Into thy land is come this night Three kings, and with them a great company.

_Herod._ What make those kings in this country?

_Herald._ To seek a king and a child, they say.

_Herod._ Of what age should he be?

_Herald._ Scant twelve days old fully.

_Herod._ And was he so late born?

_Herald._ Eh! sir, so they show'd me this same day in the morn.

_Herod._ Now, in pain of death, bring them me beforn And, therefore, herald, hie thee now, in haste, In all speed that thou were dight,[245]

Or that those kings the country be past,-- Look thou bring them all three before my sight.

And in Jerusalem enquire more of that child?

But I warn thee that thy words be mild, For there take thou heed, and craft thereto His power to foredo,[246]

That those three kings shall be beguiled.

_Herald._ Lord, I am ready at your bidding, To serve thee as my lord and king, For joy thereof, lo, how I spring, With light heart and fresh gambolling, Aloft here on this mould.

_Herod._ Then speed thee forth hastily, And look that thou bear thee evenly And also I pray thee heartily, That thou do commend me Both to young and old.

_Herald_ (_returning to the Three Kings_). Hail, sir kings, in your degree!

Herod; king of these countries wide Desireth to speak with you all three, And for your coming he doth abide.

_1st King._ Sir, at his will we be right bane[247]

Hie us, brother, unto that lord's place; To speak with him we would be fain That child that we seek, he grant us of his grace.

_Herald_ (_bringing in the Kings_). Hail, Lord, without peer!

These three kings have we brought.

_Herod._ Now welcome, sir kings, all in fere;[248]

But of my bright ble,[249] sirs, abash ye nought.

Sir kings, as I understand, A star hath guided you into my land; Wherein great harie[250] ye have found, By reason of her beams bright; Wherefore I pray you heartily, The very truth that you would certify; How long it is surely, Since of that star you had first sight?

_1st King._ Sir king, the very truth we say.

And to show you, as it is best, This same is even the twelfth day Since it appeared to us to be west.

_Herod._ Brother, then is there no more to say, But with heart and will keep ye your journey, And come home again this same way, Of your news that I may know.

You shall triumph in this country, And with great concord banquet with me And that child myself then will I see, And honour him also.

_2nd King._ Sir, your commandment we will fulfil, And humbly obey ourselves theretyll, He that weldeth all things at will.

The ready way us teach, Sir king, that we may pa.s.s your land in peace.

_Herod._ Yes! and walk softly even at your own ease.

Your pa.s.sport for a hundred days Here shall you have of clear command; Our realm to labour[251] any ways Here shall you have by special grant.

_3rd King._ Now farewell, king of high degree, Humbly of you our leave we take.

_Herod._ Then adieu, sir kings, all three, And while I live be bold of me; There is nothing in this country, But for your own ye shall it take.

[_Exeunt the Three Kings._

Now these three kings are gone on their way, Unwisely and unwittingly have they all wrought.

When they come again, they shall die that same day, And thus these vile wretches to death shall be brought; Such is my liking.

He that against my laws will hold, Be he king or kaiser, never so bold, I shall them cast into cares cold, And to death I shall them bring.

[_There Herod goeth his way, and the Three Kings come in again._

_1st King._ Oh, blessed G.o.d, much is thy might!

Where is this star that gave us light?

_2nd King._ Now kneel we down here on this presence By seeking that Lord of high magnificence; That we may see his high excellence, If that his sweet will be.

_3rd King._ Yonder, brother, I see the star, Whereby I know he is not far; Therefore, lords, go we now, Into this poor place.

[_There the Three Kings go in to the jeseyne[252], Mary and her child._

_1st King._ Hail, Lord, that all this world hath wrought!

Hail G.o.d and man together in fere.[253]

For thou hast made all thing of nought Albeit that thou liest poorly here.

A cup full of gold here I have thee brought In tokening thou art without peer.

_2nd King._ Hail be thou, Lord of high magnificence In tokening of priesthood, and dignity of office, To thee I offer a cup full of incense; For it behoveth thee to have such sacrifice.

_3rd King._ Hail be thou, Lord long looked for!

I have brought thee myrrh for mortality; In tokening those shalt mankind restore To life by thy death upon a tree.

_Mary._ G.o.d have mercy, kings, of your goodness!

By the guiding of the G.o.dhead hither are ye sent; The provision of my sweet son, your ways home redress, And ghostly reward you for your present.

_1st King._ Sir kings, after our promise, Home by Herod, I must needs go.

_2nd King._ Now truly, brother, we can no less, But I am so far watched I wot not what to do.

_3rd King._ Right so am I, wherefore I you pray Let all us rest us awhile upon this ground.

_1st King._ Brother, your saying is right well unto my pay The grace of that sweet child save us all sound.

_Angel._ King of Taurus, Sir Jaspar!

King of Araby, Sir Balthasar!

Melchior, king of Aginara!

To you now am I sent.

For dread of Herod, go you west home In those parts when ye come down, Ye shall be burrid[254] with great renown: The Holy Ghost this knowledge hath sent.

_1st King._ Awake, sir kings, I you pray, For the voice of an angel I heard in my dream!

_2nd King._ That is full true that ye do say For he rehea.r.s.ed our names plain.