and haue it sone, 
Such seruice and he fouchesaffe. 
He hetis his men both morne and none 
THare herber high in heuen to haue, 
Therfore is beste we bide hys bone; 
Who othir reedis, rudely thei raue. 


John
165 Such sonde as he will sende 
May mende all oure mischeue, 
And where hym lykis to lende, 
We will lende, with his leue. 


Pater
169 YOe febill of faithe, folke affraied, 
Beis noyot aferde for vs in feere. 
I am yooure God that gudly grayde 
Both erthe and eyre with clowdes clere. 
THis is my sone, as yoe haue saide, 
As he has schewed by sygnes sere. 
Of all his werkis I am wele paied, 
Therfore till hym takis hede and here. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Page 197

Where he is, thare am I, 
He is myne and I am his, 
Who trowis this stedfastly 
Shall byde in endles blisse. 


Jesus
181 Petir, pees be vnto the, 
And to yoou also James and John. 
Rise vppe and tellis me what yoe see, 
And beis no more so wille of wone. 


Peter
185 A, lorde, what may this meruayle be, 
Whedir is this glorious gleme al gone? 
We saugh here pleynly persones thre 
And nowe is oure lorde lefte allone. 
THis meruayle movis my mynde 
And makis my flessh affrayed. 


Jacobus
191 THis brightnes made me blynde, 
I bode neuere swilke a brayde. 


John
193 Lorde God oure maker almyghty, 
THis mater euermore be ment, 
We saw two bodis stande hym by 
And saide his fadir had thame sent. 


Peter
197 There come a clowde of the skye 
Lyght als the lemys on thame lent, 
And now fares all as fantasye 
For wote noyot we how thai are wente. 


Jacobus
201 THat clowde cloumsed vs clene 
THat come schynand so clere, 
Such syght was never sene, 
To seke all sydis seere. 


John
205 Nay, nay, that noys noyed vs more 
THat here was herde so hydously. 


Jesus
207 Frendis, be noght afferde therfore, 
I schall yoou saye encheson why: 
My fadir wiste how that yoe were 
In yooure faith fayland, and forthy 
He come to witnesse ay-where, 
And saide that his sone am I. 
And also in this stede 
To witnesse the same, 
A quyk man and a dede 
Come to make clere my name. 


Peter
217 A, lord, why latest thou vs noyot see 
Thy fadirs face in his fayrenes? 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Page 198



Jesus
219 Petir, thou askis over-grete degree, 
That grace may noyot be graunted the, I gesse. 
In his Godhed so high is he 
As all yooure prophetis names expresse, 
THat langar of lyffe schall he noght be 
THat seys his Godhede as it is. 
Here haue yoe sene in sight 
Poyntes of his priuité, 
Als mekill als erthely wighte 
May suffre in erthe to see. 
And therfore wende we nowe agayne 
To oure meyné, and mende ther chere. 


Jacobus
231 Oure felaws ful faste wil vs frayne 
How we haue faren, al in feere. 


Jesus
233 THis visioun lely loke yoe layne, 
Vnto no leffand lede itt lere 
Tille tyme mannys sone haue suffered payne 
And resen fro dede; kens it than clere. 
For all that trowis that thyng 
Of my fadir and me, 
Thay schall haue his blessing 
And myne, so motte it be. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Page 199


Play 24


Judeus 1
1 Steppe fourth, late vs no lenger stande, 
But smertely that oure gere wer grayde; 
THis felowe that we with folye fande, 
Late haste vs fast that she wer flayed. 


Judeus 2
5 We will bere witnesse and warande 
How we hir raysed all vnarayed, 
Agaynste the lawes here of oure lande 
Wher sche was with hir leman laide. 


Judeus 1
9 YOaa, and he a wedded man, 
THat was a wikkid synne. 


Judeus 2
11 THat bargayne schall sche banne 
With bale nowe or we blynne. 


Judeus 1
13 A, false stodmere and stynkand stroye, 
How durste thou stele so stille away 
To do so vilaunce avowtry 
THat is so grete agaynste oure lay? 


Judeus 2
17 Hir bawdery schall sche dere abye, 
For as we sawe so schall we saye, 
And also hir wirkyng is worthy 
Sho schall be demed to ded this day. 


Judeus 1
21 The maistirs of the lawe 
Are here even at oure hande. 


Judeus 2
23 Go we reherse by rawe 
Hir fawtes as we tham fande. 


Judeus 1
25 God saue yoou maistirs, mekill of mayne, 
THat grete clergy and counsaille can. 


Judeus 3
27 Welcome frendis, but I wolde frayne 
How fare yoe with that faire woman? 


Judeus 2
29 A, sirs, we schall yoou saie certayne 
Of mekill sorowe sen sche began. 
We haue hir tane with putry playne, 
Hirselff may noyot gaynesaie it than. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Page 200



Judeus 4
33 What hath sche done, folye 
In fornicacioun and synne? 


Judeus 1
35 Nay, nay, in avowtery 
Full bolde, and will noyot blynne. 


Judeus 3
37 Avowtery? Nemyn it noght for schame! 
It is so foule opynly I it fye. 
Is it sothe that thei saie the dame? 


Judeus 2
40 What sir, scho may it noyot denye. 
We wer than worthy for to blame 
To greve hir but sche wer gilty. 


Judeus 4
43 Now certis, this is a foule defame 
And mekill bale muste be tharby. 


Judeus 3
45 YOa sir, yoe saie wele thore 
By lawe and rightwise rede, 
Ther falles noght ellis therfore 
But to be stoned to dede. 


Judeus 1
49 Sirs, sen yoe telle the lawe this tyde 
And knawes the course in this contré, 
Demes hir on heght, no lenger hyde, 
And aftir yooure wordis wirke schall we. 


Judeus 4
53 Beis noght so bryme, bewsheris, abide, 
A new mater nowe moues me 
54 [... ...] 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Page 201



Judeus 3
55 He shewes my mysdedis more and myne, 
I leue yoou here, late hym allone. 


Judeus 4
57 Owe, here will new gaudes begynne- 
YOa, grete all wele, saie that I am gone. 


Judeus 1
59 And sen yoe are noght bolde, 
No lengar bide will I. 


Judeus 2
61 Pees, late no tales be tolde, 
But passe fourth preuylye. 


Jesus
63 Woman, wher are tho wighte men went 
That kenely here accused the? 
Who hase the dampned, toke thou entent? 


Mulier
66 Lord, no man has dampned me. 


Jesus
67 And for me schall thou noyot be schent. 
Of all thy mys I make the free, 
Loke thou no more to synne assentte. 


Mulier
70 A, lord, ay loued mott thou bee. 
All erthely folke in feere 
Loves hym and his high name, 
THat me on this manere 
Hath saued fro synne and schame. 


Apostolus 1
75 A, lorde, we loue the inwardly 
And all thi lore, both lowde and still, 
That grauntes thy grace to the gilty 
And spares tham that the folke wolde spill. 


Jesus
79 I schall yoou saie encheson why: 
I wote it is my fadirs will, 
And for to make tham ware therby 
To knawe thamselffe haue done more ill. 
And euermore of this same 
Ensample schall be sene, 
Whoso schall othir blame 
Loke firste thamself be clene. 


Apostolus 2
87 A, maistir, here may men se also 
How mekenes may full mekill amende, 
To forgeue gladly where we goo 
All folke that hath vs oght offende. 


Jesus
91 He that will noyot forgiffe his foo 
And vse mekenesse with herte and hende, 
The kyngdom may he noght come too 
THat ordande is withouten ende. 
And more sone schall we see 
Here or yoe forther fare, 
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How that my fadir free 
Will mustir myghtis more. 


Nuncius
99 Jesu that es prophett veray, 
My ladys Martha and Marie, 
If thou fouchesaffe thai wolde the pray 
For to come vnto Bethany. 
He whom thou loues full wele alway 
Es seke, and like, lord, for to dye. 
Yf thou wolde come, amende hym thou may 
And comforte all that cumpany. 


Jesus
107 I saie yoou that sekeness 
Is noyot onto the dede, 
But joie of Goddis gudnesse 
Schal be schewed in that stede. 
And Goddis sone schall be glorified 
By that sekenesse and signes seere, 
Therfore brethir no lenger bide, 
Two daies fully haue we ben here. 
We will go soiourne here beside 
In the Jurie with frendis in feere. 


Apostolus 1
117 A, lorde, thou wote wele ilke a tyde 
THe Jewes thei layte the ferre and nere, 
To stone the vnto dede 
Or putte to pereles payne, 
And thou to that same stede 
Covaites to gange agayne? 


Jesus
123 YOe wote by cours wele for to kast, 
THe daie is now of xij oures lange, 
And whilis light of the day may last 
It is gode that we grathely gange. 
For whan daylight is pleynly past 
Full sone than may yoe wende all wrang, 
Therfore takes hede and trauayle fast 
Whills light of liffe is yoou emang. 
And to yoou saie I more, 
How that Lazar oure frende 
Slepes nowe, and I therfore 
With yoou to hym will wende. 


Apostolus 2
135 We will be ruled aftir thi rede, 
But and he slepe he schall be saue. 
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Jesus
137 I saie to yoou, Lazare is dede, 
And for yoou all grete joie I haue 
YOe wote I was noght in that stede 
What tyme that he was graued in graue. 
His sisteres praye with bowsom beede 
And for comforte thei call and craue, 
Therfore go we togedir 
To make there myrthis more. 


Apostolus 1
145 Sen he will nedes wende thedir, 
Go we and dye with hym thore. 


Maria
147 Allas, owtane Goddis will allone, 
THat I schulld sitte to see this sight, 
For I may morne and make my mone, 
So wo in worlde was neuere wight. 
THat I loued most is fro me gone, 
My dere brothir that Lazar hight, 
And I durst saye I wolde be slone 
For nowe me fayles both mynde and myght. 
My welthe is wente for euere, 
No medycyne mende me may. 
A, dede, thou do thy deuer 
And haue me hense away. 


Martha
159 Allas, for ruthe now may I raue 
And febilly fare by frith and felde, 
Wolde God that I wer grathed in graue, 
THat dede hadde tane me vndir telde. 
For hele in harte mon I neuere haue 
But if he helpe that all may welde, 
Of Crist I will som comforte craue 
For he may be my bote and belde. 
To seke I schal noyot cesse 
Tille I my souereyne see. 
Hayle, pereles prince of pesse, 
Jesu my maistir so free. 


Jesus
171 Martha, what menes thou to make such chere? 
171 [... ...] 
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This stone we schall full sone 
Remove and sette on syde. 


Jesus
174 Fadir, that is in heuyn on highte, 
I thanke the euere ouere all thyng 
That hendely heres me day and nyght, 
And takis hede vnto myn askyng. 
Wherfore fouchesaffe of thy grete myght 
So that this pepull, olde and yoyng, 
That standis and bidis to se that sight 
May trulye trowe and haue knowyng, 
This tyme here or I pas 
How that thou has me sent. 
Lazar, veni foras, 
Come fro thy monument. 


Lazarus
186 A, pereles prince, full of pitee, 
Worshipped be thou in worlde alway 
That thus hast schewed thi myght in me, 
Both dede and doluen, this is the fourthe day. 
By certayne singnes here may men see 
How that thou art Goddis sone verray. 
All tho that trulye trastis in the 
Schall neuere dye, this dar I saye. 
Therfore yoe folke in fere, 
Menske hym with mayne and myght, 
His lawes luke that yoe lere, 
THan will he lede yoou to his light. 
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Maria
198 Here may men fynde a faythfull frende 
THat thus has couered vs of oure care. 


Martha
200 Jesu my lord and maistir hende, 
Of this we thanke the euermore. 


Jesus
202 Sisteres, I may no lenger lende, 
To othir folke nowe bus me fare, 
And to Jerusalem will I wende 
For thyngis that muste be fulfilled there. 
Therfore rede I you right, 
My men, to wende with me. 
YOe that haue sene this sight 
My blissyng with yoo be. 

Play 25


Jesus
1 To me takis tent and giffis gud hede 
My dere discipulis that ben here, 
I schall yoou telle that shal be indede: 
My tyme to passe hense it drawith nere, 
And by this skill, 
Mannys sowle to saue fro sorowes sere 
THat loste was ill. 
From heuen to erth whan I dyssende 
Rawnsom to make I made promys, 
The prophicie nowe drawes to ende, 
My fadirs wille forsoth it is 
THat sente me hedyr. 
Petir, Phelippe, I schall yoou blisse, 
And go togedir 
Vnto yoone castell that is yoou agayne, 
Gois with gud harte and tarie noyot, 
My comaundement to do be yoe bayne. 
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Also I yoou charge loke it be wrought 
THat schal yoe fynde 
An asse this feste als yoe had soght. 
YOe hir vnbynde 
With hir foole, and to me hem bring, 
THat I on hir may sitte a space, 
So the prophicy clere menyng 
May be fulfillid here in this place: 
`Doghtyr Syon, 
Loo, thi lorde comys rydand an asse 
THe to opon'. 
Yf any man will yoou gaynesaye, 
Say that youre lorde has nede of tham 
And schall restore thame this same day 
Vnto what man will tham clayme; 
Do thus this thyng. 
Go furthe yoe both and be ay bayne 
In my blissyng. 


Peter
36 Jesu, maistir evyn at thy wille 
And at thi liste vs likis to doo. 
Yone beste whilke thou desires the tille 
Euen at thi will schall come the too, 
Vnto thin esse. 
Sertis lord, we will thedyre all go 
THe for to plese. 


Philip
43 Lord, the to plese we are full bayne 
Bothe nyght and day to do thi will. 
Go we brothere, with all oure mayne 
My lordis desire for to fulfill, 
For prophycye 
Vs bus it do to hym by skyll 
THarto dewly. 


Peter
50 YOa, brodir Phelipp, behalde grathely, 
For als he saide we schulde sone fynde, 
Methinke yoone bestis before myn eye 
THai are the same we schulde vnbynde. 
THerfore frely 
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Go we to hym that thame gan bynde, 
And aske mekely. 


Philip
57 The beestis are comen, wele I knawe, 
Therfore vs nedis to aske lesse leue; 
And oure maistir kepis the lawe 
We may thame take tyter, I preue. 
For noght we lett, 
For wele I watte oure tyme is breue, 
Go we tham fett. 


Janitor
64 Saie, what are yoe that makis here maistrie, 
To loose thes bestis withoute leverie? 
Yow semes to bolde, sen noght that yoe 
Hase here to do; therfore rede I 
Such thingis to sesse, 
Or ellis yoe may falle in folye 
And grette diseasse. 


Peter
71 Sir, with thi leue, hartely we praye 
THis beste that we myght haue. 


Janitor
73 To what intente firste shall yoe saye, 
And than I graunte what yoe will crave 
Be gode resoune. 


Philip
76 Oure maistir sir, that all may saue, 
Aske by chesoune. 


Janitor
78 What man is that yoe maistir call 
Swilke priuelege dare to hym clayme? 


Peter
80 Jesus, of Jewes kyng and ay be schall, 
Of Nazareth prophete the same. 
THis same is he, 
Both God and man withouten blame, 
THis trist wele we. 


Janitor
85 Sirs, of that prophette herde I haue, 
But telle me firste playnly, wher is hee? 


Philip
87 He comes at hande so God me saue, 
THat lorde we lefte at Bephagé, 
He bidis vs there. 


Janitor
90 Sir, take this beste with herte full free, 
And forthe yoe fare. 
And if yoou thynke it be to don, 
I schall declare playnly his comyng 
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To the chiffe of the Jewes, that thei may sone 
Assemble same to his metyng; 
What is your rede? 


Peter
97 THou sais full wele in thy menyng. 
Do forthe thi dede, 
And sone this beste we schall the bring 
And it restore as resoune will. 


Janitor
101 This tydyngis schall haue no laynyng, 
But be the citezens declared till 
Of this cyté. 
I suppose fully that thei wolle 
Come mete that free. 
And sen I will thei warned be, 
Both yoonge and olde in ilke a state, 
For his comyng I will tham mete 
To late tham witte, withoute debate. 
Lo, wher thei stande, 
The citezens cheff withoute debate 
Of all this lande. 
He that is rewler of all right 
And freely schoppe both sande and see, 
He saue yoou, lordyngis gayly dight, 
And kepe yoou in yooure semelyté 
And all honoure. 


Burger 1
118 Welcome porter, what novelté? 
Telle vs this owre. 


Janitor
120 Sirs, novelté I can yoou tell 
And triste thame fully as for trewe: 
Her comes of kynde of Israell 
Att hande the prophette called Jesu, 
Lo, this same day, 
Rydand on an asse. THis tydandis newe 
Consayue yoe may. 


Burger 2
127 And is that prophette Jesu nere? 
Off hym I haue herde grete ferlis tolde. 
He dois grete wounderes in contrees seere, 
He helys the seke, both yoonge and olde, 
And the blynde giffis tham ther sight. 
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Both dome and deffe, as hymselffe wolde, 
He cures thame right. 


Burger 3
134 YOa, v thowsand men with loves fyue 
He fedde, and ilkone hadde inowe. 
Watir to wyne he turned ryue, 
He garte corne growe withouten plogh 
Wher are was none. 
To dede men als he gaffe liffe, 
Lazar was one. 


Burger 4
141 In oure tempill if he prechid 
Agaynste the pepull that leued wrong, 
And also new lawes if he teched 
Agaynste oure lawis we vsed so lang, 
And saide pleynlye 
The olde schall waste, the new schall gang, 
THat we schall see. 


Burger 5
148 YOa, Moyses lawe he cowde ilke dele 
And all the prophettis on a rowe, 
He telles tham so that ilke a man may fele 
And what thei say interly knowe 
Yf thei were dyme. 
What the prophettis saide in ther sawe, 
All longis to hym. 


Burger 6
155 Emanuell also by right 
THai calle that prophette by this skill, 
He is the same that are was hyght 
Be Ysaye befor vs till, 
THus saide full clere: 
Loo, a maydyn that knew neuere ille 
A childe schuld bere. 


Burger 7
162 Dauid spake of hym I wene 
And lefte witnesse yoe knowe ilkone, 
He saide the frute of his corse clene 
Shulde royally regne vpon his trone, 
And therfore he 
Of Dauid kyn and othir none 
Oure kyng schal be. 


Burger 8
169 Sirs, methynketh yoe saie right wele 
And gud ensampelys furth yoe bryng, 
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And sen we thus this mater fele 
Go we hym meete as oure owne kyng, 
And kyng hym call. 
What is youre counsaill in this thyng? 
Now say yoe all. 


Burger 1
176 Agaynste resoune I will noyot plete 
For wele I wote oure kyng he is. 
Whoso agaynst his kyng liste threte 
He is noyot wise, he dose amys. 
Porter, come nere. 
What knowlage hast thou of his comyng? 
Tels vs all here, 
And than we will go mete that free, 
And hym honnoure as we wele awe 
Worthely tyll oure citee, 
And for oure souerayne lord hym knawe, 
In whome we triste. 


Janitor
188 Sirs, I schall telle yoou all on rowe 
And yoe will lyste. 
Of his discipillis, ij this day 
Where that I stode thei faire me grette, 
And on ther maistir halfe gan praye 
Oure comon asse that thei myght gete 
Bot for a while, 
Wheron ther maistir softe myght sitte 
Space of a mile. 
And all this mater thai me tolde 
Right haly as I saie to yoou, 
And the asse thei haue right as thei wolde 
And sone will bringe agayne I trowe, 
So thai beheste. 
What yoe will doo avise yoou nowe, 
THus thinke me beste. 


Burger 2
204 Trewlye as for me I say 
I rede we make vs redy bowne, 
Hym to mete gudly this day 
And hym ressayue with grete rennowne 
As worthy is. 
And therfore sirs, in felde and towne 
YOe fulfille this. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Janitor
211 YOa, and yooure childer with yoou take, 
THoff all in age that thei be yoonge, 
YOe may fare the bettir for ther sake 
Thurgh the blissing of so goode a kyng, 
THis is no dowte. 


Burger 3
216 I kan the thanke for thy saying, 
We will hym lowte. 
And hym to mete I am right bayne 
On the beste maner that I cane, 
For I desire to se hym fayne 
And hym honnoure as his awne man, 
Sen the soth I see. 
Kyng of Juuys we call hym than, 
Oure kyng is he. 


Burger 4
225 Oure kyng is he-that is no lesse- 
Oure awne lawe to it cordis will, 
THe prophettis all bare full witnesse 
Qwilke of hym secrete gone telle, 
And thus wolde say: 
`Emang youreselff schall come grete seele 
Thurgh God verray'. 


Burger 5
232 THis same is he, ther is non othir, 
Was vs beheest full lange before, 
For Moyses saide als oure owne brothir 
A newe prophette God schulde restore. 
THerfore loke yoe 
What yoe will do, withouten more, 
Oure kyng is he. 


Burger 6
239 Of Juda come owre kyng so gent, 
Of Jesse, Dauid, Salamon; 
Also by his modir kynne take tente, 
THe genolagye beres witnesse on, 
This is right playne. 
Hym to honnoure right as I can 
I am full bayne. 


Burger 7
246 Of youre clene witte and youre consayte 
I am full gladde in harte and thought, 
And hym to mete withouten latt 
I am redy, and feyne will noght, 
Bot with yoou same 
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Go hym agayne vs blisse hath brought, 
With myrthe and game. 


Burger 8
253 YOoure argumentis thai are so clere 
I can noyot saie but graunte you till, 
For whanne I of that counsaille here 
I coveyte hym with feruent wille 
Onys for to see, 
I trowe fro thens I schall 
Bettir man be. 


Burger 1
260 Go we than with processioun 
To mete that comely as vs awe, 
With braunches, floures and vnysoune. 
With myghtfull songes her on a rawe 
Our childir schall 
Go synge before, that men may knawe. 


Burger 2
266 To this graunte we all. 


Peter
267 Jesu, lord and maistir free, 
Als thou comaunde so haue we done. 
THis asse here we haue brought to the, 
What is thi wille thou schewe vs sone 
And tarie noyot, 
And than schall we withouten hune 
Fulfill thi thouyot. 


Jesus
274 I thanke yoou brethere mylde of mode. 
Do on this asse youre clothis yoe laye, 
And lifte me vppe with hertis gud 
THat I on hir may sitte this daye 
In my blissing. 


Philip
279 Lord, thi will to do allway 
We graunte this thing. 


Jesus
281 Now my brethere with gud chere 
Gyues gode entente, for ryde I will 
Vnto yoone cyté yoe se so nere. 
YOe shall me folowe sam and still 
Als I are sayde. 


Philip
286 Lord, as the lyst we graunte the till, 
And halde vs payde. 
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Cecus
288 A, lorde, that all this world has made, 
Bothe sonne and mone, nyght and day, 
What noyse is this that makis me gladde? 
Fro whens it schulde come I can noyot saye, 
Or what it mene. 
Yf any man walke in this way 
Telle hym me bedene. 


Pauper
295 Man, what ayles the to crye? 
Where wolde thou be? THou say me here. 


Cecus
297 A, sir, a blynde man am I 
And ay has bene of tendyr yoere 
Sen I was borne. 
I harde a voyce with nobill chere 
Here me beforne. 


Pauper
302 Man, will thou oght that I can do? 


Cecus
303 YOa sir, gladly wolde I witte 
Yf thou couthe oght declare me to 
This myrthe I herde, what mene may it 
Or vndirstande? 


Pauper
307 Jesu the prophite full of grace 
Comys here at hande, 
And all the cetezens thay are bowne 
Gose hym to mete with melodye, 
With the fayrest processioun 
That euere was sene in this Jury; 
He is right nere. 


Cecus
314 Sir, helpe me to the strete hastely, 
THat I may here 
THat noyse, and also that I myght thurgh grace 
My syght of hym to craue I wolde. 


Pauper
318 Loo, he is here at this same place. 
Crye faste on hym, loke thou be bolde, 
With voyce right high. 


Cecus
321 Jesu the sone of Dauid calde, 
THou haue mercy. 
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Allas, I crye, he heris me noyot, 
He has no ruthe of my mysfare. 
He turnes his herre, where is his thought? 


Pauper
326 Cry somwhat lowdar, loke thou noyot spare, 
So may thou spye. 


Cecus
328 Jesu the saluer of all sare, 
To me giffis gode hye. 


Philip
330 Cesse man and crye noyot soo, 
The voyce of the pepill gose the by. 
THe aghe sette still and tente giffe to, 
Here passez the prophite of mercye- 
THou doys amys. 


Cecus
335 A, Dauid sone, to the I crye, 
THe kyng of blisse. 


Peter
337 Lorde, haue mercy and late hym goo, 
He can noyot cesse of his crying. 
He folows vs both to and froo, 
Graunte hym his boone and his askyng 
And late hym wende. 
We gette no reste or that this thyng 
Be broyot to ende. 


