The Townley plays

JOHN M. KELLY LIBDADY

V; '/

DONATED BY

Dr. Mary Baldwin
in Memory
of
Marshall W. Baldwin
1903-1975

PR.

4<C.A_<_«L.

/f^5

©hit aCfiitm^leg |Iaj)s.

Citra %fntt, No. lxxi.

1897 {reprinted 1907, 1925, 1952).

Price 30s.

< r

i;ii^ ©ouineUg piap-

RE-EDITED FROM THE UNIQUE MS.

BY

GEORGE ENGLAND

WITH SIDE-NOTES AND INTRODUCTION

BY

ALFRED W. POLLARD

LONDON :
PUBLISHED FOR THE EARLY ENGLISH TEXT SOCIETY

By HUMPHREY MILFORD, OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS.

AMEN HOUSE, E.C. *.

1897.

[Reprinted 1907, 1925, 1952]

Printed 1897, and reprinted 1907 and 1925 by Messrs.
Richard Clay and Sons Ltd., Bungay, Suffolk. Repro-
duced lithographically 1952 in Great Britain at the
University Press, Oxford, by Charles Batey, Printer to the
University.

Cttnt 3n'ut, No. Lxxi.

TO

THE MEMORY OP

5Kllt((iam llorris,

WHO LOVED THESE PLAYS,

OUR SHARE IN THIS BOOK

A. W. P., F. J. F.

ii

.s

CONTENTS.

PAOE

INTRODUCTION ... ... ... ... ... jx

APPENDIX (The Seeunda Pastorum and Archie Ariii-

strang's Aith) ... ... ... .. x.xxi

I. THE OEEATioN.' (The Barkers. Wakefeld) ... 1

II. MACT.\cio ABEL. (The Glovers) ... ... . . 9

III. PROCESSUS NOE CUM FiLiis. (Wakefeld) ... ... 23

IV. ABRAHAM^ ... ... ... ... ... 40

V. [isAAc] ... ... ... 49

VI. lACOB ... ... ... ... ... 52

VII. PROCESSUS PROPHETARUM. [Incomplete] ... ... 56

VIII. PHAEAO. (The Litsters or Dyers) [York xi] ... 64

IX. CESAR AUGUSTUS ... ... ... ... 78

X. ANNUNCIACIO ... ... ... .. ... 86

XI. 8ALUTA0I0 ELEZABETH ... ... ... ... 97

XII. UNA PAQINA PASTORUM. (Prima) ... ... 100

XIII. ALIA EORUKDEM (SecuDda) ... ... ... 116

XIV. OBLACIO MAGORUM ... ... ... ... 140

XV, FUGACIO JOSEP A M.A.RIE IN EGVPTU.M ... ... 160

XVI. MAGNUS HERODES ... ... ... ... 166

XVII. PURIFICACIO M.\uiE. [Incomplete at end] ... ... 181

xviii. PAOi;^A DOCTOBUM. [Incomplete at beginning. York xxii] 186

' After this play the MS. has lo.9t 12 leaves, containing no doubt the
Temptation of Eve iind the expulsion of her and Adam from Paradise.

' Incomplete : 2 leaves of the MS. wanting, which contained the end of
"Abraham" and the beginning of " Isaac."

via

Contents.

XIX. lOlIANNEa BAPTISTA

' XX. CONSPIRACIO [eT CAPCIo]

;xi. coLiPHizAcio ...

' X.XII. FFLAGBLLACIO

' XXIII. PROCESSUS CBUCIS [kt cbucifixio]
'XXIV. PROCESSUS TALENTORUM

XXV. EXTRACcio ANiMARUM. [York xxxvii]
XXVI. RESURBECcio DOMINI. [York xxxviii]
'xxvii. PEREGRiNi. (The Fi.sliers)

XXVIIl. THOMAS INDIE [bT RF-SUHRKCCIO DOMINi]
'XXIX. ASCENCIO DOMINI ^

' XXX. JUDICIUM. [York xlviii]

XXXI. LAZARUS

xxxii. 8USPBNCI0 lUDE. [IncomiJete]

GLOSSARY

195
204
228
243
258
279
293
306
32.5
337
353
367
387
393
397

' Incomiilcte. Twelve leaves are out of the MS. between this play and
the next.

IX

INTRODUCTION.

The Towneley Plays were printed for the first time hy the Surtees
Society in 1836, with an introduction which is variously assigned to
the Society's secretary, James Raine, and to J. Hunter. The text of
the plays as printed in this Surtees edition is, on the whole, very
creditably accurate, and is certainly far more free from serious
blunders than that of the so-called 'Coventry' Plays, edited by
Halliwell-Phillipps for the Shakespeare Society, or even than that
of the Chester Plays, as edited by Thomas Wright. It was not,
however, a transcript with which students of the present day could
be content in the case of a unique manuscript, the ultimate destina-
tion of which is still, unliappily, uncertain. Under Dr. Furnivall's
superintendence a new transcript was, therefore, made by Mr. George
England, who, by the great kindness and liberality of Mr. Quaritch,
the present owner of the manuscript, after the book had been placed
at his disposal for some weeks at the British Museum, was allowed
the nse of it a second time at 15 Piccadilly to correct his proofs
by the original

To the text thus produced Dr. Furnivall himself added notes of
the metres, and at his request the present writer supplied the usual
sidenotes, an interesting and pleasant task in the case of a work of
so great variety and literary value. Dr. Furnivall's further com-
mands for the supply of an Introduction were far less agreeable.
The Towneley Plays present many problems, more especially as to
their language, which deserve to be dealt with by some learned
professor, or at any rate by an editor of really wide reading and
experience. The learned professor, however, could not be obtained.
The difficulty of procuring an introducer threatened to postpone
indefinitely the appearance of the new text (a consideration all the
more serious since the Surtees edition has long been difficult to
procure) ; and as texts are far more important than introductions,
it seemed better to be content to draw attention to a few points
of interest rather than further to delay publication.

Short as is the preface to the Surtees edition, it contains much

X History of the Tmvneley MS.

that 13 of real value, as being written by a local antiquary to whom
the history and topography of the district to which the plays are
assigned were thoroughly familiar. I cannot, therefore, make a
better beginning than by quoting the most essential passages of
what was written in 1836, since it has not yet been superseded ; —

" The Manuscript Volume in which these Mysteries have been
preserved formed part of the library at Towneley Hall, in Lanca-
shire, coUecled by the family of Towneley ; a family which, in the
two last centuries, produced several remarkable men, through whom
it becomes connected with the arts, with literature, and with science.
The library was dispersed in two sales by auction, at Evans' Rooms,
in Pall Mall, the fii'st in 1814, when there were seven days' sale;
the second in 1815, when the sale lasted ten days."

" This manuscript, as well as the famous Towneley Homer, was in
the first sale. It was bought by John Louis Goldsmid, Esq. From
his possession it very soon passed to Mr. North, but before 1822 it
had returned to the family in whose library it had for so many years
found protection."

" By what means the Towneley family became possessed of it, or
at what period is not known. There is nothing known with cer-
tainty respecting any previous ownership. When, however, the
catalogue of the Towneley books and manuscripts was prepared
for the sale in 1814, Mr. Douce was requested to write a short
notice, for insertion in it. lu this notice, after assigning the com-
position of the Mysteries to the reign of Henry VI. or Edward IV. ,'
he says of the volume itself, that it is supposed to have formerly
' belonged to the Abbey of Widkirk, near Wakefield, in the County
of York.' "2

' There 13 a passage in the Judicium which may assist in determining tho
period a' which it was written. Tiitivillus, in describing a fashionable female,
tells his brother demons "she is hornyd like a kowe " (p. 812 [Surtees; p. 375,
L 267 in present edition]). He appears to allude to the same description of
head dress which Stowe thus records : " 1388, King Richard (the second)
married Anne, daughter of Veselaus, King of Bohem. In her dayes, noble
women used high attire on their heads, piked like homes, with long trained
gownes." — Surleea Note.

" After returning into the possession of the Towneley family, as narrated

above, the Plays were again sold, with the rest of the Towneley MSS., at

Sotheby's, on June 27, 28, 1883. The description of tho lot was as follows :

202. Towneley MYSXEnras. A most valuable collection of early

English Mysteries, supposed to have been written at Woodkirk in

the Cell there of Augustinian or Black Canons, for the Amusement

The Towneley MS. belonged to Woodkirk Abbey. xi

" This supposition, however, he appears to have suhsequently con-
sidered as not worthy of much regard ; for when Mr. Peregrine
Edward Towneley, in 1822, printed, from this manuscript, the
ludir.ium, as his contribution to the Roxburgh Club, an introduction
was written by Mr. Douce, in which he says that tiie volume is
' supposed to have belonged to the Abbey of Whalley,' and to
have passed at the dissolution into the library of the neighbouring
family of Towneley."

" On what foundation either of these suppositions rests we are not
informed. The first, however, is that which has been most generally
accej)ted, and the tiiree principal collections of Mysteries now known
have been usually quoted or referred to as those of Chester, Coventry,
and Widkirk."

" In the absence of precise information, we may assume that the
supposition of its having formerly belonged to ' the Abbey of Wid-
kirk ' was the Towneley tradition respecting it ; and previously to
any investigation it may be assumed, that if we are to trace the
possession of sucii a volume as this in a period before the Reforma-
tion, next perhaps to the archives of some guild or other corporation
in one of the cities or towns of England, we may expect to fiud it in
the possession of some Conventual society. The question of tiiat
early possession is, in fact, the question of the composition of these
Mysteries, as to the place and people. We shall now endeavour to
determine it."

" The supposition that this book belonged ' to the Abbey of Wid-
kirk, near Wakefield,' has upon it remarkably the characteristics of
a genuine tradition. There is no distinct enunciation of the fact
which the tradition proposes to exhibit, and yet out of the words
of the supposition we may decisively and easily extract what the
fact in it originally was. There is no place called Widkirk in the

and Edification of Persona attending these Pageants. Manuacripl on
Vellum, written, circa 1388, in a hold hand, with initial Letters orna-
mented with the Pen, having the speeches separated by lines of red Ink,
olive morocco extra, gold-tooling, tooled leather joints and gilt edges, by
C. Lewis, hack broken. Saec. xiv.
The lat was knocked down to Mr. Quaritch, in wliose possession the manu-
script has ever since remained. The date assigned to the plays by the
cataloguer is clearly derived from the Surtees foot-note on the woman's head-
gear satirized by Tutivillus ; for a discussion of this, see p. xxiv. Whether the
date given to the Plays is right or wrong, that assigned to the MS. is certainly
three-quarters of a century too early.

xii The Cell of Canons at Woodkirk.

neighbourhooil of Wakefield, and neither there nor in any pnrt of
Engliiml was there ever an Abbey of Widkirk. J^jiit there is a place
called Woodkirk in that neighbourhood, and at Woodkirk there was
a cell of Aiigiistinian or Black Canons, a dependence on the great
house of St. Oswald, at Nostel. Whatever weight there may be
attarhed to the supposition or tradition respecting the original pos-
session, must, therefore, be given to the claim of this Cell of Canons
at Woodkirk."

" Woodkirk is about four miles to the north of Wakefield. A
small religious community was established there in the first half
century after the Conquest, by the Earls Warren, to whom the great
Lordship of Wakefield belonged, and they were placed in subjection
to the house of Nostel. King Henry I. granted to the Canons of
Nostel, a charter, for two fairs, to be held at Woodkirk, one at the
Feast of the Assumption, the other at the Feast of the Nativity of
the Blessed Mary. This grant was confirmed by King Stephen.
These fairs, in a rural district, continued to attract a concourse of
people to the time of the Reformation. In the Valor of King
Henry VII F. the profit of the tolls and stallage was returned at
XI 3 6s. ^d., which was more than one-fourth of the ye;irly revenue
of the house. The buildings in which the few Canons resided
have gradually disappeared. Some portions of the Cloisters were
remaining not long ago. The Church still exists, on a retired and
elevated site, and remains of large reservoirs for the Canons' fish in
the vale below are still very conspicuous. (Loidis and Elmete,
p. 240.) "

The writer of the Introduction inserts here a few paragraphs of no
great value, pointing out resemblances between the language of the
pliiys and the dialect spoken in his own day in the West Riding
of Yorkshire. We may take advantage of his pause to note, that
Professor Skeat, in a letter to the Atlierueum of December 2, 1893,
proved decisively that the difficulty as to the place called Widkirk,
of whose existence the writer of the preface could find no trace, is
only an instance of a variation of spelling, Widkirk being merely
an older form of Woodkirk, and one which still survives in the
mouths of the country people (cp. the parallel forms Wydeville and
Woodville, for the name of the Queen of King Edward IV.).
After the philological remarks the Introduction proceeds : —
" Perhaps the supposition in the Towneley family, on whatever it

Allusions in the Plays to Woodkirk and Wakefield xiii

may have been founded, and the striking resemblance which there is
between the language of several of these pieces and the language of
the same class of society as it may still be heard on the hills and in
the plains of Yorkshire, may be sufficient to render it at least a
point of probability that the composition of these Mysteries, and the
original possession of- this volume, are to be attributed to the Canons
of Woodkirk ; or that the possession is to be traced to them, and the
composition, perhaps, to some one of the Canons in the far larger
fraternity at Nostel. But the manuscript itself contains that which
connects it with Wakefield ; and there are topographical allusions in
one of the pieces, the Seeunda Pastorum, which belong to the
country near Wakefield and Woodkirk."

" Thus, at the beginning of the first is written in a large hand
' Wakefelde ' and ' Berkers,' the meaning of which seems to be, that
on some occasion this Mystery was represented at the town of
Wakefield by the company or fellowship of the Barkers or Tanners.
To the second is prefixed ' Glover Pag . . . ' without the word
Wakefield. The imperfect word is ' Pagina,' which appears to have
been used as the Latin term for these kinds of exhibitions or
pageants. The meaning appears to be that this was exhibited by
the Glovers. At the head of the third, however, we find ' Wake-
field ' again, without the name of any trade. These are the only
notices of the kind, except that at the head of the ' Peregrini,' the
words 'Fyssher Pagent' i occur." ^

" It is in the Seeunda Pastorum, which is truly described by Mr.
Collier as 'the most singular piece in the whole collection,' that the
local allusions occur which tend so strongly to corroborate the claim
of Woodkirk and its Canons to the production of these Mysteries.
Intended in the first instance for the edification or the amusement
of the persons in the immediate vicinity of the places in which these
Pageants were to be exhibited, we may expect to find that there will
be, when the subject fairly admitted of it, attsrapts to aixest their
attention, and to interest their minds, by such a simple artifice as the
introduction of the names of places with which they were familiar.
Thus, in the Chester Mysteries, the River Conway is spoken of, and

' Mr. England notes that these words are in a later hand. — A.. W. P.

' The words Lytater Play occur at the head of the Pharao. They were
overlooked by the copyist, but the mistake is noticed in the errata. — Surtees
NoU.

xiv Horhury Scroggs and the Shepherd's Tlwm.

Bougliton is mentioned, a kind of suburb to Chester. In the
Secunda Pastorum.

Secundum Pastor. Who shuld do us that skorne 1 that were a fowUe spott.
Primus Pastor. Some shrewe.

I have soglit with my doges

All Horbery shroges

And of XV hoges

Foud I hot oone ewe.

" Horbury is the name of a village about two or three miles south-
west from Wakefield. Shroges or Scroggs is a northern term applied
to any piece of rough uuinclosed ground more or less covered with
low brushwood."

"The other local allusion is less decisive than this. When the
two Shepherds appoint to meet, the place which they appoint is ' the
crokyd thorne.' Now, though it cannot, perhaps, be shown that
there was any place or tree then precisely so denominated, yet it can
be shown that, at no great distance from Horbury, there was at that
time a remarkable thorn tree which was known by the name of the
Shepherd's Thorn. It stood in Mapplewell, near the borders of the
two manors of Notton and Darton. A jury in the 20th of Edward
IV., on a question between James Strangeways of Harlsey, and the
Prior of Bretton, found that the Shepherd's Thorn ' was in Darton ' ;
and in the time of Charles I., one John Webster of Kexborough,
then aged 77, deposed that the inhabitants of Mapplewell and
Darton had been accustomed to turn their sheep on the moor at all
times, and that it extended southward to a place called ' The Shep-
herd's Thorn,' where a thorn tree stood. There must be here more
than an accidental coincidence."

Since the publication of the Surtees Society edition of the
Towneley Plays in 1836, all the three other great cycles of
English Miracle Plays have been printed, the so-called ' Coventry '
cycle in 18-11, the Chester in 1843, and the York Plays, admirably
edited by Mi.ss Toulrain Smith, in 1885. The publication of
this last cycle revealed the fact that five of the York Plays
were based, in whole or in part, on the same originals as five
of the Towneley. The importance of this discovery for the study
of Miracle Plays and of the conditions under which they were
produced, is hardly to be over-estimated. There is no reason to
believe that it is by a mere chance, some peculiarly malicious freak of

The Miracle Plays anonymovs. The York Cycle.

XV

the arch-enemy Time, that, as far as I am aware, in no single case are
there two early copies extant of any miracle play. Human nature,
we may presume, was much the same in the fourteenth and filteenth
centuries as in our own, and the ordinary author, when he had
written a poom or a chronicle, no doubt did everything in his power
to multiply copies of it, since every fresh copy would increase his
chance of obtaining the patronage or preferment which constituted
the rewards of authorship in those days. But in the case of plays we
can easily see that a wholly different motive would come into action.
With the highly doubtful exception of the Chester cycle, not a single
Miracle Play has the name of any author connected with it. The
author's personality is wholly lost in that of the actors and their pay-
masters ; and in the absence of any law of copyright or custom as to
'acting rights,' it was to the interest of these jealously to guard their
book of the words, lest the popularity of their entertainment should
suffer from unauthorized rivalry. Since many of the players probably
could not read, even the multiplication of ' actors' parts ' would be
very limited, and fresh copies would only be made when the plays
underwent revision. The apparent exception to this theory, the five
copies extant of the Chester cycle, really only confirm it, for all of
these were made between 1590 and 1607, and must owe their exist-
ence to the desire of literary a'ntiquaries either simply for their pre-
servation or, more probably, for their revival, at a time when miracle
plays were almost gone out of fashion.

For the reason thus hazarded, opportunities for the study of the
genesis of any given cycle of plays are extremely small. We know
that a fragment of the old poem of the Harrowing of Hell, beginning,
' Harde gatys haue I gon,' is found imbedded in the ' Coventry ' Play
of the Resurrection, and, thanks once more to the industry of Miss
Touhnin Smith, in the Brome ' Common-Place Book ' we can now
study a version of the Sacrifice of Isaac closely similar to that in the
Chester cycle. But the relations of the five plays in the York and
Towneley cycles are much more interesting and important than these,
and it will be worth while to examine them with some minuteness.

The first of these five plays is that called by Miss Smith, ' the
Departure of the Israelites from Egypt,' No. xi. in the York Cycle,i
acted by the ' Hoseers,' No. viii. in the Towneley Cycle, where it is

■ Printed, with the generous addition of the Towneley text at the foot
of the page, on pp. 68—92 of Miss Smith's edition ( York Plays. Edited by
Lucy Toulmin Smith. Oxford at the Clarendon Press, 1885).

xvi The Tovmeley and Y'ork Plays of Pharaoh.

called Pharao, and where also the sidenote ' Litsters Pagonn ' informs
us that it is one of the plays acted by the Craft-Gilds of Wakefield.
In comparing the two texts, the first point we notice is, that
while the York Play consists of 408 ^ lines, divided with unbroken
regularity into 34 twelve-line stanzas, the metrical scheme of the
Towneley Play is far less orderly. At the outset, indeed, it is
evident that the Wakefield reviser mistook the metre, for by the
addition of a quatrain of mere surplusage, he has turned the first 12-
line stanza into two octetts. After seven long stanzas (divided in
this text into octetts and quatrains, 3 — 16), we find similar additions
in 11. 113 — 117 and 127 — 133, turning two 12-line stanzas into four
octetts. Everything then proceeds regularly till we come to Towneley
stanza 49, wlien w« find a line —

AIs wele on myddyng als on more

— missing after 1. 308.

Again in stanza 55 the two lines —

Lorde, was they wente than walde it sese,
So shuld we save vs and oure seede

—are omitted after 1. 340.

In stanzas 57, 58,11. 355—359 appear in the Towneley MS. as—

Primus Miles. A, my lord I
Pharao. liagh !

ijus Miles. Grete pestilence is comyn ;

It is like fill long to last.
Pharao. In the dwilys name !

then is oure pride ouer past.

— in place of the regular York text (11. 344 — 348) —

i Egip. My lorde, grete pestelence

Is like ful lange to last.
Rex. Owe I come that in oure presence.

Than is oare pride al past.

Lastly, we find that the Towneley text has added, or more probably
retained, twelve lines at the end of the play which do not appear in
the York edition.

If now we turn our attention to single lines, we shall find
numerous instances in which the Towneley text exhibits an unmetrical
corruption of the York. Hero are a few —

» Nambered by Miss Smith as 406, but the last couplet is really a quatrain,
and might with advantage have been so printed.

Tmvneley and York Plays of Pharaoh and the Doctors, xvii

That wold my fois aown fell (T. 32)

That wolde aught fand owre forse to fell (Y. 28)

That shall euer last (T. 39)

They are like and they laste (Y. 34)

I shall sheld the from shame (T. 189)

I sail the saffe from synne and shame (Y. 176)

What, ragyd the dwyll of hell, alys you so to cry (T. 304)
What deuyll ayles you so to crye (Y. 291) (op. T. 337 aud 415,
Y. 334 and 403)

Oa the other hand, T. 106-

And euer elyke the leyfes are greyn
— is plainly better than Y. 102 —

And the leues last ay in like grene

-and T. 216, 217 —

God giaunt you good weyndyng,
Aud eucrmore with you be

— both for their sense and the purity of the rime to ' kyng ' are better
than Y. 203, 204—

God sende vs gude tjthingis
And all may with you be.

Lastly we may take a pair of lines —

My lord, hot if this menye may remeve (T. 270)
Lord, whills ve [sic] with tliis menyhe move (Y. 277)

— in which we may reasonably suspect that both texts are corrupt
forms of some such original as —

My lord, bot if this menye meve.

The inevitable conclusion from these notes is, that the Towneley
text of Pharao is a corrupted and edited version of the York play of
'The Hoseers ' in a slightly purer form than we have it at present.
I think we may also say that the majority of the corruptions iu the
Towneley text are of the kind which would most naturally arise in
oral transmission, rather than from the blunders of a scribe.

Turning now to the second play in which the two cycles partly
agree, 77)6 Play of the Doctors (Towneley xviii. ; York xxii.,
played by the ' Sporiers and Loriners '), we find that the Towneley
text, which lacks the opening speech of ' Primus Magister,' begins in
its present form with twelve quatrains which are quite different
from the York version, and then follows closely the York twelve-line
.stanzas to the end, only interrupting them to substitute a longer

T. PLAYS. b

xviii Tovmeleyand York Plays of ffarmdng and Hcstorrcdion.

exposition of the Ten Commandments, for wliich again quatrains are
used. In some instances, as before, the Towneley text is Letter tlian
the York, but we cannot doubt that the nearly homogeneous ' York
play represents the original on which the Towneley playwright
incorporated his variations in a different metro.

A comparison of the third pair of jilays— the York play of tlie
Sadilleres (No. xxxvii.) and Towneley No. xxv. — representing
the Extraccio Animarum or Harrowing of Hell, yields still more
striking results. The York play, as usual quite regular, consists of
34 twelve-line stanzas, and it is clear that the Towneley play-wright
had these in his mind all the way through, though sometimes, perhaps
from failure of memory on the part of his informants, he can do no
more than imbed a few York lines into new stanzas of his own, while
elsewhere he makes intentional additions.

Summarizing the result of these changes, we find that the first
twenty-four lines of Towneley reproduce ten from York ; then we have
York stanzas 4 — 10 with interpolations between 4 and 5, 8 and 9, and
the omission of the last quatrain of 5. Stanzas 11 and 12 are repre-
sented by 11. 115 — 147, but only nine lines are preserved. Stanzas 1 3 —
15 are intact ; stanza 16 is docked of its first quatrain ; then we have
an interpolation of twelve lines; then the first quatrain of 17, the
second and third being expanded into twelve lines. Stanzas 18 — 28
are only interrupted by an interpolation (II. 314 — 322) between 25
and 26. In 29 there is a substitution of a new third quatrain for
four lines in the octett, the effect being so good that we may doubt
whether in this case we have not really a pieservation of an older
text. Then come stanzas 30 and 31, and eight lines of 32, and with
two substituted quatrains the Towneley play reaches its rather abrupt
end.

In the fourth pair of plays, treating of ' The Resurreotion '
(York xxxviii. ' The Carpenteres' : Towneley xxvi ), the resemblance
begins four lines earlier than Miss Touluiin Smith has noted, T. 41
—44 answering to Y. 31, 32, 35, 36, while the 'rybaldys' of T. 42
is a better reading than the York ' rebelles.' In the preceding speech
of Pilate we may note how the Towneley adaptor altered the York
metre by lengthening the last line of the first four stanzas from two
beats to three. We find the same difference in the added stanzas 9
— 11 (11. 51 — 73), while five (or rather seven) lines tacked on to the

' There is a slight disturbance, in which Towneley agrees, in Yoik, stanza.i
19, 20 (11. 216—240) and Towneley, stanzas 44—46 (11. 204—228).

Townelctf and York Plays of the Eestirrection. xix

last of these are outside the metrical scheme altogether. Stanzas
12 and 13 have lialf their lines as in York and half new. Stanzas
14 — 22, though with many corruptions, reproduce York 11 — 22.
Stanza 23 is added ; 24 (which should have been printed as in four
lines) agrees with York 20, omitting the two opening lines ; 25,
save in its third line, is the same as York 21. In stanza 26 some of
the York plirases are retained, but every line has been changed, and
the bad rimes ' emang ' and ' stand ' show the work of a botcher.
After this, with various corruptions, too numerous to mention, stanzas
27 — 35 reproduce York 23 — 31, but there is nothing in the York
play to answer to 11. 2U— 333 (stanzas 36—55). The first ten of
these 120 lines continue the talk of the soldiers, the rest is made up
of the monologue of the risen Christ. The metre continues regular ;
witli a few exceptions, the origin of which can easily be seen, the
last line of oacli stanza remains quadrisyllabic, instead of being
lengthened as in the added stanzas at the beginning of the play, and
I think there can be no doubt that this speech of Christ once formed
part of the York Cycle, but was subsequently omitted. Similar
speeches occur in the ' Coventry ' and Chester cycles, and in the
last-named there are some positive resemblances which, in case they
have not been noticed before, I set forth in a footnote.*

It will be noticed that this play falls naturally into three parts,
of which Clirist's monologue is the centre ; and it is much easier to

' Towneley, 11. 226—231. Chester, vol. 2, p. 89. (Sh. Soc. ed.)

Eithly man, that I haue wroght Eirlhly man that I have wrougfUe,

Wightly wake, and slepe thou noght ! Awake out of thy slepe ;
With bytter bayll I haue the bogin, Eirlhly man that / have benight,

To make the fre ; Of me thou have no kepe.

Into this ilongeon depe I soght From heaven man's soule I sougJUe

And all for luf of the. Into a dongion depe

Mydere lemon from thense I brougbte
11 322—327. For ruthe of her I weepe.

ITor I am veray prynce of peasse, 1 am vereye prince of peace.

And synnes seyr I may releasse, And kinge of free mercye ;

And whoso will of synnes seasse Who will of synnes have release

And mercy cry. On me the call and crye.

And yf the will of synnes cease
I grauntt theym here a measse / grannie them peace trewlye,

In brede myn awn body. And therto a full rich messyc.

In brcde my owne bodye.
The verbal resemblances here seem almost too close to be explained by a
common original. If there has been direct transmission, it must have been
southwards.

XX Towneley and York Plays of Besurredion and Last J%tdgment,

believe that in some process of amalgamating,' or dividing the different
parts, this speech was omitted from the York uiaunscript, than
that so important a feature in the plays was not represented in the
cycle.

After 1. 333 in Towneley, etc., agreement between the two cycles
is resumed, and continues, with the usual verbal variations, to 1. 561,
the agreement of the stanzas beint; as follows —

Towneley.

York.

Towneley.

York.

66—66

=

32—42

88 partly

=

67

67

=

parts of 43, 44

89

=

68

68—85

=

45-62

90—93

=

70-73

86, 87

=

64, 65

Stanzas 63, 66 and 69 of York are unrepresented. L. 562 in
Towneley is extra motruni, and cuts short the rather wearisome talk
of Pilate which lasts in the York play for another eighteen lines.
The scene between Christ and S. Mary Magdalene, which follows in
the Towneley cycle, forms a sepaiate play (No. xxxix.) in the York,
and there are no textual resemblances. It will be noticed that of
the first eight of the £leven stanzas into which it is divided, eveiy
one has a different metre — a sure sign, I think, of the hasty work
rendered necessary by an incident which could not be omitted having
to be tacked on to a different play.

The case of the last of the five parallel texts, that of the play
of the Last Judgment (Towneley xxx. Judicium; York xlviii.
acted by the ' Merceres '), is again very striking and interesting. The
Towneley play, unfortunately, lacks some lines (the speech of
' Primus Mains ') at the beginning, and the first sixteen Uoes which
have been preserved to us, written in two different metres, are additions
to the York text. The next three stanzas, with the exception of the
last half of the fourth, are founded on York stanzas 19 — 21, then
we have an inserted speech by ' Qiiartus Mains' (32 lines), then
two more York stanz;is, then the broad comedy of the Demons
(stnnzas 16 — 48, 11. 89 — 384), which takes the place of a short
passage in York (11. 185 — 228), the greater part of which is occupied
by the speeclies of Christ and the Apostles. After 1. 385 the bor-
rowings begin again, and for the whole of the- Judgment-scene
proper (Towneley, st. 49—67,11. 386— 531 = York, st. 30-47,11.
229 — 372), the regular 8-line stanzas of the York dramatist are only
interrupted by a single insertion of four lines (st. 65). But between

The Tests of a borrowed Flay. xxi

the final dooming of the damned and the thanksgiving of the saved
(1. 612 — 620), the Towneley play-wright inserts a long passage in
which the fiends gloat over their victims, and this is all his own.
Where the last stanza was taken from we cannot say. It is quite
different from the York text, and bears more resemblance to the
Towneley ending of the Extraccio Aniviarum (p. 305).

The foregoing conspectus of the points of agreement and disagree-
ment between the Towneley and York texts of these five plays has
probably been found almost as tedious to read as it certainly was to
compile. But it was wortli while to work it out in full, since the
most cursory perusal of it must suffice to show that, in the circum-
stances under which the borrowings took place, it was practically
impossible for a play to pass from one cycle to another without
showing signs of the process in marked disturbances of metre and
frequent corruptions both of sense and rhyme. It follows from this
that wherever we find a play (not merely a fragment) the metre of
which is uniform, or is obviously varied only in correspondence with
the character of the speakers, while at the same time the rhymes are
regular and the text good, in the absence of positive evidence to the
contrary we are not only entitled, but bound, to assume that the play
was composed for the place and the cycle to which it now belongs.
A play full of obvious corruptions need not be a borrowed play,
because corruptions may have arisen in many other ways ; but a play
which is creditably free from corruptions can hardly by any
possibility have been borrowed.

Now if we apply this canon to the Towneley Plays, it will enable
us to set some limit to the amount of imported work which we can
safely recognize as existing in the cycle as it has come down to us.
Long before the publication of the York Plays, the composite
character of the Towneley was recognized by its first editor, though
the reasons he assigned were less happy than his surmise itself,* and
later writers have not failed to enlarge on the point. It thus
becomes interesting to see how much of the cycle we can claim on
sure evidence as composed especially for it. It is no bad beginning
to be able to say at once, at least one-fourth, and this the fourth
which contains the finest and most original work. The evidence for

• e. g. He says that there are no Yorkshireisms in the Pharao, which we
now know to be mainly borrowed from the York cycle, and remarks " Ccesar
Aw/ttstus is plainly by the same hand as Pharao. The heroes in both swear by
• Mahowne ' "—a habit shared by most potentates in miracle plays.

XX ii The 5 led Towneley Plays by a Genius.

this is irresistible. We find the Wiikefield or Woodkirk editor inter-
polating two broadly humorous scenes, the one containiii<,' 297 lines,
the other 81, on the impressive York play of the Judgment. These
scenes are written in a complex metre, a 9-line stanza riming aaaa
hccch, with cential rimes in the first four lines ([ should prefer to

write it ''"^'^^'cdcMc), and we find this same metre used with admir-
blM '

able regularity throughout five long plays, viz. —

m. Processus Noe cum filiis 558 lines

XII. Prima Pastorum 502 (2 lines lost)

XIII. Secunda Pastorum ^ 754 (2 lines lost)

xw. Magnus Herodes 513

XXI. Coliphizacio 450

— or, including the two passages in the Judirium, in no less than 3155

lines, occupying in tliis edition almost exactly 100 pages out of 396.

If any one will read these plays togetlier, I think he cannot fail to

feel that they are all the work of the same writer, and that this

writer deserves to be ranked — if only we knew his name ! — at least

as high as Langland, and as an exponent of a ratlier boisterous kind

of humour had no equal in his own day. We may also be sure that

the two other plays, Flagellacio (No. xxii.) and Processus Tnlentorum

(No. XXIV.), contain about the same proportion of his work as does

the Jiidichmi. They are closely akin to tlie Coliphimcio, and contain

the one 24, the other 8 of his favourite stanzas.

For one other play which it is very tempting to assign to the
same hand, the Maciaeio Abel (No. Ii.), we lack the evidence of
identity of metre ; in fact, the frequent changes from one metrical form
to another would make us suspect that we had here an instance of
editing, if it were not quite impossible to isolate from the present
text any underlying original. But the extraordinary boldness of the
play, and the character of its humour, make it difficult to dissociate
it from the work of the author of the Shepherds' Plays, and I cannot
doubt that this also, at least in part, must be added to his credit.

When the work of this man of real genius has been eliminated,
the search for another Wakefield, or Woodkirk, author becomes
distinctly less interesting. It will be worth while, however, now to
])ass the whole cycle in review, adding what notes we can to each
play, especially as to their metres.

' This play is fmther stamped as especially composed for the AVakcfielJ
district by the allusion to ' Horbury ' noted above, p. xiv.

The List of the Towneley Play^ and their Metres, xxiii

I. Creation. Couplets (aa*) and stanzas, mostly aa*b'a'b'. Connected

with Barkers of Wakefield.
II. Abel. Metres vciy confused. Apparently a bold reliandling of an
earlier and simpler play. Connected with [Wakefield] Glovers.

III. Noah. 9-line stanza ;

I c^ddd^c-. Connected with Wakefield.

' bbbb^
IV. Abraham, abababab'. Cp. No. XIX.

{IV. Isaac. Fragments of 35 couplets (aa*).
V. Jacob. Fragments of 71 couplets (aa'').
VIII. [vil.] Pharaoh. ab.ibabab'cdcd^, with many corruptions. Con-
nected with Litstci's of Wakefield. Based on York xi.
VII. [vill.] Proccssiis Prophetarum. aa*b^cc*b^, less often aa'tfaa^b'
IX. Caesar Ang^istus. aa'b',ia*b'.

X. Annundalion. Couplets (aa*) and stanzas aa^b^cc'b'.
XI. Salutation. aa*b''cc*b^.

{XII. Prima Pastcirum. 9-line stanza, as III.
XIII. Secv-mia Pastorum. As XII.

XIV. Magi. aaa'bVb', with four disturbances. Alliterative.
XV. Flight into f'gypt. ababaabaabVWc^. Alliterative.
XVI. Herod. 9-line stanza as iii., etc.
XVII. Purification, aaa'b'ccc'b' and aa* b'cc'W.

XVIII. Doiiors. abababali^cdod^, with corruptions and interpolations.
Bincd on York xxiii.
XIX. John the Baptist, abababab*. Cp. No. IV.
XX". Conspiracio. abababab'cJcd'. Speech of Pilate prefixed in 9-line

stanzas.
xx'. Capeio. Couplets and <|uatrains (aa* aud abab') with interpolations.
XXI. Coliphizacio. 9-line stanza, as III., he.
XXII. Fhigcllacio. Mixed metres. About half the play in 9-line stanzas.

XXIII. Proc'ssus Crucis. Much edited and interpolated from an original

basis of aa*b'cc*b'.

XXIV. Proccss^is Talenlorvm. Metres very confused. Much interpolation.
XXV. Exlrnccio Animarum. abababab*cdcd^, with additions and corrup-
tions. Based on York xxxvii.

XXVI. Jficsicrreclion. aaa'b%*b-, with many corruptions and interpolations.

Based on York xxxvill.
XXVII. Peregrini. aaa'b-a*b'-, with corrup' ions and interpolations.
XXVIII. S. Thomas. aa*b^cc'b' followed by a*b^a'bVbVb'.
XXIX. Ascension. Metres very confused.

XXX. J-ud^nent. Based ou .abaliabab* of York XLViii, with interpola-
tions of abababab* aud 8-line stanzas.
Lazarus. Couplets with stanzas in several different metres.
Suspencio hide. Fragment in aaa%-a*b-. [Cp. xxvi., xxvii.]

In this conspectus, besides the plays written in the 8-liue stanza,
we may note that we have two fragments (N^os. iv. and v.) written in
couplets on the history of Isaac and Jacob ; two plays, the Creation
(No. I.) and Annunciation (No x.), in which couplets are joined with
a 6-line stanza rhyming aa^b^cc^b^, or aa^b^aa^b^, and three plays,

xxiv Prof. Ten-Brink on 'Jacob and Esau' 'Isaac and Jacob.'

the Processus Proplietarnm (No. vii. ; it sliould of course change
places with the Phanmh, No. viii.), the Caesar Augustus (No. ix.)
and Salutation (No. xi.), written tliroughout in this stanza, which is
also emplo3'ed for parts of the plays of the Purification (No. xvii.),
Processus Crucis (No. xxiii.), and S. Thomas of India (xxviii.).

As to the two fragments (iv. and v.) the late Professor Ten-Brink
wrote ^ —

" About a generation — but hardly much more — separates this
oldest extant English drama [i. e. the Harrowing of Hell, ' composed
shortly after the middle of the thirteenth century '] fro)n the next.
The play of Jacol) and Esau, as we take the liberty of calling it,
appears to have been composed not far from the mouth of the
Humber, and probably to the north of the dialect lino. The influ-
ence of the East Midlands is seen in the choice of subject, which
was not popular im tlie earlier stage elsewhere, and the manner of
treatment also reminds us of the districts and the century which
produced the poems of Genesis and Exodus."

" In Jacob and Esau the dramatic art is still of a low standard ;
the .situations are not made much use of ; the characteristics show little
depth or originality. The poet is full of reverence for his subject,
and dramatizes faithfully what seems to him its most important
traits, without putting to it much of his own originality," etc.

In his Appendix (vol. in. p. 274),. Prof. Ten-Brink supported this
view of the play with the following note — ■

"This play ha.s been handed down in the Towneley Collection :
unfortunately it is mutilated at the beginning, and also divided into
two parts : Isaac and Jacob. However, it originally formed, and, in
fact, still forms, one drama, which was produced independently
without regard to any cycle of mysteries, and indeed earlier than
most of the others, probably than all the other parts of tlie cycle in
which it was subsequently incorporated. All this can easily bo
proved by means now at the dispo.sal of philology, but this is not
the place for entering into the subject. Less certain is the local origin
(if the piece. The assumption that few of the rhyming words have
been altered in their transmission could, for instance, allow of' the
supposition that the drama might have been produced in the north
of the East-Midland territory, rather than in the southern di.stricts of
Northumbria, a siipjiosition which would coincide very well with
many other peculiarities of the work."

I have quoted these passages from Prof. Teu-Brink in full,
because the opinion of the writer who has produced the only really
good history of our early literature, is a thousand times more import-
ant than my own. But my difficulties in accepting his theory in
' HistoTH of Enjlisli Literature (English edition), vol. ii. p. 244.

The different Groups of the Towiuley Plays. xxv

its entirety are both numerous and great. The Harrowing of Hell
itself seems to me — as it has seemed to my betters before me — rather a
dramatic poem than a Miracle Play properly so called, and I cannot
conceive on what occasion, or by whom, an isolated play on Jiicob
and Esau could come to be acted in the vernacular. In a cycle, the
presence of a play on Abraham might easily suggest a continuation
dealing with his immediate descendants, and its simpler and more
archaic form might be partly accounted for by the nature of its
subject. I should prefer, also, to attribute differences of dialect to
the removal from one district to another of a play-writing monk,
r.itlier than to the acceptance in one district of a play which had
been composed for another many years before. It is obvious,
however, that these two fragments do belong to a period, whether
prae-cyclic or cyclic, at which the narrative and didactic interest
of the representation was uppermost, and before the constantly
increasing importation of external attmctions had produced a
distaste for the simpler and ntore exclusively religious form of
drama. We know from Chaucer's allusions, as well as from the
evidence of the York plays, that by the last quarter of the fourteenth
century Noah and his quarrelsome wife and the ranting Herods and
Pilites were already stock characters-, and we may thus well believe
that the cycle 'of matter from the beginning of the world' in its
simplest form, must have been in existence during the first half of
that century. The fact that this play has only come to us in
fragments, is probably good evidence that it was considered anti-
quated at the time our manuscript was written, and that only a few
speeches from it were used.

I must confess, however, that I cannot find anything either in the
style or the language of these fragments which need compel us to
separate them from the couplets in the play of the Creation and the
Annunciation ; and I incline strongly to believe that in these play.s,
and the others which I have mentioned as written wholly or
partly in the aa^b'cc^b^ stanza, we possess part of an originnl didactic
cycle, of much the same tone as the Chester Plays, on to which
other plays, mostly written in a more popular style, have been tacked
from time to time. In any case I do not think it can be doubted
that the four plays, vir., ix., x., and xi., are the work of the same
writer, and the rest seem to me to go with them.

The plays-of the Magi (xiv.) and of the Flight into Egypt (xv.) are
marked off from this group by their much greater use of alliteration.

xxvi Grmcps of the Plays. Bate of the Shepherds' Plays.

and seem to me — though my opinion on questions of dialect is worth
very little — to have been wiittenby an author of somewhat different
speech. The Abraham and Joltn the Baptist again are in a totally
different metre, and may belong to the period when the York plays
were being incorporated into the cycle. As regards these York plays,
enough has already been said ; but it is worth noting that the pre-
dominant metre of the Conspiracio (xx'.) i.s the same as that of three
out of the live plays connected with York (the Pharaoh, Doctor, and
Extraccio Animarum), and may possibly be based on a lost alternative
to the extant York play on this subject. A similar guess may be
hazarded as to the play of the Peregrini (xxvii.), the metre of which
is the same as that of the Resurrectio (Xxvi., York xxxviii.), while the
obvious corruptions and interpolations of the text may well lead us to
doubt its being indigenous. The fragment of the Sitspencio lude,
printed at the end of the cycle, but which would naturally come
immediately before the Resurrectio, is in the same metre, and subject
to the same hypothesis.

As regards the work of the one real genius of the Towneley cycle,
the author of the two plays of the Shepherds, and of the others
written in the same metre, the converse of the arguments of which
we admitted the force as regards the Isaac ard the Jacob, will
naturally lead us to assign to them as late a date as possible.

As noted by the Surtees editor, the allusion in the Judicium
to the head-gear which could make a woman look ' horned like a
cow,' enables us to be sure that this play-wright was a younger
contemporary of Chaucer. We must not, indeed, like the cataloguer
of the auction-room, argue that because Stow writes that in the
days of Anne of Bohemia ' noble women vised high attire on their
heads, piked like homes,' therefore these plays may be assigned
approximately to the date of her arrival in England. I imagine
that in those days as in these the fashions in the Yorkshire country-
side were apt to be a little behind those of Loudon ; the piked
head-gear is found in manuscripts as late as about 1420 {e.g. Hurl.
2897, f. 188^ and Harl. 4431, f. 2, kindly pointed out to me
by Sir E. M, Thompsoii),^ and the other allusions of these
plays, e. g. the reference to tennis {Sec. Past. 736), the frequent

' See also Lydgate's 15th century 'Dyte of Womenhis Hornya' in his
Minor Poems, Percy Soc. p. 46-9, and Harl. MSS. 225.5, 2251, etc. Horns were
in fashion in tlie 13th, 14th, and 15th centuries; see Fairholt's Costurne in
England, ed. Dillon, 1885, ii. 224-5, and Planehe's paper therein named. — F. J. F.

Date of Shepherds' Plays. Three Stages of Toumeley Plays, xxvii

and rather learned talk about music {Sec. Past. 186 — 89, 656 — 60,
Judicium 537, 538), and the general talk of Shepherds and Devils
about the state of the country i — all agree very well with the early
yeai-s of the fifteenth century. In a writer so full of allusions,
the absence of any reference to fighting tends, I think, to show
that the plays were not written during the war with France, and
thus everything seems to point to the reign of Henry IV. as the
most likely date of their composition. The date of our text is
probably about half a century later, but the example of the York
Plays shows us that in its own habitat tlie text of a play could
be preserved in tolerable purity for a longer period than this.
In the direction of popular treatment it was impossible for any
editor, however much disposed towards tinkering, to think he could
improve on the play-wright of the 9-line stanzas, while it is roa.sonable
to presume that the hold of these plays on the Yorkshire audience
was sufficiently strong to resist the intrusion of didactics.

As regards the only plays not yet mentioned in the survey, the Capcio
(xx^), Processus Talentorwn (xxiv.). Ascension (xxlx^) and Lazarus,
there has been so much editing and interpolating, and the consequent
mixture of metres is so great, that it is difficult to arrive at any clear
conclusion about them.^ But, subject to such corrections as the
survey of the dialect now being undertaken by Dr. Matthews may
suggest, I think we may fairly regard this Towneley cycle as built
up in at least three distinct stages. In the first of these we find the
simple religious tone which we naturally assign to the beginning of
the cyclical religious drama, the majority of them being written in
one of the favourite metres of the fourteenth-century romances which
were already going out of fashion in Chaucer's day.^ In the second

' Note especially the allusions to ' niaintenance ' in Let. Pa-<t. 1. 35, and
the claim of Tutivillus to be a ' master lollar ' in Jti/i. 213.

' The Lazarus, for instance, seems to be built uji in three layers, the last of
them the grim passage on death being strikingly in the style of some of the
9-line stanzas.

' A curious reminiscence of these romances is preserved in stauza 26 of the
processus Prophetarum :

Now haue I songen you a fytt ;
loke in niynd that ye haue it,

I rede with my myght ;
He that maide vs with his wytt,
Sheld vs all from hell p)'tt,
And giaunt us heuen lyght

— which might have come straight ont of a romance.

xxviii The three Stages, and the Home of the Tmoncley Plays.

stage we liave the introduction by some playwright, who brought
the knowledge of them from elsewhere, of at least five — possibly
seven or eight — of tlie plays which were acted at York, and the
composition of some others in the same style. In the third stage
a writer of genuine dramatic power, whose humour was unchecked
by any respect for conventionalitj', wrote, especially for this cycle,
the plays in the 9-line stanza which form its backbone, and added
here and there to others. Taken together, the three stages probably
cover something like half a century, ending about 1410, though
subsequent editors may have tinkered here and there, as editors will,
and much allowance must be made for continual corruption by the
actors.

It may be as well to note here that whatever weight we may be
disposed to attach to the tradition that the cycle belonged to the
Woodkirk monks and was acted at Woodkirk Fair, it is impossible
to believe that the plays noted in the MS. as connected with
Wakefield form in any way a group by themselves. The Barkers'
play of the Creation, however much edited, belongs in its origin to
our first stage ; the Pharaoh, played by the Wakefield Litsters, but
based on York xi., to our second, to which also I should assign the
Peregrini played by the Fishers, written in the metre of the York
Resiirrectio. Lastly, the Noah, against which Wakefield is written, is
in the 9-line stanza of the Shepherds' Plays, and the Glovers' play of
Abel, whether re-written by the same author or not, is, in its present
form, certainly late work. With the exception of the Fishers, we
might say, without much exaggeration, that all the three crafts
named. Dyers, Tanners, and Glovers, had some connection with the
sheep, their hides and wool, which were probably the chief com-
modities sold at the Woodkirk fair,^ and so might have taken a
special interest in any pageant likely to bring customers to it. But
we are bound to remember that the connection with Woodkirk is
a mere tradition, and that it is quite possible that the whole cycle
belongs to Wakefield, which is the only place with which it is
authoritatively connected.

To bring literary criticism to bear on a cycle built up, even
approximately, in the manner which I have suggested, is no easy

' If the Fishers, as at York, were allied with the Mariners, they too might
be dragged in as concerned with the export trade. If they were Fishers, ' pura
et simples,' one is tempted to say that they may have lent a hand at play-
acting for the lack of sufficient employment in an inland town !

The poetic vorth of the Towneley Plays. xxix

task. The plaj's were not written for our reading, but for the
edification and amusement of the uncritical audience of tlieir own
day ; and we can certainly say of them that, whatever effect the
playwiight aimed at, he almost always attained. Of the simply
devotional plays the Annunciafion seems to me the finest. The whole
of this play, indeed, is full of tenderness ; and there are to>iches in
it in which Rossetti, if he knew it, must have delighted. The
reconciliation between Joseph and the Blessed Virgin is delightful ;
and the passage in which Joseph describes his enforced marriage
is really poetically written. One verse is especially quotable :

Whan 1 all thus had wed hir thare.
We and my modyiis home can fare,

That kyngys daughters were ;
All wroght thay sylk to find them on,
Marie wroght purpyll, the ockr none

bol othere colers sere.

If this touch had been entirely of the dramatist's own invention he
must, indeed, have been Rossetti's spiritual forbear ; but it is needless
to say that it comes from the apocryphal gospel of Mary, though he
deserves all credit for bringing together two widely separated verses.*

The plays which I have put into my second group are on the
whole very dull. The dramatist of the Abraham could not fail to
attain to some pathos in the treatment of the scene between Isaac
and his father ; but though he avoids the mistake of the York play-
wright who represented Isaac as a man of thirty, his handling of the
scene is distinctly inferior to that of the Brome Play and the
Chaster cycle. The general characteristic, indeed, of the group is,
that the playwright plods perseveringly through his subject, but
never rises above the level of the honest journeyman.

Between the dull work and the abounding humour and constant

' Chap. vi. 7 : " But the Virgin of the Lord, Mary, with seven other virgins
of the same age, who h.id been appointed to attend her by the priest,
returned to her parents' house in Galilee;" and Chap. iv. 1 — 4: "And it
came to pa.ss, in a council of the priests it was said, ' Let us make a new veil for
the temple of the Lord.' And the high-priest said, 'Call together to me seven
nndefiled virgins of the tribe of David.' And the servants went and brought
them uuto the temple of the Lord ; and the high-priest said unto them, ' Cast
lots before me now, who of yon shall spin the golden thread, who the blue, who
the scarlet, who the fine linen, and who the true purple.' Then the high-priest
knew Mary, that she was of the tribe of David ; and he called her, and the
true purple fell to her lot to spin, and she went away to her own house."
(Hone's Apocryphal Gospels, 1820.)

XXX Tlie Writer of the Shepherds' Plays probably a Monk.

allusiveness of the a\ithor of the plays in the 9-line stanza, the
distance can only be measured by the two words respectability and
genius. It is all the more pleasant to use the first to denote the dull
level from which he keeps aloof, in that I have a strong suspicion
that during his life the author of our 9-line stanza plays may
have been censured for the lack of this very quality. His sympathy
with poor folk, and his dislike of the " gentlery men" who oppressed
them, seem something more than conventional ; and his satire is
sometimes as grim as it is free. From his frequent allusions to
music, his scraps of Latin and allusions to Latin authors, his dislike
of Lollards, and the daring of some of his phrases, which seems to
surpass what would have been permitted to a layman, it is probable
that be was in orders ; and the vision of the Friar Tuck of Peacock's
Maid Marian rises up before me as I read his plays. As a dramatist
it is difficult to praise him too highly, if vre remember the limitations
under which he worked, and the feeble efforts of his contemporaries
and successors.

The Secutida Pastorum, the survival of which "in Archie Arm-
strang's Aith " Prof. Kolbing has so pleasantly illustrated (see his
Appendix), is really perfect as a work of art ; and if in the Prima
Pastorum our author was only feeling his way, and in the Noah,
Herod, etc., was cramped by the natural limitation of his subject, we
have the more reason to regret that a writer of such real power had no
oilier scope for his abilities than that offered by the cyclical miracle
play. Even within these limits, however, he had room to display other
gifts besides those of dramatic construction and humour. The three
speeches of the Shepherds to the little Jesus are exquisite in their
rusti", tenderness, and even if we may not attribute to him the really
terrific picture of corruption in the Laz.aru'i, there is contrast enough
between these and the denunciation of the usurers and extortioners
in the Judicium. Without his aid, the Towneley cycle would have
been interesting, but not more interesting than any of its three
competitors. His additions entitle it to be ranked among the great
works of our earlier literature.

Alfred W. Pollard.

XXXI

APPENDIX.

The Secunda Pastorum of the Towneley Plats (p. 116 fE.) and
Abchie Armstpang's Aith.

By prof. E. KOLBING, Ph.D.

So far as I know, iioborly has yet discovered that the leading
incident in the Second Play of the Shepherds is repeated in quite
another department of English Literature, viz. in Archie Armstran^s
Aith, by the Rev. John Marriott, printed in ' Minstrelsy of the
Scottish Border,' 5th ed. vol. iii. Edinb., 1821, p. 481 ff. Archie
Arnistrang was, as we learn from the Notes of this poem, p. 487 f.,
"a native of Eskdale, and contributed not a little towards the
raising his clan to that pre-eminence which it long maintained
amongst the Border thieves .... and there distinguished himself
so much by zeal and assiduity in his professional duties, that at
length he found it expedient to emigrate. ... He afterwards
became a celebrated jester in the English Court. ... He was
dismissed in disgrace in the year 1637. . . . Tlie exploit detailed
in this ballad has been preserved, with many others of the same
kind, by tradition, and is at this time current ia Eskdale."

The story runs as follows : — -

.\ichie has stolen a sheep, and is pursued by the shepherds, but manages to
reach his house, where, with the assistance of his wif.', he skins the sheep,
thiows its entrails and hide into the river, and stuffs the body into a
child's cradle. Then lie sits down by it and sings a lullaby. At this very
moment the pursuers euter the house and declare him to be the thief. But
Archie protests, wants them to be quiet, because his child is d)ing, and
swears an oath, that, if he h,as ever lessened the herds of his neighbour, he will
eat the flesh that is now lying in the cradle. Besides, he gives them leave
to ransack every corner of his house in order to find the sheep which they say
he has stolen. So they search — naturally without result, — and tlie shepherds
ronclude that it was either the devil himself, that thoy saw running off with
the sheep, or that they mistook the culprit, and that Maggie Brown is the real
thief. As to Archie, when the shepherds are gone, he piques himself not a
little on his ability in representing a nurse ; and, at the same time, says that
nobody is entitled to call him a perjurer, for he really eats up the sheep in the
cradle.

xxxii Appendix. Archie Armslrang's Ailh.

We see at once the striking point in the story, that the thief
and his wife hide the stolen sheep from the suspicious shepherds in
a cradle, is common to botli versions. Besides, I ask my readers to
compare the following single passages.

When the thief returns to his house, his wife is afraid that he
will be discovered and tied up ; ho wants her to be quiet and to help
him. Tuwneley, p. 126 —

Uxor: By the nakyd nek Dit thou lyke for to hyng.

Mak : Do way ....

Uxor: It were a fowH blott to be banged for the case.

Mak : I bave skapyd, Jelott, oft as hard a glase.

Uxor : Bot so long goys the pott to the water, men says

At last

Comys it home broken.
Male: Wett knowe I the token,

Bot let it never be spoken,

Bot com and help fast.

I wold be were slayn, etc.

corresponds to Archie Armstrang's Aith, st. 6 ft.

And oh ! when he stepp'd o'er the door,
His wife she look'd aghast.

"A, wherefore, Archie, wad ye slight
Ilk word o' timely warning?
I trow ye will be ta'on the night.
And hangit i' the morning."

" Now hawd your tongue, ye prating wife.
And help me as ye dow ;
I wad be laith to lose my life
For ae poor silly yowe."

In Town., p. 130, the thief's wife gives the following advice —
Harken ay, when thay calle : thay will com anone.
Com and make redy alle, and syng by thyn oone,
Syng luUay thou shalle ....
Syng luUay on fast,
When thou lieris at the last.

According to Archie Aiinstrang's Aith, st. 13 f., Archie performs
this skilful service —

And down sat Archie daintillie,
And rock'd it wi' his hpnd ;
Sircin a rough nourice as ae
Was not in a' the land.
And saftlie he began to croon,
" Hush, hushabye, my dear."
He hadna sang to sic a tuiu,
I trow, for mony a year.

Appendix. Archie Armstrang's Aith. xxxiii

For the rhyme croon : tune we may compare the following linos in
the conversation of the shepherds in front of Mak's hut (p. 131) —
Tertius Pastor : Witt ye here how thay hak ? Oure syre, lyst, croyne !
Primus Pastor : Hard I never none crak so clere out of toyne.

In Toumeleij, p. 133, Uxor says —

I pray to God so mylde,
] fever I you begyld,
That I etethischylde.
That lygys in this credytt.
Likewise in Archie Armstrang's Aith, st. 18, the husband —
If e'er I did sae fause a feat,
As thin my neebor's faulds,
May I doom'd the flesh to eat
This Vera ciadyl halds !

In both versions the shepherds, not having found anything, believe
they have made a mistake ; Town., p. 134 —

Primus Pastor : We have raerkyd amys : I hold us begyld.
Archie Armstrang's Aith, st. 22 —

Or aiblins Maggie's ta'en the yowe.

And thus begjiilcd your e'e.
The principal difference between the two versions of the same story
is, that in the play the thief, in spite of this trick, is finally discovered
and punished by lynch-law, whilst according to the ballad the thief
and his wife succeed in their plot, and the suspicion falls upon another.
It is in harmony with this difference that the seemingly not real-
izable oath is only of a secondary interest in tlie play, while in the
ballad it forms the centre of the whole.

Now the only MS. of the Towneley Plays seems to have been
written in the beginning of the fifteenth century, whilst Archie Arm-
strang's Aith, belonging to the " Imitations of the ancient ballad,"
was scarcely composed long before 1802, in which year the Minstrelsy '
made its first appearance in the literary world. It is most unlikely
that John Marriott, — who, according to Alhbone's Dictionary, was
Curate of Broad. Clift, Devon, and Rector of Church Liford, War-
wickshire, and in 1820 and 1836 pubHshed some collections of
sermons, — borrowed this story from the then un printed MS. of the
Towneley Plays and transferred it, of his own authority, to Archie
Armstrang, so that the whole of his notes were a forgery.^ It is much

' It is perhaps worth noting that the Secunda Pastorum was printed in the
Collection of En/jU-sh Miracle Plays published at Easel In 1838 by a Dr. William
Marriott, who may possibly have been a relation of the Rev. John Marriott of
Prof. Kolbiug's ballad.-A. W. P.

T. PIAYS. C

xxxiv Appendix. Archie Armstrang's Aith.

more credible that this funny tale was preserved by oral traditions,
possibly in a metrical form. The talo was first brought into the
Christmas story by the author of the Towneley Play, and afterwards,
in the seventeenth century, transferred to the famous thief and jester,
Archie Armstrang.

Whetlier the happy or unhappy end of the story is to be considered
as the original one, is a question, which, in the want of other
materials, we shall perhaps never be able to solve with any certainty.^

This little paper is englisht from the original in the Zeitschrift
fiJr vergleichende Litteratunjeschichte, hcrausgegeben von M. Koch.
Neue Folge. Elfter Band, p. 137 ff.— E. K.

' As "bang went saxpence" would have been the result of the Shepherds
kissing the babe in the cradle, I suggest that Scotch shepherds, at any rate, would
never have thought of incurring such an awful liability. — F. J. F.

THE TOWNELEY PLAYS.

[267 lines, in stanzas and couplets. Stanzas 12 — 15 liave 10

{aabab aabab), 7 {aab ab a6), 5 aTid 5 {aabab) lines

respectively, the rest 6 {aab ccb).\

[Dramatis Personae.

Deits.

Cherubyn.

Lucifer.

Anjeli Mali 1 «< 2.'
Attgcli Boni 1 et 2.

E

Veviones 1 ei 2.'
Adtitn.

ElM.]

In dei aomine amen.
Assit P)-jncipio, Sanc^a Maria, Meo. Wakefeld.

[Scene I. Heaven.]

[Deus] (1) BARKERS. |Fol. 1, a.l

11, ^ God declares

go sura alpha ef O, His nature

I am the fiisf, the lasf also, * '"'«*'*•

Oone god in mageste ; 3

Menielus, of myghf most,
ffader", & son), & holy goost,

On) god in tr/nyte. 6

(2)

I am without begyniiyng*,

My godhede hath none endyng*,

I am god in troue ; 9

Oone god in persons thre,
Which may neuer twynnyd be,

ifor* I am) god alone. . 12

(3)
AH maner thyng* is in my thoght,

Withoutteii) me ther may be noght, Nothing maj

«.,„.. . t ,_ exist with-

ttor an is in my sight ; 15 out Him.

hif shali be done aftei' my wiH,
that I haue thoght I shaH fulHH

And manteyn) yfith my myghf. 18

' These may be the same.
T. PLAYS. B

God begins
the work of
creation.
The 1st day:
the parting
of darkness
& light.

The 2iid day ;
the flrma-
mcnt divides
tJie waters.

T)ic 3rd day ;
tlie division
of eailh 4
Bca.

The earth to
bring forth
ft-uit.

The 4 th day :
creation of
Bun & ruoon.

Towneley Plays. I. The Creation.

(4)

At the begynnyng* of oure dede
make we heuen) & erth, on brede,

and lyghtys fayre to se,
ffoi' it is goodi to be so ;
darknes from) light we parte on two,

In tyme to scrue and be.

(5)
Darknes we caH the nyghf,
and lith also the bright",

It" shaH be as I say ;
aftei' my wiH this is furth broghf,
Euen) and morue both ar" thay wroghf,

and thus is maid a day.

(6)
In medys the water, bi oure assent",
be now maide the firmament",

And parte athei' from) othere,
Water aboue, I-wis ;
Eueii) and mome maide is this

A day, [so was] the tothere.

(7)
Waters, that" so wyde ben) sprcd,
be gedered to geder in to one stedo,

that" dry the erth may seym) ;
that at" is dry the ertfi shaH be,
the waters also I caH the see ;

this warke to me is qiieme.

(8)
Out" of" the ertfi herbys shal spryng",
Trees to florisfi and frute furth bryng",

thare kynde that it" be kyd.
This is done after my WiH ;
Even) & mom) maide is thei' tiH

A day, this is the thryili.

(9)
Son) & moyne set in the heuen),
With starnes, & the planettys seuen),
To stand in tliare degre ;

(MS. Uiyrd.]

21

24

27

30

33

36

39

42

45

48

61

Towneley Plays. I. The Creation.

Tlie 8011) to secue the day lyghf,
The nioync also to senie the nyghf ;

The fonrte day shaH this be. 54

(10)
The water to norish the fysh swymand,
The ertt to norish bestys crepeand,

That* fly or" go may. 57

Mulliplye in erth, and be
In my blyssyng", wax now yo ;

This is the fyff day. 60

(11)
Cherulryiil Oure lord god in trynyte,
Myrth and lovyng< be to the,
Myrth and lovyng* ouer al thyng* ;

ffoi' thou has made >, with thi bidyiig*, 64

Heuen), & eitfi, and aH that is,
and gilfen) vs loy that* neuer shaH inys.
Lord, tiiou) art fuB mych of uiyglit,
thaf lias maide lucifer so bright ; 68

■we loue the, lord, bright* ai-" we,
bot none of" vs so bright" as he :
He may weH hight lucifere,

ffoi' lufly light thaf he doth bare. 72

He is so lufly and so bright
It is grete ioy to se thaf sight ;
We lofe the, lord, ytith aH oure thoghf,
that sich tliyng^ can) make of noght. 76

hie dens recedit a suo solio ^ lucifat sedehit in eorfera solio.

(12)
Lucifer\ Cerii/Sj it' is a semely sight, 77

Syn that* we ai-* aH angels bright,

and ewer in blis to be ;
If thaf ye wiH beholcf me right,

this mastre longys to me. 81

I am so fare and bright,
of me commys aH this lighf,
this gam) and aH this gle ;

* The words *'has made" are in a latei hand, the originals
having been obhterated.

The 5th day :
the creation
of fish &
"creeping
beasts that
may fly or
go." ICp.
U. 162, 1G3.]

[Fol. 1, b J
Cherubim
praise Qod.

He has made
all of thtm
bright, but
Lucifer
brightest.

Lucifer
prides him-
self on his
brightness it
strength.

Toumeley Plays. I. The Creation.

Wlio shall be
above him in
heaven 7

He is so

eeemly he
will take
God's throne
as King of

blJBS.

[He seats
himself &]
asks the
angels how
lie looks.

Tlie bad
praise, and
the goixl
warn htm.

Agans my grete myght*

^ may [nojtliyng* stand [ne] be, 86

(13)
And ye weH me behold
I am a thowsand fold!

brighter then) is the son) ;
my strongtbe may not be told,

my niyght may no thyng* kon ;
In heuen, therfoi-", wit I v/oht

Above me who shuld won). 93

(14)
ffoi'' I am lord of bli«,
one;' aH this warl(f, I-wis,

My niyrth is most of' aH ;
the[r]for' my wiU is this,

master" ye shaH me caH. 98

(15)
And ye shaH se, fuB sone ouone,
How that me semys to sif in trone

as kyng* of blis ;
I am) so semely, blode & bone,

my sete shatt be ther" as was his. 103

(16)
Say, felows, how semys now me
To sit in seyte of trynytel
I am so bright" of* ich a lym)

I trow me seme as weH as hym). 107

yvimm angelns malas. Thou) arf so fayre vnto my

syght,
thou) semys weH to sytt on) higfef ;
So thynke me that thou doyse.
jjrijnus bonus angelns. I rede ye leyfc that vanys

royse, 111

ffoi' thaf seyte may noii) angeH seme
So weH as hym) that" aH shaH deme.

Secuntfus honns arajrelus. I reyde ye sese of that ye sayn),
ffoi' weH I wote ye carpe in vayne ; 115

hit semyd hym) neuer, ne neuer shaH,
So weH as hym) that has maide aH.

' MS. may thyng' stand theii) be.

Tcnimeley Plays. I. The Creation.

Stevindns mains a«<7elus. Now, and bi oght that I can) witt,
he semys fuH wett theron) to sylt ; 119

He ie so fayre, wt't/ioutten) les,
he semys fuH weH to sytf on) des.
therfoi'', feluw, hold thi peasse,

and vmbithynke the what thou) saysse. 123

he semys as weH to sytt there
as god hymself', if he were here.

LurAferK leyf felow, thynk the not* so? 126

pvimus malus ara^elus. Yee, god wote, so dos othere mo.

primua honua [Amjelus]. Nay, forsoth, so thynk not vs.

luci/erK Now, therof a leke what rek?/s vsf
Syn) I my self am so bright

therfoiMviH I take a flyghf.' 131

Tunc exibunt demoties clamanilo, & dicit pvhnus,

[Scene II. Hell.]

pnmus demon\ Alas, alas, and wele-wo I
lucifer', whi feH thou so?
We, that were angels so fare,

and sat so hie aboue the ayere, 135

Now ai'' we waxen) blak as any coyH,
and vgly, tatyrd as a foyH.
Whaf alyd the, lucifer, to faH 1

was thou) not farist of* angels ati? 139

Brightisf, and best, & most* of* luf"
With god hym) self, that sy ttys aboyf" 1
thou) has maide [neyn,'-'] there was [ten,']
thou) art* fouH comyn from) thi kyn) ; 143

thou) arf fallen), that* was the teynd,
ffrom) an angeH to a feynd.
thou) lias vs doyn a vyle dispyte,

and broght* thi self* to sorow and sitf. 147

Alas, ther" is noght els to say
bot* we ar" tynf for* now and ay. 149

Secundus demon. — Alas, the ioy that* we were In

haue we losf, for oure syn).

' A scribe has mistaken Lucifer's boastful flight for his fall.
One or more stanzas containiug either a speech of Deus (cp. Chester
and CovciUry Plays) or the exclamations of the devils as they fall
(cp. York Plays) must have been omitted.

The bad
angels think
him ns flt to
sit in Qod's
seat ns GfMl
Himself.

(Fol. 2, ».)

Lucifer Bays
he will take
a flight.'

The devils

reproach

Lucifer.

They are
waxen blaok
as coaL

He has made
nine where
there were
ten [i.e. a
tenth part
of each order
of angels has
fallen. Cp.
11. 256, 257].

« MS. ix.

' MS. X.

We nifty
curse our
wicked
pride : '* so
may ye all
that fltand
beside."

Tmvneley Plays. I. The Creation.

alas, that* eu^r cam pride in thoglif,

ffoi^ it has broght vs aH to noght. 153

We were in niyrth and loy enoghe

When lucifer to prnle drogh.

Alas, we may warrie wikkyd p?*ide,

so may ye aH that* standys be side ; 167

We held! with hym) thei'' he saide leasse,

and therfor* haue we aH vnpeasse.

Alas, alas, cure loye is tynf,

We men) haue payne thaf neuer shaB stynt*. 161

God iiro-

cceds to
make nmn.

He gives
him know-
ledge,

itrength, the
government
of the world,
Si paradise
to dwell in.

164

[Scene III. Earth.]

(17)
/)«!/«.— Erthly bestf/s, that may crepe and go,
bryng ye fiutB and wax ye mo,

I se that* if is good ;
now make we man to cure liknes,
that" shaH be keper of more & Ics,

of fowles anil fysfi in flood!. KP tavgefi f.um. 167
(18)
spreyte of* life I in the blaw,
good and iH both shaH thou) laiaw ;

rise vp, and stand bi me.
AH that* is in wat«?- or land.
If shaH bow vnto thi hand,

and aufferan) shall thou be ;
(19)
I gif- the witt", I gif the strenght,
of* aH thou sees, of brede & longthe ;

thou shaH be wonder wise.
Myrtii and loy to hane at wiH,
AH thi likyng to fulfiH,

and d\veH in paradise.

(20)
This I make thi wonnyng playce,
ffuH of myrtfe and of solace,

and I seasse the theiin.
If is nof good to be alone,
to walk here in this worthely wone,

In aH this wellfily wyn) ;

170

ITS

176

179

182

185

TowneUy Plays. I. Tlie Crealinn. 7

(21)
therfoi*, a rib I from the take, Ood makea

therof' shali be [inaiile] thi make, be m»n-3

And be to thi heliiyng*. 188 ''''i™^-

Ye both to gouerne that* liere is,
and euer more to be in blis,

ye wax in my blissyng*. 191

(22)
ye shaH have loye & blis therin,
whils ye wiH kepe yoii) ovit of syii),

I say wn/(oiit[ten] lese. 194

Ryse vp, inyii) angeH cherubyn), (Fol 2, b.) And bUsan

Take and leyd theym) both in, tSto '^

And leyf them) there in peasse. 197 P""*'''-

Tunc capit^ clieruhyn^ adam pet manum, ^ dicifi eis
dom'mus,

(23)
Heris thou adam, and eue thi wife, God forbids

Adam and

I forbede you the tre of" life, Ere the

. tree of life.

And I cojHmaund, that* if be gaf,

Take which ye wiH, bof negh not* thaf. 201

Adam, if" thou brake my reJe,

thou) shaH dye a dulfuH dede.

CheriibynK Oure lord, oure god, thi wiH be done;
I shatt go wit/( theym) fiiH sone. 205

ffoi' soth, my lord, I shaH not sted
tiH I haue theym) theder led.
we thank the, lord, with fuH good chere,
thaf has niaide man to be oure feere. [Ej~it Deus.] 209
Com furth, adam, I shatt the leyd ; The Angel

take tenf to me, I shaH the rcytV. Adam.

I rede the thynk how thou arf wrogSt,
and luf my lord! in aH thi thoght, 213

Thaf has niaide the thrugfi his wiH,
angels ordii' to fuUiH.
Many thyng?/s he has the giffeii),

and maide the masteT* of aH thaf liffen) ; 217

He has forbeit the bof a tre ;
look that thou) let it be.

Towneley Plays. I. The Creation.

Adam and
Eve con-
gratulate
themselves
A thank
Qod.

Adam bids
Eve keep
away from
the Tree of
Life.

The tenth
order of
angels is
follen.

ffor" ifi thou breke his co>»raaundment,

thou) skapys nofr bof thou be shent. 221

Weynd here in to paradise,

and luke now thaf ye be wyse,

And kepe you) weH, foi-' I must" go

vnto my lord, thei* I cam) fio. \_ExH Cherubyn).] 225

Adani^. Almyghty lord, I thank* it the
thaf is, and was, and shall be.
Of thi luf* and of thi grace,

ffor" now is here a mery place ; 229

Eue, my felow, how thynk the this]

EiM. A stede me thynk of* loye and blis,
That* god has gifEen) to the and me ;
Withoutten) ende blissyd be he. 233

Adam'. Eue, felow, abide me thore,
ffor" I will go to viset more.
To se wliat trees thaf here been) ;

here ai-" weti moo then) we have seen), 237

Giesys, and othere small floures,
thaf sraeH full swete, of seyr* coloures.

£ua. Gladly, sir, I wiH fuH fayne ;
When) ye haue sene theym), com) agaiie. 241

Adand. Bof luke weH, eue, my wife,
thaf thou) negli not the tree of* life ;
ffor' if" thou) do he bese iH paide ;
then be we tynf, as he has saide. 245

Eua. Go f urtfi and play the aH aboutc,
I shaH nof negfe if while thou) arf oute ;
ffor" be thou sekyr* I were fuH loth
ffoi'' any thyng thaf ho were wrotli. [Exeunt Adam & Eve.]

[Scene IV. Hell.]
Lucifer'. Who wend euer this tyme haue seyii)1
We, that in sich myrtfe haue beyu).
That we shuld suffre so niych wo %

Who wold euer trow if shuld be so 1 263

[1 Ten] orders in heuen were
of* angels, thaf had offyce sere ;
Of icfi ordei', in thare degre,

the ^ teynd] parte feH downe with me ; 257

' MS. X. » MS. X.

Towneley Plays. II. The Killing of Abel,

ffor" thay held wt't/t me that tyde,

and mantenyd me in my pn'de ;

Bof herkyns, felows, what I say —

the loy that we haue lost for ay, 261

God has maide man wi't/i his hend,

to haue that* blis wtt/joutten end,

The ' neyn ordre to fulfitt,

that" aftei-' vs loft, sicB is his wiH. 265

And now ar* thay in paradise ;

bof thens thay shaH, if wo be wise. 267

The MS. has apparently lost 12 leaves here, containing (no
doubt) the Temptation of Eve and the Expulsion of her and Adam
from Paradise.

Qod has
made man
to nil its
place.

(II.)

Mactacio abel. Secu»da pagina.

[478 lines in Ihirtccns {aaab ccccb bdbd, no. 1), twelves {aaab cccb
bdbd, no. 3), elevens {aab cccb, no 2— or aaab ccb, no. 7 — bdbd),
nines, eights (aaab bcbc, no. 6, or cccb, no. 10 ; aaa bbb cc,
no. 14), sevens (aaab ccb, no. i ; aab ab cc, no. 16), sixes. Jives
{aa bbb, no. 5), fours {ab ab, no. 13), threes and twos.]

Oarcio.

[Dramatis Pcrsonae.
Cayn. Abel.

Denis.]

Gar do. ( 1 ) Olover Pag. '

AH hayH, ali liayH, both blithe and glad,
ffor" here com I, a mery lad ;
be peasse youre dyn, my master" bad,
Or* els the dwiH you spede.
Wote ye nof I com before 1
Bot who that* langlis any more
He must" blaw my blak hoiH bor^,
both behyntJ and before,
TiH his tethe blede.
ffelows, here I you forbede
To make nother nose ne cry ;

Who so is so hardy to do that* dede
The dwiH s hang hym vp to dry.

\ MS. ix. 8 In a later hand.

• MS. d«will ; the "e " having been overlined by a later hand.

[Fol. 3, «.]

Garclo
makea a
ranting
speech.

9

13

10

His niDstor
is a goud
Teoinan :

ill to quarrel
with.

Cain calls to
his mare.

Pull on a bit,
you shrew.

You're the
worst mare
I ever had
in plough.

He calls the
Boy.

They

wrangle.

16

20

fo) 3, b.)

Towneley Plays. II. The Killing of Aid.

(2)
Gedlyngts, I am a fuHe grete wat,
A good yoman my niastei'' liaf ,
ffiiH wcH ye aH hym kcii) ;
Begyn he w/tA you for to stryfe,
ccrtis, then mon ye neue?- tliryfe ;
BoP I trow, bi god on life,
Soni of you ai' his men.
Bof lef youre lippis couev youre ten,
harlottts, euerichon !

ffor if* my mastei'' com, welcom) hym then).
ffareweH, foi' I am gone. \_Exit Garcic] 24

[Enter Cain, plougliing.]
(3)
Ga]j)i>. lo fuith, greyn-horne ! and wai' oute, giyme I
Prawes on ! god gif you iH to tynie 1
Ye stand as ye were fallen in swyme ;
Whaf ! wiH ye no forthei', marel
War I lef me se how down) wiH draw ;
Yif , shrew, yif, imU ou a thraw !
Whaf ! if semys foi'' me ye stand none aw !
I say, donnyng, go fare !
A, ha ! god gif the soro & care !
lo ! now hard she what I saide ;

now yif art thou the warst mare
In plogh that* eu«r I haide.

(4)
How ! pike-harnes, how ! com heder balife I
[Enter Garcio.]
Garc'w. I fend, godis forbot, tha* euer thou thrife I
Cayn. Whaf, boy, shal I both hold and drifel .39

heris thou not how I cry t
Garcio. Say, maH and stott, wiH ye nof go 1
Lemyng', morcH, white-horne, lo !

now wiH ye not se how thay hy 1

(5)

Cayn\ Gog gif the sorow, boy ; wanf of mete it gars.

Garcio. thare pcouand, siV, foi'' thi, I lay behynd thare ars,
And tyes them fast bi the nekw.
With many stanys in thare hekw.

CaynK ITiaf sliaH hi tbi fals chekw. 48

28

32

36

43

Toumeley Plays. II. The Killing of Ahel.

11

(6)

Garcio. And haue agane as right.

Cayn. I am tlii master, wilt thou fight]

Garcio. Yai, with the same mesure and weght
That* I b ro wiH I qwite.

Cayn. We ! uow, no thyng*, bof caH on tyte,
that we had ployde this laud.

Garcio. harrer', moreH, iofurtR, hyte !
and let the plogh stand.

[Enter Abel.]

(7)
AheA. God, as he botfi may and can,
Spede the, brothei^, & thi man.

Cayn. Com kis myne ais, me list not ban,
As welcora standi* ther" cute.
Thou sliuld haue bide til thou were cald ;
Com nai'', & other" drife or" hald,

and kys the dwillis toute.
Go grese thi shepe vnder' the toute,
ffor that* is the moste lefe.

j4/>eH. broder", thei'' is none here aboute
that" wold the any grefe ;

(8)
bof, leif" brother", here my sawe —

It" is the custom of" cure law,

AH that* wyrk as the wise

shaH worship god vnth sacrihce.

Oure fader" vs bad, oure fade?- vs kend,

thaf oure tend shuld be brend.

Com fui-th, brothere, and let vs gang

To worship god ; we dwell f uH lang* ;

Gif* we hym parte of oure fee,

Come oi' cataH, wheder if be.

(9)
And therfoi'", brother*, let vs weynd,
And first* clens vs from the feynd

oi' we make sacrifice ;
Then blis wjt^outten end

get we for" oure sevuyce,

49 Cain ofTera
to fight him.

The Boy is
f;.-y quite ready.

b^

57

Abel bids
them Qod
speed.

60 Cftin tells
him he isn't
wanted.

63

67

71

75

77

Abel exhorts
him to come
& III nice
burnt-offer-
ings of his
tenths of
com &
cattle.

82

12

Towneley Plays. II. The Killing of Abel.

Csin will
none of hia
BermoniDg.

(10)
Of liyra that* is oure saulis leche. 83

Cayv). How ! lef furtfi youre geyse, the fox wiH precBe ;
How long wilt thou me appecli

Wit/i thi sermonyiig" ] 86

Hold thi tong", yit I say,
Euan ther" the good wife slrokid the hay ;
Or" sit downe in the dwiH way,

Wi't/t thi vayn carpyng'. 90

(11)
He won't Shuld I leife my plogfe & all thyng
plough! his And go vilih the to make offeryng 1
oX'&v^^ ^^y ■ ^^^^^ ^y^^^y^ ^^® ^^^ ^o mad !
A woe*!^''" Go to the dwiB, and say I bad !

[Fol. 4, a.]

Abel says
their elders
have told
litem they
must tithe &.
make burnt-
oflering.

Cain replies
he is worse
off each year.

What* gifys god the to rose hym sol
me gifys he noghf hot* soro and wo.

(12)
Abe]i. Caym, leife this vayn carpyiig,

ffor" god gifBys the alt thi lifyng.

CuijnK Yif boroed I neuec a farthyng

of' hym, here my hand.

Abe^. Brother', as elders hauo vs kend,

ffirst shuld? we tend w/t/t oure henfJ,

and to his lofyng* sitheu be biend.

(13)

Cayn\ My farthyng is in the preest hand
syn last tyme I offyrd.

Abe%. leif brothei-", let vs be walkand ;
I wold oura tend were profyrd.

(14)

CaijriK "We ! wherof" shuld I tend, leif* brothere 1
ffor" I am icli yere wars then othere,
here my trouth if is none othere ;

My wyunyngi'g ar" bot meyn),

No wonde?- if* that" I be leyn ;

fluH long tin hym I may me meyri),
ffor" bi hym that me dere boght,
I traw that* he wiH leyn me noght.

94
96

99
103

107

110

113

116

119 God has

always been
liis foe.

His own
- „^ corn ia the
iZo worst of

anybody's.

Towneley Plays. II. The Killing of Abel. 13

(15)
Ahe%. Yis, aH the good thou has in wone

Of' godw grace is bot a lone.

Cayn\ Lenys he me, as com thrift" apon the so 1

ffoi' he has euer yif beyn my fo ;

ffor* had he my freynd! beyn,

Otliei' gatts if had beyn seyn).

When aH mens corn was fayre in feld

Then was myne not* worth a neld ' ;

When I sliuld saw, & wantyd seyde,

And of corn had fuH grete ueyde,

Then gaf" he me none of* his,

No more will I gif hym of" this. 127

hardely hold me to blame

bofr if" I serue hyni of the same.
AheVi. Leif brothei', say nof so,

bot let vs furth togeder go ; 131

Good brother, let vs weynd sone,
no longer' here I rede we hone.

Caynl Yei, yei, thou langyls waste ;
the dwiH me spede if" I haue hast,
As long as I may lif*,
to dele my good oi-' gif
Ather to god oi-' yif to man),

of any good tliaf euer I wan) ; 139

ffoi'' had I giffen away my goode,
then myght I go wiilt a ryfTciu Iiood,
And it is bettei'' hold that" I haue
then go from doore to doore & craue. 143

AbeQ.. Brother", com furth, in godw name,
I am fuH ferdi that we get blame ;
Hy we fasf thaf we were thore.

CaynK We ! ryn on), in tl)e dwiHs nayme Before ! 147
Weniay, man, I hold the mad !
wenys thou now thaf I list gad
To gif away my warldts aghf ]

the dwiH hym spede that me so taght ! 151

whaf nede had I my traueH to lose,
to were my shoyn & ryfe my hose?
' MS. an eld.

135 Hs ia in uo
Uaatetogive.

If he had
given away
his good he
might go
with a torn
hood.

Better keep,
than beg.

[Fol. 4, b.J
He thinks
Abel inad.

14

Abel doesn't
want to go
without lii in.

I see I niuHt
come then.
Go on be-
fore.

Let us go
together,
KAjs Abel.

You tithe
fli-at, says
Cain.

Abel burns
his tithes.

Cain begins
tithing.

Tovmeley Plays. II. The Killing of Abel.

Ahe^. Dure brotliei'', hit were grete wonder
that I & thou shuld go in sondei'',
Then wold oure fa \er haue grete ferly ;
Ai' we not brether", thou & 1 1

Cayn\ No, boP cry ou, cry, whyls the thynk good ;
Here my trowtti, I hold the woode ;
Wheder that* he be blithe or" wroth
to dele my good is me fuH lothe.
I haue gone off on softer" wise
thei' I trowed som prow wold rise.
Bof weH I se go must* I nede ;
now weynd before, iH myghf thou spede !
syn tliat" wc shaH algatw go.

Abe^. Icif* brothel', whi sais thou so 1
Bof go we furth both togeder ;
blissitl! be god we haue fare wedec.

Uayn>. lay dowiie thi trusseH apon this liiH.

Ahe&. flForsoth broder, so I wiH :
Gog of" heuen, take if to good!.

CaiiriK Thou shall tend first if thou were wood.

AheQ.. God thaf shopa both erth and heuen),
I pray to tlie tliou here my steveii).
And take in thank, if thi wiH be,
the tend that I offre here to the ;
flbi-" I gif if in good entenf
to the, my lord, that aH has sent.
I bren it now, with stedfast thoght,
In worship of* hym thaf aH has wroght.

GarjnK Ryse ! lef me now, syn thou has done ;
lord of heuen, thou here my boyne !
And oner, godj's forbof, be to the
thank oi' thew to kun me ;
ffoi'', as browke I thise two shankys,
It is fuH sore, myne vnthankys,
The teynd thaf I here gif to the,
of corn, oi' thyng, thaf newys me ;
Bot now begyn wiH I then,
syn I musf node my tend to bren).
Gone shefe, oone, and this makys two,
bof nawdec of thise may I forgo :

155

159

163

167

171

175

179

183

187

191

Tovmeley Plays. II. Tlic Killing of Abel.

Two, two, now this is tlire,

yei, this also shaH leif with me : 195

ffoi' I witt chose and bcsf haue,
tliis hold I thiiff of" aH this thrafe ;
Wenio, wenio, foure, lo, here !

better gro vet? me no this y ere. 199

Af yere tyme I sew fayre corn,
yit was it sich when if was shome,
Thystyls & brerys, yei gretc pleiitc,

And aH kyn wedts that myght be. 203

fEoure sheftV, foure, lo, this rnakt*' fyfe —
deyH I fasf thus long or" I thrife —
ffyfe and sex, now this is sevyn,

bof this gettts neuer god of heuen ; 207

Noi' none of" tliise fouro, af my myght,
shaH neufc com in godw sighf.
Sevyn, sevyn, now this is aghf,
Ahe^. Cain, brothei^, thou arf nof god betaghf. 211
Ciiijn. We ! thcrfoi' is if thaf I say,
ffur I wiH nof deyle my good away :
Bof had I gyfEen) hym this to teynd
Then Wold thou say he were my Freynd ; 215

Bof I thynk nof, bi my hode.
To departe so lightly fro my goods.
we ! aghf, aghf, & neyn, & ten is tliis,
we ! this may we best niys. 219

Gif hym thaf thaf ligw thore 1

If goyse agans myii hnrf fuH sore. 221

(16)
Abe^. Cam ! teynd righf of aH bedeyn.
Cayn. we ! lo twelve, fyfteyn, sexteyu '

Ah^. Caym, thou tendw wrang*, and of* the warsf.
Cayn). we ! com nai', and hide myne eeii) ;

In the wenyand wisf ye now at last, 226

Oi' els wiH thou that I wynk 1
then shaH I doy no wrong, me thynk. 228

(17)
lef me se now how if is —
lo, yif I hold me paido ;
I tcyndyd wonder weH bi ges,
And 80 euen I laide. 232

' MS. xij, XV, xvl

15

He choose*
& keeps the
best for
hitnsclf,
grumbling
all tlie time.

Cain keeps

on counting,
[The rei>eti-
tioii.of the
numbers
limy mean
t)iat he
counts 20
sheaves as
10, so as to
pay A 20th
instead of a
lOth.l

[Fol. 5. a.
Big. C. I.)

We may best
do without
this one.

Abel tells
hint he is
tithing
wrongly &
of the worst

16

Tovmeley Plays. II. The Killing of Abel.

Devil speed
me if he get
a Bhenf more.

I had many
a weary back
in getting
this.

Never you
mind how
I'm tithing.

Here are two
sheaves, and
that must
do.

Cease your
jangliug.

(18)

AbcYi. Came, of* god iiie tliynke thou has no drede.

Came. Now and he get more, the dwiH mc spede !
As niych as oone reepe,

ffoi' that cam hym fuH light chcpe ; 236

Not as mekiH, grete ne smaH,
as he myght wipe his ars wjt/i aH.
ffoi' that", and this that lyys here,

haue cost me fiiH dere ; 240

Oi' it was shorne, and broght in stale,
had I many a wery bak ;
Therfoi'' aske me no more of* this,
fEoi' I haue giffeu thati my wiH is. 244

Abe]i. Cam, I rede thou tend right"
ffoi' drede of* hym that* sitt!*' on highf.

Ca!jn\ How thaf I tend, rek the neuer 'a deiH,
bof tend thi skabbid shepe wele ; 248

ffoi' if thou to my teynd tent" take,
If bese the wars for" thi sake.
Thou wold I gaf" hym this shefe, oi* this sheyfe;
na, nawdec of* thise [two ^] wil I leife ; 262

Bot take this, now has he two,
and for* my sauH now mot" if go,
Bof it gos sore agans my wiH,
and shal lie like fuH iH. 256

AbeK Cam, I reyde thou so teynd
tliaf god of heuen be tlii freyud.

Cai/nK My freyud t na, nof bof if he wiH 1
I did hym neue?- yif bof skitt. . 260

If he be neue?' so my fo,
I am avisid' gif liym no mo ;
Bof chaunge thi conscience, as I do myiO,
yif teynd thou nof thi mesel swynef 264

AheR If thou teynd right thou mon) it fynde.

Cai/H. Yei, kys the dwiUs ars behynde j
The dwiH hang the bi the nek !

how that I teynd, neuer thou rek. 268

AViH thou nof yit hold thi pcasse ?
of this langlyng I reyde thou seasse.
And teynd I weH, oi'' tend I iH,

bare the euen & speke bof skiH. 272

» MS. ij.

Tovmeley Plays. II. The Killing of Abel.

17

[Fol. «, a.
Big. C. 2.] 1

276

280

284

288

Bot now syn thou has teyndid thyiie,

Now win I set lyi' on myne.

We ! ouf ! haro ! lielp to blaw I

It* wiH not" bren foi'' me, I traw ;

Puf" ! this smoke dos me mycfi shame —

now bren, in the dwiHys name I

A ! what* dwiH of heJt is it ?

Almost had myne bretB beyn dif.

had I blawen) oone blast more

I had beyn choked right" thore ;

If stank like the dwiH in belt,

that longer ther" myght I not dwell.

AheVl. Cam, this is not" worth oone leke ;
thy tend shuld bren w/t/toutten) snieke.

Caym\ Com kys the dwiH right" in the ars,
for" the it" brens bot" the wars ;
I wold that" it were in thi throte,
ffyr", & shefe, and ich a sprote. [God appears above.]

Deus. Cam, whi art* thou so rebeH
Agans thi brother" abeH 1 292

Thar" thou nowther" flyte ne chyde,
if" thou tend right" thou gettw thi mede ;
And be thou sekii-', if" thou teynd fals,
thou beae alowed thei* after als. [Exit Deus.] 296

(1-J)
Caym}. Whi, who is that* hob-ouer-the-waH 1
we ! who was that" that* piped so smaH f
Com go we hens, foi' pwels all ;

God is out" of" hys wit".
Com furth, abeH, & let* vs weynd ;
Me thynk that" god is not* my freynd,
on land then wiH I flyt.

300

303

(20)
AheVt. A, Caym, brothei-*, that* is iH: done,
Cayri), No, bof go we hens sone ;

' The writer of MS. 'has by mistake continued his lines ou Fol.
6 a, instead of fol. 5 b, and has made a note in red ink on top
of fol. 5 b. as follows ;— " [M]d' that* this sydc of the leyfe [shjuli
folow the other next* syde [ac]cordyng to the tokyns here maide,
[au]d? then aft^r al stondys in ordre."

T. PLAYS.

He sets fire
to his otfer-
ing.

Ciiin's offer-
ing won't
burn, but
almost
chokes him
with smoke.

Abel says it
is no good.

Cain reviles
him.

God reproves
Caio. As be
tithes so
shall he
receive.

Cain scoflts
at Gud.
"Who is that
hob-over-
the-wall?"

Abel is
shocked.

18

He says he
will go to his
beasts.

Cain slops
him aud
Bays it ia
time to pay
Abel what
be owesliini.

Why did

your tithe
bum ft not
mine?

I will take
your life fot
it Avith this
oheek bone.

Abel cries
for venge-
ance.

If any one
thinks he
did amiss,
Cain will
make things
worse.

[Fol. 5, b.]
But now
that Abel is
brought to
sleep he
would fain
creep into a
hole for 40
days.

307

311

315

Towneley Plays. II. The Killing of Abel.

And if* I may, I shaH bo
thei' as god sliaH nof me see.

AheYi. Dere brothei'', I wiH fayre
on feld thei'' cure best(s ar',
To looke if thay be holgb oi'' fuH.

Caym\ Na, na, abide, we haue a craw to puH ;
Hark, speke wi't/j me oi' thou go ;
wliat ! wenys thou to skape so 1
we ! na ! I aghf the a fowH dispyte,
and now is tyme that I hit qwite.

Ahel. Brother", whi arf thou so to me in Ire 1

Caym\ we ! theyf, whi brend thi tend so shyre 1
Thei' myne did bof smoked
righf as it wold vs botfi haue choked. 319

Abel. Godis wiH I trow if were
that* myn brened so clere ;
1 If* thyne smoked am I to wite 1

Cayni\ we ! yei ! tliat shal thou sore abite ; 323

with cheke bon, oi-" that I blyn,

shal I the & thi life twyn ; [Cain kills Abel]

So lig down thei'' and take thi rest,
thus shaH shrowes be chastysed best. 327

(21)
Abe^. Veniance, veniance, lord, I cry 1
foi'' I am slayn, & nof gilty.

Cayn\ Yei, ly thei' old shrew, ly thei*, ly I 330

(22)
And if any of you thynk I did amya
I shal if amend wars then if is,

thaf aH men may if se :
weH wars then if is

righf so shaH if be.

(23)
Bof now, syn ho is Broght on Slepe,
Into Som) hole fayn wold I crepe ;
fTor fcrd I qwako and can no rede,
ffor be I taken, I be hot dede ;

333

336

been

1 Originally written "I am not to wite" ; "/" and ")
en struck out with red ink, and "/" placed after "am.

339

nol" liava

Towneley Flays II. The Killing of Ahcl.

here wiH I lig thise fourty dayes,
Aud I shrew liym that nie fyrst rayse.

Deus. Caym, Caym ! [God appears above.]

Cuym. who is that* that* callis mo 1

I am yonder, may thou nof se 1 343

Deus. Caym, wliere is tlii brothei'' abeHI
Caym. what asku- thou me ] I trow at heH :

At heH I trow he be —

who so were thei'' then myght lie se — 347

Oi' somwhere fallen on slepyng ;

when was he in my kepyng*'?

Deui. Caym, Caym, tliou was wode;

The voyce of* tlii brothers Mode 351

Thaf thou has sLiyn, on fals wise,

from erth to heucn venyance cryse.

And, foi-' thou has broght thi brothei'' downe,

here I gif* the my malison. 355

CaymK Yei, dele aboute the, foi-" I witt none,

oi'' take it the when I am gone.

Syn I haue done so mekiH syn,

thaf I may not* thi me?'cy wyn, 359

And thou thus dos me from thi grace,

I shaH hyde me fro thi face ;

And where so any man may fynd me,

Let hym slo me hardely ; 363

And where so any man may me meyte,

Aythei' bi sty, or' yif bi strete ;

And hardely, when I am dede,

bery me in gudeboure at the quareH hede, 367

ffor", may I pas this place in quarte,

bi aH men set I not a fart.

Deus. Nay, caym, it* bese not so ;

I wiH thaf no man othei'' slo.i 371

ffoi'' he that sloys yong oi' old

It shaH be punyshid sevenfoldl. [Exit Deus.]

Caym\ No force, I woto wheder I shaH ;

In heH I wote mon be my staH.

If is no boyte mercy to craue,

ffoi' if I do I mon none haue ;

' Opposite this line a later hand
"& that shaft do thy boddy der."

375

377

has added id the margin,

19

God calls to
Cain.

Where is thy
brother ?

Cain

answers he
may be in
hell or
asleep.

God curses
him.

Cain wiys
since he has
lost God's
grace lie will
hide himself.

If any man
tind him, let
him slay
him : and
bury him
"in gude-
boure at the
quarell
head."

God will not
let him be
slain.

Cain knows
that hell will
be his place.

20

Tovmeley Plays. II. The Killing of Abel.

He wants to
hide tlie
body.

If Pikc-
hamt- s were
there tltey
would bury
it togctliei.

Cain callH
Pyie-
hames and
Irita bini

to keep his
hand in.

[Fol. 6, b.]
He tells him
he has slain
Abel.

The boy
cries out
upon him.

We shall
come off 111
if the bailies
catch us.

Cain pro-
ntises to cry
his peace.

Bot" this cors I wold were hid, 378

ffor som man niygfif com at vngayn,
' ffle fals shrew,' wold lie bid.

And weyn I had my brother" slayn. 381

Bof were pike-harnes, my knafe, here,
we shuld bery hym) both in fere.
How, pyke-harnes, scapo-thryft ! how, pike-harnes, how !

Oarcio. Mastei'', niastei'' ! 386

Gayn\ harstow, boy 1 thei' is a podyng* in the pot ;
take the that, boy, tak tli& thai !

Garcio. I shrew thi ball vnde?' thi hode,
If thou were my syre of flesh & blode ; 389

AH the day to ryn and trotf,

And euer amang thou strykeand,
Thus am I comen bofettd's to fott.

Cayn). Peas, man, I did it hot to vse my hand ; 393

(24)
Bot Harke, boy, I haue a counseH to the to Say —
I slogh my brothei'' this same day ;
I pray tlie, good boy, and thou may,
to ryn away wt't/i the bayn. 397

Gardo. We ! out apon the, thefo !
has thou thi brothei'' slayn ?

Caym. Peasse, man, foi'' godi's payn ! 400

(25)
I saide if foi'' a skaunce.

Garcio. Yey, bot* foi'' ferde of grevance
here I the forsake ;

we mon haue a mekiH myschaunce
and the bayles vs take. 405

(26)

Caym\ A, sir, I cry you mercj ; seasse 1
and I shaH make you a releasse.

Garcio. whaf, wilf thou cry my peasse 408

(27)
thrughouf this land 1

Cayti\ Yey, that" I gif god a vow, belife.

Garcio. how wiH thou do long oi'' thou thrife 1

Caym\ Stand vp, my good boy, belife,
and thaym peasse both man & [w]ife ; 412

Toumeley Plays. II. Tlie Killing of Abel.

ai

(28)
And who so wiH do after' me
ffuH slape of thriff then shal he be.
Bof thou must be my good boy,
and cry oyes, oyes, oy !

Garcio. Browes, browes, to thi boy. 417

(29)
Cai/m\ I cowmauiKi you in the kyngi* nayme,
Garcio. And in my masteres, fals Cay me,
Caym). That* no man af thamo fynd fawt ne blame.
Garcio. Yey, cold rost is at my masteres hame. 421

(30)
Caym\ Nowtliei' viith hym noi'' w/tA his knafe,
Garcio. What", I hope ray master rafe.
CaijniK ffor" thay ai-' trew, fuH: many fold! ;
Garcio. My master suppys no coyle lx)t cold. 425

CaymK The kyng wrytw you vntiH.
Garcio. Yit* ete I neuer lialf my fiH. 427

(31)
Caym\ The kyng wiH that thay be safe,
Garcio. Yey, a draghf of drynke fayne wold I hayfe.
Caym). Af thare awne wiH let tham) wafe ;
Garcio. My stomak is redy to receyfe. 431

(32)
CaymK Loke no man say to theym, on noi' othei' ;
Garcio. This same is he that slo his brothei-'. 433

CaymK Byd euery man thaym luf< and lowf,
Garcio. Yey, iH spon) weff ay conies foule out.
Cayyn'.^ long oi' thou get* thi hoyse and thou go thus
aboute. 43g

(33)
Byd euery man theym pleasse to pay.

Garcio. Yey, gif* don), thyne hors, a wisp of hay.
CaymK we ! com downe in twenty dwiH way,

The dwitt I /Ae betake ; 440

ffoi-* bof it* were abett, my brothere,

yit knew I neue?- thi make. 442

* This line should probably be Garcio'a.

Ue bidB him
cry Oya.

Cain makes
proclama-
tion of
pardon for
himself Si
his boy.
The boy
mocks him
In andible
'asides.'

Cain cuTBes
the boy.
He has never
known his
equal since
Abel.

(Pol. 7, a.

Sig. C, 3.1

22

Towneley Plays. II. The Killing of AheL

The boy
wishes Die
spectators
the blessine
Qot\ gftve
Cain.

Cftin makes
the boy go
to the
plough.

If he angers
Lim he will
hang him
on it.

Ilis own

place must
DO in hell.

(34)
Garcio. Now old and yong', oi^ that* ye weynd, 443
The same blissyng withoutten entJ,

AH sam then shaH ye haue, 445

That" god of heuen my master has giffen) ;
Browke if weH, whils that ye liffen),

he vowche if futt weH safe. 448

(35)
Caym}. Com downe yif in the dwittw way,

And augre me no more ;
And take yond plogh, I say,

And weynd the furtb fasf before ; 462

And I shaH, if^ I may,

Tech the another" lore ;
I warn the lad, foi'' ay,
ffro now furth, euermore,

Thaf thou greue me noght ; 467

^o\\ Li God/s sydis, if thou do,
I shaH hang the apon this plo,
with this rope, lo, lad, lo !

By hym thaf jne dere bogtt. 461

(36)
Now fay re weH, felows aH,

ffor I must nedis weynd,
And to the dwiH be thraH,

warldf wi't/ioutten endi. 466

Ordand thei'' is my staH,

with sathanas the feynd,
Euer iH rayghf hym befaH

that theder me co?nmen(J,

This tyde. 470

ffare weH les, & fare weH more,
ffor" now and euer more,

T wiH go me to hyde. 473

Explicit Madacio Abe^.
Seguitur' Noe.

Towneley Plays. III. Noah and the Ark. 23

(III.)
Processus Noe cu?« filiis. Wakefeld.

[Ill 62 nine-hne stanzas, aaaab ccb, wilh central rymcs in aaaa
markt here by hars.'\

(Fol. 7, b.)

Noe.
Veils.
VxOT Noe.

[Dramatis Personac.
Primus filixts.
SccuTidus filiiis.
Ti rcius filivs.

Prima Mulier.
Sccunda Mulier.
Tercia Mulier.]

Noe. (1)

M

yglitfuH god veray / Maker of* aH that is, Nonh p.aises

Tlu'e persons withouttcn nay / oone god in work of

creation.

endles blis,
Tiiou maide botfi nyght & day / Leesf , fowie,
& fysh,
AH creatures that lif* may / wroght thou at thi wish,

As thou wel myght ; 6

The son, the moyne, veramenf,
Thou maide ; the firmamenf,
The sternes also fuH feruent,

To shyue thou maide ful bright. 9

(2)
Angels thou maide ful euen / aH orders that is, He recalls

To haue the bUs in heuen / this did thou more & les, of the'angeia

ffutt mervelus to neuen / yif was thai'' vnkyndnes,
More bi foldw seuen / then I can weH expres ;

ffoi'whil 14

Of aH angels in brightnes
God gaf" lucifei' most lightnes,
Yit prowdly he flyt his des,

And sef hym euen) hym) by. 18

(3)
He thoghf hymself* as worthi / as hym that hym made, ""d the fail
In brightnes, in bewty / therfoi' he hym degrade;
put hym in a low degre / soyn) after, in a brade,
hym) and aH his menye / whei* he may be vnglacj

ffor euer. 23

shaH thay neuer wyn away
hence vnto domysday,
Bot burne in bayle foi-" ay,

shaH thay neuer dysseuer. 27

of Lucifer.

24

Tovmeley Plays. IIL Noah arid the Arh

Noah recalls
the creation
of Adam ii
Eve

and their
FaU.

[Fo). 8, a.
Big. C, 4.]

All living
people now
sin boldly.

So that he
dreads God's
vengeance.

(4)
Soyne after that gracyous lord / to his liknes maide

man), 28

That place to be restord / euen as he began),
Of* the trinite bi accorcJ / Adara & eue that woman).
To multiplie without discord! / In paradise puf he thaym),

And sithen to botfi 32

Gaf* in commaundemenf,
On the tre of life to lay no hend ;
Bof yif the fals feyndi

Made hym with man wrotfi, 36

(5)

Entysyd man to glotony / styrd him to syn in pride ;
Bet in paradise securly / myght no syn abide,
And therfoi' man fuH hastely / was put out, in that tyde,
In wo & wandreth for* to be / In paynes fuH vnrieJ

To knawe,! 41

fifyrsf in ertfi, in sythen in heH
with feyndis for" to dweH,
Bof ho his mercy meH

Tq those that" wiH hym trawe. 45

(6)

Oyle of" mercy he Hus higfit / As I haue Hard ret?,
To euery lifyng wighf / that wold luf* hjTn and dred! ;
Bot* now before his sighf / euery liifyng leyde,
Most party day and nyght / syn in word and dede

ffuH boldi ; 50

Som in pride, Ire, and enuy,
Som in Couet[yse] ^ & glotyny,
Som in sloth and lechery.

And other" wise many folcf. 54

(7)
Therfoi" I drede lest god / on vs will take veniance,
ffor' syn is now alod / without any repentance ;
Sex hundreth yeris & od / haue I, without distance,
In erth, as any sodf / lifFyd witfi grete gi'evanco

AH way ; 59

' MS. koowe. ' MS. Couetous.

Towneley Plays. III. Noah and the Ark.

25

And now I wax old,
seke, sory, and colci,
As muk apon mold
I widder away ;

Noah him-
self ia old.

63

(8)

Bof yif wiH I cry / foi'' mercy and cati ;
Noe thi seruant*, am I / lord ouer ali I
Therfoi' me and ray fry / slial with me faH ;
saue from velany / and bryng to thi haH

In heuen) ; 68

And kepe me from syn,
This warW within ;
Comly kyng* of" mankyn,

I pray the here my stevyn) ! [^God appears ahove.^

(9)
Deus. Syn I haue maide aH thyng / that is liffand,
Duke, emperour", and kyng / wttA myne awne hand,
ffor to haue thare likyng / bi see & bi sand,
Euery man to my bydyng / shuld be bowand

ffuH feruent< ; 77

That* maide man sich a creatoure,
£faresf of favoure,
Man must luf me paramoure,

by reson, and repent. 81

(10)
Me thoght I shewed man luf / when I made hym to be
AH angels abuf / like to the trynyte ;
And now in grete reprufe / fuli low ligi'a he,
In erth hymself to stuf* / wt't/i syn that displeasse me

Mosf of aH ; 86

Veniauce wiH I take,
In ertfi for syn sake.
My grame thus wiH I wake,

both of grete and smaH. 90

(11)
I repente fuli sore / that euer maide I man),
Bi me be settw no store / and I am his soferan ;
I wiH distroy therfor' / Botfi beest, man, and, woman,
Ati shatt perish les and more / that bargan may thay
ban,

He calls to
God for
mercy.

God solilo-
quizes. He
has made al)
men Si they
should love
Him ti
repent.

But they lie
sunk in sin,
for which He
will take
vengeance.

He repents
He ever
made man.

(Fol. 8, b.]

26

Tffwneley Plays. III. Noah and the Ark.

Tbe enrtli is
hUI of sin.

Ood will
destroy it
with floods,

& make end
of every
thing living,
save Noah
A his wife.

He wiU
warn Noah
quickly.

