,illustration3 ,,poets ,,are ,,the      
,,trumpets ,,which ,,sing ,,to ,,battle 
,,poets ,,are ,,the ,,unacknowledged    
,,legislators ,,of ,,the ,,world        
,,shelley     ,,everyman  ,,with ,,other
 ,,interludes1 including ,,eight        
,,miracle ,,plays  ,illustration3       
,,every ,,man ,i ,,will ,,go ,,with     
,,thee ,,be ,,thy ,,gvide ,,in ,,thy    
,,most ,,need ,,to ,,go ,,by ,,thy      
,,side  ,,london3 ,,published by ,j4 ,m4
 ,,dent  ,,sons ,,ltd4 ,,and ,,in ,,new 
,,york ,,by ,e4 ,p4 ,,dutton  ,,co      
,first ,issue of this ,edition          
#aiji ,reprinted                        
#aiaj1 #aiab1 #aiad     ,,introduction  
,by craftsmen and mean men1 these       
pageants are played1     ,and to commons
 and countrymen accustomably before3    
,if better men and finer heads now come1
 what can be said8    ,the pageants of  
the old ,english town-guilds1 and the   
other mysteries and interludes that     
follow1 have still an uncommon reality  
about them if we take them in the spirit

 in which they were originally acted4   
,their office as the begetters of the   
greater literary drama to come1 and     
their value as early records1 have1     
since ,sharp wrote his ,dissertation on 
the ,coventry ,mysteries in #ahaf1 been 
fully illustrated4 ,but they have hardly
 yet reached the outside reader who     
looks for life and not for literary     
origins and relations in what he reads4 
,this is a pity1 for these old plays    
hide under their archaic dress the human
 interest that all dramatic art1 no     
matter how crude1 can claim when it is  
touched with our real emotions and      
sensations4 ,they are not only a        
primitive religious drama1 born of the  
church and its feasts2 they are the     
genuine expression of the town life of  
the ,english people when it was still   
lived with some exuberance of spirits   
and communal pleasure4 ,as we read them1
 indeed1 though it be in cold blood1 we 
are carried out of our book1 and set in 
the street or market-square by the side 

of the commons and countrymen1 as in the
 day when ,whitsuntide1 or ,corpus      
,christi1 brought round the annual      
pageantry to ,chester1 ,coventry1 ,york1
 and other towns4  ,of the plays that   
follow1 six come from the old town      
pageants1 reflecting in their variety   
the range of subject and the            
contemporary effect of the cycles from  
which they are taken4 ,they are all     
typical1 and show us how the scenes and 
characters of the east were mingled with
 the real life of the ,english craftsmen
 and townsfolk who acted them1 and for  
whose pleasure they were written4 ,yet  
they give us only a small notion of the 
whole interest and extent of these      
plays4 ,we gain an idea of their        
popularity both from the number of them 
given in one town and the number of     
places at which regular cycles1 or      
single pageants1 were represented from  
year to year4 ,the ,york plays alone    
that remain are forty-eight in all2 the 
,chester1 twenty-four or five2 the      

,wakefield1 thirty-two or three4 ,even  
these do not represent anything like the
 full list4 ,mr4 ,e4 ,k4 ,chambers1 in  
an appendix to his ,medival ,stage1     
gives a list of eighty-nine different   
episodes treated in one set or another  
of the ,english and ,cornish cycles4    
,then as to the gazette of the many     
scattered places where they had a       
traditional hold3 ,beverley had a cycle 
of thirty-six2 ,newcastle-on-,tyne and  
,norwich1 each one of twelve2 while the 
village and parochial plays were almost 
numberless4 ,in ,essex alone the list   
includes twenty-one towns and villages1 
though it is fair to add that this was a
 specially enterprising shire4 ,at ,lydd
 and ,new ,romney1 companies of players 
from fourteen neighbouring towns and    
villages can be traced in the local     
records that stretch from a year or so  
before1 to eight years after1 the       
fifteenth century4  ,mrs4 ,j4 ,r4       
,green1 in her history of ,town ,life in
 that century1 shows us how the         

townspeople mixed their workday and     
holiday pursuits1 their serious duties  
with an apparent incessant round of     
gaieties4 ,hardly a town but had its own
 particular play1 acted in the town hall
 or the parish churchyard1 the mayor and
 his brethren sitting in state4 ,in     
#adaa there was a great play1 ,from the 
,beginning of the ,world1 played in     
,london at the ,skinner's ,well4 ,it    
lasted seven days continually1 and there
 were the most part of the lords and    
gentles of ,england4 ,no copy of this   
play exists1 but of its character we    
have a pretty sensible idea from various
 other plays of the ,creation handed    
down from the north-country cycles4 ,in 
the best of them the predestined ,adam  
is created after a fashion both to      
suggest his treatment by ,giotto in the 
medallion at ,florence1 and his         
lineaments as an ,english medival       
prototype3--      ,but now this man that
 ,i have made1     ,with the ghost of   
life1 ,i make him glad1     ,rise up1   

,adam1 rise up rade1#a     ,a man full  
of soul and life6  ,but to surprise the 
,english medival smith or carpenter1    
cobbler or bowyer1 when he turns        
playgoer at ,whitsuntide1 assisting at a
 play which expressed himself as well as
 its scriptural folk1 we must go on to  
later episodes4 ,the ,deluge in the     
,chester pageant1 that opens the present
 volume1 has among its many ,noah's ,ark
 sensations1 some of them difficult     
enough to mimic on the pageant-wagon1 a 
typical recall of the shipwright and    
ark-builder4 ,god says to ,noah3--      
,a ship soon thou shalt make thee of    
trees1 dry and light4                   
,little chambers therein thou make1     
,and binding pitch also thou take1      
,within and out1 thou ne slake          
,to anoint it thro' all thy might4  ,in 
the ,york ,noah's ,ark pageant1 which   
seems to be the parent-play in ,england 
of all its kind1 we have this           
craftsman's episode much enlarged4 ,make
 it of boards1 ,god says1 and wands     

between6      ,thus thriftily and not   
over thin1     ,look that thy seams be  
subtly seen     ,and naild well1 that   
they not twin3     ,thus ,i devised it  
should have been2     ,therefore do     
forth1 and leave thy din  ,then1 after  
further instructions1 ,noah begins to   
work before the spectators1 first       
rough-hewing a plank1 then trying it    
with a line1 and joining it with a gynn 
or gin4 ,he says3--      ,more subtilely
 can no man sew2#b     ,it shall be     
clinched each ilk and deal1     ,with   
nails that are both noble and new1      
,thus shall ,i fix it to the keel3      
,take here a rivet1 and there a screw1  
,with there bow1#c there now1 work ,i   
well1     ,this work1 ,i warrant both   
good and true4  ,to complete the        
pedigree of this scene we must turn to  
the old poem1 the ,cursor ,mundi1 which1
 written in the fourteenth century1 the 
time when the northern miracle-plays    
were taking decisive shape1 appears to  
have served their writers as a          

stock-book4 ,the following passage is   
own brother to that in the ,york        
miracle-play3--      ,a ship must thou  
needs dight1     ,myself shall be the   
master-wright4     ,i shall thee tell   
how broad and long1     ,of what measure
 and how strong4     ,when the timber is
 fastened well1     ,wind the sides ever
 each and deal4     ,bind it first with 
balk and band1     ,and wind it then too
 with good wand4     ,with pitch1 look1 
it be not thin6     ,plaster it well    
without and in6  ,the likeness we see is
 startling3 so near to the other indeed 
as to suggest almost a common           
authorship4  ,as for the pastoral plays 
in the same towns1 we find the shepherds
 and countrymen were just as well       
furnished with rough cuts from the life4
 ,the most real and frankly             
illustrative1 and by no means the least 
idyllic of them is perhaps the ,chester 
play of the three shepherds4 ,it was not
 played by countrymen but by townsmen1  
like the other plays in the town cycles1

 being in this case the ,paynters and   
,glasiors play4 ,the first shepherd who 
opens it talks of the bower or cote he  
would build1 his sheep to shield1 his   
seemly wethers to save3--      ,from    
comely ,conway unto ,clyde     ,under   
tyldes#d them to hide     ,a better     
shepherd on no side     ,no earthly man 
may have     ,for with walking weary ,i 
have methought     ,beside thee such my 
sheep ,i sought     ,my long-tail'd tups
 are in my thought     ,them to save and
 heal  ,in the ,death of ,abel1 another 
,chester play1 ,cain comes in with a    
plough1 and says3--      ,a tiller ,i   
am1 and so will ,i be1     ,as my daddy 
hath taught it me     ,i will fulfil his
 lore  ,in the subsequent incident of   
the corn that ,cain is to offer for his 
sacrifice1 we hear the plain echo of the
 ,english farmer's voice in the         
corn-market mixing with the scriptural  
verse3 ,this standing corn that was     
eaten by beasts1 will do3      ,god1    
thou gettest no better of me1     ,be   

thou never so grim  ,so throughout the  
plays the folk-life of their day1 their 
customs and customary speech1 are for   
ever emerging from the biblical scene4  
,in trying to realise how the           
miracle-plays were mounted and acted1 we
 shall find the best witness at         
,chester4 ,this was a rather late one4  
,archdeacon ,rogers1 who saw them in    
#aeid1 when they had been going on for  
something like three centuries in all4  
,from his account 7in the ,harleian     
,miscellany7 it appears the ,chester    
plays were given on ,whit-,monday1      
,tuesday1 and ,wednesday4  ,the manner  
of these plays were1 every company had  
his pageant or part1 a high scaffold    
with two rooms1 a higher and a lower1   
upon four wheels4 ,in the lower they    
apparelled themselves1 and in the higher
 room they played1 being all open on the
 top1 that all beholders might hear and 
see them4 ,they were played1 he goes on 
to say1 in every street3  ,they began   
first at the abbey gates1 and when the  

first pageant was played1 it was wheeled
 to the high cross before the mayor1 and
 so to every street4 ,so every street   
had a pageant playing before it at one  
time1 till all the pageants for the day 
appointed were played4 ,when one pageant
 was near ended1 word was brought from  
street to street1 that so they might    
come in place thereof1 exceeding        
orderly1 and all the streets have their 
pageants before them1 all at one time   
playing together1 to see which plays was
 great resort and also scaffolds and    
stages made in the streets in those     
places where they determined to play    
their pageants4  ,the same writer       
explains elsewhere that these plays were
 divided into twenty-four pageants1     
according to the number of the city     
companies1 and that each company brought
 out its own pageant4  ,at ,york1 whose 
plays ,miss ,l4 ,toulmin ,smith edited  
in #ahhg1 we can turn to ,davies's two  
books#e and the local records1 to       
complete the ,chester description4      

,those who travel to ,york by rail      
to-day1 and there dismount1 as most of  
us have often done1 to walk through the 
city to the cathedral1 will be          
interested to find that the railway     
station now stands where once was       
,pageant ,green4 ,near it was formerly  
another kind of station1 where stood the
 houses hired to keep the pageants      
stored and put away from one year's show
 to another4 ,the word pageant1 7pagina1
 or plank71 we ought to recall1 was used
 for the stage1 or wheeled car of two   
stories1 before it was used for the show
 set forth upon it4 ,davies helps us1 as
 we perambulate ,york to-day1 to mark   
where the old pageants were performed in
 #acii1 at twelve stations1 which were  
fixed and stated beforehand4 ,the first 
station was at the gates of the ,priory 
of the ,holy ,trinity in ,mickle ,gate1 
and the pageants were moved on them in  
turn to places at ,skelder ,gate end1   
,north ,street1 ,conyng ,strete1 ,stane 
,gate and the gates of the ,minster1 so 

to the end of ,girdler ,gate2 while the 
last of all was upon the pavement4 ,but 
the stations were subject to change1 and
 there was much competition among       
wealthy householders 7one of whom may   
have been the ,robert ,harpham mentioned
 in a #adag list7 to have the pageant   
played before their windows4 ,the       
highest bidder gained the coveted right4
  ,before the actual day came1 a        
town-crier was sent round the city to   
proclaim the banes or banns4#f ,arms    
were forbidden3 ,we command that no man 
go armed in this city with swords ne    
with carlill-axes1 in disturbance of the
 king's peace and the play1 or hindering
 of the procession of ,corpus ,christi1 
and that they leave their harness in    
their inns1 saving knights and squires  
of worship that ought to have swords    
borne after them6 ,the plays began      
betimes4 ,we read that at ,york the     
players were to be ready at the mid-hour
 betwixt the ,i,vth and ,vth of the     
clock in the morning4 ,finally1 for the 

players themselves1 care was taken to   
secure good ones for the several parts4 
,sometimes a player doubled or trebled  
the characters in a particular play4    
,all through the ,x,i,vth and ,x,vth    
centuries miracle-plays went on being   
performed regularly1 or irregularly1 in 
most of the ,english towns and larger   
villages4 ,one of the smaller cycles was
 that of ,newcastle-upon-,tyne1 played  
at ,corpus ,christi1 from #adbf onwards4
 ,the ,three ,kings of ,cologne is      
mentioned in #aecf1 which the           
goldsmiths1 plumbers1 glaziers1 and     
others were to play4 ,here the pageants 
were not movable ones1 but were given at
 fixed points4 ,no doubt some of the    
spots associated with the ,whitsuntide  
shuggy-shows 7as ,i remember them in my 
time7 were originally show-grounds of   
the town pageants too4 ,only one play of
 the ,newcastle series has survived1 and
 that fitly enough1 having regard to the
 ,tyneside shipbuilding1 is a           
shipwrights' play4 ,unluckily it has    

been so modernised that not a vestige of
 the local colour or ,tyneside dialect  
remains4  ,we come now to the date and  
origin of these town pageants4 ,of the  
three chief cycles earliest mention is  
to be found at ,chester1 and it carries 
us doubtfully back to #abfh4 ,sir ,john 
,arnway was mayor in that year1         
according to one account3 but the name  
recurs pretty positively in #acbg-h1 and
 about that time ,randall ,higgenet1 a  
monk of ,chester ,abbey1 wrote the      
plays4 ,but in the text handed down they
 are of a much later style of diction1  
and no doubt later in date than the     
,towneley or ,york series4  ,about the  
real origin of these plays there can be 
no question4 ,they began in the churches
 as liturgy plays1 which were given at  
the ,christmas1 ,easter1 and other      
festivals1 illustrating in chief the    
birth1 life1 death and passion of       
,christ4 ,we owe to ,professor ,skeat   
the recovery of some fragments of       
liturgical plays in ,latin1 which have  

been reprinted by ,professor ,manly1 in 
his ,specimens of the ,pre-,shaksperean 
,drama4 ,the earliest example there is  
may be dated as early as #ifg1 an       
important landmark for us1 as it is     
often assumed that we have no dramatic  
record of any kind in these islands     
earlier than the ,norman ,conquest4     
,another generation or two of research1 
such as the pioneer work of ,dr4        
,furnivall and the ,early ,english ,text
 ,society has made possible1 and we     
shall distinguish clearly the two lines 
of growth1 ,french and ,norman1 ,english
 and ,saxon1 by which the town-pageants 
and folk-plays of the fourteenth and    
fifteenth centuries came to a head4     
,then the grafting of the ,english      
pastoral on the church-play1 after it   
had been carried out into the open town 
or market-place1 may become clear4      
,then1 too1 one will know how charged   
with potential dramatic life was the    
mind of him who wrote that interlude in 
four lines of the ,three ,queens and the

 ,three ,dead ,men1 which contains in it
 the essence of a thousand moralities4  
#ast ,queen4 ,i am afeard4      #bnd    
,queen4 ,lo1 what ,i see8      #crd     
,queen4 ,me thinketh it be devils three6
      #ast ,dead ,body4 ,i was well fair
      #bnd ,dead ,body4 ,such shall thou
 be4      #crd ,dead ,body4 ,for ,godes 
love1 be-ware by me6  ,these breathe1   
not a ,norman1 but an ,anglo-,saxon     
fantasy1 and they speak for themselves4 
,but many tell-tale documents exist to  
mark the concurrent ,norman and ,english
 development that went on in the        
,english medival literature1 and was    
seen and felt in the church and guild   
plays1 just as it went on in the towns  
themselves4 ,it finds at last its       
typical expression in an interlude like 
the ,coventry ,nativity-play1 reprinted 
in this volume4 ,long before the        
miracle-play was written in the form it 
finally took1 and about the time when   
,william of ,rouen1 after much trouble  
with his son ,robert culminating at the 

battle of ,gerberoi1 was about to return
 to ,england1 the new opening in the    
church in this country became one to    
tempt poor foreign students of some     
parts and some ambition4 ,among these   
was a graduate of the ,university of    
,paris1 one ,geoffrey1 known to us now  
as ,geoffrey of ,st4 ,albans4 ,he had   
been offered the post of master of the  
abbey school at that place1 but when he 
arrived after some delay--due perhaps to
 his going to see a mystery play at     
,paris--he found the post filled up4 ,he
 then made his way to ,dunstable1 and   
while there proved his spirit by getting
 up a miracle-play of ,sancta ,katarina4
 ,he borrowed copes from ,st4 ,albans in
 which to dress the actors2 unluckily a 
fire took place1 and the costumes were  
burnt4 ,thereupon he seems to have      
rendered himself up as it were in pious 
pledge for their loss1 for he became a  
monk4 ,in #aaai he was elected abbot1   
and if we give him about twenty-one     
years in which to rise to that dignity1 

we can date the ,st4 ,katharine play at 
#ajih or #i4 ,this passage in a life of 
that time is a clue to the further      
history of the religious play in        
,england4 ,geoffrey's attempt to present
 one at ,dunstable1 no doubt a          
reproduction of one he had seen in      
,france1 is an instance of the          
naturalisation process that slowly went 
on4  ,the distinct break in the history 
of the miracle-play that made it from a 
church into a town pageant occurred     
about the close of the thirteenth       
century4 ,from a performance within the 
church building it went on then into the
 church-yard1 or the adjoining close or 
street1 and so into the town at large4  
,the clerics still kept a hand in its   
purveyance2 but the rise of the town    
guilds gave it a new character1 a new   
relation to the current life1 and a     
larger equipment4 ,the friendly rivalry 
between the guilds1 and the craftsmen's 
pride in not being outdone by other     
crafts1 helped to stimulate the town    

play1 till at length the elaborate cycle
 was formed that began with sunrise on a
 ,june morning1 and lasted until the    
torch-bearers were called out at dusk to
 stand at the foot of the pageant4  ,the
 earliest miracle-plays that we can     
trace in the town cycles date back to   
the early years of ,edward ,,iii4 ,the  
last to be performed in ,london1        
according to ,prynne1 was ,christ's     
,passion1 which was given in ,james     
,i4's reign4 ,it was produced at ,ely   
,house1 ,holborn1 when ,gundomar lay    
there on ,good ,friday at night1 at     
which there were thousands present4     
,this was a late survivor1 however1     
called to life by a last flicker of     
court sunshine on the occasion of the   
state visit of a ,spanish ambassador4   
,here is an extreme range of over three 
centuries2 and the old religious drama  
was still being performed in a more and 
more uncertain and intermittent fashion 
all through the dramatic reign of       
,shakspeare4  ,the ten plays that follow

 in this volume represent in brief the  
late remnant of this early drama1       
rescued at the point where it was ending
 its primitive growth1 soon to give way 
to plays written with a consciously     
artistic sense of the stage4 ,they are  
headed by the great and simple tragic   
masterpiece1 in which they say their    
last word3 the morality of ,everyman1   
the noblest interlude of death the      
religious imagination of the middle ages
 has given to the stage4 ,the two       
following ,old ,testament plays1 ,the   
,deluge and the ,sacrifice of ,isaac1   
are the third and fourth pageants in the
 ,chester series2 played respectively by
 the ,water-,leaders and ,drawers of the
 river ,dee1 and by the ,barbers and    
,wax-,chandlers4 ,the next is from      
,coventry1 a ,nativity play1 played by  
the ,shearmen and ,tailors4 ,from the   
,wakefield series1 preserved in the     
,towneley collection1 we have three     
plays1 the famous second shepherds'     
play1 with the ,crucifixion and the     

,harrowing of ,hell1 or extraction of   
souls from ,hell 7,extractio ,animarum  
ab ,inferno74 ,two ,cornish mysteries of
 the ,resurrection are included3 ,the   
,three ,maries at the ,tomb1 and ,mary  
,magdalen bringing the ,news to the     
,apostles4 ,then follows ,bishop ,bale's
 oracular play of ,god's ,promises1     
which is in effect a series of seven    
interludes strung on one thread1 united 
by one leading idea1 and one            
protagonist1 the ,pater ,clestis4  ,in  
these religious and moral interludes1   
the dramatic colouring1 however crude1  
is real and sincere4 ,the humours of a  
broad folk-comedy break through the     
scriptural web continually in the guild 
plays like those in which ,noah the     
shipbuilder1 or the proverbial three    
shepherds1 appear in the pageant4       
,noah's unwilling wife in the ,chester  
,deluge1 and ,mak's canny wife in the   
,wakefield shepherd's play1 where the   
sheep-stealing scenes reveal a born     
,yorkshire humorist1 offer a pair of    

gossips not easy to match for rude      
comedy4 ,mak's wife1 like the shepherd's
 in the same pastoral1 utters proverbs  
with every other breath3 ,a woman's     
avyse helpys at the last6 ,so long goys 
the pott to the water1 at last comys it 
home broken6      ,now in hot1 now in   
cold1     ,full woeful is the household1
       ,that wants a woman6  ,and her   
play upon the old north-country         
asseveration1 ,i'll eat my bairn1--     
,if ever ,i you beguiled1     ,that ,i  
eat this child       ,that lies in this 
cradle1  7the child being the stolen    
sheep71 must have caused towns-folk and 
country-folk outrageous laughter4 ,mak's
 wife is indeed memorable in her way as 
the ,wife of ,bath1 ,dame ,quickly1 or  
,mrs4 ,gamp4  ,there is nothing so      
boldly drawn in the ,coventry ,nativity4
 ,but there you have a startlingly      
realistic treatment joined to an        
emotional lyricism of the simplest      
charm3      ,neither in halls1 nor yet  
in bowers1       ,born would he not be  

,neither in castles1 nor yet in towers  
,that seemly were to see4  and--        
,as ,i outrode this enderes night       
,of three jolly shepherds1 ,i saw a     
sight2     ,and all about their fold a  
star shone bright1       ,they sang     
,terli1 terlow6     ,so merrily the     
shepherds their pipes can blow4  ,in    
this ,coventry play we have nearly all  
the ingredients--foreign1 liturgical1 or
 homely ,english--of the composite      
miracle play brought together4 ,it bears
 traces of many hands2 and betrays in   
the dialogue of the formal characters   
the rubricated lines of the church play 
on which it was based4 ,the chief       
characters live1 move and act their     
recognised parts with the certainty of  
the folk in a nursery tale4 ,herod      
out-,herods himself with a ,blunderbore 
extravagance3--      ,i am the cause of 
this great light and thunder2     ,it is
 through my fury that they such noise do
 make4     ,my fearful countenance1 the 
clouds so doth incumber     ,that       

oftentimes for dread thereof1 the very  
earth doth quake4  ,fee1 fi1 fo1 fum6   
might be the refrain of this giant's    
litany4 ,the other types are as plainly 
stamped4 ,the shepherd's are from the   
life1 and contrast well with the stilted
 and rather tiresome prophets4 ,the     
scenes at the babe's crib when the      
offerings are made of the shepherds'    
pipe1 old hat1 and mittens1 are both    
droll and tender4  ,the tragic          
counterparts of these scenes are those  
where the ,three ,executioners work     
their pitiless task to an end at the    
,crucifixion1 or where the ,three       
,maries go to the grave afterwards in   
the ,cornish mystery1 or where ,isaac   
bids his father bind his eyes that he   
shall not see the sword4 ,it was for    
long the fashion to say1 as ,sir ,walter
 ,scott did1 that these plays had little
 poetic life1 or human interest in them4
 ,but they are1 at their best1 truly    
touched with essential emotions1 with   
humour1 terror1 sorrow1 pity1 as the    

case may be4 ,dramatically they are far 
more alive at this moment1 than the     
,english drama of the mid-nineteenth    
century4  ,in the ,cornish mysteries we 
lose much by having to use a            
translation4 ,but something of the      
spirit and life survive in spite of it1 
and one detached passage from another of
 the plays1 that of the ,crucifixion1 is
 printed in the appendix1 which loses   
nothing by being compared with the      
treatment in other miracle-plays4 ,also 
in the ,appendix will be found an       
interesting note from ,norris's ,ancient
 ,cornish ,drama1 on the mode in which  
the ,cornish mysteries were played2 and 
a brief account by ,mr4 ,jenner of the  
trilogy contained in that work4  ,there 
remains ,john ,bayle's play of ,god's   
,promises4 ,its author was born at the  
sea-doomed city of ,dunwich in ,suffolk1
 in #adie4 ,destined for the church1 he 
showed his obstinacy early by marrying  
in defiance of his cloth4 ,he was lucky 
and unlucky in being a protg of ,thomas 

,cromwell1 and had to fly the country on
 that dangerous agent's death4 ,he      
returned when the new order was         
established1 and became ,bishop of      
,ossory1 had to suffer and turn exile   
for his tenets again in ,mary's reign2  
but found safe harbourage for his latter
 years at ,canterbury1 where he died4   
,he wrote1 on his own evidence1 more    
than twenty plays1 of which ,god's      
,promises1 the ,life of ,john the       
,baptist1 and ,king ,john1 a history    
play of interest as a pioneer1 are best 
known4 ,he himself called ,god's        
,promises a tragedy1 but unless the     
sense of ,sodom hanging in the balance1 
while ,abraham works down to its lowest 
point the diminishing ratio of the just 
to be found there1 or of ,david's       
appearing before the ,pater ,clestis as 
the great judge1 of dramatic or tragic  
emotion there is little indeed4 ,but    
,bayle's rhetoric easily ran to the edge
 of suspense1 as in the opening of his  
seventh act1 where he puts the dramatic 

question in the last line3--        ,i  
have with fearcenesse mankynde oft tymes
 corrected1     ,and agayne ,i have     
allured hym by swete promes4     ,i have
 sent sore plages1 when he hath me      
neglected1     ,and then by and by1 most
 confortable swetnes4     ,to wynne hym 
to grace1 bothe mercye and ryghteousnes 
,i have exercysed1 yet wyll he not      
amende4     ,shall ,i now lose hym1 or  
shall ,i hym defende8  ,and what could  
be finer than the setting he gives to   
the antiphon1 ,o ,oriens ,splendor1 at  
the end of the second act8  ,to turn    
from ,bayle's play to the heart-breaking
 realities of ,everyman is like turning 
from a volume of all too edifying       
sermons to the last chapters of one of  
the gospels4 ,into the full history of  
this play1 opening a difficult question 
about the early relations between ,dutch
 and ,english writers and printers1     
there is no room here to go4 ,the ,dutch
 ,everyman--,elckerlijk--was in all     
probability the original of the         

,english1 and it was certainly printed a
 few years earlier4 ,richard ,pynson1   
who first imprinted the ,english play at
 the ,sign of the ,george in ,fleet     
,street1 was printing at his press there
 from the early years of the sixteenth  
century4 ,the play itself may have been 
written1 and first performed1 in        
,english1 as in ,dutch1 a generation or 
more before4  ,it was written1 no doubt1
 like most of the plays in this volume1 
by a churchman2 and he must have been a 
man of profound imagination1 and of the 
tenderest human soul conceivable4 ,his  
ecclesiastical habit becomes clear      
enough before the end of the play1 where
 he bids ,everyman go and confess his   
sins4 ,like many of the more poignant   
scenes and passages in the miracle-plays
 that follow it1 this morality too      
leaves one exclaiming on how good a     
thing was the plain ,english of the     
fourteenth and fifteenth centuries4     
,the relation of the several            
miracle-plays here printed to the       

town-cycles from which they come will be
 seen at a glance on reference to the   
tables of pageants that appear in the   
,appendix4 ,we may take it that all     
these town and country plays represent  
continually used and frequently tinkered
 texts1 that must in some cases have    
passed through many piecemeal changes4  
,in making them easy to the average     
reader of to-day1 who takes the place of
 the medival playgoer at a ,corpus      
,christi festival1 their latest copyists
 have but followed in the wake of a     
series of ,tudor scribes who renewed the
 prompt-books from time to time4 ,in    
this process1 apart from the change of  
spelling1 the smallest possible         
alteration has been made consistent with
 the bringing of the text to a fair     
modern level of intelligibility4 ,old   
words that have been familiarised in    
,malory or ,shakespeare1 or the ,bible1 
or in the ,border ,ballads and          
north-country books1 or in ,walter      
,scott1 or the modern dialect of        

,yorkshire1 are usually allowed to      
stand1 and words needed to keep the     
rhyme1 are left intact4 ,but really hard
 words1 likely to delay the reader1 are 
glossed4 ,one ,towneley play1 the       
,extractio ,animarum1 another and a most
 spirited example of the ,harrowing of  
,hell1 mysteries that thrilled the      
people long ago1 is given in the        
original spelling1 as some test of the  
change effected in the others4 ,further1
 in the ,appendix will be found a late  
example of a ,st4 ,george and the       
,dragon doggerel ,christmas play1 which 
comes from ,cornwall1 and which in a    
slightly varying form has been played in
 many shires1 from ,wessex to ,tyneside1
 within living memory4 ,this shows us   
the last state of the traditional       
mystery1 and the ,english folk-play as  
it became when it was left to the       
village wits and playwrights to produce 
it1 without any co-operation from the   
trained eye and hand of a parson or a   
learned clerk4 ,of some other forms of  

our earlier drama1 not omitting the     
,welsh interludes of ,twm o'r ,nant1 it 
may be possible to give illustrations in
 a later book1 companion to this4 ,only 
so much is given here as may interest   
the reader1 who is a playgoer first of  
all1 and asks for entertainment and a   
light in these darker passages of the   
old ,british drama4         99       99 
99       99       99  ,finally the      
amplest acknowledgments are due to those
 who have worked upon these present     
plays1 including ,mrs4 ,c4 ,richardson1 
,m4,a41 ,mr4 ,o',brien1 ,mr4 ,roberts1  
,miss ,hawkins1 ,g4 ,r41 and ,mr4 ,ezra 
,pound2 and to the various editors of   
the ,early ,english ,text ,society1 who 
have made this book possible4           
,especially should tribute be paid to   
,dr4 ,furnivall for his permission to   
make use of the ,society's texts1 and   
his interest in this uncertain attempt  
to capture the outer public too1 and    
attract it to that ever-living          
literature to which he has devoted so   

many days of his young old-age4  ,e4 ,r4
         99       99       99       99  
99  ,everyman3 a moral play otherwise   
called3 ,a ,treatyse how the hye fader  
of heven sendeth dethe to somon every   
creature to come and gyve a counte of   
theyr lyves in this worlde1 translated  
from the ,dutch play1 ,elckerlijk1 #aebj
 7872 published in ,dodsley's ,select   
,collection of ,old ,english ,plays1    
etc41 vol4 ,i41 #ahgd2 reprint of one of
 ,skot's editions1 collated with his    
other edition and those of ,pynson1 ,ed4
 ,h4 ,logeman1 #ahib2 with an           
introduction by ,f4 ,sidgwick1 #aijb2   
reprinted by ,w4 ,w4 ,greg from the     
,edition by ,john ,skot preserved at    
,britwell ,court1 #aijd2 set to music by
 ,h4 ,walford ,davies1 etc4 7with       
historical and analytical notes71 #aijd2
 ,j4 ,s4 ,farmer1 ,six ,anonymous ,plays
 7,early ,english ,dramatists71 #aije2  
with designs by ,ambrose ,dudley1 #aijf2
 in ,broadway ,booklets1 #aijf2 with    
introduction1 note-book1 and word list1 

,j4 ,s4 ,farmer 7,museum ,dramatists71  
#aijf4  ,miracle ,plays3 ,towneley      
,mysteries1 ed4 by ,surtees ,society1   
#ahcf2 ,pollard1 ,early ,english ,text  
,society1 #ahig4 ,york ,mysteries1 ed4  
,lucy ,toulmin ,smith1 #ahhe4 ,chester  
,mysteries1 ed4 ,th4 ,wright1           
,shakespeare ,society1 #ahdc-dg2        
,deimling1 ,early ,english ,text        
,society1 #ahic1 etc42 ,t4 ,h4 ,markland
 7two plays71 ,roxburghe ,club1 #ahah4  
,coventry ,mysteries1 ed4 ,halliwell1   
,shakespeare ,society1 #ahda4 ,see also 
,sharp1 ,dissertation on the ,coventry  
,mysteries4 ,for other ,mysteries see   
,davidson1 ,modern ,language ,notes1    
vii42 ,e4 ,norris1 ,ancient ,cornish    
,drama1 #ahei4  ,selections1 or         
,separate ,plays3 ,harrowing of ,hell1  
ed4 ,halliwell1 #ahdj2 ,collier1 ,five  
,miracle ,plays1 #ahfg2 ,dr4 ,e4 ,mall1 
#ahga2 ,a4 ,w4 ,pollard1 ,english       
,miracle ,plays1 #ahie2 ,specimens of   
the ,pre-,shakespearean ,drama1 #ahig1  
#b vols4 7a third vol4 to come71 ,prof4 

,manly4 ,see ,j4 ,h4 ,kirkham 7,enquiry 
into ,sources1 etc471 #ahhe4 ,abraham   
and ,isaac1 ed4 ,l4 ,toulmin ,smith     
7,brome ,hall ,,ms471 #ahhf2 ,r4        
,brotanek 7,dublin ,,ms471 ,anglia1 xxi4
  ,general ,literature3 ,ward1 ,history 
of ,english ,dramatic ,literature1      
#ahge-f2 ,payne ,collier1 ,the ,history 
of ,english ,dramatic ,poetry1 #ahgi2   
,k4 ,hase1 ,miracle ,plays1 trans4 ,a4  
,w4 ,jackson1 #ahhj2 ,c4 ,davidson1     
,studies in ,english ,mystery ,plays1   
#ahib2 ,a4 ,w4 ,pollard1 ,english       
,miracle ,plays1 ,moralities1 and       
,interludes1 ,specimens of              
pre-,elizabethan ,drama1 etc41 #ahie2   
,k4 ,chambers1 ,the ,medival ,stage1    
#aijc2 ,a full bibliography is given in 
,f4 ,h4 ,stoddard1 ,references for      
,students of ,miracle ,plays and        
,mysteries1 #ahhg4     ,,contents       
,introduction                           
vii ,everyman                           
#a ,the ,deluge                         
#bg ,abraham1 ,melchisedec1 and ,isaac  

#ci ,the ,wakefield ,second ,shepherds' 
,play                         #ee ,the  
,coventry ,nativity ,play               
#gi ,the ,wakefield ,miracle-,play of   
the ,crucifixion               #aje ,the
 ,cornish ,mystery-,play of the ,three  
,maries                #abg ,the        
,mystery of ,mary ,magdalene and the    
,apostles              #acg ,the        
,wakefield ,pageant of the ,harrowing of
 ,hell              #adg ,god's         
,promises                               
#afc ,appendices                        
#aic     ,,characters   ,everyman ,god3 
,adonai ,death ,messenger ,fellowship   
,cousin ,kindred ,goods ,good-,deeds    
,strength ,discretion ,five-,wits       
,beauty ,knowledge ,confession ,angel   
,doctor     ,,everyman       ,,here     
,,beginneth ,a ,,treatise ,,how ,,the   
,,high ,,father ,,of ,,heaven ,,sendeth 
,,death ,,to ,,summon ,,every ,,creature
 ,,to ,,come ,,and ,,give ,,account ,,of
 ,,their      ,,lives ,,in ,,this       
,,world ,,and ,,is ,,in ,,manner ,,of ,a

 ,,moral ,,play4   ,messenger4 ,i pray  
you all give your audience1 ,and hear   
this matter with reverence1 ,by figure a
 moral play-- ,the ,summoning of        
,everyman called it is1 ,that of our    
lives and ending shows ,how transitory  
we be all day4 ,this matter is wondrous 
precious1 ,but the intent of it is more 
gracious1 ,and sweet to bear away4 ,the 
story saith1--,man1 in the beginning1   
,look well1 and take good heed to the   
ending1 ,be you never so gay6 ,ye think 
sin in the beginning full sweet1 ,which 
in the end causeth thy soul to weep1    
,when the body lieth in clay4 ,here     
shall you see how ,fellowship and       
,jollity1 ,both ,strength1 ,pleasure1   
and ,beauty1 ,will fade from thee as    
flower in ,may4 ,for ye shall hear1 how 
our heaven king ,calleth ,everyman to a 
general reckoning3 ,give audience1 and  
hear what he doth say4  ,god4 ,i        
perceive here in my majesty1 ,how that  
all creatures be to me unkind1 ,living  
without dread in worldly prosperity3 ,of

 ghostly sight the people be so blind1  
,drowned in sin1 they know me not for   
their ,god2 ,in worldly riches is all   
their mind1 ,they fear not my           
rightwiseness1 the sharp rod2 ,my law   
that ,i shewed1 when ,i for them died1  
,they forget clean1 and shedding of my  
blood red2 ,i hanged between two1 it    
cannot be denied2 ,to get them life ,i  
suffered to be dead2 ,i healed their    
feet1 with thorns hurt was my head3 ,i  
could do no more than ,i did truly1 ,and
 now ,i see the people do clean forsake 
me4 ,they use the seven deadly sins     
damnable2 ,as pride1 covetise1 wrath1   
and lechery1 ,now in the world be made  
commendable2 ,and thus they leave of    
angels the heavenly company2 ,everyman  
liveth so after his own pleasure1 ,and  
yet of their life they be nothing sure3 
,i see the more that ,i them forbear    
,the worse they be from year to year2   
,all that liveth appaireth#g fast1      
,therefore ,i will in all the haste     
,have a reckoning of ,everyman's person 

,for and ,i leave the people thus alone 
,in their life and wicked tempests1     
,verily they will become much worse than
 beasts2 ,for now one would by envy     
another up eat2 ,charity they all do    
clean forget4 ,i hoped well that        
,everyman ,in my glory should make his  
mansion1 ,and thereto ,i had them all   
elect2 ,but now ,i see1 like traitors   
deject1 ,they thank me not for the      
pleasure that ,i to them meant1 ,nor yet
 for their being that ,i them have lent2
 ,i proffered the people great multitude
 of mercy1 ,and few there be that asketh
 it heartily2 ,they be so cumbered with 
worldly riches1 ,that needs on them ,i  
must do justice1 ,on ,everyman living   
without fear4 ,where art thou1 ,death1  
thou mighty messenger8  ,death4         
,almighty ,god1 ,i am here at your will1
 ,your commandment to fulfil4  ,god4 ,go
 thou to ,everyman1 ,and show him in my 
name ,a pilgrimage he must on him take1 
,which he in no wise may escape2 ,and   
that he bring with him a sure reckoning 

,without delay or any tarrying4  ,death4
 ,lord1 ,i will in the world go run over
 all1 ,and cruelly outsearch both great 
and small2 ,every man will ,i beset that
 liveth beastly ,out of ,god's laws1 and
 dreadeth not folly3 ,he that loveth    
riches ,i will strike with my dart1 ,his
 sight to blind1 and from heaven to     
depart1 ,except that alms be his good   
friend1 ,in hell for to dwell1 world    
without end4 ,lo1 yonder ,i see         
,everyman walking2 ,full little he      
thinketh on my coming2 ,his mind is on  
fleshly lusts and his treasure1 ,and    
great pain it shall cause him to endure 
,before the ,lord ,heaven ,king4        
,everyman1 stand still2 whither art thou
 going ,thus gaily8 ,hast thou thy      
,maker forget8  ,everyman4 ,why askst   
thou8 ,wouldest thou wete8#h  ,death4   
,yea1 sir1 ,i will show you2 ,in great  
haste ,i am sent to thee ,from ,god out 
of his majesty4  ,everyman4 ,what1 sent 
to me8  ,death4 ,yea1 certainly4 ,though
 thou have forget him here1 ,he thinketh

 on thee in the heavenly sphere1 ,as1 or
 we depart1 thou shalt know4  ,everyman4
 ,what desireth ,god of me8  ,death4    
,that shall ,i show thee2 ,a reckoning  
he will needs have ,without any longer  
respite4  ,everyman4 ,to give a         
reckoning longer leisure ,i crave2 ,this
 blind matter troubleth my wit4  ,death4
 ,on thee thou must take a long journey3
 ,therefore thy book of count with thee 
thou bring2 ,for turn again thou can not
 by no way1 ,and look thou be sure of   
thy reckoning3 ,for before ,god thou    
shalt answer1 and show ,thy many bad    
deeds and good but a few2 ,how thou hast
 spent thy life1 and in what wise1      
,before the chief lord of paradise4     
,have ado that we were in that way1     
,for1 wete thou well1 thou shalt make   
none attournay4#i  ,everyman4 ,full     
unready ,i am such reckoning to give4 ,i
 know thee not3 what messenger art thou8
  ,death4 ,i am ,death1 that no man     
dreadeth4 ,for every man ,i rest and no 
man spareth2 ,for it is ,god's          

commandment ,that all to me should be   
obedient4  ,everyman4 ,o ,death1 thou   
comest when ,i had thee least in mind2  
,in thy power it lieth me to save1 ,yet 
of my good will ,i give thee1 if ye will
 be kind1 ,yea1 a thousand pound shalt  
thou have1 ,and defer this matter till  
another day4  ,death4 ,everyman1 it may 
not be by no way2 ,i set not by gold1   
silver1 nor riches1 ,ne by pope1        
emperor1 king1 duke1 ne princes4 ,for   
and ,i would receive gifts great1 ,all  
the world ,i might get2 ,but my custom  
is clean contrary4 ,i give thee no      
respite3 come hence1 and not tarry4     
,everyman4 ,alas1 shall ,i have no      
longer respite8 ,i may say ,death giveth
 no warning3 ,to think on thee1 it      
maketh my heart sick1 ,for all unready  
is my book of reckoning4 ,but twelve    
year and ,i might have abiding1 ,my     
counting book ,i would make so clear1   
,that my reckoning ,i should not need to
 fear4 ,wherefore1 ,death1 ,i pray thee1
 for ,god's mercy1 ,spare me till ,i be 

provided of remedy4  ,death4 ,thee      
availeth not to cry1 weep1 and pray3    
,but haste thee lightly that you were   
gone the journey1 ,and prove thy friends
 if thou can4 ,for1 wete thou well1 the 
tide abideth no man1 ,and in the world  
each living creature ,for ,adam's sin   
must die of nature4  ,everyman4 ,death1 
if ,i should this pilgrimage take1 ,and 
my reckoning surely make1 ,show me1 for 
saint charity1 ,should ,i not come again
 shortly8  ,death4 ,no1 ,everyman2 and  
thou be once there1 ,thou mayst never   
more come here1 ,trust me verily4       
,everyman4 ,o gracious ,god1 in the high
 seat celestial1 ,have mercy on me in   
this most need2 ,shall ,i have no       
company from this vale terrestrial ,of  
mine acquaintance that way me to lead8  
,death4 ,yea1 if any be so hardy1 ,that 
would go with thee and bear thee        
company4 ,hie thee that you were gone to
 ,god's magnificence1 ,thy reckoning to 
give before his presence4 ,what1 weenest
 thou thy life is given thee1 ,and thy  

worldly goods also8  ,everyman4 ,i had  
wend so1 verily4  ,death4 ,nay1 nay2 it 
was but lent thee2 ,for as soon as thou 
art go1 ,another awhile shall have it1  
and then go therefro ,even as thou hast 
done4 ,everyman1 thou art mad2 thou hast
 thy wits five1 ,and here on earth will 
not amend thy life1 ,for suddenly ,i do 
come4  ,everyman4 ,o wretched caitiff1  
whither shall ,i flee1 ,that ,i might   
scape this endless sorrow6 ,now1 gentle 
,death1 spare me till to-morrow1 ,that  
,i may amend me ,with good advisement4  
,death4 ,nay1 thereto ,i will not       
consent1 ,nor no man will ,i respite1   
,but to the heart suddenly ,i shall     
smite ,without any advisement4 ,and now 
out of thy sight ,i will me hie2 ,see   
thou make thee ready shortly1 ,for thou 
mayst say this is the day ,that no man  
living may scape away4  ,everyman4      
,alas1 ,i may well weep with sighs deep2
 ,now have ,i no manner of company ,to  
help me in my journey1 and me to keep2  
,and also my writing is full unready4   

,how shall ,i do now for to excuse me8  
,i would to ,god ,i had never be        
gete6#aj ,to my soul a full great profit
 it had be2 ,for now ,i fear pains huge 
and great4 ,the time passeth2 ,lord1    
help that all wrought2 ,for though ,i   
mourn it availeth nought4 ,the day      
passeth1 and is almost a-go2 ,i wot not 
well what for to do4 ,to whom were ,i   
best my complaint to make8 ,what1 and ,i
 to ,fellowship thereof spake1 ,and     
showed him of this sudden chance8 ,for  
in him is all mine affiance2 ,we have in
 the world so many a day ,be on good    
friends in sport and play4 ,i see him   
yonder1 certainly2 ,i trust that he will
 bear me company2 ,therefore to him will
 ,i speak to ease my sorrow4 ,well met1 
good ,fellowship1 and good morrow6      
,fellowship speaketh4 ,everyman1 good   
morrow by this day4 ,sir1 why lookest   
thou so piteously8 ,if any thing be     
amiss1 ,i pray thee1 me say1 ,that ,i   
may help to remedy4  ,everyman4 ,yea1   
good ,fellowship1 yea1 ,i am in great   

jeopardy4  ,fellowship4 ,my true friend1
 show to me your mind2 ,i will not      
forsake thee1 unto my life's end1 ,in   
the way of good company4  ,everyman4    
,that was well spoken1 and lovingly4    
,fellowship4 ,sir1 ,i must needs know   
your heaviness2 ,i have pity to see you 
in any distress2 ,if any have you       
wronged ye shall revenged be1 ,though ,i
 on the ground be slain for thee1--     
,though that ,i know before that ,i     
should die4  ,everyman4 ,verily1        
,fellowship1 gramercy4  ,fellowship4    
,tush6 by thy thanks ,i set not a straw4
 ,show me your grief1 and say no more4  
,everyman4 ,if ,i my heart should to you
 break1 ,and then you to turn your mind 
from me1 ,and would not me comfort1 when
 you hear me speak1 ,then should ,i ten 
times sorrier be4  ,fellowship4 ,sir1 ,i
 say as ,i will do in deed4  ,everyman4 
,then be you a good friend at need3 ,i  
have found you true here before4        
,fellowship4 ,and so ye shall evermore2 
,for1 in faith1 and thou go to ,hell1 ,i

 will not forsake thee by the way6      
,everyman4 ,ye speak like a good friend2
 ,i believe you well2 ,i shall deserve  
it1 and ,i may4  ,fellowship4 ,i speak  
of no deserving1 by this day4 ,for he   
that will say and nothing do ,is not    
worthy with good company to go2         
,therefore show me the grief of your    
mind1 ,as to your friend most loving and
 kind4  ,everyman4 ,i shall show you how
 it is2 ,commanded ,i am to go a        
journey1 ,a long way1 hard and          
dangerous1 ,and give a strait count     
without delay ,before the high judge    
,adonai4#aa ,wherefore ,i pray you1 bear
 me company1 ,as ye have promised1 in   
this journey4  ,fellowship4 ,that is    
matter indeed6 ,promise is duty1 ,but1  
and ,i should take such a voyage on me1 
,i know it well1 it should be to my     
pain3 ,also it make me afeard1 certain4 
,but let us take counsel here as well as
 we can1 ,for your words would fear a   
strong man4  ,everyman4 ,why1 ye said1  
,if ,i had need1 ,ye would me never     

forsake1 quick nor dead1 ,though it were
 to hell truly4  ,fellowship4 ,so ,i    
said1 certainly1 ,but such pleasures be 
set aside1 thee sooth to say3 ,and also1
 if we took such a journey1 ,when should
 we come again8  ,everyman4 ,nay1 never 
again till the day of doom4             
,fellowship4 ,in faith1 then will not ,i
 come there6 ,who hath you these tidings
 brought8  ,everyman4 ,indeed1 ,death   
was with me here4  ,fellowship4 ,now1 by
 ,god that all hath bought1 ,if ,death  
were the messenger1 ,for no man that is 
living to-day ,i will not go that loath 
journey-- ,not for the father that begat
 me6  ,everyman4 ,ye promised other     
wise1 pardie4  ,fellowship4 ,i wot well 
,i say so truly2 ,and yet if thou wilt  
eat1 and drink1 and make good cheer1 ,or
 haunt to women1 the lusty company1 ,i  
would not forsake you1 while the day is 
clear1 ,trust me verily6  ,everyman4    
,yea1 thereto ye would be ready2 ,to go 
to mirth1 solace1 and play1 ,your mind  
will sooner apply ,than to bear me      

company in my long journey4             
,fellowship4 ,now1 in good faith1 ,i    
will not that way4 ,but and thou wilt   
murder1 or any man kill1 ,in that ,i    
will help thee with a good will6        
,everyman4 ,o that is a simple advice   
indeed6 ,gentle fellow1 help me in my   
necessity2 ,we have loved long1 and now 
,i need1 ,and now1 gentle ,fellowship1  
remember me4  ,fellowship4 ,whether ye  
have loved me or no1 ,by ,saint ,john1  
,i will not with thee go4  ,everyman4   
,yet ,i pray thee1 take the labour1 and 
do so much for me ,to bring me forward1 
for saint charity1 ,and comfort me till 
,i come without the town4  ,fellowship4 
,nay1 and thou would give me a new gown1
 ,i will not a foot with thee go2 ,but  
and you had tarried ,i would not have   
left thee so4 ,and as now1 ,god speed   
thee in thy journey1 ,for from thee ,i  
will depart as fast as ,i may4          
,everyman4 ,whither away1 ,fellowship8  
will you forsake me8  ,fellowship4 ,yea1
 by my fay1 to ,god ,i betake thee4     

