1st Shepherd. I am weary for-raked,[125] and run in the mire.
Wake thou!
2nd Shepherd. Nay, I will lie down-by,
For I must sleep truly.
3rd Shepherd. As good a man's son was I
As any of you.
But, Mac, come hither, between us shalt thou lie.
Mac. Then might I stay you bedene[126]: of that ye would say,--
No dread.
From my head to my toe
Mantis tuas commendo,
Pontio Pilato.[127]
Christ's cross me speed,
[He rises, the shepherds sleeping, and says:
Now were time for a man, that lacks what he wold,
To stalk privately then into a fold,
And namely to work then, and be not too bold,
He might abide the bargain, if it were told
At the ending.
Now were time for to revel;
But he needs good counsel
That fain would fare well,
And has but little spending.
[Mac works a spell on them.
But about you a circle, as round as a moon,
Till I have done that I will, till that it be noon,
That ye lie stone-still, till that I have done,
And I shall say there till of good words a foyn[128]
On height;
Over your heads my hand I lift,
Out go your eyes, fore to do your sight,
But yet I must make better shift,
And it be right.
What, Lord? they sleep hard! that may ye all hear;
Was I never a shepherd, but now will I leer[129]
If the flock be scared, yet shall I nap near,
Who draws hitherward, now mends our cheer,
From sorrow:
A fat sheep I dare say,
A good fleece dare I lay,
Eft white when I may,
But this will I borrow.
[He steals a sheep and goes home.
Mac (at his own door). How, Gill, art thou in? Get us some light.