[_The innocents are ma.s.sacred._

_1st Soldier._ Who heard ever such a cry Of women, that their children have lost And greatly rebuking chivalry Throughout this realm in every coast Which many a man's life is like to cost; For this great revenge that here is done, I fear much vengeance thereof will come.

_2nd Soldier._ Eh! brother, such tales may we not tell, Wherefore to the king let us go, For he is like to bear the bell, Which was the cause that we did so; Yet must they all be brought him to With wains and waggons full freight.

I trow there will be a careful sight.

[_They come before Herod._

_1st Soldier._ Lo! Herod, king! here must thou see How many thousands that we have slain.

_2nd Soldier._ And needs thy will fulfilled must be, There may no man say there again.[269]

_Herald._ Herod, king! I shall thee tell, All thy deeds is come to nought.

This child is gone into Egypt to dwell, Lo! Sir, in thine own land what wonders byn[270] wrought.

_Herod._ Into Egypt? Alas! for woe, Longer in land here I cannot abide.

Saddle my palfry, for in haste will I go After yon traitors now will I ride Them for to sloo.[271]

Now all men hie fast Into Egypt in haste: All that country will I tast[272]

Till I may come them to.

THE WAKEFIELD MIRACLE-PLAY OF THE CRUCIFIXION

[_From the Towneley Collection_]

CHARACTERS

Jesus Mary John Joseph Pilate Longeus Nicodemus Four Torturers

THE CRUCIFIXION

_Pilate._ Peace I bid every wight; Stand as still as stone in wall, Whiles ye are present in my sight, That none of ye clatter nor call; For if ye do, your death is dight.

I warn it you both great and small, With this brand burnished so bright, Therefore in peace look ye be all.

What? peace, in the devil's name!

Harlots and dastards all bedene[273]

On gallows ye be made full tame.

Thieves and michers ken[274]

Will ye not peace when I bid you?

By Mahoun's blood! if ye me teyn,[275]

I shall ordain soon for you Pains that never e'er was seen, And that anon: Be ye so bold beggars, I warn you, Full boldly shall I beat you, To h.e.l.l the de'il shall draw you, Body, back, and bone.

I am a lord that mickle is of might, Prince of all Jewry, Sir Pilate I hight.

Next bring Herod, greatest of all, Bow to my bidding, both great and small, Or else be ye shent;[276]

Therefore keep your tongues, I warn you all And unto us take tent.[277]

_1st Torturer._ All peace, all peace, among you all!

And hearken now what shall befall To this false chuffer[278] here.

That with his false quantyse[279]

Has made himself as G.o.d wise Among us many a year.

He calls himself a prophet, And says that he can bales[280] beat[281]

And make all things amend, But e'er long know we shall, Whether he can overcome his own bale,[280]

Or 'scape out of our hand.

Was not this a wonder thing That he durst call himself a king And make so great a lie?

But, by Mahoun! while I may live, Those proud words shall I never forgive, Till he be hanged on high.

_2nd Torturer._ His pride, fie, we set at nought, But each man reckon in his thought And look that we naught want; For I shall seek, if that I may, By the order of knighthood, to-day, To make his heart pant.

_3rd Torturer._ And so shall I, with all my might, Abate his pride this very night, And reckon him a crede.

Lo! he lets on he could no ill, But he can aye, when he will, Do a full foul deed.

_4th Torturer._ Ye fellows, ye, as I, have rest, Among us all I rede[282] we cast To bring this thief to dede.[283]

Look that we have what we need too For to hold strait this shrew.

_1st Torturer._ That was a n.o.ble rede; Lo, here I have a band, If need be, to bind his hand; This thong, I trow, will last.

_2nd Torturer._ And one to the other side, That shall abate his pride, If it be but drawn fast.

_3rd Torturer._ Lo, here a hammer and nails also For to fasten fast our foe To this tree full soon.

_4th Torturer._ You are wise, withouten dread, That so can help yourself at need To thing that should be done.

_1st Torturer._ Now dare I say hardily, He shall with all his mawmentry[284]

No longer us be-tell.

_2nd Torturer._ Since Pilate has him to us gi'en Have done, quickly, let it be seen, How we can with him mell.[285]

_3rd Torturer._ Now we are at the Mount of Calvary, Have done, fellows, and let now see How we can with him play.

_4th Torturer._ Yes, for as proud as he can look, He would have turned another crook, Had he the rack to-day.

_1st Torturer._ In faith, sir, since ye called you a king, You must prove a worthy thing That falls into the weir.

You must joust in tournament, But sit you fast, else you'll be shent,[286]

Else down I shall you bear.

_2nd Torturer._ If thou be G.o.d's son, as thou tells, Thou canst save thyself--how shouldst thou else?

Else were it marvel great; And canst thou not, we will not trow What thou has said, but make thee mow When thou sitt'st in that seat.

_3rd Torturer._ If thou be king, we shall thanks adylle[287]

For we shall set thee in thy sadylle[288]

For falling be thou bold[289]