Sloane MS., 2593, fol. 22 b, British Museum.
1
Seynt Steuene was a clerk in kyng Herowdes halle,
And seruyd him of bred and cloþ, as euery kyng befalle.
2
Steuyn out of kechone cam, wyth boris hed on honde;
He saw a sterre was fayr and bryȝt ouer Bedlem stonde.
3
He kyst adoun þe boris hed and went in to þe halle:
'I forsak þe, kyng Herowdes, and þi werkes alle.
4
'I forsak þe, kyng Herowdes, and þi werkes alle;
Þer is a chyld in Bedlem born is beter þan we alle.'
5
'Quat eylyt þe, Steuene? quat is þe befalle?
Lakkyt þe eyþer mete or drynk in kyng Herowdes halle?'
6
'Lakit me neyþer mete ne drynk in kyng Herowdes halle;
Þer is a chyld in Bedlem born is beter þan we alle.'
7
Quat eylyt þe, Steuyn? art þu wod, or þu gynnyst to brede?
Lakkyt þe eyþer gold or fe, or ony ryche wede?'
8
'Lakyt me neyþer gold ne fe, ne non ryche wede;
Þer is a chyld in Bedlem born xal helpyn vs at our nede.'