{"id":1799,"date":"2019-07-16T02:46:17","date_gmt":"2019-07-16T02:46:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/epcc-britlit1\/?post_type=chapter&p=1799"},"modified":"2019-08-19T01:15:05","modified_gmt":"2019-08-19T01:15:05","slug":"the-second-shepherds-play","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/epcc-britlit1\/chapter\/the-second-shepherds-play\/","title":{"raw":"The Second Shepherds' Play: Con and Consequences","rendered":"The Second Shepherds’ Play: Con and Consequences"},"content":{"raw":"[They wake up Mac who is \"sleeping.\"]<\/em>\r\n\r\nMac.<\/i> Now Christ, his holy name be us among,\r\nWhat is this? for Saint James!\u00a0 I may not well walk.\r\nI trust I be the same. Ah! my neck has lain wrong\r\nEnough\r\nMuch thanks, since yester-even\r\nNow, by Saint Stephen!\r\nI was flayed with a dream\r\nMy heart jumped out my skin\r\nI thought Gill began to croak, and travail full sad,\r\nWell nigh at the first cock, giving birth to a young lad,\r\nFor to mend our flock: then be I never glad.\r\nTo have many more to feed, more than ever I had.\r\nAh, my head!\r\nA house full of young bellies\r\nThe devil knock out their brains\r\nWoe is he has many bairns,\r\nAnd thereto little bread.\r\nI must go home, by your leave, to Gill as I thought.\r\nI pray you check out my sleeve, that I steal nought:\r\nI am loath you to grieve, or from you take aught.\r\n\r\n3rd Shepherd.<\/i> Go forth, ill might thou prosper,\r\nNow would I we sought,\r\nThis morn,\r\nThat we had all our stock.\r\n\r\n1st Shepherd.<\/i> But I will go before,\r\nLet us meet.\r\n\r\n2nd Shepherd.<\/i> Where?\r\n\r\n3rd Shepherd.<\/i> At the crooked thorn.\r\n\r\nMac (at his own door again).<\/i> Undo this door! who is here? How long shall I stand?\r\n\r\nWife.<\/i> Who makes such a stir?\u00a0 Go walk under the waning moon.\r\n\r\nMac.<\/i> Ah, Gill, what cheer?\u00a0 It is I, Mac, your husband.\r\n\r\nHis Wife.<\/i> Then may we be here, the devil in a band,\r\nSir Guile.\u00a0Lo, he comes with a croak,\r\nAs if he were held by the throat.\r\nI may not sit, work or not\r\nA little while.\r\n\r\nMac.<\/i> Will ye hear what fuss she makes to find an excuse\r\nAnd do naught but play and pick at her toes.\r\n\r\nWife.<\/i> Why, who wanders, who wakes, who comes, who goes?\r\nWho brews, who bakes? Who makes me get so hoarse?\r\nAnd then\r\nIt is a pity to behold,\r\nNow in hot, now in cold,\r\nFull woeful is the household\r\nThat wants a woman.<\/span>\r\nBut what end hast thou made with the shepherds, Mac?<\/span>\r\n\r\nMac.<\/i> The last word that they said when I turned my back,\r\nThey would look that they had their sheep all the pack.\r\nI don't think they are going to like it when they their sheep lack.\r\nBy God!\r\nBut however the game goes,\r\nTo me they will suppose,\r\nAnd make a foul noise,\r\nAnd cry out upon me.\r\nBut thou must do as thou planned,\r\n\r\nWife.<\/i> I accord me thereto\r\n\r\nI shall swaddle him right in my cradle.\r\nIf it were a greater slight, yet could I help till.\r\nI will lie down straight. Come cover me.\r\n\r\nMac.<\/i> I will.\r\n\r\nWife.<\/i> Behind,\r\nCome Coll and his crew,\r\nThey will check us full closely.\r\n\r\nMac.<\/i> But I may cry out \"Harro!\"\r\n\r\nThe sheep if they find.\r\n\r\nWife.<\/i> Hearken aye when they call: they will come anon.\r\nCome and make ready all, and sing by thine own,\r\nSing a lullaby thou shall, for I must groan,\r\nAnd cry out by the wall on Mary and John,\r\nFor sore.\r\nSing \"Lullaby\" full fast\r\nWhen thou hears at the last;\r\nAnd but I play a false cast\r\nTrust me no more.\r\n

