[The Shepherds arrive at Bethlehem.
1st Shepherd. Hail, comely and clean; hail, young child!
Hail, maker, as I mean, of a maiden so mild!
Thou hast wared, I ween, off the warlock[204] so wild,
The false guiler of teen,[205] now goes he beguiled.
Lo, he merry is!
Lo, he laughs, my sweeting,
A welcome meeting!
I have given my greeting
Have a bob of cherries?
2nd Shepherd. Hail, sovereign saviour, for thou hast us sought!
Hail freely, leaf and flow'r, that all thing has wrought!
Hail full of favour, that made all of nought!
Hail! I kneel and I cower. A bird have I brought
To my bairn!
Hail, little tiny mop,[206]
Of our creed thou are crop!
I would drink in thy cup,
Little day-starn.[207]
3rd Shepherd. Hail, darling dear, full of godheed!
I pray thee be near, when that I have need.
Hail! sweet is thy cheer: my heart would bleed
To see thee sit here in so poor weed.
With no pennies.
Hail! put forth thy dall!--[208]
I bring thee but a ball
Have and play thee with all,
And go to the tennis.
Mary. The Father of Heaven, God omnipotent,
That set all on levin,[209] his son has he sent.
My name could he neven,[210] and laught as he went.[211]
I conceived him full even, through might, as God meant;
And new is he born.
He keep you from woe:
I shall pray him so;
Tell forth as ye go,
And mind on this morn.
1st Shepherd. Farewell, lady, so fair to behold,
With thy child on thy knee.
2nd Shepherd. But he lies full cold,
Lord, well is me: now we go forth, behold!
3rd Shepherd. Forsooth, already it seems to be told
Full oft.
1st Shepherd. What grace we have fun.[212]
2nd Shepherd. Come forth, now are we won.