,everyman4 ,farewell1 good ,fellowship2 
for this my heart is sore2 ,adieu for   
ever1 ,i shall see thee no more4        
,fellowship4 ,in faith1 ,everyman1      
farewell now at the end2 ,for you ,i    
will remember that parting is mourning4 
,everyman4 ,alack6 shall we thus depart 
indeed8 ,our ,lady1 help1 without any   
more comfort1 ,lo1 ,fellowship forsaketh
 me in my most need3 ,for help in this  
world whither shall ,i resort8          
,fellowship herebefore with me would    
merry make2 ,and now little sorrow for  
me doth he take4 ,it is said1 in        
prosperity men friends may find1 ,which 
in adversity be full unkind4 ,now       
whither for succour shall ,i flee1 ,sith
 that ,fellowship hath forsaken me8 ,to 
my kinsmen ,i will truly1 ,praying them 
to help me in my necessity2 ,i believe  
that they will do so1 ,for kind will    
creep where it may not go4 ,i will go   
say1 for yonder ,i see them go4 ,where  
be ye now1 my friends and kinsmen8      
,kindred4 ,here be we now at your       

commandment4 ,cousin1 ,i pray you show  
us your intent ,in any wise1 and not    
spare4  ,cousin4 ,yea1 ,everyman1 and to
 us declare ,if ye be disposed to go any
 whither1 ,for wete you well1 we will   
live and die together4  ,kindred4 ,in   
wealth and woe we will with you hold1   
,for over his kin a man may be bold4    
,everyman4 ,gramercy1 my friends and    
kinsmen kind4 ,now shall ,i show you the
 grief of my mind3 ,i was commanded by a
 messenger1 ,that is an high king's     
chief officer2 ,he bade me go a         
pilgrimage to my pain1 ,and ,i know well
 ,i shall never come again2 ,also ,i    
must give a reckoning straight1 ,for ,i 
have a great enemy1 that hath me in     
wait1 ,which intendeth me for to hinder4
  ,kindred4 ,what account is that which 
ye must render8 ,that would ,i know4    
,everyman4 ,of all my works ,i must show
 ,how ,i have lived and my days spent2  
,also of ill deeds1 that ,i have used   
,in my time1 sith life was me lent2 ,and
 of all virtues that ,i have refused4   

,therefore ,i pray you go thither with  
me1 ,to help to make mine account1 for  
saint charity4  ,cousin4 ,what1 to go   
thither8 ,is that the matter8 ,nay1     
,everyman1 ,i had liefer fast bread and 
water ,all this five year and more4     
,everyman4 ,alas1 that ever ,i was      
bore6#ab ,for now shall ,i never be     
merry ,if that you forsake me4          
,kindred4 ,ah1 sir2 what1 ye be a merry 
man6 ,take good heart to you1 and make  
no moan4 ,but one thing ,i warn you1 by 
,saint ,anne1 ,as for me1 ye shall go   
alone4  ,everyman4 ,my ,cousin1 will you
 not with me go8  ,cousin4 ,no1 by our  
,lady2 ,i have the cramp in my toe4     
,trust not to me1 for1 so ,god me speed1
 ,i will deceive you in your most need1 
,kindred4 ,it availeth not us to tice4  
,ye shall have my maid with all my      
heart2 ,she loveth to go to feasts1     
there to be nice1 ,and to dance1 and    
abroad to start3 ,i will give her leave 
to help you in that journey1 ,if that   
you and she may agree4  ,everyman4 ,now 

show me the very effect of your mind4   
,will you go with me1 or abide behind8  
,kindred4 ,abide behind8 yea1 that ,i   
will and ,i may6 ,therefore farewell    
until another day4  ,everyman4 ,how     
should ,i be merry or glad8 ,for fair   
promises to me make1 ,but when ,i have  
most need1 they me forsake4 ,i am       
deceived2 that maketh me sad4  ,cousin4 
,cousin ,everyman1 farewell now1 ,for   
verily ,i will not go with you2 ,also of
 mine own an unready reckoning ,i have  
to account2 therefore ,i make tarrying4 
,now1 ,god keep thee1 for now ,i go4    
,everyman4 ,ah1 ,jesus1 is all come     
hereto8 ,lo1 fair words maketh fools    
feign2 ,they promise and nothing will do
 certain4 ,my kinsmen promised me       
faithfully ,for to abide with me        
steadfastly1 ,and now fast away do they 
flee3 ,even so ,fellowship promised me4 
,what friend were best me of to provide8
 ,i lose my time here longer to abide4  
,yet in my mind a thing there is2-- ,all
 my life ,i have loved riches2 ,if that 

my good now help me might1 ,he would    
make my heart full light4 ,i will speak 
to him in this distress4-- ,where art   
thou1 my ,goods and riches8  ,goods4    
,who calleth me8 ,everyman8 what haste  
thou hast6 ,i lie here in corners1      
trussed and piled so high1 ,and in      
chests ,i am locked so fast1 ,also      
sacked in bags1 thou mayst see with     
thine eye1 ,i cannot stir2 in packs low 
,i lie4 ,what would ye have1 lightly me 
say4  ,everyman4 ,come hither1 ,good1 in
 all the haste thou may1 ,for of counsel
 ,i must desire thee4  ,goods4 ,sir1 and
 ye in the world have trouble or        
adversity1 ,that can ,i help you to     
remedy shortly4  ,everyman4 ,it is      
another disease that grieveth me2 ,in   
this world it is not1 ,i tell thee so4  
,i am sent for another way to go1 ,to   
give a straight account general ,before 
the highest ,jupiter of all2 ,and all my
 life ,i have had joy and pleasure in   
thee4 ,therefore ,i pray thee go with   
me1 ,for1 peradventure1 thou mayst      

before ,god ,almighty ,my reckoning help
 to clean and purify2 ,for it is said   
ever among1 ,that money maketh all right
 that is wrong4  ,goods4 ,nay1          
,everyman1 ,i sing another song1 ,i     
follow no man in such voyages2 ,for and 
,i went with thee ,thou shouldst fare   
much the worse for me2 ,for because on  
me thou did set thy mind1 ,thy reckoning
 ,i have made blotted and blind1 ,that  
thine account thou cannot make truly2   
,and that hast thou for the love of me4 
,everyman4 ,that would grieve me full   
sore1 ,when ,i should come to that      
fearful answer4 ,up1 let us go thither  
together4  ,goods4 ,nay1 not so1 ,i am  
too brittle1 ,i may not endure2 ,i will 
follow no man one foot1 be ye sure4     
,everyman4 ,alas1 ,i have thee loved1   
and had great pleasure ,all my life-days
 on good and treasure4  ,goods4 ,that is
 to thy damnation without lesing1 ,for  
my love is contrary to the love         
everlasting4 ,but if thou had me loved  
moderately during1 ,as1 to the poor give

 part of me1 ,then shouldst thou not in 
this dolour be1 ,nor in this great      
sorrow and care4  ,everyman4 ,lo1 now   
was ,i deceived or ,i was ware1 ,and all
 ,i may wyte#ac my spending of time4    
,goods4 ,what1 weenest thou that ,i am  
thine8  ,everyman4 ,i had wend so4      
,goods4 ,nay1 ,everyman1 ,i say no2 ,as 
for a while ,i was lent thee1 ,a season 
thou hast had me in prosperity2 ,my     
condition is man's soul to kill2 ,if ,i 
save one1 a thousand ,i do spill2       
,weenest thou that ,i will follow thee8 
,nay1 from this world1 not verily4      
,everyman4 ,i had wend otherwise4       
,goods4 ,therefore to thy soul ,good is 
a thief2 ,for when thou art dead1 this  
is my guise ,another to deceive in the  
same wise ,as ,i have done thee1 and all
 to his soul's reprief4  ,everyman4 ,o  
false ,good1 cursed thou be6 ,thou      
traitor to ,god1 that hast deceived me1 
,and caught me in thy snare4  ,goods4   
,marry1 thou brought thyself in care1   
,whereof ,i am glad1 ,i must needs      

laugh1 ,i cannot be sad4  ,everyman4    
,ah1 ,good1 thou hast had long my       
heartly love2 ,i gave thee that which   
should be the ,lord's above4 ,but wilt  
thou not go with me in deed8 ,i pray    
thee truth to say4  ,goods4 ,no1 so ,god
 me speed1 ,therefore farewell1 and have
 good day4  ,everyman4 ,o1 to whom shall
 ,i make my moan ,for to go with me in  
that heavy journey8 ,first ,fellowship  
said he would with me gone2 ,his words  
were very pleasant and gay1 ,but        
afterward he left me alone4 ,then spake 
,i to my kinsmen all in despair1 ,and   
also they gave me words fair1 ,they     
lacked no fair speaking1 ,but all       
forsake me in the ending4 ,then went ,i 
to my ,goods that ,i loved best1 ,in    
hope to have comfort1 but there had ,i  
least2 ,for my ,goods sharply did me    
tell ,that he bringeth many into hell4  
,then of myself ,i was ashamed1 ,and so 
,i am worthy to be blamed2 ,thus may ,i 
well myself hate4 ,of whom shall ,i now 
counsel take8 ,i think that ,i shall    

never speed ,till that ,i go to my      
,good-,deed1 ,but alas1 she is so weak1 
,that she can neither go nor speak2 ,yet
 will ,i venture on her now4-- ,my      
,good-,deeds1 where be you8             
,good-,deeds4 ,here ,i lie cold in the  
ground2 ,thy sins hath me sore bound1   
,that ,i cannot stir4  ,everyman4 ,o1   
,good-,deeds1 ,i stand in fear2 ,i must 
you pray of counsel1 ,for help now      
should come right well4  ,goods-,deeds4 
,everyman1 ,i have understanding ,that  
ye be summoned account to make ,before  
,messias1 of ,jerusalem ,king2 ,and you 
do by me#ad that journey what#ae you    
will ,i take4  ,everyman4 ,therefore ,i 
come to you1 my moan to make2 ,i pray   
you1 that ye will go with me4           
,good-,deeds4 ,i would full fain1 but ,i
 cannot stand verily4  ,everyman4 ,why1 
is there anything on you fall8          
,good-,deeds4 ,yea1 sir1 ,i may thank   
you of all2 ,if ye had perfectly cheered
 me1 ,your book of account now full     
ready had be4 ,look1 the books of your  

works and deeds eke2 ,oh1 see how they  
lie under the feet1 ,to your soul's     
heaviness4  ,everyman4 ,our ,lord       
,jesus1 help me6 ,for one letter here ,i
 can not see4  ,good-,deeds4 ,there is a
 blind reckoning in time of distress6   
,everyman4 ,good-,deeds1 ,i pray you1   
help me in this need1 ,or else ,i am for
 ever damned indeed2 ,therefore help me 
to make reckoning ,before the redeemer  
of all thing1 ,that king is1 and was1   
and ever shall4  ,good-,deeds4          
,everyman1 ,i am sorry of your fall1    
,and fain would ,i help you1 and ,i were
 able4  ,everyman4 ,good-,deeds1 your   
counsel ,i pray you give me4            
,good-,deeds4 ,that shall ,i do verily2 
,though that on my feet ,i may not go1  
,i have a sister1 that shall with you   
also1 ,called ,knowledge1 which shall   
with you abide1 ,to help you to make    
that dreadful reckoning4  ,knowledge4   
,everyman1 ,i will go with thee1 and be 
thy guide1 ,in thy most need to go by   
thy side4  ,everyman4 ,in good condition

 ,i am now in every thing1 ,and am      
wholly content with this good thing2    
,thanked be ,god my ,creator4           
,good-,deeds4 ,and when he hath brought 
thee there1 ,where thou shalt heal thee 
of thy smart1 ,then go you with your    
reckoning and your ,good-,deeds together
 ,for to make you joyful at heart       
,before the blessed ,trinity4           
,everyman4 ,my ,good-,deeds1 gramercy2  
,i am well content1 certainly1 ,with    
your words sweet4  ,knowledge4 ,now go  
we together lovingly1 ,to ,confession1  
that cleansing river4  ,everyman4 ,for  
joy ,i weep2 ,i would we were there2    
,but1 ,i pray you1 give me cognition    
,where dwelleth that holy man1          
,confession4  ,knowledge4 ,in the house 
of salvation3 ,we shall find him in that
 place1 ,that shall us comfort by ,god's
 grace4 ,lo1 this is ,confession2 kneel 
down and ask mercy1 ,for he is in good  
conceit with ,god almighty4  ,everyman4 
,o glorious fountain that all           
uncleanness doth clarify1 ,wash from me 

the spots of vices unclean1 ,that on me 
no sin may be seen2 ,i come with        
,knowledge for my redemption1 ,repent   
with hearty and full contrition2 ,for ,i
 am commanded a pilgrimage to take1 ,and
 great accounts before ,god to make4    
,now1 ,i pray you1 ,shrift1 mother of   
salvation1 ,help my good deeds for my   
piteous exclamation4  ,confession4 ,i   
know your sorrow well1 ,everyman2       
,because with ,knowledge ye come to me1 
,i will you comfort as well as ,i can1  
,and a precious jewel ,i will give thee1
 ,called penance1 wise voider of        
adversity2 ,therewith shall your body   
chastised be1 ,with abstinence and      
perseverance in ,god's service3 ,here   
shall you receive that scourge of me1   
,which is penance strong1 that ye must  
endure1 ,to remember thy ,saviour was   
scourged for thee ,with sharp scourges1 
and suffered it patiently2 ,so must     
thou1 or thou scape that painful        
pilgrimage2 ,knowledge1 keep him in this
 voyage1 ,and by that time ,good-,deeds 

will be with thee4 ,but in any wise1 be 
sure of mercy1 ,for your time draweth   
fast1 and ye will saved be2 ,ask ,god   
mercy1 and ,he will grant truly1 ,when  
with the scourge of penance man doth him
 bind1 ,the oil of forgiveness then     
shall he find4  ,everyman4 ,thanked be  
,god for his gracious work6 ,for now ,i 
will my penance begin2 ,this hath       
rejoiced and lighted my heart1 ,though  
the knots be painful and hard within4   
,knowledge4 ,everyman1 look your penance
 that ye fulfil1 ,what pain that ever it
 to you be1 ,and ,knowledge shall give  
you counsel at will1 ,how your accounts 
ye shall make clearly4  ,everyman4 ,o   
eternal ,god1 ,o heavenly figure1 ,o way
 of rightwiseness1 ,o goodly vision1    
,which descended down in a virgin pure  
,because he would ,everyman redeem1     
,which ,adam forfeited by his           
disobedience3 ,o blessed ,godhead1 elect
 and high-divine1 ,forgive my grievous  
offence2 ,here ,i cry thee mercy in this
 presence4 ,o ghostly treasure1 ,o      

ransomer and redeemer ,of all the world1
 hope and conductor1 ,mirror of joy1 and
 founder of mercy1 ,which illumineth    
heaven and earth thereby1 ,hear my      
clamorous complaint1 though it late be2 
,receive my prayers2 unworthy in this   
heavy life1 ,though ,i be1 a sinner most
 abominable1 ,yet let my name be written
 in ,moses' table2 ,o ,mary1 pray to the
 ,maker of all thing1 ,me for to help at
 my ending1 ,and save me from the power 
of my enemy1 ,for ,death assaileth me   
strongly2 ,and1 ,lady1 that ,i may by   
means of thy prayer ,of your ,son's     
glory to be partaker1 ,by the means of  
his passion ,i it crave1 ,i beseech you1
 help my soul to save4-- ,knowledge1    
give me the scourge of penance2 ,my     
flesh therewith shall give a quittance3 
,i will now begin1 if ,god give me      
grace4  ,knowledge4 ,everyman1 ,god give
 you time and space3 ,thus ,i bequeath  
you in the hands of our ,saviour1 ,thus 
may you make your reckoning sure4       
,everyman4 ,in the name of the ,holy    

,trinity1 ,my body sore punished shall  
be3 ,take this body for the sin of the  
flesh2 ,also thou delightest to go gay  
and fresh1 ,and in the way of damnation 
thou did me bring2 ,therefore suffer now
 strokes and punishing4 ,now of penance 
,i will wade the water clear1 ,to save  
me from purgatory1 that sharp fire4     
,good-,deeds4 ,i thank ,god1 now ,i can 
walk and go2 ,and am delivered of my    
sickness and woe4 ,therefore with       
,everyman ,i will go1 and not spare2    
,his good works ,i will help him to     
declare4  ,knowledge4 ,now1 ,everyman1  
be merry and glad2 ,your ,good-,deeds   
cometh now2 ye may not be sad2 ,now is  
your ,good-,deeds whole and sound1      
,going upright upon the ground4         
,everyman4 ,my heart is light1 and shall
 be evermore2 ,now will ,i smite faster 
than ,i did before4  ,good-,deeds4      
,everyman1 pilgrim1 my special friend1  
,blessed be thou without end2 ,for thee 
is prepared the eternal glory4 ,ye have 
me made whole and sound1 ,therefore ,i  

will bide by thee in every stound4#af   
,everyman4 ,welcome1 my ,good-,deeds2   
now ,i hear thy voice1 ,i weep for very 
sweetness of love4  ,knowledge4 ,be no  
more sad1 but ever rejoice1 ,god seeth  
thy living in his throne above2 ,put on 
this garment to thy behove1 ,which is   
wet with your tears1 ,or else before    
,god you may it miss1 ,when you to your 
journey's end come shall4  ,everyman4   
,gentle ,knowledge1 what do you it call8
  ,knowledge4 ,it is a garment of       
sorrow3 ,from pain it will you borrow2  
,contrition it is1 ,that getteth        
forgiveness2 ,it pleaseth ,god passing  
well4  ,good-,deeds4 ,everyman1 will you
 wear it for your heal8  ,everyman4 ,now
 blessed be ,jesu1 ,mary's ,son6 ,for   
now have ,i on true contrition4 ,and let
 us go now without tarrying2            
,good-,deeds1 have we clear our         
reckoning8  ,good-,deeds4 ,yea1 indeed  
,i have it here4  ,everyman4 ,then ,i   
trust we need not fear2 ,now1 friends1  
let us not part in twain4  ,knowledge4  

,nay1 ,everyman1 that will we not1      
certain4  ,good-,deeds4 ,yet must thou  
lead with thee ,three persons of great  
might4  ,everyman4 ,who should they be8 
,good-,deeds4 ,discretion and ,strength 
they hight1 ,and thy ,beauty may not    
abide behind4  ,knowledge4 ,also ye must
 call to mind ,your ,five-wits as for   
your counsellors4  ,good-,deeds4 ,you   
must have them ready at all hours4      
,everyman4 ,how shall ,i get them       
hither8  ,knowledge4 ,you must call them
 all together1 ,and they will hear you  
incontinent4  ,everyman4 ,my friends1   
come hither and be present ,discretion1 
,strength1 my ,five-wits1 and ,beauty4  
,beauty4 ,here at your will we be all   
ready4 ,what will ye that we should do8 
,good-,deeds4 ,that ye would with       
,everyman go1 ,and help him in his      
pilgrimage1 ,advise you1 will ye with   
him or not in that voyage8  ,strength4  
,we will bring him all thither1 ,to his 
help and comfort1 ye may believe me4    
,discretion4 ,so will we go with him all

 together4  ,everyman4 ,almighty ,god1  
loved thou be1 ,i give thee laud that ,i
 have hither brought ,strength1         
,discretion1 ,beauty1 and ,five-wits2   
lack ,i nought2 ,and my ,good-,deeds1   
with ,knowledge clear1 ,all be in my    
company at my will here2 ,i desire no   
more to my business4  ,strength4 ,and   
,i1 ,strength1 will by you stand in     
distress1 ,though thou would in battle  
fight on the ground4  ,five-wits4 ,and  
though it were through the world round1 
,we will not depart for sweet nor sour4 
,beauty4 ,no more will ,i unto death's  
hour1 ,whatsoever thereof befall4       
,discretion4 ,everyman1 advise you first
 of all2 ,go with a good advisement and 
deliberation2 ,we all give you virtuous 
monition ,that all shall be well4       
,everyman4 ,my friends1 hearken what ,i 
will tell3 ,i pray ,god reward you in   
his heavenly sphere4 ,now hearken1 all  
that be here1 ,for ,i will make my      
testament ,here before you all present4 
,in alms half my good ,i will give with 

my hands twain ,in the way of charity1  
with good intent1 ,and the other half   
still shall remain ,in quiet to be      
returned there it ought to be4 ,this ,i 
do in despite of the fiend of hell ,to  
go quite out of his peril ,ever after   
and this day4  ,knowledge4 ,everyman1   
hearken what ,i say2 ,go to priesthood1 
,i you advise1 ,and receive of him in   
any wise ,the holy sacrament and        
ointment together2 ,then shortly see ye 
turn again hither2 ,we will all abide   
you here4  ,five-,wits4 ,yea1 ,everyman1
 hie you that ye ready were1 ,there is  
no emperor1 king1 duke1 ne baron1 ,that 
of ,god hath commission1 ,as hath the   
least priest in the world being2 ,for of
 the blessed sacraments pure and benign1
 ,he beareth the keys and thereof hath  
the cure ,for man's redemption1 it is   
ever sure2 ,which ,god for our soul's   
medicine ,gave us out of his heart with 
great pine2 ,here in this transitory    
life1 for thee and me ,the blessed      
sacraments seven there be1 ,baptism1    

confirmation1 with priesthood good1 ,and
 the sacrament of ,god's precious flesh 
and blood1 ,marriage1 the holy extreme  
unction1 and penance2 ,these seven be   
good to have in remembrance1 ,gracious  
sacraments of high divinity4  ,everyman4
 ,fain would ,i receive that holy body  
,and meekly to my ghostly father ,i will
 go4  ,five-wits4 ,everyman1 that is the
 best that ye can do3 ,god will you to  
salvation bring1 ,for priesthood        
exceedeth all other thing2 ,to us ,holy 
,scripture they do teach1 ,and          
converteth man from sin heaven to reach2
 ,god hath to them more power given1    
,than to any angel that is in heaven2   
,with five words he may consecrate      
,god's body in flesh and blood to make1 
,and handleth his maker between his     
hands2 ,the priest bindeth and unbindeth
 all bands1 ,both in earth and in       
heaven2 ,thou ministers all the         
sacraments seven2 ,though we kissed thy 
feet thou were worthy2 ,thou art surgeon
 that cureth sin deadly3 ,no remedy we  

find under ,god ,but all only           
priesthood4 ,everyman1 ,god gave priests
 that dignity1 ,and setteth them in his 
stead among us to be2 ,thus be they     
above angels in degree4  ,knowledge4 ,if
 priests be good it is so surely2 ,but  
when ,jesus hanged on the cross with    
great smart ,there he gave1 out of his  
blessed heart1 ,the same sacrament in   
great torment3 ,he sold them not to us1 
that ,lord ,omnipotent4 ,therefore      
,saint ,peter the apostle doth say ,that
 ,jesu's curse hath all they ,which ,god
 their ,saviour do buy or sell1 ,or they
 for any money do take or tell4 ,sinful 
priests giveth the sinners example bad2 
,their children sitteth by other men's  
fires1 ,i have heard2 ,and some haunteth
 women's company1 ,with unclean life1 as
 lusts of lechery ,these be with sin    
made blind4  ,five-wits4 ,i trust to    
,god no such may we find2 ,therefore let
 us priesthood honour1 ,and follow their
 doctrine for our souls' succour2 ,we be
 their sheep1 and they shepherds be ,by 

whom we all be kept in surety4 ,peace1  
for yonder ,i see ,everyman come1 ,which
 hath made true satisfaction4           
,good-,deeds4 ,methinketh it is he      
indeed4  ,everyman4 ,now ,jesu be our   
alder speed4#ag ,i have received the    
sacrament for my redemption1 ,and then  
mine extreme unction3 ,blessed be all   
they that counselled me to take it6 ,and
 now1 friends1 let us go without longer 
respite2 ,i thank ,god that ye have     
tarried so long4 ,now set each of you on
 this rod your hand1 ,and shortly follow
 me3 ,i go before1 there ,i would be2   
,god be our guide4  ,strength4          
,everyman1 we will not from you go1     
,till ye have gone this voyage long4    
,discretion4 ,i1 ,discretion1 will bide 
by you also4  ,knowledge4 ,and though   
this pilgrimage be never so strong1 ,i  
will never part you fro3 ,everyman1 ,i  
will be as sure by thee ,as ever ,i did 
by ,judas ,maccabee4  ,everyman4 ,alas1 
,i am so faint ,i may not stand1 ,my    
limbs under me do fold2 ,friends1 let us

 not turn again to this land1 ,not for  
all the world's gold1 ,for into this    
cave must ,i creep ,and turn to the     
earth and there to sleep4  ,beauty4     
,what1 into this grave8 alas6           
,everyman4 ,yea1 there shall you consume
 more and less4  ,beauty4 ,and what1    
should ,i smother here8  ,everyman4     
,yea1 by my faith1 and never more       
appear4 ,in this world live no more we  
shall1 ,but in heaven before the highest
 ,lord of all4  ,beauty4 ,i cross out   
all this2 adieu by ,saint ,john2 ,i take
 my cap in my lap and am gone4          
,everyman4 ,what1 ,beauty1 whither will 
ye8  ,beauty4 ,peace1 ,i am deaf2 ,i    
look not behind me1 ,not and thou would 
give me all the gold in thy chest4      
,everyman4 ,alas1 whereto may ,i trust8 
,beauty goeth fast away hie2 ,she       
promised with me to live and die4       
,strength4 ,everyman1 ,i will thee also 
forsake and deny2 ,thy game liketh me   
not at all4  ,everyman4 ,why1 then ye   
will forsake me all4 ,sweet ,strength1  

tarry a little space4  ,strength4 ,nay1 
sir1 by the rood of grace ,i will hie me
 from thee fast1 ,though thou weep till 
thy heart brast4  ,everyman4 ,ye would  
ever bide by me1 ye said4  ,strength4   
,yea1 ,i have you far enough conveyed2  
,ye be old enough1 ,i understand1 ,your 
pilgrimage to take on hand2 ,i repent me
 that ,i hither came4  ,everyman4       
,strength1 you to displease ,i am to    
blame2 ,will you break promise that is  
debt8  ,strength4 ,in faith1 ,i care    
not2 ,thou art but a fool to complain1  
,you spend your speech and waste your   
brain2 ,go thrust thee into the ground4 
,everyman4 ,i had wend surer ,i should  
you have found4 ,he that trusteth in his
 ,strength ,she him deceiveth at the    
length4 ,both ,strength and ,beauty     
forsaketh me1 ,yet they promised me fair
 and lovingly4  ,discretion4 ,everyman1 
,i will after ,strength be gone1 ,as for
 me ,i will leave you alone4  ,everyman4
 ,why1 ,discretion1 will ye forsake me8 
,discretion4 ,yea1 in faith1 ,i will go 

from thee1 ,for when ,strength goeth    
before ,i follow after evermore4        
,everyman4 ,yet1 ,i pray thee1 for the  
love of the ,trinity1 ,look in my grave 
once piteously4  ,discretion4 ,nay1 so  
nigh will ,i not come4 ,farewell1 every 
one6  ,everyman4 ,o all thing faileth1  
save ,god alone2 ,beauty1 ,strength1 and
 ,discretion2 ,for when ,death bloweth  
his blast1 ,they all run from me full   
fast4  ,five-wits4 ,everyman1 my leave  
now of thee ,i take2 ,i will follow the 
other1 for here ,i thee forsake4        
,everyman4 ,alas6 then may ,i wail and  
weep1 ,for ,i took you for my best      
friend4  ,five-wits4 ,i will no longer  
thee keep2 ,now farewell1 and there an  
end4  ,everyman4 ,o ,jesu1 help1 all    
hath forsaken me6  ,good-,deeds4 ,nay1  
,everyman1 ,i will bide with thee1 ,i   
will not forsake thee indeed2 ,thou     
shalt find me a good friend at need4    
,everyman4 ,gramercy1 ,good-,deeds2 now 
may ,i true friends see2 ,they have     
forsaken me every one2 ,i loved them    

better than my ,good-,deeds alone4      
,knowledge1 will ye forsake me also8    
,knowledge4 ,yea1 ,everyman1 when ye to 
death do go3 ,but not yet for no manner 
of danger4  ,everyman4 ,gramercy1       
,knowledge1 with all my heart4          
,knowledge4 ,nay1 yet ,i will not from  
hence depart1 ,till ,i see where ye     
shall be come4  ,everyman4 ,methinketh1 
alas1 that ,i must be gone1 ,to make my 
reckoning and my debts pay1 ,for ,i see 
my time is nigh spent away4 ,take       
example1 all ye that this do hear or    
see1 ,how they that ,i loved best do    
forsake me1 ,except my ,good-,deeds that
 bideth truly4  ,good-,deeds4 ,all      
earthly things is but vanity3 ,beauty1  
,strength1 and ,discretion1 do man      
forsake1 ,foolish friends and kinsmen1  
that fair spake1 ,all fleeth save       
,good-,deeds1 and that am ,i4           
,everyman4 ,have mercy on me1 ,god most 
mighty2 ,and stand by me1 thou ,mother  
and ,maid1 holy ,mary4  ,good-,deeds4   
,fear not1 ,i will speak for thee4      

,everyman4 ,here ,i cry ,god mercy4     
,good-,deeds4 ,short our end1 and minish
 our pain2 ,let us go and never come    
again4  ,everyman4 ,into thy hands1     
,lord1 my soul ,i commend2 ,receive it1 
,lord1 that it be not lost2 ,as thou me 
boughtest1 so me defend1 ,and save me   
from the fiend's boast1 ,that ,i may    
appear with that blessed host ,that     
shall be saved at the day of doom4 ,in  
manus tuas--of might's most ,for        
ever--commendo spiritum meum4           
,knowledge4 ,now hath he suffered that  
we all shall endure2 ,the ,good-,deeds  
shall make all sure4 ,now hath he made  
ending2 ,methinketh that ,i hear angels 
sing ,and make great joy and melody1    
,where ,everyman's soul received shall  
be4  ,angel4 ,come1 excellent elect     
spouse to ,jesu3 ,hereabove thou shalt  
go ,because of thy singular virtue3 ,now
 the soul is taken the body fro2 ,thy   
reckoning is crystal-clear4 ,now shalt  
thou into the heavenly sphere1 ,unto the
 which all ye shall come ,that liveth   

well before the day of doom4  ,doctor4  
,this moral men may have in mind2 ,ye   
hearers1 take it of worth1 old and      
young1 ,and forsake pride1 for he       
deceiveth you in the end1 ,and remember 
,beauty1 ,five-wits1 ,strength1 and     
,discretion1 ,they all at the last do   
,everyman forsake1 ,save his            
,good-,deeds1 there doth he take4 ,but  
beware1 and they be small ,before ,god1 
he hath no help at all4 ,none excuse may
 be there for ,everyman3 ,alas1 how     
shall he do then8 ,for after death      
amends may no man make1 ,for then mercy 
and pity do him forsake4 ,if his        
reckoning be not clear when he do come1 
,god will say--ite maledicti in ignem   
ternum4 ,and he that hath his account   
whole and sound1 ,high in heaven he     
shall be crowned2 ,unto which place ,god
 bring us all thither ,that we may live 
body and soul together4 ,thereto help   
the ,trinity1 ,amen1 say ye1 for saint  
,charity4  ,,thus ,,endeth ,,this       
,,morall ,,play ,,of ,,everyman4        

,,the ,,chester ,,pageant ,,of ,,the    
,,water-,,leaders ,,and ,,drawers ,,of  
,,the ,,dee ,,concerning ,,noah',s      
,,deluge    ,,characters   ,god ,noah   
,shem ,ham ,japhet ,noah's ,wife ,shem's
 ,wife ,ham's ,wife ,japhet's ,wife     
,,the ,,chester ,,pageant ,,of ,,the    
,,deluge    ,god4 ,i1 ,god1 that all the
 world have wrought ,heaven and ,earth1 
and all of nought1 ,i see my people1 in 
deed and thought1 ,are foully set in    
sin4   ,my ghost shall not lodge in any 
man ,that through fleshly liking is my  
fone1#ah ,but till six score years be   
gone ,to look if they will blynne4#ai   
,man that ,i made ,i will destroy1      
,beast1 worm1 and fowl to fly1 ,for on  
earth they me annoy1 ,the folk that is  
thereon4   ,for it harms me so hurtfully
 ,the malice now that can multiply1     
,that sore it grieveth me inwardly1     
,that ever ,i made man4   ,therefore    
,noah1 my servant free1 ,that righteous 
man art1 as ,i see1 ,a ship soon thou   
shalt make thee1 ,of trees dry and      

light4   ,little chambers therein thou  
make ,and binding slich#bj also thou    
take ,within and out1 thou not slake ,to
 annoint it through all thy might4      
,three hundred cubits it shall be long1 
,and so of breadth to make it strong1   
,of height so1 then must thou fonge1#ba 
,thus measure it about4   ,one window   
work though thy might2 ,one cubit of    
length and breadth make it1 ,upon the   
side a door shall fit ,for to come in   
and out4   ,eating-places thou make     
also1 ,three roofed chambers1 one or    
two3 ,for with water ,i think to stow#bb
 ,man that ,i can make4   ,destroyed all
 the world shall be1 ,save thou1 thy    
wife1 and sons three1 ,and all their    
wives1 also1 with thee1 ,shall saved be 
for thy sake4  ,noah4 ,ah1 ,lord6 ,i    
thank thee1 loud and still1 ,that to me 
art in such will1 ,and spares me and my 
house to spill ,as now ,i soothly find4 
,thy bidding1 ,lord1 ,i shall fulfil1   
,and never more thee grieve nor grill#bc
 ,that such grace has sent me till      

,among all mankind4   ,have done you men
 and women all2 ,help1 for aught that   
may befall1 ,to work this ship1 chamber1
 and hall1 ,as ,god hath bidden us do4  
,shem4 ,father1 ,i am already bowne1#bd 
,an axe ,i have1 by my crown6 ,as sharp 
as any in all this town ,for to go      
thereto4  ,ham4 ,i have a hatchet1      
wonder keen1 ,to bite well1 as may be   
seen1 ,a better ground one1 as ,i ween1 
,is not in all this town4  ,japhet4 ,and
 ,i can well make a pin1 ,and with this 
hammer knock it in2 ,go and work without
 more din2 ,and ,i am ready bowne4#bd   
,noah's ,wife4 ,and we shall bring      
timber too1 ,for women nothing else to  
do ,women be weak to undergo ,any great 
travail4  ,shem's ,wife4 ,here is a good
 hackstock2 ,on this you must hew and   
knock3 ,shall none be idle in this      
flock1 ,nor now may no man fail4  ,ham's
 ,wife4 ,and ,i will go to gather       
slich1#be ,the ship for to clean and    
pitch2 ,anointed it must be1 every      
stitch1 ,board1 tree1 and pin4          

,japhet's ,wife4 ,and ,i will gather    
chips here ,to make a fire for you1 in  
fear1 ,and for to dight#bf your dinner1 
,against you come in4  ,here they make  
signs as though they were working divers
 instruments4  ,noah4 ,now in the name  
of ,god ,i will begin1 ,to make the ship
 that we shall in1 ,that we be ready for
 to swim1 ,at the coming of the flood4  
,these boards ,i join together1 ,to keep
 us safe from the weather ,that we may  
roam both hither and thither ,and safe  
be from this flood4   ,of this tree will
 ,i have the mast1 ,tied with gables    
that will last ,with a sail yard for    
each blast ,and each thing in its kind4 
,with topmast high and bowsprit4 ,with  
cords and ropes1 ,i hold all fit ,to    
sail forth at the next weete#bg ,this   
ship is at an end4 ,wife in this castle 
we shall be kept3 ,my children and thou 
,i would in leaped6  ,noah's ,wife4 ,in 
faith1 ,noe1 ,i had as lief thou had    
slept1 for all thy     frankishfare1#bh 
,for ,i will not do after thy rede4#bi  

,noah4 ,good wife1 do as ,i thee bid4   
,noah's ,wife4 ,by ,christ not1 or ,i   
see more need1 ,though thou stand all   
the day and rave4  ,noah4 ,lord1 that   
women be crabbed aye6 ,and never are    
meek1 that ,i dare say4 ,this is well   
seen of me to-day ,in witness of you    
each one4   ,good wife1 let be all this 
beere#cj ,that thou makest in this place
 here1 ,for they all ween thou art      
master2 ,and so thou art1 by ,st4 ,john6
  ,god4 ,noah1 take thou thy company    
,and in the ship hie that you be1 ,for  
none so righteous man to me ,is now on  
earth living4   ,of clean beasts with   
thee thou take ,seven and seven1 or thou
 seake1 ,he and she make to make        
,quickly in that thou bring4   ,of      
beasts unclean two and two1 ,male and   
female1 without more2 ,of clean fowls   
seven also1 ,the he and she together4   
,of fowles unclean two1 and no more2 ,of
 beasts as ,i said before3 ,that shall  
be saved through my lore ,against ,i    
send the weather4   ,of all meats that  

must be eaten ,into the ship look there 
be gotten1 ,for that no way may be      
forgotten ,and do all this by deene4#ca 
,to sustain man and beasts therein1     
,aye1 till the waters cease and blyn4#cb
 ,this world is filled full of sin ,and 
that is now well seen4   ,seven days be 
yet coming1 ,you shall have space them  
in to bring2 ,after that it is my liking
 ,mankind for to annoy4   ,forty days   
and forty nights1 ,rain shall fall for  
their unrights2 ,and that ,i have made  
through my might1 ,now think ,i to      
destroy4  ,noah4 ,lord1 at your bidding 
,i am bayne1#cc ,since none other grace 
will gain1 ,it will ,i fulfil fain1 ,for
 gracious ,i thee find4   ,a hundred    
winters and twenty ,this ship making    
tarried have ,i3 ,if1 through amendment1
 any mercy ,would fall unto mankind4    
,have done1 you men and women all4 ,hie 
you1 lest this water fall1 ,that each   
beast were in his stall ,and into ship  
brought4   ,of clean beasts seven shall 
be2 ,of unclean two1 this ,god bade me2 

,this flood is nigh1 well may we see1   
,therefore tarry you nought4  ,shem4    
,sir1 here are lions1 leopards in1      
,horses1 mares1 oxen1 and swine1 ,goats1
 calves1 sheep1 and kine1 ,here         
sitten#cd may you see4  ,ham4 ,camels1  
asses1 men may find2 ,buck1 doe1 hart   
and hind1 ,and beasts of all manner     
kind4 ,here be1 as thinks me4  ,japhet4 
,take here cats and dogs too1 ,otter1   
fox1 fulmart also2 ,hares1 hopping      
gaily1 can ye ,have kail here for to    
eat4  ,noah's ,wife4 ,and here are      
bears1 wolves set1 ,apes1 owls1         
marmoset2 ,weasels1 squirrels1 and      
ferret ,here they eat their meat4       
,shem's ,wife4 ,yet more beasts are in  
this house6 ,here cats come in full     
crowse1#ce ,here a rat and here a mouse2
 ,they stand nigh together4  ,ham's     
,wife4 ,and here are fowls less and     
more1 ,herons1 cranes and bittern2      
,swans1 peacocks1 have them before6     
,meat for this weather4  ,japhet's      
,wife4 ,here are cocks1 kites1 crows1   

,rooks1 ravens1 many rows2 ,cuckoos1    
curlews1 whoso knows1 ,each one in his  
kind4   ,and here are doves1 ducks1     
drakes1 ,redshanks1 running through the 
lakes1 ,and each fowl that language     
makes ,in this ship men may find4  ,in  
the stage direction the sons of ,noah   
are enjoined to mention aloud the names 
of the animals which enter2 a           
representation of which1 painted on     
parchment1 is to be carried by the      
actors4  ,noah4 ,wife1 come in1 why     
standest thou there8 ,thou art ever     
forward1 that ,i dare swear3 ,come on   
,god's half1 time it were1 ,for fear    
lest that we drown4  ,noah's ,wife4     
,yea1 sir1 set up your sail ,and row    
forth with evil heale1 ,for1 without any
 fail1 ,i will not out of this town4    
,but ,i have my gossips every one1 ,one 
foot further ,i will not go2 ,they shall
 not drown1 by ,st4 ,john6 ,if ,i may   
save their life4   ,they loved me full  
well1 by ,christ6 ,but thou wilt let    
them in thy chest1 ,else row forth1     

,noah1 whither thou list1 ,and get thee 
a new wife4  ,noah4 ,shem1 some love thy
 mother1 'tis true2 ,forsooth1 such     
another ,i do not know6  ,shem4 ,father1
 ,i shall set her in1 ,i trow1 ,without 
any fail4   ,mother1 my father after    
thee sends1 ,and bids thee unto yonder  
ship wend1#cf ,look up and see the wind1
 ,for we be ready to sail4  ,noah's     
,wife4 ,son1 go again to him and say ,i 
will not come therein to-day6  ,noah4   
,come in1 wife1 in twenty devils' way1  
,or else stand without4  ,ham4 ,shall we
 all fetch her in8  ,noah4 ,yea1 sons1  
in ,christ's blessing and mine1 ,i would
 you hied you betime1 ,for of this flood
 ,i am in doubt4  ,japhet4 ,mother1 we  
pray you altogether1 ,for we are here1  
your children2 ,come into the ship for  
fear of the weather1 ,for his love that 
you bought6  ,noah's ,wife4 ,that ,i    
will not for your call1 ,but if ,i have 
my gossips all4  ,gossip4 ,the flood    
comes in full fleeting fast1 ,on every  
side it broadens in haste2 ,for fear of 

drowning ,i am aghast3 ,good gossip1 let
 me come in6   ,or let us drink ere we  
depart1 ,for oftentimes we have done so2
 ,for at a time thou drinkst a quart1   
,and so will ,i ere that ,i go4  ,shem4 
,in faith1 mother1 yet you shall1       
,whether you will or not6  ,she goes4   
,noah4 ,welcome1 wife1 into this boat6  
,noah's ,wife4 ,and have them that for  
thy note6#cg  ,et dat alapam victa4#ch  
,noah4 ,aha6 marry1 this is hot6 ,it is 
good to be still4 ,my children6 methinks
 this boat removes6 ,our tarrying here  
hugely me grieves6 ,over the land the   
water spreads6 ,god do as he will6      
,ah1 great ,god1 thou art so good6 ,now 
all this world is in a flood ,as ,i see 
well in sight4   ,this window will ,i   
close anon1 ,and into my chamber will ,i
 gone ,till this water1 so great one1   
,be slakd through thy might4  ,noah1    
according to stage directions1 is now to
 shut the windows of the ark and retire 
for a short time4 ,he is then to chant  
the psalm1 ,salva me1 ,domine6 and      

afterwards to open them and look out4   
,now forty days are fully gone4 ,send a 
raven ,i will anon2 ,if aught were      
earth1 tree1 or stone1 ,be dry in any   
place4   ,and if this fowl come not     
again ,it is a sign1 sooth to say1 ,that
 dry it is on hill or plain1 ,and ,god  
hath done some grace4  ,a raven is now  
despatched4    ,ah1 ,lord6 wherever this
 raven lie1 ,somewhere is dry well ,i   
see2 ,but yet a dove1 by my lewtye#ci   
,after ,i will send4 ,thou wilt turn    
again to me ,for of all fowls that may  
fly ,thou art most meek and hend4#dj    
,the stage direction enjoins here that  
another dove shall be ready with an     
olive branch in its mouth1 which is to  
be dropped by means of a cord into      
,noah's hand4    ,ah ,lord6 blessed be  
thou aye1 ,that me hast comforted thus  
to-day6 ,by this sight1 ,i may well say 
,this flood begins to cease4   ,my sweet
 dove to me brought has ,a branch of    
olive from some place2 ,this betokeneth 
,god has done us some grace1 ,and is a  

sign of peace4   ,ah1 ,lord6 honoured   
must thou be6 ,all earth dries now ,i   
see2 ,but yet1 till thou command me1    
,hence will ,i not hie4   ,all this     
water is away1 ,therefore as soon as ,i 
may ,sacrifice ,i shall do in faye#da   
,to thee devoutly4  ,god4 ,noah1 take   
thy wife anon1 ,and thy children every  
one1 ,out of the ship thou shalt gone1  
,and they all with thee4   ,beasts and  
all that can flie1 ,out anon they shall 
hie1 ,on earth to grow and multiply3 ,i 
will that it be so4  ,noah4 ,lord1 ,i   
thank thee1 through thy might1 ,thy     
bidding shall be done in hight1#db ,and1
 as fast as ,i may dight#dc ,i will do  
thee honour4   ,and to thee offer       
sacrifice1 ,therefore comes in all wise1
 ,for of these beasts that be his ,offer
 ,i will this stower4#dd  ,then leaving 
the ark with his whole family1 he shall 
take the animals and birds1 make an     
offering of them1 and set out on his    
way4    ,lord ,god1 in majesty1 ,that   
such grace has granted me1 ,when all was

 borne safe to be1 ,therefore now ,i am 
boune4#de   ,my wife1 my children1 my   
company1 ,with sacrifice to honour thee1
 ,with beasts1 fowls1 as thou may see1  
,i offer here right soon4  ,god4 ,noah1 
to me thou art full able1 ,and thy      
sacrifice acceptable1 ,for ,i have found
 thee true and stable1 ,on thee now must
 ,i myn4#df ,curse earth will ,i no more
 ,that man's sin it grieves sore1 ,for  
of youth man full of yore ,has been     
inclined to sin4   ,you shall now grow  
and multiply ,and earth you edify1 ,each
 beast and fowl that may flie ,shall be 
afraid for you4   ,and fish in sea that 
may flitt ,shall sustain you--,i you    
behite#dg ,to eat of them you not       
lett#dh ,that clean be you may know4    
,there as you have eaten before ,grasses
 and roots1 since you were born1 ,of    
clean beasts1 less and more1 ,i give you
 leave to eat4   ,save blood and fish   
both in fear ,of wrong dead carrion that
 is here1 ,eat not of that in no manner1
 ,for that aye you shall lett4#di       

