Speaker 1: The wakefield Second Nativity play first shepherd, Lord, what these
weathers are cold? And I am ill happ'd. I am
near hand dold. So long have I nap'd my legs
bend and fold my fingers a chap. It is not
as I would, for I am all lapp'd in sorrow,
in storms and tempest. Now in the east, now in
the west. Woeies him hast never rest mid day nor morrow.
But we silly shepherds that walk upon the moor in faith,
we are near hands out of the door. No wonder,
as it stands if we be poor, for the tilt
of our lands lies follow us the floor. We are
so lam'd, so tax'd and sham'd. We are made hand
tam'd with these gentlery men. Thus they reave us. Have
rest our, lady, Then weary these men that are lord
fest They cause the platerrant that men say is for
the best. We find it contrary. Thus a husband's oppressed
in point to miscarry in life, thus holding us under.
Thus they bring us in blunder. It wi great wonder,
and ever should we thrive, for may he get a
paint sleeve of a brooch. Now on days woe is
he that shall grieve, or once again says ten, no
man him reprieve what mastery he has, And yet may
not believe one word that he says. No letter he
can make purveyance with boast and bragante, and all through
maintenance of men that are greater, there shall come a
swain as proud as a poe. He must borrow my wain,
my plow also, And I am full fain to drownt
or he go thus live me in pain, anger and
whob by night and day he must have if he longered,
if I should forgang it, I were better be angered
than once say him. Nay, it does me good as
I walked us by my own of this world. For
to talk in manner of mom to my sheep will
ice talk and hearken Anon there abide on a bulk,
or sit on a stonefull soon, for I trow body
two many if they be we get more company, or
it benoon second shepherd beneath day undominous? And what may
this be mean? Why does this world thus opt? Have
we not seen the Lord? These weathers are spight us,
and the weatherful keen, and the frost so hideous they
water mine een No like now in dright now in wet,
now in snow, now in sleep, when my shoon freees
to my feet. It is not all easy, but as
far as I can oh, Yet as I go, we
silly wet men dreamicl warp. We have sorrow then, and
then it falls off, And so silly tapple a him
both to and bro She cackles, but begins she to crop,
to groan, nor to cluck. Whoe is him, say of
our carp, for he is in the shackles. These men
that are wed have not all their will. When they
are full hartstead, they ciple still God, Wait, they are lead, full, hardened,
full ill in bower, nor in bed, they say, not
there till this time my part of I bound, My
lesson is learned. Woe is him that is bound, for
he must abide. But now late in our lives a
marble to me that I think my heart rives such
wonders to see what that destiny drives. It should so be.
Some men will have two wives, and some men three
in store. Some are woe that have any. But so
far can I woe is he who has many, for
he feels it so. But young men of wooing for
God that you bought. Be well aware of wedding, and
think in your thought, had I wish is a thing
it serves ye of naught Michael, still mourning, has wedding
home brought, and griefs with many a sharp shower for
thou may catch in an hour that shall serve thee
full sour, as long as thou lives. For as read
I epistle, I have one to my fear, as sharp
as a thistle, as a rougher a briard. She is
browed like a bristle with a sour lanton cheer. Had
she wants, what a whistle she could sing full clear
her button nustard she is as great as a whale.
She has a gallon of gaul by him that died
for us all How would I had run till I
lost it? First shepherd, God, look over the RoAF, Oh
deaply you stand. Second shepherd, yay the devil in thy
more so tarry Anne saw that ought now a door?
First shepherd, yeay on a leyland heard I am blow?
He comes here and not fast and stell. Second shepherd, why,
first shepherd, before he comes here? Hope I second shepherd,
he will make us both alive. But if we beware
third shepherd Christ, crust me speed, and Saint Nicholas, there
are but I needed. Is worse than it was who
so could take heed and let the world pass. It
is ever in dread and brittle as glass and slithers
this world beard never so with marbles more and more
now in weal now in woe, and all things withers.
