_Malory's King Arthur_. (1485).
Prologue.
After that I had accomplished and finished divers histories, as well of
contemplation as of other historical and worldly acts of great
conquerors and princes, and also certain books of ensamples and
doctrine, many noble and divers gentlemen of this realm of England came
and demanded me many and oft times wherefore that I have not done made
and printed the noble history of the Saint Graal, and of the most
renowned Christian King, first and chief of the three best Christian and
worthy, Arthur, which ought most to be remembered among us Englishmen
before all other Christian Kings. For it is notoyrly known through the
universal world that there be nine worthy and the best that ever were;
that is to wit three Paynims, three Jews, and three Christian men. As
for the Paynims, they were to-fore the Incarnation of Christ, which were
named--the first, Hector of Troy, of whom the history is come both in
ballad and in prose--the second, Alexander the Great; and the third,
Julius Caesar, Emperor of Rome, of whom the histories be well known and
had. And as for the three Jews, which also were before the Incarnation
of our Lord of whom the first was Duke Joshua, which brought the
children of Israel into the land of behest; the second, David, King of
Jerusalem; and the third Judas Maccabaeus; of these three the Bible
rehearseth all their noble histories and acts. And since the said
Incarnation have been three noble Christian men, installed and admitted
through the universal world into the number of the nine best and
worthy, of whom was first the noble Arthur, whose noble acts I purpose
to write in this present book here following. The second was
Charlemagne, or Charles the Great, of whom the history is had in many
places both in French and English; and the third and last was Godfrey of
Boulogne, of whose acts and life I made a book unto the excellent prince
and king of noble memory, King Edward the Fourth. The said noble
gentlemen instantly required me to print the history of the said noble
king and conqueror, King Arthur, and of his knights, with the history of
the Saint Graal, and of the death and ending of the said Arthur,
affirming that I ought rather to print his acts and noble feats than of
Godfrey of Boulogne or any of the other eight, considering that he was a
man born within this realm, and king and emperor of the same; and that
there be in French divers and many noble volumes of his acts, and also
of his knights. To whom I answered that divers men hold opinion that
there was no such Arthur, and that all such books as be made of him be
but feigned and fables, because that some chronicles make of him no
mention, ne remember him nothing, ne of his knights; whereto they
answered, and one in special said, that in him that should say or think
that there was never such a king called Arthur, might well be aretted
great folly and blindness; for he said that there were many evidences of
the contrary. First ye may see his sepulchre in the monastery of
Glastonbury; and also in 'Polychronicon,' in the fifth book, the sixth
chapter, and in the seventh book, the twenty-third chapter, where his
body was buried, and after found and translated into the said monastery.
Ye shall see also in the history of Boccaccio, in his book 'De casu
principum,' part of his noble acts and also of his fall. Also Galfridus
in his British book recounteth his life, and in divers places of England
many remembrances be yet of him, and shall remain perpetually, and also
of his knights. First in the Abbey of Westminster at Saint Edward's
shrine remaineth the print of his seal in red wax closed in beryl, in
which is written 'Patricius Arthurus, Britanniae Galliae Germaniae
Daciae Imperator.' Item, in the castle of Dover ye may see Gawain's
skull and Caradoc's mantle; at Winchester the round table; in other
places Lancelot's sword, and many other things. Then all these things
considered, there can no man reasonably gainsay but here was a king of
this land named Arthur; for in all places, Christian and heathen, he is
reputed and taken for one of the nine worthy, and the first of the three
Christian men. And also he is more spoken of beyond the sea; more books
made of his noble acts than there be in England, as well in Dutch,
Italian, Spanish, and Greek as in French; and yet of record remain in
witness of him in Wales in the town of Camelot the great stones and
marvellous works of iron lying under the ground, and royal vaults, which
divers now living hath seen. Wherefore it is a marvel why he is no more
renowned in his own country, save only it accordeth to the word of God,
which saith that no man is accepted for a prophet in his own country.
Then all these things aforesaid alleged, I could not well deny but that
there was such a noble king named Arthur, and reputed one of the nine
worthy, and first and chief of the Christian men; and many noble volumes
be made of him and of his noble knights in French, which I have seen and
read beyond the sea, which be not had in our maternal tongue, but in
Welsh be many, and also in French, and some in English, but nowhere nigh
all. Wherefore such as have lately been drawn out briefly into English,
I have, after the simple cunning that God hath sent to me, under the
favour and correction of all noble lords and gentlemen, emprised to
imprint a book of the noble histories of the said King Arthur and of
certain of his knights, after a copy unto me delivered, which copy Sir
Thomas Mallory did take out of certain books of French and reduced it
into English. And I according to my copy have down set it in print, to
the intent that noble men may see and learn the noble acts of chivalry,
the gentle and virtuous deeds that some knights used in those days, by
which they came to honour, and how they that were vicious were punished
and oft put to shame and rebuke; humbly beseeching all noble lords and
ladies and all other estates, of what estate or degree they be of, that
shall see and read in this said book and work, that they take the good
and honest acts in their remembrance and to follow the same, wherein
they shall find many joyous and pleasant histories and noble and
renowned acts of humanity, gentleness, and chivalry. For herein may be
seen noble chivalry, courtesy, humanity, friendliness, hardyhood, love,
friendship, cowardice, murder, hate, virtue, and sin. Do after the good
and leave the evil, and it shall bring you to good fame and renown. And
for to pass the time this book shall be pleasant to read in; but for to
give faith and believe that all is true that is contained herein, ye be
at your liberty. But all is written for our doctrine, and for to beware
that we fall not to vice ne sin, but to exercise and follow virtue, by
which we may come and attain to good fame and renown in this life, and
after this short and transitory life to come unto everlasting bliss in
heaven; the which He grant us that reigneth in Heaven, the Blessed
Trinity. Amen.
