[_Binding Isaac._ _Isaac._ Ah, father! we must no more meet By aught that I can see, But do with me just as you will, I must obey, and that is skill, God's commandment to fulfil, For needs so must it be. Upon the purpose that have set you, Forsooth, father, I will not let you, But evermore unto you bow, While that I may. Father, greet well my brethren young, And pray my mother for her blessing, I come no more under her wing: Farewell for ever and aye! But, father, I cry you mercy, Of that I have trespassed to thee, Forgiven, father, that it may be Until doom's day. _Abraham._ My dear son, let be thy moans; My child, thou grievedst me but once. Blessed be thou body and bones, And I forgive thee here. Lo, my dear son, here shalt thou lie; Unto my work now must I hie, I had as lief myself to die As thou, my darling dear. _Isaac._ Father, if you be to me kind, About my head a kercher[80] bind, And let me lightly out of your mind, And soon that I were sped. _Abraham._ Farewell, my sweet son of grace! _Isaac._ I pray you, father, turn down my face A little while, while you have space, For I am full sore adread. _Abraham._ To do this deed I am sorry. _Isaac._ Yea, Lord, to thee I call and cry: On my soul may thou have mercy, Heartily I thee pray. _Abraham._ Lord, I would fain work thy will. This young innocent that lies so still Full loth were I him to kill By any manner of way. _Isaac._ My dear father, I you pray, Let me take my clothes away, For shedding blood on them to-day, At my last ending. _Abraham._ Heart! if thou would'st break in three, Thou shalt never master me, I will no longer let[81] for thee, My God I may not grieve. _Isaac._ Ah, mercy, father! why tarry you so? Smite off my head, and let me go! I pray you, rid me of my woe; For now I take my leave. _Abraham._ Ah, son! my heart will break in three To hear thee speak such words to me. Jesus, on me thou have pitý That I have most in mind! _Isaac._ Now, father, I see that I shall die, Almighty God in majestý, My soul I offer unto thee: Lord, to it be kind. [_Abraham takes the sword, as if to kill his son, when two angels appear. One of them seizes the point of the sword, and says,_ _1st Angel._ Abraham, my servant dear! _Abraham._ Lo, Lord! I am already here. _1st Angel._ Lay not thy sword in any manner On Isaac, thy dear darling! Nay! do thou him no annoy! For thou dreadest God; well, see I, That of thy son hast no mercy To fulfil his bidding. _2nd Angel._ And for his bidding thou doest aye, And spares neither, for fear nor fray, To do thy son to death to-day, Isaac to thee full dear, Therefore God has sent by me in fay,[82] A lamb that is both good and gay Into this place as thou see may, Lo! it is right here.