[Re-enter the Three Shepherds.<\/i>]<\/p>\r\n3rd Shepherd.<\/i> Ah, Coll! good morn.\u00a0Why sleepest thou not?\r\n\r\n1st Shepherd.<\/i> Alas, that ever was I born!\u00a0\u00a0We have a foul blot.\r\nA fat wether have we lost.\r\n\r\n3rd Shepherd.<\/i> Marry, God forbid.\r\n\r\n2nd Shepherd.<\/i> Who should do us that scorn? That were a foul spot.\r\n\r\n1st Shepherd.<\/i> Some shrew.\r\nI have sought with my dogs,\r\nAll Horbery shrogs,\r\nAnd of fifteen hogs\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 [Any animal younger than a year.]<\/span>\r\nFound I but one ewe.\r\n\r\n3rd Shepherd.<\/i> Now trust me if you will;--by Saint Thomas of Kent!\r\nEither Mac or Gill--was at that assent.\r\n\r\n1st Shepherd.<\/i> Peace, man, be still;--I saw when he went.\r\nThou slander'st him ill; thou ought to repent.\r\nGood speed.\r\n\r\n2nd Shepherd.<\/i> Now as ever might I thee,\r\nIf I should even here die\r\nI would say it were he,\r\nThat did that same deed.\r\n\r\n3rd Shepherd.<\/i> Go we thither I say and run on our feet.\r\nMay I never eat bread,until I know the truth.\r\n\r\n1st Shepherd.<\/i> Nor drink, in my head,--with him till I meet.\r\n\r\n2nd Shepherd.<\/i> I will rest in no stead, till that I him greet,\r\nMy brother\r\nOne I will promise\r\nTill I see him in sight\r\nShall I never sleep one night\r\nThere I do another.\r\n\r\n[As shepherds reach Mac and Gill's house, they hear the lullaby and groans.]<\/em>\r\n\r\n3rd Shepherd.<\/i> Will ye hear how they hack.\u00a0 Our Sire! list, how they croon!\r\n\r\n1st Shepherd.<\/i> Heard I never none crack so clear out of tune.\r\nCall on him.\r\n\r\n2nd Shepherd.<\/i> Mac! undo your door soon.\r\n\r\nMac.<\/i> Who is it that spoke,--as it were noon?\r\nOn loft,\r\nWho is that I say?\r\n\r\n3rd Shepherd.<\/i> Good fellows! were it day?\r\n\r\nMac.<\/i> As far as ye may,--\r\nGood, speak ye soft!\r\nOver a sick woman's head,--that is ill mate ease,\r\nI had liefer be dead than she had any disease.\r\n\r\nWife.<\/i> Go to another stead; I may not well breathe.\r\n\r\nEach foot that ye tread--goes right through my head\r\n\r\nSo loud.\r\n\r\n1st Shepherd.<\/i> Tell us, Mac, if ye may,\r\nHow fare ye, I say?\r\n\r\nMac.<\/i> But are ye in this town to-day?\r\nNow how fare ye?\r\nYe have run in the mire, and are all wet.\r\nI shall make you a fire, if ye will sit.\r\nA nurse would I hire; think ye on it.\r\nMy dream came true.\u00a0 This is it.\r\nA season.\r\nI have bairns if ye knew,\r\nWell more than enough\r\nBut we must drink as we brew,\r\nAnd that is but reason.\r\nI would ye dined e'er ye went.\u00a0 Methinks that ye sweat.\r\n\r\n2nd Shepherd.<\/i> Nay, neither mends our mode, drink nor meat.\r\n\r\nMac.<\/i> Why, sir, ails you aught, but good?\r\n\r\n3rd Shepherd.<\/i> Yes, our sheep that we tend,\r\nAre stolen as they were grazing\u00a0 Our loss is great.\r\n\r\nMac.<\/i> Sirs, drinks!\r\nHad I been there,\r\nSome should have bought it full dear.\r\n\r\n1st Shepherd.<\/i> Marry, some men think that ye were,\r\nAnd that bothers us, makes us suspect.\r\n\r\n2nd Shepherd.<\/i> Mac, some men think that it should be ye.\r\n\r\n3rd Shepherd.<\/i> Either ye or your spouse; so say we.\r\n\r\nMac.<\/i> Now if ye have suspicion to Gill or to me,\r\nCome and ransack our house, and then may ye see\r\nWho had her.\r\nIf I any sheep got,\r\nEither cow or stot,\r\nAnd Gill, my wife rose not\r\nHere since she laid her.\r\nAs I am both true and honest, to God here I pray,\r\nThat this be the first meal, I shall eat this day.\r\n\r\n1st Shepherd.<\/i> Mac, as I have faith, arise thee, I say!\r\n\"He learned timely to steal, that could not say nay.\"\r\n\r\nWife.<\/i> I swelter\r\nOut, thieves, from my home!\r\nYe come to rob us for the nonce.\r\n\r\nMac.<\/i> Hear ye not how she groans?\r\nYour heart should melt.\r\n\r\nWife.<\/i> Out thieves, from my child! Stay away from him.\r\n\r\nMac.<\/i> Knew ye how she had suffered, your hearts would be sore.\r\nYe do wrong, I you warn, that thus comes before\r\nTo a woman that has been in labor, but I say no more.\r\n\r\nWife.<\/i> Ah, my middle!