God bids
Nofth build
R ship

That iH has done. 95

lu erth I se righf noghf
Bot* syn that is vusoght ;
Of* those that weH lias wroght

ffyncJ I bot 1 a fone. 99

(12)
Tlierfoi' shaH I foiJo / AH this mediH-erd
with floodis that shaH Ho / & ryn wi't/t hidoua rerdi ;
I haiie good cause therto / ffoi' me no man is feril,
As I say shal I do / of* veniance draw my swerd^,

And make end! 104

of* all that beris life,
Sayf' noe and his wife,
ffoi' thay wold neiier stryfe

WitA me [ne] me offenil'. (M8. thm] 108

(13)
hyni to niekiH wyn / hastly wiH I go,
To noe my seruaud, oi'' I blyn / to warn hym of his wo.
In erth I se bof syn / reynand to and fro,
Emaiig* both more & niyn / ichon other fo ;

Wit/i aH thare entent ; 113

AH shaH I fordo
yiiih flood/s that shall floo,
wirk sliutt I thayni wo,

That wiH not repent. [God descends 4" comes to Noah.']
(U)
Noe, my freend, I thee co)??maund / from cares the to

900 cubits
long,
30 high,
iO broad.

keyle.

118

A .ship that thou ordand / of nayle and bordf ful wele.
Thou was alway well: wirkand / to me trew as stele,
To my bydyng obediand / frendsfiip shal thou fele

To mede ; 122

of lennthe thi ship be
Thre hundreth cubetti's, warn I the,
Of lieght euen thrirte,

of fyfty als in biede. 126

(15)
Anoynf tlii ship w/t/i pik and tar" / wit/iout* & als witAin,
The water out to spar' / this is a noble gyn ;
' MS. bot.

Towneley Plays. III. Noah and the Ark.

27

look no man the uiar" / thre chese ' cliambres begyn,
Thou must spend many a spar" / this wark oi'' thou wyn

To end fully. 131

Make in thi ship also,
parloures oone or" two,
And houses of offyce mo,

ffoi' beestjs that ther must be. 135

(16)
Oone cubite on hight / A wyndo shal thou make ;
on the syde a doore with slyghf / be-ney th shal thou take ;
With the shal no man fyghf / noi-' do the no kyn wrake.
When aU is doyne thus right / thi wife, that* is thi make,

Take in to the ; 140

Tfii sonnes of good fame,
Sem, laphef, and Came,
Take in also hame,

Thare wift's also thre. 144

(17)
ffor' aH shal be fordone / that lif in land bof ye,
with floodts that from abone / shal faH, & that* plente ;
It shaH begyn fuH sone / to rayn vncessantle,
After dayes seuen be done / and iuduyi'' dayes fourty,

witAoutten fayH. 149

Take to thi ship also
of ich kynd beestw two,
MayH & femayli, bot no mo,

Oi-' thou puH vp thi sayH. 153

(18)
ffor' thay may tlie avayH / when al this thyng is wroght* ;
Stuf thi ship yfith vitaytt, / fFoi* hungre that ye perish

noght* ;
Of* beesti's, fouti, and catayH / ffor* thaym haue thou in

thoght,
ffor thaym is my counsayH / that som socoui' be soght,

In hast; 168

Thay must haue corn and hay,
And odei* mete alway ;
Do now as I tlie say,

In the name of* the holy gast. 162

1 MS. " chefe." Compare Unc 281.

How tlie ark
is to bo
fitted.

iFoi. 9. a. J
Noah ig ti)
take his
wife, his
three sons Si
their wives,

to escape the
rain that
shall last
40 days.

He is to titkt)
in the ark
two beasts
of every
kind.

and to

victual tt
well.

28

Toxvnehy Flays. III. Noah and the Arh,

Ifoah aakB
who it ia
irho Bppaks.

God declares
Himself.

(19)
Noe. A ! benedicite ! / what art? thou that thus 1 63
Tellys afore thaf shaH be ? / thou art fuH me7'velus !
TeH me, foi-" charite / thi name so gracius.

Deus. My name is of dignyte / and also fuH glorius
To knawe.i 167

I am god most myghty,
Oone god in trynyty,
Made the and icli man to be ;

To luf me weH thou awe. 171

Noah thanks
Him for
Appearing to
a simple
knave lilte
himself, ^
tegs His
blessing.

God blesses
him.

(20)
Noe. I thank the, lord, so dere / that wold? vowcfi sayf"
Thus low to appere / to a symple knafe ;
Blis vs, lord, here / for charite I hit crafe,
The better may we stere / the ship that* we shaH hafe,

Certayn). 176

Derm. Noe, to the and to thi fry
My blyssyng graunt I ;
Ye shaH wax and multiply,

And fiH the erth agane, 180

(21)
When aH thise flood/* ar" past* / and fully gone away.

Noe. lord, homward will I hasf / as fast as that I may j
My [wife] win I frasf / what she wiH say, [Exit Deus.J
And I am agast* / that we get som fray

Betwixt vs both ; 185

ffor" slie is fuH tethee,
ffor" litiH off angre,
If any thyng* wrang be,

Soyne is she wroth. Tunc petget ad vxoremf. 189

(22)
IFoi. 9, b.) God spede, dere wife / how fayre ye?

Vxor^. Now, as euer myght I thryfe / the wars
She wann to I thee See ;

^hlstTen Do teH me belife / where has thou thus long be 1
To dede may we dryfe / or' lif" for" the,
fi'or' wanf.

Noah says
he will go
tell his wife.

doing.

194

> MS. kuowe.

Tmoneky Plays. III. Noah and the Ark. 29

When we swete or" swynk, We sweat

thou dos what thou thynk, ^^^.' 5^°"

Yit of mete and of drynk

haue we veray skaiit. 198

(23)
Noe. Wife, we ai'' harct sted / with tythyngw new. Noah has

Vxoi\ Bofthou were worthi be cled / In stafPord blew; Hiswifewys
ffoi'' thou art alway adred / be it fals or" trew ; "d'adljf **

]{ot god knowes I am led / and that* may I rew, bkw°"''for

ffuH iH : 203 ^«•'/l»»J■•

ffor I dai' be thi borow,
ffrom euen vnto morow,
Thou spekw euer of sorow ;

God send the onys thi fiH ! 207

(24)
We women may wary / aH iH husbandw ; Women may

I haue oone, bi mary ! / that lowsyd me of my bandis ; hSXnds',
If he teyn I must tary / how so euer it standw, koows'^how

With seymland fuB sory, / wyngand both my hand/* ^e™"^ ""'

ffor" drede. 212

Bof yit other while,
What with gam & wtt/i gyle,
I shaH smyte and smyle,

And qwite hym his mede. 216

(25)
Noe. We ! holrf thi tong, ram-skyt / or I shah the stili.
Vx(n-\ By my thryft, if thou smyte / I shal turne the

vntiH.
Noe. We shaU assay as tyte / haue at the, giH ! Noah bids

Apon the bone shal it byte. / tZ^l^ ^"

Vxor\ A, so, mary ! thou smytw iH ! um^'^n^

Bof I suppose 221 ='"''"*'"■

I shal nof in thi def , she hiu

fflyf of this flett ! '"'"'•

Take the ther" a langett

To tye vp thi hose ! 226

(26)
Noe. A ! wiit thou so 1 / mary, that" is mvne. * promiBes

T' 1 'ru 1 1 ii <• . r *•"*« blows

vxor'. ihou shal thre for* two / I awere bi godiV pyne. for two.

30

Noah pro-
mises to pay
her back.

There is no
wife like her
on earth.

She says she
will go spin.

Noah bids
her prny for
hill).

[Fol. 10, a.l
Noah begins
work on the
ark,

first invok-
ing the
Trinity.

He gels the
firk of the
right
dimensions.

239

243

Townehy Plays. III. Noah and the Ark.

Noe. And I shaH qwyte the tho / In fayth oi'' syne. 228
Vxor\ Ouf upon the, ho ! /

iVoe. Thou can both byte and whyne,

vrith a rerc? ; 230

ftor aH if she stryke,
yif fast* wiH she skryke,
In fayth I hold! none slyke

In aH mediH-erfJ ; 234

(27)
Bof I wiH kepe charyte / ffoi' I haiie at do.

Vxor'. Here shal no man tary the / I pray the go to !
ffuH weH may we mys the / as oner haue I ro ;
To spyn wiH I dres me. /

N'oe. We ! fare weH, lo ;

Bot wife,
Pray for me besele,
To eft I com vnto the.

Vxor. Euen as thou prays foi' me,
As eiier myghf I thrife. [Exit Vxor".]

(28)
Noe. I tary fuH Lang / Fro my ^ya^ke, I traw ;
Now my gere wiH I fang / and thederward draw ;
I may fuH iH gang / the soth for to knaw,
Bot if god help amang / I may sif downe daw

To ken) ;
Now assay wiH I
how I can of wrightry,
In nomine pa^ris, & filii,

Et apiritus aancti. Ameh.

(29)
To begyn of this tree / my bonys wiH I bend,
I traw from the trynyte / socoure wiH be sendi ;
It fayres fuH fayre, thynk me / this wark to my hend ;
Now blissid be he / that this can amenJi.

lo, here the lenght, "S'

Thre liiindretli cubettw euenly,
of* breed lo is it fyfty,
The heght is euen thyrty

Cubett/s fuH stre«ght. 261

248

252

Tovmeley Plays. III. Noah and tlie Ark.

(30)
Now my gowne wiH I cast / and wyrk in my cote, 262
Make wiH I the mast / 01' I Hyt oone foote,
A ! my bak, I traw, wiH brast ! / this is a sory note I
hif is \ronder that I lasf / sich au ol(J dote

AH dold, 266

To begyn sich a wark !
My bonys ai* so stark,
No wonder if" thay wark,

ffoi' I am fuH ol(f. -• 270

(31)
The top and the sayH / both wiH I make,
The helme and the casteH / also wiH I take,
To drife ich a nayH / wiH I not forsake,
This gere may neuer fayH / that dai-" I vndei'take

Onone. 275

This is a nobuH gyn,
Thise nayles so thay ryn,
Thoro more and rayn,

Thise borde'fi ichon ; 279

(32)
wyndow and doore / euen as he saide,
ITire dies chambre / thay ai-' weH maide,
Pyk & tai-" fuH sure / ther apon laide,
This wiH euer endure / therof* am I paide ;

ffor why 1 284

If is bette>' wrogfit
Then I coude haif* thoght ;
hym thaf maide aH of* noght

I thank oonly. 288

(33)
Now wiH I by mc / and no thyng be leder.
My wife and my meneye / to bryng euen) heder.
Tent hedir tydely / wife, and consider,
hens must vs fie / AH sam togedei''

In hast. 293

VxorK Whi, syi'', what alis you 1
Who is that asalis yout
To flc it avalis you,

And ye be agast". 297

31

Tftkes off his
gown to
work st the
mast, but
nn'ls It hard
work fur hid
old boiicR.

Me nmkes
top A siiil,
helm &
castle, A
drives in th»
nallA.

He mnkcs
window &
door, A
three rooms.

Tlien coineii
to his wife
& bide her
Hee.

[Fol. 10, b. I
She asks
what nils
him.

32

Noah tells
hia wife of
the coming
flood.

Tmvneley Plays. III. Noah and the Ark.

(34)
Noe. Ther is garfl on the reyH / othei'', my dame. 298
Vxor\ TeH me that icfi a deyH / els get ye blame.
Noe. He thaf cares may keiH / blissid be his name !
he has for oure seyH / to sheld vs fro shame,

And saytli, 302

AH this warld aboute
"With floodt* so stoute,
That sliaH lyn on a route,
Shall be ouerlaide.

All are
slain save
themselves,
their sons,
and their
son's wives.

81ie is afraid
at his tale.

Noah bids
wife ft sons
help get
together
their goods,
Tliey all
promise.

306

(35)
to be he saide aH shaH be slayn / hot oonely we.

311

316

Tlie gear
must be got
into the ark.

Oure bames thaf ai' bayn / and thare wif/s thre ;
A ship he bad me ordayn / to safe vs & oure fee,
Therfoi'' wiih ali oure mayn / thank we that fre

Beytter of bayH ;
by vs fast, go we thedii'.

Vxor*. I wote neuej" whedii',
I dase and I dedir

tfoi^ ferd of that tayH.

(36)
Noe. Be not afenJ, haue done / trus sam oure gere,
That we be thei* or none / wjt/iout more dere.
primus j^Znis. It shaH be done f uH sone / brether', help

to here.
Secundus films. fluH long shaH I not hoyne / to do my
devere,
Brether sam. 320

Tercius filiiis. wtt/iout any yelp.
At my myght shaH I help.

Vxor\ Yit foi' drede of" a skelp
help weH thi dam. 324

(37)
Noe. Now ar" we there / as we shuld he ;
Do get in oure gere / oure catali and fe.
In to this vesseH here / my chyldec fre.

Vxorl I was neuer bard ere / As euer myght I the.
In sich an oostre as this. 329

60)116

spinning.

Tovmeky Plays. III. Noah arul the Ark. 33

In fatfi I can not fynJ Ti.ewife

Avhich is before, which is behynd ; tho'Trk'"' "'

Bot shaH we liere be pvnd, ?'i'f /""'■■'

'^•' * tell fore from

Noe, as haue thou blis ? 333 ""^

(38)
Noe. Dame, as it is skiH / here must vs abide grace ;
Therfor, wife, witf, good wiH / com into this place.

Vxor\ Sir, forlak nor forgiH/ wiH I turns my face siie«on'tgo

TiB I haue on this hiH / spon a space iL'd'of/

on my rok ; 338

WeH were he, niyght get me,
Now wiB I downe set me,
Yit reede I no man lit me,

ffoi'' drede of a knok. 342

(39)
Noe. Behold to the heuen / the cateractes aH, Noah sees

Thai are open fuB euen / grelo and smaH, are timaten-

And the planettw seuen / left has thare staH, '"*'

Thise thoners and levyn / downe gai' fati

ffuH stout, 347

Both halles and bowers, (Fol. 11, a.]

Castels and towres;
ffuH sharp ar* thise showers,

that renys aboute : 351

(40)
Therfoi', wife, haue done / com into ship fast. ""^ bMs ner

TT- 1 tr ■ Come in.

Vxor'. Yei, noe, go cloute thi shone / the better wiH

thai last.
prima muh'erK Good moder, com in soue / ffor" aH is ouer Her sons'

'^'"'' entreat her.

Both the sou and the mone. /

Secunda Tnidiei-\ and many wynd blast"

ffuH sharp ; 356

Thise floodw so thay ryn,
Therfor" mode?' come in.

Vxor\ In faytfi vit wiH I spvn ; She says she

. ,, . -^ -^ *^'' ' will spin on.

AH m vayn ye carp. 360

(41)
Tercia MulierK If ye like ye may spyn / Moder, in the "Why not

I . spin In the

ship. ship?"

T. PLATS. D

34

Towneley Plays. III. J^oah and the Ark,

She will
spiD out her
epindle on
the hill

^here she is.

Noah
threatens
her with the
whip.

Bhe deflea
him.

&L wishes Bhe
were a
widow. She
wouldn't
gnidge a
penny dole
for his soul
then, & sees
other wives
who think
the same.

Noe. Now is this twyys com in / dame, on my frenship.
Vxor\ Wheder I lose or* I wyn / In fayth, thi felow-
ship,
set I not at a pyn / this spyndiH witt I slip

Apon this hiH, 365

Oi-* I styi^ oone fote.

Noe. Peter ! I traw we dote ;
wit/iout any more note

Come in if ye wiH. 369

(42)
Vxm\ Yei, water nygliys so nere / that I sit not' dry,
Into ship wit/t a byi'' / therfor" wilt I hy
fEoi'' drede tliat I drone here. /

Noe. dame, securly,

It bees boght fuH dere / ye abode se long by

ouf of ship. 374

Vx(n-\ I win nofr, for thi bydyng,
go from doore to mydyng*.

Noe. In fayth, and foi' youre long taryyng

Ye shal lik on the whyp. 378

(43)
Vxor\ Spare me not, I pray the / bot euen as thou
thynk,
Thise grete wordt's shaH not ttay me. /

Noe. Abide, dame, and drynk

ffoi' betyn shaH thou be / wit/t this staf to tliou stynk ;
Ai' strokw good 1 say me. /

Vxor\ what say ye, wat wynk 1

Noe. speke ! 383

Cry me me?xy, I say !
Vxor\ ThertO' say I nay.
Noe. Bot thou do, bi this day,

Thi hede shaH I breke. 387

(44)
Vxor\ Lord, I were at ese / and hertely fuH hoylle.
Might* I onys haue a measse / of wedows coyH ;
ffor thi sauH, wrt/(out lese / shuld I dele pe«ny doyH,
so wold mo, no frese / that I se on this sole

of" wifw that ai* here, 398

Towneley Plays. III. Noah atid the Ark. 35

fEor the life that thay leyd, wives hnvD

Wold thare husbandw were dede, ^^^^ " "»"

fifor, as euer ete I brede,

So wold I cure syre were. 396

(45)
Noe. Yee men that lias wifw / whyls they ar* yong, Noah bids

If* ye luf youre lifi.v / chastice thare long : ctiastlse'

Me thyuk my hert ryfts / both levyi^ and long, tonpirr*^^

To se sich stryfw / wedmen emong ; '^"^'

Bot I, 401

As haue I blys, tFoi. ii, b.j

shaH cliastyse this. m e"«mpie.

Vxor^. Yit may ye niys,
NichoH nedy ! 405

(46)
Noe. I shaH make be stiH as stone / besynnai-" of He threaten
blunder !
I shaH bete the bak and bone / and breke aH in soudei-'.

[Thetj fght]
Vxor\ Out, alas, I am gone ! / cute apon the, mans She cries out

. , o / f > ibeatahlin

wonder ! back.

Noe. Se how she can grone / and I lig vnder ;

Bot, wife, 410

In this hast let vs ho,
ffor my bak is nere in two.
Vxor\ And I am bet so bio
That I may not thryfe. [They enter the Ark.] 414
(47)
Primus Jilius. A ! whi.fare ye thus f / ft'adsc and moder ^^roach"

both ! 'hem-

Secundus Jilina. Ye shuld not be so spitus / standyng

in sicfi a wotfi.
Tercius Jilius. Thise ar" so hidus / with many a cold cotB.
Noe we wiH do as ye bid vs / we will no more be
wroth,
Dere barnes ! 419

Now to the helme wiH I hent, Noah takes

And to my ship tent. '" ' ™'

Vxor\ I se on the firmament,
Me thynk, the seven stames. 423

36

The flood
rises.

Ko&h calls
on God.

Noah bids
his wife Uike
the helm
while lie
sotmdD.

The waters
are 15 cubits
above the
hiUs, but
DOW they
will abaU,
after the 40
days" rain.

He sounds
again.

The wife sets
the sun
shining in
the eafft.

Toumeky Plays. III. Noah and the Ark,

(48)
Noe. This is a grete flood / wife, take hede.
VxorK So me thoght, as I stode / we ai-* in
drede ;
Thise wawghes ai^ so wode. /

A^oe. help, god, in this nede !

As thou art^ stere-man good / and best, a? I rede,

Of aH;
Thou rewle vs in this rase,
As thou n^e behete base.

Vxor\ This is a perlous case :
help, god, when we caH !
(49)
A'ofi. Wife, tent the stere-tre / and I shaH asay
The depnes of the see / that we here, if* I may.

Vxor>. That shaH I do ful wysely / now go tUi way,
fEoi' apon this flood haue we / flett many day,
wtt« pyne.
Noe. Xow the water wiH I sownd :
A ! it is far to the g^o^vnd ;
This traueH I expownd
had I to tyne.

(50)
Aboue aH billys bedeyn / the water is rysen late
Cubeltts jyfte])H} / but iu a highter state
It may not be, I weyn / for tliis wett I wate,
This forty dayes has rayn beyii / It wiH therfor" abate

FuH lele.
This water in hast,
eft wiH I tast ;
Now am I agast,

It is wanyd a grete dele.
(51)
Now are the weders cest / and cateractes knyt.
Both the most and the leest. /

Vxor^. Me thynk, bi my wit,

The son shyues in the eest / lo, is not yond if?
we shuld haue a good feest / were thise floodw flyt
So spytus.

» MS. XT.

424

428

432

437

441

446

450

455

Tovmeley Plays. III. Noah and the Ark.

37

459

Noe. we haue been here, aH we,
thre hundreth ' dayes and fyf ty.
VxorK Yei, now wanys the see ;
lord, weH is vs !

(52)
Noe. The thryd tyme wiH I prufe / what depnes we

here.
Vxor'. Now long shaH thou hufe / lay in thy lyne there.
Noe. I may towch with my lufe / the grownd evyn

here.
Vxor'. Then begynnys to grufe / to V3 mery chere ;

Bot, husband, 464

What gi'owiid may this be ?
Noe. The hyllys of armonye.
Vxor', Now blissid be he

That tJius for vs can ordand ! 468

(53)
Noe. I see toppys of" hyllys he / many at a syght,
No thyng to let me / the wedii' is so bright.
Vxor^. Thise ar of" mercy / tokyns fuH right.
Noe. Dame, tlii counseH me / what fowH best myght,
And Cowth, 473

with flight of wyng
bryng, wit/(out taryying.
Of meccy som tokynyng

Aytliei' bi north or southe ] 477

(54)
ffor this is the fyrst day / of the tent moyne.

Vxor'. The ravyn, durst I lay / wiH com agane sone ;
As fast as tliou may / cast hym furth, haue done.
He may happyn to day / com agane oi'' none
With grath.
Noe. I wiH cast out also
Dowfys oone oi'' two :
Go youi'e way, go,

God send^ you som wathe !
• (55)
Now ai' thise fowles floue / Into seyr" couutre ;
Pray we fast ichon / kneland on our kne,
' MS. ccc,

482

486

Tliey iiHve
now been
350 dflya in
the ark.

{Fol. 12. a.)

Noah takea
Ronniiin^ a
thint tiiiie,«b
touches
ground.

Tliey are on
the hillH of

Armenia.

Noah aaks
his wife what
bird will fly
away ti
soonest
bring back
a token of
mercy.

She suggests
the raven.

He lets loose
a dove or
two also.

38

Toivnelcy Plays. III. Noah and the Ark.

Noah 8n<i To hym tliaf is alone / worthiest of degre, 489

pAyT^God That he wold send anone / oure fowles som fee

llrletay To .lad VS. 491

goornews!" Vu^-or\ Thai may not fayH of land,

The wixier is so w.'inanJ.

Noe, Thank we god aH weldand,

Tli.it* lord that made vs. 495

He wonders
why they
tarry so
long-

504

He hopes
most IVom
the dove.
The wife sees
her coming
with an
olive-brancli
in her bill.

IFo). 12, b.)

Noah blesses
the dove.

Her return
is a true
token they
shall be

saved.

(56)
If is a wondei- thyng / me thynk sothle.
Thai ai' so long taryyng / the fowles that we
Cast* out in the mornyng. /

Vxm-K Syi*, if may be

Thai tary to thay hryng. /

J!foe. The ravyn is a hungrye

AH way ; 500

He is without any reson,
And he fynd any caryon,
As pe?-aventure may befon,
he witt not away ;

(57)
The dowfe is more gentiH / hei' trust I vntew,
like vnto the turtiH / foi* she is ay trew.

Faw'. hence bot a litiH / she C07wmy3, lew, lew I
she hryngys in her biH / som novels new ;

Behaldl !
If is of an olif tre
A branch, thynk(/« me.
Noe. If is soth, p«rde,
righf so is if caW.

(58)
Doufe, byrd fuH blist / ffayre myghf the befaH !
Tho\i art tvew foi* to trist / as ston in the waH ;
FuH weH I it wist / thou wold com to thi haH,
VxarK A trew tokyn isf / we shaH be sauyd aH
ffoi^ whi 1
The water, syn she com,
Of depnos piom.
Is fallen a fathom.

And more hardely.

509

513

518

923

Tovmeley Plays. III. Noah and the Ark.

39

(59)
Primxks filhis. Thise floodt* ai^ gone / fader, behold.
^cun(/uj*/ilius. Thei-* is left righf none / and that be

ye boJct
Tercius /iUm, As stiti as a stone / oure ship is stold.
Noe. Apon land here anone / that we were, fayu I wold ;
My childer dere, 527

Sam, Japhet and Cam,
with gle and wiih gain,
Com go we aH sam,

we wiH no longer abide here. 531

Noah's Bona
exclaim that
the floods
are gone ife
the ark rests
quietly.

Noah bids
them come
all together
out of the
ark.

(60)
Vxcn-K here haue we beyn / noy long enogfi,
viit/i tray and wit/t teyn / and dreed mekiH wogh.

Noe. behalcJ on this greyn / nowde?- carf ne plogB
Is leff, as 1 weyn / nowder tre then bogli,

Ne other thyng",
Bot aH is away ;
Many casteb, I say,
Grete townes of" aray,

fflitt lias this flowyng*.

536

There ia
neither cart
nor plough,
tree nor
bough, to be
seen on the
land. Castles
ii towns are
all swept
away.

540

(61)
VxorK Thise flood/s uof afriglit / aH tliis warld so wide
has mevid with mygtit / on se and bi side.

Noe. To dede ai'' thai dyghf / prowdist of* pryde,
Eue;- ich a wyght / that euer was spyde,

With syn), 545

AH ar" thai slayn,
And put vnto payn.

Vxor\ ft'rom thens agayn
May thai neuec wyn 1 549

The proudest
of pride are
alain and in
torment,

(62)
Noe. wyn'1 no, I-wis / bot* he that myght base
Wold myn of* thare mys / & admytte thaym to grace ;
As he in bayH is blis / I pray hym in this space,
La heven hye with his / to purvaye vs a place,

That we, 554

never to
escape
thence, save
God admit
fhem to
grace.

40

Towneley Plays. IV, Abraham,

Mny God
bring Nofth
h his ffliiiily
to heaven
with His
saints I

with his 8ant/s in sight,
And his angels bright*,
May com to his hght :
Amen, for charite.

558

Explicit processus Noe, sequitur Abraham.

[Pol. 13, a.
8ig. D. 1.3

Abralmm
prays to God
for mercy.

He muses
on the fate
of his fore-
fathers,
since first
Adnni ate
the apple in
Paradise.

Adam lived
long in
sorrow.

(IV.)

Sequitur Abraham.

[Incomplete. 35J eight-liiie stanzas, ab all ab ab.]

[Drainalis Personae.

Abraham. \ Dcus. I Scmndua Puer. ]

Primus Puer.

Isaac.

Abraham. (1)

■ donay, thou god veray,
A Thou here vs wlien we to the caH,
IB As thou art he that bcsf may,
I ■ Thou art most socoure and help of aH ;
I 1 MightfuH lord ! to tlie 1 pray,
I ■ LeV onys the oyle of* me7-cy f'aU,
I ■ ShaH I neue?- abide that day,
-i- -*- Truly yit I hope I shaU.

(2)
Mercy, lord ouDiipotent !

long syn he this warld has wroght ;
Wiieder ai' aH oure elders wenti

This niusys mekiH in my thoght.
ffrom adam, vnto eue asseuf,

Ete of thaf appyH sparid he noght,
ffor aH the wisdom that he raeuf
ffuH dere thaf bargan has he boghf,
(3)
Ifroni) paradise thai bad hym gang* ;

He wenf mowrnyng -with syraple chare,
And after liffyd he here fuH lang,
More then thre hundreth ' yere,
' MS. ccc.

12

16

Towneky Plays. IV. AbraJtam.

In sorow and in traueH stiang,

And euery day he was in were ;
his cliildre angred! hym aniang ;

Cayiii slo abeH, was liyni fuH dere. 24

(-1)
Sithen Noe, that was trew and good,

his ' and his chyldre thre,
was saued when aH was Hood :

Thaf was a wonder thyng to so. 28

And loth fro sodome when he yode,*

Thre cytees brent, yit eschapyrf he ;
Thus, for thai menged my lordw mode,

he vengid syn thrugh Jiis paust^. 32

(5)
when I thynk of oure elders aH,

And of the mervels that has been),
No gladnes in my hart may faU,

M[y] comfort goys away fuH cleyn. 36

lord, when sliaH dede make me his thraUl

An hundreth * yeris, certw, haue I seyn) ;
Ma fa ! sone I hope he shaH,

ffoi'' it were right hie tyme I weyii). 40

(6)
Yif adara is to heU gone.

And ther' has ligen many a day,
And* aH oure elders, euoychon,

Thay ar gone the same way, 44

Vnto god wiH here thaie raone ;

Now help, lor(l, adonay !
flFor', certts, I can no better wone.

And ther' is none that bettec may. 48

(7) [God appears nJoue.]

Deiis. I wiH help adam and his kynde,
Might I luf and lewte fynd ;
Wold thay to me be trew, and blyn

OP thare pride and of" thare syn : 52

My seruanJ I wiH found & frast,
Abraham, if* he be trast ;

41

Call) slew

A.darii*s deal
iOD Abel.

Noah waa
■aved from
the Flood

and Lot
from Sodoiu

AbiTiliain
himself 18
aad at heart.

[Fnl. 13. b.)

Ue is an
hundred
veare old.
When will
death take
him ?

Hi.s fore-
fathers lie in
hell till Qod
release theni.

He can do
no better.

Qod desires
to help
Adain and
his kind.
He wUl
prove
Abraham's
faith.

* Query "he."
» MS. c.

' MS. yede.
♦ MS. Ana and.

42

Tovmeley Plays, IV. Ahrahavu

Ood calls
to Abraham.

He has heard

hlB prnycra,
& now bids
tiiin take hia
Bon Isaac to
' the land of
Visyon ' «t
there sacri-
Qce him

Abraham

cheerfully
promises
■jbcdience.

He must
obey Gull
whatever it
costs him,
oven if he be
bidden to
Slav wife and
child.

On certan wise I witi hym proue,

If^ he to nie be trew of louf. 56

(8)
Abraham ! Abraham ! 67

Abraham. Who is thatl war* I let me se !
I herd oone neven my name.

Detis. If is I, take tent to me, 60

That fourmed thi fader adam,

And euery thyng in if degre.

Abraham. To here thi wiH, redy I am,

And to fulfiH, what euer if be. 64

(9)

Deus. Of" mercy haue I herd thi cry,

Thi devoute prayers haue me buri) ;
If thou me luf", look fat thou hy

Vnto the land of" Visyon ; 68

And the thryd day be ther", bidf I,

And take wt't/j the, Isaac, thi son,
As a beast to sacryfy,

To slo hym look thou not shon, 72

(10)
And bren hym ther" to thyn offerand.

Abraham. A, lovyd be thou, lord in throne I
hold ouer nie, lord, thy holy hand,

ft'oi'' certj's tlii biJyng shaH be done. 76

Blissyd be that lord in euery land

wold viset his seruand thus so soyn).
fFayn wold I this thyng ordand,

tfor it pccifettis noghf to hoyne ; \Exit Deus.] 80

(H)
This co??«naundemenf niusf I nedis fulfiH,

If that my hert wax hevy as leyde ;
Shuld I offend my lordis wiH ?

Nay, yit were I leyffer" my child were dede. 84

Whaf so he biddi's me, good or' iH,

Thaf shatt be done in euery steede j
Both wife and chihll, if he bid spiH ;

I wille not do agans his rede. 88

Tovrmley Plays. IV. Abraham.

43

(12)
wist Isaac, wher" so he were,

he wold he abast now,
how that he is in dangere.

Isaac, son, wher art* thou? 92

Isaac. AH redy, fader, Lo roe here ;

Now was I conimyug vnto you ;
I luf" you niekiB, fad«' dere.

Abraham. And dos thou so ] I wold wit bow 96

(13)
lof/i thou me, son, as thou has saide.

Isaac. Yei, fadei'', with aH myn hart,
More then aH thaf euer was raaide ;

God hoU me long youre life in quart ! 100

Abraham. Now, who would not be glad that had

A child so lufand as tliou arf !
Thi lufly chere maki« my hert gliid.

And many a tynie so has it gart. 104

(14)
Go home, son ; com sone agane,

And teH thi mode)- I com ful fast ;

[Jnc tT^nssiet Isaac a patre.
So now god the saif and sayne !

Now weH is me that he is past ! 108

Alone, right here iu this playn.

Might I speke to myn hart brast,
I wolili thaf aH were weH ful fayn,

Bof iV musf nedis be done at last" ; 1 12

(15)
And it* is good that I be wai-*,

To be iivised fuH good it were.*
The land of vision is ful fai-*,

The thrid day end must I be there ; ' 116

■ Myn ase shatt with vs, if* it thai^,
To here oure hames les &. more,
fEor* my son may be slayn no nar* ;

A swerd must* with va yit therfore, 120

Abnltani
callB IsAac.

(FoL 14, a.
8ig. D. 2.]

HiiAc comes
to liini. *I
love you
much, <leftr
father.'

Abraham
rejoices in
his son's
love,

and bids him
tell his
mother he \m
coming
quicklr.

Now he ts
alone he
could speak
till his heart
break.

But he must
prepare for
his three
days'
journey.

> The rhyme needs ' wore, thore.'

132

44 Tovmeley Plays. IV. Abraham.

Abraham (16)

Thi" n'ght, And I sliaH found! to make me yare ; 121

wTinul't be This uygfit wiB I begyn my way,

done. jj^j, jgj^g ^g jjgyg^ gQ fay,.g_

And niyn awn son, the soth to say, 124

And! thof- he he myn right haire.

And aH shukV weld after my day,
Godis bydyng* shaH I not spare ;

shuld I that ganstand! \ we, nay, ma fay ! 128

(17)

Hecalla I^aaC I

Isnac b tells /soflC— Sir !

him In pre-
pare for a AhrahsLin. — luke thou be bowne ;

journey to , . , » j t

Bacriftce in a ffo,J certan, son, thi self and 1,

far country.

Heistotake ^e two musf now weyno! turtn or towne,

wood & fire. ,

In fai' country to sacnhe,
ffor certan skyllys and encheson.

Take wod and fyere v/ith the, in hy ;
Isaac Bhaii Bi hiUys and! dayllys, both vp & downe,
wmtalk. son, thou shal ride and! I wiH go bi. 136

(18)
looke thou mys noght fat tliou shul(^ nede ;
Do make the redy, my darlyng !
Isaac is Isaac. I am redy to do this dede,

word'. "' "'' And euer to fulfiH youre bydyng. 140

Abrahaim. My dere son, look tliou hauc no drede,
We shal com home wit/j grete lovyng ;

Both to & fro I shal vs lede ;
Com now, son, in my blyssyng.

(19)
IThey come Ye two here wtt/t this asse abide, [To the Servants.

rslcHflcei ffoi' Isaac & I WiH to yond hiH ;
fem'thr If is 80 hie we may not* ride,

JtTZ'hi^d therfor" ye two shal abide here stiH. 148

pnniiis puerK sir, ye ow not to be deiiye(> :

we ar redy youre bydyng to fulflH.
gecunc^us }niei-\ Whaf so eue?- to vs betida

To do youre bidyng ay we wiH. 162

144

Tovmeley Plays. IV. Ahraham.

(20)

AbraJiA))!. Godw blyssyng* haue ye botfe in fere ;
I shaH not tary long you fro.

p)-i>nns puer\ Sir", we shal abide you liere,
Oute of tliis stede shaH we iiof go. 156

Ahrah&m. Childre, ye ar" ay to me fuH dere,
I pray god kepe [you] euer fro wo.

iSecuudus puer\ we wiH do, &ir, as ye vs lere.

Abraham. Isaac, now ar' we bof we two, 160

(21)
we must go a fuH good paase,

ffor if is fartlier than I wcnc? ;
we shaH make myrth & grete solace,

Bi tbis tliyng be broght to enrf. 164

lo, my son, here is the place.

Isaac, wod and fyere ai' in my bend ;
TeH me now, if* ye haue space,

where is the beesf that* shulif be brendl 168

(22)
Ahrah&m. Now, son, I may no longer layn,

sich wiH is into myne hart went ;
Thou was euer to me fuH bayn

Eue?- to fulfiH myn entenf .
Bof certanly thou must" be slayn.

And if may be as I haue ment.
Isaac. I am hevy and nothyng fayn,

Thus hastely that shaH be shent.
(23)
Abraha,m. Isaac !

Iscu(c. sir t

AbraJtam Com heder, bid I ;

Thou shal be dede what so euer betide.
Isaac. A, fader, mei'cy ! mercy !

Ahraliam. Thaf I say may nof be denyde ; 180

Take thi dede therfoi-' mekely.

Isaac. A, good st'r, abide ;
ffade)' .'
Abrah&m. What son 1

Isaac. to do youre wiH I am redy,

where so euer ye go oi' ride, ISi

45

Abraham

blesses

them. He

will 800D be

back.

(Ful. 14, b.]

He and
Isaac come
to the place.

Isaiic asks
wliere is the
beast they
ore tu bum.

Abraham
tells him he
is to be
slain.

172

iBaac is
heavy at
heart and
-ifrc. unwilling.

Abraham
bids him
take his
deatl)

meekly & he
subinits.

46

Tmvneley Plays. IV. Abi^ahatrt,

Isaac says
since lie has
tresjuisBed
he would be
beaten.

But wliat
has he done ?

"Truly, no
ni," Abra-
ham an-
swers, yet
tbat itiay not
help hjni.

His qnes-
tiune wring
Abraliani's
licart, but
he bids Iiiiii
lie stilt.

[Fol. 15, a.

Sig. D. -A.]
Isaac quakes
at the sight
of tlie sword.
He Ts placed
on his face
that he may
not see it.

(24)
If* I may oghf ouectako youre wiH, 185

syn I )iaue trepa[s]f I wold be bet.

Abraham. Isaac!

Isaac. What, sir 1

Abraham. good son, be stiH.

Isaac, ffader !

A braham. what, son !

Isaac. think on thi get 1 188

what haiie I done 1

Abraham. truly, none ill.

Isaac. And shall be slayn ?

Abrahitm. so haue I het.

Isaac, eir, what may help 1

Abraham. certw, no skiH.

Isaac. I ask nieccy.

Abraham. that may not let. 192

(25)

Isaac, when I am dede, and closed! in clay,

who shaH then be youre son t

Abraham. A, lord, that I shuld abide this day !

Isaac, sir, who shaH do that I was won ? 196

Abraham, speke no sic6 wordts, son, I the pray.

Isaac. shaH ye me slo 1

Abraham. Itrowlmon);

lyg stm ! I smyte 1

Isaac. sir, lef me say.

Abraham. Now, my dere child*, thou may not shon). 200
(26)

Isaac. The shynyng of youre bright* blayde
If gars nie quake for ferde to dee.

Abraham. ThertW grotiyngjs thou shaH be layde,
Then when I stryke thou shal not se. 204

Isaac. Whaf haue I done, fader, what haue I saide?

Alrraain. Truly, no kyns iH to me.

Isactc. And thus gyltles shaH be arayde.

Abraham. Now, good son, let sicfi wordts bo. 208

(27)

Isaac. I luf" you ay.

Abmham. so do I the.

Towneley Plays. IV. Abraham,

Isaac. Sader !

Abraham. whaf, son 1

Isaac. let now be seyn).

ffoi-" my moder luf.

Abraham, let be, let be !

It" wiH not help that tliou wold raejm ;
Bof ly styft tiH I com to the,

I mys a lytyH thyng, I weyn.
ho speki's 80 rufully to me

That" water shoti* in both niyn eeyn,

•^7

IsRac Im-
plores Abra*
ham by hia
mother' p
love.

212 Abrahftm

turns aaJdc,
blinded by
tears.

216

(28)
I were leuer than aH wardly wyn,

That I had fon hyra onys vnkynde,
Bof no defawf I faundi liym in :

I wold be dede foi-' hyni, or* pynde ;
To slo hym thus, I thynk grete syn,

So rufuH wordu- I with hym fynd ;
I am fuH wo that we shuhf twyn,

ffor he wiH neue»- oute of" my niynd.

If only he
had found
IsaAc once
unkind 1

220

224

(29)
What shal I to his modec say 1

flfor " where is he," tyte wiH she spyr ;
If I teH hii', " ron away,"

hir" answeie bese belife— " nay, sii' ! "
And I am fenJ hir" for to slay ;

I ne wote what I shal say tiH hii'.
he lyys fuH stiH thei* as he lay,

fi'or to I com, dai' he not* styr.

228

232

What shall
he aay to hi»
mother ? Sli«
will not
believe Isaac
has run
away.

(30) [God appears above.]

Dens. Angett, hy with aH thi mayn !

To abrahfliu thou shaH be sent;
say, Isaac shaH not* be slayn ;

he shaH HP, and nof be brent. 236

My bydyng standw he not agane,

Uo, put* hym out of* his intent" ;
Byd hym go home agane,

I know weH how he ment. 240

God bids an
angel tell
Abraham to
spare his
son.

48

Toumeley Plays. IV, Abraham.

(Fol 15, b.]

Tho Angel
rejoices in
hi a errand.

Abraham
says to liim-
seif lie must
run up sud-
denly & slay
iBiiac where
he lies.

The Angel
bids him
hold bis
band.

Abraham
doubts
which is
God's final
order.

The Angel
assures him,
A he thanks
God for His
goodness.

(31)
Angelus. Gladly, Lord, I am redy :
thi bidyng shaH be magnyfyed ;
I shaH me spcde ful hastely,

the to obeye at eue>-y tyde j 244

Thi wiH, Thi name, to glorifye,
Ouer aH this waild so wide ;
And to thi seruand now in hy,

good, trew, abrahara, wiH I glyde. 248

(32)
Ahrah&m. Bot myght I yit of wepyng sese,
tiH I had done this sacrifice ;
It must* nedis be, withoutteu lesse,

thof aH I carpe on this kyn wise, 252

The more my sorow if wiH incres ;

when I look to hym, I gryse ;
I wiH ryn on a res,

And slo hym here, right as he lyse. 256

(33)
Angeltis. Abraham ! Abraham ! [Seizes him.]

Abraham. Who is thei'' now J

War- ! let the i go.
Angelus. stand vp, now, stand ;
Thi good wiH com I to alow,

Therfor I byd the hold thi hand. 260

Abrah«.m. say, who bad sof any bot* thoul

Anrjelvjs. Yei, god ; & sendw this beest to thyn offerand^.

Abrahwn. I speke with god latter, I trow,

And doyng he me comraaunJ. 264

(34)
Angelus. He has persauy<l thy mekenes
And thi good wiH also, Iwis ;
he wiH thou do thi son no distres,

ffor" he has graunt to the his blya. 268

Ahiaham. Bot wote thou weH that it is
As thou has sayd 1
Angelus. I say the yis.

Abrahsim. I thank the, lonV, weH of* goodnes,
Thaf aH thus has relesf me this ; 272

> Query "me."

Tcnimeley Plays. V. Isaac.

(35)
To speke wt't/t the liaue I no space,

wits my dere son tiH I haue spokyn.
My good son, thou shal haue grace,

On the now wiH I not" he wrokyn ; 276

Ryse vp now, with thi frely face.
Isaac, sii', shaH I lif ?
Abraham. yei, this to tokyn.

£■<' osculatar eum.
son thou has skapid a fuH hartJ grace.

Thou shukt haue beyn both brent & brokyn. 280

(36)
Isaac. Bot, fader, shaH I not* be slayn 1
AbraJi^m. No, certw, son.
Isaac. tlien am I glad ;

Good sir, put* vp youre sword agayn.

AbraJimn. Nay hardely, son, be thou not adrad. 284
Isaac. Is aH for geyn 1
Abrah&vi. yei, son, certan.

Isaac. fFoi' ferJ, sir, was I nere-haiid mati. 286

• •••••

[Two leaves of the MS. are wanting hero, sigs. d 4 anti J 6. They
contained the end of Abraham and the beginning, almost all, of
Itaac.'\

49

Abmham
tells Tsaac
lie 18 not to
be killetl.
Dids him
arise.

and kiuM
him.

Isaac bids

him put up
his sword
ngain.

He was
almost mad
for fear.

(V.)

[Isaac]

[IruxmipUte. The last 35 couplets only left.]

[Dramatis Pcrsonae.

Isaac. Jacob. Esaw, Rebecca.]

[/sooc.] Com nere sou and kys me,
thaf I may feyle the smeH of the.
The smeH of" ray son is lyke
to a feld with flouris, or' hony bike,
where arf thou, Esaw, my son ?

lacob. here, fader, and askw youre benyson.

T. PLAYS.

IFoL 1«, a.]

Isaac bids
Esau come
near that lie
may smell
him.

Jacob comes
instead and
aJiks his
bleasiof^

50 Ttmmeley Plays. V. Isaac.

Isaac blesses l6aae\ Tho blyssyng my fader gaf to me,

iTstake^for godofheuen&Igif<the; 8

^''"- God gif- the plente grete,

of* wyne, of" oyH, and of" whete ;

And graunf thi childre aH

to worship the, both grete and smaH ; 12

who so the blyssys, blyssed be he ;

who 80 the waris, wared be he.

Now has thou my grete blyssyng,

loue the shaH aB thyne ofspryng* ; 16

Go now wheder thou has to go.

lacoh. Graunt me?'cy, sir, I wiH do so.

recedet iacob. [Esaw advances.]

Esau brings Esaw. haue, ete, fader, of* rayu) huntyng<,

ylSson he And gif* me sythen yowr blyssyng. 20

andMiffiis IsaaeK Who is thati

"^''"'«- Esaw. I, youre son

Esaw, bryngis you venyson.

Isaac\ Who was thaf was right* now here,

And broghf me bruet of* a dere 1

T ete weH, and blyssyd hym ;

And he is blyssyd, icfi a lym).

Esate. Alas ! I may grete and sob.
Isaac sees fsaac\ Thou art begylyd thrugh iacob, 28

how he has ^^^^ .^ ^j^y^^ ^^^^ german) brother'.

S^b."' ^' Esaw. haue ye kepyd me none other

Blyssyng then ye set* hym one ]
He gives Isooc. sich another" haue I none ; 32

beTbiessing Bof god gif the to thyn handban(J
*' "'■''■ the dew of heuen & frute of land? ;

Othei^ then this can I nof say.
Esau vows Esaw. Now, alas, and walo-way !

if hiTnee™ May I with thaf tratoure mete,

my faders dayes shaH com v/ith grete,

And my moders also ;

may I hym mete, I shaH hym slo. 40

[Esaw retires. Rebecca advances. ]

Rebecca. Isaac, if were my doth
If* Iacob weddeth in kynd of* lieth ;

24

36

him,

Tovmeley Plays. V. Isaac.

51

I wiH send hym to aran,

there my brothere dwellys, laban ; 44

And there may he serue in peasse

tin his brother's wrath wiH seasse.

why shuldi I apon a day

loyse both my sonnes 1 better nay. 48

IsaacK Thou says soth, wife ; caH hym heder,
And let vs teH hym where & wlieder
That he may fle esaw,

that* vs both hetw bale to brew. 62

[lacob advances.]

Rebecca. lacob, son ! thi fader & I
woldi speke ■wiih the ; com, stand vs by !
Ouf of contry musf thou fle,
that* Esaw slo not the. 56

lacob. Whederwartl shuldf I go, dame ?

Rebecra. To mesopotameani ;
To my brothere, and tliyn eme,
that dwellys besyde Ionian streme ; 60

And ther* may thou with hym won,
to Esaw, myne othei'' son),
fforget, and aH his wrath be dede.

lacob. I wiH go, fader, at youre rede. 64

Isaac. Yei, son, do as thi moder says ;
Com kys vs both, & weynd thi ways.
et osculahn.

lacob. Haue good day, sir and dame !

Isaac. God sheld the, son, from syn and shame 1 68

Rebecca And gif" the grace, good man to be,
And send me glad tythyngw to the.

Explicit Isaac.

Rebecca and
Isaac resolve
to send
Jacob to his
uncle Laban
till Esau's
wrath cease.

Rebecca
tells Jacob
he must flee
from Esau.

(FoL 16, b.)

He kisses his
father b
mother, &
goes his way
with their
blessing.

52 Towneley Plays. VI. Jacob.

(VI.)

Sequitwr iacob.

[71 cmipkts aa.]

[Dramaiis Personae.

Jacob. I ■tj/'»- {Leah.]

Deus. Timnae.

H

Joseph.
Benjamin.

RachM. ' ^""'•l

Jacob.
, . . TTc'.p tne lorcf, adonay,

Jacob prays ■ ■ ^^ ' •'

God to b« ■ ■ And halcJ me m the iighf way

hie guide on ■ W

his way. ■ ■ To mesopotaineam ;

ffoi' I cam neuer or" now where I am ; 4

I canvJieuei- here in this contre ;
lord? of' heuen, thou help me !
ffoi' I haue maide me, in this strete,
sore bonys & warkand feete.
The son is downe, what is best^l
He lies do™ hei' purpose I aH nyght to rest- ;
l°s&ora Vndei^ my hede this ston) shal ly ;
pillow. ^ nygbtw resf take wiH I.

Godappear, Deiis. lacob, iacob, thi god I am , [Deiu apjyeari' above.]

16

20

to liira and „ ^ i i i

blesses him. Of thi forfader abraliam,
And of* thi fade?- Isaac ;
I shaH the blys foi' thare sake.
This land thaf thou slepys iu,
I shaH the gif , and thi kyn ;
I shaH thi seede raultyply,
As thyk as powde?- on ertb may ly.
The kynd of" the shaH sprede wide,
ffrom eesf to wesf on euei'y syde,
ffrom the soutt vnto the north ;
AH thaf I say, 1 shaH forth ;
And aH the folkts of thyne ofspryng,
shal be blyssyd of thy blyssyn^.
Iacob, haue thou no kyns drede 1
I shaH the clethe, I shaH the fede.
WhartfuH shaH I make thi gate ;
I shal the help erly and late ;

24

Towneley Plays. VI. Jacob.

53

And att in qwarf sliaH I bryng the
home agane to tlii countre.
I shaH not" fayH, be thou bolJ,
Bot I shaH do as I haue tolif.

hie vigilet.

laeoh. A! lord! what* may this mene?
whaf haue I herdf in slepe, and sens 1
That god leynyd hym to a stegh,
And spake to me, if is no leg&e ;
And now is here none othere gate,
bof godi« liowse and heuens yate.
lord, how dredfuH is this stede I
ther" I layde downs my hede,
In godts lovyng* I rayse this stone,
And oyH wiH I putf theron).
lorrf of* heuen, that all wote,
here to the I make a bote :
If* thou gif me mete and foode.
And close to body, as I behoued",
And bryng me home to kyth and kyn,
by the way that I walk in,
without" skathe and iu quarte,
I promyse to the, with stedfaaf harf,
As thou arf lord and god myne,
And I lacob, thi trew hyne.
This stone I rayse in sygue to day
shali I hold! holy kyrk foi-" ay ;
And of* aH thaf newes me
rightwys tend! shaH I gif" the.

hie egrediatat iacoh de aran in tetravx natiuitaHs sue.

A, my fader, god of heuen,
_ that" saide to me, thrugh thi steven,
when I in aran was dwellancJ,
thaf I shuld tume agane to lancJ
Thei'' I was both fed and borne,
warnyd thou me, lord, beforne,
As I wenf toward aran
with my staff, and passy*} Jordan :

God pro-
nn niises him a
•*^ peaceful

return home.

36

Jacob
awakes, £
seta up a
Btone in
praiBO of
Ood. pouriDg
oil tnereon.

40

44

The stone ia
his witness,
that if God
provides fur
him & brings
, _ liiin home ip
4o peace lie wih
hold to his
holy Church
for ever.

52

56

[Fol. 17, a.J

60

On his return
from Aran,
Jacob

remembera
God's pro-
mise.

64

54

Jacob is re-
turning witli
two linsts of
men.

He prays
God to pro-
tect him
from Esan.

He has sent
Esau many
beasts as a
present, ii
hopes it
may pacify
him.

Tmvneley Plays. VI. Jacob.

And now I com agane to kyth,

with two ostes of men me with. 68

Xhou hete me, louJ, to do weH wit/i me,

to muUyplye my seede as sand of see ;

Thou saue me, lord, thrugh vertew,

ffrora veniance of Esaw,

That" he slo nof, foi' olJ greme,

these model's w/t/i thare baine teme.

Rachel. Oure anguysh, sii', is many folJ,

syn that* oure messyngere vs tol*

That Esaw wold! you slo,

with foure hundreth men and mo.

lacoh. ffor' soth, racheH, I haue hym sent

of many beestis sere presenf .

May tyde he wiH oure giftis take,

And right" so shaH his wrath slake.

where ar" oure thyngts, ai-" thay past lordan 1
Lya. Go and look, sii'', as ye can.

Mc scrutetm superleetile, & ludetm angelas cum eo.

72

76

80

84

He wrestles
with God,
and wiU not
let Bim go.

God changes
his name to
Israel.

Jacobs asks
God's name,
and is told
"Wonder-
ful."

Deus. The day spryngw ; now letf me go.
Jacob. Nay, nay, I wiH not so,
Bof thou blys me oi' thou gang :
If I may, I shaH hold! the lang.

Deus. In tokynyng thaf thou spekis with me,
I shaH toche now thi thee.
That halt shaH thou euennore,
bof thou shaH fele no sore ;
What" is thy name, thou me t«H 1
Jacob. lacob.

Deus. nay, bof IsraeH ;

syn thou to me sich strengthe may kythe,
to men of erth thou must be stythe.
Jacob, what is thy name 1

J)gUS. ^^' *^^'* ^^''^ ^^ '

' wonderfuH,' if thou wil wyt.
Jacob. A, blys me, lord"!
D^^s. I shaH the blys,

And be to the fuH propyce,

88

96

100

Towneley Plays. VI. Jacob. 56

And gyf the my blyssyng foi' ay, q^^ b,„,^.

As lord and he thaf aH may. •''"''•

I shaH grayth tlii gate,

And fuH weH ordeyn thi state ; 104

when thou has drtde, thynk on me,

And thou shal fuH weH saynyd be.

And look thou trow weB my sayes ;

And fareweH now, the day dayes. 108

lacoh. Now haue I a new name, israeH ; Jacob calls

this place sliaH [hight] fanueH, "Fanuen,"

flfor" I haue seyn in this place, Been'ood

god of' heuen) face to face. 1 1 2 '^°' ^ '^*"'

Bached. lacob, lo we haue tythand nachei

that Eeaw is here af hand. Zapproach

,.,..,. "f Esau.

hic diuidit tmmas m tres partes,
lacob. RacheH, stand thou in the last* eschele, Jacob

flfor" I wolJi thou were sauyd wele ; 116 hosts into

/-I u T t 1 i_ • • three parts,

CaH losepn and beniamin, pucing

And lef theym uof fro the twyn. son's in the''

If* it" be so thaf Esaw safety,

vs before aH-to-hew, 120

Ye that* ar* here tlie last* (;foI. it, b.]

Ye may be sauyd if" ye lie fast.
& vadat iacob oscula7ui> Esaw ; venit iacob, Jledit

genua exorando deum, & leuando, occurrii ilU Esaio

in amplexibua.

Iacob. I pray the, lord, as thou me hef, Jacob*

> thou saue me ancj my gete. 1 24 fac"h oTr

Esaw. welcom brothei'', to kyn and kyth, ''''"^'^'

thi wife and childre thaf comes the with,
how has thou faren in fai' lan<J ?

teH me now som good tythancJ. 128

• Iacob. WeH, my brothei'' Esaw,
If thaf thi men no bale me brew.

rf/cit setuis suis.
Esaw. wemo ! felows, hold youre hend, Esau bids

ye se that I and he ai' frenJ, 132 Zl^ZX^

' MS. that.

56

Jacob

thanks Esau
for his
kindness.

Esau recog-
nizes him AS
his lord
"through
destiny."

Tmvneley Plays. VII. The Prophets.

And frenship here wiH we fulfiH,
syn that" it* is godis wiH.

laeoh. God yeltl you, brothei-e, that it so is
that" thou thi hyne so woW kys.

Esmo. Nay, lacob, my dere brothere,
I shaH tlie teB att anothere ;
rhou arf my lord! thrugh destyny ;
go we togcdec both thou and I,
To my fader an* his wife,
that* lofys the, brothei-", as thare lyfe.

Explicit lacob.

136

140

Moses
reminds the
]>eoi»le of
Israel of the
condemna-
tion of
Adam.

God will
rnise up a
prophet, &L
all who
believe in
him shall be
saved.

(VII.)

P»-ocessus ProphetarMOT.

[Inemnplcte : 39 six-lined stanzas, aab ccb, and 4 hits of Latin.']

[Dramatis Personae.
Moyses. Dauid. Sybilla propheta. Daniel]

Moyses. (Prolog.)

PRophetam excitabif deus de fratribws vestris ;
0»mis aniwia, que no)i audierif prophetam ilium,
exterminabitiir de pop«lo suo ;
Nemo p)-ophe^a sine honore nisi in patria sua.

(1)
AH ye folk of" israeH,
herkyn to me ! I wiH you teH

Tythyngw farly goode ;
AH wote ys how if be feH
wherfoi' Adam was dampnyt* to heH,

he, and aH his blode.

(2)
Therfoi' wiH gocf styi'' and rayse
A prophete, in som man dayes,

Of* oure brethere kyn ;
And aH trowes as he says,
And wiH walk in his ways,

ffrom heH he wiH theym twyn.

3

6

9

12

Tovmehy Plays. VII. The Prophets.

57

(3)
when his tynie begynnys to day,
I rede no man fro hym dray,

In way, ne stand on strut ;
£for he that wiH not* here his sagh,
ho be shewed! as an out-lagh,

And from his ioDais be putf.

(4)
I wame you weH that same prophete
shaH com hereafterwariJ, fuH swete.

And many meruels shew ;
Man shaH faH titi his feete,
ffor" cause he can balea beete,

Thrugh his awn thew.

(5)
AH that* wiH in trowth ren
shaH he saue, I warne you then.

Trust* shaH his name be.
Bof aH oxxer wiH man propliete ken
with worship, amangw men,

Bof in his awne countre.

(6)
herkyns aH, both yong and olJ !
God that" has aH in woldi,

Gretys you bi me ;
his coTsmaundemeotw ar" ten ;
Behol(J, ye that ar' his men,

hero ye may theym se.

(7)
his cowimaundementts that I haue brc^hf,
looke that ye holcj thaym noglit"

ffor" tryfyls, ne for' fables ;
ffor ye shaH weH vnderstandf
Thaf god wrote theym \iiih his liamU

In thyse same tables.

(8)
Ye thaf thyse in hart wiH liald",
vnto heuen shaH ye be caM,

15

27

30

33

36

He who will
not he&r hitn
shall be aa
an outlaw

18

The prophet
■hall show
many
2 1 marvels.

24

He will save
them who
walk in
truth.

But a pro-
phet ever
has honour
■nve in hia
own
coantry

(Fol. 18. a.J
Moses de-
clares God'a
command-
roents.

They are no
trifles Dor
fables.

39

God wrotq
them with
42 His own
hand.

58

Tmvneley Flays, VII. The Prophets,

They who

hold them in
their heart
shall go to
heaven ;
those who do
not, to hell.

The first
coiumand*
ment is
against
idols.

The second,
against
swearing
falsely by
God's name.

The third,
to keep the
holy day.

The fourth,

to honour
father and
mother.

The fifth,
to forsake
fornication
& take a
mate.

The sixth,
to be no
manslayer.

The seventh,
not to steal.

The eighth,
to be true of
tongue.

Thaf is fyrst to com) ; • 45

And ye that wiH not do so, ^
TiH heH pyne mon ye go,

And byde a bytter dome. 48

(9)
Do now as I shali you wys ;

The fyrst co7nmaimdemenf is this

That" I shaH you say ; 61

Make no god of" stok ne stone,
An<t trow in none god! bof oone,

That" raayde both nygfit and day. 64

(10)
Anothere hydis thou shaH not swore,
ffor" no mede, ne for" no dere,

ffalsly, bi godw name ; 57

If" thou swere wrongwosly,
Wit thou weH and wytte7-ly.

Thou) art worthi grete blame. 60

(11)
The thyrdf is, thou shaH well yheme

Thi holy day, and seme to wheme

God with an thi harf . 63

The fourt" co?«maundenient" is bi tayB,
ffader and moder worship thou shaH,

In pouerf and in qwarte. 66

(12)
The fyfl coj?!maundzs thou shaH forsake
ffornycacyon, and take the a make.

And lyf in rightwys state. 69

The sexf coiremaundw thou shal not* be
Man sloei-", for gold! ne fee,

Ne foi'' luf", ne for hate. 72

(13)
The seuenth cowmaundis that" thou shaH leue,
And nather" go to stele ne reue,

ffor more then for" les. 76

The aghf bydjs both oli and yong.
That thay be traw of" thare tong,

And here no fals witnes, 78

Towneley Plays. VII. The Prophets.

(14)
The nentfi bydrs the, bi thi lif-,
Thou desyre nof thi neghbur's wife,

Ne mayden that* is his. 81

The tent" bid/*- the, for' no case,
Desyre uof wranwosly thyng thi neghbui* has ;

Do thus, and do no mys. 84

(15)
I am the same man that* god chase,
And toke the ten commaundementis of peasse

In the raonte synay ; 87

Thise wordi's, I say, ar no les ;
My name is callyd moyses ;

And haue now aH good day ! [Exit Moses.] 90

Dauid. Omnes reges adorabunt eu?ri, omnes gentes
seruient ei.

(16)
herkyn, aH, that* here may,
And perceyf weH what I shaH say,

AH with righ[t]wisnes.
loke ye puf if not* away,
Bof thynk theron both nygfif and day,

ffor' if is sothfastnes.

(17)
lesse sou, ye wote I am ;
Dauid js my righf name,

And I here crowne ;
Bof ye me trow, ye ar to blame ;
Of* Israel, both wylcJ and tame,

I haue in my bondon.^ 102

(18)
As god of" heuen has gyffyn me wit,
shaH I now syug you a fytt.

With my mynstrelsy ; 105

loke ye do if weH in wrytf.
And theron a knof knytf ,

fifoi' if is prophecy. 108

59

The ninth,
not to covet
thy neigh-
bour* 8 wife.

The tenth,

to covet
nothing of
thy neigh-
bour's.

[Fol. 18. b.]

These words
are true.

David bida

the people
think on
righteoua-
93 ne83.

96

I am Jesse's
son, David,
and have all
„ Israel 8ul>-
yy ject.tome.

Be will sing
a fytt, which
shall be a
prophecy.

^ The ryme needs ' boodown©.'

60

David singt
of the
cotniDg of
Qod's Son

to be man's
Saviour. Of
His coming
he is glad.

Qod's Son
shall return
to the

highest seat
in heaven

He shall be
lord of all.
Kings shall
kneel to
Him,

and bring
Him rich

gifU.

rPoL 19. a.
Sig. E. 1.]

Tmvneley Plays. VII. The Prophets,

(19)
Myrtfe I make tiH aH men,
with my harp and fyngers ten,

And warn theym that thay gladf ;
fEor god win that his son down send",
Thaf wroght* adam with his hendi,
And heuen and erth niayde.
(20)
He wiH lyghf fro heuen towre,
ffor to be mans saueyoure.

And saue thaf is forlorne ;
flfor thaf I harp, and myrth make,
Is for he wiH manhede take,
I teH you thus befome ;
(21)
And thider shaH he ren agaue,
As gyanf of mycB mayne,
Vnto the hyest" sete ;
Ther is nawther* kyng, ne swayn.
Then no thyng thaf may hym layn,
Ne hyde from his hete.

(22)
he shaH be lordf and kyng of att,
TyH hys feete shaH kyng/s faH,

To offre to hym wytterly.
Blyssyc? be thaf swete blome,
Thaf shaH saue vs at his com) !
loyfuH may we be.

(23)
Eiche gyftw thay shaH hym bryng,
And tiH hym make offeryng,
kneland on thare kne ;
wett were hym thaf that lordyng,
And that dere derlyng*,

Myghf bide on lyfe and so.
(24)
Men may know hym bi his marke,
Myrth and lovyng< is his warke,
thaf shaH he luf most.

HI

114

117

120

123

126

129

132

135

138

Ul

Towneley Plays. VII. The Prophets.

61

lyghf shaH: be boru thaf tyuie in darke,
Both to lawtl man and to dark,
the luf" of right wys gost.

(25)
Therfor", botfi empecoure and kyng,
Ryche and poore, both old and ying,

temper weH youre glo,
Agans that kyng lyghf downe,
ffor" to lowse vs of" pry son,

And make vs aH free.

144

147

Light shaU
come both
to layman
and to clerk.

Temper
your glee,
emperor &
king, till
tliat King
come to
free ua.

150

Ostende nobis do»iiue niisericordiam tuam, et' salutare
tuu iH da iiobts.

(26)

Thou shew thi mercy, lord, tyH vs,
ffor to thou com, to hoH we trus,

we may not* go beside ;
lord, when thi wiH is foi' to dele
TyH us thi salue and thi hele,

whom we aH abyde.

(27)
Now haue 1 songen you a fytf ;
loke in mynd that ye haue it*,

I rede with my myght" ;
he thaf maide vs aH with his wytf,
sheld vs aH from heH pytt,

And graunf vs heuew lyghf !

153

159

Till the
LortI come
we iiiuatall
go to hell.

156

I have aung
you a fj-tt,
look you
keep it in
mind.

[Exit David.] 162

sibilla piopheta. ludicii signuw tellus sudoi-e madescif,
E celo rex aduenief pe?" secla futurus,
Scilicef in came p7-esens vf iudieef orbera.

(28)
Wlio so wyH here tythyngis glad,
of hym that aH this warldf made,

here me wytte>-ly ! 165

sibiH sage is my name ;
Bof ye me here, ye ar to blame.

My word is p-ophecy. 168

The Sibyl
calls on men
to hear her.

62

A new king
18 coiDing to
flglit the

He Ehall
judge the
world.

Every man
shall rise in
his flesh, &
see Him on
tlio Judg-
ment Day.

[Fol. 19, b.]
They shall
stand before
Him, and
the earth
sliall be
burnt with
^re.

Hill and dale
shall run
together &
all be made
even.

Toioneley Plays. VII. TJie Prophets,

(29)
AH men was slayn thrugli a Jam syn,
And put to pyne thaf neuer shati blyii,

thrugh falsnes of the feyndf j
A new kyng comes from heuen to fyghf
Agans the feynd, to wyn his right,
so is his mercy heynd',

(30)
AH the warlJ shaH he dcme,
And thaf haue seruyd hym to wheme,

Myrlh Ihaym nioii betyde ;
AH shaH se hym with thare ee,
Ryche and poors, low and hye,
No man may -hym hyde;
(31)
Bof thay shaH in thare flesh ryse,
Thaf euery man shaH whake and gryse,

Agans that ilk dome,
with his santw, many oone,
he shaH be sene in flesh andi bone,
thaf kyng thaf is to com.
(32)
AH that shaH stand hym before,
AH shal be les and more,

Of* oone eld! ichon.
Angels shatt qwake then for* ferd.
And fyre shaH bren this mydyH-erdi,
yei, erth and aH ther apoii).
(33)
shaH nothyng here in erth be kend,
Bot if shaH be strewyd" and brend',

AH waters and the see.
sythen shaH both hiH and dale
Kyn togeder, grete and smale,
And aH shaH euen be.

(34)
At hys cowmyng shaH beniys blaw,
Thaf men may his commyng knaw ;
ffuH sorowfuH shaH be that blast ;

171

174

177

180

183

186

189

192

195

198

201

Tmvneley Plays. VII. Tlie Prophets.

Ther is no man that" herys if,
Bof he shaH qwake foi'' att his witt,
Be he neuer so steJfast.

(35)
Then shaH heH gape and gryn,
That men may know thare dome therin,

Of thaf hye iustyco ;
Thaf iH have done, to heH mon go ;
And to heuen tlie other" also,

thaf has been rightwys.

(36)
Therfor*, I rede ilk a man,
kepe, as weH as he can,

fifio syn and fro niysJede.
My prophecy now haue I told ;
GoJ yon saue, both yong and old.

And help you at youre nede !

204

207

213

(39)
fflesh with fleshe wiH be boght.
That he lose not that he has wioght
wytB hys awne heud! ;

228

231

63

Trumpets
shall blow at
His comiDg,
£ men eliall
quake at the
sound.

Hell shall
gape A grin.
The bad shall
go there, the
Rood to
heaven.

210

Therefore let
eacti man
keep him
from sin.

[Exit Sybil.] 216

Daniel. Cum venerit sri«c<us sanotoxum cessabif vncio
ve«'<ra.

(37)
God that maide adam and eue,
whils thay dyd weH, he gaf thaym leue

In paradise to dwell; 219

Sone when thay thaf appyH ete,
Thay were dampnetJ, sone and skete,

Vnto the pyne of" heH, 222

(38)
Thrugh sorow and paynes euer new ;
Therfor wyH god apon vs rew,

And hi3 son downe send! 225

Into erth, flesh to take,
Thaf is all for oure sake,

cure trespas to anieiiJ.

Daniel
recalls the
fall of Adam.

God wills
that His Son
shall take
Qesh to
amend our
trespass.

64

He shall be
bora of a
maiden to
Mve the
loBt.

Tovmeley Plays. VIII. Pharaoh.

Of" a madyn shal he be borne,
To saue aH that* ai* forlorne,

Euermore withoutten entJ. '

234

[Fol. 21, «.
Sig. E. 8.]

■ ■•

(VIII.)
Incipit Fharao.

[36 eight-line stanzas, ab ab ab ab ; 1 seven-line {no. 49), ab ab aba ;
1 six {no. 65), ab ab ab ; 32 fours, ab ab ; and 2 single lines, 109,
365.]

[Dramatis Personae

Pharaoh
calls for
reace.

He IB king
as his father
was before
him.

All Egypt Is
hii.

They who
hearken not
to his words
sIibU be
hanged hipli.

Pharao.
Primtts Miles.
Secundtcs Miles.

Deus.

Primus Puer.
SccundMS Puer.'\

Littters Pagonn.^

Pharao. (1)

PEas, of payn that" no man pas ;
bof kepe the course that I coHimaunde,
And take good hede of liym that" has
youre heltfi aH holy in hys hande ; 4

ffor kyng pharro my fader Was,
And led thys lordshyp of thys land ;
I am hys hayre as nge Wyll has,

Euer in stede to styr or stand. 8

(2)
AH Egypt is myne awne

To leedo aftyr my law ;
I Wold my myght Were knawne'

And lionoryd, as hyt awe. " 12

ffuH low he shaH be thrawne

That' harkyns not my sawe,
hanged hy and drawne,

Therfor no boste ye blaw ; 16

• This Play is unfinished, the rist of fol. 19 b, and the whole of
foL 20, being left blank.

» This is written at top of the page in the margin, in a more
recent hand ; but about half-way down (and not in the margin) are
the words " lyst«r play," in yet another hand.

• MS. knowue.

Towneley Plays. VIII. Pharaoh.

65

(3)
Bof as for kyng I cowimaunJ peasse,

To aH the people of i\\ys enipyre.
looke no man put hym self in preaase,

Bot" that WyH do as I desyre,
And of youro Wordw look that ye seasse.

Take tent* to me, yourc soferand syre,
That* may youre comfort most increasse,

And to my lyst bowe lyfe and lyre.

Be obedient
and take
heed to mo.

20

24

(6)

Thay multyplye fuH fast",
and sothly We suppose

That" shaH" eue?- lasf ,

oure lordshyp for to lose.

28

(4)
Pnmiis Miles. My lord, if any here "Were,
That Wold nof wyrk youre Wyll, [Poi. 21, b.]

If We myght com thaym nere,
ffuH soyn we shuld theym spytt.

(5)
Pliarao. ThrugS out* my kyngdom Wold I ken,

And kun liyni thank that* Wold me teH,
It any Were so Waryd men

That* wold my fors downe feH.

S^cuxidns Miles. My lord, ye haue a maner of men

that make great* mastres vs emeH ;
The lues that Won in gersen,

thay ar callyd chyldjr of Israel.

32

36

Tlie 1st
soldier will
kill any oue
who will
not work
Pharaoh's
will.

Pharaoh
.asks if there
are any in
his kingdom
who wish his
downfall.

The 2nd
soldier
thinks the
Jews in
'gersen' are
too strong.

40

(7)

Pharao. Why, how haue thay syc6 gawdis begun 1

ar thay of myght to make sych frayes?

Prijnus i/iles. Yei, lord, fuH feH folk tlier Was fun

In kyng pharao, youre fade/' dayes. 44

Thay cam of Joseph, Was iacob son —

he Was a prmce Worthy to prayse —
In sythen in ryst* haue thay ay ron ;

thus ar thay lyke to lose youre layse, 48

T. PLAYS. f

They couio
of Joseph,
Jacob's son.

66

The Jews
will con-
found
Pharaoh, if
they go on
multiiilyiiig.

They were
but 70 when
they came,
and after
400 years are
800,000 men.

Towneley Plays. VIII. Pharaoh.
(8)

49

52

60

Pharauh
determines
to crush
them by
cunning.

He is told of
a propliecy,
&. gives
orders tlwl
themidwives
shall kiU uU
Hebrew
babies.

Thay Wyti confound you cleyn,
bof if thay soner sesse.

Pharao. Whaf deuytt is that* thay meyu
thaf thay so fast* incresse ]

(9)

Semndus Miles. How thay incres fuft weH we ken,

as ouie faders dyd vnderstand ;
Thay Were bot sexty and ten

when thay fyisf cam in to thys land ; 56

Sytheu haue soierned in geisen

[Fower hundreth] i Wynt«r, I dar warand ;
Now ar thay nowmbred of myghty men

moo then [thie hundreth] ^ thousand,
(10)

Wyth outen Wyl'e and chyld,
or hyrdw that kepe thare fee.

Pharao. How thus myght we be begyldl
bof shaH it noV be ;

(H)

flor wytfi quaiityse we shaH thaym queH,
so ]}at thay shaH not far sprede.

PiifHUs A/iles. My lord, we haue hard cure faders teH,
and clerkw that weH couth rede, 68

Ther shuld a man walk vs ameli
that shuld fordo vs and oure dede.

Pharao. fEy on hym, to the deuyH of hcH I

64

[Fol. 22, a.
Big. E. 4.]

The rest
Bhall be kept
in bondage
to ditch and
delve.

sych destyny wyH wo not* drede ;

(12)
We shal make mydwyfis to spyH them)

where any ebrew is borne,
And aH menkynde to kyH them),
so shaH thay soyn be lorne.
(13)
And as for elder haue I none awe,

sych bondage shaH I to thaym beyde,
To dyke and delf, here and draw,
and to do aH vnhonest deyde ;
' >IS. iiijc.

72

76

80

» MS. coc.

Tomieley Plays. VIII. Pharaoh.

So shaH these laddts be halden law,
In thraldom euer thare lyfe to leyde.
SecuiK^us Mies. Now, ceitts, thys was a soteH saw,
thus shaH these folk no farthere sprede. 84

(U)
Pharao. Now help to liald theym downe,

look I uo fayntnes fynde.

Primus Miles. AH redy, lord, We shaH be bowne,

in bondage thaym to bynde. 88

Tunc Intraf moijses cum virgd in manu, etc.

(15)

Moyses. Gret god, that aH thys Warld began,

and growndyd it in good degre,
Thou mayde me, moyses, vnto man,

and sythen thou sauyd me from the se ;
kyng Pharao had conimawudytl! than,

ther shukl no man chyld sauyd be ;
Agans hys WyH away I wau ;

tlius has god? sliewed hys myght for me.

(16)
Now am I sett to kepe,

vuder thys montayn syde,
Byshope lettyr shepe,

to better may be tyde ; 100

(17)
A, lord, grete is thy myght !

What man may of yond me;'ueH meyn ?
Yonder I se a selcowth syght,

sycfi on in Warld Was neuer seyn ; 104

A bush I se burnand fuH bryglit,

and euer elyke the leyfes are greyn ;
If it be wark of Warldly Wyghfc,

I WyH go wyfc wythoutyn Weyn. 108

Detis. Moyses, Moyses !

67

The second
soldier

thinks this
a subtle
saying.

Pliaraoh
says there
itiiist be no
faintness.

92

96

Muses
thanks God
for saving
him from
Pharaoh at
hjs birth.

He is now
set to keep
sheep till
better
betide.

He sees a
strange
sight, a bush
burning
while its
leaves keep
green.

hie pi'operat^ ad rubam, et dicit^ ei deus, etc.

68

Tovmehy Plays. VIII. Pharaoh.

God bitls
Moses tiike
off his i.lu)efl
for tlie pinco
is IiHlluwed.

(18)

Moyses, com not to nere,

hot styH in that stede thou JweH,
And harkyn vnto me hero ;

take tent What I the teH.
do of thy shoyes in fere,

wyth mowth as I the meH,
the place thou standis in there

forsothe, is halowd WeH.

110

113

117

He declares
Imiisell HB
the Gt-Ki who
Messed
Abitihaiii,
Isaac Hiid
Jacob.

(19)

I am tliy lord, Wythouten lak,

to lengthe thi lyfe eue» as I lyst ;
I am god that soni tyme spake

to thyn elders, as thay Wyst ;
To abraam, and Isaac,

and iacoh, I sayde sliuld be blyst,
And multytude of the7)t to make,

so that thare seyde shuld not be myet.

(20)

Bot now thys kyng, phavao,

he hurtys my folk so fast,
If that I sufEre hym so,

thare seyde shuldl soyne be past ;
Bot I WyH not so do,

in me if thay Wytt trast,
[Foi. 22, b.] Bondage to bryng* thaym fro.

therfor thou go in hasf

(21)

121

126

not

He wi
RUlTer
PImnioli to
liuri the
Jew a.

129

133

Moses is
bidden to
tell Pharaoh
to let the
Jews go to
the Wildev-
ness to
worship
God.

To do my message, haue in mynde,

to hym that me sych harme mase ;
Thou speke to hym WytB wordts heyndo,

so that* he let my people pas,
To Wyldernes that* thay may Weynde,

to "Worsbyp me as I wyH asse.
Agans my wyH if that tliay leynd,

ful 8oyn hys song shaH be 'alas.'

137

141

Townelcy Plays. VIII. Pharaoh.

(22)
Moi/ses. A, lord ! pardon me, Wytli thy leyf,
tliafc* lynage luffw me noglit ;
Gladly tliay "Wold me greyf,
if I sycb bodworde broghf.

(23)

Good lord, lett som othere frasf,
that has more fore the folke to fere.

Deus. Moyses, be thou iiott abasf,
my bydyng shaH thou boldly here ;

If thay with wrong away "Wold "Wrasf,
outt of the way I shaH the "Were.

Moyses. Good lord, thay "WyH" not me trast
for aH the othes that I can swere ;

(24)
To neuew sych noytj's ncwo

to folk of "Wykyd "WyH,
"Wyth outen tokyn trew,

thay wyH not tent ther tylt.
(25)

Deus. If that he wyH not vnderstand

thys tokyn trew tliat I shaH sent,
Afore the kyng cast downe thy Wand,

and it shaH tume to a serpent ;
Then take the tayH agane in hand —

boldly vp look thou it hent —
And in the state that thou it faud,

then shal it turne by niyne intent*.
(26)
Sythen hald thy hand soyn in thy barnic,

and as a lepre it shal be lyke.
And hole agane with outen harme ;

lo, my tokyns shal be slyke.

(27)
And if he wyH not sufTre then

my people for to pas in peasse,
I shaH send venyance [neyn] ^ or ten,
shaH sowe fuH sore or I seasse.
' MS. it

69

Moses begs
God to send
somebody of
more force.

U5

God bids
him not be
149 abnslied.

Moses fears
tlmt without
a token lie
will not he
153 tnistc'l.

157

161

A wniid that
shall turn
into a 6er-
^^ent & again
into a wand
shall be his
token.

165

He shall be
able to make
liis hand
leprous or
whole.

169

173

If Pharaub
will not let
the people
go, God will
punish him.

70 Toioneley Plays. VIII. Pharaoh.

TiieHeijiews Bot tli& ebrewes, won in lessen,
the" iTgm*. shaH not be merkyd yiiih that measse j
As long as thay my lawes Wytt ken
thare comfortfe shaH eue)- increasse

(28)
Moyses. A, lord, to luf the aght vs wcH,
that maki's tliy folk thus free ;
T shah vnto thaym teH
as thou has told to me.

174

177

181

Moses ask a
by what
name he is
to speak to
riiarftoh i>f
God.

God tells
)iiiii and
blesses liiiii.

185

189

[Fol. 23, a.]

Moses

resolves to
tell his
friends of
this comfort.

1^3

The Israel-
ites he
speaks to
comp ftin of
tbeir lot.

(29)

Bot to the kyng, lord, when I com,
if he aske whaf is thy i name,

And I stand styH, both deyf & dom,
how shuldf I [skape] ^ wit/(outten blame ]

Deus. I say the thus, ' Ego su)?i qui suwi,'
I am he that is the same ;

If thou can nother muf nor mom,
I shaH sheW the from shame.

(30)

Moyses. I vnderstand fuH weH thys Uiyng,
I go, lord, wtt/i aH the myght in me.

Deus. Be bold in my blyssyng*,
thi socoure shaH I be. [Deus retire».]

(31)

Moi/stis. A, lord of luf, leyn me thy lare,

that I may truly talys teH ;
To ray freyndw now wyH I fare,

the chosyn childre of IsraeH,
To teH theym comfortfi of thare care,

in dawngere ther as thay dweH.
God manteyn you euermare, [Mo.fes accosts the Israelites.]

And mekyH myrtfi be you emeH. 201

(32)

^ri??ius jmer. A, niastu)- moyses, dere !
oure myrth is aH mowrnyng ;

ffull hard lialden ar we liere
as carls vndec the kyng.

197

205

> MS. my.

* MS. skake.

Tovmeleif Plays. VIII. Pharaoh.

71

(33)

^ecunffus jjHec. We may mowrn, both more and myn,
ther is no man that oure myrth mase ;

Bet syn we ar aH of a kyn,
god send vs corafortli in thys case. 209

Moijses. Brethere, of yours mowrnyng blyn ;
god WyH delyue)" you tlirugh his grace,

Out* of this wo he wyH you vrjn,
and put you to youre pleassyng place ; 213

(34)
ffor I shatt carp vnto the kyng,
and fownd fuH soyn to make you free.

primus puer. God grannt you good Weyndyng,
and euerniore wj'tA you be. 217

[Moses approaches Pharaoh.]

(35)

Moyses. kyng pharao, to me take tent.

Pharao. Wliy, boy, what tythyngw can thou tett 1

Moijses. fErom god hym self hydder am I sent
to foche the chyldre of Israeli ; 221

To "Wyldemes he wold tliay went.

Pharao. yei, weynd the to the devyH of heHI
I gyf no force What he has meuf,

In my dangers, herst thou, shaH thay dweH ; 225

(36)

And, fature, for thy sake,
thay shalbe put to pyne.

Moyses. Tlien wyH god venyance take
of the, and of aH thyn. 229

(37)

Pharao. On me? fy on the lad, out of my land !
wenys thou thus to loyse cure lay 1

\To the soldiers.']

Say, whence is yond warlow with his wand
that thus wold wyle oure folk away] 233

Primus Miles. Yond is moyses, I dar warand,
agans aH egypt lias beyn ay,

Greatt defawte vrith hym youre fader fand ;
now wyH he mar you) if he may. 237

They pray
God send
them com-
fort.

b wish
Moses
8ucces9.

Moses asks
Pliaraoii to
let the
Israelites
go to the
wilderness.

Pharaoh
refuses, with
threats.

The iHt
soldier says
Moses has
ever been a
foe to Egypt.

72

Pharaoh
asks Moses
for a token.

[Fol. 23, b.]

He changes
his wand
Into a
serpent.

Then

changes it
back again.

Pli.^i-aoh
says these
gauds Khali
help the
Israelites
nothing.

245

249

263

Towneley Plays. VIII. Pharaoh.

(38)

Pliarao. ffy on hym ! nay, nay, that dawnce is done ;
lurdan, thou leryd to late.

Moyses. God bydis the giaunt ray bone,
and let me go my gate. 241

(39)
Pharao. Bydj's god me 1 fals loseH, thou) lyae 1
What tokyn told he 1 take thou tent.

Moyses. He sayd thou) shuld dyspyse
botfi me, and hys commaundemenf ;

iforthy, apon thys wyse,
my "Wand he bad, in thi present*,

I shuld lay downe, and the avyse
how it shuld turne to oone serpent ;

(40)
And in hys holy name
here I lay it downe ;
lo, syr, here may thou se the same.

Pharao. A, ha, dog ! the devyH the drowne !

(41)
Moysea. He bad me take iV by the tayH,
for to prefe hys powere playn) ;

Then he sayde, wythouten fayH,
hyt shuld turne to a wand agayn.
lo, sir, behold !

Pharao. wyth ylahayH !

Cert^ this is a soteH swayn !

bot thyse boyes shaH abyde in bayH,
AH thi gawdis shaH thaym not gayn ;
(42)
Bot wars, both morn and none,
shaH thay fare, for thi sake.

Moyses. I pray god send us venyange sone,
and on thi Warkis take wrake. 265

(43)
prhnns Miles. Alas, alas ! this land is lorn !
on lyfe we may [no] longer leynd ;

Sych myschefe is fallen syn niorfl,
ther may no medsy^i it amend. 269

257

261

Tmoneley Piayn. VIII. Pharaoh.

73

Pharao. Why cry ye so, lad Jw 1 lyst ye skorfi 1
yus Miles. Syr kyng, sycli care was neuer kend,
In no mans tyme that" eue?- was borne.

Pharao. TeH on, belyfe, and make an end. 27.3

(44)

PiimMS. Miles. Syr, the Waters that were ordand
for men and bestis foyde,

Thrugh outt aH egypf land,
ar turnyd into reede bloyde ; 277

(45)

fl'tiH vgly and fuH yH is hytt,
that both fresh and! fayre was before.

Pharao. 0, ho ! this is a wonderfuH thyiig to wytt,
of aH the warkis that* ener wore I 281

yus Miles. Nay, lord, ther is anothere yit,
that" sodanly sowys vs fiiH sore ;

ffor todj's and froskis may no man flyt,
thay venom vs so, both les and more. 285

The soMiers
ftnnounce
tlie first
I'lague : the
wntei-s are
tumc'i to
red blood.

Tlie 2ud
plague :
venomous
toads.

(46)

Primus Miles. Greatte mystw, stV, ther is both morn Ti.esrd

and noyn, Pj^"

bytevsfuHbytterly; ;™^J«^

we trow that it be doyn l&y.

thrugh moyses, oure greatte enniy. 289

(47)

yus Af//es. My lord, bof if this menye may remefe,
Mon neuer myrth be vs amaug.

Pharao. Go, say to hym we wyH not* gi-efe,
bof thay shaH neuer the tytte;- gang*. 293

Pdmns Milei. Moyses, my lord gyffys leyfe
to leyd tin folk to lykyng lang.

So thaf we mend of oure myschefe.

Moijites. ffuH weH I wote, thyse wordw av wrang ; 297

(48)
But hardely aH that I heytt

ffuH sodanly it shaH be seyn ;
vncowth metuels shalbc meyt

And he of malyce meyn. 301

Pharaoh
makes
delusive
offers to let
the Jews go
(Fol. 24, a.)

74

TowTieley Plays, VIII. Pharaoh.

The 4th

plague :

great

" loppys"

[deaaj.

The 5th
piHgue : a
murrain on
the cattle.

Phnmoh
renews his
prvteiided
pcnniasion

The 6th
plagae :
boils dk
Mains.

Tlie 7th

fijagne :
tail and

(49)
Se.c\x\\das il/iles. A, lord, alas, for doyH we dy ! 302
we dar look oute af no dowre.

Pharao. Whaf, ragyd the dwyB of lieH, alys you so

to cry I
Pi'imus Miles, ffor we fare wars then eue)- we fowre ; 305
grete loppys ower aH fiw land thay fly,

And where thay byte thay make grete blowre,
and in ewery place oure bestw dede ly.i 308

(50)

Se,cund\xs itf iles. hors, ox, and asse,
thay faH downe dede, syr, sodanly.

Phorao. we ! lo, ther is no man that has
half as mych harrae as I. 312

(51)

Pri?)ius ilfiles. yis, sir, poore folk haue mekyH wo,
to se thare cataH thus out cast.

The lues in gessen fayre not* so,
thay haue lykyng for to last. 316

Pharao. Then shaH we gyf theym leyf to go,
to tyme this pe?'eB be on past ;

Bof, or thay flytt oghf far vs fro,
we shaH fejw bond twyse as fast. 320

(52)

/S'ecunrfus Mies. Moyses, my lord gyffi's leyf
thi meneye to remeue.

Moyses. ye mon hafe more myschefe
bof if thyse talys be trew. 324

(53)

Primus 1/iles. A, lord, we may not leyde thyse lyfys.

Pharao. what, dwyH ! is grevance grofen agayn 1

iSecuniius Ifiles. ye, s/>, sich powder apon vs dryfys,
where it abidys if makys a blayn ; 328

MeseH makys it man and wyfe,^
thus ar we hurt with hayH & rayn.

Syr, v[y]nys in montanse may nof thryfe,
so has frost & thoner thaym slayn. 332

' The following line in — owre is left out.

" Tlie singular rymes with the plural now and then.

Totmieley Plays. VIII. Pharaoh. 75

(54)

Pharao. yei, bof how do thay in gessen, Pimraou

the lues, can ye me say ? ™6^he«"s''ths.

Primus Miles. Of aH thyse cares no thyng thay ken, unhuHby
thay feyH noght of our afray. 336 """" ''*""'

(55)

Pharao. No ? the ragyd ! the dwyH I sytt thay in peasse ?
and we eue»'y day in doute & drede?

i/us Afiles. My lord, this care wyll euer encrese,
to moyses haue his folk to leyd ;

Els be we lorn, it is no lesse,
yif were it better that fai yede. 342

(56)

Pharao. Thes folk shaH flyf no far, But stm will

If he go welland wode. not let the,,.

Primus M\\es. Then wiH it sone be war; [FoI. 24, bj

If were better thay yode. 346

(57)

t/'us Milos. My h^rd, new harme is comyn in hand. Thcsth

Pharao. Yei, .JwiH, wiH ifr no better be I woml'o"'"

Piimus MWes. wyld wormes ar layd ouer aH this land, *""*"■
Tliai leyf no floure, nor leyf on tre. 350

t/us AfUes. Agans that storme may no man stand ;
And mekyH more merueH thynk me,

Thaf thise thre^ dayes has bene durand TUoMh

Sich myst, ^at no man may other se. 354 ^^miBl

Primus ^iles. A, my lord ! or darkless.

Pharao. hagh !

(58)

tyus Miles. Grete pestilence is comyn j^ The 10th

If is like ful long to last. pestilence."

Pharao. [pestilence 2] in the dwilys name !
then is oure pr/de ouer past. 359

(59)
Primus Miles. My lord, this care lastw lans, Ti,e let

■ ... 1 , . 1 soWier says

and wiH, to moyses haue his bone ; care win last

, , , , , till Moses

let hym go, els wyrk we wrang, be satisfied.

If may not help to houer ne hone. 363

' MS. iij. ' Its ryme name is assonantal.

• MS. pentilence.

76

Towneley Plays, VIIL Pharaoh.

Phftrnoli
gives leave
for the Jews
to go, but
hojies to
catch them
again.

The

Israelites

doubt, but

A!o8ed

fissuren

them.

Ho parts the
KodSea
with his
wand.

[Fol. 25, ft.]

Pharao. Then wiH we gif thcyra leyf to gang ; 364

Syn if musf nedu- be doyn ;

Perchaims we saH thayra fang
and mar the^i or to morn af none. 367

(60)

j/us il/iles. Moyses, my lord ho saya
them shaH haue passage playn.

Moyses. Now hauo we lefe to pas,
my freyndw, now be ye fayn; 371

(61)

Cora f urth, now sail ye weynd
to land of lykyng you to pay.

Pri?nus puer. Bof kyng Pharao, that fiila feynd,
he wiH vs eft betray ; 375

ffuH soyn he will shape vs to sheynd,
And after vs send his garray.

Moyfes. Be nof abasf, god is oure freynd,
And aH oure foes wiH slay ; 379

(62)

Therfor com on w/t/i me,
haue done and drede you noght.

ij'us Puer. That* lord.blyst might he be,
that vs from bayH has broght. 383

(63)

Pri?rtus puer. Sich frenship neue;- we fand ;
bof yif I drede for perels aH,

Tlie reede see is here at hand,
ther shal we byde to we be thraH. 387

Moyses. I shaH make way ther wiih my wanr?,
as god has sayde, to sayf vs att ;

On ay ther syde the see moi^ stand,
to we be gone, right" as a waH. 391

(64)
Com on wyth me, leyf none behynde ;
lo fownd! ye now youre god to pleasse,
hie pertransienV mare.

Seenadns pmr. 0, lord ! this way is heynd ;
Now weynd we aH at easse, 395

Tovxneley Plays. VIII. Pharaoh.

77

(65)

/Ji'imus Miles, kyng pharao ! thyso folk ar gone.

Pharao. Say, ar ther any noyes new 1

yus J/iles. Thise Ebrews ar gone, lord, euer-ichon).

Pharao. how says thou that* %

Pninns Miles. lord, thaf tayH is trew. 399

Pharao. We, out tyte, thaf they were tayn ;
That' ryett radly shuH thay rew,

we shaH not seasse to thay be slayn-,
ifor to the see we shaH thaym sew ; 403

(66)

So charge youre chariottt's swythe.
And fersly look ye folow me.

ijuB Miles. AH redy, lord, we ar fuH blytli
Af youre by Jdyng to be. 407

(67)

Pri7/tus 3/ile3. lord, af youre byddyng ar we bowne
Oure bodys boldly for to beyd ;

we shaH not seasse, bof dyng aH downc.
To aH be dede withouten drede. 411

Pharao. heyf vp youre hertis vnto mahowue,
he wiH be nere vs in cure nede ;

help ! the raggyd dwyH, we drowne !
Mow mon we dy for aH oure dede. 415

Tunc merget eos mare.

(68)

Moijsea. Now ar we won from aH oure wo,
And sauyd out of the sec ;

louyng gyf wo god vnto,
Go we to land now merely. 419

(69)

px'xmxxs piLe}\ lofe we may that* lord on hyghf,
And euer teH on this inerueH ;

Drownyd he has Kyng pharao myghf,
louyd bo that* lord Emanuett. 423

Moyses. heuen, thou attend, I say, in syght*,
And ertR my wordys ; here what I tett.

As rayn or dew on ertH doya lyght
And waters herbys and trees fuR wett, 427

Pharaoh is
told of tho
flight of the
Jews.

Hfi pursues
tlieiii with
his chariots;

calliDi; on
Muhotind,
Ue & his
men are
drowned.

Moses and
tlie Jews
give tlianks
to God for
tlieir safe
passage.

[Fol. 25, b.]

78

TmmuUy Plays. IX. Caesar Augustus.

(70)
Honoured be Gyf louyng to godJys mageste,
Trini'^. liys dedys ar done, hys ways ar trew,

honowred be he in trynyte,

to hym be honowre and veitew.

428

431

Anien).
Explicit pharao.

The

Emperor
coniinauds
silence, and
maguiOes his
own power.

[Fol. 26, a.]

(IX.)

Incipit Cesar Augustus.

[40 six-line stanzas aab ccb.]

[Dramalis Personae.

Imperalor.
Primus ConsuUus.
Secundus ConsuUiis.

Ifmicius. (Lyyhtfole. )
Sirinus. ]

B'

Impntatur. (1)

|E styH, besheis, I cowmawud yow,
That no man speke a word hero now

Bof I my self alon ;
And if ye do, I make a vow,
Thys brand abowte- youre nekys shaH bow,
fEor thy be styH as stoii) :
(2)
And looke ye grefe nie noght,
ffor if* ye do if shaH be boght,

I swere you by mahowne ;
I wote weH if ye knew me oght,
To sic you aH how lytyH I roghf,

Stoii slyH ye wold syt downe.
(3)
ffor aH is myn that* vp standys,
Castel.'!, tower.i, townys, and laudys,
To me homage thay bryng ;
ffor I may bynd and lowse of band,
Euery thyng bowys vnto my hand,
I wanf none erthly thyng.

12

15

18

Tovmeley Plays. IX. Caesar Augustus.

79

21

24

(*)
I am lord and syr oner aH:,
AH bowys to me, both grete and smaH,

As lord of euery land ;
Is none so comly on to caH,
Whoso this agane says, fowH sliaH be faH,

And therto here my hand.

(5)
ffor I am he that myghty is,

And hardely aH hathennes

Is redy at my wyH ;
Both ryche, and poore, more & les,
At' my lykyng for to redres,

whether I wyH saue or spyli.

(6)
Cesar august I am calii,
A fayrer cors for to behald.

Is nof of bloode & bone ;
Eyche ne poore, yong ne old^,
Sych an othere, as I am told.

In aH thys warW is none.

(7)
Bot oone thyng doys me fuH mych care,
I trow my land vvyH sone mysfaro

ffor defawte of counseH lele ;
My counselkrs so wyse of lare,
help to comforth me of care.

No wyt from me ye fole.

(8)
As I am man moost* of renowne,
I shaH you gyf youre waryson

To help me if ye may. 45

pnmxxa ConsidtvLS. To counseH you, lord, we ar bowne,
And for no man thaf lyfys in towne

wyH wo not let, perfay ; 48

(9)
youre measyngere I reede ye cat!,
flfor any thyng that may befaH,

He is lord
over a!!.

All

heatheneaa
obeys him.

27

30

He is called
Caesar
AugHBtus,
the fairest
33 body on
earth.

36

One tiling
troubles
him : he
needs loyal
39 counsel.

42

Tlie Ist
councillor
bids him
send for his
messenger.

80

Tcnondey Plays. IX. Caesar Augustus,

His messen-
ger sliall
Uroclniiii his
peftco over
all the IrimI.

The

Empcrur
assents.

[Fol. 26, b.]

The 2nd
councillor
haa heard
that a virgin
Bliall bear a
child wlio
shall lay
low the
Emperor's
might.

The

Emperor
nges with
fear and
anger.

Byd hyra go hastely, 51

Thrugh out youre landys ouer att,
Amang youre folk, botS grete and smaH

youre gyrth & peasse to cry ; 54

(10)
ffor to co)«maunde both yong & ol(J,
None be so hardy no so bold,

To hold of none bot you ; 57

And! who so doth, put them in hold.
And loke ye payu theyni many fold.

TinpeTator. I shaH, I make a vowe ; 60

(11)
Of thys counseH" weH payde am I,

If shaH be done fuH hastely,

wyth outen any respytt. 63

jSecun(ius ConswZ^us. My Lord abyde awyle, for why 1
A word to you I wold cleryfy.

Imperator. Go on, then, teH me tytt. 66

(12)
Secxmdns Consultns. AH redy, lord, now permafay,
Tliys haue I herd syn many day,

ffolk in the contre teH ; 69

That in this land shuld dweH a may,
The whith saH here a chylde, thay say.

That shaH youre force downe feH. 72

(13)
Imperator. Downe feH 1 dwyH ! what may this be ?
Ouf, harow, fuH wo is me !

I am fuH wyH of reede ! 75

A , fy, and dewyls ! whens cam ho
That thus shuld reyfe me my pawste 1

Ere shuld I be his dede. 78

(14)
ffor certys, then were my worshyp lorne.
If sych a swayn, a snoke home,

Shuld thus be my suf&ane ; 81

may I wyt when that* boy is borne.
In certan, had the dwyH hit sworne,

thaf gadlyng shuld agane. 84

Towneky Plays. IX. Caesar Augustus.

81

99

(15)
Primus ConsuUus. Do way, lord, greyf you not so,
youre messyngere ye cause furth go

Aftyr youre cosyn dere, 87

To speke ■with you a word! or two,
The best counseH thaf lad to slo,

ffuH soyn he can you lere ; 90

(16)
fiFor a wyse man that knyght men know.
Imperato): Now I assent vnto thi saw,
of witt art thou the weH ;
fFor all the best men of hym blowys ;
he shaH neuer dystroy my lawes,
were he the dwyH of heH.

(17)
Com lyghtfote, lad, loke thou be yare
On my message furth to fare,

go tytt to sir syryn ;
Say sorow takys me fuH sare,
pray hym to comforth me of care,

As myn awne dere cosyn ;

(18)
And bot if thou com agano to nyght,
look I se the neuer in syght,

neuer where in my land.
Nuncius. yis, certj/s, lord, I am fuH lyght,
or noyn of the day, I dar you hyght,
to bryng hym by the hand.

(19)
Imperator. yai, boy, and as thou) InSys me dere,
Luke that thou spy, both far and nere,

Ouer aH in ych place ;
If thou here any saghes sere,
Of any carpyng, far and nere.

Of thaf lad? where thaf thou) gase.

(20)
Nuncius. AH redy, lord, I am) fuH bowne,
To spyr and spy in euery towne,

T. PLAYS.

The 1st
Councillor
bids the
Emperor
take counsel
with his
cousin
Sirinus.

The

Emperor
vo assents.

96

and sends
his inesseu-
ger Lyght-
loot,

102

bidding liira
be back bj
night.

105

108

[Fol 27, fl.
8ig. ff. 1.1
and keep his
111 ears open for

114

82

Toioneley Plays. IX. Caesar Augustus.

Lyghtfoot
promises.

The

Emperor
prays

Mahound to
speed hjm.

Lyghtfoot

CTects

Sirinus

in the

Emperor's

name,

and bids him
come to hold
counsel.

Sirinufl
proniiBes.

Lyghtfoot
returns to
the Em-
peror,

and nn-
nounces the
approach of
Birinus.

After that* wykkjd queyd ; 117

If I here any runk or rowne,
I shaH fownd to crak thare crowne,

Ouer ati, in ylk a stede ; 120

(21)
And therfor, lord, haue now good day.

Imperator. Mahowne he wyse the on thi way,

Thaf weldys water aud wynde ; 123

And specyally, here I the pray,
To spede the as fast as thou may.

Nuneius. yis, lord, thaf shaH ye fyude. 126

(22) [To Sirinus.]

Mahowne the saue and se, siV syiyne !
Cesar, my lord, and youre cosyn,

he gretys you weH by me. 129

Sinnus. Thou art welcom) to me and myri) ;
Com nere and teH me tythand?/s thyn),

Tyte, whaf thay may be. 132

(23)
Nuncius. My lord prays you, as ye Inf hym dere,
To com to hym, if youre wyH were.

To speke with hym) awhyle. 135

Sirinus. Go grete hym weH, thou messyngere,
say hym I com, and thaf right nere,

BehyntJ the not a myle. 138

(24)
Nuncius. AH redy, lord, af youre byddyng. \To Cesar.']
Mahowne the menske, my lord kyng,

And save the by see and sand. 141

Lnpeiator. Welcom), bewshere, say whaf tythyng,
Do teH me tyte, for any thyng,

Whaf herd thou in my landl 144

(25)
Nuncius. I herd! no thyng, lord, bot goode ;
Syr syryn, thaf I after yode,

he wyH be here this nyght. 147

Impexator. I thank the by mahownes bloode ;
Thise tj'thyngys mekyH amendj/s my mode ;

Go rest, thou) worthy wyght. 150

Towneley Plays. IX. Caesar Augustus.

83

(26)
Sirinus. Mahowne so semely on) to caH,
he saue the, lord of lordt's aH,

Syttyng with thi meneye. 153

Impeiaior. Welcom, sir syrynne, to this haH,
Besyde my self here sytt thou sliaH,

Com) vp belyf to me. 156

(27)
SirinuB. yis, lord, I am at youre talent*.
Impetator. WTierfor, sir, I after the sent,

I shaH the say fuH right- ; 159

And therfor take to me intent,
I am in poynt for to be shenf.

Sirinus. how so, for mahownes myghtl 162

(28)
Lnperatoi. syr, I am done to vnderstand,
That a qweyn here, in this land,

shaH here a chyldf I wene, 165

That shaH be crowned kyng lyfand.
And aH shaH bow'vnto his hand ;

Tbise tythyngys doth me teyne. 168

(29)
he shaH commaunde both ying and old,
None be so hardy ne so bold

To gyf seruyce to me ; 171

Then wold! my hart be cold
If sich a beggere shold

My kyngdom) thus reyf me ; 174

(30)
And therfor, S(V, I wold the pray.
Thy best counseH thou wold me say,

To do what I am) best ; 177

ffor securly, if that I may,
If he be fonden I shaH hym slay,

Aythere by eest" or west*. 180

(31)
SyrinxLS. 'Now wote ye, lord, what that I reede ;
I counseH you, as ete I brede,

Sirinus and
the Euiperor
greet each
otlier.

The Ein-

geror tells
irinus of
his danger ;
[Fol, 27, b.]

liuw a quean
shall bear a
chilli who
shall become
king.

No one will
then give
service to
himself.

He asks
counsel from
Siriuus.

84.

SiriiiUB bids
the Kiiiperor
peek out the
bny & kill
him,

and com-
mand every
man to
come to
him, bring-
ing a liead-
penny,

on tlic third
day. Thus
they will
all pay him
honingc.

The Em-
peror agrees,
& rewards
him.

Uo Bonds
out his
messenger

IFol. 28, a.
8ig. fi- 2.)
to command
the folk to
own none
but him lis
their lord.

TovmeUy Plays, IX. Caesar Augmtnx

what^ best therof may be ;
Gar scrclic youre land in eutf?y stedfi,
Aud byd that boy be done to dede,
who the fyrsf may hyw see ;
(32)
And also I rede thaf yc gar cry,
To flenie wyth aH thaf belainy,

Thaf sbuld be kyng with crowne ;
Byd ych man com to you holly,
And bryng to you a heede penny,

Thaf dwellys in towere or towne ;
(33)
Thaf this be done by the thyrde day,
Then may none of his freyndys say,

Bof he has mayde homage.
If ye do thus, sir, permafay,
youre worship shaH ye wyn for ay,
If thay make you trowage.
(34)
ImpevaioT. 1 thank you, sir, as myghf I the,
ffor thyse tythyngyi- thaf thou tellys me,

Thy counseil shaH avayH ;
lord and syre of this cowntre,
wythouten ende here make I the,
ffor thy good counseH ;
(35)
My messyngcre, loke thou be bowne,
And weynd belyf from towne to towne.

And be my nobyH swano ;
I pray the, as thou lutfys mahowne,
Aud also for thy waryson,

Thaf thou com tytf agaue.
(36)
Co??imaunde the folk holly ichon,
Eyche ne poore forgett thou none.

To hold holly on me,
And lowtf me as thare lord alone ;
Aud who wyH nof thay shaH be slone.
This brand tharc bayH shal be.

183

186

189

192

195

198

201

204

207

210

213

216

Tovmeley Plays. IX. Caesar Augiistus. 85

(37)
Therfor thou byd both old and yiiig, cm and

That ich man know me for his kyng, Viug'their

ffor drede that I thaym spyH, 219 dohMuage.

That" I am lord, and in tokynyng,
Byd ich man a penny bryng,

And make homage me tyH. 222

(38)
To my statutes who wyH not stand, not°keep'l

fifasf for to fle outt of my land, statutes

^ ' must flee

Byd thaym, wit/(Outen lyte ; 225 f™'^*"^

Now by raahowue, god aH weldand, h^ promises

•* ' ° ' the inessen-

Thou shaH be mayde knyght -with my hand, gcrknight-

And therfor hye the tyte. 228

(39)
Nuncius. AH redy, lord, it" shaH be done; gersaysho

TV J -r 1 t\ r ^ i cannot be

BoF 1 wote wen i com) not sone, bark soon,

And tiierfor be not" wroth ; 231

I swere you, sir, by son and moyne,

I com) not* here by fore eff none,

wheder ye be leyfe or loth ; 234

(40)
Bet" '.lafe good day, now wyH I weynd,
(Tor longer here may I nof leynd,

Bof grathe me furtli my gate. 237

Imperator. Jlahowne that" is curtes and heynd, Kound^

he biyng thi lornay weH to eyud, ^p'"* •""'

And wysh the that" aH wate. 240

Explicit Cesar Augustus.

and starts
off.

The Em-

86

Tmvneley Plays. X. The Annunciation.

God recalls
the creation
of Adftm and
hiB fall.

[Fol. 28.b.l

The time is
come to
redeem }iim
from his
pain,

fi>r Adam
was beguiled
by the Ser-
jient £ Eve.

Gi'd'3 Son
shall take
on Him
manhood.

(X.)

Incipit Asnunciacio.

