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THE DIGBY MYSTERIES. 
 
TO 
 
 MRS GEORGE WHERRY, 
 
 Corpus Buildings, Cambridge. 
 
 My dear Mrs Wherry, 
 
 You and I once studied Shakspere for a time together. 
 
 I well recollect your capital acting of Nerissa in the Merchant of 
 Venice, and the arch way in which you tost up your handkerchief when 
 y^/d heard the news that Bassanio was coming, as if you divined that 
 the right man was near. 
 
 Some friends asserted that you actually winkt at him, to let him know 
 which were the wrong caskets, and which the right ; but that was doubt- 
 less a libel. At any rate you chafft delightfully that saucy Cratiano — 
 the impertinent ! — who dared to say that it was a ‘ youth,’ ‘a little scrubbed 
 boy,’ to whom he gave your Ring. 
 
 Then you left such merrymaking to nurse “the fpeachleffe ficke,” 
 “ enforce the maimed impotent to fmile ” ; and for two years you toiled 
 in the Hospitals. 
 
 You hav'e your reward in your pretty, happy home, in the affection 
 of the able and accomplisht gentleman to whom you have linkt your life 
 —the tender of the suffering, the helper of the poor, “ who are Christ’s 
 friends,” as Chaucer says. 
 
 I think of your choice and lot with pleasure, and I venture to dedicate 
 to you this edition of a few of the Early Religious Dramas before Shak- 
 spere’s time, as just a reminder of the days when his triumphant art was 
 the subject of our mutual work. Believe me to be. 
 
 Always sincerely yours, 
 
 F. J. FURNIVALL. 
 
THE 
 
 DIGBY MYSTERIES, 
 n 
 
 I. THE KILLING OF THE CHILDREN. 
 
 2 . THE CONVERSION OF ST PAUL. 
 
 3. MARY MAGDALENE. 
 
 4. CHRIST’S BURIAL AND RESURRECTION, 
 
 WITH AN INCOMPLETE 
 
 MORALITY 
 
 OF 
 
 WISDOM, WHO IS CHRIST 
 
 (PART OF ONE OF THE MACRO MORALITIES), 
 
 EDITED FROM THE MSS. 
 
 BY 
 
 F. J. FURNIVALL, 
 
 FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR OF THE NEW SHAKSPERE SOCIETY, ETC. 
 
 PUBLISHT FOR 
 
 Ncbj Sljaltspere ^octets 
 
 BY N. TRUBNER & CO., 57, 59, LUDGATE HILL, 
 LONDON, E.C., 1882. 
 
^;lx. ^ 
 
 Scries VII. fo. 1. 
 
 BUNSAY ; CLAY AND TAYLOK, THE CHAUCER PRESS. 
 
V 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 FOREWORDS vii 
 
 APPENDIX : Notes on the Chester Plays and Midsummer Show xviii 
 
 HEROD’S KILLING OF THE CHILDREN (Childermas, 
 
 Dec. 28), with the PURIFICATION IN THE Temple (playd 
 on Candlemas Day, Feb. 2, 1512) ... ... ... ... i 
 
 THE CONVERSION OF St PAUL (Jan. 25) ... ... 25 
 
 MARY MAGDALENE, in 2 Parts 
 
 Parti. Her Father’s Death. Her Seduction. Her wiping 
 Jesus’s Feet. Lazarus’s Death and Againrising ... ... 53 
 
 Part 11 . Christ’s Appearance to her. Her Conversion of the 
 King of Marcylle. Her feeding by Angels. Her Death 90 
 
 A MORALITY OF WISDOM, WHO IS CHRIST {imperfect). 
 
 How Lucifer tempts the Mind, Will, and Understanding of 
 Man to sin 137 
 
 CHRIST’S BURIAL AND RESURRECTION, in 2 Parts 
 
 Part I (playd on Good Friday). Christ taken from the Cross 
 
 and buried ... 169 
 
 Part II (playd on Easter Day in the Morning). The 3 
 Maries go to the Sepulchre, and Christ appears to them 201 
 
 EXTRACT FROM THE ROMISH SERVICE-BOOK FOR 
 
 EASTER DAY 227 
 
 GLOSSARY AND INDEX (mainly by S. J. Herrtage) ... 229 
 
The Committee of the New Shakspere Society give express notice 
 that the Editor of any of the Society’s Books is alone responsible 
 for the opinions exprest in it. 
 
^MARY MAGDALENE.’ THE BURIAL OF CHRIST.’ xi 
 
 King of Marcylle (p. 90), and the fun by the Priest’s boy and 
 his doggrel service (p. 99-101), the Shipman with a merry song 
 (p. 107), and his boy Grobbe (p. 107, 119, 125). In this Part 
 there must have been a third stage for Heaven — see note 
 page ix, and p. 106, 113, .H30, 131, 135 {gaudent in celis ) — 
 above the main stage, under which was the Hell (as in Part I) 
 to which the Devil betook himself (p. 92, 1 . 992) after he had 
 told how Christ harrowd Hell. How all the' scenes of the 
 Temple, the burning of the Idols, the Shipman and his Ship, 
 the rock on the island where the Queen of Marcylle was left 
 (p. 12 1), &c., were managed, I can’t tell. Possibly some of 
 the Players had separate scaffolds : see Sharp’s Dissertation 
 on the Coventry Plays. But make-believe will do wonders. 
 My friend Mr P. A. Daniel tells me, that in Melbourne he 
 saw a Chinese troupe act admirably on a small stage, with 
 the roughest scenery. A wooden form servd for a castle- 
 wall, a chair behind it for the battlements, on which the 
 besieged King mounted, and whence he made a spirited 
 harangue to the rebellious besieging General and his army 
 of three men, as Richard II does to Northumberland at 
 Flint Castle in Shakspere’s Play, III. iii. And really, when 
 you know the story, you don’t need scenery, as we found, 
 who were lucky enough to see the First Quarto of Hamlet 
 acted at St George’s Hall on April 16, 1881. 
 
 In the fourth Mystery here, the ‘Burial and Resurrection 
 of Christ,’ there is no comedy, and I see no trace of the 
 Pageant or Stages. The Stations in it (if any) would be 
 only those of the Church from whose service it was either 
 imitated, or of which it once formd part.^ The Play is 
 arranged to be either recited or acted, and a warning is given 
 at the beginning (p. 171), that there is a Proem, “certen^ 
 lynes, which are not to be said^ if it (the Play) be plaied^?.” 
 
 I The Procession of the Sacrament no longer forms part of the 
 Romish Church Service on Raster Sunday morning. 
 
xii MIXTURE OF FARCE AND TRAGEDY. 
 
 At several other places — see notes p. 173, 174, 176, 178, 180, 
 182, 183, 184, 185, 8 ic. — is evidence of the double character 
 of the composition. Towards the end of the Play (p. 223, 
 226) some of the Sequences of the Easter Sunday Mass of 
 the Romish Service are directed to be sung as part of the 
 performance, as on p. 194-5. 
 
 Now, did the mixture of comic bits with most serious 
 subjects take off the effect of the mysteries of Christianity 
 performd before the common folk ? I doubt it. My friend 
 Mr H. H. Furness, the editor of the splendid new Varioritm 
 Shakspere, once told me that he saw in Spain a Mystery 
 performd, and that at one point a bell tinkled, and in came 
 a troupe of ballet-girls in short frocks and flesh-tights, and 
 danced a ballet. All the onlookers evidently took it as a 
 natural and proper occurrence.^ They’d grown accustomd to 
 
 ’ P.S. Having just found Mr Furness’s note, I print it: — 
 
 “Years ago I saw a Passion Play in Spain, which was sublimely 
 national. After the Magi had presented their gifts to Mary, who was 
 seated beside a pasteboard manger, surrounded by pasteboard oxen, with 
 a great deal of genuine straw about, at the tinkle of a little bell, ballet- 
 girls in short skirts and pink tights darted from the side scenes, and, 
 pirouetting around the groups, finally struck an attitude with their hands 
 over the cradle, and their elevated toes pointing to the audience. MTien 
 the cui'tain went down there were vociferous calls for the actors, and 
 Christ appeared, leading Joseph and Mary, and bowed his thanks. It 
 was deeply religious to the people, and many women wept.” 
 
 Compare Mr Baring-Gould’s experience in Brabant : — 
 
 “ But perhaps the most curious representation of the last scenes of 
 the sacred history I have witnessed, was at Mechlin, a few years ago, on 
 the fete of St Rumbold. A travelling band of players had erected a 
 large tent with stage in it, in the market-place ; and their programme of 
 entertainments consisted of — 
 
 “ I. Tight-rope dancing, tumbling, and performing dogs. 
 
 “ 2. The laughable farce of ‘ A Ghost in spite of himself’ (the English 
 farce of that name translated into Flemish). 
 
 “ 3. The Passion and Resurrection of Christ. 
 
 “It was more than startling to see ‘the spangled sprite of the shining 
 shower,’ who pirouetted on the tight-rope, figure half-an-hour later as 
 the Mater Dolorosa, and the human spider, a man in fleshings, who 
 walked backwards on hands and feet, transformed into the Beloved 
 Disciple; but the Brabant peasants seemed aware of no incongruity, 
 and were as ready to weep at the cruciflxion, as they were to laugh at 
 the dancing dogs. The peasant mind of the present day is constituted 
 like that of their Medimval forefathers, who insisted on the introduction 
 
ENGLISH ABSURDITIES. THE MORALITY OF ‘WISDOM.’ Xiii 
 
 it, and so it was right. Just so, most Englishmen take the 
 existence of our hereditary House of Lords, and the spelling 
 of the sound ‘enuf’ as ‘enough.’ The survival of an absurd- 
 ity or incongruity never shocks traditional minds ; nay, the 
 propozal to remove it always makes them angry. 
 
 It was probably some feeling of this kind that made me 
 reprint the fragment of the Macro ^ Morality of Wisdom, 
 when the rest of it had been printed by the Abbotsford Club 
 in 1837. But this fragment was in the Digby MS. 133, had 
 been in the Abbotsford-Club print of that MS., and would be 
 expected by students in ours. I could not at first trace the 
 Macro MS. to the present Mr Gurney, and so I was glad of 
 the excuse to keep this bit of Wisdom in our book. (Even 
 literary Antiquaries are mortal and have weaknesses.) By 
 Mr Gurney’s kind leave. Miss Marx has since made a copy 
 of all the Macro MSS. for the Society, and when we have 
 any money to spare, I hope to edit it. 
 
 In the progress of the drama. Moralities followd Mys- 
 teries, and were succeeded by Interludes. When folk tired 
 of Religion on the Stage, they took to the inculcation of 
 morality and prudence ; and when this bored them, they set 
 up Fun. 
 
 Our Wisdom Morality hooks on to dogmatic Religion 
 by its Wisdom being Christ, and by its doctrines, p. 143, &c. 
 It keeps up the fun of the old Mystery by its comic man 
 Lucifer (p. 155, &c.), its dance (p. 164), and its later hornpipe, 
 quarrel and boy-devils (p. 167). It is one of a set playd in 
 London, since it mentions the Holborn Quest,^ p. 165, 1 . 
 
 of an element of grotesqueness into every tragedy and religious mystery.” 
 1879. S. Baring-Gould, Germany, Past atid Present, ii. 8-9. 
 
 ‘ The MS. containing these ‘Moralities’ once belongd to a Dr 
 Macro. 
 
 “ On the Holborn Quest, see p. 168, and “ The (65) ancient Articles 
 of the charge of the Wardmote Inquest, formerly delivered,” in Joseph 
 Newell’s Inqtiest Juryman, 1825, p. 54-68. 
 
Xiv THE DIALECT OF THE MYSTERIES. 
 
 733, — and Westminster and St Andrew of Ely (cp. St 
 Andrew’s, Holborn, nearly opposite Ely Place), — and has 
 few, if any, of the dialectal peculiarities which mark the 
 Midland Mysteries. 
 
 With regard to the dialect of the Mysteries I see no 
 special marks of any dialect in the Killing of the Children, 
 tho wha, 13/305, mnt 13/319, chever shiver 15/374, thn thou 
 8/195-8, 400, &c., wolcome 18/437, 438, 441, gh of 
 
 abought about parfight perfect afforn before 
 
 20/484, 22/529 are provincial, and the verbal 7 i plurals — 
 ioyen 20/501, be)ie be 5/112, 4/88, ha 7 t, &c. — point, I suppose, 
 to the Midland rather than any other dialect. 
 
 Of the Co 7 iversio 7 i of Saul, I can say no more. It is fond 
 of a for e and 0, — drad 27/20, adrad 36/234, fra'wa 7 ’d 7 ies 
 28/39, massage 38/239, 77 iarcy 38/290, 46/506, — of / for v, 
 we gyf 28/43, 32/132, 47/522 ; but though the lacking of 
 “ lytturah scyens ” and the “ non intellygens of Retoryk ” 
 which it confesses to, 52/658, 661, are apparent, its district 
 is not, to me at least. 
 
 In Mary Magdalene, however, East-Midland character- 
 istics, xal shall, qwat what, &c., clearly appear, as I have 
 noted on p. 53, note l. And Christ's Biwial a 7 id Resur- 
 rectionv7d,s — says Dr Richard Morris, p. 170, — Northumbrian, 
 and then rewritten or copied by a West-Midland scribe. 
 
 As to the metre, notes will be found on or near the first 
 page of each play. The Killmg of the Children is in 8-line 
 stanzas, ababb cbc ; and the Co 7 iversion of St Paul is in 
 7-line stanzas, ababb cc. Part I of Mary Magdalen is very 
 irregular : it tried seemingly to get into 8- or 9-line stanzas, 
 but other stanzas, alternates and couplets also occur ; Part 
 II is mainly in alternates; Wisdo 7 n is in 8-line stanzas: 
 Scene i. abab bcbc ; Scene ii. iii. and the printed bit of iv. 
 aaab-aaab, with an occasional couplet added, as in 165/735- 
 6, \ 66 l 74 .S-^, and some of the stanzas are linkt, the first line 
 
THE METRE AND DATE OF THE MYSTERIES. X\ 
 
 of the second ryming with the last line of the first. The 
 Burial of Christ is, as noted on p. 171, almost all in 6-line 
 stanzas aab, ccb, tho sum 8-line ones occur, aaab, cccb. The 
 Virgin's Complamt, p. 19 1-3, is mainly in eight, abab, bcbc, 
 with some sixes and sevens, followd by couplets. Parts of 
 this Complaint — the best portion of the volume — have the 
 same burden ‘ Who cannot wepe, com lerne of me ’ as the 
 earlier poem in my Hymns to the Virgin and Chi'ist, Early 
 English Text Soc. 1867, p. 126-7. This fashion of stanzas, 
 alternates and couplets in dramas lasted well into Shakspere’s 
 time. In his earliest play he has a conversation of four men 
 in no less than 17 alternates (abab) in succession, L. L.Lost, 
 IV. iii. 222 — 289 ; Berowne and Boyet talk in stanzas now 
 and then, ib., 214 — 219, V. ii. 256 — 261. (See too I. i. 94-9, 
 112-118.) But happily our great playwright soon gave up 
 the trammels of this convention. 
 
 The date of the Digby MS. I have put at 1480-90. At 
 first I thought 1475, but the late regretted Librarian of the 
 Bodleian wrote to me on July 8, 1879 : 
 
 “ 1512 [the copier’s date at p. i, copy] is not so far off the 
 mark as you suggest. I do not think that the text is 20 
 years in advance. Ever yrs. sincerely, H. O. Coxe.” 
 
 There seem to be at least three hands in the Digby MS. 
 Plays, of which I suppose the hand before 1500, — ?John 
 Parfre’s, — to write leaves 146-157, 37-50 (less 45-47, bk), all 
 the Killing of the Children, and Conversion of St Paid, ex- 
 cept the later Devils scene. This scene (leaves 45-47, back) 
 and Mary Magdalene (leaves 95-145) appear to be in a hand 
 somewhat later than that of the two other plays, and I sup- 
 pose it to be Miles Blomefylde’s. He signs his name before 
 the Conversion of St Paid, but there I hold his signature to 
 be in the later hand, as is the line “ Ihon Parfre ded wryte 
 thys booke,” p. 24. 
 
 The Morality of Wisdom (leaves 158-169, bk) seems to 
 
Xvi THE DATE OF THE DIGBY MYSTERIES. 
 
 be in a fresh hand, which my note calls later, but Mr Macray 
 and Mr Parker say is earlier, than the others. The latter 
 agrees in thinking there are three hands in the MS. Plays, 
 and feels sure that there are at least two. My notes, and 
 my recollection, are for the three hands. 
 
 Looking into the MS. accounts of the Chester Plays 
 some years ago, I copied a few extracts which may be now 
 shunted into an Appendix, on the chance of their interest- 
 ing some friend of ours in America, if not here, and helping 
 him to realize the old scene at the acting of the plays. All 
 the extracts have, no doubt, been printed in some History 
 of Chester or elsewhere, but I have not had time to look 
 round for them. 
 
 With thanks to Mr George Parker, our careful copier 
 and collater at Oxford, and to Mr Herrtage for his help with 
 the Glossary and Index, I turn to Part II. of Stubbes’s 
 Anatomie a-Xid. to Shakspe7'e Allusions, ‘a.xid wish our Members 
 the pleasant Long-Vacation that I fear I sha’n’t get. 
 
 29, 1882. 
 
Vll 
 
 FOREWORDS. 
 
 This book opens the Seventh Series of the New Shak- 
 spere Society'?, publications, that of the “ English Mysteries, 
 Miracle-Plays, Interludes, &c. up to Shakspere’s time.” Tho 
 it is later and far less complete than the other sets of Mys- 
 teries — the Towneley, Chester, Coventry, and Lord Ash- 
 burnham’s York one, still kept in MS. — it has been hitherto 
 printed in so few copies^ — 50, by the Abbotsford Club in 
 1835 — that I chose it, on that account, as our first work of 
 the kind, in order that it might get more generally known. 
 As too I have been able to add to the old set one more 
 Mystery in 2 Parts, — that of the ^ Burial and Resurrection of 
 Christ,’ which evidently once belongd to the Digby MS. 133, 
 from which these Mysteries get their name, — the prezent 
 edition has a fresh value 'of its own, however slight that value 
 may be. 
 
 But to every play-goer and every student of the drama, 
 all the old Mysteries have an interest independent of their 
 literary merit. They show him the stories and scenes in 
 which his forefathers before and up to Shakspere’s time were 
 content to find edification and amusement. They prove to 
 him that these old plays were but parts of the Romish 
 Church service, developt and taken out into the streets (p. 
 227-8, below). They give him the origin of that mixture of 
 comedy in deepest tragedy, and of tragedy in highest comedy, 
 nay in roaring farce, which is a leading note of Shakspere’s 
 
 1 Hawkins printed the first play, Candlemas Day, in his Origiti of 
 the English Drama, 1773, and Marriott reprinted it in his Collection. 
 of English Miracle-Plays, &c., Basel, 1838.- — P. A. DANIEL. 
 
viii ‘herod’s killing of the children,’ and 'the purification.’ 
 
 drama, and which so shocks the classicist critics of Romanti- 
 cism. And if these Digby Mysteries, being poorer than the 
 Towneley, point to the decay of the old religious Drama in 
 England, the student- sees in that only the greater need for 
 Shakspere to arise, replace the old Religionism with the new 
 Humanity, and take as his themes the love, fears, hates, am- 
 bitions of men, the World and its Ruler, instead of Judaea 
 and its King. 
 
 The first Play, ‘ Herod’s Killing of the Children ’ or 
 ‘ Murder of the Innocents,’ and the Purification, is one of a 
 set of New Testament Plays, — the seventh, says Stowe, p. l, 
 1 . 2, below, but the 3rd, I suppose, the ‘Annunciation and 
 Birth of Christ’ being the first, and the ‘Adorations of the 
 Shepherds and the Three Kings’ being the 2nd. Only one 
 of these plays was playd yearly, says our text, p. 2, so that 
 the place it was acted in must have been some small town 
 or village; and no mention is made of any Trade supplying 
 the Actors. The 4th Play of the set was to be ‘ Christ Dis- 
 puting with the Doctors in the Temple,’ see p. 23 ; and so, 
 if the set of after Plays was 23 in number, like the Coventry 
 New-Testament set, it would take the villagers 23 years to 
 get through the story of Christ’s life. But no doubt several 
 subjects were lumpt into one play in the Series to which this 
 Killing of the Children belongd. 
 
 The comedy in this first Play was supplied by music and 
 dancing between the Prolog and Scene i (see p. 2, at foot), 
 and after the Play (p. 22) as well as after the Epilog (p. 23), 
 as after Shakspere’s plays. Also by Herod’s bragging and 
 strutting (p. 3), by his man Watkyn’s boasting, and then 
 confessing that he was afraid of a woman with a distaff 
 (p. 6, 7, 9), and later by the women ‘laying on ’ and beating 
 Watkyn with their distaffs (p. 14), The killing of the children 
 was done on the stage, seemingly (p. 13), and Herod died 
 there too (p. 16). But there does not seem to have been a 
 
'the conversion of ST. PAUL.’ 3 FLATS IN THE PAGEANT. ix 
 
 curtain to the pageant-wagon, — whose existence I assume, — 
 for at the end of Scene i the stage-direction is, “ Here the 
 Knyghtes and Watkyn walke about the place tyll Mary & 
 Joseph be conveid into Egipt.” The Temple (p. i8, 20) 
 was, I suppose, a bit of painted wood on the floor of the 
 w^agon. The “Virgynes, as many as a man wyH” (p. 19), 
 who held tapers, went in procession, sang (p. 20) and danced 
 (p. 22, 23), were, I suppose, part of the Audience, as well as 
 the ‘ virgyn ’ and four women who playd the Mothers, of the 
 sixteen Players named on p. 24 as performing the Play. 
 
 The second Play, The Conversion of St Paul, — he being 
 “drest lyke an aunterous knyght,” — seems to have been acted 
 in a larger town, for its three Acts were playd at three Sta- 
 tions or open sites (p. 27, 33, 41), at the first of which there 
 was room for Saul’s horse to be brought up, and for him to 
 ride about (p. 32, 33). The “ pagent ” is mentiond at p. 33, 
 1. 167, p. 52, 1. 657; and that the wagon had an upper {? half-) 
 stage is certain,^ as the Holy Ghost appeal'd on it (p. 38, at 
 foot), and the “fervent,” lightning or thunderbolt (p. 34) would 
 be thrown from it. In this case too there were Dances after 
 the Prolog (p. 27, 1 . 14) and Act I (p. 33), while the comedy 
 was developt by a scene of broad chaff between Paul’s serv- 
 ant and an Ostler (p. 30- 1). But the audience who followd 
 the wagon from Station to Station (p. 33, 1 . 156-7) evidently 
 
 ^ “ In the great Mysteries the stage was at three elevations (and 
 before it was a shallow but broad podium for the chorus). The lowest 
 stage represented the nether world. In the midst was a door — the mouth 
 of hell — and steps led from it on each side to the second stage, which 
 figured earth. The highest stage was reserved for the Deity and the 
 saints; it was heaven.” 1879. S. Baring-Gould, Germa 7 iy, Past and 
 Prese 7 it, ii. 4 : an excellent book, which shows in its next 3 pages how 
 effective this 3-stage arrangement was in Theodore Schernbeck’s play 
 of Frait Jutta, composed in 1480 on the story of Pope Joan. A pro- 
 cession of cardinals “ with tapers and banners move along the middle 
 stage chanting a litany. Below, the demons are tormenting the soul of 
 Jutta, who pleads on in piteous hymn to Mary. Above, in heaven, the 
 Blessed Virgin and St Nicholas are entreating the Saviour.” — Ib. p. 7. 
 
X ^ MARY MAGDALENE.’ 
 
 found the seriousness of the original Acts II and III dull, 
 and so a later hand — Miles Blomefylde, p, 55 — spiced up 
 Act III with a lively scene of the Devils in Hell, amid fire, 
 flame, roaring, and crying (p. 43-46), to carry off the weight 
 of Paul’s Sermon on the Seven Deadly Sins, which followd.^ 
 In the third Play, Mary Magdalene — of which Part I 
 describes her Father Cyrus and his death, her Seduction by 
 Lechery and a Galant, her Repentance and Wiping of Jesus’s 
 feet with her Hair, and also her brother Lazarus’s Death and 
 Againrising — we have the comedy supplied by our friend 
 Herod (p. 60-1) bragging as before, by the King of the Flesh 
 kissing Miss Lechery (p. 67), and by a scene at a Tavern 
 in Jerusalem (p. 72-5), with a young dandy who wants a 
 pretty barmaid to chat to, and who makes Mary fall in love 
 with him. Then the Devils are seen in Hell (p. 75), which 
 is the lower stage (p. 76) of the 2- or 3-staged wagon (p. 67, 
 at foot), and in scene xv, p. 82-3, all the Seven Devils are 
 beaten on their buttocks on the stage. A house is also set 
 on fire (p. 83) : an instance of early Sensationalism. 
 
 In Part H — which tells how Christ appears to Mary at 
 his tomb,^ how she goes to Marcylle, converts its King and 
 Queen, is fed in the wilderness by Angels, and then dies 
 and is taken up to Heaven — the bragger is supplied by the 
 
 ‘ “A traveller in 1790 . . goes on to relate that in other villages near 
 Innsbruck, St Mary Magdalene [see above, and p. 82-3 below] and 
 St Sebastian were being performed ; and he was assured that these 
 pieces possessed superior attractions to that of St Pancras, inasmuch aj 
 moi'e devils appeared in them.” (See Pichler, Ueber das Dra}?ia des 
 Mittelalters in Tirol, Innsbruck, 1850.) 1879. S. Baring-Gould, Ger- 
 
 many, Past and Present, ii. 1 7. 
 
 “ On the three Maries and the Apostles at the Tomb, p. 92-4, 201- 
 218, compare the lines (21-4) in Stubbes’s Anatomie, Part I, Appendix, 
 p. 336, from Naogeorgus : 
 
 “In fome place folemne fightes and fhowes, & Pageants fayre are 
 playd, 
 
 With fundrie fortes of mafkers brave, in ftraunge attire arrayd. 
 
 As where the Maries three doe meete, the fepulchre to lee. 
 
 And John with Peter fwiftly runnes, before him there to bee.” 
 
xvii 
 
 P.S. In the Daily News of April 4, 1881, is a long and 
 interesting account of a Mussulman Passion Play. 
 
 In the Academy of July i, 1882, is a short statement 
 about the York Mystery Plays, which the prezent Lord Ash- 
 burnham, wisely changing the dog-in-the-mangership of his 
 late father, is letting Miss L. Toulmin Smith edit his unique 
 big 4to. MS. of for the Clarendon Press. The York volume 
 contains 48 plays, as against the Coventry 43, the Towneley 
 32, and the Chester 24. Four or five of the York plays are 
 the same as some of the Towneley set, with additions or 
 omissions. The first eleven York plays are from the Old 
 Testament, the other 37 are from the New Testament, the 
 Gospel of Nicodemusand some of the Marian legends. The 
 MS. gives the music sung by the angels in the play on the 
 vision of our Lady to St Thomas. The MS. is about 1450 
 A.D., but it probably represents a somewhat earlier text. 
 
 The Scriveners’ Play of this York set, printed by Croft 
 in 1797, and the Camden Soc. in 1858, seems to have been 
 set from an actor’s copy, lately belonging to Dr Sykes of 
 Doncaster. 
 
 On the French Mysteries, see the Introduction to the 
 Mistere du Vieil Testament by the late liberal Baron James 
 de Rothschild, in the edition he gave to the Old French 
 Text Society, the Miraeles de la Vierge in the same Society, 
 M. Petit de Julleville’s book on the subject, M. Onesyme 
 Leroy’s Etudes sur les Mystlres, Messrs Gaston Paris and 
 Reynaud’s edition of the Mystere de la Passion, and the 
 dramatic section of Aubertin’s Histoire de la Literature 
 franqaise au Moyen Age. 
 
 DIGBY MYST. 5 
 
APPENDIX TO FOREWORDS. 
 
 NOTES ON THE CHESTER PLAYS AND MIDSUMMER WATCH, FROM 
 HARLEIAN MSS. I944, I948, 2125, &C. 
 
 Harl. AfS. 1944, If. 21 bk. 
 
 1 Now of ye playes of Chester called y® whitson playes, 
 when they weare played, and what occupaciones bringe 
 forthe at theire charges the Playes and pagiantes. 
 
 Heare note that these playes of Chester called y® whitson 
 playes weare the woorke of one Rondoll,^ a monke of y® 
 Thesepiayes Abbaye of Warburge in Chester, who redused 
 aboiiished: y® whole history of the byble into Englishe stoiyes 
 in metter, in y® englishe tounge ; and this moncke, in a good 
 desire to doe good, published y® same, then the firste mayor 
 of Chester, namely Sir lohn Arneway knighte, he caused the 
 
 * Part of Chap: 4: From “ A breauarye, or some fewe Collectiones of 
 y' Cittie of Chester, gathered out of some fewe writers, and heare sett 
 downe, and reduced into these Chapters followinge : ” Harl. MS. 1944, 
 If. 3. The Forewords “ To the Reader” are signd “ -per Dauid Rogers : 
 1609: July: 3”; and Harl. MS. 1948, If. 18, says that the Collections 
 were “collected by the Reuerend: m' Robert Rogers, Batchlor in 
 Diuinitye, Archdeacon of Chester, and Prebunde in the Cathedrall 
 Church of Chester [and parson of Gawsworth],” and “ written by his 
 sonne Dauid Rogers.” 
 
 2 In Harl. 2124 (a Copy of the Chester Plays made by Jas. Miller in 
 1607), a vellum fly-leaf {? later) says : 
 
 The Whitsun playes first made by one Don Randle Higgenet 0 hlonke 
 of Chester Abbey, who was thrise at Rome before he could obtaine leaue 
 of the Pope to haue them in the English tongue. 
 
 The Whitsun playes were played openly in pageants by the Cittizens 
 of Chester in the Whitsun Weeke. Nicholas the fift then was Pope, in 
 the year of o;/r Lord 1447. Sir Henry Francis, sometyme a Monke of 
 the Monestery of Chester, obtained of Pope Clemens a thousand dales 
 of pardon, and of the Bishop of Chester 40 dayes pardon, for euery person 
 that resorted peaceably to see the same playes, and that euery person that 
 disturbed the same to be accursed by the said Pope, vntill such tyme as 
 they should be absolued thereof. 
 
APPENDIX. HOW THE CHESTER PLAYS WERE PLAYD. xix 
 
 same to be played [“ a««o domini : 1329”] ; the manner of 
 which playes was thus : They weare deuided into 24 
 pagiantes or partes, acordinge to the number of y'= Com- 
 panyes of ye Cittie, and euery Company brought forthe their 
 pagiente, which was y® cariage or place w//zch they played 
 in : And yarlye before these were played, there was a man 
 1 leafi'z. fitted for y® purpose ^ which did ride, as I take it 
 8 Aj,rU23. vpon S‘ George daye^ throughe y® Cittie, and there 
 published the tyme and the matter of y® playes in 
 or Proclama^ breife, w/«ch was called “ y® readinge of the banes.” 
 Mystrtl to They were played vpon monday,tuseday,and wense- 
 bepiayd.-] witson wceke. And they first beganne at y® 
 
 Abbaye gates ; & when the firste pagiente was played at y® 
 Abbaye gates, then it was wheeled from thence to the pentice 
 at y® highe crosse before y® Mayor ; and before that was 
 donne, the seconde came, and y® firste wente in-to the water- 
 gate streete, and from thence vnto y® Bridge-streete, and soe 
 all, one after an other, tell all y® pagiantes weare played, 
 appoynted for y® firste daye, and so likewise for the seconde 
 yc description & the thirde daye : these pagiantes or cariage was 
 %iTypiiyed^ a highe place made like a howse wfth ij rowmes, 
 “•■/ beinge open on y® tope : the lower rowme they ap- 
 
 parrelled & dressed them seines ; and in the higher rowme 
 they played : and they stoode vpon 6 wheeles. And when 
 they had done wfth one cariage in one place, they wheeled 
 the same from one streete to an other : first from y® Abbaye 
 gate to y® pentise, then to the Watergate streete, then to y® 
 bridge streete, throughe the lanes, and so to the estgate 
 streete. , And thus they came from one streete to an other 
 keapinge a direct order in euery streete ; for before y® firste 
 cariage was gone, y® seconde came, and so the thirde, and 
 so orderly till y® laste was don;«e, all in order, without any 
 stayeinge in any place ; for, worde beinge broughte how 
 euery place was neere done, they came, and made no place 
 to tarye, till y® last was played : ® 
 
 Heareafter followeth y® readinge of y® banes, w/«'ch 
 was read before y® beginninge of y® whitson playes, 
 beinge the breife of y® whole playes :/ 
 
 ^ The shorter Annals or “ Breauarye of the Cittie of Chester,” from 
 Rogers in Harl. 1948, adds on leaf 64, back (after “all the streetes have 
 theire pagiantes afore them all at one time playeinge togeather,”) ‘to se 
 which playes was greate resorte, and also scafoldes and stages made in the 
 streetes in those places where they determined to playe theire pagiantes.’ 
 
 &2 
 
XX APPENDIX. THE CHESTER PLAYS : A PLEA FOR POOR PLAYERS. 
 
 [Here follow ‘ The Banes’ — an Address of g stanzas to the 
 future audience, then 24 stanzas on the 24 Plays, and 4 lines 
 of Conclusion, — all printed by Thos. Wright in the Old Sh. 
 Soc.’s Chester Plays, i. 1-7, from George Beilin’s copy in 
 Harl. MS. 2013 ; and then Rogers goes on, leaf 24, back ; — ] 
 
 “ The sume of this storye, Lordes & ladyes alle, 
 he wishetk I haue breifely repeated, & how they muste be played. 
 to take ye One thinge, warne you now I shall, 
 
 ^pfay °but%0 possible it is, these matters to be contynued 
 
 comeaue of ye In such sorte & cunninge, & by such playeres of price 
 7 Am-ghtebe at this day good players & fine wittes coulde deuise, 
 
 V shoulde all those p^rsones tJiai as Gods doe playe, 
 
 In Clowdes come downe with voyce, & not be scene ; 
 
 For no man can p;'d?portion that Godhead, I saye, 
 
 To the shape of man face, nose, and eyne ; 
 
 But sethence y‘= face gilte doth disfigure y'= man that deme 
 A Clowdy Coueringe of y' man a voyce only to heare, 
 
 [tf. 25] And not God in shape or person to appeare ; 
 
 By Craftes men & meane men these Pageaunt^r are played 
 and to Comwons and Contrye men acustomablye before. 
 
 If better men & finer heades now come, what canne be saide ? 
 
 But of com;;zon and contrye playeres take thou the storye ; 
 
 And if any disdaine, then open is y' doore 
 
 That left him in to heare ; packe awaye at his pleasure ; 
 
 Oure playeinge is not to gett fame or treasure : 
 
 All that wAh quiett mynde 
 Can be contented to tarye, 
 
 Be heare on whitson monday : 
 
 Then begineth y® storye. 
 
 § § finis: DR. 
 
 And thus much of Banes or Breife of y® whitson playcs in 
 Chester ; for if I shoulde heare resite y® whole storye of y® 
 whitson playes, it woulde be tto tediouse for to resite in this 
 breauarye : As also, they beinge nothinge prtififitable to any 
 vse, excepte it be to shewe y® Ignorance of oure forefatheres, 
 and to make vs theire ofspringe vnexcusable before God, 
 that haue y® true and synceare worde of y® Gospell of o?/r 
 lord & sauiour Jesus Christe, if we apprehende not y® same 
 in oure life & practise, to y® eternall glorie of o?/r god, and 
 y® saluation & co;;/forte of oure owne soles. 
 
 : Heare followeth all y® Cowpanyes as they weare 
 played vpon theire seuerall dayes, w/;fch was ]\Ionday : 
 
APPENDIX. THE PLAYERS AND SUBJECTS OF THE CHESTER PLAYS. XXI 
 
 Tueseday : & Wenseday in y® whitson weeke. And 
 how manye Pagiantes weare played vpon euery day 
 at the Charge of euery Companye, 
 
 The Companyes or trades The story or matter that euery 
 
 Compa/^ye did acte : 
 
 that playe ; 
 Barkers 
 Tanners 
 
 2 Drapers | 
 Hosieres j 
 
 I bringe forthe 
 
 I 
 
 i 
 
 Draweres in Dee ) 
 
 ^ & waterleaders j 
 Barbers 
 
 4 Waxe chandlers 
 Leeches 
 
 ileaf 25, back\ 5 Cappei'S ) 
 
 Wyerdraweres ^ 
 Pynners ) 
 
 6 Wrightes 
 slatereres 
 Tyleres V . 
 
 Daubers j 
 Thatchares J 
 
 7 Paynters t 
 Imbrotheres > 
 
 Glasieres j 
 
 g Vinteners } . . 
 
 Marchantes j 
 
 Mercers ") 
 
 ^ Spicers j 
 
 The fallinge of Lucifer 
 
 The creation of y® worlde 
 Noah & his shipp 
 
 Abraham & Isacke 
 
 ( Kinge Balack & Balaam wfth 
 ( Moyses :/ 
 
 Natiuytie of our lord 
 
 J Gould smythes I . 
 Massons j 
 
 Smythes 
 
 2 forberes V . . 
 
 Pewterers j 
 
 3 Butchares , . , 
 
 . . . The shepperdes offeringe 
 
 Kinge Harrald & y® mounte 
 victoriall 
 
 bringe forthe y® 3. kinges of Collen : 
 
 These 9 Pagiantes aboue written weare 
 played vppon y® first day beinge Monday. 
 . . . The destroyeinge of the 
 
 Chillderen by Herod 
 
 Purification of oiir ladye 
 
 The pinackle, wfth y® 
 
 woman of Canan.^ 
 
 ^ The Temptation, and the Woman taken in Adultery. 
 
XKii APPENDIX. THE PEAYEKS AND SUBJECTS OF THE CHESTER PLAYS. 
 
 Glouers & 1 [bi'inge forthe] The risinge of Lazarus 
 
 ^ Parchment makers J from death to liffe :/ 
 
 _ Coruesters or | The cominge of Christe to 
 
 ^ shoemakers j lerusalem :/ 
 
 ^ Bakers ) . 
 Mylners J 
 
 Bowyeres 
 Fletcheres 
 7 Stringers y 
 Cowpers I 
 Turners I 
 
 Christes maundy wfth his 
 desiples 
 
 The scourginge of Christe 
 
 Irnemongers 
 Ropers j 
 
 [/m/ 26] Cookes 
 Tapsters 
 ^ Hostlers 
 Inkeapers 
 
 
 The Crusifienge of Christ 
 
 The harrowinge of hell 
 
 These 9 pagiantes aboue written weare 
 played vpon y® second day : beinge 
 tueseday :/ 
 
 Skinners 
 Cardemakers | 
 
 I Hatters Y 
 
 Poynters j 
 
 Cirdlers J 
 
 ^ Sadlers |^ . . . 
 
 fusters J 
 
 3 Taylores . . . . 
 
 4 Fishmongers . . 
 
 The Resurrection. 
 
 The Castle of Emaus & 
 the Apostles 
 The Ascention of Christe 
 Whitsonday y'^ makeinge 
 of the Creede 
 
 5 Shermen 
 
 P7'(?phetes before y® day 
 of Dome 
 
 ^ Hewsters 
 Bellfownders 
 
 Weauers ) 
 " Walkers j 
 
 Antechriste 
 Domes Daye 
 
 These 7 pagiantes weare played vpon y® third daye, 
 beinge wensedaye ; & these whitson playes weare played 
 in Chester anno domiuz : 1574: S’' lohn Sauage, knight, 
 
APPENDIX. THE CHESTER MIDSUMMER SHOW. Xxiii 
 
 beinge Mayor of Chester, which was the laste tyme they 
 weare played. And we haue all cause to power out oux 
 prayei'es before God, that neither we nor oure po.sterities 
 after us, maye neuer see y® like abomination of desolation, 
 w/th such a Clowde of Ignorance to defyle wz'th so highe a 
 hand y® sacred scriptures of God : But of y® mercye of oure 
 God for y® tyme of oure Ignorance he regardes it not : and 
 thus much in breife of y® whitson playes :/” 
 
 The worthy Rogers goes on with a chapter on the Mid- 
 summer Show, which was acted when the Plays hadn’t been 
 playd in Whitweek ; and as he speaks in a sidenote of certain 
 improprieties at the Show put down by a godly Mayor — 
 “ y® diuell in his fethers before y® butchers, a man in womans 
 apparell, w/th a diuill waytinge on his horse called cuppes 
 & cans, god in stringes,^ wfth other thinges,” — I copy the 
 passage, to get more information about this Midsummer 
 Show. (See p. xxvi, be’ow.) 
 
 “Of y® Midsomer showe or watche in Chester. 
 
 yc midsomer Heare we maye note that y® showe or watche, on 
 anchantas midsomer cauc, called 'midsomer showe, yearely 
 pi^eLifnoi now vsed wz’tliin y® Citti of Chester, was vsed in ye 
 moreanchani j-yjy,g gf tliose wliitson playes, & before, so farr as 
 lomershoe"^' I cannc vndcrstande ; for when y® whitson playes 
 went then weai'e played, then y® showe at midsomer wente not : 
 
 ye %u/utson i 
 
 playes went And when y® whitson playes weare not played, then 
 ^Zhen ye 7 ® Hiidsomer showe wente only : as many now liue- 
 ■whitsonpiay incre [ i 6 oQ A.D.l canne make theire owne knowledge 
 showe at mid- sufficieiit 1 But since these playes at whitson- 
 
 ToT:’'^^'‘* tide weare put downe, and y® midsomer showe went 
 only, there hath bene taken awaye some thinges, & reformed, 
 [2/ra/26,fe^*] that weare ^not decente : whearein y® wisedome & 
 many things godly Care of thosc magistrates that did reihoue 
 Z‘°midsimer awaye thinges either sinfull or offensiue, is to be 
 comwended, and by all religeose magistrates there 
 dfardware,&^ to be troden in, inasmuch as they intende all 
 
 [1599], as ye theire actiones to Gods glorye, & the rule or lyne 
 
 1 This is the only way that Mr C. T. Martin of the Record Office and 
 I can read the MS. 
 
Xxiv APPENDIX. THE CHESTER MIDSUMMER SHOW. 
 
 ‘^fe'ikerl before p^’^'fection, the w//zch, howsoeuer it cannot be 
 
 y> butciiers,-^ attavncl vnto in this liffe, yet it is the marke we 
 
 a 7na7i i7t 1 1 i. • x i • i x 
 
 wo 77 ia 7 tsaP' are all to aime at. In which 1 co;;/mende gouer- 
 mentt of mr Henry Hardware esqzzzr^, somtymes 
 Z 7 hthor 3 e n^ayor of Chester [1599], whose gouernement was 
 called ciippes godly, wherein he soughte y® redresse of manye 
 in strhi^es t?) , abuses, as namely in y® midsomer showe he caused 
 7 kfngefr som thinges to be reformed and taken awaye, that y® 
 w\uc/i ware watchmcn of oz/r soules, or deuines, spake agfainste, 
 
 amended. Hs thingcs Hot htt to DC vscd ; for w/^zch he deserued 
 juste comzzzendation ; howsoeuer the vulgar sorte of people 
 did oppose themselues againste y® reformation of sinnes, not 
 knowinge that anchant synnes ought to haue new reforma- 
 tion, And antiquitee in thinges vnlawfull or offensiue is no 
 reason to mayntayne y® same. But for y® decensie of y® 
 midsomer showe as it is now [1609 A.D.] vsed,^ I referre it 
 to y® judgmente of those who are more judiciouse :/” 
 
 ’ Harl. MS. 2125, leaf 304 or 123 (see If. 41 and 53). 1599 Hen. 
 
 Hardware esq (? in Jn. Stow’s hand). ....... 
 
 “ the maior caused the Graull not to goe at Midsomer wach, but in stedd 
 a man in complet white .Armore on horsback. he, at same show, put downe 
 the diuell Ryding for buchers, & caused a boy to Ride for them as other 
 companies, nor cupps nor canzzs nor dragon & naked boys would he 
 suffer at show : he tooke vp bakinge at High Crosse : he opposed the 
 showmakers [shoemakers] & would haue them receue brethren among 
 them for small somes or nothing ; and restrayned the leaulokers for 
 sending of coyne accordinge to their auntient custome vsed tyme out of 
 mynd.” 
 
 On the ‘ Devil in Feathers,’ compare also John Taylor the Water- 
 poet, in a description of a Tinckhell, or Deer-driving at Braemar in 1618 
 at which he was present, viz. — “Being come to our lodgings, there was 
 such baking, boyling, resting, and stewing, as if Cook Ruffian had been 
 there to have scalded the Devil in his feathers.” 
 
 The description from which the above is an excerpt is printed in the 
 Appendix, 4th Report of Historical Manuscript Commissioners, p. 533. — 
 A. F. Watson. 
 
 ■ Daily News, Jan. 9, 1882, p. 2, col. 7 : — 
 
 A Miracle Play in Worcestershire. — Our Stoke-upon-Trent 
 correspondent telegraphs; — The usually quiet village of Rouslench, near 
 Pershore, Worcestershire, has during the past week been the scene of an 
 extraordinary miracle play, which was suggested to the rector, the Rev. 
 Mr. Chafey, by the Passion Play of Ober Ammergau. The interest in 
 the play grew daily, and on Saturday last the reproduction was witnessed 
 by a large number of people, most of whom had come considerable dis- 
 tances. In style the piece had been made to imitate as much as possible 
 
APPENDIX. WHEN THE CHESTER PLAYS WERE PLAYD. XXV 
 
 As to the years in which the Chester Plays were acted, 
 I find the following entries : — 
 
 Harl. 1944,^ leaf 67. 
 
 *.Mayores.* *.Sherriffes.* 
 
 1328 Sfr John Arneway knight | ^l^hard^SpiSr'^^^^ ^ 
 
 The'whitson playes Inuented, in Chester, 
 by one Rondoll Higden, a monke in 
 Chester abbaye./ 
 
 In the list of Chester Mayors and Sheriffs in Harl. 2105, 
 the only mention of the Playe is under 1546, William 
 Holcroft, Mayor ; “ In this yere m^- Holcroft died, & m^ John 
 walks : was chosen mayor, & the plaies went that same 
 yere.” leaf 95, at foot. 
 
 [Harl. MS. 1944] *.Mayores.* *.Sheriffes.* 
 
 [{/-. 86 ] Qu^ne ■. Eliza: raig/^e : 14: 
 
 f Richard Bauand, J 
 
 1571 lohn Hankey, merchant . . wikHm^^^Wall, 
 
 Irnemo;2ger J 
 
 In this yere the Whitson playes weare 
 played in Chester, &c. 
 
 Que?z^ : Eliza : raigne : 17 : 
 
 fjohn Allen, 
 
 P/86,«., 1574 S' John Sauageknighte 1247 
 
 \ man, merchant ' 
 
 the great Passion Play, suitable scenery and gorgeous dresses having 
 been obtained at great cost. The performance consisted of a series of 
 tableaux vivants representing various events in the life of Christ. There 
 were exactly fifty persons taking part in the performance, their ages 
 ranging from four years to 82 years, the rector taking a leading character 
 from time to time. An explanation was given of the successive tableaux, 
 and selections of music were played during the performance from Elijah 
 and the Messiah, 
 
 1 The names of the Mayors & Sheriffs of Chester, with other 
 t ungs. 
 
XXvi APPENDIX. WHEN THE CHESTER PLAYS WERE PLAYD. 
 
 The Whitson playes weare played in this 
 Cittie this yere . . 
 
 Ueaf'i^\ Queue : Eliza : raig 7 ^e : 20 : 
 
 1577 Thomas Be! line, m^’rcer^ 
 
 f Valentine Brough- 
 J ton, mercer 
 I John, Tilston, 
 V m^rrcer 
 
 250 
 
 . . . the Sheapardes play was played at 
 the highe crosse, wz'th other triumphes on 
 the Roode dee . . . 
 
 Ilea/ 90 ] 
 
 1599 
 
 Quene : Eliza : raig/ze : 42 : 
 
 Henry Hardware, Esq. 
 
 John Owen, 
 mercer 
 
 John Moyle, 
 draper 
 
 272 
 
 This mayor was a godly zealous man, yet 
 he gott ill will amonge the Commons, for 
 puttinge downe some anchant orders, in 
 the Cittie and amonge some Companyes, 
 especially the shooemakers, whoe he much 
 opposed : he caused the giantes w/«ch vse 
 to goe at midsomer to be broken, The 
 bull ringe at the high crosse to be taken 
 lea/go, lack-^ vp : The dragon and naked ^boyes he 
 
 suffered not to goe in midsomer showe, nor 
 the diuell for the Butchers, but a boye to 
 ride, as other Companyes ; he restrayned 
 the leaielookers, for sendinge wine, on 
 the feastifull dayes, accordinge to theire 
 anchant vse and Custome, &c. 
 
 ‘ Harl. 2125, If. 40, bk. Randle Holme’s collections. 
 
 1 574 . . . The whitson playes played in pageantes in the Cittj'e : 
 \_addition'\ at midsomer, to the great dislike of many, because the playe 
 was in on part of the Citty 
 
 [If 41] 1577. Alsoe he [the Mayor, Thomas Beilin] Caused the 
 Sheappeardes playe to be played at the hie Crosse, w/th other Trivmphes 
 one the Roode Deey. (An added sidenote says that — when this Mayor 
 ‘enterteyned the Earle of Darbie and his sonne Fordinando Lorde 
 Strange two nightes at his howse,’ — “ the scollers of the freescole also 
 playd a comedy before them at nT maiors howse.”) 
 
 “ George Beilin. Was he a seller of beer and ale? see Harl. MS. 
 2105, leaf 29, back. 
 
APPENDIX. WHEN THE CHESTER PLAYS WERE PLAYD. XXVii 
 
 Under 1600, Rogers enters that “ m^' Brerewood ” (the 
 Mayor who died in that year of his office) “ restored all the 
 anchant customes againe, except the Come m^’rkett toule, 
 w/^fch was taken from the sariantes in Mr Hardwars time, 
 and now conformed to the Mayor, by a gen(£’r)all assembly.” 
 I suppose that ‘customs’ here does not include the Mid- 
 summer show. 
 
 In the list of the “ Majors and Sherrijfes of Chester ” (? by 
 Wm. Smith) in Daniel King’s Vale-Royall, 1656, the only 
 entries I find about the Chester Plays are (Part I, p. 86), 
 
 Sheriffs 
 
 Richard B avian 
 William Walk 
 
 This year, the Maior would needs have the Playes 
 (commonly called Chester Playes') to go forward, against the 
 wills of the Bishops of Canterbury^ York, and Chester, (p. 88) 
 
 1575 . Sir JohH Savage { ^fujjSoadmau 
 
 This year the said Sir yohn Saiiage caused the Popish 
 Plays of Chester, to be played the Sunday, Munday, Tuesday 
 and Wednesday after Mid-sommer-day , in contempt of an 
 Inhibition and the Primats Letters from York, and from the 
 Earl of Himtingt 07 i. For which cause, he was served by a 
 Pursevant from York, the same day that the new Maior was 
 elected, as they came out of the Common- H all : notwith- 
 standing the said Sir John Savage took his Journey towards 
 London ; but how his matter sped, is not known ; Also Air 
 Hanky was served by the same Pursevant for the like 
 contempt, when he was Alayor [in 1572]. Divers others 
 of the Citize 7 is and Players were troubled for the same 
 matter, p. 88. 
 
 As to the Midsummer Watch, 
 
 W. Webb, in his list of the ‘Maiors and Sheriffs of Chester,’ 
 in King’s Vale-Royall, Pt 2, p. 190, notes under 1498, “It 
 appeared! that the Watch on Midsommer Eve began this 
 year.” 
 
 A 7 tno Maiors 
 
 1572. John Hanky. 
 
xxviii APPENDIX. THE CHESTER PLAYS AND MIDSUMMER WATCH. 
 
 Under 1563, p. 199 : “ Upon the Sunday after Midsommer 
 day, the History of Eneas and Queen Dido was play’d in the 
 Roods Eye, And were set out by one William Crosto?i, Gent, 
 and one Man, on which Triumph there was made two 
 Forts, and shipping on the Water, besides many horsemen 
 well armed and appointed.” 
 
 As to the Plays, Webb^ ib. p. 199, 8z;c., repeats and adds- 
 to the entries given two pages back : 
 
 Anno. Maiors 
 
 1567. Richard Dutton 
 
 Sheriffs 
 
 ( Edw. Martin, Draper. 
 ( Oliver Smith, Draper. 
 
 This year the W hitsonWXd.y^'s, were played, and divers 
 other pastimes. 
 
 1571. Jo: Hankey, i Richard BavaJid, Ironmonger. 
 
 Merchant ( William Ball, Ironmonger. 
 
 This year Whitson Playes were plaid, and an Inhibition 
 was sent from the Archbishop to stay them, but it came too 
 late . . . ib. p 200. 
 
 1574 - Sir John Kn\ght | 
 
 .... The JVhitson-Flayes were played at Midsommer, 
 and then but some of them, leaving others unplayed, 
 wdiich were thought might not be justified, for the siipersti- 
 tion that was in them, although the Maior was not injoyned 
 to proceed therein, p. 200. 
 
 T?77 Tho Beilin Mercer i Vale 7 itine Broughton, fiercer. 
 1577. 1 Ho. betLin,^Vereer \ ; Tilston, fiercer . 
 
 The Shepherds Play, was played at the high Crosse, and 
 other Triumphs, at the Roods Eye. p. 201. 
 
 rr TT j T' {Jo : Owen, hlercer. 
 
 1 599. Henry Hardware, Esq. J 
 
 .... This Maior for his time altered many ancient 
 Customs, as the shooting for the Sheriffs Breakfast [see 
 Rogers’s Breuyarye, Harl. 1944, If. 26, bk, after the Watch ] ; 
 The going of the Giants at Midsommer, &c., and would not 
 suffer any Playes, Bearbaits, or Bull-bait. — p. 208-9. 
 p. 213, 
 
APPENDIX. THE CHESTER PLAYS AND MIDSUMMER WATCH. XXIX 
 
 i6io. Tho. Harvy, Merchant 
 
 Hugh Williamson, Mercer. 
 Jo : Throp, Taylor. 
 
 .... Midsommer Eve being on Sunday, Mr. Maior caused 
 the Watch to be set forth the day before, although that 
 same were unwilling thereof. 
 
 Nidi : Ince, Maulster. 
 Robert Fletdier, Hatmaker. 
 
 i6ii. Jo. Ratdijfe, Beerbrewer 
 
 .... This Maior being perswaded, that the Sabbath day 
 should be truly performed and kept, he caused the Reapers 
 to be removed that came every Sunday to the high Crosse 
 in the Harvest time to be hired for the Week following. 
 
 The evidence, then, is against the regular yearly perform- 
 ance of the Chester Plays. 
 
HEROD’S 
 
 KILLING OF THE CHILDREN. 
 
xxxii 
 
 % THE NAMYS OF THE PLEYERS. 
 
 The poete 
 
 kyng Herowde 
 
 j'® knyght 
 
 the ij'*® knyght 
 
 iij'’® knyght 
 
 iiij*’’ knyght 
 
 watkyn), Messanger 
 
 Synieon) the bysshope 
 
 Joseph 
 
 Maria 
 
 Anna prophetissa 
 A virgyn) 
 
 Angelus 
 mulier 
 ij® mulier 
 iij^ mulier 
 iiij® mulier 
 
 SM7«ma xvij 
 
 Ihon Parfre ded wryte thys booke.^ 
 
 ' This line was not written at the same time as the writing above ; it is in a 
 different coloured ink. 
 
 [This page stands at the end of the Play in the MS., see p. 24, hut is repeated here 
 by way of warning, as usual.] 
 
I 
 
 {Dighy MS. 133 {paper, >1480-90 A.D.), Zea/ 146.] 
 
 > candelmes day & the kyllynge of the. children) of 
 Israeli. &nno Aomiin 1513. M‘D xij.>- ^the vij booke.^ 
 
 7 
 
 \_Prologue.~\ 
 
 H Poeta. 
 
 % This solenne ffest • to be had? in remembraunce® 
 
 OP blissed* seynt Anne ’ modeP to ouP lady, 
 whos right discent was fro kynge^ alyaunce— ''' 
 
 OP dauyd* and salamon) • witnesseth the story ; — 
 
 Hir blissid? doughteP • that callid* is mary, 
 by godde5 provision) • an husbond* shuld* haue, 
 
 Callid? Joseph • of natuP old* and drye, 
 
 & she moder vnto Crist • that aH the world* shaH save. 8 
 
 IT This glorious maiden) ‘ doughter vnto Anna, 
 
 In whos worshipe ’ this ffest we honouP, 
 
 And by resemblaunce ' likenyd* vnto Manna, 
 
 wiche is in tast celestial! of savouP, 12 
 
 And oP lerico ' the sote rose ffloure. 
 
 Gold* Ebryson) ' callid* in pictuP, 
 
 Chosyn) for to here mankynde^ savyouP, 
 
 witA a prerogative ' a-boue eche creature. 16 
 
 ^ These grett tliynge^ remembred* • after ouP entent, 
 
 Is for to worshippe ' oure ladye and seynt Anne, 
 we be comen) hedeP as seruaMiite^ diligent, 
 ouP process e to shewe you as we can) ; 20 
 
 wherfor, of benevolens • we pray euery man) 
 
 To haue vs execused* that we no better doo j 
 
 An-other tyme to emende it • iP we can) 
 
 be the grace of god* if ouP cuwnyng be ther-too. 24 
 
 * — ' in a later hand. * — ^ in Stow’s hand. 
 
 3 The whole play is in 8-line stanzas ryming ab abb cb c. 
 
 DIGBY MYST. B 
 
 This Feast is 
 held in remem- 
 brance of St, 
 Anne, 
 
 and her blessed 
 daughter Mary, 
 
 Christ’s Mother, 
 
 the heavenly 
 manna. 
 
 the sweet roso 
 of Jericho. 
 
 In their worship 
 we show our 
 Play. 
 
 Excuse oui 
 short-comings. 
 
2 CANDLEMAS DAY. HEROD S KILLING OF THE CHILDREN. PROL. 
 
 Last year we 
 showd you the 
 Joymaking of 
 the Shepherds, 
 and the Coming 
 of the 3 Kings. 
 
 [leaf 146, back] 
 
 Now well play 
 Mary’s Purifica- 
 tion, and then 
 
 Herod’s hearing 
 of the 3 Kings’ 
 departure. 
 
 his fury at it, 
 and his order 
 
 to kill all the 
 children of 2 
 years old in 
 Israel, 
 
 and how Jesus 
 escaped into 
 Egypt. 
 
 This, we’ll play 
 you, to the hon- 
 our of God and 
 St. Anne. 
 
 Minstrels and 
 Virgins, amuse 
 the audience ! 
 
 H The last yeer' we shewid? you in this place 
 how the shepherded of* Gristed birthe made letificacion, 
 And thre kynged ' that come fro ther Cuntrees be grace 
 To worshipe ledu, witA enteef deuoczon j 28 
 
 And now we purpose • wit A hooH Affeccion) 
 
 To precede in oure mater* ■ as we can). 
 
 And to shew you of our* ladies purificacion 
 
 that she made in the temple ' as the vsage was than). 32 
 
 ^ And after that ' shaH; herowd* haue tydynged 
 how the thre kynged be goon) hoom) an-other way, 
 that were witA ledu and made ther offrynged. 
 
 And promysed* kyng herowde witAout delay 36 
 
 To come a-geyn) by hym, this is no nay. 
 
 And whan) he wist that thei were goon), 
 like as a wod mai:i) he gan) to fray, 
 
 & cowmaundid? his knyghted for to go a-noon) 40 
 
 U In-to Israeif, to serche euery town) and cite 
 ffor aft the Children) that thei cowde ther fynde 
 of ij yeered age & witAin, sparyng neither bonde nor fffee, 
 but sle them aft either for ffoo or ffrende : 44 
 
 thus he coTOmaundid! ■ in his furious wynde. 
 
 Thought that, ledu shuld' haue be oon) ; 
 
 And yitt he failed' • of his froward mynde, 
 for by gooded pMrviaunce ‘ ^onr* lady was in-to Egipte 
 gon). 48 
 
 H ffrended, this processe we purpose to pley ‘ as we can) 
 be-fore you aft, here in youf presens. 
 
 To the honor of god', ouf lady, & seynt Anne, 
 besechyng you to geve vs peseable Audiens. 52 
 
 And ye menstrallis, dotft youf diligens, 
 
 & ye virgynes, shewe summe sport & plesure. 
 
 These people to solas, & to do god reuerens. 
 
 As ye be appoynted' j doth your besy cure ! 56 
 
 ^ T 
 
 ^ Et tripident 
 
CANDLEMAS DAY. HEROD's KILLING OF THE CHILDREN. SC. 1. 3 
 
 \_Scene i. Jerusalem.^ 
 
 ^ Herodes. 
 
 H A-boue aH kynges vnder the Clowdys CristaH: 
 
 Royally I reigne in welthe witA-out woo; 
 
 Of* plesaunt prosperyte • I lakke non at aH, 
 ffortune I fynde • that she is not my fFoo. 
 
 I Am kyng herowde^, • I wiH it be knowen) soo, 
 most strong and myghty • in feldl for to lyg&t. 
 
 And to venquysshe my enemyes • that a-geynst me do ; 
 
 I am most be-dred* • with my bronde bright. 64 
 
 IT My grett goddes I gloryfye • wit A gladnesse. 
 
 And to honoure them • I knele vp-on my knee, 
 
 ifor thei haue sett me in solas • from aH sadnesse, 
 
 that no conquerouf nor knyght • is comparid* to me. 68 No conqueror 
 
 ^ can be compard 
 
 Att tho that rebelle a-geyns me ' ther bane I wiH be, to me. 
 
 Or grudge a-geyns my goddes on hyH or hethe ; 
 
 AH suche rebellers ' I shaH make for to fflee. 
 
 And witA hard* punysshementes ' putt them to dethe. 72 
 
 II what erthely wretches • witA pompe & pride Myopposersand 
 
 foes shall be 
 
 do a-geyns my lawes ' or witA-stonde myn) entent, confomded and 
 
 thei shaH suffre woo and peyne • thurgh bak and syde, 
 
 WitA a very myschaunce ' ther flesshe shalbe aH to-rent. 
 
 And aH my ffoes • shaH haue suche cowmaundement 77 
 that they shalbe glad* to do my byddyng ; Ay, 
 
 Or elles thei shalbe • in woo and myscheff* permanent, 
 that thei shaH fere me nyght and day.’- 80 
 
 * The next page of the MS., leaf 147, hack, is in different metre. 
 
 It contains the three folio-wing 7-line stanzas [ababbec) and one 
 4-line verse {dcdc), and is crosst through with the pen. 
 
 H My messanger* at my commaundement • come heder Herod. 
 to me. 
 
 And take hed* • what I shaH to the say. 
 
 I charge the, loke a-bought • thurgh aH my Cuntre 
 to Aspye if* ony rebelles do A-geynst ouf lay ; 
 
 And if* ony suche come in thy way 
 brynge hem in-to our* high presens. 
 
 And we shaH se them correctid* • or thei go hens. 
 
 B 2 
 
 Messenger ! go 
 and spy out for 
 rebels, and 
 bring them be- 
 fore me I 
 
 4 
 
 7 
 
 peaf 147] 
 Herod. 
 
 60 
 
 I am the great 
 king Herod. 
 
4 CANDLEMAS DAY. HEROd’s KILLING OF THE CHILDREN. SC. 1. 
 
 Herod!. 
 
 [leaf 148] ^ do^ perceyue, though I be here in my cheff' cite, 
 
 caJlid! lerwiclem, • my riche RoyaH Town), 
 strange I am falsly disceyvid* ■ by straunge kynge^ three j 
 ceivd me. Therfor my knyghtes ' I warne you • without delacion 84 
 
 That ye make serche thurgh-out att my region), 
 
 Knights ! kill all wit^-oute ony tarieiiff my wille may be seen), 
 
 the chUdren of . . 
 
 2 years old in And sle aR tho Children • witA-out excepcion 
 
 Israel ! ^ 
 
 Of* to yeeres of* age ■ t/iat wit/iin Israeli bene. 88 
 
 Watkyn), Messanger. 
 
 Watkyn. my lord, your corwmaundement • I haue fultllled 8 
 
 I have done so. evyn) to the vttermest • of* my pore power^ ; 
 
 And I wold shew you more • ^ so ye wold be con- 
 tentid 2 j 
 
 but I dare not • lest ye wold take it in Anged, 1 1 
 
 fl'or if it liked you not • I am sure my deth were nere. 
 And therfor my lord I wole hold my peas. 
 
 herod. 
 
 I warne the, thu Traytowr, that thu not seas 14 
 
 To shewe euery thyng thu knowist A-geyns ouf reuer- 
 ence. 15 
 
 Messanger. 
 
 Those 3 strange 
 kings that went 
 to Bethlehem, 
 have not come 
 back to you, but 
 gone home 
 another way. 
 
 my lord, if ye haue it • in youi’’ remembraunce, 
 
 ther were iij .straungef kynge^ • but late in your presence, 
 
 that went to bedlem to otl’re® wit/i due obseruaimce, 18 
 
 & promysed to come a-geyn) by you without variaunce j 
 
 but by thes bonys ten) • thei be to you ratrue, 
 
 for ^ homward an-other wey thei doo sue. 2 1 
 
 Herod. 
 
 Now, be my grett goddey • that be so fuH of myght, 
 1 wiH be a-vengid vpon) Israeli ' if thi tale be true. 
 
 Me.ssanger. 
 
 That’s the truth, that it is my lord • my trouth I you plight, 
 
 for ye fouiide me neuer false syn ye me knewe. 25 
 
 [i_i orig^. A now I] P — ^ orig^. & it were yof/r will] 
 
 [3 orig«. make offryng] [* thei be depirrtid ’ and crosst tht oiigh'\ 
 
CANDLEMAS DAY. HEROD’s KILLING OF THE CHILDREN. SC. 1. ^ 
 
 5 r ffor witA-in my-self* thus I haue concludecP 
 ffor to a-voide a-wey aH interrupcion, 
 
 Sythen) thes thre kynge^ • haue me thus falsly deluded?, 
 
 As in maner by frowarcJ collusion). 
 
 And a-geyn) resortid* hom ' in-to ther region) ; 
 
 mavgre ther herte^, • I shall: avengid be 
 bothe in bedlem and in^ provynces euerychone j 
 ■ Sle aH the Children) • to kepe my liberte. 
 
 PrimiM Miles. 
 
 my lord, ye may be sure that I shaH not spare 
 Ifor to fulfille • your noble co;«maundement, 
 witA sharpe sword • to perse them aH bare. 
 
 In aH Cuntrees ' that be to you adiacent. loo 
 
 ij*" Miles. 
 
 And for your sake to obserue your co/nmaundement. 
 iij'“ Miles. 
 
 not on of* them aH • oui'’ hander shaH astert. 
 
 iiij’" Miles. 
 
 ffor we wole cruelly • execute youd Judgement, 103 
 with swerde and spere • to perse them thurgh the hert. 
 
 Herod. 
 
 I thanke you, my knyghtci • but loke ye make no tarieng ! Don’t tarry \ 
 
 Do arme your self in stele ' shynyng bright, Armi and, 
 
 And conceyve in yo^ir myndey that I am yo?/r kyng, [leaf i48, backj 
 Gevyng you charge ’ Jiat with all your myght. 
 
 In conseruacion) oP my tyteH oP right, 
 that ye go and loke for myn) aduawntage. 
 
 And sle aH the Children) • pat come in your sight 
 wiche ben) witAin too yeed ’ of* age. 
 
 ^ Now be ware that my byddyng ye truly obey, 
 for non but I shaH reigne with equyte. 
 
 Make aH the Children) on yoMr swordey to dey ! 
 
 I charge you, spare not oon) ■ for mercy nor pyte. 
 
 108 to preserve my 
 title, 
 
 kill all the chil- 
 dren of 2 years 
 1 12 old; 
 
 1 1 (5 spare not one I 
 
 92 
 
 I’ll be aveng’d 
 on Bethlehem, 
 <fec, and slay all 
 the children. 
 
 96 
 
 [i in alterd to my 
 a later hand] 
 
6 CA.NDLE 
 
 The soldiers 
 promise to hill 
 the children. 
 
 Herod promises 
 them rewards. 
 
 [leaf 1491 
 
 WatJcyn, Herod’s 
 messenger, asks 
 to be knighted. 
 
 AS DAY. Herod’s killing of the children, sc. i. 
 
 Am not I lord! and Kyng of* the Cuntre ? 
 
 The Crowne of* aH Jerusalem longith to me of* right, 
 who-so-euer sey ‘ nay,’ of high or lowe degre, 1 19 
 I Charge you, sle aU suche Jiat come in your sight ! 
 
 r“ Miles. 
 
 ^ My lord, be ye sure accordyng to your wiH, 
 like as ye charge vs be streigt corumaundement, 
 
 AH the childreri) of* IsraeH doughtles we shaH kylle 123 
 Wlt/hn to yeef of Age : this is our* entent. 
 
 1]'“ Miles. 
 
 my lord, of* aH lurye we hold you for chef* regent, 
 by titeH of* enheritaunce as your auncetours be-tbrnl; 
 he that seith the contrary ' be Mahound shalbe shent, 
 And curse the tyme that euer [he] was borne. 128 
 
 Herodf 
 
 ^ I thanke you, my knyghtei, ■ with hooH affeccion). 
 And whan) ye come a-geyn) • I shaH you avaunce j 
 Therfor quyte you wele in feld and town). 
 
 And of* aH tho fondlyngM make a delyueraunce. 132 
 
 [IT here the knyghte^ shaH departe from herowd to 
 IsraeH, and watkyn) shaH a-byde, seyng thus to 
 herod : 
 
 Watkyn). 
 
 Now, my lord, I beseche you to here ray dalyaunce, 
 
 I wold aske you a bone ' if* I durst a-right, 
 
 But I were loth ' ye shuld take ony displesaunce ■, 
 
 Now for Mahoundw sake ' make me a knyght. 136 
 
 ^ ffor oon) thyng I promyse you • I wiH. manly fight. 
 And for to avenge your quareH • I dare vndertake, 
 though I sey it my-se’.f* • I am a man) of myght, 139 
 And dare live aud deye in this quareH for 3 our sake j 
 for whan) I com amonge them for fere thei shaH quake. 
 And though thei sharme and crt’^e, I care not a mvght. 
 
CANDLEMAS DAY. HEROD’s KILLING OF THE CHILDRE 
 
 but witA my sharpe sworde ther ribbes I shaH shake, 
 evyn) thurgh the guttes • for anger & despight. 144 
 herowd!. 
 
 be thi trouthe, Watkyn) • woldest thu be made a 
 knyght ; 
 
 thu hast be my seruazmt and Messanged many a day, 
 but thu were neuer provid? in balaile nor in fight. 
 
 And therfor, to avaunce the so sodeynly, I ne may; 148 
 
 but oon) thyng to the I shall say, 
 
 be-cause I fynde the true in thyn) entent, 
 
 fForth wit A my knyghte5 ‘ thu shalt take the Way, 
 
 And quyte the wele • and thu shalt it not repent. 152 
 
 Watkyn). 
 
 ^ Now a largeys, my lord! • I am right wele a-paid*, 
 if I do not wele " ley my hed' vpon) a stokke ; 
 
 I shall go shew yoar knyghte^ • how ye haue seid!, 155 
 And arme my-self / manly, and go forth on the flokke ; 
 And if I fynde a yong child* • I shall choppe it on a blokke ; 
 though the moder be angry, the child* shalbe slayn), 
 but yitt I drede no thyng more than) a woman) witA a 
 Rokke, 
 
 ffor if I se ony suche, be my feith I come a-geyn). 160 
 herowd*. 
 
 ^ what, shaH a woman) witA a Rokke drive the a-way ? 
 ffye on the traitowr ! now I tremble for tene. 
 
 I haue trosted* the long and many a day ; 
 
 A bold* man) and an hardy I went thu haddist ben). 164 
 
 Watkyw,^ Messanger. 
 
 So am I, my lord*, and that shalbe seen) 
 that I am a bold* man) and best dare a- byde ; 
 
 And ther come an hundred* women) I wole not ffleen), 
 but fro morowe tyH nyght vfkh them I dare chide ; 168 
 ^ And therfor my lord* • ye may trust vnto me, 
 for aH the children) of IsraeH yom knyghtei and I shaH 
 kylle. 
 
 . sc. I. 7 
 
 Herod bids Wat- 
 kyn prove his 
 valour in fight, 
 and slay with 
 his knights. 
 
 Watkyn is afrai d 
 of a woman with 
 a distaflt, 
 
 [leaf 149, back] 
 
 [1 Watkyn later] 
 
 tho’ he declares 
 he is a bold man. 
 
8 CANDLEMAS DAY. HEROd’s KILLING OF THE CHILDREN. SC. 1. 
 
 Herod bids Wat- 
 kyn tell his 
 knights to slay. 
 
 But Watkyn is 
 afraid of the 
 mothers. 
 
 [leaf 150] 
 
 He'll creep 
 under a bench 
 when the 
 mother is in- 
 doors, and then 
 kill her children 
 when she goes 
 out. 
 
 He’s not to be 
 knighted unless 
 he fights well. 
 
 I wyH not spare on), but dede thei shalbe 
 
 If* the ifader and moder will lete me haue my wille. 
 
 Herowd*. 
 
 Thu lurdeyn), take hed* what I sey the tyH, " 
 
 And high the to my knyghte^ as fast as thu can) j 
 say, I warne them in ony wyse Jier blood* fat thei spille 
 A-bought in euery Cuntre, and lette for no man). 176 
 
 Watkyn). 
 
 UNay, nay, my lord*, we wyH let for no man), 
 though ther come a Thousand' on a rought 5 
 for yoar knyghte^ • and I will kyll them aU if* we can), 
 but for the wyves, that is aH my dought. 180 
 
 And if* I se ony walkyng a-bought, 
 
 I wiH take good* hede tiH she be goon) ; 
 
 And assone as I aspye that she is oute, 
 
 by my feith in-to the hous I wiH go A-non). 184 
 
 Watkyn). 
 
 ^ And thus I promyse you, that I shall neuer slepe, 
 but euermore wayte to fynde the children) alone. 
 
 And if* the moder come In • vnder the benche I wilt 
 crepe 
 
 And lye stille ther tyH she be goon); 188 
 
 than) manly I shall come out and hir children) sloon). 
 And whan) I haue don), I sbaH renne fast a-way. 
 if* she founde hir child* dede, and toke me ther alone, 
 be my feith I am sure we shuld* make a fray. 192 
 
 herowd. 
 
 ^ Nay, harlott, a-byde stylle witA my knyghtej, I warne 
 the, 
 
 tyH the children) be slayn) aH the hooH rought ; 
 and whan) thu comyst home a-geyn • I shaH avaunce the 
 If* thu quyte the like a man), whiH thu art ought; 196 
 And if* thu pley the coward*, I put the owt of dought, 
 of me thu shalt neyther haue ffee nor aduaantage ; 
 
CANDLEMAS DAY. HEROD’s KILLING OF THE CHILDREN. SC. 1 . 9 
 
 therfor I charge you the centre be weH; sought. 
 
 And whan) thu comyst home, shalt haue thi wage. 200 
 
 watkyn). 
 
 5 [ Yis, sire, be my trouthe ye shaH wele knowe 
 whiH I am oute ' how I shall aquyte me, 
 
 for I pwrpos to spare neither high nor lowe, Watkyn wiu km 
 
 all the children. 
 
 Ir ther be no man) • wole smyte me. 204 
 
 the most I fere ' the wyues wiH bete me ; 
 
 yitt shah; I take good* hert to me and loke wele a-bought. 
 
 And loke that jouv knyghte^ be not ferre fro me. 
 
 For if I be alone I may sone gete a Clought. 208 
 
 Herod. 
 
 ^ I say, hye the hens ‘ that thu were goon). 
 
 And vnto my knyghtw • loke ye take the way, 
 
 And sey, I charge them that my cowimaundemewt be don) 
 
 In aH hast possible without more delay 5 212 
 
 And if ther be ony that wiH sey you nay, Peaf 150, back] 
 
 / ✓ / Every opponent 
 
 Redde him^ of his lyff out of hand a-non)j is to be slain. 
 
 And if thu quyte the weeli • vnto my pay, P him late-] 
 
 I shall make Y ^ knyght aventuroiirs whan) fu comyst 
 
 home. [et exeat. 216 
 
 Watkyn). 
 
 ^ Syr knyghtej, I must go forth vfith you — 
 
 Thus my lord coTwmaunded me for to don), — 
 
 And if I quyte me weeH whiH lam amonge you, 219 
 I shalbe made a knyght aventure^ whan) I come home, 
 ffor oon) thyng I promyse you, I wiH fight a-non), 
 if my hert faile not whan) I shalbe-gynne ; 
 
 the most I fere • is to come amonge women), 223 But Watkyn 
 
 for thei fight like deueHey witA Rokkey whan) Jiei spynne. mothers. 
 
 T“ Miles. 
 
 ^ Watkyn), I loue the • for thu art euer a man) j 
 If thu quyte the weeH in this grett viage, 
 
 I shaH speke to my lord for the that I can), 
 
 that thu shalt no more be neither grome nor page. 228 
 
lO CANDLEMAS DAY. HEROd’s KILLING OF THE CHILDREN. SC. 2. 
 
 ij'“ Miles. 
 
 I wyH speke for the that thu shalt haue better wage 
 If thu qiiyte the manly • a-monge the wyves, 
 ffor thei be as fers as a lyon) in a cage 23 r 
 
 whan) thei are broken) ought • to reve men of \er lives. 
 
 her* the knyghte^ and watkyn) walke a-bought 
 
 
 the place tyH Mary and Joseph be conveid! 
 Egipt. — Dixit Angelus. 
 
 in-to 
 
 
 [_Scene 2. Bethlehem.'] 
 
 
 
 ^ Angelus. 
 
 
 The Angel bids 
 Joseph flee with 
 Mary and Jesus 
 into Egypt. 
 
 ^ 0 Joseph, ryse vp, and loke thu tary nought ! 
 take mary witA the • and in-to Egipt fflee, 
 ffor Jesu thi sone pitrsuycJ is and sought 
 by kyng herowdl, • the wiche, of gret Jnyquyte, 
 
 236 
 
 [leaf 151] 
 
 Cowimaundid! hath thurgh bedlem Cite, 
 
 Jn his crueU and furyous rage. 
 
 To sle ah the children) that be in that Cuntre 
 that may be founde wit/dn to yeef of age. 
 
 240 
 
 At Christ’s 
 presence the 
 Egyptian idols 
 shall fall down. 
 
 ^ Ther shaH he shewe in that region) 
 diuerse myracles of his high regalye ; 
 
 
 Jn aJJ ther temples • the Mawmentef shaH falle down) 
 
 
 To shew a tokyn) towardey the partie. 
 
 This child* hath lordship, as prophetey do specifie. 
 
 244 
 
 
 And at his comyng, thurgh his myghty hond, 
 
 Jn despight of ail Jdolatrie, 
 
 247 
 
 
 euery oon) shaH falle ’ whan) he comyth in-to the lond*. 
 
 
 Joseph. 
 
 
 Joseph says he 
 will obey, 
 
 ^ 0 good! lord', of thi gracious ordenaance, 
 like as thu list for ouf jorney provide. 
 
 
 and trust in 
 
 Jn this viage with humble attendaunce. 
 
 
 God. 
 
 As god disposeth and list to be ouf gj’de ; 
 
 Therfor vpon) them bothe mekely J shaH abide, 
 prayng to that lord' to think vpon) vs three. 
 
 .252 
 
CANDLEMAS DAY. HEROD’s KILLING OF THE CHILDREN. SC. 2 . IJ 
 
 VS to preserue, wheder we go or Ryde 
 
 
 Towarde^ Egipte, from all aduercitie. 
 
 256 
 
 Mary. 
 
 
 ^ Now, husbond!, in aR hast I pray you go we hens, Mary begs that 
 
 ffor drede of Herowd?, that cruel! knyght ! 
 
 baste. 
 
 Gentyll spouse, now do youf diligens. 
 