Jesus
344 What wolde thou man I to the dede 
In this present? Telle oppynly. 


Cecus
346 Lorde, my syght is fro me hydde, 
THou graunte me it, I crye mercy, 
THis wolde I haue. 


Jesus
349 Loke vppe nowe with chere blythely, 
THi faith shall the saue. 


Cecus
351 Wirschippe and honnoure ay to the 
With all the seruice that can be done, 
The kyng of blisse loued mote he be 
THat thus my sight hath sente so sone, 
And by grete skill. 
I was are blynde as any stone: 
I se at wille. 


Claudus
358 A, wele wer tham that euere had liffe, 
Olde or yonge whedir it were, 
Might welde ther lymmes withouten striffe, 
Go with this mirthe that I see here 
And contynewe; 
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For I am sette in sorowes sere 
THat ay ar newe. 
THou lord that schope both nyght and day, 
For thy mercy haue mynde on me 
And helpe me lorde, as thou wele may 
367 [... ...] 
368 i may noyot gang. 
For I am lame as men may se 
And has ben lang. 
For wele I wote, as knowyn is ryffe, 
Bothe dome and deffe thou grauntist tham grace, 
And also the dede that thou hauyst geuen liff; 
Therfore graunte me lord in this place 
My lymbis to welde. 


Jesus
376 My man, ryse and caste the crucchys gode space 
Her in the felde, 
And loke in trouthe thou stedfast be, 
And folow me furth with gode menyng. 


Claudus
380 Lorde, lo my crouchis whare thei flee 
Als ferre as I may late tham flenge 
With bothe my hende. 
THat euere we haue metyng 
Now I defende, 
For I was halte of lyme and lame 
And I suffered tene and sorowes inowe. 
Ay-lastand lord, loued be thi name, 
I am als light as birde on bowe. 
Ay be thou blist, 
Such grace hast thou schewed to me 
Lorde, as the list. 


Zaché
392 Sen firste this worlde was made of noyot 
And all thyng sette in equité, 
Such ferly thyng was neuere non wroght 
As men this tyme may see with eye. 
What it may mene- 
I can noyot saye what it may be, 
Comforte or tene. 
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And cheffely of a prophete new 
THat mekill is profite, and that of latte 
Both day and nyght thai hym assewe, 
Oure pepill same thurgh strete and gatte 
402 [... ...] 
Oure olde lawes as nowe thei hatte 
And his kepis yoare. 
Men fro deth to liffe he rayse, 
The blynde and dome geve speche and sight, 
Gretely therfor oure folke hym prayse 
And folowis hym both day and nyght 
Fro towne to towne. 
Thay calle hym prophite be right 
As of renowne. 
And yoit I meruayle of that thyng, 
Of puplicans sen prince am I 
Of hym I cowthe haue no knowyng, 
Yf all I wolde haue comen hym neyoe, 
Arly and late. 
For I am lawe, and of men high 
Full is the gate. 
Bot sen no bettir may befalle 
I thynke what beste is for to doo, 
I am schorte yoe knawe wele all, 
THerfore yoone tre I will go too 
And in it clyme. 
Whedir he come or passe me fro 
I schall se hym. 
A, nobill tree thou secomoure, 
I blisse hym that the on the erthe broght. 
Now may I see both here and thore 
That vndir me hid may be noyot. 
THerfore in the 
Wille I bidde in herte and thought 
Till I hym se. 
Vnto the prophete come to towne 
Her will I bide what so befalle. 


Jesus
435 Do Zaché, do faste come downe. 


Zaché
436 Lorde, even at thi wille hastely I schall, 
And tarie noght. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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To the on knes lord here I fall 
For synne I wroght; 
And welcome, prophete trast and trewe, 
With all the pepull that to the lange. 


Jesus
442 Zaché, thi seruice new 
Schall make the clene of all the wrong 
THat thou haste done. 


Zaché
445 Lorde, I lette noyot for this thrang 
Her to say sone 
Me schamys with synne but ouyot to mende. 
Mi synne forsake therfore I will, 
Halue my gud I haue vnspende 
Poure folke to geue it till, 
THis will I fayne. 
Whom I begylyd to hym I will 
Make asith agayne. 


Jesus
454 Thy clere confessioun schall the clense, 
THou may be sure of lastand lyffe. 
Vnto thi house withouten offense 
Is graunted pees withouten striffe. 
Farewele Zaché. 


Zaché
459 Lord, the lowte ay man and wiffe, 
Blist myght thou be. 


Jesus
461 My dere discipulis, beholde and see, 
Vnto Jerusalem we schall assende, 
Man sone schall ther betrayed be 
And gevyn into his enmys hende 
With grete dispitte. 
Ther spitting on hym ther schall thei spende 
And smertly smyte. 
Petir, take this asse me fro 
And lede it where thou are it toke. 
I murne, I sigh, I wepe also 
Jerusalem on the to loke. 
And so may thou rewe 
THat euere thou thi kyng forsuke 
And was vntrewe. 
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For stone on stone schall none be lefte 
But doune to the grounde all schal be caste, 
Thy game, thi gle, al fro the refte 
And all for synne that thou done hast. 
THou arte vnkynde; 
Agayne thi kyng thou hast trespast, 
Haue this in mynde. 


Peter
482 Porter, take here thyn asse agayne, 
At hande my lorde comys on his fette. 


Janitor
484 Behalde where all the burgeis bayne 
Comes with wirschippe hym to mete. 
THerfore I will 
Late hym abide here in this strete 
And lowte hym till. 


Burger 1
489 Hayll prophette preued withouten pere, 
Hayll prince of pees schall euere endure, 
Hayll kyng comely, curteyse and clere, 
Hayll souerayne semely, to synfull sure; 
To the all bowes. 
Hayll lord louely oure cares may cure, 
Hayll kyng of Jewes. 


Burger 2
496 Hayll florisshand floure that neuere shall fade, 
Hayll vyolett vernand with swete odoure, 
Hayll marke of myrthe oure medecyne made, 
Hayll blossome bright, hayll oure socoure, 
Hayll kyng comely. 
Hayll menskfull man, we the honnoure 
With herte frely. 


Burger 3
503 Hayll Dauid sone, doughty in dede, 
Hayll rose ruddy, hayll birrall clere, 
Hayll, welle of welthe may make vs mede, 
Hayll saluer of oure sores sere, 
We wirschippe the. 
Hayll hendfull, with solas sere 
Welcome thou be 


Burger 4
510 Hayll blisfull babe, in Bedleme borne, 
Hayll boote of all oure bittir balis, 
Hayll, sege that schoppe bothe even and morne, 
Hayll talker trystefull of trew tales, 
Hayll comely knyght, 
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Hayll of mode that moste preuayles 
To saue the tyght. 


Burger 5
517 Hayll dyamaunde with drewry dight, 
Hayll jasper gentill of Jury, 
Hayll lylly lufsome lemyd with lyght, 
Hayll balme of boote, moyste and drye 
To all has nede. 
Hayll barne most blist of mylde Marie, 
Hayll all oure mede. 


Burger 6
524 Hayll conquerour, hayll most of myght, 
Hayll rawnsoner of synfull all, 
Hayll pytefull, hayll louely light, 
Hayll to vs welcome be schall, 
Hayll kyng of Jues. 
Hayll comely corse that we the call 
With mirthe that newes. 


Burger 7
531 Hayll sonne ay schynand with bright bemes, 
Hayll lampe of liff schall neuere waste, 
Hayll lykand lanterne, luffely lemys, 
Hayll texte of trewthe the trew to taste. 
Hayll kyng and sire, 
Hayll maydens chylde that menskid hir most, 
We the desire. 


Burger 8
538 Hayll domysman dredful, that all schall deme, 
Hayll that all quyk and dede schall lowte, 
Hayll whom worschippe moste will seme, 
Hayll whom all thyng schall drede and dowte. 
We welcome the, 
Hayll and welcome of all abowte 
To owre ceté. 
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Play 26


Pilate
1 Vndir the ryallest roye of rente and renowne 
Now am I regent of rewle this region in reste, 
Obeye vnto bidding bud busshoppis me bowne 
And bolde men that in batayll makis brestis to breste. 
To me betaught is the tent this towre-begon towne, 
For traytoures tyte will I taynte the trewthe for to triste. 
The dubbyng of my dingnité may noyot be done downe, 
Nowdir with duke nor dugeperes, my dedis are so dreste. 
My desire muste dayly be done 
With thame that are grettest of game, 
And theragayne fynde I but fone, 
Wherfore I schall bettir ther bone- 
But he that me greues for a grone, 
Beware, for wyscus I am. 
Pounce Pilatt of thre partis than is my propir name, 
I am a perelous prince to proue wher I peere. 
Emange the philosofers firste ther fanged I my fame, 
Wherfore I fell to affecte I fynde noyot my feere. 
He schall full bittirly banne that bide schall my blame, 
If all my blee be as bright as blossome on brere, 
For sone his liffe shall he lose or left be for lame 
THat lowtes noyot to me lowly nor liste noyot to leere. 
And thus sen we stande in oure state 
Als lordis with all lykyng in lande, 
Do and late vs wete if yoe wate 
Owthir, sirs, of bayle or debate 
THat nedis for to be handeled full hate, 
Sen all youre helpe hanges in my hande. 


Caiphas
29 Sir, and for to certefie the soth in youre sight, 
As to yoou for oure souerayne semely we seke. 


Pilate
31 Why, is ther any myscheue that musteres his myyot 
Or malice thurgh meene menn vs musters to meke? 
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Anna
33 YOa sir, ther is a ranke swayne whos rule is noyot right, 
For thurgh his romour in this reme hath raysede mekill reke. 


Pilate
35 I here wele yoe hate hym; youre hartis are on heght, 
And ellis if I helpe wolde his harmes for to eke. 
But why are yoe barely thus brathe? 
Bees rewly and ray fourth youre reasoune. 


Caiphas
39 Tille vs sir his lore is full lothe. 


Pilate
40 Beware that we wax noyot to wrothe. 


Anna
41 Why sir, to skyfte fro his skath 
We seke for youre socoure this sesoune. 


Pilate
43 And if that wrecche in oure warde haue wrought any wrong, 
Sen we are warned we walde witte, and wille or we wende. 
But and his sawe be lawfull, legge noyot to lange, 
For we schall leue hym if us list with luffe here to lende. 


Doctor 1
47 And yf that false faytor youre fortheraunce may fang, 
THan fele I wele that oure folke mon fayle of a frende. 
Sir, the strenghe of his steuen ay still is so strange 
That but he schortely be schent he schappe vs to schende, 
For he kennes folke hym for to call 
Grete God son-thus greues vs that gome- 
And sais that he sittande be schall 
In high heuen, for there is his hall. 


Pilate
55 And frendis, if that force to hym fall 
It semes noyot yoe schall hym consume. 
But that hymselfe is the same yoe saide schulde descende 
YOoure seede and yoou then all for to socoure. 


Caiphas
58 A, softe sir, and sese, 
For of Criste whan he comes no kynne schall be kenned, 
But of this caytiffe kynreden we knawe the encrese. 
He lykens hym to be lyke God, ay-lastand to lende, 
To lifte vppe the laby, to lose or relesse. 


Pilate
63 His maistreys schulde moue yoou youre mode for to amende. 


Anna
64 Nay, for swilke mys fro malice we may noyot vs meese, 
For he sais he schall deme vs, that dote, 
And that tille vs is dayne or dispite. 
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Pilate
67 To noye hym nowe is youre noote, 
But yoitt the lawe lyes in my lotte. 


Doctor 1
69 And yf yoe will witt sir, yoe wotte 
THat he is wele worthy to wyte. 
For in oure temple has he taught by tymes moo than tenne 
Where tabillis full of tresoure lay to telle and to trye, 
Of oure cheffe mony-changers-butte, curstely to kenne, 
He caste tham ouere, that caystiffe, and counted noyot therby. 


Caiphas
75 Loo sir, this is a periurye to prente vndir penne, 
Wherfore make yoe that appostita, we praye yoou, to plye. 


Pilate
77 Howe mene yoe? 


Caiphas
77 Sir, to mort hym for mouyng of men. 


Pilate
78 THan schulde we make hym to morne but thurgh yooure maistrie. 
Latte be sirs, and move that no more; 
But what in youre temple betyde? 


Miles 1
81 We, thare sir he skelpte oute of score 
THat stately stode selland ther store. 


Pilate
83 THan felte he tham fawté before 
And made the cause wele to be kydde. 
But what taught he that tyme, swilk tales as thou telles? 


Miles 1
86 Sir, that oure tempill is the toure of his troned sire, 
And thus to prayse in that place oure prophettis compellis, 
Tille hym that has posté of prince and of empire; 
And thei make domus domini that deland thare dwellis 
THe denn of the derfenes and ofte that thei desire. 


Pilate
91 Loo, is he noght a mad man that for youre mede melles, 
Sen yoe ymagyn amys that makeles to myre? 
YOoure rankoure is raykand full rawe. 


Caiphas
94 Nay nay sir, we rewle vs but right. 


Pilate
95 Forsothe, yoe ar ouer-cruell to knawe. 


Caiphas
96 Why sir? For he wolde lose oure lawe 
Hartely we hym hate as we awe, 
And therto schulde yoe mayntayne oure myght. 
For why, vppon oure Sabbott day the seke makes he saffe 
And will noyot sesse for oure sawes to synke so in synne. 


Miles 2
101 Sir, he coueres all that comes recoueraunce to craue 
But in a schorte contynuaunce, that kennes all oure kynne. 
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But he haldis noght oure haly dayes, harde happe myght hym haue, 
And therfore hanged be he and that by the halse. 


Pilate
104 A, hoo sir nowe, and holde in. 
For thoff yoe gange thus gedy hym gilteles to graue, 
Withouten grounde yoow gaynes noght swilke greffe to begynne; 
And loke youre leggyng be lele, 
Withowtyn any tryfils to telle. 


Anna
109 For certayne owre sawes dare we seele. 


Pilate
110 And than may we prophite oure pele. 


Caiphas
111 Sir, bot his fawtes wer fele 
We mente noyot of hym for to melle. 
For he pervertis oure pepull that proues his prechyng, 
And for that poynte yoe schulde prese his poosté to paire. 


Doctor 2
115 YOa sir, and also that caytiff he callis hym oure kyng, 
And for that cause our comons are casten in care. 


Pilate
117 And if so be, that borde to bayll will hym bryng 
And make hym boldely to banne the bones that hym bare. 
For-why that wrecche fro oure wretthe schal not wryng 
Or ther be wrought on hym wrake. 


Doctor 1
120 So wolde we it ware, 
For so schulde yoe susteyne youre seele 
And myldely haue mynde for to meke yoou. 


Pilate
123 Wele witte yoe, this werke schall be wele, 
For kende schall that knave be to knele. 


Doctor 2
125 And so that oure force he may feele 
All samme for the same we beseke yoou. 


Judas
127 Ingenti pro inuria- hym Jesus, that Jewe 
Vnjust vnto me, Judas, I juge to be lathe. 
For at oure soper as we satte, the sothe to pursewe, 
With Symond luprus, full sone my skiffte come to scathe. 
Tille hym ther brought one a boyste my bale for to brewe 
That baynly to his bare feete to bowe was full braythe, 
Sho anoynte tham with an oynement that nobill was and newe, 
But for that werke that sche wrought I wexe woundir wrothe. 
And this-to discouer-was my skill: 
For of his penys purser was I, 
And what that me taught was vntill 
The tente parte that stale I ay still. 
But nowe for me wantis of my will 
THat bargayne with bale schall he by. 
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THat same oynement, I saide, might same haue bene solde 
For siluer penys in a sowme thre hundereth, and fyne 
Haue ben departid to poure men as playne pité wolde; 
But for the poore, ne thare parte priked me no peyne- 
But me tened for the tente parte, the trewthe to beholde, 
That thirty pens of iij hundereth so tyte I schulde tyne. 
And for I mysse this mony I morne on this molde, 
Wherfore for to mischeue this maistir of myne 
And therfore faste forthe will I flitte 
The princes of prestis vntill, 
And selle hym full sone or that I sitte 
For therty pens in a knotte knytte. 
THus-gatis full wele schall he witte 
THat of my wretthe wreke me I will. 
Do open, porter, the porte of this prowde place 
That I may passe to youre princes to proue for youre prowe. 


Janitor
157 Go hense thou glorand gedlyng, God geue the ille grace, 
Thy glyfftyng is so grymly thou gars my harte growe. 


Judas
159 Goode sir, be toward this tyme and tarie noght my trace, 
For I haue tythandis to telle. 


Janitor
160 YOa, som tresoune I trowe, 
For I fele by a figure in youre fals face 
It is but foly to feste affeccioun in yoou. 
For Mars he hath morteysed his mark, 
Eftir all lynes of my lore, 
And sais yoe are wikkid of werk 
And bothe a strange theffe and a stark. 


Judas
167 Sir, thus at my berde and yoe berk 
It semes it schall sitte yow full sore. 


Janitor
169 Say bittilbrowed bribour, why blowes thou such boste? 
Full false in thy face in faith can I fynde. 
THou arte combered in curstnesse and caris to this coste, 
To marre men of myght haste thou marked in thy mynde. 


Judas
173 Sir, I mene of no malice but mirthe meve I moste. 


Janitor
174 Say, on-hanged harlott, I holde the vnhende, 
Thou lokist like a lurdayne his liffelod hadde loste. 
Woo schall I wirke the away but thou wende. 


Judas
177 A, goode sir, take tente to my talkyng this tyde, 
For tythandis full trew can I telle. 


Janitor
179 Say brethell, I bidde the abide, 
THou chaterist like a churle that can chyde. 


Judas
181 YOa sir, but and the truthe schulde be tryed 
Of myrthe are ther materes I mell, 
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For thurgh my dedis youre dugeperes fro dere may be drawen. 


Janitor
184 What, demes thou till oure dukes that doole schulde be dight? 


Judas
184 Nay sir, so saide I noght. 
If I be callid to counsaille that cause schall be knawen 
Emang that comely companye, to clerke and to knyght. 


Janitor
187 Byde me here bewchere or more blore be blowen, 
And I schall buske to the benke wher baneres are bright 
And saie vnto oure souereynes, or seede more be sawen, 
THat swilke a seege as thiselff sewes to ther sight. 
My lorde nowe of witte that is well, 
I come for a cas to be kydde. 


Pilate
193 We, speke on and spare not thi spell. 


Caiphas
194 YOa, and if vs mystir te mell, 
Sen yoe bere of bewté the bell, 
Blythely schall we bowe as yoe bidde. 


Janitor
197 Sir, withoute this abatyng ther houes as I hope 
A hyne helte-full of ire, for hasty he is. 


Pilate
199 What comes he fore? 


Janitor
199 I kenne hym noght, but he is cladde in a cope, 
He cares with a kene face vncomely to kys. 


Pilate
201 Go gete hym that his greffe we grathely may grope, 
So no oppen langage be goyng amys. 


Janitor
203 Comes on bylyue to my lorde and if the liste to lepe, 
But vttir so thy langage that thou lette noght thare blys. 


Judas
205 That lorde, sirs, myght susteyne yooure seele 
THat floure is of fortune and fame. 


Pilate
207 Welcome, thy wordis are but wele. 


Caiphas
208 Say, harste thou knave, can thou not knele? 


Pilate
209 Loo, here may men faute in you fele, 
Late be sir youre scornyng, for schame. 
Bot bewshere, be noyot abayst to byde at the bar. 


Judas
212 Before you sirs to be brought abowte haue I bene, 
And allway for youre worschippe. 


Anna
213 Say, wotte thou any were? 


Judas
214 Of werke sir that hath wretthid yoou I wotte what I meene, 
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But I wolde make a marchaundyse youre myscheffe to marre. 


Pilate
216 And may thou soo? 


Judas
216 Els madde I such maistries to mene. 


Anna
217 THan kennes thou of som comberaunce oure charge for to chere? 
For cosyne, thou art cruell. 


Judas
218 My cause sir is kene. 
For if yoe will bargayne or by, 
Jesus this tyme will I selle yoou. 


Doctor 1
221 My blissing sone haue thou forthy- 
Loo, here is a sporte for to spye. 


Judas
223 And hym dar I hete yoou in hye, 
If yoe will be toward I telle yoou. 


Pilate
225 What hytist thou? 


Judas
225 Judas Scariott. 


Pilate
225 THou art a juste man 
THat will Jesus be justified by oure jugement. 
But howe-gates bought schall he be? Bidde furthe thy bargayne. 


Judas
228 But for a litill betyng to bere fro this bente. 


Pilate
229 Now what schall we pay? 


Judas
229 Sir, thirti pens and plete, no more than. 


Pilate
230 Say, ar yoe plesid of this price he preces to present? 


Doctor 2
231 Ellis contrarie we oure consciens, consayue sen we can 
THat Judas knawes hym culpabill. 


Pilate
232 I call yoou consent. 
But Judas, a knott for to knytt, 
Wilt thou to this comenaunt accorde? 


Judas
235 YOa, at a worde. 


Pilate
235 Welcome is it. 


Miles 2
236 Take therof, a traytour tyte. 


Miles 1
237 Now, leue ser, late no man wete 
How this losell laykis with his lord. 


Pilate
239 Why, dwellis he with that dochard whos dedis hase us drouyd? 


Miles 1
240 THat hase he done ser and dose, no dowte is this day. 


Pilate
241 Than wolde we knawe why this knave thus cursidly contryued. 


Miles 2
242 Enquere hym, sen yoe can best kenne if he contrarie. 


Pilate
243 Say man, to selle thi maistir what mysse hath he moved? 


Judas
244 For of als mekill mony he made me delay, 
Of yoou as I resayue schall but right be reproued. 
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Anna
246 I rede noght that yoe reken vs oure rewle so to ray, 
For that the false fende schall the fang. 


Miles 1
248 When he schall wante of a wraste. 


Doctor 1
249 To whome wirke we wittandly wrang. 


Doctor 2
250 Tille hym bot yoe hastely hang. 


Doctor 3
251 YOoure langage yoe lay oute to lang. 
But Judas, we trewly the trast, 
For truly thou moste lerne vs that losell to lache, 
Or of lande thurgh a lirte that lurdayne may lepe. 


Judas
255 I schall yoou teche a token hym tyte for to take 
Wher he is thryngand in the thrang, withouten any threpe. 


Miles 1
257 We knawe hym noght. 


Judas
257 Take kepe than that caytiffe to catche 
The whilke that I kisse. 


Miles 2
258 THat comes wele the, corious, I cleepe! 
But yoitt to warne vs wisely allwayes muste yoe wacche. 
Whan thou schall wende forthwith we schall walke a wilde hepe, 
And therfore besye loke now thou be. 


Judas
262 YOis, yois, a space schall I spie vs 
Als sone as the sonne is sette, as yoe see. 


Miles 1
264 Go forthe, for a traytoure ar yoe. 


Miles 2
265 YOa, and a wikkid man. 


Doctor 1
265 Why, what is he? 


Doctor 2
266 A losell ser, but lewté shuld lye vs. 
He is trappid full of trayne, the truthe for to trist, 
I holde it but folye his faythe for to trowe. 


Pilate
269 Abide in my blyssing and late youre breste, 
For it is beste for oure bote in bayle for to bowe. 
And Judas, for oure prophite we praye the be prest. 


Judas
272 YOitt hadde I noght a peny to purvey for my prowe. 


Pilate
273 THou schalte haue delyueraunce belyue at thi list, 
So that thou schall haue liking oure lordschipp to loue. 
And therfore Judas mende thou thy mone 
And take ther thi siluere all same. 


Judas
277 YOa, nowe is my grete greffe ouere-gone. 


Miles 1
278 Be lyght than. 


Judas
278 YOis, latte me allone, 
For tytte schall that taynte be tone 
And therto jocounde and joly I am. 
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Pilate
281 Judas, to holde thi behest be hende for oure happe, 
And of vs helpe and vpholde we hete the to haue. 


Judas
283 I schall bekenne yoou his corse in care for to clappe. 


Anna
284 And more comforte in this case we coveyte not to craue. 


Miles 1
285 Fro we may reche that rekeles his ribbis schall we rappe, 
And make that roy or we rest for rennyng to raffe. 


Pilate
287 Nay sirs, all if yoe scourge hym yoe schende noyot his schappe, 
For if the sotte be sakles vs sittis hym to saue. 
Wherfore when yoe go schall to gete hym 
Vnto his body brew yoe no bale. 


Miles 2
291 Our liste is fro leping to lette hym, 
But in youre sight sownde schall ve sette hym. 


Pilate
293 Do flitte nowe forthe till yoe fette hym 
With solace all same to youre sale. 

Play 27


Jesus
1 Pees be both be day and nyght 
Vntill this house and till all that is here. 
Here will I holde as I haue hight 
The feeste of Paas with frendis in feere. 