Then to proceed forth in this said book which I direct unto all noble
princes, lords and ladies, gentlemen or gentlewomen, that desire to read
or hear read of the noble and joyous history of the great conqueror and
excellent king, King Arthur, sometime King of this noble realm then
called Britain, I, William Caxton, simple person, present this book
following, which I have emprised to imprint. And treateth of the noble
acts, feats of arms, of chivalry, prowess, hardihood, humanity, love,
courtesy, and very gentleness, with many wonderful histories and
adventures. And for to understand briefly the contents of this volume, I
have divided it into 21 books, and every book chaptered, as hereafter
shall by God's grace follow. The first book shall treat how Uther
Pendragon begat the noble conqueror, King Arthur, and containeth 28
chapters. The second book treateth of Balyn the noble knight, and
containeth 19 chapters. The third book treateth of the marriage of King
Arthur to Queen Guinevere, with other matters, and containeth 15
chapters. The fourth book how Merlin was assotted, and of war made to
King Arthur, and containeth 29 chapters. The fifth book treateth of the
conquest of Lucius the emperor, and containeth 12 chapters. The sixth
book treateth of Sir Lancelot and Sir Lionel, and marvellous adventures,
and containeth 18 chapters. The seventh book treateth of a noble knight
called Sir Gareth, and named by Sir Kay 'Beaumains,' and containeth 36
chapters. The eighth book treateth of the birth of Sir Tristram the
noble knight, and of his acts, and containeth 41 chapters. The ninth
book treateth of a knight named by Sir Kay, 'Le cote mal taille,' and
also of Sir Tristram, and containeth 44 chapters. The tenth book
treateth of Sir Tristram, and other marvellous adventures, and
containeth 83 chapters. The eleventh book treateth of Sir Lancelot and
Sir Galahad, and containeth 14 chapters. The twelfth book treateth of
Sir Lancelot and his madness, and containeth 14 chapters. The thirteenth
book treateth how Galahad came first to King Arthur's court, and the
quest how the Sangreal was begun, and containeth 20 chapters. The
fourteenth book treateth of the quest of the Sangreal, and containeth 10
chapters. The fifteenth book treateth of Sir Lancelot, and containeth 6
chapters. The sixteenth book treateth of Sir Boris and Sir Lionel his
brother, and containeth 17 chapters. The seventeenth book treateth of
the Sangreal, and containeth 23 chapters. The eighteenth book treateth
of Sir Lancelot and the Queen, and containeth 25 chapters. The
nineteenth book treateth of Queen Guinevere, and Lancelot, and
containeth 13 chapters. The twentieth book treateth of the piteous death
of Arthur, and containeth 22 chapters. The twenty-first book treateth of
his last departing, and how Sir Lancelot came to revenge his death, and
containeth 13 chapters. The sum is 21 books, which contain the sum of
five hundred and seven chapters, as more plainly shall follow
hereafter.
_Eneydos_ (1490).
Prologue.
After divers work made, translated, and achieved, having no work in
hand, I sitting in my study whereas lay many divers pamphlets and books,
happened that to my hand came a little book in French, which lately was
translated out of Latin by some noble clerk of France, which book is
named _Aeneidos_, made in Latin by that noble poet and great clerk,
Virgil. Which book I saw over, and read therein how, after the general
destruction of the great Troy, Aeneas departed, bearing his old father
Anchises upon his shoulders, his little son Iulus on his hand, his wife
with much other people following, and how he shipped and departed, with
all the history of his adventures that he had ere he came to the
achievement of his conquest of Italy, as all along shall be shewed in
his present book. In which book I had great pleasure because of the fair
and honest terms and words in French; which I never saw before like, ne
none so pleasant ne so well ordered; which book as seemed to me should
be much requisite to noble men to see, as well for the eloquence as the
histories. How well that many hundred years past was the said book of
_Aeneidos_, with other works, made and learned daily in schools,
especially in Italy and other places; which history the said Virgil made
in metre. And when I had advised me in this said book, I delibered and
concluded to translate it into English; and forthwith took a pen and ink
and wrote a leaf or twain, which I oversaw again to correct it. And when
I saw the fair and strange terms therein, I doubted that it should not
please some gentlemen which late blamed me, saying that in my
translations I had over curious terms, which could not be understood of
common people, and desired me to use old and homely terms in my
translations. And fain would I satisfy every man, and so to do took an
old book and read therein, and certainly the English was so rude and
broad that I could not well understood it. And also my Lord Abbot of
Westminster did do show to me lately certain evidences written in old
English, for to reduce it into our English now used. And certainly it
was written in such wise that it was more like to Dutch than English, I
could not reduce ne bring it to be understood. And certainly our
language now used varieth far from that which was used and spoken when I
was born. For we Englishmen be born under the domination of the moon,
which is never steadfast but ever wavering, waxing one season and waneth
and decreaseth another season. And that common English that is spoken in
one shire varieth from another, insomuch that in my days happened that
certain merchants were in a ship in Thames for to have sailed over the
sea into Zealand, and for lack of wind they tarried at Foreland, and
went to land for to refresh them. And one of them named Sheffield, a
mercer, came into a house and asked for meat, and especially he asked
after eggs; and the goodwife answered that she could speak no French,
and the merchant was angry, for he also could speak no French, but would
have had eggs, and she understood him not. And then at last another
said, that he would have "eyren"; then the goodwife said that she
understood him well. Lo, what should a man in these days now write, eggs
or eyren? Certainly it is hard to please every man because of diversity
and change of language. For in these days every man that is in any
reputation in his country will utter his communication and matters in
such manners and terms that few men shall understand them. And some
honest and great clerks have been with me and desired me to write the
most curious terms that I could find; and thus between plain, rude and
curious I stand abashed. But in my judgment the common terms that be
daily used be lighter to be understood than the old and ancient English.
And forasmuch as this present book is not for a rude uplandish man to
labour therein ne read it, but only for a clerk and a noble gentleman
that feeleth and understandeth in feats of arms, in love and in noble
chivalry. Therefore in a mean between both I have reduced and translated
this said book into our English, not over-rude ne curious; but in such
terms as shall be understood, by God's grace, according to my copy. And
if any man will intermit in reading of it, and findeth such terms that
he cannot understand, let him go read and learn Virgil or the pistles of
Ovid, and there he shall see and understand lightly all, if he have a
good reader and informer. For this book is not for every rude and
uncunning man to see, but to clerks and very gentlemen that understand
gentleness and science. Then I pray all them that shall read in this
little treatise to hold me for excused for the translating of it, for I
acknowledge myself ignorant of cunning to emprise on me so high and
noble a work. But I pray Master John Skelton, late created poet laureate
in the University of Oxenford, to oversee and correct this said book,
and to address and expound, wherever shall be found fault, to them that
shall require it.
