_Herod._ Yes! and walk softly even at your own ease. Your passport for a hundred days Here shall you have of clear command; Our realm to labour[251] any ways Here shall you have by special grant. _3rd King._ Now farewell, king of high degree, Humbly of you our leave we take. _Herod._ Then adieu, sir kings, all three, And while I live be bold of me; There is nothing in this country, But for your own ye shall it take. [_Exeunt the Three Kings._ Now these three kings are gone on their way, Unwisely and unwittingly have they all wrought. When they come again, they shall die that same day, And thus these vile wretches to death shall be brought; Such is my liking. He that against my laws will hold, Be he king or kaiser, never so bold, I shall them cast into cares cold, And to death I shall them bring. [_There Herod goeth his way, and the Three Kings come in again._ _1st King._ Oh, blessed God, much is thy might! Where is this star that gave us light? _2nd King._ Now kneel we down here on this presence By seeking that Lord of high magnificence; That we may see his high excellence, If that his sweet will be. _3rd King._ Yonder, brother, I see the star, Whereby I know he is not far; Therefore, lords, go we now, Into this poor place. [_There the Three Kings go in to the jeseyne[252], Mary and her child._ _1st King._ Hail, Lord, that all this world hath wrought! Hail God and man together in fere.[253] For thou hast made all thing of nought Albeit that thou liest poorly here. A cup full of gold here I have thee brought In tokening thou art without peer. _2nd King._ Hail be thou, Lord of high magnificence In tokening of priesthood, and dignity of office, To thee I offer a cup full of incense; For it behoveth thee to have such sacrifice. _3rd King._ Hail be thou, Lord long looked for! I have brought thee myrrh for mortality; In tokening those shalt mankind restore To life by thy death upon a tree. _Mary._ God have mercy, kings, of your goodness! By the guiding of the Godhead hither are ye sent; The provision of my sweet son, your ways home redress, And ghostly reward you for your present. _1st King._ Sir kings, after 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.