\r\nI pray to God so mild,\r\nIf ever I you beguiled,\r\nThat I eat this child,\r\nThat lies in this cradle.\r\n\r\nMac.<\/i> Peace, woman, for God's pain, and cry not so:\r\nThou spill'st thy brain, and mak'st me full woe.\r\n\r\n2nd Shepherd.<\/i> I know our sheep be slain, what find ye too?\r\n\r\n3rd Shepherd.<\/i> All work we in vain: as well may we go.\r\nBut hatters,\u00a0 confound it\r\nI can find no flesh,\r\nHard nor soft\r\nSalt nor fresh,\r\nBut two empty platters:\r\nNo creature but this one, tame nor wild,\r\nNone, as I have bliss, but he does smell a bit strong.\r\n\r\nWife.<\/i> No, so God bless and give me joy of my child.\r\n\r\n1st Shepherd.<\/i> We have aimed wrong.\u00a0 I hold us beguiled.\r\n\r\n2nd Shepherd.<\/i> Sir, done!\r\nSir, our lady him save,\r\nIs your child a boy?\r\n\r\nMac.<\/i> Any lord might him have\r\nThis child to his son.\r\nWhen he wakens, he grabs.\u00a0 That is a joy to see.\r\n\r\n3rd Shepherd.<\/i> In good time, be his steps, and happy they be!\r\nBut who were his godparents?\u00a0 Tell me.\r\n\r\nMac.<\/i> So fair fall their lips!\r\n\r\n1st Shepherd (aside).<\/i> Hark now, a lie.\r\n\r\nMac.<\/i> So God them thank,\r\nParkin, and Gibbon Waller, I say,\r\nAnd gentle John Horne, in good faith.\r\n\r\n2nd Shepherd.<\/i> Mac, friends will we be, for we are all one.\r\n\r\nMac.<\/i> Why! now I hold for me, for help get I none.\r\nFarewell all three: all glad were ye gone.\r\n\r\n3rd Shepherd.<\/i> Fair words may there be, but love is there none this year.\r\n\r\n1st Shepherd.<\/i> Gave ye the child anything?\r\n\r\n2nd Shepherd.<\/i> I trust not one farthing.\r\n\r\n3rd Shepherd.<\/i> Fast back will I fling,\r\nAbide ye me there.\r\n\r\n [He returns to Mac's door.]<\/span><\/em>\r\nMac, take it to no grief, if I come to thy child.\r\n\r\nMac.<\/i> Nay, thou dost me great shame, and foul hast thou done.\r\n\r\n3rd Shepherd.<\/i> The child will it not grieve, that little day-star.\r\nMac, with your leave, let me give your bairn,\r\nBut sixpence.\r\n\r\nMac.<\/i> Nay, go away: he sleeps.\r\n\r\n3rd Shepherd.<\/i> Methink he peeps.\r\n\r\nMac.<\/i> When he wakens he weeps.\r\nI pray you go hence.\r\n\r\n3rd Shepherd.<\/i> Give me leave him to kiss, and lift up the clout.\r\nWhat the devil is this? He has a long snout.\r\n\r\n1st Shepherd.<\/i> He's deformed. We knew there was something wrong.\r\n\r\n2nd Shepherd.<\/i> Ill spun weft cometh foul out;<\/span>\r\n\r\nAye so;\r\nHe is like to our sheep.\r\n\r\n3rd Shepherd.<\/i> How, Gib, may I peep?\r\n\r\n1st Shepherd.<\/i> I trow, kind will creep,\r\nWhere it may not go.\r\n\r\n2nd Shepherd.<\/i> This was a quaint gaud and a far cast.\r\nIt was a high fraud.\r\n\r\n3rd Shepherd.<\/i> Yea, sirs, it was.\r\nLet burn this bawd and bind her fast.\r\nA false scold hangs at the last;\r\nSo shall thou.\r\nWill ye see how they swaddle\r\nHis four feet in the middle?\r\nSaw I never in a cradle\r\nA horned lad ere now.\r\n\r\nMac.<\/i> Peace bid I: what! let be your fuss;\r\nI am he that him gat, and yond woman him bear..\r\n\r\n1st Shepherd.<\/i> What devil shall he be called? Lo, God, Mac's heir?\r\n\r\n2nd Shepherd.<\/i> Let be all that. Now God give him care!\r\nI say.\r\n\r\nWife.<\/i> A pretty child is he,\r\nAs sits upon a woman's knee;\r\nA darling, by God!\r\nTo make a man laugh.\r\n\r\n3rd Shepherd.<\/i> I know him by the ear mark.\u00a0 That is a good token.\r\n\r\nMac.<\/i> I tell you, sirs, hark.\u00a0 His nose was broken.\r\nSince then, a clerk told me that he was bewitched.\r\n\r\n1st Shepherd.<\/i> This is a false work. I would fain be avenged.\u00a0Get a weapon!\r\n\r\nWife.<\/i> He was taken by an elf;\u00a0for a changeling.\r\nI saw it myself.\r\nWhen the clock struck twelve,\r\nWas he misshapen.\r\n\r\n2nd Shepherd.<\/i> Ye two are equally clever to do wrong.\r\n\r\n3rd Shepherd.<\/i> Since they maintain their theft.\u00a0 Let's do them dead.\r\n\r\nMac.<\/i> If I trespass again, chop off my head.\r\nHave mercy this time.\r\n\r\n1st Shepherd.<\/i> Sirs, consider my advice\r\nFor this trespass,\r\nWe will neither ban nor curse nor\r\nFight, nor chide\r\nBut seize him tight,\r\nAnd cast him in canvas.\r\n

