‘That is also[19] sooth, Stephen, Also sooth, i-wis,[20] As this capon crowë shall That lieth here in my dish.’ That word was not so soonë said, That word in that hall, The capon crew, ‘Christus natus est,’ Among the lordës all. ‘Riseth up, my tormentors, By two and also by one, And leadeth Stephen out of this town, And stoneth him with stone.’ Tooken they Stephen And stoned him in the way, And therefore is his even On Christës own day. [16] Mad. [17] Become (mad). [18] Dress. [19] As. [20] Certainly. 8. THE SHEPHERDS’ OFFERINGS _Angel._ Herdmen hend,[21] Dread ye no thing Of this star that ye do see; For this same morn God’s son is born In Bethlem of a maiden free. _First Shepherd._ Hail maid, mother, and wife so mild! As the angel said, so have we fand. I have nothing to present with thy child But my pipe; hold, hold, take it in thy hand; Wherein much pleasure that I have fand; And now, to honour thy glorious birth, Thou shalt it have to make thee mirth. _Second 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 need to complain, For wind, ne sun, hail, snow, and rain. _Third 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 bend, For your coming To my child shall I pray, As he is heaven king To grant you his blessing And to his bliss that ye may wend At your last day. _Here the Shepherds sing_: As I out rode this enderes[22] night Of three jolly shepherds I saw a sight, And all about their fold a star shone bright; They sang _terli_, _terlow_; So merrily the shepherds their pipes can blow. 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. [21] Courteous. [22] Last. 9. CAN I NOT SING BUT HOY! _Can I not sing but Hoy!_ _When the jolly shepherd made so much joy!_ The shepherd upon a hill he sat, He had on him his tabard and his hat, His tar-box, his pipe, and his flagat. His name was called Jolly, Jolly Wat; For he was a good herds-boy, Ut hoy! For in his pipe he made so much joy. _Can I not sing but hoy._