ngels sing "Gloria in Excelsis" again._

_Mary._ Ah Joseph, husband, come hither anon
My child is born that is King of bliss.

_Joseph._ Now welcome to me, the maker of man,
With all the homage that I can;
Thy sweet mother here will I kiss.

_Mary._ Ah Joseph, husband, my child waxeth cold
And we have no fire to warm him with.

_Joseph._ Now in my arms I shall him fold,
King of all kings by field and by frith,[229]
He might have had better, and himself would
Than the breathing of these beasts to warm him with.

_Mary._ Now, Joseph, my husband, fetch hither my child,
The maker of man, and high King of bliss.

_Joseph._ That shall be done, anon, Mary so mild!
For the breathing of these beasts hath warmed him, I wis.

_1st Angel._ Herdmen kind, dread ye nothing,
Of this star that ye do see;
For this same morn God's son is born,
In Bethlem of a maiden fre.[230]

_2nd Angel._ Hie you hither in haste,
It is his will ye shall him see
Lying in a crib of poor repast;
Yet of David's line come is he.

_1st Shepherd._ Hail, maid-mother, and wife so mild!
As the angel said, so have we found,
I have nothing to present to thy child,
But my pipe; hold, hold! take it in thy hand;
Wherein much pleasure that I have found,
And now to honour thy glorious birth,
Thou shalt it have to make thee mirth.

_2nd Shepherd._ Now, hail be thou, child, and thy dame,
For in a poor lodging here art thou laid;
So the angel said, and told us thy name.
Hold, take thou here my hat on thy head,
And now of one thing thou art well sped;
For weather thou hast no cause to complain,
For wind, nor sun, hail, snow, and rain.

_3rd Shepherd._ Hail, be thou Lord over water and lands
For thy coming all we may make mirth,
Have here my mittens to put on thy hands
Other treasure have I none to present thee with.

_Mary._ Now, herdmen kind,
For your coming,
To my child shall I pray,
As he is heaven's king,
To grant you his blessing,
And to his bliss that ye may wynd[231]
At your last day.

[_There the Shepherds sing again:_]

Down from heaven, from heaven so high,
Of angels there came a great company,
With mirth, and joy, and great solemnity
They sang, Terli, terlow;
So merrily the shepherds their pipes can blow.

[_The two prophets come in._

_1st Prophet._ Novellis, novellis,[232] of wonderful marvellys,[233]
Were high and sweet unto the hearing,
As Scripture tellis, these strange novellis
To you I bring.

_2nd Prophet._ Now, he