[They toss Mac in a blanket.]<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n

\r\n\r\n1st Shepherd<\/i> (as the three return to the fold<\/i>).\r\n\r\nLord, how I am sore, in point for to burst:\r\nIn faith I may no more, therefore, will I rest.\r\n\r\n2nd Shepherd.<\/i> As a sheep of seven score, he weighed in my fist.\r\nFor to sleep anywhere, methink that I list.\r\n\r\n3rd Shepherd.<\/i> Now I pray you,\r\nLie down on this green.\r\n\r\n1st Shepherd.<\/i> On these thefts yet I mean.\r\n\r\n3rd Shepherd.<\/i> Whereto should ye vex about it?\r\nDo as I tell you.\r\n

[Enter an Angel above, who sings \"Gloria in Excelsis,\" then says:]<\/em><\/p>\r\nRise, hired-men, gracious\u00a0 for now is he born\r\nThat shall take from the fiend, that Adam had lost.\r\nThat warlock to destroy this night is he born.\r\nGod is made your friend: now at this morn,\r\nHe behests\r\nTo Bedlem go see,\r\nThere lies that divine One\r\nIn a crib full poorly,\r\nBetwixt two beasts.\r\n\r\n1st Shepherd.<\/i> This was a quaint voice that ever yet I heard.\r\nIt is a marvel to relate thus to be scared.\r\n\r\n2nd Shepherd.<\/i> Of God's son of heaven, he spoke upward.\r\nMethought he made the woods all bright as with lightning.\r\n\r\n3rd Shepherd.<\/i> He spoke of a bairn\r\nIn Bedlem I you warn.\r\n\r\n1st Shepherd.<\/i> That betokens yonder star.\r\nLet us seek him there.\r\n\r\n2nd Shepherd.<\/i> Say, what was his song? Heard ye not how he cracked it?\r\nThree short notes to a long one.\r\n\r\n3rd Shepherd.<\/i> Yea, marry, he shouted it out\u00a0it.\r\nWas no crochet wrong, nor no thing that lacked it.\r\n\r\n1st Shepherd.<\/i> For to sing us among, right as he hacked it,\r\nI can.\r\n\r\n2nd Shepherd.<\/i> Let us see how ye croon\r\nCan ye bark at the moon?\r\n\r\n3rd Shepherd.<\/i> Hold your tongues, have done.\r\n\r\n1st Shepherd.<\/i> Hark after, then.\r\n\r\n2nd Shepherd.<\/i> To Bedlem he bade that we should go.\r\nI am afraid that we tarry too long.\r\n\r\n3rd Shepherd.<\/i> Be merry and not sad: of mirth is our song,\r\nEverlasting glad, our reward may we receive.\r\n\r\n1st Shepherd.<\/i>\u00a0Without fuss, let's get going,\r\nIf we be wet and weary,\r\nTo that child and that lady\r\nLet us not delay.\r\n\r\n2nd Shepherd.<\/i> We find by the prophecy--let be your din--\r\nOf David and Isaiah, and more than I can remember,\r\n\r\nThey prophesied by clergy, that on a virgin\r\nShould he light and lie to pardon our sin\r\nAnd slake it,\r\nOur kind from woe;\r\nFor Isaiah said so,\r\nEcce virgo\r\nConcipiet a child that is naked.<\/i>\r\n\r\n3rd Shepherd.<\/i> Full glad may we be, and abide that day\r\nTo see that almighty and lovely one.\r\nLord, well for me for once and for aye,\r\nMight I kneel on my knee some word for to say\r\nTo that child.\r\nBut the angel said\r\nIn a crib was he laid;\r\nHe was poorly arrayed,\r\nBoth humble and mild.\r\n\r\n1st Shepherd.<\/i> Patriarchs that have been and prophets before,\r\nThey desired to have seen this child that is born.\r\nThey are gone full clean and will not behold\r\nWhat we shall see, I ween, ere it be morn\r\nBy token\r\nWhen I see him and feel,\r\nThen know I full well\r\nIt is true as steel\r\nThat prophets have spoken.\r\nTo so poor as we are, that he would appear,\r\nFirst find, and declare by his messenger.\r\n\r\n2nd Shepherd.<\/i> Go we now, let us fare: the place is us near.\r\n\r\n3rd Shepherd.<\/i> I am ready and eager.\u00a0 Go we together.\r\nTo that light!\r\nLord! if thy will be,\r\nWe are unlearn'd, all three,\r\nThou grant us of thy glee,\r\nTo comfort thy wight.\r\n\r\n

\r\n

[<\/em>The Shepherds arrive at Bethlehem.]<\/i><\/p>\r\n1st Shepherd.<\/i> Hail, comely and clean; hail, young child!\r\nHail, Maker, as I mean, born of a maiden so mild!\r\nThou hast cursed the evil one so wild,\r\nThe false beguiler now goes he beguiled.\r\nLo, he merry is!\r\nLo, he laughs, my sweeting,\r\nA welcome meeting!\r\nI have given my greeting\r\nHave a bob of cherries?\r\n\r\n2nd Shepherd.<\/i> Hail, sovereign savior, for thou hast us sought!\r\nHail freely, leaf and flower, that all thing has wrought!\r\nHail full of favor, that made all of nought!\r\nHail! I kneel and I cower. A bird have I brought\r\nTo my bairn!\r\nHail, little tiny mop,\r\nOf our creed thou are crop!\r\nI would drink in thy cup,\r\nLittle day-star.\r\n\r\n3rd Shepherd.<\/i> Hail, darling dear, full of godhead!\r\nI pray thee be near, when that I have need.\r\nHail! sweet is thy cheer: my heart would bleed\r\nTo see thee sit here in so poor weed.\r\nWith no pennies.\r\nHail! put forth thy hand\r\nI bring thee but a ball\r\nTo have and play with all,\r\nAnd go to the tennis.\r\n\r\nMary.<\/i> The Father of Heaven, God omnipotent,\r\nThat set all in seven days\r\nHis son has he sent.\r\nMy name he named and alighted in me.\r\nI conceived him full even,\r\nThrough might, as he meant;\r\nAnd now is he born.\r\nMay He keep you from woe:\r\nI shall pray him so;\r\nTell forth as ye go,\r\nAnd remember this morn.\r\n\r\n1st Shepherd.<\/i> Farewell, lady, so fair to behold,\r\nWith thy child on thy knee.\r\n\r\n2nd Shepherd.<\/i> But he lies full cold,\r\nLord, well is me: now we go forth, behold!\r\n\r\n3rd Shepherd.<\/i> Forsooth, already it seems to be told\r\nFull oft.\r\n\r\n1st Shepherd.<\/i> What grace we have found.\r\n\r\n2nd Shepherd.<\/i> Come forth, now are we won.\r\n\r\n3rd Shepherd.<\/i> To sing are we bound.\r\nLet us sing it aloud!\r\n\r\n[They sing.]<\/em>\r\n\r\nThis eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org<\/a>.","rendered":"