,manslaughter also you shall flee1 ,for 
that is not pleasant to me ,that sheds  
blood1 he or she ,ought where among     
mankind4   ,that sheds blood1 his blood 
shall be ,and vengeance have1 that men  
shall see2 ,therefore now beware now all
 ye ,you fall not in that sin4 ,and     
forward now with you ,i make ,and all   
thy seed1 for thy sake1 ,of such        
vengeance for to slake1 ,for now ,i have
 my will4   ,here ,i promise thee a     
behest1#ej ,that man1 woman1 fowl1 nor  
beast ,with water while the world shall 
last1 ,i will no more spill4   ,my bow  
between you and me ,in the firmament    
shall be1 ,by very tokens1 that you may 
see ,that such vengeance shall cease4   
,that man1 nor woman1 shall never more  
,be wasted by water1 as is before1 ,but 
for sin that grieveth sore1 ,therefore  
this vengeance was4   ,where clouds in  
the welkin ,that each bow shall be seen1
 ,in token that my wrath or tene#ea     
,should never this wroken be4   ,the    
string is turned toward you1 ,and toward

 me bent is the bow1 ,that such weather 
shall never show1 ,and this do ,i grant 
to thee4   ,my blessing now ,i give thee
 here1 ,to thee ,noah1 my servant dear2 
,for vengeance shall no more appear2    
,and now farewell1 my darling dear6     
,,the ,,chester ,,pageant ,,of ,,the    
,,barbers ,,and ,,wax-,,chandlers       
,,representing ,,abraham1 ,,melchisedec1
 ,,and ,,isaac    ,,characters   ,god   
,abraham ,lot ,isaac ,melchisedec ,a    
,knight ,expositor ,a ,messenger        
,,the ,,chester ,,pageant ,,of          
,,abraham1 ,,melchisedec1 ,,and ,,isaac 
,abraham1 newly returned from the       
slaughter of the four kings1 meets      
,melchisedec riding4    ,,prelude       
,messenger4 ,all peace1 ,lordings1 that 
be present1 ,and hearken now with good  
intent1 ,how ,noah away from us he went 
,with all his company2 ,and ,abraham1   
through ,god's grace1 ,he is come forth 
into this place1 ,and you will give him 
room and space   ,to tell you his       
storye4 ,this play1 forsooth1 begin     

shall he1 ,in worship of the ,trinity1  
,that you may all hear and see   ,what  
shall be done to-day4 ,my name is       
,gobbet-on-the-,green1 ,no longer here  
,i may be seen1 ,farewell1 my ,lordings1
 all by dene#eb   ,for letting#ec of    
your play4  ,exit4  ,enter ,abraham4    
,abraham4 ,ah6 thou high ,god1 granter  
of grace ,that ending nor beginning has1
 ,i thank thee1 ,lord1 that to me has   
,to-day given victory4 ,lot1 my brother1
 that taken was1 ,i have restored him in
 this case1 ,and brought him home into  
his place   ,through thy might and      
mastery4 ,to worship thee ,i will not   
wond1#ed ,that four kings of uncouth    
land ,to-day hast sent into my hand1    
,and of riches great array4 ,therefore  
of all that ,i can win ,to give thee    
tithe ,i will begin1 ,when ,i the city  
soon come in1   ,and share with thee my 
prey4 ,melchisedec1 that here king is   
,and ,god's priest also1 ,i wis1 ,the   
tithe ,i will give him of this1   ,as   
just is1 what ,i do4 ,god who has sent  

me victory ,o'er four kings graciously1 
,with him my spoil share will ,i1   ,the
 city1 when ,i come to4  ,lot4 ,abraham1
 brother1 ,i thank it thee1 ,who this   
day hast delivered me ,from enemies'    
hands1 and their postye1#ee   ,and saved
 me from woe6 ,therefore ,i will give   
tithing ,of my goods while ,i am living1
 ,and now also of his sending1   ,tithe 
,i will give also4  ,then comes a knight
 to ,melchisedec4  ,knight4 ,my lord1   
the king's tidings aright ,your heart   
for to gladden and light3 ,abraham hath 
slain in fight   ,four kings1 since he  
went4 ,here he will be this same night1 
,and riches with him enough dight4 ,i   
heard him thank ,god ,almight   ,for    
grace he had him sent4  ,melchisedec    
7stretching his hand to heaven74 ,ah6   
blessed be ,god that     is but one6    
,against ,abraham ,i will be gone       
,worshipfully1 and then anon1   ,my     
office to fulfil1 ,will present him with
 bread and wine1 ,for1 grace of ,god is 
him within2 ,speeds fast for love mine6 

,for this is ,god's will4  ,knight 7with
 a cup74 ,sir1 here is wine withouten   
were1#ef ,and thereto bread1 both white 
and clear1 ,to present him in good      
manere   ,that so us helped has4        
,melchisedec4 ,to ,god1 ,i know he is   
full dear1 ,for of all things his prayer
 ,he hath1 without danger1   ,and       
specially great grace4  ,melchisedec    
7coming to ,abraham and offering him a  
cup   of wine and bread on a plate74    
,abraham1 welcome must thou be1 ,god's  
grace is fully in thee1 ,blessed ever   
must thou be   ,that enemies so can     
make4 ,i have brought1 as thou may'st   
see1 ,bread and wine for thy degree2    
,receive this present now from me1      
,and that ,i thee beseke4#eg  ,abraham4 
,sir king1 welcome in good say1 ,thy    
present is welcome to my pay4 ,god has  
helpd me to-day   ,unworthy though ,i   
were4 ,he shall have part of my prey    
,that ,i won since ,i went away4        
,therefore to thee thou take it may     
,the tenth ,i offer here4  ,he delivers 

to the ,king a laden horse4             
,melchisedec4 ,and your present1 sir1   
take ,i1 ,and honour it devoutly1 ,for  
much good it may signify   ,in time that
 is coming4 ,therefore horse1 harness1  
and pery1#eh ,as falls to my dignity1   
,the tithe of it ,i take of thee1   ,and
 receive thy off'ring4  ,abraham        
receives the bread and wine1 and        
,melchisedec the laden horse as tithe   
from ,lot4  ,lot4 ,and ,i will offer    
with good intent ,of such goods as ,god 
hath me sent ,to ,melchisedec here      
present1   ,as ,god's will is to be4    
,abraham1 my brother1 offered has2 ,and 
so will ,i with ,god's grace3 ,this     
royal cup before your face1   ,receive  
it now of me4  ,lot offers the wine and 
bread1 which ,melchisedec receives4     
,melchisedec4 ,sir1 your off'ring       
welcome is1 ,and well ,i know forsooth1 
,i wis1 ,that fully ,god's will it is   
,that is now done to-day4 ,go we        
together to my city1 ,and now ,god      
heartily thank we ,that helps us aye    

through his postye1#ei   ,for so we full
 well may4  ,expositor 7riding74        
,lordings1 what may this signify1 ,i    
will expound openly ,that all1 standing 
hereby1   ,may know what this may be4   
,this off'ring1 ,i say verament1#fj     
,signifieth the new ,testament1 ,that   
now is used with good intent            
,throughout all ,christianity4 ,in the  
old law without leasing1#fa ,when these 
two good men were living1 ,of beasts was
 all their off'ring   ,and eke their    
sacrament4 ,but since ,christ died on   
the rood-tree1 ,with bread and wine him 
worship we1 ,and on ,shrove ,thursday in
 his maundy#fb   ,was his commandment4  
,but for this thing used should be      
,afterward as now done we1 ,in          
signification1 believe you me1          
,melchisedec did so2 ,and tithes-making1
 as you see here1 ,of ,abraham beginning
 were4 ,therefore he was to ,god full   
dear1   ,and so were they both too4 ,by 
,abraham understand ,i may ,the father  
of heaven in good fay1#fc ,melchisedec a

 priest to his pay   ,to minister that  
sacrament ,that ,christ ordained on     
,shrove ,thursday ,in bread and wine to 
honour him aye2 ,this signifieth1 the   
truth to say1   ,melchisedec's present4 
,god4 ,abraham1 my servant1 ,i say to   
thee1 ,thy help and succour ,i will be1 
,for thy good deed much pleaseth me1    
,i tell thee surely4  ,abraham4 ,lord1  
one thing that thou wilt see1 ,that ,i  
pray after with heart free1 ,grant me1  
,lord1 through thy postye3#fd   ,some   
fruit of my body6 ,i have no child1 foul
 nor fair1 ,save my ,nurry#fe to be my  
heir1 ,that makes me greatly to         
apayre4#ff   ,on me1 ,lord1 have mercy6 
,god4 ,my friend1 ,abraham1 leave thou  
me4 ,thy ,nurry thine heir shall not be1
 ,but one son ,i shall send thee1       
,begotten of thy body4 ,abraham1 do as  
,i thee say3 ,look up and tell1#fg and  
if thou may1 ,stars standing on the     
stray2   ,that impossible were4 ,no more
 shalt thou1 for no need1 ,number of thy
 body the seed ,that thou shalt have    

withouten dreed1   ,thou art to me so   
dear4 ,wherefore1 ,abraham1 servant     
free1 ,look that thou be true to me1    
,and fore-word here ,i make with thee   
,thy seed to multiply4 ,so much more    
further shalt thou be1 ,kings of thy    
seed men shall see1 ,and one child of   
great degree   ,all mankind shall       
forby4#fh ,i will that from henceforth  
alway ,each knave's child on the eighth 
day ,be circumcised1 as ,i say1   ,and  
thou thyself full soon2 ,and who        
circumcised not is ,forsaken shall be by
 me1 ,i wis2 ,for disobedient that man  
is1   ,therefore look that this be done4
  ,abraham4 ,lord1 already in good      
fay#fi ,blessed be thou1 ever and aye2  
,for that men truly know may   ,thy folk
 from other men1 ,circumcised they shall
 be all ,anon for aught that may befall4
 ,i thank thee1 ,lord1 thy own thrall1  
,kneeling on my knee'n4  ,expositor4    
,lordings all take good intent ,what    
betokens this commandment3 ,this was    
some time a sacrament   ,in th' old law 

truly ta'en4 ,as followeth now          
verament1#gj ,so was this in the old    
,testament2 ,but when ,christ1 away it  
went1   ,and baptism then began4 ,also  
,god promises here ,to ,abraham1 his    
servant dear1 ,so much seed that in no  
manere   ,number'd it might be4 ,and one
 seed1 mankind to forby1 ,that was      
,jesus ,christ witterlye#ga ,for of his 
kind was our ,lady1   ,and so also was  
he4  ,god4 ,abraham1 my servant         
,abraham4  ,abraham4 ,lo1 ,lord1 already
 here ,i am4  ,god4 ,take ,isaac1 thy   
son by name ,that thou lovest best of   
all ,and in sacrifice offer him to me   
,upon that hill1 beside thee4 ,abraham1 
,i will that it so be ,for aught that   
may befall4  ,abraham4 ,my lord1 to thee
 is my intent ,ever to be obedient1     
,that son that thou to me hast sent1    
,offer ,i will to thee4 ,and fulfil thy 
commandment ,with hearty will1 as ,i am 
kent ,high ,god1 ,lord ,omnipotent1     
,thy bidding done shall be4 ,my menye#gb
 and my children each one ,lingers at   

home1 both all and one1 ,save ,isaac    
shall with me gone   ,to a hill here    
beside4         99       99       99    
99       99  ,enter ,isaac4  ,abraham4  
,make thee ready1 my darling1 ,for we   
must do a little thing4 ,this wood upon 
thy back thou bring1   ,we must not long
 abide4 ,a sword and fire ,i will take1 
,for sacrifice ,i must make2 ,god's     
bidding will ,i not forsake1   ,but aye 
obedient be4  ,isaac4 ,father1 ,i am all
 ready ,to do your bidding meekly1 ,to  
bear this wood full bound am ,i1   ,as  
you command me4  ,abraham4 ,o ,isaac1   
,isaac1 my darling dear1 ,my blessing   
now ,i give thee here4 ,take up this    
faggot with good cheer1   ,and on thy   
back it bring1 ,and fire with me ,i will
 take4  ,isaac4 ,your bidding ,i will   
not forsake1 ,father1 ,i will never     
slake#gc   ,to fulfil your bidding4     
,isaac takes the wood on his back1 and  
they set out for the hill4  ,abraham4   
,now ,isaac1 son1 go we our way ,to     
yonder mountain1 if that we may4        

,isaac4 ,my dear father1 ,i will essay  
,to follow you full fain4  ,abraham4    
,oh6 my heart will break in three1 ,to  
hear thy words ,i have pity4 ,as thou   
wilt1 ,lord1 so must it be3   ,to thee  
,i will be bane4 ,lay down thy faggot my
 own son dear6  ,isaac4 ,all ready1     
father1 lo1 it is here4 ,but why make   
you so heavy cheer8   ,are you anything 
adread8 ,father1 if it be your will1    
,where is the beast that we shall kill8 
,abraham4 ,there is none1 son1 upon this
 hill   ,that ,i see here in this stead4
  ,isaac4 ,father1 ,i am full sore      
afraid ,to see you bare this naked      
sword4 ,i hope for all middle-yard#gd   
,you will not slay your child4          
,abraham4 ,dread thee not1 my child1 ,i 
read ,our ,lord will send of his godhead
 ,some kind of beast in thy stead1      
,either tame or wild4  ,isaac4 ,father1 
tell me1 or ,i go1 ,whether ,i shall    
have harm or no4  ,abraham4 ,ah1 dear   
,god1 that me is woe6   ,thou bursts my 
heart in sunder4  ,isaac4 ,father1 tell 

me of this case1 ,why you your drawn    
sword has1 ,and bare it naked in this   
place2   ,thereof ,i have great wonder4 
,abraham4 ,isaac1 son1 peace6 ,i pray   
thee1 ,thou breaks my heart even in     
three4  ,isaac4 ,i pray you1 father1    
leave nothing from me1   ,but tell me   
what you think4  ,abraham4 ,o ,isaac1   
,isaac1 ,i must thee kill4  ,isaac4     
,alas6 father1 is that your will1 ,your 
own child here for to spill1   ,upon    
this hill's brink8 ,if ,i have          
trespassed in any degree1 ,with a rod   
you may beat me2 ,put up your sword1 if 
your will be1   ,for ,i am but a child4 
,abraham4 ,oh1 my son6 ,i am sorry ,to  
do to thee this great annoy1 ,god's     
commandment do must ,i1   ,his works are
 aye full mild4  ,isaac4 ,would ,god1 my
 mother were here with me6 ,she would   
kneel upon her knee1 ,praying you1      
father1 if it might be1   ,for to save  
my life4  ,abraham4 ,oh1 comely         
creature1 but ,i thee kill1 ,i grieve my
 ,god1 and that full ill3 ,i may not    

work against his will   ,but ever       
obedient be4 ,o ,isaac1 son1 to thee ,i 
say3 ,god has commanded me this day     
,sacrifice--this is no nay--   ,to make 
of thy body4  ,isaac4 ,is it ,god's will
 ,i should be slain8  ,abraham4 ,yea1   
son1 it is not for to layne2#ge ,to his 
bidding ,i will be bane1#gf   ,ever to  
his pleasing4 ,but that ,i do this      
doleful deed1 ,my ,lord will not quit#gg
 me my meed4#gh  ,isaac4 ,marry6 father1
 ,god forbid   ,but you do your         
off'ring4 ,father1 at home your sons you
 shall find ,that you must love by      
course of kind4 ,be ,i once out of your 
mind1   ,your sorrow may soon cease1    
,but you must do ,god's bidding4        
,father1 tell my mother of nothing4     
,abraham4 ,for sorrow ,i may my hands   
wring1   ,thy mother ,i cannot please4  
,o ,isaac1 blessed may'st thou be6      
,almost my wit ,i lose for thee1 ,the   
blood of thy body so free   ,i feel full
 loth to shed4  ,isaac4 ,father1 since  
you must needs do so1 ,let it pass      

lightly and overgo2 ,kneeling on my     
knees two1   ,your blessing on me       
spread6  ,abraham4 ,my blessing1 dear   
son1 give ,i thee ,and thy mother's with
 heart so free2 ,the blessing of the    
,trinity1   ,my dear son1 on thee light6
  ,isaac4 ,father1 ,i pray you hide mine
 een ,that ,i see not your sword so     
keen2 ,your stroke1 father1 ,i would not
 seen1   ,lest ,i against it thrill4    
,abraham4 ,my dear son ,isaac1 speak no 
more1 ,thy words make my heart full     
sore4  ,isaac4 ,o dear father1          
wherefore1 wherefore8   ,since ,i must  
needs be dead1 ,one thing ,i would you  
pray3 ,since ,i must die the death this 
day1 ,as few strokes as you may1   ,when
 you smite off my head4  ,abraham4 ,thy 
meekness1 child1 makes me afray2#gi ,my 
song may be ,well away6  ,isaac4 ,o1    
dear father1 do away   ,your making so  
mickle moan6 ,now truly1 father1 this   
talking ,doth but make long tarrying4 ,i
 pray you come and make ending   ,and   
let me hence gone6  ,abraham4 ,come     

hither1 my child1 that art so sweet3    
,thou must be bound now1 hand and feet4 
,binding ,isaac4  ,isaac4 ,ah1 father6  
we must no more meet   ,by aught that ,i
 can see1 ,but do with me just as you   
will1 ,i must obey1 and that is skill1  
,god's commandment to fulfil1   ,for    
needs so must it be4 ,upon the purpose  
that have set you1 ,forsooth1 father1 ,i
 will not let you1 ,but evermore unto   
you bow1   ,while that ,i may4 ,father1 
greet well my brethren young1 ,and pray 
my mother for her blessing1 ,i come no  
more under her wing3   ,farewell for    
ever and aye6 ,but1 father1 ,i cry you  
mercy1 ,of that ,i have trespassed to   
thee1 ,forgiven1 father1 that it may be 
,until doom's day4  ,abraham4 ,my dear  
son1 let be thy moans2 ,my child1 thou  
grievedst me but once4 ,blessed be thou 
body and bones1   ,and ,i forgive thee  
here4 ,lo1 my dear son1 here shalt thou 
lie2 ,unto my work now must ,i hie1 ,i  
had as lief myself to die   ,as thou1 my
 darling dear4  ,isaac4 ,father1 if you 

be to me kind1 ,about my head a         
kercher#hj bind1 ,and let me lightly out
 of your mind1   ,and soon that ,i were 
sped4  ,abraham4 ,farewell1 my sweet son
 of grace6  ,isaac4 ,i pray you1 father1
 turn down my face ,a little while1     
while you have space1   ,for ,i am full 
sore adread4  ,abraham4 ,to do this deed
 ,i am sorry4  ,isaac4 ,yea1 ,lord1 to  
thee ,i call and cry3 ,on my soul may   
thou have mercy1   ,heartily ,i thee    
pray4  ,abraham4 ,lord1 ,i would fain   
work thy will4 ,this young innocent that
 lies so still ,full loth were ,i him to
 kill   ,by any manner of way4  ,isaac4 
,my dear father1 ,i you pray1 ,let me   
take my clothes away1 ,for shedding     
blood on them to-day1   ,at my last     
ending4  ,abraham4 ,heart6 if thou      
would'st break in three1 ,thou shalt    
never master me1 ,i will no longer      
let#ha for thee1   ,my ,god ,i may not  
grieve4  ,isaac4 ,ah1 mercy1 father6 why
 tarry you so8 ,smite off my head1 and  
let me go6 ,i pray you1 rid me of my    

woe2   ,for now ,i take my leave4       
,abraham4 ,ah1 son6 my heart will break 
in three ,to hear thee speak such words 
to me4 ,jesus1 on me thou have pit      
,that ,i have most in mind6  ,isaac4    
,now1 father1 ,i see that ,i shall die1 
,almighty ,god in majest1 ,my soul ,i   
offer unto thee3   ,lord1 to it be kind4
  ,abraham takes the sword1 as if to    
kill his son1 when two angels appear4   
,one of them seizes the point of the    
sword1 and says1  #ast ,angel4 ,abraham1
 my servant dear6  ,abraham4 ,lo1 ,lord6
 ,i am already here4  #ast ,angel4 ,lay 
not thy sword in any manner   ,on       
,isaac1 thy dear darling6 ,nay6 do thou 
him no annoy6 ,for thou dreadest ,god2  
well1 see ,i1 ,that of thy son hast no  
mercy   ,to fulfil his bidding4  #bnd   
,angel4 ,and for his bidding thou doest 
aye1 ,and spares neither1 for fear nor  
fray1 ,to do thy son to death to-day1   
,isaac to thee full dear1 ,therefore    
,god has sent by me in fay1#hb ,a lamb  
that is both good and gay ,into this    

place as thou see may1   ,lo6 it is     
right here4  ,abraham4 ,ah1 ,lord of    
heaven and king of bliss6 ,thy bidding  
,i shall do1 ,i wis4 ,sacrifice here to 
me sent is   ,and all1 ,lord1 through   
thy grace4 ,a horned wether here ,i see1
 ,among the briars tied is he1 ,to thee 
offered it shall be   ,anon1 right in   
this place4  ,let ,abraham sacrifice the
 ram4  ,god4 ,abraham1 by myself ,i     
swear1 ,for thou hast been obedient     
ever1 ,and spared not thy son so dear1  
,to fulfil my bidding1 ,thou shalt be   
blessed1 thou art worthy1 ,thy seed ,i  
shall multiply1 ,as stars and sand so   
many het ,i1#hc   ,of thy body coming4  
,of enemies thou shalt have power1 ,and 
thy blood also in fear1 ,for thou has   
been meek and boneer#hd   ,to do as ,i  
thee bade4 ,and all nations leave thou  
me1 ,blessed evermore shall be ,through 
fruit that shall come of thee   ,and    
saved through thy seed4    ,,the        
,,epilogue   ,expositor4 ,lordings1 the 
signification ,of this deed of devotion1

 ,an you will1 it is shewn1   ,may turn 
you to much good4 ,this deed you see    
done in this place1 ,in example of      
,jesus done it was1 ,that for to win    
mankind grace   ,was sacrificed on the  
rood4 ,by ,abraham you may understand   
,the ,father of heaven that can fand#he 
,with his son's blood to break that band
   ,the devil had brought us to4 ,by    
,isaac understand ,i may ,jesus who was 
obedient aye1 ,his father's will to work
 alway1   ,his death to undergo4        
,,the ,,wakefield ,,second ,,shepherds' 
,,play    ,,characters   #ast ,shepherd 
#bnd ,shepherd #crd ,shepherd ,mac1 the 
,sheep-stealer ,mac's ,wife1 ,gill ,mary
 ,the ,child ,christ ,an ,angel         
,,the ,,wakefield ,,second ,,nativity   
,,play    #ast ,shepherd4 ,lord6 what1  
these weathers are cold1 and ,i am ill  
happed2 ,i am near hand-dold1#hf so long
 have ,i napped2 ,my legs bend and fold1
 my fingers are chapped1 ,it is not as  
,i would1 for ,i am all lapped   ,in    
sorrow4 ,in storms and tempest1 ,now in 

the east1 now in the west1 ,woe is him  
has never rest1   ,mid day nor morrow4  
,but we silly shepherds1 that walk upon 
the moor1 ,in faith1 we are near hands  
out of the door2 ,no wonder1 as it      
stands1 if we be poor1 ,for the tilth of
 our lands lies fallow as the floor1 ,we
 are so lamed1 ,so taxed and shamed1 ,we
 are made hand-tamed1   ,with these     
gentlery-men4 ,thus they rieve us of    
rest1 ,our ,lady them wary1 ,these men  
that are lord-fest1#hg they cause the   
plough tarry4 ,that men say is for the  
best1 we find it contrary1 ,thus are    
husbands#hh opprest1 in point to        
miscarry1   ,in life4 ,thus hold they us
 under1 ,thus they bring us in blunder1 
,it were great wonder1   ,and ever      
should we thrive4 ,for may he get a     
paint sleeve1#hi or a brooch now on     
days1 ,woe is he that shall grieve1 or  
once again says1 ,dare no man him       
reprieve1 what mast'ry he has1 ,and yet 
may none believe one word that he says--
   ,no letter4 ,he can make purveyance1 

,with boast and bragance1#ij ,and all   
through maintenance1   ,of men that are 
greater4 ,there shall come a swain1 as  
proud as a po1#ia ,he must borrow my    
wain1 my plough also1 ,then ,i am full  
fain to grant or he go4 ,thus live we in
 pain1 anger1 and woe1   ,by night and  
day2 ,he must have if he longd ,if ,i   
should forgang#ib it1 ,i were better be 
hangd   ,than once say him nay4 ,it does
 me good1 as ,i walk thus by mine own1  
,of this world for to talk in manner of 
moan ,to my sheep will ,i stalk and     
hearken anon ,there abide on a balk1 or 
sit on a stone   ,full soon4 ,for ,i    
trow1 pardie6 ,true men if they be1 ,we 
get more company   ,or it be noon4  #bnd
 ,shepherd4 ,beniste#ic and ,dominus6   
what may this bemean8 ,why fares this   
world thus1 oft have we not seen4 ,lord1
 these weathers are spitous1#id and the 
weather full keen2 ,and the frost so    
hideous they water mine een1   ,no lie4 
,now in dry1 now in wet1 ,now in snow1  
now in sleet1 ,when my shoon freeze to  

my feet   ,it is not all easy4 ,but as  
far as ,i ken1 or yet as ,i go1 ,we     
silly wed-men dree mickle woe2#ie ,we   
have sorrow then and then1 it falls     
often so1 ,silly capyl1 our hen1 both to
 and fro   ,she cackles1 ,but begin she 
to croak1 ,to groan or to cluck1 ,woe is
 him1 say of our cock1   ,for he is in  
the shackles4 ,these men that are wed1  
have not all their will1 ,when they are 
full hard sted1#if they sigh full still2
 ,god wait they are led full hard and   
full ill1 ,in bower nor in bed they say 
not there till   ,this tide4 ,my part   
have ,i found1 ,my lesson is learn'd1   
,woe is him that is bound1   ,for he    
must abide4 ,but now late in our lives1 
a marvel to me1 ,that ,i think my heart 
rives1#ig such wonders to see1 ,what    
that destiny drives it should so be1    
,some men will have two wives1 and some 
men three1   ,in store4 ,some are woe   
that have any2 ,but so far ken ,i1 ,woe 
is he who has many1   ,for he feels it  
sore4 ,but young men of wooing1 for ,god

 that you bought1 ,be well ware of      
wedding1 and think in your thought ,had 
,i wist is a thing it serves ye of      
nought2 ,mickle still mourning has      
wedding home brought1   ,and griefs1    
,with many a sharp shower1 ,for thou may
 catch in an hour ,that shall serve thee
 full sour   ,as long as thou lives4    
,for as read ,i epistle1 ,i have one to 
my fear ,as sharp as a thistle1 as rough
 as a brere4#ih ,she is browed like a   
bristle with a sour lenten cheer2 ,had  
she once wet her whistle she could sing 
full clear   ,her pater-noster4 ,she is 
as great as a whale1 ,she has a gallon  
of gall2 ,by him that died for us all6  
,i would ,i had run till ,i lost her4   
#ast ,shepherd4 ,god look over the row1 
full deafly ye stand4  #bnd ,shepherd4  
,yea1 the devil in thy maw6--so         
tariand1#ii   ,saw thou aught now of    
,daw8  #ast ,shepherd4                  
,yea1 on a lea land ,heard ,i him blow1 
he comes here at hand1   ,not far2      
,stand still4  #bnd ,shepherd4 ,why8    

#ast ,shepherd4 ,for he comes here1 hope
 ,i4  #bnd ,shepherd4 ,he will make us  
both a lie1   ,but if we beware4  #crd  
,shepherd4 ,christ's cross me speed1 and
 ,saint ,nicholas6 ,thereof had ,i need1
 it is worse than it was4 ,whoso could  
take heed1 and let the world pass1 ,it  
is ever in dread and brittle as glass1  
,and slithers1#ajj ,this world fared    
never so1 ,with marvels mo and mo1#aja  
,now in weal1 now in woe1   ,and all    
things withers4 ,was never since ,noah's
 flood such floods seen1 ,winds and     
rains so rude1 and storms so keen1 ,some
 stammered1 some stood in doubt1 as ,i  
ween1 ,now ,god turn all to good1 ,i say
 as ,i mean1   ,for ponder4 ,these      
floods so they drown ,both in fields and
 in town1 ,they bear all down1   ,and   
that is a wonder4 ,we that walk in the  
nights1 our cattle to keep1 ,we see     
sudden sights1 when other men sleep3    
,yet methinks my heart lights1 ,i see   
shrews peep1 ,ye are two1 all           
wights1#ajb ,i will give my sheep   ,a  

turn4 ,but full ill have ,i meant1 ,as  
,i walk on this bent1#ajc ,i may lightly
 repent1   ,my toes if ,i spurn4 ,ah1   
sir1 ,god you save1 and master mine6 ,a 
drink fain would ,i have and somewhat to
 dine4  #ast ,shepherd4 ,christ's curs1 
my knave1 thou art a lazy hyne4#ajd     
#bnd ,shepherd4 ,what1 the boy list     
rave4 ,abide until syne#aje   ,we have  
made it4 ,i'll thrift on thy pate6      
,though the shrew came late ,yet is he  
in state   ,to dine if he had it4  #crd 
,shepherd4 ,such servants as ,i1 that   
sweats and swinks1 ,eats our bread full 
dry1 and that me forthinks2 ,we are oft 
wet and weary when master men winks1    
,yet comes full lately both dinners and 
drinks1   ,but neatly4 ,both our dame   
and our sire1 ,when we have run in the  
mire1 ,they can nip at our hire1#ajf    
,and pay us full lately4 ,but hear my   
truth1 master1 for the fare that ye make
 ,i shall do thereafter work1 as ,i     
take2 ,i shall do a little1 sir1 and    
strive and still lack1 ,for yet lay my  

supper never on my stomack   ,in fields4
 ,whereto should ,i threap8#ajg ,with my
 staff can ,i leap1 ,and men say light  
cheap   ,letherly for yields4#ajh  #ast 
,shepherd4 ,thou wert an ill lad1 to    
ride on wooing ,with a man that had but 
little of spending4  #bnd ,shepherd4    
,peace1 boy6--,i bade3 no more jangling1
 ,or ,i shall make thee afraid1 by the  
heaven's king6   ,with thy gawds2 ,where
 are our sheep1 boy1 we scorn8  #crd    
,shepherd4 ,sir1 this same day at morn1 
,i them left in the corn1   ,when they  
rang lauds2 ,they have pasture good1    
they cannot go wrong4  #ast ,shepherd4  
,that is right by the rood1 these nights
 are long1 ,yet ,i would1 or we         
yode1#aji one gave us a song4  #bnd     
,shepherd4 ,so ,i thought as ,i stood1  
to mirth us among4#aaj  #crd ,shepherd4 
,i grant4  #ast ,shepherd4 ,let me sing 
the tenory4  #bnd ,shepherd4 ,and ,i the
 treble so high4  #crd ,shepherd4 ,then 
the mean falls to me2   ,let see how ye 
chaunt4  ,mac enters1 with a cloak      

thrown over his smock4  ,mac4 ,now1     
,lord1 for thy names seven1 that made   
both moon and starns#aaa ,well more than
 ,i can even3 thy will1 ,lord1 of my    
thorns2 ,i am all uneven1 that moves oft
 my horns1#aab ,now would ,god ,i were  
in heaven1 for there weep no bairns     
,so still4  #ast ,shepherd4 ,who is that
 pipes so poor8  ,mac4 ,would ,god ye   
knew how ,i fare6 ,lo1 a man that walks 
on the moor1   ,and has not all his     
will4  #bnd ,shepherd4 ,mac1 where hast 
thou gone8 ,tell us tidings4  #crd      
,shepherd4 ,is he come8 ,then each one  
take heed to his things4  ,takes his    
cloak from him4  ,mac4 ,what1 ,i am a   
yeoman1 ,i tell you1 of the king2 ,the  
self and the same1 sent from a great    
lording1   ,and sich4#aac ,fy on you1   
get thee hence1 ,out of my presence1 ,i 
must have reverence1   ,why1 who be     
ich8#aad  #ast ,shepherd4 ,why make ye  
it so quaint8 ,mac1 ye do wrong4  #bnd  
,shepherd4 ,but1 ,mac1 list1 ye saint8  
,i trow that ye sang4  #crd ,shepherd4  

,i trow the shrew can paint1 the devil  
might him hang6  ,mac4 ,i shall make    
complaint1 and make you all to          
thwang4#aae   ,at a word1 ,and tell even
 how ye doth4  #ast ,shepherd4 ,but1    
,mac1 is that sooth8 ,now take out that 
southern tooth1   ,and set in a tord4   
#bnd ,shepherd4 ,mac1 the devil in your 
ee1#aaf a stroke would ,i lend you4     
#crd ,shepherd4 ,mac1 know ye not me8   
,by ,god1 ,i could tell you4  ,mac4 ,god
 look you all three1 methought ,i had   
seen you4 ,ye are a fair company4  #ast 
,shepherd4                ,can ye now   
moan you8  #bnd ,shepherd4              
,shrew1 jape6#aag ,thus late as thou    
goes1 ,what will men suppose8 ,and thou 
hast an ill noise#aah   ,of stealing of 
sheep4  ,mac4 ,and ,i am true as steel  
all men wait1 ,but a sickness ,i feel1  
that holds me full haytt1#aai ,my belly 
fares not well1 it is out of its state4 
#crd ,shepherd4 ,seldom lies the devil  
dead by the gate4  ,mac4                
,therefore ,full sore am ,i and ill1 ,if

 ,i stand stock still2 ,i eat not a     
nedyll#abj   ,this month and more4  #ast
 ,shepherd4 ,how fares thy wife8  ,by my
 hood1 how fares she8  ,mac4 ,lies      
weltering6 by the rood6 by the fire1 lo6
 ,and a house full of brood1#aba she    
drinks well too1 ,ill speed other good  
that she will do2   ,but so ,eats as    
fast as she can1 ,and each year that    
comes to man1 ,she brings forth a       
lakan1#abb   ,and some years two4 ,but  
were ,i not more gracious1 and richer by
 far1 ,i were eaten out of house1 and of
 harbour1 ,yet is she a foul dowse1 if  
ye come near4 ,there is none that trows1
 nor knows1 a war#abc   ,than ken ,i4   
,now will ye see what ,i proffer1 ,to   
give all in my coffer ,to-morrow next to
 offer1   ,her head mass-penn4  #bnd    
,shepherd4 ,i wot so forwaked#abd is    
none in this shire3 ,i would sleep if ,i
 taked less to my hire4  #crd ,shepherd4
 ,i am cold and naked1 and would have a 
fire4  #ast ,shepherd4 ,i am weary      
for-raked1#abe and run in the mire4     

,wake thou6  #bnd ,shepherd4 ,nay1 ,i   
will lie down-by1 ,for ,i must sleep    
truly4  #crd ,shepherd4 ,as good a man's
 son was ,i   ,as any of you4 ,but1     
,mac1 come hither1 between us shalt thou
 lie4  ,mac4 ,then might ,i stay you    
bedene#abf3 of that ye would say1--     
,no dread4 ,from my head to my toe      
,mantis tuas commendo1 ,pontio          
,pilato4#abg   ,christ's cross me speed1
  ,he rises1 the shepherds sleeping1 and
 says3  ,now were time for a man1 that  
lacks what he wold1 ,to stalk privately 
then into a fold1 ,and namely to work   
then1 and be not too bold1 ,he might    
abide the bargain1 if it were told   ,at
 the ending4 ,now were time for to      
revel2 ,but he needs good counsel ,that 
fain would fare well1   ,and has but    
little spending4  ,mac works a spell on 
them4  ,but about you a circle1 as round
 as a moon1 ,till ,i have done that ,i  
will1 till that it be noon1 ,that ye lie
 stone-still1 till that ,i have done1   
,and ,i shall say there till of good    

words a foyn#abh   ,on height2 ,over    
your heads my hand ,i lift1 ,out go your
 eyes1 fore to do your sight1 ,but yet  
,i must make better shift1   ,and it be 
right4 ,what1 ,lord8 they sleep hard6   
that may ye all hear2 ,was ,i never a   
shepherd1 but now will ,i leer#abi ,if  
the flock be scared1 yet shall ,i nap   
near1 ,who draws hitherward1 now mends  
our cheer1   ,from sorrow3 ,a fat sheep 
,i dare say1 ,a good fleece dare ,i lay1
 ,eft white when ,i may1   ,but this    
will ,i borrow4  ,he steals a sheep and 
goes home4  ,mac 7at his own door74     
,how1 ,gill1 art thou in8 ,get us some  
light4  ,his ,wife4 ,who makes such din 
this time of night8 ,i am set for to    
spin3 ,i hope not ,i might ,rise a penny
 to win3 ,i shrew them on height4   ,so 
fares ,a housewife that has been ,to be 
raised thus between3 ,there may no note 
be seen   ,for such small chares4#acj   
,mac4 ,good wife1 open the hek4#aca     
,see'st thou not what ,i bring8  ,wife4 
,i may let thee draw the sneck4 ,ah6    

come in1 my sweeting4  ,mac4 ,yea1 thou 
dost not reck of my long standing4      
,wife4 ,by thy naked neck1 thou art like
 for to hang4  ,mac4                    
,go away3 ,i am worthy of my meat1 ,for 
in a strait can ,i get ,more than they  
that swinck#acb and sweat   ,all the    
long day1 ,thus it fell to my lot1      
,gill1 ,i had such grace4  ,wife4 ,it   
were a foul blot to be hanged for the   
case4  ,mac4 ,i have scaped1 ,jelott1   
oft as hard as glass4  ,wife4 ,but so   
long goes the pot to the water1 men     
says1 ,at last comes it home broken4    
,mac4 ,well know ,i the token1 ,but let 
it never be spoken2   ,but come and help
 fast4 ,i would he were flayn2#acc ,i   
list we'll eat3 ,this twelvemonth was ,i
 not so fain of one sheep-meat4  ,wife4 
,come they if he be slain1 and hear the 
sheep bleat8  ,mac4 ,then might ,i be   
ta'en3 that were a cold sweat4 ,go bar  
,the gate door4  ,wife4                 
,yes1 ,mac1 ,for and they come at thy   
back4  ,mac4 ,then might ,i pay for all 

the pack3   ,the devil of them war6#acd 
,wife4 ,a good bowrde#ace have ,i spied1
 since thou can none3 ,here shall we him
 hide1 till they be gone2 ,in my cradle 
abide4 ,let me alone1 ,and ,i shall lie 
beside in childbed and groan4  ,mac4    
,thou red8#acf ,and ,i shall say thou   
wast light ,of a knave child this night4
  ,wife4 ,now well is my day bright1    
,that ever ,i was bred4 ,this is a good 
guise and a far cast2 ,yet a woman's    
advice helps at the last4 ,i care never 
who spies3 again go thou fast4  ,mac4   
,but ,i come or they rise2 else blows a 
cold blast--   ,i will go sleep4        
,mac goes back to the field4 ,yet sleep 
all this menye1#acg ,and ,i shall go    
stalk privily1 ,as it had never been ,i 
,that carried their sheep4  #ast        
,shepherd4 ,resurrex  mortrius3 have    
hold my hand4 ,judas carnas dominus1 ,i 
may not well stand3 ,my foot sleeps1 by 
,jesus1 and ,i water fastand6 ,i thought
 that we laid us full near ,england4    
#bnd ,shepherd4              ,ah ye6    

,lord1 how ,i have slept weel6 ,as fresh
 as an eel1 ,as light ,i me feel   ,as  
leaf on a tree4  #crd ,shepherd4        
,benste6#ach be herein6 ,so my head     
quakes ,my heart is out of skin1 what so
 it makes4 ,who makes all this din8 ,so 
my brow aches1 ,to the door will ,i win4
 ,hark fellows1 wakes6   ,we were four3 
,see ye anything of ,mac now8  #ast     
,shepherd4 ,we were up ere thou4  #bnd  
,shepherd4 ,man1 ,i give ,god a vow1    
,yet heed he nowhere4  #crd ,shepherd4  
,methought he was wrapped in a          
wolf's-skin4  #ast ,shepherd4 ,so are   
many happed1 now namely within4  #bnd   
,shepherd4 ,when we had long napped2    
methought with a gin ,a fat sheep he    
trapped1 but he made no din4  #crd      
,shepherd4 ,be still3 ,thy dream makes  
thee wood3#aci ,it is but phantom1 by   
the rood4  #ast ,shepherd4 ,now ,god    
turn all to good1   ,if it be his will4 
#bnd ,shepherd4 ,rise1 ,mac1 for shame6 
thou ly'st right long4  ,mac4 ,now      
,christ1 his holy name be us amang1     

,what is this8 for ,saint ,james6--,i   
may not well gang4 ,i trust ,i be the   
same4  ,ah6 my neck has lain wrang      
,enough ,mickle thank1 since yester-even
 ,now1 by ,saint ,stephen6 ,i was flayed
 with a sweven1--#adj   ,my heart out of
 slough4#ada ,i thought ,gill began to  
croak1 and travail full sad1 ,well nigh 
at the first cock1--of a young lad1 ,for
 to mend our flock3 then be ,i never    
glad4 ,to have two on my rock1--more    
than ever ,i had4   ,ah1 my head6 ,a    
house full of young tharmes1#adb ,the   
devil knock out their harnes6#adc ,woe  
is he has many bairns1   ,and thereto   
little bread4 ,i must go home1 by your  
leave1 to ,gill as ,i thought4 ,i pray  
you look my sleeve1 that ,i steal       
nought3 ,i am loth you to grieve1 or    
from you take aught4  #crd ,shepherd4   
,go forth1 ill might thou chefe1#add now
 would ,i we sought1   ,this morn1 ,that
 we had all our store4  #ast ,shepherd4 
,but ,i will go before1 ,let us meet4   
#bnd ,shepherd4               ,whor8#ade

  #crd ,shepherd4 ,at the crooked thorn4
  ,mac 7at his own door again74 ,undo   
this door6 who is here8 ,how long shall 
,i stand8  ,wife4 ,who makes such a     
stir8--,now walk in the wenyand4#adf    
,mac4 ,ah1 ,gill1 what cheer8--,it is   
,i1 ,mac1 your husband4  ,his ,wife4    
,then may we be here1--the devil in a   
band1   ,sir ,gile4 ,lo1 he commys#adg  
with a lot1 ,as he were holden in the   
throat4 ,i may not sit1 work or not   ,a
 hand long while4  ,mac4 ,will ye hear  
what fare she makes--to get her a       
glose1#adh ,and do naught but           
lakes#adi--;and close her toes4  ,wife4 
,why1 who wanders1 who wakes1--who      
comes1 who goes8 ,who brews1 who bakes8 
,who makes for me this hose8   ,and then
 ,it is ruth to behold1 ,now in hot1 now
 in cold1 ,full woful is the household  
,that wants a woman4 ,but what end hast 
thou made with the herds1 ,mac8  ,mac4  
,the last word that they said1--when ,i 
turned my back1 ,they would look that   
they had--their sheep all the pack4 ,i  

hope they will not be well paid1--when  
they their sheep lack4   ,perdie6 ,but  
howso the game goes1 ,to me they will   
suppose1 ,and make a foul noise1   ,and 
cry out upon me4 ,but thou must do as   
thou hight1  ,wife4               ,i    
accord me thertylle4#aej ,i shall       
swaddle him right in my cradle4 ,if it  
were a greater slight1 yet could ,i help
 till4 ,i will lie down straight4 ,come 
hap me4  ,mac4                          
,i will4  ,wife4           ,behind1     
,come ,coll and his marrow1 ,they will  
nip us full narrow4  ,mac4 ,but ,i may  
cry out ,harro6#aea   ,the sheep if they
 find4  ,wife4 ,hearken aye when they   
call3 they will come anon4 ,come and    
make ready all1 and sing by thine own1  
,sing ,lullay6 thou shall1 for ,i must  
groan1 ,and cry out by the wall on ,mary
 and ,john1   ,for sore4 ,sing ,lullay  
full fast ,when thou hears at the last2 
,and but ,i play a false cast   ,trust  
me no more4  ,re-enter the ,three       
,shepherds4  #crd ,shepherd4 ,ah1 ,coll6

 good morn3--why sleepest thou not8     
#ast ,shepherd4 ,alas1 that ever was ,i 
born6--we have a foul blot4 ,a fat      
wether have we lorne4#aeb  #crd         
,shepherd4                 ,marry1      
,godys forbot6#aec  #bnd ,shepherd4 ,who
 should do us that scorn8 ,that were a  
foul spot4  #ast ,shepherd4 ,some shrew4
 ,i have sought with my dogs1 ,all      
,horbery shrogs1#aed ,and of fifteen    
hogs   ,found ,i but one ewe4  #crd     
,shepherd4 ,now trust me if you         
will2--by ,saint ,thomas of ,kent6      
,either ,mac or ,gill--was at that      
assent4  #ast ,shepherd4 ,peace1 man1 be
 still2--,i saw when he went4 ,thou     
slander'st him ill2 thou ought to       
repent4   ,good speed4  #bnd ,shepherd4 
,now as ever might ,i thee1 ,if ,i      
should even here dee1#aee ,i would say  
it were he1   ,that did that same deed4 
#crd ,shepherd4 ,go we thither ,i       
rede1#aef--;and run on our feet4 ,may ,i
 never eat bread1--the truth till ,i    
wit4  #ast ,shepherd4 ,nor drink1 in my 

heed1--with him till ,i meet4  #bnd     
,shepherd4 ,i will rest in no stead1    
till that ,i him greet1   ,my brother   
,one ,i will hight3#aeg ,till ,i see him
 in sight ,shall ,i never sleep one     
night   ,there ,i do another4  #crd     
,shepherd4 ,will ye hear how they       
hack1#aeh--,our ,sire6 list1 how they   
croon6  #ast ,shepherd4 ,hard ,i never  
none crack1--so clear out of tune4 ,call
 on him4  #bnd ,shepherd4               
,mac6 undo your door soon4  ,mac4 ,who  
is it that spoke1--as it were noon8     
,on loft1 ,who is that ,i say8  #crd    
,shepherd4 ,good fellows6 were it day8  
,mac4 ,as far as ye may1--   ,good1     
speak ye soft6 ,over a sick woman's     
head1--that is ill mate ease1 ,i had    
liefer be dead1--or she had any disease4
  ,wife4 ,go to another stead2 ,i may   
not well queasse#aei ,each foot that ye 
tread--goes near make me sneeze#afj     
,so he6  #ast ,shepherd4 ,tell us1 ,mac1
 if ye may1 ,how fare ye1 ,i say8  ,mac4
 ,but are ye in this town to-day8   ,now

 how fare ye8 ,ye have run in the mire1 
and are wet yit3 ,i shall make you a    
fire1 if ye will sit4 ,a horse would ,i 
hire2 think ye on it4 ,well quit is my  
hire1 my dream--this is it4   ,a season4
 ,i have bairns if ye knew1 ,well more  
than enew1#afa ,but we must drink as we 
brew1   ,and that is but reason4 ,i     
would ye dined e'er ye yode3#afb methink
 that ye sweat4  #bnd ,shepherd4 ,nay1  
neither mends our mode1 drink nor meat4 
,mac4 ,why1 sir1 ails you aught1 but    
good8  #crd ,shepherd4          ,yes1   
our sheep that we gat1 ,are stolen as   
they yode4#afc ,our loss is great4      
,mac4 ,sirs1 drinks6 ,had ,i been there1
 ,some should have bought it full dear4 
#ast ,shepherd4 ,marry1 some men trows  
that ye were1   ,and that us            
forethinks4#afd  #bnd ,shepherd4 ,mac1  
some men trows that it should be ye4    
#crd ,shepherd4 ,either ye or your      
spouse2 so say we4  ,mac4 ,now if ye    
have suspouse#afe to ,gill or to me1    
,come and rip our house1 and then may ye

 see   ,who had her4 ,if ,i any sheep   
got1 ,either cow or stot1 ,and ,gill1 my
 wife rose not   ,here since she laid   
her4 ,as ,i am both true and leal1 to   
,god here ,i pray1 ,that this be the    
first meal1 ,i shall eat this day4  #ast
 ,shepherd4 ,mac1 as ,i have weal1 arise
 thee1 ,i say6 ,he learned timely to    
steal1 that could not say nay4  ,wife4  
,i swelt4#aff ,out thieves from my once6
 ,ye come to rob us for the nonce4      
,mac4 ,hear ye not how she groans8      
,your heart should melt4  ,wife4 ,out   
thieves1 from my bairn6 ,nigh him not   
thore4  ,mac4 ,knew ye how she had      
farne1#afg your hearts would be sore4   
,ye do wrong1 ,i you warn1 that thus    
commys before ,to a woman that has      
farn2#afh but ,i say no more4  ,wife4   
,ah1 my middle6 ,i pray to ,god so mild1
 ,if ever ,i you beguiled1 ,that ,i eat 
this child1   ,that lies in this cradle4
  ,mac4 ,peace1 woman1 for ,god's pain1 
and cry not so3 ,thou spill'st thy      
brain1 and mak'st me full woe4  #bnd    