For him I know for sufficient to expound and English every difficulty
that is therein; for he hath lately translated the Epistles of Tully,
and the book of Diodorus Siculus, and divers other works out of Latin
into English, not in rude and old language, but in polished and ornate
terms craftily, as he that hath read Virgil, Ovid, Tully, and all the
other noble poets and orators to me unknown. And also he hath read the
nine Muses, and understands their musical sciences, and to whom of them
each science is appropred. I suppose he hath drunken of Helicon's well.
Then I pray him and such others to correct, add, or minish whereas he or
they shall find fault; for I have but followed my copy in French as nigh
as to me is possible. And if any word be said therein well, I am glad;
and if otherwise, I submit my said book to their correction. Which book
I present unto the high born, my to-coming natural and sovereign lord
Arthur, by the grace of God Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall and Earl
of Chester, first-begotten son and heir unto our most dread natural and
sovereign lord and most Christian King, Henry the VII., by the grace of
God King of England and of France, and lord of Ireland; beseeching his
noble Grace to receive it in thank of me his most humble subject and
servant. And I shall pray unto Almighty God for his prosperous
increasing in virtue, wisedom, and humanity, that he may be equal with
the most renowned of all his noble progenitors; and so to live in this
present life that after this transitory life he and we all may come to
everlasting life in Heaven. Amen.
_A Miracle Play of the Nativity._
[The Pageant of the Shearmen and Tailors, from the Coventry Corpus
Christi Plays.]
_A Miracle Play of the Nativity._
[The Pageant of the Shearmen and Tailors, from the Coventry Corpus
Christi Plays.]
=Written before 1500.=
ISAYE. The Sovereign that seeth every secret,
He save you all and make you perfect and strong,
And give us grace with His mercy for to meet!
For now in great misery mankind is bound;
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 cease.
Then shall much mirth and joy increase,
And the right root in Israel spring,
That shall bring forth the grain of holiness;
And out of danger He shall us bring
Into that region where He is King
Which above all other far doth abound,
And that cruel Satan he shall confound.
Wherefore I come here upon this ground
To comfort every creature of birth;
For I, Isaye the prophet, hath found
Many sweet matters whereof we may make mirth
On this same wise;
For, though that Adam he deemed to death
With all his childer, as Abel and Seth,
Yet Ecce virgo concipiet,--
Lo where a remedy shall rise.
Behold, a maid shall conceive a child
And get us more grace than ever men had,
And her maidenhood nothing defiled.
She is deputed to bear the Son, Almighty God.
Lo! sovereignties, now may you be glad.
For of this maiden all we may be fain;
For Adam, that now lies in sorrows full sad,
Her glorious birth shall redeem him again
From bondage and thrall.
Now be merry every mon,
For this deed briefly in Israel shall be done,
And before the Father in throne,
That shall glad us all.
More of this matter fain would I move,
But longer time I have not here for to dwell.
That Lord that is merciful his mercy so in us may prove
For to save our souls from the darkness of hell;
And to His bliss
He us bring
As He is
Both Lord and King
And shall be everlasting
In secula seculorum, Amen.
[_Exit_ ISAIAH; _enter_ GABRIEL _to_ MARY.]
GABRIEL. Hail, Mary, full of grace!
Our Lord God is with thee;
Above all women that ever was,
Lady, blessed mote thou be!
MARY. Almighty Father and King of bliss,
From all disease thou save me now!
For inwardly my spirits troubled is,
That I am amazed and know not how.
GABRIEL. Dread thee nothing, maiden, of this;
From heaven above hither am I sent
Of embassage from that King of bliss
Unto thee, Lady and Virgin reverent!
Saluting thee here as most excellent,
Whose virtue above all other doth abound.
Wherefore in thee grace shall be found;
For thou shalt conceive upon this ground
The Second Person of God in throne;
He will be born of thee alone;
Without sin thou shalt him see.
Thy grace and thy goodness will never be gone,
But ever to live in virginity.
MARY. I marvel sore how that may be.
Man's company knew I never yet,
Nor never to do, cast I me,
While that our Lord sendeth me my wit.
GABRIEL. The Holy Ghost in thee shall light,
And shadow thy soul so with virtue
From the Father that is on height.
These words, turtle, they be full true.
This child that of thee shall be born
Is the Second Person in Trinity;
He shall save that was forlorn,
And the fiend's power destroy shall He.
These words, Lady, full true they been,
And further, Lady, here in thine own lineage
Behold Elizabeth, thy cousin clean,
The which was barren and past all age,
And now with child she hath been
Six months and more, as shall be seen;
Wherefore, discomfort thee not, Mary!
For to God impossible nothing may be.
MARY. Now, and it be that Lord's will
Of my body to be born and for to be,
His high pleasures for to fulfil
As his own handmaid I submit me.
GABRIEL. Now blessed be the time set
That thou wast born in thy degree!
For now is the knot surely knit,
And God conceived in Trinity.
Now farewell, Lady of mightes most!
Unto the Godhead I thee beteach.
MARY. That Lord thee guide in every coast,
And lowly He lead me and be my leech!
_Here the angel departeth, and Joseph cometh in and saith:_
JOSEPH. Mary, my wife so dear,
How do ye, dame, and what cheer
Is with you this tide?
MARY. Truly, husband, I am here
Our Lord's will for to abide.
JOSEPH. What! I trow that we be all shent!
Say, woman; who hath been here sith I went,
To rage with thee?
MARY. Sir, here was neither man nor man's even,
But only the sond of our Lord God in heaven.
JOSEPH. Say not so, woman; for shame, let be!
Ye be with child so wonders great,
Ye need no more thereof to treat,
Against all right.
Forsooth, this child, dame, is not mine.
Alas, that ever with mine eyne
I should see this sight!
Tell me, woman; whose is this child?
MARY. None but yours, husband so mild,
And that shall be seen, [i-wis].
JOSEPH. But mine? alas! alas! why say ye so?
Well-away! woman, now may I go,
Beguiled, as many another is.