[They wake up Mac who is “sleeping.”]<\/em><\/p>\n

Mac.<\/i> Now Christ, his holy name be us among,
\nWhat is this? for Saint James!\u00a0 I may not well walk.
\nI trust I be the same. Ah! my neck has lain wrong
\nEnough
\nMuch thanks, since yester-even
\nNow, by Saint Stephen!
\nI was flayed with a dream
\nMy heart jumped out my skin
\nI thought Gill began to croak, and travail full sad,
\nWell nigh at the first cock, giving birth to a young lad,
\nFor to mend our flock: then be I never glad.
\nTo have many more to feed, more than ever I had.
\nAh, my head!
\nA house full of young bellies
\nThe devil knock out their brains
\nWoe is he has many bairns,
\nAnd thereto little bread.
\nI must go home, by your leave, to Gill as I thought.
\nI pray you check out my sleeve, that I steal nought:
\nI am loath you to grieve, or from you take aught.<\/p>\n

3rd Shepherd.<\/i> Go forth, ill might thou prosper,
\nNow would I we sought,
\nThis morn,
\nThat we had all our stock.<\/p>\n

1st Shepherd.<\/i> But I will go before,
\nLet us meet.<\/p>\n

2nd Shepherd.<\/i> Where?<\/p>\n

3rd Shepherd.<\/i> At the crooked thorn.<\/p>\n

Mac (at his own door again).<\/i> Undo this door! who is here? How long shall I stand?<\/p>\n

Wife.<\/i> Who makes such a stir?\u00a0 Go walk under the waning moon.<\/p>\n

Mac.<\/i> Ah, Gill, what cheer?\u00a0 It is I, Mac, your husband.<\/p>\n

His Wife.<\/i> Then may we be here, the devil in a band,
\nSir Guile.\u00a0Lo, he comes with a croak,
\nAs if he were held by the throat.
\nI may not sit, work or not
\nA little while.<\/p>\n

Mac.<\/i> Will ye hear what fuss she makes to find an excuse
\nAnd do naught but play and pick at her toes.<\/p>\n

Wife.<\/i> Why, who wanders, who wakes, who comes, who goes?
\nWho brews, who bakes? Who makes me get so hoarse?
\nAnd then
\nIt is a pity to behold,
\nNow in hot, now in cold,
\nFull woeful is the household
\nThat wants a woman.<\/span>
\nBut what end hast thou made with the shepherds, Mac?<\/span><\/p>\n

Mac.<\/i> The last word that they said when I turned my back,
\nThey would look that they had their sheep all the pack.
\nI don’t think they are going to like it when they their sheep lack.
\nBy God!
\nBut however the game goes,
\nTo me they will suppose,
\nAnd make a foul noise,
\nAnd cry out upon me.
\nBut thou must do as thou planned,<\/p>\n

Wife.<\/i> I accord me thereto<\/p>\n

I shall swaddle him right in my cradle.
\nIf it were a greater slight, yet could I help till.
\nI will lie down straight. Come cover me.<\/p>\n

Mac.<\/i> I will.<\/p>\n

Wife.<\/i> Behind,
\nCome Coll and his crew,
\nThey will check us full closely.<\/p>\n

Mac.<\/i> But I may cry out “Harro!”<\/p>\n

The sheep if they find.<\/p>\n

Wife.<\/i> Hearken aye when they call: they will come anon.
\nCome and make ready all, and sing by thine own,
\nSing a lullaby thou shall, for I must groan,
\nAnd cry out by the wall on Mary and John,
\nFor sore.
\nSing “Lullaby” full fast
\nWhen thou hears at the last;
\nAnd but I play a false cast
\nTrust me no more.<\/p>\n

[Re-enter the Three Shepherds.<\/i>]<\/p>\n

3rd Shepherd.<\/i> Ah, Coll! good morn.\u00a0Why sleepest thou not?<\/p>\n

1st Shepherd.<\/i> Alas, that ever was I born!\u00a0\u00a0We have a foul blot.
\nA fat wether have we lost.<\/p>\n

3rd Shepherd.<\/i> Marry, God forbid.<\/p>\n

2nd Shepherd.<\/i> Who should do us that scorn? That were a foul spot.<\/p>\n

1st Shepherd.<\/i> Some shrew.
\nI have sought with my dogs,
\nAll Horbery shrogs,
\nAnd of fifteen hogs\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 [Any animal younger than a year.]<\/span>
\nFound I but one ewe.<\/p>\n

3rd Shepherd.<\/i> Now trust me if you will;–by Saint Thomas of Kent!
\nEither Mac or Gill–was at that assent.<\/p>\n

1st Shepherd.<\/i> Peace, man, be still;–I saw when he went.
\nThou slander’st him ill; thou ought to repent.
\nGood speed.<\/p>\n

2nd Shepherd.<\/i> Now as ever might I thee,
\nIf I should even here die
\nI would say it were he,
\nThat did that same deed.<\/p>\n