 
 And bryng yowr asse, I pray you, a-non right. 
 
 160 
 
 And from hens let vs passe wiih aH ouf myght. 
 
 
 Thankyng that lord so for vs doth provide. 
 
 [leaf 151 , back] 
 
 that we may go from herowd, fat cursid wight. 
 
 
 wiche wilt vs devour" if that we abide. 
 
 264 
 
 Joseph. 
 
 
 ^ Mary, you to do plesaunce without ony lett. 
 
 
 I shall brynge forth yoar asse wit/i-out more delay 
 
 i 
 
 fful sone, Mary, theron) ye shalbe sett. 
 
 
 And this liteH Child that in yoar wombe lay. 
 
 268 Joseph bids her 
 take her boy, 
 
 Take hym in your arrays • Mary, I you pray. 
 
 and suckle him . 
 
 & of yoar swete mylke lete hym sowke I-nowe, 
 
 
 Mawgei’’ herowd and his grett fray j 
 
 
 & as yoar spouse, mary, I shah go witA you'. 
 
 272 
 
 ^ This ferdeit of gere • I ley vp my bakke. 
 
 
 Now I am redy to go from this Cuntre; 
 
 
 All my smale instrumented is putt in my pakkej 
 
 
 [& exeant. 
 
 Now go we hens, Mary, • it will no better be; 
 
 276 
 
 ffor drede of Herowd • a paas I wyH high me ; 
 
 
 lo, now is our" geef • trussid • both more and lesse. 
 
 All is packt. 
 
 Mary, for to plese you -with all humylite. 
 
 
 I shall go be-fore • and lede forth your" asse. 
 
 280 J oseph leads the 
 ass. 
 
 Here mary and Joseph shall go out of Y 
 
 place 
 
 and fe godded shall falle, and than) shall come in the 
 
 women) of Israel’ witA yong children) in ther arrays. 
 
 and than) the knyghted shall go to them, sayng as 
 
 foluyth : 
 
 
12 CANDLEMAS DAY. HEROD’s KILLING OF THE CHILDREN. SC. 
 
 \_Scene 3. Bethlehem.'\ 
 
 I"’ Miles. 
 
 The Soldiers IT Herke, ye wyflys, we be come your housholde^ to visite j 
 thougB. ye be neuer so wrotB nor wood*, 
 wit/i sharpe swerde^ that redely will byte, 283 
 
 come to kill all 1 your children) of to yeed age, in oui’ cruell mood 
 
 children under ^ o ^ » 
 
 two. thurghe-out ah bethleem to kylle and shed ther yong 
 
 blood, 
 
 [leaf 152] As we be bound be the coi/imaundement of* Y kyng. 
 who that seith nay, we shah make a flood 
 To renne in the stretis • by ther blood shedyng. 288 
 
 ij“ Miles. 
 
 IT Therfor vnto vs ' ye make a delyueraunce 
 
 Of* youfl yong children), • and that a-none j 
 
 and will slay all Or ellef be Maliouiide we shah geve you a myschaunce : 
 who resist them. ^ 
 
 Oufl sharpe swerdey thurgh your bodies shah goon). 292 
 
 Watkyn). 
 
 Therfor beware, ‘ for we wih not leve oon) 
 
 In ah this Cuntre that shah vs escape j 
 I shah rather slee them euerychoon), 
 
 &: make them to lye and mowe like an ape. 296 
 
 Priraa mulier. 
 
 The Mothers 11 ftye Oil yoli, traitowrs oP crueh tormentrye, 
 denounce these 
 
 Murderers, wiche witA yo«r swerdcs or mortah violens, 
 
 SeciDida mulier. 
 
 Oufl yong children), that can no socoufl but crie, 
 wyh slee and devoure • in ther Innocens. 300 
 
 Tercia mulier. 
 
 Ye false traitoi/rs • vnto god ye do grett offens 
 to sle and mordefl yong children) • fat in fer cradeh 
 slumber. 
 
 1 alle put before your ; and of altered to wi't/an in a later band. 
 
CANDLEMAS DAY. HEROD’s KILLING OF THE CHILDREN. SC. 3. I 3 
 iiij“ mulier. 
 
 but we women) shaH make a-geyns you resistens, and declare 
 
 ° •' they II resist. 
 
 after ouf powef, your* malice to encomber. 304 
 
 Watkyn). 
 
 IT Peas, you folysshe quenys ! wha shuld! you defende 
 A-geyns vs armyd* men in this apparaile ? 
 we be bold men), and the kyng vs ded sende 
 Hedyr in-to this Cuntre to hold witA you bataile. 308 
 
 pri?«a mulier. 
 
 ffye vpon) the, coward, oP the I will not faile 0 “® Mother 
 
 to dubbe the knyght • witA my rokke rounde ! Watkyn. 
 
 women be ferse when) thei list to assaile, 
 
 Suche prowde boyes to caste to the grounde. 312 
 
 Watkyn). 
 
 Avaunt, ye skowtys, I defye you euery-chone, 
 
 ffor I wole bete you ait • my-self* a-lone. 
 
 [Hie Occident pueros. The children 
 are kiUd. 
 
 1“ mulier. 
 
 IT Alas, alasse, good Gossyppes • this is a sorowfuH payn). 
 To se ouP dere Children) that be so yong, 316 
 
 WitA these Caytyves thus sodeynly to be slayn)j 
 
 [leaf 152, back] 
 The Mothers 
 call for venge- 
 ance on the 
 Murderers 
 
 A vengeaunce I aske on them ail for this grett wrong. 
 
 ij“ mulier. 
 
 And a very myscheff* mut come them a-monge, 
 wherso-euer thei be come or goon), 320 
 
 ffor thei haue kylled my yong sone lohn. 
 
 ii]" mulier. 
 
 ^ Gossippis, a shamefuH deth I aske vpon) herowde ouP andKingHerod. 
 kyng, 
 
 that thus rygorously ouP children) hath slayn). 
 
 ilij" mulier. 
 
 I pray god bryng hym ^to an Ille endyng^. 
 And in helle pytte to dwelle euer in pej n) 
 
 324 — I and alle his 
 
 bloode erasp'/.] 
 
14 CANDLEMAS DAY. HEROd’s KILLING OF THE CHILDREN. SC. 3. 
 
 Watkyn). 
 
 the*M^hers^^^ What, ye harlotte5, I haue aspied! certeyn) 
 that ye be traytours to my lord? the kyng, 
 
 & therfor I am sure ' ye shaH haue an Ille endyng. 328 
 
 1 “ mulier. 
 
 H If* ye abide, watkyn), you and I shaH game 
 with my distaffs that is so Rounde. 
 
 ij" mulier. 
 
 And if* I seas, thanne haue I shame 
 
 tyH thu be fellid! down) • to the grounde. 332 
 
 iij® mulier. 
 
 They threaten And I may gete the with-in my bounde, 
 to beat him, . . 
 
 with this staff* I shaft make the lame. 
 
 Watkyn). 
 
 Yee, I come no more ther, • be seynt Mahound, 
 ffor if I do • me thynketh I shaft be made tame. 336 
 
 1“ mulier. 
 
 ^ A-byde, Watkyn) • I shaft make the a knyght. 
 
 Watkyn). 
 
 thu make me a knyght ’ that were on the newe ! 
 and, though he but for shame ■ my trouthe I you plight, 
 
 brags, 
 
 I shuld bete you bak md side tyff it were blewe j 340 
 but, be my god Mahounde that is so true, 
 
 [leaf 153] my hert be-gynne to fayle and waxeth feynt. 
 
 Or elle5 be Mahounde^ blood • ye shuld it rue ; 
 
 but ye shaft lose your goodey as traitowrs atteynt. 344 
 
 I" mulier. 
 
 H what, thu lavell • canst not haue do ? 
 
 thu and thi Cumpany shaft not depart, 
 
 tyli of our* distavys ' ye haue take part : 
 
 therfor, ley on gossippes • wit^ a mery hart, 348 
 
 And lett them not • from vs goo. 
 
 they beat him. [here thei shatt bete watkyn), • afid the knyghtey 
 
CANDLEMAS DAY. HEROd's KILLING OF THE CHILDREN. SC. 4. 15 
 
 shaH come to rescue hym, • and than) thei go to 
 Herowd! )ms sayng : 
 
 [Scene 4. Jerusalem.] 
 
 1’“ miles. 
 
 IT Honorable prynce • of giett apparayle, 350 
 
 thurgfi JerMMlem and Jude • yo«r wylt we haue wrought ; 
 ffull suerly harneysed! ■ in armour of plate and maile. 
 The Children) of Israeli ■ vnto deth we haue brought, 
 ij"® miles. 
 
 Syr, to werke your coTumaundement we lettid! nought. 
 In the stretch, of the children) to make a flood! j 
 We sparid! neither* ‘ for care nor though , 356 
 
 Thurgh bethlem ' to shede aH the yong blood!. 
 
 The Soldiers tell 
 Herod 
 
 that they’ve 
 kilid 
 
 all the Children 
 
 in Bethlehem. 
 
 Watkyn). 
 
 In fleyth, my lord! • aH the Children) be dede. 
 And aH the men • out of the Cuntre be goon) ; 
 
 [one stanza on a 
 separate slip'\ 
 
 Ther* be but women), and thei crie in euery stede, 360 The Mothers cry 
 
 for vengeance 
 
 ‘ A vengeaunce take ky ng herode • for he hath our children) on inm. 
 sloon) ’ ! 
 
 And bidde A myscheff takehym both ev} n) and morn) : 
 ft'or kyllyng of ther children), on you thei crie oute. 
 
 And thus goth your name aH ihe Cuntre a-bought. 364 
 
 Herodes. 
 
 ^ Oute, I am madde • my wyttes be ner goon), 
 
 I am wo for the wrokyng^ • of this werke wylde, 
 ffor as wele I haue slayn) my ffirendei as my foon)j 
 wherfor I fere • deth hath me begyled!, 368 
 
 not-witAstondyng, syn) thei be aH defy led*, 
 
 & on J)® yong blood! of bethlem ■ wrought wo and wrake, 
 yitt I am in no certeyn) of that yong child* ; 
 
 Now for woo myn) herte gynneth to quake. 372 
 
 U Alas, I am so sorowfuH • and sett out^ of Sadnesj 
 I Chille and Chever* for this Orrible chaunce ; 
 
 Herod laments ; 
 P Ifor workyng 
 
 his heart 
 quakes ; 
 
 he is sad. 
 
 Peaf 153, back] 
 
 in ha.^ been .substituted for out, by a later haud.^ 
 
l6 CANDLEMAS DAY. HEROD’s KILLING OF THE CHILDREN. SC. 6 . 
 
 Herod orders his I coTOmauiide you aE, as ye wolestond? in mv o-mce 
 
 men to seek out j ’ j / 5 
 
 Jesus, after this yong kyng • to make good? enquerauncej 376 
 
 And he Jiat bryngeth me tydyngej • I shaH; hym 
 auawnce. 
 
 now vnto my chambei'’ • I purpose me this tyde. 
 
 And I charge you to my precepted geve attendaunce 
 In ony place wher* ye goo or Ryde. 380 
 
 ^ What out, out, alias ! • I wene I shaH dey jits day ; 
 
 Herod quakes, my hert tremelith and quakith for ffeed, 
 
 tears his robes ^ 
 
 in two, my Robys I rende a to ' for I am in a fray 
 
 that my hert will brest a-su tided evj'h) beed. 384 
 
 my lord* Mahound*, I pray the witA hert enteed 
 
 take my soule in-to thy holy hande, 
 
 ffor I fele be my hert • I shaH dey evjTi) heed, 
 
 ffor my leggej Halted, I may no lenged stande. 388 
 
 and dies. 
 
 [here dieth herowde, • and Symeon) shaH sey as 
 folujdh ; 
 
 [Acewe 5. Jerusalem'\ 
 
 Vacat ab hinc. 
 [i/i later haHd'\ 
 
 Simeon prays 
 God for grace 
 
 to teach the 
 people. 
 
 Symeon). 
 
 H Now, god*, that art both lok and keye 
 of* aH goodnesse and goostly gouernaunce. 
 So yeve vs grace thi lawys to obeye, 
 that we vn-to the ' do no displesaunce ; 
 lett thi grace of* mercifuH haboundaunce 
 Vpon) me shyne, that callid* am Symeon), 
 So that I may wit/iout ony variaunce 
 Teche thi people • thi lawis euery-chon). 
 
 392 
 
 396 
 
 He praises God H ffrom the sterrid* he\yn)‘lord, thu list come down) 
 
 for the 1 r-Ni 
 
 [leaf 154 ] In-to the Closett or a pure virgin), 
 
 Incarnation. 
 
 Oud kynde to take ‘ for mannys saluacion). 
 
 Thi grett mercy, thu lowe ly.st enclyne, 400 
 
 lyke as prophetys • by grace that is divyne 
 haue prophecied* of* the ' sythe longe afforti* j 
 
THE KILLING OF THE CHILDREN. 
 
 It is fulfilled!, I knowe, be tlier doctryne, 
 
 & of a chast maide ■ I wote wele thu art born). 
 
 IT Now, good lord, hertly I the pray 
 here my requeste grounded vpon) right ; 
 
 Most blissed lord, lett me neuer dey 
 Tyll that I of the may haue a sight ! 
 
 Thu art so gloryous, so blissed, and so bright, 
 that thi presence to me shuld be gret solas. 
 
 I shall not reste, but pray bothe day and nyght, 
 Tyh I may behold, o lord, thi swete face. 
 
 SCENE 6. 17 
 
 404 
 
 404 Symeon prays 
 that be may 
 not die 
 
 408 
 
 412 till he has seen 
 Jesus. 
 
 [Scene 6. Jerusaleni] Sc. m. JermaUm, 
 
 [Her* shah ouf lady come forth holdyng leyu in hir 
 arrays, and sey this language foluyng to Joseph. 
 
 Maria. 
 
 IT Joseph, my Spouse • tyme it is we goo 413 Mary tells 
 
 , _ y-vrr Joseph that they 
 
 Vn-to the Temple to make an Offrynge must offer 2 
 
 Doves in the 
 
 Of our* swete sone ; • the lawe co/wmaundith so. Temple. 
 
 And ij yonge dowys • wit A vs for to bryng 416 
 
 Jn-to a prestey handey • witA-oute tarieng. 
 
 J shall presente • for an obseruaunce 
 Oufi babe so blissed • wiche is but yonge ; 
 
 'With me to go • J pray you make purviaunce. 420 
 
 Joseph. 
 
 II Most blissed Spouse • me list not to feyne. 
 ffayn) wold J plese you • with hooll affeccion) : 
 behold now, wyff ' her are dowys tweyne 
 Of wiche ye shuH make an oblacion 
 'With our* child of full grett devocion). 
 
 Goth forth a-forn) ■ hertly J you pray. 
 
 And J shall folue • voide of presumpcion) 
 w'lth true entent ' as an old man) may. 
 
 DIGBY MYST. 
 
 [leaf 154, back] 
 
 421 
 
 J oseph brings 
 the Doves, and 
 424 says 
 
 he’ll follow her 
 humbly. 
 
 428 
 
 C 
 
Mary asks 
 Symeon to 
 
 take her 
 offering. 
 
 Symeon accepts 
 it, 
 
 Deaf 155] 
 takes the babe 
 Jesus in his 
 arms, 
 
 thanks God for 
 the sight of Him, 
 
 'HE KILLING OF THE CHILDREN. SCENE 6. 
 
 [U here Maria and loseph go toward! the temple 
 wkA Tesu and ij dowes, and our* lady seith vnto 
 Symeon) : — 
 
 Maria. 
 
 H HeyU, holy Symeon) • fuH of* grett vertu, 429 
 
 To make an Offryng • I gan my-self* pwrveye 
 
 Of my souereigne sone • that callid* is lesu, 
 
 witA ij yonge dowes the lawe to Obeye; 432 
 
 Toward this temple • grace list me conveye. 
 
 Of goddey sone to make a presentacion) ; 
 wherfore, Symeon) • hertly I you pray, 
 
 In-to yoar handey • take myn) oblacion). 436 
 
 [H her shall symeon) receyve of* maria, leyu and ij 
 dowis, and holde leyu in his armys expownyag nuac 
 dimittiy, &c<., seyng thus : — 
 
 Symeon). 
 
 U wolcome, lord • excellent of* power* ; 43 7 
 
 And wolcome, Maria • witA your sone souereigne ! 
 
 Your oblacion • of* hooH herte and enteei’’ 
 
 I receyue with these ' dowys tweyn) ; 440 
 
 wolcome, babe ! for loye what may I seyn) ? 
 
 Atwen) myn) armys • now shall I the enbrace j 
 My prayer, lord, was not made in veyn), 
 ffor now I se thy celestiaH face. 444 
 
 [here declare[th he^] nuac dimittiy. 
 
 IT O blissed lord, after thi langage, 445 
 
 In parfight peas now lett thy seruawnt reste, 
 ffor why • myn) eyen) haue seyn) thi visage, 
 
 & eke thyn) helthe • thurgh my meke request. 448 
 
 Of* the derk dungeon) • let the gatey brest 
 be-fore the face • of* thyn) people alle. 
 thu hast brought triacle and bawme of* the best, 
 with Souereigne Suger* • geyh) ail bitter galle. 45 ^ 
 
 f' or they ; MS. is torn.] 
 
THE KILLING OF THE CHILDREN. SCENE 
 
 H I mene ihi self, lord! • gracious and benigne, 453 
 That woldest come down) from thyn) high glorye 
 Poyson) to repelle ‘ thi mercy doth now shyne. 
 
 To chaunge thynge^ ‘ that are transitory j 456 
 
 Thu art the light and the hevynly skye 
 To the relevyng of folk most cruel! j 
 Thu hast brought gladnesse to our* oratorye. 
 
 And enlumyned! thy people of Israeit. 460 
 
 [Here shaH: Anna, prophetissa, sey thus to Virgynes : 
 Anna, prophetissa. 
 
 ^ Ye pure Virgynes ' in that ye may or can), 461 
 
 with tapers of wex ’ loke ye come forth here 
 & worship this child* • very god* and man), 
 
 Offrid* in this temple ‘ be his moder dere. 464 
 
 [her, virgynes, as many as a man wyli, shaH holde 
 tapers in ther hander, • and the first seyth : 
 
 Priwa virgo. 
 
 As ye comaunde, we shal do ouP deveP, 
 
 that lord* to plese / echon) for ouP partye, 
 
 he makyth vn[-to] vs so comfortable chere, 
 
 that we must nede^ this babe magnifie. 468 
 
 Symeon). 
 
 Now, mary, I shali teH you how I am purposed* : 469 
 
 to worshipe this lord* / I wil go procession) ; 
 
 ffor I se anna, with virgynes disposed*, 
 
 mekly as nowe, to youP sonys laudacion. 473 
 
 Maria. 
 
 blissed* Symeon, with hertly atfeccion, 
 as ye han seyd*, I concent therto. 
 
 losepA. 
 
 In worshipe of ouP Child, with gret devossion). 
 abought the tempiH / in ordiP let vs go. 476 
 
 c 2 
 
 19 
 
 and blesses Him 
 for coming on 
 earth 
 
 to relieve His 
 folk. 
 
 Anna bids the 
 Virgins worship 
 the boy Jesus. 
 
 [leaf 155, back] 
 [a different harui^ 
 
 Symeon resolves 
 to go in pro- 
 cession 
 
 round the Tem- 
 ple in honour of 
 Christ. 
 
20 
 
 Symeon bids the 
 Virgins sing 
 
 [' MS. wichej 
 
 Nunc Dimittis 
 in praise of 
 Jesus. 
 
 Symeon shows 
 how the wax, 
 wick, and light 
 of the taper are 
 emblems of 
 Christ’s quali- 
 ties. 
 
 deaf 156] 
 
 He declares the 
 Boy to be very 
 God and Man, 
 
 and rejoices to 
 behold Him. 
 
 HE KILLING OF THE CHILDREN. SCENE 6. 
 
 Symeon). 
 
 ye virgynes alle / with feyttfuit intent 477 
 
 dispose youi’ silf a song' for to synge, 
 to worship this Child* that is her* present, 
 whiche to mankende gladnes list brynge, 480 
 
 In tokyn) our* hertej / withe ^ loye doth sprynge : 
 betwyn) myn) armys this babe shalbe born), 
 now, ye virgynis, to this lordes preysyng 
 syngyth nunc dimittw / of* whiche I spald afforn). 484 
 [H here shal Symeon here lesu in his armys, goyng* 
 a procession) rounde aboute the tempiH ■, and al this 
 wyle the virgynis synge nunc dimittis, and whan) 
 that is don), Symeon seyth : 
 
 Symeon). 
 
 H O lesu, chef* cause of* our* welfare. 
 
 In yone tapii'* therbe thing* iij®, 
 wax, week* and light, whiche I shall declare 
 to the apporprid* by moralite j 
 lord*, wax betoknyth / thyn) humanyte, 
 
 & week* betoknyth / thy soule most swete ; 
 yone lyght I lykene / to the godhed* of* the, 
 brighter* than phebus / for al his fervent hete. 
 
 Pes and mercy han set in the, her* swete, 
 to slake the sharpnes, o lord* of* rigour*, — 
 very god* and man) / gurt to-gediP mete. 
 
 In the tabirnacle / of* thy modrys bowed, 
 now slralt tlm exile / wo and aH langouP, 
 
 & of* mankende tappese infemaH stryf*. 
 
 Record* of* prophetes, thou shalt be redemptouP, 
 and singuleP repast of* euerlastyng* lyf*. 500 
 
 My spretes loyen) // than art so amyable, 501 
 
 I am nat wery / to loke on thx face ; 
 
 ouP trewe entent / let it be acceptable 
 
 To the honor of the shewyd in this place. 504 
 
 485 
 
 488 
 
 492 
 
 493 
 
 496 
 
THE KILLING OF THE CHILDREN. SCENE 
 
 ffor thy semauntes a dwellywge than shalt purchase, 
 brighter* than) beraH outher* clere cristaH ; 
 the. to worships as chef* welle of* grace. 
 
 On both my knees / now down knele I shaH. 508 
 
 Maria. 
 
 Now, Semyon), take me / my child*, that is so bright. 
 
 Chef* lodesterre / of* my felicyte, 
 
 and aH: that longyth / to the lawe of* right 
 
 I shah: obeye / as it lyth in me. 512 
 
 Symeon. 
 
 Mis lord*, I take you / knelyng* on my kne, 
 
 Whiche shaH to blisse folk* ageyn) restore, 
 and eke be called* tonne of* tranquylyte, 
 to yeve hem drynke / that han) thrustyd* sore. 516 
 
 [her* she receyveth hir sone Mus seyeng* : 
 
 Maria. 
 
 Now is myn) offryng* to an ende conveyed; ijiy 
 
 wherfore, Symeon), hens I wole wende. 
 
 Symeon). 
 
 The lawes, Mary, ful weH ye han obbeyed*. 
 
 In this tempiH / v/ith hert and mende : 520 
 
 nowe ferweH, lord*, comfort to aH mankende ; 
 ffarweH, Maria and losepA, on you waytyng*. 
 
 losep/i. 
 
 SelestiaH socour* / our* sone mot you sende, 
 and for his high mercy // yeve you his blissyng*. 524 
 [H here maria and losepA goyng* from the tempi+f, 
 seyng' : 
 
 Maria. 
 
 husbond*, I thense you / of* your* Gentilnes 525 
 
 that ye han shewed* onto me this day. 
 
 6 . 21 
 
 Mary asks 
 Symeon for her 
 Child. 
 
 He, kneeling, 
 
 gives her the 
 Boy, 
 
 [leaf 156, backj 
 
 and bids them 
 farewell. 
 
 Mary thanks 
 Joseph for his 
 kindness. 
 
22 
 
 FHE KILLING OF THE CHILDREN. SCENE 6 . 
 
 
 
 witA our* child*, most gracious of* godenes; 
 let vs go hens, hertly I you pray. 
 
 528 
 
 
 losepA. 
 
 
 Joseph promises 
 to cherish his 
 wife Mary. 
 
 go forthe afforn), my ovne wyf*, I sey, 
 
 & I shaH" come aftir*, stil vpon) t/iis ground*, 
 ye shal me fynde plesanf at euery assayej 
 
 529 
 
 
 to cherysshe you, wyf, gretly am I bounde. 
 
 532 
 
 
 Symeon). 
 
 
 Symeon is glad 
 he has seen 
 
 Nowe may I be glad* in myn) Inward* mende. 
 
 
 Christ, 
 
 for I haue seyn) lem with my bodely eye, 
 wiche on a cros shall bey al men-kende, 
 slayn) by Iwes at t/ie mount of* calvery ; 
 and throwe devyn) grace here I wiH provysye 
 
 536 
 
 and foretells 
 Mary’s suffering 
 when her Son is 
 on the Cross. 
 
 Of blissed* mary ‘ howe she shall suffre peyn), 
 
 whan) hid swete sone shall on a rood* deyej 539 
 
 A sharpe Sward* of* Sorowe shall cleve hir hert atweyn). 
 
 
 Anna, prophetifsa, hertly I prey you nowe 
 doth your* devid and youd diligent laboud. 
 
 541 
 
 
 and take these virgynis euerychon) wit/i you, 
 and teche hem to plese god* of* most honoud 
 
 544 
 
 [leaf 167 ] 
 
 Anna, prophetissa. 
 
 
 
 lyke as ye say, I wiH do this houd. 
 
 
 Anna bids the 
 Virgins honour 
 Chnst. 
 
 ye chast virgynis wit/i aH humylite, 
 
 Worshipe we Imu, t/iat shalbe oud sauyoudj 
 alle at ones come on, and folowe me, 
 
 548 
 
 [first hand again] 
 
 & she we ye sum me plesud as ye can). 
 
 In the worshipe of lesu, our lady, and seynt Anne. 
 
 5 ?o 
 
 
 Anna, prophet [issa] & [omnes] tripident. 
 
 
 Epilogue, 
 
 [Epdogue.] 
 
 
 
 IT Poeta. 
 
 
 
 H Honorable souereignes, thus we conclude 
 
 551 
 
 
 Oud mated t/iat we haue shewicJ here in your presens. 
 
THE KILLING OF THE CHILDREN. EPILOGUE. 23 
 
 And though our* eloqueiis be but rude, 
 
 we beseche you aH:, of* your* paciens 554 The Poet begs 
 
 pardon for 
 
 To pardon) vs or our oiFens; shortcomings, 
 
 fFor after the sympyH cunnyng that we can). 
 
 This matei’’ we haue shewid* to yowr audiens, 557 
 
 In the worshipe of* our* lady, and hir moder seynt Anne. 
 
 ^ Now of this pore processe we make an ende, 359 
 thankyng you aH of yoar good! attendaunce 5 
 
 and the next yeer, as we be parposid in our* mynde, and promises 
 _ ^ ^ that his fellows 
 
 The disputacion of the doctoars to shew in your presens, ai^aii play the 
 
 ^ Disputationofthe 
 
 wherfor now, ye vw'gynes, er we go hens, 363 ^ 
 
 wit A aH yoar cumpany, you goodly avaunce. 
 
 Also ye menstralles doth yoar diligens, 
 
 A-fore ouf departyng geve vs a daunce. 566 
 
 ^ ffiiiis. 
 
 Anno dowtini Mille^mo ^ CCCCCxij. [f laur kand] 
 
 [1 ? MS] 
 
24 THE KILLING OF THE CHILDREN. THE PLAYERs’ NAMES. 
 
 If THE NAMYS OF THE PLEYERS. 
 
 The poete 
 
 
 kyng Herowde 
 
 
 j'® knyght 
 
 
 the knyght 
 
 
 knyght 
 
 
 iiij''* knyght 
 
 
 watkyn), Messanger 
 
 
 Synieon) the bysshope 
 
 
 Joseph 
 
 • Sumxna xvij. 
 
 Maria 
 
 
 Anna prophetissa 
 
 
 A virgyn) 
 
 
 Angelus 
 
 
 j’* mulier 
 
 
 ij“ mulier 
 
 
 mulier 
 
 
 iiij® mulier 
 
 
 Ihon Parfre ded wryte thys booke.* 
 
 1 This line was not written at the same time as the writing above ; it is in a 
 
 different coloured ink. 
 
 
»5 
 
 THE CONVERSION OF S‘ PAUL. 
 
 {In “j-Line Stanzas, ahalhcc.) 
 
 [This play comes before the Killing of the Children in the com- 
 posite Digby MS. as at present bound. The Festival of The Con- 
 version of St Paul, January 2 5, also comes before that of Childermas 
 or Innocents’ Day, the Feast of the Holy Innocents, December 28 ^ ; 
 and before Candlemas Day, February 2. But as Mysteries were 
 usually acted in the ‘ chronological order ’ of the facts they represented, 
 that order is kept here.] 
 
 * The Civil, Ecclesiastical, and Legal year began at Christmas, till the end of 
 the 13th century. Thenceforward till Jan. 1, 1763, it began on the 25th of March. 
 
20 
 
 [THE NAMES OF THE PLAYERS. 
 
 Poeta, p. 27, 33, 40, 41. 
 Saulus, p. 27, 33, 46. 
 
 Caypha, p. 28, 42, 
 
 Anna, p. 28, 42. 
 
 Primus Miles, p. 29, 37, 41. 
 Secundus Miles, p. 29, 37, 41. 
 Servus, p. 30. 
 
 Stabularyus, p. 30. 
 
 Dens, p. 34. 
 
 Ananias, p. 35. 
 
 Spiritus Sanctus, 38. 
 
 Belyall, p. 43. 
 
 Mercury, another deuyll, p. 44. 
 Servus Sacerdotum, p. 49. 
 Angelus, p. 51.] 
 
27 
 
 [THE CONVERSION OF PAUL.] 
 
 \_Digly MS. 133, leaf 37, ire a third hand^ 
 
 [i'^' Station.'] 
 
 Poeta. 'Myles Blomefylde.' 
 
 I^ex glorie, kyng^ omnipotent, 
 
 Redemer of the world* by the pouer diuine, 
 and maria, that pare vyrgy[ra] quene most excellerat, 
 wyche bare that blyssyd* babe, lem, that for vs sufferd 
 payne, 4 
 
 vnto whoys goodnes I do inclyne, 
 besechyng that lord of hys pytous Influens, 
 to preserue & gouerne thys wyrshypfait audyens. 7 
 
 H Honorable frende^, besechyng* yow of* lycens, 8 
 
 to precede owr processe, we may, vnder your correccion, 
 the conuersyon of* seynt paule, as the byble gyf* experyens, 
 whoo lyst to rede the booke • Actum Appostolorum, 1 1 
 ther shaft he haue the very notycyon 5 
 but as we can, we shall vs redres, 
 
 Brefly vfith yowr fauowr begynyng* owr proces. 14 
 [here entryth saule, goodly besene in the best wyse / 
 lyke an aunterous knyth, thus sayyng* : 
 
 Saulus. 
 
 Most dowtyd* man, I am lyuywg vpon the ground*, 15 
 goodly besene with many a riche garlement. 
 my pere on lyue I trow ys nott found*, 
 thorow the world*, fro the oryent to the occydent, 18 
 my fame ys best knowyn vndyr the fyrmamcTzt j 
 I am most drad of* pepuH vnyuersail, 
 they dare not dyspease my most noble. 2 1 
 
 In a later hand. ^ Dau«ce is in a later hand. 
 
 Prologue. 
 
 May Christ and 
 the Virgin Mary 
 
 preserve this 
 audience 1 
 
 We’re going to 
 act the Convei'sion 
 of St. Paid. 
 
 DauTzce^ 
 
 Sc. i. Jerusalem. 
 Enter Saul. 
 
 I’m the most 
 feard and most ' 
 
 renownd man 
 under the sky. 
 
28 THE CONVERSION OF ST. PAUL. STATION 1. ACT I. 
 
 My name is U Saule ys my name, I wyll that ye notyfy, 22 
 
 whych conspyreth the dyscyplys v/ith thretey and menacey, 
 be-fore tk& pryncey of* prestey most hye and noble, 
 and I get I bring' them to punyshement for ther trespace. 2 ? 
 
 Christ's disciples ^ ^ 
 
 punisht. vve wyH them nott suffer to rest in no place 5 
 
 Peaf 37, back] ttbr they go a-bou3te to preche and gyff* exemplis. 
 
 To destroye ouf lawes, sinagoges, and templis. 28 
 
 By the god bellyali I schall make progresse, 29 
 
 Vnto the princey both Caypha And Anna, 
 
 whef I schall aske of them in suernes, 
 
 ['ll pursue em To pprsue thorow all dammask* and liba, 32 
 
 thro Damascus 
 
 and Lybia. And thus we schall soone after than 
 
 Bryng them that so do lyff in-to Jerusalem, 
 
 Both man and child that I fynd of them. 35 
 
 [Her cummyth sale to caypha and anna, prestey of the 
 tempyH. 
 
 Saul asks the 
 priests Caypha 
 and Anna for 
 letters to quell 
 the Christian 
 rebels. 
 
 NobyH prelatey and princey of Regalyte, 36 
 
 Desyryng' and askyng* of your benyngne wurthynes. 
 Your letters and epystolys of most souerente. 
 
 To subdue rebellyons that wyH of frawardnes, 39 
 
 A-gaynst oia lawes rebeH or transgresse. 
 
 Nor wyH not inclyne but mak obiecc[i]on. 
 
 To pursue all such I wyll do proteccion. 42 
 
 Caypha. 
 
 Caypha and To youx desyer we gyf perfyth sentens, 43 
 
 Accordyng* to your petycions that ye make postulacion. 
 By-cause we know your trewe delygens. 
 
 To persue aH tho that do reprobacion 46 
 
 A-gayns owar lawes by ony redarguacion j 
 wherefor shortly we gyf in commandment 
 To put down them that be dy[s]obedyent. 49 
 
 Anna. 
 
 [leaf 38] 
 Anna give the 
 letters, 
 
 And by thes letturs that be most reuerrent. 
 Take them in hand, full agre ther-to. 
 
 50 
 
THE CONVERSION OF ST. PAUL. STATION 1. ACT I, 2g 
 
 Cowstreyn) all rebellys by owur hole assent. 
 
 We gyf yow full power so to doo. 
 
 Spare not hardly for frend nor foo, 
 
 All thos ye fynd of that lyfe in thys realme 
 
 Bounde, loke ye bryng* them in-to lerusalem. 
 
 [Her saule resayuyth ther letters. 
 
 53 
 
 and exhort Saul 
 to bring all 
 
 Christians 
 bound to Jeru- 
 Salem. 
 
 Saulus. 
 
 Thys precept here I take in hande. 
 
 To fullfyll after jowur wylle^ both. 
 
 57 
 
 wher I shall spare wit/i-in tins londe 
 
 nother man nor woman j to this I make an oth ; 
 
 But to subdue I wyH not be loth : 
 
 Saul swears he’ll 
 spare none, 
 
 6 o 
 
 Now folow me, knytys and seruante^ trewe, 
 
 In-to Damaske as fast as ye can sewe. 
 
 and bids his men 
 follow him to 
 
 Damascus. 
 
 Primes miles. 
 
 Vnto yoMr cowimauwdment I do obeysaunce ; 
 
 I wyll not gaynsay nor make delacion, 
 
 But with good mynd and harty plesaunce 
 
 64 
 
 I shall yow succede and make perambulacion, 
 Thorow-oute damaske with all delectacion. 
 
 67 His knights 
 ' promise 
 
 And all thoo rebell and make resystens, 
 ffor to oppres I wyH do my delygens. 
 
 70 
 
 SecuwdiAj miles. 
 
 And in me shalbe no neclygens. 
 
 But to thys precept my-self I shall applye 
 
 
 To do your behest with all coTiuenyens, 
 
 to do his behest 
 
 With-owt eny frowardnes or eny obstynacyj 
 non shall appere in me but verely, 
 with all my mynd I yow insure, 
 
 74 
 
 To resyst tho rebellei I wyli do my cure. 
 
 Saulus. 
 
 7 7 and punish the 
 ' ' Christian rebels. 
 
 Truly to me yt ys grett consolacion 
 
 To here thys report that ye do avaims 
 
 78 [leaf 38, back] 
 
30 THE CONVERSION OF ST. PAUL. STATION 1. ACT I. 
 
 ffbr youx sapyencyall wytto I gyf* coTramewdacion, 
 
 Euer at my nede I haue founde yow constant j 8i 
 
 But knyte^ and seruuanto tha\. be so plesaunt, 
 horae°tob™^* I pray yow anon my palfray ye bryng^, 
 brought. Xo spede my lurney wit/i-owt lettyng*. 84 
 
 [here gbyth sale forth a lytyH a-syde for to make hym 
 redy to ryde / the seruuant thus seyng^ : 
 
 semns. 
 
 His man asks How, hosteler, how, a peck of otys and a botell of* have : 
 the Ostler for ^ ^ ^ ’ 
 
 a bottle of hay. Com of a pase, or I wyH to a-nother Inne: 
 and scolds him. ^ ^ 
 
 What, hosteler, why cowmyst not thy way ? 
 
 Hye the faster, I beshrew tKi skynne. 88 
 
 Stabularyny. 
 
 The Ostler I am non hosteler nor non hostelers kynne, 
 
 declares he’s a 
 
 gentleman’s But a lentylmanys seruuant, I thoxx dost know: 
 servant. 
 
 Such crabyysh wordey do aske a blow. 91 
 
 Seruny. 
 
 1 cry yow mercy, sir . I wyst well su/n-what ye were, 92 
 ■WeU, you arc a owther a gentylmafl or a knaue . me thynkyth by yonr 
 
 Gentleman, 
 
 or a Knave. physnomy ; 
 
 yf on loke yow in the face that neuer se yow ere 
 wold thynk ye were at the next dore by. 95 
 
 I thought you’d In ffood fayth I wenyd yow had bene an hosteler vereh' 5 
 
 been an Ostler. 
 
 I saw another I sye suche a-nother lentylman witn yow, a barowfuH 
 
 Gentleman and 
 
 you carrying a bare 
 
 barrowful of 
 
 dogs' turds ; of horsdowng* and doggey tordey, and sych ( ther gere, 98 
 
 And how yt happenyd a mervelous chance be-tyde : 99 
 Y owr felow was not suer cf foote, and y tt he went very 
 brode,^ 
 
 and down both Butt in a COW toriJ botli dyd ye slyde; 
 of you slipt into / • j 
 
 a cow-turd, And as I wene your nose ther-m rode, 102 
 
 nose first.’ . , 
 
 Yoifr face was be-payntyd witfi sowters code; 
 
 [- substituted for wyde.] 
 
THE CONVERSION OF ST. PAUL. STATION 1. ACT I. 3 I 
 
 I sey neuer sych a sy3t, I make god a vow, [leaf 39] 
 
 ye were so be-grymlyd and yt had bene a sowe. 105 
 
 Stabulariw^. 
 
 In fayth thoM neuer- syest me tyH thXs day: 106 ‘Why, you never 
 
 ^ ^ / saw me before 
 
 I haue dwellyd wit/i my master thys vij 3ere and more ; to-day 1 ’ 
 ffull well I haue pleasyd hym, he wyH not say nay. 
 
 And mykyll he makyth of me therfore. 109 
 
 SeruKy. 
 
 By my trowth ^Aan be ye changyd to a new lorej ‘Then you’re 
 
 translated ! 
 
 A seruand ye are and that a good*. You’re a first- 
 
 rate servant.’ 
 
 ther ys no better lokyth owt of* a hood*. 112 
 
 Stabuloriwy. 
 
 fFor soth and a hood* I vse for to were, 113 ‘Goto! iwear 
 
 a hood lined 
 
 fFull well yt ys lynyd with sylk and chamlett; with silk/ 
 
 yt kepyth me fro the cold* that the wynd doth me not 
 dere, 
 
 nowther frost nor snow that I therby do sett. n6 
 
 Seru«y. 
 
 yea, yt ys a dobyli hood and that a fett j 
 he was a good man that made yt, I warant yow ; 
 he was nother horse ne mare\ nor yet yokyd sow. 119 
 [Here corwmyth the fyrst knyth to the stabyl grom, 
 sayng* : 
 
 Primus miles. 
 
 Now, stabyll grom, shortly bryng* forth away 120 Saul’s Knight 
 
 bids the Ostler . 
 
 The best horse, for ow7/r lorde wyn ryde. bring out his 
 
 best horse. 
 
 Stabula/y/iy. 
 
 I am full redy 5 here ys a palfray. 
 
 There can no man a better be.stryde : 123 
 
 He wyH cowducte owwr lorde, and gyde 
 
 [* MS. nare.] 
 
32 the 
 
 CONVERSION OF ST. PAUL. STATION 1 . ACT I. 
 
 
 
 
 Thorow the world* he ys sure and abyH: 
 
 To here a gentyllman, he [is] esy and pi ophetabyH, 
 
 126 
 
 
 
 [Her the knyth cu/iimyth to saule with a horse. 
 
 
 
 Primus miles. 
 
 
 
 Saul’s knight 
 
 Behold*, sir saule, your palfray ys com. 
 
 127 
 
 
 horete. 
 
 full goodly besene, as yt ys yowr desyer 
 
 To take yowwr vyage thorow euery regyon. 
 
 
 
 [leaf 39, back! 
 
 Be nott in dowt, he wyH spede yowr mater. 
 
 130 
 
 
 and says his 
 servants ’ll 
 
 And we as your seruauntey with glad chere 
 
 
 
 follow him 
 anywhere. 
 
 Shall gyf attendance j we wyll nott gaynsay. 
 
 But folow yow where ye go be ny3t or day. 
 
 133 
 
 
 
 Saulus. 
 
 
 
 
 Vnto Damask I make my progressyon. 
 
 134 
 
 
 
 To pwrsue all rebelly ous beyng* froward and obstynate 
 
 
 
 Agayns our lawes be ony transgressyon. 
 
 with aH my delygens ' my-self I wyH prepare, 
 
 Cowcernyug' my purpose to oppres and separate ; 
 
 137 
 
 
 
 Non shaH reioyce that doth offend. 
 
 But vtterly to reproue with mynde and intende. 
 
 140 
 
 
 Saul starts on. 
 
 [ Her sale rydyth forth with hys seruante^ a-bowt the 
 
 
 his journey. 
 
 place, [&] owt of the pl[ace]. 
 
 
 
 
 Caypha. 
 
 
 
 The priests, 
 Caypha and 
 
 Now saule hath takyn hys wz/rthy wyage 
 
 To pzzrsue rebellyous • of what degre the\ be ; 
 
 141 
 
 
 
 He wyll non suffer to raygne nor haue passage 
 witA-In aH thys regyon we be in sertayn : 
 wtierefor I cozwmende hys goodly dygnyte. 
 
 That he thus aluay takyth in hande 
 
 144 
 
 
 
 By hys power to gouerne thus all thys lande 
 
 H 7 
 
 
 
 Anna. 
 
 
 
 Anna, praise 
 
 We may lyue in rest by hys consolacion j 
 
 He defendyth vs, where-for we be bownde 
 
 148 
 
 
THE CONVERSION OF ST. PAUL. STATION 2. ACT 
 
 To loue hym intyrely -with om hartto affecczon, 
 
 And hoiioMF hym as champyou in euery stownde j 15 1 
 ther ys non suche lyuyng^ vpon the grownde. 
 
 That may be lyke^ hym nor be hys pere. 
 
 Be est nor west, ferre nor nere. 154 
 
 Poeta — si placet. 
 
 Conclusyon. 
 
 ffynally of this stacon thus we mak a coraclusyon), 1^55 
 besechyng* thys audyens to folow and succede 
 with all your delygens ^Ais generall processyon. 
 
 To vnderstande ^Ais matter wo lyst to rede 158 
 
 The holy bybyH for the better spedej 
 Ther shall he haue the perfyth intellygens. 
 
 And thus we comyt yow to crystys magnyfycens. 161 
 ftlnis Istius stacio/iis, et altera sequitur. 
 
 [and Station.~\ 
 
 Poeta. 
 
 Honorable frende^, we beseche yow of audyens, 162 
 To here our intencion and also our prosses 
 Vpon OUT matter : be yo«r fauorable lycens 
 A-nother part of the story we wyll redres j 165 
 
 Here shalbe brefly shewyd! with all oar besynes 
 At thys pagent saynt poullys conuercyon 5 
 Take ye good hede and ther-to gyf affeccion. 168 
 
 [Here co/nmyth saule rydyng* in with hys seruaate^. 
 
 Saula^. 
 
 My purpose to Damask fully I intende, 169 
 
 To pursewe the dyscypulys my lyfe I apply, 
 fFor to breke down the chyrchys thus I coadescende. 
 Non I wyll suffer that [they] shall edyfey, 172 
 
 perchaunce owur lawes than my^te ther-by, 
 
 And the pepuH also turne and coauerte, 
 
 [' a late to put above.'] 
 
 DIGBY MYST. U 
 
 11, sc. 1. 33 
 
 Saul as their 
 champion. 
 
 Epilogue to 
 Act /. 
 
 Dauace 
 
 [in later hand] 
 
 [leaf 40] 
 Act II. 
 Prologue. 
 
 St. Paul’s Con- 
 version is now 
 to be playd. 
 
 Scene i. 
 The Road to 
 Damascus. 
 
 Saul declares 
 he’ll persecute 
 Christ’s dis- 
 ciples. 
 
34 the conversion or ST. PAUL. station 2. ACT II, sc. 1 
 
 Saul vows he’ll 
 bring all the 
 Christians 
 bound to Jeru- 
 salem. 
 
 whych shuld! be gret heu}'nes vnto myn hart. 173 
 
 Nay, that shall nott be butt layd a-part. 176 
 
 the prynces haue goiiyn me full potestacioii. 
 
 All that I fynd thex shall nott start. 
 
 But bounde to lerusalem, vfith furyous vyolacion, 179 
 
 Be-for cesar caypha, and annas presentac/on. 
 
 Thus shalbe subduyd • tho wretchys of that lyfe 
 
 That non shall in-Ioy nother man chyde nor wyfe. 182 
 
 He’s struck by 
 lightning, and 
 falls off his 
 horse. 
 
 [Here coinmyth a feruent with gret tempest^, and 
 saule faulyth down of hys horse : that done, godhed 
 spekyth in heuyn). 
 
 Christ rebukes 
 him. 
 
 De«^. 
 
 Saule, saule, why dost thoa me pursue ? 183 
 
 yt ys hard to pryke a-gayns the spore 
 
 I am tKx savyoMr that ys so trwe, 
 
 whych made heuyn arid erth and eche creature; 186 
 
 oifende nott my goodnes I wyll the recure 
 
 [leaf 40, back] 
 
 Saulus. 
 
 Saul asks what 
 Christ would 
 have him do. 
 
 0 lord?, I am a-ferd, I trymble for fere, 
 
 what woldyst I ded, teH me here. 189 
 
 Christ bids him ' 
 go into the city 
 close by. 
 
 Deus. 
 
 A-ryse and goo thoxi wyth glad chere 190 
 
 In-to the Cyte a Ijdyll be-syde. 
 
 And I shall the socor in euery dere 
 
 That no maner of yll xalbe-tyde, 193 
 
 And I wyll ther for the prouyde 
 
 by my grete goodnes what thou shalt doo ; 
 
 Hy the as fast thether as thou mast goo. 196 
 
 Saul is lame 
 and blind. 
 
 Sanl«i. 
 
 0 mercyfuH god?, what aylyth me ? 197 
 
 1 am lame, my legged be take me fro, 
 my sygth lykwyse I may nott see ; 
 
 * A plate of sheet-iron, probably, to imitate thunder. — P. A. D, 
 
THE CONVERSION OF ST. PAUL. STATION 2. ACT 
 
 I can iiott tell whether to goo : 200 
 
 my men hath forsake me also. 
 
 whether shall I wynde, or whether shall I pas ? 
 
 lord, I beseche the, heipe me of thy grace. 203 
 
 i" miles. 
 
 Syr, we be here to help the in th\ nede, 204 
 
 v/ith all ouv afFyance we wyii not seise.^ 
 
 SauliA?. 
 
 Than in Damask I pray yow me lede 
 I godw name, accordyng* to my promyse. 207 
 
 2“’' miles. 
 
 To put forth yowMr hand loke ye dresse. 
 
 Cum on yoMr way, we shall yow bryng* 
 
 In-to thjR cyte witA-owt taryng*. 210 
 
 [Here the knyghtei lede forth sale in-to a place, and 
 cryst apperyth to annanie, sayng* : 
 
 Deus. 
 
 Ananie, ananie : where art </iou, ananie ? 21 1 
 
 Ananias. 
 
 Here, lord, I am here trwly.^ 
 
 Deus. 
 
 Go thy way and make thi curse 
 
 As I shall assyng* Me by myn aduysse, 214 
 
 Into Me strete, qui dicitur rectus. 
 
 And in a certayn house of warantyse, 
 ther .shall ye fynd ■ saule in humble vyse, 217 
 
 As a meke lambe, that a wolf before was namyd*; 218 
 Do my behest ; be nothyng^ a-shamycP. 
 
 He wantyth hys syth, by my punyshmeiit constrayned'. 
 
 ^ serse? MS. - In lines 212-24 the rymes get niixt. 
 
 D 2 
 
 [, sc. 2. 35 
 
 Saul prays to 
 God, 
 
 and bids his 
 knight lead him 
 into Damascus. 
 
 Act II. sc. a. 
 Damascus. 
 
 Christ calls 
 Ananias, 
 
 [leaf 41] 
 
 and bids him go 
 into Straight 
 Street, 
 
 where he shall 
 find Saul, 
 
 blind. 
 
3 ^ THE CONVERSION OF ST. PAUL. STATION 2 . ACT II, SC. 
 
 2 . 
 
 
 prayeng* vnto me, I assure thou shalt hym fynd?, 
 v/ith my stroke of pyte, sore ys he paynyde, 
 wantyng^ hys sygth, for he ys truly blynyde. 
 
 221 
 
 
 Ananias. 
 
 
 Ananias is 
 afraid to go to 
 
 lord*, I am aferd, for aluay \n my mintJ 
 
 224 
 
 Saul, 
 
 I here so myche of hys furyoM^ cruelte. 
 
 225 
 
 
 that for spekyng^ of th\ name to deth he will put me. 
 
 
 Deus. 
 
 
 
 nay, ananie, nay, I assure the 
 
 He wulbe glad of thy cu/«myng'. 
 
 228 
 
 
 Ananias. 
 
 
 
 A, lord, but I know of a certayn 
 
 
 because he has 
 brought God’s 
 
 that thy seynte^ in Jerusalem ; to deth he doth bryng*. 
 
 Saints to death. 
 
 many yllys of hym I haue be kennyng*, 
 ffor he hath the pouf of the princes aHe, 
 
 To saue or spy He, do which he schaH. 
 
 233 
 
 
 Deus. 
 
 
 Christ says that 
 Saul is a chosen 
 vessel, and shall 
 be 
 
 be nothyng a-drad, he ys a chosen wesseH, 
 
 To me assyngned by my godly eleccion. 
 
 234 
 
 He shall here my name ‘ be-fore the kyngw • and chylder 
 
 
 of Israeli. 
 
 
 
 by many sharpe shoure^ sufferyng* correccion, 
 a gret doctor of benyngne conpleccion. 
 
 237 
 
 [leaf 41 , back] 
 
 The trwe precher of the hye deuynete. 
 
 
 a pinnacle of 
 the faith ; 
 
 A very pynacle of the faj-th, I ensure the. 
 
 240 
 
 
 Ananyas. 
 
 
 
 lorde, thy cowmiandmeizt I shall fullt\llj 
 
 Vn-to saule I w_\H take my w'aye. 
 
 241 
 
 
 Deus. 
 
 
 Ananias is not 
 to fear him. 
 
 be nothyng* i/z dowte for good* nor yli. 
 fare-well, Ananie, tell saule what I do say. 
 
 244 
 
 
 [et exiat Dez/i. 
 
 
THE CONVERSION OF ST. PAUL. STATION 2. ACT II, SC. 3. 37 
 
 Ananias. 
 
 Blyssyd! lord*, defende me as thoa. best may j 
 Gretly I fere hys crueH: tyrawny j 
 
 But to do th\ precept my -self I shall applye. 247 
 
 [Here Ananias goth toward* saule. 
 
 myles. 
 
 I maruayle gretly what yt doth mene, 248 
 
 To se owwr master in thys hard* stounde. 
 
 The wonder grett lythtys that were so shene, 
 smett hym doune of hys hors to the grownde, 251 
 And me thowt • that I hard a sounde 
 Of won spekyng* ' with voyce delectable, 
 
 Whych was to wonderfoH myrable. 254 
 
 2"^ myles. 
 
 Sertenly thys ly3t was ferefull to see, 255 
 
 The sperkys of fyer were very feruent, 
 yt inflamyd* so greuosely about the couwtre. 
 
 That by my trowth I went we shuld* a ben) brewt. 258 
 
 But now, serys, left vs relente 
 
 Agayne to caypha and anna, to tell th\% chaunce. 
 
 How yt be-fell to vs thys greuauws. 261 
 
 [Her saule ys in contemplacion.* 
 Saul«5. 
 
 lord, of* tK\ courafort moch I desyre, 262 
 
 thow myjty prince of* Israeli • kyng* of* pyte, 
 whyche me hast punyshyd' as tK\ presoner, 
 
 That nother ete nor dranke • thys dayes thre ; ' 265 
 
 But, gracyos lorde, of* tKi vysytacyon I thanke the. 
 
 Thy seruant shall I be as long* as I haue breth, 
 
 Thowgh I therfor shuld* suffer dethe. 268 
 
 [Here coinmyth anania to saule, sayeng* : 
 
 Ananias obeys, 
 
 and goes to seek 
 Saul. 
 
 Act II. sc. iii. 
 Damascus. 
 
 Saul’s knights 
 talk over his 
 striking to the 
 ground, 
 
 the voice speak- 
 ing to him, 
 
 and the sparks 
 of fire that they 
 saw. 
 
 Saul desires 
 comfort from 
 God. 
 
 [leaf 42] 
 Ho has fasted 
 S days. 
 
 [’ MS. comtemplacfon] 
 
38 THE CONVERSION OF ST. PAUL. STATION 2. ACT II, SC. 3. 
 
 
 
 Ananias. 
 
 
 Ananias 
 
 Pease be in thys place and goodly mansyon j 
 who ys witA-in ? speke in crystys holy name ! 
 
 269 
 
 
 Sa[u]lMi. 
 
 
 
 I am here, saule ! cnm in on godded benyson ! 
 what ys your wyH ? tell witA-owten blame. 
 
 272 
 
 
 Ananias. 
 
 
 tells Saul he’s 
 sent by God 
 
 ffrom almyghty god, sertanly to the sent I am. 
 
 
 to him. 
 
 and ananie men call me wher as I dweH. 
 
 
 
 Sauh«. 
 
 
 
 what wold* ye haue : I pray yow me teH. 
 
 275 
 
 
 Ananias. 
 
 
 
 Gyfe me youi hand for youv awayle. 
 
 276 
 
 Ananias bids 
 Saul be stedfast 
 
 for as I was commaundyd by hys gracyos sentens, 
 
 & bad the be stedfast for thoM. shalt be hayle. 
 ffor thys same cause he sent me to th\ presens ; 
 
 279 
 
 and remember 
 God’s excellence. 
 
 Also he bad the remember hys hye excellens. 
 
 Be the same tokyn that he dyd the mete. 
 
 Toward* the cyte when he apperyd in the strete. 
 
 282 
 
 
 ^ Ther mayst thon know hys power celestyaB, 
 How he dysposyth euery thyng* as hym lyst; 
 
 283 
 
 God is almighty, 
 
 no thyng^ may witAstand hys my^te esseuc}'.H, 
 
 
 to lift up or cast 
 down. 
 
 To stond vp-ryght, or els doun to thryste. 
 
 Thys ys hys pow«r, yt may not be myste, 
 fibr who that yt wantyth / lackyth a frende. 
 
 286 
 
 
 Thys ys the massage that he doth the sende. 
 
 289 
 
 [leaf 42, back] 
 
 Saulus. 
 
 
 
 Hys marcy to me ys ryght welcom ] 
 
 I am ryght glad that yt ys thus. 
 
 290 
 
 The Holy Ghost 
 appears. 
 
 [Hie aparebit spiritus sanctus super eum. 
 
 
THE CONVERSION OF ST. PAUL. STATION 2 . 
 
 ACT 
 
 II, sc. 3 . 39 
 
 Ananias. 
 
 
 
 Be of* good* chere and perfyte lubylacion, 
 Discendet super te spirytus sanctus, 
 whych hath with hys^ grace illumynyd vs; 
 
 293 
 
 Ananias 
 
 put fo[r]th thi hond and goo wyth me, 
 
 A-gayne to thy syght here I restore the. 
 
 296 
 
 restores Saul’s 
 sight. 
 
 Saulus. 
 
 
 
 Blyssyd lord!, thankys to yow euer bee. 
 
 The swame ys fallyn from my eyes twayne ; 
 
 297 
 
 Saul blesses 
 
 Christ for hia 
 sight. 
 
 where I was blyuyd and cowd iiott see, 
 lord, thoM hast sent me my syght agayne. 
 ffrom sobbyng^ and wepyiig* I can not refrayne j 
 
 300 
 
 weeps, and 
 
 my pensyue hart, full of contryccion 
 
 ffor my offences, my body shal haue punycyon j 
 
 303 
 
 
 And where I haue vsed so gret persecucyon, 
 
 304 
 
 
 Of th\ descyplys thorow all Jerusalem, 
 
 I wyll [aid] and defende ther predycacyon. 
 
 That th[e]y dyd* tech on all ^Ais reme. 
 
 307 
 
 ■vows that he’ll 
 help Christ’s 
 disciples. 
 
 wherefor, Ananie, at the watery streme, 
 
 Baptyse me hartely I the. praye. 
 
 309 
 
 He asks to be 
 baptizd, 
 
 A-mong* yoMr numbyr, that I electe and chosen be may. 
 
 
 Ananias. 
 
 
 
 On to thh well of mych vertu, 
 we wyll vs hye wit^ all oar delygens. 
 
 311 
 
 
 Saulws. 
 
 
 
 Go yow be-fore, and after I shall sewe, 
 laudyng* and praysyng* our lordw benevolens •, 
 
 314 
 
 praises God, 
 
 I shall neuer offend! hys my3ty magnyfycens. 
 
 But aluay obserue hys preceptys and kepe ; 
 
 
 [leaf 43 ], 
 
 ffor my gret vnkyndnes my hart doth wepe. 
 
 317 
 
 and repents his 
 sins. 
 
 Ananias. 
 
 
 
 knele ye down vpon thys grownde, 
 
 Receyuyng* thys crystenyng* witA good* intent. 
 
 318 
 
 
 [*■ MS. hys hys.] 
 
 
 
40 THE CONVERSION OF ST. PAUL. STATION 3 . ACT II, SC. 3 . 
 
 
 
 whyche shall make yow hole of your dedly wound?. 
 That was infecte with venom nocenf. 
 
 Yt purgyth synne, and lender poures’ so fraudelent 
 
 321 
 
 
 It putyth a-syde 5 where thys doth at-tayne. 
 
 In euery stede he may not obtayne. 
 
 324 
 
 Ananias bap- 
 tizes Saul 
 
 I crysten yow with mynd full perfyght, 
 reseyuyng* yow in-to ownr relygyon, 
 ener to be stedfast and neuer to flyt j 
 
 323 
 
 
 but euer constant, witA-owt varyacyon. 
 now ys fulfyllyd* all onr obseruacyon. 
 
 328 
 
 in the name of 
 Father, Son, and 
 
 concludyng^ thou, mayst yt ken, 
 
 
 Holy Ghost ; 
 
 In nomine patris et hlij et spirifns sancri. Amen. 
 
 331 
 
 
 Saulus. 
 
 
 
 I am ryght glad? as foule on flyte. 
 
 That I haue receyuyd thus blyssyd sacrement. 
 
 332 
 
 
 Ananias. 
 
 
 
 Com on yonr way, saule, for nothyng^ lett. 
 
 
 bids him take 
 food, and stay 
 
 Take yow sum coumforth for yonr bodyes noryschment 
 
 for a time in 
 Damascus, 
 
 ye shall abyde with the dyscyplys verament. 
 
 336 
 
 
 Thys many dayes in damask cyte, 
 
 Vn-t} H the tyme more perfyt ye may be. 
 
 338 
 
 
 Saulus. 
 
 
 Saul will do as 
 he is bid. 
 
 As ye commande, holy father, ananie, 
 
 I full assent at yow[r] request. 
 
 To be gydyd and rulyd as ye wyll haue me. 
 
 339 
 
 
 Evyn at yonr pleasur, as ye thynk best : 
 
 I shall not oli'encf for most nor lest. 
 
 342 
 
 
 Go forth yownr way 5 I wyll succede 
 
 In-to what place ye wyll me lede. 
 
 345 
 
 
 Conclusyo. 
 
 Epilogue to 
 
 Act II. 
 
 poeta. 
 
 
 Daunce 
 
 Thus saule ys conuertyd*, as ye se expres. 
 
 The very trw seruant of our lord le.cu. 
 
 346 
 
THE CONVERSION OF ST. PAUL. STATION 3. ACT III, SC. 1. 4 I 
 
 non may be lyke to hys perfy3t holynes. 
 
 So nobyll a doctor, cowstant and trwe. 349 
 
 Aftyr hys cowuersyon neuer mutable, but styll insue 
 the lawys of god to teche euer more and more. 
 
 As holy scryptuf tellyd' who-so lyst to loke ther-iore. 352 
 
 ^ Thus we comyte yow all to the trynyte, 353 
 
 Conkludyng' thys stacion as we can or may, 
 i nder the correccyon of them that letteryd* be ; 
 How be yt vnable as I dare speke or say 
 
 35<5 
 
 The Compiler 
 begs learned 
 men to correct 
 his play. 
 
 The coTwpyler here-of shuld* translat veray 
 
 so holy a stoiy • but with fauorable correccyon 
 
 of my fauorable masters of ther benygne supplexion. 359 
 
 ffinis isti?/^ secunde staciowis et sequitur tarcia. 
 
 [3’''^ Station.'] ni . 
 
 Poeta. Prologue. 
 
 The myght of the fadire^ potenciall deite 360 
 
 presei'ue thys honorable and wurshypfuH congregacion 
 That here be present of hye and low degre. 
 
 To vnderstond tl^s pagent at thys lytyll stacion, 363 
 whych we shall precede with all o«r delectac[i]on. 
 yf yt wyll plese yow : to gyf audyens fauorable. 
 
 Hark wysely ther-to; yt ys good and profetabte. 366 
 
 primw^ miles. 
 
 Nobyll prelates, take hede to owwr sentens. 367 
 
 A wundyrfull chauwee fyll and dyd be-tyde 
 
 vn-to owr master sauH: when he depou'tyd hens 
 
 In-to damaske pwrposyd to ryde. 370 
 
 A meruelous ly3t fro thelemewt dyd glyde 
 
 whyche smet doun^ hym to grunde both horse and man 
 
 with the ferfulest wether that euer I in cam. 373 
 
 2" miles. 
 
 It rauysshief hym, and? his spirited did* be-nome : 374 
 
 A swete dulcet voyce spake hym vnto. 
 
 [leaf 44] 
 Scene i. 
 Jerusalem. 
 
 Saul’s Knights 
 tell the Priests 
 how Saul was 
 struck off his 
 horse, 
 
 and a sweet 
 voice spoke to 
 him 
 
 ^ MS. doum. 
 
42. THE CONVERSION OF ST. PAUL. STATION 3. ACT III, SC. 1. 
 
 
 
 And askyd* wherfor he made suche persecucyon 
 A-geynst hys dyscyplys and why he dyd soo. 
 
 377 
 
 und bad him be 
 baptizd by 
 
 he bad hym in-to damaske to ananie goo. 
 
 
 Ananias. 
 
 And! ther he shuld* reseyue baptym truly j 
 and! now dene a-geyns ow«r lawys he ys trwly. 
 
 380 
 
 
 Caypha. 
 
 
 Cayplia won’t 
 believe in Saul’s 
 
 I am sure thys tale ys not trw ; 
 
 381 
 
 conversion, 
 
 what ! saule conuertyd* from our law ! 
 he went to damask for to pursue 
 
 All the dyscyplys that dyd witA-draw 
 fro ow?/r fayth : thys was hys sawe ; 
 
 384 
 
 
 how say, ye, anna to thys mater ? tlm ys a mervelos 
 
 
 chans j 
 
 I can not beleve that thys ys of assurans. 
 
 387 
 
 
 Anna. 
 
 
 nor will Anna. 
 
 No, caypha, my mynde trwly do [I] teli, 
 that he wyll not turne in no maner wyse j 
 
 388 
 
 
 but rather to deth put and expeH 
 
 ail myscreaunte^ and wretchys that doth aryse 
 
 agaynst our lawes • by oiiy enterpryse : 
 
 391 
 
 
 say the trwth wit/i-[owt] ony cause frawdelent, 
 or els for your talys ye be lyke to be shent. 
 
 394 
 
 
 j'“ miles. 
 
 
 Saul’s knight 
 declares he’s told 
 
 Ellys owwr bodyes may put to payn): 
 
 39.'; 
 
 the truth. 
 
 all that we declare I sye yt with my nye, 
 nothyng* offendyng* but trwly do iustyfye. 
 
 
 [leaf 44, back] 
 
 Cayphas. 
 
 
 
 By the gret god, I do maruayle gretly : 
 
 398 
 
 Caypha vows 
 vengeance 
 
 and thys be trw that ye do reherse 
 
 
 against Saul. 
 
 He shaH repent hys Rebellyous treytory, 
 
 That all shalbe ware of hys falsnes. 
 
 We wyll not suffer hym to obtajme dowtles. 
 
 401 
 
 
 ffor meny perellys that myght be-tyde 
 by hys subtyH meanys on euery syde. 
 
 404 
 
THE CONVERSION OF ST. PAUL. STATION 3 . ACT IIIj SC. 2 . 43 
 
 Anna. 
 
 
 The priest 
 Anna declares 
 
 The law ys co7«myttyd to owuv aduysmewt, 
 
 wherfor we wyll not se yt decay, 
 
 but rather vphold* yt help and augment, 
 
 405 
 
 they’ll uphold 
 their Law. 
 
 That ony reprofe to vs fall may 
 of Cesar themprour* by nyjt or day 
 we shall to such maters harke and attende 
 
 408 
 
 
 accordyng* to the lawes • our wyttcv to spende. 
 
 411 
 
 
 Act III. sc. a. 
 
 PHere to enter a dyvel with thunder and fyre, and t'eaf 45] 
 
 . 1 • r I 1. J U Diabolus. 
 
 to avauwce hym sylte, saying as tolowyth j and hys 
 
 . Scene of the 
 
 spech spokyn, to syt downe in a chayre. DevUsinHeii, 
 
 inserted. 
 
 belyall. 
 
 Hoj ho, be-holde me, the my^te prince of the partem i am the God 
 
 Belial, second 
 
 in-fernall, 412 only to Lucifer. 
 
 Next vnto lucyfer I am in magestyej 
 By name I am nominate the god belyall, 
 lion of* more myjte nor of* more excellencye; 415 
 
 my powre ys princypall, and now of* most soferaynte j 
 In the temple5 and synogoge^ who deneyth me to honore, 
 my busshopei thorow my motyon thei wyl hym sone 
 devoure. 418 
 
 IT I haue movyd my prelates cayphas and anm. 
 to persew and put downe, by powre ryall 
 thorow the sytyes of damaske and liba. 
 
 All soch as do worship the hye god supernall, 
 
 419 ^ liave set my 
 Bishops Caypha 
 and Anna to 
 put down the 
 Christians by 
 means of SauL 
 
 422 
 
 ther deth ys coKspyryd wit/i-owt any fauoure at all. 
 
 my busshopys bathe chosyne won most rygorus 
 
 them to persew, howse name ys saulus. 
 
 425 
 
 H ho, thus as a god most hye in magestye, 426 
 
 I rayne and I rule ouer creatures humayne 
 with souerayne sewte sowjte to ys my deyte, 
 
 ' The parts within brackets are by a later hand, and inserted on 
 3 separate leaves. The 14 lines between 411 and here are crosst 
 through, but are given below, where they are rewritten, p. 46 - 7 , 
 i. 502 - 15 . 
 
44 the conversion of ST. PAUL. station 3. ACT III, sc. 
 
 2 . 
 
 
 mans mynd ys applicant, as I lyst to ordeyne, 
 my law styll encreasyth wherof I am fayne. 
 
 429 
 
 I long for news 
 by my messen- 
 ger Mercury I 
 
 yet of* late I haue hard of* no newys truly', 
 
 wherfor I long tyll I speke with my messei/ger 
 
 
 mercurye. 
 
 432 
 
 [leaf 45, back] 
 I\Iercury ap- 
 pears, 
 
 [Here shall entere z-nother devyll callyd mercury, 
 with a fyeryng, cowmyng* in hast, cryeng and roryng, 
 
 
 and shal say as folowyth : — 
 
 
 
 Marcury. 
 
 
 
 Ho, ow 3 t, ow^t ! alas, thys sodayne chance ! 
 
 433 
 
 and wails that 
 
 Well may we bewayle this cursyd adue«ture. 
 
 
 
 belyal. 
 
 
 
 Marcurye, what aylyse thou ? tell me thy grevauiice. 
 
 
 ys ther any that hath wrow^te vs dyspleasure ? 
 
 43*5 
 
 
 mercury. 
 
 
 
 Dyspleasure I-nowgh //lerof ye may be sure ; 
 
 
 the Devil’s law 
 ’ll soon be put 
 down. 
 
 our law, at lengthe yt wylbe dene downe layd, 
 tor yt decayth sore, and more wyl, I am a-frayd. 
 
 439 
 
 
 belyal. 
 
 
 
 Ho, how can that be ? yt ys not possyble j 
 co[;?]syder, thou foole, the long cowtynuance. 
 
 440 
 
 Belial ’ll not 
 believe it. 
 
 decaye, qi/od a, yt ys not credyble j 
 
 of fals tydynges thou makyst here vtterance ; 
 
 behold, how the peple hath no pleasauwce 
 
 443 
 
 Folk delight but 
 
 but in syn, and to folow our desyere. 
 
 
 
 pryde and voluptuosyte ther hartes doth so fyre. 
 
 446 
 
 
 thow 3 e on do swauer away from our lore, 
 yet ys ou’’ powre of* suche nobylyte 
 
 447 
 
 
 to have hym a-gayne, atid twoo therfore, 
 that shal preferre the prayse of^ owre maiestye. 
 what ys the tydynges ? tell owt, lett vs see ; 
 why arte t/iou amasyd so? declare afore vs 
 
 450 
 
 Why is Mercury 
 troubled ? 
 
 what fury ys fallyn that troblyth the thus? 
 
 453 
 
THE CONVERSION OF ST. PAUL. STATION 3. ACT I 
 
 Mercury. 
 
 Ho ! ow3t, ow3te ! he thai I most trustyd to, 454 
 
 & he that I thow3te wold haue ben to vs most specyall, 
 
 ys now of late turnyd, and our cruell foo j 
 
 our specyall frynd, our chosen saull, 457 
 
 ys be-cowme seruante to the bye god eternall. 
 
 as he dyd ryde on our enemyes persecutyon, 
 
 he was sodenly strykyn by the bye provysyon, 460 
 
 & now ys bapty.syd, and promys he hath made 461 
 
 neuer to vary, and soch grace he hath opteynyd 
 
 that oudowtyd hys fayth from hyin can-not fade ; 
 
 wherfor to complayne I am co;istraynyd*, 464 
 
 for modi by hym shuld we haue prevaylyd. 
 
 belyal. 
 
 Ho ! ow3t, ow3t ! what haue we loste ! 
 
 our darlyng most dere whom we lovyd moste : 467 
 
 but ys yt of trowth that thou doyst here specyfye ? 468 
 
 me/cury. 
 
 yt ys so, vndow3tyd ; why shuld I fayne ? 
 for thow3te I can do non other but crye. 
 
 [Here the\ shal rore and crye, and then belyal shal 
 
 saye ; 
 
 belyal. 
 
 ow3te, this grevyth vs worse ^^an hell payne : 471 
 
 the coTiuersyon of* synner certayne 
 
 ys more payne to vs, arid persecutyon, 
 
 than all the furyes of* the Infernall dongyon. 474 
 
 Mercury. 
 
 yt doyth not avayl vs thus to lament, 475 
 
 but lett vs provyd for remedy shorllye ; 
 wherfor let vs both by on assent 
 
 go to the busshopys, and moue them pryvelye, 478 
 that by some sotyl meane thei may cause hy?« to dye j 
 than shal he in our law make no dysturbauizce, 
 nor here-after cause vs to haue more greuau^ce. 481 
 
 ri, sc. 2, 45 
 
 [leaf 46] 
 
 ‘ Because our 
 special friend 
 has tumd our 
 cruel foe. 
 
 Saul has been 
 baptizd ; and 
 his faith in God 
 cannot fade.’ 
 
 Belial laments 
 the loss of his 
 darling Saul, 
 
 and the Devils 
 roar over it. 
 
 [leaf 46, back] 
 
 Mercury says, 
 ‘ Set on your 
 Bishops to 
 scheme his 
 death.’ 
 
46 THE CONVERSION OF ST PAUL. STATION 3. ACT III, SC. 3. 
 
 Belyal approves 
 Mercurj^s ad- 
 vice, and says 
 Saul shall repent 
 his desertion. 
 
 The Devils’ 
 power was never 
 greater than 
 now. 
 
 [leaf 47] 
 
 Gluttony, 
 
 Wrath, Covet- 
 ousness prevail 
 over all. 
 
 They’ll plot 
 Saul’s death. 
 
 [leaf 44, back] 
 
 Act III. scene Hi. 
 Damascus, 
 
 Saul’s Sermon. 
 
 God save you 
 sitters and 
 atanders here ! 
 
 belyal. 
 
 Wei sayd, mercurye, thy cowncel ys profytable. 482 
 
 Ho, saul, thou, shalt repent thy vnstablenes ; 
 
 thou hadyst ben better to haue byn cowfyrmable 
 
 to our law j for thys deth, dowtles 485 
 
 yt ys conspyryd to reward thy falsnes. 
 
 thowgh on hath dyssayvyd vs, yet now a days 
 
 xx“ doyth gladly folow oure layesj 488 
 
 11 some by pryde, some thorowgh envye : 489 
 
 ther rayneth thorow my myght so moch dysobedyau/ice : 
 
 ther was neuer a-mong crystyans lesse charyte 
 
 than ys at this howre, and as for concupysence 492 
 
 rayneth as a lord thorow my violence ; 
 
 glotony and wrath euery man doth devyse, 
 
 &: most now ys praysyd my cosyn covj 4 yce. 49 5 
 
 U cum, mercury, let vs go and do as we haue sayd, 496 
 to delate yt any lenger yt ys not best. 
 
 mercury. 
 
 to bryng yt a-bow^t, I wold be wel apayd, 
 
 tell yt be done let vs not rest. 499 
 
 [ ] 
 
 belyal. 
 
 go we than shortly ; let vs depaite, 
 
 Hys deth to devyse, syth he wyl not revart. 502 
 
 [Here thc\ shal vanyshe away with a fyrye flame and 
 a tempest. 
 
 [Her apperyth saule in a^ disciplis wede, sayng* : 
 ^Saulus^. 
 
 That lorc 5 that ys shaper of* see and of soncJ, 503 
 
 and hath wrowth with hys woord! aU thyng* at hys wj'H, 
 saue thys ^semely that here syttyth or stonde, 
 flbr hys meke marcy that we do not spyH. 506 
 
 [‘ hys] 
 
 [- The 14 lines following are printed from leaf 44, back, of the 
 MS. They are collated here, for words, with the version of them on 
 leaf 47, back.] 
 
 P Saulus, and Diabolus (p. 43), in margin, omitted.] [‘ asemly] 
 
THE CONVEKSION OF ST. PAUL. STATION 3 . ACT I 
 
 grant me, good lord*, thy pleasud to fulfyli, 
 
 and send me suche speche that I the. trwth say, 
 
 my entencions proph[i]table to meve yf I may. 509 
 
 ^ Welbelouyd* frende^, ther be vij mortal! synnes, 510 
 whycb be pi'ovyd* pryncypaH and princes of* poysonnes ; 
 
 Pride, that of bytternes all bale begynnes, 
 witA-holdyng< all fayth, yt fedyth and foysonnes, 513 
 As holy scryptur beryth playn wyttnesse, — 
 
 Inicium omnium peccatorur/i superbya^ est, — 
 
 That often dystroyeth both most and lest.^ 516 
 
 H OflF all vyces and foly pride ys the Roote j 317 
 
 Humylyte may not rayn ner yet indure j 
 
 pyte, alak, that ys flower and boot, 
 
 ys exylyd wher pride hath socouP, — 520 
 
 Omwis qui se exaltat humiliabituP, — 
 
 good lord*, gyf vs grace to vnderstond and perseueP, 
 
 Thys wurd as thow bydyst to fulfydl eueP. 523 
 
 H Who-so in pride beryth hym to bye, 524 
 
 with mys[c]hefF shalbe mekyd*, as I mak mensyon, 
 and I therfor assent and fully certyfy, 
 
 In text as I tell the trw entencyon 327 
 
 of perfy^t goodnes and very locucyon : 
 noli tibi dico in altuw sapere sed* time ; 
 
 Thys ys my coiiseH, here the not to bye, 330 
 
 IT But drede alway synne and folye, 33 1 
 
 wrath, enuy, couytys, and slugyshnes : 
 
 Exemzt owt of thy .sy3t, glotony and lechery, 
 vanytye and vayneglory, and fals Idylnes ; 534 
 
 Thes be the branchys of aH wyckydnes : 
 who that in hym thes vyces do Roote, 
 
 He lackyth all grace, and bale ys the boote. 537 
 
 IT lern) at my-self, for I am meke in hart : 538 
 
 owr lorde to hys seruantp^ thus he sayth : 
 ffbr meknes I sufferyd* a spere at my hart ; 
 
 [* subia («!<;).] p man & best.] 
 
 II, sc. 3 . 47 
 
 {Saul’s Sennon 
 on the Seven 
 Deadly Sins.) 
 
 Pride is the root 
 of all sins 
 
 and folly. 
 
 [leaf 48] 
 [the older hand 
 (2) agam] 
 
 It banishes 
 Humility and 
 Pity. 
 
 'Whoso is proud, 
 he shall be 
 brought low. 
 
 Put away Wrath, 
 Envy, Covetous- 
 ness, Sloth, 
 Gluttony, 
 Lechery. 
 
 Learn of Christ ; 
 he is meek of 
 heart ; 
 
48 THE CONVERSION OF ST. PAUL. STATION 3. ACT III, SC. 3. 
 
 (Saul's Se-nnon 
 continued.) 
 
 and ye shall find 
 rest for your 
 souls. 
 
 [leaf 48, back] 
 Be lowly. 
 
 Keep from 
 Sensuality. 
 
 No unclean 
 man shall 
 inherit heaven. 
 
 Flee Fornica- 
 tion. Speak not 
 of it. 
 
 Keep your body 
 pure, and your 
 sight steady. 
 
 The eye is Folly’s 
 messenger. 
 
 meknes all \yces anullyth and delayethj 541 
 
 rest to soulys yt shall fynd in fayth : 
 
 Discite a me, quia mitis sum, et corde humilis, 
 
 Et invenietw requiem animabus vestris. ^44 
 
 H So ow«r sauyottr shewyth vs exampls of meknes, 545 
 Thorow grace of* bys goodnes mekly ys groundys ; 
 Trvvly yt wyll vs saue fro the synnes sekenes, 
 ffor^ pryde and bys progeny mekenes confoundys ; 548 
 Quanto maior es, tanto humilia te in 07 «nibz^s : 
 
 The gretter thou art, the lower loke thu be j 
 Bere the neuer the hyer for thi degre 
 
 H ffro sensualyte of fleshe thy-self loke thou lede, 552 
 
 vnlefully therin vse not thy lyfe : 
 
 whoso therin delyteth, to deth he must nede ; 
 
 It consumyth natuf, the body sleyth with-owt knyf^. 555 
 also yt styntyth nott but manslawter and stryf, — 
 
 Om7zis fornicator aut iz«mu7zdz« no/z hafet hereditatem 
 
 Christ \, — 
 
 no/z shall in heuyn) posses / that be so vnthryfty. 558 
 
 H file fornycacon, nor be no letchoufi, 559 
 
 but spare yozzr speche, and spek nott theron : 
 
 Ex habundancia cordis, os loquitur ; 
 who movyth yt oft, chastyte lou}1:h non j 562 
 
 of the barter habundans the tunge makyth locucz'on : 
 what manys mynde ys laboryd*, therof yt spekyth. 
 