MARY. Nay, truly, sir, ye be not beguiled,
Nor yet with spot of sin I am not defiled;
Trust it well, husband.
JOSEPH. Husband, in faith! and that a-cold!
Ah! well-away, Joseph, as thou art old!
Like a fool now may I stand
And truss.
But, in faith, Mary, thou art in sin;
So much as I have cherished thee, dame, and all thy kin,
Behind my back to serve me thus!
All old men, example take by me,--
How I am beguiled here may you see!--
To wed so young a child.
Now farewell, Mary, I leave thee here alone,--
[Woe] worth thee, dame, and thy works each one!--
For I will no more be beguiled
For friend nor foe.
Now of this deed I am so dull,
And of my life I am so full,
No further may I go.
[_Lies down to sleep; to him enters an Angel._]
FIRST ANGEL. Arise up, Joseph, and go home again
Unto Mary, thy wife, that is so free.
To comfort her look that thou be fain,
For, Joseph, a clean maiden is she:
She hath conceived without any train
The Second Person in Trinity;
Jesu shall be his name, certain,
And all this world save shall He;
Be not aghast.
JOSEPH. Now, Lord, I thank thee with heart full sad,
For of these tidings I am so glad
That all my care away is cast;
Wherefore to Mary I will in haste.
[_Returns to_ MARY.]
Ah! Mary, Mary, I kneel full low;
Forgive me, sweet wife, here in this land!
Mercy, Mary! for now I know
Of your good governance and how it doth stand.
Though that I did thee mis-name,
Mercy Mary! while I live,
Will I never sweet wife thee grieve
In earnest nor in game.
MARY. Now, that Lord in Heaven, sir, He you forgive!
And I do forgive you in His name
For evermore.
JOSEPH. Now truly, sweet wife, to you I say the same.
But now to Bethlehem must I wind,
And show myself, so full of care;
And I to leave you, thus great, behind,--
God wot, the while, dame, how you should fare.
MARY. Nay, hardily, husband, dread ye nothing;
For I will walk with you on the way.
I trust in God, Almighty King,
To speed right well in our journey.
JOSEPH. Now, I thank you, Mary, of your goodness,
That ye my words will not blame;
And sith that to Bethlehem we shall us dress,
Go we together in God's holy name.
[_They set out and travel awhile._]
Now to Bethlehem have we leagues three;
The day is nigh spent, it draweth toward night;
Fain at your ease, dame, I would that ye should be,
For you groan all wearily, it seemeth in my sight.
MARY. God have mercy, Joseph, my spouse so dear;
All prophets hereto doth bear witness,
The weary time now draweth near
That my child will be born, which is King of bliss.
Unto some place, Joseph, hendly me lead,
That I might rest me with grace in this tide.
The light of the Father over us both spread,
And the grace of my Son with us here abide!
JOSEPH. Lo! blessed Mary, here shall ye lend,
Chief chosen of our Lord and cleanest in degree;
And I, for help to town will I wend.
Is not this the best, dame? what say ye?
MARY. God have mercy, Joseph, my husband so meek!
And heartily I pray you, go now from me.
JOSEPH. That shall be done in haste, Mary so sweet!
The comfort of the Holy Ghost leave I with thee.
Now to Bethlehem straight will I wend
To get some help for Mary so free.
Some help of women God may me send,
That Mary, full of grace, pleased may be.
[_In another part of the place a shepherd begins to speak._]
FIRST PASTOR. Now God, that art in Trinity,
Thou save my fellows and me!
For I know not where my sheep nor they be,
This night it is so cold.
Now is it nigh the midst of the night;
These weathers are dark and dim of light,
That of them can I have no sight,
Standing here on this wold.
But now to make their heartes light,
Now will I full right
Stand upon this lo,
And to them cry with all my might,--
Full well my voice they know:
What ho! fellows! ho! ho! ho!
[_Two other shepherds appear (in the street)._]
SECOND PASTOR. Hark, Sim, hark! I hear our brother on the lo.
This is his voice, right well I know;
Therefore toward him let us go,
And follow his voice aright.
See, Sim, see, where he doth stand!
I am right glad we have him fand!
Brother where hast thou been so lang,
And it is so cold this night?
FIRST PASTOR. Eh! friends, there came a pirie of wind with a mist
suddenly,
That forth of my ways went I
And great heaviness then made I!
And was full sore afright.
Then forth to go wist I not whither,
But travelled on this lo hither and thither;
I was so weary of this cold weather
That near past was my might.
THIRD PASTOR. Brethren now we be past that fright,
And it is far within the night,
Full soon will spring the daylight,
It draweth full near the tide.
Here awhile let us rest,
And repast ourselves of the best;
Till that the sun rise in the east
Let us all here abide.
_There the shepherds draws forth their meat and doth eat and
drink and as they drink, they find the star and say thus:_
THIRD PASTOR. Brethren, look up and behold!
What thing is yonder that shineth so bright?
As long as ever I have watched my fold,
Yet saw I never such a sight
In field.
Aha! now is come the time that old fathers hath told,
That in the winter's night so cold,
A child of maiden born be He would
In whom all prophecies shall be fulfilled.
FIRST PASTOR. Truth it is without nay,
So said the prophet Isaye,
That a child should be born of a maid so bright
In winter nigh the shortest day,
Or else in the midst of the night.
SECOND PASTOR. Loved be God, most of might,
That our grace is to see that sight;
Pray we to Him as it is right,
If that His will it be,
That we may have knowledge of this signification
And why it appeareth on this fashion;
And ever to Him let us give laudation,
In earth while that we be.
_There the Angels sing "Gloria in excelsis Deo."_
THIRD PASTOR. Hark! They sing above in the clouds clear!
Heard I never of so merry a quere.
Now, gentle brethren, draw we near
To hear their harmony.
FIRST PASTOR.--Brother, mirth and solace is come us among;
For by the sweetness of their song,
God's Son is come, whom we have looked for long,
As signifieth this star that we do see.
SECOND PASTOR. "Glory, gloria in excelsis," that was their song;
How say ye, fellows, said they not thus?
FIRST PASTOR. That is well said; now go we hence
To worship that child of high magnificence,
And that we may sing in His presence
"Et in terra pax hominibus."
