Fifteenth Century Prose and Verse Part 36

But at His Father's will, The prophecy to fulfil, Betwixt an ox and an a.s.s 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 n.o.ble puissance!

Paix, gentils hommes, compagnons pet.i.ts et grands!

Je vous command de garder, trestous, silence!

Paix, tant que votre n.o.ble Roi seit ici present!

Que nulle personne ici non fa.s.se 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 h.e.l.l, 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 enc.u.mber 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 h.e.l.l; 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 G.o.d, 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 pa.s.s, 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 G.o.d 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 G.o.d 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 G.o.d, 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 G.o.d 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 G.o.d 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!