‘Now tell me, sweet son, I thee pray, thou art me lief and dear, How should I keep thee to thy pay,[12] and make thee glad of cheer? For all thy will I would fulfil, Thou weet’st full well in fay.[13] And for all this I will thee kiss, And sing byby, lullay.’ ‘My dear mother, when time it be, thou take me up aloft, And settë me upon thy knee, and handle me full soft. And in thy arm Thou hile[14] me warm, And keepë night and day; If I weep And may not sleep, Thou sing byby, lullay.’ ‘Now, sweet son, since it is so, that all is at thy will, I pray thee grant to me a boon if it be right and skill,[15] That child or man That will or can Be merry upon my day; To bliss them bring, And I shall sing Lullay, byby, lullay.’ [9] Last. [10] Anon. [11] Bird. [12] Content. [13] Faith. [14] Cover. [15] Reasonable. 6. LULLAY, MY LIKING, MY DEAR SON Lullay, my liking, my dear son, my sweeting, Lullay, my dear heart, my own dear darling. I saw a fair maiden sitten and sing. She lulled a little child, a sweet lording. Lullay, &c. That ilke lord is that that made all thing, Of all lordës he is lord, of all kingës king. Lullay, &c. There was mickle melody at that childës birth, All that were in heaven’s bliss they made mickle mirth. Lullay, &c. Angels bright they sung that night and saiden to that child, Blessed be thou, and so be she that is both meek and mild. Lullay, &c. Pray we now to that child, and to his mother dear. Grant them his blessing that now maken cheer. Lullay, &c. 7. SAINT STEPHEN WAS A CLERK Saint Stephen was a clerk In King Herodës hall, And servèd him of bread and cloth As every king befall. Stephen out of kitchen came, With boarës head on hand, He saw a star was fair and bright Over Bethlem stand. He cast adown the boarës head And went into the hall: ‘I forsake thee, King Herodës, And thy workës all. ‘I forsake thee, King Herodës, And thy werkës all; There is a child in Bethlem born Is better than we all.’ ‘What aileth thee, Stephen? What is thee befall? Lacketh thee either meat or drink In King Herodës hall?’ ‘Lacketh me neither meat ne drink In King Herodës hall; There is a child in Bethlem born Is better than we all.’ ‘What aileth thee, Stephen? Art thou wode[16] Or thou ginnest to breed?[17] Lacketh thee either gold or he Or any richë weed?’[18] ‘Lacketh me neither gold or fee, Ne none richë weed; There is a child in Bethlem born Shall help us at our need.’