_There the shepherds sings "As I out rode," and Joseph saith:_
JOSEPH. Now, Lord, this noise that I do hear,
With this great solemnity,
Greatly amended hath my cheer;
I trust high news shortly will be.
_There the Angels sing "Gloria in excelsis" again._
MARY. Ah! Joseph, husband, come hither anon;
My child is born that is King of bliss.
JOSEPH. Now welcome to me, the maker of mon,
With all the homage that I con;
Thy sweet mouth here will I kiss.
MARY. Ah! Joseph, husband, my child waxeth cold,
And we have no fire to warm him with.
JOSEPH. Now in mine arms I shall him fold,
King of all kings by field and by frith;
He might have had better, and Himself would,
Than the breathing of these beasts to warm him with.
MARY. Now, Joseph, my husband, fetch hither my child,
The Maker of man, and high King of bliss.
JOSEPH. That shall be done anon, Mary so mild,
For the breathing of these beasts hath warmed [Him] well, i-wis.
[_Angels appear to the shepherds._]
FIRST ANGEL. Herd-men hend,
Dread ye nothing
Of this star that ye do see;
For this same morn
God's Son is born
In Bethlehem of a maiden free.
SECOND ANGEL. Hie you thither in haste;
It is His will ye shall Him see
Lying in a crib of poor repast,
Yet of David's line come is He.
[_The Shepherds approach and worship the Babe._]
FIRST PASTOR. Hail, maid, mother, and wife so mild!
As the angel said, so have we fand.
I have nothing to present with thy child
But my pipe; hold, hold, take it in thy hand;
Wherein much pleasure that I have fand;
And now, to honour thy glorious birth,
Thou shalt it have to make thee mirth.
SECOND PASTOR. Now, hail be thou, child, and thy dame!
For in a poor lodging here art thou laid,
So the angel said and told us thy name;
Hold, take thou here my hat on thy head!
And now of one thing thou art well sped,
For weather thou hast no need to complain,
For wind, ne sun, hail, snow and rain.
THIRD PASTOR. Hail be thou, Lord over water and lands!
For thy coming all we may make mirth.
Have here my mittens to put on thy hands,
Other treasure have I none to present thee with.
MARY. Now, herdmen hend,
For your coming,
To my child shall I pray,
As He is heaven King,
To grant you His blessing,
And to His bliss that ye may wend
At your last day.
_There the shepherds singeth again and goth forth of the place,
and the two prophets cometh in and saith thus:_
FIRST PROPHET. Novels, novels,
Of wonderful marvels
Very high and diffuse unto the hearing!
As Scripture tells,
These strange novels
To you I bring.
SECOND PROPHET. Now heartily, sir, I desire to know,
If it would please you for to show
Of what manner a thing.
FIRST PROPHET. Very mystical unto your hearing,--
Of the nativity of a King.
SECOND PROPHET. Of a King? Whence should he come?
FIRST PROPHET. From that region royal and mighty mansion,
The Seed celestial and heavenly wisdom,
The Second Person and God's own Son,
For our sake now is man become.
This goodly sphere
Descended here
Into a Virgin clear,
She undefiled.
* * * * *
By whose work obscure
Our frail nature
Is now beguiled.
_Second Prophet._ Why, hath she a child?
FIRST PROPHET. Eh! trust it well;
And never-the-less
Yet is she a maiden even as she was,
And her Son the King of Israel.
SECOND PROPHET. A wonderful marvel
How that may be,
And far doth excell
All our capacity:
How that the Trinity,
Of so high regality,
Should joined be
Unto our mortality!
FIRST PROPHET. Of his own great mercy,
As ye shall see the exposition,
Through whose humanity
All Adam's progeny
Redeemed shall be out of perdition.
Sith man did offend,
Who should amend
But the said man, and none other?
For the which cause He
Incarnate would be
And live in misery as man's own brother.
SECOND PROPHET. Sir, unto the Deity,
I believe perfectly,
Impossible to be there is nothing;
Howbeit this wark
Unto me is dark
In the operation or working.
FIRST PROPHET. What more reprief
Is unto belief
Than to be doubting?
SECOND PROPHET. Yet doubts oft-times hath derivation.
FIRST PROPHET. That is by the means of communication
Of truths to have a due probation
By the same doubts reasoning.
SECOND PROPHET. Then to you this one thing:
Of what noble and high lineage is she
That might this veritable prince's mother be?
FIRST PROPHET. Undoubted she is come of high parage,
Of the house of David and Solomon the sage;
And one of the same line joined to her by marriage;
Of whose tribe
We do subscribe
This child's lineage.
SECOND PROPHET. And why in that wise?
FIRST PROPHET. For it was the guise
To count the parent on the man's line,
And not on the feminine,
Amongst us here in Israel.
SECOND PROPHET. Yet can I not espy by no wise
How this child born should be without nature's prejudice.
FIRST PROPHET. Nay, no prejudice unto nature, I dare well say;
For the King of nature may
Have all at His own will.
Did not the power of God
Make Aaron's rod
Bear fruit in one day?
SECOND PROPHET. Truth it is indeed.
FIRST PROPHET. Then look you and read.
SECOND PROPHET. Ah! I perceive the seed
Whereupon that you spake.
It was for our need
That He frail nature did take,
And His blood He should shed
Amends for to make
For our transgression;
As it is said in prophecy
That of the line of Judee
Should spring a right Messee
By whom all we
Shall have redemption.
FIRST PROPHET. Sir, now is the time come,
And the date thereof run,
Of His nativity.
SECOND PROPHET. Yet I beseech you heartily
That ye would show me how
That this strange novelty
Were brought unto you.
FIRST PROPHET. This other night so cold,
Hereby upon a wold,
Shepherds watching their fold,
In the night so far
To them appeared a star,
And ever it drew them nar;
Which star they did behold
Brighter, they say, in fold,
Than the sun so clear
In his midday sphere,
And they these tidings told.
SECOND PROPHET. What, secretly?
FIRST PROPHET. Nay, nay, hardily;
They made thereof no counsel;
For they sang as loud
As ever they could,
Praising the King of Israel.
SECOND PROPHET. Yet do I marvel
In what pile or castle
These herdmen did Him see.
