_2nd Prophet._ And why in that wise?

_1st Prophet._ For it was the guise To count the parent on the man's line, And not on the feminine, Amongst us here in Israel.

_2nd Prophet._ Yet can I not espy, by no wise How this child born should be without nature's prejudice.

_1st Prophet._ Nay, no prejudice unto nature I dare well say, For the king of nature may Have all his one will, Did not the power of G.o.d, make Aaron's rod Bear fruit in one day?

_2nd Prophet._ Truth it is indeed.

_1st Prophet._ Then look you and rede.[235]

_2nd Prophet._ Ah! I perceive the seed Whereupon that you spake, It was for our need That he frail nature did take, And his blood he should shed Amends for to make For our transgression, As it is said in prophecy, that of the line of Jude Should spring a right Messie, By whom all we Should have redemption.

_1st Prophet._ Sir, now is the time come, And the date thereof run Of his Nativity.

_2nd Prophet._ Yet I beseech you heartily, That ye would show me how That this strange novelty Were brought unto you?

_1st Prophet._ This other night so cold, Hereby upon a wold, Shepherds watching their fold In the night so far, To them appeared a star, And ever it drew them near, Which star they did behold, Brighter they say a thousand fold Than the sun so clear In his midday sphere; And they these tidings told.

_2nd Prophet._ What, secretly?

_1st Prophet._ Na, na, hardily,[236]

They made there of no council, For they sang as loud, As ever they could, Praising the king of Israel.

_2nd Prophet._ Yet do I marvel, In what pile or castle, These herdmen did him see.

_1st Prophet._ Neither in halls, nor yet in bowers, Born would he not be, Neither in castles, nor yet in towers, That seemly were to see, But at his Father's will, The prophecy to fulfil, Betwixt an ox and an a.s.s Jesu this king born he was; Heaven he bring us till![237]

_2nd Prophet._ Sir, ah! but when these shepherds had seen him there, To what place did they repair?

_1st Prophet._ Forth they went, and glad they were; Going they did sing, With mirth and solace, they made good cheer, For joy of that new tiding.

And after as I heard them tell, He rewarded them full well He granted them heaven therein to dwell.

In are they gone with joy and mirth, And their song it is Noel.

[_There the Prophets go forth, and Herod and the messenger (or herald) comes in._

_Herald._ Peace, Lord Barons of great renown!

Peace, sir knights of n.o.ble presence!

Peace, gentlemen companions of n.o.ble order!

I command that all of you keep silence.

Peace while your n.o.ble king is in presence!

Let no person stint to pay him deference; Be not bold to strike, but keep your hearts in patience, And to your Lord keep heart of reverence, For he, your king, has all puissance!

In the name of the law, I command you peace!

And King Herod--"_la grandeaboly vos umport._"[238]

_Herod._ _Qui status in Jude et Rex Israel_,[239]

And the mightiest conqueror that ever walked on ground; For I am even he that made both heaven and h.e.l.l, And of my mighty power holdeth up this world round.

Magog and Madroke, both them did I confound, And with this bright brand their bones I brake asunder, That all on the wide world on those rappis[240] did wonder.

I am the cause of this great light and thunder; It is through my fury that they such noise do make.

My fearful countenance the clouds so doth enc.u.mber, That often for dread thereof the very earth doth quake.

Look when I with malin this bright brand doth shake; All the whole world from the north to the south, I may them destroy with one word of my mouth, To recount unto you my innumerable substance That were too much for any tongue to tell; For all the whole Orient is under mine obedience, And prince am I of purgatory, and chief captain of h.e.l.l.

And those tyrannous traitors by force may I compel Mine enemies to vanquish, and even to dust to drive, And with a twinkle of mine eye not one to be left alive.

Behold my countenance and my colour, Brighter than the sun in the middle of the day!

Where can you have a more greater succour, Than to behold my person that is so gay; My falchion and my fashion with my gorgeous array?

He that had the grace always thereon to think, Live they might alway without other meat or drink.

And this my triumphant fame most highly doth abound, Throughout this world in all regions abroad, Resembling the favour of that most mighty Mahound From Jupiter by descent, and cousin to the great G.o.d, And named the most renowned King Herod, Which that all princes hath under subjection, And all their whole power under my protection.

And therefore my herald here called Calchas, Warn thou every port, that no ships arrive, Nor also alien stranger through my realm pa.s.s, But they for their truage[241] do pay marks five, Now speed thee forth hastily, For they that will the contrary, Upon a gallows hanged shall be; And, by Mahound, of me they get no grace.

_Herald._ Now, lord and master! in all the haste, Thy worthy will it shall be wrought, And thy royal countries shall be past, In as short time as can be thought.

_Herod._ Now shall our regions throughout be sought In every place, both east and west; If any caitiffs to me be brought, It shall be nothing for their best.

And the while that I do rest, Trumpets, viols, and other harmony, Shall bless the waking of my majesty.

[_Here Herod goeth away, and the three Kings speaketh in the street._

_1st King._ Now blessed be G.o.d, of his sweet sonde[242]

For yonder a bright star I do see!

Now is he come us among As the prophets said that it should be.

He said there should a babe be born Coming of the root of Jesse, To save mankind that was forlorn, And truly come now is he.

Reverence and worship to him will I do As G.o.d and man, that all made of nought.

All the prophets accorded and said even so, That with his precious blood mankind should be bought.

He grant me grace by yonder star that I see, And into that place bring me, That I may him worship with humility And see his glorious face.

_2nd King._ Out of my way I deem that I am For tokens of this country can I none see; Now G.o.d that on earth madest man, Send me some knowledge where that I be.

Yonder me thinks a fair bright star I see, The which betokeneth the birth of a child, That hither is come to make man free, He, born of a maid, and she nothing defiled, To worship that child is mine intent.

Forth now will I take my way: I trust some company G.o.d hath me sent, For yonder I see a king labour on the way, Toward him now will I ride.

Hark, comely king, I you pray, Into what coast will ye this tide, Or whither lies your journey?

_1st King._ To seek a child is mine intent, Of whom the prophets have meant.

The time is come now is he sent, By yonder star here may you see.

_2nd King._ Sir, I pray you with your licence, To ride with you into his presence; To him will I offer frankincence For the head of the whole church shall he be.

_3rd King._ I ride wandering in ways wide Over mountains and dales, I wot not where I am, Now king of all kings send me such guide, That I may have knowledge of this country's name.

Ah, yonder I see a sight be seeming all afar, The which betokens some news as I trow, As me thinks a child appearing in a star; I trust he be come that shall defend us from woe.

Two kings yonder I see, and to them will I ride, For to have their company: I trust they will me abide.[243]

Hail, comely kings augent![244]

Good sirs, I pray you whither are ye meant?

_1st King._ To seek a child is our intent, Which betokens yonder star as ye may see.

_2nd King._ To him I purpose this present.

_3rd King._ Sirs, I pray you, and that right humbly With you that I may ride in company; To Almighty G.o.d now pray we, That his precious person we may see.

[_Here Herod cometh in again, and the messenger saith:_

_Herald._ Hail, Lord! most of might!

Thy commandment is right.