THE WAKEFIELD MIRACLE-PLAY OF THE CRUCIFIXION

[From the Towneley Collection]

CHARACTERS

THE CRUCIFIXION

Pilate. Peace I bid every wight;
Stand as still as stone in wall,
Whiles ye are present in my sight,
That none of ye clatter nor call;
For if ye do, your death is dight.
I warn it you both great and small,
With this brand burnished so bright,
Therefore in peace look ye be all.

What? peace, in the devil's name!
Harlots and dastards all bedene[273]
On gallows ye be made full tame.
Thieves and michers ken[274]
Will ye not peace when I bid you?
By Mahoun's blood! if ye me teyn,[275]
I shall ordain soon for you
Pains that never e'er was seen,
And that anon:
Be ye so bold beggars, I warn you,
Full boldly shall I beat you,
To hell the de'il shall draw you,
Body, back, and bone.

I am a lord that mickle is of might,
Prince of all Jewry, Sir Pilate I hight.
Next bring Herod, greatest of all,
Bow to my bidding, both great and small,
Or else be ye shent;[276]
Therefore keep your tongues, I warn you all
And unto us take tent.[277]

1st Torturer. All peace, all peace, among you all!
And hearken now what shall befall
To this false chuffer[278] here.
That with his false quantyse[279]
Has made himself as God wise
Among us many a year.
He calls himself a prophet,
And says that he can bales[280] beat[281]
And make all things amend,
But e'er long know we shall,
Whether he can overcome his own bale,[280]
Or 'scape out of our hand.

Was not this a wonder thing
That he durst call himself a king
And make so great a lie?
But, by Mahoun! while I may live,
Those proud words shall I never forgive,
Till he be hanged on high.