n by an elf;[184]
I saw it myself.
When the clock struck twelve,
Was he mis-shapen.

_2nd Shepherd._ Ye two are right deft,--same in a stead.

_3rd Shepherd._ Since they maintain their theft,--let's do them to dead.

_Mac._ If I trespass eft, gird off my head.
With you will I be left.

_1st Shepherd._ Sirs, do my red
For this trespass,
We will neither ban nor flyte[185]
Fight, nor chyte,[186]
But seize him tight,
And cast him in canvas.

[_They toss Mac for his sins._

* * * * *

_1st Shepherd_ (_as the three return to the fold_). Lord, how I am sore,
in point for to tryst:
In faith I may no more, therefore will I rest.

_2nd Shepherd._ As a sheep of seven score, he weighed in my fist.
For to sleep anywhere, methink that I list.

_3rd Shepherd._ Now I pray you,
Lie down on this green.

_1st Shepherd._ On these thefts yet I mean.

_3rd Shepherd._ Whereto should ye tene?[187]
Do as I say you.

[_Enter an Angel above, who sings "Gloria in Excelsis," then says:_

Rise, hired-men, heynd,[188] for now is he born
That shall take from the fiend, that Adam had lorn:[189]
That warlock to sheynd,[190] this night is he born.
God is made your friend: now at this morn,
He behests;
To Bedlem go see,
There lies that free[191]
In a crib full poorly,
Betwixt two beasts.

_1st Shepherd._ This was a quaint stevyn[192] that ever yet I heard.
It is a marvel to nevyn[193] thus to be scared.

_2nd Shepherd._ Of God's son of heaven, he spoke up word.
All the wood like the levin,[194] methought that he gard
Appear.

_3rd Shepherd._ He spoke of a bairn
In Bedlem I you warn.

_1st Shepherd._ That betokens yonder starn[195]
Let us seek him there.

_2nd Shepherd._ Say, what was his song? Heard ye not how he cracked it?
Three breves to a long.[196]

_3rd Shepherd._ Yea, marry, he hacked[197] it.
Was no crochet wrong, nor no thing that lacked it.

_1st Shepherd._ For to sing us among, right as he knacked it,
I can.

_2nd Shepherd._ Let us see how ye croon
Can ye bark at the moon?

_3rd Shepherd._ Hold your tongues, have done.

_1st Shepherd._ Hark after, then.

_2nd Shepherd._ To Bedlem he bade--that we should gang:
I am full feared--that we tarry too lang.

_3rd Shepherd._ Be merry and not sad: of mirth is our sang,
Everlasting glad, our road may we fang,[198]
Without noise.

_1st Shepherd._ Hie we thither quickly;
If we be