 That ys of suernes, as holy scryptur tret}i;h. 565 
 
 H wherfor I reherse thys with myn) owyn) mowthe, — 
 
 Caste viuentes, templuz/z Dei sunt, — 
 
 kepe dene yozzr body from synne vncuth ; 
 
 stabyH voz/r syghte^, and look 3'e not stunt, 569 
 
 ffor of a sertajmte I know at a brunt, — 
 
 Oculus est nuncius peccati, — 
 
 That the ley ys euer the messenger of foly. 572 
 
 I MS. ffror. 
 
THE CONVERSION OF ST. PAUL. STATION 3. 
 
 ACT III, SC. 3. 49 
 
 seruM5 sacerdotUTK. 
 
 
 
 whate, ys not thys saule thai toke hys vyage 
 
 In-to len/ralem^, the dyscyplys to oppresse? 
 bounde he wold bryng^ them, yf ony dyd rage 
 
 573 
 
 The Priest’s 
 servant asks 
 if this isn’t Saul 
 who was going 
 to hind the 
 
 Christians. 
 
 vpon cryst : tins was hys processe : 
 
 To the princes of prestys, he sayde dowties. 
 
 576 
 
 
 Thorow all damask and also lerw^alem, 
 subdwe all templys that he founde of them. 
 
 579 
 
 
 Sa[u]lus. 
 
 
 [leaf 49] 
 
 yes, sertaynly, saule ys my proper name. 
 
 That had in powr the full dominion, — 
 
 To hyde yt fro you, yt were gret shame. 
 
 0 
 
 00 
 
 Saul says ‘Yes, 
 
 And mortall synne, as in my opynyon, — 
 vnder cesar and priste^ of the relygyon. 
 
 583 
 
 
 And templys of* lues that be very hedyous, 
 
 A-gayns almyghty cryst that Kyng* so precyous. 
 
 586 
 
 
 seruus sacerdotuTW. 
 
 
 
 To Anna and caypha ■ ye must make your recursej 
 Com 2 on your way, and make no delacion. 
 
 00 
 
 
 Saul Mi. 
 
 
 
 I wyll yow succede, for better or wors. 
 
 To the pryncpi of pristei with all delectacion. 
 
 590 
 
 and I’ll go with 
 you to the 
 
 Priests. ’ 
 
 \_Scene 4 .] 
 
 seruMi sacerdotuOT. 
 
 
 Act III. sc. iv. 
 
 The Temple in 
 
 Damascus* 
 
 Holy p?-istPi of hye potestacion. 
 
 Here ys saule; lok on hym wysely: 
 he ys a-nother man than he was verely. 
 
 593 
 
 
 Saulus. 
 
 
 
 I am the seruant of Ihesu Almyghty, 
 
 Creator and maker of see and sonnd?. 
 
 594 
 
 Saul declares 
 himself the 
 servant of Jesus. 
 
 whiche ys kyng* conctypotent of heuyn) glory. 
 
 Chef cowfort and solace : both to fre and bonde. 
 
 597 
 
 
 ^ P/or Damascus MS. Con.] 
 
 
 
 DIGBY MTST. E 
 
 
 
50 THE CONVERSION OF ST. PAUL. STATION 3 . ACT 111 , SC. 4 . 
 
 
 
 A-gayns whos power nothyng* may stonde j 
 Emperowr he ys both of heuyn and heli, 
 whoys goodnes and grace al thyng* doth exceii. 
 
 6oo 
 
 
 [recedit paulisper. 
 
 Caypha. 
 
 Caypha thinks 
 the change in 
 Saul has been 
 •wrought by 
 
 Vn-to my hart thys ys gret admyracioii. 
 
 That saule ys thus mervelously changyd* 
 
 6oi 
 
 conjuring. 
 
 I trow he ys bewytchyd by sum co?duracion, 
 or els the devyH on hym ys auengyd*. 
 
 604 
 
 
 Alas, to my hart yt ys dessendyd*, 
 that he ys thus takyn fro our relygyon ; 
 
 How say ye, Anna, to thys coimercyon ? 
 
 607 
 
 ^eaf 49 , back] 
 
 Anna. 
 
 
 
 ffuH mervelously, as in my cowcepcion, 
 
 Thys wnderfuU Case how yt be-feH j 
 
 608 
 
 
 To se thys chaunce so sodenly don, 
 
 vn-to my hart yt doth grete yll j 
 
 but for hys falsnes • we shall hym spyli; 
 
 611 
 
 Anna says they 
 must put Saul 
 to death. 
 
 by myn assent, to dethe we wyll hym bryng*, 
 lest that more myschef ' of hym may spryng*. 
 
 614 
 
 
 Caypha. 
 
 
 
 Ye say very trew, we my3t yt all rewe ; 
 
 But shortly in thys we must haue aduysemeiit, 
 ffor thus a-gayns vs he may nott cowtynew ; 
 
 615 
 
 
 perauentur than of Cesar we may be shent. 
 
 618 
 
 
 Anna. 
 
 
 or bui*n him. 
 
 nay, I had leuer in fyer he were brent. 
 
 Than of cesar we shuld? haue dysp[l]easure 
 ffor sych a rebell • and subtyle fals treated. 
 
 621 
 
 
 Caypha. 
 
 
 The gates must 
 be guarded lest 
 Saul escape. 
 
 we wyH coTwmand the gate5 to be kept aboute, 
 
 & the waller suerly on euery stede. 
 
 622 
 
 
 that he may not eskape no-where owjte j 
 for dye he shall, I ensuer yow indede. 
 
 625 
 
THE CONV'ERSION OF ST. PAUL. STATION 3 . ACT I 
 
 Anna. 
 
 Thys traytouv rebellyous, evyll mut he spede. 
 
 That doth tK\s vnhappynes A-gayns aid ! 
 
 now eupry costodyer kepe well hys wall. 628 
 
 seruMi sacercio/Mwi. 
 
 The gatys be shytt, he can-note shape 3 629 
 
 Euery place ys kepte well and sure. 
 
 That in no wyse he may, tyll he be take, 
 
 gett owt of the cyte by ony cowiecture. 63 2 
 
 vpon that caytyf and fals traytowr, 
 
 loke ye be auengyd wit/i deth mortaH, 
 
 & Judge hym) as ye lyst to what end he shall. 635 
 
 \_Scene 5.] 
 
 Angelus. 
 
 Holy saule, I gyf yow monycyon : 636 
 
 The princes of lues • entende sertayn 
 To put yow to deth • but by godded provysyon 
 He wyll ye shall lyue lenger, and optaynj 639 
 
 And after thy deth than shalt rayng' 
 
 Above in heuyn, with owr lorded grace ; 
 
 CoKuay yowr-self shortly in-to a-nother place. 642 
 
 Saul us. 
 
 That lorde5 pleasur euer mut be down, 643 
 
 both in heuyn) and in hell, as hys wyll ys. 
 
 In a beryng* basket! or a lepe, a-non 
 I shall me co[n]aay with help of the dyscyplys : 646 
 
 for euery gate ys shett and kept with multytud of pepuHj 
 but I trust in owr lord, that ys my socowr, 
 to resyst ther malyce and cruell furowr. 649 
 
 Coraclusyo. 
 
 \_Epdogue.'] 
 
 Poeta. 
 
 Thus leve we saule witA-in the cyte, 630 
 
 The gate^ kep by coTwmandmewt of caypha and Anna 3 
 
 E 2 
 
 I, sc. 5 . 31 
 
 So the gates are 
 shut, and the 
 priests exliorted 
 to kill Saul 
 
 Act III. sc. V. 
 Damascus, 
 
 [leaf 50] 
 
 An Angel warns 
 Saul of his 
 threatend 
 death, 
 
 and bids him go 
 to another place. 
 
 Saul says he ’ll 
 escape over the 
 wall in a basket. 
 
 Epilogue. 
 
 Here we leave 
 SauL 
 
52 the conversion of ST PAUL. STATION 3 . EPILOGUE. 
 
 The disciples let but the dyscvplvs ill tliQ nyjt ouer th& wall, truly, 
 
 him down over J J 
 
 the wall. As the bybull sayeth • dim[i]seru«t eu;n suiRinitteTi^ \n 
 
 
 sporta ; — 
 
 653 
 
 Saul goes to 
 Jemsalem. 
 
 And saule after that, in lerayalem vera, 
 loyned hyml-self, and ther accompenyed* 
 with the dyscyplys, wher the'i were vnfayned!. 
 
 656 
 
 
 
 Thys lytyll pagent thus co/iclud we 
 
 657 
 
 Pray excuse our 
 lack of letters, 
 and our simple- 
 ness! 
 
 as we can, lackyng lytturaH scyens ; 
 besechyng' yow all of hye and low degre, 
 owr sympylnes to hold excusyd?, and lycens. 
 
 660 
 
 [leaf 50 , hack] 
 
 That of Retoryk haue now intellygens 5 
 Co/wmyttyng^ yow aH; to owr lord Ihesus, 
 
 To whoys lawd ye syng*, — Exultet celuwi laudibus ! 
 
 ! 663 
 
 End of the Play. ffinis co[n[]uercfo 72 is sancti pauli. 
 
 \_Leavcs 51 to 94, lach, of the MS. contain 2 tracts ; 
 I. English, beginning ‘ De theorica triiim superiorum. 
 Every one of the 3 superiour plannetM (&c.) ’5 2. 
 Italian, begins ‘ Geomantia e uiia scientia breue da 
 conosere per uirtu destrologia quelli cose che la persona 
 uuole operare qual fine,’ &c.] 
 
53 
 
 MARY MAGDALENE/ 
 
 IN TWO PARTS. 
 
 PART I, IN 20 SCENES. 
 
 {In Rome, Bethany, Hell, Jerusalem, and heyond Jordan.) 
 Mary’s father gyrus, and his death. 
 
 HER SEDUCTION BY LECHERY AND A GALLANT. 
 
 HER REPENTANCE, AND WIPING 
 HER BROTHER LAZARUs’s 
 
 Scene 
 
 1, Tiberius C*sar, p. 55. 
 
 2, Mary’s father Cyrus, p. 56. 
 
 3, Tiberius Caesar, p. 59. 
 
 4, Herod, p. 59. 
 
 5, Pilate, p. 63. 
 
 6, Cyrus’s death, p. 64. 
 
 7, The Devils in Council, p. 66. 
 
 8, Lechery and Mary, p. 71. 
 
 9, Mary and her Gallant, p. 72. 
 
 10, The Devils rejoicing, p. 75. 
 
 JESUs’s FEET WITH HER HAIR. 
 DEATH, AND AGAINRISING. 
 
 Scene 
 
 11, Mary in her Arbour, p. 76. 
 
 12, Simon the Leper, p. 77. 
 
 13, TheGoodAngel,andMary, p. 77. 
 
 14, Mary washes Christ’s feet, p. 78. 
 
 15, The Beating of 8 Devils, p. 82. 
 
 16, Lazarus’s sickness, p. 83. 
 
 17, Mary meets Jesus, p. 85. 
 
 18, Lazarus dies, p. 86. 
 
 19, Jesus comes, p. 87. 
 
 20, Lazarus is raisd, p. 88. 
 
 PART II, IN 31 SCENES. 
 
 {In Marcylle, Hell, Jerusalem, the Wilderness, and Heaven.) 
 
 Christ’s appearance to mary at his sepulchre. 
 
 HER CONVERSION OF THE KING AND QUEEN OF MARCYLLE. 
 HER FEEDING BY ANGELS, FROM HEAVEN, IN THE WILDERNESS. 
 HER DEATH. 
 
 Scene 
 
 21, King & Q. of Marcylle, p. 90. 
 
 22, Hell harrowd, p. 91. 
 
 23, 3 Maries at Christ’s Tomb, p. 92. 
 
 24, ,, meet Peter, John, p. 94. 
 
 25, Jesus appears to Mary, p. 95. 
 
 26, The Palace of Marcylle, p. 98. 
 
 27, The Heathen Temple at Mar- 
 
 cylle, p. 99. 
 
 28, Pilate and Jesus’s Death, p. 102. 
 
 29, Herod, and Pilate’s Messenger, 
 
 p. 103. 
 
 30, The Emperor and Pilate’s Letter, 
 
 p. 104. 
 
 31, Mary Magdalene in Jerusalem, 
 
 p. 105. 
 
 32, Jesus in Heaven, p. 106. 
 
 33, Angel Raphael and Mary, p. 107. 
 
 34, The Marcylle Shipman andMary, 
 
 p. 107. 
 
 35, Mary and the King of Marcylle, 
 
 p. 109. 
 
 Scene 
 
 36, The Marcylle Idols burnt, p. 113. 
 
 37, Mary to convert Marcylle, p. 1 14. 
 
 38, She warns the King and Queen, 
 
 p. 1 1 5. 
 
 39, She converts them, p. 116. 
 
 40, They take ship for the Holy Land, 
 
 p. 119. 
 
 41, The Queen dies. The King lands, 
 
 p. 121. 
 
 42, St. Peter baptizes the King,p. 123. 
 
 43, The King sails for home, p. 125. 
 
 44, The Queen lives again, p. 126. 
 
 45, Mary receives the King and 
 
 Queen, p. 127. 
 
 46, Mary in the Wilderness, p. 130. 
 
 47, Jesus in Heaven, p. 130. 
 
 48, Two Angels feed Mary, p. 131. 
 
 49, A Priest comes to Mary, p. 132. 
 
 50, Jesus & his Angels, p. 133. 
 
 51, Angels & Mary. Her death, 
 
 p. 134. 
 
 * The xal for ‘ shal *, gwat for ^ what &c., show the play to be in the East Midland dialect, 
 probably about Lynn, Norfolk, or in Lincolnshire. 
 
 1 he metre is very irregular. It seems to have tried to get into 8- or 9-line stanzas, and to 
 have done so now and then. Other stanzas, alternates, and couplets, also occur. The line-num- 
 bers show them to some extent. Part II is mainly in alternates. On p. 135, 1 . 21437 the writer 
 names ‘redurs’, not hearers. But see 1 . .2133. 
 
54 
 
 [THE NAMES OF THE PLAYERS.] 
 
 PART I. 
 
 [Inperator, the Emperor, Tiberius 
 
 The Kyng of the Flesch, p. 66, 67. 
 
 Caesar, p. 55', 59. 
 
 Serybyl, or Serybb, p. 55. 
 
 The Dylfe, Satan, or the Prynse of 
 
 Dybles, p. 66, 68, 76. 
 
 Provost, p. 59. 
 
 The Seven Dedly Synnes, p. 75. 
 
 The pepul, p. 56, 87, 90. 
 
 Pryde and Covetys.e, p. 66. 
 
 Syrus, or Cyrus, father of Mary 
 Maudeleyn", Martha, and Lazarus, 
 
 Slowth and Gloteny, p. 67. 
 
 Lechery, or Luxuria, p. 67,71, 73. 
 
 p. 56, 64.. 
 
 Wrath and Envy, p. 68. 
 
 Lazarus, p. 58, 64, 84; dies, p. 86; 
 
 A bad Angyl, p. 71, 75, 88. 
 
 rises from the grave, 89. 
 
 A good Angyll, p. 77, 81. 
 
 Mary Maudeleyn, p. 58, 65,71, 74(she 
 sins), 76, 78 (she repents), 79 (she 
 
 A Masenger, Sensualyte, p. 80. 
 
 A Taverner, p. 72. 
 
 washes Christ’s feet) ; 83, 85, 88. 
 
 A Galawnt, Coryossyte [= Dandy], 
 
 Martha, p. 58, 65, 83, 86, 88. 
 
 P- 73 , 74 - 
 
 Nuncyus (the Messenger), p. 59, 62, 63. 
 
 Diablus, p. 76. 
 
 Herowdes, p. 59. 
 
 Symond leprus, p. 77, 78. 
 
 Phelysofyr (Herod’s), p. 60. 
 
 lesus, p. 78, 85, 87, 88. 
 
 Secundus Phylosofyr, p. 61. 
 
 Secundus Diabolus, Belfagour, p. 82. 
 
 Primus Miles, p. 61, 86. 
 
 Tercius Diabolus, Belzabub, p. 82. 
 
 Secundus Miles, p. 61, 86. 
 
 Spiritus Malignus, p. 82. 
 
 Pylatt, p. 63. 
 
 Desyplys, and Dissipulus, (of Jesus,) 
 
 Primus Seriunt, p. 63. 
 
 p. 78, 87. 
 
 Secundus Seriawnt, p. 63. 
 
 Weepers, 86. 
 
 The Kyng of the World, or Mundus, 
 
 A lew, p. 88. 
 
 p. 66, 76. 
 
 
 PART II. 
 
 The Kyng of Marcylle, p. 90, 98, 
 
 [PTertius] Angelus, p. 106, 133. 
 
 loi, no, 112, 116, 117, 120, 121, 
 
 St. Peter, p. 94, 123. 
 
 123, 126, 128. 
 
 His Knights, p. 91, 1 16 ; his Attend- 
 
 St. Ihon, p. 94. 
 
 An hethen Prest, or Presbyter, p. 99, 
 
 ants, p. 112. 
 
 113. 
 
 Regina (Queen of Marcylle), p. 91, 
 
 The hethen Prest’s Boy, or Clericus, 
 
 98, 116, 117, 120, 121, 126, 128. 
 
 p. 99, 1 1 3. 
 
 Her Child, p. 121, 126. 
 
 Pylatt, p. 102. 
 
 A Dylle (Devil), p. 91. 
 
 His Nuncyus, or Messenger, p. 103, 
 
 Mary Maudlyn, p. 92, 94, 95, 105, 
 
 104. 
 
 107, 108, 109, 113, 115, 117, 127, 
 
 His two Serjantts or Servants, p. 
 
 130, 131, 132, 134. 
 
 Her Dysypyll, p. 105. 
 
 103. 
 
 Herodes, p. 103. 
 
 Mary Jacobe (the mother of James 
 
 The Emperower of Rome, p. 104. 
 
 the Apostle)’, p. 92, 97. 
 
 His Provost, p. 104. 
 
 Mary Salome’, p. 93, 97. 
 
 Shopman, or Naut a, p. 107, 119, 125, 
 
 lesus, p. 95, 97, 106, 1 14, 130, 133. 
 
 126. 
 
 Primus Angelus, p. 93, 1 15, 1 i 33, 
 
 Grobbe, the Shipman’s Boy, p. 107, 
 
 135 - 
 
 119, 125. 
 
 Secundus Angelus, p. 94, 115, 131, 
 
 An holy Prest, p. 132, 134.] 
 
 133, 134, 135- 
 
 
 * The page-numbers are meant to mark the Scenes where the Actors come in, not every time 
 
 they speak. 
 
 * There is no ground in the Bible for making Mary Magdalene one with Mary the sister of 
 
 Martha and Lazarus. 
 
 3 Mary the mother of James, &c, and Mary Salome, are the same person, according to 
 
 Biblical critics. 
 
55 
 
 [MARY MAGDALENE.] 
 
 [/w the second, and rather later hand.'] 
 
 [^PART I. Scene i.] 
 
 M. B. \_for Miles Blomefylde.] 
 
 Inperator. 
 
 I C 07 Kmand* sylyns in jje peyn of* forfetwr, 
 to all myn) avdyeans present* general, 
 of* my most* hyest* and mytyest* wolurate, 
 
 I woll it be knowyn) to al fe word vnyversal. 
 
 That* of* heven) and hell chyfF rewlar am) I, 5 
 
 to wos Magnyfycews non stondyt egall, 
 for I am) soveren) of* al soverews subjugal 
 On)-to myn) empere, beyng* in-comparable. 
 
 tyberyus sesar, wos power is potencyall. 9 
 
 I am) pe blod ryall most of* soverente; 10 
 
 of* all emperowers and kynge^ my byrth is best, 
 
 & all regeouTzs obey my myty voluate 
 
 lyfe and lem) and goode^, all be at my request* : 13 
 
 so of* all soverens, my magnyfycens most* mytyest* 
 
 May nat be a-gayn)-sayd of* frend nor of* foo ; 
 
 But all abydyn) Ivgment* and rewle of* my lyst*. 16 
 all grace vp-on) erth from) my goodne^ commyt* fro, 
 and pat bryng-is all pepell in blysse soj 18 
 
 for pe most* worthyest*, woll I rest* in my sete. 
 
 serybyl. 
 
 H syr, from) your person) growyt* moch grace. 20 
 
 Jnperator. 
 
 now for ]jzn) answer, belyall, blysse pi face ! 
 
 mykyl presporyte I gyh) to porchase j 
 
 I am wonddyn) in welth from) all woo. 23 
 
 Herke pon, provost*, I gyff* pe in commazzdmezzt, 
 
 all yowr pepull preserve in pesabyl possesson). 
 
 yff* ony per be to my godded [dis]obedyent. 
 
 Part L Scene 1. 
 Rome. 
 
 [leaf 95] 
 
 The Emperor. 
 Silence, all I 
 
 I am Chief Ruler 
 of heaven and 
 heU. 
 
 I am the incom- 
 parable Tiberius 
 Caesar. 
 
 All lands obey 
 me. 
 
 All rule by my 
 pleasure. 
 
 I am wrapt in 
 wealth against 
 [leaf 95, back] 
 woe. 
 
 Provost, find out 
 the Christians 
 who disobey my 
 
Gods, and I’ll 
 kill em. 
 
 If any one 
 disobeys my 
 laws, 
 
 or grumbles 
 against my Gods, 
 I’ll murder him. 
 
 Set on wine and 
 spices, and let’s 
 [leaf 96] 
 make good 
 cheer. 
 
 Part /. Seme 2. 
 The Castle of 
 Maudleyn^. 
 Bethany{?)* 
 
 MARY MAGDALENE. PART I. SCENES 1, 2. 
 
 dyssever tho harlottw, and make to me declaracyon), 27 
 & I xall make all swych to dye, 
 
 Thos precharsse of* crystys incarnacyon). 
 
 H Provost*. 
 
 U Lord of* all lorddej, I xall gyff yow In-formacyon). 
 
 Inperator. 
 
 U Lo, how all jje word obeyit my domynacyon); 31 
 
 that person) is nat born) fat dare me dysse-obey. 32 
 
 Syrybbe, I warne yow se fat my lawys 
 
 In all your partyys have dew obeysavnsj 
 
 In-quere and aske, eche day fat davnne^, 
 
 yf in my pepul be fovnd ony weryous, 36 
 
 contrary to me in ony chansse, 
 
 or with my goldyn) goddes- grocth on) grone, 
 
 I woll marre swych harlotte^ wit/t mordora??^ myschansej 
 yff ony swyche remayn), put* hem) in repreffe, 40 
 
 & I xall yow releff. 
 
 H Serybb. 
 
 U yt* xall be don), lord, wit/j-owtyn) ony lett or whh-owt 
 doth. 
 
 Inperator. 
 
 H lord and lad, to my law doth lowte ; 
 is it nat so ? sey yow all with on) showte. 
 
 [Here answerryt* all fe pepul at ons, 3a, my lord, 3a. 
 
 IT Inperator. 
 
 so, fe froward folke5, now am) [I] plesyd* j 
 sett wyn) and spycys to my coasell full cler. 
 
 Now have I told? yow my hart*, I am) wyll plesyd?; 
 
 Now lett vs sett don) alle, and make good chyr. 48 
 
 \_PART I. Scene 2.] 
 
 Her entyr syrai', fe fader of mary mavdleyn) 
 
 syra^. 
 
 II Emperor, and ky[n]gge5, and conquerors kene, 
 Erlys, and borons, and knytes fat byn) bold?. 
 
MARY MAGDALENE. PART I. SCENE 2. 
 
 Berdpi in my bower, so semely to sene, 
 
 I commav[n]d yow at onys my hestej to hold*, 
 be-hold* my person), glysterywg in golcf, 
 semely be-syn) of' all other men) ; 
 
 CyrM^ is my name, be clefFys so cold*, 
 
 I command yow all, obedyent to beyn) j 
 wo-so woll naf, in bale I hem) bryng*. 
 
 And knett swyche cayftyys^ in knottes' of care, 
 thys castell of mavdleyn) is af my wylddyng', 
 witA all ]>e coratre, bothe lesse a?id more,^ 
 
 & Lord of lerusa\em, who agens me don) dare. 
 Alle beteny at my beddyng' be ; 
 
 I am) sett in solas from) al syywg sore,^ 
 
 and so xaH all my posteryte, 
 
 thus for to ieuen) in resf and ryalte. 
 
 I have her a sone jjat is to me ful trew, 
 no corwlyar creatur of goddes creacyon), 
 to amyabyll dovctors full brygth of ble, 
 ful gloryos to my syth an ful of delectacyon). 
 
 I am Cyrus, 
 glittering in 
 gold. 
 
 6 Let all obey me. 
 
 57 
 
 6o 
 
 This Castle of 
 Maudleyn, 
 
 Jerusalem, 
 and Bethany are 
 mine. 
 
 65 
 
 66 I have a most 
 comely son, 
 
 Lazarwy my son), in my resspeccyon). 
 
 Here is mary, ful fayr and ful of femynyte, 
 and martha, ful [of] bevte and of delycyte, 
 ful of womawly merrorys and of benygnyte, 
 Jiey haue fulfyllyd my harf with cowsolacyon). 
 Here is a coleccyon) of cyrcu7?2stance, 
 to my cognysshon) never swych a-nothyr. 
 
 y O [leaf 96, back] 
 Lazarus, 
 and 2 daughters, 
 Mary and 
 Martha. 
 
 74 
 
 75 
 
 as be demonstracyon) knett incowtynens, 
 save® a-lonly my lady, fat was fer mother. 
 
 Now Lazaray, my sonne, whech art fer brothyr, 79 
 The lordshep of lerayalem I gyff fe after my ^ dysses, 
 and mary, thys castell, a-lonly, an non) othyr j 
 & martha xall haue beteny, I sey exprese : 
 thes gyftey I gravnt yow witA-owtyn les, 83 
 
 After my death, 
 I give Lazarus, 
 the Lordship 
 of Jerusalem ; 
 Mary, the Castle 
 of Maudleyn ; 
 Martha, 
 Bethany. 
 
 whyll fat I am) in good mynd*. 
 
 84 
 
 [* Pcaytyfys.] * The rymes require ‘ mare, sare’. 
 MS. Of crost thro, and save added^ [■* MS. mo.] 
 
58 
 
 MARY MAGDALENE. PART I. SCENE 2 . 
 
 
 
 ]azar«5. 
 
 
 Lazarus thanks 
 his father Cyrus 
 for his gifts, 
 
 H Most reuerent* father ! I thank yow hartely 
 of yower grett kyndnes shuyd oi))-to me ! 
 ye haue gravntyd swych a lyfelod!, worthy 
 
 85 
 
 
 Me to restreyn) from) all nessesyte. 
 
 88 
 
 and prays God 
 for grace to 
 live well. 
 
 now, good lord', & hys wyll if be 
 gravnt me grace to lyue to thy plesowans, 
 
 & a-3ens hem) so to rewle me, 
 
 Thatt we may have loye wit/i-owtyn weryauws. 
 
 92 
 
 [leaf 97 ] 
 
 Mary mavdleyn. 
 
 
 Mary Magdalene 
 praises God, 
 
 Thatt god of pes and pryncypall covHsell, 
 
 More swetter is Jii name pan hony be kynd' ! 
 
 93 
 
 and thanks her 
 
 we thank yow, fathyr, for your gyfte^ ryall. 
 
 
 for his gifts. 
 
 owt of peynei of poverte vs to oD)-bynd' ■, 
 thys is a preseruatyff from) streytnes, w'e fynct. 
 
 96 
 
 
 from) wordly labors to my covwfortyng' ; 
 
 for thys lytflod is abyll for pe dowtter of a kyng*. 
 
 99 
 
 
 thys place of plesavns, pe soth to seye. 
 
 100 
 
 
 martha. 
 
 
 Martha also 
 praises and 
 thanks her 
 father, 
 
 O ye good' fathyr of grete degre, 
 thus to departe with your ryches. 
 
 lOI 
 
 cowsederyng' ower lowlynes and humyl}'te, 
 vs to save from) wordly dessetres : 
 je shew vs poyntw of grete lentylnes, 
 so mekly to meyntyn) vs to your grace. 
 
 ^05 
 
 
 
 and prays that 
 he may see 
 
 God’s face in 
 heaven. 
 
 hey in heuen) a-wansyd' mot yow be 
 
 In blysse, to se pat lorded face, 
 whan) ye xal hens passe ! 
 
 109 
 
 
 cyra5. 
 
 
 
 H Now I reioyse wkh all my mygthte^; 
 to enhanse my chyldryn), it was my deljde ; 
 
 I to 
 
 Cyrus orders 
 wine and spices. 
 
 now wyn) and spycys, 30 lentyll knyttej, 
 on-to pes ladys of ientylnes. 
 
 113 
 
 
 [Here xal pey be servyd with wyn) and spycys. 
 
 
MARY MAGDALENE. PART I. SCENE 3. 
 
 [PART /. Scene 3.] 
 
 Inperator. 
 
 H syr provost*, and skrybe, lugger of* my rem, 1 14 
 my massenger I woll send in-to ferre cuwtre, 
 
 On)-to ray sete of* lerusaXem, 
 
 On)-to Herowdw, pat regeat per ondyr me, 117 
 
 and on)-to pylat, lugger of* pe covntre : 
 myn) entent I woll hem) teche. 
 
 take hecJ, pou provost*, my precept wretyn) be, 120 
 & sey I cuOTmava(J hem), as pey woll be owjt wrech, 
 yf* per be ony in pe cuatre, ageyn) my law doth prech, 
 or ageyn) my godde^ ony trobyll teller, 123 
 
 that* thus agens my lawys rebelled, 
 as he is regent*, and* in pat reme dweller, 
 
 & holdyth hys crovn) of* me be ryth, 1 26 
 
 yff per be ony harletteJ pat a-gens me make replycacyoa. 
 Or ony moteryng* a^ens me make with malynacyon. 
 
 [end of speech left out^ 
 
 provost*. 
 
 H syr, of* all thys they xall have in-formacyoa, 
 
 so to vp-hold? jower renovn) and ryte. 130 
 
 [Inperator.] 
 
 now, massenger, whA-owtyn) taryyng*. 
 
 Have here gold* oh)-to pi fe 5 13 2 
 
 so here thes lettyrs to Herowdej the kyng*, 
 
 & byd hem) make In-quyrans in euery cuwtre, 
 as he is lugge in pat cuatre beyng*. 
 
 nvncyus. 
 
 IT soueren), yoar arend* it* xall be don) ful redy 136 
 In alle pe hast* pat I may; 
 for to fullfyll yoar byddyng* 
 
 T woll nat spare nother be nyth nor be day. 139 
 
 [H Here goth pe masenger to-ward herowdej. 
 
 59 
 
 Fart I. Scene 3. 
 Rome. 
 
 Tiberius Caesar 
 resolves to send 
 orders to Herod 
 
 Peaf 97, back] 
 
 to search out 
 rebels against 
 him, the 
 Emperor, 
 or his Gods, 
 
 [and kill em.] 
 
 He hlds his 
 Messenger start. 
 
 The Messenger 
 says he’ll haste. 
 
6o 
 
 MAKY MAGDALENE. PART I. SCENE 4 . 
 
 
 Part I. Scene 4. 
 Jerusalem. 
 
 \_PART I. Scene 4 .] 
 
 
 [leaf 98] 
 
 Herowdpy. 
 
 
 
 In Jie wyld? wanyng* word*, pes all at onys ! 
 no noyse, I waine yow, for greveyng* of* me ! 
 
 140 
 
 Herod, *ril 
 hurl off any 
 one’s head who 
 speaks. 
 
 yff yow do, I xal hovrle of* yower hedey, be mahondey 
 boney, 
 
 as I am) trew kyng* to mahond so fre. 143 
 
 
 help, help, ]pat I had a swerd* ! 
 
 fall don), ye faytowrs, flatt to ]>e grovnd* ! 
 
 145 
 
 Off hats 1 
 
 Stand barehead, 
 you beggars ! 
 
 Heve of* jouv hodey and hattey, I cummavnd yow alle : 
 stond* bare hed, ye beggars ! wo made yow so bold* ? 
 
 
 I xal make yow know your kyng* ryall : 
 thus woll I be obeyyd* thorow al the wor[l](J; 
 
 149 
 
 
 &: who-so wol nat, he xal be had in hold; 
 
 & so to be cast in carys cold. 
 
 15 i 
 
 
 that werkyn) ony wondyr a-^ens my magnyfyceiis. 
 
 
 Look at my 
 rubies and green 
 pearl ! 
 
 be-hold these ryche rubyys, red as ony fyr, 
 with fe goodly grene perle ful sett a-bowgth ; 
 
 
 What king is 
 equal to me ? 
 
 what kyng* is worthy or egaU to my power ? 
 or in thys word, who is more had in dowt* 
 
 ^56 
 
 
 than is Jie hey name of herowdey, kyng* of* lerayalem, 
 
 
 Lord of* alapye, assye, a?id tyr, 
 of* abyron), ber3aby, and bedlem) ? 
 
 159 
 
 
 all thes byn) ondyr my governoufis. 
 
 Lo, all Jjes I hold wit/i-owtyn) reprobacyon) ; 
 
 160 
 
 None but the 
 
 Emperor 
 
 Tiberius. 
 
 No ma« is to me egall, save a-lonly \>e emperower 
 lyberyus, as I have In provostycacyon). 
 
 163 
 
 [leaf 98, back] 
 Speak, Philoso- 
 phers ! ' 
 
 How sey )3e plyvlyssoverys be my ryche reyne ? 
 
 Am) nat I ]>e grettest* governower ? 
 
 164 
 
 
 Lett me ondyr-stond whatt can ye seyn). 
 
 166 
 
 
 phelysofyr. 
 
 
 
 U Soueren, and it piece yow I woll expresse : 
 ye be jie rewlar of* ))is regyoh), 
 
 & most* worthy sovere} n) of nobylnes 
 
 
 
 That euer in lude barre domynacyon) : 
 
 
MARY MAGDALENE. PART I. 
 
 SCENE 4 . 
 
 61 
 
 Bott, syr, skreptoi^r gevytt informacyon). 
 
 171 
 
 * The Scripture 
 tells of a Child 
 
 & doth rehersse it werely. 
 
 
 of gi*eat renown, 
 
 that chyld! xal remayn) of grete renovn). 
 
 
 
 &: all Jie word* of hem) shold* magnyfy, — 
 
 174 
 
 in the glory of 
 whose rising, 
 
 ef ambulabuKt* gentes in lumine, et reges 
 
 
 kings shall 
 walk. 
 
 In snlendore 1 ortwy tui. 
 
 176 
 
 
 Herowde^. 
 
 H and! whatt seyst thow ? 
 
 secu«di« ^hyllosofyrJ] 
 
 ^ the same weryfyyt my bok, as how 
 as ])e skryptowr doth me tell 
 of* a myty duke xal rese and reyi:), 
 whych xall reyh) and rewle all Israeli, 
 no kyng* a-3ens hys worthynes xall opteyn), 
 the whech in profesy hath grett eloquence, — 
 non) avferetur septrum luda, et dux de 
 femore eius, donee veniet ImitendM^ esf. 
 
 178 
 
 This Child, a 
 mighty Duke, 
 shall rule 
 all Israel, 
 
 182 and excel all 
 kings.* 
 
 184 
 
 Herowdes'. [leaf 93] 
 
 A, ow^t, ow3t, now am [I] grevyd! all 'with ]>& worst*! r86 
 30 dastardM5 1 ye dogger ! Jie dylfe mote yow draw ! ‘The Devii tear 
 with fleyyng* flapper I byd yow to a fest*. says Herod ; 
 
 A swerd, a swerd! 1 jjes lordeynne^ wer slaw 1 189 
 
 ye langbaynnei, losellej, for-sake 30 ^at word! 1 
 
 ]>at caytyff xall be cawth, and suer I xall hem) flaw ; 
 for hym), many mo xal be marry with mordor. 192 
 
 ‘ I’ll catch that 
 Caitiff, 
 
 and slay him.* 
 
 1'“ miles. ^ 
 
 H My sovereyn) lord* dysse-may yow ryth nowt* ! Herod’s knights 
 
 ^ ^ tell him not to 
 
 they ar but folys, Jjer eloquens wantyng*, mnd these , 
 
 for in sorow and care sone J)ey xall be cawt* ; tool®’ talk. 
 
 a-3ens vs Jiey can) mak no dysstonddyng**. 196 
 
 miles. 
 
 II my lord, all swych xall be browte before youv avdyens, 
 and leuyn) ondyr your domynacyon), 
 
 [' MS. spelndore.] MS. mil's.] 
 
62 
 
 Herod is com- 
 forted by his 
 knights’ counsel, 
 
 [leaf 99, back] 
 and makes sure 
 he’ll be able to 
 catch Christ. 
 
 Tiberius Caesar’s 
 Messenger hails 
 Herod, 
 
 and gives liim 
 his Master’s 
 letters. 
 
 Herod promises 
 to kin all rebels, 
 
 and orders the 
 letter to be 
 taken to Pilate. 
 
 MARY MAGDALENE. PART I. SCENE 4. 
 
 or ellpj dawrnyd to doth with mortal sentense, 
 
 yf* we hem) gett onder ower gubernacyon). 200 
 
 Herowde^. 
 
 II now thys is to me a gracyows exsortacyon), 201 
 & grettly reioysyth to my spryte^ in-dede ■, 
 thow Jjes sott« a-^ens me make replycacyon), 
 
 I woll suffer now to spryng* of J)at kenrecJj 20^ 
 
 some woys in my lond* shall sprede, 
 prevely or pertely in my lond a-bowth : 
 whyle I haue swych men), I nede nat to drede. 
 
 But pat he xal be browf on)der, witA-owtyn) doth. 208 
 
 [H Her cotwmyt* pe emperowers [masenger] thus 
 sayyng* to herowdw : 
 
 Masenger. 
 
 •If Heyll, prynse of* bovntyows-nesse ! 209 
 
 Heyll, myty lord of* to magnyfy ! 
 
 Heyll, most* of* worchep of* to expresse ! 
 
 Heyll, reytyus rewlar in jji regensy ! 212 
 
 My sofereyn), tyberyuw^, chyff* of chyfalry, 
 
 Hw soveren) sond hath sent to yow here : 
 
 He desyrth 30 W, and preyyt* on) eche party, 
 
 to fulfyll htf cowtmavmdmewt and desyre. 216 
 
 [H Here he xall take pe lettyrs on)-to pe kyng*. 
 
 Herawdei. 
 
 IT Be he sekyr I woll natt spare 217 
 
 for [to] complyshe hii cu 7 wmavnddmewt, 
 with scharp swerddffs to perce pe bare. 
 
 In all covntres wit/i-in thys regent*, 220 
 
 for hw love, to fulfyll hw in-tentt : 
 
 non swych ^ xall from) ower handys stertt, 
 
 for we woll fulfyll hw ryall luggeme/tt, 
 
 with swerd' and spere to perce thorow pe hartt. 224 
 
 but*, masenger, reseyve thys letter wjdh, 
 
 and* berytt ou)-to pjdatt-ys s}i:h. 
 
 [' MS. swych swych.] 
 
MARY MAGDALENE. PART I. SCENE 6. 
 
 mesenger. 
 
 My lord, it xall be dou) ful wygth } 
 
 In hasf I well me spede. 228 
 
 [PABT /. Scene 5.] 
 
 Pylatt. 
 
 U now ryally I reyne In robys of* rycb[e]ssej 229 
 
 kyd and knowyn) both ny and ferre, 
 
 for luge of* lerusaXem, J)e trewth to expresse, 
 
 Ondyr the emperower tyberiMj cesar. 232 
 
 Jjerfor I rede yow all, be-warre 
 
 ye do no pregedyse a-3eii) J)e law, 
 
 for and je do, I wyll yow natt spare 
 
 tyl he haue lugment* to be hangyd and draw ; 236 
 
 for I am) pylat pr[o]mmyssary and pres[e]dent*, 
 
 alle renogat robber Inper-rowpenf, 
 
 to put hem) to peyn), I spare for no pete. 
 
 my ser-jauntM semle, q^ot sye ye ? 240 
 
 of Jjis rehersyd, I wyll natt spare. 
 
 plesau;ztly, serrys, avnswer to me, 
 
 for in my herte I xall haue pe lesse care. 243 
 
 I'" Seriuwt. 
 
 ^ as ye haue seyd, I hold? if for fe best*, 244 
 
 yf* ony swych a-mong vs may we know. 
 
 ij“ Serjawwt*. 
 
 H for to gyff* hem Iugme?/t I holdd yt best*, 
 
 & so xall ye be dred of* hye and low. 247 
 
 pylat. 
 
 H A, now I am) restoryd to felycyte. 248 
 
 [Her comyt ]>e emprores masewger to pylat. 
 
 Mase«ger. 
 
 Heyll, ryall in rem in robis of* rychesse ! 
 
 Heyl, present fou prynsys pere ! 
 
 Heyl, lugge of* \erusa\em, fe trewth to expresse ! 
 Tyberyui fe emprower sendyt wrytyng* herre, 252 
 
 63 
 
 [leaf 100] 
 
 Part L Scene 5. 
 Jeniealem. 
 
 Pilate proclaims 
 his power as 
 Judge of Jeru- 
 salem, 
 
 and declares 
 he’ll hang and 
 draw all who 
 offend the Laws. 
 
 His servants 
 promise to back 
 him. 
 
 [leaf 300, back] 
 
 Tiberius Cjesar’a 
 letters are de- 
 liverd to him- 
 
64 
 
 MAKY MAGDALENE. PART I. SCENES 5, 6. 
 
 
 
 and prayyt yow, as yow be hw lover dere^ 
 
 Of* fis wrytyng* to take a-vysemenf 
 
 In strenthyng* of* hij lawys cleyr, 
 
 as he hath set yow In pe state of* lugment*. 
 
 256 
 
 
 [Her pylat takyt fe lettyrs with grete reverens. 
 
 
 pylat. 
 
 
 Pilate declares 
 he will uphold 
 Tiberius Caesar’s 
 laws. 
 
 Now, be marten so mythy, I xal sett many a snare, 257 
 
 Hw lawys to strenth in al pat I may ; 
 
 
 I rejoyse of* hw renown) and of* hw wylfare; 
 
 
 and gives the 
 Messenger gold. 
 
 & for ]ji tydyngge^, I geyff* pe )?is gold? to-day. 
 
 260 
 
 
 masewg'er. 
 
 
 
 a largeys, 36 lord', I crye )jis day ; 
 for Jiis is a 3eft of* grete degre. 
 
 261 
 
 
 pylat*. 
 
 
 
 Masenger, on-to my sovereyn) {)ou sey. 
 
 On J)e most specyall wyse recuwmend me. 
 
 264 
 
 
 [Her a-voydyt fe masengyr, and syrus takyt his 
 deth. 
 
 Part I. Scene 6. 
 The Castle of 
 Maudleyn, 
 Bethany. 
 
 [PJRT I. Scene 6.] 
 
 syrus. 
 
 
 
 A ! help ! help ! I stond in drede, 
 syknes is sett onder my syde ! 
 
 265 
 
 Cyrus is stricken 
 with death, 
 
 [leaf 101] 
 
 A ! help ! deth wyll a-quyte me my mede ! 
 
 A ! gret gode ! Jiou be my gyde ■ 
 
 How I am) trobyllyd both bak and syde. 
 
 268 
 
 and asks to be 
 bclpt to his 
 deathbed. 
 
 now wythly help me to my bede. 
 
 A ! this rendyt my rybbys ! I xall never goo nor 
 
 ryde ’. 
 
 
 the dent of* deth is hevyar fan) led. 
 
 A ! lord. Lord ! what xal I doo f is tyde ? 
 
 272 
 
 He prays to God 
 
 A ! gracyows god ! hav'e ruth on me. 
 
 
 
 In thys word no lengar to a-byde. 
 
 
 and blesses ois 
 children. 
 
 I blys yow, my chyldyrn), god mot with vs be ! 
 
 276 
 
 
 [Her a-voydyt syrus sodenly, and than [comyt] 
 sayyng, lazarus. 
 
MARY MAGDALENE. PART I. 
 
 SCENE 6. 
 
 [Lazarus.] 
 
 Alas, I am sett in grete hevynesse ! 
 
 J)er is no tong my sorow may tell, 
 so sore I am browth in dystresse ; 
 
 277 
 
 in feyntnes I falter, for [f)]is fray fell ; 
 thys dewresse wyl letf me no longar dwelle. 
 But god of* grace sone me redresse. 
 
 A ! how my peyne^ don) me repelle ! 
 
 280 
 
 Lord, witA-stond Jiis duresse ! 
 
 284 
 
 mary magleyw. 
 
 the in-wyttMsymM5^ god J)at euer xal reyne, 
 
 be hjy help, an sowlys sokor ! 
 
 to whom) it is most nedfull to cuTO-playn), 
 
 00 
 
 he to bry[;z]g vs ow^t of* ower dolor, 
 he is most* mytyesf govemowr*. 
 
 288 
 
 from) soroyng*, vs to restryne. 
 
 290 
 
 martha. 
 
 A ! how I am sett* in sorowys sad. 
 
 That* long* my lyf y may nat in-devre ! 
 thes grawous peyne^ make me ner mad* ! 
 
 291 
 
 vndyr dower is now my fathyris cure, 
 
 J)at sumtyme was here ful mery and glad*. 
 Ower lordes mercy be hw mesure. 
 
 294 
 
 & defeynd* h} m) from) peyne^ sad* ! 
 
 297 
 
 lazarw^. 
 
 now, systyrs, ower fatherys wyll we woll^ exprtse : 2 
 thys castell is owerys, with all J)e fee. 
 
 martha. 
 
 as hed and govemower, as reson) is, 
 and? on) fis wyse abydyn) with yow, wyll wee ; 
 we wyll natt desevyr, whatt so be-falle. 
 
 6 -: 
 
 Lazarus grieves 
 greatly for his 
 father Cyrus’s 
 death. 
 
 maria. 
 
 Now, brothyr and systyrs, wel-cu /i ^e be. 
 & ther-of specyally I pray 50W all. 
 
 mus] 
 
 Mary Magdalene 
 prays God to 
 bring them out 
 of their sorrow. 
 
 [leaf 101, back] 
 
 Martha thinks 
 her troubles 'll 
 soon end her 
 life; 
 
 [2 fulfylle crost 
 out.] 
 
 but she and 
 Mary ’ll live 
 ^01 Lazarus, 
 
 and obey him. 
 
 
 DIGBY MYST. 
 
66 
 
 MARY MAGDALENE. PART I. SCENE 7. 
 
 Part I. Scene 7. 
 f Whei'e. 
 
 The World says 
 he is the first 
 potentate next 
 to Heaven, 
 
 [leaf 102] 
 
 and guides the 
 Wheel of 
 Fortune. 
 
 In him rests 
 the order of the 
 Seven Jletals 
 knit each to a 
 Star 
 
 as Copper to 
 Venus. Tin to 
 Jupiter, Lead to 
 Saturn ; — 
 
 wherewith the 
 Seven Princes of 
 Hell are 
 enricht. 
 
 Pride and 
 
 Covetousness 
 praise liim. 
 
 [PJRT 1 . Scene 7.] 
 
 [Her xal entyr kyng of ]3e word, [t^en fie kyng 
 of] j^e flesch, and [(^en] pe dylfe, with pe seuen 
 dedly synnes, a bad angyll an an good angyl, 
 >us seyyng fje word. 
 
 [The King of the World.] 
 
 I am Jie word*, worthyest ])at euyr god wrowth, 305 
 & also I am) Jje prymatt portatuT* 
 
 next heueyn), yf Jie trewth be sowth, — 
 
 & that I lugge me to skrypt«r; — 308 
 
 & I am) he J)at lengesf xal Induer*, 
 
 and also most of* domynacyon) ; 
 
 yf* I be hys foo, woo is abyll to recure, 
 
 for J)e whele of* fortune with me hath sett hw sentud. 
 
 II in me restyt J)e ordor of* Jje met*ellf?j senyn), 3 13 
 
 Jie whych to Jje seuen) planytte^ ar knett* fill sure ; 
 gold* perteynyrzg to )je sowne, as astronomer* nevyn) j 
 sylvyr, to fe mone whyte and purej 316 
 
 Iryn), on)-to ]>e maris \at long may endure ; 
 
 fe fegetyff mer'cury, on-to mercuryiuj 
 copyr, on)-to venus red In hw merrowrj 319 
 
 the frangabyll tyn), to lubyter, yf* 30 can) dyscusj 320 
 On) J)is planyt satume, ful of* rancur*, 
 
 J>is soft* metell led*, nat of* so gret puernesse : 
 
 Lo, alle jiis rych tresor wit/^ J)e word doth indure 323 
 the vij prynsys of* hell of* gret bowntosnesse. 
 now, who may presume to com) to my honour ? 
 
 pryde. 
 
 30 worthy word*, 30 be gronddar of* gladnesse, 326 
 to Jjem) jiat dwellyng* ondyr yower domjmacyon). 327 
 
 covetyse. 
 
 & who-so wol nat, he is sone set a-syde, 
 wber-as I couetyse take mjmystracyon). 
 
 muwdr/^. 
 
 of* Jjat I pray yow make no declareracyon) ; 330 
 
 make swych to know my soverreynte, 
 
MARY MAGDALENE. PART I. SCENE 7 . 67 
 
 & than) Jjey xal be fayri) to make supplycacyon) 
 yf ])at ]3ey stond In ony nesessyte. 333 
 
 [Her xal entyr [le kynge of flesch. vrith slowth, [leaf 102, back] 
 gloteny, leckery. 
 
 flesch. 
 
 I, kyng' of* flesch, florychyd in my flowers. 
 
 Of* deyntys delycyows I have grett domynacyon), 
 so ryal a kyng* was neuyr borne In bowrys, 
 nor hath more delyth ne more delectacyon), 
 for I haue comfortat ywys to my cowifortacyon), 
 dya, galonga, ambra, and also margaretton), 
 alle J)is is at my lyst a-3ens alle vexacyon) 5 
 alle wykkyt thyngc^ I woll sett a-syde, 
 clary, pepur long*, wztA granor^Tre paradysy, 
 
 3en3ybyr and synamoin) at euery tyde ; 
 lo, alle swych deyntyys delycyus vse I j 
 with swyche deyntyys I have my blysse. 
 who woll covett more game and gle, 
 my fayefl spowse lechery to halse and kysse. 
 
 Here ys my knyth gloteny, as good reson) is, 
 with jjis plesavnk lady to rest* be my syde ; 
 
 Here is slowth, anothyr goodly of* to expresse : 
 
 A more plesavnt* co»zpeny doth no-wher a-byde. 
 
 luxuria. 
 
 O ye prynse, how I am) ful of* ardent* lowe, 352 
 
 with sparkylle^ ful of* amerowsnesse; 
 with yow to rest*, fayn) wold* I a-prowe, 
 to shew plesavns to jour lentylnesse. 
 
 J)e flesch. 
 
 0 3e bewtews byrd*, I must* yow kysse, 
 
 1 am) ful of* lost* to halse yow J>is tyde. 
 
 [Here xal ent3n' prynse of dylles In a stage, [leaf los] 
 and Helle ondyr-neth tat stage, tws seyyng fe 
 dylfe. 
 
 F 2 
 
 355 
 
 He kisses 
 Lecliery, and 
 3^7 desires her. 
 
 234 The King of the 
 Flesh has 
 delights in his 
 flowers. 
 
 337 
 
 galingale (?), 
 
 340 
 
 341 
 
 Grains of Para- 
 dise and Cina- 
 mon ; 
 
 344 
 
 347 and in his 
 
 spouse Lechery, 
 his knight 
 Gluttony, and 
 
 his friend Sloth. 
 
 351 
 
68 
 
 Prince Satan is a 
 
 King, with 
 Wrath and Envy 
 in his retinue. 
 
 He strives to 
 ruin men, 
 body and soul, 
 because they 
 gaind what 
 Lucifer lost. 
 
 He calls his 
 Knights to 
 council, 
 
 how to make 
 Mary Magdalene 
 
 sin, 
 
 [leaf 103, back] 
 
 and serve the 
 Devils. 
 
 MARY MAGDALENE. PART I. SCENE 7. 
 
 [Satan, The Prince of the Devils.] 
 
 Now I, prynse pyrke(J prykkyd in pryde, 358 
 
 Satan) ower sovereyn), set with euery cyrcurwstanse, 
 for I am a-tyred in my tower to tempt yow fis tyde; 
 as a kyng ryall I sette at my plesavns, 361 
 
 with wroth \and\ Invy at my ryall retynawns ; 
 the bolddest m bower I bryng' to a-baye ; 
 
 Mawnis sowle to be-segyn) and bryng^ to obeysavns, 
 
 3a [with] tyde and tyme I do ]>at I may, 365 
 
 for at hero) I haiie dysspyte fat he xold! haue fe loye 
 That lycyfer, with many a legyown), lost for fer pryde j 
 fe snare.? fat I xal set, wher never set at troye, 
 so I thynk to besegyn) hero) be every waye wy-dej 369 
 I xal getyn) hem) from) grace, wher-so-euer he abyde, 
 
 That body and sowle xal com to my hold?, 
 
 Hym) for to take. 372 
 
 Now my knythte^ so stowth, 373 
 
 with me ye xall ron) In rowte. 
 
 My consell to take for a skowte, 
 
 whytly fat we wed went for my sake. 376 
 
 wrath. 
 
 wit A wrath or wyhylles we xal hyrre wynne. 377 
 
 envy. 
 
 or with sum sotyllte sett hur in synne. 
 
 dylfe. 
 
 com of fan, let vs be-gynne 
 
 to werkyn hui'* sum wrake. 380 
 
 [Her xal pe deywl go to fie word with his compeny. 
 
 Satan. 
 
 Heyle word*, worthyesf of a-bowndans ! 381 
 
 In hasf we musf a conseyll take ; 
 ye must aply yow witA all your afyavns, 
 
 A womaa of whorshep ower se/want to make. 384 
 
MART MAGDALENE. PART I. SCENE 1 . 
 
 69 
 
 sataii, witA my cowsell I wyll a-wansse, 
 
 I pray fe cum vp oi3)-to my tent*. 
 
 were ]3e kyng of* flesch her -with hw a-semlawiivs ! 
 
 Masenger, a-non) fat fu werre went* 388 
 
 thys tyde ! 3^9 
 
 sey fe kyng* of flesch wit A grete renown, 
 with hi? coasell fat to hym) be bown). 
 
 In alle f e hast* fat euer they mown), 
 
 com as fast as he may ryde. 393 
 
 maseager. [^Sensuality ^ 
 
 My lord, I am yoar servant* sensvalyte, 394 
 
 yoar masege to don), I am of glad chyr ; 
 
 Ryth sone In presens 3e xal hym) se, 
 yoar wyl for to fulfylle her. 397 
 
 [Her lie goth to ^e flesch, thus seyynge. 
 
 Heyl, lord in lond, led with lykyng* ! 398 
 
 Heyl, flesch in lust*, fayyrest* to be-hold! ! 
 
 Heyl, lord and ledar of emprof and kyng* ! 
 
 fe worthy word, be wey and wold?, 401 
 
 Hath sent for yow and youv cowsell. 
 
 satan) is sembled* with hw howshold* j 
 
 your covaseyl to haue, most* fo[r] a-weyle. 404 
 
 flesch. 
 
 Hens ! In hast, fat we fer wh[e]re ! 405 
 
 lett vs make no lengar delay ! 
 
 senswaUte. 
 
 gret myrth to fer herte^ shold* yow arere, 
 
 be my trowth, I dare safly saye. 408 
 
 [Her comyt pe kynge of flesch to pe word, pus 
 seyynge. 
 
 [flesch.] 
 
 Heyl be yow, soverens lefe and dere ! 
 why so hastely do je for me sentJ r 
 
 The King oj the 
 World asks 
 Satan to his 
 tent, 
 
 and sends for 
 the King of the 
 Flesh. 
 
 World’s 
 
 Messenger, 
 
 Sensuality, 
 
 tells the Flesh 
 
 he is wanted at 
 Satan's Council 
 
 [leaf 104] 
 
 Flesh hastes 
 away 
 
 to World, 
 
 and greets the 
 Kings. 
 
7 ° 
 
 MARY MAGDALENE. PART I. SCENE 7 . 
 
 
 
 muwdw^. 
 
 
 
 A ! we ai’’ ryth glad we haue yow here. 
 
 Ower covwsell to-gethyr to comprehencP. 
 
 412 
 
 Calld on by 
 World, 
 
 Now, Satan), sey yo«r devyse. 
 
 413 
 
 
 Satan. 
 
 
 Satan opens the 
 debate on Mary 
 
 Serys, now ye be set, I xal yow say : 
 
 414 
 
 Magdalene. 
 
 syr «5 dyyd jiis odyr day j 
 
 Now mary hw dowctor, ]iat may, 
 of* ]>at castel beryt ]ie pryse. 
 
 417 
 
 
 
 
 
 sertenly, serys, I yow telle. 
 
 418 
 
 If she keeps 
 Tertnous, shell 
 be able to 
 destroy Hell. 
 
 yf* she in vprtu stylle may dwelle, 
 
 she xal byn) abyll to dystroye helle, 
 
 but yf* youT coviiseyll may othyrwyse devyse. 
 
 421 
 
 
 flesch. 
 
 
 Therefore 
 
 Lechery 
 
 now, jie lady lechery, yow must* don) youv attendans. 
 
 for yow be flower fayresfl of femynyte j 
 
 
 
 yow xal go desyyr servyse, and byn) at hur* atendavns. 
 
 must seduce 
 her. 
 
 for 3e xal sonesfl enter je beral of bewte. 
 
 425 
 
 
 lechery. 
 
 
 
 serys, I abey youv covnsell in eche degre j 
 strytt waye Jiethyr woll I passe. 
 
 426 
 
 
 Satan. 
 
 
 The Evil Spirits 
 shall temi)t her. 
 
 spirits malyngny xal com to Jte, 
 
 HyA to tempt* in euery plase. 
 
 429 
 
 The 6 now here 
 
 now alle Jie vj pat hefl be. 
 
 
 [leaf 104 , hack] 
 
 wysely to werke, hyr fawor to wy«ne, 
 
 10 entyr hyr person) be pe labor of* lechery^. 
 
 432 
 
 shall help to 
 bring her to 
 
 pat she at pe last* may com to helle. 
 
 
 Hell. 
 
 H How, how, spirits malyng*; pou wottyst* what I 
 
 mene ! 
 
 
 Cuwi ow3t, I sey ! heryst* nat what I seye ? 
 
 433 
 
MARY MAGDALENE. PART I. SCENE 8 . 71 
 
 bad angyll. 
 
 syrrM5, I obey yowr covTzsell In eche degree ; 436 The Bad Angel 
 
 strytt waye Jiethyr woll I passe ; 
 
 speke soft, speke soft*, I trotte hyr to tene, tempt 
 
 I prey "pe pertly make no more noyse. 439 
 
 [Her xal alle Jse vij dedly sywnes be-sege fie castell 
 tyll [they] A-gre to go to lerttsalem. lechery xall 
 entyr fie castell wttA l^e bad angyl, {jms seyynge 
 lechery. 
 
 [PART /. Scene 8.1 Partr. scenes. 
 
 [Lechery, or Luxuria.'] ^Befany.’ 
 
 Heyl, lady most lavdabyll of* alyauvws ! 440 
 
 Heyl, oryent, as pe sonne In hw reflexite ! 
 
 Myche pepul be coTwfortyd be youv benywg afyavns, Mary^MafSf'^* 
 Bryter fan) fe bornyd*, is your bemys of* bewte, her'^angeiic*^'^*^^* 
 
 most* debonariu^, witA yo«r aungelly delycyte ! 444 
 
 Marya. 
 
 Qwat personne be ^e fat fas me comende^? PMS. comen- 
 
 luxurya. 
 
 yoMr servant to be, 1 wold cottiprehende. 
 
 mary. 
 
 yoar debonarim obedyauws ravyssyt me to trankquelyte ! Mary is 
 now, syth ye desyre In eche de-gree, 448 
 
 to receyve yow I have grett delectacyon) j 
 
 ie be hartely welcu/a cn)-to me ! welcomes 
 
 ■' ^ Lechery, 
 
 yowr tong* is so amyabyll devydyd with reson). 43 1 
 
 Luxurya. 
 
 [leaf 105] 
 
 now, good lady, wyll 30 me expresse, 43 a 
 
 why may f er no gladdnes to yow resort* ? 
 
 mary. 
 
 for my father, I haue had? grett heuynesse ; 
 whan) I remeinbyr, my mynd waxit* mort*. 
 
 455 
 
 and tells her she 
 is nigh dead, for 
 her father’s 
 death. 
 
72 
 
 Lechery cheers 
 Maiy up, and 
 advises her to 
 amuse herself. 
 
 So Mary bids 
 Lazarus and 
 Martha good- 
 bye. 
 
 Part I. Scene 9. 
 A Tavern in 
 Jerusalem. 
 
 The Taverner 
 declares he’s the 
 best in Jerusa- 
 lem. 
 
 [leaf 105, back] 
 
 He sells 
 
 Malmsey, 
 
 Claret, 
 
 Guelder 
 
 and Guyenne 
 \Tine, and 
 Vemage. 
 
 MARY MAGDALENE. PART I. SCENES 8, 9. 
 
 luxsurya. 
 
 3a lady, for all ))at, be of* good cowforf, 456 
 
 for swych obusyouTzs may brede mj'che dysese ; 
 swych desepcyouws, potyt peyn« to exsporb, 
 prynt yow in sported whych besb doth yow plese. 459 
 
 mary. 
 
 for-sothe ye be welcum to myn) hawdyens, 
 ye be my barter leche ; 461 
 
 brother \zzztus, and if be yower ple^au/zs, 462 
 
 & 36 systyr martha also in substawns, 
 
 Thys place I coTzzmend on)-to yozzr governors, 
 
 and on)-to god I yow be-take^. 465 
 
 lazarzz5. 
 
 now, systyr, we xal do your intente, 466 
 
 in thys place to be resydenb 
 whyle )3at 30 be absent*, 
 
 to kepe ))is place from) wreche. 469 
 
 [^PART I. Scene 9.] 
 
 [Here takyt mary hur wey to lerwsalem vrith 
 Luxsurya, and bey xal resort to a taverner, )>ub 
 seyy[n]g be taverner. 
 
 [Taverner.] 
 
 I am) a taverner wytty and wyse, 
 that wynys haue to sell gret plente. 
 of* all jze taverners I here jze pryse 
 that be dwellyng* wit/z-inne Jze cete ; 
 of* wynys I haue grete plente, 
 both whyte wyzzne and red Jzzzt [ys] so deyr* : 
 
 Here ys wyzzne of* mawt and IMalmeseyn), 
 clary wyzzne and claret, and other moo, 
 wyn of* gyldyr and of* gallezr, Jzat made at ]ze grome,[?] 
 wyn of* wyan) and vez nage, I seye also ; 
 
 Ther be no better*, as ferre as 3e can) goo. 480 
 
 1 The ryme wants ‘beteche’. [* MS. bertter.] 
 
 470 
 
 473 
 
 475 
 
 476 
 
MARY MAGDALENE. PART I. SCENE 9 . 
 
 73 
 
 luxsu[r]ya. 
 
 lo, lady, J)e comfort and J 5 e sokower, 
 
 go we ner and take a tast*, 
 
 thys xal bryng' yowr sprytej to fawor. 
 
 Taverner*, bryn)g vs of* pe fyranesf J)ou bast*. 
 
 taverner*. 
 
 here, lady, is wyn), a re-pasf 
 to man), and womara a good restoratyff* j 
 ^e xall nat thynk youv mony spent in wasf, 
 from) stodyys and hevjmes it woll yow relyff. 
 
 mary. 
 
 I-wys je seye soth, grom) of* blyssej 
 to me ^e be covrtes and kynde. 
 
 Her xal entyr a galavnt [jms sej^mg 
 
 galav?it. [Curiosity, a Dandy.] 
 
 Hof, hof', hof, a frysch new galavwt, 
 
 ware of thryst, ley pat a-doune ! 
 
 whah ! wene ^e, .syrrys, pat I were a marchanf, 
 
 be-cavse fat I am) new com) to town) ? 
 
 vfitk sum praty tasppysster* wold* I fayne rown) ^ ; 
 
 I haue a shert of* reywnei with slevys peneawat, 
 
 a lase of* sylke for my lady constant*. 
 
 a ! how she is bewtefoll and ressplendant* ! 
 
 whai]) I am) from) hyr* presens, lord, how I syhe ! 
 
 I wol a-wye sovereyns ; and soiette^ I dys-deyne. 
 
 In wynter a stomachyr. In somer non att al ; 
 
 My dobelet and my hossys euer to-gether a-byde ; 
 I woll, or euen), be shavyn), for to seme 3yng* j 
 with her* a-3en) fe her, I love mych pleyyng^j' 
 that makyt me Ile3anf and lusty in lykyng*j 
 thus I lefe in fis word} I do it for no pryde. 
 
 luxsurya. 
 
 lady, Jjis man is for 30W, as I se can } 
 to sett yow I sportte^ and talkyng* fis tyde. 
 
 481 
 
 Lechery orders 
 some of the 
 484 best wine, 
 
 485 
 
 J.88 to cheer them 
 ^ \ip. 
 
 490 
 
 49 1 A smart Gallant 
 comes, and 
 
 494 ('MS. rownfd] 
 
 49 e [leaf 106 ] 
 wants a pretty 
 Barmaid to chat 
 to. 
 
 498 His love is a 
 ^ beauty. 
 
 499 
 
 He wears no 
 stomacher in 
 ^02 summer, 
 
 503 
 
 and likes his hair 
 against a girl’s. 
 
 506 
 
 507 
 
74 
 
 Mary bids the 
 Taverner call 
 the Gallant in. 
 
 He conies, and 
 makes love to 
 Mary Magda- 
 lene, 
 
 [leaf 106, back] 
 
 calls her his 
 Princess and 
 Sweetheart, 
 
 and says he 
 can’t help 
 loving her. 
 
 MARY MAGDALENE. PART I. SCENE 9, 
 
 mary. 
 
 cal hym In, taverner’, as 30 my lone wyll han, 
 
 & we xall make ful mery yf* he wolle a-byde 510 
 
 taverner". 
 
 How, how, my mastyr’ coryossyte? 511 
 
 coryoste. 
 
 what is youv wyll, syr ? what wyl je witA me ? 
 
 tavernei’’. 
 
 Hei’’ ar lentyll wome« dysyor* jour presens to se, 
 
 & for to dryng* witA yow thys tyde. 514 
 
 coryoste. 
 
 A dere dewchesse, my daysyys lee ! 515 
 
 splendavwt of" colour, most of" femynyte, 
 
 your sofreyn) coloured set witA synseryte ! 
 
 cousedef my lone in-to yower alye, 
 
 or ellei I am) smet with peyune^ of* perplexite ! 519 
 
 mari. 
 
 Why, sfr, wene 30 Jjat I were a kelle ? 520 
 
 corioste. 
 
 nay, prensses parde, 30 be my hertei hele, 
 so wold to god 30 wold my loue fele. 
 
 mari. 
 
 cjwat cavse fat 30 love me so sodenly ? 523 
 
 corioste. 
 
 
 0 nedys I mvst", myn) own) lady, 
 your person), ittw so womauly, 
 
 1 can) nat refreyn), me swete lelly. 
 
 526 
 
 mari. 
 
 
 sir, curtesy doth it yow lere. 
 
 5^7 
 
MARY MAGDALENE. PART I. SCENES Q, 10 , 
 
 corioste. 
 
 Now, gracyus gosf, wit/j-owtyn) pere 
 
 Mych nortMr is jjat 30 conne-, 
 
 But wol yow dawns, my own) dere ? 
 
 320 He asks Mary to 
 ^ dance with lum. 
 
 530 
 
 mary. 
 
 sir, I asent In good maner ■, 
 go 30 be-fore ; I sue yow nei^ j 
 
 She agrees, 
 
 for a-maw at alle tymys beryt reverens. 
 
 533 
 
 corioste. 
 
 Now, be my trowth, 3e be with other ten); 
 felle a pese, taverner’, let vs sen), 
 soppej in wyne, how love 3e ? 
 
 534 
 
 and will take 
 sops-in-wine 
 ^^6 "With him. 
 
 marl. 
 
 As 3e don, so doth me ; 
 
 I am ryth glad J)at met be we ; 
 my loue. In yow gywnyt to close. 
 
 She begins to 
 love him ; 
 
 539 
 
 coryoste. 
 
 Now, derlyng dere, wol yow do be my rede ? 
 we haue dronkyn) and ete lytyl brede. 
 
 540 [leaf 107 ] 
 
 wyll we walk to a-nother stede ? 
 
 542 
 
 mari. 
 
 Ewyn) at* your wyl, my dere derlyngi ! 
 thowe 3e wyl go to J)e wordee eynd*, 
 
 I wol neuer from) yow wyndi, 
 
 rfACi nay, win go to 
 the end of the 
 world with him, 
 and die for his 
 sake. 
 
 to dye for your sake. 
 
 546 
 
 [Here xal mary & t^e galont a-woyd. & pe bad 
 angyll gotb to pe word, pe flycb, & pe dylfe, {jms 
 sayymg pe bad angyl. 
 
 IPART I, Scene lo.] 
 
 [Bad Angyl.] 
 
 Part I. Scene 10 . 
 
 Hell? 
 
 a lorges, a lorges, lorddey alle at onys ! 
 
 3e haue a servant fayer and afyabylle, 
 for she is fallyn) in ower grogly gromys ; 
 
 tAh The Bad Angel 
 tells the Devils 
 of Mary Magda- 
 lene’s fall. 
 
 3a, pryde callyd corioste, to huf is ful lavdabyll. 
 
 550 
 
76 
 
 She has granted 
 Curiosity all he 
 askt. 
 
 The Devil sends 
 Lechery back to 
 keep Mary in 
 sin. 
 
 Satan and the 
 World, and the 
 Flesh, bid one 
 
 [leaf 107, backl 
 
 another fare- 
 well. 
 
 Part I. Scene 11. 
 Jentsalem, 
 
 An Arbour. 
 
 Mary Magdalene 
 thinks of her 
 darling lovers, 
 
 and will rest in 
 the Arbour till 
 one comes to 
 her. 
 
 ARY MAGDALENE. PART I. SCENES 10, 11. 
 
 
 and to hur* he is most preysse-abyll, 
 for she hath gravwttyd hyin) al hw bone^ ■, 
 she thynkyt hw person so amyabyll, 
 to her* syte he is semelyaf Jjan) ony kyng in tronej. 554 
 
 diab[o]lM^. 
 
 a ! how I tremyl and trott for 3ese tydynges ! 555 
 
 she is a soveryn servant pat hath hur’ fet in synne. 
 go thow agayn), and ewer be hur gyde ; 
 pe lavdabyll lyfe of* lecherry let hur neuer lynne, 
 for ot hut al helle xall make reioysseyng*. 559 
 
 Here goth pe bad angyl to mart a-ga3m. 
 
 rex diabolwi. 
 
 fare-well, fare-well, 3e to nobyl kynge^ ))is tyde, 560 
 for horn) in hast I wol me dresse. 
 
 niu?;di/5. 
 
 fare-well, satan), prynsse ot pryde ! 
 
 flesch. 
 
 fare-well, sem[l]yest all sorowys to sesse ! 563 
 
 [Here xal satan go horn to h/s stage, and mari xal 
 entyr In-to pe place alone, save J^e bad angyl and 
 al he seuen dedly synnes xal be conveyyd in-to he 
 howse of symont leprovs, hey xal be a-rayyd lyke 
 vij dylf : h^s kept closse, mari xal be in an erbyr, 
 |n(S sejrynge. 
 
 [P^BT I. Scene ii.] 
 
 mari. 
 
 A ! god be with my valentyne^, 564 
 
 My byrd! swetyng', my lovys so dere ! 
 
 for pey be bote for a blossum of* blysse j 
 
 me mervellyt sore pey be nat here, 567 
 
 but I woll restyn) in pis erb) t 
 
 A-mons thes bam}'s precyus of* prj'sse, 
 
 Tyll som) lover wol apere, 
 
 that me is wont to halse and kysse. 571 
 
 Her xal mary lye do?m, and slepe in he erbyr. 
 
MARY MAGDALENE. PART I. SCENES 12, 13. 77 
 
 [PJRT I. Scene 12.] 
 
 symond leprus. 
 
 Thys day holly I pot in reme/wberowns 
 to solas my geste^ to my power, 
 
 I haue ordey/znyd? a dyner* of* substawns. 
 
 My chyfF freyndej JjerwitA to chyr* j 
 
 In-to ]J3 sete I woll a-pere, 
 
 ffbr my geste 5 to make porvyawns, 
 
 for tyme drayt ny to go to dyner, 
 
 and my ofFycyrs be redy witA Jier ordynowns. 
 
 ^ so wold? to god? I myte have a-queyntowns 
 
 of* jje profyth of* trew perfytnesse, 
 
 to com) to my place and porvyowns j 
 
 it wold‘ rejoyse my hert in gret* gladnesse; 
 
 Part I. Scene 12. 
 Bethany. 
 
 The House of 
 Simon the Leper. 
 — 
 
 
 Simon has 
 orderd a grand 
 dinner. 
 
 [leaf 108] 
 
 c 7Q He wishes he 
 ^ could get the 
 
 380 
 
 Prophet to come 
 to it, 
 
 583 
 
 for je report of* hys hye nobyll-nesse 
 rennyt* in contreys fer and ner* j 
 Hys precheyng* is of* gret perfythnes, 
 of* rythwysnesse, and mercy deyr*. 587 
 
 Her ewtyr • symont in-to 36 place, jje good angyll 
 |3MS seyynge to Mary. 
 
 for His preach- 
 ing is of Right- 
 eousness and 
 Mercy. 
 
 [PART I. Scene 13.] 
 
 [good angyll.] 
 
 woman, woman, why art J)ou so on-stabyll ? 
 ful bytterly thys blysse it wol be bowth 5 
 why art* jjou a-3ens god so veryabyll ? 
 wy thynke5 ]3ou nat god* made ]3e of* nowth ? 
 
 In syn) and sorow Jjou art browth, 
 fleschly lust* is to 30 full delectabyll ; 
 salue for Jii sowle must* be sowth, 
 and leve J>i werkes' wayn) and veryabyll. 
 Remembyr, woman, for j)i pore pryde. 
 
 How ))i sowle xal lyyn) in helle fyr* ! 
 
 H A ! remembyr how sorowful ittiy to a-byde 
 wit/i-owtyn) eynd in angur* and Ir[e] ! 
 remenibyr J)e on)^ mercy make pi sowle clyr* ! 
 
 I am) pe gost* of goodnesse pat so wold* 30 gydde. 
 * ? MS. may be cd = cum. 
 
 Part I. Scene 13. 
 Mary's Arbour 
 in Jerusalem. 
 
 388 
 
 592 
 
 The Good Angel 
 warns Mary to 
 
 seek liealing 
 for her soul, 
 
 593 
 
 596 
 
 which else shall 
 lie in the fire of 
 heU. 
 
 599 
 
78 MARY MAGDALENE. PART I. SCENES 13, 14. 
 
 
 [leaf 108, hack] 
 
 mary. 
 
 
 Mary Magdalene 
 
 A ! how fe speryh of goodnesse hat promtyt me Jiis tyde. 
 
 
 And* temtyd me with tytyll of trew per^'thnesse. 
 
 
 laments her sin ; 
 
 A-las ! how betternesse In my hert doth a-byde ! 
 
 604 
 
 
 I am) wonddyd witA werkey of gret dystresse. 
 
 A ! how pynsynesse potyf me to oppresse, 
 that* I haue synuyd on) euery syde. 
 
 605 
 
 and asks who 
 
 O lord ! wo xall puf me from) ])is peynfulnesse ? 
 
 608 
 
 her. 
 
 A ! woo xal to mercy be my gostly gyde ? 
 
 
 She resolves 
 
 H I xal porsue |)e prophetf, wherso he be, 
 for he is \e welle of perfyth charyte j 
 be )je oyle of mercy he xal me relyfF. 
 
 61 1 
 
 to seek Christ. 
 
 witA swete bawmys I wyl sekyn) hym) )jis syth, 
 and sadly folow hw lordshep in eche degre. 
 
 614 
 
 Part I. Seme 14 . 
 Bethany. 
 Simon’s House. 
 
 IP ART I. Scene 14.] 
 
 [Here xal entyr pe prophet with his desyplys, {iws 
 seyyng symont leprus. 
 
 
 [symont leprus.] 
 
 
 Christ enters, 
 
 Now ye be welcom), mastyr, mosf of magnyfyeens. 
 
 615 
 
 beseeches Him 
 
 I be-seche yow benyiigly je wol be so gracyows 
 yf ])at if be lekyng* on)-to yower hye presens 
 
 
 to dine with 
 him. 
 
 thys daye to com) dyne af my hows. 
 
 618 
 
 
 leszis. 
 
 
 
 god a mercy, symonf, Jiat Jiou wylf me knowe 1 
 
 619 
 
 Jesus says he 
 will, 
 
 I woll entyr fi hows with pes and vnyte ; 
 
 I am) glad for to resf ; per grace gyim) f grow : 
 for witA-inne fi hows xal resf charyte. 
 
 622 
 
 
 And J?e bemys of grace xal byn) Illumynotvs. 
 
 623 
 
 [leaf 109] 
 
 Buf syth jiou wytysf saff a dynef on) me. 
 
 
 and enters 
 Simon’s house. 
 
 with pes and grace I entyr jji hows. 
 
 
 
 symomf. 
 
 
 Simon thanks 
 him, 
 
 I thank yow, master, mosf benyng arid gracyus, 
 thaf yow wol of your hj'e soverente j 
 to me Ittzs a loye mosf speceows. 
 
 626 
 
MARY MAGDALENE. PART I. SCENE 14 . 
 
 witA-Inne my hows Jjat I may yow se ! 
 now syt to Jie bord, mastj'Ps alle. 630 
 
 [Her xal mary folowa-longe,witA ^is lamemtacyon. 
 
 mary. 
 
 0 I, cursyd cayftyff', fat myche wo hath wrowth 631 
 A-^ens my makar, of myte^ most* 5 
 
 1 have offendyd? hym) with dede and thowth. 
 
 But* in hiA grace is all my trosf, 634 
 
 Or ellcA I know well I ana) but lost*, 
 body and sowle damdpnyd! perpetuall. 
 
 3et, good lord of lorddcA, my hope perhenuall, 637 
 wit^i fe to stond In grace and fawoar to se, 
 thow knowysf my hart and thowt in especyal 5 
 therfor, good lord, after my hart reward* me. 640 
 
 [Her xal mary wasche \>e fett of fe prophet with 
 pe terres of hur 3rys, whypyng hem with hur herre, 
 and tan a-noynt hym with a precyus noyttme?jt. 
 
 IeA«s dicif. 
 
 symond, I thank ^e speceally 641 
 
 for fis grett r[e]past* fat her* hath bej 
 But*, symond*, I telle fe fectually 
 
 I have thyngeA to seyn) to fe. 644 
 
 Symond*. 
 
 Master, qwat your wyll be, 645 
 
 and* it plese yow, I well yow bed, 
 seyth yowr lykyng* onl-to me, 
 
 & al f e plesawnt* of yoar mynd* and desyyr. 648 
 
 leAas. 
 
 symond*, fer was a man in fis present lyf, 649 
 
 the wyche had to dectoars well suer*, 
 fe whych wher pore, and myth make no restorat}f. 
 But* stylle in fer deit* ded in-duoarj 632 
 
 fe on) o\\ 3t hym) an hondyrd peuse ful suef, 
 
 & fe other fefty, so be-fell fe chanse; 
 
 & be-cawse he cowd* nat hzA mony recure, 653 
 
 79 
 
 and bids all sit 
 down to table. 
 