,shepherd4 ,i know our sheep be slain1  
what find ye too8  #crd ,shepherd4 ,all 
work we in vain3 as well may we go4     
,but hatters4#afi ,i can find no flesh1 
,hard nor nesh1#agj ,salt nor fresh1    
,but two tome#aga platters3 ,no cattle  
but this1 tame nor wild1 ,none1 as have 
,i bliss2 as loud as he smiled4  ,wife4 
,no1 so ,god me bliss1 and give me joy  
of my child4  #ast ,shepherd4 ,we have  
markd amiss3 ,i hold us beguiled4  #bnd 
,shepherd4                 ,sir1 done6  
,sir1 our lady him save1 ,is your child 
a knave8#agb  ,mac4 ,any lord might him 
have   ,this child to his son4 ,when he 
wakens he skips1 that joy is to see4    
#crd ,shepherd4 ,in good time1 be his   
steps1 and happy they be6 ,but who was  
his gossips1 tell now to me6  ,mac4 ,so 
fair fall their lips6  #ast ,shepherd   
7aside74              ,hark now1 a      
lee6#agc  ,mac4              ,so ,god   
them thank1 ,parkin1 and ,gibbon        
,waller1 ,i say1 ,and gentle ,john      
,horne1 in good fay1#agd ,he made all   

the garray1#age   ,with the great shank4
  #bnd ,shepherd4 ,mac1 friends will we 
be1 for we are all one4  ,mac4 ,why6 now
 ,i hold for me1 for help get ,i none4  
,farewell all three3 all glad were ye   
gone4  #crd ,shepherd4 ,fair words may  
there be1 but love there is none4  #ast 
,shepherd4 ,gave ye the child anything8 
#bnd ,shepherd4 ,i trust not one        
farthing4  #crd ,shepherd4 ,fast again  
will ,i fling1   ,abide ye me there4    
,he returns to ,mac's cot4 ,mac1 take it
 to no grief1 if ,i come to thy barn4   
,mac4 ,nay1 thou dost me great reprieve1
 and foul hast thou farne4#agf  #crd    
,shepherd4 ,the child will it not       
grieve1 that little day starn4#agg ,mac1
 with your leave1 let me give your      
bairn1   ,but sixpence4  ,mac4 ,nay1 go 
'way3 he sleepys4  #crd ,shepherd4      
,methink he peepys4  ,mac4 ,when he     
wakens he weepys4   ,i pray you go      
hence4  #crd ,shepherd4 ,give me leave  
him to kiss1 and lift up the clout4     
,what the devil is this8 ,he has a long 

snout4  #ast ,shepherd4 ,he is marked   
amiss4 ,we wait ill about4  #bnd        
,shepherd4 ,ill spun weft1 ,i wis1 aye  
cometh foul out2   ,aye so2 ,he is like 
to our sheep4  #crd ,shepherd4 ,how1    
,gib1 may ,i peep8  #ast ,shepherd4 ,i  
trow1 kind will creep1   ,where it may  
not go4  #bnd ,shepherd4 ,this was a    
quaint gaud1#agh and a far cast ,it was 
a high fraud4  #crd ,shepherd4          
,yea1 sirs1 was't4 ,let burn this bawd  
and bind her fast4 ,a false skawd#agi   
hangs at the last2   ,so shall thou4    
,will ye see how they swaddle ,his four 
feet in the middle8 ,saw ,i never in a  
cradle   ,a hornd lad e'er now4  ,mac4  
,peace bid ,i3  what6 let be your fare2 
,i am he that him gat1 and yond woman   
him bare4  #ast ,shepherd4 ,what devil  
shall he halt8#ahj ,mac1 lo1 ,god makes 
air4  #bnd ,shepherd4 ,let be all that4 
,now ,god give him care6   ,i sagh4#aha 
,wife4 ,a pretty child is he1 ,as sits  
upon a woman's knee2 ,a dylly-downe1    
perdie6   ,to make a man laugh4  #crd   

,shepherd4 ,i know him by the ear       
mark3--that is a good token4  ,mac4 ,i  
tell you1 sirs1 hark3--his nose was     
broken4 ,since then1 told me a          
clerk1--that he was forespoken4#ahb     
#ast ,shepherd4 ,this is a false        
work4--,i would fain be wroken3#ahc     
,get a weapon6  ,wife4 ,he was taken by 
an elf2#ahd ,i saw it myself4 ,when the 
clock struck twelve1   ,was he          
mis-shapen4  #bnd ,shepherd4 ,ye two are
 right deft1--same in a stead4  #crd    
,shepherd4 ,since they maintain their   
theft1--let's do them to dead4  ,mac4   
,if ,i trespass eft1 gird off my head4  
,with you will ,i be left4  #ast        
,shepherd4             ,sirs1 do my red 
,for this trespass1 ,we will neither ban
 nor flyte#ahe ,fight1 nor chyte1#ahf   
,but seize him tight1   ,and cast him in
 canvas4  ,they toss ,mac for his sins4 
99       99       99       99       99  
#ast ,shepherd 7as the three return to  
the fold74 ,lord1 how ,i am sore1     in
 point for to tryst3 ,in faith ,i may no

 more1 therefore will ,i rest4  #bnd    
,shepherd4 ,as a sheep of seven score1  
he weighed in my fist4 ,for to sleep    
anywhere1 methink that ,i list4  #crd   
,shepherd4 ,now ,i pray you1 ,lie down  
on this green4  #ast ,shepherd4 ,on     
these thefts yet ,i mean4  #crd         
,shepherd4 ,whereto should ye tene8#ahg 
,do as ,i say you4  ,enter an ,angel    
above1 who sings ,gloria in ,excelsis1  
then says3  ,rise1 hired-men1 heynd1#ahh
 for now is he born ,that shall take    
from the fiend1 that ,adam had lorn3#ahi
 ,that warlock to sheynd1#aij this night
 is he born4 ,god is made your friend3  
now at this morn1   ,he behests2 ,to    
,bedlem go see1 ,there lies that        
free#aia ,in a crib full poorly1        
,betwixt two beasts4  #ast ,shepherd4   
,this was a quaint stevyn#aib that ever 
yet ,i heard4 ,it is a marvel to        
nevyn#aic thus to be scared4  #bnd      
,shepherd4 ,of ,god's son of heaven1 he 
spoke up word4 ,all the wood like the   
levin1#aid methought that he gard       

,appear4  #crd ,shepherd4 ,he spoke of a
 bairn ,in ,bedlem ,i you warn4  #ast   
,shepherd4 ,that betokens yonder        
starn#aie   ,let us seek him there4     
#bnd ,shepherd4 ,say1 what was his song8
 ,heard ye not how he cracked it8 ,three
 breves to a long4#aif  #crd ,shepherd4 
,yea1 marry1 he hacked#aig it4 ,was no  
crochet wrong1 nor no thing that lacked 
it4  #ast ,shepherd4 ,for to sing us    
among1 right as he knacked it1   ,i can4
  #bnd ,shepherd4 ,let us see how ye    
croon ,can ye bark at the moon8  #crd   
,shepherd4 ,hold your tongues1 have     
done4  #ast ,shepherd4 ,hark after1     
then4  #bnd ,shepherd4 ,to ,bedlem he   
bade--that we should gang3 ,i am full   
feared--that we tarry too lang4  #crd   
,shepherd4 ,be merry and not sad3 of    
mirth is our sang1 ,everlasting glad1   
our road may we fang1#aih   ,without    
noise4  #ast ,shepherd4 ,hie we thither 
quickly2 ,if we be wet and weary1 ,to   
that child and that lady   ,we have it  
not to slose4#aii  #bnd ,shepherd4 ,we  

find by the prophecy--let be your din-- 
,of ,david and ,esai1 and more than ,i  
min2#bjj ,they prophesied by clergy1    
that on a virgin ,should he light and   
ly1 to pardon our sin   ,and slake it1  
,our kind from woe2 ,for ,esai said so1 
,cite virgo   ,concipiet a child that is
 naked4  #crd ,shepherd4 ,full glad may 
we be1--and abide that day ,that lovely 
to see1--that all mights may4 ,lord1    
well for me1--for once and for aye1     
,might ,i kneel on my knee--some word   
for to say   ,to that child4 ,but the   
angel said ,in a crib was he laid2 ,he  
was poorly arrayed1   ,both meaner and  
mild4  #ast ,shepherd4 ,patriarchs that 
have been1--and prophets beforn1 ,they  
desired to have seen--this child that is
 born4 ,they are gone full clean1--that 
have they lorn4 ,we shall see him1 ,i   
ween1--e'er it be morn   ,by token ,when
 ,i see him and feel1 ,then know ,i full
 weel ,it is true as steel   ,that      
prophets have spoken4 ,to so poor as we 
are1 that he would appear1 ,first find1 

and declare by his messenger4  #bnd     
,shepherd4 ,go we now1 let us fare3 the 
place is us near4  #crd ,shepherd4 ,i am
 ready and yare3#bja go we in fear   ,to
 that light6 ,lord6 if thy wills be1 ,we
 are lewd#bjb all three1 ,thou grant us 
of thy glee1#bjc   ,to comfort thy      
wight4         99       99       99     
99       99  ,the ,shepherds arrive at  
,bethlehem4  #ast ,shepherd4 ,hail1     
comely and clean2 hail1 young child6    
,hail1 maker1 as ,i mean1 of a maiden so
 mild6 ,thou hast wared1 ,i ween1 off   
the warlock#bjd so wild1 ,the false     
guiler of teen1#bje now goes he         
beguiled4   ,lo1 he merry is6 ,lo1 he   
laughs1 my sweeting1 ,a welcome meeting6
 ,i have given my greeting   ,have a bob
 of cherries8  #bnd ,shepherd4 ,hail1   
sovereign saviour1 for thou hast us     
sought6 ,hail freely1 leaf and flow'r1  
that all thing has wrought6 ,hail full  
of favour1 that made all of nought6     
,hail6 ,i kneel and ,i cower4 ,a bird   
have ,i brought   ,to my bairn6 ,hail1  

little tiny mop1#bjf ,of our creed thou 
are crop6 ,i would drink in thy cup1    
,little day-starn4#bjg  #crd ,shepherd4 
,hail1 darling dear1 full of godheed6 ,i
 pray thee be near1 when that ,i have   
need4 ,hail6 sweet is thy cheer3 my     
heart would bleed ,to see thee sit here 
in so poor weed4   ,with no pennies4    
,hail6 put forth thy dall6--#bjh ,i     
bring thee but a ball ,have and play    
thee with all1   ,and go to the tennis4 
,mary4 ,the ,father of ,heaven1 ,god    
omnipotent1 ,that set all on levin1#bji 
his son has he sent4 ,my name could he  
neven1#baj and laught as he went4#baa ,i
 conceived him full even1 through might1
 as ,god meant2   ,and new is he born4  
,he keep you from woe3 ,i shall pray him
 so2 ,tell forth as ye go1   ,and mind  
on this morn4  #ast ,shepherd4          
,farewell1 lady1 so fair to behold1     
,with thy child on thy knee4  #bnd      
,shepherd4                    ,but he   
lies full cold1 ,lord1 well is me3 now  
we go forth1 behold6  #crd ,shepherd4   

,forsooth1 already it seems to be told  
,full oft4  #ast ,shepherd4 ,what grace 
we have fun4#bab  #bnd ,shepherd4 ,come 
forth1 now are we won4  #crd ,shepherd4 
,to sing are we bun3#bac   ,let take on 
loft4#bad     ,,the ,,coventry          
,,nativity ,,play ,,of ,,the ,,company  
,,of ,,shearmen ,,and ,,tailors         
,,characters   ,isaiah 7as ,prologue7   
,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   ,isaiah4 ,the sovereign    
that seeth every secret ,he save you all
 and make you perfect and strong3 ,and  
give his grace with his mercy thereto   
meet1 ,for now in great misery mankind  
is bound4 ,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 cease4   ,then   
shall much mirth and joy increase ,and  
the right root in ,israel spring1 ,that 

shall bring forth the grain of holiness3
 ,and out of danger he shall us bring   
,into that region where he is king3     
,which above all other doth abound ,and 
that cruel ,satan he shall confound4    
,wherefore ,i come here upon this       
ground1 ,to comfort every creature of   
birth2 ,for ,i1 ,isaiah1 the prophet1   
hath found ,many sweet matters1 whereof 
we may make mirth ,on this same wise4   
,for though ,adam be doomed to death    
,with all his children1 as ,abel and    
,seth3 ,yet1 ,ecce virgo concipiet6#bae 
,lo1 where a remedy shall rise6         
,behold a maid shall conceive a child1  
,and get us more grace than ever man    
had4 ,and her maidenhood nothing        
defiled3 ,she is deputed to bear the    
,son1 ,almighty ,god4 ,lo1 sovereignties
 now may you be glad1 ,for of this      
maiden all we may be fain2#baf ,for     
,adam that now lies in sorrows full sad1
 ,her glorious birth shall redeem him   
again ,from bondage and thrall4 ,now be 
merry every man1 ,for this deed briefly 

in ,israel shall be done1 ,and before   
the ,father on his throne ,that shall   
glad us all4   ,more of this matter fain
 would ,i move1 ,but longer time ,i have
 not here for to dwell4 ,that lord that 
is merciful1 his mercy so in us may     
prove ,for to save our souls from the   
darkness of hell1   ,and to his         
bliss--he us bring   ,as he is--both    
lord and king2   ,and shall be          
everlasting   ,in secula seculos3#bag   
,amen4  ,exit4  ,enter ,gabriel to      
,mary4  ,gabriel4 ,hail6 ,mary1 full of 
grace1 ,our ,lord ,god is with thee6    
,above all women that ever was2 ,lady1  
blessed may thou be4  ,mary4 ,almighty  
,father and ,king of bliss ,from all    
dyskes#bah thou save me now3 ,for       
inwardly my spirit troubled is1 ,i am   
amazed and know not how4  ,gabriel4     
,dread thee nothing1 maiden1 of this3   
,from heaven above hither am ,i sent1   
,of embassage from that ,king of bliss1 
,unto the lady and virgin reverent1     
,saluting thee here as most excellent1  

,whose virtue above all other doth      
abound2 ,wherefore in thee grace shall  
be found3 ,for thou shalt conceive upon 
this ground ,the ,second ,person of ,god
 on throne2 ,he will be born of thee    
alone1 ,without sin tho shalt him see4  
,thy grace and thy goodness will never  
be gone ,but ever to live in virginity4 
,mary4 ,i marvel sore how that may be3  
,man's company knew ,i never yet1 ,nor  
never to do cast ,i me1 ,while that our 
,lord sendeth me my wit4  ,gabriel4 ,the
 ,holy ,ghost in thee shall light1 ,and 
shall endue thy soul so with virtue     
,from the ,father that is on high3      
,these words1 turtle1 they be full true4
   ,this child that of thee shall be    
born ,is the ,second ,person in         
,trinity4 ,he shall save that was       
forlorn1 ,and the fiend's power destroy 
shall he4   ,these words1 lady1 full    
true they be1 ,and further1 lady1 in thy
 own lineage1 ,behold ,elizabeth1 thy   
cousin clean1 ,the which was barren and 
past all age4   ,and now with child she 

hath been ,six months and more as shall 
be seen2 ,wherefore1 discomfort thee    
not1 ,mary1 ,for to ,god impossible     
nothing may be4  ,mary4 ,now and it be  
that ,lord's will ,of my body to be born
 and for to be ,his high pleasure for to
 fulfil1 ,as his one handmaid ,i submit 
me4  ,gabriel4 ,now blessed be the time 
set ,that thou wast born in thy degree3 
,for now is the knot surely knit ,and   
,god conceived in ,trinity4   ,now      
farewell lady of might most1 ,unto the  
,godhead ,i thee beteyche4#bai  ,mary4  
,that lord thee guide in every cost ,and
 lowly he lead me and be my leech4#bbj  
,here the ,angel departeth and ,joseph  
cometh in and saith3  ,joseph4 ,mary1 my
 wife so dear6 ,how do ye1 dame1 and    
what cheer ,is with you this tide8      
,mary4 ,truly1 husband1 ,i am here ,our 
,lord's will for to abide4  ,joseph4    
,what6 ,i trow we be all shent6#bba     
,say1 woman1 who hath been here since ,i
 went ,to rage with thee8  ,mary4 ,sir1 
here was neither man1 nor man's         

even1#bbb ,but only the sond#bbc of our 
,lord ,god in heaven4  ,joseph4 ,say not
 so1 woman1 for shame let be3 ,ye be    
with child so wondrous great1 ,ye need  
no more thereof to treat ,against all   
right4 ,for sooth this child1 dame1 is  
not mine2 ,alas1 that ever with my      
eyne#bbd ,i should see this sight4 ,tell
 me1 woman1 whose is this child8  ,mary4
 ,none but yours1 husband1 so mild ,and 
that shall be seen1 ,i wis4  ,joseph4   
,but mine1 alas6 alas6 why say ye so8   
,well away1 woman1 now may ,i go        
,beguiled as many another is4  ,mary4   
,nay truly1 sir1 ye be not beguiled ,nor
 yet with spot of sin ,i am not defiled2
 ,trust it well1 husband4  ,joseph4     
,husband in faith1 and that acold2 ,ah  
well away1 ,joseph1 as thou art old6    
,like a fool now may ,i stand ,and      
truss2 but in faith1 ,mary1 thou art in 
sin4 ,so much as ,i have cherished thee1
 dame1 and all thy kin1 ,behind my back 
to serve me thus3   ,all old men example
 take by me1 ,how ,i am beguiled here   

may you see1 ,to wed so young a child4  
,now farewell1 ,mary1 ,i leave thee here
 alone1 ,woe worth thee dame1 and thy   
works each one6 ,for ,i will no more be 
beguiled ,for friend nor foe4 ,now of   
this deed ,i am so dull ,and of my life 
,i am so full1 ,no farther may ,i go4   
,angel4 ,arise up1 ,joseph1 and go home 
again ,unto ,mary thy wife that is so   
free2 ,to comfort her look that thou be 
fain1 ,for1 ,joseph1 a clean maiden is  
she4 ,she hath conceived without any    
trayne ,the ,second ,person in ,trinity3
 ,jesu shall be his name certainly1 ,and
 all this world save shall he4 ,be not  
aghast4  ,joseph4 ,now1 ,lord1 ,i thank 
thee with heart full sad4 ,for of these 
tidings ,i am so glad ,that all my care 
away is cast1 ,wherefore to ,mary ,i    
will in haste4   ,ah1 ,mary1 ,mary1 ,i  
kneel full low1 ,forgive me1 sweet wife1
 here in this land2 ,mercy1 ,mary1 for  
now ,i know ,of your good governance and
 how it doth stand3 ,though that ,i did 
thee misname4 ,mercy1 ,mary1 while ,i   

live ,will ,i never1 sweet wife1 thee   
grieve1 ,in earnest nor in game4  ,mary4
 ,now1 that ,lord in ,heaven1 sir1--he  
you forgive6 ,and ,i do forgive you in  
his name ,for evermore4  ,joseph4 ,now  
truly1 sweet wife1 to you ,i say the    
same2 ,but now to ,bethlehem must ,i    
wynde#bbe ,and show myself so full of   
care1 ,and ,i to leave you this great   
behind1 ,god wot1 the while1 dame1 how  
you should fare4  ,mary4 ,nay hardily1  
husband1 dread ye nothing1 ,for ,i will 
walk with you on the way4 ,i trust in   
,god1 ,almighty ,king1 ,to speed right  
well in our journey4  ,joseph4 ,now ,i  
thank you1 ,mary1 of your goodness ,that
 you my words will not blame2 ,and since
 that to ,bethlehem we shall us address 
,go we together in ,god's holy name4    
,they set out on their way4    ,now to  
,bethlehem have we leagues three1 ,the  
day is nigh spent1 it draweth towards   
night1 ,fain at your ease1 dame1 ,i     
would that ye should be3 ,for you grow  
all weary1 it seemeth1 in my sight4     

,mary4 ,god have mercy1 ,joseph1 my     
spouse1 so dear6 ,all prophets hereto do
 bear witness ,the evry time now draweth
 near ,that my child will be born1 which
 is ,king of bliss4 ,unto some place1   
,joseph1 kindly me lead1 ,that ,i might 
rest me with grace in this tide1 ,the   
light of the ,father over us both spread
 ,and the grace of my son with us here  
abide4  ,joseph4 ,lo1 blessed ,mary1    
here shall ye lend2#bbf ,chief chosen of
 our ,lord1 and cleanest in degree3 ,and
 ,i for help to town1 will ,i wend4 ,is 
not this the best1 dame1 what say ye8   
,mary4 ,god have mercy6 ,joseph1 my     
husband1 so meek1 ,and ,i heartily pray 
you go now from me4  ,joseph4 ,that     
shall be done in haste1 ,mary1 so sweet6
 ,the comfort of the ,holy ,ghost leave 
,i with thee4 ,now to ,bethlehem strait 
will ,i go1 ,to get some help for ,mary 
so free1 ,some help of women1 ,god may  
me send6 ,that ,mary1 full of grace1    
pleased may be4  ,enter a ,shepherd4    
#ast ,shepherd4 ,now ,god that art in   

,trinity1 ,thou sawest my fellows and   
me2 ,for ,i know not where my sheep nor 
they be1 ,this night it is so cold1 ,now
 is it nigh the middest of the night1   
,these weathers are dark and dim of     
light1 ,that of them can ,i have no     
sight1 ,standing here on this wold4 ,but
 now to make their hearts light1 ,now   
will ,i full right ,stand upon this     
loe4#bbg ,and to them cry with all my   
might3 ,full well my voice they know1   
,what ho1 fellows1 ho1 hoo1 ho6  ,enter 
two other ,shepherds4  #bnd ,shepherd4  
,hark1 ,sym1 hark1 ,i hear our brother  
on the loe1#bbg ,this is his voice1     
right well ,i know1 ,therefore towards  
him let us go1 ,and follow his voice    
aright1 ,see1 ,sym1 see where he doth   
stand2 ,i am right glad we have him     
found4 ,brother6 where hast thou been so
 long1 ,and it is so cold this night8   
#ast ,shepherd4 ,oh1 friends6 there came
 a pyrie#bbh of wind   ,with a mist     
suddenly1 ,that forth off my ways went  
,i1 ,and great heaviness then made ,i1  

,and was full sore afright2 ,then for to
 go wist ,i not whither1 ,but travelled 
on this hill hither and thither4 ,i was 
so weary of this cold weather1 ,that    
near passed was my might4  #crd         
,shepherd4 ,brother1 now we be past that
 fright1 ,and it is far within the      
night3 ,full soon will spring the       
daylight1 ,it draweth full near the     
tide4 ,here awhile let us rest ,and     
repast ourselves of the best4 ,till that
 the sun rise in the east1 ,let us all  
here abide4  ,there the ,shepherds draw 
forth their meat1 and do eat and drink1 
and as they drink they see the star and 
say thus3  ,brother1 look up and behold1
 ,what thing is yonder that shineth so  
bright8 ,as long as ever ,i have watched
 my fold1 ,yet saw ,i never such a sight
 ,in field4 ,aha6 now is come the time  
that old fathers hath told1 ,that in the
 winter's night so cold1 ,a child of    
maiden born1 be he would1 ,in whom all  
prophecies shall be fulfilled4  #ast    
,shepherd4 ,truth it is without nay1 ,so

 said the prophet ,isaye1 ,that a child 
should be born of a maid so bright ,in  
winter nigh the shortest day1 ,or else  
in the middest of the night4  #bnd      
,shepherd4 ,loved be ,god1 most of      
might6 ,that our grace is to see that   
sight2 ,pray we to him as it is right   
,if that his will it be1 ,that we may   
have knowledge of this signification1   
,and why it appeareth on this fashion   
,and ever to him let us give laudation1 
,in earth1 while that we be4  ,there the
 angels sing ,gloria in ,excelsis ,deo4 
#crd ,shepherd4 ,hark1 they sing above  
in the clouds clear6 ,heard ,i never of 
so merry a choir4 ,now gentle brother   
draw we near ,to hear their harmony8    
#ast ,shepherd4 ,brother1 mirth and     
solace is come us among ,for1 by the    
sweetness of their song2 ,god's ,son is 
come1 whom we have looked for long1 ,as 
signifieth this star we do see4  #bnd   
,shepherd4 ,glory1 ,gloria in ,excelsis1
 that was their song1 ,how say ye       
fellows6 said they not thus8  #ast      

,shepherd4 ,that is well said1 now go we
 hence ,to worship that child of high   
magnificence2 ,and that we may sing in  
his presence1 ,et in terra pax omnibus4 
,there the ,shepherds sing3    ,as ,i   
out rode this enderes' night1 ,of three 
jolly shepherds ,i saw a sight1 ,and all
 about their fold a star shone bright2  
,they sang1 ,terli1 terlow2 ,so merrily 
the shepherds their pipes can blow4     
,joseph4 ,now1 ,lord1 this noise that ,i
 do hear ,with this great solemnity1    
,greatly amended hath my cheer1 ,i trust
 high news shortly will be4  ,there the 
,angels sing ,gloria in ,excelsis again4
  ,mary4 ,ah ,joseph1 husband1 come     
hither anon ,my child is born that is   
,king of bliss4  ,joseph4 ,now welcome  
to me1 the maker of man1 ,with all the  
homage that ,i can2 ,thy sweet mother   
here will ,i kiss4  ,mary4 ,ah ,joseph1 
husband1 my child waxeth cold ,and we   
have no fire to warm him with4  ,joseph4
 ,now in my arms ,i shall him fold1     
,king of all kings by field and by      

frith1#bbi ,he might have had better1   
and himself would ,than the breathing of
 these beasts to warm him with4  ,mary4 
,now1 ,joseph1 my husband1 fetch hither 
my child1 ,the maker of man1 and high   
,king of bliss4  ,joseph4 ,that shall be
 done1 anon1 ,mary so mild6 ,for the    
breathing of these beasts hath warmed   
him1 ,i wis4  #ast ,angel4 ,herdmen     
kind1 dread ye nothing1 ,of this star   
that ye do see2 ,for this same morn     
,god's son is born1 ,in ,bethlem of a   
maiden fre4#bcj  #bnd ,angel4 ,hie you  
hither in haste1 ,it is his will ye     
shall him see ,lying in a crib of poor  
repast2 ,yet of ,david's line come is   
he4  #ast ,shepherd4 ,hail1 maid-mother1
 and wife so mild6 ,as the angel said1  
so have we found1 ,i have nothing to    
present to thy child1 ,but my pipe2     
hold1 hold6 take it in thy hand2        
,wherein much pleasure that ,i have     
found1 ,and now to honour thy glorious  
birth1 ,thou shalt it have to make thee 
mirth4  #bnd ,shepherd4 ,now1 hail be   

thou1 child1 and thy dame1 ,for in a    
poor lodging here art thou laid2 ,so the
 angel said1 and told us thy name4      
,hold1 take thou here my hat on thy     
head1 ,and now of one thing thou art    
well sped2 ,for weather thou hast no    
cause to complain1 ,for wind1 nor sun1  
hail1 snow1 and rain4  #crd ,shepherd4  
,hail1 be thou ,lord over water and     
lands ,for thy coming all we may make   
mirth1 ,have here my mittens to put on  
thy hands ,other treasure have ,i none  
to present thee with4  ,mary4 ,now1     
herdmen kind1 ,for your coming1 ,to my  
child shall ,i pray1 ,as he is heaven's 
king1 ,to grant you his blessing1 ,and  
to his bliss that ye may wynd#bca ,at   
your last day4  ,there the ,shepherds   
sing again3    ,down from heaven1 from  
heaven so high1 ,of angels there came a 
great company1 ,with mirth1 and joy1 and
 great solemnity ,they sang1 ,terli1    
terlow2 ,so merrily the shepherds their 
pipes can blow4  ,the two prophets come 
in4  #ast ,prophet4 ,novellis1          

novellis1#bcb of wonderful              
marvellys1#bcc ,were high and sweet unto
 the hearing1 ,as ,scripture tellis1    
these strange novellis ,to you ,i bring4
  #bnd ,prophet4 ,now1 heartily1 sir1 ,i
 desire to know1 ,if it would please you
 for to show1 ,of what manner a thing8  
#ast ,prophet4 ,were it mystical unto   
your hearing1-- ,of the nativity of a   
king8  #bnd ,prophet4 ,of a king8       
,whence should he come8  #ast ,prophet4 
,from that region royal and mighty      
mansion1 ,the seed celestial and        
heavenly wisdom1 ,the ,second ,person1  
and ,god's one ,son1 ,for our sake is   
man become4 ,this godly sphere1         
descended here1 ,into a virgin clear1   
,she undefiled1 ,by whose work1 obscure 
our frail nature ,is now beguiled4  #bnd
 ,prophet4 ,why1 hath she a child8  #ast
 ,prophet4 ,ah1 trust it well1 ,and     
never the less1 ,yet is she a maid even 
as she was1 ,and her son the king of    
,israel4  #bnd ,prophet4 ,a wonderful   
marvel1 ,how that may be1 ,and far doth 

excel--   ,all our capacity1 ,how that  
the trinity1   ,of so high regality1    
,should joined be1   ,unto our          
mortality4  #ast ,prophet4 ,of his one  
great mercy   ,as ye shall see the      
exposition1 ,through whose humanity all 
,adam's progeny ,redeemed shall be      
,out of perdition2 ,sith man did offend1
 who should amend1   ,but the said man  
and no other2 ,for the which cause he1  
,incarnate would be1 ,and live in misery
   ,as man's one brother4  #bnd         
,prophet4 ,sir1 upon the ,deity1 ,i     
believe perfectly1 ,impossible to be1   
there is nothing2 ,howbeit this work1   
unto me is dark1 ,in the operation or   
working4  #ast ,prophet4 ,what more     
reproof is unto belief ,than to be      
doubting4  #bnd ,prophet4 ,yet doubts   
ofttimes hath derivation4  #ast         
,prophet4 ,that is by the means of      
communication1 ,of truths to have a due 
probation1-- ,by the same doubts1       
reasoning4  #bnd ,prophet4 ,then to you1
 this one thing1 ,of what noble and high

 lineage is she1 ,that might this       
verible prince's mother be8  #ast       
,prophet4 ,undoubted she is come of high
 parrage1#bcd ,of the house of ,david1  
and ,solomon the sage1 ,and one of the  
same line joined to her by marriage ,of 
whose tribe1 we do subscribe ,this      
child's lineage4  #bnd ,prophet4 ,and   
why in that wise8  #ast ,prophet4 ,for  
it was the guise ,to count the parent on
 the man's line1 ,and not on the        
feminine1 ,amongst us here in ,israel4  
#bnd ,prophet4 ,yet can ,i not espy1 by 
no wise ,how this child born should be  
without nature's prejudice4  #ast       
,prophet4 ,nay1 no prejudice unto nature
 ,i dare well say1 ,for the king of     
nature may ,have all his one will1 ,did 
not the power of ,god1 make ,aaron's rod
 ,bear fruit in one day8  #bnd ,prophet4
 ,truth it is indeed4  #ast ,prophet4   
,then look you and rede4#bce  #bnd      
,prophet4 ,ah6  ,i perceive the seed    
,whereupon that you spake1 ,it was for  
our need ,that he frail nature did take1

 ,and his blood he should shed ,amends  
for to make ,for our transgression1 ,as 
it is said in prophecy1 that of the line
 of ,jud ,should spring a right ,messi1 
,by whom all we ,should have redemption4
  #ast ,prophet4 ,sir1 now is the time  
come1 ,and the date thereof run ,of his 
,nativity4  #bnd ,prophet4 ,yet ,i      
beseech you heartily1 ,that ye would    
show me how ,that this strange novelty  
,were brought unto you8  #ast ,prophet4 
,this other night so cold1 ,hereby upon 
a wold1 ,shepherds watching their fold  
,in the night so far1 ,to them appeared 
a star1 ,and ever it drew them near1    
,which star they did behold1 ,brighter  
they say a thousand fold ,than the sun  
so clear ,in his midday sphere2 ,and    
they these tidings told4  #bnd ,prophet4
 ,what1 secretly8  #ast ,prophet4 ,na1  
na1 hardily1#bcf ,they made there of no 
council1 ,for they sang as loud1 ,as    
ever they could1 ,praising the king of  
,israel4  #bnd ,prophet4 ,yet do ,i     
marvel1 ,in what pile or castle1 ,these 

herdmen did him see4  #ast ,prophet4    
,neither in halls1 nor yet in bowers1   
,born would he not be1 ,neither in      
castles1 nor yet in towers1 ,that seemly
 were to see1 ,but at his ,father's     
will1 ,the prophecy to fulfil1 ,betwixt 
an ox and an ass ,jesu this king born he
 was2 ,heaven he bring us till6#bcg     
#bnd ,prophet4 ,sir1 ah6  but when these
 shepherds had seen him there1 ,to what 
place did they repair8  #ast ,prophet4  
,forth they went1 and glad they were2   
,going they did sing1 ,with mirth and   
solace1 they made good cheer1 ,for joy  
of that new tiding4 ,and after as ,i    
heard them tell1 ,he rewarded them full 
well ,he granted them heaven therein to 
dwell4 ,in are they gone with joy and   
mirth1 ,and their song it is ,nol4      
,there the ,prophets go forth1 and      
,herod and the messenger 7or herald7    
comes in4  ,herald4 ,peace1 ,lord       
,barons of great renown6 ,peace1 sir    
knights of noble presence6 ,peace1      
gentlemen companions of noble order6 ,i 

command that all of you keep silence4   
,peace while your noble king is in      
presence6 ,let no person stint to pay   
him deference2 ,be not bold to strike1  
but keep your hearts in patience1 ,and  
to your ,lord keep heart of reverence1  
,for he1 your king1 has all puissance6  
,in the name of the law1 ,i command you 
peace6 ,and ,king ,herod--la grandeaboly
 vos umport4#bch  ,herod4 ,qui status in
 ,jude et ,rex ,israel1#bci ,and the    
mightiest conqueror that ever walked on 
ground2 ,for ,i am even he that made    
both heaven and hell1 ,and of my mighty 
power holdeth up this world round4      
,magog and ,madroke1 both them did ,i   
confound1 ,and with this bright brand   
their bones ,i brake asunder1 ,that all 
on the wide world on those rappis#bdj   
did wonder4 ,i am the cause of this     
great light and thunder2 ,it is through 
my fury that they such noise do make4   
,my fearful countenance the clouds so   
doth encumber1 ,that often for dread    
thereof the very earth doth quake4 ,look

 when ,i with malin this bright brand   
doth shake2 ,all the whole world from   
the north to the south1 ,i may them     
destroy with one word of my mouth1 ,to  
recount unto you my innumerable         
substance ,that were too much for any   
tongue to tell2 ,for all the whole      
,orient is under mine obedience1 ,and   
prince am ,i of purgatory1 and chief    
captain of hell4 ,and those tyrannous   
traitors by force may ,i compel ,mine   
enemies to vanquish1 and even to dust to
 drive1 ,and with a twinkle of mine eye 
not one to be left alive4 ,behold my    
countenance and my colour1 ,brighter    
than the sun in the middle of the day6  
,where can you have a more greater      
succour1 ,than to behold my person that 
is so gay2 ,my falchion and my fashion  
with my gorgeous array8 ,he that had the
 grace always thereon to think1 ,live   
they might alway without other meat or  
drink4 ,and this my triumphant fame most
 highly doth abound1 ,throughout this   
world in all regions abroad1 ,resembling

 the favour of that most mighty ,mahound
 ,from ,jupiter by descent1 and cousin  
to the great ,god1 ,and named the most  
renowned ,king ,herod1 ,which that all  
princes hath under subjection1 ,and all 
their whole power under my protection4  
,and therefore my herald here called    
,calchas1 ,warn thou every port1 that no
 ships arrive1 ,nor also alien stranger 
through my realm pass1 ,but they for    
their truage#bda do pay marks five1 ,now
 speed thee forth hastily1 ,for they    
that will the contrary1 ,upon a gallows 
hanged shall be2 ,and1 by ,mahound1 of  
me they get no grace4  ,herald4 ,now1   
lord and master6 in all the haste1 ,thy 
worthy will it shall be wrought1 ,and   
thy royal countries shall be past1 ,in  
as short time as can be thought4        
,herod4 ,now shall our regions          
throughout be sought ,in every place1   
both east and west2 ,if any caitiffs to 
me be brought1 ,it shall be nothing for 
their best4 ,and the while that ,i do   
rest1 ,trumpets1 viols1 and other       

harmony1 ,shall bless the waking of my  
majesty4  ,here ,herod goeth away1 and  
the three ,kings speaketh in the street4
  #ast ,king4 ,now blessed be ,god1 of  
his sweet sonde#bdb ,for yonder a bright
 star ,i do see6 ,now is he come us     
among ,as the prophets said that it     
should be4   ,he said there should a    
babe be born ,coming of the root of     
,jesse1 ,to save mankind that was       
forlorn1 ,and truly come now is he4     
,reverence and worship to him will ,i do
 ,as ,god and man1 that all made of     
nought4 ,all the prophets accorded and  
said even so1 ,that with his precious   
blood mankind should be bought4   ,he   
grant me grace by yonder star that ,i   
see1 ,and into that place bring me1     
,that ,i may him worship with humility  
,and see his glorious face4  #bnd ,king4
 ,out of my way ,i deem that ,i am ,for 
tokens of this country can ,i none see2 
,now ,god that on earth madest man1     
,send me some knowledge where that ,i   
be4   ,yonder me thinks a fair bright   

star ,i see1 ,the which betokeneth the  
birth of a child1 ,that hither is come  
to make man free1 ,he1 born of a maid1  
and she nothing defiled1   ,to worship  
that child is mine intent4 ,forth now   
will ,i take my way3 ,i trust some      
company ,god hath me sent1 ,for yonder  
,i see a king labour on the way1        
,toward him now will ,i ride4 ,hark1    
comely king1 ,i you pray1 ,into what    
coast will ye this tide1 ,or whither    
lies your journey8  #ast ,king4 ,to seek
 a child is mine intent1 ,of whom the   
prophets have meant4 ,the time is come  
now is he sent1 ,by yonder star here may
 you see4  #bnd ,king4 ,sir1 ,i pray you
 with your licence1 ,to ride with you   
into his presence2 ,to him will ,i offer
 frankincence ,for the head of the whole
 church shall he be4  #crd ,king4 ,i    
ride wandering in ways wide ,over       
mountains and dales1 ,i wot not where ,i
 am1 ,now king of all kings send me such
 guide1 ,that ,i may have knowledge of  
this country's name4   ,ah1 yonder ,i   

see a sight be seeming all afar1 ,the   
which betokens some news as ,i trow1 ,as
 me thinks a child appearing in a star2 
,i trust he be come that shall defend us
 from woe4   ,two kings yonder ,i see1  
and to them will ,i ride1 ,for to have  
their company3 ,i trust they will me    
abide4#bdc ,hail1 comely kings          
augent6#bdd ,good sirs1 ,i pray you     
whither are ye meant8  #ast ,king4 ,to  
seek a child is our intent1 ,which      
betokens yonder star as ye may see4     
#bnd ,king4 ,to him ,i purpose this     
present4  #crd ,king4 ,sirs1 ,i pray    
you1 and that right humbly ,with you    
that ,i may ride in company2 ,to        
,almighty ,god now pray we1 ,that his   
precious person we may see4  ,here      
,herod cometh in again1 and the         
messenger saith3  ,herald4 ,hail1 ,lord6
 most of might6 ,thy commandment is     
right4 ,into thy land is come this night
 ,three kings1 and with them a great    
company4  ,herod4 ,what make those kings
 in this country8  ,herald4 ,to seek a  

king and a child1 they say4  ,herod4 ,of
 what age should he be8  ,herald4 ,scant
 twelve days old fully4  ,herod4 ,and   
was he so late born8  ,herald4 ,eh6 sir1
 so they show'd me this same day in the 
morn4  ,herod4 ,now1 in pain of death1  
bring them me beforn ,and1 therefore1   
herald1 hie thee now1 in haste1 ,in all 
speed that thou were dight1#bde ,or that
 those kings the country be past1--     
,look thou bring them all three before  
my sight4 ,and in ,jerusalem enquire    
more of that child8 ,but ,i warn thee   
that thy words be mild1 ,for there take 
thou heed1 and craft thereto ,his power 
to foredo1#bdf ,that those three kings  
shall be beguiled4  ,herald4 ,lord1 ,i  
am ready at your bidding1 ,to serve thee
 as my lord and king1 ,for joy thereof1 
lo1 how ,i spring1 ,with light heart and
 fresh gambolling1 ,aloft here on this  
mould4  ,herod4 ,then speed thee forth  
hastily1 ,and look that thou bear thee  
evenly ,and also ,i pray thee heartily1 
,that thou do commend me ,both to young 

and old4  ,herald 7returning to the     
,three ,kings74 ,hail1 sir kings1 in    
your degree6 ,herod2 king of these      
countries wide ,desireth to speak with  
you all three1 ,and for your coming he  
doth abide4  #ast ,king4 ,sir1 at his   
will we be right bane#bdg ,hie us1      
brother1 unto that lord's place2 ,to    
speak with him we would be fain ,that   
child that we seek1 he grant us of his  
grace4  ,herald 7bringing in the        
,kings74 ,hail1 ,lord1 without peer6    
,these three kings have we brought4     
,herod4 ,now welcome1 sir kings1 all in 
fere2#bdh ,but of my bright ble1#bdi    
sirs1 abash ye nought4 ,sir kings1 as ,i
 understand1 ,a star hath guided you    
into my land2 ,wherein great harie#bej  
ye have found1 ,by reason of her beams  
bright2 ,wherefore ,i pray you heartily1
 ,the very truth that you would certify2
 ,how long it is surely1 ,since of that 
star you had first sight8  #ast ,king4  
,sir king1 the very truth we say4 ,and  
to show you1 as it is best1 ,this same  

is even the twelfth day ,since it       
appeared to us to be west4  ,herod4     
,brother1 then is there no more to say1 
,but with heart and will keep ye your   
journey1 ,and come home again this same 
way1 ,of your news that ,i may know4    
,you shall triumph in this country1 ,and
 with great concord banquet with me ,and
 that child myself then will ,i see1    
,and honour him also4  #bnd ,king4 ,sir1
 your commandment we will fulfil1 ,and  
humbly obey ourselves theretyll1 ,he    
that weldeth all things at will4 ,the   
ready way us teach1 ,sir king1 that we  
may pass your land in peace4  ,herod4   
,yes6 and walk softly even at your own  
ease4 ,your passport for a hundred days 
,here shall you have of clear command2  
,our realm to labour#bea any ways ,here 
shall you have by special grant4  #crd  
,king4 ,now farewell1 king of high      
degree1 ,humbly of you our leave we     
take4  ,herod4 ,then adieu1 sir kings1  
all three1 ,and while ,i live be bold of
 me2 ,there is nothing in this country1 

,but for your own ye shall it take4     
,exeunt the ,three ,kings4  ,now these  
three kings are gone on their way1      
,unwisely and unwittingly have they all 
wrought4 ,when they come again1 they    
shall die that same day1 ,and thus these
 vile wretches to death shall be        
brought2   ,such is my liking4 ,he that 
against my laws will hold1 ,be he king  
or kaiser1 never so bold1 ,i shall them 
cast into cares cold1 ,and to death ,i  
shall them bring4  ,there ,herod goeth  
his way1 and the ,three ,kings come in  
again4  #ast ,king4 ,oh1 blessed ,god1  
much is thy might6 ,where is this star  
that gave us light8  #bnd ,king4 ,now   
kneel we down here on this presence ,by 
seeking that ,lord of high magnificence2
 ,that we may see his high excellence1  
,if that his sweet will be4  #crd ,king4
 ,yonder1 brother1 ,i see the star1     
,whereby ,i know he is not far2         
,therefore1 lords1 go we now1 ,into this
 poor place4  ,there the ,three ,kings  
go in to the jeseyne#beb1 ,mary and her 

child4  #ast ,king4 ,hail1 ,lord1 that  
all this world hath wrought6 ,hail ,god 
and man together in fere4#bec ,for thou 
hast made all thing of nought ,albeit   
that thou liest poorly here4 ,a cup full
 of gold here ,i have thee brought ,in  
tokening thou art without peer4  #bnd   
,king4 ,hail be thou1 ,lord of high     
magnificence ,in tokening of priesthood1
 and dignity of office1 ,to thee ,i     
offer a cup full of incense2 ,for it    
behoveth thee to have such sacrifice4   
#crd ,king4 ,hail be thou1 ,lord long   
looked for6 ,i have brought thee myrrh  
for mortality2 ,in tokening those shalt 
mankind restore ,to life by thy death   
upon a tree4  ,mary4 ,god have mercy1   
kings1 of your goodness6 ,by the guiding
 of the ,godhead hither are ye sent2    
,the provision of my sweet son1 your    
ways home redress1 ,and ghostly reward  
you for your present4  #ast ,king4 ,sir 
kings1 after our promise1 ,home by      
,herod1 ,i must needs go4  #bnd ,king4  
,now truly1 brother1 we can no less1    

,but ,i am so far watched ,i wot not    
what to do4  #crd ,king4 ,right so am   
,i1 wherefore ,i you pray ,let all us   
rest us awhile upon this ground4  #ast  
,king4 ,brother1 your saying is right   
well unto my pay ,the grace of that     
sweet child save us all sound4  ,angel4 
,king of ,taurus1 ,sir ,jaspar6 ,king of
 ,araby1 ,sir ,balthasar6 ,melchior1    
king of ,aginara6 ,to you now am ,i     
sent4 ,for dread of ,herod1 go you west 
home ,in those parts when ye come down1 
,ye shall be burrid#bed with great      
renown3 ,the ,holy ,ghost this knowledge
 hath sent4  #ast ,king4 ,awake1 sir    
kings1 ,i you pray1 ,for the voice of an
 angel ,i heard in my dream6  #bnd      
,king4 ,that is full true that ye do say
 ,for he rehearsed our names plain4     
#crd ,king4 ,he bade that we should go  
down by west ,for dread of ,herod's     
false betray4  #ast ,king4 ,so for to do
 it is the best1 ,the child that we have
 sought1 guide us the way6  ,turning to 
the babe4  ,now farewell1 the fairest of

 shape so sweet1 ,and thanked be ,jesus 
of his sond4#bee ,that we three together
 so suddenly should meet ,that dwell so 
wide1 and in a strange land2 ,and here  
to make our presentation ,unto this     
king's son cleansed so clean1 ,and to   
his mother for our salvation2 ,of much  
mirth now may we mean1 ,that we so well 
hath done this oblation4  #bnd ,king4   
,now farewell1 ,sir ,jaspar1 brother to 
you1 ,king of ,taurus1 the most worth2  
,sir ,balthasar1 also to you ,i bow ,and
 ,i thank you both of your good company1
 ,while we together have been4 ,he that 
made us to meet on hill1 ,i thank him   
now1 and ever ,i will2 ,for now may we  
go without ill2 ,and of our offering be 
full fain4  #crd ,king4 ,now sith that  
we must needly go ,for dread of ,herod1 
that is so wroth1 ,now farewell brother1
 and brother also2 ,i take my leave here
 of you both1 ,this day on foot4 ,now he
 that made us to meet on plain4 ,and    
offered to ,mary in her jeseyne1#bef ,he
 give us grace in heaven again1         