Was never since Noah's blood such blood seen, winds and rain,
so rude and scarm, so keen. Some stammered, some stood
in doubt. As I win now, God, turn all to good,
I say, as I mean, for ponder these bloods. So
they drown, both in fields and in town. They bear
all down, And that is a wonder. We that walk
in the nights are cattle to keep. We see sudden
sights when other men sleep. Yet methinks my heart lights,
I see shrews beep. Year are two all whites. I
will give my sheep a turn. But for illn have
I meant, as I walk on this bent, I may
lightly pent my toes if I spurnt ah, Sir, God,
you save and muster mine now drink fain would I
have and somewhat to dine. First shepherd, Christ curs my name,
Thou art a lazy hind. Second Shepherd, what the boy
list rabe abide until sign we have made it? Hearthrift
on thy fate. Though the shrew came late, yet is
he in state to dine if he had it? Third Shepherd,
such servants as I that sweats and swinks eats our
breadful dry, and that me for thinks we are off
wet and weary when master men winks, yet comes full
lately both dinners and drinks, but neatly, both that dame
and our sire. When we have runn in the mire,
they can nip at our higher and pay us full lately.
But here my truth, Master, for the fair that you make,
I shall do that. After workers I take, I shall
do a little, sir, and strive, and still lack for
Yet let my supper never on my stomach. In fields
where to should I shriek with mustaff? Can I leap?
And men say like cheap levely for yields. First shepherd,
thou werting ill lad to ride on wooing with a
man that had but little of spending. Second shepherd, peace, boy,
I bed no more jangling I shall make thee afraid
by the evans king with thy gords, whereas sheep boy
we scorn. Third shepherd sad this same day at morn,
Ei them left in the corn when they rang lords.
They have passed you good. They cannot go wrong. First shepherd,
that is right by the rude these nights along, Yet
I would or we yielde one gave us a song,
Second shepherd, so I thought, as I stood demourth us
among third shepherd a grant. First shepherd, let me sing
the teneric. Second shepherd, and I the trouble so high.
Third shepherd. Then the mean falls to me. Let's see
how ye chant Mac enters with a cloak thrown over
his smock. Mac, now lord for thy names seven, that
made both moon and stands well more than I can
even thy will. Lord of my thorns. I am all
uneven that moves up my horns. Nor would God I
were in heaven, for there weep no bounds. So still,
First shepherd, who is that so poor? Mac? Would God
ye knew how I fare low a man that walks
on the moor and has not all his will? Second shepherd, Mac,
where hast thou gone? Tell Us tidings. Third shepherd, is
he come? Then each one take heed to his things,
takes his cloak from him? Mac, what I am a yeoman?
I tell you of the king the sulf and the
same sunk from a great lording, and such fight on
you get the hints out of my presence. I must
have reverence. Why who'll be it? First shepherd? Why make it?
It's a quaint, mat you do wrong? Second shepherd, but Mac,
list ye saint, I try that, ye sang? Third shepherd,
I trow the shrew and paint the devil might him
hang man, I shall make complaint and make you all
to thrang at a word, and tell even how ye duck?
First shepherd, but Mac, is that sooth? Now take out
that southern tooth and set in a turd. Second shepherd,
Mac the devil in ye e a stroke? Would I
lend you? Third shepherd, Mac, no, ye not me? By God?
I could tell you, Mac, God look you all three?
My thought I had seen you. Ye are a beir company.
First shepherd, can ye now moan you? Second shepherd shrewd
jape thus late as that goes, what will men suppose?
And thou hast an ill noise? Of stealing your sheep, Mac,
And I am true as steel. All men wait. But
a sickness I feel that holds me for hat my
belly fares not well? It is out of its steak.
Third shepherd seldom lies the devil dead by the gate,
Mac therefore full saw am I in ill? If I
stand stock still? I eat not an eagle this month?
And more? First shepherd halpares thy wife by my hood.
She Mac lies weltering by the rude, by the fire low,
and a house full of bruce. She drinks well too.
I'll speed o the good that she will do, But
so eats as fast as she can. And each year
that comes to man she brings port and lacan, and
some years too. But were I not more gracious and
richer by far I were eaten out of house and
of harbor. Yet is she a foul dows? If you
come near? There is none that trous nor knows a war?
Then can I now? Will you ye see what I
proper to give all in my copper to morrow next
to offer her head masspenny? Second shepherd, I what so
for waked? Is none in this shire? I would sleep
if I take it less to my hire third shepherd,
I am cold and naked, and would have a fire.