 Mary Magdalene 
 reproaches her- 
 self for her sin, 
 
 but trusts in 
 God’s grace. 
 
 He knows her 
 heart. 
 
 She washes 
 Christ’s feet 
 with her tears, 
 wipes them with 
 her hair, and 
 anoints them 
 
 Jesus says, 
 
 [leaf 109, back] 
 
 ** Simon, I have 
 somewhat to 
 say to thee ; 
 
 A man had 2 ' 
 poor debtors. 
 
 One owd him 
 100 pence, the 
 other 50 ; and 
 
8o 
 
 MARY MAGDALENE. PART 1. SCENE 14 . 
 
 
 he forgave them 
 both. 
 
 they askyd! bym) for-jewnessej and he £01-33^ in substans : 
 
 but, symonb, I pray 3e, answer me to jns sentens. 
 
 657 
 
 Which was 
 most beholden 
 
 whych of Jies to personney was most* be-holddyn) to \at 
 
 to him ? ” 
 
 maw ? 
 
 
 Simon : 
 
 symo/zd. 
 
 
 ** The one that 
 owd him most ! " 
 
 Master, and it ple3e yozzr hey presens. 
 
 He Jjat most ow3t hym), as my reson) 3ef' can). 
 
 660 
 
 Jesus : 
 
 leras. 
 
 
 “ Thou hast 
 judgd rightly. 
 
 Recte ivdicasti ! Jzou art a wyse ma« 
 and J)is quesson) hast* dempte trewly. 
 yff }ju In ]ii concyens remewzbyr can). 
 
 661 
 
 Ye two are the 
 
 30 to, be 3e dectowrs pat I of specefy. 
 
 664 
 
 [leaf 110] 
 
 Buf, symond, be-hold* J)is womaiz in al wyse. 
 
 How she with terey of hyr better wepyng* 
 
 
 this woman has 
 washt my feet 
 with her tears, 
 anointed them, 
 
 she wassheth my fete, a?id dothe me servyse, 
 
 and anoy[7z]tyf hem with onymezitey, lowiy knelyng*, 668 
 
 and wiped them 
 with her fair 
 hair. 
 
 Thou didst 
 neither. 
 
 & with her her, fayer and brygth shynnyng*, 
 she wypeth hem) agayn) with good In entenf j 
 ^ Buf, symonf, syth that I entyrd ]ii hows. 
 
 To wasshe my fete jiou dedysf nat aplye. 
 
 6 -,i 
 
 Nor to wype my fete ]iou wed nat so fawon/yj 
 wherfor In Jzi coziscyens ))ou owttysf nat to replye. 
 
 674 
 
 
 Woman, I 
 forgive thee, 
 and make thee 
 whole in soul ! ” 
 
 But, womaw, I sey to J)e werely, 
 
 I for-geyffe pe jii wrecchednesse. 
 
 And hoi In sowle be J)ou made ferby ! 
 
 677 
 
 MaryMagd. : 
 
 maria. 
 
 
 ** Blessed be 
 thou, Lord of 
 Life! 
 
 0 blessyd be Jiou, lord! of euer-lastyng* lyfe ! 
 
 & blyssyd* be ))i berth of pat puer vez'gynne ! 
 
 678 
 
 
 Blyssyd be J)ou, repa^f coiztemplatyf, 
 
 A-3ens my seknes, helth, and medsyn) ! 
 
 and for pat I haue synnyd! In jie synne of pryde, 
 
 681 
 
 I will clothe me 
 ill Humility, 
 
 I wol en-abyte me with humelyte ; 
 
 A-3ens wrath and envy, I wyl devyde 
 
 
 Patience and 
 Charity.” 
 
 Thes fayer vertuys, pacyens and charyte. 
 
 685 
 
MARY MAGDALENE. Fart I. SCENE 14. 
 Ie5WS. 
 
 Womaii)j in cowtrysson) pou art* expert*, 686 
 
 And in fii sowle hast* Inward mythe 
 That* suwtyme were In desert*, 
 
 and from) therknesse hast* porchasyd* lyth 3 689 
 
 thy feyth hath savyt* pe, and made ]3e bryth ; 
 
 Wherfor I sey to pe, “ vade In pace.” 691 
 
 [Wtt/^ [jis word vij dyllys xall de-woyde frome \>e 
 woman, and the bad angyll enter into hell -with 
 
 thondyr. 
 
 [Maria.] 
 
 O fou gloryu^ Lord ! fis rehersyd for my sped, 692 
 sowle helth atteA tyme for-to recure. 
 
 Lord, for pat I was In whanhope, now stond I In dred!. 
 But pat J)i gret mercy with me may endure 3 695 
 
 My thowth fou knewyst* wit^-owtyn) ony dowth 3 
 now may I trost* pe techeyng* of* Izaye in scryptwr, 
 
 Wos report* of* pi nobyllnesse rennyt fed abowt. 698 
 
 IfawS. 
 
 Blyssyd be jjey at alle tyme, 699 
 
 that sen me nat*, and have me in credens 5 
 With contrysson) ])ou hast* mad a recumpens, 
 
 Jii sowle to save from) all dystresse ; 
 
 be wad, and kepe pe from) alle neclygens, 
 
 and after fou xal be pertener of* my blysse. 704 
 
 [Here devodjrte lesws with h?!s desipylles, {^e good 
 angyll reioysynge ofe mawdleyn. 
 
 bontti angeLw. 
 
 Holy god, hyest of o/nnipotency, 705 
 
 The astat of good gove7 noMns to pe I recu/nmend, 
 Hu/nbylly be-secheyng* j)yn) Inperall glorye, 
 
 In jji devyn) vertu vs to comprehend'. 708 
 
 ^ and delectabyll leAU, soverreyn) sapyens, 
 
 Ower feyth we recummend' oid-to yoMr purpete. 
 
 Most mekely prayyng* to yo;7r holy aparens, 
 
 Illumyn) ower ygnorans with your devynyte ! 712 
 
 DIGBT MYST. G 
 
 81 
 
 [leat 110, back] 
 Jesus bids Mary 
 
 depart in peace. 
 
 7 Devils go out 
 of her into Hell. 
 
 She thanks 
 Jesus. 
 
 He tells her to 
 
 be careful ; 
 and she shall 
 partake of his 
 bliss. 
 
 [leaf 111] 
 
 The Good Angel 
 
 prays Jesus to 
 
 enlighten their 
 ignorance. 
 
82 MARY MAGDALENE. PART I. SCENES 14 AND 15. 
 
 The Good Angol 
 
 prays the Holy 
 Spirit and the 
 Trinity that 
 
 they may come 
 to bliss. 
 
 ye be clepyd* Redempcyoii) of sowlys defens, 713 
 
 whyche shal ben) obscuryd* be Jii blessyd! mortalyte. 
 
 O lux vera, gravnt vs ^ower lucense, 
 
 that wkh J)e spryte of errowr I nat seduet be ! 716 
 
 And sperytw alme, to yow most benyne, 
 
 thre persons In trenyte, and on god eterne, 
 
 Most* lowly ower feyth we coresyngne, 
 
 Jiat we may com to yoia blysse gloryfyed from) malytigne, 
 & wit A yoMr gostely bred to fede vs, we desyern). 721 
 
 Part I. 
 
 Scene 15. Hell. 
 
 [_PART I. Scene 15.] 
 
 Rex deabolzty. 
 
 [leaf 111, back] 
 The King of the 
 Devils calls up 
 Belfagour and 
 Belzabub, to 
 Judge the 
 
 A, owt, owt, and harrow ! I am hampord witA hate 1722 
 
 In hast wyl I set on lugment* to sej 
 
 witA thes betyll browyd bycheys I am at debate. 
 
 How ! belfagour and belzabub ! com vp here to me ! 725 
 [Here aperytte to dyvllys be-fore {le master. 
 
 secu^dity diaboli/y. 
 
 Here, lord, here ! c^waX. wol ^e ? 
 
 terciuy diaboHy. 
 
 the lugmewt of harlottey here to se, 
 settyng* In ludycyal lyke a state. 728 
 
 Bad Angel who How, thow bad angvll ! a-pere before my grace ! 
 
 faild with Maiy oJ r Jo 
 
 Magdalene. 
 
 spiri/as mallgnay. 
 
 as flat as fox, I falle before yo«r face. 
 
 I'" Diabolay. 
 
 thow theffe, wy hast* ]nu don) alle Jiis trespas, 
 
 to lett fen) woman fi bondey breke ? 732 
 
 mali[g]n(/y spiritas. 
 the speryt of grace sore ded hyr smyth, 
 & temptyd so sore fat Ipocryte. 
 
 1*“ diabolny. 
 
 He’s to be sa ! thys hard balys on) f i bottokkys xall byte ! 
 
 beaten on his 
 
 buttocks, In hast* on) fe I wol be wroke. 73 ^ 
 
MARY MAGDALENE. PART 1. SCENES 15 ANI 
 
 cum vp, 36 horsons, and skore a-wey J)e yche ! 737 
 
 & 'with thys panne 30 do hym) pycche ! 
 cum of, 3e harlotte^, pat yt wer don) ! 739 
 
 [Here xall {^ey serva all \>e seuyne as j^ey do J^efreste. 
 
 Primus Deabolui. 
 
 Now have I a part of my desyer* ; 740 
 
 goo In-to pis howsse, 30 lordeynnei here, 
 
 & loke ye set yt on) a feyed, 
 
 & pat xall hem) a-wake. 743 
 
 [Here xall ]>e tother deylles sette pe howse one a 
 fyere, and make a sowth, and mari xall go to lazar 
 and to martha. 
 
 I“* diabola^. 
 
 So, now have we well afrayyd pese felons ffals ! 744 
 
 They be blasyd both body and hals ! 
 
 Now to hell lett vs synkyn) als, 
 
 to ower felaws blake. 747 
 
 IP ART I. Scene 16.] 
 
 mari mavgley«. 
 
 O brother, my hartpi coasolacyown) ! 748 
 
 0 blessyd* In lyffe, and solytary ! 
 
 the blyssyd* prophet, my comfortacyown). 
 
 He hathe made me dene and delectary, 
 
 the wyche was to synne a subiectary. 732 
 
 Thys kyng* cryste corasedyryd hw creacyown) ; 
 
 1 was dryuchyn) In synne deversarye 
 
 tyll pat lord relevy d? me be hw domynacy.,n), 
 
 grace to me he wold never de-nye; 736 
 
 thowe I were nevyr so synful, he seyd ‘ revertere ’ ! 
 
 O, I synful creature, to grace I woll a-plye ; 
 the oyle of* mercy hath hel} d myn) Infyrmyte. 
 
 martha. 
 
 now worchepyd be pat hey name, le^u, 760 
 
 the wyche In latyn) is callyd savyower ! 
 fulfyllyng’ pat word ewyn) of dewe, 
 to alle synfull and seke he is sokoar. 763 
 
 G 2 
 
 16. 83 
 
 and so are all 
 the other 7 
 Devils who 
 came out of 
 Mary. 
 
 [leaf 112] 
 
 The other Devils 
 set fire to the 
 house [? whose.] 
 
 Part /. 
 Seme 16. 
 
 The Castle of 
 Maudleyn, 
 Bethany. 
 
 Mary Magdalene 
 tells Lazarus 
 how Jesus 
 cleansd her of 
 sin, 
 
 
 and bade her 
 ‘ Turn again. ’ 
 
 Martha says 
 
 He is the suc- 
 cour of all 
 sinners. 
 
84 
 
 [leaf 112, back] 
 Lazarus wel- 
 comes his sister 
 Mary Mag- 
 dalene. 
 
 She prays 
 Christ 
 
 to give them 
 grace to serve 
 Him ever. 
 
 T.azarus is 
 stricken with 
 death, and calls 
 to his sisters 
 for help. 
 
 [leaf 113] 
 
 Mary Magdalene 
 comforts him. 
 
 Martha says 
 
 they’ll go for 
 Chi'ist. 
 
 MARY MAGDALENE* PART I. SCENE 16. 
 
 Lazar Mi. 
 
 systyr, je be welcu/n oi])-to jower to were ! 764 
 
 glad In hart of yower obessyawnse, 
 
 wheyl pat I leffe, I wyl serve hym) with honoMr, 
 
 that je have forsakyn) synne and varyawns. 767 
 
 mary HLavdeleyn. 
 
 Cryst, pat is fe lyth and pe cler daye, 768 
 
 He hath oii)-curyd pe therknesse of pe dowdy nyth. 
 of lyth pe lucens and lyth veray, 
 
 Wos prechyng* to vs is a gracyows lyth. 
 
 Lord*, we be-seche ))e, as jjou art* most* of myth, 772 
 Owt* of* pe ded slep of* therknesse de-fend vs aye ! 
 gyff* vs grace ewyr to rest* In lyth. 
 
 In quyet and In pes to serve pe nyth and day ! 775 
 
 [Here xall lazar take hts deth, tus seyynge. 
 
 [Lazarus.] 
 
 A, help, help, systyrs ! for charyte ! 776 
 
 a-las ! dethe is sett at my hart j 
 a ! ley on) handei ! wher ar* 30 ? 
 
 a ! I faltyr and falle ! I wax alle on)-quarte ! 779 
 
 A ! I borne a-bove j I wax alle swertt ! 
 
 A, good leiu, thow be my gyde ! 
 
 A ! no lengar now I reverte ! 
 
 I yeld* vp pe gost*, I may natt* a-byde ! 783 
 
 mary 'Kavdeleyn. 
 
 O good brother, take covmforth and myth, 784 
 
 and* lett non) heuynes In 3ower hart* a-byde j 
 Lett a-way alle J)is feyntnesse a 7 id ffetth, 
 
 & we xal gete yow leches, 3ower peynes to devyde. 787 
 
 martha. 
 
 A ! I syth and sorow, and sey, a-las ! 788 
 
 thys sorow ys a-poynt to be my cowfusyon). 
 
 lentyl syster, hye we from) jtis place, 
 
 for Jje prophe[t] to hym hatt grett delectacyon) j 79' 
 
MARY MAGDALENE. PART I. SCENE 17. 8 ^ 
 
 good brother*, take som7«e cowfortacyon), 
 
 for we woll go to seke yow cure. 793 
 
 [Here goth, mary and martha, and mett 'vrith lesws, 
 
 {jus seyynge. 
 
 \PART /. Scene 17 .] Part/. 
 
 Scene 17. 
 
 [Mary & Martha:\ Beyond Jordan. 
 
 O lord le^u, ower melleflueus swettnesse, 794 
 
 thowe art grettest lord In glorie. 
 
 Lover to J)e lord In all lowlynesse ! 
 
 Comfort ])i creator fat to f e crye ! 
 be-hold* yower lover, good lord?, specyally. 
 How Lazar* lyth seke In grett dystresse ! 
 
 797 Mary and 
 Martha tell 
 Jesus that 
 Lazarus is sick, 
 
 He ys fi lover, lord?, suerly 5 
 
 on-bynd hym), good lord, of* hw heuynesse ! 
 
 80 1 and ask Him to 
 heal him. 
 
 le^as. 
 
 of all In-fyrmyte, fer is no« to deth, 802 
 
 for of all peynne^ fat is Inpossyble. 
 
 To vndyr*-stond be reson), to know fe werke, 804 
 the loye fat is in lera^allem heuenly. 
 
 Can) never be compylyd? be covnnyng* of clerke, 
 to se fe loyys of fe fathyr In glory, 807 
 
 the loyys of fe sonne whych owth to be magnyfyed. 
 And of f e therd person, f e holy gosf truly, 
 
 & alle iij but on) In heuen) gloryfyed*. 810 
 
 Now, womeTz, fat arn In my presens here, 
 
 of my wordys take a-wysemezzt j 
 
 go horn) a-jen to yower brothyr Lazere ; 
 
 my grace to hym) xall be senf. 814. 
 
 [leaf 113, hack] 
 
 Jesus bids them 
 go home. 
 
 His grace shall 
 be sent to 
 Lazarus. 
 
 mary HLavdeleyn. 
 
 O thow glorym lord*, here present, 815 giey thank 
 
 We yeld? to fe salutacyon) ! 
 
 In ower weyys we be expedyenf ; 
 
 now. Lord, vs defend? from) trybulacyon) ! 818 
 
 [Here goth mary and martha homvard, and lesua and go home to 
 deVOdyte. Bethany. 
 
8(5 
 
 MAKY MAGDALENE. PART I- SCENE 18. 
 
 
 Part I. 
 Scerae 18. 
 
 \_PJRT I. Scene i8.] 
 
 
 The Castle of 
 Maudleyn, and 
 
 Lazar i/i-. 
 
 
 the Sepulchre 
 in Bethany. 
 
 A ! In woo I waltyr, as wawys In Jie wynd! ! 
 A-wey ys went all my sokowr ! 
 
 A ! deth, deth, J)ou art oiO-kynd! ! 
 
 819 
 
 Lazainis bids 
 his sisters fare- 
 
 Ala! now brystyf myn) hartt ! ]?is is a sharp shower ! 
 
 well, and dies. 
 
 fare-well, my systyrs, my bodely helth ! 
 
 823 
 
 
 [mortuis est. 
 
 
 
 mary HLavdeleyn. 
 
 
 
 Ie.9U, my lorrt, be yower sokowd. 
 
 And he mott be yower goste^ welth ! 
 
 823 
 
 
 primi/i miles. 
 
 
 
 godde.? grace mott be hys governouT, 
 
 In loy euerlastyng' foi’^ to be ! 
 
 826 
 
 [leaf 114] 
 
 secu??dK5 miler. 
 
 
 
 A-monge alle good sowlys send hym) favour 
 as Jii powei^ ys most* of dygnyte ! 
 
 829 
 
 
 martha. 
 
 
 Martha says 
 
 they must 
 bury Lazainis. 
 
 Now syn) jie chans is fallyn) soo 
 
 that deth hath drewyn) hym) don) J)is day, 
 
 we musk nedys ower devyrs doo. 
 
 830 
 
 to ]ie erth to bryng* hym) wit/i-OMt delay. 
 
 833 
 
 
 mary "HLavdeleyn. 
 
 
 Mai^y adds. 
 
 as ]>e vse is now, and hath byn) aye. 
 
 834 
 
 ‘ with Weepers 
 
 with wepers to pe erth yow hym) bryng* j 
 alle pis must be downe as I yow saye. 
 
 
 clad in black.’ 
 
 Clad' In blake, witA-owtyn) lesyng*. 
 
 837 
 
 
 prim?/5 miles. 
 
 
 
 gracyows ladyys of grett honour, 
 
 838 
 
 Neighbours 
 come weeping. 
 
 thys pepull is com) here In yower syth, 
 wepyng' and welyug with gret dolour 
 be-cavse of my lorded dethe. 
 
 84J 
 
 The gi-ave is 
 
 [Here };e one knygth. make redy pe stone, 
 
 and 
 
 made ready. 
 
 other bryng in j^e wepars arayyd in blak. 
 
 
MARY MAGDALENE. PART I. SCENE 19. 
 
 87 
 
 primfw miles. 
 
 Now, good fryndes pat here be, 842 
 
 Take vp thys body witk good wyll, 
 
 & ley it In hw sepoltur semely to se. 
 good lord*, hyni) save from) alle maner ille ! 845 
 
 [Lay hym In. 
 
 Here al j^e pepyll resort to pe castell, f)us seyynge 
 lesMS. 
 
 'pPART /. Scene 19.] 
 
 [Ie^«s.] 
 
 Tyme ys coinyn), of* very cognysson). 846 
 
 My dyssyplys, goth 'with me, 
 for to fulfyll possybyll peticion). 
 
 go we to-gether In-to Tude, 849 
 
 Ther* lazar, my frynd, is he ; 
 
 gow we to-gether as chyldyur« of* lyth 5 
 
 and, from) grevos slepe, sawen) heym) wyll we. 
 
 DissiptilM^. 
 
 Lord, it plese yower myty volunte, 853 
 
 thow he slepe, he may be savyd be skyll. 
 
 I«MS. 
 
 That is trew, and be possybilyte j 
 
 therfor of* my deth shew yow I wyll. 856 
 
 ^ My fathyr, of* nemyows charyte, 
 sent me, hw son), to make redemcyon), 
 wyche was co^rseyvyd be puer verginyte. 
 
 And so In my mother had cler Incarnac.'f n) ; 860 
 
 and perio'd must I sudyr* grewos passyon) 
 ondyr* povnse pylat, 'with grett perplexite, 
 betyn), bobbyd, skomiyd, crowwnyd with thorne : 
 
 Alle ))is xall be pe soferons of* my deite. 864 
 
 ^ I, therfor, hastely folow me now, 
 
 for Lazar is ded verely to preve j 
 
 whe[r]for I am) loyfull, I sey on)-to yow, 
 
 that I knowlege yow per-with, pat ye may it beleve. 868 
 
 [Here xal Ies?(S com •with hfs dissipules ; and one 
 lew tellyt martha. 
 
 Lazarus is 
 laid in his tomb. 
 
 Part /. 
 Scene 19. 
 Beyond Jordan. 
 
 Jesus bids his 
 Disciples go into 
 Judea with him, 
 
 [leaf 114, back] 
 
 to save Lazarus 
 from sleep. 
 
 He tells them 
 how his Father 
 sent him, 
 born of a pure 
 Virgin, 
 
 to be beaten, 
 and crownd 
 with thorns. 
 
 And that 
 Lazarus is dead. 
 
88 
 
 MARY MAGDALENE. PART I. SCENE 20 . 
 
 
 Part I. 
 
 Scene 20. 
 
 IMPART /. Scene 20.] 
 
 
 Bethany. 
 
 [lew.] 
 
 
 
 A ! martha, Martha ! be full of* gladnesse ! 
 for ])e prophett ys cowyng*, I sey trewly, 
 with hii dyssypylW In grelt lowlynesse ■, 
 
 869 
 
 [leaf 115] 
 
 He shall yow cowfortt with hA mercy. 
 
 872 
 
 Mai'tha runs 
 to gi'eet Christ, 
 
 [Here martha xall roime a-jene Ies«s, fus seyyng'e. 
 
 and says, 
 
 [Martha.] 
 
 
 
 a. Lord ! me, sympyl creatur, nat denye ! 
 thow I be wrappyd In wrecchydnesse ! 
 
 873 
 
 If he’d been 
 there, 
 
 her brother ’ud 
 not have died. 
 Jesus says that 
 
 Lord*, and )iou haddyst* byn) hei’’, werely 
 
 My brother had natt a b}"!!) ded , I know well thysse. 
 
 876 
 
 lesus. 
 
 
 
 Martha, docctor ! oii)-to Jie I sey, 
 thy brother xall reyse agayn). 
 
 00 
 
 
 martha. 
 
 
 
 yee, lord, at ])e last day ; 
 that I be-leve ful pleyn). 
 
 880 
 
 
 le^i/S. 
 
 
 all who believe 
 in him shall 
 have everlasting 
 life. 
 
 I am) Jie resurreccyon) of* lyfe, fat euer xall rey«ne j 
 & whoso be-levyt verely In me 
 
 Xall have lyfe euerlastyng*, fe soth to seyn). 
 
 881 
 
 
 martha, be-levyst thow fis [truly] ? 
 
 884 
 
 
 martha. 
 
 
 
 3 e, forsoth, fe prynsse of* blysch ! 
 
 I be-leve In cryst, fe son) of* sapyens, 
 whyche witA-owt eymJ ryngne xall he. 
 
 885 
 
 
 To redemyn) vs freell from) ower Iniquite. 
 
 888 
 
 
 [Here mary xall falle to Iesi(S, fus seyynge mary. 
 
 [leaf 115, back] 
 
 mary M. 
 
 
 Mary tells Jesus 
 that if he had 
 
 0 fou rythewys regent*, reynywg in equite. 
 
 889 
 
 been with em, 
 their brother 
 
 fou gracyows lord*, fou swete le^ws ! 
 
 
 had not died. 
 
 And* fou haddyst byn) hex’, my brothyr a-lyfe had* be. 
 
 
 good lord*, myii) hertt doth fis dyscus. 
 
 892 
 
MARY MAGDALENE. PART I. 
 
 SCENE 20 . 
 
 lesi< S. 
 
 
 Wher have 3e put hym) ? sey me thys. 
 
 893 
 
 mary M. 
 
 In hw mo[nu]meKt, lord?, is he. 
 
 Tei'MS. 
 
 to that place ^e me wys 5 
 
 Thatt grave I desyre to se. 
 
 896 
 
 take of* pe ston) of' pis monvmewt ! 
 
 The agreme/zt of grace, hef shewyn) I wyll. 
 
 898 
 
 martha. 
 
 A, lord?, yower preseptf fulfyllyd* xaU be 5 
 
 899 
 
 thys ston) I remove with glad? chyr. 
 gracyows lord?, I aske pe mercy, 
 thy wyll mott be fiillfyllyd here. 
 
 902 
 
 [Here xall martha put ofe f^e grave-stone. 
 
 leiz/S. 
 
 Now, father, 1 be-seche thyn) hey paternyte, 903 
 
 that my prayoar be resowwdable to pi fathyrod In glory, 
 
 to opyn) fieyn) erys to Jji son) In humanyte ! 
 
 nat only for me, but for pi pepyll verely, 906 
 
 That pey may be-leue, and be-take to pi mercy. 
 
 fathyr ! foi’’ pem) I make supplycacyon). 
 
 gracyows father ! gravnt me my bone ! 
 
 Lazer ! Lazer ! com) hethyr to me ! 910 
 
 [Here xall lazar a-ryse, trossyd wit^ towelles, In 
 a shete. 
 
 Lazar. 
 
 A ! my makar, my savyowr ! blyssyd mott pou be ! 91 1 
 Here men may know pi werkei of* wondyr* ! 
 
 Lord, no thy[n]g ys on)-possybyll to the, 
 
 for my body and my sowle was departyd asonder! 914 
 
 I xuld* a^-rottyt, as doth pe tondyf 
 
 fleysch from) pe bonys a^-co/tsumyd a-way. 916 
 
 89 
 
 Jesus orders 
 
 the stone to be 
 taken off 
 Lazarus’s tomb. 
 
 Martha takes it 
 off. 
 
 Jesus prays to 
 his Fathei’, 
 
 [leaf 116 ] 
 and bids 
 Lazarus come 
 to him. 
 Lazarus rises 
 from his tomb, 
 
 and blesses 
 Jesus. 
 
 [-^ a = have] 
 
po MARY MAGDALENE. PT. I. SC. 20. PT. II. SC. 21. 
 
 
 Lazarus pro- 
 claims God’s 
 
 Now is a-loffj Jiat late was ondyr ! 
 
 9^7 
 
 goodness. 
 
 the goodnesse of* god hath don) for me here ; 
 for he is bote of* all balys to onl-byiid?, 
 that blyssyd* lord ))at here ded a-pere. 
 
 920 
 
 The folk say 
 they believe in 
 Jesus. 
 
 [Here all ]>e pepull, and )>e lewys, marl, and martha 
 
 'With one woys sey )jes wordea : we be-leve in 
 savyowT, leans, leans, leans ! 
 
 yow 
 
 
 
 [leans.] 
 
 
 
 of yower good* hertea I hav^e ad-vertacyounea, 
 where thorow. In sowle holl made 3e be 5 
 be-twyx yow and me be never varyacyounea. 
 
 921 
 
 He bids them 
 depart in peace. 
 
 Wherfor I sey, “ vade In pace.” 
 
 924 
 
 
 [Here devoydyt leans with his desypyllea ; mary, 
 
 
 and martha, and lazare, gone home to be castell 
 
 and 
 
 
 here [the kyng of Marcylle] be-gynnyt hys hoste. 
 
 PART 11. 
 
 Scene 21. 
 Marcylle. 
 
 [PART II. Scene 21.] 
 
 
 [Kyng of Marcylle.] 
 
 
 [leaf 116, back] 
 The King 
 
 A-wantt, a-want Jie, on-worthy wrecchesse ! 
 
 9^5 
 
 ‘ Why don’t ye 
 bend low to me, 
 
 Why lowtt 3e nat low to my lawdabyll presens. 
 
 
 ye blabber-lipt 
 bitches ? 
 
 ye brawlyng* breellea, and blabyr-lyppyd bycchys, 
 obedyenly to obbey me witA-owf of-fense ? 
 
 928 
 
 
 I am a sofereyn) semely, Jiat ye se butt seyld* ^ 
 no« swyche onder sonne, Jie sothe for to say ; 
 whanne I fare fresly and fers to Jie feld!. 
 
 929 
 
 
 my fome« fle for fer of my fray, 
 ewen) as an enperower I am) onored ay. 
 
 933 
 
 
 Wawne baner gyn) to bla.sse, and betnmys gyn) to bl 
 
 ow. 
 
 I’m the Head of 
 all Heathendom, 
 
 Hed am) I heyesf of all hethennesse holld* ! 
 
 935 
 
 
 both kynggea and cayserea, I tvoll ))ey xall me know’. 
 
 Or ellea pey bey the bargayn), pat eiver pey wer* so bold. 
 
 King of 
 
 Marcylle 1 
 
 ^ I am) kyng* of marcylle, talys to be told 5 
 
 Thus I wold! it wer* knowyn) ferre and ner*. 
 
 938 
 
 
 Ho sey cowtraly, I cast heym) In cares cold*, 
 and he xall bey the bargayn) wondjT dere. 
 
 941 
 
 I have a lovely 
 wife. 
 
 I have a favorows fode, and fresse as the fakown). 
 
 942 
 
 
 she is full fayer In hyr femynj-te ; 
 
 943 
 
MARY MAGDALENE. PART II. SCENES 21 AND 22. 9 I 
 
 whan) I loke on) Jiis lady, I am) lofty as the lyon) ; 
 In my syth, 
 
 of' delycyte most* delycyows, 
 of felachyp mosf felecyows, 
 of alle fodys mosf favarows, 
 o ! my blysse ! In bevteus brygth ! 
 
 94.5 
 
 94.6 She’s the most 
 delicious 
 creature alive.’ 
 
 949 
 
 regina. 
 
 O of cowdycyons, and most onorabyll ! 9^0 
 
 Lowly I thank yow for J)is recummewdacyon) ! 9^ i 
 
 the bovnteest, and the boldest onder baner bryth ! 
 no creatur so coroscawt to my cowsolacyon) ! 
 whan) the regent be resydewt, ittw my refeccyow 5 954 
 
 yower dilectabyll dede^ devydytt me from) dyversyte ; 
 
 In my person I privyde to put me from) polucyon) 5 
 To be ple3a«t to yower person, itti^ my prosperyte. 957 
 
 [leaf 117] 
 
 The Queen oi 
 Marcylle thanks 
 the King for his 
 praise of her. 
 
 rex. 
 
 now godamercy, berel brytest of bewte ! 958 He declares 
 
 1 V 1 1 I she’s the Beryl 
 
 godameT-cy, rubu rody as pe rose ! of Beauty, 
 
 ye be so ple[s]avnf to my pay, 30 put me frow peyn. 
 now, cotrely knygthys, loke jiat 3e forth dresse 
 
 both spycys and wyn hef In hast. 962 and orders wine 
 
 and spices, 
 
 [Here xall f;e knygtes gete spycys and Wynne, and 
 here xall enter a dy lie In orebyll a-ray, Jjus seyynge. 
 
 IP ART 11 . Scene 22.] 
 
 Dylle.^ 
 
 Ow3t ! ow3t ! harrow I may crye and yelle, 963 
 
 for lost is all ower labor ! wherfor I sey, alas ! 
 for of all holddw jiat ever hort non) so as hell. 965 
 ower barren of IrorDar all to-brost ! stronge gatey of brasse ! 
 the kyng* of loy enteryd In ]je?'-at, as bryth as tyfys blase ! 
 for fray of bw ferfull banef, ower felashep lied asondyr 5 
 whan) he towcheyd it, witA his toukkyng' jiey brast as 
 ony glase, 969 
 
 and rofe asonder, as it byn) witA thondor*. 970 
 
 now af we thrall, ]iat fresf wher fre, 97 1 
 
 Part II. 
 Scene 22. 
 Marcylle. 
 
 A yelling Devil 
 tells how Christ 
 has harrowd 
 HeU. 
 
 He broke their 
 iron gates like 
 glas-s 
 
 [leaf 117, back] 
 
92 MARY MAGDALENE. PART II. SCENES 22 AND 23. 
 
 
 
 Be jie passon) of hi.? maiihede. 
 
 
 ‘ Christ’s Cross 
 has destroyd 
 
 0[n] a crosce on) hye hangyd was he, 
 
 
 Hell's work, 
 
 whych hath dystroyd ower labor and alle ower dede. 
 
 91-\ 
 
 and emptid 
 Limbo of Adam, 
 
 He hath lytynnyd lymbo, and to paradyse ^ede. 
 
 91S 
 
 &c. 
 
 ]iai wondyr-full worke werkytt vs wrake : 
 
 Adam) and abram), and alle hyr’ kynred*, 
 
 Ow]! of* ower preson), to loy wed pey take : 
 
 CO 
 
 
 all Jiis hath byn) wrowth syn) freyday at none j 
 brostyn) don) ower gates pat hangyd wed full hye. 
 
 979 
 
 He’s risen, 
 and gone into 
 
 Now is he resyn), his' resurreccyow is don). 
 
 
 Galilee. 
 
 And is procedyd In-to galelye. 
 
 with many a tewtacyon) we tochyd hym) to a-trey, 
 
 to know whether he was god od non). 
 
 982 
 
 He’s wiped 
 
 9 e[t], for all ower besynes, bleryd is ower eye. 
 
 985 
 
 
 for with liA wyld* werke he hath wonne hem) everychon. 
 
 
 now for jie tyme to come 
 
 987 
 
 and we shall 
 lose our victims. 
 
 jier xall non) falle to ower chanse. 
 
 But at hw deleverans. 
 
 And! weyyd be rythfull balans. 
 
 And* 3 owyn) be rythfull doine. 
 
 990 
 
 rU go to Hell.’ 
 
 I telle yow alle. In fine to helle wyll I gonne. 
 
 992 
 
 [leaf 118] 
 
 [Here xall enter \>e iij mariis a-rayyd as cliast 
 womea, with sygnis ofe fe passion pryntyde 'vp- 
 
 
 one per breste, fas seyynge Mawdleyn. 
 
 
 Part //, 
 
 Scene 23. 
 Jerusalem^ and 
 the Sepulchre. 
 
 [^PART 11. Scene 23 .] 
 
 
 \_Mavdly7i.~\ 
 
 
 Mary Magda- 
 lene, and Mary 
 
 Alas ! alas ! for Jiat ryall bem) ! 
 
 993 
 
 the mother of 
 James, lament 
 
 A ! jiis percytt my hartt worsd of all ; 
 
 
 Christ’s death. 
 
 for here he twrnyd a- 3 em to Jie womaa of lerusalemb 
 
 
 And for wherynesse lett Jie crosse falle. 
 
 996 
 
 
 llff[a;y] Jacobe.^ 
 
 
 
 Thys sorow is beyite/ad })an) ony galle j 
 
 for here pe le\ys spornyd hym) to make hym) goo j 
 
 997 
 
 
 f This Mary was supposd to be the supposd Virgin Mary’s sister, 
 
 
 the wife of Alpheus, the mother of the Apostle James, &c., and 
 
 Christ’s Aunt. She is always identified with Mary Salome, who is 
 
 
 here a distinct person. 
 
 
MARY MAGDALENE. PART II. SCENE 23 . 93 
 
 and? jjey dysspyttyd Jjpr kyng* ryall : 
 
 that clyvytt myn) hart and makett me woo. looo 
 
 M. Salome. 
 
 yt ys In-tollerabyll to se or to tell, looi Mary Salome 
 
 grieves with 
 
 for ony creature, Jiat stronkg^ towrmentry. them. 
 
 O lord ! |3ou haddyst a mervelows mell ! 
 yt is to hedyows to dyscry. 1004 
 
 [al \>e maryys with one woyce sey kis folowyng. 
 
 [Maryys.] 
 
 Heylle, gloryows crosse ! bou baryst haX. lord on) hye. The 3 Maries 
 
 J ’ ^ ^ hail the Cross, 
 
 whych be mygth deddyst lowly bowe don), 
 
 maiiiiys sowle to bye from) all thraldam), 
 
 that euer-more In peyne shold* a-be, 1008 
 
 Be record of* dayyt, with myld* steyyn), and pray God to 
 
 come down. 
 
 Domine, inclina celos tuos, et dessende ! 1010 
 
 M. magdley«. 
 
 Now to J>e monumeiit lett ys gon), 
 wher as ower lord and sayyowr layd was, 
 to a-noynt hym) body and bone. 
 
 To make a-mende^ for ower trespas. 
 
 Ho xall put don) Jie led of* j)e monymewt, 
 thatt we may a-noy[n]tt h/y gracyus woynde 5 ? 
 with hartt and my[n]d to do ower Intentt, 
 with precyu5 bamys, pis same stoyndde^. 
 
 [leaf 118, back] 
 
 1 0 1 1 They will go to 
 the Sepulchre 
 
 1014 
 
 and anoint 
 Christ’s wounds. 
 
 1018 
 
 M. Salome. 
 
 Thatt blyssyd body witA-In pis boyndey 1019 
 
 here was layd with ryfull money j 
 
 Neyer creature was borne yp-on) gronddey 
 
 pat mygth sofer’ so hediows a peyne at onys. 1022 
 
 . Two angels 
 
 [Here xall a-pere ij angelws In whyte at fe gmve. appear to them 
 
 at the Tomb. 
 
 [!'“] awgelay. 
 
 je womera presentt, dredytt yow ryth nowth ? 1023 
 
 leyas is resun, and is natt here. 
 
94 MARY MAGDALENE. PART II. SCENES 23 AND 24. 
 
 The Angels say 
 that Clmst shall 
 
 Loo ! here is j>e place fat he was In-browth. 
 
 1025 
 
 appear to his 
 disciples 
 
 go, sey to hw dysypylle^ and to peter he xall a-pere. 
 
 
 ij” angela^. 
 
 
 in Galilee. 
 
 In galelye, witA-owtyn) ony wyre, 
 fer xall ye se hym), lyke as he sayd*. 
 
 I 02 -J 
 
 
 goo yower way, and take cowfortt and chyr, 
 for fat he sayd, xall natt be delayyd*. 
 
 1030 
 
 
 [Here xall pe marjrys mete wit/i peter and Ihone. 
 
 Part II. 
 
 
 
 Scene 24 . 
 
 The Road to 
 JerusaleTn. 
 
 IPART II. Scene 24.] 
 
 
 [leaf 119] 
 
 M. mavdlya. 
 
 
 Mary Magdalene 
 tells Peter and 
 
 0 peter and Ihon) ! we be be-gylyd? ! 
 
 1031 
 
 John that 
 Christ’s body is 
 
 ower lordei body is borne a-way ! 
 
 
 carrid away. 
 
 I am) at'erd ittw dyflylj'd' ! 
 
 I am) so carefull, I wott natt whatt to saye. 
 
 ^034 
 
 
 Peter. 
 
 
 They resolve to 
 go to the Sepul- 
 chre, 
 
 of* fes tydynggys, gretly I dysmay ! 
 
 I woll me thethed hye with all my myth, 
 now, lord' defend vs as he best may ! 
 
 1035 
 
 of* fe sepulture we woU have a s}lh. 
 
 0 
 
 00 
 
 
 Ihon). 
 
 
 
 % A ! myn) Invard sowle stoadyng* In dystresse,- 
 fe weche of* my body xuld have a gyde, — 
 for my lord stondyng* In hevynesse, 
 
 - 1039 
 
 lamentixig his 
 sufferings 
 
 whan) I reme/wbyr hw wovnde^ w^yde ! 
 
 1042 
 
 
 Peter. 
 
 
 
 The sorow and peyne fat he ded drye 
 for ower offens and abomynacyon) ! 
 
 1043 
 
 
 & also I for-soke h) m) In hys tarmeatry ■, 
 
 I toke no hede to his teche/ng* and exortacyon). 
 
 1046 
 
 
 [How peter awd Ihon go to l^e sepulci/r, 
 maryys folowyng. 
 
 and Jje 
 
MARY MAGDALENE. PART II. SCENE 25. 
 
 . ^-5 
 
 \^PART II. Scene 25.] 
 
 
 Pa 7 ’t IT, 
 
 Scene 25. 
 
 [Peter.] 
 
 
 The Sepulchre. 
 
 A ! now I se and know jie sothe ! 
 but, gracym lord?, be ower protexcyon) ! 
 
 1047 
 
 
 Here is nothyng^ left butt a sudare cloth, 
 fat oP fi beryyng' xuld* make mewcyon). 
 
 lOjO 
 
 
 Ihon). 
 
 
 
 I am) a-ferd oP wykkytt opressyoii) ; 
 where he is be-cum, it can-natt be devysyd; 
 
 lOjI 
 
 
 butt he seyd, after fe iij"* day he xuld' have resuPrexow. 
 
 St. John says 
 that Christ 
 
 Long* be-forn), thys was promysydb 
 
 
 [leaf 119, back] 
 pi'omist to rise 
 ere the 3rd day. 
 
 M. magdleya. 
 
 
 
 Alas ! I may uo lengar a-byde, 
 
 for doloar and dyssese fat In my hartt doth dwell. 
 
 1055 
 
 
 Ia5 angelaj. 
 
 
 
 woman ! woman ! wy wepest fou ? 
 worn) sekesP fou wit/i dolaP thus ? 
 
 1057 
 
 
 M. magdleyn. 
 
 
 
 A ! fayn) wold* I wete, and I wyst how, 
 wo hath born) a-way my lord le^as. 
 
 1060 
 
 Mary Magdalene 
 asks the Angel, 
 
 Who has carrid 
 off her lord, 
 
 [Hie aparuit lesus. 
 
 
 Jesus ? 
 
 Jesus appears. 
 
 [lesMS.] 
 
 
 
 woman ! woman ! wy syest thow ? 
 worn) sekest fou ? tell me f is. 
 
 1061 
 
 and asks Mary 
 whom she seeks. 
 
 M. magdlyn. 
 
 
 
 A, good syr ! tell me now 
 
 yP fou have born) awey my lord le^os. 
 
 1064 
 
 She asks him 
 if he has home 
 away her lord 
 
 Jesus. 
 
 for I have porposyd? In eche degre 
 to have hym) with me werely. 
 
 1065 
 
 
 the wyche my specyall lord hath be, 
 and I his lover and cavse wyll phy. 
 
 1068 
 
 
96 
 
 MARY MAGDALENE. PART II, SCENE 25 . 
 
 
 
 lesuS. 
 
 
 He calls her 
 Mary. 
 
 O mari ! 
 
 1069 
 
 M. magdleyn. 
 
 
 She knows him, 
 
 A, gracyus master and lord? ! yow if is pat I seke ! 
 
 1070 
 
 and wants to 
 anoint 
 
 Lett me a-noynt yow with pis bamys sote. 
 
 Lord ! long hasf pou hyd pe from) my spece, 
 
 
 and kiss him. 
 
 Butt now wyll I kesse pou, for my hartee bote. 
 
 1073 
 
 
 lesus. 
 
 
 Jesus bids Mary 
 not to touch 
 
 Towche me natt, mary ! I ded natt asend? 
 
 1074 
 
 him. 
 
 to my father In deyyte, and on)-to yowers ; 
 
 
 [leaf 120] 
 
 Butt go sey to my brotheryn), I wyll pretende 
 
 To stey to my father In heu[a]ly towers. 
 
 1077 
 
 
 M. magdleyn. 
 
 
 She at first 
 
 whan) I sye yow fyrst, lord, verely 
 
 1078 
 
 the gardener. 
 
 I wentt ye had byn) symovd, pe gardener. 
 
 
 
 lesuS. 
 
 
 Jesus says he is 
 the Gardener of 
 man’s Heart, 
 
 so I am, for-sothe, mary : 
 maanys hartt is my gardyn) here 5 
 per-In I sow sedys of* vertu all pe jere ; 
 
 1081 
 
 
 whence he 
 plucks the 
 
 pe fowle wedes' and wycys, I reynd‘ vp be pe rote. 
 
 
 Weeds of Vice. 
 
 whan) pat gardyn) is w'atteryd' wit^ terys clere, 
 than) spryng^ vertuuf, and smelle full sote. 
 
 00 
 
 0 
 
 
 M. Magdleyw. 
 
 
 
 0, pou dere worthy emperowere, p .i hye devyne ! 
 to me pis is a loyfull tydyng*. 
 
 1086 
 
 
 And on)-to all pepull pat after vs xall reyngne, 
 thys knowlege of pi deyyte, 
 
 1088 
 
 
 to all pepull pat xall obteyne 
 and know pis be posybyl[it]e. 
 
 1091 
 
 
 leiaS. 
 
 
 He will appear 
 to all sinners 
 
 I woll shew to synuars, as I do to pe. 
 
 1092 
 
 who seek him. 
 
 yf pey woll with veruens of love me seke. 
 
 
MARY MAGDALENE. PART II. SCENE 25. 
 
 97 
 
 be stedfast, and I xall ever with \e be, 
 
 and with all tho pat to me byri) meke. 1095 
 
 [Here a-voydyt lesws sodenly, >us seyy«g mary M. 
 
 O, systyr! p«s pe hey and nobyll Inflventt grace 1096 
 Oh my most blessyd lord le^as, les'as, le^ws ! 
 
 He a-peryd o«-to me at pe sepulcur per I was ! 
 
 pat hath relevyd my woo, and moryd my blysche ! 1099 
 
 ittw In-nvmerabyll to expresse. 
 
 Or for ony tong^ for to tell, 
 oh my loye how myche itte^, 
 
 so myche my peywne^ itt doth excelle. 1 103 
 
 M. salome. 
 
 Now lett vs go to pe sette, to ower lady dere, 1104 
 
 Hyr to shew oh hw wellfare, 
 
 and also to dyssypylle^ pat we have syn) here : 
 
 pe more yt xall rejoyse pern) from) care. 1 107 
 
 M. lacob. 
 
 Now, systyr magdleyw, with glad chyrj 1108 
 
 so v\ oId?, pat good lord, we myth with hym) mete ! 
 
 le^as. 
 
 To shew desyrows barter I am) fall nere; 
 
 womea, I a-pere to yow, and sey ' awete.’ 1 1 1 1 
 
 salome. 
 
 Now, grocyui lord, oh yower nymyos charyte, — 1112 
 WhA hombyll harte^ to pi presens co/aplayne, — 
 gravntt v.s p blyssyng oh p bye deyte, 
 gostly ower sowlys for to sosteywne. 11^5 
 
 lesns. 
 
 alle tho bt n) blyssyd? pat sore refreyTine ; 1 1 16 
 
 we blysch >, ow, father, anJ son), and holy gosh, 
 all sorow and care to coastryne, 
 
 Be ower power oh m3 te^ mo^h, 1119 
 
 DIGBT JITST. n 
 
 Mary says that 
 Christ’s appear- 
 ing 
 
 [leaf 120, back] 
 
 has reliev’d her 
 woe. 
 
 T!t[ary Salome 
 proposes to tell 
 Christ’s Mother 
 and his disciples. 
 
 Jesus appeal's to 
 them, 
 
 blesses them, 
 
 [leaf 121] 
 
pS MARY MAGDALENE. PART II. SCENES 25 AND 26 . 
 
 
 In nowise patrys ett felii et spirUws saizcti, ameri) ! 
 
 and bids them 
 tell his Disciples 
 
 goo ye to my brethryn), and sey to hem) ^er, 1 121 
 
 to go into 
 
 Galilee. 
 
 pat pey precede and go In-to gallelye j 
 & per xall pey se me, as I seyd be-fore, 
 bodyly, with here carnall yye. 1 1 24 
 
 
 Here lesws devoydytt a-jen. 
 
 
 magdleyiz. 
 
 Ma )7 blesses 
 Christ, 
 
 0 pou. gloryui lord of heuen) regyon), 1125 
 
 now blyssyiJ be jii hye devynyte, 
 
 thatt ever thow tokest In-carnacyon) 
 
 thus for to vesyte ])i pore servmtes thre. 1128 
 
 and will fulfil 
 his hest. 
 
 J)i wyll, gracyows lord, fulfyllyd! xall be 
 
 As ]3ou cowmavwdyst vs In all thyng' j 
 
 Ower gracyows brethryn) we woll go se, 
 
 with hem) to seyn) all ower lekeyng'. it, 3 2 
 
 Here devoyd all pe iij maryys ; and >6 kynge ofe 
 marcyll xall be-gynne a sacr37fyce. 
 
 Part II, Scene 26, 
 
 IPJRT II. Scene 26.] 
 
 Palace of 
 
 Marcyll, 
 
 rex mercyll. 
 
 The King of 
 Marcyll proposes 
 to sacrifice to 
 his Gods, 
 
 Now, lordde^ and ladyys of grett a-prise, ii 33 
 
 a mater to meve yow is in my memoryall, 
 pis day to do a sacryfyce 
 
 with multetude of myrth be-fore ow'er goddei all, 1136 
 
 specially - 
 
 with preors In a-specyall be-fore hw p?-esens, 
 
 eche creature wit A hartt de-mvre. 1 138 
 
 [leaf 121, back] 
 
 Regina. 
 
 
 To pat lor(J curteys and keyncJ, 1139 
 
 to Mahound. 
 
 mahoncf, pat is so mykvll of m}"th, 
 
 with mynstrelly and myrth In m}!!^, 
 
 lett vs gon) ofer In pat hye kyngis s)'th. 1142 
 
 
 Here xall enter an hethene preste and h.is boye. 
 
MARY MAGDALENE. PART II. SCENE 2?. 
 
 99 
 
 [PART II. Scene 27.] 
 
 pre^by^er. 
 
 now, my clerke, Hawkyn, for lone of me 
 
 Loke fast myn) awter wef a-rayd! j 
 goo ryng^ a bell to or thre ! 
 
 1143 
 
 lythly, chyld!, it be natt delayd*, 
 for here xall be a grett solewmyte. 
 
 1 146 
 
 loke, boy, jiou do if with a brayd! ! 
 
 1 148 
 
 clericM5. 
 
 whatt, master,wol dyst Jjou have pi lew maw to pi beddes sy de ? 
 
 thow xall a-byde tyll my servyse is sa} dk 
 
 1150 
 
 preAby^er. 
 
 boy ! I sey, be sentt copp) n), 
 no swyche worded to pe I spake. 
 
 1 15 1 
 
 boy. 
 
 wether pou ded or natt, pe fryst lorny xall be myn). 
 
 for, be my feyth, pou beryst watteA pakke j 
 
 1154 
 
 but, syr, my master grett morell, 
 
 ye have so fellyd* yower bylly witA growell, 
 
 pat it growif grett as pe dywll of hell. 
 
 ”55 
 
 on)-shaply pou art to see ! 
 
 whan) womew cowime to here pi sermon), 
 
 pratyly -wiih hem) I can) houkk) n), 
 
 •with kyrehon) and fayer marycn). 
 
 1158 
 
 pey love me better pan) 
 
 1 162 
 
 I dare sey and pou xuldde^ ryde, 
 pi body is so grett and wyde, 
 pat never horse may pe a-byde. 
 
 1163 
 
 exseptt pou breke h« bakk asovnd) f 
 
 1 166 
 
 'presbyter. 
 
 A ! pou lyyst, boy, be pe dyvll of hell ! 
 
 I pray god mahond mott pe quell ! 
 
 I xall whyp pe tyll pi ars xall belle ! 
 
 1167 
 
 On pi ars com mych wondyr*. 
 
 1170 
 
 Part II. Scene^l. 
 Marcyll. 
 
 The Temple. 
 
 The Priest bids 
 his boy get the 
 altar ready, 
 and ring the 
 bells. 
 
 The boy says, 
 
 “ Do you want 
 your wench? 
 
 But m have 
 first turn. 
 
 Your belly’s as 
 big as the 
 Devil’s. 
 
 I can houk 
 Kii'chon and 
 [leaf 1*22] 
 Marion : they 
 love me bettei 
 than you. 
 
 You’re so fat 
 that you’d break 
 a horse’s back.” 
 
 The Priest 
 declares he’ll 
 flog the Boy. 
 
 H 2 
 
lOO 
 
 MARY MAGDALENE. PART II. SCENE 27 . 
 
 
 
 boy. 
 
 
 The Boy calls 
 the Priest the 
 
 A fartt, master, and kysse my grenne ! 
 
 1171 
 
 Devil’s uncle. 
 
 pe dyvll of^ hell was pi emme; 
 
 ))is kenred* is a-sprongyn) late. 
 
 Loo, mastyrs, of* swyche a stokke he cam). 
 
 1174 
 
 
 presbyter. 
 
 
 
 mahovnde^ blod, precyows knave ! 
 stryppys on) pi ars fou xall have. 
 
 
 
 & rappys on) pi pate ! 
 
 “77 
 
 
 bete hym. 
 
 
 
 rex dicitt. 
 
 
 The King ask-s 
 to hear the 
 
 Now, prystei and clerkys, of* ])is tempyll cler, 
 
 j 1 78 
 
 service. 
 
 yower servyse to sey, lett me se. 
 
 
 
 preAby/er. 
 
 
 
 A, soveryn) lord, we shall don) OM^er devyr. 
 
 
 The Priest calls 
 for his book, &c. 
 
 bo}^, a boke a-no?i f)ou brywg me ! 
 
 1181 
 
 
 now, boy, to my awter I wyll me dresse j 
 
 On xall my westmewt and myn) aray. 
 
 1 182 
 
 
 boy. 
 
 
 The Boy says a 
 mocking non- 
 
 now J>an), Jie lesson) I woll expresse. 
 
 
 sensical service. 
 
 l} ke as longytt for pe servyse of* fis day ; — 
 
 1185 
 
 
 U ‘ Leccyo mahow«dys, viri fortissimi sarasenor«w, 
 
 [leaf 122, back] 
 
 glabriosuOT ad glvma;?dum glvmardinorwm, 
 gormoTidorura alocon/w, stawpatinaratum cursori/w 
 
 
 
 Cownthtei fulcatum, congrvryanduw tersoraw, 
 nmrsuw malgon/m, Marara3orMOT, 
 
 CO 
 
 
 skartum sialporw/n, fartmn cardiculorMw, 
 slavndri strovmppum, corbolcor«/n, 
 snyguer snagoer werwoltforaw, 
 standgarduTW lamba beffettori/wi, 
 strowtm/z stardy strangolcori/w, 
 rygor dagor flapporw/??. 
 
 “93 
 
 
 castratuTO ratyrybaldor^Tw, 
 
 “97 
 
MARY MAGDALENE. PART II. SCENE 27 . 
 
 101 
 
 Hownde^ and hogget. In hegge5 and heller, 
 snakes and todde5 mott be yower belles j 
 ragnell and rofFyn), and other. In jie wavys, 
 gravntt yow grace to dye on) jie galows.’ 
 
 1 198 
 
 1201 
 
 May snakes and 
 toads be your 
 bells ; and all 
 the lot of you 
 die on the 
 gallows ! 
 
 presbyter. 
 
 
 
 Now, lordes and ladyys, lesse and more, 
 knele all don) with good devocyon) j 
 
 1202 
 
 The Priest bids 
 them all kneel, 
 
 yonge and old!, rych and pore, 
 do yower oferyng* to sentt mahowade^ 
 
 & ye xall have grett pardon), 
 
 Jiat longytt to Jiis holy place j 
 
 1206 
 
 and offer to 
 
 St Mahomet, 
 and get pardon. 
 
 & receyve • xall my benesown), 
 and stond In mahowades grace. 
 
 1209 
 
 [leaf 123] 
 
 rex dicitt. 
 
 
 
 mahownd, j)ou art of* mytes most*. 
 
 In my syth a gloryusgostj 
 
 1210 
 
 The King prays 
 i^Iahomet 
 
 J)ou comfortyst me both In contre and cost* 
 with J>i wesdowi and pi wyttj 
 
 1213 
 
 
 for truly, lord!, In Jie is my trost*. 
 good lord, lett natt my sowle be lost ! 
 all my cownsell well pou wotst. 
 
 1214 
 
 not to let his 
 soul be lost. 
 
 Here In jii presens as I sett, 
 
 thys besawnt of* gold, rych and rownd, 
 
 I ofer ytt for my lady and me. 
 
 1217 
 
 1218 
 
 He offers a gold 
 besant for him- 
 self and his 
 
 Queen. 
 
 pat fou mayst be ower covnfortes In Jiis stowiid. 
 sweth mahovnd, remembyr me ! 
 
 1 221 
 
 
 presbyter. 
 
 
 
 now, boy, I pray pe lett vs have a song* ! 
 
 Ower servyse be note, lett vs syng*, I say. 
 cowff vp pi brest, stond natt to long*. 
 
 1222 
 
 The Priest bid.s 
 his Boy sing 
 
 
 be-gynne jie ofEyse of* pis day. 
 
 1225 
 
 
 boy. 
 
 
 
 I home and I hast, I do pat I may, 
 with mery tvne pe trebyll to syng*. 
 
 1226 
 
 The Boy hums, 
 and then they 
 both sing. 
 
 synge both. 
 
 
 
102 MARY MAGDALENE. PART 11. SCENES 27 AND 28. 
 
 The Priest 
 slangs his Boy, 
 
 and shows the 
 King, (fee., his 
 relics, 
 
 Mahomet’s 
 neck-bone, and 
 [leaf 123, back] 
 
 eyelid 
 
 that’ll blind em. 
 
 while Golias’U 
 send em to 
 Belial. 
 
 pre^by/er. 
 
 Hold* vp ! ])e dyvll mote J)e a-fray, 
 for all ow3t of rule Jjou dost* me bryng* ! 
 butt now, ser kyng*, quene, and knyth, 
 be mery In hartt everychon)j 
 for here may ye se relyke^ brygth, 
 mahow?2de5 own) nekke bon), — 
 
 And je xall se er ewer ye gon) 
 whatt-so-mewer yow be-tyde j 
 & ye xall kesse all Jjis holy bon)j — 
 Mahow 72 dys own) yee-lyd, 
 
 3e may have of j^is grett store, 
 
 & ye knew J)e cavse wherfor, 
 
 ytt woll make yow blynd for ewer-more. 
 
 Jiis same holy bede, 
 
 Lordde^ and ladyys, old* and ynge, 
 mahowTzd ]je body(?), and dragon) jje dere ; 
 golyas so good, to blysse may yow bryng*, 
 ■with belyall. In blysse ewer-lastyng*, 
 
 ])at ye may ])ev In loy syng* 
 be-fore ]3at comly kyng*, 
 fat is ower god In fere. 
 
 1229 
 
 1233 
 
 1237 
 
 1238 
 
 1241 
 
 1242 
 
 1244 
 
 1248 
 
 Part II. Scene 28. 
 
 Jerusalem. 
 Pilate’s House. 
 
 Pilate asks his 
 servants about 
 the death of 
 Jesus, who was 
 killd unjustly, 
 
 [PART II. Scene 28.] 
 
 pylatt. 
 
 Now, 30 serjaunte^ semly, qwat sey 30 ? 
 
 30 be full wetty men In fe law j 
 of 36 dethe of le^u I woll awysyd* be ; 
 
 Ower soferyn"* sesar fe soth mvst nedei know. 
 
 1249 
 
 1252 
 
 Thys lem was a man of grett vertu, 
 
 And many wondyrs In hw tyme he wrowth 5 
 He was put to dethe be cawsys on)-tru, 
 
 [leaf 124] wlieche mater stekytt In my thowth j 
 
 & 30 know well how he was to fe erth browth, 
 wacchyd with knygths of grett aray. 
 
 has risen again, , t r i i 
 
 and taken away Hc is rCSVll) Rgayll), as DC-IOrC 116 ta'V^'lh^ 
 
 Joseph of 
 
 Arimathea. & loseph OF baramatliye he hath takyn) awey. 
 
 1253 
 
 1256 
 
 1 260 
 
MARY MAGDALENE. PART II. SCENES 28 AND 29. 
 
 103 
 
 [PriniMs] sp7jantt. 
 
 soferyn) luge, all Jiis is soth pat seyj 1261 
 
 But all jiis mvst be curyd be sotylte, 
 
 & sey how hw dysypylle^ stollyn) hym) away j 
 
 And J)is xall be pe answer, be pe asentt of me. 1264 
 
 secuTida^ serjantt. 
 
 so it is most lylly for to be ; 1 265 
 
 yower covncell is good and commewdabyll j 
 so wryte hym) a pystyll of specyallte, 
 
 & pat for vs xall be most prophytabyll. 1268 
 
 pylatt. 
 
 now, masengyr*. In hast hether Jiou com)! 1269 
 
 on) masage Jiou mvst, witA ower wrytyng*, 
 
 to Jje soferyn) emperower of rome. 
 
 but ffyst Jiou xall go to herodej pe kyng', 1272 
 
 And sey how pat I send hym) knowyng* 
 of cryste^ deth, how it hath byn) wrowth. 
 
 I charge ))e make no lettyng* 
 
 tyll J)is letter to Jie emperower be browth. 1276 
 
 Nvncyits pylatae. 
 
 My Lord*, In hast yower masage to spede 
 0«-to pat lordee of ryall renown), 
 
 Dowth je nat, my lord, it xall be don) In-dede ; 
 now hens woll I fast* owt of J)is town). 1280 
 
 Her goth, pe masenger to Herodes. 
 
 \_PJRT II. Scene 29.] 
 
 nv«cyue. 
 
 Heyll ! soferyn) kyng* onder crown) ! 1281 
 
 pe pryrasys of ])e law recuTwmewde to yower heynesse, 
 
 & sendytt yow tydyngee of crystee passon). 
 
 As In ))is wrytyng* doth expresse. 1284 
 
 Herodee. 
 
 ^ A ! be my trowth, now am) I full of blys ! ^285 
 
 Jjes be mery tydyngee pat pej have Jms don) ! 
 
 The servants tell 
 Pilate to report, 
 in a letter to 
 Caesar, that 
 Jesus’s disciples 
 stole his body. 
 
 Pilate bids his 
 messenger bear 
 his letter to the 
 Emperor, but 
 first to tell 
 Herod about it. 
 
 [leaf 124, back] 
 
 The Messenger 
 promises to 
 make haste. 
 
 Part IL Scene 29. 
 King Herod’s 
 Palace. 
 
 Pilate’s Mes- 
 senger shows his 
 letter to Herod. 
 
104 MARY MAGDALENE. PART II. SCENES 29 AND 30. 
 
 Herod is glad of 
 the news, and 
 to be at one 
 with Pilate. 
 
 now carter I am glad of* ]jis ; 
 for now ar we frendej, pat afore wher fon). 
 hold! a reward, masenger, pat thow wed gonl, 
 & recuwmeizd me to my soferens grace ; 
 shew hym) I woll be as stedfasb as ston), 
 ferr and nere, and In every place. 
 
 Here goth. ]>e "SILasenger to \>e emperower. 
 
 1288 
 
 1292 
 
 Part II. Scene 30. 
 Rome. 
 
 The Emperor's 
 Palace. 
 
 The Messenger 
 greets the 
 Emperor and 
 gives him 
 Pilate's letters. 
 
 [leaf 125J 
 
 \_PJRT II. Scene 30.] 
 
 nvncyu5. 
 
 Heyll ! be yow sofereyn), settyng* In solas ! 1293 
 
 Heyll ! worthy witA-owtyii) pere ! 
 
 Heyll ! goodly to gravntt* all grace ! 
 
 Heyll ! emperower of* pe word ferr and nere ! 1 296 
 
 soferyn), and ib plese yower hye empyre, ^-^97 
 
 I have browth yow wrytyng* of* grett a-prise, 
 
 wyche xall be pleseyng* to yower desjTe, 
 
 from) pylatt yower hye lustyce. 1300 
 
 He sentt yow word wit/i lowly In-tentt, 
 
 In ewery place he kepytt yower cummavndemeat, 
 as he is bovnd be his ofyce. 1303 
 
 The Emperor 
 orders his 
 Judges to 
 attend, 
 
 and explain 
 Pilate’s letter. 
 
 ewp^rOWer. 
 
 A, welcu/ra masenger of* grett ple3eavms ! 
 pi wrytyng* a-no« lett me se ! 
 my lugges anoa gyffe a-tendans, 
 
 To onderstond whatt jiis wrytyng' may be, 
 wethyr it be good af ony deversyte. 
 
 Or elles natt for myn) awayll ■, 
 
 Declare me pis In all pe hast*. 
 
 The Provost 
 says 
 
 the letter is 
 about the 
 Prophet Jesus, 
 
 proVOSb. 
 
 syr, pe sentellM ^ we woll dyscus, 
 
 & it plese yower hye exseleyns, 
 the In-tentt of* pis pystull is pns ; 
 pylatt recmnmeadytt to yower presens. 
 And of* a prophett is pe sentelle^,^ 
 
 1 ? read sentens. 
 
 1304 
 
 ^307 
 
 1310 
 
 1311 
 
 1314 
 
MARY MAGDALENE. PART II. SCENES 30 AND 31. IO 5 
 
 whos name was callyd le^ws. 
 
 He is putt to dethe wit^ vyolens, 
 for he chalyngyd to be kyng^ of* lewys ; 
 perfoT he was crucyfyed to ded*, 
 
 And syn) was beryyd*, as pey thowth reson ) } 
 also he cleymyd! hym-sylf son) of* ]je godhed*. 
 
 Jje therd nygth he was stollyn) away with treson), 
 wit/i hw desypylles' pai to hym had dyleccyon), 
 so with hyna) away jiey 3ode. 
 
 who was 
 crucified 
 because he 
 clairad to be 
 X 2 1 8 King of the 
 Jews, 
 
 1319 
 
 1322 [leaf 125 , back] 
 and whose body 
 ^ 3^3 was stolen by 
 his Discijjles. 
 
 I merveyll how pey ded with jie bodyys corupcyon) ; 
 
 I trow Jiey wer fed with a froward* fode. 1326 
 
 Imperator. 
 
 crafty was per cownyng*, pe soth for to seyn). 1327 The Emperor 
 
 - says the fact 
 
 thys pystyll I wyll kepe me ylr I can); siiaUbe 
 
 chronicled. 
 
 also I wyll have cronekyllydl pe 3er’ and pe reynne, 
 pat never xali be for-gott, who-so loke per-on). 1330 
 masengyr’, owt of* pis town) with a rage ! 
 
 Hold? pis gold' to pi wage, 
 
 mery for to make. _ i 333 
 
 nvncyu^. 
 
 fare-well, my lord' of* grett renown), 
 
 for owt of* town) my way I take. i 333 
 
 Here entyr mawdleyne with hyr dysypyll, 
 seyynge. 
 
 [PART II. Scene 31.] 
 
 mavdlya. 
 
 PartJI. Scene 31. 
 Jerusalem. 
 
 A ! now I remeiwbyr my lord pat put was to ded' 1336 Mary Magdalene 
 
 speaks of 
 
 wztA ])e lewys, w2tA-owttyn) gyltt or treson) : Christ’s death 
 
 and resurrec- 
 
 pe therd nygth he ros be pe myth of* hiy godhed' 5 tion, 
 
 vp-on) pe sonday had hiy glorym resurrexcyon) j 1339 
 And now is pe tyme past* of* lu'y gloryui asencyon) ■, 
 
 He steyyd' to hevyn), and per he is kyng* : 
 
 A ! hw grett kendnesse may natt fro my mewcyon). 
 
 H of Alle maner tongge^ he 3af vs knowyng*, 1343 
 for to vndyrstond' every langwagej I 344 
 
 Now have pe dysyllpylle^ take p.’r passage 
 
 and the Gift of 
 Tongues. 
 
 His disciples 
 have gone 
 abroad to 
 preach the 
 Gospel. 
 
 [leaf 126 ] 
 
lo6 MARY MAGDALENE. PART II. SCENES 31 AND 32. 
 
 to dyvers cowtreys her and 3ondyr, 
 
 to prech and teche of* hw hye damage ; 
 
 full ferr ar my brothyrn) de-partyd asondyr. 1348 
 
 Panii. ScmeZi. \_P^RT II. Scene 32.] 
 
 Heaven. 
 
 Her xall hevyne op 3 aie and I&sms xall shew [hym- 
 
 self.] 
 
 IpawS. 
 
 Jesus says he 
 has rested in 
 
 0, Jie oii)-clypsyd' sonne, tempyll of' salamon) ! 
 
 1349 
 
 the Moon, 
 
 In pe mone I restyd, pai never chonggyd goodnessej 
 
 
 In pe shep of noee, fles of ludeon); 
 
 she was my tapyrnakyll of grett nobyllnesse, 
 
 she was pe paleys of phebus brygthnesse. 
 
 1352 
 
 the vessel of 
 Purity, 
 
 she was pe wessell of puef clennesse, 
 wher my godhed 3aff my manhod myth. 
 
 
 his Mother, 
 
 My blyssyd mother, of demvre femynyte 
 
 1356 
 
 
 for mawkynd, pe feynddeA defens. 
 
 1357 
 
 Queen of Jeru* 
 Salem and 
 Empress of 
 
 Hell. 
 
 quewne of Iherusalem), Jiat heue/zly cete, 
 empresse of hell, to make resystens. 
 she is ])e precyuA pyn) full of ensens ; 
 
 1360 
 
 
 the precyuA synamver, pe body thorow to seche j 
 she is ]je mvske a-3ens pe herteA of yyolens, 
 pe lentyll lelopher a-3ens Jie cardyakylleA wrech ; 
 
 1363 
 
 No tongue can 
 express her 
 goodness. 
 
 The goodnesse of my mothef, no tong* can expresse, 
 nef no clerke, of htf, hyr* loyys can wr}Uh. 1365 
 
 Butt now of my servantt I remembyr fe kendnesse j 
 
 [leaf 120, back] 
 He will send 
 Raphael to bid 
 Mary Magdalene 
 go to Marcylle, 
 and convert it. 
 
 with heuenly masage I cast me to vesyte, — 
 Raphaell, myn angell. In my syte j — 
 to mary Mavdleyn) decende In a whyle. 
 
 1368 
 
 Byd her* passe fe se be my myth. 
 
 And sey she xall converte J)e land of marcyll. 
 
 1371 
 
 
 
 angelwA. 
 
 
 
 0 gloryuA lord, I woll resortt 
 to shew yonr servant of yower grace. 
 
 1372 
 
 
 she xall labor for )?at londeA conifortt, 
 from) heuynesse ))em) to porchasse. 
 
 1373 
 
 
 tunc decendet angelus. 
 
 
MARY MAGDALENE. PART II. SCENES 33 AND 34 . I 07 
 
 [PART II. Scene 33.] 
 
 IT Abasse fe novtt, mary, In Jiis place; 
 Ower lorded preceptt ]J3U mu^t* fall-fyll, 
 to passe jie see In shortt space 
 Oi])-to jie loud of* marcyll. 
 
 Kyng* and quene cowverte xall ^e. 
 
 An \ bi n) a-myttyd as an holy apostylesse ; 
 Alle pf lond xall be techyd alonly be the; 
 goddei lawys oii)-to hem) je xall expresse. 
 }),'r-for’ hast* yow forth -with gladnesse, 
 godded coTwmavddement for to fullfylle. 
 
 Part II. SceneZZ. 
 ^ Jerusalem. 
 
 137^ ikfary 
 
 MagdaLen^s 
 
 House. 
 
 The Angel 
 Raphael tells 
 1379 Mary to goto 
 ' ^ Marcyll, convert 
 I 0. 80 land, and be 
 ^ an Apostoless. 
 
 1383 
 
 1385 
 
 mari W&.vidleyn. 
 
 He JJat from) my person) vij dewllei mad to fle, 1386 
 
 be vertu of* hym) alle thyng* was wrowth ; 
 
 to seke thoys pepyll I woll rydy be. 
 
 as J>ou hast cowmaviiddytt. In vertv jiey xall be browth. 
 
 ^ witA Jii grace, good lord. In deite, 1390 
 
 Now to pe see I wyll me hy, 
 
 sum sheppyng* to asspy. 
 
 Now spede me, lord, In et email glory ! 
 
 now be my spede, allmyty trenite ! ^394 
 
 Deaf 127 ] 
 
 She says she is 
 ready to go, 
 
 and starts to 
 find a ship to 
 sail in. 
 
 [PART II. Scene 34.] 
 
 
 Part I L ScmeZ^. 
 Coast of Judea. 
 
 Here xall ewtyre a shyp -with a mery song. 
 
 
 shep-maw. 
 
 
 
 stryke ! skryke ! lett fall an) ankyr to grownd ! 
 Her is a fayer haven) to se ! 
 connyiigly In, loke pat ye sownd ; 
 
 1395 
 
 The Shipman 
 bids his men 
 anchor, 
 
 
 I hope good harbarow have xal wee ! 
 
 1398 
 
 
 loke pat we have drynke, boy fou. 
 
 1399 
 
 
 boy. 
 
 I may natt for slep, I make god a wow ; 
 
 ]iou xall a-byde ytte, and jiou wei’’ my^ sytr*. 1401 
 
 shepma;?. 
 
 why, boy, we ar’ rydy to go to dynei^. 
 xall we no mete have ? 
 
 1402 and asks his boy 
 for their dinner. 
 
io8 
 
 MARY MAGDALENE. PART II. SCENE 34 
 
 
 [leaf 127, back] 
 
 boy. 
 
 
 The Boy declares 
 he can’t get the 
 dinner, he’s so 
 bad with the 
 
 Natt for me be of* good chyer, 
 thowe ye be sor hongord tyll rave. 
 
 1405 
 
 cramp ; 
 
 1 tell yow plenly be-forii) j 
 
 for swyche a cramp on) me sett is. 
 
 1406 
 
 
 I am) a poynt to fare fe worse ; 
 
 I ly and wryng' tyll I pysse. 
 
 And am) a poyntt to be for-lorn). 
 
 1410 
 
 
 fe master. 
 
 
 
 now, boy, whatt woll Jie J)is seyll ? 
 
 141 1 
 
 
 boy. 
 
 
 but a fair 
 damsel’s coming 
 to help him. 
 
 Nothyng* butt a fayer damsell ; 
 she shold* help me, I know it well, 
 
 Ar elle^ I may rue Jie tyme Jiat I was born). 
 
 1414 
 
 
 fe master. 
 
 
 
 Be my trowth, syr boye, 3e xal be sped!; 
 
 I wyll hyr bryng* on)-to yower bed ; 
 now xall J)ou lerii) a damsell to wed. 
 
 1415 
 
 
 she wyll nat kysse Jie on) skorn). 
 
 1418 
 
 The Shipman 
 beats the boy. 
 
 bete hym. 
 
 fe boy. 
 
 
 
 A skorn), no, no, I fynd it hernest ! 
 the dewlle of hell motte Jia bresf, 
 for all my corage is now cast* ; 
 
 1419 
 
 
 alasse ! I am) for-lorn) ! 
 
 1422 
 
 
 mav[d]leyn). 
 
 
 
 Master of Jie shepe, a word witk the. 
 
 1423 
 
 [leaf 128] 
 
 master. 
 
 
 The Master tells 
 Mary Magdalene 
 
 All redy, fayer woma«, whatt wol 3e ? 
 
 mary [maudleyn.] 
 of whense is thys shep ? tell 3e me ; 
 and yf 3e seyle witA-in a whyle. 
 
 1426 
 
 
 master. 
 
 
 that his ship 
 sails at once to 
 Marcylle. 
 
 We woll seyle Jiis same day, 
 yf ):e wynd be to ower pay. 
 
 1427 
 
MARY MAGDALENE. PART II. SCENES 
 
 34 AND 36 . 109 
 
 J)is shep Jiat I of* sey, 
 is of* jie lond* of* marcyll. 
 
 1430 
 
 
 Mary [maudleyn.] 
 
 
 
 syr, may I natt with yow sayle ? 
 
 & je xall have for yower awayle. 
 
 14,31 
 
 
 master. 
 
 
 
 Of* sheppyng* Jie xall natt faylle ; 
 for vs fe wynd is good and saffe. 
 
 1434 
 
 They sail, 
 
 yond per is pe lond of* torke, 
 
 I wher full loth for to lye. 
 
 
 see Turkey 
 
 now xall j^e shep-men syng. 
 
 
 
 of* Jiis cors we thar oat a-baffe. 
 
 1437 
 
 
 yender is Jie lond of* satyllye. 
 
 00 
 
 and Satalye, 
 
 H stryk ! be-ware of* sond' ! 
 cast a led, & In vs gyde ! 
 of* marcyll, jiis is pe kyngges' lonct. 
 go a lond, jiow fayer woman, )iis tyde, 
 to pe kyngge5 place ; yonder may je se. 
 sett of*, sett of* from) londl ! 
 
 1441 
 
 and land Mary 
 
 Magdalene at 
 
 Marcylle. 
 
 ]ie boy. 
 
 
 [leaf 128, back] 
 
 All redy, master, at thyn) hand'. 
 
 1445 
 
 
 Her goth [je shep owt of pe place. 
 
 
 
 Mary [Maudleyn.] 
 
 
 
 O le^u ! Jii mellyfluos name 
 
 Mott be worcheppyd with reverens ! 
 
 lord ! gravnt me vyctore a-jens Jie fynde^ flame. 
 
 1446 
 
 She prays Christ 
 to grant her 
 power to show 
 
 And yn jii lawys gyf* ]iis pepyll credens. 
 
 1449 
 
 I wyll resortt be grett convenyens. 
 
 On) hw presens I wyll draw nef 
 
 of* my lorde5 lawys to sbe[w] pe sentens. 
 
 1430 
 
 Godhead. 
 
 bothe of* hw godhed and of* hii power*. 
 
 1453 
 
 
 Here xall mary entyr be-fore pe kymge. 
 
 
 
 [^PART II. Scene 35.] 
 
 Now, Jie h 3 'e kyng* crist*, maniiei redempcyon), 
 mote save yow, ser kyng*, regnyng* In eqnite. 
 
 1434 
 
 Part II. Scene 85. 
 
 Marcylle. 
 
 The King’s 
 
 Palace. 
 
IIO 
 
 MARY MAGDALENE. PART II. SCENE 36 . 
 
 
 Mary Magdalene 
 in Jesus’s name 
 begs the King of 
 Marcylle to let 
 her dwell there. 
 
 & mote gydde yow yow pe [way] toward sauasyon), 
 le^u, pe son of pe mythty trenite. 
 
 That was, and is, and ever xall be, i4?8 
 
 
 tor manner sowle pe reformacyon) j 
 
 In hw name, lord, I be-seche jie, 
 witA-In jii lond to have my mancyon). 
 
 1461 
 
 
 rex [King of Marcylle.] 
 
 
 [leaf 129 ] 
 
 The King abuses 
 Jesus and her, 
 
 Imu ! leiu ! qimt deylle is hym) ? pai ? 
 
 I defye pe and pyii) a-penyon) ! 
 
 1462 
 
 
 thow false lordeyn), I xal fell jie flatt ! 
 
 who made the so hardy to make swych rebon) ? 
 
 1465 
 
 
 mary. 
 
 
 
 syr, I coni natt to jie for no decepcyon). 
 
 But pat good lord crisf hether me compassyd?; 
 to rece)we hys name, ittfs yower refeccyoh). 
 
 1466 
 
 
 and Jii forme of mysbele[t] be hym) may be losyd*. 
 
 1469 
 
 
 rex. 
 
 
 asks who Jesus 
 is, 
 
 And whatt is pat lord pat thow speke of her* ? 
 
 1470 
 
 
 Mary. 
 
 
 
 Id* esf Salvator, yf thow wyll led, 
 pe secunde person) pat hell ded conquaf, 
 
 & ))e son) of jie father In trenyte. 
 
 1473 
 
 
 Rex. 
 
 
 of what power, 
 
 And of whatt power is ))at god pat 30 reherse to me ? 
 
 Mary 
 
 He mad hevyri) and erth, load and see, 
 
 land all )jis he mad of nowthe. 1476 
 
 Rex. 
 
 woman, I pray 30 answer me. 1477 
 
 and how he was whatt mad god! at ))e f)Tst be-gynnyug* ? 
 thys processe ondyrstond wol we, 
 
 that \voId‘ I lernej Ittw my plesyng*. 1480 
 
 [1 MS. & and all.] 
 
MARY MAGDALENE. PART II. SCENE 35. 
 
 mary. 
 
 (les'u, mercy ! 
 
 syr, I wyll declare al and sum, 1482 
 
 what from) god frysf ded precede ; 
 
 He seyd, ' In principio erat verbuwi,’ 
 
 & with )jat he provyd* h/A grett godhed! ; 1485 
 
 He mad heuen) for ower spede, 
 wher-as he sytth In trone^ hyee. 
 