,altogether to meet4  ,exeunt the ,three
 ,kings3 ,enter the ,herald and ,king   
,herod4  ,herald4 ,hail1 ,king most     
worthiest in wede6#beg ,hail1 maintainer
 of courtesy through all this world     
wide6 ,hail1 the most mightiest that    
ever bestrode a steed6 ,hail1 most      
manfullest man in armour man to abide6  
,hail in thine honour6 ,these three     
kings that forth were sent ,and should  
have come again before thee here        
present1 ,another way1 ,lord1 home they 
went ,contrary to thine honour4  ,herod4
 ,another way6--out6 out6--out6 ,hath   
those foul traitors done me this deed8  
,i stamp1 ,i stare1 ,i look all about2  
,might them ,i take ,i should them burn 
at a glede4#beh ,i rend1 ,i roar1 and   
now run ,i wood2#bei ,ah6 that these    
villain traitors hath marred this my    
mood6 ,they shall be hanged if ,i come  
them to4  ,here ,herod rages in the     
pageant1 and in the street also4  ,eh6  
and that kerne#bfj of ,bethlehem1 he    
shall be dead1 ,and thus shall ,i do for

 his prophecy4 ,how say you1 sir        
knights1 is not this the best red1#bfa  
,that all young children for this should
 be dead ,with sword to be slain8 ,then 
shall ,i1 ,herod1 live in lede1#bfb ,and
 all folk me doubt and dread1 ,and offer
 to me both gold1 riches1 and mede1#bfc 
,thereto will they be full fain4  #ast  
,soldier4 ,my ,lord1 ,king ,herod by    
name1 ,thy words against my will shall  
be ,to see so many young children die1  
is shame2 ,therefore counsel thereto    
gettest thou none of me4  #bnd ,soldier4
 ,well said1 fellow1 my troth ,i plight2
 ,sir king6 perceive right well you may 
,so great a murder to see of young      
fruit1 ,will make a rising in thine own 
countrey4  ,herod4 ,a rising6--out6 out6
 out6  ,there ,herod rages again1 and   
then saith thus3  ,out villain wretches1
 hereupon you ,i cry1 ,my will utterly1 
look that it be wrought1 ,or upon a     
gallows both you shall die1 ,by         
,mahound1 most mightiest1 that me dear  
hath bought6  #ast ,soldier4 ,now1 cruel

 ,herod1 sith we shall do this deed1    
,your will needfully in this must be    
wrought4 ,all the children of that age1 
die they must need1 ,now with all my    
might they shall be upsought4  #bnd     
,soldier4 ,and ,i will swear here upon  
your bright sword1 ,all the children    
that ,i find1 slain they shall be2 ,that
 make many a mother to weep1 and be full
 sore afeard1 ,in our armour bright1    
when they us see4  ,herod4 ,now you have
 sworn1 forth that ye go ,and my will   
that ye work both by day and night1 ,and
 then will ,i for fain trip like a doe2 
,but when they be dead1 ,i warn you1    
bring them before my sight4  ,angel4    
,mary and ,joseph1 to you ,i say1 ,sweet
 word from the ,father ,i bring you full
 right2 ,out of ,bethlehem into ,egypt  
forth go ye the way ,and with you take  
the king1 full of might1 ,for dread of  
,herod's red4#bfd  ,joseph4 ,arise up1  
,mary1 hastily and soon6 ,our ,lord's   
will needs must be done1 ,like as the   
angel bade4  ,mary4 ,meekly1 ,joseph1   

mine own spouse1 ,toward that country   
let us repair1 ,in ,egypt1--some token  
of house1-- ,god grant us grace safe to 
come there6  ,here the women come in    
with their children1 singing them1 and  
,mary and ,joseph goeth clean away4     
,lully1 lulla1 thou little tiny child2  
,by1 by1 lullay1 lullay1 thou little    
tiny child2                 ,by1 by1    
lully1 lullay4    ,o sisters too6 how   
may we do1 ,for to preserve this day    
,this poor youngling1 for whom we do    
sing ,by1 by1 lully1 lullay4    ,herod1 
the king1 in his raging1 ,charged he    
hath this day ,his men of might1 in his 
own sight1 ,all young children to slay4 
,that woe is me1 poor child for thee6   
,and ever morn and day1 ,for thy parting
 neither say nor sing1 ,by1 by1 lully1  
lallay4  #ast ,woman4 ,i lull my child  
wondrously sweet1 ,and in my arms ,i do 
it keep1 ,because that it should not    
cry4  #bnd ,woman4 ,that ,babe that is  
born1 in ,bethlehem so meek1 ,he save my
 child and me from villainy6  #crd      

,woman4 ,be still6 be still6 my little  
child6 ,that ,lord of lords save both   
thee and me2 ,for ,herod hath sworn with
 words wild ,that all young children    
slain they shall be4  #ast ,soldier4    
,say ye whither1 ye wives1 whither are  
ye away8 ,what bear you in your arms    
needs must we see2 ,if they be men      
children1 die they must this day1 ,for  
at ,herod's will all things must be4    
#bnd ,soldier4 ,and ,i in hands once    
them hent1#bfe ,them for to slay nought 
will ,i spare2 ,we must fulfil ,herod's 
commandment2 ,else be we as traitors1   
and cast all in care4  #ast ,woman4 ,sir
 knights6 of your courtesy ,this day    
shame not your chivalry1 ,but on my     
child have pity1 ,for my sake in this   
stead2 ,for a simple slaughter it were  
to sloo#bff ,or to work such a child woe
 ,that can neither speak nor go1 ,nor   
never harm did4  #bnd ,woman4 ,he that  
slays my child in sight1 ,if that my    
strokes on him may light1 ,be he squire 
or knight1 ,i hold him but lost4 ,see   

thou false losyngere#bfg ,a stroke shalt
 thou bear me here ,and spare you no    
cost4  #crd ,woman4 ,sit he never so    
high in saddle1 ,but ,i shall make his  
brain addle1 ,and here with my pot      
ladle1 ,with him will ,i fight4 ,i shall
 lay on him as though ,i wode#bfh were1 
,with this same womanly gear2 ,there    
shall no man stir1 ,whether that he be  
king or knight4  ,the innocents are     
massacred4  #ast ,soldier4 ,who heard   
ever such a cry ,of women1 that their   
children have lost ,and greatly rebuking
 chivalry ,throughout this realm in     
every coast ,which many a man's life is 
like to cost2 ,for this great revenge   
that here is done1 ,i fear much         
vengeance thereof will come4  #bnd      
,soldier4 ,eh6 brother1 such tales may  
we not tell1 ,wherefore to the king let 
us go1 ,for he is like to bear the bell1
 ,which was the cause that we did so2   
,yet must they all be brought him to    
,with wains and waggons full freight4 ,i
 trow there will be a careful sight4    

,they come before ,herod4  #ast         
,soldier4 ,lo6 ,herod1 king6 here must  
thou see ,how many thousands that we    
have slain4  #bnd ,soldier4 ,and needs  
thy will fulfilled must be1 ,there may  
no man say there again4#bfi  ,herald4   
,herod1 king6 ,i shall thee tell1 ,all  
thy deeds is come to nought4 ,this child
 is gone into ,egypt to dwell1 ,lo6     
,sir1 in thine own land what wonders    
byn#bgj wrought4  ,herod4 ,into ,egypt8 
,alas6 for woe1 ,longer in land here ,i 
cannot abide4 ,saddle my palfry1 for in 
haste will ,i go ,after yon traitors now
 will ,i ride ,them for to sloo4#bga    
,now all men hie fast ,into ,egypt in   
haste3 ,all that country will ,i        
tast#bgb ,till ,i may come them to4     
,,the ,,wakefield ,,miracle-,,play ,,of 
,,the ,,crucifixion  ,from the ,towneley
 ,collection    ,,characters   ,jesus   
,mary ,john ,joseph ,pilate ,longeus    
,nicodemus ,four ,torturers  ,,the      
,,crucifixion   ,pilate4 ,peace ,i bid  
every wight2 ,stand as still as stone in

 wall1 ,whiles ye are present in my     
sight1 ,that none of ye clatter nor     
call2 ,for if ye do1 your death is      
dight4 ,i warn it you both great and    
small1 ,with this brand burnished so    
bright1 ,therefore in peace look ye be  
all4    ,what8 peace1 in the devil's    
name6 ,harlots and dastards all         
bedene#bgc ,on gallows ye be made full  
tame4 ,thieves and michers ken#bgd ,will
 ye not peace when ,i bid you8 ,by      
,mahoun's blood6 if ye me teyn1#bge ,i  
shall ordain soon for you ,pains that   
never e'er was seen1   ,and that anon3  
,be ye so bold beggars1 ,i warn you1    
,full boldly shall ,i beat you1 ,to hell
 the de'il shall draw you1   ,body1     
back1 and bone4    ,i am a lord that    
mickle is of might1 ,prince of all      
,jewry1 ,sir ,pilate ,i hight4 ,next    
bring ,herod1 greatest of all1 ,bow to  
my bidding1 both great and small1   ,or 
else be ye shent2#bgf ,therefore keep   
your tongues1 ,i warn you all   ,and    
unto us take tent4#bgg  #ast ,torturer4 

,all peace1 all peace1 among you all6   
,and hearken now what shall befall   ,to
 this false chuffer#bgh here4 ,that with
 his false quantyse#bgi ,has made       
himself as ,god wise   ,among us many a 
year4 ,he calls himself a prophet1 ,and 
says that he can bales#bhj beat#bha     
,and make all things amend1 ,but e'er   
long know we shall1 ,whether he can     
overcome his own bale1#bhj   ,or 'scape 
out of our hand4    ,was not this a     
wonder thing ,that he durst call himself
 a king   ,and make so great a lie8     
,but1 by ,mahoun6 while ,i may live1    
,those proud words shall ,i never       
forgive1   ,till he be hanged on high4  
#bnd ,torturer4 ,his pride1 fie1 we set 
at nought1 ,but each man reckon in his  
thought   ,and look that we naught want2
 ,for ,i shall seek1 if that ,i may1 ,by
 the order of knighthood1 to-day1   ,to 
make his heart pant4  #crd ,torturer4   
,and so shall ,i1 with all my might1    
,abate his pride this very night1   ,and
 reckon him a crede4 ,lo6 he lets on he 

could no ill1 ,but he can aye1 when he  
will1   ,do a full foul deed4  #dth     
,torturer4 ,ye fellows1 ye1 as ,i1 have 
rest1 ,among us all ,i rede#bhb we cast 
,to bring this thief to dede4#bhc ,look 
that we have what we need too   ,for to 
hold strait this shrew4  #ast ,torturer4
 ,that was a noble rede2 ,lo1 here ,i   
have a band1 ,if need be1 to bind his   
hand2   ,this thong1 ,i trow1 will last4
  #bnd ,torturer4 ,and one to the other 
side1 ,that shall abate his pride1   ,if
 it be but drawn fast4  #crd ,torturer4 
,lo1 here a hammer and nails also ,for  
to fasten fast our foe   ,to this tree  
full soon4  #dth ,torturer4 ,you are    
wise1 withouten dread1 ,that so can help
 yourself at need   ,to thing that      
should be done4  #ast ,torturer4 ,now   
dare ,i say hardily1 ,he shall with all 
his mawmentry#bhd   ,no longer us       
be-tell4  #bnd ,torturer4 ,since ,pilate
 has him to us gi'en ,have done1        
quickly1 let it be seen1   ,how we can  
with him mell4#bhe  #crd ,torturer4 ,now

 we are at the ,mount of ,calvary1 ,have
 done1 fellows1 and let now see   ,how  
we can with him play4  #dth ,torturer4  
,yes1 for as proud as he can look1 ,he  
would have turned another crook1   ,had 
he the rack to-day4  #ast ,torturer4 ,in
 faith1 sir1 since ye called you a king1
 ,you must prove a worthy thing   ,that 
falls into the weir4 ,you must joust in 
tournament1 ,but sit you fast1 else     
you'll be shent1#bhf   ,else down ,i    
shall you bear4  #bnd ,torturer4 ,if    
thou be ,god's son1 as thou tells1 ,thou
 canst save thyself--how shouldst thou  
else8   ,else were it marvel great2 ,and
 canst thou not1 we will not trow ,what 
thou has said1 but make thee mow   ,when
 thou sitt'st in that seat4  #crd       
,torturer4 ,if thou be king1 we shall   
thanks adylle#bhg ,for we shall set thee
 in thy sadylle#bhh   ,for falling be   
thou bold#bhi ,i promise thee thou      
bidest a shaft ,if thou sitt'st not well
 thou hadst better laft#bij   ,the tales
 that thou hast told4  #dth ,torturer4  

,stand near1 fellows1 and let us see    
,how we can horse our king so free   ,by
 any craft2 ,stand thou yonder on yon   
side1 ,and we shall see how he can ride4
   ,and how to wield a shaft4  #ast     
,torturer4 ,sir1 come ye hither1 and    
have done1 ,and get upon your palfrey   
soon   ,for he is ready bowne3#bia ,if  
ye be bound to him be not wroth1 ,for be
 ye secure we were full loth   ,on any  
wise that ye fell down4  #bnd ,torturer4
 ,knit thou a knot1 with all thy        
strength ,for to draw this arm at length
   ,till it come to the bore4  #crd     
,torturer4 ,thou art mad1 man1 by this  
light6 ,it wants1 in each man's sight   
,another half span1 and more4  #dth     
,torturer4 ,yet draw out this arm1 and  
make it fast1 ,with this rope1 that well
 will last1   ,and each man lay hand to4
  #ast ,torturer4 ,yes1 and bind thou   
fast that band1 ,we shall go to that    
other hand1   ,and look what we can do4 
#bnd ,torturer4 ,do drive a nail there  
throughout1 ,and then there shall       

nothing doubt1   ,for it will not       
breste4#bib  #crd ,torturer4 ,that shall
 ,i do1 so might ,i thrive1 ,for to     
hammer and to drive   ,thereto ,i am    
full pressed2 ,so let it stick1 for it  
is well4  #dth ,torturer4 ,thou sayest  
sooth1   ,there can no man mend4  #ast  
,torturer4 ,hold down his knees4  #bnd  
,torturer4            ,that shall ,i do4
 ,his nurse did never better do2   ,lay 
on with each hand4  #crd ,torturer4     
,draw out his limbs1 let see1 have at4  
#dth ,torturer4 ,that was well drawn    
out1 that1 ,fair befall him that so     
pulled6 ,for to have gotten it to the   
mark ,i trow laymen nor clerk   ,nothing
 better should6  #ast ,torturer4 ,hold  
it now fast there ,one of you the bore  
shall bear1   ,and then it may not fail4
  #bnd ,torturer4 ,that shall ,i do     
withouten dread1 ,as ever might ,i well 
speed   ,him to mickle bale4  #crd      
,torturer4 ,so1 that is well1 it will   
not brest1#bic ,but now1 let see1 who   
does the best   ,with any sleight of    

hand4  #dth ,torturer4 ,go we to the    
other ende ,fellows1 fasten fast your   
hende1#bid   ,and pull well at the band4
  #ast ,torturer4 ,i counsel1 fellows1  
by this weather ,that we draw now all   
together1   ,and look how it will fare4 
#bnd ,torturer4 ,now let see1 and leave 
your din ,and draw we ilka syn from     
syn4#bie   ,for nothing let us spare4   
#crd ,torturer4 ,nay1 fellows1 this is  
no play1 ,we no longer draw one way1    
,so mickle have ,i espied4  #dth        
,torturer4 ,no1 for as ,i have bliss    
,some can twig whoso it is   ,seeks his 
ease on his own side4  #ast ,torturer4  
,it is better1 as ,i hope ,each by      
himself to draw this rope1   ,and then  
may we see ,who it is that erewhile ,all
 his fellows can beguile   ,of this     
company4  #bnd ,torturer4 ,since thou   
wilt so have1 here's for me6   ,how draw
 ,i8--as might thou the6#bif  #crd      
,torturer4 ,men drew right well6 ,have  
here for me1 half a foot4  #dth         
,torturer4 ,wema1#big man6 thou came not

 to't4 ,men drew it never a deal ,but   
have for me here that ,i may6  #ast     
,torturer4 ,well drawnn1 son1 by this   
day6 ,thou goes well to thy work4  #bnd 
,torturer4 ,yet after1 whilst thy hand  
is in ,pull thereat with some engine4   
#crd ,torturer4 ,yea1 and bring it to   
the mark4  #dth ,torturer4 ,pull1 pull6 
#ast ,torturer4 ,have now6  #bnd        
,torturer4 ,let see6  #crd ,torturer4   
,aha6  #dth ,torturer4 ,yet1 a draught6 
#ast ,torturer4 ,thereto with all my    
might4  #bnd ,torturer4 ,aha1 hold still
 thore4#bih  #crd ,torturer4 ,so1       
fellows1 look now alive1 ,which of you  
can best drive1   ,and ,i shall take the
 bore4  #dth ,torturer4 ,let me go to   
it1 if ,i shall ,i hope that ,i be the  
best marshal#bii   ,for to clink#cjj it 
right4 ,do raise him up now when we may1
 ,for ,i hope he and his palfrey        
,shall not twine#cja this night4  #ast  
,torturer4 ,come hither1 fellows1 and   
have done1 ,and help that this tree soon
   ,be lift with all your sleight4  #bnd

 ,torturer4 ,yet let us work awhile1    
,and no man now the other beguile       
,till it be brought on height4  #crd    
,torturer4 ,fellows1 lay on all your    
hende#cjb ,for to raise this tree on    
ende   ,and lets see who is last4  #dth 
,torturer4 ,i rede we do as he says1    
,set we the tree on the mortase1#cjc    
,and there1 will it stand fast4  #ast   
,torturer4 ,up with the timber4  #bnd   
,torturer4 ,ah1 it holds6 ,for him1 that
 all this world wields1   ,put from     
thee1 with thy hand4  #crd ,torturer4   
,hold even6 amongst us all4  #dth       
,torturer4 ,yea1 and let it into the    
mortise fall1 ,for then will it best    
stand4  #ast ,torturer4 ,go we to it1   
and be we strong1 ,and raise it1 be it  
never so long1   ,since that it is fast 
bound4  #bnd ,torturer4 ,up with the    
timber fast on ende4  #crd ,torturer4   
,ah fellows1 fair fall now your hende4  
#dth ,torturer4 ,so1 sir1 gape against  
the sun6  ,to ,christ4  #ast ,torturer4 
,ah1 fellow1 wear thy crown6  #bnd      

,torturer4 ,trowest thou this timber    
will come down8  #crd ,torturer4 ,yet   
help1 to make it fast4  #dth ,torturer4 
,bind him well1 and let us lift4  #ast  
,torturer4 ,full short shall be his     
thrift4  #bnd ,torturer4 ,ah1 it stands 
up like a mast4  ,jesus4 ,i pray you1   
people1 that pass me by1 ,that lead your
 life so lykandly#cjd   ,raise up your  
heart on high2 ,behold if ever ye saw   
body ,buffet#cje and beaten thus bloody1
   ,or dight thus dolefully2 ,in this   
world was never no wight   ,that        
suffered half so sair4 ,my mayn1#cjf my 
mode1#cjg my might ,is naught but sorrow
 to sight1   ,and comfort--none but     
care6 ,my folk1 what have ,i done to    
thee ,that thou all thus shall torment  
me8   ,thy sin bear ,i full soon4 ,how  
have ,i grieved thee8 answer me4 ,that  
thou thus nailest me to a tree1   ,and  
all for thine error4 ,where shalt thou  
seek succour8 ,this fault how shalt thou
 amende ,when that thou thy saviour     
,drivest to this dishonour   ,and       

nail'st through feet and hende4#cjh ,all
 creatures whose kinds may be trest1#cji
 ,beasts and birds1 they all have rest  
,when they are woe begone4 ,but ,god's  
own son1 that should be best1 ,has not  
whereon his head to rest1   ,but on his 
shoulder bone3 ,to whom now may ,i make 
my moan   ,when they thus martyr me8    
,and sackless#caj will me slone1#caa    
,and beat me blood and bone1   ,that    
should my brethren be8 ,what kindness   
should ,i kythe#cab them to8 ,have ,i   
not done what ,i ought to do1   ,made   
thee in my likeness8 ,and thou thus     
rives my rest and ro#cac ,and thinkest  
lightly on me1 lo1   ,such is thy       
caitifness4 ,i have shown thee kindness1
 unkindly thou me 'quitest1#cad ,see    
thus thy wickedness1 look how thou me   
despitest4 ,guiltless thus am ,i put to 
pine1 ,not for my sin1 man1 but for     
thine4   ,thus am ,i rent on rood2 ,for 
,i that treasure would not tyne#cae     
,that ,i marked and made for mine4      
,thus buy ,i ,adam's blood1 ,that sunken

 was in sin1 ,with none earthly good1   
,but with my flesh and blood ,that loath
 was for to wyn4#caf ,my brother1 that  
,i came for to buy1 ,has hanged me here1
 thus hideously1   ,friends find ,i few 
or none2 ,thus have they dight me       
drearily1 ,and all be-spit me piteously1
   ,a helpless man in wone4#cag ,but1   
,father1 that sittest on throne1        
,forgive thou them this guilt4 ,i pray  
to thee this boon-- ,they know not what 
they doon1   ,nor whom they thus have   
spoilt6#cah  #ast ,torturer4 ,yes1 what 
we do full well we know4  #bnd          
,torturer4 ,yes1 that shall he find     
within a throw4  #crd ,torturer4 ,now1  
with a mischance to his corse6          
,wenys#cai he that we give any force#cbj
   ,what evil so ever he ail8  #dth     
,torturer4 ,for he would tarry us all   
day1 ,of his death to make delay1   ,i  
tell you sans fail4  #ast ,torturer4    
,lift we this tree amongst us all4  #bnd
 ,torturer4 ,yea1 and let it into the   
mortise fall   ,and that shall make him 

brest4#cba  #crd ,torturer4 ,yea1 and   
all to rive him1 limb from limb4  #dth  
,torturer4 ,and it will break each joint
 in him2   ,let see now1 who does best8 
,mary4 ,alas1 the dole ,i dree6#cbb ,i  
droop1 ,i go in dread4 ,why hang'st     
thou1 son1 so high8 my woe begins to    
breed1 ,all blemished is thy ble1#cbc ,i
 see thy body bleed1 ,in the world1 my  
son1 we were never so woe1 as now in    
weed4#cbd ,my food#cbe that ,i have fed1
 ,in life--longing thee led6 ,full      
straight art thou bestead   ,among these
 foemen fell3 ,such sorrow for to see4  
,my dearest child1 on thee1 ,is more    
mourning to me   ,than any tongue may   
tell4 ,alas6 thy holy head ,has not     
whereon to held#cbf ,thy face with blood
 is red1   ,was fair as flower in field2
 ,how should ,i stand in stead6#cbg ,to 
see my bairn thus bleed1 ,beaten as     
blo#cbh as lead4   ,and has no limb to  
wield8 ,fastened both hands and feet1   
,with nalys#cbi full unmeet1 ,his wounds
 all wringing wet4   ,alas1 my child1   

for care6 ,for all rent is thy hide1 ,i 
see on either side ,tears of blood down 
glide   ,over all thy body bare4 ,alas  
that ever ,i should bide1 and see my    
feyr#ccj thus fare6  ,john4 ,alas1 for  
dule1 my lady dear6 ,all for changd is  
thy cheer1 ,to see this prince without a
 peer1   ,thus lappd all in woe2 ,he was
 thy food1 thy fairest foine1#cca ,thy  
love1 thy like1#ccb thy lovesome son1   
,that high on tree thus hangs alone     
,with body black and blo1#ccc alas6 ,to 
me and many mo1#ccd ,a good master he   
was4  ,but1 lady1 since it is his will  
,the prophecy to fulfil1 ,that mankind  
in sin not spill1#cce   ,for them to    
thole#ccf the pain2 ,and with his death 
ransom to make1 ,as prophets before of  
him spake4 ,i counsel thee1 thy grief to
 slake1   ,thy weeping may not gain ,in 
sorrow2 ,our boot#ccg he buys full      
bayne1#cch ,us all from bale to borrow4 
,mary4 ,alas1 thine eyes as crystal     
clear1 ,that shone as sun in sight1     
,that lovely were in lyere#cci ,lost    

they have their light1 ,and wax all     
fa'ed#cdj in fear1 ,all dim then are    
they dight2 ,in pain thou hast no peer1 
,that is withouten pight4#cda ,sweet    
son1 say me thy thought2 ,what wonders  
hast thou wrought ,to be in pain thus   
brought   ,thy blessed blood to blend8  
,ah1 son1 think on my woe1 ,why will    
thou from me go8 ,on earth is no man    
mo#cdb   ,that may my mirth amend4      
,john4 ,comely lady1 good and couth1#cdc
 ,fain would ,i comfort thee2 ,me       
mynnys#cdd my master with mouth ,told   
unto his menyee4#cde ,that he should    
suffer many a pain1 ,and die upon a     
tree1 ,and to the life rise up again1   
,upon the third day should it be   ,full
 right2 ,for thee1 my lady sweet1 ,stint
 awhile to greet1#cdf ,our bale then    
will be beat1#cdg   ,as he before has   
bight4#cdh  ,mary4 ,my sorrow it is so  
sad1 ,no solace may me save3 ,mourning  
makes me mad1 ,no hope of help ,i have4 
,i am redeless#cdi and afraid ,for fear 
that ,i should rave1 ,nought may make me

 glad1 ,till ,i be in my grave4 ,to     
death my dear is driven1 ,his robe is   
all to-riven1#cej ,that by me was him   
given   ,and shapen with my sides4      
,these ,jews and he have striven   ,that
 all the bale he bides4 ,alas6 my lamb  
so mild1 ,why wilt thou from me go      
,among these wolvs wild1 ,that work on  
thee this woe8 ,for shame1 who may thee 
shield1 ,for friends now hast thou foe4 
,alas1 my comely child1 ,why will thou  
from me go8 ,maidens1 make your moan1   
,and weep1 ye wives1 every one ,with me1
 most sad1 in wone#cea   ,the child that
 born was best3 ,my heart is stiff as   
stone   ,that for no bale will          
brest4#ceb  ,john4 ,ah1 lady1 well wot  
,i1 ,thy heart is full of care1 ,when   
thou thus openly ,seest thy child thus  
fare2 ,love drives him rathly4 ,himself 
he will not spare1 ,us all from bale to 
buy1 ,of bliss that are full bare ,for  
sin2 ,my dear lady1 therefore of        
mourning look thou blyn4#cec  ,mary4    
,alas6 may ever be my song1 ,while ,i   

may live in leyd1#ced ,methinks now that
 ,i live too long1 ,to see my bairn thus
 bleed4 ,jews work with him all wrong1  
,wherefore do they this deed8 ,lo1 so   
high have they him hung1 ,they let#cee  
for no dread2   ,why so8 ,his foeman he 
is among4 ,no friend he has1 but foe1   
,my frely food#cef from me must go ,what
 shall become of me8 ,thou art          
warpyd#ceg all in woe1   ,and spread    
here on a tree     ,full hie2#ceh ,i    
mourn1 and so may mo#cei ,that see this 
pain on thee4  ,john4 ,dear lady1 well  
for me ,if that ,i might comfort thee1  
,for the sorrow that ,i see   ,shears my
 heart in sunder2 ,when that ,i see my  
master hang ,with bitter pains and      
strong2 ,was never wight with#cfj wrong 
,wrought so mickle wonder4  ,mary4      
,alas1 death1 thou dwellest too long1   
,why art thou hid from me8 ,who bid thee
 to my child to gang8#cfa ,all black    
thou mak'st his ble2#cfb ,now           
witterly1#cfc thou workest wrong ,the   
more ,i will wyte#cfd thee4 ,but if thou

 wilt my heart now sting ,that ,i may   
with him dee1#cfe     ,and bide4 ,sore  
sighing is my song4 ,for pierced is his 
side6   ,ah1 death1 what hast thou done8
 ,with thee will ,i fare soon1 ,since ,i
 had children none but one1 ,best under 
sun or moon4 ,friends ,i had full       
foyn#cff ,that gars me greet#cfg and    
groan     ,full sore4 ,good ,lord1 grant
 me my boon1 ,and let me live no more6  
,gabriel6 that art so good ,sometime    
thou did me greet1 ,and then ,i         
understood ,thy words that were so      
sweet4 ,but now they vex my mood1 ,for  
grace thou canst me hete1#cfh ,to bear  
all of my blood ,a child our bale should
 beat#cfi     ,with right4 ,now hangs he
 here on rood1 ,where is that thou me   
hight4#cgj   ,all that thou of bliss    
,hight me in that stede#cga ,from mirth 
is far amiss4 ,and yet ,i trow thy      
rede#cgb ,counsel me now of this1 ,my   
life how shall ,i lead ,when from me    
gone is ,he that was my head     ,on    
high8 ,my death1 now1 come it is3 ,my   

dear son1 have mercy6  ,jesus4 ,my      
mother mild1 change thou thy cheer1     
,cease from thy sorrow and sighing sere1
   ,it syttes#cgc unto my heart full    
sore2 ,the sorrow is sharp1 ,i suffer   
here2 ,but the dole thou drees1#cgd my  
mother dear1 ,me martyrs mickle more4   
,thus wills my father ,i fare   ,to     
loose mankind from bands ,his son will  
he not spare1 ,to loose that bond was   
e'er   ,full fast in fiends' hands4 ,the
 first cause1 mother1 of my coming ,was 
for mankind miscarrying1   ,to save them
 sore ,i sought2 ,therefore1 mother make
 no mourning ,since mankind1 through my 
dying1   ,may thus to bliss be brought4 
,woman1 weep thou right nought1   ,take 
there1 ,john1 unto thy child1 ,mankind  
must needs be bought2 ,and thou cast1   
cousin1 in thy thought4#cge   ,john1 lo1
 there1 thy mother mild6 ,blue and      
bloody thus am ,i beat1 ,swongen with   
swepys#cgf and all a-sweat1   ,mankind1 
for thy misdeed4 ,for my love's sake    
when wouldst thou let1#cgg ,and thy     

heart sadly set1   ,since ,i thus for   
thee have bled8 ,such life for sooth1 ,i
 lead1 ,that nothing may ,i more4 ,this 
,i suffer for thy need1 ,to mark thee1  
man1 thy meed6   ,now thirst ,i wonder  
sore4  #ast ,torturer4 ,nought but hold 
thy peace1 ,thou shalt have drink within
 a resse1#cgh   ,myself shall be thy    
knave2 ,have here the draught that ,i   
thee hete1#cgi ,and ,i shall warrant it 
is not sweet   ,by all the good ,i have4
  #bnd ,torturer4 ,so1 sir1 say now all 
your will1 ,for if ye could have holden 
you still   ,ye had not had this        
brade4#chj  #crd ,torturer4 ,thou       
would'st all gate#cha be ,king of ,jews1
 ,but by this ,i trow thou rues   ,all  
that thou has said4  #dth ,torturer4 ,he
 has him rused of great prophs#chb ,that
 he should make us tempylls   ,and make 
it clean fall down2 ,and yet he said he 
should it raise ,as well as it was      
within three days1   ,he lies1 that wot 
we all2 ,and for his lies in great      
despite ,we will divide his clothing    

tyte#chc   ,save he can more of art4#chd
  #ast ,torturer4 ,yes1 as ever might ,i
 thrive1 ,soon will we this mantle rive1
   ,and each man take his part4  #bnd   
,torturer4 ,how1 wouldst thou we share  
this cloth8  #crd ,torturer4 ,nay1      
forsooth1 that were ,i loth1   ,for then
 it were all gate#che spoilt4 ,but      
assent thou to my saw1#chf ,and let us  
all cut draw#chg   ,and then is none    
begylt4#chh  #bnd ,torturer4 ,howe'er   
befall1 now ,i draw1 ,this is mine by   
common law1   ,say not there again4     
#ast ,torturer4 ,now since it may no    
better be1 ,chevithe thee with it for   
me2   ,methinks thou art full fain4     
#bnd ,torturer4 ,how1 fellows1 see ye   
not yon scraw8#chi ,it is written yonder
 within a thraw1   ,now since that we   
drew lot4  #crd ,torturer4 ,there is no 
man that is alive1 ,unless ,pilate1 as  
,i might thrive   ,that durst it there  
have put4  #dth ,torturer4 ,go we fast1 
and let us look ,what is written on yon 
book   ,and what it may be1 mean4  #ast 

,torturer4 ,all the more ,i look        
thereon1 ,all the more ,i think ,i      
fon2#cij   ,all is not worth a bean4    
#bnd ,torturer4 ,yes for sooth1 methinks
 ,i see ,thereon written language three 
,hebrew and ,latn ,and ,greek methinks  
written thereon1 ,for it is hard for to 
expoun4  #crd ,torturer4 ,thou read1 by 
,apollyon6  #dth ,torturer4 ,yea1 as ,i 
am a true knight4 ,i am the best ,latin 
wright       ,of this company2 ,i will  
go withouten delay ,and tell you what it
 is to say4     ,behold1 sirs1 verily1  
,yonder is written--,jesus of ,nazarene 
,he is ,king of ,jews1 ,i ween4  #ast   
,torturer4 ,ah1 that is written wrong4  
#bnd ,torturer4 ,he calls himself so1   
but he is none4  #crd ,torturer4 ,go we 
to ,pilate and make our moan1 ,have     
done1 and dwell not long4          ,they
 go to ,pilate4 ,pilate1 yonder is a    
false table1 ,thereon is written naught 
but fable1   ,of ,jews he is not king1  
,he calls him so1 but he not is1 ,it is 
falsely written1 ,i wis1   ,this is a   

wrong-wise thing4  ,pilate4 ,boys1 ,i   
say1 what melle ye yon8#cia ,as it is   
written shall it be now1   ,i say       
certain ,quod scriptum scripsi1#cib     
,that same wrote ,i1   ,what gadlyng#cic
 grumbles there again4  #dth ,torturer4 
,since that he is a man of law ,he must 
needs have his will2 ,i trow he had not 
written that saw ,without some proper   
skill4  #ast ,torturer4 ,yea1 let it    
hang above his head ,it shall not save  
him from the dead   ,naught that he can 
write4  #bnd ,torturer4 ,now ill a      
hale#cid was he born6  #crd ,torturer4  
,my faith1 ,i tell his life is lorn     
,he shall be slain as tyte4#cie ,if thou
 be ,christ1 as men thee call ,come down
 now among us all   ,and thole#cif not  
these missays4#cig  #dth ,torturer4     
,yea1 and help myself that we may see   
,and we shall all believe in thee1      
,whatsoever thou says4  #ast ,torturer4 
,he calls himself good of might1 ,but ,i
 would see him be so wight#cih   ,to do 
such a deed4 ,he raised ,lazare out of  

his delf#cii ,but he cannot help himself
   ,now in his great need4  ,jesus4     
,eli1 ,eli1 lama sabacthani6 ,my ,god1  
my ,god6 wherefor and why   ,hast thou  
forsaken me8  #bnd ,torturer4 ,how1 hear
 ye not as well as ,i ,how he can upon  
,eli cry   ,upon this wise8  #crd       
,torturer4 ,yea1 there is no ,eli in    
this country ,shall deliver him from    
this meneye#djj   ,no1 in no wise4  #dth
 ,torturer4 ,i warrant you now at the   
last ,that he shall soon yield the ghost
   ,for bursten is his gall4  ,jesus4   
,now is my passion brought to end1      
,father of heaven1 into thy hende#dja   
,i do commend my soul4  #ast ,torturer4 
,let one prick him with a spear1 ,and if
 it should do him no dere#djb   ,then is
 his life near past4  #bnd ,torturer4   
,this blind knight may best do that4    
,longeus4 ,gar me not do1 save ,i wit   
what4  #crd ,torturer4 ,naught1 but     
strike up fast4  ,longeus4 ,ah6 ,lord1  
what may this be8 ,once ,i was blind1   
now ,i can see2 ,gode's son1 hear me1   

,jesu6 ,for this trespass on me thou    
rue#djc ,for1 ,lord1 other men me       
gart#djd ,that ,i thee struck unto the  
heart1 ,i see thou hangest here on high1
 ,and dies to fulfil the prophecy4  #dth
 ,torturer4 ,go we hence1 and leave him 
here ,for ,i shall be his bail1 this    
year   ,he feels now no more pain2 ,for 
,eli1 ne for none other man ,all the    
good that ever he won   ,gets not his   
life again4                   ,exeunt   
,torturers4  ,joseph4 ,alas1 alas1 and  
well a way6 ,that ever ,i should abide  
this day   ,to see my master dead2 ,thus
 wickedly as he is shent1 ,with so      
bitter tornament#dje   ,thro' the false 
,jews' red4#djf ,nicodeme1 ,i would we  
yede#djg ,to ,sir ,pilate1 if we might  
spede   ,his body for to crave2 ,i will 
strive with all my might ,for my service
 to ask that knight1   ,his body for to 
grave4#djh  ,nicodemus4 ,joseph1 ,i will
 wend with thee ,for to do what is in me
   ,for that body to pray2 ,for our     
good-will and our travail ,i hope that  

it may us avail   ,hereafterward some   
day4  ,joseph4 ,sir ,pilate1 ,god thee  
save6 ,grant me what ,i crave   ,if that
 it be thy will4  ,pilate4 ,welcome1    
,joseph1 might thou be1 ,what so thou   
askest1 ,i grant it thee   ,so that it  
be skill4#dji  ,joseph4 ,for my long    
service1 ,i thee pray1 ,grant me the    
body1 say me not nay   ,of ,jesus dead  
on rood4  ,pilate4 ,i grant it well if  
he dead be1 ,good leave shalt thou have 
of me4   ,do with him what thou think   
good4  ,joseph4 ,gramercy1 sir1 of your 
good grace ,that you did grant me in    
this place4   ,go we our way3 ,nicodeme1
 come me forth with1 ,for ,i myself     
shall be the smith   ,the nails out for 
to dray4#daj  ,nicodemus4 ,joseph1 ,i am
 ready here ,to go with thee with full  
good cheer   ,to help with all my might4
 ,pull forth the nails on either side   
,and ,i shall hold him up this tide2    
,ah1 ,lord1 how art thou dight6  ,they  
take down the body4  ,joseph4 ,help now1
 fellow1 with all thy might1 ,that he be

 wounden#daa and well dight1   ,and lay 
him on this bier3 ,bear we him forth    
into the kirk ,to the tomb that ,i      
gar'd#dab work   ,since full many a     
year4  ,nicodemus4 ,it shall be so1     
withouten nay1 ,he that died on ,good   
,friday1   ,and crownd was with thorn2  
,save you all that now here be ,that    
,lord that thus would dee1 ,and rose on 
,pasch#dac morn4     ,,the ,,cornish    
,,mystery-,,play ,,of ,,the ,,three     
,,maries    ,,characters   ,the         
,gardener--,jesus ,christ ,the ,three   
,maries--   ,mary ,magdalene   ,mary1   
,mother of ,james   ,mary ,salome ,first
 ,angel ,second ,angel     ,,the        
,,mystery ,,of ,,the ,,three ,,maries   
,enter ,mary ,magdalene1 and ,mary1     
mother of ,james4  ,mary ,magdalene4    
,what shall ,i do1 alas6 ,my ,lord went 
to the tomb1   ,to-day is the third day2
 ,go now see indeed ,if he comes and    
rises1   ,as he said to me truly4       
,mary1 ,mother of ,james4 ,i will go and
 see ,the body of him who redeemed me   

with pain1   ,if it be risen again4     
,great comfort he was to us2 ,that we   
should have seen his death6   ,alas6    
alas6  ,enter ,mary ,salome  ,mary      
,salome4 ,the third day is to-day2 ,if  
the body of ,christ be risen1   ,go to  
see4 ,for the torment which he had ,is  
ever in my heart2   ,this sorrow does   
not leave me4  ,here she shall meet the 
other ,maries4  ,mary ,magdalene4       
,women1 joy to ye6 ,and ,mary1 mother of
 ,james1   ,and ,salome also4 ,sorrow is
 in my heart1 alas6 ,if the body of ,god
 himself is gone1   ,where may it be    
found8  ,mary1 ,mother of ,james4 ,so it
 is with me1 ,much and great torment for
 him2   ,if he will not1 through his    
grace1 ,help me in a short time1 ,my    
heart in me will break   ,very really   
through troubles4  ,mary ,salome4 ,so   
with me is sorrow ,may the ,lord see my 
state   ,after him4 ,as he is head of   
sovereignty1 ,i believe that out of the 
tomb   ,to-day he will rise4  ,mary     
,magdalene4 ,oh6 let us hasten at once1 

,for the stone is raised   ,from the    
tomb4 ,lord1 how will it be this night1 
,if ,i know not where goes   ,the head  
of royalty8  ,mary1 ,mother of ,james4  
,and too long we have stayed1     ,my   
,lord is gone his way       ,out of the 
tomb1 surely4     ,alas6 my heart is    
sick2     ,i know not indeed if ,i shall
 see him1       ,who is very ,god4      
,mary ,salome4 ,i know truly1 and ,i    
believe it1 ,that he is risen up   ,in  
this day4 ,how will it be to us now1    
,that we find not our ,lord8   ,alas6   
woe6 woe6  ,they sing4  ,the ,dirge4    
,alas6 mourning ,i sing1 mourning ,i    
call1 ,our ,lord is dead that bought us 
all4  ,mary ,magdalene4 ,alas6 it is    
through sorrows1 ,my sweet ,lord is dead
   ,who was crucified4  ,mary ,magdalene
 weeps at the tomb4  ,he bore1 without  
complaining1 ,much pain on his dear     
body1   ,for the people of the world    
,mary1 ,mother of ,james4 ,i cannot see 
the form ,of him on any side2   ,alas6  
woe is me6 ,i would like to speak with  

him1 ,if it were his will1   ,very      
seriously4  ,mary ,salome4 ,there is to 
me sharp longing ,in my heart always1   
,and sorrow2 ,alas6 my ,lord ,jesus1    
,for thou art full of virtue1   ,all    
mighty4  ,the ,dirge4  ,alas6 mourning  
,i sing1 mourning ,i call1 ,our ,lord is
 dead that bought us all4  ,mary        
,magdalene4 ,jesus ,christ1 ,lord of    
,heaven1 ,o hear now our voice2 ,who    
believes not in thee1 miserable he6     
,he will not be saved4 ,when ,i think of
 his ,passion1 ,there is not any joy in 
my heart2 ,alas6 that ,i cannot at once 
,speak to thee4  ,mary1 ,mother of      
,james4 ,gone he is to another land1    
,and with him many angels2 ,alas6 now   
for grief   ,i am sorrowful4 ,i pray    
thee1 ,lord of grace1 ,to send a        
messenger to us1 ,that something we may 
be knowing   ,how it is to thee4  ,mary 
,salome4 ,o ,jesus1 full of mercy1 ,do  
think of us2 ,to thy kingdom when we    
come1   ,hear our voice4 ,for desire ,i 
become very sick1 ,i cannot stand on my 

standing1 ,alas6 now what shall ,i do8  
,o ,lord of heaven6  ,the ,dirge4       
,alas6 mourning ,i sing1 mourning ,i    
call1 ,our ,lord is dead1 that bought us
 all4  #ast ,angel4 ,i know whom ye     
seek3 ,jesus is not here1   ,for he is  
risen ,to life in very earnest1 ,as ,i  
tell you1   ,like as he is worthy4      
,mary ,magdalene4 ,o angel1 now tell me1
 ,the body 7none1 equal to him71   ,to  
what place is it gone8 ,like as his     
grace is great1 ,joy to me1 with my eyes
   ,to see him yet4  #bnd ,angel4 ,o    
,mary1 go forthwith1 ,say to his        
disciples   ,and to ,peter1 ,like as he 
promised to them ,he will go to         
,galilee1   ,very truly without doubt4  
,mary1 ,mother of ,james4 ,now he is    
risen again indeed1 ,jesus our ,saviour1
   ,gone from the tomb4 ,worship to him 
always2 ,he is ,lord of heaven and      
earth1   ,head of sovereignty4  ,mary   
,salome4 ,hence go we to the city1 ,and 
let us say in every place   ,as we have 
seen3 ,that ,jesus is risen1 ,and from  

the tomb forth gone1   ,to heaven       
really4  ,mary ,magdalene4 ,never to the
 city shall ,i go1 ,if ,i do find not my
 ,lord1   ,who was on the cross tree4 ,o
 ,jesus1 ,king of grace1  ,joy to me    
once to see thee1   ,amen1 amen4  ,mary1
 ,mother of ,james4 ,mary1 be with thee 
,all the blessings of women1   ,and the 
blessing of ,jesus ,son of grace2 ,of   
full heart ,i pray him1 ,joy and grace  
always good to do   ,to us now1 from    
,god the ,father4  ,mary ,magdalene4 ,my
 blessing on ye also1 ,from ,christ1 as 
he is gone to the tomb1   ,joy to ye to 
do well to-day4 ,lord1 give me the grace
 ,once to see thy face1   ,if it be thy 
will with thee4  ,mary ,salome4 ,amen1  
amen1 let us seek ,christ1 who redeemed 
us in pain1   ,with his flesh and with  
his blood2 ,much pain he suffered1 ,for 
love of the people of the world1   ,as  
he is the ,king of power4  ,here ,mary1 
the mother of ,james1 and ,salome retire
 from the tomb1 and sit down a little   
way from it4  ,mary ,magdalene4 ,he who 

made heaven1  as he is gone to the tomb1
 ,after him  great is my desire4        
,christ1 hear my voice1  ,i pray also   
,that thou be with me  at my end4  ,lord
 ,jesus1  give me the grace1 ,as ,i may 
be worthy  to find a meeting1 ,with thee
 to-day1  in some sure place1 ,that ,i  
may have a view  and sight of thy face4 
,as thou art ,creator  of heaven and    
earth1 ,and a ,redeemer  to us always1  
,christ my ,saviour1  hear1 if it       
regards thee ,disclose to me1  what ,i  
so much desire4  ,through great longing 
,i am quite weary1 ,and my body also1   
bones and back4 ,where is there to-night
  any man who knows ,where ,i may yet   
find  ,christ full of sorrow4  ,she goes
 to the garden4  ,enter the ,gardener4  
,gardener 7,jesus74 ,o woeful woman1    
where goest thou8 ,for grief thou       
prayest1  cry out thou dost4 ,weep not  
nor shriek1  he whom thou seekest ,thou 
didst dry his feet  with thy two plaits4
  ,mary ,magdalene4 ,good lord1  if thou
 hast chanced to see ,christ my         

