r our promise,
Home by Herod, I must needs go.

_2nd King._ Now truly, brother, we can no less,
But I am so far watched I wot not what to do.

_3rd King._ Right so am I, wherefore I you pray
Let all us rest us awhile upon this ground.

_1st King._ Brother, your saying is right well unto my pay
The grace of that sweet child save us all sound.

_Angel._ King of Taurus, Sir Jaspar!
King of Araby, Sir Balthasar!
Melchior, king of Aginara!
To you now am I sent.
For dread of Herod, go you west home
In those parts when ye come down,
Ye shall be burrid[254] with great renown:
The Holy Ghost this knowledge hath sent.

_1st King._ Awake, sir kings, I you pray,
For the voice of an angel I heard in my dream!

_2nd King._ That is full true that ye do say
For he rehearsed our names plain.

_3rd King._ He bade that we should go down by west
For dread of Herod's false betray.

_1st King._ So for to do it is the best,
The child that we have sought, guide us the way!

[_Turning to the babe._

Now farewell, the fairest of shape so sweet,
And thanked be Jesus of his sond.[255]
That we three together so suddenly should meet
That dwell so wide, and in a strange land;
And here to make our presentation
Unto this king's son cleansed so clean,
And to his mother for our salvation;
Of much mirth now may we mean,
That we so well hath done this oblation.

_2nd King._ Now farewell, Sir Jaspar, brother to you,
King of Taurus, the most worth;
Sir Balthasar, also to you I bow
And I thank you both of your good company,
While we together have been.
He that made us to meet on hill,
I thank him now, and ever I will;
For now may we go without ill;
And of our offering be full fain.

_3rd King._ Now sith that we must needly go
For dread of Herod, that is so wroth,
Now farewell brother, and brother also;
I take my leave here of you both,
This day on foot.
Now he that made us to meet on plain.
And offered to Mary in her jeseyne,[256]
He give us grace in heaven again,
Altogether to meet.

[_Exeunt the Three Kings: Enter the Herald and King Herod._

_Herald._ Hail, King most worthiest in wede![257]
Hail, maintainer of courtesy through all this world wide!
Hail, the most mightiest that ever bestrode a steed!
Hail, most manfullest man in armour man to abide!
Hail in thine honour!
These three kings that forth were sent
And should have come again before thee here present,
Another way, Lord, home they went
Contrary to thine honour.