Marcellus
5 Maistir, we haue arayed full right 
Seruise that semes for youre sopere. 
Oure lambe is roste and redy dight, 
As Moyses lawe will lely lere. 


Jesus
9 That is, ilke man that has 
Pepill in his awne posté 
Shall roste a lambe at Paas, 
To hym and his meyné. 
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Andrew
13 Maistir, the custome wele we knawe 
That with oure elthers euer has bene, 
How ilke man with his meyné awe 
To roste a lambe and ete it clene. 


Jesus
17 I thanke yoou sothtly of youre sawe, 
For yoe saye as youreselffe has sene. 
Therfore array yoou all on rawe, 
Myselfe schall parte itt yoou betwene. 
Wherfore I will that yoe 
Ette therof euere-ilkone, 
The remelaunt parted schall be 
To the poure that purueyse none. 
Of Moyses lawes here make I an ende 
In som party, but noght in all. 
My comaundement schall othirwise be kende 
With tham that men schall craftely call. 
But the lambe of Pase that here is spende, 
Whilke Jewes vses grete and small, 
Euere forward nowe I itt deffende 
Fro Cristis folke what so befall. 
In that stede schall be sette 
A newe lawe vs bytwene, 
But who therof schall ette 
Behoues to be wasshed clene. 
For that new lawe whoso schall lere, 
In harte tham bus be clene and chaste. 
Marcelle myn awne discipill dere, 
Do vs haue watir here in hast. 


Marcellus
41 Maistir, it is all redy here, 
And here a towell clene to taste. 


Jesus
43 Commes forthe with me all in feere, 
My wordis schall noght be wroght in waste. 
Settis youre feete fourth, late see, 
They schall be wasshen sone. 


Peter
47 A, lorde, with thi leue, of thee 
THat dede schall noyot be done. 
I schall neuere make my membres mete, 
Of my souerayne seruice to see. 


Jesus
51 Petir, bott if thou latte me wasshe thi feete 
THou getis no parte in blisse with me. 


Peter
53 A, mercy lorde and maistir swete, 
Owte of that blisse that I noght be- 
Wasshe on my lorde to all be wete, 
Both hede and hande, beseke I the. 
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Jesus
57 Petir, thou wotiste noyot yoitt 
What this werke will bemene. 
Hereaftir schall thou witte, 
And so schall yoe all bedene. 
YOoure lorde and maistir yoe me call, 
And so I am, all welthe to welde. 
Here haue I knelid vnto yoou all, 
To wasshe youre feete as yoe haue feled. 
Ensaumple of me take yoe schall 
Euer for to yoeme in yoouthe and elde, 
To be buxsome in boure and hall, 
Ilkone for to bede othir belde. 
For all-if yoe be trewe 
And lele of loue ilkone, 
YOe schall fynde othir ay newe 
To greue whan I am gone. 


Jacobus
73 Now sen oure maistir sais he schall 
Wende and will not telle vs whedir, 
Whilke of vs schall be princepall? 
Late loke now whils we dwell togedir. 


Jesus
77 I wotte youre will both grete and small, 
And youre high hartis I here tham hedir; 
To whilke of yoou such fare schulde fall 
THat myght yoe carpe when yoe come thedir, 
Where it so schulde be tyde 
Of such materes to melle. 
But first behoues yoou bide 
Fayndyngis full ferse and felle. 
Here schall I sette yoou for to see 
THis yoonge childe for insaumpills seere, 
Both meke and mylde of harte is he, 
And fro all malice, mery of chere; 
So meke and mylde but if yoe be 
89 [... ...] 
89 [... ...] 
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Jesus
90 Quod facis fac cicius: 
THat thou schall do, do sone. 


Thomas
92 Allas, so wilsom wightis as we 
Was neuere in worlde walkand in wede, 
Oure maistir sais his awne meyné 
Has betrayed hym to synfull seede. 


Jacobus
96 A, Jhon, sen thou sittist nexte his kne, 
We pray the spire hym for oure spede. 


John
98 Domine, quis est qui tradit te? 
Lord, who schall do that doulfull dede? 
Allas, oure playe is paste, 
THis false forward is feste. 
I may no lenger laste, 
For bale myn herte may breste. 


Judas
104 Now is tyme to me to gang, 
For here begynnes noye all of newe. 
My fellaws momellis thame emang 
THat I schulde alle this bargayne brewe- 
And certis thai schall noyot wene it wrang. 
To the prince of prestis I schall pursue, 
And thei schall lere hym othir ought long 
That all his sawes sore schall hym rewe. 
I wotte whedir he remoues 
With his meyné ilkone, 
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I schall telle to the Jewes 
And tyte he schalle be tane. 


Jesus
116 I warne yoou nowe my frendis free, 
Sese to ther sawes that I schall say: 
The fende is wrothe with yoou and me 
And will yoou marre if that he may. 
But Petir, I haue prayed for the, 
So that thou schall noyot drede his dray; 
And comforte thou this meyné 
And wisse hem whan I am gone away. 


Peter
124 A, lorde, where wilte thou lende? 
I schall lende in that steede, 
And with the schall I wende 
Euermore in lyffe and dede. 


Andrew
128 No wordely drede schall me withdrawe 
That I schall with the leue and dye. 


Thomas
130 Certis, so schall we all on rawe, 
Ellis mekill woo were we worthy. 


Jesus
132 Petir, I saie to the this sawe 
THat thou schalte fynde no fantasie: 
THis ilke nyght or the cokkys crowe 
Shall thou thre tymes my name denye, 
And saye thou knewe me neuere 
Nor no meyné of myne. 


Peter
138 Allas, lorde, me were lever 
Be putte to endles pyne. 


Jesus
140 As I yow saie so schall it bee, 
Ye nedis non othir recours to craue. 
All that in worlde is wretyn of me 
Shall be fulfilled, for knyght or knave. 
I am the herde, the schepe are yoe, 
And whane the herde schall harmes haue 
The flokke schall be full fayne to flee, 
And socoure seke thameselffe to saue. 
YOe schall whan I am slayne 
In grete myslykyng lende, 
But whanne I ryse agayne 
THan schall youre myrthe be mende. 
YOe haue bene bowne my bale to bete, 
Therfore youre belde ay schall I be. 
And for yoe did in drye and wete 
My comaundementis in ilke contré, 
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The kyngdome of heuen I you behete 
Euen as my fadir has highte itt me. 
With gostely mete there schall yoe mete 
And on twelffe seeges sitte schall yoe, 
For yoe trewlye toke yoeme 
In worlde with me to dwell, 
There shall yoe sitte to deme 
Xij kyndis of Israell. 
But firste yoe schall be wille of wone, 
And mo wathes then yoe of wene 
Fro tyme schall come that I be tone, 
THan schall yoe turne away with tene. 
And loke that yoe haue swerdis ilkone, 
And whoso haues non yoou bytwene 
Shall selle his cote and bye hym one, 
THus bidde I that yoe do bedene. 
Satcheles I will yoe haue, 
And stones to stynte all striffe, 
Youreselffe for to saue 
In lenghyng of youre liff. 


Andrew
176 Maistir, we haue here swerdis twoo 
Vs with to saue on sidis seere. 


Jesus
178 Itt is inowe, yoe nedis no moo, 
For fro all wathis I schall yoou were. 
Butt ryse now vppe, for we will goo, 
By this owre enemyes ordand are; 
My fadir saide it schall be soo, 
His bidding will I noyot forbere. 
Loke yoe lere forthe this lawe 
Als yoe haue herde of me, 
Alle that wele will itt knawe 
Ay blessid schall thei bee. 
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Play 28


Jesus
1 Beholde, my discipulis that deyne is and dere, 
My flesshe dyderis and daris for doute of my dede. 
Myne enemyes will newly be neghand full nere 
With all the myght if thei may to marre my manhede. 
But sen yoe are forwakid and wanderede in were, 
Loke yoe sette yoou doune rathely and reste yooue, I reede. 
Beis noyot heuy in yooure hertis, but holde yow even here 
And bidis me a stounde stille in this same steede. 
Beeis witty and wyse in youre wandyng 
So that yoe be wakand alway, 
And lokis nowe prestely yoe pray 
To my fadir, that yoe falle in no fandyng. 


Peter
13 YOis lorde, at thy bidding full baynly schall we abide, 
For thou arte boote of oure bale and bidis for the best. 


John
15 Lorde, all oure helpe and oure hele, that is noght to hyde, 
In the-oure faythe and oure foode-all hollye is feste. 


Jacobus
17 Qwat way is he willid in this worlde wyde, 
Whedir is he walked, estewarde or weste? 


Peter
19 YOaa sirs, I schall saye yoou, sittis vs doune on euery ilka side, 
And late vs nowe rathely here take oure reste; 
My lymmys are heuy as any leede. 


John
22 And I muste slepe, doune muste I lye. 


Jacobus
23 In faithe felawes, right so fare I, 
I may no lenger holde vppe my hede. 


Peter
25 Oure liffe of his lyolty his liffe schall he lose, 
Vnkyndely be crucified and naylyd to a tree. 


Jesus
27 Baynly of my blissing youre eghen yoe vnclose, 
So that yoe falle in no fandyng for noght that may be, 
But prayes fast. 


John
30 Lorde, som prayer thou kende vs, 
That somwhat myght mirthe vs or mende vs. 
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Jacobus
32 Fro all fandyng vnfaythfull thou fende vs 
Here in this worlde of liffe whille we laste. 


Jesus
34 I schall kenne yoou and comforte yoou and kepe yoou from care. 
YOe schall be broughte, wete yoe wele, fro bale vnto blisse. 


Peter
36 YOaa, but lorde, and youre willis were witte wolde we more, 
Of this prayer so precious late vs noyot mys 
We beseke the. 


John
39 For my felows and me alle in feere, 
Some prayer that is precious to lere. 


Jacobus
41 Vnto thy fadir that moste is of poure 
Som solace of socoure to sende the. 
42 [... ...] 


Jesus
43 THe nowys that me neghed hase it nedis not to neuen, 
For all wate yoe full wele what wayes I haue wente. 
Instore me and strenghe with a stille steuen, 
I pray the interly thou take entent 
THou menske my manhed with mode. 
My flessh is full dredand for drede, 
For my jorneys of my manhed 
I swete now both watir and bloode. 
THes Jewes hase mente in ther mynde full of malice 
And pretende me to take withouten any trespasse. 
But fadir, as thou wate wele, I mente neuere amys, 
In worde nor in werk I neuer worthy was. 
Als thou arte bote of all bale and belder of blisse 
And all helpe and hele in thy hande hase, 
THou mensk thy manhede, thou mendar of mysse, 
And if it possible be this payne myght I ouerpasse. 
And fadir, if thou se it may noght, 
Be it worthely wrought 
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Euen at thyne awne will, 
Euermore both myldely and still, 
With worschippe allway be it wroght. 
Vnto my discipillis will I go agayne, 
Kyndely to comforte tham that kacchid are in care. 
What, are yoe fallen on slepe now euerilkone 
And the passioun of me in mynde hase no more? 
What, wille yoe leue me thus lightly and latte me allone 
In sorowe and in sighyng that sattillis full sore? 
To whome may I meue me and make nowe my mone? 
I wolde that yoe wakened, and your will wore. 
Do Petir sitte vppe nowe, late se, 
THou arte strongly stedde in this stoure. 
Might thou noght the space of an owre 
Haue wakid nowe mildely with me? 


Peter
76 YOis lorde, with youre leue nowe wille we lere 
Full warely to were yoou fro alle wandynge. 


Jesus
78 Beeis wakand and prayes faste all in fere 
To my fadir, that yoe falle in no fanding, 
For the euelle spirit is neghand full nere 
That will yoou tarie at this tyme with his tentyng. 
And I will wende ther I was withouten any were, 
But bidis me here baynly in my blissing. 
Agayne to the mounte I will gang 
YOitt eftesones where I was ere, 
But loke that yoe cacche yoow no care, 
For lely I schall noyot dwelle lange. 
THou fadir that all formed hase with fode for to fill, 
I fele by my ferdnes my flessh wolde full fayne 
Be torned fro this turnement and takyn the vntill, 
For mased is manhed in mode and in mayne. 
But if thou se sothly that thi sone sill 
Withouten surffette of synne thus sakles be slayne, 
Be it worthly wroght even at thyne awne will, 
For fadir, att thi bidding am I buxum and bayne. 
Now wightely agayne will I wende 
Vnto my discipilis so dere. 
What, slepe yoe so faste all in fere? 
I am ferde yoe mon faile of youre frende. 
But yoitt will I leue yoou and late you allone 
And eftesones there I was agayne will I wende. 
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Vnto my fadir of myght now make I my mone, 
As thou arte saluer of all sore som socoure me sende. 
THe passioun they purpose to putte me vppon, 
My flesshe is full ferde and fayne wolde defende. 
At thi wille be itt wrought worthely in wone; 
Haue mynde of my manhed my mode for to mende, 
Some comforte me kythe in this case. 
And fadir, I schall dede taste, I will it noyot deffende- 
YOitt yf thy willis be, spare me a space. 
[And seis... ...yght 
With rappes full rudely... ...the rode rente] 


Angel
113 Vnto the maker vnmade that moste is of myght 
Be louyng ay-lastand in light that is lente. 
Thy fadir that in heuen is moste he vppon highte, 
Thy sorowes for to sobir to the he hase me sente. 
For dedis that man done has thy dede schall be dight, 
And thou with turmentis be tulyd-but take nowe entente, 
Thy bale schall be for the beste, 
Thurgh that mannys mys schall be mende. 
THan schall thou withouten any ende 
Rengne in thy rialté full of reste. 


Jesus
123 Now if my flessh ferde be, fadir I am fayne 
THat myne angwisshe and my noyes are nere at an ende. 
Vnto my discipilis go will I agayne, 
Kyndely to comforte tham that mased is in ther mynde. 
Do slepe yoe nowe sauely, and I schall yoou sayne. 
Wakyns vppe wightely and late vs hens wende, 
For als tyte mon I be taken with tresoune and with trayne; 
My flesshe is full ferde and fayne wolde deffende. 
Full derfely my dede schall be dight, 
And als sone as I am tane 
THan schall yoe forsake me ilkone, 
And saie neuere yoe sawe me with sight. 


Peter
135 Nay sothely, I schall neuere my souereyne forsake, 
If I schulde for the dede darfely here dye. 


John
137 Nay, such mobardis schall neuere man vs make, 
Erste schulde we dye all at onys. 


Jacobus
138 Nowe in faith felows, so shulde I. 


Jesus
139 YOa, but when tyme is betydde thanne men schalle me take, 
For all yooure hartely hetyng yoe schall hyde yoou in hy. 
Lyke schepe that were scharid away schall yoe schake, 
THer schall none of yoou be balde to byde me than by. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Peter
143 Nay sothely, whils I may vayle the 
I schall were the and wake the, 
And if all othir forsake the 
I schall neuere fayntely defayle the. 


Jesus
147 A, Petir, of swilke bostyng I rede thou late bee, 
For all thy kene carpyng full kenely I knawe. 
For ferde of myne enmyse thou schalte sone denye me 
Thries yoitt full thraly or the cokkes crowe; 
For ferde of my fomen full fayne be for to flee, 
And for grete doute of thi dede the to withdrawe. 


Anna
153 Sir Cayphas, of youre counsaille do sone late vs now see, 
For lely it langes vs to luke vnto oure lawe. 
And therfore sir prestely I pray yoou, 
Sen that we are of counsaille ilkone, 
That Jesus that traytoure wer tane; 
Do sone late se sir I pray yoou. 


Caiphas
159 In certayne sir, and sone schall I saye yoou, 
I wolde wene by my witte this werke wolde be wele. 
Late vs justely vs june tille Judas the gente, 
For he kennes his dygnites full duly ilke a dele, 
YOa, and beste wote I warande what wayes that he is wente. 


Anna
164 Now this was wisely saide, als euer haue I seele; 
And sir, to youre saiyng I saddely will assente, 
Therfore take vs of oure knyghtis that is stedfast as stele 
And late Judas go lede tham belyffe wher that he laste lente. 


Caiphas
168 Full wele sir. 
Nowe Judas dere neghbour, drawe nere vs. 
Lo Judas, thus in mynd haue we ment: 
To take Jesus is oure entent, 
For thou muste lede vs and lere vs. 


Judas
173 Sirs, I schall wisse you the way euen at youre awne will- 
But loke that yoe haue many myghty men 
That is both strang and sterand, and stedde hym stone stille. 


Anna
176 YOis Judas, but be what knowlache shall we that corse kenne? 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Judas
177 Sirs, a tokenyng in this tyme I schall telle yoou vntill, 
But lokis by youre lewty no liffe yoe hym lenne: 
Qwhat man som I kys that corse schall ye kyll, 
And also beis ware that he will not away-I schrew you all thenne. 


Caiphas
181 Why nay Judas, 
We purpose the page schall not passe. 
Sir knyghtis in hy. 


Miles 1
183 Lorde, we are here. 


Caiphas
184 Calles fourth youre felaws in feere 
And gose justely with gentill Judas. 


Miles 1
186 Come felaws, by youre faith, come forthe all faste 
And carpis with sir Cayphas, he comaundis me to call. 


Miles 2
188 I schrewe hym all his liffe that loues to be last. 


Miles 3
189 Go we hens than in hy and haste vs to the halle. 


Miles 4
190 Lorde, of youre will worthely wolde I witte what was't? 


Caiphas
191 To take Jesus that sawntrelle all same, that yoe schall. 


Miles 1
192 Lorde, to that purpose I wolde that we paste. 


Anna
193 YOa, but loke that yoe be armed wele all, 
The moste gentill of the Jury schalle gyde yoou. 


Caiphas
195 YOa, and euery ilke a knyght in degré 
Both armed and harneysed yoe be, 
To belde yoou, and baynely go byde yoou. 


Anna
198 YOa, and therfore sir Cayphas yoe hye yoou, 
Youre wirschippe yoe wynne in this cas. 
As yoe are a lorde most lofsom of lyre 
Vndir sir Pilate that lyfis in this empire, 
YOone segger that callis hymselffe a sire 
With tresoure and tene sall we taste hym. 
Of yoone losell his bale schall he brewe, 
Do trottes on for that traytoure apas 
In hast. 


Caiphas
207 Nowe sirs, sen yoe say my poure is most beste 
And hase all this werke thus to wirke at my will, 
Now certayne I thinke not to rest, 
But solempnely youre will to fulfille 
Riyot sone. 
Full tyte the traytoure schall be tane- 
Sirs, knyghtis, yoe hye yoou ilkone, 
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For in certayne the losell schall be slane. 
Sir Anna, I praye yoou haue done. 


Anna
216 Full redy tyte I schall be boune 
THis journay for to go till. 
Als yoe are a lorde of grete renoune 
YOe spare hym not to spill, 
THe devill hym spede. 
Go we with oure knyghtis in fere, 
Lo, thay are arrayed and armed clere. 
Sir knyghtis, loke yoe be of full gud chere, 
Where yoe hym see on hym take hede. 


Judeus 1
225 Goode tente to hym lorde schall we take, 
He schall banne the tyme that he was borne. 
All his kynne schall come to late, 
He schall noght skape withouten scorne 
Fro vs in fere. 


Judeus 2
230 We schall hym seke both even and morne, 
Erly and late with full gode chere 
Is oure entente. 


Judeus 3
233 Stye nor strete we schall spare none, 
Felde nor towne, thus haue we mente 
And boune in corde. 


Caiphas
236 Malcus! 


Malcus
236 A, ay, and I schulde be rewarde, 
And right als wele worthy were, 
Loo, for I bere light for my lorde. 


Caiphas
239 A, sir, of youre speche lette, and late vs spede 
A space and of oure speche spare. 
And Judas, go fande thou before 
And wisely thou wisse tham the way, 
For sothely sone schall we saye 
To make hym to marre vs no more. 


Jesus
245 Now will this oure be neghand full nere 
That schall certefie all the soth that I haue saide. 


Caiphas
247 Go, fecche forth the freyke for his forfette. 


Judas
248 All hayll maistir, in faith, and felawes all in fere, 
With grete gracious gretyng on grounde be yoe graied. 
I wolde aske you a kysse maistir, and youre willes were, 
For all my loue and my likyng is holy vppon yoou layde. 
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Jesus
252 Full hartely Judas, haue it even here, 
For with this kissing is mans sone betrayed. 


Miles 1
254 Whe, stande traytoure, I telle the for tane. 


Caiphas
255 Whe, do knyghtis, go falle on before. 


Miles 2
256 YOis maistir, moue thou no more, 
But lightly late vs allone. 


Miles 3
258 Allas, we are loste for leme of this light. 


Jesus
259 Saye yoe here, whome seke yoe? Do saye me, late see. 


Judeus 1
260 One Jesu of Nazareth I hope that he hight. 


Jesus
261 Beholdis all hedirward, loo here, I am hee. 


Miles 1
262 Stande dastarde, so darfely thy dede schall be dight, 
I will no more be abasshed for blenke of thy blee. 


Judeus 1
264 We, oute, I ame mased almost in mayne and in myght. 


Judeus 2
265 And I am ferde be my feyth and fayne wolde I flee, 
For such a siyot haue I not sene. 


Judeus 3
267 THis leme it lemed so light, 
I saugh neuer such a siyot, 
Me meruayles what it may mene. 


Jesus
270 Doo, whame seke yoe all same yoitt I saye? 


Judeus 1
271 One Jesus of Nazareth, hym wolde we neghe nowe. 


Jesus
272 And I am he sothly. 


Malcus
272 And that schall I asaie, 
For thou schalte dye, dastard, sen that it is thowe. 


Peter
274 And I schall fande be my feythe the for to flaye, 
Here with a lusshe, lordayne, I schalle the allowe. 


Malcus
276 We! Oute! All my deueres are done. 


Peter
276 Nay 
Traytoure, but trewly I schall trappe the I trowe. 


Jesus
278 Pees, Petir, I bidde the, 
Melle the nor move the no more. 
For witte thou wele, and my willis were, 
I myght haue poure grete plenté 
Of aungellis full many to mustir my myght. 
Forthy putte vppe thi swerde full goodely agayne, 
For he that takis vengeaunce all rewlid schall be right 
With purgens and vengeaunce that voydes in vayne. 
THou man that is thus derede and doulfully dyght, 
Come hedir to me sauely and I schalle the sayne. 
In the name of my fadir that in heuene is most vpon hight, 
Of thy hurtis be thou hole in hyde and in hane, 
Thurgh vertewe thi vaynes be at vayle. 


Malcus
291 What, ille hayle, I hope that I be hole- 
Nowe I schrewe hym this tyme that gyvis tale 
To touche the for thi trauayle. 
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Judeus 1
294 Do felaws, be youre faithe, late vs fange on in fere, 
For I haue on this hyne [... ...] 


Miles 2
296 And I haue a loke on hym nowe-howe felawes, drawe nere. 


Miles 3
297 YOis, by the bonys that this bare, this bourde schall he banne. 


Jesus
298 Euen like a theffe heneusly hurle yoe me here; 
I taught you in youre tempill, why toke yoe me noyot thanne? 
Now haues merkenes on molde all his power. 


Judeus 1
301 Do, do, laye youre handes belyue on this lourdayne. 


Judeus 3
302 We, haue holde this hauk in thi hende. 


Malcus
303 Whe, yois felawes, be my faith he is fast. 


Judeus
304 Vnto sir Cayphas I wolde that he past. 
Farewele, for, iwisse, we will wende. 

Play 29


Caiphas
1 Pees bewshers, I bid no jangelyng yoe make, 
And sese sone of youre sawes and se what I saye, 
And trewe tente vnto me this tyme that yoe take, 
For I am a lorde lerned lelly in youre lay. 
By connyng of clergy and casting of witte 
Full wisely my wordis I welde at my will, 
So semely in seete me semys for to sitte 
And the lawe for to lerne you and lede it by skill, 
Right sone. 
What wyte so will oght with me 
Full frendly in feyth am I foune; 
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Come of, do tyte late me see 
Howe graciously I shall graunte hym his bone. 
Ther is nowder lorde ne lady lerned in the lawe, 
Ne bisshoppe ne prelate that preued is for pris, 
Nor clerke in the courte that connyng will knawe, 
With wisdam may were hym in worlde is so wise. 
I haue the renke and the rewle of all the ryall, 
To rewle it by right als reasoune it is. 
All domesmen on dese awe for to dowte me 
That hase thaym in bandome in bale or in blis; 
Wherfore takes tente to my tales, and lowtis vnto me. 
And therfore sir knyghtis- 
23 Tunc dicunt Lorde. 
I charge you chalange youre rightis, 
To wayte both be day and by nyghtis 
Of the bringyng of a boy into bayle. 


Miles 1
27 Yis lorde, we schall wayte if any wonderes walke, 
And freyne howe youre folkis fare that are furth ronne. 