[38 couplets aa ; 49} six-line stmutas aab ccb.]

[Dramatis Personae.

Dnts. Gahricl. Maria. Joseph. Angelus.]

(1)
Deiis. Sythen I liaue mayde aH thyng of noght,

And Adam with my handis hath wroght,

Lyke to myn ymage, att my devyse,

And gyffen liym loy in paradyse,

To won therin, as that I wend,

To that he dyd thaf I defend ;

Then I hym) put out of that* place,

Bot* yit, I mynl, I hight hym grace

OyH of mercy I can hym) heyt,

And tyme also his bayH to beytt.

ffor he has boghf his syn i\M sore,

Thise fyfe ^ thowsand yeris and more,

ffyrst* in erthe and sythen) in heH ;

Bot* long therin shaH he not dweH.

Outf of payn he shaH be boghf,

I wyH not tyne that I haue wroght.

I wyH make redempcyon,

As I hyght for my person,

AH wyth reson and mth right,

Both thrugh mercy and thrugft myghf.

he shaH not, therfor, ay be spylf,

ffor he was wrangwysly begylf ;

he shaH out of preson pas,

ffor thaf he begyled was

Thrugh the edder, and his wyfe ;

Thay gart hym towch the tree oi lyfc,

And ete the frute that I f orbed,

And he was dampned for that dede.

Eyghtwysnes wytt we make ;

I wyH: thaf my son manhede take,

> MS. V.

12

16

20

24

28

Tovmeley Plays. X. The Annunciation.

ffor reson wyil that* ther be thre,

A man, a madyn, and a tre :

Man for man, tre for tre,

Madyn for madyn ; thus shal it be.

My son shaH in a madyn Hghf,

Agans the feynd of heH to fight* ;

wythouten wem), os son thrugh glas,

And she madyn as she was.

Both god and man shaH he be,

And she mode;- and madyn fre.

To abraham I am in detf

To safe hym and his gett ;

And I wytt thaf aH prophecye

Be fulfyllyd here by me ;

ffor I am lord and lech of heyle,

My pj-ophetys shaH be funden leyle ;

As moyses sayd, and Isay,

Kyug dauid, and leromy,

Abaciik, and danieU,

SybyH sage, that* saydo ay weH,

And myne othere p?-ophetM aH,

As thay haue [said] it* shaH befaH.i

Eyse vp, gabrieH, and weynd

vnto a madyn thaf is heynd,

To nazaretli in galilee,

Ther she dwellys in that* cytee.

To thaf vyrgyn and to thaf spouse,

To a man of dauid house,

loseph also he is namyd by,

And the madyn name mary.

Angett must to mary go,

ffor the feynd was eue fo ;

he was foule and layth to syght,

And thou art angeH fayr ana bright ;

And hayls thaf madyn, my lemman,

As heyndly as thou can.

Of my behalf thou shaH hyr grete.

I haue hyr chosen, thaf madyn swete,

32

U

56

60

64

87

There nmat
be man for
man, maid
for maid,
tree for tree.

36

40

■ The word
hand.

' said " has been inserted in the MS.

68

by a later

Abraham &
tlis seed
must be
saved, and
all prophecy
fuimied.

48

52

God bids
Gabriel go to
the Virgin
Mary,
spouse of
Joseph,

(a good angel
to Maiy.asa
bad angel to
EveJ

and haij her.

88

God has
chosen Mary
to conceive
his darling.

[Fol. 29, a.
Sig. ft'. 3.]

Gabriel hails
Marji queen
of virgins.

72

The Lord of
heaven is
with her.

She shall
conceive a
child of
might.

Towneley Plays. X. The Annunciation.

She shaH conceyf my derlyng,
Thnigli thy word and liyr heryng.
In hyr body wyH I lygfit,
That* is to me clenly dyght< ;
She shaH of hyr body here
God and man wythouten) dere.
She shaH be blyssyd wythouten ende ;
Grayth the gabrieH, and weynd. 76

(2) [Gabriel goes to Mary.]
Gah-ie&. hayH, mary, gracyouse !
hayli, madyn and godts spouse !

Vnto the I lowte ;

Of aH vyrgyns thou arf qwene,

That euei* was, or shaH be seyn,

wytliouten dowte.

(3)
liayH, mary, and weH thcu be !
]\Iy lord of heucn is wyth the,

wythouten end ;
hayH, woman most of medo!
Goodly lady, haue thou no drede,

That" I commend ;

(4)
ffor thou has fouden aH thyn cone.
The grace of god, thaf was out gone,

ffor adam plyght.
This is the gi'ace that the betydys,
Thou shaH conceyue wMin thi sydys

A chyld of myght.

(5)

He shall be
called Jesus.

When he is comen, that thi son,
he shaH take cyrcUHisycyon,

CaH hym iheswm.
MightfuH man shaH be he thaf.
And godys son shaH he hat,

By his day com.

(6)
My lord also shaH gyf hym tvH
hys fader sete, dauid, at wyH,

79

82

85

88

91

94

97

100

Towneley Flays. X. The Annundatwn. 8£

Therin to sytt :

103 He slum be

he shaH be kyng in laeob kyn,

KJDg ID

Jacob.

hys kyiigdom shaH neuer blyn,

lady, weH thou wytt.

106

(7)

Maria. Whaf is thi name ?

Mary ftskj

Gabriel. gabrieH ;

Gabriel's
Dame

godys strengthe and his angeH,

That coinys to the.

109

Maria, fferly gretyng thou me gi'etys ;

How can all

A cliild to here thou me hetys,

this be?

how shuldf if be ?

112

(8)

I cam neuer by man's syde,

She is a

Bot lias avowed my madynhede,

TOWed

virgin.

ffrom fleshly gett.

115

Therfor I wote not how

That this be brokyn, as a vow

Thaf I haue hett ;

118

(9)

Neuer the les, weH I wote,

But Qod is

To wyrk thi word and hole? thi bote

miglity to

faiau

MightfuH god is ;

121 r£'''^

Bof I ne wote of what manere.

Therfor I pray the, messyngerc,

That tliou me wysfi.

124

(10)

GahrieYl. lady, this is the preuate ;

Gabriel says
the Holv

The holy gost shaH lighf in the,

Ghost siiAll.

And his vertue,

J27 lig^^*^ *" >^e'"-

he shaH vmshade and fulfyH

[Fol. 29. b,]

Thaf thi madynhede shaH neue;' spyH,

Bof ay be new.

130

(H)

The child thaf thou shaH here, madame.

The chiM

ShaH gody* son be calliJ by name ;

she shnll
bear shall l»e

And se, mary.

TOO God's Son.
ioo Her cousin

Elesabeth, thi Cosyn, thaf is cald' geld?,

Elizabeth
also has

She has conoeyfEed a son in elde,

conceived
a son.

Of zacary ;

136

90

Kolhing is
impossible
with God.

Mary piftisea
Gofl, &.
believes the
angel's
messnge.

Gabriel
tokes leave
of Mary.

Joseph

iiiftTvels at
the con-
dition in
which he
finds his
wife.

He bemoans
lumself that
ever he
married one
BO young.

Towneley Plays. X. The Annunciation.

(12)
And this is, who wyH late,
The sext" monetfi of hyr conceytate,

Thaf geld is calcV. 139

No word, lady, that" I the bryiig,
Is viimyghtfuH to heuen kyng,

Bof aH shaft haB. 142

(13)
Maria. I lofe my lord aH weldaiid,
I am his niadyn af his hand.

And in his wold ; 145

I trow bodword thaf thou inc biyng,
Be done to me in ail thyng.

As thou has toldf. 148

(14)
Gabriel. Mary, madyn heynd,
me behovys to weynd,

my leyf at* the I take. 151

Maria. fEar to my freynd,
"Who the can send,

ffor mankynde sake. 154

\Gahriel retires ; Joseph advances.'\
(15)
losept. AH-myghty god, what may this be I
Of mary my wyfe me/Tiels me,

Alas, what has she wroghf f 157

A, hyr body is grete and she wit/i childe I
ffor me was she neue>' fylyd,

Therfor myin is if noght. 160

(16)
I irke fuH sore with my lyfe,
Thaf euer I wed so yong a wyfe,

Thaf bargan may I ban ; 163

To me it was a carefuH dede,
I myght weH wyf that yowthede

wold! haue lykyng of man. 166

(17)
I am old, sothly to say,
passed I am aH preuay play.

Towneley Plays. X. The Annunciation.

91

The gams fro me ar gane. 169

If is iH cowpled' of youth and aide ;
I wote weH, for I am vnwelde,

som others has she tane. 172

(18)
she is wt'tA chyld, I wote neue?- how,
Now, who wolfJ any woman trow 1

Ceriys, no man that can any goode ;
I wote not* in the warld whaf I shuld do,
Bofr now then wyH I weynd hyr to,

And wytf who owe that foode.

(19)
hayB, mary, and weH ye be !
why, hot woman, what* chere ■with the 1

Maria. The better, sir, for you. 181

logeph. So wolcJ I, woman, thaf ye wore ;
Bof certys, mary, I rew fuH sore

It" standys so -with the now. 184

(20)
Bof of a thyng frayn tlie I shaH,
who owe this chil(} thou gose witA aH 1

Maria. Syr, ye, and god of heuen). 187

Joseph. Myne, mary 1 do way thi dyn ;
ITiaf I shul(} oghf haue parte therin

Thou nedj/a if not to neuen ; 190

(21)
wherto neuyns thou me therto 1
I had neuer with the to do,

how shuld if then be myne ?
whos is thaf chyldf, so god the spede 1

Mario. Syr, godys and yowrs, wtt/i outen drede.
Joseph. Thaf wont had! thon to tyne,

(22)
fifor it is righf fuH far me fro,
And I forthynk?/s thou has done so

Thise iH dedys bedene ; 1 99

And if thou speke thi self to spyli,
If is fuH sore agans my wyH,

If better myghf haue bene. 202

It is ill to
wed youth
with age.

175

Joseph

determines
to go to

1 to question licr.

He graela
her.

[Pol. 30. a,
Sig. fr. 4.]

&aaks
whose ifl
the child?
She replies
his & the
God of
heaven's.
Joseph
denies any
part therein.

193

Mary rejteatfl
iQft it isGod'a
^^" &his.

Joseph has
still mis-
givings.

92

Tovmeley Plays. X. The Anmonciation.

Mary denies
knowledge
of any other

Josejili «ioea
not blame
her ; it is but
the way of
women.

He knows
not what to
do.

(23)
Maria. Af goAys wyH, losepB, must- if be,
ffor certanly bof god and ye

I know none othere man) ;
ffor fleshly was I neuer fylyd.

Joseph, how shuld thou thus then be with chykl?
Excuse the weH thou can ;
(24)
I blame the nof, so god me saue,
woman maners if thaf thou haue,
Bot" certys I say the this,
weH wotc thou, and so do I,
Thi body fames the openly,

Thaf thou has done amys.

(25)
Maria, yee, god he knowys aH my doyng.
losejiti. we ! now, this is a wonde;- thyng,
I can noghf say tlierto ;
Bof in my harf I haue greatt care,
And ay the longc;- mare and mare ;
ffor doylt whaf shaH I do 1
(26)
Godys and myn she says if is ;
I -wyH nof fader if, she says amys ;
ffor shame yif shuld! she let,
To excuse hir velany by me ;
with hiv I thynk no longer be,
I rew thaf euei- we met.

(27)
He describes And how we mef ye shaH wyt sone ;
llJIhet^" Men vse yong chyldreu for to done
b't'"*!'"'- In temple for to lere ;

Soo dyd thay hir, to she wex more

Then othere madyns wyse of lore ;

then byshopes sayd to hir,

(28)
" Mary, the bohowfys tn take
Som yong man to be thi make.

He will not
father the
child, &
thinke of
leaving liis
wife.

205

208

211

214

217

220

223

226

229

232

Townehy Plays. X. The Annunciation.

As thou seys other banc,
In the temple which tliou wyH neueii) ; "
And she sayd, noue, hot god of heueu,

To hyiu she had hir tane ;
(29)
She wold none othere for any sagh ;
Thay sayd she must, if was the lagh,

She was of age thertitt.
To the temple thay somond old and ying,
AH of luda ofspryug,

The law for to fultiH.

(30)
Thay gaf ich man a white wand,
And had vs here them in oure haude,

To offre wtt/t good intent ;
Tliay offerd thare yerdys vp in that* tyde,
ffor I was old! I stode he sydc,

I wysf not what thay menf ;
(31)
Thay lakyd? oone, thay sayde in hy,
AH had ofEerd', thay sayd, hot I,

ffor I ay wtt/(drogh me.
tfiirth wit/i my waude thay maydf me con),
In my hand! it floryshed w«t/t blome ;

Then sayde thay aH to me,
(32)
"If thou be old merueH not* the,
ffor god of heuen thus ordans he,

Thi wand shewys openly ;
It ilorishes so, Wit/touten) nay.
That the behovys wed mar)' the may ; "

A sory man then was I ;

(33)
I was fuH sory in my thoghf,
I sayde for old I myghf noght

hir haue neue?- the whede?' ;
I was vnlykely to hir so yong,
Thay sayde ther helpytj none excusyng.

And wed vs thus togede?*.

235

238

241

256

259

265

93

Mary, when
presfled to
take a young
limn for her
husbftud,
dedicated
herself tu
God.

tFol. 30, b.]
She was
urged ngftio,
& old &
younij were
aumnioDed
to the
t€iuide.

244

247

250

Each uian

was given a
white wand
k told to
otfcr it
Joseph
stood aside
& made no
offering
bc'causo he
was old.

253

He was

made to
come forth,
& his wand
blossomed in
his hand.

This showed
clearly that
lie was to
marrj- Mary.

262

He was sad,
but no ex-
cnscs helped
him, t
they were
married.

268

94

After the

wedding the

mRideus,

kings'

daughters,

worked

Bilks ; Mary

alone

wrought

purple.

Joseph went

into the
country to
work.

After nine
mouths he
returns &
finds her
with child.
The woiiien
Bay an angel
visited her,

giving this
excuse for
lier folly.

[Fol. 31, R.]

It must have
been some
earthly man.

Totoneley Plays. X. The Annuncmtion.

(34)
when I aH thus had wed hir thare,
we and my madyns home can fare,

That* kyngys doghters were ;
AH wroght thay sylk to fynd them on,
Marie wroghf purpyH, the ode?- none
bof others colers sere.
(35)
I leff thaym in good peasse wenyd I,
Into the contre I went* on hy,

My craff to vse wit/t mayn ;
To getf oure lyfyng I musf nedc,
On marie I prayd them take good hede,
To that I cam agane.

(36)
Neyn ^ monethes was I fro that myld! ;
wlien I cam home she was vrith chyW ;

Alas, I sayd, for shame !
I askyd ther women who that had done,
And thay me sayde an angeH sone,
syn that I went from) liame ;
(37)
Au angeH spake wj'tfe that wyghf ,
And no man els, bi day nor nyght,

" sir, therof be ye bold"."
Thay excusyd hir thus sothly,
To make hir clene of hir foly,

And babyshed? me that was ol(J.
(38)
Shuld an angeH this dede haue wroght?
Sich excusyng helpys noght,

ffor no ci-aft that thay can ;
A lieuenly thyng, for sothe, is he.
And she is erthly ; this may not be,
If is som othere man.

(39)
Cert?/;,-, I forthynk sore of hir dede,
Bot it is long of yowth-hede,

1 MS. ix.

271

274

277

280

283

286

289

292

296

298

Towneley Plwtji. X. The Annunciation.

95

AH sicS wauton playe& ;
ffor yong women wyH nedy*- play theni)
with yong men, if olcJ forsake them,
Thus it is sene always.
(40)
Bof marie and I playd neuer so sam,
Neuer togeder we vsid! that gam,
I cam hir neuer so nere ; ^
(41)
she is as clene as cristaH clyfe
ffor me, and shalbe whyls I lyf,

The law wyH it be so.
And then am I cause of hir dede,
ffor thi then can I now no rede,
Alas, whaf I am wo !

(42)
And sothly, if it so befaH,
Godys son that* she be with ali,

If sich grace myght betydc,
I wote weH that I am not he,
which that* is worthi to be

That" blyssed! body besyde,
(43)
Nor yif to bo in company ;
To wyldernes I wiH for thi

Enfors me for to fare ;
And neuer longer wj't^ hir dele,
Bof stylly shaH I from hir stele,

That* mete shaH we no marc.
(44)
Angdm. Do wa, losepfi, and mend thy thoghf,
I warne the weH, and weynd thou noghf.

To wyldernes so wylde ;
Tnme home to thi spouse aganc,
look thou deme in hir no trane,
ffor she was neuer ffylde.
(45)
wyte thou no wyrkyng of Werkys wast.
She base consauyd the holy gast,

' Is half a stanza of the original left out !

301 Toung

women will
needs play
with young
men.

304

But Mnry ft
he never
played
3Q7 together.

She is clean
aa crrstal
for liiin, and
slial] be so
while he
lives.

310

313

IfitbeOod'a
Son slie fans
for her child,
q 1 f> then Joseph
*'^" 18 not worthy
to lie beside
her.

319

He Will steal
away to the
wilderness
ooo BO tliat they
o£t£, meet 110
more.

325

328

331

An Angel
warns liim
to mend his
tlioughtsand
return to his
wife.

96

Tow7ieley Plays. X. The Annunciation.

Biary is with And she shatt bere godys son) ;

Holy Ghust. ffoT thy M'itJi hir, in thi degre,
Meke and buxom) looke thou be,

And wtt/t hir dweH and won.

Joseph
praiFCS God
for entrust-
ing him with
the care of
the youBg
Child.

He grieves
for nia sus-
picions, &
foes to ask
lary's
forgiveness.
[Fol. 31, b.J

Mary asks
where he lias
been.

Joseph says
he has

sinned
against God
A her, and
asks forgive-
ness. She
forgives him
freely.

He tlinnks
her, A man
may be well
content with
a meek wife,
though she
have no
goods.

(46)
loseph. A, lord, I lofe the aH alon,
That vowches safe that I be oone

To tenf that* chyld so ying ;
I thaf thus haue vngrathly gone,
And vntruly taken apon

Mary, thaf dere darlyng.
(47)
I re we fuH'sore thaf I haue sayde,
And of hir byrdyng hir vpbrade,

And she not gylty is ;
ffor thy to hir now "WyH I weynde,
And pray hir for to be my freynde,
And aske hir forgyfnes.
(48)
A, mary, wyfe, whaf chere 1

Maria. The better, sir, thaf ye ar here ;

Thus long* where haue ye lent ?
Joseph. Certys, walkyd aboute, lyke a fon,
Thaf wrangwysly base taken apon ;
I wysf neuer Whaf I ment ;
(49)
Bof I wote weB, my le)?iman fre,
I haue trespaaf to god and the ;
fforgyf me, I the pray.
Maria. Now aH that cue?- ye sayde me to,
God I'orgyf you, and I do,

With aH the myghf I may.
(50)
loseph.. Grame?'cy, mary, thi good wyH
So kyndly forgyfys thaf I sayde yH,

When I can the vpbrade ;
Bof weH is hym base sich a fode,
A , meke wyf, wi't/touten goode,

he may weH hold hym paydc.

334

337

340

343

346

349

352

355

358

361

364

367

Tovmeley Plays. XI. The, Salutation of Elizabeth. 97

(51)
A, what* I am light as lynde !
he that* may both lowse and bynde,

And euery mys amend,
leyn me grace, powere, and myghf.
My wyfe and hir swete yong* wighf

To kepe, to my lyfy« ende. 373

Explicit Annunciacio beade Marie.

Joseph is
light of
heart. He
o-TA prayeGod
O70 helpliim
keep vife
and child.

Maria.

M'

(XL)
Inoipit Salutacto Elezabeth.

[15 six-line stanzas, aab, cob.]

[DraTnalis Pfrsonae.
Uaria. Elaabelk.]

0)

"y lord of heuen, that ayttys he,
Ami aH thyng seys wit6 ee,

The safe, ElezabetH. 3

Elezabeth. Welcom, mary, biyesed blome,
loyfuH am I of thi com
To me, from nazaretb. 0

Maria, liow stand?/* it wj't/t you, dame, of qwarf 1
ElegabetH. weH, my doghter and dere harf.

As can for myn elde. 9

Mana. To speke wit/i you me thoghf fuH lang,
ffor ye wiUi childe in elde gang,

And ye be calcJ geldi. 12

(3)
Elezahet'L flFuH lang shaH I the better be,
That I may speke my fyH wt't/j the,

My dere kyns Woman ; 15

To wytt how thi freyndys fare,
In thi countre where thay ar,

Therof teli me thou can, 18

T PLAT8.

Mary aalutes
Elizabeth.

She has long
desired to
speak with
her.

Elizabeth Is
glad to hear
about her
friends.

98 Tcmmeley Plays. XI. The Sahitation of Elizaheth.

[Fol. 32, a.]

Elizabeth
asks after
Mary's
father and
mother.

Mary says
they are both
well, &
thanks her.

Elizabeth
hails Mary
as the
mother of
her Lord.

The child in
her own
body makes
joy.

She com-
mends Mary
for believing
the word of
the Lord.

(4)
And how thou farys, my dere derlyng.

Maria. WeH, dame, gramercy youre askyng,

fifor good I wote ye spyr. 21

Elezaheth. And loachym, thy fader, at hame,
And anna, my nese, and thi dame,

how standys if with hym and hir ? 24

(5)
Maria. Dame, yif ar thay both on lyfe,
Both ioacbym and anna his wyfe.

Elezabeth. Els were my harf fuH sore. 27

Maria. Dame, god that aH may,
yeld you thaf ye say.

And! blys you therfore. 30

(6)
Elezabeth. Blyssed be thou of aH women.
And the fruyte thaf I weH ken,

W«t7au the wombe of the ; 33

And this tyme may I blys,
Thaf my loidys moder is

Comen thus vnto me. 36

(7)
ffor syn thaf tyme fuU weH I wote.
The stevyn of angeH voce if smote,

And rang now in myn ere ; 39

A selcouth thyng is me betyde.
The chyld makys loy, as any byrd,'

Thaf I in body here. 42

(8)
And als, niary, blyssed be thou,
Thaf stedfastly wokJ trow.

The wordj/s of oure heven kyng ; 45

Therfor aH thyng now shaH be kend,
Thaf vnto the were sayd or send,

By the angeH gretyng. 48

(9)
Maria. Magnificaf a;(i?rta mea dommum ;
My sauH hifys my lord abuf.
And my gosf gladys wt'tA luf,

' The rhyme requires bryd.

Tovmeley Plays. XL The Salutation of Elizabeth. 99

In god, that* is my hele ;
ffor he has bene sene agane,
The buxumnes of his bane,

And kepf me madyn lele.
(10)
Lo, therof what me shali betyde —
AH nacyons on euery syde,

Blyssyd shali me caH ;
fltor he that is fuH of myght,
MekyH thyng to me has dyghf,

his name be blyssed oner aH ;

(11)
And his mercy is also
ffrom kynde to kynde, tyH aH tho

Thaf ar hym dredand.
Myghf in his armes he wroghf.
And dystroed in his thoghf,

Prowde men and hygh beranA
(12)
Myghty men furth of scte he dyd,
And he hyghtynd in that* stede

The meke men of hart ;
The hungre With aH good he fyld,
And left the rich outt shyld,

Thaym to Vnquarf.

(13)
IsraeH has vnder law,
his awne son in his awe,

By menys of his mercy ;
As he told before by name.
To oure fader, abrahani.

And seyd of his body.

(14)
Elezabeth, mya awnt dere,
My lefe I take af you here,
ffor I dweH now fuH lang.
Elezahefh. wyH thoii now go, godys fere 1
Com kys me, dogliter, wiih good chero,
or thou hens gang ;

51

64

63

69

72

75

78

Mary praioes
God in the
Magnijleat.

81

84

All nations
shall call her
blened.

57

CO

God's mercy
is on thein
that dread
Him.

66

He hath
upraised the
meek.

(Fol. 32, b.I

He fuieiB
His promise
to Abraham.

Mary takes
leave of

Elizabeth.

100

Towneley Plays. XIT. Shepherds* Play, L

Elizabeth
bids Mary
farewell h
aendB ercet-
ing to Tier
kinsfolk.

(15)
ffareweH now, thou frely foode !
I pray the be of comfoith goode,

ffor thou arf fuH of grace ;
Crete weH aH oure kyn of bloode ;
That lord, that the wtt/( grace infuJe,

he Baue aH in this place.

Explicit SaltUacio Elezdbeth.

87

90

(XII.)
Incipit Fagina pastorum.

[64 niTie-line stanzas, aaaab cccb, and 1 seven-line {no. 15), aab cccb.
The aaaa lines luive central rymes markt by bars.]

[Dramatis Personae.

The l8t
shepherd
enviea the
dead who are
now exempt
from
vicissitudes.

Primtis Pastor.
Secundtis Pastor.
Terciua Pastor.

Primus Pastor.

Jak Oarcio.
Angehis.

(1)

Ihesiis.
if aria.}

L

Ord, -whaf thay ar weyH / that hens ar past" !
flfor thay noghf feyH / theym to downe ca.st.
here is niekyH vnceyH / and long has if lasf,
Now in harf , now in heyH / now in weytf, now
in blast* ,

Now in care, - "

Now in comforth agane,
.Now is fayre, now is rane,
Now in harf fuH fane.
And after fuH sare.

(2)
Thus this Wark?, as I say / farys on ylk syde,

9

(Fol. 38, a,]

In this world jp ^^^. ^^jg pi^y / com sorows vnryde ;

sorrow r </ i *>

comes after q^j. jjg ^jj^tn m^^t. n^ay / When he syttys in pryde,
When if comys on assay / is kesten downe wyde,

Towneley Plays. XII. Shephei-ds' Play, I.

14

This is seyn ;
When ryches is he,
Then comya pouerte,
hoi-s-man lak cope

Walkys then), I weyn

(3)

I thank if god / hark ye what I mene,
flFor euen or for od / I haue mekyH tene ;
As heuy as a sod / I grete \rith niyn eene,
When I nap on my cod / for care that" has bene,

And sorow.
AH my shepe ar gone,
I am not* left oone,
The rott has theym slone ;

Now beg I and borow.

(4)
My handys may I wryng / and raowrnyng make,
Bof if good wiH spryng / the countre forsake ;
ffermes thyk ar comyng / my purs is bof wake,
I haue nerehand nothyng" / to pay nor to take ;

I may syng<
With purs pennelea,
Thaf mak?/s this heuynes.
Wo is me this dystres !

And has no helpyng.

(5)
Thus self I my mynde / truly to neuen).
By my \vy tt to fynde / to casf the warld in seuen) ;
My shepe haue I tynde / by the moren fuH euen) ;
Now if hap wiH grynde / god from his heuen)

Send grace.
To the fare wiH I nie,
To by shepe, pe>-de,
And yif may I niultyple,

ffor aH this hard case.

(6)
Secundas pastor. Benste, bensto' / be vs emang,
And s^ue aH thaf 1 se / here in this thrang,
' Benedicite, besedicite I

101

After riches
comes

Joverty, A
ftck Cope
must walk
instead of
riding.

18

He himself
has much
trouble.

23

His sheep
are sUin
with the rot
& he most
beg.

27

Rents are
doe Jt bia
purse ia
weak.

32

36

He lias lost
his sheep A
must ^ to
the fair to
buy more.

41

46

102

Taumeley Plays. XII. Shepherds* Play, L

The 2nd
shepherd
comes in
with a
benison.

IFol. S3, b.l
God keep
us from
boasters and
braggers b
their
weapona.
They will
bear no
gain Baying.

These
fellows are
as proud as
lords, with a
fine head of
hair and
grim
bearing.

It is hard to

tell lad from
master.

They will
have what

they want.

Hay God

mend them
and end •
them.

He calls out
"Good
morning,
Gyb," to
the 1st
shepherd.

he saue you and me / ouertwhart* and endlang,
Thaf hang on a tre / I say you no wrang ;

Cryst saue vs
tFrom aH rayschefys,
ffrom robers and thefys,
ffrom those mens grefys,

That* oft* ar agans vs.

(7)

Both hosiers and bragers / god kepe vs fro,
That yiiih thare long dagers / dos mekyH wo ;
ffrom aH byH hagers / vriih colknyfys that go ;
Sich wryers and wragers / gose to and fro

ffor to crak.
Who so says hym agane,
were better be slane ;
BotB ploghe and wane

Amendys wiH not make.

(8)
he wiH make if as prowde / a lord as he were,
With a hede lyke a clowde / ffelterd his here ;
he spekys on lowde / wit/i a grym bere,
I wold not haue trowde / so galy in gere

As he glydys.
I wote not* the better',
Nor wheder is gretter,
The lad or the master,

So stowtly he strydys.

(9)
If he hask me oght / thaf he wold! to his pay,
ffuH dere bese if boght / if I say nay ;
Bof god thaf aH wroghf / to the now I say,
help thaf thay were broght / to a better way

ffor thare sawlys ;
And send theym good mendyng
WM a shorf endyng.
And with the to be lendyng

When thaf thou callys.

(10^
how, gyb, goode morne / wheder goys thou 1
Thou goys ouer the come / gyb, I say, how 1

50

64

69

63

68

72

77

81

Towneley Plays. XII. Shepherds Play, I. 103

^rimu8 pastor. Who is that 1 John home / I make god The ist

, shepherd

a VOwe ! greets the

I say not* in skorne / thorn, how farys thou 1 Horne.

Szcnndus pastov. hay, ha ! 86

Ar ye in this towne 1
j)rinjus pastor, yey, by my crowne.
iJMS pastor. I thoght by youre gowiie

This was youre aray. 90

(11)
j)rimus pastor. I am euer elyke / wote I neuf/- what* Gjb is faring

• ^ as badly afi

IV gars, auy shep-

Is none in this ryke / a shepariJ farys wars. kingdom. °

lyus pastor, poore men ar in the dyke / and oft tyme Home says

poor men
mars, are in the

The warld is slyke / also helpars ^'^''^'

Is none here. 95

jarinius pastor. It is sayde fuH ryfe, Oyb quoUa

, the proverb,

a man may nof wyie "A man

And also thryfe, marry t

1 J 11 • .> „„ thrive all in

And aH in a yere. 99 a year."

(12)
yus jMstoT. ffyrst must vs crepe / and sythen go. we must

primus pastor. I go to by shepe. / w"go.'"

5ecundus [pastor]. nay, not so ; Gybsayshe

What, dreme ye or slepe '( / where shuld thay go ? ifoL s*, a.] bufiJlfep
here shaH thou none kepe. / ^^^Z as'

primus pastor. A, good sir, ho I shaTue^d""*

Who am II 104 *'"'"•

I wyH pasture my fe
where so euer lykj/s me,
here shaH thou theym se.

i/us pastor. Nof so hardy ! 108

(13)
Nof cone shepe tavH / shaH thou bryng hedyr.

primus pastor. I shaH bryng, no fayH / A huwdretfi

togedyr.
yus pastor. Whaf , arf thou in ayH / longy« thou oghf oyb

^iiedir? i^^trshX

primna pastor. Thay shaH go, saunce fayH / go now, teZtli"
beH weder ! beii-wether

to go oo.

104

Toivneley Plays. XII. Shepherds' Play, L

Tlie two
shepherds
cnll out con-
tradictory
orders to the
iiuogiDary
sheep.

Gyb

threatens
to break
Home's
bead.

The Srd
shepherd.
Slow-pace,
arrives &
asks what is
wrong,
Gyb says
Home won't
let him drive
his sheep
this way.

Slow-pace
asks whsre
the sheep
are, and
chafTs hjm.

ijas pastor. Isay, tyr! II3

pvimns pastor. I say, tyr, now agane !
I say skyp oner the plane.

y us pastor. avo1(J thou neue?* so fane,
Tup, I say, whyr! 117

(14)
prunus pastor. Whaf, wyH thou not* yit / I say, let the
shepe go 1
Whop!

Secuxidns pastor, abyde yit. /
primus pastor. Witt thou bof so I

knafe, hens I byd flytt / as good thaf thou do,
Or I shaH the hytt / on thi pate, lo,

shaH thou ley H ; 122

I say, gyf the shepe space.

y us pastor. Syr, a lett«' of youre grace,
here comys slaw-pase

flfro the myln whele. 126

(15)
Terciaa pastor. What a do, what" a do / is this you
betweyn ]
A good day, thou, and thou. /
primus pastor.

hark what I meyn

You to say :
I was bowne to by store,
drofe my shepe me before,
ho says not* oone hore

shaH pas by this way j

129

133

(16)

Bot and he were wood / this way shaH thay go.
iijus pastor, yey, hot* teH me, good / where ar youie

shepe, lol
tyus pastor. Now, siV, by my hode / yif se I no mo,
Nof syn I here stode. /

jy'us pastor. god gyf you wo

and sorow ! 138

ye fysh before the uett,
And stryfe on this bett,
sieh folys neuer I mett

Evyn or at morow. 142

Tovmeley Plays. XII. Shepherds' Play, I.

(17)
If is wonder to wyt / wliere wytf shulJ be fownde ;
here ar old knafys yit / standy* on this growiide,
these wol(J by thare wytt / make a shyp be drownde ;
he were well qwytt / had soldf for a pownde

sich two. 147

thay fyghf and tliay flyte
flfor that" af corny s not tyte ;
It is far to byd hyte

To an eg or if go. 151

(18)
Tytter wanf ye sowH / then sorow I pray ;
Ye brayde of mowH / thaf wenf by the way —
Many shape can she poU / bof oone had she ay —
Bof she happynyd fuH fowB / hyr pychei, I say,

Was broken) ; 1 5(5

" ho, god," she sayde,
bof oone shepe yit she hade,
The mylk pycher was layde.

The skarthis was the tokyn. ] 60

(19)
Bof syn ye ar bare / of wysdom to knawe.i 1 ms. knowe.

Take hede how I fare / and lore af my lawe ;
ye nede nof to care / if ye folow my sawe ;
hold ye my mare / this sek thou thrawe

On ray bak, I65

Whylsf I, viHh my hand,
lawse the sek band ;
Com nar and by stand

Both gyg and lak ; 169

(20)
Is nof aH shakyn owte / and no meyH is therin 1
^riwjus pastoT. yey, thaf is no dowtc. /
Terdw% pastor. so is youre wy ttys thyn.

And ye look weH abowte / nawther more nor niyn,
So gose youre wyttys owte / evyn as It com In :

Geder vp I74

And seke if agane.

i/us pastor. May we not be fane !
he has told vs fuH plane

Wysdom to sup. Ijg

105

Here are

two old
knaves not
worth a
pound
between
them.

fighting for
nothing.

CFol. 34, b.)
They are

like Moll
who, while
counting up
many sheep,
broke her
pitcher, and
had but one
sheep all the
tiiue.

He makes
tltem hold
his mare
while he
shakes his
sock empty.

and then
compares It
to their thin
wits.

106

Jack the boy
corncs in.
Save the
men of
Gotham he
thinks they
bear the bell
of all fools
from heaven
unto hell.

Gyb asks
after his
abeep and
then pro-
poses to sit
down &
drink.

Home asks,
*' What is
drink with-
out meat?"

and wants
dinner.

[Fol. 85, a.
Sig. Q. l.J

Towneley Plays. XII. Shepherds' Play, L

(21)
lak gareio. Now god gyf you caro / foles aH sam ;
Sagh I neuer none so fare / bof the foles of gotham.
"Wo is hir thaf yow bare / youre syre and youre dam,
liad she broghf furtB an hare / a shepe, or a lam,

liad bene weH. 183

Of aH the foles I can teH,
ffrom heuen) vnto heH,
ye thre bare the beH ;

God gyf you vnceyH. 187

(22)
^ri»ius pastor, how pastures oure fee / say me, good pen,
Gareio. Thay ar gryssed to the kne. /
y us pastor. fare fatt the !

Gareio. Amen !

If ye wiH ye may se / youre bestes ye ken.
primus pastov. Sytt we downe aH thre / and drynk
shaH we then.
iijws pastor, yey, torde ! 192

I am leuer ete ;

what* is drynk wtt^ioute mete 1
Getf mete, getf ,

And sett vs a horde, 196

(23)
Then may we go dyne / oure bellys to fyH.
ijws pastov. Abyde vnto syne. /
iijns pastor. be god, sir, I nyH I

I am worthy the wyne / me thynk if good skyH ;
My seruyse I tyne / I fare fuH yH,

Af youre mangere. - 201

^ri?)ius pastov. Trus I go we to mete,
If is besf that we trete,
I lysf nof to plete

To stand in thi dangere ; 205

(24)
Thou has euer bene curst / syn we met togeder."

«}us pastor. Now in faytfi, if I durst / ye ar euen my
brode»'.

* Note the rymea of -eder, -oder.

Tmimeky Plays. XII. Shepherds' Play, I. ] 07

tj'us pastor. Syrs, let vs cryb furst / for oone thyng or
oder,
Thaf thise wordw be pursf / and let vs go foder

Ouremompyns; 210 Home pro.

lay furth of oure store, ^f^"

lo, here ! browne of a bore. ^nwn -.

primus pastor. Sef mustard afore,

oure mete now begyns ; 214

(25)
here a foote of a cowe / weH sawsed, I wene, Gyb, a cowe

The pesteH of a sowe / thaf powderd has bene, s^'rlif, w^.id

Two blodyngig, I trow / A leueTyng betwene ; pu.idiig.,

Do gladly, syrs, now / my breder bedene,

Wj'tA more. 219

Both befe, and moton
Of an ewe thaf was roton,
Good mete for a gloton ;

Ete of this store. 223

(26)

Vus lyastoT. I haue here in my mayH / sothen and rosf. Home has
Euen of an ox tayH / thaf wold nof be losf ; ii oxulf,

ha, ha, goderhayH ! / I let for no cost, S'fjf,.

A good py or we fayH / this is good for the frosf ^^ "'"

In a mornyng ; . 228

And two swyne gronys,
Att a hare bof the lonys,
we myster no sponys

here, af cure mangyng. 232

(27)

t j;"us ^as^or. here is to recorde / the leg of a goys, siowpace

with chekyns endorde / pork, partryk, to roys • contribntes

A tarf for a lorde / how thynk ye this dovs I ''8. pofk,

.' .» J • partridge,

A calf lyuer skorde / with the veryose ; ^^ * <^'f a

Good sawse, 237

This is a restorete

To make a good appete.
piimns pasioT. yee speke aH by clerge[te],

I here by your clause ; 241

108

Towneky Plays, XII. Shepherds' Play, L

They drink
good whole-
some ale as
a care for
their ilia.
As each
drinks the
others chaff
him.

(28)
Cowth ye by youre gramory / veche vs a drynk,
I shuld be more niery / ye wote What I thynk.

?yus pastor, haue good ayH: of hely / bewar now, I wynk,
fEor and tliou drynk drely / in thy poU wyH it synk.

primus pastor. A, so ; 246

This is boyte of oure bayli,i
good holsom ayH.

iijns pastor, ye holdf long the skayH,

Now letf me go to. 250

Home bids
the others
leaTe him
■ome.

(29)

Secuneius pastor. I shrew those lyppys / bof thou Icyff

me som parte,
primus pastor, be god, he hot syppys / begylde thou art;
IFoi. 35, b.) Behold! how he kyppys. /

Secundas pastor. I shrew you so smart.

And me on my hyppys / bof if I garf

Abat«. 255

Be thou wyne, be thou ayH,
hot* if my brethe fayH,
I shaH self the on sayH ;

God send the good gayte. 259

He will
drink till
his breath
fitiL

Aoother
bottle is
(band.

They sing.

(30)
Tercins pastor. Be my dam sauH, alyce / It" was sadly

dronken.
primna pastor. Now, as euer haue I blys / to the

bothom it is sonken.
t/us pastor, yif a boteH hero is. /
Tei-ems pastor. that* is weH spoken !

By my thryft we must kys. /

Seeundus pastor. thaf had I forgoten.^

Bof hark ! 264

Who so can besf syng
ShaH haue the begynnyng.
primus pastor. Now prays at the partyng

I shaH setf you on warke ; 268

> The MS makes 2 lines of this : 1 A so ; 2 This etc,
' Note the assonaDce t and k,

Toumeley Play$. XII. Shepherds' Play, I. 109

(31)
We haue done oure parte / and songyn) riglit weyH, xiiey drink

I drynk for my parte. / ^^i^^i^L

ijm pastor. Abyde, lelf cop reyH. I".^'.' '""

pnmxxa pastor. Godys forbof, thou sparf / and thou

drynk euery deyll.
iijus pastor. Thou lias dronken a quart / therfor choke
the the deyH.
^rinms pastor. Thou rafys ; 273

And if were for a sogh
Ther is drynk enogh.

ty'iis ^«s/or. I shrew the handys if drogfe I

ve be both knafys. 277

(32)
^n»ius pastor. Nay ! we knaues aH / thus thynk me besf,
so, air, shnl(} ye caH. /

yus pastor. f urth let if rest ;

we wiH nof braH. /

primus pastor. then wolj I we fest,
This mete Wlio shaU / into panyere kest.

ay'us pastor, syrs, herys ; 282 OiU pro-

ffor oure saules lett vs do P^uh*

Poore men gyf if to. J;'-;,''^''^^

prinma pastor. Geder vp, lo, lo ! "'* ^°°^-

ye hungre begers ffierys ! 286

(33)
ijtts pastor. If dmes nere nyght / trus, go we to resf ; They pre-
I am euen redy dygl.f / I tbyuk it the besf. S'e^p^

UM pastor, ffor ferde we be fryghf / a crosse lett vs kest, siow-pace
Crysf crosse, benedyght / eesf and wesf, says anight-

ffor drede. 291

Ihes(w.' onazorus,
Criicyefixus,
Morcus, andreus,

God be oure spede ! 295

(34) [They sleep.]

Angelas, herkyn, hyrdes, awake ! / gyf louyng ye shaH, Theangei.
he IS borne for [yjoure 2 sake / lorde perpetuatt ; ^-^^u""

' MS. ihc.
• Originally oure, the " y " having been addod by a later hand.

110

A child is
born at
Betlilehem.

[Pol. 36, ft.

Sig. G. 2.]
Gyb

wonders
what the
BOiig wfta.
He supposes
it was a
cloud

whistling in
his ear.

Home is
sure it was
an angel,
speaking of
a child.

Ton star
betokens ft.

Slow-pftce
remeiiibera
the angel
bade them
goto

Bethlehem
to worship.

Towneley Plays, XII. Shepherds' Play, L

he is coraen to take / and rawnson you att,
youre sorowe to slake / kyng empe^iatt,

he behestys ; 300

That* chyld is borne
At* bethelem this morne,
ye shaH fynde hym beforne

Betwix two bestys. 304

(35)
Primus Pastor. A, godys dere dominua ! / What was
that* sang?
If was wonder curiose / with aniaH noytys emang ;
I pray to god saue vs / now in this thrang ;
I am ferd, by ihesus ' / somwhaf be wrang ;

Me tlioghf , 309

Oone screrayd on lowde ;
I suppose it was a clowde,
In myn erys it sowde,

By hym that me boght ! '313

(36)
Secnndas pastor. Nay, that" may not be / I say you
certan,
ffor he spake to vs thre / as he had bene a man ;
When he lemyd on this lee / my harf shakyd than,
An angeH was he / teH you I can,

No dowte. 318

he spake of a barns,
We must seke hym, I you warne.
That" betokyns yond starne,

Thaf standys yonder owte. 322

(37)
Zfemus pastor. If was merueH to se / so bright as it
shone,
I wold haue trowyd, veialy / if had bene thoner flone,
Bof I sagh with myn ee / as I lenyd to this stone ;
If was a mery gle / sich hard I neuer none,

I recorde. 327

As he sayde in a skreme,
Or els thaf I dreme,
we shuld go to bedleme,

To wyrship thaf lorde. 331

' MS. ihc.

I

Townehy Plays. XII. ShepTierds' Play, 1.

Ill

(38)
pnm\xs pastor. That* same childe is he / that" prophetys
of told,
Shuld make them fre / that" adam had sold.

yus pastor. Take tent vnto me / this is inrold,
By the wordys o{ Isae / a prynce most" bold

shaH ho be, 336

And kyng with crowne,
Sett oil dauid trone,
Sich was neuer none,

Seyn with cure ee. 340

(39)
ty'us pastor. Also Isay says / oure faders vs told
That a vyrgyn shuld pas / of lesse, thaf wold
Bryng furth, by grace / a floure so bold ;
That* vyrgyn now has / these wordys vphok!

As ye se ; 345

Trasf if now we may,
he is borne this day,
Exief virga

De Tadice iesse. 349

(40)
^ri)/ms ^>as<or. Of hyni spake more / SybyH as I weyn.
And nabugodhcnosor / from oure faythe alyene,
In tlie fornace where thay wore / thre chiUlre sene.
The fourt stode before / godys son lyke to bene.

ijua pastor. That fygure 354

Was gyffen by reualacyon
Thaf god wold haue a son) ;
This is a good lesson,

Vs to consydure. 358

(41)
Tercins pastor. Of hym spake leromy / and moyses also,
Where he sagh hym by / a bushe burnand, lo !
when he cam to aspy / if it* were so,
Vnburnyd was it' truly / at co??imyng therto,

A wonder. 363

primus pastor. Thaf was for to se
hir holy vyrgynyte,
Thaf she vnfylyd shuld be,

Thus can I ponder, 367

They recall
the wort la
of the
propheta.

of a king
who shall sit
on Dftvids
throne,

born of a
virgin of the
root of Jesse.

Sybyl &
Nebuchad-
nezzar spaka
of Him.
He it was
who was
with the
Tliree
Children in
the Fire.
IFol. 3fi, b.]

Of Him
spake

Jeremiah A
Moses.

112

Tovmeley Plays. XII. Shepherds' Play, I.

They marvel
how K virgin
nifty bear a
•on,

and recall
more pro-
jilieeies.

Gyb quotea

Virgifs

Eclogue,

•ndig
chaired by
Home on
hie Latin.
Behai
learnt his
'Cato.'

Oyb

eipounds
Virgil's text

(Fol. S7, ft.
Big. O. 9.]

(42)
And shuld haue a chyld / sich was neue?- aene.

ijvis paMoT. pese, man, thou arf begyW / thou shaH se
hym viiih eene,
Of a madyn so myld / greatt memeH I mene ;
yee, and she vnfyld / a virgyn clene,

So aoyne. 372

primus pastor. Nothyng is inpossybyH
sothly, that" god wyH ;
If shalbe stabyH

That* god wyH haue done. 376

(43)
yus pastot. Abacuc and ely / prophesyde so,
Elejabetb and zachare / and many other mo.
And dauid as veraly / is witnes therto,
lohn Baptyste sewrly / and daniel also.

iijwa pastor. So sayng, 381

he is godys son alon,
wit/iout hym shalbe none,
his sete and his trone

ShaH euer be lastyng ; 385

(44)
pri?«us pastor. VirgiH in his poetre / sayde in his verse,
Even thus by gramere / as 1 shall reherse ;

" lam noua progenies eelo deraittitur alto,
lam rediet virgo, redeuuf saturnia regna."

tj'us pastor, weme ! tord ! what" speke ye / here in myn
eeresl
TeH vs no clerge / I liold you of the freres,

ye preche ; 390

If semys by youre laton
ye haue leiti youre caton.
prxmws pastor, berk, syrs, ye fon,

I ShaH you teche ; 394

(45)

he sayde fi'om heuen / a new kynde is send,

whom a vyrgyn to neuen, oure niys to amend,

ShaH conceyue fuH cuen / thus make I an end ;

And yit more to neuen / that saniyne shaH bend >

* The first five lines on tliis leaf having become indistinct, have
appai'untly been touched up by a later hand

Towneley Plays. XII. Shepherds' Flay, I. 113

vnto VS, 399 Peace and

With pcasse and plente, and charity

• , i_ 1^ , shall come

witn rycnes and menee, among us.

Good luf and charyte

Bleudyd amanges vs 403

(46)
Tei-cius pastor. And I hold if trew / ffor ther shuld be,
When that kyng conimys new / peasse by land and se.

ijvLS pastor. Now brethere, adew I / take tent vnto me ; Home hns
I wold! thaf we knew / of this song so fre ttat'the'

OftheangeH; 408LTf™«

I hard by hys stenen, heaven,

he was send downe flro heuen.
prhnns pastor. If is trouth that ye neuen,

I hard hym weH speH. 412

(47)
yus pastor. Now, by god that me boght / if was a He brought
merysong; ^•^'■"[S,

I dar say thaf he broght / fouie & twenty to a long. ''"'^'

iijns, pastor. 1 woldf it were soght / thaf same vs emong.
primus pastor. In fayth I trow noght / so many he Ovb could
tbrong r,1„-U^',

Onaheppe; 417 gSand

Thay w^3^e gentyH and sraaB, weii toned.

And weH tonyd with aH.

ty'us pastor, yee, hot I can thaym aH,

Now lyst I lepe. 421

(48)
primus pastor. Brek outt youre voce / let se as ye yelp, siow.paco
iijus pastor. I may not for the pose / bot I liaue help. overthe""^
seeandus pastor. A, thy hart is in thy hose ! / Simhas

pTi»nis pastor. now, in payn of a skclp other's Ju't

This sang thou not lose. / J^^f * '»'*'

iijus pastor. thou art an yH owelp

ffor angre ! 426

«ecunc^us pastor. Go to now, begyn !
primns pastor, he lyst not weH ryii.
iijus pastor. God lett vs neuer blyn;

Take af my sangre. 430

T. FLATS. I

Bee.

[Fol. 87, b.]

114 Towneley Plays. XII. Shepherds' Play, I.

(49)
When the pxhnvis pastoT. Now an ende haue we doyii / of cure

BODgiadone, ... , .

they think song this tyde.

off, though ijns pastor, ifayr faH thi growne / weH has thou hyde.

moon. iijna pastot. Then furth lett vs ron) / I \vyH not" abyde.

primus pastor. No lyght makethe mone / thaf haue

I asspyde ;

Neuer the les 436

lett vs holcB oure beheste.

ijna pastor. That hold I best.

iijns 2Xistor. Then must we go eest,

After my gcs. 439

(50)

They pray jpi'iwius pastoT. wolii god that" we myght / this yong"

that they t v |

may Bee this ""■" ^^^ '

wopheta*" V^^ pastor. Many p?-c>phetys that syght / desyryd veralee
deSJidt™ to haue seen thaf bright. /

iijna pastor. and god so hee

■wold shew vs that Wyghf / we myght say, perde,

We had seue 444

Thaf many sanf desyryd,
with prophetys inspyryd,
If thay hym requyryd,

yit I-closyd ar thare eene. 448

(51)
A stnr v'us porfor. God graunt vs that grace. /

guFdTthem. Tercius postor. god so do.

pri;?^us pastor. Abyde, syrs, a space / lo, yonder, lo !
If commys on a rase / yond steme vs to.

y us ^arfor. If is a grete blase / oure gate let vs go,

here he is ! [They go to Bethlehem.] .453

ly'us pastor. Who shaH go in before 1
Gyb is sent primus joastor. I ne rek, by my hore.
y us pastor, ye ar of the old store.

It semys you, Iwys. [They enter the stable.] 457

(52)
primus pastor. hayH, kyng I the caH ! / hayH, moaf of
myght !
hayH-, the worthyst of aHl / hayH, duke ! hayH, knyght 1

offers ft little

spruce

coffer.

Tmundey Plays. XII. Shepherds Play, I. 115

Of greatt and sinaH / thou art lorde by right ; He worships

hayH, pej-petuaH ! / hayH, faryst wyght ! Chlml^

here I offer ! 462

I pray the to take —
If thou wold, for my sake,
with this may thou lake, —

This lytytt spruse cofer. 466

(53)
iSfecunrfu* pasioi. haytt, lytyH tyn) mop / rewarded of Home offers

J , a ball for

mede ! Him to play

hayH, bot* oone drop / of grace af my nede ;
hayH, lytyH mylk sop ! / hayH, dauid sede !
Of oure crede thou art crop / hayH, in god hede !

This baH 471

Thaf thou wold resaue, —
lytyH is thaf I haue,
This wyH I vowche saue, —

To play the wM att. 475

(54)
iijiis pastor. hayH, maker of man / hayH, swetyng ! siow-jiacc

hayH, so as I can / hayH, praty mytyng ! Kel'Jo"

I cowche to the than / for fayn nere gretyng ; bouri kf""^

hayH, lord ! here I ordan / now af oure metyng,

This boteH— 480

If is an old by-worde.
If is a good bowrde,
for to drynk of a gowrde, —

If holdys a metf poteH. 484

(55)
Maria, he that aH myghti/s may / the makere of heuen, Mary prays
That is for to say / my son that I neuen, ma ' rewaTd"

Rewarde you this day / as he sett aH on seuen ; **"""•

he graunf you for ay / his blys fuH euen

Contynuyng ; 489

He gyf you good grace, '1°'''

TeH furth of this case,
he spede youre pase,

And graunt you good endyng. 493

drink of a
gourd.'

. a.
Sig. O. 4.J

116 Towmley Plays. XIII. Shepherds' Play, II.

(56)
The 9hfp- jpri»ius pastor, ffare weH, fare lorde ! / wM thy moder

lierds take
tJieir leave,
singing the

also.

iaudofthii. ijuspasfoT. we shaH this recorJc / where as we go.

Lamb.

u}us pastor, we men aH be restorde / god graunf it be so!
^ii?)(us pastor. Amen, to thaf wordo / syng we therto
Onhight; 498

To loy aH sam,
With niyrtfi and gam,
To the lawde of tliis lam

Syng we in syglit. 502

Explicit Vita pagina pagtormn.

(XIII.)
Incipit Alia eovunAtm.

[88 nine-line stanzas, aaaab, cccb, and 1 seven-line {No. 30), aab, eccb.
The aaaa lines have central rymes markl by bars.]

[Dramatis Personae.

Primus Pastor.
Secundus Pastor.
Tercius Pastor.

Mak.

GyVi, uxor ejus.

Angclus.

Jesus.

Maria.]

Priwus Pastor. (1)

Tiie first ■ ord, whaf these weders ar cold ! / and I am yH

onnies on, ■ happyd ;

lif tile cold" 1 j ^ *'" "^^^® hande doliJ / so long haue I nappyd ;
weatta- M. A ^^y l^^fe'y^ *^*y ^°''^ / '°y fyngers ar chappyd.

If is nof as I woldf / for I am al lappyd?
In sorow. " 5

In stormes and tempest,
Now in the eest*, now in the west,
wo is hyra has ncuer rest

Myd day nor morow ! 9

(2)
Bot* we sely shepardes ^ / thaf walkys on the mooro.
In fayth we are nere handys / outf of the doore ;

' assonant to handya, &c.

Tmoneky Plays. XIII. f^uflurdd Piay, II.

117

23

27

No wonder as it standys / if we be poore,

flFor the tylthe of cure land (/a / lyys falow as the floore,

As ye ken. 14

we ar so hainyd,
ffor-taxcd and ramyd,
We ar niayde hand tamyd,

with thyse gentlery men). 18

(3)
Thus thay refe vs cure rest / oure lady theym wary !
These men that* ar lord fest / thay cause tlie ploghe tary.
Thaf men say is for the besf / we fynde it contrary ;
Thus ar husbandys oppresf / in po[i]nte to myscary,

On lyfe.
Thus holdf thay vs bunder,
Thus thay bryng vs in blonder ;
It" were greatte wonder,

And eue»' shuld we thryfe.
(4)>
ffor may he getf a paynf slefe / or a broclie now on dayes,
wo is hym that hym grefe / or onys agane says !
Dar noman hym reprefe / what* mastry he mays,
And yit* may noman lefe / oone word that he says,

No letter.
he can make purveance,
xiith boste and bragance,
And aH is thrugfi mantenance

Of men that are gretter.

(5)1
Ther shaH com a swane / as prowde as a po,
he must" borow my wane / my ploghe also.
Then I am fuH fane / to graunf or he go.
Thus lyf we in payne / Anger, and wo,

By nyghf and day ;
he must* haue if he langyd,
If I shuld forgang it,
I were better be hangyd

Then oones say hym nay.

(6)
It* dos me good, as I walk / thus by myn oone,
Of this warld for to talk / La maner of mone.

32

36

[Fol. 38, b.]
No wonder
that shep-
herds are
poor, they
are so
oppressed
by the
gentle folk,

for whose

exactions
the plough
cannot
speed.

(> SianzcM 4
aiul h thould
be trans-
posed, as tug-
getted by
Prof.
Kolbing.]

Let aD
upstart get
fine clothes
&he will
do what he
likes, & tie
backed up
by greater
men.

41

45

They will
borrow
waggon &
plough, Si
the husband
men had
better hang
than say
them nay.

118 Toioneley Plays. XIII. Shepherds' Play, II.

Uefi-eahed
by this
grumble he
gnf B to ]ook
niter hia
sliepp till
his fellows
arrive.

To my shepe wyH I stalk / and herljyn auone,
Ther abyde on a balk / or sytt on a stone

ffull soyne.
ffor I trowe, perde,
trew men if thay be,
we gett more compane

Or it be noyne,

(7)

50

54

The second
shepherd
complains
of the
weather.

(Secuntfus pd^tov. Benste and d^mznus ! / what* may thia
bemeyne 1
why, fares this warld thus / oft* haue we not sene 1
lord, thyse weders ar spytus / and the weders fuii kene.
[Foi. 39, a.] And the frostys so hydus / thay water myn eeyne,

No ly. 59

Now in dry, now in wete,
Now in snaw, now in slete,
When my shone freys to my fete,

It* is not att esy. 63

There is
mickle woe
for wedded
men. Cnpel,
their hen,
cackles to ii
fro ; when
she croaks,
the cock
is in the
shackles.

(8)
Bot* as far as I ken / or yif as I go,
we sely wedmen / dre mekyH wo ;
"We haue sorow then and then / if fallys oft so ;
Sely capyle, cure hen / both to and fro

She kakyls ;
Bof begyn she to crok,
To groyne or [to clo]k.
Wo is hym is of cure cole,

ffor he is in the shekyls.

68

72

A wedded
man has not
all his will,
A must keep
his sighs to
himself.

The shep-
herd has
learnt his
lesson : he
that is
bound must
abide uo.

(9)
These men that ar wed / haue not aH thare wyH,
when they ar fuH hard sted / thay sygh fuH styH ;
God wayte thay ar led / fuH hard and fuH yH ;
In bower nor in bed / thay say noght ther tyH,

This tyde.
My parte haue I fun,
I know my lesson,
wo is hym thaf is bun,

ffor he must" abyde.

77

81

Towneley Plays. XIII. Shepherds' Flay, II 119

(10)
Bot now late in cure lyfys / a meraeH to me,
That I thynk my harf ryfys / sich wonders to see.
what* that destany dryfys / it shuld so be ;
Som men wyH have two wyfys / and som men thre,

In store ; 86

Som ar wo that has any,
Bof 80 far can I,
wo is hyra that has many,

ffor he felys sore. 90

(11)
Bof yong men of wowyng / for god that" you boghf,
Be weH war of wedyng / and thynk in youre thoght,
" had I wyst " is a thyng / it seruys of noght ;
MekyH styH mowrnyng / has wedyng home broght,

And grefys ; 95

with many a sharp showre,
ffor thou may each in an owre
That shaH [savour] 1 fulle sowre

As long as thou lyfiys. 99

(12)
ffor, as euer red I pystyH / I haue oone to my fere,
As sharp as a tliystyH / as rugh as a brere ;
She is browyd lyke a brystyH / yrith a sowre loten chere ;
liad She oones Wett Hyr Whystyll / She couth Syng fuH
clere
Hyr pater noster, 104

She is as greatt as a whaH,
She has a galon of gaH :
By hym that dyed for vs aH,

I wald I had ryn to I had lost bir. 108

(13)
pvlmns pastor. God looke ouer the raw / ffull defly ye

stand.
ijna pasioT, yee, the dewiti in thi maw / so tariand.
sagh thou awro of daw 1 /

^i'i7?iU8 pastor. yee, on a ley land

hard I hym blaw / he cowmys here af hand,

Not* far; 113

^ The word in brackets is illegible in the MS.

Yet Bome
men will
have two
wives lb
some three :
some are
woe that
they have
any.

Young men
must beware
of wedding ;
for "had I
wist" serves
nought.

The shep-
herd has a

wife aa sharp
as thistle.

[Fol. 3i», h.)

She is great
as a wliftle
with a gallon
of gall.

He wishes
he had run
till he lost
her.

The first
shepherd
greets him,
& says he
has heard
the third,
Daw, blow-
ing his pipe:
he is near
at hand.

120 Tmmieley Plays. XIII. Sliepherds' Play, II.

Duw will
make them
some lie,
unless tliey
bpwarc.

Dftw invokes
Christ's
cross t, 9.
Nicholas, >t
complains of
the world's
brittleness.

The floods
now are
worse than
ever before.

They tliat

walk at
night see
strange
Bights. He
spies shrews
peeping.

He greets
the shep-
herds h
wants meat
^ drink.

117

Stand styH.
j/us pastor, qwhy 1
pi'i?»iis pastor, ffor he commys, hope I.
i/us pastov. he wyH make vs both a ]y
Bot* if we be war.

(14)
Tercius pastor. Crystjrs crosse me spede / and sanf
nyeholas !
Thar of had I nede / if is wars then if was.
Whoso coutfie take hede / and letf the warld pas,
If is euer in drede / and brekyH as glas,

And slythys. 122

This warkV fowre neuer so,
With meruels mo and mo,
^ow in weyH, now in wo,

And aH thyng wrythys. 126

(15)
Was neuer syn noe flooile / sicli floodys seyn ;
Wyndys and ranys so rude / and stormes so keyn ;
Som stamerd, som stod! / in dowte, as I weyn ;
Now god turne aH to good / I say as I mene,

ffor ponder.
These floodj/s so thay drowne.
Both in feyldys and in towne.
And berys aH downe.

And thaf is a wonder.

(16)
We thaf walk on the nyghtys / oure cateH to kepe.
We se sedan) syghtys / when othere men slepe.*
yif me thynk my hart \yg\itys / I se shrewys pepe;
ye ar two aH wyghtys / I wyH gyf my shepe

A turne.
Bof fuH yH haue I ment,
As I walk on this benf ,
I may lyghtly repenf ,
My toes if 1 spume.

(17)
A, air, god! you saue / and master myne !
A drynk fayn wold I haue / and somwhat to dyne.
' Originally "slepys" ; altered in red ink.

131

136

UO

Ui

Townehy Plays. XIII. Shrphenls' Play, II. 121

primus pastor. Cijstys curs, my kuaiie / thou art" a Tiieyu).-

... braid liiiii

ledyr liyne ! as n sluggish

y us pastor. What*! the boy lysf rave ; / ahyde vnto syne ; romes latc
We haue niayde if. 149 ftb.>ut

yH thryff on tliy pate ! ^™"i„_ ^j

Though the shrew cam late,
yit is he in state

To dyne, if he had it. 153

(18)
Tercias pastor. Sich semMnhjs as I / that* swettys and d«w says
swynkys, TwTi^

Etys oure brede fuH dry / and that me forthynkys ; ?ho'>"c»t"'

We ar off weytf and wery / when master-men wyukys, drv''^ the'r
yif commys full lately / both dyuera and drynkya, (TamfTnip nt

Bof nately. 158 t'""f'>ire.

Both oure dame and oure syre,
when we haue ryn in the myre,
Tliay can nyp af oure hyre,

And pay vs futt lately. 162

(19)
Bof here my troutfi, master / for the fayr thaf ye make. He uiis
I shaH do therafter / wyrk as I take ; w'„rk as iw

T shaH do a lytyU, sir / and emang euer lake, a'c'heap "'

Sot yif lay my soper / neuec on my stomake yi/id^'but

Infeyldys. 167 '"""'■

Wberto shulcf I threpe 1
wit/t my staf can I lepe.
And men say " lyghf chepe

letherly for-yeldys." 171

(20)
pvimna pastor. Thou were an yli lad / to ryde on The nret
wowyng s„jl D,,w

With a man thaf had / bof ly tyB of spendyng. mTad t^^

yus pastor. Peasse, boy, I bad / no more langling, wi*h Tjfoor

Or I shaH make the futt rad / by the heuen's kyng ! '""'*'•

witA thy gawdys ; 176 Theshep-

wher ar oure shepe, boy, we skorne ? after tSir

jyus pastor. Sir, this same day af morne
I thaym leff in the come,

when thay rang lawdys ; 180

sheep.

122 Tovmeley Plays, XIII, Shepherds' Play, IL

The three
shepherds
sing a soDg,
taking tenor,
treble, t,

Mak cornea
OD, wishing
he were in
heaven,
where no
baima weep,

(21)
Thay haue pasture good / thay can nof go wrong.
pximViS pastor. That* is righf, by the roode ! / thyse
nyghtT/s ar long,
yif I wold, or we yodo / oone gaf vs a song.

ijas pastov. So I thoghf as I stode / to myrth vs among.
iiJMS pastor. I grauntf. 185

primus pastor, lett* me syng the tenory.
yus pastor. And I the tryble so hye.
jy'us pastor. Then the nieyne fallys to me ;

lett se how ye chauntt. 189

Tunc intrat mak, in clamide se super togam vestitus.

(22)
Maii. Now lord, for thy naymes sevyni / that* made
both moyn & starnes
"WeH mo then I can neuen / thi wiH, lorde, of me
thamys ;
[Foi. 40, b] I am aH vneuen / that moves oft my harnes,

Now Wold god I were in heuen / for there ^ wepe no harnes
So styH. 194

prinuis pastor. Who is that* pypys so poore 1
Mak. wold! god ye wysf how I foore !
lo, a man that walkj/s on the moore,

And has not aH his wyH 1 198

(23)
secwndns pastor. Mak, where has thou gon'] / teH

vs tythyng.
Tej-cius pastor. Is he co7/imen ? then ylkon / take hade

to his thyng.

& accipit clamideva. db ip&o.

Mak. what ! ich be a yoman / I teH you, of the king ;
The self and the same / sond from a greatf lordyng.

And sich. 203

ffy on you ! goytt hence
Out of my presence !
I rausf haue reuerence ;

why, who be ich ? 207

' MS. vij. " MS. the. » MS. gom.

Tlie 2ni1
ihepherd
asks the
news. Daw
bids each
man look to
his goods.

Mak saj^s he
is the king's
yeoman, ^
must have
reverence.

Tovmeley Plays. XIII. Shepherds' Play, II. 123

(24)
^ri»ms jiastoT. Why make ye it so qwaynt ? / mak, ye in spite of
do wrang. ^^J^'^;^.

yus pastor. Bof, mak, lyst ye saynf? / I trow that ye oTtSu^sto

lang. '"""'•

ty'iis pastor. I trow the shrew can paynt, / the dewyH

myghf hy?« hang !
MaJi. Ich shaH make complaynt / and make you aH to
thwang
At a words, 212

And teH euyn how ye doth.

primus pastor. Bot, ^Mak, is that sothe 1 ^eVherd

Now take outt that sothren tothe, ^l oiThn

And sett in a torde ! 216 Sooth.""

(25)
ijus pastor. Mak, the dewiH in youre ee / a stroke wolfj uuder

I leyne vou. ""'^'''' ^^^

J ^ J vw* recogiiizea

lyus pastor. Mak, know ye not me ? / by god I couthe h^ds''^^
tevn 1 vou. '^" '^°"'-

*' »' pany.

Mak. God looks you aH thre ! / me tlioght I had sens
you,
ye ar a fare compane. /
^ri?nus pastor. can ye now mene you 1

secnudus pastor. Shrew, lape 1 221 The'nd

Thus late as thou goys, ^^Kt

what wyH men suppos 1 lltutt^

And thou has an yH noys l^™ *°

of stslyng of shepe. 225 ^'^"""s-

(26)
Mak. And I am trew as steyH / aH men waytt, uak says all

Bot a seksnes I fsyH / that haldy« ms fuH haytt, heTs'trae''aa

My belly farys not weyH / it is out of astats. ?'"'• Jj"*

*^ -^ ' his belly la

lijna pastor. Seldom lyys the dewyH /dede by the gate. j^'heSfno
Mak. Therfor 230 'pp^*'*^'

fuH sore am I and yH,
If I stande stone styH ;
I ets not an nedyH

Thys moneth and more. 234

' US tcyk; but the letters "le" have been written over the
original by a later hand.

124 Taumeley Plays. XIII. Shepherds' Play, II.

Asked after
liis wife,
Mak says
she does

nought but

[Fol. 41, a.]

tat &. drink
it bear
children.

However

rich he were
she would
eat hiiti out
or house &
home.

Hi' would
give all h6
has v. oiild
she but need
a mass-
penny.

The shep-
herds are
tired and lie
down to
sleep.

They make
Mak lie
between
them.

(27)
piimus pastor, how farys tlii wyff? by iny hoode /

how farya sho ]
Mak. lyys walteryng, by the roode / by the fyerc, lo !
And a howse fuH of brude / she dryiikys weH to ;
yH spade othero good / that she wyH do !

Bot so 239

Etys as fast as she can,
And ilk yeie that* co?Hmys to man
She hryugys furlh a Likan,

And som yeres two. 243

(28)
Bof were I nof more graoyus / and rychcre befar,
I were eten outt of howse / and of harbar ;
Yif is she a fowH dowse / if ye com nar :
Ther is none that" trowse / nor knowys a war,

Then ken I. 248

Now wyH ye se what" I profer,
'J"o gyf aH in my cofer
To niorne at next to offer

hyr hed mas penny. * 252

(29)
StcMndus pastor. I wote so forwakyd / is none in this
shyre :
I wold slepe if I takyd / les to my hyere.

iijns pastor. I am cold! and nakyd / and wold haue a

fyere.
jjrimus pastor. I am wery, forrakyd / and run in the
myre.
wake thou ! 257

ijns pastor. Nay, I wyH lyg downe by,
ffor I must slepe truly.

iijns 2Jcistor. As good a man's son was I

As any of you. 261

(30)
Bot, mak, com heder ! betwene / shall thou lyg downe.
Mak. Then myght I lett you bedene / of that" ye wol(}

' Possibly 2 lines in -owne aie missing in this couplet. But
see the like, stanza 15 in the first Shepherds' Play, p. 104.

Tmvneleij Plays. XIII. Shepherds' Play, II. 12o

No dreJe. 264

ffro my top to my too,
JIantw tuas cowmendo,
poncio pilato,

Cryst crosse me spede ! 268

Time sury'it, pastoribws dormieutihvis, & dicit ;

(31)
Now were tyme for a man / that lakkys what* lie wold,
To stalk p/-i5uely than / vnto a foW,
And neenily to wyrk than / and be not* to bold,
ffor he might aby the bargan / if if were told

Af the endyng. 273

Now were tyrae for to reyH ;
Bot he nedys good counseH
That" fayn wolcV fare weyH,

And has bof lytyH spendyng. 277

(32)
Bof abowte you a serkyH / as rownde as a moyn,
To I haue done that I wyH / tyH that it be noyn,
Tliat j'e lyg stone styH / to thaf I hauc doyne,
And I shall say thertyH / of good wordys a foyne.

On hight 282

Oue)- youre heydy.s- my hand I lyft,
Outf go youre een, fordo your syght,
Bof yif I must make bette;- shyft.

And if be right. 286

(33)
lord ! whaf thay slepe hard ! / tliaf may ye aH here ;
was I neuer a shepard / bof now wyH I lere.
If the flok be skard / yif shaH I nyp ncre,
how ! drawcs hederward ! / now mendys oure chere

ft'rom sorow : [Ms. ffron.] 291

A fatf shcpo I dar say,
A good flese dar I lay,
Eft whyte when I may,

Bof this wiH I borow. [Mak goes home.] 295

(34)
how, gytt, arf thou In ? / gett vs som lyght.

Vxor eius. Who makys sich dyn / this tyme of the
nyght?

Mak says
a iriock
Dight-spell.

He sees a
cliance of
stealing a
Blieep.

He iiBfs ft
Bpell to
make the
sheplierda
Bleep till
noon.

[Fol. 4I,b.l

When he
finds by
theirsnuring
thfll tliryart*
sleeping
hard he
"borrows"
a sheep &
airricK it
Iiunie.

He knocks,
& his wife
Gyll asks
•'WhoiBitr'

126 Townehy Plays, XIIL Shepherds Play, IL

Gyll says she
IB spJiiniTig
& can't be
iDternipted
for notlung.

Wlieu she
recognizes
Mak's voice
she let's him
in ; "his
fihecp-
stealing will
end in his
being
lianged.'*

Mak hns
done it
before, but
"so long
goes the ]iot
to the water
that it is
broken at
last!"

Mak wants
A dinner off
the sheep at
once, but
they are
afraid the
shepherds

[FoL 42, a.]

may follow
hi in.

I am setf for to spyn / I hope not I myghf
Ryse a penny to wyn, / I shrew them on hight !

So farys 300

A huswyiE that has bene
To be rasyd thus betwene :
here may no note be sene

ffor sich sraaH charys. 304

(35)
Muk. Good wyfiF, open the hek ! / seys thou not what

I bryngi
Vxiir. I may thole the dray the snek. / A, com in,

my swetyng !
Mak. yee, thou thar nof rek / of my long standyng.
Vxor. By the nakyd nek / aif thou lyke for to hyng.
Mak. Do way : 309

I am worthy my mete,
ffor in a strate can I gett
More then thay thaf swynke and swette

AH the long day, 313

(36)
Thus if feH to my lott / gyH, I had sich grace.

Vxor. If were a fowH blott / to be hanged for the case.
Mak. I haue skapyd, lelott / off as hard a glase.
Vxor. Bof 80 long goys the pott / to the water, men says,
At last * 318

Corny s if home broken.

Mak. weH knowe I the token,
Bot lef if neue?' be spoken ;

Bof com and help fast. 322

(37)
I wol(J he were slayn / 1 lyst wett ete :
This twelmothe was I nof so fayn / of oone shepe mete.
Vxor. Com thay or he be slayn / and here the shepe bletc !
Mak. Then myght I be tane, / thaf were a coltJ swette !
Go spar 327

The gaytt doore.

Vxor. Yis, Mak,

ffor and thay com at thy bak,

Mak. Then myght I by, for aH the pak,

The dewiH of the war. 331

Toioneley Plays. XIII. Shepherds' Play, II. 127

(38)
vxor. A good bowrde haue I spied / syn thou can none. Gyii win put
here shaH we hym hyde / to thay be gone ; »''crad?eV"

In my credyH abyde / lett me alone, rnewl™"

And I shaH lyg besyde / in chylbed, and grone. "'"'''■

Mak. Thou red ; 336

Au(J I shaH say thou was lyght
Of a knaue childe this nyght.

Vxor. Now well is me day bright,
That* euer was I bred. 340

(39)
Tliis is a good gyse / and a far cast ; M«k must go

Yif a woman avyse / Iielpys af tlie last. ahcphel-dT

I wote neuer who spyse, / agane go thou fast. be"n m"'"

Mak. Bof I com or thay ryse / els blawes a col(» blast 1 "'"''■
I wyH go slepe. [Mak returns to the shepherds,

yit< slepys att this meneye, and resumes his place.]

And I shatt go stalk preuely.

As it had neuer bene I He Snds

Thaf caryed thare shape. 349 st'e'eping"

(40)
primus pastor. Resurrex a mortruw ! / haue hald! my hand. The ist
ludas carnas domtreus ! / I may not weH stand : wS'e'TI'^Ho

My foytt slepys, by ihes^w • / and I water fastand. het^'Seaf

I thoghf thaf we layd vs / fuH nere yngland. England.

Semndus pastor. Aye! 354 The 2nd

lord ! what I haue slept weyB ; tZ^r^,

As fresh as an eyH, "'"■

As lyght I me feyH

As leyfe on a tre. 358

(41)
Teixins pastor. Benste be here in ! / so my [hartl] qwakys. Daw nakes
My harf is outt of skyn / what* so it makys.
Who makys att this dyn ? / so my browes blakys,
To the dowore wyH I wyn / harke felows, wakys !

"We were fowre : 363

Be ye awre of mak now 1
jirimus pastor, we were vp or thou. The 2nd

ijns pastor. Man, I gyf god a vowe, Myfhe'hM

yif yede he nawre. 367 nowhere.

> MS. ihc

uneasily, A
asks wliere
Mitk is.

128 Towneiey Plays. JCIII. Shepherds' Play, II.

(42)
iy us pastor. Me tlioght he was lapt / in a wolfe skyn.
jjrijuus pastor. So are many hapt / now namely within.
ijns pastor. "When we had long napt / me thoght with

agyn

[Fni. 42, b.j A fatt shape he trapt / bet he mayde no dyn.
Tercins pastor. Be styH :
Thi dreme makys the woode :
It is bot fantom, by the roode.
primus pastor. Kow god turne aH to good,
If if be his wyH.

Paw iKid
dreamed
Mak liad
trapjted one
of the sliet'p,
but he is

reassured by
the ythera.

372

376

Tliey wake
Mak, who
prr.tcnds to
liave a stiff
neck, and to
!iave been
frightened
bj a dream.

(43)
ijns pastor. Ryse, mak, for shame ! / thou \jgys right

lang.
Mak. Now crystys holy name / be vs emang !
whaf is this 1 for eant lame / I may not weH gang !
I trow I bo the same / A ! my nek has lygen) wrang

Enoghe ;
MekiH thank, syn yister euen,
Now, by sant strevyn,
I was flayd wtt/t a swevyn.
My hart out of sloghe.

381

385

(44)
He dreamt I thoght gytt began to crok / and traueH fuH sad,
inottlrboyi welner af the fyrsf cok / of a yong lad,

Wo is lum g.^^ ^^ ^^^j ^^^j,g jj^^ I ^jj^,jj ijg J jjgygj, g]jjj

ttiat has
inauy bairns
and little
bread.

He must go
borne to
(Jjll, but
Hrst bids
tbcm see ho
liHs Ktolen
nought.

390

394

I haue tow on my rok / more then euer I had.

A, my heede !
A house fuH of yong tharmes,
The dewiH knok outt thare harnes !
wo is hym has many barnes,

And therto lytyH brede !

(45)
I rausf go home, by youre lefe / to gyH as I thoght.
I jiray you looke my slefe / that" I steyH noght :
I am loth you to grefe / or from you take oglit.

lyus pastor. Go furth, yH myght thou chefe ! / now
wold I we soght.

Towneley Plays. XII 1. Shepherds' Play, II. 129

This morne, 399 The siicp-

That we had aH oure store. 8ei>«rnte to

prhiiMS pastor. Bot* I wiH go before, ihcep.

let vs mete.

t/us pastor, whore ?

ty'us jiastoT. At the crokyd thorne. 403

(46)

Male. Viiiio this doore ! who is here 1 / how long sliaH M«k oonics

I. J n home & is

Stand ( wekoined

Vxcr eiui. Who makys sich a here 1 / now walk in the soim " *""'
Wenyand. grambiing.

Mali. A, gyH, what chere 1 / it is I, mak, youro hiusbande,
Vxof. Tlien may we be here / the dewiH in a bande,
Syr gyle ; 408

lo, he comrays v/ith a lote
As he were holden in the throte.
I may not syt at my note,

A hand lang while. 412

(47)
Alak. wyH ye here what fare she makys / to gett hir a
glose,
And dos noghf bot lakys / and clowse hir toose.

Vxor. why, who wanders, who wakys / who commys, itiathe

who gose 1 wmnan docK

" all the work,

who brewys, who bakys 1 / what maky« me thus hose 1 «,rr,ou»c'
And than, 417 hoW that

' * " l«ck« one.

It^ is rewthe to beholde.

Now in hote, now in colde,

ffuH wofuH is the householde

That wantys a woman. 421

(48)
Bot* what ende has thou maydo / wtt/( the hyrdys, [Fui. 43, „.]

mak 1
Mak. The lasf worde that* thay sayde / when I turnyd Mak ttiu

Thay wold looke tliaf thay hade / thare shepe aH the pak. fhtirshee"^
I hope thay wyH nott* be weH payde / when thay thare
shepe )ak,
P«'de. 426

T. PLAYS. K

130 Towiiehy Plays, XII I. Shepherds' Play, II.

The shep-
herda are
Bure to sus-
pect liiiii.

Tlie elieep is
swaddled in
a cradle, <k
Gyll lies
down.

Mak must
sing a
lullaby,
while she
g loans.

Bot* how so the gam gose,
To me thay wyH suppose,
And make a fowH noyse,
And cry outt* apon me.

430

(49)

The shep-
herds meet
again.
The iRt
shepherd
has lost a
fat wetlier, h
has searched
"all horbery
Blirogys" in
vain.

435

439

Bof thou musf do as thou hyghf /

Vxor. I accorde me theityH.

I shall swedyH hym) right / In my credyH ;
If if were a grotter slyght / yif couthe I help tyH.
I wyH lyg downe stright ; / com hap me ;

Mak. I wyH.

Vxor. Behynde.
Com coH and his maroo,
Thay wiH nyp vs fuH naroo.

Mak. Bof I may cry ouf ' haroo,'
The shepe if thay fynde.
(50)
Vxor. harken ay when thay caH / thay wiH com onone.
Com aud make redy aH / and syng by thyn oone ;
Syng lullay thou shaH / for I musf grone,
And cry outt by the waH / on mary and lohn,

fl'or sore.
Syng lullay on fasf
when thou heris af the lasf ;
And bof I play a fals cast,
Trusf me no more.

(51)
Terciwi pastor. A, coH, goode monie / why slepys thou

nott 1
jpri;nus pastor. Alas, that euec was I borne ! / we haue
a fowH blott.
A fat wedir haue we lorne. /

Tercim pastor. niary, godys forbott !

i/us pastor, who shuld do vs thaf skorne 1

thaf were a fowtt spolt.
prhrms pastor. Som shrewe. 453

I haue soghf vrith my dogy*
AH horbery shrogys,
And of fefteyn^ hogys

ffond I bot oone ewe. 457

' MS. jcv.

444

448

rmvneleij Plays. XIII. Sh€i)herds Play. II. 131

(52)
tyus pastor. Now trow me, if ye wiH / by saiit tlionias Daw sua-

01 Kent, Mak or Oyll.

Ayther mak or gyH / was at that* assenf .
^ii/(ius pastor, peasse, man, be stiH ! / I sagli wlien he
went ;
Thou sklanders hym yH / thou aght to repent,

Goode spede. 462

tyus jMsloT. Now as euej- niyght I the,
If I sliuldi euyn here de,
I wold say it* were he,

Thaf dyd that same dede. 466

(53)
tyus pastor. Go we theder, I rede / and ryn on ours tiki simp-

f . herds start

ShaH I neuer ete brede / the sothe to I wytt. '"'""^'

;>riwus pastor. Nor drynk in ray heede / wt'tA hym tyH

I mete.
Secunc^us ^jastor. I wyH rest* in no stede / tyH that I (Foi. «, b.)
hym grete,
My brothere. 471

Oone I win hight :
TyH I SB hym in sight*
shaH I neuer slope one nyghf

Ther I do anothere. 475

(54)
Terc'ms pastor. wiH ye here how thay hak 1 j oure syre, n.ey hear
lysf,croyne. »-- ^„,

primus pastor, hard I neufr none crak / so clere out of t"em''B'plak
toyne ; softly.

Catt on hym.

«;'us pastor, mak ! / vndo youre doore soyne.
Mak: Who is that* spak, / as it were noyne,

On loft* ■? 480

Wlio is that I say ]

iijus pastor. Goode felowse, were it day.
Mak. As far as ye may.

Good, spekys soft*, 484

132 Tovmeleij Plays. XIII. Shepherds Play, II.

(55)
Every foot- Oner a seke woman's heedo / that* is at mayH easse ;
tiirough I had leuer be dede / or she had any dyseasse.
y a nose. Vxor. Go to an othere stede / I may not weH qweasse.
Icfi fote that" ye trede / goys thorow my nese.

So hee ! 489

jf)ri?«us pastor. TeH vs, mak, if ye may,
how fare yo, I say ?

Male. Bof ar ye in this towno to day ]

Now how fare ye 1 493

(56)
Mak bids the ye hauB ryn iu the myre / and ar weytt yif-;
sirdown' I shaH make you a fyre / if ye wiH syt.
has coin'o'" A nores woUV I hyre / thynk ye on yit,
'"°' weH qwytt is my hyre / my dreme this is itt,

A seson. 498

I haue barnos, if ye knew,
weH mo then cnewe,
Bof we must" drynk as we brew,

And that* is bof rcson. 502

(57)
Hie siiep- I wold ye dynyj or ye yode / me thynk thaf ye swette.
dine^lis SecxuidMs pastor. Nay, nawther mendys oure mode /

A Wnt tiiat drynke nor raette.

t'i'ci'"Bheep.° Mali, why, siV, alys you oghf bot goode 1 /

Tereins pastor, yee, oure shepe tliai we gett,
Ar stollyn as thay yode / oure los is grette.

Mak. Syrs, drynky« ! 607

had I bene thore,
Som shuld haue boghf it fuH sore.

;niwius pastor. Mary, som men trowes thaf ye wore,
And that vs forthynkys. 511

(58)
Mak bids tyus pastor. Mak, som men trowys / thaf it shuld be ye.

tilc'l'.o'usT'' iijvis pastor. Ayther ye or youre spouse / so say we.
Mak. Now if ye haue suspowse / to giti or to me,
Com and rype oure howse / and then may ye se

Tovmehy Plays. XIII. Shepherds' Play, II. 133

who had hir, 516 A«forOyii,

nr 1 P.I 'hfl h&s not

I any shepe fott, lea her bed.

Aythor cow or stott ;

Aud gyH, my wyfe, rose nott

here syn she lade liir. 520

(59)
As I am true and lele / to god here I pray, [foi. «, a.

That" this be the fyrst mole / that" I shaH ete this day. '^"

jjrimus pastor. Mak, a.s haue I ceyH, / Avyse the, I say ;
he lernyd tyraely to stcyH / thaf couth not* say nay.

Vxor. I swelt ! 525 Gyii cries

Outt. thefys, fro my wonys ! Tthie^eT

ye com to rob vs for the nonys.
Mak. here ye not how she gronys 1

youre hartys shuld melf. 529

(60)
Vxor. Outf, thcfys, fro my barne ! / negh hym not

thor".
Mak. wyst ye }iow she liad fame / youre hartys wold Mak re-

1 proRches the

be sore. shepherds

J T II. for disturb-

ye do wrang, I you warne / tliaf thus cowimys before ing her.
To a woman thaf has fame / bof I say no more.

Vxor. A, my medyH ! 534 oyii win eat

I pray to god so mylde, Slc™l'°

U euer I you begyW, i^llte""'

Thaf I ete this chylde *'"'"•

That lygys in this credyH. 538

(61)
Mak. peasse, woman, for godys payu / and ciy nof so : Tiie shep-
Thou spyllys thy brane / and raakys me fuH wo. nDd'noThmg

5ecunrfus pastor. I trow oure shepe be slayn / what iTuiVwo""**

findeyetwo] ';X',,

ly'us pastor. AH wyrk we in vayn / as weH may we go.
Bot hatters, 543

I can fynde no flesh,
hard nor ncsh,
Salt nor fresh,

Bof two tome platers, 547

134

Towneley Plays, XIII. Shepherds* Play, II,

The 1st

shepherd
thiiikB they
have niflde
ft itiisUike.
They talk of
GyU'B child.

Piirkyn and

Oyboii
Wnllor and
gentle Juhn
Home are
his gossips.

[Fol. 44, b.l

The shep-
herds take
a friendly
farewell.
Mak pre-
tends to
■ulk.

Daw goes
back to give
the child a
sixpence.

Mak tried to
keep him
away from
t))e cradle.

(62)
Whik cateH bot" this / tame nor wylde,
None, as haue I blys / as lowde as he smyldc.

Vxor. No, so god me blys / and gyf me loy of my chylde !
primus 2>astor. We haile mej-kyd amys / I hold vs begyld.
ijxis j^astor. Syr don, 552

Syr, cure lady hyra saue !
Is youre chyld a knaue 1

Mak. Any lord myghf hym haue

This chyld to his son. 556

(63)
when he wakyns he kyppys / thaf ioy is to se.

iijus pastor. In good tyrae to hys hyppys / and in cele.
Bot who was his gossyppys / so sone rede 1
Mak. So fate faH thure lyppys ! /
primus pastor. hark now, a le !

Mak. So god thaym thank, 561

Parkyn, and gybon waller, I say,
And gentiH lohn home, in good fay,
he made aH the garray,

With the grcatf shank. 565

(64)
(/us pastor. Mak, f rey ndys wiH we be / ffor we ar aH cone.
Mak. we ! now I hald for me / for mendys gett I none,
ffare weH all thre / aH glad were ye gone.

[TTie sheplierds Have.]
iijna pastor, ffare wordys may ther be / bot* luf is ther
none
this yere. 570

j5ri)HUS pastor. Gaf ye the chyldf any thyng 1
z/us pastor. I trow not* oone farthyng.
iijwa pastor, fifasf agane wiH I flyng,

Abyde ye me there. [Goes back to the house.]

(65)
Mak, take it to no grefe / if I com to tlii barne.

Mak. Nay, thou dos me grealt reprefe / and fowH has

thou fame.
iijus pastor. The child wiH it* not* grefe / that lytyH
day starne.
Mak, v;ith youre leyfe / let me gyf youre barne.

Tmmeley Plays. XIII. Shei)herds Play, II. 135

Bof sex 1 pence. 579

Mak. Nay, do way : he slepys. i'"" eeti

tyus pastor. Me thynk he pepys.
Mak. when he wakyns he wepys.

I pray you go hence. [T/ie other shepherds come back.]
(66)
ty us pastor. Gyf me lefe hym to kys / and lyff vp the lifts the
clowtt. [Seeing the s/ieej).] k?s*s'thc

wliaf the dewiH is this ? / he has a long snowte. claim's nt'ita

/>ri»jus pastor, he is m«'kyd aiiiys. / we wate iH abowte. Th'e°oHie"ra
yus pastor. Itt spon weft, Iwys / ay cojHmys fouH uke'nfte""'^

°" '■'^' soon dls-

Ay, so ! 588 ?;;„'']_"'»

he is lyke to oure shepe !

iij\x9 pastor, how, gyb ! may I pepel
primus pastor. I trow, kynde wiH crepe

where it may not go. 592

(67)
y us pastor. This was a qwantf gawde / and a far cast. The sheji-

U, - , i herds are

was a hee frawde. / furious, but

.... , can't help

ttjua pastor. yee, syrs, wast. seeing the

liitt bren this bawde / and byud hir fast. ■'° ''

A fals skawdo / liang af the last ;

So shaH thou. 697

M'yH ye se how thay swedyH
his foure feytt in the mcdyH 1
Sagh I neue?- in a credyH

A hornyd lad or now. 601

(68)
Mak. Peasse byd I : whaf ! / letf be youre faro ; (Foi. 45, a.

I am he that hym gatt / and yond woman hym bare. Mak and

priiiius ^;as/or. What* dcwiH shaH he hatf! / Mak, lo Snthat"the
god makys ayre. SVhiid.

tyus pastor, letf be aH that*. / now god gyf hym care,
I sagh. 606

Vxor. A pratty child is he
As sytt^s on a waman's kne ;
A dyllydowne, perde,

To gar a man laghe. 610

' MS. Tj.

136 Towneley Plays. XIII. Shepherds' Play, IL

A rlerk liftd
told Mak the
child was
forapokcn, A
Gyll saw nii
elf change
him as the
cloi'k stiui-k
twelve.

But Mak

pleads
guilty, and
the shep-
herds 1ft
him off with
a good
blanketing.

Tliey toss
him till they
are tired, &
then lie
down to
rest.

An angel
bids them
rise.

(69)
iijus pastor. I know liym by the eere marke / thaf is

a good tokyn.
Mak I tcH you, syrs, liark ! / hys noyse was brokyn.
Sythen toltt me a clerk / tluif be was forspokyn.
priynua pastov. This is a fals wark / I woldf fayn be
wiokyn :
Getf wepyn. 615

Vxor. lie was takyn y/ith an elfe,
1 saw if myself,
when the clok stroke twelf

was he forshapyn. 619

(70)
ijus pastoT. ye two ar wcH feft / sam in a stede.
iijus pastor. Syn thay manteyn thare theff / let do

thaym to dede.
Muk. If I trespas eft / gyrd of my heede.
■with you wiH I be left. /
2mm\ia pastor. syrs, do my reede.

ffor this trespas, 624

we win nawther ban ne flyte,
ffyghf nor chyte,
Bof haue done as tyte,

And cast hym in canvas. [Theij toss Mak in a sheet.]
(71)
lord ! what* I am sore / in poynf for to bryst.
In fayth I may no more / therfor wyH I ryst.

ijns pastor. As a shope of sevyn * skore / he weyd in
my fyst.
ffor to slepe ay whore / me thynk thaf I lyst.

iijus pastor. Now I pray you,
lyg downe on this grene.

/primus pastor. On these tlief//.-.' yit I niene.
«}'us pastor, wherto shuld ye tene
So, as I say you 1
Angelus cantat " gloria in exelsis : " postea dicat :
(72)
Angelus. Ryse, hyrd men heynd ! / for now is he borne
Thaf shaH take fro the feynd / thaf adam had lorne :
> MS. vij.

633

637

Tffwmley Plays. JUL Shepherds' Play, II. 137

Tliaf wurloo to sheynJ / this nyght" is he borne. The Re-

decnier )■

God IS made youre freyiid / now at* this morue. * bo"!. * 'tiey

must go to

he behestys, 642 Bttiiiehem

, . X w ^0 *fi^ Hiin.

Ap bedleni go so,
Ther lygy« tliaf fre
In a cryb fuH poorely,

Betwyx two bestys. 646

(73)
pnmns pastor. This was a qwant stevyn / that* eucr yit [Foi. 45, b.)

^ "^™- herd. Ulk of

It is a merueH to neuyn / thus to be skard. mes^ge't

t/'us pastor. Ot godj/s son of hcuyn / he spak vpward. J" ' *"'''"'*
AH the wod on a leuyn / me thoghf that he gard

Appere. 651

nj'us ^jastor. he spake of a barne
In bedleni, I you warne.

primus pastor. Thaf betokyns yond stame.

let vs seke hym there, 655

(74)
ijua pastor. Say, whaf was his song?/ hard ye not They discus.
howhecrakydifl mus?c^'t%

Thre brefes to a long. / '" '"'''"' "•

tyus pastor. yee, mary, he hakf it.

was no crochetf wrong / nor no thyng thaf lakt it*.
primuB pastor. fTor to syng vs emong / right* as he
knakt if,
I can. 660

t}'us pastor, lef se how ye croyne.*
Can ye bark af the mone 1

!yus pastor, hold youre tonges, hauo done !

primus pastor, hark after, than. 664

(75)
yus^jas^or. To bedlem he bad / thaf we shuld gang : But they
I am fuH fard / thaf we tary to lang. TStWe-'"

7y'us^as<or. Be mery and nof sad / of rayrth is oure
sang,
Euer lastyng glad / to mede may we fang,

' ' That euet yit I hard ' was originally ' ' lie 3pake vpward, " from
L 649, but this has been crossed out with red ink.
' ' Cioyne ' for ' crone '

hem.

138 Towneley Plays. XII L Shepherds' Play, II.

Though they
lie wet h
wear>', they
iinist Bee
thrvt child £
that Imly.

The 2n(l
bhepherd
recftlls tlie
prophecies
of DAvid and
IsAiah.

[1 rftij « of

course for
•Ecfc.']

If Dflw could
ontfe kneel
before thfit
cliild it
would ever
be well with
him.

673

Tlie Ist
shepherd
remembers
that

patriarchs
&■ prophets
have desired
to see this
flight.

[Fol. 46, a.

Big. H. 4.)

'Twas pro-
mised He
should
appear to
the poor.

678

682

Wit/ioutt noyse. 669

^;ri)?uis j)astor. hy we thedec for thy ;
If we be wete and wery,
To thaf chyld and that lady
we haue if not to lose.

(76)
ij\is pasioT. we fyude by the p)-ophecy — / let* be youre
dyn—
Of dauid and Isay / and luo then I myn,
Thay prophecyed by clergy / thaf in a vyrgyn
shukl he lyghf and ly / to slokyn oure sya

And slake if,
Oure kynde from wo ;
fifor Isay sayd so,
Citfei virgo

Concipief a chylde that is nakyd.
(77)
iij pastor. ffuH glad may we be / and abyde thaf day
That lufly to se / thaf aH myghtys may.
lord weH were me / for ones and for ay,
ilyghf I knele on my kne / som word for to say

To thaf chylde. 687

Bof the angeH sayd,
In a cryb wos he layde ;
he was poorly arayd

Both mene)' and mylde. 691

(78)
^ri7?ius pastor, patryarkes thaf has bene / and prophetj/g
befome,
Thay desyryd to haue sene / this chylde thaf is borne.
Thay ar gone fuH clene / thaf haue thay lorne.
We shaH se hym, I weyn / or it be raorne,

To tokyn.
When I se hym and fele,
Then wote I fuH weyH
If is true as steyH

Thaf prophetys haue spokyn.
(79)
To so poore as we ar / thaf he wold appere,
ffyrst fynd, and declare / by bis messyngere.

696

700

Townelcy Plays. XIII. Shepherds Play, II. 139

yus pastor. Go we uow, let vs fare / the place is vs nere.
jy'iis pastor. I am redy and yare / go we in fere

To that brighf. 705

Lord, if thi wylles be,
we ar lewde aH thre,
Thou grauntt vs somkyns gle

To comfortli thi wight. {Theij enter the stable.]

(80)
primua pastor. hayH, comly and clene ! / hayH, yong

child!
hayH, maker, as I meyne, / of a raadyn so mylde I
Thou has waryd, I weyne / the warlo so wylde ;
The fals gyler of teyn / now goys he begylde.

lo, he merys ;
lo, he laghys, my swetyng,
A welfare metyng,
I haue holden my hetyng ;

haue a bob of cherys.

They pray
God Iney
may have
glee to
comfort ni8
wiglit.

The 1st
shepherd
bids the
young child
hail, A offers
Him a " bob
of clierries."

14

718

(81)

yus pastor. hayH, suflferan sauyoure ! / ffor thou has vs The 2nd

soghf :
hayH, frely foyde and floure / tliaf att tiiyng has wroght I
hayH, fuH of fauoure / that" made aH of noght" !
hayH ! I kneyH and I cowre. / A byrd haue I broghf

To my barne. 723

hayH, lytyH tyne mop !
of cure crede thou art crop :
I wold drynk on thy cop,

LytyH day starne. 727

(82)
iijns pastor. hayH, derlyng dere / fuH of godhede !
I pray the be nere / when thaf I haue nede.
hayH ! swete is thy chere ! / my harf wold blede
To se the sytt here / in so poore wede,

With no pwmys. 732

hayH ! put furth thy daH !
I bryng the bof a batt :
haue and play the with aft.

And go to the tenys, 736

shepherd
brings Him
a bird.

Daw's heart
bleeds to see
Him 80
poorly clad.
He offers
Hun a ball.

140 Townehy Plays. XIV, Offering of the Magi

Miiry pro-
ntises to
pray Iicr Scm
to keep Dicin
from woe.

[Fol. 46, b 1
The Bhei>-
herds yo
their way
singing.

(83)
Maria. The fader of heuen / god omnypotenf.
'i'haf sett aH on seucn, / his son has he sent.
My name coiitfi he ne\ien / and lyghf or ho wenf.
I conceyuyd hym fuH" euen / tlirugh m)'ghf as he mont',

And now is he borne. 741

he kepe you fro wo 1
I shaH pvay hym so ;
TeH furth as ye go,

And myn on this niorne. 745

(84)
^riwus pastor. ffarewoH, lady / so fare to beholde,
wt't/j tliy childe on thi kne ! /

ijns pastor. bot* he lygys fuH cold,

lord, weH is nie / now we go, thou behold".

iijua /pastor, ffor sothe aH redy / if semys to be told

fuH oft. 750

j3ri??zais pastor, whaf grace we haiie fun.
a/us pastor. Com furth, now ar we won.
ly'us pastor. To syng ar we bun) :

let take on loft. 754

Explicit paginn Pastorxnn.

Herod calls
for silence.

Herodes.

Nuncitcs.

XIV.
Incipit oblacio magorum.

[Dramatis Personac.
I Primus Rex, Jaspar. I Tcrcius Rcjc,

Sccundus Rex, Melchior. Balthcsar.]

[One '12-line stoma {no. 100), ab ab ab abc ddc ; 105 six-line stomas,
aaab ab, except stoma 72, ab ab ab, and one i-line stoma 22, aaah.

herodes. (1)

^ Easse, 1 byd, both far and nere,

1 warne you leyf youre sawes sere ;
who that makys noyse whyls I am here,

I say, shaH dy.
Of aH this warld, sooth, far & nere.
The lord am I.

P

Tomieley Plays. XIV. Offering of the Magi. HI

(2)
Loid am I of euory land,
Of towre and towne, of se and saud ;
Agaiis me dar noraan stand,

That* berys lyfe ;
AH erthly thyiig bowes to my hand.

Both man and wyfe.

(3)
Man and wyfe, that* warno I you.
That* in this warU is lyfand now,
To maliowne & me aH shaH bow,

Both ok? and ying ;
On hym wyH I ich man tiow,

ffor any thyng.

(4)
fl'or any thyng if shaH be so ;

lord ouer aH where I go,

wlio so says agane, I shaH liy»« slo,

where so he dweH ;
Tlie feynd, if he were my fo,

I shuldi hym feH.

(5)
To feH those fatures I am bowne,

And dystroy those dogys in feyld! and towne

That* wiH nof trow on sanf Mahowne,

Oure god so swete ;
Those fala faturs I shaH feH downe

"Vnder my feete.

(6)
Vnder my feete 1 shaH thaym fare,
Those ladys thaf wiH [not] lere my lare,
ffor I am myghty man ay whare,

Of ilk a pak ;
Clenly shapen, hyde and hare,

wj't/toutten lak.

(7)
Tlie myghf of me may no man mene,
ffor aH [that] dos me any teyn,

28

30

He is lord of
every liind.

10
12

34

36

All slinll
bow to
MahoMflil i
himself.

16

18

He would
slay the
ttend if he

OppOBCd

hJin.

22

24

[Fol. 47, a.]
He will lay
low all who
won't
believe in
Mahound.

He is a
mighty man,
clean

shapen, hide
A hair.

142 Toimuky Plays. XIV. Offering nf (he Ma f/i.

He will ding
dowTi nil
wlio give
hiiii trouble.

So he will
nend to see
if tliere be
any truitnis
in tbe laixl.

He btOs liis

inesBenger

go

A spy if
there be any
who trow
not on
Mahound.

If there be,
he will flay
them.

The .Messen-
ger offers to
kill theui,
but Herod
bids him
bring them
to him.

40

42

46

48

I shaH dyiig Ihaym dowiie bydeyn,

And wyrk tliaym wo ;
And on assay if shaH be seyn,

Or I go.

(8)
And tlierfor wiH I send and se
In aH this land, full hastely,
To looke if any dwelland be

In towre or towno,
Tliaf wyH not holdf holly on me,

And on mahowne.

(9)
If ther be fonden any of the,

•with bytter payu I shaH theym slo ; [To the messenger.]
'My messyuger, swyth looke thou go *

Thrugh ilk countre,
In aH this land, both to and fro,

I co)?imaunde the ;

(10)

And truly looke thou spyr and spy, —
In euery stede ther thou co/KUiys by, —
who trowes nof on mahowne most myghty,

Oure god se fre ;
And looke thou bryng theym hastely

heder vnto me.

(11)
And I shaH fownt? thaym for to flay,
Those laddT/s that* wili nof lede oure lay ;
Therfor, boy, now I the pray

Thaf thou go tytt.

Nuncius. If shal be done, lord, if I may,

wtl/(outten lett :

(12)

And caviys, if I may any fynde,

I shaU nof leyfe oone of them behynde.

Iierodes. No, bof boldly thou thaym bynde

And wt't/t the leyde :

Mahowne, that weldys water and wynde.

The wisft and spede I

> In the MS. this Hue reads "My messy nger [lord] swyth looke
thou go."

62
54

68
60

64
66

70
72

I

Towiuley Plays. XIV. Offering of the Magi. 143

(13)
Nuncius. AH pcasse, lordyngv/s, and hokt you styH,
To I haue sayde what* I wiH ;
Take goode liede Vnto my skytt,

Both old! and ying ;
In message what is coTwrneu you tyH
flErom herode, tlie kyng.
(U)
he commaundys you, euerilkon,
To hold no kyng hot* hym alon,
And othere god ye worship none

Bot mahowne so fre ;
And if ye do, ye mon be slone ;
Thus told! he me.

82

The messen-
ger cries
silence for
Die king's
message.
[FoJ. 47, b.]

76

78

Hero<l is tlie
only kin^, A
Mahound
the only god
to be W01-
slijppeil.

84

Tune venii' pnmMS rex equifans ; & respiciens stellam dicit,

(15)
pnmws rex. Lord, of whom this lighf is lenf,
And vnto me this sighf has senf,
I pray to the, wtt/j good intenf,

ffrom shame me shelde ; 88

So that I no harmes hent

By way[e]s wylde. 90

(16)
Also I pray the specyally,
Thou graunf me grace of company,
Tliaf I may haue soni beyldyng by,

In my trauayH : 94

And, cert2/6', for to lyf or dy

I shaH not fayH, 9G

(17)
To that* I in som land haue bene.
To wyt wliaf this starne may mene.
That* lias me led, wi't/t bemys shene,

ffro my cuntre ; 100

Now weynd I wiH, wt't/ioutten weyn.

The sothe to se. 102

(18)
SQcxxndnsrex. A ! lord, thaf is wit/^outten eiule !
whens euer this sclcouth light dyscende,

Tlie first
king prays
Ood tihield
him from
harm,

& give him
grace of
company

till he hns
found the
meaning of
this gtiidlng
star.

144 Tomielei/ Plays. XIV. Offering of the Magi.

The ^rnl king
wonders
■what tlic
light may
mcati.

Hp will
never rest
till he know
wlience it

COIIICB.

Tlio kings
accost each
other. The
2ud king haa
come from
Araby, and
is called
Melcliior.

Tlie 1st is
Jjispar, king
of Tars.

IFol. 48, a.]
They praise
God for the
■tir.

106
108

112
114

The 3rxl king
comes on,

wondering
at the star's
brightness.

118
120

That thus kyndly has nie keiide

Oute of my land,
And shewyd to me ther I can loynd,
tlius brighf shyiiandl

(19)
Ceitys, I sagfe neue?' none so bright ;
I shaH iieuec ryst by day uor nyght,
To I wyt wheus may com this lyght,

And from what' place ;
he that if send vnto my sight
leyue me that* grace !

(20)
■pvwms rex. A, sir, wheder ar ye away 1
TeH me, good stV, I you pray.

&cunrfus rex. Certys, I trow, the sothe to say,
None wote bof I ;
1 haue folowed yomlf starne, veray,
£Erom araby ;

(21)
ffor I am kyug of that cuntre,
And melclior thei-' caH men me.

pv\in\x8 rex. And kyng, sir, was I wonf to be,
In tars, at hame.
Both of towne and cyte ;
laspar is my name ;

(22)
The light of yond starne sagh I thedyr.

Secunrfus rex. That lord be louyd thaf send me
ffor if will grathly ken vs whedyr,

thaf we shall weynd ;
we owe to loue hyni both togedyr,
Thaf if to vs wold send.

(23)
Tercius rex. A, lord ! in land whaf may this menel
So selcoutfi sighf waa neuer sene,
Sich a starne, shynand so shone,

Sagh I neuer none ; 136

If gyfl'ys lyghf ouer aH, bedene.

By hyni alone. '•^°

124
126

h'sdyr !
130
132

142

144
[Tu7'ns to tJte Magi.]

He sees ilia
other kings

Tmvneley Plays. XIV. Offering of the Magi. 145

(24)
What* if may mene, thaf know I noghf ;
Bof yonder ar two, mo thynk, in thoghf,
I thank hym that thaym hoder has broght*

Thus vnto me ;
I shaH assay if thay wote oght

what* if may be.

(25)
lordyng?/*, thaf ar leyf and dere,
I pray you teH me wit/j good chore
■wheder ye weynd, on this manere,

And where thaf yo haue bene ;
And of this starne, thaf sbynys thus clere,

whaf if may mene.

