1st Shepherd. Hark after, then.
2nd Shepherd. To Bedlem he bade--that we should gang:
I am full feared--that we tarry too lang.
3rd Shepherd. Be merry and not sad: of mirth is our sang,
Everlasting glad, our road may we fang,[198]
Without noise.
1st Shepherd. Hie we thither quickly;
If we be wet and weary,
To that child and that lady
We have it not to slose.[199]
2nd Shepherd. We find by the prophecy--let be your din--
Of David and Esai, and more than I min;[200]
They prophesied by clergy, that on a virgin
Should he light and ly, to pardon our sin
And slake it,
Our kind from woe;
For Esai said so,
Cite virgo
Concipiet a child that is naked.
3rd Shepherd. Full glad may we be,--and abide that day
That lovely to see,--that all mights may.
Lord, well for me,--for once and for aye,
Might I kneel on my knee--some word for to say
To that child.
But the angel said
In a crib was he laid;
He was poorly arrayed,
Both meaner and mild.
1st Shepherd. Patriarchs that have been,--and prophets beforn,
They desired to have seen--this child that is born.
They are gone full clean,--that have they lorn.
We shall see him, I ween,--e'er it be morn
By token
When I see him and feel,
Then know I full weel
It is true as steel
That prophets have spoken.
To so poor as we are, that he would appear,
First find, and declare by his messenger.
2nd Shepherd. Go we now, let us fare: the place is us near.
3rd Shepherd. I am ready and yare:[201] go we in fear
To that light!
Lord! if thy wills be,
We are lewd[202] all three,
Thou grant us of thy glee,[203]
To comfort thy wight.