,saviour1  where is he truly8 ,to see   
him  ,i give thee my land2 ,jesus1 ,son 
of grace1  hear my desire4  ,gardener4  
,o ,mary1  as ,i know thee to be ,within
 this world1  one of his blood1 ,if thou
 shouldst see him  before thee1 ,couldst
 thou  know him8  ,mary ,magdalene4     
,well ,i do1  know the form ,of the son 
of ,mary1  named ,jesus2 ,since ,i see  
him not  in any place1 ,i feel sorrow2  
else ,i would not sing alas6  ,and then 
,jesus shall shew his side to ,mary     
,magdalene1 and say3  ,gardener4 ,mary1 
see  my five wounds1 ,believe me truly  
to be risen2 ,to thee ,i give thanks    
for thy desire1 ,joy in the land  there 
shall be truly4  ,mary ,magdalene4 ,o   
dear ,lord1  who wast on the cross tree1
 ,to me it becomes not  to kiss thy     
head4 ,i would pray thee  let me dare   
,now to kiss  once thy feet4  ,woman1   
touch me not6  ,gardener4 ,o woeful     
woman1  touch me not near1 ,no1 it will 
not serve1  nor be for gain2   ,the time
 is not come2 ,until ,i go  to heaven to

 my ,father1 ,and ,i will return  again 
to my country1--   ,to speak with thee4 
,mary ,magdalene4 ,christ1 hear my      
voice1  say the hour ,that thou comest  
from heaven  again to earth   ,to speak 
with us4 ,thy disciples  are very sad1  
,and the ,jews  with violence always    
,are round about them4  ,gardener4 ,o   
,mary1  tell them1  ,truly ,i go  to    
,galilee1   ,as ,i said2 ,and besides   
that1  bear in memory to speak ,good    
comfort  to ,peter by me2   ,much he is 
loved4     ,,the ,,cornish              
,,mystery-,,play ,,of ,,mary ,,magdalene
  ,,and ,,how ,,she ,,brought ,,the     
,,news ,,of ,,the ,,resurrection ,,of   
,,our ,,lord ,,jesus ,,christ ,,to ,,the
 ,,apostles    ,,characters   ,jesus    
,mary ,magdalene ,thomas ,peter ,andrew 
,john ,james the ,greater ,james the    
,less ,matthew ,philip ,simon ,judah    
,,the ,,mystery ,,of ,,mary ,,magdalene 
,,and ,,the ,,apostles   ,now ,mary     
comes to the apostles1 and says to them 
in ,galilee3  ,mary ,magdalene4 ,now1 ,o

 apostles1   ,i will tell you news3     
,jesus is risen from the tomb2   ,i saw 
him lately1 ,i spoke to him also1   ,i  
looked on his wounds1 ,pitiful it was to
 see them2   ,to the world they bring   
healing4  ,thomas4 ,silence1 woman1 with
 thy tales1   ,and speak truth1 as ,i   
pray thee2 ,christ who was cruelly      
slain1   ,to be alive ,i will not       
believe2 ,waste no more words1   ,for   
lies ,i do not love2 ,our ,lord is dead2
   ,alas6 ,i tell the truth4  ,mary     
,magdalene4 ,i speak true1 ,thomas1     
,and ,i1 though poor1 will prove it4    
,lately ,i saw him1--   ,the ,lord 7none
 equal to him71 ,and by me he sent1   ,i
 swear to ye1 as ye may know1 ,like as  
he promised2   ,he named to me none but 
,peter4  ,thomas4 ,silence1 and speak   
not1 woman6 ,i pray thee1 mockery with  
us   ,now do not make2 ,stout though    
,castle ,maudlen be1 ,if thou mock1 ,i  
will break thy head   ,about thee from  
above4  ,mary ,magdalene4 ,i will not be
 silent from fear ,i will prove it true 

what ,i say   ,before we separate4 ,like
 as he is ,king of heaven1 ,he is with  
,god the ,father1   ,on his right side4 
,peter4 ,ah6 ,jesus ,christ1 happy am ,i
 ,to hear that he is risen   ,out of the
 tomb2 ,for ,i know very well ,that he  
is son to ,mary1   ,and ,god likewise4  
,thomas4 ,peter1 peace1 and leave thy   
mockery1 ,for idle it is to say   ,that 
he is risen4 ,never can1 for the world1 
,any man be raised   ,after dying4      
,james the ,greater4 ,thomas1 very well 
it may be2 ,the ,son of ,god will rise  
,when he will2 ,for ,jesus1 ,son of     
,mary1 ,he made heaven1 and this world1 
,and every thing that was not4  ,thomas4
 ,o ,james1 it is no use for thee2 ,a   
man who is dead certainly   ,does not   
live again4 ,foolish idleness1 not to   
leave it1 ,but to go to assert   ,a     
thing of no benefit4  ,john4 ,o ,thomas1
 thou art a fool2 ,that is the belief of
 all3   ,jesus ,christ after dying1 ,to 
be put into the ground2 ,after that to  
rise again   ,at the end of three days1 

and to stand up4  ,thomas4 ,o ,john1 be 
not absurd1 ,for my wonder1--it is      
great1   ,that thou shouldst speak      
folly4 ,christ through sufferings was   
,indeed put to death on the cross tree2 
,my curse on him that did it6           
,bartholomew4 ,thomas1 believe me1      
though ,i am gray2 ,man could not have  
power   ,to put him to death4 ,for us he
 would die1 ,and go into the tomb1 and  
rise1   ,to carry all ,christians to    
heaven4  ,thomas4 ,o ,bartte1 thou art  
mad ,and fond beyond all men   ,who are 
fools4 ,god1 without dying1 might have  
,caused all men to be saved1   ,over all
 the world4  ,matthew4 ,that is true1 he
 could ,destroy every thing again1      
,that it be no more4 ,but nevertheless  
for us1 ,christ wished to go into the   
ground1   ,and to live again4  ,thomas4 
,and thou art a fool1 ,matthew2 ,if thou
 art wise thou wilt be silent1   ,and   
withdraw4 ,he lives not1 through all thy
 words1 ,when ,i saw him1 he was dead   
,on the cross tree4  ,philip4 ,alas6 to 

be so foolish6 ,crooked1 wilt thou not  
believe   ,the ,head of sovereignty2    
,and he saying to us ,that after dying  
he would rise   ,out of the tomb8       
,thomas4 ,sit silent1 wilt thou1        
,philip1 ,for in faith thou swearest    
wrongly   ,about him4 ,christ's limbs   
were bruised1 ,and on his body a        
thousand wounds2   ,alas6 he is not     
risen4  ,james the ,greater4 ,o do not  
say so1 ,that ,jesus the best ,lord     
,cannot rise1 ,for very truly he is     
risen2 ,to be his servant thou art not  
worthy1   ,it appears well4  ,thomas4 ,o
 thou ,james1 if he were alive ,his     
servant ,i would be   ,very joyfully4   
,but he is not alive1 leave off thy     
noise2 ,the thorn even into his brain1  
,went to his head4  ,simon4 ,though the 
thorn went into his head1 ,and through  
his heart and side   ,the spear was     
seen1 ,nevertheless need is to believe  
,jesus ,christ will rise again1   ,as he
 is true ,god4  ,thomas4 ,o ,simon1 do  
not speak a word2 ,never1 never1        

unhappily1   ,he has not risen again4   
,but if it were so1 ,together we should 
all be   ,exceedingly at ease4  ,judah4 
,sir ,thomas1 it is so1 ,he has risen   
again to-day   ,out of the tomb4 ,for if
 he should not rise again1 ,never with  
us would there be   ,joy without end4   
,thomas4 ,o ,judah1 ,judah1 leave thy   
belief2 ,his heart torn in pieces   ,i  
saw4 ,notwithstanding what any man may  
say1 ,that same body will remain2   ,it 
has not risen4  ,andrew4 ,peace1        
,thomas1 and say not a word2 ,very truly
 our dear ,lord   ,is risen again4      
,surely too much thou hast disbelieved1 
,for ,mary has spoken   ,with him       
to-day4  ,thomas4 ,thou art a fool1     
,andrew2 ,the girl has told a lie1   ,do
 not think otherwise4 ,that he ever rose
 again ,i will not believe it4   ,as    
long as ,i am alive4  ,mary ,magdalene4 
,i have not said an untrue word2 ,for to
 me all his wounds   ,he shewed4 ,and to
 that ,i will ,bear witness at all      
times1   ,that the tale is true4  ,here 

let ,thomas and ,mary ,magdalene go     
down4  ,thomas4 ,notwithstanding vain   
words1 ,i do not believe thee2 thou     
failest   ,to make me believe4 ,though  
thou dost chatter so much1 ,any thing   
from thee regards me not1   ,though thou
 be busy4  ,mary ,magdalene4 ,i tell    
thee the truth2  ,the angel said to us1 
,surely at the tomb1 ,that he was risen 
up1 ,and was gone to the bright heaven1 
,with many angels4  ,thomas4 ,peace1    
chattering woman1 say no more2 ,i will  
not believe thee1    ,that is gone to   
heaven4 ,the body1 which ,i saw dead1-- 
,great are my anxieties   ,after it4    
,mary ,magdalene4 ,surely ,mary1 mother 
of ,james1 ,and ,mary ,salome1   ,will  
witness to me2 ,like as ,i saw1 ,so ,i  
tell the tale to thee2   ,do believe it4
  ,thomas4 ,never can it go into my     
heart1 ,that the body dead before us    
,should rise again2 ,when ,i think on   
his passion1 ,grief takes me immediately
   ,for him1 woe is me6  ,mary          
,magdalene4 ,there is to me wonder of   

thee1 ,that thy heart is so hard1       
,thou believest it not4 ,if thou doest  
not believe it1 ,never shalt thou come  
to the joy   ,surely which is in heaven4
  ,thomas4 ,silence thou1 now1 for      
shame2 ,with ,jesus thou hast no        
secrets3   ,surely not6 ,i believe ,thou
 art a sinner1 without a mistake2 ,the  
greatest that was in the country   ,by  
every body thou wast called4  ,mary     
,magdalene4 ,i have been a sinner2 ,i   
have sinned wondrous much2 ,on ,jesus ,i
 cried1   ,that he would forgive me my  
trespass2 ,and he said to me1 ,thy sin  
is forgiven to thee1 ,through thy faith 
thou art saved3   ,now no more1 do not  
sin4   ,thomas1 thou art very stupid1   
,because thou wilt not believe ,the     
,lord to have risen   ,easter-day       
morning4 ,who believes not shall not be 
saved1 ,nor with ,god shall he dwell1   
,and for that1 ,i pray thee1   ,believe 
in time4         99       99       99   
99       99  ,thomas4 ,hold thy prate1  
nor be busy1 ,for ,i will not believe   

thee2 ,the body was seen by me          
,fastened on the cross with nails2 ,with
 a sharp spear they pierced him1 ,so    
that it passed through the heart2 ,to   
the earth the blood fell1   ,and made   
him soon dead4 ,that body cannot live1  
,nor rise up again1   ,surely1 thou     
woman4 ,there is not any man of this    
world ,who shall make me now   ,believe 
otherwise4  ,mary ,magdalene4 ,thomas1  
thou art mad1 ,and in madness lost2     
,evil it is with me now4 ,i advise thee 
believe1 ,and if thou dost not1         
seriously1   ,thou shalt have sharp     
repentance4  ,thomas4 ,with you since   
there is no peace1 ,from you ,i will go 
,my ways in the country4 ,are ye not now
 fools8 ,so ,god help me1   ,i love not 
lies4  ,then ,jesus comes to the        
apostles1 and says 7in ,galilee1 the    
doors being closed1 he kisses them73    
,jesus4 ,the peace of ,god1 ,o apostles6
 ,i1 ,christ1 to rise from the tomb1    
,believe well2 ,for certainly as many as
 believe it1 ,and are faithfully        

baptized1   ,shall be saved4  ,peter4 ,o
 dear ,lord1 happy is my lot ,to see    
thee risen again1   ,jesus1 though ,i   
denied thee4 ,abundant mercy1 ,i pray1  
,as the ,jews are always   ,here laying 
snares for us4   ,jesus1 ,lord of heaven
 and earth1 ,and ,saviour to us also1   
,pardon me my trespass1   ,for great are
 my sorrows4 ,for sharp repentance falls
 on me ,for denying thee3 now ,mercy ,i 
pray at all times1   ,certainly1 with   
full heart4  ,jesus4 ,peter1 pardon thou
 shalt get1 ,for thy repentance is      
perfect1   ,through the ,holy ,ghost4   
,like as ,i redeemed thee dearly1       
,strengthen also thy brethren   ,in full
 belief4  ,john4 ,o ,lord1 ,i am glad   
,that thou wouldst come with us         
,hither1 for our joy2 ,that ,i will say 
likewise1 ,we are1 through great        
longing1   ,after thee pining4  ,jesus4 
,from you ,i go to my country2 ,at the  
right side of ,god the ,father1   ,i    
shall sit4 ,to strengthen you in belief1
 ,to you the comfort of the ,holy ,ghost

   ,i shall send4  ,james the ,greater4 
,lord1 it is wonderful2 ,when thou      
comest1 ,jesus powerful1   ,to look at  
us1 ,and to speak peace to us1 ,though  
they were fast1 thou didst open   ,our  
doors4  ,here ,jesus goes away from the 
apostles4  ,he is the ,lord of power1   
,and he has purchased with his blood    
,the people of the world2 ,that ,jesus  
,christ is risen again1-- ,a day is     
coming that shall tell   ,all them that 
do believe it not6     ,,the ,,wakefield
 ,,pageant ,,of ,,the ,,harrowing ,,of  
,,hell  ,,or  ,,extraction ,,of ,,souls 
,,from ,,hell    ,,characters   ,jesus  
,adam ,eve ,simeon ,john the ,baptist   
,moses ,esaias ,david ,ribald ,beelzebub
 ,sathanas     ,,the ,,harrowing ,,of   
,,hell  ,,extractio ,,animarum  ,,ab    
,,inferno  ,the ,extraction of ,souls   
from ,hell4   ,jesus4 ,my fader#dad me  
from blys has send ,till's erthe for    
mankynde sake1 ,adam mys#dae for to     
amend1 ,my deth nede must ,i take3  ,i  
dwellyd ther thyrty yeres and two1 ,and 

som dele more1 the sothe to say1#daf ,in
 anger1 pyne1 and mekylle wo1 ,i dyde on
 cros this day4  ,therefor tille helle  
now wille ,i go1 ,to chalange#dag that  
is myne1 ,adam1 ,eve1 and othere mo1    
,thay shalle no longer dwelle in pyne2  
,the feynde#dah theym wan withe         
trayn1#dai ,thrughe fraude of earthly   
fode1#dbj ,i have theym boght agan ,with
 shedyng of my blode4  ,and now ,i wille
 that stede#dba restore1 ,whiche the    
feynde felle from for syn1 ,som tokyn   
wille ,i send before1 ,withe myrthe to  
gar#dbb thare gammes begyn4  ,a light ,i
 wille thay have1 ,to know ,i wille com 
sone2 ,my body shalle abyde in grave    
,tille alle this dede be done4    ,adam4
 ,my brether1 herkyn unto me here1 ,more
 hope of helth never we had1 ,four      
thousand and six hundred yere ,have we  
bene in darknes stad2#dbc  ,now se ,i   
tokyns of solace sere1#dbd ,a gloryous  
gleme to make us glad1 ,wherthrughe ,i  
hope that help is nere1 ,that sone      
shalle slake#dbe oure sorrowes sad4     

,eve4 ,adam1 my husband heynd1#dbf ,this
 menys solace certan1 ,siche lighte can 
on us leynd#dbg ,in paradyse fulle      
playn4  ,isaias4 ,adam1 thrugh thi syn  
,here were we put to dwelle1 ,this wykyd
 place within1 ,the name of it is helle2
  ,here paynes shalle never blyn#dbh    
,that wykyd ar and felle1 ,love1 that   
lord1 withe wyn ,his lyfe for us wold   
selle4  ,et cantent omnes ,salvator     
mundi primum versum4#dbi  ,adam1 thou   
welle understand1 ,i am ,isaias1 so     
,crist me kende1#dcj ,i spake of folk in
 darknes walkand1#dca ,i saide a light  
shuld on them lende2  ,this light is    
alle from ,crist commande1 ,that he     
tille us has hethir sende1 ,thus is my  
poynt proved in hand1 ,as ,i before to  
fold#dcb it kende4  ,simeon4 ,so may ,i 
telle of farlys feylle1#dcc ,for in the 
tempylle his freyndes me fande1 ,me     
thoght dayntethe#dcd with hym to deylle1
 ,i halsyd#dce hym homely with my hand1 
,i saide1 ,lord1 let thi servandes      
leylle#dcf ,pas in peasse to lyf        

lastande1#dcg ,now that myn eeyn has    
sene thyn hele#dch ,no longer lyst#dci  
,i lyf in lande4  ,this light thou has  
purvayde ,for theym that lyf in         
lede1#ddj ,that ,i before of the have   
saide ,i se it is fulfillyd in dede4    
,johannes ,baptista4 ,as a voice cryand 
,i kend#dda ,the wayes of ,crist1 as ,i 
welle can1 ,i baptisid hym with bothe   
myn hende ,in the water of flume#ddb    
,jordan2  ,the ,holy ,gost from heven   
discende ,as a white dowfe downe on me  
than1 ,the ,fader voyce1 oure myrthes to
 amende1 ,was made to me lyke as a      
man2#ddc  ,yond is my son1 he saide1    
,and whiche pleasses me fulle welle1    
,his light is on us layde1 ,and commys  
oure karys to kele4#ddd  ,moyses4 ,now  
this same nyght lernyng have ,i1 ,to me1
 ,moyses1 he shewid his myght1 ,and also
 to another one1 ,hely1#dde ,where we   
stud on a hille on hyght1  ,as whyte as 
snaw was his body1 ,his face was like   
the son for bright1 ,no man on mold#ddf 
was so mighty ,grathly#ddg durst loke   

agans#ddh that light1 ,and that same    
lighte here se ,i now ,shynyng on us1   
certayn1 ,wherethrughe truly ,i trow    
,that we shalle sone pas fro this payn4 
,rybald4 ,sen fyrst that helle was mayde
 and ,i was put therin   ,siche sorow   
never ere ,i had1 nor hard ,i siche a   
dyn1#ddi ,my hart begynnys to brade1#dej
 my wytt waxys thyn1#dea   ,i drede we  
can not be glad1 thise saules mon fro us
 twyn2#deb    ,how1 ,belsabub6 bynde    
thise boys1 siche ,harow#dec     was    
never hard in helle4  ,belzabub4 ,out1  
,rybald6 thou rorest what is betyd8 can 
thou oght telle8  ,rybald4 ,whi1        
herys#ded thou not this ugly noyse8     
,thise lurdans#dee that in lymbo dwelle1
 ,they make menyng#def of many joyse1   
,and muster myrthes theym emelle4#deg   
,belzabub4 ,myrth8 nay1 nay6 that poynt 
is past1 ,more hope of helthe shalle    
they never have4  ,rybald4 ,they cry on 
,crist fulle fast1 ,and says he shalle  
thaym save4  ,belzabub4 ,yee1 though he 
do not1 ,i shalle1 ,for thay ar         

sparyd#deh in specyalle space1 ,whils ,i
 am prynce and pryncypalle1 ,thay shalle
 never pas out of this place2  ,calle up
 ,astarot#dei and ,anaballe1 ,to gyf us 
counselle in this case2 ,belle1 ,berith 
and ,bellyalle#dfj ,to mar theym that   
siche mastry mase2#dfa  ,say to sir     
,satan oure syre1 ,and byd hym bryng    
also ,sir ,lucyfer lufly of lyre4#dfb   
,rybald4 ,alle redy1 lord1 ,i go4       
,jesus4 ,attolite portas1 principes     
vestras1 et elevamini port ternales1    
et introibit rex glori4#dfc  ,rybald4   
,out1 harro1#dfd out6--what deville is  
he ,that callys hym kyng over us alle8  
,hark ,belzabub1 com ne1#dfe ,for       
hedusly#dff ,i hard hym calle4          
,belzabub4 ,go spar the yates1#dfg ylle 
mot thou the6#dfh ,and set the          
waches#dfi on the walle1 ,if that       
brodelle#dgj come ne ,with us ay won#dga
 he shalle3  ,and if he more calle or   
cry1 ,to make us more debate1 ,lay on   
hym hardlly1 ,and make hym go his       
gate4#dgb  ,david4 ,nay1 withe hym may  

ye not fyght1 ,for he is king and       
conqueroure1 ,and of so mekille myght1  
,and styf in every stoure2#dgc  ,of hym 
commys alle this light ,that shynys in  
this bowre2 ,he is fulle fers in fight1 
,worthi to wyn honoure4  ,belzabub4     
,honoure6 harsto1#dgd harlot1 for what  
dede ,alle erthly men to me ar          
thralle1#dge ,that lad that thou callys 
lord in lede#dgf ,he had never harbor1  
house1 ne halle2  ,how1 sir ,sathanas1  
com nar ,and hark this cursid rowte6    
,sathanas4 ,the dewille you alle to     
har6#dgg ,what ales the so to           
showte8#dgh ,and see1 if ,i com nar1    
,thy brayn bot ,i bryst owte4#dgi       
,belzabub4 ,thou must com help to       
spar1#dhj ,we ar beseged abowte4        
,sathanas4 ,besegyd aboute6 whi1 who    
durst be so bold ,for drede to make on  
us a fray8  ,belzabub4 ,it is the ,jew  
that ,judas sold ,for to be dede this   
othere day4  ,sathanas4 ,how1 in tyme   
that tale was told1 ,that trature       
travesses#dha us alle way2 ,he shalle be

 here fulle hard in hold1 ,bot loke he  
pas not ,i the pray4  ,belzabub4 ,pas6  
nay1 nay1 he wille not weynde#dhb ,from 
hens or it be war1#dhc ,he shapys hym   
for to sheynd#dhd ,alle helle e'er he go
 far4  ,sathanas4 ,fy1 faturs1#dhe      
therof shalle he faylle1 ,for alle his  
fare#dhf ,i hym defy2 ,i know his       
trantes#dhg fro top to taylle1#dhh ,he  
lyffes by gawdes#dhi and glory4  ,therby
 he broght furthe of oure baylle#dij    
,the lathe#dia ,lazare of ,betany1 ,bot 
to the ,jues ,i gaf counsaylle ,that    
thay shuld cause hym dy3  ,i entered    
there into ,judas ,that forward#dib to  
fulfylle1 ,therfor his hyere#dic he has 
,alle wayes to won here stylle4#did     
,rybald4 ,sir ,sathan1 sen we here the  
say#die ,thou and the ,jues were at     
assent1 ,and wote1#dif he wan the       
,lazare away ,that unto us was taken to 
tent1#dig ,hopys thou that thou mar hym 
may ,to muster#dih the malyce that he   
has ment8 ,for and he refe#dii us now   
oure pray ,we wille ye witt e'er he is  

went4  ,sathanas4 ,i byd the noght      
abaste#ejj ,bot boldly make you         
bowne1#eja ,withe toyles that ye        
intraste1#ejb   ,and dyng#ejc that      
dastard downe4  ,jesus4 ,attolite       
portas1 principes vestras1 et elevamini 
port ternales1 et introibit rex         
glori4#ejd  ,rybald4 ,outt1 harro6#eje  
what harlot is he ,that says his kyngdom
 shal be cryde8  ,david4 ,that may thou 
in sawter se1#ejf ,for of this prynce   
thus err ,i saide2#ejg  ,i saide that he
 shuld breke ,youre barres and bandes by
 name1#ejh ,and of youre wareks take    
wreke2#eji ,now shall thou se the same4 
,jesus4 ,ye prynces of helle open youre 
yate1 ,and let my folk furthe gone1 ,a  
prynce of peasse shalle enter therat    
,wheder ye wille or none4  ,rybald4     
,what art thou that spekys so8  ,jesus4 
,a kyng of blys that hight ,jesus4      
,rybald4 ,yee hens fast ,i red#eaj thou 
go1 ,and melle#eaa the not with us4     
,belzabub4 ,oure yates#eab ,i trow wille
 last1 ,thay ar so strong ,i weyn1#eac  

,bot if oure barres brast1 ,for the1    
thay shalle not twyn4#ead  ,jesus4 ,this
 stede#eae shalle stande no longer      
stokyn2#eaf ,open up and let my pepille 
pas4  ,rybald4 ,out1 harro6#eag oure    
baylle is brokyn1#eah ,and brusten ar   
alle oure bandes of bras4  ,belzabub4   
,harro6 oure yates begyn to crak1 ,in   
sonder1 ,i trow1 thay go1 ,and helle1 ,i
 trow1 wille all to-shak2 ,alas1 what ,i
 am wo6#eai  ,rybald4 ,lymbo is lorn1   
alas6 ,sir ,sathanas1 com up6 ,this wark
 is wars#ebj than it was4  ,sathanas4   
,yee1 hangyd be thou on a cruke2#eba    
,thefys1 ,i bad ye shuld be bowne#ebb   
,if he maide mastres#ebc more ,to       
dyng#ebd that dastard downe1 ,sett#ebe  
hym bothe sad and sore4  ,belzabub4 ,so 
sett hym sore that is sone saide4 ,com  
thou thi self and serve hym so2 ,we may 
not abyde his bytter bradye1#ebf ,he    
wold us mar and we were mo4#ebg         
,sathanas4 ,fy1 fature6#ebh wherfore    
were ye flayd8#ebi ,have ye no force to 
flyt hym fro8 ,loke in haste my gere be 

grayd1#ecj ,my self shalle to that      
gadlyng go4#eca  ,how1 thou belamy1     
abyde1#ecb ,withe alle thi boste and    
beyr1#ecc ,and telle me in this tyde    
,what mastres#ebc thou makes here4      
,jesus4 ,i make no mastry bot for myne1 
,i wille theym save1 that shalle the    
sow1 ,thou has no powere theym to       
pyne1#ecd ,bot in my pryson for thare   
prow#ece  ,here have thay sojornyd1--not
 as thyne1 ,bot in thi wayrd1#ecf thou  
wote as how4  ,sathanas4 ,why1 where has
 thou hene ay syn#ecg ,that never wold  
neghe#ech theym nere e'er now8  ,jesus4 
,now is the tyme certan ,my ,fader      
ordand herfor1#eci ,that they shuld pas 
fro payn ,in blys to dwelle for ever    
more4  ,sathanas4 ,thy fader knew ,i    
welle by syght1 ,he was a wright his    
meett to wyn1#edj ,mary1 me mynnys1#eda 
thi moder hight1 ,the utmast ende of    
alle thy kyn3  ,say who made the so     
mekille#edb of myght8  ,jesus4 ,thou    
wykyd feynde lett be thi dyn1 ,my ,fader
 wonnes#edc in heven on hight1 ,in blys 

that never more shalle blyn3#edd ,i am  
his oonly son his forward#ede to        
fulfylle1 ,togeder wille we won1 in     
sonder when we wylle4  ,sathanas4       
,goddes son6 nay1 then myght thou be    
glad ,for no catelle thurt the          
crave2#edf ,bot thou has lyffed ay lyke 
a lad1 ,in sorow1 and as a sympille#edg 
knave4  ,jesus4 ,that was for the       
hartly#edh luf ,i had ,unto man's       
saulle1 it for to save1 ,and for to make
 thee masyd#edi and mad1 ,and for that  
reson rufully to rafe4#eej  ,my ,godhede
 here ,i hyd ,in ,mary1 moder myne1     
,where it shalle never be kyd#eea ,to   
the1 ne none of thyne4#eeb  ,sathanas4  
,how now8 this wold ,i were told in     
towne1 ,thou says ,god is thi syre2 ,i  
shalle the prove by good reson ,thou    
moyttes#eec as man dos into myre4  ,to  
breke thi byddyng they were fulle       
bowne1#eed ,and soon they wroght at my  
desyre1 ,from paradise thou putt thym   
downe1 ,in helle here to have thare     
hyre2#eee  ,and thou thi self1 by day   

and nyght1 ,taght#eef ever alle men     
emang1 ,ever to do reson and right1 ,and
 here thou wyrkys#eeg alle wrang4       
,jesus4 ,i wyrk no wrang1 that shalle   
thou wytt4#eeh ,if ,i my men fro wo     
wille wyn2#eei ,my prophettes playnly   
prechyd it1 ,alle the noytys#efj that ,i
 begyn2  ,they saide that ,i shud be    
that ilke ,in helle where ,i shud entre 
in1 ,to save my servandes fro that pytt 
,where dampynyd saullys#efa shalle syt  
for syn4  ,and ilke true prophete       
taylle#efb ,shalle be fulfillid in me2  
,i have thaym boght fro baylle1#efc ,in 
blis now shalle thay be4  ,sathanas4    
,now since thou list to legge the       
lawes#efd ,thou shalbe tenyd or we      
twyn1#efe ,for those that thou to witnes
 drawes ,fulle even agans the shalle    
begyn2  ,as ,salaman saide in his       
sawes1#eff ,who that ones commys helle  
within ,he shalle never owte1 as clerkes
 knawes ,therfor1 belamy1 let be thy    
dyn4#efg ,job thi servande also ,in his 
tyme can telle ,that nawder freynde nor 

fo ,shalle fynde relese in helle4#efh   
,jesus4 ,he sayde fulle soythe1 that    
shalle thou se1 ,in helle shalbe no     
relese1 ,bot of that place then ment he 
,where synfulle care shalle ever        
encrese4  ,in that baylle ay shalle thou
 be1 ,where sorrowes seyr shalle never  
sesse#efi ,and my folk that wer most    
fre#egj ,shalle pas unto the place of   
peasse2  ,for thay were here with my    
wille1 ,and so thay shalle furthe       
weynde1#ega ,thou shalle thi self       
fulfylle1 ,ever wo withoutten ende4     
,sathanas4 ,whi1 and wille thou take    
theym alle me fro8#egb ,then thynk      
me#egc thou ar unkynde2 ,nay1 ,i pray   
the do not so1 ,umthynke#egd the better 
in thy mynde1  ,or els let me with the  
go2 ,i pray the leyfe me not behynde4   
,jesus4 ,nay1 tratur1 thou shalle won in
 wo1#ege ,and tille a stake#egf ,i      
shalle the bynde4  ,sathanas4 ,now here 
,i how thou menys#egg emang ,with mesure
 and malyce for to melle1#egh ,bot sen  
thou says it shalbe lang1 ,yit som let  

alle wayes with us dwelle4  ,jesus4     
,yis1 witt thou welle1 els were greatt  
wrang1 ,thou shalle have ,caym#egi that 
slo ,abelle1 ,and alle that hastes theym
 self to hang1 ,as dyd ,judas and       
,architophelle2 ,and ,daton and ,abaron 
and alle of thare assent1#ehj ,cursyd   
tyranttes ever ilkon#eha that me and myn
 tormente4  ,and alle that wille not    
lere#ehb my law ,that ,i have left in   
land for new#ehc ,that makes my commyng 
knaw1#ehd ,and alle my sacramentes      
persew2  ,my deth1 my rysyng1 red by    
raw1#ehe ,who trow thaym not thay ar    
untrewe1 ,unto my dome#ehf ,i shalle    
theym draw1 ,and juge thaym wars#ehg    
then any ,jew4 ,and thay that lyst to   
lere my law and lyf therby ,shalle never
 have harmes here1 bot welth as is      
worthy4  ,sathanas4 ,now here my hand1  
,i hold me payde1 ,thise poyntes ar     
playnly for my prow1#ehh ,if this be    
trew as thou has saide ,we shalle have  
mo then we have now2  ,thise lawes that 
thou has late here laide ,i shalle thym 

lere not to alow1#ehi ,if thay myn      
take#eij thay ar betraide1 ,and ,i      
shalle turne thym tytte ,i trow4#eia  ,i
 shalle walk eest1 ,i shalle walk west1 
,and gar theym wyrk welle war4#eib      
,jesus4 ,nay feynde1 thou shalbe        
feste1#eic ,that thou shalle flyt no    
far4#eid  ,sathanas4 ,feste8 fy6 that   
were a wykyd treson6 ,belamy1 thou      
shalle be smytt4#eie  ,jesus4 ,deville1 
,i commaunde the to go downe ,into thi  
sete where thou shalle syt4  ,sathanas4 
,alas6 for doylle#eif and care1 ,i synk 
into helle pyt4  ,rybald4 ,sir          
,sathanas1 so saide ,i are1#eig ,now    
shalle thou have a fytt4  ,jesus4 ,com  
now furthe1 my childer alle1 ,i forgyf  
you youre mys2#eih ,withe me now go ye  
shalle ,to joy and endles blys4  ,adam4 
,lord1 thou art fulle mekylle of        
myght1#eii ,that mekys thi self on this 
manere1 ,to help us alle as thou had us 
hight1 ,when bothe frofett ,i and my    
fere2#fjj  ,here have we dwelt          
withoutten light ,four thousand and six 

hundreth yere1 ,now se we by this       
solempne sight ,how that mercy makes us 
dere4  ,eva4 ,lord1 we were worthy more 
tornamentes#fja to tast1#fjb ,thou help 
us lord of thy mercy1 as thou of myght  
is mast4#fjc  ,johannes4 ,lord1 ,i love 
the inwardly1 ,that me wold make thi    
messyngere1 ,thi commyng in erthe to    
cry1 ,and teche thi fayth to folk in    
fere2#fjd  ,sythen before the forto     
dy1#fje ,to bryng theym bodword#fjf that
 be here1 ,how thay shuld have thi help 
in hy1 ,now se ,i alle those poyntes    
appere4  ,moyses4 ,david1 thi prophette 
trew1 ,of tymes told unto us2 ,of thi   
commyng he knew1 ,and saide it shuld be 
thus4  ,david4 ,as ,i said ere yit say  
,i so1 ,ne derelinquas1 domine1 ,animam 
meam in inferno2#fjg ,leyfe never my    
saulle1 ,lord1 after the1  ,in depe     
helle whedur#fjh dampned shalle go      
,suffre thou never thi sayntes to se    
,the sorrow of thaym that won in wo1#fji
 ,ay1 fulle of fylthe1 and may not      
fle4#faj  ,moyses4 ,make myrthe bothe   

more and les1 ,and love oure lord we    
may1 ,that has broght us fro bytternes  
,in blys to abyde for ay4  ,ysaias4     
,therfor now let us syng ,to love oure  
lord ,jesus1 ,unto his blys he wille us 
bryng1   ,te ,deum laudamus4     ,,the  
,,interlude ,,of ,,god',s ,,promises    
,,by ,,john ,,bale    ,,characters      
,pater ,clestis       ,the ,heavenly    
,father ,adam ,primus ,homo     ,adam1  
the ,first ,man ,justus ,noah           
,just ,noah ,abraham ,fidelis           
,faithful ,abraham ,moses ,sanctus      
,saint ,moses ,david ,rex ,pius         
,the ,pious ,king1 ,david ,esaias       
,propheta      ,the ,prophet ,isaiah    
,baleus ,prolocutor    ,john ,bale1 who 
speaks the ,prologue    ,,god',s        
,,promises   ,a ,tragedy or interlude   
manifesting the chief promises of ,god  
unto man by all ages in the old law1    
from the ,fall of ,adam to the          
,incarnation of the ,lord ,jesus        
,christ4 ,compiled by ,john ,bale1      
7,anno ,domini ,,mdxxxviii474   ,baleus 

,prolocutor4 ,if profit may grow1 most  
,christian audience1 ,by knowledge of   
things which are but transitory1 ,and   
here for a time1 of much more           
congruence1 ,advantage might spring1 by 
the search of causes heavenly1 ,as those
 matters are that the gospel specify4   
,without whose knowledge no man to the  
truth can fall1 ,nor ever attain to the 
life perpetual1   ,for he that knoweth  
not the living ,god eternal ,the        
,father1 the ,son and also the ,holy    
,ghost1 ,and what ,christ suffered for  
redemption of us all1 ,what he          
commanded1 and taught in every coast1   
,and what he forbode1 that man must     
needs be lost1 ,and clean secluded1 from
 the faithful chosen sort1 ,in the      
,heavens above1 to his most high        
discomfort4   ,you therefore1 good      
friends1 ,i lovingly exhort1 ,to weigh  
such matters as will be uttered here1   
,of whom ye may look to have no trifling
 sport ,in fantasies feigned1 nor       
such-like gaudy gear1 ,but the things   

that shall your inward stomach cheer4   
,to rejoice in ,god for your            
justification1 ,and alone in ,christ to 
hope for your salvation4   ,yea first ye
 shall have the eternal generation ,of  
,christ1 like as ,john in his first     
chapter write1 ,and consequently of man 
the first creation ,the abuse and fall1 
through his first oversight1 ,and the   
rise-again through ,god's high grace and
 might2 ,by promises first which shall  
be declared all3 ,then by his own ,son1 
the worker principal4   ,after that1    
,adam bewaileth here his fall2 ,god will
 shew mercy to every generation1 ,and to
 his kingdom of his great goodness call 
,his elected spouse1 or faithful        
congregation1 ,as shall appear by open  
protestation1 ,which from ,christ's     
birth shall to his death conclude3 ,they
 come1 that thereof will shew the       
certitude4    ,,act ,i  ,,adam ,,the    
,,first ,,man   ,pater ,clestis4 ,in the
 beginning before the heavens were      
create1 ,in me and of me was my ,son    

sempiternal ,with the ,holy ,ghost1 in  
one degree or estate ,of the high       
,godhead1 to me the ,father coequal ,and
 this my ,son was with me one ,god      
essential ,without separation at any    
time from me4 ,true ,god he is of equal 
dignity4 ,since the beginning my ,son   
hath ever been ,joined with his father  
in one essential being4 ,all things were
 create by him in each degree1 ,in      
heaven and earth and have their diverse 
working3 ,without his power1 was never  
made any thing ,that was wrought2 but   
through his ordinance ,each have his    
strength1 and whole continuance4   ,in  
him is the life and the just recoverance
 ,for ,adam and his1 which nought but   
death deserved4 ,and this life to men is
 an high perseverance ,or a light of    
faith1 whereby they shall be saved4 ,and
 this light shall shine among the people
 darkened ,with unfaithfulness4 ,yet    
shall they not with him take ,but of    
wilful heart his liberal grace forsake4 
,which will compel me against man for to

 make ,in my displeasure1 and send      
plagues of correction ,most grievous and
 sharp1 his wanton lusts to slake1 ,by  
water and fire1 by sickness and         
infection ,of pestilent sores1 molesting
 his complexion2 ,by troublous war1 by  
dearth and painful scarceness1 ,and     
after this life by an extreme heaviness4
 ,i will first begin with ,adam for his 
lewdness ,which for an apple neglected  
my commandment4 ,he shall continue in   
labour for his rashness1 ,his only sweat
 shall provide his food and raiment3    
,yea1 yet must he have a greater        
punishment1 ,most terrible death shall  
bring him to his end ,to teach him how  
he his ,lord ,god shall offend4  ,here  
,adam falls headlong upon the earth and 
after rolling over four times1 at last  
gets up4  ,adam4 ,merciful ,father1 thy 
pitiful grace extend ,to me1 careful    
wretch1 which have me sore abused ,thy  
precept breaking1 ,o ,lord1 ,i mean to  
amend1 ,if now thy great goodness would 
have me excused1 ,most heavenly ,maker1 

let me not be refused1 ,nor cast from   
thy sight for one poor sinful crime2    
,alas6 ,i am frail1 my whole kind is but
 slime4  ,pater ,clestis4 ,i wot it is  
so1 yet art thou no less faulty ,than   
thou hadst been made of matter much more
 worthy4 ,i gave thee reason and wit to 
understand ,the good from the evil1 and 
not to take on hand ,of a brainless     
mind1 the thing which ,i forbade thee4  
,adam4 ,such heavy fortune hath chiefly 
chanced me ,for that ,i was left to mine
 own liberty4  ,pater ,clestis4 ,then   
thou are blameless1 and the fault thou  
layest to     me8  ,adam4 ,nay1 all ,i  
ascribe to my own imbecility4 ,no fault 
in thee ,lord but in my infirmity1 ,and 
want of respect in such gifts as thou   
gavest me4  ,pater ,clestis4 ,for that  
,i put thee at thine own liberty1 ,thou 
oughtest my goodness to have in more    
regard4  ,adam4 ,avoid it ,i cannot1    
thou layest it to me so hard4 ,lord1 now
 ,i perceive what power is in man1 ,and 
strength of himself1 when thy sweet     

grace is absent1 ,he must needs but     
fall1 do he the best he can1 ,and       
endanger himself1 as appeareth evident2 
,for ,i sinned not so long as thou wert 
present2 ,but when thou wert gone1 ,i   
fell to sin by and by1 ,and thee        
displeased4 ,good ,lord1 ,i ask thee    
mercy4  ,pater ,clestis4 ,thou shalt die
 for it and all thy posterity4  ,adam4  
,for one fault1 good ,lord1 avenge not  
thyself on me1 ,who am but a worm1 or a 
fleshly vanity4  ,pater ,clestis4 ,i say
 thou shalt die with thy whole          
posterity4  ,adam4 ,yet mercy1 sweet    
,lord1 if any mercy may be4  ,pater     
,clestis4 ,i am immutable1 ,i may change
 no decree4 ,thou shalt die1 ,i say1    
without any remedy4  ,adam4 ,yet        
gracious ,father1 extend to me thy      
mercy1 ,and throw not away the work     
which thou hast create ,to thine own    
image1 but avert from me thy hate4      
,pater ,clestis4 ,but art thou sorry    
from bottom of thy heart8  ,adam4 ,thy  
displeasure is to me most heavy smart4  

,pater ,clestis4 ,then will ,i tell thee
 what thou shalt stick unto1 ,life to   
recover1 and my good favour also4       
,adam4 ,tell it me1 sweet ,lord1 that ,i
 may thereafter go4  ,pater ,clestis4   
,this is my covenant to thee and all thy
 offspring4 ,for that thou hast been    
deceived by the serpent1 ,i will put    
hatred betwixt him for his doing ,and   
the woman kind4 ,they shall hereafter   
dissent2 ,his seed with her seed shall  
never have agreement2 ,her seed shall   
press down his head unto the ground1    
,slay his suggestions1 and his whole    
power confound4   ,cleave to this       
promise with all thy inward power1      
,firmly enclose it in thy remembrance   
fast1 ,fold it in thy faith with full   
hope1 day and hour1 ,and thy salvation  
it will be at the last4 ,that seed shall
 clear thee of all thy wickedness past1 
,and procure thy peace1 with most high  
grace in my sight1 ,see thou trust to it
 and hold not the matter light4  ,adam4 
,sweet lord1 the promise that thyself   

here hath made me1 ,of thy mere goodness
 and not of my deserving1 ,in my faith  
,i trust shall so established be1 ,by   
help of thy grace1 that it shall be     
remaining ,so long as ,i shall have here
 continuing2 ,and shew it ,i will to my 
posterity ,that they in like case have  
thereby felicity4  ,pater ,clestis4 ,for
 a closing up1 take yet one sentence    
with thee4  ,adam4 ,at thy pleasure1    
,lord1 all things might ever be4  ,pater
 ,clestis4 ,for that my promise may have
 the deeper effect ,in the faith of thee
 and all thy generation1 ,take this sign
 with it1 as a seal thereto connect4    
,creep shall the serpent1 for his       
abomination1 ,the woman shall sorrow in 
painful propagation4 ,like as thou shalt
 find this true in outward working1 ,so 
think the other1 though it be a hidden  
thing4  ,adam4 ,incessant praising to   
thee most heavenly lord ,for this thy   
succour1 and undeserved kindness1 ,thou 
bindest me in heart thy gracious gifts  
to record1 ,and to bear in mind1 now    

after my heaviness1 ,the bruit of thy   
name1 with inward joy and gladness4     
,thou disdainest not1 as well appeareth 
this day1 ,to fetch to thy fold thy     
first sheep going astray4   ,most mighty
 ,maker1 thou castest not yet away ,thy 
sinful servant1 which hath done most    
offence4 ,it is not thy mind for ever ,i
 should decay1 ,but thou reservest me1  
of thy benevolence1 ,and hast provided  
for me a recompence1 ,by thy            
appointment1 like as ,i have received   
,in thy strong promise here openly      
pronounced4   ,this goodness1 dear      
,lord1 is of me undeserved1 ,i so       
declining from thy first institution1   
,at so light motions4 ,to one that thus 
hath swerved1 ,what a lord art thou1 to 
give such retribution6 ,i1 damnable     
wretch1 deserved execution ,of terrible 
death1 without all remedy1 ,and to be   
put out of all good memory4 ,i am       
enforced to rejoice here inwardly1 ,an  
imp though ,i be of hell1 death and     
damnation1 ,through my own working3 for 

,i consider thy mercy ,and pitiful mind 
for my whole generation4 ,it is thou1   
sweet ,lord1 that workest my salvation1 
,and my recovery4 ,therefore of a       
congruence ,from hence thou must have my
 heart and obedience4 ,though ,i be     
mortal1 by reason of my offence1 ,and   
shall die the death like as ,god hath   
appointed3 ,of this ,i am sure1 through 
his high influence1 ,at a certain day   
again to be revived4 ,from ground of my 
heart this shall not be removed1 ,i have
 it in faith and therefore ,i will sing 
,this anthem to him that my salvation   
shall bring4  ,then with sonorous voice1
 on his bent knees1 he begins an        
antiphon1 ,o ,sapientia1 which the      
chorus follows with instruments1 as it  
removes from the stage4 ,or else in the 
same it may thus be sung in ,english3   
,o ,eternal ,sapience1 that proceedest  
from the mouth of the highest1 reaching 
forth with a great power from the       
beginning to the end1 with heavenly     
sweetness disposing all creatures1 come 

now and instruct us the true way of thy 
godly prudence4    ,,act ,,ii  ,,noah   
,,the ,,just   ,pater ,clestis4 ,i have 
been moved to strike man diversely1     
,since ,i left ,adam in this same       
earthly mansion2 ,for why8 ,he hath done
 to me displeasures many1 ,and will not 
amend his life in any condition3 ,no    
respect hath he to my word nor monition1
 ,but what doth him lust1 without       
discreet advisement1 ,and will in nowise
 take mine advertisement4   ,cain hath  
slain ,abel1 his brother1 an innocent1  
,whose blood from the earth doth call to
 me for vengeance3 ,my children with    
men's so carnally consent1 ,that their  
vain working is unto me much grievance3 
,mankind is but flesh in his whole      
dalliance4 ,all vice increaseth in him  
continually1 ,nothing he regardeth to   
walk unto my glory4   ,my heart         
abhorreth his wilful misery1 ,his       
cancred malice1 his cursed covetousness1
 ,his lusts lecherous1 his vengeable    
tyranny1 ,unmerciful murder and other   

ungodliness4 ,i will destroy him for his
 outrageousness1 ,and not him only1 but 
all that on earth do stir1 ,for it      
repenteth me that ever ,i made them     
here4  ,noah4 ,most gentle ,maker1 with 
his frailness somewhat bear1 ,man is thy
 creature1 thyself cannot say nay4      
,though thou punish him to put him      
somewhat in fear1 ,his fault to         
acknowledge1 yet seek not his decay4    
,thou mayest reclaim him1 though he     
goeth now astray1 ,and bring him again1 
of thy abundant grace1 ,to the fold of  
faith1 he acknowledging his trespass4   
,pater ,clestis4 ,thou knowest ,i have  
given to him convenient space1 ,with    
lawful warnings1 yet he amendeth in no  
place4 ,the natural laws1 which ,i wrote
 in his heart1 ,he hath outraced1 all   
goodness putting apart3 ,of health the  
covenant1 which ,i to ,adam made1 ,he   
regardeth not1 but walketh a damnable   
trade4  ,noah4 ,all this is true1 ,lord1
 ,i cannot thy words reprove1 ,let his  
weakness yet thy merciful goodness move4