Miles 2
29 We schall be bayne at youre bidding and it not to-balke 
Yf thei presente you that boy in a bande boune. 


Anna
31 Why syr, and is ther a boy that will noght lowte to youre biding? 


Caiphas
32 Ya sir, and of the coriousenesse of that karle ther is carping, 
But I haue sente for that segge halfe for hethyng. 


Anna
34 What wondirfull werkis workis that wighte? 


Caiphas
35 Seke men and sori he sendis siker helyng- 
And to lame men-and blynde he sendis ther sight. 
Of croked crepillis that we knawe 
Itt is to here grete wondering, 
How that he helis thame all on rawe, 
And all thurgh his false happenyng. 
I am sorie of a sight 
THat egges me to ire, 
Oure lawe he brekis with all his myght, 
THat is moste his desire. 
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Oure Sabott day he will not safe 
But is aboute to bringe it downe, 
And therfore sorowe muste hym haue 
May he be kacched in felde or towne, 
For his false stevyn, 
He defamys fowly the Godhed 
And callis hymselffe God sone of hevene. 


Anna
52 I haue goode knowlache of that knafe: 
Marie me menys his modir highte, 
And Joseph his fadir as God me safe 
Was kidde and knowen wele for a wrighte. 
But o thyng me mervayles mekill ouere all, 
Of diuerse dedis that he has done- 


Caiphas
58 With wicche-crafte he fares withall 
Sir, that schall yoe se full sone. 
Oure knyghtis thai are furth wente 
To take hym with a traye, 
By this I holde hym shente, 
He can not wende away. 


Anna
64 Wolde yoe, sir, take youre reste- 
This day is comen on hande- 
And with wyne slake youre thirste? 
THan durste I wele warande 
YOe schulde haue tithandis sone 
Of the knyghtis that are gone, 
And howe that thei haue done 
To take hym by a trayne. 
And putte all thought away 
And late youre materes reste. 


Caiphas
74 I will do as yoe saie, 
Do gette vs wyne of the best. 


Miles 1
76 My lorde, here is wyne that will make you to wynke, 
Itt is licoure full delicious my lorde, and you like. 
Wherfore I rede drely a draughte that yoe drynke, 
For in this contré, that we knawe, iwisse ther is none slyke, 
Wherfore we counsaile you this cuppe sauerly for to kisse. 


Caiphas
81 Do on dayntely and dresse me on dees 
And hendely hille on me happing, 
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And warne all wightis to be in pees 
For I am late layde vnto napping. 


Anna
85 My lorde, with youre leue, and it like you, I passe. 


Caiphas
86 Adiew be unte, as the manere is. 


Mulier
87 Sir knyghtys, do kepe this boy in bande, 
For I will go witte what it may mene, 
Why that yone wighte was hym folowand 
Erly and late, morne and ene. 
He will come nere, he will not lette, 
He is a spie, I warand, full bolde. 


Miles 3
93 It semes by his sembland he had leuere be sette 
By the feruent fire to fleme hym fro colde. 


Mulier
95 Ya, but and yoe wiste as wele as I 
What wonders that this wight has wrought, 
And thurgh his maistir sorssery, 
Full derfely schulde his deth be bought. 


Miles 4
99 Dame, we haue hym nowe at will 
THat we haue longe tyme soughte, 
Yf othir go by vs still 
THerfore we haue no thought. 


Mulier
103 Itt were grete skorne that he schulde skape 
Withoute he hadde resoune and skill, 
He lokis lurkand like an nape, 
I hope I schall haste me hym tille. 
Thou caytiffe, what meves the stande 
So stabill and stille in thi thoght? 
THou hast wrought mekill wronge in londe 
And wondirfull werkis haste thou wroght. 
A lorell, a leder of lawe, 
To sette hym and suye has thou soght. 
Stande furth and threste in yone thrawe, 
Thy maistry thou bryng vnto noght. 
Wayte nowe, he lokis like a brokke 
Were he in a bande for to bayte, 
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Or ellis like an nowele in a stok 
Full preualy his pray for to wayte. 


Peter
119 Woman, thy wordis and thy wynde thou not waste, 
Of his company never are I was kende. 
THou haste the mismarkid, trewly be traste, 
Wherfore of thi misse thou the amende. 


Mulier
123 THan gaynesaies thou here the sawes that thou saide, 
How he schulde clayme to be callid God sonne, 
And with the werkis that he wrought whils he walked 
Baynly at oure bydding alway to be bonne. 


Peter
127 I will consente to youre sawes, what schulde I saye more? 
For women are crabbed-that comes them of kynde. 
But I saye as I firste saide, I sawe hym neuere are, 
But as a frende of youre felawschippe shall ye me aye fynde. 


Malchus
131 Herke, knyghtis that are knawen in this contré as we kenne, 
Howe yone boy with his boste has brewed mekill bale. 
He has forsaken his maistir before yoone womenne, 
But I schall preue to yoou pertly and telle you my tale. 
I was presente with pepull whenne prese was full prest 
To mete with his maistir with mayne and with myght, 
And hurled hym hardely and hastely hym arreste, 
And in bandis full bittirly bande hym sore all that nyght. 
And of tokenyng of trouth schall I telle yowe 
Howe yone boy with a brande brayede me full nere- 
Do move of thez materes emelle yowe- 
For swiftely he swapped of my nere. 
His maistir with his myght helyd me all hole, 
That by no syne I cowthe see no man cowthe it witten, 
And than badde hym bere pees in euery-ilke bale, 
For he that strikis with a swerd with a swerde schall be smitten. 
Late se whedir grauntest thou gilte: 
Do speke oon and spare not to telle vs 
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Or full faste I schall fonde the flitte, 
The soth but thou saie here emelle vs. 
Come of, do tyte late me see nowe, 
In sauyng of thyselffe fro schame 
152 [... ...] 
YOa, and also for beryng of blame. 


Peter
154 I was neuere with hym in werke that he wroght, 
In worde nor in werke, in will nor in dede. 
I knawe no corse that yoe haue hidir brought, 
In no courte of this kith, yf I schulde right rede. 


Malchus
158 Here sirs howe he sais, and has forsaken 
His maistir to this woman here twyes, 
And newly oure lawe has he taken- 
Thus hath he denyed hym thryes. 


Jesus
162 Petir, Petir, thus saide I are 
When thou saide thou wolde abide with me 
In wele and woo, in sorowe and care, 
Whillis I schulde thries forsaken be. 


Peter
166 Alas the while that I come here, 
That euere I denyed my lorde in quarte, 
The loke of his faire face so clere 
With full sadde sorrowe sheris my harte. 


Miles 3
170 Sir knyghtis, take kepe of this karll and be konnand 
Because of sir Cayphas, we knowe wele his thoght. 
He will rewarde vs full wele, that dare I wele warand, 
Whan he wete of oure werkis how wele we haue wroght. 


Miles 4
174 Sir, this is Cayphas halle here at hande, 
Go we boldly with this boy that we haue here broght. 


Miles 3
176 Nay sirs, vs muste stalke to that stede and full still stande, 
For itt is nowe of the nyght, yf thei nappe oght. 
Say, who is here? 


Miles 1
178 Say who is here? 


Miles 3
178 I, a frende, 
Well knawyn in this contré for a knyght. 


Miles 2
180 Gose furthe, on youre wayes may yee wende, 
For we haue herbered enowe for tonyght. 
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Miles 1
182 Gose abakke bewscheres, yoe bothe are to blame 
To bourde whenne oure busshopp is boune to his bedde. 


Miles 4
184 Why sir, it were worthy to welcome vs home, 
We haue gone for this warlowe and we haue wele spedde. 


Miles 2
186 Why, who is that? 


Miles 3
186 The Jewes kyng, Jesus by name. 


Miles 1
187 A, yee be welcome, that dare I wele wedde, 
My lorde has sente for to seke hym. 


Miles 4
188 Loo, se here the same. 


Miles 2
189 Abidde as I bidde and be noght adreed. 
My lorde, my lorde, my lorde, here is layke and yoou list. 


Caiphas
191 Pees, loselles. Leste yoe be nyse? 


Miles 1
192 My lorde, it is wele and ye wiste. 


Caiphas
193 What, nemen vs no more, for it is twyes. 
THou takist non hede to the haste that we haue here on honde, 
Go frayne howe oure folke faris that are furth ronne. 


Miles 2
196 My lorde, youre knyghtis has kared as ye thame commaunde 
And thei haue fallen full faire. 


Caiphas
197 Why, and is the foole fonne? 


Miles 1
198 Ya lorde, thei haue brought a boy in a bande boune. 


Caiphas
199 Where nowe sir Anna, that is one and able to be nere? 


Anna
200 My lorde, with youre leue me behoues to be here. 


Caiphas
201 A, sir, come nere and sitte we both in fere. 


Anna
202 Do sir bidde tham bring in that boy that is bune. 


Caiphas
203 Pese now sir Anna, be stille and late hym stande, 
And late vs grope yf this gome be grathly begune. 


Anna
205 Sir, this game is begune of the best, 
Nowe hadde he no force for to flee thame. 


Caiphas
207 Nowe in faithe I am fayne he is fast, 
Do lede in that ladde, late me se than. 


Miles 2
209 Lo sir, we haue saide to oure souereyne, 
Gose nowe and suye to hymselfe for the same thyng. 


Miles 3
211 Mi lorde, to youre bidding we haue ben buxom and bayne, 
Lo, here is the belschere broght that ye bad bring. 


Miles 4
213 My lorde, fandis now to fere hym. 


Caiphas
213 Nowe I am fayne, 
And felawes, faire mott ye fall for youre fynding. 


Anna
215 Sir, and ye trowe thei be trewe withowten any trayne, 
Bidde thayme telle you the tyme of the takyng. 
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Caiphas
217 Say felawes, howe wente ye so nemely by nyyot? 


Miles 3
218 My lorde, was there no man to marre vs ne mende vs. 


Miles 4
219 My lorde, we had lanternes and light 
And some of his company kende vs. 


Anna
221 But saie, howe did he, Judas? 


Miles 3
221 A, sir, full wisely and wele, 
He markid vs his maistir emang all his men 
And kyssid hym full kyndely his comforte to kele, 
By cause of a countenaunce that karll for to kenne. 


Caiphas
225 And thus did he his deuere? 


Miles 4
225 Ya lorde, euere-ilke a dele, 
He taughte vs to take hym the tyme aftir tenne. 


Anna
227 Nowe be my feith a faynte frende myght he ther fele. 


Miles 3
228 Sire, ye myght so haue saide hadde ye hym sene thenne. 


Miles 4
229 He sette vs to the same that he solde vs 
And feyned to be his frende as a faytour, 
This was the tokenyng before that he tolde vs. 


Caiphas
232 Nowe trewly, this was a trante of a traytour. 


Anna
233 YOa, be he traytour or trewe geue we neuer tale, 
But takes tente at this tyme and here what he telles. 


Caiphas
235 Now sees that oure howsolde be holden here hole, 
So that none carpe in case but that in court dwellis. 


Miles 3
237 A, lorde, this brethell hath brewed moche bale. 


Caiphas
238 Therfore schall we spede vs to spere of his spellis. 
Sir Anna, takis hede nowe and here hym. 


Anna
240 Say ladde, liste the noght lowte to a lorde? 


Miles 4
241 No sir, with youre leue we schall lere hym. 


Caiphas
242 Nay sir, noght so, no haste, 
Itt is no burde to bete bestis that are bune. 
And therfore with fayrenes firste we vill hym fraste 
And sithen forther hym furth as we haue fune. 
And telle vs som tales truly to traste. 


Anna
247 Sir, we myght als wele talke tille a tome tonne. 
I warande hym witteles, or ellis he is wrang wrayste, 
Or ellis he waitis to wirke als he was are wonne. 


Miles 3
250 His wonne was to wirke mekill woo 
And make many maystries emelle vs. 


Caiphas
252 And some schall he graunte or he goo, 
Or muste yowe tente hym and telle vs. 


Miles 4
254 Mi lorde, to witte the wonderes that he has wroght, 
For to telle you the tente it wolde oure tonges tere. 
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Caiphas
256 Sen the boy for his boste is into bale broght 
We will witte or he wende how his werkis were. 


Miles 3
258 Oure Sabott day we saye saves he right noght, 
That he schulde halowe and holde full dingne and full dere. 


Miles 4
260 No sir, in the same feste als we the sotte soughte 
He salued thame of sikenesse on many sidis seere. 


Caiphas
262 What than, makes he thame grathely to gange? 


Miles 3
263 YOa lorde, even forthe in euery-ilke a toune 
He thame lechis to liffe aftir lange. 


Caiphas
265 A, this makes he by the myghtis of Mahounde. 


Miles 4
266 Sir, oure stiffe tempill that made is of stone, 
That passes any paleys of price for to preyse, 
And it were doune to the erth and to the gronde gone 
This rebalde he rowses hym it rathely to rayse. 


Miles 3
270 YOa lorde, and othir wonderis he workis grete wone, 
And with his lowde lesyngis he losis oure layes. 


Caiphas
272 Go lowse hym, and levis than and late me allone, 
For myselfe schall serche hym and here what he saies. 


Anna
274 Herke, Jesus of Jewes, we will haue joie 
To spille all thy sporte for thy spellis. 


Caiphas
276 Do meve, felawe, of thy frendis that fedde the beforne, 
And sithen, felowe, of thi fare forther will I freyne; 
Do neven vs lightly. His langage is lorne! 


Miles 3
279 My lorde, with youre leve, hym likis for to layne, 
But and he schulde scape skatheles it wer a full skorne, 
For he has mustered emonge vs full mekil of his mayne. 


Miles 4
282 Malkus youre man, lord, that had his ere schorne, 
This harlotte full hastely helid it agayne. 


Caiphas
284 What, and liste hym be nyse for the nonys, 
And heres howe we haste to rehete hym. 


Anna
286 Nowe by Beliall bloode and his bonys, 
I holde it beste to go bete hym. 


Caiphas
288 Nay sir, none haste, we schall haue game or we goo. 
Boy, be not agaste if we seme gaye. 
I coniure the kyndely and comaunde the also, 
By grete God that is liffand and laste schall ay, 
Yf thou be Criste, Goddis sonne, telle till vs two. 


Jesus
293 Sir, thou says it thiselffe, and sothly I saye 
THat I schall go to my fadir that I come froo 
And dwelle with hym wynly in welthe allway. 
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Caiphas
296 Why, fie on the faitoure vntrewe, 
Thy fadir haste thou fowly defamed. 
Now nedis vs no notes of newe, 
Hymselfe with his sawes has he schamed. 


Anna
300 Nowe nedis nowdir wittenesse ne counsaille to call, 
But take his sawes as he saieth in the same stede. 
He sclaunderes the Godhed and greues vs all, 
Wherfore he is wele worthy to be dede- 
And therfore sir, saies hym the sothe. 


Caiphas
304 Sertis so I schall. 
Heres thou not, harlott? Ille happe on thy hede! 
Aunswere here grathely to grete and to small 
And reche vs oute rathely som resoune, I rede. 


Jesus
308 My reasouns are not to reherse, 
Nor they that myght helpe me are noyot here nowe. 


Anna
310 Say ladde, liste the make verse? 
Do telle on belyffe, late vs here nowe. 


Jesus
312 Sir, if I saie the sothe thou schall not assente, 
But hyndir, or haste me to hynge. 
I prechid wher pepull was moste in present, 
And no poynte in priuité to olde ne yoonge. 
And also in youre tempill I tolde myne entente; 
Ye myght haue tane me that tyme for my tellyng 
Wele bettir than bringe me with brondis vnbrente, 
And thus to noye me be nyght, and also for nothyng. 


Caiphas
320 For nothyng, losell? THou lies! 
Thy wordis and werkis will haue a wrekyng. 


Jesus
322 Sire, sen thou with wrong so me wreyes, 
Go spere thame that herde of my spekyng. 


Caiphas
324 A, this traitoure has tened me with tales that he has tolde, 
YOitt hadde I neuere such hething of a harlott as hee. 


Miles 1
326 What, fye on the, beggar, who made the so bolde 
To bourde with oure busshoppe? Thy bane schalle I bee. 


Jesus
328 Sir, if my wordis be wrange or werse than thou wolde, 
A wronge wittenesse I wotte nowe ar yoe; 
And if my sawes be soth thei mon be sore solde, 
Wherfore thou bourdes to brode for to bete me. 


Miles 2
332 My lorde, will yoe here? For Mahounde, 
No more now for to neven that it nedis. 


Caiphas
334 Gose dresse you and dyng yoe hym doune, 
And deffe vs no more with his dedis. 
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Anna
336 Nay sir, than blemysshe yee prelatis estate, 
YOe awe to deme no man to dede for to dynge. 


Caiphas
338 Why sir? So were bettir than be in debate, 
Ye see the boy will noyot bowe for oure bidding. 


Anna
340 Nowe sir, ye muste presente this boy vnto sir Pilate 
For he is domysman nere and nexte to the king, 
And late hym here alle the hole, how ye hym hate, 
And whedir he will helpe hym or haste hym to hyng. 


Miles 1
344 My lorde, late men lede hym by nyght, 
So schall ye beste skape oute o skornyng. 


Miles 2
346 My lorde, it is nowe in the nyght, 
I rede yoe abide tille the mornyng. 


Caiphas
348 Bewschere, thou sais the beste and so schall it be- 
But lerne yone boy bettir to bende and bowe. 


Miles 1
350 We schall lerne yone ladde, be my lewté, 
For to loute vnto ilke lorde like vnto yowe. 


Caiphas
352 YOa, and felawes, wayte that he be ay wakand. 


Miles 2
352 YOis lorde, that warant will wee, 
Itt were a full nedles note to bidde vs nappe nowe. 


Miles 3
354 Sertis, will ye sitte and sone schall ye see 
Howe we schall play popse for the pages prowe. 


Miles 4
356 Late see, who stertis for a stole? 
For I haue here a hatir to hyde hym. 


Miles 1
358 Lo, here is one full fitte for a foole, 
Go gete it and sette the beside hym. 


Miles 2
360 Nay, I schall sette it myselffe and frusshe hym also. 
Lo here a shrowde for a shrewe, and of shene shappe. 


Miles 3
362 Playes faire in feere, and ther is one and ther is-ij; 
I schall fande to feste it with a faire flappe- 
And ther is-iij; and there is-iiij. 
Say nowe with an nevill happe, 
Who negheth the nowe? Not o worde, no! 


Miles 4
367 Dose noddill on hym with neffes that he noght nappe. 


Miles 1
368 Nay, nowe to nappe is no nede, 
Wassaille! Wassaylle! I warande hym wakande. 


Miles 2
370 YOa, and bot he bettir bourdis can byde 
Such buffettis schall he be takande. 
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Miles 3
372 Prophete, Y saie, to be oute of debate, 
Quis te percussit, man? Rede, giffe thou may. 


Miles 4
374 Those wordes are in waste, what wenes thou he wate? 
It semys be his wirkyng his wittes were awaye. 


Miles 1
376 Now late hym stande as he stode in a foles state, 
For he likis noyot this layke my liffe dare I laye. 


Miles 2
378 Sirs, vs muste presente this page to ser Pilate, 
But go we firste to oure souerayne and see what he saie. 


Miles 3
380 My lorde, we haue bourded with this boy 
And holden hym full hote emelle vs. 


Caiphas
382 Thanne herde ye some japes of joye? 


Miles 4
383 The devell haue the worde, lorde, he wolde telle vs. 


Anna
384 Sir, bidde belyue thei goo and bynde hym agayne, 
So that he skape noght, for that were a skorne. 


Caiphas
386 Do telle to sir Pilate oure pleyntes all pleyne, 
And saie this ladde with his lesyngis has oure lawes lorne. 
And saie this same day muste he be slayne 
Because of Sabott day that schal be tomorne, 
And saie that we come ourselffe for certayne, 
And for to fortheren this fare, fare yee beforne. 


Miles 1
392 Mi lorde, with youre leve, vs muste wende, 
Oure message to make as we maye. 


Caiphas
394 Sir, youre faire felawschippe we betake to the fende, 
Goose onne nowe, and daunce forth in the deuyll way. 
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Play 30


Pilate
1 Yhe cursed creatures that cruelly are cryand, 
Restreyne you for stryuyng for strengh of my strakis; 
Youre pleyntes in my presence vse plately applyand, 
Or ellis this brande in youre braynes sone brestis and brekis. 
THis brande in his bones brekis, 
What brawle that with brawlyng me brewis, 
That wrecche may not wrye fro my wrekis, 
Nor his sleyghtis noyot slely hym slakis; 
Latte that traytour noyot triste in my trewys. 
For sir Sesar was my sier and I sothely his sonne, 
That exelent emperoure exaltid in hight 
Whylk all this wilde worlde with wytes had wone, 
And my modir hight Pila that proude was o plight; 
O Pila that prowde, Atus hir fadir he hight. 
This `Pila' was hadde into `Atus'- 
Nowe renkis, rede yhe it right? 
For thus schortely I haue schewid you in sight 
Howe I am prowdely preued `Pilatus'. 
Loo, Pilate I am, proued a prince of grete pride. 
I was putte into Pounce the pepill to presse, 
And sithen Sesar hymselffe with exynatores be his side 
Remytte me to ther remys the renkes to redresse. 
And yitte am Y graunted on grounde as I gesse 
To justifie and juge all the Jewes. 
A, luffe, here lady? No lesse? 
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Lo sirs, my worthely wiffe, that sche is, 
So semely, loo, certayne scho schewys. 


Uxor
28 Was nevir juge in this Jurie of so jocounde generacion, 
Nor of so joifull genologie to gentrys enioyned 
As yhe, my duke doughty, demar of dampnacion 
To princes and prelatis that youre preceptis perloyned. 
Who that youre preceptis pertely perloyned, 
With drede into dede schall ye dryffe hym; 
By my trouthe, he vntrewly is troned 
THat agaynste youre behestis hase honed; 
All to ragges schall ye rente hym and ryue hym. 
I am dame precious Percula, of prynces the prise, 
Wiffe to ser Pilate here, prince withouten pere. 
All welle of all womanhede I am, wittie and wise, 
Consayue nowe my countenaunce so comly and clere. 
The coloure of my corse is full clere 
And in richesse of robis I am rayed, 
Ther is no lorde in this londe as I lere, 
In faith, that hath a frendlyar feere 
Than yhe my lorde, myselffe thof I saye itt. 


Pilate
46 Nowe saye itt may ye saffely, for I will certefie the same. 


Uxor
47 Gracious lorde, gramercye, youre gode worde is gayne. 


Pilate
48 Yhitt for to comforte my corse me muste kisse you madame. 


Uxor
49 To fulfille youre forward my fayre lorde I am fayne. 


Pilate
50 Howe, howe, felawys! Nowe in faith I am fayne 
Of theis lippis so loffely are lappid 
In bedde is full buxhome and bayne. 


Domina
53 Yha sir, it nedith not to layne, 
All ladise we coveyte than bothe to be kyssid and clappid. 


Bedellus
55 My liberall lorde, o leder of lawis, 
O schynyng schawe that all schames escheues, 
I beseke you my souerayne, assente to my sawes, 
As ye are gentill juger and justice of Jewes. 
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Domina
59 Do herke howe yon, javell, jangill of Jewes. 
Why, go bette horosonne boy, when I bidde the. 


Bedellus
61 Madame, I do but that diewe is. 


Domina
62 But yf thou reste of thy resoune thou rewis, 
For all is acursed, carle-hase in, kydde the! 


Pilate
64 Do mende you madame, and youre mode be amendand, 
For me semys it wer sittand to se what he sais. 


Domina
66 Mi lorde, he tolde nevir tale that to me was tendand, 
But with wrynkis and with wiles to wend me my weys. 


Bedellus
68 Gwisse, of youre wayes to be wendand itt langis to oure lawes. 


Domina
69 Loo lorde, this ladde with his lawes! 
Howe, thynke ye it prophitis wele his prechyng to prayse? 


Pilate
71 Yha luffe, he knawis all oure custome, 
I knawe wele... 


Bedellus
73 My seniour, will ye see nowe the sonne in youre sight, 
For his stately strengh he stemmys in his stremys? 
Behalde ovir youre hede how he heldis fro hight 
And glydis to the grounde with his glitterand glemys. 
To the grounde he gois with his bemys 
And the nyght is neghand anone. 
Yhe may deme aftir no dremys, 
But late my lady here with all hir light lemys 
Wightely go wende till hir wone; 
For ye muste sitte sir this same nyght, of lyfe and of lyme. 
Itt is noyot leeffull for my lady by the lawe of this lande 
In dome for to dwelle for the day waxe ought dymme, 
For scho may stakir in the strete but scho stalworthely stande. 
85 [.... ...] 
Late hir take hir leve whill that light is. 


Pilate
87 Nowe wiffe, than ye blythely be buskand. 