FIRST PROPHET. Neither in halls nor yet in bowers
Born would He not be,
Neither in castles nor yet in towers
That seemly were to see;
But at His Father's will,
The prophecy to fulfil,
Betwixt an ox and an ass
Jesu, this King, born he was.
Heaven He bring us till!
SECOND PROPHET. Sir, ah! but when these shepherds had seen him there,
Into what place did they repair?
FIRST PROPHET. Forth they went and glad they were,
Going they did sing;
With mirth and solace they made good cheer
For joy of that new tiding;
And after, as I heard them tell,
He rewarded them full well:
He grant them heaven therein to dwell;
In are they gone with joy and mirth,
And their song it is "Noel."
_There the prophets goeth forth and_ HEROD _cometh in,
and the messenger._
NUNTIUS. Faites paix, dominies, barons de grande renom!
Paix, seigneurs, chevaliers de noble puissance!
Paix, gentils hommes, compagnons petits et grands!
Je vous command de garder, trestous, silence!
Paix, tant que votre noble Roi seit ici present!
Que nulle personne ici non fasse point de difference,
N' ici harde de frapper; mais gardez toute patience,--
Mais gardez [a] votre seigneur toute reverence;
Car il est votre Roi tout puissant.
Au nom de lui, paix tous! je vous command,
Et le roi Herod le grand-diable vous emporte!
HEROD. Qui statis in Jude et Rex Israel,
And the mightiest conqueror that ever walked on ground;
For I am even he that made both heaven and hell,
And of my mighty power holdeth up this world round.
Magog and Madroke, both them did I confound,
And with this bright brand their bones I brake asunder,
That all the wide world on those raps did wonder.
I am the cause of this great light and thunder;
It is through my fury that they such noise doth make.
My fearful countenance the clouds so doth encumber
That off-times for dread thereof the very earth doth quake.
Look, when I with malice this bright brand doth shake,
All the whole world from the north to the south
I may them destroy with one word of my mouth!
To recount unto you mine innumerable substance,
That were too much for any tongue to tell;
For all the whole Orient is under mine obedience,
And prince am I of Purgatory and chief captain of hell;
And those tyrannous traitors by force may I compel,
Mine enemies to vanquish and even to dust them drive,
And with a twinkle of mine eye not one to be left alive.
Behold my countenance and my colour,
Brighter than the sun in the midst of the day.
Where can you have a more greater succour
Than to behold my person that is so gay?
My falcon and my fashion, with my gorgeous array--
He that had the grace alway thereon to think,
Live he might alway without either meat or drink.
And this my triumphant fame most highliest doth abound
Throughout this world in all regions abroad,
Resembling the favour of that most mighty Mahound;
From Jupiter by descent and cousin to the great God,
And named the most renowned King Herod,
Which that all princes hath under subjection,
And all their whole power under my protection.
And therefore, my herald, here, called Calchas,
Warn thou every port that no ships arrive,
Nor also alien stranger through my realm pass,
But they for their truage do pay marks five.
Now speed thee forth hastily,
For they that will the contrary,
Upon a gallows hanged shall be,
And, by Mahound, of me they get no grace.
NUNTIUS. Now, lord and master, in all the hast
Thy worthy will it shall be wrought,
And thy royal countries shall be past.
In as short time as can be throught.
HEROD. Now shall our regions throughout be sought
In every place both east and west;
If any caitiffs to me be brought,
It shall be nothing for their best.
And the while that I do rest,
Trumpets, viols, and other harmony
Shall bless the waking of my majesty.
_Here_ HEROD _goeth away and the three kings speaketh in the street._
FIRST REX. Now blessed be God of his sweet sond,
For yonder a fair bright star I do see!
Now is he comen us among,
As the prophet said that it should be.
A said there should a babe be born,
Coming of the root of Jesse,
To save mankind that was forlorn;
And truly comen now is He.
Reverence and worship to Him will I do,
As God and man, that all made of nought.
All the prophets accorded and said even so,
That with his precious blood mankind should be bought.
He grant me grace,
By yonder star that I see,
And into that place
Bring me,
That I may Him worship with humility
And see His glorious face.
SECOND REX. Out of my way I deem that I am,
For tokens of this country can I none see;
Now God, that on earth madest man,
Send me some knowledge where that I be!
Yonder, me-thinks, a fair bright star I see,
The which betokeneth the birth of a child
That hither is come to make man free;
He born of a maid, and she nothing defiled.
To worship that child is mine intent;
Forth now will I take my way.
I trust some company God hath me sent,
For yonder I see a king labour on the way;
Toward him now will I ride.
Hark! comely King, I you pray,
Into what coast will ye this tide
Or whither lies your journey?
FIRST REX. To seek a child is mine intent,
Of whom the prophetes hath meant;
The time is come, now is he sent,
By yonder star here may [I] see.
SECOND REX.--Sir, I pray you, with your license,
To ride with you unto His presence;
To Him will I offer frankincense,
For the Head of all Holy Church shall He be.
THIRD REX. I ride wandering in wayes wide,
Over mountains and dales; I wot not where I am.
Now, King of all Kings, send me such guide
That I might have knowledge of this country's name.
Ah! yonder I see a sight, by seeming all afar,
The which betokens some news, as I trow;
As, me-think, a child pearing in a star.
I trust He be come that shall defend us from woe.
Two Kings yonder I see,
And to them will I ride
For to have their company;
I trust they will me abide.
Hail comely Kings and gent!
Good sirs, I pray you, whither are ye meant?
FIRST REX. To seek a child is our intent,
Which betokens yonder star, as ye may see.
SECOND REX. To Him I purpose this present.
THIRD REX. Sirs, I pray you, and that right humbly,
With you that I may ride in company.
To Almighty God now pray we
That His precious person we may see.
_Here_ HEROD _cometh in again and the messenger saith:_
NUNTIUS.--Hail, lord most of might!
Thy commandement is right;
Into thy land is come this night
Three kings, and with them a great company.
HEROD. What make those kings in this country?
NUNTIUS. To seek a king and a child, they say.
HEROD. Of what age should he be?
NUNTIUS. Scant twelve days old fully.
HEROD. And was he so late born?
NUNTIUS. Eh, sir, so they showed me, this same day in the morn.