3rd Shepherd.<\/i> Go we thither I say and run on our feet.
\nMay I never eat bread,until I know the truth.<\/p>\n

1st Shepherd.<\/i> Nor drink, in my head,–with him till I meet.<\/p>\n

2nd Shepherd.<\/i> I will rest in no stead, till that I him greet,
\nMy brother
\nOne I will promise
\nTill I see him in sight
\nShall I never sleep one night
\nThere I do another.<\/p>\n

[As shepherds reach Mac and Gill’s house, they hear the lullaby and groans.]<\/em><\/p>\n

3rd Shepherd.<\/i> Will ye hear how they hack.\u00a0 Our Sire! list, how they croon!<\/p>\n

1st Shepherd.<\/i> Heard I never none crack so clear out of tune.
\nCall on him.<\/p>\n

2nd Shepherd.<\/i> Mac! undo your door soon.<\/p>\n

Mac.<\/i> Who is it that spoke,–as it were noon?
\nOn loft,
\nWho is that I say?<\/p>\n

3rd Shepherd.<\/i> Good fellows! were it day?<\/p>\n

Mac.<\/i> As far as ye may,–
\nGood, speak ye soft!
\nOver a sick woman’s head,–that is ill mate ease,
\nI had liefer be dead than she had any disease.<\/p>\n

Wife.<\/i> Go to another stead; I may not well breathe.<\/p>\n

Each foot that ye tread–goes right through my head<\/p>\n

So loud.<\/p>\n

1st Shepherd.<\/i> Tell us, Mac, if ye may,
\nHow fare ye, I say?<\/p>\n

Mac.<\/i> But are ye in this town to-day?
\nNow how fare ye?
\nYe have run in the mire, and are all wet.
\nI shall make you a fire, if ye will sit.
\nA nurse would I hire; think ye on it.
\nMy dream came true.\u00a0 This is it.
\nA season.
\nI have bairns if ye knew,
\nWell more than enough
\nBut we must drink as we brew,
\nAnd that is but reason.
\nI would ye dined e’er ye went.\u00a0 Methinks that ye sweat.<\/p>\n

2nd Shepherd.<\/i> Nay, neither mends our mode, drink nor meat.<\/p>\n

Mac.<\/i> Why, sir, ails you aught, but good?<\/p>\n

3rd Shepherd.<\/i> Yes, our sheep that we tend,
\nAre stolen as they were grazing\u00a0 Our loss is great.<\/p>\n

Mac.<\/i> Sirs, drinks!
\nHad I been there,
\nSome should have bought it full dear.<\/p>\n

1st Shepherd.<\/i> Marry, some men think that ye were,
\nAnd that bothers us, makes us suspect.<\/p>\n

2nd Shepherd.<\/i> Mac, some men think that it should be ye.<\/p>\n

3rd Shepherd.<\/i> Either ye or your spouse; so say we.<\/p>\n

Mac.<\/i> Now if ye have suspicion to Gill or to me,
\nCome and ransack our house, and then may ye see
\nWho had her.
\nIf I any sheep got,
\nEither cow or stot,
\nAnd Gill, my wife rose not
\nHere since she laid her.
\nAs I am both true and honest, to God here I pray,
\nThat this be the first meal, I shall eat this day.<\/p>\n

1st Shepherd.<\/i> Mac, as I have faith, arise thee, I say!
\n“He learned timely to steal, that could not say nay.”<\/p>\n

Wife.<\/i> I swelter
\nOut, thieves, from my home!
\nYe come to rob us for the nonce.<\/p>\n

Mac.<\/i> Hear ye not how she groans?
\nYour heart should melt.<\/p>\n

Wife.<\/i> Out thieves, from my child! Stay away from him.<\/p>\n

Mac.<\/i> Knew ye how she had suffered, your hearts would be sore.
\nYe do wrong, I you warn, that thus comes before
\nTo a woman that has been in labor, but I say no more.<\/p>\n

Wife.<\/i> Ah, my middle!
\nI pray to God so mild,
\nIf ever I you beguiled,
\nThat I eat this child,
\nThat lies in this cradle.<\/p>\n

Mac.<\/i> Peace, woman, for God’s pain, and cry not so:
\nThou spill’st thy brain, and mak’st me full woe.<\/p>\n

2nd Shepherd.<\/i> I know our sheep be slain, what find ye too?<\/p>\n

3rd Shepherd.<\/i> All work we in vain: as well may we go.
\nBut hatters,\u00a0 confound it
\nI can find no flesh,
\nHard nor soft
\nSalt nor fresh,
\nBut two empty platters:
\nNo creature but this one, tame nor wild,
\nNone, as I have bliss, but he does smell a bit strong.<\/p>\n

Wife.<\/i> No, so God bless and give me joy of my child.<\/p>\n

1st Shepherd.<\/i> We have aimed wrong.\u00a0 I hold us beguiled.<\/p>\n

2nd Shepherd.<\/i> Sir, done!
\nSir, our lady him save,
\nIs your child a boy?<\/p>\n

Mac.<\/i> Any lord might him have
\nThis child to his son.
\nWhen he wakens, he grabs.\u00a0 That is a joy to see.<\/p>\n

3rd Shepherd.<\/i> In good time, be his steps, and happy they be!
\nBut who were his godparents?\u00a0 Tell me.<\/p>\n