Domina
88 I am here sir, hendely att hande. 


Pilate
89 Loo, this renke has vs redde als right is. 
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Domina
90 Youre comaundement to kepe to kare forthe Y caste me. 
My lorde, with youre leue, no lenger Y lette yowe. 


Pilate
92 Itt were a repreue to my persone that preuely yoe paste me, 
Or ye wente fro this wones or with wynne yoe had wette yowe. 
Ye schall wende forthe with wynne whenne that yoe haue wette yowe. 
Gete drinke! What dose thou? Haue done! 
Come semely, beside me, and sette yowe. 
Loke, nowe it is even here that I are behete you, 
Ya, saie it nowe sadly and sone. 


Domina
99 Itt wolde glad me my lorde if yoe gudly begynne. 


Pilate
100 Nowe I assente to youre counsaille so comely and clere. 
Nowe drynke madame-to deth all this dynne. 


Domina
102 Iff it like yowe, myne awne lorde, I am not to lere- 
This lare I am not to lere. 


Pilate
104 Yitt efte to youre damysell madame. 


Domina
105 In thy hande, holde nowe and haue here. 


Ancilla
106 Gramarcy, my lady so dere. 


Pilate
107 Nowe fares-wele, and walke on youre way. 
107 [... ...] 


Domina
108 Now farewele the frendlyest, youre fomen to fende. 


Pilate
109 Nowe farewele the fayrest figure that euere did fode fede, 
And farewele ye damysell, indede. 


Ancilla
111 My lorde, I comande me to youre ryalté. 


Pilate
112 Fayre lady, here is schall you lede. 
Sir, go with this worthy in wede, 
And what scho biddis you doo loke that buxsome you be. 


Filius
115 I am prowde and preste to passe on apasse, 
To go with this gracious hir gudly to gyde. 
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Pilate
117 Take tente to my tale thou turne on no trayse, 
Come tyte and telle me yf any tythyngis betyde. 


Filius
119 Yf any tythyngis my lady betyde, 
I schall full sone sir witte you to say. 
This semely schall I schewe by hir side 
Belyffe sir, no lenger we byde. 


Pilate
123 Nowe fares-wele, and walkes on youre way. 
Nowe wente is my wiffe, yf it wer not hir will, 
And scho rakis tille hir reste as of nothyng scho rought. 
Tyme is, I telle the, thou tente me vntill; 
And buske the belyue, belamy, to bedde that Y wer broght 
127 [... ...] 
And loke I be rychely arrayed. 


Bedellus
129 Als youre seruaunte I haue sadly it sought, 
And this nyght, sir, newe schall ye noght, 
I dare laye, fro ye luffely be layde. 


Pilate
132 I comaunde the to come nere, for I will kare to my couche. 
Haue in thy handes hendely and heue me fro hyne, 
But loke that thou tene me not with thi tastyng, but tendirly me touche. 


Bedellus
135 A, sir, yhe whe wele. 


Pilate
135 Yha, I haue wette me with wyne 
135 [... ...] 
Yhit helde doune and lappe me even here, 
For I will slelye slepe vnto synne. 
Loke that no man nor no myron of myne 
With no noyse be neghand me nere. 


Bedellus
140 Sir, what warlowe yow wakens with wordis full wilde, 
THat boy for his brawlyng were bettir be vnborne. 


Pilate
142 Yha, who chatteres, hym chastise, be he churle or childe, 
For and he skape skatheles itt were to vs a grete skorne- 
Yf skatheles he skape it wer a skorne. 
What rebalde that redely will rore, 
I schall mete with that myron tomorne 
And for his ledir lewdenes hym lerne to be lorne. 


Bedellus
148 Whe! So sir, slepe ye, and saies no more. 


Domina
149 Nowe are we at home. Do helpe yf ye may, 
For I will make me redye and rayke to my reste. 
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Ancilla
151 Yhe are werie madame, for-wente of youre way, 
Do boune you to bedde, for that holde I beste. 


Filius
153 Here is a bedde arayed of the beste. 


Domina
154 Do happe me, and faste hense ye hye. 


Ancilla
155 Madame, anone all dewly is dressid. 


Filius
156 With no stalkyng nor no striffe be ye stressed. 


Domina
157 Nowe be yhe in pese, both youre carpyng and crye. 


Diabolus
157 Owte! Owte! Harrowe! 
Into bale am I brought, this bargayne may I banne, 
But yf Y wirke some wile in wo mon I wonne. 
This gentilman, Jesu, of cursednesse he can, 
Be any syngne that I see this same is Goddis sonne. 
And he be slone oure solace will sese, 
He will saue man saule fro oure sonde 
And refe vs the remys that are rounde. 
I will on stiffely in this stounde 
Vnto ser Pilate wiffe pertely and putte me in prese. 
O woman, be wise and ware, and wonne in thi witte 
Ther schall a gentilman, Jesu, vnjustely be juged 
Byfore thy husband in haste, and with harlottis be hytte. 
And that doughty today to deth thus be dyghted, 
Sir Pilate, for his prechyng, and thou, 
With nede schalle ye namely be noyed. 
Youre striffe and youre strenghe schal be stroyed, 
Youre richesse schal be refte you that is rude, 
With vengeaunce, and that dare I auowe. 


Domina
176 A, I am drecchid with a dreme full dredfully to dowte. 
Say childe, rise vppe radly and reste for no roo, 
Thow muste launce to my lorde and lowly hym lowte, 
Comaunde me to his reuerence, as right weill Y doo. 


Filius
180 O, what, schall I trauayle thus tymely this tyde? 
Madame, for the drecchyng of heuen, 
Slyke note is newsome to neven 
And it neghes vnto mydnyght full even. 


Domina
184 Go bette boy, I bidde no lenger thou byde, 
And saie to my souereyne this same is soth that I send hym: 
All naked this nyght as I napped 
With tene and with trayne was I trapped, 
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With a sweuene that swiftely me swapped 
Of one Jesu, the juste man the Jewes will vndoo. 
She prayes tente to that trewe man, with tyne be noyot trapped, 
But als a domesman dewly to be dressand, 
And lelye delyuere that lede. 


Filius
193 Madame, I am dressid to that dede- 
But firste will I nappe in this nede, 
For he hase mystir of a morne-slepe that mydnyght is myssand. 


Anna
196 Sir Cayphas, ye kenne wele this caytiffe we haue cached 
That ofte-tymes in oure tempill hase teched vntrewly. 
Oure meyné with myght at mydnyght hym mached 
And hase drevyn hym till his demyng for his dedis vndewly; 
Wherfore I counsaile that kyndely we care 
Vnto ser Pilate oure prince, and pray hym 
That he for oure right will arraye hym- 
This faitour-for his falsed to flay hym; 
For fro we saie hym the soth he schall sitte hym full sore. 


Caiphas
205 Sir Anna, this sporte haue ye spedely aspied, 
As I am pontificall prince of all prestis. 
We will prese to ser Pilate, and presente hym with pride 
With this harlott that has hewed oure hartis fro oure brestis 
Thurgh talkyng of tales vntrewe. 
And therfor ser knyghtis- 


Milites
210 Lorde. 


Caiphas
211 Sir knyghtis that are curtayse and kynde, 
We charge you that chorle be wele chyned. 
Do buske you and grathely hym bynde 
And rugge hym in ropes his rase till he rewe. 


Miles 1
215 Sir, youre sawes schall be serued schortely and sone. 
Yha, do felawe, be thy feith; late vs feste this faitour full fast. 


Miles 2
217 I am douty to this dede, delyuer, haue done; 
Latte vs pulle on with pride till his poure be paste. 


Miles 1
219 Do haue faste and halde at his handes. 


Miles 2
220 For this same is he that lightly avaunted, 
And God sone he grathely hym graunted. 
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Miles 1
222 He bese hurled for the highnes he haunted- 
Loo, he stonyes for vs, he stares where he standis. 


Miles 2
224 Nowe is the brothell boune for all the boste that he blawe, 
And the laste day he lete no lordynges myyot lawe hym. 


Anna
226 Ya, he wende this worlde had bene haly his awne. 
Als ye are dowtiest today tille his demyng ye drawe hym, 
And than schall we kenne how that he canne excuse hym. 


Miles 1
229 Here, ye gomes, gose a-rome, giffe vs gate, 
We muste steppe to yone sterne of astate. 


Miles 2
231 We muste yappely wende in at this yate, 
For he that comes to courte, to curtesye muste vse hym. 


Miles 1
233 Do rappe on the renkis that we may rayse with oure rolyng. 
Come forthe sir coward, why cowre ye behynde? 


Bedellus
235 O, what javellis are ye that jappis with gollyng? 


Miles 1
236 A, goode sir, be noyot wroth, for wordis are as the wynde. 


Bedellus
237 I saye, gedlynges, gose bakke with youre gawdes. 


Miles 2
238 Be sufferand I beseke you, 
And more of this matere yhe meke yowe. 


Bedellus
240 Why, vnconand knaves, an I cleke yowe, 
I schall felle yowe, be my faith, for all youre false frawdes. 


Pilate
242 Say childe, ill cheffe you! What churlles are so claterand? 


Bedellus
243 My lorde, vnconand knaves thei crye and thei call. 


Pilate
244 Gose baldely beliffe and thos brethellis be batterand, 
And putte tham in prisoune vppon peyne that may fall. 
Yha, spedely spir tham yf any sporte can thei spell- 
Yha, and loke what lordingis thei be. 


Bedellus
248 My lorde that luffull in lee, 
I am boxsom and blithe to your blee. 


Pilate
250 And if they talke any tythyngis come tyte and me tell. 


Bedellus
251 Can ye talke any tythandis, by youre faith, my felawes? 


Miles 1
252 Yha sir, sir Cayphas and Anna ar come both togedir 
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To sir Pilate o Pounce and prince of oure lawes; 
And thei haue laughte a lorell that is lawles and liddir. 


Bedellus
255 My lorde, my lorde! 


Pilate
255 Howe? 


Bedellus
256 My lorde, vnlappe yow belyve where ye lye. 
Sir Cayphas to youre courte is caried, 
And sir Anna, but a traytour hem taried. 
Many wight of that warlowe has waried, 
They haue brought hym in a bande his balis to bye. 


Pilate
261 But are thes sawes certayne in soth that thou saies? 


Bedellus
262 Yha lorde, the states yondir standis, for striffe are they stonde. 
stond. 


Pilate
263 Now than am I light as a roo, and ethe for to rayse. 
Go bidde tham come in both, and the boye they haue ne. 


Bedellus
265 Siris, my lorde geues leue inne for to come. 


Caiphas
266 Hayle prince that is pereles in price, 
Ye are leder of lawes in this lande, 
Youre helpe is full hendely at hande. 


Anna
269 Hayle, stronge in youre state for to stande, 
Alle this dome muste be dressed at youre dulye deuyse. 


Pilate
271 Who is there, my prelates? 


Caiphas
271 Yha lorde. 


Pilate
271 Nowe be yoe welcome iwisse. 


Caiphas
272 Gramercy my souerayne. But we beseke you all same 
Bycause of wakand you vnwarly be noght wroth with this, 
For we haue brought here a lorell-he lokis like a lambe. 


Pilate
275 Come byn, you bothe, and to the benke brayde yowe. 


Caiphas
276 Nay gud sir, laugher is leffull for vs. 


Pilate
277 A, sir Cayphas, be curtayse yhe bus. 


Anna
278 Nay goode lorde, it may not be thus. 


Pilate
279 Sais no more, but come sitte you beside me in sorowe as I saide youe. 


Filius
280 Hayle, the semelieste seeg vndir sonne sought, 
Hayle, the derrest duke and doughtiest in dede. 


Pilate
282 Now bene-veneuew beuscher, what boodworde haste thou brought? 
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Hase any langour my lady newe laught in this leede? 


Filius
284 Sir, that comely comaundes hir youe too, 
And sais, al nakid this nyght as sche napped 
With tene and with traye was sche trapped, 
With a sweuene that swiftely hir swapped 
Of one Jesu, the juste man the Jewes will vndo. 
She beseches you as hir souerayne that symple to saue, 
Deme hym noght to deth for drede of vengeaunce. 


Pilate
291 What, I hope this be he that hyder harlid yoe haue. 


Caiphas
292 Ya sir, the same and the selffe-but this is but a skaunce, 
He with wicchecrafte this wile has he wrought. 
Some feende of his sand has he sente 
And warned youre wiffe or he wente. 


Pilate
296 Yowe! THat schalke shuld not shamely be shente, 
THis is sikir in certayne, and soth schulde be sought. 


Anna
298 Yha, thurgh his fantome and falshed and fendes-craft 
He has wroght many wondir where he walked full wyde, 
Wherfore, my lorde, it wer leeffull his liffe were hym rafte. 


Pilate
301 Be ye neuere so bryme ye bothe bus abide 
But if the traytoure be taught for vntrewthe, 
And therfore sermones you no more. 
I will sekirly sende hymselffe fore, 
And se what he sais to the sore. 
Bedell, go brynge hyme, for of that renke haue I rewthe. 


Bedellus
307 This forward to fulfille am I fayne moued in myn herte. 
Say, Jesu, the juges and the Jewes hase me enioyned 
To bringe the before tham even bounden as thou arte. 
Yone lordyngis to lose the full longe haue thei heyned, 
But firste schall I wirschippe the with witte and with will. 
This reuerence I do the forthy, 
For wytes that wer wiser than I, 
They worshipped the full holy on hy 
And with solempnité sang Osanna till. 


Miles 1
316 My lorde that is leder of lawes in this lande, 
All bedilis to your biding schulde be boxsome and bayne, 
And yoitt this boy here before yowe full boldely was bowand 
To worschippe this warlowe-methynke we wirke all in vayne. 
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Miles 2
320 Yha, and in youre presence he prayed hym of pees, 
In knelyng on knes to this knave 
He besoughte hym his seruaunte to saue. 


Caiphas
323 Loo lord, such arrore amange them thei haue 
It is grete sorowe to see, no seeg may it sese. 
It is no menske to youre manhed that mekill is of myght 
To forbere such forfettis that falsely are feyned, 
Such spites in especiall wolde be eschewed in your sight. 


Pilate
328 Sirs, moves you noyot in this matere but bese myldely demeaned, 
For yone curtasie I kenne had som cause. 


Anna
330 In youre sight sir the soth schall I saye, 
As ye are prince take hede I you praye, 
Such a lourdayne vnlele, dare I laye, 
Many lordis of oure landis might lede fro oure lawes. 


Pilate
334 Saye losell, who gaue the leve so for to lowte to yone ladde 
And solace hym in my sight so semely that I sawe? 


Bedellus
336 A, gracious lorde, greue you noght for gude case I hadde. 
Yhe comaunded me to care, als ye kenne wele and knawe, 
To Jerusalem on a journay, with seele; 
And than this semely on an asse was sette 
And many men myldely hym mette, 
Als a God in that grounde thai hym grette, 
Wele semand hym in waye with worschippe lele. 
`Osanna' thei sange, `the sone of Dauid', 
Riche men with thare robes thei ranne to his fete, 
And poure folke fecched floures of the frith 
And made myrthe and melody this man for to mete. 


Pilate
347 Nowe gode sir, be thi feith, what is `Osanna' to saie? 


Bedellus
348 Sir, constrew it we may be langage of this lande as I leue, 
It is als moche to me for to meue- 
Youre prelatis in this place can it preue- 
Als, `oure sauiour and souerayne thou saue vs we prayé. 


Pilate
352 Loo senioures, how semes yow? THe sothe I you saide. 


Caiphas
353 Yha lorde, this ladde is full liddir, be this light. 
Yf his sawes wer serchid and sadly assaied, 
Saue youre reuerence, his resoune thei rekenne noyot with right. 
This caytiffe thus cursedly can construe vs. 
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Bedellus
357 Sirs, trulye the trouthe I haue tolde 
Of this wighte yoe haue wrapped in wolde. 


Anna
359 I saie, harlott, thy tonge schulde thou holde, 
And noght agaynste thi maistirs to meve thus. 


Pilate
361 Do sese of youre seggyng, and I schall examyne full sore. 


Anna
362 Sir, demes hym to deth or dose hym away. 


Pilate
363 Sir, haue ye saide? 


Anna
363 Yha lorde. 


Pilate
363 Nowe go sette you with sorowe and care, 
For I will lose no lede that is lele to oure lay. 
But steppe furth and stonde vppe on hight 
And buske to my bidding, thou boy, 
And for the nones that thou neven vs a noy. 


Bedellus
368 I am here at youre hande to halow a hoy, 
Do move of youre maistir for I shall melle it with myyot. 


Pilate
370 Cry `Oyas'. 


Bedellus
370 Oyas. 


Pilate
370 Yit efte, be thi feithe. 


Bedellus
370 Oyas! 


Pilate
371 Yit lowdar, that ilke lede may lithe- 
Crye pece in this prese, vppon payne thervppon, 
Bidde them swage of ther sweying bothe swiftely and swithe 
And stynte of ther stryuyng and stande still as a stone. 
Calle Jesu the gentill of Jacob, the Jewe. 
Come preste and appere, 
To the barre drawe the nere, 
To thi jugement here, 
To be demed for his dedis vndewe. 


Miles 1
380 Whe, harke how this harlott he heldis oute of harre, 
This lotterelle liste noght my lorde to lowte. 


Miles 2
382 Say beggar, why brawlest thou? Go boune the to the barre. 


Miles 1
383 Steppe on thy standyng so sterne and so stoute. 


Miles 2
384 Steppe on thys standyng so still. 


Miles 1
385 Sir cowarde, to courte muste yhe care- 


Miles 2
386 A lessoune to lerne of oure lare. 


Miles 1
387 Flitte fourthe, foule myght thou fare. 


Miles 2
388 Say warlowe, thou wantist of thi will. 
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Filius
389 O Jesu vngentill, thi joie is in japes, 
THou can not be curtayse, thou caytiffe I calle the, 
No ruthe were it to rug the and ryue the in ropes. 
Why falles thou noyot flatte here, foule falle the, 
For ferde of my fadir so free? 
THou wotte noght his wisdome iwys, 
All thyne helpe in his hande that it is, 
Howe sone he myght saue the fro this. 
Obeye hym, brothell, I bidde the. 


Pilate
398 Now Jesu, thou art welcome ewys, as I wene, 
Be noyot abasshed but boldely boune the to the barre; 
What seyniour will sewe for the sore I haue sene. 
To wirke on this warlowe, his witte is in warre. 
Come preste, of a payne, and appere, 
And sir prelatis, youre pontes bes prevyng. 
What cause can ye caste of accusyng? 
THis mater ye marke to be meving, 
And hendly in haste late vs here. 


Caiphas
407 Sir Pilate o Pounce and prince of grete price, 
We triste ye will trowe oure tales thei be trewe, 
To deth for to deme hym with dewly device. 
For cursidnesse yone knave hase in case, if ye knew, 
In harte wolde ye hate hym in hye. 
For if it wer so 
We mente not to misdo; 
Triste, ser, schall ye therto, 
We hadde not hym taken to the. 


Pilate
416 Sir, youre tales wolde I trowe but thei touche none entente. 
What cause can ye fynde now this freke for to felle? 


Anna
418 Our Sabbotte he saues not, but sadly assente 
To wirke full vnwisely, this wote I riyot wele, 
419 [... ...] 
He werkis whane he will, wele I wote, 
And therfore in herte we hym hate. 
Itt sittis you to strenghe youre estate 
Yone losell to louse for his lay. 


Pilate
424 Ilke a lede for to louse for his lay is not lele. 
Youre lawes is leffull, but to youre lawis longis it 
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THis faitoure to feese wele with flappes full fele, 
And woo may ye wirke hym be lawe, for he wranges it. 
Therfore takes vnto you full tyte, 
And like as youre lawes will you lede 
Ye deme hym to deth for his dede. 


Caiphas
431 Nay, nay sir, that dome muste vs drede, 
431 [... ...] 
It longes noyot till vs no lede for to lose. 


Pilate
433 What wolde ye I did thanne? THe deuyll motte you drawe! 
Full fewe are his frendis but fele are his fooes. 
His liff for to lose thare longes no lawe, 
Nor no cause can I kyndely contryue 
THat why he schulde lose thus his liffe. 


Anna
438 A, gude sir, it raykes full ryffe 
In steedis wher he has stirrid mekill striffe 
Of ledis that is lele to youre liffe. 


Caiphas
441 Sir, hatle men and hurte he helid in haste, 
The deffe and the dome he delyuered fro doole 
By wicchecrafte, I warande-his wittis schall waste- 
For the farles that he farith with loo how thei folowe yone fole, 
Oure folke so thus he frayes in fere. 


Anna
446 The dede he rayses anone- 
THis Lazare that lowe lay allone 
He graunte hym his gates for to gone, 
And pertely thus proued he his poure. 


Pilate
450 Now goode siris, I saie, what wolde yhe seme? 


Caiphas
451 Sir, to dede for to do hym or dose hym adawe. 


Pilate
452 Yha, for he dose wele his deth for to deme? 
Go layke you sir, lightly; wher lerned ye such lawe? 
This touches no tresoune I telle you. 
Yhe prelatis that proued are for price, 
Yhe schulde be bothe witty and wise 
And legge oure lawe wher it lyse, 
Oure materes ye meve thus emel you. 


Anna
459 Misplese noyot youre persone, yhe prince withouten pere, 
It touches to tresoune this tale I schall tell: 
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Yone briboure, full baynly he bed to forbere 
The tribute to the emperoure, thus wolde he compell 
Oure pepill thus is poyntis to applye. 


Caiphas
464 The pepull he saies he schall saue, 
And Criste garres he calle hym, yone knave, 
And sais he will the high kyngdome haue- 
Loke whethir he deserue to dye. 


Pilate
468 To dye he deserues yf he do thus indede, 
But Y will se myselffe what he sais. 
Speke Jesu, and spende nowe thi space for to spede. 
THez lordyngis thei legge the thou liste noyot leve on oure lays, 
They accuse the cruelly and kene; 
And therfore as a chiftene Y charge the, 
Iff thou be Criste that thou telle me, 
And God sone thou grughe not to graunte the, 
For this is the matere that Y mene. 


Jesus
477 THou saiste so thiselue. I am sothly the same 
Here wonnyng in worlde to wirke al thi will. 
My fadir is faithfull to felle all thi fame; 
Withouten trespas or tene am I taken the till. 


Pilate
481 Loo busshoppis, why blame ye this boye? 
Me semys that it is soth that he saies. 
Ye meve all the malice ye may 
With youre wrenchis and wiles to wrythe hym away, 
Vnjustely to juge hym fro joie. 


Caiphas
486 Noght so sir, his seggyng is full sothly soth, 
It bryngis oure bernes in bale for to bynde. 


Anna
488 Sir, douteles we deme als dewe of the deth 
THis foole that ye fauour-grete fautes can we fynde 
This daye for to deme hym to dye. 


Pilate
491 Saie losell, thou lies be this light! 
Naie, thou rebalde, thou rekens vnright. 


Caiphas
493 Avise you sir, with mayne and with myght, 
And wreke not youre wrethe nowe forthy. 


Pilate
495 Me likes noyot his langage so largely for to lythe. 


Caiphas
496 A, mercy lorde, mekely, no malice we mente. 
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Pilate
497 Noo done is it douteles, balde be and blithe, 
Talke on that traytoure and telle youre entente. 
Yone segge is sotell ye saie; 
Gud sirs, wer lerned he such lare? 


Caiphas
501 In faith, we can not fynde whare. 


Pilate
502 Yhis, his fadir with som farlis gan fare 
And has lered this ladde of his laie. 


Anna
504 Nay, nay sir, we wiste that he was but a write, 
No sotelté he schewed that any segge saw. 


Pilate
506 Thanne mene yhe of malice to marre hym of myght, 
Of cursidnesse convik no cause can yhe knawe. 
Me meruellis ye malyngne o mys. 


Caiphas
509 Sir, for Galely hidir and hoo 
The gretteste agayne hym ganne goo, 
Yone warlowe to waken of woo, 
And of this werke beres witnesse ywis. 


Pilate
513 Why, and has he gone in Galely, yone gedlyng ongayne? 


Anna
514 Yha lorde, ther was he borne, yone brethelle, and bredde. 


Pilate
515 Nowe withouten fagyng, my frendis, in faith I am fayne, 
For now schall oure striffe full sternely be stede. 
Sir Herowde is kyng ther ye kenne, 
His poure is preued full preste 
To ridde hym or reue hym of rest. 
And therfore, to go with yone gest 
Yhe marke vs oute of the manliest men. 


Caiphas
522 Als witte and wisdome youre will schal be wroght, 
Here is kempis full kene to the kyng for to care. 


Pilate
524 Nowe seniours, I saie yow sen soth schall be soght, 
But if he schortely be sente it may sitte vs full sore. 
And therfore sir knyghtis- 


Milites
526 Lorde. 