First shepherd, I am weary, I acred and run in
the mire. Wait thou, Second shepherd, nay, I will lie
down by, for I must sleep truly. Third shepherd, as
good a man's son, was I as any of you,
But Mac comether between us. Shot thou like Mac, Then
might I stay? You be dean I that ye would
say no dread from my head to my toe. Mantis
to ascommendo panchio pilato, Christ cross me speed he rises
the shepherd sleeping, and says, now were time for a
man that lacks what he would to stalk privately, then
into a fold, and namely to work then, and be
not too bold. He might abide the bargain if it
were told at the ending. Now were time but a rabble,
But he needs good counsel, that fain would farewell, and
he but little spending Mac works a spell on them.
But about you a circle as round as a moon.
Till I have done that, I will till that it
be noon, That ye lie stone still till that I
have done, and I shall say there till of good
words afoinn on height over your heads my hand, I
lip out go your eyes, for to do your sight?
But yet I must make better ship, And it be right?
What lord? They steep hard? That may eat all? Here?
Was I never a shepherd? But now will I lay it?
If the block be scared? Yet? Shall I nap near?
Who draws hitherwood? Now men's are cheer from sorrow? A
fat sheep, I daresay, a good pleased? Dare I lay
white when I may? But that's well I borrow He
steals a sheep and goes home, Matt at his own door.
How do you get us some light? His wife? Who
makes such doing this time of night? I am so,
but spin I hope not I might rise a penny
to win. I shrew them on height so fair as
a housewife, that as being to be raised. Thus between
there may no note be seen for such small chairs.
Mac good wife open the heck, says they're not what
I bring? Why I may let thee for the neck
are come in my sweeting, Mac, yay, thou dost not
reckon my long standing? Why by thy naked neck thou
art like? For to hang Mac go away? I'm worthy
of my meat. For in a straight can I get
more than they that swink and sweat all the day long.
Thus it fell to my lot, Jill, I had such grace.
Why it were a foul block to be hanged for
the case Mac high escape jelot often as hard as glass?
Why but so long goes the pot to the water men, says,
at last comes it home broken? Mac? Well, no either token,
but let it never be spoken, but come and help fast?
How woody were flame? I list will eat this twelve month?
Was I not so pain of one sheep? Meet? Why
come they? If he be slain? And hear the sheep bleat, Mac,
then my I betain that were a cold sweat co
pather gatedor wife? Yes, Mac, and they come at thy back? Mac,
Then my I pay for all the pack of the
double of them? What why a good bird have I spied?
Since thou can none? Here shall we hear? Might? Or
they begun in my cradle a bite? Let me alone,
and I shall lie beside in child bed and grown
mac thud, And I shall say, thou wast light of
a knave child this night? Why? Now well is my
daybreak that ever I was bred? This is a good guys,
and a forecast Yeah. A woman advice helps At the last,
I can never who spies again, go thou fast, Mac,
but I come, or they rise splows a cold blust.
I will go sleep. Mac goes back to the field.
Yet sleep all this many, and I shall go stalk
privily as it had never been eyed that carried their sheep.
First shepherd resurrects or mortreus have hold my hand Judas
Carnas Dominus. I may not well stand. My foot sleeps
by Jesus, and I water fast, And I thought that
we laid us fall near England. Second shepherd, ah, ye, Lord,
how I have slept. Weel as fresh as an eel,
as light. I ney feel as leaf for a treat.
Third shepherd, ben'sday be here in So my head quakes,
My heart is out of skin? What so it makes?
Who makes all this? Din? So my brow aches to
the door. Will I win heart? Followers wakes? We were four?
See ye anything of mat now? First shepherd, we were
up a thou. Second shepherd, man, I give God a vow,
yet he'd he nowhere. Third shepherd METHODI was wrapped in
a wolf's skin. First shepherd, so are many happed now?
Namely within second shepherd, when we had long napped me
thought with a gin a fact she'd be trapped, but
he made no dim Third shepherd be stilled. Thy dream
makes the wool. It is bat phantom by the rude.
First shepherd, Now God turn all to good, if it
be his will. Second shepherd, rise mat for shame the
list right long mac Now Christ his holy name be
us among What is this for Saint James? I may
not well, gang, I trust I'd be the same. Ah
my neckers lane wrang enough Michel, thank since yestera even
now by Saint Stephen. I was played with a swathing.
