_3rd Shepherd._ I am ready and yare:[201] go we in fear To that light!

Lord! if thy wills be, We are lewd[202] all three, Thou grant us of thy glee,[203]

To comfort thy wight.

[_The Shepherds arrive at Bethlehem._

_1st Shepherd._ Hail, comely and clean; hail, young child!

Hail, maker, as I mean, of a maiden so mild!

Thou hast wared, I ween, off the warlock[204] so wild, The false guiler of teen,[205] now goes he beguiled.

Lo, he merry is!

Lo, he laughs, my sweeting, A welcome meeting!

I have given my greeting Have a bob of cherries?

_2nd Shepherd._ Hail, sovereign saviour, for thou hast us sought!

Hail freely, leaf and flow'r, that all thing has wrought!

Hail full of favour, that made all of nought!

Hail! I kneel and I cower. A bird have I brought To my bairn!

Hail, little tiny mop,[206]

Of our creed thou are crop!

I would drink in thy cup, Little day-starn.[207]

_3rd Shepherd._ Hail, darling dear, full of G.o.dheed!

I pray thee be near, when that I have need.

Hail! sweet is thy cheer: my heart would bleed To see thee sit here in so poor weed.

With no pennies.

Hail! put forth thy dall!--[208]

I bring thee but a ball Have and play thee with all, And go to the tennis.

_Mary._ The Father of Heaven, G.o.d omnipotent, That set all on levin,[209] his son has he sent.

My name could he neven,[210] and laught as he went.[211]

I conceived him full even, through might, as G.o.d meant; And new is he born.

He keep you from woe: I shall pray him so; Tell forth as ye go, And mind on this morn.

_1st Shepherd._ Farewell, lady, so fair to behold, With thy child on thy knee.

_2nd Shepherd._ But he lies full cold, Lord, well is me: now we go forth, behold!

_3rd Shepherd._ Forsooth, already it seems to be told Full oft.

_1st Shepherd._ What grace we have fun.[212]

_2nd Shepherd._ Come forth, now are we won.

_3rd Shepherd._ To sing are we bun:[213]

Let take on loft.[214]

THE COVENTRY NATIVITY PLAY OF THE COMPANY OF SHEARMEN AND TAILORS

CHARACTERS

Isaiah (_as Prologue_) Gabriel Joseph Mary The Three Kings The Three Shepherds The Two Prophets King Herod A Herald An Angel Two Soldiers Three Women

THE COVENTRY NATIVITY PLAY

PROLOGUE

_Isaiah._ The sovereign that seeth every secret He save you all and make you perfect and strong: And give his grace with his mercy thereto meet, For now in great misery mankind is bound.

The serpent hath given us so mortal a wound That no creature is able us for to release Till the right unction of Judah doth cease.

Then shall much mirth and joy increase And the right root in Israel spring, That shall bring forth the grain of holiness: And out of danger he shall us bring Into that region where he is king: Which above all other doth abound And that cruel Satan he shall confound.

Wherefore I come here upon this ground, To comfort every creature of birth; For I, Isaiah, the prophet, hath found Many sweet matters, whereof we may make mirth On this same wise.

For though Adam be doomed to death With all his children, as Abel and Seth: Yet, _Ecce virgo concipiet!_[215]

Lo, where a remedy shall rise!

Behold a maid shall conceive a child, And get us more grace than ever man had.

And her maidenhood nothing defiled: She is deputed to bear the Son, Almighty G.o.d.

Lo, sovereignties now may you be glad, For of this maiden all we may be fain;[216]

For Adam that now lies in sorrows full sad, Her glorious birth shall redeem him again From bondage and thrall.

Now be merry every man, For this deed briefly in Israel shall be done, And before the Father on his throne That shall glad us all.

More of this matter fain would I move, But longer time I have not here for to dwell.

That lord that is merciful, his mercy so in us may prove For to save our souls from the darkness of h.e.l.l, And to his bliss--he us bring As he is--both lord and king; And shall be everlasting _In secula seculos_:[217] Amen.

[_Exit._

[_Enter Gabriel to Mary._]

_Gabriel._ Hail! Mary, full of grace, Our Lord G.o.d is with thee!

Above all women that ever was; Lady, blessed may thou be.

_Mary._ Almighty Father and King of bliss From all dyskes[218] thou save me now: For inwardly my spirit troubled is, I am amazed and know not how.

_Gabriel._ Dread thee nothing, maiden, of this: From heaven above hither am I sent, Of emba.s.sage from that King of bliss, Unto the lady and virgin reverent, Saluting thee here as most excellent, Whose virtue above all other doth abound; Wherefore in thee grace shall be found: For thou shalt conceive upon this ground The Second Person of G.o.d on throne; He will be born of thee alone, Without sin tho shalt him see.

Thy grace and thy goodness will never be gone But ever to live in virginity.

_Mary._ I marvel sore how that may be: Man's company knew I never yet, Nor never to do cast I me, While that our Lord sendeth me my wit.

_Gabriel._ The Holy Ghost in thee shall light, And shall endue thy soul so with virtue From the Father that is on high: These words, turtle, they be full true.