  ,pater ,clestis4 ,no weakness is it1  
but wilful working all1 ,that reigneth  
in man through mind diabolical4 ,he     
shall have therefore like as he hath    
deserved4  ,noah4 ,lose him not yet1    
,lord1 though he has deeply swerved4 ,i 
know thy mercy is far above his         
rudeness1 ,being infinite1 as all other 
things are in thee4 ,his folly therefore
 now pardon of thy goodness1 ,and       
measure it not beyond thy godly pity4   
,esteem not his fault farther than help 
may be1 ,but grant him thy grace1 as he 
offendeth so deeply1 ,thee to remember1 
and abhor his misery4 ,of all goodness1 
,lord1 remember thy great mercy1 ,to    
,adam and ,eve1 breaking thy first      
commandment4 ,them thou relievedst with 
thy sweet promise heavenly1 ,sinful     
though they were1 and their lives       
negligent4 ,i know that mercy with thee 
is permanent1 ,and will be ever so long 
as the world endure3 ,then close not thy
 hand from man1 which is thy creature4  
,being thy subject he is underneath thy 

cure1 ,correct him thou mayest and so   
bring him to grace4 ,all lieth in thy   
hands1 to leave or to allure1 ,bitter   
death to give1 or grant most sovereign  
solace4 ,utterly from man avert not then
 thy face2 ,but let him savour thy sweet
 benevolence ,somewhat1 though he feel  
thy hand for his offence4  ,pater       
,clestis4 ,my true servant ,noah1 thy   
righteousness doth move me ,somewhat to 
reserve for man's posterity4 ,though ,i 
drown the world1 yet will ,i save the   
lives ,of thee and thy wife1 thy three  
sons and their wives1 ,and of each kind 
two1 to maintain you hereafter4  ,noah4 
,blessed be thy name1 most mighty       
merciful ,maker1 ,with thee to dispute1 
it were inconvenient4  ,pater ,clestis4 
,why dost thou say so8 ,be bold to speak
 thy intent4  ,noah4 ,shall the other   
die without any remedy8  ,pater         
,clestis4 ,i will drown them all1 for   
their wilful wicked folly ,that man     
hereafter thereby may know my power1    
,and fear to offend my goodness day and 

hour4  ,noah4 ,as thy pleasure is1 so   
might it always be1 ,for my health thou 
art and soul's felicity4  ,pater        
,clestis4 ,after that this flood have   
had his raging passage ,this shall be to
 thee my covenant everlasting4 ,the seas
 and waters so far never more shall     
rage1 ,as all flesh to drown1 ,i will so
 temper their working2 ,this sign will  
,i add also1 to confirm the thing1 ,in  
the clouds above1 as a seal or token    
clear1 ,for safeguard of man1 my rainbow
 shall appear4   ,take thou this        
covenant for an earnest confirmation ,of
 my former promise to ,adam's           
generation4  ,noah4 ,i will1 blessed    
,lord1 with my whole heart and mind4    
,pater ,clestis4 ,farewell then1 just   
,noah1 here leave ,i thee behind1       
,noah4 ,most mighty ,maker1 ere ,i from 
hence depart1 ,i must give thee praise  
from the bottom of my heart4 ,whom may  
we thank1 ,lord1 for our health and     
salvation ,but thy great mercy and      
goodness undeserved8 ,thy promise1 in   

faith1 is our justification1 ,as it was 
,adam's when his heart therein rested1  
,and as it was theirs which therein also
 trusted4 ,this faith was grounded in   
,adam's memory1 ,and clearly declared in
 ,abel's innocency4   ,faith in that    
promise old ,adam did justify1 ,in that 
promise faith made ,eve to prophecy4    
,faith in that promise proved ,abel     
innocent1 ,in that promise faith made   
,seth full obedient4 ,that faith taught 
,enoch on ,god's name first to call1    
,and made ,methuselah the oldest man of 
all4   ,that faith brought ,enoch to so 
high exercise1 ,that ,god took him up   
with him into ,paradise4 ,of that faith 
the want made ,cain to hate the good1   
,and all his offspring to perish in the 
flood4 ,faith in that promise preserved 
both me and mine3 ,so will it all them  
which follow the same line4   ,not only 
this gift thou hast given me1 sweet     
,lord1 ,but with it also thine          
everlasting covenant ,of trust forever1 
thy rainbow bearing record1 ,never more 

to drown the world by flood inconstant2 
,alack6 ,i cannot to thee give praise   
condign1 ,yet will ,i sing here with    
heart meek and benign4  ,then in a great
 voice he begins an antiphon1 ,o ,oriens
 ,splendor1 falling upon his knees while
 the chorus follows with instruments1 as
 before4  ,o most orient clearness1 and 
light shining of the sempiternal        
brightness6 ,o clear sun of justice and 
heavenly righteousness1 come hither and 
illuminate the prisoner sitting in the  
dark prison and shadow of ,eternal      
,death4    ,,act ,,iii  ,,of ,,faithful 
,,abraham   ,pater ,clestis4 ,mine high 
displeasure must needs return to man1   
,considering the sin that he doth day by
 day2 ,for neither kindness nor extreme 
handling can ,make him to know me by any
 faithful way1 ,but still in mischief he
 walketh to his decay4 ,if he do not    
soon his wickedness consider1 ,he is    
like1 doubtless1 to perish altogether4  
,in my sight1 he is more venym#faa than 
the spider1 ,through such abuses as he  

hath exercised1 ,from the time of ,noah 
to this same season hither4 ,an uncomely
 act without shame ,ham commysed4#fab   
,when he of his father the secret parts 
revealed4 ,in like case ,nimrod against 
me wrought abusion ,as he raised up the 
castle of confusion4   ,mirus hath also1
 and all by the devil's illusion        
,through image-making1 up raised        
idolatry1 ,me to dishonour4 ,and now in 
the conclusion ,the vile ,sodomites live
 so unnaturally ,that their sin         
vengeance asketh continually1 ,for my   
covenant's sake1 ,i will not drown with 
water1 ,yet shall ,i visit their sins   
with other matter4  ,abraham4 ,yet1     
merciful ,lord1 thy graciousness        
remember ,to ,adam and ,noah1 both in   
thy word and promise3 ,and lose not the 
souls of men in so great number ,but    
save thine own work1 of thy most        
discreet goodness4 ,i wot thy mercies   
are plentiful and earnest1 ,never can   
they die nor fail1 thyself enduring1    
,this hath faith fixed fast in my       

understanding4  ,pater ,clestis4        
,abraham my servant1 for thy most       
faithful meaning1 ,both thou and thy    
stock shall have my plenteous blessing4 
,when the unfaithful1 under my curse    
evermore1 ,for their vain working1 shall
 rue their wickedness sore4  ,abraham4  
,tell me1 blessed ,lord1 where will thy 
great malice light8 ,my hope is1 all    
flesh shall not perish in thy sight4    
,pater ,clestis4 ,no truly1 ,abraham1   
thou chancest upon the right1 ,the thing
 ,i shall do ,i will not hide from thee1
 ,whom ,i have blessed for thy true     
fidelity3 ,for ,i know thou wilt cause  
both thy children and servants1 ,in my  
ways to walk1 and trust unto my         
covenants1 ,that ,i may perform with    
thee my earnest promise4  ,abraham4 ,all
 that ,i will do1 by assistance of thy  
goodness4  ,pater ,clestis4 ,from ,sodom
 and ,gomor the abominations call ,for  
my great vengeance1 which will upon them
 fall1 ,wild fire and brimstone shall   
light upon them all4  ,abraham4 ,pitiful

 ,maker1 though they have kindled thy   
fury1 ,cast not away yet the just sort  
with the ungodly4 ,peradventure there   
may be fifty righteous persons ,within  
those cities1 wilt thou lose them all at
 once1 ,and not spare the place for     
those fifty righteous' sake ,be it far  
from thee such rigour to undertake4   ,i
 hope there is not in thee so cruel     
hardness1 ,as to cast away the just men 
with the reckless1 ,and so to destroy   
the good with the ungodly3 ,in the judge
 of all3 be never such a fury4  ,pater  
,clestis4 ,at ,sodom1 if ,i may find    
just persons fifty1 ,the place will ,i  
spare for their sakes verily4  ,abraham4
 ,i take upon me to speak here in thy   
presence1 ,more than becomes me1 lord1  
pardon my negligence3 ,i am but ashes   
and were loth thee to offend4  ,pater   
,clestis4 ,say forth1 good ,abraham1 for
 ill dost thou not intend4  ,abraham4   
,haply there may be five less in the    
same number1 ,for thy sake ,i hope thou 
wilt not the rest accombre4#fac  ,pater 

,clestis4 ,if ,i among them might find  
but five and forty ,them would ,i not   
lose for that just company4  ,abraham4  
,what if the city may forty righteous   
make8  ,pater ,clestis4 ,then will ,i   
pardon it for those same forty's sake4  
,abraham4 ,be not angry1 ,lord1 though  
,i speak undiscreetly4  ,pater ,clestis4
 ,utter thy whole mind and spare me not 
hardly4  ,abraham4 ,peradventure there  
may be thirty found among them4  ,pater 
,clestis4 ,may ,i find thirty1 ,i will  
nothing do unto them4  ,abraham4 ,i take
 upon me too much1 ,lord1 in thy sight4 
,pater ,clestis4 ,no1 no1 good ,abraham1
 for ,i know thy faith is right4        
,abraham4 ,no less1 ,i suppose1 than    
twenty can it have4  ,pater ,clestis4   
,could ,i find twenty1 that city would  
,i save4  ,abraham4 ,once yet will ,i   
speak my mind1 and then no more4  ,pater
 ,clestis4 ,spare not to utter so much  
as thou hast in store4  ,abraham4 ,and  
what if there might be ten good         
creatures found8  ,pater ,clestis4 ,the 

rest for their sakes might so be safe   
and sound1 ,and not destroyed for their 
abomination4  ,abraham4 ,o merciful     
,maker1 much is thy toleration ,and     
sufferance of sin3 ,i see it now indeed2
 ,vouchsafe yet of favour out of those  
cities to lead ,those that be faithful1 
though their flock be but small4  ,pater
 ,clestis4 ,lot and his household1 ,i   
will deliver all1 ,for righteousness    
sake1 which is of me and not them4      
,abraham4 ,great are thy graces in the  
generation of ,shem4  ,pater ,clestis4  
,well1 ,abraham1 well1 for thy true     
faithfulness ,now will ,i give thee my  
covenant or third promise4 ,look thou   
believe it as thou covetest             
righteousness4  ,abraham4 ,lord1 so     
regard me as ,i receive it with         
gladness4  ,pater ,clestis4 ,of many    
peoples the father ,i will make thee1   
,all generations in thy seed shall be   
blessed3 ,as the stars of heaven1 so    
shall thy kindred be2 ,and by the same  
seed the world shall be redressed ,in   

circumcision shall this thing be        
expressed1 ,as in a sure seal1 to prove 
my promise true1 ,print this in thy     
faith1 and it shall thy soul renew4     
,abraham4 ,i will not one jot1 ,lord1   
from thy will dissent ,but to thy       
pleasure be always obedient1 ,thy laws  
to fulfil1 and most precious            
commandment4  ,pater ,clestis4          
,farewell1 ,abraham1 for here in place  
,i leave thee4  ,abraham4 ,thanks will  
,i render1 like as it shall behove me4  
,everlasting praise to thy most glorious
 name1 ,which savedst ,adam through     
faith in thy sweet promise ,of the      
woman's seed1 and now confirmest the    
same ,in the seed of me4 ,forsooth great
 is thy goodness4 ,i cannot perceive but
 that thy mercy is endless4 ,to such as 
fear thee1 in every generation1 ,for it 
endureth without abbreviation4   ,this  
have ,i printed in deep consideration1  
,no worldly matter can rase it out of   
mind4 ,for once it will be the final    
restoration ,of ,adam and ,eve1 and     

other that hath sinned2 ,yea1 the sure  
health and race of mankind4 ,help have  
the faithful thereof1 though they be    
infect2 ,they1 condemnation1 where as it
 is reject4   ,merciful ,maker1 my      
crabbed voice direct1 ,that it may break
 out in some sweet praise to thee2 ,and 
suffer me not thy due lauds to neglect1 
,but let me show forth thy commendations
 free4 ,stop not my windpipes1 but give 
them liberty1 ,to sound to thy name1    
which is most gracious1 ,and in it      
rejoice with heart melodious4  ,then in 
a loud voice he begins the antiphon1 ,o 
rex gentium1 the chorus following the   
same with instruments4  ,o most mighty  
,governor of thy people1 and in heart   
most desired1 the hard rock and the true
 corner-stone1 that of two maketh one1  
uniting the ,jews with the ,gentiles in 
one church1 come now and relieve        
mankind1 whom thou hast formed of the   
vile earth4    ,,act ,,iv  ,,moses      
,,sanctus   ,pater ,clestis4 ,still so  
increaseth the wickedness of man1 ,that 

,i am moved with plagues him to         
confound4 ,his weakness to aid1 ,i do   
the best ,i can1 ,yet he regardeth me no
 more than doth a hound1 ,my word and   
promise in his faith taketh no ground2  
,he will so long walk in his own lusts  
at large1 ,that naught he shall find his
 folly to discharge4   ,since ,abraham's
 time1 which was my true elect1 ,ishmael
 have ,i found both wicked1 fierce and  
cruel3 ,and ,esau in mind with hateful  
murder infect4 ,the sons of ,jacob to   
lusts unnatural fell1 ,and into ,egypt  
did they their brother sell4 ,laban to  
idols gave faithful reverence1 ,dinah   
was corrupt through ,shechem's violence4
   ,reuben abused his father's          
concubine1 ,judah got children of his   
own daughter-in-law3 ,yea1 she in my    
sight went after a wicked line4 ,his    
seed ,onan spilt1 his brother's name to 
withdraw4 ,achan lived here without all 
godly awe4 ,and now the children of     
,israel abuse my power ,in so vile      
manner that they move me every hour4    

,moses4 ,pacify thy wrath1 sweet ,lord1 
,i thee desire1 ,as thou art gentle1    
benign1 and patient1 ,lose not that     
people in fierceness of thine ire ,for  
whom thou hast shewed such tokens       
evident1 ,converting this rod into a    
lively serpent1 ,and the same serpent   
into this rod again1 ,thy wonderful     
power declaring very plain4   ,for their
 sakes also puttest ,pharaoh to pain ,by
 ten divers plagues1 as ,i shall here   
declare4 ,by blood1 frogs1 and lice2 by 
flies1 death1 botch and blain2#fad ,by  
hail1 by grasshoppers1 by darkness1 and 
by care2 ,by a sudden plague1 all their 
first gotten ware1 ,thou slewest1 in one
 night1 for his fierce cruelness4 ,from 
that thy people withhold not now thy    
goodness4  ,pater ,clestis4 ,i certify  
thee1 my chosen servant ,moses1 ,that   
people of mine is full of               
unthankfulness4  ,moses4 ,dear ,lord1 ,i
 know it1 alas6 yet weigh their         
weakness1 ,and bear with their faults1  
of thy great bounteousness4 ,in a       

flaming bush having to them respect1    
,thou appointedst me their passage to   
direct1 ,and through the ,red ,sea thy  
right hand did us lead ,where ,pharaoh's
 host the flood overwhelmed indeed4     
,thou wentest before them in a shining  
cloud all day ,and in the dark night in 
fire thou shewedst their way4 ,thou     
sentest them manna from heaven to be    
their food4 ,out of the hard stone thou 
gavest them water good4 ,thou           
appointedst them a land of milk and     
honey4 ,let them not perish for want of 
thy great mercy4  ,pater ,clestis4      
,content they are not with foul nor yet 
with fair1 ,but murmur and grudge as    
people in despair4 ,as ,i sent manna    
they had it in disdain1 ,thus of their  
welfare they many times complain4 ,over 
,amalek ,i gave them the victory4       
,moses4 ,most glorious ,maker1 all that 
is to thy glory4 ,thou sentest them also
 a law from heaven above1 ,and daily    
shewedst them many tokens of great love4
 ,the brazen serpent thou gavest them   

for their healing1 ,and ,balaam's curse 
thou turnedst into a blessing4 ,i hope  
thou wilt not disdain to help them      
still4  ,pater ,clestis4 ,i gave them   
precepts1 which they will not fulfil    
,nor yet acknowledge me for their ,god  
and good ,lord1 ,so do their vile deeds 
with their wicked hearts accord ,whilst 
thou hast talked with me familiarly ,on 
,sinai's mountain1 the space but of days
 forty1 ,these sights all they have     
forgotten clearly1 ,and are turned to   
shameful idolatry4 ,for their ,god1 they
 have set up a golden calf4  ,moses4    
,let me say something1 sweet ,father1 in
 their behalf4  ,pater ,clestis4 ,i will
 first conclude1 and then say on thy    
mind4 ,for that ,i have found that      
people so unkind1 ,not one of them shall
 enjoy the promise of me1 ,for entering 
the land1 but ,caleb and ,josue4#fae    
,moses4 ,thy eternal will evermore      
fulfilled be4 ,for disobedience thou    
slewest the sons of ,aaron1 ,the earth  
swallowed in both ,dathan and ,abiron4  

,the adders did sting other wicked      
persons else1 ,in wonderful number4     
,thus hast thou punished rebels4  ,pater
 ,clestis4 ,never will ,i spare the     
cursed iniquity4 ,of idolatry1 for no   
cause1 thou mayst trust me4  ,moses4    
,forgive them yet1 ,lord1 for this time1
 if it may be4  ,pater ,clestis4        
,thinkest thou that ,i will so soon     
change my decree8 ,no1 no1 friend       
,moses1 so light thou shalt not find me4
 ,i will punish them all2 ,israel shall 
it see4  ,moses4 ,i know1 thy people    
have wrought abomination1 ,worshipping  
false gods1 to thy honour's derogation1 
,yet mercifully thou mayest upon them   
look2 ,and if thou wilt not1 thrust me  
out of thy book4  ,pater ,clestis4      
,those great blasphemers shall out of my
 book clean1 ,but thou shalt not so1 for
 ,i know what thou dost mean4 ,conduct  
my people1 mine angel shall assist thee1
 ,that sin in a day will not uncorrected
 be4 ,and for the true zeal that thou to
 my people hast1 ,i add this covenant   

unto my promises past4   ,raise them up 
,i will a prophet from among them1 ,not 
unlike to thee1 to speak my words unto  
them4 ,whoso heareth not that he shall  
speak in my name1 ,i will revenge it to 
his perpetual shame4 ,the passover lamb 
will be a token just ,of this strong    
covenant4 ,this have ,i clearly         
discussed1 ,in my appointment this hour 
for your deliverance4  ,moses4 ,never   
shall this thing depart from my         
remembrance4 ,praise be for ever to     
thee1 most merciful ,lord1 ,who never   
withdrawest from man thy heavenly       
comfort1 ,but from age to age thy       
benefits do record ,what thy goodness   
is1 and hath been to his sort4 ,as we   
find thy grace1 so ought we to report4  
,and doubtless it is to us most         
bounteous1 ,yea1 for all our sins most  
ripe and plenteous4   ,abraham our      
father found thee benevolous1#faf ,so   
did good ,isaac in his distress among4  
,to ,jacob thou wert a guide most       
gracious4 ,joseph thou savedst from     

dangerous deadly wrong1 ,melchisedec and
 ,job felt thy great goodness strong1   
,so did good ,sarah1 ,rebecca1 and fair 
,rachel1 ,with ,zephorah my wife1 the   
daughter of ,raguel4   ,to praise thee1 
sweet ,lord1 my faith doth me compel1   
,for thy covenant's sake wherein rests  
our salvation1 ,the seed of promise1 all
 other seeds excel1 ,for therein        
remaineth our full justification4 ,from 
,adam to ,noah1 in ,abraham's           
generation1 ,that seed procureth ,god's 
mighty grace and power2 ,for the same   
seed's sake1 ,i will sing now this hour4
  ,then he begins to sing an antiphon in
 a clear voice1 ,o ,emmanuel1 which the 
chorus 7as before7 follows with         
instruments4  ,o high king ,emmanuel1   
and our liege ,lord6 the long           
expectation of the ,gentiles1 and the   
mighty ,saviour of their multitude1 the 
health and consolation of sinners1 come 
now to save us1 as our ,lord and our    
,redeemer4    ,,act ,v  ,,of ,,pius     
,,king ,,david   ,pater ,clestis4 ,for  

all the favour ,i have shewed ,israel1  
,delivering it from ,pharaoh's tyranny1 
,and giving the land1 fluentem lac et   
mel1#fag ,yet will it not leave its old 
idolatry1 ,nor know me for ,god4 ,i     
abhor its misery4 ,vexed it ,i have with
 battles and decays1 ,still must ,i     
plague it1 ,i see no other ways4        
,david4 ,remember yet1 ,lord1 thy worthy
 servant ,moses1 ,walking in thy sight1 
without rebuke of thee4 ,both ,aaron1   
,jethro1 ,eleazar1 and ,phinees1#fah    
,evermore feared to offend thy majesty1 
,much thou acceptedst thy servant       
,josue4#fai ,caleb and ,othniel sought  
thee with all their heart1 ,aioth and   
,sangar for thy folk did their part4    
,gideon and ,tholus thy enemies put to  
smart1 ,jair and ,jephtha gave praises  
to thy name4 ,these1 to leave idols1 thy
 people did court4 ,samson the          
strongest1 for his part did the same4   
,samuel and ,nathan thy messages did    
proclaim4 ,what though fierce ,pharaoh  
wrought mischief in thy sight1 ,he was a

 pagan1 lay not that in our light4   ,i 
know the ,benjamites abused the ways of 
right1 ,so did ,eli's sons1 and the sons
 of ,samuel4 ,saul in his office was    
slothful day and night1 ,wicked was     
,shimei1 so was ,ahitophel4 ,measure not
 by them the faults of ,israel1 ,whom   
thou hast loved of long time so         
entirely1 ,but of thy great grace remit 
its wicked folly4  ,pater ,clestis4 ,i  
cannot abide the vice of idolatry1      
,though ,i should suffer all other      
villany4 ,when ,joshua was dead1 that   
sort from me did fall ,to the           
worshipping of ,ashteroth and ,baal1    
,full unclean idols1 and monsters       
bestial4  ,david4 ,for it they have had 
thy righteous punishment1 ,and forasmuch
 as they did wickedly consent ,to the   
,philistines and ,canaanites ungodly    
,idolaters1 taking to them in matrimony1
 ,thou threwest them under the ,king of 
,mesopotamy1 ,after thou subduedst them 
for their idolatry4   ,eighteen years to
 ,eglon1 the ,king of ,moabites1 ,and   

twenty years to ,jabin1 the ,king of    
,canaanites1 ,oppressed they were seven 
years by the ,midianites1 ,and eighteen 
years vexed by the cruel ,ammonites4 ,in
 three great battles1 of three score    
thousand and five1 ,of this thy people1 
not one was left alive4 ,have mercy now1
 ,lord1 and call them to repentance4    
,pater ,clestis4 ,so long as they sin1  
so long shall they have grievance4      
,david my servant1 something must ,i say
 to thee1 ,for that thou lately hast    
wrought such vanity4  ,david4 ,spare    
not1 blessed ,lord1 but say thy pleasure
 to me4  ,pater ,clestis4 ,of late days 
thou hast misused ,bathsheba1 ,the wife 
of ,uriah1 and slain him in the field4  
,david4 ,mercy1 ,lord1 mercy2 for       
doubtless ,i am defiled4  ,pater        
,clestis4 ,i constitute thee a king over
 ,israel1 ,and thee preserved from      
,saul1 who was thine enemy4 ,yea1 in my 
favour1 so much thou didst excel1 ,that 
of thine enemies ,i gave thee victory4  
,philistines and ,syrians to thee came  

tributary4 ,why hast thou then wrought  
such folly in my sight4 ,despising my   
word1 against all godly right8  ,david4 
,i have sinned1 ,lord1 ,i beseech thee1 
pardon me1  ,pater ,clestis4 ,thou shalt
 not die1 ,david1 for this iniquity1    
,for thy repentance2 but thy son by     
,bathsheba ,shall die1 forasmuch as my  
name is blasphemed ,among my enemies1   
and thou the worse esteemed4 ,from thy  
house for this the sword shall not      
depart4  ,david4 ,i am sorry1 ,lord1    
from the bottom of my heart4  ,pater    
,clestis4 ,to further anger thou dost me
 yet compel4  ,david4 ,for what matter1 
,lord8 ,i beseech thy goodness tell4    
,pater ,clestis4 ,why didst thou number 
the children of ,israel8 ,supposest in  
thy mind therein thou hast done well8   
,david4 ,i cannot say nay1 but ,i have  
done indiscreetly ,to forget thy grace  
for a human policy4  ,pater ,clestis4   
,thou shalt of these three choose which 
plague thou wilt     have1 ,for that    
sinful act1 that ,i thy soul may save4  

,a scarceness seven years1 or else three
 months' exile1 ,if not1 for three days 
a pestilence most vile1 ,for one thou   
must have1 there is no remedy4  ,david4 
,lord1 at thy pleasure1 for thou art    
full of mercy4  ,pater ,clestis4 ,of a  
pestilence then1 three score thousand   
and ten1 ,in three days shall die of thy
 most puissant men4  ,david4 ,o ,lord1  
it is ,i who have offended thy grace1   
,spare them and not me1 for ,i have done
 the trespace4#fbj  ,pater ,clestis4    
,though thy sins be great1 thine inward 
heart's     contribution ,doth move my  
stomach in wonderful condition4 ,i find 
thee a man according to my heart2       
,wherefore this promise ,i make thee1   
ere ,i depart4   ,a fruit there shall   
come forth issuing from thy body1 ,whom 
,i will advance upon thy seat for ever4 
,his throne shall become a seat of      
heavenly glory ,his worthy sceptre from 
right will not dissever1 ,his happy     
kingdom1 of faith shall perish never4   
,of heaven and of earth he was author   

principal1 ,and will continue1 though   
they do perish all4   ,this sign shalt  
thou have for a token special1 ,that    
thou mayst believe my words unfeignedly1
 ,where thou hast minded1 for my        
memorial1 ,to build a temple1 thou shalt
 not finish it truly2 ,but ,solomon thy 
son shall do that action worthy1 ,in    
token that ,christ must finish          
everything ,that ,i have begun1 to my   
praise everlasting4  ,david4 ,immortal  
glory to thee1 most heavenly ,king1 ,for
 that thou hast given continual victory 
,to me thy servant1 ever since my       
annointing1 ,and also before1 by many   
conquests worthy4 ,a bear and lion ,i   
slew through thy strength only4 ,i slew 
,goliath1 who was six cubits long4      
,against thine enemies thou madest me   
ever strong4   ,my fleshly frailness    
made me do deadly wrong1 ,and clean to  
forget thy laws of righteousness4 ,and  
though thou visitedst my sinfulness     
among1 ,with pestilent plagues1 and     
other unquietness2 ,yet never tookst    

thou from me thy plenteousness ,of thy  
godly spir't1 which thou in me didst    
plant4 ,i having remorse1 thy grace     
could never want4   ,for in conclusion1 
thy everlasting covenant ,thou gavest   
unto me for all my wicked sin2 ,and hast
 promised here by protestation constant1
 ,that one of my seed shall such high   
fortune win1 ,as never did man since    
this world did begin4 ,by his power he  
shall put ,satan from his hold1 ,in     
rejoice whereof to sing will ,i be bold4
  ,then he begins in a musical voice an 
antiphon1 ,o ,adonai1 which the chorus  
7as before7 follows with instruments4   
,o ,lord ,god ,adonai1 and guide of the 
faithful house of ,israel1 who sometime 
appearedst in the flaming bush to       
,moses1 and to him didst give a law on  
,mount ,sinai1 come now to redeem us in 
the strength of thy right hand4    ,,act
 ,,vi  ,,of ,,the ,,prophet ,,esaias    
,pater ,clestis4 ,i brought up children 
from their first infancy1 ,who now      
despise all my godly instructions4 ,an  

ox knoweth its lord1 an ass its master's
 duty1 ,but ,israel will not know me1   
nor my conditions4 ,oh1 froward people1 
given all to superstitions1 ,unnatural  
children1 expert in blasphemies1        
,provoke me into hate1 by their         
idolatries4   ,take heed to my words1 ye
 tyrants of ,sodoma1 ,in vain ye offer  
your sacrifice to me4 ,discontent ,i am 
with you beasts of ,gomorrah ,and have  
no pleasure when ,i your offerings see4 
,i abhor your fasts and your solemnity1 
,for your traditions my ways ye set     
apart1 ,your works are in vain1 ,i hate 
them from the heart4  ,esaias4 ,thy     
city1 sweet ,lord1 is now become        
unfaithful1 ,and her conditions are     
turned upside down4 ,her life is        
unchaste1 her acts be very hurtful1 ,her
 murder and theft have darkened her     
renown4 ,covetous rewards do so their   
conscience drown1 ,that the fatherless  
they will not help to right1 ,the poor  
widow's cause comes not before their    
sight4   ,thy peaceable paths seek they 

neither day nor night2 ,but walk wicked 
ways after their fantasy4 ,convert their
 hearts1 ,lord1 and give them thy true  
light1 ,that they may perceive their    
customable folly3 ,leave them not       
helpless in so deep misery1 ,but call   
them from it of thy most special grace1 
,by thy true prophets1 to their souls'  
health and solace4  ,pater ,clestis4    
,first they had fathers1 then had they  
patriarchs1 ,then dukes1 then judges for
 their guides and monarchs3 ,now have   
they stout kings1 yet are they wicked   
still1 ,and will in no wise my pleasant 
laws fulfil4 ,always they apply to      
idols' worshipping1 ,from the vile      
beggar to the annointed king4  ,esaias4 
,for that cause thou hast in two divided
 them1 ,in ,samaria the one1 the other  
in ,jerusalem4 ,the king of ,judah in   
,jerusalem did dwell1 ,and in ,samaria  
the king of ,israel4 ,ten of the twelve 
tribes became ,samaritans1 ,and the     
other two were ,hierosolymitans4#fba    
,in both these countries1 according to  

their doings1 ,thou permittedst them to 
have most cruel kings4 ,the first of    
,judah was wicked king ,roboam1 ,of     
,israel the first was that cruel        
,jeroboam2 ,abiah then followed1 and in 
the other ,nadab1 ,then ,bassa1 then    
,helah1 then ,zambri1 ,jehoram and      
,ahab4   ,then ,ochesius1 then          
,athaliah1 then ,joas2#fbb ,on the other
 part was ,jonathan and ,achaz4 ,to     
rehearse all them that have done        
wretchedly ,in the sight of thee1 it    
were long verily4  ,pater ,clestis4 ,for
 the wicked sin of filthy idolatry1     
,which the ten tribes did in the land of
 ,samarie1 ,in space of one day fifty   
thousand men ,i slew1 ,three of their   
cities also ,i overthrew1 ,and left the 
people in such captivity1 ,that in all  
the world they knew not whither to flee4
   ,the other two tribes1 when they from
 me went back ,to idolatry1 ,i left in  
the hand of ,shishak1 ,the king of      
,egypt1 who took away their treasure1   
,conveyed their cattle1 and slew them   

without measure4 ,in time of ,ahaz1 a   
hundred thousand and twenty ,were slain 
at one time for their idolatry4   ,two  
hundred thousand from thence were       
captive led1 ,their goods dispersed1 and
 they with penury fed4 ,seldom they fail
 it1 but either the ,egyptians ,have    
them in bondage1 or else the ,assyrians4
  ,esaias4 ,well1 yet blessed ,lord1    
relieve them with thy mercy4 ,though    
they have been ill other princes' days1 
,yet good ,hezekiah hath taught them    
goodly ways4 ,when the prince is good1  
the people are the better2 ,and as he is
 nought1 their vices are the greater4   
,heavenly ,lord1 therefore send them the
 consolation1 ,which thou hast          
covenanted with every generation4       
,open thou the heavens1 and let the lamb
 come hither1 ,who will deliver thy     
people altogether4 ,ye planets and      
clouds1 cast down your dews and rain1   
,that the earth may bear out healthful  
savour plain4  ,pater ,clestis4 ,may the
 wife forget the child of her own body8 

,esaias4 ,nay1 that she can not in any  
wise verily4  ,pater ,clestis4 ,no more 
can ,i them who will do my commandments1
 ,but must preserve them from all       
inconvenience4  ,esaias4 ,blessed art   
thou1 ,lord1 in all thy acts and        
judgments4  ,pater ,clestis4 ,well1     
,esaias1 for this thy fidelity1 ,a      
covenant of health thou shalt have also 
of me4 ,for ,zion's sake now ,i will not
 hold my peace1 ,and for ,jerusalem1 to 
speak will ,i not cease ,till that      
righteous ,lord become as a sunbeam     
bright1 ,and their just saviour as a    
lamp extend his light4   ,a rod shall   
shoot forth from the old stock of       
,jesse1 ,and a bright blossom from that 
root will arise1 ,upon whom always the  
spir't of the ,lord shall be1 ,the      
spir't of wisdom1 the spir't of heavenly
 practice1 ,and the spir't that will all
 godliness devise4 ,take this for a     
sign1 a maid of ,israel ,shall conceive 
and bear that ,lord ,emmanuel4  ,esaias4
 ,thy praises condign no mortal tongue  

can tell1 ,most worthy maker and king of
 heavenly glory1 ,for all capacities thy
 goodness doth excel1 ,thy plenteous    
graces no brain can compass truly1 ,no  
wit can conceive the greatness of thy   
mercy1 ,declared of late in ,david thy  
true servant1 ,and now confirmed in this
 thy later covenant4   ,of goodness thou
 madest ,solomon of wit more pregnant1  
,asa and ,josaphat1 with good king      
,hezechiah1 ,in thy sight to do that was
 to thee right pleasant4 ,to quench     
idolatry thou raisedst up ,elijah ,jehu1
 ,elisha1 ,micah1 and ,obdiah1 ,the     
,syrian ,naaman thou purgedst of a      
lepry#fbc ,thy works wonderful who can  
but magnify8   ,arise1 ,jerusalem1 and  
take faith by and by1#fbd ,for the very 
light that shall save thee is coming4   
,the ,son of the ,lord appear will      
evidently1 ,when he shall resort1 see   
that no joy be wanting4 ,he is thy      
saviour1 and thy life everlasting1 ,thy 
release from sin1 and thy whole         
righteousness1 ,help me in this song t' 

acknowledge his great goodness4  ,then  
in a tuneful voice he begins an         
antiphon1 ,o radix ,jesse1 which the    
chorus follows with instruments4  ,o    
fruitful root of ,jesse1 that shall be  
set as a sign among people1 against the 
worldly rulers shall fiercely open their
 mouths1 whom the ,gentiles worship as  
their heavenly ,lord4 ,come now to      
deliver us1 and delay the time no       
longer4    ,,act ,,vii  ,,of ,,john     
,,the ,,baptist   ,pater ,clestis4 ,i   
have with fierceness mankind oft-times  
corrected1 ,and again ,i have allured   
him by sweet promise4 ,i have sent sore 
plagues1 when he hath me neglected1 ,and
 then by and by1 most comfortable       
sweetness4 ,to win him to grace1 both   
mercy and righteousness ,i have         
exercised1 yet will he not amend4 ,shall
 ,i now lose him1 or shall ,i him       
defend8   ,in his most mischief1 most   
high grace will ,i send ,to overcome him
 by favour1 if it may be4 ,with his     
abuses no longer will ,i contend ,but   

now accomplish my first will and decree4
 ,my word being flesh1 from hence shall 
set him free1 ,him teaching a way of    
perfect righteousness1 ,that he shall   
not need to perish in his weakness4     
,john the ,baptist4 ,manasseh is past1  
who turned from thee his heart4 ,ahaz   
and ,ammon have now no more ado1        
,jechoniah with others who did          
themselves avert ,from thee to idols1   
may now no farther go4 ,the two false   
judges1 and ,baal's wicked priests also1
 ,phassur and ,semaiah1 with            
,nebuchadnosor1 ,antiochus and ,triphon1
 shall thee displease no more4   ,three 
score years and ten1 thy people into    
,babylon ,were captive and thrall for   
idols' worshipping4 ,jerusalem was lost1
 and left void of dominion1 ,burnt was  
their temple1 so was their other        
building1 ,their high priests were      
slain1 their treasure came to nothing2  
,the strength and beauty of thine own   
heritage1 ,thus didst thou leave them in
 miserable bondage4   ,oft had they     

warnings1 sometimes by ,ezekiel ,and    
other prophets1 as ,isay and ,jeremy1   
,sometimes by ,daniel1 sometimes by     
,hosea and ,joel1 ,by ,amos and ,abdiah1
 by ,jonah and ,sophonya1#fbe ,by ,nahum
 and ,micah1 ,haggai and by ,zachary1   
,by ,malachias1 and also by ,habakkuk1  
,by ,olda the widow1 and by the prophet 
,baruch4   ,remember ,josiah1 who took  
the abomination ,from the people1 then  
restoring the laws again4 ,of ,rahab    
consider the faithful generation1 ,whom 
to wine drinking no friendship might    
constrain4 ,remember ,abimelech1 the    
friend of truth certain1 ,zerubabel the 
prince1 who did repair the temple1 ,and 
,jesus ,josedech1 of virtue the example4
   ,consider ,nehemiah1 and ,esdras the 
good scribe1 ,merciful ,tobias1 and     
constant ,mardocheus2#fbf ,judith and   
,queen ,esther1 of the same godly tribe1
 ,devout ,matthias and ,judas ,maccabus4
 ,have mind of ,eleazer1 and then       
,joannes ,hircanus1 ,weigh the earnest  
faith of this godly company1 ,though the

 other clean fall from thy memory4      
,pater ,clestis4 ,i will ,john1 ,i will1
 for as ,i said before1 ,rigour and     
hardness ,i have now set apart1 ,minding
 from henceforth to win man evermore ,by
 wonderful kindness to break his        
stubborn heart1 ,and change it from sin4
 ,for ,christ shall suffer smart1 ,in   
man's frail nature for his iniquity1    
,this to make open1 my messenger shalt  
thou be4  ,john the ,baptist4 ,as thy   
pleasure is1 so blessed ,lord appoint   
me1 ,for my health thou art1 and my     
soul's felicity4  ,pater ,clestis4 ,long
 ere ,i made thee1 ,i the predestinate1 
,before thou wert born ,i thee endued   
with grace4 ,in thy mother's womb wert  
thou sanctificate ,by my godly gift1 and
 so confirmed in place1 ,a prophet1 to  
shew a way before the face ,of my most  
dear son1 who will come3 then until     
,apply thee apace thine office to       
fulfil4   ,preach to the people1        
rebuking their negligence1 ,dip them in 
water1 acknowledging their offence2 ,and

 say unto them1 ,the kingdom of ,god    
doth come4  ,john the ,baptist4 ,unmeet1
 ,lord1 ,i am1 ,quia puer ego sum4#fbg  
,and other than that1 alas1 ,i have no  
science ,fit for that office1 neither   
yet clean eloquence4  ,pater ,clestis4  
,thou shalt not say so1 for ,i have     
given thee grace1 ,eloquence and age1 to
 speak in desert place4 ,thou must do   
therefore as ,i shall thee advise1 ,my  
appointed pleasure forth utter in any   
wise2 ,my strong mighty words put ,i    
into thy mouth1 ,spare not1 but speak   
them to east1 west1 north and south4    
,god stretching out his hand1 touches   
,john's lips with his finger and confers
 upon him a golden tongue4    ,go now   
thy way forth1 ,i shall thee never fail1
 ,the spir't of ,elijah have ,i given   
thee already4 ,persuade the people1 that
 they their sins bewail2 ,and if they   
repent their customable folly1 ,long    
shall it not be ere they have remedy4   
,open thou their hearts3 tell them their
 health is coming ,as a voice in a      

desert2 see thou declare the thing4   ,i
 promise thee sure1 thou shalt wash him 
among them ,in ,jordan1 a flood not far 
from ,jerusalem4  ,john the ,baptist4   
,shew me yet1 good ,lord1 whereby shall 
,i know that man1 ,in the multitude     
which will resort to ,jordan4  ,pater   
,clestis4 ,in thy mother's womb of him  
hadst thou cognition4 ,have thou no fear
 ,john1 him shalt thou know full well1  
,and one special token afore will ,i    
thee tell4 ,super quem videris spiritum 
descendentem et manentem ,super eum1 hic
 est qui baptizat spiritu sancto3 ,among
 all other whom thou shalt baptise there
 ,upon whom thou seest the ,holy ,ghost 
descend ,in shape of a dove1 resting    
upon his shoulder1 ,hold him for the    
same1 that shall the world amend1 ,by   
baptism of spirit1 and also to man      
extend ,most special grace4 ,for he must
 repair his fall1 ,restoring again the  
justice original4 ,take now thy journey1
 and do as ,i thee advise1 ,first preach
 repentance1 and then the people        

baptise4  ,john the ,baptist4 ,high     
honour1 worship1 and glory be unto thee1
 ,my ,god eternal1 and patron of all    
purity4   ,repent good people1 for sins 
that now are past1 ,the kingdom of      
heaven is at hand very nigh4 ,the       
promised light to you approacheth fast1 
,have faith1 and apply now to receive   
him boldly4 ,i am not the light1 but to 
bear testimony ,of him am sent1 that all
 men may believe1 ,that his blood he    
will for their redemption give4   ,he is
 such a light as all men doth illumine1 
,that ever were here1 or shall be after 
this4 ,all the world he made by his     
mighty power divine1 ,and yet that rude 
world will not know what he is4 ,his own
 he entering1 is not regarded of his4   
,they that receive him1 are ,god's true 
children plain1 ,in spir't regenerate1  
and all grace shall attain4   ,many do  
reckon1 that ,i ,john ,baptist am he1   
,deceived are they1 and that will appear
 in space4 ,though he come after1 yet he
 was long afore me4 ,we are weak        

vessels1 he is the well of grace1 ,of   
his great goodness all that we have we  
purchase4 ,by him are we like to have a 
better increase ,than ever we had by the
 laws of ,moses4   ,for ,moses' hard law
 we had not else but darkness1 ,figure  
and shadow1 all was not else but night1 
,punishment for sin1 much rigour1 pain1 
and roughness1 ,an high charge is there1
 where all is turned to light1 ,grace   
and remission anon will shine full      
bright4 ,never man lived that ever saw  
,god afore1 ,which now in our kind man's
 ruin will restore4   ,help me to give  
thanks to that ,lord evermore1 ,which am
 unto ,christ a crier in the desert1 ,to
 prepare the paths and high ways him    
before ,for his delight is on the poor1 
simple heart4   ,that innocent lamb from
 such will never depart1 ,as will       
faithfully receive him with good mind4  
,let our voice then sound in some sweet 
musical kind4  ,then in a resounding    
voice he begins an antiphon1 ,o clavis  
,david1 which the chorus follows with   

instruments1 as before4  ,o perfect key 
of ,david1 and high sceptre of the      
kindred of ,jacob1 which openest and no 
man sperith1#fbh thou speakest and no   
man openeth2 come and deliver thy       
servant mankind1 bound in prison1       
sitting in the darkness of sin and      
bitter damnation4    ,,epilogue         
,baleus ,prolocutor4 ,the matters are   
such as we have uttered here1 ,as ought 
not to slide from your memorial2 ,for   
they have opened such comfortable gear1 
,as is to the health of this kind       
universal1 ,graces of the ,lord and     
promises liberal1 ,which he given to man
 for every age1 ,to knit him to ,christ1
 and so clear him of bondage4   ,as ,st4
 ,paul doth write unto the              
,corinthes#fbi plain1 ,our forefathers  
were under the cloud of darkness1 ,and  
unto ,christ's days did in the shadow   
remain2 ,yet were they not left1 for of 
him they had promise ,all they received 
one spiritual feeding doubtless4 ,they  
drank of the rock which them to life    

refreshed1 ,for one saving health1 in   
,christ1 all they confessed4   ,in the  
woman's seed was ,adam first justified1 
,so was faithful ,noah1 so was just     
,abraham2 ,the faith in that seed in    
,moses forth multiplied1 ,likewise in   
,david and ,esaye#fcj that after came1  
,and in ,john ,baptist1 which shewed the
 very ,lamb4 ,though they so afar1 yet  
all they had one justice ,one mass1 as  
they call it1 and in ,christ one        
sacrifice4   ,a man cannot here to ,god 
do better service1 ,than on this to     
ground his faith and understanding4 ,for
 all the world's sin alone ,christ payed
 the price1 ,in his only death was man's
 life always resting1 ,and not in       
will--works1 nor yet in men's deserving1
 ,the light of our faith makes this     
thing evident1 ,and not the practice of 
other experiment4   ,where is now free  
will1 which the hypocrites comment8     
,whereby they report they may at their  
own pleasure ,do good of themselves1    
though grace and faith be absent1 ,and  

have good intents their madness with to 
measure4 ,the will of the flesh is      
proved here small treasure1 ,and so is  
man's will1 for the grace of ,god doth  
all4 ,more of this matter conclude      
hereafter we shall4  ,thus endeth this  
tragedy or interlude1 manifesting the   
chief promises of ,god unto ,man by all 
ages in the old law1 from the fall of   
,adam to the incarnation of the ,lord   
,jesus ,christ4 ,compiled by ,john      
,bayle4 ,anno ,domini #aech4            
,,appendix ,a  ,,st4 ,,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 ,knight4  ,open your
 doors1 and let me in1 ,i hope your     
favours ,i shall win2 ,whether ,i rise  
or whether ,i fall1 ,i'll do my best to 
please you all4 ,st4 ,george is here1   
and swears he will come in1 ,and1 if he 
does1 ,i know he'll pierce my skin4 ,if 

you will not believe what ,i do say1    
,let ,father ,christmas come in--clear  
the way4  ,retires4  ,enter ,father     
,christmas4  ,here come ,i1 old ,father 
,christmas1     ,welcome1 or welcome    
not1 ,i hope old ,father ,christmas     
,will never be forgot4  ,i am not come  
here to laugh or to jeer1 ,but for a    
pocketfull of money1 and a skinfull of  
beer1 ,if you will not believe what ,i  
do say1 ,come in1 the ,king of          
,egypt6--clear the way6  ,enter the     
,king of ,egypt4  ,here ,i1 the ,king of
 ,egypt1 boldly do appear1 ,st4 ,george1
 ,st4 ,george1 walk in1 my only son and 
heir4 ,walk in1 my son ,st4 ,george1 and
 boldly act thy part1 ,that all the     
people here may see thy wond'rous art4  
,enter ,saint ,george4  ,here come ,i1  
,st4 ,george1 from ,britain did ,i      
spring1 ,i'll fight the ,dragon bold1 my
 wonders to begin4 ,i'll clip his wings1
 he shall not fly2 ,i'll cut him down1  
or else ,i die4  ,enter the ,dragon4    
,who's he that seeks the ,dragon's      

blood1 ,and calls so angry1 and so loud8
 ,that ,english dog1 will he before me  
stand8 ,i'll cut him down with my       
courageous hand4 ,with my long teeth1   
and scurvy jaw1 ,of such ,i'd break up  
half a score1 ,and stay my stomach1 till
 ,i'd more4  ,st4 ,george and the       
,dragon fight1 the latter is killed4    
,father ,christmas4 ,is there a doctor  
to be found   ,all ready1 near at hand1 
,to cure a deep and deadly wound1   ,and
 make the champion stand4  ,enter       
,doctor4  ,oh6 yes1 there is a doctor to
 be found     ,all ready1 near at hand1 
,to cure a deep and deadly wound1       
,and make the champion stand4  ,father  
,christmas4 ,what can you cure8         
,doctor4 ,all sorts of diseases1        
,whatever you pleases1 ,the phthisic1   
the palsy1 and the gout2 ,if the devil's
 in1 ,i'll blow him out4  ,father       
,christmas4 ,what is your fee8  ,doctor4
 ,fifteen pound1 it is my fee1     ,the 
money to lay down4 ,but1 as 'tis such a 
rogue as thee1     ,i cure for ten      

pound4  ,i carry a little bottle of     
alicumpane2     ,here ,jack1 take a     
little of my flip flop1     ,pour it    
down thy tip top2 ,rise up and fight    
again4  ,the ,doctor performs his cure1 
the fight is renewed1 and the ,dragon   
again killed4  ,saint ,george4 ,here am 
,i1 ,st4 ,george1     ,that worthy      
champion bold1 ,and with my sword and   
spear     ,i won three crowns of gold4  
,i fought the fiery dragon1     ,and    
brought him to the slaughter2 ,by that  
,i won fair ,sabra1     ,the ,king of   
,egypt's daughter4 ,where is the man1   
that now will me defy8 ,i'll cut his    
giblets full of holes1 and make his     
buttons fly4  ,the ,turkish ,knight     
advances4  ,here come ,i1 the ,turkish  
,knight1 ,come from the ,turkish land to
 fight4 ,i'll fight ,st4 ,george1 who is
 my foe1 ,i'll make him yield before ,i 
go2 ,he brags to such a high degree1 ,he
 thinks there's none can do the like of 
he4  ,saint ,george4 ,where is the      
,turk1 that will before me stand8 ,i'll 

cut him down with my courageous hand4   
,they fight1 the ,knight is overcome1   
and falls on one knee4  ,turkish        
,knight4 ,oh6 pardon me1 ,st4 ,george1  
pardon of thee ,i crave1 ,oh6 pardon me 
this night1 and ,i will be thy slave4   
,saint ,george4 ,no pardon shalt thou   
have1 while ,i have foot to stand1 ,so  
rise thee up again1 and fight out sword 
in hand4  ,they fight again1 and the    
,knight is killed4 ,father ,christmas   
calls for the ,doctor1 with whom the    
same dialogue occurs as before1 and the 
cure is performed4  ,enter the ,giant   
,turpin4  ,here come ,i1 the ,giant1    
bold ,turpin is my name1 ,and all the   
nations round do tremble at my fame4    
,where'er ,i go1 they tremble at my     
sight1 ,no lord or champion long with me
 would fight4  ,saint ,george4 ,here's  
one that dares to look thee in the face1
 ,and soon will send thee to another    
place4  ,they fight1 and the ,giant is  
killed2 medical aid is called in as     
before1 and the cure performed by the   

