_Messenger._ All peace, Lordings, that be present, And hearken now with good intent, How Noah away from us he went With all his company; And Abraham, through G.o.d's grace, He is come forth into this place, And you will give him room and s.p.a.ce To tell you his storye.

This play, forsooth, begin shall he, In worship of the Trinity, That you may all hear and see What shall be done to-day.

My name is Gobbet-on-the-Green, No longer here I may be seen, Farewell, my Lordings, all by dene[52]

For letting[53] of your play.

[_Exit._

[_Enter Abraham._]

_Abraham._ Ah! thou high G.o.d, granter of grace That ending nor beginning has, I thank thee, Lord, that to me has To-day given victory.

Lot, my brother, that taken was, I have restored him in this case, And brought him home into his place Through thy might and mastery.

To worship thee I will not wond,[54]

That four kings of uncouth land To-day hast sent into my hand, And of riches great array.

Therefore of all that I can win To give thee t.i.the I will begin, When I the city soon come in, And share with thee my prey.

Melchisedec, that here king is And G.o.d's priest also, I wis, The t.i.the I will give him of this, As just is, what I do.

G.o.d who has sent me victory O'er four kings graciously, With him my spoil share will I, The city, when I come to.

_Lot._ Abraham, brother, I thank it thee, Who this day hast delivered me From enemies' hands, and their postye,[55]

And saved me from woe!

Therefore I will give t.i.thing Of my goods while I am living, And now also of his sending, t.i.the I will give also.

[_Then comes a knight to Melchisedec._

_Knight._ My lord, the king's tidings aright Your heart for to gladden and light: Abraham hath slain in fight Four kings, since he went.

Here he will be this same night, And riches with him enough dight.

I heard him thank G.o.d Almight For grace he had him sent.

_Melchisedec_ (_stretching his hand to heaven_). Ah! blessed be G.o.d that is but one!

Against Abraham I will be gone Worshipfully, and then anon, My office to fulfil, Will present him with bread and wine, For, grace of G.o.d is him within; Speeds fast for love mine!

For this is G.o.d's will.

_Knight_ (_with a cup_). Sir, here is wine withouten were,[56]

And thereto bread, both white and clear, To present him in good manere That so us helped has.

_Melchisedec._ To G.o.d, I know he is full dear, For of all things his prayer He hath, without danger, And specially great grace.

_Melchisedec_ (_coming to Abraham and offering him a cup of wine and bread on a plate_). Abraham, welcome must thou be, G.o.d's grace is fully in thee, Blessed ever must thou be That enemies so can make.

I have brought, as thou may'st see, Bread and wine for thy degree; Receive this present now from me, And that I thee beseke.[57]

_Abraham._ Sir king, welcome in good say, Thy present is welcome to my pay.

G.o.d has helped me to-day Unworthy though I were.

He shall have part of my prey That I won since I went away.

Therefore to thee thou take it may The tenth I offer here.

[_He delivers to the King a laden horse._

_Melchisedec._ And your present, sir, take I, And honour it devoutly, For much good it may signify In time that is coming.

Therefore horse, harness, and perye,[58]

As falls to my dignity, The t.i.the of it I take of thee, And receive thy off'ring.

[_Abraham receives the bread and wine, and Melchisedec the laden horse as t.i.the from Lot._

_Lot._ And I will offer with good intent Of such goods as G.o.d hath me sent To Melchisedec here present, As G.o.d's will is to be.

Abraham, my brother, offered has; And so will I with G.o.d's grace: This royal cup before your face, Receive it now of me.

[_Lot offers the wine and bread, which Melchisedec receives._

_Melchisedec._ Sir, your off'ring welcome is, And well I know forsooth, I wis, That fully G.o.d's will it is That is now done to-day.

Go we together to my city, And now G.o.d heartily thank we That helps us aye through his postye,[59]

For so we full well may.

_Expositor_ (_riding_). Lordings, what may this signify, I will expound openly That all, standing hereby, May know what this may be.

This off'ring, I say verament,[60]

Signifieth the new Testament, That now is used with good intent Throughout all Christianity.

In the old law without leasing,[61]

When these two good men were living, Of beasts was all their off'ring And eke their sacrament.

But since Christ died on the rood-tree, With bread and wine him worship we, And on Shrove Thursday in his maundy[62]

Was his commandment.

But for this thing used should be Afterward as now done we, In signification, believe you me, Melchisedec did so; And t.i.thes-making, as you see here, Of Abraham beginning were.

Therefore he was to G.o.d full dear, And so were they both too.

By Abraham understand I may The father of heaven in good fay,[63]

Melchisedec a priest to his pay To minister that sacrament That Christ ordained on Shrove Thursday In bread and wine to honour him aye; This signifieth, the truth to say, Melchisedec's present.

_G.o.d._ Abraham, my servant, I say to thee, Thy help and succour I will be, For thy good deed much pleaseth me, I tell thee surely.

_Abraham._ Lord, one thing that thou wilt see, That I pray after with heart free, Grant me, Lord, through thy postye:[64]

Some fruit of my body!

I have no child, foul nor fair, Save my Nurry[65] to be my heir, That makes me greatly to apayre.[66]

On me, Lord, have mercy!

_G.o.d._ My friend, Abraham, leave thou me.

Thy Nurry thine heir shall not be, But one son I shall send thee, Begotten of thy body.

Abraham, do as I thee say: Look up and tell,[67] and if thou may, Stars standing on the stray; That impossible were.

No more shalt thou, for no need, Number of thy body the seed That thou shalt have withouten dreed, Thou art to me so dear.

Wherefore, Abraham, servant free, Look that thou be true to me, And fore-word here I make with thee Thy seed to multiply.

So much more further shalt thou be, Kings of thy seed men shall see, And one child of great degree All mankind shall forby.[68]

I will that from henceforth alway Each knave's child on the eighth day Be circ.u.mcised, as I say, And thou thyself full soon; And who circ.u.mcised not is Forsaken shall be by me, I wis; For disobedient that man is, Therefore look that this be done.

_Abraham._ Lord, already in good fay[69]

Blessed be thou, ever and aye; For that men truly know may Thy folk from other men, Circ.u.mcised they shall be all Anon for aught that may befall.

I thank thee, Lord, thy own thrall, Kneeling on my knee'n.

_Expositor._ Lordings all take good intent What betokens this commandment: This was some time a sacrament In th' old law truly ta'en.

As followeth now verament,[70]

So was this in the old Testament; But when Christ, away it went, And baptism then began.

Also G.o.d promises here To Abraham, his servant dear, So much seed that in no manere Number'd it might be.

And one seed, mankind to forby, That was Jesus Christ witterlye[71]

For of his kind was our Lady, And so also was he.

_G.o.d._ Abraham, my servant Abraham.