 Hw mynystyrs next, as he save nede. 
 
 Hi ,9 angelus and archangylle^ all the cowpeny. ^489 
 vp-on) ])e fiyst day god mad all fis, 1490 
 
 as it was ple3yng’ to hw Intent. 
 
 on pe mu«day he wold natt mys ^ 49 ^ 
 
 To make sowne, mone, and sterrys & pe fyrmamewt ; 
 The sowne to be-gynne hw cors In pe oryenh, 1494 
 & ever labor wit/i-owhn) werynesse, 
 
 & kepytt Ilfs' covrs In-to pe occedentf. 
 
 The twysday, as I on)dyrstond pis, 1497 
 
 grett grace for vs he gan) to In-cresse j 
 pat day he satt vp-on) wateris, 
 
 as was lykyng to his goodnesse, 1500 
 
 As holy wrytt berytt wettnesse. 1501 
 
 pat tyme he made both see and lond. 
 
 All pat werke of* grett nobyll-nesse, 
 
 as it was ple^yng* to his gracyus sond. 1504 
 
 On) pe weddysday, ower lord of* mythe ^ 5^5 
 
 made more at his ple3yng*; 
 
 fysche In flod, and fowle In flyth ; 
 
 And all pis was for ower hellpyng*. 1508 
 
 On) the thorsday, pat nobyll kyng'* 
 mad dy verse bestes grett and smale ; 
 
 He yafF hem) erth to ther fedyng*, 
 and bad hem) cressyn) be hylle and dale. 
 
 And on) pe fry day, god mad man), ^ 5^3 
 
 as it plejett his hynesse most*, 
 
 ' ‘ lesu mercy ’ is at the bottom of the page, in the margin. 
 
 1 1 1 
 
 [leaf 129, back] 
 Mary tells the 
 King how God 
 created the 
 world. On 
 Sunday he 
 made the 
 Heavens, 
 
 Angels and 
 Archangels. 
 
 On Monday, 
 the sun, moon, 
 stars and sky. 
 
 On Tuesday he 
 sat on the 
 waters, and 
 made sea and 
 land. 
 
 [leaf 130] 
 On Wednesday 
 he made fish 
 and fowl. 
 
 On Thursday, 
 beasts. 
 
 On Friday, man, 
 in his own 
 likeness. 
 
112 MARY MAGDALENE. PART II. SCENES 36 AND 36 . 
 
 
 
 after his own) semelytude than, 
 and ^af hem) Ij'fe oft ]Je holy gosft. 
 
 1316 
 
 On Saturday, he 
 blest his works 
 and bad ’em 
 multiply ; and 
 
 0 [n] ]je satyrday, as I tell can). 
 
 All hiy werkys he gan) to blysse j 
 
 He bad them) multyply and Increase than), 
 as it was plejyngf' to his worthynesse. 
 
 1320 
 
 on Sunday he 
 rested. 
 
 And on) ) 5 e sonday, he gan) rest take, 
 as skryptur declarytt pleyn). 
 
 1321 
 
 
 Jiflt al sholcB reverens make 
 
 to hyr makar ]iat hem) doth susteni). 
 
 1524 
 
 
 vp-on) fe sonday to leuen) In hw servyse. 
 
 Sc hym) alonly to serve, I tell yow pleyn). 
 
 1326 
 
 
 rex. 
 
 
 The King says 
 his Gods did 
 these things, 
 
 Herke, woman, thow hast many resonnes grett ; 
 
 I thyngk, on)-to my goddes aperteynyng^ |:ey beth. 
 
 1527 
 
 
 but ))ou make me answer son, I xall J)e frett, 
 
 & cut ))e tonge owt oft J)i hecJ. 
 
 ^ 53 ° 
 
 [leaf 130 , back] 
 
 Mary. 
 
 
 
 s} r, yft I seytJ amys, I woll retur[n] agayn). 
 
 1531 
 
 
 leve )'ower eucomberowns oft pertnrbacyon). 
 
 Sc lett me know \t 7 nzt yower goddes bi'ii), 
 
 And how ))ey may save vs from) trevbelacyon. 
 
 1534 
 
 
 rex. 
 
 
 and orders aU to 
 go to their 
 Temple. 
 
 Hens to fe tewpyll ]iat we waft, 
 and ]ier xall thow se a solom) s}T;h. 
 
 ^335 
 
 
 Com on) all, both lesse and more, 
 thys day to se my godded myth. 
 
 1338 
 
 
 Here goth. J^e Kynge all his a-tendavnt to 
 
 he tempyll. 
 
 Part II. Sc««e 36 . 
 The Temple at 
 Maixylle. 
 
 \_PART II. Scene 36.] 
 
 Loke now, qwatt se}yst thow be jiis syth r 
 
 How ple3eavnttly ))ey stond, se thow how ! 
 
 1339 
 
 The King of 
 Marcylle prays 
 his God to speak 
 to Mary 
 Magdalene. 
 
 lord, I besech J)i grett myth, 
 speke to )iis cAi'ieetyn) j^at here sestt fju. 
 speke, god lordf, speke ! se how I do bow ! 
 
 1342 
 
MARY MAGDALENE. PART II. SCENE 36. 
 
 113 
 
 Herke, })ou prysf ! <\waX menytt all this ? 
 
 what ! speke, good lord ! speke ! what eylytt jie now ? 
 
 speke, as thow artt bote of* all blysse ! 
 
 prysbiter. 
 
 lord, he woll natt speke whyle cAmeten) her* is. 
 
 Mary. 
 
 syr kyiig*, and it pleze yower gentyllnesse, 
 gyff me lycens my prayors to make 
 oii)-to my god In heven) blysch, 
 suTO merakyll to shewyn) for yower sake. 
 
 Eex. 
 
 The God won’t 
 speak while a 
 Christian’s 
 near. 
 
 I <48 Mary asks leave 
 to try her God, 
 
 to show a 
 miracle for the 
 King’s sake. 
 
 pray fi fylle, tyll pen) knees ake. 
 
 
 mary. 
 
 DominM5, illuminacio mea, quern timebo ! 
 
 Dominzi^, protecctor vite mee, a quo trepedabo ! 
 
 Here xal fie mament tremyll and quake. 
 
 Now, lord of* lorded, to jii blyssyd name sanctificatt, 
 most mekely my feyth I recuwmewd. 
 pott don) ]>e pryd of* mamerate^ violatt ! 
 lord, to ])\ lover jii goodnesse descend* ; 
 lett natt jier pryd to jii poste pretend, 
 wher-as is rehersyd pi hye name Ihesus. 
 good lord, my preor I feythfully sendj 
 Lord, jii rythwysnesse here dyscii^ ! ^5^'^ 
 
 Here xall comme a clowd frome kevene, and sett 
 1)6 tempyl One a fyer, and 1)6 pryst and jpe cler[k] 
 xall synke ; and fe kynge gothe komefl'MS seyynge, 
 
 1556 
 
 1558 
 
 She prays, 
 
 [leaf 131] 
 
 and the Idol 
 quakes. 
 
 She prays again 
 to God to show 
 his power. 
 
 The Temple is 
 set on fire, 
 and the Priest 
 sinks. 
 
 [Rex.] 
 
 A ! ow 3 t ! for angur I am) pus deludyd. 
 
 I wyll be-wreke my cruell tene. 
 
 alas ! witA-In my-sylfe I am) concludytt. 
 
 Jiou woman, comme hether and wete whatt I mene j 
 My wyff and I to-gether many jerys have byn), 
 
 & never myth be conceyvyd with chyld, ij*58 
 
 DIGBY MYST. I 
 
 1^63 [leaf 131, back] 
 
 The King tells 
 Mary that if 
 she can make 
 his wife with 
 child, 
 
114 
 
 MARY MAGDALENE. PART II. SCENES 36 AND 37. 
 
 he’ll obey her 
 God. 
 
 Now he is sick, 
 and will go to 
 bed. 
 
 Maiy prays to 
 Christ to send 
 her food and 
 drink. 
 
 Part II. 8cmeZI. 
 Heaven; then, 
 outside Marcylle 
 Palace. 
 
 Jesus bids 
 Angels feed 
 Mary, and take 
 her to the 
 King’s chamber. 
 
 yf* ]5ou for J)is cawst fynd a mene, 
 
 I wyll a-bey pi god, and to hym) be meke and myld*. 1570 
 Mary. 
 
 Now, syr, ,syn) pou seyst so, 
 
 to my lord I pr[a]ye with reythfull bonej 
 
 be-leve In hym) and In no mo. 
 
 1571 
 
 & I hope she xall be conceyv) d sone. 
 
 1574 
 
 Rex. 
 
 A-woyd, awoyd, I wax all seke, 
 
 I wyll to bed pis same tyde. 
 
 I am) so wexyd with 3eh) sueke. 
 
 1575 
 
 pat hath ner* to deth me dyth. 
 
 1578 
 
 Here pe Kynge goth to bed In hast, and mary goth 
 In-to an olde logge wit/i-owt pe gate, {las seyynge. 
 
 mary. 
 
 Now, cryst, my creatur, me conserve and kepe, 1579 
 
 pat I be natt confunddyd with pis reddure ! 
 
 for hungof and thurst, to pe I wepe ; 
 
 lord, demene me with mesuer! 1582 
 
 as p3U savyd}'sf daniell fro/n pe lyounej rigur. 
 
 Be abacuk pi masengyf, relevyd sustynovns, 
 good lord, so hellpe me and sokore, 
 
 lord, as ittis- pi bye ple3eav\ns. 1586 
 
 II. Scene 37.] 
 leinS. 
 
 My grace xall grow, and don) decend 
 to mary my lover, pat to me doth call, 
 
 Hyr assatt for to a-mend ; 
 
 she xall be relevyd* with sustinons corporall. ^59° 
 
 now, awngelw5, dyssend to hyr In especyall. 
 
 And lede hyr to pe prynssys chainbyr ryth. 
 bed hyf axke oB hw good be weyys pacyfycal j 
 and goo yow be-fore hyr with reverenf lylh. 
 
 ^i94 
 
MARY MAGDALENE. PART II. SCENES 37 AND 38. II 5 
 
 Prim'll angelttA. 
 Blyssyd lord. In Jii syth 
 we dyssend oii)-to mary. 
 
 ^595 Angels 
 come down 
 
 ij'" angelu^. 
 
 We dyssend! from) yower blysse bryth ; 
 
 Oii)-to yowpr cummavndemewt we aplye. 1598 to Mary Mag 
 
 0.^10116} 
 
 Tunc dissenditt angelws. 
 
 primwy dyxit. 
 
 mary, ower lord wyll cowifortt yow send! : 
 he bad, to J>e kyng* ye xuld* take Jie waye, 
 hym) to a-say, yf he woll cowdesend j 
 as he is slepyng^, hem) to a-saye. 
 
 ij"* angel?A9. 
 
 Byd hym) releve yow to goddey pay. 
 
 ^599 
 
 and tell her that 
 Jesus bids her 
 go to the King 
 of Marcylle, 
 
 1602 
 
 1 603 [leaf 132] 
 
 And we xal go be-fore yow with solem) lyth ; 
 In a mentyll of* whyte xall be ower araye ; 
 The dorey xall opyn) 3-30115 vs be ryth. 
 
 while they walk 
 before her with 
 lights, 
 
 clad in mantles 
 1606 of white. 
 
 Mary. 
 
 O, gracyuy god, now I vndyrstond ! 160/ 
 
 thys clothyng'' of' whyte is tokenyiig' of* mekenesse. tokens of meek- 
 
 ness. 
 
 now, grticyus lord, I woll natt wond. 
 
 yower preseptt to obbey witA lowlynesse. 1610 
 
 Here goth mary, with pe angelus be-fore byre, to 
 pe Kyngges bed, with lytbys taerynge, pus seyyng 
 mary. 
 
 [Py/I?T II. Scene 38.] 
 
 [Mary.] 
 
 thow froward Kyng*, trobelows and wood, 1611 
 
 that hast at Jii wyll all worddey wele, 
 
 Departe with me witA sum of ))i good, 
 
 that am) In hongor, threst, and cold ! 1614 
 
 god hath pe sent warnywgys felle ; 
 
 I rede pe tome, and amend p'x mood j 
 Be-ware of p'l lewdnesse, for ])i own) hele ! 
 
 And thow qwen), tvrne from) jii good. 1618 
 
 Here mari woydyt ; and pe angyll and mary 
 cbong[e] byr clotbeynge, pus seyynge pe Kynge. 
 
 Mary will obey. 
 
 Part II. Scene 
 Marcylle. Ihe 
 King's Palace. 
 
 Mary bids the 
 King share some 
 of his goods 
 with her, 
 and turn from 
 his evil wayk 
 
 She warns the 
 Queen too, 
 and puts on the 
 Angel’s garment. 
 
MARY MAGDALENE. PART II. SCENES 38 AND 39. 
 
 I l6 
 
 The King of 
 Marcylle 
 [leaf 132, back] 
 
 says that in his 
 sleep a fair 
 Woman in 
 white, 
 
 led by an angel, 
 appeard to 
 him. 
 
 and, as the 
 Queen adds, 
 bade them help 
 the needy with 
 their goods. 
 
 The King sends 
 a knight to 
 fetch the 
 Woman. 
 
 [leaf 133] 
 
 PartIL Scene 
 Marcyll. Out- 
 side the Palace ; 
 then, inside. 
 
 [Kyng.] 
 
 A ! |5is day is com) ! I am) mery and glacf ; 
 
 The son) is vp, and shynyth bryth. 
 
 A inervelows shewyng'. In my slep I had'. 
 
 1619 
 
 That sore me trobelydh fis same nyth ; 
 
 A fayer womara I saw In my syth. 
 
 All In whyte was she cladd!; 
 
 Led she was wit^. an) angyll bryth. 
 
 1622 
 
 to me she spake with wordc 5 sad. 
 
 1626 
 
 regina [The Queen of Marcylle.] 
 
 I trow, from) good! \at \ey wed sentt j 
 
 In) ower barter we may have dowte j 
 
 I wentt ower chambyr sholld a brentt. 
 
 1627 
 
 for fe lyth pat per was all a-bowth. 
 to vs she spake worded of dred, 
 that we xuld' help pern) )3at haue nede, 
 with ower gode5, so god ded byd. 
 
 1630 
 
 I tell yow wit/i-owtyn) dowthe. 
 
 1634 
 
 rex. 
 
 Now, semely wyff, 30 sey ryth well. 
 
 A knyth a-non) wit^-owtyn) delay ! 
 now, as jjou hast byn) trew as stylle. 
 
 1635 
 
 goo fett )3at woman be-fore me J)is daye. 
 
 00 
 
 'O 
 
 Miles. 
 
 my sovereyn) lord', I take pe waye ; 
 she xall com) at ower pleseawfis. 
 yower soveryn) wyll I wyll goo saye. 
 
 1639 
 
 ittfy almesse hyr to a-wawns. 
 
 tliunc transiu?!t miles ad mariam. 
 
 1642 
 
 PPART 11 . SceJie 39.] 
 
 sped well, good woman ! I am) to pe sentt, 
 yow for to speke with pe Kyng. 
 
 1643 
 
MARY MAGDALENE. PART II. SCENE 39. 
 
 Maria. 
 
 gladly, spr, at liys Intentt^, 
 
 I co/wme at hw own) plejeyng*. 1646 
 
 Tunc transytt maria ad regem. 
 
 The my the and jie powere of' ]ie heye trenyte, 1647 
 the wysdom) of ]ie son), mott govenie yow In ryth ! 
 the Holy gost mott witA yow be ! 
 
 what is yowre wyll ? sey me In sythe. ^650 
 
 Rex. 
 
 thow fayer womaw, ittw my delyth, 1651 
 
 Jie to refresch is myn) Intentf, 
 
 v/kh mete and mony, and clothys for Jie nyth, 
 
 And! wiih swych grace as god hathe me lentt. 1654 
 
 Maria. 
 
 Than) fullfylle 30 goddp5 cummavndemewt, 
 
 pore folk In mysch[ef], pem) to susteyn). 
 
 Rex. 
 
 Now, blyssyd womaii, reherse here presentt, 
 
 the loyys of yower lord! In heven). 1658 
 
 Mary. 
 
 ^ A ! blyssyd f e ower, and blyssyd* be fe tyme, 1659 
 
 J)at to godde^ lawys 36 wyll gyff credens, 
 
 to yower selfe 30 make a glad! pryme 
 
 A-3ens Jie fenddei Malycyows violens. 1662 
 
 from) god* a-bove, cowit jie In-fluens, 
 
 Be Jie Holy gost In-to pi brest .sentt down), 
 
 for to restore pi of -fens, 1665 
 
 pi sowle to bryng* to ewcrlastyng* salvacyo/z. 
 
 Thy wyffe, she is grett witk chyldj 
 Lyke as pou desyerst, pou hast pi bone. 1668 
 
 Regina. 
 
 A ! 3e ! I felytt ster In my wombe vp awe/ down) ; 1669 
 I am) glad* I have pe In presens. 
 
 O blyssyd* wommaw, rote of ower savacyon), 
 
 pi god woll I worshep wit A dew reverens. 1672 
 
 117 
 
 Mary comes 
 gladly. 
 
 Mary ^eets 
 the King, 
 
 and asks what 
 he wants. 
 
 He says, 
 
 to give her food 
 and money. 
 
 Mary bids him 
 help the poor, 
 
 and blesses the 
 time in which 
 he turnd to 
 God. 
 
 [leaf 133, back] 
 
 She tells him his 
 wife is great 
 with child. 
 
 The Queen feels 
 the child quick 
 within her. 
 
Ji8 
 
 The King asks 
 Mary her name, 
 
 and thanks her, 
 
 Lleaf 134] 
 
 and gives her 
 possession of 
 all his goods, 
 
 to do what she 
 likes with till 
 he comes home 
 from being bap- 
 tizd by St. Peter. 
 
 MARY MAGDALENE. PART II, SCENE 39. 
 
 Rex. 
 
 Now, fayer wowmaw, sey me pe sentens, 1673 
 
 I be-seche ])e, whatt is pi name ? 
 
 Mary. 
 
 ser, a-3ens pat I make no resystens, 
 
 Mary mavdleyn) witA-owtyn) blame. 1676 
 
 rex. 
 
 O ! blyssyd* mary, ryth well is me 
 pat ewer I have abedyn) J)is daye. 
 now thanke I pi god, and specyally ^e. 
 
 And so xall I do whyle I leve may. 
 
 mary. 
 
 30 xall thankytt peter, my master, wzt^-owt delay. 1681 
 He is J)i frend, stedfast and clerj 
 To allmythy god he halp me pray, 
 and he xall crestyn) yow from) pe tyndde^ power, 1684 
 In pe syth of* god an hye. 
 
 rex 
 
 now suerly 30 answer me to my pay j 
 I am) ryth glad oh Jjis tyddynge^. 
 
 Butt, mary. In all my goodeJ I sese yow Jjis day, 
 for to byn) at yower gydyng^. 
 
 And Jjem) to rewlyn) at yower ple3eyng* 
 
 Tyll pat 1 cowme horn) a-gayn). 
 
 I wyll axke of* yow neythyr lond nod rekynyng'. 
 
 But I here delever yow powef ple}m). 
 
 regina. 
 
 Now, worshepfull lord, oh a bone I yow pray, 1694 
 And it be ple3eyng' to yower hye dygnite. 
 
 Rex. 
 
 Madam), yower dysyer* on)-to me say. 
 
 what bone is pat 3e desyeh oh me? 1697 
 
 1688 
 
 1690 
 
 1693 
 
 1677 
 
 1680 
 
MARY MAGDALENE. PART II. SCENES 39 AND 40. 
 
 regma. 
 
 Now, worshepfull sovereyrO, In eche degre. 
 
 1698 
 
 jjat I may wkh yow goo, 
 
 A crestyn) wo/«ma« made to be. 
 g?acyu 5 lord, it may be soo. 
 
 i7or 
 
 Rex. 
 
 A-las ! jje wyttM of* wowmera, how ]3ey byn 
 
 wylld' ! 
 
 And* ]3er-of* fallytt many a chanse. 
 
 A ! why desyer it ? and yow ar wit/i chyld*. 
 
 1704 
 
 regina. 
 
 A ! my sovereyn), I am) knett In care. 
 
 n°5 
 
 but 36 co?2sedyr now ])at I crave j 
 tor all ])e lowys J)at ever ware, 
 be-hynd yow fat 36 me nat leve. 
 
 1708 
 
 Rex. 
 
 wyff, syn) fat 36 woll take f is wey of pryse. 
 
 1709 
 
 f erto can) I no more seyn) ; 
 
 now, Ie5u be ower gyd, fot is hye lustyce. 
 
 And fis blyssyd* wOTwmaw, mary mavgle)n) ! 
 
 1712 
 
 Mary. 
 
 syth 3e ar co?zsentyd to fat dede. 
 
 17 1.3 
 
 the blyssyng* of* god gyff to yow wyll I j 
 
 He xall save yow from) all dred*. 
 
 In noTwiae patrys, et filij, et spiritus sancti. amea ! 1716 
 
 Ett tunc navis venit In placeaw, et navta dic^^. 
 
 IP ART II. Scene 40.] 
 [Navta.] 
 
 Loke forth, grobbe, my knave. 
 
 1717 
 
 & tell me (\wat tydynge^ fou have, 
 
 & yf* fou a-spye ony lond*. 
 
 1719 
 
 boy. 
 
 In)-to fe shrowde^ I woll me hye. 
 be my fythe, a castell I aspye, 
 
 & as I ondyrstowd. 
 
 1/22 
 
 II9 
 
 The Queen begs 
 that she may go 
 with him. 
 
 The King dis- 
 suades his wife 
 [leaf 134, back] 
 from going. 
 
 She begs him 
 not to leave her 
 behind, 
 
 and he agrees to 
 take her. 
 
 Mary blesses 
 them. 
 
 Part IT. Scene 
 Marcylle shore. 
 
 The Shipman’s 
 boy Grobbe 
 sees a Castle, 
 
120 
 
 MARY MAGDALENE. PART II. SCENE 40 . 
 
 
 
 navta. 
 
 
 
 sett jier-wit/i, yf* we mown). 
 
 1723 
 
 The ship arrives 
 at Marcylle, 
 
 for I wott itti5 a havyn) town) 
 
 Jjat stondyt vp-on) a strond?. 
 
 H25 
 
 
 Ett tuncc transitt rex ad navem, et dicii rex. 
 
 [leaf 135 ] 
 
 [Rex. The King of Marcylle.] 
 
 
 and the King 
 
 How, good ma/2, of whens is \a\. shep ? 
 
 I pray 30 ser, tell )iou me. 
 
 1 726 
 
 
 navta. 
 
 
 
 ser, as for fat, I take no kepe ; 
 for qzfat cavse enquire 30 ? 
 
 1729 
 
 
 re X. 
 
 
 wants to sail 
 off in her. 
 
 for cavsys of nede, seyle wold? we ; 
 ryth fayn) we wold? ower byn). 
 
 1730 
 
 
 navta. 
 
 
 
 3ee, butt me thynkytt, so mote I the, 
 so hastely to passe, yower spendyng* is thyn). 
 
 1733 
 
 The Shipman 
 suggests that 
 he’s stolen some 
 man’s wife, 
 and wants to 
 carry her away ; 
 
 I trow, be my lyfe, 
 fou hast stollyn) sura mannes' wyfEe ■, 
 fou woldyst lede hyr owt of lond. 
 nevef-fe-les, so god* me save, 
 lett se whatt I xalH have, 
 
 1734 
 
 1736 
 
 
 or elle^ I woll nat wend*. 
 
 17.39 
 
 
 rex. 
 
 
 but, for 10 marks, 
 he agrees to 
 take the King 
 and Queen to 
 the Holy Land. 
 
 Ten marke I wyll 3e gytf, 
 
 yf fou wylt set me vp at fe cleyff 
 
 In fe holy lond*. 
 
 navta. 
 
 1742 
 
 
 set of, boy, In-to fe flod* ! 
 
 1743 
 
 
 boy. 
 
 
 
 I xall, master, fe wynd* is good? j 
 
 Hens fat we wef. 
 
 1745 
 
 
 lamentando regina. 
 
 
 
 [* MS. sail sail.] 
 
 
MARY MAGDALENE. PART IT. 
 
 SCENE 41. 
 
 [PART II . Scene 41.] 
 [Regina.] 
 
 A ! Lady ! helpp In fis nede. 
 
 1746 
 
 fat In fis flod? we drench natt. 
 
 0 blyssyd* lady ! for-3ete me nowth ! 
 
 1748 
 
 A ! mary, mary, flower of* wowmarened 1 
 
 Rex. 
 
 a ! My dere wyfFe ! no dred 30 have^ 
 
 ^ 15 ° 
 
 butt trost In mary mavdleyn). 
 
 And she from) perelle? xall vs save 5 
 to god for vs she woll prayyn). 
 
 1755 
 
 regina. 
 
 A ! dere hosbond, thynk on) me. 
 
 1754 
 
 & save yower sylfe as long as 30 may j 
 for trewly itt wyll no other- wyse be j 
 full sor my hart it makytt fis day. 
 
 1757 
 
 A ! fe chyld fat be-twyx my sydei lay, 
 fe wyche was conseyvyd on) me be ryth ! 
 Alas ! fat woTwmaKne^ help is away j 
 an) hevy departyng^ is be-twyx vs In sythj 
 
 1761 
 
 for* now departe wee. 
 
 for de-fawte of wowme/z here In my nede. 
 
 ^ 7(53 
 
 deth my body makyth to sprede. 
 now, mary mavdleyn), my sowle lede ! 
 
 In mana^ tuas, domine ! 
 
 1766 
 
 Rex. 
 
 1: Alas, my wyff is ded ! 
 
 1767 
 
 alas ! fis is a carefull chans ! 
 so xall my chyld, I am) a-drcd, 
 
 & for defawth of sustynoa/zs. 
 
 1770 
 
 good lord, f i grace gravnte to me ! 
 
 1771 
 
 A chyld be-twen) vs of Increse, 
 an it is mother-les ! 
 
 Help me, my sorow for to relesse, 
 yf f i wyl it be ! 
 
 1775 
 
 I2T 
 
 Part 11. Scene 
 At sea. A rock 
 on an Hand. The 
 Holy Land. 
 
 The Queen of 
 Marcylle calls 
 on Mary to help 
 her. 
 
 [leaf 135, back] 
 
 She is in child- 
 birth, 
 
 and having no 
 woman’s help, 
 
 commits her 
 soul to God. 
 and dies. 
 
 The King 
 laments his 
 wife’s death. 
 
 and prays God 
 to keep his child 
 [leaf 136] 
 alive. 
 
122 
 
 MARY MAGDALENE. PART II. SCENE 41 . 
 
 
 
 navta. 
 
 
 
 benedicitCj benedicite ! 
 
 1776 
 
 The storm 
 increases. 
 
 (\wat vvethyr may J)is be ? 
 ower mast woll all a-sondyr. 
 
 1778 
 
 
 boy. 
 
 
 The men want 
 to throw the 
 Queen’s corpse 
 overboard. 
 
 Master^ I per-to ley myii) ere j 
 it is for J)is ded! body fat we bere ■, 
 
 J779 
 
 
 cast hyr owt, or elle^ we synke ond[yr.] 
 
 1 78 1 
 
 
 make redy for to cast hyr owt. 
 
 
 
 Rex. 
 
 
 
 nay, for godded sake, do natt so ! 
 
 & 36 wyll hyr In-to fe se cast, 
 
 1782 
 
 The King begs 
 them to put it 
 and his child on 
 a rock. 
 
 gyntyll sere^, for my love do. 
 
 3endyr is a roch In fe west : 
 
 ^0 
 
 00 
 
 as ley hyr ))er-on) all a-bove, 
 
 and my chyld* hyr by. 1787 
 
 
 navta. 
 
 as fer-to I a-sent well. 
 
 1788 
 
 
 & she were owt of* fe wessell, 
 all we xuld stond fe more In hele, 
 
 I sey yow werely. 
 
 1791 
 
 The corpse and 
 
 Rex. 
 
 ly here, \vy ff, and chyld* f e by. 
 
 1792 
 
 child are laid 
 there, 
 
 blyssyd mavdleyn), be hyr rede ! 
 
 and the King 
 
 with terys wepyng*, and grett cavse why, 
 
 I kysse yow both In fis sted. 
 
 1795 
 
 kisses them. 
 
 now woll I pray to mary myld' 
 to be per gyde hef. 
 
 1797 
 
 [leaf 136 , back] 
 
 tunc remigat a moiitem, et navta died. 
 
 [Navta]. 
 
 
 The ship reaches 
 
 pay now, ser, and goo to lond'. 
 
 1798 
 
 the Holy Land. 
 
 for here is fe portt 3af I ondyrstond. 
 
 
 ley down) my pay In my bond, 
 
 & be-lyve go me fro. 
 
 1801 
 
MARY MAGDALENE. PART II. SCENES 41 AND 42. 123 
 
 ex. 
 
 I gravnt fe, ser, so god me save, 
 lo, here is all ))i connownf, 
 all-redy J)ou xall it have. 
 
 00 
 
 0 
 
 The King of 
 Marcylle pays 
 the Shipman 
 and his Boy, 
 a mark each 
 extra. 
 
 and a marke more pah) pi gravnt. 
 
 1805 
 
 
 & pou page, for pi good obedyentt, 
 
 I gylF yow be-syde yower styntt. 
 
 1806 
 
 
 Eche of yow a marke for yower wage. 
 
 1808 
 
 
 nawta. 
 
 
 
 now he pat ma(J bothe day and nyth. 
 
 Os 
 
 0 
 
 00 
 
 
 He sped yow In yower ryth, 
 well to go on) yower passage ! 
 
 i8ir 
 
 
 \^PART II. Scene 42.] 
 peter. 
 
 
 Part 11. Seme ^2. 
 Jerasahm. 
 
 now all creators vp-on) mold*, 
 pat byn) of cryste^ creacyon), 
 to worchep lem pey af be-hol( 5 . 
 
 1812 
 
 St. Peter says 
 that all folk are 
 bound to wor- 
 ship Jesus. 
 
 nof never a-3ens hym) to make waryacyon). 
 
 00 
 
 
 rex [The King of Marcylle.] 
 
 
 
 ser, feythfully I be-seche yow pis daye 5 
 wher peter pe apostull is, wete wold* I. 
 
 1816 
 
 The King of 
 Marcylle asks 
 for Peter, 
 
 p eter. 
 
 
 
 ittw I, syr, witA-owt delay- 
 of yower askyng* tell me qwy. 
 
 1819 
 
 
 re c 
 
 
 
 ser, pe soth I xall yow seyn), 
 
 and tell yow myn) Intentt witA-In a whyle. 
 
 1820 
 
 aeaf 137] 
 
 per is a woman hyth mary mavdleyn), 
 
 pat hether hath laberyd me owt of mercyll j — 
 
 1823 
 
 and says that 
 Mary Magdalene 
 has sent him to 
 
 oTi)-to Jie wyche woman I thynk no gyle, — 
 and Jiis pylgramage cavsyd me to take. 
 
 I woll tell yow more of ])e stylle, 
 
 for to crestyn) me from) wo and wrake. 1827 Peterf*^^‘^ 
 
124 
 
 MARY MAGDALENE. PART II. SCENE 42. 
 
 
 
 peter. 
 
 
 
 O, blyssyd be pe tyme fat ar* falle to grace. 
 
 Sc je wyll kepe yower be-leve after my techeyng', 
 & alle-only for-sake fe fynd saternas. 
 
 1828 
 
 
 the coa2mavndrae[«]tte^ of god to have In kepyng*. 
 
 
 rex. 
 
 
 The King of 
 Marcylle de- 
 
 for-soth, I be-leve In fe father, fat is of all wyldyng^. 
 
 dares his belief 
 in the Trinity, 
 
 And In fe son), le^u Cryst, 
 
 also In fe holy gost, hfy grace to vs spredyng*. 
 
 00 
 
 Chnst’s death 
 and uprising. 
 
 I be-leve In cry.stes' deth and hA vpry.syng*. 
 
 1835 
 
 
 Petyr. 
 
 
 
 ser, fan) whatt axke ^e ? 
 
 1836 
 
 
 Rex. 
 
 
 and prays Peter 
 to baptize him. 
 
 Holy father, baptyin), for charyte. 
 
 Me to save In eche degre 
 from) fe fynde^ bond*. 
 
 CO 
 
 Co 
 
 
 petyr. 
 
 
 
 In fe name of fe trenite, 
 
 0 
 
 00 
 
 Peter does so, 
 
 with fis water I baptysse ^e, 
 fat fou mayst strong* be, 
 
 A-jeu) f e fynd* to stond*. 
 
 1843 
 
 
 Tunc aspargit ilium cum aqua. 
 
 
 [leaf 137, back] 
 
 rex. 
 
 
 
 A ! holy fathyr, how my hart wyll be sor. 
 
 1844 
 
 
 of cummav[D]ddeme«tt a?id 30 declare nat fe sentens. 
 
 
 petyr. 
 
 
 
 syr, dayly 3e xall labor ^ more and more, 
 tyll fat 3e have very experyens j 
 
 1847 
 
 
 with me xall 3e walH to have more eloquens. 
 
 1848 
 
 and bids the 
 King visit the 
 Stacions and go 
 to Nazareth and 
 Bethlehem. 
 
 & goo vesyte fe stacyons by and by j 
 to na3areth and bedlem) goo with delygens, 
 
 & be yower own) In-speccyon) yower feyth to edyfy. 
 
 1851 
 
 
 [' MS. lobor.] p ? dwell : wall is to well, flow.] 
 
 
MAKY MAGDALENE. PART II. SCENES 42 AND 43. 
 
 Rex. 
 
 now, holy father, derevorthy and dere. 
 
 00 
 
 myn) Intent* now know ^e, 
 
 
 ittw gon) full to 3ere, 
 
 
 jiat I cam to yow owed ]>e se. 
 
 1855 
 
 crystPi servont and yower to be. 
 
 1856 
 
 & ]>e lave^ of* hym) ever to fulfyll. 
 
 
 now woll I horut In-to my contre. 
 
 
 yower pvef blyssynd, gravnt vs tylle. 
 
 
 ]jat, feythfully I crave. 
 
 i860 
 
 petrus. 
 
 now In fe name of* le^u. 
 
 Cum patre et suTicto speritu. 
 
 He kepe ))e and save ! ^863 
 
 et tunc rex transit ad navem, et di'ct'i rex. 
 
 [P^RT II. Scene 43.] 
 
 [Rex.] 
 
 
 Hold! ner, shopman, hold, hold! ! 
 
 00 
 
 boy. 
 
 
 ser, 3endyr is on) callyd after cold!. 
 
 
 navta. 
 
 
 A, ser ! I ken yow of* old. 
 
 be my trowth, 30 be welcum to me. 
 
 1867 
 
 Rex. 
 
 
 now, gentyll marranef, I J)e pray, 
 what-so-ewer pat I pay. 
 
 In all pe hast pat 36 may, 
 
 1868 
 
 Help me ower pe se. 
 
 1871 
 
 navta. 
 
 
 In good soth we byn) a-tenddawntt* ; 
 gladly 30 xall have yower gravnt*. 
 witA-owtyn) ony connownt*. 
 
 1872 
 
 comme In, In goddes name ! 
 
 00 
 
 12.5 
 
 The King of 
 Marcylle says 
 
 [1 lawe] 
 
 he will go home. 
 
 Peter gives him 
 his blessing. 
 
 Part II. Scene AZ. 
 The^Holy Land 
 Shore 
 
 The King of 
 Marcylle sees his 
 
 old Shipman, 
 
 [leaf 138] 
 
 and asks him to 
 take him back 
 to Marcylle. 
 
 The Shipman 
 gladly agrees, 
 
126 MARY MAGDALENE. PART II. SCE.NES 4.3 AND 44 . 
 
 
 and tells Gi'obbe 
 to haul up the 
 
 grobbe, boy ! Jie wynd is nor west ! 
 
 1876 
 
 sail. 
 
 fast a-bowth jie seyle cast* ! 
 rere vp fe seyll In all jie hast, 
 as well as |)ou can). 
 
 1879 
 
 
 et tunc navis venit ad-circa placeam : rex 6 .icit. 
 
 Part 11 . Scaui^. 
 At sea The 
 
 \_PART II. Scene 44.I 
 
 
 Rock. Marcylle 
 strand. 
 
 [Rex.] 
 
 
 
 master of* ]>e shyp, cast forth yower yee ! 
 
 1880 
 
 They see the 
 Rock 
 
 me thynkyt Jie rokke I gyn) to a-spye. 
 gentyll master, 3ether vs gye j • 
 
 I xall qwyt yower mede. 
 
 00 
 
 00 
 
 
 navta. 
 
 
 
 I feyth it is fe same ston) 
 
 1884 
 
 where they laid 
 the Queen’s 
 
 [at yower wyff lyeth vp-ou)j 
 
 
 corpse, with her 
 child. 
 
 ye xall be [er even) a-no/i, 
 werely Indede. 
 
 1887 
 
 [leaf 138, back] 
 
 Rex. 
 
 
 The King sees 
 his babe all 
 
 0 [on myty lord* of* heven) region). 
 
 1888 
 
 sound, 
 
 jendyr is my babe of myn) own) nature, 
 preservyd and keptt from) all corrupcyo/i ! 
 blyssyd be [at lord [at [e dothe socuf. 
 
 00 
 
 and his wife too. 
 
 And my wyff lyeth hef fayer and puer ! 
 fayed and clef is hur color to se ! 
 a ! good lord, yower grace with vs Indure, 
 
 1894 
 
 She awakes from 
 her trance, 
 
 My wyvys lyfe for to illumyn). 
 
 A, blyssyd be [at puer vergyn), 
 from) grevos slepe she gynnyt revyve ! 
 
 1895 
 
 A ! [e sonne of grace on) vs doth shynne ! 
 now blyssyd be god, I se my wyff a-lyve ! 
 
 1899 
 
 
 
 regina. 
 
 
 and blesses 
 
 Mary Magdalene 
 
 0 vergo salutata, for ower savacyon) ! 
 
 1900 
 
 for saving her. 
 
 0 pulcra et casta, cum of nobyll alyavns ! 
 
 0 almyty maydyn), ower sowlys coafortacyon) ! 
 
 0 demvr mavdlyn), my bodyys sustj’fiavns ! 
 
 1 9^3 
 
MARY MAGDALENE. PART II. SCENES 44 AND 45. 
 
 137 
 
 ]3ou hast wi [a]ppyd vs In wele from) all waryawiis, 1904 
 
 & lec? me witA my lord I[u]-to jie holy lond*. 
 
 I am) baptysyd*, as ye ar*, be maryv^ gyddavns, 
 of* sent peterys holy hand*. 
 
 I sve Jie blyssyd* crosse fat cryst shed! on) hw piecyvi 
 blodj iyo8 
 
 Hi5 blyssyd* sepulcur also se I j 
 whe[r]for, good* hosbond*, be mery In mode, 
 for I have gon) fe stacyounei by and by. 1911 
 
 Rex. 
 
 I thanke it, lem, wit/i hart on) hye ; 1912 
 
 now have I my wyf and my chyld* both. 
 
 I thankytt, mavdleyn) and ower lady, 
 
 & ever shall do wit/i-owtyn) othe. 
 
 et tunc remigant a monte, et navta 6 .icit. 
 
 [Navta.] 
 
 Now ar 30 past all perellej 1916 
 
 Her is fe lond* of mercylle ! 
 
 now goo a lond*, ser, whan) 30 wyll, 
 
 I pr[a]ye yow for my sake. ^ 9^9 
 
 rex. 
 
 godamei'cy, lentyll marraner ! 1920 
 
 Her* is x li of* nobylle^ cler. 
 
 And euer fi frynd* both ferre and nedj 
 
 cryst save fe from wo and wrake ! ^9^3 
 
 Here goth the shep ow3t ofe the place, and mavd- 
 [leyn] seyth. 
 
 [PART 1 1 . Scene 45 .J 
 [Mary Maudleyn.] 
 
 o, dere fryndei ! be In hart stabyll, 1924 
 
 & [thynk] how dere, cryst hathe yow bowth ! 
 
 A-3ens god be nothyng* vereabyll ; 
 
 thynk how he mad all thyng* of* nowth. 1927 
 
 thow yow In poverte suwtyme be browth, 
 
 [yjitte be In charyte both nyth and day, 
 
 and for taking 
 her with her 
 husband into 
 the Holy Land, 
 letting her be 
 baptizd by St. 
 Peter, 
 
 see Christ’s 
 Cross and 
 Sepulchre, 
 
 and go the 
 Stacions. 
 
 The King 
 thanks Jesus, 
 
 and Mary 
 Magdalene. 
 
 [leaf 139] 
 
 The King and 
 Queen reach 
 Marcylle, 
 
 pay the Ship- 
 man £10, and go 
 ashore. 
 
 PartJI. Scene 
 
 Mary Magdalene 
 exhorts the folk 
 to be steadfast, 
 
 and bear their 
 
 troubles 
 
 patiently, 
 
128 
 
 MARY MAGDALENE. PART II. SCENE 45. 
 
 
 for Poverty is 
 God's house. 
 
 for jiey byn) blyssyd* pat so byn) sowth, 
 for pavpertas est domuTw Dei j 
 
 ^ 93 1 
 
 Blessed are the 
 meek, 
 
 god bly.ssyt alle fo Jiat byn) meke and good?, 
 
 & he bly.ssyd* all ]io pat wepe for synne. 
 
 
 and the feeders 
 of the hungry. 
 
 Jiey be blyssyd* pat Jie huwgor and pe thorsty gyff fode, 
 
 Jiey be blessyd? pat byn) mercyfull a-3en) wrecched? men. 
 
 They who de- 
 
 fey byn) blyssyd fat byn) dysstroccyon) of* synne. 
 
 1936 
 
 Children of Life. 
 
 thes byn) callyd* fe chyldyren of* lyfe. 
 
 
 leaf 139, back] 
 
 On)-to fe wyche blysse bryng* both yow and me, 
 that for vs dyyd* on) fe rode tre. ameii. 
 
 T939 
 
 The King and 
 Queen kneel 
 down before 
 
 Here xall fe kyng and fe quvene knele doun 
 dicit. 
 
 ; rex 
 
 
 [The King of Marcylle.] 
 
 
 Mary Magdalene 
 and hail her as 
 their help 
 
 Heyll be fou, mary ! ower lord is with the ! 194*2 
 
 the helth of* ower sowllt'^ and repast cowtewplatyff ! 
 
 
 Heyll, tabyrnakyll of* f e blyssyd' trenite ! 
 
 Heyll, covnfortabyll sokor* for ma/z and wyff* ! 
 
 1943 
 
 
 Regina. 
 
 
 and the saver of 
 the Queen and 
 her boy. 
 
 Heyll fou chosyn) and chast of* wozamen alon) ! 
 it passyt my wett to tell fi nobyllnesse ! 
 
 1944 
 
 
 fou relevyst me and my chyld on) fe rokke of ston). 
 
 
 & also savyd? vs be fi hye holynesse. 
 
 1947 
 
 
 Mary. 
 
 
 Mary welcomes 
 them, 
 
 welcuzn horn), prynse and prynsses bothe ! 
 welcuw horn), yong prynsse of* d?e\v and ryth ! 
 
 00 
 
 
 welcuoz horn) to your own) erytage with-owt othe, 
 and' to alle yower pepyll present In syth ! 
 
 ^ 9 .H 
 
 and says they 
 have become 
 God’s own 
 knights. 
 
 now ar 30 be-cu;« godded own) knygth, 
 for sowle helth salve ded 30 seche. 
 
 In horn) fe holy gost hath take resedens. 
 
 1952 
 
 
 & drevyn) a-syde all fe desepcyon) of wreche j 
 & now have 30 a knowle[ge] of* fe sentens. 
 
 How 30 xall coni) on)-to grace. 
 
 1935 
 
 She gives the 
 King back his 
 
 but now In yower gode^ a -3011) I do yow sese ; 
 
 
 goods. 
 
 [leaf 140] 
 
 I trost I have govemyd? fern) to yower hertej ese ; 
 
 1959 
 
MARY MAGDALENE. PART II. SCENE 46. 
 
 now woll I labor forth, god? to plese, i960 
 
 more gostly strenkth me to purchase. 
 
 rex. 
 
 O, blyssyd' mary, to coiwprehend, 1962 
 
 Ower swete sokor, on) vs have pete ! 
 
 regina. 
 
 To departe from) vs why shovld? 30 pretende ? 
 
 O blyssyd lady, putt vs nat to fat poverte ! ^ 9^5 
 
 Mary. 
 
 Of yow and yowers I wyll have rememberavns, 1966 
 
 & dayly [y]ower bede womaa for to be, 
 
 fat alle wyckydnesse from) yow may have deleveraws. 
 
 In quiet and rest* fat leve may 30. 1969 
 
 rex. 
 
 now tnarane, yower puef blyssyng' gravnt vs tylle ! 
 
 mari. 
 
 The blyssyn) of god mott yow fulfyll ! 197 ^ 
 
 ille VOS benedicatt, qui sene^ tine vivif et regnat ! 
 
 Her goth, mary In-to fe wyldyrnesse, and pus 
 seyyng Rex. 
 
 B.ex. 
 
 A ! we may syyn) and wepyn) also, ^973 
 
 fat we have for-gon) fis lady fre 5 
 
 it brynggytt my hart In care and woo, 
 
 fe whech ower gydde and governor shovld? a be. 1976 
 
 Regina. 
 
 fat doth perswade all my ble, • ^97 7 
 
 fat swete sypresse fat she wold so ; 
 
 In me restytt neyther game nor gle, 
 
 that she wold from) owere presens goo. 1980 
 
 Rex. 
 
 now of hyr goyng^ I am) nothyng glad, 1981 
 
 But my londdei to gyddyn I mvst a-plye : 
 
 [* for sine.] 
 
 DIGBY MY ST. K 
 
 129 
 
 Mary Magdalene 
 
 is askt by the 
 King and Queen 
 
 not to leave 
 them. 
 
 She promises to 
 pray for them ; 
 
 she blesses 
 them. 
 
 and then goes 
 into the Wilder* 
 ness. 
 
 The King and 
 Queen of 
 Marcylle weep 
 at Mary’s going. 
 
 [leaf 140, back] 
 
 The King 
 resolves to guide 
 his folk. 
 
130 
 
 MARY MAGDALENE. PART II. SCENES 46 AND 47 . 
 
 The King of 
 Marcylle will 
 build churches, 
 
 Lyke as saiicte peter me badde, 
 
 Chyrchys In cetyys I woll edyfye, 19S4 
 
 & who-so a-jens ower feyth woll replye, 
 punish heretics, I -woll ponysch [sjwych personnM -with perplyxcyon); 
 
 Mahond* and hw lawys I defye. 1987 
 
 A ! hys pryde owt of* my love xall have polucyoTi, 
 
 & holle on)-to leyu I me be-take. tpSp 
 
 and give him* 
 self wholly to 
 Jesus. 
 
 Part] I. Scene 
 The Wilderness. 
 
 \_Part II. Scene 46.] 
 
 Mari In herimo. 
 
 In fis deserte abydyn) wyll wee ; 
 
 My sowle from) synne for to save, 
 
 Maiy Magdalene I wyll ever abyte me with humelyte, 
 
 resolves to live 
 
 in humility, & pat me In pacyens, my lord for to love ; 
 
 and charity, 
 
 and abstinence. In charyte my werkey I woll grave, 
 
 Audi In abstynens all dayys of* my lyfe. 
 
 Thus my cowcyens of* me doth crave 5 
 than why shold I wit^ my cowsyens st[r]yfte? 
 
 & ferdar-more I wyll leven) In charyte, 
 at )ie reverens of* ower blyssyd! lady. 
 
 In goodnesse to be lyberall, my sowle to edyfye ; 
 of* wordly fodei I wyll leve all refectyon) 
 
 feeding only on 
 
 food from Be be fode bat cowmyt from) heven) on) hye. 
 
 heaven. ^ 
 
 [leaf ui] thatt god wyll me send^, be co/nemplatytf. 
 
 1990 
 
 1993 
 
 1996 
 
 1997 
 
 2000 
 
 2003 
 
 Fanji. Scene 47 . [Tarf II. Scene 47-^] 
 
 Heaven. 
 
 lejas. 
 
 O ! swettnesse of* prayors sent orO-to me, 2004 
 
 fro my wel-belovyd' frynd witA-owt waryovns ! 
 with gostly fode relevyd xall she be. 
 
 Jesus bids angel le.< ! In-to Jie clowdej ye do hyr havns ; 2007 
 
 Angels draw 
 
 Mary up into ber fede with mainia to hyr systynovnsj 
 the clouds, 
 
 and there feed with loy of* angyllcj fls lett hur receyve; 
 her with manna. 
 
 Byd hur In loye with all hur afyawns, 2010 
 
 for tynddej frawd xall hur now deseyve. 2011 
 
 1 The upper stage of the Pageant- Waggon. No doubt a cur- 
 tain was drawn before Mary on the lower stage. 
 
MARY MAGDALENE. PART II. SCENE 48 . 
 
 angeLw. 
 
 O fou redulent rose jjat of* a vergyn) sprong ! ^ 
 
 O jiou precyu^ palme of wytory ! 
 
 O jjou osanna, angelle^ song* ! 2014 
 
 O precyui gewime born of ower lady ! 
 
 lord, J)i commav[n]ddement we obbey lowly. 
 
 to Jii servant pal Jiou hast gravntyd blysse, 2017 
 
 we angelle^ all obeyyn) devowtly; 
 
 we woll desend* to Jien wyldernesse. 2019 
 
 [PART II. Scene 48.] 
 
 Here xall to angylles desend In-to wyldyrnesse ; 
 and other to xall bryng an oble, opynly aperyng 
 a-loft In l^e clowddes ; pe to be-netbyn xall bryng 
 mari, and she xall receyve J^e bred, and pan go 
 
 a-^en In-to wyldyrnesse. 
 
 ij"^ angelw^. 
 
 Mari, god gretyt pe with hevenly Influens, 2020 
 
 He hath sent pe grace with hevenly synys 5 
 jjou xall byn) onoryd with loye and reverens, 
 
 In-hansyd In heven) above wergynnej. 2023 
 
 J)ou hast byggyd* j)e here among* spynys, 2024 
 
 god woll send fe fode be revelacyoh) ; 
 
 {)ou xall be receyvyd In-to fe clowdde^, 
 gostly fode to reseyve to p\ savacyon). 2027 
 
 Mari. 
 
 fiat voluntas tua In heven) and erth ! 2028 
 
 now am) I full of loye and blysse ; 
 lavd and preyse to pat blyssyd byrth ! 
 
 I am) redy, as hie blyssyd wyll isse. 203 1 
 
 Her xall she be balsyd with angelles witA 
 reverent song. 
 
 Asumpta est maria in rmhibus ; cell gavdent, 
 
 Angeli lavdantes feliu;« Dei ; et ddcit mari ; 
 
 O })ou lord of lordde^, of hye domenacyon) * 2032 
 
 In hewen) and erth worsheppyd be jii name. 
 
 [* MS. sporiig.] 
 
 131 
 
 The Angels 
 praise Mary 
 J^fagdalene, 
 
 and say they’ll 
 obey Christ’s 
 best. 
 
 Part II. Scene 48. 
 The Wilderness; 
 then the Clouds. 
 
 An angel tells 
 Mary that 
 
 [leaf 142, back] 
 
 she shall be 
 taken up into 
 the clouds and 
 fed there. 
 
 The angels draw 
 her up into the 
 clouds, 
 
 and she praises 
 and thanks 
 Jesus. 
 
 K 2 
 
132 
 
 MAKY MAGDALENE. PART 11. SCENE 49 . 
 
 
 How Jlou devydjst me from) hovngud and wexacyow, 
 
 O glorym lord. In ]>e is no fravddes’ nor no defame ! 
 but I xuld! serve my lord*, I wed to blame, 2036 
 
 wych fullfyllyt me with so gret felicete, 
 with melody of* angylle^ shewit me gle and game, 
 
 & have fed me witA fode of most delycyte. 2039 
 
 Part 11. Scmt 49. 
 The Wilderness. 
 
 [PJRT II. Scene 49.] 
 
 
 Her xall speke an holy prest in f^e same wyldyr- 
 nesse fjtta seyyng fe prest. 
 
 
 [The holy Prest.] 
 
 A Priest begs 
 Jesus, by his 
 
 7 names, 
 
 0 lord of lordde^ ! what may jiis be ? 2040 
 
 so gret mesteryys shewyd* from) heven), 
 with grett myrtb and melody. 
 
 [leaf 143] 
 
 with angylle^ brygth as fe lewyn). 2043 
 
 to let him see 
 !RIary Mag- 
 dalene. 
 
 Lord lem, for jii namys sewynne, 
 
 as gravnt^ me grace Jiat person) to se. 2045 
 
 
 Her he xal go in pe wyldyrnesse and spye mari 
 in hyr devocyon, {jms se3ryng [je prest. 
 
 He goes near, 
 sees her, greets 
 her, 
 
 Heyl, creature, cryste^ delecceon)! 2046 
 
 Heyl, swetfer Jian sugur or cypresse ! 
 
 Mary is fi name be ang}'lle^ relacyon), 
 
 grett art fou with god for jii perfythnesse. 2049 
 
 Jie loye of lermallem shewyd J)e expresse, 
 pe wych I never save })is xxx wynter and more ; 
 wherfor I know well J>ou art of gret perfy[i]nesse. 
 
 and asks her 
 about her Lord. 
 
 I woll pray yow hartely to she[w] me of yower lore?. 
 
 
 mari. 
 
 Mary says she’s 
 livd 30 years in 
 her cell. 
 
 Be Jie grace cf my lord* itsus, 2054 
 
 ):is xxx wynter })is hath byn) my selle,^ 
 
 has been raisd 
 up to heaven 
 thrice a day. 
 
 k tliryys on fe day enhansyd* ))«s, 
 
 with more loy fan) ony tong can telle. 2057 
 
 never creature cam) fer I dwelle. 
 
 
 [* IMS. gi-vant.] 
 
 ^ This beats Shakspere’s growing bnbies into the marriageable 
 
 Marina and Perdita in the course of Ferides and Cymbdine. 
 
MARY MAGDALENE. PART II. SCENE 60. 
 
 tyme nor tyde, day nor* nyth, 
 pat I can) 'with spece telle. 
 
 
 But a-lonly with goddes angylle^ brygth. 
 
 2061 
 
 But pou art wolcu?re on)-to my syth 
 yf* pou be of good coraversacyon) j 
 as I thynk In my delyth. 
 
 2062 
 
 Thow sholddyst be a maa of devocyon). 
 
 prest. 
 
 -065 
 
 In crystys lav, I am) sacryed* a pryst, 
 mynystryyd? be angela^ at my masse. 
 
 I sakor pe body of ower lord lem cryst. 
 
 2066 
 
 & be pat holy ma?zna I leve In sowthfastnesse. 2069 
 
 Mari. 
 
 now I rejoyse of jower goodnesse. 
 
 But tyme is comme pat I xall asende. 
 
 pryst. 
 
 I recu/Hinend! me with all vmbylnesse. 
 
 20/0 
 
 On)-to my sell I woll pretenc?. 
 
 2073 
 
 Her xall l>e prest go to li?:s selle, 
 lesus. 
 
 [PART II. Scene 50.] 
 
 jiica seyyng 
 
 leras. 
 
 
 now xall mary have possession), 
 be ryth enirytawKs a crown) to here j 
 she xall be fett to everlastyng^ savacyow. 
 
 2074 
 
 In loye to dwell witA-owtyn) fere. 
 
 2077 
 
 now, angela^, lythly pat 30 wed ther ! 
 On)-to pe pryste^ sell a-pere pis tyde ; 
 my body In forme of bred pat he here. 
 
 0 
 
 CO 
 
 Hur for to hossell, byd hym) provyde. 
 
 3“ angela^. 
 
 208 I 
 
 0 blyssyd* lord ! we be redy, 
 
 yower massage to do wit/i-owtyn) treson). 
 
 angellaj. 
 
 to hyr I wyll goo and make reportur. 
 
 2082 
 
 how she xall com) to yower habytacyow. 
 
 2085 
 
 133 
 
 and held con- 
 verse with none 
 but God’s 
 angels. 
 
 [leaf 143, back] 
 
 The Priest says 
 that he conse- 
 crates Christ’s 
 body, 
 
 and lives on it. 
 
 He goes back to 
 his Cell. 
 
 Part 11. -Scene 50. 
 Heaven. 
 
 Jesus says that 
 Mary shall dwell 
 in joy. 
 
 He bids the 
 angels tell the 
 Priest to go and 
 housel her. 
 
1,34 MARY MAGDALENE. PART II. SCENES 61 AND 62. 
 
 
 Part IT. Scene bl. 
 The Wildei'Tiess ; 
 
 IMPART II. Scene 51.] 
 
 
 the Priest’s Cell. 
 
 Here xall ij angylles go to mary and to >e prest, 
 
 
 pus seyyng >e angelles to pe prest. 
 
 
 
 [angels.] 
 
 
 The angels bid 
 the Priest take 
 
 ser pryst, god cu7wmav[n]dytt from) heven) region), 2086 
 
 the Last Sacra- 
 ment to Mary. 
 
 3e xall go hosyll hw servont expresse. 
 
 
 [leaf 144] 
 
 And we with yow xall take mynystracyon). 
 
 
 They’ll bear 
 lights before it. 
 
 to here lyth be-fore hw body of* worthynesse. 
 
 2089 
 
 
 pryst. 
 
 
 
 angylles, wilh all vmbyllnesse. 
 
 In a westment I wyll me aray, 
 
 2090 
 
 
 to mynystyr my lord* of gret hynes.se, 
 straytt \)er-io I take jie way. 
 
 2093 
 
 Part II. Scene 52. 
 The Wildc'i'ness : 
 
 \_PART 11 . Scene 52.] 
 
 
 Mary’s Cell. 
 Then, Heaven. 
 
 ij““ angeh/5 In herimo. 
 
 
 
 Mary, be glad, and In hart strong*, 
 to resey ve Jie palme of* grett w'ytory ; 
 
 2094 
 
 An Angel tells 
 
 fis day 30 xall be reseyvyd wit A angellei' song*j 
 
 
 coming death. 
 
 yower sowle xall departe from) yower body. 
 
 2097 
 
 
 mari. 
 
 
 
 A ! good lord, I thank J)e w'it^-owt weryawns, 
 [iis day I am) grovndyd all In goodnesse, 
 with hart and body conclvdyd In substawns ; 
 
 2098 
 
 
 I thanke Jje lord with speryt of* perfythnesse. 
 
 2101 
 
 Another appears 
 
 Hie aparuit angeliis et presbiter cum 
 
 corptfs 
 
 with the J^'iest, 
 
 domenicuira. 
 
 
 \_Preshiter.'] 
 
 
 
 jiou blyssyd woma«, invre In mekenesse. 
 
 2 102 
 
 and the Bread 
 of Life for Mary. 
 
 I have browth Jie jte bred of lyf to J)i syth, 
 to make fe suer* from) all dvstresse. 
 
 
 
 jji sowle to bryng* .0 eueilastyng* lyth. 
 
 2105 
 
 
 Mari. 
 
 
 
 0 Jtou mythty lord of hye mageste. 
 
 2106 
 
 She takes it, 
 
 Jiis celestyall bred for to determyn), 
 thys tyme to reseyve it In me. 
 
 
 [leaf 144, back] 
 
 Her she reseyvyt it. 
 
MARY MAGDALENE. PART II. SCENE 52. 
 
 my sowle ferwitA to illumyn), 2109 
 
 I thank ]>e lord of ardent love. 2110 
 
 now I know well I xall nat opprese. 
 
 Lord*, lett me se J)i loyys above ! 
 
 I recuTwdmend my sowle on)-to jii blysse. 2113 
 
 Lord, opyn) J>i blyssyd! gate^ ! 2114 
 
 thys erth at thys tyme ferven[t]ly I kysse. 
 
 In manwj tuas, Domine — 
 
 Lord, -with J)i grace me wysse ! — 2117 
 
 Co/ramendo spiri^wm meuiw ! redemisti me, 
 
 Domine Devs veritatis ! 2119 
 
 j“* angeLis. 
 
 now resey ve we Jiis sowle, as reson) is, 2 1 20 
 
 In heven) to dwelle vs a-mong*. 
 
 ij'" angeltti. 
 
 wit^-owtyrD end* to be in blysse. 
 
 now lett vs syng* a mery song*. 2123 
 
 gavdent In celis.i 
 
 pryst. 
 
 O! good god ! grett is })i grace; 2124 
 
 O lem ! lem ! blessyd* be |3i name ; 
 
 A ! mary ! mary ! mych is jii solas. 
 
 In heven) blysse wit^ gle and name; 2127 
 
 p\ body wyl I cure from) alle maner blame, 2128 
 
 & I wyll passe to ]ie bosshop of* pe sete, 
 
 thys body of* mary to berye be name, 
 
 with alle reverens and solemnyte. 2131 
 
 sufferens of* fis processe, thus enddyt Jie sentens 2132 
 that we have play3'd* In yower syth. 
 
 Alle-mythty god, most of* magnyfycens, 
 mote bryng* yow to hw blysse so brygth. 
 
 In presens of* pat kyng* ! — 2136 
 
 now, frende^, thus endyt thys matef, — 2137 
 
 * ? Draw the curtain from the upper stage of the Pageant- 
 Waggon, and all join in the Finale with the two (or three) Angels 
 and Priest below. Or, ought a last Scene to begin with 1. 21 -U ? 
 
 
 and thanks God. 
 
 She commends 
 her soul to Him, 
 prays Him to 
 open heaven to 
 her : 
 
 He has redeerad 
 her. 
 
 The 2 Angels 
 
 and the folk in 
 lieaven sing a 
 glad song over 
 Mary’s bliss. 
 
 The Priest 
 rejoices over 
 Mary’s end. 
 
 and says he’ll 
 get the Bishop 
 to bury her body 
 reverently. 
 
 [leaf 145] 
 Our Play is 
 done. 
 
 May God bring 
 you all to bliss I 
 
135 MARY MAGDALENE. PART II. SCENE 62 AND EPILOGUE. 
 
 to blysse bryng* Jio Jjat byri) here ! 
 
 Let's sing the now, clerkys with woycvs cler, 
 
 ‘TeDeum,’ ^ J J > 
 
 Te DeuTK lavdamw^ lett vs syng'. 2140 
 
 The Play ends. Explycit oreginale de sancta Maria magdalena. 
 Epilogue. yff Ony thyng* Amysse be, 2141 
 
 blame coimyng*, and nat me ; 
 
 I desyer pe redars to be my fryncJ, 
 
 yff per be ony amysse, pat to amend!. 2144 
 
137 
 
 MORALITY 
 WHO IS 
 
 OF WISDOM, 
 CHRIST. 
 
 {Imperfect ; ly a fresh and later hand, introducing the Holborn 
 Quest, and having no East-Midland xal, Ss* c.) 
 
 How Lucifer tempts the Mind, Will, and Understanding 
 of Man to sin. 
 
 In 8-lme stanzas ; Scene I, alab-lclc-, Scenes II, III, and IV (what’s 
 left of it), aaal-aaah. Some stanzas are ryme-linkt with their 
 followers, as ahah-lcbc — cdcd-dede. 
 
138 
 
 [THE NAMES OF THE PLAYERS.] 
 
 [Wysdam of Christ, p. 139. 
 Anima, or the Soul, p. 140. 
 Anima’s Five Wyttes, as Five 
 Vergynes, p. 145. 
 
 The 3 Powers of every Christian 
 Soul : — 
 
 Mynde, p. J45, 18 1, 189. 
 Wylie, p. 145, 1 81, r90. 
 Vnderstondyng, p. 145, 181, 
 189. 
 
 Lucyfer, p. 179. 
 
 A shrewed Boy, p. 189. 
 
 Mind’s 6 Retainers : Indignacion, 
 Sturdynesse, Malyce, Hasty- 
 nesse,Wreche, Discorde, p. 197. 
 
 Understanding’s 6 J urors : Wrong, 
 Sleight, Doblenesse, Falsehed, 
 Ravyne, Disceyte, p. 199. 
 
 Will’s 6 Women ; 3 disguisd as 
 Gallants, and 3 as Matrons, 
 
 p. 200.] 
 
 [The rest, wanting.'] 
 
A MORALITY OF WISDOM. SCENE 1 . 
 
 139 
 
 [A MORALITY OF WISDOM, 
 WHO IS CHRIST.] 
 
 [Scene i.] 
 
 M[yl es] B[lomefylcle]. 
 
 ffyrst entreth' Wysdam in a ryche pwrpyll cloth of Scene i. 
 gold, viith a mantyll of the same ermyned within, 
 havyng a-bought his nek a ryall hood furred 
 with ermyn. vpon his hed a cheveler with browes, 
 a berd of gold of Sypres curled. A ryche Imperiall 
 crowne ther-vpon, set with riche Stonys and 
 perlys. In his left hand a ball of gold with a 
 crosse ]>er-vpon, And in his right hond A regall 
 Sceptre, \>us seyng. 
 
 [lFy.<!dam.~\ 
 
 If* ye wyH wete the pi'opyrte. 
 
 And the resoun of my name Imp[er]iaH, 
 I am clepyd* of hem that in erthe be, 
 euerlastyng wysdom) to my nobley egali, 
 Wiche name accordith best in especiaH, 
 
 Enter Wisdom. 
 
 I 
 
 My name is 
 Everlasting 
 4 Wisdom. 
 
 and most to me is conuenyent. 
 
 AH-though eche person) of the trinite be wysdam Tho’ it exists in 
 
 each person of 
 
 eternan, the Trinity^ 
 
 and aH thre ' on / euerlastyng wysdam to-gedyr present. 
 
 Neuertheles, for-Asmoche as wysdom is propyrly 
 Applied* to the son) be reson). 
 
 And also it fallith to hym specially 
 be-cause of his highest generacion j 
 therfor the belouyd* son) hath this signyficacion, 
 Customably Wysdam) / now god*, now man). 
 
 9 
 
 yet it's specially 
 applied to the 
 1 2 Son, who is 
 both God and 
 1 2 Man. 
 
 * The crost h and 11, and tagd d*, f, n), are not raarkt 
 in this clarendon type. 
 
1^0 
 
 The Soul kneels 
 to Wisdom, 
 
 and says she‘s 
 desird him for 
 her Lover, 
 
 [leaf 158, back] 
 
 and lovd him as 
 her Light. 
 
 Wisdom says he 
 is brighter than 
 the sun and 
 stars, 
 
 and is the image 
 of God, 
 
 length of years 
 is on his right 
 side ; 
 
 and on his left, 
 riches and joy. 
 
 A MORALITY OF WISDOM. SCENE 1. 
 
 Spowse of* the chirche and verray patron), 
 
 Wyfe of eche chose sowle : thus wysdam be-gan). i 6 
 
 Here entreth ' Anima. as a mayde in a whight 
 cloth, of gold, gy[n]tely purfyled v/ith menyver, 
 a mantyll of blak, ther-vpon a cheueler lyke to 
 wysdam, with a riche chapetelet lasyd be-hynde, 
 hangyng down with .ij. knottes of gold and syde 
 tasselys, knelyng down to wysdam, \ius seyng. 
 
 [Anima.] 
 
 Hanc amaui et exquisiui, ~ 17 
 
 fro my yougthe this haue I sought, 
 
 To haue to my spouse most specially j 
 
 for a louer of your shappe am I wrought, 20 
 
 A-bove aH hele and bewte that eu(?r was sought. 
 
 I haue louyd' wysdam as for my light, 
 for aH goodnesse with hym he brought, 
 
 In Wysdam I was made aH bewte bright j 24 
 
 Of your name the high felicite, 25 
 
 no creature knowith futt exposicion). 
 
 Wysdam. 
 
 Sapiencia specialior est sole ; 
 
 I am founden) light witA-out co[m]pa?-ison), 28 
 
 Of sterrys a-bove aH the disposicion, 
 for-sothe of light the very brightnesse, 
 
 Merouf of the devjme domynacion. 
 
 And the Image of his goodnesse. 32 
 
 Wysdam is better than aH wordly precio[s]nesse ; 33 
 
 And aH that may desyred* be 
 
 Is not in comparison) to my lykenesse : 
 
 the lengthe of the yerei in my right syde be, 36 
 
 And in my lefte syde • richesse, ioye, and prosperite. 
 
 lo ! this is the worthynesse of my name. 
 
 Anima. 
 
 A ! Souereyn) Wysdam ! if yoar benygnyte 
 
 wold! Speke of love, that were a game. 40 
 
 1 The crost h and H, and tagd d!, k*. u), are not markt 
 in this clarendon type. 
 
A MORALITY OF WISDOM. SCENE 1. 
 
 Wysdam. 
 
 Of* my love to Speke it is myrable : 41 
 
 be-holde now, Sovle, with ioyfuH mynde, 
 how lonely I am, how amyable, 
 
 to be halsyd! and kyss'edf of mankyude. 44 
 
 To ali dene Sovles I am fuH hende. 
 
 And euer present wher’ that thei be. 
 
 I love the louere5 wjtA-outyn) ende, 
 
 that thef lone have stedfast in me. 48 
 
 the prerogatyve of my love is so grett, 49 
 
 that who tast therof the lest droppe, suf 
 
 aH luster and lykenge 5 wordely shall lete j 
 
 thei shall seme tyH hym filthe and orduf. 52 
 
 thei that of the hevy burthen) of Synne hath cure. 
 
 My love dischargeth and purifieth dene ; 
 
 It strengtheth the mende, the sovle makith pure, 
 
 and yevyth wysdam to hem that perfight bene. 56 
 
 who takith me to spowse, may veryly wene, — - 57 
 
 if a-bove aH thyng he^ lone me specially, — 
 
 that rest and tranquyllite he shall sene, 
 
 and dey in Sekyrnesse of ioye perpetuaH. 60 
 
 The hey loue of my worthynesse of my love, 
 
 Angelt nor man) can tell playnly ; 
 
 it may be felt in experience from a-bove, 
 
 but not spoke ne told' as it is veryly, 64 
 
 the godly love, no creature can specyfie. 
 
 What wrech is, that louyth not this love, 
 
 that louyth his loners euer so tenderlye, 
 
 that his Sight from them neuer kan) remove. 68 
 
 Aniwa. 
 
 O Worthy Spouse, and Souereyne fayf! 69 
 
 O swete amyke, our* Ioye, our* blisse ! 
 to your love who doth repeyef, 
 
 AH: felicite in that creatur’ is; 72 
 
 What may I yeve you a-geyn) for this, 
 
 O creatowr, louef of your creatur* ? 
 
 141 
 
 Wisdom speaks 
 of his Love : 
 
 He is gracious to 
 all pure souls. 
 
 The least drop of 
 his love makes 
 folk quit sin. 
 
 [leaf 159] 
 
 They who wed 
 him shall have 
 perpetual joy. 
 [1 MS. yel 
 
 What wretch 
 exists that 
 doesn’t love this 
 enduring Love ? 
 
 What return can 
 man make for 
 this love ? 
 
142 
 
 A MORALITY OF WISDOM. SCENE 1. 
 
 though be our* freelte we do a-mys, 
 
 
 
 Yoi^r gret mercy euer sparith reddur’, 
 
 76 
 
 
 a ! Souereyn) Wysdam ! sa;?c<us sanctorum ! 
 
 What I may I yeve to your most plesaunce ? 
 
 Wysdam. 
 
 77 
 
 Wisdom asks 
 
 ffili ! prebe michi cor tuum ! 
 
 
 for Soul’s heart 
 
 and obedience, 
 
 I aske not ellys of* all this Substaunce, 
 thi dene hert, thi meke obeisaunce ; 
 yeve me that, and I am content. 
 
 A«iwa. 
 
 A ! Soueryeii) loy, myn herte^ affiaunce ! 
 
 80 
 
 
 The fervoui’’ of* my love to you I represente ; 
 
 8^ 
 
 [leaf 159, back] 
 
 that mekith my herte, your loue so feruent : 
 Teche me the Scolys of* your devenyte. 
 
 Wysdam. 
 
 desire not to sauowr in cu^nynge^ to excellent. 
 
 85 
 
 conformity of 
 
 But drede and co^forme vo«r wiB to me. 
 
 88 
 
 her will to his. 
 
 
 ffor it is the helefuH discyplyne that in wysdam may be : 
 
 The drede of^ god?, that is begynnyng^j 
 
 
 the Wedys of* Synne it makith to flee. 
 
 « 
 
 
 And swete vertuose herbis in the Soule spryng. 
 
 Awiwa. 
 
 92 
 
 She can know 
 him 
 
 0 endeles wysdam ! how may I haue knowyng 
 of thi godhed! in-comp?-ehensible ? 
 
 Wysdam. 
 
 9.3 
 
 by knowing 
 herself. 
 
 by knowyng of yo«r-Selff, ye may haue felyng, 
 
 
 What god! is in your Soule Sensyble ; 
 the more knowyng of yoi/r-Selff passible, 
 the more verily ye shall god! knowe. 
 
 A«i/«a. 
 
 96 
 
 The Soul (of 
 
 Man) 
 
 0 Souereyn) Auctouf most credible ! 
 
 
 your lesson) I attende as I owe, 
 
 too 
 
 asks what a 
 
 1 that represent hefl / the soule of man). 
 
 lOI 
 
 soul is. 
 
 What is a soule, \\ yll ye declare ? 
 
 
A MORALITY OF WISDOM. SCENE 
 
 1. 
 
 143 
 
 Wysdaro). 
 
 
 
 It is the ytnage of* god! that ail by-gan). 
 
 And not only ymage, but his lykenesse ye Are. 
 
 104 
 
 Man's Soul is 
 the Image of 
 
 God, 
 
 of* AH creatures the fayrest ye ware, 
 
 In-to the tyme of* Adamys offence. 
 
 
 
 Anima. 
 
 
 
 lord, syth we, thi soules, that nought were thare, 
 Why of* the fyrst man) bey we the violence ? 
 
 108 
 
 and inherits 
 
 Adam’s 
 
 punishment 
 
 Wysdam. 
 
 
 
 ffor eucry creatud that hath ben or shall 
 
 Was in nature of* the first man, Adam. 
 
 109 
 
 because it’s of 
 
 Adam’s nature. 
 
 of* hym takyng the fylthe of* synne orygynaH, 
 for of* hym aH creatures cam. 
 than) be hym, of* reason) ye haue blame, 
 and be made the brondes of* helle. 
 
 1 12 
 
 a brand of hell. 
 
 when ye be bore first of* your* dame j 
 ye may in no wyse in hevyn) dwelle. 
 
 116 
 
 [leaf 160] 
 
 for ye be disfygured* be hys synne, 
 
 and dampnyd! to derkenesse from godded sight. 
 
 
 and damnd to 
 darkness. 
 
 Arnina. 
 
 
 
 How doth grace than) A-geyn) be-gynne ? 
 
 
 It’s re-formd 
 
 What reformyth the sovle to his first light ^ 
 
 120 
 
 by Wisdom, 
 
 Wysdam. 
 
 
 
 Wysdam, that was god! and man right. 
 
 Made a full Seth to the fader of* hevyn), 
 
 121 
 
 who made full 
 satisfaction to 
 
 God. 
 
 by the dredfuH deth to hym was dight, 
 
 of* wiche deth spronge the sacramente^ sevyn)j 
 
 124 
 
 From his death 
 sprang the 7 
 
 Sacraments. 
 
 Wiche sacramentej, aH synne wasshe a-wey. 
 ffyrst, baptem clensyth synne orygynaH, 
 
 And reformeth the soule in feiih verray 
 
 
 1. Baptism, 
 which cleanses 
 the soul. 
 
 to the glorious lykenesse of* god* eternaH, 
 
 And makiih it as fayer and as celestiail 
 
 As it neuer diffowled! had be. 
 
 128 
 
 
144 
 
 In a Soul 
 are 2 parts , 
 
 1. Sensuality or 
 fleshly feeling, 
 which the 5 
 Wits servo. 
 
 2. Reason, 
 the image of 
 God, 
 
 by which God 
 knows who 
 serve him ; 
 
 [leaf 100, back] 
 and man knows 
 what things to 
 use. 
 
 These 2 parts 
 of the Soul 
 typify black and 
 white dress. 
 
 Every soul is 
 Black from sin, 
 
 and White by 
 reason ; 
 
 and is both foul 
 and fair. 
 
 A MORALITY OF WISDOM. SCENE 1. 
 
 And is cristes owne speciall. 
 
 His restyng place, his plesaunt see. 132 
 
 Kramz. 
 
 In A soule, what thynges be, 133 
 
 By wiche he hath his very knowyng ? 
 
 Wysdam. 
 
 tweyu) parties : the on) is the sensualite, 
 
 wiche is clepyd* the flesshly felyagj 136 
 
 The .V. outward* wittys to hym be scruyng ; 
 
 Whan thei be not rulyd ordynatly, 
 
 the sensualite than) witA-out lesyng 
 
 is made the ymage of synne, then) of his foly. 140 
 
 That other parte, that is clepyd reson). 
 
 And that is the ymage of god propyrly, 
 
 ffor by that • the soule of god hath cognycion, 
 
 and be that hym seruyth and louyth duly ; 144 
 
 Be the nether parte of reason he knoweth discretly, 
 
 AH erthely thynges how thei shalbe vsyd. 
 
 What Sutiysith to his myghtys bodyly. 
 
 And what nedith not to be refusyd. 148 
 
 These tweyne do signyfie 149 
 
 Yoar disgysyng And your Araye, 
 
 Blak* and Whyte, fowle and fayr verylye ; 
 
 euery soule here / this is no naye ; 132 
 
 blak*, by steryng of synne that comyth al day, 
 
 Wiche felyng comyth of sensualite ; 
 
 And White, be knowyng of reson) verray, 
 
 of the blissed infinite deite. 156 
 
 Thus a soule is both fi'owle and fayf j 137 
 
 ftbwle as a best, be felyng of synne, 
 
 ffayr as aungeil of hevyiD the hayr, 
 
 by knowyng* of god, by hys reson) wit^inne. 160 
 
 Aai/na. 
 
 Than may I sey thus, and begynne, i6j 
 
 with .V. prudent virgynes of my Reme, 
 
A MORALITY OF WISDOM. SCENE 1. 
 
 tho be the .v. wyttys of* my soule witA-inne, 
 
 'Nigra sum, et formosa filia Jerusalem.’ 164 
 
 Here entreth v. virgymes in white kertelys and 
 mantelys, vrith chevelers and chapeljiites, and 
 Syng ‘ Nigra su;«, sed formosa filia ierusalem, sicut 
 tabernac2<la cedar, et sicut pelles salomonis.’ 
 
 Anima. 
 
 The doughters of* ler^^alem me not lak*, 165 
 
 for this dyrke shadowe I here of* humanyte. 
 
 That as the tabernacle of* Cedar*, witA-out, it is blak*, 
 and wit^-Inne, as the skynne of* Salomon) full of* bewte. 
 
 ‘ Quod fusca sum, nolite considerare me, 169 
 
 quia decolorauit me sol louis.’ 
 
 Wysdam. 
 
 Thus aH the soules that in this lyve be, 
 
 stondyng in grace be lyke to this. 172 
 
 A, quinq^e prudentes ! your witter fyve, 173 
 
 Kepe you dene, and ye shall neuer deface, 
 
 ye goddcj ymage [n]euer shall r}'ve, 
 
 ffor the dene soule is godded restyng place j 1 76 
 
 Thre myghte^, euery cristen) soule base, 
 
 Whiche beth applyeth to the trynyte. 
 
 Mynde. 
 
 AH thre here lo •/ by-fore your face. 
 
 Mynde. 
 
 Wylie. 
 
 Wylie. 
 
 Vnderstondyng. 
 
 and vnderstondyng, we thre. 180 
 
 Wysdam. 
 
 ye thre declare thanne this, 18 r 
 
 your* signyficacion and your propyrte. 
 
 Mende. 
 
 I am mende, that in the soule is, 
 
 the very figure of* the deite. 1 84 
 
 DIGBT MYST. L 
 
 Hi 
 
 Five Virgins 
 in white, enter. 
 
 The Soul says 
 she’s dark out- 
 side, hut 
 beautiful 
 within. 
 