Pilate
527 Sir knyghtis that are cruell and kene, 
That warlowe ye warrok and wraste, 
And loke that he brymly be braste 
529 [... ...] 
Do take on that traytoure you betwene. 
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Tille Herowde in haste with that harlott ye hye, 
Comaunde me full mekely vnto his moste myght. 
Saie the dome of this boy, to deme hym to dye, 
Is done vpponne hym dewly, to dresse or to dight 
Or liffe for to leue at his liste. 
Say ought I may do hym indede, 
His awne am I worthely in wede. 


Miles 1
538 My lorde, we schall springe on a-spede. 
Come thens! To me this traitoure full tryste. 


Pilate
540 Bewe sirs, I bidde you ye be not to bolde, 
But takes tente for oure tribute full trulye to trete. 


Miles 2
542 Mi lorde, we schall hye this beheste for to halde 
And wirke it full wisely in wille and in witte. 


Pilate
544 So sirs me semys itt is sittand. 


Miles 1
545 Mahounde, sirs, he menske you with myght- 


Miles 2
546 And saue you sir, semely in sight. 


Pilate
547 Now in the wilde vengeaunce ye walke with that wight, 
And fresshely ye founde to be flittand. 

Play 31


Rex
1 Pes, ye brothellis and browlys in this broydenesse inbrased, 
And freykis that are frendely your freykenesse to frayne, 
Youre tounges fro tretyng of triffillis be trased, 
Or this brande that is bright schall breste in youre brayne. 
Plextis for no plasis but platte you to this playne, 
And drawe to no drofyng but dresse you to drede, 
With dasshis. 
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Traueylis noyot as traytours that tristis in trayne, 
Or by the bloode that Mahounde bledde with this blad schal ye blede. 
THus schall I brittyn all youre bones on brede, 
YOae, and lusshe all youre lymmys with lasschis. 
Dragons that are dredfull schall derke in ther dennes 
In wrathe when we writhe, or in wrathenesse ar wapped. 
Agaynste jeauntis ongentill haue we joined with ingendis, 
And swannys that are swymmyng to oure swetnes schall be suapped, 
And joged doune ther jolynes oure gentries engenderand. 
Whoso repreue oure estate we schall choppe tham in cheynes, 
All renkkis that are renand to vs schall be reuerande. 
Therfore I bidde you sese or any bale be, 
THat no brothell be so bolde boste for to blowes. 
And yoe that luffis youre liffis, listen to me 
As a lorde that is lerned to lede you be lawes. 
And ye that are of my men and of my menyoe, 
Sen we are comen fro oure kyth as yoe wele knawes, 
And semlys all here same in this cyté, 
It sittis vs in sadnesse to sette all oure sawes. 


Dux 1
27 My lorde, we schall take kepe to youre call 
And stirre to no stede but yoe steuen vs, 
No greuaunce to grete ne to small. 


Rex
30 Ya, but loke that no fawtes befall. 


Dux 2
31 Lely my lord so we shall, 
Ye nede not no more for to nevyn vs. 


Dux 1
33 Mounseniour, demene you to menske in mynde what I mene 
And boune to youre bedward, for so holde I best, 
For all the comons of this courte bene avoyde clene, 
And ilke a renke, as resoune as, are gone to ther reste- 
Wherfore I counsaile, my lorde, yoe comaunde you a drynke. 


Rex
38 Nowe certis, I assente as thou sais. 
Se ych a qwy is wente on his ways 
Lightly withouten any delayes. 
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Giffe vs wyne wynly and late vs go wynke, 
And se that no durdan be done. 


Dux 1
43 My lorde, vnlase you to lye, 
Here schall none come for to crye. 


Rex
45 Nowe spedely loke that thou spie 
THat no noyse be neghand this none. 


Dux 1
47 My lorde, youre bedde is new made, you nedis noyot for to bide it. 


Rex
48 Ya, but as thou luffes me hartely, laye me doune softely, 
For thou wotte full wele that I am full tendirly hydid. 


Dux 1
50 Howe lye yoe my goode lorde? 


Rex
50 Right wele, be this light, 
All hole at my desire. 
Wherfore I praye ser Satan oure sire, 
And Lucifer moste luffely of lyre, 
He sauffe you all sirs, and giffe you goode nyght. 


Miles 1
55 Sir knyght, ye wote we ar warned to wende 
To witte of this warlowe what is the kyngis will. 


Miles 2
57 Sir, here is Herowde all even here at oure hende, 
And all oure entente tyte schall we tell hym vntill. 


Miles 1
59 Who is here? 


Dux 1
59 Who is there? 


Miles 1
59 Sir, we are knyghtis kende 
Is comen to youre counsaill this carle for to kill. 


Dux 1
61 Sirs, but youre message may myrthis amende, 
Stalkis furthe be yone stretis or stande stone still. 


Miles 2
63 Yis certis ser, of myrthis we mene, 
The kyng schall haue matteres to melle hym. 
The kyng schall haue matteres to melle hym. 
We brynge here a boy vs betwene, 
Wherefore to haue worschippe we wene. 


Dux 1
67 Wele sirs, so that it turne to no tene, 
Tentis hym and we schall go telle hym. 
My lorde, yondir is a boy boune that brought is in blame, 
Haste you in hye, thei houe at youre yoate. 


Rex
71 What, and schall I rise nowe, in the deuyllis name, 
To stighill amang straungeres in stales of astate? 
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But haue here my hande, halde nowe, 
And se that my sloppe be wele sittande. 


Dux 1
75 My lorde, with a goode will Y wolde youe, 
No wrange will I witte at my wittande. 
But my lorde, we can tell yoou of vncouthe tythande. 


Rex
78 YOa, but loke ye telle vs no tales but trewe. 


Dux 2
79 My lorde, thei bryng you yondir a boy boune in a bande 
THat bodus outhir bourdyng or bales to brewe. 


Rex
81 THanne gete we some harrowe full hastely at hande. 


Dux 1
82 My lorde, ther is some note that is nedfull to neven you of new. 


Rex
83 Why, hoppis thou thei haste hym to hyng? 


Dux 2
84 We wotte noght ther will nor ther wenyng, 
But boodword full blithely thei bryng. 


Rex
86 Nowe do than and late vs se of there sayng. 


Dux 2
87 Lo sirs, ye schall carpe with the kyng, 
And telles to hym manly youre menyng. 


Miles 1
89 Lorde, welthis and worschippis be with you alway. 


Rex
90 What wolde you? 


Miles 2
90 A worde, lorde, and youre willes were. 


Rex
91 Well, saye on than. 


Miles 1
91 My lorde, we fare foolys to flay 
THat to you wolde forfette. 


Rex
92 We, faire falle you therfore. 


Miles 1
93 My lorde, fro yoe here what we saie 
Itt will heffe vppe youre hertis. 


Rex
94 YOa, but saie what heynde haue yoe thore? 


Miles 2
95 A presente fro Pilate, lorde, the prince of oure lay. 


Rex
96 Pese in my presence, and nemys hym no more. 


Miles 1
97 My lorde, he woll worschippe you faine. 


Rex
98 I consayue yoe are ful foes of hym. 


Miles 2
99 My lorde, he wolde menske you with mayne, 
And therfore he sendis you this swayne. 


Rex
101 Gose tyte with that gedlyng agayne, 
And saie hym a borowed bene sette I noght be hym. 


Dux 1
103 A, my lorde, with youre leve, thei haue faren ferre, 
And for to fraiste of youre fare was no folye. 


Dux 2
105 My lorde, and this gedlyng go thus it will greue werre, 
For he gares growe on this grounde grete velanye. 


Rex
107 Why, menys thou that that myghtyng schulde my myghtes marre? 


Dux 1
108 Nay lorde, but he makis on this molde mekill maystrie. 
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Rex
109 Go ynne, and late vs see of the sawes ere, 
And but yf thei be to oure bordyng, thai both schalle abye. 


Miles 2
111 My lorde, we were worthy to blame 
To brynge you any message of mysse. 


Rex
113 Why than, can ye nemyn vs his name? 


Miles 1
114 Sir, Criste haue we called hym at hame. 


Rex
115 O, this is the ilke selue and the same- 
Nowe sirs, ye be welcome ywisse. 
And in faith I am fayne he is fonne, 
His farles to frayne and to fele; 
Nowe thes games was grathely begonne. 


Miles 2
120 Lorde, lely that likis vs wele. 


Rex
121 Ya, but dar yoe hete hartely that harlott is he? 


Miles 1
122 My lorde, takis hede and in haste ye schall here howe. 


Rex
123 Ya, but what menys that this message was made vnto me? 


Miles 2
124 My lorde, for it touches to tresoune I trowe. 


Miles 1
125 My lorde, he is culpabill kende in oure contré 
Of many perillus poyntis, as Pilate preves nowe. 


Miles 2
127 My lorde, when Pilate herde he had gone thurgh Galylé 
He lerned vs that that lordschippe longed to yoou, 
And or he wiste what youre willis were, 
No ferther wolde he speke for to spille hym. 


Rex
131 THanne knawes he that oure myghtis are the more? 


Miles 1
132 YOa, certis sir, so saie we thore. 


Rex
133 Nowe sertis, and oure frenschippe therfore 
We graunte hym, and no greuaunce we will hym. 
And sirs, ye are welcome ywisse as ye wele awe, 
And for to wende at youre wille Y you warande, 
For I haue coveite kyndely that comely to knawe, 
For men carpis that the carle schulde be konnand. 


Miles 2
139 My lorde, wolde he saie you soth of his sawe, 
YOe saugh nevir slik selcouth, be see nor be sande. 


Rex
141 Nowe gois abakke both and late the boy blowe, 
For I hope we gete some harre hastely at hande. 


Miles 1
143 Jerusalem and the Jewes may haue joie 
And hele in ther herte for to here hym. 


Rex
145 Saie, beene-venew in bone fay, 
Ne plesew a parle remoy? 


Miles 2
147 Nay my lorde, he can of no bourdyng, this boy. 


Rex
148 No sir? With thi leue we schall lere hym. 
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Filius 1
149 Mi lorde, se ther knyghtis that knawe and are kene, 
How thai come to youre courte withoutyn any call. 


Rex
151 YOa sone, and musteris grete maistries, what may this bymene? 


Dux 1
152 My lorde, for youre myghtis are more than thei all 
They seke you as souerayne, and sertis that is sene. 


Rex
154 Nowe certis, sen yoe saie so, assaie hym I schall, 
For I am fayner of that freyke then othir fiftene, 
YOae, and hym that firste fande, faire myght hym fall. 


Miles 1
157 Lorde, lely we lereth you no legh, 
THis liffe that he ledis will lose hym. 


Rex
159 Wele sirs, drawes you adrygh, 
And bewscheris, bryngis yoe hym nygh, 
For yif all that his sleghtis be slye 
YOitte or he passe we schalle appose hym. 
O, my harte hoppis for joie 
To se nowe this prophette appere. 
We schall haue goode game with this boy- 
Takis hede, for in haste yoe schall here. 
I leve we schall laugh and haue likyng 
To se nowe this lidderon her he leggis oure lawis. 


Dux 2
169 Harke cosyne, thou comys to karpe with a kyng, 
Take tente and be conande, and carpe as thou knowis. 


Dux 1
171 Ya, and loke that thou be not a sotte of thy saying, 
But sadly and sone thou sette all thi sawes. 


Rex
173 Hym semys full boudisch, that boy that thei bryng. 


Dux 2
174 Mi lorde, and of his bordyng grete bostyng men blawes. 


Rex
175 Whi, therfore haue I soughte hym to see. 
Loke, bewsheris, ye be to oure bodis boune. 


Dux 1
177 Knele doune here to the kyng on thy knee. 


Dux 2
178 Naye, nedelyngis yt will not be. 


Rex
179 Loo sirs, he mekis hym no more vnto me 
THanne it were to a man of ther awne toune. 


Dux 1
181 Whe! Go, lawmere, and lerne the to lowte 
Or thai more blame the to-bring. 


Rex
183 Nay, dredeles withouten any doute 
He knawes noyot the course of a kyng. 
And her beeis in oure bale, bourde or we blynne- 
Saie firste at the begynnyng withall, where was thou borne? 
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Do felawe, for thy faith, latte vs falle ynne. 
Firste of thi ferleis, who fedde the beforne? 
What, deynes thou not? Lo sirs, he deffis vs with dynne. 
Say, whare ledde yoe this lidrone? His langage is lorne. 


Miles 1
191 My lorde, his mervaylis to more and to myne 
Or musteres emange vs both mydday and morne. 


Miles 2
193 Mi lorde, it were to fele 
Of wonderes, he workith tham so wightely. 


Miles 1
195 Whe man, momelyng may nothyng avayle, 
Go to the kyng and tell hyme fro toppe vnto tayle. 


Rex
197 Do bringe vs that boy vnto bale, 
For lely we leffe hym noyot lightly. 


Dux 1
199 This mop mennes that he may marke men to ther mede; 
He makes many maistries and mervayles emange. 


Dux 2
201 V ml. folke faire gon he feede 
With fyve looffis and two fisshis to fange. 


Rex
203 Howe fele folke sais thou he fedde? 


Dux 2
204 V ml. lorde, that come to his call. 


Rex
205 YOa boye? Howe mekill brede he them bedde? 


Dux 1
206 But v looffis dare I wele wedde. 


Rex
207 Nowe be the bloode that Mahounde bledde, 
What, this was a wondir at all. 


Dux 2
209 Nowe lorde, ij fisshis blissid he efte 
And gaffe thame, and ther none was forgetyn. 


Dux 1
211 YOa lorde, and xij lepfull ther lefte 
Of releue whan all men had eten. 


Rex
213 Of such anodir mangery no man mene may. 


Dux 2
214 Mi lorde, but his maistries that musteris his myght. 


Rex
215 But saie sirs, ar ther sawis soth that thei saie? 


Miles 2
216 YOa lorde, and more selcouth were schewed to oure sight. 
One Lazar, a ladde that in oure lande lay, 
Lay loken vndir layre fro lymme and fro light, 
And his sistir come rakand in rewfull arraye. 
And lorde, for ther raryng he raysed hym full right, 
And fro his grath garte hym gang 
Euere forthe, withouten any evill. 
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Rex
223 We, such lesyngis lastis to lange. 


Miles 1
224 Why lorde, wene yoe that wordis be wronge? 
THis same ladde leuys vs emang. 


Rex
226 Why, there hope Y be dedis of the deuyll. 
Why schulde yoe haste hym to hyng 
That sought not newly youre newys? 


Miles 2
229 My lorde, for he callis hym a kyng 
And claymes to be a kyng of Jewis. 


Rex
231 But saie, is he kyng in his kyth wher he come froo? 


Miles 1
232 Nay lorde, but he callis hym a kyng his caris to kele. 


Rex
233 Thanne is it litill wondir yf that he be woo, 
For to be weried with wrang sen he wirkis wele; 
But he schalle sitte be myselfe sen yoe saie soo. 
Comes nerre, kyng, into courte. Saie, can yoe not knele? 
We schalle haue gaudis full goode and games or we goo. 
Howe likis tha, wele lorde? Saie. What, deuyll, neuere a dele? 
I faute in my reuerant in otill moy, 
I am of fauour, loo, fairer be ferre. 
Kyte oute yugilment. Vta! Oy! Oy! 
Be any witte that Y watte it will waxe werre. 
Seruicia primet, 
Such losellis and lurdaynes as thou, loo, 
Respicias timet. 
What the deuyll and his dame schall Y now doo? 
Do carpe on, carle, for Y can the cure. 
Say, may thou not here me? Oy man, arte thou woode? 
Nowe telle me faithfully before howe thou fore. 
Forthe, frende. Be my faith, thou arte a fonde foode. 


Dux 1
251 My lorde, it astonys hym, youre steuen is so store 
Hym had leuere haue stande stone still ther he stode. 


Rex
253 And whedir the boy be abasshid of Herrowde byg blure 
That were a bourde of the beste, be Mahoundes bloode. 


Dux 2
255 My lorde, Y trowe youre fauchone hym flaies 
And lettis hym. 


Rex
256 Nowe lely I leue the, 
And therfore schall Y waffe it away 
And softely with a septoure assaie. 
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Nowe sir, be perte Y the pray, 
For none of my gromys schall greue the. 
Si loqueris tibi laus, 
Pariter quoque prospera dantur; 
Si loqueris tibi fraus, 
Fell fex et bella parantur. 
Mi menne, yoe go menske hym with mayne, 
And loke yhow that it wolde seme. 


Dux 1
267 Dewcus fayff ser and sofferayne. 


Dux 2
268 Sir vdins amangidre demayne. 


Rex
269 Go aunswer thaym grathely agayne. 
What, deuyll, whedir dote we or dreme? 


Miles 1
271 Naye we gete noyot o worde, dare Y wele wedde, 
For he is wraiste of his witte or will of his wone. 


Rex
273 YOe saie he lakkid youre lawis as yoe that ladde ledde? 


Miles 2
274 YOa lorde, and made many gaudis as we haue gone. 


Rex
275 Nowe sen he comes as a knave and as a knave cledde, 
Wherto calle ye hym a kyng? 


Dux 1
276 Nay lorde, he is none, 
But an harlotte is hee. 


Rex
277 What, deuyll, Y ame harde stedde, 
A man myght as wele stere a stokke as a stone. 


Filius 1
279 My lorde, this faitour so fouly is affrayde, 
He loked neuere of lorde so langly allone. 


Rex
281 No sone, the rebalde seis vs so richely arayed 
He wenys we be aungelis euere-ilkone. 


Dux 2
283 My lorde, Y holde hym agaste of youre gaye gere. 


Rex
284 Grete lordis augh to be gay. 
Here schall no man do to the dere, 
And therfore yit nemyne in my nere- 
For by the grete god, and thou garre me swere 
THou had neuere dole or this day. 
Do carpe on tyte, karle, of thy kynne. 


Dux 1
290 Nay, nedelyngis he neuyns you with none. 


Rex
291 THat schalle he bye or he blynne- 


Dux 2
292 A, leves lorde. 


Rex
292 Lattis me allone. 


Dux 1
293 Nowe goode lorde, and ye may, meue you no more, 
Itt is not faire to feght with a fonned foode, 
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But gose to youre counsaille and comforte you there. 


Rex
296 Thou sais soth. We schall see yf so will be goode, 
For certis oure sorowes are sadde. 


Filius 2
298 What a deuyll ayles hym? 
Mi lorde, I can garre you be gladde, 
For in tyme oure maistir is madde. 
He lurkis, loo, and lokis like a ladde, 
He is wode lorde, or ellis his witte faylis hym. 


Filius 3
303 Mi lorde, yoe haue mefte you as mekill as yoe may, 
For yhe myght menske hym no more were he Mahounde; 
And sen it semys to be soo, latte vs nowe assaie. 


Rex
306 Loke, bewscheris, yoe be to oure bodis boune. 


Dux.1
307 Mi lorde, howe schulde he dowte vs? He dredis not youre dray. 


Rex
308 Nowe do fourthe, the deuyll myght hym droune! 
And sen he freyms falsed and makis foule fraye, 
Raris on hym rudely, and loke yoe not roune. 


Filius 1
311 Mi lorde, I schall enforce myselffe sen yoe saie soo. 
Felawe, be noyot afferde nor feyne not therfore, 
But telle vs nowe some truffillis betwene vs twoo, 
And none of oure men schall medill tham more. 
And therfore by resoune array the, 
Do telle vs some poynte for thy prowe. 
Heris thou not what Y saie the? 
THou mummeland myghtyng, I may the 
Helpe, and turne the fro tene as Y trowe. 


Filius 2
320 Loke vppe ladde, lightly, and loute to my lorde here, 
For fro bale vnto blisse he may nowe the borowe. 
Carpe on, knave, kantely, and caste the to corde here, 
And saie me nowe somwhat, thou sauterell, with sorowe. 
Why standis thou as stille as a stone here? 
Spare not, but speke in this place here 
THou gedlyng, it may gayne the some grace here. 


Filius 3
327 My lorde, this faitour is so ferde in youre face here 
None aunswere in this nede he nevyns you with none here. 
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Do bewsher, for Beliall bloode and his bonys, 
Say somwhat-or it will waxe werre. 


Filius 1
331 Nay, we gete nouyot one worde in this wonys. 


Filius 2
332 Do crie we all on hym at onys. 


All Chylder
333 Oyoez! Oyoez! Oyoez! 


Rex
333 O, yoe make a foule noyse for the nonys. 


Filius 3
334 Nedlyng my lorde, it is neuere the nerre. 


Filius 1
335 Mi lorde, all youre mutyng amendis not a myte, 
To medill with a madman is meruaille to me. 
Comaunde youre knyghtis to clothe hym in white 
And late hym carre as he come to youre contré. 


Rex
339 Lo sirs, we lede you no lenger a lite, 
Mi sone has saide sadly how that it schuld be- 
But such a poynte for a page is to parfite. 


Dux 1
342 Mi lorde, fooles that are fonde thei falle such a fee. 


Rex
343 What, in a white garmente to goo, 
THus gayly girde in a gowne? 


Dux 2
345 Nay lorde, but as a foole forcid hym froo. 


Rex
346 How saie yoe sirs, schulde it be soo? 


All Chylder
347 YOa lord. 


Rex
347 We, than is ther no more, 
But boldely bidde tham be boune. 
Sir knyghtis, we caste to garre you be gladde, 
Oure counsaile has warned vs wisely and wele. 
White clothis we saie fallis for a fonned ladde, 
And all his foly in faith fully we feele. 


Dux 1
353 We will with a goode will for his wedis wende, 
For we wotte wele anowe what wedis he schall were. 


Dux 2
355 Loo, here is an haterell here at youre hende 
Alle faciound therfore foolis to feere. 


Miles 1
357 Loo here a joppon of joie, 
All such schulde be gode for a boy. 


Dux 1
359 He schalle be rayed like a roye, 
And schall be fonne in his folie. 
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Dux 2
361 We, thanke tham, euyll motte thou the. 


Miles 1
362 Nay, we gete noyot a worde wele Y warand. 


Miles 2
363 Man, mustir some meruaile to me. 


Dux 1
364 What, wene yoe he be wiser than we? 
Leffe we and late the kyng see 
Howe it is forcyd and farand. 
Mi lorde, loke yf yoe be paied, 
For we haue getyn hym his gere. 


Rex
369 Why, and is this rebalde arayed? 
My blissing, bewscheris, yoe bere. 
Gose, garre crye in my courte and grathely garre write 
All the dedis that we haue done in this same degré. 
And who fyndis hym greued late hym telle tyte, 
And yf we fynde no defaute hym fallis to go free. 


Dux 1
375 Oyoes! Yf any wight with this wriche any werse wate 
Werkis beris wittenesse who so wirkis wrang, 
Buske boldely to the barre his balis to abate, 
For my lorde, be my lewté, will not be deland lang. 
My lorde, here apperes none to appeyre his estate. 


Rex
380 Wele thanne, fallis hym goo free. 
Sir knyghtis, thanne grathis you goodly to gange, 
And repaire with youre present and saie to Pilate 
We graunte hym oure frenschippe all fully to fang. 


Miles 1
384 My lorde, with youre leue this way schall we lere, 
Vs likis no lenger here to abide. 


Miles 2
386 Mi lorde, and he worthe ought in were, 
We come agayne with goode chere. 


Rex
388 Nay bewscheris, yoe fynde vs not here, 
Oure leue will we take at this tyde 
And rathely araye vs to reste, 
For such notis has noyed vs or nowe. 


Dux 1
392 YOa, certis lorde, so holde Y beste, 
For this gedlyng vngoodly has greued you. 


Dux 2
394 Loke yoe bere worde as ye wotte, 
Howe wele we haue quitte vs this while. 


Miles 1
396 We, wise men will deme it we dote 
But if we make ende of oure note. 
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Rex
398 Wendis fourth, the deuyll in thi throte, 
We fynde no defaute hym to file. 
Wherfore schulde we flaye hym or fleme hym 
We fynde noyot in rollis of recorde; 
And sen that he is dome, for to deme hym, 
Ware this a goode lawe for a lorde? 
Nay losellis, vnlely yoe lerned all to late, 
Go lere thus lordingis of youre londe such lessons to lere. 
Repaire with youre present and saie to Pilate 
We graunte hym oure poure all playne to appere, 
And also oure greuaunce forgeue we algate 
And we graunte hym oure grace with a goode chere. 
As touchyng this brothell that brawlis or debate, 
Bidde hym wirke as he will, and wirke noght in were. 
Go telle hym this message fro me, 
And lede fourth that mytyng, euyll motte he the. 


Miles 1
414 Mi lorde, with youre leue, late hym be, 
For all to longe ledde hym haue we. 


Miles 2
416 What, yoe sirs, my lorde, will yoe see? 