(26)
pri?reus rex. Syr, I say you certanly,
(From tars for yond starne soght haue I.
yus rex. To seke yond light frowi araby,

sir, haue I wenf.
uj'us rex. 2^ow hertely I thank hym for-thy,

Thaf if has sent.

<t: aska them
the meaning
of tho star.

148

150

154

They say
tliey liave
come from
Tars and
Araby to
seek it.

156

(27)
^riTnus rex. Good air, what cuntre cam ye fra?
ty'us rex. This lighf has led me fro saba ;
And balthesar", my name to say,

The sothe to teH.
y'na rex. AnJ kyngis, sir, are we twa,

Ther as we dweJi.

(28)

ly'us rex. Now, syrs, syn we ar seniled here,
I rede we ryde togeder, in fere,
vnto we wytt, on aH manere,

ffor good or yH,
whaf if may mene, this sterne so clere

Shynand vs tyH.

(29)
primus rex. A, lordyngys ! behoB the lyght
Of yontl starne, wtt/i bemys bright !

T. PLAYS.

160

162

The third
king JB
named Bal-
thAsar and
conies from
Saba.

He proposes
that they
shall all ride
together.

166

168

Jaspar Is
amazed at

146 Tmvneley Plays. XIV. Offering of tU Magi.

the star' a
brightness.

[Pol. 48, b.]

The star is
brighter
than the sun
or moon.

Melchior
notes its
nearness to
the earth.

He marvels
what it may
mean.

Balthasar re-
members
that this has
been fore-
told.

The star be-
tokens the
birth of a
prince, un-
less the rules
ofostronomy
deceive him.

ffor sothe I sagh neuei' sich a sighf

In no-kyns land ;
A starne thus, aboute mydnyght,
so bright* shynand.

(30)
If gyfys more light if self alone
Then any son that" eue»- shone,
Or mone, when he of son has ton

his light* so cleyn ;
Sich selcouth sighf haue I sene none,
what so euer it* meyn.

(31)
S^evL-adm rex. Behold, lordyngys, vnto his
And se how nygh the erth hit gase ;
If is a tokyn thaf it mass

Of nouelry ;
A meJ-ueH it is, good tenf who tase,
Now here in hy.

(32)
ffor sich a starne was neue7- ere seyn.
As wyde in warld as we haue beyn,
ffor hlasyng bemys, shynand fuH sheyn,

ffrom hit ai" senf ;
MerueH I haue whaf if may meyn
In myn intent.

(33)
T&xim rex. Certys, syrs, the sothe to say,
I shaH dyscry now, if I may,
whaf if may meyn, yond starne veray,

Shynand tytt vs ;
If has bene sayde syn many a day
If shuld! be thus.

(34)
yond starne betokyns, weH wote I,
The byrtfi of a prynce, syrs, seuurly,
Thaf shewys weH the prophecy

That it so be ;
Or els the rewlys of astronomy
Dyssauys me.

172
174

178
180

184
186

190
192

196
198

202
204

Tovmeley Plays. XIV. Offering of the Magi. 147

(35)
prinms rex. Certan, balaam spekys of this thyng, Jaspsr re-

Thaf of lacob a starne shaH spryng phicyrf'"'"

That* sliaH ouercom kasar and kyng, aiioam.

Wtt/ioutten stryfe ; 208

AH folk shalbe to hyra obeyng ah folk simii

That berys the lyfe. 210 of Jjcob.

(36)
Now wote I wcH this is the same, Doubtless

In eueiy place he shali haue hame, and «n stall

AH shaH hym bowe thaf berys name, Him.*"^'"'

In ilk cuntre; 214

who trowys if nof, Ihay ar to blame,

what* so thay be. 216

(37)
yus rex. Certys, lordyngys, fuH weH wote I, Mekhior

ffulfyllyd! is now the prophecy ; [hatTprc

Thaf piynce thaf shaH ouec com in by l\^^l " '"'■

kasar and kyng, 220

This starne berith witnes, wytte)-ly,

Of his beryng. 222

(38)
ty us rea: Now is f ulfyllyd here in this land So also Bal-

Thaf balaam sayd, I vnderetand ; "'*'^'

Now is he borne thaf se and sand [Foi. 49, a.]

ShaH weyW at wyH : 226

Thaf shewys this starne, so brighf shjoiand,

vs thre vntyH. 228

(39)
j3ri)«us rex. Lordyngyi', I reJe we weynd aH thre Jaapar pio-

«. , 1 . , It, ,. poses that

nor to wyrship thaf chyld! so fre, they aii

In tokyii thaf he kyng shalbe worship the

r.c 1, ,1 rtn,^ child. His

Of alkyu thyng ; 232 own offering

This gold 1 now wyH I here wit/« nie, gold.

To myn offeryng. 234

(40)
tyiis rex. Go we fasf , syrs, I you pray.
To worship hym if thaf we may ;

' The word "gold" is omitted, by mistake of the original copier,
probably.

148

Tow^ieley Plays. XI F. Offering of the Magi.

MelcliJor is
bringing in-
cense tn
token t)mt
the cbild is
very Goil.

Baltliasar
is bringing
myrrh hs a
token of the
child's
death.

Jnspar asks
where the
king is to be
found.

Belthasar
counsels
following
the star.

Herod's mes-
senger is re-
proached for
his long
absence.

His tidings
are good £
in, mingled
together.

I bryng rekyls, the sothe to say,

here in myu hende, 238

In tokyn that ho [is] god veray,

Wjt/toutten ende. 240

(41)
iij\\% rex. Syrs, as ye say right so 1 red ;
hast* we tytt vnto that sted
To wirship hym, as for oure hed,

wzt/( oure ofj'eryng ; 244

In tokyn thaf he shalbe ded,

This Myrr I bryng. 246

(42)
j?rimiis rex. wliere is thaf kyng of lues land,
Tiiaf slialbe lord! of se and sand,
And folk sliaH bow vnto his hand

Botlx more and myn 1 250

To wyrship hyw witA oure offerand

we wyH not blyn. 252

(43)
t/us rex. we shaH nof resf, euen nor niorne,
vnto wo com ther he is borne,
njus rex. ffolowe this light*, els be we lorne,

fifor sothe, I trowe, 256

Tliaf frely to we com beforne ;

Syrs, go we now. 258

\The kings retire. Herod and his messenger advance.]
(44)
'Nuncius. Mahowne, that* is of greatf pausty,
My lord, sir herode, the saue and se !
herodes. where has fou bene so long fro me,

Vyie stynkand lad 1 262

Nuncius. Lord, gone youre heran(f in this cuntre.

As ye me bad. 264

(45)
Herod. Thou lyys, lurdan, the dewiH the hang !
why has thou dwelt* away so lang ?
Nunciius. lordf ye wyte me aH wt'tA wrang.

Herodes. what tythyngys? say! 268

Nuncius. Som good, som yH, raengyd emang.

}iero&. how 1 I the pray. 270

Towneley Plays. XIV. Offering of the Magi. 149

(46)
Do teH me fast" how thou Las fame ;
Thy waryson sliaH thou not* tliarne.
Nintcins. As I cam walkand, I you warue,

Loi'iJ, by the way,
I mef thre ' kyngw sekeand a barne,

Thus can thay say.

(47)
Herodes. To seke a barne! for what thyngi
ToU thay any new ty thyngi
Nunciws. yey, lord! ! thay sayilf he shuU be kyng

Of towne and towre ;
ffor thy thay went, y/iih thare offeryng,

hyjft to honoure.

(48)
heroiJf. Kyng ! the dewiH I bof of whaf empyre 1
Of whaf land shuld" that ladi be syrel
Nay, I shaH with that" trature tyro ;

Sore shaH he rewe !
Nuncius. lord, by a starne as brighf as fyre

This kyng thay knew ;

(49)
It* led tliaym outt* of thare cuntre.
HeroA. we, f y ! f y ! dewyls on thame aH thre !
he shaH neuer haue niyghf to me.

That* new borne lad ;
when thare wytf in a slame sYmVi be,

I hold! thaym mad.

(50)
Those lurdans wote nof whaf thay ^ say ;
Thay ryfe my hede, thaf dar I lay ;
Ther dyd no tythyngw many a day,

Sich hamie me to ;
ifor wo my wytf is aH away ;

whaf shaH I do ?

(Fol. 49, b.]

274 Hehaamet
tliree kiogs
seeking a

276 ''""■

who, they
aaid, should
^0\) be ft king.

282

Herod will
make the
child rue.

286

The mea-
rtno senger tells
288 of the star.

292

Herod

thinks the
three kings
mad.

294

Nevertheless
he is greatly
troubled,

298

300

» MS. iij.

' "Thay" is overlined, but the original word
unaltered.

150

Towneley Plays, XI V. Offering of the Magi,

and would
fain find out
the truth
about this
new king.

(51)
■why, what the dewyH is in thare harnes 1
Is thare wytf aH in tlie starnes 1
These tythyngis mar ray mode in ernes ;

And of this thyng
To wytt the sothe, fuH sore me yarnes,

Of this new kyng.

(52)
Herod won- Kyug ? what* the dewyH, otlior then 1 1
chiWi9t!l°be we, fy on dewy Is ! fy, fy !
who the"""' Cert2/«, that* boy shaH dere aby 1
wm'kS^hl hisdedisdight!

ShaH he be kyng thus hastely ]

who the dewiH made hyTn knyght t

(53)
Alas, for shame ! this is a skorne !
Thay fynde no reson thaym beforne ;
Shuld tliaf brodeli, that* late is borne,

Be most* of mayn f
Nay, if the dewyH of heH had sworne,

he shaH agane.

He con-
tinuee to
rage.

resolves to
seek the
truth of
clerks &.
learned men,

(54)
[Foi. 50, a.) Alas, alas ! for doyH and! care !

So mekyH sorow had I neuer are ;
If if be sothe, for euer mare

I am vudoyn ;
At* good clerkys and wyse of lare
I wyH wyt soyn.

(55)
but first will Bof fyrst' yif wiH I send! and se
three kings The answere of those lurdans thre.
them, Messyngei-e, tytt hy thou the,

And make the yare ;
Go, byd those kyngys com speke wtt/t me,
Thaf told! thou of are.

(56)
The messen- Say I haue greatf herand thaym tyH.
fl" '™' Nuncins. IV shalbe done, lordi, af youre wyH,

304
306

310
312

316

318

322

324

[Calls to messenger.]
328
330

Towneley Plays. XIV. Offering of the Magi. 151

youre byddyng shaH I soyn fulfyH

In ilk cuntre. 334

Hei-odf. Mahowne the shelde from aH kyns yH,

ffbr his pauste. 336

[The messenger goes to where the kings stand.]
(57)
Nuncius. Mahowne you saue, sir kyngys thre,
I haue message to you preu^,
ffrom herode, kyng of this cuntre,

That* is oure chefe ; 340

And lo, syrs, if ye trow not me,

ye rede this brefe. 342

(58)
^ri»nus rex. welcom be thou, belamy !
what" is his wyH'i teH vs in hy.
Nuncius. Certt/s, sir, that* wote not I,

Bof thus lie sayde to me, 346

Thaf ye shiild" com futi hastely

To hym aB thre, 348

(59)
ffor nede herand, he sayd me so.
/Secundum rex. Messynger, before thou go,
And teH thi lord we ar aH thro

his wyH to do ; 352

Both I and my felose two

ShaH com hym to. [The messenger returns to Herod.]
(60)
NuTiciiis. Mahowne you looks, my lord so dere.
heroi. welcom be thou, messyngere !
how has thou fame syn thou was here 1

Thou teH me tytt. 358

Nuncins. lord, I haue traueM far and nere

withoutten lett, 360

(61)
And done youre herand', s/r, aothely ;
Thre kyng2's with me broghf haue I,
fFro saha, tars, and arahy,

Then haue thay soght^. 364

hei'odes. Thi waryson shall thou haue for thy,

By hjm me boghf ; 366

He bails the
kings in
Herod's
name,

and exhibits
his "brief."

The kings
are to come
to Herod at
once.

Mclchlor

bids the

messenger

return it

announce

their

approach.

Herod wel-
comes the

messenger,

who an-
nounces his
success, &
is promised
a reward.

152 Towneley Plays. XIV. Offering of the Magi.

(62)
And, certaiily, that" is good skyH,
And syrs, ye ar welcom me tytt.
lyus rex. Lord, thi bydyng to fulfytt

[The three kings come to

Are we fuH thro.
herodes. A, inekyH tliank of youre good wyH

Thaf ye wyH so.

(63)
ifor, eertys, I haue couett greattly
To speke witA you, and hero now why ;
TeH me, I pray you specyally,

ffor any thyng,
what" tokynyng saw ye on tlie sky

Of this new kyng 1

(64)
^rioius rex. we sagK his starne ryse in the eesf,
Thaf shall be kyng of man and best",
ffor thy, lord, we haue not oest,

Syn tliaf we wysf,
with oure gyftys, riche and honest,

To here thaf blyst.

(65)
ijxxs, rex. lord", wheu thaf starne rose vs befome,
Ther by we knew thaf chyldl was borne.
herodes. Out, alas, I am forlorne

ffor euer mare !
I woldf be rent and al to-torne

ffor doyH and care !

(66)

Alas, alas, I am fuH wo !

Syr kyngys, syt dovvne, & rest you so.

By scrypture, syrs, whaf say ye twol \To the

wit/toutten lytt ;
what ye can say ther to

let se now tytt.

(67)
These kyngy* do me to vnderstand,
Thaf borne is newly, in this land,

BaltliAsar
tinnounces
tlie rendiness
of the kings
to obey
Herod.

[Fol. JO, b.]

Herod ques-
tions them
concerning
the token in
the sky.

Jaflpar re-
counts the
rising of the
Btftr -n tlie
East.

Herod.'\
370

372

376
378

382
384

Melchior
says that by
the star tliey
knew of the
child's birtlu

Herod
laments A
desires his
learned men

388
390

doetors.'l
394

396

to search
their books

Tmimcley Plays. XI V. Offering of the Magi.

153

A kyng thaf shaH weliV se and sand ;

Thay teH nie so ;
And tlierfor, syrs, I you comnifiunde

yoiire hookys go to,

(68)
And looke gratlily, for any tliyug,
If ye fynd oght* of sicli a kyng.
^rijims consultna & doctor. If shaH be done

By hym me boglif,
And soyn we shaK you tytliyngys bryng

If we fynil^ oghf.

(G9)
tyus con«M//us & doctor. Soyn shaH we wyt, loid,
If oghf be wretyn in oiue lay.
heroii. Now, masters, therof I you pray

On aH manere.
^ri?nus cou6-mZ<us. Com furth, let vs a-ssay

Oure bookys hotii in fere.
(70)
yus consMZ^us. Certy*, sir, lo, here fynd! I
weH wretyn in a prophecy,
how thaf profetf Isay,

Thaf neuer begyld",
Tellys thaf a madyn of liir body

ShaH here a chyld'.

(71)
prij/ius consullns. And also, su-, to you I teH
The meruellesf thyng that euer feH,
Hyr madynhede with hir shaH dweH,

As dyd beforne ;
That child sliaH hight ' emanueH '

when he is borne.

(72)
tj'us congultns. lord, this is sothe, securely,
wytnes the pi'ofett Isay.'
heroii. Outf, alas ! for doyH I dy,

long or my day !
ShaH he haue more pauste then 1 1

A, waloway !

' The expected ryme aaa is tumd into aba.

400

402

fnr a pro-
,)hecy of any
such king.

af youre

406
408

They pro-
mise a
speedy
answer,

if I may.

412

414

&. consult
their books
together.

418

The 2nd
doctor finds
A propliecy
iu Isaiah of
a virgin
l:»earing a
son.

420

The! at

doctor says
He shall be
called
Emmanuel.

424

[Fol. 51, a.
Sig. l.i.]

426

430
432

Herod
laments

154

He bids
them look
where the
boy 3haU be
bom.

Tiie doctors
must be
quick or
Herod will
go mad.

They say
that accord-
ing to the
Srophet
[icah a
duke shall
come forth
from Beth-
lehem.

Therefore in
Bethlehem
is the king
bom.

43G
438

Herod curses
them for
their news.

Townehy Plays. XIV. Offenng of the Magi.

(73)
Alas, alas, I am forlorne ! ,
I wokl be rent" and aH to torne ;
Bof looke yif , as ye dycl! beforne,

ffor luf of me ;
And toH me where that" boy is borne ;

Onone lett se.

(74)
j)ri)rtus consMZius. AH redy, lord, with mayn & mode.
lieroCl. haue done belyf", or 1 go wode ;
And, certys, thaf gadlyug wei' as good

haue greuyd me noghf ; 442

I shaH se thaf brodell bloode.

By hym thaf me has boghf ! 444

(75)
i;'us consMZ^us. Micheas the p7-ophett, wt't/ioutten nay,
how that he tellys I shaH you say ;
In bedlem, land of luda,

As I say you,
Out of if a duke shaH spra ;

Thus fynd we now.

(76)
primus consw/Zus. Syr, thus we lynct in prophecy
Therfor we say you, securely.
In bedlem, we say you truly.

Borne is thaf kyng.
heroA. The dewiH hang you high to dry,

ffor this tythyng !

448

450

454

456

(77)

And cetiys ye ly ! it may not be !
j/'us consuZ<us. lord, we wytnes it truly ;
They bid kin, here the sothe youre self may se,
If ye can rede.
heroi. A, waloway ! fuH wo is me !
The dewiH you spede !

read for liiin
self.

460

462

It is SO

written
down.

(78)
priwus consMZ^us. lord, if is sothe, aH that we say,
We fynde it wretyn in oure lay.

Towneley Plays. XIV. Offering of the Magi. 155

466

468

472

474

478

480
[Turns to tJie Mngs.'\

heroi. Go hens, liarlotti/s, in twenty ^ dewiH way,

ffasf and belyfe !
Mighty mahowne, as he weH may,

lett you neue?- thryfe !

(79)
Alas, wherto were I a crowne 1
Or is cald of greatt renowne 1
1 am the fowlest borne do who

That euer was man ;
And" namely with a fowH swalchon,

That" no good can.

(80)
Alas, tliat euer I shuld be knyght,
Or holdyn man of mekyH myghf ,
If a lad shuld" reyfe me my right

AH thus me fro ;
Myn dede ere shuld I dyght,

Or if were so.

(81)
ye nobyH kyngy«, harkyns as heynd !
ye shaH hnue saue condyth to weynd ;
Bof com agane with me to leynd,

Syrs, I you pray ;
ye shaH me fynd a faytfifuH freynd,

If ye do swa.

(82)
If if be sothe, this new tythyng,
Som worship wold I do thaf kyng,
Therfor I pray you that ye bryng

Me tythyngys soyn.
primus rex. AH redy, lord, at youre bydyng

It shalbe doyn. [The kings mount their horses.^

(83)
tjvLB rex. Alas, in warld" how haue we sped !
■where is the lyght that vs has led 1
Som clowde, for sothe, thaf starne has cled

ffrom vs away ;
In strong stowre now ar we sted ;

what* may we say 1

1 MS. XX.

Herod cursea
all the more

He laments
his fate.

[Fol. 51, b.]

Atas tltat a
lad should
reive his
right from
him.

484

Ue gives ih«
kings a safe-
conduct, but
bids them
come to him
again.

4S6

490

496

498

If this uews
be tree he
would fain
do that king
some wor-
ship.

Jaspar pro-
mises to do
his bidding.

Melchior
notes that
the star has
disappeared.

156 Towneley Plays. XIV. Offering of the Magi.

Melchior

curses

Herod,

tlirough
whoso guile
they liave
lost sight of
the star.

Jaspnr sug-
gests tlint
they pray to
the hird
whose birth
the star be-
tokens, that
he show it to
thern again.

Melchior's
prayer.

Balthasar's
prayer.

IFol. 52. a.

8ig. I. ij.]

The star re-
appears, &
he expresses
hi 3 love &
hope.

502

504

508
510

(84)
tyus rex. wo worth lierode, that* cursyd wyght !
wo worth that tyranf day and nyght !
ffor thrugh hym haue we losf that* sight,

Aud for his gyle,
Thaf shoyn to vs wiih bemys bright
wit/(in a whyle.

here li/ghtya the kyngys of thare horses.
(85)
^ri?«us rex. lordyngj/s, I red! we pray att thre
To that lord, whose natyuyte
The starue betokyned that we can se,

AH witA his wyH ;
piay we specyally that" he
wold! show it vs vntyH

hei-e knele oA thre kyngys dmone}
(86)
ty'uB rex. Thou chyW, whose uiyghf no tong may teH,
As thou art lord of heuen and heH,
Thy nobyH starne, emanueH,

Thou send vs yare ; 614

Thaf we may wytf by fyrth and feU

how we shaH fare. 516

(87)
lyus rex. A, to that chyld be euer honoure,
That in this tyd has stynt oure stoure,
And lent vs lyght to oure socoure,

On this manere ;
we loue the, lord of towne and towre,
holly in fere.

here ryse thay aH vp.
(88)
we owe to loue hym ouer aH thyng,
That thus has send vs oure askyng ;
Behold!, yond starne has made stynyiig,

Syrs, securly ;
Of this chyldi shaH we haue knowyiig,-
I hope, in hy.

520

522

> "the " has been inserted iu the MS, after " all
but seems unnecessary.

526

528

' by a later hand,

Towneley Plays. XIV. Offering of the Magi. 157

(89)
yus rex. lordyngys dere, drede thai- vs noght,
Oure greatt traueH tyO end is broght ;
yontV is the place that we haue soght

ffroin far cuntre ;
yond is tlie chyld! thaf aH has wroght,

Beholif aud se !

(90)
tyus rex. I red we make ofEeryng, aH thre,
vnto this chylit of greatf pausto,
And worship hyoi with gyftys fie

Thaf we haue broght ;
Oure boytt* of bayH ay wyH he be,

weH haue we soghf.

532

550

552

(93)
ly'us rex. hayH, kyng in kyth, oowrand on kne !
hayH, oone-fokl' god! in persona tlire 1
In tokyu that* thou dede shalbe,

By kyndly skyH,
To thy grauyng this myr of me

Resaue the tyH.

(94)
Maria. Syr kyngys, make comforth you betweyn,
And merueH nof whaf it may mene ;

556

558

Melchior re-
cognizes
that tlieir
trtivcl is at
nn end & the
thild near at
liand.

634

Bftlthasar
proposes to
make their
offeriDga at
once.

538

540

(91) [They enter the house.]
primus rex. hayH be tliou, maker of aH kyn thyng !
Thaf boytf of aH oure bayH may bryng !
Ill tokyn thaf thou art oure kyng,

And shalbe ay, 644

Resayf this goldf to myn offeryng,

prynce, I the pray. 546

(92)
yus rex. hayH, ouercomer of kyng and of knyght* I
Thaf fourmed fysli, and fowyH iu flyght* 1
fTor thou art* god?5 son most of myglif ,

And aH weldand,
I bryng the rekyls, as is right*,

To myn offerand.

J OS par offers
tlie child
gold in token
of his king-
ship.

Melchior
offers in-
cense in
token of his
godhead.

Balthosar
offers myrrh
in token of
his death.

Mary tells
them of hi*,
child's

158 Towwley Plays. XIV. Offering of the Magi.

562

564

568
570

might She This chyld", that ou me borue has bene,
*'vetade,rn AH bayH may blyii ;

'""'''■ I am his moder, and madyn cleno

withoiitten syn.

(95)
Therfor, lordyngj/s, wliere so ye fare,
Boldly looke ye teH ay whare
how I this blysf of bcsoiu bare,
Mary bids Thaf besf shalbe ;

ciZK And madyn cleyn, as I was are,
Sr/^;" Thrugh his pauste.

(96)
LFoi. 52, b.] And truly, syrs, looke that* ye trow
She blesses Thaf othere lord is none at-lowe ;
the WngB. ^^^^ jj^^jj ^^j ^ggst, to hyra shaH bows,

In towne and feyld ;
Uy blyssyng, syrs, be now w(t/t you
where so ye beyld!.

(97)
,asr„,sayB pvhnus vex. A, lordyngi/s dere ! the sothe to say,
Se'a sood we haue made a good lornay ;
jnurnoy. ^6 loue this lord, thaf shaH last ay

3 580

with outten cnde ;

he is cure beyld^, both nyghf and day,

where so we weynd.

(98)

Meichior ij'us rex. lordyngys, we haue tiaueld! lang.

574
576

r^n'ute ffor-thi I red now, or we gang,
?„rfti,?y°go. wit/i aH oure mayn

et vs fownde a slepe to fang ;
Then were I fayn ;

(99)
Here is a ffor in greatf stowres we haue ben sted.
li^jThem'^ lo.herealytterredycled.

njus rex. I loue my lord ! we haue weH spe(J,
Baithasar To rest^ viiih wyn ;

^;^lr*s'get to lordyngy*, syn we shaH go to bed,
bed first. gii^^a ijegyn. [r/te*/ sleep: an luujel appears ahove.^

Towneky Plays. XIV. Offering of the Magi. 159

(100)
Angelus. Syr curtes kyngys, to me take tent,

And turne by tyme or ye be tenyd ;
fprom god his self thus am I sent

To warne you, as youre faythfutt freynd, 598

how herode kyng has maiyce menf,

And shapys wi'tft shame you for to shejTid ;
And so thaf ye no harmes hent,

By othere ways god wyH ye weynd 602

Into youre awne cuntre ;
And if ye ask hym boyn,
flFor this dede that ye haue done,

youre beyld! ay wyH he be. [Erif] 606

Ad angel
warns the
kings of
Herod's evil
designs.

He bids
them return
home by
another wny.

(101)
jprimus rex. wakyns, wakyns, lordyngy* dere !
Oure dwellyng is no longe?- here ;
An angeH spake tyH vs in fere ;

Bad vs, as heynd,
That we ne shul(J, on no manere,

home by herode weynd.

610

612

Jaflpar
wakes the
others 4t
tellB them
the angel's
message.

(102)
yus rex. AH myghty god in trynyte,
viiih harf enterely thank I the,
That" tliyn angeH send tyH vs thre,

And kend vs so, 016

Oure fals fo man for to fle,

That* wold? vs slo. 618

(103)
ty'us rex. We aghf to loue hym more and myn,
That* comly kyng of aH man-kyn;
I rew fuH sore that* we shall twjm

On this manere ; 622

fFor co?remen we haue, with mekyH: wyn,

By wayes sere. 624

(104)
pxxmws rex. Twyn must vs nedys, syrs, permafay,
And ilk on weyndf by dyuers way ;

Melchior
thanks the

Trinity for
this warn-
ing.

[Fol. 53, a.
Sig. I. iij.)

Balthasar
is sorry tJtey
mast part.

Jaspar Bays
they must
take their

160 Toumeky Plays. XV. The Flight into Egypt.

divers ways,
6 bids tlie
others fare-
well.

Melcliior
finds his
road A com-
mends the
other kings
to heaven.

Balthosar
also departs,
praying
God's help
against the
fiend.

This wyH me lede, the sothe to say,

To ^ my cuntre ;
ffor-thy, lonlyngys, now haue good day !
God wiih you be !

(105)
ijws rex. Certys, I musf pas by se and sand ;
This is the gate, I vnderstand,
ThaV wyH me lede viito my land

The right* way ;
To god of heuen I you commaunde,
And hauc good day !

(106)
lyus rex. This is the way that I musf weynd ;
Now god tiH vs his socoure send,
And he, that" is withoulteu end

And ay shalbe,
Saue V8 from fowndyng of the feyud,
ffor his pauste.

Explicit ohlacio trium Magomm

628

630

634
636

640
642

Ad angel
bids Joseph
awake, &
warns him
to rtee from
danger.

[Fol. 53, b.l

XV.

Incipit fugacio losep & TKarie in egiT^fum.

[13 stanzas of 13 lines, abab aab aab. cbc ; 1 </ 12 Hues abab aafc
aa cbc]

[Dramatis Personae :

Angeha. Josephus. Maria. /<;««.]

Aiigelus. W

wake, Joseph, and take intent !

Thou ryse, and slepe nomare !
If thou WyH saue thy self vnshenf

fTownde the fast" to fare ; ^

I am an angeH to tlie sent",
ffor thou Shan no harraes henf.
To each the outf of care. '

It thou liere longer lent,
ffor rewth thou mon repent,

» MS. ty.

Aug

Towneley Plays. XV. The Flight into Egypt. 161

And rew it wonde/- sare.
Joseph. A ! mygRf fun god,
what* ever this menf,
so swete of toyu ' 1

(2)
Angehis. lo, losepfe, it'' is I,

An angeH send to the.
losepfi. we ! leyf, I pray the why 1

whaf is thy wyH vfith me 1
Angelus. hens behufys the liy,
And take with the mary,

Also hir chyld so fre ;
ffor herode dos to dy
AH knaue chyldren, secuily,

with in two yere thaf be

Of e\a.

losepK Alas, fuH wo is me I
where may we beyki! 1

lU Joseph woa-
ders at this
sound 80
Bweet of
tune,

13

& why aii
ungel is sent
to liiu).

17

20

23

The angel
bids him
flee, with
Mary and
her child,
for Herod
will kill all
knave-chil-
dren under
two years.

26

(3)
Angelus. TyH egypp shaH thou fare
with aH the myghf thou may ;
And, loseph, holcJ the thare,

tyH I wyll the af say.
loseph. Tliis is a febyH fare,
A sake man and a sare

To here of sicfi a fray ;
My bouys ar bursyd andf bare
ffor to do ; I wolcJ if ware
Comen my last day

TyH ende ;
I ne wote which is the way ;
how shaH we weynde 1

He is to go
to Egypt and
stay there
till warned
to return.

30

Joseph
jumbles, he
18 old and
knows not
33 the way.

36

39

(i)
Angelus. Ther of haue thou no drede ;

weynd furth, & leyf thi dyn ;
The way he shaH you lede,

tbe kyng of aH man-kyn.

• Note the absence of ryme.

43

The angel
says the
king of all
mankind
shall lead
him, but
Joseph still

T. Pi^VS.

162 Towneley Plays. XV. The Flight into Egypt.

thinks on his loseph. That- heynd til vs take hede,
?f^b?^ls. ffor I had lytyH i.ede

Sich bargans to begyn ; 4 b

No wonde?' if I wede,
I thaf may do no dede ;

how shuld I theder wyn 49

fforeldl
I am fuH bare and thyn,

And aH vnweld ; 62

(5)
jo«i.h is My fors me falys to fare/ [Mary toith her Babe advames.\
^'^.^'' '^; and sights that- 1 shuW se.

^X""'' Mary, my darlyng dere,

I am fuH wo for the ! 66

Maria. A, leyf Joseph, what* chere I
youre sorow on this manere

If mekili meruels me. 69

/oaepB. Oure noyes ar ueghautl! nere
If we dweH longer here ;

ffor-thi behofes va fle, 62

And flytt.
Maria. Alas ! how may this be 1

whaf euer menys if 1 ""

(6)
[Foi. 54, a. /o«ei)h. It menys of sorow enoghe.
***• '• *•' Maria. A, dere loseph, how sol

Anaigeihas losept^. As I lay in a swogh,

SHerolT fiuH s^cl slepand and thro, bi)

hel-lon.'"'' An angcH to me drogh,

Aa blossom bright' on bogh,

And told betwix vs two, 72

Thaf herode wroghf greatf wogh,
And aH knaue children slogh

In land thaf he myghf to, 75

Thaf feynd !
And he thy son wold! slo
And shamely sheynd. 78

^ The ryme ueeds ' fere.'

Tovmeley Plays. XV. The Flight into Egypt. 163

(7)
Maria. My son ? alas, for cure !
wlio may my doyllys dyH t
wo wortfi fals lierode are !

my son why sliuld! he spyii 1
Alas ! I lurk and dare !
To slo this bainc I bare,

■wliaf wi'ght' in waildf had wyH ]
his half shuld be fuH saie
Sichon for to fare,

That* neuer yif dyd yH,
ISfe thoghf.
Joseph. Now leyfe maiy, be styH !
This helpys noght ;

(8)
If is no boytt to grete,

truly wtt/toutteu trayn ;
Oure bayH if may not boytt '

bot wett more make oure payn.
Maria. Alas ! how sliukV I lete t
My son thaf is so swete

Is soght for to be slayn ;
ffuH gryle may I grete,
My fomen and I racte ;

TeH me, loseph, wtt/« mayn,
youre red.
loseph. Shortly swedyH vs this swayn,
And fle hys dede.

(9)
Maria, his ded wold I not se,

ffor aH this warW to wyn ;
Alas ! fuH wo wore me.

In two if we shuld' twyn ;
My chyklf so bright of ble.
To slo hym were pj'te.

And a fuH hedus syn.
Dere loseph, whaf red ye ?
Joseph. TyH egyp weynd shatt we ;

Mnry is
oghflst at
He rod's
wickedness.

82

85

88

91

JosepI) says
tins lielps

TlOtlgllt.

95

Mnry aeks
liis counBel.

98

101

Joseph bi(]8
her swaddle
the cliild
\{j± and flee.

108

111

' The ryme needs ' bete ' or ' beytt,' remedy.

164 Tmoneley Plays. XV. The Flight into Egypt.

They are to
go tu Egypt.

Tliere is
iiuthiiig to
Bay,buti'«ek
up quickly.

[Fol. 54, b.]

Mnry calls tu
God to pro-
tect thcni.

Blie is full or
woe.

Joseph sajB
he may well
be also.
Why will nut
death slay
him!

young meu
should be-
ware, lor
wedding is
making him
all wan.

ft'oi-thi let be thi dyn

And cry.
Maria, how shaH we theder wyii 1
losepii. ii'ulle weft woto I ;
(10)
Tlie best wyse tliaf we may

hast vs outf of this here.
Ther is noght els to say

bof tytf pak vp ouie gere ;
ttbr ferd of tliis affray,
lett vs weynd hens away,

Oi' any do vs dere.
Maria. Grcatt god, as he weH may,
Thaf shope both nyghf and day,
Ifrom wandreth he vs were,

And shame ;
My chyld! how shiild I here
So far from hame ?

(11)
Alas ! I am fuH wo !

was neuer wyghf so wyH !
loseph. God wote I may say so,

I haue mater ther tyH ;
ffor I may vnyth go
To lede of land sich two ;

No wonder if I bo wyH,
And sythen has many a fo.
A, why wyH no ded me slo 1
My lyfe I lyke yH

And sare ;
he thaf aH doyls may dyH,
he keyH my care !

(12)
So wyH a wyght as I,

In warld! was neue;- man ;
howseholil! and husbandry

ffuH soro I may if ban ;
Thaf bargan dere I by.
yong men, bewar, red I :

wedyng makys me aH wan.

lU

117

121

124

127

130

134

137

140

143

147

150

Towmley Plays. XV. The Flight into Egypt. 165

Take me thi brydyH, mary ;
Tenf thou to that page grathly
■witfi att the craft* thou cau ;

And may
he that this warld began,*
wysh vs the way !

(13^
Maria. Alas, f uti wo is me !

Is none so wyH as I !
My harf wold breke in thre,

My son to se hym dy.
Joseph, we ! leyf mary, letf be,
And nothyng drede thou the,

Bof hare? heus lett vs hy ;
To saue thi foode so fre,
ffasf furth now lett vs fle,
Dere leyf ;
To mete with his en my,
If were a greatf myschefe,
(14)
And that* wolJ I not wore,^
Away if we myght wyn ;
My harf woldi be fuH sore,^

In two to se you twyn.
TyH egypp letf vs fare ;
This pak, tyH I com thare,

To here I shall nof blyn :
ffor-thi haue thou no care ;
If I may help the mare,

Thou tyndijs no fawte mo in,

I say.
God blys you more and myn.
And haue now aH good day !

Explicit fugaeio losep ^ marie in egiptum.

153

156

160

163

166
168

175

181

Mnr\'"s lienrt
would break
in three to
see her son
die.

Joseph com-
forts her, but
they must
flee quickly.

172

He will bear
the pack and

help her all
he can.

178

[Fol. 05, a.]

MS. beban.

[' ? wol(J...ware,]

[^ i wold',..3are.]

166

Towneley Plays. XVI. Herod the Great.

(XVI.)
Incipit magnus Herodes.

[57 nhi€'lined stanzas, aaaab cccb, (tw. 6, has
central rymea markt by bars.]

Herod's mes-
senger
begins a
ran ting
speech to
the people.

They must
attend to
him or they
will take
haim.

Herod sends
them greetr
ing and com-
mands them
to be obedi-
ent to him.

Any treason
sliall be paid
for twelve
thousand
fold. He is
now abashed

ccca) with

N'uncivs.
Herodes.
Privnts Miles.
SeciiTidus Miles,

{Dramatis Personae.

Tcrcius Miles.
Primus ConsuUus.
Secundus ConsuUus.

Priimt Mulier.
Sccunda Mulier.
Tercia Mulier J\

(1)

NundVia,

Moste niyglity mahowne / meng you yiiih myrth !
Both of burgh and of towne / by fellys and by
fyrth,
Both kyng wi't/t crowne / and barons of britti,
That* radly wyH rowne / many greatf grith

ShaH be liapp. 5

Take tenderly intent*
whaf sondys ar senf,
Els harmes shali ye henf ,

And lothes you to laji. 9

(2)
Herode, the heyncJ kyng / by grace of mahowne,
Of lury, lourmontyng / sternly with crowne,
On lyfe thaf ar lyfyng / in towre and! in towne,
Gracyus you gretyng / commaundys you be bowne

Afhisbydyng; 14

luf hyra v/iih lewte,
drede \\jm, thaf doughty !
he chargji/s you be redy

lowly af his lykyng. 18

(3)
AVhat* man apon molJ / menys hym agane,
Tytt teyn shaH bo toldi, knyghf , sqwyere, or swayn ;
Be he neuer so boldi / byes he that bargan,
Twelf thowsand fold! / more then I sayn

Toumeley Plays. XVI. Herod the Great.

167

May ye trast ;
he is worthy wondej-ly,
Selcouthly sory ;
flfor a boy that* is borne her by

Stand?/* he abasf.

(4)
A kyng thay hym caH / and that" we deny ;
how shuldl if so fali / greatf merueH haue I ;
Therfor ower aH / ShaH I make a cry,
That" ye busk not to bratt / nor lyke nof to ly

Tills tyde ;
Carpys of no kyng
Bot herode, that lordyng,
Or busk to youie beylilyng,

youre heedys for to hyde.

(5)
He is Kyng of Kyngys / Kyndly I Knowe,
Chefe lord of lordyngj/s / chefe leder of law,
Ther watys on his wyiigys / that boW bosf wyH blaw,
Greatf dukys downe dyngj/s / ffor his greatt aw,

And hym lowtys.
Tuskane and turky,
All Inde and Italy,
CecyH and snrry,

Drede hym and dowtys.

(6)
flfrom paradyse to padwa / to mownt flascon ;
ITrom egyp to mantua / vnto kemp towne ;
ffrom sarceny to susa / to grece it abowne ;
Both normondy and norwa / loAvtys to his crowne ;

his renowne
Can no tong teH,
ffrom heuen vnto heli ;
Of hym can none speH

Bof his cosyn mahowne.

(7)
he is the worthyesf of aH / barnes thaf are borne ;
ffree men ar his thraR / full teynfully tome ;
Begyn he to braH / many men each skoriie ;
Obey musf we aH / or els be ye lome

2i6 about a new
bom boy,

27

41

who it) called
a king.
No king
must bi
spoken of
but Hernd

32

36

[Fo!. 55, b.l

He recites

Herod's

kingdoms.

45

50

54

Only his
cousin
Mahound
can avail
against him.

A.11 men
must obey
him or be
lost.

168

Tovmeley Plays. XVI, Herod the Great,

He is now
coming and
muBt be wel-
comed wor-
shipfUlly.

He greets
Herod, and
says he has
called for
silence for
him.

Tlie people
talk of a
king and
won't cease
chattering.

Herod says
he will tame
their talking.

IFol. 56, a.]

He begins (o
rant, and
bids them
hearken on
pain of
broken
bones and
skinning.

They are not
to speak or
stir, till he
has said his
say.

Atf onys.
Downe dyng of youre kneos,
AH that* hyni seys,
Dysplesyd he beys,

And hyrkyn many boiiys.

(8)
here he conmys now, I cry / that lordf I of spake ;
ffast" afore wyH I hy / radly on a rake,
And ■welcom hym worshipfully / laghyng with lake,
As he is most worthy / and knele for his sake

So low ;
Downe dernly to fail,
as renk most' ryali :
hayy, the worthyesf of aH !

to the must* I bow ! [Herod advances,'\

(9)
hayli, luf lord ! lo / thi letters haue I layde ;
I haue done I couth do / and peasse haue I prayd ;
MekyH more therto / opynly dysplayd ;
Bot* romoure is rasyd so / that" boldly thay brade

EmangM thame ;
Thay carp of a kyng,
thay seasse not* sich chateryng.
lierodes. Bof I shaH tame thare talkyng,

And let* tharae go hang thame :
(10)
Stynf, brodels, youre dyn / yei, euerychon !
I red that* ye harkyn / to I be gone,
£for if I begyn / I breke ilka bone,
And puH fro the skyn / the carcas anone,

yei, perde !
Sesse aH this wonder,
and make vs no blonder,
ffor I ryfe you in sonder,

Be ye so hardy.

(11)
Peasse both yong and old / af my bydyng, I red,

ffor I haue aH in woldl / in me standys lyfe and dede ;

who thaf is so bold / I braue hym thrugh tke hede ;

Speke not* or I haue toldf / whaf I wiH in this stede ;

59

63

68

72

77

81

86

90

Tmoneley Plays. XVI. Herod the Ch-eat. 169

ye wote nott 95

AH thaf I wiH mefe ;
Styr nof bof ye haue lefe,
ffor if ye do, I clefe

you smaH as flesh to pott. 99

(12)
My myrthes ar turned to teyn / my mekenes into Ire, His mirth is

And ail for oone I weyn / \vtt/t-in I fare as fyre. grieTbecMse

May I se hyni wiih eyn / I shaH gyf hym his hyre ; who3e"b.ines

Bof I do as I nieyn / I were a fuii lowde syre bre^k "fhe

Inwonys; lOi ^^^'^''''

had I that* lad in hand,
As I am kyng in land,
I shuld ■with this steyH bmnd

Byrkyn aH liis bonys. 108

(13)
My name spryngi/« far and nere / the dougfetyest, men me

caH,
That" euer ran wtt/i spere / A lord and kyng ryaH ;
what icy is me to here / A lad to sesse my staU ! He is so

If I this cro^^Tie may bero / that- boy shaH by for aH. wis timi"'

I wote nof whaf dewiH me alys,

Thay teyn me so with talys, \oaeer.

Thaf by gottys dere nalys,

I wyH peasse no langer. 117

(14)
whaf dewiH ! me thynk I brasf / ffor anger and for teyn ;
I trow thyse kjagys be past* / that* here with me has beyn ;
Thay promysed me fuH fast / or now here to be seyn, b?eak their

ffor els I shul(} haue cast / an othere sleghf, I wevn • promise of

' o J J } returning.

I teH you, 122

A boy thay sayd thay soghf ,
with ofEeryng that* thay broghf ;
If mefys my harf right noghf

To breke his nek in two. 126

(15)
Bof be thay past* me by / by mahowne in heiien, if they have

I shaH, and thaf in hy / set att on sex and seuen ; ^"''"'^ ^^

he will hold
peace no

He (tears
tliat the
kings are

170 Tovmeley Plays. XVI. Herod the Great.

him he will Trow ye a kyng as I / wiH suffre thaym to neiien
afstiefS Any to haue wastry / bot< my self fuH euen 1
sevens. Nay, leyfe ! 131

[Foi. 56, b.i The dewiH me hang and draw,

If I that loseH knaw,

Bot* I gyf hym a blaw,

That lyfe I shaH hym reyfe. 135

(16)
If any one ffor parels yif I woldf / wysf if thay were goiio ;
S, Her^di And ye therof her told / I pray you say anone,
fe^ortto"''" ffor and thay be so bold / by god that syttys in trone,
'"'■"• The payn can nof be told / that- thay shaH haue ilkon,

ffor Ire; 140

Sich panys hard neuer man teH,
ffor vgly and for feU,
That" lucyfere in hell

Thare bonys shaH aH to-tyre.

144

The first
knight tells
liim that the
Icings have
liassed by
another way.

Herod
blames his
knights for
not having
spied them.

(17)
j7ri?Hus Miles. Lord, thynk nof iH if I / teH you how

thay ar past" ;
1 kepe nof layn, truly / Syre thay cam by you lasf,
An othere way in hy / thay soghf, & thaf fuH fast.
Herodes. why, and ar thay pasf me by ? / we ! outf !
teyn I brasf !
we ! fy !

ffy on the dewiH ! where may I byde 1
Bof fyghf for teyn and al to-chyde * !
Thefys, I say ye shuld! haue spyde

And toldf when thay wenf by ; 153

for

149

They

grumble at
his tlireats.

(18)
ye ar knygbtys to trasf ! / nay, losels ye ar, and thefys ;
I wote I yelde my gast / so sore my harf if grefys.
Secundas Miles, what nede you be abasfi / ther ar uo

greatf myschefys
ffor these maters to gnast. /
Tercius Miles. why put ye sich reprefys

JIS. alto chyde.

Tmvneky Plays. XVI. Herod the Great.

171

wzt/ioutf cause ? 158

Thus shuld ye not* thrett ys,
vngayiily to bete vs,
ye shuld nof rehett V3,

withoutt othere sawes. 162

(19)
hero(Y. fFy, losels and lyars ! / lurdans ilkon !
Tratoures and weH wars ! / knafys, bot" knyghtys none !
had ye bene woth youre efes / thus had thay nof gone ;
Getf I those land lepars / I breke ilka bone ;

ffyrsf vengeance 167

ShaH 1 se on thare bonys ;
If ye byde in these wonys
I shaH dyng you with stonys,

yei, ditizance doutance. 171

(20)
I wote not where I may sytt< / for anger & for teyn ;
we haue not done all yiif y if if be as I weyn ;
ffy ! dewiH ! now how is it J / as long as I haue eyn
I think nof for to flytt / bof kyng I wiH be seyn

ffor euer. 176

Bof stand I to quarf,
I teH you my hart,
I shati gar thaym start,

Or ela trusf me neuec. 180

(21)
yirimus Miles. Syr, thay went sodanly / or any man wyst,
Els had ni«tf we, yei, perdy / and may ye trysf.
5ecunrfus Miles. So boliJ nor so hardy / agans oure lyst,
was none of thaf company / dursf mete me w»t/i fyst

ffor ferd?. 185

Tercins Miles. IH dursf thay abyde,
Bof ran thame to hyde ;
Might I thaym haue spyde,

I had made thaym a herd. 189

(22)
what couth ^ve more do / to saue youre honoure 1
prbnns Miles, we were redy therto / and shal be ilk howre.
hero^. Now syn it* is so / ye shali haue fauoure ;
Go where ye wytt, go / by towns and by towre,

Herod still
abuses them.

If tUey con-
tinue like
this he will
ding them
with stones,
"ditizance
doutance."

He docs not
mean to flit
liiinaelf, but
will make
men see that
he is king.

[Fol. 57, a.]

The knights
boast what
they would
have done
had they met
the kings.

What could
they do more
to save
Herod's
honour ?

172

Towneley Plays. XVI. Herod the Great.

He forgives
them ;

ftnd calls his
privy

Goya hens !
I haue maters to msH
\with ray pj-euey counseH ;
Clerkys, ye bere the beH,

ye must* me encense.

[The Soldiers retire.] 194
[The Council advance.]

198

(23)

He bids his
clerks pti-
quire in
Virgil, in
Homer, nnd
everywhere
but in legend
— in Boece
and tales but
not in ser-
vice-books—
as to this
talk of a
maiilen nml
her child.

The first
councillor
quotes the
prophecy of
Isaiah as to
the birth of
Emmanuel.

The second
quotes the
prophecy of
the birth of
a king at
Bethlehem.

Herod rnges
At them, and

Gone spake in myne eere / A wonderfuH talkyng,
And sayde a niadyn shiiB bere / anothere to be kyng ;
Syrs, I pray you inquere / in att wrytyng,
In vyrgyH, in homere / And aH other tliyng

Eot' legende ; \They look at their books.'] 203

Sekys poece tayllys ;
lefe pystyls and grales ;
Mes, niatyns, noghf avalys,

AH these I defende ; 207

(24)
I pray you teH heyndly / now what^ ye fynde.
px\m\is con.<!?iZ<us. Truly, siV, prophecy / It* is not* blynd ;
we rede thus by Isay / he shalbe so kynde,
That* a madyn, sothely / which neuer synde,

Shall hym bere :
" virgo concipiet,
Natujnqwe pariet* ; "
"Emannett" is hete,

his name for to lere,

(25)
" God is with vs," that" is forto say.
5ecuna!iis con.5«Zi!us. And othere says thus / tryst me ye

may:
"Of bedlem a gracyus / lord shaH spray,
Thaf of Jury myghtyns / k} ug shalbe ay,

lord myghty ;
And hym shaH honouro
both kyng and emperoiire."
hei-odes. why, and shuld I to hym cowre 1
Nay, ther thou lyys lyghtly !
(26)
ffy ! the dewill the spede / and me, bof I drynk onys !
This has thou done in dede / to anger me for the nonys ;

212

216

221

225

Towneley Plays. XVI. Herod the Great.

173

And thou, knafe, thou thy mede / shati haue, by coky*

dere bonys !
Thou can not* half thi crede ! / outt, thefys, fro my woiiys !

fly, knafys ! 230

ffy, dotty-pols, wz'tA youre bookys I
Go kast thaym in the brookys I
■with sioh wylys and croky*'

My wytf away rafys ! 234

(27)
hard I neuer sich a tranf / thaf a knafe so sleght
Shuld? com lyke a sanf / and lefe me my riglit ;
Nay, he shaH on slanf / I shaH kytt hym dowiie stiyght ;
war ! I say, letf me pant / now thynk I to fyght

fEor anger ; 239

My guttya wiH outt* thryng
Bot I this lad hyug ;
withoutt' I haue a vengyng,

I may lyf no langer. 243

(28)
Shuld a carH in a kafe / bof of oone yero age,
Thus make me to rafe 1 /

piiivms con«iZ<us. Syr, poasse this outrage !
A- way let ye wafe / aH sich langage,
youre woi-ship to safe / is he oghf bof a page

Of a yere 1 248

we two shaH hym teyn
with oure wyttys betweyn.
That, if ye do as I meyn,

he shaH dy on a spere. 252

(29)
S^cuiiclMS cons?//^us. ffor drede that* he reyn / do as we red ;
Thrug outt bedlem ^ / and ilk othere stede,
Make knyghtj/s- ordeyn / and put vnto dedc
AH knaue chyldren / of two yerya brede,

And with-in ; 257

This chyldf may ye spyH
Thus at* youre awne wiH.
Het'odes. Now thou says here tyH

A right* nobyH gyn I 261

^ Assonant to *reyue/ ' chyldren.*

[Fo]. 57, k]

bids the
"dottypols"
fly and throw
tlieir books
into the
Wftter.

Unless lie
have ven-
geani;e on

this laU he
can hvc no
lunger.

The council-
lore bid him
]iut away all
such lan-
guage, and
thcv shall
find him a
remedy.

Let hiiii bid
his knights
slay all ctiil*
dren at Betli<
lehein and
elsewhere
under two
years old and
tlus child
must die.

174 Tmvneley Plays. XVl. Herod the Great.

(30)
iierod If I lyf in land / good lyfe, as I hope,

"gMnobir This dar I the warand / to make the Pope.i
hve'siL'wiii 0, my hart is rysand / now in a glope !
cotnciMor Aor this nobyH tythand / thou shaH haue a dropo
whuVhe"""' Of m good grace ; 266

SstLsMd INIarkT/s, rentys, and powndys,
lands. Greatf castela & groundys ;

Thrugh att sees and sandys

I gyf the the chace. {The Council retires.'] 270
(31)
Herod bids Now wyH I precede / and take veniance ;
gev'^uTile AH the flowre of knyghthede / caH to legeance ;
Sits""' Bewshere, I the byd-^ / if may the avance.

Nuncim. lord, I shaH me spede / and bryng, p«rchaunce,
To thy syght. [Herod retires. Knights advance.],
[Foi. 58, «.] haik, knyghtys, I you bryng
The messon- here new tythyng ;

gev bids the

knights vnto herode kyng

&?" hast wM aH youre myght ! 27 9

(32)
aru.edandin In aH the hasf thaf ye may / in armowre fuH bright-,

In youre best aray / looke that- ye be dighf.

priiHUS MiUs,. why shuld we fray 1 /

SecuncZus Milen. this is not* aH right.

Tercius Miles. Syrs, withoutten delay I drede that" we
fight.

Nunciixs. I p''ay you, 284

As fast" as ye may,

com to hym this day.

^riwius Miles, whaf, in oure best* aray 1

Nuncins. yei, syrs, I say you. 288

(33)

yus Miles. Somwhat is in hand / what euo- it meyn.

iij Miles. Tarry not for to stand / ther or we haue beyn.

[Herod advances.]

Nuncim. kyng herode aH weldand / weH be ye seyn !

youre knyghtys ar comand / in armoure fuH sheyn,

' This word is erased iu the MS.
' The ryme needs ' hede. '

their best

, I

Towneley Plays. XVI. Herod the Great.

175

At" youre wyE 293

pnnms Miles. hayH, Jujjhtyesf of aH !
we aie comen af youre caH
ffor to do what we shaH,

youre lust to fiiUfyH. 297

(34)
herod. welcom, lordyngys, Iwys / botB greatt and siuaH !
The cause now is this / tliat I seud for you aH :
A lad, a knafe, bonie is / that* shuW be kyng ryatt ;
Bot' I kyU hym and liis / I wote I brast my gaH ;

Theifor, Syrs, 302

Veniance sbaH ye take,
AH for that ladf sake.
And men I sh;i,H you make

where ye com ay where, syrs. 306

(35)
To bedlem loke ye go / And aH the coste abonte,
AH knaue chyldreu ye slo / and lordv/s, ye shalbe stoute ;
Of yeres if they be two / and wit/(in, of aH that* rowte
On Jyfe lyefe none of tho / that* lygys in swedyH clowte,

I red you ; 311

Spare no kyns bloode,
lett aft ryn on tloode,
If women wax woode ;

I warn you, syrs, to spede you ; 315

(36)
hens ! now go youre way / tliat ye were there.
tjus Miles. I wote we make a fray / bot' I wyH go before,
t'y us Miles. A, thynk, syrs, I say / I mon whett ly ke a bore.
^)ri)nus Miles. .Sett* me before ay / good enogfi for a skore ;

hayH heyndly 1 320

we shaH for youre sake
make a dulfuH lake.

herodes. Now if ye me weH wrake

ye shaH fynd me freyndly. [Exit Hei-od.'] 324
(37)
iJMs Miles. Go ye now tyH oiire noytt / and liaudyH

thaym weyH.
u^'us Miles, I shaH pay thaym on. the cote / begyn I to
revti. [^First Woman and Child advance.^

The Qi-st
knight hails
Herod.

Ileiod tells
tliciii of the
buy who
must bo
killed.

The kiiiglits
are to gu to
BethlcTicii)
and thci'e-
abouta and
slny all
knave-chil-
dren nnder
two ycai-s of
age.

The knight?

proiaise

obedience.

176 Towneley Plays. XVl. Herod the Ch-ecd.

[Foi. 58, b] pri??ius Miles, hark, felose, ye dote / yonder commys

vnceyH ;
They see a I hold! here a grote / she lykys me not weyli

wouifln I .J ./ J

coming. Tiio Be We parte ; \To the Woman.^ 329

first kniglit T-> ,1 1 ■. . ■■

tells hei not JJame, thynk if not* ytt,

to take it ill ,, , r .. t i it

if he kill her thy knaie if I kyH.

ptima Mulier. what, thefe ! agans my wyH ?

lord, kepe hym in qwarte ! 333

(38)
^ri??jus Miles. Abyde now, abyde / no farther thou gose.
The womRn pr'vma MuNer. Peasse, thefe ! shalt I chyde / and make

remoB- i, n >' i

stratcs. here a nose i

^ri?reus Miles. I shali reyfe tlie thy pryde / kyH we
these boyse !
She attacks pxma MuKer. Tyd may betyde / kepe wett thy nose,

the knight, n. i , , .

but her boy itals tliefe ! 338

haue on loft* on thy hode.

_pri?;ius Mile,i. what", hoore, arf thou woode 1

[Kills the Child.']
prima Mulier. Outt, alas, my chyldj/s bloode !

Outt, for repiefe I 342

(39)
She laments Alas for shame and syn / alas that I was borne !
calls for Of wepyng who may blyn / to se hir chylde forlorne 1
vengeance. -^^ comfortli and my kyn / my son thus alto tome !
veniance for this syn / I cry, both eiiyn and morne.
(Secunt^us Miles, weli done ! 347

[Scccmd Woman and Child advuTice.]
Com hedyr, thou old stry !
that" lad of thyne shaH dy.
Secunda Mulier. Mercy, lord, I cry !

If is myn awne dere son. 351

(40)
The same yus Miles. No mercy thou mefe / if mendy* the not, mawd !
?fZgh 1™° Secnnda Mulier. Then thi skalp shaH I clefe ! / lyst
,\-™/ thoubeclawd?

ZTer/ lefe,Iefe,nowbylefe!/
knight. ^ecuntius Miles. peasse, byd I, bawd !

Secunda Mulier. fEy, fy, for reprefe ! fy, £uH of frawde 1

Tovnuley Plays. XVI. Eerod the Gi-eat. 177

No man ! 356

haue af thy tabard,
harlof and holard !
Thou shaH not* be sparde !

I cry and I ban ! [He Icills the hoy.'] 360

(41)
Oiitf ! morder ! man, I say / Strang tratouro & thefo ! she, also,

Out* ! alas ! and waloway ! / my child thaf was me lefe ! vengeSLe
My luf, my blood, my play / that? neuer dyd man grefe ! t.^i.Z"
Alas, alas, this day ! / I wold! my hart shuld! clefe

In sonder ! 365

veniance I cry and caH,
on herode and his knyghty« aH !
veniance, lord", apon thaym faH,

And mekyH warldys wondec ! 369

(42)
Tercius Miles. This is well wroghf gave / that* eufir tijc third

may be ; [Third woman and child advaiice.] K|,*id'"?

Comys hederward here ! / ye nede not to fle ! " "'!"'

Tercia Mulier. wyH ye do any dere / to my chylit and me?
ly'us Miles, he shaH dy, I the swere / his hart blood shaH
thou se.
ty'a mulier. God for-bede ! 374

Thefe ! thou shedys my chyldys blood 1 [He kills the hoy.] she laments
Out", I cry ! I go near wood 1
Alas ! my hart* is aH on flood.

To se my chyld! thus blede ! 378

(43)
By god, thou shaH aby this dede that thou has done. rpoi. 59, a.

2eicfus M7es. I red the nof stry / by son and by moyn. ^^' ^' ''^
iiJA Mulier. haue af the, say I ! / take the ther a foyn !
Out- on the I cry / haue at thi groyn „„^ ^tt^,^.

An othere ! 383 '"'"' '.''''"'

wt^ cnes"Peac8

TLis kepe I in store. ""'''■ ^°

_ more. .

Tercjus Miles. Peasse now, no more !
Tercia Mulier. I cry and I rore,

Out* on the, mans mordere ! 387

(44)
Alas ! my bab, myn Innocent* / ray fleshly get* ! for sorow she cries for
Thaf god me derly sent / of bales who may me borow 1 ^""seauce.

T. PLAYS. N

178

Towneley Plays. XVI. Herod the Ghxat,

The aist
kuiglit bids
the women
go off.

They are
frightened
now, says
the second
knight.
The third
knig]it pro-
poses to tell
their ex-
ploits to
Herod.

The nrst
claims to
have done
the best.

They boast
to Herod of
having mur-
dered many
thousands,

they ft re
worthy a
re w aid.

Thy body is all fco-rent^ / I cry both euen and morow,
veniance for thi blodi thus spent^ / out ! I cry, and horow 1

^ri??ius Mih^. Go lightly ! 392

Gett* out' of thise wonys !
ye trattys, all at* onys, —
Or by cdkys dere bonys

I make you go wyghtly ! [The mothers retire.]

(45)
Thay ar flayd now, I wote, thay wiH nof abyde. 397

Secundus Miles, lett vs ryn fote hote / now wold' I we hyde,
And teH of this lott / how we haiie betyde.
Temus Miles. Thou can do tlii note / thaf haiie I aspyde ;

Go fttrth now, 401

TeH thou herode oure tayH !
ffor aH oure avayH,
I teH you, saunce fayH,

he wyH vs alow. 405

(46)
piimns Miles. I am best^ of you aH / and euer has bene ;
The deuyH haue my sauH / bof I be fyrst* sene ;
It* fyttys me to caH / ray lord, as I wene.
ijus Miles, what* nedys the to braH ? / be not so kene

In this anger ; 410

I shaH say thou dyd besf,
saue myself, as I gest.
piimus Miles, we ! that* is mosf honest.

Tercins Miles, go, tary no langer ! 414

(47) [They approach Herod.]
pnmxm Miles. hayH herode, oure kyng / fuH glad may ye be !
Good tythyng we bryng / harkyn now to me ;
we haue mayde rydyng / thrugh oiitt lure :
weH wyt ye oone thyng / that* morderdf haue we

Many thowsandy;.-. 419

//us Miles. I helcP thaym fuH hote,
I payd them ou ths cote ;
Thare damniys, I wote,

Neue?- bynde them in bandys. 423

(48)
w}'us Miles, had ye sene how I f ard / when I cam eniaug them !
Ther was none thaf I spard / bot lade on and dang them.

Towneky Plays. XVI. Herod the Ch-eat. 179

I am worthy a rewarde / where I was emang-ys them. [FoI. 69, b.]

I stud and I stard / no pyte to hang them

had I. 428

herodes. Now, by rayghty mahowne,
That is good of renowne !
If I here this crowne

ye shaH haue a lady 432

(49)
Ilkon to liym layd, and wed af his wyH. Herod pro-

primus Miles. So haue ye lang sayde / do somwhaf therlyH ! each « lady
tj'us Miles. And I was neuer flayde / for good ne for yH. win.'
ty'us Miles, ye miglif hol(? you weH payde / oure lusf to
fulfya,

Thus thynk me, 437

with tresure vntold.

If if lyke that" ye wold. The Oiird

Both syluer and gold, Bess's gX

To gyf vs greatt^ pleiite. 441 siiS^ ""*

(50)
Iterodes. As I am kyng crownde / I thynk if good right ! Hcrou says a
Ther goys none ou grownde / thaf has sich a wyghf ; tumismid

A hundreth thowsaiid pownde / is good wage for a knyght, good'wal^e
Of pe«nys good and rowude / now may ye go lighf ind'^Kl^'''''''

with store; 446 So^trl"

And ye knyghtys of oures
ShaH haue castels and towres,
Both to you and to youres,

ffor now and eue?' more. 450

(51)
primus Miles, was ueuer none borne / by downes ne by The knights

dalys,
Nor yif vs beforne / thaf had sicfi avalys.
iyus Miles, we haue castels and come / mych gold in

oure malys.
iijns Miles. If wyH neuer be worne / withoutf any talys ;

hayH heyndly ! 455

haytt lord ! hayH kyng !
we ar furth foundyng !
fieroi. Now mahowne he you bryng

where he is lord freyndly j 459

as well as
money.

ryoice at
their wealth

180

Tovmdey Plays. XVI. Herod the G-reat

Herod
thanks
Maliuuiid
that lie 'may
stand in
peai-e.
Each of tlic
knighta shall
liave a tliou-
eand marks
— next time
be comes.

He is not
troubled by
the blood he
has shed.

His gall now
is all of
sugar.

[Fol. 60, a.
aig. K. 2.3

He need nut
despuirnow,
for the boy
must be
kilted.

144,000 have
been slain :
never was
thcie 6iicli a
nmrdfcr.

(52)
Now in peasse may I stand / I thank the, mahowne !
And gyf of my lande / that long«/« to my crowne ;
Draw theifor nerehande / both of burgh and of towiie ;
INIarkys ilkon a thowsande / when I am bowne,

ShaH ye haue. 464

I slialbe fuH fayn
To gyf thaf I sayu !
watc when I com agayn,

And then may yo craue. 468

(53)
I sett' by no goodf / now my harf is at casse,
Thaf I shed so mckyH blode / pes aH my ryches !
ffor to 86 this Hode / from the fete to tlie nese
Mefys nothing my mode / I lagti that I whese ;

A, mahowne ! 473

So light is my sauH,
that aH of Sugar is my giiH ;
I may do what" I sliaH,

And here vp my crowne. 477

(54)
I was castyn in care / so fiightly afrayd,
Bof I thar not dyspare / for low is he layd
That I most dred are / so haue I hym flayd ;
And els wonder ware / and so many strayd

In the strete, 482

That oone shuld be harmelus,
and skape away hafles,
■whore so many chyldes

Thare balys can not" bete. 486

(55)
A hundreth thowsand, I watf / and fourty ar slayn,
And four thowsand ; ther-at / me aght to be fnyn ;
Sich a morder on a flat / shali neue?* be agayn.
had I had bot oone baf / af that^ lurdan

So yong, 491

If shuld! haue bene spokyn
how I had me wrokyn,
were I dede and rotyu,

with many a tong. 496

I

Towneley Plays. XVII. The Purification of Mary. 181

(56)
Thus shaH I tecli knauys / ensampyH to take,
In thare wyttys that* rauys / sich mastre to make ;
AH wantones wafys / no langage ye crak !
No sufferan you sauys / youre nekkys shaH I shak

In sonder ; 500

No kyng ye on caH
Bot on herode the ryaH,
Or els many cone shaH

Apon youre bodys wonder. 504

(57)
ffor if I liere it* spokyn / when I com agayn,
youre branys base brokyn / therfor be ye bayii ;
Nnthyng bese viilokyn / it* shalbe so playn ;
Begyn I to rekyn / I thynk aH (lysdayn

ffor daunche. 509

Syrs, this is my counseti —
Bese not to crueH,
Bot adew ! — to the deuyH !

I can nomore fraiiwch ! 513

Explicit Magmis Herodes.

Let knaves
t&ke ex-
ample by it,
Hnd call no
man king
but Herod.

If he hear

them Bpeak
of any other
lie will
knock their
brains out.
But now he
"can no
more
French,"

(XVII.)
Incipit Purificacj'o mane.

[10 eighi-Une stanzas aaab cccb ; 10 six-line aab ccb ;
lin£.]
[Dramatis Personae.

[Fol. 60, b.)

and one

Symeon.
Primus Angelus.

Symeon.

Scmmdus Angelus.
Josephiis.

(1)

Maria.
Jesus,]

"IghtfuH god, thou vs glad !

Thaf heuen and erthe and aH lias mayde ;
Bryng vs to blys that* neuer shaH fade,

As than weH may ;
And thynk on me thaf is vnweld —
lo ! so I hobyH aH on held,
That* vnethes may I walk for eld —
Now help, lord, adonay !

M

Simeon
prays to Gorl
to remember
liim in his
old age.

182 Towncley Plays. XVII. The Purification of Mary.

(2)
He wonders Bot yif I merueH, both euyn and morne,.
g<!idmen o'f Of oM elders thaf were befome,

where thay may be ; 12

AbeH, noye, and abraliam,
Dauid, danieH, and balaani,
And aH othere mo by name,

Of sere degre. 1"

(3)
He thanks I thank the, lord, with good intent,
^^Dg i.ira Of aH thy sond thou has me sent",

80jODg a ,pj^^j^ ^J^^g J^j^g ^yjjjg jjjy Jyfg JjJ^g ig^J^

Now many a yere ; 20

ffor aH ar past* now oonly bof I ;
I thank the, lord god almyghty !
ffor so oldf know I none, sotlily.

Now lyfyng here. 24

(4)
He knows no flfoi I am old syineon :
as wmsct: So old OH lyfe know I none,
KebeTlbief That is mayde on flesh and bone.

In aH medyH-erdi. 28

No wonder if I go on held :
The feuyrs, the fiyx, make me vnweld ;
Myn amies, my ly??imes, ar stark for eld,

And aH gray is my herd". 32

(5)
Myn ees are woren both marke and blynd ;
Myn and is short, I want wyncf ;
Tims has age dystroed my kynd.

And reft myghtw aH ; 36

Hi, ovvn Bot shortly mon I weynd away ;
away will" what tyme ne when, I can not say,
soon come. ^^^ j^ jg „^^^ f„jj ujany a day

Syn dede began to caH. 40

(6)

[Foi. Gi, a. Ther is no warke that I may wyrlc,
Sig. K. 3.] g^^ ^^g^j^g ^j.^j^ J jQ tljg l-yrk ;

Be I com home I am so irk

Towneley Plays. XVII. The Purification of Mary. 183

That farther may I noght ;
Bot settys me downe, and grankys, and gronys,
And lygyi and restys my wery bonys,
And att uyght after granky*- and goonys,

On slepe tyH I be broght.

(7)
liot neue/' the les, the sothe to say,
If I may nather, by nyglit ne day,
ffor age nather styr ne play,

Nor make no cliere,
yit if I be neuer so oltJ,
I myn fuH vveH thaf prophetys told.
That now ar dede and layde full cold,

Sythen gone many a yere.

(8)
Thay sayde that god, fuH of myght,
ShukV send his son from heuen bright,
In a madyn for to light,

Commen of dauid kyn ;
fflesh and bloode on hyr to take.
And beconi man for oure sake,
Our redempeyon for to make,

Thaf slayn were thrugh syn.

(9)
Bot, lord, that vs thy grace has hight,
Send me thy sond, both day and nyght.
And gi-aunt me grace of lyfyg light.

And lef me neue?- de,
To thou sich grace to me send.
That I may handyH hym in my hend,
Thaf shaH cum ouie mys to amend.

And se hym viith myn eo.

(10)
pnmvLS angelus. Thou, syraeon, drede the noght !
My lord, that thou has long besoght,

ffor thoTi has rightwys beyn,
Thyn askyug has he grauntyd the,
with outen dede on lyfe to be

To thou thy crysf haue seyn.

44

48

52

68

He can do
no work save
church-
going, and
when he
conies back
from that nil
his bones
ache.

Yet feeble os
age has made
}iiin, he re-
members the
words of tlie
dead pro-
phets,

56

who foretold
the biith of
God's Son for
man's re-
demption.

60

64

He prays

Qod that he
may not die
till he has
held this
Child in liis
hand.

72

An nngcl
announces
the RTanting

^ of his

75 prayer.

78

184 Towncley Plays. XVII. The Purification of Mary.

A second
angel tells
him he sliall
find God's
Sun in the
Temple.

Byrne on
praises God
for His
goodness

[Fol. 61, b.]

He will put
on his vest-
ment in
honour of
that king,

for welcome
shall that
Lord be to
him, wlio
shall inn]:e
men free.

The bells
ring so
solemnly he
tliinks it
must be for
the coming
of tlie Lord.

(11)

S^amdws angelus. Than symeoii, harkyn a space !
I bryng the tythyngys of solaco ;

tfoi--thy, ryse vp and gang
To the temple ; thou shaH fynd thoro
Godyj! son the before,

Tliat tho\i has yernyd lang.
(12)
Symeon. Louyd bo my lord! in wyH and thoght,
That his seniant forgett?/*' noght,

when that* he seys tyrae !

weH is me that I shaH dre

TyH I haue sene hym witA myn ee,

And no longer hyue.

(13)

Louyd be my lord in heuen,

Thaf thus has by his angeH steuen

wamyd mo of his co;)jmyng !

Therfor wiH I with intent

putf on me my vestment,

In worship of that kyng.
(14)
he shalbe welcom vnto me :
Thaf lord shaH make vs alle fre,

kyng of aH man-kyn ;
ffor w!t/i his blood he shaH vs boroo
Both fro catyfdam & from soroo,

Thaf was slayn thrugb syn.

TuTic pulsabuat.
(15)
A, dere god ! whaf may this bel
Oure bellys ryng so solemply,

ffor whom soeuer it is ;
Now certys, I can not vnderstand,
Bof if my lord god aH weldand

Be commen, thaf aH shaH wyse.
(16)
This noyse Ij'glityns fuH weH myn harf !
Shaft I neue?- rest, and I haue quart,

Or I com ther onone ;

81

84

87

90

93

96

99

102

105

108

111

Tmonehy Plays. XVII. The Purification of Mary. 185

Now weH were I and it so were, Thebeiisaie

ffor sich noyse hard I neuer ere ; themselves,

Oure bellys ryng by thare oone ! 114

[Joseph, wiih two doves, and Mary, with her baby, advance.]
(17)
Joseph . Mary, it' begynnys to pas, Joseph bids

ffourty dayes syii thaf thou was near the

Delyne)- of thy son ; 117 ""^' '"

To the temple I red we draw.
To clens the, and fulfyH the law,

As oure elders were won. 120

(18)
Therfor, mary, madyn heynd, ukingher

Take thi chylit and let vs weynd !ier, nnd they

The tempyH vntyH ; 123 rwid'o^or

And we shaH wiih vs bryng "" ""'"'"'•'•

Thise turtyls two to oure offryng.

The law we wiH fulfyH. 126

(19)
Maria. loseph, that wyH I fuH weH, ' Jimy is well

That" the law euery deyH fumuiit'iie

Be fulfyllyd in me. 129 ""'

Lord, that* aH niyghtys may,
Gyf vs grace to do this day

Thaf it be pleassyng to tlie ! 132

Angdi canfant ; simeon. .... [the rest is illegible].
(20)
primus angelus. Thou, symeon, rightwys and trew. The first

Thou has desyred both old and new, noimceTto

To haue a sight of cryst ihe^u thirrthe"'

As p'ophecy has told ! 136

Oft has thou prayd to haue a sight
Of hym thaf in a madyn lighf ;
here is that chyld of mekyH myght,

Now has thou that thou wold. 140

(21)
Secnndns angelas. Thou has desyryd it most of aH.^
• •***»

• The end of this Play, and the beginning of tlie next, are
wanting, two leaves of the manuscript being lost.

Child whom
he longc'l to
see.

186 Towneley Plays. XVIII. The Play of the Doctors.

[Fol. 62, a.]

The Doctors
talk of tlie ,
prophecy of
EminaDuel.

Habakkuk
Imd foretold
the rod that
should
BpriDg from
the root of
JesR«.

(XVIII.)

[17 eight-line stanzas ah ab ah ah ; 33 four-line ah ah ; 2 couplets ;
and one line of Latin.]

Prirmis Magistrr.
Seeundus Magister.

[Dramatis Personae.

I Tercius ifarjislcr.
Jesus.

(1)

Maria.
Joscphus.]

12

[Secundum Magister.] That a madyn a barn shulrl here ;

And his -name thus can thay teH,
ffro the tyme that he born were,

lie shalbe callyd emanueH ; *

(2)
Counselloure, and god of strengthe,

And wonderfuH also
ShaH he be callyd, of brede and lenghthe

As far as any man may go. ^

(3)
iijws ?>?agister. Masters, youve resons ar right good,

And wonderfuH to neuen,
yit fynde I more by abacuk ;

Syrs, lysten a whyle vnto my steuen,

(4)
Cure bayH, he says, shaH turn to boytt,

her-afterward som day ;
A wande shaH spryng fro lesse roytt, —

The certan solhe thus can he say, —
(5)
And of thaf wande shaH spryng a flouve,

that" shaH spryng vp fuH hight :
Ther of shaH com fuH swete odowre,

And therapon shaH rest" and lyght
(6)
The holy gost, fuH mych of myghf ;

The goosf of wysdom and of wyf ,
ShaH beyld his nest, with mekyH rights

An* in it* brede and sytt.

16

20

24

TowneUy Plays. XVIII. The Play of the Doctors. 187

(7)
primus ^agister. Bot wlien trow ye this prophecy

Shalbe fulfyllyd iu dede,
That here is told so openly,

As we in scrypture rede 1 28

(8)
yus magister. A greatt me)'ueH for sothe it is,

To vs to here of sich mastry ;
A niadyn to here a chyhV, Iwys,

Wit/iout mans seyde, that* were ferly. 32

(9)
ly'iis jjiagiste?-. The holy gost shaH in hyr lyght,

And kepe hir madynhede fuH clene;
whoso may byde to se that sight"

Thay ther not drede, I weiic. 36

(10)
primus magister. Of aH thiso p/ophet?/s wyse of lore

Thaf knew the p?'ophecy, more and les,
was none that told the tyme before,

when he shuU com to by vs peasse. 40

(11)
(Secundus ?«agister. wheder he be co/nmen or not

No knowlege haue we in certayn ;
Bot he shaH com, that dowt we not*;

fTuH prophetys haue prechyd it* fuH playu. 44

(12)
m}'us magister. MekyH: I thynk thaf thise prophetys

Ar holden to god, thaf is on hight,
That haue knowyng of his behetys,

And for to teH of his mekyH myght. 48

Tunc venit I'Aesus.i

(13)
Jhesus. Masters, luf be with you lent*,

And mensk be vnto this mene^e !
pri??ms wagister. Son, hens away I wold thou went,

ffor othere haft in hand haue we. 52

The first
Poctor won-
ders wlien
this shall be
fulfilled.

They discuss
the con-
ception bv
tlic Holy ■
GhoRt.

None of tlie
prop) lets
were told
the time of
these things.

He amy be
come or not,
but of Hia
coming they
hftve no
doubt.

Jesus greets
them.

The first
doct«5r says
tliey are
busy.

' MS. ihc ;
as ilietus.

as it rymes with 'thus,' 'vs,' it is always expanded

188 Toimuhy Plays. XVIII. The Play of the Doctors.

56

(14)
tj'us magist&c. Son, whosoeuer the hyder sent,

Thay were not wyse, thus teH I the ;
ffor we haue othere tayllys to tent

Then now with hames bowidand to be.

(15)
Tercius magister. Son, thou lyst oght lere / To lyf by

moyses lay ;
Com heder, and tliou shaH here / The sawes that we wyH

58

say;

(10)
ffor in som mynde if may the bryng

To here oure sawes red by rawes.
//tesus. To lere of you nedys mo no thyng,

ifor I knaw both youre dedys & sawes. 62

primus magister. hark, yonde>- barn wit/i his bowrdyng !

he wenys he kens more then he knawys ;
Kay, certys, son. thou art" ouer ying

By clergy yit to know oure lawes. "6

(17)

//tesus. I wote as weH as ye / how that youre lawes was
wroght.
They bid SecumZus jnagister. Com sytt! soyn shaH wo se, / ffor
rJi,Vd.'° certys so semys it noght. 68

(18)
Temus magister. If were wonder if any wyght

vntiH oure resons right shuld reche ;
And thou says thou has in sighf

Oure lawes truly to teH and teche.
/Aesus. The holy gost has on me lyghf .

And anoynf me lyke a leche,
And gyffen to me powere and myght
The kyngdom of lieuen to preche.

(19)
Secuni u« magister. whens euer this barne may be

That shewys thise novels new 1
///6SUS. Certan, syrs, I was or ye,

And shaH be after you.

Tlie second
Doctor says
they have
other things
to do than
to play witli
children.

[Fol. 6-2, b.3
But the third
bids Jesns
listen to
their speech,
that He mny
leam by it.

Jesus says
He has no
need to learn
of them.

The nrst
Doctor
thinks He is
too young tt>
know their
laws "by
clergy."

Jesus says
the Holy
Ghost has
given Him
power to
teach.

72

76

80

Tmvneley Plays. XVIII. The Play of the Doctors. 189

(20)
^^rinms magister. Son, of thi saves, as we haue cejH,

And of thi wytt is wondec thyiig ;
Bot neuer the les fully I feyH

Thaf it may fayH in wyrkyng ; 84

fFor dauid demys euer ilk deyH,

And thus he says of chylder ying,

"Ex ore infanciujw & lactencium, perfecisti laudem."

Of thare mowthes, sayth dauid, wele,
Ours lord he has perfourmed louyng.
(21)

Neuer the les, son, yit shuld tliou lett
her for to speke in large ;

llor where masters ar mett,

Chylder wordys ar not to charge.

The first
Doctor re-
iiiL^inbcrs the
text, "Outof
the mouths
of biibes and
pucklJiigs
IiOiit thou
perfected
jiraiac,"

88

92

yet thinks

Jesus bliould
not speak
so boldly
before
masters,

96

100

ft'or, certys, if thou wold ueuej" so fayn

Gyf all thi lyst to lere the law.
Thou art nawther of myght ne mayn

To know it, as a clerk may knaw.
/Aesiis. Syre, I say you in certan,

That sothfast shaH be aH my saw ;
And powere haue I plene and playu,

To say and ansAvere as me aw.
(23)
^ri7«us Tjzagister. Masters, whaf may this meue ?

MerueH, methynk, haue I
where eue?' this barne has bene

That carpys thus conandly.
(24)
Secundus ?)iagister. In warld as wyde as we haue went

fTand we neu&c sich ferly fare ;
Certy*', I trow the barn be sent

Sufferanly to salfe our sare. 108

//(esus. Syrs, I shaH preue in youre present

AH the sawes that I sayde are.
Tercius magister. which callys thou the fyrst commaunde-
menf

And the most, in moyses lare 1 112

tor it is im-
possible for
Uiin tokiiow
the Lftw like
a cleric

Jesus says
He has
power to
answer aa
He oueht.

104

[Fol. 63, a.]

The Doctors
are astoniali-
ed at His
words.

The third
Doctor ask
Hiiu wliich
is the first
conunand-
nieiit, and
the chief, in
Moses" Law.

190 Towneley Plays. XV III, The Piny of the Dodm's.

.IcHUs bifla
tlictii read
fnmi tltcir
books.

The liist
pcictor BJiys
tlint ttic th'Kt
coruinund-
meiit iH to
honour God.

Jesus says
that thu
Bucoiid 18 to
love your
Tioighbour.

: nUgihle.

On these two
hiddiii^b
Iinii^ (vll ttio
law.

128

Tlie Dijctor
askB, What
aie the other
eiglit?

» MS. viii.

(25)
/Aesus. Syrs, synUien yc syt on raw,

And hafe youre booky* on brede,
let so, syis, in youre saw

how right that* yo can rede. 116

(26)
in-hnm magiste?-. I rede that this is the fyrst bydyng

That moyses toldf vs here vutyH ;
honoure thi god oue?- ilka thyng,

wjt/j aH thi wyt and M tlii wyH ; 120

And aH thi hart in hyiu shatt liyng,

Erly and late, both lowde and styH.
/7tesus. yc nede none otherc Ijookys to bryng,

Bot fownd this to fulfyH ; 12'1

(27)
The seconde may men profe

And clergy knaw therby ;
youre ncyghburs shaH yo lofo

Right as youre self truly.

(28)
[Thise] ' cojnmaundcd moyses tyH aH men

In his co?«niaundes clero ;
In thise two bydyngys, shaH ye ken,

hyngys aH the law wo aghf to lerc.
who so fulfyllcs thise two then

with mayn and mode and good mauere,
ho fully llys truly aH ten

That' after thaym folows in fere.

(29)
Then shuld we god honowrc

wit/( aH ouro myglit' and niayn,
And luf weH ilk neghboure

Kight as oure self cortayn.

(30)
^yri)HU8 jnagistec. Now, son, synthen thou lias told V8 two,

which ar the aght," can thou oght say ?
//(osus. The thyrd bydys, " where so yc go.

That ye shaH halow the holy day ; 144

132

136

140

Towneky Plays. XVIII. The Play of the Doctors. 191

(31)
fl'rom bodely wark ye take youre rest ;

yourc household, lookc the same thay do,
Doth wyfe, cliyld, seruande, and beesf."

The fourt" is then in weytt and wo 148

(32)
" Tlii fader, thi moder, thou shall honowre,

Not* only wi't/t thi reuerence,
liot" in thare nede thou thaym socoure,

And kepe ay good obedyence." 152

(33)
The fyft bydys the " no man slo,

Ne harme hyin neuer in word ne dtdo,
Ne suff're hym not* to be in wo

If thou may helj) liyni in his ncde." 156

(34)
The sext bydys the "tlii wyfe to take,

Bofr none othere lawfully ;
lust" of lechery thou fle and fast forsake,

And drcde ay god where so thou be." 160

(35)
The seuen ' bydys the " bo no thefu feyr,

Ne nothyng wyn wi'tA trechery ;
Oker, ne symony, thou com nof nere,

Hot* conscyence clero ay kepe truly." 164

(36)
The aght - byddj/s the " be true in dcde,

And fals wytnes looke thou none here ;
looke thou not ly for freynd ne syb,

lesf to thi sauH that it do dere." 168

(37)
The ncyn ^ bydd?/*- the " nof desyre

Thi neghburs wyfe ne his women,
Bof as holy kyrk wold it were,

Right so thi purpose sett \\f in." 172

(38)
T}»e ten* byddy^' the *'for nothyng

Tlii neghburs goodys yerne wrongwysly ;
his house, his rent*, ne his hafyng*,

And cr}'sten fayth trow stedfastly." 176

[Fol. 63. b.]

Jesus nii-
swcrs (3) to
keep lliu
holy day
hallowed,

(4) honour
and succour
hitlicr and
mother.

(5) kill nor
iinnn no
man,

(6) take thy
own wife,
but nouc
oilier,

» MS. vii.

(7) to win
nothing by
theft, treach-
ery, Ubury
or simony,

2 MS. viij.

(8} bear no
false wit-
uess,

3 MS. ix.

(0) desire no
Hian'u wife,

< MS. X.

(10) covet no
man's goods.

192 Towneley Plays. XVIII. ThcPlayoftheDodms.

Tlicse arc

the ten

coiniimiiii-

ineiits.

1 ovtrlined
later.

Tlie second
Doctor won-
ders at tlie
kiiowledj^e
of Jesus.

The third
fcnrs the
people will
praise Him
more than
themselves;

but is re-
buked by
tlie liist.

(39)
Thus in tabyls, shaH ye ken,

Oure lord i to moyses wrate ;
Thise ar the co»imaundmentys ten,

who so wiH lely hiyt. 180

(40)
Secunc?u« magiste;-. Behald how he lege oure lawes,

And leryd neugr on. Looke to rede !
fEuH soteH sawes, me thynk, he says,

And also tme, if we take hede. 184

Tercuis )?jagiste»-. yei, lett hym furtfi on his wayes,

ffor if he dweH, withoutten drede
The pepyH wiH ful soyn hym prayse

weH more then vs, for aH oure dede. 188

(41)
J3ri?)ms 7«agiste?\ Nay, nay, then wyrk we wrang !

sich spekyng wiH we spare ;
As he cam let hym gang,

And mefe vs, not no mare. 192

Tunc venieut' Joseph eV maria, & dicet Maria ;

Mnry is iii
great
trouble :
they have
sought Jesus
everywhere,
but cannot
Dnd Him.

(42)
Maria. A, dere Joseph ! what* is youre red 1

Of oure greatt bayH no boytt may be ;
My hart* is heuy as any lede.

My semely son to I hym se. 196

Now haue we sogbf in euery sted.

Both vp and downe, thise dayes thre ;
And wheder he be whik or dede
yit< wote we not* ; so wo is me ! 200

(4.3)
loxepfi. Sorow had neuer man maro !

Bot mowr[n]yng, mary, may not amend ;
ffarther do I red we fare.
To god som socoure send. 204

(44)
[Foi. 64, .1.] Abowtf the tempyU if he be oghf.

That wold I that" we wyst this nyght.
Maria. A, ceiUjs, I se that" we have soghf !

In warld was neuer so semely a sight* ; 208

Juse]ih
would fain
know if He
is about the
TcuiBle.

Towneley Plays. XVtlL The Play of the Dodm's. 193

216

220

!o, where he syttys ! se ye hym noght"

Amangy« yond roasters mekyH of niyghtl
losepti. Blyssyd be he vs heder broghf !

In land now lyfys there non^ so light. 212

(45)
Maria. Now derc Icseph, as liaun ye soyH,

Go fuith and fetche youre son and iiiyne ;
This day is goyn nere ilka deyH,

And we haue nede for to go hien.
Joseph, v/ith men of myght can I nof mett,

Tlien aH my traueH nion I tyne ;
I can not w(t/( thayni, that wote ye well,

Thay are so gay in furrys fyne.
(46)
Maria. To thaym youre erand! forto say,

Surely that thar ye drede no deyH !
Thay wiH take hede to you alway

Be cause of eht, this wote 1 weyH. 224

Joseph, when I com ther wliaf shaH I say 1

tfor I wote nof, as haue I ceyH ;
Bot thou wiH haue me shamyd for ay,

Ifor I can nawthere crowke ne knele. 228

(47)
Maria. Go we togeder, I hoU if best",

Vnto yund worthy wyghty« in wede ;
And if 1 se, as haue I rest,

Thaf ye wiH nof, then musf I nede. 232

Joseph. Go thou and teH thi tayH fyrst,

Thi son to se wiH take good hede ;
weynd furtfe, mary, and do thi besf,

I com behynd, as god me spede. 236

(48)
Maria. A, dere son, Ihesus ! ^

sythen we luf the alone,i
whi dos thou tyH vs thus,

And gars vs make this monel • 240

(49)
Thi fader and I betwix vs two,

Son, for thi luf has lykyd ytt,

> Written as one line with central ryme in MS., and so to end
of Play.

T. PLATS.

Joseph

blesses God
for enabling
them to find
Jesus.

Mary bids
Josuph fetch
Jesns, but
he is afraid
of meddling
with men oT
might, gay
in One furs.

Mary says
they will

respect his
ftfc-e.

Joseph asks
what he is to
say.

Mary will go
with him
and speak,
if he won't.

Joseph
makes her
go first.

Mary asks
Jesus why
He has done
tlius to
them ?

194 To-wneky Plays, XV III. The Play of the DociorB.

[Fol. 64, b.]

His father
and alie
liave sought
Him weep-
ing.

Jesus says
He musti
fulfil His
Ffttlier's
works.

[Mary?] will
think well
on all these
saws.

Joseph bids
Jesus come
home with
them.

He bids
farewell to
the Doctors,
who bless
Him,

predict
that He
shall prove
a good
swain,

and welcome
Him to live
with them.

Jesus says
He must
obey Hie
friends.

we haue the soght both to and fro

wepeand sore, as wyghtis wyH. 244

7/iesus. wherto shuld ye, moder, seke me sol

Oft tynies it lias bene toKl? ye tyil
My fader warkys, for wele or wo,

Thus am I sent for to fulfytt. 248

(50)
1 Thise sawes, as haue I ceyH,

I can weH vnderstonde,
I shaH thynk on them weyH

To fownd whaf is folowand. 252

(51)
Joseph. Now sotlily, son, the sight of the

has comforthed vs of aH oure care ;
Com furth, now, with thi moder and me !

Af nazareth I wold we ware. 256

Ihesus. Be leyf then, ye lordyngys fre!

ffor with my freyndys now wyH I fare.
^ri7rtus njagister. Son, where so thou sliaH abyde or be

God make the good man euer mare. 260

(52)
Secwndus jwagistec No wonder if thou, wife,

Of his fyndyng be fayn ;
he shaH, if he haue lyfe,

prefe to a fuH good swayn. 264

(53)
Terc/us wiagiater. Son, looke thou layn, for good or yH,

The noyttj/« that we haue nevened now ;
And if thou lyke to abyde here styH,

And with vs won, welcom arf thou. 268

7/(esus. Gram^rcy, syrs, of youre good wytt !

No longer lyst I byde with you,
My freyndys thoght I shaH fulfyH,

And to thare bydyng baynly bow. 272

(54)
Maria. tfuH weH is me this tyde,

Now may we make good chere.
loseph. No longer wyH we byde ;

ffar weH aH folk in fere. 276

Expl\i\cit Pagina Doctor\im.

• This stanza must be assigned to Mary, see Luke iii. 51.

Tmvneky Plays. XIX. lohn the Baptist.

195

(XIX.)
Incipit lohara/jes bapt^«<«.

[Dramatis Personac.

Johanna. Primus Angelus. Secujuiics Angelica. Jcs^is]

[35 eight-line stanzas ab ab ab ab, and 1 foui-Iiiie ab ab.]

Johannes. (1)

/^^ od, that" mayde botB move and les,
■ ' Heuen and erth, at his awne wyH,
I ■ And meikyd man to his lyknes,
\J\ As thyng thaf woKl his lyst ffulfyH, 4

Apon the erth he send lightues,

Both son and moyne lymett thertyH,
He saue you aH from synfulnes,

And kepe you clene, both lowd and styH. 8

(2)
Emang prophetys then am I oone

Thaf god has send to teche his hiw,
And man to amend, that* wrang has gone,

Both y/iih exampyH and v/ith saw.
My name, for sothe, is baptysf lohn,

My fader zacary ye knaw,
Thaf was dombe and mayde great mone.

Before my byrtfi, and stode in awe.
(3)
Elezabeth my moder was,

Awntf vuto mary, madyn mylde ;
And as tlie son shyuys thorow tlie glas,

Certys, in hir wombe so dyd liir chyl(J.
Yif the lues inqucryd me has

If I be cryst ; thay ar begyld,
For ihesiis shal amend mans trespas,

Thaf with freylte of fylthe is fylyd.

(i)
I am send bot messypgere

fifrom hym thaf alkyii mys may mend ;
I go before, bodword to here.

And 1 as forgangere am I send, 28

» MS. As.

12

John prays
God to savtt
the specta-
tors from
aiD.

[Fol. 65. a.
8tg. I. 1.)

H« is a pro-
phet, Bap-
tist John,
SOD of

Zacliary and
Elizabeth.

16

20

24

The Jews
have asked
if he be
Christ.

He is on\j
the messen-
ger and f orft-
ganger

196

Toivnelcy Plays. XIX. lohn the Baptist

to prepare
His waye.

These Jews
shall crucify
Christ as a
traitor or
thief, not
for His guilt
but our
good.

He baptiscH
with water,
but Christ
with the
Holy Ghost.

He Is nn-

worthy to
loose
Christ's
shoestring.

He praises
God for His
bounty,

ondfor send-
ing His Bon

to savfl
man's soul.

his wayes to wyse, his lawes to lere,
Both man and wyfe that* has offende.

fPuH mekytt barett mon he here,

Or tyme he haue broght* aH tyH ende,

(5)
Tliise lues shaH hyng hym on a roode,

Man's sauH to hjm if is so leyfe,
And therapon shatt shede his bloode,

As he were tratoure or a thefe,
Nof for his gylf bot for oure goode,

Because that we ar in myschefe ;
Thus shaH he dy, that* frely foode,

And ryse agane tyH oure relefe.

(6)
In water clere then baptyse I

The pepyH that* ar in this coste ;
Bot he shall do more myghtely,

And baptyse in the holy goost ;
And with the bloode oi' his body

west oure synnes both leste and moost,
Therfor, me thynk, both ye and I

Agans the feynde ar weH endoost.

(7)
I am not worthy for to lawse

The leste thwong that lougys to his shoyne ;
Bot god almyghty, that" ali knawes,

In erth thi wiH if musf be done.
I thank the, lord, thaf thi sede sawes

Emong mankynde to groyf so sone.
And euery day that on erth dawes

ffeydys vs with foode both euen and none.

(8)
we ar, lord, bondon vnto the,

To luf the here both day and nyght,
ffor thou has send thi son so fre

To saue mans sauH thaf dedo was digbt
Thrugh adam syn and eue foly,

Thaf synnyd thrugh the fejTidt's myght ;
Bof, lord, on man thou has pyte,

And beyld thi barnes in heuen so bright.

32

36

40

44

48

52

56

60

64

Taumehy Plays, XIX. lohn the Baptist.

197

(9)
prijwus cmgelns. haikyn to me, thou lohn baptyst !

The ffader of heuen he grety« the weyH,
ffor he has fon tlio true and tryst,

And dos thi dever eue?-y deyH ; C8

w^t thou weH his wiH thus ist,

Syn thou aif stabyH as any steyH,
That thou shaH baptyse ibesu cryst

In flume lordan, mans care to beyH 72

An angel
announces
to him that
he shall bap-
tise Christ
in Jordan,

(10)
luh&nnes. A, dere god ! what* may this be 1

I hard a steuen, bof noght I saw.
primus angelns. lohn, if is I thaf spake to the ;

To do this dede liaue thou none aw. 76

/o/tannes. Shuld I abyde to he com to me 1

Thaf that" shaH neuer be, I traw ;
I shaH go meyt that lord so fre,

As far as I may se or knaw. 80

(Fol. 65, b.)

John says be
will go meet
Christ.

(H)
S^cwndns angelus. Nay, lohn, thaf is not weH syttand;

his fader wiH thou niiisf nedys wyrk.
|jrimu3 angelws. lohn, be thou here abydand,

Bof when he comniys be tlien not^ yrk. 8*4

lohAunes, By this I may weH vnderstand

That^ childer shuld be broght to kyrk,
ffor to be baptysyd in euery land ;

To me this law yit* is it* myrk. 88

But he is
bidden to
await His

coming.

Hence he
understands
that children
should be
brought to
church to be
baptised.

(12)
SecnndxLS aiigdws. lolin, this place it* is ple^ssyng,

And it* is callyd flume lordan ;
here is no kyrk, ne no bygyng,

Bot* where the fader wyH ordan, 92

It* is godys wyti and his bydyng.

/o//anne5. By this, for sothe, weli thynk me than
his warke to be at his lykyng,

And ilk folk pleasse hym that* thay can. 96

The second
angel shows
him that
Jordan is to
be the place,
though there
18 neither
church nor
building
there.

198 Towneley Plays. XIX. John the Baptist.

(13)
John yields Sen I luusf nedys his lysf fulfyH
ci'fsrs «m he shaH be welcom vnto me ;

wherever he j ^^j^j ^^^^ j^^,iy ^^ l,is ^JH,

where so eue/- I abyde or be. »"0

I am his seruaiide, lowd and styH,

And messy ngere vnto tliaf fre;
whetliere that" he wiH saue or spyH

I shaH not< gruch in no degre. 104

(14)
Jesus couie. //(esus. lohn, god?/s seruaud and prophete,
{i»ed,n'';fi;ar My fader, thaf is vnto the dere,
"""*'• has send me to the, weli thou wytt,

To he baptysyd in water clere ; 108

Ifor vepiefe vnto mans rytf

The law I wiH f ulfyH righf liere ;
My fader ordynance thus is it.

And thus my wyH is thaf it were. 112

(15)
I com to the, baptym to take.

To whome my fader has mo senf,
with oil nnd with oyle and creme that^ thou shal make
cre«n. there- ^^^ ^y^^^f worthi sacrameut-". H^

And therfor, lohn, it nof forsake,
Bof com to me in this present",
ffor now will I no farther rake

Or I haue done his co?7imaundement. 120

(16)
John i. lohmnes. A, lord ! I loue the for thi commyng !

^'hrl^t's^wm. I am redy to do his witi,
akVight""^ In word, in wark, in all kyn thyng,

WKinlN whaf soeuer he sendys me tyH ; 124

This bewteose lord to bryug to me,

his awne seruaude, this is no skyH,
A knyghf to baptyse his lord kyng.

My pauste may it- not* fulfyH. 128

Lord KingY

Tovmeky Flays. XIX. John the Baptist. 199

(17)
And if 1 were worthy He asks

ffor to fiilfyH tliis saci anient, hold him

, . , excused, for

1 haue no cu?myng, securly, hedsrenot

To Jo if after thyn) intenf ; 132

And tlierfor, lord, I ask mercy ; . ^°^^'

haldf nic excusyd as I haue fnenf ;

I dar nof towche thi blyssyd body,

My harf wiH neuer to if assenf. 136

touch His
blessed

Sig. L 2.)

Jesus sayg
God will
teach John,

(18)
//jesus. Of thi cojiuyng, John, drede the noght ; (PoI. 66, a.

My fader his self he wiH the teche;

Jesus says

he thaf aH tins waiid! lias wroghf, ^"''."i",

he send the playnty forto preche ; 1 40

he knawys mans harf, his dede, his thoglit ;
he wotys how far mans myghf may reche,

Therfor hedir haue I soghf ;

My fader lysf may none appeche. 144

(19)
Behold, lie sendys his angels two, sendiug two

TIT 1111 aDgela in

In tokyn 1 am both god and man ; token of Hi»

Thou gyf me baptym or I go, nature.

And dyp me in this flume lordan. 148

Sen he wyH thus, I wold wytt who

Dursf hywi agan stand 1 lohn, com on than,
And baptyse me for freynde or fo.

And do if, lohfi, righf as thou can. 152

(20)
primus angelns. lohii, be thou buxom and righf bayn, The first

And be not gruchand in no thyng ; j"hn obey,

Me thynk thou aght to be fid fayn gWenti™ '

ffor to fulfyH my lord?'* bydyng 156

Erly and late, with moyde and mayn,

Therfor to the this word I bryng,
My lord has gyffen the powere playn.

And drede the uoghf of thi conyng. 160

power.

200

Tlie second
angel bids
John baptise
God's dear
cliiM bere
sent to liim.

The first
shows that
Jesus has
come to ful-
fil the Law.

John trem-
bleB and
qnakes and
will not
touch Jesus
with his
band, but
will not lose
his meed.

He baptlBes
Jesus in the
name of
Father, Son,
and Holy
Ohost, and
begs His
blessing.

He anoints
Him also

Towneley Plays, XIX, John the Baptist.

(21)
Secundus anyelns. he sendys the here his awne doro
chylde,

Thou welcom hym and make liym chore,
Born of a mailyn meke and myldo,

That* frely foode is made thi fere ; 164

with syn his moder was neuer fylde,

Ther was neuer man neghyJ hyr nere,
In word ne wark she was neuer wylde,

Therfor hir son thou haptyse here. 168

(22)
Piinms angelus. And, securly, I wiH thou knaw

whi that" he co?Kmys thus vnto the ;
he coHimys to fulfyB the law,

As pereles prynee most of pauste ; 172

And therfor, lohn, do as thou awe,

And gruch thou neuec in this degre
To baptyse hym thaf thou here saw,

ffor wyf thou weH tliis same is he. 176

(23)
loliMines. I am not* worthy to do this dede ;

Neuer tlie les I wiH be gody*- seruande ;
Eot' yif , dere lord, sen I must" nede,

I wiH do as thou has commaunde. 180

I treniyH and I whake for drede !

I Jar not towche the with my hands,
Bot, cevtys, I wiH not lose my mede ;

Abyde, my lord, and by me stande. 184

(24) [He baptises Jesus.^

I baptyse the, Ihesu, in hy,

In the name of thi fader fre,
lu aombie pairis & filii,

Sen he wiH that it so be, 188

Et' spiritfls altissirai,

And of the holy goost on he ;
I aske the, lord, of thi mercy,

here after thaf thou wold blys me. 192

(25)
here I the anoynt also

with oyle and creme, in this intent,

Tovmehy Plays. XIX. lohn the Baptist. 201

That* men may wit, where so tliay go, with oil and

This is a worthy sacrameiif. 196 """•

Ther ar sex ' othere and no mo, This is iiie

first of the
The which thi self to erthe has sent, Seven Sacra-

ments.

And in true tokyn, oone of tho,

The fyrsf on the now is if spent.* 200

(26)
Thou wysh me, lord, if I do wraiig j He prays the

My wia if were forto do weytt ; un%Zt"

I am ful ferd yif ay eraang, wrong.

If I dyd right I shuUl done knele. 204

Thou blys me, lord, hence or thou gang, (FoL m, b.l

So thaf I may thi frenship fele ;
I haue desyryd this sight ful lang,

ffor to dy now rek I no dele. 208

(27)
i7iesus. This beesf, lohn, thou here with the, Christ de-

If is a beesf f uH blyst ; ffi^'Lmb'S

a token.

hie tradaV ei agnuxn. dei.

lohn, if is the lamb of me,

Beesf none othere ist ; 212

If may were the from aduersyte.

And so looke thaf thou tryst ;
By this beesf knowen shaH thou be,

Thaf thou arf lohn baptyst. 216

(28)

loAannes. ffor I haue sene tlie lamb of god John prays

which weshys away syn of this warld", Wclt'as he

And towchid hym, for euen or od, "home-

My harf therto was ay ful hard. 220

ffor thaf it shuld be better trowed,

An angeH had me iierehand mard,
Bof he thaf rewlys all wi'tA his rod

he blys me when I draw homward. 224

' MS. vj originally, but the v has been erased.

' Stanza 2& has been struck through, evidently after the Reform-
ation, because Seven Sacraments are named ; and in the margin is
added, in a later hand, " corectyd & not playd."

ward."

202

Towneley Plays. XIX, lohn the Baptist,

JesuG pro-
mises bliss
to him, and
to all who
Ijelieve this
tAle and aaw
Him nut yet
glorifled.

(29)
///esus. I graiint the, lohfi, for thi trauale,

Ay lastnnd ioy in blys to byde ;
And to aH those thaf trowys this tayH,

And saw mo not* yif gloiyfyde.
I shalbe hoytf of aH tliaie bayH,

And send them socoiire on euery syde ;
My fader and I may thayni aiiayH,

Man or woman thaf leyff//s thare pryde.

228

232

Uc bids
John go
forth and
ireach to
people.

pre;
the

(30)
Bof, lohn, weynd thou furth and preche

Agans the folk thaf doth arays ;
And to the pepyH the trowthe thou teche ;

To rightwys way look tliou tham avys,
And as far as tlii wyf may reehe

Byd tliaym be bowne to byde my blys ;
ffor af the day of dome I shaH thaym peche

Thaf herys nof the nor trowys uof this.

236

240

(31)
He Himself Byd thaym leyfe syn, for I if liate ;

must die for «. -. t i

their sins, nor if 1 mon dy on a tre,

By prophecy ffuH weH I wate ;

My moder cert^s thaf sighf mou se,
Thaf sorowfuH sighf shaH make hir inaytt,
and He now ffor I was born of hir body,
farewell «nd ffarweH lohfi, I go my gaytt;
I blys the with the trynyte !

244

248

John thanks
God for His
grace.

(32)
/o7(annes. Almyghty god in persons thre,

AH in oone substance ay ingroost,
I thank the, lord in mageste,

ffader and son and holy goost !
Thou send tlii son from heuen so he,

To mary mylde, into this eooste,
And now thou send/ys hym vnto me,

ffor to be baptysid in this oosf.

252

26$

Toiimeley Plays. XIX. lohn the Baptist.

(33)
ffarweH ! the frelyst that* euec was fed !

ffavweH ! floure more fresh then floiire de lyce !
fl'arweH ! stersiiian to theym that" ar sted

In stormes, or in desese lyse ! 260

Thi mode;- was madyn and wed ;

fifarweH ! pereles, mosf of pryce !
ffarweH ! the luflyst" that* euer was bred I

Thi mode;' is- of lieH emprise. 264

(34)
ffarweH ! blissid both bloode and bone !

ffarweH ! the semelysf that euer was seyn I
To the, ihesu, I make my mone ;

ffarweH ! comly, of cors so cleyu ! 268

ffarwel ! gracyouse gome ! where so thou gone,

fful mekiH grace is to the geyn ;
Thou leyne vs lyffyng on thi lone,

Thou may vs mendo more the?* wo weyn. 272

(35)
I wyH go preche both to more and les,

As I am chargyd securly ;
Syrs, forsake youre wykydnes,

Pryde, envy, slowth, wrath, and lechery. 276

here gods secuice,' more & lesse ;

Pleas god with prayng, thus red I ;
Be war when deth comys \siih dystres,

So thaf ye dy not sodanly. 280

(36)
Deth sparis none thaf lyf has borne,

Therfor tliynk on what I you say ;
Beseche youre god both euen and mome

you for to saue from syn that day. 284

Thynk how in baptym ye ar sworne

To be godi's seruand/i', Avithoutten nay ;
let neuej" his kif from you be lorne,

God bryng you to his blys for ay. Amen. 288

Explicit loJiSLTiues Bapiisla.

203

John apos-
trophizes
Jesus.

His mother
ts Empress
of Hell.

He is the
seemliest
that ever
was aeen.

[Fol. 67, a.
8ig. 1. 3.]

He preaches
to the people
to forsake
sin.

Death spares
none, so let
them not
lose Qod's
love.

' The words "God's service, more and lesse," are in a later
band, the original words having been erased.

204

Towneley Plays, XX. The Conspiracy,

Pilate calls
for silence.

He is the

grandsir of
Orent
Uahound,
and is cAlkd
rilate.

He can make
or loar a
man, like
men of oourt
now.