 Wisdom exhorts 
 the Five Wits 
 
 to keep pure. 
 
 [leaf 161] 
 
 Every Soul has 
 3 Powers : 
 
 L Mind, 
 
 II. Will, and 
 
 III. Under- 
 standing. 
 
 I. Mind is the 
 image of God. 
 
146 
 
 A MORALITY OF WISDOM. SCENE 1 . 
 
 
 When Mind 
 thinks of God’s 
 gifts to her, 
 
 Whan) in my-selve I haue mynde, and se 
 the benefete^ of' god! And his worthynesse, 
 how hole I was made, how fayr, how fre, 
 how glorious, and how gentyH to his lyknesse, 
 this insight bryngeth to my mynde 
 
 188 
 
 
 What grates I ough to god! a-geyn), [? graces] 
 
 
 that thus hath ordeyned! wit^-outen) ende 
 
 Me in his blisse euer for to reigne j 
 
 192 
 
 her insufficience 
 
 thanne myn insufficiens is to me peyn) 
 that I haue not whef-of to yelde my dette, 
 thynkyng my-selff creatui’’ most veynej 
 
 
 makes her knit 
 her brows for 
 sorrow. 
 
 than) tor sorowe my bren) I knette. 
 
 Whan) in my mynde I bryng to-gedyr 
 
 the yeeres and dayes of my Synfulnesse, 
 
 the vnstabylnesse of my mynde hedyr and thedyr. 
 
 196 
 
 Her falls and 
 frailties have 
 been so horrible, 
 
 Myn) horrible fallynges and freelnesse, 
 my-selff right nought than I confesse. 
 
 200 
 
 
 for be my-selff I may not ryse 
 
 wit/z-out speciaH grace of goddes goodnesse. 
 
 thus mynde makyth me my-self to dispise j 
 
 204 
 
 [leaf 161 , back] 
 that in God 
 only can she 
 find comfort. 
 
 I seke, and fynde no-where comfort, 
 but only in god* my creature j 
 than vn-to hym I do resort. 
 
 205 
 
 
 and say ‘ haue mynde of me my sanyour* ! ’ 
 
 Thus mynde to mynde bryngeth that fauouf j 
 thus be mynde of me, god! I can) knowe j 
 
 208 
 
 
 Good* mynde of god, it is the fygure ; 
 and this mynde to haue, aH cristen) owe. 
 
 212 
 
 
 Wille. 
 
 
 II. Will is the 
 likeness of the 
 Godhead. 
 
 And I of the soule am the AsyUj 
 of the godhed, lyknesse and a tygufj 
 
 213 
 
 
 with good* wyh, no man may spj'H, 
 nor wztA-outen) good wyH, of blis be sure. 
 
 What soule wyH gret mede recur', 
 he must gret wyH haue in thought or dede, 
 
 216 
 
A MORALITY OF WISDOM. SCENE 1. 
 
 147 
 
 V^ertuosly sett with conscience pui-’j 
 ffor in wyH onely, standytH mannys dede. 
 WyH for dede oft is take, 
 therfor the will must wele be disposed?, 
 thanne ther be-gynnyth aH grace to wake, 
 if* it with synne be not Anosed* j 
 rher-for the wyll must be wele apposed?, 
 or that it to the mevyngej yeve consent, 
 the lybrary of* reason) must be vnclosed'. 
 
 And after his domys to take entent. 
 
 Oure wyH in god must be only sett*. 
 
 And for god to do wylfully j 
 
 Whan) good wyll reysyth, god is in vs knetf. 
 
 And he performeth the dede veryly ; 
 
 of* hym comyth aH wyH sett perfightly, 
 
 for of* oud-self* we haue right nought, 
 
 but synne, wrechednesse, and foly 5 
 
 220 
 
 221 Will is oft taken 
 for the deed, and 
 must be well- 
 disposd. 
 
 224 
 
 Before it yields, 
 the Library of 
 Reason must be 
 opend, 
 
 228 and its Dooms 
 acted on. 
 
 229 
 
 232 
 
 All good Will 
 comes from 
 God. 
 
 he is begynnef and grounde of* WyH and thought. 236 
 Than this good wyH seid be-fore 237 
 
 is be-houefuH to eche creatud. 
 
 [leaf 162 ] 
 
 Every one 
 should have it, 
 
 if* he cast hym to restore 
 
 the soule that hath take of* Cure, 240 
 
 Wiche of* god is the fygure. 
 
 As longe as the figure is kept fayd, keep it fair. 
 
 And ordeigned euer to endure 
 
 In blisse, of* wiche is the very hayr. 244 and live iu bliss. 
 
 Vnderstondyng. 
 
 The .iij.^® parte of* the Soule is vndyrstondyng, 245 in. under- 
 
 _ . standing 
 
 fror by vnderstondyng I be-hola what god^ is, enables men to 
 
 see God, 
 
 In hym-selff* begynnyng witA-out begynnyiig,. 
 
 And ende witA-outen) ende, that shaH neuer mys. 248 
 Incomprehensible in hym-sellf* he is, 
 his werke5 in me I can-not cowprehende. 
 
 how shuld I holly hym than) / that wrought aH this ? 25 1 and hallow him. 
 thus by knowyng of me, to knowyng of god I ascende. 
 
 L 2 
 
148 
 
 Understanding 
 explains God's 
 attributes. 
 
 Thro knowing 
 Him, and His 
 love, Under- 
 standing loves 
 [leaf lt)2, backj 
 Him. 
 
 The understand- 
 ing of God, 
 compels men to 
 love Him. 
 
 A MORALITY OF WISDOM. SCENE 1. 
 
 I know in Aungelys he is desiderable, 253 
 
 for hym to be-hold', thei desire souereynly j 
 In his SeyntM most deleitable, 
 
 ffor in hym thei loye assidulyj 236 
 
 In creatures / his Werkes ben most wonderfully, 
 
 ffor ah this is made by his myght, 
 
 bi his wysdam gouernyd / most souereynly, 
 
 and be his benygnyte inspired! ah soules with light. 260 
 
 of ah creatures he is louyd souereyne, 261 
 
 for he is god of eche creature, 
 
 and thei be his people that euer shah reigne. 
 
 In whom he dwellyth as in his temple sure. 264 
 
 When) [ of this knowyng make reporture. 
 
 And se the loue he hath for me wrought. 
 
 It bryngeth me to love / that prince most pure, 
 
 ffor : for loue that lorde made man) of nought. 268 
 
 This is that loue wiche is clepyd charite j 269 
 
 for god is charite, as auctoz^rs telles, 
 
 and who is in charite, in god dwellith he, 
 
 and god that is charite, in hym dwelles. 272 
 
 Thus Vnderstondyng of god compelles 
 
 To come to charite ' than haue his lyknesse, lo. 
 
 Blessed is that soule that this speche spelles, 
 
 Et qui creauit me, requieuit in tabernac«lo meo. 276 
 
 W)'sdam. 
 
 Wisdom shows 
 how the Soul 
 loves God, 
 by its Mind, 
 Will, and 
 Understanding. 
 
 From these 
 come Faith, 
 Hope, 
 
 lo ! these ' thre myghtes in o soule be : 277 
 
 Mynde ' WyH • and Vnderstondyng 5 
 be mynde of god the fadyr, knowyng haue ye; 
 
 Be Vnde[r]stondyng of god the sone, ye haue knowyng , 
 
 by wyll, wiche turnyth in-to loue brenuyng, 281 
 
 god the holy gost that clepyd is love : 
 
 not thre godde,?, but on) god in beyng ; 
 
 thus eche dene soule is simylitude of god A-bove. 284 
 
 Be mynde, feith in the ffader haue we ; 285 
 
 hope in ouf lorde iem, by vnderstondyng ; 
 
A MORALITY OF WISDOM. SCENE 1. 
 
 and be wyH in the holy gost, charite. 287 
 
 lo ! these .iij. princypaH: vertues of' you .iij. sprynge ; 
 thus the dene soule standi th as a kynge. 
 
 And a-bove aH this ye haue fre wyli ; 
 
 of that be Ware by-fore ali thynge, 
 
 tFor if that peruert, ail this doth Spyile. 292 
 
 ye haue .iij. enemyes, — of hem be-ware !— 293 
 
 the worlde, the ffiessh, and the fFende : 
 
 your .V. wytte^, from hem ye spare, 
 
 that the sensualite thei bryng not to mynde. 296 
 
 Nothyng shuld* offende god* in no kyndej 
 
 And if ther do / se that the nether parte of reason) 
 
 In no wyse ther-to leiide, 
 
 than) the oner parte shaH haue fre domynaczon. 300 
 Whan) suggestion) to the mynde doth appere, 
 Vnderstondyng, delyte not the thef-Inne ! 
 
 Consent not, Wyil / ylle lessons to lere ! 
 
 And than) suche sterynge^ be no synne, 304 
 
 thei do but purge the soule whef is suche cowtrauersie. 
 Thus in me, wysdam, your werke^ be-gynne j 
 fFyght, and ye shaH haue the crowne of glorye, 
 that is euerlastyng ioye, to be parteners ther-Inne. 308 
 
 Souereigne lorde, I am bounde to the ; 309 
 
 Whan) I was nought, thu made me thus glorious ; 
 Whan) I perisshed* thurgh synne, thu sauyd me; 
 
 Whan I was in grett pareH, thu kept me, Christas-, 312 
 Whan I erryd, thu reducyd me, le^us ; 
 
 Whan) I was ignoraunt, thu taught me truthe; 
 
 Whan) I synnyd, thu correct me thus ; 
 
 When) I was hevy, thu conforted me be ruthe; 316 
 Whan) I stonde in grace, thu boldest me that tyde ; 317 
 Whan) I falle, thu reisest me myghtily; 
 
 Whan) I go wele, thu art ray gyde ; 
 
 When) I come, thu receyvist me most louyngly; 320 
 
 H9 
 
 Charity. 
 
 Free-will is 
 above all. 
 
 The Soul’s 3 
 foes are the 
 World, the 
 Flesh, and the 
 Devil. 
 
 From them, the 
 5 Wits are to be 
 kept. 
 
 [leaf 163] 
 
 The lower part 
 of Reason is to 
 be under the 
 rule of the 
 higher part. 
 
 Begin youi 
 works in 
 Wisdom, 
 and win ever- 
 lasting joy. 
 
 The Soul 
 recounts God’s 
 good deeds to 
 her. 
 
IJO A MORALITY OF WISDOM. SCENE 2. 
 
 thu hast anoynted! me with the oyle of' mercy ; 321 
 
 thy benefetys, lord?, be innumerable 3 
 
 The Soul praises Wherfor, laude endles to the I crye, 
 
 God for his 
 
 goodness. recoTTzmendyng me to thi end[l]es powf durable. 324 
 
 Here, in J^e goyng out, the v. wyttes syng ‘ tota pul- 
 cra es’ &c. thei goyngbe-fore, ATiima next jand hir 
 folwyng, wysdam • and after by m Mynde, wylle, and 
 vnderstondyng, alle .iij. in whit clothe of golde, 
 chevelerede and crestyde in on sute. And after jse 
 song entreth lueyfere in a deuely a-ray wi't/i out, 
 and wi't/an as a prowde galaunt, seyng thus on 
 this wyse. 
 
 Scene II. 
 Lucifer j in a 
 Devil's Dress over 
 a Dandy’s. 
 
 \_Scene II. {aaah, aaah).'] 
 \_Lucyfer.'] 
 
 
 [leaf 163, back] 
 
 Out herrowe 1 rore, 
 ffor envy I lore ; 
 
 My place to restore. 
 
 325 
 
 God’s made 
 
 Man to take my 
 place. 
 
 god hath made man); 
 aH come thei not thore, 
 
 Woode and thei wore. 
 
 328 
 
 But rU tempt 
 him. 
 
 I shaH tempt hem so sore, 
 
 fFor I am he that synne be-ganne ; 
 
 332 
 
 I was an Angel, 
 
 I was aungeH of light, 
 lucifer’ I bight, 
 prcsumyng in goddcs^ sight. 
 
 333 
 
 but now I’m 
 lowest in Hell. 
 
 Wherfor I am lowest in helle ; 
 
 In reformyng of my place, is dight 
 
 336 
 
 I hate Man, 
 and '11 stop his 
 getting to 
 Heaven. 
 
 Man), whan) I haue in most dispight, 
 
 Euer castyng me with hem for to fight. 
 
 
 In that heuynly place that he shuld* not dwelle. 340 
 
 I am as wyly now as than); 341 
 
 the knowyng that I had, yet I can); 
 
 I know bis I know aH compleccions of man), 
 
 weak points, 
 
 wher’-to he is most disposed?; 344 
 
 And ther-in I tempte hy7« ay whan), 
 
 and I'll mar him I marre his luyndes to thei wan), 
 till he’s woe 
 
 that God made that WO is hym god hy;« by-gan) ; 
 
 ['- MS. gooddes.] 
 
A MORALITY OF WISDOM. SCENE 2. 
 
 Many an holy man) wit A me is moseiJ. 348 
 
 Of* god'j man) is the figurej 349 
 
 His symylitude, his pitture, 
 gloryosest of ony creature 
 
 that euer was wrought, 352 
 
 wiche I wyH disfygure 
 be my false coniecture j 
 if he teude my reporture, 
 
 I shall bryng hym to nought. 356 
 
 In the soule be .iij. parties I-wys, 357 
 
 Mynde • WyH • vnderstondyng of blis, 
 
 ffiguf of the godhedj I know wele thisj 
 
 and the Hessh of man) that is so chaungeable, 360 
 
 that wiH I tempte, as I gesse. 
 
 though that I peruert, synne noon) is 
 
 but if the soule corisent vn-to mys, 363 
 
 for in the wyH of the soule ben) the dede^ dampnabyH. 
 
 To the mynde of the soule I shaH make suggestion), 365 
 
 & bryng his vnderstondyng to delectacion, 
 
 so that his wiH make confirmacion j 
 
 than) am I seker I-noow 368 
 
 That dede shaH sew of dampnacion; 369 
 
 than) of the soule the devyH hath dowinacion ; 
 
 I wiH go make this examynacion. 
 
 To aH the develis of helle I make a vowe. 372 
 
 But for to tempt man) in my likenesse, 373 
 
 it wold* brynge hym to gret ferfulnesse j 
 J wiH chaunge me in-to brightnesse. 
 
 And so hym to be-gyle, 376 
 
 Syn I shaH shew hym perfightnesse, 
 
 and vertu prove it wykednesse : 
 
 thus vnder colours aH thynge peruerse, 
 
 I shaH neuer rest tyH the soule I defyle. 380 
 
 Here lucyfere devoydeth, and commyth. in ageyn« 
 as a goodly galaunt / 
 
 
 Man is God’s 
 likeness. 
 
 I’ll disfigure 
 him, and bring 
 him to nought. 
 
 The Soul has 3 
 parts. 
 
 m tempt man’s 
 flesh. 
 
 But as the Soul 
 must consent to 
 evil, 
 
 I'll tempt that, 
 
 [leaf 164] 
 and then 
 damning deeds 
 ’ll follow. 
 
 I’ll change into 
 a bright being, 
 
 and never rest 
 till I defile 
 man’s soul. 
 
15 ^ 
 
 ■Scerie III. 
 The Devil 
 bamboozles 
 Mind, Will, o,nd 
 Understanding. 
 
 Mind declares 
 he’ll follow 
 Christ’s 
 teaching. 
 
 Understanding 
 says that is 
 
 sweeter than 
 the rose. 
 
 Will says his 
 will is one with 
 God’s. 
 
 Lxicifer talks to 
 Mind : 
 
 Why are you all 
 idle here ? 
 
 It's the Devil's 
 doing. 
 
 A MORALITY OF WISDOM. SCENE 3. 
 
 \_Scene III. {aaah, aaah, save 485-492.)] 
 Mjude. 
 
 My mynde is euer on lesa, 
 that endued* vs with vertu j 
 hzs doctryne to sue, 
 euer I purpose. 
 
 Vnderstondyng. 
 
 Myn) vnderstondyng is in trewe, 
 that with feiih vs did* renewe j 
 his lawes to pursewe 
 
 is swetter to me than) the sauoi/r of* the rose. 
 
 WiH. 
 
 And my wiH is his wyH verily, 
 that made vs his creatures so specialy, 
 yeldyng vn-to hym laude a}id glory 
 for his goodnesse. 
 
 lucyfei’’. 
 
 ye fonnyd* tfaders, founders of foly, 
 vt quid hie statw tota die ociosi ? 
 ye wiH perisshe or ye it aspy j 
 the devyH hath accowbred* you expresse, 
 
 Mynde, mynde, ser* ! haue mynde of this ! 
 
 381 
 
 384 
 
 388 
 
 389 
 
 392 
 
 39<5 
 
 397 
 
 
 Mynde. 
 
 
 
 He is not idyH that with god* is. 
 
 
 
 Lueyfer. 
 
 
 
 No, Sef, I prove wele ))is ; 
 lo, this is my suggestion) j 
 
 400 
 
 There’s a time 
 for prayer, and 
 another for 
 work. 
 
 aH thynge hath dew tymes, 
 prayer, fastyng, laboj^r, aH thes ; 
 whan) tyme is not kept, that dede is mys j 
 be more plenerly to your iwformaezon : 
 
 404 
 
 
 her* is a man) thet levith wardly. 
 
 405 
 
 Ought a man 
 w’ho has wife 
 and house, 
 
 hath wyff, children), and seruat^nte^ besy. 
 
 And other chargei that I not specify : 
 
 
 to leave work. 
 
 Is it letfuH to this man) 
 
 408 
 
A MORALITY OF WISDOM. SCENE 3. J53 
 
 To leve his labo^^r vsydl truly ? [leaf i64, back] 
 
 his charges parisch that god* yave duly, and give himself 
 
 and yeve hym to prayed and ese of body ; 
 
 who-so do thus, with god* is not than) ■, 412 
 
 Martha piesid* god* gretly thore. 413 Did Martha do 
 
 Mynde. 
 
 ye, but Maria piesid* hym moche more. 
 
 lucyfed. 
 
 yit the lest had* blisse for euermore. 
 
 is not that I-now ? 416 
 
 Mynde. 
 
 contemplatyfe lyff is sett be-fore. 
 
 417 
 
 lucyfed. 
 
 I may not be-leve that in my lore, 
 
 ffor god* hym-selff, whan) he was man) bore, 
 
 what lyff led* he ? answere thu nowe ! 420 Did Christ live 
 
 in contempla- 
 
 was he euer in contempladon ? tion? 
 
 Mynde. 
 
 I suppose not, be my relacion. 
 
 lucyfer. 
 
 and aH his lyff was informacion 
 
 & example to man). 424 
 
 SuTHtyme witA synners he had conuersacion, 
 
 sumtyme with holy also coTwmunycacion, No ; but with 
 
 . sinners, with 
 
 suffityme he labored*, prayd* • suwztyme tribulacion : good men, in 
 
 toil and suffer- 
 
 this was vita mixta, that god* her* be-gan): 428 ing. 
 
 And Ms life, 
 
 And that lyff* shuld* ye bed sewe. 420 should 
 
 ' lead. 
 
 Mynde. 
 
 I can be-leve that ye say is trewe. 
 
 lucyfer. 
 
 contemplatyff lyff for to sewe. 
 
 It is gret dred* j and se cause why : 
 
 43 i 
 
 Contemplative 
 life means 
 
 thei must fast, wake, and pray, euer newe, fasting, 
 
 watching, 
 
 Vse hard* levynge^, and goyng with disciplyne dewe, flogging. 
 
154 
 
 A MORALITY OF WISDOM. SCENE 3 . 
 
 
 silence, tears, 
 
 kepe Sylence, wepe, and surfeited eschewe j 
 
 
 
 And if* thei faile of* this, thei offend! god* highly. 
 
 436 
 
 
 Whan) thei haue wastyd* be feyntnesse, 
 
 than) febyH ther* wittes, and fallyn) to fondenesse. 
 
 437 
 
 folly, despair, 
 
 Summe in-to dispeyr, and suinme in-to madnesse : 
 
 
 God doesn’t like 
 
 wete it wele, god! is not plesid* with this. 
 
 440 
 
 
 leve, leve ' suche synglei’’ besynesse j 
 
 
 Then, be in the 
 world. 
 
 be in the world!, vse thynges necesse. 
 
 
 the comon) is best expresse j 
 
 
 [leaf 165 ] 
 
 Who clymytfe high, his ffalle grett is. 
 
 Mynde. 
 
 444 
 
 
 truly me seme ye haue reson). 
 
 lucyfer. 
 
 445 
 
 do as I tell you, 
 
 Apply you than to this conclusion). 
 
 Mynde. ^ 
 
 I can make no repplycacion. 
 
 
 
 yoMr resons be grete, 
 
 I can-not for-yete this informacion. 
 
 lucyfer. 
 
 thynke ther-vpon), it is your saluacion. 
 
 now and vnderstondyng wold! haue delectacion, 
 
 448 
 
 
 alle syngler deuocions he wold! lete. 
 
 452 
 
 use your wits, 
 
 your .V. wittey a-brode let sprede. 
 
 453 
 
 dress well. 
 
 Se how comly to man) is precious wede. 
 
 
 do many deeds. 
 
 what worshipe it to be MantTuff in dede. 
 
 
 
 ]jat bryngetfi in dowinacion. 
 
 Of* the Symple, What profile it to take hed*? 
 
 456 
 
 get riches, 
 
 be-hold! how richesse distroyeth nede ; 
 
 
 feed well. 
 
 It makith man) fayr, hym wele for to fede j 
 
 
 breed children. 
 
 & of* lust and lykyng corny iB generacion. 
 
 460 
 
 
 Vnderstondyng, tendr* ye this informacion. 
 
 Vnderstondyng. 
 
 In this I fele a manef of* delectacion. 
 
 [I MS. Mate.] 
 
 461 
 
A MOKALITY OF WISDOM. SCENE 3. 
 lucyfer*. 
 
 A ! ha! Ser’ 1 than) ther* make a pawsacion, 
 
 Se and be-hold* the world! a-bought ; 464 
 
 lyteH thyng suffysyth to saluacion, 
 
 AH maner synnys distroyetfi contricion), 
 
 thei that despeyed mercy haue grett conpu[n]ccion, 
 
 god! plesyd best with good! wyH no dowte, 468 
 
 therfor WyH, I rede yon inclyne, 469 
 
 leve yoMr stodyes tho be devyne, 
 
 your prayers, youd penaance, of* Ipocrytej the signe, 
 
 and lede a comown) lyff*. 47^ 
 
 What synne is in mete, in ale, in wyne? 
 
 What synne is in richesse, in clothyng fyne ? 
 
 AH thyng god* ordeigned* to man) to inclyne. 
 
 Leve yowr nyse chastyte. And take a Wyff ; 476 
 
 better is fayr frute thait) foule pollucjon. 477 
 
 What seylh sensualite to this conclusion) ? 
 
 WiH. 
 
 As the .V, wyttys yeve informaczon. 
 
 It semeth youd resons be good!. 480 
 
 lucifed. 
 
 the wiH of* the soule hath fre dowiinacion j 
 
 Dispute not to moche in this with reason) ; 
 
 yitt the nethed parte to this takith suTwme Instruccion, 
 
 And so shuld* the ouer parte, but he were woode. 484 
 
 WiH. 
 
 me seme, as ye sey, in body and soule ^ 485 
 
 man) may be in the world*, and be right good!. 
 
 lucyfer. 
 
 ya, Sed, be Seynt Powle 1 
 
 but truste not these prechours, for thei be not good*, 488 
 
 ffor thei fflated and lye as thei wed wood* 
 
 thed is a wolfe in a lombe skynne. 
 
 ' A stanza of Scene I form, abab, bcbc, is here put into the 
 aaab, aaab of Scenes II, and III and IV. 
 
 155 
 
 See the world. 
 
 Leave your 
 studies and 
 penance ; 
 
 enjoy youi* life ! 
 
 There’s no sin 
 in wine and 
 naoney. 
 
 Have a wife too ! 
 [leaf 165, back] 
 
 Don’t bother 
 about Reason. 
 The lower part 
 of it agrees ; and 
 so ’ud the upper, 
 if it wasn’t 
 mad. 
 
 Don't trust 
 Preachers ! 
 
 They flatter and 
 lie, and are 
 wolves in 
 sheep’s clothing. 
 
1^6 A MORALITY OF mSDOM. SCENE 3 . 
 
 WyH. 
 
 Will agrees to ya, I wyH no more row a-geyn) the fflode, 
 
 go in for larks. ° 
 
 I wyH sett my soule on a mery pynne. 
 
 liicyfer’. 
 
 be my treuthe, that do ye wysely, 
 godi louyth a dene soule and a mery, 
 Accorde ye .iij. to-geder by, 
 
 & ye may not mysfare. 
 
 Mynde. 
 
 So do Mind and to this Suggestion) agre me. 
 
 Vnderstondywg. 
 
 Understanding. Delight ther-In I haue truly. 
 
 WyH. 
 
 And I consent ther-to frely. 
 
 lucifei’*. 
 
 Lucifer backs A ! ha ! ser* ! aH mer)' than), and a-wet' cal’* ! 
 
 them up ; ^ 
 
 go in the world', se that a-bought, 
 tells em to get gete good ffrely, caste no dought ; 
 
 money, and be 
 
 jolly. to the riche, ye se men) lowly lought ; 
 
 yeve to your body that is nede, 
 
 & euer be mery j lett reueH rought ! 
 
 Mynde. 
 
 ya ! ellys I be-shrewe my snowte. 
 
 Vnderstondywg. 
 and if' I care, catche me the gowte. 
 
 [leaf 166 ) 
 They all say 
 they will. 
 
 H. 
 
 And if* I spare, the deujH me spcJe. 
 
 lucifer. 
 
 Go youT wey than). And do wysely; 
 chaunge that syde aray. 
 
 I it defye. 
 
 Mynde. 
 
 492 
 
 49.3 
 
 496 
 
 500 
 
 501 
 
 504 
 
 508 
 
 .509 
 
A MORALITY OF WISDOM. SCENE 3. 
 
 V nderstond_y 
 
 we wiH be fressB, and it hape la plu loly. 
 ffare-wele, penawnce ! 5^3 
 
 Mynde. 
 
 to worshippys I wytt my mynde applie. 
 
 Vnderstond_y wg. 
 
 Myn) Vnderstondynge in worshepys and glorye. 
 
 Wyil. 
 
 And I in lustei of* lechory, 
 
 As was sumtyme gyse of* fraunce, 5 ' 7 
 
 witb why whyppe. 
 
 ffareweti, qiiod I j the deuyU is vp. 519 
 
 Exe««^ia. 
 
 lucifei*. 
 
 Of* my desyre now haue I summe 530 
 
 wei'* onys brought in-to CustUTume, 
 
 than) farewele, consciens, he were cluwime, 
 
 I shuld* haue aH my wyli. 523 
 
 Reson), I haue made both deff* and duiKine, 
 grace is out, and putt a rome, 
 whedyr I WiH haue, he shall cuwme; 
 
 So at the last I shall hym spille. 527 
 
 I shall now stere his mynde 
 to that synne made me a fende, 
 
 Pryde, wiche is a-geyn) kynde, 
 
 and of* all synnes hed ; 531 
 
 So to couetyse he shall wende, 
 
 for that enduryth to the last ende ; 
 
 and vn-to lechery, and I may hym rende, 
 
 than) am I sekeP the soule is ded. 533 
 
 that soule, god made incowzparable, 536 
 
 to his lykenesse most amyable ; 
 
 I shall make it most repi'ouable, 
 
 Evyn lyke to a ffende of* helle. 339 
 
 At his deth I shall appere informable. 
 
 157 
 
 They'll have 
 girls, 
 
 honour, 
 
 glory. 
 
 and lechery, 
 
 in French 
 fashion. 
 
 Lucifer chuckles 
 over his 
 success : 
 
 I’ve made Man’s 
 Reason deaf and 
 dumb ; 
 
 I’ll now stir him 
 to Pride, 
 
 Covetousness, 
 
 and Lechery. 
 
 I’ll make his 
 Soul, God’s 
 likeness. 
 
 [leaf 166, back] 
 like a Fiend of 
 HeU. 
 
158 
 
 A MORALITY OF WISDOM. SCENE 4 . 
 
 
 I’ll kill the Soul 
 with Despair ; 
 
 Shewyng hym all hys synnys ab-homynable, 
 Prevyng his soule dampnable, 
 
 So with dispeyr I shall hym quelle. 
 
 543 
 
 Whyli clennesse is man kyn), 
 
 Verely the soule, god* is witA-inj 
 
 544 
 
 
 
 And whan) it is in dedly synne. 
 
 It is veryly the deuelys place ; 
 
 547 
 
 and by craft win 
 many from 
 
 thus by colours and false gynne, 
 
 
 heaven. 
 
 many a soule fro hevyn) 1 Wynne. 
 
 Wyde to go I may not blynne, 
 
 with this false boy god* geve hym ille grace ! 
 
 551 
 
 
 Here he takith a shrewede boy with hym 
 his way cryeng. 
 
 and goth 
 
 Scene IV. 
 Mindy Will, and 
 Understanding, 
 glory in their 
 
 \_Scejie IV. (aaal>, aaab.)'\ 
 
 
 Mynde. 
 
 
 new naughti- 
 nesses. 
 
 lo me here in newe a-ray ! • 
 
 552 
 
 Mind is proud of 
 
 [ ] 
 
 
 his new di*ess. 
 
 Whyppe, whyrre, care a-way ! 
 fare-wele, perfeccion) ! 
 
 Me semeth my-self* most lykly ay, 
 
 555 
 
 
 It is but honest, no pride, no nay, 
 
 I wy H be tfresshest be my fay, 
 
 ffor that accordith with my complexion). 
 
 559 
 
 
 Vnderstondyng. 
 
 
 Understanding 
 is so of his 
 dress, 
 
 And haue here one as ffressh as you, 
 
 AH mery, mery, and glad* now ! 
 
 560 
 
 and money got 
 
 I haue gete good*, god* wote howe j 
 
 
 anyhow. 
 
 for loye I spryng, I skyppe j 
 
 good* makith on) mery, to god* a vowe. 
 
 5<53 
 
 He bids Con- 
 
 tfareweH, conscience, I knowe not yowe ! 
 
 
 science farewell. 
 
 
 
 
 I am at ease, had I Inowe ; 
 truthe, on syde I lete hym slippe. 
 
 567 
 
 
 WiH. 
 
 
 Will is jolly too. 
 
 lo ! her* on) as lolye as ye ; 
 
 I am so lykyng, me seme I fle ; 
 
 568 
 
A MORALITY OF WISDOM. SCENE 4. 
 
 I haue a-tastid! lust j farewele, chastite ! 
 
 Myn) hert is euer-more light. 57 ^ 
 
 I am fuH of* felicite. 
 
 My delyte is alt in bevte, 
 ther* is no loye but that in me ; 
 
 A Woman) me semeth an hevynly sight. 575 
 
 Mynde. 
 
 And these ben) my syngler* solace : ^^6 
 
 kynde fortune and grace, 
 
 kynde nobley of kynred? me yovyn) base, 
 
 and that makyth me soleyne ; 579 
 
 ffortune in worlds worshepe me doit lace, 
 
 grace yevitB coryous elequence, and that mase, 
 
 that all vnkunnynge I disdeyne. 582 
 
 V nderstondyng. 
 
 and my loye is especiaH 583 
 
 to hurde vp rychesse for fere to falle, 
 to se it, to handele it, to telle it alle, 
 
 & streightly to spare, 586 
 
 to be-hold* ryche and ryait. 
 
 I host, I avaunt W'her* I shall. 
 
 Riches makyth a man) equaH 
 
 to hem sumtyme his souereignes were. 590 
 
 Wyli. 
 
 to me is loye most laudable, 591 
 
 ffresshe disgysynge to seme amyable, 
 
 Spekyng wordys delectable, 
 
 Perteynyng vn-to loue ; 394 
 
 It is loy of loyes inestimable, 
 to halse, to kysse the affiablej 
 A louer is sone perceyvable 
 
 be the smylyng on me whan) it doth remove. 598 
 Mynde. 
 
 to a-vaunte thus, me semeth no shame, 599 
 
 for galauntc^ now be in most fame j 
 
 159 
 
 He’s tried 
 pleasure, 
 [leaf 167] 
 
 and thinks 
 Woman a 
 heavenly sight. 
 
 Mind has got 
 
 noble kin, 
 
 honour and 
 eloquence. 
 
 Understanding 
 has hoarded up 
 riches, and 
 delights in 
 handling it. 
 
 Money makes a 
 man equal to 
 kings. 
 
 Will likes 
 
 dalliance, and 
 words and 
 
 kisses of love. 
 
i6o 
 
 A MORALITY OF WISDOM. SCENE 4. 
 
 
 Mind is proud of Courtly persones, men hem proclame j 
 his dress. 
 
 moche we be sett bye. 
 
 602 
 
 
 V nderstondywg. 
 
 
 [leaf 167, back] 
 
 The riche covetouse, who dare blame. 
 
 Of* govele and symonye though he here the name 
 
 
 Men now call 
 falseness 
 ‘ Wisdom,’ and 
 
 to be false, men reportith it game. 
 
 It is clepyd? wysdam ; “ whad that ! q«od Wyly,” 
 
 606 
 
 
 Wyti. 
 
 
 think no more 
 of Lechery than 
 a drink. 
 
 And of* lechory to make a-vaunt, 
 
 men) forse it no more thaii' drynke a-taunt : 
 
 these thyngei be now so conuersaunt, 
 
 607 
 
 
 we seme it no shame 
 
 610 
 
 
 Mynde. 
 
 
 Mind will 
 dress gi'andly, 
 
 Coryous aray 1 wyil euer haunt. 
 
 61 1 
 
 
 Vnderstondj/?ig. 
 
 
 Understanding 
 be false, 
 
 And I, ffal[s]nesse, to be passaunt. 
 
 
 
 Wyti. 
 
 
 Wiil fornicate ; 
 
 And I, in lust my fflesh to daunt ; 
 
 
 
 no nu.n) dispise these ; thei be but game. 
 
 614 
 
 
 Mynde. 
 
 
 
 I reioyse of thes ; now let vs synge. 
 
 
 
 W nderstondy 77^. 
 
 
 
 And if I spare euyH, loye me wrynge. 
 
 
 
 WyH. 
 
 
 
 haue at, qz/od I ; lo ! howe I sprynge. 
 lust makith :n< wondyr wylde. 
 
 618 
 
 
 Mynde. 
 
 
 and they’ll all 
 sing a song. 
 
 A tenor to you both I brymge. 
 
 
 
 VnderstondyTz^. 
 
 
 
 And I a mene for ony k} nge. 
 
 
A MORALITY OF WISDOM. SCENE 
 
 Wytt. 
 
 And but a trebyH I out-wrynge. 
 
 4 . 
 
 i6r 
 
 the deuyH hym spede that myrtB. exyled‘. 
 
 622 
 
 
 & cantent. 
 
 Mynde. 
 
 
 They smg their 
 song. 
 
 how be this, trowe ye nowe ? 
 
 Vnderstondyw^. 
 at the best, to god* a vowe. 
 
 623 
 
 
 WyH. 
 
 as mery as the byrd on bowe. 
 
 
 and are as merry 
 
 I take no thougBt. 
 
 Mynde. 
 
 the welefare of this world is in vs, I a-vowe. 
 
 626 
 
 as birds. 
 
 Vnderstondyw^. 
 
 
 
 let eche man) telle his condicions how. 
 
 WyH. 
 
 be-gynne ye, and haue at yowe. 
 
 
 Tliey say how 
 they live. 
 
 for I am a-shamyd of right nougBt. 
 
 f ^30 
 
 
 Mynde. 
 
 this is cause of my worshippe : 
 
 I serue myghty lorshipe. 
 
 And am in grete tendreshippe. 
 
 631 
 
 Mind serves a 
 great lord, 
 
 Therfor moche folke me dredys ; 
 men sewe to my frendshipe, 
 
 634 
 
 [leaf 168 ] 
 
 for meyntena^nce of her* shenshipe ; 
 
 
 and gets money 
 for protecting 
 
 I support hem by lordshipe j 
 
 
 evil doers. ' 
 
 for to gete good, this a grete spede is. 
 
 638 
 
 
 Vnderstondyiig. 
 
 And I vse lorourry. 
 
 639 
 
 
 Enbrace questes of penury. 
 
 
 Understanding 
 
 choppe and chaunge with symonye. 
 
 
 lives by prying 
 and simony. 
 
 & take large yiftesj 
 
 642 
 
 
 DIGBT MTST. 
 
 M 
 
i63 
 
 Understanding 
 swears falsely on 
 Quest. 
 
 Will spends 
 three times 
 what he gets, 
 
 and lives in 
 lust. 
 
 Tlieir sins are 
 not heeded ; 
 
 the world trusts 
 em ; 
 
 they have all 
 they want. 
 
 [leaf 168, back] 
 
 A MORALITY OF WISDOM. SCENE 4. 
 
 be the case neuer so try. 
 
 
 I preve it false, I swere, I lye. 
 
 
 wit A a quest off myn) aff}"e : 
 
 
 the redy wey, this now to thrift is. 
 
 646 
 
 Wyff. 
 
 
 and what trowe ye be me ? 
 
 647 
 
 More than) I rake, spende I thries thre ; 
 
 Suwtyme I geve, sumtyme thei me. 
 
 And am euer fFresshe and gaye ; 
 ffewe places now ther’ be. 
 
 But vnclennesse ye shaH ther se. 
 
 It is holde but a nysete; 
 lust is now comon) as thei waye. 
 
 Mynde. 
 
 lawe procedith not for mayntenai/nce. 
 
 Vnderstoudywg. 
 
 Trouthe recuryth not for abundaunce. 
 
 WyB. 
 
 and lust is in so grete vsaunce, 
 we forse it nought. 
 
 Mynde. 
 
 In vs the worlde hath most affiaunce. 
 
 Vnderstondyng. 
 
 Non) thre be in so grett a-queyntaunce. 
 
 W3H. 
 
 ffewe ther be out off ouff all\ aunce ; 
 
 While the worlde is thus, take we no thought. 662 
 
 Mynde. 
 
 thought ! nay, ther geyne slryve I. 663 
 
 V nderstondj/?;^. 
 
 We haue that nedith vs, so thrjwe I. 
 
 650 
 
 654 
 
 655 
 
 658 
 
A MORALITY OF WISDOM. SCENE 4. 
 
 163 
 
 WyE. 
 
 And gyve that I carej neuer wyve I j 
 
 let hem care that hath for to sewe. 666 
 
 Mynde. 
 
 Who lordship shall sue, must it by. 
 
 Ynderstondyng. 
 
 who wyH haue law,' must haue mony. 
 
 WyH. 
 
 ther* pouert is the male wry, 
 
 though right be, he shall neuer renewe. 670 
 
 Myude. 
 
 wronge is born) vp boldly, 671 
 
 though all the world! know it opynly j 
 mayntenaance is now so myghty. 
 
 And aH Is for mede. 674 
 
 V nderstondyng. 
 the lawe is so coloured' falsly 
 by sleightei and by periury ■, 
 brybes be so gredy, 
 
 that to the pore • trowthe is take right non) hede. 678 
 WyH. 
 
 wno gete or lese, ye be ay wynnand ; 679 
 
 mayntenaance and pei'iury now stand j 
 ther* wed neuer so moche reynand 
 
 seth god was bore. 682 
 
 Mynde. 
 
 And lechory was neuer more vsande, 
 of lernyd and lewyd in this lande. 
 
 Ynderstondyng. 
 so we thre be now in hande. 
 
 WyH. 
 
 ya, ana most vsyd euery-wher.^ 
 
 > The ryme needs ‘ whore.’ 
 
 Lordship and 
 
 law can only be 
 got for money. 
 
 Poverty never 
 gets its rights. 
 
 Wrong is 
 upheld. 
 
 To the poor, 
 Truth isn’t 
 heeded. 
 
 Maintenance 
 (support of 
 wrong), Perjury’ 
 
 and Lechery 
 prevail 
 
 686 everywhere. 
 
164 
 
 Mind, Will, 
 and Under- 
 standing agree 
 to get uij a 
 Dance. 
 
 Mind or 
 Maintenance 
 (backing of 
 wrong) 
 
 calls in his crew 
 of 7: 
 
 [leaf 169] 
 Indignacion, 
 Sturdiness, 
 Malice, 
 Hastiness, 
 Vengeance, 
 Discord, 
 Maintenance, — 
 
 the Devil’s 
 Dance, — 
 
 and Trumpets 
 to fit em. 
 
 Dance away, 
 lads 1 Tour 
 hearts are light. 
 
 A MORALITY OF WISDOM. SCENE 4. 
 
 Mynde. 
 
 now wyH we thre do make a daunco. 
 
 687 
 
 of tho that longe to oni'* retenai/nce. 
 
 
 comyng in be comitenaunce. 
 
 
 this wefi a disporte. 
 
 690 
 
 Vndersto«c/^w^. 
 therto I geve accordaunce, 
 of* tho that ben) of' myn affyaunce. 
 
 WyH. 
 
 let se be tynie, ye meyntenaunce, 
 
 clepe in first youx resort. 694 
 
 Here entre vj disgysed in the sute of mynde, 
 viith red berdes and lyons rampaunt on here 
 creates, and iche a ’wardere in his hande ; hir men- 
 stralle, trumpes. eche answere for his name. 
 
 Mynde. 
 
 let se, com In, Indignacion and sturdynesse, 695 
 
 Malyce also and hasty ne.sse, 
 wreche and discorde expresse. 
 
 And the .vij*^ am I, mayntenawiice. 698 
 
 Vij. is a nombyr of discorde and inperfightnesse. 
 
 lo, hed is a yomanry with loveday to dresse, 700 
 
 And the deuyt! had swore it, thei wold* here vp falsnesse. 
 
 And mayntyn) it at the best j this is the develys dauiice ; 
 
 and here menstrellys be coiiuenyent, 703 
 
 tfor trompys shuHd! blowe to the lugement j 
 
 of batayle also it is one instrument, 
 
 yevyng comfort to fight) 706 
 
 thcrfor thei be expedient 
 
 to these meiiy of mayntement, 
 
 blow ^sett, se madame regent, 
 
 and daunce, ye laddes, youx hertes ben) light ! "j 10 
 lo ! that other* spare, this meny will spende. 7 1 1 
 
 V xidiexstondyng. 
 
 ]'e 1 who is hym shall hem offende ? 
 
 I s altered to 1, or vice-versa. 
 
A MORALITY OF WISDOM. SCENE 4. 
 
 Wytt 
 
 who wyH not to hem condescende, 
 he shaH haue thretys. 714 
 
 Mynde. 
 
 thei spille, that lawe wolde amende. 
 
 Ynderstondyng. 
 
 yit mayntenflzmce, no man) dare reprehende. 
 
 165 
 
 Law-Reformers 
 shall be smasht. 
 
 WyH. 
 
 these meny, thre synnys comprehende 
 
 pryde, Invy, and wrathe in his hestys. 7^^ 
 
 V nderstondyng. 
 
 now wyH I than be-gynne my traces : 
 lorour' in one hood' beritJi to • fFaces, 
 
 7^9 Understaiidmg 
 then calls ou his 
 crew. 
 
 fayre speche and falsehed' in on) space is, 
 
 is it not ruthe ? 722 
 
 the queste of hoi born) come in-to this places, the Hoibom 
 
 a-geyne the right euer thei rechases, 
 
 of whom thei hold? not hard' his grace is, 
 
 many a tyme haue dampnyd? truthe. 726 
 
 Here entrithe vj. lor ours in a sute gownyde wit/i [leaf 169, back] 
 hoodes a-bowte her necfkesl, hatte« of mavnten- ® Pedpi'ers 
 aunce ther-vpone vyserede diuersly, here myn- 
 stralle a hagpy[pe]. 
 
 Mynde. 
 
 let se first wronge and sleight, 
 doblenesse and falsehed' shew yo«r myght, 
 now ravyne and disceyte. 
 now holde you here lo-gedyr, 
 this menyes conscyens is so streyte, 
 that report as mede yevith beyte. 
 hef is the quest of holborn), an euyH endyrecte, 
 thei daunce aH this londe hyder and thedyr, 
 and I, periury, yowr foundour* ; 
 
 Now daunce on vs aH, the world' doth on vs wonder, 
 lo ! here is a meyne loue welefare. 737 
 
 727 Wrong, Sleight, 
 
 Doubleness, 
 Falsehood, 
 Ravine, Deceit, 
 
 730 
 
 734 
 
 735 
 
 making up the 
 Holborn Quest, 
 
 with Perjury, 
 the 7 th. 
 
100 A MORALITY OF WISDOM. SCENE 4. 
 
 Mynde. 
 
 ye, thei spende, that true men spare. 
 
 WyH. 
 
 Q^ist^u^give ^ brybe, thei haue no care 
 
 who hath wronge or right. 
 
 Mynde. 
 
 thei forse not to swere and stare. 
 
 740 
 
 WyH. 
 
 though aH be false, lesse and mare. 
 
 VnderstowfifyWjO-. 
 
 wiche wey to the wode wyH the hare, 
 thei knewe, and thei at rest sett als tight ■, 
 some seme hem wyse 
 
 They’re sons of ftor the ffader of' vs, covetyse. 
 
 Covetousiiess. ■' 
 
 744 
 
 745 
 
 W3'H. 
 
 now, maj'ntenaimce and periury 
 hath shewed' the trace of her company j 
 Wilt says he'll ye shaH se a spryng of lecherv’, 
 
 bring in nis j. ^ o / j 
 
 crew of Lechers. Jiat to me attende. 
 
 hef forme is of the stewys dene rybaldry, 
 thei wene sey soth whan) that thei lye j 
 of the comon) thei synge eche M'eke by and by ; 
 thei may sey with tynkef, ‘ I trowe late amende.’ 
 
 747 
 
 750 
 
 754 
 
 So his, or Here entre vj womane in sute, [thre] disgysede 
 
 RetafnCTs’comp galauntes. and thre as mat)-ones, Wit/i wonder- 
 
 E tamers come vysers,' coiiregent ; here mynstrallys, an 
 
 hornpype. 
 
 \The rest is wanting.^ 
 
 [_E?id oj" the Dighy MS. But as a stray Play, which no 
 u mht once formd part of this MS, has been found in 
 another MS, it is added here.'] 
 
MR. collier’s account OF THE REST OF WISBOM. l6'J 
 
 [The following sketch of the rest of the play is from Mr. J. P. 
 Collier’s account of the Macro MS. (after, the late Hudson Gurney’s, 
 and just promist me on loan by the Trustees of his Will (9 March, 
 1880) in his Hist, of English Dramatic Poetry, (1833 and) 1879, 
 210-12 : — 
 
 " They [Will’s 6 Retainers] are called Recklesshood, Idleness, 
 Surfeit, Greediness, Spouse-breach, and Fornication. The minstrels 
 play ‘ a hornepype and they all dance until they quarrel, when 
 Mynde exclaims in a rage : — 
 
 ‘ Hurle hens these harlotts, here gyse ys of France ! ’ 
 and the eighteen mutes being driven oft'. Mind, Will, and Under- 
 standing remain on the stage. Mind says to his two companions : 
 
 ‘ Leve then thys dalyance, 
 
 Ande set we ordenance 
 
 Off better chevesaunce [enterprise — J. P. C.] 
 
 How we may thryve. 
 
 Undyrstondyng. — At Westmynster, with out varyance. 
 
 The nex terme shall me sore avaunce 
 For retornys, for enbraces, for recordaunce ; 
 Lythlyer to get goode, kan no man on lyve. 
 (p.2ii) Mynde. — And at the parvyse' I wyll be 
 
 A’ Powlys, be-twyn two and three 
 With a menye folowynge me . . 
 
 IVyll. — Ande ever the latter, the lever me : 
 
 Wen I come lat to the cyte, 
 
 I walke all lanys and weys to myne aft'ynyte ; 
 
 And I spede not ther, to the stewys 1 resort.’ 
 
 They continue to converse in this strain for some time. Understand- 
 ing dwelling, especially, on the tricks of the law. Just as they are 
 about to make their exit, in order to eat and drink together. Wisdom 
 unexpectedly enters ; while Awiwa, having been disfigured and cor- 
 rupted by Mind, Will, and Understanding, ‘ apperythe in the most 
 horrybull wyse, fowlere than a fend.’ She afterwards gives birth to 
 six of the deadly sins, and the operation is thus described : — ‘ Here 
 rennyt out from undyr the horrybull mantyll of the Soule, six small 
 boys in the lyknes of devyllys, and so retorne ageyn.’ Anima be- 
 comes sensible of her dreadful transformation, and Mind, Will, and 
 Understanding find that they are the cause of it. It is added : — 
 ‘ Here they go out, and in the goynge the Soule syngyth in the most 
 lamentabull wyse, with drawte notes, as yt ys songyn in the passyon 
 wyke ’ ; in allusion probably to the prolonged manner of drawling 
 out the notes of psalms at that season. 
 
 ' Parnjyse means the Portico. This passage settles the doubt (see Glos- 
 sary to Tyrwhitt’s Chaucer, ajoc. ‘Pai-vis') as to where the Parvis at London 
 was situated ; it was where lawyers met for consultation — viz. the portico of 
 St. Paul’s Cathedral. . . . — J. P. C. 
 
t68 THE END OF WISDOM. THE CITY QUEST. 
 
 “ Wisdom makes a long speech, in order to give the characters time 
 to dress themselves j after which, "here entrethe with the five 
 
 wytts goynge before j Mynde on the on syde, and Undyrstondynge 
 on the other syde, and Wyll folowyng, all in (p. 212) here fyrst 
 clothynge, her chappeletts and crests, and all havyng on crownys, 
 syngynge in here commynge Mind, Will, and Understanding re- 
 nounce their evil courses, and Anima rejoices in the change. The 
 conclusion or epilogue, not assigned to any character, is as follows : — 
 " Fol'is qui timetis Deum 
 Orietur sol rusticum. 
 
 The tru son of ryghtusnes. 
 
 Wyche that ys our lorde Jhu, 
 
 Shall sprynge in hem that drede hys meknes. 
 
 Nowe ye must evyry soule renewe 
 In grace, and vyces to eschew. 
 
 And so to ende with perfection. 
 
 That the doctryne of wysdom we may sew. 
 
 Sapientia patris graunt that, for hys passyon. Amen.’ 
 
 At the end is a list of the characters, but it does not include Will, nor 
 any of the persons who have entered to dance.”] 
 
 Note on the HOLBORN QUEST, p. i6j, 1 . 773. 
 
 The William Smith, Rouge Dragon, whose plans of Cambridge 
 and Canterbury are given in my Harrisofi II (see p. 16* there), 
 wrote also “A Breetf Description of the Famovs Cittie of London, 
 Capitall Cittie of this Realme of England. &c. Ann“. 1588.” Harleian 
 MS. 6363 ; and from it, leaf 13, I take his account of the City Quest, 
 which shows what the Holborn one ought to have done and been : — 
 
 “Wardmote Enquest. 
 
 “ There is also The Wardmote Enquest, Chosen euery St. Thomas 
 day, in euery ward a quest. And are chosen after this maner. 
 The Aldermen of euery ward, causeth all y® Inhabitants thereof, to 
 assemble at a Church, or some other place witAin the said ward, 
 where is chosen out amongst them about 24 parsons, which are called 
 The Wardmot Enquest. And these do sitt all y® Christmas Holly- 
 daies till Twelfth Day. And call beffore them all such parsons (in 
 their ward) as be noted (yea, or suspected) of an)' notable cryme, 
 which if they fynd culpable : They present them in wryting, vnder 
 their handes & Sealls, into the guildhall. Also they go into every 
 mans howse wil/nn the said ward, & peruse their weights & measures, 
 which, if they ftynd not lust ; they breake them in peeces. 
 
 “ Also they present euery man, at whose dore the Street is not 
 well paved : also all Strumpetts, Baudes, Raylers, Skolders, Sc such 
 Lyke, which being found faulty, are punished accordingly. And 
 therfore euery baudy bacheler had nead to looke to hym selft.” 
 
169 
 
 CHRIST’S 
 
 BURIAL AND RESURRECTION 
 
 ^ IHgsterg* 
 
 IN TWO PARTS, IN THE NORTHERN DIALECT.' 
 
 FROM THE BODLEIAN MS. E Museo 160. 
 
 PART I TO BE PLAYD ON GOOD FRIDAY AFTERNOON, 
 
 PART 2 ON EASTER-DAY IN THE MORNING. 
 
 PA.RT I. 
 
 {ylt Christ's Cross and Sepulchre.) 
 
 Joseph and the Three Maries lament Christ’s Death. — With Nicodemus 
 they take his body from the Cross. — His Mother utters her Complaint 
 over him (p. 188, 189, 191 — 197). — He is buried. 
 
 PART II. 
 
 {In Jerusalem and at Christ's Tomb.) 
 
 The Three Maries go to Christ’s Sepulchre. — Peter laments his treachery 
 (p. 210); Andrew and John comfort him. — Christ appears to Mary 
 Magdalene (p. 219), and then to the 3 Maries (p. 222). — The Apostles 
 go to the Sepulchre (p. 225). — All sing. 
 
 ' Originally: See the a^e, a’, all ( 1 . 4, 7, 653, &c.); a-xvn, own (p. i8c, 
 1. 401); tilt, to (1. 402, 428, 528); haws thou (1. 403); knanu, know (p. 188, 
 1. 496; p. 189, 1. 514, &c.) ; avald, would (p. 189,!. 531 ; p. 190, 1. 564, &c.); 
 la-Tvly, lowly (p. 226, 1. 1715); s, verbal plural; nuhiklye, quickly (p. 186, 
 1. 444; nvhantite, quantite (p. 192, 1. 621; p. 196, 1. 737); nvhik, quick, 
 living (p. 198, 1 . 814); ‘whit, quite, requite (p. 199, 1 . 850), &c. See more 
 overleaf. 
 
1 70 
 
 [THE NAMES OF THE PLAYERS.] 
 
 PART I. 
 
 Josephe of Aramathye. 
 
 The Three Maries. 
 
 I. Mary Salome (see note 3, 
 p. 154 above). 
 
 2. Mary, the Mother of James. 
 
 3. Mary Magdalene. 
 Nicodemns (p. 184). 
 
 The Virgin Mary (p. 186). 
 
 St. John the Evangelist (p. 187). 
 
 Besides these, in Part II (^except Joseph and Nicodemus). 
 
 The Angel (p. 205). I St. Andrew, Peter’s Brother 
 
 St. Peter (p. 209). ' (p. 213). 
 
 Jesus (p. 219, 222). 
 
 Dr. Richard Morris kindly sends me the following note on the 
 Dialect of this Mystery : — 
 
 “I’ve look’d over the ‘Mystery’ and find that it was originally 
 in the Northumbrian dialect (has 2 and 3 sing, in -s, 1 . 1469, 1543 
 (is thou, 184/293) j pi. in s, see 1. 1426 ; till, sign of infinitive, 11. 992, 
 1335, *345 j but that it has been greatly alter’d 
 
 and modernized (see footnote on p. 184, good Northumbrian) . 
 
 “ Northumbrian and Midland forms are mixed together (cp. sho 
 and shee ; 3rd pers. sing, in s and th, see p. 182), and whole lines 
 have been alter’d to get a Midland rpme (cp. 1 . 203-4, original end- 
 ings u’o and sho; for hee = she, and not he j p. 202, 1. 918-19, sho 
 and go, original rymes). 
 
 “The Midland element is easily recognized to be of the West 
 Midland type. 
 
 “ I. The text contains a large number of Northern terms. 
 
 “ 2.' pt. tense and pp. in -t, ‘ wipet, blessit, wrappit,’ See., &c. 
 
 “3. Os, as : This word occurs about 30 times, and as it is common 
 in West Midland work, I take the frequent occurrence of it to be 
 proof positive of Midland influence. The poem is still Northern, as 
 distinct from Southern." 
 
 ' Cp. pres, particip.es in -ing, not Northern ; the dropping of n in past 
 pairiciples of strong verbs not Northern (p. 194). 
 
I7I 
 
 THE BURIAL OF CHRIST. 
 
 \_MS. E Museo [6o [once 226], {Bodl. Libr.), leaf 140.^] 
 
 ^ [This is a play to be playede, on part on gud- 
 friday after-none, & other part opon Ester- 
 day after the resurrectione, In the morowe. but 
 at [the] begy/mynge ar certene lynes which 
 [must] not be saide if it be plaiede, which 
 (. . . another line cut 0^).] 
 
 The prologe of this treyte or meditatione off the 
 buryalle of Criste & mowrnynge theroit. 
 
 A Soule that list to singe of lone 
 
 Of Crist, that com till vs so lawe, 
 
 Rede this treyte, it may hyTwm moue, 
 
 And may hym teche lightly with awe,® 4 
 
 Off the sorow of Mary sumwhat to knawe, 
 
 Opon gudfrlday after-none j 
 Also of theappostiles awe, 
 
 And how mawdleyn) sorowe cessit not son) j 8 
 
 And also 
 
 How losephe of Aramathye 
 And othere persons holye j 
 WitA Nichodeyme worthely. 
 
 How in thair harte had wo. 13 
 
 Fyrst lat vs mynde how gud losej he. 
 
 On this wise wepite Cristes dethe : — 15 
 
 ' The MS. is letterd on the back : — “ Cronol. Papish Play.” 
 The stanzas are almost all 6 lines, aab, ccb ; some 8, aaab, cccb. 
 The Virgin’s Complaint, p. 191-3, is mainly in eights, abab, bcbc, 
 with some sixes and sevens. Some couplets follow it. Parts of it 
 (p. 194-5) have the same burden ‘ Who can not wepe, com lerne of 
 me,’ as the earlier poem in my Hymns to the Virgin and Christ, 
 E. E. T. Soc. 1867, p. 126-7. 
 
 ^ In margin of leaf 140 back, at foot. ® withal. 
 
 This Treatise 
 tells of the 
 soiTow of Mary, 
 
 the Apostles, 
 
 Mary Mag- 
 dalene, 
 
 Joseph of Ari- 
 mathea. 
 
 Nicodemus, 
 
 and Joseph. 
 
Great wrong has 
 been wrought 
 to-day. 
 
 Christ’s blood 
 has flowd, and 
 
 tui-nd Calvary’s 
 gi'een to red. 
 
 [leaf 140, back] 
 
 What creature 
 but God could 
 raise a dead 
 man, 
 
 or give sight to 
 the blind ? 
 
 THE BURIAL OF CHRIST. 
 
 losephe. 
 
 A Lesse ! that euer I levit thus longe ’ 
 
 This day to se so grete wronge ! 
 
 So feH Cruellitee Sc paynes stronge 
 
 Were neuer seyn) or this ! 19 
 
 Such envy, such rancor, such malesse ! 
 
 Of crueH tormewte^ such excesse ! 
 
 O pilate, pilate ! in thy palesse. 
 
 He that neuer did amysse, 23 
 
 This day was dampnyt ! o Innocent bloode, 24 
 
 Most of vertue, most graciose Sc gude. 
 
 This day stremyt owt lik a floode 
 
 And lyk a ryvere grete 5 27 
 
 On caluery mownt, on lenghe Sc brede ! 
 
 O caluery ! thy greyn colore is turnyd to rede 
 By a blessit laTwmes bloode which now is dede. 
 
 Alese ! for faynt I swete, 3 1 
 
 Remembringe that so cleyne on Innocent shuld dye, 32 
 Which ledd his life the most perfitlye. 
 
 And wrought sich warkei wonderoslye, 
 
 Ose ludea can recorde. 35 
 
 What mortali creature, that powre myght haue 
 To make a dede man rise owt of his graue, 
 
 Lyinge ther-in iiij dayes tayve. 
 
 But god, the gretish lorde ? 39 
 
 A man to haue his sight, born) starke blinde, 40 
 
 From Adams Creation) where shaH we fynde ? 
 
 Or what prophettei can ye caH to mynde. 
 
 Of whom maybe verryfyed! 43 
 
 So grete a miracle aboue naturs righte ? 
 
 To many othere blind men he gaue the sighte. 
 
 And wrought many wounders by godly myghte, 
 
 As it is well certifiede. 47 
 
 From the hyH I com bot now down), 48 
 
 Wher I left the holy women in dedly swoun). 
 
 O ye pepuH of this cetye & of this town), 
 
THE BURIAL OF CHRIST. 
 
 Herd ye not the Exclamation) 
 
 And the grete brunte which was on the h[i]H:, 
 
 “ Crucyfy hym ! Crucify hym ! slo hym & kill ! ” 
 
 Peace ! now harkyn ! I pray you stand still j 
 Methink I here lamentation).^ <5 
 
 thre mariye sais all to-gider in a voce. 
 
 Kiunt iij marie 
 
 O most dolorose day ! O tym of gretist sorowe ' 56 
 
 Maudleyw 
 
 0 sisters,^ stand stiH vn-tyH to-morowe ! 
 
 1 trow I may not leue.® 58 
 
 loseph 
 
 I here the mawdleyn) / bitterly compleyn). 
 
 What gud creature / may hywz-self refrayn) 
 
 In this piteose myscheffe.^ 61 
 
 maria. 
 
 O day of lamentation) ! 62 
 
 maria. 
 
 O day of exclamatione ! 
 
 Thrid mary. 
 
 O day off suspiratione ! 
 
 Which lewes shall repent ! 65 
 
 Mavdle^w. 
 
 O day most doloruse ! 
 
 ij®' maria. 
 
 O day paynfuH & tediose ! 
 
 ' Off the wepinge of the iij Maries. 
 
 M [An, harkyn how mavdleyn wttA i/ie maris ij® 
 
 Wepis & wringes thair handes os thay goo.] 
 
 These two lines crosst through with red ink. 
 
 2 saide mawdleyne crosst through. 
 
 ■* This line is crosst through : 
 
 This hard holy loseph standings ryght gayn 
 ^ The MS. adds ; — [The maries in that stations 
 Then saide on this fascione] 
 
 Lines crosst through. 
 
 173 
 
 The Jews cried, 
 “ Crucify him ! ” 
 
 [leaf 141] 
 
 The 3 Maries 
 lament. 
 
 Joseph sympa- 
 thises. 
 
 The Maries 
 lament again. 
 
174 
 
 THE BURIAL OF CHRIST. 
 
 
 
 iij^ maria. 
 
 
 
 O pepuH most crueH: & furiose. 
 
 Thus to slo an Innocent* ! 
 
 69 
 
 
 ij^ maria 
 
 
 Christ hangs 
 on the Cross, 
 
 O mawdleyn), youv master dere. 
 
 How rewfully he hinge.« here, 
 
 7 ^ 
 
 
 That set you first in ceile ! 
 
 7 '-» 
 
 
 Mawdleyn) 
 
 
 
 IT A ! cesse, sisters ! it sloes my chere ! 
 
 His dulfuH deth I may not here ! 
 
 Devowt losepBe, I se hym here. 
 
 Our cares forto keyle. 
 
 0 gud losephe, approche to vs nere ; 
 
 76 
 
 wounded with a 
 
 Behold hym wowndit wit/i a spere, 
 
 
 
 That louede yow so weyH ! 
 
 79 
 
 
 losephe 
 
 
 
 U mawdleyn), said Joseph,^ I pray you here; 
 
 & your susters als to be of gud chere. 
 
 
 
 Magdal[eyn 
 
 
 
 U O frende Joseph ! this prince had nener pere ! 
 
 
 [leaf 141, back] 
 
 The well of mercy / that made me clere ; 
 
 And that wist ye weile. / 
 
 84 
 
 
 Nay, gude losephe, com nere & behold! ! 
 
 85 
 
 His body stark 
 and cold. 
 
 This bludy laiwmes body is Starke & cold!. 
 
 O ! hadde ye seyn) his paynes many-fold!, 
 
 Ye wald! haue beyne right sory. 
 
 88 
 
 
 losephe ! luk bettere, behold* & see. 
 
 In how litiH space how many wounded bee ! 
 
 Here was no mercee,® her was no pitee. 
 
 But CrueH delinge paynfully. 
 
 92 
 
 
 O goode losephe, I am aH dysmayede 
 
 93 
 
 
 1 gud crosst through, instead of said J ostph. 
 
 * The poetaster has again forgotten that he’s writing a play. 
 
 * mercye alterd. 
 
THE BURIAL OF CHRIST. 
 
 ns 
 
 To see his tendere fleshe thus rewfully arayed!. 
 On this wise so wofully displayed*, 
 
 Woundit withe iiayH & spere ! 
 
 O dere losephe / I feyH my harte wex cold*, 
 Thes blessite fete / thus bludy to be-hold*. 
 Whom I weshid* wit A teres manyfold. 
 
 And wyped with my heare. 
 
 O how rewfuH / a spectakiH itf is ! 
 
 Neuer hast bee seyn) / ne shall be after this. 
 Such cruell rigore to the kinge of blisse ; 
 
 The lord that made aH, 
 
 Thus to sulfere in his humanitee. 
 
 And that only for our iniquitee ! 
 
 O makere of man ! what loue & pitee 
 Had thou for vs so thraii ! 
 
 O gude losephe, was ye not present here ? 
 
 96 
 
 Christ’s blessed 
 feet are bloody. 
 
 100 
 
 101 
 
 1 04 The Lord of all 
 has sufferd for 
 man’s iniquity. 
 
 108 
 
 109 
 
 loseph. 
 
 H Yis, moder mawdleyn), it changid my chere. 
 
 The wounder was so grete, I yrkit to com nere. 
 
 But I was not farre hence. iia [ieafi42] 
 
 Magdalena. 
 
 11 0 losephe, If I told you euery circumstaunce 
 
 
 Of the moste merite & perseueraunce 
 
 
 Of hym Jjdt neuer did offence. 
 
 1 1 5 He never did 
 
 Thys highe kinge Jiat hingey befor our face. 
 
 offence, and yet 
 
 Displayede on Crosse in this piteos place. 
 
 
 And teH you of his pacience ; 
 
 I18 
 
 Frende losephe, this day am I sure. 
 
 II9 
 
 Scantly v/iih force ye myght it indure. 
 
 
 But your hart shuld tendere 
 
 121 
 
 How he sulferte to be takid. 
 
 was taken and 
 
 Sore scourgit & nakit 
 
 scourgd. 
 
 On aH his body sclender ! 
 
 124 
 
 And not-witA-stondinge your manly hark, 
 
 125 
 
 Frome your Ees the teres wald starte. 
 
 
1/6 
 
 THE BURIAL OF CHRIST. 
 
 
 
 To shew your hevynesse. 
 
 Com hithere, losephcj & stande ner this rood? ! 
 
 I'l’] 
 
 The Lamb shed 
 his blood. 
 
 Loo ! this lawime spared not to shedd* his blude 
 With most paynfuH distresses 
 
 130 
 
 
 Her was more rancore shewed than equitee, 
 
 Mich more malace than ony pitee. 
 
 13 J 
 
 His pain passes 
 all other. 
 
 I reporte me ■, yo«r-self behold & see ! 
 
 His payn passis aii othere ; 
 
 AH if he were the pi ince of peace, 
 
 Therfor my sorow haves no releace. 
 
 134 
 
 
 
 losephe 
 
 
 
 IT Gude mawdleyn), of your mowmynge cease ; 
 
 It Eke5 my doole, dere moder : ^ 
 
 138 
 
 
 Maria lacobi ij® 
 
 
 Who can but 
 sorrow for it? 
 
 Goode frende losephe, what creatar maye 
 
 But sorow to se this wofuH daye, 
 
 139 
 
 [leaf 142, back] 
 
 The day of gretist payne ? 
 
 141 
 
 
 Maria solamee 
 
 
 
 ^ & sorow must nedey synke 
 
 Mor in our hartes than met & drinke. 
 
 To se our saueyoure slayne. 
 
 144 
 
 
 losephe. 
 
 
 
 U Alese, women ! ye mak my hart to relente. 
 
 145 
 
 The Virgm 
 
 Mary 
 
 Beholdinge his body thus tome & rente. 
 
 That inwardly I wepe ; 
 
 But, gude Mawdleyn), shew vnto me 
 
 Where is mary his mothere so free. 
 
 147 
 
 Who haues that maide to kepe? 
 
 
 
 Mavdleyn) 
 
 
 
 A losephe, from this place / is sho^ gone. 
 
 To haue seyn) hir, a harte of stone, 
 
 1 MS. has this line crosst through : — 
 
 The secund Mary began to saye 
 ^ The MS. puts before Wo, ‘The thrid mary saide,’ but 
 
 
 
 it is 
 
 
 crosst through. 
 
 
 
 2 wente crosst through. 
 
 
THE BURIAL OF CHRIST. 
 
 177 
 
 For ruthe wald haue relente : 
 
 153 
 
 
 Right many tymes emange^ vs here 
 
 Sche swownyd witA most dedly chore, 
 
 Ose mothere mekest kente. 
 
 156 
 
 swoond. 
 
 With fuH longe prayere, scant we myghte 
 
 157 
 
 
 Cause hir parte from this peteose sighte ; 
 
 Scho made many compleynte ; 
 
 159 
 
 
 Ye saw neuer woman jiis wise dismaide j 
 
 Zehedeus & John base hir co«vaid*e ; 
 
 To spek of hire I faynte. 
 
 162 
 
 Zebedee and 
 John have taken 
 her home. 
 
 Many men spekes of lainentacion) 
 
 Oif moders, & of their gret desolation) 
 
 163 
 
 
 Which that thay did in-dure 
 
 When that their childer dy & passe ; 
 
 But of his peteose tender moder, alasse. 
 
 165 
 
 
 1 am verray sure 
 
 168 
 
 
 the wo & payn passis aH other* : 
 
 169 
 
 
 Was ther neuer so sorowfuH a mothei’* 
 
 For inward! tho3t & cure. 
 
 171 
 
 Never was 
 mother so 
 sorrowful as the 
 
 When sho harde hym for his enmyse praye, 
 
 And promesid the thefe the hlissis aye. 
 
 
 [leaf 143 ] 
 
 And to hir-self no word wald* saye; 
 
 Sche sighid*, be ye sure. 
 
 ns 
 
 Virgin when her 
 Son didn’t speak 
 to her, 
 
 The son«e hynge, & the moder stood. 
 
 And euer sho kissid* the droppes of blood! 
 
 176 
 
 
 That so fast / ran) down) j 
 
 Sche extendit hir Armes hym to brace ; 
 
 178 
 
 
 But sho myght not towch hym, so high was the place. 
 And then sho feii in swoune. 181 
 
 and she could 
 not touch Him. 
 
 losephe 
 
 
 
 A Gude mawdleyn), who can hir blame, 
 
 , To se hir awn) son) in so grete shame. 
 
 182 
 
 
 With-owt ony offence. 
 
 00 
 
 
 But, mavdleyn), had he ony mynd on hir in 
 
 his 
 
 
 passion) ? 
 
 DIGBY JITST. N 
 
178 
 
 THE BURIAL OF CHRIST. 
 
 Mavdleyn) 
 
 
 3ee, yee^ losephe ! of hir he had grete coOTpassiou), 
 Os apperih by evidence ; 
 
 187 
 
 
 For, hanginge on the Crosse most petyfully, 
 
 188 
 
 Christ lookt 
 from the Cross 
 
 He lukyd* on that maide, his moder, rewdully. 
 
 
 oil His Mother, 
 
 And with a tender cow[n]tenaunce. 
 
 As who say, “ modere ! the sorow of your harte 
 
 190 
 
 
 Make5 my passion mor bitter & mor smarte. 
 
 Ye ben) euer in my remembraunce. 
 
 19.3 
 
 and said that 
 John should 
 
 Dere modere, becawse I depart os nowe. 
 
 194 
 
 comfort her. 
 
 lohn my Cosyn) shaU waite on yowe. 
 
 Your coraforte for to bee.” 
 
 196 
 
 
 Loo, he had hyr on his graciose mynd. 
 
 To teche ah chi[l]deren) to be kind 
 
 To fader & modere of dewtee. 
 
 199 
 
 
 This child wald not lefe his moder alone. 
 
 200 
 
 [leaf 143 , back] 
 
 Not-withstandinge hir lamentabih: mone 
 & hevynesse. 
 
 202 
 
 
 [lojseph 
 
 
 
 ^A, gud lady, fuH wo was shee ! 
 
 But can ye teli what worder saide hee 
 
 There in that grete distresse ? 
 
 205 
 
 
 Mavdleyn 
 
 
 And in His 
 
 H ^0 losephe, this lame most meke. 
 
 206 
 
 
 In his CrueH: tormetiter &: paynfuH eke. 
 
 But fewe wordes he hadd. 
 
 208 
 
 agony, He said 
 “ I thirst.” 
 
 Saue that in grete Agony e 
 
 He saide thes wordes, “ I am thrustye,” 
 
 With chere demure ix sadd. 
 
 211 
 
 [IJhoseph 
 
 IT Mawdleyne : Suppose ye his desire was to drinker 212 
 
 * In the MS. the line before is crosst throu;li : — If Than saide 
 losephe right peteoslee. 
 
 * H i\Ia\vdleyn saide crosst through. 
 
THE BURIAL OF CHRIST. 
 
 179 
 
 Mai^dleyn 
 
 IF Nay, verrelye, frende Joseph, I thinke 
 
 He thrustide no lyquore ■, 
 
 214 
 
 
 His thruste was of charitee; 
 
 
 (’hrist thirsted 
 
 For our faithe & fidelitee. 
 
 
 
 He ponderite the rigore. 
 
 217 
 
 
 Off his passion done so cruellye ; 
 
 218 
 
 
 For the helth of mawnys sauH cheflye 
 
 
 for the health of 
 man’s soul, 
 
 He thrustid* & desirede. 
 
 220 
 
 
 And then, after tormente longe. 
 
 
 
 & after paynes feil & stronge. 
 
 
 
 This mekist lam expyretJe ; 
 
 223 
 
 and then died. 
 
 For wikkit synners fis lamiiz is dede. 
 
 224 
 
 
 Alese ! my hart wex hevy os lede. 
 
 
 
 Myndinge my writchitnesse. 
 
 226 
 
 
 Where was euer a mor synfuH: creature 
 
 
 
 Than I my-self? nay, nay; I am sure 
 
 
 
 Was none of mor offencesse. 
 
 229 
 
 
 0 ! what displesur is in my mynd?. 
 
 230 
 
 
 Rememberinge that I was so vnkynd? 
 
 
 [leaf 144] 
 
 To hym that hinges here. 
 
 232 
 
 H 0 w unkind was 
 I to Him ! 
 
 That hinges here so piteoslye 
 
 
 
 For my synnes done owtragioslye ! 
 
 
 
 Mercy, lorde, I requere ! 
 
 23, ^ 
 
 
 Not-withstondinge the gre[t] enormitee 
 
 236 
 
 
 Of my fowle sywnes, & of his humylitee. 
 
 
 Yet He forgave 
 me all my foul 
 
 This lambe, this Innocenf, 
 
 238 
 
 sins. 
 
 For my Contrition) he forgaue mee 
 
 
 
 Only of his fre mercifuif pitee; 
 
 
 
 Neddes must ray harte relente. 
 
 241 
 
 
 This is the sacrifice of remission) ; 
 
 242 
 
 
 Crist, aH: sywners havinge co/drition). 
 
 
 
 Callith to mercy & grace. 
 
 244 
 
 
 Sayinge thes swete wordes, “ retorn) to mee. 
 
 
 He is with all 
 
 Leve thy syn), & I shalbe with thee. 
 
 
 Tvho turn to 
 
 Him. 
 
 Accepte in euery place.” 
 
 Had not beyne his most mercyfuJl coKsolalicne, 248 
 
 N 2 
 
THE BUHIAL OF CHRIST. 
 
 i8o 
 
 His mercy ac- 
 cepted my con- 
 trite heart. 
 
 How I sorrow 
 for Him ! 
 
 [leaf 144, back] 
 What can com- 
 fort me ? 
 
 l, wreche of aH wretches, ^ into desperation) 
 
 Had fallen) right dangeroslye j 250 
 
 My dedes were dampnabiH of righte. 
 
 But his mercee accepte my harte coTztrighte, 
 
 And reconsiled* me gracioslye. 253 
 
 O mekeste lambe, hanginge here on hye ! 254 
 
 Was ther none othere meyn) but jiou must nede dy, 
 Synners to reconsyle ? 236 
 
 A, Sisters, sisters ! what sorow is in me, 
 
 Beholdinge my master on this peteose tree ! 
 
 My harte faynte^j I may no longer dree. 
 
 Now lat me pawse a whyle j 2O0 
 
 O, where shaH ony comfurtB com to mee, 261 
 
 And to his modere, that Maid so free ? 
 
 Wald god, here I myght dye ! 263 
 
 ij® Maries. 
 
 Gild Mawdleyh), mesure youre distillinge teres! 
 
 Mawdlei/n 
 
 
 ^ 0 sisters,^ who may hold theire chores ? 
 
 
 His feet that I 
 wiped with my 
 hair 
 
 Thes are the swete fete I wipet wit/t heris ; 
 
 And kissid so deuowtlye ; 
 
 267 
 
 are pierct with 
 a nail. 
 
 And now to see lham thyrlite wit^ a nayle. 
 
 How shulde my sorowfuH harte hot fayle 
 
 And mowrn) cpntynually ? 
 
 270 
 
 
 Cum hi there, Joseph, beholde & looke 
 
 How many bludy letters beyn) writer in fis buke. 
 
 271 
 
 
 Smali margente her is. 
 
 273 
 
 losephs 
 
 Ye, this parchement is stritchit owt of syse. 
 O derest lorde! in how paynfuH wise 
 
 ' had fallen crosst throxtgh. 
 
 * In the MS. these 3 lines are crosst throngh : — 
 
 Ose maivdlevnc thus sore did wepe 
 The othere ijo Maryes tuk gude kepe 
 And saide righte soberlye 
 5 saide sho ci'osst through. 
 
 * In the MS. the line before is crosst through : 
 
 Than said losephe a nobilh man of prise 
 
THE BURIAL OF CHRIST. 
 
 
 181 
 
 Haue ye tholit this ! 
 
 ^‘]6 
 
 
 O, aH the pepiH that passis here-by. 
 
 277 
 
 
 Beholde here inwardlee witA your Ees gostly. 
 Consider weH & see, 
 
 Yf that euer ony payn) or torment* 
 
 Were lik vnto this which this Innocent 
 
 279 
 
 See, ye folk, was 
 ever Pain like 
 this which 
 
 Christ lias 
 sufferd 
 
 Hayes suffert thus meklee ! 
 
 282 
 
 
 Remembere man ! reraewbere weH, & see 
 
 283 
 
 
 How liberaH a man this lord was & free. 
 
 Which, to saue mankincB, 
 
 On droppe of blude haues not kepit ne sparicJ ! 
 
 00 
 
 to save Man- 
 kind ? 
 
 FuH litiil for ease or plesure he carii?. 
 
 By reason ye may finde. 
 
 288 
 
 [leaf 145] 
 
 Which on dropp of blood base not resaruyd*. 
 
 00 
 
 
 O lord, by thy deth we beyh) preseruy<J ; 
 
 By deth thou hast slayne deth ; 
 
 291 
 
 
 Was neuer no love lik vnto thyn). 
 
 That to this mekiies thy-selfe wald inclyn), 
 
 & for vs to yelde thy brethe. 
 
 294 
 
 Never was Ix)ve 
 like His ! 
 
 Thou knew ther* were no remedy to redeyrn) syn). 
 But a bath of jji blude to bath mans saule in 5 
 
 ^95 
 
 
 And thou were weH ^ assent 
 
 297 
 
 
 To let it ren) owt most plenteosly. 
 
 Where wer euer sich love ? neue?’, verrely. 
 
 That such wise wald content*. 
 
 300 
 
 
 To his fadere, for vs he made a sure render*. 
 
 301 
 
 
 Loo ! euery bone ye may nowmbere of his body tender. 
 
 
 For vntollerabiH paynes 
 
 The tormentours sparede no Crueltee, 
 
 303 
 
 
 With sharp scowrges te-terre his fleshe, ye may see 
 With thorns thrust in his braynes 5 
 
 306 
 
 His flesh was 
 tom with, 
 scourges ; thorns 
 were thrust into 
 
 His brains ; 
 nails were 
 driven into 
 
 Him ; His bones 
 
 Crete nayles drevyn, the bones aH to brake ; 
 
 Thus in Euery parte the nayles thay did wrake. 
 
