As St. Paul doth write unto the Corinthes[629] plain, Our forefathers were under the cloud of darkness, And unto Christ's days did in the shadow remain; Yet were they not left, for of him they had promise All they received one spiritual feeding doubtless.

They drank of the rock which them to life refreshed, For one saving health, in Christ, all they confessed.

In the woman's seed was Adam first justified, So was faithful Noah, so was just Abraham; The faith in that seed in Moses forth multiplied, Likewise in David and Esaye[630] that after came, And in John Baptist, which shewed the very Lamb.

Though they so afar, yet all they had one justice One ma.s.s, as they call it, and in Christ one sacrifice.

A man cannot here to G.o.d do better service, Than on this to ground his faith and understanding.

For all the world's sin alone Christ payed the price, In his only death was man's life always resting, And not in will--works, nor yet in men's deserving, The light of our faith makes this thing evident, And not the practice of other experiment.

Where is now free will, which the hypocrites comment?

Whereby they report they may at their own pleasure Do good of themselves, though grace and faith be absent, And have good intents their madness with to measure.

The will of the flesh is proved here small treasure, And so is man's will, for the grace of G.o.d doth all.

More of this matter conclude hereafter we shall.

Thus endeth this tragedy or interlude, manifesting the chief promises of G.o.d unto Man by all ages in the old law, from the fall of Adam to the incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ. Compiled by John Bayle. Anno Domini 1538.

APPENDIX A

"ST. GEORGE AND THE DRAGON"

A MODERN CORNISH CHRISTMAS PLAY

CHARACTERS

Saint George The Dragon Father Christmas The Doctor King of Egypt Turkish Knight The Giant Turpin

_Enter the Turkish Knight._

Open your doors, and let me in, I hope your favours I shall win; Whether I rise or whether I fall, I'll do my best to please you all.

St. George is here, and swears he will come in, And, if he does, I know he'll pierce my skin.

If you will not believe what I do say, Let Father Christmas come in--clear the way. [_Retires._

_Enter Father Christmas._

Here come I, old Father Christmas, Welcome, or welcome not, I hope old Father Christmas Will never be forgot.

I am not come here to laugh or to jeer, But for a pocketfull of money, and a skinfull of beer, If you will not believe what I do say, Come in, the King of Egypt!--clear the way!

_Enter the King of Egypt._

Here I, the King of Egypt, boldly do appear, St. George, St. George, walk in, my only son and heir.

Walk in, my son St. George, and boldly act thy part, That all the people here may see thy wond'rous art.

_Enter Saint George._

Here come I, St. George, from Britain did I spring, I'll fight the Dragon bold, my wonders to begin.

I'll clip his wings, he shall not fly; I'll cut him down, or else I die.

_Enter the Dragon._

Who's he that seeks the Dragon's blood, And calls so angry, and so loud?

That English dog, will he before me stand?

I'll cut him down with my courageous hand.

With my long teeth, and scurvy jaw, Of such I'd break up half a score, And stay my stomach, till I'd more.

[_St. George and the Dragon fight, the latter is killed._

_Father Christmas._ Is there a doctor to be found All ready, near at hand, To cure a deep and deadly wound, And make the champion stand.

_Enter Doctor._

Oh! yes, there is a doctor to be found All ready, near at hand, To cure a deep and deadly wound, And make the champion stand.

_Father Christmas._ What can you cure?

_Doctor._ All sorts of diseases, Whatever you pleases, The phthisic, the palsy, and the gout; If the devil's in, I'll blow him out.

_Father Christmas._ What is your fee?

_Doctor._ Fifteen pound, it is my fee, The money to lay down.

But, as 'tis such a rogue as thee, I cure for ten pound.

I carry a little bottle of alic.u.mpane; Here Jack, take a little of my flip flop, Pour it down thy tip top; Rise up and fight again.

[_The Doctor performs his cure, the fight is renewed, and the Dragon again killed._

_Saint George._ Here am I, St. George, That worthy champion bold, And with my sword and spear I won three crowns of gold.

I fought the fiery dragon, And brought him to the slaughter; By that I won fair Sabra, The King of Egypt's daughter.

Where is the man, that now will me defy?

I'll cut his giblets full of holes, and make his b.u.t.tons fly.

_The Turkish Knight advances._

Here come I, the Turkish Knight, Come from the Turkish land to fight.

I'll fight St. George, who is my foe, I'll make him yield before I go; He brags to such a high degree, He thinks there's none can do the like of he.

_Saint George._ Where is the Turk, that will before me stand?

I'll cut him down with my courageous hand.

[_They fight, the Knight is overcome, and falls on one knee._

_Turkish Knight._ Oh! pardon me, St. George, pardon of thee I crave, Oh! pardon me this night, and I will be thy slave.

_Saint George._ No pardon shalt thou have, while I have foot to stand, So rise thee up again, and fight out sword in hand.

[_They fight again, and the Knight is killed. Father Christmas calls for the Doctor, with whom the same dialogue occurs as before, and the cure is performed._