XX.
Incipit Co?ispirac(0.'

[2 thirleen-line stanzas nos. 97, 100, ab ab ab abc, dddc ; 1 twelve,
no. 16 ab abb cb<;b, abc ; 7 nine-line, nos. 1-5, aaaab tccb ;
7W$. 99, 102, ab abc dddc ; 24 right-line, most ab ab ab ab,
no. 6 aaaab aab, no. 107, ab abb cbc, no. 117 ab ab cb cb ; 90
fours ab ab ; 46 couplets.

Pilatus.
Cayphas.
Anna.

Primv^ Miles.
Sccundus Miles.

Pilatns.

[Dramatis Personae.

Judns.

S. Johannes.

Petrus.

Paterfamilias.

Jesus.

(1)

Andreas.
Simeon.
Thadeus.
Trinitas.
Marcus Miles.]

Peas, carles, I commaunde ' / vnconand I caU you ;
I say stynf and stands / or fouH niyglit befaH
you.
ffro this burnyshyd brands / now when 1
behald! you,
I red ye be shunand / or els the dwiH skald you,

AV onys. 6

I am kyd, as men knawes,
leyf ledsv of lawes ;
Seniours, seke to my sawes,

ffor bryssyng of youre bonys. 9

(2)
ye wote not wel, I weyn / what wat is commen to i/ie towns,
So comly cled and cleyn / a rewler of great renowne ;
In sight* if I were seyn / the granser of great mahowne.
My name pylate has beyn / was neuej- kyng with crowns

More wor[thy] ; 14

My wysdoni and my wytt.
In sets hers as I sytt,
was neuer mors lyke if,

My dedys thus to dyscry. 18

(3)
ffor I am he that may / make or mar a man ;
My self if I it say / as men of cowrte now can ;

' In the MS. Con-ipiracio is followed by the letter c.
' The bars / marking the central rymes are represented in the
MS. by dots :

Tovmeley Plays. XX. The Conspiracy.

Supporte a man to day / to-morn agans hym than,
On both parties thus I play / And fenys me to ordan

The right ; 23

Bot* ati fals indytars,^
Quest" mangers and lurers,
And aH thise fals out lydars,

Ar welcom to my sight. 27

(4)
More nede had I neuer / of sich seruand now, I say you,

So can I weH consider / the trowth I most displeas you,

And therfor com I hedyr / of peas Iherfor I pray you ;

Ther is a lurdan ledyr / I wold not shuld dysmay you,

A bowtt ; 32

A prophete is he prasyd,
And gieat vnright has rasyd,
Bof, be my banys her blasid,

his deth is dight no dowtt. 36

(5)
he prechys the pepyB here / that fature fals ihe«M»,

Thaf if he lyf a yere / dystroy oure law must vs ;

And yit" I stand in fere / so wyde he wyrkys vertus,

No fawf can on hym here / no lyfand leyde tyH us ;

Bof sleyghtys 41

Agans hym shaH be soght,
thaf aH this wo has wroght ;
Bot on his bonys it shaH be boght,

So shaH I venge oure rigl)t,vs. 45

(6) "
Thaf fatoure says thaf thre / shuld euer dweH in cone

godhede,
Thaf euer was and shaH be / Sothfast in man hede ;
he says of a madyn born was he / thaf neuer toke mans

sede.
And thaf his self shaH dy on tre / and mans sawH out of
p?'eson lede ;
let hym alone, 50

If this be true in deyd,
his sheeh shaH spryng and sprede,

And ouer com euer ylkone. 53

»MS. "indydytars."

205

False In-
dictors,
questiiion-
gers, jurors,
and all
these false
outriders are
dear to him.

[Fol. 67, li,]

He has
heard of a
lazy rascal
praised as a
prophet.

If He live 4
year He will
destroy their
law, but yt't
Pilate is in
fear of Him.

Tliis fellow
soys thnt
three per-
sons sliall
dwell in one
godhead,
tlint He was
bom of a
maiden, and
shall be
crucified.

206

Tcnmieley Plays. XX. The Conspiracy,

Cayplms
asks Filatc'B
advice as to
liideous
linrms

(7)
Cuijj/has. Syr pilate, prynce of iiiekyH price,

that preuyd is withouttcn pere,
And Iordyngy« that oure laws in lyse,

on oure law now must vs lere,
And of oure warkys we must" be wyse,

or els is aH oure welthe in were,
Therfor say sadly youre auyse,

of hedus harnies that we haue here.

5T

61

(8)
nc from Towclivng tliat tratouie Strang,

BiroDg

that* makys this beleyf,
ffor if he may thus furth gang,
It* wiH oner greatly grefe.

nnsi

that BtroDg

traitor.

65

Anna Bup-
poi is him.

Pilate says
they must
And some
privy point
to mar
Christ's
might.

(9)
Anna. Sir, oure folk ar so afrayd,

thrugh lesyns he losys oure lay ;
Som remedy must be rayd,

so tliat he weyndl not* thus away. 69

pilatus. Now certan, syrs, this was wall sayd,

and I assent, right as ye say,
Som pj'euay poyuf to be puruayd

To mar his myghf if [that] we may ; 73

(10)
And therfor, sirs, in this present,

What poynt so were to prase,
let aH be af assenf,

let se what ilk man says. 77

(11)
Cayphas and Cayphos. Sir, I hauB sayde you here beforne
large on the his soteltyes and! gteiys to sare ;
ciuls" '™"' he tumes oure folk both eueu & morne,

and ay mak^s mastres mare & mare. 81

Anna. Sir, if he skape it were great skorne ;

to spyH hym tytt we wiH not* spare,
ffor if oure lawes were thus-gatys lorne,

men wold say it were lake of lare. 85

Towneley Plays. XX. The Conspiracy,

(12)
pilafus. Sot certan, syrs, ye say right" weyH

ffor to'wyrk witterly ;
Bof yit som fawt musf we feyH,

wherfor thaf he shuld dy ;

(13)
And therfor, sirs, let se youre saw,

ffor whaf thyiig we shuld hym slo.
Cayphas, Sir, I can rekyn you on a raw

a thowsand wonders, and weH moo,
Of crokyd men, that we weH knaw,

how graythly that* he gars them go,
And euer he \Qgys agans cure law,

tempys oure folk and turnys vs fro.

207

89

93

[Fol. 68, A.
Sig. 1. 4.1

Pilate says
they raust
find. Bome
fault for
which He is
to die.

Cflyphoa
says Christ
stiaightena
the ciouked,
and is
always
tempting the
_ le ftom
1 law.

people
the lav

97

(14)
Anna, lord, dom and defe in oure present

delyuers he, by dowue & dayH ;
what hurtys or ha[r]mes thay hent,

ffuH hastely he makys theym liayH.
And for sich warkys as he is went

of ilk weltfi he may avayH,
And vnto vs he takys no tent,

bof ilk man trowes vnto his tayli.

(15)
Pilatus. yei, dewiH ! and dos he thus

as ye weH bere wytnes ?
sich fawte fail to vs,

be oure doin, for to redies.

101

He takes no
heed unto
them.

105

Pilate says
he must re*
dress this.

109

(16)
Cayphas. And also, sir, I haue hard say,

an other noy thaf neghys vs nere,
he win nof kepe oure sabate day,

thaf holy shuld be haldyu here ;
Bot forbedys far and nere

to wyrk af oure bydyng.
Ptlatus. Now, by mahowns bloode so dere,

he shall aby this bowrdyng 1

Also, Cay-
phas says
Chiist
breaks the
Sabbath.

113

117

208

Anna Rays
Christ calls
Hinaself
heaven's
Ring.

Pilate will
make Christ
pay dearly
for this.

The knights
recall the
raising of
Lazarus.

The people
think Jesus
God'8 Son.

Pilate com*
mantis
knight and
knave to be
forward to
slay Him.

Tmmeley Plays. XX. The Conspiracy.

what dewiH wiH ho be there 1
this hold I greaf hethyng.
Anna. Nay, nay, weH more is ther;
he callys hym self heuens kyng,
(17)
And says that he is so myghty

aH rightwytnes to rewH and red.
pilatu^. By mahowns blood, that shaH he aby

with byttec baylls or I ett bred !
pnmMS Miles, lord, the loth lazare of betany

that lay stynkand in a sted,
vp he rasyd bodely

the fourf day afte?- he was ded.
(18)
Secundus Miles. And for that he hym rasyd,

that had lyne dede so long a space,
The people hym fuH raekyH prasycJ
ouej- aa in euery place.

(19)
Anna. Emangj/s the folke has he the name

thaf he is godj/s son, andf none els,
And his self says the same

that his fader in heuen dwelles ;
Thaf he shaH rewtt both wyld and tame;

of aH sich maters thus he mels.
PilatVLS. This is the dwyHs payn ! i
who trowys sich talys as he tels 1

(20)
Cayphas. yis, lord, haue here ray hand!,

and ilk man beyldys hym as his brother ;
Sich whaynt cantelys he can,

lord, ye knew neuer sich an othere.

(21)
Pilataa. why, and wotys he nof that I haue

bold men to be his bayn 1
I commaunde both knyght and knaue

sesse not to that lad be slayn.

121

125

129

133

137

141

U6

149

' assonance with lame, &c.

Tcntmehij Plays. XX. The Coiispiracy.

(22)
primus Miles. Sir pylate, mefe j'oii now no mare,'

bot" meso youro hart and mend yoiire mode ;
ffor bot if that loseB lere oiire lare '

and leyf liis gawdys, he were as goode ; 153

ffor in cure tenipyH we wiH not spare

to take that loseH, if he were woode.
Pilatns. In oure tempyH 1 the dwiH ! what dyd he tliaie 1

that shaH he by, by mahou»s blode ! 157

(23)
Seeundtis Miles, lord, we wist nof youre wyH ;

with wrang ye vs wytc ;
had ye so told vs tyii,

we shuld haue takyn hym tyte. 161

(24)
Pilah\s. The dwiH, he hang you high to dry !

whi, wold ye less cure lay?
Go bryng hym heder hastely,

so that he weynd nof thus away. 165

Cayphas. Sir pilate, be not to hasty,

bof suffer ouer ouro sabnte day ;
In the mene tyme to spyr and spy

mo of his nieruels, if men may. 169

(25)
Anna, yei, sir, and when this feste is went,

then shaH his craftys be kyd.
Pilatns. Certj/s, syrs, and I assent

ffor to abyde then, as ye byd. 173

Tunc venit Iiidas.

(26)
Tudas, Masters, myrth be you emaiig,

and mensk be to this menoye !
Cayphas. Go ! othere gat//5 thou has to gang

with sorowj who send after tlie? 177

ludas. Syrs, if I haue done any wrang,

at* youre a\vne bydyng wiH I be.
Pilatns. Go hence, harlot, liy mof thou hang t

where in the dwiH hand had we the] 181

209

The first
kniglit says
they will
take Jesus
in the
Temi»le.

(Ful. 68, b.]

Pilnte is
enraged at
His being
there.

If the

knights had
known this
they would
have taken
Jesus before.

Pilate onleri
Ilisiin-
niedirtte
arrest.

Cayphas
bids liim
wait till
after the
next Sab-
bath, that
they may
spy on
Jesns.

Pilate

agrees.

Judas greets
them, but ia
badly re-
ceived.

' MS. more, lore.

T. PLATS.

210

Cayplias
Bays Judas
should ask
leave before
lutrudiDg.

Judas knows
they mean
to take his
•* Master. "

Pilate bids
ttiem lay
hands on
him for his

''Master's"
sake.

Cajrphas i
orders him
to be
buffeted.

Judas offers
to sell
Jesus.

Pilate is
ready to hear
him.

Anna asks
who he is.

He is Judas
who has
dwelt long
with Jesus.

Towneley Plays. XX. The Conspiracy.

(27)
Indus. Goode szV, take it to no grefe ;

for my menyng if may avayH.
Anna, we, lad, thou shuld ask lefe

to com in sich counsayH. 185

(28)
ludas. Sir, aH youre counseH wett ' I ken ;

ye niene my master for to take.
Anna. A ha ! here is oone of his men

that thus vnwynly gars vs wake. 189

Pilatns. la band on hym, and hurl hym then

emungys you, for his master sake ;
ffor we haue maters mo then ten,

that weH more myster were to make. 193

(29)
Cayphas. Set on hym buffettys sad,

Sen he sich mastrys mase,
And teche ye sich a lad

to profer hym in sich a place. 197

(30)
ludas. Sir, my profer may both pleas and pay

to aH the lordys in this present.
Pilatns. Wfe ! go hens in twenty ^ dwiH way !

we haue no tome the for to tent. 201

ludas. yis, the profete that has lost youre lay

by wonder warkys, as he is went.
If ye win sheynd hym as ye .say,

to seH hym you I wyH assent. 205

(31)
Pilatas. A, sir, hark ! what says thou 1

let se, and shew thi skyH.
ludas. Sir, a bargan bede I you,

by if if ye wiH. 209

(32)

Anna, what is thi name 1 do teH in hy,
if we may wit if thou do wrang.

ludas. ludas scarioth, so hight I,
that with the profet has dwellyd lang. 213

» MS. will.

2 MS. XX.

Towneley Plays. XX. The Conspiracy.

Pilatas. Sir, thou art welcom witterly !

say wliat thou wiH vs here emang.
Judas. Not els hot if ye wiH hym by ;

do say roe sadly or I gang. 217

(33)
Caijjylias. yis, freynd, in fathe witt we

noght els ; bot hartely say
how that bargan may be,

and we shaH make the pay. 221

(34)
Anna. ludas, forto hold the hayH,

And for to feH aH fowtt defame,
looke that* thou may avow thi sayH ;

then may thou be withoutten blame. 225

ludas. Sir, of my teyn gyf ye neuer tayH,

60 thaf ye haue hj'm here at hanie ;
his bowrdyng has me broght in bayH,

and certys his self shaH haue the same. 229

(35)
Cayphas. Sir pylate, tentys here tyH,

and lightly leyf it noghf ,
Then may ye do youre wyH

of hym that ye haue boghf. 233

(36)
Anna, yei, and then may we be bold

fro aH the folk to hald hym fre ;
And hald hym hard v/iih vs in hold,

righf as cone of youre meneye. 237

pilatas. Now, ludas, sen he shalbe sold,

how lowfes thou hym ? belyfe let se.
ludas. ffor thretty ^ pennys truly tolJ,

or els may nof that bargan be ; 241

(37)
So mych gai-f he me lose,

malycyusly and yH ;
Therfor ye shaH haue chose,

to by or let be styH. 245

• MS. XXX.

211

Judas re-
peats his
offer to sell
Jesos.

CajT)haa and

Anna are
willing to
buy, but
Judas must
explain
more.

[Fol. 69, a.]

Judas says
Jesus has
brought him
trouble, and
sliall liave
trouble
Himself.

Cayphas and
Anna ex-
hort Pilate
to listen.

Pilate in-
quires the
price of
Jesus ;
Judas asks
thirty pence.

so much had
Jesus made
him lose.

212

Anna asks
how Jesus
made him
lose it.
JudAs tells
how in
Simon's
honse

a woman
brought
precious
ointment,

and poured
it upon
Jesus.

Judas had
never seen

such fine
ointment.

He said nt
the time it
was worth
three hun-
dred pence,
which might
have been
given to the
poor, out of
whicli he
would have
kept thirty
for himself.

Tmvneley Plays. XX. The Conspiracy.

(38)
Anna. Garf he the lose? I pray the, whyl

ten vs now pertly or thou pas.
hulas. I shaB you say, and that in hy,

euery word right as it" was.
In syinon house w/tA hym sat I

with othero meneje thaf he has ;
A woman cam to company,

callyng hym " lord " ; sayng, " alas I "

(39)
ffor synnes thaf she had wroghf

she wepyd sore always ;
And an oyntmenf she broghf,

that* precyus was to prayse.

(40)
She weshyd hym w;t7t hir tcrys weytt,

and sen drycd hym with hir hare ;
This fare oyntment, hir bale to heytt,

apon his hede she put" it thare,
Thaf it ran aH abowte his feytt ;

I thoght if was a ferly fare,
The house was fuH of odowe sweytt ;

then to speke myghf I nof spare,

(41)
ffor, certys, I had nof seyn

none oyntmenf half so fyne ;
Ther-at my harf had teyn,

sicfi tresoure for to tyne.

(42)
I sayd it was worthy to seH

thre hundreth pens in oure presenf,
ftor to parte poore men emeH ;

bof wiH ye se wherby I menti
The tenf parte, tiuly to teH,

to take to me was myne intenf ;
ffor of the tresure that to vs feH,

the tenf parte euer wt't/i me wenf ;

249

253

267

261

266

269

273

277

Tmoneley Plays. XX. Tlie Conspiracy.

213

(43)
And if thie ' hunJroth be right tokl,

the tenf parte is euen thryrty ;
Right 80 he tlialbe soli? ;

say if ye wiH hym by. 281

(44)
Pilatas. Now for certaii, sir, tliou says right wiilo,

sen he wate the with sich a wiast,
£for to shape hym som vncele,

and for his bosf be uot abast. 285

Annn. Sir, aH thyn askyng euery delo

here shaH thou hafe, tlierof be trast ;
Bot looke that* we no falshede fole.

ludas. sir, with a profe may ye frast ; 289

(45)
AH that I haue here hight

I shaH fiilfiH in dede,
And weH more at my myght,

In tyrae when I se nede. 293

(46)
Pilahis. ludas, this spekyng must be spar,

and ueuen if neuer, hyght ne day ;
let* no man wyt where that we war,

for ferdncs of a fowH enfray. 297

Cayphas. Sir, therof let vs moyte no mare ;

we hold vs payde, take ther thi pay.

[^Giving him moneij.]
ludas. This garf he me lose lang are ;

now ar we euen for onys and ay. 301

(47)
Anna. This forwarde wiH not fayU,

therof we may be glad ;
Now were the best counsayft,

in hast that we hym ha(J. 305

(48)
Pilatas. we shall hyni haue, and that in hy,

ffuH hastely here in this haH.
Sir knyghtys, that ar of dede dughty, [Tb the knights.]

stynt neuer in stede ne staH, 309

» MS. iy.

80 for these
tliirty pence
he will sell
Jeans.

Pilate
p^ais^s him.

Adda pro-
mises what
he asks.

[Fol. 69, b.]

Judas pro-
mises to
make good
hi a offer.

Pilate en-
joins
secrecy.

Cayphaa
pays Judas,

who says ho
is now even
with Jesus.

Anna asks
how they
may best
take Jesus.

214

Pilftte bids
l)is knights
bring the
false
" fatnr"
at once.

John osVb
JeBUS wheie
He will eat
Bi3 Pass-
over.
He bida
John and
Peter go to
tlie city,
there tliey
shall meet a
man bearing
water, who
will lend
a room for
them to eat
it in.

321

326

They meet
the '* pater-
familias,"
who offers
them a room
in which to
make their
" mange ry."

Towneley Plays. XX. The Conspiracy.

Bot looke ye bryiig hym hastely,

thaf fat,ur fals, -whaf so befaH.
^ri7?!us Miles. Sir, be not abasf therby,

ffor as ye byd wyrk we shaH. 313

[All retire : then Jesus & his disciples advance.']

Tunc dicet sanctus /oAannes.
(49)
/o^anne* aposiolns. Sir, where wiH ye youre paak ette 1
Say vs, let vs digbt youre mete.
/Aesus. Go furth, lohii and peter, to yond cy te ;
when ye com ther, ye shaH then se 317

In the strete, as tyte, a man
beryng water in a can ;
The house that" he gose to grith,
ye shaH folow and go hym with ;
The lord of that house ye shaH fynde,
A sympyH man of cely kynde ;
To hym ye shaH speke, and say
That I com here by the way ;
Say I pray hym, if his wiH be,
A lytyH whyle to ese me,
Thaf I and my dyscypyls aH
myght rest a whyle in his liaH,
That* we may ete cure paske thore.
petrus. lord, we shaH hy vs before,
To that we com to thaf cyte ;
youre paske shaH ordand be.

Tune pergent lohannes & petrus ad Ciuitatem, & ohuiel
eis homo, &c.

Sir, cure master the prophett

coTOmys behynde in the strete ;

And of a chamber he you prays.

To ete and drynk ther-in with easse. 337

paterfamilias. Sirs, he is welcom vnto me,

and so is aH: his company ;

with aH my hart and aH my wiH

is he welcom me vntyH. 341

lo, here a chambre fast by,

Tber-in to make youre mangery,

333

Tmvneley Plays. XX. The CoTispiracy. 215

I shal warand fare strewed ;

it shuld not els to you be shewetJ. 345

Tunc parent lohaxmes & petrus mensam.

loh&nnes. Sir, youre matt is redy towne, [Jesus enters.^ John teUs
wiH ye wesh and syt do\vne 1 meat ia

Ihesus. yei, gyf vs water tyU oure hande,

take we the grace that god has send ; 349 He bide ths

Commys furtli , both oone and othere ; nith Him!*

If I be niaste/- I wiH be brothere.

Tunc comedent, & Ivdas porrigit manum in discum.
cum. Ihesu.
ludas, what menys thou 1 (Foi. 7o, a.]

ludas. No thyng, lord, bof etf with you. 353

Ihesna. Ett on, bretlier, hardely, One of them

for oone of you shatt [rae] betray.' Him. ° "^^^

Petrus. lord, who euer that be may,

lord, I shaH neuer the betray ; 357 First Peter

Dere master, is it oght I ? '^^,1,

TAesus. Nay thou, peter, certaniy. "isiti?"

lohAunes. Master, is oght* I he then t
Iheaua. Nay, for trowth, lohn, I the ken. 361

Andreas. Master, am oght [I] that shrew 1
Ihesws. Nay, for sothe, thou andrew.
Simon. Master, then is oght I ?

Ihesus. Nay, thou Simon, securly. 365

philippiia. Is it oght I that shuld do that dede 1
Ihesus. Nay, philyp, withoutten drede.
Thadeus. was it oght I that hight thadee 1
lucobua. Or we two lamys ?

Ihesus. Nay none of you is he ; 369

Bof he thaf ett with me in dysh, it is he that

he shaH my body betray, Iwys. jesus in the

ludas. what then, wene ye thaf I if am ? ye! that i^u°

Ihesus. Tiiou says sothe, tliou berys the blame ; 373 jndas.andis

Ichon of you shaH this nyght ^^^^^ '^[,'

ffor sake me, and fayn he myght. j^^f"""''*

/o/jannes. Nay cevtys, god forbeyd
that euer shuld we do that deyd ! 377

' This betray is evidently meant to ryme with luirdcly.

•216

Pet«r Bays
he will never
flee from
Jesus,
and is tohl
he shall IVir-
sake Him
thrice ere
cockcrow.

Tmcncley Plays. XX. The Cmispiracy.

petrus. If aH, master, forsake the,

shaH I neuer fro the He.

Ihesns. Peter, thou sliaH thryse apon a thraw

fforsake me, or the cok craw.

Take vp this clothe and let vs go,

ffor we haue othere thy9g2/s at do.

381

hie lauet pedes diseipnlomm.

Jesus begins Sit aH downe, and here and sees,
disciriea' ffor I shaH wesh youre feet on knees.

feet.

385

EV mittens aquaxa in peluim venit ad petrum.

Peter at first
objects,

but after-
wards asks
that head
and hands
may be
washed also.

[Ful. 70, b.]

Jesns ex-
plains the
lesson of
humility.

Let each
wash the
other's feet

Petrus. lord, shuld thou west feytf mynel

thou arf my lord, and I thy hyne.

///esus. why I do it thou wote not* yit,

peter, herafter shaH thou wytf. 389

Pelrus. Nay, master, I the heytt,

thou shaH neuer wesh my feytt.

//iesus. Bot I the wesh, thou mon mys

parte with me in heuens hlys. 393

Petrus. Nay, lord, or I thaf forgo,

wesh heede, handi/«, and feytt also.

Ihesns. ye ar clene, bof not" aH ;

that* shaH be sene when tyme shaH faH j 397

who shaH bo weshyn as I weyn,

he thar not* wesh his feytt clene ;

And for sothe clene ar ye,

bof not* aH as ye shuld be. 401

I -shaH you say take good hede

whi thaf I haue done the dedc ;

ye caH me master and lord, by name ;

ye say fuH weH, for so I am ;

Sen I, both lord and maste/-, to you wold knele

to wesh youre fete, so must ye wele. 407

(50)
Now wote ye whaf I haue done ;

EnsampyH haue I gyffen you to ;
loke ye do so eff soiie ;

Ichon of you wesh othere fete, lo ! 411

Towneley Plays. XX. The Conspiracy.

217

(51)
ffor he thaf seruand is,

for sothe, as I say you,
Nof more then his loriJ he is,

to whome he s«'uyce owe. 415

(52)
Or thaf this uyght be gone,

Alone wiH ye leyf me ;
flfor in this nyght* ilkon

ye shaH fro me fle ; 419

(53)
flfor when the hyrd is smeten,

the shcpe shaH fle away.
Be skaterd wyde and byten ;

the prophetys thus can say. 423

(54)
Petrus. lord, if that I shuld dy,

fforsake the shaH I noglif.
/Aesus. ffor sothe, peter, I say to the,

In so great* drede shaH thou be broght', 427

(55)
Thaf or the cok haue crowen twyse,

thou shaH deny me tymes tlire.
Petrus. Thaf shaH I neuer, lord, Iwya ;

ere shaH I with the de. 431

(56)
/Aesus. Now loke youre hartj/« be grefyd noghf,

nawthere iu drede ne in wo ;
Bof trow in god, thaf you has wroghf ,

and in me trow ye also ; 435

(57)
In my fader house, for sothe,

is many a wonnyng stede,
Thaf men shaH haue aftyr thare trowthe,

soyn after thay be dede. 439

(58)
And here may I no longer leynd,

bot* I shaH go before,
And yit* if I before you weynd,

ffor you to ordan thore, 443

For the
servant is
not more
than the
lord.

Jeeus re-
I)eats t»- \t
they *iil
forsake Him.

Wlicn the
herdsman ia
smitten the
slieep flee.

Peter says
he will not
foraake
Jesus, but la
told that ere
the cock
crow twice
he will deny
Him thrice.

Let them not

be grieved,

in His
Father's
hotlse are
many
•' woning
stedes."

He goes be*
fore to or-
dain for
tliem thero.

218

Ue will
oome to
them agftiu.

Towneley Plays. XX. The Conspiracy.

(59)

He 13 ttie
Way, the
Truth, »nd
the Life.

Be wll) not
leave them
helpless.

I ahaH com to you agane,

and take you to me,
That" where so ener I am ^,

ye shaH be with me.

(60)
And I am way, and sothe-fastnes,

and! lyfe that* euer shalbe ;
And to my fader co?«niy.s none, Iwys,

bof oonly thorow me.

(61)
I wiH not* leyf you aH helples,

as men withoutten freynd.
As faderles and modeiles,

thof aH I fro you weynd ;

(62)
1 shaH com eft to you agayn :

this warld shaH me nof se,
Bof ye shatt se me wcH certan,

and lyfand shaH I be.

(63)
And ye shaH lyf in heuen ;

Then sliaH ye knaw, Iwys,
That* I am in my fader euen,

and my fader in me is.

(64)
And I in you, and ye in me,

and ilka man theito,
My conimaundement thaf kepys trule,

and afte?- if wiH do.

(65)
Let them be Now haue ye hard what I haue sayde ;
^!.mg°'"" I go, and com agayn;

(Foi. 71, a.) Therfor loke ye be payde,
and also glad and fayn ;

447

451

456

The world
Ehail not see
Him, but
they shall.

In heiiven
they sliall
know that
He is in the
Father, and
the Father
in Him.

He in them,
and they in
Him.

469

463

467

471

1 assonance with agane.

Towneley Plays. XX. The Conspiracy.

219

(66)
(for to my fader I weynd ;

ffor more then I is he ;
I let you wytf , as faythfuH freynd,

or thaf it done be,

(67)
Tliaf ye may trow when if is done ;

ffor certys, I may noght now
Many thyng(/s so soyn

af this tyme speake with you ;

(68)
ffor the prynce of this warld is commyn,

and no powere has he in me,
Bof as thaf all the warld within

may both here and se,

(69)
Thaf I owe luf my fader to,

Sen he me hyder senf ,
And aH thyngy* I do

after his commaundemenf.

For He gtiea

toHia

Father.

475

There are
many tilings
He may not
say to them
now;

479

for the

prince of
this world is
coming, that
all may see

483

His obedi-
ence to Hia
Father.

487

(70)
Ryse ye vp, ilkon,

and weynd we on oure way,
As fast as we may gone,

to olyuete, to pray.

(71)
Peter, lamys, and thou lohn,

ryse vp and folow me !
My tyme if commys anone ;

Abyde styH here, ye thre.

(72)
Say youre prayers here by-netfi,

that ye faH in no fowdyng ;
My sawB is heuy agans the deth

and the sore pynyng.

Let them go
to Olivet to
pray.

491

He bids
Peter,
James, and
John follow
Him

495

and pray.
His soul !•
heavy
ogamst
death.

499

Tune ordbiV, & d?cef,

220 Tovmeley Plays. XX. The ConspirMy.

(73)
Jesus prays, ffader, let this great payn bo styH,
And pas away fro mo ;
Bot nof , fader, af my wyH,

bof thyn fulfyllyd be. 803

& reuextet ad discipnlos.
(74)
Heflndsthe Symoii, I Say, slepys thou'!
ficcpm" awake, I red you aH !

Se^mwntoh The fsynd ful fast salys you,
Sd" "■" In wan-hope to gar you faH ; 607

(75)
Ue will pray Bof I shaH pray my fader so

for the,.,. ^^^^ j^.^ ^ygj^^ ^j^^jj jj^t jg^e .

My goost is prest therto,

my flesfi is seke for fere. 51 1

& itenim oi-aOit.
(76)
He prays ffader, Ihi son I was,
'S"'"- of the I aske this boyn ;

If 1 This payn niay not pas,

fader, thi wiH be doyn! 516

& reueriet ad discipuloB.
(77)
Again finds Ye slepe, bretiier, yit I see,
them sleep- jj^ jg f^^ gp^Q^y that" ye do so ;
Ye haue so long wepyd for me

that ye ar masyd and lappyd in wo.
& tercio orabiV:
(78)

He praj-s a Dere fader, thou here my wyH !
third time. jj^j^ pagsyon thou put* fro me away ;
And if I must* nedys go ther-tyH,

I shaH fulfiH thi wyH to-day ; 583

(79)
Therfor this bytter passyon

if I may nof put by,
I am here redy at thi dom ;

thou .comforte me that am drery ! 527

1 "If " in margin,

519

Towneley Plays. XX. The Conspiracy.

(80)
Tririltas. My comfortc, son, I shaH the tett,

of thyngys thaf feH by reson ;
As lucyfer, for syn that feH,

betrayil eue with his fals trcson, 531

Adam assent* his wyfe vntyH ;

the wekyd goost then askyd a bone
which has hurt mankynde futt yH ;

this was the wordyB he askyd Boyn : 535

(81)
AH that* euer of adam com

holly to hym to take,
■with hym to dweH, withoutten dome,

In payn that" neuer shaH slake, 539

(82)
To that* a chyld! myghf be borne

of a madyn, and she wemles,
As cleyn as that* she was beforne,

as puryd syluer or shynand glas ;i 543

(83)
To tyme that" childe to deth were dighf,

and rasyd hym self apon the thrycV day,
And stenen to heuen tlirugfi liis awno inyghf.

who may do that" bof god veray 1 547

(84)
Sen thou art man, and nedys must dec,

and go to heH as othere done,
Bot* tliat* >vere wrong, withoutten lee,

that* godyif son there shuld won 551

(85
In payn wt't^ his vnder-lowte ;

wytf ye weH withoutten weyn,
wlien oone is borodi, aH shaH owtf,

and borod be from teyn. \Jesus returning to the

(86) disciples. 1

IhesvLS. Slepe ye now and take youre rest !

my tyme is nere coniraand ;
Awake a whyle, for he is next"

that" me sliaH gyf into synners hand. 559

[All retire : Pilate, etc. advanced]
' t assonance with wemles, or originally glett

221

The Trinity

strengthens
Him,

Through
Adam's sin.

all that came
from Adam
were
doomed

[Fol. 71, b.]

till a child
might be
bom of a

pure maiden.

be done to
death, rise
the third
day, and
ascend to
lieaven, as
God.

As man
Jesus must
go to Hell,
but as God
He may not
stay there.

and "when

one is bor-
rowed all
shall out."

Jesus bidfl
His dis-
ciples sleep

OD.

222

Pilate calls
for Bilence.

He may do
what he will.

And will
break the
neck of any
one who
interrupts.

He calls on
Judas to
keep his
promise.

Judas asks
for the help
of the
knightb.

Tliey niiist
lay hands on
Him Whom
he shall

kiss.

Towneley Plays. XX. The GonspirMy.

(87)
Pt7a<us. Peas ! I cojiimaunde you, carles vnkynde,

to stand as styH as any stone !
In donyon depe he shalbe pynde,
thaf wiH nof sesse his tong anone ;
(88)
ffor I am gouernowre of the law ;

my name if is pilate !
I may lightly gar hang you or draw,
I stand in sich astate,

(89)
To do whaf so I wiH.

and therfor peas I byd you aft!
And looke ye hold you stiH,
and with no brodels braH,

(90)
TyH we haue done oure dede ;

who so makys nose or cry,
bis nek I shaH gar blede,
wtt/t this I here in hy.

(91)
To this tratoure be take,

thaf wold dystroy oure lawe,
ludas, thou may if nof forsake,
take hede vnto my sawe.

(92)
Thynk whaf thou has doyn,
thaf has thi master sold ;
Performe thi bargan soyn ;

thou has thi money takyn and tolrf.
(93)
ludas. Ordan ye knyght7/s to weynd with me.

Richly arayct in rewyH and rowtf ;
And aH my couandys holden shaH be,
So I haue felyship me abowtc.
(94)
Pilatn%. wherby, ludas, shuld we hym knaw.

If we shaH wysely wyrk, Iwysl
ffor som of vs hym neuec saw.

ludas. lay hand on hym thaf I shaH kys.

563

567

571

575

579

583

587

591

Torvneley Plays. XX. The Conspiracy.

223

(95)
Pilalus. haue done, sir knyghtys,and kythe youie strengthe,

And wap you ■vvightly in youre wede ;
Seke ouer aB, both brede and lengthe !

Spare ye not*, spende and spede ! 595

(96)
We haue soght hym les and more,

And falyd ther we haue farn ;
Malcus, thou shaH weynd before, [To Malchiis]

And here with the a light* lantarne. 599

(97)
Malcus Miles. Sir, this lornay I vndertake

with aH my myghf and mayn.
If I shuld, for mahowns sake,

here in this place be slayn, 603

Crist' thaf p7'ophett for to take,

we may be aH fuH fayn.
Oure weppyns redy loke ye make,
to bryng hym in mekyH grame*

This nyghf. 608

Go we now on cure way,
oure mastres for to may ;
Oure lantames take with vs alsway,

And loke thaf thay be light ! 612

(98)
iSecunrfu* Miles, Sir pilate, prynce pereles in paH,

of aH men mosf myghty merked on mol(J,
we ar euer more redy to com af thi caH,

and bow to thi bydyng as bachlers shold?.' 616

(99)
Bof thaf prynce of the apostyls pupplyshed beforne,

Men caH hym crisf, comen of dauid kyn,
his lyfe futt sone shalbe forlorne,
If we haue hap hym forto wyn.

haue done ! 621

£For, as euer ete I breede,
or I styr in this stede
I wold stryke of his hede;

lord, I aske that* boyne. 625

* assonance with/ayn, &c. ' MS. almld.

Pilate bids
the kni^ts
Beek out
Jesus.

[Fol. 72, a.]

Malchus IB
to go before
with a
lantern.

Malchus is
ready to
die for
Mahound's
Bftke, if he
may take
Christ.

The second
knight bids
Pilate fare-
well.

As sure as
he eats
bread, he
will strike
off ChriBf s
head.

224

Toionehy Plays. XX. The Conspiracy.

The flrat
knight pro-
mises PJIflte
Bpeedy ven-
gennce.

Three, such
knightt) as
they are
would bind
the devil 1

Pilate

salutes theui
as courteous
kaisers of
Cain's kind.

and bids
them bring
Jesus safe
and sound
to him.

Jesus bids
Peter arise,
for Judas is
coming.

(100)
;)rinins miles. Thaf boyn, lord, thou vs bede,

and on hyni wreke the sono we shaH ;
ffio we haue lade on hym good spede ;

he shaH no more hy)« god//,f son caH. 629

we shaH marke hyin truly his mede ;

by mahowne niosf, god of ali,
Sicho thre knyghtys had lytyH drede
To bywde the dwiB that we on caift,

In ilede ; 634

ffor if thay were a thowsand ino,
thaf prophete and his apostels also
with thise two handy*' for lo slo,

had I lytyH drede. 638

(101)
pilafus. Now curtes kasers of karays kyn,

niosf gentyH of lure to me thaf I fynde,
My comforth from care may ye sone wyn,
if ye happely may hent that vnheynde. 642

(102)
Bof go ye hens spedely and loke ye nof spare ;

My frenship, my fortherans, shaH euer with you be ;

And mahowne thaf is myghfuH he menske you euermare !

Bryng you safe and sownde with that brodeH to me !

In place 647

where so euer ye weynd,
ye knyghtys so heynde,
Sir lucyfer the feynde

ho lede you the trace I [All retire, Jesus & his

(103) disciples advance.]

/7iesus. Eyse vp, peter, and go with me,

and folowe me withoutten stryfe ;
ludas wakys, and slepys nof he ;

he conimys to betray me here belyfe. 655

(104)
wo be to hym thaf bryngys vp slauwder !

he were better his dethe to take ;
Bof com furth, peter, and tary no laugero : *

lo, where thay com thaf wiH me take ! 659

' a-ssonanco with slaunder.

Taumeley Plays. XX. The Conspiracy. 225

(105)
Iiidas. Rest weH, master, ihesus fre ! IFoi. 72, b.)

I pray the that* tliou wold kys me enys ; judasaskB

I am cowmen to socoure the ; f,''„"° '" """"

thou art aspyed, what so if menys. 663

(106)
//tesus. Judas! whi makys thou sich a braydol Jesussnys

trowys thou nof 1 knowe thi wiH 1 "^oV"°

wt't/i kyssyug has thou me betrayd : fnun*

thaf shaH thou row som tyrae ful yii. 667

(107)
■whome seke ye, syrs, by name 1 [To ilie Knlijhtg.] Ue aaka Uie

Secuiidns Miles, we seke ihe^u of nazarene. whom tiiey

Ilieaua. I kepe not my name to layn ; ^ ""' '

lo, I am here, the same ye mene ; 671

Bof whome seke ye vrith wepjiis kene 1
Primus Miles. To say the sothe, and not to Jy, "jesunof

we seke ihesu of nazareue. azoreue.

Ihesna. I told you ere thaf if was I. 675

(108)
Malcus. Dar no man ou hym lay hand 1 Maiehm

I shaH each hym, if I may ; hTwifi mu^u

A flateryng foyH has thou bene lang,^ """■

bof now is co??2men thyn endyng day. 679

(109)
Petrus. I wold be dede within short space PoUrcuts

or I shuld se this sighf ! [Cutx off Malc/ius eay.] and bidsuim

Go, pleyn the to sir cayphas, sir Cayphns.

and byd hym do the righf ! 683

(110)
Malcus. Alas, the tyme thaf I was borne, WaLims

or today com in this stede !
My righf ere 1 haue forlorne !

help, alas, I biede to dede ! 687

(111)
i^esus. Thou man, thaf menys thi hurt so sare, j^u, „.

com lieder, lef me thi wouwde se ;
Take me thi ere thaf he of share :

In nomine pairis hole thou be ' 691

' assonance with Tiame. ' assonance with ftand.

T. PLATS.

laments.

stores Lis
ear.

226

Towneley Plays. XX. TJie Conspiracy.

Malchus is
again eager
to take
Jesus.

Jesus ad-
monishes
Peter

and re-
proaches the
knights,

but asks
them to let
his " fel-
lows" go.

The knights
brinjj' Jesns
to Pilate.

Pilate says
Jesus has
troubled
them by His
deeds,

[Fol. 73, a.
8ig. M. 1.]

in which He
surpHsses
C»sar and
Herod,

(112)
Malcus. Now am I hole as I was eve,

My hurt is neuer the wars ;
Therfor, felows, drawe me nere !

the dwiH- hym spede that* hym spars ! 695

(113)
//iesus. Therfor, peter, I say the this,

my wiH it* is that* aH men witteu :
Puf vp thi swerde and do no mys,

for he that* smyty», he shalbe smyten. 699

(114)
ye knyghtys that* be commen now here,

thus assemblyd in a rowte.
As I were thofe, or thefys fere,

\iiih wepyns com ye me abowte ; 703

(115)
Me thynk, for sothe, ye do fuH yH

thus for to seke me in the nyghf ;
Bot what" penance ye put* me tyH,

ye let* my felows go witA grytfi. 707

(116)
/Siefun<fu« Miles. Lede hym furth fast by the gale !

hangyd be he that sparis hym oght !
Primus Miles, how thynk the, sir pUate,

bi this brodeH that* we haue broghf ? 711

(117)
Pilatws. Is he the same and the self, I say,

thaf has wroghf vs this care?
If has bene toldl, sen many a day,

sayngys of hym fuH sare. 716

If was tyH vs greatt woghe,

ffrom dede to lyfe thou rasyd lazare ;
Sen stalkyd stylly bi the see swoghe ;

both domb and defe thou salfyd from sare. 719

(118)
Thou passys cesar bi dede,

or sir herode ouro kyng.
/Sfecundus Miles, let deme hym fasf to dede,

and lef for no kyn thyng. 723

Tovmdey Plays. XX. The Conspiracy.

227

(119)
Primus Miles. Sen he has t'oifett agans ouie lawe,

let vs deme hym in this stede.
PilatvLS. I wiH nof assent" vnto youre saw ;

I can ordan weH better red. 727

(120)
Malcus. Better red 1 yei dwiH ! how so ?

then were cure sorow lastand ay ;
And ho thus fiuth shuld go,

he wold dystroy cure lay. 731

(121)
wold ye aH assent to me,

this bargau shuld be strykyn anone ;
By nyghtertayH dede shuld he be,

and tiH ourc awuter stand ilkon. 735

(122)
Pilatiis. Peasse, liarlottt's, the dwiU you spede I

wold ye thus preualy morder a man t
Makiis. when euery mau has red his red,

let* se who better say can. 739

(123)
Pilatas. To cayphas haH loke fast* ye wyrk.

And thider right* ye shaH hym lede ;
he has the rewH of holy kyik,

letf hym derae hym whyk or dede ; 743

(124)
fifor he has wroght agans oure law,

ffor-thi most' skyH can he ther on.
Secnudns Miles. Sir, we assenf vnto youre saw ;

Com furth, bewshere, and lett vs gone. 747

(125) [To Jesus.]

Malcus. Step furth, in the wenyande !

wenys thou ay to stand styH 1
Nay, luskand loseH, lawes of the laud

ShaH fayH hot we haue oure wiH ; 751

(126)
Out* of my hande's shati thou not* pas

ffor aH the craft' thou can ;
TiH thou com to sir cayphas,

Saue the shaH no man. Explicit Capcio Ihesu. 765

The kniglits
claiaour for
His death.

Pilate knows
a better
i-ede.

Malchus ts
furious.

Pilate is
UQwilliog to
murder
Jesus,

and will
send Him to
Cayphas,
who has tlie
rule of Holy
Church.

Malchus
brings Jesus
to Cayphas
with much
abuse.

Towneley Plays. XXI. 7'he Buffeting.

[Fol. 78, b.J

The fli&t

Torturer
liuiries
Jesus to
Anna and Sir
Cayplms,
witli threats.

Primus Tortor.
Sccwndtia Tortor.

The second
reproaches
Him as h
deceiver of
the people.

They join in
reviling
Jesus.

He shall rue
being called
a saint.
Better had
he held His
clatter !

(XXI.)
Incip/t Coliphizacto.

[Dramatis Personae.

I Cayphas. I Jestis.

I Anna. \ Froward.'\

[50 nine-line staraas, aaaab cccb. The aaaa liites have central
rymesy marked by bars /.]

Primus tortor. (1)

Do lo furtfe, lo ! / and trotf on a pase !
To anna wiH we go / and sir cayphas ;
witf thou weH of thaym two / gettys thou no
grace,
Bof eueclastyng wo / for tiespas thou lias
so mekiH. 6

Thi mys is more

then euer gettj/is thou grace fore ;
Thou lias beyn > ay- whore

ffuH fals and fuH fekyli. 9

(2)
iSecundu* tortor. If is woudec to dre / thus to be gangyng ;
we haue had for the / mekiH liarf stangyng ;
Bof at last shaH we be / ouf of harf langyng,
Be thou haue had two ^ or three / hetys worth a Langyng ;

No wonder! 14

Sich wyles cau thou make,
gar the people farsake
Oure lawes, and thyne take ;

thus art thou broghf in blonder. 18

(3)
Primus tortor. Thou can nof say agaynt / If thou be trew ;
Som men holdys the sanf / and that shaH thou rew j
ffare wordy s can thou payuf / and lege lawes new.
(Secunrfus tortm: Now be ye atayuf / for we will persew

On this maler. 23

Many wordi/s has thou saide
Of whicb we ar nof weH payde ;
As good thaf thou had

halden stiH thi clater. 27

> "beyn" overlined lattr, * MS. y.

TmLTuley Plays. XXI. The Buffeting.

229

(4)
^ri»ms ten-tor. If is better syf stiH / then rise vp and f.iH ;
Thou has long had tlii wiH / and made many braH ;
At* the last" woldi thou spiH / and for-do vs aH,
If we dyd neuer ytt. /
Secvindas torior. I trow not, he shaH

Indure if ; 32

fEor if other men ruse hyin,
we shaH accuse hym ;
his self shaH not excuse hym ;

To you I insure if, 36

(5)
with no legcance. /

pnijvis tortor. fayn wold he wynk.

Els falys his covntenance ; / I say as I thynk.
Sccymdas tortor. he has done vs greuance / therfor shaH

he drynk ;
haue he mekiH myschaunsce / thaf has gart vs swynke

In walkyng, 41

Thaf vunetfi may I more,
primus tortor. Peas, man, we ar thore !
I shaH walk in before,

And teH of his talkyng. [Thei/ come to Cayphas

(6) and Anna.^

haiH, syrs, as ye sytt / so worthi in wonys !
whi spyrd ye nof yit / how we haue fame this onys ?
iSecuniius tortor. Sir, wo wold fayn witf / aH wery ar oure

bonys ;
we haue bad a fytt / righf yH for the nonys,

So taricJ. 50

Cavplias. Say, were ye oghf adred 1
were ye oghf wrang led 1
Or in any strate sted ?

Syrs, who was myscaryd 1 54

(7)
Anna. Say, were ye oght in dowte / for fawte of light*
As ye wached ther owte 1 /

Pn?jms tortor. sir, as I am true kiiyghf,

Of my daBie sen I sowked / had I neuer sich a nyght* ;
Myn een were nof lowkod / to-geder right^

" Better sft

still than
rise up and
fall."

They are
ready to
accuse Him
themselves.

Tliey owe
Jesus a
prudge for
the trouble
they hflvo
liad in walk-
ing with
Him.

[Fol. 74, a.
Sig. M. 2.]

They greet
Cayphas aDd

Anna, and
complain of
their Jour-
ney.

230 Tmmeley Flays. XXI. The Buffeting.

Theirtroubie Sen morowe ; 69

elnce the^y " Bof yif I thynk it< weH sett,
in this™"* Sen we with this tratoure mef ;

traitor. gj^,^ ^j^j^ j^ j^^ ^j^^^ forfett

And done so mekili screw. 63

(8)
He teaches a Oaj/phas. Can ye hym oght apeche I j had he any ferys 1

iSeeunrfus tortor. he has bene for to preche / fuH many

long yeris ;
And the people he teche / a new law.
^jrimus tartor. syra, horis !

As far as his witt* reche / many oone he lerys ;

when we toke hym, 68

we faunde hym in a yerde ;
Bof ■ when I drew out* my swerde,
his dyscypyls wex ferde,

And soyn thay forsoke hym. 72

(9)
He said He SecuTidns toHox. Sir, I hard hym say he cowthe dystroew /

^ould de- . n

Btroy the oure tempyH so gay,

buTid R new and sithen held a new / on the thrid^ day.

third day." C'ai/phas. how mychf that* be trew f / it toke more aray ;

tiie whet- ^ The masons I knewe / that* hewed if, I say,

stone" and

must be

given the -pj^^j^ j^^^^^^ jj^^^ gj^,jg_

SO wyse ; 77

primus tortor. A, good sir, lett hym oone ;
he lyes for the quetstone,

I gyf hym the pryce. 81

(10)
Secunrfus tortor. The half rynes, the blynd sees / thrugh

his fals wyles ; ^
Thus he gettis many fees / of thym) he begyles.
tFoi. 74, b.j Pri7?ms tortor. he rases men thaf dees / thay seke hym
be myles ;
And euer thrugh his soceres / oure sabate day defy lea

MS. lyes.

Towneley Plays. XXI. The Buffeting.

281

Euermore, %ir. 86

jSJecunrfu* tortox. This is liis vse and liis custom,
To heytt the defe and the dom),
where so euer lie com ;

I teH you before, sir. 90

(11)
Pri?)!us toHor. Men caH hym / a prophete and godjs

son of lieuen ;
he wold fayn downe bryng / oure lawes bi his steuen.
Secnndus tortov. yif is ther another© thyng / that* I hard

hym neuen,
he settyg not a fle wyng / bi sir cesar fuH euen ;

he says thus ; 95

Sir, this same is he
that excusyd with his sotelte
A woman in avowtre ;

£FuH well may ye trust vs. 99

He works
Tnil'Acloa fnr
fees and docg
them on the
SabbiitlL

He is called
Qoii's Son,
sets not a
liy-wing by
Csesar, An<l
is the same
who excuaed
the adnl-
tereas.

(12)
Pri»nus tortor. Sir lazare can he rase / that* men may persaue
when he had lyne fower^ dayes / ded in his graue ;
AH men hym prase / both master and knaue,
Such wycfici-aff he mase. /
>b^oeunc2ui>' tortov. If he abowte wauo

Any langere, 104

his warkys may we ban ;
£For he lias turned many man
Sen the tyme he began,

And done vs great* hangere. 108

(13)
Primus tortov, lie witi not leyfe yit / thof he be culpaby H ;
Men caH hym a prophete / a lord fuH renahyH.
Sir cayphas, bi my ^vytt / he shuld be dampnabiH,
Bot* wold ye two, as ye sytt / make it* ferme and stabyH

Togeder; 113

ffor ye two, as I traw,
May defende aH oure law ;
That* mayde vs to you draw,

And bryng this loseH heder. 117

1 MS. iiij.

He raised
Lazarus, and
uses such
witchcraft,
all men
praiso Him.

Tlie first
Torturer
calls on
Cayphas
and Anna to
defend the
law.

232

If JesQs

reign any
more their
law 9 are
ruined.

Tovmeley Plays, XXI, The Buffeting^

(14)
&'ecunrfu» tortor. SIt, I can teH you before / as myght I

be maryd,
If he reyne any more / oure lawes ar myscaryd.
Pri;«us tortor. Sir, opposed if he wore / he shuld be

fon waryd ;
Thaf is weH seyn thore / where he has long tarid

And walkyd. 122

he is sowre lottyn :
Ther is somwhaf forgottyn ;
I shaH thryng out the rottyn,

Be we haue aH talkyd. 126

Cftyphas
examines
Jesus,

(Fol. 76, n.
8ig. M. 3.)

(15)
Cayphan. Now fare myght* you faH / for youre talkyng I
ffor, cert)/«, I my self shaH / make examynyng. [To Jems.]
harstow, harlott", of aH ? / of care may thou syng !
How durst thou the caH / aythere empe>-oure or kyng 1

I do fy the ! 131

what the dwiH doysf thou herel
Thi dedys wiH do the dere ;
Com nar and rowiie in myn eeyr,

Or I shaH ascry the. 135

He is

furious thnt
Jesus does
Dot answer.

(16)
Illa-hayH was thou borne ! / harke ! says he oghf agane?
Thou shaH onys or to-morne / to spoke be fuH fayne.
This is a greaf skorne / and a fals trane ;
Now wols-hede and out-home / on the be tane !

Vile fature ! 140

Gone woide myght thou speke ethe,
yif myghf it* do the som letht,
Ef omwis qui tacef

hie consentire videtur. 144

(17)
Speke on oone word / right* in the dwyllys name !
where was thi syre af bord / when he mef -with thi dame 1
whaf, nawder bowted ne spurd / and a lord of name !
Speke on in a torde / the dwiH gif the shame,

Tmimeley Plays. XX J. The Buffeting.

233

153

158

and reminds
Him of )iis
own power.
Who has tlie
law in his
keeping has
ft " better
purchase
thnn rent"
(wins more
by his pro-
fession thnn
by his
lands).

162

Sir Svbre ! 149 Henbusea

^ Jesus afl A

Perde, if thou were a kyng, foimdiing,

j\V myght? thou be ridyng ;
fly on the, fundlyng !

Thou \ylys bof bi brybre.

(18)
Lad, T am a fn-elate / a lord in degre,
Syttys in myn) astate / as thou may se,
knyghty« on me to wate / in dyuerse degre ;
I myghf thole tlie abate / and knele on thi kne

In my present ;
As euer syng I nies,
■whoso kepis tlie lawe, I gess,
he gettts more by purches

Then bi his fre rent.

(19)
The dwiH gif the shame / thuf eue?- I knew the !
Nather blynde nc lame / wiH none pe)-sew the ;
Therfor I shaH the name / thaf n\er sliaH rew the,
kjTig copyn in oure game / thus shaH I indew the,

£For a fatur.
Say, dar tlioii not" speke for ferde 1
I shrew hym tlie lerd,
weme ! the dwillys durf in thi herd,

vyle fals tratur !

(20)
Thougfe thi lyppis be stokyn / yif myghf thou say, mom ; hc win imvs
Great" wordw has thou spokyn / then was thou not dom.
Be it" hole worde or brokyn / com, owf with som,
Els on the I shaH be wrokyn / or thi ded com

AH outt.
Aythere has thou no wytt,
Or els ar thyn) eres dytf ;
why bof herd thou not yif ?

So, I cry and I showte.

167

171

JCSUH is

KinijCoppin

(KitiK

Emply-

Skein).

vengeance
on Him for
His Kilenre.

176

[Fol. 75, b.l

180

(21)

Anna. A, sw-, be nof yH payde / thougli he not answere j
he is inwardly flayde / nof righf in his gere.

234 Tmtmehy Plays. XXL The Buffeting.

Anna begs Cai/phus. No, bof the vfordis he has saide / doth my

CayplwB to I, .-. i^ J

be less harv great* dero.

Anria. Sir, yif may ye be dayde. /

Cnyphas. nay, whils I lif nere.

Anna. Sir, amese you. 185

Cap7jhas. Now fowH myghf liyra befaH !

Anna. Sir, yo ar vexed at att,

And perauentuT he shaH

here after pleas you ; 189

(22)
we may bi cure law / examyn) hym fyrst.
CaypiiRB is Cayplias. Bof I gif hym a blaw / my hart wiH brist.
gi'™ Jes^ua a Anna. Abyde to ye his purpose knaw. /

Cayplias. nay, hot I shaH out thrist

* Both his een on a raw. /
Anna. sir, ye witi not, I tryst.

Be so vengeabyH ; 194

Bof let me oppose hym.
Cayphas. I pray you, and sloes hym.
Anna. Sir, we may nof lose hym

Bof we were dampnabiH. 198

(23)
If he may Cayphos. he has adyld his ded / a kyng he hym calde ;

Dot strike off iii jri-*l,jt/

His head, he war ! let me gyrd of his hede ! /

tliuelt Anna. I hope nof ye wold ; >

stocks. Bof sir do my red / youre worship to hal(J.

Cayphas. Shalt I ueuer ete bred / to thaf he be staid

In the stokys. 203

Anna. Sir, speke soft and styH,
let vs do as the law will.
Cayphas. Nay, I myself shaH hym kyU,

And murder with knokys. 207

(24)
Anna Anna. Sir, thynk ye thaf ye ar / a man of holy kyrk,

Cayilha^s he ye shuld be oure techer' ^ / mekenes to wyrk.
hofy"churcii, Cayphas. yei, bof aH is out of bar / and that shaH he yrk.
Anna. AH soff may men go far / oure lawes ar nof myrk,

' The ryme needs wald.'
' The ryme needa ' techar.

Tovmeley Plays. XXL The Buffeting. 235

I wevn: 212 and they

•' ' must pro-

Youre wordys ar bustus, ceed by uw.

Et hoc nos volumus
Quod de lure possumus :

ye wote what I meyn ; 216

(25)
If is best thaf we trete hym / with farenos.
Cayphas. We, nay !

Anna. And so myght* we gett hym / som word for to isay. [Foi. it, a.
Cayphas. war ! let me betf hym ! /
Anna. syr, do away I

ffor if ye thus thrett hym / he spekys not this day.

Bofherys: 221 He win ex-

amine Jesiit

wold ye sesse and abyde, himself.

I shuld take hym on syde
And inquere of his pryde,

how he oure folke lerys. 225

(26)
Cayphas. he has reuyd ouer lang / with his fals lyys, The i«w wui

And done mekyH wrang / sir cesar he defyes ; Him to go

Therfor shaH I hym hang / or I vp ryse. lat's^l '

Anna. Sir, the law wiH not he gang / on nokyn wyse I^Mt^b"

Vndemyd; 230 ■''"'''■

Bof fyrsf wold I here
what* he wold answere ;
Bof he dyd any dere

why shuld he be flemyd 1 234

(27)
And therfor examynyng / ffyrst wiH I make,
Sen that he callys hym a kyng. /

Cayphas. bof he thaf forsake Caypha*

I shaH gyf hym a wryng / that his nek shaH crak. threatens.

Anna. Syr, ye may not hym dyng / no word yit he
spake,

That I wysf. 239

hark, felow, com nar ! [To Jesus.]

wyti thou neuer be warl
I haue merueH thou dar

Thus do thyn awne lyst. 243

236

Towneley Plays, XXI. The Buffeting.

Anna asks
Jesus if He
is God's Son,
and is
answered.

Cayphns

Bays they
need no
more
witness.

iFol. 76, b.]

Let him put

Jesus to
death at
once.

Anna says
they have no
power to
kilt.

(28)
Bof I shaH do as the law wyH / if the people ruse the ;
Say, dyd thou oght this yHf / can thou oght excuse thel
why standj/s thou so styH / when men thus accuse the 1
ifor to hyng on a hyH / h irk how thay ruse the

To dam. 248

Say, arf thou godys son of heuen.
As thou art* wonte for to ncuenl
i7iesus. So thou says hy thy steuen ,

And righf so I am ; 252

(29)
ffor after this shaH thou se / when that [I] do com downe
In brightnes on lie / in clowdys from abone.
Caijphas. A, iH myghf the feete bo / that" broghf tlie to

towns !
Thou arf worthy to de I / say, thefe, wnere is tni crowneJ

Anna. Abyde, sir, 257

let vs lawfully redres.
Cayphas. we nede no wytnes,
hys self says expres ;

whi shuld I nof chyde, sir\ 261

(30)
Anna, "vr&s therneuer man so wyk / bof he myghf amende,
when it com to the pryk / righf as youre self kend.
Cayphas. Nay, air, bof I shaH hym styk / euen with

myn awne hand ;
ifor if ho reue and be whyk / we ar af an end,

AH sam ! 266

Therfor, whils I am in this brethe,
lef me put hym to detli.
Anna. Sed nobis non licef

Interficere quemquam. ' 270

(31)
Sir, ye wote better then I / we shuM slo no man.
Cayphas. his dedys I defy / his warkys may we ban,
Therfor shaH he by. /

Anna. nay, on oder wyse than,

And do if lawfully. /
Cayphas. as how 1

Anna. tel you I can.

Towneky Plays. XXI. The Buffeting. 237

Caiphas. let se. 275 Menoftem-

. CI- 1 poral laws

Anna, oir take tent to my sawes; mustjudgo

Men of tenipocaH lawes matter.

Thay may deme sicli cause,

And so may nof we. 279

(32)
Cayphof. My hart is fuH cold / nerehand thaf I swell ; Caypims
fifor talys that ar told / I bolne at my belt, Thdere^Jm'

Vnethes may if hold / my body, an ye it felf ; doing'his

yif wold I gif of my gold / yond tratoure to pelf ^"'^'

ffor euer. 284

Anna. Good e,ir, do as ye hetf me.
Caiphas. whi shaH he ouer-setf me ]
StV anna, if ye lett me

ye do nof youre deuer. 288

(33)
Anna. Sir, ye ar a prelate. / Anna pro-

Cayphas. so may I weH seme, ?^jmuii

, My self if I say if. / '"''"*'••

Anna. be not to breme ;

Sich men of astate / shuld no men deme,
bof send them to pilate / the temporaH law to yeme

has he ; 293

he may besf threte hym.
And aH to rehete hym ;
If is shame you to bete hym

Therfor, stV, lef be. 297

(34)
Cayphas. ffy on hym and war ! / I am oute of my gate ; Cayphas
say why standy* he so fai'. / Zkf.^hu'

AnTia. sir, he cam bof late.

Cayphas. No, bof I haue knyghty« thaf dar / rap hym

on the pate.
Anna, ye ar bof to skar / good sir abate,

And here ; 302

whaf nedys you to chy te 1
what uedys you to flyte?
If ye yond man smyte,

ye ar irregulere. 306

on Jesus ;
Anna re-
monstrates.

238

Towneley Plays. XXI. The Buffeting,

lamenta lie
WM ever
made a
clerk, that

[Fol. 77, a.l

lie may not
beat Jeans
hiniaoir.

Anna con-
sectfi to the
knights
buffeting
Justu

Tliey assure
Cayjrhas
they will not
spare Him.

(35)
Cayphas. he that* fyrst made me clerk / and taghf me

my lare,
On bookys for to barke / the dwiH gyf hyra care !
Anna. A, good sir, hark ! / sich wordys niyght ye spare.
Cayphas. Els myghf I haue made vp wark / of yoncJ
harlot and mare,

perdel 311

Uot certyg, or he hens yode,
If wold do me som good
To so knyghtys knok his hoode

with knokys two or thre. 315

(36)
fiFor sen he has trespast / and broken oure law,
lef vs make hym agast / and set hym in awe.
Anna, sir, as ye haue hast" / if shalbe, I traw.
Com and make redy fasf / ye knyghtys on a raw,

youre arauienf ; 320

And that kyng to you take,
And with knoki/s make hym wake.
Cayphas. yei, syrs, and for my sake

Gyf hym good payraenf. 324

(37)
ffor if I myghf go with you / as I wold that I myght,
I shukV make myn avowe / thaf ons or mydiiyghf
I shuld make his heede sow / wher thaf I hyt right.
Prirnus tortov. Sir, drede you not now / of this cursed
wight

To day, 329

ffor we shaH so rok hym,
and with buffettys knok hym.
Cayphas. And I red that ye lok hym,

Thaf he ryn nof away, 333

(38)
ffor I red not we mete / if thaf lad skap.
SacundMs tortor. Sir, on vs be it / bot we clowf weH his

Cayphas. wold ye do as ye heytt / if were a fayr hap.
pnnius (ortoT. Sir, see ye and sytf / how that we hym
knap,

Towneley Plays. XXI. The Buffeting. 239

Gone fEeste ; 338 They ask

liim to blesf
Bot or we go to this tliyng, them with

. , his ring.

Sayii vs, lord, witn thy ryng. Cayphas

Cayphai. Now he shaH haue my blyssyng hiThSng

That" knokys hym the best. 342 who buffets

best.

(39)
/Secundum tortov. Go we now to oure noyte / with this

■• fond foyH.
»rij«us tortoT. we shaH tecbe hym, I wote / a new iilay The first

. ,, < I .■ Torturer

of yoyn, seDds Fro-

And hold hym fuH hote / frawrord, a stoyH stool. Fro-

__ ward and

Go fetch vs ! the other

ffroward. We, dote ! / now els were it doyU remons rate.

And vnneth ; 347

ffoi- the wo that he shaH dre

let hym knele on his kiie.

(Sfcundug tortoT. And so shaH he for me ;

Go fetche vs a light buffit. 351

(40)

ffroward. why must he sytt* soft / with a mekiii mys- but are toM

, they can

chaunce, buffet ji-sus

Thaf has teiiyd vs thus oft 1 / '"°" **""'

primus toiior. sir, we do it for a skawnce ;

If he stode vp on loft / we must hop and dawnse
As ookys in a croft'. / f"'- ", b.)

ffroward\ Now a veniance

Com on hym ! 356

Good skiH can ye shew, if He be

seated.
As feH I the dew ;

haue this, here it*, shrew !

fifor soyn shaH we foil hym. 360

(41)
iSecttndus torior. Com, sir, and syt downe / musf ye They bid

, . a Jesna sit

be prayde t
lyke a lord of reuowne / youie sete is arayde.
prinms tortov. we shaH preue on his crowne / the wordy*

he has sayde.
(Secunrfus tortat. Ther is none in this towne / I trow, be

iH paydo

240

Tottmeley Plays. XXI. The, Buffeting.

All His kin Of his SOIOW,

DiHy not 1 /. 1

rescue Him. Bot the fader that" hym gate.

365

Tltey send
Pro ward for
u veil to
blind Jesus
with.

7?nmus tortor. Now, for oght* that^ I wate,
AH liis kyii cornmys to late

his body to borow. 369

(42)
Secnndus toiior. I wold we were oiiwarde. /
jpriwius iortoT. bof his eeii must be hyd.

Secunrfus tortot. yei, bof thay be weH spard / we lost*

that* we dyd ;
Step furth thou, froward ! /
ffrowardf. what is now betyd ?

prijMUS toHoT. Thou arf euer away ward. /
ffrowar>i. haue ye none to byd

Botmel 374

I may syng ylla-hayH.
Swnadxxs toiior. Thou must get vs a vaytt.
ffrowardt. ye ar euer in oone tayH.

pnmui tortoi. Now iH myghf thou the I 378

Froward
quarrels
with tliein.

(43)
weH had thou thi name / for thou was euer curst.
ffrowariS. Sir, I myghf say the same / to you if I dursf ;
yif my hyer may I clame / no penny I pursf ;
I haue had mekyH shame / hunger and thurst,^

In youre seruyce. 383

primus tortor. Not oone word so bold !
ffrnwari. why, it is trew thaf I told !
flayn preue if I wold.

Secnndvis tortor. Thou shalbe cald to peruyce. 387

But brings
the veil.

(44)
ffroiaard. here a vayH haue I fon / I trow it wiH last.
primus tortor. Biyng it hyder, good son / thaf is if

thaf I ast.
ffrowani. how shulcJ it be bon 1 j

SacunduB tortor. abowte his heade cast.

primus tortor. yei, aud when it is weH won / knyf a
knof fast

' MS. thrust.

Towneley Plays. XXI. The Buffeting. 241

I red. 392 They wind-

-r J T -L^ 111 foMJesui.

ffrowani. Is ir weytii
Seeandas lortnx. yei, knaue.

ffrowar^. what* , weyn ye that I rafe 1
Cryst curs myght he haue

That" last bond his head ! 396

(45)
jpriwius iortoT. Now sen he is blynfohV / I faB to begyn, iiietor-
And tlius was I counseld / the mastry to wyn. (FoL 78, «.]

Secnndus tortox. Nay, wrang has tliou told / thus shuW turera vie
.thou com in! ^t^Je^fn"

ffroward. I stode and beheldf / thou towchiJ not< the nlm,"^
skyn,

Bot fowH. 401

primus torlor. how wiH thou I dol
(Secunrfus toiior. On this nianere, lo I
ffroward. yei, thaf was well gone to,

Thar starf vp a cowH. 405

(46)
primus tortoT. Tlius shaH we hym refe / aH hia fonde

talys.
Secundus tortor. Ther is noghf in thi nefe / or els thi

harf faly?.
ffrotP'ir li. I can my hand vph,efe / and knop out" the

skalys.
primus tortor. Godys foibof ye lefe / bot set in youre nalys
On raw. 410

Sit vp and p-ophecy. and bid Him

ffroward. Bof make vs no ly. prophecy

•*' .' who smote

Seevmdns tortor. who smote the lasfl Him last,

primus tortm: was if 1 1

ffroward. he wote nof, I traw. 414

(47)
primus tortor. ffast to s«V cayphas / go we togeder.*
5ecuncZu.< toHox. Ryse vp with iH gr.ace / so com tliou Ttay bring

hyder. Hin,ag«in

ffirowarti. If semys by his pase / lie groches to go thyder. ^*""''''"'-
pri7«u3 tortor. we haue gyfen hym a glase / ye may
consyder,

' The tyme needs fogyder
T. PLAYS. B

242

Tmvneky Flays. XXI. The Buffeting,

The tor-
turers boast
that they
have almost
killed Jeavis.

Caiaphas
bids them
take Jesus
to Pilate,

yet fears lest
Pilate may
be bribed to
ftcquit Him.

iPol 78, b.]

After up-
br siding
Anna he
Btarts off to
follow them.

To kepe. 419

Secundus tortoi. Sir, for his great boost,
with knok?/s he is indoost.
ffroward. In fayth, sir, we had almost

kuokyd ' hym on slepe. 423

(48)
Cayphas. Now sen he is weH bett / vveynd on youre gate,
And teH ye the forfetf / vnto sir pylate ;
ffor he is a luge setf / eraang men of state,
And looks that* ye not let. /
piimus toHov. Com furtfi, old crate,

Be lyfe ! 428

we shaH Icde the a trotf.
iJMS tortov. lyff thy feete may thou not.
ffrmoar&. Then nedys me do notf

Bot com after and dryfe. 432

(49)
Cayphas. Alas, now take I hede ! /

Anna. why mowrne ye so 1

Cayphas. ffor I am euer in drede / wandreth, and wo,
lest" pylate for mede / lef ihesus go ;
Bof had I slayn hym indede / witli thise handys two,

At onys, 437

AH had bene qwytt than ;
Bof gyitys maiTes many man.
Bot* he deme the sothe than,

The dwiH haue his bonys I 441

(50)
Sir anna, aU I wyto you this blame / for had ye not" beyn,
I had mayde hym fuH tame / yei, stykyd hym, I weyn,
To the half fuH wan ^ / with this dagger so keyn.
Anna. Sir, you must shame / sich wordys for to meyn

Emang men. 446

Cayphas. I wiH not dweH in this stede,
Bof spy how thay hym lede.
And persew on his dede.

ffare weH ! we gang, men. 450

Explicit Coliphizacio.

' MS. 'knokyp.'
' Assonant to ' fame, shame.'

Towneley Plays. XXII. The, Scourging.

243

Primus Tortor.
Seaindits Tortor.
Tercius Tortor.

(XXII.)

Incipit Fflagellacio.

[Dratnatis Personae.

Primus ConsuUus.

•Secmuius ConsuUus.

Jesus.

Johannes Apostolus.

Maria.

Maria Magdalene.

Maria Jacobi.

Synwn.l

[49 stanzas ; 4 of 13 lines, ab ab ab ab c, ddJc ; \ of \2 lines, aab
ccb, bb dd bb ; 24 o/ 9 lines, aaaab cccb ; 13 of & lines, aab aab
bb ; 2 o/ 6 lin/:s, aaaa bb ; 4 0/4 liius, aaaa ' ; 1 o/ 4 lines, aa bb.]

Pilatns.

p

(1)

easse af my bydyng, ye wyglitys in wold !

Looke none be so hardy to speke a word bol^ I,

Or by mahowne niosf myghty, maker on mold,

With this brande that I here ye shaH bytterly

aby. 4

Pilate rages,
boaating
himself full
of subtlety
and guile,
and there-
fore called
"niali
actoris."

Say, wote ye not* that I am pylate, perles to beliolJ 1

Most* doughty in dedys of dukys of the lury ;
In bradyng of batels I am the mosf bold,

Therfor my name to you wiH I dyscry,

No mys. 9

I am fuH of sotelty,
fi'alshed, gyll, and trechery ;
Therfor am I namyd by clergy

As mali actoris. 13

(2)
ffor like as on both sydys the Iren the hamer makith playn, [I'oi. V9, a.]

So do I, that" the law has here in my kepyng ;
The right* side to socoure, certy*, I am fuH bayn,

If I may get therby a vantage or wynyng; 17

Then to the fals parte I tuine me agayn,

ffor I se more VayH wiH to me be risyng ;
Thus euery man to drede me shalbe fuH fayn,

And aH faynt of thare fayth to me be obeyng,

' All the aaaa lines have central rymes, markt liere by bars.

In Judging
he inclines
(Irstto the
right, then
to the
wrong, for
the sal^e of
bribes.

244 Towneley Plays. XXII. The Scourging.

Truly. 22

AH fals endytars,
Quesf-gangars, and lurars,
And tliise out^rydars

Ar welcom to ine. 26

(3)
He means to Bof this pcophete, tliaf has prechyJ and puplyshed so playn
brch"rist"s Glisten law, crisfr thay caH hym in cure cuntie ;

flViai'iy to" Bof oure prynces fuH prowdly tliis nyght" haue hym tayn,
cruci y un. g^y ^^^^ ^^ ^ dampned he shaH be liurlyd byfore me ;
I shalt fownde to be his freynd vtward, in certayn,

And shew hym fare cowntenance and word(/s of vanyte ;
Bof or this day af nyghf on crosse shaH he be slayn,
Thus agans hym in my harf I here great" enmyte
ffuH sore. 35

ye men thaf vse bak-bytyngy«,
and rasars of slanderyngys,
ye ar my dere darlyngys,

And mahowns fur eiiermore. 39

(4)
NothiDg fEor no thyng in this warld dos me more grefe
more than to Then for to here of crisf and of his new lawes ;
Christ and To trow that he is godys son my harf wold aH to-clefe,
His new law. xhougft he be neuer so trew botfi in dedys and in sawes
Therfor shaH he suffre mekiH myschefe,

And aH the dyscypyls that vnto hym drawes ;
ffor ouer aH solace to me if is mosf lefe,

The shedyng of cristen bloode, and thaf aH lury knawes,
I say you. 48

My knyghtys fuH swythe
Thare strengthes wiH tliay kyth,
And bryng hym be-lyfe ;.

lo, where thay com now ': 52

(5)
The first tor- ^riwius tortor. I haue ron thaf I swett / from sir herode

turer arrives ,

bringing oure Kyng

[Foi. 79, b.] With this man thaf wiH nof lett / oure lawos to downe

jesuB, as bryng ;

from Herod. ^^ ^^^ ^^^^ ^^ ^^^^^ forfetf / of care may he syng ;

Thrugh dom of sir pylate he OBitys / an yH eudyng

Tmoneley Plays. XXII. The Scourging.

245

And sore ; 57

The great" warkys he has wroghf
ShaH secue liym of noghf ,
And bof thay be dere boghf

lefe me no more. 61

(6)
Bof make rownie in this rese / I byd you, belyfe,

And of youre noys that* ye sesse / both man and wyfe ;
To s/r pylate on dese / this man wiH we dryfe,
liis dede for to dres / and refe hym his lyfe

This day ; 66

Do draw hym forward !
whi stand ye so bakward 1
Cora on, sir, hyderward.

As fast* as ye may ! 70

(7)
iSecunrfus torlor. Do puH hym a-rase / whyls we be gangyng;

I shaH spytt in his face / though it be fare shynyng ;
Of vs thre gettys thou no grace / thi dedj/s ar so noyng,
Bof more sorow thou base / cure myrtli is incresyng,
No lak. "^ 75

ffelows, aH in hasf,
with this band that* wiH last"
Let* vs bynde fast

Both his handys on his bak. 79

(8)
Tetcius tortoT. I shaH lede the a dawnce/ Vnto stV pilate haH;

Thou betyd an yti chawnce / to com emangj/s vs nH.
Sir pilate, with youre cheftance / to you we cry and caH

Thaf ye make som ordynance / with this brodeH IhraH,

By skyH ;
This man thaf we led!
On crosse ye puf to ded.
Pilatas. what ! with outten any red 1

Thaf is nof my wyH ;

(9)
Bof ye, wysesf of law / to me ye be tendand :

This man withoutten awe / which ye led in a band,
Nather in dede ne in saw / can I fynd with no Avrang,

wherfor ye shulcJ hym draw / or here falsly on hand

88

Tli8 great
works Jesus
has done
shall serve
Him
nothing.

He bids the
people mnko
room, and
hurries
Jesus on.

The second

torturer
threatens
Jesus, and
binds His
hands be-
hind Him.

The third
torturer
calls on
Pilate to

crucify
Jesus.

84

Pilate pre-
tends to take
Jesus' part,
and sum-
mons his
counsellors.

246

Towneky Plays. XXtl. The Scourging.

It will b« a
shame if
JeEUs be
killed.

WitlT iH.
ye say he turnes oure pepyH,
ye caH hym fals and fekyH ;
warldf/s shame is on you mekyH

This man if ye spyH.

(10)

93

97

Herod

[Fol. 80, a.]!

could find
no fault in
Him.

Of aH thise causes ilkon / which ye puf on hym,

Herode, truly as stone / coud fynd wiili nokyns gyn
Nothyng herapon / that" penf to any syn ;

why shuld I then so soyn / to ded here deme hym 1
Therfor 102

This is my counseH,
I wiH not* with hym meH ;
Let Him go I Jet hym go where he wyH

ffor now and eu«;-more. 106

The Brat

CounBellor
urges that
Jesus has
called Him-
self a king.

Pilate re-
minds Jesus
of Bis
power.

Jesus says
the power is
given him by
the Trinity.

(11)

PriHuis consultm. Sir, I say the oone thyng / without any
mys,
he callys his self a kyng / ther he none is ;
Thus he wold downe bryng / oure lawes, I-wys,
with his fals lesyng / and his quantys,
This tyde.
Pilatns. herk, felow, com nere !
Thou knowes I haue powere
To excuse or to danipne here,
In bayH to abyde.

(12)
Ihesus. Sich powere has thou uoghf / to wyrk thi wiH
thus with me,
Bot* from my fader that is broghf / oone-fold god in
persons thre.
Pilatns. Certys, it is fallen weH in my thogbf / at this
tyme, as weH wote ye,
A thefe thaf any felony has wroghf / to lett hym skap
or go fre

111

116

• At the beglnniug of this page of the MS. , is a large initial letter
D, which, however, has uo connection with the ensuing text.

Tawneley Plays. XXII. The Scourging. 247

Away; 120 Pilate offers

Therfor ye lett hym pas. jesus be-

1 1 1 i cause of the

pvvinns tortw'. Nay, nay, Dof barabas ! Feast, tint

. , ., • ii • the first tor-

And ihesUS in this case tureraaka

To deth ye dam) this day. 12-1 baa.

(13)
pilatua. Syrs, looks ye take good liede / his cloysse ye Piiatebids

spoyH hym fro, Jeaus and

ye gar his body blede / and bett hym blak and bloo. Him.
Sec\ind»s tortox. This man, as myght I spede / that* has
wroght vs this wo,
how "ludicare" comys in crede / shaH we teche, or we

go.

AH soyne. 129

haue bynd to this pyllar.
TeTcitis tartoT. why standys thou so far ?
pximus tortor. To betf his body bar

I haste, witfioutten hoyne. 133

(U)
/Secundus tortor. Now faH I the fyrst" / to fJap on hys hyde. Tiie tor-

tUTfirs Wfl

Texcius tortox. My hartt wold aH to-brysf / bof I myght with each

i. u, 1 11 other in

tytr hym glyde. cnieity.

primus tortox. A swap fayn, if I durst* / wold I lene the
this tyde.
Secrmdas tortox. war ! letf me rub on the rusf / that*
the bloode downe glyde
As swythe. 138

Teicius tortox. liaue att !
primus tortox. Take thou that !
Seenndns tortox. I shaH lene the a flap,

My strengthe for to kythe. 142

(15)
Texeius tortox. Where on seruys thi prophecy / thou teH tFoi. so, b.]
vs in this case.
And aH thi warkys of greatf mastry / thou shewed in They aooff
dyuers place?
pximns tortox. Thyn apostels fuH radly / ar run from tlie
a rase.
Thou art* here in cure baly / withoutten any grace

248

Towiieley Plays. XXII, The Scourging.

They would
■courge
Jesus to
death, but
for Pilate.

They call to
mind His

rairaclea —
His turning
water into
wine and
walking on
the sea.

Uia healing
a leper and
the Cen-
turion's son,

His giving

sight to a
blind man
on the way
from
Jericho.

Of skap. 147

Secwndns tortor. Do, rug him.
Tevciua tortor. Do, dyng liyra.
piimws iortoT. Nay, I myself sliuld kyH hym

Bot* for siV pilate. 151

(16)
Syrs, at the ffeste of architreclyn / this prophete he waa ;
Ther turnyd he water into wyn / that day he had sich
grace,
his apostels to hym can enclyn / and other thaf tlier was ;
The see he past bof few yeres syn / if lete hym walk
theron apase
Af wyH ; 156

The elementys att bydeyn,
And wyndes that av so keyn,
The firmamente, as I weyn,

At hym obeyng tyH. 160

(17)
y'us. tortor. A lepir cam fuH fast / to this man that*
here standys,
And prayed hym, in aH hast / of bayH to lowse his
bandys ;
his traueH was nof wast / though he cam from far landj/s ;
This prophete tyH hym pasf / and helyd hyra with his
handy*,
flfuH biythe. 165

The son of Century on,
ffor whom his fader made greatf mone,
Of the palsy he helyd anone,

Thay lowfyd hym off sythe. 169

(18)
r»;us tortor. Sirs, as he cam from iherico / a blynde
man satt by the way ;
To hym walkand with many mo / cryand to hym thus
can he say,
" Thou son of dauid, or thou go / of blyndnes hele thou
me this day."
Ther was he helyd of aH his wo / sicfi wonders can
he wyik aH way

i

Tovmelcy Plays. XXII. The Scmirging. 249

AtwyB; 174 Jesusc»n

he rasys men from detti to lyfe, lie'd and

And Cflstys ouf devyls from thame oft sythe, devils."'
seke men cam to hym fuH ryfe,

He helys thaym of aH yH. 178

(19)

ptimwa toiior. £for aH thise dedys of great louyng / fower ' But tije first

thyngys I haue fond certanly, members

ffor which he is worthy to hyng : / oone is oure kyng thaf claimed to"

he wold be ; iiea&the^

Oure sabbot day in his wyikyng / he lettys not to hele the sabbatii!*"!!)

1 . 1 said He

seke truly ; „ou,i j^-

he says oure temple he shaH downe bryng /and in thre^ tempie'and

daies byg if in hy ^l

AHholeagane; 183 ^I'^^l'J^u

Syr pUate, as ye sytf, f'i^^y

looke wysely in youre wy tt ; Jes»s.
Dam ihesu or ye flytt

On crosse to suffre his payne. 187

(20)

pilatas. Thou man that suflurs alt tljis yH / Why WyH [Koi. si.n.

thou Vs no mercy cry ? '^' "'

Slake thy harf and thi greatf wyH / whyls on tlie we Pilate bids

!,„„„ _,„„*„, Jesus work

haue mastry ; some

Of thy greatt warkes shew vs som skyH ; / men caH the '"'"'^'°-
kyng, thou teH vs why ;
wherfoT the lues seke tlie to spyH / the cause I
wol(} knowe wytterly,
perdee ; 1 92

Say what* is thy name,
Thou lett for no shame,

Thay putt on the greatt blame, Hciiimseif

Els myglit [thou] skap for me. 1 96 lease'Him.

(21)
Secundns ConsultMS. Syr pilate, prynce peerles / this is The first

J Counsellor

my red, alleges ■

Thaf he skap not harmeles / bot do hym to ded : to' te' king.'"

he cals hym a kyng in euery place / thus wold he oner led
Oure people in his trace / and oure lawes downe tred
' MS. iiij, apparently a mistake for iij. " IIS. iij.

250

The knighti
and people
are crying
for His
crucifixion.

Pilnte asks
why they
will not
obey their
king?

The third
torturer
answers
that Ceesar
is their king.

PUate
washes his
hands.

and bids
them tflke
Jesus and
crucify Him.

The tor-
turers exult.

Towneley Plays. XXII. The Scourging.

By skytt ; 201

Syr, youre knyghtesyof good lose,
and the pepyH with oone voce,
To hyag hyni hy on a crosse

Thay cry and caH you vntyH. 205

(22)
pilatna. Now certys, this is a wonder thyng / that* ye
wold bryng to noght
hym that is youre lege lordyug / In faith this was far
soghfr ;
Bot< say, why make ye none obeyng / to hym that aU has
wroght 1
Tercius Tortov. Sir, lie is oure chefe lordyng / air Cesar
so worthyly wroght
On mold. 210

pylate, do after vs,
And dam to deth ihesus
Or to sir Cesar we trus,

And make thy frenship cold". 214

(23)
pilatns. Now that* I am sakles / of this bloode shaii
ye see ;
Both my hand^/s in expres / weshen saH be ;
This bloode bees dare boghf I ges / that" ye spiH so frele.
priniMS tortoT. we pray if faH endles / on vs and oure
meneye,
with wrake. 219

pilatas. Now youre desyre fulfyH I shaH ;
Take hym emangs you aH,
On crosse ye put that" thraH,

his endyng ther to take. 223

(24)
jijrimus tortoT. Com on ! tryp on thi tose / witfeout any
fenyng ;
Thou has made many glose / with thy fals talkyng.
Semndas tortor. we ar worthy greatte lose / that thus
has broght a kyng
ffrom s?T pilate and othere fose thus into oure ryng,

Towneley Plays. XXII. The Scourging. 251

wt't^outt any hoyue. 228 as Jesus

, , , calls Him-

Sirs, a kyng he hym cals, self « king,

Therfor a crowne liyra befals. have a

Tercius tortoi. I swere by aH myn elder sauls,

I shaH if ordan soyne. 232

(2S)
ptimna tortoi: Lo ! here a crowne of thorne / to perch [FoI- si, b.j
his brane within,
putt on his hede with skorne/ and gar thyrU the skyn. They crown
Secxmdns tortor. hayH kyng ! 'where was thou borne / sich thoms and

, . » , 0 mock Him.

worship lor to wyn i
we knele aH the beforne / and the to grefe wiH we not
blyn,
Thaf be thou bol(J ; 237

Now by mahownes bloode !
Ther wiH no mete do me goods
To he be hanged on a roode,

And his bones be cold!. 241

(26)
prtTOUs tortor. Syrs, we may be fayn / ffor I haue fon They and a

tree for a
a tree, crow, and

I teH you in certan / if is of greatf bewtee, make ready

On the which he shaH sufifre payn / be feste yrith nales
thre,
Ther shaH nothyng hym gayn / ther on to he dede be,
I insure it ; 246

Do, bryng hym hence.

/Secunius toHov. Take vp oure gere and defence.
Texcius tortor. I wold spende aH my spence

To se hym ones skelpt. 250

(27)
primus tortor. This cros vp thou take / and make the The first tor-

1 1. turer blda

redy bowne ; jesus bear

Withoutt gruchyng thou rake / and here if thrugh the Mary wiii

.. mourn for

towne ; Him.

Mary, thi moder, I wote wiH make / great mowrn-yng and

mone,
But for thy fals dedys sake / shortly thou salbe slone,'

> This line is added by a later hand.

252 Tovmeley Plays. XXII. The Scourging.

The people No nay ; 255

hen'fa"?" The pepyH of bedlem,
ahrwonder and gentyls of levusalem,
auesus to ^^ ^y^^ comoneis of this reme,

shall wondec on the this day. 259

(28)
[John and the Holy Women appear on another part of tlie
stage.'\
John /o/iannes apostoln&. Alas ! for my master moste of myghf,

lfc"«." "" Thaf yester euen with lanteme bright-

before Caiphas was broght; 262

Both pete/- and I sagh that sight*,
And sithen we fled away fuH wighf,

when lues so wonderly wroght ; 265

Af morne thay toke to red, And fals witnes furth soght.i
And demyd hym to be dede, That" to thaym trespaste
noghf,» 267

(29)
He most tell Alas ! for his modere and others moo,
Th^^tter My moder and hir sysler also,
women. g^^ ^^^ ^j^^ .syghyng sore ; 270

[Foi. 82, R. Thay Wote nothyng of aH this wo,
Sig. n. 2] xherfor to teH thaym wiB I go,

Sen I may mend no more. 273

If he shuld dy thus tyte And thay vnwamed wore,
I were Worthy to wyte ; I wiH go fast" therfor. 275

(30) \Qoes to the women.]

He greets God saue you, systers aH in fere !
rwVh°e Dere lady, if thi wiH were,

I musf teH tythyngys playn. ^'8

Maria. Welcom, lohn, my cosyn dere !
how farys my son sen thou was here 1

Thaf wold I wyt fuH fayn. 281

/oftannes. A, dere lady with youre leyff. The trouth shuld

no man layn,
Ne with godyg wiH thaym grefe.
Mary ask. if Maria. whi.Iohn.ismysonslaynl 283

> These two lines, and the coiiospanding ones in the next five
stanzas, are written as fom' in the MS.

has bad

her son be
slaiD.

them Jesu^
is con-
demned.

Tmmieky Plays. XXII. The Scourging. 253

(31) John re-

niindB her of

Fohsmues. Nay lady, I saide not so, the words of

Bot* ye nie myu lie told vs two Hisdenth

And tliaym that witli vs wore, 286 again.

how he witB pyne shuld pas vs fro.
And efte shuld com vs to,

To amende oure syghyng sore ; 269

If may not stand in stcde To sheynd youre self therfore.
Maria magdalene. Alas ! this day for drede ! Good John,
neven this no more ! 291

(32)
Speke preualy I the piay, Mary Mag-

/v. T CI • r 1 ■ * .1 dalen and

flFor I am ferde, if we hir nay, Mary the

That* she wiH ryn and rate. 294 jamesbid

Johannes. The sothe behowys me nede to say, the news

, .-, 1. ii.i_-j first to them.

he is damyd to dede this day, He toils

Ther may no sorow hym safe. 297

Maria lacolri. Good lohn, teH vnto vs two What thou of

hir witt ciafo.
Ami we wiB gladly go And help that thou it haue. 299

(33)
lohdnnes. Systers, youre mowrnyng may not" amende ; [Foi. 82, b.)

And ye wiH ever, or he take ends,

Speke with my maste)- free, 302 irthey

would speak

Then must ye ryse and with me weynif, to Him

L 11 1 1 J figf^'n. they

And kepe hvm as he shan be kend must make

haate.

Witfioutt yond same cyte ; ■ 305

If ye win nygh me nere, Com fast* and felowe me.
Maria. A, help me, systers dere ! That" I my son
m^y see. 307

(34)
Maria Magdalene. Lady, we wold weynd fuU fayn,
Hertely With aH oure myglit and mayn,

youre comforth to encrese. 310 Mary bids

Maria. Good lotn, go before and frayn. fore them.

lohannes. Lo, where he conimes vs euen agayn

with aH yond mekyH prese I 313

AH youre mowrnyng in feyr / may not his sorow sese.
Maria. Alas, for my son dere, / thaf me to moder
chesel [They meet Jesun.1 315

254 Towneley Plays. XXII. The Scourging.

(35)
Mary would Alas, dele son for care / I se tlii body blede ;
Son'6 croBs, My self I wiH for-fare / for the in this great drede,

This cros on thi shulder bare / to help the in this nede,
I wiH if bere wit6 greatt harf sare / wheder thay wiH the
lede. 319

jeBuesaysit IfiesMS. This cros is large in lengthe / and also bustus

istooiieavy .,»- ii

for her. WltS all;

If thou put to thi strengths / to the erthe thou men downs
faH. 321

(36)
Maria. A deve son, thou let me / help the in this case !

et iTU-Hnabit cruceva. ad ma.irem suam.

//tesus. lo, mode?', I teH if the / to bere no myghf thou
base.
Mary bids Maria. I pray the, dere son, if may so be / to man thou

Him have , .

pityonHim- gll thi grace,

On thi self thou haue pyts / and kepe the from thi
foyse. 1 325

(37)
Jesus Bays 7/iesus. fifor sotlie, mode?*, this is no nay / on cros I must

He must die j j i

and rise dede (ire,

agam o save ^^^ ^^^^ j^^j^ ^^^^ ^^ ^^^ thryd day / thus prophecy

says by me ;
Mans sauH thaf I lutfyd ay / I shatt redeme securly,
Into blis of heuen for ay / I shaH if bryng to me. 329
(38)
The other Maria il/wf/rfalene. It is greatt sorow to any wyght / Ihes!w,
UmenV to se with lues keyn,

[Foi. 83, a. How he in dyuerse payns is dight / ffor sorow I watec both

Big. N. 3.1 > 001

^ myn) eeyn. 661

Maria lacobt. This lord that is of niyghf /dyd'neuer

yH truly,
Thise lues thay do nof righf / if thay deme hym to dy.

(39)
Maria Magdalene. Alas 1 whaf shaH we say ! / ihesus
that is so leyfe, 334

To dsth thise lues this day / thay lede with paynes fuH
grefe.

' The ryine needs fayse,' foes.

Tovmeley Plays. XXII. The Scourging. 255

Maria lacobi. He was fuH true, I say / thougfi thay dam ^^^'Ji^
hym as thefe, for sorrow.

Mankynde he lufed att way / fur sorow my hart wiH
clefe. 337

(40)

//lesus. ye doghters of lenisaXem / 1 byd you wepc nothyng ti|™^,^nt
for me, '"? *'''"'-.

ivi *u%^, selves and

Bof for youre self and youre barn-teme / behald. I teH their ciiu-

you secm-le,
Sore paynes ar ordand for this reme / in dayes heraf ter for

to be ;
youre myrth to bayH if shaH downs streme / in euery

place of this cyte. 341

(41)
Childer, certys, thay shaH blys / women baren thaf neuer

child bare,
And pappes thaf neuer gaf sowke, Iwys / thus shaH

thare \\aiiys for sorow be sare ;
The montajrns hy and tliise greatt hyllys / thay shaH byd

faH apon them thare,
fl'or ray bloode thaf sakles is / to shede and spyH thay

wiH not spare. 345

Secunrfus tortov. walk on, and lefe thi vavn carpyng / if The second

' J I J o / torturer bids

shaH not saue the fro thy dede, Him cease

1 His vain

whede?" fchise women cry or syng / for any rea thaf thay talking.
can reef. 347

(42)
Tercius tortov. Say wherto abyde we here abowte, The other

. 1 . 7 1 . n torturers

Thise qwenes witA scremyng and wn/t showte T tiireatenthe

May no man thare wordy^- stere 1 3oU

prijKUs tortor. Go home, thou casbald', with that clowte !

Or, by thaf lord I leyfe and lowte,

Thou shaH by if fuH dero ! 353

Maria Magdii\e,\\^. This thyng shaH venyance caH / on
you holly in fere.

Secunrfus tortov. Go, hy the hens with aH / or yH hayH
cam thou here !

t'lyus tortov. let aH this bargan be / syn aH oure toyles ar Tiie third

, , torturer

before ; hurries

This tratoxire and this tre / I woklf fuH fayn were thore.

256

Th« third
torturer sees
tlmt Jesus
cannot bear
the crosB.

They bi<l
Simon ease
Him of it.

Biiiinn says
he is on a
great
joarney.

[Fol. 83. b.]

The first tor-
turer presses
him for
pity's sake,
but SinT^n
nllcges his
haste

The second
torturer says
that Jesus
must be dead
by noon,
and Simon
must neetls
help thfiiii.

Townehy Plays. XXII. The Scourging.

IJus tortov. If no.dys not hym to harH / this cros dos

hym greatt dere,
Bot yonder co»imys a caiil / shaH help hytn for to
bere. \^Entei* Simon of Cyrene.'\

(43)
ijus tortoT. That* shaH we soyn se on assay,
herk, gooi man, whedt;r arf thou on away }

Thou walkes as thou were wrath. 362

Sijmon. Syra, I haue a greatt lomay
Thiif must be done this same day,

Or els it wiH me skathe. 365

Tevcius toiioT. Thou may with lytyH payn / easse hym

and.thi self botlL^
Simoii'. Good syrs, that* wold I fayn / bof for to tary
were futt loth.i 367

(44)
primus tortov. Nay, nay ! thou sliaH full soyn be sped ;
lo here a lad thaf musf be led

fifor his yH dedys to dy, 370

And he is bressed and aH for bled,
Thaf makys vs here thus stratly sted ;

we pray the, sir, for-thi, 373

Thaf thou wiH take this tre / bere if to caluary.
Symori. Good sirs, that may nof be / ffor fuH greatt
haste haue I, 375

(45)
No longere may I hoyn.
i/us tortov. In fayth thou shaH nof go so soyn

ffor noghf that thou can say 378

This dede musf nedy« be done,
And this carll be dede or iioyn.

And now is nere myd day ; -381

And therfoi* help vs af this nede / and make vs here no

more delay.
Symon'. I pray you do youre dede / and lef me go my

Simon still
excuses him-
self.

way;

(46)
And I shaH com fuH soyn agane,
To help this man with aH my mayn,

■ The ryme needs ' bath, lath.'

383

Towneley Plays. XXII. The. Scoiirging. 257

Af youre awne wyH. 386

(yus tortov. whaf and woLl' tliou trus with sic6 a tranel Tiietortur-
Nay fatur, thou shaH be fuH fayn, Simon.

This forward to fulfyH ; 389

Or, by the myghf of uiahowue ! / thou shaH lyke if

futt yH.
primus tortov. Tytf, lef dyiig this dastard downe / hot*
he laj hand ther tyH. 391

(47)
Symon\ Certys, that" were vnwysely wroghf,
To beytf me bot if I trespass oghf

Aythere in worde or dede. 394

yus tortor. Apon thi bak it shuH be broght*, Ho simii

Thou berys it wheder thou wiH or noghf ! Cross,

DewyH ! whom shuld we drede t 397 will or no.

And therfor take if here belyfe / And here if furth, good

spede.
Symon\ If helpys nof here to strife / here if behoues me Simon sees
nede; 399 Ir"'""'

(48)
And therfor, syrs, as ye hauo sayde, aad is wcu

'•''•' ■' ' . content to

To help this man I am wcH payde, help Christ

As ye wold thaf it were. 402

lyus tortor. A, ha ! now ar we righf arayde,

bof loke oure gere be redy grade,

To wyrk when we com there. 405

primus toHoi. I waraud aH redy / oure toyles both moore [Foi. 8», «.,

, , 8ig. N. 4.]

and lea,
And sir syinon truly / gose on before with cros. 407

(49)
Tercitts fortor. Now by mahowne, oure heuen kyn" Tiie tortur-

•' . ' ■' ° ers hurry to

I wold thaf we were in thaf stede their work,

where we myghf byni on cros bryng.
Step on before, and fnrth hym lede

A trace. 412

pri?«us tortor. Com on thou !
j;us tortor. Put on thou !
ty'us tortor. I com fasf after you.

And folowse on the chaee. 416

Explicit Flagellacio.

T. PLAYS. S

258 Towneley Plays. XXIII. Tlie Crucifixion.

(XXIII.)
Sequitur Processus crucis.

[Dramatis Personae

PilcUus. Quartus Torlor. Longeus.

Priimis Tartar. Jesita. Josephus.

Secundiui Tortor. Maria. Nichodcmus.]

Tenuis Tortor. Johannes.

[1 thirtccn-linc sfanza, abab cbcbd ccd ; 9 eleven-line, no. 38 aab
ccb bd bbd, iws. 39, 40, 45, 70, 71, 72 aab aab be bbc, nos. 53
aud 54 aaab cccb dbd ; 1 ten-line, no. 52, aaab cccb, cb ; 1 nine-
line, no. 57, aaaab cccb ; 5 eight-line, no. 1 abab abab, )U). 51 abab
aaab, nos. 60, 56 and 65 aaab cccb ; 1 seven-line, no. 3, aa bbc
be ; 71 six-line, nos. 62, 63, 66, 68, 69 aaaab b, the vest aab ccb ;
3 five-line, nss. 59, 61, 67 aaab b ; 6 four-line, iw. 44 ab ba, 49,
55, 58, 60 and 64 aaaa ; 1 thrcc-linc, no. 90, and 7 eouplets.]

Pilate calls
for silence,
with threats.

Those who
inteiTupt
him, he will
tftineon the
gallows, or
bent them.

2nlatus.

(1)

PEasse I byd euereich Wight !
Stand as styH as stone in "WaH,
"VVhyls ye ar present in my sight,
That none of you clatter" ne caH ;
ffor if ye do, youre dede is dighti
I warne it you both greatt and smaH,
With this brand burnyshyd so bright",
Tberfor in peasse loke ye be aH.
(2)
What ! peasse in the dwillys name !

harlottys and dustardy« aH bedene !
On gahis ye be maide fuH tame,

lliefys and mychei-s keyn !
wiH ye not peasse when I bid youl

by mahownys bloode, if ye me teyn,
I shaH ordan sone for you,

paynes that nener ere was seyn,
And that anone !
Be ye so bold! beggars, I warn you,
ffuH boldly shaH I bett you,
To beH the dwiil shaH draw you,
Body, bak and bone.

12

17

21

Tovmeley Plays. XXIII. The Crucifixion. 259

(3)
I am a lord that* mekiH is of myghf ,
prynce of att lury, sir pilate I hight,
Nex.t^ kyng herode grettyst of aH ;
Bowys to my byddyng both greatt and smaH,

Or els be ye slientt ; 26

Therfor stere youre tonges, I warn you aH,

And vnto vs take tent. 28

primus tm-tor. AH peasse, aH peasse, emang you aH I
And herkyus now what shaH befaH

Of this fals chulTer here j 31

That* wiih his fals quanlyse,
base lett hymself as god wyse,

Emangys vs many a yere. 34

(5)
he cals hym self a prophett,
And says that he can bales bete,

And make aH thyngys amende j 37

Bot or oght lang wytt we shaH
wheder he can bete his awne bale.

Or skapp out of oure hcnde. 40

(6)
Was not this a wonder thyng,
That he durst caH hym self a kyug

And make so grealf a lee 1 43

Bof, by mahowne ! wliils I may lyf,
Those prowde wordes shaH I neue?- forgyf,

TyH he be hanged on he. 46

(7)
Seeundns tortor. hys pride, fy, we sett* at* noghf,
Bot ich man now kest in his thoght,

And looke that we noght wante ; 49

ffor I shaH fownde, if that I may,
By the orde?- of knyghtede, to day

To cause his hart pante. 52

(8)
Teicius tortoT. And so shaH I with aH my myghV,
Abate his pride this ylk nyghf,

[Ful. 84, b.]
His name is
Pilate.

Ho is

second only
to King
Herod.

The Ist
torturer bids
the people
libtea to
what slmll
befall Jesus,
"this false
chuffer,"

wlio says He

cau mend all

evils.

Can He now

mend His

own?

He called
Himself a
king, and
sliall not bo
forgiven His
pride till He
tie handed
for it.

The 2nd
torturer
will make
Christ's
heart jiant
this day.

260

Townehy Flays. XXIII. Tlic Crucifixion.

Thc3ra
torturer snys
thftt Jesus
can do a foul
deeil when
He will.

The 4tli bids
them sec
Umt they
liavc all they
need to
fasten Jesus
with.

(Fol. 85, a.]

Tliey have

bauds,

hammer and
nails.

AU HiR
•'mawnicn-
Iry " shall
not serve
Him uow.

Tliey arrive
at Calvary,
and iirepaie
Toi llieir
"iday."

And rekyn liym a crede ; 55

Lo, lie letys he cowde none yH,
Eot* he can ay, when he wyH,

Do a fuH fowH dede. 68

(9)
Quarius tortor. j'ei felows, ye, as haiie I rest" !
Euiangys vs aH I red we l<osf

To bryng this thefe to dede ; 61

Loke that* we liaue that we shulJ nate,
ffor to haliJ this shrew strate.

prinms tortor. Tliat was a nobyH red 1 64

(10)
Lo, here I haue a bande,
If iiede be to bynd his hande ;

This thowiig, I tiow, wiH hist. 67

(S'ecunciu* tortor. And here oone to the othero sydc,
That shaH abate his pride,

Be if be drawen fasf. 70

(11)
iyus tortoT. lo, here a haniere and nales also,

ffor to ft'sten fast oure foo

To this tre, fuH soyn. 73

ny'us tortoT. ye ar wise, withouttoii dredo,
That so can help youre self at iicdc,

Of thyiig thaf shuld be done. 76

(12)
j)ii7HUS tortor. Now dar I say Iiurdely,
he shaH with aH his luawnicntry

No longere vs bo teH. 79

ijws tortor. Syn pilate base hyiii tyH vs geyii,
haue done, belyfe ! let it be seyn

how we can wifh hym meH. 82

(13)
ty us tortor. Now ar we at the inonte of cahiaryo ;
haue done, folows, and let now sc

how we can with hym lake. y5

ny'us tortor. yee, for as modee as he can loke,
he wold haue turnyd an othere croke

Myghf he haue had the rake. 88

Tpwneley Plays. XXIII. The Crucifixion. 261

(14)
primus iortor. In faytb, syr, sen ye callyd you a kyng, as Jesus

, culls Hiiii-

you must prufe a worthy thyiig self .■> king,

That* falles vnto the were; 91 jonstin

_ . toiimament,

ye must lust in toinaiuente ; and sit fast

Bof ye sytt fast els be ye shentt, Cross.

Els downe I shaH you bare. 94

(15)
<Secuii(ius turtor. If thou be eody« son, as thou tellys, if Hebe

, Ood'9 Sod,

Thou can the kepe ; how shuld thou ellysl He can

T^, • .1 ,. />>» gnnrd Hira-

Els were it meTOen greatf ; 97 self.

And bot if thou can, we wiH not trow
That thou base saide, bof make the mow

when thou syttys in yond setf. 100

(16)
nVus tortoT. If thou be kyng we shaH thank adyH, They win

•' ■' ° •' ' set Hun in

ffor we shaH sett the in thy sadyH, His ssddic,

•' •' and He need

fEor faHvng be thou boldi. 103 not fear «

I hete the weH thou bydys a shaft* ;
Bof if thou sytf weH thou liad bettei- laft

The tales that thou has told. 106

(17)
t'liVus tortor. Stand nere, felows, and let so i,et them see

, . . e I'ow they can

how we can hors ouve kyng so fre, horse their

By any craff ; 109 '^"'^'

Stand thon yonder on yond syde, If^i- ss, b.i

And we shaH se how he can ryde,

And how to weld a shaff . 112

(18)
i)ri??nis to'^or. Sir, commys heder and haue done, His palfrey

is readv,

And wvn apon youre palfray sone, and He must

,, , r- T J , , , . be bound to

ffor he [isj redy bowne. 115 it.

If ye be bond tiH hym, be not wrothe,
ffor be ye secure we were full lothe

On any wyse thaf ye feH downe. 118

(19)
Secunrfus tortor. knyt thou a knott, with aH thi strenghf,
ffor to draw this arme on lengthe,

262

Towneley Flays, XXIIL The Crucifixion.

They draw
out ChriBt's

bind the in
with ropes,

and nail
them ;

hold down
His knees,

draw down
the legs

pierce them,
and nail
them.

TyH it com to the bore. 121

Tercius tortov. Thou niaddy^, man, bi this light!
If wantys, tyH ich mans sighf,

Othere half span and more. 124

(20)
Quartvis tortov. yif chawe owt this arrae and fest it fast",
with this rope that weH wiH last,

Aod ilk man lay hand to. 127

px\m\is, fmior. yee, and bynd thou fast* that band ;
we shaH go to that* othere hand

And loke what* we can do. 130

(21)
ijns tortoT. Do dryfe a nayH ther thrugh outf,
And then thar vs nothyng doutt,

ffor it wiH not bresf. 133

iijws tortov. That shaH I do, a.s myght I thryfe !
ffor to clynke and for to dryfe,

Therto I am fuH: presf ; 136

(22)
So lett it styk, for it is wele.
iiijns tortov. Thou says sothe, as haue I cele !

Ther can no man it niende. 139

jjviwus tortov. hald downe his knees.
Swvmdus tortov. that shaH I do

his norysh yede neuer better to ;

Lay on ali yowr hende. 142

(23)
Tevcius tortov. Draw out hys lymmes, let se, haue at !
wy'us tortov. That was weH drawen that that;

ffare faH hym that so pulcf ! 145

ffor to haue getten it to the marke,
I trow lewde man ne clerk

Nothyng better shuU. 148

(24)
l^ri/nus tortov. hak? it* now fast thor,
And oone of you take the bore,

And then may if not* fayH. 151

?}'us tortov. That shaH I do withoutten drede,
As eu6r myglit I wett spede,

hym to mekyH bayH. 154

Towneley Plays. XXIII. The, Crucifixion.