Mac.<\/i> So fair fall their lips!<\/p>\n

1st Shepherd (aside).<\/i> Hark now, a lie.<\/p>\n

Mac.<\/i> So God them thank,
\nParkin, and Gibbon Waller, I say,
\nAnd gentle John Horne, in good faith.<\/p>\n

2nd Shepherd.<\/i> Mac, friends will we be, for we are all one.<\/p>\n

Mac.<\/i> Why! now I hold for me, for help get I none.
\nFarewell all three: all glad were ye gone.<\/p>\n

3rd Shepherd.<\/i> Fair words may there be, but love is there none this year.<\/p>\n

1st Shepherd.<\/i> Gave ye the child anything?<\/p>\n

2nd Shepherd.<\/i> I trust not one farthing.<\/p>\n

3rd Shepherd.<\/i> Fast back will I fling,
\nAbide ye me there.<\/p>\n

[He returns to Mac’s door.]<\/span><\/em>
\nMac, take it to no grief, if I come to thy child.<\/p>\n

Mac.<\/i> Nay, thou dost me great shame, and foul hast thou done.<\/p>\n

3rd Shepherd.<\/i> The child will it not grieve, that little day-star.
\nMac, with your leave, let me give your bairn,
\nBut sixpence.<\/p>\n

Mac.<\/i> Nay, go away: he sleeps.<\/p>\n

3rd Shepherd.<\/i> Methink he peeps.<\/p>\n

Mac.<\/i> When he wakens he weeps.
\nI pray you go hence.<\/p>\n

3rd Shepherd.<\/i> Give me leave him to kiss, and lift up the clout.
\nWhat the devil is this? He has a long snout.<\/p>\n

1st Shepherd.<\/i> He’s deformed. We knew there was something wrong.<\/p>\n

2nd Shepherd.<\/i> Ill spun weft cometh foul out;<\/span><\/p>\n

Aye so;
\nHe is like to our sheep.<\/p>\n

3rd Shepherd.<\/i> How, Gib, may I peep?<\/p>\n

1st Shepherd.<\/i> I trow, kind will creep,
\nWhere it may not go.<\/p>\n

2nd Shepherd.<\/i> This was a quaint gaud and a far cast.
\nIt was a high fraud.<\/p>\n

3rd Shepherd.<\/i> Yea, sirs, it was.
\nLet burn this bawd and bind her fast.
\nA false scold hangs at the last;
\nSo shall thou.
\nWill ye see how they swaddle
\nHis four feet in the middle?
\nSaw I never in a cradle
\nA horned lad ere now.<\/p>\n

Mac.<\/i> Peace bid I: what! let be your fuss;
\nI am he that him gat, and yond woman him bear..<\/p>\n

1st Shepherd.<\/i> What devil shall he be called? Lo, God, Mac’s heir?<\/p>\n

2nd Shepherd.<\/i> Let be all that. Now God give him care!
\nI say.<\/p>\n

Wife.<\/i> A pretty child is he,
\nAs sits upon a woman’s knee;
\nA darling, by God!
\nTo make a man laugh.<\/p>\n

3rd Shepherd.<\/i> I know him by the ear mark.\u00a0 That is a good token.<\/p>\n

Mac.<\/i> I tell you, sirs, hark.\u00a0 His nose was broken.
\nSince then, a clerk told me that he was bewitched.<\/p>\n

1st Shepherd.<\/i> This is a false work. I would fain be avenged.\u00a0Get a weapon!<\/p>\n

Wife.<\/i> He was taken by an elf;\u00a0for a changeling.
\nI saw it myself.
\nWhen the clock struck twelve,
\nWas he misshapen.<\/p>\n

2nd Shepherd.<\/i> Ye two are equally clever to do wrong.<\/p>\n

3rd Shepherd.<\/i> Since they maintain their theft.\u00a0 Let’s do them dead.<\/p>\n

Mac.<\/i> If I trespass again, chop off my head.
\nHave mercy this time.<\/p>\n

1st Shepherd.<\/i> Sirs, consider my advice
\nFor this trespass,
\nWe will neither ban nor curse nor
\nFight, nor chide
\nBut seize him tight,
\nAnd cast him in canvas.<\/p>\n

[They toss Mac in a blanket.]<\/em><\/p>\n

\n

1st Shepherd<\/i> (as the three return to the fold<\/i>).<\/p>\n

Lord, how I am sore, in point for to burst:
\nIn faith I may no more, therefore, will I rest.<\/p>\n

2nd Shepherd.<\/i> As a sheep of seven score, he weighed in my fist.
\nFor to sleep anywhere, methink that I list.<\/p>\n

3rd Shepherd.<\/i> Now I pray you,
\nLie down on this green.<\/p>\n

1st Shepherd.<\/i> On these thefts yet I mean.<\/p>\n

3rd Shepherd.<\/i> Whereto should ye vex about it?
\nDo as I tell you.<\/p>\n

[Enter an Angel above, who sings “Gloria in Excelsis,” then says:]<\/em><\/p>\n

Rise, hired-men, gracious\u00a0 for now is he born
\nThat shall take from the fiend, that Adam had lost.
\nThat warlock to destroy this night is he born.
\nGod is made your friend: now at this morn,
\nHe behests
\nTo Bedlem go see,
\nThere lies that divine One
\nIn a crib full poorly,
\nBetwixt two beasts.<\/p>\n

1st Shepherd.<\/i> This was a quaint voice that ever yet I heard.
\nIt is a marvel to relate thus to be scared.<\/p>\n