,doctor1 to whom then is given a basin  
of girdy grout and a kick1 and driven   
out4  ,father ,christmas4 ,now1 ladies  
and gentlemen1 your sport is most ended1
 ,so prepare for the hat1 which is      
highly commended4 ,the hat it would     
speak1 if it had but a tongue2 ,come    
throw in your money1 and think it no    
wrong4     ,,appendix ,b    ,,from ,,the
 ,,cornish ,,mystery ,,of ,,the         
,,crucifixion   ,jesus4 ,woman1 seest   
thou thy son8 ,a thousand times your    
arms have borne him   ,with tenderness4 
,and ,john1 behold thy mother2 ,thus    
keep her1 without denial1   ,as long as 
ye live4  ,mary4 ,alas6 alas6 oh6 sad1  
sad6   ,in my heart is sorrow1 ,when ,i 
see my son ,jesus1   ,about his head a  
crown of thorns ,he is ,son of ,god in  
every way1   ,and with that truly a     
,king2 ,feet and hands on every side    
,fast fixed with nails of iron4         
,alas6 ,that one shall have on the day  
of judgment   ,heavy doom1 flesh and    
blood1       ,who hath sold him4  ,john4

 ,o sweet mother1 do not bear sorrow1   
,for always1 in every way   ,i will be  
prepared for thee3 ,the will of thy ,son
 is so1 ,for to save so much as is good1
   ,since ,adam was created4  ,jesus4 ,o
 ,father1 ,eli1 ,eloy1  lama sabacthani8
   ,thou art my dear ,god1 ,why hast    
thou left me  a moment alone   ,in any  
manner8  #ast ,executioner4 ,he is      
calling ,elias2   ,watch now diligently 
,if he comes to save him4 ,if he        
delivers him1 really ,we will believe in
 him1   ,and worship him ever4  ,here a 
sponge is made ready1 with gall and     
vinegar4 ,and then the ,centurion stands
 in his tent1 and says3  ,centurion4 ,i 
will go to see   ,how it is with dear   
,jesus3 ,it were a pity on a good man   
,so much contumely to be cast4 ,if he   
were a bad man1 his fellow   ,could not 
in any way ,truly have such great grace1
   ,to save men by one word4  ,the      
,centurion goes down4  #bnd             
,executioner4 ,it is not ,elias whom he 
called2 ,thirst surely on him there is1 

,he finds it an evil thing4          ,he
 holds out a sponge ,behold here ,i have
 me ready1 ,gall and hyssop mixed2      
,wassail1 if there is great thirst4     
,jesus4 ,thirst on me there is4  #crd   
,executioner4 ,see1 a drink for thee    
here2   ,why dost thou not drink it8    
,rather shouldst thou a wonder work6    
,now1 come down from the cross1   ,and  
we will worship thee4  ,jesus4 ,o       
,father1 into thy hands   ,i commit my  
spirit2 ,by thy will take it to thee1   
,as thou sent it into the world4  ,then 
,jesus shall die4 ,here the sun is      
darkened4     ,,appendix ,c  ,,the      
,,town ,,cycles    ,i4--,,the ,,york    
,,pageants   ,the order of the ,pageants
 of the ,play of ,corpus ,christi1 in   
the time of the mayoralty of ,william   
,alne1 in the third year of the reign of
 ,king ,henry ,v4 anno #adae1 compiled  
by ,roger ,burton1 town clerk1--  ,i4   
,tanners4--,god the ,father ,almighty   
creating and forming the heavens1 angels
 and archangels2 ,lucifer and the angels

 that fell with him into hell4  ,,ii4   
,plasterers4--,god the ,father1 in his  
own substance1 creating the earth1 and  
all which is therein1 in the space of   
five days4  ,,iii4 ,carde-makers4--,god 
the ,father creating ,adam of the slime 
of the earth1 and making ,eve of the    
rib1 and inspiring them with the spirit 
of life4  ,,iv4 ,fullers4--,god         
prohibiting ,adam and ,eve from eating  
of the tree of life4  ,v4               
,coupers4--,adam and ,eve with a tree   
betwixt them2 the serpent deceiving them
 with apples2 ,god speaking to them and 
cursing the serpent1 and an angel with a
 sword driving them out of paradise4    
,,vi4 ,armourers4--,adam and ,eve1 an   
angel with a spade and a distaff        
assigning them labour4  ,,vii4          
,gaunters4--,abel and ,cain killing     
sacrifices4  ,,viii4 ,shipwrights4--,god
 foretelling ,noah to make an ark of    
light wood4  ,,ix4 ,fyshmongers1        
,pessyners1 ,mariners4--,noah in the ark
 with his wife and three children1 and  

divers animals4  ,x4 ,perchemyners1     
,bukbynders4--,abraham sacrificing his  
son ,isaac2 a ram1 bush1 and angel4     
,,xi4 ,hosyers4--,moses exalting the    
serpent in the wilderness2 king         
,pharaoh2 eight ,jews admiring and      
expecting4  ,,xii4 ,spicers4--,mary and 
a doctor declaring the sayings of the   
prophets about the future birth of      
,christ2 an angel saluting her4 ,mary   
saluting ,elizabeth4  ,,xiii4           
,peuterers1 ,founders4--,mary1 ,joseph  
willing to put her away1 an angel       
speaking to them that they should go to 
,bethlehem4  ,,xiv4 ,tylers4--,mary1    
,joseph1 a midwife1 the child born lying
 in a manger betwixt an ox and an ass1  
and the angel speaking to the shepherds4
  ,,xv4 ,chaundelers4--,the shepherds   
speaking by turns2 the star in the east2
 an angel giving joy to the shepherds   
that a child was born4  ,,xvi4          
,goldsmithes1 ,orfeures4--,the three    
kings coming from the east1 ,herod      
asking them about the child ,christ2    

with the son of ,herod1 two counsellors 
and a messenger4  ,,xvii4 ,gold-beters1 
,mone-makers4--,mary with the child and 
the star above1 and the three kings     
offering gifts4  ,,xviii4               
,masons4--,mary with the child2 ,joseph1
 ,anna1 and a nurse with young pigeons2 
,simeon receiving the child in his arms1
 and two sons of ,simeon4  ,,xix4       
,marashals4--,mary with the child1 and  
,joseph flying into ,egypt1 by an       
angel's telling them4  ,,xx4            
,girdellers1 ,naylers1 ,sawters4--,herod
 commanding the children to be slain1   
four soldiers with lances1 two          
counsellors of the king1 and four women 
lamenting the slaughter of them4  ,,xxi4
 ,sporiers1 ,lorymers4--,the doctors1   
the child ,jesus sitting in the temple  
in the midst of them1 hearing them and  
asking them questions4 ,four ,jews1     
,mary and ,joseph seeking him and       
finding him in the temple4  ,,xxii4     
,barbers4--,jesus1 ,john the baptist    
baptising him1 and two angels helping   

them4  ,,xxiii4 ,vyntners4--,jesus1     
,mary1 bridgeroom and bride1 master of  
the household with his family with six  
water-pots1 where water is turned into  
wine4  ,,xxiv4 ,smythes1                
,fevers4--,jesus upon the pinnacle of   
the temple2 ,satan tempting with stones2
 two angels administering1 etc4  ,,xxv4 
,corvisors4--,peter1 ,james and ,john2  
,jesus ascending into the mountain and  
transfiguring himself before them4      
,moses and ,elias appearing1 and a voice
 speaking from a cloud4  ,,xxvi4        
,elennagers4--,simon the leper asking   
,jesus if he would eat with him4 ,two   
disciples2 ,mary ,magdalene washing the 
feet of ,jesus1 and wiping them with her
 hair4  ,,xxvii4 ,plummers1             
,patten-makers4--,jesus1 two ,apostles1 
the woman taken in adultery1 four ,jews 
accusing her4  ,,xxviii4 ,pouch-makers1 
,botillers1 ,cap-makers4--,lazarus in   
the sepurchre2 ,mary ,magdalene1        
,martha1 and two ,jews admiring4        
,,xxix4 ,vestment-makers1               

,skynners4--,jesus upon an ass with its 
foal2 twelve ,apostles following ,jesus2
 six rich and six poor men1 with eight  
boys with branches of palm trees1       
constantly saying blessed1 etc41 and    
,zaccheus ascending into a sycamore     
tree4  ,,xxx4 ,cuttelers1               
,blade-smythes1 ,shethers1 ,scalers1    
,buklemakers1 ,horners4--,pilate1       
,caiaphas1 two soldiers1 three ,jews1   
,judas selling ,jesus4  ,,xxxi4 ,bakers1
 ,waterleders4--,the supper of the ,lord
 and paschal ,lamb1 twelve apostles2    
,jesus1 tied about with a linen towel1  
washing their feet4 ,the institution of 
the sacrament of the body of ,christ in 
the new law1 and communion of the       
,apostles4  ,,xxxii4                    
,cordwaners4--,pilate1 ,caiaphas1       
,annas1 forty armed soldiers1 ,malchas1 
,peter1 ,james1 ,john1 ,jesus1 and      
,judas kissing and betraying him4       
,,xxxiii4 ,bowers1 ,fletchers4--,jesus1 
,annas1 ,caiaphas1 and four ,jews       
striking and bastinadoing ,christ4      

,peter1 the woman accusing him1 and     
,malchas4  ,,xxxiv4 ,tapisers1          
,couchers4--,jesus1 ,pilate1 ,annas1    
,caiaphas2 two counsellors and four     
,jews accusing ,christ4  ,,xxxv4        
,littesters4--,herod1 two counsellors1  
four soldiers1 ,jesus1 and three ,jews4 
,,xxxvi4 ,cukes1                        
,water-leders4--,pilate1 ,annas1        
,caiaphas1 two ,jews1 and ,judas        
carrying from them thirty pieces of     
silver4  ,,xxxvii4                      
,sauce-makers4--,judas hanging himself4 
,,xxxviii4 ,milners1 ,tiel-makers1      
,ropers1 ,cevers1 ,turners1 ,hayresters1
 ,bollers4--,jesus1 ,pilate1 ,caiaphas1 
,annas1 six soldiers carrying spears and
 ensigns1 and other four leading ,jesus 
from ,herod desiring ,barabbas to be    
released and ,jesus to be crucified1 and
 then binding and scourging him1 putting
 a crown of thorns upon his head2 three 
soldiers casting lots for the vesture of
 ,jesus4  ,,xxxix4 ,shermen4--,jesus    
covered with blood bearing his cross    

towards mount ,calvary1 ,simon          
,sereneus1 etc4  ,,xl4 ,pynners1        
,lateners1 ,paynters4--,the cross1      
,jesus extended upon it on the earth2   
four ,jews scourging him with whips1 and
 afterwards erecting the cross1 with    
,jesus upon it1 on ,mount ,calvary4     
,,xli4 ,bouchers1 ,pulterers4--,the     
cross1 two thieves crucified and ,jesus 
suspended betwixt them2 ,mary the mother
 of ,jesus1 ,john1 ,mary1 ,james and    
,salome2 a soldier with a lance1 and a  
servant with a sponge4 ,pilate1 ,annas1 
,caiaphas1 a centurion1 ,joseph of      
,arimathea1 and ,nicodemus taking him   
down and laying him in the sepulchre4   
,,xlii4 ,satellers1 ,sellers1           
,glasiers4--,jesus destroying hell2     
twelve good and twelve evil spirits4    
,,xliii4 ,carpenters1 ,joyners4--,the   
centurion declaring to ,pilate1         
,caiaphas and ,annas1 with other ,jews1 
the signs appearing on the death of     
,jesus4  ,,xliv4 ,cartwrights1 ,carvers1
 ,sawyers4--,jesus rising from the      

sepulchre1 four soldiers armed1 and     
three ,marias lamenting2 ,pilate1       
,caiaphas1 and ,annas2 a young man      
clothed in white sitting in the         
sepulchre and talking to the women4     
,,xlv4 ,wyedrawers4--,jesus1 ,mary1     
,mary ,magdalene with spices4  ,,xlvi4  
,broggers1 ,wool-pakkers1               
,wadsmen4--,jesus1 ,luke and ,cleophas  
in the form of travellers4  ,,xlvii4    
,escriviners1 ,lumners1 ,questors1      
,dubbors4--,jesus1 ,peter1 ,john1       
,james1 ,philip and other ,apostles2    
,thomas feeling the wounds of ,jesus4   
,,xlviii4 ,taillyoures4--,mary1 ,john   
the ,evangelist1 two angels1 and eleven 
,apostles2 ,jesus ascending before them1
 and four angels bearing a cloud4       
,,xlix4 ,potters4--,mary1 two angels1   
eleven ,apostles1 the ,holy ,ghost      
descending upon them1 and four ,jews    
admiring4  ,l4 ,drapers4--,jesus1 ,mary1
 ,gabriel with two angels1 two virgins  
and three ,jews of the kindred of ,mary1
 eight ,apostles1 and two devils4  ,,li4

 ,lynwevers4--,four ,apostles bearing   
the shrine of ,mary1 ,fergus hanging    
upon it with two other ,jews1 and one   
angel4  ,,lii4 ,wevers of wollen4--,mary
 ascending with a multitude of angels2  
eight ,apostles1 with ,thomas preaching 
in the desert4  ,,liii4                 
,hostilers4--,mary1 and ,jesus crowning 
her with a great number of angels4      
,,liv4 ,mercers4--,jesus1 ,mary1 twelve 
,apostles2 four angels with trumpets1   
and four with a lance with two scourges2
 four good and four bad spirits1 and six
 devils4    ,,ii4--,,the ,,wakefield    
7,,or ,,woodkirk7 ,,plays   ,from the   
,towneley ,collection  ,i4 ,creatio4    
,,ii4 ,mactatio ,abel4  ,,iii4          
,processus ,noe cum filiis4  ,,iv4      
,abraham4  ,v4 ,isaac4  ,,vi4 ,jacob4   
,,vii4 ,processus ,prophetarum4  ,,viii4
 ,pharao4  ,,ix4 ,csar ,augustus4  ,x4  
,annunciatio4  ,,xi4 ,salutatio         
,elizabeth4  ,,xii4 ,prima ,pagina      
,pastorum4  ,,xiii4 ,secunda ,pagina    
,pastorum4  ,,xiv4 ,oblatio ,magorum4   

,,xv4 ,fugatio ,joseph et ,mari in      
,egyptum4  ,,xvi4 ,magnus ,herodes4     
,,xvii4 ,purificatio ,mari4  ,,xviii4   
,pagina ,doctorum4  ,,xix4 ,johannes    
,baptista4  ,,xx4 ,conspiratio et       
,captio4  ,,xxi4 ,coliphizatio4  ,,xxii4
 ,flagellatio4  ,,xxiii4 ,processus     
,crucis4  ,,xxiv4 ,processus            
,talentorum4  ,,xxv4 ,extractio         
,animarum ab ,inferno4  ,,xxvi4         
,resurrectio ,domini4  ,,xxvii4         
,peregrini4  ,,xxviii4 ,thomas ,indi4   
,,xxix4 ,ascensio ,domini4  ,,xxx4      
,juditium4  ,,xxxi4 ,lazarus4  ,,xxxii4 
,suspensio ,jud4    ,,iii4--,,the       
,,chester ,,plays   ,i4 ,the ,fall of   
,lucifer1 by the ,tanners4  ,,ii4 ,the  
,creation1 by the ,drapers4  ,,iii4 ,the
 ,deluge1 by the ,dyers4  ,,iv4         
,abraham1 ,melchisedech1 and ,lot1 by   
the ,barbers and ,wax-chandlers4  ,v4   
,moses1 ,balak1 and ,balaam1 by the     
,hatters and ,linen-drapers4  ,,vi4 ,the
 ,salutation and ,nativity1 by the      
,wrights4  ,,vii4 ,the ,shepherds       

feeding their flocks by night1 by the   
,painters and ,glaziers4  ,,viii4 ,the  
three ,kings1 by the ,vintners4  ,,ix4  
,the ,oblation of the three ,kings1 by  
the ,mercers4  ,x4 ,the ,killing of the 
,innocents1 by the ,goldsmiths4  ,,xi4  
,the ,purification1 by the ,blacksmiths4
  ,,xii4 ,the ,temptation1 by the       
,butchers4  ,,xiii4 ,the ,blindmen and  
,lazarus1 by the ,glovers4  ,,xiv4      
,jesus and the ,lepers1 by the          
,corvisors4  ,,xv4 ,the last ,supper1 by
 the ,bakers4  ,,xvi4 ,the ,passion and 
,crucifixion of ,christ1 by the         
,fletchers1 ,coopers1 and ,ironmongers4 
,,xvii4 ,the ,descent into ,hell1 by the
 ,cooks4  ,,xviii4 ,the ,resurrection1  
by the ,skinners4  ,,xix4 ,the          
,appearing of ,christ to the two        
,disciples1 by the ,saddlers4  ,,xx4    
,the ,ascension1 by the ,tailors4       
,,xxi4 ,the ,election of ,st4 ,mathias1 
sending of the ,holy ,ghost1 by the     
,fishmongers4  ,,xxii4 ,ezekiel1 by the 
,clothiers4  ,,xxiii4 ,antichrist1 by   

the ,dyers4  ,,xxiv4 ,the ,day of       
,judgement1 by the ,websters4           
,,iv--,,the ,,ludus ,,coventri#fca   ,i4
 ,the ,creation4  ,,ii4 ,the ,fall of   
,man4  ,,iii4 ,the ,death of ,abel4     
,,iv4 ,noah's ,flood4  ,v4 ,abraham's   
,sacrifice4  ,,vi4 ,moses and the ,two  
,tables4  ,,vii4 ,the ,genealogy of     
,christ4  ,,viii4 ,anna's ,pregnancy4   
,,ix4 ,mary in the ,temple4  ,x4 ,her   
,betrothment4  ,,xi4 ,the ,salutation   
and ,conception4  ,,xii4 ,joseph's      
,return4  ,,xiii4 ,the ,visit to        
,elizabeth4  ,,xiv4 ,the ,trial of      
,joseph and ,mary4  ,,xv4 ,the ,birth of
 ,christ4  ,,xvi4 ,the ,shepherd's      
,offering4  ,,xvii4 ,caret in ,,ms4     
,,xviii4 ,adoration of the ,magi4 ,,xix4
 ,the ,purification4  ,,xx4 ,slaughter  
of the ,innocents4  ,,xxi4 ,christ      
disputing in the ,temple4  ,,xxii4 ,the 
,baptism of ,christ4  ,,xxiii4 ,the     
,temptation4  ,,xxiv4 ,the ,woman taken 
in ,adultery4  ,,xxv4 ,lazarus4  ,,xxvi4
 ,council of the ,jews4  ,,xxvii4 ,mary 

,magdalen4  ,,xxviii4 ,christ betrayed4 
,,xxix4 ,herod4  ,,xxx4 ,the ,trial of  
,christ4  ,,xxxi4 ,the ,dream of        
,pilate's ,wife4  ,,xxxii4 ,the         
,crucifixion4  ,,xxxiii4 ,the ,descent  
into ,hell4  ,,xxxiv4 ,sealing of the   
,tomb4  ,,xxxv4 ,the ,resurrection4     
,,xxxvi4 ,the ,three ,marias4  ,,xxxvii4
 ,christ appearing to ,mary ,magdalen4  
,,xxxviii4 ,the ,pilgrim of ,emaus4     
,,xxxix4 ,the ,ascension4  ,,xl4        
,descent of the ,holy ,ghost4  ,,xli4   
,the ,assumption of the ,virgin4        
,,xlii4 ,doomsday4     ,,appendix ,d    
,i4--,properties and ,dresses used for  
the ,coventry ,smiths' ,pageant of the  
,trial1 ,condemnation1 and ,crucifixion 
of ,christ between the ,years #addi and 
#aehe   ,the ,cross with a ,rope to draw
 it up1 and a ,curtain hanging before   
it4 ,gilding for the ,pillar and the    
,cross4 #b ,pair of ,gallows4 #d        
,scourges and a ,pillar4 ,scaffold4     
,fanes to the ,pageant4 ,mending of     
,imagery occurs #adfi4 ,a ,standard of  

red ,buckram4 ,two red ,pensiles of     
,cloth painted1 and silk ,fringe4 ,iron 
to hold up the ,streamer4  #d ,gowns and
 #d ,hoods for the ,tormentors4--7,these
 are afterwards described as ,jackets of
 black buckram with nails and dice upon 
them47 ,other #d gowns with damask      
flowers2 also #b ,jackets party red and 
black4  #b ,mitres 7for ,cayphas and    
,annas74 ,a ,rochet for one of the      
,bishops4 ,god's ,coat of white leather1
 #f skins4 ,a ,staff for the ,demon4 #b 
,spears4 ,gloves 7#ab pair at once74    
,herod's ,crest of ,iron4 ,scarlet      
,hoods and a ,tabard4 ,hats and ,caps4  
,cheverel ,peruke for ,god4 #c          
,cheverels and a ,beard4 #b ,cheverels  
gilt for ,jesus and ,peter4 ,faulchion  
for ,herod4 ,scarlet ,gown4 ,maces4     
,,ii4--,the ,chester ,bannes or ,bans   
,reverende lordes and ladyes all1 ,that 
at this time here assembled bee1 ,by    
this messuage understande you shall1    
,that sometymes there was mayor of this 
citie1 ,sir ,john ,arnway1 ,knyghte1 who

 most worthilye ,contented himselfe to  
set out an playe ,the devise of one     
,done ,randali1 moonke of ,chester      
,abbey4  ,this moonke1 moonke-like1 in  
scriptures well seene1 ,in storyes      
travelled with the best sorte2 ,in      
pagentes set fourth1 apparently to all  
eyne1 ,the ,olde and ,newe ,testament   
with livelye comforte2 ,intermynglinge  
therewith1 onely to make sporte1 ,some  
things not warranted by any writt1      
,which to gladd the hearers he woulde   
men to take yt4  ,this matter he        
abrevited into playes twenty-foure1 ,and
 every playe of the matter gave but a   
taste1 ,leavinge for better learninges  
circumstances to accomplishe1 ,for his  
proceedinges maye appeare to be in      
haste3 ,yet all together unprofitable   
his labour he did not waste1 ,for at    
this daye1 and ever1 he deserveth the   
fame ,which all moonkes deserve         
professinge that name4         99       
99       99       99       99  ,this    
worthy ,knyghte ,arnway1 then mayor of  

this citie1 ,this order toke1 as declare
 to you ,i shall1 ,that by twenty-fower 
occupations1 artes1 craftes1 or         
misteries1 ,these pagentes shoulde be   
played affter breeffe rehearsall2 ,for  
every pagente a cariage to be provyded  
withall1 ,in which sorte we purpose this
 ,whitsontyde1 ,our pagentes into three 
partes to devyde4  ,now you worshippful 
,tanners that of custume olde ,the fall 
of ,lucifer did set out1 ,some writers  
awarrante your matter1 therefore be     
boulde ,lustelye to playe the same to   
all the rowtte2 ,and yf any thereof     
stand in any doubte1 ,your author his   
author hath1 your shewe let bee1 ,good  
speech1 fyne players1 with apparill     
comelye4  ,the good symple water-leaders
 and drawers of deey1 ,see that your    
,arke in all poyntes be prepared2 ,of   
,noy and his children the wholl storye1 
,and of the universall floude1 by you   
shalbe played4  ,the ,sacrifice that    
faithfull ,abraham of his sonne should  
make1 ,you barbers and waxe-chaundlers  

of ,aunciente tyme1 ,in the fourth      
pageante with paines you doe take1 ,in  
decente sorte set out--the storie is    
ffine-- ,the offeringe of ,melchesedecke
 of breade and wine1 ,and the           
presentacion therof set in your playe1  
,suffer you not in any poynte the story 
to decaye4    ,,iii4--,cornish ,miracle 
,plays   ,from ,norris's ,ancient       
,cornish ,drama  ,we have no notice of  
the performance of the ,cornish plays   
earlier than that of ,richard ,carew1   
whose survey of ,cornwall was first     
printed in #afjb4 ,in his time they even
 played in regular amphitheatres1 and   
the account he gives is well worth      
extracting1 as it affords a vivid       
picture by one who was in all           
probability an eye-witness1 nearly three
 centuries ago4 ,the quasy miracle1 in  
,english1 a miracle play1 is a kinde of 
interlude1 compiled in ,cornish out of  
some ,scripture history1 with that      
grossenes which accompanied the ,romanes
 vetus ,comedia4 ,for representing it1  

they raise an earthen amphitheatre in   
some open field1 having the ,diameter of
 his enclosed playne some #dj or #ej    
foot4 ,the ,country people flock from   
all sides1 many miles off to hear and   
see it2 for they have therein devils and
 devices1 to delight as well the eye as 
the eare2 the players conne not their   
parts without booke1 but are prompted by
 one called the ,ordinary1 who followeth
 at their back with the booke in his    
hand1 and telleth them softly what they 
must pronounce aloud4  ,writing a       
century and a half later than ,carew1   
,dr4 ,borlase describes the             
amphitheatres in which these ,cornish   
plays were given2 more particularly one 
in the parish of ,st4 ,just near the    
,land's ,end4 ,this round as it was     
popularly called1 was an exact circle of
 #abf feet in diameter2 the             
perpendicular height of the bank1 from  
the area within1 now seven feet2 but the
 height from the bottom of the ditch    
without1 ten feet at present1 formerly  

more4 ,the seats consist of six steps1  
fourteen inches wide1 and one foot high1
 with one on the top of all1 when the   
rampart is about seven feet wide4       
,another round or amphitheatre was      
described by ,dr4 ,borlase as a         
perfectly level area #acj feet across1  
and surrounded by an earthen mound eight
 feet high4  ,in such magnificent       
surroundings of open-air1 picturesque   
country1 sea1 and sky1 were these       
curious plays given to instruct and     
edify a multitude drawn at large from   
the country-side1 which often must      
remain camped for two or three days in  
the neighbourhood to see the            
performances out4    ,,iv4--,from ,the  
,cornish ,drama1 by ,henry ,jenner      
7,celtic ,review1 ,april #aijg7  ,the   
trilogy known as the ,ordinalia consists
 of3--7a7 ,origo ,mundi1 which begins   
with the ,creation of the ,world1 444   
and ends with the building of ,solomon's
 ,temple2 7b7 ,passio ,domini1 which    
represents the ,temptation of ,christ   

and the events from the ,entry into     
,jerusalem to the ,entombment2 7c7      
,resurrectio ,domini1 which gives the   
story of the ,harrowing of ,hell1 444   
the ,resurrection1 and the events       
between the ,resurrection and the       
,ascension with which it ends4          
,interpolated in the middle is the      
,legend of ,st4 ,veronica1 and          
,tiberius1 and the ,death of ,pilate4   
,running through all three is the old   
legend of the ,origin of the ,wood of   
the ,cross4 7,our two ,mysteries are    
from ,c74    ,v4--,contemporary ,account
 of ,sir ,david ,lindsay's ,satire of   
the ,three ,estates   7,from a ,letter  
,written by ,sir ,wm4 ,eure1 #bfth ,jan4
 #aedj7  ,in the feast of ,ephipane at  
,lightgowe1 before the king1 queene1 and
 the whole counsaile1 spirituall and    
temporall4--,in the firste entres come  
in ,solace 7whose parte was but to make 
mery1 sing ballets with his fellowes1   
and drink at the interluydes of the     
play71 whoe showed firste to all the    

audience the play to be played4 ,next   
come in a king1 who passed to his       
throne1 having nae speche to thende of  
the play1 and then to ratify and        
approve1 as in ,parliament1 all things  
done by the rest of the players1 which  
represented ,the ,three ,estates4 ,with 
him came his cortiers1 ,placebo1        
,picthank1 and ,flatterye1 and sic alike
 gard3 one swering he was the lustiest1 
starkeste1 best proportionit1 and most  
valeyant man that ever was2 and ane     
other swore he was the beste with       
long-bowe1 crosse-bowe1 and culverin1   
and so fourth4 ,thairafter there come a 
man armed in harness1 with a swerde     
drawn in his hande1 a ,bushop1 a        
,burgesman1 and ,experience1 clede like 
a ,doctor2 who set them all down on the 
deis under the ,king4 ,after them come a
 ,poor ,man1 who did go up and down the 
scaffolde1 making a hevie complainte    
that he was hereyet1 throw the courtiers
 taking his fewe in one place1 and his  
tackes in another2 wherthrough he had   

sceyled his house1 his wyfe and         
childrene beggyng thair brede1 and so of
 many thousands in ,scotland2 saying    
thair was no remedy to be gotten1 as he 
was neither acquainted with controller  
nor treasurer4 ,and then he looked to   
the ,king1 and said he was not king in  
,scotland1 fore there was ane other king
 in ,scotland that hanged ,johne        
,armstrang1 with his fellowes1 ,sym the 
,laird1 and mony other mae2 but he had  
lefte ane thing undone4 ,then he made a 
long narracione of the oppression of the
 poor1 by the taking of the             
corse-presaunte beists1 and of the      
herrying of poor men by the consistorye 
lawe1 and of many other abusions of the 
,spiritualitie and ,church4 ,then the   
,bushop raise and rebuked him4 ,then the
 ,man of ,armes alledged the contraire1 
and commanded the poor man to go on4    
,the poor man proceeds with a long list 
of the bushop's evil practices1 the     
vices of cloisters1 etc4 ,this proved by
 ,experience1 who1 from a ,new          

,testament1 shows the office of a       
bushop4 ,the ,man of ,armes and the     
,burges approve of all that was said    
against the clergy1 and alledge the     
expediency of a reform1 with the consent
 of ,parliament4 ,the ,bushop dissents4 
,the ,man of ,armes and the ,burges said
 they were two1 and he but one1         
wherefore their voice should have most  
effect4 ,thereafter the ,king1 in the   
play1 ratified1 approved1 and confirmed 
all that was rehearsed4     ,,footnotes3
    #a rade1 quickly4  #b sew1 i4e4     
stitch on the planks together4  #c      
,bow--the arched frame on which the ship
 is built4  #d tents  #e ,extracts from 
the ,municipal ,records of ,york1 #ahdc1
 and ,walks through the ,city of ,york4 
#f ,see ,appendix ,c4 for the ,chester  
,banns4  #g is impaired4  #h know4  #i  
mediator4  #aj been gotten1 been born4  
#aa ,god4  #ab born4  #ac blame4  #ad   
,if you go by me4  #ae with4  #af       
season4  #ag speed in help of all4  #ah 
foe4  #ai cease4  #bj slime1 or pitch4  

#ba take4  #bb hinder1 stop4  #bc vex4  
#bd prepared4  #be slime1 mud4  #bf     
prepare4  #bg tide4  #bh nonsense4  #bi 
advice4  #cj noise4  #ca immediately4   
#cb stop4  #cc ready4  #cd settled4  #ce
 comfortable4  #cf go4  #cg ,business1  
occupation4  #ch ,and being conquered   
she deals a slap4  #ci fidelity4  #dj   
kind4  #da faith4  #db haste4  #dc      
prepare4  #dd steer4  #de ready4  #df   
,thee now must ,i have in mind4  #dg    
promise4  #dh cease4  #di leave4  #ej   
covenant4  #ea anger4  #eb in haste4    
#ec hindering4  #ed fail4  #ee might4   
#ef without suspicion4  #eg beseech4    
#eh precious stones4  #ei might4  #fj   
verily4  #fa leasing4  #fb bequest3     
,maundy really meant command4  #fc      
faith4  #fd might4  #fe nurseling1      
foster-child4  #ff lament4  #fg count4  
#fh fore-buy 7pre-purchase with his     
blood74  #fi faith4  #gj verily4  #ga   
truly4  #gb household4  #gc be slack1 or
 slow4  #gd middle-yard1--farm-yard3    
i4e4 instead of all creatures from the  

farm-yard4  #ge hesitate4  #gf obedient4
  #gg deny4  #gh reward4  #gi afraid4   
#hj kerchief4  #ha hesitate1 delay4  #hb
 in good faith4  #hc promised ,i4  #hd  
debonair4  #he find1 find means4  #hf   
numb of hand4  #hg fast tied 7to a lord1
 as a public-house to a brewer74  #hh   
husbandmen4  #hi a painted sleeve4  #ij 
bragging4  #ia peacock4  #ib forego4    
#ic ,benedicite4  #id spiteful4  #ie we 
silly wedded men endure much woe4  #if  
placed1 bestead4  #ig is riven asunder4 
#ih briar4  #ii tarrying4  #ajj         
slithers1 slides away4  #aja more and   
more4  #ajb ,you are two who wit1 or    
know1 all4  #ajc field4  #ajd hind4     
#aje till such time as we have made it4 
#ajf stint our wages4  #ajg argue4  #ajh
 a light bargain yields badly4  #aji    
went4  #aaj to make mirth among us4     
#aaa stars4  #aab harnes in original1   
which may mean harness4  #aac such 7of  
such74  #aad ,i4  #aae be thwacked1 or  
flogged4  #aaf eye4  #aag jest4  #aah   
rumour 7ill repute74  #aai hot4  #abj   

needle--not a little bit4  #aba brood1  
children4  #abb plaything4  #abc worse4 
#abd early waked1 or perhaps1 wearied by
 watching4  #abe over-walked4  #abf at  
once4  #abg ,into thy hands ,i commend  
7them71 ,pontius ,pilate4  #abh few4    
#abi learn4  #acj chare1--job1 as in    
charwoman4  #aca wicket4  #acb toil4    
#acc flayed4  #acd ,the devil of them   
give warning4  #ace jest4  #acf         
advisest1 sayest so8  #acg company4     
#ach ,benedicite4  #aci mad  #adj dream4
  #ada sloth787  #adb bellies4  #adc    
brains4  #add prosper4  #ade where4     
#adf waning moon4  #adg comes4  #adh    
lie4  #adi plays4  #aej thereto4  #aea  
,help6 or ,halloo6  #aeb lost4  #aec    
,god forbid4  #aed ,horbery             
,shrubberies1 near ,wakefield4  #aee    
die4  #aef advise4  #aeg call4  #aeh    
take on1 make game4  #aei breathe4  #afj
 nose 787 ,the so he is meant for a she4
  #afa enow1 enough4  #afb went4  #afc  
went1 were grazing4  #afd bothers us1   
makes us suspect4  #afe suspicion4  #aff

 swelter4  #afg fared4  #afh been in    
labour4  #afi confound it4  #agj soft4  
#aga empty4  #agb a boy4  #agc a lie4   
#agd faith4  #age hubbub4  #agf done4   
#agg day-star4  #agh gem1 something     
prankt out1 or shown off1 like a false  
gem4  #agi scold  #ahj hight1 be called4
  #aha say  #ahb bewitched  #ahc be     
avenged1 wreak vengeance4  #ahd i4e4 for
 a changeling4  #ahe curse nor flout4   
#ahf chide4  #ahg vex about it4  #ahh   
gracious4  #ahi lost4  #aij destroy4    
#aia free1 or divine1 ,one4  #aib voice4
  #aic name1 relate4  #aid lightning4   
#aie star4  #aif three short notes to a 
long one4  #aig shouted it out4  #aih   
take4  #aii delay4  #bjj can mind4  #bja
 eager4  #bjb unlearn'd1 rude4  #bjc    
happiness4  #bjd demon1 evil one4  #bje 
worker of evil4 ,the he in the next line
 refers to the ,holy ,babe again4  #bjf 
pate1 little tiny-pate  #bjg day-star4  
#bjh hand4  #bji set all alight2 gave   
light to all4  #baj could he 7i4e4 the  
babe7 tell1 name4  #baa weened2 i4e4    

laughed as if he knew all about it4     
#bab found4  #bac bound4  #bad ,let us  
sing it aloft1 or aloud6  #bae ,behold1 
a ,virgin shall conceive6  #baf glad4   
#bag for ever and ever4  #bah deceits1  
darknesses4  #bai commit4  #bbj         
physician1 healer4  #bba ruined4  #bbb  
equal or like4  #bbc messenger4  #bbd   
eyes4  #bbe wend1 journey4  #bbf stay4  
#bbg hill4  #bbh gust4  #bbi wold4  #bcj
 noble4  #bca win4  #bcb ,news1 news6   
#bcc marvels4  #bcd descent1 lineage4   
#bce give advice4  #bcf boldly1 openly4 
#bcg to4  #bch ,the devil run away with 
you6 ,the whole of this ,herald's speech
 is in corrupt ,french1 of which only   
the last speech1 evidently a comic      
aside1 is retained4  #bci ,he that      
reigns1 ,king in ,judea and ,israel4    
#bdj strokes1 loud blows4  #bda tribute4
  #bdb message4  #bdc await4  #bdd 787  
and gentle or noble4  #bde prepared4    
#bdf undo4  #bdg prepared1 ready4  #bdh 
,all in company4  #bdi mien1 face4  #bej
 trouble1 or from haro1 help4  #bea     

travel4  #beb childbed1 or lying-in     
chamber4  #bec company4  #bed go free4  
#bee summons4  #bef childbed4  #beg     
raiment4  #beh fire4  #bei mad4  #bfj   
wild countryman4  #bfa rede1 advice4    
#bfb fame4  #bfc reward4  #bfd order4   
#bfe take4  #bff slay4  #bfg deceiver4  
#bfh mad4  #bfi say against it1 deny it4
  #bgj have been4  #bga slay4  #bgb     
explore4  #bgc at once4  #bgd know4     
#bge vex4  #bgf destroyed4  #bgg heed4  
#bgh boaster4  #bgi wisdom4  #bhj evil4 
#bha vanquish4  #bhb advise4  #bhc      
death4  #bhd idolatry4  #bhe meddle4    
#bhf destroyed4  #bhg a-deal4  #bhh     
saddle4  #bhi i4e4 ,be not afraid to    
fall4  #bij left unsaid4  #bia prepared4
  #bib burst4  #bic burst4  #bid hands4 
#bie each sinew from sinew4  #bif so may
 you thrive4  #big ,good ,lord6  #bih   
there4  #bii smith4  #cjj hammer4  #cja 
part4  #cjb hands4  #cjc mortice 7the   
hole cut in the ground-piece74  #cjd    
pleasantly4  #cje buffeted4  #cjf       
strength4  #cjg mood4  #cjh hands4  #cji

 cast up4  #caj guiltless4  #caa slay4  
#cab shew4  #cac repose4  #cad          
requitest4  #cae lose4  #caf labour4    
#cag in wont4  #cah despoiled1          
destroyed4  #cai thinks1 knows4  #cbj   
i4e4 ,does he think we care how he      
suffers8  #cba burst4  #cbb the grief ,i
 bear4  #cbc face1 visage4  #cbd        
garments1 aspect4  #cbe nurseling1 fed  
child4  #cbf hold1 rest4  #cbg how      
should ,i stand still in my place4  #cbh
 blue4  #cbi nails4  #ccj companion4    
#cca treasure4  #ccb liking4  #ccc blue4
  #ccd more4  #cce perish4  #ccf bear4  
#ccg good1 gain4  #cch hard1 dearly4    
#cci flesh4  #cdj faded4  #cda doubt4   
#cdb more4  #cdc fair1 the opposite of  
uncouth4  #cdd ,methinks4  #cde         
followers4  #cdf weep4  #cdg ,he will   
beat down our fall or evil1 as he       
promised4  #cdh promised4  #cdi without 
counsel4  #cej torn4  #cea in wont1     
habitually4  #ceb burst for no grief4   
#cec cease4  #ced grief4  #cee stay4    
#cef noble babe4  #ceg clothed4  #ceh   

high4  #cei more4  #cfj against wrong4  
#cfa go4  #cfb face1 complexion4  #cfc  
surely4  #cfd blame4  #cfe die4  #cff   
few4  #cfg weep4  #cfh promised4  #cfi  
beat down our bale1 or evil4  #cgj      
promised4  #cga place4  #cgb believe thy
 word4  #cgc pricks4  #cgd dole1 or     
grief thou endurest4  #cge cast about1  
cousin1 in thy thought4  #cgf swinged   
with whips4  #cgg cease4  #cgh reed4    
#cgi offer4  #chj trouble4  #cha at all 
costs4  #chb pretended great prophecies4
  #chc quickly4  #chd unless he can shew
 still further craft1 or art4  #che all 
ways1 quite4  #chf ,saying1 as in a wise
 saw4  #chg draw lots4  #chh beguiled4  
#chi scroll4  #cij am bewildered4  #cia 
,what meddle ye with8  #cib ,what ,i    
wrote is written4  #cic fellow4  #cid   
ill fall the day4  #cie quickly4  #cif  
bear4  #cig insults1 miscallings4  #cih 
knowing1 willing4  #cii grave4  #djj    
host of men1 company4  #dja hands4  #djb
 harm4  #djc have compassion4  #djd     
compelled4  #dje torment4  #djf counsel4

  #djg were gone4  #djh put in grave4   
#dji in reason4  #daj draw4  #daa wound 
in his shroud4  #dab caused them to     
make4  #dac ,easter4  #dad father4  #dae
 ,adam's miss1 or fall4  #daf ,sooth to 
say to thee4  #dag rescue4  #dah fiend4 
#dai betraying4  #dbj earthly food--the 
apple4  #dba stead1 state4  #dbb make4  
#dbc stayed1 kept4  #dbd sure4  #dbe    
slake thirst1 lessen 7or as in slack a  
fire74  #dbf gentle1 gracious4  #dbg    
linger4  #dbh cease1 leave4  #dbi ,and  
all sing1 ,salvator ,mundi1 #ast ver4   
#dcj kenn'd1 knew4  #dca walking4  #dcb 
on earth4  #dcc wonders many4  #dcd     
deigneth1 dignity4  #dce fondled4  #dcf 
leal1 true4  #dcg lasting life4  #dch   
hal1 salvation4  #dci list ,i1 care ,i1 
to live4  #ddj live in man1 man's form4 
#dda declared4  #ddb flumen1--flood1    
river4  #ddc ,the ,father's voice was   
made like a man's4  #ddd our cares to   
cool1 cure1 allay4  #dde ,elias4  #ddf  
earth4  #ddg confidently4  #ddh against4
  #ddi din1 noise4  #dej to swell4  #dea

 my wit waxes thin4  #deb these souls   
men from us twine1 divide4  #dec        
harrow--hullaballoo4  #ded hearest4     
#dee louts4  #def mixture4  #deg        
amongst4  #deh sparrian1 to shut1 to    
bar2 sparian1 preserve4  #dei           
,ashtaroth4  #dfj ,baal1 ,beryth and    
,belial4  #dfa makes4  #dfb lovely of   
face4  #dfc ,lift your heads1 oh ye     
gates1 and be ye lift up1 ye everlasting
 doors1 and the ,king of ,glory shall   
come in4  #dfd help4  #dfe nigh4  #dff  
hideously4  #dfg bolt the gates4  #dfh  
prosper4  #dfi watch4  #dgj wretch4     
#dga dwell4  #dgb go his way4  #dgc     
sturdy in every fight4  #dgd hearest    
thou8  #dge are in thrall4  #dgf        
,god-in-man4  #dgg the devil harry you  
all4  #dgh ails thee to shout so8  #dgi 
thy brain1 ,i burst not out4  #dhj shut 
the gates4  #dha betrays4  #dhb wend1   
go4  #dhc or we'll know it4  #dhd       
destroy4  #dhe traitors4  #dhf danger4  
#dhg tricks4  #dhh his4  #dhi gauds1    
showy deeds4  #dij from our bale1       

destruction4  #dia hateful4  #dib       
agreement1 or forward precaution1       
foreword1 prearrange4  #dic his hire1   
reward4  #did to dwell here still4  #die
 since we hear thee say4  #dif know4    
#dig taken in charge4  #dih frustrate4  
#dii rive1 take away4  #ejj be nought   
abased4  #eja bound4  #ejb truss up1    
entangle 7take in the toils74  #ejc     
ding1 knock4  #ejd see p4 #aec4  #eje   
help4  #ejf see in the psalter4  #ejg ,i
 always said4  #ejh be naame1 a         
technical term for seizure of another's 
goods4  #eji make wreck of your works4  
#eaj advise4  #eaa meddle4  #eab gates4 
#eac ween4  #ead twine1 part asunder4   
#eae stead1 place4  #eaf closed1 fast   
shut4  #eag help4  #eah bailey1 outer   
gate4  #eai how am ,i woeful4  #ebj     
worse4  #eba crook4  #ebb ready4  #ebc  
masteries4  #ebd knock1 strike1 beset4  
#ebe ,make him4  #ebf stratagem1        
treachery4  #ebg more1 or stronger4     
#ebh traitor4  #ebi afraid4  #ecj my    
gear1 weapons1 be ready4  #eca          

gad-about1 vagrant4  #ecb ,bel ami1 fair
 friend4  #ecc noise1 hubbub4  #ecd     
pain1 afflict4  #ece profit4  #ecf ward1
 keeping4  #ecg aye syne1 ever since4   
#ech go nigh4  #eci ordained heretofore4
  #edj to get his meat1 earn his bread4 
#eda ,i mind1 remember4  #edb mickle1   
much4  #edc lives4  #edd cease4  #ede   
prophecy4  #edf ,for no chattles need   
you crave 7lack71 or ask4  #edg simple4 
#edh hearty4  #edi amazed4  #eej rave4  
#eea manifest1 made known4  #eeb to     
thee1 nor none of thine4  #eec errest4  
#eed ready4  #eee hire1 reward4  #eef   
taught4  #eeg workest4  #eeh know4  #eei
 win1 save 7my men from woe74  #efj     
concerns1 things of note4  #efa damned  
souls4  #efb true prophets' tale4  #efc 
bale1 destruction4  #efd quote1 or read1
 the laws4  #efe convinced ere we part4 
#eff saws1 proverbs4  #efg din1 noise4  
#efh neither friend nor foe shall find  
release in hell4  #efi sorrows sore     
shall never cease4  #egj noble4  #ega   
wend1 go4  #egb take them all from me4  

#egc methinks4  #egd bethink4  #ege     
dwell in woe4  #egf to a stake4  #egg   
moanest4  #egh with measure and malice  
7malice aforethought7 to meddle4  #egi  
,cain4  #ehj ,dathan and ,abiram1 and   
all of their4  #eha each one4  #ehb     
learn4  #ehc henceforth4  #ehd my coming
 known4  #ehe by row1 line by line1 all 
in order4  #ehf doom4  #ehg judge them  
worse4  #ehh profit4  #ehi teach them   
not to permit4  #eij follow mine 7my    
laws74  #eia turn them to it1 ,i trow4  
#eib and make them grow well aware4     
#eic fast-bound4  #eid fly not far4     
#eie ,bel ami 7fair friend71 thou shalt 
be smitten down4  #eif grief4  #eig ,so 
said ,i e'er1--always4  #eih sins4  #eii
 mickle1 great of might4  #fjj          
companion4  #fja torments4  #fjb taste4 
#fjc master4  #fjd in fear4  #fje since 
before thee4  #fjf bode-word2           
7foreboding1 forewarning74  #fjg ,thou  
didst not leave1 oh ,lord1 my soul in   
hell6  #fjh ,whither the damned shall   
go4  #fji live in woe4  #faj flee1      

escape4  #faa venomous4  #fab committed4
  #fac overwhelm4  #fad blister4  #fae  
,joshua4  #faf benevolent4  #fag flowing
 milk and honey4  #fah ,phineas4  #fai  
,joshua4  #fbj trespass4  #fba          
inhabitants of ,jerusalem4  #fbb ,joash4
  #fbc leprosy4  #fbd immediately4  #fbe
 ,zephaniah  #fbf ,mordecai4  #fbg      
,because ,i am a youth4  #fbh asks4     
#fbi ,corinthians4  #fcj ,esaias4  #fca 
,though this is called the ,ludus       
,coventri1 there is no evidence that the
 cycle ever was played at ,coventry1 or 
that at any time more than ten pageants 
were produced there by the town guilds4 
,the ,coventry ,nativity ,play that we  
print 7from the text of ,robert ,croo1  
#aecd7 is one of the ten4 ,it was played
 by the ,company of ,shearmen and       
,tailors4