263

(25)
Terciics tortor. So, that is weU, it wiH not bresf,
Bot let now se who dos the besf

■\vit6 any slegthe of hande. 157

ny'us toiioT. Go we now vnto the othere ende ;
ffelowse, fesf on fast youre hende,

And puH weH at this band. 160

(26)
piimus tortoi. I red, felowse, by this wedyr,
That* we draw aH ons togedir,

And loke how it wyH fare. 163

ijua tortoT. let now se and lefe youre dyn I
Ajid draw we ilka syn from syn ;

ffor nothyng let vs spare. 166

(27)
ly'us iortoT. Nay, felowse, this is no gam 1
we win no longere draw aH sara.

So mekiH haue I asspyed. 169

tt'yus tortoT. No, for as haue 1 blys !
Som can twyk, who so it is,

Sekys easse on som kyn syde. 172

(28)
pTimna tortoi. If is better, as I hope.,
On by his self to draw this rope,

And then may we se 175

who it is that" ere while
AH his felows can begyle,

Of this companye. 178

(29)
Secnndns tortoi. Sen thou wiH so haue, here for me !
how draw I, as myglit thou the 1

Teicitis tortoi. Thou drew right wele. 181

haue here for me half a tojte !
quartna tnrtoi. wema, man ! I trow thou doyte 1

Thou fly t it neuer a dele ; 1 84

(30)
Bot haue for me here that I may !
j^rimus tortoi. WeH drawen, soiij bi this day I

IFol. 86. a.l

They begin
to pull tlie
Cross into
place with
a rope.

At nrst
all pull to*
gether.

But the
SM and 4th
torturers
think soate
one is sham*
ming.

Tiie Ist pro-
poses that
each man
pulls by him-
self.

They vie
with each
other in
pulling.

264? Towneley Plays. XXIII. The Crucifixion.

The tortur-
ers excite
each other
to pull the
Cross to the
mark.

190

Hold still
there !

Now to bore
the hole for
the Cross to
Btand in !

[Fol. 86, b.]

They call to
one another
to lift the
Cross,

and set it in

the mortice.

Thou gose weH to thi warke ! 187

Secundus toHoT. yit efte, whils thi hande is in,
puH theraf with som kyn gyn.

Mj'us tortov. yeo, & bryng it to <7ie marke.
(31)
quart\xi tortor. puH, puH 1
primus tortov. haue now !

t/us tortov. Ist se .

ty'us tortoT. ^ ^^ '

mj'us t<yrto\. yit a draght !

pnmui tortov. Therlo wit6 aH ray maght.

ijui tortov. A, ha ! hold still thore 1

zyus tortov. So felowse ! looke now belyfe,
whicB of you can best dryfe,
And I shaH take the bore.
(32)
Qwaj-fus t(rrtov. let me go therto, if I shaH ;
I hope that* I be the best mershaH

ffor [to] clynke it right,
do rase hym vp now when we may,
ffor I hope he & his palfray

ShaH not twyn this nyghf.
(33)
pri7?ius tortov. Com hedir, felowse, & haue done !
And help that this tre sone

To lyft with aH youre sleghf.
i/us tortov. yit let vs wyrke a whyle.
And noman now othere begyle
To if be broghf on heghf.
(34)
iij-as tortov. ffelowse, fest on aH youre hende,
ffor to rase this tre on ende.
And let se who is last".
iiijns, tortov. I red we do as that he says ;
Set we the tre in the mortase,
And ther wiH it stand fasf.
(35)
primus tortov. Vp with the tynibre.
Secundus tortov. a. it heldys 1

ffor hym that aH this warld weldys

193

196

199

202

205

208

211

2U

Towndcy Plays. XXIII. The Crucifixion.

265

put fro the wit/t thi hande !
ty'us tortoT. lialdl eueii emangys vs aH.
uy'us torto\. yee, and! let it into the mortase faH,

fiFor then wiH it best stande.

217 Let it drop
into the mor-
tice :

it will stnnd
then.

220

(36)
^^riinus tortor. Go we to if and be we strong,
And rase if, be it neue;- so long,

Sen that it is fast bon. 223

ijxis tmioT. Vp with the tynibre fast on endo !
njws iortoT. A felowse, fayr faH youre hende 1

nyus tortoT. so ah; gape ngaiis the son ! 226

They lift it
into place,
and mock
Jesus,

(37)
^ri7?ms tm-tox. A felow, war thi crowne !
i/us iortot. Trowes thou this tymbre will oglit downel

ty'us tm'toY. yit help tha,i it were fast. 229

t'ly'us tortov. Shog hym weH & let vs lyfte.
^jriwus tm'tor. ffuH shoite slialbe his thryfte.

tj'us tortov. A, it staiidy.s' v]) lyke a niasf.

(38)
Jhesus. 1 pray you pepyH that passe me by,
That lede youre lyfe so lykandly,

heyfe vp youre hart^s on bight !
Beholdf if euer ye sagh body
Buffet & belt thus blody.

Or yit thus dulfuUy dighf ;
In warld was iieuer no wight

That suffred half so sare.
My niayn, my mode, my myght.
Is noght bot sorow to sight",

Aiid comfoith none, bof care.

(39)
My folk, what haue I done to the,
Thaf thou aH thus shaH tormente me ?

Thy syn by I fuH sore.
what haue I greuyd the 1 answere me,
Thaf thou thus nalys me to a tre,

And aH for thyn erroure ;

cynn H stands op
*iOZ like a inast.

Jesus calls
to them that
pass by to

noK see how He

^>5" BulTere.

238

243

246

(Fol. 87, a.]

What have
1 done to
thee, My
folk, that
thou tor-
mentest Me
tlius?

249

266

Towneley Plays, XXIII. The Grudfadon.

How Shalt
thou atone
for tliia dis-
honour thou
doest Me?

BenHls And
birds have
their resting
pl.iccs, but
God's Son
Jias only Hie
shoulder to
hay His liead

I have made
thee in My
likeness,
and thou re-
pay est Me
thus.

By thlM
guiltless
Buffering I
buy AdRiu"3
blood.

where shatt thou seke socoure 1

This mys how shaH thou amende? 251

when that thou thy saveoure
Dryfes to this dyshonoure,

And nalys thmgh feete and hendc ! 254

(40)
AH creatoures that kynde may kest,
Beestys, byrdj/s, aH haue thay rest,

when thay ar wo begon ; 257

Bot* godys son, that* shuld? be best,
hase not where apon his hede to rest,

Bot on his shuder bone. 260

To whome now may I make my mone'!

when thay thus martyr me,
And saklea wiH me slone.
And beete me blode and bone.

That my brethere shuld! be ! 265

(41)
what kyndnes shuld? I kythe theym to 1
liaue I not done that I aght to do,

Maide the to my lyknes ] 268

And thou thus refys me rest & ro.
And lett2/« thus lightly on me, lo !

Sicli is thi catyfnes. 271

(42)
I haue the kyd kyndnes, / Vnkyndly thou me quytys ;
Se thus thi wekydnes ! / loke how thou mo dyspytys ! 273

(43)
Gyltles thus am I put to pyne,
Not" for [my] mys, man, bot for thyne,

Thus am I rent on rode ; " 276

ffor I that tresoure woldf not tyne,
That I markyd! <fe made for myne,

Thus by I adam blode, 279

(44)
Thaf sonkyn was in syn,

with none erthly good ;

Bot with my flesh and blode
Thaf lothe was for to wyn. 283

Tovmehy Plays. XXIII. The Crucijwdon.

267

286

289

(45)
My brethere that I com foito by,
has hanged me here thus hedusly,

And freyndys fynde I foyn ;
Thus liaue thay dighf me drerely,
And aH by-spytt mo spytusly,

As helples man in won.
Bof, fader, that syttys in trone,

ffoigyf tliou them this gylt,
I pray to the this boyn,
Tliay wote not what thay doyn,

Nor whom thay haue thus spylt.
(46)
pnmwa tortor. yis, what we do fuH weH we knaw.
i/us tortor. yea, that shaH he fynde within a thraw.

(47)
iijws, tortor. Now, with a myschaunce tyH his cors,
wenys he that we gyf any force,

what dwiH so euer he ay HI
ny'us /o?'<or. ffor he «old tary vs aH day,
Of his dede to make delay

I teH vou, sansfayH.

(48)
jDrimus tortor. lyft vs this tre emanges vs aH.
ijns tortor. yee, and let it into the mortase faH,

And that shaH gar hym brest*.
njus trrrtor, yee, and aH to-ryfe hym lym from lym
iiijus tortor. And it wiH breke ilk ionte in hym.

let ae now who dos best.

(49) [Marij advances.]

Maria. Alas ! the doyH I dre / I drowpe, I dare in drede !
Whi hyngys thou, son, so heel / my bayH begynnes to

brede.
Alt blemyshyd is thi ble / I se thi body blede !
In warld, son, were neuer we / so wo as I in wede.

(50)
My foode that I haue fed.
In lyf longyng the led,
ffuH stratly art thou sted

Emanges thi foo-men feH ;

294

296

299

302

305

308

I'he brethren
I came to
SAve have
hanged Me
thus;

[Fol. 67, b.)

but. Father,
forgive them
this guilt,
they know
not what
they do.

The tortur-
era say tliey
know weJl
enough what
they are
about.

They lift the
Cross, and
let it fall
again into
the mortice,
to make Hia
body burst
asunder.

Mary la-
ments for
her Son's
agony.

312

316

268

Towneley Flays. XXIII. The Crucifixion.

No tongue Sicli sorow forto se,
^"efath" My dero barn, on the,
Buffering. Is '"Ore mowniyng to mo

Then any tong may teH.

320

(51)
How nmy Alas ! thi holy hede

slic look on

His face Rnii hasB not whsron to helde ;

body thus . i i i i ■

(lisflgureiu Thi face with blode is red.

Was fare as floure in ft-ylde ;
how shuld I standi Ju gtej
To se my barne thus blede 1
Belt as bio as lede.

And has no lym to weylJo 1

324

328

His hands

iFol. 88, a.]

and feet are
nailed,
His skin
torn,
liis sides
stream with
blood.

(52)
ffestynd both handys and feete
With nalys fuH vnrncte,
his woundes wrynyng wete,

Alas, my childe, for care 1
ffor aH rent is thi hyde ;
I se on aythere syde
Teres of blode downe glide

Ouer aH thi body bare.
Alas ! that euer I shuld byde

And se my feyr thus fare 1

332

336
338

John shares
in her grief
for her Son,
who was ft
good Master
to hiiD and
manj more.

(53) {John advances.]

Johannes. Alas, for doyH, my lady dero !
AH for-changid is thi chere,
To see this prynce witlioutten jiero

Thus lappyd aH in wo ;
he was thi fode, thi faryst foine,
Thi luf, thi lake, thi lufsom son,
That high on tre thus hyngijs aloue

with body blak and bio ;
Alas!

To me and many mo
A good master he was.

342

346

349

Townehy Plays. XXIII. The, Crucifixion.

260

(54)
Bof, ]ady, sen it is liis wiH
Tlie prophecy to fiilfyH,
That inaiikyiiJe in sy[n] not spiH

ffor they in to thole this payn ; 353

And with his dede raunson to make,
As po-oplietys befoni of hyni spake,
ffor-thi I red thi sorowe thou slake,

Thi Wepyng may not gayn ; 357

In sorowe
Oure boytt he byes fuH bayn,'

Vs aH from bale to borowe.' 360

(55)
Maria. Alas ! thyn een as cristaH clere / that shoyn as

son in sight,
That lufly were in lyore / lost thay hane thare light,
And wax ati faed in fere / aH dyin then ar thay dight !
In payn has thou no pore / that is withoutten pight. 364

(56)
Swete son, say me thi thoght,
what wonders has thou wroght
To be in payn thus broghf,

Thi blissed blode to blendcl 368

A son, thynk on my wo !
whi wiH thou fare me fro I
On mold is noman mo

That may my myrthcs amende. 372

(57)
/o/tannes. Comly lady, good and coufcli, / fiay;i wold I

comforth the ;
Me mynnys my master with mowth, / told vnto his menyee
That* he shuldf thole fuH mekiH payn / and dy apon a tie,
And to the lyfe ryse vp agayn, / apon tlie thryd day shuld
it be
ffuH light! 377

fFor-tlii, my lady swete,
Styut a while of grete !
Oure bale then witt he bete

As he befor has bight. 381

^ These two lines are written as one in the MS.

But Jesus
suffers thifi
paiii by His
own vvill,
til ere fore
slie sliuuM
sltike her
sorrow.

Mary In-

merits
afVcsh.

She calls on
Jesus to tell
her why He
endures
these things.

(Ful. 8S, b.J

John re-
iitinda her of
the words of
Jeflus as to
His death
and resur-
rcctiun.

270

Mary is mad
with her
grief;

Bhe Bees the
robe Blie
gave Jesus
all rent.

Bhe laments
for her come-
ly child,

ADit callB on
maids and
wives to
weep wjtit
her.

John says it
is His love
which makes
Jesus suffer
thus for us.

[Kul. 89, a.,
8ig. O. l.J

Mary thinks
she has lived
too long.

Totmieley Plays. XXIII. The Crucifixion,

(58)
Maria. Mi sorow it is so sad / no solace may me safe ;
Mowrnyng makys me mad / none hope of help I hafe ;
I am redles and rad / ffor feid that I mon rafo ;
NogRt may make me glad / to I be in my giafe. 385

(59)1
To deth my dere is dryfifeu,
his robe ia aH to-ryfEcn,
That of me was hym gyffen,

And shapen with my syilys ; 389

Thise lues and he has stryffeu / That aH the bale ho bydys.

(60)
Alas, my lam so mylde / win wiH thou fare nie fro
Emang thise wulf^s wylde / that wyrke on the this wol
fifor shame who may the shelde / ffor freyndys has thou fo !
Alas, my comly childe / whi wiH thou fare me fro? 394

(61)1
Madyns, make youre mone !
And wepe ye, wyfes, euerichon.
With me, most wrich, in wone,

The childe thaf borne was best !
My harte is styf as stone / That for no bayli witt brest. 399

(62)
/o/iannea. A, lady, wtH wote I / thi hart is fuH of care
when thou thus openly / sees thi childe thus fare ;
luf gars hym rathly / hym-self wlH he not spare,
Vs aH fro baiH to by / of blis that ar fuH bare 403

ffor syn.
My lefe lady, for-thy / Of mowrnyng loke thou blyn. 405

(63)
Maria. Alas I may euer be my sang / Whyls I may lyf

in leyd ;
Me thynk now that I lyf to lang / to se my bame thus blede ;
lufes wyrke with hym aH wrang / wherfor do thay this

dede?
lo, so by thay haue hym hang/ thay let for no drede : 409

Whi so
his fomeu is he emang 1 / No freyndfe he has, bof fo. 411

' These stanzas, as well as No. 67, are really eU-Une stanzas,
aaab ab.

J

Towneley Plays. XXII I. The Crucifixion. 271

(64)
My frely foode now farys me fro / what shaH wortB on me 1 what shall
Thou art warpvd aH in wo / and spred here on a tre herwhcniwr

ffuHhee/ _ 414 jJ^eV?"'

I mowrne, and so may mo / That sees this payn on the.

(05)
loliAtmes. Dere lady, weH were me John would

If that I myght comfortS the ; her.

ffor the soi'ow that' I see

Sherys myn harte in sondere ; 419

when that I se my master hang
With bytter paynes and Strang,
Was neue)' wighf with wrang

Wroghf so mekii} wonder. 423

(66)
Maria. Alas, dede, thou dwellys to lang ! / whi art thou Mnry up-

1 . J /. * braids Death

hid tro me 7 for going to

Who kend? the to my childe to gangl / aH blak thou andnot'sUy-
makyshisble; iDgherai,„.

Now witterly thou wyrky« wrang / the more I wiH wyte the,

Bof if thou wiH my hart6 staug / tiiat I myght with

hym dee 427

And byde ;

Sore syghyng is my sang, / ffor thyrlycl is his hyde ! 429

(67)
A, dede, what has thou done % j with the wiH I moytt sone,
Sen I had childer none bot oone / best* vnder son or moyn ;
ffreyndys I had f uH foyn / that gars me grote and grone God grant

n. ., , _ „ her to livo

flllH sore. 433 nomon

Good lord, graunte me my boyn / and let me lyf no more '

(68)
GabrieH, that good / som tyme thou can mo grete, o Gabriel,

And then I vnderstud / thi wordys that were so swete ; thy promises

_ , s I tf 1 to me been

isot now thay meng my moode / ffor grace thou can me hete, fulfilled ?
To here aH of my blode / a childe oure baiH shuld bete

with right* ;
Now hyngt/s he hero on rude / Where is that thou me hightt

(69)
AH that thou of blys / highf me in that stede,
ffrom myrtfc is faren omys / and yit I trow thi red; 442

272 Toivnelcy Plays. XXIII. The Crucifixion.

Miiry cries Tlii couuceH: now of this / my lyfe how shall I lede

IFoL 80, b.) When fro me gone is / he that was my hedc 444

My dede now comen it is / My dero son, haue mercy ! 446

Jesus bids
lier ceaso
from the
sorrow tTiftt
paiDS Him
more than
His own.
He Buffers
to save man-
kind.

(70)
//iesus. My moder mylcle, thou chaunge thi chere 1
Sease of tlii sorow and sighyng sere,

It syttys vnto my hart fuH sure * ; 449

The sorow is sharp I sufTre here,
Bot doyH thou drees, my moder dere,

Me marters mekiH marc.^ 452

Thus win my fader I fare.

To lowse mankyude of bandys ;
his son WiH ho uof spare,
To lowse that bon was are

ffuH fast in fcyndys handys. 457

(71)
The fyrst cause, moder, of my coximyng
Was for mankynde myscarying.
To salf tharo sore I soght* ;
lather cease Therfor, mode?-, make none mowrnyng,

from weep- ^, i i ^i i j

ing. andiet Sen maukyude thrugh my dyyug

be Bs son May thus to blis be boghf.

and mother, --^ ,, • i j T.i. i

Woman, wepe thou right noght !

Take ther lohn vnto thi chylde !
Mankynde must nedt/s be boght,
And thou kest, cosyn, in thi thoght;

lohn, lo ther thi mode;- mylde !

460

463

468

He calls on
mankind to
repay His
suffering
with stead-
fastness.

(72)
Bio and blody thus am I bett,
Swongen with swepys & aH to-swett,

Mankyude, for tlii mysdede !
ffor my luf lust when Wold thou lett,
And thi harle sadly sett,

Sen I thus for the haue blede 1

471

474

' MS. sore, more.

Tovmeley Plays. XXIII. The, Crucifixion. 273

Sich lyf, for sothe, I led",

That vnothes may I more ; jesus

This suffre I for thi nede, *"'''"■

To marke the, man, tlii mede :

Now tliryst I, wonder sore. 479

(73)
primus tortor. Noglit hot hold! thi peasse 1 The lat

Thou shall haue drynke within a resse, nsen Him a

My self shalbe thy knaue ; 482

haue here tlie draght that I the hete,
And I shaH warand it is not swete,

On all the good I haue. 485

(74)
Secuntius tortor. So syr, say now aH youre wiH ! The otiicre

ffor if ye coutb haue holden you styH by recalling

ye had not had this brade. 488

Tereius tortoi. Thou wold aH gaytt be kyng of lues, His claim of

Bot by this I trow thou rues '"^* "'''

AH that" thou has sayJe. 491

(75)
iiijns tortor. he has hym russfJ of great prophcs, ms boast

That" he shuld make vs tempylles, (Foi. 90, a.,

And gar it cleyn downe fall ; 494

And yif he sayde be shuldf if raso of destroying

As weH as it was, within thro dayes ! bu<i raisLx

he lyes, that wote we aH ; 497 dn'j". '"

(76)
And for his lyes, in great dispyte in despite

we win departs his clothyng tyte, they win

Bot he can more of arte. 500 clothes be-

primus tortor. yee, as euer niyght I thryfo, """ *''*""■

Soyn wiH we this raantyH ryfc.

And ich man take his parte. 503

(77)
t}'us toiior. how woltt thou we share this clothe 1 Tiiereisoue

iijns toiior. Nay forsothe, that were I lothe, good to be

Then were if aH-gate spylt ; 506

cut:

for this they

Bot assent thou to my saw, lots.

letf vs aH cutt draw.

And then is none begylf. 509

T. PLAYS. T

The 4th
torturer
wins the gar-
ment,
and the let
offers to buy
It of him.

They see an
inscription
newly writ-
ten on the
Cross,

and guess it
is by Pilate.

They go to
look at It.

274 TowneUy Plays. XXIII, The Cimcifixioyi.

(78)
ityus tortoi. how so befallys now wytt I draw !
This is myn by comon law,

Say not ther agayn.
primus tortov. Now sen if may no better be,
Chevich the with it for me.

Me thynk thou art ful fayn.

(79)
lyus tortox. how felowse, se ye not yond skraw 1
If is writen yonder within a thraw.

Now sen that we drew cut.
ty'us tortox. There is noman that is on lyfe
Bot it were pilate, as inyght I thrife,

That durst it ther haue putt.

(80)
Ml/us toHox. Go we fast and lef vs loke
what is wretyii) on yond boke,

And what if may bemeyn.
primus tortox. A the more I loke theron
A the more I thynke I fon ;

AH is nof worth a beyn.

(81)
«)'us tortox. yis, for sothe, me thynk I se
Theron writen langage thre,

Ebrew and latyn
And grew, me thynk, writen theron,
ffor if is hard for to expowne.

ty'us tortox. Thou red, by appolyn !

(82)
nyus tortox. yee, as I am a trew knyght,
I am the best latyn wright

Of this company ;
I wiH go withoutten delay
And teH you what it is to say ;

Behak*, syrs, witterly !

(83)
Sefh, yonder is wretyn) " ihe6'U of nazareyn
jj«r"''° lie is kyng of lues," I weyn.

It is in He-
brew, Latin,
and Greek,
and hard to
expound.

The 3rd
torturer is
tlSe best
"Latin
Wright,"
and exiilaina
it as

512

515

518

521

524

527

630

533

536

539

[KoL 60, b.)

Toumeley Plays. XXIII. The Ci-ucifixion. 21 o

pnwjus tortoT. A ! that is writen) wrang*. 542 The toitur-

-^ , , . ere think the

^ecundus tm'tow lie callys hym so, bot he is none. inscriptjon

. *rong, and

t'l/us tortoT. Go we to pilate and make oure inone : complain to

, , „ , cjc riiatc.

haue done, and dweH not lang. o4o

(84) [Tltey approach Pilate.]

pilate, yonder is a fals tabyH,

Theron is wryten noght bot fabyH ;

Of lues he is not kyng ! 648

he callys hym so, bot he not is :
If is falsly writen, Iwys,

This is a wrangwys thyng. 551

(85)
Pilatus. Boys, I say, what iiieU ye you 1 hive'°n™n"

As it is writen shaH it bo now, "'»•'«!'■

nieddlnig.

I say ceitane ; 554

Quod scriptum scripsi,
That same wrote I,

"What gadlyng gruches ther agane ? 557

(86)
guartvis tortov. Sen that be is man of law / he must nedys The tortur-

era think

haue his win ; Piiatc, as «

, / -,1 L lawyer, must

I trow he had not wnten that saw / without som prypro know best.
skyH.

(87)
piimns tortov. yee, let it hyug aboue his hede,
It shaH not saue hym fro the dede. At any rate

it won't save

Noeht that he can write. 562 Jesus from

° death.

t/us tortov. Now ytia hale was he borne.
iijns tortov. Ma-fay, I teH his lyfe is lorne,

he shalbe slayn as tyte. 565

(88)
If thou be crist, as men the caH, Tiiey bid

Him come

Com downe emangys vs an, down from

And thole not thies myssaes. 568 and save '

iiijns tortov. yee, and help thi self that we may se,

And we shaH aH trow in the,

what soeuer thou says. 571

(89)

^ri?nus tortov. he cals hym self good of myght,

Bot I wolcJ se hym be so wight

276 Tovmeley Plays. XXIII. The, Crucijucim.

Jesus could To do sich a dede

Jus%^t"' he rasyd lazare out of liis delfe,

nTmsd?"'' Bot he can not help hyin self,

574

577

JesUB cries
to Qod.

The tortur-
ere mis-
understand
Him.

[Fol. 91. a.,
Big. O. 3.]

Jesus coin-
mends His
soul to tlie
Father.

580

The toiiur-
ers make
Ix)Dgeu8, a
blind knight,
pierce His
side with a
spear.

Now in his greatt nede.

(90)
Ihe,&n. hely, hely, lainazabatany !
My god, my god, wherfor and why
has thou forsakyn mel

(91)
yus tortoT. how ! here ye not, as weH as I,
how he can now ou hely cry

Apou his wyse 1 5°^

Tercius tortoi. yee, ther is none hely in this countrc
Shan delyucr liym from this mene3e,

On nokyns wyse.

(93)
iiijua iortoT. I warand you now at the last
That he shaH soyn yelde the gast,

ffor brestyn is his gaH.
7/(esu. Now is ray passyon broght tyH ende !
flader of hcuen, in to thyn hende

I betake my sauH !

(93)
immus tortoT. let one pryk hym witfi a spere,
And if thftt it do hym no dere

Then is his lyfe nere past*,
j/us fortoT. This blynde knyght may best do thaf.
longeus. Gar me not do bot I wote what".

iijua twtoi. Not bot put vp fast.

586

589

592

595

598

ijongeus
receives his
sight, and
craves for-
giveness for
wounding
the body of
Jesus.

(94)
longms. A, loid, what may this be 1
Ere was I blynde, now may I se ;
Godys son, here me, Uiesu !
ffor this trespas on me thou rew.
Hbr, lord, othere men me gart,
that I the stroke vnto the hart :
I se thou hyngys here on hy.
And dyse to fulfyH the prophecy.

602

606

Towneley Plays. XXIII. The Grucifixion.

277

(95)

The 3rd
turturer sajrs
they mny
leave Jesus
now, for
iiune limy
bring Him to
life again.

Joseph of
Ai-imathea

latuents tlie
death of
Jesus.

nV;"us tortoT. Go we hence and leyfo hym here,
flfor I shali be his borglie to-yere

he felys no more payn ; 609

ffor hely ne for none othere man
AH the good tha euer he wan

Gettys not* liis lyfe ap,'ayn. 612

[Exeunt Tortores. Joseph of AHmathea and
Nicodemus advance.^
(96)
loseph. Alas, alas, and walaway 1
That euer shuld I abyde this day,

To se my master dede ; 615

Thus wykydly as he is shent,
with so bytter tornamente,

Thrugh fals lues red C18

(97)
Nychodeme, I wold we yede
To sir pilate, if we myght spede,

his body for to craue ; 621

I win fownde with all my myght,
ffor my seruyce to aske that knygbt

his body for to graue. 624

(98)
Nichoderrms. loseph, I wiH weynde with the
ffor to do that* is in me,

ffor that body to pray ; 627

fBor cure good wiH and oure traualo
I hope that it mon vs avayH

here afterward som day. 630

(99)
/osepfi. Syr pylate, god the saue ! [They go to Pilate.] (Foi. 9i,b.]
Graunte me that I craue.

If that it be thi wiH. 633

pilatus. Welcom, loseph, myght thou be I
what so thou asl;ys I graunte it the,

So that it be skyH. 636

(100)
loaep^. ffor my long seruyce I the pray
Graunte me the body — say me not nay —

Ho proposes
to Nicode-
mus that
they beg
leavo of Pi-
late to bury
the bodv.

Nicodemus
will go with
him.

Joseph asks
a boon ;
Pilate grants
it.

278

Towneley Plays. XXIII. The, Crucifixion.

Joseph's Of ihesu, dede on rud.

he niny bury ptlatus. I graunte weH if he ded be,
°'""' Good leyfe shaH thou hauo of me,

Do \iiih hym what tliou thynk gud.
(101)

639

642

He tliaoks
Pilate for
granting it,
and himself
draws the
iiail8 from
the Cross,

while Nico-
demua up-
holds the
body of
Jesiis.

They wrnp
the body,
and bear it
to the tomb.

Nicodemus

prays that
Christ, wlio
died and rose
again, may
bless the
spectators.

los&p^. Graniercy, syr, of yoiire good grace,
That* ye haue graunte me in this place ;

Go we oure way : [They return to Calvary.'] 645
Nychodeme, com me furtii witfi,
fifor I my self shaH be the smyth

The nales out for to dray. 648

(102)
Nichodemvii. losepB, I am redy here
To go with the with fuH good chere,

To help the at my myght ; 651

puli furtS the nales on aythere sydo,
And I shaH halcJ hym vp this tyde ;

A, lord, so thou is dighfr ! 654

(103)
losep^. help now, felow, with att tlii myghf,
That he were wonden and weH dight.

And lay hym on this here ; 657

Bere we hym fnrtli vnto the kyrke.
To the tombe that I gard wyrk.

Sen fuH many a yere. 660

(104)
Niehodemus. It shaH be so with outten nay.
he that dyed on gud fryday

And crownyd was with thome, 663

Saue you aH that now here be !
That lord thaf thus wolct dee

And rose on pascBe mome. 666

Explicit crtccifixio Christi.'

» MS. xpi.

Tovmeley Plays. XXIV. The Talents. 279

(XXIV.)
Incipit ProcessMS talentorwrn.

[Dramatis Personae.

Pilatus. I Secundus Tortor, I Tercius Tartar,

Primus Tortor. | {Spyll-payn) \ ConsuUtis.]

[2 ten-line stanzas, no. 5 aaaaab cccb, no. 54 ab aab cdbcb ; 8 nine-
line, aaaab cccb ; 13 eight-line, no. 6 abab cdcd, no. 47 abea bdbd,
no. 53 abc acd cd, the rest aaab cccb ; 15 seven-line, no. 29 abacd
bd, no. 55 aaab cdb, the rest ababc be ; 1 six-line, no. 46 aba cdc ;
6 five-line, no. 17, 18 abbba, nos. 22-3, 32 ababc; U four-line,
7U>. 26 abba, nos. 27, 33, 44 abeb, no. 38 abca, nos. 51-2 abed, the [Fol 92, a.,
rest abab.] Sig. O. 4]

pUains. (1)

Ernite qui statis / ^ qjwd mire sim probitatis, Piinte caii«

__ ..... in Latin for

Hec cognoscatis / vos cedam in taceatis, silence.

■ I Cu?zcti discatis / quasi sistam vir deitatis
\^J Et maiestatis / michi fando ne neceatis,

lioc modo mando ; 6

Neue loquaces,
Sine dicaces,
poscite paces,

Dum fero fando. 9

(2)
Stynt, I s.ay ! gyf men place / quia sum domawus diominorum ! in Latin

. and English

he that agans me says / rapietur lux oculonfm ; ho bids tiw

Therfor gyf ye me space / ne tendam vim bracliiorMm, room.

And then get ye no grace / contestor lura poloruTO,

Caueatis ; 14

Eewle I the lure,
Maxime pure,
Towne quoqjie rure,

Mo paueatia 18

(3)
Stemate regali / kyng atus gate me of pila ; boasting of

Tramite legali / Am I ordand to reyn apon luda, and power.

Nomiwe wlgari / pownce pilate, that may ye weH say.
Qui bene wit fari / shuld caH me fownder of aH lay.

* The metrical bars (/) are not in the MS., but the lines are
divided by dots, tluis : The rymes in thi.") play are very irregular :
see St. 30, 46, 53, 54, etc.

' " Kyng Atus gate me of Pila" : hence " Pilatus."

280

Tovmeley Plays. XXIV. The Talents.

He is ruler
of the Jews.

ludeorMOT
lura gubertio,
pleasse me and say so,
OH?»ia firmo

Sorte deorwm.

23

27

Csesar has
exalted him,
and all men
must be
obedient.

(4)
Myghty lord of aH / me Cesar inagnificauit ;
Downs on knees ye faH / greatt god me saHciificauit,
Me to oljey ouer aH / regi reliquo quasi dauid,
hanged hy that he saH / hoc iussum qw/ reprobauit,

I swere now ; 32

Bot ye youre hedjs
Bare in thies stedis
Eedy my swerde is

Of thayra to shere now. 36

He is

armipotent,
qURsi-cuncti
potent, nnd
nis laws
must be
kept.

(5)
CFoi. 92, b.] Atrox armlpotens / I graunt men girtfi by my good grace,
Atrox armipotens / most myghty callyd in ylk place,
vir quasi cunctipotens / I graunt men girth by my good

grace,
Tota refert huic gens / that none is worthier in face,
Quin eciam bona mens / doitJi trowth and right* bi my
trew lays,
Silete ! 42

In general i,
Sic special!,
yif agane byd I

lura teuete. 46

(6)
Leaving his ^^^'^ ^^^^ "o ^°y ^^ *'° hustus, blast here for to blaw,
JS^°ten8 to Bot truly to my talkyng loke that ye be intendyng ;

wlJ^fwiH not I^ ^'^^^ ^^ ^"y ^°y ^^^^ ■^i^ ^°^ ^°"'''^ *'^ °^''^ ^^^'

iww to i.is j]y myghty mahowne, liygS shaH he hyng ; 50

South, north, eest, west*,
In aH this warld! in lengthe and brede.

Is none so doughty as I, the best*,
doughtely dyntand? on mule and on stede. 54

59

64

Tffumeley Plays. XXIV. Tht. Talerds.

(7)

Therfor I saj',
loke that ye lowte to my lykance,
ffor dowte of dynt in greuaunce ;
dilygently ply to my plesance,

As prynce most myghty me pay,
(8)

And talke not a worde ;
ffor wlio so styrres or any dyn makys,
deply in my daunger he rakys,
That as soferan me not takys

And as his awne lorde.

(9)
he has myster of nyghtyg resf that nappys not in noynyng !
hoy, lay me downe softly and hap me weH from cold! ;
loke that no ladJys noy me nawde?- with cryyng nor with

cronyng,
Nor in my sight" ones greue me so holdf. 68

If ther be any boyes that make any cry,
Or els that wiH not obey me,
he were better be hanged! hy,
Then in my sight ones mefe me. 72

(10)
/)rimu3 fortoT. war, war ! for now com I,
The most shrew in this cuntry ;
I haue ron) f uH fast in hy,

hedir to this towne ;
To this towne now comen am I
ffrom the mownt of caluery ;
Ther crist hang, and that fuH hy,

I swe[re] you, bi my crowne.
(11)
At caluery when he hanged was,
I spuyd and spyt right in his face,
when that it shoyn as any glas,

so semely to my sight" ;
Bot yit for aH that fayr thyng,
I loghe hym vnto hethyug.
And rofe of his clethyng ;

To me it was fuH light. 88

76

84

281

Let them
bow, then,
and obey,

and speak
not a word.

He bids his

boy lay liira
down softly,
and see that
no lads dis-
turb him.

The l8t
torturer

comes in,
having run
from Cal-
vary.

[Fol. 93, a.J

80

He ktd apit
ju Chrisfa
face, though
it shoue as
glass,
and had
stripped
Him of His
clothing.

282

When they
had stripped
Jesus, they
mocked and
crowned
II im R3 a
king.

lie has
brought the
clothing now
for Pilate to
decide who
ia to have it.

Whoever
gets these
clothes may
walk fear-
lessly, for
they guard
him from
lusB.

The 2nd
torturer fol-
lown the 1st
in hot haste.

[Fol. 99, b.]

Towneley Plays. XXIV. The Talents.

(12)
And when his clothes were of in fere,
lord, so we loghe and maide good chere,
And crownyd that carle with a brere,

As he had bene a kyng ; 92

And yit I did fuH p?-opurly,
I clappyd his cors by and by,
I thoght I did! fuH curiously

In fayth hym for to hyng. 96

(13)
Bot to mahowne I make avows,
hedir haue I broght his clethyng now,
To try the trowthe before you,

Euen this same nyght ; 100

Of me and of my felowse two
with whom this garmente shaH go ;
bot sir pilate must go therto,

I swere you by this light. 104

(14)
ffor whosoeiier may get thise close,
he ther neuee rek where he gose,
ffor he semys nothyng to lose.

If so be he theym were. 108

bot now, now, felose, stand on rowme,
ffor he commes, shrewes, vnto this towne.
And we wiH aH togeder rowne,

so semely in oure gere. 112

(15)
jSecuudus iortor. war, war ! and make rowme,
Ifor I win with my felose rowne,
And I shaH knap hym on the crowne

That stand?/s in my gate ; '116

I wiH lepe and I wiH skyp
As I were now out of my wytt ;
Almost my breko thay ar beshyt

flfor drede I cam to late. 120

(16)
Bof , by mahowne ! now am I here !
The most shrew, that dar I swere,
That ye shall fynde aw where.

Tffwneley Plays. XJ^IV. The Talents.

283

SpyH-payn in fayth I highf.
I was at caluery this same day,
where the kyng of lues lay,
And ther I taght hym a newe play,

Truly, me thoght it right.

124

128

His name In
Spill-pain.

(17)
The play, in faytli, it was to rowne,
Thiit he shulcf lay his hede do\vne,
And sons I bobyd hyin on the crowne.

That gam me thoght was good,
when we had played with hym oure fyH,
Then led we him vnto an hyH",
And ther we wroght witfe hym oure wiH,

And hang hym on a md.

He lifts borne
his part in
torturing
Jesus.

132

136

(18)

Nomore now of this talkyng,
Bof the cause of my cowimyng ;
BotK on emest and on hethyng

This cote I wold I had ;
ffor if I myght tliis cote gett.
Then wold I botS skyp and lepe.
And therto fast botfi drynke and ete.

In fayth, as I were mad.

HO

Tlie cause of

his coming
is that lie al-
so is anxious
to get the
coat.

144

(19)
TeTcius tortor. war, war ! within thise wones,
ffor I com rynyng aH at ones !
I haue brysten both my balok stones,

So fast hyed I hedyr ; 148

And ther is nothyng me so lefe
As murder a mycher" and hang a thefe :
If here be any tliat doth me grefe

I shaH them thresB togedrr. 152

TheSrd
torturer
comes in as
hurriedly as
the others.

(20)

ffor I may siA'ere witH mekiH wyn
I am tlie most* shrew in aH myn kyn,
That is from this towne vnto lyn,

He is the
greatest
shrew from
this town to
Lynn.

284. Towneley Plays. XXIV. The Talents.

He and ijis lo, here my felowse two !

coine to di- Now ar we thre comruen) in
cost. '° A new gam forto begyn,

This same cote forto twyn,
Or that we farther go.

156

J60

He proposes
tt> go to
rilHte, but
they must
see that
PilRtc does
not take tlie
gown liini-
BeU.

[Fol. 91, a]

The otliers

agree.

They ask the
Counsellor
for' Pilate,
and are told
he lies there
in thedevira
service,

(21)
Bot to sir pilate prynce I red that we go hy,

And present hym the playnt how that wo ar stad ;
Bot this gowne that* is here, I say you for-thy,

By myghty mahowne I wold not he hat?. 164

(22)
pri))!us iortox. I assent to that sagh, by myghty mahowne !

Let vs Weynde to sir pilate witlioutten any fabyH ;
Bot syrs, bi my lewte, he gettys not this gowne ;
Vnto vs thre it were right prophetabyH ;

SpiH-payn what says tlioul 169

(23)
/SecuncZus tortav. yours sawes craftely assent I vuto.
^ri7?2us tortov. Then wiH I streght furth in this place,
And speke with sir pilate word//s oone or two,
ffor I am right semely and fare in the face ;
And now shaH we se or we hence go. 174

(24)
Tetcius tortoT. Sir, I say the, by my lewtee,

where is sir pilate of pryce ?
ConsuUus. Sir, I say the, as myght I the,

he lygys here in the dewyH seruyce.

but shall be
waked.

Pilate bids
the Coun-
sellor call
him no more.

178

(25)

primns iartor. with that" prynce— fowH myght he faH —

Must wo haue at do.
Cormtlhv^. I shaH go to hyiu and caH,

And loke what ye wiH say hym to. 182

(26)
My lord, my lorde !
pilatus. what, boy, art thou nysef
caH nomore, thou has callid twyse.
Conmillns. my lordf ! 186

Tmimeky Plays. XXIV. The Talents.

285

(27)

pilaius. what mytyng is thut that mevys me iu my mynde 1 piiate asks

Consultns. I, lord, youre counselloure, pif^ht in youre saw. any disafftc-

pilatas. Say ar ther any catyffys combred that ar vnkynde 1 to'id'"no."

ConsuUas. Nay, lord, none that I knawe.

190

(28)
pilaius. Then noy vs uomore of this noyse ;

you carles vnkynde, who bad you caH me 1
By youre mad^ matci-s I haldf you hot boyes,

And that* shaH ye aby, els fowH myght befaH me.
I shaH not dy in youre dett !

Bewshere, I hyilf the vp thou take me,
And in my sete softly loke that thou so me sett.

194

lie is augry
ftt being dis-
turbed,
but takes liig
Beat in Iiis
hall.

197

(29)
Now shaH we wytt", and that iu hy.

If that saghe be trew that* thou dyd say ;
If I fynde the With lesyng, lad, thou shaH aby,

fforto meH in the maters that* pertenyth agans the lay.

IFol. 94, b.]

(30)

ConsvKus. Nay, sir, not so, withoutten delay,

The cause of my caUyng is of that" boy bold",
flFor it is saide sothely now this same day,

That* he shuIJ dulfuUy be dede,
Certayn ;

Then may youre cares be fuH col(J

If he thus sakles be slayn.

202 The Coun-
sellor tells
him that Je-
sus is dead.

206
208

(31)
pilatus. ffare and softly, sir, and say not to far ;

Sett the with sorow, then scrays thou the les,
And of the law that thou leggjfs be wytty and war,

lest I greue the greatly with dyntys expres ;
ffals fatur, in fayth I shatt slay the !

Thy rcson vnrad I red the redres.
Or els of thise maters loke thou noniore meH the.

212

Pilate bids
the Counsel-
lor not to
meddle in
these mat-
ters.

215

286 Towneley Plays. A'A'IV. The Talents.

(32)
Thecunsei- Considlns. "Wliy shuld I not meH of those maters that

"he vaTuelr Thoug ye be prynce peerles withoutt any pere,
vice""" ""^ were not my wyse wysdom youre wyttys were in waght ;
And that is seen expresse and playnly right here,

And done in dede. 220

(33)
pilatus. "Why, boy, bot has thou sayde ?
ConsuUua. yee, lorde.
piiatciaughe pUatus. Therfor the devyH the spede, thou carle vnkynde
not i^owing Sich felowse myght weH be on rowme !
Wngs."^ "' ye knaw not the comon cowrs- that longys to a kyng.^ 225

(34)
Tiicist primus tortov. Mahowne most myghtfuH, lie niensk you

tfflesZt"' w;t/t mayn,

PiiaTe'cTmr Sir pilate pereles, prynce of this prese !
nowluad.^ And saue you, sir, syttand semely suffrayn !

we liaue soght to thy sayH no sayng to sesse, 229

Bot certyfie sone ;
ye wote that ye demyd this day apon desse,

we dowte not his doyng, for now is he done. 232

(35)

Pilate is glad pilalas. ys ar welcom, Iwys, ye ar worthy ay war ;

buUjids Be it fon so of that fatiir, in fayth then am I fayne.

CFoi. 95,a.] Secnndns tortov. we haue markyd that mytyng, nomore

them keep shaH ho mar;

itaecret. we played you, sir pilate, to put hym to payn, 236

And we thoght it weH wroght.
pilatus. lefe syrs, let be youre laytt and loke that ye layu ;
ffor nothyng that may be nevyn ye it noglit. ■ 239

(36)
Ti.o3rd TeTcius tortoT. Make myrtfi of that mytyng fuH mokyH

torturer asks

if Pilate we may,

clothls"!''"'' And haue lykyug of oure lyfe for los of that lad ;
Bot, syr pilate peerles, a poynt I the pray ;

hope ye with hethyng that harnes he had 243

' 1 assonance to " vnkynde."

Towmley Plays. JCJlIV. The Talents,

287

To hold that was hys 1
Pilafus. That appentys vnto me, niafa ! art thou inad 1
I ment that no mytyng shuldf meH hym of this. 246

(37)
^riwjus toiioi. Mefe the not, master, more if he meH,

Ifor thou shaH parte from that pelfe, thar thou not pleyte.
pilatas. yit styrt not farer for noght thaf ye feH ;

I aske this gowne of youre gyfte, it is not so greatt, 250
And yit may it agayn you.
(Secunrfus tmioi. how, aH in fageyng 1 in fay th I know of

youre featte,
fFor it fallys to vs four fyrst wiH I frayn you. 253

(38)
pilatns. And I myster to no maner of mans hot myn.
TeiciiiS tortor. yee, lord, let shere it in shredys.
pilatns. Now that hald I good skyH ! take thou tliis, &

thou that,
& this shaH be thyne, 257

(39)
And by lefe and by law this may leyfe styH.

^riwius tmioi. 0 lordyng ! I weyn it is wrang,
To tymely I toke it. to take it the vntyH:

The faresf, and the fowllest thy felowse to fang. 261
(40)
pilaliia. And thou art jiayed of tin parte fuH truly I tiowe.
primus tortor. It is shame forto so, I am shapyn hot
a shrede.
Secundns toiior. The hole of this harnes is holdyn to you.
And I am leuerd a lap is lyke to no lede, 265

ffor-tatyi'd and tome.
Teicius iortoT. By myghty mahowne that mylde is of

mode,i
If he skap with this cote it were a great skorne. 268

(41)
pilatus. Now sea ye teyn so at this, take it to you

with aH the mawgre of myn and myght of mahowne !
^rijHUS tortor. Drede you not doutles, for so WiH we dow ;
Grefe you not greatly ye gett not this gowne,
* The ryme needs "mede."

Pilate fit
ODce claims
them.

The Ist
torturer ob-
jects,
and Pilate
then asks
the gown
as a gift

Tlie 3r(l

torturer
proposes to
cut it into
pieces.

Tlic tortur-
ers are dis-
contented
with their
shares.

[Fol. 95, b.]

Pilate gives
the gown to
theni to di-
vide.

288

Towneley Plays, XXIV. The Talents.

The 2nd
torturer
asks for a
faU'hion.

bot in fower ^ as it fallys. 273

/Sfecunrfus toHox. had I a fawchon, then craftely to cntt it

were I bowne.^
Tevcius toiioT. lo it here that thou callys ! 275

He cannot
find B Beam
aJoDg which
to cut it.
Pilate bids
them leave
it whole.

(42)
It is sharp with to shere, shere if thuu may.

/Secundus tat-tov. Eueii in the mydward to marke were

mastre to me. 277

primus tortor. Most semely is in certan the seym to assay.

)Secuii(fu5 tortoT. I liaue soght aH this syde and none

can I se, 279

of greatt nor of sraaH.

pilatas. Bewsheis, abyd you, I byd you let be !

I commaunde not to cutt it, bot hold it hole aH. 282

The 1st

torturer

objectp,

and Pilate

threatens

Urn.

(43)
pii;)ius tortoi. Now ar we bon, for ye bad, withhald on
youre hud.
pilatns. we ! harlottj/s I go hang you, for hole shaH it be.
Tavcius tortor. Grefe you not greatly, he saide it for gud.
pilatws. wyst I that he spake it in spytyng of me 286
Tytt shuld I spede forto spyH hym.
Secuniius tortor. That were hym loth, lord, by my lewte,

ffor-tlii grauntt hym youre grace.
pilatns. No greuans I wiH hym. 290

(44)
They make pr'wi\x& toTtor. Gramercy thi gudnes !
' pilatns. yee, bot greuc me nomo ^ ;

fiFuH dere beys it boght

In faytfi, if ye do. 294

(45)
and agree to i?rimus tortor. ShaH I then saue it ?
draw lots. pii„f^r;_ ypg, so saide I, or to draw cutt is the lelyst,

and long cut, lo, this wede shaft wyn. 297

Tardus tortor. Sir, to youre sayng yit assent we vnto ;
Bot oone assay, let so who shaH begyn. 299

' MS. iiij. ' MS. there were I bowne craftely to cut it

' MS. nomoro.

Towneley Plays. JCXIV. The Talents. 289

(46)
pilatus. we ! me falles aH the fyrst, and fortlicr shall ye.
iSiecunrfiis tortor. Nay, drede you not doutles, for that
do ye not ;
0, he sekys as he wold? dyssaue vs now we se. 302

Teiciiis tortor. Bewshers, abyde you, heder haue I broght The tiiird

'•'•'' ° torturer has

thi'e dyse vs emang. brought

nil t • 1 1 three dice.

primus tortor. That is a gam aH tne best, bi hym that me

boght,
ffor at the dysyng he dos vs no wraug. 306

(47)
pilatus. And I am glad of that gam ; On assay, Who [FuI. 96, n]

8haH begyn] Z'l^^t'

primMB tortor. flyrst shaH ye, and sen after we aH. re^y'tod™

haue the dyse and haue done, thtm''^

and lefe aH youre dyn, 310

ffor who 80 has most* this frojj shaH he fall,
And best of the bonys.

pilains. I assent to youre sayng ; assay now I shaH,
As I woW at a wap wyn art at ones. 314

(48) [Pilate throws.]
Semndns tortor. A, ha ! how now ! here ar a hepe.

pilatus. liaue mynde then emang you how many tlier ar. PiUte

-* tliTuwg thir-

Tercius tortor. thretteen' ar on thre, thar ye not tlirepe. teen, and
pilatus. Then shaH I wyu or aH men be war. 318 wiUwin.Tbe

,„,,,., ^ , ,, first torturer

pninns tortor. iruly lord, right so ye snati ; tries Iub

Bot grcfe you nof greatly, the ne.\t shaH be nar

If I haue hap to my hand, haue here for aH ! 321

(49) [He throws.]
jyUatus. And I haue sene as greatt a freke of his forward and throws

, , , only eight,

lalyd. at which h»

here ar bot Aght^ turnyd vp at ones. d"ee?^

priHuis <or/or. Aghtl a, his amies, that is yH ! what so
me alyd,
I was falsly begylyd with tliise byched bones ;

Ther ciirsyd Ihay be ! 326

iSecun<:;?ug tortoT. WeH I wote this wede bees won in thiso

wones,
I wold! be fayn of this frog myght it faH vnto me. 328

' MS. xiij. ' MS. viij.

T. PLAYS. U

290

Towndey Plays. XXIV. The Talents.

The second
torturer
throws
seven.

The third
prepares to
cast

and throws
fifteen.

Pilate la
furious.

[Fol. 96, b.]

The first tor-
turer says
the third has
won the coat
fairly, but
Pilate is still
discon-
tented.

He asks for
the coat aa a
favour, and
uses thrf ats
when it is
refused.

(50)
pilalMB. If bees iu wag&t, in faytli, aiidf thou wyn.

>Secun(ius tortov. No, bofc war you away ! \_He throws.'\
Teicius tortoT. here is baddysf aboue, by mahowues bonys !

seuen^ is bofc the seconde, the sothc for to say. 332

(51)
)Secunt£us tortov. we, fy ! that is shortt.
Tevcius tortoT. Do shott at thi hud ! now fallys me

the fyret,
And I haue hap to this gowne, go now on gud ;
The byched bones that ye be I byd you go bett ; 336

(52) [He throws.]

Ifelowse, in forward here haue I f ef teen " !

As ye wote I am worthi, won is this wede.
pilatns. what, whistyit ye iu the wenyande ! where haue
ye beyn %
Thou shaH abak, bewshere, that blast I forbede. 340
Teicius tortoi. here ar men vs emang,
lele in oure lay, wiH ly for no leyd,
And T wytues at thaym if I wroglit any wrang. 343

(53)
primus tortor. Thou wroght no dyssaytt, for sothe, that

we saw,
ifor-thi thou art worthi, and won is this weyd At thyn

awne wyH.
pilatws. yee, bot me pays not that playng to puf nor to

blaw ;
If he haue right I ne rek or reson thertyH, 347

I refe it hym noght.
T&vcius tortoT. haue gud day, sir, and grefe you not ytt,
fEor if it were duble fuH dere is if boght. 350

(54)
pilatiis. Sir, sen thou has won this weyd. say wiH thou

vowche safe
Of thi great gudnes this garment* on me 1
TeTcius tortor. Sir, I say you certau tliis shaH ye not haue.
pilatus. Thou shaH forthynk it, in fayth ; ^
£Fy, what thou art fre ! 355

' MS. vij. ' MS. XV. ^ ! assonance to 'have.'

Tovmeley Plays. XXIV. The Talents. 291

vnbychid, vnbayn !
T&iciua toiiov. ffor ye tlirett me so throle, The tiiiia

.. . ^ .-. torturer

were it sicn thre gives up tiio

, T T ii • t coiitaint is

here 1 gii you this gua. timnkea.

pilatna. Now, gramercy agayn ! 360

(55)
MekiH thank and myn and this shalbe ment. Tiio first

/)iiwus toHoT. Bot I had not left it so lightly, had play imvegiven

., 1 , it u|i so

me It lent. iigiitiy, but

pilatus. No, bot he is faytMuH and fre, and that shaH be mis" « t™'

, ^ make

nienl ^ ameDds for

And more if I may, 364

If he niyster to me,

amend hym I mon.
Teicius tortor. I vowclie safe it be so, the sothe forto say.

(56)
primus tm-tor. Now thise dyse that ar vndughty / for los The nrst

- , . . J torturer for-

01 this good, sweni-stho

here I forswero bertely / by mahownea blood ; and buirnii

ffor was I neue?- so happy / by mayn nor by mode, orrticc"".'"^''

To wyn with sich sotelty / to my lyfys fode.

As ye ken ; 372

Thise dysars and thise hullars,
Thise cokkers and thise hollars,
And aH purs-cuttars,

Bese weH war of thise men. 376

(57)
iSiecundus tortoT. ffy, fy, on thise dyse / the devlH I theym The second

. -t . comtiiits the

taKe I dice to the

vnwytty, vnwyse / With thaym that Wold lake ; [FoI. 07, «.

As fortune assyse / men wyH she make ;

hir manei's ar nyse / she can downe and vptake ; dcvii. For-

tunedeliglita
And rycn ool to set men

up and cast

She turnes vp-so-downe, them down.

And vnder abone,
Mosf chefe of renowne

She castj/s in the dyche. 385

(58)
By hir meanes she makys / dysers to seH, dicers'seii

As tbay sy tt and lakys / thare come and thare cateH ; cauie."

292 Townehy Plays. XXIV. The Talents.

Then they Then Cry thay ami cmkkys / bowne vnto baloH,
want to liis liyppys Iheu bakys / no synineH

"*'''■ ffor bote. 390

Bot fare weH, Ibryfte !
Is ther none otlier skyfte
Bot syfte, lady, syftol

Tliise dysai's thay dote. 394

(59)
The Hiird Tevcius tortox. what co?)imys of dysyng / I pray you hark

torturtr

traces loss after,

times limn- Bot los of goocV in lakyng / and oft tymes mens slaghter !

fllailgtiter to -r ,i i. i i a

dicing. Let Thus sorow IS at partyng / at metyng if tlior be Jaghter ;
Buch vanity I red leyf sich vayn thyng / and serue god herafter,
God. ffor heuens blys ; 399

That lordf is most myglity,
And geutyllyst of lury,
we belde to hyni holy ;

how thynk ye by this ? 403

(60)
Pilate }nhdus. weH wortb you aH thre, most doughty in dede !

torturl™"' Of aH tlie clerkyg that I knaw, most conyng ye be,
MriaBcrtiic.n By soteltes of youre sawes, youre lawcs forto lede ;
Fi'em". I graunt you playn powore and frenship frele,

»'''^'*i"s- I say J 408

1 Dew vows [garde], mon senyours !
Mahowno most myghty in castels and towres
he kepe you, lordyngy*', and alf youres,

And hauys ali gud day. i 1 2

Explicit pvocessiis tulenfarwii.
* i. e. Dieu vous [garde], monaeigneurs !

Tmvneley Plays. XXV. The Deliverance of Souls. 293

(XXV.)
Incipit extraccjo B.n\ma.rmn, &c.

[29 eight-lins ataman ababalmb ; 1 six-line {no 18) aab aba; 40
four -line abab ; 4 couplets.]

[Dramalis PcTSoitac.

Simeon.

lohanncs Baplista.
Moyscs.

Ribald.

Bchebuh.

David.

(1)

Biesrus.
Adam.
Eva.

i7tesus.

My fader me from biya has send
TiH erth for inankynde sake,
Adam my 3 forto amend,
My detli nede must I take.

(2)
I dwellyd tlier thvyrty yeres and two,

And somdele more, the sothe to say ;
In anger, pyne, and mekyH wo,

I dyde on cros tliis day.

(3)
Therfor tiH heH now WiH I go.

To chalange that is niyne ;
Adam, eue, aud otliere mo,

Thay shaH no longer dweH in pyne.

(4)
The feynde theym wan With trayu,

Thrugh fraude of earthly fode,
I haue theym boght agsn
With shedyng of my blode.

(5)
And now I wiH that stede restore,

which the feyndo feH fro for syn ;
Som tokyn wiH I send before,

with inyith to gar tliare gammes begyu.

(6)
A lighf I will thay haue

To know I wiH com sone ;
My body shaH abyJe in gvaue

TiH aH this dede be done.

Sdthanas.
Ysaias.]

Jes)is if>-
counla liow
He linn
been born,
iiiinistereti,
(ind ilied for
inan's snlva-
tiuii.

Hemiislnow
rescue tlib
own fri'iii
tiell.

12

IG

He will send
thithur a
light an a
tuken of His
coming.

20

24

294 Tovmelcy Plays. XXV. The Deliverance of Souls.

. (7)

Adam calls Adam. My bretlier, herkyn vnto me here 1
w iS™e More hope of helth neuer we had ;
""otace."' Fewer thowsandi and sex hundreths yere

haue we bene here in darknes stad ; 28

Now se I tokyns of solace sere,

A gloryous glemo to make vs glad,
Wher thrugh I hope that help is nere.

That sone shaH slake oure sorowes sad. 32

(8)
Eve, too, Sua. Adam, my husband heynd,
lighTaB a This menys solace certaii ;

good sign. g.^j. j.g,^j. ^^^ ^^ ^g jgy^^

In paradyse fuH playn. 36

(9)
iKiah re- Isaios. Adam, thrugh thi syn

calls Adam's a a j u

first sin, here were we put to dwett,

This wykyd place within ;

The name of it is heH ; 40

here paynes shaH neuer blyn,

That wykyd ar and feH.
loue that lord witR wyn,

his lyfe for vs wold seH. 44

Et cantent omnes "saluator mundi," 2mmum wrsimu

(10)
«nd i,is own Adam, thou weH vnderstand
the'iiS't' "' I am Isaias, so crist me kende.
comototh^m I Spake of folko in darknes walkand,
that walked j ; jg j^ ijgijt shuld! on theym lende ; 48

in darkness, * o

[Foi. 98, a. This light is aH from crist commande
6ig. P. 2.] rpj^j^jH Yic tiH vs has hedir sende,

Thus is my poynt proved in handi,

as I before to foldf it kende. 52

(11)
SimeouK So may I teH of farlys feyH,

ffor in the tempyli his freyndys me fando,
Me thoght daynteth with hym to deyH,

I halsid hym homely with my hand ; 56

1 MS. iiij M'. ' MS. vi C.

Towneley Plays. XXV. The Deliverance of Souls. 295

I saide, lord, let thi seruandys leyH
pas in peasse to lyf lastande ;

Now that niyn eeyn has sene thyn hele
no longer lyst I lyf in lande.

(12)
Til is light thou has purvayde

ffor theym that lyf in lede ;
Thaf I before of the haue saide

I 86 it is fulfillyd in dede.

60

Simeon re-
members
Christ'g pre-
sentation in
tlie Temple
ami his own
"Nunc
diiiiittis.

He now sees
the light
which he
then fore-
told.

64

(13)
/oAannea haptiiXa.. As a voce cryand I kend

The wayes of crist, as I wett can ;
I baptisid hyra with both myn hendo

in the water of flume Jordan ; 68

The holy gost from heuen discende

As a white dowfe downe on me than ;
The fader voyce, cure myrthes to amende,

Was made to me lyke as a man ; 72

(14)
" yond is my son," he saido,

"and which me pleasses fuH weH,"
his light is on vs layde,

and commys oure karys to kele. 76

(15)
Moyses. Now this same nyghf lernyng haue I,

to me, moyses, he shewid his myght,
And also to anothere oone, hely,

where we stud on a hiH on hyght ; 80

As whyte as snaw was his body,

his face was like the son for bright",
Noman on mol(} was so myghty

grathly durst loke agans that light" ; 84

(16)
And that same ligfit here se I now

shynyng on vs, certayn,
where thrugh truly I trow

that we shaH sone pas fro this payn. 88

John the
Baptist re-
calls the
Baptism of
Clirist and
the voice
from
Heftveu.

Christ's
light comes
to assuage
their cares.

Moses re-
calls the
Tran 8 (Igii ra-
tion and the
wondrous
light there
shown.

That same
light he sees
now.

296 Towneley Plays. XXV. The Deliverance of Souls.

Rvbald is
full of foie-
Linling that
the souly
will escape.

He bids
Beelzebub
bind them.

They aro
crying on
Christ and
say He will
save them.

[Fol. 98, 1>.]

Beelzebub
bids hi in
call ui"
Astaroth
and other
devils,

(17)
BijbaM. Sen fyrst thnt lieH was mayde / And I was put
theriu,
Sich sorow neuer ere I had' / nor hard I sicti a dyn ;
My hart hegynnys to brade / my wytt waxys thyn,

I drede we can not be glad / tbise saules mon fro vs twyn.

(18)
how, belsabub ! byndo thise boys.i / sict harow was neuer

hard in heH.
Behabuh. Ouf, rybalcJ 1 thou rorcs, / what is betyd? can

thou oght teH ?
RylaM. whi, herys tliou not this vgly noysc'!^

thise lurdans that in lymbo dweH^
Thay make menyng of many loyse,'

and Muster myrthos theym emeH.^ 98

(19)
Belzaluh. Myrth? nay, nay ! that poynt is past,

more hope of helth shaH thay neuer haue.
RijhalCi. They cry on crist fuH fast,

And says he shaH theym sane. 102

(20)
Beehahub. yee, though he do not, I shaH,

ffor they ar sparyd in specyaH space ;
whils I am prynce and pryncypaH

they shaH neuer pas out of this place.
CaH vp astarot and anabaH

To gyf vs counseH' in this case ;
BeH, berith, and beUyaH,

To mar theym that aich mastry niaso.

and tell
Satan, and
bid him
bring
Lucifer.

.Tesus calls
fur the gates
to be raised.

106

110

114

(21)
Say to sir satan oure syre,
and byd hym bryng also
Sir lucyfer, lufiy of lyre.

Bi/baM. AH redy lord! I go.
Ihesus. Attollite portas, principes, vesiras & eleuamiui
porte eternalcs, & introibit rea; glo7'ie.

> Originally "ouro bowys " (and probably "bende").
' k ^ These and following lines are single lines with centrnl
rynies.

Tmonehy Plays. XXV. The Deliverance of Smds. 297

(22)
ItyhaUt Out, harro, out ! what deviH is lio

Tliat callys hym kyng oviec vs aH 1
havk belzabub, com ne,

flor hedusly I hard hym caH. 1 1 9

Belzahub. Go, spar the yates, yH mot thou the I

Ami set the wacfics on the waH ;
If that brodeH com ne

Witli vs ay won he shaH ; 123

(23)

Aud if he more caH or cry,

To make vs more debate,
lay on hym hardely,

And make hym go his gate. 127

Rybnld cries
to Beelze-
bub, wlio
bids tiiru
lock tlie
^ates and ntX
wfttcliefl,

and to fall
upon Je8ii8
If He calls
Again.

(24)
Daiiid. Nay, with hym may j'e not fyglit,

fpor he is king and conqueroure,
And of so mekiH myght.

And styf in euery stoure ;
Of hym contmys aH this light

that sliynys in this bowre ;
he is fuH fers m fight,

worth i to wyn honoure.

131

Dftvid wama

him t)mt
tliey may
not Mglit
Willi Jesus,
Who is King
ami Con-
queror.

135

(25)

Belzabub. honowre ! harsto, harlot, for what dede ]

AUe erthly men to me ar thvaH ;
Tliat lad that thou callys lortif in lede

he had newer liarbor, house, ne haH.

Beelzebub
claims all
earthly men
as his thralli).

139

(26)
how, sir sathanas ! com nar

And liark this cursid rowte !
Sathanas. The deviH you aH to-har !

"What* ales the so to showte 1
And me, if I com nar,

thy brayn bot I bryst owte !
Belzabub. Thou must com help to spar,

■we ar beseged? abowte.

He CAlls
Satan, who
nsks what is
the matter.

143

Beelzebub
^ says they are
147 besieged.

298 Tmoneley Plays. XXV. The Deliverance of Smds.

(27)

SfttAil bids
tliein see
thnt Jesus
dries not
escape.

Sathanas. Besegyd aboute ! whi, who durst be so bole?

for drcde to make on vs a fray f
Bdzabuhe. It is the lew that ludas soli?

ffor to be dede this othere day.
Sathanas. how ! in tyme that tale Was toW',

that trature trauesses vs aH-way ;
he shalbe hero fiiH hard^ in holdi,

hot loke he pas not, I the pray.

151

155

(28)
Belzabub. Pas ! nay, nay, he wiH not weynde

ffrom bens or it be war ;
lie shapys hym for to sheync?

AH heH or he go far.

(29)
Sathanas. ffy, faturs ! therof shaH he fayH,

ffor aH his fare I hym defy ;
I know his trantes fro top to tayH,

he lySys by gawdys ancj glory.
Thorby lie broght furth of cure bayH

The lath lazare of betany,
Bot to the lues I gaf counsayH

That thay shuldf cause hym dy ;

(30)
I enterd! ther into ludas,

that forward to fulfyH,
Therfor his hyere he has,

AH wayes to won here styH.

(31)
Rybaid RskB RyhaM. Sir sathan, sen we here the say

Satan, aa ^^^^ ^^^ ^^^ j^^^ ^^^^ ^^ aSSent,

And wote he wan the lazare away
that vnto vs Avas taken to tent,

hopys thou that thou mar hym may

to Muster the malyce that he has menti

ffor and he refe vs now oure pray
we wiH ye witt or he is went.

Beelsebub

Bftys Jesus
has far other
thouglits.

Satnn defleB
Jeeiis.

[Fol. 99, (I.
Big. P. 3.]
He couii-
eelled the
Jews to kill
Him,

and per-
suaded
Judaa to
carry out
the aj^ree-
ment.

this is his
doing, if he
hopes to
defeat
Jesus ?

1S9

163

167

171

175

179

Tovmeley Plays. XXV. Tfu Deliverance of Smds. 299

(32)
Sathanas. I byd the noglit abaste,

bot boldly make you bowne.
With toyles that ye intraste,

And dyiig that dastard downe. 1 83

Ihtsus. Attollite portas, principes, ves/ras, &c.

(33)
liyhahi. Outt, hano ! what liarlot is he

tliafc sayes his kyngdom slialbe cryde 1
dauid. That may thou in sawter se,

for of this prynce thus ere I saide ;

(34)
I saido that he shuld? breke

youre barres and bandi/5 by name,
And of youre warkya take wreko ;

now shaH thou se the same. 192

Satan en-
courages
him.

Jesus ralli
again.

David 1^
calls his pro
188 phecyof

Christ's

triumph.

(35)
IliesMB. ye prynces of heH open youre yate,

And let my folk furtR gone ;
A prynce of peasse shatt enter therat

wheder ye iviH or none.

(36)

Ryhal<$. What art thou that spekys so 1
Ihesns. A kyng of blys that hight ihesus.

Ryhal^. yee, hens fast I red thou go,
And meH the not with vs.

Jesus sum-
mons tliem
to open the
gates.

196

Rybald and
Beelzebub

de^' Him.

200

(37)
Belzabuh. Oure yates I trow wiH last,

thay ar so strong I weyn ;
Bot if oure barres brast,

ffor the they shaH not twyn. 204

(38)
Ihesns. This stede shaH stanc? no longe?- stokyn ;

open vp, and! let rny pepiH pas.
Rylial&. Out, harro ! oure bayH is brokyn,

and brusten ar all oure bandys of bras ! 208

Jesus bursts
the bars to
tlie dismay
of Rybald.

300 Towneley Plays, XXV, The Deliverance of Sends.

UceUebiib
lainentfl.

SnUn re-
proaches tlio
devils for
uot over-
tlirowing
Christ,

[Fol. 99, b.]

atid mils for
his own
armour.

He chal-
lenges Jesus,

Wlio nn-
notnices His
mission to
save the
lu'isuners.

(39)
Behahuh. harvo ! cure yates begyn to crak !

In sonder, I trow, they go,
And lieH, I trow, wiH aH to-shak ;

Al;is, what I am wo ! 212

(40)
RyhaM. lymbo is lorne, alas !

sir sathanas com vp ;
This wark is wars then it was.

Sathanas. yee, hangyd be thou on a cruke' I 216

(41)
Thefys, I bad ye shuldf be bowne,

If lie maide mastres more.
To dyng that dastard downe,

sett liym both sad and sore. 220

(42)
Belzalmh. To sett hym sore, that is sone saide !

com thou thi self and sej-ue hym so ;
we may not abydo his bytter brayde,

he wold vs mar and we were mo. 224

Sathanas. ffy, fature ! wherfor were ye fiaydl

haue ye no force to flyt hym fro ]
loke in haste my gere be grayd,

my self shaH to that gadlyng go. 228

(43)
how ! thou belamy, abyde,

witfi aH thi boste and beyr !
And telt me in this tydo

what mastres thou makys here. 232

(44)
7/tesus. I make no mastry bot for myne ;

I win theym saue, thaf shaH the sow ;
Thou has no powere theym to pyne,

bot" in my pryson for thare prow 236

'here haue they soriornyd', noglit as thyne,

bot in thi wayrd, thou wote as how.
Sathanas. why, where has thou bene ay syn,

that newer wold negh theym npre or now ? 240

' assonance with 'up.'

Toumelcy Plays. XXV. The Deliverance of Souls. 301

(45)
V^esus. Now is ihe tyme certan The ordained

My fadev ordand her for, iJme.'

Tliat Ihay shuldi pas fro payn,

In blys to dweH for euermorc. 244

(46)
Sathiinas. Thy fader knew I weH by svght, Saijiiia«k»

Ii'iw tlie son

he was a wnght, Ins meett to wyn ; ..f joscpii

Mary, me mynnys, thi moder liiglit, so migiity?

tlie vLmast ende of aH thy kyn ; 248

Say who made the so mckiH of rayghtl

I/iesus. Thou wykyd feymle. lett be thi dvTiil ! J^susre-

veals that

my fader wonnes in hcuen on higlit, He is Ooii'«

In blys that iieuer more shaH blyn ; 252

(47)
I am his oonly son, / his forward! to fulfyH,
Togeder wiH wo won, / In sender when we wytt. 254

(48)
Sathari. Goddys son I nay, then myght thou be glad,

for no cateH thurt the crane ;
Bot thou has lyffyd ay lyke a lad,

In sorow, and as a sympiH knaue. 258

(49)
//(Bsus. That" was for the hartly luf I had He has con-

Vnto mans sauH, it forto sane, aorthead'to

And forto make the masyd and mad", souis'llnd

And for that reson nifully to rafo. 262 tTdcvlL

(50)
My godhede here I hyd

In mary, moder myne,
where it shaH neuer be kyd

to the ne none of thyne. 266

(51)
Satlian\ how now] this wold I were told' in towne ;

thou says god is thi syre ;
I shaH the prove by good reson

thou moyMys as man dos into reyrc. 270

Satan claims
tlie souls A3
God's

enemies.

[Fol. 100, a.
Big. P. 4.]

Jesus re-
minds him
of the i»ro-
phccies of
His coming

302 Towneley Plays. XXV. The Deliverance of Souls.

To breko thi byddyng they were I'uH: bowiie,
And soyn they wroght at my desyi-e ;

ffrom paradise thou putt theym downs,
In heU here to haue thare hyre ;

(52)
And thou thy self, by day and nyglit,

taght eue?- aH men eniang,
Euer to do roson and right,

And here thou wyrkys aH wrang.

(53)
//tesus. I wyrk no wrang, thaf shaH thou wylt,

if I my men fro wo wiH wyn ;
My pjophetys playnly prechyd if,

AH the noytys that I begyii ;
They saide that I shuld be that ilkc >

In heH where I shukl intro in,
To sane ray seruandys fro that pylt

where darapnyd saullys shaH syt for syn.

(54)
And ilke true prophete tayH

shalbe fulfilliJ in me ;
I haue thaym boght fro bayH,

in blis now shaH they be.

(55)
Sathams. Now sen thou lyst to legge the lawcs,

thou shalbe tenyd or we twyn,
ffor those that thou to witnes drawes

ffuH cuen agans the shatt begyn ;
As salamon saide in his sawes,

who that ones co)«mys heH within
he shaH neuer owte, as clerkys knawes,

therfor, belamy, let be thy dyn.
(56)
lob thi seruande also

In his tyme can teH
That nawder freynde nor fo

shaH fynde relese in heH.

' assonance with ' it.'

274

278

282

286

290

Sfttan quutes
Solomon
and Job to
show that
oDce in hell
there is no
release.

294

298

302

Towneley Plays. XXV. The Deliverance of Souls. 303

(57)

Ihes\xs. he sayJe f uH soytfi, that shaH thou se, Jcsus an-

In heH shalbe no lelese, there is no

Bot of that place thea meut he the eternal

1 f Ti 1. li orxr hell in which

where syufuH care shati euej' encrese. Mi) the devii

In that bajH ay shaH thou be, kept, but

1 in tliese sou l3

where sorowes soyr sliatt neuer sesse, 5i,„ii .i^p^rt

And my folke that were most fre *■" *'"'"■

ahaH pas vnto the place of peasse ; 310

(58)
£for they were here with my wiH,

And so thay shaH furth weyiiJe;
Thou shaH thiself fulfyH

euer wo withoutten ende. 314

(59)
SathanK Whi, and wiH thou take theym aH me frol Sntm piea.i«

then thynk me thou art vnkyude; maybiTort

Nay, I pray the do not so ; C!'::^^.

Vmthynke the better in thy inynde; 318

Or els let me with tlie go,

I pray the leyffe urn not behynde I
Ifiesns. Nay, tratur, thou sliaH won in wo,

and tiH a stake I shaH the bynde. 322

(60)
Sathan\ Now here I how thou menys emang, jenussnysho

flliatl keep

witQ mesure and malyce forto men ; some souis,

• 1 ,1 1 such as Cain

Bot sen thou says it shalbe lang, and Ju.ias,

yit som let att-wayes with vs dweH. 326

Ih&sns. Yis, wytf thou weH, els were greatf wrang ;

thou shaH haue caym that slo aboH,
And att that hasti/s theym self to hang,

As dyd ludas and architopheH ; 330

(61)
And daton and abaron / and aH of thare assent,
Cursyd tyranttys euer ilkon / tliat mo and myn tormente.

(62)
And aH that wiH not lere my law, andaii who

That 1 haue left in land! for new, His law.

That makys my commyng knaw,

And aH liiy sacramentys persew ; 336

a04 Toioneley Plays. XXV. The Deliverance of Souls.

[Fol. 100, b.}

He will
judge these
worse than
tho Jews.

SntaD in
)ilcascd with
the bargain.

He will go
CHst and
wu8t ftnd
iiinke men
ftin. Jesus
tells hiin lie
shall be fast
bnund.

310

My deth, iny lysyng, red by raw,

Who trow thaym not thay ar vntrewe ;
vnto my dome I shaH theym draw,
And luge theym wars then any lew.
(63)

And thay that lyst to lere / my law, and lyf thorby,
Shalt neuer haue harmes here, / hot welth as is worthy. 342

(G4)
Siithanas. Now here my hand, I hold! me payde,

thise poyutys ar playnly for my prow ;
If this be trew that thou has saido,

we shaH haue mo then we haue now ;
Tides lawes that thou has late here laide,

I shaH theym lere not to alow ;
If thay myn take thay ar bbtraide,
and I shaH turne theym tylt I trow.
(65)
I shaH walk eest, I sliaH walk west,

and gar theym wyrk weH war.
Iheans. Nay feynde, thou shalbo festc,
that thou shaH flyt no far.

(66)
Satlian\ ffostel fy ! that were a wykyd tresou !

belamy, thou sbalbe smytt.
Ihesns. DeviH, I co??imannde the to go downe

Satnn siiikB
into hell,
Rybald re-
viling hiln.

Jesus suin-
iiioiis fortli
His cliil-
dren.

Adam gives
tlmiiks.

316

350

354

into thi sete where thou shaH syt.
SathanK Alas, for doyH and care 1

I synk into hett pyf !
Ri/hakt. Sir sathanas, so saide I are,
now shaH thou haue a fytt.
(67)
/Aesus. Com now furtli, my childec aH,

I forgyf you youre mys ;
With nie now go ye shaH
to loy and eiidles blys.

(68)
Adam, loid, tliou art fuH mekyH of myght,

that mekys thiaelf on this manore,

To help vs aH as thou had vs bight,

■when both forfett I and my fere ;

358

362

366

370

Tovmeley Plays. XXV. The Deliverance of Souls. 305

380

384

here haue we dwelt" withoutten light

Fower thousand ' and sex ^ hundietfi yeie ;
Now se we by this solempne siglif

how that thi mercy makys vs dere. 374

(69)
£ua. lord, we were worthy / more tornamentys to tast ;
Thou help vs lord with thy mercy / as thou of myght is mast.

(70)
lohannes. lord, I loue the inwardly,

that me wol<J make thi messyngere,
Thi cowmiyng in erth to cry,

and tecB thi fayth to folk in fere ;
Sythen before the forto dy,

to bryng theym bodword that be here,
how thay shuld haue thi help in hy,

now se I aH those poynti/s appere.
(71)
Moyses. Dauid, thi pj'ophete trew,

oft tymes told" vnto vs,
Of thi commyng he knew,

and saide it shukV be thus. 388

(72)
Dauid. As I saide ere yit say I so,

" ne derelinquas, domine,
Animam meam in inferno ; "

"leyfe neue?' my sauH, lord, afte?' the.
In depe heH wheder dampned! shaH go ;

suffre thou neuer thi saynty* to se
The sorow of thaym that won in wo,

ay fuH of fyltfi, and may nof fle."
(73)
Moyses. Make myi-tfe botfi more and les,

and loue oure lord we may.

That has broght vs fro bytternes

In blys to abyde for ay.

(74)

ysaias, Therfor now let vs syng

to loue oiire lord ihesus \
Vnto his blys lie "wili vs bryng,

Te deum laudamus. ^^^

Explicit extraccio am'marum ab inferno.

T. PLAY8.

This sight
comes to
them after
4000 years of
darknctis.

» MS.iiijMl.
« MS. vj.

Eve con-
fesses tliey
deserved
more punish-
ment.

Tlie Baptist
gives thanks
to Christ for
having mado
him His
messenger.

MoRes re-
calls the
proptiecics
of David,

who repeats
his prayer
that his soul
be not left
ID liell.

392

396

400

[Fol. lOl.a.]

Moses and
Isaiah unite
in exhorta-
tion to love
Go<L

306 Toiimcley Plays. XXVL The Remrrection of the Lord,,

Pilate cnlls
for silence

on pain of
Imngtng.

He is Pilate,
who has
punished
Jesus.

Let watch
be kept if
any follow
His words.

PUaliut.
Caiaphas.

Centurio.
Amia.
Primxos Miles.

XXVI.
EesurrecciO domtni.

[Dramalis Pcrsoiiae.

Sicxmdus Miles.
Tercius Miles.
Quartiis Miles.
Angeli, Primus <t
Secundus.

Ihisus.

Maria Magdalene,

Maria Jaeobi.

Maria.jSalomee.

[1 eleven-line stanza, no. 11, aaab ab acb cb ; 1 nine-line, no. 101 ab
abbbc be ; 4 eight-line, no. 7 aaab cccb, nos. 95, 89, 100 aab aab
cc ; 93 six-line stanzas, nos. 51-3 aaab cb, no. 73 a^jabcc, no.
96 aab aab, the rest aaab ab ; 1 three-line, no. 97 aab ; 1 couplet,
no. 24.]

pilatus. (1)

PEasse, I warne you, wold^/s in wytf 1
And standy* on syde or els go sytf,
fifor liero ar men thaf go not yif,
And loidi/s of me[kiH] rnj'ght ; 4

We thynk to abyde, and not to flytt,
I teH you euery wyglif. 6

(2)
Spare youre specli, ye brodels bold",
And sesse youre cry tiH I haue told!
What that my worship woldl,

here in thise wonys ;
whoso that" wyghtly nolcf

ffiiH hy bese hanged his bonys.

(3)
wote ye not that I am pilate,
Thaf satf apon the lustyce late,
At caluarie where I was att

Tlus day afr niome 1
I am he, that* great* state.

That lad has aH to-torne.

(4)
Now sen that lothly loseH is thus ded,
I haue great icy in my manhede,
Therfor woldf I in ilk ste(J

If were tayn hede, 22

If any felowse felow his red,

Or more his law wold lede. 24

10
12

16
18

Towneley Plays. JCXVJ. The Reswrrcdion of the Lord. 307

(5)
ffor and I knew if, cruelly
his lyfe. bees Tost, and that shortly,
that he were better hyng ful hy

On galow tre ; 28

Therfor ye prelatys shuld aspy

If any sioh be. 30

(6)
As I am man of myghtys most.
If ther be any that blow sich host,
■with tonnentys keyn beso he indost

ffor euermore ; 34

The deviH to heH shaH harry hys goost,

Bot I say nomore. 36

(7)
Gaiphas. Sir, ye thar iiothyng be dredand,
ffor cenlurio, I vnderstand,
youre knyglit is left abydaud

Righf tlier behynde ; 40

We left liym ther, for man most wyse,
If any rybaldys wold oght ryso.
To sesse theym to the next assyse,

And then forto make ende. 44

Tunc vcniel ceniurio velut miles equilans.

(8)
Cenlurio. A, blyssyd lort' ^donay,i
what may this merucH syguyfy
That here was shewyd so openly

vnto oure sight, 48

When the rightwys man can dy
thaf ihesws highf ^ 50

(9)
heuen it shoke abone,

Of shynyiig blan both son and nioyue,

And dede men also rose vp sone,

Outt of thare grafe ; 54

And stones in watt anone

In sonde?' brast and clafe. 56

' This stanza ia written as three lines in the MS, with oential
rhymes.

[Pol. 101, b.]

If they do
rilate will
kill them.

and the
devil liHi ry
tliflir ghoBt
to hell.

Cainphna
says the Cen-
turion luis
been left
behind to
arrest
I'lbal'ls.

Tlie Cen-
turion pon-
ders on the
bigns that
Kccouipauied
the death of
Jesus.

308 Towneley Plays. XXVI. The Rcswreclwn of the Lord.

(10)
The princes Tliei' was Seen niauy a fuH sodan sight,
Rnd"jcs°s^' Ouve pryuces, for sotlie, dyJ nothyiig right,
tiio Son of And so I saide to theym on higlit,

As it is trew, 60

That he was most of myght,

The sou of god, ihesu. 62

(11)
Binis !n the ffowlys in the ayer and fish in floodo,
in the sea That day changid tharo mode,
tjieir Loni whcn that he was rent on rode,

was being nii i i i CCi.

puttoiicnth. 1 hat lord veray; oo

fJuH weH thay vuderstode

That he was slayu that* day. 68

Therfor riglit as I meyn / to theym fast wiH I rydo.
To wyt withoutten weyn / what they wiH say tliis tyde

Of this enfray ; 7 1

I wiH no longer abyde

bot fast ride on my way. 73

(12)
[Foi. 102, a.] God saue you, syrs, on euery syde !
He ex- Worship and welth in warld so wyde !

greetings jnlattis. Centurio, welcom this tyde,

Oure comly kuyghf I 77

Centurio. God graunt you grace weH forto gyde,

And rewH you right". 79

/ (13)

who Bales iiis pHatus. Centurio, welcom, draw nere hand I
news. jgjj yg gQj,j tythyngys here emang,

flbr ye hauo gone thrughoutt oure land,

ye know ilk dele. 83

The cen- Centurio. Sir, I drede me ye haue done wrang
Sp'^^r' And wonder yH. 85

Binned in /i t^\

slaying a \^ ^/

n^n!""' Cayphas. wonder yH 1 I pray tliu why 1
declare that to this company.
Centurio. So shall I, sir, fuH securly,

with aH my mayn ; 89

The rightwys man, I meyn, hym by

that ye haue slayn. 91

Tmuneley Plays. XXVI. The Remiircction of the Lord. 309

(15)
pilatzis. Centurio, seee of sich saw ;
ye ar a gieatt man of oure law,
And if we shuld any wytnes draw,

To vs excuse, 95

To mayntene vs euerraore ye aw.

And noglit refuse. 97

(16)
Centuno. To mayntene trowth is woH worthy ;
I saide when I sagh hym dy,
That it was godys son almyghty.

That hang thoie ; 101

So say I yit and abyd)/» therby,

ifor euermore. 1 03

(17)
Anna, yee, sir, sicB resons may ye row.
Thou shuld not neuen sich notes new,
Bot thou couth any tokyns trew,

vntiH vs tett. 107

Centurio. Sich wonderfiiH case neuer ere ye knew

As then befeH. 109

(18)
Cayphas. we pray the teH vs, of what thyng ?
Centurio. Of elymenty^, both old! and ying.
In thare nianere maide greatt mowrnyng,

Inilkastede; 113

Thay knew by contenaunce that thare kyng

was done to dede. 115

(19)
The son for wo it waxed att wan,
The moyn and starnes of shynyng blan,
And erth it tremlyd as a man

Began to speke ; 119

The stone, that neucr was styrryd or than,

In sonder brast and breke ; 121

Pilnte re-
bukes him.

Tho Cen-
lurion iiinln-
tnina it waa
God's Son
they CTUCi-
ftc.I.

Annas aaks
for a proof.

The Cen-
turion re-
counts the
mourning of
the eleincnta
aa for their
kiiit'.

(20)
And dede men rose vp bodely, both greatt and smaH.
pilatns, Centurio, bewar with aH !
ye wote the clerkys the clyppj/s it caH

310 Tovmelcy Flays. XX VI. The Besurrection of the Lord,
Piiato says SicB sodan sight ; 1 25

that clerks „,, , . i ii

call such a ihat SOU and moyue a seson sliatt

cdipse" lak of thai-e ligfit. 127

(21)
[Foi. I02,b.i Cayphas. Sir, and if that dede men ryse vp bodely,
The dead That mav be done thrugli soccry,

may arise *^

through Therfor nothync we seit tuerby,

sorcery. ,

that be tliou bast. lol

Centurio. Sir, that I saw truly.

That shaH I euerinore trast. 1 33

(22)
•n.e Cen- Not for that ilk warke that ye dyd wyrke,
Kyes™a°fd Not oonly for tlie son wex myrke,
J^analiOT ^f ^^t how the vayH rofe in the kyrke,
hrvJ^of ff'iy" ^^yt I wold. 137

the Tomi.ic. 2>ilatns. A, sicK tayles fuH sone wold make vs yrke,

if thay were told. 139

(23)
Pilate iiids harlot ! whcrto coJHniys thou vs emang
him begoue. ^j^jj ^j^^ lesyngj/s vs to fang 1

Weynd furth ! by myght thou hang,

Vylefatur! H3

Cayphas. "Weynd furth in the Wenyande,

And hold styH thy clattur. 145

(24)
Centurio. Sirs, sou ye set not by my saw, / haues now

good day !
God lene you grace to knaw / the sothe aH way. 147

(25)
Anna, with draw the fast, sen thou the drcdys,
ffor we shaH weH mayntene oure dedj/s.
pilatus. Sich wonderfuH resons as now redya

were neue)- beforne, 151

Cayphas. To neuen this note nomore vs ned^s,

nawdec euen nor morne, . 153

(26)
Bot forto be war of more were
That afterward myght do vs dere,
Therfor, sir, whils ye ar here

Qe tAkea his
leave.

Cniiiphaa
would hush
the matter
up.

Tmoneley Plays. XXVI. The Reswredion of the Lm-d. 311

vs an emaug,
Avyse you of thise savres sere

157

Tliey must

consult

together.

how thay wiH stand.

159

(27)

ffor ihewts saide fuH openly
Vnto the men that yode hym by,
A thyng that grevys aH lury,
And right so may,

163

Jesus pro-
phesied that
llo should
rise again
the third
daj.

That he shul(J ryse vp bodely

within the thryde day.

165

(28)

If it be so, as myght I spede,

They must
guard

The latte)' dede is more to drede

Bgaiuat this.

Then was the fjTst, if we take hede

And tend therto ;

169

Avyse you, sir, for it is nedo.

the besf to do.

171

(29)

Anna. Sir, neuer the les if he saide so,

[Fol, 103, a.]

he base no myght to ryse and go,

Annas
tliinks the

Bot his dyscypyls st«yH his cora vs fro

disciples
will steal the

And here away ;

175

body.

That were titt vs, and others mo,

A fowH enfray.

177

(30)

Then wold the pepytt say euerilkon
That he were rysen hym self alon,

Tlie tomb,
therefore,
should b«

Therfor ordan to kepe that stone

watched by
knights.

with knyghtys heynd.

181

To thise thre ^ dayes be comraen and gone

And broght tiH ende.

183

(31)

pilatus, Now, certys, sir, fuH weH ye say,

And for this ilk poynt to puruay

1 shaB, if that I may ;

he shall not ryse,

187

Pilate

Nor none shaH wyn hym thens away

agrees.

of nokyus wyse.

189

' MS. iij.

312 Tovmeley Plays. XXV I. The Resurrection of the Lo^'d.

Pilate bids
his kiii^'hts
guard tlie
body of
Jcau3,

that no
traitor steal
it.

They exincs3
their readi-
ness W'th
boasts,

and talie up
their station
round the
tomb, still
boasting.

193

195

199

201

[Pol. lOS, b

(32)
Sir knyghtys, that ar of dedys dughtj,
And chosen for chefe of cheualry,
As I may me in you affy,

By day and uyght,
ye go and kepo ihesu body
■with aH youre myght ;

(33)
And for thyng that be may,
kepe hym weH viito the thryd day,
That no tratur steyH his cors you fray,

Out of that sted ;

ffor if ther do, truly I say,

ye shatt be dede.

(34)
2ivhn\\s Miles, yis, sir pilate, in certan,
we shaH hym kepe with aH oure mayn ;
Ther shaH no tratur with no trayn

SteyH hym vs fro ;
Sir knyghtys, take gere that best may gayn,
And let vs go.

(35)
Secundus Miles, yis, certys, we are aH redy bowBe,
-we shaH hym kepe tiH youre reno^vne ;
On euery syde lett vs sytt downe,

we aH in fere ;
And I shaH fownde to crak his crowiie
whoso co??zmys here.

(36)
j>ri))zus Miles, who shuld be where, fayn wold I wytt.
Secundus Miles. Euen on this syde wyH I sytt.
TeTcius Miles. And I shaH fownde liis feete to flytt.

mj'us miles, we ther shrew ther ! 217

Now by mahowne, fayn wold I wytt
who durst com here

(37)
] This cors with treson forto take,
ffor if it were the burnand drake
Of me styfly he gatf a strake,

205

207

211

213

219

Tmimeley Plays. XXVI. The Eesiirreciion of the Lord. 313

bauo here ruy hand ;
To thise thre ^ daycs bo pasf ,

This cors I dar warand.
Tunc cantabunt angeli

223 TheywiU
r- , ,. , warrant the

[2/(6 soldtei'S sleep : safety of the

Jesus nseS.j 225 these three
days,

Christus^ rcsurgens" & postea

dicet iliosna.

(38)
/7iesus. Erthly man, that 1 haue wroght,
wightly wake, and slepe thou noght 1
with bytter bayH I hauc tlic boghf,

To make the fro ;
Into this dongeon dejiu I soght
And aH for luf of the.

(39)

Behold how dere I wold the by !
My woundys ar weytt and aH blody ;
The, synfuH man, fiiH dere boght I

With tray and teyn ;
Thou fyle the noght eft for-thy,

Now art thou 016)01.

(40)
Clene haue I mayde the, synfutt man,
With wo and wandreth I the wan,
frrora harte and syde the t)lood ouf ran,

Sich was my pyne ;
Thou must me luf that thus gaf than

My lyfe for thyne.

(41)

Thou synfuH man that by mo gase,

Tytt vnto me thou turne thi face ;

Bchol(J my body, in ilka place

how it was dight* ;
AH to-rent and aH to-shentt,

Man, for thy plight.

(42)

With cordes cnewe and ropys toghe

The lues fett my lymmes out-drogh,

i^or that I was not mete enoghe

vnto the bore ;
with hard stowndys thise depo wound//*

Tholyd I thefore.

1 MS. iij. ' MS. xp3.

220

231

Jestia calls
uien to re-
member
vvliat He li:ii
tionu for

tllClll.

Let tliciu Dot
defllo theiu-
Belvea now
He has
cleansed
tlient.

235
237

241
243

Let them
look OD Uii
torn niid

n fr wounded

^47 body.

249

253
255

265
267

314 Totvneley Plaijs. A'XVL The Ecsurredion of the Lord.

(43)
Ui» r»in« A crowne of thorue, that is so kene,
""ere''ntr° Thay set apon my liede for tene,
borae fur ,p^^^ ^j^^fy^ j^^^^ ^^l^^j ^^ betwene,

AH for dyspyte ; 259

Tliis payii ilk dele thou shaH wyt wjele,

May I the wyte. 261

(44)
Behald my shankes and my knees,
Myu armes and my thees ;
[roi.iw,a.] Behold me weH, looke what thou sees,
Bot sorow and pyne ;
Thus wa^ I spylt, man, for thi gylt,
And not for myne,

(45)
And yit more vnderstand thou shaH ;
In stede of drynk thay gaf me gaH,
AseH thay menged it withaH,

The lues fsH ; 271

to wve his The payn I haue, tholyd I to saue

bM."""' Mans sauH from heH. 273

(46)
Behol(J my body how lues it dang
with knottf/s of whyppys aud scorges Strang ;
As stremes of weH the bloode out sprang

On euery syde ;
knottes where thay hyt, wcH may thou wytt,

Maide woundy* wyde. 279

(47)
And therfor thou shaH vnderstand
In body, heed, feete, and hand,
ffour hundreth woundi/s and fyue ^ thowsand

here may thou se ; "83

And therto neyn - were delt fuH euen

ffor luf of the. 285

(48)
Behold on me noght els is lefte,
And or that thou were fro me refte,
Att thise paynes wold I thole efte

I MS. V. - MS. ix.

277

Tovmeley Plays. XXVI. The Resurrection of the Lm'd. 315

And for the dy ;
here may thou se that I laf the,

Man, faythfully.

(49)
Sen I for luf, man, boght the dere,
As tliou thi self tlie sotho sees here,
I pray the liartely, with good chere,

luf me agane ;
That it lyked me that I for the

tholyd aH this payn.

(50)
If thou thy lyfe in syn hauo led,
Mercy to ask be not adred ;
The leste dropo I for the bled

Myght clens the soyn,
AH the syn the warld with in

If thou had done.

(51)
I was weH wrother with ludas
ffor that he wold not ask me no grace,
Then I was for his trespas

That lie me sold ;
I was redy to shew mercy,

Aske none he wokl'.

(52)
lo how I hold niyn armes on brede,
The to saue ay redy mayde ;
That I great luf ay to the had,

weH may thou knaw !
Som luf agane I wold! fuH fayn

Thou wold me shaw.'

(53)
Bot luf noght els aske I of the.
And that thou fownde fast syn to fle ;
pyne the to lyf in charyte

Both nyght and day ;
Then in my blys that neuec shaH mys

Thou shaH dweH ay.

239

291

307

Man may sco
how grent is
the love uf
Jesus fur

him.

Let him then
_ love Jesus
295 again,

297

am] ask for
the mercy
whrch can
cleanse frotr.
all sin.

301

303

Jesus wns
ready to
show mercy
even to
Judafl,
would he but
have asked
it.

309

313
315

[Fol. 104, b.l

He only ask*
for man's
love.

319

321

» MS. shew.

He will feed
on His own
body,

the biend
which liy live
words be-
comes His
llesh.

325

327

331

Mary Mag-
dalen la-
ments the
death of
Jesus.

316 Towncley Plays. XXVI. Tlie Remrrtction of the Lord.

(54)
Those who ffor I am veray prynce of peasse,
ftom'sTn^nnd And syimes seyr I may releasse,
ask n.ercy f^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^jjj ^f synncs scasse

And mercy cry,
I giauiitt thoym lieio a measse
In brede, myn awne body.
(55)
' [That ilk vei-ay brede of lyfe
Becommys my fleshe in wordys fyfe ;
who so it resaues in syn or stryfe

Bese dede for euer ;
And whoso it takys in rightwys lyfe

Dy shaH he neuer.^] [Jesus retires, and the three

(56) Maries advauce-l

Maria Magdalene. Alas ! to dy with doyH am I dyght !
In waild was ncuer a wofuller wight,
1 drope, 1 dare, for seyng of sight

That I can se ;
My lord, that mekiH was of myght,
Is ded! fro me.

(57)
Alas ! that I shuld se hys pyne,
Or that I shulJ his lyfe tyne,
tfor to ich sore he was medecyne

And boytte of aH ;
help and hold! to euer ilk hyne
To hym wold caH.

(58)
Maria lacohi. Alas ! how stand I on my feete
when I thynk on his woundys wete I
\hesus, that was on luf so swete,

And neuec dyd yH,
Is dede and grafen vnder the grete,
withoutten skyH.

(59)
Maria solomee. withoutten skyH thise lues ilkou
That lufly lord thay haue hym slone,
And trespas dyd he neuer none,

» Crossed out with rod iuk (after the Refoiniation ?).

337

339

343

345

Mary Jacobi
fftiiits to
tliink <.f His
woinuls.

349
351

Towneley Plays. XXVI. The Resurrection of the Lord. 317

In nokyn sted ; 355

To whom shaH we now make cure mone'!

Oure lord is ded. 357

(60)
Maria Magdalene. Sen he is ded, my sjeters dere,
weynd we wiH with fuH good chere.
with oure auoyntment?/s fare and clere

That we haue bioght, 361

ffor to anoyntt his wound7/s sere,

That lues hyni wroght. 363

Mary Salome
asks to
whom may
they make
their moan
now Jesus is
dead?

The Mag-
dalene pro-
poses that
they go and
anoint His
wounds.

(61)
Maria lucohi. Go we then, my systers fre,
ffor sore me longis his cors to see,
Bot I wote neue?- how besf may be ;

help haue we none, 367

And which shaH of vs systers thre

remefe the stone 1 369

(62)
Maria salomee. That do we not bot we weie mo,
ffor it is hogfi and heuy also.
Maria Magchhue. Systers, wo thar no farther go

Ne make mowrnyng ; 373

I se two syt where we weynd to,

In whyte clotliyng. 375

(63)
Maria lacobi. Certys, the sotlie is not to hyde.
The graue stone is put besyde.
^1/aria salomee. Ceitys, for thyng that may betyde,

Now wiH we weynde 379

To late the luf, and with hym byde,

that was oure freynde. 381

[Fol. 105, s.
Sig. Q. I.]

The otlieis
wonder how
they sliall
move the
heavj- stone.

The Mag-
dalene sees
two sitting
by the tomb
in white
clothing.

(64)
7)rij»us angelus. ye mowrnyng women in youre thoght',
here in this place whome haue ye soght 1
Mivia Mar/dahne. Ihesu that vnto ded was broght,

Oure lord so fre. 385

Secundus angelus. Certys, women, here is he noght ;

Com nere and se. 387

Tlie angels
tell the
women that
Jesus is not
there.

318 Townehy Plays. XXVI. The Ees^irrection of the Lord.

Jesus id
risen.

nnd shall be
found In
Gftlilcc.

Tlie MttK-
drtlene bids
tlie otIieiB
preach wliat
Ihey liave
heard.

[Ful. 105, b.l

Site Rgnin
laments
Cliiisfs suf-
ferings.

(65)
pri??ius angelus. ho is not here, the sotlie to say,
The place is voyde ther in he lay ;
The sudary here so ye may

was on hym layde ; 391

he is rysen and gone his way,

As he you sayde. 393

(66)
/Secunf^us angelus. Euen as he saide so done has he,
he is rysen thrugli his pauste;
he shalbe fon in galale,

In flesSe and feU ; 397

To his dyscypyls now weynd ye,

And thus thaym teH. • 399

(67)
3/ari« Magdalene. !My systers fre, son it is so,
That he is resyn the detB thus fro,
As saide tili vs thise angels two,

Oure lord and lecho, 403

As ye haue hard! where that ye go

Loke that" ye preche. 405

(68)
Mania lacobi. As we haue hard so shaH we say ;
Mare, oure syster, haue good day !
il/aria MagdaXene. Now veray god, as he weH may,

Man most of myght, 409

he wysh you, systers, weH in youre way,

And rewle you right. 411

(69)
Alas, what shall now worth on me 1
5Iy catyf hart wyH breke in thro
when that I thynk on that ilk bodye

how it was spylt ; 415

TlirugB feete and handy« nalyd was he

Withoutten) gylt. 417

(70)
withoutten gylt then was he tayn.
That lufly lord, thay haue hym slayn.
And tryspas dyd he neuer nane.

T&umeley Plays. XXVI. The Resurrection of the Lord. 319
Ne vit no mys 421 it was for

•' •' her guilt no

It was mv Kvlt lie was fortayn, »ii(rere>i, for

And nothing his. 423 own.

(71)
how myght I, hot I lufyd that swete
That for me suffied wouudys wete,
Sythen to be grafen vnder the grete,

Sich kyndnes kythe ; 427

Ther is nothyng tiH that we mete

may make me hlythe. \The loomen retire, and the
(72) soldiers then wahe.]
prinma Miles. Outt, alas ! what shaH I sayl ITc'vir i"

where is the cors that hero in lay ? anTc^af^

Secundns Miles, what alys the man 1 he is away ^ hmmv ■

That we shuld tent I 433

primus Miles. Ryse vp and se.
Secimdvis miles. harrow ! thefe ! for ay

I cowute vs shent ! 435

(73)
Tercius miles, what devyH alys you two
sich nose and cry thus forto may l
/Secunrfus Miles, tibr he is gone.^

Tercius Miles. Alas, whal 439

Secundus Miles, he that here lay.
Texcius Miles, harrow! deviH! how swa gat he away 1 441

(74)
Qimrtas miles, what, is he thus-gaty* from vs went,
The fals tratur that here was lentt,
That we truly to tent

had vndertane ? 445 Tiiej feflr

they will lj«

Certanly I teH vs shent ininisLci.

holly ilkane. 447

(75)

jjrimus Miles. Alas, v/hat shaH I do this day

Sen this tratur is won away 1

And safely, syrs, I dar weH say

he rose alon. 451

iSecunrfus Miles, wytt sir pilate of this enfray

we mon be slone. 453

1 "go" 13 needed to ryme with "two."

320 Toumehy Plays. XXVI. The Remrredion of the Loi-d.

The secnnd
soldier him-
self saw
Jesus go.

[Fol. 106, a.
8ig. Q. 2.]

Tliey think
they must
invent some
lie

as thnt A

thOQSAUd

armed men
stole the
body.

The fourth
soldier is
bold to tell
Pilate what
lias really
haj'pcned.

(76)
Qitartns Miles, wote ye weH he rose in dede ?
jSecuTirfus Mihs. I sagh myself when that he yede.
priTHus Miks. when that he styrryd out of the steed

None couth it ken. 457

Quartua Miles. Alas, hard hap was on my hede

emang ali men. 459

(77)
Teicius Miles, ye, hot wyt stV pilate of this dede,
That wc were slepaud when he yede,
we mon forfett, withoutten drede,

AH that we haue. 463

Quaiins Miles, we must make lees, for that is nede,

Oure self to saue. 465

(78)
/)ri»ms Aliles. Tliat red I weH, so myght I go.
Secundus Miles. And I assent therto ako.
Terciu-i Miles. A thowsand shaH I assay, and mo,

wcH armed ilkon, 469

Com and toke his cors vs fro,

had vs nere slone. 471

(79)
Quartws miles. Nay, certys, I hold ther none so good
As say the sothe right as it stude,
how that he rose with mayn and mode,

And went his way ; 475

To sir pilate, if he be wode.

Thus dar I say. 477

(80)
pnnvxs Miles, why, and dar thou to sir pilate go
with thisc tytliyngys, and teH hym so'!
iSecunfZus Miles. So red I that we do also,

we dy hot oones. 481

Texcius Miles & oranes. Now he that wroght vs aH this wo

wo worth his bones ! 483

(81)
Quartns Miles. Go we sam, sir knyghtys heyndf.
Sen we shaH to sir pilate weynd,
I trow that we shaH parte no freynd.

Towneky Plays. XXVI. The Resurrection of the Lord. 321
Or that we pas. [They come to Pilate.] 487 tijc lUst

t x 1 11 11 -11 1 -11 1 soldiergreets

primus Miles. Now and I shaH ten ilka word tin ende, Piime and
right as it was. 489

(82)
Sir pilate, prynce withoutten peyr,
Sir Cayplias and Anna both in fere,
And aH the lordys aboute you there,

To neuen by name ; 493

Mahowne you saue on sydys sere

ffro syn and shame. 495

(83)
pilatua. ye ar welcom, cure kuyght2/s so keyn, Pii«i«««k»

A mekiH inyrth now may we meyu,
Bot telt vs som talkyng vs betwene,

How ye haue wroght. 499

f)rimu3 Miles. Oure walkyng, lord, withoutten wene.

Is worth to noght. 501

(84)
Cayplias. To noght 1 alas, seasse of sicfi saw. Theyteii

Semndus Miles. Tlie propliete ihesu, that ye weH kuaw, iirojiiietis

^ . risen.

Is rysen, and wenf fro vs on raw,

with mayn and myght. 505

pilatas. Therfor tlie deviH the aH to-draw, He rc-

prORchts

vyle recrayd kuyght ! 507 ">«in.

(85)
what ! combred cowardy« I you caH !
lett ye hym pas fro you aHI
Tercius Miles. Sir, ther was none that durst do bot smaH They plead

when that he yede. 511

Quartna Miles, we were so ferde we can (fowne faH,

And qwoke for drede. 513

(86) [Fol. 10«, b.l

primus miles, we were so rad, euerilkon,
when that he put besyde the stone,
we quoke for ferd, and durst styr none,

And sore we were abast. 517

pilatus. whi, bot rose he bi hym self alone 1 jesus rose

Secnndns milea. ye, lord, that be ye trast, 519 Jom"""

T. PLAYS. Y

322 Towneley Plays. XXVI. The Resurrection of the Lord.

There was a
wondrous
melody wlien
He rose.

Pilate asks
tlie advice
of Caiaphas.

Aunas
counsels
him to re-
ward the
soldiers, and
make them
tell another
story.

Pilate bids
them say
10,000 men
in good
array stole
the body
from them.

(87)
we hard neuer on euyn ne mome,
Nor yit oure faders vs beforne,
Sicli melody, myd-day ne mome,

As was maide thore. 523

xnlatwB. Alas, then ar oure lawes forlorna

ffor euer more ! 626

(88)
A, deviH ! what shaH now wortt of thisi
This warld farys with quantys ;
I pray you, Cayphas, ye vs wyg

Of this enfray. 529

Cai^has. Sir, and I couth oght by my clergys,

ffayn wold I say. 531

(89)
Anna. To say the best for sothe I shaH ;
It shalbe profett for vs att,
yond knyghtys bohovys thare wordys agaue call

liow he is niyst; 535

we wold not, for thyng that myght befaH,

That no man wyst : 637

(90)
And therfor of youre curtessie
Gyf tlieym a rewards for-thy.
pilatua. Of this counseH weH paide am I,

It shalbo thus. 641

Sir knyghtys, that ar of dedys doghty,

Take tent tiH vs ; 543

(91)

herkyns now how ye shaH say,

where so ye go by nyght or day ;

Ten thowsand ^ men of good aray

Cam you vntiH, 547

And thefyshly toke his cors you fray

Agans youre wiH. 549

(92)
loke ye say thus in euery land,
And therto on this couande
Ten thowsand pounds ^ haue in youre hande
»MS. XM'. "XM'li.

