_Abraham._ Thy meekness, child, makes me afray;[79]

My song may be "Well away!"

_Isaac._ O, dear father, do away Your making so mickle moan!

Now truly, father, this talking Doth but make long tarrying.

I pray you come and make ending And let me hence gone!

_Abraham._ Come hither, my child, that art so sweet: Thou must be bound now, hand and feet.

[_Binding Isaac._

_Isaac._ Ah, father! we must no more meet By aught that I can see, But do with me just as you will, I must obey, and that is skill, G.o.d's commandment to fulfil, For needs so must it be.

Upon the purpose that have set you, Forsooth, father, I will not let you, But evermore unto you bow, While that I may.

Father, greet well my brethren young, And pray my mother for her blessing, I come no more under her wing: Farewell for ever and aye!

But, father, I cry you mercy, Of that I have trespa.s.sed to thee, Forgiven, father, that it may be Until doom's day.

_Abraham._ My dear son, let be thy moans; My child, thou grievedst me but once.

Blessed be thou body and bones, And I forgive thee here.

Lo, my dear son, here shalt thou lie; Unto my work now must I hie, I had as lief myself to die As thou, my darling dear.

_Isaac._ Father, if you be to me kind, About my head a kercher[80] bind, And let me lightly out of your mind, And soon that I were sped.

_Abraham._ Farewell, my sweet son of grace!

_Isaac._ I pray you, father, turn down my face A little while, while you have s.p.a.ce, For I am full sore adread.

_Abraham._ To do this deed I am sorry.

_Isaac._ Yea, Lord, to thee I call and cry: On my soul may thou have mercy, Heartily I thee pray.

_Abraham._ Lord, I would fain work thy will.

This young innocent that lies so still Full loth were I him to kill By any manner of way.

_Isaac._ My dear father, I you pray, Let me take my clothes away, For shedding blood on them to-day, At my last ending.

_Abraham._ Heart! if thou would'st break in three, Thou shalt never master me, I will no longer let[81] for thee, My G.o.d I may not grieve.

_Isaac._ Ah, mercy, father! why tarry you so?

Smite off my head, and let me go!

I pray you, rid me of my woe; For now I take my leave.

_Abraham._ Ah, son! my heart will break in three To hear thee speak such words to me.

Jesus, on me thou have pit That I have most in mind!

_Isaac._ Now, father, I see that I shall die, Almighty G.o.d in majest, My soul I offer unto thee: Lord, to it be kind.

[_Abraham takes the sword, as if to kill his son, when two angels appear. One of them seizes the point of the sword, and says,_

_1st Angel._ Abraham, my servant dear!

_Abraham._ Lo, Lord! I am already here.

_1st Angel._ Lay not thy sword in any manner On Isaac, thy dear darling!

Nay! do thou him no annoy!

For thou dreadest G.o.d; well, see I, That of thy son hast no mercy To fulfil his bidding.

_2nd Angel._ And for his bidding thou doest aye, And spares neither, for fear nor fray, To do thy son to death to-day, Isaac to thee full dear, Therefore G.o.d has sent by me in fay,[82]

A lamb that is both good and gay Into this place as thou see may, Lo! it is right here.

_Abraham._ Ah, Lord of heaven and king of bliss!

Thy bidding I shall do, I wis.

Sacrifice here to me sent is And all, Lord, through thy grace.

A horned wether here I see, Among the briars tied is he, To thee offered it shall be Anon, right in this place.

[_Let Abraham sacrifice the ram._

_G.o.d._ Abraham, by myself I swear, For thou hast been obedient ever, And spared not thy son so dear, To fulfil my bidding, Thou shalt be blessed, thou art worthy, Thy seed I shall multiply, As stars and sand so many het I,[83]

Of thy body coming.

Of enemies thou shalt have power, And thy blood also in fear, For thou has been meek and boneer[84]

To do as I thee bade.

And all nations leave thou me, Blessed evermore shall be Through fruit that shall come of thee And saved through thy seed.

THE EPILOGUE

_Expositor._ Lordings, the signification Of this deed of devotion, An you will, it is shewn, May turn you to much good.

This deed you see done in this place, In example of Jesus done it was, That for to win mankind grace Was sacrificed on the rood.

By Abraham you may understand The Father of heaven that can fand[85]

With his son's blood to break that band The devil had brought us to.

By Isaac understand I may Jesus who was obedient aye, His father's will to work alway, His death to undergo.

THE WAKEFIELD SECOND SHEPHERDS' PLAY

CHARACTERS

1st Shepherd 2nd Shepherd 3rd Shepherd Mac, _the Sheep-stealer_ Mac's Wife, Gill Mary The Child Christ An Angel

THE WAKEFIELD SECOND NATIVITY PLAY