2nd Shepherd.<\/i> Of God’s son of heaven, he spoke upward.
\nMethought he made the woods all bright as with lightning.<\/p>\n

3rd Shepherd.<\/i> He spoke of a bairn
\nIn Bedlem I you warn.<\/p>\n

1st Shepherd.<\/i> That betokens yonder star.
\nLet us seek him there.<\/p>\n

2nd Shepherd.<\/i> Say, what was his song? Heard ye not how he cracked it?
\nThree short notes to a long one.<\/p>\n

3rd Shepherd.<\/i> Yea, marry, he shouted it out\u00a0it.
\nWas no crochet wrong, nor no thing that lacked it.<\/p>\n

1st Shepherd.<\/i> For to sing us among, right as he hacked it,
\nI can.<\/p>\n

2nd Shepherd.<\/i> Let us see how ye croon
\nCan ye bark at the moon?<\/p>\n

3rd Shepherd.<\/i> Hold your tongues, have done.<\/p>\n

1st Shepherd.<\/i> Hark after, then.<\/p>\n

2nd Shepherd.<\/i> To Bedlem he bade that we should go.
\nI am afraid that we tarry too long.<\/p>\n

3rd Shepherd.<\/i> Be merry and not sad: of mirth is our song,
\nEverlasting glad, our reward may we receive.<\/p>\n

1st Shepherd.<\/i>\u00a0Without fuss, let’s get going,
\nIf we be wet and weary,
\nTo that child and that lady
\nLet us not delay.<\/p>\n

2nd Shepherd.<\/i> We find by the prophecy–let be your din–
\nOf David and Isaiah, and more than I can remember,<\/p>\n

They prophesied by clergy, that on a virgin
\nShould he light and lie to pardon our sin
\nAnd slake it,
\nOur kind from woe;
\nFor Isaiah said so,
\nEcce virgo
\nConcipiet a child that is naked.<\/i><\/p>\n

3rd Shepherd.<\/i> Full glad may we be, and abide that day
\nTo see that almighty and lovely one.
\nLord, well for me for once and for aye,
\nMight I kneel on my knee some word for to say
\nTo that child.
\nBut the angel said
\nIn a crib was he laid;
\nHe was poorly arrayed,
\nBoth humble and mild.<\/p>\n

1st Shepherd.<\/i> Patriarchs that have been and prophets before,
\nThey desired to have seen this child that is born.
\nThey are gone full clean and will not behold
\nWhat we shall see, I ween, ere it be morn
\nBy token
\nWhen I see him and feel,
\nThen know I full well
\nIt is true as steel
\nThat prophets have spoken.
\nTo so poor as we are, that he would appear,
\nFirst find, and declare by his messenger.<\/p>\n

2nd Shepherd.<\/i> Go we now, let us fare: the place is us near.<\/p>\n

3rd Shepherd.<\/i> I am ready and eager.\u00a0 Go we together.
\nTo that light!
\nLord! if thy will be,
\nWe are unlearn’d, all three,
\nThou grant us of thy glee,
\nTo comfort thy wight.<\/p>\n

\n

[<\/em>The Shepherds arrive at Bethlehem.]<\/i><\/p>\n

1st Shepherd.<\/i> Hail, comely and clean; hail, young child!
\nHail, Maker, as I mean, born of a maiden so mild!
\nThou hast cursed the evil one so wild,
\nThe false beguiler now goes he beguiled.
\nLo, he merry is!
\nLo, he laughs, my sweeting,
\nA welcome meeting!
\nI have given my greeting
\nHave a bob of cherries?<\/p>\n

2nd Shepherd.<\/i> Hail, sovereign savior, for thou hast us sought!
\nHail freely, leaf and flower, that all thing has wrought!
\nHail full of favor, that made all of nought!
\nHail! I kneel and I cower. A bird have I brought
\nTo my bairn!
\nHail, little tiny mop,
\nOf our creed thou are crop!
\nI would drink in thy cup,
\nLittle day-star.<\/p>\n

3rd Shepherd.<\/i> Hail, darling dear, full of godhead!
\nI pray thee be near, when that I have need.
\nHail! sweet is thy cheer: my heart would bleed
\nTo see thee sit here in so poor weed.
\nWith no pennies.
\nHail! put forth thy hand
\nI bring thee but a ball
\nTo have and play with all,
\nAnd go to the tennis.<\/p>\n

Mary.<\/i> The Father of Heaven, God omnipotent,
\nThat set all in seven days
\nHis son has he sent.
\nMy name he named and alighted in me.
\nI conceived him full even,
\nThrough might, as he meant;
\nAnd now is he born.
\nMay He keep you from woe:
\nI shall pray him so;
\nTell forth as ye go,
\nAnd remember this morn.<\/p>\n

1st Shepherd.<\/i> Farewell, lady, so fair to behold,
\nWith thy child on thy knee.<\/p>\n

2nd Shepherd.<\/i> But he lies full cold,
\nLord, well is me: now we go forth, behold!<\/p>\n

3rd Shepherd.<\/i> Forsooth, already it seems to be told
\nFull oft.<\/p>\n

1st Shepherd.<\/i> What grace we have found.<\/p>\n

2nd Shepherd.<\/i> Come forth, now are we won.<\/p>\n

3rd Shepherd.<\/i> To sing are we bound.
\nLet us sing it aloud!<\/p>\n

[They sing.]<\/em><\/p>\n

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Candela Citations<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
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Public domain content<\/div>

This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t