Wherefore of thought this King Herod,
This King Herod in great fear fell,
For all the days most in his mirth,
Ever he fearèd Christ his birth
In Israel.
VIII
The time came it pleasèd God,
It pleasèd God so to come to pass,
For man’s soul indeed
His blessed Son was born with speed
As his will was.
IX
Tidings came to King Herod,
To King Herod, and did him tell,
That one born forsooth is he,
Which lord and king of all shall be
In Israel.
X
Herod then raged as he were wode[632],
As he were wode of this tidìng,
And sent for all his scribès sure,
Yet would he not trust the Scripture,
Nor of their counselling.
XI
Then this was the conclusion,
The conclusion of his counsèl;
To send unto his knights anon
To slay the children every one
In Israel.