HEROD. Now, in pain of death bring them me beforn.
And therefore, herald, now hie thee in haste,
In all speed that thou were dight,
Or that those kings the country be past;
Look thou bring them all three before my sight.
And in Jerusalem inquire more of that child;
But I warn thee that thy words be mild,
For there must thou heed and craft wield
How to fordo his power, and those three kings shall be beguiled.
NUNTIUS. Lord, I am ready at your bidding,
To serve thee as my lord and king;
For joy thereof, lo, how I spring
With light heart and fresh gambolling,
Aloft here on this mould!
HEROD. Then speed thee forth hastily,
And look that thou bear thee evenly;
And also, I pray thee heartily,
That thou do commend me
Both to young and old.
[_The_ Messenger _goes to the_ Kings.]
NUNTIUS. Hail, sir kings, in your degree!
Herod, king of these countries wide,
Desireth to speak with you all three,
And for your coming he doth abide.
FIRST REX. Sir, at his will we be right bain.
Hie us, brethren, unto that lord's place;
To speak with him we would be fain;
That child that we seek, He grant us of His grace!
[_They go to_ HEROD.]
NUNTIUS. Hail, lord without peer!
These three kings here have we brought.
HEROD. Now welcome, sir kings, all in-fere!
But of my bright blee, sirs, abash ye not!
Sir kings, as I understand,
A star hath guided you into my land,
Wherein great hearting ye have found
By reason of her beams bright.
Wherefore I pray you heartily
The very truth that ye would certify,
How long it is surely
Since of that star you had first sight.
FIRST REX. Sir king, the very truth to say,
And for to show you as it is best,
This same is even the twelfth day
Sith it appeared to us to be west.
HEROD. Brethren, then is there no more to say,
But with heart and will keep ye your journey,
And come home by me this same way,
Of your news that I might know.
You shall triumph in this country,
And with great concord banquet with me,
And that child myself then will I see,
And honour him also.
SECOND REX. Sir, your commandment we will fulfil,
And humbly obey ourself theretill.
He that wieldeth all things at will
The ready way us teach,
Sir King, that we may pass your land in peace!
HEROD. Yes, and walk softly even at your own ease.
Your passport for a hundred days
Here shall you have of clear command,
Our realm to labour any ways
Here shall you have by special grant.
THIRD REX. Now farewell, king of high degree!
Humbly of you our leave we take.
HEROD. Then adieu, sir kings all three!
And while I live be bold of me.
There is nothing in this country
But for your own ye shall it take.
[_Exeunt the_ Three Kings.]
Now these three kings are gone on their way;
Unwisely and unwittily have they all wrought.
When they come again they shall die that same day,
And thus these vile wretches to death they shall be brought.
Such is my liking.
He that against my laws will hold,
Be he king or kaiser never so bold,
I shall them cast into cares cold,
And to death I shall them bring.
_There Herod goeth his ways and the three kings come in again._
FIRST REX. O blessed God, much is thy might!
Where is this star that gave us light?
SECOND REX. Now kneel we down here in this presence,
Beseeching that Lord of high magnificence
That we may see his high excellence,
If that his sweet will be.
THIRD REX. Yonder, brother, I see the star,
Whereby I know He is not far;
Therefore, lords, go we nar
Into this poor place.
_There the_ Three Kings _goes in to the jesen, to_ MARY
_and her_ Child.
FIRST REX. Hail, Lord, that all this world hath wrought!
Hail, God and man together in-fere!
For thou hast made all thing of nought,
Albeit that Thou liest poorly here.
A cupfull [of] gold here have I thee brought,
In tokening Thou art without peer.
SECOND REX. Hail be Thou, Lord of high magnificence!
In tokening of priesthood and dignity of office,
To Thee I offer a cupfull of incense,
For it behoveth thee to have such sacrifice.
THIRD REX. Hail be Thou, Lord long looked for!
I have brought Thee myrrh for mortality,
In tokening Thou shalt mankind restore
To life by Thy death upon a tree.
MARY. God have mercy, kings, of your goodness!
By the guiding of the Godhead hither are ye sent.
The prevision of my sweet Son your ways home redress,
And ghostly reward you for your present!
[_As the_ KINGS _go away, they say._]
FIRST REX. Sir kings, after our promise,
Home by Herod I must needs go.
SECOND REX. Now truly brethren, we can no less,
But I am so for-watched I wot not what to do.
THIRD REX. Right so am I; wherefore, I you pray,
Let all us rest us awhile upon this ground.
FIRST REX. Brethren, your saying is right well unto my pay.
The grace of that sweet child save us all sound!
[_While they sleep the_ ANGEL _appears._]
ANGEL. King of Taurus, Sir Jaspar,
King of Araby, Sir Balthasar,
Melchior, King of Aginar,
To you now am I sent.
For dread of Herod, go you west home;
Into those parts when ye come down,
Ye shall be buried with great renown;
The Holy Ghost thus knowledge hath sent. [_Exit._]
FIRST REX. Awake, sir Kings, I you pray!
For the voice of an angel I heard in my dream.
SECOND REX. That is full true that ye do say,
For he rehearsed our names plain.
THIRD REX. He bade that we should go down by west,
For dread of Herod's false betray.
FIRST REX. So for to do it is the best;
The Child that we have sought guide us the way!
Now farewell, the fairest, of shape so sweet!
And thanked be Jesus of his sond,
That we three together so suddenly should meet,
That dwell so wide and in strange lond,
And here make our presentation
Unto this King's Son, cleansed so clean,
And to his Mother, for our salvation;
Of much mirth now may we mean,
That we so well have done this oblation.
SECOND REX. Now farewell, Sir Jaspar, brother, to you,
King of Taurus, the most worthy!
Sir Balthasar, also to you I bow,
And I thank you both of your good company
That we together have had.
He that made us to meet on hill,
I thank Him now, and ever I will;
For now may we go without ill,
And of our offering be full glad.
THIRD REX. Now sith that we must needly go,
For dread of Herod that is so wroth,
Now farewell brother, and brother also,
I take my leave here at you both,
This day on feet.
Now He that made us to meet on plain,
And offer to Mary in her jesayne,
He give us grace in heaven again
All together to meet.