My heart out of slough, I thought. Jill began to
croak and travel for said well nigh at the first
of a young lad put a mandablock. Then be I
never glad to have two on my rock, more than
ever I had harm. My head has full of young thumbs.
The double knock out their hands. Whoa is he has
many bands, and there too little bread. I must go
home by your leave to deal as I thought. I
pray you look my sleeve that I steal. Not I
am loathed you to grieve, or from you take aught.
Third shepherd, go forth ill my b cheap Now would
I we sort this morn that we had all our dog?
First shepherd, But I will go before let us meet
second shepherd, whak, third shepherd at the crooked thorn, Matt
at his own door again, hunto this door? Who is here?
How long shall I stand? Why? Who makes such a stird?
Now walk in the one yan mac ah jill, what
cheer it is? I'm mat your husband his wife? Then
may we be here? The devil and abandon said gile
Lo he cometh with a lot, as he were holding
in the throat. I may not sit, work or not
a hand long? While mac will ye hear what bear
she makes to get her a glows? And do nought
but lakes and close her toes? Why? Why who wonders?
Who wakes? Who comes, who goes? Who bruised? Who bakes?
Who makes for me this hose? And then it is
ruth to behold now in hot now in cold full
wopel is the household that wants a woman. But what
end hast thou made with the herds? Mac Mac the
last word that they said, when I turned my back,
they would look that they had the sheep hold the pack.
I hope they will not be well paid. When they
their sheep lack but deep. But how so the game
goes to me. They will suppose and make a foul
noise and cry out upon me. But thou must do
as thou ht Why I have called me their tell,
I shall swaddle him right in my cradle. If it
were a greater sight, Yet could I helped del? I
will lie down straight, Come at me, Mac, I will
why behind come colonies marrow. They will nip us bull
narrow Mac. But I may cry harrow the sheep if
they find why hearken I when they call, they will
come and come and make ready all and sing by
thine own sing little a thou shalt, I must groan
and cry out by the wall on Mary and John,
for sare sing lulay for fast when thou hears a
last and but I play a false cast, just me
no more. Re enter the three shepherds. Third shepherd, ah,
good morn, Why sleepers thou not first shepherd, our last?
That ever was I born? We have a foul blot
a fact whether have we lawn? Third shepherd murried goddess
for but second shepherd, who should do us that scorn?
That were a foul spot. First shepherd, some shrew I
have sought with my dogs, or howbury shrugs, and of
fifteen hogs found I but won you? Third shepherd, now
trust me if you will by Saint Thomas of Kent,
either Mac or Jill was at that ascent. First shepherd,
peace man be still I saw when he went a
spanders him ale that ought to repent good speed. Second
shepherd now has ever my id? If I should even
here d I would say it were he that did
that same deed. Third shepherd, on we thither I read
and run on our feet. May I never eat bread
the truth till I wit first shepherd, nor drink in
my heed with him till I meet second shepherd? I
will rest in no stead till that I am greet
my brother. One. I will hide till I see him
in sight? Shall I never sleep one night? There I do? Another?
Third shepherd? Will ye hear how they hack our sire? List?
Are they troon? First shepherd? Hard eye? Never none crack
so clear out of tune? Second shepherd, Mac undo your
door soon? Mac? Who is it that spoke as it were?
Noon on lop two? Is that I say? Third shepherd?
Good fellows were it day, Mac, as far as ye
may good, speak ye soft horr a sick woman's head,
that is illmate ease, I had liefer be dead, or
she had any disease? Why go to another stead? I
may not well queeze each foot that ye dread goes
near make me sneeze. So first shepherd tell us Mac,
if ye may how fair, ye, I say, Mac, But
are ye in this town today? Now? How fair ye
here running the mire? And are wet? Yet? I shall
make you a fight? If ye will sit a horse?
Would I hire? Thank ye on it? Well? Quit is
my hire, my dream? This is it a season? And
I have bands if you knew well more than in knew.
But we must drink as we brew, And that is
but reason I would you dined a e o think
that you sweat? Second shepherd Nay, neither men's amood drink
nor meat. Mac, Why sir, ales you ought but good?
Third shepherd, Yes, our sheep that we get are stolen
as they you. Our loss is great, Mac, sirs, drink
is had I been there, some should have brought it
full deer. First shepherd marry some mantrous that you were,
and that us for think is second shepherd Mac some
mantrose that it should be ye third shepherd, either ye
or your spows, so say we Mac. Now if ye
hou s s'pose to jilt or to me, come and
rip our house? And then may ye see who had heard?