 307 
 
 0 crueH wikkitnese, 
 
 Frow -the Crowne of the hede vnto the too. 
 
 309 
 
 were broken in 
 pieces. 
 
 * content wcssi through. 
 
 
 
i82 
 
 THE BURIAL OF CHRIST. 
 
 This blessit body was wrappit all in woo. 
 
 
 
 In payii) & distresse. 
 
 312 
 
 Wounds are all 
 over Him, in 
 
 In this displaied body, wher* may it be founcf. 
 
 On spolb, or a place, bet ther* is a wouncf. 
 
 . 3 '3 
 
 
 Owther* mor or lesse. 
 
 315 
 
 [leaf 145 , back] 
 side, head, 
 
 Se his side, hede, handes & fete ! 
 
 hands, feet. 
 
 Lo ! AH his body with blude is wete. 
 
 
 
 So paynfuH was his presse. 
 
 318 
 
 
 On yche parte he is paynede sore. 
 
 Sane only the tunge, which euer-more 
 
 319 
 
 
 For synners did prayee. 
 
 Mawdlen.- 
 
 321 
 
 0 piteous sight 1 
 
 Who saw euer a spektacle more pitevs, 
 
 A more lamentable sight & dolorus ? 
 
 
 
 AA ! this wofuH daye ! 
 
 324 
 
 
 Alese, this sorow that I endure 
 
 With grete inwarde hevynes & cure ! 
 
 325 
 
 
 Alesse, pat I do not dye. 
 
 To see hym dede, made me of noghte. 
 
 And with his deth thus haves me boughte ; 
 
 327 
 
 0 cruel torment ! 
 
 O CrueH tormentrye ! 
 
 330 
 
 
 O dere master, be ye not displeasid? 
 
 33 ^ 
 
 
 Yf I myght dy with yow / my harb wer wel easi^J 
 
 
 
 O ! tfayn)t, & faynt it is 
 
 Ioseph.2 
 
 What meyn) je women, in goddis nawe? 
 
 333 
 
 
 Moder ! to mych sorow / je mak j ye be to blame 
 
 f 
 
 
 I pray yow, leve aH this ! 
 
 336 
 
 But He shall 
 rise again, 
 
 He that hingeth here of his humilite. 
 
 From deth shall aryse, for right so saide hee ; 
 
 331 
 
 
 His wordej must nede5 be trewe : 
 
 * The next line in the MS is crosst through : — 
 
 H To that word mavdlene awnswert thus 
 ® The next line in the MS is crosst through 
 
 H Holy losephe awnswerit to this same 
 
 339 
 
THE BURIAL OF CHRIST. 
 
 183 
 
 This is the finale cavse & cowclusicn). 
 
 To bringe our mortaH enmy to confusion) 
 
 And his powere to subdewe. 
 
 342 
 
 to subdue Satan, 
 
 For this cawse he descendit* from Jie hevynly place 
 Born) of Jie mekist virgyn aH fuH of grace. 
 
 343 
 
 [leaf 146] 
 
 Which now most sorowfuH is. 
 
 345 
 
 * 
 
 For that cawse he did our natur take. 
 
 Thus, by deth, to sloo deth, ffor mannes sake. 
 
 
 to slay Death, 
 
 And to restor hjm to blysse. 
 
 348 
 
 and restore Man 
 to Bliss. 
 
 Wherfor, good women, yonr-self cowforte ; 
 Amongest vs agayn) / he shaH resorte. 
 
 349 
 
 
 I trust verrelye ; 
 
 351 
 
 
 I pray yow, cowpleyn) not thus hevylee. 
 
 Mavdle[yn.] 
 
 ‘ Nedw must I cowpleyn), &: that most bitterlee, 
 
 & I shaH teli yow whye : — 354 
 
 In-sensibiH Creators / beyn) trovblld, je see ; 355 
 
 The son had lost his sight*; Eclippid was hee; 
 
 Therth trewmblide ferfullye ; 337 
 
 The hard flynt & stone / is brokyn in sundre ; 
 Yf'resonabte creators / be trowblid ' it is no wonder; 
 And emange aH; speciallye, 360 
 
 I, a wrechit woman) / a, wrech ! a, wreche ! 361 
 
 Behold these bludy welles / her may Jtou feche 
 Balme more preciose than golde ! 363 
 
 O ye welles of mercy / dyggide so depe. 
 
 Who may refrayn) / who may bot wepe, 
 
 These bludy streymys to be-holde? 366 
 
 O fontains flowinge with water of life, 367 
 
 To wash away corrupcion) / of wonder infectyfe. 
 
 By dedly syne grevose ! 369 
 
 AH witA meknese is mesured this ground*, witA-out 
 dowte. 
 
 All Nature is 
 troubled. 
 
 The Sun was 
 eclipst ; the 
 Earth trembled ; 
 
 Rocks rent. 
 
 Who can refrain 
 from weepinf? at 
 these streams of 
 Christ’s blood ? 
 
 [leaf 146, back] 
 
 * The line before in the MS. is crosst through : — 
 H Than said Mawdleyne A losephe free 
 
00 
 
 THE BURIAL OF CHRIST. 
 
 
 
 Wherin so many springer of mercy flowes owfe, 
 Beholde, how so plenteose ! 
 
 372 
 
 
 Altera mar/a.i 
 
 
 
 Mawdleyne, yowr mowrny? 2 ge avaylis noihinge. 
 
 Lat vs speke to losephe, hym hertely desiringe 
 
 373 
 
 But let us find a 
 way to take the 
 Cmcified to the 
 Sepulchre. 
 
 for To finde some gude waye. 
 
 This Crucified? body down) to take. 
 
 And bringe it to seputcre, & so lett* make 
 
 375 
 
 
 Ende of this wofuH daye. 
 
 CO 
 
 
 IosepB .2 
 
 
 
 3e shait vnderstancJ yit more, that I 
 
 379 
 
 Pilate has con- 
 sented, and 
 
 Haue beyne with the luge Pilat instantlye 
 
 For this same requeste, 
 
 381 
 
 
 To berye this most holy bodye; 
 
 Ande he grauntid? me full tenderlye 
 
 To do os me thought beste. 
 
 384 
 
 Nioodemus is 
 coming to take 
 the body do\\Ti. 
 
 I haue spokene with Nichodemw^ also; — 
 
 Ye shall se hyme takyn down), or ye go ; — 
 
 385 
 
 
 That he taryes so longe, I merveH. 
 
 A ! I se hym now com vpward* the hiH. 
 
 Cesse of youre wepinge, I pray you, be stiH; 
 
 00 
 
 
 I trust aH shalbe weH. 
 
 390 
 
 
 Nichodemwi, come nerre ! we haue longe for 
 
 you 
 
 
 thoi73t.® 
 
 NicodemMj venif. 
 
 391 
 
 
 H O worthy lorde, who made aH thinge of noght. 
 
 
 [leaf 147] 
 
 WitA the most bitter payn) to deth is thou broughte 
 
 ; 
 
 
 Thy name blessit bee ! 
 
 394 
 
 
 1 The next line and a quarter are crosst through in the MS 
 IT The othere Mary myldly gafe awnsweringe 
 
 And saide 
 
 * The next line is crosst through in the MS : — 
 
 IT Then saide losephe gude ■women & ■worthye 
 
 * The next 4 lines are cro.sst through in the MS : — 
 
 When that Nichodeme see Crist, pat all boght, 
 
 Hinge all hide in his blude, 
 
 Than knelida he downe 'witA hartely hevy thoughte, 
 And saide with milde mude. 
 
 
THE BURIAL OF CHRIST. 
 
 185 
 
 O, how a pitefuit sight is this, Nicodemus la- 
 
 _ ments the Jews’ 
 
 To se the prince of euerlastinge btisse 
 
 To hinge here on this tree. 
 
 397 
 
 
 To hinge here thus soo piteoslye ! 
 
 398 
 
 
 0 most lovinge lorde, thy gret mercy, 
 
 To this havese the constreynyd* ! 
 
 Why wold thyn awn pepiH, ]>l awn) flokke, 
 
 Thus crueyfy the, 8c nayH till a stokke ? 
 
 400 
 
 
 Why haves thou not refreynyd* ? 
 
 For fourty yere in wildernesse, 
 
 Theire olde Faders in theire progresse 
 
 403 
 
 404 
 
 cruel return to 
 Jesus for His 
 goodness to their 
 fathers, 
 
 Thou fed with angelles foode. 
 
 And brought tham in-to the land* of promission, 
 Wher they fand lond in euery condischion. 
 
 406 
 
 
 And aH thinge that was goodie. 
 
 409 
 
 
 A ! A ! Is this theire gramercy ? is this theire reward' ? 
 
 
 Thy kindnesse, thy gudnese. Can they regard* 
 
 No better but thus? 
 
 412 
 
 
 Notwithstondinge the vesture of fi humanyte. 
 
 That jjou were the verrey son of god, Jjay my^t see 
 By myracles most gloriose. 
 
 415 
 
 and when His 
 miracles showd 
 them that He 
 was the Son of 
 God. 
 
 loseph. 
 
 
 
 ^ ^ gude brothere, *of your COmpleinte^ Cesse ! 
 
 3e renewe agayne grete hevynesse. 
 
 416 
 
 
 Now in thes Women here. 
 
 418 
 
 
 Nicodeme.3 
 
 Nay,^ gret co/wfarthe we may haue aH, 
 
 For, by his godly powere, arise he shall. 
 
 And the thride daye apere. 
 
 For ons he gaue me leue vj'ith hym to reasone. 
 And he shewet of this deth, & of this t reasone 
 & of this Crueltee, 
 
 [leaf 147, back] 
 But still He 
 
 421 shall arise on the 
 3rd Day. 
 
 422 
 
 424 
 
 ^ Then saide loseph erosst through, - added above the line, 
 3 The next line is erosst through in the MS : 
 
 If Nay, saide Necodeme, it may befall. 
 
 * That erosst thro, IS. added. 
 
1 86 
 
 THE BUKIAL OF CHRIST. 
 
 
 
 And how for ma/ikynd! he com to dye. 
 
 And that he sliuld arise so glorioslye 
 
 By his myghtee malestee 
 
 427 
 
 
 And with oiir flesch in hevyn tiH ascend? : 
 
 J.28 
 
 Christ Himself 
 told me this. 
 
 Many swete worded it plesit hym to spend? 
 
 Thus speking vnto me. 
 
 That no man to hev}'!)) myght clym). 
 
 430 
 
 
 But if it were by grace of hym) 
 
 Wliich com) down) to make vs free : 
 
 Nemo ascendit in celuw nisi qui descendit de celo. 
 
 433 
 
 
 Joseph, redy to tak crist down), sais. 
 
 
 Let us then take 
 down the Body, 
 
 To tak down this body, lat vs assaye ! 
 
 Brother* Nichodemw^, help, I yow praye! 
 
 435 
 
 
 On Arme 1 wald ye hadd*. 
 
 437 
 
 and knock these 
 big Nails out. 
 
 To knokk out thes nayles so sturdy & grete. 
 
 O safyoure ! they sparid' not your body to bete ; 
 Thay aught now to be sadd*. 
 
 440 
 
 
 Mawdleyn). 
 
 
 
 Gude losephe, handili hym tenderlye ! 
 
 441 
 
 
 losephe. 
 
 
 Magdalen, hold 
 His feet 1 
 
 Stonde ner, Nichodemiw ! resaue hy/w softlye ! 
 Mawdleyn), hold? ye his fete ! 
 
 443 
 
 [leaf 148] 
 
 Mawdleyne. 
 
 
 Make haste. 
 
 Haste yow, gude losephe, hast* yow whiklye ! 
 
 
 His Mother is 
 
 For Marye his moder will com, fer I j 
 
 
 coming. 
 
 A ! A ! that virgyne most swete ! 
 
 446 
 
 
 Nichodemus. 
 
 
 
 I saw hir benethe on the othere sid j 
 
 Wit/i lohn I am sure sho will not a-bid 
 
 447 
 
 
 longe frome this place. 
 
 449 
 
 
 Mary, virgj’n) & mother, com then sayinge. 
 
 
 
 H A, A, my dere sone ' A, A, my dere sone lesw ! 
 
THE_ BURIAL OF CHRIST. 
 
 
 00 
 
 lo&n euaiigeliste. 
 
 
 
 Gude Marye, swete cosyri) ! mowrn) ye not thus. 
 Ye see how stonde^ the case. 
 
 452 
 
 
 Mawdleyne. 
 
 
 
 Allese, scho coTwmys ! A, what remedye ! 
 
 Gud Joseph, comfurth hire stedfastlye. 
 
 454 
 
 
 That virgyne so fuH of woo ! 
 
 455 
 
 
 Mary virgyn) sais, fallen in swown). 
 
 
 The Virgin Mary 
 
 Stonde still, frende^ ! hast ye not soo ! 
 
 Haue yee no fere of mee j 
 
 Lat me help to tak my dere son down) ! 
 
 Mary mawdleyn). 
 
 457 
 
 asks leave to 
 help. 
 
 Lo ! I was sure sho walld! fall in a swown) ! 
 
 Her, on eueTy siiJ, is pitee. 
 
 460 
 
 and then 
 swoons. 
 
 losephe. 
 
 
 
 Help, Mawdleyn), to revyue hir agayn) ! 
 
 A. a. This womans harte is plungid! witA payn) ! 
 
 461 
 
 They revive 
 her. 
 
 Hir sorowe sho cane not cesse. 
 
 4*53 
 
 
 lohne euangelisk.^ 
 
 
 
 A, A ! dere Ladee, wherfore & why 
 
 Fare ye on this wise ? will ye here dy ? 
 
 
 [leaf 148, back] 
 
 St. John prays 
 her to bear up, 
 
 Leyf of this hevynesse ! 466 
 
 Ye promesit me ye wold not do thus. 
 
 467 
 
 Mawdleyn). 
 
 
 Speke, ladye ! speke for the loue of leyz/y. 
 
 
 Youre swete sone, my master here ! 
 
 469 
 
 Marye virgyn). 
 
 
 A, A ! Mawdleyn), mawdleyn) ! yowr master so 
 
 dere ! 
 
 j” Maries. 
 
 
 Most meke modere, be now of gude chere ! 
 
 471 
 
 lohn Euangeliste. 
 
 
 Wipe awaye that rywnys owte so faste ! 
 
 472 
 
 From your remembrawnce, rayse owt at Jie last* 
 
 and forget the 
 
 Of his passione the Crueltee. 
 
 474 Son's sufferings. 
 
 ' repeated over leaf. 
 
 
i88 
 
 THE BURIAL OF CHRIST. 
 
 
 
 losepBe. 
 
 
 
 Tak comfurthe, marye ! this wailinge helper 
 Your dere son we will to his sepulcre bringe 
 
 nothi/?ge. 
 
 
 Als it is ail oure dewtee. 
 
 477 
 
 
 Mary Virgyn). 
 
 
 The Virgin Mary 
 laments 
 
 God reward* yow of your tendenies^e ! 
 
 I shaH; assiste you wh/i aH humytnesse ; 
 
 478 
 
 
 But yit, or he departe, 
 
 Suffere me my mynd for to breke. 
 
 480 
 
 
 How be it full scantly may I speke 
 
 For faynte & febiH harte ; 
 
 00 
 
 0^ 
 
 [leaf 149] 
 
 A, A, Cosyu lohn ! what shaH I saye? 
 
 484 
 
 
 Who saw euer so dolfuH a daye. 
 
 So sorowfuH a tym, as this ? 
 
 486 
 
 her Son’s death, 
 
 This wofuH moders sorow / who cane itt expresse, 
 
 
 To se hir own) chyld* sleyn) -with cruelnesse ? 
 
 
 
 Yit myn own) swet son, yo«r wounded wold* I kysse, 489 
 
 and calls to 
 mind the Angel 
 Gabriel’s saluta- 
 tion of her, 
 
 0, GabrieH, gabrieH ! 
 
 Of gret loy did ye teH 
 
 490 
 
 In ^our first Salutation!; 
 
 Ye saide the holigost shuld co[7«] in mee. 
 And I shuld consaue a child* in vi/ginitee. 
 
 492 
 
 
 
 
 For mankind sal nation). 
 
 495 
 
 
 That ye said truthe, right well knaw I ; 
 
 But ye told* me not my son shuld* dye. 
 
 496 
 
 
 Ne yit the thought & care 
 
 Of his bitter passion), which he suffert nowc. 
 
 498 
 
 and Symeon’s 
 saying that the 
 Sword of Sorrow 
 should enter her 
 heart. 
 
 0 ! old Symeon ! fuH suthe said yowe ; 
 
 To spek ye wold' not spare. 
 
 Ye saide / The sword* of sorow suld enter my 
 
 501 
 
 harb. 502 
 
 
 Ye, ye, luste Symeon ! now I fell it smarte. 
 With most dedly payn) ! 
 
 Was there neuer moder that felit so sore ! 
 I-wise, lohn, 1 fell it alway more Sc more ! 
 
 504 
 
 She swoons 
 again. 
 
 Help ! help now. Maw dleyu) ! 
 
 & cadit in extas[ia]. 
 
 507 
 
THE BURIAL OF CHRIST. 
 
 189 
 
 Mawdleyn). 
 
 Mek moder & mayde, leve your lamentation) ! 
 
 Ye swown) still on pase witA dedly suspiration) ; 
 
 508 
 
 
 Ye mare yowre-self & vs. 
 
 5 '° 
 
 [leaf 149, back] 
 
 loHn Euangelisf. 
 
 
 
 Ye shuld! lefe of your paynfuH afflictione, 
 Callinge to your mynd* his resurrection) 
 
 Which salbe so glorivsej 
 
 5^3 
 
 St. John bids 
 Mary think of 
 Christ’s again- 
 rising 
 
 This knaw ye, & ]iat beste 
 
 514 
 
 
 Mary virgyn). 
 
 
 
 I knaw it weH, or ellis in reste 
 
 My harte shuld? neuer bee ; 
 
 I myght not leve, nore endure 
 
 On myimate, bot I am sure 
 
 
 She says, that 
 is her only sup- 
 port. 
 
 The thrid day ryse shall hee j 
 
 519 
 
 
 But yit havinge remembraunce 
 
 The gret Cruelty & Fell vengance 
 
 520 
 
 
 Of the lues so vnkind?. 
 
 522 
 
 
 Which thus wikkitly has betrayed? 
 
 Godded son), born) of me, a mayd?. 
 
 Most sorowfuH in my mynd?. 
 
 525 
 
 
 0 ludas ! why didist thou betraye 
 
 My son, )ji master ? what can ]jou saye. 
 
 526 
 
 She reproaches 
 Judas for his 
 
 Thy-self for till excuse ? 
 
 Of his tender mercyfuH charite. 
 
 00 
 
 
 Chase he not the on his xij to bee ? 
 
 He wald* not Jie refuse. 
 
 531 
 
 
 Callyt not he jie to his SMpere & last refection) ? 
 Cowth ])ou not put owt fi pesyn) & infection 
 
 532 
 
 treachery to hia 
 
 Saue thus only. 
 
 534 
 
 [leaf 150] 
 
 Vnto thy master to be so vn-kind? ? 
 
 Was his tender gudnese owt of thy mynd 
 
 So vn-naturallye ? 
 
 537 
 
 tender Master. 
 
 Gaue he not to the his body in memorial!, 
 
 A.nd also in remembraunce perpetual! 
 
 538 
 
 
190 
 
 THE BURIAL OF CHRIST. 
 
 
 
 At his suppere there? 
 
 He that was so comly & fayre to be-hold!. 
 
 540 
 
 How could he 
 
 How durst thou. CrueH hert. to be so bold? 
 
 
 dare to cause 
 
 Christ’s death ? 
 
 To cawse hym dy thus here ? 
 
 543 
 
 
 By thy treson, my son) here is slayn) ! 
 
 My swete, swetist son) ! how suld I refrejoi). 
 
 544 
 
 
 This bludy body to be-hold*? 
 
 losephe. 
 
 Gud dere Marye ! git you hence ! 
 
 We shaH bery hym with aH reuerence. 
 
 546 
 
 
 & ly hym in the mold*. 
 
 549 
 
 
 Haue hir hence, lohn, now, I desire ! 
 
 Ihoaiines Euangeliste. 
 
 550 
 
 Mary is askt to 
 
 Coni on, swete lady, 1 jow reqwire ; 
 
 
 
 I shaH gife yow attendance. 
 
 losephe. 
 
 On of yow women ber hir Companye ! 
 
 Altera maria. 
 
 I shaH wayte on hir. Go we hence, marye ! 
 
 55^ 
 
 
 Put aH this from your remembrance ! 
 
 Marie Virgyn). 
 
 555 
 
 
 What meyn ye, frendei? what is your mynd? 
 
 556 
 
 [leaf 150, back] 
 
 Towarde^ me be not so vn-kinde ! 
 
 
 
 His moder, am not I ? 
 
 Wold ye haue the moder depart hyw fro ? 
 
 558 
 
 but she says she 
 
 To lefe hvm thus, I wiH not so. 
 
 
 loill stay by her 
 
 Son. 
 
 But bide, & sitP hym bye. 
 
 561 
 
 
 Therfore, gud loseph, be cowtenf. 
 
 losephe. 
 
 Aa ! Marye, for a gud consent 
 
 562 
 
 
 We wald* not haue you here. 
 
 Marie Virgyn. 
 
 Wold ye re-newe mor sorow in me ? 
 
 564 
 
THE BURIAL OF CHRIST. 
 
 losephe. 
 
 Nayj gud lady, that were pitee. 
 
 Marye Virgyne. 
 
 Than late me abide hym nere ! 
 
 lohn ! why spek fe not for my comforte ? 
 
 Mi dere sone bad me to you resorte. 
 
 And allway on you caH. 
 
 Ye knaw weH, her is my tresure, 
 
 Whom I loue beste, whom aH my plesure 
 is & euer be shall j 
 Her is my likinge & aH my loue j 
 Why wald ye than) me hens rernoue’ 
 
 I pray yow hartly, cesse ! 
 
 Departe I may not, bot by fors cowstreynyd!. 
 Remembringe departinge, ales, my hert is paynicH 
 mor then I may expresse ! 
 
 Now, dere swete coysyn) ! I you praye ! 
 
 Myn awii dere loue, which on thursdaye. 
 
 Of his grace special!. 
 
 Of his lovinge mynd? & tendernesse. 
 
 And of verrey Inward! kindnesse. 
 
 At suppere emange^ you aH, 
 
 He admyttid! you frendly for to reste 
 & slepe on his holye godly breste. 
 
 For a speciaH prerogatife. 
 
 Because of jour virginite & clennesse, 
 
 Dei’’ cosyn, encrease not myn hevynesse 
 Yf ye desire my life ! 
 
 But, gud frende^, here in-treyt not ye. 
 
 But be content*, & suffere mee 
 Ons yit for to hold!. 
 
 For to holde here in this place. 
 
 And in myn armys for to enbrace 
 This body which now is cold!, 
 
 This bludy body woundit so sore. 
 
 Of my swet son : lohn, I aske no more ! 
 
 191 
 
 6 7 The Virgin Mary 
 prays them to 
 C 68 let her stay by 
 the Cross, 
 
 570 
 
 573 
 
 574 
 
 576 
 
 5 79 [leaf 151] 
 
 580 
 
 and, in remem- 
 brance of 
 
 c 8 2 Christ’s love to 
 ^ them, 
 
 ^85 
 
 586 
 
 588 
 
 591 
 
 59^ to let 
 
 594 
 
 ner once more 
 hold her Son’s 
 body in her 
 arms. 
 
 597 
 
 599 
 
192 
 
 THE BURIAL OF CHRIST. 
 
 Saint John 
 
 [leaf 151, back] 
 
 and Nicodemus 
 consent. 
 
 The Virgin takes 
 Christ's body in 
 her arms, 
 
 and laments 
 over Him, 
 
 [eights : ahab, 
 hcbc] 
 
 recalling His 
 Birth and 
 
 [leaf 152] 
 Circumcision. 
 
 loJin Euangeliste. 
 
 Lady, if ye will haue moderation) 
 
 Of youre most sorowfuH lamewtacion). 
 
 Do as ye list, in this case. 
 
 Marie virgyne. 
 lohn, I shall do os ye thinke gude. 
 
 GentiH: losephe, lat me sit vnder your rude. 
 And holde my son) a space. 
 
 Nichodemw. 
 
 Let vs sufFere the modere to compleyn) 
 
 Hir sonnes detSe in verrey certeyn), 
 
 Till ease hir & confenh. 
 
 losephe. 
 
 Ye ! so shall hir sorowfuH harte 
 Alway to sulfere smarte. 
 
 And we can) hot repente. 
 
 Marie Virgj'h). 
 
 O sisters, Mawdleyn, Cleophe, & lacobye ! 
 Ye see how pitefuH my son) doth lye 
 Here in myn) armys, dede ! 
 
 What erthly mother may refreyn), 
 
 To se hir son) thus Cruelly sleyn), 
 
 A ! my harte is he\y os lede ! 
 
 ^ Who shall gife me water sufficient. 
 
 And of distillinge teris habundance. 
 
 That I may wepe my fill with hart relent 
 After the whantite of sorofuH remembrance ? 
 H For his sak that made vs aH, 
 
 Which now ded lyes in my lappe ; 
 
 Of me, a mayd, by grace speciail, 
 
 He pleside to be born), & sowket my pape. 
 He shrank not for to shew the shape 
 Of verreye man at his circumcision), 
 
 And ]Jer shed his blude for mannys hape. 
 
 600 
 
 602 
 
 605 
 
 606 
 608 
 
 611 
 
 612 
 614 
 
 617 
 
 618 
 
 621 
 
 622 
 
 625 
 
 626 
 
THE BURIAL OF CHRIST. 
 
 193 
 
 Al-so at my purification), 
 
 11 Of hym I made a fayre oblation), ' 
 Which to his fader was most plesinge. 
 
 For fere, than, of herode5 persecution), 
 In-tiil egip[t]e fast I fled -wiih hym) — 
 
 His grace me gidid! in euery thinge, — 
 
 & now is he dede ! that changes my cher* ! 
 Was neuer child* to moder so lovinge ! 
 Who Jiat can not wepe, at me may lere. 
 
 ^ Was neuer deth so Cruel! as this, 
 
 To slo the gyvere of all grace. 
 
 Son ! suffer* me your woundej to kisse, 
 
 & your holy blude spilt in this place ! 
 
 Dere son ! ye haue steynyd* your face, 
 Yoar face so frely to beholiJ. 
 
 Thikk bludy droppes ryunes down a-pace, 
 Speciosus forma, the prophet told*. 
 
 H But alese ! your tormented so manyfold* 
 Hase abatid* your visage so gloriose ! 
 
 Cruell lewes ! what mad yow so bold 
 To cowmyt jiis Crym) most vngraciose. 
 Which to yowr-self is most noyose ? 
 
 Now shall aH the cursinges of your lawe, 
 Opon yow faH most myschevose, 
 
 & be knawen of vagabunde^ ouer awe. 
 
 H He & I com both of your kyn). 
 
 And that ye kithe vn-curteslye ; 
 
 He com for to fordoo your syn). 
 
 But ye for-suke hym) frowardly. 
 
 Who can not wepe, com sit me bye, 
 
 To se hym) that regnyd in blisse. 
 
 In hevyn) with his fader gloryoslye. 
 
 Thus to be slayn) in aH giltlesse. 
 
 H Son ! in your handes ar holes wid. 
 
 And in your fete that so tender were; 
 
 A gret wounde is in your blessit sid. 
 
 620 The Virgin 
 
 Mary’s Lauieiit 
 O over Christ’s 
 Corpse. 
 
 633 
 
 Now is my dear 
 child dead. 
 
 637 
 
 638 
 
 Let me kiss his 
 wounds. 
 
 6j.i 
 
 645 
 
 646 
 
 • Cruel Jews, 
 
 649 
 
 you shall be 
 cursed, and 
 [leaf 152 , back] 
 
 6^2 vagabonds 
 everywhere, 
 
 634 
 
 657 
 
 for slaying my 
 Son, the King of 
 Heaven. 
 
 66 r 
 
 662 
 
 DIGBY MTST. 
 
 o 
 
194 
 
 THE BURIAL OF CHRIST. 
 
 
 The Virgin 
 Mary*s Lament 
 over Christ’s 
 Corpse. 
 
 FuH deply drevyn) witA a sharpe speFj 
 
 Your body is bete & brussid* here j 
 
 On euery sid! no place is free ; 
 
 66j 
 
 
 Nedes muste I wepe witA hevy chere. 
 
 Who can not wepe, com lern) at me. 
 
 669 
 
 
 And beholde your lorde, myn) awn) dei* son). 
 Thus dolfulye delt witA, ose ye see. 
 
 670 
 
 My dear Son's 
 head is pierct 
 with, thorns. 
 
 Se how his hede with thornys is thronge ! 
 
 Se how he naylit was tiH a tree ! 
 
 His synows & vaynes, drawne so straytlee, 
 
 Ar brokyn) sonder by payns vngude ! 
 
 Who can) not wepe, com) lern) at me. 
 
 673 
 
 He hangs on the 
 Rood. 
 
 [leaf 153] 
 
 And be-holde hyni) here Jiat hange on rude ! 
 
 H Se all a-bowte the bludy streynes ! 
 
 0 man ! this suffert he for thee! 
 
 677 
 
 678 
 
 i 
 
 ! 
 
 1 
 
 Se so many fell & bitter peynes ! 
 
 This lamme shed his blude in fuH plentee : 
 
 Who can not wepe, com lern) at mee ! 
 
 Se aH his frendes is from hym fled! ! 
 
 681 
 
 He is all blood, 
 from head to 
 foot. 
 
 AH is but blude, so bett was hee 
 
 Fro the sole of his fute vnto jie hed! ! 
 
 685 
 
 
 1 i O swete chil(J ! it was nothinge mete — 
 
 Saue your sufferance, ye had no pere, — 
 
 To lat ludas kisse thes lippes so swete ; 
 
 686 
 
 
 To suffer a traytor to com so nere. 
 
 To be-tray his master myldist of chere. 
 
 O my swete child! ! now suffer yee 
 
 689 
 
 I.et me kiss 
 
 Me your moder, to kisse yow here, — 
 
 
 
 Who can) not wepe, com lern) at me ! — 
 
 693 
 
 
 H To kisse, & swetly yow imbracej 
 
 694 
 
 hold Him in my 
 arms, and look 
 on His blessed 
 face. 
 
 Imbrace, & in myn) armes hold! ; 
 
 To hold, & luke on your biessit face ; 
 
 Your face, most graciose to behold!; 
 
 To beholde so comly, euer I wold! ; 
 
 697 
 
 
 I wold, I wold, still with yow bee; 
 
 StiH witA yow, to ly in mold. 
 
 ;ao 
 
THE BURIAL OF CHRIST. 
 
 J9i 
 
 Who can not wepe, com lern) at me ! 
 
 H My wiH is to dy, I wald* not leve j 
 Leve, how suld I ? sithen dede ar yee. 
 
 My lif were ye / ooght can me greve. 
 
 So Jjfflt I may in your presence bee. 
 
 Me, your wofuH moder, hed may ye se ; 
 
 Ye see my dedly sorow & payn), — 
 
 Who can not wepe, com lern) at mee ! — 
 
 To see so meke a lambe her slayn); 
 
 IT Slayn) of men that no mercy hadd ; 
 
 Had they no mercy, I reporte me see j 
 To se this bludy body, is not your hart sadd ? 
 
 Sad & sorowfuH, haue ye no pitee, 
 
 Pite & compassion) to se this crneltee ? 
 
 Crueltee, vnkindnese ! O men most vnkin<5 ! 
 
 Ye that can not wepe, com lern) at mee ! 
 
 Kepiiige this Crucitixe sliH in your mynd' ! 
 
 IT When ye war born), of me, a mayde rnyld', 
 
 I sange lullay to bringe you on slepe : 
 
 Now is my songe, alese, ales, my child!! 
 
 Now may I wayle, wringe my handes, & wepe ! 
 Who shalbe my comforth ? who shaH me kepe. 
 Save at your departi nge ye segnyte to mee 
 John, your cosyn),^ most virtual & jepe, 
 
 Who that can not wepe, com & lern) at mee ! 
 
 IT O derest childe ! what fait haf ye done ? 
 
 What was your trispace, — I wald knav it fayn), — 
 Wherfor your blessid blude is forsid* forth to rone ? 
 Haue murtherid! any person) or ony maa slayn). 
 That your avn) pepiH Jims to yow dose endeyn) ? 
 Nay / nay / nay / ye neuer did ^ offence ! 
 
 Was neuer spote of syn) in your cleP conscience ! 
 
 ^ And not-withstandinge their feH indignation). 
 Only of gudwiH & inward* charitee. 
 
 Also for loue, & mannes saluation). 
 
 The Virgin 
 Mary’s Lament 
 *702 o'^'er Christ’s 
 ^ Corpse. 
 
 [leaf 153. backl 
 
 705 
 
 yoo My meek Lamb 
 ^ is slain by 
 y 1 0 merciless men. 
 
 713 
 
 7'7 
 
 y 1 8 When He was 
 bom, I sang 
 Him lullaby ; 
 
 now is my song, 
 Alas ! Alas I 
 
 721 
 
 724 
 
 726 [7s.* abab, 6 cc.] 
 What was His 
 fault, that He 
 was slain ? 
 
 729 
 
 [leaf 154 J' 
 
 732 - None. No spot 
 of Sin was in 
 
 733 Him. 
 
 * ‘standinge iu f/tis place’ crossi through. ^ MS. did of. 
 
 o a 
 
196 
 
 THE BUKIAL OF CHRIST. 
 
 The Vii’gin 
 Mary’s Lament 
 over Christ's 
 Corpse. 
 
 Son, comfort 
 your woeful 
 Mother ! 
 
 Let me hold you 
 on my lap ! 
 
 What can I do ? 
 
 Death, take me ! 
 
 [leaf 154, back] 
 
 [1 six.] 
 
 Wicked Jews, 
 hang me too on 
 the Cross I 
 
 Dear Son, 
 
 call me to Thee ! 
 
 3e haue sufFert aH this of your humylitee ! 736 
 
 Of your large mercee, gret was Jie whantite } 
 
 Crete was jie multitude of your merited all. 
 
 Thus for ma^nes sake to tast ]>e bitter gaH. 739 
 
 ^ Son ! helpe, help your moder in this wofuH smarte ! 
 Comfurth your wofuli moder, ])at neuer was vnkind! ! 
 
 In your Conception), ye reyoyet my harte ; 
 
 But now of dedly woo / so gret cawse I finiJ, 743 
 That Jjj loy of my haylsinge is passif fro my mynd!. 
 
 Yit suffer me to hold' yow hef on my lape. 
 
 Which sumtym gafe you mylk of my pape. 
 
 IT O swete, swetist child? ! woo be vn-to me ! 
 
 O most wofuli woman) / your awn moder, loo ! 
 
 Who shall graunt) it me / with you for’ to dee ? 
 
 The son is dede / what shall the moder doo ? 
 
 Where shall sho resorte ? whider shall sho goo ? 
 
 Yit suffere me to hold yow a while in my lap. 
 
 Which sum-tym gafe yow mylk of my pap ! 
 
 O crewell deth ! no lenger thou me spare ! 
 
 To me thou wer welcom), & also acceptabiH j 
 Oppresse me down at ons / of the I haue no care. 
 
 O my son, my saueyour / & loye most comfortabiH, 
 
 Suffere me to dy / with yow most merciabiH ! 758 
 
 Or at lest lat me hold? you / a while in my lape. 
 
 Which sum-tym) gaue yowe Jie milk of my pape ! 760 
 
 ^ O ye wikkit pepiH, witA-out mercy or pitee ! 761 
 
 Why do ye not crucyfye & hinge me on jie crosse? 
 Spare not your nayles / spare not your crueltee ! 
 
 Ye can not make me to ron) in greter losse 764 
 
 Than to lesse my son ^at to me was so dere ! 
 
 Why sloo ye not ])e moder / which is present her’ ? 766 
 H Dere sone ! if the Iwes / yit wiH not sloo me, 767 
 Your gudnes, your grace, I besech & praye. 
 
 So call me to your mercy, of your benignitee ! 
 
 To youre mek suters ye neuer saide yit naye ; 770 
 
 Then may ye not your moder, in this cavse delaye. 
 
 746 
 
 747 
 
 750 
 
 754 
 
 755 
 
THE BURIAL OF CHRIST. 
 
 The modere, with the child! desires for to reste ; 
 Remembere inyri) awn) son) / fat 30 sowket* my breste ! 
 H Remember when jour fleshe was soft os tender silke. 
 With the grosse mete^ then yow I wold not fede, 775 
 But gaue yow the licoar / of a maydyns mylke j 
 TiH Egip[t]e in myne^ Armes / softly I did you lede; 
 But your smylinge contenaance I askit non othef med!c. 
 Then be content* / that I with yow may riste, 
 Remembere my der* son) / fat 30 sowkit my briste ! 780 
 H At your natiuitee, remember, my dere son), 781 
 What vesseS I brochif to your nobiH grace ! 
 
 Was f er neuer moder that brochit* sich a ton) 1 
 
 From my virgyne pappes / mylk ran owt a-passe 5 784 
 
 To your godly power* / natur gaf a place ; 
 
 Ye sowkit maydens milke / & so did neuer noii)e. 
 
 Nore her-after shall / sane y oar-self alone / 787 
 
 fl When ye sowkid my brest / your body was hole & 
 sound. 78"^ 
 
 Alese ! in euery place Now se I many wound ! 
 
 Now, help me, swet mawdleyn / for I fail to fe 
 ground ! 79° 
 
 And me, wofuR mary, help now, gud lohn ! 
 
 lohn) Euangeliste 
 
 Than, gude swete lady, lef your gret mon) ! 792 
 
 Mary Virgyn) 
 
 A. A. Mawdleyn) ! why devise ye nothinge. 
 
 To this blessid body for to gif praysinge ? 794 
 
 Sum dolorose ditee Express now yee. 
 
 In fe dew honoar of f is ymage of pitee, 796 
 
 Mawdleyn) 
 
 To do your biddyn)ge, ladye, [I] be rightt fayn). 
 
 But yit, gud lady, your teres 30 refreyn) ! 79S 
 
 losephe 
 
 Now, mary ! deliuer that blessit body till vs ! 
 
 * MS. mynp. 
 
 197 
 
 The Virgin 
 Mary’s Lament 
 over Christ's 
 Corpse. 
 
 My dear Son, at 
 your birth I fed 
 you with 
 Maiden’s MUk. 
 
 [leaf 155] 
 
 Then were you 
 whole and 
 sound. 
 
 Now are you 
 full of wounds 1 
 
 {Couplet8.'\ 
 
 Magdalene, sing 
 and praise my 
 Son’s blessed 
 corpse 1 
 
1 98 
 
 THE BURIAL OF CHRIST. 
 
 
 
 Mary Virgyn) 
 
 WiH 30 tak from me / myn) own) son) lesus ? 
 
 800 
 
 [leaf 155, back] 
 
 NichodemM^ 
 
 Gud lady, suffef vs to bringe hym to his grave ! 
 
 Mary Virgyn) 
 
 
 Dear Friends, 
 
 Svvete frende5 ! suffed me mor respit to haue ! 
 
 802 
 
 bury me with 
 my Son I 
 
 Haue cowpassion) of me, frendes, I 30U praye ! 
 
 So hastely, fro me tak hym not a-waye ! 
 
 Yf to his seputcre nedei ye will hym here. 
 
 Eery me, his moder, wkh myn) awn) son here ! 
 
 806 
 
 When he was lyv}'nge, to leve I desiriiJj 
 
 Now sithen he is ded!, aH my loye is expiricJj 
 There-for lay the moder / in grave whh the chil (5 
 
 
 
 Ioha«nes euangelista. 
 
 0 mary, modere, & maiden most myld! ! 
 
 810 
 
 
 Ordere your-selfe, os reson) doth requere. 
 
 losephe 
 
 Com on ! lat vs bery this body that is here ! 
 
 812 
 
 
 Mary Virgyn) 
 
 0, now mvn) harte is in a mortaH dred' ! 
 
 813 
 
 Can 1 not keep 
 
 Allas ! shaH I not kep hym nothire wliik ne ded' ? 
 
 
 Him. alive or 
 
 dead ? 
 
 Is ther no remedye ? 
 
 □0 
 
 Let me look on 
 
 Yit, losephe, again) the cloth ye vnfold, 
 that his graciose visage I may ons behold. 
 
 
 His face once . 
 
 more I 
 
 I pray yow interlye ! 
 
 818 
 
 This parting 
 
 losephe 
 
 Pece, gude marye ! ye haue had all your wiH. 
 
 Mary virgyn) 
 
 Ales ! this departinge / my tender hart* doth kiH ! 
 
 820 
 
 kills my heart 
 
 Gud Coysyn) lohn, yitspek a word for mee ! 
 
 
 
 lohne Euangelish 
 
 Ee content, swet mary, for it may noth bee / 
 
 822 
 
THE BURIAL OF CHRIST. 
 
 199 
 
 Mary Virgyii) 
 
 A. A. toward* me ye be verreye Criieli ! 823 
 
 Yit lat me bid ons myn) own) son) far-weil ! 
 
 Ye may it not denye. 825 
 
 Now, fare-wen, only loye of all my harte & mynd* ! 
 Farewell the derest / redemption) of ma?2kind* ! 
 
 Suffert most bitterlye. 828 
 
 lohne Euaiigelist 
 Com one, gud Mary, com) ! 
 
 NichodemMs 
 
 Some of you women bed hir companye. 830 
 
 ij” Maries 
 
 We shall gife hire attendance 
 
 Faithfully witA humble reuerance. Exeunt 832 
 
 losephe 
 
 Now in his grave lat vs ly hym down), 833 
 
 And then resorte we agayn) to the town), sepelit[ur] 
 
 To hed what men will saye. 835 
 
 Mawdleyn, ye must hense departe. 
 
 Mawdlen) 
 
 Ye, & that -with a sorowfuH harte, 
 
 Mowriiynge nyght & daye. 838 
 
 Fare-wen, swete lambe ! far-wen, most innocent* ! 839 
 Wrichit mawdleyn) / with most hartly intent* 
 Commended hir to jour grace. 841 
 
 Far-wen, ded master ! far-wen, derest lord* ! 
 
 Off yowr gret mercye / 36 shaff Jie warld* record* 
 Her-after in ylk place / 844 
 
 Sum7ne preciose balmes I win go bye, 845 
 
 Tin anoynt & honour this blessit body. 
 
 Os it my dewty is. 847 
 
 Fayre losephe & gude Nichodemu^, 
 
 J commend jou to the kepinge of lesus ! 
 
 He win whit 30 U ah this. 850 
 
 [leaf 156] 
 
 Let me bid my 
 Son farewell I 
 
 Christ is laid in 
 His grave. 
 
 Mary Magdalene 
 resolves 
 
 [leaf 166, back] 
 to buy precious 
 balms to anoint 
 His body. 
 
200 
 
 Joseph takes 
 comfort, because 
 Christ will rise 
 again on the 
 third day. 
 
 End of Part I, 
 
 THE BURIAL OF CHRIST. 
 
 losepfie 
 
 Fare-weH, mawdleyn ! to yoar-self cowfurth take ! 
 
 Of this blessit beriaH / lat vs ane end! make ! 852 
 
 Here now is he gravid*, & her* lyes hee, 853 
 
 Which for lone of man), of his charite 
 Suffer! bitter passion). 835 
 
 Gret comforthe it is vnto vs aH, 
 
 That the thride day aryse he shaH 
 
 In the most gloriose fassion). 858 
 
 The tyme drawethe fast, & approchis ner*; 
 
 Schortly I truste sum gud tidingey to her*. 860 
 
 Devowte Nichodem«y, departe we as nowe. 
 
 Nicodemfiy. 
 
 Gladly, frende Joseph, I will go with 3owe. 862 
 
 Th«y her* endey the most holy 
 
 BeriaH of ))e body of Crist leyu.^ 864 
 
 ' The second part, The Resurrection, runs on without a break 
 in the MS. 
 
PART II. CHRIST’S RESURRECTION. SCENE 1. 201 
 
 [Part II. Christ's ResurrectionC\ 
 
 \_Mainly in Sixes, aal ccl. Note the long Sevens {alahhcc) 
 and short Sixes after 1. 1133, p. 209-] 
 
 Her begynnes his resurrection) 
 on pas[c]he daye at Morn). 
 
 865 
 
 [leaf 156, back] 
 
 \_Scene i.] 
 
 
 Part II. Seme 1. 
 
 Mawdleyne begynnes, sayinge 
 
 Pascha. 
 
 
 This grete hevynese & payn) ! 
 
 Alese ! how longe shaH it remayn)? 
 
 867 
 
 How long shall 
 my sorrow last ? 
 
 How longe shaft it endure 
 
 And rist wit/i-in my most carfuft hart* ? 
 
 869 
 
 [leaf 167] 
 
 How longe shaft I feyle this dedly smarte ? 
 Who shaft my sorowe cure r 
 
 872 
 
 
 How longe shaft I lef in desolation) ? 
 
 CO 
 
 
 When shaft pe houre com of consolation). 
 That my master I maye see. 
 
 00 
 
 ily Master was 
 cnicified last 
 
 Which opon the friday laste. 
 
 Was Crucified' & nailit fast*, 
 
 Peteosly till a tree ? 
 
 CO 
 
 00 
 
 Friday, 
 
 So pyteose a sight & lamentabift. 
 
 So dolorose & miserabift. 
 
 879 
 
 
 I hop ye shaft neuer fynd'. 
 
 Cursid kayn) was verrey Crueft, 
 
 And slew his awn) brothere Abtft 
 
 881 
 
 
 Of a maliciose myncP 
 
 884 
 
 
 Yit was he not so maliciose 
 
 883 
 
 
 Ose the crueft lewes most owtragiose, 
 Which hefi has slayn) my lord* ! 
 
 The sonnes of lacob, gret envy had 
 
 887 
 
 by Jews crueller 
 than Cain, 
 
 Agayns fer brothefi loseph • 3onge, wise &: ! 
 
 3 £<I, 
 
 
 Os scriptur doth record' j 
 
 8yo 
 
 
202 PART II. Christ’s resurrection, scene l. 
 
 
 Thay intendit to slo hym malishosly. 
 
 00 
 
 crueller than 
 Jacob’s sons. 
 
 And yit ))ay did not soo Cruelly 
 
 Os wrought thes lewes wild' ! 
 
 893 
 
 or Herod who 
 slew the 
 
 Few 3eres past, herod the kinge 
 
 
 Innocents. 
 
 Put to deth many 3onglinge, 
 
 & many moders child' 
 
 896 
 
 [leaf 157, back] 
 
 Here in the land' off Israeli ; 
 
 But of sudi Cruelte harde ye neuer tell 
 
 897 
 
 
 Ose done was one Fridaye, 
 
 When so grete rigore & tyraimye 
 
 Was in theire liartes, to garre hym dye 
 
 899 
 
 
 Which was so graciose aye ! 
 
 902 
 
 Christ was more 
 glorious than 
 Abel an d J oseph, 
 
 Abell & losepBe wer gude & graciose, 
 
 But theire dedes wer not so gloriose 
 
 9°3 
 
 
 Nor of so vertuose kynd', 
 
 Ose of hym) which in his hnmanitee 
 
 905 
 
 
 Wrought grete myracles in his diuinitee, 
 
 Als ye may call to mynd'. 
 
 908 
 
 
 For aH his werkes so well devyside, 
 
 Emange tham thus to be dispisecJ, 
 
 909 
 
 and yet was 
 cruelly slain. 
 
 And wit/i Cruellty slayn) ! 
 
 Ales ! when I remembere his w^oo, 
 
 911 
 
 
 Scantly may I spek or goo. 
 
 In harte I haue such payn). 
 
 914 
 
 I have precious 
 ointments for 
 His body. 
 
 I haue bought here oyntmentes preciouse 
 
 To ensalue his body most graciose. 
 
 915 
 
 
 To doo it reuerence. 
 
 917 
 
 
 My sister Cleophe saide that shee 
 
 To the seputcre wald' goo with mee. 
 
 And doo hir diligence. 
 
 920 
 
 
 Of the thridday this is fe mornynge, 
 
 And of my dere master yit herd' I nothinge. 
 
 92 1 
 
 
 Wherfor I am moste hevee. 
 
 923 
 
 [leaf 158] 
 
 Alese ! felishipe her is noon) ! 
 
 
 I will go to His 
 grave alone. 
 
 Rathere then I faile, I will go Alone. 
 
 A, dere lorde ! your mercee ! 
 
 926 
 
PART II. CHRISTS RESURRECTION. 
 
 SCENE 1. 203 
 
 Secunde Marye co;«mys in, & sais, 
 A, my harte ! what ))ou art faynt ! 
 
 927 
 
 
 How longe shall we thus mak coi/zplaywf ? 
 
 So sorowfuH tym neuer was ! 
 
 929 
 
 
 When shall comforth com of our desire ? 
 
 What woman is this fat lyes here ? 
 
 It is mawdleyn), alese ! 
 
 932 
 
 
 Sister mawdleyn) ! why waile ye on this wise? 
 
 933 
 
 Magdalene, rise 
 
 Gud sister ! we pray 50 U stand* vp, a-rise ! 
 
 
 up 1 
 
 Comforth your-self wyslye ! 
 
 935 
 
 
 Mawdleyn) 
 
 Off jour commynge, siste?', T am glade j 
 
 I-wise I knaw well fat he sadd* ■, 
 
 Ye haue cawse, os well os I. 
 
 938 
 
 
 Secund* Marye 
 
 Ther is no gud Creatur, dar I saye. 
 
 939 
 
 Every one 
 sorrows for 
 
 But inwardly sorowe he may. 
 
 And compleyn) bitteklye. 
 
 941 
 
 To remembere the fell torment* 
 
 A.nd CrueR payne of this Innocent* 
 
 Which levit so vertuoslye. 
 
 944 
 
 
 Of his meknese hymself he oftred*. 
 
 945 
 
 
 What-soeuer payn to hym was pi'ofred?. 
 
 
 this Lamb's 
 
 This lambe,^ son so freej 
 
 947 
 
 suffering. 
 
 Nothinge ragid he, ne was vnpaciente. 
 
 
 [leaf 158, back] 
 
 But euer most mekly tiH his payn) he went*. 
 
 
 
 With bayne benignitee. 
 
 950 
 
 
 From the tym of Abrahame, 
 
 951 
 
 
 & fat our faders from Egip[t] cam). 
 
 Or when sorow was maste. 
 
 953 
 
 
 I am suere was neuer day so piteouse. 
 
 
 Never was day 
 
 So doolfuH, & so dangerouse. 
 
 
 so piteous as 
 last Friday, 
 
 Ose friday that is paste. 
 
 956 
 
 
 When all the crueltye was owt sought. 
 
 957 
 
 
 1 ))at or ys blotted. 
 
204 
 
 PART II. CHEISt’s resurrection. SCENE 1. 
 
 when the Maker 
 of all, died for 
 Man. 
 
 To distroy hytn made aH thing of noght. 
 
 To sloo hym that gyves life ! 
 
 Owt of my mynd' this neuer goo shaU 
 
 That for man, diete the maker of alt, 
 
 By his manhed? passyve. 
 
 939 
 
 962 
 
 
 Mawdleyn) 
 
 So doolfuH a day was neuer befor this ! 
 
 But go we to the iVIonyment whef his sepwlcre 
 To anoynte his body there. 
 
 963 
 
 is, 
 
 965 
 
 
 Secund Marye 
 
 Sister, I com for that sam Intenfj 
 
 Ther is nothinge can me better cowtenf ; 
 
 To go, I haue no fere. 
 
 968 
 
 
 Mawdleyn) 
 
 Then, gude sister, lat vs goo devowtlee. 
 
 969 
 
 The Tliree 
 
 Maries, 
 
 [leaf 159 ] 
 
 Secmide marye 
 
 Abide ! yonder commes Marye lacobee ; 
 
 I trow, with vs sho wilf goo. 
 
 971-2 
 
 
 Thride Marye coiremys in 
 
 O gude sisters, how is it with 3owe ? 
 
 
 
 Mawdleyn) 
 
 A, dere sister ! neuer soo eviH os nowe ! 
 
 
 on this 3 rd day, 
 
 Thrid Marye 
 
 Gud mawdleyn), say not soo ! 
 
 This is the third day, 3e remew bed weH. 
 
 975 
 
 976 
 
 JNIawdleyrD 
 
 
 Yej bot of my master & lorde, I her* not teH, 
 Therfore I can not cease. 
 
 978 
 
 will go to their 
 Lord’s 
 
 Sepulchre. 
 
 We were goynge to [the] Monymenf 
 
 Whef-os lyeth that swete Innocenf. 
 
 Loo, here, Oyntmente^ of swetnese ! 
 
 00 
 
 
 Thrid marye 
 
 
 
 Gude sisters, on yow shaH I wayte. 
 
 
PART II. Christ’s resurrection. 
 
 SCENE 1 . 20 ^ 
 
 Secunde Marye 
 
 
 Then let vs tak Jie way furth strayte. 
 
 9^3 
 
 Mawdle) ii) 
 
 
 Siste/s, I perceyve the place is her-bye ; 
 
 Lat vs ordeyn) our oyntmentes accordinglye 
 
 984 
 
 With aH huraylite. 
 
 986 
 
 Here lyes he jiat was mercifuH to syKners aH ! 
 Here lyese he, most piteose when we did caH ! 
 
 The 3 Maries 
 reach Christ’s 
 
 Tomb. 
 
 Com nerr sisters, & see ! 
 
 989 
 
 Lo, here is the place wher jte body was laid'. 
 Which bornl was of a virgyn & a cleyu) maid. 
 
 990 
 
 TiH honour it, grete cawse haue wee. 
 
 992 [leaf 159 , back] 
 
 Gud sisters, be we not affrayd' 
 
 To do hym reuerence & dewtee ! 
 
 994 
 
 Here he lyeth, whose^ lif surmouwtej aH ojier, 
 
 995 
 
 Which raysed from deth to lyve, Lazarus my broj^er, 
 
 Now a levinge man) ! 
 
 He lyese hed, which by his powre devyn). 
 
 997 
 
 In chana Galilee turnyde water to wyn), 
 
 Ose many testyfy Can). 
 
 1000 
 
 The angeH spekes : 
 
 Whom seke ye, women sanctifiede? 
 
 The Angel tells 
 them 
 
 lOOI 
 
 Three maryes to-gider sais : 
 
 
 le^us of nazareth crucified. 
 
 The redemer of mankind ! 
 
 1003 
 
 AngeH. 
 
 
 He is resyne ! he is not here ! 
 
 that Christ 
 
 To his disciples he shaH aperej 
 
 
 In galilee thay shaH hym fynd. 
 
 1006 
 
 Mulier, quid ploras // Woman, why wepis ])ou 
 
 soo ? 
 
 Mawdlen) 
 
 
 For myn harte is fuH of sorow & woo. 
 
 My lorde, fat was the kinge of blisse. 
 
 1008 
 
 Is takyn) away ; i wat not wher’ he is. 
 
 1010 
 
 * MS. wkose whose. 
 
 
zo 6 
 
 The Angel again 
 tells them 
 
 [leaf 160] 
 that Christ lias 
 risen, and 
 
 has won the 
 victory. 
 
 Ho shows them 
 where the Body 
 lay, and bids 
 
 them take the 
 bloody cloth that 
 was put on Him 
 on the Cross. 
 
 Mary Magdalene 
 still mourns. 
 
 [leaf 160, back] 
 
 PART II. CBRIsfs RESURRECTION. SCENE 1. 
 
 AngeH 
 
 Com bidder, womew ! approcbe mor nere ’ lOii 
 
 Be of gude comfurth& of gud chef. 
 
 For so gret cawse ye haue : 1013 
 
 He that ye seke so beselye. 
 
 With gude mynd so faythfullye. 
 
 Is resyh) here from his grave ! 1016 
 
 The son ofgode, in his humanite 1017 
 
 Sufferde deth / & by his diuinitee 
 
 Is resyn the thrid daye. 1019 
 
 For redemption of man was he born), 
 
 Displayede on the crose, & all to-torn) 
 
 In right piteose araye. 1022 
 
 I'he batell is done, & victorye renuyd! ! 1023 
 
 The grete enmy of ma?z ferby is subduyd'. 
 
 That most hatid* mankyn)d<. 
 
 Com bidder, & behold' with your Eye 
 The place where )3e body did lye ! 
 
 Be loyeos now of mynd 1 1028 
 
 Loo! here is the cloth droppid bind, 1029 
 
 Which was put on hym) takyn) of ])e rud, 
 
 Ose yo«r-self did see. 1031 
 
 For a remembrance, tak it yee. 
 
 And hy yow fast to Galilee j 
 
 For thef, appef shaH hee. 1034 
 
 Mawdleyn) 
 
 Yit must myn herte wepe Inwerdlye, I 035 
 
 Yit must I mowrn) cowtynuallye. 
 
 My ndinge my master dere. t 037 
 
 O ! what myn) harte is hevy & lothe. 
 
 When I beholde this piteose clothe 
 Which in my hande is here ; 1040 
 
 This cloth with blude pat is so stayned, 1041 
 
 Of a maydens child so sor constraynid. 
 
 On Cross when he was done 1 1 043 
 
PART 11. Christ’s resurrection, scene i. 
 
 207 
 
 O rygore vnright ! O crueltee ! 
 
 O wikkit wylfuHnese ! O ppruersitee ! 
 
 0 liarte5 harde os stone. 
 
 1046 
 
 
 to Put to deth a lamb so meke ! 
 
 1047 
 
 
 Welt may the teres ron) down) your cheke ! 
 
 
 
 Well may your herte5 relent*, 
 
 1049 
 
 
 Myndinge the payn) my lord* & master felte ! 
 
 
 
 0 ! in my body my herte now dotRe melte ! 
 
 
 She’d be content 
 to die. 
 
 To dy, I were content* ! 
 
 J052 
 
 Secund* Marye 
 
 
 
 Sister Mawdlen), to blame ye are. 
 
 1053 
 
 
 With this dedly sorow yowr-self to marre. 
 
 
 
 Yoar-self thus to torment*. 
 
 1055 
 
 
 Ye torment yowr-selfe, & crucifyej 
 
 
 
 Ye haue cawse to tak gladnes, & whye. 
 
 
 The other 
 
 Maries assure 
 
 Ye haue proue evident*. 
 
 1 015 8 
 
 her that Christ 
 is risen, 
 
 That your master & oures, by his godly myght 
 
 *039 
 
 
 Is resen from deth / to lyfe ! an angell bright 
 
 
 
 Schewes thes tidinge^ till vs. 
 
 1061 
 
 
 And shewed* vs the place / wher his body laye, 
 
 
 
 Which is not ther* / for-Jji let passe a-waye 
 
 
 
 Our sorow most grevouse. 
 
 1064 
 
 
 Thride marye 
 
 
 
 Sister Mawdleyn), in your hart be stabih ! 
 
 1065 
 
 
 We shall here tidinge^ right comfortabiH, 
 
 
 and good tidings 
 11 soon come. 
 
 And ]>at I trust shortlye ; 
 
 1067 
 
 
 For that is suth veritabill, 
 
 
 
 Saide so afore suthlye. 
 
 ir 69 
 
 
 Mawdleyn) 
 
 
 [leaf IGi] 
 
 A. A. Sisters / my slewth / & my necligence ! 
 
 1070 
 
 
 I haue not don my dewty ne my diligence. 
 
 
 
 Ose vnto me did fall ! 
 
 1072 
 
 
 At my masters sepulcre, if I hade gifen attew ance, 
 
 And waytid! wisely with huinbte affiance 
 
 Os I was bound* most of ali, 1075 
 
2 o 8 part II. Christ’s resurrection, scene i. 
 
 
 Mary Magdalene 
 laments that she 
 
 I sliuld haue seyn) his vprisiiige gloriose 
 
 1076 
 
 didn’t come 
 earlier to see 
 
 Of my swete lorde / of Jie which desirose 
 
 
 Christ’s arising. 
 
 I am, & nedej must bee. 
 
 1078 
 
 
 ^Alese, sisters ! I was to tidiose. 
 
 That holy sight to see.^ 
 
 1080 
 
 
 Than I shuld haue had* comforth vncowparabitt. 
 
 1081 
 
 
 Of the which loye / to speke I am not abiH j 
 Than I hade seyn) my lorde 
 
 To haue resyn) from his sepulture, 
 
 WitA his bludy wounded, of hyw I had ben) sure. 
 
 C’O 
 
 CO 
 
 0 
 
 
 Ales ! when I record 
 
 1086 
 
 
 How I myghte haue had a sight of your presence 
 Who then aught of verrey congruence 
 
 CO 
 
 0 
 
 
 To be mor glad than I, 
 
 1089 
 
 He, by His 
 mercy, had 
 
 Which ye haue callid* by your grace onlee. 
 
 
 calld her, the 
 greatest of 
 
 Beynge gretist synner / vnto your large mercee. 
 
 
 sinners, had let 
 
 And that most^ curtesly ? 
 
 1092 
 
 
 Whoso wiH not wayte when )iat tym is. 
 
 When faynest he wold therof, shall he mysse; 
 
 1093 
 
 
 So it faris by mee. 
 
 O, wold to god I had made more haste ! 
 
 My slewthfuH werke is now in wast ! 
 
 1095 
 
 
 Jit, gud lord*, haue fou pitee ! 
 
 00 
 
 Os 
 
 0 
 
 [leaf 161 , back] 
 her, at Simon’s 
 
 When Symon to dyner did hym caH, 
 
 1099 
 
 dinner. 
 
 Amonge^ the geste^ & straungers aH, 
 
 ’With meknese soberlye 
 
 I com in wit A mynde contrite. 
 
 For I hade levid* in fowH delite. 
 
 1 10 1 
 
 
 In syn) of licherye. 
 
 1104 
 
 
 Not-witA-standinge the gret abhomynation) 
 
 Of my grete sy«nes full of execration) 
 
 1105 
 
 wash His feet 
 with her tears, 
 
 Yit of his benignite — 
 
 As witA aH mercy he was replete — 
 
 He sufferte me witA teris to wesh his fete ! 
 
 1 107 
 
 Loo, his mercyfuH pitee ! 
 
 1 1 to 
 
 
 * — * These 2 lines are at the bottom of the page. 
 
 
 
 * ‘gracioslye or’ crosst thro. 
 
 
PART II. Christ's resurrection, scenes i & 2 . 209 
 
 IVIy synfuH lippeSj which I did abuse, 
 
 To towch his blessit fleshe he wald* not refuse ; 
 
 1 1 1 1 and touch His 
 flesh with her 
 sinful lips. 
 
 And ther right oppenlye. 
 
 Off his most piteouse tendernese. 
 
 1113 
 
 The pardouw of my synnes & gret excesse. 
 
 He gaue to me hoolye ! 
 
 He pardond all 
 her sins. 
 
 1 1 16 
 
 Now may I wringe, both wepe &c wayle, 
 Myndinge on friday his gret bataile 
 
 1 1 17 
 
 He had on crosse of tree. 
 
 1119 
 
 And tuk opon) hym) for vs aH: 
 
 To ouer-com the fend pat made vs faH. 
 
 A, Sisters ! weH mowrn) may wee ! 
 
 1122 
 
 Secund* marye : 
 
 
 Sister Mawdleyn) ! it is bot in vayn) 
 
 1123 
 
 Thus remedilesse to mak complejnfj 
 
 Ther-for it is the best*. 
 
 1125 
 
 Ych on of vs a diuerse way to take. 
 
 His apperinge, loyfuH may vs make. 
 
 And set ouir barter in reste. 
 
 [leaf 1(32] 
 
 The 3 Maries 
 agi'ee to 
 separate, 
 
 1128 
 
 The thride marye : 
 
 
 Ye, to sek & inquere, let vs faste hye ; 
 
 1129 
 
 Sister mawdleii), this is next remedye ; 
 
 And perfore departe wee. 
 
 
 ^Mawdleyn) : 
 
 
 0 lorde & master ! help vs in hye 
 
 To haue a sight of thee ! ^ 
 
 that they may 
 the sooner see 
 
 1133 Christ. 
 
 Tutzc exeunt* hee tres Marie. 
 
 
 [Ace«e 2.] 
 
 Part II. Scene 2 . 
 
 Petrus intrat, flens amare ^ 
 
 
 Allmyghty god, which wit A thyra inward? Ee 
 Seest the depest place of mamiys conscience. 
 
 1134 
 
 And knowest euery thinge most cler & perfitlee. 
 
 
 * — ' These 3 lines are at the foot of the page. 
 
 * Some stanzas of long sevens, ababbce, now alternate with the 
 old sixes, aab aab, shortend. 
 
 DIGBY MYST. P 
 
 
2 10 
 
 PART II. ClllUS'fs RESURRECTION. 
 
 SCENE 2. 
 
 St. Peter, 
 weeping, asks 
 Christ’s mercy 
 
 [leaf 162, back] 
 for his Denial 
 of Him, 
 
 Who calld him, 
 from a poi»r 
 fisher, to be His 
 Disciple, and 
 
 nam’d him 
 Peter, a rock 
 of stability. 
 
 Haue mercy, haue pi tee ; haue pou coi/ipatience ! 
 
 I confess & knowlege my most gret offence, 1^38 
 
 My fowle presumption) & vnstabilnesse ! 
 
 Let Jsi mekiH mercy ouerflowe my synfulnesse ! 1140 
 
 And yit I knaw weH, 1 14.1 
 
 No erthly thinge can tell. 
 
 Nor 3it it expresse, 1143 
 
 My fawte^ & gret syn) 
 
 Which I am wrappid! in 
 
 WitA^ dedly hevinesse. 1146 
 
 Ther may not be lightly / a greter trispesse, ti 47 
 
 Then the seruaimt / the master to denye; 
 
 His owne master / his own) kind master : alesse ! 
 
 I mak confession) / here most sorowfullye, -tido 
 
 That I denyed? mayster / & pat most vnkindlye ! 
 
 For when thay did enquere / if pat I did hym knoo, 
 
 I saide I neuer sawe hym ! a-lesse ! why did I soo ? 1 153 
 
 With teres of coiitrition), ^^54 
 
 With teres of compassion), 
 
 WeH may I mowrnynge make! 1156 
 
 What a fawte it was. 
 
 The seruavnte, alas. 
 
 His master to forsake! ^'59 
 
 When his grace callid me / fro warldly besines, 1160 
 And of a poore fishere / his disciple ! alas, mee ! 
 
 I was callit Symon Bariona, playnly to expresse j 
 But he namiff me “ petrus ” / ‘ petra ’ was hee : 1163 
 
 Petra is a ston) / fuH of stabilitee, 
 
 Alway stedfaste j alase ! wherfor was I 
 Not stabiH accordinge / to my nam stedfastlye? 1166 
 O my febiH promesse ! 1167 
 
 O my gret vnkindnesse, 
 
 To my shame resaruyff ! 1169 
 
 O mynde so vnstabiH, 
 
 Thou hast made me culpabitt ! 
 
 ’ mo crosst through. 
 
PART II. CHRIsfs RESURRECTION. SCENE ! 
 
 Deth I haue deserayd? ! 1172 
 
 It plesi(J thy gudnese, gret kindnese to shew mee, 1173 
 Callinge me to J)i grace / & gudly cowuersatiou) ; 
 
 And when it pleasid? thi godhed* / to tak but three 
 
 To beholde & see the highe speculation) 1 1’/6 
 
 Of thy godly maiestye in thy transfyguration). 
 
 Thy special! grace did abiH me for on), 
 
 With the gud blessid* lames / &: fii cosyn) lohn. ii 79 
 Alese ! jjat I was so vnkindl 1180 
 
 To hym, so tender of mynd? 
 
 To me most vnworthye ! 1182 
 
 Ales ! the paynes ar smarte 
 Which I fele at my harte. 
 
 And that so bitterlye ! 1185 
 
 0 lorde ! what example / of meknesse shewed yee ! 1 186 
 On thursday after supere, it pleasid your grace 
 
 To wesh your sernauntes fete / who euer are did see 
 More perfite meknese / shewet in any case? 1189 
 
 1 my-self was present / in the same place. 
 
 Alese ! of my-self / why presumyd I, 
 
 Consideringe your meknese / don so stedfastlye ? 1 192 
 
 A ! myn' vnkinde chaunce ! 
 
 When it coTwmys to reme??ibrance, 
 
 In my mynde it is euer. 1 195 
 
 I fele owt of mesure 
 Dedly payn) & displesure. 
 
 That I can not desseuere. 1198 
 
 O mercyfuli redemer / who may yit recownte 1 199 
 The paynes which })i-self / for* vs did endure ! 
 
 Vn worthy if I were / I was with ])e in fe mount* 
 Where jjou swet bludy droppes / man saule to recure. 
 In that gret agonye / I am right* verrey sure, 1203 
 Stony hartes of flint* / Jjou wald Jiam haue mevid*, 
 Seynge thy tendernese / to man by Jie relevid. 1^05 
 O, that passion was grete, 1206 
 
 When blud droppes of swet 
 
 p 2 
 
 21 1 
 
 St. Peter’s 
 Lament over his 
 Faithlessness. 
 
 Christ let mo 
 see His 
 
 Transfig u ration . 
 
 [leaf 163] 
 
 He washt his 
 Servants’ feet 
 
 (I feel deadly 
 pain.) 
 
 I was with Him 
 during his 
 Agony in the 
 Mount of Olives. 
 
 [leaf 163, back] 
 
212 PART II. Christ's resurrection , scene 2. 
 
 
 St. Peter’s 
 
 ran) down) a-pace ! 
 
 1208 
 
 Faithlessness. 
 
 That was excedigne payiie 
 
 In euery membere & vayn). 
 
 As apperit by his face ! 
 
 121 1 
 
 
 Of ludas, thow were / betrayede by & bye, 
 
 Which was thy discipuil, & familiere 'with the 5 
 
 It grevid! the more, I knew it certanlye. 
 
 1212 
 
 
 He was fede at ])\ burde / of Jii benignitee. 
 
 1215 
 
 He was betrayd 
 by Judas, His 
 Disciple, 
 
 And ^it [thow] were betrayed! by his iniquitee ! 
 Yf a straunger had don / J)at dede so trayterouse. 
 It had beyn nior / tolerabiH / & not so greuowse. 
 
 1218 
 
 
 Dauid did say in prophecye, 
 
 ‘ Homo pacM mee, \n quo speraui. 
 
 1219 
 
 
 Supplantauik me ! ’ 
 
 0 lord ! yoMr ' pacience may be perceyvid*. 
 
 Which suffert so to be betrayed 
 
 1221 
 
 
 Of ludas ! woo is bee ! 
 
 1224 
 
 and I forsook 
 Him, tho' I said 
 
 1 wouldn’t leave 
 Him. 
 
 Fuff of wo may I bee, sorowfuH & pensyve, 
 Complenynge & wepinge with sorow inwertlee. 
 And wep bitter teres / all Jie days of my life ; 
 
 1225 
 
 
 Myn vnstabiH delinge / is euer in myn Ee. 
 
 I saide I wald not leve my master for to dee ; 
 
 1228 
 
 
 He said I shuld for-sak hym j or jie cok crow / thris.^ 
 
 Oh, when He 
 lookt on me 
 
 Afterwerd, when bee 
 
 Lokid opon) mee 
 
 1231 
 
 
 Wit/i a myld cowntenawnce,^ 
 
 
 [leaf 164] 
 
 from among 
 
 His enemies. 
 
 Ose he stude on the ground 
 
 Emange his enmyse bownd, 
 
 0, I wepit abundawnce ! 
 
 1236 
 
 how my tears 
 ran down 1 
 
 Then my teres coTitinuelly 
 
 1237 
 
 Ran down most sorowfully. 
 
 And yit thay can not cesse. 
 
 How may I cesse or stynte ? 
 
 Yf my harte wer of flinte. 
 
 1239 
 
 
 
 
 
 * mercy erased . ^ ? read ‘ thrie ’ — thries, thrice, 
 
 2 Catchwords : — ‘ As he stod on jpe giouudt.’ 
 
PART II. Christ’s resurrection, scene 
 
 I haue caus to wepe dowtlese. 1242 
 
 O caytife, O wofuH wreche ! J 243 
 
 from thy harte Jjou may feche 
 
 Sore & sighes depe ! ^^45 
 
 O most vnkind! man). 
 
 What creatur may or can). 
 
 The from sclaunder kepe, 1 248 
 
 To forsake jii master so tender & soo gud<, ^249 
 
 Which gaue to fe fe keyes / of aH holy kirke. 
 
 And mor-ouer for thy sake / shed his own) bind* ! 
 
 O synfuH caytyfe / now aught I sore till irke ! 1232 
 
 Ales, John ! why did nof I 1253 
 
 Folow my master so tenderlye 
 
 Os 30 did to the ende ? 1255 
 
 But for ye delt* soo stedfastlye. 
 
 My master gaue you marye 
 
 To kep in your coTremend*. 1258 
 
 Yf this dedly woo & sorowe 1259 
 
 Endure with me vnto to-morowe, 
 
 Myn hark in sunder win breke. 1261 
 
 Now, lorde, for Jji tender mercyes aH, 
 
 Reconcyle me to grace, & to fi mercy caH ! 
 
 Ales, I may not speke ! 1264 
 
 el sic cadit in terraiw, flens amare. 
 
 Andreas, (rater petri, dicit. 
 
 A. Brothere peter, what nede5 aH })is ? 1265 
 
 I se weH, good cownceH wiH yow mysse. 
 
 Dry vp your teres & rise ! 1267 
 
 Comforth yowr-selfe, I require yow, & praye ! 
 
 We shaH haue gud tidingei ! this is pe thrid day / 
 Sorow not in this wise ! 1270 
 
 lohamies Euungelista : 
 
 Stand vp, gud brother*, & mesur your hevynese ! 1271 
 
 This gret contrition) of your hart, dowtlese 
 
 To god is plesant sacrifice. 1273 
 
 213 
 
 St. Peter’s 
 Lament over his 
 Faithlessness. 
 
 I unnaturally 
 
 forsook my so 
 good Master 
 
 who shed His 
 blood for me. 
 
 My heai-t will 
 break. 
 
 [leaf 164, back] 
 Oh Lord, 
 call me to thy 
 mercy 1 
 
 Andrew com- 
 forts his brother 
 Peter. 
 
 St. John bids 
 Peter moderate 
 his grief. 
 
214 
 
 Peter still 
 laments his 
 cruelty. 
 
 [in 7a.] 
 
 Andrew begs 
 him to take 
 comfort, as 
 
 [leaf 165] 
 
 Chnst will rise 
 this third day, 
 
 and He foretold 
 that His 
 disciples should 
 forsake Him. 
 
 He knew their 
 weakness. 
 
 PART II. CHRlS'fs RESURllECTION. SCENE 2. 
 
 Petrus 
 
 A, gud brethere, Andrewe & lolin. 
 
 Was neuer creatur so wo-begon) 
 
 Os I, wrech most vnwyse ! 1276 
 
 For remew beringe the infinite gudnese ^277 
 
 Of my lorde / & my most Vnkyndiiese 
 Don so Writchitlye, 1279 
 
 At my hart, sorow sitte,? so sore. 
 
 That my dedly payn) encresis mor & more ! 
 
 Alese, my gret folye ! 1282 
 
 Andreas 
 
 Gud brothere peter, yo«r-self 36 comforPj 1283 
 
 Ther is none of aif, bot co/wfurth may he hafe ; 
 
 For emonge vs a-gayn) our lorde shaH resorte. 1285 
 
 By his passion) / his purpasse / was, man-kind to saue j 
 This is the thrid daye / in which from his graue 
 He shaH arise / fro deth, I hane no dowte j 
 Therfor letP comfurth / put this sorowe owP ! 1289 
 
 H Brothere peter / pe verrey truth to saye, 1290 
 
 Few of vs all / hade perfit stedfastnesse. 
 
 But sumwhat dowtid? / & wer owt of the waye 5 
 Not-witfetandinge / of his godhed! the clernesse 1293 
 Schewed! by his miracles / with all pe?-fitnese j 
 And yf ye remewbeP, brothere / in his last oblation) 
 
 He spak of our vnstabilnesse / & of his desolation), 1296 
 H Saynge “ Omnes VOS scandaluw patiemini,” 1297 
 AH ye shall suffer sclannder / for me,^ 
 
 ^ Os who say ' ye shaH / forsak me a-Ionly ; 
 
 The hird-man shalbe strikyh) / fsc pe flokk, which we 
 bee, 1300 
 
 Schalbe disperbiliP / & away shaH flee. 
 
 Loo, gud brotheP peter / he knew our frealtes aH j 1302 
 Our gude master is mercifuH / & graciose wit/i-aH j ^ 
 
 1 onlee {sic) erosst through. 
 
 2 — 2 These five lines are in the margin at bottom of leaf 164, 
 back. 
 
PART II. Christ’s resurrection, scene 2. 
 
 And yow, brother peter / the most specialli 1304 
 Hase cause of comfurth / for of his church ]je hed* 
 
 He chace you by order / by his grace freiye j 
 For-fh from your harte / put fis fere & dred!. t 3°7 
 Yf ye remember, he said to yow in dede, 
 
 Thy faith shaH neuer fade / what-so-euer befaH 5 
 Therfor haue gud hope / & comforth spiritual!. 1310 
 Ye askit hym ons a whestion) / wherwit/i he was 
 corateiih, 1 3 1 1 
 
 ‘ How oft to yoMr brother / synn) ye shuld relese : ’ 
 
 Ye thought vij ty/?imes / were verrey sufficient* j 
 But he said sevynty tymes Sr vij : ye suld forgif dowtles ; 
 A gret now [m] bed it plesit / hym till expresse ; 1315 
 
 The gret frelty of man / he saw in his godly mynd*. 
 For-thy, for your trispace / pardon may ye find*; 131? 
 How-be-it, of yo«r-seIf / to presume, to blame ye were ; 
 Man \at is freale, of hym)-self suld haue fere. 1319 
 H Your pennance [&] contrition) / acceptabiH must 
 bee ; 
 
 Therfor in your harte reloye / ye may be fayn), 
 Rememberinge he has put* [yow] in gret auctoritee. 
 That he has saide ons / he will neuer call agayn), 1323 
 “ Quodcuinqae ligaueris ” / he said ; fes wordei ar playn) ; 
 And gaue yow jte keyes / of hevyn) & of heH, 
 
 So to lowse Ik to bynd* / this can we aH teH. 1326 
 
 Andrew shows 
 Peter that he 
 should have 
 good ho])e, as 
 Christ told him 
 his faith should 
 never fail. 
 
 [leaf 165, back] 
 
 Christ also put 
 him in 
 authority, 
 
 giving him the 
 Keys of Heaven 
 and Hell. 
 
 Johannes euangelista. 
 
 Gude brother peter / marke ye weH, & note : * 3^7 
 
 The worded of Andrewe beyn sadd* & ponderose ; 
 
 In your conscience, I knaw weii / is no2t so great mot*, st. John is sure 
 
 ^ ^ that Mercy can 
 
 But that mercy may clere it* / of hym that is so graciose. dear Peter’s sin. 
 Perauenter it was pe will / of our master le^n^ 133 i 
 That 3e shuld* not be present* / his passion) to see, 
 
 Which he hade on the hiH / in fe most Crueltee. 1333 
 IF Peter, if ye had seyn) / your mastere at paX. poynt*, 
 
 I trov pat sy^t had beyn) to hevy / to yow till endure : 
 
 He had torment open torment / in euery vayn & loynt; 
 
2i6 
 
 St. John tells 
 Peter how^ 
 
 Christ’s body 
 was tom and 
 naild ; how His 
 
 [leaf 166] 
 
 blood was shed ; 
 
 and 
 
 how He was 
 betrayd, 
 
 scomd, and 
 
 crucified. 
 
 But now the 
 time of 
 Desolation is 
 ended ; that of 
 
 Grace is come ; 
 
 [leaf 166, back] 
 
 Christ will rise 
 and live for 
 ever. 
 
 'ART II. Christ’s resurrection, scene 2. 
 