[_They go out, and_ HEROD _and his train occupy the pageant._]
NUNTIUS. Hail King, most worthiest in weed!
Hail, maintainer of courtesy through all this world wide!
Hail, the most mightiest that ever bestrode a steed!
Hail, most manfullest man in armour man to abide!
Hail in thine honour!
These three kings that forth were sent,
And should have come again before thee here present,
Another way, lord, home they went,
Contrary to thine honour.
HEROD. Another way! Out! out! out!
Hath those false traitors done me this deed?
I stamp! I stare! I look all about!
Might I them take I should them burn at a gleed!
I rend! I raw! and now run I wood!
Ah! that these villain traitors hath marred this my mood!
They shall be hanged if I may come them to!
_Here Herod rages in the pageant and in the street also._
Eh! and that kerne of Bethlehem, he shall be dead,
And thus shall I fordo his prophecy.
How say you, sir Knights? is not this the best rede,
That all young children for this should be dead,
With sword to be slain?
Then shall I Herod live in lede
And all folk me doubt and drede,
And offer to me both gold, riches and meed;
Thereto will they be full fain.
FIRST MILES. My lord king, Herod by name,
Thy words against my will shall be;
To see so many young children die is shame,
Therefore counsel thereto gettest thou none of me.
SECOND MILES. Well said, fellow, my truth I plight.
Sir King, perceive right well you may,
So great a murder to see of young fruit
Will make a rising in thine own country.
HEROD. A rising? Out! out! out!
[_There Herod rages again and then saith thus:_]
Out! villain wretches, haro upon you I cry!
My will utterly look that it be wrought,
Or upon a gallows both you shall die,
By Mahound most mightiest, that me dear hath bought.
FIRST MILES. Now, cruel Herod, sith we shall do this deed,
Your will needfully in this realm must be wrought;
All the children of that age die they must need;
Now with all my might they shall be upsought.
SECOND MILES. And I will swear here upon your bright swerd,
All the children that I find, slain they shall be;
That make many a mother to weep and be full sore aferd,
In our armour bright when they us see.
HEROD. Now you have sworn, forth that ye go,
And my will that ye work both by day and night,
And then will I for fain trip like a doe;
But when they be dead I warn you bring them before my sight.
[HEROD _and his train go away, and_ JOSEPH _and_ MARY
_are, while asleep, addressed by an_ ANGEL.]
ANGEL. Mary and Joseph, to you, I say,
Sweet word from the Father I bring you full right;
Out of Bethlehem into Egypt forth go ye the way,
And with you take the King, full of might,
For dread of Herod's rede!
JOSEPH. Arise up, Mary, hastily and soon;
Our Lord's will needs must be done,
Like as the angel us bade.
MARY. Meekly, Joseph, mine own spouse,
Toward that country let us repair;
At Egypt to some kind of house,
God grant us His grace safe to come there!
_Here the women come in with their children, singing
them; and_ MARY _and_ JOSEPH _go away clean._
FIRST WOMAN. I lull my child, wondrously sweet,
And in mine arms I do it keep,
Because that it should not cry.
SECOND WOMAN. That Babe that is born in Bethlehem, so meek,
He save my child and me from villainy!
THIRD WOMAN. Be still, be still, my little child!
That Lord of lords save both thee and me!
For Herod hath sworn with wordes wild
That all young children slain they shall be.
FIRST MILES. Say ye, whither, wives, whither are ye away?
What bear you in your arms needs must we see.
If they be man-children, die they must this day,
For at Herod's will all thing must be.
SECOND MILES. And I in hands once them hent,
Them for to slay nought will I spare;
We must fulfil Herod's commandement,
Else be we as traitors and cast all in care.
FIRST WOMAN. Sir knights, of your courtesy,
This day shame not your chivalry,
But on my child have pity
For my sake in this stead;
For a simple slaughter it were to slo
Or to work such a child woe,
That can neither speak nor go,
Nor never harm did.
SECOND WOMAN. He that slays my child in sight,
If that my strokes on him may light,
Be he squire or knight,
I hold him but lost.
See, thou false losenger,
A stroke shalt thou bear me here,
And spare for no cost.
THIRD WOMAN. Sit he never so high in saddle,
But I shall make his brains addle,
And here with my pot-ladle
With him will I fight.
I shall lay on him as though I wood were,
With this same womanly gear;
There shall no man steer,
Whether that he be king or knight.
FIRST MILES. Who heard ever such a cry
Of women that their children have lost?
And greatly rebuking chivalry
Throughout this realm in every coast,
Which many a man's life is like to cost;
For this great wreak that here is done
I fear much vengeance thereof will come.
SECOND MILES. Eh! brother, such tales may we not tell;
Wherefore to the king let us go,
For he is like to bear the peril,
Which was the causer that we did so.
Yet must they all be brought him to,
With wains and waggons fully freight;
I trow there will be a careful sight.
[_They go to_ HEROD.]
FIRST MILES. Lo! Herod, King, here mayest thou see
How many thousands that we have slain.
SECOND MILES. And needs thy will fulfilled must be;
There may no man say there-again.
[_Enter_ NUNTIUS.]
NUNTIUS. Herod, King, I shall thee tell
All thy deeds is come to nought;
This child is gone into Egypt to dwell.
Lo! sir, in thine own land what wonders ben wrought!
HEROD. Into Egypt? alas for woe!
Longer in land here I cannot abide;
Saddle my palfrey, for in haste will I go,
After yonder traitors now will I ride,
Them for to slo.
Now all men hie fast
Into Egypt in haste!
All that country will I taste
Till I may come them to.
_Finis ludi de tailors and shearmen._
This matter newly corrected by Robert Croo, the 14th day of March,
finished in the year of our Lord God 1534, then being mayor Master
Palmer; also Masters of the said Fellowship, Hugh Corbett, Randal
Pinkard, and John Baggeley.
These songs belong to the Tailors' and Shearmen's Pageant. The first and
the last the shepherds sing, and the second or middlemost the women
sing.
Thomas Mawdycke, die decimo tertio Maii, anno domini millesimo
quingentesimo nonagesimo primo. Praetor fuit civitatis Conventriae D.
Matthaeus Richardson, tunc consules Johannis Whitehead et Thomas
Cravener.