If I any sheep got either cow or stop and
jill my wife rose not here since she laid her
as I am both true and leal to God. Here
I pray that this be the first meal I shall
eat this day. First shepherd Mac, as I have weal
her eyes. The I say he learned timely to steal?
That could not say nay, why I swell out thieves
from my aunt's Ye come to rob us for the nuns.
Mag hear ye not as she groans. Your heart should melt.
Why out thieves from my nay him not thought Mac
knew ye how she had fun? Your hearts would be sore.
He doo wrong? Are you warm that thus cometh before
to a woman that has fun? But I say no more?
Why ah, my meddle, I pray to God so mild.
If ever, are you beguiled that I eat this child
that lies in this cradle? Mac, peace woman for God's pain,
and cry not so, thus spillst thy brain and makes
me full woe. Second shepherd, I know a she't be slain?
What find ye too? Third shepherd? Or work we in
vain as well? May we go? But hatters I can
find no flesh hard, no nesh, salt nor fresh, but
two toned flatters, no cattle, but there's tame nor wild
none as have I bliss as loud as he smiled?
Why no, so God me bliss and give me joy
of my child. First shepherd, we are marked, amiss, I
hold us beguiled. Second shepherd, Sir done, sir, our lady
him saved? Is your child a knave? Mac? Any lord?
Might him have this child to his son when he wakens?
He skips? That joy is to see. Third shepherd in
good time beer steps. I'm happy they be? But who
was his gossips? Tell now to me mac so fair
fall their lips. First shepherd aside her now Ali mac so,
God them bang parkin and gibbon waller, I say, and
gentle John horn in good fay. He made all the
garray with the great shank. Second shepherd, Mac friends, will
we be for we're all wine? Mac? Why now I
hold for me for help, get I none, farewell all
three all glad were ye gone. Third shepherd, fair words
may there be but love there is none. First shepherd
gave ye the child anything. Second shepherd, I just not
one farthing. Third shepherd past again were ipling are by?
Yee me there here returns to max cutt Mac take
it to no grief if I come to thy bun
mac nay thou dost any great reprieve and foul hast
thou fun. Third shepherd, the child will it not grieve?
That little day's done? Mac with your leave? Let me
give your band but sixpence mac nay go away he sleepers.
Third shepherd miththink he peepers Mac. When he wakens he weepers.
I pray you go hence. Third shepherd give me leave
him to kiss and dipped up the club. What the
double ist Bessie has a long snap. First shepherd, he
is marked and miss we wait ill about. Second shepherd
ill spun wept, I wiss I come a foul out
iso he has like to our sheep. Third shepherd, how
give may I peep? First shepherd, Hi, trud kind will
creat where it may not go. Second shepherd, this was
a quaint god and a forecast. It was a high fraud.
Third shepherd, yea, sirs was it? Let burn this board
and bind her past A full scord hangs at the
last soloat shall vow will ye see how they swaddle
his four feet in the middle. I saw I never
in a cradle a horned lad, and now mag peace
bit I what let be your fair? I'm either him
gat and yond woman him bed. First shepherd, what devil
shallly halt mac low, God makes air? Second shepherd, let
be all that? Now, God give him care? I sah,
Why a pretty child is he that sits upon a
woman's knee? A dilly dawn perdie to make a man laugh?
Third shepherd, I know him by the ear mark. That
is a good token. Mac I tell you, sirs, ah,
his nose was broken. Since then told me a clerk
that he was first spoken. First shepherd, this is a
false work. I would fain be broken. Get a weapon.
Why he was taken by an elf? I saw it
myself from the clock struck twelve? Was he misshaped? Second shepherd,
You two are right death same in a stead. Third shepherd,
since they maintain their theft let's do them to dead Mac.
If I trespass, gird off my head with you, will
I be left? First shepherd, sirs, do my read for
this trespass. We will neither ban nor flight, fight nor jite,
but seize him tight and cast them in canverse. They
toss Mac for his sins. First shepherd, as the three
returned to the fold, Lord, how I am sore in
point footed trust in faith, I may no more? Therefore
will I rest. Second shepherd has a sheep of seven
score he weighed in my fist for to sleep anywhere,
to think that I list, Third Shepherd. Now I pray
you lie down on this green, First shepherd, on these thefts.
