Rise, hired-men, heynd,[188] for now is he born
That shall take from the fiend, that Adam had lorn:[189]
That warlock to sheynd,[190] this night is he born.
God is made your friend: now at this morn,
He behests;
To Bedlem go see,
There lies that free[191]
In a crib full poorly,
Betwixt two beasts.
1st Shepherd. This was a quaint stevyn[192] that ever yet I heard.
It is a marvel to nevyn[193] thus to be scared.
2nd Shepherd. Of God's son of heaven, he spoke up word.
All the wood like the levin,[194] methought that he gard
Appear.
3rd Shepherd. He spoke of a bairn
In Bedlem I you warn.
1st Shepherd. That betokens yonder starn[195]
Let us seek him there.
2nd Shepherd. Say, what was his song? Heard ye not how he cracked it?
Three breves to a long.[196]
3rd Shepherd. Yea, marry, he hacked[197] it.
Was no crochet wrong, nor no thing that lacked it.
1st Shepherd. For to sing us among, right as he knacked it,
I can.
2nd Shepherd. Let us see how ye croon
Can ye bark at the moon?
3rd Shepherd. Hold your tongues, have done.