‘There was a star in the West land,
So bright did it appear
Into King Herod’s chamber,
And where King Herod were.
IX
‘The Wise Men soon espied it,
And told the king on high,
A princely babe was born that night
No king could e’er destroy.
X
‘If this be true, King Herod said,
As thou tellest unto me,
This roasted cock that lies in the dish
Shall crow full fences[616] three.
XI
‘The cock soon freshly feathered was
By the work of God’s own hand,
And then three fences crowèd he
In the dish where he did stand.
XII
‘Rise up, rise up, you merry men all,
See that you ready be,
All children under two years old
Now slain they all shall be.