Rex
417 What, felawes? Take yoe no tente what I telle you 
And bid you? THat yoman ye yoeme. 


Miles 2
419 Mi lorde, we schall wage hym an ill way. 


Rex
420 Nay bewscheris, be not so bryme. 
Fare softely, for so will it seme. 


Miles 1
422 Nowe sen we schall do as ye deme, 
Adewe sir. 


Rex
423 Daunce on, in the deuyll way. 
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Play 32


Pilate
1 Pees, bewscheres, I bidde you, that beldis here aboute me, 
And loke that yoe stirre with no striffe but stande stone still, 
Or by the lorde that me liffe lente I schall garre you lowte me, 
And all schall byde in my bale that wirkis noyot my will. 
Ye rebaldis that regnys in this rowte, 
YOe stynte of youre steuenyng so stowte, 
Or with this brande that dere is to doute 
All to dede I schall dryue you this day. 
For sir Pilate of Pounce as prince am Y preued, 
As renke moste royall in richeste array, 
THer is no berne in this burgh has me aboute heuyd, 
But he sekis me for souereyne, in certayne Y saie, 
To knawe. 
Therfore take hede to youre lordis estate, 
THat none jangill nor jolle at my yoate, 
Nor no man to grath hym no gate 
Tille I haue seggid and saide all my sawe. 
For I ame the luffeliest lappid and laide, 
With feetour full faire in my face, 
My forhed both brente is and brade 
And myne eyne thei glittir like the gleme in the glasse. 
And the hore that hillis my heed 
Is even like to the golde wyre, 
My chekis are bothe ruddy and reede 
And my coloure as cristall is cleere. 
Ther is no prince preuyd vndir palle 
But I ame moste myghty of all to behold, 
Nor no kyng but he schall come to my call, 
Nor grome that dare greue me for golde. 
Sir Kayphas, thurgh counsaill thi clergy is kid, 
For thy counsaille is knowyn for connand and clere; 
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And sir Anna, thyn aunswer aught not to be hidde, 
For thou is one and is abill and aught to be nere 
In parlament playne. 
And I am prince pereles youre poyntis to enquere: 
How saie yoe Jues of Jesus, that swayne? 
Haue done sirs, sais on youre sawis, 
What tytill nowe haue yoe vntill hym 
And lely yoe loke vppon youre lawes? 
Saye, why sente yoe so sone for to spille hym? 


Anna
41 Sir, that is prince and lorde of oure laye, 
That traitour vntrewe that ye of telle vs, 
Nowe certayne and sone the soth schall I saie 
It is Jesus that japer that Judas ganne selle vs. 
He marres oure men in all that he may, 
His merueylis full mekill is mustered emelle vs, 
That faitoure so false. 
He dois many derffe dedis on oure Sabotte day, 
THat vnconnand conjeon he castis hym to quelle vs, 
Fro man onto man he will compelle vs 
And vndo you and ourselffe als. 
Youreselffe he will fordo 
And he halde furth this space, 
And all this Jurie to 
Yf that ye graunte hym grace. 


Pilate
56 Sir Anna, this aunswere allow I no thyng, 
I halde it but hatereden, this artikill hale; 
And therfore ser busshoppe, at my biddyng, 
Do telle me nowe trewly the texte of this tale. 
Do termyne it trewly and tyte 
And lely yoe lede it by the lawe; 
Felonye or falsed euyn here I defie it- 
Saie me sadly the soth, for loue or for awe. 


Caiphas
64 Sir Pilate, the talis the traitoure has tolde, 
It heuys vs in harte full haly to here tham. 
THe warlowe with his wilis he wenys tham to wolde, 
THe ladde with his lesyngis full lightly gan lere tham. 
Full tyte will he take tham vntill hym 
And he thus forth go with his gaudis, 
Or speche ouersprede-yoa, bettir is to spille hym, 
The faitoure is so felle with his false fraudis. 


Pilate
72 Youre aunsweres is hedouse and hatefull to here. 
Hadde I not herde hym and myselfe had hym sene 
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Yitt yoe myght haue made me to trowe you intere; 
But faute in hym I fynde none, but conande and clene. 
For conande and clene can I clere hym, 
No faute can I fynde to reffuse hym, 
I hope yitt in haste yoe schall here hym 
Whanne he comys to racleyme-than may yoe cuse hym. 


Miles 1
80 Lorde, fele of his ferles in faith haue we fonne, 
Yone harlotte heuys oure hartis full of hate ire. 
He sais hymselffe that he is Goddis sone 
And schall sitte on the right hande beside his awne sire. 


Miles 2
84 THer talis is full trewe that we telle. 
On the raynebowe the rebalde it redis, 
He sais he schall haue vs to heuene or to hell 
To deme vs aday aftir oure dedis. 


Pilate
88 To deme vs, in the deuyll name? Say whedir? Saie whedir, to the deuyll? 
What, dastardis, wene ye be wiser than we? 


Miles 1
90 Mi lorde, with youre leue, we neuen it for non ill, 
He has mustered his mervayles to mo than to me. 
Mi souerayne lorde, yone sauterell he sais 
He schall caste doune oure tempill, noyot for to layne, 
And dresse it vppe dewly within thre daies 
Als wele as it was, full goodely agayne. 


Anna
96 YOa sir, and on oure awne Sabott day 
THanne werkis he werkis full wele. 


Pilate
98 We, fye on hym, faitour, for ay, 
For thei are darke dedis of the deuyll. 


Caiphas
100 Sir, a noysomemare note newly is noysed 
THat greuis me more than any kynne thyng, 
He claymes hym clerly till a kyngdome of Jewes 
And callis hymselffe oure comeliest kyng. 


Pilate
104 Kyng, in the deuillis name? We, fye on hym, dastard. 
What, wenys that woode warlowe ouere-wyn vs thus wightly? 
A begger of Bedlem, borne as a bastard? 
Nowe by Lucifer, lach I that ladde I leue hym not lightly. 


Anna
108 Sir, the harlotte is at Heroudes hall euyn her at your hande. 


Pilate
109 I sente to hym that warlowe, the deuyll myght hym wery. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Caiphas
110 It langis to youre lordschippe be lawe of this land 
As souerayne youreselffe to sitte of enquery. 


Anna
112 Sir, the traitoure has tolde vs mo trufullis truly 
Wolde tene you full tyte and we you tham tolde. 


Pilate
114 Nowe be Beliall bonis that boy schall abie 
And bring on his bak a burdeyne of golde. 


Filius 1
116 Mi lorde that is ledar of lawis of this lande, 
YOe sente hym yourselfe to Herowde the kyng 
And sais, `THe dome of that doge lies holy in your hande, 
To deme hym or lose hym at youre likyng'. 
And thus yoe comaunded youre knyghtis for to saie; 
For sir Heroude will serche hym full sore, 
So that he wende with no wilis away- 
And therfore, my goode lorde, moue you no more. 


Caiphas
124 Nowe certis this was wele saide. 
But sir, wille yoe sese nowe and we schall se syne? 


Pilate
126 Sir Kayphas and Anna, right so nowe I thynke. 
Sittis, in Mahoundis blissing, and aske vs the wyne- 
YOe knyghtis of my courte, comaundis vs to drynke. 


Judas
129 Allas for woo that I was wrought 
Or euere I come be kynde or kynne, 
I banne the bonys that me furth brought, 
Woo worthe the wombe that I bredde ynne. 
So may I bidde, 
For I so falsely did to hym 
THat vnto me grete kyndnesse kidde. 
THe purse with his spens aboute I bare, 
THer was none trowed so wele as I. 
Of me he triste, no man mare, 
And I betrayed hym traytourly 
With a false trayne. 
Sakles I solde his blessid body 
Vnto Jues for to be slayne. 
To slaa my souereyne assente I 
And tolde them the tyme of his takyng, 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Shamously myselfe thus schente I 
So sone for to sente to his slayng. 
Nowe wiste I howe he myght passe that payne; 
To loke that howe beste bote myght be 
Vnto the Jues I will agayne 
To saue hym-he myght passe free, 
THis ware my will. 
Lorde, welthe and worschippe mot with yow be. 


Pilate
153 What tythandis, Judas, tellis thou vs till? 


Judas
154 My tydyngis are tenefull, I telle yoou 
Sir Pilate, therfore I you praye, 
My maistir that I gune selle yoou, 
Gode lorde, late hym wende on his way. 


Caiphas
158 Nay, nedelyngis Judas, that we denye. 
What mynde or mater has moued the thus? 


Judas
160 Sir, I haue synned full greuously, 
Betraied that rightwisse bloode, Jesus 
And maistir myne. 


Caiphas
163 Bewscher, what is that till vs? 
THe perill and the plight is thyne. 
Thyne is the wronge, thou wroughte it. 
THou hight vs full trulye to take hym, 
And oures is the bargayne, we boughte it- 
Loo, we are alle sente for to slee hym. 


Judas
169 Allas, that may me rewe full ill 
Giffe yoe assente hym for to slaa. 


Pilate
171 Why, what wolde thou that we did thertill? 


Judas
172 I praie you goode lorde, late hym gaa, 
And here is of me youre paymente playne. 


Caiphas
174 Naie, we will noght so, 
We bought hym for he schulde be slayne. 
To slee hym thiselffe thou assentit, 
THis wate thou wondirly wele. 
What right is nowe to repente it? 
THou schapist thiselffe vnseele. 


Anna
180 Do waie Judas, thou dose for noght, 
Thy wordis I warne the are in waste. 
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Thyselffe to selle hym whanne thou vs sought, 
THou was agaynste hym thanne the moste 
Of vs ilkan. 


Caiphas
185 We schall be venged on hym in haste, 
Whedir that euere he wille or none. 


Pilate
187 THer wordis that thou nenys noght nedis it, 
THou onhanged harlott, harke what I saie; 
Spare of thy spekyng, noght spedis it, 
Or walke oute at the dore in the deuill way. 


Judas
191 Why will ye thanne noyot latte hym passe 
And haue of me agayne youre paie? 


Pilate
193 I telle the traytoure, I wille it noght. 


Judas
194 Allas, thanne am I lorne 
Bothe bone and bloode. 
Allas the while so may I saie, 
That euere I sente to spille his bloode. 
To saue his bloode sirs, I saie youe, 
And takes you thare youre payment hole. 
Spare for to spille hym I praye youe, 
Ellis brewe yoe me full mekill bale. 


Pilate
202 Nay, heriste thou Judas, thou schall agayne, 
We will it nouyot. What deuyll art thou? 
When thou vs sought thou was full fayne 
Of this money. What aylis the nowe 
For to repente? 


Judas
207 Agayne sirs here I giffe it you, 
And saue hym that he be noyot schent. 


Pilate
209 To schende hym thyselfe has the schamed, 
THou may lathe with thi liffe that thou ledis, 
Fondely as a false foole thiselffe has famed, 
Therfore the deuyll the droune for thy darfe dedis. 


Judas
213 I knawe my trespasse and my gilte, 
It is so grete it garres me grise; 
Me is full woo he schulde be spilte, 
Might I hym saue of any wise 
Wele were me than. 
Saue hym sirs-to youre seruise 
I will me bynde to be your man. 
Youre bondeman, lorde, to be 
Nowe euere will I bynde me. 
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Sir Pilate, ye may trowe me, 
Full faithfull schall yoe fynde me. 


Pilate
224 Fynde the faithfull? A, foule mot the falle 
Or thou come in oure companye, 
For by Mahoundes bloode thou wolde selle vs all. 
Thi seruice will we noght, forthy 
THou art vnknowen. 
Fals tiraunte, for thi traitoury 
THou art worthi to be hanged and drawen. 
Hanged and drawen schulde thou be, knave, 
And thou had right, by all goode reasoune. 
Thi maistirs bloode thou biddist vs saue 
And thou was firste that did hym treasoune. 


Judas
235 I cry yoou mercy lorde, on me rewe, 
THis werryd wight that wronge has wrought. 
Haue mercy on my maistir trewe 
THat I haue in youre bandome brought 
238 [... ...] 


Pilate
239 Goo jape the Judas, and neuen it noght, 
Nor move vs of this matere more. 


Anna
241 No more of this matere thou move the, 
THou momeland mytyng emell, 
Oure poynte expresse her reproues the 
Of felonye falsely and felle. 


Caiphas
245 He grucchis noyot to graunte his gilte, 
Why schonnys thou noyot to shewe thi schame? 
We bought hym for he schulde be spilte, 
All same we were consente to the same 
And thiselffe als. 
THou feyned noyot for to defame, 
THou saide he was a traytoure fals. 


Pilate
252 YOaa, and for a false faitoure 
Thyselffe full fully gon file hym- 
O that was a trante of a traytour, 
So sone thou schulde goo to begile hym. 


Miles 1
256 What, wolde thou that we lete hym ga, 
Yone weried wight that wrought such wronge? 
We will noght lose oure bargayne swaa, 
So lightely for to late hym gang. 
And reson why? 
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Latte we that lotterell liffe ought long 
It will be fonde, in faith, foly. 


Miles 2
263 Yone folte, for no fooles schall he fynde vs. 
We wotte all full wele howe it was 
His maistir whanne he gune bringe vs, 
He praied yow my goode lord late hym not passe. 


Pilate
267 Nay, sertis, he schalle noyot passe free 
THat we for oure mony has paied. 


Judas
269 Take it agayne that yoe toke me 
And saue hym fro that bittir braide, 
THan were I fayne. 


Anna
272 Itt serues of noght that thou has saide, 
And therfore takis it tyte agayne. 


Pilate
274 Tyte agayne, traytoure, thou take it, 
We wille it noght welde within oure wolde. 
YOitt schalte thou noyot, sawterell, thus sune forsake it, 
For I schall sers hym myselffe sen thou has hym solde. 


Caiphas
278 Forsake it in faith, that he ne schall, 
For we will halde hym that we haue. 
The payment chenys the withall, 
The thar no nodir comenaunte craue 
281 [... ...] 


Judas
282 Sen yoe assente hym for to slaa, 
Vengeaunce I crie on you ilkone. 
Ilkane I crie, the deuill fordo youe, 
And that myghte I both here and see. 
Herde heuenyng here I wnto youe, 
For sorowe onsought ye on me se. 


Caiphas
288 Whe, fye on the, traytoure attaynte, at this tyde, 
Of treasoune thou tyxste hym that triste the for trewe. 
Do buske the henne, brothell, no lenger thou abide, 
For if thou do, all thi respouns sare schall the rewe. 
Say, wote thou noght who is I? 
Nowe be my nociens, myght I negh nere the, 
In certayne, ladde, yitt schulde I lere the 
To lordis to speke curtaisely. 


Pilate
296 Go thy gatis, geddlyng, and greue vs no more. 
Leffe of thi talke, the deuill mot the hange. 
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Judas
298 THat att yoe toke me, take it you there, 
Ther with youre maistrie make yowe emange 
And clayme it you clene, 
Me lathes with my liff, so liffe I to lang, 
My traitourfull torne he turment my tene. 
Sen for my treasoune haue I tane vnto me, 
Me thare aske no mercy, for none mon Y gete. 
Therfore in haste myselffe schall fordo me, 
Allas the harde while that euere ete I meete. 
Thus schall I marke my mytyng meede 
And wirke me wreke with harte and will, 
To spille myselffe nowe wille I spede, 
For sadly haue I seruyd thertill. 
So walaway 
THat euere I was in witte or wille 
THat tristy trewe for to betraye. 
Allas, who may I meue to, 
Shall I me take non othir reede? 
Miselffe in haste I schall fordoo 
And take me nowe vnto my dede. 


Caiphas
318 Haue done nowe sir Pilate, late se what yoe saie 
As touchyng this money that we here haue, 
THat Judas in a wreth has wauyd away 
And keste vs crabbidly, that cursed knave. 
How saie yoe therby? 


Anna
323 Sir, sen he it slang we schall it saue. 


Caiphas
324 Tite truste it tille oure tresorie. 


Pilate
325 Nay sir, noght soo. 


Caiphas
325 Why sir, how than? 


Pilate
326 Sir, it schall nouyot combre vs nor come in oure corbonan. 


Caiphas
327 No, tille oure tresory certayne farther schall it nought. 


Pilate
328 And se youreselffe soth certayne and skill 
It is price of the bloode that we with it boght, 
Therfore some othir poynte I purpose it till, 
And thus I deuyse: 
A spotte of erthe for to by wayte nowe I will, 
To berie in pilgrimes that by the wey dies. 
Pilgrimes and palmeres to putte there- 
Sir Kaiphas and Anna, assente yoe therto?- 
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And othere false felons that we forfare. 


Anna
337 As yoe deme lorde, so wille we doo. 


Armiger
338 Hayle sir Pilate perles, and prince of this empire, 
Haile the gaiest on grounde in golde ther yoe glide, 
Haile the louffeliest lorde of lyme and of lyre, 
And all the soferans semely that sittith the beside. 


Pilate
342 What wolde thou? 


Armiger
342 A worde lorde, and wende. 


Pilate
343 Nowe thou arte welcome iwisse. 
But delyuere the lightly withouten any lette, 
We haue no tome all day to tente onto the. 


Armiger
346 A place here-beside lorde wolde I wedde-sette. 


Pilate
347 What title has thou therto? Is it thyne awne free? 


Armiger
348 Lorde, fre be my fredome me fallis it, 
THis tale is full trewe that I telle yoou, 
And Caluary-locus men callis it. 
I wolle it wedde-sette, but not for to selle yoou. 


Pilate
352 What wolde thou borowe, bewshire? Belyve late me se. 


Armiger
353 If it ware youre lekyng, my lorde, for to lene it, 
xxxti pens I wolde yoe lente onto me. 


Caiphas
355 Yis bewshire, that schall thou haue. 


Pilate
356 Shewe vs thi dedis and haue here thi mony. 


Armiger
357 Haue her gode lord, but loke yoe thame saue. 


Pilate
358 YOis certis, we schall saue thame full soundely, 
And ellis do we noght dewly oure deuere. 
Faste, freke, for thy faith, on thy fote fonde the, 
For fro this place, bewschere, I soile the foreuere. 


Armiger
362 Now sorowe on such socoure as I haue soght, 
For all my tresoure thurgh tresoune I tyne. 
I tyne it vntrewly by tresoune, 
THerfore nowe my way will I wende, 
For yoe do me no right nor no resoune 
I betake you all to the fende. 


Pilate
368 Nowe certis we are serued att all, 
THis place is purchesed full propirly. 
The Felde of Bloode loke yoe it call, 
I you comaunde ilkone forthy. 


Caiphas
372 Sir, as yoe comaunde vs call it schall we soo. 
But my lorde, with youre leue, we may lende her no lengar, 
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But faste late vs founde to fang on oure foo, 
YOone gedlyng ongodly has brewed vs grete angir. 


Anna
376 Do way sir busshoppe, and be not abaste, 
For loste is all oure lekyng, lepe he so light. 


Caiphas
378 Nay sir, he schall not trusse so tite, and that be yoe traste, 
For it wynnes vs no worschippe the werkis of yone wight, 
But grete angir. 
Forthy late vs dresse vs his deth for to dite, 
And late we this lotterell leue her no lengar. 


Pilate
383 Sir Kayphas, thurgh counsaile comaunde we our knyghtis 
To wacche on yone warlowe what way that he wendis. 
Do dresse yoou nowe dewly, to yone doderon yoou dightis 
And lette noyot to laite hym in lande where he lendis, 
Nor leuys hym noyot lightly. 


Miles 2
388 In faith we schall fette hym full farre fro his frendis. 


Pilate
389 Nowe walkis on in the wanyand and wende youre way wightely. 

Play 33


Pilate
1 Lordyngis that are lymett to the lare of my liaunce, 
YOe schappely schalkes and schene for to schawe, 
I charge yoou as yoour chiftan that yoe chatt for no chaunce, 
But loke to youre lord here and lere at my lawe- 
As a duke I may dampne yoou and drawe. 
Many bernys bolde are aboute me, 
And what knyght or knave I may knawe 
THat list noyot as a lord for to lowte me, 
I sall lere hym 
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In the deueles name, that dastard, to dowte me- 
YOa, who werkis any werkes withoute me, 
I sall charge hym in chynes to chere hym. 
Tharfore yoe lusty ledes within this lenght lapped, 
Do stynte of yooure stalkyng and of stoutnes be stalland. 
What traytoure his tong with tales has trapped, 
That fende for his flateryng full foull sall be falland. 
What broll ouere-brathely is bralland 
Or vnsoftely will sege in ther sales, 
THat caysteffe thus carpand and calland 
As a boy sall be broght vnto bales. 
THerfore 
Talkes not nor trete not of tales, 
For that gome that gyrnes or gales, 
I myself sall hym hurte full sore. 


Anna
25 YOe sall sytt hym full sore, what sege will assay yoou; 
If he like not youre lordshippe, that ladde, sall yoe lere hym 
As a pereles prince full prestly to pay yoou, 
Or as a derworth duke with dyntes sall yoe dere hym. 


Caiphas
29 YOaa, in faythe yoe haue force for to fere hym, 
Thurgh youre manhede and myght bes he marred. 
No chyualrus chiftan may chere hym 
Fro that churll with charge yoe haue charred 
32 [... ...] 
In pynyng payne bees he parred. 


Anna
34 YOaa, and with schath of skelpys yll scarred 
Fro tyme that youre tene he haue tasted. 


Pilate
36 Now certes, as me semes, whoso sadly has soght yoou, 
YOoure praysyng is prophetable yoe prelates of pees. 
Gramercy yooure goode worde, and vngayne sall it noyot you 
That yoe will say the sothe and for no sege cese. 


Caiphas
40 Elles were it pité we appered in this prees- 
But consayue how yooure knyghtes ere command. 


Anna
42 YOa my lord, that leve yoe no lese, 
I can telle you yoou tydes sum tythand 
Ful sadde. 


Pilate
45 Se, they bring yooone brolle in a bande. 
We sall here nowe hastely at hand 
What vnhappe before Herowde he had. 
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Miles 1
48 Hayll louelyest lorde that euere lawe led yoitt, 
Hayll semelyest vndre sylke on euere ilka syde, 
Hayll stateliest on stede in strenghe that is sted yoitt, 
Hayll liberall, hayll lusty to lordes allied. 


Pilate
52 Welcome, what tydandis this tyde? 
Late no langgage lightly nowe lette yoou. 


Miles 2
54 Sir Herowde ser, it is noght to hyde, 
As his gud frende grathely he grete yowe 
Foreuere. 
In what manere that euere he mete yoou, 
By hymselfe full sone wille he sette yoou 
And sais that yoe sall not disseuer. 


Pilate
60 I thanke hym full thraly; and ser, I saie hym the same- 
But what meruelous materes dyd this myron ther mell? 


Miles 1
62 For all the lordis langage his lipps, ser, wer lame; 
For any spirringes in that space no speche walde he spell, 
Bot domme as a dore gon he dwell. 
THus no faute in hym gon he fynde, 
For his dedis to deme hym to qwell, 
Nor in bandis hym brathely to bynde; 
And thus 
He sente hym to youreself, and assynde 
THat we, youre knyghtis, suld be clenly enclyned 
And tyte with hym to you to trus. 


Pilate
72 Syrs, herkens, here yoe not what we haue oppon hand? 
Loo howe there knyghtes carpe that to the kyng cared. 
Syr Herowde, thai say, no faute in me fand, 
He fest me to his frenschippe, so frendly he fared, 
Moreover sirs, he spake-and noght spared- 
Full gentilly to Jesu, this Jewe, 
And sithen to ther knyghtis declared 
How fawtes in hym fande he but fewe 
To dye. 
He taste hym, I telle yoou for trewe, 
For to dere hym he demed vndewe, 
And sirs, ye sothly saie I. 


Caiphas
84 Sir Pilate oure prince, we prelatis nowe pray yoou 
Sen Herowde fraysted no ferther this faitour to flaye, 
Resayue in yoour sall ther sawes that I saie yoou. 
Late bryng hym to barre and at his berde sall we baye. 


Anna
88 YOa, for and he wende thus by wiles away 
I wate wele he wirke will vs wondre. 
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Oure menyoé he marres that he may, 
With his seggynges he settes tham in sondre, 
With synne; 
With his blure he bredis mekill blondre. 
Whills yoe haue hym nowe haldes hym vndir- 
We sall wery hym away yf he wynne. 


Caiphas
96 Sir, no tyme is to tarie this traytour to taste. 
Agayne ser Cesar hymselfe he segges, and saies 
All the wightis in this world wirkis in waste 
THat takis hym any tribute-thus his teching outrayes. 
YOitt forther he feynes slik affraies, 
And sais that hymself is God son. 
And ser, oure lawe leggis and layes 
In what faytour falsed is fon 
Suld be slayne. 


Pilate
105 For no schame hym to shende will we shon. 


Anna
106 Sir, witnesse of this wanes may be wonne, 
THat will telle this withowten any trayne. 