Towneley riays. XXVI. The Resurrection of the Lord. 323

553

555

559

561

To youre rewarde ;
And my frenship, I vnderstande,

ShaH not be sparde ;

(93)
Bot loke ye say as we haue kende.
primus milea. yis, sir, as mahowne nie mende,
In ilk contree where so we lende

By nyght or day,
where so we go, where so we weynd,

ITius shall we say.

(94)
pilatus. The blyssyng of mahowne be with you nyghf

and day !
[Pilate arid the soldiers retire. Mary and Jesus advance^
Maria maijdalene. Say me, garthynere, I the pray,
If thou bare oght my lord away ;
TeH me the sothe, say me not nay,

where that he lyys.
And I shaH remeue hym if I may,
On any kyn wyse.

(95)
//tesus. woman, why wepys thou ] be styB 1
whome sekys tlioul say me thy wyH,

And nyk me not with nay.
Maria Magdalene, ffor my lord I lyke fuH yH ;
The stede thou bare his body tyH

TeH me I the pray ;
And I shaH if I may / his body here with me,
Vnto myn endyng day / the better shuld I be.

(96)
Thesus. woman, woman, turn thi thoght !
wyt thou weH I hyd liyni noght.

Then bare hym uawre with me ;
Go seke, loke if thou fynde hym oght.
Maria Magdalene. In fayth I haue hym aoghf,

Bot nawre he wiH fond? be.

(97)

i/iesus. why, what was he to the / In sothfastnes to say 1

Maria Magdalene, A ! he was to me / no longer dweH I may.

77iesus. Mary, thou sekys thy god, and that am I. 585

He gives
them £10,000
as their
rewar'l.

They pro-
mise com-
pliance, and
are dii-
miased.

666

568

571

674

676

579

582

[Fol. 107, a.
Sig. Q. 3.]

Mary Mag-
dalene nsks
the Gardener
if He knows
where her
Lord's body
is?

She has
sought but
cannot find
Him.

JesuB reveals
Himself.

324 Tovmeley Plays. XXVI, Hie Resurrection of the Lord.

Mary wor-
ships Jesus.

He bids her
not to touch
Him, but to
bear His
commands
to His dis-
ciples.

Mftry pro-
iniBes obedi-
ence, ftnd
r^oices at
having seen
the Lord.

[FoL107,b.]

(98)
Maria Magdrdane. Eabony, my lord so dere !
Now am I hole that thou art here,
Suffer me to negB the nere,

And kys thi feete ; 689

Myght I do so, so well me were,

flfor thou art swete. 591

(99)
/Aesus. Nay, niary, neghe thou not me,
ffor to my fader. teH I the,

yit stevyud I noght ; 594

TeH my brethere I sluiH be
Before theym aH in trynyto

whose wiH that I haue wroght. 697

To peasse now ar tliay boglit / that prjsont? were in pyne,
wherfor thou thank in thoght/god, thi lord and myne 599

(100)
Mary thou shaH weynde nie fro,
Myn erand shaH thou grathly go,

In no fowndyng thou faH ; 602

To my dyscypyls say thou so,
That wilsom ar and lappyd in wo,

That I thaym soeouve shaH. 605

By name peter thou caH / and say that I shaH be
Before hym and theym aH / my self in galyle. 607

(101)
Maria il/«i/ffalene. lord, I shaH make my vyage

to teH theym hastely ;
ffro thay here that message

thay wiH be aH mery. 6 1 1

This lord was slayn, alas for-thy,
ffalsly spylt, noman wyst why,

whore he dyd mys ; 614

Bot with hym spake I liodely,

ffor-thi co?)jmen is my blys. 616

(102)
Mi blys is co/wmen, my care is gone.
That luHy liaue I mett alone ;
I am as blyth in bloodc and bone

Towneley Plays. XX VII. The Pilgrims.

325

As euer was wighf ;
Now is he resyn that ere was slone,

Mi hart is light*.

(103)
I am as light as leyfe on tie,
tfor ioyfuH sight that I can se,
ffor weli I wote that it was he

My lord ihesu ;
he that betrayde that fre

sore may he lew.

(104)
To galyle now wiU I fare,
And his dyscyples each from care ;
I wote that thay witi mowme no maie,

Cowimyn is thare blys ;
That worthi childe that mary bare

he amende youre mys.

Explicit remrreccio dorami.

620

622

He ia risen
tlmt was
slain.

626

628

Slie will go
to Galilee
and relense
the discipleti
from cai e.

632

634

XXVII.

Peregrini.'

[2 nine-line stama-i, no i aaaab cccb, no. 30 ababc dddc ; 5 eight-
line, abababab ; 6 seven-line, nos. 39, 59 ahab cdc, t)u rest ababc
be ;'40 six-line, aaab ab ; 6 four-line, abab ; 1 cffuplet.]

[Dramatis Personae :
Clcophas Lucas

(1)

Jesus. ]

Cleophaf.

Almyghty god, ihesu ! ihes-u
That* borne was of a madyn fre,
Thou was a lord and prophete trew,
whyls thou had lyfe on lyfe to be
Emangys thise men ;
yH was thou ded, so wo is me
that I it ken !

Cleopbas
laments for
Jesus.

' ' ' fysher pagent '
hand.

is written underneath the title in a later

326

Toivneley Plays. XXVII. The Pilgi^ms.

Why was
man so
blind as to
aUy his
Lord?

[Fol. 108, a.
Big. Q. 4.]

Luke

laments the
death of
man's
physician.

They recall
how Jesug
was tortured
by the Jews.

(2)
I ken it weH that thou was slayn

Oonly for me and aH mankynde ;
Therto thise lues were fuH bayn.

Alas! why was thou, man, so blynde 11

Thi lord to slo 1
On hym why wold thou haue no mynde,

hot bett hym bio ] 14

(3)
Bio thou bett hym bare / his brest thou maide aH blak,
his woundes aft wete thay ware / Alas, witfioutten lak ! 16

(4)
Lucas. That lord, alas, that leche / that was so meke and

niyldo,
So weH that couth vs preche / witfe syn was neuer fylde ;
he was fuH bayn to preche / vs aH from warkes wylde,
his ded it wiH me drech, / ffor thay hym so begylde

This day ; 21

Alas, why dyd thay so
To tug hym to and fro 1
ffrom hym wold thay not go

To his lyfe was away. 26

(5)
CleojMas. Thise cursyd lues, euer worth thaym wo !
Oure lord, cure master, to ded gart go,
AH sakles thay gart hym slo

Apon the rode, 29

And forto bete liis body bio
Thay thoght fuH good. 31

(6)
Lucas. Thou says fuH sothe, thay dyd hym payn.
And therto were tliay euer fayn.
Thay wold no leyf or he was slayn

And done to ded ; 35

tfor-thi we mowrne with mode and mayn,

with rufuH red. 37

(7)
Cleophas. yee, rufully may we it rew,
flfor hym that was so good and trew.
That thrugh the falshede of a lew

Tmoneley Plays. XX VII. The Pilgrims.

327

was tlius betrayd ;
Thetfor oure sorow is euer new,
Oure ioy is layd.

(8)
Lmcoh, Certy*, it was a wonder thyng
That thay wold for no tokynyng,
Ne yit for his techyng,

Trast in that trew;
Tliay myght haue sene in his doyng

ifuH great vertu.

(9)
Cleophus. ffor aH that thay to hym can say
he answard neuer with yee, ne nay,
Bot as a lam meke was he ay,

ffor aH thare threte ;
he spake neuer, by nyghf ne day,

No wordes greatte.

(10)
Lucas. AH if he wor withoutten plight,
Vnto tlie ded yit thay hym dight ;
If he had neuer so mekiH niyght

he suffred aH ;
he stud as stiH, that bright.

As stone in waH.

(11)
Cleophas. Alas, for doyH ! what was thare skyH
That precyous lord so forte spiH 1
And he seruyd neuer none yH

In worde, ne dede ;
Bot prayd for theym his fader tiH

To ded when that he yedo.

41 Tlioirown
sorrow is
ever fresh.

They marvel
at the un-
belief of tho
Jews,

47

49

and ilte

meekness of
Jesu9.

53

55

59 He stood

still as sttine
in wall.

61

How could
the Jews
sliiy Him?

65

67

(12)
Lucas. When I thynk on his passyon.
And on his nioder how she can swoyn,
To dy nere am I bowne,

ffor sorow I sagh hir make ;
Vnder the crosse when she feH downe,

ffor hir son sake.

71

[Ful. 108, b.)

The remem-
brance of
His mother'0
sorrow
makes tbem
ready to die.

73

328

Tovmeley Plays, XXVII. The Pilgrims.

The blows of
the Jews
made His
body blue.

When He
asked for
drink they
gave Him
vinegar and
gall.

(13)
Cleophas. Me thynk my hart is fuH of wo
when I sagh liyui to ded go ;
Th[e] wekyJ lues lliay were so thro

To wyrk hyni woghe,
his fare body thay niaide fiili bio

with strokes euoghe.

(U)
Lucas. Me thynk my hart droppys aH in bloods
when I sagfi hym hyng on the roode,
And askyd a drynk, with fuH mylde mode,

Eight than in hy ;
AseH and gaH, that was nof good,

Thay broght hym then truly.

(15)
No man ever Cleovhas. was neuer man in no-kyns steede

suffered half '^

aa mucL. That suffred half so greatf mysdede
As he, to ded or that he yede,

Ne yit the care ;
ffor-thi fuH carefuH is my red

where soeue;- I fare.

(16)
Lucas, where so I fare he is my mynde,
Bot when I thynk on hym so kynde,
how sore gyltles that he was pyynde

Apon a tre,
Ynethes may I hokt my mynde,

So sore myslykys me.

Mc venit i^esus in apparatu pereffvini.

(17)

77
79

83
85

89
91

96
97

Jeans aska
why they
walk so sor-
rowfully ?

77tesu9, Pylgrymes, win uiake ye this mone,
And walk so rufully by the way 1

haue ye youre gates vngrathly gone ]
Or what you alys to me ye say.

(18)
what wordes ar you two emange,
That ye here so sadly gang 1
To here theym eff fuH sore I lang.

101

Towmley Plays. XXVII. Tlie Pilgrims.

329

here of yow two ;
It semys yo ar in sorow Strang,

here as ye go.

(1»)
Cleophas. what way, for sliarao, man, has thou tayn

That thoa wote not of tliis affray 1
Thow art a man by the alane,

Thow may not pleasse me to my pay.
(20)
/Besus. I pray you, if it he youre wiH,
Those Wordys ye woW reherse me tyH ;
ye ar ali heuy and lyky,-.' ytt

here in this way ;
If ye wiH now shew me youre [wy]l]

I wold you pray.

(21)
Lucas. Art thou a pilgrenie thi self alone,
walkand in con try bi thyn oone,
And wote not what is cwijmen and gone

within few dayes 1
Me thynk thou shuld make mone,

And wepe here in thi wayes.
(22)
Iheans. whi, what is done can ye me say
In this land this ylk day !
Is ther fallen any affray

In land awre whare 1
If ye can, me teH I you pray,

Or that I farthere fare.

(23)
Cleophas. why, knowys thou not what thyng is done
here- at lenisalem thus sone,
Thrugh wykyd lues, withoutten hone,

And noght lang syn ?
flor the trewe prophete make we this mone,

And for his pyne.

(24)
Lucas, yee for ihesu of nazareiie,
That was a prophete true and clene.
In word, in wark, fuH raeke, I weno.

105

107

115

133

He desires to
know wlint
are they
talking of!

Cleophas
asks how it
ia He has
lint heard of
this affray 7

111

[Fol. 109, a.)

Jesus ftsks
them to tell
Him.

117

Luke Oiinnot
believe He
hfts not

heard.

121

123

Jesus again
asks tu be
told.

127

129

Tl.ey tell
Uim they
are raourn-
ing the death
uf a prophet,
Jeaua of
' Nazarene *

135

330

Toumeley Plays. XXVIL The Pilgrims,

Tliey found
Him ever

true.

The JewB

SUt Hi ID to
eftth,

crucifying
Him a mile
hence.

They expect
Hiiti to come
agata to life,

but know
not whether
He be risen
or no.

[Fol. 109, b.]

JeBus will
expound the

firophete to
hem.

And that fonde we ; 139

And so has he futt long bene,

As mot I the, 141

(25)
To god and to the people batS ;
Therfor tliise daies he has takyn skath,
Vnto tlio ded, withoutten hagh,

Thise lues hym dight ; 145

ffor-thi for hym thus walk we wratii

By day and nyght. 147

(26)
Cleophas Thise \vykyd lues trayed hym with gyle
To thare high preestys within a whyle,
And to thare pryuces thay can hym fyle,

withoutten drede ; 151

Apon a crosse, noght hens a niyle,

To ded l«j yede. 153

(27)
Lucas. \\-e tiowyd that it was he truly
his awne lyfe agane shuld by,
As it is told in prophecy

Of Cristj/s doyng ; 157

And, cert?/s, thay wiH neuer ly

flbr nokyns thyng. 159

(28)
ffro he was of the crosse tayn
he was layde fuH sone agaue
In a graue, vnder a stane.

And that we saw ; 163

wheder he be rysen and gane

yit we ne knaw. 165

(29)
Ihesus. Pilgremes, in speche 3'e ar fuH awtfi,

That shaH I weH declare you why,
ye haue it hart, and that is rawtfi,

ye can no better stand therby, 169

Thyng that ye here ;
And p7-ophetys told it openly

On good manere. 172

Tovmeley Plays. XXVII. The Pilgrims. 331

(30)
Thav saide a childe there shuld be borne it wm fore-

To by mankynde combryd in care ; »houid lie

three days in

Thus saide dauid here beiome earth and

. , rise by Hie

And othere prophetys wyse oi lare, power.

And danieli; 177

Som saide he ded shuld be,
And ly in ertfi by dayes thre,
And sithen, thrugh his pauate,

Ryse vp in flesh and feH. 181

(31)

Cleophas. Now, sir, for sothe, as god me saue, u'n of'tile'**

women has flayed va in cure thocht : report of

•^ o / [j^Q women,

Thay saide that thay were at hia graue.

And in that stedf thay faunde hym noght, 185

Bot saide a light
Com downe with angels, and vp hym broght

Ther in thare sight". 188

(32)
we wold not trow theym for nothyng, distril^tedft

If thay were ther in the mornyng,
we saide thay knew not his rysyng

when it shuld be ; 192

Bot som of vs, without dwellyng,

wentt" theder to se. 194

(33)
Lucas, yee, som of vs, sir, haue beyn thare, wMtrue""'

And faunde it as the women saide,i
Out of that sted that cors was fare.

And also the graue stone put besyde, 198

we se with ee ;
The teres outt of myn ees can glyde,

ff-or doyH 1 dre. 201

(34)
i/iesus. ye foyles, ye ar not stabyH ! Jf^^^--',

where is youre witt, I say 1
wilsom of hart ye ar vnabyH

And outt of the right way, 205

' assonance to " besyde, " "glyde. '

them.

332

Tovmeley Plays. XXVII. The Pilgrims.

JesuB knew
that Julias
should be-
tray Him.

Did nnt tlie
propliet?
foretell His
death and
reaurrection?

£Fol. 110. a ]

Christ must

needs suffer
thus, and
then enter
JDto bliss.

Cleoplias
thnnks Jesus
fiT His
words

ffor to trow it is no fabyH

that at is fallen this same daj'.
he wyst, when ho sat at liis tabiH,

that ludas shuld Ijym sone betray. 209

(35)
Me thynk j-oii aH vntrist to trow,

both in mode and mayu,
AH tliat the pj-ophetys told to you

before, it is no traue. 213

ToLlf not thay whaf wyse and liow

That crysf shuld suffre payn 1
And so to his paske bow

To entre tilt his ioy agane. 217

(36)
Take tent to moyses and othere mo,

that were prophet?/* trew and good ;
Thay saide ihesus to ded! shuld go.

And pynde be on roode ;
Thrugti the lues be maide futt bio,

his woundys rynyng on red blode ;
Sithen shuld he ryse and furtti go

before, right as he yode.

(37)
Crist* behovid to suffre this,

flforsothe, right as I say.
And sithen enter into his blys

vnto his fader for ay,
Euer to won witli hym and his,

where euer is gam and play ;
Of that myrtli shaH he neuer mys
ffro he weynde hens away.

(38)
Cleoplias. Now, sir, we thank if fiiH oft sythes,

the cowirayng of you hedtr ;
To vs 80 kyndly kythes

the prophecy aH to geder. 237

(39)
iAesus. By leyff now, sirs, for I must weynde,
ffor I haue far of my iornay.
lucas. Now, sir, we pray you, as oure freynde,

221

225

229

233

Towneley Plays. XXVII. The nigrims. 333

Ail iivghf to abyde for charite, 241 Luke prays

, , . r n Him to stay

And take youre r est ; wuhthem

At morne more prest then may ye be

to go fuH prest. 244

(40)
Cleophas. Sir, we you pray, for godi/s sake.
This nyght penauce witli vs to take,
Witb sic6 chere as we can make.

And that we pray ; 248

we may no farthere walk ne wake,

Gone is the day. 250

(41)
Lucas. DweH with vs, sir, if ye myght,
flbr now it" ^ waxes to the nyght.
The day is gone that was so bright.

No far tliou shaH ; 254 premising

' Him meat

Mete and drynk, sir, we you hight fofH,'9''ood

ffor thi good tale. 256 t^ic "*°
(42)
Ihtsus. I thank you both, for sothe, in fere, jesussays

•' tie may not

At this tyme I ne may dweH liere, rest with

^ tliem.

I haue to walk in wayes sere,

where I haue hight ; 260

I may not be, withoutten were.

With you an nyght. - 262

(43)
Cleophas. Now, as myght I lyi in qwarte, They entreat

At this tyme wiH we not parte,
Bot if that thou can more of arte

Or yit of lare ; 266

Vnto this cyte, with good harte,

Now let vs fare. 268

(44)
Lucas. Thou arf a pilgreme, as we ar.
This nyght shaH thou fare as we fare,
Be it les or be if mare

Thou shaH assay ; 272

Then to-morne thou make the yare [Foi. iio.b.]

To weynde thi "Way. 274

' MS. is.

334<

Tovmeley Plays. XXVII. The Pilgrims.

JeBus con-
■enU to
ftbide awliUe.

Tliey invite
Him to sit
down and
eat

They are
amazed at
His Buddin
disappear-
ance in
breaking
bread.

(45)
J/tesus. ffreyndys, forto fultiH youre witt

I wiH abyde witfi you awhyle.
Cleqphas. Sir, yo ar welcom, as is skyH,
To sich as we hauc, bi sant gyle. 278

(46)
Lucas. Now ar we here at this towns,
I red that we go sytt vs downe.
And forto sowpe we make vs bowne,

Now of oure fode ; 282

we hauc enogh, sir, bi my crowne,

Of godys goode. 284

Tunc parent mensam).

(47)
Cleuphas. lo, here a borde and clothe laide.
And breetP thevon, aH redy graide ;
Sit we downe, we shalbe paide.

And make good chere ; 288

It is bot penaunce, as we saide,

That we baue here. 290

Tunc recumbenV & sedehit iheans m medio eorura, tunc
henedicet ihesns panem & franget in tribns pM-tibw,
& posfea euanebit ab ocvlis eorum ; & dicet lucas,

(48)
Lucas, wemmow ! where is this man becom.

Right hero that sat betwix vs two 1
he brake the breed and laide vs som ;

how myght he hens now fro vs go 294

At his awne lystl
It was oure lorde, I trow right so.

And we not wyst. 297

(49)
Cleophas. When went he hens, whedir, and how.

What I ne wote in warld so wyde,
ffor had I wyten, I make a vowe,

he shuld haue byden, what so betyde ; 301

(50)
Bot it were ihesus that with vs was,
Selcowtfi me thynke, the sothe to say,

Townehy Plays. XXV II. The Pilgrims.

335

Thus preualy from vs to pas,
I wist neuer when he went away,
we were fuH blynde, euer alas !
I teti vs now begylde for ay,
fEor specfi and bewte that he has
Man myght hym knaw this day.

They hold
IheinBelves
305 beguiled for
not having
recognised
Him.

309

319

He wa>i so
like to a
321 pilgrim.

(51)
Ijucas. A, dere god, what* may this be 1
Right" now was he here by nie ;
Now is this greatt vanyte,

he is away ; 313

We ar begylyd, by my lewte, [foI. iii,(i.i

So may we say. 315

(52)
Cleophas. where was oure hart, where was cure thoght,
So far on gate as he vs broght,
knawlege of hym that we had noght

In aH that tyme 1
So was he lyke, bi hjTu me wroght,

TiH oon pylgryme.

(53)
Lucas. Dere god, why coutfi we hym not kuawe ?
80 openly aH on a raw
The tayles that he can titt vs shaw,

By oone and oon) ; 325

And now from vs within a thraw

Thus sone is gone. 327

(54)
Cleophas. I had no knawlege it was he,
Bot for he brake this brede in thre,
And delt it here to the and me

With his awne hande ; 331

When he passyd hence we myght not se,

here syttande. 333

(55)

Lucas. Wee ar to blame, yee, veramente, They bUme

That we toke no better tente fornot ^^

whils we bi the way wente ^J^Js "o"

336 Tmvneley Plays. XXVII. The Pilgrims.

With hym that stowndf ; 337

knowlege of hym we myglit haue lientt,

Syttyng on grovvniJ. 339

(56)
Tiiey knew Cleophos. ffio he toke breeds ftiH weH I wysfc

Him as Boon i i t »_

us He took And brake it here with liis awne f vste,

the bread .,,.,. , . ,

»nd brake it. And laids it vs at his a^vne lyst,

As we it hent ; 343

I knew hym then, and sone it kyst

with good! intente. 345

(57)
Luccts. That* we hym knew wist he weH enogh,
Therfor aff sone he hym with-drogh,
ffro he saw that we hym Icnogfi,

with in this sted ; 349

I haue ferly what way and how

Away that he shuld glyde.^ 351

(58)
Cleophos. Alas, we war fuH myrk in thoght,

bot we were both fuH wiH of rec? ;
Man, for shame whi helti' thou noght

when he on borde brake vs this breeds 1 355

(59)
he soght the prophecy more and les
And told it vs right in this sted",
how that he hym self was

With wykid lues broght to deJ, 359

And more ;
we witt go seke that kyng

That suffred woundes sore. 362

(60)
They wiu go incas. Ryse, go we heuce fro this place,

to Jerusalem J t o r j

and tell tiie Xo leTMsalem take we the pace,

brethren. '^

And teH oure brethere aH the case,

I red right thus ; 366

ffrom de(J to lyfe when that he lase

he apperyd tiU vs. 368

' assonance to " sted."

Towneky Plays. XXVIII. Thomas of India. 337

(61)
Cleophas. At lertwalem I vnderstande,
Ther hope I that they be dwelland,
In that countre and in that land

We shaH theym mete.
Weynd we fuith, I dar waraud?,

Right in the strete.

(62)
lucas. let vs not tary les ne mare,
Bot on oure feete fast lett vs fare ;
I hope we shaH be cachid fro care

ffuH sone, Iwys ;
That blyssid childe that marie bare

Graimtt you his blys.

Expliciunt pevegrini.

(FoL 11), b.)

372

374

They will b«
sure to meet
thein there.

378

380

Maria Magdalene.

Pauhis.

Pelrua.

Tercius Apostolus.

XXVIII.
Thomas Indie, i

[Dramatis Peraonae.

Quartus Apostolus.
Qtiijiiits Apostolu.^.
Sextus Apostolus.
Septiimis Apostolus.

Octaviis Apostolus.
Novenus Apostohis.
Dccimus Apostolus.
Thomaj Apostolus.

[10 six-line stanzas, aab aab ; 72 /our-iHW no. 5, abab, tlie rest {with
central rymes), aaaa ; and 1 triplet, with central rymes, no. 14.]

Maria MaydsX&we. (1)

HAyH brether ! and god be here !
I bryng to amende youre chere,
Trisf ye it" and knawe ;
he is rysen, the soth to say,
I met hyra goyng bi the way,
he bad me teH it you. 6

(2)
petrus. Do way, woman, thou carpys wast I
It is som spirite, or els som gast ;

Othere was it noght ; 9

' This Play was origiually entitled " Resurreccio domini," the
title being written in large letters with red ink as usual ; the alter-
ation to "Thomas Indie is in small letters and black ink.
T. PLATS.

Mary Hag*

dtilene
brings news
of Christ's
Resurrec-
tion.

338 Towneley Plays, XXVIII, Thomas of Irhdia.

Peter can-
not believe a
dead man
has risen to
life.

Paul recalls
Jesua" suffer-
ing3.

Mary must
be wrong.

Mary bids
them put
away their
heresy. She
saw and

[Fol. 112, a.]

spake with
Jesus.

Peter re-
proves her.

Paul tells
her * there is
no trust in
woman's
saw.'

Women ar©
like apples
in hoard,
fair to look
on, rotten at
the core.

12

15

18

21

24

we may trow on nokyns wyse
That ded man may to lyfe ryse ;

This then is cure thoght.
(3)
paulus. It may be sothe for mans mede,
The lues maide hym grymly blede

Thrugfi feete, handy«, and syde ;
With nayles on rode thay dyd hym hang,
wherfor, woman, thou says wrung,

As myght I blys abide.

(4)
Maria Magdedene. Do way youre threpyng ! ar ye wodel
I sagfe hym that dyed on roode,

And with hym spake witfi mowtfe ;
Therfor you both, red I,
putt away your heresy,

Tryst it stedfast and cowth.

(5)
petrus. Do way, woman ! let be thi fare,

ffor shame and also syn 1
If we make neuer sich care
his lyfe may we not wyn.

(6)
paulus. And it is wretyn in oure law
' Ther is no trust in womans saw,

No trust faith to belefe ;
ffor with thare quayntyse and thare gyle
Can thay laghe and wepe som while,
And yit nothyng theym grefe.'
(7)
In cure bookes thus fynde we wretyn,
AH manere of men weH it wyttyn,

Of women on this wyse ;
TiH an appyH she is lyko —
Withoutten faitt ther is none slyke —
In horde ther it lyse,

(8)
Bot if a man assay it wittely,
It is fuH roten inwardly
At the colke within ;

28

31

34

37

40

43

TmvneUy Flays. XX VI II. Thomas of India. 339

■WTierfor in woman is uo lagfie,
ffor she is withoutten agfie,

As ciist me lowse of syn. 46

(9)
Therfor trast we not trystely,
Bot if we sag& it witterly

Then wold we trastly trow ; 49

In woraans saw atfy we noght,
ffor thay ar fekiH in word and thoght,

This make I myne avowe, 52

(10)
Maria magdalene. As be I lowsid of my care,
It is as trew as ye stand thare,

By liym that is my brothere. 55

petrus. I dar lay my heede to wed,
Or that we go vntiti oure bed

That we shaH here anothere. 68

(11)
paulus. If it be sothe that we here say.
Or this be the thrid day *

The sothe then mon we se. 61

Maria magda\enB. Bot it be sothe to trow,
As ye mon here, els pray I you

fifor fals that ye hold me. 64

(12)
petrus. Waloway ! my lefc deres / ^ there I stand in this

sted,
sicli sorow my hart sheres / for rewth I can no redf ;
sen that mawdleyn mtnes beres / that ihesus rose from ded,
Myn ees has letten salt teres / on erthe to se ym trade. 68

(13)
Bot alas ! that euei^ I woke / that carefutt catyf nyght,
When I for care and coldf qwoke / by a fyre burnyng futt

bright,
When I my lord ihesu forsoke / ffor drede of womansmyght ;
A rightwys dome I wiil me loke / that I tyne not that
semely sight, 72

* The words "bo the " have been inserted in the MS. at a later date,
^ The bars at all the central rymes are not in the MS.

Thej are

irreBponsible

creatures.

We will
believe when
we see, but
not on a
woman's
word.

Mary pro-
teate tne
truth of her
8tory.

Peter begins
a lamenta-
tion for
Jesus.

Alas that he
denied Him.

[Fol. 112, b.]

340 Towneley Plays, XXV II I. Thomas of hidia.

He had
vowed faith-
fulness, and
yet denied
knowledge
of liis
Master.

Alas tliiit
they nit for-
sook Hint.

(14)
Bot euer alas ! what was I wode ! / rayght noman be

abarstir ;
I saide if he nede be-stode / to hym shuld none be trastir ;
I saide I knew not that good / creature my master. 75

(15)
Alas ! that* we fro the fled / that we ne had with the gane ; '
When thou with lues was sted / with the was dwelland

Paul prays
that they
may Bee
Him.

nane,'
Bot forsoko the that vs fed / for we wold not be tayn ;
we were as prysoners sore adred / with lues forto be

slayu. 79

(16)
paulus. Now ihesu, for thi lyfe swete / who hat6 thus

mastryd the 1
That in the breede that we eytt / thi self gyffen wold be ;
And sythen thrugh handys and feytt / be nalyd on a tre ;
Grauntt vs grace that we may yif / thi light in manhede

se. ^^

Ttmc venit ihesiis et eantat "pax vobis et non iardabit,
hec est dies quam fecit dominus."

The tliird
and fourth
apostles give
thanks for
tlie appear-
ance of
Jesus.

(17)

Tercius apostolus. This is the day that god maide / aH be

we glad and blythe,

The holy gost before vs glad / fi'uH softly on his sithe ;

Ked clothyng apon he had / and Llys to vs can kith ;

softly on the erthe he trade / ffulle myldly [he did] 2

lythe. 87

(18)

Quartna apostolus. This dede thrugh god is done / thus in

aH oure sighte.
Mighty god, true kyng in trone / Whose son in marye

light,
send vs, lord, thi blissid bone / As thou art god of myglit,
Sothly to se hym sone / and haue of hym a sight. 91

It&rum venit ihesws, & eantat, ''pax vobis & non tardabit."

' MS. gone, none.

Originally

Tmvnehy Plays. XXVIII. Thcmas of India. 341

(19)
Quintvi% awostoZu*. Who so co?»niys in goddis uame / ay Tim nrth

_ apostle

blissid mot he be ! desires to

, -_. -L • J see Jesus in

MifhtfuH god shelde vs fro shame / In thi moder name the body in

. o„ which He

mane ; ^o died.

Thise wykid lues wiH vs blame / Thou grauntt vs for to se
The self body and the same / the wliich that died on tre.

(20)
TTiesus. peasse emangys you euer ichon ! / it is I, drede Jesus «p-

VOU nocht, bids them

/ ji J • t J J &rope and

That was wonte with you to gone / and dere witn ded leei His flesh

Q- and bone.

you boght. y '

Grope and fele flesh and bone / and fourme of man weH

wroght ;
SicB thyng has goost none / loke wheder ye knawe me

oghf. 99

(21) [Fol, 113, a.

My rysyng fro dede to lyfe / shaH no man agane moytt ; ^ft thera
Behold my woundes fyfe / thrugh handj/s, syde, and foytt ; J;»J'^»^^,^i'y
To ded can luf me dryfe / and styrryd my hart roytt. rh'!^i'i''bf"'

Of syn who wiH hym shryfe / thyes woujidy« shalbe his healed of
boytt. 103

(22)
ffor oon so swete a thyng / my self so lefe had wroght, He did
Man sawH, my dere derlyng / to bateH was I broght ; ^^^'^ sooi,

ffor it thay can me dyng / to bryng out of my thoght, Sot lovf '

On roode can thay me hyng / yit luf forgate I noght. 107

(23)
luf inakys me, as ye may se / strenkyllid with blood so Love caused

red : ^^^ resur-

\ , , . , .. .J lection. It

luf gars me haue hart so fre / it opyns euery stea ; is sweeter

luf so fre so dampnyd me / it drofe me to the ded ;

luf rasid! me thrug his pauste / it is swetter then med. Ill

(24)
wytterly, man, to the I cry / thou yeme my fader fere. Let not men
Thyn awne sawH kepe cleynly / whyls thou art wardan sISs! which

, He has

here ; bought so

slo it not with thi body / synnyng in synnes sere, 114 '^^'^■
On me and it thou haue mercy / for I haue boght it dere.

342 Tovmeley Plays. XXVIII. Thomas of India.

Jesus asks
the apostleB
fbr some

(25)
Mi dere freyndj/s, now may ye se / for sotfi that [it] is I
That dyed apon the roode tre / and sythen rose bodely ;
That it aB-gatys sotMast be / ye shaH se hastely ;
Of youre inett gif ye me / sict as ye haue redy. 119

paratm mensa, & offerat vi"' apo&iolnB fauum mellis &
piscem, dieendo.

(26)
sextws apostolus, lord, lo here a rostid fisfi / and a comb

of hony
laide fuH fare in a disfi / and fuH honestly ;
here is none othere mett bot this / in aH oure company,
Bot well is vs that we haue this / to thi lykyng only. 123

(27)
i7iesus. Mi dere fader of heuen / that maide me borne to be
Of a madyn withoutten ateven / and sithen to die on tre,
ffrom ded to lif at set stevyn / rasid me thrugfi thi

paustee,
with the wordys that I shaH neven / this mette thou blis
thrugh me. 127

(28)
He biessea it In the fader name and the son / and the holy gast,
[Foi. lis. b.] Thre persons to knaw and com / in oone godhede stedfast ;
intheuaroe I gif this mett my benyson / thrugh wordys of myght//tf
mast; 130

Now witi I ette, as I was won / my manhede eft to taat

The sixth

apoBtle gives
Him roHsted
fish and
honeycomb.

JesuB asks
His Father
to bless the
meat.

of the Trin
ity.

and bids

the apostles
eat also.

He reminds
them how
He had fore-
told His own
death and
resurrection.

(29)
My dere freyndys lay hand tiH / eytty* for charite ;
I ette at my fader wiH / at my wiH ette now ye.
That I ette is to fulfiH / that writen is of me
In raoyses law, for it is skyH: / ffulfillyd that it be. 135

(30)
Myn ye noght that I you told" / in certan tyme and sted.
When I gaf myself to woldf / to you in fourme of bredi.
That my body shuld be solij / my bloode be spy It so red ;
This [co]is gravyn det* and coldi / the thrid day ryse fro
dedl 139

Towneley Plays. XX y III. Thomas of India. 343

(31)
youre hartea waa fulMyd witB drede / whyls I haue fro Letthejn

, believe what

you bene ; they have

The rysyng of my manhede / vnethes wold? ye weyn ; their eyes

Of trouth now may ye spede / thorow stedfast wordy« and

cleyn.
leyf freyndys, trow now the dede / that ye with ees haue

sene. 143

(32)
ye haue forthynkyng and shame / for youre dysseferance, He forgives
I forgif you the blame / in nie now haue afiyance ; bid"them

The folk that ar witB syn lame / preche theym to repent- pJntanM to

ance, »"^"^'

flforgif syn in my name / enioyne theym to penance. 147

(33)

The grace of the holy gost to wyn / resaue here at me ;

hie renpirat in eos.

The whicS shaH neuer hlyn. / I gif you here pauste ; giving them

whom in ertB ye lowse of syn / in heuen lowsyd shaH be, bind'and
And whom in erthe ye bynd ther-in / In heuen bonden be ''"''*■
he. 151

hie discedet ab eis.

(34)
SeptimMB apoatolas. Ihesn crist in trynyte / Ihesu to cry The seventh

J u apostle

and can, cries on

That borne was of a madyn fre / thou saue vs synfuH aH ! savrtuem
ffor vs hanged apon a tre / drank aseH and ga», r,;Tdl3pi'r.

Thi seruandj/s saue fro vanyte / In wanhope that we not

faS. 155

(35)
Octauna apostolus. Brethere, be we stabyti of thoghf / The eighth

wanhope put we away, tumt,^t

Of mysbelefe that we be noghf / for we may safly say thought.

he that mankynde on rood boght / fro dede rose the thryd

day;
we ae the woundj/s in hym was wroght / aH blody yit

were thay. 159

344 Towneley Plays. XXV 12 1. Thovias of India.

(36)
The ninth NoiteuviS, aposiol\is. he told vs fyrst* he shuld be tayn /
cans Christ's And for mans syn shuld dy,

and'theTr'" Be ded and beryd vnder a stayn / and after ryse vp bodely ;
fulfilment, -j^^^ j^ j^^ quyk fro grafe gan i / he cam and stode vs by,
Sig.B. 2!] And lets vs se ilkan 1 / the Woundys of his body. 163

(37)
The tenth, Decimus apostoZus. Deth that is so kene / ihe«ii ouer

exults in

Chrisfa comen has,

over death. As he VS told, yit may wc mene / fro ded how he shuld

Only

pas ;
Ihesu stode witnes betwene / thaf witB hym dwellancJ

was,
AH his dyscyples has hym sene / safe oonly thomas. 167

Thomas has
not seen
Him.

Thomas
comes on
lamenting
the suffer-
ings and
death of
Christ,

(38)
Thomas. If that I prowde as pacok go, / my hart is fuH of

care ;
If any sorow inyght a man slo / my hart in sonder it

share ;
Mi life wyrkys me aH this wo / of blys I am fuH bare,
yit wold I nawthere freynde ne fo / wyst how wo me

ware. 171

(39)
Ihesu, my lyfe so good / ther none myght better be,
None wysere man then better food / nor none kyndere

then he ;
The lues haue nalyd his cors on rood / nalyd witB nales

thre,
And witfi a spare thay spylt his blood / great sorow it

was to se. 175

(4o;

To se the stremes of blood ryn / well more then doyH it

was,
sich great payn for mans syn / sicB doyHfuH ded he has ;
I haue lyfid withoutten wyn / sen he to ded can pas,
ffor he was fare of cheke and chyn / for doyH of ded alas !

hie pergit ad discijmhs.

' MS. gon, ilkon.

Tmmeley Plays. XXVIII. Thomax of India. 345

(41)
Myghty god for to dyscryfe / that neuer dyetV, ne shaH, Thonms
wo and wandreth from you dryfe / that ye not therin fati. other dis-
petrus. he the saue vitfi wouudys fyfe / his son ihesu to tei'isTiira o"

u TOO ^^^ Resur-

can, iOZ rtction.

That* rose from deth to lyfe / and showydl hym tiH vs aH.

(42)
Thomas, whannow, peter ! arf tliou mad! ] / on lyfe who Thomss

' '^ ' •' thinks Peter

was hym lyke ! mad, «nd

, reraindfl hira

ffor his deth I am not glad / for sorow my hart wiH breke, -how lie for-
That with the lues he was so stad / to ded they can hym

wreke ;
Thou hym forsoke, so was thou rsaS j when they to the

can speke. 187

(43)
pauliis. let be, leyf brothere thomas / and turne thi thoght Paul teii« of

, Christ' 8

belyle, appearance

fEor the thryd day ihesus rase / fleshly fro ded to lyfe ;
TiH vs aH he cam a pase / and shewyd his woundys fyfe,
And lyfyng man, and etten hase / hony takyn of a hyfe.

(44)
Thomas. Let be for shame! apartly / ffantom dyssauys [FoI. lu, b.j

the ! Thomas

. , 11111- »- It 1 lliinksthem

ye sagn hym not bodely / ins gost it mygnt weH be, deceived,

fforto glad youre hartes sory / in youre aduersyte ; 194
he lufiFyd vs weH and faythfully / therfor sloes sorow me.

(45)
Tercius o/xistoZus. Thou wote, thomas / and sothe it was, a third

and oft has thou hard say, JeMiVs'the

how a fysh swalodi ionas / thre dayes therin he lay ; Tomh^ °'

yit gaf god hym myght to pas / whyk man to wyn away ;
Myght not god that sicfi myght has / rase his son apon

the thryd day 1 199

(46)
Thomas. Man, if thou can vnderstand / cryst saide his self,

mynnys me,
That aH lokyn was in his hande / aH oone was god and

he!

346 Tmvneley Plays. XXV III. Thomas of India.

The fourth, The SOU wax marke, aH men seand / when he died? on the

tlllh, and

■ixth tre,

toconvince Therfor am I fuH sore dredandf / that who myght his

Thomas of u t l. nno

the reality of bOOte be. 203

Christ's /47\

appearance. V**'^

Qwartus apostolus. The holy gost.in marye light / and in

hir madynhede
Goddis son she heldf and dight / and cled hym in nianhede ;
ffor luf he wentt as he had hight / to fight withoutten

drede;
When He when he had termynd that fight / he skypt outt of his

had flnished , (,«-

the fight He wede. 207

skiipped out (i.f<\

of the body \*°/

dothid Thomas. If he skypt outt of his clethyng / yit thou

'^""' grauntys his cors was dedl ;

It was his cnrs that maide shewyng / vnto you in his sted ;
fforto trow in youre carpyng / my hart is hevy as led ;
his dede me bryng?/s in great mowrneyng / and I with-
outten) red. 211
(49)

rescued the QuintMS apostolus. The gost went to heH a pase / whils

Bouls in , , , ,

hell, and the cors lay slayn,

in His body. And broght the sawles from sathanas / for whicfi he
suffred! payn ;
The thryd day right he gase / right vnto the cors agayn,
Mighty god and man he rase * / and therfor ar we fayn. 215

(50)
Thomas. AH sam to me ye flyte / youre resons fast ye

shawe,
Bot teH me a skyli perfyte / any of you on raw ; 217

when cryst cam you to vysyte / as ye teH nie wit6 saw,
A wliyk man from a spyryte / wherby couth ye hym knaw )

(51)
Sextus apostolus. Thomas, vnto the anone / herto answere

I wiH;
Man has both flesh and bone / hu, hyde, and hore thertiH ;
sicfi thyiig has goost none / thomas, lo, here thi skyH ;
Goddw son toke of mary flesh and bone / what nede were
els thertiH 1 223

' MS. rose.

Toumehy Plays. XXV III. Thomas of India. 347

(52)
Thomas. Thou has answerd me fFuH Wele / and fuH tfoi iis a

•' _ •" Thomas asks

Bot ray hart is harde as stele / to trow in sich mastrv ; if Christ

•' ' •' ' bade any uf

Say, bad he any of you fele / the woundys of his body, ""e apostle*
fBesh or bone or ilka dele / to assay his body 1 227 body-

(53)
septimxis apostolus, yis, thomas, he bad vs se / and handiii They uu

hym witfi hande,
To loke wheder it were he / ihe«n, man lyfand.
That dyed apon a tre / flesh and bone we fand, 230

his woundes had bene pyte / to towcfi that were bledand.

(54)
Thomas. Waloway ! ye can no good / youre resons ar He stiii

, , , thinks a

defaced, ghost

ye ar as women rad for bloocf / and lightly oft solaced ; them.
It was a goost before you stod / lyke hym in blood

betraced, 234

his cors tliat dyed on rood / for euer hath detfi embraced.

(55)
Octauna apostolus. Certys, thomas, gretter care / mygfit no Tiie eighth

svnfuH wight haue him of

" Christ's

Then she had, that wepyd so sare / the mawdleyn at his appearance

to the Mnir-
graue ; dalene

ffor sorow and doyH hir awne hare / of hir hede she rent
and rafe, 238

Ihe*u shewid hym tiH hir thare / hir sorow of syn to safe.
(56)

Thomas, lo, sicfi foly with you is / wysemen that shuld be, Thomas stiu

That thus a womans witnes trowys / better than that ye se !

In aH youre skylles more and lefe / for mysfowndyng fayft
ye; 242

Might I se ihe«u gost and flesh / gropyng shuld not gab me.
(57)

Nouenns apostolus, lefe thomas, flyte no more / bot trow The tenth

, . , apostle re-

and turne thi red, minds him

Or els say vs when and whore / crist gabbyd in any sted ; foretoidHis
ffor he saide vs when thou was thore / when he hym gaf ^^In."'

in hredi, 246

That he shulJi salfe aH cure sore / quyk rysand fro decJ.

348 Towneley Plays. XXVIII. Thomas of India.

Thomas

owns

Christ's

truthfulnens,

but will not

believe He

Uvea.

(Fol. 115, b.]

He appeared
to them in
BPirit not in
the body.

Peter tell a
him of
Christ's
appearance
at EmmauB,

where He
brake bread
as though
He had cut
it with a
knife.

(58)
Thomas, he was fuH sothfast in his sawes / that dar I

hertly say,
And rightwys in aH his lawes / whiis that he lyfyd ay ;
Bot sen he shuld thole hard thrawes / on tre whils that

he lay, 250

Dede has deterrayd his dayes / his lyfe noght trow I may.

(59)
Decinms apo&iolns. Thyne hard hart thi sauH wiH dwyrd /

Thomas, bot if thou blyn ;
he has ded conquerdf / and weshen vs aH fro syn.
May nawder knyfe ne swerde / hym eft to ded wyn ; 254
Goddj/s myght in liym apperdf / that neue?- more shaH blyn.

(60)

Thomas. That god I trow fuH "VVele / goostly to you light,

Bot bodely neuer a dele / ihesu that woundid wyght.

My hart is harde as stele / to trow in sich a myght,

Bot if I that wounde myght fele / that hym gaf longeus
the knyght. 259

(61)

petrtts. That wounde haue we sene, thomas / and so has
mo then we ;

With lucas and with cleophas / he welke a day lurnee ;

Thare hartes that for hym sory was / with prophecy com-
forted he, 262

To Eniaus casteH can thai pas / ther hostyld thai aH thre.

(62)
Ihfiiu, goddi« son of heuen / at sopere satt betweyn ;
Ther bred he brake as euen / as it eutt had beyn.
Thomas. Nothyng that ye may neuen / his rysyng gars
me weyn, 266

If ye me told! sicB seuen / the more ye myght me tey'n.

(63)
paulvs. Thomas, brothere, turne thi thogfit / and trust

that I say the ;
Ihesu so dere has boght / cure synnes apon a tree,
which rysyng bath broght / adam and his meneyee. 270
Thomas, lett be youre fayr ! shew it noght / that he efte

quyk shuld be.

Tmvnehy Plays. XXVIII. Thmnas of India. 349

(64)
TtTcius apostolus. Tliat must* thou nedelyngys trow / if Thomas stin

thou thi sauH wiH saue, ctiicr

ffor that we sa we dar avows / ihesii rose quyk from graue. mistaken.
Thomas. I haue you saide, and yit dos now / thise wordes

to wast ye haue ;
he shewid hym not to you / foi mysfoundyng ye rafe. 275

(65)
QpLurtViS npostoZus. ffor we say that we haue sens / thou

holdys vs wars then woode ;
Ihesu lyfyng stod vs betwene / oure lord that witt vs

yode.
Thomas. I say ye wote neuer what ye mene / a goost

before you stode ; 278

ye wenyd that it had bene / tlie cors that died on roode.

(66)
Cbiint\\% aposXolMs. The cors tliat dyed on tre / was berid They teii

. , him of the

m a stone/ empty

Tlie thurgh beside faude we / and in that graue cors was ^

none ;
his sudary ther niyght we se / and he thens whik was gone.
Thomas. Noght, bot stolne is he / witli lues that hym

haue slone. 283

(67)
Sftrfus apostoZus. Certi/s, thonias, thou sais not right / The Jews

thay woldf hym not stele, have stolen

ffor thay gait kepe hym day and iiyght / with knyghty^ they guarded

that they held lele ; 285 "" '"'"'•■

he rose has we haue sene in sight / fro ali the lues fele.
Thomas. I lefe not bot if I myght / myself with hym dele.

(68)
septimxss o^ostoZus. He told vs tythyngj/s, thomas / yit (poi no. a.

That as lonas thre dayes was / In a fysh in the see, prophesied

■' ' •' His rising,

so shuld he be, and bene has / in erth by dayes thre, using jonab

pas fro ded, ryse, and rase / as he saide done has he. 291

' The rymes of this stanza should be in ane : stane, nane, gane,
elane.

350 Tovmeley Plays. XXVIII. Thomas of India.

(69)
Thonins BskB Thovius. Certi/s, that worde I liarde hym say / and so
r»tltfst harde ye hym aB,

S.**"" ^o'' for iiothyng trow I may / that it so shuld befaU,

That he shuld ryse the thrid Jay / that dranke aseH and

gaH:
sen ho was god and ded lay / from ded who niyght hym
catt'i 295

The Father
thnt sent
Uim nilBcd
Him.

But Thomas
still dis-
belieTen a
boilily
riling.

(70)
Odauvis, apostolus. The fader that hym sent / rasid hym

that was ded,
he comfortfi vs in mowrnyng lent / and counseld vs in red ;
he bad vs trow with good intent / his rysyng in euery sted ;
Thyne absens gars thi sauH be shent / and makys the heny

as led. 299

(71)
Thomas. Thou says soth, liarde and heiiy / am I to traw

that ye me say ;
Mi hardues I trow skilfully / for lie told vs thus ay,
That his fader was euer hym by / for aH bot oon were thay ;
That he rose bodely / for nothyng trow I may. 303

(72)
Nouenus apostolus. May thou not trow withoutten mo /

for sothe, that it was he 1
Thomas wherto shuld we say so 1 / then wenys thou fals

we be.
Thomas. I wote youre hartes was fuB wo / and fownd

with vanyte ; 306

If ye swere aH and ye were mo / I trow it not or that I se.

Nolliing
will con-
vince him
but to feel
ChriBt'a
wounds.

(73)
Decinws apostolus. Thomas, of errowre thou blyn / and

tiH vs turne thi mode ;
Trow his rysyng by dayes threyn / sen he died on the rode.
Thomas. Noght bot I myght my fynger wyn / in sted as

nayle stode,
And his syde my hande put in / ther he shed his hart

bloode. 31]

Towneley Plays. XXVIII. Thomas of India. 351

(74)
l\\ems. Brethere aH, be with you peasse ! / leafie stryfe J^^sp^

that now is here ! bids Thoma.

-ITT- ii- 1- feel His Sine.

Thomas, of thyn errowi-e seasse / of sothe W itnes thou here ;
putt thi hande in my syde, no fres / ther longews put his

spere ;
loke my rysyng be no les / let no wan-hope the dere. 315

(75)
Thomas. Mercy, iheau, rew on me / my hande i8 blody of momw

thi blode 1 '""'^^J •

Mercy, ihesu, for I ee / thi myght that I not vnderetode !
Mercy, ihesu, I pray the / that for aH eynfuH died on

roode !
Mercy, ihesu, of mercy fre / for thi goodnes that is so

goode ! '' ' °

(76)
kest away my staf wiH I / and with no wepyn gang ; (FoI. iis, b.i

Mercy wiH I caH and cry / ihesu that on roode hang ; Tway'hfs"

Rew on me, kyng of mercy / let me not cry thus lang ! '**''•
Mercy, for the velany / thou tholyd on lues with wrang.

(77)
Mi hat wiH I kest away / my mantiH sone onone, h«t, and

vnto the poore help it may / for richere knawe I none.
Mercy wiH I abyde, and pray / to the ihesu, alone ;
My synfuH dede I rew ay / to the make I my mone. 327

(78)
Mercy, ihesu, lorde swete / for thi fyfe woundys so sare,*
Thou suffred thrugh handys and feete / thi semely side

a spere it share ;
Mercy, ihesu, lord, yit / for thi moder that the bare ! 330
Mercy, for the teres thou grelt / when thou rasid lazare !

(79)
Mi gyrdiH gay and purs of sylk / and cote away thou shaH ; ^''JS'^^^'
whils I am werere of swylke / the longere rae?-cy may I caH. »"'! <;o»*. '

tDftt 1)6 rnfly

Ihesu, that soke the madyns mylk / ware noght bot clothes sooner come
of paH, me^y-

Thi close so can thai fro the pyke / on roode thay left the
smaH. 335

' MS. sore.

352 Tmvneky Plays. XXVIII. Thomas of India.

Thomas
cries for
rorgiveness.

Jesus fore*
telU the
general
resurrec-
tion,

wlien the
faithless
sliall be
damned, and
t)ie faithful
and alms-
El vers have
heaven as
their reward.

He promises

Thomas
heaven for
his tears and
repentance.

But blessed
are they who
have not
seen and yet
believe.

(80)

Mercy, \\\esu, honoure of man / mercy, ihesu, mans socoure !
Mercy, ihe^, rew thi leman / mans sauH, thou boght fuH

soure I
Mercy, iliesu, that may and can / forgif syn and be socoure !
Mercy, ihesu, as thou vs wan / forgif and gif thi man

honoure. 339

(81)
l\\esus. None myght bryug the in that wytt / for oght

that tliay myght say,
To trow that I myght flytt / fro ded to lyfe to wyn away ;
My sauH and my cors haue knytt / a knott that last

shaH ay; 342

Thus shali I rase, weH thou wytt / ilk man on domesday.

(82)
Who so hath not trowid right / to heH I shatt theym lede,
Ther euer more is dark as nyght / and greatt paynes to

dredo ;
Those that trow in my myght / and luf weH almus dede.
Thai shaH shyne as eon bright / and heuen haue to thare

mede. 347

(83)
That blys, thomas, I the hete / that is in heuen cytee,
ffor I se the sore grete / of the I haue pytee ;
Thomas, for thi teres wete / thi syn forgiffen be,
Thus shaH synfutt thare synnes bete / that sore haue

grcfyd me. 351

(84)
Thomas, for thou felys me / and my woundes bare.
Mi risyng is trowed in the / and so was it not are;
AH that it trowes and not se / and dos afte/- my lare,
Euer blissid mot thay be / and heuen be theym yare! 355

Explicit Thomas Indie.

Towneley Plays. XXIX. The Lm-cCs Ascension. 353

XXIX.

Ascencio D"/»(ni, et cetera.

[1 IhirUcnlinc stanza, no. 57, ababb, cbeil, eccd : 6 hcelfc-h'ne, no.
1 abab cbcb dcdc, nos. 6-10 ababb, cbcb, dcd ; 1 nine-line, no. 58,
aaaab, cccb ; 16 cighi-line, nos. 17-20, aaab cccb, 45-48 aaab aaab,
n/>. 49, abab caca, tws. 50 and 64 abab, acac, nos. 61, 65-8 abab
abab; 1 scvcn-linc, no. 16 aab cccb; 5 si.v-line, rwi. 11-13, 15,
aa, bb, cc, no. 14, aaaa, bb ; 37 four-line, no. 32 aa bb, the rest
ab ab.]

Thomas.

lohamus Aposlohis.

Symon.

Petncs.

[Dramalis Pcr.ionae :

Ihcitis.
Andreas.
Jaeobus.
Philippus.

Maria.
Mathetis.
Angeli 1*2 etc.]

Thomas. (1)

Rethere aH, that now liere bene, Thomas,

fforgetf my lordo yit may I noght ; mu'l'pe^er,''"

I wote not what it- may mene, Sra'nS'e'x'

Bot more I Weyn tlier wiH be wioght. 4 r"'^"'"'-
/o/iannes opostoZuy. My lorti! \\iesus wiH wyrk
his wiH,
pleatt we neiier agans his thoght,
£for vs ne wyrkes, as it is skyli,

his hand-waikc that he has wroght. 8

symon. Apon his wordes wiH I ryst

that he his self saide vs vntiH,
As stedfastly on hym to tryst,

Mystrust we neuer for goode ne iH. 1 2

(2)
petrus. In heuen and erthe his myght may be,

his wytt and his wili also ;
The holy gost, brethere, ment he,

thus win he neuer fro vs go. 1 6

(3)
flFourty dayes now drawes nere

sen his resurreccyon complete ;
Afore that wiH he appere,

thus sodanly not lefe vs yett. 20

T. PLATS. A A

354 TmvneUy Plays, XXIX. The Zo7'd*s Asceiision.

Tliey will
abide in
Bethany to
await what
may befall.

(4)
In bethauy here let vs abyde,

We kuaw not yit what may befaH ;
poraventui' it may betyde,

Le shaH fuH weH comforth vs att.

24

(5)

[Foi. 117, b.) Iht&na. peasse now, my dere freyndys !
pears and peasse be witfi you euer and ay !

He bids
them be of
good cheer.
He Diust go
from them,
but will send
the Holy
Spirit to
comfort
them.

Let them
abide His re-
turn on this
hill.

^^j amendys;

peasse brethere, sam I say I

26

(6)
Bretbere, in hartes be nothyng heuy

what tyme that I from you am gone,
I must go from you sone, in hy,

bot neue/' the les make ye no mone;
ffor I shaH send to you anone

the holy gost, to comforth you,
you to wysii in euery wone

I shaH you teH what-wyse and how.
It shalbe for you re prow

that I thus-gatys sBaH do ;
It has been saide or now

My fader must I to.

(7)
with hym must I abide and dweH,

ffor so it is his will ;
ffor youre comforth thus I you teH,

be ye stedfast for good or iH.
Abide me here right on this hiH

to that I com to you agane,
this forwarde must I nedi/o' fulfill,

I witi no longer fro you lane ;
And therfor loke that ye be bayn,

and also trew and stedfast,
ffor who soeuer you oght frayn

when that I am past.

32

36

40

44

48

62

Ate recedit.

Toumeley Plays. XXIX. The Lwd's Ascension. 355

(8)
peti-us. ffuH lieuy in hart now may we be

that we cure master saH forgo,
Bot ueuer the les yit saide he

he wold not dwelt f iiH lang vs fro.
What wonder is if we be wo,

thus sodanly shatt oure master mys,
And masters on lyfe haue we no mo

that in this warld slmld vs wys.
ho wiB pas furth to blys,

and leyfe vs here behyude,
No merueH now it is

if we mowrne now in oure mynde.

(9)
Andreas. In oure mynde mowrne we may,

as men that masyd ar and mad.
And yit also, it is no nay,

we may be blythe and glad,
Because of tythyugT/s that we hatl",

that his self can vs say ;
he bad be blythe and noght adrad,

ffor he wold not be long away.
Bot yif botfi nyght and day

oure hartes may be fuH sore,
As me thynk, by my fay,

ftor wordes he saide lang ore.

(10)
Thomas, lang ore he saide, fuH openly,

that he must nedya fro vs twyn.
And to his fader go in hy,

to loy of heuen that neuer shali blyn ;
Therfor we mowrne, both more and myn.

And mery also yit may we be ;
he bad vs aH, both outt and in,

be glad and blythe in ic6 degre.
And saide that com shuW he

to comforth vs kyndly ;
Bot jrit heuy ar we

to we hym se truly.

56

Peter,

Andrew, and
Thoraaa
tliink on tlie
worda of
JesuB, but
cannot help
mourning
His de-
parture.

60

64

68

72

76

80

84

88

356 Towneley Plays. XXIX. The Lm'cCs Ascension,

[Fol. 118, a.]

James and
Philip
niouvn also,
though they
remember
JeauB' pro-
mises.

JesuB ap-
pears and
comforts
them.

If they love
Him, they
will be glad
that He is

foiDg to HiB
'ather.

(11)

lacobiis. With ee wold we hym se / oiire saveoure criat,

goi.Ul//6" son,
That dyed apon a tre / yit tiewe I that we mon ' : 90

Now goJ giauntt vs that boyn / that with his bloode vs

boglit,
To se hym in his throne / as he maide aH of noght ; ^
his win now has he wioght / and gone from vs away,
As he noght of vs roght / and theifor mowrne we may. 94

(12)
philippus. We may mowrne, no merueH why / for we

oure master thus shatt mys,
That shaH go fro vs sodanly / and wo ne wote what

cause IS,*

96

Neuer the les the sothe is this / he saide that he shuld

com agaue
To bryng vs aH to blys / therof may we be fane.'
That co»«myng wiH vs mycfi gane / and oure saules aH sane,
And put vs fro that payn / tliat we were lyke to haue. 100

(13)
/Aesus. herkyus to me now, euer ichon) / and here what I

win say,
ffor I must nedys fro you gone / for thus my fader wiH

allway,! 102

And therfor peasse be with you ay / where so ye dweH in

wone.
And to saue you fro aH fray / my peasse be with you blood

and bone.'
I lefe it you bi oon and oone / uoghf as the warld! here dos,
It shalbe true as any stone / to defende you fro youre foos.

(14)
let not youre hartes be heuy / drede not for any kyns thyng,
ye haue harde me say fuH playnly / I go, and to you am

I co?Mmyug. 108

If ye luf me, for-thi / ye shuld! be glatV of this doyng,
ffor I go fuH securly / to my fader, heuyns kyng ; '
The which, without lesyng / is mekiH more then I,
Therfor be ye thus trowyng / wlien aH is cndid fully. 1 1 2

' The end-ryme of this couplet is the centre-ryiue of the next
couplet.

Tmvneley Plays. XXIX. The Lord's Ascension. 357

(15)
ye liaue bene of mysbilefe / hard of haite and also of witi ; He re-

j J I ' proaches

To theym that" my vysyng can prefe / no credence wokJ ye '•>«!" '<"•

gif tlieym tiH ; ' 114 belief,

Mary uiawdlayn saiJe you tiH / that I was rysyn, bot ye

ne wold
hir trow for good or iH / the troutfi aH if slie toldi.*
sich harmes in hartes ye hold / and vnstedfast ye ar,
ye trowid no man of moW / witnes of my rysyng that bare;

(16)

Therfor ye shaH go tech / in aB this warld! so wyde,
And to all the people preche / Who baptyra witi abyde,

And trowe truly 121

Mi dethe and rysyng,
and also myn vpstevynyng,
And also myn agaue-conmyng,

thay shalbe saue suerlj. 125

and bids

them

(Fol. 118, bO

preach
throDghout
the world,
those that
believe shall
be saved,

(17)

And Who trowys not this
That now rehersyiV is,
he shalbe dampned, Iwys,

ffor veniance and for wreke.
Tokyns, for sothe, shaH bene
Of those that trow, withoutten weyn ;
Devyls shaH thay kest out cleyn,

And with new tongys speke.

and those
that believe
Dot, damned.

129 The faithful
shall cast out
devils, speak
with new
tongues.

133

(18)
Serpentes shaH thay put away,
And venynij^s drynk, hi nyght and day,
ShaH not noy theym, as I say ;

And where thay lay on handys 137

Of seke men far and nere,
Thay shalbe liole, withoutten dere,
Of aH sekenes and sorowes sere,

Euer in alkyn landj/s. 141

• The eadryme of this quartlet or couplet is the ceotre-ryme of
the next couplet.

be proof
against
serpents and
poison, and
heal the
sick.

358 Towneley Plays. XXIX. The Lm^cCs Ascension.

Jeeus bide
the Apostles
abide in
Jerusalem
for His
Father's
promise.

They are to
baptize men
in every
land, in the
Uoly Spirit.

(19)
And therfor now I byd tliat ye
Go not from ierosolyme,
Bot abide the behest of my fadei' fie

In laud ay whore,
That ye haue hard here of me ;
ffor John baptisf , dere in degre,
In water forsoth baptysid me

Now here before;

(20)
And ye certan in euery coste
shaH baptise in the holy goost,
Tlirug vertue of hym that is the moost

lord god of myght,
within few dayes now folowyng ;
And herof merueH ye nothyng,
ffor this shalbe his awne wyrkyng,

sliewyd in youre sight.

& recedit ah eis.

145

149

153

157

Peter,

Andrew, and
Jnmea renew
their mourn-
ing. They
fire in fear of
the Jews.

(21)
yetrus. ffarlee may we fownde and faro

for myssyng of cure master i^esvs ;
Oiire hart?/s may sygB and be fuH aare,

thise lues wiih wreke thay waten vs. 161

(22)
Vs to tray and teyn

ar thay abowte hi nyght and day ;
tfor ihe«u that is so seldom sene,

as masid men mowrne we may. 165

(23)
[Foi. 119, a.] Andreas. Mowrnyng makys vs masid and macJ,
as men that lyff in drede ;
ffuH comforthles ar we stadi

for myssyng of hym that vs shutd! lede. 169

(24)
lacohus. Thise lues that folow thare fiiythles wiB,

and di'inoil oure maste?" to be ded,
With mayn and mode they wold hym spiH,

if thay wist how, in towne or sted. 173

Toivneley Plays. XXIX. The Lord's Ascension. 359

(25)
lohiiimes. let keep vs fro tliare carpyng kene,

and com bot lytyH in tliare sight ;
Oure master wlH com when we leest weyn,

he wiH vs rewle and red^ fiiH riglit. 177

(26)
Thomas. Of this carpyng now no more,

It drawes nygfi the tyme of day ;
At oure mette I wold we wore,

he sende vs socowre that best may. 181

(27)
Maria, socowre sone lie wiH you sende,

If ye truly in hym wiH traw ;
yoiire nione mekely wiH lie amende,

My brethere dere, this may ye knawe. 185

(28)
The hestys hygfily that he me hight

he has fultillid in worde and dede ;
he gabbyd neuer bi day nor nyglit,

tfor-thi, dere brethere, haue no drede. 189

(29)
MatJiens. Ceitys, lady, thou says fuH wele ;

he wiH vs amende, for so he may ;
we haue fon sotfie euerilka dele

AH that euer we hard hym say. 193

(30)
Iheaas. peter, and ye my derlyng^s dere,

As masid men me thynk ye ar ;
holly to you I haue shewyd here

To bryng youre hartys from care ; 197

(31)
lu care youre hartys ar cast,

And in youre trowtB not trew ;
In hardnes youre hartys ar fast,

As men that no wytt knew. 201

(32)
sende was I for youre sake / fro my fader dere,
fflesh and blode to take / of a madyn so clere ;
eythen to me ye soglit / and holly felowid me,
Of wonders that 1 haue wroght / som haue I letten you se.

John luis
faith in
Jesus*

coming.

Mary speaks
of the faith-
fulness of
her Son.

Jeans ftp-
pears nnd
exhorts
them again.

[Fol. 119, b,J

360 Towneley Plays. XXIX. Tke LonVs Ascension.

He recalls
Hi8 mighty
works,

contrasts
Mary's faith
with their
doubts.

and reminds
John that
she is en<
trusted to
}iiB care.

Philip asks
to be shown
the Father.

Jesus

answers, He
who sees Me,
sees the
Father

(33)
The donibe, the blynde as any stone,

I helyd tlier I cam by,
The dede I rasid anone,

Tlirugh my myglit truly ;

(34)
And othere warkys, tliat wonderfuH wore,

I wroght wisely befor you aH ;
My payn, my passion, I told before,

holly thrug outt as it shuld fail ;
(35)
Mi rysyng on the thryd day.

As ye bi tokyns many oone haue sane;
youre trouth truly had bene away

had not my blissid raoder bene.
(36)
In hir it restyd aH this tyde,

youre dedys ye ow greatly to shame ;
here may ye se my woundys wyde,

how that I boght you ouf of blame.
(37)
Bot, lohu, thynk when I hang on riid

That I betoke the mary mylde ;
kepe hir yit with stabuH mode,

she is tbi moder and thou hir childe.
(38)
loke thou hir luf , and be hir freynde,

and abide with hir in weH and wo,
ffor to my fader now wiH I weynde,

thar none of you ask wheder I go.
(39)
pldlippMa. lord, if it be thi wiH,

shew vs thi fader we the pray ;
we have bene with the in good and iH,

and sagh hym neuer uyght ne day.
(40)
7/iesus. philipp, that man that may se mo

he seys my fader fuH of myght ;
Trowys thou not he dwellys in me

and I in hym if thou trow right \

209

213

217

221

225

229

233

237

Towneley Plays. XXIX. The Lord's Ascension. 361

(41)

In liis howse ar dyuerse place, He pro-

mises them
1 go to ordan lor you now ; the Holy

ye shaH aH be fulfillyd with grace,

the holy goost I shaH sende you. 241

(42) (Pol. 120, V]

he shaH you in youre hartys wyse

In worde and dede, as I you say ;
With aH my hart I you blys — ■

My moder, my brethere, haue aH good day ! 245

Tunc vadit ad ascendeiulxxm.

(43)
£Fader of heuen, with good intent, pr»y»tothe

° Father,

I pray the here me specyally ;
ffrom heuen tiH erth thou me sent

Thi name to preche and claryfy. 249

(44)
thi witt haue I done, aH and soni.

In erthe wiH i no longere be ;
Opyn the clowdes, for now I com and tus the

. 1,, , ii.<>-i clouds ouei)

In loy and blys to dweH witn the. 253 to receive

Hiru.

& sic uscendit, cantantibus angelis " Ascendo ad paXrem
meum."

(45)
/jrimus angelus. ye men of galylee, Angels uro-

wherformerueHyel ^t±,

hevyn behold! and se

how T^esvs vp can weynde 257

vnto his fader fre,
where he syttys in raaieste,
With hym ay for to be

In blys withoutten ende. 261

(46)
And as ye sagfi hym sty and foretell

Til 1 His return to

Into neuen on by, judge the

In flesB and feH in his body

firom erthe now here, 265

362 Towneley Flays. XXIX, The, LonVs Asceiision,

Right so shaH be, securly,
Com downe agane truly,
with his woundys blody,

To deme you aH in fere. 269

(47)
He is God secunrfus angelus, MerueH haue no wight",
No wonder of this sight,
ffor it is thrugh his myglit,

That aH thyng may. 273

What so lie wiH by day or nyglit,
In heU, medytt-erth, and on bight.
Or yit in derknes or in light,

witfioutten any nay ; 277

(48)
ffor be is god aH weldand?,
heuen and bcH, both se and sand,
wod and water, fowH, fysft and land,

AH is at his wiH ; 281

he baldj/8 aH thyng in his hand
that in this warld! is lyfand.
Then nedys ye noght be meruelland.

primus angchis. And for this skyH, 285

(49)
[Foi. 120, b.] Ryght as he from you dyd iveynde
and siifiu go com agane he shaH,

come again °

injudgment. jn the same manere at last ende,

To deme botfi greatt and smaH. 289

secundns angelus. Who so his byddyng wiH obey.

And thare mys amende,
WitB hym shaH haue blys on by,

And won ther witlioutten ende. 293

(50)
And who that wyrk amys,

And theym amende wiH neuer,
abaH neuer com in heuen blys,

Bot to beH banyshed for euer. 297

Towneley Plays. XXIX. The Lord^s Ascension. 363

Maria. A selcoutfi sight yonder now is,

Beliold now, I you pray !
A clowde has borne my chylde to blys,

Mi Ijlyssyng here he euer and ay ! 301

(51)
Bot, son, thynk on thi uioder dere,

That thou has laft emangi/s thi foes !
swete son, iett lue nut dweti here,

let me go with the where Ihou goes. 305

(52)
Bot, lohn, on the is ati my trast,

I pray the forsake me noght.
Joha.nnes. lefe marye, be noght ahast,

fEor thi wiH shall ay be wroght. 309

(53)
here may we se and fuH weH knaw

That he is god most of iiiyght ;
In hym is good, we trawe,

holly to serue hym day and nyght, 313

(54)
petrtis. A meruellous siglit is yone,

That he tlius sone is taken vs fro ;
fro hia fomeu is he gone
witfi outten help of others mo. 3 1 7

(55)
Matlip.ua. Where is ifiesas, oure master dere,

that here with vs spake right now t
lacohiis. A wonderfuH sight, men may se here,

my brethere dere, liow thynk you] 321

(56)
Thomas, we thynk it wonder aH,

that oure master shuld thus go ;
After his help I red we caH,

That we may haue som tokyu hym fro. 325

(57)
Bartkolomens. A more merueH men neuei" saw

then now is sene vs here emang ;
ffrom erth lili heuen a man be draw

Witfe myrth of angeH sang. 329

Mary calls
on her as-
cent! ed Son,

She bids
John not Lo
forsake het.
He cornforU
her.

Thediscljiles

iimrvelatthe
ascension of
JesoA.

[Fol. 121. a.
Sig. a, I.J

364 Towneky Flays. XXIX. The Lm-d's Ascension.

ifrom vs, me thynk, he is fuH lang,*

and yit longere I trow he wiH;
Alas ! my hart it is so Strang i
tliat I ne may now wepe my fiH
Alone and Anone. 334

Jesus M^ A wonder sight it was to se
them! "^ When he stevyd vp so sodanly
To his fader in maieste,

By his self alone. 338

(58)
Matheus. Alon, for sotfie, vp he went / into heuen tiH

his fader,
And noman wyst what he ment / nor liow he dyd of no

manere,
80 sodanly he was vp hent / in flesh and feH fro ertfi vp

here ;
he saide his fader for hym sent / that maide vs aH to be
in dwere
Thisnyght; 343

Neuer the lea fuH weH wote we
As that he wiH so must it be,
JEor aH thyng is in his pauste,

And that is right. 347

(59)

h'er'cw'w"' ^'^^'^- -^ ™yg^ty go'i. how may this be t
a clowde has borne my childe to blys ;
Now bot that I wote wheder is he,

my hart wold brake, weH wote I this. 351

(60)
his stevynyng vp to blys in hy,
it is the so«;'c of aH my loyes ;
May He save Mi blyssyng, barne, light on thi body !

her from the

Jews. let neuer thi moder be spylt witn lues. 365

(61)
Take me to the, my son so heynd,
and let me neu«r with lues be lorne ;
For His sake help, for my son luf, lohu, son kynde,
b«ip her. for ferde that I with lues be tome. 369

' MS. long, strong.

Tmimeley Plays. XXIX. The Lord's Ascenswn. 365

363

367

371

Mi flesB it quakys as lefe on lynde,

to shontt the showres sharper then thorne ;

help me, loBn, if thou be kynde,

my son myssyng makys me to mowrne.

(62)
lohsnnes. youre seruande, lady, he me maide,

and bad nie kepe you ay to qweme ;
Blythe were I, lady, myght I the glad^,

and with my myglit I shaH the yeme.

(63)
Therfor be feixl for nokyn thyng

for oght that lues wold do you to ;
I shaB be bayn at youre byddyng,

as my lorde bad, your seruande lo !

(64)
Maria. Glad am I, lohu, Whils I baue the ;

more coraforth bot my son can I none craue ;
60 covers thou my care, and carpys vnto me,

whils I the se, euer am I safe.
Was none, safe my son, more trusty to me,

therfor his grace saH neuer fro the go ;
he shaH the qwyte, that died on a tre,

weH mendys thou my mode, when I am in wo.

(65)
simon. let hy vs fro this hiH, and to the towne weynde,

for fere of the lues, that spitus ar & prowde ;
With oure dere lady, I red that we weyud,

and pray tiH hir dere son, here apon lowde.
To hir buxuHjly I reill that we bende,

syn hir dere son fro vs is gone in a clowde,
And hertely in hast haylse we that heynde,

To oure master is she moder, semely in shrowde

She it
trembling
like A leaf.

John com-
forts her.

Be will be
at her bid-
ding.

[Fol. 121, b.l

Mary feeli
safe with
Mm.

375

Her Son will
reqnlte him.

379

383

Simon pro-
poses to go
to the town
for fear of
the Jews.
They must
show rever-
ence to Mary
as their
Master's
mother.

387

(66)
A, marie so mylde, the myssid we haue ;

Was neuer madyn so menskfuH here apon molde
As thou art, and moder cle3me, bot this wold we craue.

If this were ihe«u, thi son, that ludas has solcf, 391

366

Tmvneley Plays. XXIX. The, Lwd's Ascension.

He Mk» if Shew vs the sothe, vs aH may it saue ;
cended''w„8 WB pray the, dere lady, layn that thou noM",

jeBus%honi Bot speH VS oure spyryng, or els men we rafe,
jiui„s8oid. ^^^ ^j^^^ witterly vs wysfi, so fayn wyt we wold.

(67)
Maria, peter, andrew, lohn, and lamys the gent,

Syraon, lude, and bartilmew the bold.
And aH my brethere derc, that ar on this bent,

Take tent to my tayH, tiH that I haue told!
Of my dere son, what I haue mentt.

That hens is hevydi to his awne hold ;
he taght you the troutfie, or he to heuen went ;

he was borne of my bosom as his self woW.

(68)
he is god and man that stevynd into heuen ;

preche thus to the pepyH that most ar in price.
Sekys to thare savyng, ye apostilles eleven,

To the lues of Ierti;.ctlem as youre way lyse.
Bay to the cyte as I can here neuen,

toH the wark2/« of my son warly and wyse ;
Byd theym be stedfast & lysten youv steuen,

or els be thay dampned as men fuH of vyce.

Mary pro-
claims that
He who was
born of her
bosom, w«8
God and
MaD, and
bids them
teach tliis.

395

399

403

407

411

Here is a gap of 12 leaves, in the MS., from Sig. s. 1. to sig. t. 8.

Totvneley Plays. XXX. The Jvdgment.

367

XXX.

[Indicium.]

[42 nine-line stanzas ; aaaab, cccb ; 23 eigbt-line, ab, ab, ab, ab ;
2 six-line, no. 63, ababab, no. 2 aab, ccb ; 9 four-line, aaaa,'
no. 65, ab ab ; 5 couplets and 2 lines of Latin.]

[Incomplete.]

[D^ramatis Personae.

Primus Malus. Primus Demon. Primus Bomts.

Secundus Malit^. Sceundus Demon. Secimdus Bonus.

Tercius Mains. TiUiuilhis. Tercius Bonus.

Quartus Malus. Jesus. Quartua Bonus. ]
Primus Angelus.

[Secumlus Malus.] (1)

ffuH darfe has bene oiire deede / for thi coinmen is oure

care ;
This Jay to talje oure raede / for nothyng may we spare.
Alas, I harde that home / that callys vs to the dome,
AB that euer were borne / thider behofys theym com. 4
May nathere lande ne se / vs fro this dome hide,
tfor ferde fayn wold! I fle / hot I must nedt/s abide ;
Alas, I stande great aghe / to loke on that lustyce,
Tlier may no man of lagh / help with no quantyce. 8

vokettys ten or twelfe / may none help at this nede,
Bot ilk man for his self / shaH answere for his dede. 10

(2)
Alas, that I was borne !
I se now me befome,

That lord with Woundys fyfe ; 13

how may I on hym loke,
That falsly hym forsoke,

When I led synfuH lyfe 1 1 6

(3)
Tercins malus. Alas, carefuH ca.tyiy8 may we ryse,

sore may we wryng oure hand^s and wepe ;
ffor cursid and sore covytyse

dampnyd be we in heH futt depe. 20

' The aaaa lines have central rymes markt here by bars / not in
the MS.

[Fol. 122, « 1

Secundus
Malua Is-
menU. llie
horn lias
Bounded thnt
caIIs to
Judgoiont.

No lawyer
nor advocate
may save
men by
quibbles.
Each must
aubwer for
111 11 1 self.

368

TerciUB Ma-
ins bemoans
his wicked
works.

AU that ear
has heard
or heart
thought,
mouth
spoken or
eye seen, is
now brought
before them.

Quartus Ma-
ins has heard
the hora.
Would he
were un-
born !

Tovnieley Plays. XXX. The Judgment.

Roght we neuer of godya seruyce,

his commaundementy^ wold we not kepe,
Bot oft tymes maide we sacrifice

to sathanas when othere can slepe. 24

(4)
Alas ! now wakyns all oure were,

cure wykyJ Warkys can we not hide,
Bot on oure bakys we must theym bere,

that wiH vs soroo on ilka syde. 28

Oure dedys this day wiH do vs dere,

Oure domysman here we must abide,
And feyndys, that wiH vs felly fere,

thare pray to haue vs for thare pride. 32

(5)
Brymly before vs be thai broght,

oure dedys that shaH dam vs bidene ;
That eyre has harde, or harte thoght,

that niowthe has spokyn), or ee sene, 36

That foote has gone, or hands wroght,

in any tyme that we may mene;
ffuH dere this day now bees it boght.

alas ! vnborne then had I bene ! 40

(6)
Quartvis vialus. Alas, I am forlorne ! / a spytus blast here

blawes !
I harde well hi yonde home / I wote wherto it drawes ;
I wold I were vnborne / alas ! that this day dawes !
Now mon be dampuyd this morne / my warkys, my dedys,

44

my sawes.

(7)

Hie wicked-
ness is
koown, And
may not be
hid.

Now bees my curstnes kyd / alas ! I may not layn

AH that euec I dy(J / it bees put vp full playn.

Tliat I wolcJ fayn were hyc? / my synfuH wordys and vayn,

ffuH new now mon be rekynyd / vp to me agayn. 48

(8)
tFoi. 122, b.] Alas ! fayn wold I fle / for dedys that I haue done,
He would Bot that may now not be / I must abyde my boyn ;

I trowed neuer to have sene this dredfuH day thus soyn ;

Alas ! what sbaB I say When he sittys in his trone 1 52

fain flee.

Townelei/ Plays. XXX. Tlie Judgment. 369

(9)
To se his Woundj/d" bledande / this is a dulfuU case ;
Alas ! how shaH I stand / or loke hyni in the face'! Howshau

So cuites I hj-m fand / that gaf me life so lang a space ; Christ's
Mi care is aH command! / alas ! where was my grace? 56

(10)
Alas ! catyflys vnkynde / where on was oure thoght 1
Alas ! where on was oure mynde / so wykyd warky* we
WroghfJ 58

To se how he Was pynde / how derc oure luf he boght,
Alas ! we were fuH blynde / now ar we wars tlien noght.

(")
Alas ! my couetyse / myn yH wiH, and myn Ire !
Mi neghbur to dispise / most was my desyre ; 62 Alas for his

I demyd euer at my deuyse / me thoglit I had no peyre, ness, and aii
With my self sore may I grise / now am quyt my liyre.

(12)
Where I was wonte to go / and haue my Wordy* at wiH,
Now am I set fuH thro / and fayn to hold' me stiH ;
I went both to and fro / me thoght I die} neuer ili,
Mi neghbiirs for to slo / or hurt withoutten skiH. 68

(13)
Wo worth euer the fader / that gate me to be borne !
That euer he lete me stir / bot that I had bene forlorne : Cursed be

father and

Warid be my moder / and warid be the mome mother, and

That I was borne of hir / alas, for shame and skome ! 72 was bora!
(14)
prhims, angelns, cum gladio.
stand not togeder, parte in two ! Tiie flrst

all sam shaH ye not be m blys ; the good

Oure lorde of heuen witt it be so, bad.

for many of you has done amys ; 76

On his riglit band ye good shaH go,

the way tiH heuen he shaH you wys ;
ye wykid! saules ye weynd hym fro,

on his left hande as none of his. 80

(15)
T^esus. The tyme is co?nmen, I wiH make ende, jesus takes

my fader of heuen wiH it so be, cartiT'^ '"

Therfor tiH erthe now wiH I weynde,

iny self to sytt in maieste. 84

T. PI^TS. B B

370 Towneley Plays. XXX. The Judgment.

He comes, To dele my dome I will discende,

in His body, ,, • , , .„ t ,

todeaijudg- tuis Dody wiH I Dere witn me,

nient. ,

liow it was dight mans mys to amende

aU mans kynde ther shali it se. 88

(16)
[Foi. 123, R.J pnnms demonl Oute, haro, out, out! / harkyn to this
The first home,

demon has ^ • i /

heard the 1 was neuei' in dowte / or now at this morno ;
So sturdy a showte / sen that I was borne
hard I neuer here abowte / in ernyst ne in skorne,

A wonder ! 93

I was bonde full fast

at the sound In yrens for to last,

of it his •' '

bonds broke Bot my band?/s thai brast

asunder. « j i i

And shoko aH in sonder. 97

(17)
The second secundus demon. I shoterd and shoke / I herd sich a rerd,

demonshook ,,^1 t i i •, t * p ,, ,

for dread; When i harde it I qwote / for aH that I lerd,
Bot to swere on a boke / I durst not aperd ;
I durst not loke / for aU raeditt-erd,

ffutt payH ; 102

but all his Bot gyrned and gnast,

grinning °

helped no- my force did? I frast,

thing. •' '

Bot I wrogbt aH wast,

It" myght not auayH. 106

(18)
They teU pri?)ius demoti). It was like to a trumpe / it had sich a

each other -

of their SOWUde J

'** ' I feH on a lumpe / for ferd that I swonde.

secuntZus demon. There 1 stode on my stumpe / I stakerd

that stownde.
There ohachid I the crumpe / yit held? I my grounds

halfe nome. Ill

Their gear puvius denioii. Make redy oure gere,

must be got 1., . 1

ready, for we ar like to haue were,

they are like rr j t

to liave war. "or now dar I swere

CTnTe^and '^ '-That domysday is comme j 115

(19)
fFor aH oure saules ar wente / and none ar in heH.
fiecunrfus demon. Bot we go we ar shente / let vs not
dweH,

the souls
hAve fled
from hell.

Tmoneley Plays. XXX. The Judgment. 371

It sittys you to tente / in this mater to meH, The second

As a pere in a parlamente / what case so befell ; tijo flret that

ItisnedefuH 120 to the Court,

That ye tente to youre awne, to Parila"

What draght so be diawne, '"°'-

If the courte be knawen

the luge is right dredfuH. 1 24

(20)

/rimus demon, ffor to standi tlius tome / thou gars me gretc. Up Watiing

«e<nin(/us demon, let vs go to this dome / vp watlyn strete. be the way,

jjrimus demon. I had leuer go to rome / yei thryse, on my would ratiicr

, , make Uiree

lete, pilgrimages

Then forto grefe yonde grome / or with hym forte mete ;

ffor wysely 129

he spekys on trete,
his paustee is grete,
bot begyn he to threte

he lokys fuH grisly. 133

(21)
Bot fast take cure rentals / hy, let vs go hence ! They must

ffor as this fals / the great sentence. bools'^vvln.

secunrfus demon. Thai ar here in my dais / fast stand Wo [FoI. 123, b.j

to fence, them, to glre

Agans thise dampnyd sauls / Without repentance, against Uie

And lust. 138 so"Z''

pximns demon, how so the gam crokys,
Exarayn oure bokys.
eecun<ius demon, here is a bag fuH, lokys,

of pride and of lust, 142

(22)
Of Wraggers and wrears / a bag fuH of brefes, They have

Of carpars and cryars / of mychers and thefes, airkiSd' of

Of lurdans and lyars / that no man lefys.
Of flytars, of flyars / and renderars of reffys;

This can I, 147

Of alkyn astates
that go bi the gatys,
Of poore pride, that god hatys,

Twenty so many. 151

BuiuerE.

372

Totonehy Plays, JtXX. The Jttdgment.

The first
demon asks
if tliere is
anger i n
their bill; if
so, his fellow
shall have a
drink.

There is
auger and
treachery
too.

Is there
fiDything

recorded
against the
feminine
gender?

More rolls
fnll than he
can cany.

Tlte second
demon is
praised as a
good ser-
vant, and
bids his
master
hurry.

Had Dooms-
day bct-n de-
layed, they

must Iiave
built hell
bigger.

(23)
pihnus demon\ peasse, I pray the, be stiH / I laghe that 1

kynke,
Is oght Ire in thi biH / and then sliaH thou dr3'nke.
secimrfus demon, sir, so mekiH iH wiH / that thai woM

synke
Thare foes in a fyere stiH / bot not aH that I thynke

dar I say, 156

Bot before hym he prase hym,
behynde he mys-sase hym,
Thus dowbiH he mase hym,

thus do thai today. 160

(24)
7)ri?7!us demon), has tliou oght Writen there / of the

femyuyn gendero 1
Accunrfus demon, yei, mo then I may bere / of rolles forto

render ;
Thai ar sharp as a spere / if thai seme bot slender ;
Thai ar euer in were / if thai be tender,

yHfetyM; 166

she that is most raeke.
When she semys fuH seke,
she can rase vp a reke

if she be weH nettyldi. 169

(25)
primus demon. Thou art the best hyne / that euer cam

beside vs.
secunrfus demon, yei, bot go wc, master myne / yit wold I

we hyde vs ;
Thai haue blowen lang syne / thai wiH not abide vs ;
We may lightly tyne / and then wiH ye cliide vs

Togeder. 174

jjrijnus demon. Make redy oiue tolys.
ffor we dele with no folys.
secunrfus demon, sir, aH clerkys of ouro scolys

ar bowne furth theder ; 178

(26)
Bot, sir, I teH you before / had domysday oght tarid!
We must haue biggitV lieH more / the warld is so warid.

Towneley Plays. XXX. The Judgment.

373

primus demon. Now gett we dowbiH store / of bodys The first

. ,, demon

myscaridl
To the soules where thai wore / both sam to be harrid.
secundus de/non. Thise roUes 183

Ar of bakbytars,
And fals quest-dytars,
I had no lielp of writars

bot thise two dalles. 1 187

thinks of the
bodies and
souls to be
hflrried.

[Fol. 154, a.]

(27)
ffaithe and trowth, niaffay / has no fete to b^ande ;
The poore pepyH must pay / if oght bo iu haude,
The drede of god is away / and lawe out of lande.
primua demon). By that wist I that domysday / was nere
haude

In seson. 192

gecundus demon'. Sir, it is saide in old sawes —
the longere that day dawes —
' Wars pepiH wars lawes.'

primus demonK I lagh at thi reson ; 196

Faith and
truth are
weak, and
the fear of
Qod per-
ished.

The proverb
tells us that
people and
laws ever
grow worse.

(28)
AUe this was token / domysday to drede ;
fi'uH oft was it spokyn / fuH few take hede ;
Bot now shali we be wrokyn / of thare falshede,
ffor now bese vnlokyn / many dern dede

In Ire ;
AH thare synnes shaH be knaweu,'-'
Others mens, then thare awne.
Secundus demon. Bot if this draght be weH drawen

don is in the myre.

All this was
a sign of
Judgment.

201

205

If their
draught be
not well
drawn,

"Dun is in
the mire."

(29)

Tuiivillus. Whi spir ye not, sir / no questyous 1
I am oone of youre ordir / and oone of youre sons ;
I stande at my tristur / when othere men shones.

Tutivillus
accosts
them, and
is greeted as
the first

primus demx>n\ Now thou art myn awne querestur / I wote office ' ""^

where thou wonnes ;
' The ryme needs " doll«8."

' MS. knowen.

374 Tovmeley Plays. XXX. The Judgment.

Tutiviiius do teH me. 210

has been rv • • i

toiiamanRnd Tutiiiilhis. I was youre chefe tollare,
the devil, AuJ sitheu courte loUar,

and is now -. _ , , ,,

master JNow am 1 master lollar,

And of aich men I raeH me. 214

(30)
"meTines ^ ^^^^ broght to youre hande / of saules, dar I say,
Lroughtin Mo than ten thowsand ^ / in aa howre of a dav ;

int,re than ' J >

ten thousand som at avti-howse I fande / and som of ferrav.

■ouJs in an \ ' •' '

hour. som cursid, som bands / som yei, som nay ;

so many 219

Thus broght I on blurs,
thus did I my cure.
primxia demonK Thou art ths best sawgsoure

that suer had I any. 223

(31)
He has Tutiuillus. here a roH of ragman / of the rownde tabiH,

lionted them -,,«»., ■j /

till he ii Of breftes in my bag, man / of synnes dampnabill;

vnethes may I wag, man / for wery in youre stabiil

Whils I set my stag, man. /

«ecun<2u3 demon. abide, ye ar abiH

To take wage ; 228

tPui. 121. b.] Thou can of cowrte thew.
The demons Bot lay downe the dewe

compliment ,

him. nor thou wilr be a shrew,

be thou com at age. 232

(32)
He tells of TuHuUhis. here I be gesse / of many nyce hoket.

thefoolswho i ,1.^. J ,_ , .

drese finely, Ot cars and 01 curstnes / hethyng and hoket,
their chii- Gay gerc and witles / his hode set on koket,
leu. As prowde as pe/myles / his slefe has no poket,

ffuH: redles ; 237

With thare heramyd shoyn,
AH this must be done,
Bot syre is out at hye noyn)

And his barnes bredeles. 241

(33)
A home and a duch ax / his slefe must be flekyt,
A syde hede and a fare fax / his gowns must be spekytt,
> MS. XMl.

Towneley Plays. XXX. The Judgment. 375

Thus toke I youre tax / thus ar my bookj/A' blekyt. He teiis the

„, . . , , demons his

unTwus demon. Thou art best on tm wax / tliat euer was name, tum-

villus, and
clekyt, talks gibher-

11 o 1 <! i^'' '° Lltin.

or knawen ; ' ^4b

with wordes wiH thou fitt vs,
bot teH thi name tiB vs.
Tutiuillus. Mi name is tutiuillus,

my home is blawen ; 250

flragmina verborwm / tutiuUus colligit 'hoTum,
Bekabub algorwm / belial beliu») dolior!<n«.

(34)
gecundus demon. What, I se tliou can of gramory / and

som what of arte ;
had I bot a pe/my / on the woW I warte.

Tuiiuitlus. Of femellys a quantite / here fynde I parte. He ands
prirnns demon}. Tutiuillus, let se/goddys forbot thousparte ! women hera.
Tutiuillus. so loly 255

Ilka las in a hmde
like a lady neiehande,
So fresh and so plesande, '

makys men to foly. 259

(35)
If she be neuer so fowH a dowde / with hir keHes and hir They can

disguise

pynnes, their ugii-

The shrew hir self can shrowde / both hir chekys and hir "" '

chynnes ;
she can make it fuH prowde / with iapes and with gjoines,
hir hede as hy as a clowde / bot no shame of hir synnes
Thai fele ; 264

When she is thus p.'iynt, and make

themselves

she mdkys it so quaynte, up to look

like s&ints

She lookws like a saynt, though

11111 n/io worse than

And wars then the deyle. ^oo the devil.

(36)

she is homyd hke a kowe / fon syn,

The cuker hyngys so side now / furrid with a cat skyn,

AH thise ar for you / thai ar commen of youre kyn.

iSecunc^us demanK Now, the best body art thou / that euer [FoI. 125, a.

Sig. V. 1.]

cam here in.

' MS. knowen.

376

Tovnieley Plays, XXX, The Judgment,

It is fashion-
able for
them to
break their
wedlock.

More than a
thousand

false swear-
ers shall
come to hell,

raisers of
false taxes
and gather-
ers of green
wax.

He must not
forget the
new fashion
of padding
the shoul-
ders with
moss and
flock.

" Kirk.
chaterere"
and lovers of
simony he
drags to hell
out of the
churches.

Tutiuilltis. An vsage, 273

swilk dar I vndertake,

mak?/s theym breke thare wedlake,

And lif in syn for hir sake,

And breke tbare awne spowsage. 277

(37)
yit a poynt haue I fon / I teH you before,
That fals swerars shaH hidec com / mo then a thowsand *

skore ;
In sweryng thai grefe godys sou / and pyne hym more

and more,
Therfor nion thai with vs won / in heH for euer more.

I say thus, 282

That rasers of the fals tax.
And gederars of greyii wax,
Diabolus est mendax

Et pater eius. 286

(38)
yit a poynte of the new gett / to tett wiH I not blyti,
Of prankyd gownes & shulders vp set / mos & flokkys

sewyd wyth in ;
To vse sich gise thai wiH not let / thai say it is no syn,
Bot on sich pilus I nie set / and clap thaym cheke and
chyn,
no nay. 291

dauid in his sawtere says thus,
That to heH shatt thai trus,
Cum suis adinuencioraibus,

for onys and for ay. 295

(39)
yit of thise kyrkchaterars / here ar a menee,
Of barganars and okerars / and lufars of symonee,
Of runkers and rowners / god castas thaym out, trulee',
ffrom his temple aH sich mysdoers / 1 each thaym then to ma
ffuH soyn ; 300

ffor writen I wote it is
In the gospeH, withoutten mys,
Et earn fecistw

Speluncam latronum. 304

» MS. M'.

Tovmeley Plays. XXX. The Judgment. 377

(40)
yit of the synnes seven ' / soiii thyng spcciaH Something

special must

now iiately to neven / that renys ouer aH ; be said too

, , . . . . -, of the seven

Tmse laddys thai leven / as lorays nati, deadly sms.

At ee to be even / picturde in paH

As kyngys ; 309

May he dug liym a doket,
A kodpese like a pokett,
hym thynke it no hoket

his tayH wlien he Wryiigyy. 313

(41)
his luddokkys thai lowke / like walk-niylne doggys,
his hede is like a stowke / luirlyd as hoggys,
A woH blawen bowke / thise fiyggys as hoggys,
This lelian lowke / dryfys he no doggys

Tofelter; 318

Bot with youre yolow lokkys,
fifor aH youre many inokkys,
ye shaH clym ou heH crokkj/s

With a halpeny heltere. 322

(42)
And neH With hir nyfyls / of crisp and of sylke, iFoi. 125, b.)

Tent weli youre twyfyls / youre nek abowte as mylke ;
With youre bendys and youre bridyls / of sathan, tlie

whilke
sir sathanas Idyls / you for tha ilke

This gia knaue ; 327

It is open behynde,
before is it pynde,
Bewar of the West wjmde

youre smok lest it wafe. 331

(43)
Of Ire and of enuy / fynde I herto, Anger, en»y.

Of couetyse and glotony / and many other mo ; ne»e,

Thai caH and thai cry / go we now, go ! * ° °^'

I dy nere for dry / and ther syt thai so

> MS. vij.

378

Tovniehy Plays, XXX. The Judgment,

AH nyg&t ;
With hawvoft and lawveH,
syngyng of lawveli,
Thise ar howndys of lieH,

That is thare ri^^lit.

Harlots,
whores, and
bawda,

liars, scoMs,
extortioners,
usurers,
backbiters,
are all wel-
come to hell.

[Foi. v:r, p.
S!g. V. S.1
The increaLe
of the wicked
made the
first demon
think the
end was
nigh.

(44)

336

340

Sloth tliat
makes the
iloggsrd
wish the
clerk hanged
when the
bellB ring to
church.

In slew the then thai syn / godd?/s warkys thai not Wyrke ;
To belke thai begyn / and spew that is irke ;
his hede must be holdyn / ther in tlie myrke,
Then deffi/s hym with dyn / the bellys of the kyrke,

When thai clatter ; 345

he wishys the clerke hanged" '
tfoi' that he rang it,
Bot thar hym not lang it,

What commys ther after. 349

(45)
And ye lanettys of the stewys / and lychoures on lofte,
youie baiH now brewys / avowtrees full ofte,
youre gam now grewys / I shaH you set softe,
youre sorow enewes / com to my crofte

Atiye;
AH harlottj/s and horres,
And bawdys that procures,
To bryng thaym to lures,

Welcom to my see !

(46)
ye lurdans and lyars / mychers and thefes,
fflytars and flyars / that aH men reprefes,
Spolars, extorcyonars / Welcom, my lefes !
ffals lurars and vsurars / to symony that clevys,

To teH ;
hasardars and dysars,
ffals dedys forj^ais,
Slanderers, bakbytars,

AH vnto heH.

354

358

363

(47)
pri7nu8 demon. When I harde

spytus and feH,
And few good of ilke / I had merueH,
I trowd it drew nere the prik. /

' The ryme needs "hangit,

367

many swilke / many

Tmvneley Plays. XXX. The Judgment. 379

(Secunrfus demon. sir, a worde of counaeU ; or late 8oiii«

. IiHVe so

saules cam so thvk / now late vuto hen crowjtii u

. „_ , licll.tU.ttllo

As euer ; il'l iiortfi imn

Oure porter at lieH yate worked.

Is haldyn so strata,
vp erly and downe late,

he rystys neuer. 376

(48)
prmus demon. Thou art pereles of tho / tliat euer yit The two

demoDg
knew I, make their

when I Win may I go / if thou be by ; Judgmcut

_ Air i / Hall, with

Go we now, VV e two. / their mlU

6'ecundus demon. syr, I am redy.

pri?/iu3 demon. Take oure roUes also, / ye kuawe the

cause Why ;

do com 381

And tent weH this day.

Secundus demon, sir, as weH as I may.

Pvurms Demon. Qui vero mala

In ignem eternum. 385

(49)

Mesus. Ilka creatoure take tente Jes"« an-

nounces Hit
What bodworde I shaH you bryng, advent aa

This wykyd warki away is wente, tojudg-

and I am cowmyn as crownyd kyng ; 389

Mi fader of heuen has tne downe sente,
to deme youre dedys and make endyng ;

Commen is the day of lugemente,

of sorrow may euery synfuH syng. 393

(50)
The day is commen of catyfnes, Th« day n

come, a day

an those to care that ar vncleyn, of dread and

The day of bateH and bitternes,

ffuH long abiden has it beyn ; 397

The day of drede to more and les,

of loy, of tremlyng, and of teyn,
Ilka wight that wikyd is

may say, alas this day is seyn ! 401

Tunc expandit ma«u3 suas & osteadit eis Wlnera sua.

joy.

380

Towneky Plays. XXX, The Judgment,

He shows
the woutida
by which He
bouglit bliss
for uieD.

He recalls
the scourj.'-
ing, the
cross, the
crown of
thorns, tlie
■pear that
pierced
Hiu),

(51)
here may ye so my Woundys wide

tliat I suffred for youre mysdede,
Thrugfi liarte, hede, fote, hande and syde,

not for my gilte hot for youre nede.
BehakV botfi bak, body, and syde,

how dere I boght youre broder-hede,
Thise bitter paynes I woW abide,

to by you blye thus woldi I blede.

(52)
Mi body was skowrgiJ withoutten skiH,

also ther fuH throly was I thrett ;
On erosse thai liang me on a hiH,

bio and blody thus was I bett ;
With crowne of thorne thrastyn fuH iH,

A spere vnto my harte thai sett ;
Mi harte blode sparid thai not to spiH.

man, for thi luf wold! I not lett.

405

409

413

417

the con-
tumely of
the Jews
and Hia own
patience.

(53)
The lues spytt on me spitusly,

thai sparicJ me no more then a thefe ;
When thai me smote I studf stilly,

agans thaym did I nokyns grefe.
Beholde, mankynde, this ilk am I,

that for the sufEred sich myschefe,
Thus was I dighf for thi foly,

man, loke thi luf was me fuH lefe.

421

425

(54)
(Foi. 126, b.] Thus was I dight thi sorow to slake ;
man, thus behovid the borud! to be ;
In aH my wo toke I no wrake,
my win it was for luf of the.
Man, for sorow aght the to qwake,

this dredfuH day this sight to se ;
AH this suffred I for thi sake.

say, man. What suffrecJ thou for me 1

AU this He
Huffered for
man : what
has man
Buffered for
Him?

429

433

Tunc vertens se ad bonos, dicit illie.

Tovmehy Plays. XXX. The Jiixlgmtni.

381

(55)
Mi blissid barnes on my right liande,

youre dome this day thar ye not drede,
ffor aH youre ioy is now commando,

youre life in likyng sliaH ye lede.
CoTTimes to tlie kyngdom ay lastaud,

That you is dight for youre good dede,
fiiiH blithe may ye be there yo stand,

ffor mekm in heuen bees youre mede.

The good
are sum-
moned to
bliss.

437

441

(56)

AVhen I was hungre ye me fed*,

To slek my thrist ye war fuH fre ;
When I was clothles ye me cled*,

ye Wold! no sorowe on me se ;
In hardf prison AVhen I was steil!

On my penance ye had pyte ;
ll'uH seke when I was broght in bed,

kyiidly ye cam to comforth me.

445

TUev havo
fed Him
wlien He
WHS hungry
slaked His
thirst,
clothed
Hiia, visited
Him in
prison. nod
sickness,

449

(57)
When I was wiH and weriest

ye harberd me fuH esely,
fi'uH glad then were ye of youre gest,

Ye i>lenyd my pouerte fuH pitusly ;
Belife ye broght me of the best,

And maide my bed there I shuW ly,
Thertor in heuen shaH be youre rest,

In ioy and blys to held me by.

given Him
shelter and
sympathy ;

453

therefore
tliey shall
rest with
, p^- Him in
"**>' heaven.

(58)
prhnvis bonus, lord. When had thou so mekiH nede ?

hungre or thrusty, how myght it be J
Secnndns bonus. When was oure harte fre the to
feede 1

In prison When myght We the se ? 461

Tercnis Boreas. When was thou seke, or wantyd wede 1

To harbowre the when helpid we 1
Quaiins bonns. When had thou nede of oure fordede 1

when did we aH this dede to the ? 465

When did
tliey thus
succour
Hiin? the
good .ask.

[F.)l. 127. «.
Sif. V. 3.)

382

Towneley Plays, XXX. The Judgment,

JesuB tells
them they
succoured
Him in help-
ing the
Deedj.

He casts
fortli the
wicked to
dwell for
ever in dole.

(59)
//lesus. Mi blissid barnes, I shaH you say

what tyme this dede was to me done ;
When any that nede had nyght or day,

Askyd you help and had it sone ; 469

youre fre liarte saide theym neuer nay,

Erly ne late, myd-day ne noyn,
As ofte-sithes as thai wohJ pray,

Thai thurte bot aske and haue thare boyn. 473

Tunc dicet malis.

(60)
ye cursicJ catyfs of kames kyn,

That neuer me comforthiif in my care,
Now I and ye for euer shaH twyn,

In doyH to dweli for euer mare ; 477

youre bitter bayles shaH neuer blyn

That ye shaH thole when ye com thare.
Thus haue ye seruyd for youre syn,

ffor derfe dedys ye haue doyn are. 481

They chased
Him from
their gate
when He had
need of food ;

(61)
When I had myster of mete and drynke,

Catyfs, ye chaste me from youre yate ;
when ye were set as syres on bynke

I stode ther oute wery and Wate,
yit none of you WolcJ on me thynke.

To haue pite on my poore astate ;
Therfor to heH I shaH you synke,

WeH ar ye worthy to go that gate.

485

489

would not
look how He
fared in
prison ;
drove Him
with blows
from tlieir
doors.

(62)
When I was seke and soryest

ye viset me noght, for 1 was poore ;
In prison fast when I was fesfc

wol(J none of you loke how I foore ; 493

When I wist neuer where to rest

With dyntys ye drofe me from youre doorc,
Bot euer to pride then were ye prest.

Mi flesh, my bloode, ye oft for-swore. 497

501

503

Towneley Plays. XXX. The Judgment.

(63)
Clothles, When that I was cold,

That ner^hande for you yode I nakyd,
Mi myschefe sagfi ye many folde,

Was none of you my sorowe slakyd ;
Bot euer forsoke me, yong and olde,
Therfor shaH ye now be forsakyd.
(64)
^ri7?fus mains, lorde, when had thou, that aH has,

hunger or thriste, sen thou god is ' 1
When was that thou in prison was 1

When was thou nakyd or harberles 1
Secundns mains. When myght we se the seke, alas I

and kyd the aH this vnkyndnes 1
iy us maluB. When was we let the helples pas 1
When dyd yo the this wikydnes 1
(65)
ntyus ma^us. Alas, for doyH this day 1

alas, that euer I it abode !
Now am I dampned for ay,
this dome may I not avoyde.
(66)
IhesvLS. Catyfs, alas, ofte as it betyde

that nedefutt oght askyd in my name,
ye liarde thaym noght, youre eeres was hid,

youre help to thaym was not at hame ;
To me was that vnkyndnes kyd,

therfor ye here this bitter blame,
To the lest of myne when ye oght dyd,
to me ye dyd the self and same.

383

(Fol. 127, b.l

As they for-
sook Him, BO
Bhall they
now be for-
sakeo.

Wlien, thsy
ask, Imve
they shown
Him this nn-
kindneBs ?

507

511

(One begins
his iRraent,
ere he heart
the answer.}

515

519

Jesus tells
them the
unkindncsB
they showed
to the needy
was shown
to Uini.

523

Tunc dicet bonis.

(67)
Mi chosyn childec, coHimes to me !

With me to dweH now shall ye weynde,
Ther icy and blys eu«- shaH be,

youre life in lykyng for to leynde.

Tune dicet malts.
' Originally 'es,' no doubt.

He BUin-
mons the
good to
dwell witH
Him in bliss.

527

384

Tovmetey Plays. XXX. The Jicdgment.

The wicked
are doomed
to liell.

yo warid Wightys, from me ye fle,
In heH to dweH withoutten eiide !

'i'her shaH ye noglit bot sorow se,
And sit bi sathanas the feynde.

531

The devils
begin to
drive them.

They may

curse the dfty
they were

[Fol. 12R. R.
S.g. V.4.J

bom.

Where now
are their
gold, their
retinuf, nnd
their finery'

(68)
primus demon. Do now furthe go,i / trus, go we hyne !
vnto endles wo / ay-lastand pyne ;
Nay, tary nof so / we get ado syne.
«ec'uniius demon, byte hyder warde, ho / harry ruskyne !

