,
That set all on levin,[209] his son has he sent.
My name could he neven,[210] and laught as he went.[211]
I conceived him full even, through might, as God meant;
And new is he born.
He keep you from woe:
I shall pray him so;
Tell forth as ye go,
And mind on this morn.

_1st Shepherd._ Farewell, lady, so fair to behold,
With thy child on thy knee.

_2nd Shepherd._ But he lies full cold,
Lord, well is me: now we go forth, behold!

_3rd Shepherd._ Forsooth, already it seems to be told
Full oft.

_1st Shepherd._ What grace we have fun.[212]

_2nd Shepherd._ Come forth, now are we won.

_3rd Shepherd._ To sing are we bun:[213]
Let take on loft.[214]

THE COVENTRY NATIVITY PLAY OF THE COMPANY OF SHEARMEN AND TAILORS

CHARACTERS

Isaiah (_as Prologue_)
Gabriel
Joseph
Mary
The Three Kings
The Three Shepherds
The Two Prophets
King Herod
A Herald
An Angel
Two Soldiers
Three Women

THE COVENTRY NATIVITY PLAY

PROLOGUE

_Isaiah._ The sovereign that seeth every secret
He save you all and make you perfect and strong:
And give his grace with his mercy thereto meet,
For now in great misery mankind is bound.
The serpent hath given us so mortal a wound
That no creature is able us for to release
Till the right unction of Judah doth cease.
Then shall much mirth and joy increase
And the right root in Israel spring,
That shall bring forth the grain of holiness:
And out of danger he shall us bring
Into that region where he is king:
Which above all other doth abound
And that cruel Satan he shall confound.
Wherefore I come here upon this ground,
To comfort every creature of birth;
For I, Isaiah, the prophet, hath found
Many sweet matters, whereof we may make mirth
On this same wise.
For though Adam be doomed to death
With all his children, as Abel and Seth:
Yet, _Ecce virgo concipiet!_[215]
Lo, where a remedy shall rise!
Behold a maid shall conceive a child,
And get us more grace than ever man had.
And her maidenhood nothing defiled:
She is deputed to bear the Son, Almighty God.
Lo, sovereignties now may you be glad,
For of this maiden all we may be fain;[216]
For Adam that now lies in sorrows full sad,
Her glorious birth shall redeem him again
From bondage and thrall.
Now be merry every man,
For this deed briefly in Israel shall be done,
And before the Father on his throne
That shall glad us all.
More of this matter fain would I move,