Caiphas
108 I can reken a rable of renkes full right, 
Of perte men in prese fro this place ar I pas, 
THat will witnesse, I warande, the wordis of this wight, 
How wikkidly wrought that this wrecche has: 
Simon, YOarus and Judas, 
Datan and Gamaliell, 
Neptalim, Leui and Lucas, 
And Amys this maters can mell 
Togithere. 
THer tales for trewe can they telle 
Of this faytour that false is and felle, 
And in legyng of lawes ful lithre. 


Pilate
120 YOa, tussch for youre tales, thai touche not entente. 
THer witnesse I warande that to witnesse yoe wage, 
Some hatred in ther hartis agaynes hym haue hent 
And purpose be this processe to putt doun this page. 


Caiphas
124 Sir, in faith vs fallith not to fage, 
THai are trist men and true that we telle yoou. 


Pilate
126 Youre swering, seris, swiftely yoe swage, 
And no more in this maters ye mell yoou 
I charge. 


Anna
129 Sir, dispise not this speche that we spell you. 


Pilate
130 If yoe feyne slike frawdis I sall felle yoou, 
For me likis noght youre langage so large. 
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Caiphas
132 Oure langage is to large, but yooure lordshipp releue vs. 
YOitt we both beseke you late brynge hym to barre; 
What poyntes that we putte forth latt your presence appreue vs- 
YOe sall here how this harlott heldes out of herre. 


Pilate
136 YOa, butt be wise, witty, and warre. 


Anna
137 YOis sir, drede yoou noyot for nothyng we doute hym. 


Pilate
138 Fecche hym, he is noght right ferre- 
Do bedell, buske the abowte hym. 


Preco
140 I am fayne 
My lorde for to lede hym or lowte hym. 
Vncleth hym, clappe hym and clowte hym 
If yoe bid me I am buxhome and bayne. 
Knyghtis, yoe er commaundid with this caityf to care, 
And bryng hym to barre, and so my lord badd. 


Miles 1
146 Is this thy messege? 


Preco
146 YOa sir. 


Miles 1
146 THan moue the no mare, 
For we ar light for to leppe and lede forthe this ladd. 


Miles 2
148 Do steppe furth; in striffe ert thou stadde, 
I vphalde full euyll has the happed. 


Miles 1
150 O man, thy mynde is full madde, 
In oure clukis to be clowted and clapped 
And closed. 


Miles 2
153 THou bes lassched, lusschyd and lapped. 


Miles 1
154 YOa, rowted, russhed and rapped, 
THus thy name with noye sall be noysed. 


Miles 2
156 Loo this sege her, my souerayne, that yoe for sente. 


Pilate
157 Wele, stirre noyot fro that stede, but stande stille thare. 
Bot he schappe som shrewdnesse with shame bese he shente, 
And I will frayst in faith to frayne of his fare. 


Caiphas
160 We! Outte! Stande may I noyot, so I stare. 


Anna
161 YOa, harrowe of this traytour with tene. 


Pilate
162 Say renkes, what rewth gars you rare? 
Er ye woode or wittles I wene? 
What eyles yoou? 


Caiphas
165 Out, slike a sight suld be sene. 


Anna
166 YOa, allas, conquered ar we clene. 


Pilate
167 We, ere yoe fonde, or youre force fayles yoou? 
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Caiphas
168 A, ser, saugh yoe noyot this sight, how that ther schaftes schuke, 
And thez baneres to this brothel thai bowde all on brede? 


Anna
170 YOa, ther cursed knyghtes by crafte lete them croke 
To worshippe this warlowe vnworthy in wede. 


Pilate
172 Was it dewly done thus indede? 


Caiphas
173 YOa, yoa sir, oureselfe we it sawe. 


Pilate
174 We, spitte on them, ill mott thai spede- 
Say dastardes, the deuyll mote yoou drawe, 
How dar yoe 
THer baners on brede that her blawe 
Lat lowte to this lurdan so lawe? 
O faytouris, with falshed how fare yoe? 


Miles 3
180 We beseke you and tho seniouris beside yoou sir sitte, 
With none of oure gouernaunce to be greuous and gryll, 
For it lay not in oure lott ther launces to lett, 
And this werke that we haue wrought it was not oure will. 


Pilate
184 THou lise-harstow lurdan?-full ille. 
Wele thou watte if thou witnes it walde. 


Miles 4
186 Sir, oure strengh myght noyot stabill tham stille, 
They hilded for ought we couthe halde, 
Oure vnwittyng. 


Miles
189 For all oure fors in faith did thai folde 
As this warlowe worschippe thai wolde- 
And vs semid, forsoth, it vnsittyng. 


Caiphas
192 A, vnfrendly faytours, full fals is youre fable, 
THis segge with his suttelté to his seett hath you sesid. 


Miles 6
194 YOe may say what you semes ser, bot ther standerdes to stabill 
What freyke hym enforces full foull sall he be fesid. 


Anna
196 Be the deuyllis nese, yoe ar doggydly diseasid- 
A, henne-harte, ill happe mot yoou hente. 


Pilate
198 For a whapp so he whyned and whesid, 
And yoitt no lasshe to the lurdan was lente. 
Foul fall yoou. 


Miles 3
201 Sir, iwisse no wiles we haue wente. 


Pilate
202 Shamefully yoou satt to be shente, 
Here combred caystiffes I call yoou. 


Miles 4
204 Sen yoou lykis not, my lord, oure langage to leve, 
Latte bryng the biggest men that abides in this land 
Propirly in youre presence ther pousté to preve; 
Beholde that they helde nott fro thei haue thaim in hand. 


Pilate
208 Now yoe er ferdest that euere I fand, 
Fy on youre faynte hertis in feere. 
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Stir the, no langer thou stande 
THou bedell, this bodworde thou bere 
Thurgh this towne, 
THe wyghtest men vnto were 
And the strangest ther standerdis to stere, 
Hider blithely bid tham be bowne. 


Preco
216 My souerayne, full sone sall be serued youre sawe, 
I sall bryng to ther baneres right bigg men and strange. 
A company of keuellis in this contré I knawe 
That grete ere and grill, to the gomes will I gange. 
Say, ye ledis botht lusty and lange, 
YOe most passe to ser Pilate apace. 


Miles 1
222 If we wirke not his wille it wer wrang, 
We ar redy to renne on a race 
And rayke. 


Preco
225 Then tarie not, but tryne on a trace 
And folow me fast to his face. 


Miles 2
227 Do lede vs, vs lykes wele this lake. 


Preco
228 Lorde, here are the biggest bernes that bildis in this burgh, 
Most stately and strange if with strenght thai be streyned. 
Leve me ser, I lie not, to loke this lande thurgh, 
THai er myghtiest men with manhode demened. 


Pilate
232 Wate thou wele, or ellis has thou wenyd? 


Preco
233 Sir, I wate wele withoute wordis moo. 


Caiphas
234 In thy tale be not taynted nor tenyd. 


Preco
235 We, nay ser, why shuld I be soo? 


Pilate
236 Wele than, 
We sall frayst or they founde vs fer fro 
To what game thai begynne for to go. 
Sir Cayphas, declare tham yoe can. 


Caiphas
240 YOe lusty ledis, nowe lith to my lare, 
Schappe yoou to ther schaftis that so schenely her schyne. 
If yoon baners bowe the brede of an hare 
Platly yoe be putte to perpetuell pyne. 


Miles 1
244 I sall holde this as even as a lyne. 


Anna
245 Whoso schakis with schames he shendes. 


Miles 2
246 I, certayne I saie as for myne, 
Whan it sattles or sadly discendis 
Whare I stande- 
When it wryngis or wronge it wendis, 
Outher bristis, barkis, or bendes- 
Hardly lat hakke of myn hande. 
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Pilate
252 Sirs, waites to ther wightis that no wiles be wrought, 
THai are burely and brode, thare bost haue thai blowen. 


Anna
254 To neven of that nowe ser it nedis right noght, 
For who curstely hym quytes he sone sall be knawen. 


Caiphas
256 YOa, that dastard to dede sall be drawen, 
Whoso fautis he fouly sall falle. 


Pilate
258 Nowe knyghtis, sen the cokkis has crowen, 
Haue hym hense with hast fra this halle 
His wayes. 
Do stiffely steppe on this stalle, 
Make a crye, and cantely thou call 
Euene like as ser Annay the sais. 


Anna
264 Oyes. Jesu, thou Jewe of gentill Jacob kynne, 
THou nerthrist of Nazareth, now neuend is thi name. 
Alle creatures the accuses. We commaunde the comme in 
And aunswer to thin enemys; deffende now thy fame. 


Caiphas
268 We! Out! We are shente alle for shame, 
THis is wrasted all wrange as I wene. 


Anna
270 For all ther boste yoone boyes are to blame. 


Pilate
271 Slike a sight was neuere yoit sene. 
Come sytt, 
My comforth was caught fro me clene- 
I vpstritt, I me myght noyot abstene 
To wirschip hym in wark and in witte. 


Caiphas
276 THerof meruayled we mekill what moued yoou in mynde 
In reuerence of this ribald so rudely to ryse. 


Pilate
278 I was past all my powre thogh I payned me and pynd, 
I wrought not as I wolde in no maner of wise. 
Bot syrs, my spech wele aspise: 
Wightly his wayes late hym wende, 
THus my dome will dewly deuyse, 
For I am ferde hym in faith to offende 
In sightes. 


Anna
285 THan oure lawe were laght till an ende 
To his tales if yoe treuly attende- 
He enchaunted and charmed oure knyghtis. 


Caiphas
288 Be his sorcery, ser-youreselffe the soth sawe- 
He charmed oure chyualers and with myscheffe enchaunted. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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To reuerence hym ryally we rase all on rowe; 
Doutles we endure not of this dastard be daunted. 


Pilate
292 Why, what harmes has this hatell here haunted? 
I kenne to convyk hym no cause. 


Anna
294 To all gomes he God son hym graunted 
And liste not to leve on oure lawes. 


Pilate
296 Say man, 
Consayues thou noyot what comberous clause 
THat this clargye accusyng the knawse? 
Speke, and excuse the if thou can. 


Jesus
300 Euery man has a mouthe that made is on molde 
In wele and in woo to welde at his will, 
If he gouerne it gudly like as God wolde 
For his spirituale speche hym thar not to spill. 
And what gome so gouerne it ill, 
Full vnhendly and ill sall he happe; 
Of ilk tale thou talkis vs vntill 
THou accounte sall, thou can not escappe. 


Pilate
308 Sirs myne, 
YOe fonne in faithe, all the frappe, 
For in this lede no lese can I lappe 
Nor no poynte to putt hym to pyne. 


Caiphas
312 Withoute cause ser we come not this carle to accuse hym, 
And that will we yoe witt as wele is worthy. 


Pilate
314 Now I recorde wele the right yoe will no rathere refuse hym 
To he be dreuen to his dede and demed to dye; 
But takes hym vnto you forthé, 
And like as youre lawe will you lere, 
Deme yoe his body to abye. 


Anna
319 O, sir Pilate withouten any pere, 
Do way, 
YOe wate wele withouten any were 
Vs falles not, nor oure felowes in feere, 
To slo no man-youreself the soth say.. 


Pilate
324 Why suld I deme to dede than withoute deseruyng in dede? 
But I haue herde al haly why in hertes yoe hym hate. 
He is fautles, in faith, and so God mote me spede 
I graunte hym my gud will to gang on his gate. 


Caiphas
328 Nought so ser, for wele yoe it wate, 
To be kyng he claymeth, with croune, 
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And whoso stoutely will steppe to that state 
YOe suld deme ser, to be dong doune 
And dede. 


Pilate
333 Sir, trulye that touched to treasoune, 
And or I remewe he rewe sall that reasoune, 
And or I stalke or stirre fro this stede. 
Sir knyghtis that ar comly, take this caystiff in keping, 
Skelpe hym with scourges and with skathes hym scorne. 
Wrayste and wrynge hym to, for wo to he be wepyng, 
And than bryng hym before vs as he was beforne. 


Miles 1
340 He may banne the tyme he was borne, 
Sone sall he be serued as yoe saide vs. 


Anna
342 Do wappe of his wedis that are worne. 


Miles 2
343 All redy ser, we haue arayde vs. 
Haue done, 
To this broll late vs buske vs and brayde vs 
As ser Pilate has propirly prayde vs. 


Miles 3
347 We sall sette to hym sadly sone. 


Miles 4
348 Late vs gete of his gere, God giffe hym ille grace. 


Miles 1
349 THai ere tytt of tite lo, take ther his trasshes. 


Miles 3
350 Nowe knytte hym in this corde. 


Miles 2
350 I am cant in this case. 


Miles 4
351 He is bun faste-nowe bete on with bittir brasshis. 


Miles 1
352 Go on, lepis, haryoé lordingis, with lasshes, 
And enforce we, this faitour, to flay hym. 


Miles 2
354 Late vs driffe to hym derfly with dasshes, 
Alle rede with oure rowtes we aray hym 
And rente hym. 


Miles 3
357 For my parte I am prest for to pay hym. 


Miles 4
358 YOa, sende hym sorow, assaye hym. 


Miles 1
359 Take hym that I haue tome for to tente hym. 


Miles 2
360 Swyng to this swyre to swiftely he swete. 


Miles 3
361 Swete may this swayne for sweght of our swappes. 


Miles 4
362 Russhe on this rebald and hym rathely rehete. 


Miles 1
363 Rehete hym I rede you with rowtes and rappes. 


Miles 2
364 For all oure noy this nygard he nappes. 


Miles 3
365 We sall wakken hym with wynde of oure whippes. 


Miles 4
366 Nowe flynge to this flaterer with flappes. 


Miles 1
367 I sall hertely hitte on his hippes 
And haunch. 


Miles 2
369 Fra oure skelpes not scatheles he skyppes. 


Miles 3
370 YOitt hym list not lyft vp his lippis 
And pray vs to haue pety on his paunch. 
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Miles 4
372 To haue petie of his paunche he propheres no prayere. 


Miles 1
373 Lorde, how likes you this lake and this lare that we lere yoou? 


Miles 2
374 Lo, I pull at his pilche, I am prowd payere. 


Miles 3
375 Thus youre cloke sall we cloute to clence you and clere yoou. 


Miles 4
376 I am straunge in striffe for to stere yoou. 


Miles 1
377 THus with choppes this churll sall we chastye. 


Miles 2
378 I trowe with this trace we sall tere you. 


Miles 3
379 All thin vntrew techyngis thus taste I, 
THou tarand. 


Miles 4
381 I hope I be hardy and hasty. 


Miles 1
382 I wate wele my wepon not wast I. 


Miles 2
383 He swounes or sweltes I swarand. 


Miles 3
384 Late vs louse hym lightyly, do lay on your handes. 


Miles 4
385 YOa, for and he dye for this dede vndone ere we all. 


Miles 1
386 Nowe vnboune is this broll and vnbraced his bandes. 


Miles 2
387 O fule, how faris thou now? Foull mott the fall! 


Miles 3
388 Nowe because he oure kyng gon hym call 
We will kyndely hym croune with a brere. 


Miles 4
390 YOa, but first this purpure and palle 
And this worthy wede sall he were, 
For scorne. 


Miles 1
393 I am prowd at this poynte to apper. 


Miles 2
394 Latte vs clethe hym in ther clothes full clere, 
As a lorde that his lordshippe has lorne. 


Miles 3
396 Lange or thou mete slike a menyoé as thou mett with this morne. 


Miles 4
397 Do sette hym in this sete as a semely in sales. 


Miles 1
398 Now thryng to hym thrally with this thikk thorne. 


Miles 2
399 Lo, it heldes to his hede that the harnes out hales. 


Miles 3
400 Thus we teche hym to tempre his tales- 
His brayne begynnes for to blede. 


Miles 4
402 YOa, his blondre has hym broght to ther bales. 
Now reche hym and raught hym in a rede 
So rounde, 
For his septure it serues indede. 


Miles 1
406 YOa, it is gode inowe in this nede, 
Late vs gudly hym grete on this grounde. 
Aue, riall roy and rex judeorum, 
Hayle, comely kyng that no kyngdom has kende. 
Hayll vndughty duke, thi dedis ere dom, 
Hayll, man vnmyghty thi menyoé to mende. 
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Miles 3
412 Hayll, lord without lande for to lende, 
Hayll kyng, hayll knave vnconand. 


Miles 4
414 Hayll, freyke without forse the to fende, 
Hayll strang, that may not wele stand 
To stryve. 


Miles 1
417 We, harlott, heve vp thy hande, 
And vs all that the wirschip are wirkand 
Thanke vs, ther ill mot thou thryve. 


Miles 2
420 So late lede hym belyve and lenge her no lenger, 
To ser Pilate oure prince oure pride will we prayse. 


Miles 3
422 YOa, he may synge or he slepe of sorowe and angir, 
For many derfe dedes he has done in his dayes. 


Miles 4
424 Now wightly late wende on oure wayes, 
Late vs trusse vs, no tyme is to tarie. 


Miles 1
426 My lorde, will yoe listen oure layes? 
Here this boy is yoe bade vs go bary 
With battis. 


Miles 2
429 We ar combered his corpus for to cary, 
Many wightis on hym wondres and wary- 
Lo, his flessh al beflapped that fat is. 


Pilate
432 Wele, bringe hym before vs as he blisshes all bloo; 
I suppose of his seggyng he will cese euermore. 
Sirs, beholde vpon hight and ecce homoo 
THus bounden and bette and broght you before. 
Me semes that it sewes hym full sore, 
For his gilte on this grounde is he greuyd; 
If yoou like for to listen my lore 
438 [... ] 
In race 
439 [... ...] 
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Pilate
440 For propirly by this processe will I preve 
I had no force fro this felawshippe this freke for to fende. 


Preco
442 Here is al, ser that yoe for sende. 
Wille yoe wasshe whill the watir is hote? 


Pilate
444 Nowe this Barabas bandes yoe vnbende, 
With grace late hym gange on his gate 
Where yoe will. 


Barabas
447 YOe worthy men that I here wate, 
God encrece all youre comely estate 
For the grace yoe haue graunt me vntill. 


Pilate
450 Here the jugement of Jesu, all Jewes in this stede: 
Crucifie hym on a crosse and on Caluerye hym kill. 
I dampne hym today to dy this same dede, 
THerfore hyngis hym on hight vppon that high hill. 
And on aythir side hym I will 
THat a harlott yoe hyng in this hast- 
Methynkith it both reasoune and skill 
Emyddis, sen his malice is mast, 
YOe hyng hym; 
THen hym turmente, som tene for to tast. 
Mo wordis I will not nowe wast, 
But blynne not to dede to yoe bryng hym. 


Caiphas
462 Sir, vs semys in oure sight that yoe sadly has saide. 
Now knyghtis that are conant with this catyf yoe care, 
The liffe of this losell in youre list is it laide. 


Miles 1
465 Late vs one my lorde, and lere vs na lare. 
Siris, sette to hym sadly and sare, 
All in cordis his coorse vmbycast. 


Miles 2
468 Late vs bynde hym in bandis all bare. 


Miles 3
469 Here is one, full lange will it laste. 


Miles 4
470 Lay on hande here. 


Miles
471 I powll to my poure is past. 
Nowe feste is he felawes, ful fast; 
Late vs stere vs, we may not long stand here. 


Anna
474 Drawe hym faste hense, delyuere yoou, haue done. 
Go, do se hym to dede withoute lenger delay, 
For dede bus hym be nedlyng be none. 
All myrthe bus vs move tomorne that we may, 
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Itt is sothly oure grette Sabott day- 
No dede bodis vnberid sall be. 


Miles 6
480 We see wele the soth yoe vs say. 
We sall traylle hym tyte to his tree, 
THus talkand. 


Miles 4
483 Farewele, now wightely wende we. 


Pilate
484 Nowe certis yoe are a manly menyoe, 
Furth in the wylde wanyand be walkand. 

Play 34


Miles 1
1 Pees, barnes and bachillers that beldis here aboute, 
Stirre noyot ones in this stede but stonde stone stille, 
Or be the lorde that I leue on I schall gar you lowte. 
But yoe spare when I speke youre speche schall I spille 
Smertely and sone, 
For I am sente fro sir Pilate with pride 
To lede this ladde oure lawes to abide, 
He getis no bettir bone. 
Therfore I comaunde you on euere ilke a side, 
Vppon payne of enprisonment that no man appere 
To suppowle this traytoure, be tyme ne be tyde, 
11 [... ...] 
Noght one of this prees, 
Nor noght ones so hardy for to enquere, 
But helpe me holly alle that are here 
THis kaitiffe care to encrees. 
Therfore make rome and rewle you nowe right, 
That we may with this weried wight 
Wightely wende on oure waye. 
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He napped noght of all this nyght, 
And this daye schall his deth be dight- 
Latte see who dare saie naye? 
Because tomorne is prouyde 
For oure dere Sabbott day, 
We wille no mysse be moued, 
But mirthe in all that euere men may. 
We haue bene besie all this morne 
To clothe hym and to croune with thorne, 
As falles for a fole kyng, 
And nowe methynkith oure felawes skorne, 
They highte to haue ben here this morne 
THis faitour forthe to bring. 
To nappe nowe is noyot goode- 
We, howe! High myght he hyng! 


Miles 2
34 Pees man, for Mahoundes bloode, 
Why make yoe such crying? 


Miles 1
36 Why, wotte thou noght als wele as I, 
THis carle burde vnto Caluery 
And there on crosse be done? 


Miles 2
39 Sen dome is geuen that he schall dy 
Late calle to vs more companye, 
And ellis we erre oure-fone. 


Miles 1
42 Oure gere behoues to be grayde 
And felawes sammed sone, 
For sir Pilate has saide 
Hym bus be dede be none. 
Where is sir Wymond, wotte thou oght? 


Miles 2
47 He wente to garre a crosse be wroght 
To bere this cursed knave. 


Miles 1
49 That wolde I sone wer hyder broght, 
For sithen schall othir gere be soght 
That vs behoues to haffe. 


Miles 2
52 Vs bus haue sties and ropes 
To rugge hym tille he raue, 
And nayles and othir japes 
If we oureselue wille saue. 


Miles 1
56 To tarie longe vs were full lathe, 
But Wymond come it is in wathe 
But we be blamed all three. 
We, howe, sir Wymond wayteskathe. 
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Miles 2
60 We, howe, sir Wymond, howe. 


Miles 3
60 I am here-what saie yoe bathe? 
Why crye yoe so on me? 
I haue bene garre make 
THis crosse, as yhe may see, 
Of that laye ouere the lake- 
Men called it the kyngis tree. 


Miles 1
66 Nowe sekirly I thought the same, 
For that balke will no man vs blame 
To cutte it for the kyng. 


Miles 2
69 This karle has called hym kyng at hame, 
And sen this tre has such a name 
It is accordyng thyng 
THat his rigge on it may reste, 
For skorne and for hethyng. 


Miles 3
74 Methoughte it semyd beste 
Tille this bargayne to bryng. 


Miles 1
76 It is wele warred, so motte I spede, 
And it be lele in lenghe and brede 
THan is this space wele spende. 


Miles 3
79 To loke theraftir it is no nede, 
I toke the mesure or I yode, 
Bothe for the fette and hende. 


Miles 2
82 Beholde howe it is boorede 
Full euen at ilke an ende. 
This werke will wele accorde, 
It may not be amende. 


Miles 3
86 Nay, I haue ordande mekill more, 
YOaa, thes theues are sente before 
THat beside hym schall hyng. 
And sties also are ordande thore 
With stalworthe steeles as mystir wore, 
Bothe some schorte and some lang. 


Miles 1
92 For hameres and nayles 
Latte see sone who schall gang. 


Miles 2
94 Here are bragges that will noght faile, 
Of irnne and stele full strange. 


Miles 3
96 THanne is it as it aweth to bee- 
But whiche of yowe schall beere this tree, 
Sen I haue broughte it hedir? 
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Miles 1
99 Be my feithe, bere it schall hee 
THat theron hanged sone schall bee, 
And we schall teeche hym whedir. 


Miles 2
102 Vppon his bakke it schalle be laide, 
For sone we schall come thedir. 


Miles 3
104 Loke that oure gere be grayede 
And go we all togedir. 


John
106 Allas for my maistir that moste is of myght, 
That yoister-even late, with lanternes light, 
Before the busshoppe was brought. 
Bothe Petir and I we saugh that sight 
And sithen we wente oure wayes full wight, 
When the Jewes wondirly wrought. 
At morne thei toke to rede 
And soteltes vpsoght, 
And demed hym to be dede 
THat to tham trespassed noght. 
Allas for syte what schall I saie? 
My worldly welthe is wente for ay, 
In woo euere may I wende. 
My maistir that neuere lakke in lay 
Is demed to be dede this day, 
Ewen in hys elmys hende.&nb