 He was so harde nailet / to fat paynfuH lurej 1337 
 His flesh fat was so tender / born) of a mayden) pure. 
 And was wont to be towchid* / with virgyns handes swete, 
 Was altotorn) most piteosly / from hede to fe fef ! 1340 
 H When his body was halid / & stritchid! with ropes. 
 To caws his armes & fet / to fe holes extend*, 
 
 Tlien fe nayles dreflyn in 5 & of fe blude, dropes 
 Ran OWL so plentuosly / his wiH it was to spend* 1344 
 AH his precios blude / maanes sor tiH amencJ. 
 
 WitA-owt coTwpleint he suffert* the nayles & fe spere; 
 But gretist payn) fat he had / was for his moder dere. 
 He suffer!? patiently, i3-l8 
 
 To be betrayed* vnkindly. 
 
 To be accusid* falsly. 
 
 To be intreytid Cruelly, 1351 
 
 To be scornyd* most dedenynglye. 
 
 To be luged* wrangfully. 
 
 To be dampnyt to deth dol fully. 
 
 WitA other paynes sere j ^355 
 
 To be crucifiecP piteosly, 
 
 To be woundid vniuersally. 
 
 With scowrge^, nayle^, & spere. 1358 
 
 For thes causes, he wald* be born) / of a maid* most 
 obedient*. ^359 
 
 Now the gret rawnson is paied* / which was requirid* 
 For redemption) of man, of the fader ownipotent ; 
 
 The tyme of desolation / is now expirid* 5 1362 
 
 The tyme of grace is cowmen, so longe of vs desirid* ! 
 Hevyn ^eates so longe / closid* for gret syn). 
 
 Our saueyoar gate yow the keyes / to open, & to lat in. 
 He knew weft, for his deth / we shuld be afrayed* : 1366 
 And f erfor, ose 30 remembei'e / he told vs afore. 
 
 His godhed saw weft / fat we shuld* be dismaid 
 Of his resurrection) / he comfortid* vs therfore; i 3*59 
 He saide he shuld arise / & live euere-more. 
 
 This is the thride daye / therfor dowt nothinge. 
 
PART II. Christ’s resurrection, scene 2. 217 
 
 
 But shortly we shait here / of his gloriose vprisinge. 
 
 
 Brether, I wolde tarrye with yow longer here, 
 
 But nede^ I must go to the virgyn) mylde. 
 
 1373 
 
 
 Most sorowfuH is hir hart* / most hevy is hir chere 
 
 3 St. John 
 
 describes the 
 
 
 AH loye & comfurthe / from hir is exildie j 
 
 AH hir rememberance / is of hir dere childe. 
 
 My master assignyt me / to gyve hir attendance. 
 
 1^70 Virgin Mary’s 
 sorrow ; 
 
 
 And that is my dewtye / with aH humbtye obseruance. 
 
 
 Hir sorow increacyse aye. 
 
 As weH nyght os daye. 
 
 In most piteose araye j 
 
 1380 
 
 
 For I darsay suerlye. 
 
 Sen hir son was betrayecJ, 
 
 & in his grave layde. 
 
 The maid* hase me dismaict 
 
 1383 
 
 
 For sorow inwerdlye. 
 
 00 
 
 
 That sho nowther tuk rist ne slepe, 
 
 Ne froTw hevynese hir-self cowth kepe 5 
 
 But euer-more stiH dose sho wepe, 
 
 1388 She takes nor 
 rest nor sleep. 
 
 
 That I am verrey sure, 
 
 Hartes harder then stone 
 
 Wold be mollyfyed anone, 
 
 & melte to see hire mone. 
 
 139* 
 
 
 That sho dose endure. 
 
 1395 
 
 
 To here hir mourn) so moderlye. 
 
 [leaf 167] 
 
 
 To se hir wep so tenderlye. 
 
 but ■weeping, 
 
 
 AH myn hert it fayles. 
 
 1398 
 
 
 Now sho Spekes of the scornesj 
 
 Now sho remembers pe thornes 
 
 speaks of her - 
 Son’s suffering, 
 
 
 And the grete sturdy nayles ; 
 
 1401 
 
 
 Now sho speke 5 of his pacience ; 
 
 Now sho mynde^ his obedience. 
 
 1402 and patience 
 
 
 That vnto deth was. 
 
 Now of his visage spekei shee, 
 
 Defilid* with deformyte. 
 
 1 404 unto death. 
 
 
 Of fowH spittinge, a-lasse ! 
 
 1407 
 
 - 
 
2i8 part II. CHRISTAS RESURRECTION. SCENES 2 & 3. 
 
 
 Now of his wounded dos sho speke, 
 
 & of the sped which did hreke 
 
 1408 
 
 
 Hir sownes blessid sid. 
 
 1410 
 
 She is comfort- 
 less ; 
 
 Thus is sho aH comfurthlesse, 
 
 Replet with aH dulfulnesse j 
 
 Therfor I may not bide. 
 
 14^3 
 
 and John will 
 go to her. 
 
 As for this tym) I wiH departe. 
 
 Brother* peter, be of gud harte. 
 
 1414 
 
 
 For othed cause haue ye none. 
 
 Now farweH, for a starte. 
 
 1416 
 
 
 I shaH 30W mete anon). 
 
 1418 
 
 
 Peter 
 
 
 
 Praye fore me, brothed, for goddev sake ! 
 
 1419 
 
 
 lohawnes euongelista 
 
 
 He bids Peter 
 trust in faith, 
 [leaf 167, back] 
 
 Brothere, to yow no discomfurth take. 
 
 But truste euer faithfullye ! 
 
 We shaH haue comforth, 3oure sorowe to slake. 
 
 1421 
 
 
 And that I trust* shortlye. 
 
 1423 
 
 Peter thaiiks liis 
 brothers. 
 
 He is now 
 happy, 
 trusting his 
 Lord’s mercy. 
 
 Tu»c exit Ioha«nes ; et dicit Petrus ; 
 
 Brothere Andrewe / god reward! 3oue euer speciallye ! 
 For loBn & ye, with youre swete wordp5 of co/isolation), 
 Hase easid my mynd / with comforte stedfastlye. 
 
 I am in trewe faith & hope / wit^-out desperation), 1427 
 In my saule now havynge / spirimaB iubilation), 
 Trustinge on the mercy / of my master & lord. 
 
 Of whose infinite gudnese / I shaH: euer record. 1430 
 Let the dew of mercy faH opon) vs ! 
 
 ‘ Ostende facie/n tuaw / & salui erimi/^ ! ’ 1432 
 
 Schewe thy powere, gud lord / & to vs appere ! 1433 
 
 Let beames of thi grace approche to vs nere. 
 
 Super nos, writchit sy/mers ! 
 
 Part II. Scent 9. [Scene 3.] 
 
 Intrat maria Magdalena. 
 
 0 , I writchit creature / what shaH I doo ? 1436 
 
 O, I a wofuH woman) /'whidere salt I goo? 
 
PART II. CHRISTS RESURRECTION. SCENE 3 
 
 My lorde, wher shall I find!? 143^ 
 
 When shall I se that desirid! face. 
 
 Which was so fnH of beuty & grace 
 To me, the most vnkin(J ? 144^ 
 
 I haue sought, & besely inquerid! 1442 
 
 Hym whom my harte aH-way has desireiJ, 
 
 And so desiries stiH. ^444 
 
 Quem diligit anima mea’, quesiui ; 
 
 Quesiui ilium, et non inueni ! 
 
 When shall I haue my will? 1447 
 
 I haue sought hym desirusly, 1448 
 
 I haue sought hym affectuosly. 
 
 With besines of my myncS. i45° 
 
 I haue sought hym -with mynd! hartely. 
 
 The tresure wher-in my hart dose lye. 
 
 O deth, thou arte vnkind! ! 1453 
 
 On me, vse thou & exercise i454 
 
 The auctorite of thyn) office ! 
 
 My bales thou may vnbind?. 1456 
 
 What offence, deth, haue I don to the, 3457 
 
 Which art so ouer vnkind* to mee ? 
 
 Nay, Nay, deth ! be not soo ! ^459 
 
 Filie lerusalem, Wher-os ye goo, 
 
 Nunciate dilecto meo. 
 
 Quia amore langueo : 1462 
 
 Of Jerusalem, ye virgyns clere, i4*53 
 
 Schew my best loue that I was here ! 
 
 TeH hym, os he may prove, 14*55 
 
 That I am dedly seke / 
 
 And alt is for his loue. 14^7 
 
 intrat, in specie ortulani, dicens, 
 
 Mulier, ploras ? quern queris ? 
 
 Woman, why wepis thou ? whom sekei thou thus ? 1469 
 TeH me whome thou wald* haue ! 
 
 219 
 
 Mary 
 
 Magdalene's 
 
 Lament. 
 
 She has sought 
 Him in whom 
 her heart 
 delighted, 
 and has not 
 found Him. 
 
 [leaf 168] 
 
 Why will not 
 Death take 
 her? 
 
 Daughters of 
 Jerusalem ! 
 
 Tell my love 
 that I am deadly 
 sick for His 
 love. 
 
 Jesus asks her 
 whom she 
 would have, 
 
220 PART II. Christ’s resurrection, scene 3 . 
 
 
 
 
 Mawdlen) : 
 
 
 
 
 I sek my master & swete lorde lesus, 
 
 Which her was layd in grave. 
 
 1472 
 
 
 [leaf 168 , back] 
 
 .lesus. 
 
 
 
 
 Woman, thou mournest to piteoslye. 
 
 And compleynisf the most hevilye, 
 
 1473 
 
 
 as her heart 
 seems troubled. 
 
 Thy mynd is not content* j 
 
 Thyn hart* is trowblit, weld I see, 
 
 AH fuH doloruse, os thinker mee. 
 
 1475 
 
 
 
 Thou has not thyn) intente. 
 
 1478 
 
 
 
 Maudleyn) 
 
 
 
 Mary Magdalene 
 thinks He is the 
 gardener. 
 
 Myn intent ! that knawes hee 
 
 On whom my hart is set, & ay shalbee. 
 
 1479 
 
 
 
 Gardener, I yowe praye, 
 
 Schew vnto mee, if ye can). 
 
 1481 
 
 
 
 Yf that ye did see here ony man) 
 
 Tak his body awaye. 
 
 1484 
 
 
 
 IeJi/5 dicit. “ Maria ! ” 
 
 
 
 
 Mawdleyn) awnswers, “ Raboni ! ” 
 
 
 
 
 le^M^ 
 
 
 
 He bids her not 
 touch Him, 
 
 Noli me tangere ! 
 
 Mary, towche me not now ! 
 
 But in-to Galilee go thowe. 
 
 
 
 but tell His 
 Disciples that 
 
 He is nsen and 
 
 And to my brether* saye. 
 
 And to peter which sorowfuH is. 
 
 That I am resen) frow dethe, to lif ay in blisse. 
 
 1488 
 
 1489 
 
 
 
 Renynge perpetuallye ! 
 
 Exhort* tham to be of gud chere. 
 
 1491 
 
 
 will soon appear 
 to them. 
 
 And hastely wyH I to tham apere. 
 
 To comfurth loefullye. exit le^ws 
 
 1494 
 
 
 
 Mawdleyn) 
 
 
 
 
 O myn) harte ! wher hast thou bee ? 
 
 
 
 [leaf 169 ] 
 
 Com horn) aga}Ui), & leve with mee ! 
 
 1496 
 
 
PART II. Christ’s resurrection. 
 
 SCENE 3. 221 
 
 My gret sorow is past ! 
 
 Now may thou entone a mery songe. 
 
 For he whom) thou desirid! so longe, 
 
 1497 
 
 Mary Magdalene 
 rejoices ; 
 
 I haue foD) now at laste ! 
 
 1500 
 
 
 1 thanke your grace with hert intere. 
 
 That of yowre gudnese to me wald* apere, 
 
 1501 
 
 
 And make my hert* thus light*. 
 
 1503 
 
 her heart is 
 light ; 
 
 Secund marye intrat, cum maria. 
 
 
 
 Soror, nuacia nobw : 
 
 Gud mawdleyn), sister ! how standee with yow ? 
 
 ^ 5°5 
 
 
 Mawdleyn) 
 
 
 
 Dere sisters ! neuer so weH: os nowe ! 
 
 For I haue hade a sight* 
 
 Of my lorde & master, to my coTwfurth speciaH. 
 
 00 
 
 0 
 
 she has seen her 
 
 To his godhed* I render thankee immortaff. 
 
 Os I am bound* of dewtee. 
 
 1510 
 
 Master, 
 
 Thrid marye : 
 
 
 
 It Apperis, suster, by yoar cowntenaance. 
 
 That the gret sorow is owt* of remewbraunce ; 
 And so, by your sawe, gret cause haue yee. 
 
 1513 
 
 
 Mawdleyn) : 
 
 
 
 I haue gret cause, sisters, I knaw it wtH j 
 
 For of my loye he is the springe & weH, 
 
 I5J4 
 
 the Spring and 
 
 Well of her joy, 
 
 And of my lyfe sustenaMiice. 
 
 1516 
 
 Secunde marye : 
 
 
 
 Haue ye seyn) our lord*, sister ? ar ye sure ? 
 
 
 
 Mawdlen) 
 
 
 [leaf 169, back] 
 
 Sister, I haue seyne my gretist tresure. 
 
 
 her greatest 
 
 My hartly loye & plesaunce ! 
 
 1519 
 
 
 Thride mary 
 
 
 
 A. Sister ! gret cowfert may your hart inflame. 
 
 1520 
 
 
222 PART II. Christ’s resurrection, scene 3 . 
 
 
 
 Mawdlen) 
 
 
 He spoke to her, 
 
 3e, gude sister ! he callit me ‘mary ’ by my name, 
 And spak with me homlye. 
 
 I saw hym bodely, in flesh & bloode. 
 
 1522 
 
 
 Oure redemere, which for vs hang on the roode ! 
 He shewed* hyme gratioslye. 
 
 
 and bade her 
 tell His Disciples 
 
 And bade me go to his disciples sone. 
 
 1526 
 
 of His 
 
 Resurrection. 
 
 Thaime to certifye of his resurrectionfe ; 
 
 & so wiH I shortly doo. 
 
 1528 
 
 
 Secunde Marie 
 
 
 
 A. A ! Mawdleyn) ! right happee ye were ! 
 
 Ye spente not in vayn) so many bitter tere ! 
 
 1529 
 
 
 Gret grace is lent yow too ! 
 
 1531 
 
 Jesus appears 
 to the T^ee 
 
 Tunc venit lesus, & salutat mulieres istas iij“. 
 
 
 Maries, 
 
 Tame/z mulieres nil dicu/zt ei, sed proclduzzt ad pedes 
 
 
 eius. 
 
 
 blesses and 
 comforts them, 
 
 Auete ! Hayle, blessit women leve ! 
 
 1532 
 
 My blessinge here I youe geve ! 
 
 Let sorow no more youre harte meve, 
 
 But haue comfort allwaye ! 
 
 I am resene fro deth, so may ye tell ; 
 
 1335 
 
 
 
 and says He has 
 deliverd His 
 
 I haue deliuert my presoners frome hell. 
 
 
 prisoners from 
 HeU. 
 
 And made tham sure for aye ! [exit lesus] 
 
 1538 
 
 
 Mawdleyn) 
 
 
 
 Now, gud sisters, be no more sadd j 
 
 M 39 
 
 [leaf 170 ] 
 
 Ye haue cause, os well os I, to be gladdj 
 
 
 Mary Magdalene 
 rejoices with 
 the other 
 
 Maiies. 
 
 Oure lorde, loo, of his gudnese. 
 
 Of his heghe & godly excellence. 
 
 Haves shewede vs here his loyefuH presence 
 
 1541 
 
 
 With wordej of swetnese ! 
 
 1544 
 
 
 My wordes wer not fantastical!, sisters, yee see ; 
 
 I told youe no lesinge. Sisters, reporf mee ; 
 
 1545 
 
 
 Ye haue seyn witA your/ eye. 
 
 L 547 
 
PART II. Christ’s resurrection, scene 3. 
 
 223 
 
 Thrid mary 
 
 Oure spirited ben) revivid'j our barter beyn ligfit ! 
 
 O mawdleyn) ! this was a gloriose sight, 
 
 Schewed to vs gracioslye ! ^55° 
 
 Secund marye 
 
 Blessid be that lorde / blessit be that kinge ^55^ 
 
 That haues coTwfurth vs thus with his vprisinge 
 So sone & glorioslye ! i553 
 
 Mawdlen) 
 
 Susters, in loye of this loyfuHnese, 
 
 A songe of comforte lete vs expresse 
 
 WitA notes of Armonye ! ^55*^ 
 
 “Victime paschali laudes immolent^ Christ\am” . Tu??c 
 
 totu?n vsque ad Di[c nobis] 
 
 hee tres cantant idem, id est, “Victime pascha[li] 
 in cantifracto vel saltum in pallinodio 
 
 Tu»c occureiit eis apoA^oli. scilicet. Petrw^. 
 Andreas et Iohaini[es], ca«tantes hoc. Scilicet. 
 “Die nobis maria, qtfid vidisti in vi[a?]”3 re- 
 spondent mulieres caiitantes. “Sepulcrum Ckriati 
 viue[7itis]” et cetera, VS(l«e ad “ Credendi/w est j” 
 Apo5<oli respondewtes caiitawt. “ CredewduTw est 
 magis soli marie veraci, quam iudeon/w turbe fal- 
 laci.” Mulieres iteruw; ca«tant “ Scim[us] Chris- 
 tum surrexisse vere /” Apo^/oli et mnlieres [tres] 
 canta;it qiian co«credentes. “Tu nobis Christe rex 
 misere[re]. Amen).” Post cantum dicit petrus. 
 
 (51 Sufidcit si cawtetwr eisdewi notw et cant[ibus] 
 vt ha/;etur in sequewtia predicta) 
 
 1 MS. immolant. This Sequence is from the Easter Sunday 
 Mass, held at Tierce, 9 a.m. See Note, p. 227-8. 
 
 2 Some of the writing in the Margin is cut ofiF. 
 
 3 The Sequence of rvhich this and the following quotations form 
 part, is both in the Easter Sunday Matins (held before Dawn), and 
 in the 9 o’clock Mass. See p. 227. 
 
 The other Maries 
 bless their Ijord. 
 
 The Three 
 Maries sing a 
 Hymn. 
 
 Peter, Andrew 
 and John sing 
 too. 
 
224 
 
 PART II. Christ's resurrection, scene 3 . 
 
 
 [leaf 170 , back] 
 
 Petrus dicit ^ost canlum : 
 
 
 Then Peter asks 
 Mary Magdalene 
 for news. 
 
 How is it now. marye ? Can ye tell 
 
 Any newes which may lik vs well ? 
 
 1557 
 
 
 Blithe is youre Countenattnce. 
 
 ^559 
 
 
 Mawdleyn) 
 
 
 Mary Magdalene 
 tells Peter 
 
 Peter, in youre mynde be fast & stabiH ; 
 
 I can shew youe tydinges most comfortabiH ^ 
 Trust it of assurance ! 
 
 1562 
 
 
 Petere 
 
 
 Gude marye, of hym I wold* knawlege haue. 
 
 i 5<53 
 
 
 Mawdleyn) 
 
 
 that Christ is 
 risen, and has 
 
 Peter ! oure master is resvn) from his grave !• 
 
 He apperit vnto vs three 
 
 In fleshe & bone, in a gloriose wise ! 
 
 
 
 restord Adam 
 and his mates 
 to Paradise, 
 
 He base restorid adam & his in-to paradise. 
 Which were in heller captiuitee ! 
 
 1568 
 
 
 Peter 
 
 
 
 God graunte youre worded war not \n vayn) ! 
 
 
 
 Mawdlen) 
 
 
 
 Peter, That^ I saye is trew & certayn), 
 
 And therfor dowt no more ! 
 
 1571 
 
 
 Secund marye 
 
 
 The other Maries 
 confirm these 
 glad tidings. 
 
 Brother, we saughe our lord face to face ; 
 
 He Apperit to vs in this same place. 
 
 And bad vs mowrne not so sore ! 
 
 137-1 
 
 
 Thride mar[y]e 
 
 
 
 He bade vs testify & teB 
 
 That he was resyn) in flesh & feB, 
 
 And dy he shaH no more. 
 
 1577 
 
 
 Petere 
 
 
 
 A, mary ! gret grace to youe is lenfl. 
 
 CO 
 
 >-0 
 
 [leaf 171 ] 
 
 To whom our lord was so co«tent*, 
 
 Befor otheP till apere. 
 
 1580 
 
 
 * which ei'osst through. 
 
 
PART II. Christ's resurrection, scene 
 Mawdlen) 
 
 He said, ye ali shuld see hym in Galilee j 
 
 And peter, youre selfe expresly namyd* hee j 
 
 Therfore be of gud chere ! 1583 
 
 Andrewe 
 
 Yit to his sepulcre lat vs go, & see, 1384 
 
 To satisfye our myndei from aH perplexitee. 
 
 Peter 
 
 So cownseH I we doo. 1586 
 
 Tunc ibunt. precurrens lohannes dicib 
 Brothere peter, com hitheP & behold! ! 
 
 It is no fabiH that marye vs hase told!; 
 
 This thinge is certen), loo ! 1589 
 
 How say ye, brotheP, be ye satisfied! ? 
 
 Petrus 
 
 Brothere lohn, I am fully certifyed* 
 
 To gife credeus her-too. 1 592 
 
 Now shall the suth be verefied* 
 
 Of hym) that most may doo / ” ^594 
 
 O, myche ar we bound!, gud lord*, to yonr highnes ! 
 
 For vs wer ye born), & also circuTwcised* ; 
 
 For vs were ye termp[t]id! in the wildernese; 
 
 Now Crucyfied* to deth, most shamfully dispised! ! 1598 
 Yit aH this, gude lorde, had vs not sufiicyed! 
 
 But ye had resen) fro deth / by your godhed! gloriuse; 
 
 Your resurrection) was most / necessarye for vs.- 1601 
 Youre meknese suffert deth for our saluation), 1602 
 And now are ye resen for oure lustification) ; 
 
 Youre name euer blessit bee ! 1604 
 
 Andrewe 
 
 This resurrection), to aH pe warld* is consolation. 
 
 For of oure fayth it is trew consolation), 
 
 Approvid* by his diuinitee. 1607 
 
 DIGBT MTST. Q 
 
 3. 223 
 
 Christ will soon 
 be in Galilee. 
 
 The 3 Apostles 
 go to the 
 Sepulchre, 
 
 John first. 
 
 He sees that 
 Christ is risen. 
 
 Peter sees it too, 
 
 and praises 
 Chi-ist. 
 
 [leaf 171, back] 
 He died for our 
 Salvation, and is 
 risen for our 
 Justification. 
 
226 PART II. Christ's resurrection, scene 3. 
 
 lohawnes Euangelista 
 
 Brether* ! loy, & comfurth, & Inward? iubilation), 1608 
 And gostly gladnese, in vs aH: Encrease may. 
 
 St. John bids We haue passid* the tym) / of dole & desolation), 
 
 uQcm d/ll 
 
 And also I am sure / & right well dare I saye, 161 1 
 The loy full tresure of our harf / we sail se jiis daye ! 
 Honour, loy & glory / he to hym wit/i-out end!. 
 
 Which after sich sorow, comfurte c^n send?! 1614 
 
 laud and praise To laude & prayse hjm, lat vs he ahowft j 
 
 OOTlSb. 
 
 To lone hym), & lofe hym), & lawly h.ym lowft, 
 
 WitA mynd & mowtft devowtlye. 1617 
 
 Ther, hretheft wit A loy full harte. 
 
 And devowt) sisters on your parte, 
 
 Entone sum ermonye 1 1620 
 
 They au sing a tUTic Cantant omnes sirwwl “ Scimi/5 Christum, " 
 
 Song of Praise. 
 
 veil aliara sequentia/n aut ympnuTw de resurrectio/ie. 
 Poj^ cantuTO, dicift Ioh[anJnes, finem faciens / 
 
 Their Sorrow is 
 turnd to Joy. 
 
 [leaf 172] 
 They depart, in 
 hope of seeing 
 Christ this 
 night. 
 
 Loo, down) fro hevyn) / euer-mor grace dos springe ! 
 The gudnese of god is incowparahill, yee see : 
 
 Her was sorow & moumyngi / lameTztacion & wepi/ige ; 
 Now is loy & gladnese / & of coTwfurth plentee,^ 1624 
 loyfully depart wee / now owft of this place, 1625 
 Mekly ahidinge the inspiration) of grace. 
 
 Which we helefe 1627 
 
 Schall com to vs this nyght ! 
 
 Now, far-well euery wighte ! 
 
 To Him they We coTwmend yow all to his myghk, 
 
 commend their 
 
 hearers. Which for VS suffert grefe. 1631 
 
 Explicit) 
 
 * Written at the bottom of the page ; in a later hand : — written 
 by me . . . {torn off). 
 
NOTE. 
 
 227 
 
 Note. To explain the parts of the Romanist Service referrd to on 
 pages 223, 226, Miss Mary Lambert, of Milford House, Elms Road, 
 Clapham Common, S.W., who took so much interest in Canon Simmons’s 
 edition of The Lay Folks’ Mass Book (E. E. T. Soc., 1879), been 
 good enough to send me the Paschal Time, vol. i, of “ The Liturgical 
 Year, by the Very Rev. Dom Prosper Gudrenger, translated from the 
 French by the Rev. Dom Laurence Shepherd, Dublin, and J. Duffy, 
 1871.” And as most of our members probably know nothing (like I do) 
 about Papal services, I make full extracts for them. 
 
 (p. 125.) The Office of Matins [in the Morning before Dawn]. 
 
 The Night Office of every Sunday . . consists of 3 portions called Nocturns. 
 Each Nocturn is composed of 3 Psalms with their Antiphons, followed by 3 
 Lessons and Responsories. These Nocturns . . end with the Ambrosian Hymn, 
 the Te Deum ; they begin after midnight, and are over by the aurora, when the 
 still more solemn office of Lauds is chanted. But this Night [t.i. Easter Sunday 
 after 12 a.m.] has been almost wholly spent in the administration of Baptism . . . 
 This is the reason of there being only one Nocturn for the Night Office [now 
 calld Matins because it’s performd in the morning] of Easter Sunday. 
 
 (p. 138.) In most of the Churches in the West, during the Middle-Ages, as 
 soon as the Third Lesson was read, and before the Te Deum, the Clergy went in 
 procession, singing a Responsory, to the Altar, where the Blessed Sacrament 
 had been kept since Maundy Thursday, and which was called the Chapel of the 
 Sepulchre. Three Clerics were vested in Albs, and represented Magdalene and 
 her two companions. When the procession reached the Chapel “and the 3 
 Clerics had gone to the Altar, and sung a verse ” Two Chanters [= the Peter, 
 Andrew and John of the Play] stepped fortvard towards the Altar steps, on 
 which the Clerics were standing, and addressed them in these words of the 
 Sequence : 
 
 Tell us, O Mary, what sawest thou Die nobis, Maria, 
 on the way ? Quid vidisti in via ? 
 
 The first Cleric, who represented Magdalene, answered : 
 
 I saw the Sepulchre of the living Sepulchrum Christi viventis, 
 
 Christ : I saw the glory of him that Et gloriam vidi resurgentis. 
 had risen. 
 
 The second Cleric, who represented Mary, the mother of James, added : 
 
 I saw the Angels that were the wit- Angelicos testes 
 nesses ; 
 
 I saw the winding-sheet and the cloths. Sudarium et vestes. 
 
 The third Cleric, who represented Salome, completed the reply, thus : 
 
 Christ, my hope, hath risen ! Surrexit Christus, spes mea. 
 
 He shall go before you into Galilee. Precedet vos in Galilcean. 
 
 The two Chanters [= the 3 Apostles of the Play] answered with this protest 
 of faith : 
 
 It behoves us to believe the single 
 testimony of the truthful Mary, rather 
 than the whole wicked host of Jews. 
 
 Credendum est magis soli 
 Maries vei-aci, 
 
 Quam yudeeorum 
 Pravee cohorti. 
 
 Q 2 
 
NOTE. 
 
 228 
 
 Then the whole of the Clergy' joined in this acclamation : 
 
 We know that Christ hath truly Scimus Christum surrexisse 
 risen from the dead. Do thou, O Con- A viortiiis vere : 
 queror and King, have mercy upon us ! Tu nobis, victor Rex, miserere I ” 
 
 After the Matins, comes at dawn, Lauds, so called “because it is 
 mainly composed of Psalms of Praise.” This is followd at 9 a.m., the 
 hour of Tierce, by Mass, in which, after the Antiphon, Prayer, Easter 
 Song, Introit, Collect, Epistle, Gradual, and Alleluia-verse (p. 158 — 164) 
 have been sung. 
 
 “the Church adds to her ordinary chants, a hymn full of enthusiastic ad- 
 miration for her Risen Jesus. It is called a Sequence, because it is a continuation 
 of the Alleluia. 
 
 Let Christians offer to the Paschal 
 Victim the sacrifice of praise. 
 
 The Lamb hath redeemed the sheep : 
 the innocent Jesus hath reconciled sin- 
 ners to his Father. 
 
 Death and Life fought against each 
 other, and wondrous was the duel : 
 
 The King of Life was put to death ; 
 yet now he lives and reigns. 
 
 Tell us, O Mary, &c. 
 
 ^ Victimce paschali laudes 
 Immolent christiani. 
 
 Agnus redemit oves : 
 
 Christus innocens Patri 
 Reconciliavit peccatores. 
 
 Mors et vita duello 
 Conjlixere mirando : 
 
 Dux vitcB mortutis 
 Regnat vivus. 
 
 Die nobis, Maria [&’c., as above\R 
 
 It is clear, then, that the Play was only a better and more realistic 
 performance of part of the Romish Church service. This quasi-acting 
 of Easter Mysteries in church is new to me.® It is not done now. Miss 
 Lambert says. 
 
 ' The play gives the first 2 lines to the 3 women, and the last line only to the 
 women and apostles conjoind. 
 
 * Sequences. "The first, or the ‘ VictimcB Paschali,' is, we believe, by the vast 
 majority of critics accredited to a monk, Notker by name, of the celebrated monastery 
 of St. Gall, in Switzerland, w'ho flourished in the ninth century, and attained to much 
 renown by his talent for writing sacred poetry. According to some, he is said to have 
 been the first who caused this species of composition to be introduced into the Mass ; 
 and, if we are to believe Durandus, he was encouraged in this by Pope Nicholas the 
 Great (858 — S67). Others ascribe its introduction to Alcuin, the preceptor of Charle- 
 magne. The ' Victimce Paschali ’ is also sometimes attributed to Robert, King of 
 the Franks." 
 
 p. 224 of "A History of the Mass and its Ceremonies in the Eastern and Western 
 Church." By Rev. J. O'Brien, A.M. . . 3rd Edition, Revised, New York, 1879. 
 — M. Lambert. 
 
 ® 1 have since seen, in a review of the englisht Hase’s book on Mysteries and Mi- 
 racle Plays, 1880, that Prof. Ward has noted the fact in his History of the Drama, 
 from the Germans, who've taught us so much. 
 
229 
 
 GLOSSARY AND INDEX. 
 
 MAINLY BY 
 
 S. J. HERRTAGE, B.A. 
 
 A (often), 89/915, have 
 Abacuk, 114/1584, Habakkuk 
 Abasse, 107/1376, vb. be abashed, 
 fear 
 
 A-baye, 68/363, sb. bay, surrender 
 Abey, 1 14/1570, obey 
 Abill, 211/1178, vb. 'fit, make fit 
 A-bought, 3/3, adv. about ; a- 
 bowght, 60/154, around, about 
 Abuse, 209/1 1 1 1, vb. misuse, use 
 improperly 
 
 Abyll, 58/99, adj. fit, becoming 
 Abyron, 60/159, Hebron (?) 
 Advertacyounes, 90/921, warnings, 
 information, knowledge 
 Aferd, 94/1033, adj. afraid 
 Afyabylle, 75/548, affable 
 Agayn-sayd, 5 5/ 1 5, t/A contradicted, 
 opposed 
 
 A^en, 128/1935, towards 
 Ajens, 58/91, towards, prep, to- 
 wards 
 
 A3ens, 115/1606, prep, in front of, 
 before 
 
 A 1 and Sum, 1 1 1/1482, altogether, 
 completely 
 
 Alapye, 60/158, (?) what country 
 Alme, 82/717, a. kind, gentle. Lat. 
 almus 
 
 Almesse, 116/1642, sb. lit.: alms, 
 hence, an act of kindness 
 Alonly, 57/78; 107/1382, only ; 
 112/1526, adv. only, alone. 
 “ Allonely, Ta 7 itiimmodo, solu 7 n 
 solum 77 todoy Cath. A 7 iglicu 77 i. 
 Ambra, 67/339, amber 
 A-mons, 76/569, prep, amongst 
 Amyke, 141/70, sb. friend, Lat. 
 a 77 ticus 
 
 A-myttyd, 107/1381, pp. admitted, 
 ranked 
 
 I Ananias, p. 35 
 
 Angell Raphael, p. 107 ; other 
 angels, p. 10, 51, 53, 205 
 A 7 ti 77 ia or the Soul, p. 140; her 
 I Five Wits, p. 145 
 I Anna the Prophetess, p. 19, 261 
 Anosed, 1^7122^, pp. Halliwell says, 
 “acknowledged,” but the context 
 seems rather to require hindered, 
 or opposed. Is \thar 77 ied, spoilt, 
 from the Fr. Ttuire, to hurt(?) 
 A-penyon, 110/1463, sb. opinion 
 A-plye, 129/1982, vb. apply myself, 
 set myself to 
 
 Apposed, 147/225, pp. questioned, 
 ! examined. “Examyn,orapposyn, 
 or a-sayyn. ExaTTihio." Pro 77 ipt. 
 Parv. 
 
 A-queyntowns, 77/580, jA acquaint- 
 ance, intimacy 
 Arend, 59/136, sb. errand 
 Arere, 69/407, vb. raise 
 Arimathea, Joseph of, p. 172 
 Aspecyall, 98/1137, especial 
 Asprongyn, 100/1 173, sprung up, 
 risen 
 
 Assatt, 114/1589, sb. (?) distress, or 
 astate = estate, state 
 Assye, 60/158, Asia 
 At, 194/669, of, from 
 A-taunt, 160/608, adv. {d-ta 7 if) so 
 much. “ A dronken foole that 
 sparith for no dispence, To drynk 
 atau 7 it til he slepe at table.” 
 Lydgate, in Halliwell. 
 
 A- trey, 92/983, Fr. ' attraire, to 
 
 allure, intice, inueagle, toll on ; 
 attraie 77 ie 7 it, an illuring, inticing, 
 inueagling.’ — Cotgrave. 
 
 Attes, 80/693, at his, at its 
 Aunterous, 27/1415, adventurous 
 
23° GLOSSARY 
 
 Avdyeans, 5 5/2, audience, hearers 
 Avoydyt, 64/264-5, vb. goes out 
 Awansyd, 58/107, pp. advanced, 
 promoted 
 
 A-wantt, A-want, 90/928, interj. 
 get out, avaunt 
 
 Awawns, 116/1642, vb. advance, 
 assist 
 
 Away 11, 1 04/1 309, vb. profit, ad- 
 vantage 
 
 Awe, 1 7 1/4, 7, adj. all 
 Awete, 97/1 1 1 1, vb. Latin avete, 
 hail ! 
 
 A-weyle, 69/404, vb, avail, profit 
 Ay-whan, 150/345, adv. every- 
 when, at all times, ever 
 
 Babbyd, 87/863, smitten, struck 
 Bales, 219/1456, sb. pi. griefs, pains 
 Balys, 90/919, sb. troubles, mis- 
 fortunes. A.S. bealu 
 Balys, 82/735, sb. rod 
 Bamys, 93/1018, balms 
 Baramathye, 102/1260, Arimathea 
 Bayne, 203/950, adj. ready, willing. 
 “ Beyn 01 plyaunt. Flexibilis." 
 Proinpt. Parv. 
 
 Be, 101/1223, prep, by 
 Be-cum, 95/1052, pp. 'where he is 
 be-cum’ = what has become of 
 him, where he has gone to 
 Bede- woman, 129/1967, a woman 
 
 bound to pray for another 
 Bedlem, 10/237; 60/159, Bethlehem 
 Be-dred, 3/64, dreaded 
 Beelzebub, 82/725 
 Be-hold, 123/1814, pp. beholden, 
 bound 
 
 Be-holddyn, 80/658, adj. obliged, 
 bound in gratitude. The cor- 
 rupted form beholdmg is very 
 common in the writers of the 
 17th cent. 
 
 Belfagour, 82/725, pr. tin. Bel- 
 phagor, a devil 
 Belial, p. 43 
 
 Belle, 99/1169, vb. roar, as deer 
 ‘ bell ’ 
 
 Be-lyve, 122/1801, adv. at once, 
 quickly, hastily 
 
 Bemmys, 90/934, i-i 5 . trumpets. A.S. 
 bhne 
 
 Benewolens, 1/21, sb. good-will, 
 kindness 
 
 AND INDEX. 
 
 Benyng, 71/442, adj. benign 
 Beral, 70/425, sb. {?) beryl : as we 
 should say “ the pearl of beauty” 
 Berdes, 57/51, sb. maidens 
 Berzaby, 60/159, Beersheba 
 Besawnt, 101/1218, sb. besant, a 
 golden coin so called from having 
 been first coined at Byzantium, 
 or Constantinople 
 Besene, 27/16, drest, adornd 
 Be-shrewe, 156/506, 1 pr. s. curse 
 Be-take, 72/465, vb. commend , 
 130/1989, 1 pr. s. commit, com- 
 mend 
 
 Beth, 112/1528,75^.^5/. are 
 Bethany, 57/82 
 
 Betyll browyd, 82/724, adj. with 
 overhanging brows. Compare/". 
 Plowman, B. v. 190 
 Bey, 143/108, 1 pr.pl. buy, pay or 
 suffer for 
 
 Bey the bargayn, 90/937, 941, pay 
 the penalty, pay the price for 
 Blabyr-lyppyd, 90/927, adj. thick- 
 lipped. Cf. P. Plowman, B. v. 
 190: “Blabyr-lyppyd; broccus, 
 labrosns." Cath. Angl. 
 
 Blasse, 90/934, vb. wave 
 Blasyd, 83/745, PP- on fire, in 
 flames 
 
 Ble, 57/68 ; 129/1977, sb. counten- 
 ance, complexion, colour. A.S. 
 bleo 
 
 Bleryd is ower eye, 92/985, a phrase 
 signifying, “ we have been de- 
 ceived or mocked.” The expres- 
 sion is common: see, for instance. 
 Sir Fe 7 -u??ibras, ed. Herrtage, 
 391 ; Romannt of the Rose, 
 3912, &c. 
 
 Blomefylde, Myles, poet, p. 27, 41 
 Blysch, 88/885 ; 97/1 1 1 ?) bliss, 
 joy 
 
 Blyssynd, 125/1859, sb. blessing 
 Borne, 84/780, 1 pr. s. bum, am 
 confused with a noise in my 
 head and ears ; ‘ bombon as been 
 (bummyn or bumbyn) Bombizo.’ 
 Pr. Patw. ‘ To bomme as a fly 
 doth, or husse, bruFe’. . Pals- 
 grave, ib. 
 
 Bone, 1 17/1668, i-^. prayer. O. Icel. 
 bon 
 
 Bord, 79/630, sb. table 
 
GLOSSARY AND INDEX. 2^1 
 
 Bornyd, 71/443, adj. (?) burnished 
 Borons, 56/50, sb. barons 
 Bote, 90/919, sb. cure, healer 
 Botell (truss) of haye, 30/85 
 Bovnteest, 91/952, most bountiful 
 Bowth, 1 27/1925, pp. bought, re- 
 deemed 
 
 Brace, 177/179, vb. embrace, clasp 
 Brayd, 99/1148, sb. haste, hurry 
 Breelles, 90/927, sb. worthless 
 rascals. “ Breyel, Brollus, brolla, 
 misercidusP Prompt. Parv. 
 Bren, 146/196, sb. brows 
 Brentt, 116/1629,//. been burnt 
 Brochit, 197/782, i pt. s. tapped, 
 opened, broached. “ Brochyn, or 
 settyn avesselle broche (abroche), 
 attamino, clipsidroP Prompt. 
 Parv. ; brochit, pt. s. 197/783 
 Bronde, 3/64, sb. sword 
 Brystyt, 86/822, vb. bursts 
 Burde, 212/1215, sb. board, table 
 By, 2/37, /r^/. by hym, by his way 
 Byggyd, 130/2024, pp. settled, 
 placed 
 
 Byn, 56/50, vb.; 70/420, vb. be; 
 112/1533, pr.pl. be, are 
 
 Caiphas, p. 28, 42 
 Cardyakylles, 106/1363, sb. a pain 
 of the heart. “A cardiakylle or 
 cardiake : cardia, cardiaca." 
 
 Cath. Angl. 
 
 Carefull, 94/1034; 121/1768, adj. 
 
 anxious, full of care, sad 
 Castell, 87/845, sb. village 
 Cawth, 61/191,//. caught 
 Cayftyff, 79/631, sb. wretch 
 Cayseres, 90/936, sb. Emperors, 
 Ctesars 
 
 Caystyys, 57/58, sb. (?) caitiffs, 
 wretches 
 
 Ceile, 174/72, sb. happiness. “ It 
 turned him to sele." Cursor 
 Mundi, 4432, A.S. seel. 
 Chalyngyd, 105/1318, vb. claim. 
 “Tochalange; vindicareP Cath. 
 A ngl. 
 
 Ghana, 205/999, Cana 
 Chapetelet, 140/16, sb. chaplet 
 Cheveler, 139/1, sb. a wig 
 Children, the Killing of the, p. 1,13 
 Choppe, 160/641, I pr. s. bargain, 
 barter. A.S. ceapian 
 
 Christ, his 7 Names, 132/20.^ 
 
 or Wisdom, a Morality of, 
 
 P- 137 
 
 Chyldyurn, 87/851, sb. children 
 Chyr, 56/48, sb. cheer 
 Chyr, 77/575, vb. cheer, please 
 Clary, 67/342 ; 72/477, sb. a kind of 
 sweet wine 
 
 Cleffys, 57/55, sb. (?) cliffs 
 Clennesse, 191/589, sb. purity of 
 life. “ A clennes. Honestas, 
 77 iimdicia, puritas, sinceritasP 
 Cathol. A 7 iglicu 7 n. 
 
 Cler, 113/15623, sb. clerk, Lat. 
 clcftis 
 
 Cleyff, 120/1741, sb. cliffs (?) 
 Glower, 65/294, sb. clover 
 Clumme, 157/522, adj. lit. be- 
 numbed, hence, rendered useless. 
 Compare “ Clumsyd, ene 7 'iiatns 
 eviratus," Cathol. A 7 iglicu 777 , 
 and Cotgrave E 7 it 077 ibi, stonied, 
 benumtned, clumpse, asleep.” 
 Clyvytt, 93/1000, clave, split 
 Cognysshon, Elll^j knowledge 
 Comic scenes, p. 30, 99, 108 
 Compylyd, 85/806, pp. written as 
 in a book 
 
 Conctypotent, 49/596, all-powerful 
 Connownt, 123/1803, sb. covenant, 
 sum bargained for 
 Conregent, p. 166, at foot : (.?) 
 Contraly, 90/940, contrarily 
 Conversio/i of St. Paul, p. 27 
 Coroscant, 91/953, adj. shining, 
 bright. Lat. C 07 'usca 7 item 
 Coryossyte, 74/511, smartness, 
 finery; a dandy, 75/550 
 Coryous, 189/581, adj. curious, 
 strange 
 
 Costodyer, 5 1 /628, custodian, guard 
 Covnnyng, 85/806, sb. science, 
 knowledge 
 
 Cowfif, 101/1224, vb. cough 
 Crabbysh, 30/91, uncivil, rude 
 Cressyn, 11 1/15 12, vb. increase, 
 multiply 
 
 Cunnyng, i /24, skill, science 
 Cyrus, Lazarus’s father, p. 56, 64 
 
 Dandy Curiosity, in a play, p. 73, 74 
 Daysyys lee, 74/515, daisy 
 Deadly Sins, the Seven, p. 75 
 Debonarius, 71/444, adj. courteous 
 
232 GLOSSARY AND INDEX. 
 
 Dectours, 79/650, sb. debtors 
 Dedenynglye, 216/1352, adv. un- 
 deservedly, unworthily 
 Dee, 2 12/1229, vb. die 
 Defame, 132/2035, sb. villainy 
 Defye, 156/511, i pr. s. despise. 
 “Todefye: despicereb' Cathol. 
 A ngliciim. 
 
 Delacion, 49/588, delay 
 Delectary, 83/751, delightful 
 Delycyte, 91/946; 132/2039, de- 
 liciousness, delightfulness 
 Demene, 114/1582, rule, manage 
 Dempte, 80/662, deemd, judgd 
 Dent, 64/272, sb. stroke 
 Departe, 58/102, vb. ; 115/1613, 
 imp. J. share 
 
 Derevorthy, 125/1852, adj. pre- 
 cious, dear. A.S. deo 7 "wyr’f>e 
 Dessetres, 58/104, sb, distress 
 Desyern, 82/721, vb. desire, pray 
 Deuely, 150/324, adj. deuilish, re- 
 sembling a devil 
 Deversarye, 83/754, adj. diverse 
 Devils, 8 beaten, p. 82 ; see p. 53 
 Devyrs, 86/832, sb. duty 
 Dewresse, 65/281, sb. hardship. 
 Diete, 204/961, /A s. died 
 Discent, 1/3, sb. descent 
 Disperbilit, 214/1301,757). scattered 
 abroad. “Sparpe here and there, 
 segrego, spargo." Huloet. “Dis- 
 parplyn. Dissipo, dispergo.' ’ 
 Prompt. Parv. 
 
 Docctor, 88/877, sb. daughter 
 Dog Latin, 100/1187 
 Dolar, 95/1058; Dolour, 95/1056, 
 sb. grief 
 
 Don, 63/227, pp. done 
 Done, 206/1043, pp. placed, put. 
 “To do on Crosse. C^-uciJigereP 
 Cath. Aiiglicutn. 
 
 Doole, 176/138, sb. sorrow, grief. 
 O.Fr. doe I 
 
 Doth, 56/42, sb. doubt 
 Dovctors, 57/68, sb. daughters 
 Dowt, 60/1 5^ sb. fear 
 Dowt, 216/1371, ii 7 ip. s. fear 
 Dowth, 103/1279, doubt 
 Dree, 180/259, vb. suffer, endure. 
 A.S. d?'eoga 7 i 
 
 Drench, 1 21/1747, drown 
 Drye, 91 1/1043, vb. suffer. A.S. 
 dreoga 7 i 
 
 Drynchyn, 83/754, pp. drowned, 
 overwhelmed 
 
 Dya, 67/339, sb. Dyachylon 
 Dylf, 76/563-4, sb. devils 
 Dylfe, 61/187, sb. devil 
 Dylle, a Devil, p. 91 
 Dyscus, 113/1562, i 77 ip. j. show 
 abroad, spread, prove 
 Dysmay, 94/ 1035, am troubled, dis- 
 mayd 
 
 Dysses, 57/80, sb. decease 
 Dyssese, 95/1056, sb. pain, grief 
 Dyssever, separate, pick 
 
 out 
 
 Dysspyttyd, 93/999, did despite to 
 Dysyer, 74/513, desire 
 
 Eclippid, 183/356, 7)7). eclipsed 
 Ee, 209/1134, sb. ; 212/1228, eye 
 Egall, 55/6, adj. equal 
 Ekes, 176/138, pr. s. increases. 
 A.S. eca 7 i 
 
 Emende, 1/23, vb. amend, correct 
 Emme, 100/1172, sb. uncle. A.S. 
 
 ea 7 >i 
 
 En-abyte, 80/683, vb. dress, array 
 Enhanse, 58/111, vb. raise, ad- 
 vance; ‘enhansyd,’ 132/2056 
 Enrytawns, 133/2075, sb. inherit- 
 ance 
 
 Ensalue, 202/916, vb. embalm 
 Entone, 221/1498, vb. intone, sing 
 Erber, 76, sb. garden 
 Ermonye, 226/1620, sb. harmony, 
 melody 
 
 Ewyr, 83/774, adv. ever 
 Exsport, 72/458, vb. expel, drive 
 out 
 
 Eylytt, 113/1545, ails, troubles 
 
 Fakown, 90/942, sb. falcon 
 Fantasticall, 222/1545, adj. fanci- 
 ful, “ fancy-bred ” 
 
 Fathyrod, 89/904, sb. Fatherhood 
 Favorows, 90/942, 91/9481, adj. 
 
 well-favoured, handsome 
 Faworus, 80/673, desirous 
 Faytors, 60/145, sb. wretches, ras- 
 cals 
 
 Fectually, 79/643, adv. in truth 
 Fegetyfif, 66/318, adj. fugitive, slip- • 
 pery 
 
 Felishipe, 202/924, sb. compan)'. 
 “A Felischippe. Co 7 isortiu 7 /t, 
 
GLOSSARY 
 
 societas, et cetera : vbi a com- 
 pany." Cathol. Anglicuni. 
 
 Fell, 172/18, adj. cruel, furious 
 Felle, 75 / 535 . fell 
 Felle, 115/1615, adj. many. A.S. 
 fedl 
 
 Femynyte, S 7 l 7 '^> the good 
 qualities of a woman 
 Fles, 106/1351, sb. fleece 
 Flyth, 111/1507, vb. flight 
 Fode, go/942, sb. lit. woman, hence 
 wife. Fodys, 91/948, pi. 
 
 Fon, 221/1500, found 
 For, 2/44, in spite of 
 For, 60 prep, to prevent 
 For-gon, 129/1974,/^. lost 
 Forse, 160/608, pr. pi. make or 
 think of importance, regard 
 For-thy, 2 15/13 17, conj. therefore 
 Founyd, 152/393, adj. foolish 
 Frangabyll, 66/320, brittle 
 Fray, 2/39, vb. storm, rage 
 Fray, 91/968, sb. fear, terror 
 Freell, 88/888, adj. frail, sinful, weak 
 [persons] 
 
 Freelnesse, 146/200, sb. frailty, 
 weakness 
 
 Frelty, 215/1316, sb. frailty, weak- 
 ness 
 
 Fresse, 90/942, adj. fresh, fair 
 Frest, 91/971, adv. at first, be- 
 fore 
 
 Frett, 112/1529, vb. grieve, pain, 
 torture, tear to pieces 
 Fretth, 84/786, sb. fretting, grief 
 Fryst, 103/1272, adv. first 
 Fulfyllyd, 57/74, vb. filled 
 
 Galonga, 67I239, sb. (?) galingale 
 Garlement, 27/16, ornament 
 Garre, 202/901, vb. cause. “To gar. 
 Compescere, cogere., ei cetera.” 
 Cathol. Atiglicum. 
 a Gentleman’s servant, 30/90 
 Govele, 160/604, usury. “Gowle 
 orvsury. Usura,fenus.” Prompt. 
 Parv. 
 
 Gramercy, 1 85/410,^(5. great thanks, 
 gratitude. Fr. gra?id merci 
 Grates, 146/190, sb. pi. thanks, 
 gratitude 
 
 Gravid, 200/853,//. buried. “To 
 Graue : vbi. to Bery.” Cathol. 
 Atiglicum. 
 
 / 
 
 AND INDEX. ^33 
 
 Gravnt, 123/1805, agreement ; 125/ 
 1873, desire, pleasure (?) 
 Grawous, 65/293, adj. grievous, 
 heavy 
 
 Grobbe, a ship’s boy, 107, 125 ; 
 
 119/1717 
 
 Grogly, 75/549, a. (?)ugly 
 Grom, 73/489, sb. person, man 
 Grome, 72/478, sb. ?name of a place 
 Gromys, 75/549, sb. men, persons 
 Gronddar, 66/326, sb. foundation 
 Grooth, 56/38, vb. (?) grow, or 
 ‘ grooch ’, grumble, murmur 
 Growell, 99/1155, sb. gruel 
 Grudge, 3/70, vb. grumble, mur- 
 mur 
 
 Gyddyn, 1 29/1982, z/A guide, govern 
 Gyldyr, 72/478, sb. guelder 
 Gyn, 90/934, vb. begin 
 Gynnyt, 126/1897, /n s. begins 
 Gyntely, 140/16, adv. finely, grandly 
 
 Hals, 83/745, ^b. neck. A.S. heals 
 Halse, 67/347, 'vb. embrace 
 Halsyd, 1 3 1 /203 1 , //. y 141/44, sa- 
 luted, greeted, welcomed 
 Hape, 192/628, sb. happiness, good 
 Harbarow, 107/1398, sb. shelter, 
 refuge 
 
 Harlettes, 59/127 ; Harlottes, 56/ 
 27, sb. low wretches, villains 
 Harrow, 91/963, interj. the old 
 Norman exclamation calling for 
 assistance 
 
 Havns, 130/2007,2/(5. raise, carry up 
 [see ‘ in-hansyd,’ ‘ enhanse ’) 
 Hawkyn, Acolyte of the priest of 
 Maryll, 99/1143 
 
 Haylsinge, 196/744, sb. salutation, 
 greeting 
 
 Hayr, 144/159, sb. heir 
 Hegges, 101/1198, sb. hedges 
 Hele, 1 22/1 790, sb. safety 
 Helefull, 142/89, adj. wholesome 
 Hell harrowd, p. 91 
 Her, 80/669, sb. hair 
 Here, 98/1 124, their 
 
 Herod, King, p. 3, &c. ; his death, 
 p. 16 ; p. 59, 103 
 Herod’s Philosopher, p. 60 
 Herrowe, 150/325, int. haro ! a cry 
 for help 
 
 Hestes, 57/52, sb. behests, com- 
 mands 
 
 7 
 
2^4 GLOSSARY AND INDEX. 
 
 Hight, 150/334, I pr. s. am named 
 Ho, Q2,lioiK. -pron. who 
 Hof ! 73 ligi, ho ! 
 
 Holborn Quest, the, 165/773, p. 168 
 Holy Ghost, the, p. 38 
 Holy Land, p. 119 
 Home, 101/1226, vd. hum 
 Hort, 91/965, (?)hurt 
 
 Hossell, 133/2081, vb. administer 
 the holy communion to. A.S. 
 Jmslian, 134/2087 
 Hosteler, p. 30, ostler 
 Houkkyn, 99/1160, vb. toy, copulate 
 Hurde, 159/584, vb. hoard 
 Hye, 209/1 132, sb. haste 
 Hyr, 1 12/1524, pron. their 
 Hyrre, 6^1377 , p?'oii. her 
 Hyth, 123/1822,^/. named, called. 
 A.S. hatan 
 
 Idols burnt at Marcylle, p. 113 
 a Jew, p. 88 
 
 Ile^ant, 73/505, adj. elegant 
 Illumynows, 78/623, light-giving 
 In-devre, 64/292, vb. endure 
 Indeyn, 195/730, adv. unworthily, 
 undeservedly. Lat. mdigne 
 Inflventt, 97/1096, inflowing 
 Inhansyd, 131/2023, raisd up 
 Innumerabyll, 97/1100, impossible 
 Inspeccyon, 124/1851, inspection 
 Intere, 221/1501, adj. earnest, 
 hearty 
 
 Interlye, 198/828, adv. heartily, 
 earnestly. “ Enteyrly. Intime j 
 Cathol. Anglicuin. “He praythe 
 the enterlyl Gesta Romanoni??t, 
 p. 171. 
 
 Invre, 134/2 102, adj. practised 
 Irke, 2 1 3/1 252, vb. to be grieved or 
 weary. “To Irke. lastidire, 
 tedere, pigere.'” Cathol. An- 
 glicum. 
 
 I-wise, 203/937, adv. assuredly, 
 certainly. A.S. gewis 
 lelopher, 106/1363, gillyflower 
 Jesus prophesies his sufferings and 
 death, 87 ; raises Lazarus, 89 ; 
 appears to the Maries after his 
 resurrection, 95. See p. 54, 219, 
 222 
 
 lorourry, 161/939, sb. (?)swearing, 
 or jurying, serving on juries (to 
 give false verdicts) 
 
 Joseph, Christ’s reputed father, p. 
 10, 17 
 
 Joseph of Arimathea, p. 172 
 ludeon, 106/1351, Gideon 
 
 Kelle, 74/520, sb. Q) prostitute : 
 
 compare ‘collet’ 
 
 Kente, 177/156, /y). known 
 Kepe, 120/1728, sb. care, thought 
 Kepit, 181/286, pp. cared, thought 
 Kertelys, 145/164, sb. pi. kirtles, 
 gowns 
 
 Keyle, 174/76, vb. cool, assuage. 
 A.S. cela?i 
 
 Kings of the Flesh, the World and 
 the Devils, p. 66 
 Knett, 57/58, vb. knit, involve 
 Knett, S7l77,pt. j. joined, united 
 Knette, 146/196, i pr. s. knit, 
 crinkle, my brows 
 Knowledge, 87/868, vb. acquaint, 
 tell 
 
 Kyd, 631230, pp. known 
 
 Laberyd, 123/1823, pp. workt, 
 causd to go or wander (labour) 
 Lace, 159/580, vb. entangle, in- 
 volve 
 
 Lad, 56/43, sb. common men 
 Lak, 145/165, imp.pl. blame 
 Langbaynnes, 61/190, sb. (?) long- 
 bones 
 
 Lase, 73/497, sb. binding, ornament 
 Lasyd, 140/16,//. laced, fastened 
 Lave, 125/1857, sb. law 
 Lawly, 226/1616, adv. lowly, hum- 
 bly 
 
 Lazarus, his Death and Raising, 
 P- 53, 54 
 
 Lechery, a character, p. 71 
 Led, 93/1015, sb. lid, cover 
 Lef, 201/873, 
 
 Lem, 55/13, j-^. limb 
 Lere, 74/527, vb. teach 
 Lesinge, 222/1546, sb. lie. A.S. 
 leasung 
 
 Letificacion, 2/26, joy, rejoicing 
 Lewyn, 132/2043, sb. lightning 
 Locucion . . . speech 
 Lordeynnes, 61/189 ; 83/741, sb. 
 wretches, rascals. “ A lurdane, 
 vbi. a thefe.” Cath. Anglicum. 
 See Loselles. 
 
 Lore, 1 50 326, I pr. s. am lost 
 
GLOSSARY AND INJ1EX. 
 
 Loselles, 6i/igo, sb. lazy, rascally 
 fellows. “ Lore!, or losel, or lu- 
 dene (lordayne S. lurdeyn P.). 
 Lurco.” Pro 7 npt. Parv. 
 
 Loue, 226/1616, vb. praise, worship 
 Lowt, 226/1616, vb. bow to, worship 
 Lowte, 56/43 ; 90/926, vb. bow 
 Lucense, 82/715, sb. light 
 Lucifer, p. 179 
 
 Lure, 216/1337, sb. decoy, trap, the 
 Cross 
 
 Lyfeloll, S^l^ 7 > livelihood 
 Lylly, 103/1265, likely 
 Lynne, 76/558, vb. cease [to lead] 
 Lyth, 84/768, 774, sb. light 
 Lytturall, 52/658, of letters, of 
 literature 
 
 Lytynnyd, 92/975, pp. lightened, 
 emptied 
 
 Lyve, 58/91, vb. live 
 
 Mahondes, 60/142, sb. Mahound, 
 Mahomet 
 
 Malesse, 172/20, sb. malice 
 Malyng, 7o/434) Maiyngny, 70/428, 
 adj. evil, malign 
 Mament, 1 13/1554, sb. idol 
 Mancyon, 110/1461, stay, dwelling 
 Marcylle, the King and Queen of. 
 Idols of, p. 54 
 
 Mare, 189/510, 2 pr. pi. destroy, 
 upset. A.S. merrajt 
 Margaretton, 67/339, pearls 
 Margente, 180/273, sb. margin, va- 
 cant space 
 
 Maries, the three at the tomb of 
 J esus, 93 ; J esus appears to them, 
 95 
 
 Marre, 56/39, vb. destroy 
 Marry, 61/192, /yJ. destroyed 
 Martes, 64/257, (?)Mars 
 Martha, p. 58, 65, 83, 86, 88 
 Mary, Christ's reputed Mother, p. 
 II, 17, 186 
 
 Mary Magdalene, a Play in 2 Parts, 
 P- 53 
 
 Mary Salome, p. 93, 97, 173 
 Mary the mother of James, p. 92, 
 97, 173 
 
 Mase, 1 59/581, /r. s. makes, causes 
 Mawt, 'jT.jif’jb, sb. (?) Malta 
 May, 170/416, sb. maid 
 Mell, 93/1003, strife, trouble 
 Melleflueus, 85/794, mellifluous 
 
 235 
 
 Memory all, 98/1134, memory, re- 
 membrance 
 
 Mene, 160/620, sb. a contralto, or 
 counter-tenor voice 
 Menyver, 140/16, sb. fur of the 
 ermine mixed with that of the 
 weasel 
 
 Mercury, another Devil, p. 44 
 Merrorys, 57/73, sb. (?)shinings, 
 graces, beauties 
 Messenger, p. 59, 62, 63 
 Mesure, 114/1582, moderation 
 Metyest, 53/3, adj. most meet, 
 fitting 
 
 Meyn, 180/255, ^b. means, way 
 Midland Dialect, p. 53, 170 
 Mind, a character, and her 6 Re- 
 tainers, p. 138 
 Mo, 57/80, adj. my 
 Mold, 123/1812, jA earth 
 Monument, 89/894, sb. tomb, sepul- 
 chre 
 
 Monyment, 204/964, sb. tomb, 
 grave 
 
 A Morality of Wisdom or Christ, 
 P- 137 
 
 Morell, 99/1155, (?) a man’s name 
 Moryd, 97/1099, pp. rooted, firmly 
 fixed 
 
 Mosed, 151/348, pp. mased, be- 
 witched 
 
 Mot, 2 1 5/ 1 329, sb. a spot, fault 
 Moteryng, 59/128, sb. muttering, 
 grumbling 
 
 Mown, 69/392, vb. may, can 
 Mundtis, King of the World, p. 66, 
 76 
 
 Mynnate, 189/518, sb. minute 
 Mynstrelly, 98/1141, minstrelsy 
 Myscheffe, 173/61, misfortune 
 
 Nemyows, 87/857, adj. exceeding 
 Nevyn, 66/315, vb. mention, de- 
 clare 
 
 Nicodemus, p. 184 
 Noe, 106/1351, Noah 
 man, passim, none, no one 
 Northumbrian and Midland dia- 
 lects, p. 170 
 
 Noyose, 193/650, adj. hurtful, 
 harmful 
 
 Noyttment, 79/640-1, ointment 
 Nymyos, 97/11 12, adj. exceeding. 
 Lat. ni?)nH 7 n 
 
236 
 
 GLOSSARY AND INDEX. 
 
 Nysete, 162/653, sb. folly, foolish- 
 ness 
 
 Oble, 131/2019, sb. a kind of wafer- 
 cake, sweetened with honey. It 
 was the usual name for the con- 
 secrated wafer in the Mass 
 On, 82/718, a.' one 
 On-clypsyd, 106/1349, adj. un- 
 eclipsed 
 
 Oncuryd, 84/769, pp. uncovered, 
 taken away the covering of 
 On-quarte, 84/779, unhearted, 
 dismayd, troubled, in pain 
 Onymentes, 80/668, sb, ointments 
 Oppresse, 135/2111, (?) suffer, be 
 cast away 
 
 Opteyn, 61/182, vb. hold a place, 
 prevail 
 
 Ore, 56/38, coiij, or 
 Os, as, p. 170 
 
 Ouer-awe, 193/653, adv. = overal, 
 everywhere. “Overalle: passim, 
 vbiamqiie, est genus loquoidi 
 vbique." Cathol. AngUcum. 
 Ough, 146/190, I pr. s. owe 
 Owjt, 80/660, pt. s. owed 
 
 Pacyfycal, 114/1593, peaceable 
 Pageant - waggon, its 2 stages, p. 
 
 130, 135 
 
 Pakke, 99/1154, sb. pack 
 Panne, 83/738, sb. (.?) pan (of 
 pitch) 
 
 Parfre, John, p. 24 
 Passyve, 204/962, adj. suffering 
 Paul, the Conversion of, p. 27 
 Pay, 91/960, sb. pleasure, pleasing 
 Peneawnt, 73/496, adj. hanging, 
 loose 
 
 Perhennuall, 79/637, perennial, con- 
 stant 
 
 Perplyxcyon, 130/1986 
 Perswade, 1 29/1977, take away(!‘) 
 Pertely, 62/206, adv. openly, pub- 
 licly 
 
 Pese, 75 / 535 , cup 
 Pesyn, 189/533, sb. poison 
 Phy, 95/1068, vb. (?)fie, trust 
 Pilate, p. 63, 87 
 
 Pitture, 1 5 1/350, vb. picture, image 
 Players, names of the, p. 23, 26, 54, 
 138, 170 
 
 Plejeavns, 104/1304,^(5. pleasure 
 
 the Poet who speaks the Prologue 
 and Epilogue, p. i, 22, 26 
 Ponderite, 1 79/2 1 ’l,pt. s. (?) weighed 
 pondered 
 
 Porchase, obtain, gain 
 
 Porchasyd, 81/689, pp. obtained, 
 gained 
 
 Porvyowns, 77/582, sb. providing 
 Poste, 1 1 3/1 559, sb. power 
 Potyt, 72/458, vb. put ; 78/606, 
 (?) strive 
 
 Povnse Pylat, 87/862, Pontius 
 Pilate 
 
 Pregedyse, 63/234, sb. violence 
 Preors, 98/1137, sb. prayers 
 Pretende, 96/1076; 133/2073, vb. 
 
 go before, proceed 
 Priest, a heathen, p. 99, 113 
 Prommyssary, 63/237, sb. deputy 
 Provost, in a play, p. 59, 104 
 Provostycacyon,6o/i63, sb. regency, 
 vice-gerency 
 
 Pryse, 70/417, sb. prize: berjt ]}e 
 pryse, here Je pryse, 72/472, 
 take first place 
 Pver, 125/1859, adj. pure 
 Purfyled, 140/16, adj. trimmed, 
 edged or embroidered 
 Purpete, 81/710, sb. (?) special care, 
 or pure pity 
 
 Pynsynesse, 78/606, sb. pensiveness 
 Pyrked, 68/358, adj. proud, elated. 
 
 See Halliwell, s. v. Perk. 
 
 Pystull, 1 04/1 3 1 3, sb. epistle, letter 
 
 Quell, 99/1168, vb. kill. A.S. 
 cwellan 
 
 Quesson, 80/662, sb. question 
 Qwat, 102/ 1 249, what 
 
 Rage, 105/1331, sb. haste, hurry 
 Ragnell and roffyn, 101/1200 
 Raphael the Angel bids many go 
 and convert the land of Marcyll, 
 p. 107 
 
 Readers of an acted Play, 136/2143, 
 p. 170 
 
 Rebon, 110/1465, sb. (?) rebound, 
 answer, insolence 
 Recure, 66/311; 79/6251; 211/ 
 
 1202, vb. recover, redeem 
 Reddure, 114/1580, sb. violence 
 Rede, 1 22/1 793, sb. guide, coun- 
 sellor 
 
 
GLOSSARY 
 
 Rede, 115/1616, i pr. s. advise 
 Refreynne, 97/1116, vb. (?) restrain 
 themselves 
 
 Releff, 56/41, vb. free (from harm 
 or responsibility) 
 
 Rem, 59/114; Renie, 59/125, sb. 
 realm 
 
 Reporte, 176/133, i pr. s. urge, 
 argue, declare 
 
 Reportur, 133/2084, sb. report 
 Repreffe, 56/40, sb. punishment 
 Rese, 61/180, vb. rise 
 Resowndable, 89/904, able to be 
 heard 
 
 Restoratyf, 79/651, sb. restoration, 
 repayment 
 
 Resun, 93/1024, pp. risen 
 Reynd, 96/1083, pull, pluck 
 Rofe, 91/970, vb. were riven, split 
 Rome, the Emperor of, p. 55, 59, 
 104 
 
 Rownd, 73/495, vb. whisper, chat 
 Rud, 206/1030, sb. rood, cross 
 Rvfull, 93/1020, adj. rueful, sad 
 Ruthe, 149/316, sb. pity 
 Ryte, 59/130; Ryth, 59/126, sb. 
 right 
 
 Rythewys, 88/889, righteous 
 Ryve, 145/175, vb. rive, destroy 
 
 -s, 2 & 3 sing, in, p. 170 
 Sadd, 215/1328, adj. weighty, of 
 weight. “ Sadde. Solidus, Jir- 
 mus.” Cathol. Anglicum. 
 
 St. Andrew, p. 213 
 St. John, p. 94, 187 ; and St. Peter, 
 p. 94, 123, 209 
 
 Sakor, 133/2068, i pr. s. conse- 
 crate 
 
 Satan, Prince of the Devils, p. 66, 
 68, 76 
 
 Saul, after Paul, p. 27, 33, 46 
 Save, 132/205 1, I pt. s. saw, have 
 seen 
 
 Sawen, 87/852, vb. save 
 Seduet, 82/716, pp. seduced, led 
 away 
 
 Segnyte, 195/723, 2 pt.pl. assigned, 
 committed 
 
 Sembled, 69/403, pp. met, assem- 
 bled 
 
 Semle, 63/240, adj. seemly, hand- 
 some 
 
 Sensuality, a character, p. 80 
 
 AND INDEX. 237 
 
 Sentelles, 104/1311, 1315, (?for) 
 sentence, intelligence 
 Sepoltur, 87/844, sepulchre, tomb 
 Serybyl or Serybb, p. 55 
 Sese, 118/1688; 128/1958, endow, 
 put in possession, give seisin 
 Seth, 143/122, sb. a full seth = full 
 aseth, full satisfaction 
 Sette, 97/1104, sb. city 
 Seyld, 99/929, adv. seldom 
 Shep, 106/1351, sb. ship 
 Sheppyng, 107/1392, sb. ship 
 Shewyng, 116/1621, vision 
 Shipman or Captain in a play, p. 54 
 Sho, she, p. 170 
 
 Shower, 86/822, sb. struggle, pain 
 Shuyd, 58/86,//. showed 
 Simeon the priest, p. 16 
 Simon the Leper, p. 77 
 Skreptour, 61/171 ; Skryptour, 61/ 
 179, sb. Scripture 
 Soferous, 87/864, sb. suffering 
 Sokor, 65/286, sb. succour, help 
 Soleyne, 159/579, adj. (?)alone, sin- 
 gular, unique 
 
 Sond, 62/214, message. “ Sond 
 or sendynge. Missio.” Prompt. 
 Parv. 
 
 Sond, 1 1 1 /i 504, sb. word, order 
 Sond, 109/1439, sb. land, shore 
 Sops in wine, 75/536 
 Sote, 1/13; 90/1071, adj. sweet 
 Sottes, 62/203, sb. fools 
 Sowket, 192/625 , /4 s. sucked 
 Sowth, 83/743-4, sb. {?) sawt = as- 
 sault, attack 
 
 Sowth, 66I207, pp. sought 
 Spece, 132/2060, sb. speech, words 
 Spece, 96/1072, sb. (?) view, from 
 Lat. aspicioQ) 
 
 Speceows, 78/628, special, particular 
 Spyll, 146/215, vb. be ruined, fail 
 Spynys, 13 1/2024, ^b. pi. thorns, 
 thickets 
 
 Stableman or Ostler, p. 30 
 Stanzas, two plays in 8-line, p. i, 
 137; a play in 7-line, p- 25 ; a 
 play mainly in 8-line, p. 17 1 : see 
 too, p. 53, at foot. 
 
 Start e, 218/1417, sb. time. “Styrt, 
 or lytyl whyle (lytyl qwyle. A.). 
 Momentum.'" Prompt. Parv. 
 Steryng, 144/153, sb. stirring, in- 
 citement 
 
238 GLOSSARY 
 
 Stey, 96/1077, vb. ascend 
 Steyyd, 105/1341, vb. ascended 
 Stoonddes, 93/1018, sb. moment, 
 time. A.S. stund 
 Streytness, 58/97, sb. hardship 
 Stronkg, 93/1002, adj. strong, vio- 
 lent 
 
 Strytt, 70/426, adj. straight 
 Styfife, 1 30/ 1 997, vb. (.?) stryffe = 
 strive 
 
 Stylle, 116/1637, sb. steel. A.S. 
 style 
 
 Stynte, 2 12/1240, i pr. s. stop, 
 cease 
 
 Styntt, 123/1807, sb. allowance, 
 bargain, agreement 
 Subjectary, 83/752, subject, thrall 
 Subjugal, 55/7, adj. subject 
 Sudare, 95/1049, sb. napkin, ker- 
 chief. It occurs in exactly the 
 same meaning in Wyclif s version 
 of John XX. 7 
 Sue, 75/532, vb. follow 
 Suspiratione, 173/64, sb. sighing. 
 
 Lat. suspirationem 
 Suthe, 188/500, adv. truly, with 
 truth 
 
 Swertt, 84/780, adj. black 
 Syest, 95/1061, sighest 
 Syn, 86/830, coiij. since 
 Synamver, 106/1361, sb. (.^)Fr. 
 
 ‘ Chmabre : m. Cynoper, Ver- 
 million, Sanguinarie . . a soft red 
 and heauie stone found in Mines.’ 
 Cotgrave. 
 
 Sypresse, 139/1978, sb. Fr. ‘69/- 
 pere : m. Cyperus, or Cypresse, 
 Galingale (a kind of reed).’ — Cot- 
 grave. A sweet herb, a sweet 
 person 
 
 Syrus, Lazarus’s father, p. 56, 64 
 Syyn, 129/1973, vb. sigh 
 Syyng, 57/63, sighing 
 
 Tapyrnakyll, 106/1352, sb. taber- 
 nacle, vessel 
 
 Tasppysster, 73/495, sb. barmaid 
 Taverner, in a Play, p. 72 
 Tawth, 102/1259, taught 
 Tayve, 172/38, adj. (.^/decaying 
 Tene, 71/438, vb. injure, annoy 
 — th constantly used for — ght, as 
 lyth, light, nyth, night, myth, 
 might, &c. 
 
 AND INDEX. 
 
 Thar, 139/1437, impers. vb. need. 
 AS. \iearf 
 
 pen, 82/732, pron. that 
 Therknesse, 81/689, darkness. 
 “ Therkenesse or derkenesse. 
 Tenebre, Caligo.” Prompt. Parv. 
 Tholit, 181/276, pp. suffered, en- 
 dured. A. S. pollan 
 Thrall, 175/108, adj. miserable, 
 mean 
 
 Threst, 115/1614, jA thirst 
 Thruste, 179/2 15, sb. thirst, desire 
 Thrustide, 179/2 14, pt. s. thirsted 
 for. A.S. ]}yrstan 
 Thrustye, 178/210, adj. thirsty. 
 
 A.S. \>urstig, irystig 
 Thryst, 73/492, sb. thirst 
 Thyrlite, 180/268,//. pierced. A.S. 
 
 \>yrlia?i, Eng. drill 
 Tiberius Caesar, p. 55, 59 
 Tidiose, 208/1079, adj. anxious, 
 impatient 
 
 Till, to, with the infinitive, p. 170 
 To-brost, 91/966, pp. broken to 
 pieces 
 
 Ton, 197/783, sb. tun, vessel 
 Toukkyng, 91/969, sb. touching, 
 touch 
 
 Treyte, 17 1/3, sb. treatise, little 
 piece 
 
 Tripident, 2, stage direction, let 
 them dance 
 
 Trossyd, 89/910-11 adj. bound, 
 wrapped 
 
 Trott, 76/555, vb. (?) shake 
 Trotte, 71/438, vb. hasten, hurry 
 off 
 
 Tyr, 60/158, Tyre 
 
 Understanding, a character, and 
 her 6 Jurors, p. 138 
 
 Veruens, 96/1093, sb. fervency 
 Very, 3/76, adj. true, real 
 Virginite, 191/589, sb. chastity, 
 purity of life. Often applied, as 
 here, to males as well as females 
 Vysered, 165/726, adj. wearing a 
 visor or mask 
 
 Vysers, 166/754, sb. pi. visors, 
 masks 
 
 Wall, 124/1848, vb. (?) dwell 
 Wardly, 152/405, adv. carefully 
 
GLOSSARY 
 
 W aryac yon, 1 2 3/ 1 8 1 5 , variation , 
 
 or (?) opposition 
 
 Waryovns, 130/2005, sb. variance, 
 disagreement 
 
 Watkyn, a Messenger, p. 4, 6, &c. 
 Wawys, 89/829, sb. waves 
 Weepers in black at a burying, 
 
 86/835-7 
 
 Went, 68/376, gone 
 Wentt, 96/1079; 116/1629, vb. 
 
 thought, weened 
 
 Werely, 80/675 ; 122/1791, adv. 
 verily, assuredly 
 
 Weryauns, 58/92, sb. variance, 
 change 
 
 Weryfyyt, 61/178, vb. verifies, con- 
 firms 
 
 Weryous, 56/36, adj. troublesome 
 Wete, 95/1059 ; 123/1817, know 
 Wetty, 1 02/ 1 250, adj. learned 
 Whan, 150/346, adv. ay whan = 
 every when, ever, always 
 Whanhope, 8 1/694, sb. despair 
 Whantite, 192/621, sb. quantity 
 Whatt-so-mewer, 102/ 1235, what- 
 soever, whatever : the pronun- 
 ciation whatsumever is not un- 
 common amongst the lower 
 classes 
 
 Wher, 68/368 ; 104/1288, vb. were 
 Whit, 199/850, vb. requite, repay 
 Whytly, 68/376, adv. ; wygth, 68/ 
 227, quickly, speedily 
 Will, a character, p. 138 ; her 6 
 Women or Retainers, p. 161-7 
 Wisdom or Christ, a Morality of, 
 P- 137 
 
 Wod, 2/39, adj. mad, furious 
 Wolunte, 55/3, sb. will 
 Wonddyn, 55/23, adj. enveloped, 
 wrapped, and so, protected 
 Wonde, 115/1609, turn, refuse 
 Woo, 66/311, pron. who 
 Word, 56/31, sb. world 
 Wordely, 141/51, adj. worldly, 
 earthly 
 
 Wos, pron. whose 
 
 AND INDEX. 239 
 
 Woydyt, 1 15/1618, /r. s. goes out 
 Wrake, 68/380, sb. harm, injury 
 Wreche, 72/469, sb. harm 
 Wrowth, 79/631, pp. wrought, done 
 Wry, 163/669: (?) read ‘ male wry ’, 
 mishap, misfortune : Fr. malheur 
 Wryng, 108/1409, vb. turn and 
 twist about in pain 
 Wyan, 72/479, sb. Guienne 
 Wycys, 90/1083, sb. vices 
 Wyhylles, 68/377, sb. wiles 
 Wylddyng, 57/59, wielding, com- 
 mand 
 
 Wyldyng, 124/1832, sb. power, 
 w'ielder 
 
 Wyre, 94/1027, sb. doubt. “Awere 
 or dowte. Dubiicm, ambignu 7 n., 
 perplexiis.'’’ Proinpt. Parv. 
 Wys, 89/895, guide, show 
 Wytory, 134/2095, victory 
 Wytyst saff, 78/624, vb. vouch- 
 safe st 
 
 Xall, 56/41, &c., shall; l^ou xall, 
 100/1176 
 
 Xuld, 132/2036, &c., should 
 Xulddes, 99/1163, vb. shouldst 
 
 Yee-lyd, 102/1237, sb. eye-lid 
 Ynge, 102/1242, adj. young 
 Yrkit, 175/111, inipers.pt. grieved 
 Ywys, 67/338, adv. assuredly 
 Yye, 98/1124, sb. eye 
 Yys, 79/640-1, sb. eyes 
 
 jaf, 122/1799, conj. if 
 3af, 135/1343, -vb. gave 
 jede, 92/975, pp. gone. A.S. eode 
 3en, 1 14/ 1 577, sb. pi. of eyes, yn 
 sucke = 3earning(?) 
 
 3en3ybyr, 67/343, sb. ginger 
 3epe, 165/724, adj. active, careful. 
 A.S. geap 
 
 3ode, 1 05/ 1 324, vb. went 
 3onglinge, 202/895, sb. young child, 
 infant 
 
 jyng, 73/503, ndj. young 
 
BUNGAY : 
 
 CLAY AND TAYLOR, PRINTERS, 
 THE CHAUCER PRESS. 
 
 4 
 
p- 
 
LILLY DRAMA