Yet I mean, third shepherd, where two should you team?
Do as I say? You enter an angel above, who
sings Gloria in exchelsis, then says, rise, hired men, hain.
For now is he born that shall take from the
fiend that Adam hadlorn, that warlock to shamed. This night
is he born? God is major friend. Now at this
morn he behests to bedlam. Go see there lies that
free in a crib for poorly betwixt two beasts. First shepherd,
this was a quaint steven that ever yet I heard
it is a marvel to neven, thus to be scared.
Second shepherd, Oh, god, son of Heaven, he spoke up
word or the wood like the leaven methought that he
guard appeared. Third shepherd, he spoke of a bend in bedlam.
Are you worn? First shepherd, that betokens yonder Stan to
seek him there? Second shepherd, say what was his song?
Had you not how he cacked it? Three breabes to
a long Third shepherd, yay, marry he hacked. It was
no crutch wrong, nor no thing that lacked it. First shepherd,
for to sing us among right as he nept it
I can. Second shepherd, let us see how ye koon
can you bark at the moon? Third shepherd, Oh, jr.
Tongues I've done. First shepherd hark after. Then second shepherd
to bed let me bade that we should gang. I
am full feared that we tarry too lang. Third shepherd,
be merry and not sad of mirth? Is our sang
everlasting glad our road? May we bang without noise? First shepherd, Aye,
we gather quickly if we be wet and weary. To
that child and that lady. We have it not to
Slow's second shepherd, we find by the prophecy that be
your din of David and Isa, and more than I mean,
they prophesied by clergy that on a virgin should he
like and lead to pardon a sin and slake it
a kind from woe for Esaias said, so see de
virgo con gpet a child that is naked. Third Shepherd,
For glad may we be and abide that day that lovely,
to see that all might make Lord well for me
for one sin? For I might I kneel on my
knee some word for to say to that child. But
the Angel said in a crib was he laid? He
was poorly arrayed, Both Mina and my wild First shepherd,
fatriarchs that have been and prophets befawn. They desire to
have seen this child that is born. They are gone
full clean that have they lorn. We shall see in
my ween Ere it be mourned by token when I
see him, and feel then no eyeful. Weal it is
true as steel that prophets are spoken to so poor
as we are, that he would appear first find and
declare by his messenger. Second Shepherd, go we now let
us fare. The place is us near. Third shepherd, I
am ready and yard go we in fear to that
light Lord. If thy wills be we all lude all three,
Thou grant us of thy glee to comfort thy white.
The shepherds arrive at Bethlehem. First shepherd, Hail, comely and clean, Hail,
young child, Hail maker, as I mean of a maiden,
so mild, Thou hast word, I ween off the warlock
so wild. The false guiler of Tea now goes he beguiled.
Lo he marry is, though he laughs, My sweeting, A
welcome meeting I have given my greeting. Have a bob
of cherries. Second shepherd, Hail, sovereign Savior, for thou hast
us sought, Hail freely, leaf and flower, that all thing
has wrought. Hail full of favor that made all of naught. Hail,
I kneel an I cower a bird of I bought,
and to my band, hail, little tiny mop have our creet,
Thou art crop, I would drink in thy cup, little
gays dan. Third shepherd, Hail, darling, dear full of God.
He I pray thee be near. When that I have need. Hale,
sweet is thy cheer. My heart would bleed to see
thee sit here in so poor weed, with no pennies. Hail,
put forth, thy dull, I bring thee but a ball,
have and play thee withal, and go to the tennis. Mary,
the father of Heaven, God omnipotent, that set all on
leavin his son as he sent my name, could he
neven and laughed as he went. I conceived him full
even through might, as God meant and knew, is he borne?
He keep you from woe. I shall pray him. So
tell forth as ye go and mind on this morn.
First shepherd, farewell, lady, so fair to behold with thy
child on thy kneet. Second Shepherd, but he lies full cold, Lord,
well is made. Now we go forth behold third shepherd,
forsooth already it seems to be told full oft. First Shepherd,
what grace we have fun? Second shepherd? Come forth, now
are we one? Third shepherd to sing? Are we bun
let take on loft and of the wakefield. Second shepherd's
plate by the wakefield Master