War cute ! 536

Tlie meyn shaH ye nebyH,
And I shaH syug the trebiH,
A revant the devitt

TiH ali this hole ro^vte. 540

(69)
Tutmillns. youre lyfes ar lorne / and co?;imen is youre

care;
ye may ban ye were borne / the bodes you bare,
And youre faders beforne / so cursidf ye ar.
pri7ftus demon'', ye may wary the mome / and day that
ye waje
Of yoxu'e moder 545

ffirst borne fbrto be,
ffor the wo ye mon dre.
;Secun(ius demon', llkone of you mon se

sorow of oder. 549

(70)
"Where is the goV\ and the good / that ye gederd togedirl
The mery moiiee that yode / hider and thedirJ
Tutiuillns. Gay gyrdyls, laggid hode / prankyd gownee,

whedirl
haiie ye wit or ye wode / ye hroght not hider

Bot sorowe, 664

And youre synnes in youre nekkys.
/jrimus demon. I bcshrcw thaym that rekkys !
he comes to late that bekkys

youre bodyes to borow. 568

' MS. go furthe.

Towneley Plays. XXX. The Jvxigment. 385

(71)
SecwndxiB demonK Sir, I Woklf cut tliayni a skawte / They were

, , , , 11 sturdy and

and make theym be knawne ; proud, tind-

Thay were sturdy and hawte / great boste haue thai I,tficrs"aud"

11 forgetting

blawne ; thdr own.

youre pride and yoiire pransawte / What wiH it gawne'i
ye tolde ilk mans defawte / and forgate youre awne.
Tutiuillus. moreouer 563

Thare neghburs thai demyd,
Thaym self as it semyd,
Bot now ar thai flemyd

firom sayntys to recouer. 567

(72)
prinius demon'. Thar neghburs thai towclnd / With They up-

1 „ ,. ... braided their

vrOTdlJS luH iH, neighbours,

The warst ay thai sowohid / and had no skiH. pouchersof

secnndus demon'. The pe?iny8 thai po\vchid / and held' gfuTtonous

thaym stiH; <^nigt..ay.

The negons thai mowchid / and had no witt

fEor hart fare ; 572

Bot riche and iH-dedy,

Gederand and gredy,

sore napand and nedy

youre godys forto spare. 576

(73)

Tutiuilltis. ffor aH that ye spard / and dyd extorcyon, The wealth

nor youre cliilder ye card / youre hcyre and youve son, lorth^ir

. 1 , eliildren is

Now IS art m oureward / youre yeres ar ron, now in the

T, . . 1 / 1 1- devil's keen-

It IS commen in vowgard / youre dame malison, ing.

Tobyndeit; 581

ye set bi no cursyng,
Ne no sicli smaH thyng,.
pri7)!us demon. No, bot prase at the partyng,

ffor now moil ye fynde it. 585

(74)
youre leyfys and youre females / ye brake youre wedlake ; [FoI. 128, b.]
TeH me now what it vales / aH that mery lake ? They broke

se so falsly it falys. / lock, what

, , T J J 1 1 availB their

secunaus demon. syr, i dar vndertake merriment

Thai wiH teH no tales / bot se so thai quake

T. PLATS. 0 c

386

Now tliey
aro quaking
and dumb.

Tovmeley Plays. XXX. The Judgment,

fifor moton ; 590

he that to that gaiu gose,
Now namely ou old tose.
Tutiuillua. Thou hel(J vp the lose,

That had I forgotten. 594

They shall
dwell in
pitch and
ur, with no
respite.

(75)

I trow thai be dom / somtymc were

primus dem-on. sir

fuU melland ;
WiH ye se how thai glom. /
secunrius rfemon. thou art ay tellaud;

Now shaH thai hauc rom / in pyk aud tar euer dwellaiul,
Of thare sorow no some / hot ay to be yelland

In cure fostre.
TuHuillas. By youre lefe may We niefe you 1
primus demon, showe furth, I shrew you !
SecwnduB demon, yit to-nyght sliaH I shew you

A mese of iH ostre. 603

599

The devlla
curry them
off, with
llireata.

(76)
cursid forsworne

/ and aH that

Tutiuillna. Of thise

here leyndys,
Blaw, wolfyg-hede and oute-horne / noAV namely my

freyndy*.
primus demon. Ilia haili were ye borne / youre awne

shame you sheyndj/s,
That shatt ye fynde or to morne. /
«ecunrfu8 demon. com now with feyndys

To youre angre ; 608

youre dedy« you dam ;
Com, go we now sam.
It is commen youre gam,

Com, tary no langer. 612

(77)
pr'vnns honns. We loue the, lorde, iu alkyn thyng,

That for thyno awne has ordand thus,
That we may haue now oure dwellyng

In heuen blis giffen vnto vs. 616

Tovmeley Plays. XXXI. Lazams.

Therfor fuH boldly may we syng
On cure way as we tnis ;

Make we aH myrth and louyng
With te deum iaudamus.

G20

Explicit Indicium.

387

The righl-
eouB give
thnnka to
God.

XXXI.
Incipit Lazarus.

[47 couplets; 4 ten-line atiuzas, aaaa^ bbbcbc; 1 nine-line (no. [Pui ]j(i al
11), aaaa bbc be; 7 eight-line, four ab ab ah ab, two abab
bcbc, one ab ab ba ba ; 3 six-line, aaab ab ; I five-line, aab
ab.]

[Dramatis Personae.

Jemi». I Johnnties. 1 Martha. I Lazanu.]

Petrua. Thmnas. \ Maria. \

(1)

JTiesus. Commes now, brethere, and go Witfi me ;

We Will pas furtfi vntitt lude,

To betany wiH we Weynde,^

To vyset laiKire that is oure freynde.^

Gladly I wold! we with hym spoko,

I teli you Bothelj he is soke.

petrus. I reft not thaf ye thider go,

The lues halden you for thare fo ;

I red ye com not in that stede,

ffor if ye do then be ye dede.

lohannes. Master, trist thou [not] on the lue,

fpor many day sen thou thaym knewe,

And last tynie that we were thore

We wciiyd tiH haue bene dc<l! therfor.

Thomas. When we were last in thaf conlrc,

This othere day, both thou and we,

Jesas pro-
poses to go
to Bethany
to visit
LAZ&ni9, who
is ill.

Prter, Jnliu,
and Tlinmas
dissufldo
Him for fear
of the Jews.

12

16

' The aaaa lines have central rymes markt hero with bars (not in
the MS).

' These lines are transposed in the MS. , and the letters a and b are
placed opposite them in the margin to indicate their proper order.

Jesus tells
them Liiz«r-
us is fallen
ftsleep ; they
must go to
liinke that
knight
awake.
If he sleep
he will mend,
Peter
thinks.

[Fol. 129, b.)

Jesus tells
them plainly
Lazarus is
dead.

Thomas anys
the disciples
will share
Jesus' peril
and go with
Him.

Martha tells
Jesus Lazar-
us i.s dead.

He shall rise
and live
again, Jesus
nyg.

Yes, at
Doomsday,
Martha
answers.

Jesus says,
" I am the
Resurrection
and the
Life."

Towneley Plays. XXXI. Lazarus.

We wenyd that tliou ther shuld haue bene .slayn ;

Wili thou now go thider aganel

/Aesus. herkyn, breJer, and takys kepe;

lazaro oure freynde is fallyn on slepe ; 20

The way tiH hym now wiH we take,

To styr that knyght and gar hym wake.

X>eb-us. Sir, me tliynke it were the best

To lot hyra slepe and take his rest ; 24

And kepe that no man com hym hend,

ffor if he slope then mon ho mend.

ThesAxs. I say to you, With outten fayH,

No kepyng may tiH hym avaitt, 28

Ne slope may stand liym in no stede,

I say you sekeily he is dode ;

Therfor I say you now at lasf

leyfe this spechc and go we fast. 32

Thomas. Sir, What so euer ye bid vs do

We assent vs weH ther to ;

I hope to god ye shaH not fyude

None of vs shaH lefe behynde ; 36

ffor any pareH that may befatt

Weynde we With oure master aH.

Martha, help me, lorde, and gif me red !

lazaro my broder now is dede, 40

That was to the both lefe and dcre ;

he had not dyed had thou bene here.

/Aesus. Martha, martha, thou may be fayn,

Thi brothere shaH rise and lif agayii. 44

Martha. lorde, I wote that he shaH ryse

And com before the good iustyce ;

ffor at the dredfuH day of dome

There mon ye kepe hym at his come, 48

To loke What dome ye WiH hym gif ;

Then mon he rise, then mon he lyf.

//tcsus. I Warne you, both man and wyfe,

That I am rysyng, and I am life ; 52

And Whoso truly trowys in me.

That I was euer and ay shaH be,

Oone thyng I shaft hym gif.

Though he be dede yit shaH he lif. 56

Martha
believes,

and 18
bidden to
fetch Iier
sister
Magdalene.

IFoI. 130, a.]

Mary tells
Jesus or
their sorrow.

Towneley Plays. XXXI. Laxanis. 389

say thou, Woman, trowys thou this ?

Martha, yee, for sothe, my lorde of blys,

EUys.were I greatly to mysprase,

ffor aH is sothe-fast that thou says. GO

7/tesus. Go toH thi sister mawdlayn

Tiiat I com, ye may be fayn. {^Martha qoes to Mary.]

Martha. Sister, lefe tliis sorowful bande,

Oure lorde commys here at hand, 64

And his apostyls with hym also.

Maria. A, for goAys luf let me go !

Blissii be he that sende me grace,

That I may se the in this place. 68

lorde, mekiH sorow may men 3e

Of my sister here and me ;

We ar heuy as any lede,

fifor our broder that thus is dede. 72

had thou bene here and on hym sene,

dede for sothe had he not bene.

7Aesus. hider to you commen we ar

To make you comforth of youre care, 7G

Bot loke no fayntyse ne no slawth

Bryng you oute of stedfasf trawthe,

Then shaH I hold you that I saide.

lo, where hauo ye his body laide ? 80

Maria, lorde, if it be thi WiH,

I hope be tliis he sauers iH,

ffor it is now the ferth * day gone

sen he Was laide vnder yonde stone. 84

//tesus. I toLJ the right now ther thou stode

that thi trawth shuld? ay be goode,

And if thou may that fulfiH

AH bees done right at thi wiH. 88

Et lacxiinatns est I'/tesus, diceas.

(2)
ffader, I pray the that thou rase

lazare that was thi hjme,
And biyng hym oute of his mysese

Aud oute of heH pyne. 92

1 MS. iiij.

Jeaus is
come to
comfort
them.

He asks
where the
bo<ly ia laid.

Jesus prays
to the Father
fer Lftzarus.

390

Towneley Plays. XXXI. LazarvA,

Let his days
be in-
creased.

He bidn
I^azftrus
come forth,
and be
stripped of
)ii8 grave-
clothes.

La7ai'UB

fives
hanks to
JesnSf for
raising him
from hell.

Not the

miglitiest on
earth, king
or knight,
can escape
death.

When I the pray thou eaya ati wayse

Mi wiH is sich as thyne,
Therfor Witt we now eke his dayse,

To me thou wiH inclyne.

(3)
Com furtfi, laziire, and stand vs by,
In erth shali tliou no langere ly ;
Take and lawse hym foote and hande,
And from liis throte take the bande,
And the sudary take hym fro,
And a& that gere, and let hym go.

(*)
lazarzis. lorde, that aH thyng maide of noght,

louyng be to thee.
That sich Wonder here has Wroght,

Gretter may none be.
When I was dede to heH I soght,

And thou, thrugh, thi pauste,
Rasid me vp and thens me broght,

Behold? and ye may se.

(5)
Ther is none so styf on stede,

Ne none so prowde in prese,
Ne none so dughty in his dede,

Ne none so dere on deese,
'No kyng, no knyght, no Wight in wede,

ffrom dede haue maide hym seese,
Ne flesh he was wonte to fede,

It shaH be Worraes mesa.

96

100

102

106

110

114

118

(6)
youre dede is Wormes coke,
youre myrroure here ye loke,
And let me be youre boke,

youre sampiti take by me ; 122

ffro dede you cleke in cloke,

sicB shaH ye aH be. 124

(7)
[Foi. iso.b.i Ilkon in sicB aray / Witli dede thai shaH be digfit,

And closid colde in clay / Whede?' he be kyng or knyght

Tovmeley Plays. XXXI. Lazarus. 391

flFor aH his garmentes gay / tliat semely were in sight, For au their

his flesh shaH frete away / With many a wofuH wight. 128 their S''
Then wofully sich wightys tV^^.y.

ShaH gnawe thise gay knyghtya,
Thare lunges and thare lightys,

Thare harte sliaH frete in Bonder ; 132

Thise masters most of myghtys

Thus sliaH thai be broght vnder. 134

(8)
Vnder the ertfie ye shaH / thus carefully then cowche ; They sh«ii
The royfe of youie hall / youre nakyd nose shaH towche ; haiuiut
Nawther gieaf ne smaH / To you wiH knele ne crowche ; nose^'tmii'*
A shete shaH bo youre paH / sich todys sliaH be youre Joof'fo?''
nowche ; 138 L^S

Todys ShaH you dere, j^Jt!"'

ffeyndys wiH you fere,
youre flesh that fare was here

Thus rufuUy shaH rote ;
In stede of fare colore

sich bandys shaH bynde youre throto. 144

(9)
youre rud that was so red / youre lyre the lylly lyke, They shall

Then shaH be wan as led / and stynke as dog in dyke ; dead dogs,
Wormes shaH in you brede / as bees dos in the byke, breed in "

And ees out of youre hede / Thus-gate shaH paddokys pick'out'"'
pykc; 148 *'"■"'"•

To pike you ar preste
Many vncomly beest,
Thus thai sliaH make a feste

Of youre flesh and of youre blode.
fFor you then sorows leste

The moste has of youre goodo. 154

(10)
youre goodys ye shaH forsake / If ye be neuer so lothe. They may
And nothing With you take / Bot sich a wyndyng clothe ; ^hthem"^
youre Wife sorow shaH slake / youre chylder also both, w^nd'^g"^
vnnes youre niynnyng make / If ye be neuer so wrothe ; 1 58 °''^*''
Thai myn you with nothyng
That may be youre helpyng.

392

Wife and
children will
forget them
and pay for
no iua.s80s
for their
Boula.

[Fol. 131, a.]

Trust not
IViend, wife,
or child ;
executors
arc always
unfiiithful

Let them
amend while
they may.

When they
KTii dead it
will be too
late ; no
wealth may
save them
tlien.

Tlie rich
man's
wealth be-
longs to
Qud,

Towneley Plays. XXXI. Lazarus.

NawLlier in mes syngyng,

Ne yit with almus dede ;
Thcrfor in youre leuyng

Be wise and take good hede. 164

(11)

Take hede for you to dele / Whils ye ar on life,
Trust neuer freyndys frele ^ / Nawthere of childe then wife ;
fl'or sectures ar not lele / Then for youre good WiH stryfe ;
To by youre saules hele / Tliere may no man thaym
shrife. 168

To shrife no man thaym may,
After youre endyng day,

youre sauli for to glaiJ ;
youre sectures wiH swere nay,

And say ye agfet more then ye liad. 173

(12)
Amende the, man, Whils thou may,

let neu«' no myrthe fordo thi mynde ;
Thynko thou on the dredefuH day

When god shaH deme aH m.inkynde. 177

Thynke thou farys as dotlie the wynde ;
This warlde is wast & WiH away ;

Man, haue this in thi mynde.
And amende the Whils that thou may. 181

(13)
Ajuende the, man, whils thou art here,

Agane thou go an otliere gate ;
When thou art dede and laide on bere,

Wyt thou weH thou bees to late ; 185

ffor if aH the goode that eue?- thou gate
Were delt for the after thi day.

In heuen it wolde not mende thi state,
fPorthi amende the WhUs thou may. ' 189

(14)
If thou be right ryaH in rente.

As is the stede standyng in staH,
In thi harte knowe and thynke ^

That thai ar goddj/s goodys aH. 193

' These words, "Trust, neuer freyndi/s frele," are hardly legible.
' The assonance wants "theuke."

Towneley Plays. XXXII. The Hanging of Judas. 393

he myght haue maide the poore and smaH

and mugt be

As he that beggys fro day to day ;

accounted
for.

Wit thou weH acountys gif thou shaH,

Therfore amende the whils thou may.

197

(15)

And if I myght with you dweH

I_axarus ttas
iieard nnd

To teH you ati my tyme,

seen many a
niarv^L

ffuH mekiH cowthe I teH

That I haue harde and sene,

201

Of many a great menieH,

eich as ye wolde not wene,

In the paynes of heH

There as I haue bene.

205

(16)

Bene I haue in wo,

Let them be
warned by
his suffer-

Therfor kepe you thor fro ;

Whilst ye lif do so

ings,

If ye wiH dweH with hym

That can gar you thus go,

And hele you litli and lym.

211

(17)

he is a lorde of grace,

Vmthynke you in this case,

And pray hym, fuH of myght.

and pray to
the gracious
Lord for
protection.

he kepe you in this place

And haue you in his sight.

216

Amen.

Explicit Lazarus.

(XXXI 1.)

Suspencio lude.'

[Incomplete ; 16 six-line stanzas, aaab ah.]

[Fol. 151, b.]

(1)

\Judas.'\ Alas, alas, & walaway !

Jadaa

laments.

waryd & cursyd I have beyn ay ;

' This poem is added in a more modern hand than the others,
apparently about the commencement of the sixteenth century.

S04 Toimieley Plays. XXXII. The Hanging of Judas.

I slew my father, & syn by-lay

My moder der ;
And falsly, aftur, I can betray

Myn awiO mayster.

(2)

His fnttier's
name whf)
Reuben, his
mother's
Sibaria.

When lie
was be-
gntteti liis
mother
dreamed
that there
lay in ln^r
side R luiiip
of sin which
should
destroy all
Jewry.

She told his
father her
dreaut,

and he re-
solved that
if a child
were horn
he should be
destroyed.

My fathers name was ruLen, right ;

Sibaria my mode?* hight ;

Als he her knew apon a nyght

AH fleshle,
In her sleyp she se a sighte,

A great ferle.

(3)
her tlioght thei- lay her syd witA-in
A lothly lumpe of fleshly syn,
Of the which distruccion schuld begyn

Of aH lury ;
That Cursyd Clott of Camys kyn,

fforsoth, was I.

(4)
Dreyd of that sight mad her awake,

& aH hir body did tremyH & qwake ;

her thoght hir hert did all to-brake —

No wondej' was —
the first[e] word my mode)' spake

was alas, alas !

(5)

Alas, alas ! sche cryed faste,

wj't/t that, on weping owt sche braste :

My father wakycJ at the laste,

& her afranyd ;
Sche told hym how she was agaste,

& nothyng* laynycJ.

(6)
my father bad, " let be thy woo !
my Cowncel is, if hit be soo,
A child be gettyn betwixt bus too,

Doghter or son,
lett hit neuer on erth[e] go,

Eot be fordon.

12

18

24

30

3C

Tovmeley Plays. XXXII. The Hanging of Jtuins. 395

(7)
bettur hit is fordon) to be
then hit fordo both the & mo ;
fEor in a while then schaH we se,

& fuH weH knaw,
wheder that swevyns be vanite

or on) to traw."

(8)
The tyme was comyn that I was boiuo,

05 my moder sayd befom ;
Alas, that I had beyn forlorn

With-la hii' syd !
for ther then spronge a schrewid thorn)
That spied fuH wyd.

(9)
for I was bom wt't/i owlyn grace,
Tliay mo namyd & Callyd ludas ;
The father of the child ay hays

Great petye ;
He myght not thoyle afor his face

My deth to se.

(10)
My ded to se then myght he noght ;
A lytyE lep he gart be wroght,

6 ther I was in bed [i-]broght

& bondon faste ;
To the salt se then thay soght,
& In me Caste.

(11)
The wawes rosse, the wynd[e] blew ;

That I was Cursyd fuH well thai knew ;

The storme vnto the yle me threw,

That lytill botte ;
And of that land my to-name drew,

ludas skariott.

(12)
Tlior 09 wrekke in sand I lay,
The qweyn Com passyug ther away,
Wtt/i hir madyns to sport & play ;

They would
soon know
if dreaiua
were vain or
true.

42

Judas waa
bom.

46

His father
would not
have liim
killed ID his
sight,

54

but had hi in
cast Into the
sea.

60

The waves
and wind
rose, and
the Ktonn
threw him
on the isle
whence he
waR callefl
Iscariot.

6G

396 Tmoncley Plays. XXXII. The Hanging of Judas.

The queen
found him
there as she
came to play
with lier
maidens.

and passed
him off on
the king as
her own son.

T)ie king
n:adc a
feast.

Two J- ears
afterwards
the queen
bore a fair

And prevaly
A child she fond in slyk aray,

& had ferlv.

(13)
Neuej'-the-lesse sche was weH payd,
And on hir lap[pe] sche me layd ;
Sche me kissid & viiih me playd,

ffor I was fayre ;
" A child god hays me send," sche saj'd,

" to be myn ayre."

(14)
Sche mad me be to norice done,
And fosterd as her awn[e] sone,
And told the kyng that sche had gone

AH </te yer w j't/t child ;
And viiih fajn wordys, as wemew Con,

sche hyw begilct.

(15)
Then the kyng gart mak a fest
To aH the land [right] of the best,
ffor that he had gettyii) a gest,

A swetly thjrng',
When he wer ded & broght to rest,

thai myght be kyng*.

(16)
Sone aftur wj't/t in yer[e]s too.
In the land hit befeli soo,
The qweyu hir selfF wil/t child Can goo ;

A son sche bayr ;
A fayrer chiW from tope to too

Man neuer se ayre.

72

78

84

90

96

FINIS HDiua \in a later hand.]

397

GLOSSARIAL INDEX.

Abarstib, 340/73, more abashed,
ashamed : for Abuistir.

Abast, 43/90, abaslicd, frightened,
ashamed.

Abate, 233/157, humble (oneself).

Abite, I8/323, paj- for, e.xpiate.

Abone, 27/146, above.

Aby, 125/272, pay for: see Ahitc.

Adyil, 261/IOI, earn ; Adyld, 231/199,
earned.

Affy, 312/192, trust.

Afran)d, 394/28, questioned.

Ayast, 3/184, terrified.

Aghe, 339/45, ***•

Aglit, 13/150, possessions; 15/2IO,
289/324; eight {also eiglithj ; IH/
314, owed.

Algatis, 14/166, by all ways ; at all
events.

Alod, 24/56, requited.

Alowed, 17/296, allotted, requited.

Als, 17/296, as, also.

Ainell, 66/69, among : see Emcll.

Ainese, 234/i85, quiet, appease.

A partly, 345/192, Apertly, openly,
manifestly.

Aperd, 370/ 100, appear.

Appecli, 12/85, accuse.

Appentys, 287/245, appertains, be-
longs.

Arainent, 288/320, arrayment, prepar-
ations.

A-rase, 245/71, at full speed.

Arayde, 46/207, afflicted, slain.

Architreclyn, 24R/152, ruler nf the
feast (mistaken fur a proper name).

Are, 150/320, 158/569, before.

Ars, kis iiiyne, II/59.

Ascry, 232/135, proclaim, denounce.

Asell, 314/270, vinegar.

Askaunce, 2O/401, 239/353, * joke,
a make-believe : see Skawnce.

Assay, 100/13, ''"ial, test.

Asse, 66/139, ''sk.

As^yse, 29I/379, appoints.

Ast. 240/389. asked : see Hast.

At-lowe, 158/572, below, on earth.

Avaylys, 179/452; Avayll, I78/403,
benefits, vails, inc mings.

Avowtre, 23I/98, adultery.

Awe, 28/171, owest, ought,

Aw-where, 282/123, anywhere.

Awnler, 227/735, adventure.

Awre, 127/364; Awro, 119/lll, any-
where. The sense seeuis to require
awte = aught, anything.

Awlh, 330/166. Can it be O.N. aii«-r,
idle, empty.

Babyshed, 94/292, scoffed at.

Baill, 270/403 ; Bale, 5I/52, dciilriic-

tion, misfurtune.
Balk, II8/49, ridge in a field.
Baly, 247/146, jurisdiction.
Ban, 11/59, curse.

Bane, 99/53, ready, obedient norvant.
Bard, 32/328, barred, shntup.
Barett, 1 96/31, strife, debate, trouble.
Barme, 69/i66, bosom.
Barnes, 32/308, children.
Barne-teme, 54/74, brood of cliildren.
Bast, 310/131, = baist, abashed (y)
Bayle, 23/26, hell-fire ; Bayll, 32/3H,

destruction, misfortune: see Baill.
Bayles, 2O/405, bailiffs.
Bayn, 2O/397, quickly ; 32/308, re.'>dy,

obedient.
Be, 182/43, by the time that.
Bedeyn, 15/222, at once, at the same

time.
Beete, 57/23, amend, heal.
Behete, 36/430, promised.
Belamy, K4/188, fair friend.
Bt life, 10/37 ; Belyf, 88/156, quickly.
Belke, 378/342, belch.
Berays, 62/199, trumpets.
Benste, II8/55, benedicite.
Bent, 120/142, field.
Benyson, 49/6, blessing.
Bere, 66/79, bear, carry ; 1 29/405, noise.

398

Glossarial Index.

Bescle, 3O/240, busily, earnestly.

Beslierg, 78/l, f;iir sirs; Bewshere,
174/273, f*''' ^''■•

Be-sto(ie nede, 340/74, '""'s '" need,
danger.

Bet, 46/186, beaten.

Betagbt, 15/2ll,givennp to, assigned
to.

Betiike, 2I/440, assign, commit.

Bete, 259/36, mend, remedy.

Be-lell, 260/79, conquer, deceive (?)

Beyde, 66/78, command, proclaim.

Beyld, I58/576, seek protection ; 158/
581, proteclion, shield, comfurt.

Beyldyng, 14.'?/93, comfort, eiicourage-
meut; I67/35, shelter, dwelling.

Beyll, 197/72, relieve, remove: see
Beyld.

Beyr, 30O/230, noise : see Bere.

Beys, I68/62, is.

Beytter, 32/311, mender, liealer.

Biggid, 372/80, built.

Bike, 49/4, nest, hive.

Blan, 307/52, ceased : see Blyri.

Ble, I63/109, colour, complixion.

Blekyt, 375/244, blacked.

Bio, 35/413, blue-black, livid.

Blome, 6O/130, bloom, flower.

Blowre, 74/307, blisters (?)

Blowys, 81/94, talk, pruchiim, publish.

Blure, 374/220, destruction (?), damn-
ation.

Blyn, I8/324, stop, cease: see Blun.

Boh, 139/718, bunch.

Bodworde, 69/145, 195/27, message.

Bollars, 29I/374, drunkards.

Bolne, 237/281, swell.

Bon, 240/390, bound.

Bondon, 59/i02, disposition, dis-
cretion.

Bone, 72/240, petition, boon : see
Boyue.

Boote, 346/203, remedy, redress: see
Boyte.

Borghe, 277/608, pledge, surety : see
Bori'W.

Borod, 221/554, ransomed, saved.

Boroo, I84/100, ransom, save.

Boruw, 29/204, pledge, security.

Borud, 380/427, ransomed, saved : see
Borod.

Bowke, 377/316, belly, paunch.

Bowne, 44/129, prepared.

Bowrde, II5/482, jest.

Bowrdend, I88/56, jesting.

Boyne, I4/183, petition, prayer: see
Bone.

Boyte, 19/376; IO8/247, remedy, re-
dress, use.

Brade, 25/91, swell; 23/21, moment of
time, jitt'ey ; I68/76, boasted ; 27.3/
488, trouble.

Bradyng, 24.3/7, onset.

Bragance, 117/34, bragging, boasting.

Brail, I67/31, brawl, cry out.

Brand, 78/5, sword.

Brast, 31/264, hurst.

Brayde, 225/664, stratagem, deceit ;
Braydf, of, IO5/153, are like, re-
semble.

Brede, 2/20, breadth.

Bipfe, 151/342, letter, official docu-
ment.

Breme, 237/290, fierce, furious.

Breq, i4/i8o, burn.

Brend, II/73, Brent; burnt.

Brere, 282/91 ; Brerys, 1 5/202, briars,
thorns.

Brossed, 256/371, bruised.

Breslyn, 276/589, hurst, p.j).

Brith, I66/3, birth.

Brodell, I.5U/315, wretch.

Browes, 2I/417, broth, stew.

Browke, 14/ 186 use.

Brude, I24/237, offspring, children (?)

Bruet, 50/24, broth.

Brymly, 868/33, fiercely.

Bryesyng, 204/9, bniising, breaking:
see Bressed, Bursyd.

Biyst, 136/629, burst.

Bun, 4/66, bound.

Bursyd, I6I/34, bruised.

Busk, 167/31, pfepare; I67/35, set
out, depart.

Bustus, 235/213, rough, boisterous,
clumsy.

Buxom, 96/336, obedient.

By, 126/330, pay for: see Aby, Abitf

Byched, 289/325, cursed.

Bydeyn, 22/157, at once : see Bedcyi .

Byg, 22/182, build.

Bygyiig, 19/91, building.

Byke, 3I/147, hive.

Byll-hagers, IO2/57, rncn who hack
with bills.

Bynke, 3O/484, bench.

Byr, 3/371, rush.

Byrdyng, 96/345, playing, jesting {see
95/302), sujiposed adultery ; or is it
' little bird,' child (?)

Glossarial Index.

399

Byrkyn, I68/63, break.

Can, 2/338, kuow.

Carls, 70/205, rustics.

Carpe, 4/115, '"""'■

Casbald, 255/351, a term of reproacli.

Catyfdam, 184/ioi, caitifdoin, the
devil, hell.

Catyfncs, 26^/271, wickedness.

Cautelys, 2O8/144, tricks.

Cele, 134/558, happiness: see Ceyll.

Cely, 214/323, good, innocent.

Certis, 46/191, certainly.

Ceyli, 133/523, bliss, huppiiiess.

Charge, 8/404, loud, iirepiire.

Charys, I26/304, pieces of work, jobs.

Chase, 59/85, chose.

Chefe, 12.^/398, succeed.

Cheftance, 245/82, chieftains.

Chepe, lyghl, I6/236 ; I21/170, easy,
cheap bargain.

Chere, 40/i8, countenance.

dies, 31/281 ; Chese, 27/129, rows(«e«
Chess in Diet.),

Chese, 253/315, chose.

Chevich, 274/514, bargain, deal.

Chuffer, 259/31 (?), boaster (Jesii.«).

Claryfy, 861/249, proclaim, make
famous : see Oleryfy.

Cleke, 390/123, seize (?)

Clekyt, 375/245, batched (?)

Clerge, II2/389 ; Clergc[te], IO7/240,
book-learning.

Cleryfy, 8O/65, proclaim, preach, tell.

Cloke, 390/123, claw (?)

Cloute, 33/353, P"tth, mend.

Cloysse, 247/125, clotlies.

Clyfe, 95/308, cliff (?)

Clynke, 262/135, clench.

Clyppys, 390/124, eclipse.

Cod, 101/22, Dag, pillow.

Coke, 390/119, cook.

Cokkers, 29I/374, fighters.

Cokys, 239/355, cocks.

Colke, 338/43, core.

Colknyfys, IO2/57, cabbage-knives.

Corabred, 285/189, 32I/508, encum-
bered, entangled (?)

Cunandly, 189/ 104, wisely, suitably.

Condyth, I55/4B2, conduct.

Copyn, Kyng, 233/i66, King Empty-
skein (?)

Coth, 35/417, disease.

Couandys (better Conaiidys), 222/586>
covenants, agreements.

Couth, 269/373, known, familiar.

Couth, 66/6S ; Cowth, 37/473, could.

Cowche, 115/478, lie down.

Cowll, 241/405, swelling, weal.

Cowrs, 286/225, course, way.

Coyle, 21/425 ; Coyll, 81/389, pottaga
(should be cayll) ; 6/136 coal.

Crate, 242/427, decrepit man (?)

Craw, I8/311, crow.

Croft, 239/355, fiehl.

Cronyng, 2»l/67, crooning, moaning.

Crop, 115/470, top, head.

Crumpe, 370/iio, cramp.

Cryb, 107/208, put in a crib (?)

Cuker, 375/270, coker, kind of half-
boot or gaiter.

Cutt, 273/508, lot (draw lots).

Dull, 139/733, hand ; Dalles, 373/l 87 ;

Dais, 371/136, hands.
Dam, 249/186; 236/248, condemn.
DaintJiabill, 284/198, deserving of

condemnation.
Dang, 314/274, beat.
Dangere, 71/22 5, control, dominion.
Dare, 168/83, 'ie hid.
Darfe, 867/i, hard, heavy.
Dase, 32/314, am dazed, stupclied,

bewildered.
DauDche, I8I/509, fastidious (?)
Daw, 30/247, (?) melancholy, sluggard.
Dawes, I96/55 ; Dayes, 55/lo8,

dawns.
Dayde, 234/i85, brought to trial (at an

appointed d;iy) (?)
Dayntetb, 294/55, f^'gn'ty, iniportance.
Dede, 7/203, death.
Dedir, 82/314 (Yorkshire 'dither'),

shiver, tremble.
Deese, 390/114, diiVs.
Des, 5/121; Desso, 286/231; Doesc,

390/114; Dese, 245/64; dais,

throne.
Defend, 86/6, forbid.
Defly, 119/109, deafly.
Deill, I6/247, bit, morsel.
Dele, I8/137, share, divide.
Delf, 66/79, delve, dig.
Delfe, 276/575, grave.
Deme, 4/113, judge.
Dere, 82/317, harm, injury.
Derfe, 882/481, hard, cruel.
Derly, II7/389, grievously.
Darn, 873/200, secret, hidden.
Demly, I68/69, secretly, quietly.

400

Glossarial Index.

Detennjd, 348/251, ended.

Doveie, 32/319, duty.

Dewe, 374/230, list (of fools).

Deyde, 66/80, deeds, work.

Doyle, 15/213; t)eyll, I5/205, share,

give : see Delr- and Deill.
Deyle, 375/268, devil.
Dist,'\iice, 24/57, disagreement, dis-
pute.
Dit, 17/280; Dytt, 233/178, shut,

stopped.
Ditizance doutHnce, I7I/171.
Dokct, 377/310, (?) rag, clout, or (?)

little tail.
Dold, 31/266, dulled, grown dull.
Dora, 207/109, doom, sentence.
Done, 92/228, place, put. .
Donnyng, IO/32, dun iiiare(?), cp. 'Dun

is in the iiiyre.'
Dob, 19/360, dost, puttest.
Dote, 31/265, foolish person, dotard.
Dotty-pols, 173/231, crazy-heads.
Dowde, 375/260, slut.
Dowse, 124/246, harlot.
Doyll, 34/390, dole, portion ; 74/302,

grief, mourning.
Doyn, 382/481, done.
Doyse, 4/ no, dost.
Drake, 312/221, dragon.
Dray, 57/l4, draw, withdraw.
Dre, II8/65, endure.
Dr.ch, 326/20, harass, afflict.
Drely, IO8/245, long, deeply.
Dres, 30/238, direct one's course, go ;

245/65, prepare, order, direct.
Drogh, 6/155, drew, hetook himself.
Duel] ax, 374/242, Dutch axe.
Dug, 377/310 cut (?)
Dughlyest, I75/294, douj;htiest.
Dulfull, 7/203, dolefull.
Dustardys, 285/io, dastards, stupid

persons.
Dwere, 364/342, perplexity.
Dwill, 12/89, devil.
Dwillis, 11/63, devil's.
Dwyrd, 348/252, destroy (?)
Dyght, 39/543, prepared, disposed.
Dyke, 66/79, ditch.
Dyll, 163/8o, render dull, assuage.
Dyllydowne, I35/609, pet, darling.
Dyng, 77/410, beat, strike.
Dyntand, 28O/54, riding.
Dysars, 29I/373, dicers.
Dy.scry, 243/8; Dyscryfe, 345/i8o,

describe.

Dysseferance, 343/144, separation,

dissension.
Dytt, 233/178, stopt.

Edder, 86/25, serpent.

Eft, 30/241, afterwards, again.

Eld, 62/189, age.

Euie, 51/59, uncle.

Einell, 65/34, among.

Encense, v.t. I72/198, incense.

Encheson, 44/133, occasion, cause.

Eudoost, 196/48, protected.

Endorde, IO7/234, glazed, gilded.

Enfray, 308/7 1, affray.

Enys, 225/661, once.

Ernes, I6O/303, earnest.

Eschele, 55/115, ^wp-

Ethe, 232/141, easily.

Everychon, 4I/43, each or every

one.
Examynyng, sb. 286/235, examination.
Excusyng, sb. 94/294.

Faed, 269/363, withered.

Fageyng, 287/252, flattery.

Fames, 92/213, makes known,

Fand, 69/164, found.

Fang, 30/245, '■'''^^ '^"''^ of) take.

Fare, IO/32, on, pull.

Farenes, 235/217, fairness, justice.

Farly, 56/3, wonderfully.

Farlys, 294/53, "'onders.

Fume, 149/271, fared, got on: see

Fowre.
Fame, 133/533, laboured, borjie a

child.
Fature, 7I/226, traitor, deceiver,

impostor.
Faund, 47/219, found.
Fawchon, 288/274, falchion.
Fawte, 229/55, default, want.
Fax, 374/243, hair.
Fayn, 45/175, .ioyful.
Fayiityse, 889/77, cowardice, languor.
Fayre, 1 8/308, go, I'are
Featte, 2H7/252, doings
Fee, 11/76, property, 'corn or cattle';

66/62, cattle.
Feere, 7/209, companion.
P'eft, 136/620, endowed.
Feld, 13/122, field.
Fele, Felle, 66/43, many ; 141/24,

knock down; 166/515, mountain;

170/142, cruel, fierce.
Fell, 331/181, .skin.

Glossarial Index.

401

Felly, 3G8/3I, terribly. .

Felter, 377/3i8, join togetlier(?)

Fend, IO/38, forbid.

Feiiyng, 25O/224, feigning.

Fenys, 205/22, feign.

Ferd, I3/145, afraid; I8/338, fear.

Fere (in), 2O/383, in company,

together.
Fere, 868/31, terrify.
Ferly, I4/156, wonder, marvel.
Ferray, 374/217, plundering.
Fersly, 77/405, fiercely (V)
Ferys, 230/64, companions : see Fere.
Fest, 109/280, settle fix.
Feste, 251/244, fastened.
Fetyld, 372/i65, made ready.
Feyll, 294/53, many.
Feyr, 191/l6l, companion : see Fere.
Ff irlee, 358/158, wonderfully : see

Farly.
Flelterd, IO2/65, joined together,

interwoven.
Ffnrnies, IOI/30, rents due to landlord.
Fill (half my fill), 2I/427.
Flay, 34/380, put to flight, frighten.
Flekyt, 374/242, spotted.
Fleme, 84/i88, banish, put to flight.
Flemyd, 235/234, bauisht, condemned :

see Fleme.
Flett, 29/223, flat, floor; 86/436,

floated.
Flone, 110/324, Jart: see.Thoner-flone,

lightning.
Floo, 26/115, flow.
Flume, 197/72, river.
Flyt, 17/303 ; 29/223, flee, shift ; 73/

284, flee from, avoid.
Flyte, lV/2q3, quarrel.
Flyx, I82/30, flux, diarrhoea.
Foche, 71/221, fetch.
Fode, 96/365 ; 268/343, offspring ; see

Foode.
Foine, 268/343, product, treasure.
Fnn, 274/526, am bewildered.
Fon, 47/218, found ; 96/353, fool.
Fon, 239/360, seize, take.
Fone, 26/99, ^^'^•
Foode, 91/178, offspring, child ; 196/

39, young man.
Foore, 122/196, fared.
For, 19/354, because.
Forbot, 102/38, forbidding.
Force, I9/374, power, strength ; ' no

force,' no matter.
Fordo, 26/114, ruiii destroy.

T. PIjAYS.

For-fare, 234/317, destroy.

Forfett, 230/62, transgressed ; 242/

425, offence, penalty (?)
Forgangere, 195/28, foregoer.
Forgeyn, 49/285, forgiven.
For-rakyd, I24/256, overdone with

walking.
Fors 65/32, might, power.
Forsnapyn, 186/619, transformed.
Forspokyn, I36/613, enchanted.
Forth, 52/24, carry out, execute.
For-thi, 10/45, For-thy, 27O/405, there-
fore.
Forthynk, 94/299 ; 24/354, repent, be

Borry.
Forthynkyng, 843/144, repentance.
Forwakyd, I24/253, exhausted with

watching.
Forward, 239/322, agreement, promise.
Foryeldys, I2I/171, requites.
Fostre, 886/599, care, protection.
Fott, 20/392, fetch.
Found, 41/53; Fownde, 358/158,

prove, try, seek.
Fow[n]dyng, 219/497, temptation.
Fowre, 74/305, fared.
Foyde, I39/720, child, offspring: see

Foode.
Foyll, 225/678, fool ; 5/137, foal.
Foyn, 177/381, thrust.
Foyne, 125/28 1, few : see Fone.
Foyte, 263/182, foot, 12 inches.
Frast, 28/183 ; 41 /53, inquire of, try.
Fray, I75/317, attack, alurm, fright;

312/198, from.
Frayes, 65/42, aifrays, rows.
Frayn, 91/i85, question, ask.
Fre, s6. 82/310, tree, noble, liberal

being, God.
Freke, 289/322, warrior, man.
Frele, 392/i66, frail.
Frely, 49/277 ; 139/720 ; 196/39,

noble.
Fres, 351/314; Frese, 84/391, fear.
Fresh : as fresh as an eel, 127/356.'
Frog, 289/311, frock, Christ's gown.
Froskis, 73/284, frogs.
Fry, 25/66, children, descendants.
Fryggys, 377/3i6, animals, beings (?)
Fun, 65/43, found
Fylyd, 9O/159, defiled, copulated

with.
Fynd, 94/272, put, clothe.
Fyrth, 156/5 15, forest.
Fytt, 59/104, song, stanza.

D D

402

Glossarial Index,

Gab, 347/243, deceive.

Gad. 13/149, RO quickly to and fro.

Gadlyng, 8O/84, fellow.

Gam, 3/84, pleasure, sport.

Ganstand, 44/i28, withstand, oppose.

Gam, 32/298, yarn.

Garray, 76/377, armed force ; 134/

564, commotion, row.
Gars, 10/44, causes.
Gart, 43/104, made.
Garthynere, 323/563, gardener.
Gate, 52/29, goiigi path.
Gawdis, 66/41, tricks, habits.
Gaytt-door, 1 26/328, street door.
Gedlyngis, IO/14, fellows : see Gad-

lyig-
Geld, 89/134, barren.
Gent, 366/396, gentle, well-born.
Gere, 3O/245, gear, tools.
Ges, s6. 15/231, guess.
Gessen, 74/315, Gosben.
Get, 46/ 1 88, ott'spring, progeny.
Gett, 376/287, mode, fashion.
Geyn, 203/270, given.
Glase, 241/418, gloss, polishing.
Glase, 126/316, chance, risk.
Glora, 386/596, frown, are gloomy.
Glope, 174/264, surprise.
Glose, 129/413, falsehood.
Gnast, 170/157, gnash, be troubled.
Goderhayll I IO7/226, good luck 1
Gog, 10/44, God.
Gome, 203/269, m^l-
Goonys, 183/47, yawn.
Grade, 257/404 ; Graide, 234/286,

prepared.
Grafen, 3I6/350, buried.
Grales, I72/205, gradual, part of the

Mass.
Grame, 25/89, anger.
Gramercy, 98/20, many thanks.
GVaniery, IO8/242, grammar, learning.
Grankys, I83/45, groan.
Granser, 204/i2, grandsire.
Gratli, 37/482, (?) favour, readiness.
Grauyng, 157/557, burial.
Grayd, 3OO/227, prepared : see Grade.
Grayth, 55/io3, prepare.
Graythly, 207/95, readily.
Grefyd, 217/432, grieved.
Greme, 54/73, anger, harm : see Grame.
Gresys, 8/238, herbs, plants.
Grete, 5O/38, weeping, to weep ; 316/

350, grit, stone.
Grew, 274/531, Greek.

Grewys, 378/352, turns to horror (?)
Grith, I66/4, peace, security: see

Gyrth.
Grofen, 74/326, gi'Own(?)
Groflyngis, 46/203, groveling, face

downwards.
Grome, 371/i28, groom, boy.
Gropyng, 347/243, feeling, handling.
Groved, I5/199, grew.
Growne, II4/432, snout (?)
Groyf, 196/54, glow (?)
Gruch, 198/104, g'udge, murmur.
Grufe, 37/463, grow (?)
Gryle, I63/99, shrilly, keenly.
Grymly, 338/i4, cruelly, terribly.
Gryse, 48/254, feel horror, shudder.
Gryssed, IO6/189, grassed, covered

with grass.
Gryth, 226/707, peace, secmity : see

Gyrtb.
Gyll, 243/1 1, guile.
Gyn, 26/128, contrivance, engine.
Gyrd, 136/622, strike, cut.
Gyrth, 8O/54, peace, security : see

Grytl).
Gyse, 127/341, plan (?)

Had I wyst, II9/93, had I known,

before I played the fool.
Hafles, I8O/484, unhurt (?)
Haft, I87/52, affairs, business.
Hafyng,191/i75, possessions, property.
Hagh, 330/144, consideration.
Hak, 131/476, go on, behave, make

uproar (?)
Halsid, 294/56, embraced, fondled.
Hamyd, II7/15, crippled, lamed.
Handband, 5O/33, covenanted portion.
Hap, 130/434, wrap up.
Har (to-har), 297/142, harry, drag.
Har, 234/210, hinge.
Harbar, I24/245 : Harbor, 297/139,

lodging, dwelling.
Hardely, I9/463, boldly, certainly.
Harll, 256/358, drag.
Harlottis, IO/22, rascals.
Hames, I28/392, brains.
Harnes, 43/ii8, equipment.
Haro I 17/275, lielp !
Harrer, II/55, quicker.
Harsto, 297/136; Harstow, 2O/386,

hearest thou.
Hast, 238/318, asked, ordered : see Ast.
Hat, 10/15, '8 called.
Hatliennes, 79/26, heathendom.

Glossarial Index.

403

Hatters, I33/543, confound it 1

Hawvell, 378/337, noise, jiibber (?).
Apparently mere gibberish, like tlic
rime-word lawvell.

Havlse, 365/386, salute.

Haytt, 123/227, liot

Ho, 37/469, liigli.

Hek, 126/305, hatch, wicket-gate.

Hekis, 10/47, hay-racks (?)

Hold, lftl/6, eld, old age.

Helme, 35/420, rudder.

Hend, 388/25, near.

Hend, 9/262, hand.

Hent, .35/420, take, seize.

Here, 12/ioo, here is.

Heris, 7/198, liear tliou.

Het, 46/190, promised ; Hetis, 5I/52,
promises ; Hete, 352/348, promise.

Hething, 281/86, scorn, contempt.

Hevyd, 366/401, lifted.

Heyle, 87/45, healing, salvation.

Heynd, 62/174, gracious.

Heytt, 73/298, promised : see Het.

ilien, 193/216, hence.

Hight, 3/71, (be) called; 24/46, pro-
mised.

Ho, 35/411, cry hoi stop.

Hogh, 317/371, high,(?) read ' hegli.'

Hoill, 9/7, hole.

Hoket, 374/233, 234 ; 377/312, ridi-
cule (?), or ('■•') difficulty, obstacle.

Holard, 177/358, debauchee.

Holgh, I8/310, empty, hollow.

Homely, 294/56, familiarly.

Hone, 13/133, delay.

Here, 104/132, hair(?), sheep.

Hostyld, 348/263, lodged.

Hote, 53/46, promise, vow.

Houer, 75/363, tarry.

Hoylle, 34/388, whole, contented.

Hoyne, 32/8o, delay : sie Hone.

Hoyse, 2I/436, hose.

Hu, 346/221, hue(?)

Hud, 288/283, hood.

Hufe, 37/461, delay.

HuUars, 29I/373, lechers.

Hurlyd, 244/3©, driven forcibly ; 377/
316, covered with bristles.

Hy, 10/43, hasten ; in hy, in haste.

Hyght, 8I/107, promise.

Hyghtynd, 90/68, set high, lifted up,

exalted.
Hyne, 68/54, servant ; I84/90, hence(?)
Hyrdis, 66/62, shepherds.
Hyte 1 11/55, go^ ^'P ' go on I

Ich, Icha, 4/106, each, every.

Ich, I, wlio be, 122/207.

Iclum, 26/112, each one.

Ilk, 62/183, same.

Ilka, 63/211, each, every.

Indoost, 242/421, flogged, loaded on

the back.
Indytars, 205/24, inditers, writers.
Infude, 100/89, pour into, endow.
Ingroost, 202/250, engrossed, included,

comprehended.
Innocent, sb. I77/388.
Incueryd, 195/21, inquired of, asked,
.ntraste (in traste), 299/i82, trust in.
Irk, 182/43, ^veary, disinclined for

exertion.
Irregulere, 237/3o6, out of rule,

unjust.
Ist, 201/212, is it.

Janglis, 9/6 ; chatters ; Jangyls,

13/134, chatterest.
Jape, 123/221, jest.
Jawvell, 378/337, wr.ingling = javel,

chavel, jaw.
Jelian jowke, 377/317, Gillian

Clown (?)
Jourmontyng, I66/11, governor (?)
Jues, 65/35, Jews.

Keill, 32/300; Keyle, 26/ii8, cool,

allay.
Kelles, 376/260, cauls, nets.
Kend, II/72, taught; 62/193, known.
Kepe, 253/304, await, meet (?) ; 388/

19, heed.
Kest, 266/255, cast, reckon up.
Knafe, 2O/382 ; Knave, I34/554, boy,

servant.
Kuakt, 137/659, 'I't 't off, sang.
Knap, 238/337, knock, strike.
Knop, 241/408, stud with knobs.
Knyt, 36/451, knit, closed.
Koket, 374/235, cock, aside.
Kon, 4/91, know.
Kun thank, 66/30, give thanks.
Kyd, 2/45 ; 266/272, made known,

shown.
Kynd, 50/42, kindred, family.
Kynke, 372/152, double up, tie myself

in a knot.
Kyppys, 134/557, seizes, snatches.
Kyth, 54/67, kith, kindred, native

country.
Kythe, 54/95 ; 266/266, show.

404

Glossarial Index.

Laft, 26I/105, Iiave left, felinquished.

Laglie, 339/44, '''•w.

Lak, 68/118; Lake, 1 16/465 ; 385/

5871 play, game.
Lakan, I24/242, plaything.
Lake, s6. 2O6/85, lack.
Lane, 334/48, hide ; see Layn.
Langett, 29/224, strap, thong.
Langyd, II7/42, longed, wished.
Lap, 287/265, "■ag-
Lappyd, II6/4; Lapt, I28/368,

wrapped up, involved.
Lara, 7O/194, lore, learning.
Large, in, 1 89/90, at large, fully.
Late, 90/137, seek, inqnire.
Lath, 298/165, hateful, hideous; see

Layth.
Law, 67/8i, low.
Lawd, 6I/143, lay, unlearned.
Lawdys, 121/1 80, praises, part of the

Matins Service.
LaWvell, 378/338, blasphemy (?)
Lay, Lnyse, 66/48, law, laws.
Layn, 46/169, 1''Jp> deny.
Layt, 192/180, seek, look for.
Layth, 87/63, hateful, hideous.
Laytt, 286/238, search (?)
Leasse, 6/158, falsehood.
Leche, I2/83, physician.
Lede, 287/265, man.
Leder, 3I/289; Ledyr, I2I/147, evil,

bad.
Lefe, 11/65; Leif, 11/68, dear.
Lege, 192/181, alleges, quotes.
Leglie, 33/38, lie, falsehood.
Leif, 15/195, remain.
Leke, 6/129, leek.
Leie, 36/446, loyal.
Lely, 192/180, loyally.
Lelyst, 288/296, most loyal, f.iirest.
Lemman, 87/65, "^ear one (V. Mary).
Lemyd, IIO/316, shone.
Lent, 96/352, remained.
Lenyf, 13/ 11 8, lends.
Lep, 396/56, basket.
Lerd, 233/i69, taught.
Lere, 46/159, teach.
Leryd, 72/239, learnt.
Les, 5/120; Lese, 7/194, falsehood :

see Leasse.
Lese, 209/163, lose.
Lesyns, 2O6/67, lyings, falsehoods.
Letherly, I2I/171, badly (cheap and

nasly).
Letht, 232/142 ; lithe, mitigation.

Lett, I89/89, './inder, desist, stop >

259/33, thought, esteemed.
Letys, 26O/56, tninks.
Leuer, 47/217, rather : see Leyffer.
Leucrd, 287/265, delivered, given.
Leueryng, IO7/217, dish of liver (?):

see Levyr.
Levyn, 33/346, lightning.
Levyr, 35/399, liver.
Lewde, 13y/707, unlearned, lay.
Lewte, 41/50, loyalty.
Leyde, 24/48, people, nation ; 4/82,

lead.
Leyf, 5/126, dear; see Leif.
Leyfe, 4/iii, leave, abandon ; 86/234,

pleased, willing.
LeyiFer, were I, 42/84, I ''^d rather.
Leyfys, 386/586, darlings, loves.
Leyn, I2/112, lean.
Leyn, I2/115, lend.
Leynd, 68/140, remain, linger.
Leynyd, 63/37, leaned, iTiclined.
Lig, I8/326, he.
Lightness, 195/5, I'gl't-
Ligis, 15/220, lies: see Lig.
List, 11/59, pleases.
Lith, 2/26, light ; 393/21 1, joint.
Lofe, 3/75, praise.
Lofyn,;;, I2/103, praising, praise : see

Lovyng.
Loghe, 281/86, laughed.
Lone, 203/271, loan.
Long, 36/399, '"ifea.
Longys, 3/8 1, belongs.
Lonys, IO7/230, loins.
Looke, 123/219, look favourably on,

save.
Loppys, 74/306, insects, fleas.
Lome, 66/76, lost.
Lose, 26O/202, praise, repute.
Losell, 72/242, scamp, worthless

man.
Lote, 129/409, noise.
Loth, 2O8/126, loathsome, hateful,

hideous: see Lath.
Lothes, 166/g, injuries.
Lottyn, 232/123, looking: see Sowrc-

loten.
Louf, 42/56, love : see Luf.
Loutt, 280/49, I'o^*' the head : see

Lowt.
Lovyng, 3/62, praise.
Lowde, and styll, 19O/122, in all con-
ditions.
Lowfcs, 211/239, valuest.

Glossarial Index.

405

Lowfyd, 248/169, pr^'sed.

Lowked, 229/58, Iocke<l, closed.

Lowt, 21/434, bow the head.

Luddokvs, 377/314, buttocks.

Luf, 21/434, love.

Lufe, 37/462, hand, palm.

Liifly, 3/72, lovely.

Lulliiy, syng, I30/442.

Liirdan, 72/239, lowt, lazy person.

Ijiskand, 227/750, hiding, sneaking.

Lyere, 269/362 ; face, countenance :

see Lyre.
Lyght, 6O/115, descend; I27/337,

delivered (in childbirth); clicpe, 16/

236, 121/170, light, cheap bargain.
Lykance, 28I/56, liking, ple:isiire.
Lykandly, 266/234, pleasantly.
Lykyng, 74/316, pleasure.
Lynage, 69/143, lineage.
Lynde, 97/368, lime-tree.
Lyre, 66/24, face, countenance : see

Lyere.
Lyst, 65/24, pleasure, liking.
Lytei 86/225; Lytt, 152/394, flaw,

error.
Lythe, 340/87, go, travel.
■Lytter, 168/590, bed.

Ma-fay I 276/564, my faith !

Make, 7/187, mite, wife; 2I/442,
match, equal.

Malison, 19/355, malediction, curse.

Malys, 179/453, bogs, wallets.

Mangery, 214/343, feast.

Mangyng, IO7/232, eating, meal.

Mar, 27/129, hinder.

Mare, 238/310, nightmare, goblin.

Marke, I82/33, dark, dim.
■ Maroo, I3O/436, companion, mate.

Mase, 68/135, mukes, docs.

Masid, 358/165, '66; 359/iy5, mazed,
dazed.

Mastre, 3/8 1 ; 66/34; 223/6lo, lord-
ship, superiority.

Masyd, 220/5 10, <ii^^yi stupid.

Mawgre, 287/270, ill-will, displeasure.

Mawmentry, 26O/78, idolatry.

May, 8O/70, maiden; 223/6io, make.

Mayll-easse, I32/485, discomfort, sick-
ness.

Mayn, 163/loi ; 266/241, power,
strength.

Maytt, 202/245, dejected, sorrowful.

Measse, 34/389, mess, dish.

Med, 341/111, mead, honey-drink.

Mede, I7/294, reward.

Medillerd, 26/ioo, earth, world.

Medys, 2/31, midst.

Mekill, I6/237, much.

Mell, 24/44, speaks (of); 260/82,

meddle.
Melland, 886/595, speaking, talking.
Mene, I4I/37, indicate, point out.
Menee, Menye, 23/22, household,

company.
Meng, 166/i,'mingle; 27I/437, disturb,

trouble.
Menged, 4I/31, disturbed, troubled;

314/270, mixed.
Menske, 82/140, dignify, honour.
Menskfull, 366/389, honourable.
Ment 40/15, "imed at, aspiiod to;

45/174, signihed, intended.
Menys, 225/688, bemoans.
Merely, 77/419, merrily.
Merkyd, 195/3, marked.
Mershall, 264/198, farrier.
Mes, 172/206, Mass.
Mese, 209/151, soothe.
Mesel, 16/264, leprous.
Mett, 115/484, measured.
Mevid, 39/542, moved.
Meyne, 12/iii, mean, middling.
Meyne, Mene I2/113, complain, moan.
Mo, 6/163 ; Moo, 8/237, mure.
Mode, lHO/472, miud, mood.
Modee, 260/86, proud, courageous.
Mold, 243/3, earth, ground.
Mom, 70/188, mutter.
Mompyns, 107/2 10, teeth: 'mone-

pynnes,' Lydgate.
Mon, I6/265, must.

Mop, II6/467 ; 139/724, bundle, biiby.
Moren, IOI/39, morning.
Mortase, 264/213; 267/304, mortice,

notch for the Cross to rest in.
Mos, 376/288, moss, for padding

folk's shoulders.
Mot, I6/254, must.
Mow, 261/99, grimace.
Mowchid, 385/571, preyed, pilfered (?)
Muyne, 195/6, moon.
Moyte, 213/298, discuss, moot.
Moytt, 271/430, plead.
Moyttys, 3OI/270, slippest, goest

astray.
Muf, 70/188, speak indistinctly.
Muster, 298/177, punish (?)
Mychers, 258/12, pilferers.
Mydyng, 34/376, dunghill.

406

Glossarial Index,

Myld, sb. 94/281, gentle maiden, Mary.

Myn, 26/112, less; 39/551, remember.

Myn, 291/361, Mynnyng, 39I/158,
memory, remembrance.

Myr, 157/557, myrrh.

Myrk, 197/88, dark.

Mys, 39/551, suffering ; 195/26, evil.

Mysfoundyng, 347/242, mistaken en-
deavour, mistake.

Mysprase, 389/59, blame.

Myssaes, 276/569, (?) discomforts.

Myster, IO7/231, need, require.

Mytyng, II5/477, little one.

Napand, 385/575, napping, catching,

griping.
Nar, 43/1 19 ; I24/246, nigh, nearer.
Nate, 260/62, use.
Nately, 121/158, quickly.
Nawder, I4/193, neither.
Nawre, 323/579, nowhere.
Nawther, 1 32/504, neither.
Ne, 297/118, nigh, near.
Neemly, 1 23/271, nimbly.
Nefe, 241/407, fist.
Negh, 7/201, go nigh, approach.
Negons, 386/571, misers.
Neld, 13/123, needle.
Nere-hand, 49/286, almost.
Nese, 132/488, nose (?)
Nesh, 133/545, soft, tender.
Neuen, 23/ 13, name, relate; 194/266,

speak of.
Newys, I4/189, renews.
Nokyns, 246/99, no kind of.
Nold,360/ii, would not.
Nome, 370/1 1 1, numb, benumbed.
None, 32/317, nooD.
Nonys, the, 133/527 = then onys, then

once, the nonce.
Nores, 132/496; Norlce, 396/79;

Norysh, 262/141 ; nurse.
Nose, 9/1 1, noise.
Note, 31/264, occupation, business;

34/368, contention.
Novels, 38/508, news.
Nowche 391/138, brooch.
Noy, 39/532, Noah.
Noyes, 77/397, annoyances, hurts.
Noynyng, 281/65, noon-tide.
Noytis, 69/154; 110/306; 194/266,

notes, things : see Note.
Nyfyls, 377/323, trivialities.
Nyglitertayll, 227/734, night-time.
Nyk, 323/571, deny.

Nyll, IO6/198, will not.

0, l/i, omega.
Oker, 191/163, usury.
Okerars, 376/297, usurers.
Oneths, 1 82/42, scarcely: see Unethes.
Onone, 4/99, anon, immediately.
0ns, 238/326 ; Onys, 29/207, once.
Oone-fold, I67/554, one.
Oost, 202/256, host, company.
Oostre, 32/329, hostelry, inn.
Or, 196/32, before.
Ordand, 26/i 19, ordain, make.
Ore, 355/76, before, ago ; see Are.
Ostre, 386/603, entertainment.
Other-gatis, 13/i2l, otherwise.
Ouerlaide, 32/306, covered, flooded.
Ouertwliart, IO2/48, athwart, across.
Out-horne, 232/139, hue and cry.
Owe, 91/178, owns.
Oy, Oyes, 2I/416, hear, listen, oh yes I
(call for silence).

Paddokys, 39I/148, toads (or frogs).

Paide, 31/283 ; Payde,80/6l, satislicd

Pall, 223/613, '■oyi'l ><'be.

Paramoure, 26/8o, as a lover.

Parels, 170/ 136, perils (?)

Pask, 214/314, Passover.

Paustfe, 41/32, power.

Pay, 76/373, sati.sfy, please ; I75/326
beat.

Payde, 2I8/470, pleased.

Paynt, II7/28, painted, ornamented.

Peche, 202/239, impeach.

Pelt, 237/283, knock, thrust.

Pent, 246/IOO, belonged.

Perch, 251/233, pierce.

Perles, 24.3/5, peerless.

Permafay, 8O/67, by my faith.

Pertly, 212/247, quickly, boldly.

Peruyce, 24O/387, church-porch.

Peyre, 369/63, equal.

Pight, 269/364, doubt (?)

Pight, 286/188, fixed (?)

Pik, 26/127, pitch.

Pike-harnes, IO/37, plunderer tf
armour.

Pilus, 376/290, folk with padded
shoulders.

Playn, 292/4o8 ; Plene, 189/99, f""-

Plcnyd, 381/453, complained, be-
moaned.

Plete, IO6/204; Pleyte, 287/248, plead.

Plight, 327/56; Plyght, 88/91, guilt.

Glossarial Index.

407

Ply, 281/s8, bend.

Po, 117/37, peacock.

Poece, 172/204, poet's (not Boece, as
in margin).

Pose, 113/423, catarrh, cold.

Powderd, IO7/216, salted.

Poynt, 83/i6i, condition, danger.

Pr^nkyd, 376/288, embroidered, be-
decked.

Pransawte, 386/561, prancing, showing
off.

Praty, 11 5/477, pretty.

Prayse, 212/257, appraise, value.

Prease, 66/19, crowd, throng : see
Press.

Prefe, 72/255, prove.

Prese, 253/313, crowd, throng.

Prest, 220/510, rpady, prompt.

Preualy, 253/292, privately.

Preue, I5I/338, private.

Preuati, 80/125, P^^'ityi secret.

Propyce, 54/ioo, propitious.

Prouand, IO/45, provender, food.

Prow, 14/163, profit.

Purs-cuttars, 291/375, purse-cutters.

Purst, 107/209, put away.

Purvaye, 89/553, provide.

Purveance, II7/33, provision, equip-
ment.

Pyk, 31/282, pitch.

Pynd, 33/332, pinned, confined.

Pynde, 47/220, pained, pnnished.

Pyne, 29/227, punishment.

Pystyll, 119/100, epistle.

Quantyse, 66/65, skill, wisdom.

Quarrell, 19/367, square bolt of a cross-
bow.

Quarte, 1 9/368, safety.

Quell, 66/65, kill.

Queme, 2/42, agreeable, pleasant.

Quercstur, 373/209, chorister.

Quest-dytars, 373/i85, inquest- or
inquiry-holders.

Quest-mangers, 205/25, inquest- or in-
quiry-holders.

Quetstone, 230/8o, whetstone.

Queyd, 82/117, bad 'un.

Qwanit, 135/593, clever, quaint.

Qweasse, 132/487, wheeze, breathe.

Qwelp, 113/425, whelp.

Qweme, 366/365, please.

Qwenes, 266/349, women.

Qweyn, 83/164, woman.

Qwite, 11/52, requite.

Rad, 121/175 ; 270/384, afraid.
Radly, 77/401 ; IG8/65, readily,

speedily.
Rafe, 21/423, raves ; 27O/384, rave.
Ragman (roll of), 374/224, document

with seals.
Rake, I68/65, course, path; 198/119,

wander, go,
Rake, 260/88, rack, torture.
Rap, 237/300, hit, knock.
Rase, 36/429, race, rush.
Kathly, 27O/402, quickly, promptly.
Raunson, 269/354, ransom.
Raw, 119/109, ^ov.-, line.
Rawth, 330/168, ruth, pity.
Kayd, 206/68, set in array, arranged.
Recrayd, 32I/507, recreant.
Red, advice, plan.
Rede, 4/i 11,. advice, counsel; 7/202,

command.
Redles, 27O/384, without counsel.
Reepe, I6/235, sheaf.
Refe, 245/65, rob, deprive of.
Reffys, 371/146, thefts, spoil, plunder.
Refys, 266/269, robbest of.
Rehett, 171/i6l, rebuke.
Rek, I6/247, care thou, heed thou.
Reke, 372/ 168, smoke.
Rekyls, I48/237, incense.
Rekys, 6/129, care : see Rek.
Reme, 252/258, realm, kingdom.
Ren, 57/25, run, live.
Renabyll, 231/i 10, reasonable.
Renderars, 37I/146, restorers.
Renk, I68/70, man, warrior.
Rentals, 37I/134, rents (?)
Rerd, 26/ioi, sound, noise.
Res, 48/255 ; Resse, 273/481, race,

rush.
Rese, 245/62, crowd.
Reue, 08/74, rob, plunder.
Rew, 63/224, rue, be merciful.
Rewyll, 222/585, order, line, row.
Reyde, 7/114, advise, counsel: see

Rede.
Reyf, 83/174, deprive of, rob from : see

Reue.
Reyll, 126/274. set about it.
Reynand, 26/1 11, running.
Ro, 30/237 ; 266/269, quiet, repose.
Roght, 78/II ; 368/21, cared, recked.
Rok, 33/338, distaff.
Rok, 238/330, shake, agitate.
Rose, 12/95, praise, glorify.
Rost, cold, 21/421, cold roast meat.

408

Glossarial Index.

Roton, 107/221, rotten.

Route, 32/305. roaring noise.

Kowne, 82/ii8, wliisper.

Rowte, 175/309, company.

Royse, 4/iii, praise.

Roytt, 341/102, root.

Riid, 391/145, redness of complexion.

Rude, 271/440, rood, cross.

Rug, 248/148, rock, agitate, sliake.

Runk, 82/118, wliisper, talk.

Ruse, 229/33, rose, (.raise.

Rused, 273/492, praised, celebrated.

Ryfe, 13/153, tear, split.

Ryfe, 103/96, widely.

Ryffen, I3/141, torn,

Ryke, 103/92, realm.

Rynes, 230/82, runs.

Rype, 132/515, examine.

Ryst, 65/47, rising, insurrection.

Rytt, 198/109, disobedience (?)

Sadly, 2O6/60, firmly, seriously.
Sagh, 5G/i6, saying: see Sawe.

Sakles, 260/2 15, innocent.

Salys, 220/506, assails.

Sam, 22/445, together.

Samyne, 11 2/398, same.

Sang:re, II3/430, song.

Santis, 40/555, saints.

Saunce, !03/ii2, without.

Sawe, 112/68; Sayes, pi. 65/107,
saying, speech.

Say, 323/563, tell.

Sayll, 286/229, hall.

Sayne, 43/io7, bless ; Saynyd, 55/io6,
blessed.

Saynt, 1 2.3/209, show off(?)

Seasee, 6/182, seize, give possession,
install.

Sectures, 392/i67, executors.

Securly, 84/372, surely.

Sekir, I7/295 ; Sekyr 8/249, sure.

Selcowth, 67/103, strange, wondeiful.

Seme, 4/107, 112 ; Seniys, 4/ioo, 104,
suit, befit.

Sen, 212/259, since: «ce Sithen.

Seniors, 204/8.

Sere, 8/255, several, separate.

Sese, 4/1 14, cease.

Sew, 77/403, pursue.

Seyli, 32/301, happiness.

Seymland, 29/21 1, semblance, appear-
ance.

Seyr, 8/239, various, separate : see
Sere.

Share, 35I/329, cut, pierced.
Shech, 205/52, speech, doctrine (?)

Shene, I43/99, beautiful.

Shent, 8/221, disgraced, destroyed.

Sheynd, 76/376, destroy.

Sliog, 265/230, shake up and down.

Shon, 46/200, avoid, escape.

Sliontt, 366/361, avoid, escape.

Shope, 14/174, shaped, made.

Shoterd, 37O/98, shuddered.

Shoyn, 13/153, shoes; 269/361, shone.

Shrew, I9/341, curse.

Shrogys, I2O/455, shrubs, brushwood.

Shyld, 99/71; Outt-shyid, out-
shelled (? L. inanes).

Shyre, 1 8/3 17, clear.

Sithe, 340/85, journey;

Sithen, 12/ 103, afterwards, since.

Sitt, 5/147, pain.

Skar, 237/301, cross, angi-y(?)

Skard, I24/289, scared, timid.

Skarthis, 105/i6o, fragments.

Skathe, 63/51, injury, loss.

Skaunce, 2O/401 ; Skawnce, 239/353,
joke, make-believe.

Stawde, 135/596, scold.

Skawte, 385/559, blow, thrust.

Skayll, IO8/249, bowl, drinking-vessel.

Skelp, 32/323, blow.

Skete, 63/221, quickly.

Skill, 6/260, reason.

Skraw, 274/516, scroll.

Skryke, 3O/232, screech.

Skyfte, 292/392, shift, trick.

Skyllys, 44/133, reasons: see Skill.

Slake, 249/189, loose, set free, humble.

Slape, 21/414, slippery, crafty.

Slefe, 117/28 sleeve.

Sleght, 169/121, scheme, trick: see
Slyght.

Slegthe, 263/157, sleight, contrivance.

Slo, 19/371, sUy.

Sloghe (of-sloghe, ?) 128/385(?)

Slokyn, I38/677, quench.

Slyght, 27/137, skill (?), 130/433; trick,
contrivance.

Slyk, 396/71, sleek, smooth.

Slyke, 30/233, such.

Slythys, 120/ 122, slides.

Smeke, I7/286, smoke.

Snek, 126/306, latch.

Snoke-horne, 8O/80, sneaking fellow.

Soferand, 65/22, sovereign.

Sogh, 109/274, sow.

Sole, 34/391, hall.

Glossarial Index.

409

Somdele, 293/6, somewhat.

Sond, 122/202, messenger.

Sone, 63/221, soon.

Soriomyd, 3OO/237, sojourned.

Sory, 31/264, miserable.

Sutell, 67/83, subtle, clever.

Sothen, 107/224, sodden, boiled.

Sothfast, truthful.

Sothle, 38/496, truly.

Sow, 238/327, sounds 300/234, follow :

see Sowy.-j.
Sowde, 110/312, sounded.
Sowll, 105/152, sauce, relish.
Sowre-loten, 119/io2; -lottyn, 232/

123, snur-looking.
Sowy.H, 73/283, follows.
Soyne, 11 8/50, soon.
Spur, 26/128, shut, keep; 27/130,

beam, spar ; 213/294, spare, scant}'.
Spart, 109/271, spare it(?)
Sparyd, 296/io4, enclosed, shut up.
Spell, 113/412, apeak.
Spence, 25I/249, expense, cash.
Spill, 42/87, ki"; 89/129, be de-
stroyed.
Spir, 373/206, ask : see Spyr.
Spitus, 35/416, spiteful.
Spra, 164/449 ; Spray, 172/2 19, sprout,

spring, rise.
Spreyte, 6/168, spirit.
Sprote, 17/290, sprout,
Spyll, 89/129, bs destroyed.
Spyr, 47/226, ask, enquire.
Stad, 294/28, placed.
Staid, 234/202, installed, set.
Stall, 33/345, station.
Stangyng, 228/ll, stinging.
Stanys, IO/47, stones.
Stard, 179/427, stared (?)
Stark, 31/268, stiff.
Starnes, 2/50, stars,
Sted, 7/206, stand, stop; 29/199,

placed, situated.
Stede, 2/38, place.
Stegh, 63/37, ladder.
Stenen (or steuen, Steven), 22I/546,

ascend : see Stevyd.
Stere, 286/350, move ; 259/27, govern,

control.
Stere-tre, 86/433, tiller.
Stersman, 293/259, pilot, guide.
Steven, I4/175, voice.

1 The surname Sybi-y, Sibree is common
the name may have rendered it celebrated,
in here. — H. B.

Stevyd, 364/336, ascended : see

Stenen (Jor Steuen).
Stevynd, 324/594, ascended.
Stdkyn, 299/205, fastened, shut up.
Stold, 39/525, fixed.
Stoiie-styll, 123/232 ; I25/280.
Store, 114/456, stock.
Stott, 133/518, bullock.
Stoure, 297/131, tumult, battle.
Stowke, 377/31 5, stock, pile of sheaves.
Stownd, 336/337, moment, thne.
Stowndys, 313/254, fits of pain.
Stowre, 155/497, trouble, vexation.
Strayd, I8O/481, strewed.
Strenkyllid, 341/io8, sprinkled.
Strete, 52/7, road, way.
Strewyd, 62/194, scattered, destroyed.
Strut, 57/15, swelling, contention (?)
Slry, 176/348, hag.
Sty, 19/365, path, woy; 361/262,

ascend.
Stynt, 6/161, cease.
Stynyng, 166/525, rising, ascension.
Stythe, 54/96, strong.
Sudary, 3I8/390, napkin.
Sufferan, 6/173; Suffrane, 8O/81,

sovereign.
Swa, 155/486, so.
Swalchon, 166/473, scamp.
Swap, 247/136, stroke, cut.
Swayn, 6O/124, countryman, labourer.
Swedyll, 130/432; 135/598, swaddle,

wrap up.
Swelt, 133/525, become faint.
Swepys, 272/470, whips, scourges.
Swevyn, I2K/384, dream, vision.
Swogh, 162/68, swoon ; 226/718,

soughing, sound.
Swongen, 272/470, beaten.
Swylke, 351/333, such.
Swyme, IO/27, dizziness.
Swynk, 29/195, labour, toil.
Swytbe, 77/404, quickly.
Syb, 191/167, relative.
Sybre, 233/149, a term of abuse.*
Symnell, 292/389, sort of fine bread.
Syne, 3O/228, afterwards.
Syiithen, I9O/113, since.
Sythes, 332/234, times.

Tabard, 177/357, short sleeveless coat.
Talent, 88/157, service, disposal.

in Yorkshire. Perhaps some malefactor of
so that it may have been half-joculirly put

410

Glossarial Index.

Tarid, 229/5o, delayed (?)
Tase, 146/185, takes.
Tayll, 58/64, number.
Temporal (law), 237/292, secular.
Ten, 10/21, teeth.
Tend, II/73, tenth, tithe.
Tendand, 245/89, attending.
Tent, 3/291; 371/221, attend; take
tent, 1/21 1 ; 146/i8s, give attention ;
3/478, tenth.
Tenys, 1 39/736, tennis.
Telhee, 28/i86, tetchy, touchy, tcsfy.
Teyn, 29/2IO, be vexed, injured ; 123/
218, vex, injure; 39/533, vexation,
injury.
Teynd, 5/144, tenth : see Tend.
Teynfully, I67/56, cruelly.
Thame, 2I/420, them.
Thar, 1 7/293 ; 43/i 17, is necessary.
Tharmes, I28/391, bowels, bailies,

children.
Tharne, I49/272 ; Tharnys, 22/191,

lack.
Thayni, 2O/412, them : see Tharae.
The, 32/328, prosper.
Thee, 64/90, thigh.
Ther, 282/io6, must : see Thar.
Thew, 14/185 ; 374/229, morals, man-
ners, service.
Tho, 30/228, them.
Thole, 126/306, bear, suffer.
Thoner-flone, IIO/324, thunder-dart,

lightning.
Thoyle, 395/53, suffer: see Thole.
Thrafe, I5/197", bundle, sheaf.
Thrall, 22/464, slave.
Thrang, IOI/47, throng, company.
Thraw, 10/30, short space of time.
Thrawes, 348/250, throes.
Threpe, r21/i68, contradict, arguo.
Thro, I62/69, strongly, deeply ; 328

76, bold, eager.
Throle, 291/357, boldly, severely.
Throng, 112/416, pressed together.
Thrug, 341/ui, through.
Thryng, I73/240, thr(]ng, press.
Thurgh, 349/281, coflin.
Thurt, 301/256, needed [=fallait]:

see Thar.
Thwang, 12.3/21 1, be flogged.
Thyrll, 251/234, pierce ; Thyrlyd,

271/429, pierced.
Till, 61/151, to, unto.
To, 266/268, according to, in, after
To, 6O/152; 119/108; 270/385,1111.

To-draw, 32I/506, pull to pieces.

Tollare, 374/21 1, tax-gatherer.

Tome, 133/547, empty; 2IO/201,
leisure.

Ton, 146/177, taken.

To-name, 395/65, surname.

To-tyro, I7O/144, tear in pieces.

Toute, 3/63, fundament ; 11/63,64, arse.

Toyles, 257/406, tools.

Trace, 249/200, track.

Trade, 340/87, trod.

Trane, 95/330; Trayn, I63/93, trick,
deceit, stratagem.

Trant, I73/235, '"ok-

Trast, 41/54, trusty.

Trattys, I78/394, trotts, old women.

Trauell, I3/152, labour.

Trauesses, 298/153, traverses, thwarts.
Traw, 12/115, trow, believe (see

Trow) ; 58/77, true
Tray, 89/533, affliction, grief; 358/162,

betray.
Trew as Steele, 26/i2o.
Tristur, 373/2o8, tryst, station.
Trone, I/9, throne.
Trow, I8/320, believe.
Trowage, 84/198, fealty, allegiance.
Trewth, I4/159, faith, belief.
Trus, 31/316, pack up; 6I/152, go

away, be off.
Trussell, I4/170, bundle.
Tup, 104/117, ram.
Twyfyls, 377/324, twirls, curls (?)
Twyk, 263/171, twitch.
Twyn, I8/325, 159/625, divide, sepa-
rate.
Tyde, 22/470, time, season.
Tydely, 31/291, quickly.
Tyme, IO/26, befall, happen.
Tymely, adv. I3.3/524, early.
Tynde, IOI/39, lost: see Tynt.
Tyne, \\bj^6T, tiny.
Tyne, 86/441 ; 889/72, lose.
Tynt, 5/149, lost.

Tyre, I49/285, tear, fight : see To-tyre.
Tyte, 11/53; Tytt, 8I8/245, quickly.
Tythand, 55/113, 128, tidings.
Tythingis, 6I/163; 820/479, tidings.
Tytter, 73/293, quicker, sooner : see
Tyte.

Umbithynke, 5/123, bethink, meditate
on.

Umshude, 89/128, shade around, over-
shadow.

Glossarial Index.

411

Umthynke, 3O3/318, itieditale : see

Unibitliynke.
Uobayn, 29 1 /356, unready , disobedient.
Unbuinyd, Ul/362.
Unbycliid, 29I/356, disorderly (?)
Unceyll, IOO/3, luilmppiness.
Uncoiiand, 204/i, ignorant.
Undemyd, 235/230, uiijud.i;cd.
Under-lowte, 22I/552. inferiors, snb-

jects.
Undnglity, 29I/368, unprofitable.
Unethes, I8I/7; Unothes, 273/476,

scarcely, hardly.
Uhfylyd, III/366, undefiled.
Un^^ayn (at), 2O/379, inconveniently.
Ungrathly, 96/341, unsuitably.
Unheynde, 224/642, discourteous, rude

man (Jesus).
Unnes, 39I/158, scarcely : see Unetlies.
Unquart, 99/72, render unsafe, barass.
Unrad, 286/214, imprudent.
Unrid, 24/4o; Unryde, lOO/ii, cruel,

enormous.
Unsoglit, 2tjjgy, unatoned for, irrecon-

ciled.
Untill, 21/426, unto.
Untrist, 332/210, untnisty.
Unweld, 182/5; Un\velde,91/l7l, im-
potent.
Unwynly, 2IO/189, unpleasantly.
Unytli,164/i35, scarcely : see Unethes.
Upstevynyng, 357/123, ascension.
lltward, 244/31, outwardly.

ValeB, 285/587, avails, is worth.
Vantege, 243/i7, advantage.
Vanys, 4/i 1 1, vain, empty.
Vayll, 24.3/19, avail, gain.
Veray, I44/119, truly.
Veryose, IO7/236, verjuice.
VoUettys, 367/9, advocates.
Vowgard, 385/580, (?) place of security.

Wafe, 21/430, wander (?)

Waght, 286/218; 29O/329, . a bad

way.
Walk-mylne, 877/314, fulling mill.
Walteryng, I24/236, rolling about.
Wan, 13/139, won, acquired ; 2I/444,

faint.
Wandreth, 24/40, misfortune.
Wane, IO2/62, waggon.
Wanbope, 22O/507, despair,
Wap, 223/593, wrap; 289/314, blow ;

' at a wap,' in a moment.

War, 43/113, aware; IO/25, 29, an

exclamation, a hunter's cry.
Wardan, 34I/113, keeper, guardian.
Wared, 6O/14; Waris, 60/14, cursed,

curses : see Warrie.
Warkand, 62/8, aching.
Warldis, I3/150, worhi's, wordly.
Warloo, 137/640; Warlow, 7I/232,

sorcerer, traitor, devil.
Warly, 366/409, warily (or w:iry)(?)
Warpyd, 271/4 1 3, cast.
Warrie, 6/156, curse.
Wars, 16/250, worse.
Warte, 375/252, spend it.
Wary, 29/2o8, curse : see Warrie.
Waryson, 79/44, treasure, reward.
Wast, 95/332, waste, void.
Wat, 10/14, 'nan.
Wate, 382/485, wet.
Wate, 36/444, know; Wayte, II8/75,

knows: see Wote.
Wate, 213/283, tricked.
Waten, 358/i6i, watch.
Wathe, 37/486, hunting, prey.
Wane, 23I/103, move to and fro.
Wawgbes, 30/426, waves.
Wayrd, .HOO/238, ward, guardianship.
Wei 11/53; 8/147, an exclama-
tion.
Wed, 339/56, pledge.
Wede, 139/731, garments ; I62/47, be

mad, rage.
Weders, 86/451, storms.
Wedyng, II9/92, wedding, marrying

(the evils of).
Weft, 21/435, weft, woven stuff:

" Ill-spun weft av comes foul out."
Weld, 44/126, wield, rule; Weldand,

38/494, wielding, riding.
Welke, 348/261, walked.
Welland, 75/344, boiling, bubbling.
Welner, I2H/387, well-near, almost.
Welthly, 6/185, li>iPliy> delightful.
Wem, 87/37, spot, stain.
Wemayl I3/148, an exclamation, Oh !

by God 1 see We 1
Wemles 22I/541, spotless.
Wemo! 16/198; Wemmuwl 834/291,

Oh 1 by God 1 see We 1 Wemey !
Wend, 8/250, thought, supposed.
Wene, 88/165, believe, suppose: see

Weyn.
Wenyand, 16/226, waning of the

moon, unlucky time.
Wenys, 18/ 149, thinkest.

412

Glossarial Index.

Were, 41/22, doubt; 69/151, defend,

save.
Weyn, vb. 2O/387, lielieve, suppose;

ab. 67/io8 ; 22I/553, doubt.
Weynd, I3/132, go.
Wlia? 319/439, who?
Whake, 62/182, quake, tremble.
Whannow, 345/i84, what now.
Wliartfull, 52/29, ^^^^ '"'d sound.
Whaynt, 2O8/144, quaint, clever.
Wheme, 58/62, please.
Whik, 134/548 ;\Vhyk,236/265, living.
Wliyr, 104/117, bfi quiet.
Wliystyll, ^VBtt hyr, 119/103, drunk

beer, &c.
Whyte, 125/294, requite, suffer for it.
Wight, 252/264, nimbly ; see Wyghtly.
Wilson), 324/604, bewildered.
Wish, 142/72, guide, direct.
Wist, 43/89, kuew.
Wit, 43/96, know.
Wite, vb. I8/322, blame.
Wittely, 338/41, wisely.
Wode, 19/350, mad : see Wood.
Wogh, 39/533, evil, harm.
Wold, 57/32, wielding, dominion,

power.
Wols-hede, 232/139, wolfe-head,

outlawry.
Wone, 4/93, dwell ; 4G/196, wont,

accustomed to do.
Won, 240/391, wound.
Wonden, '27^/656, wrapped.
Wone, 13/116, custom, habit; 'in

wone,' habitually; 6/184, habita-
tion.
Wonnyng, a. 6/180, dwelling.
Wood, 14/173 ; Woode, I4/159, mad.
Worth, 292/404, become, be to ; ' well

worth,' farewell I
Worthely, 6/184, worthy, stately.
Wote, 19/375, know.
Wolh, 35/416, peril.
Wrngers, 102/58 ; Wragger, 37I/143,

wranglers.
Wrake, 27/138, injury, vengeance.
Wrast, 69/150, wrest, twist.
Wrears, 371/143, wrigglers, twisters:

see Wryers.

Wrioh, 270/397, wretched.
Wright, 301/246, carpenter.
Wrightry, 3O/250, carpentry, work-
manship.
Wrokyn, 4O/276, avenged.
Wrongwosly, 58/58, wrongfully.
Wryers, IO2/58 ; 371/143, wrigglers,

twisters.
Wryng, sb. 235/237, twist.
Wrytt, 59/106, writing, scripture.
Wyghtly, 178/396; Wightly, 223/593 ;

nimbly, quickly.
Wyk, 236/262, wicked.
Wyle, 71/233, wile, delude with

sorcery.
Wyll of reede, 8O/75, wild in counsel,

bewildered.
Wyn, 6/185, joy; 23/24, get, move.
Wyn, 283/153, labour, contention

(? pleasure).
Wynk, 15/227, sleep.
Wys, 68/49; Wyse, 82/122, teach,

show, point out, guide.
Wysh, 85/240, guide, direct : see Wys

and Wish.
Wyte, 95/332, impute; 252/278, be

blamed.
Wytterly, 68/59, surely, certainly.

Yai, 11/51, yea.

Yare, 44/121, ready; 166/514, quickly.

Yate, 53/40, gate.

Yede, 75/342, went : see Yode.

Yeld, 66/135, recompense.

Yelp, 32/321, boasting.

Yeme, 237/292, take care of, carry

out ; 341/112, observe, regard.
Yerde, 230/69, garden.
Yerdys, 93/248, rods, wands.
Yere-tyme, I5/200, (V) ear-time, plow-

ing-time ; or the proper season, time

of year.
Yeme, I9I/174, yearn for, covet.
Yheme, 58/6 1, observe, keep lioly.
Ylahayll 1 72/258, bad luok to you 1
Yode (MS. yede), 4I/29, went.
Yowthede, 90/165, youth.
Yoyll, 239/344, Yule, Christmas.
Yrk, 197/84, unwUling, weary.

413

INDEX OF NAMES, OF PERSONS, PLACES, ETC.

(This does not pretend to be complete. The name of an Actor is often
given only at his or her first apiicaraiice.^F. J. F.)

Abacuk, 87/49 ; I86/11, Habakkuk.

Abel, 11/57, &c.; I82/15

Abirain, i503/33l

Abraham, 40/1 ; Play of, p. 40—49 ;

182/13
Ad;im, 7/198; 8/226, &c.; is gone to

hell, 41/41, for 6000yenrsand more,

86/12; -294/25; 304/367
Adonay, 307/45 ; God.
Andrew, St., IOO/294 ; 216/362 ; 355/

65 ; 366/396
Angel, l8t bad, 4/108 ; 2nd 5/u8
Angel, Istgood, 4/111 ; 2nd, 4/114
Angels, 48/257; 159/595; H^Wm;

183/73, &t.; 197/75, 317/382,

386, &c. ; 361/254 ; 369/73
Anna, wife of Oaiaphas, 206/66, &c.
Anna, 229/55 ; 3II/172, &c.
Annunciation, Play of the, p. 86 — 97
Apostles, the Twelve, p. 337 — 352
Araby, 144/i20 ; I51/363
Architophell, 3O3/330
Architriclyn, the Feste of, 248/152
Ascension, Christ's, Play of, p. 353

—366
Atus, King, Pilate's father, 279/i9

Bad men on Doomsday, p. 367 — 369,
383

Balaam, I47/205, 224 ; I82/14
Balthasar, the 3rd Mage, I44/133;

145/159
Baptist, John the, I95/13: see John

tlie B.
Bartholomew, St., 863/326; 866/396
Bedlem, 137/665, Bethlehem.
Belzabub, 296/99, &c.
Bethany, 354/21
Bethlehem, IIO/302; Bedleme, 110/

33°
Bonus, good man, 1-4 ; p. 381 ; 886/613

Boys, 9/1 ; 44/149; '0/202; 7I/206;

IO6/179
Buffeting, Christ's, the Play of, p. 2:8

—242
Burning busb, III/360

Oaiaphas, 206/54, &c. ; 229/51, &c.

Cain, 10/25 (Cam, I6/245, I7/285,
&c. ; Cayme, I7/287)

Calvary, 26O/83, &c. ; 281 /78, 81

Came, Noah's 3rd son, 27/142 , 39/528

Capyle, cure hen, 11 8/67

Cayphas, 229/51, &c. ; 308/86

Cecyll, 167/44, Sicily.

Centuryon, 248/i66 ; 807/38, 45, &c.

Cesar Augustus, Play of, ]>. 78—85 ;
his Counsellors, 79/46 ; 8O/64

Cesar, Sir, 235/227

Cherubyn, 3/6l ; 7/204

Children, the Three, III/352

Christ, 223/618 : see Jesus.

Cleophas, 325/i, &c. ; 348/261

Colipliizacio, the Play of Christ's Buf-
feting, p. 228—242

Coll (the 1st Shepherd, I8O/449), '""•
his niaroo (mate), I3O/436

Commandments, the Ten, p. 58, 59, p.
190, 191

Conspiracy against Christ, Play of
the, p. 204—227

Copvn, King, 233/i66, K. Empty-
skein (?)

Counsellers and Doctors, Herod's,
153/405, 415, &c. ; 172/209, 218

Counsellors, Plate's, 246/107 ; 249/
199; 284/179

Crooked Thorn, the, 1 29/403. Perhaps
the Shepherds' Thorn of Mapplewell,
S. Yorkshire, three miles N.W. of
Barnsley.

414

Index of Names.

Crucifixion of Christ, the Play of the,
p. 258—278

Daniel, p. 63, 64; 87/49; I82/14

Dutlian, 303/331

David, p. 59—61; 87/48, 58; 111/

338; 182/14; 297/128; 805/389
Diiw, the 3rd Sheplierd, I2I/154: see

Pastor.
Deliverance of Souls from Hell by

Christ, the Play of the, p. 293—305
Demons, 1 and 2, 5/132, 150
Demons at the Judgment, p. 370 — 379
Doctors in the Temple, Play of the, p.

186—194
Doomsday, Play of, p. 367—387
Down, 10/29, Cain's horse, = Dun (?)

Ebrew, 274/530

Eirypt, I6I/27

Eiizabetli, John the Baptist's mother,

195/17
Elizabeth, Mary's ' Cosyn,' 89/134;

Play of, p. 97—100
Emanuel, I53/425 ; I86/4
England, I27/353
Esau, 50/19; 55/125
Eve, 7/198 ; 8/231, &c. ; 2D4/33 ; 305/

375

Fanuell, 55/IIO, Peniel, Penuel.
Fisher's Pageant, the Pilgrims, p. 325

—337
Flagellacio, the Play of Christ's

Scourging, p. 243 — 257
Flascon, Mount, I67/46
Floods and storms, I2O/127, 128
Froward, Caiaphas's man, 239/345 &c.

Gabriel, Angel, 87/53 ; 88/77, &c.

Galilee, 87/55

Garcio, ' a mery lad,' 9/l ; IO/38 ; 20/

385, &c.
Gersen, 66/35; Gessen, 74/315;

Goshen.
Glovers' pageant, p. 9 — 22
God, l/l; 6/162; 25/73; 19/342; 42/

60; 52/13; 67/109; 86/1
Gog, 14/172, God.
Good Friday, 278/662
Gotham, the fools of, IO6/180
Grece, I67/48
Greenhorn and Gryme IO/25, Cain's

horses.
Grew, 274/531, Greek.

Gudeboure at the Quarell Hede, 19/

367
Gyb, the 1st Shepherd, IO2/83 (Gyg,

105/169)
Gyll, Mak's wife, 13I/149 ; I32/514

Harrer, II/55, Gain's horse.
Harrowing Hell, Play of, p. 293—305
Hely, Moses's mate, 295/79, Elijah,

Elias.
Herod, 140/i

Iferod the Great, Play of, p. 166—181
Heth, 50/42

Hoh-o-vcr-thc-wall, I7/297
Holy Ghost, 1 86/21
Hurbery, I3O/455, Horbury, West

Riding, YorUsliire, 4 m. S.W. of

Waketield.
Home, John, IO3/84, I34/563

Inde, 167/43, Ind>i^-

India, St. Tliomas uf ; the Play of, p.

337—352
Isaac, 4.S/92, &c. ; Play of, p. 49 — 51 ;

49/278, &c.
Isriiah. 294/37; 305/4OI
Isay, 87/47, Isaiah ; ^sae. III/335
Israel, folk uf, 56/l ; 59/ioi ; 7O/196
Italy, 167/43

Jack Cope, a horse-man, IOI/17
Jacob, 62/13 ; 49/6 ; Play of, p- 52—

56; 147/206
Jak, boy, IO5/169; IO6/179
James, St., 215/369 ; 866/89, &c- ;

366/396
Japhet, 27/142: 39/528
Jaspar, the Ist Mnge, 143/85 i 144/128
Jelian Jowke, 877/317, Gillian Clown.
Jeromy, 87/48, Jeremiah.
Jerusalem, 886/364; 887/369; 358/

143 ; 366/396
Jesse, 59/97; 111/349
Jesus in the Temple, I87/49 ; baptized,

200/85; before betrayal, 244/3i6
Jesus, 254/320, &c. ; 266/233, &c.

293/1, &c. ; 296/115; 8I3/226

323/569 ; 828/98 ; 840/84 ; 351/31 2

356/ 1 01 ; 869/81, &c.; 379/386

887/1
Jesus of Nazarene, 225/674
Jesus of Nazareyn, kyng of lues, 274/

540, 541 ; 329/136
Jettyr, Bishop, 67/99 — '• ^- Jetbro.
Jewry, 243/6; 279/15; 394/16

Index of Names.

415

Job, 302/299

Jolin Home, the 2nd Shepherd, 103/

84
John, tlje Apostle, 2I4/314, &c. ; 215/

376 ; 252/260, &c. ; 268/339, &c.
John the Baptist, Play of, 1 95/203 ;

295/65 ; 305/377 ; 358/147
John, St., 355/364; 366/396; 387/11
Jonas, 349/289
Jordan, River, 197/72
Josepli and Mary ; I'lay of their fiiglit

into Egypt, p. 160—165
Joseph, Mary's husband, 87/59 ; 90/

155, &c. ; 185/115; 192/201
Joseph of Arimatliea, 277/613, &c.
Judiih, 93/243
Judas, 127/351; 209/174, &c. ; 215/

352 ; 222/584 ; 303/330 ; 315/304
Judas, poem of; his story, p. 393 —

396
Jude, St., 366/396, 397
Judea, 279/20
Judicare, 247/128
Judicium, the Last Judgment ; Pliiy

of the, p. 367—387
Jure, 224/640, Jewry, Jews.

Kamys kyn, 224/639, Cain's kin.
Kemp town, 167/47, ? not part of

Brighton, or in Devon, or Norfolk.
Kings or Magi, the Three, Jaspar,

Melchior, Balthasar ; Play of, p.

140—160
Knights, Herod's, I7O/145, 156, 158 ;

Pilate's, 2O8/126

Lityn, 274/530; 'the bestLatyn wriglit,'

274/535
Lazarus of Bethany, 2O8/126
Lazarus, Piny of, p. 387—383
Lazarus, rises, p. 390
Lemyng, IO/42, Cain's horse.
Lightfoot, lad, 8I/97
Litsters' or Dyers' Play, p. 64 — 78
Longeus, the bhnd knight, who pricks

Jesus with a spear, p. 276
Lucas, 348/261, St. Luke.
Lucifer, 3/77; &c. ; 8/250; 23/l6
Luke, St., 326/17, &c.

Magdalene, Mary, p. 212 ; see Mary M.
Magi, Offering of the ; Play of, p. 140

—160
Mahowne, 82/127, &«• ; I66/1 ; 204/i2 ;

78/9 I Mahouns, 244/39, gods.

Mak, who cheats the Shepherds, 122/

190, &o.
Mak's wife Gyli, I25/297, &c. ; 131/

459; 132/514
Malchus, 223/600 ; 225/684, &c. ; 225/

676 ; 227/738, 748
Mall, 10/41, Cain's mare.
Malus, 1 — 4, at Doomsday, p. 367 —

369, p. 383
Mantua, 1 67/47
Marcus, IOO/294, St. Mark.
Martha, 388/39
Mary Magdalene, 253/3o8, &c. ; 316/

333 ; 323/563 ; 337/1
Mary, Martha's sister, 389/66
Mary, motlier of St. James, 253/298,

&c. ; 3I6/346
Mary Salome, 3I6/352, &c.
Mary, Virgin, 87/6o ; 89/107, &c. ; 97/

li 115/485; 140/737:102/57; 185/

127; 192/193; 252/279, &c. ; 267/

309, &c. ; 359/182; John and, 130/

443
Matthew, St., 359/190
Melchior, the 2nd Mage, I43/103;

144/122
Messengers, Herod's, 142/65 > 1*8/259,

151/332; 166/1
Micheas the proplictt, I54/445, Micah
Moll counting her sheep, IO5/152 —

160
Morell, 10/42 ; II/55, Cain's horse.
Moses, p. 56—59 ; 69/891 ; 67/89, &<=■ ;

87/47; 190/118, 129; 295/77; 305/

385

Nabugodhonosor, III/351, Nebuchad-
nezzar.

Nazareth in Galilee, 87/55

Nicholas, St., 120/118

Nicodemiis, 277/625, &c.

Noah, 23/1, &o. ; 182/13

Noah's wife, 28/191, &c. ; his 3 sons,
32/318-322, &c. ; 39/523-525;
their wives, 33/354 — 361

Normandy, 167/49

Norway, I67/49

Nuncius, Augustus's, 8I/106

Onazorus, 109/292, = Nazoraeus (?)

Padua, 167/46

Paginae Pastorura, p, 100 — 140

Paradise, I67/46

Pasch (Easter) morn, 278/666

416

Index of Namei,

Pastor I, lOO/i (Gyb, IO2/83) ; II,

(John Home, IO3/84), IOI/46; III,

(Slow-pace, 104/125); l*>4/'34;

II6/1, &c.
Paterfiiiniliae, 214/338
Paul, St., 338/29
Peter, St., 214/316 ; 215/356; 337/;;

363/13, &c. ; 366/396; 387/7
Pharaoh, Play of, p. 64—78; his

Knights or Soldiers, 66/25 i 66/53 >

71/234
Pliihp, St., 215/366 ; 356/95 ; 860/230
Pila, Pilate's mother, 279/i9
Pilate, 204/1, &c. ; 222/560; 213/i,

&c. ; 258/1, &e. ; 276/552; 306/i,

&c.
Pilate's knights, p. 312, 319, &c.
Pilgrims (apostles to whom Christ

appears). Play of the, p. 326 — 337
Pope, the, 174/263
Pownce Pilate, 279/21 ; Pontius P.
Processus Crutis, the Play of the

Crucifixion, p. 268—278
Processus Talentoritm, the Play of the

Talents (playing for Christ's coat),

p. 279—292
Prophets, Play of the, p. 5G — 64
Purification of Mary, Play of the, p.

181—185

Rachel, 54/75

Rebecca, 50/4 1

Reuben, father of Judas, 394/7

Rome, 371/127

Rybald in Hell, 296/89, 95. &c.

Saba, 151/363
Sabbath day, 249/i8l
Sacraments, Seven, 2OI/196, 197
Sarceny, I67/48, Saracen-land.
Sathanas, 22/467; 297/142, &c. ; 377/

326
Scourging, the Play of Christ's, p.

243—257
Shem, 27/142; 39/528

Shepherd's Plays I, p. 100—116; II,

p. 116—140
Sibaria, mother of Judas, 394/8
Sibilla propheta, p. 61—63 ; 87/50
Simeon, I8I/1, &c. ; 294/53
Simon, St., 215/364, &c. ; 220/ 504 ;

257/392, &c.; 353/9; 366/380; 366/

Sirinus; Sir Syryn, 8I/99; 82/127,130,

Cyrenius, of St. Luke (?)
Slow-pace, the 3rd Shepherd, IO4/125
Stott, 10/41, Cain's horse (?)
Strevyn, St., I28/383, for Stevyn,

Stephen (?)
Surry, I67/44, Syria.
Suea, 157/48

Suspensio Jude, p. 393 — 396
Sybyll sage, 87/50; p. 61—63

Talents, the Play of the, p. 279—292
(casting Dice for Christ's coat).

Tars, 151/363. Tarsus.

Thaddeus, 215/368

Thomas, St., 353/i, &c. : 387/i5

Thomas, St., of India ; Play of, p. 337
—352

Thomas of Kent, St., I3I/458

Torturers of Christ, the two, p. 228,
&c. ; p. 243, 244, &c. ; p. 259, &c. ;
p. 281 ; thethird,.245/8o,&c. ; p. 259,
&c. ; wins Christ's coat, 29O/337

Trinity, the, 22I/528

TurUy, 1 67/42

Tuskane, I67/42, Tuscany.

Tutivilius 373/206; 375/249; P- 384
—386

Wakefeld, 1
Watlyn strete, 371/126
White-horne, IO/42, Cain's ox (?)
Women, St. Paul on, p. 338, 389
Women, their children killed by
Herod's soldiers, I76/342, &c.

Zacbary, Elizabeth's husband, 89/136,
and John the Baptist's father, 195/i4

417

ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS TO THE GLOSSAEY
AND INDEX

abowne: I67/48 (?)

agane: adv. 8O/84, I5O/318 (go) back

to where he came from
all-to-har: 297/142 tear to pieces
and: sb. breath 182/ 34
bab; I77/388 babe, chUd
balok stones: 288/147 testicles
bat: I8O/490 blow
befon: 88/503 (?) be found
bekkys: 884/557 (?) makes a signal
berd: I7I/189 beard; 'played them a

trick'
bere: 86/434 bear; 'the depth of

water we draw'
bete: I8O/486 remedy
beyd: 77/409 oflEer
blowre, blure: 74/307, 374/220 blister,

swelling
bore: 313/253 hole bored (in the Cross)
boyte: add boytt 34I/103
caton: II2/392, the Disticha Catonis,

a manual of instruction
catyf : 339/69 wretched
chace: lli/zyo privilege of hunting
com with grete: 5O/38 turn to mourn-
ing
crate: 242/427 read trate '(old) woman'
crisp: 377/323 fine linen
croyne: I3I/476, sing, 'croon' (in the

text read oure syre lyst croyne) ;

137/661.
cuker: 395/270, (?) read culer 'collar'
doyU 'portion' and doyll 'grief are

distinct words
duchax: 374/242 (?)
eueramang: 2O/391 continually
fed: 58/63 bred

fele: 79/42 (?) read sele for cele 'con-
ceal'
ffor: 204/9, ^ guard against; 95/309

' as far as I am concerned '
£fy: 178/230, 231 fie! and correct

marginal note ad loc.
fo: 26/112; 'each one hostile to the

other', 'all at variance'
forbot: read IO/38, 14/ 184 (over)

godis — , God's prohibition (used as

an oath)

T. PLAYS.

fott: add 188/517

foyn(e): few, add 26I/286, 27I/433

freyndys: 194/2 58 relatives

garray: read 76/377

gawne: 885/561 help (ON. gagna)

greyn-horne: lO/i 5, applied to a mare

growne, groyn: II4/430, I77/382

'snout', face
hafles: I8O/484 destitute
hak: 131/476, 137/657, 'break' a note

in singing,
happ: 166/ 5 what happens
hart: IOO/4 (?) read hurt
hatyng: 139/7 17 promise
hede: 374/243 (?) headdress
hey 11: IOO/4 good fortune
hose: 129/4 16 hoarse
idyls: 377/326 renders vain
lak: 68/118 fault, blame
land: I7/303 in — , on earth 27/145;

on — , into the country, away
large: I89/90 in — , freely
Latyn Wright : 274/ 5 3 5, expert in Latin
lede: 295/62 people
lendyng: 1 02/8 o dwelling
leyf : delete see Leif
leyfys: 885/586 dear ones, wives
loke: 339/72 provide
lone: read 2O8/271
long of: 94/300 owing to
lote: 129/409 look
louyng:a<W 189/88
marke: add 846/202
marters: 272/452 torments
mayntene: 3O9/96, 98 uphold
mefe: I8O/472, 209/150, 386/6oo

move, disturb
menske : read dignity
merkyd: 7O/175, 195/3 stamped
merys: 139/9 14 is merry
mese: 886/603 dwelling
mete: 818/252 of fit measure
mordere: I77/387: for mordrere

('assassin')
muster: 298/177, show, exhibit
myssacs: read 568
nother: 9/ii, neither
nyk with nay: 828/371 deny

418 Additions and Corrections to the Glossary and Index

oureward: in — , (?) past 885/579
pall: read 223/61 i

perde: I29/426, 238/311 by heaven
powchid: 885/570 pocketed
pransawte: 885/561 (?) showing-off
prays at the partjmg : praise given at

the end IO8/267, 885/584
preuate: read 89/125
prow: add 3OO/326
quantyg : add 246/ 1 1 o cunning
quarrell: I9/367 quarry
ragyd: 75/337 the — , the Devil (cf.

raginan)
reyll: 125/ 2 74 run riot
reynand : 26/ 1 1 1 substitute prevailing
sathan: 377/325 satin
sawgeoure: 374/222 soldier
saynt: I23/209 pose as a saint
shrogys: read I3O/455
side, syde: 374/243, 375/ 270 long
skar: 237/301 to — , (?) a mockery
skard: read I25/289
slant: 1 73/23 7 shall on — , shall have

a fall
sleght: 173/235 mean, low
sloes: 345/195 kills
somkyns: 1 39/708 of some kind
sowchid: 885/569 suspected
sowya sore: 73/283 afflicts
Stafford blew: 29/200 clad in — , given

a beating

stere: substitute 255/350, 259/27
govern, control

Steven: 842/125 (?) meeting, i.e. inter-
course

ste vyn : 342/ 1 2 5 set — , appointed time

stott: 133/518 steer

strut: 57/15 stand on — , keep
proudly aloof

stry: I77/380 (?) strive

stynyng: ? read styhyng I56/525
ascent

take: 93/238, 29I/377 give, commit

toyn(e): I3I/477, I6I/13 tune

trete: 371/ 130 on — , at length

vnthankys: 14/ 187 niyne — , against
my will

vnweld: read 162/ 5 2

vowgard: 885/580 (?)

waman: 135/6o8 woman

we: read 13/147/or 8/147; odd I5/218,
219, 223, 225

wemo : read Weraay for Wemey

wenyand: I5/226, 227/748, 29O/339,
8IO/144 in -the — , curse you!, and
be damned to you !

wejrtt: I2I/156 wet

wheder: 93/265 neuer the — , never-
theless

wone : 1 3/ 1 1 6 in — , in abundance

wyU of reede: 80/ 7 5 at a loss

PR 1260 .E5 C.2 SMC
The Towneleg plays